Virtual information source and interactive operation method of television desktop application software

Abstract

According to the television desktop application software virtual information source and interactive operation method provided by the invention, the information source is virtualized on a system setting layer on an Android and smart television with an Android-like operating system, and the application software is set based on the virtualized information source, so that the virtual information source interaction of the television desktop application software is realized. Therefore, the television desktop application software of a plurality of different set top boxes or television boxes can be virtualized into independent information sources according to respective software names. According to the technical scheme of the invention, the virtual information source and the physical information source of the television desktop application software are managed in a unified manner through the virtual information source, and are presented to the user through the system information source management interface of the television, so that the integration of heterogeneous terminal television service functions is realized, and the original set top box or television box terminal is reduced. Based on the multi-smart television desktop software interactive operation method provided by the invention, a user can realize switching and operation of a plurality of television desktop application software through a single remote controller, so that the user operation is simplified, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of television communications, and in particular to a method for virtualizing and interactively operating television desktop application software, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with rapid economic development and continuous technological advancement, the penetration rate of smart TVs has increased significantly, ushering in opportunities for rapid growth in the digital TV industry. The diverse and rich content offerings have greatly satisfied users' demands for a high-quality lifestyle. However, when watching TV, users generally face issues such as complex operation and the use of multiple remote controls. This is particularly true for elderly users, who often experience a poor user experience. These issues have made "difficulty in watching TV" a growing social concern that demands urgent solutions.

[0003] Currently, the primary technical approach to addressing the complexity of multi-terminal operations is the integrated design of the TV and set-top box, aiming to enhance the user experience through minimalist wiring, a single terminal device, and a single remote control. Among these, the cable TV coaxial direct connection solution is a technical solution that nearly achieves the integration of the TV and set-top box. Based on the existing coaxial network, this solution leverages the demodulation and demultiplexing capabilities of the TV hardware to provide users with live channel services by directly connecting to the cable TV coaxial cable, without the need for additional set-top boxes or other devices. The advantage of this solution is that users only need to use a remote control to access the live channel with one click after turning on the TV, avoiding complex wiring and multiple remote control operations, thereby simplifying the operation process and improving the user experience. Furthermore, this solution enables convenient viewing of high-definition channels at a lower cost, further promoting the improvement of users' cultural quality of life.

[0004] However, the cable TV coaxial direct connection solution still has certain technical limitations: (1) Although the solution supports direct viewing of live TV content based on coaxial, with the popularization of fiber optic networks and 5G networks, users' demand for audio-visual services is increasing. Due to the restrictions of the relevant provisions of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's Order No. 69, the coaxial direct connection solution cannot be integrated with the broadband network for access, and therefore it is difficult to fully meet users' demand for diversified audio-visual services. (2) In the process of transitioning from digital TV services provided by set-top boxes to cable TV coaxial direct connection, the original digital TV service operators based on the various value-added services of set-top boxes (such as the coaxial direct connection solution only supports live TV signals) can no longer provide services to users. This not only damages the interests of operators' value-added services, but also makes it impossible for users' diversified needs for smart TV to be fully met.

[0005] To address these shortcomings, the continuous improvement of smart TV hardware performance and functionality has resulted in the hardware foundation for carrying cable TV and IPTV services. Based on smart TV hardware and operating systems, the industry has proposed various technical approaches, among which the solution of integrating set-top box software into the software is a widely accepted solution. This solution software-enables all set-top box service functions and integrates them into smart TVs via apps. Leveraging the smart TV's hardware and operating system, combined with network resources, it provides users with comprehensive television and audio-visual services.

