WO2014048914A1 - System and method to process information data from a multimedia receiver device - Google Patents

System and method to process information data from a multimedia receiver device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014048914A1
WO2014048914A1 PCT/EP2013/069835 EP2013069835W WO2014048914A1 WO 2014048914 A1 WO2014048914 A1 WO 2014048914A1 EP 2013069835 W EP2013069835 W EP 2013069835W WO 2014048914 A1 WO2014048914 A1 WO 2014048914A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
receiver device
multimedia receiver
image
managing center
information
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2013/069835
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Vaidyanathan Ramachandran
Amudha Kaliamoorthi
Haresh Bajaj
Hrishikesh Sinkar
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nagravision SARL
Original Assignee
Nagravision SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nagravision SA filed Critical Nagravision SA
Priority to US14/430,452 priority Critical patent/US20150256824A1/en
Priority to BR112015006337A priority patent/BR112015006337A2/en
Priority to MX2015001812A priority patent/MX341674B/en
Priority to CN201380049807.8A priority patent/CN104737545A/en
Publication of WO2014048914A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014048914A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4518—Management of client data or end-user data involving characteristics of one or more peripherals, e.g. peripheral type, software version, amount of memory available or display capabilities
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N17/00—Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details
    • H04N17/04—Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details for receivers
    • 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
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
    • 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
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/4223—Cameras
    • 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
    • H04N21/437—Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. for transmitting client requests to a VOD server
    • 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
    • H04N21/442—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
    • H04N21/4425—Monitoring of client processing errors or hardware failure
    • 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
    • H04N21/488—Data services, e.g. news ticker
    • H04N21/4882—Data services, e.g. news ticker for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders
    • 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]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6156—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6181—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network involving transmission via a mobile phone network
    • 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]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/658—Transmission by the client directed to the server
    • H04N21/6582—Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number
    • 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]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85—Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/858—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
    • H04N21/8586—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot by using a URL

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a system and method to report information data retrieved from a digital multimedia receiver device to a service provider for processing.
  • the retrieved information data are specific to a given multimedia receiver device and user profile.
  • VOD Video On Demand
  • Several solutions are based on portable devices such as personal computers, tablet computers, smart phones etc. able to communicate with services providers via a mobile network.
  • document US2012/0084807AI discloses a system for interactive video advertising containing a video display capable of displaying an advertisement tag, wherein the advertisement tag prompts for user interaction and allows a registry of an interaction history.
  • the video display is a device such as a television, monitor, digital video recorder, video game system, portable multimedia device, etc.
  • the advertisement tag is a visual and/or audible notification. Upon display of an advertisement tag, the user is thereby prompted for interaction with the system.
  • an interaction history archive in the form of an advertising cart user interface is populated with an interaction history record.
  • the user interface comprises controls that al low data viewing , saving , deleting , sorting , d istributing , or combinations thereof.
  • the user interacts with the system through a remote control, BluetoothTM device, infrared device, radio frequency device, computer mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick, keyboard, barcode reader, or any other pointing or capturing device.
  • Document US2010096448A1 describes a method and apparatus for bar code data interchange.
  • This apparatus is generally comprised of a bar code reader which is capable of scanning bar codes displayed on a variety of video displays, a decoder which transforms the scanned bar code into data which may then be manipulated in a variety of ways by a host device, such as a computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or any other device in which bar code data input may be desirable.
  • a host device such as a computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or any other device in which bar code data input may be desirable.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • a consumer will scan in bar code information from a video display, such as a television screen, through the use of a high scan rate LED scanner and obtain information on a desired product, a link to the product's web site, or other useful information. Businesses too, will scan in bar code information directly from video displays into their desired host device.
  • This scanned information is not formatted specifically for any business software and therefore is easily transferable between businesses which may use different software applications to manipulate the same data to suit their needs. This minimizes the need for many of the conversion programs or interpretation programs, commonly known as middleware, and provides data interchange across a wide variety of settings for a myriad of purposes.
  • Document US201 2/015301 5A1 discloses a system for accessing content corresponding to a matrix barcode, such as a video and/or audio content.
