FR2890819A1 - Electronic global program guide managing method for e.g. domestic audio-visual network, involves choosing source device available for providing selected channel, and establishing connection between source and receiver devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves generating and displaying, on a display device, an electronic global program guide indicating channels e.g. CNN channel, available on a communication network. One channel is selected from the indicated channels by the user, and a list of source devices capable to provide the selected channel in the network is obtained. One source device available for providing the selected channel is chosen from the list, and a connection is established between the chosen source device and a receiver device. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a computer program product comprises program code instructions for executing steps of electronic global program guide managing method (2) a totally or partially removable and readable storage unit stores a set of instructions executable by a computer for implementing an electronic global program guide managing method (3) a device for managing an electronic global program guide within a communication network.

Description

Method and device for managing an electronic program guide

  global within a communication network, product computer program and corresponding storage means.

  FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention is that of electronic program guides (or EPGs for Electronic Program Guide in English).

  More specifically, the invention relates to a management technique of a global electronic program guide, within a communication network comprising one or more source devices, each source device for providing at least one channel carrying at least one content .

  Typically, the channels are television channels and the contents are the television programs conveyed by them. Indeed, more and more equipment for receiving television channels (also called source devices thereafter) are today equipped with an electronic program guide, including TV receivers, set-top boxes (also called Set Top Box, to decode audiovisual signals transmitted by satellite, cable, telephone line, over the air, etc.), video recorders (equipped with a television tuner), etc. It is recalled that an electronic program guide (EPG) is generally defined as an interactive menu accessible on a screen (included or not in the source device implementing the EPG) and providing a lot of information on television program grids (whose distribution is in progress or to come) to help the user to choose his program. It often allows thematic research of the programs, in order to facilitate their sorting. It offers the user various topics such as: program summaries, search by subject or channel, immediate access to preselected programs, reminder and parental control functions, etc. The invention applies in particular, but not exclusively, within a home audio-visual network whose core is a backbone network comprising a plurality of nodes for interconnecting a plurality of audio and / or video terminals (also called devices). , of analogue and / or digital type, so that they exchange audiovisual signals. The backbone is, for example, of the high-speed switched type, enabling in particular the real-time exchange of moving images, for distribution within the framework of a dwelling, each node being placed in a room distinct from a home. dwelling. The terminals belong for example to the following list of equipment (which is not exhaustive): decoders (or SetTopBox), TVs, VCRs, scanners, digital cameras, digital cameras, DVD players, computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) ), printers, etc. 2. PRIOR ART The drawbacks of the prior art are now presented in the above-mentioned particular case of a home audio-visual network. It is clear that this discussion can be generalized to any situation in accordance with the aforementioned general context (communication network comprising one or more source devices, each source device making it possible to provide at least one channel conveying at least one content).

  In a home audio-visual network, some source devices implement different Electronic Program Guides (EPGs), while others do not. In addition, several source devices can provide (usually in the form of a broadcast) the same channel.

  According to a first known technique, when a user wishes to access a content (conveyed by a channel) in order to display or record it, he must: - select within the home audio-visual network a source device capable of providing this content (and not already used by another user), then - if this source device has an EPG, display it and select with it the content (ie for example the TV program) that the user wishes to view or record, or - if this source device does not have EPG, select a channel (among the channels that can be provided by this source device) conveying the content that the user wants to view or save.

  This first known technique has a major disadvantage of the fact that the user must first select the source device and then the content. Indeed, at best, the user can use only one EPG, namely that of the selected source device (if the latter has one). At worst, the user can not rely on any EPG (in case the selected source device does not have one).

  In order to simplify the task of the user, it has been proposed, in particular in the documents W00052928, W003015408 and JP2004207864, a second technique making it possible to provide the user with a global EPG, resulting from a combination of EPG data originating from different sources of EPG data: source devices with EPG, Internet databases, Teletext service providers, etc. This second technique consists of merging data from different sources of EPG data, eliminating redundancies according to certain criteria (signal quality, priority, etc.) so that only one source device is retained for each channel. Thus, the user selects only content (without prior selection of a source device), thanks to a global EPG (and not through a single EPG).

  However, a major disadvantage of this second technique is that it is not suitable for implementation within a communication network, with a plurality of users sharing the use of a plurality of devices. source.

  Indeed, since only one source device is kept for each channel, there are blocking situations. Once a user uses a source device to access content conveyed on a channel, it blocks all other users who wish to simultaneously use the same source device to access another content conveyed by another channel.

  OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is notably to overcome these various disadvantages of the state of the art.

  More precisely, one of the objectives of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, is to provide a technique that optimizes the management of a global electronic program guide (EPG) within a communication network, to facilitate a user's access to a channel or content, while reducing the aforementioned risks of blocking between users.

  The invention also aims, in at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique allowing a user to select only a channel or content (without prior selection of a source device).

