GB2522296A

GB2522296A - Broadcasting Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2522296A
Application number: GB1417824.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alec Stichbury; Maurizio Cimelli
Original assignee: Deluxe Broadcast Services Ltd
Current assignee: Deluxe Broadcast Services Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-08
Filing date: 2014-10-08
Publication date: 2015-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-08
Also published as: GB201417824D0; GB2522296B

Abstract

A broadcasting apparatus 1 comprises network interface 30 and at least one processor 10 to execute a software suite, which comprises an asset management component 110 for retrieving one or more media (video, audio, subtitle, graphical overlay) assets, a production component 120 for producing a broadcast stream according to a broadcast schedule, using the one or more media content assets, and a communication component 130 for distributing the broadcast stream through the network interface 30. The broadcast schedule may be received through a user interface (GUI) or retrieved (obtained) by the asset management part 110; plural media assets corresponding to a specified content item may be obtained. A rules engine 140 may automatically control the management and production components according to predefined (e.g. broadcast region or time based) rules. Media asset selection may be based on regional language, and automatic control may be based on metadata, e.g. using metadata time markers to control replacement of portion of a media stream.

Description

Broadcasting Apparatus The present invention relates to a broadcasting apparatus and a broadcasting system including said apparatus and, more particularly, to a broadcasting apparatus which produces a broadcast stream and distributes said broadcast stream through a network interface.

A broadcasting model for transmission of, for example, a television channel typically employs a broadcasting system made up of two distinct parts: a production apparatus io for generating and editing the broadcast content, and a distribution network for delivery to a large number of client devices. The production apparatus includes a number of rack-mounted hardware modules configured to carry out individual production tasks under the control of a producer. A typical production rack will include separate modules for content management, scheduling, graphics, subtitles and user i interface and so requires extensive cooling and a significant power supply, which may be doubled in the case of a system employing dual modular redundancy.

The distribution network includes a communication infrastructure such as, for examp'e, a cable network or an uplink apparatus and a network of telecommunication satellites. Recent developments also include storage of the broadcast channel as a digita' media file for access or distribution over TP as part of, for example, an internet-based video-on-demand service. Typicafly substantial user involvement is required in order to achieve the required specification of a broadcast channel.

According to the invention, there is provided a broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a broadcasting system according to claim 9.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a broadcasting apparatus; and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a broadcasting system.

With reference to Figure 1, a broadcasting apparatus 1 is shown comprising a processor 10, a storage 20 and a network interface 30. The processor 10 is configured to execute a software suite which comprises a plurality of linked software components. The software suite includes an asset management component 110, a production component 120, a communication component 130 and a rffies engine 140.

The storage 20 stores the software suite for execution by the processor 10. In addition, one or more media assets are stored in the storage 20 and made available to the software suite. The media assets include a number of media types and may include, for o examp'e, video files, audio files, subtitles and graphical overlay elements. The storage may also store a broadcast schedule for use by the software suite. The storage 20 receives applications forming the software suite through, for example, an internet download, based on access to a web-based portal, meaning that a personal computer can be configured to host the broadcasting apparatus 1.

The network interface 30 is arranged to connect the broadcasting apparatus 1 with a plurality of client devices. The network interface 30 is connected to the public internet or, alternative'y, to a private broadband line. The network interface 30 is configured to communicate with the plurality of client devices using TCP/IP or UDP. In some embodiments, the apparatus is connected to a user terminal through the network interface 30. The user may therefore operate an implementation of the broadcasting apparatus which is hosted in the cloud, that is, at a remote location accessed through a network. The broadcast schedule may be received from the user terminal through the network interface 30.

The broadcasting apparatus 1 may be implemented as a personal computer or, alternatively, as a server or in a data centre in a cloud based implementation. The storage may be a local storage which is part of the broadcasting apparatus 1 or may be a rcmotc storagc which is available to thc software suite through the network interface 30. Tn some embodiments, each of the components of the broadcast apparatus 1 may be interconnected over TP, providing an improved flexibility of design and greater scaling capabilities over conventional systems which are connected by a simple point-to-point protocol such as, for example, a serial digital interface (SD!).

