FR2834603A1 - Method for transmission of signals containing at least a wide angle image component in an uncorrected noise state that improves interaction between a local signal processing line and the broadcasting organizations - Google Patents

Abstract

Method has the following steps: transmission, encoding and compression of signals for each source, independent of the other sources; formation of multiplexed signal packets; processing of a signal flux by modulation and adaptation to the transmission mode; broadcasting of the signal flux to user or users; receipt of signals by user or user and transmission of private response data if necessary. The invention also relates to a device and a local processing line for these diffused signal.

Description

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The invention relates to a method and a device for broadcasting signals containing at least one wide angle image component in the uncorrected raw state, a device and a line for processing these broadcast signals.

Document US-A-5 384 588 describes a system for transforming only wide-angle images corrected from uncorrected raw images, as obtained from a wide-angle image acquisition device , this image transformation system located at a distance from the image acquisition device.

Patent FR 01/14696, not published on the date of filing of this application, describes an image processing line, which may be wholly or partially, uncorrected raw images as obtained at the output of one or more wide angle image acquisition devices. To process these images, the image processing line includes an image processing apparatus.

This processing device includes a microprocessor and electronic circuits which process the images using one or more suitable algorithms. In the case of a processing operation to correct the part of the image in the raw state in order to make it visible to the human eye, this or these algorithms are algorithms for deploying this part of the image. As source elements of this processing line, various devices are described such as one or more cameras, one or more cameras, one or more video recorders, one or more DVD players or at least one element for storing these said raw images. As reception elements, devices can be provided such as a television device, a means of memorizing or storing these images or a pair of immersion glasses, a computer or a connection to an Internet or telephone network. by an adequate digital output.

A raw wide-angle image is two-dimensional, usually disc-shaped, and very distorted. It must therefore be corrected to be deployed in the form of a wide-angle image centered on the position of the camera at the time of shooting. The wide angle image in the raw state is associated with a large solid angle and, for example subjected to a compression treatment leaving a normal image a good visual quality, can thus lose part of its resolution. In addition, certain image compression techniques are based on a rectangular mesh of pixels, therefore a linear distribution of pixels, which is not the case for a wide angle image in the raw state, for example of round shape, implying

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 a non-linear distribution of the pixels. It is therefore advisable to subject a wide angle image in the raw state to a processing taking into account the specificities of this type of image.

Viewing images with at least one wide angle component is in full development and there is a need to supply the user with these types of images by existing and future dissemination means. As the development of new forms of television is geared towards a development of interactivity between the user and the broadcasting organizations to allow a better personalization to the user of the broadcasts in order to tend towards video on demand (choice in a catalog of videos or archived or delayed programs), otherwise called VOD, and personal television (choice between several programs offered and choice of viewing sequence), otherwise called PVR, the form of distribution chosen must include more interactive or less between the user (s) and the issuing organization (s).

In addition, new services such as online advertising or electronic commerce, where the wide-angle image occupies a significant place and which require more and more interactivity between the emission source and the user (s) are developing as fast.

Similarly, in the field of video surveillance or technical inspection in the scientific field, it has proved necessary to ensure better interaction between the image processing line and the source element or elements, in particular in concerning user feedback to these source elements for the transmission of information desired by the latter.

The problem to be solved by the present application is to allow broadcasting as a source element for the signal processing line previously described, to adapt this processing line to the specific problems of telecommunications or of the broadcasting of large images. angle in the raw state and also to ensure, within the framework of this signal broadcasting, a better interaction between the local signal processing line and the broadcasting organization or organizations located at a distance from the processing line images.

To do this, the present application relates to a method of broadcasting from one or more transmitting organizations of a stream of composite signals to a receiving set of one or more users, this or these organizations of transmission comprising several signal sources with at least one source comprising a wide angle image component in the uncorrected raw state, if appropriate with other image signals or

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 no, for example audio signals, and at least one source comprising control private data signals, the method comprising the following steps:. the transmission, encoding and compression of the signals of each source, independently of the other sources,. the formation of signal packets, previously encoded and transmitted from each source by multiplexing,. the processing of the signal flow for its diffusion, in particular modulation, adaptation to the mode of diffusion and compression of the signal flow,. broadcasting the signal flow to the user or users,. all of the reception of the user or of each user being connected with the issuing body or bodies in order to allow a possibility of return of at least private data, if necessary modified by the user, and of adequate information on the characteristics of the reception set and / or parameters chosen by the user to the issuing body or bodies.

