FR3007924A1 - PROCESSING AND RETURN OF AUDIOVISUAL CONTENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing an audiovisual stream broadcast by a broadcast source, via a broadcast network, to a terminal (STB), then recorded in said terminal, said stream being representative of a content audiovisual whose broadcast is programmed, said stream being analyzed, during its broadcast, relative to a given type (SD1) broadcast source of said stream. According to the invention, once said flow has started to be recorded, the following steps are performed: - obtaining (E3) the current time indicated by a clock contained in said terminal and information relating to the recorded content, comprising at least one identifier of the content, an identifier of the source for broadcasting the content to the terminal and the scheduled instant of broadcast of the content, - obtaining (E8) of the current time indicated by a clock contained in an analysis server of the audiovisual stream, - calculating (E10) a first time offset between the two current hours obtained, - obtaining (E9) the actual instant of diffusion of said audiovisual content, - calculating (E12) a second time offset between the real time and the programmed instant of broadcast of said audiovisual content obtained, - calculating (E14a) a third time offset between the time at which said stream was broadcast to said terminal from said ladit e broadcast source and the instant at which said stream has been broadcast to the analysis server from said broadcast source of a given type, - calculating (E16) a starting time position (PT) of said content in said broadcast audiovisual stream, based on the first, second and third calculated time offsets.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The field of the invention is that of telecommunications, and more particularly of the broadcasting of audiovisual streams to access terminals by a broadcast network, such as, for example, decoders of the invention. type Set-Top-Box. The invention applies in particular to the recording of audiovisual content present in such streams and whose distribution is programmed, and to the return of these contents.

Presenting the Prior Art Today, when a user wishes to schedule the recording of audiovisual content of his choice, he generally consults a program schedule, paper or electronic, to record the date and time of broadcasting of the audiovisual content in the future, and then adjusting its recording terminal in accordance with the date and the time schedule. However, it appears that the broadcast schedules that are mentioned in such a program schedule are unreliable. Indeed, the scheduled broadcasting of audiovisual content can begin with a certain delay, in the case, for example, where the audiovisual content broadcast previously is a live broadcast event that has lasted longer than expected. In addition, the user's registration terminal and the broadcast network equipment are generally not synchronized with each other. Thus, when the user sets his recording terminal in accordance with the date and time noted in the program schedule, he is obliged to provide a time safety margin to be sure not to miss the beginning of the audiovisual content. which he really wants to register. Such manipulation is tedious and requires the user, when viewing the recorded audiovisual content, to manually search from when the recording of the desired audiovisual content has really started.30 There is therefore a need for a solution allowing to facilitate access to the beginning of a locally recorded audiovisual content, following a scheduled broadcast of the latter.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the aims of the invention is to overcome disadvantages of the state of the art mentioned above. For this purpose, an object of the present invention relates to a method of processing an audiovisual stream broadcast by a broadcast source, via a broadcast network, to a terminal and then recorded in this terminal, the aforementioned flow being representative of an audiovisual content whose broadcast is programmed, the aforementioned stream being analyzed, during its broadcast, relative to a given type of broadcast source of this stream. Such a method is remarkable in that once the audiovisual stream has begun to be recorded, the method comprises the following steps: - obtaining the current time indicated by a clock contained in the terminal, - obtaining the time current indicated by a clock contained in an audiovisual stream analysis server, 20 - calculating a first time offset between the two current hours obtained, - obtaining information relating to the audiovisual content that has been recorded, comprising at least one identifier of the audiovisual content broadcast, an identifier of the broadcasting source of the audiovisual content with the terminal and the scheduled time of broadcast of the audiovisual content, - obtaining the actual moment of broadcast of the audiovisual content, - calculating a second time difference between the real instant and the programmed instantaneous broadcast of the audiovisual content obtained, - calculating a third time difference between the stant to which the audiovisual stream has been broadcast to the terminal from the broadcast source and the time at which the audiovisual stream has been broadcast to the analysis server from the broadcast source of a given type; calculating a start time position of the audiovisual content in said broadcast audiovisual stream, based on the first, second and third calculated time offsets.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to simply calculate the actual start time of recording of the audiovisual content, based on information extracted directly from the broadcasted audiovisual stream and / or information already available in the terminal or in the analysis server or in the program grid. The calculation of the actual start time of recording is particularly accurate since it takes into account: a first time offset which exists between the clock of the remote server and that of the user's terminal; second time offset between the actual instant of broadcast of the audiovisual stream and the scheduled instant of broadcast of this stream as indicated in a program schedule, - a third time offset resulting from a difference that may exist between the type of broadcast source that broadcast the audiovisual stream to the terminal and the type of broadcast source that broadcasted the same audiovisual stream to the analysis server so that it provides information in the flow of points of interest, such as in particular, temporal positions indicating respectively the beginning and the end of the audiovisual content. Examples of types of broadcast sources are radio, cable, satellite, TNT (abbreviation for "Digital Terrestrial Television") or IP (for "Internet Protocol" in English) multicast, in accordance with a television standard. digital, such as for example the DVB (for "Digital Video Broadcasting", in English), etc .... This actual moment of recording start can be advantageously used to automatically access the beginning of the audiovisual content during viewing of the latter by the user, avoiding any tedious manual search.

The audiovisual flow processing method is for example implemented in the analysis server or by the terminal, such as a set-top box or in a terminal connected to the set-top box, such as by example a tablet. According to a particular embodiment, the calculation of the third time shift is a function of an identifier of the channel on which the audiovisual content has been broadcast to the terminal.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to make the calculation of the actual start time of recording even more precise, knowing that for a given broadcasting channel, there is generally a time lag of diffusion of the audiovisual content of a few seconds, depending on the types broadcast sources that broadcast the audiovisual content programmed on the given broadcast channel.

