WO2009089755A1

WO2009089755A1 - Method and device for improving user experience of internet protocol television

Info

Publication number: WO2009089755A1
Application number: PCT/CN2008/073807
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jun Li
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-12-28
Filing date: 2008-12-29
Publication date: 2009-07-23
Also published as: CN101198025A

Abstract

A method and a device for improving user experience of internet protocol television are disclosed. The method includes the steps of: setting a unit for buffering the video data of at least one Group of Picture in a user terminal; grouping the terminals of user viewing the same channel in the local area into a terminal group on the basis of the received information of the terminals of user viewing the same channel in a local area, in the case of the switch of channels or the occurrence of packet loss/packet error; sending request messages to the user terminals of the terminal group; receiving the information corresponding to the request messages returned by the user terminals of the terminal group; decoding the information corresponding to the request message and playing it. Application of the embodiment of the present invention can reduce the management and maintenance cost effectively, and decrease the data transmission quantity in the core network and the backbone network, thus improve the system capability.

Description

Method and device for improving network television user experience

[1] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200710304645.4, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Improving Internet TV User Experience", filed on December 28, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Combined in this application.

[2] Technical field

[3] The present invention relates to the field of network communications, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for improving user experience of a network television

[4] Background of the invention

[5] Interactive Internet TV IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)

Is a network-based technology and business

As people's understanding and application of the network increase year by year, the application of IPTV is more and more extensive, and there are two main problems in the application of IPTV:

[6] 1) Video delay caused by channel switching

[7] The video compression technologies commonly used in IPTV networks include MPEG2, H264, etc. The basic technical principles of these video compression technologies are similar. Compression can be divided into intraframe compression and interframe compression. Intraframe compression is to directly compress one frame. Image, but this compression method cannot be transmitted on the bandwidth of ordinary broadband network transmission, so inter-frame compression must be used. Inter-frame compression only has some information introduced into the basic frame to record one picture, while other frames only record relative information. With the change of the base frame, this can greatly improve the compression ratio, so that it can be transmitted on the ordinary broadband network. The following uses the MPEG format as an example to illustrate how inter-frame compressed video is transmitted over a broadband network.

Frame) and bi-predictive frame, that is, B-frame (Bi-predictive), where I frame is the base frame, all information of one picture is recorded, P frame record changes with respect to I frame or previous P frame, and B frame records I frame The difference information between the P frame and the adjacent P frame, and a set of consecutive IPB pictures is called a picture group GOP (GROUP OF PICTURE). The user terminal must obtain an I frame to decode after decoding. If an I frame is missed after channel switching, only one GOP is waiting (usually 0.5s to several seconds) until the next I frame is received. The decoding can be started, which causes the video delay of switching channels, which affects the user experience of the network television.

2) Video distortion caused by packet loss/error packet

Since IPTV is transmitted through a common broadband network, the packet loss rate of the broadband network is usually only 10e-4, and the video service needs to have a packet loss rate below 10e-6. Since the packet loss rate does not meet the requirements of the video service, The distortion of the video has affected the user experience of the Internet TV.

To solve the above problems (1) and (2), the prior art is implemented by the following technical solutions. As shown in FIG. 1, the following steps are included:

Step 11. Set a cache server for storing channel content on the core network;

The cache server in this step may be one or more, and the content of the storage channel may also be I frame, I frame + P frame or store all frames.

Step 12: When the user terminal channel switches or packet loss/error packet occurs, the set top box STB (Set top Box) requests a message from the cache server according to requirements;

Step 13: After the STB receives the channel content corresponding to the request message sent by the cache server, decoding the channel content to resume video playback.

As can be seen from the above prior art solutions, since the cache server needs to be deployed in the network, the operation and maintenance costs are increased; and in order to allow a single cache server to manage more user terminals, the deployment location is generally higher. If it is deployed on the core network or the backbone network of the metropolitan area network, the amount of data transmitted by the core network or the backbone network must be increased when the stored channel content is sent to the user terminal, and the bandwidth of the core network or the backbone network is occupied in a large amount.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for improving a network television user experience. The method for improving the operation and maintenance cost of the network, and reducing the data transmission amount of the core network or the backbone network, and improving the system performance, the method of the present invention provides a method for improving the user experience of the network television, and the method includes: Setting data capable of buffering at least one screen group video; [21] In the case of channel switching or determining a packet loss/error packet, the user terminal viewing the same channel in the local area constitutes a terminal group according to the received information of the user terminal viewing the same channel in the local area;

[22] sending a request message to the user terminal in the terminal group;

[23] receiving information corresponding to the request message returned by the user terminal in the terminal group;

[24] decoding and playing the information corresponding to the request message.

