A process for managing access to content that has been broadcast in real time.

Abstract

TITLE: Method for managing the delayed playback of content that has been broadcast in real time. The invention relates to a method for managing access, by a playback device (STB), to multimedia content that has been broadcast by a content broadcast server (SRV), the server storing the content broadcast during a given duration (PT) preceding the current broadcast time, characterized in that it comprises, in the playback device, obtaining data representative of all or part of the stored content, and transmitting a request for restitution of data based on the data obtained. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing access to content that has been broadcast in real time. Technical field

[0001] The field of the invention is that of managing access to content that has been broadcast in real time.

[0002] The reading device refers to all data processing devices equipped with processors and capable of receiving and reading or rereading content broadcast from a content server.

[0003] Such a reading device is for example a decoder. State of the art

[0004] When accessing multimedia content, a reading device sends a request to a content server indicating the chosen multimedia content (video and / or audio). The reading device receives in return a digital data stream relating to this content.

[0005] The received data is then decoded by the reading device, then restored in the form of a display of the corresponding video.

[0006] The content server can transmit content in several ways, namely in multicast mode (for example IPTV), in unicast mode, etc. After receiving the content, the playback device decodes the content and requests playback on a playback device.

[0007] In addition to playing content, some playback devices offer a function called "Start Over" by those skilled in the art (or "catch-up") which allows a user watching content broadcast in real time (channel broadcast "Live") to play back a portion of the content that was broadcast Live; this function allows in particular to replay content from a desired time, for example from its beginning. For example, if a film broadcast in real time starts at 9:00 p.m. and if the user accesses the corresponding Live stream by zapping to the channel at 9:40 p.m., the user can request, by selecting a command linked to the so-called catch-up function, that the playback of the content resumes for example from a desired time, for example 9:05 p.m., or even from the beginning of the film, namely 9:00 p.m. In this case, we switch from a real-time playback mode to a delayed playback mode.

[0008] To provide this so-called startover function, the broadcast television content is recorded by the content broadcaster for a given duration. The given duration corresponds in our example to a time window PT (or time range) preceding the current broadcasting time. This time window PT is for example four hours for all television channels.

[0009] Due to the constant duration of the time window and the start times of television programs which vary over time on the television channels, the number of contents accessible to a user in this time window is no longer only the contents whose broadcast is in progress but a set of contents over a depth in bytes defined by the content broadcaster (for example four hours), this for all the television channels; this set includes contents currently being broadcast and contents whose broadcast has ended. It therefore becomes difficult for a user to know at a given time, when he wishes to use the startover function, which content(s) among the contents whose broadcast has ended, is (are) still accessible in the time window described above.

[0010] The invention improves the situation. The invention

[0011] To this end, according to a functional aspect, the invention relates to a method for managing access, by a reading device, to multimedia content having been broadcast by a content broadcast server, the server storing the content broadcast for a given duration preceding the current broadcast time, characterized in that it comprises, in the reading device, obtaining data representative of all or part of the stored content, and transmitting a request for restitution of data based on the data obtained.

[0012] Thus, while the television channel continues to broadcast the content and the broadcast content is being played back, receiving a command in connection with delayed playback results in a playback of all or part of the content accessible in catch-up mode available on the server in the relevant time window. A user is therefore informed of the available content and can access recorded content whose broadcast has ended with full knowledge of the facts. The invention prevents a user from blindly going back in the time window.

[0013] In general, a television content has a beginning and an end. According to one embodiment, the restitution request concerns data representative of content accessible from the beginning. A user who selects content on the interface is thus assured that he can review all the content from its beginning.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the obtaining and transmission are carried out at several times during the broadcast. This mode makes it possible to receive updates, for example regularly, of data representative of all or part of the content for which the broadcast has ended and stored; as a result, the subsequent restitution includes up-to-date information on the accessible content for which the broadcast has ended.

