JP2002185947A - Device, method and system for video distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device/method/system for video distribution by which a viewer can watch desired at a desired time with a sufficient quality. SOLUTION: A video scheduler 105 in the video distribution device 100 holds a maximum number of user systems which can simultaneously be distributed and a maximum number of video titles which can simultaneously be distributed. When the present state of reservation is over the maximum number of the user systems and the maximum number of video titles, reservation from a personal computer is rejected. A charge for viewing is set to be low in the case of reserving a video title overlapped with that already reserved by another user and the charge is set to be high in the case of reserving a video title newly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a video distribution device, a video distribution method, and a video distribution system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, video distribution has been performed by terrestrial television broadcasting. The number of channels of terrestrial television broadcasting is at most about 10 in one region, and the video is broadcast by a broadcasting station as a program, and the viewer passively enjoys the video broadcast as the program.

[0003] About 20 years ago, home video has begun to spread to ordinary homes, and viewers have been able to postpone video viewing time by recording television broadcasts with home video. In addition, video tape sales and rentals allow not only the advance of the video viewing time but also the selection of a video title.

[0004] CA appeared on the Japanese market about 10 years ago
TV has several dozens of broadcast channels, and has more channels than terrestrial TV broadcasts. Furthermore, in recent satellite broadcasting, the number of broadcast channels is several hundred, and ordinary home viewers can view desired programs from several hundred channels. Digitalization of terrestrial waves is also planned in the future, and the increase in the number of channels is accelerating.

On the other hand, with the development of digital data transmission technology and compression technology and the spread of the Internet, research and development of an interactive video providing service called video on demand (hereinafter referred to as “VOD”) has been advanced in recent years. ing. VOD has attracted attention as an alternative to rental video and cable television (CATV), or as a video viewing method in computer networks. VOD is a service that allows each viewer to instantly watch the video title he / she wants to watch at a desired time, and can operate and view the video selected from the video database as if it were a video.

However, since the VOD needs to simultaneously distribute a large number of video titles to many user systems such as personal computers, the video distribution device has a large-capacity storage device, a processing capability for performing video processing and distribution, and Requires a high-speed network and is very costly. Also, it cannot cope with a huge increase in the number of user systems receiving video distribution.

[0007] Therefore, there has been proposed a video distribution apparatus and a video distribution system that distribute a video in response to a viewer's request with a lower cost system than a VOD (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-341471). In the video distribution device and the video distribution system, the viewer can view the video by setting the video title, the distribution time, and the distribution channel of the distributed video.

[0008]

However, the video distribution apparatus and the video distribution system are effective in a system that broadcasts video to an unspecified number of viewers such as CATV and satellite broadcasting, but is effective in, for example, the Internet. A system in which a video distribution device distributes video images individually to each user system, such as a personal computer and a video distribution device in an environment, is insufficient. This is because, even when each user views the same video title, the processing load on the video distribution device and the network load increase with the increase in the number of users, so that it is impossible to provide viewers with sufficient quality video. It is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a video distribution apparatus, a video distribution method, and a video distribution system that allow a viewer to view a desired video at a desired time at a sufficient quality. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video distribution apparatus which creates a distribution schedule in accordance with a reservation request including a video title and a distribution time, and according to the created distribution schedule. Storage means for storing the maximum number of video titles that can be distributed simultaneously and the maximum number of user systems that can be distributed simultaneously, and the stored maximum number of video titles that can be distributed simultaneously And a limiter that limits the reservation of distribution to the user system based on the number of user systems.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the video distribution apparatus according to the first aspect, when the user system sets a reservation request having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system, Video is delivered to the user system at a lower viewing fee than when a new reservation request having a different content from the already set reservation request is set.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the video distribution apparatus according to the first or second aspect, when the user system sets a reservation request, the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system is set. The present invention is characterized in that a viewing fee when a reservation request is set and a viewing fee when a new reservation request having a different content from the already set reservation request are set are presented to the user system.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video distribution method for generating a distribution schedule according to a reservation request including a video title and a distribution time and distributing video to a user system according to the generated distribution schedule. A storing step of storing a maximum possible number of video titles and a maximum number of user systems that can be simultaneously distributed; and a step of storing distribution to the user system based on the stored maximum number of video titles and the number of user systems that can be simultaneously distributed. And a restriction step of restricting the reservation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the video distribution method according to the fourth aspect, when the user system sets a reservation request having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system, Video is delivered to the user system at a lower viewing fee than when a new reservation request having a different content from the already set reservation request is set.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the video distribution method according to the fourth or fifth aspect, when the user system sets a reservation request, the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system is set. The present invention is characterized in that a viewing fee when a reservation request is set and a viewing fee when a new reservation request having a different content from the already set reservation request are set are presented to the user system.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video distribution system for generating a distribution schedule according to a reservation request including a video title and a distribution time, and distributing a video according to the generated distribution schedule. A user system that transmits a reservation request to the user and receives the delivered video, wherein the video delivery device has a maximum number of video titles that can be distributed simultaneously and a maximum user system that can be distributed simultaneously. Storage means for storing the number of video titles, and restriction means for restricting reservation of distribution to the user system based on the stored maximum number of video titles that can be simultaneously distributed and the number of user systems.

