WO2013004934A1

WO2013004934A1 - Electronic device for generating an output video stream to be displayed on a television screen

Info

Publication number: WO2013004934A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/051335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henri Crohas
Original assignee: Archos
Priority date: 2011-07-06
Filing date: 2012-06-14
Publication date: 2013-01-10
Also published as: FR2977752A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device for generating an output video stream to be displayed on a remote screen, characterized in that it includes: at least one video input means for receiving at least one input audio/video stream; at least one camera, which is at least partially built into said electronic device, for generating at least one camera video stream; data-processing means for generating at least one output video stream; and at least one video output means for transmitting at least one output video stream.

Description

"Electronic device for generating an output video stream for display on a television screen"

Technical area

The present invention relates to a screen accessory of the Over-The Top box or Set-Top-Box type for generating an output video stream to be displayed on a remote screen. The field of the invention is, without limitation, that of television accessories.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART Most television sets currently have no cameras and are for the most part not connected to the Internet. This raises the question of finding a simple and low cost solution to provide a video telephony service to any television.

The television market is characterized by a park effect which limits the introduction of new services because the replacement rate is limited by the lifetime of the equipment, which is generally greater than 5 years.

Cameras are known for displaying a video stream on a television screen, including the Logitech TV Cam camera.

The latter makes it possible to film a user calling his correspondent. Its purchase price is currently $ 150 US.

These prices result from the need to integrate such a camera expensive means to perform image processing and encode in the camera to transmit the signal USB.

In addition, the image displayed by the television will necessarily be degraded due to this necessary compression step.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device to enable the deployment of new television services connected including video telephony on the installed park of conventional televisions.

Another object of the invention is to propose a solution for adding services related to the Internet in addition to conventional TV services, for example the Internet television function.

Another object of the invention is to simplify and minimize the complexity of television connectors. This connection is complex because it requires many interfaces to connect the variety of existing additional accessories.

Another object of the invention is to propose a solution for adding services related to the operation of the local network DLNA or other such as the "mediabox" function.

DLNA defines an interoperability standard for reading, sharing and controlling multimedia devices regardless of their brand or nature. More information can be found on this page: http: //en.wikipedia.Org/wiki/Digital_Living_Network_Alliance#Products_sup porting_DLNA

Another object of the invention is to propose a new user interface related to the operation of the camera. Presentation of the invention

At least one of the above-mentioned objectives is achieved with an electronic device for generating an output video stream to be displayed (or intended to be displayed) on a remote screen,

characterized in that it comprises:

at least one video input means for receiving at least one input audio / video stream,

at least one camera at least partially integrated in said electronic device for generating at least one camera video stream, data processing means for generating at least one output video stream, and

at least one video output means for transmitting at least one output video stream.

The data processing means for generating at least one output video stream may be configured to generate an output video stream, in particular from a camera video stream and / or at least one audio / video stream of Entrance.

The video stream captured by the camera is transferred to the processing means in the form of uncompressed video. Advantageously, the transfer of these data can be done by a serial link defined by the standard MIPI ™ CSI-2 (MIPI Camera Serial Interface www.mipi.org). CSI-2 is a high-performance serial bus for connecting the sensor of a camera to an image processing module such as a host processor. This bus has been designed to support data rates between 80 Mbps and 1 Gbps per channel. This bus is particularly suitable for H D 1080p video which at 30 frames per second requires a data rate of (1920x1080x30x16 = 996 Mbps).

The use of such a bus is possible when the camera is located at least partially in the equipment. In the case where the camera is in a separate housing, the connection between the camera and the equipment must use a less powerful means (eg USB) and therefore requires compression of the video in the camera and decompression in the equipment , which is the case of the prior art.

The input and / or video output means may be wired and / or non-wired means.

Audio / video stream is understood to mean a stream containing video type information and / or audio type information.