[0015] According to another mode which can be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous ones, filters being defined, the transmitted data are given representative of contents corresponding to the defined filters. This mode makes it possible to filter contents by only proposing desired contents. A filter is for example linked to a type of content; for example only sports contents will be proposed in deferred reading mode. This results in a restitution of an interface for accessing personalized contents.

[0016] According to another embodiment, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous ones, several broadcast channels broadcast contents and the transmitted data concern data relating to the channel currently being reproduced. This mode reduces the number of contents accessible on the channel currently being reproduced, thereby reducing the quantity of information to be reproduced. A channel corresponds to a television channel.

[0017] According to another embodiment, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous ones, several broadcast channels broadcast contents; and the transmitted data concern data relating to several broadcast channels. This mode provides visibility on all the accessible contents of a set of channels (television channels) from the reading device; having this information a user can zap to another broadcast channel and access the desired content on this other channel.

[0018] Note that the transmitted data can be generated in a management entity installed on the reading device; alternatively, the transmitted data is the data obtained during the obtaining step.

[0019] According to a first material aspect, the invention relates to an entity for managing access, by a reading device, to multimedia content having been broadcast by a content broadcast server, the server storing the content broadcast for a given duration preceding the current broadcast time, characterized in that it comprises a processor configured to obtain data representative of all or part of the stored content and to transmit a request for restitution of data based on the data obtained.

[0020] According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a reading device comprising a management entity as defined above.

[0021] According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a computer program capable of being implemented on a management entity as defined above, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, carry out the steps of the management method defined above.

[0022] According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a data medium on which at least one series of program code instructions has been stored for the execution of a management process as defined above.

[0023] The medium referred to above may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, a medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a hard disk. On the other hand, an information 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. The program according to the invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet. Alternatively, the information 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 method in question.

[0024] 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:

[0025] [Fig. 1] represents a computer system in which the invention can be implemented.

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the hardware structure of a server capable of transmit description files;

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the hardware structure of a reading device able to play media streams in real time;

[0028] [Fig.4] illustrates an embodiment of the method of the invention. This figure is a enlargement of a part of [Fig.l] showing content currently being broadcast and content stored for a given duration; this figure illustrates the management of content at the server level; the latter stores the content broadcast for a given duration in order to allow replaying of the content at will from an instant within the time range.

[0029] [Fig.5] illustrates an example of an evolution over time of the restitution device at an initial time in which the interface linked to the catch-up mode is not represented, and another time during which the interface linked to the catch-up mode is rendered and on which the data representative of all or part of the content whose broadcasting has ended and which is accessible in said time range are rendered.

[0030] [Fig.6] illustrates another variant associated with an instant during which the linked interface in catch-up mode is restored; according to this other variant, replay commands are associated with the content whose broadcast has ended and which is accessible in the said time range.

[0031] [Fig.7] illustrates another variant associated with an instant during which the linked interface in catch-up mode is restored; according to this other variant, only part of the content whose broadcast has ended and which is accessible in the said time range is offered for selection, a filter linked to preferences being applied.

[0032] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0033] [Fig.l] represents a computer system SYS in which a content distribution network called CDN (Content Distribution Network) is implemented by a person skilled in the art from which content is transmitted to client devices or content playback devices and description files associated with the multimedia content. The content distribution server, called in this text, content server, broadcasts on several broadcast channels associated with television channels.

[0034] Note that the invention is not limited to the unicast transmission type but extends to all other transmission modes such as multicast mode.

[0035] In our example, the system SYS comprises a single reading device STB. However, the invention applies to any number of reading devices.

[0036] The reading device is for example a digital reading device such as a decoder.

[0037] The multimedia content referred to here is video content from a television channel from which so-called Live television programs are broadcast, i.e. broadcast in real time.

[0038] In our example, the STB playback device is connected to a TV playback terminal such as a television. The device can transmit data to be played back to the TV playback device.

