GB2507380A

GB2507380A - Network distribution of media content

Info

Publication number: GB2507380A
Application number: GB1313215.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Stafford; Steven Fisher
Original assignee: Global Invacom Ltd
Current assignee: Global Invacom Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-24
Filing date: 2013-07-24
Publication date: 2014-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-24
Also published as: WO2014016598A1; GB201313215D0; EP2878132A1; GB201213135D0; GB2507380B

Abstract

A network for the distribution of media content, such as video and/or audio data, comprises a number of networked devices (e.g. TVs 24,26), at least one of which (e.g. Broadcast Data Receiver BDR 50) serves as a data source. Selection means (e.g. remote control 34,44) are provided via which a user may request media content to be retrieved from the data source and played on the associated local device. The selection means be implemented in an infra red remote-control, mobile phone, PDA, tablet or similar peripheral. Playback devices 24,26 are provided with associated transceivers 30,32 to enable distribution/sharing of the requested content amongst multiple devices on the network. The transceivers also serve to convey user requests submitted by remote controls (e.g. 44) back to the data source 50 to enable users of all networked devices to request delivery of media content. The network may be a household/home local area network (LAN / HLAN) located in premises to facilitate sharing of video and/or audio/music content amongst networked devices in the home.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Applicathin No. (lB 1313215.4 RTM Dare: 12 Fchruary 2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should he rcad as such wherever they occur in this document: Bluetooth rj -H Inlelleclual Property Office is an operaling name of the Pateni Office www.ipo.gov.uk Improvements to a Video and/or Audio data distribution network system The invention relates to improvements to a video and/or audio distribution system and the ability for one or more users to interact with the same and control the operation of various apparatus via the distribution system.

The provision of remote control devices to allow user interaction and control of video and/or audio distribution systems within a user's premises is known but, conventionally, there tends to be provided a remote control device for each item of apparatus and, furthermore, with regard to the operation of apparatus to receive and select television and radio channels, each item of apparatus can only be operated by its own remote control device or, on occasion, two remote control devices, one for the channels which have been received via a first broadcast system and another for channels which are received via a differing broadcast system. Each item of apparatus therefore tends to be operable, and be operated, as an independent unit so that, for example, one apparatus may be used to show a television programme while other apparatus is separately controlled to show the same or other programmes or recorded media In order to overcome the above problem it is known to provide a device which allows connection, via for example UhF Coaxial cable, UHF wireless, power line, or other means, between televisions and/or other apparatus in different rooms of the premises or other locations which allows limited connectivity between the apparatus such as, for example, to allow a programme selection made via apparatus at one of the locations to be relayed to and be viewable at apparatus at another location. The programme selection can then be used to control the operation of the further device. However, while this is of advantage, the devices of this type tend to have only limited functionality and even then, the major disadvantage is that each item of apparatus has to be capable of receiving the required data, independently, in response to the programme selection which it receives so that, for example, if a signal is sent to a television apparatus to display a programme provided by a broadcast data provider apparatus to which that television is not connected then the programme cannot be shown. Further problems exist with regard to the transmission of data in that the amount of data which can be transmitted is insufficient to allow a television programme to be generated at all or without pause and this is especially the case with the provision of data to allow a High Definition video and/or audio service to be provided so that in practice this type of service cannot be provided iii conventional systems to which items of apparatus can be connected.

An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a system whereby control of apparatus within a video and/or audio system can be achieved more efficiently and also to provide a greater number of control functions to be available to the user of the system. A further aim is to allow video and/or audio data to be transferred between devices in addition to, or separately from, said control signals for the devices.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a network for the distribution of video and/or audio data, said network including items of apparatus provided in communication to selectively receive, process and/or generate audio and/or video data for viewing and/or listening to via at least one display screen and/or speakers, with at least one of the items of the apparatus being a data source, at least one selection means provided to allow a user to select any, or any combination of, control of the operation of an item of apparatus and/or a particular television, radio programme and/or recorded media which is to be viewed and/or listened to via the item of apparatus and wherein means are provided to receive signals from the selection means which are representative of the selection made and retrieve the required video and/or audio from the item of apparatus acting as the data source and distribute said signals and/or retrieved video and/or audio via the network to a plurality of said items of apparatus to allow the said items of apparatus to be controlled and/or said retrieved video and/or audio to be viewed and/or listened to via said items of apparatus.

