CN117221638A - Media playing device and related media playing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for use on a media playback device, comprising: generating a quick start area in a user interface of the media playing device according to the quick start setting, wherein the quick start area comprises a plurality of windows, and the windows respectively correspond to at least one video content and at least one application program; according to the quick start setting, acquiring data corresponding to the at least one video content and caching the data in a first caching unit; according to the quick start setting, acquiring data required by executing the at least one application program, and caching the data in a second cache unit; and responding to the quick start operation of the user, decoding the data cached in the first caching unit to play the video and audio content, or using the data cached in the second caching unit to execute the at least one application program.

Description

Media playing device and related media playing method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to media playing, and more particularly, to a media playing device with a fast video/audio content switching function and a related media playing method.

Background

With the progress and diversification of audio and Video broadcasting technology and hardware devices, the media playing device can play more and more audio and Video contents, such as channels, programs or audio and Video contents provided by digital Video broadcasting (Digital Video Broadcasting, DVB) service, internet protocol television (Internet Protocol Television, IPTV) service, video On Demand (VOD) service, and Over the top media service (OTT service), and even execute third party application programs to obtain various audio and Video contents or play electronic games. However, in the process of obtaining the audio-visual content provided by these services, operations such as data transmission, data format conversion, data decryption and decoding are often involved, so that the media playing device cannot respond to the switching operation of the user very instantaneously. On the other hand, the third party application program also relates to multi-level menu logic, and the user cannot quickly and intuitively select specific video and audio content for on-demand playing. For the above reasons, there is a need in the art for a high-efficiency media playing and man-machine interaction method, so as to improve the experience of users when viewing video and audio content.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, the invention provides a media playing device with a rapid video and audio content switching function and a related media playing method. The invention provides a quick start area in a user interface of a media playing device. The quick start area includes a shortcut of a specific channel, a specific program, a specific audio-visual content, or an application program that can be quickly started for the user to quickly switch and play. Shortcuts in the quick start area are pre-acquired and cached for specific channels, programs, audio-visual content or pre-loaded for specific applications based on personal settings of the user or based on intelligent settings made by the user's daily usage records. Therefore, the user can realize the rapid switching of the video and audio content through the operation of the rapid starting area.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for media playback on a media playback device, the method comprising: generating a quick start area in a user interface of the media playing device according to the quick start setting, wherein the quick start area comprises a plurality of quick start windows, and the quick start windows respectively correspond to at least one video content and at least one application program; according to the quick start setting, acquiring data corresponding to the at least one video content from a media source, and caching the data of the at least one video content in a first cache unit of the media playing device; according to the quick start setting, data required for executing the at least one application program is obtained in advance from an internet protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) address, and the data required for executing the at least one application program is cached in a second cache unit; and responding to the quick starting operation of the user, selectively decoding the data cached in the first caching unit to play the video and audio content, or executing the at least one application program by using the data cached in the second caching unit.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a media playing device, wherein the media playing device includes: the device comprises a quick start control circuit, a first locking device, a first cache unit, a second locking device, a second cache unit, a decoding circuit and a program execution circuit. The quick start control circuit is used for generating a quick start area in a user interface of the media playing device according to the quick start setting, wherein the quick start area comprises a plurality of quick start windows, and the quick start windows respectively correspond to at least one video content and at least one application program. The first locking device is used for acquiring data corresponding to the at least one video and audio content from the media source according to the quick start setting. The first buffer unit is used for buffering the data of the at least one video and audio content. The second locking means is arranged to pre-fetch data required for executing the at least one application from an internet protocol address in accordance with the quick start setting. The second buffer unit is used for buffering data required by executing the at least one application program. The decoding circuit is used for responding to the quick starting operation of a user and selectively decoding the data cached in the first caching unit so as to play the at least one video and audio content. The program execution circuit is used for responding to the quick start operation of the user and selectively using the data cached in the second caching unit to execute the at least one application program.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a media playing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a user interface of a media playback device and a quick start region therein in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3A, 3B, and 3C respectively show detailed architecture diagrams of a locking device, a buffering device, a demultiplexing device, and a program execution circuit in a media playing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a media playing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a hardware architecture diagram of some elements in a media playing device for implementing an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the following, numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art, however, will understand how to implement the invention without one or more specific details, or with other methods or elements or materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring the core concepts of the invention.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics described above may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a media playing device according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the media playback apparatus 100 is configured to receive a data stream from a media source 10 for playback of media. The media source may be, among other things, a digital Video broadcast (Digital Video Broadcasting, DVB) service, an internet protocol television (Internet Protocol Television, IPTV) service, an Over-the-air media service (OTT), a Video On Demand (VOD) service, or the internet, etc. The media playback apparatus 100 may be wired or wireless through a specific image/sound transmission interface, for example: a high definition multimedia interface (High Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI) or DisplayPort (DP), etc., outputs video/audio signals to the display device 20 and/or the acoustic device 30, thereby reproducing audio-visual contents through the devices. Wherein, the media playing device 100 comprises: locking means 111, 121 and 131, buffering means 112, 122 and 132, demultiplexing means 113 and 123, program executing circuit 133, decoding circuit 140 and quick start control circuit 150.

