JP2006109099A - Content distribution system, content distribution apparatus, user terminal, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content distribution system, content distribution apparatus, user terminal and computer program which is capable of efficiently distributing contents without interrupting the reproduction of contents data. <P>SOLUTION: The content distribution apparatus in a content distribution system comprises a test data distributor for sending test data for determining the quality mode and quality mode discriminating data. A user terminal comprises a receiving condition analyzer for analyzing receiving condition data based on the quality mode discriminating data, and a quality determiner for determining the prearranged distributing quality mode based on analysis result information to generate quality parameters. The contents distributor has a contents data acquirer for acquiring coded contents data corresponding to a quality mode taken by referring to the quality modes of the parameters, and a content data distribution apparatus unit for distributing the contents data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system, a content distribution device, a user terminal, and a computer program capable of distributing content data via a network.

  Currently, with the development of information technology, a content distribution service that distributes various content data such as software, movie data, or music data via a network such as the Internet is used.

  A general service form of a content distribution service is a form in which a user terminal accesses a server that distributes content data by user operation, and the content data is distributed from the server to the user terminal via a network. . Such content distribution services are often charged, and are charged for content distribution, and payment is made for each user.

  If the user operates the user terminal and selects a desired content, the server distributes the content data via the network, and the user terminal can display the content data on the screen. Then, when the distribution of the content data is completed, a charging process is executed.

  In addition, the content distribution service has a form of network traffic that suddenly becomes congested due to, for example, a change in the network bandwidth, causing packet loss, packet delay, packet retransmission, etc. In such cases, there is a service form in which a predetermined amount is discounted from the fee and charged.

JP 2004-192458 A JP 2003-303302 A

  However, there are many cases where the image quality and sound quality of the content data that the user wants to distribute do not match the network line condition or the performance of the user terminal. In addition, if the number of times of billing is reduced by discounting the fee due to the video being disturbed, it has been a great loss to the service provider who distributes the content data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is a new and improved content data that can be efficiently distributed so that the reproduction of the content data is not interrupted. It is to provide a content distribution system, a content distribution device, a user terminal, and a computer program.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a user terminal capable of reproducing content data and a content distribution device for distributing content data to the user terminal via a network are provided. A content distribution system is provided. The content distribution apparatus in the content distribution system includes test data for determining the quality mode of the content data distributed to the user terminal, or quality mode determination data for determining an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data. Is provided with a test data distribution unit that transmits at least one of them to the user terminal, and the user terminal analyzes the reception status data indicating the reception status of the test data based on the quality mode discrimination data, and the analysis result is obtained. A reception status analysis unit that generates analysis result information to be displayed; a quality determination unit that determines a quality mode of content data distributed to the user terminal based on the analysis result information and generates a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set In addition, the content distribution device is a product transmitted from a user terminal. A content data acquisition unit that acquires, from the content database, content data encoded in a mode corresponding to the quality mode among the content data requested for distribution with reference to the quality mode of the parameter; And a content data distribution unit that distributes to user terminals via a network. The content distribution apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the case where the test data distribution unit, the content data acquisition unit, and the content data distribution unit are provided. For example, the content distribution device further includes the reception status analysis unit and the quality determination unit, and if the content distribution device receives the reception status data generated by the user terminal, the content distribution device receives the reception status data. May be analyzed based on the quality mode discrimination data, and the quality mode of the content data may be further determined.

