Method, receiver and program associated with the method for receiving audio content and time-shifted playback in a hybrid receiver

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for receiving and playing back audio and / or audiovisual content in a receiver device capable of receiving a determined audio and / or audiovisual stream from a unidirectional network or a bidirectional network. A determined stream broadcast on a network is first received and the content transmitted through said stream is played back in the receiver device. A first event external to the receiver device is detected. Said first event triggers an interruption of the ongoing playback of said content and records the time of said interruption. A second external event is then detected. The second external event triggers a step for determining the availability of the non-played part of the interrupted content and displaying to the user a menu for him to resume playing back this non-played part. The introduction of a command will then trigger the retrieval of the non-played part of said content and the playback of the retrieved content part. The solution thus enables the retrieval of a content broadcast on a radio stream; the playback of said content has been interrupted and the user is prompted to resume the playback later.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field pertains to receiving audio or audiovisual content in a hybrid receiver capable of receiving content from both broadcast and bidirectional networks. More specifically, the invention relates to the ability to interrupt content playback so that it can be resumed later at the user's request. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of audio or audiovisual content playback, there are known receivers known as "hybrid" receivers, which can receive and play back broadcasts from broadcast networks, content transmitted from sites, and content transmitted in "podcast" mode with equal quality. These receivers feature a user interface including a screen and keypad, radio receiving components, and components for transmitting sound signals to speakers. Users configure their devices to receive content broadcast via radio or from internet sites. Some hybrid devices can amplify the reception of broadcast audio content via the internet or "IP" type connections, for example, by improving coverage for broadcast content (by combining devices to use conventional reception via FM or DAB broadcast networks for downloading or streaming over IP (Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G) networks).

[0003] In the context of roaming devices, such as car radios, content is transmitted wirelessly, and reception quality depends on proximity to the transmitting base. In some locations, the device leaves the coverage area and reception becomes impossible. The device interrupts playback and resumes live broadcasting once radio coverage is restored. During the interruption, the user loses their audio content, which is very unpleasant when the broadcast is interesting.

[0004] A simple way to retrieve previously broadcast content is to link to a site that allows the content to be downloaded. Downloading allows the user to save the content to their device's memory and replay it. The device may have commands to fast-forward, thus skipping over moments the user has already heard. However, retrieving portions of broadcast content that haven't yet been replayed is extremely cumbersome, as the user must manually identify the content they wish to download.

[0005] The document US2003 / 158741, published on August 21, 2003, teaches that to prevent the duplication of IP permissions, access to AV content is restricted for a certain period of time, such as one hour after a broadcast. Once the authorized period has elapsed, the content is automatically erased from the receiver.

[0006] The document US2009241149, published in September 2009, teaches that a user viewing content on a first screen may wish to change position and view the content on a second screen from a different position. It then pauses the playback on the first screen and resumes the playback of the content on the second screen at the moment the playback on the first screen was interrupted.

[0007] Document US2014373077, published on December 18, 2014, also teaches users the possibility of temporarily pausing content playback in one space and resuming playback at the point where it was interrupted in another space.

[0008] What is truly needed is a method that makes it easy to retrieve at least a portion of content broadcast in radio currents that has not yet been played back in the receiver.

[0009] This invention further makes it possible to expand the user interface of devices for receiving radio currents, improve the relationship between the listener and their preferred radio station, and indirectly contribute to the market economy of audiovisual components.

[0010] The present invention also proposes technical methods and architectures applicable to all situations involving the implementation of the "stop and restart" service and usable by car radio manufacturers and publishers of content broadcast on wireless streams in the form of access to a dedicated service platform operating in a global network. Summary of the Invention

[0011] A specific embodiment of the present invention provides a method for receiving and playing back audio and / or audiovisual content in a receiver device capable of receiving determined audio and / or audiovisual streams from a unidirectional or bidirectional network. The method includes at least the following steps:

[0012] - The step of receiving a determined stream broadcast on a network and playing back the content transmitted through the stream in the receiver device.

[0013] - The first event that triggers an external interruption of the playback of the content and records the moment of the interruption.

[0014] - A follow-up step to detecting a second external event, which triggers a step to determine the availability of an unplayed portion of the interrupted content and a step to display a menu proposing to replay said portion.