When the user wants to watch the audio/video content, the media playing device 100 will acquire the related data from the media source 10, for example, lock the frequency point to which the specific channel belongs (when the media source 10 is a DVB service), or request the server for the specific audio/video content (when the media source 10 is an IPTV service, OTT service, VOD service, internet, etc.). Wherein the audio-visual information is transmitted to the media playing device 100 in the form of a data stream. Wherein the data stream may be transmitted by the media source 10 to the media playback apparatus 100 in wireless or wired form and via one or more relay transmission devices. In one embodiment, the data stream may include Video content compressed based on Video coding standards such as the moving picture expert group (Moving Picture Experts Group, MPEG) standard, the advanced Video coding (Advanced Video Coding, AVC) standard, high efficiency Video coding (High Efficiency Video Coding, HEVC), or AOMedia Video 1 (AV 1). In addition, the data stream may further include Audio coding standards based on Advanced coding 3 (ac-3), moving picture experts group-1 or moving picture experts group-2 Audio Layer III (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, abbreviated MP 3), advanced Audio coding (Advanced Audio Coding, AAC), MPEG, and the like. It should be noted here that the video/audio coding standard used in particular for video/audio content in a data stream is not a limitation of the present invention. Video/audio coding standards other than those described above may be selected under different design requirements.

When a user activates the media playing apparatus 100, the media playing apparatus 100 may first provide a starting screen including the user interface 40 to the display device 20. For one embodiment of the user interface 40, please refer to the example shown in fig. 2. The user interface 40 provides visual human-machine interaction, so that a user can select, browse and search video and audio contents. The user interface 40 includes a quick start area 41 and a normal operation area 42. The general operation area 42 mainly displays shortcuts, representative drawings, and even content introduction of the audiovisual content that the media playback apparatus 100 can provide. The quick start area 41 includes a plurality of quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. The quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n essentially function as shortcuts for quickly switching to a specific channel, program, audio-visual content or third party application. In one embodiment, the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n may be used to present one frame (still thumbnail) or multiple frames (moving images) of a specific channel, program, audio-visual content or application program to which they correspond.

In addition, a user may use a controller to operate on the user interface 40 to select a particular channel, program, audiovisual content for playback, or to launch a particular application to view audiovisual content on a particular platform or to play an electronic game. The user may activate the quick start function in a voice-controlled manner using physical or virtual keys on the controller, or by using a microphone on the controller. When the quick start function is enabled, quick start region 41 appears on user interface 40. The user may use physical or virtual keys on the controller or reciprocally select between the quick start windows 41_1-41_n in a voice-controlled manner. Thereby switching back and forth between the video and audio contents provided by the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. When one of the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n is selected by the user, the media playing device 100 displays the specific channel, program, audio-visual content or application program corresponding to the quick start window selected by the user in a full screen form or in the normal operation area 42.

