EP2744129B1 - System for distributing and selecting multiple audio and/or video streams to active peripheral devices from a home server device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the distribution of multiple audio and / or video streams in the same house, house or apartment.

By "audio and / or video stream" or "AV stream", we mean content that can be audio only (music, radio ...), only video (slideshow ...) or both audio and video (television , cinema ...). The streams can be received live (conventional TV multicast) or can be present as recordings stored on one of the equipment present in the home or remote. Although the present invention is mainly exposed in the context of an audio stream broadcast, it will be understood that this application is not limiting and that the invention applies equally well to the broadcasting of video or audio and video streams.

The multiplication of AV reproduction devices, including sound reproduction, in the same house ensures that virtually every room in this home is equipped with such a device.

In this house live several people (parents, children ...) who wish to have a different audiovisual context: listening to a favorite radio station, music corresponding to the tastes of each, watching a television series, etc.

There are solutions allowing, from a centralized server (for example computer and Wi-Fi router), broadcast AV streams at different points of a home, the streams being transmitted from this server to active devices placed in each piece and provided with means for receiving, amplifying and reproducing sound. Active devices concerned by the invention are non-mobile audiovisual equipment such as televisions, hi-fi systems, etc.

In this configuration, there is dissociation between, on the one hand, the production of flows, centralized in a single server, common to the home - hereinafter referred to as "home server equipment" or "server" - and, of on the other hand, the reproduction of these streams, decentralized in each room of the dwelling with devices generally lacking a proper source - hereinafter referred to as "active devices" -, receiving and broadcasting the AV stream received from the server.

The selection by a user of the stream that he wishes to receive in the room where he is located requires the application of selection commands of source. These commands can be applied directly to the server, but this requires a movement of the user between the listening location and the server, or indirectly by a remote control, which may be a specific object or a smartphone with a remote control application.

One of the difficulties is that active peripherals are by nature not very mobile, but that their users, on the other hand, live in several parts of the house and move around a lot (bedroom, living room, kitchen, terrace ...). They may wish that their audio-visual context follow them, by arranging in the room where they are at a given moment of an audiovisual context which is their personal.

With the solutions proposed so far, the user must reprogram the broadcast of the stream by the server to take into account this movement, which quickly becomes very tedious.

The US 2006/0248557 A1 describes a control interface for grouping multiple media devices into separate sets that can be associated with particular playlists . This interface, however, uses conventional means with movement keys, navigation in menus, etc. which in practice prove to be rather inconvenient to use.

The EP 1 998 566 A1 describes another technique, adapted to the transmission of multimedia broadcast multicast data by a wireless telecommunications network, where the incorporation of a marker to a packet header makes it possible to restrict the broadcast to a restricted set of selected recipients .

The object of the invention is to propose a simplified interface, using neither display nor movement keys to modify the "assignment" parameters of the groups, that is to say the parameters defining the distribution of peripherals between separate groups to reproduce different respective AV streams.

More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide the user with a simplified ergonomic interface, essentially by means of a single key dedicated to the aforementioned function of managing the assignment parameters.

In this way, the invention will provide a system for tracking the movement and the wishes of the user in different rooms of the house, with a quick reconfiguration of active devices.

• commencer à écouter un flux qui n'est écouté nulle part ailleurs dans l'habitation ;
• rejoindre un flux déjà diffusé par un autre appareil de l'habitation ;
• quitter le système de sonorisation, pour cesser toute diffusion sonore là où se trouve l'utilisateur ; ou encore
• reprendre l'écoute d'un flux préféré, qui n'était plus diffusé.

More specifically, the object of the invention is to be able to control the following actions in a very simple and intuitive way from any of the active devices:

• start listening to a stream that is not heard anywhere else in the home;
• to join a stream already diffused by another apparatus of the house;
• leave the sound system, to stop all sound broadcasting where the user is; or
• resume listening to a favorite stream, which was no longer broadcast.

As will be seen, the invention makes it possible to control these different actions directly from the active device, without complex interface and without the use of any dedicated or programmed remote control in a smartphone.

