FR3079711A1 - METHOD FOR MANAGING ACCESS TO DIGITAL CONTENT. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an access management method, via a first communication network, to a digital content by a terminal, said initiator terminal, the initiator terminal being able to communicate with at least one other terminal, said associated terminal via a second communication network, the content being accessible to an address in a first network accessible by the initiating terminal and the associated terminal, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - transmission of an access request Content to a proxy (PRX) - obtaining from the proxy (PRX) a first and a second address (URL1-URL2) representative of pieces of the content; sending at the same time an access request to the first address (URL1) via the first network (RES1); and a request to access the second address (URL2) to the associated terminal; - reception from the proxy (PRX) of a first piece of content corresponding to the first address from the first network (RES1), and from the associated terminal (MOBa1, MOBa2) receiving a second piece of content via the second network (RES2); - reconstitution of all or part of the content at the base of the first and second pieces received.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of telecommunications.

The invention relates more particularly to a method for managing access to digital content by a terminal via a communication network.

The communication network is arbitrary but particularly targets communication networks in which the bandwidth fluctuates as a function of the geographical area in which the terminal concerned is located; a communication network of this type is for example a mobile telephone network such as a 3G / 4G / 5G network or equivalent.

The terminal referred to above is a device equipped with at least one processor capable of processing information and means for communicating with at least one communication network. This terminal can be for example a mobile phone, a tablet, a personal computer, etc.

State of the art

Certain geographic areas have very fluctuating mobile network coverage; the bandwidth allocated to a mobile terminal on this type of network can sometimes be very limited, inevitably leading to degradations in the quality of the services offered to the terminal from the communication network. For example, today, the growing size of digital content is such that it can be complicated, especially in areas with low bandwidth, to receive large files quickly from a content server.

The invention offers a solution which does not have the drawbacks of the state of the art.

The invention

To this end, according to a first functional aspect, the invention relates to a method for managing access to digital content, via a first communication network, by a terminal, called the initiating terminal, the initiating terminal being able to communicate with at least one other terminal, called associated terminal, via a second communication network, the content being accessible, by the initiating terminal and by the associated terminal, to an address in the first network, characterized in that it comprises the steps following:

- transmission of a request for access to content;

- obtaining from a proxy a first and a second address representative of pieces of the content;

- sending both a request for access to the first address via the first network, and a request for access to the second address to the associated terminal;

- reception of a first piece of content from the proxy corresponding to the first address from the first network, and of a second piece of content from the associated terminal via the second network;

- reconstruction of all or part of the content on the basis of the first and second songs received.

The combination of several terminals, implying their respective connectivity, considerably increases the bandwidth available to access content. Indeed, each associated terminal contributes to obtaining the content by recovering a piece of content and by transmitting the piece of recovered content to the initiating terminal via the second network; we will see below that this second network is ideally a short-range network.

In addition, not only does the invention increase the bandwidth but also decreases the access time to the content because the tasks can be executed simultaneously by all the terminals.

It should be noted here that the invention is not limited to a single second address but extends on the contrary to a greater number of addresses. We will see that this number of second addresses will be proportional to the number of associated terminals selected.

It should also be noted that the proxy designates a proxy server which acts as an intermediary between the terminals, both the initiating terminal and the associated terminal or terminals, and a content server.

According to one embodiment, the selection of an associated terminal is a function of parameters linked to the terminal. In this way, the selection of the associated terminal is carried out judiciously so as to guarantee access to the content requested by the initiating terminal.

According to a first variant of this mode, the parameters include a maximum data volume to be used on the first network. This variant is interesting when the terminal proposed for selection must not exceed a volume of data (often expressed in Gga Bytes) over a given period of time (often over a period of one month); volume control can be carried out by a telecommunications operator managing a subscription linked to the use of the terminal. The maximum data volume can also be defined by a user of the terminal proposed for selection so as to limit the use of the terminal as an associated terminal.

