Filler detection during trickplay.

(54) Title: FILLER DETECTION DURING STOP, PAUSE, REVERSE AND RAPID FORWARD (TRICKPLAY).

(54) Title: FILLER DETECTION DURING TRICKPLAY.

(57) Summary

Computer-readable media, systems and methods can operate to facilitate detection and handling of a filler region during non-standard playback of a content stream; a filler region at the edge of a targeted advertising segment can be detected based on the presence of one or more consecutive l-frames; when a filler region is detected during a non-standard playback operation (trickplay), a corrective method can be applied during non-standard playback of the filler region; the corrective method may include a modification of a frame skip count (FSC) and / or a frame repeat count (FRC) during non-standard playback of the filler region, or it may include skip over processing and output of filler frames during non-standard reproduction of the filler region; In embodiments, an index file may be modified to include an indication of a designation of one or more frames as either a filler frame or a non-filler frame.

(57) Abstract

Methods, systems, and Computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the detection and management of a filler region during trickplay of a content stream. A filler region at the edge of a targeted advertisement segment may be detected based on the presence of one or more consecutive l-frames. When a filler region is detected during a trickplay operation, a corrective method may be applied during trickplay of the filler region. The corrective method may inelude a modification of a frame skip count (FSC) and / or frame repeat count (FRC) during trickplay of the filler region, or may include skipping over the Processing and output of filler trames during trickplay of the filler region. An Index file may be modified to include an indication of a designation of one or more trames as either a filler frame or non-filler frame.

FILLER DETECTION DURING STOP,

PAUSE, BACKSPACE AND

FAST FORWARD (TRICKPLAY)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to the rapid stop, pause, backward and forward (trickplay) of a filler region.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A set-top box (STB) is typically provided by a multi-system operator (MSO) to a subscriber so that the subscriber can receive multimedia services offered by the MSO. The STB can be used by the subscriber to access a variety of multimedia services, including but not limited to live or linear television, digital video recorder (DVR) content, video-on-demand (VoD) content, streaming content on fixed or mobile Internet platforms (OTT), and others.

Typically, content providers can deliver targeted advertising content within a content stream, where the targeted advertising content is selected based on the characteristics of an end user who receives the content. Targeted advertising can be achieved by switching an audio-video (A / V) stream from network content to targeted advertising content. Targeted advertising content can be placed in a content stream between fillers so that advertising content can be presented to an end user in a full format rather than being interrupted by content acquisitions of varying lengths. These fillers are typically characterized in that all frames are I-frames, therefore the group of pictures (GOP) size (i.e. the number of frames between two I-frames) is typically one for a filler region of a stream of content.

When content is recorded on a set-top box (STB) or other customer installation equipment (CPE) device, the portion of a filler region that is received at the STB after acquisition is recorded along with the advertising content and is kept in storage. As a result of the characteristics of the filler region, a stop, pause, rewind and fast forward (trickplay) activity of the recorded content can present the filler frames for an extended duration. Because filler patterns are typically blank images or screens (for example, blue, black, and any other color), the extended display of filler patterns during stop, pause, rewind, and fast-forward (trickplay) can create an undesirable and frustrating presentation to the end user.

Typically, during stop, pause, reverse, and fast forward (trickplay) of a piece of recorded content, only full frames (e.g. Iframe) are processed and output to one screen, and the speed of the stop, pause, reverse and fast forward (trickplay) is determined by the number of skipped frames between two displayed I-frames. The relationship between a number of skipped frames (for example, frame skip count (FSC)) and a given stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) speed can be defined by a linear equation that also involves a count Frame Repetition (FRC) used to manage user perception of stop, pause, fast backward and fast forward (trickplay) speed. For example, the FRC can be set lower for higher stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay speeds to give the impression of speed.

The continuous I-frames that make up a targeted advertising content filler region, while useful during playback to allow time for the acquisition of the new stream carrying the advertising content, are not convenient when shutdown is to be executed. , pause, rewind and fast-forward (trickplay) of the same content. For example, during content stop, pause, rewind, and trickplay, consecutive frames cause a longer duration display of the filler region. In addition, at lower stop, pause, reverse and trickplay speeds, the FRC typically sets higher which causes each calculated filler frame to be displayed for a longer duration. Also, the FRC value is typically calculated from the GOP size of the content, but the GOP size of the underlying content is not applicable to a filler region. A higher FRC value during stop, pause, reverse, and fast-forward (trickplay) activity of the filler region can cause an expansion in the filler region display time during stop, pause, rewind, and fast-forward activity (trickplay). Therefore, it is desirable to make improvements to methods and systems for performing a stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) function in a filler region of a content stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network environment that operates to facilitate detection and management of a filler region during stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of a content stream.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary STB that operates to facilitate detection and management of a filler region during stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of a content stream.

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process that operates to facilitate the detection of a filler region and the application of a corrective method during stopping, pausing, backtracking and trickplaying a content stream.

