WO2011150892A2 - Method, device and system for searching for television program based on head-end server - Google Patents

Abstract

A method, device and system for searching for a television program based on a head-end server, which relate to the field of digital television technology, implement that the television program can be capable of searched for, thereby shortening the time for a user to search for the program and increasing the efficiency for the user to search for the program. The method for searching for the television program based on the head-end server in the embodiments of the present invention includes the following steps: the head-end server receives search request information input by a user from a client end set-top box; the head-end server searches a program database according to request content of said search request information, wherein said request content of the search request information includes a search key word and a search range; and the head-end server sends a search result to said client end set-top box.

Description

 Search method, device and system for television program based on head end server

 The present invention relates to the field of digital television technologies, and in particular, to a search method, apparatus and system for a television program based on a headend server.

Background technique

 Set Top Box, Broadly speaking, any network terminal device connected to a TV set can be called a set-top box. One of its main functions is to enable users to view digital TV programs on existing TV sets. With the advancement of set-top box technology, more and more TV programs are available for users to watch, especially the emergence of two-way set-top boxes, so that users can order the TV programs they want to watch. Due to the large number of TV programs, how to make users search for favorite TV programs becomes a key issue for TV program on demand.

 In order to solve the above technical problems, an electronic program guide (EPG) technology has emerged to provide a program list for the user, which facilitates the user's inquiry. Although these technologies can help users quickly find the programs they want to watch to a certain extent, the essence of these technologies is to classify a large amount of TV program information. Users need to browse all program lists when searching, which takes a long time and cannot satisfy users. The actual needs. Summary of the invention

 A technical problem to be solved by embodiments of the present invention is to provide a search method, apparatus and system for a television program based on a headend server, which can realize searchability of a program, thereby shortening the time for the user to find a program.

 In order to solve the above technical problem, the embodiment of the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A search method for a television program based on a head end server, including:

The head end server receives search request information input by the user from the client set top box; according to the request content of the search request information, the head end server searches the program database, The request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range; the head end server sends the search result to the client set top box.

 A search method for a television program based on a headend server, comprising:

 The client set top box sends the search request information input by the user to the head end server; the client set top box receives the search result of the search by the head end server according to the request content of the search request information, and the request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and Search range.

 A headend server, including:

 a first receiving module: search request information for receiving user input from a client set top box;

 a search module: configured to search a program database according to the requested content of the search request information, where the content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range;

 The first sending module is configured to send the search result to the client set top box.

 A client set top box, comprising:

 The third sending module is configured to: send the search request information input by the user to the head end server; the third receiving module is configured to: receive, by the head end server, a search result that is searched according to the requested content of the search request information, where the search request information is Requests include search keywords and search scope.

 A search system for a television program based on a headend server, comprising: a head end server and a client set top box, wherein

 The headend server includes:

 a first receiving module: search request information for receiving user input from a client set top box;

 a search module: configured to search a program database according to the requested content of the search request information, where the content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range;

The first sending module is configured to send the search result to the client set top box. The client set top box includes:

 The third sending module is configured to: send the search request information input by the user to the head end server; the third receiving module is configured to: receive, by the head end server, a search result that is searched according to the requested content of the search request information, where the search request information is Requests include search keywords and search scope.

 The search method, device and system for the head end server-based television program of the embodiment receive the search request information input by the user from the client set top box through the head end server; and then according to the request content of the search request information, the head end server Searching for a program database, the request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range; the head end server then sends the search result to the client set top box, thereby realizing the searchable of the television program, thereby shortening the user's search for the program. Time increases the efficiency with which users can find programs.

DRAWINGS

 In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly described. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. Other drawings may also be obtained from those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings.

 1 is a schematic flow chart of a method for searching for a television program based on a head end server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

 2 is a second schematic flowchart of a method for searching for a television program based on a head end server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

 3 is a third schematic flowchart of a method for searching for a television program based on a head end server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

 4 is a schematic diagram of a head end server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

 FIG. 5 is a second schematic diagram of a headend server according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

6 is a schematic diagram of a client set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention; 7 is a second schematic diagram of a client set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

 FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a search system for a television program based on a headend server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

 Description of the reference signs:

 1. The head end server 10, the sending module 1 1 , the first receiving module 12 , the searching module 13 , the first sending module 14 , the second receiving module 15 , the second sending module 16 , the determining module 2 , the client set top box 20 , The download module 21, the third sending module 22, the third receiving module 23, the storage module 24, the fourth sending module 25, and the fourth receiving module

detailed description

 Embodiments of the present invention provide a search method, apparatus, and system for a television program based on a head end server, which realizes searchability of a television program, thereby shortening a time for a user to find a program.