[0015] - The step of receiving a first user command, wherein the first user command triggers the retrieval of the unplayed portion of the content and the playback of the retrieved content portion.

[0016] Therefore, the proposed solution relies on a completely novel and inventive approach that enables the retrieval of content broadcast on a radio stream whose playback has been interrupted, and makes it possible to prompt the user to resume his playback later.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second events are the introduction of a second user command for stopping and restarting the playback of the stream. In this way, the user can stop the playback of the content themselves and restart it at a time appropriate for them.

[0018] According to another embodiment, a second event occurs when the receiver is restarted. In this way, the user can continue playing back the interrupted content when his receiver is restarted.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the first event is stopping the reception of the stream, and the second event is resuming the reception of the stream. The detection of the second external event triggers a step of retrieving interrupted content on the bidirectional network during a second broadcast. In this way, if the device stops receiving content at a certain time, playback resumes at the point of interruption upon restarting.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the first event is initiating bidirectional communication using the sound or audiovisual presentation component of the receiver device, the communication call, such as a telephone call, taking place between the receiver device and another communication network, and the second event is terminating this bidirectional communication. In this way, if the device is used for a certain period of time for another purpose, playback restarts at the point where it was stopped when this use ends.

[0021] According to another embodiment, a first event triggers the step of recording the content transmitted via the stream into the local memory of the receiver device. In this way, and because the playback interruption is brief, the receiver does not need to request the network to restart playback.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the second event triggers a step to verify the overall availability of the content, and in response to the introduction of the user command, triggers a step to play the content from the local storage, followed by a step to retrieve the remaining portion of the unplayed content from the network. In this way, the receiver can quickly replay locally recorded content and switch to the network at the end to receive the remaining portion.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the method includes a step of receiving a data segment in response to a first request, the data segment indicating that an unplayed portion of interrupted content is available within the network and indicating the receipt of a first user command, triggering a request to be sent to the network to receive the unplayed portion and the portion to be played back without delay due to the receiver device. In this manner, the receiver receives the unplayed content from the network and a remote server, the unplayed content being currently playable.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the received data includes a URL address that enables the download of at least the unplayed portion of the interrupted content, or the address of the site sending the interrupted content as a podcast. This facilitates the download of the unplayed content.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the method includes the step of displaying an indication of the duration elapsed due to the last interruption, this duration representing a time lag between the emission time of the content stream and the display time of the same retrieved content. In this way, the user is notified of the playback time of the unplayed content.

[0026] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a receiver having audio and audio-visual content transmitted via a defined audio stream and / or audio-visual stream from a unidirectional or bidirectional network, the receiver comprising:

[0027] - A receiving component for a defined stream broadcast over a network and a playback component for the content transmitted through said stream.

[0028] - The first detection component externally triggers an interruption to the playback of the content in progress and records the time of the interruption.

[0029] - A second component for detecting a second external event, the second external event triggering a message indicating the availability of an unplayed portion of the interrupted content and displaying a menu suggesting the playback of said portion.

[0030] - A receiving component for a first user command, the first user command triggering the retrieval of the unplayed portion of the content and the playback of the portion of the content retrieved therefrom.

[0031] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a computer program product including program code instructions, which, when executed on a computer, are used to implement the methods described in the preceding paragraphs via a receiver device. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will be presented in accordance with the following description, given by way of indicative and non-exhaustive examples, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0033] - Figure 1 The structure of a hybrid receiver according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is presented;

[0034] - Figure 2 This describes the case where the hybrid receiver is a wireless current receiver embedded in a vehicle;

[0035] - Figure 3 The architecture of the software modules placed in the hybrid receiver and remote server according to the preferred embodiment is presented;

[0036] - Figure 4 Presenting a sequence diagram illustrating a method for receiving and playing back content according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0037] - Figure 5 This describes the behavior of a hybrid receiver embedded in a vehicle that passes through a separate radio coverage area. Detailed Implementation

[0038] 5.1 General principles

[0039] This invention relates to a method for receiving and playing back audio and / or audiovisual content in a receiver capable of receiving a defined audio and / or audiovisual stream from a unidirectional or bidirectional network. First, the defined stream broadcast on the network is received, and the content transmitted via the stream is played back in the receiver. A first external event is detected and triggers an interruption of the ongoing playback, and the time of the interruption is recorded. Next, a second external event is detected and triggers steps for determining the availability of the unplayed portion of the interrupted content and displaying a menu to the user suggesting playback of the unplayed portion. The introduction of a command then triggers the retrieval of the unplayed portion of the content and the playback of the retrieved portion.