According to another particular embodiment, the information such as the current time indicated by a clock contained in the terminal, the identifier of the audiovisual content broadcast and the identifier of the broadcasting source of the audiovisual content with the terminal are obtained in the analysis server, following the sending of a message sent by the terminal to the analysis server and containing the above information. Such an arrangement has the advantage of consolidating in a single message several pieces of information which are necessary for calculating the actual start time of recording of the audiovisual content broadcasted and then recorded. The congestion of the communication network through which the analysis server and the terminal communicate is particularly reduced. Said communication network is for example of IP type. According to yet another particular embodiment, the information such as the current time indicated by a clock contained in the terminal, the identifier of the audiovisual content broadcast and the identifier of the broadcasting source of the audiovisual content with the terminal are obtained. by reception in a terminal other than the aforementioned terminal, following the sending of a request sent by the other terminal to the aforementioned terminal, such a request requesting the current time from the aforementioned terminal. Such an arrangement makes it possible to avoid having the access terminal, such as a set-top-box TV decoder, directly communicate directly with the server by deporting the dialogue with said server to another terminal that is connected. audit terminal access, such as in particular a tablet, a mobile phone, a smartphone ("smart phone"), a television connected to the aforementioned communication network, etc .... It should be noted that to allow to do dialogue the access terminal with the analysis server, software updates are required. Thanks to the embodiment just mentioned, it is possible to dispense with software updates on access terminals that are generally complex, given the different models of access terminals that exist already on the market and therefore require different software updates.

According to yet another particular embodiment, the scheduled broadcast time of the audiovisual content and the broadcast channel identifier of this content are obtained by querying a database containing the information relating to the aforementioned audiovisual content. Such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain, in a simple manner, the programmed broadcast time information of the audiovisual content and the broadcast channel identifier of said audiovisual content, whether it is the analysis server that requires this information or whether it is the access terminal or directly the other terminal connected to the access terminal. The interrogation of said database by the server, by the terminal or by the other terminal, consists of a request to an EPG program grid (for "Electronic Program Guide", in English) comprising information relating to broadcasts programmed by a head of the above-mentioned broadcast network, such as an identifier of the audiovisual content concerned, the broadcasting channel of this content, the title of this content, its genre and temporal information, such as broadcast date, start time and end time of broadcast. According to yet another particular embodiment, the actual moment of broadcasting of the audiovisual content is obtained during the analysis of the aforementioned audiovisual stream. Such a obtaining step is performed directly in the analysis server at the same time as the latter also receives the audiovisual stream broadcast from the terminal in order to inform said flow of the aforementioned points of interest.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to avoid any complex exchange between, on the one hand, the terminal or said other terminal, and, on the other hand, the broadcasting head of said audiovisual stream, for recovering such temporal information. According to yet another particular embodiment, the step of obtaining the current time indicated by a clock contained in the server is implemented during reception, in the terminal or in the other terminal, and on request from the latter to the server, a message containing this current time. Such an arrangement is implemented when the calculation of the actual start time of recording of said audiovisual content is calculated by the terminal or by said other terminal. According to yet another particular embodiment, the message containing the current time indicated by a clock contained in the server also contains the actual time of broadcast of the audiovisual content and the identifier of the broadcast source of a given type. Such an arrangement has the advantage of consolidating into a single message several pieces of information which are necessary for the terminal or the other terminal to calculate the actual start time of recording of the audiovisual content broadcast and then recorded. The congestion of the communication network via which the analysis server and the terminal or the other terminal interact is thus particularly reduced. The various embodiments or embodiments mentioned above may be added independently or in combination with each other, to the steps of the audiovisual flow processing method defined above.

The invention also relates to a device for processing an audiovisual stream broadcast by a broadcast source, via a broadcast network, to a terminal and then recorded in this terminal, the stream being representative of audiovisual content of which the broadcast is programmed, the stream being analyzed, during its broadcast, relative to a given type of broadcast source of the above-mentioned stream, such a device being adapted to implement the aforementioned audiovisual stream processing method.

Such a device for processing an audiovisual stream is remarkable in that it comprises: a module for obtaining the current time indicated by a clock contained in the terminal; a module for obtaining the current time; indicated by a clock contained in an audiovisual stream analysis server, - a first calculation module for calculating a first time offset between the two current hours obtained, - a module for obtaining information relating to the audiovisual content that has been recorded, comprising at least one identifier of the broadcasted audiovisual content, an identifier of the broadcasting source of the audiovisual content at the terminal and the scheduled time of broadcasting of the audiovisual content, - a module for obtaining the actual instant of broadcast of the audiovisual content, - a second calculation module for calculating a second time difference between the real instant and the programmed instantaneous broadcast of the audiovisual content obtained, - a third sth calculation module for calculating a third time offset between the time at which the audiovisual stream has been broadcast to the terminal from the broadcast source and the time at which the audiovisual stream has been broadcast to the analysis server from of the broadcast source of a given type, - a fourth calculation module for calculating a start time position of the audiovisual content in the broadcast audiovisual stream, as a function of the first, second and third calculated time offsets. The invention also relates to a method for rendering audiovisual content with a programmed broadcast from a stream that has been broadcast by a broadcast network and recorded by a terminal, such a method comprising: a step of sending a request for restitution of the recorded audiovisual content, - a step of receiving a restitution command specifying a start time of restitution, Such a restitution process is remarkable in that it comprises the following steps: - determination of the the start of playback time specified as being equal to the starting time position of the audiovisual content as obtained by the processing method of a said audio-visual stream, - restitution of the audiovisual content from the obtained time position.

