Gateway-Based IPTV Playback Without a Separate STB
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high costs associated with the operator and user subscription and maintenance of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services due to the requirement of a set-top box (STB) terminal, which needs replacement if damaged, and the differences in content availability between IPTV and Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms.
Innovation Solution
A communications device integrating STB and Digital Media Server (DMS) functions, enabling IPTV service access through a gateway device using DLNA and IPTV protocols, eliminating the need for a separate STB terminal by managing channel information and data streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate STB terminal is used for IPTV service access, then service functionality is ensured, but device complexity and user costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the STB terminal functions with the gateway device into a single integrated unit. The gateway device is configured to perform both traditional gateway functions and STB terminal functions, including receiving program playing request messages, determining target program channels, sending data stream request messages to the IPTV platform, and playing received data streams. This integration eliminates the need for separate STB terminals while maintaining full IPTV service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a network gateway and as an STB terminal. It can handle multiple protocols (DLNA and IPTV protocols), manage channel information lists, and provide both file sharing services and television program playback services through a single device, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If STB terminals are provided to users, then service coverage is expanded, but operator costs and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging STB terminal functions into the gateway device that is already present in user homes, the patent eliminates the need to deploy and manage separate STB terminals. The gateway device, which is necessary for network connectivity anyway, is enhanced to also perform STB functions, thereby expanding service coverage without increasing the quantity of specialized terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device serves multiple purposes: it acts as a network gateway for general internet connectivity and simultaneously functions as an STB terminal for IPTV services. This multi-functionality allows the operator to provide IPTV services to all gateway-equipped users without needing to distribute additional specialized hardware.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion between DLNA and IPTV is implemented, then compatibility is improved, but device functionality complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device acts as an intermediary between the DLNA-based media server/client ecosystem and the IPTV platform. It receives program playing request messages using DLNA protocols, converts them into appropriate IPTV protocol messages, and communicates with the IPTV platform. This intermediary role enables seamless interoperability between different protocol systems while centralizing the conversion logic in a single device.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application relate to the field of communications technologies, and provide a program playing method and apparatus, to resolve problems of relatively high costs of an IPTV operator and relatively high costs for subscribing to and maintaining an IPTV service by a user. In the method, a communications device receives a program playing request message sent by using a first transmission protocol. The communications device determines a corresponding target program channel based on a media file identifier included in the program playing request message, and may send a data stream request message to an IPTV platform by using a second transmission protocol. The communications device may send, by using the first transmission protocol, a received data stream to a playing device for play. In this way, because a function of a gateway and a function of accessing the IPTV platform can be implemented by using the communications device, a user does not need to separately apply for an STB terminal, so that costs of an IPTV operator and costs for subscribing to and maintaining an IPTV service by the user can be reduced.