WO2010041267A2 - Décodeur virtuel (stb) de fourniture de contenu multimédia à un poste de télévision - Google Patents

Décodeur virtuel (stb) de fourniture de contenu multimédia à un poste de télévision Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010041267A2
WO2010041267A2 PCT/IN2009/000481 IN2009000481W WO2010041267A2 WO 2010041267 A2 WO2010041267 A2 WO 2010041267A2 IN 2009000481 W IN2009000481 W IN 2009000481W WO 2010041267 A2 WO2010041267 A2 WO 2010041267A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
multimedia content
module
general purpose
multimedia
television
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IN2009/000481
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2010041267A3 (fr
Inventor
Siddhartha Srivastava
Original Assignee
Siddhartha Srivastava
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Publication date
Application filed by Siddhartha Srivastava filed Critical Siddhartha Srivastava
Publication of WO2010041267A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010041267A2/fr
Publication of WO2010041267A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010041267A3/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/167—Systems rendering the television signal unintelligible and subsequently intelligible
    • H04N7/1675—Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/4143—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/43615—Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47202—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of providing multimedia content to a television set, and more particularly, to a virtual Set Top Box (STB) for providing multimedia content to a television set through a communication protocol.
  • STB Set Top Box
  • IPTV Internet Protocol Television
  • IPTV Internet Protocol Television
  • IPTV Internet Protocol Television
  • STB Set Top Box
  • a viewer could then exploit features that are controllable from the TV, such as web browsing, email, video email, interactive advertising, games, and the like. These services are controlled by a viewer using a remote control from the comfort of the living room.
  • installing and initiating these STB's requires what the industry describes as a "truck roll" i.e. an appointment must be scheduled at the customer's premises, a technician must visit to deliver, install, and initiate operation of the custom STB unit.
  • the end user has to buy another expensive device in addition to his or her personal computer (PC) to access these features from their TV.
  • PC personal computer
  • the consumer may also have to get additional networking equipment to connect the set-top box to a single internet connection.
  • the STB decrypts a signal obtained through Internet Protocol (IP) and converts it into a multimedia signal which can be watched on a television screen.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • the capability for IPTV operators to provide diverse multimedia services is limited.
  • a specialist is needed at the location of the television set.
  • virtual set top box client computer programs for general purpose personal computers are also known in the art.
  • Example of such computer programs includes Igloo from Inuk networks.
  • these clients require the end user to obtain a specialized computer peripheral known as a cable card configured for their IPTV provider, and a high degree of technical skill to integrate with their IPTV provider. Therefore, there is a requirement that an IPTV provider actually offers an IPTV subscription process remotely over internet web-pages, with a considerable portion of the virtual STB functionality residing remotely from the personal computer at the customer premises so that service parameters, authentication, and service updating can be accomplished from the IPTV headend without requiring technical skill or equipment updating by the user at his own premises.
  • television sets with built-in web browsers and video streaming and subscription capabilities are gaining in popularity as well.
  • Those television sets require a remote internet video provider to install and maintain complex "widgets" on their web servers that must be configured for each type of internet television system.
  • the viewing experience is subject to the vagaries of video transport over the public internet. Therefore, there is requirement of a virtual set top box function that resides directly at the IPTV provider's headend and is capable of handling all video demands and delivery directly over the IPTV provider's direct service connection to the premises rather than on the public internet for transport and communication with the virtual set-top box or television set web browser.
  • the method includes steps for providing multimedia content to one or more television sets, where the multimedia content is provided by a network, and the network provides the multimedia content through a communication protocol.
  • the method includes receiving a broadcast and video-on-demand (VOD) signal from the network on a general purpose computer.
  • the method further includes decrypting the broadcast and video-on-demand signal into a multimedia signal by application software installed on the general purpose computer. Further, the method includes transmitting the multimedia signal to the one or more television sets.
  • VOD broadcast and video-on-demand
  • the method includes receiving a request for multimedia content, where the multimedia content is requested by a user of at least one television set of the one or more television sets, and the multimedia content is selected from the multimedia signal.