The present application also relates to a device for broadcasting a stream of composite signals comprising at least one wide-angle image component in the raw state uncorrected with other signals, where appropriate comprising audio signals, characterized in that it comprises an element for remote broadcasting of said composite signal streams to one or more users, this broadcasting element possibly being for example a wired connection, a satellite antenna, a wireless transmitting antenna, a high speed Internet network (ADSL or Internet on the cable) or not (telephone network), a means of receiving signal flows from this or each of these users, such signals indicating parameters specific to each user, a means of reading after adequate processing of the flow with, for example a decoder and means for storing signals indicating the parameters specific to each user, these means implementing the syst me of interaction of issuing organization (s), this interaction system further receiving data signals from external sources, such as for example advertisements or offers from advertising or sales agencies and processing them in a manner similar to the signal flow of each user, a main control and selection unit with a means for selecting the signal flows to be broadcast from different sources in order to personalize the signals according to each user, in particular by

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 taking into account the parameters supplied by the means for reading and storing the interaction system coming from the user or from each user and / or from data from external sources.

In addition, the present application relates to a device for processing a stream of composite image signals, comprising at least one wide angle image component in the raw state uncorrected with other signals, where appropriate including audio signals. , characterized in that it comprises a signal reception and signal pre-processing element, disposed at the input of the processing device, this reception element comprising, for example, if the signals processed are not digital a converter of input signals into digital signals, and / or for digital signals a tuner and / or a demodulator and / or a decompression unit and / or a demultiplexer and / or a decoder with or without memory, a processing apparatus , connected downstream of the reception element, with means for processing at least the image signals using a specific algorithm in cooperation with a microprocessor and delivering these images by s outputs for signals representative of the image and, where appropriate, audio, these means comprising a processing element with conventional circuitry and / or uses for example an ASIC means (application-specific integrated circuits) using one or more specific algorithms, contained in the program memory managed by the microprocessor acting in cooperation with a working memory and a frame memory, with a first control interface having a bidirectional port and / or an infrared port ( IRDA) and / or a Com output, making it possible to select one or more algorithms and / or to order post processing means, in particular zoom means and means for moving in the image, this control interface being connected to one or more remote control means, for example an infrared, RF or wired remote control, of conventional type or in the form of a joystick, these remote control means can also be a console or an infrared keyboard, a computer, this control interface or these remote control means can also be connected by any means to the interaction system of the transmitting organism (s), and an output element, connected downstream of the processing apparatus, comprising an image overlay unit cooperating with a respective enlargement / reduction unit for each image signal and, if necessary, a converter of digital signals into other types of signals or a compression unit processed signals, this output element comprising at least respective digital and analog signal outputs for

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 audio and image, for example a USB port, an Ethernet port, an IEE 1394 port and / or a Telephone port and / or a Peritel-type output.

Finally, the present application relates to an image processing line, forming the user or user reception assembly, of a stream of composite signals, comprising at least one wide angle image component in the raw state. not corrected with other signals, where appropriate including audio signals, this processing line comprising a processing device, characterized in that it comprises before the processing device, a reception terminal, capable of receiving the signal streams broadcast composites, this reception terminal being composed of a satellite or hertzian receiving antenna, of a radio messaging terminal, of a modem, or of another form of connection to any type of network, and possibly followed by a directional filter for separating the image and audio signals from the control private data signals, after the processing device, connected at least by the image signal output and, if necessary, by each audio signal output from this device, a final receiver element, for example a television device for viewing images, in particular wide angle images from this processing device, a conventional, portable or pocket computer, a means of storage or for storing these images, a portable terminal of the WAP, GPRS and UMTS type or a pair of immersion glasses with an orientation detector interconnected at the input of the control interface of the processing device.

In the broadcasting method, the private control data can be electronic program guides (EPG) allowing for example the user to view the programs broadcast simultaneously to make his choice, and / or select them according to the criteria contained in these electronic program guides, and / or data personalized to the specific user according to the parameters of the user known to the reception assembly of this user.

