JP2003333575A - Streaming transmission system, terminal, and management server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a streaming transmission system whereby a manager at a site provided with a streaming server can easily manage multimedia data. <P>SOLUTION: A multimedia data sharing system 1 is provided with: a data distribution server 2 for storing a multimedia file MFL for reproducing a moving picture or audio; and a video information table TB1 for storing video attribute information 82 including a release flag denoting the priority of release by each multimedia file MFL stored in the data distribution server 2, and the data distribution server 2 transmits the multimedia file MFL to a terminal 3 of a user in a manner of streaming when the release flag of the multimedia file MFL requested from the user indicates that the multimedia file MFL can be disclosed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a streaming transmission system for streaming transmission of multimedia data to a user terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been proposed techniques for providing information (so-called multimedia contents) such as video or audio to many users on the Internet.

For example, there is a method of distributing a file of multimedia contents by using a Web server or FTP server on the Internet. In this case, the user once downloads the desired multimedia content file from the server to the terminal device, and then views the multimedia content. However, in the case of a video that lasts for a long time, the size of the file is so large that it takes a long time to complete the download and the start of the reproduction is delayed.

Therefore, in recent years, an increasing number of information providers use a streaming server for streaming distribution so that the viewing can be started immediately. That is, the multimedia contents are divided into a plurality of packet data by the streaming server and transmitted (streaming distribution) to the user's terminal device one after another. The terminal device reproduces the video while receiving the packet data. Thus, according to the streaming distribution technology,
Video playback can be started immediately without waiting for the completion of file download.

[0005] Further, with the price reduction of digital video recorders and the speeding up of networks, the number of users who not only view a video but also open a video taken by themselves to other users is increasing. In order to publish the video, it is necessary to upload the video file to a predetermined streaming server and perform predetermined settings.

[0006]

Since the size of video data is much larger than the size of data such as photographs, sites on the Internet that send video manage many streaming servers. Therefore, the site administrator must distribute and save each video file to be distributed to the user to one of the streaming servers. In addition, the site administrator must check the contents of the video before making it public and judge whether it makes no difference. Then, for example, if a content that violates public order and morals is found, it must be set so that the video file is not distributed.
These operations have to be performed every time a video file is uploaded to the streaming server, which is a heavy burden on the site administrator.

On the other hand, the user must judge to which streaming server the file should be uploaded when the video shot by himself / herself is made public. Further, when uploading, copyright management information or file name of multimedia contents must be set. Since some specialized knowledge is required to perform these tasks, it is a heavy burden for general users. It also hinders the promotion of the use of streaming technology.

In view of such problems, the present invention makes it easy for the administrator of the site where the streaming server is provided to manage the multimedia data, and makes it easy for the user of the site to upload the multimedia data to the streaming server. An object of the present invention is to provide a streaming transmission system.

[0009]

A streaming transmission system according to the present invention comprises data storage means for storing multimedia data for reproducing a moving image or sound,
An attribute information storage unit that stores attribute information including a disclosure flag indicating whether disclosure is possible for each multimedia data stored in the data storage unit, and the disclosure flag of the multimedia data requested by the user can be disclosed. In the case of indicating that there is, a streaming transmission means for streaming transmission of the multimedia data to the terminal device of the user is provided.

[0010] Preferably, the data acquisition means for acquiring the multimedia data transmitted from the user's terminal device to be disclosed to other users by the user, and storing the multimedia data in the data storage means, and the attempt to disclose the data. A designated information acquisition unit that acquires a designated person designation information that designates a person in charge who confirms the content of the moving image or the sound related to the multimedia data; and the multimedia data to be disclosed, which is obtained by the data acquisition unit. Publish permission / inquiry means for inquiring the person in charge of whether or not the multimedia data may be disclosed to the person indicated by the person-in-charge designation information of the multimedia data, and the multimedia data to be disclosed may be disclosed. When receiving the notification, indicate that the disclosure flag of the multimedia data can be disclosed. Made and a new flag updating means.

Alternatively, the disclosure availability inquiry means obtains the multimedia data to be disclosed by the data obtaining means when the person indicated in the person-designated information is logged on to the streaming transmission system. At this timing, the confirmation screen of the contents of the multimedia data is transmitted to the terminal device of the person in charge, and if not logged on, the confirmation screen is transmitted to the terminal device at the timing of the next logon of the person in charge.

Alternatively, the attribute information storage means stores the attribute information including format information indicating a format of multimedia data stored in the data storage means and a category of a moving image or audio content, The data storage unit is composed of a plurality of sub storage units, and stores each multimedia data in any one of the sub storage units according to the combination of the format and the category.

The terminal device according to the present invention can be connected to a streaming transmission system that stores multimedia data for reproducing a moving image or sound and performs streaming transmission in response to a user's request. A terminal device that plays back a moving image or audio while receiving data transmitted by streaming, wherein category information indicating a category of moving image or audio content of each multimedia data and priority indicating disclosure priority. Attribute information obtaining means for obtaining attribute information including the degree information, and a button for selecting each of the multimedia data are added to the latest category information and each priority information obtained by the attribute information obtaining means. Based on each category and arranged in order of priority A selection screen display means for displaying a selection screen, and, when any one of the buttons is selected from the selection screen, to the streaming transmission system so as to perform streaming transmission of the multimedia data corresponding to the button. And a data requesting means for making a request.

