CN101959056B - Electronic program list navigation method and system in interactive network television - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses an electronic program guide navigation method and an electronic program guide navigation system in an internet protocol television system. The method comprises the following steps of: configuring at least two stages of electronic program guides, configuring at least one retail service provider access interface in the first-stage electronic program guide and configuring at least one service access interface in the second-stage electronic program guide; when one retail service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigating to the second-stage electronic program guide associated with the retail service provider access interface; and when one service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigating to a service associated with the service access interface. Through the method and the system, an internet protocol television operator can more conveniently introduce a third-party retail service provider to enrich the contents and services of the internet protocol television system, so that the interactivity and core competitiveness of the internet protocol television system are enhanced; and operation is convenient.

Description

Electronic program list navigation method and system in interactive network television

technical field

The present invention relates to an electronic program guide (Electronic Program Guide, EPG) method and system thereof, in particular to an electronic program guide method and system thereof in an interactive network television (IPTV) system.

Background technique

The EPG server is one of the core modules of the IPTV system. Its primary goal is to provide an easy-to-use, fast, stable, and beautiful interactive interface. It provides a good navigation for IPTV users to watch TV programs, enjoy multimedia program on demand, and develop information services. mechanism. Users' evaluation of the entire IPTV system depends largely on EPG.

In IPTV operation, operators who build IPTV platforms increasingly require the ability of IPTV platforms to facilitate access to third-party retail service providers (Retail service providers, RSPs), so as to introduce richer content and services for users and strengthen IPTV The core competitiveness of the system. These RSPs participating in the IPTV platform act as service providers to introduce more content and services to IPTV, while also designing and maintaining their own EPG interface to display and operate the content they provide.

The existing way to realize the basic functions and optional functions of EPG in IPTV is: all EPG content and user interface are stored in a dedicated EPG server; the EPG server transmits these information represented by HTML format to the user's IP set-top box; The presentation of the user interface is done on the client side.

This traditional IPTV operator's mode of designing a unified EPG to display all content is difficult to support the requirements of this multi-RSP design and maintenance of the EPG interface. In addition, since each RSP has its own characteristic content and service, as well as its own user group, it is also urgently needed to provide a method for users to select an RSP and view RSP content and services.

Contents of the invention

The main technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic program guide navigation method and system in an interactive Internet TV system, which can make it easier for interactive Internet TV operators to introduce third-party retail service providers to enrich the interactive network. The content and service of the TV system enhance the interactivity of the interactive network TV system and facilitate operation.

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a method and system for navigating an electronic program guide in an interactive network television system. The method includes the following steps:

Configure at least two levels of electronic program guides, and configure at least one retail service provider access interface in the first-level electronic program guide; each of the retail service provider interfaces is set to be associated with a second-level electronic program guide;

Configure at least one service access interface in the second-level electronic program guide; each service access interface is set to associate with a service provided by the retail service provider associated with the second-level electronic program guide;

When a retail service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigate to the secondary EPG associated with the retail service provider access interface; when a service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigate to the service associated with the service access interface.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, a retail service provider switching interface is configured in the secondary electronic program guide, and when the retail service provider switching interface is triggered, navigate to the corresponding secondary electronic program one.

In an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the management authority of the service access interface is configured, the management of the service access interface is verified, and the verification is successful, and the management authority of the service access interface is released.

In an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the update authority of the service access interface is configured, and the management of the service access interface includes: service content update and service content maintenance.

In an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the service includes basic service, value-added service and product package service; the basic service includes live service, on-demand service, live service and other basic services other than on-demand service.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, when the retail service provider switching interface is triggered, the step of navigating to the corresponding secondary electronic program guide includes: performing the service of the current secondary electronic program guide When the retail service provider switching interface is triggered, a list of retail service provider access interfaces configured in the first-level EPG is navigated to;

When a retail service provider access interface in the list is triggered, navigate to a list of service access interfaces of the same service type as the service type before switching in the secondary EPG associated with the retail service provider access interface.