  • the system may include a mobile computing device in communication with a content receiver.
  • the mobile computing device may be configured to capture the matrix barcode, for example, via using an optical component and/or barcode scanner to record and/or scan the matrix barcode.
  • the mobile computing device may also include a network interface component configured to transmit the matrix barcode to the content receiver.
  • the content receiver may then receive the matrix barcode from the mobile computing device.
  • the content receiver may include a processor to determine and/or access the content corresponding to the matrix barcode.
  • the content receiver may then transmit the content to a display device.
  • Document US2012/0137318A1 discloses a method and a system for tracking user interaction with a television receiver, such as a set-top box, cable box, or other electronic device appropriately configured to receive, decode and display audiovisual information. Such tracking may be accomplished through the use of a matrix code displayed on a display device along with audiovisual content; the matrix code may be captured by a reader device that processes the matrix code to retrieve data embedded therein. The data may be transmitted from the receiving device to a monitoring party who, in turn, may process the data to track user interaction , audience participation, the time at which audiovisual content was viewed and/or stored, and the like.
  • Document US2004/0093370A1 discloses a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software.
  • the diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required .
  • the diagnostics software generates data in response to various information and check requests received from the head end. Execution of the diagnostics software may be initiated as part of a periodical diagnostic test of the set-top box, at the request of a customer having difficulties with the set-top box, or in response to an alarm or alert message generated by the set-top box.
  • the aim of the present invention is to report information data specific to a multimedia receiver device to a head end, managing center or service provider in an efficient way particularly when the multimedia receiver device is not provided with a direct return channel.
  • the aim is achieved by a method to process information data from a multimedia receiver device according to claim 1 .
  • a further object of the invention relates to a system configured to process information data from a multimedia receiver device according to claim 13.
  • the multimedia receiver device runs a self-test program in order to retrieve and generate information data related to a status of the multimedia receiver device.
  • the latter creates a barcode by combining at least status information data, time and date and its own unique identifier.
  • the barcode is then displayed in a predefined area of a screen coupled to the multimedia receiver device in order to be scanned by a handheld device preferably consisting of a smart phone provided with the appropriate application.
  • the scanned image is sent by the smart phone, via a mobile communication network, to a managing center for processing and analyzing the status information data for taking targeted actions related to the effective status of the multimedia receiver device.
  • An acknowledgement and/or additional information is returned via the mobile network in form of a first message such as a SMS for example to the smart phone.
  • Other messages may be also sent by the managing center through the broadcast channel (push mode) to the multimedia receiver device for display on the screen of the multimedia receiver device.
  • a second message sent via the broadcast channel by the managing center in response to the image transmission by the smart phone deletes the displayed image.
  • the managing center may also send advertisements in relation to the received status information.
  • a bidirectional communication or interactive communication is thus enabled between the multimedia receiver device and managing center even if the current broadcasting channel is unidirectional.
  • the manag ing center is defined here as an entity maintaining a plurality of multimedia receiver devices as well as a central database containing various data re l ated to u se rs, multimedia receiver devices identification, configuration, subscription data, usage history and statistics, etc.
  • the managing center may also be associated to a head end or service provider managed by one or several multimedia operators. Brief description of the figure
  • FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the system of the invention where a multimedia receiver device displays a status information data barcode readable by a handheld device configured to transmit this barcode to a managing center.
  • a multimedia receiver device displays a status information data barcode readable by a handheld device configured to transmit this barcode to a managing center.
  • the system illustrated by figure 1 comprises a multimedia receiver device MR preferably consisting of a set top box STB connected to a television set TV.
  • the set top box may be integrated in the television set to form a single device.
  • the multimedia receiver device MR receives digital audio / video content from a stream broadcast unidirectionally, via a broadcast channel BCH, by an entity managed by one or more broadcast operator(s) such as a managing center MC associated to a head end HE and a service provider SP.
  • the managing center MC maintains a plurality of multimedia receiver devices MR as well as a central database DB containing users' data coupled to multimedia receiver devices identification, configuration characteristics, subscription data, content usage history and statistics, etc.