Alternatively, the attribute information acquisition means acquires the attribute information including registration time information indicating when the multimedia data is registered in the streaming transmission system, and the selection screen display means acquires the registration time information. The time indicated in the information is later than a predetermined time, the order of the buttons of the multimedia data is configured to be higher than the order of the buttons of other multimedia data regardless of the priority. Display the selection screen.

The management server according to the present invention is a streaming transmission system having a plurality of streaming servers for storing a plurality of multimedia data for reproducing a moving image or sound and streaming-transmitting the multimedia data requested by a user. A management server used, wherein each multimedia data stored in each of the streaming servers includes a disclosure flag indicating whether or not disclosure is possible, format information indicating a format, category information indicating a category of a moving image or audio content, and Attribute information storage means for storing attribute information including person-in-charge designation information for designating a person in charge of confirming contents, and a storage location for multimedia data having the combination for each combination of the format and the category. The streaming service A server information storing means for storing the server information indicating the server, sent from the user of the terminal device,
Attribute information acquisition means for acquiring the format information, the category information, and the person-in-charge designation information about the multimedia data that the user intends to disclose to other users, and the storage location of the multimedia data that is intended to be disclosed. And a server determining means that determines the streaming server based on the combination of the format indicated by the format information of the multimedia data and the category indicated by the category information, and the server information, and the multimedia to be disclosed. The upload instruction means for instructing the terminal device of the user to upload the media data to the streaming server determined by the server determining means, and the person-in-charge specification information of the multimedia data to be disclosed. To the person in charge who asks whether or not the multimedia data may be disclosed, and a notification that the multimedia data to be disclosed can be disclosed. A flag updating unit for updating the disclosure flag related to the multimedia data to a value indicating that the multimedia data can be disclosed, and multimedia data desired by the user in the user terminal device, among the streaming servers. In order to be able to download the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage means, the attribute information transmission means for transmitting the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage means to the terminal device.

[0016] Preferably, when any of the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage means is updated, the attribute information transmission means transmits the updated attribute information to a user terminal device. Send.

[0017]

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a multimedia data sharing system 1 according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a terminal device 3, and FIG. 3 is data distribution. The figure explaining the example of the hardware constitutions of the server 2,
4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 10, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the management server 10, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the upload screen HG1, and FIG. 7 is a server. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the attribute table TB2, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the video information table TB1, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the user management table TB3, and FIG. 10 is a disclosure confirmation screen H.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of G2, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a video browsing screen HG3, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a disclosure setting screen HG4, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an administrator screen HG5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multimedia data sharing system 1 according to the present invention comprises a management server 10, a distribution server group 2G, a terminal device 3, a communication line 5, and the like. Multimedia data sharing system 1
The respective devices can be connected to each other via the communication line 5. As the communication line 5, the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like is used.

This multimedia data sharing system 1
According to the above, the user accesses the data distribution server 2 in the distribution server group 2G from his / her terminal device 3 through the communication line 5, and various information (so-called multimedia contents) such as voice or moving image (video). Can be viewed. Data for reproducing audio or video is downloaded to the terminal device 3 by streaming processing. Further, the user can upload the video imaged by the user to the data distribution server 2 and provide it to other users. That is, the multimedia data sharing system 1 is a system for sharing various multimedia contents with many users. Less than,
A multimedia data sharing system 1 used by a teacher, a student, a student's parents, etc. at a school will be described as an example.

Each student's home is provided with one terminal device 3, and each teacher also owns the terminal device 3 at home or at school. The terminal device 3 has an interface for connecting to the communication line 5, and a streaming application and W for reproducing video or audio.
An eb browser (WWW browser) or the like is installed. With such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, a data receiving unit 301 that receives various kinds of information from the management server 10 or the data distribution server 2, and an operation screen or a video playback screen described later based on the received information. A request for requesting the screen display unit 302 to be displayed and a video desired by the user to the management server 10, transmitting the video to be uploaded (registered), or determining or confirming whether or not to publish the registered video. Functions such as the unit 303 are realized. As the terminal device 3, a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone terminal, or the like is used.

The distribution server group 2G is composed of a plurality of data distribution servers 2. The data distribution server 2 and the management server 10 are installed in a school information management center or the like. These servers are ISP (Internet Service Pro)
Viders) and ASPs (Application Service Providers) may be rented and used. It may be distributed and installed in a plurality of places.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data distribution server 2 includes a CPU 2a, a RAM 2b, a ROM 2c, a magnetic storage device 2d, various interfaces, and the like. The magnetic storage device 2d stores an OS (operating system), a streaming server application, a multimedia file MFL, and the like. These programs (applications) and data are loaded into the RAM 2b as needed, and C
The program is executed by the PU 2a.

With such a configuration, the data distribution server 2 functions as a streaming server for streaming distribution (transmission) of multimedia data. That is, when a request for a multimedia file MFL is received from a user, the multimedia file MFL is subjected to a predetermined process by an application for a streaming server, and data for real-time reproduction of an image is packetized into a terminal device of the user. Send to 3 one after another.