  Another object of the invention, in at least one embodiment, is to provide such a technique which is simple to implement and inexpensive. 4. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION These various objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved according to the invention by means of a method of managing a global electronic program guide within the scope of the invention. a communication network comprising at least one source device, each source device for providing at least one channel carrying at least one content, said method comprising the following steps: - generation, and display on a display device, of a guide global electronic program indicating channels available on the network; - selection of a channel by the user, among the channels indicated by the global electronic program guide; obtaining a list of source devices capable of supplying said channel in the network; selecting a source device available to provide the selected channel from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel; establishing a connection between the chosen source device and a receiver device.

  The general principle of the invention is therefore to obtain a list of source devices that can provide the same channel (unlike the second known technique mentioned above, there is therefore conservation of the redundancy of source devices), and to use this list: on the one hand to generate a global electronic program guide, allowing the user to select a channel (directly or via the selection of a content, see below) with knowledge of a large amount of information ( may come from different sources of EPG data); - On the other hand to choose a source device from this list of one or more source devices.

  Thus, the invention offers the user all the advantages of a global electronic program guide (global vision of all the channels and contents accessible via all the source devices of the communication network), while avoiding certain problems. case of blocking between users (if a source device is not available, the invention aims to choose another source device that can provide the same channel and that is available). Thus, there is blocking only if all the source devices capable of providing the desired channel by the user are already used.

  Note further that in a preferred embodiment, channel redundancy is suppressed when displaying the overall electronic program guide. Thus, in this case, there is redundancy of source devices for the same channel, but there is no redundancy of channels in the overall electronic program guide displayed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the step of obtaining a list of source devices capable of providing said channel in the network is a step of reading at least one table stored in the network and associating with each available channel on the network a list of source devices capable of providing said channel.

  In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said global electronic program guide further indicates, for each channel indicated, at least one content conveyed by said informed channel. In addition, the step of selecting a channel by the user consists of: either direct selection of one of the channels displayed by the global electronic program guide; or in an indirect selection of an informed channel, by selecting a content conveyed by said indicated channel, from contents indicated by the global electronic program guide.

  Advantageously, the generation of said at least one table stored in the network comprises the following steps: - interrogation of at least one source device of the network, so that said source device returns in response information managed by an electronic program guide which is specific to it or a list of channels it can provide; filling said table with what each source device queried returned in response.

  Advantageously, the generation of said at least one table stored in the network further comprises a step of accessing information providing means, not included in a source device, so as to obtain information relating to at least a channel and / or at least one content conveyed by said at least one channel.

  Advantageously, for at least one given source device capable of providing a given channel, said table furthermore associates with the given channel at least one control information relating to the way of controlling said given source device to access said given channel. In addition, if said selected source device is said given source device, said step of establishing a connection between the selected source device and a receiving device is followed by a step of checking said selected source device, according to said less control information.

  Preferably, said at least one control information is a control signal specific to said given source device and which has been previously recorded during a learning phase by the network associating a function with this control signal.

  According to an advantageous characteristic, the generation of said at least one table stored in the network comprises a step of informing a part of said table by said user or another user, so as to add to said table at least one element belonging to the group comprising: channels, contents, source devices, channel information, content information, control information of the source devices, and control signals of the source devices.

  Advantageously, said step of choosing a source device available to provide the selected channel comprises the following steps: a) selecting a source device from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel; b) first detection to determine if the selected source device is involved in a connection; c) in the case of a first negative detection, the selected source device becomes the selected source device, otherwise a second detection to determine whether the selected source device is providing the selected channel; d) in the case of a second positive detection, the selected source device becomes the selected source device, otherwise selecting a next source device from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel and returning to step b). In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said step of choosing a source device available to provide the selected channel comprises the following steps: third detection to determine if a given source device from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel is involved in a first connection but is providing another separate channel of said selected channel; in the case of a third positive detection, fourth detection to determine if said other channel being supplied by said given source device can also be provided by another available source device; in the case of a fourth positive detection: releasing said given source device by replacing said first connection involving said given source device with a second connection involving said other source device, to provide said other channel; the given source device becomes the chosen source device.

  Advantageously, if no source device can be chosen from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel, said step of choosing an available source device comprises a step of sending an error message to the user .

  In a particular embodiment of the invention, said method is implemented in a node of a backbone network comprising a plurality of nodes for interconnecting devices, including the source devices, the display device and the device. receiving device.

  The invention also relates to a computer program product downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a computer-readable and / or executable medium by a processor, said computer program product including program code instructions for a computer program. execution of the steps of the aforementioned method according to the invention, when said program is executed on a computer.

  The invention also relates to a storage medium, possibly completely or partially removable, readable by a computer, storing a set of instructions executable by said computer to implement the above method according to the invention.

  The invention also relates to a device for managing a global electronic program guide within a communication network comprising at least one source device, each source device making it possible to provide at least one channel conveying at least one content, said device management system comprising: - means for generating, and displaying on a display device, a global electronic program guide indicating available channels on the network; means for selection of a channel by the user, among the channels indicated by the global electronic program guide; means for obtaining a list of source devices capable of supplying said channel in the network; means for selecting an available source device for providing the selected channel from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel; means for establishing a connection between the chosen source device and a receiver device.

