JP2009521156A - Method and apparatus for distributing digital content - Google Patents

Abstract

  The method of the present invention comprises injecting digital content into a data distribution network in the form of a packet data flow according to an IP type protocol, and at least a first and a second data flow from a first and a second digital content source, respectively. A connection function for receiving one and injecting one of the received data flows into the network, the method including a first data flow received from a first digital source within the connection function. (1) injecting into the network, (2) subsequently stopping injection of the first data flow, (3) injecting the second data flow received from the second source into the network; According to alternative criteria, (2) stop injecting the second data flow, and (1) A step of injecting, further comprising.

Description

  The present invention relates to the distribution of data streams within a packet distribution network, and more particularly to the replacement of specific data streams with other data streams, in particular conditions.

  Some types of telecommunications networks, in particular, digital content corresponding to audiovisual content, such as video or even television channel programs, continuously from a digital content source to at least one terminal in the network. May be used to send.

  Thus, networks that provide “video on demand” (VOD) services that allow subscribers to request a determined video and receive the video on a network terminal are known. Such video is then continuously transmitted from the digital content source to the terminal in the form of a data stream via a telecommunications network.

  In certain networks, the digital content corresponding to a television channel program is a broadcast. In such a network, a terminal that has selected a given channel receives a data stream corresponding to the program on the selected television channel.

  Telecommunications networks that have such subscribers with such service offerings (TeleVision TV and Video on Demand VOD) can be composed of distribution networks based on IP (Internet Protocol) type protocols. In this case, the television channels can be delivered to the subscribers via their telephone lines, in particular by using the ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) protocol.

  In these digital content distribution networks, when an interruption occurs in the distribution of the data stream from the digital content source to the network terminal, the terminal may display a black screen or at least a solid screen. Then, the quality of service provided to the subscriber deteriorates.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome these problems.

  A first configuration of the present invention is a method of distributing digital content in the form of a data stream in a packet data distribution network according to an IP (Internet Protocol) type protocol, and the connection function includes at least first and second digital content, respectively. It is adapted to receive first and second data streams from a source and inject one of the received data streams into the network.

  The method comprises the following steps within the connection function.

/ A / injecting the first data stream received from the first digital content source into the network;
Stopping injection of the first data stream according to a / b / replacement criterion and injecting the second data stream received from a second source into the network;
/ C / Stop injecting the second data stream according to the replacement criteria and reinjecting the first data stream into the network.

  Thanks to these configurations, the distribution of digital content in the form of a continuous data stream can be flexibly managed by the network. Preferably, such distribution does not require specific manipulation on the terminal or even any mediation on the content source. In practice, on the basis of replacement criteria, which may be of various types, for example, on the connection function, an instruction is given to replace or not replace the data stream which may be a television program selected by the subscriber. This management flexibility can improve the quality of digital content distribution services over IP-type networks provided to subscribers, such as television broadcast services.

  The connection function collects the data streams and, in particular, processes them by replacing addresses in the received stream's packets, as described below, as well as fully processed streams. Preferably, it can be injected into the distribution network. Such a function may be located anywhere within the network of interest.

  The replacement criterion may comprise a characteristic value for the first and / or received second data stream. In this case, for example, it is possible to detect the reception bit rate of the digital stream and replace the distributed data stream so as to avoid poor reception of this stream on the subscriber terminal. These replacement criteria may comprise time information in addition to or without criteria for the data stream.

  When the characteristic value relating to the first and / or second data stream comprises first and second bit rate thresholds, the connection function is, for example, the first data received on the connection function. When the bit rate of the stream is smaller than the first bit rate threshold, the second stream is injected at step / b /, and the bit rate of the first data stream is lower than the second bit rate threshold. When large, the connection function may reinject the first data stream at step / c /.

  The method includes providing the connection function with a first value indicating a bit rate of the first data stream being received on the connection function and / or the second data stream being received on the connection function. A management function for supplying a second value indicating the bit rate may be provided.

