Devices and methods for optimising recorded digital content

Abstract

Devices and methods for managing recorded multimedia content. The invention relates to a method and a device for managing recorded multimedia content. The method comprises the following steps: - receiving (E32), from a user terminal (TU1), information (SEG) associated with said content, referred to as segmentation information, making it possible to identify at least one segment of the content (S1, S2) to be deleted from the initial content; - generating (E33) a command to render said content, the segment of which has been deleted, referred to as reduced content (C_DIM).

Description

Devices and processes for optimizing recorded digital content

[0001] The invention relates to the general field of electronics. More particularly, it concerns the implementation of a service for recording media data content, such as videos, television programs, and / or sound recordings.

[0002] A digital content recorder receives this content in at least one stream transmitted via a communication network, the stream including the content and signaling data. It then records it for later availability.

[0003] Currently, there are two types of recording functions: - Local recording via personal video recorders (PVRs) located on the end user's local network. A PVR includes storage space where the recorded content is stored; - Remote recording over the network via network personal video recorders (nPVRs) located on the operator's network. These recorders, whether shared or not, are connected to stream receivers via a communication network. The recorder records streams (for example, all streams from all channels from the previous week) either collectively for all users or specifically for each user.At a user's command, the recorder stores user-selected content from a connected streaming receiver, such as a set-top box (STB), in the recorder's memory, associated with a stream receiver ID and / or a user ID. This recording can be virtual, as the content is shared transparently by multiple users. The network recorder can then provide the streaming receiver with a playlist of content recorded at the receiver's request. The user can select content from the playlist and have the recorder play it. The recorder then transmits the selected content to the streaming receiver for playback.The user usually pays a fee proportional to the space occupied by the content of their playlist in the recorder's memory.

[0004] The recording command may include an identifier for the communication channel carrying the stream to be recorded, a start time for recording, an end time for recording, or a recording duration. In this case, the user generally adds a safety margin to mitigate the risk of program delays, and thus records portions of content that are not of interest: for example, several minutes of preceding and / or following content may be recorded unnecessarily.

[0005] Alternatively, the recording command can include an identifier for the content to be recorded and optionally an identifier for the communication channel carrying the stream containing that content. These identifiers are selected from an Electronic Program Guide (EPG). The content (program) identifier can include the communication channel identifier, in which case the latter information is not required. The Electronic Program Guide contains a list of content sent over one or more given communication channels. This second method reduces recording errors compared to the previous method, such as recording only part of the content due to an error in entering the time range to be recorded and / or a broadcast or transmission that is out of sync with the scheduled broadcast or transmission.This last situation can occur, for example, during a football match broadcast that starts late or goes into extra time. However, this method is not entirely reliable either, and the user may wish to add buffers to protect against the risk of delays. The user potentially saves portions of content that are not of interest to them, including advertisements, parts of the broadcast they do not wish to keep, buffers, etc.

[0006] Thus, users of these systems may record unwanted program content (corresponding to margins or advertisements), leading to an undesired growth of the associated storage space, which may result in a limitation on their recording service, in addition to the inconvenience of viewing.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a solution that allows for the recording of digital content that corresponds exactly to the user's wishes.

[0008] The invention relates to a method of managing initial content recorded on a digital content recorder, comprising the following steps: - receiving, from a user terminal, information associated with said initial content, called segmentation, allowing identification of at least one segment to be deleted from said initial content; - generating a command to restore diminished content, corresponding to the initial content from which said at least one segment has been deleted.

[0009] Correspondingly, the invention also relates to a method of rendering on a user's terminal, reduced content from initial content recorded on a digital content recorder, comprising the following steps: - definition of information associated with said initial content, called segmentation, allowing identification of at least one segment of the initial content to be deleted for said user or said user terminal; - request for rendering of reduced content; - reception of said reduced content, corresponding to the initial content from which at least one of said segments has been deleted.