More specifically, the invention proposes a system of the general type disclosed by the US 2006/0248557 A1 above, that is to say comprising the elements set forth in the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention is remarkable in that it comprises, to achieve the purposes indicated above, the elements set forth in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The subclaims are directed to various particular and advantageous embodiments.

• La Figure 1 illustre de façon schématique le système de diffusion de flux AV selon l'invention.
• La Figure 2 est un schéma par blocs fonctionnels de l'équipement serveur domestique du système de la Figure 1.
• La Figure 3 est un schéma par blocs fonctionnels d'un des périphériques actifs du système de la Figure 1.
• La Figure 4 illustre plus en détail l'interface de contrôle d'un périphérique actif de la Figure 3.
• Les Figures 5a à 5d illustrent un exemple d'évolution des configurations de diffusion des flux AV au cours du temps dans un appartement.
• Les Figures 6 et 7 sont des organigrammes illustrant les principales étapes de mise en oeuvre du système de l'invention, détaillant les étapes d'exploration des différents groupes de contexte audiovisuels matérialisés par différents groupes d'ambiances sonores, ainsi que la sélection, la création, la suppression et la réassignation de ces groupes d'ambiances.

An embodiment of the device of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings in which the same reference numerals designate identical or functionally similar elements from one figure to another.

• The Figure 1 schematically illustrates the AV stream diffusion system according to the invention.
• The Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the home server equipment of the system of the Figure 1 .
• The Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of one of the active devices of the system of the Figure 1 .
• The Figure 4 illustrates in more detail the control interface of an active device of the Figure 3 .
• The Figures 5a to 5d illustrate an example of the evolution of the AV streaming patterns over time in an apartment.
• The Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating the main stages of implementation of the system of the invention, detailing the stages of exploration of different audiovisual context groups materialized by different groups of sound environments, as well as the selection, creation, deletion and the reassignment of these groups of moods.

The Figure 1 schematically represents the AV flow distribution system according to the invention, installed in the same house (house or apartment) and organized around a centralized equipment 10 forming domestic server.

In this case, the AV streams are audio streams (music, radio ...), but as we explained in the introduction this example is not limiting and the description below can be transposed to the broadcast of stream both audio and video (television, cinema ...), or purely video stream (slideshow ...).

The server equipment 10 is a box-type equipment (box) connected to an Internet access provider by an ADSL wired link or by an FTTH-type fiber optic link. An example of such a box is the equipment distributed by the operator Free, Paris, France under the name Freebox HD or Freebox V6. It is a multifunctional interface box comprising an ADSL / FTTH modem and implementing telephony, IP network (wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi wireless network), television and mobile (for example at the same time). using a femtocell technology).

In particular, the IP network makes it possible to connect the housing 10 to a plurality of active peripherals here of the "active speaker" type 14 arranged in different rooms of the dwelling, each of these speakers being connected to the box 10 by a link 16 which can be a wired link, via an Ethernet network installed in the home, or a link via CPL boxes (in-line carrier lines) for exchanging digital data via the pre-existing power lines 230 V-50 Hz by passing the information between the server 10 and the active speakers 14 by modulation of one or more carriers (an example of such a CPL box is the combined power supply / module CPL module) called Freeplug manufactured by the Free Internet Service Provider , Paris, France, which is intended to supply the box- type equipment of this access provider). Another possibility of data exchange between the server 10 and the active speakers is a wireless transmission type Wi-Fi, if the house does not have too many obstacles to radio transmission.

Note that the active device 14 may be in a form other than an active speaker, for example a box-type equipment, intended to be connected to a TV but knowing as well as restoring only audio and on which would be added the necessary control keys, or equipment equipped with a processor and a "line" audio output but without speaker, intended to be connected to a Hi-Fi system.

The server 10 can also be connected to a television 18 via a multimedia box 20, for example the equipment distributed by the operator Free under the name Freebox HD or Freebox Player : such a box integrates video decoder, hard disk, digital video recorder, and software for graphical display on the television and reception and processing of commands sent by the user, in particular for the configuration of the multimedia box 20 and the server 10.

