process for managing the delivery of multimedia content.

Abstract

TITLE: Method for managing access to multimedia content. The invention relates to a method for managing the playback by a playback device (STB) of content recorded on a data storage medium (SRV), characterized in that it comprises, during a read access by the playback device to recorded content that has been broadcast live, a request to add, during the playback of the rebroadcast content, a data point (R) representative of a playback of the rebroadcast content. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: method for managing the restitution of multimedia content. Technical field

[0001] The field of the invention is that of digital multimedia content, namely digital audio and / or video content, also called audiovisual content.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a method for managing the playback of content that has already been broadcast live. Such content is, for example, a sporting event, a concert, etc.

[0003] A reading device refers to any device capable of receiving multimedia streams, for example a decoder, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc. State of the art

[0004] Television channels broadcast live programs. These programs can be recorded on a data medium which can be local, for example on a data medium associated with the playback device.

[0005] The user also has the possibility, thanks to a playback function called "startover" (also called "resume from the beginning" or "resume from an earlier moment") to go back in the content in a time window of up to four hours preceding the current moment and play the content from a chosen moment in the time window, this is then called a rebroadcast moment. To offer this function, the content transmitter records the multimedia stream when it is broadcast live, and makes this recorded content available upon request thereafter.

[0006] The inventors found that the content read from the recorder or from a "startover" type return command was the same. However, when the content concerns content broadcast live and the playback mentions this live broadcast, it is no longer relevant. In addition, this type of outdated information can disturb a user viewing the content. The user experience is not optimal.

[0007] The invention improves the situation.

[0008] The invention relates to a method for managing the reading by a reading device of content recorded on a data medium, characterized in that it comprises, during reading access by the reading device to content recorded and having been broadcast live, a request for adding, during the restitution of the rebroadcast content, data representative of a reading of rebroadcast content.

[0009] The invention makes it possible to add data informing that the content being rendered, although having been broadcast live, is now being broadcast on a delayed basis. A user viewing the content is thus informed that the content being rendered is not direct. The user experience can only be improved.

[0010] According to a first embodiment, when the content is being broadcast during access, the addition request is requested if the duration between the current broadcast time and the rebroadcast time is greater than a given duration (T). This mode takes into account a time difference between the broadcast time and the rebroadcast time to judge the usefulness or not of restoring the data representative of a reading of rebroadcast content, that is to say that the content is rebroadcast; in fact the replay request can be a few hours or a few seconds; if it is several hours, it is necessary in this case to inform that the content is rebroadcast.

[0011] According to a second embodiment, when the content is being broadcast during access, the addition request does not take place if the duration between the current broadcast time and the rebroadcast time is less than a given duration (T). This mode also takes into account a time difference between the broadcast time and the rebroadcast time to estimate the usefulness of restoring the data representative of a reading of rebroadcast content, i.e. that the content is rebroadcast; in fact the replay request can be a few seconds, it is not necessary in this case to inform that the content is rebroadcast. As a result, the reading device does not have to request the restitution of data, which reduces the CPU load.

[0012] According to a third embodiment, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous embodiment, the data representative of a reading of rebroadcast content is included in the received data stream corresponding to the content. This mode is interesting in that the device does not manage the obtaining of the data to be displayed; this data being transmitted by the transmitter of the content to be rendered. According to a variant, the data representative of a reading of recorded content could be added by the reading device. In this case, the management is carried out locally.

[0013] According to a fourth embodiment, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous embodiments, the given duration is included in the received data stream corresponding to the recorded content.

[0014] According to a fifth embodiment, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous modes, the given duration is included in the transmitted data stream corresponding to the recorded content. In this mode, the reading device receives the duration and is responsible for comparing the broadcast and rebroadcast times.

[0015] According to a first material aspect, the invention relates to an entity for managing the reading by a reading device of content recorded on a data medium, characterized in that the reading device comprises a processor configured for, during reading access by the reading device to a recorded content and having been broadcast live, require the addition, when the rebroadcast content is played, of data representative of a reading of rebroadcast content.