The present invention also provides an electronic program guide navigation system in an interactive network television system, said system comprising:

The configuration module is used to configure at least two levels of electronic program guides, configuring at least one retail service provider access interface in the first-level electronic program guide; each of the retail service provider interfaces is set to be associated with a second-level electronic program guide; At least one service access interface is configured in the second-level electronic program guide; each service access interface is set to be associated with a service provided by the retail service provider associated with the second-level electronic program guide;

The navigation module, when a retail service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigates to the secondary EPG associated with the retail service provider access interface; when a service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigates to the service associated with the service access interface.

In an embodiment of the system of the present invention, the configuration module is also used to configure a retail service provider switching interface in the secondary electronic program guide, and the navigation module is also used to configure the retail service provider when the retail service provides The supplier switching interface is triggered, and the corresponding secondary EPG is navigated to.

In an embodiment of the system of the present invention, the configuration module is also used to configure the management authority of the service access interface, verify the management of the service access interface, and open the management authority of the service access interface if the verification is successful.

In an embodiment of the system of the present invention, the management of the service access interface includes: service content update and service content maintenance.

The beneficial effects of the present invention are: by configuring at least two levels of electronic program guides, at least one retail service provider access interface is configured in the first-level electronic program guide, and the second-level program list navigates to services provided by retail service providers, enabling interactive It is more convenient for IPTV operators to introduce third-party retail service providers to enrich the content and services of the interactive IPTV system, enhance the interactivity of the interactive IPTV system, and improve its core competitiveness; and can quickly and easily enter Electronic program guides provided by various retail service providers enjoy their services, thereby facilitating operations.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the tabular diagram of the content or service icon that entrance EPG and RSP EPG can browse in an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the transfer diagram of the switching between the entrance EPG and the RSP EPG and the switching between each RSP EPG according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a process description diagram of horizontally switching from RSP1 EPG to RSP2 EPG when a user watches content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

An embodiment of the method of the present invention comprises the following steps:

Configure at least two levels of electronic program guides, and configure at least one retail service provider access interface in the first-level electronic program guide; each of the retail service provider interfaces is set to be associated with a second-level electronic program guide;

Configure at least one service access interface in the second-level electronic program guide; each service access interface is set to associate with a service provided by the retail service provider associated with the second-level electronic program guide;

When a retail service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigate to the secondary EPG associated with the retail service provider access interface; when a service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigate to the service associated with the service access interface.

Please refer to Figure 1, the table diagram of the content or service icons that can be browsed by the entrance EPG and RSP EPG. The entrance EPG is the first-level electronic program list, and the RSP EPG is the second-level electronic program list. The figure shows the IPTV operator's entrance EPG and RSP EPG function division. RSP EPG displays the content and services provided by this RSP, and the IPTV operator portal EPG displays all content and services in the system including RSP, and provides global search, and also displays user-related information (favorites, bookmarks, PVR (personal video) recorder), etc.).

The method of the present invention is illustrated below from a specific example:

Step 1. On the management side, the IPTV operator manages and uploads a unified entrance EPG. The entrance EPG is the first-level electronic program list. Multiple RSPs are set in the entrance EPG to form a list for users to choose. Each RSP is set There is an EPG displaying the service of this RSP, and the EPG of this RSP is associated with this RSP. By selecting any RSP in the RSP list, the EPG of the corresponding RSP will pop up. Each RSP EPG here is the second-level electronic program list.

Step 2: The user browses and uses all services of the system through the portal EPG provided by the operator, including basic services such as live broadcast, on-demand broadcasting, and time-shifting, value-added services, viewing of user-related collection services, bookmark services, global search, self-service, etc. Users can also view the RSP list through the entrance EPG.

Step 3: The user checks the RSP list through the entrance EPG provided by the operator, selects an RSP, enters the RSP EPG, and browses and enjoys the services provided by the RSP.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, a retail service provider switching interface is configured in the secondary electronic program guide, and when the retail service provider switching interface is triggered, navigate to the corresponding secondary electronic program one.

The following is a detailed description based on the example mentioned above: after entering the RSP EPG to browse and enjoy the services provided by the RSP, in order to switch between RSPs, set the RSP switching key for RSP horizontal switching. When users browse and use an RSP EPG, they can switch to other RSP corresponding pages by pressing the RSP switching button. For example, when watching RSP1 live broadcast, through RSP switching, the live broadcast list provided by RSP2 can be displayed immediately, and then choose to play.