[0006] Despite this, current cable TV and IPTV services still generally utilize a "TV + set-top box" or "TV + TV box" model. This model presents numerous user experience issues in practice: Up to five to seven cables are required to connect devices, resulting in complex connections; operating habits vary significantly across different service terminals, causing significant user frustration; and different service terminals require different remote controls, resulting in an excessive number of remote controls. These issues are primarily due to the fact that cable TV and IPTV services rely on dedicated network equipment and dedicated set-top boxes, resulting in complex inter-device connections. Furthermore, different terminals are provided by different operators, resulting in different interface designs and control methods. Consequently, the configured remote controls are not universal, complicating user operations. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a method for virtual sourcing of television desktop application software and its interactive operation.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method for virtualizing the source of television desktop application software, which is applied to an Android or Android-like smart TV operating system, and comprises the following steps:

[0009] Create a custom TV input service class and its subclasses on the TV desktop application, define the behavior logic of the signal source, and configure a unique ID for the current signal source. Configure the signal source information and permissions in the TV input service configuration file and the global configuration file to form the signal source definition, information, and permissions corresponding to the current TV desktop application. The current signal source is the virtual signal source of the current TV desktop application.

[0010] The TV desktop application software information corresponding to the TV input service is configured in the TV input service framework of the smart TV operating system layer and is signed at the system level.

[0011] Preferably, the steps of defining source behavior and configuring virtual source information and permissions include:

[0012] In the TV desktop application software, a class inheriting from the TV input service in the TV input service framework is created, and a class inheriting from the TV input service session for processing virtual source instructions is created;

[0013] Create a TV input service configuration file and define virtual source information in the file;

[0014] Register the TV input service in the global configuration file of the TV desktop application software and declare the virtual source permissions defined by the TV input service class and its subclasses.

[0015] Preferably, the TV input service class corresponding to the TV desktop application software and its subclasses and the class that inherits the TV input service session are encapsulated as a so library file, which is configured in the smart TV system and is configured as a shared state in the smart TV system layer.

[0016] Preferably, the so library file is configured in the system-level library file directory of the smart TV system.

[0017] The present invention also provides an interactive operation method of a virtual information source of a television desktop application software, wherein the virtual information source is formed by a method of virtualizing the information source of the television desktop application software, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0018] When the smart TV is started for the first time, if the receiving source controller sends a signal source and TV desktop application software switching instruction, the user preference setting component records the current configuration and uses the current setting as the default signal source when the smart TV is started next time, and enters the corresponding TV desktop application software.

[0019] Preferably, when the smart TV is started for the second time, the smart TV system reads the record in the user preference setting component and enters the last signal source; based on the TV server switching instruction output by the signal source controller, the interface is switched and the current configuration is recorded through the user preference setting component, and the current setting is used as the default signal source when the smart TV is started next time.

[0020] The present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-executable instructions are stored. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the method for implementing virtual signal sourcing of television desktop application software is implemented.

[0021] The present invention also provides a computer program, characterized in that when the computer program is executed by a processor, it is used to execute a method for virtual sourcing of television desktop application software.

[0022] The present invention provides a method for virtualizing and interactively operating television desktop application software. Compared with the prior art, the method has the following advantages:

[0023] 1. This invention deeply integrates the operating system resources of smart TVs, virtualizing TV desktop applications with traditional set-top box functionality into smart TV signal sources, achieving an integrated solution where "one device replaces multiple terminals." This approach completely eliminates the redundant architecture of external set-top boxes, allowing users to directly access a full range of TV services, including cable TV, IPTV, and internet TV, without the need for additional equipment. This simplifies the deployment of home audio and video equipment and improves system resource utilization, resulting in a simpler, more efficient, and energy-efficient TV experience.

[0024] 2. The present invention integrates the hardware set-top box functions of multiple TV services such as traditional cable TV, Internet TV, IPTV, etc. into virtualized TV desktop application software, and uniformly manages it based on the system TV input service framework of the smart TV operating system. Users only need to use the source button of the smart TV's native remote control to switch between different TV services with one click, completely eliminating the cumbersome process of multi-device switching and multi-remote control operation. This method not only simplifies the user's operation path (compressing the device switching process that originally required 3-5 steps into a single-step operation), but also reduces hardware costs through software integration, while maintaining the original functional integrity and user experience of each TV service, and realizing the intelligent normalization of TV service entrances. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is an overall flow chart of a method for virtual sourcing of television desktop application software and its interactive operation provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for virtualizing a television desktop application software provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 The information source management interface of the remote control after the virtual information source of the TV desktop software provided by the present invention is realized;

[0028] Figure 4 A flowchart of the adaptation method of the television service element provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 A flow chart of the interactive operation method for virtual sourcing of the TV desktop application software when the TV is turned on for the first time provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 The present invention provides a flow chart of an interactive operation method for virtual sourcing of television desktop application software when the television is not turned on for the first time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention through specific examples. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. The details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other unless they conflict.