[0018] The video distribution system of claim 8 is the seventh aspect of the present invention.
In the video distribution system as described above, the viewing fee when the user system sets a reservation request having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system is set to a new reservation different from the already set reservation request. It is characterized in that it is set lower than the viewing fee when setting a request.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video distribution system comprising:
Or the video distribution system according to 8, wherein the user system sets a reservation request, and sets a viewing fee when setting a reservation request having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system; The present invention is characterized by presenting the set reservation request and the viewing fee for setting a new reservation request having different contents.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a video distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Video distribution apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention
00 is a network interface (hereinafter, “I /
F) 107), a video server 101 for outputting video data to a network outside the apparatus, a storage 102 connected to the video server 101 and storing video data, a video server 101 connected to the video server 101, Commander 106 issuing a command to server 101
And a scheduler 105 that receives an external request via the I / F 107 and schedules the received request.

The video distribution apparatus 100 includes a title table 103 which is a list of titles of video data stored in the storage 102, and a user information table 108 which holds user IDs, passwords and billing information.
And the scheduler 105 based on the request of the viewer.
And a schedule table 104 generated by the user. Title table 103, user information table 10
8 and the schedule table 104 are connected to the scheduler 105, respectively.
Is further connected to the commander 106.

The scheduler 105 transmits the title table 103 and the schedule table 104 to the viewer via the I / F 107, receives the request transmitted by the viewer via the I / F 107, and stores the user information table 108 in the user information table 108. The user authentication is performed with reference to the schedule table 104 and the billing information in the user information table 108 is updated. Further, the scheduler 105 stores and holds the maximum number of users that can be distributed simultaneously and the maximum number of video titles that can be distributed simultaneously.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the video distribution system.

Referring to FIG. 1, a video distribution system includes a video distribution device 10 of FIG.
0 and a personal computer 203 as a user system in a plurality of viewer homes 202. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation,
Only one viewer home 202 and one personal computer 203 are shown.

The Internet 201 is an IP (Inte
Since the network is an Internet Protocol (Rnet Protocol) network, the video distribution apparatus 100 and the personal computer 203 transmit and receive control data and video data by IP. PC 2
03, client software, that is, dedicated software for controlling the transmission and reception of these data, dedicated software for controlling the output of messages and video data from the video distribution device 100 to the screen and speakers,
In addition, dedicated software for controlling input from a viewer (operator of the personal computer 203) with a keyboard and a mouse is installed.

FIG. 3 shows a personal computer 2 when a video title is reserved.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the scheduler 105 and the scheduler 105 of the video distribution device 100.

