Method for preventing the dispatch of dual multicast streams

Description

Field of the Technology

[0001] The present invention relates to internet protocol television technology, and particularly, to a method for preventing simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows and an internet protocol set-top box (IP STB) .

Background of the Invention

[0002] Internet protocol television (IPTV) is a brand new media of customized interactive services based on internet technology. Broadcast TV (BTV) is the very basic service in an IPTV system and the most matured service in the industry. In consideration of program forecasts, brand advertisements and commercials, operators usually set a default switch-on channel to broadcast program forecasts, brand advertisements and commercials so that the contents broadcast through the default switch-on channel are received as soon as an IP set-top box (STB) is powered on. The default switch-on channel is usually set on Channel 1.

[0003] BTV is a multicast-based service and is dependent of multicast route protocol, internet group management protocol (IGMP) and IGMP Proxy protocol etc. which are supported by network devices. When an IPTV system transmits multicast program flows to an access network, routers in the network usually comply with multicast route protocol and network devices in the access network comply with IPMP Proxy protocol.

[0004] An IP STB is a user terminal device in an IPTV system and the storage in the IP STB usually stores a channel list which contains the multicast IP addresses, multicast port numbers and other channel related information of the channels that a user is authorized to view. When a user is receiving a BTV service, his IP STB first searches for the multicast address and multicast port number of the channel that the user wants to watch from the channel list according to the instruction from a remote controller, then the IP STB composes an IGMP Report message according to the requirements of REC2236, and applies to join a corresponding multicast group, and finally the IP STB receives the multicast flow from an IPTV service source network after network devices of all levels have performed IGMP Proxy protocol.

[0005] When the user wants to switch to another channel, the IP STB first composes an IGMP Leave message according to the requirements of RFC2236 to leave the current multicast group, hence the transmission of the multicast flow of the current channel is ceased; then the IP STB searches for the multicast address and multicast port of the channel that the user wants to watch from the channel list and composes an IGMP Report message according to the requirements of RFC2236 to join a corresponding new multicast group, then the multicast flow of the new channel is transmitted to the IP STB.

[0006] When the IP STB switches from BTV service to another service, the IP STB first composes an IGMP Leave message according to the requirements of RFC2236 to leave the current multicast group, hence the transmission of the multicast flow of the current channel is ceased; then the IP STB sends a corresponding report according to the instruction from the user to obtain a new service.

[0007] When an IP STB in the prior art needs to restart due to malfunction (sudden power breakdown, mis-pressing the power button by man, etc.) while carrying out BTV service, the technical solution in the prior art is sending an IGMP Report message to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel of BTV service directly after the IP STB is powered on, no matter whether the multicast flow which was transmitted when the malfunction occurred has been ceased.

[0008] At the very moment when such malfunction occurs, the IP STB is not able to send an IGMP Leave message to leave the current multicast group. Meanwhile, there is a very small probability of the current multicast group being the default switch-on channel, and the probability equals to 1/total number of BTV programs that a user is authorized to watch.

[0009] When the IP STB switches on and directly sends an IGMP Report message to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel, the multicast flow which was transmitted when the malfunction occurs is usually still transmitted to the IP STB, because the digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) which sends the multicast flow to the IP STB is unable to learn the situation of the IP STB when the IP STB malfunctioned. In practical applications, a DSLAM has to send an IGMP general query and a group-specific query to make sure whether an IP STB in the current multicast group is active.

[0010] RFC2236 defines that the interval for IGMP Query message is 125 seconds and the maximum response time to an IGMP Query message is 10 seconds. RFC2236 does not define how long a device should wait, after a general query is transmit, and then transmit a group-specific query (the interval length varies with devices from different manufacturers, usually a group-specific query is sent 20 seconds after an IGMP Query message is sent) or the number of sending times and interval length of group-specific queries (devices from different manufacturers make different settings, usually a group-specific query is sent twice with an interval of 4 seconds).

[0011] If the IP STB malfunctions after the DSLAM has sent an IGMP Query message and before the IP STB returns a corresponding response message, the DSLAM will send the IGMP Query message once again and further send a group-specific query twice to check whether the multicast group member which malfunctions has left the multicast group; then the DSLAM will cease the transmission of the multicast flow which is transmitted to the IP STB when it malfunctions. That is to say, if the IP STB malfunctions after the DSLAM has sent a general query and before the IP STB returns a corresponding report, the transmission of the multicast flow which is transmitted to the IP STB when the IP STB malfunctions will continue for about 144 seconds.

[0012] If the IP STB malfunctions when the DSLAM sends an IGMP Query message and the IP STB returns a corresponding response message, the DSLAM will send IGMP Query message twice again and further send a group-specific query twice to check whether the multicast group member which malfunctions has left the multicast group; then the DSLAM will cease the transmission of the multicast flow which is transmitted to the IP STB when the IP STB malfunctions. That is to say, if the IP STB malfunctions when the DSLAM sends an IGMP Query message and the IP STB returns a corresponding response message, the transmission of the multicast flow which is transmitted to the IP STB when the IP STB malfunctions will continue for about 269 seconds.

[0013] It can be concluded from the above that when an IP STB malfunctions, the transmission of the multicast flow to the IP STB will continue for about 144 to 269 seconds.

