FR3001353A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT, DIFFUSION SOURCE EQUIPMENT, CORRESPONDING COMPUTER PROGRAM AND MEDIUM STORAGE MEDIUM. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing at least one user terminal with at least one multimedia content 11, said multimedia content being broadcast at a predetermined rate, in the form of a multimedia stream 10, in a digital broadcasting network. According to the invention, the method comprises a step of supplying said multimedia content, by a remote server of said at least one user terminal, from the beginning of said multimedia content, via a communication network distinct from said digital broadcasting network.

Description

Method and device for providing multimedia content, broadcast source equipment, computer program and corresponding storage medium. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention is that of the transmission and digital broadcasting of multimedia contents, in particular television contents. More specifically, the invention relates to the display, on a user terminal, of a multimedia content from its beginning, the content being already being broadcast in a digital broadcast network. The invention applies in particular, but not exclusively, to a multimedia stream that complies with the DVB-T or DVB-T2 ("Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial") broadcast standards for "digital terrestrial video broadcasting" and terminals users compatible with connected television type HbbTV ("Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV" in English) for example. 2. Prior Art There are now several solutions for (re) viewing, from the beginning, a video already broadcast. For example, there are so-called back-shifting solutions. A disadvantage of these solutions lies in the need to have active local equipment, already decoding the chain on which we want to go back. Another disadvantage is that the user must search himself for the beginning of the current program. There are also other solutions offering catchup television services, or "catchup". According to these solutions, the video programs are made available to users but only at the end of the broadcast of the current program, or only the day after its broadcast.

There is therefore a need for a new visualization technique, from its inception, content being broadcast, which is simple to implement and inexpensive, and does not require local equipment. 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method of providing, to at least one user terminal, at least one multimedia content, the multimedia content being broadcast at a predetermined bit rate, in the form of a multimedia stream, in a digital broadcast network. According to this embodiment of the invention, the method comprises a step of providing the multimedia content, by a remote server of the user terminal, from the beginning of the multimedia content, via a communication network separate from the digital broadcasting network.

The invention, according to its various embodiments, thus proposes an original solution for the provision of content from its beginning while the content is being broadcast on a network, but not necessarily being viewed on the network. user terminal. Indeed, unlike the solutions of the prior art proposing either to use a local storage device connected to the user terminal to record the content and replay at the request of the user (time shifting solutions), or to allow access to the content on a server, once the live broadcast is over, and sometimes only the next day (catch-up television solutions), the solution according to the invention allows a user to view, from its beginning, a content being broadcast, without the need for local storage equipment. In addition, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the multimedia content is accessible by the user's terminal via an IP communication network, the multimedia stream being for example broadcast via a digital terrestrial television network. In particular, the method comprises a step of receiving the multimedia stream and the following steps, implemented in the remote server, for each received portion of the multimedia stream and for at least a predetermined rate of delivery of the multimedia content to the user terminal: encoding the received portion delivering at least one independent content fragment; storage of the fragment (s) of independent content (s); progressive construction of at least one multimedia content file by concatenation of the stored independent fragments. Thus, according to this embodiment of the invention, the remote server receives the multimedia stream broadcast on the network, the cut and the encode as and when it is received in a plurality of independent fragments, also called "chunks" , and stores these fragments, for transmission of the content at a predetermined rate. If several transmission rates are desired, several encodings are implemented, so as to have "chunks" for the different desired rates. These "chunks" each constitute a multimedia content that is self-sufficient, that is to say that can be read independently. For example, a video chunk includes video data and bit rate information and allows a video to start at the beginning of its playback. The remote server then concatenates these stored fragments so as to build progressively, that is to say, as and when storage of the fragments, themselves stored as and when the flow on the network, a multimedia content file to be transmitted to the user terminal at the desired rate. In this way, the progressively built file, containing independent fragments, can be transmitted / made available to the user terminal before the end of the real-time broadcast of the stream on the network.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the method comprises a step of providing, by the remote server to the user terminal, the multimedia content file, on request of the user terminal. Thus, when the user wishes to view, from the beginning, a content being broadcast, the content is available to be provided, at the desired rate.