The viewer operates the client software of the personal computer 203 to connect the personal computer 203 to the Internet 2.
01, the scheduler 105 of the video distribution apparatus 100
Connect to At this time, the personal computer 203 transmits the user ID and the password, and the scheduler 105 transmits the user information table 108 based on the user ID and the password.
, The user authentication 301 is performed. The user ID and the password are set by the viewer when the client software is installed, so that the personal computer 203
It is transmitted to the scheduler 105 by the client software and used for user authentication 301.

The personal computer 203 completes user authentication from the scheduler 105 (user authentication OK 30 in FIG. 3).
When the signal indicating 2) is received, the schedule table request 303 is transmitted to the scheduler 105. The scheduler 105 receives the request and transmits the current schedule table 104 to the personal computer 203 (schedule table 304 in FIG. 3).

The personal computer 203 having received the schedule table 104 transmits the received schedule table 104
Is displayed on the screen as the current viewing schedule of the user as shown in FIG. If no distribution reservation has been made in the past, the screen of the personal computer 203 displays "No title currently reserved". The user can see this to know his current reservation status. To further add a reservation, the user presses the "add reservation" button shown in FIG. When the “add reservation” button is pressed, all currently scheduled video titles and their distribution times are graphically displayed on the screen of the personal computer 203 as shown in FIG. The description of the viewing fee for the case where the video title is reserved by the user and the case where the video title is newly reserved is displayed. The description of the viewing fee may be made not only by display but also by voice or the like.

In FIG. 5, the viewing fee when a video title already reserved by another user is reserved is set low, and the viewing fee when a new video title is reserved is set high. ing. The reason for setting such a fee is that many users are more likely to view the video of the video title that has already been reserved, and can promote the distribution of the same video title to a plurality of users. . As a result, the number of video titles to be simultaneously distributed can be limited, the processing load of the video distribution apparatus 100 can be suppressed to a certain value or less, and video of sufficient quality can always be distributed.

In the schedule table 104 on the screen shown in FIG. 5, a specific video title can be selected by operating a mouse or a keyboard. When the user selects a video title already reserved by another user in the schedule table 104 and presses the “reserve title on schedule” button, the personal computer 203 sends the video title information to the video distribution apparatus 100. Is transmitted (reservation request 307 in FIG. 3), and a reservation is made on the video distribution device 100 (reservation OK 308 in FIG. 3). In this case, the title table request 305 and the title table 306 shown in FIG. 3 are not performed.

When the "Add new schedule and reserve" button shown in FIG. 5 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. The user inputs a video distribution start time and a video title number on this screen. If the user does not know the video title number, pressing a “display video list” button displays a new window including a list of video titles, and the user selects a desired video title from the window. At this time, the personal computer 203 requests the video distribution device 100 for a video title list (title table request 305 in FIG. 3), and the video distribution device 100 stores the title table 103 in the personal computer 20.
3 (the title table 30 in FIG. 3).
6). When the user inputs the video distribution time and the video title and presses the “OK” button, the title information and the start time are transmitted to the video distribution device 100 (reservation request 307 in FIG. 3). Is reserved (reservation OK 308 in FIG. 3). Video distribution device 1
The reservation on 00 is performed by updating the billing information in the schedule table 104 and the user information table 108.

As described above, the video title is reserved according to the request from the personal computer 203 (reservation request 307 in FIG. 3), but the scheduler 105 of the video distribution apparatus 100 distributes the video title simultaneously with the maximum number of user systems that can be distributed simultaneously. If the current reservation status exceeds the maximum number of user systems or the maximum number of video titles, the personal computer 20
Reject the reservation from 3. That is, when a new schedule is added and reserved, it is impossible to make a reservation exceeding the maximum number of video titles or the maximum number of user systems in the distribution time zone. Further, when making a reservation by piggybacking on an existing schedule, it is not possible to make a reservation exceeding the maximum number of user systems. As a result, the number of user systems to be simultaneously delivered and the number of video titles to be delivered simultaneously can be limited, the processing load and network load of the video delivery device 100 can be suppressed to a certain value or less, and video of sufficient quality is always provided. Can be distributed.