In order to realize fast switching of the video and audio contents, when the fast start control circuit 150 receives the control operation performed by the user on the fast start area 41, the fast start control circuit obtains corresponding data units (e.g. data packets) from the buffer devices 112, 122 and 132, and sends the data units to the decoding circuit 140 for video and audio decoding, or sends the data units to the program execution circuit 133 for executing the application program. The following table (table one) shows an example when the quick start area 41 has 8 quick start windows 41_1 to 41_8:

list one

Quick start window	Media source	Video and audio content
			41_1	Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)	Fashion table
41_2	Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)	Middle vision
			41_3	Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)	Huashi (Chinese character) vision
41_4	Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)	Exercise platform
			41_5	Third party application (Netflix)	Loligo chinensis game
41_6	Third party application (YouTube)	TVSS news live broadcast
			41_7	Third party application (wild Biao 8)	Wild hurricane 8
41_8	Third party application (KKBOX)	2022 popular music

From the above, the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_8 can provide a viewing shortcut for DVB channels or IPTV channels, so that the user can view a specific channel with a simpler operation. And the third party application programs for providing video and audio contents such as 'Netflix', 'YouTube' or 'KKBox' also provide a viewing shortcut, so that a user can more easily select video and audio contents to be watched without facing complex menu logic in the application programs. It should be noted that, in different embodiments of the present invention, the number of the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n, even the corresponding channels, programs or av contents may be different from the type of the media service provided by the media source 10 according to the user's setting, and is not limited to the examples shown in the table above. In the embodiment of the present invention, the channels, programs, audio-visual contents or third party applications corresponding to the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n can be determined by the quick start control circuit 150 according to the quick start settings.

Further, the user may add the previously watched channel, program or audio-visual content, or the previously executed third party application to the quick start area 41 through the controller, so as to be the object corresponding to the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. Alternatively, the user may add a channel, program or audio-visual content of interest, or a third party application of interest to the quick start area 41 to be the object corresponding to the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. Based on the setting operation by the user, the quick start control circuit 150 may modify the quick start setting so as to reflect the setting made by the user in the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. In another embodiment, the quick start control circuit 150 may record the viewing records of the user or the execution records of the third party application program, and determine the channel, program or audio-visual content most likely to be watched by the user in the future or the third party application program most likely to be executed by the user based on the statistics of these records, so as to adjust and modify the quick start settings, thereby setting the objects corresponding to the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n.

On the other hand, the quick start control circuit 150 may also record the IP address corresponding to the previously played channel, program or audio-video content in the quick start setting. In this way, when the user wants to watch the played channel, program or audio/video content again, the media playing device 100 can more effectively acquire the corresponding data unit. The following table (table two) shows how the quick start control circuit 150 of the present invention adds an IP address in the quick start setting.

Watch II

For example, when the user executes the third party application program "Netflix" and watches the program "squid game" provided by the user in a certain operation, the quick start control circuit 150 records the IP address "Netflix:// title/12345678" corresponding to the program "squid game" in the quick start setting, and adds the program "squid game" to the quick start area 41 so as to correspond to one of the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. In addition, when the user executes the third party application program "YouTube" and watches the video content "TVBS news live broadcast" provided by the user in a certain operation, the quick start control circuit 150 records the IP address "https:// www.youtube.com/watch=2mcsyvchtc" corresponding to the video content "TVBS news live broadcast" in the quick start setting, and adds the video content "TVBS news live broadcast" to the quick start area 41 so as to correspond to one of the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. In addition, the wild car 8 is directed to a third party application program such as a game. The media playback apparatus 100 also pre-loads and executes the program code of the application program in the background to download data (e.g., update or initialization data) required to execute the application program. On the other hand, the quick start control circuit 150 also records the breakpoint playing time of the previously played program or audio/video content in the quick start setting, so that the user can continue the previous playing progress when watching again.