  • the multimedia receiver device MR generates information data related to its status by executing a self test program either at operating start or stop of the multimedia receiver device, periodically, at scheduled time or upon a request from a user by pressing a button on a remote control for example.
  • This self test program may also be launched from a peripheral device associated to the multimedia receiver device MR such as an optical disc recorder / player, a personal computer or any other device.
  • the self test program may start after a failure of a hardware and/or software component of the multimedia receiver device or a peripheral device is detected.
  • the generated information data is converted into an image BC displayed on a screen coupled to the multimedia receiver device MR such as the television set TV of figure 1 representing a one dimensional or two dimensional barcode.
  • the two dimensional barcode or matrix barcode also called QR code is preferred for its higher data capacity up to more than 4000 alphanumeric characters while the one dimensional or linear barcode is limited to 10-15 characters.
  • the matrix barcode including data in both the horizontal and vertical directions may contain almost any type of data and/or other information.
  • the matrix barcode may include numeric, alphanumeric, binary, symbols and the like.
  • the information data comprise at least a unique identifier, time information and specific status data associated to the multimedia receiver device as for example error messages reporting failures of components included in the multimedia receiver device.
  • the specific status data of the multimedia receiver device MR may additionally comprises activity reports of the multimedia receiver device within a predetermined period, user profile includ ing subscription data to broadcast services and/or purchased video-on-demand services, system information including hardware and software version information of peripherals associated to multimedia receiver device and / or global hardware and software version information of the multimedia receiver device.
  • the displayed image preferably representing a matrix barcode BC is acquired by a handheld or portable device HD like a smart phone, a personal assistant, a tablet personal computer etc. provided with a camera which scans the barcode image BC and forwards it via a mobile communication network M-NET to the managing center MC in an MMS (Multimedia Messages Service) message for example.
  • the image BC is preferably decoded by the managing center MC which verifies, analyzes and interprets the included information data with the help of corresponding data in the central database DB.
  • the image BC is transferred to the handheld device HD via a local wireless channel based on Bluetooth technology or other radio frequency transmission protocol.
  • the image may be partially or entirely decoded by the handheld device HD before forwarding to the managing center MC so that the user can know the status data and/or additional data contained in the matrix barcode BC.
  • One or more URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address(es) or a phone number(s) may be extracted by the handheld device HD for getting further information on the multimedia receiver device MR or associated peripherals.
  • the URL addresses may also be directed to manufacturer websites, advertising websites, promotional offers or other commercial information related to user system configuration and so on.
  • the matrix barcode image BC is generally displayed on an edge of the television set TV screen over a current television program displaying, on a particular display window or beside program information items in an electronic program guide created on the basis of the services information broadcast in the content stream.
  • the image may be displayed at each above mentioned location on the display or only at a specific place at user choice in preferences set up menu.
  • a first message M1 is sent via the mobile communication network M-NET to the handheld device HD as acknowledgment.
  • This message M1 may further inform the user on actions to take in relation to the status of the multimedia receiver device MR. For example, the user may be informed on available updates and on the way to perform the updates.
  • the response message invites the user to change a defective component such as a memory, a hard disc, a card reader, etc.
  • the managing center MC Upon reception of the barcode image BC, the managing center MC further transmits a second message M2 to the multimedia receiver device MR, via the broadcast channel BCH in push mode i.e. addressed to a specific user or multimedia receiver device MR.
  • This second message M2 comprises a command to delete the displayed barcode image which is become useless since it is processed by the managing center.
  • the second message may also contain information for the user to be temporarily d isplayed on the screen , such as processing results, multimedia receiver device status information, advices to the user, etc.
  • An advantage of the method is to allow a remote diagnosis and support to the users for maintaining their devices in an optimal operating state to minimize interventions of technicians on user's premises.
  • the method of the invention may further be applied to VOD (Video On Demand) purchasing where the user selects a program on a displayed program guide and launches in the same time the self test program for generating a matrix barcode.