According to a second variant of this mode, the parameters include a time slot allocated for the use of the terminal as an associated terminal. This variant notably allows the user of the associated terminal to define time slots, in particular time slots where the probability of using the terminal is low. This variant avoids using the terminal as an associated terminal at a time when the user of the terminal wishes to access content from the first network.

According to a hardware aspect, the invention relates to a manager able to manage access to digital content, via a first communication network, by a terminal, called the initiating terminal, the initiating terminal being able to communicate with at least one another terminal, said associated terminal, via a second communication network, the content being accessible, by the initiating terminal and by the associated terminal, to an address in the first network, characterized in that it comprises the following modules:

a module for transmitting a request for access to the content;

a module for obtaining from a proxy a first and a second address representative of pieces of the content;

- a module for sending both a request for access to the first address via the first network, and a request for access to the second address intended for the associated terminal;

- a module for receiving a first piece of content from the proxy corresponding to the first address via the first network, and a second piece of content from the associated terminal (MOBa1, MOBa2) via the second network (RES2);

- a module for reconstituting all or part of the content on the basis of the first and second songs received.

According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a terminal, known as the initiator, comprising a manager as defined above.

According to another hardware aspect, the invention relates to a computer program able to be implemented on a terminal as defined above, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor , performs the process steps defined above according to a first functional aspect.

According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a data medium on which at least one series of program code instructions has been stored for the execution of the steps of the method defined above according to a first functional aspect.

The above-mentioned manager, initiating terminal, recording medium and computer program have at least the same advantages as those conferred by the access management method according to the present invention.

According to a second functional aspect, the invention relates to a method of supplying content by a proxy to a terminal, known as the initiating terminal, the proxy being able to communicate with at least one other terminal, known as the associated terminal, the content being accessible by the initiating terminal and the terminal associated with an address in a first network, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- receipt of a request for access to content;

- cutting content into pieces of content;

- obtaining addresses associated with the pieces of content, respectively;

- transmission of the addresses at least to the initiating terminal;

- reception of requests for access to addresses from several terminals;

- transmission of pieces of content to the terminals at the origin of the requests.

According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a proxy capable of supplying content to a terminal, known as the initiating terminal, the proxy being able to communicate with at least one other terminal, known as the associated terminal, the content being accessible by the terminal initiator and the terminal associated with an address in a first network, characterized in that it comprises:

a module for receiving a request for access to content;

- a module for splitting content into pieces of content;

- a module for obtaining addresses associated with the pieces of content, respectively;

- a module for transmitting addresses at least to the initiating terminal;

- a module for receiving requests for access to addresses from several terminals;

a module for transmitting pieces of content to the terminals at the origin of the requests.

According to another hardware aspect, the invention relates to a computer program capable of being implemented on a proxy as defined above, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor , performs the steps of the above process with reference to the second functional aspect.

According to another hardware aspect, the invention relates to a data medium on which at least one series of program code instructions has been stored for executing the steps of the above method with reference to the second functional aspect.

The aforementioned proxy, recording medium and computer program relating to the method of providing content have at least the same advantages as those conferred by the method of providing according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 1 represents a computer system on which an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

FIG. 2 an exchange of messages between the initiating terminal and the associated terminals according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 provides a block diagram of an equipped terminal proposing terminals associated with the selection.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exchange of messages, in particular between the initiating terminal and the associated terminals, the purpose of which is to obtain addresses associated with the pieces of content.

FIG. 5 FIG. 4 illustrates an exchange of messages in particular between the initiating terminal and the associated terminals whose purpose is to access the content by means of the addresses associated with the pieces of the content.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

FIG. 1 represents a system SYS comprising a content server SRV and mobile terminals including an initiator terminal MOBi, called the initiator in the following, and associated terminals MOBa1 / MOBa2, called associated in the following. The number of associated or associated terminals can be any; one could be enough to illustrate the invention; however, the example of embodiment described below will be based on two associated terminals.

The invention also includes a PRX manager, having a proxy function (also called a proxy), which will be described in more detail below.