The type of the multimedia file MFL to be stored is defined for each of these data distribution servers 2. That is, for each combination of the file format (file type) and the content category, which data distribution server 2 stores the multimedia file MFL associated with the combination is determined (see FIG. 7). ).

For example, in FIG. 7, the data distribution server 21 is a Windows Server Media S of Microsoft Corporation as a streaming server application.
The server is installed and stores the multimedia file MFL in ASF format related to the athletic meet. What is ASF format?
It is a format that can be played back by dows Media Player (trademark). In addition, the data distribution server 22
Is a Real Networks Real Server
Has been installed and stores a multimedia file MFL in RM format related to an athletic meet. RM format is the company's Real Play
It is a format that can be played back by er (registered trademark).

The management server 10 performs processing such as management of the data distribution server 2 and control for transmission / reception of the multimedia file MFL performed between the data distribution server 2 and the terminal device 3.

For example, when a video distribution request is issued from the terminal device 3, the multimedia file M of the video is sent.
Streaming distribution is performed from the data distribution server 2 that stores the FL to the requesting terminal device 3. Alternatively, the multimedia file MFL of the video imaged by the user is uploaded from the terminal device 3 to the predetermined data distribution server 2. That is, it can be said that the management server 10 functions as a virtual interface or a gateway server installed between the terminal device 3 and the data distribution server 2.

The management server 10, as shown in FIG.
The PU 10a, the RAM 10b, the ROM 10c, the magnetic storage device 10d, various interfaces, and the like. The magnetic storage device 10d manages an OS (operating system), a WWW (Web) server program, a data distribution server 2 (streaming server) management program, the data distribution server 2 or a multimedia file MFL, and the like. Tables and the like are stored.

With such a configuration, the management server 10
As shown in FIG. 5, functions such as an upload processing unit 101, a browsing processing unit 102, a system monitoring unit 103, a video information table TB1, a server attribute table TB2, and a user management table TB3 are realized.

The upload processing section 101 includes a registration request receiving section 111, a server determining section 112, and a publication confirmation requesting section 11
3, a flag updating unit 114, a registration destination notifying unit 115, a screen information transmitting unit 116, a video information adding unit 117, a user information updating unit 118, and the like. With these configurations, processing for accepting a request for uploading the multimedia file MFL from the terminal device 3, processing for uploading to the data distribution server 2, registration processing for managing the multimedia file MFL, and the like are performed.

In the terminal device 3, the URL (Uniform Resource L) of a predetermined web page is displayed by the web browser.
ocator) is input, the screen information transmission unit 116 transmits screen information 71 for displaying a registration (upload) operation screen to the terminal device 3. Then, the upload screen HG1 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the Web browser of the terminal device 3. The screen information 71 is H
TML (Hypertext Markup Language) or XML (E
xtensible Markup Language) and other languages. Alternatively, it may be configured by an application program such as JAVA (registered trademark). The same applies to screen information 72 to 74 described later.

The user of the terminal device 3 selects the multimedia file MFL to be uploaded from the hierarchy display window WD11 of the upload screen HG1. Thereby, the path (directory name and file name) of the target multimedia file MFL is designated. The format of the multimedia file MFL can be known from the extension of the designated file name.

Next, the user selects the text box TX1.
Enter the required items in 1-14. Text box TX
11, the multimedia file M to be uploaded
Enter the FL logical file name. This logical file name is, for example, the video selection buttons BN31 to BN35 in FIG.
As described above, each user is used as a title (title) to be referred to when searching for a video desired to be viewed.

In the text box TX12, the category of the content of the video (content) is designated. For example, if it is a photograph of the state of an athletic meet, it is designated as "athletic meet". The designation of a category is performed by selecting any one from a list of a plurality of categories prepared in advance.

In the text box TX13, a video confirmer is input. The image confirmer is a person in charge who checks the contents of the multimedia file MFL and determines whether or not the multimedia file MFL may be disclosed to other users. Normally, a teacher (teacher) who is a homeroom teacher, a teacher who is a system administrator, or the like is designated as the video confirmer. When the user of the terminal device 3 wants to confirm the contents of the multimedia file MFL, the name of the user himself / herself may be input.

In the text box TX14, information about the copyright such as the name of the photographer or the propriety of copying is input. For example, enter "copyright management = OFF" to permit copying or redistribution of the video downloaded to the terminal device 3 of each user, and enter "copyright management = ON" to not permit copying.

When the upload button BN11 is clicked, information such as the items input or designated as described above and the file size of the multimedia file MFL are transmitted to the management server 10 as registration request information 81. Then, the management server 10 starts the process for uploading the multimedia file MFL to the data distribution server 2. In this way, the upload screen HG1 serves as an interface between the user and the multimedia data sharing system 1.

Returning to FIG. 5, the server attribute table TB2.
Stores the attribute information of each data distribution server 2. For example, according to the server attribute table TB2 shown in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the data distribution server 21 performs processing such as storing and distributing the multimedia file MFL in the ASF format related to the athletic meet. Like the data distribution server 23, one data distribution server 2 may process a multimedia file MFL having a combination of a plurality of formats and categories. "Address" is
A network address such as an IP address may be used instead of the URL.