[0010] "Content" refers to multimedia data, such as digital video (film, broadcast, etc.). The original content is that which corresponds to the first recording made by a user of the terminal (for example, a film from a given channel, with a start time and an end time). A "segment" of the content corresponds to a portion of that content defined by a start time (which may be the beginning of the original content) and an end time (which may be the end of the original content). If the service platform manages multiple users, the original content may differ for each user: two different users may have defined different start and end times for the same recorded content. Reduced content corresponds to the original content from which the segment(s) to be deleted have been removed.

[0011] A "content recorder" is defined as a set of devices providing a network personal video recorder (nPVR) service. Such a set includes a content recorder, which records content on a network component (for example, a content server) for multiple clients. It also includes a streaming device, responsible for distributing the content to users. Finally, it includes the management components necessary to control the recorder and the streamer.

[0012] By "segmentation information" we mean any information that allows us to identify a segment of the content with a start and / or end time.

[0013] Each piece of content is typically sent by the streamer in a data stream that includes the content itself and associated signaling data, such as information about the start and / or end times of the content. This data stream, containing both the content and the signaling data, is then sent over a communication channel, for example, a communication network, to a user's terminal.

[0014] The proposed technique informs the service platform or recorder that the content is segmented into useful segments to be retained and segments to be removed from the initial recording, thus providing a reduced version of the content for a requesting user. It allows the user to receive abridged digital content whose segments precisely match their preferences. Therefore, two different users can receive different reduced versions of the content, depending on the segmentation they have defined.

[0015] In specific embodiments:

[0016] The management process includes a step of recording said segmentation information in association with said user or user terminal. For example, the user and / or their terminal are known to the service platform by a unique identifier (username, customer account number, nickname, terminal MAC address, IMSI, etc.), and the segmentation information is recorded in relation to this identifier. Advantageously, the content segmentation is recorded so that it can be reused by the system each time the user requests the digital content. In some embodiments, the segmentation information can be recorded on the service platform and / or on the recorder and / or on the client terminal. However, in order to be shared between several of the user's terminals, recording the segmentation information on the service platform is preferable.

[0017] - This segmentation information is recorded by a service platform, and the step of generating a request to restore reduced content is followed by a step in which the service platform transmits this segmentation information to the recorder. Advantageously, in this method, the service platform retains control of the recorder and transmits a restoration request that takes the segmentation information into account. In this case, the service platform is aware of the different segmentations requested by the various clients it manages. If a segmentation is associated with content and a user, it can transparently generate restoration requests specific to its different clients for their different content. Each retransmitted restoration request includes, in addition to the information from the initial request, segmentation information specific to the user.

[0018] - Said segmentation information is recorded by said recorder and the step of generating a command to return diminished content is followed by a step of preparing said diminished content for said terminal by said recorder; advantageously according to this method, the recorder is aware of the segmentation associated with the content for the different clients, and performs the segmentation of the content itself before its transmission.

[0019] - The segmentation information is stored by the terminal, and the step of generating a command to render diminished content is followed by a step of transmitting the rendering command, which includes the segmentation information. Advantageously, in this method, the segmentation information is stored on the terminal. Each time the terminal requests the diminished content, it transmits the associated segmentation, for example, in a signal associated with the request. Advantageously, this segmentation can be stored in the user's playlist, which can then be easily modified.

[0020] - Said segmentation information includes information about a starting time of said segment.

[0021] - Said segmentation information includes information about the end time of said segment.

[0022] Advantageously, it is thus possible to define segments to be deleted which are at the beginning of the initial content (by specifying an end time for the segment), or at the end (by specifying a start time for the segment), or between the two (by specifying a start time and an end time).

[0023] The definition of said segmentation information is carried out by the user during a viewing of the initial content; advantageously, the initial content is transmitted once to the user terminal, so that the user can position his segmentation information himself, during a preview of the initial content.

[0024] Correspondingly, the invention relates to a device for managing initial recorded content or a service platform for managing initial content, a device for rendering diminished content, or a user terminal for rendering diminished content. The invention also relates to a system comprising a digital content recorder, a device for managing initial recorded content (or a service platform for managing initial content), and at least one terminal. The system may further include a device for rendering diminished content.

[0025] In a particular embodiment, the proposed recording device is a shared recorder such as a digital content distribution network device.