[0040] Therefore, the proposed solution relies on a completely novel and inventive approach that makes it possible to retrieve content broadcast on a radio stream whose playback has been interrupted and to prompt the user to resume his playback later.

[0041] 5.2 Specific embodiments

[0042] In all the diagrams in this document, the same elements (or steps) are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0043] For reference Figure 1The present invention presents the structure of a hybrid receiver device 1 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. The hybrid receiver device 1 typically includes a central processing unit 2 associated with a program memory 3, a radio current receiving module 4 for receiving broadcasts from a one-way network (e.g., an FM network), and a communication module 5 that allows short-range or long-range two-way radio communication using networks such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and / or GSM. The receiver also has components 6 (keypad, buttons, touchpad screen, etc.) for introducing commands and display components 7 (screen, LEDs, speech synthesis, etc.). These components may be integrated into the device or are remote devices. The device also has components for playing back audio and / or audiovisual content, such as components formed by an amplifier 8 integrated into the device, and a remotely placed speaker 9. If the receiver device is, for example, a roaming device embedded in a vehicle, then the display may be integrated into the dashboard and the keypad may be placed adjacent to the steering wheel. The device has input / output components 10 for sending signals to and receiving signals from any device connected to it. The input / output components may receive signals from sensors, such as a microphone.

[0044] According to a non-mandatory improvement, the hybrid receiver also has a memory 11 capable of recording audio and / or audiovisual content broadcast via a one-way or two-way network.

[0045] Hybrid receivers either receive power from a power supply or have their own battery. They can be mobile and take the form of smartphones.

[0046] For reference Figure 2 The hybrid receiver device 1 is presented as a receiver embedded in a vehicle. In this case, the receiver, more commonly referred to as a car radio, is integrated into the vehicle's electronics. Therefore, the receiver can receive broadcasts transmitted on the FM band and exchange information with a portable telephone via a short-range link and / or a two-way radio network (e.g., GSM) using its own communication module 5. This receiver can also transmit data representing sound signals, from the broadcast network or the telephone communication network, to a speaker in analog or digital form. The hybrid receiver device 1 can also receive data representing sound signals from a microphone and transmit it to the portable telephone via a short-range link. The central processing unit 2 commands the playback of broadcast audio content selected by a person present in the vehicle on the stream and automatically switches the audio system to play back the sound signals from the telephone exchange when this communication call is set up. According to an alternative embodiment, all the functions of the hybrid receiver device implementing the invention are integrated into a portable telephone.

[0047] Figure 3 The architecture of software modules placed in a hybrid receiver and a remote server according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is presented. Figure 3The top portion has a service platform (PFSC or cloud service platform) consisting of three software modules residing in one or more remote servers that communicate with the hybrid receiver device 1 via a one-way or two-way network. These three modules are described in detail below.

[0048] - The service description module 30 receives a request from the hybrid receiver device 1 via a radio network regarding the availability of access to content previously broadcast on a radio stream at a determined date and time for time-shifted listening on the platform. In response to this request, the module indicates whether the content is available, and if the answer is yes, then, when also specifying a time-related information (e.g., the date and time at which the content is expected to be received), the content is retrieved by means of downloading via a link to an address (or a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)) and by indicating a time-related information (e.g., the date and time of interruption of the broadcast content), or by playing a recording accessible as a podcast. The service description module updates a table to provide information about availability in response to a request from the hybrid receiver used to receive certain content. In this way, upon receiving the content identifier and interruption time, the service description module responds by indicating whether the interrupted content is still available.

[0049] - The content management module 31 in the network manages the different types of access to listening content records in time-shift mode when using download technology (e.g., in DASH or HLS mode or in MP3 streaming format).

[0050] -Podcast Management Module 32 Management Service Description Module proposes different access methods for listening to audio content broadcast via wireless streaming in time-shift mode when using records available from the publisher in podcast mode or playback mode.

