WO2016012734A1

WO2016012734A1 - Electronic guide to the programmes and broadcasting channels of television channels

Info

Publication number: WO2016012734A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/052081
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolas Mercouroff
Original assignee: Tivine Technologies
Priority date: 2014-07-25
Filing date: 2015-07-27
Publication date: 2016-01-28
Also published as: FR3024316A1; FR3024316B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic device (100) for remote control of a set-top box (STB) for a television set (TV) to update the mapping between: - a plurality of predetermined identification numbers (NUM1, NUM2, NUM3) associated with television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3), and - a plurality of identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3) each associated with a channel on which one of said channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) is broadcast, said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) being broadcast by a broadcast operator (D) in order to be received and viewed on said television set (TV) via a set-top box (STB), said device (100), which is external to said television set (TV) and to said box (STB), including, in particular, a processor (21) configured to interact with second communication means (12) in order to download, from a remote central server (S) via the mobile telephone network (N_CELL) and depending on said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) accessible on said television set (TV), an electronic program guide computer file (F_EPG) comprising an up-to-date map of identifiers (M_ID) mapping between said identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3) and each of said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) accessible on said television set in order to associate each of said identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3) with an identification number (NUM1, NUM2, NUM3).

Description

ELECTRONIC GUIDE TO PROGRAMS AND BROADCASTING CHANNELS

TELEVISION CHAINS

Technical field and prior art

The present invention relates to the field of television broadcasting, and relates more particularly to the broadcast of information relating to television channels accessible on a television.

Nowadays, many television channels can be accessed on a television, especially when it is connected to cable, satellite or DSL (acronym for "Digital Subscriber Line") via a "set-top" decoder. -box ".

The selection of a television channel via a remote control can thus become very tedious for the user; it must remember the number associated with each channel to which it has access.

Conventionally, each television channel is broadcast on a channel, called broadcast channel (for example channel 23 for the channel "TF1").

To watch the desired channel, the user must select on his remote control an identification number corresponding to this channel (for example the key "1" or the sequence of the "0" and "1" keys on the remote control for the channel " TF1 ").

The remote control then sends the television the sequence of the keys selected by the user (for example the "1" key or the sequence of the "0" and "1" keys).

The tuner of the television or of the decoder is preprogrammed to know the identifier associated with the channel on which the corresponding television channel is broadcast following these keys (for example channel 23, which corresponds to the string "TF1", for the "1" key or the sequence of the "0" and "1" keys).

The tuner of the television or of the decoder thus contains a mapping (or "mapping") making it possible to relate the identification number (for example the "1" key of the remote control for the "TF1" channel) and the identifier of the channel (for example channel 23 for the channel "TF1").

WO 03/051040 discloses a system for automatically configuring the mapping recorded in the tuner of the television set or the decoder.

In this document, the television and / or the decoder necessarily have an Internet network connection and include storage means for storing this mapping.

However, the decoder and / or TV tuner may not be aware of this mapping or this mapping may be out of date.

In a number of cases, particularly in developing countries, neither the television tuner nor the decoder has an Internet connection. These decoders consist of simple boxes able only to display the video signal and to be controlled by a remote control.

However, the broadcast operator can decide overnight that the channel in question (for example here "TF1") is broadcast on a new channel (for example the channel 18 in place of the channel 23).

In this case, if the decoder does not have a connection to the Internet and / or does not have means for storing this mapping, it can not know the update of this mapping.

It is impossible in this case, with the system proposed in WO 03/051040, to have an up-to-date mapping allowing direct access to the desired channel.

Without connection to the Internet, it is generally necessary to retrieve this information, for example by mail, and to adjust the tuner of the television or the decoder accordingly, for example by recording, often manually, the new mapping of the broadcast channels.

The document WO 03/051040 is not adapted to this kind of situation and does not allow an updating of the mapping without connection to the Internet network.

The Applicant therefore submits that today an operator, who is responsible for the broadcasting of television channels, does not have simple and automated mechanisms to provide, without connection to the Internet, to the decoder and / or television tuner the information relating to this mapping in order to facilitate the navigation of the user watching television.

Summary and object of the present invention

The present invention aims to improve the situation described above.

The object according to the present invention aims to remedy the various disadvantages mentioned above by proposing a simple solution to have an up-to-date mapping to access directly on its TV to the chain. desired television, this without the decoder or the television has access or need a connection to the Internet.

For this purpose, the object of the present invention relates to a method for updating a mapping between:

a plurality of determined identification numbers associated with television channels, and

a plurality of identifiers each associated with a channel on which one of said channels is broadcast.

According to the invention, the television channels are broadcast by a broadcasting operator to be received and viewed on a television via a set-top box.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention is implemented by an electronic control device which is external to the television and to the decoder; the method comprises the following steps:

a supply of a predetermined channel mapping computer file containing information relating to the identification numbers of each television channel accessible on the television, and

a download of a computer file of the electronic program guide type according to the television channels accessible on the television.