[0014] Furthermore, when malfunction occurs, an IP STB needs about 20 seconds to restart, compose an IGMP Report message and apply to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel, after that the multicast flow of the default switch-on channel will be sent to the IP STB. Obviously, this will cause the situation in which the multicast flow which the IP STB has been receiving when the IP STB malfunctions and the multicast flow of the default switch-on channel are issued to the IP STB simultaneously, and the situation is called simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows.

[0015] Simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows usually lasts 124 to 249 seconds (or 119 to 254 seconds in some extreme cases). Simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows brings in two harmful consequences: firstly, the total bandwidth of two multicast flows usually exceeds the service operation bandwidth provided for a user by an IPTV system, which results in serious package loss in the multicast flows transmitted to the IP STB, reflected in frozen motions and mosaic; secondly, as there are two multicast flows transmitted to an IP STB simultaneously, the service performance of the IP STB will be affected, which causes unsmooth playback of the IP STB at least and even abnormal restart of the IP STB.

[0016] The prior art also provides three EP Patent Application documents: D1 (EP 1 119 134), D2 (EP 1 427 132) and D3 (EP 1 429 489).

[0017] D1 discloses a method and apparatus for controlling multicast group subscriptions, where, when a router receives notification to terminate support of a particular multicast group, data flow with respect to that multicast group is initially maintained on the communication link coupling the router to the hosts, queries are issued to hosts on the communication link to determine whether continued support of the particular group is desired by any hosts coupled to the communication link, and if, while waiting for a positive response to the queries issued, a request to join an additional multicast group is received, bandwidth availability on the communication link is examined to determine if adequate bandwidth is available for supporting the newly requested group addition, and if adequate bandwidth for supporting the newly requested group is not available, one or more groups that are pending termination are selected for early termination in order to make enough bandwidth available to support the newly requested group addition.

[0018] D2 discloses a method of managing IP multicast connections in a network having a network node and a plurality of end users, said method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, at a network node an IGMP Group Join message from an end-user device serviced by the network; (b) comparing, at the network node, a MAC address, obtained from the Join message, of the end-user device to another MAC address obtained from a previous Join message for which there exists an IP multicast connection to the network node; (c) initiating, by the network node responsive to a match resulting from the comparison, a GSQ fro the group of the matching previous Join request; and (d) terminating, responsive to a result of the GSQ processing indicating that a connection to the group is no longer needed, the connection to the group.

[0019] D3 discloses a method of managing IP multicast connections in a communications network having one or more network nodes connected to a plurality of end-user devices, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, at a network node an IGMP Group Join message from an end-user device serviced by the network; (b) comparing, at the network node, a MAC address, obtained from the Join message, of the end-user device to another MAC address obtained from a pending leave message for which there exists an IP multicast connection to the network node; (c) determining, by the network node, whether or not any other end-user device is listening to the multicast group of the pending leave message; and (d) initiating, responsive to no other end-user device listening to the multicast group and responsive to a match resulting from the comparison, and Expedited Group Leave action for said end-user device on the IP multicast connection.

[0020] To sum up, in the prior art two multicast flows may be issued to an IP STB simultaneously for a long time, which seriously degrades picture quality and may even cause the IP STB to restart abnormally. This will influence user experience to a great extent and decrease user satisfaction.

Summary of the Invention

[0021] The present invention provides a method for preventing simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows which causes serious damage to picture quality and even abnormal restart of an IP STB in the prior art, and an IP STB for implementing the method.

[0022] The technical solution in accordance with the present invention is achieved as follows.

[0023] A method for preventing simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows includes the following process:

upon being switched on, an IP STB composes and sends an IGMP Leave message based on channel related information stored in the IP STB;

upon receiving the IGMP Leave message from the IP STB, a DSLAM ceases the transmission of the multicast flow to the IP STB corresponding to the IGMP Leave message sent by the IP STB.

[0024] The channel related information stored in the IP STB includes a multicast IP address and a multicast port number of a multicast group of the channel which the user has been watching before the IP STB is powered off, and the information is stored in a NVM of the IP STB.

[0025] A method for preventing simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows, including:

upon an IP STB being switched on, the IP STB negotiates with a broadband access server through relevant protocols, and the IP STB is allocated an IP address for the communication by the broadband access server after a successful negotiation;

the broadband access server notifies a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, DSLAM, through a message or other means that the IP STB has successfully accessed the network;

upon receiving the notification from the broadband access server, the DSLAM knows that the IP STB has successfully accessed a network, the DSLAM queries whether there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB, if there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB, the DSLAM ceases the transmission of the multicast flow to the TP STB.

[0026] A method for preventing simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows, including:

upon an IP STB being switched on, the IP STB negotiates with a broadband access server through relevant protocols, and the IP STB is allocated an IP address for the communication by the broadband access server after a successful negotiation;

the IP STB composes an IGMP Report message based on contents of the channel list stored in the IP STB and sends the IGMP Report message to a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, DSLAM, applying to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel;

upon receiving the IGMP Report message from the IP STB, and the DSLAM queries whether there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB, if there is a multicast flow, the DSLAM ceases a transmission of the multicast flow to the IP STB.

[0027] The method further includes the process:

the IP STB composes and sends an IGMP Report message based on contents of a channel list stored in the IP STB, and joins a multicast group of a default switch-on channel.

[0028] The method further includes the process:

according to a received user instruction, perform at least one of the following operations: switching channels, switching to a non-BTV service and switching off.