As a result of this configuration, the present invention is more efficient than the hardware-based configurations of the prior art, as the processor 10 can effectively be hosted in a non-proprietary apparatus located anywhere in the world, retrieving and distributing content over the internet. As such, it is not necessary to use fixed architecture such as cables or satellite links in order to distribute content, and content can be optimally directed to a number of receivers or regional distribution centres.

The present invention aflows greater flexibility to delivery of a new channel at any time, from any location. By removing the constraints of a localised hardware infrastructure, the barriers to entry are considerable reduced for new market entrants. Existing broadcasters may utilise the present invention to economicaliy launch a new channel Jo with no additional hardware investment.

The operation of the processor 10 in generating and organising the content provides advanced capability to the invention such that it becomes possible to automatically and dynamically configure content on the basis of a series of rLiles and conditions, rather requiring the manual input of a user.

Tn particular, the operation of the processor 10 in controlling both the production of the broadcast stream and its distribution through the network allows the possibility of real-time configuration of content automatically based on a distribution region or broadcast time and the content to be delivered.

The asset management component 110 of the software suite retrieves the one or more media assets stored in the storage 20 and provides the media assets to the production component 120. The asset management component 110 additionally receives media assets through the network interface 30, which may be provided to the production component 120 or stored in the storage 20.

The asset management component 110 may receive and process media assets of any standard broadcast format including, but not limitcd to: DNxHD, AVC-Intra, XDCAM, TMX and DV. Non-standard or non-compliant files may be transcoded by the asset management component 110 upon reception. Media assets provided to the storage 20 can be stored in a native format or otherwise transcoded to a preferred media format.

The production component 120 of the software suite produces one or more broadcast streams for delivery to the plurality of client devices. The broadcast stream may be referred to as a "channel" or "broadcast channel" in the sense of a tálevision channel, in which the stream contains a series of different scheduled programmes. The broadcast stream is produced using one or more of the stored media assets, in accordance with the broadcast schedifie. The broadcast schedule is pre-stored in the storage 20 or, alternatively, is received through the network interface 30. Production of the broadcast stream may begin at a time specified by the broadcast schedule or may be triggered by reception of the broadcast schedule through the network interface 30.

The production component 120 arranges a composition of one or more media assets to form the broadcast stream. In an embodiment, a series of video files is arranged with jo corresponding audio files in accordance with the broadcast schedule to form the broadcast stream. Subtitles and additional graphical overlay elements are added by the production component 120 as specified by the broadcast schedule.

The broadcast schedule may specify each of the one or more media assets to be used by the production component 120, and the production component 120 requests the asset management component 110 to retrieve the one or more media assets specified by the broadcast schedule. In another embodiment, the broadcast schedule may specify one or more content items to be broadcast, and the asset management component 110 retrieves one more media assets which correspond to the one or more content items.

For example, the broadcast schedule may specify a TV show or movie by name and the asset management component 110 will retrieve a video file and audio file which correspond to the named content. The asset management component 110 may retrieve the one or more media assets under the direction of the rules engine 140.

The communication component 130 of the software suite receives the broadcast stream from the production component 120 and distributes the broadcast stream through the network interface 30 to the plurality of client devices. The communication component controls the network interface 30 to transmit the broadcast stream using TCP/IP or UDP. Thc communication componcnt 130 may cncrypt thc broadcast strcam for distribution through the network interface 30.

Tn some embodiments, the communication component 130 rec&ves one or more media assets through the network interface 30 and provides the received media assets to the asset management component 110. The communication component 130 may also receive a broadcast schedule and provide the received broadcast schedule to the production component 120.