[25] The embodiment of the present invention further provides an apparatus for improving a network television user experience, where the apparatus includes: [26] a data buffer unit: data for buffering at least one screen group video;

[27] Judgment unit: used to judge whether it is channel switching or packet loss/error packet;

[28] receiving unit: configured to receive information about the user terminal of the same channel in the local area sent by the user terminal information sending apparatus, when the determining unit determines that the channel switching or the packet loss/missing packet is performed;

[29] terminal group unit: used to form a terminal group for viewing user terminals of the same channel in the area;

[30] sending unit: configured to send a request message to a user terminal of the terminal group;

[31] receiving video unit: information for receiving the request message returned by the user terminal of the terminal group;

[32] Decoding unit: configured to decode and play information corresponding to the request message received by the receiving video unit.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a user terminal information sending apparatus, where the apparatus includes:

[34] Acquisition unit: used to obtain user terminal information for viewing the same channel in the area;

[35] The sending unit is configured to send the user terminal information of the same channel in the local area acquired by the acquiring unit.

[36] It can be seen from the technical solution provided above that the channel switching or the resume playing is accelerated by receiving the required information to the user terminal of the terminal group, thereby reducing the deployment of the cache server and effectively reducing the operation and maintenance costs; Since the data transmission between the user terminals of the terminal group is not transmitted on the core network or the backbone network, the data transmission amount on the core network or the backbone network is also reduced, thereby improving system performance.

[37] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[38] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for improving a network television user experience according to the prior art;

2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for improving a network television user experience according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a specific example of a method for improving a user experience of a network television according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG.

4 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for improving a network television user experience according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; [42] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for transmitting user terminal information according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[43] Mode for carrying out the invention

[44] Example 1 :

[45] Embodiment 1 of the present invention provides a method for improving a user experience of a network television, and FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method provided, where the method includes:

[46] Step 21: setting, on the user terminal, data that can buffer at least one picture group video;

[47] Step 22. In the case of channel switching or judging the packet loss/error packet, according to the received information of the user terminal watching the same channel in the local area, the user terminal in the local area watching the same channel constitutes the terminal group.

[48] In the step of determining the packet loss/error packet, the packet loss/error packet may be determined after the video cannot be decoded.

[49] Among them, the information of the user terminal watching the same channel in the local area is transmitted by the user terminal information transmitting apparatus. The user terminal information sending device may be an application layer server, an access device, or a border gateway device. The foregoing step 22 may further receive, by using the set time interval, information of the user terminal in the local area that is watching the same channel, to maintain the terminal group. Effectiveness. This can be done for the user terminal. The above information about obtaining the user terminal in the area through the network can be implemented by the following method.

[50] Step 23: Send a request message to the user terminal of the terminal group;

[51] The request message in this step can be a request message with inter-turn information; or a request message with the required information. The message may also be a request message with other information. The specific embodiment of the present invention does not limit the specific manner of requesting the message, and the request message only needs to send the user terminal of the terminal group to send out the information corresponding to the request message. . The user terminal of the user terminal group in this step may be one or more.

[52] Step 24: Receive information corresponding to the request message sent by the user terminal of the terminal group;

[53] The information corresponding to the request message in the step may be video information corresponding to the request message, and the video information may be an I frame, an I frame+P frame corresponding to the request message, or corresponding to the request. Message GOP ; can also be audio information, but the specific embodiments of the present invention do not limit the above information.

[54] Step 25: Decode and play the information of the corresponding request message. The above steps can all be completed by the user terminal.

[55] The above access device can be a digital subscriber line access multiplexer DSLAM (DSL Access

Multiplexers access switch or optical line termination OLT (Optical Line

Terminal), etc.; The above border gateway device may be a service router or the like.

[56] The information of receiving the user terminal of the same channel in the local area in the above step 22 may be one of the following methods, and the following method may be combined to receive the information of the user terminal. Embodiment 1 of the present invention is not limited to a specific manner of acquiring information of a user terminal that views the same channel in the local area; the local area may be managed in one or more residential areas, or may be managed by one or more access devices. The area or the area managed by one or more border gateway devices, etc., the area can be set according to actual conditions.

[57] Method A, receiving information of a user terminal that views the same channel in the local area sent by the application layer server; [58] Method B, receiving information of the user terminal that views the same channel in the local area sent by the access device; [59] Method C: Receive information of a user terminal that views the same channel in the local area sent by the border gateway device.