[0029] The performed operation is switching channels and the switching channels includes the process:

send the IGMP Leave message to leave a current multicast group;

search a multicast IP address and a multicast port number of a channel chosen by a user in a channel list;

compose an IGMP Report message based on the multicast IP address and the multicast port number found and send the IGMP Report message to join a new multicast group.

[0030] The multicast IP address, the multicast port number and verification information stored in the IP STB are updated with corresponding information of the new multicast group when the IP STB joins the new multicast group;
or, the IP STB determines whether a channel chosen by the user is the default switch-on channel, and if the chosen channel is not the default switch-on channel, the multicast IP address, the multicast port number and the verification information stored in the IP STB are updated with corresponding information of the new multicast group; otherwise the information stored in the IP STB is not to be updated.

[0031] The multicast IP address, the multicast port number and the verification information are stored in an information file in a file system of the NVM, or stored in a block in the file system of the NVM.

[0032] The information stored in the IP STB is stored in a channel list in a memory of the IP STB, including a multicast IP addresses and multicast port numbers of all channels which a user is authorized to watch;
the process of composing and sending the IGMP Leave message includes the process: composes and sends multiple IGMP Leave messages based on the multicast IP addresses and the multicast port numbers of all channels in the channel list in turn.

[0033] The present invention also provides an IP STB, which is configured to compose and send an IGMP Leave message based on channel related information stored in the IPSTB itself upon it being switched on so as for the DSLAM to cease the transmission of the multicast flow to the IP STB corresponding to the IGMP Leave message.

[0034] The channel related information stored in the IP STB comprises a multicast IP address and a multicast port number of a multicast group of the channel which the user has been watching before the IP STB is powered off, and the information is stored in a non volatile memory, NVM, of the IP STB.

[0035] Compared with the practice in the prior art, the method provided by the present invention prevents simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows and thus eliminates unfavourable consequences resulting from simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows, including picture quality loss and even abnormal restart of an IP STB, therefore the user experiences will be improved and user satisfaction will be distinctively increased.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] 

Figure 1 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a first embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a second embodiment of this invention.

Figure 3 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a third embodiment of this invention.

Figure 4 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a fourth embodiment of this invention.

Figure 5 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a fifth embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

[0037] A detailed description of the present invention is provided hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0038] According to the embodiments of the present invention, at the switch-on of an IP STB, firstly an IGMP Leave message is transmitted so as to leave the multicast group to which the IP STB has belonged when malfunction occurred, so that simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows is prevented at the root.

[0039] Figure 1 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a first embodiment of this invention. As shown in Figure 1, when an IP STB is powered on, the IP STB first composes and sends an IGMP Leave message according to the information stored in the IP STB to leave the multicast group to which the IP STB has belonged when malfunction occurred to the IP STB. The information stored in the IP STB includes the multicast IP address and the multicast port number of the multicast group of the last channel chosen by the user before the IP STB was shut down (or powered off in malfunction). Upon receiving the IGMP Leave message from the IP STB, the DSLAM ceases the transmission of the multicast flow corresponding to the IGMP Leave message to the IP STB, wherein the multicast flow is the multicast flow that was transmitted to the IP STB when malfunction occurred to the IP STB.

[0040] Obviously, when an IP STB was powered off accidentally while carrying out BTV service, the IP STB may smoothly leave the multicast group to which the IP STB has belonged when the IP STB was powered off through the above method upon being switched on. After that, the IP STB may further compose an IGMP Report message based on the contents of the channel list stored in the IP STB and send the IGMP Report message to join the default switch-on channel. Then the IP STB may continue with follow-up operations including switching channel, switching to non-BTV service or shutting down according to user instructions.

[0041] Figure 2 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a second embodiment of this invention. Usually an IP STB is equipped with a non volatile memory (NVM) in which a file system is set up, and in the file system a file named SaveInfo.txt (or other names) is usually created to store information. In practical applications, the file SaveInfo.txt can be used for storing the multicast IP address, multicast port number and the verification information of the multicast group to which the IP STB currently belongs.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, upon being switched on, an IP STB firstly checks whether there is a file named SaveInfo.txt, and if there is such a file, the IP STB opens the file to obtain the information therein and then closes the file SaveInfo.txt. When the information obtained has passed verification, the IP STB composes an IGMP Leave message based on the information according to the IGMP Leave message format defined by RFC2236, and sends the IGMP Leave message. If there is no file named SaveInfo.txt, a SaveInfo.txt file should be created and then closed.

[0043] Hence the transmission of the multicast flow, which was transmitted to the IP STB when malfunction occurred, is ceased and simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows in the prior art is prevented.

[0044] When the IGMP Leave message is sent, the IP STB composes an IGMP Report message based on the multicast IP address and the multicast port information of the default switch-on channel in the channel list of the IP STB and sends the IGMP Report message so as to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel. Then the IP STB opens the file SaveInfo.txt which is stored in the IP STB, writes the multicast IP address, the multicast port number and the verification information of the default switch-on channel into the file SaveInfo.txt and closes the file. Then the multicast flow provided by the IP STB for the user is the multicast program of the default switch-on channel.

[0045] While carrying out the multicast service of the default switch-on channel, the IP STB may receive the following three instructions:

1. channel switch instruction (switch among BTV services);

2. service switch instruction (switch between a BTV service and a non-BTV service provided by the IP STB);

3. shut down instruction.