  According to the present invention, before delivering content data to a user terminal, the content delivery device delivers test data to determine the quality mode of the content data to be delivered, and the user terminal receives the test data. The reception status data indicating the reception status is analyzed based on the quality mode discrimination data transmitted together with the test data. As a result of the analysis, the content data is processed, a quality mode that can be seamlessly reproduced on the screen or the like is determined, and a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set is transmitted to the content distribution apparatus. When the content distribution device receives the quality parameter, the content distribution device acquires content data encoded in the quality mode set in the quality parameter, and distributes the content data to the user terminal via the network. According to such a configuration, a quality mode capable of seamlessly reproducing content data can be automatically determined before distribution according to the network line status and the performance of the user terminal. The efficiency of the content data distribution process can be improved, and the efficiency of the content data reproduction process of the user terminal can be improved. In addition, the load on the network can be suppressed because packet loss, delay, or packet retransmission is reduced.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a content distribution device is provided that distributes content data to a user terminal via a network. The content distribution apparatus is configured to receive at least one of test data for determining a quality mode of content data to be distributed to a user terminal and quality mode determination data for determining an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data. A test data distribution unit to be transmitted to the user terminal; referring to the quality mode of the quality parameter transmitted from the user terminal, the quality mode set in the quality parameter among the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal A content data acquisition unit for acquiring content data encoded in advance in a mode corresponding to the content database from a content database; and a content data distribution unit for distributing the encoded content data to a user terminal via a network It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, before distributing content data to a user terminal, the content distribution device distributes test data to determine the quality mode of the content data scheduled to be distributed, and the reception status data is received by the user terminal. Analysis is performed based on the mode discrimination data. As a result of the analysis, a quality mode capable of processing the content data and seamlessly reproducing it on the screen or the like is determined, and the content distribution apparatus receives the quality parameter in which the quality mode is set. The content distribution apparatus refers to the quality mode set in the quality parameter, searches for and acquires the content data that has been encoded and stored in advance in the mode corresponding to the quality mode, and the user via the network Delivered to the terminal.

  The test data distribution unit (1) every time there is a content data distribution request from the user terminal, (2) there is a plurality of content data distribution requests from the user terminal, and at least one of the plurality of content data is distributed (3) When at least one of the test data and the quality mode discrimination data is transmitted to the user terminal when it falls under any of the above (1) to (3) every predetermined time, May be. With this configuration, content data encoded in an optimal quality mode can always be distributed to the user terminal regardless of the time zone.

  The test data distribution unit is one of one or more quality modes based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal transmitted from the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. A quality mode of one test data may be determined, and test data encoded in advance in that mode may be transmitted to the user terminal. With this configuration, it is possible to distribute test data that can be adapted to the user terminal to some extent with regard to test data distribution.

  The content data distribution unit may be configured to determine the quality mode set in the quality parameter based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. . With this configuration, the accuracy of the quality mode of content data can be improved.

  The content distribution apparatus further includes a charging processing unit, and the charging processing unit, when the distribution bit rate of the content data by the content data distribution unit cannot maintain a threshold value determined for each quality mode or more, You may comprise so that discount charge processing may be performed with respect to delivery.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a content distribution device is provided that distributes content data to a user terminal via a network. The content distribution apparatus is configured to receive at least one of test data for determining a quality mode of content data to be distributed to a user terminal and quality mode determination data for determining an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data. A test data distribution unit to be transmitted to the user terminal; each time the quality mode of the quality parameter transmitted from the user terminal is referred to, the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal is acquired from the content database, and the content A content data acquisition unit that encodes data in a mode corresponding to the quality mode set in the quality parameter; and a content data distribution unit that distributes the encoded content data to the user terminal via the network It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, before distributing content data to a user terminal, the content distribution device distributes test data to determine the quality mode of the content data scheduled to be distributed, and the reception status data is received by the user terminal. Analysis is performed based on the mode discrimination data. As a result of the analysis, a quality mode capable of processing the content data and seamlessly reproducing it on the screen or the like is determined, and the content distribution apparatus receives the quality parameter in which the quality mode is set. The content distribution device searches and acquires the content data, refers to the quality mode set in the quality parameter, encodes the content data in a mode corresponding to the quality mode, and reads the encoded content data. Delivered to user terminals via the network. The content data retrieved from the content database according to the present invention can be exemplified by original data (master data) that has not been processed at all, such as compression processing.

  The test data distribution unit (1) every time there is a content data distribution request from the user terminal, (2) there is a plurality of content data distribution requests from the user terminal, and at least one of the plurality of content data is distributed (3) When at least one of the test data and the quality mode discrimination data is transmitted to the user terminal when it falls under any of the above (1) to (3) every predetermined time, May be.

  The test data distribution unit dynamically determines the quality mode of the test data based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal transmitted from the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. The test data encoded in that mode may be transmitted to the user terminal.

  The content data distribution unit may be configured to determine the quality mode set in the quality parameter based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. .