[0016] According to a second material aspect, the invention relates to a reading device comprising a management entity as defined above.

[0017] According to a third material aspect, the invention relates to a first computer program capable of being implemented on the first entity as defined above, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the management method defined above.

[0018] Finally, according to a fourth material aspect, the invention relates to a first data medium on which at least one series of program code instructions has been stored for the execution of a management method as defined in connection with the first functional aspect.

[0019] According to a second functional aspect, the invention relates to a method for managing the transmission of content via a communication link to a reading device, characterized in that it comprises, when the content is recorded content having been broadcast live, a transmission of both the recorded content and a request for addition to the reading device during the restitution of data representative of a reading of rebroadcast content.

[0020] According to a variant of this second functional aspect, the addition request comprises values ​​to be returned as a function of a time difference between the current broadcast time of the content broadcast live and a rebroadcast time.

[0021] According to a fifth material aspect, the invention relates to a second entity for managing the transmission of content via a communication link to a reading device, characterized in that it comprises, when the content is recorded content having been broadcast live, a transmission of both the recorded content and a request for addition to the reading device during the restitution of data representative of a reading of rebroadcast content.

[0022] According to a sixth material aspect, the invention relates to a server comprising said second entity referred to above.

[0023] According to a seventh material aspect, the invention relates to a second computer program capable of being implemented on the second entity as defined above, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, carries out the steps of the transmission method defined above.

[0024] Finally, according to a fourth material aspect, the invention relates to a first data medium on which at least one series of program code instructions has been stored for the execution of a management method as defined in connection with the first functional aspect.

[0025] Note that a recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a USB key or a hard disk.

[0026] On the other hand, such a recording medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means, so that the computer program it contains is remotely executable. The program according to the invention may in particular be downloaded over a network, for example the Internet.

[0027] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the aforementioned display control method.

[0028] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a computer system on which is illustrated a exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0030] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a simplified block diagram of the hardware structure of the reading device;

[0031] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a simplified block diagram of the hardware structure of the server ;

[0032] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates an embodiment using a “startover” type function or resumption of playback from a previous broadcast time and implementing a sliding time window.

[0033] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view of the state of the restitution on a screen over time according to one embodiment; this figure is divided into two parts, a first upper part illustrating the case where the time difference between the current broadcast time and the chosen rebroadcast time is greater than a given duration, and a lower part on which the time difference between the current broadcast time and the chosen rebroadcast time is less than a given duration.

[0034] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment illustrating the invention:

[0035] [Fig.l] represents a computer system in which a content distribution network called CDN (Content Distribution Network) is implemented by those skilled in the art from which content is transmitted to client devices. In our example, the client devices are content playback devices.

[0036] In our example, to simplify the description, the system SYS comprises a single reading device STB. However, the invention applies to any number of reading devices.

[0037] The STB reading device is for example a television decoder.

[0038] The multimedia content referred to here is video content corresponding to a television channel on which a live television program is broadcast.

[0039] A "startover" function is provided to perform a time jump in order to replay the content from a given previous moment. This "startover" function requires a recording of the content in order to be able to replay the content in replay mode.

[0040] To implement the “startover” mode, the recording is performed outside the STB playback device, for example on the SRV content server. However, the invention can also be implemented with local recording in the STB playback device.

[0041] In our example, the STB playback device is connected to a port of the TV playback device, for example a television screen; the STB playback device and the TV playback device could also form a single device.

[0042] In our example, the STB playback device is located in a LAN managed by a GTW home gateway.

[0043] The GTW gateway is capable of communicating via a LU telecommunications network such as a WAN wide area network known to those skilled in the art.

[0044] The CDN consists of servers connected in a network in the wide area network; these servers cooperate in order to make multimedia contents available to users. In order to simplify the presentation of the invention, a single content server SRV will be shown in [Fig.l] to represent the CDN.