[60] Example 2:

[61] The specific technical scenario of the method for improving the IPTV user experience provided by the second embodiment is as follows: The following operation is an operation of the channel switching, and the information corresponding to the request message is a GOP corresponding to the request message, and the The operation of Embodiment 2 is the user terminal 1, and the area is an area managed by a digital subscriber line access multiplexer. FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart diagram of a method provided by Embodiment 2, where the method includes:

[62] Step 31: Setting, on the user terminal, data that can cache at least one GOP video;

[63] Step 32: The user terminal 1 determines whether it is a channel switching; if it is determined that the channel switching is performed, the following steps are performed, otherwise the playback continues;

[64] Step 33: The user terminal 1 receives the information of the user terminal that views the same channel in the local area sent by the user terminal information sending apparatus;

[65] The specific method for implementing the step may be that the user terminal 1 transmits a request for obtaining information of the user terminal that views the same channel in the local area to the user terminal information transmitting apparatus, and the user terminal information transmitting apparatus receives the request and then Information of the user terminal that views the same channel in the area is transmitted to the user terminal 1. On The user terminal transmitting apparatus has been described in the above-described first embodiment, and is not described here. The same channel in this step can be used for the user terminal 1 to perform channel switching.

[66] Step 34: The user terminal 1 constitutes a terminal group in the local area that views the same channel; [67] Step 35: The user terminal 1 sends a request message to other user terminals of the terminal group;

[68] The request message in this step may be a request message with a time zone or a request message of other structure, and the request message only needs to enable other user terminals of the terminal group to send information corresponding to the request message. The user terminal 1 in this step may send a request message to one of the other user terminals in the terminal group, or may send a request message to a plurality of or all other user terminals in the terminal group.

[69] Step 36: The user terminal 1 receives a GOP corresponding to the request message sent by another user terminal of the terminal group;

[70] Step 37: The user terminal 1 decodes and resumes the GOP. The playing may be video playback or audio playback.

[71] In the case where the technical scenario is a packet loss/error packet, it is only necessary to replace step 32 in the above steps with the following operation, and the user terminal 1 determines whether it is a packet loss/error packet, and determines that it is lost. In the case of a packet/error packet, perform steps 33 to 37, otherwise continue the video playback.

[72] The method provided by Embodiment 2 of the present invention accelerates channel switching or resumes video playback by receiving required information to user terminals of the terminal group, thereby reducing deployment of the cache server and reducing operation and maintenance costs; The data transmission between the user terminals of the terminal group is not transmitted on the core network or the backbone network, so the data transmission amount on the core network or the backbone network is also reduced.

[73] Example 3:

[74] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a device for improving the user experience of the network television. FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the device provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and the device includes:

[75] data buffer unit 41: data for buffering at least one picture group video;

[76] Judging unit 44: used to determine whether it is a channel switching or a packet loss/error packet;

[77] receiving unit 42: configured to: when the determining unit determines that the channel switching or the packet loss/error packet is received, the information about the user terminal that views the same channel in the local area that is sent by the user terminal information sending apparatus is received;

[78] terminal group unit _43: configured to form a terminal group of user terminals that view the same channel in the local area;

[79] sending unit 45: configured to send a request message to the user terminal of the terminal group; [80] receiving video unit 46: corresponding to the request message sent by the user terminal for receiving the terminal group

I port from te! ,.,

[81] The decoding unit 47 is configured to: decode and play information corresponding to the request message received by the receiving unit, where the playing may be video playing or audio playing.

[82] The above device for improving the experience of the network television user may be a user terminal. The information corresponding to the request message may be: a base frame corresponding to the request message, a base frame and a forward predicted frame corresponding to the request message, or a picture group corresponding to the request message.

[83] The receiving unit 42 may further include a day module 421 and a receiving module 422, where:

[84] The inter-turn module 421 is used to set the interval between the turns;

The receiving module 422 is configured to receive, at a set interval, information of the user terminal that views the same channel in the local area sent by the user terminal information transmitting apparatus.

[86] Similarly, the device for improving the experience of the network television user provided by Embodiment 3 above accelerates channel switching or resumes playback by receiving required information from the user terminal of the terminal group, thereby reducing deployment of the cache server and reducing Operation and maintenance costs; and because the data transmission between the user terminals of the terminal group is not transmitted on the core network or the backbone network, the data transmission amount on the core network or the backbone network is also reduced.

[87] Example 4:

[008] Embodiment 4 of the present invention further provides a device for transmitting information of a user terminal, as shown in FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a device provided, where the device includes:

[89] The obtaining unit 51 is configured to acquire user terminal information for viewing the same channel in the area;

[90] Transmitting unit 52: Used to send user terminal information in the area to watch the same channel.