  • the method includes playing the multimedia content, where the multimedia content is displayed on the one or more television sets.
  • the system provides multimedia content to one or more television sets, where the multimedia content is provided by a network, the network provides the multimedia content through a communication protocol, and the multimedia content is sent to one or more general purpose computers in an encrypted form.
  • the system includes a reception module, where the reception module receives a broadcast and video-on-demand (VOD) signal from the network on a general purpose computer.
  • the broadcast and VOD signal is in the encrypted form.
  • VOD video-on-demand
  • the system further includes a decryption module, where the decryption module decrypts the broadcast and VOD signal into a multimedia signal.
  • the system includes a transmission module, where the transmission module transmits the multimedia signal to the one or more televisions.
  • the system includes a request module, where the request module receives a request for multimedia content. The multimedia content is requested by a user of at least one television set of the one or more television sets, where the multimedia content is selected from the multimedia signal.
  • the system includes a player module, where the player module plays the multimedia content. The multimedia content is displayed on the one or more television sets.
  • a user profile is created and maintained on the IPTV headend, consisting of a substantial amount of relevant information regarding the customer premises hardware and software installation.
  • the profile can be maintained, accessed and referenced for many IPTV system purposes including without limitation, optimizing video signal and television viewing experience, updating and maintaining the virtual set top box client software on the customer premises PC given the PC's individual configuration, information relevant for accessing the PC for grid computing or peer to peer applications, detecting and utilizing PC downtime for off-peak download of content and applications, among any other purpose that would benefit from a centralized IPTV system possessing near perfect information about customer premises computing and multimedia equipment.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment in which various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing multimedia content to the television set, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the system for providing multimedia content to the television set in a peer to peer (P2P) network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • P2P peer to peer
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary cloud computing environment in which one of the embodiments of the present invention can be practiced.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the system for providing multimedia content to the television set in a cloud computing network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is an exemplary interface of the system for providing multimedia content to the television set, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing multimedia content to the television set, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing multimedia content to the television set in a Peer to Peer (P2P) network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • P2P Peer to Peer
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing multimedia content to the television set in a cloud computing network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is an exemplary network for implementing the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • relational terms such as 'first' and "second', and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.
  • the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
  • An element proceeded by 'comprises . . . a' does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
  • the present invention provides a method and system for providing multimedia content to a television set.
  • the method includes steps for providing multimedia content to one or more television sets, where the multimedia content is provided by a network, and the network provides the multimedia content through a communication protocol on an intranet.
  • the method includes receiving a broadcast and video-on-demand (VOD) signal from the network on a general purpose computer.
  • the method further includes decrypting the broadcast and video-on-demand signal into a multimedia signal by application software installed on the general purpose computer.
  • the method includes transmitting the multimedia signal to the one or more television sets.
  • the method includes receiving a request for multimedia content, where the multimedia content is requested by a user of at least one television set of the one or more television sets, and the multimedia content is selected from the multimedia signal.
  • the method includes playing the multimedia content, where the multimedia content is displayed on the one or more television sets.
  • the system for providing multimedia content to a television set is a virtual set-top-box (STB).
  • the virtual STB can be installed on any computing device such as a Personal Computer (PC), a laptop, a PDA or a mobile phone.
  • the virtual STB receives encoded/compressed digital signals from a signal source and decodes/decompresses those signals, converting them into analog/digital signals that an analog/digital television set such as SDTV, EDTV, HDTV and the like, can understand.
  • the signal source can be a cable connection, telco TV provider's headend, or a broadband connection.
  • the virtual STB accepts commands from the user (often via the use of remote devices such as a remote control) and transmits these commands back to the network operator through some sort of return path.
  • the return path is a 2-way communications link between a TV viewer (end-user) and the interactive content provider. It provides the TV viewer an ability to send information, requests and/or demands back to the network operator (interactive content provider).
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment in which various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced.
  • the environment 100 includes one or more general purpose computers such as a first general purpose computerl02a, a second general purpose computer 102b and a third general purpose computer 102c, hereinafter collectively referred to as general purpose computer 102.