Typically the said retrieved video and/or audio can be viewed and/or listened to substantially simultaneously on said items of apparatus.

Typically the selection means comprises any, or any combination of, a remote control device and/or a wireless means such as a mobile phone, PDA or other user means used to send a signal to a receiving device connected to or provided as part of a first item of apparatus of the network and/or control means provided on the item of apparatus. Typically, the receiving device is provided as part of, or iii connection with, a data transmitting and/or receiving device which is connected or provided as part of an item of apparatus. Typically the said device both transmits and receives signals and is referred to in a nonlimiting manner as a transceiving means or transceiver hereonin.

Typically the transceiving means allows the transfer of data to another item of apparatus to allow the control of operation of the same.

In one embodiment the said other item of apparatus includes or is connected to a signal emitter to allow appropriate data representing the signal and/or video and/or audio to be passed onwards therefrom to the said other item of apparatus.

The items of apparatus can typically be any of television, a broadcast data receiver, a media player such as a DVD player, a PC or tablet device or indeed any item of apparatus which is capable of acting as a data source, and/or means for viewing and/or listening to said data.

Typically each of the items of apparatus in the network is connected to at least a receiver but more preferably a transceiver and to which transceiver a signal emitter is connected to thereby allow the control of the item of apparatus from control and/or video and/or audio data signals received via interaction with another item of apparatus in the network.

Typically the passage of the data signals between the various devices of the network is achieved by wireless connection, optical fibre cable, and/or coaxial cable connection, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment the signal receiving device can also be used to emit a signal which is indicative of a user selection, with the signal which is emitted being used to control apparatus in the range of the signal.

In an alternative embodiment there can be provided a device which is only capable of emitting a signal to allow control of an item of apparatus provided as part of the network.

In one embodiment the network includes at least two items of apparatus for use in the viewing and/or listening to audio

S

and/or video, selection means to allow user interaction to control of operation of at least one of the items of apparatus, a transceiver connected to the first item of apparatus and a transceiver connected to a second item of apparatus and communication means to allow the communication of video, audio and/or control data signals between the respective transceivers to allow the control of the operation of the said items of apparatus in the network to allow the viewing and/or Estening to the same video and/or audio from a common so ii r cc -In one embodiment the communication means is any or any combination of, wir&ess, optical caMe, coaxial cable and/or power line carrier and/or could be IP encapsulated data over an Ethernet network In one embodiment the data signals are transmitted along the cable communication means using Wi-N control parameters.

In another embodiment each of the devices can be controlled by a control means and control signals received by a first device are communicated to other devices connected to that network.

In one embodiment the data which is generated and transferred between the items of apparatus in accordance with invention is that which is emitted from High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) apparatus and typically referred to as HDMI data.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a network within a premises, said network including at least two items of apparatus for the provision of audio and/or video, selection means to allow user interaction to control the operation of at least one of the items of apparatus, a transceiver connected to the first item of apparatus and a transceiver connected to a second item of apparatus and communication means to allow the communication of video, audio and/or control data signals between the respective transceivers to allow the control of the operation of the said items of apparatus in the network to allow the viewing and/or listening of the same video and/or audio from an item of apparatus acting as a common data source with said video and/or audio transferred from said item of apparatus to the said at least one further item of apparatus via the network.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the provision of audio and/or video on at least two items of apparatus provided as part of a data distribution network, said method comprising the steps of, a user interacting with one of the items of apparatus using selection means to generate a signal to select the particular video and/or aLldio which is to be generated, retrieving said video and/or audio and making the same available for viewing and/or listening to via said first item of apparatus and a further item of apparatus connected thereto and wherein the signal used to make the selection and/or said retrieved video and/or audio is transferred to at least a transmitter, and transmitting therefrom the said retrieved audio and/or video to thereby allow the at least one further item of apparatus to receive the data via a receiver and thereby generate the said retrieved audio and/or video.

Typically each of the items of apparatus is connected to or provided with a transceiver to allow the transmission and reception of control signals and/or video and/or audio data.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes any or any combination of data sources such as a broadcast data receiver, an internet connection, storage means and/or media player and each can be selectively used as a common data source from which video and/or audio can be retrieved and then made available via the network to each of the other items of apparatus for display in response to the user selection.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 illustrates, in a schematic manner, a video and/or audio data distribution network of apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention; and, Figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated a network 2 which can be provided of a configuration and location to suit specific purposes but, most typically the majority of the network will be provided in domestic premises.