  5. LIST OF FIGURES Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of indicative and nonlimiting example, and the accompanying drawings. , in which: - Figure 1 shows a home network, known from the prior art, in which can be implemented the method according to the invention for managing a global electronic program guide; FIG. 2 represents a block diagram of a video audio interface module, known from the prior art, included in a multimedia interface device (node) appearing in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 presents a flowchart of a mechanism according to the invention for automatic configuration of at least one table associating a list of source devices with each channel; FIG. 4 presents a flow diagram of a mechanism according to the invention for analyzing a channel, detailing one of the steps of the flowchart of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 presents a flowchart of a mechanism according to FIG. invention of manual configuration of a aforementioned table; Fig. 6 shows an exemplary structure of a table associating a list of source devices with each channel; FIG. 7 presents a flowchart of a mechanism according to the invention for selecting a content using a global electronic program guide generated from a table mentioned above, and for choosing a source device available to provide the selected content; FIG. 8 presents a flowchart of a first mechanism according to the invention for choosing an available source device, detailing one of the steps of the flowchart of FIG. 7; and FIG. 9 presents a flowchart of a second mechanism according to the invention for selecting an available source device, detailing one of the steps of the flowchart of FIG. 7.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

  In all the figures of this document, the elements and identical steps are designated by the same numerical reference.

  FIG. 1 represents a multimedia communication network in which the method according to the invention for managing a global electronic program guide can be implemented. This network is for example installed in a domestic environment.

  The network interconnects equipment such as televisions referenced 107a, 107b, 107c and 107d, Set Top Boxes (or STBs), referenced 109, 110, and a digital camcorder referenced 111.

  This network includes multimedia interface equipment referenced 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d (also called nodes in the following description). The multimedia interface equipment referenced 103a, 103b, 103c are for example integrated into the partitions 102a, 102b and 102c of the rooms of the house. The multimedia interface equipment referenced 130d is not integrated in a partition but connected through a link 116 to the connector referenced 115. These multimedia interface equipment are connected to a central switching unit 100, preferably placed next to the electrical power supply table, through links referenced 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d and 116. These links are for example UTP5 type (English Unshielded Twisted Pair, category 5, as specified in the ANSI standard) / TIA / EIA / 568A) conventionally used in networks of the Ethernet type, and the referenced connector 115 is RJ45 type. It should be noted that other types of links could be used such as fiber optic links or IEEE1355 compliant cables.

  Each of the multimedia interface devices comprises in particular connection means of the three following types: Ethernet, IEEE1394 and analog video output (see discussion of Figure 4 below). All information obtained by these connection means will be distributed to other remote multimedia interface devices through the central switching unit and links connecting that unit to the different multimedia interface devices.

  Thus, the multimedia interface devices referenced 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d, the links referenced 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d and 116 and the central switching unit 100 together form a backbone network (sometimes also called backbone of the home network , or home network backbone).

  The television 107a is connected via an analog video link 104a to the multimedia interface equipment 103a. According to one variant, the link 104a may comply with the IEEE1394 standard and the television then has an IEEE1394 card. Similarly, the TVs 107b, 107c and 107d are respectively connected to the multimedia interface equipment 103b, 103c and 103d via analog video links 104b, 104c and 104d.

  The set top box (STB) referenced 109 is connected via a pair of analog links 106a and 106c (one for the video input and the other for the video output) to an analog / digital converter referenced 108a. . This converter is itself connected by a digital link 105a according to the IEEE 1394 standard to the multimedia interface equipment 103a. This converter converts the analog video information generated by the set-top box (STB) 109 into a format compatible with the IEEE1394 standard.

  The set top box (STB) 110 is directly connected by a pair of analog links 106b and 106d (one for the video input and the other for the video output) to the multimedia interface equipment 103c.

  Each source device (set-top boxes (STBs) 109, 110 and digital video camera 111, in this example) is accessible from any room, using one of the display devices (televisions 107a, 107b, 107c or 107d, in this example) .

  Conventionally, thanks to a remote control unit (also called remote control device) made available to it, the user sends infrared commands to one of the multimedia interface equipment 103a, 103b, 103c or 103d (the one in front of him). ). These commands are interpreted to establish connections between the source devices and the display devices, or connections between the source devices and the recording devices.

  FIG. 2 represents a block diagram of an audio video interface module 205 included in a multimedia interface equipment (node) referenced 103x, with x = a, b, c or d, in FIG. 1.

  In general, an audio video interface module 205 has a plurality of connection means by which signals of different kinds will be processed. The data from these connection means will be mixed with each other to form a single data stream conforming to a given protocol which is transmitted via the interface Link Y 204 on the single medium which , in the example of FIG. 1, is a link of UTP5 type referenced 101x, with x = a, b, c or d.

  This video audio interface 205 will also manage the quality of service constraints associated with these different signals.

  The audio video interface comprises a microcontroller 338 which will ensure the transfer of data on the bus 320 to storage means RAM (Random Access Memory) 306 more particularly when the data come for example 101x link.