 The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

 The present embodiment provides a method for searching for a television program based on a head end server. The method is a method on the server side of the head end. As shown in FIG. 1, the method includes:

 Step 101: The headend server receives search request information input by the user from the client set top box.

 The client set top box in this embodiment refers to a two-way set top box. The two-way set-top box adds a dedicated Internet Protocol (IP) switching chip to the traditional set-top box, which can broadcast and on-demand video and data through the IP channel, and can also be video through the RF cable channel. And data broadcasting and on-demand services.

The user can input search request information in the client set top box through a device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the client set top box sends the search request information to the head end server through the network. Among them, the headend server refers to providing TV broadcast programs and video on demand for users (Video On Demand, referred to as VOD) Servers for services such as programs. In this embodiment, the search module is set on the headend server, and the headend server receives the search request information input by the user from the client set top box.

 Step 102: The head end server searches for a program database according to the request content of the search request information, where the request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range.

 Since the search module is disposed on the head end server, the method in this embodiment can fully utilize the function that the head end server can provide services such as television broadcast programs and VOD programs, and the search module of the head end server can conveniently search the head end server. The television broadcast program database, the VOD program database and the game database, etc., therefore, the head end server searches the database according to the requested content of the search request information, has a wide search range, and the obtained search result is more accurate and fast, which greatly saves the user's search. Time, improve the efficiency of the search.

 The search content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range, wherein the search keyword may be: a program name, a channel name, a host name, a director, an actor, etc., and the search range may be: a broadcast time period, and the like. In addition, the user can also select the sorting method of the search results and the preset maximum search result value according to his own needs; the user can also set the keywords not included in the search according to his own preferences.

 Step 103: The head end server sends the search result to the client set top box.

 After retrieving all of the databases, the headend server sends the search results to the client's set-top box for the user to select the programs in the search results.

 The head end server-based television program search method of the embodiment receives the search request information input by the user from the client set top box through the head end server; and then, according to the request content of the search request information, the head end server searches the program database, The request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range; the head end server sends the search result to the client set top box, thereby realizing the searchable of the television program, thereby shortening the time for the user to find the program, and improving the time. The efficiency with which users look for programs.

Embodiment 2 The embodiment provides a method for searching for a TV program based on a head end server, and the method is a method for a client set top box side. As shown in FIG. 2, the method includes:

 Step 201: The client set top box sends the search request information input by the user to the head end server.

 The user inputs search request information in the client set top box, and the input method can be input through a device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the client set top box sends the search request information to the head end server through the network. In this embodiment, the search module is set on the headend server, and the headend server receives the search request information input by the user from the client set top box.

 Step 202: The client set top box receives a search result that is searched by the head end server according to the request content of the search request information, and the request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range.

 After the head end server receives the search request information sent by the client set top box, since the search module is set on the head end server, the method in this embodiment can fully utilize the function that the head end server can provide services such as television broadcast programs and VOD programs. The search module of the head end server can conveniently search the TV broadcast program database, the VOD program database and the game database in the head end server, and therefore, the head end server searches the database according to the request content of the search request information, and the search range is wide, and the obtained The search results are more accurate and faster, which greatly saves the user's search time and improves the efficiency of the search.

 The search content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range, wherein the search keyword may be: a program name, a channel name, a host name, a director, an actor, etc., and the search range may be: a broadcast time period, and the like. In addition, the user can also select the sorting method of the search results and the preset maximum search result value according to his own needs; the user can also set the keywords not included in the search according to his own preferences.

After retrieving all of the databases, the headend server sends the search results to the client set-top box for the user to select the programs in the search results. The client set top box receives the search result of the search by the head end server according to the request content of the search request information. In the search method of the TV program based on the head end server of the embodiment, the client set top box sends the search request information input by the user to the head end server; and then the client set top box receives the search result of the search request information according to the request side information of the client set top box. The search result of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range, and the searchable television program is realized, thereby shortening the time for the user to find the program, and improving the efficiency of the user searching for the program.

Embodiment 3

 This embodiment provides a method for searching for a television program based on a head end server. As shown in FIG. 3, the method includes:

 Step 301: The head end server sends the search program to the client set top box.

 This step is for the client set-top box to initially have no search program. In order to enable the client set-top box to implement the search function, the head-end server sends the search program to the client set-top box, and the client set-top box downloads the search program from the head-end server. Among them, one of the functions of the search program is to display an input interface for the search request information to the user.

 Step 302: The headend server receives search request information input by the user from the client set top box.