  • general purpose computer 102 includes one or more general purpose computers such as a first general purpose computerl02a, a second general purpose computer 102b and a third general purpose computer 102c, hereinafter collectively referred to as general purpose computer 102.
  • the figures shows one or more television sets such as a first television set 104a, a second television set 104b, a third television set 104c and a fourth television set 104d, hereinafter collectively referred to as television set 104.
  • the figure shows a server 106 and a network 108.
  • Examples of the general purpose computer 102 include, but are not limited to, a personal computer (PC), a laptop, a notebook computer, a tablet PC, a PDA, iPhone ® and a mobile phone.
  • Examples of the television set 104 include, but are not limited to, LCD (liquid Crystal Display) TV, Plasma TV, High Definition television (HDTV), CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TV, RP (Rear Projection) TV and LED technology TV.
  • the general purpose computer 102 is connected to the server 106 through the network 108. Examples of network 108 include and are not limited to internet, intranet, GPRS, 3G and the like.
  • the network 108 is a conglomeration of networks.
  • the network 108 is IPV6 and IPV4 compatible internet.
  • the server 106 provides multimedia content to general purpose computer 102 through the network 108.
  • the general purpose computer 102 is capable of providing the multimedia content to the television set 104.
  • the server 106 provides one or more signals including the multimedia content through a communication protocol.
  • Examples of the communication protocol include, but are not limited to, an Internet Protocol (IP), a Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) and an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP).
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • RTSP Real Time Streaming Protocol
  • IGMP Internet Group Management Protocol
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system 200 for providing multimedia content to the television set 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the multimedia content is provided to the television set 104 by the server 106 through the general purpose computer 102 present in the network 108.
  • the system 200 is present in the general purpose computer 102.
  • the system 200 is application software installed in the general purpose computer 102.
  • the application software can be installed offline or can be downloaded through one of an internet or intranet onto the one or more general pu ⁇ ose computers.
  • the system 200 functions as a virtual STB.
  • the set-up of the system 200 is downloaded at the first general purpose computer 102 through internet.
  • the virtual STB makes it possible to receive and display TV signals, video-on-demand, connect to networks, play games via a game console, surf the Internet, interact with Interactive Program Guides (IPGs), virtual channels, electronic storefronts, walled gardens, send e-mail, and videoconference.
  • IPGs Interactive Program Guides
  • the virtual STB is further capable to communicate in real time with devices such as camcorders, DVD and CD players, portable media devices and music keyboards.
  • the virtual STB is capable of connecting to peer-to-peer network, and thereby it provides P2P media streaming and downloading.
  • the virtual STB uses a network interface for connecting to an operator's network, which makes it possible to communicate with the servers.
  • Examples of the network interface include, but are not limited to, Ethernet port, Firewire port, optical ports, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), WiFi port, WIMAX port, USB port and coaxial cable.
  • the operators deploy a content security system on their servers to provide secure multimedia content to their subscribers.
  • VCAS content security systems are deployed at the servers.
  • the multimedia content is encoded and can only be viewed by the virtual STB. Further, the multimedia content is encoded for Digital Rights Management (DRM) of the content.
  • DRM Digital Rights Management
  • the virtual STB integrates the Verimatrix VideoMarkTM user-specific watermarking technology. This forensic watermarking extends the realm of anti-piracy measures by enabling the tracing of unauthorized copies of content back to the time and place of piracy.
  • the virtual STB includes a tuner for receiving/catching incoming signal from the operator's network.
  • the virtual STB further includes a decoder to decode (uncompress among other things) the incoming stream's data before it can be viewable on the TV.
  • the decoding process may be known as (or include) Demodulation (Heavy Lifting). It could include Demultiplexing.
  • the decoder includes one or more codecs (compression-decompression algorithms) to decompress the incoming signal.
  • the virtual STB uses codecs MPEG-2, H.264, VCl, and DivX.
  • the virtual STB is capable of enabling Standard Definition and High Definition MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 content decoding and display.
