JP2005229547A - Recording method, recording system, reproducing method and reproducing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prolong a length of moving images recordable by a mobile telephone terminal or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A recording method has a dial-up step for dialing up from a television terminal having a videophone function to a line switching device of digital lines, a moving image form conversion step for converting a signal at a moving image form conversion device connected to the line switching device by transmitting a recording start request from the videophone terminal to the line switching device, and a moving image storing step for storing moving image information converted at the moving image form conversion step in a moving image storing server connected to the moving image form conversion device. By connecting a Web server and a mail server to the device, the moving image information stored in the moving image storing server may be utilized through the Internet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording method, a recording system, a playback method, and a playback system for storing and recording moving image information in a server dialed up from a videophone terminal.

  Recently, the number of mobile phone terminals equipped with a camera is increasing, and some mobile phone terminals are capable of shooting a moving picture of about 20 to 30 seconds.

  On the other hand, at the time of the filing of this patent application, videophone terminals are in practical use. In addition, videophones using mobile phones have been put into practical use, and videophones based on bidirectional exchange of video and audio between mobile phone terminals with cameras or between mobile phones with camera and videophones are 3G-324M ( This is realized by a videophone protocol such as Sanyo-san.

There is a limit of about 20 seconds or 30 seconds in the length of a moving image that can be taken by the camera-equipped mobile phone terminal. This is due to restrictions on the size of the memory of the mobile phone terminal, communication circumstances when sending a moving image file attached to an e-mail (amount of information that can be transmitted at one time in packet communication), and the like.
JP 2003-304325 A

  The inventor of the present application considered that it is possible to increase the length of the video that can be captured by sending video information to the server by the videophone protocol. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to increase the length of a moving image that can be recorded by a mobile phone terminal or the like.

In addition to the function to save (record) video (including video and audio as well as incidental items such as date and time) transmitted from user terminals via videophone or the Internet, any video (via videophone or the Internet) (Including previously saved ones)) to unspecified or specific users. It is mainly used from mobile phones, and mobile phone terminals are used as video cameras and video playback terminals.
The recording method of the present invention comprises a dial-up step of dialing up from a videophone terminal having a videophone function to a digital line circuit switching device, and sending a recording start request from the videophone terminal to the circuit switching device. A video format conversion step for converting a signal in the video format conversion device connected to the circuit switching device, and a video storage server connected to the video format conversion device for converting the video information converted in the video format conversion step. And a moving image accumulation step for accumulating.

  The recording system of the present invention includes a videophone terminal having a videophone function, a circuit switching device connectable by dial-up from the videophone terminal, and a format of a video signal sent from the videophone terminal. A moving image format conversion device connected to the circuit switching device; and a moving image storage server connected to the moving image format conversion device for storing a moving image signal converted by the moving image format conversion device.

  The reproduction method of the present invention includes a dial-up step of dialing up from a videophone terminal having a videophone function to a digital line circuit switching device, and sending a playback start request from the videophone terminal to the circuit switching device. In the video format conversion device connected to the circuit switching device, the video format conversion step of converting the video signal of the video storage server into a signal reproducible on the videophone terminal, and the video format conversion step A moving image information transmitting step for transmitting the moving image information to the videophone terminal via the circuit switching device.

  The reproduction system of the present invention includes a videophone terminal having a videophone function, a circuit switching device connectable by dial-up from the videophone terminal, a moving image storage server connected to the circuit switching device, and the moving image storage server In order to convert the video information stored in the video signal into a video signal format that can be reproduced by the videophone terminal, the circuit switching device and a video format conversion device connected to the video storage server are included.

  The videophone terminal may be a mobile phone terminal having a videophone function, and the dial-up step may dial up to the circuit switching device via a mobile phone network and an ISDN network. In addition, it further includes a web server or a mail server connected to the moving image storage server, the moving image information stored in the moving image storage server can be used via the Internet connection via the web server or the mail server, It is also possible to store moving image information on the moving image storage server via the Internet.