  When the multimedia interface device is powered up, the microcontroller 338 will load the program contained in the Flash Memory 305 in the RAM 306 and execute the code associated with this program (in particular for implementing the various mechanisms according to the invention. invention, discussed below in connection with Figures 3 to 9).

  Microcontroller 338 will ensure the transfer of information from the various connection means to a referenced transmission queue 301. This transfer is consistent with the quality of service required for the transfer of this information. In fact, the IEEE 1394 type networks make it possible to exchange isochronous or asynchronous data. Isochronous data has transmission rate requirements while asynchronous data can be transmitted without transmission rate requirements. The transfer of data according to a quality of service is described in European Patent Application No. 01400316.

  We will not describe it further.

  Microcontroller 338 is connected to an Ethernet interface type 100baseT referenced 316 for connecting an Ethernet cable.

  A character generator 317, in English terminology On Screen Display (OSD), is also connected to the microcontroller 338. This character generator 317 will allow the insertion of information in the video signal transmitted for example on the link IEEE 1394 referenced 105b in Figure 1.

  An infrared transmission and reception module 318 is also connected to the microcontroller 338. Via this infrared module 318, infrared control signals from a remote control box will be received and then relayed via the microcontroller 338 to the different equipment connected to the network. This transfer of infrared commands is described in the French patent application No. 0110367. It should be noted that in one variant, the infrared module is preferably unidirectional.

  The microcontroller 338 will also manage, via the bus interface 304, the configuration of the transmission parameters associated with each transmission queue, these parameters being stored in the segmentation and reassembly module 303.

  For the transmission queues associated with an isochronous data stream (in the English terminology stream mode buffer), the segmentation and reassembly module 303 guarantees the minimum transmission rate necessary for the isochronous data flow from the parameters. of transmission.

  For the transmission queues associated with an asynchronous data flow (in the English terminology message mode buffer), the segmentation and reassembly module 303 guarantees a maximum transmission rate for the asynchronous data stream from the parameters of transmission.

  The calculation of the transmission parameters by the microcontroller 338 associated with each transmission queue is performed: as a function of a bandwidth reservation in the network for stream mode buffer type queues; - Locally based on an estimate of the bandwidth available in the network for message mode buffer type queues.

  The transfer of data according to these two modes of transmission is described in European Patent Application No. 01400316. We will not describe it further. This data will come either from devices connected to links of the IEEE 1394 type such as, for example, the link 105b, or from an analog device (such as for example the video recorder referenced 110 in FIG. 1) connected to the analog / digital converter 314 (by a link 106d in the aforementioned example), or a device of the microcomputer type connected to the Ethernet interface 316.

  In the case where analog data come for example from a set-top box (STB) 110 directly connected to the multimedia interface, these will be converted by the analog / digital converter 314 and then encoded in an MPEG2 or DV by the module 313. This encoded data will then be transmitted via the digital audio video interface 309 and the bridge controller 308 to the transmission queue 301. DV is the diminutive of the SD-DVCR format (in English terminology). -Sound: Standard Definition Digital Video Cassette Recorder). MPEG2 stands for Motion Picture Expert Group 2. It should be noted that the analog / digital converter 108a shown in FIG. 1 is here integrated with the multimedia interface device 103c.

  In the case where data comes from a device connected to an IEEE 1394 type link, such as for example the link 105b, two types of processing will be performed depending on the nature of the data. If these data are of the asynchronous type, they will pass through the bus interface 304 and be stored in the memory 306. The microcontroller 338 ensures the transfer thereof to a transmission queue 301 (message type buffer mode). If these data are of the isochronous type, they will pass directly to a stream type transmission queue 301.

  The microcontroller 338 will also manage, via the bus interface 304, the distribution of the data received via the link interface Y 204 and stored in the reception queue 302.

  For the data of the isochronous type and according to the destination of this data, the microcontroller 338 will trigger the transfer of data to either the IEEE 1394 link controller referenced 310, if they are intended for at least one of the terminals connected to the bus 105b for example, or to the bridge controller 308, if they are intended for an analog device connected to the link 106b for example.

  For the asynchronous type data, the microcontroller 338 will trigger the transfer of the data to the RAM 306 via the bus interface 304. The Ethernet type asynchronous data will then be sent to the interface 316.

  Asynchronous data of the IEEE 1394 type will then be sent to the referenced interface 311.

  If the data is intended for an analog device connected to the link 106b for example, the microcontroller 338 will trigger the transfer of these data to the digital audio video interface 309 via the bridge controller 308. These MPEG2 type data or DV will then be decoded by the decoder 312 and finally transmitted to the digital-to-analog converter 340, which allows the transfer of information in analog to the analog device (the set-top box (STB) 110 in this example) connected to the digital-to-analog converter / 340 by the link 106b.

  The segmentation and reassembly module 303 controls the transmission of packet data from the transmission queues to the Y link interface 204. Each packet includes a routing header as well as a packet type header. packet (message type or stream type depending on the transmission queue). Routing and packet type information is configured by microcontroller 338.