The Figure 2 illustrates more precisely, in the form of functional blocks, the various elements implemented by the server equipment 10.

This may in particular comprise an interface 22 with the remote access provider to which it is connected by the ADSL / FTTH link 12, enabling it in particular to receive audio streams from outside, intended to be broadcast to the various occupants of the dwelling. Alternatively or in addition, it may be an interfacing with a server local source of audio stream, for example via a web browser configured appropriately.

• des flux de streaming diffusés en continu, qu'il s'agisse de flux musicaux ou de stations radio Internet ;
• des flux téléchargés, par exemple de type podcast, qui pourront être diffusés une fois qu'ils auront été complètement chargés et mémorisés ; ou encore
• des fichiers audio conservés en mémoire, par exemple sur un disque dur 24 (intégré au serveur ou déporté dans le boitier multimédia 20), chaque utilisateur pouvant ainsi composer en fonction de ses gouts propres des playlists musicales répertoriant différents morceaux conservés en mémoire.

These audio streams may include:

• streamed streaming streams, whether they be music streams or Internet radio stations;
• downloaded streams, for example of the podcast type , which can be broadcast once they have been fully loaded and stored; or
• audio files stored in memory, for example on a hard disk 24 (integrated in the server or remote in the media box 20), each user can thus dial according to its own tastes musical playlists listing various pieces stored in memory.

Specifically, the generally limited capabilities of the technologies used (Wi-Fi, etc.) do not allow a simultaneous broadcast multicast of all audio streams to the different active speakers. The links between the server 10 and the active speakers 14 are in fact point-to-point links, with a single audio stream broadcast to each device at a given time, but functionally each speaker can have access to any of the streams potentially accessible audio, by an appropriate stream selection command addressed to the server.

The audio streams collected, downloaded and / or stored in memory are processed by a microcontroller 26 which delivers in parallel a certain number of audio streams 28 simultaneously generated and multiplexed in 30 for broadcasting to the different active speakers on the broadcast links 16 by the via a Wi-Fi 32 or Ethernet 34 interface.

The Figure 3 illustrates in the form of a functional block diagram the internal structure of an active loudspeaker 14. This is an "amplified loudspeaker" type apparatus devoid of an own audio source (at least for the implementation of the invention ), which receives the audio streams broadcast by the server 10 via the link 16. The active speaker 14 comprises Wi-Fi reception circuits 36 or Ethernet 38 for collecting the audio streams for application to a microcontroller 40. This microcontroller selects one of the audio streams received from those that are broadcast by the server, and applies this flux to an amplifier 42 for driving a loudspeaker 44.

The active speaker is further provided with a control interface comprising, as illustrated in more detail Figure 4 , a set 46 of control keys, in themselves conventional (volume +/-, speaker cut, playback / pause, accelerated forward / backward or previous / next track).

In a manner that is characteristic of the invention, each active speaker is further provided with a specific control interface 48 comprising a change of assignment key 52, the role and operation of which will be explained later, in particular with reference to FIGS. Figures 6 and 7 , this key 52 being coupled with a colored indicator 54 may take a plurality of different colors each corresponding to one of the audio stream broadcast by the central server.

• début d'écoute d'un flux audio qui n'est écouté nulle part ailleurs dans l'habitation ;
• début d'écoute d'un flux audio déjà diffusé par une autre enceinte active dans l'habitation ;
• arrêt, pour cesser toute diffusion sonore et supprimer l'ambiance sonore correspondante ; ou encore
• reprise de l'écoute d'un flux audio préféré, qui n'était plus diffusé.

The key 52, in combination with the key 56 for reading / pausing the conventional interface 46, makes it possible to control various functions, namely:

• listening to an audio stream that is not heard anywhere else in the home;
• beginning of listening to an audio stream already broadcast by another active speaker in the dwelling;
• stop, to stop all sound broadcasting and to suppress the corresponding sound environment; or
• resumption of listening to a favorite audio stream, which was no longer broadcast.

