RU82348U1 - DISTRIBUTION AND MONITORING SYSTEM OF DIGITAL CINEMA CONTENT - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A system for distributing and monitoring digital cinema content, characterized in that it contains a central complex (2) for digital processing, storage, copying and monitoring, including a digital content preparation module (13) connected in series, configured to import a digital movie, a station (14) for replicating master copies and a central station (15) for monitoring the system and interconnected with M regional complexes (3-1÷3-M) for replicating and distributing digital content, each of which is interconnected with a monitoring module (30) and a server ( 29) To the cinema halls (4-i-i) of the regional network, where M and K are integers. ! 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that each regional complex (3-i) for replicating and distributing digital content contains serially connected module (21) for encoding digital content and generating authentication keys, a module (22) for replicating digital content and a regional station (23) monitoring. ! 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that each cinema (4-i-i) is a set of equipment for receiving and reproducing digital content, interactive monitoring and generating address and reporting information and contains a module (30) for monitoring the cinema, an interactive system ( 31) cinema monitoring and interconnected regional network cinema digital content playback projector (28) and regional network cinema digital content playback server (29).

Description

The utility model relates to the field of cinematography and film distribution, in particular digital film distribution (content) in regional cinema networks.

A known system for the distribution of digital advertising content in cinema networks with monitoring over the Internet is characterized by the fact that digital content providers are directly connected to the cinema halls of the regional network (see Alexander Rybakov. “Advertising in Digital”, Projectionist, No. 8, 2007, p. 41- 45).

However, the known system has limited functionality since it does not allow encoding and authentication of transmitted content (generating authorization keys), which deprives it of protection against unauthorized copying, that is, it does not protect content from video piracy, and does not provide operational and objective control of production companies and distributing companies about the number of shown sessions, viewers at each session and the performance of repertoire plans by cinema halls.

The technical result is to expand the functionality of the system to ensure operational and objective control of production companies and the distributing company about the number of sessions shown, the number of viewers in each session, cinema halls fulfilling repertoire plans and protection against video piracy.

This is achieved by the fact that the system for distributing and monitoring digital cinema content contains a central complex for digital processing, storage, copying and monitoring, which includes a digital content preparation module connected with the ability to import a digital movie, a master copy replication station and a central monitoring station systems and interconnected with M regional complexes of replication and distribution of digital content, each of which is interconnected an monitoring module and server K screens regional network, where M and K - integers. In addition, each regional digital content replication and distribution complex contains sequentially connected digital content encoding and authentication key generation module, digital content replication module and a regional monitoring station, and each cinema hall is a set of equipment for receiving and playing digital content, interactive monitoring and generation address and reporting information and contains a cinema hall monitoring module, an interactive monitoring system a cinema hall and interconnected projector for reproducing digital content of a cinema hall of a regional network and a server for reproducing digital content of a cinema hall of a regional network.

The essence of the technical solution lies in the fact that the presence of a central complex of digital processing, storage, copying and monitoring and M regional complexes of replication and distribution of digital content, as well as the introduction of a monitoring module and an interactive monitoring system in each cinema hall, made it possible to expand the system’s functionality through unification content preparation, generation of unique authorization keys for each cinema hall module and providing full targeted reporting on functions onirovanii each system module for content providers and companies-distributors.

Comparison of the proposed system with the known ones allows us to claim compliance with the criterion of "novelty."

Preliminary tests confirm the possibility of wide industrial use.

Figure 1 presents a functional block diagram of the proposed system for the distribution and monitoring of digital cinema content, Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of a central complex of digital processing, storage, copying and monitoring, Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of a regional replication complex and the distribution of digital content, and FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a cinema hall of a regional network.

The distribution and monitoring system for digital cinema show content contains a central complex (2) of digital processing, storage, copying and monitoring, interconnected by its first input and output buses (7-1-1 ÷ 7-1-N) and (8-1-1 ÷ 8-1-N) with outputs and inputs (5-1 ÷ 5-N) and (6-1 ÷ 6-N) N enterprises (1-1 ... 1-N) of digital content providers and their second input and output buses (7-2-1 ÷ 7-2-M) and (8-2-1 ÷ 8-2-M), with outputs (10-1-1 ÷ 10-M-1) and inputs (9- 1-1 ÷ 9-M-1) M regional complexes (3-1 ... 3-M) of replication and distribution of digital content, each of which is interconnected their input and output buses (9-1-2 ÷ 9-M-2) and (10-1-2 ÷ 10-M-2) with a module (30) and a server (29) for reproducing the digital content of cinema halls (4-1 -1 ÷ 4-М-К) of the regional network through the outputs (12-1-1 ÷ 12-М-К) and the inputs (11-1-1 ÷ 11-М-К) of the cinema hall equipment complex, respectively, where N, M and K are integers.