  • VOD Video On Demand
  • the matrix barcode BC includes specific information related to the selected program.
  • the matrix barcode BC is then forwarded to the managing center and VOD services provider which will send an acknowledgment and broadcast the selected content to the multimedia receiver device MR.
  • the user data extracted from the matrix barcode BC and completed thanks to the database DB are forwarded to a billing system managed by the service provider SP.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Testing, Inspecting, Measuring Of Stereoscopic Televisions And Televisions (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROCESS INFORMATION DATA FROM A
MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER DEVICE
Field of the invention
The invention relates to a system and method to report information data retrieved from a digital multimedia receiver device to a service provider for processing. In particular, the retrieved information data are specific to a given multimedia receiver device and user profile.
Technical background
The most of low cost digital multimedia receiver devices presently in service do not support a return channel to a head end or service provider due to limited hardware / software and connection capabilities. When a user wants to purchase an on-demand service as VOD (Video On Demand), a subscription, or interact in general with a service provider for other benefits, it becomes necessary to establish an alternative communication channel independent form the multimedia receiver. Several solutions are based on portable devices such as personal computers, tablet computers, smart phones etc. able to communicate with services providers via a mobile network.
In the field of interactive advertising, document US2012/0084807AI discloses a system for interactive video advertising containing a video display capable of displaying an advertisement tag, wherein the advertisement tag prompts for user interaction and allows a registry of an interaction history. The video display is a device such as a television, monitor, digital video recorder, video game system, portable multimedia device, etc. The advertisement tag is a visual and/or audible notification. Upon display of an advertisement tag, the user is thereby prompted for interaction with the system. By interacting with the system after an advertisement tag is displayed, an interaction history archive, in the form of an advertising cart user interface is populated with an interaction history record. The user interface comprises controls that al low data viewing , saving , deleting , sorting , d istributing , or combinations thereof. The user interacts with the system through a remote control, Bluetooth™ device, infrared device, radio frequency device, computer mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick, keyboard, barcode reader, or any other pointing or capturing device.
Document US2010096448A1 describes a method and apparatus for bar code data interchange. This apparatus is generally comprised of a bar code reader which is capable of scanning bar codes displayed on a variety of video displays, a decoder which transforms the scanned bar code into data which may then be manipulated in a variety of ways by a host device, such as a computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or any other device in which bar code data input may be desirable. In a preferred embodiment, a consumer will scan in bar code information from a video display, such as a television screen, through the use of a high scan rate LED scanner and obtain information on a desired product, a link to the product's web site, or other useful information. Businesses too, will scan in bar code information directly from video displays into their desired host device. This scanned information is not formatted specifically for any business software and therefore is easily transferable between businesses which may use different software applications to manipulate the same data to suit their needs. This minimizes the need for many of the conversion programs or interpretation programs, commonly known as middleware, and provides data interchange across a wide variety of settings for a myriad of purposes.
Document US201 2/015301 5A1 discloses a system for accessing content corresponding to a matrix barcode, such as a video and/or audio content. The system may include a mobile computing device in communication with a content receiver. The mobile computing device may be configured to capture the matrix barcode, for example, via using an optical component and/or barcode scanner to record and/or scan the matrix barcode. The mobile computing device may also include a network interface component configured to transmit the matrix barcode to the content receiver. The content receiver may then receive the matrix barcode from the mobile computing device. The content receiver may include a processor to determine and/or access the content corresponding to the matrix barcode. The content receiver may then transmit the content to a display device. Document US2012/0137318A1 discloses a method and a system for tracking user interaction with a television receiver, such as a set-top box, cable box, or other electronic device appropriately configured to receive, decode and display audiovisual information. Such tracking may be accomplished through the use of a matrix code displayed on a display device along with audiovisual content; the matrix code may be captured by a reader device that processes the matrix code to retrieve data embedded therein. The data may be transmitted from the receiving device to a monitoring party who, in turn, may process the data to track user interaction , audience participation, the time at which audiovisual content was viewed and/or stored, and the like.