Advantageously, the broadcasting device has different sources which may consist of a source of private control data and / or a source of commercial or advertising information, for example, depending on the data signals from external sources processed by the interaction system and transmitted to the control element and / or a photo source and / or a real-time broadcast source and / or a video on demand source according to the control signals addressed by each user to the interaction system, this source being connected to a video source control unit, also dependent on a control element, and where at

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 each source is associated with a transmitting, coding and compression element for pre-processing before broadcasting. The main control unit of this broadcasting device comprises a control element receiving the data received and read by the interaction system, this control element being able to act, on the one hand simultaneously on several possible sources of diffusion, and, on the other hand, on a signal association control unit acting directly on the mixing and distribution of the signal stream to be assembled from various sources for broadcasting. Preferably, the signal association control unit acts directly on a multiplexing or signal packet formation unit and a modulation, distribution and adaptation unit for the streams to the broadcasting mode envisaged, for example according to the mode ATM asynchronous transfer, or SDH, SMTP or other modes, this unit may be provided with an additional signal flow compression unit.

When the signal flow includes control private data signals, in particular in the form of subcarrier signals, these are received by a reception element and then stored in a control memory suitable for processing these signals cooperating with a communication element. circuitry processing and the working memory for image signals to select, order or present according to the information contained in the private data signals these image signals, the control memory having a second control interface with a bidirectional port and / or a port infrared (IRDA) and / or a Com output, cooperating with one or more control means, for example an infrared, RF or wired remote control, of conventional type or in the form of a joystick, this or these remote control means being able to be also a console or an infrared keyboard, a computer, this control interface or these remote control means which can also be connected ted by a means appropriate to the interaction system of the issuing body or bodies.

 The processing device advantageously comprises means for synchronizing the image and audio signals after processing, these means comprising a delay line, controlled or not by the microprocessor, calculating the difference in processing time between image and sound, in order to obtain synchronized picture and sound outputs. The first and second interfaces can also constitute a common control interface.

The control memory of the processing device can have at least one means for recording and transmitting user data to the broadcasting device via its

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 control interface and its remote control means, this recording and transmission means possibly comprising for example a modulator and / or an encoder with in particular means for transmitting a payment, the control interface of the processing having an output port connected to a coaxial cable network, preferably bidirectional, to a satellite platform, preferably bidirectional, a fixed or mobile telephone network, an ADSL or X network. DSL or a radio local loop network (LMDS).

The element for receiving and pre-processing the image and audio signals of the processing device can have two storage memories, each having, for example, each a recording head and a reading head independent of each other. , these two storage memories allowing a possibility of viewing the images in real time or slightly delayed with slow motion, return, fast forward or other functions offered by the post processing means, or, alternatively, one of the memories of The work or frame can also have sufficient memory capacity to perform these functions.

Advantageously, with regard to the processing line, the final receiving element can send to one of the interfaces of the processing apparatus a signal representative of the type of receiving element used, for example the type of television set used at high or low resolution, this signal can be transmitted back to the organization or issuing organizations.

The present invention will be better understood by referring to the appended drawings which are given solely by way of illustration, and which, therefore, are not considered to be limiting for the present invention, and in which:. FIG. 1 represents a diagram of the issuing body and the local processing line of the user, more particularly centered on the issuing body,. FIG. 2 represents a diagram of the sending organization and of the local processing line of the user, more particularly centered on the local processing line, FIG. 3 represents a device for processing a stream of composite signals of images,. FIG. 4 represents a device for processing a stream of composite signals according to a preferred form of the present application,

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 . FIG. 5 represents a preferred embodiment of a transmission organization, in particular of the control device and of signal sources to be broadcast.

Figure 1 shows the diagram of a method and a device for broadcasting from one or more emission organizations 1,2,7 (in Figure 1, a single emission organization is illustrated for simplification ), presenting a control device and signal flow sources 1, an interaction device 7 and a diffusion element 2 of a flow of composite signals towards a reception assembly 3, 4, 5 of a or d 'users (in Figure 1, only one user is shown), these signals comprising at least one wide-angle image component in the raw state uncorrected with other signals, possibly including audio signals.

The broadcasting element 2 of said composite signal streams can comprise, for example, a cable, a transmitting antenna towards a satellite, a wireless transmitting antenna, a broadband Internet network (ADSL or Internet over the cable) or not (telephone network). Indeed, X. DSL technologies and particularly ADSL or local radio loop (LMDS) can be used not only for broadband access to the Internet but also for broadcasting television packages and interactive services via the wired telephone network. Broadcasting represents the downward path of communication between the issuing body and the user. It is clear that it can take the point / multipoint or multipoint / multipoint (sending organization (s) towards users) as well as point to point (sending organization towards a user) or even multipoint to point ( issuing organizations to a user). The programs broadcast can be of various types, for example, programs of general or specialized channels, channels of presentation of videos on demand as well in the form of films, documentaries or video games, Internet actors, promotional channels, for example sales announcement channels and product rental with interactive advertising.