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process that operates to facilitate the detection of a filler region and the reduction of a frame repeat count (FRC) value during stop, pause, fast backward and forward ( trickplay) of a content stream.

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process that operates to facilitate the detection of a filler region and the modification of a frame skip count (FSC) value during stop, pause, fast backward and forward ( trickplay) of a content stream.

Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process that operates to facilitate the detection of a filler region and the modification of a frame repeat count (FRC) value and a frame skip count (FSC) value. ) while stopping, pausing, rewinding and fast-forwarding (trickplay) of a content stream.

Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process that operates to facilitate detection of one or more filler frames and skipping of filler frames during stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of a stream. of content.

Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process that operates to facilitate the identification of consecutive I-frames within a content stream and the designation of consecutive I-frames as filler frames.

Figure 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process that operates to facilitate skipping of a frame during stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay based on a frame designation as a filler frame.

Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary frame index file associated with a piece of content.

Figure 11 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration that operates to facilitate detection and management of a filler region during stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of a content stream.

Similar reference numbers and designations throughout the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to make improvements to methods and systems for performing a stop, pause, reverse and fast forward (trickplay) function in a filler region of a content stream. Computer-readable media, systems, and methods can operate to facilitate the detection and management of a filler region during stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay of a content stream. A filler region at the edge of a targeted advertising segment can be detected based on the presence of one or more consecutive I-frames. When a filler region is detected during a stop, pause, rewind and fast forward (trickplay) operation, a corrective method can be applied during the stop, pause, rewind and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region. The corrective method may include a modification of a frame skip count (ESC) and / or frame repeat count (FRC) during stopping, pausing, backtracking, and trickplaying the filler region, or it may include skipping during filler frame processing and output during filler region stop, pause, fast reverse and forward. In embodiments, an index file may be modified to include an indication of a designation of one or more frames as either a filler frame or a non-filler frame.

An embodiment of the invention described herein may include a method comprising: (a) initiating a content stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay), the content stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) comprises processing and broadcasting I-frames associated with the content to a screen, wherein the content comprises a filler region; (b) detecting a starter of the filler region based on an identification of consecutive I-frames within the filler region; and (c) modifying the I-frame processing during stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of the filler region.

According to one embodiment of the invention, modifying the processing of the I-frames during stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region comprises reducing a frame repetition count value during stop, pause, rewind, and fast-forward (trickplay) the filler region.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame repeat count value is reduced to a value of one.

According to one embodiment of the invention, modifying the processing of the I-frames during stop, pause, backtrack and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region comprises increasing a frame skip count value during stop, pause, rewind, and fast-forward (trickplay) the filler region.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the frame hop count value is increased to a value that is equivalent to an image group size associated with a non-filler segment of the content.

According to one embodiment of the invention, modifying the processing of I-frames during stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region comprises reducing a frame repetition count value and increasing a value frame skip counting during stop, pause, fast backward and forward (trickplay) of the filler region.

According to one embodiment of the invention, modifying the processing of the I-frames during stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region comprises selecting only I-frames that are not immediately followed by another i-frame for processing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the method described herein further comprises: (a) identifying and designating consecutive I-frames of the content as filler frames during a content recording, wherein the consecutive I-frames are designed as filler frames within from a modified index file field; and (b) wherein modifying the processing of the I-frames during stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of the filler region comprises selecting only frames that are not designated as filler frames for processing.

One embodiment of the invention described herein may include apparatus comprising: (a) an interface configured to be used to receive content, wherein the content comprises a filler region; and (b) one or more modules configured to: (i) initiate a content stop, pause, rewind and fast-forward (trickplay), wherein content-stop, pause, fast-backward and fast-forward (trickplay) comprises processing and broadcasting I-frames associated with the content to a screen; (ii) detecting a starter of the filler region based on an identification of consecutive I-frames within the filler region; and (iii) modifying the processing of the I-frames during the stop, pause, backtrack and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region.

One embodiment of the invention described herein may include one or more non-transient computer-readable media having instructions that operate to cause one or more processors to execute operations comprising: (a) initiate a content stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay), content stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) comprises processing and outputting I-frames associated with the content to a screen, wherein the content comprises a filler region; (b) detecting a starter of the filler region based on an identification of the consecutive I-frames within the filler region; and (c) modifying the processing of the I-frames during the stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region.

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a network environment 100 that operates to facilitate detection and management of a filler region during stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of a content stream. In modalities, video, voice and / or data services can be delivered to a subscriber facility through one or more customer facility equipment (CPE) devices. The CPE devices can include a gateway device, modem, set-top box (STB) 105, and others.

In modalities, various data, multimedia and / or voice services can be delivered to a CPE device (for example, STB 105), including but not limited to, live or broadcast television, video-on-demand (VoD ), pay-per-view content, recorded content (for example, DVR content), audio-only content, streaming content, and others. The STB 105 can process and stream content to one or more client devices such as a television 110, mobile device, tablet, computer, or any other device that operates to receive video, voice, and / or data services.