[0039] In our example, the STB playback device is connected to a port of the TV playback device; the STB playback device and the TV playback device could also form a single device.

[0040] In our example, the STB reading device is located in a local area network (LAN) managed by a GTW home gateway.

[0041] The GTW gateway is capable of communicating via a communication link LU which may be a telecommunications network such as a wide area network WAN known to those skilled in the art.

[0042] In our example, the SYS computer system implements a content distribution network called CDN (Content Distribution Network) by those skilled in the art from which content is transmitted to STB content playback devices.

[0043] The CDN network 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 description of the invention, a single content server SRV will be shown in [Fig.l] to represent the CDN. The content server SRV is located, in our example, in the wide area network WAN.

[0044] The SRV content server receives, for example, digital television content channels from a broadcast television network (not shown), and makes them available in real time to client terminals, here the STB playback device.

[0045] [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.

[0046] The STB playback device can transmit content to be played back to the TV playback device via a COM 12 communication module. This COM 12 module is, for example, an HDMI link.

[0047] The STB reading device 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 CM011 in [Fig.2].

[0048] In our example, the STB reading device comprises a HAS (http Adaptive Streaming) streaming mode download module, not shown, capable of managing the downloading of segments of the content when the content is transmitted in the form of segments in accordance with the so-called adaptive streaming technique known to those skilled in the art.

[0049] Let us briefly recall here that when a user accesses a Live stream broadcast in http Adaptive Streaming (HAS), the STB playback device receives at regular intervals, generally every two seconds, successive description files, hereinafter called real-time description files, each of which generally describes the last sixty seconds of the stream (30 segments of 2 seconds) by providing IP addresses (an acronym for "Internet Protocol") of segments corresponding to these last sixty seconds. Thanks to the segment addresses received, the STB playback device can download the segments and play them one after the other.

[0050] 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 an ENT management entity which is the subject of the invention, the function of which will be described below.

[0051] The SRV server communicates with the GTW gateway via WAN network. The server includes a communication module referenced COM2 for communication with the WAN network.

[0052] Sometimes you miss the start of a TV program (film, series, etc.) broadcast in real time, or you want to replay content from a given moment. A function called "play from the beginning" or "catch up" (also called "Start Over") or "Remained" by those skilled in the art) allows the program currently being broadcast to be resumed at any time at a time prior to the current time; for example, the content can be resumed from the beginning, or from a time chosen by a user. For example, if a film starts at 9:00 p.m. and the user switches to the channel at 9:40 p.m., they can request that the content be resumed from the beginning of the film. In this case, the mode of playing content in real time is switched to a delayed playback mode.

[0053] To access delayed playback content, the SRV server stores the content in question after its broadcast for a certain duration. Assuming that the content is divided into data packets, for example data segments, the broadcast packets are automatically stored in the MEM2 memory throughout the broadcast.

[0054] Note that the duration corresponds to a time range preceding the current broadcasting time.

[0055] In order to facilitate access to stored contents whose broadcasting has ended, according to the invention, a management entity ENT obtains data representative of all or part of the contents whose broadcasting has ended and which are accessible in memory in said time range and requests a restitution of data based on the data obtained above. The restitution aims at a human-machine interface; it will be seen that this interface comprises commands for accessing the stored contents.

[0056] In particular, a reception of a command to restore an access interface to the delayed reading mode is followed by a request to restore, on the interface, data representative of all or part of the contents accessible in said time range. A change of channel by zapping can be the trigger for a transmission of a command to restore an access interface.

[0057] Figures 1 and 5 described below will allow the invention to be schematically illustrated.

[0058] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates at the SRV server a list of contents from television channel CH1-CH2; Fig. 5 is an enlargement of a part of [Fig.l]. The lists are represented in the form of respective lines including the order of broadcasting in time of the contents on the three television channels. A time axis is represented in order to define the broadcasting order.

[0059] A time range PT is also represented. This precedes the current broadcast time te by a certain duration up to a time tr. This window is defined by the content broadcaster; for example, it is four hours.

