Method for managing a black screen period on a display device connected to a video decoder.

Abstract

Method for managing a black screen period on a display device connected to a video decoder. The invention relates to a method for managing a black screen period extending over more than a certain time interval on a display device connected to a video decoder (2). The video decoder (2) is capable of receiving a data stream (DS) from a media service provider via an operator's IP network and processing it internally in a plurality of modules. User access to an application using this data stream (DS) is controlled in the video decoder (2). The method includes detecting the black screen period on the display device (1) using at least one piece of information from one of the plurality of modules of the video decoder (2). FIGURE FOR ABRIDGED USE: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing a black screen period on a display device connected to a video decoder. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of an electronic device receiving and processing video content designated as a video decoder, for example a smart phone, a set-top box, or a smart TV. Previous art

[0002] A smart TV, also known as a connected TV, is a traditional television with integrated internet access and interactive Web 2.0 components that allow users to stream music and videos, browse the internet, and view photos. Smart TVs represent a technological convergence of computers, televisions, and digital media players. In addition to the traditional television functions provided by conventional broadcast media, smart TVs can provide access to over-the-top (OTT) media services such as streaming television and internet radio via a home network connection.

[0003] An OTT media service refers to a media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet, typically provided by third parties without commitment or control through an Internet service provider (ISP). OTT gateway cables, broadcast platforms, and satellite television are the means by which companies have traditionally acted as controllers or distributors of such content. The content may include shows and films for which the OTT has acquired distribution rights from the content owner. Legal access to the content may be managed by Digital Rights Management (DRM) or by a Conditional Access System (CAS).

[0004] DRM technologies govern the use, modification, and distribution of multimedia content. These technologies include licensing and encryption agreements. DRM technologies are implemented according to the W3C-approved Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) standard. EME provides a communication channel between web browsers and Content Decryption Module (CDM) software that implements DRM. This allows the use of HTML video to play DRM-wrapped content, such as real-time video streaming services, without the use of third-party, heavyweight media plugins.

[0005] Under the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standard, CAS standards are described in the specification documents for DVB-CA (Conditional Access), DVB-CSA (Common Scrambling Algorithm), and DVB-CI (Common Interface). These standards describe a method for concealing a digital stream, access to which is granted only to those with valid decryption keys. This is achieved through a combination of scrambling and encryption. The data stream is scrambled with a 48-bit secret code called a command word. Knowing the value of this command word at any given time is relatively unimportant, since under normal conditions, a content provider changes the command word several times per minute.The command word is generated automatically in such a way that successive values ​​are not usually predictable.

[0006] The DVB standard uses the MPEG Transport Stream (MPEG-TS) as the standard digital container format for the transmission and storage of audio, video, and Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) data. The MPEG Transport Stream designates a container format encapsulating elementary streams grouped into packets, with error correction and synchronization pattern characteristics to maintain transmission integrity when the communication channel carrying the stream is degraded.

[0007] A video device may include a broadcast tuner input and a display output to a television, converting the source signal into content in a form that can be displayed on the television screen. The video device may be incorporated into a TV, hence called a smart TV.

[0008] For many years, Google™ has deployed its own solution for using a smart TV operating system based on Android™ and called Android TV. Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software intended primarily for touch-screen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Android TV is a derivative of Android. It has also been adopted as a set-top box by a number of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) providers. Operator Tier certification allows operators to distribute their own customized devices based on the Android TV platform.

[0009] Android TV offers a specific on-screen display on a TV screen comprising a plurality of aligned fields such as that in [Fig. 1]. Each field is associated with a specific application, for example, a movie-on-demand service, a live streaming platform, etc. When the user wishes to access For a specific application, the user selects the appropriate field using, for example, a remote control communicating with the digital device. After selection, a black screen may appear, as shown in [Fig. 2]. A black screen is defined as the user experiencing a lack of video, a still image, an animation, or a hold video for a certain period of time. This black screen period is normal and occurs before the selected menu data is displayed. The duration of this black screen period is limited to a few seconds. Users are therefore accustomed to this situation. In the event of data processing problems, the black screen period may increase without the user knowing whether this is normal or not. This situation significantly impacts the quality of service experienced by the user, making it difficult to detect and identify the root cause in order to restore service.

[0010] For now, only a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connection problem is detected in the logs. With so little information, it is not possible to identify the root cause of the problem, which may lie at the HDMI connection level or originate from any other application layer involved.