 The user can input search request information in the client set top box through a device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the client set top box sends the search request information input by the user to the head end server through the network, and the head end server receives the user input search from the client set top box. Request information. The headend server refers to a server that provides services such as TV broadcast programs and VOD programs to users. In this embodiment, the search module is set on the headend server, and the headend server receives search request information input by the user from the client set top box.

 Step 303: The head end server searches for a program database according to the request content of the search request information, where the request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range.

Since the search module is disposed on the head end server, the method of the embodiment can fully utilize the function that the head end server can provide services such as television broadcast programs and VOD programs. The search module of the head end server can conveniently retrieve the TV broadcast program database, the VOD program database and the game database in the head end server, and therefore, the head end server searches the database according to the request content of the search request information, and the search range is wide, and the obtained search is performed. The result is more accurate and faster, which greatly saves the user's search time and improves the efficiency of the search.

 The search content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range, wherein the search keyword may be: a program name, a channel name, a host name, a director, an actor, etc., and the search range may be: a broadcast time period, and the like. In addition, the user can also select the sorting method of the search results and the preset maximum search result value according to his own needs; the user can also set the keywords not included in the search according to his or her preference.

 Step 304: The head end server determines whether the number of search results is greater than a preset maximum search result value.

 In this embodiment, the user can preset a maximum search result value as needed. Because for the search results, the user may only browse the first few pages or the first few pages. Therefore, if the search results are too many, the search time is not only prolonged, but also affects the communication speed, and brings inconvenience to the user's choice. Therefore, in order to improve the search efficiency, the method of the embodiment determines whether the number of search results is greater than a preset maximum search result value during the search process. If the number of search results is greater than the preset maximum search result value, the search is stopped; if not, the number of search results is less than or equal to the preset maximum search result value, and then step 305 is performed.

 Step 305: The head end server determines whether all searches have been completed.

 There are two reasons why the number of search results is less than or equal to the preset maximum search result value: All searches are not completed; all searches are completed, and the final search result is less than the preset maximum search result value.

 If all the searches have not been completed, proceed to step 303 to continue the search; if all the searches have been completed, the search is completed and the search is stopped.

 Step 306: The head end server sends the search result to the client set top box.

After retrieving all the databases, the headend server sends the search results to the client. A set-top box for the user to select a program in the search results. The search results include television broadcast programs searched by the headend server from the television broadcast program database and/or VOD programs searched from the VOD program database and/or games searched from the game database.

 In addition, the client set-top box can also save the search results, and display the above search results when the user turns on the TV next time, so that the user can continue to watch, saving the user time for secondary search.

 Step 307: The headend server receives a search result based program request from the client set top box.

 Based on the search results, the user selects the program they want to watch. The client set top box sends a program request to the headend server based on the program selected by the user from the search results. The headend server receives a search result based program request from the client set top box.

 Step 308: The head end server sends the requested program content to the client set top box. The headend server sends the requested program content to the client set top box based on the program request based on the search result. The client set top box receives the program content requested by the program request, and the user can watch the program content selected by the user.

 The head end server-based television program search method of the embodiment receives the search request information input by the user from the client set top box through the head end server; and then, according to the request content of the search request information, the head end server searches the program database, The request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range; the head end server then sends the search result to the client set top box, thereby realizing the searchable of the television program, thereby shortening the time for the user to find the program. In addition, the maximum search result value is preset in the method of the embodiment, which can greatly improve the search efficiency; the client set top box saves the search result, which facilitates the user's search, saves time, and improves the efficiency of the user searching for the program.

Embodiment 4

The present embodiment provides a head end server 1 , as shown in FIG. 4 , including: a first receiving module 1 1 , a searching module 12 , and a first sending module 13 , where a first receiving module 11: search request information for receiving user input from a client set top box;

 The search module 12 is configured to search a program database according to the request content of the search request information, where the request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range; and the first sending module 13 is configured to send the search result to the location Said client set-top box. The user can input search request information in the client set top box through a device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the client set top box sends the search request information input by the user to the head end server 1 through the network, and the head end server 1 receives the content from the first receiving module 11 through the first receiving module 11 Search request information entered by the user of the client set top box. The head end server 1 refers to a server that provides services such as television broadcast programs and VOD programs to users. In this embodiment, the search module is set on the headend server 1, and the headend server 1 receives search request information input by the user from the client set top box.

 Since the search module is disposed on the head end server 1, the head end server 1 can fully utilize the functions of providing services such as television broadcast programs and VOD programs, and the search module 12 of the head end server 1 can conveniently retrieve the head end server. The television broadcast program database, the VOD program database, the game database, and the like, therefore, the head end server 1 searches the database according to the requested content of the search request information, has a wide search range, and the obtained search result is more accurate and fast, which greatly saves the user's search. Time, improve the efficiency of the search.