[0026] The invention also relates to a first computer program, this program being capable of being implemented in a computer or a device for managing initial recorded content or a service platform for managing initial content conforming to the invention. This program includes instructions adapted to the implementation of at least certain steps of a method for managing initial recorded content as described above.

[0027] The invention also relates to a second computer program, this program being capable of being implemented in a computer, a device for rendering diminished content, or a user terminal to render diminished content according to the invention. This program includes instructions adapted to the implementation of at least certain steps of a method for rendering diminished content, as described above.

[0028] Each of these programs can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or code somewhere between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0029] The invention also relates to an information carrier or a recording medium readable by a computer, and comprising instructions for a computer program as mentioned above.

[0030] The information or recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing programs. For example, the medium may 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 hard drive or flash memory. Alternatively, the information or recording medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by radio link, by wireless optical link, or by other means. Alternatively, the information or recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which a program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of a method according to the invention.

[0031] The programs according to the invention can in particular be downloaded onto an Internet-type network.

[0032] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an example of an embodiment, without being limiting in any way. In the figures: Figure 1 illustrates the architecture of a communication network in which proposed methods are implemented according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 presents a functional architecture of a system comprising proposed devices, according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a flowchart representing the steps of the methods for restoring diminished content and managing recorded content, implemented according to one embodiment; Figure 4 represents an illustrated example of original content; Figure 5 presents an illustrated example of diminished content.

[0033] Laillustre an architecture of a communication network in which a proposed management method and a proposed restitution method are implemented according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0034] This communication network comprises at least two users, USR1 and USR2, each equipped with a user terminal, TU1 and TU2, respectively, and connected to the network via their respective access points, PA1 and PA2 (for example, home gateways). The terminals TU1 and TU2 are digital television receivers (STBs) adapted to receive multimedia streams broadcast by a video server, STR, from a recorder, REC, on the NET network and to display these streams on a television, TV1 or TV2. This multimedia content includes, for example, videos, television programs, and / or audio tracks. A user terminal can also be, for example, a smart TV, a computer, or a smartphone. The network includes a service platform (PFS_TV) that manages the user's TV service and, in particular, manages the interface with the REC recording device. Content request messages are routed through the service platform.In particular, it retains playlist and segmentation information according to an embodiment of the invention, for example in a database.

[0035] The network includes a REC recording device conforming to the present invention, capable of providing an nPVR-type service. For example, the REC recorder includes a BC digital content database supplied by DIFF television broadcasters. For instance, the REC recorder stores all recordings from all the channels it receives for a limited period (e.g., one week). After this period, it can delete content that has not been recorded by a user. However, it retains content that has been recorded by at least one user. When that user requests the content, for example, by selecting it from a playlist, it can deliver it to the user via an STR streaming server capable of serving it.

[0036] Digital content (C-data), for example video, is recorded in the content database populated by one or more broadcasters (DIFF). In the example shown, both users USR1 and USR2 recorded the C-data content, for example using an electronic program guide (EPG).

[0037] The two users virtually record the C content during a first step, denoted ENR, for example via an EPG, or a command specifying a channel and a time range. This recording corresponds to a C_INIT content. The C_INIT content corresponds to the generic C content, for example, a movie, plus possibly a time range preceding and following the C content, as explained in the introduction. The two users may have defined different C_INIT content values ​​(particularly if they have defined different time ranges preceding and following the C content).

[0038] Then both users respectively request an initial viewing of their C_INIT content.

[0039] User 2, USR2, does not require segmentation according to a method that is the subject of the invention. When user 2 requests, after recording, a viewing of content C, they select it from their playlist of recorded content. Since user 2 did not request segmentation of their content, a simple request message (R2(C)) is transmitted to the service platform and then to the recorder, containing an identifier for content C. In return, their terminal T2 receives the initial content C_INIT as recorded for them by the recorder.

[0040] In contrast, during viewing, User 1 defines segmentation data associated with the content. For example, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, they define a set of pointers that delimit the start and / or end times of one or more segments to be removed from the content C_INIT. Alternatively, they can designate the segment by any other identifier (for example, the unique identifier of an advertising segment). When the segmentation (SEG) is defined in association with the content C, it is transmitted to the TV platform, according to one embodiment. This step is labeled SEG in the figure. According to one embodiment, the TV platform PFS_TV saves the SEG segmentation of the content, in association with User 1 (for example, in relation to their customer account) and / or their terminal TU1.