Advantageously, the download of the computer file is made from a remote central server accessible on the Internet network via a mobile telephone network.

Preferably, this mobile telephone network is of the GSM / GPRS type.

Advantageously, the computer file includes an up-to-date identifier mapping between the identifiers and each of the television channels accessible on the television to associate each of the identifiers with an identification number according to the mapping of the channels and the mapping of identifiers.

Preferably, the relationship between the identifiers and the identification numbers is recorded on an electronic storage medium.

Thus, thanks to this succession of technical steps, characteristic of the present invention, it is no longer systematically necessary to have a set-top box or a television set connected to the Internet network to obtain and store an up-to-date mapping between the numbers of identification of the channels that are accessible on the TV and the identifiers of the channels on which these channels are broadcast. According to the invention, the electronic remote control device (of the type for example a digital tablet or a smartphone-type telephone) retrieves, via a mobile telephone network, the mapping of identifiers between the identifiers and each of the television channels. , and acts as a simple remote control vis-à-vis the set-top box; it will be understood here that the set-top box does not need to transmit to the device nor to store an up-to-date map.

In the same way, the decoder (or the television) does not need to be connected to the Internet or to be programmed manually to recover the mapping as it is necessarily the case in the existing solutions in the state of the technique and in particular in WO 03/051040.

Advantageously, the method comprises, prior to the provisioning step, a remote interrogation of the central server by the electronic device by issuing a request to retrieve the channel mapping file.

Preferably, this interrogation is performed via second communication means (preferably wireless).

Alternatively, the provisioning step comprises loading the channel mapping file from an integrated SIM card in the device.

In this alternative, the SIM card stores the channel mapping file after a prior initialization of the device.

Advantageously, access to the mobile telephone network is made possible by the use of the connection data of a SIM card read by a card reader embedded in the device.

Advantageously, the downloading of the computer file is performed by querying the central server:

- periodically according to a fixed period, preferably equal to 1 day, or

- on request.

Advantageously, after the downloading step, the current identifier mapping computer file is recorded on an electronic storage medium.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention comprises a selection of an identification number, and a determination of the identifier associated with the identification number selected according to the downloaded map. For a satellite television broadcasting operator, each of the identifiers corresponds to a frequency of the channel on which one of the television channels is broadcast.

The object of the present invention also relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted to the execution of the steps of the method as described above, this in particular when said computer program is executed by at least one processor .

Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of a source code, an object code, or an intermediate code between a source code and an object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

Similarly, the subject of the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method as described above.

Correlatively, the present invention relates to an electronic remote control device of a set-top box for television for updating a mapping between:

a plurality of identifiers each associated with a channel on which one of the channels is broadcast.

According to the invention, the television channels are broadcast by a broadcasting operator to be received and viewed on the television via a set-top box.

Advantageously, the device is external to the television and the housing. In other words, it is an independent entity.

Advantageously, it comprises a communication module comprising in particular second communication means configured to establish a connection to the Internet network via a mobile telephone network.

Advantageously, it further comprises a computer processing module comprising: an electronic storage medium capable of storing a computer file for channel mapping containing information relating to the identification numbers of each of said television channels, and

a processor configured to cooperate with the second communication means for a) downloading, according to the television channels accessible on said television, an electronic file of the electronic program guide type comprising an up-to-date identifier mapping between the identifiers and each television channels accessible on the television, and b) to associate each of the identifiers with an identification number according to the channel mapping and the identifier mapping.

Advantageously, the electronic remote control device comprises computer means configured for the implementation of the various steps of the method as described above.

Finally, the present invention also relates to a computer system comprising: a television, a set-top box connected to the television for receiving and viewing on the television television channels, and an electronic remote control device as described above.

Thus, thanks to these different technical, functional and structural characteristics, the present invention proposes an object of simple use allowing the user to directly access the desired television channel without worrying about possible channel assignment changes by the broadcast operator.

Brief description of the attached figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate an embodiment of this embodiment that is devoid of any limiting character and on which:

- Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 represents a flowchart representing the different steps of the method of the invention according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention

An electronic control device according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment as well as the corresponding method will now be described in the following with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For the record, an up-to-date mapping between the identification number of a television channel selected on the remote control device and the identifier relating to the channel number broadcasting the selected television channel is one of the objectives of the present invention. .

In other words, to allow the user to keep for all of his channels accessible via his bouquet the same numbering on his electronic control device (or remote control), this without worrying about any changes in frequency plan, is one of the objectives of the present invention.

The example described here relates to the case of satellite television; obviously, it will be understood here that this is a purely illustrative example in no way limiting.