Advantageously, at least one of the input and / or video output means is a wired means. This means can be an interface or an integrated cable. This interface or cable may be of analog type, for example RCA type, DIN, JACK, or SCART or digital type, for example HDMI type, DISPLAY PORT. Advantageously, at least one of the input and / or video output means is a connection means to a communications network.

This means may for example be a network card having an Ethernet interface or a wireless network card. This interface makes it possible to download applications from an Internet type network. It can also be used to play video streams coming from a local network (use of a DLNA type protocol) or to "stream", that is to say to transmit, over the water, a stream video output to a local network or the Internet. Streaming (streaming, streaming, stream, streaming), streaming, streaming, streaming, is a principle used primarily for sending content. live, or slightly delayed. More information can be found on this page:

http: //en.wikipedia .org / wiki / Streaming

Preferably, the device may further comprise at least one video input means connected to a television reception circuit comprising a television tuner. A tuner is a system for receiving a modulated analog or digital television signal so as to transport it on a wireless transmission system, satellite, cable, ADSL or other.

Thus, the device can receive cable television, terrestrial or satellite television or television on ADSL.

The electronic device may further comprise at least one video input means and a television reception circuit comprising a television tuner and in that the at least one video input means is connected to the television reception circuit.

Advantageously, the data processing means can implement an operating system. This operating system can for example be a Windows system, Android, or Linux. Thus the data processing means may generate a graphical interface. The operating system can be configured to implement the DLNA protocol via the connection means to a network.

Advantageously, the device may further comprise a mass storage means. This means may for example be a hard disk or a flash type memory. Thus, video files can be stored on this medium.

Advantageously, the data processing means may furthermore comprise means for decompressing an input video stream and / or means for compressing an output stream. These streams may for example be of the MPEGx or H264.X type.

Advantageously, the output stream may comprise at least one of the elements or a combination of at least two of the following elements:

one or more input video streams;

a video stream generated by the data processing means;

- a video stream from the camera.

An input video stream can be a video stream from an HDMI source, USB, MiniUSB, WiFi, Hertzian, RJ45, etc. An input video stream may also come from a television reception circuit.

A video stream generated by the data processing means may be a stream comprising a user interface graphic or a video read from an internal mass storage.

For example, at least one output video stream may include a video clip from a video stream of the high-level operating system.

This plan can be resizable.

In another example, at least one output video stream may include a video clip from the camera video stream. Again, this plan can be resizable.

A third example of an output video stream is a stream comprising a video plane from the mass storage.

An output video stream may result from an overlay and / or overlay of at least one input audio / video stream and / or at least one camera video stream and / or user interface. In particular, at least one output video stream may be transmitted by a streaming network connection means to a communication network. The device then allows streaming or copying of the output video stream to a local area network or the Internet.

The data processing means may be configured to execute applications stored in an internal (and or external) and / or downloaded mass storage means, preferably via the Internet, via a connection means to a network.

In particular, the device may further comprise at least one microphone. In an advantageous version, the electronic device further comprises at least two microphones arranged so that the data processing means are able to separate a useful sound signal from an ambient noise. In view of the distance between the microphones and the viewer, the distance between the two microphones is preferably at least 15 cm.

Advantageously, the camera and the data processing means may be further configured to generate an output video stream for performing a videophone session. The camera and the data processing means may be configured to generate a video output video-telephony stream.

In such a session, the proximal video may come from a camera video stream.

In an advantageous version, the device may further comprise attachment means comprising at least two hinges to adapt to different screen geometries. The device can thus be hung on the top of the screen. It can also be placed on a TV or a table. The clipping means may also include three hinges or more. Preferably, the at least two hinges may further be arranged so that the device is placed on a table or a flat support.

In a particular version, the device may further comprise camera orientation means. The camera, thus adjustable, can then be directed towards a viewer.

Advantageously, the orientation means of the camera can be motorized. The lens of the camera can be aimed at a user or other point of interest. The orientation means of the camera can be used to orient the camera lens without moving the device relative to its support. The orientation means of the camera may be arranged to orient the objective of the camera relative to the support of the device.