[0060] At a given time te, called current time, the channels broadcast real-time contents C11, C21, C31 respectively: A first content C11 whose broadcast started at time t11; a second content C21 whose broadcast started at at time t21 a third content C31 whose broadcast started at time t31. For these three contents, the broadcast is in progress.

[0061] At this stage, if a user accesses the channel CH2, the STB playback device receives and plays back the content broadcast in real time on this channel, namely the content C21, for example a football match.

[0062] Prior to the restitution of the contents broadcast in real time C1 1, C21 and C31, the same channels CH1, CH2 and CH3 broadcast contents successively and finished their respective broadcasts in the time range PT defined above: - The channel CH1 broadcast the content C13 and finished the broadcast at time tl2; the channel CH1 then broadcast the content C12 of time tl2 and finished at tl 1; at this time tl 1, the broadcast of the content Cl 1 began. - Channel CH2 broadcast content C22 and ended the broadcast at time t21; at this time tl2, the broadcast of content C12 began. - Channel CH1 broadcast content C32 and ended the broadcast at time t31; at this time t31, the broadcast of content C13 began.

[0063] The time range PT is, in our example, sliding and has a start time tr and an end time corresponding to the current time te. The start time tr is four hours before the current time te in our example. Due to the sliding of the time range, the content segments recorded at a given time that are no longer in the sliding time range at a later time are erased from memory.

[0064] In our example, the catch-up mode defined above is accessible by default but this mode could also be available following activation of this mode.

[0065] In our example, following the transmission of data representative of recorded content, the broadcast of which is finished, an interface is displayed on the TV playback device in the form of a banner at the bottom of the screen, for example after having zapped on a television channel. For example, when the user zap with his remote control, each time a channel is accessed, a banner including information and commands relating to the delayed playback mode is displayed. This display allows a user who accesses the television program to request delayed playback of stored content.

[0066] In our example, the commands accessible from the banner are the back command known by the symbol " "", a back command from the beginning (represented by a symbol in the form of a circle with an arrow pointing counterclockwise) allowing you to replay content from its beginning.

[0067] We also sometimes find a Live return command which allows, when a delayed reading is in progress, to return to the Live stream and continue the reading of the content broadcast live. However, in this text, this command is not shown because it is unnecessary for the presentation of the invention.

[0068] The commands are accessible from a control interface such as a remote control. The rewind or return from the beginning commands, when executed by the CPU1 processor of the STB playback device, result in delayed playback of the currently broadcast Live content.

[0069] The steps of one embodiment are as follows; it is assumed that the user accesses a “Live” channel at tc=10h and that the program Cl 1 started at time tl 1=9h, therefore one hour ago.

[0070] It is assumed that at a given time tl, a user having access to the interface, selects the back command " " " on his remote control.

[0071] The STB reading device receives the command and requests its execution by the processor.

[0072] A request for access to the deferred content is transmitted to the SRV server.

[0073] Upon receipt, the ENT entity present on the server requests a transmission of data representative of all or part of the contents stored for the television channel considered in the PT time range.

[0074] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the evolution over time of a restitution of an interface on the screen of the TV restitution device.

[0075] At a time tl, the television program Cil is played back without an interface. At a time t2, which corresponds to the time te described above, the user zaps to a television channel and the INT interface described above is displayed. In our example, this INT interface is rendered at the bottom of the screen in association with the upper part of the screen which continues to play the content Cil broadcast in real time. In our example, when the INT interface is displayed, content in the form of thumbnails is rendered. These thumbnails target stored content that has finished playing. Other ways of rendering stored content could obviously have been used.

[0076] At this stage, a user viewing the TV playback device sees that the content Cl 1 can be played back later but also that the content C12 and C13 are also accessible for later playback.

[0077] The information displayed changes over time because the time range PT is constant and the real-time broadcast continues. The interface is therefore, in our example, refreshed over time.