[0041] When user 1 later requests to view content C, they select it, for example, from their playlist of recorded content. A request message (R1(C)) containing an identifier for content C (which is also the identifier for the original content C_INIT) is sent to the TV platform. The platform detects that this content is associated with segmentation information for user 1 and sends a request to the recorder to transfer a reduced version of the content (adapted according to the segmentation), specifying which segments to restore and / or which segments to remove.

[0042] In return, the TU1 terminal receives the modified C_DIM content as transmitted by the recorder after it has removed the specified segments. It thus obtains a reduced content that corresponds exactly to its requirements. Furthermore, this reduces the virtual storage space allocated to it on the recorder.

[0043] In another embodiment, not shown, the segmentation is recorded on the terminal, in which case it must transmit it with its request to the service platform. In another embodiment, not shown, the segmentation is recorded on the recorder, which is then responsible for deleting from the content the segment(s) designated by the segmentation information.

[0044] Presents a functional architecture of a system comprising proposed devices, according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0045] The system shown includes a REC recorder, a TU1 user terminal associated with a USR1 user, and a PFS_TV service platform.

[0046] The PFS_TV service platform has the hardware architecture of a computer. It includes: - a COM2 communication module configured to communicate with and in particular receive requests from user terminals and a COM2' communication module to communicate with and in particular transmit requests to the REC recorder; - a storage space, for example a database, denoted BSG (Segmentation Database), to store the SEG segmentation data in relation to a content and a user (or their terminal);

[0047] - a processor (computing unit) UC2;

[0048] - MEM2 memories comprising both random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Such means are known per se and are not described in further detail here. The ROM of the device constitutes a recording medium according to the invention, readable by the processor, and on which a computer program P2 according to the invention is recorded. The RAM of the device allows, in particular, the recording of variables used for executing the steps of the content management process, such as storing information on the SEG segmentation (pointers, or start and end times, allowing the definition of segments to be deleted from the C_INIT content), associating this segmentation with a user or their terminal, identifiers allowing access to the C / C_INIT content in the recorder (channel identifier, time slot, etc.), the PG programming guide, playlists for different users, etc.

[0049] The REC digital content recording device C has the hardware architecture of a computer. It includes: - a COM1 communications module configured in particular to obtain information on the C / C_INIT content and optionally the associated SEG segmentation; - an ENR recording module for at least one C / C_INIT content; - a STR streaming module capable of transmitting (broadcasting) the digital content to user terminals;

[0050] - a processor (computing unit) UC1;

[0051] - MEM1 memories comprising RAM and ROM. Such means are known per se and are not described in further detail here. The ROM of the device constitutes a recording medium according to the invention, readable by the processor, and on which a computer program P1 according to the invention is recorded. The RAM of the device allows the recording of variables used for the execution of the search and retrieval steps of content, such as identifiers (channel identifier, time slot, etc.) allowing access to the content C / C_INIT in the content database denoted BC. According to one embodiment, the REC recorder is also capable of receiving and / or recording the segmentation information SEG associated with digital content and processing it to segment the content before its transmission (broadcast) to a user;

[0052] - a BC database of multimedia content in which, among other things, the C / C_INIT content is recorded.

[0053] In the embodiments described here, the user terminal TU1 has the hardware architecture of a computer, for example of type STB (Set Top Box).

[0054] The architecture of the TU1 terminal includes in particular a computing unit UC3, a memory MEM3, a digital content decoder DCD, a PLY player, means GC for generating a command capable of obtaining, from a user interface IH, the segmentation data defined for example by the user USR1 when viewing the content C_INIT (for example, using the remote control of his decoder, or a mouse and keyboard of a PC, etc., depending on the nature of his terminal), as well as communication means COM3 which allow it in particular to communicate with the service platform and to receive content from the recorder.