Note that the control interface of the active speaker is in a very simplified form, and thus allows an extremely convenient and intuitive use by any user. This interface is in particular devoid of graphical interface with display, drop-down menu, etc.

The Figures 5a to 5d illustrate an example of evolution of the audio streaming patterns over time in a dwelling.

In this example, the dwelling is an apartment including a living room (SEJ), a kitchen (CUI), a terrace (TER), three bedrooms (CH1, CH2, CH3) and a bathroom (SDB).

In each of these rooms is installed an active speaker 14 coupled to a single server equipment disposed at any point of the dwelling and simultaneously broadcasting a plurality of audio streams that can be received by each of the active speakers 14, all the audio streams being from the same equipment, namely the central server, unique for housing.

The server was previously set to select the audio streams to be broadcast, by any conventional appropriate means: by the TV remote control 18 via the multimedia box 20, by a computer coupled to the server 10, by a smartphone on which was loaded a remote control application, etc.

In the illustrated configuration Figure 5a , corresponding for example to a situation at the end of the afternoon, the apartment is only used by children, who put their favorite sound environment in all living rooms (SEJ, CUI) and in their rooms ( CH2, CH3).

This configuration is defined and stored by the server in a distribution table defining, in this case, a single broadcast group, namely a group A = {SEJ, CUI, CH2, CH3}.

The function of this broadcast table is to answer the question "Which speakers broadcast which stream?" , knowing that it is possible to define several groups each corresponding to a broadcast of a different audio stream, and that a speaker belongs to at most only one group (a speaker only broadcasts a single stream, or no flow).

This broadcasting table is an evolutive table, modifiable over time according to the different selections made by the users at each active speaker.

Thus, for example in the early evening the configuration changes (Figure 5b) with the return of parents who take possession of the stay SEJ and CUI kitchen, children staying in their rooms CH2 and CH3, parents and children each with their own atmosphere sound.

As a result, diffusion group A splits into two groups B and C: B = {SEJ, CUI} and C = {CH2, CH3}.

Another modification ( Figure 5c ) can intervene during dinner, everyone is on the TER terrace, where the parental sound is preferred, the kitchen ceases to be sound but the sound atmosphere parental extending to the bathroom SDB and to the room of parents CH1.

In this new configuration, the previous list B changes to become D = {SEJ, TER, CH1, SDB}, the list C = {CH2, CH3} remaining unchanged.

During the rest of the evening ( Figure 5d ) The children enjoy the terrace TER, and the parents watch the television in the living room, so cut the sound atmosphere in this room. The previous list D becomes E = {CH1, SDB} (parental sound reduced to the parents' room and the bathroom) and the list C becomes F = {CH2, CH3, TER} (children's sound environment extended to the terrace).

We can see that the soundscapes, which can be multiple in the same house, move over time: thus, in the example described the parental sound atmosphere begins in the living room and the kitchen to finish in the bathroom and the room.

A sound environment can also exist virtually, that is to say be broadcast by the server but not reproduced by any active speaker, as in the case of the Figure 5a where the parental sound is not present on any of the active speakers.

We will now describe in more detail, with reference to Figures 6 and 7 , the main steps of implementation of the invention, with the exploration of the different groups of sound environment as well as the selection, creation, deletion and reassignment of these groups of environment.

Sound environment changes are controlled by the illustrated interface Figure 4 , thanks in particular to the change of assignment key 52 which makes it possible to join an existing group or to create a new one, the colored indicator light 54 providing a return as to the current choice of the group. In the absence of a previous choice of group, pressing the "play" button 56 triggers the listening of a new sound environment, which is still not reproduced by any of the active speakers of the house. As illustrated Figure 6 pressing the key 52 makes it possible to successively explore all the groups present, that is to say those that are broadcast on at least one active speaker of the dwelling (block 60), with control of the indicator colored 54 which has a multicolored LED, each color corresponding to a different group.

If the user reaches the last available group (block 62), then the speaker joins that group (block 66). If not, another group is joined (block 64).