[0032] Glossary: TV desktop application software: integrated software that provides live TV, on-demand TV, and playback on smart TVs, including but not limited to TV desktop software provided by TV manufacturers, TV desktop software of digital TV service providers' set-top boxes, TV desktop software of IPTV TV service providers, TV desktop software of Internet TV service providers, and other software that supports live TV, on-demand TV, and playback functions. Android-like smart TV: all smart TVs with Android as the kernel. Smart TV box: TV desktop software that provides Internet TV services. In the present invention, the TV input service is represented by TVInput Service; the TV input service framework is represented by Android TV Input Framework; the TV input service session is represented by Tv Input Service.Session; the TV input service configuration file is represented by tv_input_service_config.xml; the user preference settings are represented by SharedPreferences; the global configuration file is represented by AndroidManifest.xml; the TV input service configuration file is represented by tv_input_service_config.xml;

[0033] In order to overcome the technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention virtualizes the signal source at the system setting level on smart TVs with Android and Android-like (with Android as the kernel) operating systems, and sets TV desktop application software based on the virtualized signal source, so that the TV desktop application software of multiple different set-top boxes or TV boxes can be virtualized into independent signal sources according to their respective software names. Through the virtualized signal source, the original desktop application software of the smart TV and the desktop application software of the set-top box / TV box are uniformly managed and integrated into the same TV signal source selection interface to be presented to the user, thereby reducing the number of service terminals. Based on the multi-TV desktop software browsing and interaction method defined in the present invention, users can switch and operate multiple desktops through a single remote control, reducing dependence on the remote control, simplifying the user's smart TV operation, and improving the user experience.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the steps for achieving the above-mentioned purpose of the present invention include:

[0035] S1: virtualizing a designated TV desktop software into a TV signal source through a TV desktop application software virtualization method based on a smart TV operating system;

[0036] S2: Based on the virtual sourcing method of TV desktop application software, the relevant functions of the specified set-top box or smart TV box are encapsulated into an independent TV desktop software and the smart TV operating system is adapted;

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, based on step S1, the specific steps of virtualizing the TV desktop application software include:

[0038] S1.1: Create a custom TV input service class and its subclasses on the TV desktop application, define the behavior logic of the signal source, and configure a unique ID for the current signal source. Configure the signal source information and permissions in the TV input service configuration file and the global configuration file to form the signal source definition, information, and permissions corresponding to the current TV desktop application. The current signal source is the virtual signal source of the current TV desktop application.

[0039] The TV desktop application software information corresponding to the TV input service is configured in the TV input framework of the smart TV operating system layer and is signed at the system level.

[0040] The steps of defining the source behavior and configuring the virtual source virtual information and permissions include:

[0041] a. In the code for the smart TV's TV desktop application, create a class that inherits from the TV Input Service framework to implement a custom TV input source. Also, create a class that inherits from TvInputService.Session to handle source instructions, such as source display and remote control event response. This completes the class code development for the virtual source of the TV desktop application, allowing the smart TV operating system's TV Input Service framework to locate the corresponding source and process its instructions through tv_input_service_config.xml.

[0042] b. In the code for the smart TV's TV desktop application, create the tv_input_service_config.xml file and define the virtual source information, including its name and type. This completes the virtual source configuration for the TV desktop application, allowing the smart TV's operating system's TV input service framework to read the virtual source configuration information.

[0043] c. In the code for the smart TV's TV desktop application, configure the TV Input Service registration information in the AndroidManifest.xml file and declare permissions. This completes the registration and permission assignment of the TV desktop application's virtual signal source within the smart TV's operating system, based on the TV input service framework. This allows the smart TV's operating system to locate the TV desktop application's virtual signal source through the TV input service framework and process related signal source instructions.