[0046] For the above three instructions, the IP STB can perform the corresponding handling processes as below:

[0047] When a channel switch instruction is received, the IP STB performs a first handling process which includes the steps of: sending an IGMP Leave message by the IP STB to leave the current multicast group, searching for, according to the instruction from a remote controller, the multicast address and multicast port number of the channel corresponding to the instruction from the channel list stored in the IP STB, composing an IGMP Report message based on the multicast address and multicast port number obtained and sending the IGMP Report message; then opening the file SaveInfo.txt, clearing the content of the file, writing in the file SaveInfo.txt the multicast IP address, the multicast port number and the verification information of the channel after the switch and closing the file.

[0048] It can be concluded that the information in the file SaveInfo.txt should be updated with the multicast IP address, the multicast port number and the verification information of the new channel each time during a channel switching. The update of the file SaveInfo.txt is important. And obviously, if the new channel to which the IP STB switches is the default switch-on channel, the file SaveInfo.txt need not to be updated.

[0049] When a service switch instruction is received, the IP STB performs a second handling process which includes the steps of sending an IGMP Leave message by the IP STB when the IP STB switches from a BTV service to a non-BTV service, to leave the current multicast group and sending a corresponding message according to the instruction received to request for a non-BTV service.

[0050] When a shut down instruction is received, the IP STB performs a third handling process which includes the steps of: sending an IGMP Leave message by the IP STB to leave the current multicast group and performing the shut down process.

[0051] When the IP STB has completed channel switch, it may further receive a service switch instruction (switch from a BTV service to a non-BTV service) or a shut down instruction. If a service switch instruction is received, the IP STB performs the second handling process above; if a shut down instruction is received, the IP STB performs the third handling process above.

[0052] When the IP STB has switched from a BTV service to a non-BTV service, it may further receive an instruction of switching from a non-BTV service to a BTV service or a shut down instruction. If an instruction of switching from a non-BTV service to a BTV service is received, the IP STB performs a process similar to the first handling process, wherein the step of sending an IGMP Leave message to leave the current multicast group is omitted; if a shut down instruction is received, the IP STB directly performs the shut down process.

[0053] The process shown in Figure 2 is performed on the basis that there is a file system in the NVM. When there is no file system in the NVM, the multicast IP address and the multicast port number of the current multicast group can be stored in a block of the IP STB as in another embodiment of the present invention, and the information is stored, read and updated through Block operation interface functions.

[0054] Furthermore, in the process shown in Figure 2, when the multicast IP address, multicast port number and verification information are stored in the file SaveInfo.txt, the default switch-on channel and other channels are regarded as equals. In fact, if the IP STB is carrying out the BTV service of the default switch-on channel when malfunction occurs, and if the IP STB joins the multicast group of the default switch-on channel upon being switched on, according to the principle of multicast, there will not be two multicast flows of the default switch-on channel transmitted to the IP STB, so it is not necessary to store the multicast IP address, multicast port number and verification information of the default switch-on channel in the service process of an IP STB.

[0055] For example, when the IP STB is switched on and joins the multicast group of the default switch-on channel for the first time, the step of writing the multicast IP address, multicast port number and verification information of the default switch-on channel into the file SaveInfo.txt (or a block) can be omitted. Moreover, after the IP STB has switched to another channel and before the multicast IP address, multicast port number and verification information of the new channel are stored in the file SaveInfo.txt, a step of determining whether the current multicast channel is the default switch-on channel can be performed and if the current multicast channel is the default switch-on channel, the step of writing the multicast IP address, multicast port number and verification information of the default switch-on channel into the file SaveInfo.txt (or a block) can be omitted; otherwise the multicast IP address, multicast port number and verification information of new channel shall be written into the file SaveInfo.txt (or a block).

[0056] Usually a channel list is stored in the storage of an IP STB and the channel list stores the multicast IP addresses, multicast port numbers and other channel related information of all the channels that a user is authorized to watch.

[0057] In the process shown in Figure 2, a method including a step of storing related information in the file system in the NVM is provided to ensure that an IGMP Leave message is sent before an IGMP Report message, an alternative solution is also provided in case there is no file system in the NVM; moreover, a method is provided in which the multicast IP addresses, multicast port numbers and verification information of the default switch-on channel need not to be stored in the file SaveInfo.txt; besides, the verification information is taken into consideration, too. Therefore, the IP STB work process shown in Figure 2 is effective and steady.

[0058] Obviously, the process shown in Figure 2 is storing the multicast IP addresses, multicast port numbers and verification information of channel while carrying out a BTV service; when an IP STB restarts after an abnormal shutdown, the IP STB accesses the stored related information to compose an IGMP Leave message, and sends the IGMP Leave message before sending an IGMP Report message, so that simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows is prevented.

[0059] Figure 3 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a third embodiment of this invention. As shown in Figure 3, when an IP STB is switched on in a random situation (including an abnormal situation), the IP STB composes multiple IGMP Leave messages, each of which corresponds to a channel that the user is authorized to watch, according to the contents of the channel list stored in the IP STB and sends the IGMP Leave messages in turn. Through such a method the IP STB may initiatively leave the multicast group to which it belonged when malfunction occurred.

[0060] Then the IP STB composes an IGMP Report message based on the multicast IP address and the multicast port information of the default switch-on channel in its own channel list and sends the IGMP Report message and joins the multicast group of the default switch-on channel.