In addition, the obtaining unit 51 may further include a local obtaining module 511 and a foreign acquiring module 512, where:

[92] The local obtaining module 511 is configured to acquire user terminal information of the same channel under the current user terminal information sending device in the local area;

[93] The foreign acquisition module 512 is configured to acquire user terminal information of the same channel under other user terminal information sending devices in the local area through the network.

[94] In addition, the foregoing sending unit 52 may also automatically send the user terminal information of the same channel in the local area, or may receive the request for obtaining the information of the user terminal of the same channel in the local area. Send user terminal information of the same channel in this area.

[95] The device described above may be an application layer server, an access device, or a border gateway device or the like.

[96] Similarly, the user terminal information transmitting apparatus provided in the above embodiment 4 can transmit the user terminal information in the local area to the user terminal, so that the user terminal can form the user terminal group, so that the user terminal can pass through to the terminal group. Other user terminals receive the required information to speed up channel switching or resume playback, thereby reducing the deployment of the cache server and reducing the operation and maintenance costs; and because the data transmission between the user terminals of the terminal group is not transmitted on the core network or the backbone network. Therefore, it also reduces the amount of data transmission on the core network or backbone network.

[97] It is noted that, in the above device embodiments, the respective units included are only divided according to functional logic, but are not limited to the above-mentioned division, as long as the corresponding functions can be implemented; The specific names of the units are also for convenience of distinction from each other and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the steps in the method provided by the embodiments of the present invention can be completed by using hardware related to program instructions. For example, it can be completed by a computer running program, and the program can be stored in a readable storage medium, such as a random access memory, a magnetic disk, a optical disk, etc.

[99] In summary, the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention can effectively reduce the operation and maintenance cost of the network, and reduce the data transmission amount of the core network or the backbone network, thereby improving system performance.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can within the technical scope disclosed by the embodiments of the present invention. Changes or substitutions that are easily conceived are intended to be covered by the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claim

[1] A method for improving a user experience of a network television, characterized in that the method comprises:

Setting, on the user terminal, data capable of buffering at least one picture group video;

In the case of channel switching or determining a packet loss/error packet, the user terminal viewing the same channel in the local area constitutes a terminal group according to the received user terminal information of the same channel in the received area; to the terminal group The user terminal sends a request message;

Receiving information corresponding to the request message returned by the user terminal in the terminal group; decoding and playing information corresponding to the request message.

[2] The method according to claim 1, wherein the request message is:

A request message with inter-turn information; or a request message with the required information.

[3] The method according to claim 1, wherein the information corresponding to the request message is a basic frame corresponding to the request message;

Or corresponding to the base frame and the forward predicted frame of the request message;

Or, a screen group corresponding to the request message.

[4] The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving the user terminal information of the same channel in the local area, specifically includes:

The user terminal information of the same channel in the area is received at a set interval.

[5] An apparatus for improving a user experience of a network television, wherein the apparatus comprises:

Data buffer unit: data for buffering at least one picture group video;

Judging unit: used to determine whether it is a channel switching or a packet loss/error packet;

a receiving unit: configured to: when the determining unit determines that it is a channel switching or a packet loss/missing packet, receive a user terminal information terminal group unit that views the same channel in the local area that is sent by the user terminal information sending apparatus: The user terminal that views the same channel in the local area constitutes a terminal group; the sending unit is configured to send a request message to the user terminal in the terminal group; and the receiving video unit is configured to receive the return of the user terminal in the terminal group. Corresponding to the information of the request message; Decoding unit: configured to decode and play information corresponding to the request message received by the receiving video unit.

[6] The device according to claim 5, wherein the receiving unit comprises:

a daytime module for setting the interval between days;

The receiving module is configured to receive the user terminal information of the same channel in the local area sent by the user terminal information sending device at a set interval.

[7] A user terminal information transmitting apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises:

The acquiring unit is configured to: acquire user terminal information for viewing the same channel in the local area; and send the unit: to send the user terminal information of the same channel in the local area acquired by the acquiring unit.

[8] The device according to claim 7, wherein the acquiring unit comprises:

a local acquisition module, configured to acquire user terminal information of the same channel under the current user terminal information sending device in the local area;

The foreign acquisition module is configured to acquire, by using a network, user terminal information of the same channel under other user terminal information sending devices in the area.

[9] The device according to claim 7, wherein the device comprises:

Application layer server, access device, or border gateway device.