As the stream also includes private control data signals, for example electronic program guides (EPG) allowing in particular the user to view the programs broadcast simultaneously to make his choice, and / or select them according to the criteria contained in these electronic program guides, and / or means personalized to the specific user according to the user parameters known to the reception assembly of this user, the reception assembly 3, 4, 5 of the user is connected with the issuing body 1,2, 7 by an interactivity device, illustrated by the control interface 6 in order to allow a possibility

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 return of private data, if necessary modified by the user, and adequate information on the characteristics of the reception set and / or of parameters chosen by the user towards the interaction system 7 between broadcasting and reception of the issuing body. This interaction system 7, which can be a server with interactivity software, includes means for reading and storing private data indicating the parameters specific to each user and a means for selecting the signal flows to be broadcast to provision in the control device and broadcasting sources 1 of the broadcasting organization for customizing the signals according to the user, in particular by taking into account the parameters supplied by the means for reading and storing the user.

The feedback from the user to the issuing body via its interaction system 7 represents the upward path. It should be noted that the flow rates in the direction of diffusion (downlink) and in the direction of return (upward path) are not the same and present an asymmetrical character, taking into account the fact that, practically only portable data, if necessary with modifications or information supplied by the user (for example choice, order and / or payment of the user, characteristics of the processing line, etc.) are returned to the interaction system 7 of the 'issuing body. Currently, the telephone network is the main form of upward path, bidirectional cable networks, however, illustrate another embodiment of this path. Another possible upward path is represented by a two-way satellite platform or a satellite-ADSL (broadband Internet) or radio local loop (LMDS) coupling. The introduction of such broadband broadcasting technologies will increase the possibilities of return channels.

FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a transmission organization according to the present application, in particular of the control device and of signal sources to be broadcast.

The interaction system 7 receives signals s cdc of private order data, modified or not, from each user, as previously indicated, but also external signals, for example, from commercial or advertising agencies, illustrating proposals likely to interest one or more users.

In this Figure, different sources a to e of signals to be broadcast are shown.

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 By way of example, the different sources may consist of a source a of private order data and / or a source of commercial or advertising information b, for example, depending on the processed external source data signals by the interaction system 7 and transmitted to the control element and / or from a photo source c and / or from a real-time broadcast source d and / or from a video on demand source e according to the control signals sent by each user to the interaction system 7, this source e being connected to a control and video selection unit 19, also dependent on a control element 1 ′.

It should be noted that the sources b to e advantageously contain, at least partially, wide-angle image signals in the uncorrected raw state.

The control element receives the data received and read by the interaction system 7 and comprises a means of memorizing this data, in particular criteria available to the user. This control element can act, on the one hand simultaneously on several possible sources of diffusion, by diffusing towards a user, after selection according to the stored criteria available on it, from at least one adequate diffusion source , for example activation of the video source e according to the data communicated to the interaction system 7 by the user, or activation of the source of advertising or commercial information b by diffusion towards the user mainly of data received from external sources by the interaction system 7, after having selected this data according to the criteria available in the control element on this user.

The control element acts, on the other hand, on a signal association control unit 18, directly controlling a multiplexing or signal packet formation unit 20 and a modulation, distribution and distribution unit. adaptation of the streams 21 to the broadcasting mode envisaged, for example the asynchronous ATM transfer mode, or the SDH, SMTP or other modes, this unit being able to be provided with an additional compression unit for signal streams, the element of diffusion 2 ending the diffusion line of the issuing organization.

Each source a to e is associated with a transmitting, coding and compression element a'à e 'for preprocessing before broadcasting.

This pre-treatment is an advantageous characteristic of the device according to this embodiment. Thus, it will be possible to compress wide-angle image signals with an appropriate compression standard, for example according to the MPEG 4 standard at variable rate, or a JPEG or Ondlet standard, while being able to use another standard for private data.

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 from the source a. Thus the loss of resolution of the wide-angle image in the uncorrected raw state will be reduced by an adaptation of the compression standard to the specific shape of the wide-angle image in the uncorrected raw state.

