IPTV Receiver Virtual Channel Map Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IPTV systems lack efficient methods for managing channels, leading to user and manufacturer confusion, as existing standards do not adequately address channel management, search, setup, and inactive channel management, along with providing programming guide information.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the reception and parsing of a master service information table, virtual channel map table, and virtual channel description table to control the display of virtual channels, with elements indicating active times, allowing for efficient channel management and provision of programming guide information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing channel management standards are used, then basic channel transmission is achieved, but user and manufacturer confusion increases due to incomplete standards
Solution Approach 1:
The channel management information is segmented into multiple tables: master service information table for overall service configuration, virtual channel map table for channel mapping relationships, and virtual channel description table for detailed channel attributes. This segmentation organizes complex information into manageable units, resolving the confusion caused by incomplete standards while maintaining comprehensive channel management capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If virtual channel services are provided without active time indicators, then channel availability is maximized, but programming guide information becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual channel description table introduces dynamic active time indicators that can vary based on service type and scheduling requirements. This allows the system to provide accurate programming guide information for time-dependent services while maintaining the flexibility to manage channel availability dynamically, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and flexibility.
3Productivity
If channel setup is performed manually, then configuration precision is improved, but setup time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic channel setup by having the receiver terminal autonomously parse the master service information table, virtual channel map table, and virtual channel description table to automatically configure channel parameters. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual configuration while reducing setup complexity, achieving both high productivity and low device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an inactive channel for building a channel map in an internet protocol television (IPTV) receiver and the IPTV receiver thereof are provided. The method includes receiving a master service information (SI) table including a first element defining location of a virtual channel map table, parsing the first element in the received master SI table, receiving the virtual channel map table including a second element defining location of a virtual channel description table based on the parsed location element, parsing the second element in the received virtual channel map table, receiving the virtual channel description table, which includes a third element indicating designation of times when a virtual channel service is active, based on the parsed second element, parsing the third element in the received virtual channel description table, and controlling display of a virtual channel according to the parsed third element.