  • the virtual STB uses an authentication module for authenticating the general purpose computer or the television set or the virtual STB itself.
  • the authentication module is like a one-time handshake that takes place periodically, or each time a subscriber turns on their virtual STB, or when they order VOD or television content. It typically is an exchange of secret keys between the virtual STB and the server for authenticating- the virtual STB for signal exchange.
  • calculating the authentication key, or even any authentication of the virtual STB will entail detecting that this is a "Dell model xyz" computer with an "nVidia xyz" video processor, a 500gb Seagate hard drive model xyz, AMD Turion processor model xyz, 4gb of Samsung dram model xyz, phoenix bios version xyz, and the like.
  • the virtual STB further includes an interface for a subscriber to make a selection from the choices available.
  • the virtual STB multimedia player for displaying and playing the multimedia content selected by the user.
  • the virtual STB includes a plurality of applications. Examples of the applications include, but are not limited to, a web browser, games, Interactive Program Guides (IPGs), virtual channels, electronic storefronts, an email application, an IM chat application, a VoIP application, a multimedia recording application and a videoconference client.
  • the multimedia recording application provides the user with local hard disk storage or network Digital Video Recording (nDVR) functionality for storing the multimedia content at the computing device on which the virtual STB is installed.
  • nDVR Digital Video Recording
  • the virtual STB further includes a middleware for enabling communication between the network operator and the computing device on which the virtual STB is installed.
  • the multimedia player integrates with the middleware allowing network operators to provide the same look and feel of a services program guide for selection of available broadcast channels, VOD browsing and purchase functions.
  • the network operator can automatically update the middleware via the data stream (signal) that the virtual STB receives from the network operator.
  • the virtual STB connects to a television set and displays the interface and the multimedia content on the television screen.
  • the virtual STB uses a connection interface for connecting to the television set.
  • the connection interfaces include, but are not limited to, a VGA port, an S-video port, a WiFi port, a Firewire port, an Infrared port, a RF emitting device/port and a Bluetooth port.
  • a RF device is used for connecting the virtual STB to the television set.
  • a RF emitter is connected to the computing device on which the virtual STB is installed.
  • a RF receiver is connected to the television set.
  • a remote control device is capable of remotely controlling the RF receiver. Thereby, the remote control device can select, play and control the multimedia content by communicating with the virtual STB via the RF receiver.
  • the virtual STB is capable of detecting configuration of the computing device it is being installed on.
  • the virtual STB scans the hardware of the computing device. Based on the hardware available, it configures the settings accordingly.
  • the virtual STB presents the options to a user of the computing device. For example, if the virtual STB finds that it can connect to the network either through a WiFi network or an Ethernet connection, it provides a choice to the user. Based on the selection of the user, the configuring of the virtual STB is completed.
  • the virtual STB finds out the connection type of the connection available for connecting the computing device to a television set.
  • the virtual STB communicates with one or more hardware of the computing device.
  • the one or more hardware include, but are not limited to, printers, Bluetooth port, Infrared port, and USB ports.
  • the virtual STB can send a print command to the printer for printing program guides or how-to instructions.
  • the virtual STB can send program guides to a mobile phone through Bluetooth or Infrared connection.
  • the virtual STB on a computing device plays uniform multimedia content on one or more television sets connected to the computing device. This implies that even when more than one television sets are connected to the computing device, the virtual STB would provide same multimedia content to all the televisions connected to the computing device.
  • the virtual STB on a computing device is capable of playing different multimedia content on a plurality of television sets.
  • the virtual STB is capable of detecting the plurality of television sets connected to the computing device.
  • the virtual STB registers each television set of the plurality of television sets to the network operator.' The television sets can be registered based on geo-location of the television sets and make & model of the television sets.
  • the virtual STB sends different multimedia content to different television sets of the plurality of television sets, based on one or more requests made by one or more users for the different television sets.
  • a user profile is created and maintained on the virtual STB headend or the server of the network operator, consisting of a substantial amount of relevant information regarding the customer premises hardware and software installation.
