method for managing the reading of multimedia content.

Abstract

TITLE: Method for managing the playback of multimedia content. The invention relates to a method for managing the playback, by means of a device for reading segments of content accessible from content sources capable of transmitting segments of the same content with a time delay. The method comprises reading segments from a first source (SU) and recording segments from a second source (nCDN). The reading of segments from the first source (SU) ceases and resumes based on recorded segments when the segments to be read are recorded segments. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing the reading 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 particularly to a method for managing the reading of multimedia content.

[0003] In the example which will serve to illustrate the invention, the contents are content cut into segments associated with several respective encoding rates selectable on requests issued from a multimedia stream reading device.

[0004] The content referred to here is accessible from several data sources (servers for example); the sources have the particularity of transmitting content with a time delay; for example one source makes available to STB reading devices content in real time (or in Live); another source for example broadcasts in unicast and can on request transmit the same content later, for example when a rewind is required.

[0005] 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

[0006] It sometimes happens that one misses the beginning of a television program (movie, series, etc.). A function called "play from the beginning" or "catch-up" (also called "Start Over" or "Restart" by those skilled in the art) allows one to resume the program currently being broadcast from the beginning or from a specific moment, for example, to watch a particular scene. For example, if a movie starts at 8:50 p.m. on a broadcast channel (a television channel) and a user switches to that television channel at 9:07 p.m., they can activate the "start over" function to be able to watch the content from the beginning.

[0007] Generally, real-time content streaming (also called "Live" or "direct") relies on multicast technology (also called "multipoint" or "group" streaming, or simply "Multicast" by those skilled in the art). This technology saves significant bandwidth in the network of an operator managing the streaming because the content is replicated as close as possible to the playback devices. However, when a playback device requests the "play from beginning" function, accessing the requested content triggers an automatic switch to multicast technology. towards a point-to-point (unicast) content delivery technology that consumes significantly more bandwidth in a telecommunications operator's network. Once the user activates the "play from the beginning" function and a rewind action is performed, the playback device remains on a unicast stream and consumes only that unicast stream until the next channel change (zapping) or return to live TV.

[0008] The invention offers a solution that does not present the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] The invention

[0010] To this end, according to a first functional aspect, the invention relates to a method of managing the reading by a device for reading segments of content accessible from content sources capable of transmitting segments of the same content with a time offset, characterized in that it includes a reading of segments from a first source and a recording of segments from a second source, and in that the reading of segments from the first source ceases and continues at the basis of recorded segments when the segments to be read are recorded segments.

[0011] According to the invention, due to the recording of the flow from the first source During the reading of segments from the second source, the reading of the stream from the second source will be able, at some point, to be continued by reading the memorized segments from the first source instead of the segments from the second source.

[0012] Since the recorded segments originate from the first source, and assuming that this source transmits higher-quality segments than those provided by the second source, the quality of the delayed image playback will be better than if playback had continued from the segments originating from the second source. This results in an optimal user experience.

[0013] According to a first embodiment, the steps are executed following the receipt of a return command in the content. This method allows recording to be triggered only when it is necessary.

[0014] According to a second embodiment, which can be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous embodiments, for received content with an end time, the recording stops at a time that is a function of this end time. Ideally, according to one possible variant, the recording stops at the same time as the received content ends. This mode allows the recording to stop automatically when it is no longer needed. This mode again avoids unnecessary bandwidth consumption. Note that the stopping time of The recording coincides with the end time of the received content with a possible margin of error of a few milliseconds.

[0015] According to a third embodiment, which can be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the preceding embodiments, the first source transmits the content in real time and the second source is a source capable of transmitting the content with a delay. This fourth embodiment aims at a system configuration in which the invention finds a definite advantage, namely a first source preferred for playback due to the advantages of multicast but not capable of rewinding the content; and a second source allowing rewinding of the content, thus enabling delayed playback of the same content.

[0016] According to a fourth embodiment, which can be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the preceding embodiments, the first source is a transformation entity that transforms a multicast stream received from a multicast server into a unicast stream, and / or the second source is a unicast server. This embodiment aims for an optimal configuration of the method of the invention in which the second source offers advantages in terms of bandwidth and image quality; recording segments from a multicast server provides image quality during playback that is far superior to unicast mode.

[0017] According to a fifth embodiment, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the preceding embodiments, the recording is performed in a memory associated with the reading device (STB). The memory may be either local to the reading device STB or external, for example, an external hard drive.