In modalities, multiple services (eg, video, voice, and / or data services) can be delivered from a wide area network (WAN) 115 to an STB 105 through a connection between the STB 105 and a provider network. 120. Provider network 120 may include an optical network, a hybrid fiber coaxial network (HFC), digital subscriber line network (DSL), twisted pair, mobile network, high-speed data network, MoCA network; and others.

In the embodiments, the multimedia content can be delivered to an STB 105 in a transport stream carried by a channel (eg, transmission or linear channel, high speed data channel, VoD channel, etc.). When the STB 105 is tuned to a certain channel, the STB 105 can identify and decode certain information within the transport stream, the information being associated with a piece of content that is of interest to a user. A transport stream can include a plurality of streams including, but not limited to, a video stream, audio stream, data stream, and others.

In embodiments, an STB 105 can identify individual frames, packets, and / or streams to be decoded and broadcast based on information received from a PMT. A PMT (for example, PMT of a moving picture expert group (MPEG) transport stream) may include program information associated with a channel or program such as audio PIDs, video PIDs, clock reference PIDs (PCR), data PIDs, metadata associated with the channel or program, and other information. Using program information received from a PMT, an STB 105 can decode information carried by one or more streams within an associated transport stream. For example, an STB 105 can identify an audio and video stream from within a transport stream, the identified audio and video streams are associated with content that is of interest to a user. The STB 105 can decode frames or packets carried by the audio and video streams to produce an audio / video output of the content, and the audio / video output can be presented to the user.

In embodiments, the STB 105 may receive targeted advertising content embedded within or referenced by a content stream received at the STB 105. For example, the targeted advertising content may be embedded within a content stream via an advertising server. Targeted advertising 125, or targeted advertising content may be retrieved for broadcast to a display device from the targeted advertising server 125. Targeted advertising content can be received at an STB 105 by switching from an audio / video stream associated with the content requested by a user to a stream carrying targeted advertising content. Targeted advertising content may include targeted advertising content for delivery to a user based on one or more parameters associated with the user (for example, geographic location, demographic information, content viewing history, user preferences, etc.) . It should be understood that multimedia content, including targeted advertising content, can be recorded and stored on the STB 105 or on a remote server. For example, multimedia content, including targeted advertising content that is stored on a remote server, can be delivered from the remote server to the STB 105 when requested by a user.

Targeted advertising content may be received at an STB 105 as advertising content that is located between two filler regions. The filler regions can include a plurality of frames where they are all I-frames (for example, resulting in a blank screen during playback of the I-frames) and can serve as a buffer to account for the time it takes. for the acquisition of the advertising stream. When the STB 105 records the content stream that includes the targeted advertising content, the filler regions can be recorded and stored along with the content stream.

When a stop, pause, rewind, and fast-forward (trickplay) function (eg, rewind, fast-forward, skip, etc.) is performed on a piece of recorded content during content playback, only the I-frames of the underlying content stream may be displayed on an associated display device (eg, television 110). The speed of the stop, pause, backtrack, and fast forward (trickplay) can be controlled by the number of frames (eg, I-frames) that are skipped between two frames displayed on the display device. For example, frame skip count (FSC) and frame repeat count (FRC) values ​​can be used to control the output of content stream frames during a stop, pause, fast backward, and fast forward ( trickplay) to manage the user's perception of the speed of the fast stop, pause, backward and forward (trickplay).

In embodiments, a filler region can be detected within a content stream. A filler region of a content stream can be identified by an STB 105 based on the presence of consecutive I-frames within the content stream. For example, a filler frame can be an I-frame that is immediately followed by another I-frame. When a filler region is detected within a content stream, the STB 105 can apply a stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) management technique during the stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region. For example, the processing and presentation of frames included within a detected filler region can be altered to lighten or eliminate the undesirable effects of the presentation of filler regions during a stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of a content stream.

In embodiments, the management technique applied during stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of targeted advertising content may include a modification of an FSC and / or FRC value. For example, the FRC value can be reduced to one, and / or the FSC value can be set to a value equal to a group of images size (GOP) associated with the non-filler regions of the advertising content or other content. It should be understood that the management technique applied during the stop, pause, backtrack and fast forward (trickplay) of targeted advertising content may include any of several techniques to minimize the deployment time of a filler frame during a stop, fast pause, backward and forward (trickplay).

In embodiments, the management technique applied during stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of targeted advertising content may include skipping of consecutive I-frame processing. For example, after detecting the consecutive I-frames that constitute a filler region, the STB 105 can identify a first non-consecutive I-frame, and can skip the consecutive I-frames and begin frame processing on the I- Non-consecutive frame identified.