[0061] Then the IP STB may continue with follow-up operations including switching channel, switching to a non-BTV service or shutting down, according to user instructions.

[0062] It can be seen that the process shown in Figure 3 goes through the channel list, and ensures that corresponding IGMP Leave messages of all channels which the user is authorized to watch will be sent in turn, so that the transmission of the multicast flow which continues after malfunction occurs to the IP STB could be ceased. Supposing a user is authorized to watch 100 multicast channels, the time an IP STB spends in sending an IGMP Leave message corresponding to one of the 100 channels can be less than a millisecond. With the capacity of DSLAM and network congestion in consideration, the IGMP Leave message interval can be set to be 1 millisecond so that all the IGMP Leave messages can be sent within 0.1 second after the IP STB is switched on, thus it takes very short time for the IP STB to stop the transmission of the multicast flow which continues after malfunction occurred to the STB.

[0063] It can be seen from the above that in the methods shown in Figures 1 to 3, an IP STB sends an IGMP Leave message initiatively to prevent simultaneous issuance of multicast flows.

[0064] In fact, the communication entities on the network side can also initiatively cease the transmission of the multicast flow which continues after malfunction occurred to the IP STB to prevent simultaneous issuance of multicast flows. The detailed processes are shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5.

[0065] Figure 4 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a fourth embodiment of this invention. As shown in Figure 4, when an IP STB is switched on in a random situation (including an abnormal situation), the IP STB negotiates with a broadband access server through relevant protocols and the broadband access server allocates an IP address for the communication of the IP STB after a successful negotiation; meanwhile, the broadband access server can also notify a DSLAM through a message or other means that the IP STB has successfully accessed the network.

[0066] Upon receiving the notification from the broadband access server, the DSLAM queries whether there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB currently, and, if there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB currently, the DSLAM ceases the transmission to the IP STB. And when the IP STB does not receive multicast flow from the DSLAM any more, the IP STB composes an IGMP Report message based on the contents of the channel list stored in the IP STB itself and sends the IGMP Report message to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel.

[0067] Obviously, if the DSLAM determines there is no multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB, the DSLAM may continue with other operations in the prior art. In this case, the IP STB can still composes and sends an IGMP Report message based on the contents of the channel list stored in the IP STB, and joins the multicast group of the default switch-on channel.

[0068] Figure 5 is the IP STB operation flowchart of a fifth embodiment of this invention. As shown in Figure 5, when an IP STB is switched on in a random situation (including an abnormal situation), the IP STB negotiates with a broadband access server through relevant protocols and the broadband access server allocates an IP address for the communication of the IP STB after a successful negotiation; then the IP STB composes an IGMP Report message based on the contents of the channel list stored in the IP STB and sends the IGMP Report message, applying to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel.

[0069] Upon receiving the IGMP Report message from the IP STB, the DSLAM queries whether there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB currently, and, if there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB currently, the DSLAM ceases the transmission to the IP STB and may further refuse to allow the IP STB to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel; otherwise the DSLAM allows the IP STB to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel. And when the IP STB does not receive any more multicast flow from the DSLAM, the IP STB composes an IGMP Report message based on the contents of the channel list stored in the IP STB and sends the IGMP Report message to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel.

[0070] It can be seen from Figure 4 and Figure 5 that when an IP STB is switched on after an abnormal shutdown, a DSLAM on the network side can initiatively cease the transmission of the multicast flow which continues after malfunction occurred to the IP STB so that simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows is prevented.

[0071] The present invention also can provide an IP STB and a DSLAM to implement the above-mentioned method.

[0072] To sum up, the method provided by the embodiments of the present invention prevents simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows in the prior art and thus eliminates unfavorable consequences of simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows, including picture quality loss and even abnormal restart of an IP STB, therefore the user experiences will be improved and user satisfaction will be distinctively increased.

Claims

1. A method for preventing simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows, comprising:

upon being switched on an internet protocol set-top box, IP STB, composing and sending an internet group management protocol, IGMP, Leave message based on channel related information stored in the IP STB;

upon receiving the IGMP Leave message from the IP STB, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, DSLAM, ceasing the transmission of the multicast flow to the IP STB corresponding to the IGMP Leave message sent by the IP STB.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the channel related information stored in the IP STB comprises a multicast IP address and a multicast port number of a multicast group of the channel which the user has been watching before the IP STB is powered off, and the information is stored in a non volatile memory, NVM, of the IP STB.

3. A method for preventing simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows, comprising:

upon an internet protocol set-top box, IP STB, being switched on, the IP STB negotiates with a broadband access server through relevant protocols, and the IP STB is allocated an IP address for the communication by the broadband access server after a successful negotiation;

the broadband access server notifies a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, DSLAM, through a message or other means that the IP STB has successfully accessed the network;

upon receiving the notification from the broadband access server, the DSLAM knows that the IP STB has successfully accessed a network, the DSLAM queries whether there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB, if there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB, the DSLAM ceases the transmission of the multicast flow to the IP STB.