In a manner known per se, the SERV server has a hardware architecture of a computer. It includes a processor PRO, a read-only memory MEM, a random access memory and communication means for communicating with other terminals such as for example an Internet-type interface. The terminals themselves also have the architecture of a computer.

The terminals, namely the initiator terminal MOBi and the associated terminals MOBa1-MOBa2, can communicate with the server SRV and the proxy PRX through a first communication network RES1.

The location of the proxy in the system is arbitrary. The proxy could be located in the SRV server; in our example, the proxy is separate from the server.

The initiating terminal and the associated terminals can also communicate with each other via a second communication network RES2.

The first network RES1 is in our example a mobile network also called a cellular network; the second network is for example a short range network such as a Bluetooth BT connection of the BLE low consumption type, a Wi-Fi network, etc.

The MOBi initiator will require access to content managed by the SRV server. Content can be stored on the server; in this case, the management consists for the server of finding the requested content in its memory; Content can also be stored on devices other than the server; in this case, management notably consists in interrogating this other device and recovering the requested content.

To access content, the invention proposes to use the cellular connectivity of several terminals on the first network RES1. In other words, several terminals contribute to obtaining content on behalf of the initiating terminal MOBi. In this case, the associated terminals, or even the initiating MOBi terminal, download separate and ideally contiguous parts of the content. These simultaneous accesses to parts of the same content by different terminals considerably reduces the time of access to the content compared to an access made by a single initiating terminal.

It will be seen below that obtaining the parts of content consists, for the proxy, of cutting the content into pieces, preferably contiguous pieces, each piece being identifiable by means of the IP address of the proxy in the first communication network. RES1, namely the mobile network in our example, and respective URLs assigned to the pieces of content.

It is understood that cutting the content into pieces of contiguous content makes it possible to completely reconstruct the content; however, the invention also covers the case where the pieces are not contiguous. Indeed, it may happen that it is not necessary to receive the entire content, a part being sufficient.

As indicated above, the invention is useful when the first network used is limited in bandwidth in the geographical area where the MOBi initiator is located. For example, a family finds themselves on vacation in a place with 3G type or equivalent mobile coverage, and wishes to view a film having a format having a high definition, for example 4K type, downloadable via the first network.

Let us briefly recall that the 4K format is a digital image format with a definition greater than or equal to 4096 pixels wide. It is qualified Ultra High Definition (Ultra HD) in Europe. The 4K format is mainly used in the field of digital cinema.

4K content cannot be accessed via a 3G network especially when the bandwidth at the MOBi initiator is low; in this case, either it is impossible to obtain the file, or if possible, the time to obtain the file is long or very long; moreover, a subscription linked to a terminal for access to the mobile network RES1 is often limited in quantity of data downloaded via the first network (often expressed in GB); in this case, downloading 4K content may result in the full use of the plan in a very short time. The grouping of several terminals proposed by the invention avoids these problems. Indeed, as will be seen below, the invention makes it possible to accelerate the time of reception of a content and allows sharing of the volume of data to be downloaded for obtaining the content.

Another interesting example among others is that of a doctor working in an isolated village, for example in Africa, who needs to send a health report quickly to a third party for medical advice. Sharing the connectivity of several terminals makes it possible to transmit this file even though the bandwidth is low in the geographic area concerned.

FIG. 2 illustrates the exchange of messages during a discovery phase of associated terminals.

The initiator MOBi executes a MOD1 manager, in our example a computer application, in order to detect associates able to communicate via the second network RES2, a Bluetooth network in our example. For this, the MOD1 application activates a Bluetooth communication interface from the initiator MOBi to be able to communicate via the second network RES2.

Following activation, an ET11 inquisition phase is launched during which the initiator MOBi, playing the role of master, sends a REQ inquisition request to all the terminals present in the range area.

During a second phase ET12, the terminals receiving this request, playing the role of slave, respond OK to the master by sending their respective addresses ADDa1 / ADDa2. In the end, a pico network type network is obtained (star topology with a master terminal and slave terminals).