In embodiments, the frames associated with a content stream may be identified and designated as a filler frame or a non-filler frame during a recording of the content stream at the STB 105. For example, consecutive I-frames may be identified and designated as filler frames. It should be understood that designation of frames as a filler frame or non-filler frame can be carried out by a server upstream from the STB 105. The frame index information can be modified to include the designation of the frame. either as a filler frame or a non-filler frame. The management technique applied during the stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of the recorded content can include a treatment decision that is based on the designation of each frame. For example, during a stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of the recorded content stream, the STB 105 may skip processing and outputting frames designated as filler frames.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the STB 105 operating to facilitate detection and management of a filler region during stop, pause, fast backward and trick play a content stream. The STB 105 may include a content data store 205, a player 210, a sequencer 215, a conduit 220, a decoder 225, a stop, pause, fast backward and forward (trickplay) module of filler 230, and a modifier of frames 235.

In the modes, a content stream can be received at the STB 105 and can be recorded and stored in the content data storage 205. The targeted advertising content received along with the content stream can also be recorded and stored in the content data storage 205 with the content stream. The targeted advertising content may include a filler region (eg, one or more consecutive I-frames) at the beginning of the targeted advertising content and a filler region at the end of the targeted advertising content.

In embodiments, during playback of a recorded piece of content, when a user initiates a stop, pause, rewind, and fast-forward (trickplay) (eg, rewind, fast-forward, skip, etc.) of the content, the player 210 can search a list of indexes associated with the recorded content and can identify I-frames associated with the recording. The identified I-frames can be fed from the player 210 to a sequencer 215, and the sequencer can push the I-frames, in order, to a conduit 220. The conduit 220 can maintain the flow of frames associated with recording to the decoder 225. In embodiments, decoder 225 can include a buffer, and decoder 225 can read frames from the buffer, can decode the frames, and can display the frames. For example, set-top box 225 can output decoded frames to a display device (eg, television 110).

In embodiments, the filler trickplay module 230 can detect a filler region of a content stream during a content stream stop, pause, reverse and trickplay. The filler 230 stop, pause, reverse, and fast forward (trickplay) module can monitor sequencer 215, and when consecutive I-frames are identified in sequencer 215, the stop, pause, reverse, and fast forward (trickplay) module ) of filler 230 may determine that consecutive I-frames constitute a filler region. In response to the detection of a filler region in the sequencer 215, the filler 230 stop, pause, fast reverse and trickplay module can apply a corrective method during the stop, pause, fast backward and forward (trickplay) from the filler region.

In modalities, the corrective method may include a reduction of an FRC value. For example, the FRC value can be reduced to a value of one (1), so that the sequencer 215 processes the I-frames of the filler region at a faster rate.

In modalities, the corrective method can include an increase of an FSC value. For example, the FSC value can be set to a value that is equivalent to the GOP size of the advertising content or other content associated with the filler region. By applying increased FSC to the stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region, fewer I-frames associated with the filler region can be presented as more of the filler frames are skipped. filler region.

In embodiments, the corrective method may include both a reduction in the FRC value and an increase in the FSC value, thereby causing the filler region, or at least a significant portion of the filler region, to be omitted during stop, pause, reverse and fast forward (trickplay).

In modalities, the filler 230 stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) module can monitor the player 210 and can detect a filler region when consecutive I-frames are identified by the player 210 while the player 210 is searching. in the indices stored in the content data store 205 looking for I-frames with which to feed the sequencer 215. When the Filler Trickplay module 230 detects a filler region, the Filler Trickplay module 230 can cause the player 210 to jump over frames. filler frame and identify the next non-filler frame (for example, the next I-frame in the content stream that is not immediately followed by another I-frame). For example, player 210 may refrain from feeding detected filler frames to sequencer 215 and may instead identify the next non-filler frame and may feed the next identified non-filler frame to sequencer 215.

In embodiments, the filler modifier 235 can identify and designate each frame of a recorded piece of content as either a filler frame or a non-filler frame. For example, the filler modifier 235 can identify and designate each consecutive I-frame of a content stream as a filler frame and can identify and designate each non-consecutive I-frame of the content stream as a non-filler frame. . The filler modifier 235 may modify each frame or an index associated with the content stream to indicate the filler / non-filler designation of each frame within the content stream. The modified frames or index can be stored along with the recorded content in content data storage 205. During a stop, pause, rewind and fast-forward (trickplay) of recorded content, player 210 can identify filler frames based on the stored filler / non-filler designation of each I-frame, and player 210 can jump over frames filler and feed only non-filler frames to sequencer 215 for processing.

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a

4 exemplary process 300 that operates to facilitate the detection of a filler region and the application of a corrective method during stopping, pausing, backtracking, and trickplaying a content stream. Process 300 may begin at 305 when a stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay (eg, reverse, fast forward, skip, etc.) of a content stream is initiated. The content stream may be a recorded piece of content that is stored in an STB 105 of FIG. 1 (eg, content data storage 205 of FIG. 2). The recorded piece of content may include one or more targeted advertising content segments, and each targeted advertising content segment may be located between two filler regions. In embodiments, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames.

In modes, the speed of a trickplay function can be controlled by the rate at which I-frames of recorded content are fed from content data storage 205 to a sequencer 215 of Figure 2 by means of a player 210 of Figure 2. The speed of a stop, pause, fast backward and forward function (trickplay) can furthermore be controlled by the number of I frames between the I-frames that are fed consecutively to the sequencer 215. For example, the speed of a function Fast stop, pause, backward and forward (trickplay) can be managed by setting an FRC and / or FSC value on the STB 105.