[0018] According to a material aspect, the invention relates to a reading management entity by a reading device for segments of content accessible from content sources capable of transmitting segments of the same content with a time offset, the entity comprising a processor configured to read segments from a first source and record segments from a second source, and to stop reading segments from the first source and continue reading based on recorded segments when the segments to be read are recorded segments.

[0019] According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a reading device including a management entity as defined above.

[0020] According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a computer program suitable for implementation on an entity as defined above, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the selection process defined above.

[0021] According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a data carrier on which at least one series of program code instructions for the execution of a process as defined above has been stored.

[0022] Such a recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include 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 USB flash drive or a hard drive.

[0023] On the other hand, such a recording medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by radio, or by other means, so that the computer program it contains is executable remotely. The program according to the invention can, in particular, be uploaded to a network, for example, the Internet.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 represents a computer system on which is illustrated a example of an implementation of the invention.

[0027] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a simplified synoptic diagram of the material structure of the reading device;

[0028] [Fig.3] Fig.3 illustrates an embodiment of the method of the invention showing the execution of a return command in the content by means of the startover mode and the triggering of the recording of the content from the second source during the reception of the content from the first source.

[0029] Detailed description of an example embodiment illustrating the invention:

[0030] Fig. 1 represents a computer system SYS in which a content distribution network called a CDN (Content Distribution Network) is implemented, from which content is transmitted to client devices or content reading devices.

[0031] In our example, the system comprises a single reading device. However, the invention applies to any number of reading devices.

[0032] The reading device is for example an STB decoder.

[0033] In our example, the STB reading device is connected to a port of the TV playback device; the reading device and the TV playback device could also form a single device.

[0034] In our example, the STB reading device is located in a local area network (LAN) managed by a GTW home gateway.

[0035] The GTW gateway is capable of communicating via a LU telecommunications network such as a WAN known to a person skilled in the art.

[0036] The CDN consists of networked servers in the wide area network.

[0037] The multimedia content referred to here is multimedia content corresponding to a television channel on which television programs are broadcast.

[0038] Content may initially be available on a DIF source.

[0039] This source is connected to the content delivery network, CDN (for "Content Delivery Network"), which forms, in a way, an overlay to the telecommunications network, such as Internet.

[0040] In our example, the CDN content delivery network comprises several distinct SU / SM content servers capable of transmitting the same content to the STB reading device with a time delay.

[0041] In our example, a first SU server is capable of transmitting content in unicast mode, called a unicast server, and a second SM server is capable of transmitting the content in real time, for example in multicast.

[0042] The invention is not limited to this configuration but extends to any server capable of transmitting the same segments with a time offset.

[0043] The configuration described above allows, for example, receiving a multicast stream of segments, requesting a rewind in the content, and continuing playback of segments from the unicast server from the desired segment. It is clear that there is a time lag between the segments broadcast by the multicast source and the segments received from the unicast server.

[0044] Typically, the segments from the DIF source are transmitted to the first unicast server and to a second multicast server. The multicast source SM, or "multicaster," can receive the segments from the unicast server SU when a decision is made to enable multicast transmission. This decision can, for example, be made by the first content source, SU, or by a monitoring device (not shown) that is aware of the number of playback devices wishing to receive given content.

[0045] CNT content is made available in a given format. Such 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 over the Internet; this standard is based on preparing content in different representations of varying quality and bitrate, divided into short segments (on 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 playback terminal and The server provides multimedia content. The primary protocol targeted is HTTP, but other protocols (e.g., FTP) can also be used. The segment organization and associated parameters are published in a description file in XML format. We will not go into further detail about this download method as it is irrelevant to the description of the invention.

[0046] Figure 2 represents the architecture of an STB reading device. This STB device typically comprises MEM1 memories associated with a CPU1 processor. The memories can be of the ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory) type, or even Flash.

[0047] The STB decoder communicates with the gateway via an Ethernet module for wired local communication or via a Wi-Fi radio module for wireless local communication with the GTW residential gateway. This module is referred to as C0M1 in [Fig. 2]. This connection is referred to as LI2 in [Fig. 1].

[0048] The STB decoder can transmit content to be displayed to the TV display device via a COM2 communication module. This COM2 module is, for example, an HDMI connection. This connection is referred to as LI3 in [Fig. 1].

[0049] The STB decoder includes a streaming-mode download entity (not shown) capable of managing the downloading of segments. The STB decoder also includes an ENT management entity whose function will be described below.

[0050] In addition, the STB reading device is equipped with a STRT "replay content" function (also called "startover" by those skilled in the art) which is intended to replay content that is being broadcast.

[0051] The servers have an equivalent hardware structure. A server equipped with at least one processor and memory for performing computer processing. An SRV server communicates with the GTW gateway via a WAN network.