  The reception status data is the bit rate of the content data transmitted to the user terminal, and the reception status analysis unit analyzes the transition of the bit rate and analyzes the quality mode corresponding to the transition of the bit rate as analysis result information. You may comprise so that it may set to.

  The quality mode may be configured to be an encoding mode that determines an encoding level of at least one of the image quality and the sound quality of the content data.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a user terminal is provided that reproduces at least content data distributed from a content distribution device via a network. The user terminal receives a selection of content data from the user, and a content distribution request unit that requests the content distribution apparatus to distribute the content data; test data for determining the quality mode of the content data is the content distribution A reception status analysis unit that analyzes reception status data transmitted from the device and indicates at least the reception status of the test data, and generates analysis result information indicating the analysis result; and a quality mode of content data based on the analysis result information A quality determination unit that determines and generates a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set; and a parameter transmission unit that transmits the quality parameter to the content distribution apparatus via the network. Note that the user terminal according to the present invention has substantially the same configuration as the user terminal configured in the content distribution system, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The reception status analysis unit analyzes the reception status data indicating the reception status of the content data or test data distributed from the content distribution device based on the quality mode discrimination data every predetermined time, and the quality determination unit The quality mode of the content data may be determined based on the analysis result information generated by the reception status analysis unit, and the quality parameter in which the quality mode is set may be generated. According to such a configuration, the content data distributed from the content distribution device or the reception data indicating the reception status of the test data is periodically analyzed every predetermined time, so that the accurate quality mode of the content data is always determined, Content data encoded in that mode can be received. Therefore, seamless reproduction of content data can be realized regardless of the time zone.

  The reception status data is the bit rate of the content data transmitted to the user terminal, and the reception status analysis unit analyzes the transition of the bit rate and analyzes the quality mode corresponding to the transition of the bit rate. You may comprise so that it may set to information.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program that causes a computer to function as a content distribution apparatus that distributes content data to a user terminal via a network. The computer program uses at least one of test data for determining the quality mode of the content data distributed to the user terminal and quality mode discrimination data for discriminating an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data. Test data distribution means to be transmitted to the user terminal; referring to the quality mode of the quality parameter transmitted from the user terminal, and corresponding to the quality mode set in the quality parameter of the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal Content data acquisition means for acquiring content data encoded in advance in a content database from a content database; and content data distribution means for distributing encoded content data to a user terminal via a network It is said.

  The test data distribution means (1) every time there is a content data distribution request from the user terminal, (2) there is a plurality of content data distribution requests from the user terminal, and at least one of the plurality of content data is distributed (3) When at least one of the test data and the quality mode discrimination data is transmitted to the user terminal when it falls under any of the above (1) to (3) every predetermined time, May be.

  In addition, the test data distribution means includes one or more quality modes based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal transmitted from the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. The quality mode of any one of the test data may be determined, and the test data encoded in advance in that mode may be transmitted to the user terminal.

  The content data distribution means may be configured to determine the quality mode set in the quality parameter based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal.

  The computer program further includes billing processing means, and the billing processing means, if the content data delivery bit rate by the content data delivery means cannot maintain a threshold value or more determined for each quality mode, You may comprise so that it may charge a discount with respect to delivery of data.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program that causes a computer to function as a content distribution apparatus that distributes content data to a user terminal via a network. The computer program uses at least one of test data for determining the quality mode of the content data distributed to the user terminal and quality mode discrimination data for discriminating an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data. A test data distribution means for transmitting to the user terminal; each time referring to the quality mode of the quality parameter transmitted from the user terminal, the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal is acquired from the content database, and the content data Content data acquisition means for encoding in a mode corresponding to the quality mode set in the quality parameter; and content data distribution means for distributing the encoded content data to the user terminal via the network. It is a feature.

  The test data distribution means includes (1) a request for distribution of content data from a user terminal, and (2) a request for distribution of a plurality of content data from the user terminal, at least one of the plurality of content data. Each time distribution is completed, (3) at least one of the test data and the quality mode determination data is transmitted to the user terminal when it corresponds to any of the above (1) to (3) every predetermined time May be.

  The test data distribution means dynamically sets the quality mode of the test data based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal transmitted from the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. The test data determined and encoded in the mode may be transmitted to the user terminal.