Such a provision advantageously allows the user to automatically access the beginning of the recorded audiovisual content that he wishes to view, avoiding the user any tedious manual search of the actual moment of recording start of the audiovisual content considered. Such a rendering method is for example implemented in the aforementioned terminal, such as a set-top-box, or in another terminal connected to the set-top box, such as a tablet. According to a particular embodiment, the rendering method comprises, prior to the aforementioned restitution step, the following steps: detection, in the audiovisual stream that has been broadcast, and before the obtained temporal position, of the presence of any audiovisual content different from the audiovisual content to be reproduced, - if the detection turns out to be positive, deletion of the audio-visual content (s) detected. Such an arrangement saves the memory resources dedicated to the recording of audiovisual contents, by automatically removing the audio-visual contents that could have been recorded before the actual moment of recording start of the audiovisual content and which do not necessarily interest the user. The various embodiments or aforementioned embodiments can be added independently or in combination with each other, to the steps of the method of restitution defined above.

The invention also relates to a device for rendering a broadcasting audiovisual content programmed from a stream that has been broadcast by a broadcast network and recorded by a terminal, such a device comprising: a transmission module; a request for restitution of the recorded audio-visual content, a reception module of a restitution command specifying a start time of restitution, and being adapted to implement the restitution method mentioned above. Such a rendering device is remarkable in that it comprises: a module for determining the start of playback time specified as being equal to the starting time position of the audio-visual content as obtained by the processing method of an audiovisual stream mentioned above, a module for restoring audiovisual content from the temporal position obtained.

According to a particular embodiment, the rendering device further comprises: a detection module, in the audiovisual stream that has been broadcast, and before the obtained temporal position, the presence of any audiovisual content different from the audiovisual content to be reproduced; , a module for deleting the detected audiovisual content or contents which is activated if the detection proves to be positive. The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method of processing an audiovisual stream according to the invention, when it is executed on a terminal or more generally on a computer. The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the restitution method according to the invention, when it is executed on a terminal or more generally on a computer. Each of these programs can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any form what other form is desirable. The invention also relates to a recording medium readable by a computer on which a computer program is recorded, this program comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of the audiovisual flow processing method according to the invention, as described above. The invention also relates to a recording medium readable by a computer on which a computer program is recorded, this program including instructions adapted to the implementation of the restitution method according to the invention, as described above. .

Each of these recording media can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a USB key or a hard disk.

On the other hand, each of the recording media may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The programs according to the invention may in particular be downloaded on an Internet-type network. Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the audiovisual flow processing method or the restitution method mentioned above. The audiovisual flow processing device, the rendering method, the rendering device and the corresponding computer programs mentioned above have at least the same advantages as those conferred by the audiovisual flow processing method according to the present invention. List of Figures Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings. among which: Figure 1 schematically shows a system for processing and rendering audiovisual streams according to the invention; FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C schematically show the steps of an audiovisual flow processing method according to the invention, according to three embodiments respectively; FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically show the steps of a method of restitution of an audiovisual content according to the invention, according to two embodiments respectively; FIG. 4 shows the simplified structure of a device for processing an audiovisual stream according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 shows the simplified structure of a device for rendering audiovisual content according to one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The general principle of the invention is based on the processing of an audiovisual stream broadcast at a terminal, said stream being representative of an audiovisual content whose broadcast has been programmed and which is registered in said terminal. When broadcasting such an audiovisual stream, and in a manner known per se, the audiovisual stream is intercepted by a server located in the broadcast network and adapted to analyze the stream, in particular with a view to providing information points. interest, such as, in particular, temporal positions respectively indicating the beginning and the end of the broadcast audiovisual content. More precisely, such processing consists in calculating the precise start time of the recording of an audiovisual content taking into account: a first time offset that exists between the clock of the analysis server and that of the terminal of the user, - a second time offset between the actual instant of broadcasting of the audiovisual stream and the scheduled instant of broadcast of this stream, as indicated in a program schedule, - a third time offset resulting from a difference that may exist between the type of broadcast source that has broadcast the audiovisual stream to the terminal and the type of broadcast source that broadcast the same audiovisual stream to the analysis server.

In relation with FIG. 1, an STR system for processing and rendering audiovisual streams according to the invention is presented. Such a processing and rendering system comprises a terminal STB for accessing audiovisual streams representative of audiovisual contents, in particular those for broadcast programmed into a program schedule and which are broadcast, via an RD broadcast network, by a server equipment headend TR. The equipment TR broadcasts the audiovisual stream from broadcasting sources which may be of different types. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the audiovisual stream is broadcast from four broadcast sources SD1, SD2, SD3 and SD4 which are respectively cable, satellite, TNT and IP multicast.

The access terminal STB, which belongs to a user UT, is able to receive said audiovisual contents, to process them and to return them to the user UT on another terminal, such as a display terminal. In an exemplary embodiment, the access terminal and said display terminal are grouped into a single terminal. It could for example be a television containing a set-top-box decoder. In another example which is that represented in FIG. 1, the access terminal is connected to the display terminal by means of a set-top-box decoder. a local area network, for example wireless, in particular of the WiFi or CPL type (abbreviation of "line carrier lines"). In the example shown, the display terminal is a TAB tablet. According to other examples not shown, the display terminal is a mobile phone, a smartphone ("smart phone"), a television connected to a communication network, etc ... The access terminal STB is also equipped with means for storing audiovisual content broadcast to the access terminal STB via the broadcast network RD. Alternatively, the access terminal STB can also be connected to an external audiovisual content recording module. The user UT can interact with the access terminal STB using its tablet TAB which includes for this purpose a suitable software application remote control. The TAB tablet then has the possibility to display an interface containing keys dedicated to prerecorded commands. Thus, the TAB tablet has the same functions as a conventional TV remote control. For example, the user can request the selection of audiovisual content previously received or recorded, by simply pressing the directional keys "<-", "- *", "t", "1" in a menu associated with the visualization content received or saved. It can also validate the selected audiovisual content by pressing the "OK" key. When the user activates a key on his remote control, a message comprising the command associated with this key is sent to the access terminal STB according to a communication protocol adapted to the local network used. The access terminal STB, as well as the tablet TAB, furthermore comprise means of connection to a telecommunications network RC, such as for example of the IP (abbreviation of "Internet Protocol") type, which enables it to STB terminal or tablet TAB to exchange information with a remote SER server. In a known manner, the connection means to the network RC may be, for example, of the type x-DSL, fiber or 3G. Through this connection, the access terminal STB or the tablet TAB may require an electronic program guide EPG (for "Electronic Program Guide" in English) including information relating to broadcasts programmed by the headend network , such as an identifier of the content concerned, the title of this content, its genre and time information of the broadcast date type, the scheduled start time of broadcast and the scheduled end time of broadcast. Such EPG information is stored in a manner known per se in a database BD, upstream of the broadcast network RD. The terminal STB is arranged to process the EPG information obtained and to render the user intelligibly those that are of interest to him. Generally, the program grid thus obtained makes it possible to display the programs over a period of fourteen days.