[0052] The SU unicast server provides description files to the STB reading device through the GTW gateway. From these description files, the STB reading device can transmit requests to download a segment of the resolution chosen from those available in the last received description file.

[0053] The SM multicast server broadcasts a continuous stream of the IPTV or equivalent type. The multicast server broadcasts the content in a broadcast tree, independently of the STB playback devices registered to obtain it. The nodes of the broadcast tree handle transmission up to the leaves constituted by the management entities, in particular the transformation entity—described below—present in the GTW gateway.

[0054] The system includes a transformation entity referenced as n-CDN which receives the multicast stream broadcast in real time (or Live) and segments it; after During segment production, the n-CDN transformation entity makes the segments available to the STB playback device in unicast mode. The n-CDN transformation entity creates description files accordingly. The STB playback device can then access the description files and the content segments described within them through the stream transformation entity referenced as n-CDN in the figures.

[0055] The location of the n-CDN transformation entity in the system is arbitrary. In our example, this transformation entity is located in the GTW gateway.

[0056] From the perspective of the STB reading device, a transformation entity thus forms the input to the CDN content delivery network. Such a transformation entity can therefore correspond to the terminology "nano CDN" or "n-CDN", known to those skilled in the art.

[0057] It is assumed that the reception of the segment stream takes place at a given time from the n-CDN source. This transmission mode is often preferred when such a stream is available due to the performance of multicast mode compared to unicast mode in terms of network bandwidth and image quality.

[0058] It is assumed that, upon receiving content segments from the n-CDN source, a user requests to rewind the content. In this case, the ENT management entity triggers a request to receive the segments from the unicast server. The STB reading device then receives the segments from the SU unicast server from the desired replay point.

[0059] Ultimately, the n-CDN source is a first source of content, and the unicast server is a second source of content.

[0060] According to the invention, when the segments read are from the first SU source, a recording of the segments from the second n-CDN source is made. Then, the reading of the segments from the first SU source ceases and resumes based on recorded segments when the segments to be read are recorded segments.

[0061] In this way, when reading segments from the unicast server, a request to access a stored segment causes the unicast reading of segments to cease and the reading to resume from the memory where the segments are stored. This method allows for a rapid return to segments from a multicast stream.

[0062] Also, when reading from the SU unicast server, when a time jump forward is requested, for example via a remote control button, if the requested segments are stored in the memory of the STB reading device, the reading of the segments in unicast ceases and continues by reading the segments stored in the MEM memory of the STB reading device.

[0063] An embodiment will now be described with reference to [Fig.3].

[0064] This [Fig.3] illustrates a timing diagram for an example of the implementation of a process between an STB reading device, a first server capable of transmitting the content in unicast SU mode and a source (the n-CDN transformation entity) receiving multicast streams from the SM multicast server; this n-CDN source will produce segments of the content and make them available.

[0065] In this embodiment, to simplify the explanation, neither the transmission of description files nor the transmission of segment access requests will be described. It will be understood that each segment reception is preceded by a segment access request. It will also be understood that description files are transmitted by both sources so that the STB reading devices can access the segments.

[0066] Initially, the STB reading device transmits successive access requests to S1-S9 segments to the n-CDN transformation entity and receives back the requested S1-S9 segments successively.

[0067] Upon receiving a request, the n-CDN transformation entity subscribes to the desired multicast stream from the SM multicast server and receives a multicast data stream in return. The n-CDN transformation entity then transforms the continuous stream into encoded segments and makes these segments available.

[0068] It is assumed that, when receiving content segments from the n-CDN transformation entity, a user requests at some point a rewind (associated symbol '«') in the content.

[0069] The STB reading device receives the return command ("), the command including a specific segment identifier from which reading should resume. In our example, a replay from the beginning, namely the first SI segment, is requested.

[0070] Only the SU unicast server is capable of reading delayed content. The STB playback device executes the command and requests the reception of segments from segment S1 from the SU unicast server.

[0071] According to the invention, during the transfer of content reception from the MC multicast server to the SU server, the STB reading device continues the transmission of access requests to the S10 and following segments to the n-CDN transformation entity, and receives in return the following segments from, namely the S10, SU, S12, etc. segments and stores these segments in memory.

[0072] The recording is schematically represented in [Fig. 3] within a frame symbolizing the MEM memory of the STB reading device. This frame allows one to understand which segments from the multicast stream are recorded in the memory of the STB reading device after transformation by the n-CDN transformation entity.

[0073] It is therefore observed that the STB reading device receives segments both from the unicast server (those which are read) and from the n-CDN transformation entity receiving the content in multicast (those which are recorded in the memory of the STB reading device).