The rules engine 140 of the software suite is configured to control each of the components of the software suite according to a pre-defined set of rules. In particular, the rules engine 140 automatically controls the production component 120 and the asset management component 110. The set of rules may include rtiles for automatic control according to a region for distributing the broadcast stream, a time for distributing the broadcast stream and a metadata characteristic of the one or more media assets in the broadcast stream.

jo Tn some embodiments, the rules engine 140 controls the asset management component to retrieve one or more media assets according to the region for distributing the broadcast stream. For example, the asset management component 110 may retrieve a particular video file, audio file or subtitle file corresponding to a local language of the region for distributing the broadcast stream. A metadata characteristic of the one or more media assets may indicate the language associated with the asset.

The set of rules therefore specifies a preferred language for the one or more media assets according to the region for distributing the broadcast. Additionally, the set of rules may speci a secondary language in the event that a particular media asset corresponding to the preferred language is not available. For example, the rules engine may control the asset management component 110 to retrieve an English language audio file if a German language audio file is not available. In some embodiments, the rules engine 140 may additionally control the asset management component 110 to retrieve a subtitle file corresponding to the preferred language if the audio file corresponding to the secondary language is used.

In general, the rules engine 140 may specify for any media asset a secondary media asset which can be retrieved in the event of an asset failure. The asset management componcnt 110 may retricvc a sccondary mcdia assct corrcsponding to, for cxamplc, an alternative content item or a pre-determined placeholder content. In another embodiment, the roles engine 140 can control the asset management component nO to retrieve a secondary media asset corresponding to the same content item which is stored as a backup in a second storage 20. Faithver from one media asset to a replacement media asset in the event of an error can be automated and delivered with very low latency due to the overall control of the rules engine 140 over the system.

Accordingly, a single broadcast schedule maybe defined and used for the production of broadcast streams for distribution to multiple regions. The production component 120 produces a broadcast stream for each region using media assets having the correct language, tinder the control of the niles engine 140.

In some embodiments, the rules engine 140 controls the asset management component to retrieve one or more media assets according to the time for distributing the broadcast stream. For example, the asset management component 110 may retrieve a particular video file, audio file or subtitle file which contains or does not contain jo graphic content, mature content or coarse language based on the time at which the broadcast stream is to be distributed. A metadata characteristic of the one or more media assets may indicate whether the asset contains graphic content, mature content or coarse language.

The production component 120 may replace one or more media assets specified by the broadcast schedule with one or more media assets retrieved by the asset management component 110 under the control of the rules engine 140. Mternatively, the asset management component nomay select one or more media assets for retrieval, under the control of the rules engine 140, out of a plurality of stored media assets which correspond to the content item specified by the broadcast schedule.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the stored media assets includes one or more metadata characteristics specifying timing markers within the media asset. The timing markers define one or more portions of the media asset and the storage 20 may additionally store a plurality of alternative portions for each portion of the media asset defined by the timing markers.

The production component 120 may replace one or more portions of a media asset spccificd bythc broadcast schcdulc with one or morc altcrnativc portions rctricvcd by the asset management component 110 under the control of the rules engine 140.

Alternatively, the asset management component 110 may retrieve a media asset corresponding to the content item specified by the broadcast schedule and select one or more alternative portions to replace portions of the retrieved media asset under the control of the rules engine 140.

In an example, a timing marker may indicate the end of an opening credits sequence or the start of a closing credits sequence in a video file. The rules engine 140 may control the software suite to replace the opening or closing credits sequence with a video file based on the region for distributing the broadcast stream, that is, a video file which lists the credits in the preferred language of the region. Thus, for a particular content item, the storage 20 does not store a plurality of regional video files, instead storing a single primary video file and a plurality of alternative regional portions.

In another example, timing markers may indicate a portion of a video file containing o mature or graphic content unsuitable for the designated broadcasting time. The rules engine 140 may control the production component 120 to remove the portion or replace said portion with an alternative portion retrieved by the asset management component no. Thus, the storage 20 does not need to store a plurality of video files appropriate for different broadcasting times.