In this example, the items of apparatus provided as part of the network include a broadcast data receiver 4 which is provided as a data source to receive, process and generate audio and/or video data to allow user selected television and/or radio programmes to be generated and displayed. The use of the word "display" hereonin is used in a non-limiting manner to describe the provision of a video and/or audio item such as a television or radio programme which can be generated from the said items of apparatus from the video and/or audio data which is received.

A user is required to be able to interact with the receiver 4 directly, or more commonly, indirectly via a remote control device 5 or a mobile device such as a mobile phone. PC, laptop computer or the like 7. In response to the user selection being made and an indication of this being received by the receiver 4 the same identifies the portion of data, from the streams of received data, which is required to generate the particular programme. The receiver then retrieves the portion of data, processes the same and provides the data to an item of apparatus on which the video and/or audio can be displayed to allow the user to view and/or listen to the selected programme.

In accordance with the invention, the data for the selected television or radio programme can be transmitted, and the signals to indicate a user selection which has been made can be transmitted along the 2 way RS232 connection 6 between the receiver 4 and the device 8 and a UHF connection 10 to the broadcast data receiver 4.

The device 8, in turn, transmits the audio and /or video for the selected programme to the router 14. The device 8 also receives the user selection signal from the router 14 via Ethernet/network cable, or wirelessly, 12. The router 14 then allows distribution and receipt of the audio and/or video data and control signals via the Local Area Network (LAN) depicted by the connecting arrows to a number of items of apparatus as shown in FigLire 1. The LAN is used as a distribution means for the audio /video data to items of apparatus connected to the same which can comprise, for example, any or any combination of media players, DVD players, Audio systems and/or televisions 16. The data in each case can be carried wirelessly, via Ethernet cable, coaxial cable, fibre optic cable or any combination, powerline or any other suitable transmission medium thereof and the received data can then be processed and used by the connected apparatus 16 as appropriate. Typically, each item of apparatus on the network will have an identity in order to allow the appropriate data to be sent to the appropriate apparatus.

As stated previously, one form by which the user selection can be made known to the distribution system is via a remote control device 5 which emits an infra red signal or alternatively a device may use wireless/bluetooth transmission such as a PDA, phone or tablet device.. This infra red signal can be picked up by an infra red signal receiving device 18 which is connected to the router and which allows the receipt of the signal from the remote control device when in range of the same and the processing of the signal into a form which can then be used and distributed by the router 14 as appropriate to allow the signal to be used to control the appropriate apparatus which could be the broadcast data receiver as a data source or the other apparatus 16.

In one embodiment, the control signal may be relevant to the retrieval of data by the broadcast data receiver 4 in which case the signal is transferred to the same. However in other uses the signal generated by the remote control device 5 may be for use in controlling another item of apparatus which is not in range of the remote control device 5 used to make the selection, or indeed the selection may have been made by another device remote from the LAN location. In this case the signal may be routed by the router directly to the other apparatus or alternatively, the signal is routed to one or more signal transmitting devices 20, each of which will typically be associated with and within range of one of the items of apparatus 16 provided as part of the network. In this case the device 18, which in one embodiment can act as a transceiving device, will, when an appropriate signal is sent to the same from the router, emit a signal which is equivalent to that received from the router in order to cause the change in condition of the associated item of apparatus which is represented by the signal received.

It should be appreciated that the emission of the IR signal from the device 20 may be in response to a user selection which has been made via any of the possible user selection devices which can interact with the network.

The present invention therefore allows a Local Area Network of apparatus to be controlled via remote devices at the location of the LAN and/or via devices which can be used at any location in the world. This control can include any or any combination of selecting particular television and/or radio channels, recording the same, switching apparatus on and off and the like.

Turning now to Figures 2 and 3 there is illustrated two further embodiments of the invention.

In Figure 2 there is illustrated an LAN 22 which comprises first and second items of apparatus in the form of televisions 24,26 which are provided to generated audio and/or video and a broadcast data receiver 28 which is connected to at least one data broadcast system to receive streams of data for a plurality of television and/or radio programmes. The apparatus also includes a number of a first transceiver connected to the broadcast data receiver 28 and a second transceiver 32 connected to the television set 26. A remote control device 34 is provided which allows the user interaction with the broadcast data receiver to control the operation of the same and the retrieval of the appropriate audio and/or video data for the user selected programme.