  When the connection function includes a clock, the time information may indicate first and second clock thresholds. Then, when the clock of the connection function indicates a value corresponding to the first clock threshold, the connection function may command injection of the second data stream at step / b / When the function clock indicates a value corresponding to the second clock threshold, the connection function may command reinjection of the first data stream at step / c /.

  When the second source sends a plurality of second data streams to the connection function, stage / b / then selects a second data stream to be injected from the plurality of received second data streams There may be stages.

  This step of selecting a second data stream may comprise receiving characteristic values of the various second data streams on the connection function and / or respective thematic characteristics of the received digital content of the second data stream. It may be based on a comparison between the value and the subject characteristic value of the digital content of the first data stream to be replaced.

  When the connection function receives and injects a plurality of first data streams, the method, if the connection function commands to stop injecting several first data streams, step / b In order to replace the plurality of first data streams, a data stream duplicating function for duplicating the received second data stream may be further provided.

  Each of the first data stream and the second data stream is injected into the distribution network by the connection function, and then by using an xDSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) type protocol, the access network of the receiving terminal It may be distributed on a segment.

The second configuration of the present invention is:
Receiving at least one first digital content in the form of a first data stream from a first digital content source and at least one second digital content in the form of a second data stream from a second digital content source, respectively. A first receiving interface, a second receiving interface, respectively adapted to
A transmission interface adapted to inject the first or the second data stream respectively received from the first and second sources into the distribution network; and when the transmission interface injects the first data stream To stop injecting the first data stream into the network and injecting the second data stream received from the second source into the network according to replacement criteria. The decision unit to be adapted,
An apparatus for distributing a data stream in a packet data distribution network according to an IP (Internet Protocol) type protocol comprising:

The third configuration of the present invention is:
-A first digital content source;
-A second digital content source,
Receiving at least one first digital content in the form of a first data stream from a first digital content source and at least one second digital content in the form of a second data stream from a second digital content source, respectively. A first receiving interface, a second receiving interface, and a transmitting interface adapted to inject the first or the second data stream received from the first and second sources, respectively, into the distribution network. And when the transmission interface injects the first data stream, according to replacement criteria, the injection of the first data stream into the network is stopped, and the second data stream received from the second source Injection into the network , Dispensing anda determining unit, adapted to instruct the,
A system for distributing data streams in a packet data distribution network according to an IP type protocol comprising:

  The fourth configuration of the present invention proposes a computer program for a distribution device. The program comprises instructions that, when executed by the processing means of the distribution device, make it possible to carry out the method according to the first configuration of the invention.

  Other configurations, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading one description of that embodiment.

  The invention will also be better understood from the following description of various embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings.

  The present invention is described below in application to a system in which digital content is transmitted based on an xDSL type protocol. This description is not exclusive, and it is within packet data distribution networks, such as other types of telecommunications networks, especially networks based on IP protocols suitable for transmitting digital content within the network. It should be noted that it can be applied concisely and effectively.

  The present invention monitors the distribution of digital content in a network based on an IP type protocol and, if necessary, preferably on the receiver of digital content without requiring any specific procedures on the receiving terminal. In order to improve the quality of service, it is possible to replace the transmitted digital content. For various reasons, for example, in the event of a technical incident or cancellation or interruption of digital content distribution, the digital content may not be delivered accurately to receivers in the network. In such a case, another replacement digital content is then sent to the receiver to replace the failed digital content distribution in order to avoid the receiver displaying a black screen or a solid screen. Preferably it is transmitted.

  Such digital content replacement is also preferably arranged in a programmed manner. Such may be the case, for example, within the broadcast environment of national and regional television channels. In practice, a regional replacement for a national television program may be scheduled at a particular time, i.e., a regional program may be transmitted instead of the national program on a television channel selected by the subscriber. . The regional programs and the national programs are usually transmitted by different digital content sources.

  Thus, the method according to one embodiment of the present invention allows the distribution of distributed digital content to be automatically replaced with another digital content based on specific replacement criteria.

  However, it should be noted that the replacement of the data stream according to the present invention may also be performed manually by the operator.

