FR3117716A1 - Process for managing the rendering of content by a rendering device. - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for managing communication between a control device and a reading terminal The invention relates to a method for managing the restitution of content by an assembly (SYS) comprising a reading device (STB) connected to a restitution device (TV) via a communication link, the assembly offering several sound levels for the restitution of the content, characterized in that it comprises the following steps a step of transmitting a main multimedia content from the reading to the restitution device to be restored there; a step of obtaining, during the restitution, data representative of a modification of a sound level chosen for the restitution, a step of comparing the chosen sound level with a given sound level, according to the result of the comparison step, a step of transmission or not of a secondary content from the reading device to the restitution device to be restored there. Figure 1.

Description

Process for managing the rendering of content by a rendering device.

The invention relates to a method for managing the restitution of content by a restitution device.

The rendering device is aimed at a device capable of rendering multimedia content originating from a playback device. Such a reproduction device is for example a television.

The reading device aims at a device capable of accessing multimedia content locally or via a communication network. The reading device is in our embodiment a decoder.

It often happens that a playback device such as a decoder requires the rendering of content on an external rendering device. The reading device and the rendering device can be controlled via separate control devices. However, a change in the operating state of the reading device or of the rendering device can have an impact on the rendering of the content. For example, the sound of a multimedia content being rendered may be cut off due to a sound cut on the rendering device. If multiple users are viewing the content at that time, the soundless playback of the content may not be suitable for all people.

The invention improves the situation.

To this end, the invention relates to a method for managing the restitution of content by an assembly comprising a playback device connected to a restitution device via a communication link, the assembly offering several sound levels for the restitution of the content, characterized in that it comprises the following steps

a step of transmitting a main multimedia content from the reading device to the rendering device to be restored there;

a step of obtaining, during the restitution, data representative of a sound level chosen for the restitution,

a step of comparing the selected sound level with a given sound level,

depending on the result of the comparison step, a step of transmitting or not secondary content from the reading device to the rendering device to be restored there

The invention takes into account the sound level managed by the playback device and/or the playback device to decide whether or not to transmit secondary content to the playback device. For example, if the sound is muted, the playback device requests the display of the secondary content on the rendering device. A user viewing the content in progress can thus continue reading despite the sound being muted, thanks to the secondary content which will be illustrated in our example by data of the audio description type, subtitles, etc.

According to a first particular mode of implementation of the invention, the step of obtaining aims at obtaining data representative of a modification of the sound level in progress on the restitution device; The step of transmitting secondary content to the playback device to be played back there is performed when the sound level on the playback device reaches a given sound level, for example when the sound level on the playback device is in below a threshold sound level. Thanks to this first mode, the secondary content supplements the reproduction of the main content or even replaces the sound when the latter is cut. The secondary content will correspond in the following to subtitles, descriptive audio data.

The playback and playback devices can manage the sound level independently of each other. For example, separate control devices control the devices respectively. According to a second embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous one, the data representative of a modification of the sound level in progress on the playback device is not taken into account if the sound level managed by the reading device is below a threshold. For example, if the sound managed by the playback device is muted, the playback device transmits the secondary content to the playback device regardless of the sound level used on the playback device. In this second mode,

According to a third embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the preceding ones, the playback device ceases to transmit the secondary content when the overall sound level is above a level sound threshold. This third mode makes it possible to stop the reproduction of the secondary content when the sound reaches a sufficient level.

According to a material aspect, the invention relates to an entity for managing the restitution of content by an assembly comprising a playback device connected to a restitution device via a communication link, the assembly offering several sound levels for the restitution of the content, characterized in that it comprises

A transmission module able to transmit a main multimedia content from the playback device to the restitution device to be restored there;

A module for obtaining capable of obtaining, during the restitution, data representative of a modification of a sound level chosen for the restitution;

A comparison module capable of comparing the chosen sound level with a given sound level;

A transmission module able to transmit or not, depending on the result of the comparison step, a secondary content from the reading device to the restitution device to be restored there.

According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a computer program capable of being implemented in a management entity as defined above, said program comprising code instructions which, when the program is executed, performs the step defined in the method defined above.

According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a recording medium readable by a data processor on which is recorded a program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method defined above.

Details here that the data carrier can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or even a magnetic recording means, or a hard disk. On the other hand, the information medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network. Alternatively, the information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

There represents a computer system on which an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

There is a schematic view of the circuits present in the reader terminal.

There is a schematic view of the steps implemented according to a first embodiment of the invention.

There is a schematic view of the steps implemented according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of an embodiment illustrating the invention:

There represents a system SYS comprises an assembly including a playback device STB connected to a TV playback device.

In our example, the playback device STB is a decoder and the playback device is a television or a simple screen, etc.

A control device, for example a remote control TCD1, referred to as the first remote control in the following, able to control the reading terminal STB. This control device can control a sound level of restitution of a content, the sound level being selected from within a sound level range offered by the playback device.