The retrieved data can then be passed via link 36 from the transceiver 30 to the TV 24 and displayed to the user via the same. The audio and/or video data is sent to the transceiver 30 from the broadcast data receiver via the link 38 and onwardly transmitted from the transceiver 30via communication link 40 to the transceiver 32 and, in turn via the link 42 for display on TV 26. Thus the TV 26 can show the audio and/or video received from the data source 28 simultaneously with the TV 24 and be controlled from the location at which the data source 24 is located and which may, for example, in a different room or floor of a premises to that at which the TV 26 is located or in another example in a different building or buildings to that at which the TV 26 is located and across which the network extends which through the network extends In addition, control signals can be generated via user interaction with, and at the location of, the transceiver 32 which includes a signal receiver, typically via another remote control 44 or other device and signal receiver such as a signal receiver 45 connected to or provided integrally with the transceiver 32. The control signals generated thereby are passed from the transceiver 32 via communication link 40 to the transceiver 30 from which the signal is passed via link 46 to a signal emitter 48 such as an IR emitter which is in range of the IR signal receiver 50 of the broadcast data receiver 28 and therefore emits a signal in a form which mimics which that would be received from the remote control device 34 at that location.

Thus, the control of the common data source in the form of the broadcast data receiver can be achieved from the remote location at which the TV 26 and transceiver 32 are provided.

In Figure 3 there is provided an example of a further embodiment of the invention. In this case, the network 52 includes data sources in the form of a broadcast data receiver 54 and a router 56 with which a FDA, tablet, PC or other similar device 58 can communicate. In addition display apparatus in the form of TV's 60, 62, 64 are provided, each provided with a transceiver 66,68,70 respectively. The interaction between the TV6O, transceiver 66 and broadcast data receiver 34 via links 70,72,74 is as described in Figure 2 with regard to the TV 24, BDR 28, and transceiver 30 and therefore is not repeated again here.

Tn this case the transceiver 66 is connected by communication links 77, 78 to the transceivers 68, 70 respectively and hence TV's 62, 64 respectively so that data from the BDR 54 can be displayed on the TV's 62, 64 at the same time as on TV 60 in response to user selections made via, in this case, remote control HO at the location of the broadcast data receiver 54.

Once again, in this embodiment control signals can be generated at each of the locations of the transceivers 68, 70 via remote controls 73,75 and signal receivers 87, 89 respectively and transmitted back to the broadcast data receiver 34 via the communication links 77 or 78, transceiver 66, link 74 and signal emitter 82 to the signal receiver 84 of the broadcast data receiver to allow control of the same from any of those locations.

In addition, the transceiver 66 is also connected via communication link 86 to the router 56. This allows the data from the broadcast data receiver to be transferred to the item of apparatus 58 connected to the router. It also allows data retrieved from the item of apparatus 58 to be used as a common data source for display on each of any of the TV's 60, 62,64 with the data being passed to the transceiver 66 via the router and then distributed as appropriate.

The communication links 40,86,77 and 78 are shown in broken lines to indicate that the data can be sent wirelessly and typically HDMI data can be transferred by the network between the items of apparatus without the need for cabling to be installed between the different locations of the items of apparatus in the premises. The range is typically more than 60 metres between the items of apparatus subject to the construction of the walls in the premises or buildings covered by the network. In addition, or alternatively the communication links can be achieved using any or any combination of optical cable, coaxial cable and/or power line carrier cabling within the premises.

There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention an efficient and reliable network which allows items of apparatus connected to the network to receive data, including High Definition data, from a common data source connected to the network and allow the generation and display of the same simultaneously on the items of apparatus connected to the network. The invention also allows the control of operation of the common data source to be achieved via user interaction with the items of apparatus connected to the network and which are physically remote from and/or out of range of the device used to interact with, the said item of apparatus Key to Figure 1 Tide-itVLink system Concept Diagram Ref. no. Wording Any standard JR Remote including SKY 6-RS232 Connection for "I" Button data 7 -iPad, iPhone, Smart Phone app to control devices on network, multiple Apps, New products/ Wi-El COnnection to Network, User will push buttons on virtual remote App.

8 -iTVLink, new Product 10-UHF Tuner Connection :.