Tn an embodiment of the invention, the rules engine 140 controls the asset management component 110 to retrieve at least one graphical overlay element according to the region for distributing the broadcast stream. The one or more graphical overlay elements may include advertising, branding or infographic elements which may change according to the language, channel identity or local advertising in the region for distributing the broadcast stream.

The production component 120 is controlled by the rules engine 140 to produce a broadcast stream using the at least one graphical overlay element according to the region.

Accordingly, a single broadcast schedule may be defined and used for the production of broadcast streams for distribution to multiple regions. The production component 120 produces a broadcast stream for each region with graphical overlay elements having the corrcct languagc, corrcct branding and/or rclcvant local advcrtising undcrthc control of the rules engine 140.

With reference to Figure 2, a broadcasting system is shown comprising the broadcasting apparatus 1 as described hereinbefore, a user terminal 2 and a receiver 3.

The user terminal 2 is connected through a network to the network interface 30 of the broadcasting apparatus 1 or, alternatively, may be connected locally or implemented with the broadcasting apparatus 1 in a sing'e compnter terminal. The broadcasting apparatus 1 may be implemented as a secnre data centre hosting the software suite for access through the network, that is, in the cloud. The user terminal 2 provides a user interface for a user to control the various components of the software suite. In particular, a nser may control the production component 120 to direct the production of one or more broadcast streams.

The receiver 3 is connected through the network to the network interface 30 of the broadcasting apparatus ito receive a broadcast stream. In an embodiment, the receiver Jo 3 comprises a set-top box connected to, or otherwise integrated with, a client device a such as a television.

The broadcast stream generated by the embodiments of the invention is in a form which can be output for distribution and processed by a client device with minimum decoding. For examp'e, where content contains subtitles, the broadcast stream contains video content and the subtitles as an integrated data stream so that a client device such as a television can display the subtitles without the need to access a local on-screen display or character set, and generate the characters based on metadata included in the broadcast stream. The operation of the rules engine 140 therefore ensures that content intended for distribution to a particular countiy is already compliant with the language requirements of that country.

Since the processing performed by the broadcasting apparatus 1 of the invention relaxes the need for further downstream processing at a receiver, the distribution process itself can also be optimised because packets of data can be dynamically routed over a network such as the internet in an optimal manner and recombined at the receiver without the need for the data to be routed via, for example, a server which performs processing to ensure local compliance with particular broadcasting laws, rcsolution or languagc rcquircmcnts. Contcnt can bc routcd dircctly to thc rcccivcr, since it is already locally compfiant based on the processing of the broadcast apparatus 1. As such, the distribution phase can be performed at high quality, leading to High Definition and Ultra-HD content distribution, with low latency. When the production and distribution aspects of the system of the invention are considered as a whole, it is thus dear that the combined effect is more advantageous than the sum of the individual components in is&ation, as the broadcasting apparatus 1 enaNes an effective synergy with the distribution system.

Internet-based distribution can also enable routing of content to a regional distribution centre, where regional distribution needs to be controfled via a partner broadcasting system. For example, the broadcasting apparatus 1 of the invention operating on a server in the UK may act as a "host", providing broadcast channels to a number of regional distribution centres in Asia, America and Africa, where fnrther processing may be performed if required, on a high quality video stream which has already been filtered of mature content, or UK-specific assets, for example.

jo The communication component 130 of the present invention may receive a pinrafity of synchronised streams to be delivered to the receiver 3 through a split network infrastructure. Failover from one stream to another in the event of an error can be automated and seamless to the low latency in the system. In this way the invention can provide additional service resilience by delivering redundant broadcast streams, with no duplicate processing hardware required.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