Advantageously, launching the MOD1 application automatically activates the PRX proxy; in our example, this proxy is an HTTP proxy located on a remote server; this PRX proxy filters all HTTP input and output to or from a terminal.

Take the case of the family wanting to watch a video with a high resolution, for example with a 4K resolution: the father of the family runs the MOD1 application on his smartphone, visualizes the list of associates who responded to the request for inquisition. FIG. 3 illustrates the initiating terminal MOBi on which the associated terminals are displayed on an INT interface and a possibility of selecting all or part of the associated terminals. In our example, the selection is possible thanks to CS check boxes. In FIG. 3, all the boxes are ticked signifying that all the associated terminals have been selected.

Following the selection of the MOBal and MOBa2 associates, the MOBi initiator connects to a website hosted on the SRV server to retrieve content, for example a video. This connection is made for example by means of an internet browser.

In our example, the MOD1 application intercepts HTTP requests for access to content and enriches it by inserting at least the number of associates; this enrichment is especially useful when there are several partners; It will be understood subsequently that this number will be used to determine a number of cuts of the content. One can imagine enriching this request thanks to a cookie or a specific header (HTTP Header).

The proxy detects requests and identifies large content using a "Content-Length http" parameter that it receives from the content server in addition to the requested content. The proxy, depending on the size of the content, then offers the user whether or not to activate bandwidth sharing with one or more associated terminals.

FIG. 4 illustrates exchanges of messages during a bandwidth sharing according to one embodiment.

During a first step ET21, the initiator MOBi defines a number of associates, or alternatively a list of identifiers of associated terminals. This number, and / or possibly the identifiers, are included in a Cookie. This step is optional, because the number of associated terminals can be constant and known on the proxy.

In a second step ΕΓ22, the initiator MOBi transmits a "send http request" request. In our example, this request includes the Cookie.

In a third step ET23, the PRX proxy intercepts the "send http Request" request;

In a fourth step, ET24, the PRX proxy transfers the request to the destination server SRV.

In a fifth step ΕΓ25, the PRX proxy receives in return a response from the SRV server of the "http Response" type.

In a sixth step ET26, the PRX proxy preferably analyzes the response in order to determine whether the requested content is large or not by consulting the response from the server; in our example, the proxy consults the "Content-Length http" parameter.

Optionally, during a seventh ET27S step, the content is large, the proxy transmits, to the initiator MOBi, a message proposing the sharing of connectivity with the associates. In this configuration, if the user agrees (case 1), the initiator MOBi transmits an OKIors agreement message of an eighth step ET28; otherwise (case 2), the process continues normally by transmitting the content to the initiator without sharing connections (case not illustrated in the figures).

We assume that the initiator MOBi accepts (case 1). In a ninth step ET29, the PRX proxy then creates several URL addresses corresponding to parts of the content; the number is chosen so that it corresponds to the number of terminals that will associate to receive the pieces of content. In our example, this number includes the MOBi initiator; however, another variant could be to not involve the initiator in obtaining a piece of content and to only call on associates. Another variant could consist in transmitting several URL addresses to the same partner, for example when the latter has a large bandwidth, or a credit associated with a large volume of data to download.

Finally, in a tenth step ΕΓ210, the PRX proxy transmits the URLs to the MOBi initiator.

Access to content by the various terminals is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

To simplify the presentation, the example is limited to two partners. It is assumed here that the proxy has created three URL addresses, namely URL1 to URL3 which will be assigned respectively to the initiator MOBi, and to the two associates MOB2 / MOB3.

The steps are as follows:

During a first step ΕΓ31 relating to access to content, the initiator transmits via the short-range network RES2, to the associates the addresses previously created URL2 and URL3. These addresses are received by the partners.

In a second step ΕΓ32, the initiator MOBi transmits a GEL URL1 access request to the proxy. This access request includes the URL1 address of a piece of content.

In a third step ΕΓ33, the PRX proxy transmits (SEND Packetl) in return the packets relating to the piece of content concerned via the first network RES1.