In the case of this so-called satellite television, the frequency plan evolves regularly over time as a function of the reallocation of the frequencies of the satellites. Indeed, a broadcaster may decide impromptu change of the broadcast channel of a television channel.

It is therefore necessary to have an up-to-date mapping between the identification numbers NUM1, NUM2, and NUM3 associated with the television channels CH1, CH2, and CH3 and the identifiers ID1, ID2, and ID3 each associated with the channel on which is diffused each of these chains CH1, CH2, and CH3.

The mapping that is the subject of the present invention thus acts as a transfer function F, which, as a function of time t, associates with a vector of identification numbers relating to the Vc chains: [NUMl (CHl), NUM2 (CH2), NUM3 (CH3)] (for example the vector [key 01 for "TF1", key 02 for "France2", key 03 for "France3"]) a frequency vector Vf: [ID1, ID2, ID3 ] (for example: the vector [23, 17, 12]).

The underlying concept of the present invention is to use an electronic remote control device 100 provided with a cellular connection, for example 3G, to obtain this mapping.

In the example described here, this electronic control device 100 also serves as a remote control. In this case we speak of "smart TV Remote-Control" (also known by the acronym "sRC").

In the example described here and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic remote control device 100 may be a communication terminal of the type for example a digital tablet under "Android®"; this tablet is so configured to control a set-top-box STB set-top box for TV set. It thus has a dedicated software application for this purpose, for example the "Tivipedia®" application.

It is initially desirable for the device 100 to be aware of the television channels CH1, CH2, CH3 which are accessible on the TV set via the set-top box STB.

In the example described here, the device 100 interrogates during a step S0 the server of the broadcast operator to recover in a step SI the M_CHA chain mapping. This M_CHA data comprise all the information relating to the identification numbers NUM1, NUM2, and NUM3 of each of the television channels CH1, CH2, and CH3 accessible via the set-top box STB.

Alternatively, it is possible to envisage other embodiments: it can be provided for example that the M_CHA data are loaded directly on the SIM card 31 of the security module 30, for example during the initialization of the device 100.

Once received, this M_CHA information is stored in a step S2 on an electronic storage medium 22 of the type for example ROM.

The data flow M_CHA being recovered and recorded on the support 22, the second communication means 12 of the communication module 10 cooperate with the SIM card 31 of the security module 30 to establish during a step S4 a connection to the Internet network N_INT .

Typically, the SEVI card 31 establishes access to the Internet via the mobile network N_CELL.

The reading S3 of the SIM card 31 by a 32 card reader 32 embedded in the device allows the establishment of this connection to the Internet.

The connection is managed here by the processor 21 of the computer processing module 20.

In the example described here, the mobile telephone network N_CELL is of the GSM / GPRS type.

Once the connection is established, the processor 21 sends via the second communication means 12 a request to interrogate the server during a step S5. central S to trigger the S6 download of an electronic file F_EPG electronic program type.

In the example described here, this request comprises the information relating to the data D_CHA (that is to say here the information relating to the identification numbers NUM1, NUM2, and NUM3 of the television channels CH1, CH2, and CH3.

In the example described here, this downloaded file F_EPG includes a mapping of M_ID identifiers between the TV channels CH1, CH2, and CH3 and the associated identifiers ID1, ID2, and ID3.

According to the preferred embodiment, it can provide a daily download, weekly, monthly, or a download on request of the user.

Following this download S6, the processor 21 determines during a step S7 the relation (or mapping) between the identification numbers NUM1, NUM2, and NUM3 of the television channels CH1, CH2, and CH3 and the identifiers ID1, ID2 , and ID3 associated to get an up-to-date M mapping.

This mapping is then recorded in step S8 on the electronic storage medium 22.

Thus, in the example described here, the user selects, during a step S9, the desired channel CH1, CH2 or CH3 by touching on the touch interface 40 of the display module 40 a zone associated with the identification number NUM1 , NUM2 or NUM3.

Following this selection S9, the processor 21 queries the electronic storage medium 22 to determine according to the mapping the identifier ID1, ID2, or ID3 associated with the selected identification number NUM1, NUM2, or NUM3, this during a step S 10.

Preferably, the device 100 has a wireless communication means 11 with the set-top box STB using a communication protocol of the type for example "Wifi®", "Bluetooth®", "Zigbee®"; it can also be a communication protocol of the RF or IR type. This communication means enables the device to send control signals to the box in the manner of a remote control. Thus, in the example described here, when the user selects the "1" key on the interface 41 of his device 100, the latter gives the order to the set-top box STB to broadcast on the television channel "23" , corresponding for example to the channel "TF1".

Consider the situation in which the broadcaster changes the channel associated with this channel, for example channel 18 instead of channel 23.

In this example, thanks to the present invention, the device 100 is automatically informed of this channel reallocation.

In this example, the next day, following a selection of the identification number (key "01") associated with the channel "TF1", the device 100 will instruct the set-top box STB to broadcast on the television the channel "18". ".