  A mobile phone terminal can be used as a video camera, and recorded video information can be stored in a remote place. In addition, a mobile phone terminal can be used as a moving picture playback terminal that plays back moving picture information stored in a remote place.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

  FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the recording system and the playback system. The mobile phone terminal 10 is a mobile phone terminal having a videophone function, and the mobile phone terminal 11 has a function of accessing the web or a function of receiving an e-mail. The circuit switching device 30 is a digital network (ISDN network) termination device (one or more office lines can be connected), and is a device that interpolates communication differences between an external user terminal, an internal system, and a digital telephone. (This includes a line control device, a line terminal device, a PB detector, etc.). The circuit switching device 30 can process a plurality of communications at the same time. In addition, the circuit switching device 30 can detect PB (a push phone signal also called DTMF) and transmit the information to devices connected to the circuit switching device 30 (moving image data management unit 60, authentication and customer management server 70, etc.). Thereby, an announcement by voice or video is provided, or an operation from the user is accepted, and other systems are controlled along the user flow.

  The moving image storage server 50 and the moving image format conversion device 40 constitute a moving image data management unit 60. The moving image storage server 50 is a device that stores moving images transmitted from the outside as data, and reads / manages (operates) arbitrary data from them. The moving image storage server 50 is operated by an operation from the mobile phone terminal 10 and is used in combination with the moving image format conversion device 40. The video format conversion device 40 is based on the premise that there are various video formats depending on the user terminal, and that the terminal that records and the terminal that plays back may be different, and this system can be used despite these differences. It is installed for the purpose of doing so, and is composed of a 3G-324M gateway device or the like. An apparatus for transmitting the moving image data read from the moving image storage server 50 to the mobile phone terminal 10 after converting it to a moving image format suitable for the environment of the mobile phone terminal 10 and the communication channel up to that time. It is. When an externally input image is stored in the image storage server 50, it is converted into a moving image format that takes into account the conversion work at the time of subsequent transmission, and to an efficient moving image format that can be stored on the storage server ( Depending on the usage environment, there may be restrictions on the playback time of the movie, and in that case, a part of the movie can be cut out, that is, the movie can be edited).

  The authentication and customer management server 70 confirms the unique information (telephone number, e-mail address, device serial number, etc.) of the mobile phone terminal 10 that is the user terminal or the user ID and password input by the user before use. It is a device to do. It is also a device that manages and stores information about users. This is for use permission authentication and for providing detailed services for each user by identifying the user. Furthermore, the usage situation for each user is managed (including a billing system and a reminder system).

  The web server or mail server 80 is a content providing server capable of distributing moving images, and is provided for using the Internet network. The present invention accepts use not only from a videophone but also from the Internet, and provides a service equivalent to that at the time of a videophone. The moving image data is shared with that of the videophone via the storage server and the moving image format conversion device. Further, when the Internet network is used, the width of user terminals is widened, so that not only a web server but also a device having a function for providing a service using e-mail and other multimedia technologies is included. When the mobile phone terminal 11 is capable of being connected to the web or capable of receiving e-mails, the mobile phone terminal 11 obtains information on the location where the moving image information is placed from the web server or the mail server 80, and at the same time, the access authority Can be obtained. Note that a moving image can be played back or uploaded according to the functions and restrictions of the mobile phone terminal 11.

  Next, the flow during recording will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram during recording. It is assumed that the user who uses the portable information terminal 10 has already completed user registration. First, the service start process starts when a user sends a videophone to the system. When calling from the mobile phone terminal 10 and connecting to the circuit switching device 30 via the mobile phone network and digital line network (ISDN network), the customer registered from the caller terminal number by the function of the authentication and customer management server Check the information and identify the user. If the authentication is successful, the accumulated video data is confirmed from the user information. Announce the main menu to the mobile phone terminal 10. The main menu includes a recording menu and a viewing menu, which are selected using PB. It is possible to operate by assigning functions to some of the numeric keys.