  In addition, the segmentation and reassembly module 303 controls the reception of the packets from the Y link interface 204 in order to store the data according to the type of packet in the appropriate reception queue, either of the message mode buffer type or of the stream type buffer mode.

  We now present, in connection with Figure 3, a mechanism according to the invention of automatic configuration of at least one table associating a list of source devices to each channel. This mechanism is for example implemented in a given node or in several nodes of the home network of FIG.

  In a step 301, the mechanism obtains a list of channels available on the network, and information describing these channels (including in particular the programs carried by these channels).

  For this purpose, the source devices included in the network are queried in order to obtain the data of their electronic program guides (EPGs) or the list of channels they broadcast.

  If the source device is for example a Set Top Box of type 1394, an appropriate set of AV / C commands (Audio-Video / Control) will be used to obtain from this source device the information which describes the different channels that it allows to receive and broadcast on the network.

  For a source device of the analog type, for example, Teletext data broadcast on particular channels are obtained, these data notably describing the different channels that can be received and then broadcast over the network by this source device.

  In addition to the source devices, other sources of information, such as websites accessible via the Internet, which provide a complete description of what is broadcast on any media, can also be queried. This description is for example an XML file that can be received and processed by the mechanism. It is clear that other types of information sources may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In a step 302, after the list of available channels on the network has been obtained, the mechanism processes a channel of this intermediate list to complete a table associating a list of source devices with each channel. This step 302 is detailed below in connection with FIG. 4. It is repeated until all the channels of the channel list have been processed (that is, as long as the condition of the step 303 is verified).

  In a step 304 before the end step 305, the (the) table (s) is (are) stored in the network (for example in the node in charge of the mechanism or distributed in several nodes of the network ) for later use (see below the description of Figures 7, 8 and 9).

  A detailed embodiment of step 302 of FIG. 3 is now presented with reference to FIG.

  In a step 401, it is detected whether the channel is already present in the or a table.

  To perform this operation, the mechanism can use different parameters. Preferentially, we will use the name of the channel (such as for example Eurosport, CNN ...) because it is the same regardless of the source from which it comes.

  If this channel is not already present in the table or table, it is added (step 402) with associated information (name of the channel, information on the contents conveyed on this channel, broadcast times, channel number. .) (step 403). Then we go to step 404.

  If the channel is already present in the table, the mechanism goes directly to step 404.

  During step 404, it is detected whether the channel being processed comes from a device that actually broadcasts it (in the case of a source device in the sense of the present description, such as for example a set top box). )) or not (in the case of a channel identified through information from eg a website).

  If the channel comes from a device that actually broadcasts it, in a step 405 before the end step 406, an identifier of this source device, as well as the channel number on that source device, is inserted into a list of devices. source associated with this channel in the table. Thus, for each channel available on the network, a list of all the source devices associated with that channel is obtained.

  We now present, in connection with Figure 5, a mechanism according to the invention for manual configuration of a table above associating a list of source devices to each channel. This mechanism is for example implemented in a given node or in several nodes of the home network of FIG.

  The mechanism is for example launched on a request of the user when it wants to manually add a source device to a list of source devices associated with a given channel. This mechanism can also be started when a source device can not be detected by the automatic detection mechanism of Figure 4.

  On the screen of a display device, a global electronic program guide is displayed (this global EPG, which is generated from the contents of the aforementioned table, is described in detail below). Within this global EPG, the user selects a channel or content, the selection of a content that indirectly selects a channel.

  Then, it asks for an update of the configuration of the selected channel.

  A configuration page is displayed (step 501), which indicates the name of the selected channel (step 502), as well as the list of source devices already associated with that channel (step 503).

  Then, the user selects one of the source devices from a list of source devices included in the network (step 504) and enters the channel number to be configured on the selected source device to receive the selected channel (step 505).

  If necessary (for example if the source device is of the analog type), the user learns from the network, in a step 506, infrared commands (on / off code (ON / OFF), channel selection codes ...) allowing the selected source device to be placed in the correct configuration to receive the selected channel.

  In order to complete the list of source devices associated with the selected channel, provisionally stores in the aforementioned table, during a step 507: the source device selected by the user, as well as the channel number, and optionally the infrared commands learned by the network (to configure the selected source device in the correct configuration to receive the selected channel).

  Finally, in a step 508, it is proposed to the user to manually add yet another source device to the list of source devices associated with a given channel (list he has just completed). If so, we return to step 503. Otherwise, the aforementioned table is permanently stored in the network, during a step 509.

  The learning step (506) is for example implemented according to the learning technique described in detail in the French patent application published under the number FR 2 828 355. The network learns infrared signals (also called infrared codes or infrared commands) issued by the remote control boxes of analog devices connected to the network. In other words, the network learns infrared signals for controlling the analog devices (for example those referenced 109 and 110 in Figure 1) connected to the network. The infrared signals can be learned from any node referenced 103x, with x = a, b, c or d, in Figure 1, by navigating in the graphical interface of this node (also called network graphical interface ). However, the infrared signals are preferably stored and managed by the node to which the analog device concerned is connected.