Figure 2 shows a diagram of the issuing body and the user's local processing line. The transmitting organism is the same as that already described in FIG. 1. With regard to the processing line for a stream of composite signals, comprising at least one wide angle raw image component not corrected with other signals, if necessary including audio signals, this consists of a reception terminal 3 suitable for receiving the signals transmitted by the broadcasting element 2 of the broadcasting organization, for example reception antenna parabolic or radio, modem, radio receiver or other, this reception terminal 3 can have a directional filter for separating the image and audio signals from the control private data signals, this processing line further comprising a processing device 4, the operation will be explained in Figures 3 and 4 and after the processing device 4, connected at least by the image signal output and, if necessary, by each audio signal output of this device, u n final receiver element 5, for example a television device for viewing images, in particular wide angle images from this processing device, a conventional, portable or pocket computer, a means of memorizing or storing these images , a transmission modem, a portable terminal of the WAP, GPRS and UMTS type or a pair of immersion glasses with an orientation detector interconnected at the input of the control interface of the processing device. The processing line has an interactivity device with at least one control interface 6 to ensure interactivity, on the one hand, between the final receiving element 5 and the processing device 4, and on the other hand, between the processing device 4 and the interaction system 7 of the sending organization, the final receiving element 5 sending to this interacting device of the processing device 4 a signal representative of the type of receiving element used, this signal which can be transmitted back, by the ascending way, to the interaction system 7 of the sending organization, in association with the private data signals modified or not by the processing device 4. Thus one can signal to the system d 'interaction 7 for example the type of final receiver element 5 used (for example, HDTV television, ie high definition television or TVDS television, ie standard definition television) or that the element

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 final receiver 5 is capable of receiving composite signals, comprising at least one wide angle component.

FIG. 3 shows a device for processing a stream of composite image signals, comprising at least one wide angle image component in the raw state uncorrected with other signals, if necessary including audio signals, with a element for receiving signals and for pre-processing the signals disposed at the input of the processing device, this receiving element 10 comprising, for example, if the signals processed are not digital, a converter of the input signals into signals digital, and / or for digital signals a tuner and / or a demodulator and / or a decompression unit and / or a demultiplexer and / or a decoder with or without memory, a processing device 12, connected downstream of the reception element 10, with means for processing at least the image signals using a specific algorithm in cooperation with a microprocessor and delivering these images by outputs for representative signals image and, where appropriate, audio, these means comprising a processing element with circuitry and / or uses for example an ASIC means (application specific integrated circuits) using one or more specific algorithms, contained in the program memory 16 managed by the microprocessor acting in cooperation with a working memory 13 and a frame memory 14. One of these memories may advantageously additionally have sufficient recording capacity to be able to store various broadcast programs in order to be able to select them and also to follow them slightly delayed, to put them on pause or to slow down or to make fast forwards or backwards. It is thus possible to obtain a personal television of the VPR type. Incidentally, this can also be obtained by providing the reception and preprocessing element 10 with two storage memories each having a recording head and a reading head independent of each other, these two memory storage having the same functions as previously described.

The processing device 12 has a first control interface 6 with a bidirectional port and / or an infrared port (IRDA) and / or a Com output. The function of this control interface is multiple. It in fact allows the user to select one or more algorithms and / or to order post-processing means, in particular zoom means and means for moving in the image, this control interface 6 being connected to one or more remote control means, for example an infrared, RF or wired remote control, of the conventional type or in the form of a joystick. It also allows the user to perform

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 Internet operations, for example email or Internet shopping; in this case, this is done either by virtual keyboard, cooperating with the remote control, displayed on the screen of the final receiving element, or by infrared keyboard instead of the remote control. To achieve this, the control interface 6 is also connected by an appropriate means to the interaction system 7 of the transmitting organization or bodies, and the remote control means preferably comprise a console or an infrared keyboard, a light computer or not of its office function in addition to or instead of the remote control, this control interface can also be connected by any means to the final receiver device 5 to communicate its parameters to the interaction system 7 of the issuing body . Thus, the user by action of the remote control means can indicate his choice of viewing and his viewing mode by information from the interaction system 7 of the issuing body, in particular using a digital encoder allowing access to broadcast organizations, for example an IDTV encoder.

The user has his own identifier which makes it possible to recognize it and ensure confidentiality and, advantageously, the encoder has means for receiving and transmitting payments made by the user.

The processing device comprises means for synchronizing the image and audio signals after processing, these means comprising a delay line, controlled or not by the microprocessor, calculating the difference in processing time between image and sound in order to obtain outputs synchronized images and audio.