[0074] In our example, the STB reading device simultaneously receives segments Sl / Sll, segments S2 / S12, etc.

[0075] In a later step, when the ninth segment is received in unicast mode and read by the STB reading device, the ENT management entity stops reading the segments from the SU unicast server and continues reading the segments by reading the recorded segments, namely the tenth segment S10 and the following ones successively.

[0076] Note that the preceding example is based on a replay from the beginning. However, the invention also applies to a replay from another point in time; for example, the reading of segments from the unicast server could have started at the third segment S3.

[0077] It is therefore understood from the above that following the execution of the return command ("), the STB playback device subscribes to the Unicast stream and will also continue receiving segments via the n-CDN transformation entity that receives the multicast stream. The STB playback device will thus consume both the Unicast stream to display the "delayed Live program" on the screen and also the Multicast stream via the transformation entity to receive the "Current" Live program and store it in MEM memory.

[0078] Thus, when the playback of the delayed Live stream (consumed in Unicast) results in segments of the content from the Multicast server and available for example in local memory MEM; the STB playback device then stops receiving the stream in Unicast and uses the data stored in local memory MEM and received in Multicast to continue to display the video stream.

[0079] Let's take a concrete example, namely a program that starts at 9:00 PM and lasts 1 hour 45 minutes.

[0080] Suppose the user accesses the Live Courant program at 9:05 PM. The stream is consumed here via Multicast.

[0081] Suppose the user activates the StartOver function and therefore accesses the Live stream with a 5-minute delay. The STB playback device subscribes to the unicast stream from the SU unicast server to access the delayed content; in parallel, the management entity also continues to receive the video stream broadcast by the SM Multicast server and produces segments from this stream, storing these segments in local memory associated with the STB playback device, for example, the MEM memory. At this point, the STB playback device will therefore receive segments from two unicast sources, namely the SU unicast server and the n-CDN entity.

[0082] After viewing 5 minutes of Unicast content, playback ends at a program segment already received from the n-CDN transformation entity and available in local MEM memory. The STB playback device will then unsubscribe from the Unicast stream with the SU Unicast server and use the stream stored in MEM memory to play back the video content.

[0083] Ultimately, out of 1 hour and 45 minutes of programming, only 5 minutes were received via unicast. The remaining 1 hour and 40 minutes, the received segments came from MEM memory and were therefore segments originating from the SM multicast server. This optimizes bandwidth consumption in the operator network.

[0084] The embodiment described above may be subject to variations.

[0085] According to a first possible variant, when the STB reading device reads the segments from the MEM memory and reproduces them, the STB reading device ceases to receive the content by unsubscribing from the unicast stream.

[0086] According to another variant, the recording is carried out continuously.

[0087] According to another variant, recording occurs intermittently following its triggering. This variant makes it possible to reduce

[0088] The content most likely has an end time; in this case, the recording stops at a time which is a function of this end time; ideally the stopping time coincides with the end time.

[0089] Finally, it should be noted here that the term entity can refer to a software component, a hardware component, or a set of hardware and software components. A software component itself corresponds to one or more computer programs or subprograms, 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. Similarly, 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

Demands

1. Method of managing the reading by a reading device (STB) of segments of content accessible from content sources (n-CDN,SU) capable of transmitting segments of the same content with a time offset, characterized in that the method comprises reading segments from a first source (SU) and recording segments from a second source (n-CDN), and in that the reading of segments from the first source (SU) ceases and continues at the basis of recorded segments when the segments to be read are recorded segments.

2. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the steps are executed following receipt of a return order in the content.

3. A management method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the received content has an end time and in that the recording stops at a time which is a function of this end time.

4. Management method according to claim 3, characterized in that the time of stopping the recording coincides with the time of the end of the received content.

5. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first source transmits the content in real time and the second source is capable of transmitting the content in delayed time.

6. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first source is a transformation entity transforming a multicast stream received from a multicast server into a unicast stream and / or the second source is a unicast server.

7. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the recording is carried out in a memory associated with the reading device (STB).

8. A management entity (ENT) for the reading by a reading device (STB) of segments of content accessible from content sources capable of transmitting segments of the same content with a time offset, the entity comprising a processor configured to read segments from a first source (SU) and record segments from a second source (nCDN), and to cease reading segments from the first source (SU) and continue reading based on recorded segments when the segments to be read are recorded segments.

9. Reading device reading device (STB) comprising an entity as defined in claim 8.

10. A computer program capable of being implemented on a management entity (MTE) as defined in claim 8, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the process defined in claim 1.

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

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