[0011] To learn more about the black screen problem, it is necessary to reproduce it in the laboratory, attempting to maintain the same technical environment conditions. Since this procedure is complex and time-consuming, the black screen problem persists for an extended period, compromising the video service quality of the service provider.

[0012] It would therefore be desirable to provide a technique for detecting an unusual black screen period and to implement at least one corrective action to improve the user experience. Summary of the invention

[0013] The invention relates to a method for managing a black screen period extending over more than a certain time interval on a display device connected to a video decoder, said video decoder being capable of receiving a data stream from a media service provider via an operator's IP network and processing it internally in a plurality of modules, said method comprising:

[0014] - detecting the black screen period on the display device using at minus one piece of information from one of the plurality of modules of the video decoder.

[0015] The invention provides a method for detecting a black screen problem via a software module embedded in the video decoder. The analysis gets as close as possible to the cause of the black screen.

[0016] The management process includes the implementation of at least one corrective action to limit the black screen period.

[0017] According to a distinctive feature, the black screen period is detected by receiving at least one error information from a video decoder module.

[0018] According to a distinctive feature, at least one error information is generated by a data access management module.

[0019] According to a distinctive feature, at least one error information is generated by a video decoder module.

[0020] According to a distinctive feature, at least one error information is generated by an audio decoder module.

[0021] According to a distinctive feature, at least one error information is generated by a converter module.

[0022] According to a distinctive feature, the black screen period is detected by an analysis of the content in a buffer memory associated with an on-screen display.

[0023] According to a distinctive feature, the corrective action is implemented locally within the video decoder.

[0024] According to a distinctive feature, the corrective action includes a reset of the video decoder module.

[0025] According to a distinctive feature, the corrective action includes a restart of the application.

[0026] According to a distinctive feature, the corrective action includes a request to the application to go to a home page of a main portal or to change the communication channel.

[0027] According to a distinctive feature, the corrective action includes sending a notification to a provider server (“back-end”).

[0028] According to a distinctive feature, the notification includes a duration of the black screen period.

[0029] According to a distinctive feature, the method includes generating additional information after receiving a request from the provider server.

[0030] With such additional information, the provider server can implement at least one corrective action, i.e., stop or eliminate the application, restart the application, reset the cache, update the application or install new robust software (“firmware”), etc.

[0031] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions for implementing a method for managing a black screen period extending over more than a certain time interval on a display device connected to a video decoder according to one aspect of the invention.

[0032] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a video decoder comprising a computer program product according to one aspect of the invention, said computer program stored therein comprising instructions for implementing a method of managing a period of black screen extending over more than a certain time interval on a display device connected to a video decoder when the computer program product is executed by a processor of the video decoder.

[0033] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for processing a black screen period extending over more than a certain time interval on a display device connected to a video decoder, said method comprising:

[0034] - receiving a notification from a video decoder according to one aspect of the invention, after the detection of the black screen period on the display device.

[0035] The invention proposes a method for automatically detecting a black screen problem and reporting it to a fault-finding provider server, allowing an operator to monitor and / or resolve it. The information collected includes a unique video decoder identifier, software versions (including robust software and applications), running applications, a process list, memory, CPU and HDMI connection status, video decoder status, the date of the last refresh of a graphics buffer before the problem was reported, graphics and video mixer states and errors, an audio decoder status, and device logs.

[0036] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a program product comprising instructions for implementing a method for processing a period of black screen extending over more than a certain time interval on a display device connected to a video decoder according to one aspect of the invention.

[0037] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a provider server comprising a computer program product according to one aspect of the invention, said computer program stored therein comprising instructions for implementing a method of processing a period of black screen extending over more than a certain time interval on a display device connected to a video decoder when the computer program product is executed by a processor of the provider server. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] The present exposition can be better understood with reference to the following description and drawings, given by way of example and not limiting the scope of protection, and in which:

[0039] [Fig.1] represents a well-known on-screen display on a smart TV screen;

[0040] [Fig.2] represents a black screen situation after the selection of an application via the on-screen display of [Fig.1];

[0041] [Fig.3] represents an overall architecture for managing a black screen problem according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0042] [Fig.4] represents a schematic block diagram illustrating a video decoder used in the overall architecture of [Fig.3];

[0043] [Fig.5] represents an overall architecture for managing a black screen problem according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0044] The elements of the figures are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis being on illustrating the principles of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0045] This description relates to a method for detecting an abnormal black screen duration and applying corrective action to limit it.

[0046] In certain states a black screen is normal or could be normal and therefore should not be detected:

[0047] - active standby (stable black screen);

[0048] - cold start from a power-up and extended standby, it is It's possible that a black screen will last longer in this state;

[0049] - playing a radio station; for some projects, playing the radio station could be achieved with no display on the screen after a certain duration.