* 12-Ethernet Cable, POF option * . .

S

14-WWW via Home Modem etc. S. * **: 16 -JR Controlled Consumer Device T\T s, Video player etc. - 18 -IT'VLink Eye, ne'sv product -itVLink JR Blaster, Nw Product

Claims

Claims 1. A network for the distribution of video and/or audio data, said network including items of apparatus provided in communication to selectively receive, process and/or generate audio and/or video data for viewing and/or listening to via at least one display screen and/or speakers, with at least one of the items of the apparatus being a data source, at least one selection means provided to allow a user to select any, or any combination of, control of the operation of an item of apparatus and/or a particular television, radio programme and/or recorded media which is to be viewed and/or listened to via the item of apparatus and wherein means are provided to receive signals from the selection means which are representative of the selection made and retrieve the required video and/or audio from the item of apparatus acting as the data source and distribute said signals and/or retrieved video and/or audio via the network to a plurality of said items of apparatus to allow the said items of apparatus to be controlled and/or said retrieved video and/or audio to be viewed and/or listened to via said items of apparatus.
2. A network according to claim I wherein the selection means comprises any, or any combination of, an Infra red remote control device, a mobile phone, PDA or other user means used to send a signal to a receiving device.
3 A network according to claim 2 wherein the signal receiving device is provided as part of, or in connection with, a transmitter to transmit data and which is connected to or provided as part of an item of apparatus.
4 A network according to claim 3 wherein the transmitter allows the transfer of data to a receiver connected to another item of apparatus to allow the control of operation of the same to generate the said retrieved video and/or audio data on that item of apparatus.
A network according to any of claims 3 and 4 wherein the said transmitter is provided to also receive signals and the receiver is provided to also transmit signals such that the items of apparatus are connected to a transceiver in each case.
6. A network according to any of the preceding claims wherein the items of apparatus are any, or any combination of, a television, a broadcast data receiver, a media player and/or a PCor tablet device.
7 A network according to any of the preceding claims wherein the data which is transferred through the network allows a I ligh Definition (HD) video and/or audio service to be provided from the said items of apparatus connected to the network which are liD compatible.
8 A network according to any of the preceding claims wherein the passage of the data signals along at least part of the network is by wireless commLlnication means.
9 A network according to claim 8 wherein the wireless communication is between transceivers connected to the respective items of apparatus.
A network according to any of claims 1-7 wherein the passage of the data signals along at least part of the network is by cable.
11. A network according to claim 10 wherein the data signals are carried along the cable in accordance with wireless transmission control parameters.
12. A network according to any of the preceding claims wherein the audio and/or video data which is shown on the items of apparatus at an instant of time can be selected by one or more users to be the same video and/or audio data which is retrieved from a common data source.
13. A network according to claim 1 wherein the network includes at least two items of apparatus for the provision of audio and/or video, selection means to allow user interaction to control of operation of at least one of the items of apparatus, a transceiver connected to the first item of apparatus and a transceiver connected to the second item of apparatus and communication means to allow the communication of video, audio and/or control data signals between the respective transceivers to allow the control of the operation of the said items of apparatus in the network to generate the same video and/or audio retrieved from a common data source.
14 A network within a premises, said network including at least two items of apparatus for the provision of aLldio and/or video, selection means to allow user interaction to control the operation of at least one of the items of apparatus, a transceiver connected to the first item of apparatus and a transceiver connected to a second item of apparatus and communication means to allow the communication of video, audio and/or control data signals between the respective transceivers to allow the control of the operation of the said items of apparatus in the network to allow the viewing and/or listening of the same video and/or audio from an item of apparatus acting as a common data source with said video and/or audio transferred from said item of apparatus to the said at least one further item of apparatus \Tia the network.
15. A method for the provision of audio and/or video on at least two items of apparatus provided as part of a data distribution network, said method comprising the steps of, a user interacting with one of the items of apparatus using selection means to generate a signal to select the particular video and/or audio which is to be generated, retrieving said video and/or audio and making the same available for viewing and/or listening to via said first item of apparatus and a further item of apparatus connected thereto and wherein the signal used to make the selection and/or said retrieved video and/or audio is transferred to at least a transmitter, and transmitting therefrom the said retrieved audio and/or video to thereby allow the at least one further item of apparatus to receive the data via a receiver and thereby generate the said retrieved audio and/or video.