  In practice, to teach the network an infrared signal for controlling an analog device, the user is placed in front of a node of the network and uses the network graphical interface (which is displayed for example on a television connected to this node) and a remote control unit dedicated to this node and allowing the sending of infrared proprietary signals to navigate within the network graphical interface.

  In order to avoid any confusion, in the following description, a second infrared signal is called an infrared signal making it possible to control an analog device, and normally transmitted by the remote control unit of this analog device, and first infrared signal, a signal infrared for controlling a node (and more generally, via this node, the network), and normally issued by the remote control unit of this node.

  In the context of the present invention, the learning step (506) comprises for example the following steps: the home network (or at least the node in front of which the user is located and that he is controlling, hereinafter called local node) enters a learning mode of second infrared signals. For this, the user sends for example a first infrared signal, said launch signal of a learning phase. At this point, the local node is already identified, as well as the analog device to be controlled; - a function to learn is selected. The graphical interface of the local node is adapted to guide the user in the learning phase. The selection of a function to be learned may be carried out among a set of predetermined functions and / or a set of user-defined functions. A predefined function has a corresponding key on the remote control of the local node, while the other functions are accessible only through a control panel included in the GUI of the local node. For any function that can be applied by the analog device, a second infrared signal can be learned. Once the function has been selected, the local node waits for a second infrared signal. The user then presses the key of the remote control specific to the source device, to send the second infrared signal that is associated with the selected function to learn; the local node receives this second infrared signal and then validates it (before storing it in relation to the function, during step 507).

  Figure 6 shows an example structure of a table associating a list of source devices with each available channel on the network.

  The first column 601 contains the channel number in the network.

  The second column 602 contains all the information necessary to manage and display correctly on a screen a global electronic program guide (global EPG). This information includes, for example, for a given channel: the name of the channel, the content conveyed by the channel, the information associated with these contents (broadcast time, name, summary, etc.).

  The third column 603 contains, for each channel, the list of all the source devices capable of providing this channel, as well as information associated with each of these devices for accessing this channel (for example the channel number on the source device, the IR codes learned by the network to control the source device so that it receives the desired channel ...).

  Optionally, each list of source devices can be sorted according to certain criteria such as: a quality criterion: for example, using in order of priority the cable reception decoders, then the satellite reception decoders, and finally the others. source devices; - a user criterion: the user chooses the order of the source devices in the list; - no criteria: the source devices are placed in the list according to the order in which they are entered.

  In connection with FIG. 7, a mechanism according to the invention for selecting a content using a global electronic program guide (global EPG) generated in a preferred embodiment from FIG. a table as described with reference to Figure 6, and a choice of a source device available to provide the selected content. This mechanism is for example implemented in a given node or in several nodes of the home network of FIG.

  In a step 701, the user requires the display on a display device (for example a television connected to the local node in front of which it is located) of a global EPG presenting the available channels on the network.

  In a step 702, the mechanism uses for example the data contained in the aforementioned table (associating a list of source devices with each available channel on the network) in order to display data relating to the channels and / or contents available on the network. This display is for example made by inlay on the screen, according to the OSD (On Screen Display) technique managed here by the local node.

  In a step 703, the user selects a content (and therefore indirectly the channel that carries this content) or directly a channel (if the details of the contents conveyed by this channel is not known to the global EPG). For example, the user performs this selection of channel or content using a remote control unit associated with the local node, and navigating within the display screen of the global EPG. To select a channel or content, the user uses for example navigation keys to highlight a channel or content displayed on the screen, then requires an action (View, Save ...) by pressing a selection key (eg OK, Enter ...) or an action key (eg Play, Record ...).

  In a step 704, after a content or channel has been selected, the mechanism obtains a list of source devices capable of providing the selected channel. Obtaining this list can be done, in a preferred embodiment by reading a table gathering the association information of the source devices and the channels as described with reference to Figure 6 or several tables if the Association information of source devices and channels has been generated distributed in the network. Obtaining this list can in a particular embodiment be carried out in real time without any table has been created. In step 704, the mechanism therefore verifies that a list of at least one device associated with the selected channel exists.

  In the case of negative detection, a step 705 in which an error message is displayed to the user is displayed, possibly prompting him to start the manual configuration mechanism (described above in connection with the Figure 5) to add a source device to the (previously empty) list of source devices associated with the channel or content selected by the user.

  In case of positive detection or after implementation of the manual configuration mechanism, we go to a step 706 during which the mechanism chooses a source device from the list of source devices associated with the channel or content selected by the user. Two embodiments of this step 706 are detailed below in connection with FIGS. 8 and 9.

  Then, in a step 707, the mechanism establishes a connection between the chosen source device (in step 706) and a receiving device (for example the television connected to the local node in the case of a display function, or else a hard disk in the case of a recording function).

  If necessary, during a step 708 before the end step 709, the mechanism sends the appropriate infrared commands to the selected source device, in order to configure it to receive and redistribute on the network the given channel or content ( for example, sending ON commands (ON and Channel number) If necessary, depending on the actions to be performed, the mechanism sends commands to the receiving device (for example the RECORD command in case of recording on a hard disc).