In order to achieve the above effects, the media playing device 100 of the present invention includes: locking means 111, 121 and 131, caching means 112, 122 and 132, demultiplexing means 113 and 123, program execution circuit 133 to cache audiovisual content or to preload third party applications. Wherein the locking means 111, 121 and 131 are used for locking channels or program content provided by different types of media sources 10, respectively. The locking device 111 may lock different channels of the DVB service, the locking device 121 may request data of audio-visual contents of different channels of the IPTV from a specific IP address, and the locking device 131 may request data required for executing the third party application from the specific IP address, or request data of audio-visual contents provided by the third party program.

Referring to fig. 3A, in an embodiment of the present invention, the locking device 111, the buffering device 112 and the demultiplexing device 113 of the media playing device 100 buffer the data stream, so as to provide the video and audio content for the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. Wherein the locking device 111 comprises frequency locking units 111_1 to 111_i (wherein I is a positive integer greater than 1). The frequency locking units 111_1 to 111_i are used to lock a plurality of frequency points of one digital video broadcast signal, respectively. The quick start control circuit 150 sets the frequency locking units 111_1 to 111_i in the locking device 111 according to one or more channels (for example, fashion table and sports table in table one) of the DVB service corresponding to the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n and frequencies corresponding to the one or more channels recorded by the quick start setting. By locking of the frequency locking units 111_1 to 111_i, the locking device 111 can obtain data associated with the one or more channels from the DVB service. Furthermore, although not shown, the locking device 111 may further include other circuit elements, such as a demodulator (demodulator) and an analog-to-digital converter, so as to demodulate and analog-to-digital convert the locked signal to output data at different frequency points. The buffer device 112 includes buffer units 112_1 to 112_o for buffering the data acquired by the frequency lock units 111_1 to 111_i, respectively. In some embodiments of the present invention, the buffer units 112_1 to 112_O discard data units of non-specific type, such as data units unrelated to video content. For example, data units corresponding to emergency broadcast, system information, and/or electronic program guide (Electronic Program Guide, EPG) types are discarded, and such operation may be accomplished by identifying a packet identifier (packet identifier, PID) in the data unit. Further, the demultiplexing device 113 includes demultiplexing and buffering units 113_1 to 113_r for demultiplexing, descrambling and buffering the data buffered by the buffering units 112_1 to 112_o, and each of the demultiplexing and buffering units 113_1 to 113_r corresponds to a quick start window associated with a specific DVB channel among the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n, respectively. When the user selects the quick start window corresponding to the specific DVB channel, the decoding circuit 140 obtains the data unit from the demultiplexing and buffering unit associated with the demultiplexing and buffering units 113_1 to 113_r and decodes the data unit, thereby outputting the audio-visual content. In addition, in order to facilitate the user to grasp the DVB channel specifically corresponding to each of the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n, the decoding circuit 140 may also decode the data buffered in the demultiplexing and buffering units 113_1 to 113_r before the user does not select the specific quick start window 41_1 to 41_n, so that one frame (static thumbnail) or multiple frames (dynamic images) of the specific DVB channel corresponding to the quick start window 41_1 to 41_n are displayed on the quick start window 41_1 to 41_n. For further operational principles and design variations of the buffer means 112 and the demultiplexing means 113 reference is made to the description in taiwan patent application (application number 110100272).