Document US2004/0093370A1 discloses a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software. The diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required . The diagnostics software generates data in response to various information and check requests received from the head end. Execution of the diagnostics software may be initiated as part of a periodical diagnostic test of the set-top box, at the request of a customer having difficulties with the set-top box, or in response to an alarm or alert message generated by the set-top box.
Summary of the invention The aim of the present invention is to report information data specific to a multimedia receiver device to a head end, managing center or service provider in an efficient way particularly when the multimedia receiver device is not provided with a direct return channel.
The aim is achieved by a method to process information data from a multimedia receiver device according to claim 1 .
A further object of the invention relates to a system configured to process information data from a multimedia receiver device according to claim 13.
The multimedia receiver device runs a self-test program in order to retrieve and generate information data related to a status of the multimedia receiver device. The latter creates a barcode by combining at least status information data, time and date and its own unique identifier. The barcode is then displayed in a predefined area of a screen coupled to the multimedia receiver device in order to be scanned by a handheld device preferably consisting of a smart phone provided with the appropriate application. The scanned image is sent by the smart phone, via a mobile communication network, to a managing center for processing and analyzing the status information data for taking targeted actions related to the effective status of the multimedia receiver device. An acknowledgement and/or additional information is returned via the mobile network in form of a first message such as a SMS for example to the smart phone. Other messages may be also sent by the managing center through the broadcast channel (push mode) to the multimedia receiver device for display on the screen of the multimedia receiver device. A second message sent via the broadcast channel by the managing center in response to the image transmission by the smart phone deletes the displayed image. According to an embodiment the managing center may also send advertisements in relation to the received status information. A bidirectional communication or interactive communication is thus enabled between the multimedia receiver device and managing center even if the current broadcasting channel is unidirectional.
The manag ing center is defined here as an entity maintaining a plurality of multimedia receiver devices as well as a central database containing various data re l ated to u se rs, multimedia receiver devices identification, configuration, subscription data, usage history and statistics, etc. The managing center may also be associated to a head end or service provider managed by one or several multimedia operators. Brief description of the figure
The invention will be better understood with the following detailed description, which refers to the attached figure given as non-limitative example.
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the system of the invention where a multimedia receiver device displays a status information data barcode readable by a handheld device configured to transmit this barcode to a managing center. Detailed description of the invention
The system illustrated by figure 1 comprises a multimedia receiver device MR preferably consisting of a set top box STB connected to a television set TV. In another configuration, the set top box may be integrated in the television set to form a single device. The multimedia receiver device MR receives digital audio / video content from a stream broadcast unidirectionally, via a broadcast channel BCH, by an entity managed by one or more broadcast operator(s) such as a managing center MC associated to a head end HE and a service provider SP. The managing center MC maintains a plurality of multimedia receiver devices MR as well as a central database DB containing users' data coupled to multimedia receiver devices identification, configuration characteristics, subscription data, content usage history and statistics, etc.
According to the method and system of the invention, the multimedia receiver device MR generates information data related to its status by executing a self test program either at operating start or stop of the multimedia receiver device, periodically, at scheduled time or upon a request from a user by pressing a button on a remote control for example. This self test program may also be launched from a peripheral device associated to the multimedia receiver device MR such as an optical disc recorder / player, a personal computer or any other device. According to an embodiment, the self test program may start after a failure of a hardware and/or software component of the multimedia receiver device or a peripheral device is detected.
The generated information data is converted into an image BC displayed on a screen coupled to the multimedia receiver device MR such as the television set TV of figure 1 representing a one dimensional or two dimensional barcode. The two dimensional barcode or matrix barcode also called QR code is preferred for its higher data capacity up to more than 4000 alphanumeric characters while the one dimensional or linear barcode is limited to 10-15 characters. The matrix barcode including data in both the horizontal and vertical directions may contain almost any type of data and/or other information. For example, the matrix barcode may include numeric, alphanumeric, binary, symbols and the like. In particular, according to the invention, the information data comprise at least a unique identifier, time information and specific status data associated to the multimedia receiver device as for example error messages reporting failures of components included in the multimedia receiver device.