In an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the management authority of the service access interface is configured, the management of the service access interface is verified, and the verification is successful, and the management authority of the service access interface is released. For an IPTV operator operator, he can create an RSP operator and authorize the RSP operator to provide content, make a product package including the content provided by the RSP, upload and maintain the authority of the RSP EPG.

In an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the update authority of the service access interface is configured, and the management of the service access interface includes: service content update and service content maintenance. The RSP operator who has passed the authorization verification can upload and maintain the EPG displaying the RSP service by himself.

In an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the service includes basic service, value-added service and product package service; the basic service includes live service, on-demand service, live service and other basic services other than on-demand service. The services provided by RSP include basic services such as live broadcasting, on-demand broadcasting, and time-shifting, value-added services, and product package services.

Please refer to Figure 2, the switch between the entrance EPG and the RSP EPG and the transition diagram of the switch between each RSP EPG. After the user logs in, he first enters the entrance EPG to browse or use the basic services and value-added services. When the user needs to view the content provided by the RSP EPG in the entrance EPG, he can directly view the RSP list, select the RSP to watch, and enter the RSP EPG to watch. In RSP EPG, users can directly browse and use basic services and value-added services. When entering one RSP EPG, if you want to enter another RSP EPG, you need to perform RSP lateral switching.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, when the retail service provider switching interface is triggered, the step of navigating to the corresponding secondary electronic program guide includes: performing the service of the current secondary electronic program guide When the retail service provider switching interface is triggered, a list of retail service provider access interfaces configured in the first-level EPG is navigated to;

When a retail service provider access interface in the list is triggered, navigate to a list of service access interfaces of the same service type as the service type before switching in the secondary EPG associated with the retail service provider access interface.

Please refer to Figure 3, the process description diagram of the horizontal switch from RSP1 EPG to RSP2 EPG when the user is watching the content. When the user needs to watch the content of RSP2 while watching the content of RSP1, first press the RSP switch button to trigger the switching interface, enter RSP list, select RSP2, at this time, record the current parameter list in the control page of the current video playback type and playback content for backup. Then adjust the playback control page of RSP2 to the playback control page corresponding to the current video playback type according to the current video playback type. The details are as follows: if the current video playback type is live broadcast, then by calculating the path of the RSP2 EPG live control page -> using the current play parameter list to request the RSP2 live control page -> displaying the RSP2 live channel list for the user to select the channel to play, so that RSP2 The play control page of the live broadcast type is the play control page, and finally select the live channel list to play; similarly, if the current video play type is the on-demand type, calculate the path of the RSP2 EPG on-demand control page -> use the current play parameter list to request RSP2 on-demand Control page->Display the RSP2 on-demand column list for users to choose the on-demand column, make the RSP2 play control page a play control page of the on-demand type, and finally select the content under the on-demand column to play. When the playback type is the playback type of other basic services, calculate the path of the basic service control page corresponding to the RSP2 EPG -> use the current play parameter list to request the RSP2 on-demand control page. At this time, if RSP2 has a corresponding service, the corresponding service list page will be displayed. Finally, select the content of the corresponding business list to play; if there is no corresponding business, directly display the preset default page for selection and playback.

An embodiment of the system of the present invention includes:

The configuration module is used to configure at least two levels of electronic program guides, configuring at least one retail service provider access interface in the first-level electronic program guide; each of the retail service provider interfaces is set to be associated with a second-level electronic program guide; At least one service access interface is configured in the second-level electronic program guide; each service access interface is set to be associated with a service provided by the retail service provider associated with the second-level electronic program guide;

The navigation module, when a retail service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigates to the secondary EPG associated with the retail service provider access interface; when a service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigates to the service associated with the service access interface.

In an embodiment of the system of the present invention, the configuration module is also used to configure a retail service provider switching interface in the secondary electronic program guide, and the navigation module is also used to configure the retail service provider when the retail service provides The supplier switching interface is triggered, and the corresponding secondary EPG is navigated to.

In an embodiment of the system of the present invention, the configuration module is also used to configure the management authority of the service access interface, verify the management of the service access interface, and open the management authority of the service access interface if the verification is successful.

In an embodiment of the system of the present invention, the management of the service access interface includes: service content update and service content maintenance.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below from the perspectives of the system end and the client end respectively.