The central complex (2) includes a digital content preparation module (13) connected in series (output to input), a master copy replication station (14), and a central monitoring station (15) of the system. The input bus (16-1 ÷ 16-N) of the digital content preparation module (13) is the first input bus (7-1-1 ÷ 7-1-N) of the central complex (2), the output bus of the master-replication station (14) copies is the first output bus (8-2-1 ÷ 8-2-M) of the central complex (2),

the input bus of the monitoring station (15) of the system is the second input bus (7-2-1) ÷ (7-2-M) of the central complex (2), the second output bus of which (8-1-1 ÷ 8-1-N) is the output bus of the monitoring station (15) of the system. The output (17) of the module (13) is connected to the input (18) of the station (14), the output (19) of which is connected to the input (20) of the station (15) of the system monitoring.

Each regional complex (3-i) of replication and distribution of digital content contains sequentially connected module (21) for encoding digital content and generating authentication keys, module (22) for replicating digital content and a regional monitoring station (23). The input of the digital content encoding module (21) and the generation of authentication keys is the input (9-i-1) of the regional complex (3-i), the output (24) of the module (21) is connected to the input (25) of the module (22), the first output (26) which is connected to the first input (27) of the regional monitoring station (23), and the second output of the digital content replication module (22) is the first output (10-il) of the regional complex (3-i), the input bus (9-i -2) of which is the input bus of the regional monitoring station (23), the output of which is the second output (10-1-2) of the regional complex and (3-i).

Each cinema hall (4-ii) of the regional network contains a cinema hall monitoring module (30), an interactive cinema hall monitoring system (31) and a projector (28) for reproducing the digital content of the regional network cinema through the inputs (33, 35) and outputs (32, 34) and a server (29) for reproducing the digital content of the cinema hall of the regional network. The first input of the server (29) is the input (11-ii) of the cinema hall equipment complex, and the output (12-ii) of the equipment complex is formed by the output of the cinema hall monitoring module (30), and the outputs are connected to the three corresponding inputs (37, 39 and 41) of the last (36, 38 and 40) of a projector (28) for reproducing a digital content of a cinema hall of a regional network, a server (29) for reproducing a digital content of a cinema hall of a regional network and an interactive system (31) for monitoring a cinema hall, respectively.

The basis of the Digital Cinema Display Content Distribution and Monitoring System (hereinafter referred to as the System) is the central complex (2) of digital processing, storage, copying and monitoring, which at the same time carries out the functions of a rental company, logistics and a post-production production enterprise. The central complex (2) consists of:

- Module (13) for preparing digital content (dubbing, preparing titles, creating MXF (Media Exchange Files) files, preparing DCDM (Real-Time Digital Film Processing Software).

Module (13) is an original tool for digital processing, layout and coding of master copies, developed on the basis of the Microsoft Windows ™ platform. The module imports digital motion picture and sound

accompaniment and encodes MPEG 2 image compression format. The architecture of Module (13) can be of international standards with the following hierarchy: View, Composition, Partition, Preparation of multi-channel audio files (tracks), DCP layout (Digital Cinema Package-packages of digital files) . Module (13) is a tool for composing video and sound files, creating databases, synchronizing subtitles, and forming parts of movies. Module (13) provides standardization of DCP software packages (ISO 26429-7: 2008 Digital cinema packaging) and generation of KDM delivery keys (Key Delivery Messages) (ISO 26430-1: 2008 Key delivery message) to playback servers (29) respectively. Module (13) allows you to enter additional restrictions in the authentication code (KDM): demonstration time (for example, only after 20:00 or age restrictions (only for viewers over 17 years old), which are mandatory for cinema hall administrators.

The reliability of the application of restrictions by operators of the central station (15) or regional monitoring stations (23) can be controlled through the Ingestion Controller function (download manager), the data of which will be automatically included in the reports. The module (13) encrypts and converts MXF files in MPEG-2 compression for the master copy replication station (14) without changing the speed of the video stream.

Module (13) supports the Watermarking system developed by Thomson and Phillips, which excludes the possibility of recording a movie from the hall on a video camera.