[0055] The read-only memory (ROM) of the TU1 terminal according to the invention constitutes a storage medium, readable by the UC3 processor, on which a computer program P3 conforming to the invention is stored. The ROM allows for the storage of variables used to execute a program for rendering diminished content (reception, decoding, etc.). The computer program P3 defines, in particular, functional and software modules, configured here to define a segmentation associated with content and means for storing and / or transmitting the segmentation, according to embodiments of the invention. These functional modules rely on and / or control the hardware components of the device.

[0056] This is an organizational chart representing the steps of a diminished content restitution process, implemented on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the invention, and of a corresponding process for managing initial content recorded on a recorder, for making diminished content available through a service platform.

[0057] During step E20, the terminal receives the Electronic Program Guide (EPG). The user consults it and generates a recording request for content C, denoted ENR (C_INIT). This request can specify a program ID C, the channel to be recorded, a start time (T1), an end time (T2), or a duration (D). During step E30, the TV service platform PFS_TV receives the recording command from the terminal TU1 of user USR1 and forwards it to the recorder. Similarly, the ENR (C_INIT) request includes, for example, a program ID C, a channel ID C1, a recording start time, and a recording end time and / or a recording duration, specified by the user. The corresponding stream is designated by C_INIT. The request is received by the recorder during step E40.It is worth recalling that user recording can be virtual, meaning that content C is physically recorded on the recorder but content C_INIT is recorded "virtually" by a user who defines its limits himself (for example, content C plus margins).

[0058] During step E21, the user browses their content playlist and selects content C to view. Terminal T1 sends a request to the service platform to retrieve content C, denoted RO(C_INIT). During step E31, the service platform receives the retrieval command and forwards a corresponding request R0'(C_INIT) to the recorder, which receives it during step E41.

[0059] The recorder transmits (streams, or broadcasts) the C_INIT content (the C content as defined by the user during their recording command) to the terminal during an E42 step. During an E22 step, the terminal receives the content as it was recorded, decodes it and makes it available to the user.

[0060] During step E23, the user defines a Segmentation Segmentation (SEG) for the content being viewed. For example, they define a set of pointers that define the start and end points of segments to be extracted from the content. They can use a keyboard, mouse, remote control, audio device, etc., for this purpose. At the end of this step, when all the segments have been defined, the SEG is transmitted from the terminal to the service platform, along with the content C, in a request denoted R1(C). It may include the terminal and / or user identifier.

[0061] According to the embodiment shown, the SEG segmentation is received and recorded by the service platform in association with the content C and the terminal and / or user identifier during a step E32. According to another embodiment, not shown, the segmentation is transmitted to the recorder, which stores it in association with the content C and the terminal and / or user identifier. According to yet another embodiment, not shown, the segmentation is stored on the terminal TU1 and transmitted to the service platform (and optionally to the recorder), which uses it to construct the appropriate request for the recorder.

[0062] During step E24, the user sends a request from their terminal to the service platform to retrieve content C, denoted R1(C). The service platform receives this content retrieval request during step E33, retrieves the SEG segmentation associated with content C from memory, and constructs a request for the recorder, denoted R1'(C_DIM). This step may be preceded by a test to verify that the content requested by the user is associated with a segmentation. This R1'(C_DIM) request includes the identification of content C (and therefore C_INIT) and the segments related to the segmentation. The content C thus defined is denoted C_DIM (diminished content). If the service platform has not recorded the segmentation, or if no segmentation is associated with the content for this user, it simply forwards the diminished content retrieval command to the recorder, without the segmentation.

[0063] The recorder receives this request during step E43, prepares the diminished content, and transmits it to the terminal during step E44. If the request is not associated with a segmentation, and such a segmentation is recorded by the recorder, it similarly prepares the diminished content before transmitting it.

[0064] During an E25 step, the terminal receives the diminished content, decodes it and makes it available to the user who can, for example, display it on their TV1 television.

[0065] This represents an illustrated example of initial digital content.

[0066] The initial content C_INIT corresponds, for example, to a channel CH1, or to a C program within channel CH1, and is defined by the user by a start time TA and an end time TB when they request the initial recording of the content. Its initial duration is D_INIT (= TB-TA). When viewing the recorded content, the user defines, according to this example, two segments to exclude from the content C_INIT: - a segment S1 defined by its start time T1 and its end time T2; - a segment S2 defined by its start time T3 and its end time, which corresponds to the end time TB of the recording.