  • the profile can be maintained, accessed and referenced for many IPTV system purposes including without limitation, optimizing video signal and television viewing experience, updating and maintaining the virtual STB on the customer premises computing device given the computing device's individual configuration, information relevant for accessing the computing device for grid computing or P2P applications, detecting and utilizing the computing device downtime for off-peak download of content and applications, among any other purpose that would benefit from a centralized IPTV system possessing near perfect information about customer premises computing and multimedia equipment.
  • the user profile can be expanded to include information relating to the user's content preferences.
  • the virtual STB software can include a "cookie" function connected with the PC's web browser, and also can track the user's IPTV content choices. Using user profiling techniques known in the art, that information can be monitored to permit the IPTV provider's system to make up-to-date content, channel and video recommendations to the user in a manner that is constantly up to date with the user's own current interests.
  • the IPTV provider is also able, under the present invention, to offer third party marketers access to the user profiles and advertise their third-party products and services to the most relevant and interested end-users.
  • the system 200 is compatible to work with different types of operating systems.
  • Examples of the operating systems include, but are not limited to, Windows, Android, Macintosh, and Linux.
  • the system 200 includes a reception module 202, a decryption module 204, a transmission module 206, a request module 208 and a player module 210.
  • the reception module 202 receives one or more signals from the server 106.
  • the one or more signals include a broadcast signal and a video-on-demand (VOD) signal.
  • the decryption module 204 decrypts the one or more signals into a multimedia signal.
  • the multimedia signal is then transmitted to the television set 104 by the transmission module 206.
  • a user of the television set 104 browses the multimedia signal and selects a multimedia content for watching.
  • the request module 208 receives the request for the multimedia content selected by the user from the television set 108.
  • the player module 210 plays the multimedia content selected by the user.
  • the system 200 includes a monitoring module for monitoring web browsing or the multimedia content requested by a user for recommending further content and offering third party advertisers access to the user profile.
  • the system 200 includes an adjustment module. The adjustment module automatically adjusting display and sound characteristics of the multimedia signal based on the resolution and sound supported by the at least one television set.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system 300 for providing multimedia content to the television set 104 in a peer to peer (P2P) network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system 300 includes a sharing module 302, a sending module 304, the reception module 202, the decryption module 204, the transmission module 206, the request module 208 and the player module 210.
  • the sharing module 302 makes the general purpose computer 102 a part of the P2P network.
  • the request module 208 receives a request for a multimedia content at the general purpose computer 102.
  • the multimedia content is requested by a user of at least one television set of the one or more television sets.
  • the sending module 304 sends the request for the multimedia content to the server 106.
  • the reception module 202 receives the one or more signals from the server 106 at the general purpose computer 102.
  • the server 106 sends the one or more signals through one or more general purpose computers of the plurality of general purpose computers of the P2P network, the one or more signals being in an encrypted form.
  • the decryption module 204 decrypts the one or more signals into a multimedia signal.
  • the transmission module 206 transmits the multimedia signal to the one or more television sets.
  • the player module 210 plays the multimedia content, where the multimedia content is displayed on the at least one television set.
  • the P2P network provides the virtual STB functionalities like grid computing, mesh networking, internet telephony, file sharing, and video streaming and downloading.
  • the P2P network includes geo-location functionality for establishing location of all computing devices part of the P2P network.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary cloud computing environment 400 in which one of the embodiments of the present invention can be practiced.
  • the environment 400 includes the one or more general purpose computers referred to as the general purpose computer 102 and the one or more television sets referred to as the television set 104. Further, the figure shows plurality of servers such as a first server 106a, a second serverlO ⁇ b and a third server 106c present in a cloud computing network.
  • the general purpose computer 102 is capable of accessing and obtaining the multimedia content from the plurality of servers through the cloud computing network.
  • the multimedia content is requested by at least one of the one or more television sets.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system 500 for providing multimedia content to the television set 104 in a cloud computing network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system 500 includes a cloud module 502, the sending module 304, the reception module 202, the decryption module 204, the transmission module 206, the request module 208 and the player module 210.