- Stations (14) for replication of master copies of digital content and their distribution on hard media to regional systems (3-1 ÷ 3-M) of the system. Information on modules (22) for replication of regional complexes, coded information on the date and time of the start of each film, the date and time of the end of the demonstration, the permitted number of displays, etc., is recorded on hard USB 2.0 media. (play list).

- Stations (15) for monitoring the system - a set of equipment for managing and monitoring the network of regional complexes (3-1 ÷ 3-M). At the station (15), the status of each server of the regional monitoring stations (23) is monitored and is able to download playlists, edit repertoire plans, load advertising campaigns, change authorization keys and verify their authenticity in case of unauthorized access (attempts to disconnect or hack servers (29) cinema halls, monitor regional stations (23), which accumulate information about the status of projectors (28), servers (29) and cinema hall monitoring modules (30) (4-ii).

After creating and encoding the master copy, it, through the associated output (17) and input (18), respectively, enters the master copy replication station (14). Data on the master copy is transmitted through the associated output (19) and input (20), respectively, to the system monitoring station (15). Station (14) distributes hard USB 2.0 media to regional complexes (3-i) for their replication and delivery to cinema halls (4-ii) networks that monitor through the connected modules (30) of cinema halls with regional (23) stations the current state of the servers (29) of the cinema halls, they monitor the idle ones, monitor and suppress attempts of unauthorized access to the servers (29), analyze the information on the violation by cinema halls of the age restrictions for watching films, etc.

Regional complex (3-i) - a complex of equipment for replication and distribution of digital content in cinema halls (4-i) of regional networks, management and control of servers (29), projectors (28) and interactive (31) network cinema monitoring systems.

Consists of:

- Module (21) for encoding digital content and generating authentication keys (KDM 4-1-1 ÷ 4-M-K). Module (21) is built on the basis of Master technology with an intelligent interface. The installed software allows you to create playlists for each cinema (4-i-i), encrypt copies of films, assigning each copy a unique number (KDM-i), identified only by a specific cinema server (4-i-i). The program was created on the Microsoft Windows XP ™ Embedded Operating System platform to maximize the protection of films from pirated copying using the DirectShow ™ architecture.

- Module (22) for replicating digital content. Draw copies are recorded on hard USB 2.0. disks on which information about the servers and projectors of cinema halls (4-i-i) is encoded, in which films will be shown, the date and time of the beginning and end of the film demonstration, the allowed number of displays, age restrictions, etc. One disk can serve several halls united by a geographical sign (for example, 10 disks per 1 district). A disc with digital content is delivered to movie theaters (4-i-i). Module (22) generates an automatic film management program on each circulation disk, which limits its demonstration to only one server (29) and one projector (28), limits in time the start and end dates of sessions, the number of sessions for this digital content. At the same time, the control program is as comfortable as possible for the cinema operator and was created with protection from the “human factor”.

The disks are delivered to the cinema through the connected second exit (10-i-i) of the regional complex (3-i-i) and the entrance (11-i-i) of the cinema hall equipment complex (4-i-i), respectively. Digital content is downloaded from the media disk to the hard disk of the server (29) of the cinema hall.

- Regional (23) Monitoring Station. The server of the regional (23) station monitors the status of each server (29) of the network.

After downloading digital content from the media disk to the hard drive of the server (29) of the cinema hall, a report on the operation of the server (29) for the period from the time of the previous download is simultaneously downloaded to it. Using the data obtained when the disks were rebooted after they returned from the cinemas to the regional stations (23), the data arriving at the regional station server (23) monitors the current state of the servers (29), allows it to monitor idle rooms, and control and prevent unauthorized access to servers (29) and projectors (28).

Station (23) is able to edit playlists, change authorization keys and verify their authenticity in case of unauthorized access, attempts to disconnect or hack servers (29).

Cinema hall (4-i-i) of a regional network - a set of equipment for receiving, playing digital content, interactive monitoring and generating address and reporting information consists of:

- Server (29) playback of digital content, which serves to reproduce the image, multi-channel audio and subtitles. Reports are generated on the server (29) for subsequent transmission of address information to the cinema hall monitoring module (30). Server (29) contains a disk array of a high degree of reliability, on which up to 8 films can be stored simultaneously. The server (29) is controlled by the operator via the remote control. The operator’s access to the server settings (29) is limited by the movie screening functions, the ability to change the start time of the session and the repertoire plan within the resolution of the content loaded into it (the start and end dates of the demonstration, the number of hits). Server (29) uses the DCI Digital Cinema Inniatives protocols) to play MXF content files with 128-bit AES encryption and xml composition files. For KDM authorization keys, RSA encryption is used. The server provides high-speed image transmission in MPEG 2 format, supports JPEG2000, Windows Media 9 and other software codecs. Sound files are uncompressed with a resolution of 16 or 24 bits and a frequency of 48 kHz and 96 kHz. Server (29) is intended for demonstration of full-length films and video programs. Supports playback of subtitles in the TI CineCanvas ^TM file format, as well as subtitles embedded in the image.