The specific status data of the multimedia receiver device MR may additionally comprises activity reports of the multimedia receiver device within a predetermined period, user profile includ ing subscription data to broadcast services and/or purchased video-on-demand services, system information including hardware and software version information of peripherals associated to multimedia receiver device and / or global hardware and software version information of the multimedia receiver device.
The displayed image preferably representing a matrix barcode BC is acquired by a handheld or portable device HD like a smart phone, a personal assistant, a tablet personal computer etc. provided with a camera which scans the barcode image BC and forwards it via a mobile communication network M-NET to the managing center MC in an MMS (Multimedia Messages Service) message for example. The image BC is preferably decoded by the managing center MC which verifies, analyzes and interprets the included information data with the help of corresponding data in the central database DB.
According to a further embodiment, the image BC is transferred to the handheld device HD via a local wireless channel based on Bluetooth technology or other radio frequency transmission protocol.
According to an embodiment the image may be partially or entirely decoded by the handheld device HD before forwarding to the managing center MC so that the user can know the status data and/or additional data contained in the matrix barcode BC. One or more URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address(es) or a phone number(s) may be extracted by the handheld device HD for getting further information on the multimedia receiver device MR or associated peripherals. The URL addresses may also be directed to manufacturer websites, advertising websites, promotional offers or other commercial information related to user system configuration and so on. The matrix barcode image BC is generally displayed on an edge of the television set TV screen over a current television program displaying, on a particular display window or beside program information items in an electronic program guide created on the basis of the services information broadcast in the content stream. According to an embodiment, the image may be displayed at each above mentioned location on the display or only at a specific place at user choice in preferences set up menu. In response to the transmission of the barcode image BC to the managing center MC, a first message M1 is sent via the mobile communication network M-NET to the handheld device HD as acknowledgment. This message M1 may further inform the user on actions to take in relation to the status of the multimedia receiver device MR. For example, the user may be informed on available updates and on the way to perform the updates. In case of failures, the response message invites the user to change a defective component such as a memory, a hard disc, a card reader, etc.
Upon reception of the barcode image BC, the managing center MC further transmits a second message M2 to the multimedia receiver device MR, via the broadcast channel BCH in push mode i.e. addressed to a specific user or multimedia receiver device MR. This second message M2 comprises a command to delete the displayed barcode image which is become useless since it is processed by the managing center. In add ition to the command, the second message may also contain information for the user to be temporarily d isplayed on the screen , such as processing results, multimedia receiver device status information, advices to the user, etc.
An advantage of the method is to allow a remote diagnosis and support to the users for maintaining their devices in an optimal operating state to minimize interventions of technicians on user's premises.
The method of the invention may further be applied to VOD (Video On Demand) purchasing where the user selects a program on a displayed program guide and launches in the same time the self test program for generating a matrix barcode.
In this case, in addition to the multimedia receiver device / user identification, status and time data, the matrix barcode BC includes specific information related to the selected program. The matrix barcode BC is then forwarded to the managing center and VOD services provider which will send an acknowledgment and broadcast the selected content to the multimedia receiver device MR. The user data extracted from the matrix barcode BC and completed thanks to the database DB are forwarded to a billing system managed by the service provider SP.

Claims

1 . Method for transmitting to a managing center (MC), by a handheld device (HD), information data related to a multimedia receiver device (MR) configured at least to receive and display digital aud io / video content (AV) from a stream broadcast unidirectionally by the managing center (MC), via a broadcast channel (BCH), comprising steps of:
- executing, by the multimedia receiver device (MR), a self test program to generate information data related to a status of the multimedia receiver device (MR),
- displaying, by the multimedia receiver device (MR), the generated information data in form of an image (BC) representing a one dimensional or two dimensional barcode comprising at least a unique identifier, time information and specific status data associated to the multimedia receiver device (MR),
- acquiring the image (BC) by the handheld device (HD), and transmitting the image (BC), via a mobile communication network (M-NET), to the managing center (MC) for processing the received image (BC) and extracting the specific status data related to the multimedia receiver device (MR).