The remote server SER is an audiovisual stream analysis server well known as such. When an audiovisual stream representative of broadcast-broadcasting audiovisual content is broadcast by the head-end equipment TR, via the broadcast network RD, to the access terminal STB, the server SER intercepts this broadcast stream in order to to point out points of interest such as time positions at the beginning and the end of the audiovisual content, time slots for advertising, time positions at the beginning and the end of the chapter, keywords, etc. such information can be performed without manual intervention using a PLC or manually, for example by processing video sequences contained in said audiovisual stream.

In relation with FIG. 2A, the steps of the audiovisual flow processing method according to a first embodiment according to the invention are now presented. In the embodiment shown, said processing method is implemented by the TAB tablet of FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the audiovisual stream considered is representative of a broadcasting audiovisual CA content that is broadcast, via the broadcast network RD, to the access terminal STB by one of the broadcast sources SD1 to SD4 of the head end equipment TR, for example the source SD4 in the example shown. In Figure 1, the type of the SD4 broadcast source is IP multicast.

Such audiovisual content is for example a film, a television show, a concert, a sports event such as in particular a football match, etc. During a step El shown in FIG. 2A, the access terminal STB receives the audiovisual stream and records the audiovisual content CA present in the stream. During this step, the access terminal STB records the identifier SD4 of the type of broadcast source of said stream. During a step E2 shown in FIG. 2A, the UT user of the TAB tablet selects, from a menu that appears on the screen of his TAB tablet, the audio-visual content CA that has been recorded on the screen. step E1. Such a selection causes a request to be sent to the access terminal STB, asking it for the current time HSTB indicated by an internal clock contained in the access terminal STB.

The access terminal STB then sends back to the tablet TAB a message M1 containing said current time HSTB, the identifier IcA of the audiovisual content recovered in the recorded audiovisual stream, and the identifier SD4 of the broadcast source which has broadcast the audiovisual content concerned to the access terminal STB.

During a step E3 represented in FIG. 2A, the tablet TAB receives the message M1. During a step E4 represented in FIG. 2A, the TAB tablet sends a request to the SER analysis server, via the communication network RC of FIG. 1, to ask it for the current time HsER indicated by an internal clock contained in the SER server. Said request also contains the identifier IcA of the audiovisual content. During a step E5 represented in FIG. 2A, the server SER receives said request and determines the current time HsER indicated by its internal clock. During a step E6 shown in FIG. 2A, the server SER determines the real time Ird, f at which the audiovisual stream has been broadcast by the head end equipment TR. The server SER knows this information because it has analyzed the audiovisual stream when it has been broadcast by the head end equipment TR from one of the broadcasting sources SD1 to SD4 of said equipment, for example SD1 in the example represent.

During a step E7 shown in FIG. 2A, the server SER determines the type of broadcasting source that has broadcast the audiovisual stream to it for analysis of the latter by the server SER. In the example represented in FIG. 1, the server SER determines that it is the identifier SD1 which corresponds to the cable. The SER server then sends back to the TAB tablet an M2 message containing its current time HsER, the real time Ird, f and the source identifier SD1 broadcast. During a step E8 shown in FIG. 2A, the tablet TAB receives the message M2. During a step E9 shown in FIG. 2A, the TAB tablet extracts from the message M2 received the current time HsER, the actual instant of diffusion Ird, f and the identifier SD1 of the broadcast source. During a step E10 represented in FIG. 2A, the TAB tablet calculates a first time offset 3, T1 = HsER-HsTB. During a step E1 represented in FIG. 2A, the TAB tablet requires from the EPG database, via the RC communication network, the scheduled Ipd broadcast time, f of said CA audiovisual content considered, as well as the type of channel that broadcast the audiovisual content CA, providing said database the identifier IcA of the audiovisual content CA. In the example shown, the type of string is for example the first string CH1. As a variant, said step El 1 could be carried out by the server SER, the information obtained during this step then being sent back by the server SER to the tablet TAB. During a step El 2 shown in FIG. 2A, the tablet TAB calculates a second time offset 3, T2 = Iran-lpar- During a step E13 represented in FIG. 2A, the tablet TAB compares the identifier SD4 broadcast source sent to it by the STB access terminal in step E3 with the broadcast source identifier SD1 sent to it by the server SER in step E8. In the case where the compared diffusion source types are different, during a step El 4a represented in FIG. 2A, the TAB tablet calculates a third time offset AT3 from a table T which indicates the predetermined time offsets. between the different broadcast sources SD1 to SD4. An example of such a table T is shown below. SD1 SD2 SD3 SD4 SD1 Oms 3ms 7ms 2ms SD2 3ms Oms 4ms 9ms SD3 7ms 4ms Oms 5ms SD4 2ms 9ms 5ms Oms In the case where the compared diffusion source types are equal, during a step El 4b shown in the figure 2A, the TAB tablet determines that AT3 = 0.