  In the environment of the present invention, digital content distribution may correspond to distribution of data streams within a terminal or network intended for “unicast” distribution. In this case, the digital content is usually transmitted to the receiving terminal at the request of this terminal, as is the case with “video on demand” (VOD) type services. In this environment, the distribution may also be implemented in the form of a tree structure distribution, or a “group broadcast” distribution. In the following, the present invention will be illustrated and described on an IP type protocol and hence its application to the distribution of television programs within a “group broadcast” distribution environment.

  For the sake of brevity, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a network according to the present invention with a first source of nominal digital content corresponding to a television program that can be selected by various terminals on the network, and several In the case of a simple arrangement comprising a second source of digital content, which is preferably capable of replacing the data stream of a currently distributed television program. These digital content sources are adapted to transmit the digital content in the form of a continuous data stream. The first digital content source may be a conventional device that broadcasts a television program in a network.

  1A and 1B illustrate a distribution network 100 based on an IP type protocol, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The data flow connection function 106 is adapted to receive data streams from the digital content sources 103 and 104 and inject one of the received data streams into the network 100.

  In one embodiment of the invention, the connection function 106 injects at least one data stream into the network 100 and first and second input ports P1 and P2 that receive data streams from two sources 103 and 104, respectively. And an output port P3. The present invention defends all network architectures that support the method according to the embodiment. In this way, the connection function 106 may be concentrated on a single device, or may be a function on various network devices divided within the network 100.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the first source 103 continuously transmits N television programs labeled TV1, i, where i is between 1 and N. In the N programs, each program TV 1, i can be identified by a set of IP addresses on the network 120 having two sources 103 and 104 and a connection function 106. Such a set of addresses, on the other hand, comprises a source IP address and a destination IP address corresponding to the address of the source sending the program TV1, i, marked @ S1i. In a television program broadcasting environment, the latter destination address may be an IP group address, a multiple broadcast address, or a “group broadcast” address, and is marked as @ G1i. Thus, the set of addresses defining the television program TV1, i can therefore be expressed in the following format (@ S1i, @ G1i).

  Then, based on the address mapping or addressing plan, the connection function 106 can transmit the various television programs received at port P1 in the form of respective distribution channels Ci in the network 100 intended for the network component 112. Adapted to inject. Each of these channels Ci preferably relates to a predetermined television program TV1, i. The network element 112 may be a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM). A single network component 112 is represented in FIGS. 1A and 1B for simplicity of explanation. However, the network 100 typically comprises a number of network components 112 through which television programs TV1, i can be transmitted, and a number of intermediate components upstream of the network components 112, such as routers. It should be noted that.

  The distribution channel Ci of the television program TV1, i may be defined in the network 100 by a source address @Si and a destination address @Gi, which is the data stream of the distribution device that implements the connection function 106 While corresponding to the distribution source of TV1, i, the destination address @Gi corresponds to the broadcast group broadcast address for the television program TV1, i.

  Therefore, the connection function 106 receives several data streams, each corresponding to the television program TV1, i, from the first source 103 on the port P1. The data packet of the stream related to the program TV1 has a destination address @ G1i and a source address @ S1i. Based on the addressing plan, this function 106 can use the received various data streams to convert the source address @ S1i to the source address @Si and the destination address @ G1i to the destination address @ Orientation by replacing with Gi.

  The data stream is then transmitted in the network 100 from port P3 of the distribution device that implements the connection function. In this way, the received data stream is injected into the distribution network 100. For example, the network component 112 receives a data stream corresponding to the programs TV1,1 on the channel C1 and a data stream corresponding to the programs TV1,2 on the channel C2. Terminals or “set top boxes” 101 and 102 that are in operation and have selected programs TV 1, 2 receive the selected programs TV 1, 2 on channel C 2. The terminal 111 that has selected the program TV1,1 receives this program on the channel C1. The switched off terminal 110 preferably does not receive any data stream.