In addition, the provision of the content to the user follows a request from the user for viewing the content from its beginning. For example, the user validates with his remote access to the service for providing content being broadcast, from its beginning, and the user terminal retrieves the content file available on the remote server. In particular, the request from the user terminal comprises at least one piece of information representative of the desired bit rate for the delivery of the multimedia content file. Thus, the user terminal can choose the rate at which it wishes to receive the file, for example according to the available bandwidth between the file supply module, on the remote server, and the user terminal. According to this particular embodiment of the invention, the desired bit rate can be indicated in the request for viewing the content.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the method comprises a step of determining the desired bit rate comprising the following substeps: downloading, by the user terminal, to the remote server, a file of predetermined size; calculating, by the user terminal, the transmission rate of the file of predetermined size, denoted reference rate; estimation of the desired flow from the reference flow. Thus, the user terminal can determine the available bandwidth between the file supply module, on the remote server, and the user terminal, from the calculation of the download rate of a file of predetermined size (preferably of small size to limit the calculation time). In particular, the method further comprises a step of providing, by the remote server, to the user terminal, at least one piece of information representative of the multimedia content file. Thus, information to access the file to provide are made available by the remote server for the user terminal, such as the file access URL, the name and duration of the service, and so on. In this way, when the user terminal requires the service, it obtains this information that allows it to access the content file to read it and return it to the user. According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the method further comprises a step of transmitting, via the digital broadcast network, at least one piece of information representative of the delivery of the multimedia content from its beginning. Thus, when the service for viewing content being broadcast, from its beginning, is open (for example when the operator has decided to open it), information can be broadcast to announce it, from same as closing the service (typically at the end of real-time streaming of the content). According to one particular aspect of the invention, when several user terminals issue requests, the method comprises a step of managing the requests of the user terminals delivering, to the user terminals, rights of access to the multimedia content file. Thus, when several user terminals transmit a request for viewing the same content, from its beginning, the method according to the invention manages these requests so as to avoid saturation modules providing the files, and therefore to ensure the quality of service. For example, query management can set up tokens delivered during access requests. According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the method also comprises a step of encrypting said multimedia content file.

Thus, the media file may be encrypted to protect it from illegal copies. For example, a Digital Rights Management (DRM) type digital rights management technique is applied to the multimedia content file, which is then encoded according to a technique that conforms to the HbbTV 1.5 standard, such as for example DASH ("Digital Audio Stationary Head").

According to one particular aspect of the invention, when several users issue requests, the method comprises a step of calculating at least one statistic, comprising the following sub-steps: obtaining a plurality of data representative of the requests; calculation and delivery of at least one statistic from the data obtained.

Thus, the remote server, for example via a dedicated module, collects data representative of the various requests for access to the service for providing content from its beginning, on the part of a plurality of user terminals, and the processes to deliver at least one statistics related to the service in question. The invention also relates to a device for providing, to at least one user terminal, at least one multimedia content, the multimedia content being broadcast at a predetermined bit rate, in the form of a multimedia stream, in a network. digital broadcasting. According to the invention, the device, remote from the user terminal, is able to implement the steps of the provisioning method as described above, and notably comprises means for providing the multimedia content, from the beginning of the multimedia content, via a communication network separate from the digital broadcast network. For example, this device is a remote server, still noted "restart platform". In another aspect, the invention relates to a source equipment for broadcasting at least one multimedia content in a digital broadcasting network, such as a TNT headend. According to the invention, this equipment comprises a transmission module, via the digital broadcast network, of at least one piece of information representative of the delivery of the multimedia content from its beginning. The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the delivery method as described above, when this program is executed by a processor.