[0050] By abnormal black screen period, we mean a black screen period, which, outside of the aforementioned cases, extends over more than a certain time interval, for example a black screen period of more than 4 seconds.

[0051] The object of the description can be realized in many other forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments presented in this document. Thus, since the object of the description may be subject to various modifications and alternative forms, its specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. However, it should be understood that the intention is not to limit the object of the description to the particular forms described, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the scope of protection as defined by the claims. In the drawings, identical or similar elements are designated by identical reference numerals for all their different representations.

[0052] The present embodiments and variants may be used in any combination or sub-combination even if not explicitly described.

[0053] The [Fig.3] is a general architecture for managing a black screen situation according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0054] This architecture comprises:

[0055] - a media service provider 3;

[0056] - a network of an operator 4;

[0057] - a video decoder 2;

[0058] - a display device 1.

[0059] Media service provider 3 provides OTT media services, for example, streaming television and internet radio, or broadcast or multicast. In particular, media service provider 3 provides a DS data stream. Such a DS data stream is compatible with the MPEG or fmp4 transport stream. The data stream can effectively be encoded according to DRM technology or the CAS standard.

[0060] The operator network 4 transmits the DS data stream between the media service provider 3 and the video decoder 2. The operator network can be an IP network or a broadcast network.

[0061] The video decoder 2 is, for example, a digital box. The digital box 2 receives the DS data stream and provides an AudioAv audio output stream and a VideoAv video output stream to the display device 1.

[0062] The display device is, for example, a TV screen 1. The TV screen 1 uses the Audio output stream AudioAv and the Video output stream VideoAv to present a user-requested application. The TV screen is, for example, a component of an Android-compatible smart TV.

[0063] Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram representing the digital housing 2.

[0064] The digital housing 2 is divided into a first block 21, a second block 22 and a third block 23.

[0065] The first block 21 relates to a secure media path. It comprises:

[0066] - a 210 data access management module;

[0067] - a 211 video decoder module;

[0068] - a 212 audio decoder module;

[0069] - a 213 buffer module;

[0070] - a 214 audio processor module;

[0071] - a 215 composer module;

[0072] - a 216 converter module.

[0073] The data access management module 210 receives the DS data stream from the operator's IP network 4 and decodes the stream according to DRM technology or the standard CAS. This decoded stream includes digital video material and digital audio material.

[0074] The video decoder module 211 is software that decompresses digital video material to provide decompressed video material.

[0075] The audio decoder module 212 is software that decompresses digital audio material to provide decompressed audio material.

[0076] The buffer memory module 213 is part of a memory used by an application for the representation of the content to be displayed on the TV screen.

[0077] The audio processor module 214 processes the decompressed audio material to improve its quality, add effects or modify its characteristics.

[0078] The composer module 215 adjusts the decompressed video material to the on-screen display definition to provide adjusted video material.

[0079] The 216 converter module converts the processed audio material into an AudioHDM1 / AV audio output that is HDMI-compatible or AV-compatible. Furthermore, the 216 converter module converts the adjusted video material into a VideoHDMi / AV video output that is HDMI-compatible or AV-compatible.

[0080] The second block 22 relates to an on-screen display path. It comprises:

[0081] - a set of 220 on-screen display (OSD, "On-Screen Display") elements user interface graphics;

[0082] - a 221 composer module;

[0083] - a buffer memory 222.

[0084] The third block 23 includes a black screen detector 230.

[0085] The black screen detector 230 centralizes information concerning an abnormal black screen period (BS). According to one embodiment, the black screen detector 230 receives and / or reads error information generated by the data access management module 210. Such error information relates to a decoding failure, for example due to the absence of the appropriate decoding CAS key.

[0086] According to one variant, the black screen detector 230 receives and / or reads error information generated by the video decoder module 211. Such error information relates to a failure of a video decoder reading (under-rate, over-rate).

[0087] According to one variant, the black screen detector 230 receives and / or reads error information generated by the audio decoder module 212. Such error information relates to a failure of an audio decoder reading.

[0088] According to one variant, the black screen detector 230 receives and / or reads error information generated by the converter module 216. Such error information relates to a failure of the conversion to HDMI or AV format.

[0089] According to one variant, the black screen detector 230 analyzes the buffer memory 222 to check if it is empty, black, totally transparent.