  • the request module 208 receives a request for a multimedia content.
  • the multimedia content is requested by a user of at least one television set of the one or more television sets.
  • the cloud module 502 selects one or more servers of the plurality of servers for the multimedia content requested.
  • the one or more servers are selected based on the proximity and load on each of the plurality of servers.
  • the sending module 304 sends the request for the multimedia content to the one or more servers.
  • the reception module 202 receives one or more signals from the one or more servers, where the one or more signals are in an encrypted form.
  • decryption module 204 decrypts the one or more signals into a multimedia signal.
  • the transmission module 206 transmits the multimedia signal to the one or more television sets.
  • the player module 210 plays the multimedia content, where the multimedia content is displayed on the at least one television set.
  • FIG. 6 is an exemplary interface 600 of the system for providing multimedia content to the television set 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the figure is divided into one or more sections such as a functionality selection module 602, an option selection module 604, a display module 606 and a player controls module 608.
  • the functionality selection module 602 of the interface 600 shows one or more functionalities available to a user to choose from. Examples of the one or more functionalities include TV channels, VOD, VoIP, Chat and Internet videos.
  • the option selection module 604 shows the options available to a user based on the functionality selected from the functionality selection module 602. For example, if the user selects to watch TV channels from the functionality selection module 602, the option selection module 604 provides the list of channels available to watch.
  • the display module 606 plays the selection made by the user from the option selection module 604.
  • the figure also shows the player controls module 608 which includes one or more controls to control the multimedia content played by the display module 606. Examples of the one or more controls include, but are not limited to, play, rewind, forward, next, back, record, stop, and pause.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing multimedia content to the television set 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the general purpose computer 102 receives one or more signals consisting of broadcast and Video-on- demand (VOD) signals from the network 108.
  • VOD Video-on- demand
  • the one or more signals include a broadcast and video-on-demand (VOD) signal.
  • VOD video-on-demand
  • the general purpose computer 102 is connected to the server 106.
  • the server 106 sends the one or more signals to the general purpose computer 102.
  • the network 108 is a client-server network.
  • the network 108 is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network.
  • P2P peer-to-peer
  • the general purpose computer 102 becomes a peer node, thereby becoming part of the P2P network.
  • the P2P network consists of a central server that keeps information on peers and responds to requests for that information. Further, the central server sends television signal to the general purpose computer 102.
  • the network 108 is a grid computing network.
  • the general purpose computer 102 is connected to the server 108 in the grid computing network.
  • the server 108 consists of a plurality of computing devices, where the plurality of computing devices is loosely connected by a network, thereby capable of providing large-scale computation power.
  • the general purpose computer 102 is connected to the network 108 through an intranet connection.
  • the intranet connection creates a private computer network using internet protocols (IPs) and network connectivity to create a secure connection.
  • IPs internet protocols
  • the general purpose computer 102 is connected to the network 108 through an internet connection.
  • the signal is decrypted at the general purpose computer 102 into a multimedia signal.
  • the signal sent by the server is DRM (Digital Rights Management) encrypted.
  • the general purpose computer 102 transmits the multimedia signal to the television set 104.
  • the multimedia signal is transmitted to the television set 104 through wireless means.
  • the wireless means include, but are not limited to, a RF (Radio Frequency) device, a WiFi device, an Infrared device and a Bluetooth device.
  • a part of the wireless device that is connected to the television set 104 may include a remote control device.
  • the remote control device is capable of viewing and selecting options in the multimedia signal by a user remotely.
  • the multimedia signal is transmitted to the television set 104 through cable means.
  • Example of the cable means include, but are not limited to, a VGA connection, an Audio- Video (AV) connection, a composite connection, a BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman) connection, a HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connection and an S-Video connection.
  • the multimedia signal is automatically adjusted to provide best picture quality to a user of the television set 104.
  • a user of the television set 104 provides the make and model information of the television set 104, and based on the information provided by the user, the multimedia signal is adjusted to provide best picture quality to the first television set 104.