  A first detailed embodiment of step 706 of FIG. 7 (selection of a source device) is now presented in connection with FIG.

  In a step 801, for the selected channel (directly or via the selection of a content), the mechanism selects a source device, hereinafter referred to as the current source device, in the list of source devices associated with the channel or content selected by the 'user.

  In a step 802, the mechanism detects whether the current source device is already involved in a connection by consulting, for example, a table representing current connections.

  In the case of negative detection, this means that the current source device is available and is therefore chosen to broadcast the channel or content selected by the user (step 807 preceding the end step 808).

  In case of positive detection, the mechanism detects in step 803 whether the current source device broadcasts the channel or content selected by the user.

  If this is the case, the current source device can be shared between the different users and is therefore chosen to broadcast the channel or content selected by the user (step 807 preceding the end step 808).

  If the current source device does not broadcast the channel or content selected by the user, it is determined in a step 804 if all the source devices of the list have already been analyzed. If all the source devices in the list have not already been scanned, the next source device is selected from the list of associated source devices (step 805) and then returns to step 802. If all source devices in the list have already been analyzed, an error message is displayed in a step 806 (before going to the end step 808) to the user, informing him that there is no source device available to provide the channel or content he has selected.

  A second detailed embodiment of step 706 of FIG. 7 (selection of a source device) is now presented in connection with FIG.

  This second embodiment can be implemented either in the place of the first embodiment described above (see FIG. 8), or after the first embodiment has been implemented without the availability of an available source device. could be chosen.

  Steps 901, 902, 903, 907, 908, 909, 910 and 911 are identical to steps 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807 and 808 of FIG. 8, and are therefore not described again.

  Only the steps 904, 905 and 906 which differentiate the second embodiment from the first are described below.

  If the current source device is already involved in a connection with a receiver but broadcasts another channel, distinct from the channel selected by the user (negative detection in step 903), it is detected in a step 904 whether another source device is able to provide this other channel currently broadcast by the current source device.

  In the case of negative detection in step 904, step 907 (identical to step 804 of FIG. 7) is carried out, in order to analyze the next source device of the list (if they do not have all have already been analyzed).

  In case of positive detection in step 904, step 905 in which the mechanism detects whether the connection in which the current source device is involved can be interrupted (for example, this is not the case). if this connection is for a record) and if the other source device is available.

  In case of negative detection in step 905, proceed to step 907.

  In case of positive detection at step 905, step 906 in which the current source device is released is replaced by replacing the current connection involving the current source device with a new connection involving the other source device (and a receiver device to which the current source device was previously connected), to provide the other channel (previously broadcast by the current source device).

  Thus, the current source device is now available and is therefore chosen to broadcast the channel or content selected by the user (step 910, identical to step 807 of Figure 7).

  In summary, the variant of Figure 9 is to analyze whether a user who is already watching a content can be switched to another source device that broadcasts or can broadcast the same content, to release the source device that another user needs. For example, one places oneself in the case where a decoder A is capable of broadcasting the CNN and Eurosport channels, and a decoder B is capable of broadcasting the CNN channel. If a first user wants to watch the CNN channel, the mechanism of the invention will connect to the decoder A the TV in front of which is the first user. If a second user then wants to watch the Eurosport channel, the mechanism of the invention detects that the only decoder capable of providing the Eurosport channel is the decoder A but that it is not available. In this case, the mechanism of the invention detects whether the decoder B is available. If so, it switches the first user (actually the TV in front of which it is) from the decoder A to the decoder B, so that the first user continues to watch the CNN channel. Thus, the decoder A is made available. Then, we connect the second user (actually the TV in front of which it is) to the decoder A, so that the second user can watch the channel Eurosport.

Claims (24)