In a particular version, the electronic device may further comprise at least one remote control for interacting with a user, and remote control processing means for processing information from the remote control and transmitting them to the data processing means.

Preferably, at least a portion of the information from the remote control is visual information captured by the camera to generate a camera stream that is transmitted to the remote control processing means. This can be used to track an object in the camera's viewing space. Preferably, the remote control processing means are configured to emulate an integration mechanism of an operating system.

The integration mechanism can for example emulate the behavior of a mouse. Moreover, and without prejudging the emulation or not of the behavior of a mouse, it can for example emulate a touch-type interface. Advantageously, the at least one remote control or at least one remote control processing means may further comprise means for detecting and transmitting to the data processing means spatial position information of said remote control.

Such spatial position information may for example be information derived from physical variations such as rotational information, ie. of yaw, roll, and pitch. Information derived from physical variations may also be position and / or altitude information.

In a particular version, the data processing means may further be configured to manage several remote controls.

This allows for example to use the device to play a game to multiple users.

In an advantageous version, the electronic device may be shaped to be placed on the screen. The electronic device may be shaped to be placed on a remote screen provided for displaying the output video stream.

The screen may for example be of the flat screen type. Furthermore, the device can also be shaped to be placed on a support in front of the screen or next to it. In particular, the dimensions of the device are substantially equal to 153mm by 123mm by 22 mm. Thus the device is intended to be placed on a television and be transportable.

Description of the Figures and Embodiments

Other advantages and features of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and a non-limiting embodiment, and the following appended drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the environment and the implementation of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a user using the device 100 for performing a videophone session; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention placed on a television screen;

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention seen from the front;

Figure 6 is a zoomed representation of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the device according to the invention placed on a CRT television;

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the device according to the invention placed on a flat screen television;

Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the device according to the invention placed on an extra-flat screen television;

Figure 10 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention placed on a support in a first position;

- Figure 11 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention placed on a support in a second position.

The electronic device 100, shown in FIG. 1, comprises video input means 102, 104, 106, a steerable camera 108, data processing means 110, a video output means 112, a network connection means 114 , a television receiving circuit 116 comprising a television tuner and television stream input means 118 and two microphones 120 and 122. An integrated mass storage means 124 is also shown. Finally, the device 100 further comprises a remote control 130.

The video input means 102 is of the HDMI type and makes it possible to receive an audio / video input stream. The camera 108 makes it possible to generate a video stream. The data processing means 110 make it possible to generate an output video stream. This stream may be transmitted by the video output means 112 which is of the HDMI type. Moreover, the video input means 104 is of the USB type. The video input means 106 is of the mini-USB type.

The network connection means 114 is an RJ45 interface and makes it possible to connect to a communication network, whether local or Internet type.

The television circuit 116 comprises a television tuner for receiving a digital television signal. In other variants of this embodiment, the television tuner may be able to receive an analog signal. The signal, analog or digital type is modulated so as to transport it on a wireless transmission system, satellite, cable, ADSL or other. Thus, the device can receive cable television, terrestrial television or satellites or television on ADSL. The camera means 108 and the two microphones 120 and 122 constitute a set of means, called "together before", in the remainder of this description.

The other means, excluding the remote control 130, constitute a set of means, called "rear assembly" in the following description.

The front assembly of means and the rear set of means are movable in pivot connection about an axis A of rotation. The device 100 therefore comprises a hinge.

In this embodiment, the video input and output means are wired means.

The data processing means 110 comprises a CPU, memory and possibly dedicated processors for 2D / 3D graphics and for audio / video processing. They implement a high-level operating system such as "Android" and can run applications stored in memory and / or downloaded from the Internet via the network connection means 114. The processing means 110 also generate a user interface video stream.