[0067] Thus, the SEG segmentation can be defined by the set of three time pointers T1, T2 and T3 (time TB being defined by default as the end of the content).

[0068] Naturally, many variations are possible, including cases where the user: - defines not the segments to be deleted, but the segments to be kept; - defines a start segment to be deleted, only by the data of the end pointer of the segment (the start being by default the TA time of the start of the content); - defines durations, and not end times; - defines segments to be added to the content; for example, he realizes during the visualization that he is missing the end of the program, and defines an end time later than TB; - etc.

[0069] This presents an illustrated example of reduced digital content according to the segmentation defined beforehand by the user in accordance with the.

[0070] The reduced content corresponds to the C_INIT content from which the segments defined by the user's SEG segmentation have been subtracted, in this example, segments S1 and S2. The reduced content has a duration D_DIM which corresponds to the initial duration D_INIT minus the durations of segments S1 and S2.

Claims

Method for managing an initial content (C_INIT) recorded on a digital content recorder (REC), comprising the following steps: - receiving (E32), from a user terminal (TU1), information (SEG) associated with said initial content, called segmentation, allowing identification of at least one segment (S1, S2) to be deleted from said initial content; - generating (E33) a command to restore diminished content (C_DIM), corresponding to the initial content from which said at least one segment has been deleted. Management method according to claim 1, comprising a recording step (E32) of said segmentation information in association with said user or said user terminal. Management method according to claim 2, characterized in that: - said segmentation information is recorded by a service platform (PFS); - the step of generating a command to restore diminished content is followed by a step of transmission (E33), by said service platform, of said segmentation information to said recorder. Management method according to claim 2, characterized in that: - said segmentation information is recorded by said recorder (REC); - the step of generating a command to restore diminished content is followed by a step of preparing said diminished content (C_DIM) for said terminal by said recorder. Management method according to claim 2, characterized in that:- said segmentation information is recorded by said terminal (TU2);- the step of generating a command to restore diminished content is followed by a step of transmitting, by said terminal, said restoration command including the segmentation information. Method for restoring, on a terminal (TU1) of a user (USR1), diminished content (C_DIM) from initial content (C_INIT) recorded on a digital content recorder, comprising the following steps:- definition (E23) of information (SEG) associated with said initial content, called segmentation, allowing identification of at least one segment of the initial content to be deleted for said user or said user terminal;- request (E24) for restoration of diminished content;- reception (E25) of said diminished content, corresponding to the initial content (C_INIT) of which said at least one segment has been deleted (C_DIM). Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the definition (E23) of said segmentation information (SEG) is performed by the user during a viewing of the initial content (C_INIT). Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said segmentation information (SEG) includes information on a start time of said segment (TA, T1, T3). Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said segmentation information (SEG) includes information on an end time of said segment (T2, TB). Service platform for managing initial content (C_INIT) recorded on a digital content recorder (REC), the platform being configured to implement the following steps: - reception, from a user terminal (TU1), of information (SEG) associated with said initial content, called segmentation, allowing to identify at least one segment (S1, S2) to be deleted from said initial content; - generation of a command to restore diminished content (C_DIM), corresponding to the initial content from which said at least one segment has been deleted. User terminal (TU1) to restore diminished content (C_DIM) from initial content (C_INIT) recorded on a digital content recorder, configured to implement the following steps: - definition of information (SEG) associated with said initial content, called segmentation, allowing identification of at least one segment of the initial content to be deleted for said user or said user terminal; - request to restore diminished content; - reception of said diminished content, corresponding to the initial content (C_INIT) of which said at least one segment has been deleted (C_DIM). System comprising a digital content recorder (REC), a service platform (PFS) according to claim 10, and at least one user terminal (TU1) according to claim 11. Computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the management process according to any one of claims 1 to 5 when said program is executed by a computer. Computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the restitution process according to any one of claims 6 to 9 when said program is executed by a computer.

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