[0051] dotted lines Figure 3 The lower portion indicates all the software modules embedded in the memory 3 of the hybrid receiver device 1. These modules are described in detail below.

[0052] - User interface (UI) 33 enables communication between the hybrid receiver device 1 and its user. This module, in particular, allows the command component to be used to enable the user to request to pause or stop listening to the received content, to record the identifier of the radio stream and the time when listening stops, and to prompt the user via a menu to resume playback of the content broadcast on the radio stream when playback stops.

[0053] - Decision module 34 provides a status regarding the availability or unavailability of a time-shifted restart of playback of content broadcast via the radio stream, starting from the moment when the broadcast stopped. If this restart is possible, this module specifically determines that the component is configured to enable time-shifted access to playback of recorded content already broadcast on the radio stream at the time the stop is triggered. This means that a recording device (i.e., memory 11) integrated into receiver device 1 or a recording component located on a remote server can access the remote server in response to an inquiry request from the decision module or any other component by downloading according to a URL address and according to the playback offset provided by the service description module of the PFSC platform.

[0054] - The local recording module 35 is an optional element including memory 11 and a management program for managing this memory. Memory 11 is managed cyclically by write pointers and read pointers, with the arrival of a new segment of data overwriting an earlier segment of recorded data. The capacity of memory 11 varies depending on the performance of the device and should be able to record at least several minutes of content. This module is activated when an event is detected that interrupts the playback of content received from the wireless stream, and content recording continues as long as the storage capacity is not exceeded and as long as the receiver remains on. According to one improvement, the hybrid receiver fills memory 11 with broadcast content starting from the interruption and stops filling when the memory is full. When an event triggering a restart of playback occurs, the receiver verifies that the entire content can be retrieved before suggesting that the user should restart playback. If so, and if the user requests a restart, then the recorded data in memory is read first, and then the receiver searches for any missing data in the network and plays that data back.

[0055] - The receiving module 36 manages the reception of the user-selected radio stream. This makes it particularly possible to receive content in real time.

[0056] - Download receiving module 37 enables the download of content sent by download module 32. This module sends a request to a determined address (identified via a URL) when specifying a time-related information corresponding to the date and time when playback stops. Module 30 indicates whether the service is available and the amount of time during which the service is available. For example, the module provides a duration during which the provider service can provide time-shifted content after its broadcast.

[0057] - Podcast receiving module 38 enables the reception of files transmitted as podcasts. This module sends a request to a designated address (identified via a URL) when specifying a time-related information line corresponding to the date and time the playback stops, along with the receiver's current date and time. Subsequent information makes it possible for the receiver to synchronize with the platform PFSC. The address of the site delivering this file is also provided by service description module 30.

[0058] - Audio or audiovisual presentation module 39 includes amplifier 8 and speaker, and may include display device if the content has components to be displayed, and program for managing content playback, whether the content is received in real time from the network or received with time shift or transmitted through module 36.

[0059] Having described the constituent elements of the invention, the manner in which the elements cooperate should now be explained. For this purpose, Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of the method for receiving and playing back content according to a preferred embodiment. Therefore, the steps described in detail are performed by the decision module 14 when retrieving information provided by other modules.

[0060] In the first phase, the receiver has received the content transmitted via radio current and has played back the content at the user's request. An event, referred to as a "previous" event, has occurred and interrupted the playback. This previous event could be, for example, intervention by the user to stop the playback, a telephone call using the receiver's amplifier 8 or speaker 9, a power failure detection that causes the receiver to stop immediately, etc. Upon interruption, the receiver device 1 records the content of the interrupted transmission and the identifier of the radio current at the precise time in non-volatile memory. It also records the content still transmitted to the receiver device 1 in memory 11.