Registration request information 8 transmitted from the terminal device 3
1 is accepted by the registration request accepting unit 111, whereby the process of registering (uploading) the multimedia file MFL is started. Server determination unit 112
Compares the file type (format) and category of the multimedia file MFL indicated in the registration request information 81 with the contents of the server attribute table TB2 in FIG. 7, and uploads this multimedia file MFL to any data distribution server 2 ( Decide whether to register). For example, when the registration request information 81 indicates “format = ASF” and “category = athletic meet”, it is determined to upload the multimedia file MFL to the data distribution server 21.

The registration destination notification unit 115 notifies the terminal device 3 of the network address of the data distribution server 2 which is the upload destination (registration destination) of the multimedia file MFL, and instructs the terminal device 3 to start uploading. The terminal device 3 connects to the data distribution server 2 of the notified network address and starts uploading. The data distribution server 2 stores the multimedia file MFL transmitted from the terminal device 3 in a predetermined directory.
Multimedia file M in data distribution server 2
As the physical file name of the FL, for example, the same file name as the file name in the terminal device 3 (file name specified in the hierarchical display window WD11 of FIG. 6) may be used. If the same file name as that already stored in the data distribution server 2 is used, a file name with an appropriate number such as "sotsugyo2.rm" may be issued and used.

From the terminal device 3 to the data distribution server 2
Instead of directly uploading the multimedia file MFL to the management server 10, the multimedia file MFL may be once uploaded to a server such as the management server 10 and then finally transferred to the data distribution server 2 determined by the server determination unit 112. . In any case, the user only has to perform a predetermined operation based on the upload screen HG1 of FIG. 6, and does not need to be aware of the data delivery server 2 of the upload destination.

The video information adding section 117 adds the attribute information of the uploaded multimedia file MFL to the video information table TB1 as a new record. Hereinafter, the attribute information of the multimedia file MFL will be referred to as "video attribute information 82".

As shown in FIG. 8, the video information table TB1 stores video attribute information 82 for each multimedia file MFL stored in each data distribution server 2.

Of the video attribute information 82, the items (fields) of “logical file name”, “server type”, “copyright management”, “category”, “video provider”, and “video confirmer” are , Its multimedia file MFL
It is stored based on the registration request information 81. That is,
It is based on the items selected or input on the upload screen HG1 shown in FIG. For example, "server type"
Is determined based on the extension of the file name.

The "server location" is the network address of the data distribution server 2 in which the multimedia file MFL is stored, and is determined by the server determination unit 112 as described above. “Physical file name” indicates the path (directory name and file name) of the multimedia file MFL in the data distribution server 2. This is determined by the data distribution server 2.

The "disclosure flag" indicates whether or not the multimedia file MFL may be disclosed to other users, and the default value is "nondisclosure". "priority"
Is a value indicating how much preferentially the user should browse the multimedia file MFL. In other words, it can be said that the content of the multimedia file MFL is important. For example, in this embodiment, the priority is 1.
It is represented by 0 levels, and the higher the value, the higher the priority. The “disclosure flag” and “priority” are changed by the video confirmer, as described later.

The "browsing status" indicates the degree of access to the multimedia file MFL, for example, the number of accesses per month. “Size” is the file size of the multimedia file MFL.
The "remaining capacity" indicates how much size the multimedia file MFL can be uploaded by the user. The “remaining capacity” can be calculated based on the usable size and the total size of the user management table TB3 described below.

Returning to FIG. 5, the user management table TB3
As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to information such as the user name, e-mail address, network address of the owning terminal device 3, and contact information of each user, that user uploads (registers) to each data distribution server 2. The total size of the multimedia file MFL and the usable size (allocation size) of the magnetic storage device given to the user are stored. The usable size may be different for each user, or may be the same for all users.

The user information update unit 118 adds the file size to the total size of the user in the user management table TB3 after the upload of the multimedia file MFL is completed. To update.

The disclosure confirmation requesting unit 113 requests the image confirmer to confirm the content of the uploaded multimedia file MFL and determine whether to permit the disclosure. The request is to display the screen information 72 for displaying the decision screen of permission / prohibition of disclosure to the multimedia file MFL.
Terminal device 3 of the video confirmer indicated by the video attribute information 82 of
Done by sending to.

Then, the public confirmation screen HG2 as shown in FIG. 10 is automatically displayed on the terminal device 3 of the video confirmer. Then, streaming transmission of the video is started from the data distribution server 2 indicated by the video attribute information 82 to the terminal device 3 of the video confirmer, and the video is reproduced in the preview window WD21 of the public confirmation screen HG2. The video confirmer confirms the content of the video and determines whether or not the video may be disclosed. When it is determined that the video may be disclosed, the priority of the video is input in the text box TX21 and the disclosure button BN21 is clicked. When not making it public, the private button BN22 is clicked.

If the video confirmer is not logged on to the multimedia data sharing system 1, the disclosure confirmation screen HG2 is not displayed. Instead, the screen information 72 is transmitted to the terminal device 3 at the timing when the video confirmer next logs on to the multimedia data sharing system 1, and the disclosure confirmation screen HG2 is immediately displayed.