During an optional step E15 shown in FIG. 2A, the TAB tablet refines the time shift 313 obtained in step E14a from a table T 'which indicates the predetermined time offsets between the different broadcasting sources SD1 to SD4 which are further function of the type of channel that has broadcast the audiovisual content CA. During this step, the TAB tablet calculates a refined time offset 31'3. An example of such a table T 'is shown below. For the sake of clarity, Table T 'represents the additional time offsets induced only for three CH1, CH2 and CH3 diffusion chains. SD1 SD2 SD3 SD4 CH1 CH2 CH3 CH1 CH2 CH3 CH1 CH2 CH3 CH3 CH3 SD1 Oms Oms 5ms 6ms 8ms 9ms 10ms 12ms 4ms 5ms 7ms SD2 5ms 6ms 8ms Oms Oms 6ms 7ms 9ms 10ms 11ms 13ms SD3 9ms 10ms 12ms 6ms 7ms 9ms Oms Oms Oms 7ms 8ms 10ms SD4 4ms 5ms 7ms 10ms 11ms 13ms 6ms 7ms 9ms Oms Oms Oms During a step E16 shown in Fig. 2A, the tablet TAB calculates the precise time position PT of recording start of the audiovisual content CA . In the case where the optional step E15 has not been implemented, the calculation of the time position PT is a function of the first, second and third time offsets calculated previously, namely PT = AT1 + 312 + 313.

In the case where the optional step E15 has been implemented, the calculation of the temporal position PT is a function of the first and second time offset calculated previously and the third refined time offset 31'3, namely PT = 3, T1 + TT2 + AT'3.

With reference to FIG. 2B, the steps of the audiovisual stream processing method according to a second embodiment according to the invention are now presented. In the embodiment shown, said processing method is implemented by the access terminal STB of FIG. 1.

The audiovisual stream considered has exactly the same characteristics as the audiovisual stream described in relation with FIGS. 1 and 2A above. During a step E21 shown in FIG. 2B, the access terminal STB receives the audiovisual stream and records the audio-visual content CA present in the stream.

During this step, the access terminal STB records the identifier SD4 of the type of broadcast source of said stream. During a step E22 shown in FIG. 2B, the access terminal STB determines the current time Hs-rg indicated by its internal clock. During a step E23 shown in FIG. 2B, the access terminal STB sends a request to the analysis server SER, via the communication network RC of FIG. 1, to ask it for the current time HsER indicated by an internal clock contained in the SER server. Said request also contains the identifier IcA of the audiovisual content CA which has been recorded in the terminal STB during the step E21.

During a step E24 shown in FIG. 2B, the server SER receives said request and determines the current time HsER indicated by its internal clock. During a step E25 shown in FIG. 2B, the server SER determines the real time Ird, f at which the audiovisual stream has been broadcast by the headend equipment TR. Such a step is identical to step E6 of FIG. 2A.

During a step E26 shown in FIG. 2B, the server SER determines the type of broadcast source that has broadcast the audiovisual stream to it for analysis of the latter by the server SER. Such a step is identical to step E7 of FIG. 2A. The server SER sends back to the access terminal STB an M3 message containing its current time HsER, the real time Ird, f and the source identifier SD1 broadcast. During a step E27 shown in FIG. 2B, the access terminal STB receives the message M3. During a step E28 shown in FIG. 2B, the access terminal STB extracts from the message M3 received the current time HsER, the actual instant of broadcast Ird, f and the source identifier SD1 of broadcast. During a step E29 shown in FIG. 2B, the access terminal STB calculates a first time offset 3, T1 = HsER-HsTB. During a step E30 represented in FIG. 2B, the access terminal STB requests from the EPG database, via the communication network RC, the scheduled broadcast time Ipd, f of said audiovisual content CA considered, as well as the type of channel that broadcast the audiovisual content CA, providing to said database the identifier IcA of the audiovisual content CA. In the example shown, the type of string is for example the first string CH1. As a variant, said step E30 could be performed by the server SER, the information obtained during this step then being returned by the server SER to the access terminal STB. During a step E31 shown in FIG. 2B, the terminal STB calculates a second time offset 3, T2 = Iran-lpar. During a step E32 represented in FIG. 2B, the terminal STB compares the identifier SD4. broadcast source he recorded in step E21 with the SD1 broadcast source identifier sent to him by the SER server when the latter sends the message M3. In the case where the types of diffusion sources compared are different, during a step E33a shown in FIG. 2B, the terminal STB calculates a third time offset AT3 from the aforementioned table T.

In the case where the compared diffusion source types are equal, during a step E33b shown in FIG. 2B, the terminal STB determines that 313 = 0. During an optional step E34 shown in FIG. 2B, the terminal STB refines the time shift AT3 obtained in step E33a from the aforesaid table T '. During this step, the terminal STB calculates a refined time shift 25 AT'3. During a step E35 shown in FIG. 2B, the terminal STB calculates the precise temporal position PT recording start of the audiovisual content CA. In the case where the optional step E34 has not been implemented, the calculation of the time position PT is a function of the first, second and third time offsets calculated previously, namely PT = 3, T1 + 3, T2 + 3 T3.

In the case where the optional step E34 has been implemented, the calculation of the time position PT is a function of the first and second time offset calculated previously and the third refined time offset AT3, namely PT = AT1 + AT2 + AT '3.

With reference to FIG. 2C, the steps of the audiovisual stream processing method according to a third embodiment according to the invention are now presented. In the embodiment shown, said processing method is implemented by the server SER of FIG. 1.