[0045] The SRV content server is located, in our example, in the wide area network WAN. The SRV server has several sources of multimedia content. The SRV content server receives, for example, digital television content channels from a broadcast television network (not shown), and makes them available to client terminals, here the STB playback device.

[0046] Among the broadcast content, some are live broadcast content, also called “Live” content by those skilled in the art. This type of content has the particularity of being transmitted over the network as soon as it is captured by a capture device such as a camera.

[0047] The SRV content server also provides content such as video on demand, television on demand, or any other similar content.

[0048] CNT content is made available in a given format. CNT content is, for example, content downloaded in adaptive streaming mode. The MPEG-DASH standard (for “Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP”) is a standard for audiovisual broadcasting formats on the Internet; this standard is based on the preparation of content in different representations of varying quality and bitrate, divided into segments of short duration (of the order of a few seconds), also called "chunks" by those skilled in the art. Each of these segments is made available individually by means of an exchange protocol between the rendering terminal and the multimedia content provider server. The main targeted protocol is the HTTP protocol, but other protocols (for example FTP) can also be used. The organization of the segments and the associated parameters are published in a description file in XML format. We will not go into further details of this downloading method as it is of no interest for the presentation of the invention.

[0049] [Fig.2] represents an architecture of an STB reading device. This STB device conventionally comprises memories MEM1 associated with a processor CPU1. The memories can be of the ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory) type or even Flash.

[0050] The STB decoder can transmit content to be rendered to the TV rendering device via a COM 12 communication module. This COM 12 module is for example an HDMI link.

[0051] The STB decoder communicates with the gateway via an Ethernet module for local wired communication or via a Wi-Fi type radio module for local wireless communication with the GTW residential gateway. The module in question is referenced C0M11 in [Fig.2].

[0052] In our example, the STB decoder comprises a streaming mode download entity (not shown) capable of managing the downloading of segments in adaptive download mode. The invention is not limited to this download mode; other download modes may be used for implementing the invention, for example the IPTV download mode known to those skilled in the art.

[0053] The STB decoder also comprises a management entity ENT1, called the first management entity in the following, the function of which will be described below.

[0054] With reference to [Fig. 3], the SRV server is also equipped with at least one CPU2 processor and MEM2 memories for carrying out computer processing. The server is also equipped with a management entity ENT2, called the second entity, capable of managing the transmission of content from the SRV server to one or more reading devices. The SRV server communicates with the GTW gateway via WAN network to communicate with the GTW residential gateway. The module in question is referenced COM2 in [Fig. 3].

[0055] The SRV server also includes an entity ET2 whose function will be described in more detail below. In our example, this entity ENT2 has the role of transmitting values, one of which is intended to be returned at the same time as the selected content. We will also see that the SRV server, meaning the entity ENT2, transmits also a duration T which will allow you to choose one of the values ​​mentioned above.

[0056] Live content can be recorded and played back later. For example, the SRV content server can replay the content; or if the content has been recorded in a local memory, it can be played back directly at will from this local memory.

[0057] For example, the "startover" function introduced above allows at any time during playback of content by the STB playback device to go back and replay the content from a previous broadcast time. Such a function is possible by recording the content. In order to reduce the amount of data to be recorded, the recording of the content is carried out over a sliding time window of a given duration, for example a four-hour time window. In other words, when playing live content, a user can request a replay of the content that was broadcast live from a chosen replay time within the fixed time window.For example, by taking the four-hour rolling time window; if it is 8 p.m., the recorded content can be replayed up to four hours in advance; for example, the user can replay three hours in advance and review the content as it was broadcast at 5 p.m. or later; if it is 8:00 p.m., a replay of a segment broadcast after 5:00 p.m. is possible.