In our example, the first remote control TCD1 is capable of controlling the decoder STB directly without an intermediary. For this, the first remote control TCD1 communicates with the decoder STB via a short-range type network RES such as for example a Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, etc. connection. The first remote control TCD1 and the decoder STB are equipped with respective communication modules.

It will be seen below that, according to a particular embodiment, the playback device is controlled via a second control device TCD2. In this configuration, the two devices are managed independently of each other; in particular, each device individually manages the sound level of reproduction.

The TCD1/TCD2 control devices can either be integrated into the device with which they are associated, or located remotely in the case of a remote control. In our example, the second control device TCD2 is similar to the first remote control TCD1; this second remote control TCD2 communicates with the TV restitution device via a communication link RES2.

The content intended to be read by the reading terminal STB and restored by the TV rendering device can be stored in a memory of the reading terminal STB or on a data medium such as a DVD inserted in the reading terminal.

The content can also be stored in a remote device connected to the reading terminal STB for example via a communication network such as the Internet network. In this configuration, the reading terminal STB accesses the requested content via the Internet network, for example via a home gateway (not shown in the figures). The GTW gateway is typically a Livebox® type home gateway. In our example, the content is multimedia content such as a TV channel, video on demand (VOD), etc.

The connection between the STB decoder and the TV set is arbitrary; for example the connection between the decoder and the television is an HDMI cable an ETHERNET cable or any other equivalent cable.

The connection between the STB decoder and the gateway is also arbitrary. Generally the connection used is an Ethernet connection or a Wi-Fi network.

In relation to the , we now consider the simplified structure of the STB decoder according to an embodiment of the invention. Such an STB decoder is suitable for implementing the content restitution management method on the TV restitution device.

The STB decoder includes a processing circuit for implementing the method for managing the restitution of content according to different embodiments of the invention. The processing circuit comprises a processor CPU controlled by a management entity MNG, in our example a computer program, stored in a read only memory MEM. The MNG entity is capable of implementing the process for managing the restitution of multimedia content. The read-only memory is for example a memory of the ROM (Read Only Memory) or Flash type.

On initialization, the code instructions of the computer program are for example loaded into a RAM memory, referenced MR, before being executed by the processor CPU.

The STB decoder mainly includes:

- A communication interface COM1 which is suitable for transmitting content intended for the TV reproduction device to be reproduced there;

- a communication interface COM2 which is suitable for exchanging data with a remote server so as to receive multimedia content, namely, depending on the use case, television channels and/or videos and/or online games, etc. . ;

- A communication interface COM3 which is adapted to receive commands from the first remote control TCD1;

The communication interfaces COM1, COM2, and COM3 as well as the management entity MNG are controlled by the processor CPU of the processing circuit.

As indicated previously, the assembly comprising the STB decoder and the TV reproduction device offers several sound levels for the reproduction of content from the STB decoder.

The invention comprises the following steps

a step of transmitting a main multimedia content to the rendering device to be restored there;

a step of obtaining, during the restitution, data representative of the sound level chosen for the restitution,

a step of comparing the chosen sound level with a given sound level, and a step of transmitting secondary content to the playback device to be played there according to the result of the comparison step.

More precisely, the invention proposes to compare the current sound level used by the assembly (reading device and restitution device) with a given sound level. Depending on the result, the MNG entity requests the transmission from the decoder STB to the TV reproduction device of a secondary content supplementing the main content. Secondary content is, for example, audio description content or subtitles. This secondary content completes, for example, the main content or replaces the sound when, for example, the latter is cut off.

In our example, the sound on the STB decoder and on the TV restitution device can be controlled via the respective remote controls TCD1/TCD2. In this configuration, the STB decoder and the TV reproduction device manage the sound level independently of each other. For example, if the current sound level is NV1 and the TV rendering device increases the sound, the level NV1 is increased to a higher level N2; then, if the decoder decreases the sound, the level N2 decreases to a lower value N3.

According to one embodiment, the obtaining step described above aims to obtain data representative of a modification of the sound level in progress on the reproduction device TV reproduction device. In addition, the step of transmitting secondary content to the playback device to be played back there is performed when the sound level on the TV playback device playback device reaches a given sound level.

For this, the MNG entity performs a comparison between the current sound level and the given sound level, and according to the result of the comparison, the MNG entity transmits secondary content to the TV reproduction device to be reproduced there.

There illustrates an embodiment of the method of the invention. In this mode, the sound is muted on the TV rendering device during the rendering of CNT content.

On this , it is considered that the TV rendering device is in the process of rendering a first multimedia content, for example a video. In our example, the content is split into segments SEG1-SEGn. The decoder STB transmits the segments one after the other during a first step ET11.

Following reception of the second segment SEG2, during a second step ET12, the user requests the sound to be muted on the TV reproduction device with the second remote control TCD2.

During a third step ET13, during the restitution of the content, the MNG entity detects that the volume is muted. In this case, the sound level NV is zero (NV=0) in the TV restitution device.

During a fourth step ET14, the MNG entity compares the level detected during the third step with a given level and requests; depending on the result of the comparison, the MNG entity requests a reproduction of additional secondary content, namely an audio description content and/or subtitles on the TV reproduction device. The secondary content completes, for example, the rendered image and thus allows the playback of the content to continue despite the sound being cut off.