In a fourth step ΕΓ34, the partners transmit GET URL2 and GET URL3 access requests to the PRX proxy, respectively.

In a fifth step ET35, the proxy transmits (SEND Packet2 / SEND Packet3) in return the packets relating to the content cut out via the first network RES1.

In a sixth step ΕΓ36, the associates having received the data packets, transmit the received packets via the short-range network RES2 to the initiator MOBi.

In a sixth step ET37, the initiator MOBi reconstructs the content using the pieces of content received Packet1-Packet3.

The embodiments described above may be subject to variants including the following.

For example, during the ET 11 acquisition phase, described above, a first variant may consist in providing the initiator MOBi, in addition to a list of available associates, parameters associated with the associates. These parameters are for example additional information on the respective capacities of the partners; for example, the information may include a maximum data volume (in GB) usable on the first network by the associated associated terminal, for example that the associated terminal allocates to the initiator. This allows, after the inquisition step, to select a partner judiciously according to the content to be downloaded. According to another variant, the parameters include a time slot allocated for the use of the terminal as an associated terminal.

According to a sub-variant, the MOD1 manager can include an inhibition function capable of inhibiting the possibility of selecting an associate. This function is useful when the partner in question should not be used for connection sharing.

In the mode described above with reference to FIG. 4, in the tenth step ET210, the proxy transmits the URLs to the initiator MOBi. In a second variant, the proxy transmits the URLs both to the initiator MOBi and to the associates MOBal and MOBa2 via the first network, respectively. This prevents the initiator from transmitting the URL2 / URL3 addresses in step ET31 with reference to FIG. 5.

In this second variant, the partners MOBal and MOBa2 inform the initiator MOBi of the receipt of the respective addresses URL2 / URL3.

Following the reception of the URL1 address and the information relating to the proper reception of the URL2 / URL3 addresses, the initiator requests access to I URL1 by transmitting a request on the first network to the proxy as described below. above on the second step ET32.

Then, as indicated above, during a third step ET33, the proxy PRX transmits (SEND Packetl) in return the packets relating to the piece of content concerned via the first network RES1.

As seen above, the method of the invention comprises sending both a request for access to the first address via the first network, and a request for access to the second address at destination of the associated terminal. Note here that the time of execution of the two shipments is indifferent; shipments can be made one after the other or simultaneously.

Also, the method includes a reception step

- a first piece of content from the proxy corresponding to the first address from the first network,

- and second second pieces of content via the second network from the associated terminals.

For carrying out the method described above, the manager (MOD1) comprises a module for transmitting a request for access to the content;

a module for obtaining from the proxy (PRX) a first and a second address (URL1-URL2) representative of pieces of content;

a module for sending both a request for access to the first address (URL1) via the first network (RES1); and a request to access the second address (URL2) to the associated terminal;

a module for receiving from the proxy (PRX) a first piece of content corresponding to the first address from the first network (RES1), and from the associated terminal (MOBal, MOBa2) receiving a second piece of content via the second network (RES2);

a module for reconstructing all or part of the content on the basis of the first and second pieces received.

The manager can also include a module for selecting an associated terminal;

a module for transmitting the selection made to a proxy (PRX).

In this way, as we have seen previously, the number of pieces of content cut takes into account the number of associated terminals capable of receiving a piece.

Similarly, for carrying out the method described above, the proxy comprises

- a module for receiving a request for access to content;

- a module for splitting content into pieces of content;

- a module for obtaining addresses (URL1-URL3) associated with the pieces of content, respectively;

- a module for transmitting addresses at least to the initiating terminal;

- a module for receiving requests for access to addresses from several terminals;

a module for transmitting pieces of content to the terminals at the origin of the requests.

The PRX proxy can also include a module for receiving a number of terminals, for example a number of associated terminals; and a content splitting module able to split the content into a number of pieces depending on the number of terminals received; For example, if two associated terminals are selected, the proxy splits the content into three pieces:

a first piece intended for the initiating terminal MOBi;

a second and a third song intended for the two associated terminals.