[0044] S1.2: Configure the TV desktop application software information corresponding to the TV input service in the TV input service framework of the smart TV operating system layer and perform a system-level signature on it.

[0045] Specifically, the TV input service framework of the smart TV operating system needs to register the TV input service of the TV desktop application software corresponding to the virtual source, so the TV desktop application software corresponding to the virtual source needs to be configured into the TV input service framework whitelist; at the same time, a system-level signature (BIND_TV_INPUT) is required and the TV desktop application software is given root permissions. At this time, the virtualized TV desktop application software supports the TV input service framework and obtains system-level signatures and permissions, and has root-level startup priority, so that the system calls the virtual source with TV input service framework (Android TVinput Framework) permissions and system and startup permissions.

[0046] By configuring the TV input service application and signing the application, the application is guaranteed to have resident running permissions and high-priority scheduling qualifications, so that it can always respond to system and user call requests.

[0047] In step S2, based on the sourcing method of the TV desktop application software, the relevant functions of the designated set-top box or smart TV box are sourced according to the relevant business functions and interfaces of the TV desktop application software. After the set-top box or smart TV box is sourced, it is associated with the corresponding TV desktop application software, and the integration of multiple set-top boxes or smart TV boxes is realized through the selection of remote control buttons to facilitate function scheduling.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, based on the signal source corresponding to each set-top box or smart TV box, it is encapsulated as a .so library file, which is configured in the configuration file of the smart TV system. The .so library file is configured in the smart TV system and is configured as a shared object in the smart TV system layer. In other words, the shared object file can be shared and used by the smart TV system layer, thereby realizing the virtual signal source function of the TV desktop application software as a service and function of the smart TV system layer, and achieving the adaptation of the TV desktop application software to the operating system.

[0049] Among them, the so library file is configured in the system-level library file directory (system / lib) at the smart TV operating system level, so that it can have resident running permissions and high-priority scheduling qualifications under the system-level signature and permissions obtained in step S1.2, so that it can always respond to system and user call requests.

[0050] Based on this, the present invention's method for virtualizing TV desktop application software sources deeply integrates the operating system resources of smart TVs, virtualizing TV desktop application software with traditional set-top box functions into smart TV sources. This achieves an integrated solution that replaces multiple terminals with one device. This method completely eliminates the redundant architecture of external set-top boxes, allowing users to directly access a full range of TV services, including cable TV, IPTV, and Internet TV, without the need for additional equipment. This simplifies the deployment complexity of home audio and video equipment and improves system resource utilization, resulting in a simpler, more efficient, and energy-efficient TV experience.

[0051] Based on the above two steps, the present invention also provides a method for interactive operation of a virtual signal source of a TV desktop application software, which is used to realize the operational interaction between multiple different TV desktop application software and a physical signal source, and can realize the simple operation of integrating a set-top box and a TV without changing the existing smart TV operation logic. Specifically, it includes the following steps:

[0052] When the smart TV is started for the first time, if the receiving source controller sends a signal source and TV desktop application software switching instruction, the current configuration is recorded through the user preference setting component, and the current setting is used as the default signal source when the smart TV is started next time, and the corresponding TV desktop application software is entered.

[0053] like Figure 5 As shown, when the smart TV is turned on for the first time (without any settings made by the user), the system defaults to the TV desktop application software interface pre-installed by the smart TV manufacturer. At this time, the user can use the source button on the remote control to achieve the following two types of switching: 1) Switching between TV desktop application software with different virtual sources; 2) Switching between virtual sources and physical sources. When the user switches to other TV desktop application software through the source button in the manufacturer's pre-installed software interface, the smart TV operating system will save the user's selection through the user preference settings (a component used by the Android system to store applications and system configurations). When the system is turned on again thereafter, it will automatically enter the source interface selected by the user last time.