  A method for managing a global electronic program guide within a communication network comprising at least one source device, each source device for providing at least one channel carrying at least one content, characterized in that comprises the steps of: - generating, and displaying on a display, (702) a global electronic program guide indicating available channels on the network; - selection (703) of a channel by the user, among the channels indicated by the global electronic program guide; obtaining (704) a source device list capable of providing said channel in the network; selecting (706) an available source device for providing the selected channel from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel; establishing (707) a connection between the selected source device and a receiving device.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of obtaining a list of source devices capable of supplying said channel in the network is a step of reading at least one table (601, 602, 603 ) stored in the network and associating with each available channel on the network (601) a source device list capable of providing said channel (603).   3. Method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said global electronic program guide further indicates, for each channel indicated, at least one content conveyed by said channel filled, and in that the step The user's selection of a channel consists of: either a direct selection of one of the channels displayed by the global electronic program guide; or in an indirect selection of an informed channel, by selecting a content conveyed by said indicated channel, from contents indicated by the global electronic program guide.   4. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the generation of said at least one table stored in the network comprises the following steps: interrogation (301) of at least one source device of the network, so that said source device returns in response information managed by an electronic program guide specific to it or a list of channels it can provide; filling (302) said table with what each source device interrogated returned in response.   5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the generation of said at least one table stored in the network further comprises a step (301) of access to information providing means, not included in a source device , so as to obtain information relating to at least one channel and / or to at least one content conveyed by said at least one channel.   6. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, for at least one given source device capable of supplying a given channel, said table furthermore associates with the given channel at least one control information relating to the how to control said given source device to access said given channel, and that, if said selected source device is said given source device, said step (707) of establishing a connection between the selected source device and a receiving device is followed by a control step (708) of said selected source device, based on said at least one control information.   7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one control information is a control signal specific to said given source device and which has been previously recorded during a learning phase (506) by the network associating a function to this control signal.   8. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the generation of said at least one table stored in the network comprises a step (505) for informing a part of said table by said user or a user. another user, to add to said table at least one element belonging to the group comprising: channels, contents, source devices, channel information, content information, control information of the source devices and control signals of the source devices.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said step (706) of selecting a source device available to provide the selected channel comprises the following steps: a) selecting (801) a source device of the source device list associated with the selected channel; b) first detection (802) to determine if the selected source device is involved in a connection; c) in the case of a first negative detection, the selected source device becomes the selected source device (807), if not the second detection (803) to determine whether the selected source device is providing the selected channel; d) in the case of a second positive detection, the selected source device becomes the selected source device (807), otherwise selecting (805) a next source device from the source device list associated with the selected channel and returning to step b ).   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said step (706) of selecting a source device available to provide the selected channel comprises the following steps: third detection (903) to determine whether a given source device from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel is involved in a first connection but is providing another channel distinct from said selected channel; in the case of a third positive detection, fourth detection (904) for determining whether said other channel currently being supplied by said given source device can also be provided by another available source device; in the case of a fourth positive detection: releasing (906) said given source device by replacing said first connection implying said given source device with a second connection involving said other source device, to provide said other channel; the given source device becomes the chosen source device (910).   11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein if no source device can be selected from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel, said step of choosing an available source device comprises a step (806; 909) sending an error message to the user.   12. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is implemented in a node of a backbone network comprising a plurality of nodes (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d) for interconnecting devices, including the source devices, the display device and the receiver device.   13. Computer program product downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a computer readable medium and / or executable by a processor characterized in that it comprises program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the Method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, when said program is executed on a computer.   14. Storage medium, possibly totally or partially removable, readable by a computer, storing a set of instructions executable by said computer to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.   15. Device for managing a global electronic program guide within a communication network comprising at least one source device, each source device for providing at least one channel carrying at least one content, characterized in that comprises: - means for generating, and displaying on a display device, a global electronic program guide indicating available channels on the network; means for selection of a channel by the user, among the channels indicated by the global electronic program guide; means for obtaining a list of source devices capable of supplying said channel in the network; means for selecting an available source device for providing the selected channel from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel; means for establishing a connection between the chosen source device and a receiver device.   16. Management device according to claim 15, characterized in that the means for obtaining a list of source devices capable of supplying said channel in the network comprise means for reading at least one table stored in the network and associating with each available channel on the network a list of source devices capable of providing said channel.   17. Management device according to any one of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that said global electronic program guide further indicates, for each channel indicated, at least one content conveyed by said channel indicated, and in that the means for selecting a channel by the user belong to the group comprising: means for direct selection of one of the channels displayed by the global electronic program guide; means for indirectly selecting an informed channel, by selecting a content conveyed by said indicated channel, from contents indicated by the global electronic program guide.   18. Management device according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises means for generating said at least one table stored in the network, comprising themselves: means for interrogating at least one source device network, so that said source device returns in response information managed by an electronic program guide specific to it or a list of channels it can provide; means for filling said table with what each interrogated source device has returned in response.   19. Management device according to claim 18, characterized in that the means for generating said at least one table stored in the network further comprises means for accessing information providing means, not included in a device. source, so as to obtain information relating to at least one channel and / or to at least one content conveyed by said at least one channel.   20. Management device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that, for at least one given source device capable of providing a given channel, said table furthermore associates with the given channel at least one relative control information the manner of controlling said given source device to access said given channel, and that, if said selected source device is said given source device, the management device further comprises means for controlling said selected source device, as a function of said at least one control information.   21. Management device according to claim 20, characterized in that said at least one control information is a control signal specific to said given source device and which was previously recorded during a learning phase by the network associating a function to this control signal.   22. Management device according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the means for generating said at least one table stored in the network comprises means for informing a part of said table by said user or another user, to add to said table at least one member belonging to the group comprising: channels, contents, source devices, channel information, content information, device control information source and control signals of the source devices.   23. Management device according to any one of claims 14 to 22, characterized in that the means for choosing an available source device comprises means for sending an error message to the user, enabled if no source device can be selected from the list of source devices associated with the selected channel.   24. Management device according to any one of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that it is included in a node (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d) of a backbone network comprising a plurality of nodes for interconnecting devices, including the source devices, the display device and the receiver device.