The invention also relates to a computer-readable and non-transitory storage medium, storing a computer program comprising instructions executable by a processor to implement the supply method as described above. 4. List of Figures Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a particular embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which: - Figure 1 shows the main steps of a method of providing a multimedia content according to a particular embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 shows a sequence diagram illustrating the implementation of the invention, according to a particular embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary system embodying the invention, according to a particular embodiment of the invention. 5. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 5.1 General Principle The general principle of the invention is based on the progressive encoding and cutting of a multimedia stream being broadcast in a first digital broadcasting network, as a real-time broadcast, a multimedia content file to be provided, from its beginning and via a second communication network, to a plurality of user terminals. Thus, each terminal having requested the viewing service of a content being broadcast, from its beginning, can view the multimedia content without requiring local equipment to the user terminal, the content being provided to the user terminal by a server remote, still called "restart platform".

In addition, the provision of the content from its beginning is implemented via a communication network separate from the real-time broadcast network of the content. For example, the real-time broadcast network corresponds to digital terrestrial television (DTT) and the communication network of the multimedia content file corresponds to an IP network. 5.2 Description of an Embodiment With reference to FIG. 1, the main steps of the method according to a particular embodiment of the invention will now be presented. A multimedia stream 10, for example a video, is considered to be broadcast 100 in a broadcast network, for example DTT. According to this embodiment of the invention, a delivery step 120 delivers, from its beginning, a multimedia content 11 to at least one user terminal, during the broadcast 100 of the corresponding multimedia stream. This provisioning step 120 is preceded by a step of receiving the multimedia stream 110, portion by portion, and the following steps are then implemented, for each portion received from the multimedia stream 10: encoding 121 of the received portion delivering the minus an independent content fragment; storage 122 of the independent content fragment; progressive construction 123 of at least one multimedia content file 11 by concatenation of the stored independent fragments. If we take an example of the broadcasting of a video 10 in a digital terrestrial television network, the encoding step 121 of the video takes as input the real-time stream of the chain supporting the service and delivers video fragments of a few seconds, independent of each other, still called "chunks". These video fragments are then stored during the storage step 122, for example in a buffer memory. Next, the construction step 123 takes as input the video fragments stored to build a video file 11 intended to be provided to the user terminal, via an IP network for example. These three steps are implemented as the real-time streaming of the multimedia stream and thus allow to build progressively a video file, which will contain the entire video only when the real-time broadcast is completed. This video file is however accessible at any time, during the broadcast in real time, and is thus updated as and when this broadcast in real time. Furthermore, according to another characteristic of this embodiment of the invention, a plurality of multimedia content files 11 can be constructed, depending on several desired bit rates for the subsequent delivery of the multimedia content 11. In fact, the display service of a content being broadcast from its beginning allows different user terminals, which may have different technical characteristics, to view the multimedia content at the appropriate rate. The location of the user terminal with respect to the server providing the service, as well as the quality of the transmission network between this terminal and this server, can also be taken into consideration for the choice of the delivery rate of the multimedia content. Thus, the solution according to this particular embodiment of the invention makes it possible to generate, from a multimedia stream currently being broadcast, several multimedia content files corresponding to several different bit rates.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation of such a service for viewing multimedia content that is being broadcast, from its beginning, when at least one user terminal, noted M5, wishes to benefit from the service. In this sequence diagram presented in FIG. 2, various modules of the "restart platform" providing the service are involved, according to a particular embodiment of the invention. It is understood that this example is not restrictive and that certain tasks can be implemented by other modules of the server, according to other particular embodiments of the invention. It is considered that the opening of the service is carried out at the initiative of the multimedia feed supply operator, which transmits service opening information to the restart platform. It is also the operator who transmits to the restart platform information indicating the closure of the service (for example when the real-time broadcast is over). Indeed, according to this particular embodiment of the invention, the service is available to users only during the duration of the real-time broadcast of the multimedia content. Thus, until the end of the real-time broadcast, a user can request the service and view the content from its beginning. According to a variant of this particular embodiment of the invention, a module M10 (not shown) of the "restart platform" can be implemented to process