4. A method for preventing simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows, comprising:

upon an internet protocol set-top box, IP STB, being switched on, the IP STB negotiates with a broadband access server through relevant protocols, and the IP STB is allocated an IP address for the communication by the broadband access server after a successful negotiation;

the IP STB composes an IGMP Report message based on contents of the channel list stored in the IP STB and sends the IGMP Report message to a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, DSLAM, applying to join the multicast group of the default switch-on channel;

upon receiving the IGMP Report message from the IP STB, the DSLAM queries whether there is a multicast flow being transmitted to the IP STB, if there is a multicast flow, the DSLAM ceases a transmission of the multicast flow to the IP STB.

5. The method of any of Claim 1 to 4, further comprising:

composing and sending an IGMP Report message by the IP STB based on contents of a channel list stored in the IP STB, and joining a multicast group of a default switch-on channel.

6. The method of any of Claim 1 to 4, further comprising:

according to a received user instruction, performing at least one of the following operations: switching channels, switching to a non-BTV service and switching off.

7. The method of Claim 6, wherein the performed operation is switching channels and the switching channels comprises:

sending the IGMP Leave message to leave a current multicast group;

searching a multicast IP address and a multicast port number of a channel chosen by a user in a channel list;

composing an IGMP Report message based on the multicast IP address and the multicast port number found and sending the IGMP Report message to join a new multicast group.

8. The method of Claim 7, wherein the multicast IP address, the multicast port number and verification information stored in the IP STB are updated with corresponding information of the new multicast group when the IP STB joins the new multicast group;
or, the IP STB determines whether a channel chosen by the user is the default switch-on channel, and if the chosen channel is not the default switch-on channel, the multicast IP address, the multicast port number and the verification information stored in the IP STB are updated with corresponding information of the new multicast group; otherwise the information stored in the IP STB is not to be updated.

9. The method of Claim 2, 7 or 8, wherein the multicast IP address, the multicast port number and the verification information are stored in an information file in a file system of the NVM, or stored in a block in the file system of the NVM.

10. The method of Claim 1, wherein the information stored in the IP STB is stored in a channel list in a memory of the IP STB, including a multicast IP addresses and multicast port numbers of all channels which a user is authorized to watch;
the process of composing and sending the IGMP Leave message comprises composing and sending multiple IGMP Leave messages based on the multicast IP addresses and the multicast port numbers of all channels in the channel list in turn.

11. An internet protocol set-top box, IP STB, which is configured to compose and send to a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, DSLAM, an internet group management protocol, IGMP, Leave message based on channel related information stored in the IPSTB itself upon the IP STB being switched on so as for the DSLAM to cease the transmission of the multicast flow to the IP STB corresponding to the IGMP Leave message.

12. The IP STB of Claim 11, wherein the channel related information stored in the IP STB comprises a multicast IP address and a multicast port number of a multicast group of the channel which the user has been watching before the IP STB is powered off, and the information is stored in a non volatile memory, NVM, of the IP STB.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zum Verhindern des gleichzeitigen Aussendens von zwei Multicast-Strömen, umfassend:

beim Einschalten Zusammenstellen und Senden durch eine Internetprotokoll-Set-Top-Box IP STB einer Internet Group Management Protocol-, IGMP-, Leave-Nachricht auf der Basis von in der IP STB gespeicherten kanalbezogenen Informationen;

beim Empfangen der IGMP-Leave-Nachricht von der IP-STB Beenden durch einen Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer DSLAM (DSL-Zugangskonzentrator) der Übertragung des Multicast-Stroms zu der IP STB entsprechend der von der IP STB gesendeten IGMP-Leave-Nachricht.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die in der IP STB gespeicherten kanalbezogenen Informationen eine Multicast-IP-Adresse und eine Multicast-Portnummer einer Multicast-Gruppe des Kanals umfassen, den der Benutzer vor dem Ausschalten der IP STB betrachtet hat, und die Informationen in einem nichtflüchtigen Speicher NVM der IP STB gespeichert werden.

3. Verfahren zum Verhindern des gleichzeitigen Aussendens von zwei Multicast-Strömen, umfassend:

beim Einschalten einer Internetprotokoll-Set-Top-Box IP STB Verhandeln durch die IP STB mit einem Breitbandzugangsserver durch relevante Protokolle, und Zuweisen einer IP-Adresse an die IP STB zur Kommunikation durch den Breitbandzugangsserver nach einer erfolgreichen Verhandlung;

Benachrichtigen durch den Breitbandzugangsserver eines Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer DSLAM durch eine Nachricht oder andere Mittel, dass die IP STB erfolgreich Zugang zu dem Netzwerk erhalten hat;

beim Empfangen der Benachrichtigung von dem Breitbandzugangsserver Erkennen durch den DSLAM, dass die IP STB erfolgreich Zugang auf ein Netzwerk erhalten hat, Abfragen durch den DSLAM, ob zu der IP STB ein Multicast-Strom übertragen wird, falls ein Multicast-Strom zu der IP STB übertragen wird, Beenden der Übertragung des Multicast-Stroms zu der IP STB durch den DSLAM.