An output element 11 is connected downstream of the processing apparatus, comprising an image overlay unit cooperating with a respective enlargement / reduction unit for each image signal in order to be able to view several programs simultaneously and, if necessary, a converter for digital signals into other types of signals or a unit for compressing the processed signals, this output element 11 comprising at least respective digital and analog signal outputs for audio and image, for example a USB port , an Ethernet port, an IEE 1394 port and / or a Telephone port and / or a Peritel type output.

 If a flattening algorithm is used, the device delivers these wide-angle images in a form that can be viewed directly on a television screen without additional processing. It should be noted that other algorithms than flattening can be used, such as, for example, an algorithm correcting the overlapping of the images when superimposing images from several cameras to obtain a wide angle image, or a algorithm for

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 correct interleaving errors due to the differences between the even and odd frames of several images and which are particularly visible on a computer screen, or a motion detection algorithm in successive images, or an algorithm for processing portable data received from the issuing body.

Figure 4 shows a device for processing a stream of composite signals according to a preferred form of the present application.

Thanks to this embodiment of the processing device, the interaction between the issuing body or bodies and the local processing line is optimized.

To specifically process the control private data signals, in particular in the form of subcarrier signals, these are received by a reception element 10 ′ then stored in a control memory 17 suitable for processing these signals cooperating with an processing, for example according to one or more algorithms chosen from the algorithm memory, and the working memory 13 for image signals in order to select, order or present according to the information contained in the private data signals these image signals. The control memory 17 has a second control interface 6 ′ with a bidirectional port and / or an infrared port (IRDA) and / or a Com output, cooperating with one or more control means, for example an infrared remote control, RF or wired, of conventional type or in the form of a joystick, this or these remote control means may also be an infrared console or keyboard, a computer, this control interface 6 ′ or these remote control means which may also be connected by a means appropriate to the interaction system 7 of the issuing body or bodies.

The two control interfaces 6 and 6 'are connected so as to interact together. It should also be noted that the first and second interfaces can constitute a common command interface.

The control memory 17, as well as the working memories 13 or frame memories 14 already described, comprise a non-volatile part, such as flash memory or ROM making it possible to memorize the information permanently, as well as volatile, in the case of the control memory 17 for temporarily storing the image signals coming from the working memory 13, or vice versa.

With such processing of the private data signals, it is possible to include, from the sending organization or organizations, in these data viewing sequence data according to a chosen order, for example an automatic sequence of broadcast simultaneously, a proposal for a broadcast during a broadcast

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 on the other, a preprogrammed program change. The possibilities of return by ascending route are also greatly facilitated. We can also cite, among other things, that, according to the information obtained by the interface of the conversion apparatus and transmitted to the interaction system 7, for example on a catalog of choice of films or programs, the users can more easily choose the film or program they want to watch.

The advantages, notified for the device of Figure 3, also remain valid that of Figure 4.

Such described devices and method find a major application in the audiovisual field, in particular of the general public audiovisual, for example, in the follow-up of sporting events, with possibility of betting at home or not, where the means of post -processing (in particular the means for zooming the images obtained, selecting a part of the image and allowing the user to move inside the image, all these means being able to be controlled remotely by the user) find a preferred application.

l'intermédiaire des données de commande privatives ; . d'accès à Internet sur un autre moyen que l'ordinateur, par exemple la télévision, où le visionnage des images au moins partiellement grand-angle sera de meilleure qualité ; However, the devices and method described can also find an application in the fields of: remote monitoring, in particular in the field of security or in the scientific field, where, as already indicated, a motion detection algorithm can be used and where, by interaction with the other post processing means, it is possible for the user to focus on a particular part of the image where a movement is detected, so that a zoom on this part of the image or an automatic selection of this part, for example for recording, is possible. It is also possible to view the wide angle image in parts that can be viewed simultaneously; it is also possible to view these images either directly on a television set, or to retransmit these images by appropriate connection to, for example, a UMTS telephone, a pocket computer or laptop as well as to emit a sound signal to indicate , for example, that a movement has been reported; . video conference, made more attractive by wide-angle images, with the possibility of written communication by

through private order data; . access to the Internet by means other than the computer, for example television, where viewing of at least partially wide-angle images will be of better quality;

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 . electronic commerce, facilitated by the fact that the broadcasting network is in a closed circuit, which promotes the security of transactions; real estate and tourism, with visits to apartments, houses or sites offered in at least partially wide-angle images, find a privileged outlet there; . interactive advertising made more attractive by presenting at least partially in wide-angle images; games offered in a broadcasting network which take on increased interest due to the at least partially wide-angle images.