1. Upload the entrance EPG and RSP EPG to the IPTV system

At runtime, the operator operator uploads the entry EPG, creates an RSP operator and assigns permissions, and the RSP operator uploads content and RSP EPG. The specific process is as follows:

101. The operator of the IPTV operator uploads the operator's entrance EPG;

102. The IPTV operator operator creates an RSP list at the entrance EPG and creates an RSP operator, and assigns corresponding permissions to the RSP operator;

103. RSP operators create content and services such as live broadcast and on-demand broadcast;

104. The RSP operator uploads the RSP EPG.

2. Users use the portal EPG and RSP EPG to browse and use their content and services

The specific process is as follows:

201. When the user accesses the entrance EPG, he can browse and use all the content and services in the system, and can also use the global search to search, and can save the content he likes as favorite, bookmark and PVR (personal video recorder);

201. When the user accesses the entrance EPG, in order to view the content and services of the RSP, directly select RSP from the RSP list on the home page of the entrance EPG to enter;

203. The user enters the RSP EPG to watch its content and services.

204. When browsing and watching the content of RSP1 EPG, the user wants to see the content of RSP2, press the RSP switch key, and the RSP list page pops up, and select RSP2.

205. After selecting RSP2, according to the type of video played before selection, the channel list page corresponding to RSP2 EPG is automatically displayed for the user to choose to play.

The above content is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with specific embodiments, and it cannot be assumed that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those of ordinary skill in the technical field of the present invention, without departing from the concept of the present invention, some simple deduction or replacement can be made, which should be regarded as belonging to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (7)

1. an electronic program guide navigation method in an interactive network television system, is characterized in that, comprises the following steps: Configure at least two levels of electronic program guides, and configure at least one retail service provider access interface in the first-level electronic program guide; each of the retail service provider interfaces is set to be associated with a second-level electronic program guide; Configure a retail service provider switching interface and at least one service access interface in the second-level electronic program guide; each service access interface is set to an item provided by the retail service provider associated with the second-level electronic program guide Serve; When a retail service access interface is triggered, navigate to the secondary EPG associated with the retail service provider access interface; when a service access interface is triggered, navigate to the service associated with the service access interface; When performing the service of the current second-level electronic program guide, the retail service provider switching interface is triggered, then navigate out the list of retail service provider access interfaces configured in the first-level electronic program guide; When a retail service provider access interface in the list is triggered, navigate to a list of service access interfaces of the same service type as the service type before switching in the secondary EPG associated with the retail service provider access interface. 2. The electronic program guide navigation method according to claim 1, wherein the management authority of the service access interface is configured, the management authority of the service access interface is verified, and the verification is successful, and the management authority of the service access interface is released. 3. The electronic program guide navigation method according to claim 2, wherein the management of the service access interface includes: service content update and service content maintenance. 4. The electronic program guide navigation method according to claim 1, wherein said service includes basic service, value-added service and product package service; said basic service includes live service, on-demand service, live service and on-demand service other basic business. 5. an electronic program list navigation system in an interactive network television system, it is characterized in that, comprising: The configuration module is used to configure at least two levels of electronic program guides, configuring at least one retail service provider access interface in the first-level electronic program guide; each of the retail service provider interfaces is set to be associated with a second-level electronic program guide; The retail service provider switching interface and at least one service access interface are configured in the secondary electronic program guide; each service access interface is set to be associated with a service provided by the retail service provider associated with the secondary electronic program guide ; The navigation module, when a retail service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigates to the secondary EPG associated with the retail service provider access interface; when a service access interface is triggered, correspondingly navigates to the service associated with the service access interface; and When performing the service of the current secondary electronic program guide, the retail service provider switching interface is triggered, then navigate out the list of retail service provider access interfaces configured in the first-level electronic program guide; when one of the When the retail service provider access interface is triggered, navigate to the list of service access interfaces of the same service type as the service type before switching in the secondary electronic program guide associated with the retail service provider access interface. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the configuration module is further configured to configure the management authority of the service access interface, verify the management of the service access interface, and if the verification is successful, open the management authority of the service access interface. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the management of the service access interface comprises: service content update and service content maintenance.

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