4. Verfahren zum Verhindern des gleichzeitigen Aussendens von zwei Multicast-Strömen, umfassend:

beim Einschalten einer Internetprotokoll-Set-Top-Box IP STB Verhandeln durch die IP STB mit einem Breitbandzugangsserver durch relevante Protokolle, und Zuweisen einer IP-Adresse an die IP STB zur Kommunikation durch den Breitbandzugangsserver nach einer erfolgreichen Verhandlung;

Zusammenstellen durch die IP STB einer IGMP-Report-Nachricht auf der Basis von Inhalten der in der IP STB gespeicherten Kanalliste und Senden der IGMP-Report-Nachricht an einen Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer DSLAM, der beantragt, der Multicast-Gruppe des Standardeinschaltkanals beizutreten;

beim Empfangen der IGMP-Report-Nachricht von der IP STB Abfragen durch den DSLAM, ob zu der IP STB ein Multicast-Strom übertragen wird, falls ein Multicast-Strom existiert, Beenden einer Übertragung des Multicast-Stroms zu der IP STB durch den DSLAM.

5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, das weiterhin Folgendes umfasst:

Zusammenstellen und Senden einer IGMP-Report-Nachricht durch die IP STB auf der Basis von Inhalten einer in der IP STB gespeicherten Kanalliste und Beitreten zu einer Multicast-Gruppe eines Standardeinschaltkanals.

6. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, das weiterhin Folgendes umfasst:

gemäß einer empfangenen Benutzeranweisung, Durchführen mindestens einer der folgenden Operationen: Umschalten von Kanälen, Umschalten zu einem Nicht-BTV-Dienst und Abschalten.

7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, wobei die durchgeführte Operation das Umschalten von Kanälen ist und das Umschalten von Kanälen Folgendes umfasst:

Senden der IGMP-Leave-Nachricht, um eine aktuelle Multicast-Gruppe zu verlassen;

Suchen einer Multicast-IP-Adresse und einer Multicast-Portnummer eines von einem Benutzer gewählten Kanals in einer Kanalliste;

Zusammenstellen einer IGMP-Report-Nachricht auf der Basis der gefundenen Multicast-IP-Adresse und der gefundenen Multicast-Portnummer und Senden der IGMP-Report-Nachricht zum Beitreten zu einer neuen Multicast-Gruppe.

8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Multicast-IP-Adresse, die Multicast-Portnummer und die Verifikationsinformationen, die in der IP STB gespeichert sind, mit entsprechenden Informationen der neuen Multicast-Gruppe aktualisiert werden, wenn die IP STB der neuen Multicast-Gruppe beitritt;
oder die IP STB bestimmt, ob ein von dem Benutzer gewählter Kanal der Standardeinschaltkanal ist, und falls der gewählte Kanal nicht der Standardeinschaltkanal ist, werden die Multicast-IP-Adresse, die Multicast-Portnummer und die Verifikationsinformationen, die in der IP STB gespeichert sind, mit entsprechenden Informationen der neuen Multicast-Gruppe aktualisiert; ansonsten sollen die in der IP STB gespeicherten Informationen nicht aktualisiert werden.

9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, 7 oder 8, wobei die Multicast-IP-Adresse, die Multicast-Portnummer und die Verifikationsinformationen in einer Informationsdatei in einem Dateisystem des NVM gespeichert werden oder in einem Block in dem Dateisystem des NVM gespeichert werden.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die in der IP STB gespeicherten Informationen in einer Kanalliste in einem Speicher der IP STB gespeichert werden, einschließlich Multicast-IP-Adressen und Multicast-Portnummern aller Kanäle, die ein Benutzer autorisiert ist zu betrachten;
der Prozess des Zusammenstellens und Sendens der IGMP-Leave-Nachricht das Zusammenstellen und Senden von mehreren IGMP-Leave-Nachrichten auf der Basis der Multicast-IP-Adressen und der Multicast-Portnummern aller Kanäle in der Kanalliste nacheinander umfasst.

11. Internetprotokoll-Set-Top-Box IP STB, die konfiguriert ist zum Zusammenstellen und Senden einer Internet Group Management Protocol IGMP-Leave-Nachricht an einen Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer DSLAM auf der Basis von in der IP STB selbstgespeicherten kanalbezogenen Informationen, wenn die IP STB eingeschaltet wird, damit der DSLAM die Übertragung des Multicast-Stroms zu der IP STB entsprechend der IGMP-Leave-Nachricht beendet.

12. IP STB nach Anspruch 11, wobei die in der IP STB gespeicherten kanalbezogenen Informationen eine Multicast-IP-Adresse und eine Multicast-Portnummer einer Multicast-Gruppe des Kanals umfassen, den der Benutzer vor dem Ausschalten der IP STB betrachtet hat, und die Informationen in einem nichtflüchtigen Speicher NVM der IP STB gespeichert werden.

Revendications

1. Procédé pour empêcher la distribution simultanée de deux flux de données de multidiffusion, comprenant :

à son allumage, la composition et l'envoi par un décodeur de protocole Internet, IP STB, d'un message Leave du protocole de gestion de groupe Internet, IGMP, en fonction d'informations de canal mémorisées dans l'IP STB ;

à la réception du message Leave IGMP provenant de l'IP STB, l'arrêt par un multiplexeur d'accès de ligne d'abonné numérique, DSLAM, de la transmission du flux de données de multidiffusion à l'IP STB correspondant au message Leave IGMP envoyé par l'IP STB.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les informations de canal mémorisées dans l'IP STB comprennent une adresse IP de multidiffusion et un numéro de port de multidiffusion d'un groupe de multidiffusion du canal que l'utilisateur regardait avant d'éteindre l'IP STB, et les informations sont mémorisées dans une mémoire rémanente, NVM, de l'IP STB.