Referring to fig. 3B, in an embodiment of the present invention, the locking device 121, the buffering device 122 and the demultiplexing device 123 of the media playing device 100 buffer the data stream, so as to provide the video and audio content for the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. Wherein the locking means 121 comprises internet protocol address locking units 121_1 to 121_j (wherein J is a positive integer greater than 1). The IP address locking units 121_1 to 121_j are used to lock a plurality of IP addresses associated with the IPTV service, respectively. The quick start control circuit 150 sets the IP address locking units 121_1 to 121_j in the locking device 121 according to one or more channels (e.g., middle view and top view in table one) of the IPTV service corresponding to the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n and the IP addresses corresponding to the one or more channels. By the locking of the IP address locking units 121_1 to 121_j, the locking device 121 can obtain data associated with the locked IP address. In addition, the locking device 121 may further include: the demodulator, analog-to-digital converter, and other circuit elements are used for demodulating and analog-to-digital converting the locked signal to output data associated with different IP addresses. Further, the buffer device 122 includes buffer units 122_1 to 122_p for buffering the data acquired by the IP address locking units 121_1 to 121_j, respectively. Further, the demultiplexing device 123 includes demultiplexing and buffering units 123_1 to 123_s for demultiplexing, descrambling and buffering the data buffered by the buffering units 122_1 to 122_p, and each of the demultiplexing and buffering units 123_1 to 123_s corresponds to a quick start window associated with a specific IPTV channel among the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n, respectively. When the quick start window corresponding to a specific IPTV channel is selected by the quick start operation of the user, the decoding circuit 140 obtains the data unit from the demultiplexing and buffering unit associated with the demultiplexing and buffering units 123_1 to 123_s and decodes the data unit, thereby outputting the video and audio content. In addition, in order to facilitate the user to grasp the IPTV channel specifically corresponding to each of the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n, the decoding circuit 140 decodes the data buffered in the demultiplexing and buffering units 123_1 to 123_s before the user does not select the specific quick start window 41_1 to 41_n, so that one frame (still thumbnail) or multiple frames (moving images) of the specific channel corresponding to the quick start window 41_1 to 41_n are displayed on the quick start window 41_1 to 41_n. For further operational principles and design variations of the buffer means 122 and the demultiplexing means 123 reference is made to the description in taiwan patent application (application number 110100272).

Referring to fig. 3C, in an embodiment of the present invention, the locking device 131, the buffering device 132 and the program executing circuit 133 of the media playing device 100 buffer the data stream, so as to provide the video and audio contents for the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n. Wherein the locking device 131 comprises IP address locking units 131_1 to 131_k (wherein K is a positive integer greater than 1). The IP address locking units 131_1 to 131_k are respectively used for locking a plurality of IP addresses associated with the third party application program. The quick start control circuit 150 sets the IP address locking units 131_1 to 131_k in the locking device 131 according to one or more video/audio contents (e.g., a drama program "squid game" in "Netflix", "a live program" TVBS news live broadcast "in" YouTube "," a wild car "game content and a music selection" 2021 popular music "in" KKBOX ") of the third party application corresponding to the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n, and IP addresses corresponding to the one or more video/audio contents. By the contents of the IP address locking units 131_1 to 131_k, the locking device 131 can obtain data associated with the locked IP address. In addition, the locking device 131 may further include a demodulator and analog-to-digital circuit elements, and the locked signal is demodulated and converted from analog to digital, so as to output data associated with different IP addresses. The buffer device 132 includes buffer units 132_1 to 132_q for buffering data acquired by the IP address locking units 131_1 to 131_k, respectively. In addition, the program execution circuit 133 includes program execution units 133_1 to 133_t, and each of the program execution units 133_1 to 133_t corresponds to a quick start window of the quick start window 41_1 to 41_n associated with a specific third party application, respectively. The program executing units 133_1 to 133_t pre-load and execute program codes of specific application programs in the background. When the quick start window corresponding to the specific third party application program is selected by the quick start operation of the user, the program executing units 133_1 to 133_t acquire the data of the pre-cached audio-visual content or the update or initial data required for executing the application program from the caching units 132_1 to 132_q, so as to execute the program. In addition, in order to facilitate the user to grasp the audio-visual content of the third party application program specifically corresponding to each of the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n, the decoding circuit 140 may also decode the audio-visual content using the data buffered in the program executing circuits 133_1 to 133_t before the user selects the specific quick start window 41_1 to 41_n, so that one frame (static thumbnail) or multiple frames (dynamic images) of the specific channel corresponding to the audio-visual content are displayed on the quick start windows 41_1 to 41_n.