  The recording method will be described according to the flow of FIG. When the user who has the mobile phone terminal 10 is ready to shoot with the camera facing the subject, the user selects the start of recording in the recording menu. The selection can be made by pressing a button assigned to start recording. A recording start request from the mobile phone terminal is transmitted to the moving image format conversion device 40 via the circuit switching device 30, and the moving image format conversion device 40 starts processing to convert the moving image signal from the mobile phone terminal 10. In the moving image storage server 50, recording is started (the received moving image is stored while being converted). When the user operating the cellular phone terminal 10 selects the end of recording in the recording menu, the circuit switching device 30 notifies the moving image format conversion device 40 that the recording is completed. Then, the storage in the moving image storage server 50 is completed. Since it is still in the recording menu, it is possible to start recording again. The line can be disconnected (service terminated) at any time after the end of recording (menu selection waiting state). If the line is cut off for some reason, it is desirable to save the video being recorded and automatically terminate the service.

  Next, a reproduction method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram at the time of reproduction. It is assumed that the start processing has already been completed and the user who operates the mobile phone terminal 10 is in the appreciation menu. First, select the video you want to play. Select a movie by, for example, entering a few digit movie number after the pound sign (#). A video playback request reaches the system through the circuit switching device. The moving image storage server 50 reads necessary information and sends it to the moving image format conversion device 40. The moving image format conversion device 40 starts appropriate conversion, and sends the converted signal to the mobile phone terminal 10 via the circuit switching device 30. Video playback starts (video data is read and sent while being converted). During playback, it is possible to instruct playback stop, pause, fast forward, rewind, playback from the beginning (by using PB) by operating the dial. Announce the end of playback in the appreciation menu and complete playback. Stay on the appreciation menu. Desirably, it is possible to refer to a list (or preview, etc.) of moving images that can be reproduced. In addition, if the video data has ownership (right to manage data), the data can be managed (deleted or edited). If the line is disconnected for some reason, there may be an auxiliary function such as saving the playback time point and restarting the playback process next time.

  The service termination process is not shown in the figure, but when there is a termination request, it is desirable to update the user information and then perform the line disconnection process.

The following two patterns can be considered as a form of service provision using this system and method.
(Pattern 1) The recorder can use this system to save it on the server, and the recorder himself can view it individually or only to a specific user permitted by the recorder. The billing target is mainly the recording side. Specific examples include providing a telephony message service, giving a message as a video letter to a specific acquaintance that a user wants to convey to a specific acquaintance, ) It can be used as a video library.
(Pattern 2) An unspecified number of viewers can arbitrarily select and view from what was stored by an unspecified number of recorders (even though it is an unspecified number of users, authentication is required rather than an unknown user) Also included). Charges are mainly on the viewer side. However, if it is regarded as an advertisement, the recorder side is mainly charged. As specific examples, provision of user-participation-type moving image posting contents and multipurpose moving image disclosure (notification, public relations) services can be considered.

(Authentication and user registration method) The user must use the phone number and unique usage of the terminal to be used in addition to the information required for contact and the information required for payment at the time of user registration (user registration) before use. A user ID (user ID) and a user password are registered in the customer management system.
When a user accesses through a videophone, the customer is basically recognized by the calling terminal telephone number (calling number) of the terminal. If it is difficult to obtain the identification number of the user terminal, such as via the Internet, authentication is performed from the user ID and password. In addition, since personal information such as fee settlement may have to be presented, the communication path is encrypted using SSL or the like for communication such as authentication, user registration, and registration information update.
(Billing method) Use credit card, debit payment (so-called online payment), payment in combination, or proxy collection like Q2.

  There are some standardized protocols (communication protocol, information encoding) for videophones depending on the line (communication path), and 3G-324M is currently widely used in mobile phones in Japan. Other than this, there are the following. H. 320 for ISDN (digital) lines called H.320 H.323 called for IP videophone (for LAN line), H.323 There is one for public lines called 324, and it is technically possible to apply the present invention regardless of which protocol is used. 3G-324M is H.264. 324 is improved for 3rd generation mobile phones and these two are compatible. Different standards can communicate with each other via a videophone via a gateway (a device of the same type as a moving image format conversion device).