3. Procédé pour empêcher la distribution simultanée de deux flux de données de multidiffusion, comprenant :

à l'allumage d'un décodeur de protocole Internet, IP STB, la négociation par l'IP STB avec un serveur d'accès à large bande par des protocoles pertinents, et l'attribution à l'IP STB d'une adresse IP pour la communication par le serveur d'accès à large bande après une négociation réussie ;

la notification par le serveur d'accès à large bande à un multiplexeur d'accès de ligne d'abonné numérique, DSLAM, par le biais d'un message ou d'un autre moyen que l'IP STB a correctement accédé au réseau ;

à la réception de la notification depuis le serveur d'accès à large bande, informant le DSLAM que l'IP STB a correctement accédé à un réseau, l'interrogation par le DSLAM si un flux de données de multidiffusion est transmis ou non à l'IP STB ;

dans le cas où un flux de multidiffusion est transmis à l'IP STB, l'arrêt par le DSLAM de la transmission du flux de multidiffusion à l'IP STB.

4. Procédé pour empêcher la distribution simultanée de deux flux de données de multidiffusion, comprenant :

à l'allumage d'un décodeur de protocole Internet, IP STB, la négociation par l'IP STB avec un serveur d'accès à large bande par des protocoles pertinents, et l'attribution à l'IP STB d'une adresse IP pour la communication par le serveur d'accès à large bande après une négociation réussie ;

la composition, par l'IP STB, d'un message Report IGMP en fonction du contenu de la liste de canaux mémorisée dans l'IP STB et l'envoi du message Report IGMP à un multiplexeur d'accès de ligne d'abonné numérique, DSLAM, demandant à se joindre au groupe de multidiffusion du canal par défaut à l'allumage ;

à la réception du message Report IGMP provenant de l'IP STB, l'interrogation par le DSLAM si un flux de multidiffusion est transmis ou non à l'IP STB ; dans le cas où un flux de données de multidiffusion est transmis, l'arrêt par le DSLAM de la transmission du flux de multidiffusion à l'IP STB.

5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant en outre :

la composition et l'envoi d'un message Report IGMP par l'IP STB en fonction du contenu d'une liste de canaux mémorisée dans l'IP STB, et le fait de se joindre à un groupe de multidiffusion d'un canal par défaut à l'allumage.

6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant en outre :

en fonction d'une instruction d'utilisateur reçue, l'exécution d'au moins l'une des opérations suivantes : la commutation de canaux, la commutation sur un service non BTV et l'extinction.

7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel l'opération exécutée est la commutation de canaux et la commutation de canaux comprend :

l'envoi d'un message Leave IGMP pour quitter un groupe de multidiffusion actuel ;

la recherche d'une adresse IP de multidiffusion et d'un numéro de port de multidiffusion d'un canal choisi par un utilisateur dans une liste de canaux ;

la composition d'un message Report IGMP en fonction de l'adresse IP de multidiffusion et du numéro de port de multidiffusion trouvé et l'envoi du message Report IGMP pour se joindre à un nouveau groupe de multidiffusion.

8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel l'adresse IP de multidiffusion, le numéro de port de multidiffusion et les informations de vérification mémorisés dans l'IP STB sont actualisés par des informations correspondantes du nouveau groupe de multidiffusion quand l'IP STB se joint au nouveau groupe de multidiffusion ; ou l'IP STB détermine si un canal choisi par l'utilisateur est ou non le canal par défaut à l'allumage, et si le canal choisi n'est pas le canal par défaut à l'allumage, l'adresse IP de multidiffusion, le numéro de port de multidiffusion et les informations de vérification mémorisés dans l'IP STB sont actualisés par des informations correspondantes du nouveau groupe de multidiffusion ; si non, les informations mémorisées dans l'IP STB ne sont pas actualisées.

9. Procédé selon la revendication 2, 7 ou 8, dans lequel l'adresse IP de multidiffusion, le numéro de port de multidiffusion et les informations de vérification sont mémorisés dans un fichier d'informations dans un système de fichiers de la NVM, ou mémorisés dans un bloc dans le système de fichiers de la NVM.

10. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les informations mémorisées dans l'IP STB sont mémorisées dans une liste de canaux dans une mémoire de l'IP STB, comportant des adresses IP de multidiffusion et des numéros de port de multidiffusion de tous les canaux qu'un utilisateur est autorisé à regarder ;
le processus de composition et d'envoi du message Leave IGMP comprend la composition et l'envoi de multiples messages Leave IGMP en fonction des adresses IP de multidiffusion et des numéros de ports de multidiffusion de tous les canaux dans la liste de canaux un à un.

11. Décodeur de protocole Internet, IP STB, configuré pour composer et envoyer à un multiplexeur d'accès de ligne d'abonné numérique, DSLAM, un message Leave du protocole de gestion de groupe Internet, IGMP, en fonction d'informations de canal mémorisées dans l'IP STB même, à l'allumage de l'IP STB, de façon à ce que le DSLAM arrête la transmission du flux de données de multidiffusion à l'IP STB correspondant au message Leave IGMP.

12. IP STB selon la revendication 11, dans lequel les informations de canal mémorisées dans l'IP STB comprennent une adresse IP de multidiffusion et un numéro de port de multidiffusion d'un groupe de multidiffusion du canal que l'utilisateur regardait avant d'éteindre l'IP STB, et les informations sont mémorisées dans une mémoire rémanente, NVM, de l'IP STB.

Drawing