The Figure 7 illustrates the main steps to determine a group to create or join.

After pressing the key 52 (block 70), it is determined whether the speaker is the only one of the current group (block 72). If this is the case, the group is deleted (block 74), possibly with a delay. In any case, the next group is selected (block 76): if this group has already been presented to the user (block 78) a new group is created (block 80). Then the active speaker joins either this new group created or the current group selected (block 82), and waits for a command from the user (block 84), including a press of the play button 56.

It should be noted that, during the initial configuration of the server, it is possible and even often desirable to create "persistent groups", that is to say groups that will survive the last constituent element and therefore can not be deleted. These groups can, for example, correspond to a favorite radio station, a personal playlist , etc., so that the corresponding sound environment can be reached by pressing the key 52 without any new setting of the server. The formation of persistent groups makes it possible to provide users with a quick way of recovering their favorite sound environment, and a particular color can be assigned to these groups for the colored indicator 54, which will be used systematically to designate them, thus making it possible to do without GUI for current use.

The fact of being able to do without external control interface or reparameterization is an important aspect of the invention, insofar as the sound environment of a home is not an end in itself, but a simple comfort. It is therefore essential that the user can get the configuration he expects in a very short time and in the easiest way, without additional accessories or navigation in a graphical interface.

Claims (6)

1. A system for distributing audio and/or video, AV, streams comprising:

   - a plurality of active peripherals (14), each comprising:

   • means (36, 39) for receiving a plurality of channels for broadcasting a corresponding plurality of AV streams;

   • control means (40, 46, 48), comprising means for selecting one of the channels from said plurality of channels;

   • an interface (46, 48) for controlling the AV stream rendering; and

   • audio and/or video rendering means (42, 44) for amplifying the AV stream of the channel selected by the control means,

   - a home server device (10) comprising:

   • means (22, 24, 26) for receiving and/or storing a plurality of AV streams; and

   • means (30, 32, 34) for broadcasting said AV streams to the active peripherals on a plurality of respective channels,

   said server device (10) memorizing a broadcast table defining a configuration of one or several groups each gathering at least one active peripheral, a peripheral belonging to at most only one group, each group being associated to a different AV stream and the groups being dynamically defined, modifiable at will over time, characterized in that the control means of each active peripheral (14) include:

   • said interface (46, 48) for controlling the AV stream rendering, comprising a specific, multifunction, assignation change key (52);

   • means for accessing to the broadcast table memorized by the server device, so as to explore the existing groups by selecting channels corresponding to the AV streams listed in the broadcast table; and

   • means for, selectively:

   a) with a play/pause key (56) of said interface (46, 48) for controlling the AV stream rendering and in the absence of pressing on said specific, multifunction, assignation change key (52), beginning the broadcasting of the AV stream of the group to which the peripheral belongs,

   b) by one or several pressings on said specific, multifunction, assignation change key (52), up to selecting the channel corresponding to an existing group, joining said existing group to which the peripheral does not belong,

   c) by one or several pressings on said specific, multifunction, assignation change key (52), after all the channels of the existing groups have been successively selected, creating a new group, and

   d) by pressing on said specific, multifunction, assignation change key (52), if the group to which the peripheral belongs is a group that contains only this single peripheral, suppressing the group to which the peripheral belongs,

   the actions b), c) and d) being executed with the sending to the server device of a corresponding group reconfiguring command operable to perform an updating of the broadcast table.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for d) suppressing the group to which the peripheral belongs are means activatable with waiting for a time-delay following said pressing on said specific multifunction key (52) without other external action by a user on the control interface.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for a) beginning the broadcasting of the AV stream of the group to which the peripheral belongs are means activatable by pressing on a play key (56) of the control interface.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein each active peripheral comprises means (54) for visualizing the current selected broadcasting channel.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the visualization means (54) comprise a coloured indicator able to produce a different colour for each different selected broadcasting channel.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the home server device further comprises means (22) for the interfacing with a remote or local server for access to said plurality of AV streams.

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