The audiovisual stream considered has exactly the same characteristics as the audiovisual stream described in relation to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B above. During a step E41 represented in FIG. 2C, the access terminal STB receives the audiovisual stream and records the audio-visual content CA present in the stream. During this step, the access terminal STB records the identifier SD4 of the type of broadcast source of said stream. During a step E42 shown in FIG. 2C, the access terminal STB determines the current time HsTE indicated by its internal clock. During a step E43 represented in FIG. 2C, the access terminal STB sends a message to the server SER via the communication network RC of FIG. 1, said message containing the current time HsTE indicated by the clock. internal terminal of the terminal STB, the identifier IcA of the audiovisual content CA and the identifier SD4 broadcast source that were recorded in the terminal STB during the step E41. During a step E44 represented in FIG. 2C, the server SER receives said message and determines the current time HsER indicated by its internal clock. During a step E45 represented in FIG. 2C, the server SER calculates a first time offset AT1 = HsER-HsTB. During a step E46 represented in FIG. 2C, the server SER determines the real instant Ird. f at which the audiovisual stream has been broadcast by the headend equipment TR. Such a step is identical to step E6 of FIG. 2A. During a step E47 represented in FIG. 2C, the SER server requests from the EPG database, via the communication network RC, the scheduled broadcast time Ipd, f of said audiovisual content CA considered, as well as than the type of channel that broadcast the audiovisual content CA, providing said database with the identifier IcA of the audiovisual content CA. In the example shown, the type of string is for example the first string CH1. During a step E48 shown in FIG. 2C, the server SER determines the type of broadcast source that has broadcast the audiovisual stream to it for analysis of the latter by the server SER. Such a step is identical to step E7 of FIG. 2A.

During a step E49 represented in FIG. 2C, the server SER calculates a second time offset AT2 = Iran-Ipar. During a step E50 represented in FIG. 2C, the server SER compares the source identifier SD4. broadcast that the STB access terminal has sent to it in step E43 with the broadcast source identifier SD1 that the SER server has determined in step E48. In the case where the compared types of diffusion source are different, during a step E51a represented in FIG. 2C, the server SER computes a third time shift AT3 from the aforementioned table T. In the case where the compared diffusion source types are equal, during a step E51b represented in FIG. 2C, the SER server determines that AT3 = 0. During an optional step E52 shown in FIG. 2C, the SER server refines the time shift AT3 obtained in step E51a from the aforesaid table T '. During this step, the SER server calculates a refined time offset AT'3.

During a step E53 shown in FIG. 2C, the server SER calculates the precise temporal position PT of recording start of the audio-visual content CA. In the case where the optional step E52 has not been implemented, the calculation of the time position PT is a function of the first, second and third time offsets calculated previously, namely PT = AT1 + 3, T2 + 3, T3.

In the case where the optional step E52 has been implemented, the calculation of the temporal position PT is a function of the first and second time offset calculated previously and the third refined time offset AT'3, namely PT = 3, T1 + 3, + 3 T2, T'3. During a step E54, the server SER responds to the request sent by the terminal STB in step E43 by transmitting to the latter a message containing the recording time position PT of the audiovisual content CA. In relation with all of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the messages and requests exchanged between the TAB tablet, the access terminal STB and the server SER are, for example, of the http type, in a data format of JSON type ( abbreviation for "JavaScript Object Notation").

In relation with FIG. 3A, the steps of the method for rendering the audiovisual CA content with programmed broadcasting, as implemented by the TAB tablet of FIG. 1, are now presented according to a first embodiment of the invention.

During a step R1 represented in FIG. 3A following step E16 of FIG. 2A, the TAB tablet sends to the access terminal STB a request for the return of the audiovisual content CA registered in the access terminal. STB. Such a request is known per se. In a manner known per se, the audiovisual content CA is recorded in an audiovisual content storage module which is contained in the terminal STB. Alternatively, such an audiovisual content storage module could be external and therefore connected to the access terminal STB. The access terminal STB then sends back to the TAB tablet a restitution command of said audiovisual content CA specifying a start time of return IDR content. Sending such a command is known per se. During a step R2 shown in FIG. 3A, the tablet TAB receives said command. According to the invention, during a step R3 represented in FIG. 3A, the TAB tablet assigns to said instant of start of playback the actual time position PT of the beginning of said audiovisual content that the TAB tablet has calculated at the end of the step E16 of FIG. 2A.

According to the invention, during an optional step R4 represented in FIG. 3A, the TAB tablet proceeds to detect, in the audiovisual stream received from the access terminal STB and containing said audio-visual content CA, and before the temporal position PT, of the presence or absence of one or more audiovisual contents different from the audiovisual content CA. If this is the case, during an optional step R5 represented in FIG. 3A, the TAB tablet deletes this or these different audio-visual contents. Such an operation advantageously saves the memory resources of the TAB tablet.

According to another embodiment not shown, the above-mentioned detection step could be performed on all the recorded audiovisual content CA, for the purpose for example of removing advertising ranges inserted inside the audio-visual content CA, and also after the end time of said content. Following the aforementioned step R5 or if the presence of one or more audiovisual contents different from the audiovisual content CA is not detected, during an optional step R6 shown in FIG. 3A, the TAB tablet is positioned on the temporal position PT of beginning of the audiovisual content CA. During a step R7 represented in FIG. 3A, the tablet TAB proceeds to the reproduction of said audio-visual content CA, by launching the visualization of the latter from the temporal position PT. In relation with FIG. 3B, the following are now presented, in a second embodiment of the invention, the steps of the method of rendering the audiovisual CA content with programmed broadcasting, as implemented by the TAB tablet of FIG. During a step R21 represented in FIG. 3B which follows step E35 of FIG. 2B or step E54 of FIG. 2C, the TAB tablet sends to the access terminal STB a request for restitution of the CA audiovisual content recorded in the access terminal STB. Such a request is identical to the request sent during step R1 of FIG. 3A. In accordance with the invention, the access terminal STB then sends back to the TAB tablet a command to restore said audiovisual content CA specifying as start time of restitution of the content: the time position PT calculated by the access terminal STB in step E35 of FIG. 2B, the time position PT received by the access terminal STB from the server SER in step E54 of FIG. 2C. During a step R22 shown in Figure 3B, the tablet TAB receives said command. According to the invention, during an optional step R23 represented in FIG. 3B, the TAB tablet proceeds to detect, in the audiovisual stream received from the access terminal STB and containing said audio-visual content CA, and before the temporal position PT, of the presence or absence of one or more audiovisual contents different from the audiovisual content CA. If this is the case, during an optional step R24 represented in FIG. 3B, the TAB tablet deletes this or these different audio-visual contents. Such an operation advantageously saves the memory resources of the TAB tablet. As a variant, the optional steps R23 and R24 could be performed in the access terminal STB prior to sending by the latter to the TAB tablet of the audiovisual content reproduction control command CA. Such an operation would advantageously save the memory resources of the access terminal STB. According to another embodiment not shown, the above-mentioned detection step could be performed on all the recorded audiovisual content CA, for the purpose for example of removing advertising ranges inserted inside the audio-visual content CA, and also after the end time of said content. Following the aforementioned step R24 or if the presence of one or more audiovisual contents different from the audiovisual content CA is not detected, during an optional step R25 shown in FIG. 3B, the TAB tablet is positioned on the temporal position PT of beginning of the audiovisual content CA.