  The connection function 106 can therefore receive a plurality of television programs on the port P1 from the first source 103 and manage a plurality of respective channels Ci according to an addressing plan, wherein each channel Ci It is adapted to be injected into a data stream corresponding to each selected television program TV1, i.

  1A and 1B illustrate a first variant of the invention in which the data stream connection function 106 cooperates with the management unit 105. This management unit provides information, on the basis of which the connection function can command the replacement of the currently distributed data stream with another data stream. This unit 105 can preferably be adapted to monitor at least the data stream reception bit rate on the first port P1. In this way, the connection function 106 may decide to replace the currently distributed data stream with another data stream based on a replacement criterion regarding the reception bit rate of the currently distributed data stream.

  The data stream reception bit rate threshold may be considered as a criterion for replacing the transmitted data stream. The management unit 105 monitors and normally measures the bit rate of traffic associated with each said data stream received at least on port P1, and preferably on both ports P1 and P2.

  When the management unit 105 detects that the bit rate has dropped below the first threshold for a given stream or given program on port P1, it notifies the connection function 106 accordingly. To do. The latter may then trigger a mechanism that replaces the currently broadcast program with digital content received from the second source 104. Such a replacement criterion may particularly take into account the fact that the measured bit rate on port P1 is smaller than the bit rate threshold during a given time slot. For example, a bit rate threshold of 100 kbit / s and a measurement time of 5 seconds may trigger replacement of programs received under such conditions.

  Receiving bit rate drops are related to technical distribution problems that occur upstream of the distribution network, particularly those that occur in the generation of content associated with live shooting at outdoor locations, such as tennis courts, for example. Yes.

  Under such conditions, the connection function 106 selects replacement digital content received from the second source 104 when, for example, determining and instructing replacement of the distribution of the data streams of the programs TV 1, 2. Once digital content is selected from the data stream received on port P2, the connection function is used to inject the selected digital content into channel C2 instead of the programs TV1 and TV2 in particular. Then, reception of data related to the programs TV1 and TV2 may be ignored.

  FIG. 1B illustrates the case of replacing a data stream received from the first source while being broadcast on the network 100. In FIG. 1A, the data stream received on P1 is routed to port P3 as indicated by arrow 121, while in FIG. 1B, arrow 122 indicates that the second data stream is ported from port P2. Instructs P3 to be routed. Said second source corresponds to a network element adapted to transmit at least one digital content in the form of at least one continuous stream of data Fj. Such a component may be a data stream server such as used in a video on demand (VOD) service environment. It can also correspond to components adapted for broadcasting television programs, such as components used in the first source 103.

  Hereinafter, the second source 104 corresponds to a data streaming server, or “streaming” server. However, it is easy to derive from this an application that implements the second source 104 in the form of components similar to that of the first source 103 and is adapted to a broadcast television program.

  The various data streams Fj sent by the server 104 to the device performing the connection function 106 may be defined, for example, by a source address @ S2j and N group addresses @ G2j. Note that if the source 104 is a network element similar to that of the first source 103, the destination address is a group broadcast group address.

  Thus, when the management function 106 operates in connection with the nominal mode program TVi, i.e. when the program TVi is injected into the network 100 on the channel Ci, the data stream received on the port P2 ( stream) or streams are ignored. Obviously, if the connection function manages the replacement of another program, eg program TV1, k, it does not ignore the data stream received from the second source. In practice, in this case, it is preferable to replace the program TV1, k with one of the data streams received from this second source.

  If the connection function 106 selects a data stream from the stream received on port P2 and then processes it in a replacement mode for program TV1, i, it will process the data stream of program TV1, i on port P1. Ignore and process packets received in the stream selected on port P2. In this way, the packet of the data stream selected on port P2 is injected into channel Ci.

  For this purpose, the connection function replaces the source address @ S2j with the source address @Si in the received packet of the selected stream. It also replaces the destination address @ G2, j with the destination address @Gi corresponding to the "Group Broadcast" destination address of channel Ci.