After the reservation is completed, the video is distributed to the commander 106.
Of the video server 101 is started. The commander 106 periodically refers to the schedule table 104 and instructs the video server 101 to deliver the video title reserved at that time to the user system (personal computer 203) that has reserved the video title.
The video server 101 reads the corresponding video title from the storage 102 and distributes it to the personal computer 203.

The video distribution apparatus 100 periodically checks whether or not the personal computer 203 can receive video, and starts video distribution when the personal computer 203 can receive video. On the other hand, if the personal computer 203 cannot receive the video because the personal computer 203 is not activated, the personal computer 203 is not connected to the Internet, or the software of the personal computer 203 is not activated, etc. The distribution is temporarily stopped, and the distribution of the video is started when the video can be received.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a reservation process executed by the scheduler 105 when a video title is reserved.

First, the scheduler 105 is connected to the personal computer 2
It is determined whether or not a user ID and a password have been received from step 03 (step S1). If a user ID and a password have been received (YES in step S1), user authentication is performed with reference to the user information table 108 (step S1). Step S
2).

Next, it is determined whether a schedule table request has been received from the personal computer 203 (step S).
3) If the schedule table request is received (YES in step S3), the current schedule table 104 is transmitted to the personal computer 203 (step S3).
4).

Next, it is determined whether or not a request for a title table in which a list of video titles is described has been received from the personal computer 203 (step S5). 2
03 (step S6), and then proceeds to step S7.
On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S5 is that a request for a title table has not been received, step S6 is skipped and processing proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not a reservation request for video distribution has been received from the personal computer 203. If the reservation request for video distribution has been received, the maximum number of user systems that can be simultaneously distributed by this reservation request Is determined (step S8), and if the number exceeds the maximum number of user systems, the current reservation is rejected (step S1).
1), end this processing. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S8 does not exceed the maximum number of user systems,
It is determined whether or not the maximum number of video titles that can be distributed simultaneously has been exceeded by the current reservation request (step S9). If the maximum number of video titles has been exceeded, the current reservation is rejected (step S11), and this processing is performed. To end. On the other hand, if the number does not exceed the maximum number of video titles, a reservation is made (step S10), and this processing ends.

According to the above-mentioned reservation processing, if the maximum number of user systems that can be distributed simultaneously or the maximum number of video titles that can be distributed simultaneously is exceeded, the reservation of video distribution is rejected. The number of video titles to be distributed simultaneously can be limited.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
The scheduler 105 of the video distribution apparatus 100 holds the maximum number of user systems that can be distributed simultaneously and the maximum number of video titles that can be distributed, and the current reservation state exceeds the maximum number of user systems or the maximum number of video titles. In this case, the reservation from the personal computer 203 is rejected, so that the number of user systems to be simultaneously delivered and the number of video titles to be simultaneously delivered can be limited. As a result, the processing load and network load of the video distribution device 100 can be suppressed to a certain value or less, and video of sufficient quality can always be distributed. You can watch it at

In addition, the fee for making a reservation overlapping with a video title already reserved by another user is set at a low price, and the fee for making a new video title reservation is set to be high. It is more likely that many users will view the video of the video title that has already been reserved, which can facilitate the distribution of the same video title to multiple users. This makes it possible to limit the number of video titles to be distributed simultaneously,
The processing load of 0 can be suppressed to a certain value or less, and video of sufficient quality can always be delivered.

[0045]

As described in detail above, according to the video distribution apparatus of claim 1, the video distribution method of claim 4, and the video distribution system of claim 7, the maximum number of video titles that can be distributed simultaneously and The maximum number of user systems that can be distributed simultaneously is stored, and the reservation of distribution to the user systems is restricted based on the stored maximum number of video titles and the number of user systems that can be distributed simultaneously. Processing load and network load can be kept below a certain value. This allows the viewer to view the desired video at a desired time at a sufficient quality.