During a step R26 shown in Figure 3B, the TAB tablet proceeds to the return of said audiovisual content CA, launching the visualization of the latter from the time position PT.

With reference to FIG. 4, we now consider the simplified structure of a device 100 for processing an audiovisual stream according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The processing device 100 implements the audiovisual flow processing method according to the invention as described above.

In this example, the device 100 is integrated in a terminal, such as the access terminal STB of FIG. 1 or a display terminal connected to the terminal STB, such as the tablet TAB of FIG. 1. According to a variant, the device 100 could be integrated in the server SER of FIG. 1. The access terminal STB or the tablet TAB comprises a communication unit UC1 which contains a transmission / reception module allowing to exchange, via a communication network for example of the IP type, messages or requests with the SER server of FIG. 1 or with the database BD of FIG. 1 which contains the information of grids of EPG programs. For example, the device 100 comprises a processing unit 110, equipped for example with a processor P1, and driven by a computer program Pg1 120, stored in a memory M1 130 and implementing the method of processing audiovisual streams. according to the invention. At initialization, the code instructions of the computer program Pg1 120 are for example loaded into a RAM memory (not shown) before being executed by the processor P1 of the processing unit 110. The processor of the processing unit 110 implements the steps of the audiovisual flow processing method described above, according to the instructions of the computer program Pg1 120. According to the invention, the audiovisual flow processing device 100 comprises: a module MO1 of obtaining the current time indicated by a clock contained in the access terminal STB of FIG. 1, - a module MO2 for obtaining the current time indicated by a clock contained in the server SER of flow analysis 1, a first calculation module MC1 for calculating a first time offset between the two current hours obtained, a module MO3 for obtaining information relating to the audio-visual content CA that has been recorded, comprising at least one identifier IcA of broadcast audiovisual content, an identifier SD4 of the broadcasting source of the audiovisual content near the terminal STB and the scheduled broadcast time Ipdif 10 audiovisual content, - a module MO4 for obtaining the real time Irdif broadcast of the audiovisual content, - a second calculation module MC2 for calculating a second time offset between the real time and the scheduled instant broadcast of said audiovisual content obtained, - a third calculation module MC3 to calculate a third time offset between the time at which the audiovisual stream was broadcast to the terminal STB from said broadcast source SD4 and the time at which the audiovisual stream was broadcast to the server SER analysis from said distribution source of a given type SD1, - a fourth calculation module MC4 for calculating a time position PT of the beginning of said audiovisual content d in said broadcast audiovisual stream, as a function of the first, second and third calculated time offsets. The above-mentioned modules are driven by the processor P1 of the processing unit 110. In relation to FIG. 5, the simplified structure of a device 200 for broadcasting broadcast audiovisual content programmed from an audiovisual stream processed as described above, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The rendering device 200 implements the method of restoring audiovisual content according to the invention as described above.

In this example, the rendering device 200 is integrated in a tablet TAB which is connected to an access terminal STB to an audiovisual stream broadcasting network. For example, the device 200 comprises a processing unit 210, equipped for example with a processor P2, and driven by a computer program Pg2 220, stored in a memory M2 230 and implementing the restitution method according to FIG. invention. The tablet TAB comprises a communication unit UC2 which contains a transmission / reception module adapted to: - issue a request for the return of a recorded audiovisual content, in particular to the access terminal STB of FIG. control for rendering said content specifying a start of playback time, in particular from the access terminal STB. At initialization, the code instructions of the computer program Pg2 220 are for example loaded into a RAM (not shown) before being executed by the processor P2 of the processing unit 210. The processor of the processing unit 210 implements the steps of the restitution method described above, according to the instructions of the computer program 220. According to the invention, the restitution device 200 comprises: a DTN module for determining the start time of restitution specified as being equal to the time position PT of the beginning of said audiovisual content as obtained by the audiovisual flow processing method described above, - a module RES of restitution of said audiovisual content from said obtained temporal position, - a detection DET module, in the audiovisual stream that has been broadcast, and before said obtained temporal position, the presence of any audiovisual content dif the audiovisual content to be reproduced, - a SUP module for deleting the detected audio-visual content (s), said SUP module being activated if the detection proves to be positive.

These modules are driven by the processor P2 of the processing unit 210.