The processing means 110 are capable of mixing a plurality of video streams and furthermore comprise means for compressing a video stream. input (not shown) as well as means for decompressing an output video stream (not shown). These data processing means are advantageously produced by a system-on-silicon (System on Chip) comprising on the same substrate several calculation units such as a signal processing processor (DSP), one or more cores of multifunction processors ( General Purpose processor) ARM Cortex ™ A9 clocked at high frequencies (above 1 GHz) and supporting so-called "Symmetry Multiprocessing" (SMP) techniques as well as multimedia computational accelerators supporting different formats, a high-performance graphics processor .

An output stream includes at least one of the elements or a combination of at least two of the following:

one or more input video streams;

a video stream generated by the data processing means, for example a user interface video stream;

a video stream from the camera;

- An input video stream can be a video stream from an HDMI source, USB, MiniUSB, WiFi, Hertzian, RJ45, etc.

The electronic device 100 can transmit an output video stream via the network connection means 114 streaming to a communication network. This can be the local network or an external network such as the Internet.

The two microphones (120; 122) are arranged so that the data processing means 110 are able to separate a useful sound signal from an ambient noise. Here, the microphones are spaced 15 cm apart so that the data processing means realize a spatial separation of the sound signals by comparison of phases.

In order to perform a videophone session, the camera 108 and the data processing means 110 are further configured to generate an output video stream. This output video stream includes a video stream from the camera. The latter can be streamed to an external network such as the Internet via the network connection means 114.

The data processing means 110 are further configured to generate another output video stream to be displayed on a screen (not shown) via output means such as the output means 112. This is another output video stream that may optionally include a video stream from the external network. Of course, a combination of these two streams can be displayed on the screen.

The remote control 130 makes it possible to interact with a user 300. The device 100 further comprises remote control processing means (not shown) for processing information coming from the remote control and transmitting them to the data processing means. These remote control processing means may for example include infrared receivers.

In addition, the data processing means 110 are further configured to handle several remote controls.

According to another aspect of the invention, the remote control processing means are configured to emulate an interaction mechanism of an operating system. The remote control can emulate a mouse or a touch interface.

According to another aspect of the invention, the remote control further comprises means for detecting and transmitting to the data processing means spatial position information of said remote control

According to another aspect of the invention, at least part of the information from the remote control is visual information captured by the camera. The device can then generate a camera stream that is transmitted to the remote control processing means.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the environment and the implementation of the device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows the Internet network 202, connected to a modem router 204 (or Set Top Box). The modem router exchanges data over a WiFi connection with the device 100. The device 100 sends an output video stream to the screen 206. The device 100 is also connected to an external mass storage 208 containing audio / video streams to be displayed on the screen 206 after data processing by the data processing means 110. The output video stream of the device is intended to be displayed on the remote screen 206.

In this embodiment, the device 100 is also connected to a satellite television reception antenna 210 by means of an internal satellite receiver (not shown). In another embodiment, this satellite receiver may be external and it is then the output of this satellite receiver which is connected to the device 100.

In this environment, the device 100 is therefore able to download new applications on the Internet, implement them, receive a film from a website and / or external mass storage and / or the digital reception antenna. Internet TV. The device 100 then displays an output video stream on the television 206. It can also stream another output video stream to the Internet network.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a user using the device 100 to perform a videophone session.

A user 300 is shown in Figure 3. It has a remote control 130 for controlling the device 100. In this figure, the device 100 is connected to the television screen 206. The camera 108 of the device 100 is oriented towards the 'user. The device 100 may be connected to the Internet as shown in FIG. 2.

The user can start a videophone session with at least one second user using the remote control 130. The processing means manages this videophone session. A videophone session is then displayed on the screen 206. The video of a second user and an audio signal are received by the device 100. The audio / video stream corresponding to the second person is sent to the screen . The input video stream received by the device 100 is displayed on a smaller area on the screen and is jointly processed with the useful signal from the microphones 120, 122 to be an output video stream sent to the second user via the Internet network. . Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention placed on a television screen.

In this configuration, the device 100 according to the invention is placed above the screen 206. No attachment means is apparent on this view.