Release button B on the release confirmation screen HG2
When N21 is clicked, the flag updating unit 114 shown in FIG.
Updates the disclosure flag of the multimedia file MFL in the video information table TB1 to "disclosure" and updates the priority to the value input in the text box TX21.

It is also possible to change the already published multimedia file MFL to non-public. The processing in this case is performed as follows. First, the user operates the terminal device 3 to log on to the multimedia data sharing system 1. The screen information 74 is acquired from the management server 10, and the disclosure setting screen HG4 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. By viewing the disclosure setting screen HG4, the user (image confirmer) can confirm the disclosure status of the multimedia file MFL (image) for which he / she is in charge of deciding whether to publish.

From the disclosure setting screen HG4, click the selection button BN4 of the image to be hidden, and the disclosure confirmation screen HG2 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed again. The video selected on the disclosure setting screen HG4 is reproduced in the preview window WD21 of the disclosure confirmation screen HG2. The user
Just in case, after checking the video, click the private button BN22. Then, the flag updating unit 114 in FIG. 5 updates the disclosure flag of the video (multimedia file MFL) in the video information table TB1 to “non-public”. At this time, as described later, the updated video information table TB1 is transmitted to each data distribution server 2 and each terminal device 3. This completes the process of keeping the multimedia file MFL private. Similarly,
You can change a video that is currently closed to public.

Next, description will be made on the processing for browsing a video published on the multimedia data sharing system 1. The browsing processing unit 102 includes the screen information transmission unit 12
1 and the table updating unit 122. The screen information transmission unit 121 transmits the video information table TB1 and the screen information 73 for displaying the video browsing screen to the terminal device 3 of the user who wants to browse the video, and sends it to each data distribution server. The video information table TB1 is transmitted. The data of all the items in the video information table TB1 may not be transmitted, but only the data of the items used in each process described below may be transmitted.

At this time, the video browsing screen HG3 as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the Web browser of the terminal device 3 based on the screen information 73 and the video information table TB1. Video selection button BN3 (BN31, BN32, ...)
Is provided for each multimedia file MFL stored in each data distribution server 2. The display of the button name of the video selection button BN3 is based on each logical file name (see FIG. 8) of the video information table TB1. The image selection buttons BN3 are divided into groups according to categories, and are arranged in order of higher priority within each category. Channel names such as "1ch" and "2ch" are sequentially assigned from the buttons arranged at the top of the screen. Windows Media Pla on the terminal device 3
When both yer (trademark) and Real Player (registered trademark) are installed, the video selection button BN3 of the multimedia file MFL in ASF format and RM format is displayed. When only one of the applications is installed, only the video selection button BN3 of the multimedia file MFL of the corresponding format is displayed.

The user searches for a video to watch while referring to the button name and clicks the video selection button BN3 of the video. Then, the terminal device 3 determines that the video information table TB
Network address of the data delivery server 2 corresponding to the video selection button BN3 from 1 (server location)
, And access the data distribution server 2 to request the multimedia file MFL. The data distribution server 2 uses the multimedia file MFL for the terminal device 3.
Start streaming transmission of. Then, the video requested by the user is displayed in the video window W of the video browsing screen HG3.
Played at D31.

However, when the video selection button BN3 of the multimedia file MFL whose disclosure flag is "non-disclosure" is clicked, a message indicating that it is currently non-disclosure is only displayed and the above-mentioned video reproduction is stopped. No processing is done. The determination as to whether or not disclosure is possible may be performed by the data distribution server 2 or the terminal device 3. The video browsing screen HG3 may be configured such that the video selection button BN3 of the private multimedia file MFL is hidden.

When the rearrangement button BN3B is clicked, the arrangement of the video selection buttons BN3 is changed based on the video information table TB1 in descending order of browsing frequency. When the rearrangement button BN3A is clicked, the rearrangement is performed again in descending order of priority. In order to let as many users as possible see the new video, the video of the multimedia file MFL that has not been uploaded (registered) for a predetermined period of time regardless of the browsing frequency or the priority. You may make it arrange | position the selection button BN3 higher. To determine whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed, a reference time is set as a predetermined time such as 5 o'clock on April 10 or one week before, and the time and the video information table TB1 are determined. It is performed by comparing each registration date and time of.

Further, when the content of the video information table TB1 stored in the management server 10 is updated, the screen information transmission unit 121 updates the latest video information table TB1 to each data distribution server 2 and each terminal device 3. Send to.
At this time, in the terminal device 3, the latest video information table T
The video browsing screen HG3 is reconfigured based on B1. As a result, the user can always be automatically informed of the latest video without requesting an update. It should be noted that when an item unrelated to the configuration of the video browsing screen HG3 is updated, the transmission may not be performed. For example, the video information table TB of the management server 10
1, the newest video information is added to the terminal device 3 only when a predetermined update process is performed, such as when new video attribute information 82 is added or when a predetermined attribute (for example, priority or disclosure flag) is updated. The table TB1 may be transmitted. Alternatively, only the updated data may be transmitted.