[0061] At step 4.1, an event called a “follow-up” event occurs, triggering a change in the state of receiver device 1. In this new state, the receiver can receive and play back content broadcast on the radio stream. This follow-up event is, for example, the user intervening to restart playback, the end of a telephone call using the receiver’s audio system, or simply the restart of the receiver. At step 4.2, module 34 reads memory 11 to determine if there is any unplayed content. In a positive response, the program jumps to step 4.6 to prompt the user to play back the content. Module 34 also tests whether the content in memory 11 is complete, i.e., whether the audio or video data received during the interruption and the received data have been accurately recorded. If not, then module 34 retrieves the identifier of the radio stream (whose playback was recently interrupted) from non-volatile memory and transmits this identifier to module 30. Module 30 responds to the receiver by indicating whether the requested content is available for download from the determined site. Therefore, at step 4.3, module 34 determines whether the content transmitted immediately after the interruption is available by downloading it from module 31. In the case of a positive response, the program jumps to step 4.6 to prompt the user to replay the content by retrieving the unplayed content during the broadcast loop or by downloading the unplayed content from the site indicated by module 30. If not, then at step 4.5, module 34 determines whether the indicated content is available in podcast format based on the response emitted by module 30. In the case of a positive response, the program also jumps to step 4.6.

[0062] If the responses at steps 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 are negative, then the content may not be retrieved and in this case, only the content transmitted in real-time on this wireless stream is available. The content relating to the user is then automatically played back (step 4.5). If not, then the unplayed content is available (step 4.6). Module 34 then sends a menu at step 4.7 suggesting a selection and waits for a user response. If the user response is negative, then the content transmitted in real-time on this stream is played back. If the user response is positive, then the content is retrieved (whether from the receiver's memory 11, module 31 of the PFSC service platform, or module 32), and then played back on the receiver's audio system, and possibly on the display unit.

[0063] According to one improvement, the menu mentioned in step 4.7 includes a step for displaying an indication of the time elapsed since the last interruption, whereby the duration represents the value of the time lag between the transmission time of the content stream and the display time of the same retrieved content. In this way, the user can recognize the time lag between the content currently being broadcast on the stream and the content his receiver suggests he should read.

[0064] Figure 5 This describes the behavior of a hybrid receiver embedded in a vehicle traversing separate radio coverage areas. In this scenario, the previous event of interrupted playback is caused by leaving the radio coverage area, and the subsequent event is caused by the re-reception of the radio stream. The vehicle continuously passes through coverage areas Z1, Z2, and Z3, which are covered by radio transmitters E1, E2, and E3, respectively. At the exit of coverage area Z1, which constitutes the previous event, receiver device 1 records the identifier of the radio stream and the precise time of the interruption. At time t2, the receiver detects the coverage area constituting the subsequent event. Since the unplayed content is obviously not recorded, the receiver sends a request to the platform PFSC to determine the availability of content transmitted via the stream at the time of the interruption. Depending on the response from the platform PFSC, the receiver will prompt the user to download the unplayed content, or conversely, will automatically switch to content broadcast live on the stream.

[0065] If unplayed content (i.e., content broadcast between t1 and t2) is available and if the user has requested playback of the unplayed content, then this content is transmitted to the receiver, recorded in memory 11, and played back with a time shift equal to the time lag between t1 and t2. Simultaneously, the content transmitted in real-time is received by the receiver and recorded in memory 11 until time t3 when the user leaves area Z2. The receiver then continues to retrieve the recorded content from memory until it is fully read. If the coverage area has been reached simultaneously, the receiver device 1 automatically requests the platform PFSC to obtain the content starting from time t3 and downloads the content to memory 11. In this case (where the interval between t4 and t3 is less than the interval between t3 and t2), there is no interruption during content playback, and the user is not even aware that he has left the coverage area for a certain period of time, for example, the time elapsed when he passes through the channel. Conversely, if the playback of the unplayed content in memory ends before the user has reached the coverage area at time t3, then this means that the lag between t4 and t3 is greater than the lag between t3 and t2, and then a new previous event begins to take effect. The receiver then records the identifier of the radio stream and the time t3 when it left the coverage area Z2. At the time t4 when it enters the new coverage area, the receiver will then query whether the content transmitted on this radio stream since time t4 is available.

[0066] Therefore, it should be noted that by creating a time lag during playback and by receiving the radio stream in real time and downloading the content at a time shift, it is possible to eliminate playback interruptions when passing through areas without radio coverage.

