Method and apparatus for real-time IPTV channel searching and switching
View Patent ↗With regard to the exemplary method, a first communication is received from an IPTV subscriber at an IPTV application server via the subscriber's Web-accessible device. The server accesses level of service data for the subscriber and displays a new Web page based on the level of service data. The Web page includes a list of applicable channels. The server also determines whether the subscriber has a set-top box that is powered on. Where the subscriber does have a set-top box and the set-top box is powered off, data received from the subscriber is saved in the database. Where the subscriber does have a set-top box and the set-top box is powered on, the subscriber is allowed to perform a switching function for each applicable and currently viewable channel on a search result list. Finally, a signal to the set-top box to change the channel.
1. A method of providing real-time channel searching and switching for IPTV, the method comprising:
receiving a first communication from an IPTV subscriber at an IPTV application server upon the subscriber logging in to the server via the subscriber's Web-accessible device;
communicating with a subscriber database to access level of service data for the subscriber;
displaying a new Web page for the subscriber based on the level of service data, wherein the Web page includes a list of applicable channels based on a keyword search typed by the subscriber via the subscriber's web-accessible device;
determining whether the subscriber has a set-top box that is powered on;
where the subscriber does have a set-top box and the set-top box is powered off, saving data received from the subscriber in the database;
where the subscriber does have a set-top box and the set-top box is powered on, allowing the subscriber to perform a switching function for each applicable and currently viewable channel on a search result list; and
sending a signal to the set-top box to change the channel.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database stores one or more of the following types of data: subscriber name data, subscriber profile data, IPTV registration data, subscriber billing account data, and IPTV channels data.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of service data includes all available channels for the subscriber.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database comprises a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the IPTV application server interfaces with the subscriber via a SIP-based distribution network.
6. An apparatus for providing real-time channel searching and switching in an IPTV network, the apparatus comprising:
a subscriber database; and
an IPTV application server operative to:
receive a first communication from an IPTV subscriber;
communicate with the subscriber database to access level of service data for the subscriber;
display a new Web page for the subscriber based on the level of service data;
determine whether the subscriber has a set-top box that is powered on;
save data received from the subscriber in the database, where the subscriber does have a set-top box and the set-top box is powered off;
allow the subscriber to perform a switching function for each applicable and currently viewable channel on a search result list; and
send a signal to the set-top box to change the channel.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the database stores one or more of the following types of data: subscriber name data, subscriber profile data, IPTV registration data, subscriber billing account data, and IPTV channels data.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the level of service data includes all available channels for the subscriber.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the database comprises a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the IPTV application server interfaces with the subscriber via a SIP-based distribution network.
11. A non-transitory computer-usable data carrier storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
receive a first communication from an IPTV subscriber;
communicate with a subscriber database to access level of service data for the subscriber;
display a new Web page for the subscriber based on the level of service data;
determine whether the subscriber has a set-top box that is powered on;
save data received from the subscriber in the database, where the subscriber does have a set-top box and the set-top box is powered off;
allow the subscriber to perform a switching function for each applicable and currently viewable channel on a search result list; and
send a signal to the set-top box to change the channel.
12. The non-transitory computer-usable data carrier of claim 11 , wherein the database stores one or more of the following types of data: subscriber name data, subscriber profile data, IPTV registration data, subscriber billing account data, and IPTV channels data.
13. The non-transitory computer-usable data carrier of claim 11 , wherein the level of service data includes all available channels for the subscriber.
14. The non-transitory computer-usable data carrier of claim 11 , wherein the database comprises a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
15. The non-transitory computer-usable data carrier of claim 11 , wherein the IPTV application server interfaces with the subscriber via a SIP-based distribution network.