According to the video distribution apparatus of the second aspect, the video distribution method of the fifth aspect, and the video distribution system of the eighth aspect, the user system sets a reservation having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system. When setting a request, it is a lower viewing fee than when setting a new reservation request with a different content from the already set reservation request, so that viewers can watch the same program at the same time And the load on the video distribution device can be reduced. This allows the viewer to view the desired video at a desired time at a sufficient quality.

According to the video distribution apparatus of claim 3, the video distribution method of claim 6, and the video distribution system of claim 9, when a user system sets a reservation request, the reservation request is already set by another user system. Since the viewing fee for setting a reservation request having the same content as the reservation request and the viewing fee for setting a new reservation request having a different content from the already set reservation request are presented to the user system, Can view the same program at the same time and can reduce the load on the video distribution device. This allows the viewer to view the desired video at a desired time at a sufficient quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a video distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a video distribution system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the personal computer 203 and the scheduler 105 of the video distribution device 100 when a video title is reserved.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a schedule table 104 received from the video distribution device 100 and displayed on a screen of a personal computer 203.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen of the personal computer 203 when an “add reservation” button shown in FIG. 4 is pressed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the screen of the personal computer 203 when the “add new schedule and reserve” button shown in FIG. 5 is pressed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a reservation process executed by a scheduler 105 when a video title is reserved.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 video distribution apparatus 101 video server 102 storage 103 title table 104 schedule table 105 scheduler 106 commander 107 I / F 108 user information table 201 internet 203 personal computer

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A maximum number of video titles that can be simultaneously distributed in a video distribution device that creates a distribution schedule according to a reservation request including a video title and a distribution time and distributes a video to a user system according to the created distribution schedule. And storage means for storing the maximum number of user systems that can be distributed simultaneously,
A video distribution device, comprising: a restriction unit configured to restrict a reservation for distribution to a user system based on the stored maximum number of video titles that can be simultaneously distributed and the number of user systems. 2. When the user system sets a reservation request having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system, a new reservation request having a different content from the already set reservation request is set. 2. The video distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the video is distributed to the user system at a lower viewing fee than in the case. 3. When the user system sets a reservation request, a viewing fee for setting a reservation request having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system, and a reservation request already set. The video distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a viewing fee for setting a new reservation request having different content is presented to the user system. 4. A video distribution method for generating a distribution schedule according to a reservation request including a video title and a distribution time and distributing video to a user system according to the generated distribution schedule. And a storage step of storing the maximum number of user systems that can be distributed simultaneously,
Limiting a reservation of distribution to the user system based on the stored maximum number of video titles that can be simultaneously distributed and the number of user systems. 5. When the user system sets a reservation request having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system, a new reservation request having a different content from the already set reservation request is set. 5. The video distribution method according to claim 4, wherein the video is distributed to the user system at a lower viewing fee than in the case. 6. When the user system sets a reservation request, a viewing fee for setting a reservation request having the same contents as a reservation request already set by another user system, and a reservation fee already set. The video distribution method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a viewing fee for setting a new reservation request having different contents is presented to the user system. 7. A delivery schedule is created according to a reservation request including a video title and a delivery time, and a video delivery device that delivers a video according to the created delivery schedule, and transmits a reservation request to the video delivery device. Storage means for storing a maximum number of video titles that can be distributed at the same time and a maximum number of user systems that can be distributed at the same time. Limiting means for limiting reservation of distribution to the user system based on the stored maximum number of video titles that can be simultaneously distributed and the number of user systems. 8. A viewing charge when the user system sets a reservation request having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system, and a new reservation request different from the already set reservation request. 8. The video distribution system according to claim 7, wherein the viewing fee is set lower than the viewing fee when the setting is made. 9. The user system, when setting a reservation request, sets a viewing fee for setting a reservation request having the same content as a reservation request already set by another user system, and sets a reservation request already set. The video distribution system according to claim 7, wherein the video distribution system presents a viewing fee for setting a new reservation request having different content.