At 310, a filler region of the content stream can be detected. A filler region can be detected, for example, by an STB 105 component (eg, player 210, sequencer 215, stop, pause, fast backward and trickplay module of filler 230 of FIG. 2, etc.) . In embodiments, a filler region can be detected based on the type of frames following an I-frame. For example, a filler region may include consecutive I-frames (eg, at least one I-frame that is immediately followed in the content stream by another I-frame). A filler region may be detected by a filler stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay module 230 when consecutive I-frames are returned by a sequencer 215.

At 315, a corrective method can be applied to the stop, pause, reverse, and fast forward (trickplay) of the detected filler region. The corrective method can be applied, for example, by means of a stop, pause, reverse and fast forward (trickplay) module of filler

230. In modalities, the corrective method may be an adjustment of an FRC and / or FSC value during stop, pause, reverse, and trick play of the filler region. The corrective method may be a filler frame identification and skipping during the stop, pause, backtrack and trickplay of the content stream.

At 320 the end of the filler region can be detected. The end of the filler region can be detected, for example, by an STB 105 component (eg player 210, sequencer 215, stop, pause, fast backward and fast forward (trickplay) module of filler 230 of Figure 2, etc.). In embodiments, the end of the filler region can be detected based on an identification of a non-consecutive I-frame (eg, an I-frame that is not immediately followed by another I-frame). Once the end of the filler region is detected, the corrective method can be terminated and the normal stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay of the content stream can be resumed at 325.

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process 400 that operates to facilitate the detection of a filler region and the reduction of a frame repetition count (FRC) value during stop, pause, fast backward and forward. (trickplay) of a content stream. Process 400 may start at 405 when a stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay (eg, reverse, fast forward, skip, etc.) of a content stream is initiated. The content stream may be a recorded piece of content that is stored in an STB 105 of FIG. 1 (eg, content data storage 205 of FIG. 2). The recorded piece of content may include one or more targeted advertising content segments, and each targeted advertising content segment may be located between two filler regions. In the embodiments, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames.

In the modes, the speed of a trickplay function can be controlled by the rate at which recorded content I-frames are fed from content data storage 205 to a sequencer. 215 of figure 2 by means of a player 210 of figure 2. The speed of a stop, pause, fast backward and fast forward (trickplay) function can also be controlled by the number of I-frames between I-frames that are fed consecutively to the sequencer 215. For example, the speed of a stop function Fast, pause, backward and forward (trickplay) can be managed by setting an FRC and / or FSC value on the STB 105.

At 410, a filler region of the content stream can be detected. A filler region can be detected, for example, by an STB 105 component (eg, player 210, sequencer 215, stop, pause, fast backward and trickplay module of filler 230 of FIG. 2, etc.) . In the embodiments, a filler region can be detected based on the frame type following an I-frame. For example, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames (eg, at least one I-frame that is immediately followed in the content stream by another I-frame). A filler region may be detected by a filler 230 stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay module when consecutive I-frames are returned by a sequencer 215.

At 415, an FRC value may be lowered during the stop, pause, backtrack, and fast forward (trickplay) of the detected filler region. The FRC value can be reduced, for example, by a stop, pause, reverse and fast forward (trickplay) module of filler 230. In the modes, the FRC value can be pulled to a value of one (1), thus causing have the I-frames in the filler region processed and broadcast at a faster rate by the STB 105.

At 420, the end of the filler region can be detected. The end of the filler region can be detected, for example, by an STB 105 component (eg player 210, sequencer 215, stop, pause, fast backward and fast forward (trickplay) module of filler 230 of Figure 2, etc.). In the embodiments, the end of the filler region can be detected based on an identification of a non-consecutive I-frame (eg, an I-frame that is not immediately followed by another I-frame). Once the end of the filler region is detected, the FRC value can be reset and at 425 the normal stop, pause, backtrack and trickplay of the content stream can be resumed.

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process 500 that operates to facilitate the detection of a filler region and the modification of a frame skip count (FSC) value during stop, pause, fast backward and forward. (trickplay) of a content stream. Process 500 may begin at 505 when a stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay (eg, reverse, fast forward, skip, etc.) of a content stream is initiated. The content stream may be a recorded piece of content that is stored in an STB 105 of FIG. 1 (eg, content data storage 205 of FIG. 2). The recorded piece of content may include one or more targeted advertising content segments, and each targeted advertising content segment may be located between two filler regions. In the embodiments, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames.

In modes, the speed of a trickplay function can be controlled by the rate at which I-frames of recorded content are fed from content data storage 205 to a sequencer. 215 of figure 2 by means of a player 210 of figure 2. The speed of the stop, pause, fast backward and fast forward (trickplay) function can also be controlled by the number of I-frames between I-frames that are fed consecutively to the sequencer 215. For example, the speed of a stop function , pause, fast backward and forward (trickplay) can be managed by setting an FRC and / or FSC value on the STB 105.