[0090] An example of the computation of different pieces of information leading to a detected "black screen error" is described below:

[0091] When a video presentation device is active (i.e., not in standby mode), the integrated “black screen detector” element detects whether, during a period “T”, the following conditions are met:

[0092] (HDMF HCDP error) OR

[0093] (CAS / DRM error) OR

[0094] (

[0095] (

[0096] (On-screen display: empty buffer, OR black, OR completely transparent) AND (video decoder playback AND error (under-bandwidth, over-bandwidth, ...))

[0097] AND NO (audio played AND no video played)

[0098] )

[0099] )

[0100] )

[0101] The corrective action is implemented locally by the black screen detector 230.

[0102] This corrective action includes a reset of the video decoder module 211.

[0103] According to one variant, the corrective action includes restarting the application.

[0104] According to one variant, the corrective action includes a request to the application to go to a home page of a main portal or to change communication channel.

[0105] Fig. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in which the corrective action is implemented by a remote provider server 5 from the digital box 2.

[0106] This provider server 5 receives a notification from the digital box 2.

[0107] This notification includes the duration of the black screen situation.

[0108] According to one variant, the notification includes configuration data and associated protocols for performing a correlation operation.

[0109] After being informed of a black screen situation, the provider server 5 can:

[0110] - estimate the severity of the black screen situation according to the time interval;

[0111] - link the digital device's activity history with previous information (such as a history of open applications, memory consumption, CPU activity, etc.). Such information can be accessed via a maintenance computer connected directly to the provider server 5;

[0112] - request additional information (such as registers) to help solve the problem by sending a Req request to the digital box 2;

[0113] - to correlate information from other devices in order to take the best action corrective.

[0114] A corrective action Act is therefore transmitted to the digital unit 2. This action may be:

[0115] - reset the video decoder module 211;

[0116] - restart the application after a period;

[0117] - instruct the application to go to a home page of a main portal or of change communication channel;

[0118] - clean a cache;

[0119] - impose an application update;

[0120] - impose a robust software update of the digital box ("set-top firmware").

Claims

Demands

1. A method for managing a black screen (BS) period extending over more than a certain time interval on a display device (1) connected to a video decoder (2), said video decoder (2) being capable of receiving a data stream (DS) from a media service provider (3) via an operator's network (4) and processing it internally in a plurality of modules, said method comprising: - detecting the black screen (BS) period on the display device (1) using at least one piece of information from one of the plurality of modules of the video decoder (2).

2. Management method according to claim 1, said method comprising: - implementation of at least one corrective action to limit the black screen (BS) period.

3. Management method according to claim 2, the black screen period (BS) being detected by receiving at least one error information from a module of the video decoder (2).

4. Management method according to claim 3, at least one error information being generated by a data access management module (210).

5. Management method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one error information is generated by a video decoder module (211).

6. Management method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, at least one error information being generated by an audio decoder module (212).

7. Management method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, at least one error information being generated by a converter module (216).

8. A management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the black screen period being detected by an analysis of a content in a buffer memory (22) associated with an on-screen display.

9. A management method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, the corrective action being implemented locally within the video decoder (2).

10. Management process according to claim 9, the corrective action comprising a reset of the video decoder module (211).

11. 11. Management method according to claim 9, the corrective action comprising a restart of the application.

12. 12. Management method according to claim 9, the corrective action comprising a request to the application to go to a home page of a main portal or to change communication channel.

13. 13. Management method according to any one of claims 2 to 12, the corrective action comprising sending a notification (Notif) to a provider server (5).

14. 14. Management method according to claim 13, the notification (Notif) comprising a duration of the black screen period (BS).

15. 15. Management method according to claim 13 or 14, the method comprising generating additional information (Add) after receiving a request (Req) from the provider server (5).

16. 16. Product computer program comprising instructions for implementing a method for managing a black screen (BS) period extending over a certain time interval on a display device (1) connected to a video decoder (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 when the product computer program is executed by a processor of the video decoder.

17. 17. Video decoder comprising a computer program product according to claim 16.

18. 18. A method for dealing with a black screen period (BS) extending over more than a certain time interval on a display device (1) connected to a video decoder (2), said method comprising: - receiving a notification (Notif) from a video decoder (2) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, after the detection of the black screen period (BS) on the display device (1).

19. 19. Product computer program comprising instructions for implementing a method for processing a black screen (BS) period extending over a certain time interval on a display device (1) connected to a video decoder (2) according to claim 18 when the product computer program is executed by a processor of a provider server (5).

20. OSerfer provider comprising a computer program product according to claim 19.

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