The invention being thus described, it appears obvious that identical elements can vary in many ways. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all of these modifications, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are intended to be included in the scope of the following claims.

Claims (14)

Claims: 1. Method for broadcasting from one or more transmitting organizations a stream of composite signals to a reception unit for one or more users, this or these transmitting organizations comprising several signal sources with at least one source comprising a wide angle image component in the uncorrected raw state, where appropriate with other image signals or not, for example audio signals, and at least one source comprising control private data signals, the

 process characterized by the following steps:. the transmission, encoding and compression of the signals of each source, independently of the other sources,. the formation of signal packets, previously encoded and transmitted from each source by multiplexing,. the processing of the signal flow for its diffusion, in particular modulation, adaptation to the mode of diffusion and compression of the signal flow,. the broadcasting of the signal flow to the user or users, the reception system of the user or of each user being connected with the transmitting organism (s) in order to allow a possibility of return of at least data private, if necessary modified by the user, and adequate information on the characteristics of the reception system and / or parameters chosen by the user to the issuing body or bodies. 2. A broadcasting method according to claim 1, characterized in that the private order data can be:. electronic program guides (EPG) allowing for example the user to view the programs broadcast simultaneously to make his choice, and / or select them according to the criteria contained in these electronic program guides, and / or <Desc / Clms Page number 18>  . data personalized to the specific user according to the parameters of the user known to the reception set for this user. 3. Device for diffusing a stream of composite signals comprising at least one wide-angle image component in the raw state uncorrected with other signals, where appropriate comprising audio signals, characterized in that it comprises:. a broadcasting element (2) remote from said composite signal streams to one or more users, this broadcasting element possibly being for example a wired connection, a transmitting antenna towards a satellite, a radio transmitting antenna, a broadband Internet network (ADSL or Internet on cable) or not (telephone network), a means of receiving signal streams (s cdc) from this or each of these users, such signals indicating parameters specific to each user, a means of reading after adequate processing of the stream with, for example a decoder and means for storing signals indicating the parameters specific to each user, these means implementing the interaction system (7) of the issuing body or bodies, this system of interaction receiving further data signals from external sources (such as for example advertisements or offers from advertising or sales agencies and the s processing similarly to the signal flow of each user,. a main control and selection unit (1) with means for selecting the signal streams to be broadcast from different sources in order to personalize the signals according to each user, in particular by taking into account the parameters supplied by the reading means and storage of the interaction system from each user and / or data from external sources. 4. Diffusion device according to claim 3, characterized in that:. the different sources can consist of a source (a) of private control data and / or a source (b) of commercial or advertising information, for example, according to the data signals of external sources (se) processed by the interaction system (7) and <Desc / Clms Page number 19>  transmitted to the control element and / or a photo source (c) and / or a real-time broadcast source (d) and / or a video on demand source (e) depending on the signals of control addressed by each user to the interaction system (7), this source (e) being connected to a control unit (19) of video source, also dependent on a control element (1 '), at each source (a to e) is associated with a transmitting, coding and compression element (a'à e ') for preprocessing before broadcasting. 5. Diffusion device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: the main control unit (1) comprises the control element (1 ') receiving the data received and read by the interaction system (7 ), this control element (1 ') being able to act, on the one hand simultaneously on several possible sources of diffusion, and, on the other hand, on a signal association control unit (18) acting directly on the mixing and distributing the stream of signals to be assembled from various sources (a to e) for broadcasting. 6. A broadcasting device according to claim 5, characterized in that the signal association control unit (18) acts directly on a multiplexing or signal packet formation unit (20) and a modulation unit, distribution and adaptation of the streams (21) to the broadcasting mode envisaged, for example according to the ATM asynchronous transfer mode, or the SDH, SMTP or other modes, this unit being able to be provided with an additional compression unit for streams signals. 7. Device for processing a stream of composite image signals, comprising at least one wide-angle image component in the raw state uncorrected with other signals, if necessary including audio signals, characterized in that it comprises : . a signal reception and signal pre-processing element (10) arranged at the input of the processing device, this receiving element (10) comprising, for example, if the signals processed are not digital, a converter for input signals into digital signals, <Desc / Clms Page number 20>  for audio and image, for example a USB port, an Ethernet port, an IEE 1394 port and / or a Telephone port and / or an output of the Peritel type.