Content is downloaded to the server (29) using hard USB 2.0 disks through the input (11-i-i). The server (29) automatically manages the content, deleting it after the expiration of the allowed demonstration period, as well as deleting unused content when downloading movies in case of limitation of free space on the server’s disks.

Server (29) can also be controlled using local and remote data networks. Automatically a system log is created on the server, confirming access control to the server (29) of the network and controlling its identification.

- Projector (28) playback of digital content.

The projector (28) is developed on the basis of DLP technology, which ensures uninterrupted transmission of video images as Film-Like (like in a movie) in MPEG-2 format with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 (HD 1080p) and higher. Due to its high brightness, contrast and color accuracy, the projector (28) is ideal for cinema halls with up to 200 spectators (up to 11 m of screen width).

The projector (28) has a number of characteristics that ensure consistent image quality and trouble-free operation. The projector is controlled and accessed via the built-in TCP / IP network protocol from the server (29) or through the cinema hall monitoring module (30) directly from the regional monitoring station module (23). The projector (28) is modified for use in the cinema halls of the system. The projector (28) has several degrees of protection against unauthorized access, which excludes copying of content. The projector (28) exchanges data via the HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) and TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) protocols with the server (29) and plays back only the digital content stored on the server. The projector is controlled using the Pro Net program (see http://projectiondesign.com/Default.asp?CatID=1602). The program allows you to control the operation of the projector from the regional station module (23) Monitoring via the Internet.

- Module (30) monitoring the cinema hall.

The cinema hall monitoring module (30) is a computer system unit into which, at the moment of turning on the projector (28), the address information of the cinema hall server (29), the projector (28) and the data of the interactive monitoring system (31) are transmitted. Information is processed in module (30), generated into reports transmitted to the module of regional stations (23) for subsequent data transfer to the Station (15) for monitoring the system from which address reports are transmitted to enterprises (1-1 ÷ 1-N) to digital content providers on dedicated and secure ftp Internet channels via VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection.

- An interactive cinema monitoring system (31).

The interactive monitoring system (31) of the cinema hall consists of two connected surveillance cameras, which at the time of turning on the projector (28) transmit in the format of discrete photographs (snap-shot) an image of the screen of the cinema hall (4-i-i) and pictures of the audience in the cinema hall. For this, one video camera is installed in the equipment room of the cinema and directed to the cinema screen, and the second camera is installed above the cinema screen and directed to the cinema. Camera control is carried out automatically using specially designed software. The information transmitted by the interactive system (31) is processed in the module (30) in the form of photo reports, which, together with the address information of the server (29), are generated in reports transmitted to the Regional stations module (23) for subsequent data transfer to the station (15) monitoring the system from which address reports are transmitted to enterprises (1-1 ÷ 1-N) to digital content providers via dedicated and secure ftp channels of the Internet via VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection. Thus, the proposed system achieves the set technical result.

Claims (3)

1. A system for distributing and monitoring digital cinema content, characterized in that it contains a central complex (2) of digital processing, storage, copying and monitoring, including a digital content preparation module (13) connected in series, configured to import a digital movie, station (14) for replication of master copies and a central station (15) for monitoring the system and interconnected with M regional complexes (3-1 ÷ 3-M) for replication and distribution of digital content, as dy of which is interconnected with the module (30) and the monitoring server (29) To a cinema (4-i-i) a regional network, where M and K - integers. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that each regional complex (3-i) of replication and distribution of digital content contains sequentially connected module (21) for encoding digital content and generating authentication keys, module (22) for replicating digital content and a regional station (23) monitoring. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that each cinema hall (4-ii) is a set of equipment for receiving and playing digital content, interactive monitoring and generating address and reporting information and contains a cinema hall monitoring module (30), an interactive system ( 31) cinema hall monitoring and interconnected projector (28) to play digital content of the cinema hall of the regional network and a server (29) to play digital content of the cinema hall of the regional network.