[0067] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention has been implemented in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered illustrative but modifications are possible within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for receiving and playing back audio content and / or audiovisual content in a receiver device (1) capable of receiving a defined audio stream and / or audiovisual stream from a unidirectional or bidirectional network, the method comprising at least the following steps: The steps of receiving the determined stream broadcast on the network and playing back the content transmitted through the stream in the receiver device. The step of detecting a first event outside the receiver device, wherein the first event is initiating bidirectional communication using the sound or audiovisual presentation components (8, 9) of the receiver device, the communication occurring between the receiver device (1) and another communication network, triggering an interruption of the playback of the content in progress, and recording the moment of the interruption. The subsequent steps (4.1) for detecting the second external event, which is the end of this bidirectional communication, trigger a first message (4.6) indicating whether the unplayed portion of the interrupted content exists in the local memory of the receiver device (4.2, 4.3, 4.4) and a second message indicating whether the unplayed portion of the interrupted content is still available for download from the remote site. The presence of the unplayed portion in the local memory and / or the availability of downloading the unplayed portion from the remote site triggers a step for displaying a menu that proposes playing back the portion. The step of receiving (4.7) a first user command, wherein the first user command triggers (4.8) a retrieval of the unplayed portion of the content and a replay of the retrieved content portion starting from the time of the interruption. If the first message indicates that the unplayed portion exists in the local memory, then it is retrieved from the local memory; if the first message indicates that the unplayed portion does not exist in the local memory, and the second message indicates that the unplayed portion can be downloaded from the remote site, then it is retrieved from the remote site.

2. The method for receiving and playing back content according to claim 1, characterized in that... The absence of the unplayed portion in the local storage and the unavailability of downloading the unplayed portion both trigger the display of a menu suggesting real-time playback of the content. The method also includes receiving a second user command that triggers real-time retrieval of the content from the stream and replaying the retrieved content portion.

3. The method for receiving and playing back content according to claim 1, characterized in that... The second external event triggers a step to verify the overall availability of the content, and in response to the introduction of the user command, triggers a step to play the content from the local storage, followed by a step to retrieve the unplayed portion of the content from the network.

4. The method for receiving and playing back content according to claim 1, characterized in that... The method includes receiving a data segment in response to a first request, the data segment indicating that the unplayed portion of the interrupted content is available within the network and indicating that the step of receiving the first user command triggers the transmission of a request to the network to receive the unplayed portion and to receive the portion to be played back without delay due to the receiver device.

5. The method for receiving and playing back content according to claim 4, characterized in that... The received data includes a URL address that enables the download of at least the unplayed portion of the interrupted content or a site address for sending the interrupted content as a podcast.

6. The method for receiving and playing back content according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that... The method includes the step of displaying an indication of the duration elapsed due to the last interruption, the duration representing a value of time lag between the time of emission of the stream of the content and the time of display of the same retrieved content.

7. A receiver device (1) having audio and audio-visual content transmitted via a determined audio stream and / or audio-visual stream from a unidirectional or bidirectional network, the receiver device comprising a receiving component for the determined stream broadcast on the network and a playback component for the content transmitted via the stream, the receiver device being characterized in that it further comprises: The first detection component outside the receiver device detects a first event, wherein the first event is the initiation of bidirectional communication using the sound or audiovisual presentation component of the receiver device, the communication occurring between the receiver device (1) and another communication network, triggering an interruption of the playback of the ongoing content, and recording the time of the interruption. The second external event is the termination of this bidirectional communication, triggering a first message indicating whether the unplayed portion of the interrupted content exists in the local memory of the receiver device and a second message indicating whether the unplayed portion of the interrupted content is still downloadable from the remote site. The presence of the unplayed portion in the local memory and / or the availability of downloading the unplayed portion from the remote site triggers the display of a menu that suggests the playback of the portion. A receiving component for a first user command, the first user command triggering the retrieval of the unplayed portion of the content and the playback of the retrieved portion of the content starting from the time of the interruption. If the first message indicates that the unplayed portion exists in the local memory, then it is retrieved from the local memory; if the first message indicates that the unplayed portion does not exist in the local memory, and the second message indicates that the unplayed portion can be downloaded from the remote site, then it is retrieved from the remote site.

8. A computer program product comprising program code instructions, wherein when the program is executed on a computer, the program code instructions are used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-6.

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