[0058] According to the invention, when the recorded content for which access is requested is content that is currently being broadcast or when the live broadcast has ended, the management entity ENT1 requests a request to add data representing a reading of rebroadcast content. We will see below that this request for addition can be carried out under conditions.

[0059] Let us recall here that, if the content is being played back, the “startover” function allows a time jump to be made capable of replaying the content from a chosen broadcast time.

[0060] According to a variant, the SRV content server transmits the content and information indicating that the requested content is recorded content that has already been broadcast live.

[0061] According to a variant, the entities ENT1 / ENT2 may include a recognition program capable of determining whether content is content that has been broadcast live.

[0062] The example described below is based on a time jump into the past by executing the "startover" function. The steps are as follows:

[0063] During a step ET1, a request for access to content broadcast live, for example a football match, is transmitted from the playback device STB to the server via the gateway GTW. Let us assume that this access is carried out at 8:00 p.m.

[0064] In a second step, the SRV content server transmits the live broadcast content.

[0065] In order to offer the "startover" function, the server automatically records the content broadcast live over a sliding time range of four hours. [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates the operation of a sliding time window. Three broadcast times Hcl, Hc2, Hc3 are represented on a time axis. The three broadcast times correspond to a time window FT. During this time window FT, the content is recorded; due to the sliding of the time window, the segments recorded at a given time which are no longer in the sliding time window at a later time are deleted. A return to the content can then be carried out by selecting a rebroadcast time in this time window.

[0066] Suppose that at 8:30 p.m. (Hcl=8:30 p.m.) the "startover" function is activated during the playback of the match. A user selects a replay moment in this FT time window to review a scene from the football match.

[0067] Let us assume that the chosen rebroadcast time is 15 minutes before the current time, namely 8:05 p.m.

[0068] The SRV server receives the replay request and transmits the recorded data stream back.

[0069] In our example, as the content concerned is content that has been broadcast live, the SRV content server adds information, namely: - Two values: Live / Rebroadcast - A duration T

[0070] The values ​​are two in number but could be higher.

[0071] In our example, one of the two values ​​will be returned conditionally. The operation is as follows: - If the duration between the current time and the chosen replay time is less than the duration T, the “Live” value is displayed on the screen. - If the duration between the current time and the chosen replay time is greater than the duration T, the “Replay” value is returned

[0072] This value T is for example three minutes. In other words, a time jump of less than three minutes in the past will be considered to be live, beyond that it will be considered a rebroadcast.

[0073] Upon reception, the reading device STB reading device receives the values ​​and duration T referred to above.

[0074] In our example, the management entity ENT1 is responsible for determining the time difference between the current time te and the rebroadcast time and for comparing this difference with the T value to determine which value between Direct and Rediffusion will be displayed on the TV.

[0075] Note that the place of determination of the time difference is arbitrary.

[0076] The gap is 15 minutes in our example; the management entity ENT1 requires a restitution of the “Rebroadcast” value.

[0077] A user viewing the match is then informed that the match being broadcast is not live; the information can be transmitted in the form of an audio notification and / or in the form of an image. This information will be of even greater interest to a user who has arrived during the match and who was not the one who activated the “startover” function; the user then notices that the content being broadcast is a replay and not live.

[0078] According to a variant, the calculation of the time difference is not obligatory. A rebroadcast can simply trigger the restitution of data representative of a rebroadcast.

[0079] For example, if the content in question, the match in our example, is recorded on a data medium, such as a hard disk, associated with the STB playback device. In this case, a playback can simply trigger the restitution of data representative of a playback of recorded content. In this example, the STB playback device has only one “Replay” value, this value being restored as soon as content that has been broadcast live is played on the data medium.

[0080] The restitution of values ​​relating to live or rebroadcast can be carried out in several ways.

[0081] Consider for example a content recorded with the mention “Live”. In this case, A. Either the time difference referred to above is less than the duration T (represented in [Fig.5]), in this case the indication relating to live, if there is one in the received data stream, can be maintained without modification; B. Either the time difference is greater than the duration T; in this case, the indication relating to live broadcast is modified. The modification may consist of removing the mention “Live” by a mention “rebroadcast”.