Note that, in this text, the terms manager, proxy or modules can correspond as well to software components as to hardware components or a set of hardware and software components, a software component itself corresponding to one or more programs or 5 computer subroutines or more generally to any element of a program capable of implementing a function or a set of functions as described above. In the same way, a hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware (or hardware) assembly capable of implementing a function or a set of functions (integrated circuit, smart card, 10 memory card, etc.).

Claims (12)

claims 1. Method for managing access to digital content, via a first communication network (RES1), by a terminal (MOBi), called the initiating terminal, the initiating terminal being able to communicate with at least one other terminal (MOBal, MOBa2), said associated terminal, via a second communication network (RES2), the content being accessible, by the initiating terminal and by the associated terminal, to an address in the first network, characterized in that it comprises the following steps : - transmission of a request for access to content; obtaining from a proxy (PRX) a first and a second address (URL1-URL2) representative of pieces of content; - sending at the same time a request for access to the first address (URL1) via the first network (RES1); and a request to access the second address (URL2) to the associated terminal; - reception of a first piece of content from the proxy (PRX) corresponding to the first address from the first network (RES1), and a second piece of content from the associated terminal (MOBal, MOBa2) via the second network ( RES2); - reconstruction of all or part of the content on the basis of the first and second songs received. 2. Access management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the selection of an associated terminal is a function of parameters linked to the terminal. 3. Access management method according to claim 2, characterized in that the parameters include a maximum data volume to be used on the first network. 4. An access management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the parameters include a time slot allocated for the use of the terminal as an associated terminal. 5. Manager (MOD1) able to manage access to digital content, via a first communication network (RES1), by a terminal (MOBi), called the initiating terminal, the initiating terminal being able to communicate with at least one other terminal (MOBal, MOBa2), said associated terminal, via a second communication network (RES2), the content being accessible, by the initiating terminal and by the associated terminal, to an address in the first network, characterized in that it includes the following modules: - a module for transmitting a request for access to content; - a module for obtaining from a proxy (PRX) a first and a second address (URL1-URL2) representative of pieces of content; - a module for sending both a request for access to the first address (URL1) via the first network (RES1); and a request to access the second address (URL2) to the associated terminal; - a module for receiving a first piece of content from the proxy (PRX) corresponding to the first address via the first network (RES1), and a second piece of content from the associated terminal (MOBal, MOBa2) via the second network (RES2); - a module for reconstituting all or part of the content on the basis of the first and second songs received. 6. Terminal, known as the initiator, comprising a manager as defined in claim 5. 7. A computer program able to be implemented on a terminal as defined in claim 6, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the method defined in claim 1. 8. Data medium on which at least one series of program code instructions has been stored for the execution of a method according to claim 1. 9. Method for supplying content by a proxy to a terminal, called the initiating terminal, the proxy being able to communicate with at least one other terminal, called the associated terminal, the content being accessible by the initiating terminal and the terminal associated with an address in a first network, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - receipt of a request for access to content; - cutting content into pieces of content; - obtaining addresses (URL1-URL3) associated with the pieces of content, respectively; - transmission of the addresses at least to the initiating terminal; - reception of requests for access to addresses from several terminals; - transmission of pieces of content to the terminals at the origin of the requests. 10. Proxy capable of supplying content to a terminal, known as the initiating terminal, the proxy being able to communicate with at least one other terminal, known as the associated terminal, the content being accessible by the initiating terminal and the terminal associated with an address in a first network, characterized in that it comprises: - a module for receiving a request for access to content; - a module for splitting content into pieces of content; - a module for obtaining addresses (URL1-URL3) associated with the pieces of content, respectively; a module for transmitting addresses at least to the initiating terminal; - a module for receiving requests for access to addresses from several terminals; a module for transmitting pieces of content to the terminals at the origin of the requests. 5 11. A computer program able to be implemented on a proxy as defined in claim 10, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the method defined in claim 9. 12. Data carrier on which at least one series has been stored 10 of program code instructions for executing a method according to claim 9.