This statement can be verified in FIG. 6 which is a zoomed representation of the device 100 of FIG.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention seen from the front.

This figure shows the device 100 in the configuration used to be placed on the screen 206.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are schematic side representations of the device according to the invention respectively placed on a CRT television, on a flat screen TV and an extra-flat screen TV.

In Figure 7, the device is simply placed on a CRT screen 206 (not shown). The device 100 comprises a tab 702 placed under the assembly before means and adapts to the geometry of such a screen.

In Figure 8, the screen 206 is a flat screen. The hinge previously stated and the tab 702 can maintain the balance of the device placed on such a screen.

In Figure 9, the screen 206 is an extra flat screen. The device also comprises a tab 902 which is rotatable about an axis B with the rear set of means. The axis B is parallel to the axis A and located at the rear of the rear set of means. The device therefore comprises a second hinge which allows the device 100 to be attached to the screen 206. This second hinge makes it possible to maintain the equilibrium of the device in the case of such a screen.

This hinge system is included in the attachment system of the device 100 to adapt to different screen geometries. The device can thus be hung on top of different screens or televisions. Figures 10 and 11 are schematic representations of the device according to the invention respectively placed on a support in a first position and a second position.

The use of the hinges makes it possible to obtain different positions of the device and thus to orient the camera 108 in the direction desired by the user 300. The at least two hinges are arranged so that the device is placed on a plane support. The at least two hinges are arranged to orient the camera relative to the support of the device.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

claims

An electronic device (100) for generating an output video stream comprising hooking means comprising at least two hinges for adapting to different screen geometries and:

at least one video input means (102, 104, 106 118) for receiving at least one input audio / video stream,

at least one camera (108) at least partially integrated in said electronic device (100) for generating at least one camera video stream,

mass storage means,

data processing means (110) for generating at least one output video stream, in particular from a camera video stream and / or at least one input audio / video stream,

at least one video output means (112) for transmitting the at least one output video stream

at least one of the video input and / or output means being a means of connection to a communications network,

the data processing means being arranged to implement an operating system,

the data processing means being configured to execute stored and / or downloaded applications, preferably via the Internet, via the network connection means.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating system is configured to implement the DLNA protocol via the connection means to a network.

3. Electronic device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the input means and / or video output is a wired means.

4. Electronic device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one input means video and a television reception circuit comprising a television tuner and in that the at least one video input means is connected to the television reception circuit.

5. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data processing means further comprises means for decompressing an input video stream and / or compression means of a output stream.

Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an output stream comprises at least one of the elements or a combination of at least two of the following elements:

one or more input video streams (102, 104, 106 118);

a video stream generated by the data processing means (110);

a video stream from the camera (108).

7. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one output video stream is transmitted by a network connection means (114) streaming to a communication network.

8. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one microphone (120, 122).

9. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least two microphones (120, 122) arranged so that the data processing means (110) are able to separate a useful sound signal of ambient noise.

10. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera and the processing means In addition, data is configured to generate video output video-telephony.

11. Device (100) electronic according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two hinges are further arranged for the device is placed on a table.

12. Electronic device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two hinges are arranged to orient the camera.

13. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means for orientation of the camera.

14. Electronic device (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that the orientation means of the camera are motorized.

15. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one remote control (130) for interacting with a user (300), and remote control processing means for processing of information from the remote control (130) and transmit it to the data processing means (110).

An electronic device (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that at least a portion of the information from the remote control (130) is visual information captured by the camera (108) to generate a camera stream that is transmitted the remote control processing means for detecting spatial position information of said remote control.

17. Electronic device (100) according to one of claims 15 to 16, characterized in that the remote control processing means are configured to emulate an interaction mechanism of an operating system.

18. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the at least one remote control (130) further comprises means for detecting and transmitting to the data processing means spatial position information of said remote control.

19. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the data processing means are further configured to manage several remote controls.

20. Electronic device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is shaped to be placed on a remote screen (206) provided for the display of the output video stream.