[0078] In [Fig.5], the interface includes a STRT1 command which allows the content currently being broadcast to be replayed.

[0079] The user wishing to read the C12 content later can then use the backward command "in order to jump to a previous reading time and read the content offline.

[0080] According to a variant illustrated in [Fig.6], the restitution made at time t2 comprises an interface INT displaying a command STRT1 to replay the content currently being broadcast C11 as in [Fig.5] and displaying thumbnails of the contents C12 and C13 to which are associated respective commands for replaying from the beginning STRT2 and STRT3, respectively. In this configuration, a content chosen from the contents C11 / C12 / C13 can be replayed from the beginning by selecting the thumbnail concerned.

[0081] According to a variant, in the case where the start is outside the time range PT, the rereading is carried out at the start time of the time range tr.

[0082] In order to avoid starting the delayed reading from a time which is not the beginning of the content because this beginning is outside the time window, according to another variant, the restitution request concerns data representative of contents accessible from the beginning only. Taking the example of [Fig. 4], assuming that the user has selected the first channel CH1, the program C12 whose broadcast has finished is represented by a thumbnail and is therefore accessible in delayed reading because the beginning t12 is in the time slot PT. The program C13 having a beginning 113 outside the time slot PT is not offered in delayed reading. It is understood that thanks to this variant all the contents accessible in delayed reading can be read from the beginning. Ultimately, with reference to [Fig.7], according to this last variant, the INT interface displays a command STRT1 for replaying the content Cl 1 and a thumbnail C12 associated with a replay command from the beginning STRT2 and the rewind command “. .

[0083] For the same reason, if the user zaps to the second channel CH2 and wishes to replay content, the INT interface is displayed and only the content C21 is offered for delayed playback, the program C22 having started outside the PT time slot.

[0084] According to another variant, filters are defined beforehand. According to this variant, the restitution request concerns data representative of contents corresponding to the defined filters. A filter targets for example a type of content (comedy films, sports broadcast, etc.). This variant is also interesting because it reduces the number of contents offered in deferred reading; this mode will be especially interesting when the PT time range covers a large number of television programs.

[0085] According to another variant, the restitution request concerns data representative of all or part of the contents accessible in said time range relative to the television channel currently being rendered on the TV restitution device. In this mode, only contents relating to the selected channels currently being received are rendered. According to another variant, the restitution request may also concern data representative of all or part of the contents accessible in said time range relative to several television channels. This mode allows you to view all programs, or part of them with reference to previous possible variants, which can be played back later.

[0086] Finally, let us also specify here that 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 access, by a reading device (STB), to multimedia content having been broadcast by a content broadcast server, the server storing the content broadcast during a given duration (PT) preceding the current broadcast time (te), characterized in that it comprises, in the reading device, obtaining data representative of all or part of the stored content, and transmitting a request for restitution of data based on the data obtained.

2. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the obtaining and the transmission are carried out at several times during the broadcast.

3. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitted data concerns data representative of contents accessible from the start.

4. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, filters being defined, the transmitted data are data representative of contents corresponding to the defined filters.

5. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that several broadcast channels broadcast contents, and in that the transmitted data concern data relating to the channel currently being reproduced.

6. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that several broadcast channels broadcast contents, and in that the transmitted data concern data relating to several broadcast channels.

7. Management entity (ENT) for access, by a reading device, to multimedia content having been broadcast by a content broadcast server, the server storing the content broadcast during a given duration (PT) preceding the current broadcast time (te), characterized in that it comprises a processor configured to obtain data representative of all or part of the stored content and to transmit a request for restitution of data based on the data obtained.

8. Reading device (STB) comprising a management entity (ENT1) as defined in claim 7.

9. Computer program capable of being implemented on a computer entity management (ENT) as defined in claim 7, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the method steps defined in claim 1.

10. Data carrier on which at least one series of program code instructions for executing a method according to claim 1 has been stored.

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