Note that in the above description, the media playing device 100 includes the locking device 111, the caching device 112 and the demultiplexing device 113 that are responsible for acquiring and pre-caching the audio-visual content of the DVB channel, the locking device 121, the caching device 122 and the demultiplexing device 123 that are responsible for acquiring and pre-caching the audio-visual content of the IPTV channel, the locking device 131 and the caching device 132 that are responsible for acquiring and pre-caching the audio-visual content of the third party application or the data required for executing the program. However, in different embodiments, different circuit designs may be possible depending on the type of the audio-visual content provided by the media playing device 100. For example, in one embodiment, the media playing device 100 may not provide the function of playing DVB channels, and the media playing device 100 in this embodiment may not be provided with the locking device 111, the buffering device 112, and the demultiplexing device 113. In addition, for example, in one embodiment, the media playing device 100 may have more sets of locking device, buffering device and demultiplexing device to take charge of video and audio content data acquisition and pre-buffering of VOD service or OTT service. Such design variations are still within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 4, which is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a media playing method according to the present invention, the flowchart includes the following steps:

s410: generating a quick start area in a user interface of the media playing device according to the quick start setting, wherein the quick start area comprises a plurality of quick start windows, and the quick start windows respectively correspond to at least one video content and at least one application program

S420: according to the quick start setting, obtaining data corresponding to the at least one video content from a media source, and caching the data of the at least one video content in a first cache unit of the media playing device

S430: according to the quick start setting, pre-acquiring data required by executing the at least one application program from an internet protocol address, and caching the data required by executing the at least one application program in a second cache unit of the media playing device

S440: and responding to the quick start operation of the user, selectively decoding the data cached in the first caching unit to play the at least one video content, or using the data cached in the second caching unit to execute the at least one application program.

Since the detailed principle of the above steps, specific operations and related implementation variations and detailed explanation are explained in the implementation description about the digital broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, they are not repeatedly described herein. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that the digital broadcasting method of the present invention can be implemented based on the above-described steps after fully understanding the foregoing description. It should be noted that the above procedure may better implement media playing by adding other additional steps or making appropriate changes and adjustments, thereby further improving the user experience. In addition, all or part of the operations, circuit elements, and modules of the foregoing embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by the apparatus 500 shown in fig. 5, such as the fast start control circuit 150 and/or the program execution circuit 133 of the foregoing media playing apparatus 100. Wherein a storage unit 510 (e.g., non-volatile memory) in the apparatus 500 may be used for storing program code, instructions, variables or data. The hardware processing unit 520 (e.g., a general purpose processor) in the apparatus 500 may execute the program codes and instructions stored in the memory unit 510 and perform all the operations of the foregoing embodiments with reference to variables or data therein.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, and related combinations thereof. Embodiments of the invention may be implemented using software or firmware stored in a memory and a corresponding instruction execution processor by a suitable instruction execution system. In terms of hardware, this can be accomplished using any one of the following techniques, or a related combination thereof: single operation logic with logic gates that can perform logic functions based on data signals, application specific integrated circuits (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC) with appropriate combinational logic gates, programmable gate arrays (programmable gate array, PGA) or field programmable gate arrays (field programmable gate array, FPGA), and the like.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of implementations of systems, methods and computer software products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or functional block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of program code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). Additionally, each block of the functional block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the functional block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or function block diagram block or blocks.

The foregoing description is only of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and any modifications or variations made in accordance with the claims herein fall within the scope of the invention.