When any of the video selection buttons BN3 shown in FIG. 12 is clicked on the terminal device 3, the table updating section 122 updates the video attribute information 82 of the video information table TB1 corresponding to the video selection button BN3. To do. That is, 1 is added to the value of the browsing status of the video (multimedia file MFL) for which the transmission request is made. In addition, information regarding browsing such as the viewer, the browsing date and time, and the file name of the browsed multimedia file MFL is written in the management log file KL1.

The system monitoring unit 103 monitors the status of processing such as streaming distribution and upload described above, the operating status of each device, and the status of the communication line 5.

For example, the magnetic storage device 2d of each data distribution server 2 is monitored. When the magnetic storage device 2d whose free space is less than a predetermined value is found, the warning information 75 is transmitted to the terminal device 3'of the system administrator. Then, the warning message WD41 of the administrator screen HG5 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the terminal 3'of the system administrator, and a warning message for notifying the name of the data distribution server 2 to be warned and the abnormal state is displayed. . This allows
The system administrator can take measures such as newly adding the magnetic storage device 2d.

Also, the user may select the multimedia file M
When attempting to upload the FL, it is monitored whether or not the total size of the user (see FIG. 9) exceeds the usable size due to the upload. When the size exceeds the usable size, a message indicating that the upload cannot be performed is transmitted to the terminal device 3 of the user, and the upload process is canceled. The user
Already uploaded multimedia file MF
Delete unnecessary ones of L from the magnetic storage device 2d,
Increase the remaining area and try uploading again. Alternatively, the system administrator may be requested to increase the usable size.

In addition, the administrator screen HG of the system administrator
5, the management status of the user or the multimedia file MFL, the event log of the entire system, or the like may be displayed on the basis of the tables TB1 to TB3 or the management log file KL1.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the flow of upload processing, and FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the flow of video viewing processing. Next, a processing flow of the multimedia data sharing system 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

When uploading (registering) the multimedia file MFL, the user inputs necessary items on the upload screen HG1 (see FIG. 6) of the terminal device 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the management server 10
The input required items are received as the registration request information 81 (# 11). Then, the data distribution server 2 corresponding to the format and category of the multimedia file MFL is searched, and the search result is notified to the terminal device 3 (# 1
2).

The terminal device 3 connects to the data distribution server 2 and starts uploading the multimedia file MFL (# 14). However, the management server 10 checks the remaining usable size of the user before starting the upload (# 13). If the remaining available size is smaller than the size of the multimedia file MFL you are trying to upload,
The upload is canceled (No in # 13).

The management server 10 additionally registers the video attribute information 82 of the multimedia file MFL in the video information table TB1 in parallel with or before or after the upload process (# 15). Also, upload screen HG
The video confirmer designated in 1 is requested to decide whether or not the video may be disclosed (# 16). In the terminal device 3 of the video confirmer who has received the request, the public confirmation screen HG2 (see FIG. 10) is immediately and automatically displayed when the video confirmer is logged on to the multimedia data sharing system 1. If the user is not logged on, the image is automatically displayed immediately after the person who confirms the image logs on next time.

When the management server 10 receives from the terminal device 3 of the video confirmer a reply as to whether or not disclosure is possible and the priority level, based on the reply, the video information table TB1, the server attribute table TB2, and the management log file KL1.
Etc. are updated (# 17). At this time, the updated video information table TB1 is transmitted to each data distribution server 2 and each terminal device 3.

In the case of viewing a video, the processing is performed in the procedure as shown in FIG. In the terminal device 3, the screen information 73 and the video information table TB1 are downloaded (# 21, # 22), and the video browsing screen HG3 (see FIG. 12) is displayed (# 23). The video selection buttons BN3 on the video browsing screen HG3 are arranged in descending order of priority for each category based on the video information table TB1. However, the video selection button BN3 of the new video is arranged at the upper level regardless of the priority.

When any of the video selection buttons BN3 is clicked (# 24), the terminal device 3 connects to the data distribution server 2 having the multimedia file MFL. Then, the streaming transmission from the data distribution server 2 is started (# 25), and the video is reproduced in the video window WD31 of the video browsing screen HG3 (# 26). In the management server 10, the browsing status (see FIG. 8) of the video information table TB1 and the management log file KL1 are updated (# 27).

Every time the management server 10 updates the video information table TB1 (Yes in # 28), the updated video information table TB1 is transmitted to each terminal device 3 (# 22). In each terminal device 3, the video browsing screen HG3 is displayed again based on this video information table TB1 (# 23).

According to this embodiment, the user can upload the multimedia file MFL only by performing a predetermined input according to the upload screen HG1. That is, the user can easily upload without being aware of the upload destination server.
Further, since the image selection buttons BN3 are arranged on the image browsing screen HG3 in accordance with the category, the priority, etc., it is possible to easily find important images and desired images.

Upon uploading, the public confirmation screen HG2 is automatically displayed on the terminal device 3 of the video confirmer. The video confirmer can confirm the video to be automatically reproduced on the publicity confirmation screen HG2 and set whether or not to publicize the video simply by clicking a button.