In our example, during a fifth step ET15, the entity requests the decoder STB to transmit the following segments, namely SEG3/SEG4/etc. as well as secondary content ADD3/ADD4/etc. respective.

At this stage, a user can continue reading thanks to the secondary content, for example subtitles, despite the muted sound.

The invention is not limited to a sound cut as a triggering event for the restitution of secondary content. According to a second embodiment, a triggering event can also be the passage of the current sound level below a threshold sound level. In this configuration, during the fourth step ET4, the entity MNG compares the current sound level with a threshold sound level; if the current level crosses the threshold level, the steps described above are implemented.

According to a third mode of implementation, when the two remote controls, namely the first remote control TCD1 and the second remote control TCD2, can act on the sound level of the content being played back, the management entity MNG can act other than in the previous modes. For example, the sound can be muted either at the level of the STB decoder or at the level of the restitution device TV restitution device. In general, in such a configuration, when a first device mutes the sound, a request to change the sound level on the second device has no effect on the sound level in the second device. In this configuration, when the sound is muted at the level of the decoder STB, the manager entity MNG does not take into account the data representative of the sound level chosen for the reproduction on the TV reproduction device. Once the sound has been cut on the STB decoder, the entity automatically requests, without waiting for the data from the TV playback device, a display of secondary content on the TV playback device.

This third mode is illustrated on the .

On this , just like on the , it is considered that initially the TV rendering device is in the process of rendering a first multimedia content, for example a video. In our example, the first content is split into segments SEG1-SEGn. The decoder STB transmits the segments one after the other during a first step ET1.

Following reception of the second segment SEG2, during a second step ET22, the user requests the sound to be muted on the decoder STB with the first remote control TCD1.

During a third step ET23, the entity MNG detects that the volume is muted at the calf of the decoder STB. Following detection, during a fourth step ET24, the MNG entity requests the STB decoder to transmit the following segments, namely SEG3/SEG4/etc. as well as secondary content ADD3/ADD4/etc. respective.

At this stage, a user can continue reading thanks to the secondary content, for example thanks to the subtitles, despite the sound being cut off.

Sound level detection in the TV reproduction device in the modes described above can be achieved in several ways. For example, if the connection is an HDMI connection, the STB decoder may receive a message defined in the HDMI CEC protocol; such a message is for example the message “giveAudioStatus” – message Id 71 of the HDMI CEC standard or the message “reportAudioStatus” message Id 7A of the same standard.

Finally, let us point out here that, in this text, the term "module" or "entity" can correspond both to a software component and to a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components, a software component itself corresponding to one or more computer programs or sub-programs or more generally to any element of a program capable of implementing a function or a set of functions as described for the modules concerned. In the same way, a hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware (or hardware) assembly capable of implementing a function or a set of functions for the module concerned (integrated circuit, smart card, memory card, etc. .). The term “module” particularly corresponds to a processor and a memory which stores code instructions which configure the processor to carry out the method described above.

Claims (8)

Method for managing the restitution of a content by an assembly comprising a playback device (STB) connected to a restitution device (TV) via a communication link, the assembly offering several sound levels for the restitution of the content, characterized in that it includes the following steps
a step of transmitting (ET11) a main multimedia content from the reading device to the rendering device to be restored there;
a step of obtaining (ET13), during the restitution, data representative of a modification of a sound level chosen for the restitution,
a step of comparing (ET14) the selected sound level with a given sound level,
depending on the result of the comparison step, a step of transmitting (ET15) or not secondary content from the reading device to the rendering device to be restored there. Management method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the step of obtaining aims at obtaining data representative of a modification of the sound level in progress on the playback device, and in that the step of transmitting (ET15) of a secondary content intended for the playback device to be played back there is carried out when the sound level on the playback device reaches a given sound level. Management method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reading and restitution devices manage the sound level independently of each other, and in that the data representing a modification of the current sound level on the playback device is not taken into account if the sound level managed by the playback device is below a threshold. Management method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the playback device ceases to transmit the secondary content when the overall sound level is above a threshold sound level. Management entity (MNG) for the restitution of content by an assembly comprising a playback device connected to a restitution device via a communication link, the assembly offering several sound levels for the restitution of the content, characterized in that 'He understands
A transmission module able to transmit a main multimedia content from the playback device to the restitution device to be restored there;
A module for obtaining capable of obtaining, during the restitution, data representative of a modification of a sound level chosen for the restitution,
A comparison module capable of comparing the chosen sound level with a given sound level,
A transmission module able to transmit or not, depending on the result of the comparison step, a secondary content from the reading device to the restitution device to be restored there. Reading device (STB) characterized in that it comprises a management entity (MNG) as defined in claim 5. A computer program capable of being implemented in a management entity as defined in claim 5, said program comprising code instructions which, when the program is executed, performs the step defined in claim 1. Recording medium readable by a data processor on which is recorded a program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method defined in one of claims 1 to 4.