[0054] When the smart TV is started for the second time, the smart TV system reads the record in the user preference setting component and enters the last signal source; based on the TV server switching instruction output by the signal source controller, the interface is switched and the current configuration is recorded through the user preference setting component, and the current setting is used as the default signal source when the smart TV is started next time.

[0055] like Figure 6 As shown, during the second boot process of the smart TV, the operating system automatically loads the source signal selected by the user last time by reading the configuration data recorded in the user preferences component (the component used by the Android system to store user applications and system configurations); if the user wants to switch to other TV desktop applications, they can use the source button on the smart TV remote control to call up the system source selection interface and select to complete the switch. In response to the TV service switching instruction sent by the source controller, the system executes the source interface switching operation and simultaneously updates the current source configuration data through the user preferences (SharedPreferences) component and sets this configuration data as the default source signal when the smart TV is next booted.

[0056] In summary, the present invention integrates the hardware set-top box functions of multiple TV services such as traditional cable TV, Internet TV, IPTV, etc. into virtualized TV desktop application software, and uniformly manages them based on the system TV input service framework of the smart TV operating system. Users only need to use the source button of the smart TV's native remote control to switch between different TV services with one click, completely eliminating the cumbersome process of multi-device switching and multi-remote control operation. This method not only simplifies the user's operation path (compressing the device switching process that originally required 3-5 steps into a single-step operation), but also reduces hardware costs through software integration, while maintaining the original functional integrity and user experience of each TV service, and realizing the intelligent normalization of TV service entrances.

[0057] The present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-executable instructions are stored. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the method for implementing virtual signal sourcing of television desktop application software is implemented.

[0058] The present invention also provides a computer program, which is used to execute a method for virtual sourcing of television desktop application software when the computer program is executed by a processor.

[0059] Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for virtualizing the source of television desktop application software, applied to an Android or Android-like smart TV operating system, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Create a custom TV input service class and its subclasses on the TV desktop application, define the behavior logic of the signal source, and configure a unique ID for the current signal source. Configure the signal source information and permissions in the TV input service configuration file and the global configuration file to form the signal source definition, information, and permissions corresponding to the current TV desktop application. The current signal source is the virtual signal source of the current TV desktop application. The TV desktop application software information corresponding to the TV input service is configured in the TV input service framework of the smart TV operating system layer and is signed at the system level.

2. The method for virtualizing the source of television desktop application software according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steps for defining source behavior and configuring virtual source information and permissions include: In the TV desktop application software, a class inheriting from the TV input service in the TV input service framework is created, and a class inheriting from the TV input service session for processing virtual source instructions is created; Create a TV input service configuration file and define virtual source information in the file; Register the TV input service in the global configuration file of the TV desktop application software and declare the virtual source permissions defined by the TV input service class and its subclasses.

3. The method for virtualizing the source of television desktop application software according to claim 1, characterized in that: The TV input service class corresponding to the TV desktop application software and its subclasses and the class that inherits the TV input service session are encapsulated as a so library file, which is configured in the smart TV system and is configured as a shared state in the smart TV system layer.

4. The method for virtualizing the source of television desktop application software according to claim 3, characterized in that: The so library file is configured in the system-level library file directory of the smart TV system.

5. A method for interactive operation of a virtual signal source of a television desktop application software, wherein the virtual signal source is formed by the method for virtualizing a television desktop application software according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: When the smart TV is started for the first time, if the receiving source controller sends a signal source and TV desktop application software switching instruction, the user preference setting component records the current configuration and uses the current setting as the default signal source when the smart TV is started next time, and enters the corresponding TV desktop application software.

6. The interactive operation method of the virtual source of the TV desktop application software according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the smart TV is started for the second time, the smart TV system reads the record in the user preference setting component and enters the last signal source; based on the TV server switching instruction output by the signal source controller, the interface is switched and the current configuration is recorded through the user preference setting component, and the current setting is used as the default signal source when the smart TV is started next time.

7. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are used to implement the method for virtual sourcing of television desktop application software according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. A computer program, characterized in that When the computer program is executed by a processor, it is used to execute the method for virtual sourcing of television desktop application software according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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