It goes without saying that the embodiments which have been described above have been given for purely indicative and non-limiting purposes, and that many modifications can easily be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope. of the invention. 10 15 20 25 30

Claims (13)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method for processing an audiovisual stream broadcast by a broadcast source, via a broadcast network (RD), to a terminal (STB), then recorded in said terminal, said stream being representative of an audiovisual content of which the broadcast is programmed, said stream being analyzed, during its broadcast, relative to a given type (SD1) of broadcast source of said stream, characterized in that once said audiovisual stream has begun to be recorded, said method comprises the following steps: - obtaining (E3; E22; E42) the current time indicated by a clock contained in said terminal, - obtaining (E8; E27; E44) the current time indicated by a clock contained in a server d analysis of the audiovisual stream, - calculating (E10, E29, E45) a first time offset between the two current hours obtained, - obtaining (E3, E1, E21, E30, E44, E47) information relating to the content audiovisual record istré, comprising at least one identifier of the broadcast audiovisual content, an identifier of the broadcasting source of the audiovisual content near the terminal and the scheduled broadcast time of the audiovisual content, - obtaining (E9; E28; E46) of the real instant of diffusion of said audiovisual content, - calculation (E12; E31; E46) of a second time offset between the real instant and the programmed instant of diffusion of said audiovisual content obtained, - calculation (E14a; E33a; E51a) a third time offset between the time at which the audiovisual stream was broadcast to said terminal from said broadcast source and the time at which the audiovisual stream was broadcast to the analysis server from said broadcast source of a given type, - calculating (E16; E35; E53) a starting time position (PT) of said audiovisual content in said broadcasted audiovisual stream, as a function of the first, second and third calculated time offsets. A method for processing an audiovisual stream according to claim 1, wherein the calculation (E15; E34; E52) of the third time shift is a function of an identifier of the channel on which the audiovisual content has been broadcast to the terminal. . A method for processing an audiovisual stream according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information such as the current time indicated by a clock contained in said terminal (STB), the identifier (IDA) of the audiovisual content broadcast and the identifier (SD4) of the broadcasting source of the audiovisual content at the terminal are obtained in the analysis server (SER), following the sending (E43) of a message sent by said terminal to the server of the analysis and containing said information. A method for processing an audiovisual stream according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information such as the current time indicated by a clock contained in said terminal (STB), the identifier (IDA) of the broadcast audiovisual content and the identifier (SD4) of the broadcasting source of the audiovisual content near the terminal are obtained by reception (E3) in a terminal (TAB) other than said terminal (STB), following the sending of a transmitted request (E2 ) by said other terminal (TAB) to said terminal (STB), said request requesting said current time from said terminal. A method for processing an audiovisual stream according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the scheduled broadcast time of the audiovisual content and the broadcast channel identifier of said content are obtained by polling (E11; E30 E47) of a database containing said information relating to said audiovisual content. 6. A method for processing an audiovisual stream according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the actual instant of broadcast of said audiovisual content is obtained during the analysis (E6, E25, E46) of said audiovisual stream. . 7. A method of processing an audiovisual stream according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the step of obtaining the current time indicated by a clock contained in said server is implemented during the reception (E27, E8), in said terminal or in said other terminal, and on request from the latter to said server, a message (M3; M2) containing said current time. 8. Process for processing an audiovisual stream according to claims 6 and 7, wherein the message containing said current time indicated by a clock contained in said server also contains the actual instant of broadcast (Ird, f) of said audiovisual content and the identifier (SD1) of said broadcast source of a given type. 9. Device for processing an audiovisual stream broadcast by a broadcast source, via a broadcast network, to a terminal and then recorded in said terminal, said stream being representative of an audiovisual content whose broadcast is scheduled said stream being analyzed, during its broadcast, relative to a given type of broadcast source of said stream, said device being adapted to implement the audiovisual stream processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, said device being characterized in that it comprises: - means (M01) for obtaining the current time indicated by a clock contained in said terminal, - means (M02) for obtaining the current time indicated by a clock contained in an audiovisual flow analysis server, - first calculation means (MC1) for calculating a first time difference between the two current hours obtained, - means (M03) of obtaining ion of information relating to the audiovisual content that has been recorded, comprising at least one identifier of the broadcasted audiovisual content, an identifier of the broadcasting source of the audiovisual content at the terminal and the scheduled time of broadcast of the audiovisual content, - means (M04) for obtaining the real instant of diffusion of said audiovisual content, - second calculation means (MC2) for calculating a second time offset between the real instant and the programmed instant of diffusion of said audiovisual content obtained, third computing means (MC3) for calculating a third time offset between the instant at which the audiovisual stream has been broadcast to said terminal from said broadcast source and the instant at which the audiovisual stream has been broadcast to the broadcast server; analysis from said diffusion source of a given type, - fourth computing means (MC4) for calculating a time position of d beginning of said audiovisual content in said broadcast audiovisual stream, based on the first, second and third calculated time offsets. A method for rendering audiovisual content with program broadcast from a stream that has been broadcast by a broadcast network (RD) and recorded by a terminal, said method comprising: a sending step (R1) a request for restitution of the recorded audiovisual content, - a reception step (R2) of a restitution command specifying a time of start of restitution, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - determination ( R3) of said start of playback time specified as being equal to the start time position of said audiovisual content as obtained by the method of processing an audiovisual stream according to any one of claims 1 to 8, - restitution (R7) said audiovisual content from said obtained temporal position. 11. A method for rendering an audiovisual content according to claim 10, comprising, prior to said restitution step, the following steps: detection (R4), in the audiovisual stream that has been broadcast, and before said obtained temporal position, the presence of any audiovisual content different from the audiovisual content to be reproduced, - if the detection proves to be positive, deletion (R5) of the audio-visual content (s) detected. 12. Device for restoring broadcast-broadcasted audiovisual content from a stream that has been broadcast by a broadcasting network (RD) and recorded by a terminal, said device comprising: transmission means (UC2) a request for restitution of the recorded audiovisual content, - means (UC2) for receiving a restitution command specifying a time of start of restitution, and being adapted to implement the restitution method according to claim 10, said device being characterized in that it comprises: - means (DTN) for determining said specified start of playback time as being equal to the start time position of said audiovisual content as obtained by the method of processing a stream audiovisual device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, - means (RES) for restitution of said audiovisual content from said obtained time position. 13. The rendering device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: detecting means (DET) for detecting, in the audiovisual stream which has been broadcasted, and before said obtained temporal position, the presence of any audiovisual content;