  The present invention defends all methods that can make it possible to select a replacement stream from the stream received on port P2. In particular, if the management unit 105 also provides management of the received bit rate on the port P2, or in any other case, it makes such a selection based on the information provided by the management unit 105. Can be implemented. Thus, it is then preferably possible to select a replacement data stream that exhibits the best received bit rate on the input point of the distribution network. It may further configure the mapping of the television program TV1, i to the replacement data stream Fj based on the respective subject matter processed in the replacement data stream and in the program TV1, i to be replaced. . In this way, programs with sports themes may be replaced with other sports programs.

  If the management unit 105 indicates that the received bit rate values measured on the port P1 of the television programs TV1,1 and TV1,2 are smaller than the associated bitrate threshold, the connection function 106 is Then, the replacement of both the data stream currently distributed on channel C1 and that currently distributed on channel C2 may be ordered.

  If the second source 104 continuously supplies a single data stream to the connection function, or moreover, the connection function supplies the same data stream to replace the programs TV1,1 and TV1,2. If selected, this data stream is preferably replicated so that it can be broadcast on both channels C1 and C2 to replace the two television programs.

  More generally, it is preferred that the number of television programs transmitted by the first source and the number of data streams transmitted by the second source can be independent. In one embodiment of the invention, if it is necessary to replace a number of currently broadcasted television programs that are greater than the number of data streams received on port P2, the duplication function is: Allowing the replacement data stream to be replicated; In this way, very flexible program replacement management may be arranged by the connection function 106.

  When the program TV1, i is replaced by the data stream Fj, the connection function 106 is in the “replacement” mode, i.e. the current function, unless the management unit 105 detects an increase in the measured bit rate value on the port P1. It is possible to continue the operation of replacing the data stream distributed on the channel Ci with the data stream Fj received on the port P2.

  When the management unit 105 detects an increase in the measured bit rate value exceeding the bit rate threshold value on the port P1, it notifies the connection function 106 of this. It then triggers the operation mode switch so that the program TV1, i received from the source 103 is returned to the "nominal" mode as described above, corresponding to the case where it is reinjected into the channel Ci. Is preferred. Note that the bit rate threshold that triggers switching from the nominal mode to the replacement mode may be different from the bit rate threshold that triggers reverse switching. Further, before performing this inversion switching, the management unit may measure the reception bit rate on a predetermined time slot as described above.

  FIG. 2 illustrates the main steps of the method according to an embodiment of the invention in the form of a state machine. These steps are particularly performed in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B and in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

  In nominal state 1, connection function 106 injects a first data stream received from first source 103 into network 100. In replacement state 3, the connection function injects a replacement stream into the second data stream instead of the first data stream. In order to decide to operate in nominal state 1 or replacement state 3, the connection function preferably takes into account replacement criteria. This state machine relates to a given program TV1, i. The connection function can be processed in the nominal mode for a given program and the replacement mode for other programs.

  FIG. 3 illustrates method steps according to one embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to the embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. These steps are performed by the replacement function 106 and the management unit 105. In step 301, the connection function collects N continuous data streams on the one hand and M continuous replacement data streams on the other hand.

  Subsequent steps may be performed for all of the received television programs TV1, i, where i is between 1 and N. In step 303, the measured bit rate value for the data stream corresponding to program TV1, i is compared to a bit rate threshold. If the measured bit rate value is greater than the threshold (arrow y), the packets (@ S1, i; @ G1, i) of the stream are received in step 311 at the port P1 where they are received. From there, they are routed to port P3, which is sent to a part of the network, in particular addressed to a network component of the type of component 112, as explained above.

  Next, in step 309, the packet is injected into the channel Ci defined by the address set (@Si; @Gi). In the particular embodiment of this description, this channel is implemented in the access network and therefore corresponds to the lower part of the distribution network in the form of a telephone line that supports an xDSL type protocol. However, it should be noted that such a channel may correspond to any other technology access such as, for example, cable access technology, or even WiFi or fiber access technology.