At 510, a filler region of the content stream can be detected. A filler region may be detected, eg, an STB component 105 (eg, player 210, sequencer 215, stop, pause, fast backward and trickplay module of filler 230 of FIG. 2, etc.). In the embodiments, a filler region can be detected based on the frame type that follows an I-frame. For example, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames (eg, at least one I-frame that is immediately followed in the content stream by another I-frame). A filler region may be detected by a filler 230 stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay module when consecutive I-frames are returned by a sequencer 215.

In 515 an FSC value can be modified. The FSC value can be modified, for example, by a stop, pause, reverse and fast forward (trickplay) module of filler 230. In modalities, the FSC value can be set to a value that is equivalent to a group size of images (GOP) associated with the content stream. With the increase of the FSC value during stop, pause, reverse and fast-forward (trickplay) of the filler region, fewer filler frames can be processed and displayed by the STB 105 because more can be skipped. I-frames of the filler region.

At 520, the end of the filler region can be detected. The end of the filler region can be detected, for example, by an STB 105 component (eg player 210, sequencer 215, stop, pause, fast backward and fast forward (trickplay) module of filler 230 of Figure 2, etc.). In the embodiments, the end of the filler region can be detected based on an identification of a non-consecutive I-frame (eg, an I-frame that is not immediately followed by another I-frame). Once the end of the filler region is detected, the FSC value can be reset and at 525 the normal stop, pause, backward, and trickplay of the content stream can be resumed.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process 600 that operates to facilitate the detection of a filler region and the modification of a frame repeat count (FRC) value and a frame skip count value ( FSC) during stop, pause, fast backward and forward (trickplay) of a content stream. Process 600 can begin at 605 when a stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay (eg, reverse, fast forward, skip, etc.) of a content stream is initiated. The content stream may be a recorded piece of content that is stored in an STB 105 of FIG. 1 (eg, content data storage 205 of FIG. 2). The recorded piece of content may include one or more targeted advertising content segments, and each targeted advertising content segment may be located between two filler regions. In the embodiments, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames.

In modes, the speed of a trickplay function can be controlled by the rate at which I-frames of recorded content are fed from content data storage 205 to a sequencer 215 of Figure 2 by a player 210 of Figure 2. The speed of a stop, pause, fast backward and fast forward (trickplay) function can further be controlled by the number of I-frames between I-frames that are fed consecutively to the sequencer 215. For example, the speed of a function Fast stop, pause, backward and forward (trickplay) can be managed by setting an FRC and / or FSC value on the STB 105.

At 610, a filler region of the content stream can be detected. A filler region can be detected, for example, by an STB component 105 (eg, player 210, sequence 215, stop, pause, fast backward and trickplay module of filler 230 of FIG. 2, etc.). In embodiments, a filler region can be detected based on the type of frame following an I-frame. For example, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames (eg, at least one I-frame that is immediately followed in the content stream by another I-frame). A filler region may be detected by a filler 230 stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay module when consecutive I-frames are returned by a sequencer 215.

At 615, an FRC value may be lowered during stop, pause, fast backward and forward (trickplay) of the detected filler region. The FRC value can be lowered, for example, by a filler 230 stop, pause, reverse and trickplay module. In modes, the FRC value can be pulled to a value of one (1), thereby causing I-frames from the filler region are processed and broadcast at a faster rate by the STB 105.

In 620, an FSC value can be modified. The FSC value can be modified, for example, by a stop, pause, reverse and fast forward (trickplay) module of filler 230. In embodiments, the FSC value can be set to a value that is equivalent to a group size of images (GOP) associated with the content stream. By increasing the FSC value during the stop, pause, backtrack and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region, fewer filler frames can be processed and displayed by the STB 105 because more can be skipped. I-frames of the filler region.

At 625 the end of the filler region can be detected. The end of the filler region can be detected, for example, by an STB 105 component (eg player 210, sequencer 215, stop, pause, fast backward and fast forward (trickplay) module of filler 230 of Figure 2, etc.) . In the embodiments, the end of the filler region can be detected based on an identification of a non-consecutive I-frame (eg, an I-frame that is not immediately followed by another I-frame). Once the end of the filler region is detected, the FRC and FSC values ​​can be reset and at 630 a normal stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay of the content stream can be resumed.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process 700 that operates to facilitate detection of one or more filler frames and skipping of filler frames during stop, pause, backtrack, and fast forward (trickplay) of a content stream. Process 700 may begin at 705 when a stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay (eg, reverse, fast forward, skip, etc.) of a content stream is initiated. The content stream may be a recorded piece of content that is stored in an STB 105 of FIG. 1 (eg, content data storage 205 of FIG. 2). The recorded piece of content may include one or more targeted advertising content segments, and each targeted advertising content segment may be located between two filler regions. In the embodiments, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames.