The multimedia file MFL, the data distribution server 2, information about the user, the management log file KL1 and the like are collectively managed by the management server 10. Therefore, the system administrator can easily grasp various situations, and the burden of managing the multimedia data sharing system 1 is reduced.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, separate server machines are used as the data distribution server 2 and the management server 10, but the processing of the data distribution server 2 and the management server 10 is performed by one server machine. It may be configured to do so. Alternatively, the management server 10 may be composed of a plurality of server machines. For example, the WWW server process and the table management process may be performed by different server machines.

The video confirmer is designated by inputting the name of the video confirmer on the upload screen HG1 shown in FIG. 6, but may be designated by inputting the user's own user name. That is, the teacher in charge of each user is registered in advance in the user management table TB3 of FIG. The user uses the information to specify the person in charge of the video,
Send your own user name instead of the name of the video viewer. The disclosure confirmation requesting unit 113 of FIG. 5 determines a video confirmer (teacher of the homeroom) based on the received user name and user management table TB3, and requests the video confirmer to decide whether or not to publish. .

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the video editing screen HG6. In this embodiment, it has already been uploaded (registered).
Although the displayed video is delivered on demand, it may be configured to deliver the event held at the school live.

For example, a streaming server is provided for immediately streaming the video obtained by shooting, and the attribute information of the live distribution is registered in the video information table TB1. Then, on the video browsing screen HG3 of each terminal device 3, a video selection button BN3 corresponding to the video of the live distribution is displayed. By clicking this video selection button BN3, the user can receive the live distribution from the streaming server and browse the live relay. When performing live shooting with a plurality of video cameras, a video editing screen HG6 as shown in FIG. 16 may be provided so that the editor can perform streaming distribution while switching the video.

In addition, the multimedia data sharing system 1, the management server 10, the data distribution server 2, the entire terminal device 3 or the configuration of each part, the video information table TB1,
Server attribute table TB2, user management table TB3
The configuration of the database, the processing content, the processing order, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

[0083]

According to the inventions of claims 1 to 4, claim 7, and claim 9, the person in charge of a site provided with a streaming server can easily manage data for streaming distribution. You can According to the inventions of claims 2 to 4, the user can easily upload the multimedia data to the streaming server.

According to the inventions of claim 5, claim 6, and claim 8, the user can easily find out a desired image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a multimedia data sharing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a terminal device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a data distribution server.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a management server.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a management server.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an upload screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a server attribute table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a video information table.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a user management table.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a disclosure confirmation screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a disclosure setting screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a video browsing screen.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an administrator screen.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of upload processing.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a process of viewing a video.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a video editing screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 multimedia data sharing system (streaming transmission system) 2G distribution server group (data storage means, streaming transmission means, data acquisition means) 2 data distribution server (streaming server, sub storage means) 3 terminal device 10 management server 82 video attribute information (Attribute information) 111 Registration request reception unit (specified information acquisition unit, attribute acquisition unit) 112 Server determination unit (server determination unit) 113 Publication confirmation request unit (disclosure permission inquiry unit) 114 Flag update unit (flag update unit) 115 Registration Destination notification section (upload command means) 117 Video information addition section (data acquisition means) 301 Data reception section (attribute information acquisition means) 302 Screen display section (selection screen display means) 303 Request section (data request means) HG2 release confirmation screen (Confirmation screen) HG3 video browsing screen (Selection screen) MFL multimedia file (multimedia data) TB1 video information table (attribute information storage means) TB2 server attribute table (server information storage means)

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C052 AA01 AB02 AB03 AB04 CC01                       CC06 DD04 DD10 EE03                 5C064 BA01 BB07 BC06 BC18 BC23                       BC25 BD02 BD03 BD08 BD14                       BD16