  If in step 303 it is detected that the measured bit rate value is less than the threshold for a time longer than the time threshold, then in step 304 the replacement stream is then sent on port P2. Selected from the data stream received in At step 306, a check is performed to ensure that the measured bit rate value for receipt of this selected replacement stream is greater than the bit rate threshold. If Not (arrow n), the new selection is repeated. If so, at step 307, the replacement data stream received on port P1 is ignored. In step 308, the selected replacement stream packet is routed to port P3. Then, within step 309, distribution of the network 100 is performed.

  In step 312 following step 309, a check is performed to see if the program just processed is the end of the program being processed. This stage consists in checking that all the programs received on port P1 have been processed. If not, then the other program is processed in the same way by the same stage.

  However, the order of the steps given above is described only by way of illustration and is not exclusive. The present invention defends all possible instructions of these stages.

  4A and 4B illustrate a second embodiment variation of the present invention. The component 105 cooperating with the connection function is a component unit comprising replacement criteria, which is the basis for the connection function to determine whether to modify a program transmitted in the network 100. In this second variant, the invention will be described in its application to managing change of national television programs to regionalized programs.

  In the embodiment illustrated here, the first source 103 supplies the connection function 106 with N television programs TV1, i, where i is between 1 and N. These N television programs are national broadcast programs.

  Three digital subscriber line access multiplexers 112 are shown connected to the network 100 to serve three different regions with different regional programs. For this purpose, the second source 104 supplies three regional television programs TV 2, 1, TV 2, 2 and TV 2, 3 to the connection function 106.

  FIG. 4A is processed in nominal mode and transmits a national program TV1,1 on different channels C31, C32 and C33 to the various multiplexers 112 within the network 100, respectively, for the three multiplexers. Illustrates connection functions.

  In addition, time information is introduced into the constituent units, which makes it possible to determine when the national program TV1,1 is replaced by a regional program. In this way, when the replacement time is detected based on the configuration time information, the connection function replaces the operation mode from the nominal mode as described in the previous section with reference to the first modification. Change to mode. The configuration unit may further comprise information that allows the connection function to select a regional program for a given channel Ci.

  FIG. 4B illustrates such a mode of operation within an environment for broadcasting regional programs. In this way, the regional programs TV2,1, @ TV2,2, and TV2,3 received on the port P2 from the second source are injected into the channels C31, C32, and C33, respectively, instead of the programs TV1,1. Is done. The injection of these programs is performed in the same way as described above with reference to the first variant. That is, the connection function replaces the source and destination addresses of the packets received in the three data streams from the second source 104 with addresses corresponding to the channels C31 to C33, respectively. Thus, for example, for the channel C31, the source address and the destination address of the packet of the data stream corresponding to the program TV2, 1 are replaced by the address @ S31 and the address @ G31, respectively. The address set (@ S31, @ G31) defines channel C31.

  FIG. 5 illustrates, like FIG. 3, the steps of the method according to an embodiment of the invention corresponding to that illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. These steps are performed by the connection function 106 and the configuration unit 105. Steps having the same reference as illustrated in FIG. 3 are similar. After step 301, in step 501, the configuration parameters are monitored for a given national program TV1, i. More specifically, at this stage, the configuration time information is compared with a clock to determine whether it is time to replace the national program with the regional program. If it is not the time (arrow n), the packets of the television program TV1,1 are continuously routed. Otherwise, the connection function selects a regional stream in step 305. In fact, in such an environment, the connection function selects several regional programs to replace one and the same national program TV1,1.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the configuration unit 105 can be configured such that the measurement of the management unit can be performed as described in the first modification. In such a case, at step 306 it is preferable to be able to monitor the reception quality of this data stream of the selected regional program before proceeding with program replacement. To do so, reference is made to the details previously given to place such a check based on the value of the bit rate threshold. If it is detected that the reception quality is not satisfied (arrow n), steps 311, 309 and 312 are executed. Otherwise, the national program TV1, i is replaced on the channel or channel corresponding to the regional broadcast of the selected regional program. Steps 307, 308, 309 and 312 are performed.