  • the multimedia signal contains a plurality of content categories for a user of the television set 104 to choose from. Examples of the plurality of content categories include, but are not limited to, TV channels, VOD, FM, VoIP calling, video conferencing, chatting, internet browsing, multimedia recording like a PVR/DVR, video streaming, and P2P downloading.
  • a user can select a content category from the plurality of content categories available. Further, within that selected content category, a user is presented a plurality of options to choose from. For example, if the user selects television channels as the content category, he is presented with a plurality of TV channels to choose from.
  • a request for multimedia content is sent by the general purpose computer 102 to the network.
  • the multimedia content to be played is selected and requested by the user.
  • the general purpose computer 102 plays the multimedia content requested by the user on the television set 104.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing multimedia content to the television set 104 in a Peer to Peer (P2P) network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • P2P Peer to Peer
  • Each of the one or more general purpose computers acts as a peer node in the P2P network.
  • a request is received for the multimedia content at the general purpose computer 102.
  • the multimedia content is requested by a user of at least one television set of the one or more television sets.
  • the request for the multimedia content is sent to the server at step 804.
  • the general purpose computer 102 receives the one or more signals from the server.
  • the server sends the one or more signals through one or more general purpose computers of the plurality of general purpose computers of the P2P network, where the one or more signals are in an encrypted form. Subsequently, the one or more signals are decrypted into a multimedia signal at step 808. Afterwards, the multimedia signal is transmitted to the one or more television sets at step 810. Finally the multimedia content is displayed on the at least one television set at step 812.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing multimedia content to the television set 104 in a cloud computing network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a request is received for the multimedia content at the general purpose computer 102.
  • the one or more servers are selected from the plurality of servers for the requested multimedia content at step 902.
  • the multimedia content being requested by a user of at least one television set of the one or more television sets.
  • the request for the multimedia content is sent to the server at step 804.
  • the general purpose computer 102 receives the one or more signals from the server.
  • the server sends the one or more signals through one or more general purpose computers of the plurality of general purpose computers of the P2P network, where the one or more signals are in an encrypted form.
  • the one or more signals are decrypted into a multimedia signal at step 808.
  • the multimedia signal is transmitted to the one or more television sets at step 810.
  • the multimedia content is displayed on the at least one television set at step 812.
  • FIG. 10 is an exemplary network for implementing the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the figure shows a video server 1002, a remote multicast router 1004, a local multicast router 1006, a network switch 1008 and a video client computer 1010.
  • the invention can be used to surf the internet using RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) and IGMP protocols.
  • RTSP Real Time Streaming Protocol
  • IGMP Real Time Streaming Protocol
  • the Real Time Streaming Protocol is a network control protocol for use in entertainment and communications systems to control streaming media servers.
  • the protocol is used to establish and control media sessions between end points.
  • Clients of media servers issue VCR-like commands, such as play and pause, to facilitate real-time control of playback of media files from the server.
  • VCR-like commands such as play and pause
  • the video client is hosted on the video client computer 1010, controls the video server 1002.
  • the Internet Group Management Protocol is a communications protocol used to manage the membership of Internet Protocol multicast groups.
  • IGMP is used by IP hosts and adjacent multicast routers to establish multicast group memberships.
  • IGMP is used both by the video client computer 1010 and the adjacent network switch 1008 to connect the video client to the local multicast router 1006.
  • Protocol Independent Multicast PIM is then used between the local multicast router 1004 and the remote multicast router 1006, to direct multicast traffic from the video server 1002 to many multicast clients.
  • the present invention can be implemented in a variety of computer languages such as Java, C, C++, Perl, Python, LISP, BASIC, and assembly.
  • the implementation of the present invention does not require any specific platform. Any platform that can provide means of support for simple arrays and associative arrays may be used. A few examples of such platforms are WindowsTM, Linux and UnixTM.
  • the computer program product of the invention is executable on a computer system for causing the computer system to perform a method of video encoding including a motion estimation method of the present invention.
  • the computer system includes a microprocessor, an input device, a display unit and an interface to the Internet.
