Method of coding a scalable video stream destined for users with different profiles

A method of transmitting a video stream to users, each user having one of a plurality of different user profiles, said users being connected via display terminals to a communications network, said method of transmitting comprising:

• coding a video sequence in the video stream using a device, wherein the video sequence comprises content requiring a subscription and the video stream includes a base layer and one or more refinement layers associated with different user profiles, wherein for at least one image of the video sequence, coding comprises:
• coding in said base layer at least one portion of said image, which is common to all said different user profiles, wherein at least another portion of said image corresponding to an area of interest has been extracted from the base layer;
• and
• coding in at least one of said refinement layers said at least another portion of said image corresponding to said area of interest, said another portion being distinct from said at least one portion coded in said base layer;
• generating a description of the video stream for transmission to a receiver of the video stream, which associates the at least one refinement layer with a given user profile for which the at least one refinement layer is intended;
• and
• sending said description, said base layer and said refinement layer from the device via said communications network for a plurality of the users, wherein at least two of the plurality of users have different ones of the user profiles, said at least one refinement layer being configured to be combined with said base layer for the users having the given user profile associated with that refinement layer,
• wherein users with the subscription are able to view said another portion of said image corresponding to the area of interest by processing and displaying the refinement layer, and
• wherein users without the subscription are able to process and display only the base layer, and are unable to process and display the refinement layer to view said another portion of said image.

A device for coding a video sequence in a video stream, wherein the video sequence comprises content requiring a subscription and the video stream includes a base layer and one or more refinement layers associated with different user profiles, the device comprising for at least one image of the video sequence:

• means for coding in said base layer at least one portion of said image, which is common to all said different user profiles, wherein at least another portion of said image corresponding to an area of interest has been extracted from the base layer;
• means for coding in at least one of said refinement layers said at least another portion of said image corresponding to said area of interest, said another portion being distinct from said at least one portion coded in said base layer or in another of said refinement layers;
• and
• means for generating a description of the video stream for transmission to a receiver of the video stream, which associates the at least one refinement layer with a given user profile for which the at least one refinement layer is intended,
• wherein users with the subscription are able to view said another portion of said image corresponding to the area of interest by processing and displaying the refinement layer, and
• wherein users without the subscription are able to process and display only the base layer, and are unable to process and display the refinement layer to view said another portion of said image.

A system for transmitting a video stream to users, each user having one of a plurality of different user profiles and being connected via display terminals to a communications network, said system comprising:

• means for coding a video sequence in the video stream, wherein the video sequence comprises content requiring a subscription and the video stream includes a base layer and one or more refinement layers associated with different user profiles, wherein for at least one image of the video sequence, coding comprises:
• coding in said base layer at least one portion of said image, which is common to all said different user profiles, wherein at least another portion of said image corresponding to an area of interest has been extracted from the base layer;
• and
• coding in at least one of said refinement layers said at least another portion of said image corresponding to said area of interest, said another portion being distinct from said at least one portion coded in said base layer or in another of said refinement layers;
• means for generating a description of the video stream for transmission to a receiver of the video stream, which associates the at least one refinement layer with a given user profile for which the at least one refinement layer is intended;
• and
• means for transmitting said description, said base layer and said refinement layer via said communications network for a plurality of the users, wherein at least two of the plurality of users have different ones of the user profiles, and wherein said at least one refinement layer is configured to be combined with said base layer for the users having the given user profile associated with that refinement layer,
• wherein users with the subscription are able to view said another portion of said image corresponding to the area of interest by processing and displaying the refinement layer, and
• wherein users without the subscription are able to process and display only the base layer, and are unable to process and display the refinement layer to view said another portion of said image.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program stored thereon and including instructions for implementing a method when the instructions are executed on a computer, wherein the method comprises:

• coding a video sequence in a video stream using a device, wherein the video sequence comprises content requiring a subscription and the video stream includes a base layer and one or more refinement layers associated with different user profiles, wherein for at least one image of the video sequence, coding comprises:
• coding in said base layer at least one portion of said image which is common to all said different user profiles, wherein at least another portion of said image corresponding to an area of interest has been extracted from the base layer;
• and
• coding in at least one of said refinement layers said at least another portion of said image corresponding to said area of interest, said another portion being distinct from said at least one portion coded in said base layer or in another of said refinement layers;
• and
• generating a description of the video stream for transmission to a receiver of the video stream, which associates the at least one refinement layer with a given user profile for which the at least one refinement layer is intended,
• wherein users with the subscription are able to view said another portion of said image corresponding to the area of interest by processing and displaying the refinement layer, and
• wherein users without the subscription are able to process and display only the base layer, and are unable to process and display the refinement layer to view said another portion of said image.