 and / or for digital signals a tuner and / or a demodulator and / or a decompression unit and / or a demultiplexer and / or a decoder with or without memory,. a processing device, connected downstream of the receiving element (10), with means for processing at least the image signals (signal ci) using a specific algorithm in cooperation with a microprocessor (12) and delivering these images by outputs for signals representative of the image and, where appropriate, audio, these means comprising a processing element with conventional circuitry and / or uses, for example, ASIC means (application-specific integrated circuits) to the using one or more specific algorithms, contained in the program memory (16) managed by the microprocessor (12) acting in cooperation with a working memory (13) and a frame memory (14), with, a first control interface (6) having a bidirectional port and / or an infrared port (IRDA) and / or a Com output, making it possible to select one or more algorithms and / or to control post-processing means, in particular means zoom and means movement in the image, this control interface (6) being connected to one or more remote control means, for example an infrared, RF or wired remote control, of conventional type or in the form of a joystick, these control means distance which can also be an infrared console or keyboard, a computer, this control interface (6) or these remote control means which can also be connected by any means to the interaction system (7) of emission, an output element (11), connected downstream of the processing apparatus, comprising an image superposition unit cooperating with a respective enlargement or reduction unit for each outgoing image signal and, if necessary, a converter of digital signals into other types of signals or a unit for compressing the processed signals, this output element comprising at least respective digital and analog signal outputs <Desc / Clms Page number 21>  8. Processing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: * when the signal stream comprises private control data signals (signal cdc), in particular in the form of subcarrier signals, these are received by a receiving element (10 ′) then stored in a control memory (17) suitable for processing these signals cooperating with a processing element with circuitry and the working memory (13) for image signals for selecting, ordering or presenting according to the information contained in the private data signals these image signals,. the control memory (17) has a second control interface (6 ′) with a bidirectional port and / or an infrared port (IRDA) and / or a Com output, cooperating with one or more control means, for example a infrared, RF or wired remote control, of conventional type or in the form of a joystick, this or these remote control means may also be an infrared console or keyboard, a computer, this control interface (6 ′) or these control means remotely can also be connected by an appropriate means to the interaction system (7) of the issuing body or bodies. 9. Processing device according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises synchronization means (15) of the image and audio signals after processing, these means comprising a delay line, controlled or not by the microprocessor, calculating the difference in processing time between image and sound in order to obtain synchronized image and sound outputs. 10. Processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and second interfaces (6,6 ') constitute a common control interface.  11. Processing device according to claim 8 or 10, characterized in that the control memory (17) has at least one means for recording and transmitting user data to the broadcasting device via its interface. control (6 ') and its remote control means, this recording and transmission means possibly comprising for example a modulator and / or an encoder with <Desc / Clms Page number 22>  in particular user payment means, the control interface of the processing device having an output port connected to a coaxial cable network, preferably bidirectional, to a bidirectional satellite platform by a transmitting antenna, a fixed telephone network or mobile, an ADSL or X network. DSL or a radio local loop network (LMDS). 12. Treatment device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that:. the image and audio signal reception and pre-processing element (10) has two storage memories, each having a recording head and a reading head independent of each other, these two storage memories allowing a possibility of viewing the images in real time or slightly delayed with slow motion, reverse, fast forward or other functions offered by the post processing means, or, alternatively, one of the working memories (13) or of frame (14) also has sufficient memory capacity to perform these functions. 13. Image processing line, forming the user or user reception assembly, of a stream of composite signals, comprising at least one wide angle raw image component not corrected with d other signals, if necessary including audio signals, this processing line comprising a processing device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that it comprises: before the processing device (4), a terminal reception (3), capable of receiving the streams of broadcast composite signals, this reception terminal (3) being composed of a satellite or hertzian antenna, of a radio messaging terminal, of a modem, or of another form of connection to any type of network, and optionally followed by a directional filter to separate the image and audio signals from the control private data signals, after the processing device (4), connected at least by the image signal output and , the case chéant, for each output audio signal of this device, a final receiver element (5), for example a television device to view the images of large image <Desc / Clms Page number 23>  angle from this processing device (4), a conventional, portable or pocket computer, a means of memorizing or storing these images, a portable terminal of the WAP, GPRS and UMTS type or a pair of glasses. immersion with an orientation detector interconnected at the input of the control interface (6) of the processing device (4). 14. Processing line according to claim 13, characterized in that the final receiving element (5) sends to one (6 or 6 ') of the interfaces of the processing apparatus a signal representative of the type of receiving element used, for example the type of television used at high or low resolution, this signal being able to be transmitted in return to the organization or organizations of emission.