  The reception quality of the single regional program TV2, 1 by the connection function may be considered as insufficient. In this case, it may be determined that only the programs TV2,2 and TV2,3 are injected into the channels C32 and C33, respectively, and the national program TV1,1 is subsequently injected into the channel C31.

  The routing of the various regional programs intended to replace the national program may be based on previously set configuration data that provides a mapping between these regional programs and broadcast channels.

  The third variant of the invention may be a combination of the first and second variants described above, and thus the data stream received from the first source and / or the second It is possible to manage the reception quality of the data stream received from the source and national and regional programs based on a predetermined schedule.

  In a fourth variant, provision may be made for a program replacement to be triggered manually, for example a change of a program linked to the subject content of a currently broadcast program.

  Modifications of other application examples of the present invention can be easily derived from the above description.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a dispensing device 600 that implements a dispensing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, each such data stream distribution device in the packet data distribution network is adapted to receive at least one first data stream from a first source and at least one second data stream from a second source. A first receiving interface 601 and a second receiving interface 602, which are adapted to each other, are provided.

  It also comprises a transmission interface 611 adapted to inject a first data stream received from a first source or a second data stream received from a second source into the network. The decision unit 606 instructs to stop injecting the first data stream into the network and inject the second data stream received from the second source into the network based on a replacement criterion. To be further adapted.

  When the transmission interface injects a received first data stream into the network to distribute it to a part of the distribution network characterized by a subset of receiving components, the transmission interface The second data stream may then be injected into the same subset of receiving components within the distribution network.

  Each of the first data stream and the second data stream includes a data packet including a destination address indicating at least one address for each of the first reception interface 601 and the second reception interface 602.

  The replacement criterion comprises a characteristic value for the first and / or the received second data stream and / or time information.

  The apparatus also comprises a management unit 603 adapted to perform measurements on the reception quality level of the first and / or the second data stream and to supply these measurements to the decision unit 606.

  The apparatus may be either bit rate information indicating first and second thresholds or time information indicating first and second clock thresholds, or any other type of parameter, Adapted to supply to the decision unit 606, on the one hand, so that the second data stream is injected when the connection function clock corresponds to the first clock threshold, and on the other hand , Further comprising a configuration unit 604 that allows the decision unit to instruct the re-injection of the first data stream when a clock of the connection function corresponds to the second clock threshold. May be.

  The apparatus 600 also comprises a selection unit 607 adapted to select a data stream from those received on the interface 602 according to selection criteria as previously shown in the embodiments described above. You may do it.

  The selection unit 607 is to allow some nominal programs, i.e. programs received on the receiving interface 601, to be replaced with the same programs or digital content received on the receiving interface 602. Preferably, it may comprise a duplication unit adapted to duplicate the replacement data stream.

  The distribution device 600 may further comprise a routing unit 608 adapted to manage the replacement of the source and destination addresses of the packets of the data stream to be transmitted based on the determined addressing plan. It preferably further comprises a network resource management unit 610 adapted to manage a network path for transmitting a data stream injected into the network to a subscriber's xDSL line.

  One application of the present invention makes it possible to partition the role of digital content distribution between digital content providers and digital content distributors. Such a division of responsibility may be particularly advantageous when the content provider and the distributor correspond to different operators.

FIG. 1A illustrates a telecommunications network according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B illustrates a telecommunications network according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the main steps of the method according to any embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 details the steps of the method according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A illustrates a telecommunications network according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B illustrates a telecommunications network according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a detail of the steps of the method according to the second embodiment of the invention corresponding to that illustrated by FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 6 illustrates a dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

301 Stream reception 303> Threshold?
304 T> threshold?
305 selection 306 threshold?
307 Ignored 308 Route to P3 309 Send

Claims (14)