  PB is used for operations (inputs) during a videophone call. However, since it is difficult to perform detailed operations and there are problems with security, for example, it is especially useful when the user must send personal information. In the case of a user registration work, it is more advantageous to use the Internet (key-new power in a web browser) rather than a videophone.

  Since videos can be saved directly on the server (on the net, on the web, not on mobile phone terminals) and can be distributed from the server, the video can be stored for a long time regardless of the specifications of the terminal such as storage capacity. Save anytime and anywhere. In addition, moving images can be easily transferred to other users. Furthermore, since it is not stored in the terminal, there is little risk of loss, and it can also be applied to applications where data can remain even if the model is changed.

It is a hardware block diagram of this recording system and a reproduction | regeneration system. It is a sequence diagram at the time of video recording. It is a sequence diagram at the time of reproduction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 11 Mobile phone terminal 20 Personal computer 30 Circuit switching device 40 Movie format conversion device 50 Movie storage server 60 Movie data management unit 70 Authentication and customer management server 80 Web server or mail server

Claims (12)

A dialup step of dialing up from a videophone terminal having a videophone function to a circuit switching device of a digital line;
A video format conversion step for converting a signal in the video format conversion device connected to the circuit switching device by sending a recording start request from the videophone terminal to the circuit switching device;
A moving image storage step of storing the converted moving image information in a moving image storage server connected to the moving image format conversion device in the moving image format conversion step.   2. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the videophone terminal is a mobile phone terminal having a videophone function, and the dial-up step dials the circuit switching device via a mobile phone network and an ISDN network. The recording method that is to be uploaded. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein:
A video recording method further comprising an Internet use step of making the video information stored in the video storage step available by Internet connection via a web server or a mail server connected to the video storage server. A videophone terminal having a videophone function;
A circuit switching device connectable by dial-up from the videophone terminal;
In order to convert the format of the video signal sent from the videophone terminal, a video format conversion device connected to the circuit switching device;
A recording system comprising: a moving image storage server connected to the moving image format conversion device for storing the moving image signal converted by the moving image format conversion device. The recording system according to claim 4,
A video recording system in which the videophone terminal is a mobile phone terminal having a videophone function, and the dial-up dials up to the circuit switching device via a mobile phone network and an ISDN network. The recording system according to any one of claims 4 and 5,
It further has a web server or a mail server connected to the moving image storage server, and the moving image information stored in the moving image storage server can be used by connecting to the Internet via the web server or the mail server. A video recording system capable of storing video information in the video storage server. A dialup step of dialing up from a videophone terminal having a videophone function to a circuit switching device of a digital line;
By sending a playback start request from the videophone terminal to the circuit switching device, the video signal of the video storage server is made a signal that can be played back by the videophone terminal in the video format conversion device connected to the circuit switching device. A video format conversion step to convert,
A moving image information transmitting step of transmitting the converted moving image information to the videophone terminal via the circuit switching device in the moving image format converting step.   8. The reproduction method according to claim 7, wherein the videophone terminal is a mobile phone terminal having a videophone function, and the dial-up step dials the circuit switching device via a mobile phone network and an ISDN network. The playback method that is up. A playback method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein
A reproduction method further comprising an internet use step of making the movie information accumulated in the movie accumulation step usable by internet connection via a web server or a mail server connected to the movie accumulation server. A videophone terminal having a videophone function;
A circuit switching device connectable by dial-up from the videophone terminal;
A video storage server connected to the circuit switching device;
A reproduction having the circuit switching device and a moving image format conversion device connected to the moving image storage server for converting the moving image information stored in the moving image storage server into a format of a moving image signal reproducible on the videophone terminal. system.   11. The playback system according to claim 10, wherein the videophone terminal is a mobile phone terminal having a videophone function, and the dial-up is dialed up to the circuit switching device via a mobile phone network and an ISDN network. The playback system that is to do. The playback system according to claim 10 or 11,
It further has a web server or a mail server connected to the moving image storage server, and the moving image information stored in the moving image storage server can be used by connecting to the Internet via the web server or the mail server. A playback system that enables storage of moving image information in the moving image storage server.

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