the information received from the operator (opening / closing of the service) and transmit them to the M7 module, which is the main module for managing the service on the restart platform and described in more detail above. For example, this module M10 sets the start and end times of the service, from the "orders" received from the operator, then transmits them to the M7 module. In particular, in this example, the following modules M1 to M4 and M6 to M8 are considered: - M1: this module, also called coder, ensures the encoding of the multimedia stream broadcast in real time, as it is broadcast according to step 121 already described above. This module M10 thus takes as input the multimedia stream and outputs a plurality of multimedia content fragments, called "chunks". These fragments of content are therefore delivered to the module M2 described below, as and when the streaming of the stream in real time. M2: this module takes as input the multimedia stream cut into "chuncks" by the module M1 and stores each of these content fragments, in a buffer memory for example, as already described above in relation with step 122. The fragments of content are stored as and when they are supplied by the module M1 and are therefore available as and when for the module M3 described below. M3: this module takes as input the content fragments stored by the module M2 and concatenes them (step 123 described above) so as to deliver a multimedia content file intended to be supplied to the user terminal M5, via the module M4 described below. As already stated, this file is built as and when storage of fragments by the M2 module. M4: this module, also called video server, provides the multimedia content file delivered by the module M3, this file being completed as and when the content is broadcast in real time, and therefore being complete only when the end of this broadcast. For the user terminal however, this file is viewed as a download file, at any time of the real-time broadcast of the multimedia stream, when the service is open. Moreover, this module M4 can be duplicated in as many modules as necessary, in order to respond to a large number of requests from user terminals wishing to benefit from the service. Thus, a plurality of modules M4 is able to provide the multimedia content file to a plurality of user terminals. - M6: this module, also called "front office", for front end server or front area, provides the user terminal M5 information necessary for the use of the service, such as the access address ("URL") to multimedia content file, the name and the duration of the service ... when the multimedia content is provided to the user terminal via an IP communication network. This module M6 obtains this information on the service via the module M7 (described below), from which it can previously register. As for the module M4, this module M6 can be duplicated in as many modules as necessary, in order to respond to a large number of requests from user terminals wishing to benefit from the service. Thus, a plurality of modules M6 is able to provide information necessary for the use of the service to a plurality of user terminals. This module M6 can also manage the different requests of the user terminals by the implementation of access tokens, provided to the user terminals, for example before delivering the service information to them, thus "regulating" the load on the terminals. M4 video servers and ensure the quality of service. Moreover, this module M6 can also be in charge of collecting, at the user terminals, information necessary for calculating statistics of the service. - M7: this module, also called service manager, manages the service, including the opening and closing of the service. Thus, the module M7 receives the information of opening / closing the service by the operator (via the module M10 or directly from the operator, as described above), and verifies the proper operation of the service. For example, this module M7 controls the module M2, by transmitting commands to start or stop the storage of the fragments delivered by M1, and verifies that the stored fragments are available on the module M2 for the module M3. This module M7 also verifies that one or more multimedia content files are available on the video server M4 for the user terminals M5. Finally, the module M7 transmits to the module M6, as described above, the information on the service. Optionally, this module M7 transmits to an M9 module, implemented in a broadcast source equipment (for example a TNT headend) a service opening / closing event, for broadcast (for example via stream events). in MPEG-TS) by this module M9 to the user terminals, via the broadcast network. M8: this module regularly retrieves information available on the module (s) M6 and calculates statistics, such as the number of contents displayed, the errors encountered by the user terminals when accessing the service, or still the percentage of visualization of the contents according to the chosen flow rate.

According to this particular embodiment of the invention, the modules M1, M2, M7, M8 and M10 not being in a "direct" relationship with the user terminals M5, are located more particularly within a zone B called " back office "or for protected area, of the restart platform, while the modules M3, M4 and M6," directly "in relation to the user terminals M5, are located more particularly within an area F called" front office "Or frontal area of the restart platform. As already indicated, it should be noted that the sequences described above can be implemented for several delivery rates of the multimedia content file. Thus, an advantage of the invention, according to its different embodiments, is to be able to provide, at different rates, the same multimedia content, from its beginning, while this content is being broadcast. Indeed, because of the disparity of user terminals, from a technical point of view and from a location point of view with respect to the "restart platform", it is advantageous to be able to build and provide multimedia content files. with different transmission rates.