A method of distributing digital content in the form of a data stream in a packet data distribution network, whereby the connection function (106) is at least a first and a second data stream from first and second digital content sources, respectively. And is adapted to inject one of the received data streams into the network, the method comprising:
(A) injecting the first data stream received from the first digital content source into the network;
Stopping the injection of the first data stream according to the / b / replacement criteria (2) and injecting the second data stream received from the second source into the network (3);
Stopping (2) injecting the second data stream according to the replacement criteria (2) and reinjecting the first data stream into the network (1);
A method comprising the steps of:   The replacement criterion comprises at least one characteristic value of a group comprising a characteristic value for the received first data stream, a characteristic value for the received second data stream, and time information. The method of claim 1. The characteristic value for the first and / or second data stream comprises first and second bit rate thresholds;
The connection function commands injection of the second stream in step / b / when the bit rate of the first data stream received at the connection function is less than the first bit rate threshold. And the connection function commands re-injection of the first data stream in step / c / when the bit rate of the first data stream is greater than the second bit rate threshold. The method according to claim 2.   The management function sends the first value indicating the bit rate of the first data stream received by the connection function to the connection function and the bit rate of the second data stream received by the connection function. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one member of a group comprising a second value to indicate is provided. When the connection function comprises a clock, the time information indicates first and second clock thresholds;
When the connection function clock indicates a value corresponding to the first clock threshold, the connection function commands the injection of the second data stream in stage / b /, and the connection function The connection function commands reinjection of the first data stream in stage / c / when the clock of the second indicates a value corresponding to the second clock threshold. The method according to any one of 2-4.   When the second source sends a plurality of second data streams to the connection function, the step / b / selects a second data stream to be injected from the plurality of received second data streams. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:   The step of selecting a second data stream is replaced with reception characteristic values of the various second data streams at the connection function and respective subject characteristic values of the digital content of the various received second data streams. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method is based on at least one member of a group comprising comparison with a subject characteristic value of digital content of the first data stream.   When the connection function receives and injects a plurality of first data streams, the data flow replication function, if the connection function commands to stop injecting several first data streams, 8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the received second data stream is duplicated to replace the number of first data streams at / b /. An apparatus (600) for distributing a data stream within a data distribution network;
Receiving at least one first digital content in the form of a first data stream from a first digital content source and at least one second digital content in the form of a second data stream from a second digital content source, respectively. Adapted first receive interface (601), second receive interface (602),
A transmission interface (611) adapted to inject the first or second data stream respectively received from the first or second source into the network;
When the transmission interface injects the first data stream, according to a replacement criterion, the injection of the first data stream to the network is stopped and the second data stream received from the second source is A decision unit (606) adapted to command injection into the network;
The apparatus characterized by comprising.   A first value indicating a measured bit rate of the first data stream being received on the first interface to a determination unit (606), and the second data being received on the second interface 10. The management unit (603), further comprising a management unit (603) adapted to provide at least one member of a group comprising a second value indicating a measured bit rate of the stream. Dispensing device (600). A configuration unit (604) adapted to provide the determination unit with time information indicating first and second clock thresholds when the determination unit (606) comprises a clock;
When the decision unit clock indicates a value corresponding to the first clock threshold, the decision unit commands injection of the second data stream, and the decision unit clock is the second clock. 11. Distributor (600) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, when indicating a value corresponding to a threshold, the decision unit commands a reinjection of the first data stream.   A selection unit adapted to select a second data stream injected by the transmission interface from the received second data streams when the second receiving interface receives a plurality of second data streams. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising (607). A system for distributing data streams within a data distribution network;
A first digital content source (103),
A second digital content source (104),
Receiving at least one first digital content in the form of a first data stream from the first digital content source and at least one second digital content in the form of a second data stream from the second digital content source, respectively. A first receiving interface (601), a second receiving interface (602), each adapted, and injecting the first or the second data stream respectively received from the first source and the second source into the network. A transmission interface (611) adapted to, and when the transmission interface injects the first data stream, according to a replacement criterion, stops injection of the first data stream into the network, and Received from two sources 2 decision unit data stream is adapted to instruct to inject into said network (606) comprises a dispensing device,
A system comprising:   Computer program for a distribution device (600), characterized in that it comprises instructions that when executed by the processing means of the distribution device can implement the method according to any one of claims 1-8. .

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