 After retrieving all of the databases, the headend server 1 sends the search results to the client set-top box for the user to select the programs in the search results. Search results include headend server

1 A television broadcast program searched from a television broadcast program database and/or a VOD program searched from a VOD program database and/or a game searched from a game database.

 Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the head end server 1 of this embodiment further includes: a second receiving module 14, a second sending module 15, a determining unit 16, and a sending unit 10, where

a second receiving module 14: configured to receive a program request based on the search result from a client set top box; The second sending module 15 is configured to send the requested program content to the client set top box. The determining unit 16 is configured to: when the number of the search results is greater than a preset maximum search result value, stop the search.

 The issuing unit 10 is configured to send a search program to the client set top box, and the search program is used to display an input interface of the search request information to a user.

 The delivery unit 10 is in a state in which the client set-top box does not initially have a search program. In order to enable the client set-top box to implement the search function, the head-end server 1 delivers the search program to the client set-top box through the delivery unit 10, and the client set-top box is from the head-end server. 1 Download the search program. Among them, one of the functions of the search program is to display an input interface of the search request information to the user.

 Since the user may only browse the first few pages or the first few pages for the search result, if the search result is too much, the search time is not only prolonged, but also the communication speed is affected, and the user's choice is inconvenient. Therefore, in order to improve the search efficiency, the head end server 1 of the present embodiment sets the judging unit 16 to judge whether the number of search results is greater than the preset maximum search result value during the search.

 After the search is completed, the user selects the program that he or she needs to watch based on the search results. The client set top box sends a program request to the head end server 1 based on the program selected by the user from the search results. The headend server 1 receives the search result based program request from the client set top box through the second receiving module 14. The headend server 1 transmits the requested program content to the client set top box through the second transmitting module 15 in accordance with the program request based on the search result. The client set top box receives the program content requested by the program request, and the user can view the program content selected by the user.

The head end server of the embodiment receives the search request information input by the user from the client set top box through the first receiving module; then the search module searches the program database according to the request content of the search request information, and the request for the search request information The content includes a search keyword and a search range; the first sending module then sends the search result to the client set top box, which realizes the searchable of the television program, thereby shortening the time for the user to find the program. Embodiment 5

 The embodiment of the present invention provides a client set top box 2, as shown in FIG. 6, comprising: a third sending module 21 and a third receiving module 22, wherein

 The third sending module 21 is configured to send a search request information input by the user to the head end server;

 The third receiving module 22 is configured to: receive a search result that is searched by the head end server according to the request content of the search request information, where the content of the request for the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range.

 Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the client set top box of this embodiment further includes: a fourth sending module 24: configured to send a program request to the head end server according to the program selected by the user from the search results;

 The fourth receiving module 25 is configured to receive the program content requested by the program request. The downloading module 20 is configured to download a search program from the headend server, the search program for displaying an input interface of the search request information to a user.

 The storage module 23: is configured to save the search result after receiving a search result that the head end server searches for the content of the search request information.

 The working process of each part of this embodiment is similar to that of the third embodiment, and details are not described herein again. The client set top box of the embodiment sends the search request information input by the user to the head end server through the third sending module; and then receives the search result that the head end server searches according to the request content of the search request information through the third receiving module, The request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range, and the searchable television program is realized, thereby shortening the time for the user to find the program, and improving the efficiency of the user searching for the program.

Embodiment 6

 The embodiment provides a search system for a television program based on a head end server. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes: a head end server 1 and a client set top box 2, wherein

The headend server 1 includes: a first receiving module: search request information for receiving user input from a client set top box;

 a search module: configured to search a program database according to the requested content of the search request information, where the content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range;

 The first sending module is configured to send the search result to the client set top box.

 The client set top box 2 includes:

 The third sending module is configured to: send the search request information input by the user to the head end server; the third receiving module is configured to: receive, by the head end server, a search result that is searched according to the requested content of the search request information, where the search request information is Requests include search keywords and search scope.

 The working process of each part of the embodiment is similar to that of the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

 The search system of the TV program based on the head end server of the embodiment sends the search request information input by the user to the head end server through the third sending module; and the search request information input by the user from the client set top box is received by the first receiving module, The search module searches the program database according to the request content of the search request information; the first sending module sends the search result to the client set top box; and then receives the request of the head end server according to the search request information through the third receiving module. The search result of the content search realizes the searchable of the television program, thereby shortening the time for the user to find the program and improving the efficiency of the user searching for the program.

Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the present invention can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general hardware, and of course, by hardware, but in many cases, the former is a better implementation. . Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, which is essential or contributes to the prior art, may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a readable storage medium, such as a floppy disk of a computer. A hard disk or optical disk or the like includes instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform the methods described in various embodiments of the present invention. The above is only the specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention. It should be covered by the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claim A method for searching a television program based on a head end server, comprising: a head end server receiving search request information input by a user from a client set top box; and the header according to the request content of the search request information The server searches for a program database, and the request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range;  The headend server sends search results to the client set top box.  The method for searching for a TV program based on a headend server according to claim 1, wherein after the head end server sends the search result to the client set top box, the method further includes:  The headend server receives a program request based on the search result from a client set top box;  The headend server sends the requested program content to the client set top box.  3. The method for searching for a television program based on a headend server according to claim 1, wherein the program database comprises: a television broadcast program database, a VOD program database, and a game database, wherein the search result comprises: television broadcast Programs and / or VOD shows and / or game.  The method for searching for a TV program based on a headend server according to claim 1, further comprising: stopping, when the number of the search results is greater than a preset maximum search result value, the head end server search for.  The method for searching for a TV program based on a headend server according to claim 1, wherein before the head end server receives the search request information from the client set top box, the method further includes:  The head end server delivers a search program to the client set top box, and the search program is used to present an input interface of the search request information to a user. 6. A method for searching for a television program based on a headend server, comprising: The client set top box sends the search request information input by the user to the head end server;  The client set top box receives a search result that is searched by the head end server according to the request content of the search request information, and the request content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range.  7. The method for searching for a television program based on a headend server according to claim 6, wherein:  The client set top box sends a program request to the head end server according to the program selected by the user from the search results;  The client set top box receives the program content requested by the program request.  8. The method for searching for a television program based on a headend server according to claim 6, wherein the search result comprises a television broadcast program and/or a search by the head end server from a television broadcast program database. VOD programs searched in the VOD program database and/or games searched from the game database.  The method for searching for a TV program based on a headend server according to claim 6, wherein before the sending the search request information to the head end server, the method further includes:  The client set top box downloads a search program from the head end server, and the search program is used to present an input interface of the search request information to a user.  The method for searching for a TV program based on a head end server according to claim 6, wherein after the client set top box receives a search result of the search content according to the request content of the search request information, The client set top box saves the search results.  1 1. A headend server, comprising:  a first receiving module: search request information for receiving user input from a client set top box; a search module: configured to search a program database according to the requested content of the search request information, where the content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range; The first sending module is configured to send the search result to the client set top box.  The headend server according to claim 11, further comprising: a second receiving module: configured to receive a program request based on the search result from the client set top box;  The second sending module is configured to send the requested program content to the client set top box. 13. The headend server according to claim 11, wherein the program database comprises: a television broadcast program database, a VOD program database, and a game database, and the search results include: a television broadcast program and/or a VOD program and / or game.  The headend server according to claim 11, further comprising: a determining unit: configured to determine that the search is stopped when the number of the search results is greater than a preset maximum search result value.  The headend server according to claim 11, further comprising: a sending unit: configured to deliver a search program to the client set top box, the search program being configured to present the search to a user The input interface for requesting information.  16. A client set top box, comprising:  The third sending module is configured to: send the search request information input by the user to the head end server; the third receiving module is configured to: receive, by the head end server, a search result that is searched according to the requested content of the search request information, where the search request information is Requests include search keywords and search scope.  The client set top box according to claim 16, further comprising: a fourth sending module: configured to send a program request to the head end server according to the program selected by the user from the search results;  The fourth receiving module is configured to receive the program content requested by the program request. 18. The client set top box according to claim 16, wherein the search result comprises a television broadcast program searched by the head end server from a television broadcast program database and/or searched from a VOD program database. VOD shows and / or search from the game database The game that is called.  The client set top box according to claim 16, further comprising: a downloading module: configured to download a search program from the head end server, the search program being configured to present the search request information to a user Input interface.  The client set top box according to claim 16, further comprising: a storage module: configured to save the search after receiving a search result that the head end server searches according to the requested content of the search request information result.  21. A search system for a television program based on a headend server, comprising: a head end server and a client set top box, wherein  The headend server includes:  a first receiving module: search request information for receiving user input from a client set top box;  a search module: configured to search a program database according to the requested content of the search request information, where the content of the search request information includes a search keyword and a search range;  The first sending module is configured to send the search result to the client set top box.  The client set top box includes:  The third sending module is configured to: send the search request information input by the user to the head end server; the third receiving module is configured to: receive, by the head end server, a search result that is searched according to the requested content of the search request information, where the search request information is Requests include search keywords and search scope.