Specifically, each M4 module provides the same multimedia content at different speeds, through several media files. This allows each user terminal M5 to choose the best rate adapted to the bandwidth between him and the module M4 of the restart platform. For example, to choose this rate, the user terminal M5 can download a file of predefined size, preferably small (for example 300 K bytes), on the module M4 and estimate the flow available between him and M4 from the time download. Furthermore, it should be noted that, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the exchanges between the different modules of the restart platform are implemented via IP networks as well. In addition, M11 charge controllers (not shown in Figure 2) can be added in the "front office" part of the restart platform, in order to support a significant load within this restart platform.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary implementation system of the invention, according to this embodiment of the invention, in which is illustrated an exemplary device for providing at least one multimedia content in the form of a restart platform, an example of an M5 user terminal and an example of a source equipment of TNT headend type. According to this embodiment of the invention, such a device comprises means for providing the multimedia content, from the beginning of said multimedia content, via a communication network distinct from the digital broadcasting network of the multimedia content being broadcast to a network. predetermined flow rate. This device comprises among others the modules M1 to M4, M6 to M8 and M10, as described above, the relations between these different modules, and with the user terminal M5 and the TNT headend having also been described above. .

According to this particular embodiment of the invention, the headend TNT comprises a transmission module, via the digital broadcast network, of at least one piece of information representative of the delivery of the multimedia content from its beginning.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method of providing at least one user terminal with at least one multimedia content 11, said multimedia content being broadcast at a predetermined rate, in the form of a multimedia stream 10, in a digital broadcasting network, characterized in that said method comprises a step of providing said multimedia content, by a remote server of said at least one user terminal, from the beginning of said multimedia content, via a communication network distinct from said digital broadcasting network. 2. A method of supply according to claim 1, characterized in that said method comprises a step of receiving said multimedia stream and the following steps, implemented in said remote server, for each received portion of said multimedia stream and for at least one bit rate. predetermined supply of said multimedia content to said at least one user terminal: encoding 121 of said received portion delivering at least one independent content fragment; storing 122 of said at least one independent content fragment; progressive construction 123 of at least one multimedia content file by concatenation of said stored independent fragments. 3. A method of supply according to claim 2, characterized in that said method comprises a step of providing, by said remote server to said at least one user terminal, said at least one media file, on request of said at least one user terminal. . 4. A method of supply according to claim 3, characterized in that said request of said user terminal comprises at least one piece of information representative of the desired bit rate for said provision of said multimedia content file. 5. A method of supply according to claim 2, characterized in that said method further comprises a step of providing, by said remote server, said user terminal, at least one piece of information representative of said multimedia content file. 6. The method of supply according to claim 1, characterized in that said method further comprises a step of transmitting, via said digital broadcast network, at least one information representative of the supply of said multimedia content from its beginning. 7. A method of supply according to claim 3, characterized in that a plurality of user terminals issues requests and in that said method comprises a step of managing said requests of said user terminals delivering access rights to said user terminals. auditing at least one media file. 8. The method of supply according to claim 2, characterized in that said method also comprises a step of encrypting said multimedia content file. 9. A device for providing at least one user terminal with at least one multimedia content, said multimedia content being broadcast at a predetermined rate, in the form of a multimedia stream, in a digital broadcasting network, characterized in that said device, remote from said at least one user terminal, comprises means for providing said multimedia content, from the beginning of said multimedia content, via a communication network distinct from said digital broadcasting network 10. Source equipment for broadcasting at least one multimedia content in a digital broadcasting network, characterized in that it comprises a transmission module, via said digital broadcasting network, of at least one piece of information representative of the supply of said multimedia content from its beginning. 11. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing a method of supply according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when the program is executed by a processor. A computer-readable and non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program comprising processor-executable instructions for implementing a delivery method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.