At 710, a first filler frame may be detected from a filler region of the content stream. A first filler frame can be detected, for example, by an STB component 105 (eg player 210, sequencer 215, stop, pause, fast backward and forward (trickplay) module of filler 230 of FIG. 2, etc. ). In the embodiments, a filler region can be detected based on the frame type that follows an I-frame. For example, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames (eg, at least one I-frame that is immediately followed in the content stream by another I-frame). A filler region may be detected by a player 210 when consecutive I-frames are detected while the player 210 is searching through one or more indices (eg, indices stored in content data storage 205) of the stream of content to be fed to sequencer 215.

At 715 a next content stream non-filler frame can be identified. The next non-filler frame can be identified, for example, by the player 210. In the embodiments, the player 210 can search through the indices associated with the content stream to identify the next I-frame following the first frame. filler that is not immediately followed by another I-frame.

At 720, a processing of the first filler frame and one or more filler frames between the first filler frame and the identified non-filler frame may be skipped. For example, player 210 may refrain from feeding the first filler frame and the filler frames between the first filler frame and the identified non-filler frame to sequencer 215. The player 210 may skip the filler frames (eg, consecutive I-frames) and may feed the next non-filler frame from content data storage 205 to sequencer 215 for processing and broadcast to a display device at 725.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process 800 that operates to facilitate the identification of consecutive I-frames within a content stream and the designation of consecutive I-frames as filler frames. Process 800 may begin at 805 when a stream of content designated for recording is received at an STB 105 of FIG. 1. The content stream can be recorded and stored in the STB 105 (eg, in the content data storage 205 of FIG. 2). The recorded piece of content can include one or more targeted advertising content segments, and each targeted advertising content segment can be located between two filler regions. In the embodiments, a filler region may include one or more consecutive i-frames. It should be understood that the identification and designation of consecutive I-frames as filler frames can be carried out during a recording of the content stream or after a recording of the content stream.

At 810, one or more consecutive I-frames can be detected within the content stream being recorded. One or more consecutive I-frames may be detected, for example by a frame modifier 235. In embodiments, the frame modifier 235 may determine that an I-frame that is immediately followed by another I-frame is a filler frame.

At 815, one or more consecutive I-frames can be designated as filler frames. In the modalities, the

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consecutive by adding a filler / non-filler designation field, and the filler / non-filler designation field can be filled with an indicator regarding whether the I-frame is a filler frame or a non-filler frame. The I-frames that include the filler / non-filler designation can be stored together with the content stream in 820. For example, the filler / non-filler designation of each I-frame may be stored within an index file associated with the content stream (eg, in content data storage 205).

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process 900 that operates to facilitate skipping a frame during stop, pause, backtrack and trickplay based on a frame designation as a filler frame. Process 900 may begin at 905 when a stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay (eg, reverse, fast forward, skip, etc.) of a content stream is initiated. The content stream may be a recorded piece of content that is stored in an STB 105 of FIG. 1 (eg, content data storage 205 of FIG. 2). The recorded piece of content may include one or more targeted advertising content segments, and each targeted advertising content segment may be located between two filler regions. In the embodiments, a filler region may include one or more consecutive I-frames.

At 910, a frame can be identified for processing and broadcast to a screen. For example, a player 210 of FIG. 2 may identify a next I-frame associated with a content stream from an index file stored in content data storage 205. In embodiments, the identified frame may include an identification of a frame type (e.g., I-frame, P-frame, B-frame, etc.) and may further include an indication of the frame designation either as a filler pattern or a non-filler pattern.

At 915, the determination can be made as to whether the identified frame is designated as a filler frame. The determination can be made, for example, by a component of the STB 105 (e.g. player 210, filler stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) module 230, etc.) and the determination can be based on a filler / non-filler designation indicator stored within the frame or within an index file associated with the frame.

If a determination is made at 915 that the identified frame is designated as a filler frame, process 900 may proceed to 920. At 920, processing and output of the identified frame may be omitted. For example, player 210 can dispense with feeding the identified frame from content data storage 205 to a sequencer 215 of FIG. 2.

If a determination is made at 920 that the identified frame is not designated as a filler frame (eg, the frame is designated as a non-filler frame), process 900 may advance to 925. At 925 the identified frame may be processed and issued to a deployment device. For example, player 210 can feed the identified frame from content data storage 205 to a sequencer, and the identified frame can be processed and prepared for broadcast to a display device.

Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the frame index file 1000 associated with a piece of content. Frame index file 1000 may include multiple fields for each frame including, but not limited to, a frame number field (for example, Frame #), a frame type field (for example, Type), and a filler / non-filler designation field (for example, Filler). The frame number field can identify a frame number associated with each frame. The frame type field can identify a frame type (eg, I-frame, P-frame, B-frame) for each frame. The filler / non-filler designation field may provide an indication as to whether the corresponding frame is a filler frame or a non-filler frame. For example, a consecutive I-frame (eg, an I-frame that is immediately followed by another I-frame (frames 105, 106 and 107)) can be designated as a filler frame. A plurality of consecutive I-frames (frame 105, 106 and 107) can constitute a filler region.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration 100 that operates to facilitate detection and management of a filler region during stop, pause, backtrack, and trickplay of a content stream. The hardware configuration 1100 may include a processor 1110, a memory 1120, a storage device 1130, and an input / output device 1140. Each of components 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140, for example, can be interconnected using a system bus 1150. Processor 1110 may have the ability to process instructions for execution within hardware configuration 1100. In one implementation, processor 1110 may be a single sequence processor. In another implementation, processor 1110 may be a multi-stream processor. Processor 1110 may have the ability to process instructions stored in memory 1120 or storage device 1130.

Memory 1120 can store information within hardware configuration 1100. In one implementation, memory 1120 can be a computer-readable medium. In one implementation, memory 1120 can be a volatile memory unit. In another implementation, memory 1120 may be a non-volatile memory unit.

In some implementations, storage device 1130 may have the ability to provide bulk storage for hardware configuration 1100. In one implementation, storage device 1130 may be a computer-readable medium. In several different implementations, the storage device 1130, for example, may include a hard disk device, an optical disk device, flash memory, or some other large capacity storage device. In other implementations, the storage device 1130 may be a device external to the hardware configuration 1100.

The input / output device 1140 provides input / output operations for the hardware configuration 1100. In one implementation, the input / output device 1140 may include one or more than one network interface device (eg, an Ethernet card), a serial communication device (eg, an RS-232 port), one or more more universal serial bus (USB) interfaces (for example, a USB 2.0 port), one or more wireless interface devices (for example, an 802.11 card), and / or one or more interfaces for broadcasting video and / or data services to a display device (eg, television 110 of FIG. 1, computer, mobile device, tablet, etc.). In another implementation, the input / output device may include actuator devices configured to send communications to and receive communications from one or more networks (eg, WAN 115 of Figure 1, Provider Network 120 of Figure 1, Network local, etc.).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention improves upon methods and systems for performing a stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) function in a filler region of a content stream. Computer-readable media, systems, and methods can operate to facilitate the detection and management of a filler region during stop, pause, reverse, and trickplay of a content stream. A filler region at the edge of a targeted advertising segment can be detected based on the presence of one or more consecutive I-frames. When a filler region is detected during a stop, pause, rewind and fast forward (trickplay) operation, a corrective method can be applied during the stop, pause, backward and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region. The corrective method may include a modification of a frame skip count (ESC) and / or frame repeat count (FRC) during stopping, pausing, backtracking, and trickplaying the filler region, or it may include skipping over filler frame processing and output during stop, pause, reverse, and fast forward (trickplay) of the filler region. In embodiments, an index file may be modified to include an indication of a designation of one or more frames as either a filler frame or a non-filler frame.

The subject matter of this disclosure, and its components, can be carried out by means of instructions that at the time of their execution cause one or more processing devices to carry out the processes and functions described above. Such instructions, for example, may comprise interpreted instructions, such as text instructions, for example JavaScript or ECMAScript instructions, or executable code, or other instructions stored on a computer-readable medium.

The implementations of subject matter and functional operations described in this specification may be provided in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one. or more of them. Modalities of subject matter described in this specification may be implemented as one or more computer program products, that is, one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded in a tangible program carrier for execution by, or to control, the operation,

7 data processing apparatus.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, text, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages, and can be displayed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a model, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file on a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (for example, one or more texts stored in a markup language document) in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (for example For example, files that store one or more modules, applets, or pieces of code). A computer program can be deployed to run on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logical flows described in this specification are executed by one or more programmable processors that execute one or more computer programs to execute functions by operating on input data and generating an output thus linking the process to a particular magic (for example , a machine programmed to execute the processes described here). Processes and logic flows can also be executed by, and the apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, for example an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

Convenient computer-readable medium for storing computer program instructions and data includes all forms of non-volatile memory, memory media and devices, including by way of example semi-conductor memory devices (e.g. EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices); magnetic drives (for example, internal hard drives or removable drives); magneto-optical discs; and CD ROM and DVD ROM discs. The processor and memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated into, special purpose logic circuitry.

Although this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular modalities of particular inventions. Some features that are described in this specification in the context of separate modalities can also be implemented in combination in a single modality. Rather, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple modes separately or in any convenient sub-combination. Furthermore, although characteristics can be described as acting on certain combinations and may even initially be claimed as such, one or more characteristics of a claimed combination can in some cases be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination. or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, although the operations are shown in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in the order of sequence, or that all the illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In some circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be desirable. Furthermore, the separation of various components of the system in the modalities described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all modalities, and it should be understood that the components and program systems described generally can be integrated into a single software product or can be packaged into multiple software products.

Particular modalities of the subject matter discussed in this specification have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in claims 10 may be performed in a different order and still achieve the desirable results unless expressly noted otherwise. As an example, the processes shown in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or the order of sequence, to achieve the desirable results. In some implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be convenient.