This "remapping" is completely transparent to the user.

The present invention thus makes available to the user / viewer an object that is easy to use, serving on the one hand a remote control, and on the other hand, thanks to its SIM card, to access the Internet to update the mapping.

It is then sufficient for the person consulting his electronic program guide to select on the touch screen the desired program for direct access to it without worrying at any time of the channel on which this program is broadcast.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but in no case this description is of any nature limiting to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, its purpose is to remove any imprecision or misinterpretation of the claims that follow.

It should also be observed that the reference signs in parentheses in the following claims are in no way limiting in nature; these signs are only intended to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the claims that follow as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims

1. Method of updating a mapping between:

a plurality of determined identification numbers (NUM1, NUM2, NUM3) associated with television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3), and

a plurality of identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3) each associated with a channel on which is broadcast one of said chains (CH1, CH2, CH3),

said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) being broadcast by a broadcasting operator (D) to be received and viewed on a television (TV) via a set-top box (STB) devoid of connection to the Internet,

said method, implemented by an electronic control device (100) external to said television (TV) and said box (STB), comprising the following steps:

a supply (SI) of a predetermined computer mapping file (M_CHA) containing information relating to the identification numbers (NUM1, NUM2, NUM3) of each of said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) accessible on said television (TV), and

a download (S6) of a computer file (F_EPG) of the electronic program guide type according to said TV channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) accessible on said television (TV),

wherein the downloading (S6) of said computer file (F_EPG) is performed from a remote central server (S) accessible on the Internet network (N_INT) via a mobile telephone network (N_CELL), and

wherein said file (F_EPG) comprises an updated identifier mapping (M_ID) between said identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3) and each of said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) accessible on said television to associate each of said identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3) to an identification number (NUM1, NUM2, NUM3) according to the channel mapping (M_CHA) and the identifier mapping (M_ID).

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising, prior to the provisioning step (SI), a remote interrogation (S0) of said remote central server (S) by said electronic device (100) by issuing a request (REQ) by via second communication means (12) for recovering said chain mapping file (M_CHA).

The method according to claim 1, wherein the supply (SI) comprises loading said chain mapping file (M_CHA) from a SIM card (31) integrated in the device (100), said SIM card storing the chain mapping file (M_CHA) following a prior initialization of said device (100).

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mobile telephone network (N_CELL) is of GSM / GPRS type.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein access to the mobile telephone network (N_CELL) is made possible by the use of connection data of a SIM card (31) read by a card reader. (32) embedded in said device (100).

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the downloading (S6) of said computer file (F_EPG) is performed by querying said central server (S):

- periodically according to a specified period, preferably equal to 1 day, or

- on request.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein after downloading (S6), the up-to-date mapping (M) is recorded on an electronic storage medium (22).

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a selection (S9) by said device (100) of an identification number (NUM1, NUM2, NUM3), and a determination (S10). ) of the identifier (ID1, ID2, ID3) associated with said identification number (NUM1, NUM2, NUM3) selected according to the downloaded map (M).

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, for a satellite television broadcasting operator (D), each of the identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3) corresponds to a frequency of the channel on which is broadcast. one of said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3).

Computer program comprising instructions adapted for performing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 when said computer program is executed by at least one processor.

A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program is recorded including instructions for performing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

An electronic device (100) for remote control of a set-top box (STB) for television (TV) for updating a mapping between:

said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) being broadcast by a broadcasting operator (D) to be received and viewed on said television (TV) via a set-top box (STB) devoid of connection to the Internet,

said device (100), external to said television (TV) and said housing (STB), comprising:

a) a communication module (10) comprising:

second communication means (12) configured to establish a connection to the Internet network (N_INT) via a mobile telephone network (N_CELL), and

b) a computer processing module (20) comprising:

an electronic storage medium (22) capable of storing a chain mapping computer file (M_CHA) containing information relating to the identification numbers (NUM1, NUM2, NUM3) of each of said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3 ), and

a processor (21) configured to:

a) cooperating with the second communication means (12) to download, as a function of said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) accessible on said television (TV), a computer program (F_EPG) file of the electronic program guide type comprising a Mapping identifiers (M_ID) up to date between said identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3) and each of said television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3) accessible on said television, and

b) for associating each of said identifiers (ID1, ID2, ID3) with an identification number (NUM1, NUM2, NUM3) according to the channel mapping (M_CHA) and the identifier mapping (M_ID).

13. Electronic remote control device (100) according to claim 12, comprising computer means configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 2 to 9.

Computer system (200) comprising:

- TV (TV)

- a set-top box (STB) connected to said television (TV) for receiving and viewing on said television (TV) television channels (CH1, CH2, CH3); and

an electronic device (100) for remote control of said set-top box (STB) according to claim 12 or 13.