- receiving by the handheld device (HD), via the mobile communication network (M- NET), a first message (M1 ) from the managing center (MC) in response of the image transmission to the managing center (MC),
- receiving by the multimedia receiver device (MR), via the broadcast channel (BCH), a second message (M2) from the managing center (MC) in response of the image transmission by the handheld device (HD), said second message (M2) comprising a command to delete the displayed image (BC).
2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the handheld device (HD) acquires the image (BC) by reading with a camera the image displayed on a screen (TV) coupled to the multimedia receiver device (MR), said image (BC) being forwarded via the mobile communication network (M-NET) to the managing center (MC).
3. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the handheld device (HD) acquires the image (BC) via a local wireless communications channel and forwards said image (BC) via the mobile communication network (M-NET) to the managing center (MC).
4. Method accord ing to claim 3 characterized in that the local wireless communications channel is based on Bluetooth technology.
5. Method according to anyone of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the self test program is executed either at operating start or stop of the multimedia receiver device (MR) or associated peripherals, periodically, at scheduled time, after detection of a failure or upon a request from a user.
6. Method according to anyone of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the specific status data of the multimedia receiver device (MR) comprises error messages reporting failures of components included in the multimedia receiver device (MR).
7. Method according to anyone of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the specific status data of the multimedia receiver device (MR) comprises activity reports of the multimedia receiver device (MR) within a predetermined period.
8. Method according to anyone of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the specific status data of the multimedia receiver device (MR) comprises user profile including subscription data to broadcast services and/or purchased video-on-demand services.
9. Method according to anyone of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the specific status data of the multimedia receiver device (MR) comprises system information including hardware and software version information of peripherals associated to multimedia receiver device (MR) and / or global hardware and software version information of the multimedia receiver device (MR).
10. Method according to anyone of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the image (BC) is displayed on an edge of the screen (TV) over a current television program displaying or in a particular display window.
1 1 . Method according to anyone of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the image (BC) is displayed beside program information items in an electronic program guide.
12. Method according to anyone of claims 1 to 1 1 further comprising a step of preprocessing the image (BC) acquired by the handheld device (HD) before sending the image (BC) to the managing center (MC), the pre-processing comprising extracting an URL and additional information for displaying on the handheld device (HD).
13. A system comprising a multimedia receiver device (MR) configured at least to receive and display digital audio / video content (AV) from a stream broadcast unidirectionally via a broadcast channel (BCH), a handheld device (HD) configured to transmit information data related to the multimedia receiver device (MR) via a mobile communication network (M-NET) and a managing center (MC) configured to process received information data, wherein
- the multimedia receiver device (MR) comprises a module adapted to execute a self test program generating information data related to a status of the multimedia receiver device (MR),
- the multimedia receiver device (MR) further comprises a screen (TV) to display the generated information data in form of an image (BC) representing a one dimensional or two dimensional barcode comprising at least a unique identifier, time information and specific status data associated to the multimedia receiver device (MR),
- the handheld device (HD) is configured to acquire the displayed image (BC) for transmitting to the managing center (MC) via the mobile network (M-NET) and to receive a first message (M1 ) from the manag ing center (MC) in response transmission of the image (BC), the multimedia receiver device (MR) being further configured to receive, via the broadcast channel (BCH), a second message (M2) from the managing center (MC) in response to the transmission of the image (BC) by the handheld device (HD), said second message (M2) comprising a command to delete the displayed image (BC),
- the managing center (MC) is provided with a processor for processing the received image (BC) by extracting the specific status data related to the multimedia receiver device (MR).
PCT/EP2013/069835 2012-09-25 2013-09-24 System and method to process information data from a multimedia receiver device Ceased WO2014048914A1 (en)

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BR112015006337A BR112015006337A2 (en) 2012-09-25 2013-09-24 system and method for processing information data from a multimedia receiver device
MX2015001812A MX341674B (en) 2012-09-25 2013-09-24 System and method to process information data from a multimedia receiver device.
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US20150256824A1 (en) 2015-09-10
MX341674B (en) 2016-08-30

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