Reference numerals

10. Media source

100. Media playing device

20. Display apparatus

30. Sound equipment

111. 121, 131 locking device

112. 122, 132 buffer memory device

113. 123 de-multiplexing device

113. Program execution circuit

140. Decoding circuit

150. Quick start control circuit

40. User interface

41. Quick start region

41_1, 41_2, 41_3, 41_N quick start window

42. Normal operation region

S410 to S440 steps

500. Device and method for controlling the same

510. Memory cell

520. Hardware processing unit

Claims (10)

1. A method for media playback on a media playback device, comprising:

generating a quick start area in a user interface of the media playing device according to the quick start setting, wherein the quick start area comprises a plurality of quick start windows, and the quick start windows respectively correspond to at least one video content and at least one application program;

according to the quick start setting, acquiring data corresponding to the at least one video content from a media source, and caching the data of the at least one video content in a first caching unit of the media playing device;

according to the quick start setting, data required by executing the at least one application program are obtained in advance from an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the data required by executing the at least one application program are cached in a second cache unit of the media playing device; and

and responding to a quick start operation of a user, selectively decoding the data cached in the first caching unit to play the at least one video content, or using the data cached in the second caching unit to execute the at least one application program.

2. A media playing device, comprising:

a quick start control circuit, configured to generate a quick start area in a user interface of the media playing device according to a quick start setting, where the quick start area includes a plurality of quick start windows, and the plurality of quick start windows respectively correspond to at least one video content and at least one application program;

the first locking device is used for acquiring data corresponding to the at least one video and audio content from a media source according to the quick start setting;

the first buffer unit is used for buffering the data of the at least one video and audio content;

a second locking means for acquiring in advance, from an internet protocol IP address, data required for executing the at least one application program according to the quick start setting;

a second caching unit, configured to cache data required for executing the at least one application program;

the decoding circuit is used for responding to the quick starting operation of a user and selectively decoding the data cached in the first caching unit so as to play the at least one video and audio content;

and the program execution circuit is used for responding to the quick start operation of the user and selectively using the data cached in the second caching unit to execute the at least one application program.

3. The media playing device of claim 2, wherein the first locking device comprises at least one frequency locking unit for locking at least one frequency point of a broadcast signal of a digital video broadcasting service, thereby acquiring data corresponding to audiovisual content of at least one digital video broadcasting channel from the digital video broadcasting service; and the first buffer unit is used for buffering the data of the video and audio content of the at least one digital video broadcast channel.

4. The media playing device of claim 2, wherein the first locking device comprises at least one IP address locking unit, the at least one IP address locking unit being configured to lock at least one IP address corresponding to an IPTV service, and further obtain data corresponding to audio-visual content of at least one IPTV channel from the IPTV service; and the first caching unit is used for caching the data of the video and audio content of the at least one IPTV channel.

5. The media playing device of claim 2, wherein the first locking device comprises at least one IP address locking unit, the at least one IP address locking unit is configured to lock at least one IP address corresponding to an OTT service of the overhead media, and further obtain data of corresponding audio-visual content from the OTT service; and the first caching unit is used for caching data of the video and audio content corresponding to the OTT service.

6. The media playing device of claim 2, wherein the second locking device comprises at least one IP address locking unit, the at least one IP address locking unit being configured to lock an IP address corresponding to the at least one application program, and further obtain data required for executing the at least one application program from the IP address; and the second caching unit is used for caching data required by executing the at least one application program.

7. The media playing device of claim 2, wherein the fast start control circuit displays a frame corresponding to the at least one video content or a frame corresponding to the at least one application program in the plurality of fast start windows based on the data buffered in the first buffer unit or the second buffer unit.

8. The media playback device of claim 2, wherein the quick start control circuit is to generate the quick start setting based on user input or user viewing of a recording.

9. The media playback device of claim 2, wherein the quick launch setting comprises an IP address of a viewed program, a viewed channel, or viewed audiovisual content, wherein the quick launch control circuit associates the viewed program, the viewed channel, or the viewed audiovisual content with one of the plurality of quick launch windows; and the first locking device acquires the data of the watched program, the watched channel or the watched video content according to the IP address of the watched program, the watched channel or the watched video content.

10. The media playback device of claim 2, wherein the quick start setting comprises a breakpoint play time of a viewed program or viewed audiovisual content, wherein the quick start control circuit associates the viewed program or the viewed audiovisual content with one of the plurality of quick start windows; and the first locking device acquires the data of the watched program or the watched video content according to the breakpoint playing time of the watched program or the watched video content.