-10 -Claims 1. A broadcasting apparatus (i) comprising: a network interface (30); and at least one processor (in) configured to execute a software suite, which comprises: an asset management component (no) for retrieving one or more media assets; a production component (120) for producing a broadcast stream according to a broadcast schedule, using the one or more media assets; and a communication component (130) for distributing the broadcast stream through the network interface.
2. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the asset management component retrieves at east one of a video file, audio file, subtitle file, and graphical overlay.
3. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1 or daim 2, further comprising a storage (20) for storing the one or more media assets.
4. The broadcasting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the broadcast schedule is retrieved by the asset management component or received through a user interface.
5. The broadcasting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the broadcast schedule specifies at least one content item to be broadcast.
6. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the asset management component is configured to retrieve one or more media assets which corrcspond to thc at Icast onc spccif5cd contcnt itcm.
7. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the software suite further comprises a rifies engine (4o) for automatic control of the asset management component and the production component according to a pre-deflned set of rules.

-11 -
8. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rules engine controls the asset management component to select the one or more media assets from a plurality of stored media assets which correspond to the at least one specified content item according to the pre-defined set of rules.
9. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pre-defined set of rues specifies automatic control based on a region for distributing the broadcast stream or a time for distributing the broadcast stream.
10. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the asset management component selects and retrieves at least one of a video file, audio file, subtitle file, and graphical overlay based on the language of the region for distributing the broadcast stream.
11. The broadcasting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the pre-defined set of rules specifies automatic control based on at least one metadata characteristic of the one or more media assets in the broadcast stream.
12. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim ii, wherein the at least one metadata characteristic includes one or more time markers in the one or more media assets.
13. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the one or more time markers define at least one portion of the one or more media assets in the broadcast stream which is replaced using one or more alternative media assets stored in the storage, according to the pre-defined set of rules.
14. A broadcasting system comprising: thc broadcasting apparatus (i) according any prcccding claim, a user terminal (2) for controlling the broadcasting apparatus according to a user input; and at least one receiver () connected to the broadcasting apparatus through the network interface (30) and configured to receive the distributed broadcast signal.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows Claims 1. A broadcasting apparatus (i) comprising: a network interface (30); and at least one processor (in) configured to execute a software suite, which comprises: an asset management component (no) for retrieving one or more media assets; a production component (120) for producing a broadcast stream according to a broadcast schedule, using the one or more media assets; and a communication component (130) for distributing the broadcast stream through the network interface; wherein the software suite further comprises a rules engine (140) for automatic control of the asset management component and the production component according to a pre-defined set of rules.IC) 2. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the asset management component retrieves at least one of a video file, audio tile, subtitle file, (0 and graphical overlay.3. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, ftirther comprising a storage (20) for storing the one or more media assets.4. The broadcasting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the broadcast schedule is retrieved by the asset management component or received through a user interface.5. The broadcasting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the broadcast schedule specifies at least one content item to be broadcast.6. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the asset management component is configured to retrieve one or more media assets which correspond to the at least one specified content item.7. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the rules engine controls the asset management component to select the one or more media assets from a plurality of stored media assets which correspond to the at least one specified content item according to the pre-defined set of rules.8. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pre-defined set of rules specifies automatic control based on a region for distributing the broadcast stream or a time for distributing the broadcast stream.9. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the asset management component selects and retrieves at least one of a video file, audio file, Jo subtitle file, and graphical overlay based on the language of the region for distributing the broadcast stream.10. The broadcasting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the pre-defined set of rules specifies automatic control based on at least one metadata characteristic of the one or more media assets in the broadcast stream. IC)ii. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one (.0 metadata characteristic includes one or more time markers in the one or more media assets.12. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim ii, wherein the one or more time markers define at least one portion of the one or more media assets in the broadcast stream which is replaced using one or more alternative media assets stored in the storage, according to the pre-defined set of rules.13. A broadcasting system comprising: the broadcasting apparatus (i) according any preceding claim, a user terminal (2) for controlling the broadcasting apparatus according to a uscr input; and at least one receiver () connected to the broadcasting apparatus through the network interface (30) and configured to receive the distributed broadcast signal.