# US 12,120,163 B2 · Method for managing time hops when playing back a multimedia content

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- Number: US 12,120,163 B2
- Document ID: US12120163B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/069,512
- Filed: 2022-12-21
- Published: 2023-06-29
- Granted: 2024-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2021-12-23
- Assignees: Orange
- Applicants: Orange
- Inventors: Mathieu Rivoalen; Hervé Marchand
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12120163B2

## CPC

- H04L 65/611: for multicast or broadcast (systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06)
- H04N 21/26275: {for distributing content or additional data in a staggered manner, e.g. repeating movies on different channels in a time-staggered manner in a near video on demand system}
- H04N 21/4307: {Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen}
- H04N 21/4383: {Accessing a communication channel}
- H04N 21/472: End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content {(end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612)}
- H04N 21/47217: {for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks (specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312)}
- H04N 21/4882: {for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders (arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895)}
- H04N 21/6405: Multicasting {(data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18)}
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A method for managing time hops when playing back a multimedia content item received by a playback device via a communication network. The method includes obtaining a plurality of broadcast channels for the same content item, the respective broadcast times being spaced in time, wherein, during rendering of the content item via a channel, called first channel, receipt of a time hop command for a time hop in the content item brings about: a step of selecting a second broadcast channel, different from the first broadcast channel; and during a hop, a step of rendering images broadcast on broadcast channels belonging to the plurality of broadcast channels.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A management method comprising:
managing time hops when playing back a multimedia content item received by a playback device via a communication network, the managing comprising:
obtaining a plurality of broadcast channels for a same content item, respective broadcast times of the content item for the plurality of broadcast channels being spaced in time; and
during rendering of the content item via a channel, called first channel, of the plurality of broadcast channels, receiving a time hop command for a time hop in the content item, wherein receipt of the time hop command brings about:
selecting a broadcast channel of the plurality of broadcast channels, called second channel, different from the first channel, wherein the plurality of broadcast channels comprises intermediate broadcast channels having respective broadcast times in between the broadcast times of the first channel and the second channel; and
during a hop from the first to the second channel, rendering images broadcast on said intermediate broadcast channels, the images being rendered from successive ones of the intermediate broadcast channels in a direction of the hop.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The management method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rendered images are able to be selected, and wherein selecting a rendered image triggers stoppage of the hop and playback of the content item from this image.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The management method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the time hop command relates to fast-forwarding in the content item, the time hop command on the first channel is activated as soon as at least one second channel broadcasts the content item at a time of receipt of the hop command.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The management method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channels that are obtained are able to broadcast the content item in multicast mode.

### Claim 5

A management entity for managing time hops when playing back a multimedia content item received by a playback device via a communication network, the management entity comprising:
a processor; and
a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon which when executed by the processor configure the management entity to:
obtain a plurality of broadcast channels for a same content item, respective broadcast times of the content item for the plurality of broadcast channels being spaced in time,
during rendering of the content item via a channel, called first channel, receive a time hop command for a time hop in the content item, which brings about:
selecting a broadcast channel of the plurality of broadcast channels, called second channel, different from the first channel, wherein the plurality of broadcast channels comprises intermediate broadcast channels having respective broadcast times in between the broadcast times of the first channel and the second channel;
during a hop from the first to the second channel, rendering images broadcast on broadcast channels belonging to said intermediate broadcast channels, the images being rendered from successive ones of the intermediate broadcast channels in a direction of the hop.

### Claim 6

A non-transitory computer readable data medium on which at least one series of program code instructions has been stored for executing a management method when the series of program code instructions are executed by a processor of a management entity, the management method comprising:
managing time hops when playing back a multimedia content item received by a playback device via a communication network, the managing comprising:
obtaining a plurality of broadcast channels for a same content item, respective broadcast times of the content item for the plurality of broadcast channels being spaced in time; and
during rendering of the content item via a channel, called first channel, of the plurality of broadcast channels, receiving a time hop command for a time hop in the content item, wherein receipt of the time hop command brings about:
selecting a broadcast channel of the plurality of broadcast channels, called second channel, different from the first channel, wherein the plurality of broadcast channels comprises intermediate broadcast channels having respective broadcast times in between the broadcast times of the first channel and the second channel; and
during a hop from the first to the second channel, rendering images broadcast on broadcast channels belonging to said intermediate broadcast channels, the images being rendered from successive ones of the intermediate broadcast channels in a direction of the hop.