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. Attribute information including a data storage unit for storing multimedia data for reproducing a moving image or a sound, and a disclosure flag for each multimedia data stored in the data storage unit. And attribute information storage means for storing, and streaming transmission means for streaming transmission of the multimedia data to the terminal device of the user when the disclosure flag of the multimedia data requested by the user indicates that the multimedia data can be disclosed. A streaming transmission system comprising: 2. Data acquisition means for acquiring multimedia data transmitted from a user's terminal device and intended to be disclosed to other users, and storing the multimedia data in the data storage means; Publish a designated information obtaining unit that obtains person-in-charge designation information that designates a person in charge who confirms the content of the moving image or the sound related to the media data, and the multimedia data to be disclosed obtained by the data acquisition unit. Disclosure permission / inquiry means for inquiring of the person indicated by the person-in-charge designation information of the multimedia data as to whether or not the multimedia data to be disclosed may be disclosed. When receiving the information, the disclosure flag of the multimedia data is updated to indicate that the disclosure flag can be disclosed. Consisting comprises a grayed updating means, a streaming transmission system according to claim 1, wherein. 3. The disclosure availability inquiry means obtains the multimedia data to be disclosed by the data obtaining means when the person indicated by the person-in-charge designation information is logged on to the streaming transmission system. The confirmation screen of the contents of the multimedia data is sent to the terminal device of the person in charge at the timing when the person in charge is not logged on, and the confirmation screen is sent to the terminal device when the person in charge logs on next time. Item 2
The described streaming transmission system. 4. The attribute information storage means stores the attribute information including format information indicating a format of multimedia data stored in the data storage means and a category of moving image or audio content, The data storage means comprises a plurality of sub-storage means,
The streaming transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each multimedia data is stored in any one of the sub storage units according to a combination of the format and the category. 5. Data which is connectable to a streaming transmission system which stores multimedia data for reproducing a moving image or audio and performs streaming transmission in response to a user's request, and which has been stream-transmitted from the streaming transmission system. A terminal device that reproduces a moving image or sound while receiving the attribute, including attribute information including category information indicating a category of the moving image or sound content of each multimedia data and priority information indicating a disclosure priority. An attribute information acquisition unit for acquiring information, and a button for selecting each of the multimedia data are classified into categories based on the latest each category information and each priority information acquired by the attribute information acquisition unit. Display a selection screen that is configured in priority order Surface display means, and when any one of the buttons is selected from the selection screen, a data request means for requesting the streaming transmission system to perform streaming transmission of the multimedia data corresponding to the button. A terminal device comprising: 6. The attribute information acquisition unit acquires the attribute information including registration time information indicating when the multimedia data is registered in the streaming transmission system, and the selection screen display unit acquires the registration time information. The time indicated in the information is later than a predetermined time, the order of the buttons of the multimedia data is configured to be higher than the order of the buttons of other multimedia data regardless of the priority. The terminal device according to claim 5, which displays a selection screen. 7. A management server used in a streaming transmission system having a plurality of streaming servers for storing a plurality of multimedia data for reproducing a moving image or sound and streaming-transmitting multimedia data requested by a user. A person in charge of confirming the contents of each of the multimedia data stored in each streaming server, a disclosure flag indicating whether or not disclosure is possible, format information indicating the format, category information indicating the category of the content of the moving image or audio, and the relevant content. An attribute information storage unit that stores attribute information including person-in-charge designation information that specifies a person; and the streaming server that is a storage location of multimedia data having the combination for each combination of the format and the category. Enter the server information Server information storage means and an attribute for acquiring the format information, the category information, and the person-in-charge designation information about the multimedia data transmitted from the user's terminal device, which the user intends to disclose to other users. The information acquisition unit, the streaming server serving as a storage location of the multimedia data to be disclosed, the combination of the format indicated by the format information of the multimedia data and the category indicated by the category information, and the server information. Server deciding means for deciding based on, and upload instruction means for instructing the terminal device of the user to upload the multimedia data to be disclosed to the streaming server decided by the server deciding means, Disclosure availability inquiring means for inquiring of a person indicated by the person-in-charge designation information of the multimedia data to be disclosed whether or not the multimedia data may be disclosed, and the multimedia to be disclosed. Upon receiving a notification that the data can be disclosed, a flag updating unit that updates the disclosure flag related to the multimedia data to a value indicating that the multimedia data can be disclosed, and a user terminal device of the user. In order to allow desired multimedia data to be downloaded from any one of the streaming servers, the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage means is supplied to the terminal device. Attribute information transmitting means for transmitting, and for a streaming transmitting system comprising A management server that can be used. 8. The attribute information transmitting means, when any of the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage means is updated, transmits the updated attribute information to a user terminal device. A management server used in the streaming transmission system according to claim 7. 9. Data that has been transmitted by streaming from the streaming transmission system, which can be connected to a streaming transmission system that stores multimedia data for reproducing moving images or audio and performs streaming transmission according to a user's request. A computer program used in a computer for playing back a moving image or sound while receiving a message, the category information indicating the category of the moving image or sound content of each multimedia data, and the priority information indicating the priority of disclosure. A process of obtaining attribute information including and a button for selecting each of the multimedia data is classified into categories based on the latest each of the category information and each of the priority information and arranged in order of priority. And a process of displaying a selection screen composed of A process for requesting the computer to perform a process of requesting the streaming transmission system to perform streaming transmission of the multimedia data corresponding to the button when any one of the buttons is selected from the planes; Computer program. 10. A streaming transmission system having a plurality of streaming servers for storing a plurality of multimedia data for reproducing a moving image or audio and streaming-transmitting multimedia data requested by a user. A disclosure flag indicating whether or not disclosure is possible for each stored multimedia data, format information indicating the format, category information indicating the category of the moving image or audio content, and a person in charge specifying the person in charge of confirming the content. A computer program used for a computer having attribute information including information, and server information indicating, for each combination of the format and the category, the streaming server that is a storage location of multimedia data having the combination. And a process for acquiring the format information, the category information, and the person-in-charge designation information about the multimedia data transmitted from the user's terminal device, which is to be disclosed to other users by the user, The streaming server serving as the storage location of the multimedia data to be disclosed is determined based on the combination of the format indicated by the format information of the multimedia data and the category indicated by the category information and the server information. Processing, processing for instructing the terminal device of the user to upload the multimedia data to be published to the determined streaming server, and the person-in-charge designation information of the multimedia data to be published Person in charge On the other hand, the process of inquiring whether or not the multimedia data may be disclosed, and, when receiving the notification that the multimedia data to be disclosed can be disclosed, A process of updating the disclosure flag to a value indicating that disclosure is possible, and enabling the user's terminal device to download the multimedia data desired by the user from any one of the streaming servers. In order to achieve the above, a computer program for causing a computer to execute a process of transmitting the attribute information to the terminal device.