[0082] The two preceding cases A and B are illustrated in [Fig.5]. This [Fig.5] includes a time axis "t" to indicate the direction of reading of the content. The upper part [Fig.5] illustrates case A and the lower part case B.

[0083] Initially, the content is received live. The screen typically displays information indicating that the broadcast is live with the reference D.

[0084] At a current time Hc, an access to the startover mode STO is executed. A rebroadcast time Hr is selected; At this stage, as indicated above, the management entity ENT1 calculates the time difference between the current time Hc and the rebroadcast time Hr desired for the rebroadcast and compares this difference with the given duration T. In our example, the difference is greater than the duration T; in this case the ENT1 entity requires the restitution of the “Rebroadcast” value referenced R on the screen.

[0085] The lower part of [Fig.5] illustrates the case where the difference is less than T; in this case, the ENT management entity does not modify the display. Assuming that the Direct mention is not included in the rendered content, the entity can possibly add the “Direct” value referenced D to indicate that the rendering is live. In this case, the invention improves the rendering by adding information.

[0086] In both cases above, it is clear that the images rendered before the current time Hc come from the Direct (live) stream and that the images rendered after the current time Hc come from a recording of the Live stream.

[0087] Finally, let us specify here that the term module or the term entity can correspond to a software component as well as to a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components, a software component itself corresponding to one or more computer programs or sub-programs or more generally to any element of a program capable of implementing a function or a set of functions as described for the modules concerned. In the same way, a hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware assembly capable of implementing a function or a set of functions for the module concerned (integrated circuit, smart card, memory card, etc.).

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing the reading by a reading device (STB) of content recorded on a data medium (SRV, MEM), characterized in that it comprises, during reading access by the reading device to content recorded and having been broadcast live, a request for addition, during the restitution of the rebroadcast content, of data (R) representative of a reading of rebroadcast content.

2. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the content (CNT) is being broadcast during access, the addition request is requested if the duration between the current broadcast time (Hc) and the rebroadcast time (Hr) is greater than a given duration (T).

3. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the content (CNT) is being broadcast during access, the addition request does not take place if the duration between the current broadcast time (Hc) and the rebroadcast time (Hr) is less than a given duration (T).

4. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data representative of a reading of a rebroadcast content (R) is included in the received data stream corresponding to the content.

5. Management method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the data representative of a reading of a recorded content (R) is added by the reading device.

6. Management method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the given duration (T) is included in the received data stream corresponding to the recorded content.

7. Management entity (ENT1) for the reading by a reading device (STB) of content recorded on a data medium, characterized in that the reading device (STB) comprises a processor configured to, during reading access by the reading device to content recorded and having been broadcast live, request an addition, during the restitution of the rebroadcast content, of data representative of a reading of rebroadcast content.

8. A computer program capable of being implemented on a management entity (ENT1) as defined in claim 7, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the method defined in claim

9. 1. Method for managing the transmission of content (CNT) via a communication link (RES) to a playback device, characterized in that it comprises, when the content is recorded content having been broadcast live, a transmission of both the recorded content and a request to add, to the playback device, during playback, data (R) representative of a playback of rebroadcast content.

10. Transmission method according to claim 9, characterized in that the addition request comprises values ​​to be restored as a function of a time difference between the current broadcast time of the content broadcast live and a rebroadcast time.

11. Management entity (ENT2) for the transmission of content via a communication link to a playback device, characterized in that it comprises, when the content is recorded content having been broadcast live, a transmission of both the recorded content and a request for addition to the playback device during the restitution of data representative of a reading of rebroadcast content.

12. Server comprising an entity (ENT2) as defined in claim 11.

13. Computer program capable of being implemented on a management entity (ENT2) as defined in claim 11, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the method defined in claim 9.

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