  • the microprocessor is connected to a communication bus.
  • the computer also includes a memory.
  • the memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM).
  • the computer system further comprises a storage device.
  • the storage device can be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as a floppy disk drive, optical disk drive, etc.
  • the storage device can also be other similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions into the computer system.
  • the computer system also includes a communication unit.
  • the communication unit allows the computer to connect to other databases and the Internet through an I/O interface.
  • the communication unit allows the transfer as well as reception of data from other databases.
  • the communication unit may include a modem, an Ethernet card, or any similar device which enables the computer system to connect to databases and networks such as LAN, MAN, WAN, Wireless, GPRS, Ultrawide band and the Internet.
  • the computer system facilitates inputs from a user through input device, accessible to the system through I/O interface.
  • the computer system executes a set of instructions that are stored in one or more storage elements, in order to process input data.
  • the set of instructions may be a program instruction means.
  • the storage elements may also hold data or other information as desired.
  • the storage element may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element present in the processing machine.
  • the set of instructions may include various commands that instruct the processing machine to perform specific tasks such as the steps that constitute the method of the present invention.
  • the set of instructions may be in the form of a software program.
  • the software may be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program module with a larger program or a portion of a program module, as in the present invention.
  • the software may also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming.
  • the processing of input data by the processing machine may be in response to user commands, results of previous processing or a request made by another processing machine.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système et un procédé de fourniture de contenu multimédia à un poste de télévision par l’intermédiaire d’un protocole de communication. Le procédé comprend les étapes pour fournir un contenu multimédia à un ou plusieurs postes de télévision, le contenu multimédia étant fourni par un réseau, et le réseau fournissant le contenu multimédia par l’intermédiaire d’un protocole de communication. Le procédé comprend la réception d'un signal de diffusion et de vidéo à la demande (VOD) du réseau sur un ordinateur à usage général. Le procédé comprend en outre le déchiffrement du signal de diffusion et de vidéo à la demande en un signal multimédia par un logiciel d'application installé sur l'ordinateur à usage général. En outre, le procédé comprend la transmission du signal multimédia à ou aux postes de télévision. De plus, le procédé comprend la réception d'une demande de contenu multimédia, le contenu multimédia étant demandé par un utilisateur du ou des  postes de télévision, et le contenu multimédia étant sélectionné à partir du signal multimédia. Enfin, le procédé comprend la reproduction du contenu multimédia, le contenu multimédia étant affiché sur le ou les postes de télévision.
PCT/IN2009/000481 2008-09-02 2009-09-02 Décodeur virtuel (stb) de fourniture de contenu multimédia à un poste de télévision WO2010041267A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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IN1870MU2008 2008-09-02

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US9800939B2 (en) 2009-04-16 2017-10-24 Guest Tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd. Virtual desktop services with available applications customized according to user type
EP2259570A1 (fr) * 2009-06-04 2010-12-08 DynaLab (Singapore) Ltd Système de transmission de réseau et son dispositif de transmission de réseau
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US9003455B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2015-04-07 Guest Tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd. Hospitality media system employing virtual set top boxes
EP2599306A2 (fr) * 2010-07-30 2013-06-05 iBahn General Holdings Corporation Boîtier décodeur virtuel
EP2759141A4 (fr) * 2011-09-22 2015-07-29 Lg Cns Co Ltd Boîtier décodeur intelligent et procédé de fonctionnement pour fournir un service intelligent et un service de télévision numérique au moyen d'un lecteur multimédia par défaut inclus dans un système d'exploitation unique
CN102724562A (zh) * 2012-07-02 2012-10-10 上海美琦浦悦通讯科技有限公司 Iptv网络基于虚拟机顶盒实现多画面播放处理的系统和方法
WO2015069630A1 (fr) * 2013-11-05 2015-05-14 Utc Fire And Security Americas Corporation, Inc. Lecture d'opération de dessin en mémoire
WO2017158541A1 (fr) * 2016-03-16 2017-09-21 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Architecture pour boîtiers décodeurs interconnectés

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