  The content data distribution means may be configured to determine the quality mode set in the quality parameter based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. .

  The content distribution apparatus further includes a billing processing means, and the billing processing means, when the distribution bit rate of the content data by the content data distribution means cannot maintain a threshold value or more determined for each quality mode, You may comprise so that discount charge may be carried out with respect to delivery of content data.

  Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer program causes a computer to function as a user terminal that reproduces at least content data distributed from a content distribution apparatus via a network. Is provided. The computer program receives a selection of content data from a user, and requests a content distribution request means for requesting the content distribution apparatus to distribute the content data; test data for determining the quality mode of the content data is the content distribution apparatus Receiving status analysis means for analyzing at least the reception status data transmitted from the test data and indicating the reception status of the test data, and generating analysis result information indicating the analysis result; and determining the quality mode of the content data based on the analysis result information And a quality determination means for generating a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set; and a parameter transmission means for transmitting the quality parameter to the content distribution apparatus via the network.

  The reception status analysis means analyzes the reception status data indicating the reception status of the content data or test data distributed from the content distribution device based on the quality mode discrimination data every predetermined time, and the quality determination means The quality mode of the content data may be determined based on the analysis result information generated by the reception status analysis unit, and the quality parameter in which the quality mode is set may be generated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, before the content data is distributed, the content data quality mode is determined from the reception status of each user terminal, so that the content depends on the user terminal requesting the distribution. Data can be encoded so that it can be reproduced without interruption, and the encoded content data can be distributed to the user terminal. In addition, since the possibility of packet loss and delay is low, the network load is reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(About the content distribution system 100)
First, the overall configuration of the content distribution system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the content distribution system 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 100 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a plurality of user terminals 101a, 101b,..., 101n (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as “user terminals 101”). And a user authentication server 300, a content management server 400, a billing server 700, and a network 103 that interconnects these devices. The user authentication server 300, the content management server 400, and the charging server 700 may be collectively referred to as a content distribution device (content distribution server).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 100 will be described by taking as an example a case where each of the user authentication server 300, the content management server 400, and the billing server 700 is composed of a single piece of hardware. , It is not limited to such an example. For example, the content distribution system 100 can be implemented even when including one or more user authentication servers 300, one or more content management servers 400, and one or more billing servers 700.

  In the content distribution system 100 shown in FIG. 1, when the user terminal 101 accesses the content management server 400, the user authentication server 300 first confirms the identity of the user who uses the user terminal 101 (user authentication), and thereafter When desired content data is selected from a variety of content data such as music, movies, and sports held by the content management server 400, the content data is distributed to the user terminal 101 via the network 103 ( Streaming). Note that the content data according to the present embodiment includes at least one of moving image data, still image data, sound source data, or text data.

  Note that when selecting content data according to the present embodiment, for example, metadata may be distributed to the user terminal 101 in advance, and desired content data may be selected from the metadata.

  Specifically, catalog information or portal information of content data consisting of various categories such as concert, baseball, soccer, etc. from a metadata management server (not shown) for storing metadata to the user terminal 101. Metadata corresponding to the above is distributed. When the title name of the content data described in the metadata is displayed on the screen, the user selects the content data.

  In streaming, the user terminal 101 receives content data via the network 103 and does not start playback after receiving all the content data, but plays the content data in parallel with the reception of the content data. That means. In addition, the received content data is temporarily stored in a buffer such as a memory and deleted when played back. However, the present invention is not limited to this example.

  Note that when the user (user) is a non-member, only the content data of the trailer can be streamed, and the target of content data that can be streamed by the user / non-member may be different.

  The content management server 400 acquires test data from the content database based on information such as the title name of the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal 101 and distributes the test data to the user terminal 101 via the network 103.

  The test data according to the present embodiment is stream data that is continuously transmitted for a predetermined time, unlike PING data in which a small number of packets by a PING command are packed. For example, the test data can exemplify content data of a trailer whose playback time is shorter than that of the main part, but is not limited to such an example, and for example, the content data of the main part can be implemented as test data.

  When the test data is distributed to the user terminal 101, the user terminal 101 analyzes the reception status of the test data to determine a quality mode indicating the quality of the main content data distributed from the content management server 400. To do. Therefore, the test data is used not only to inform the user of the main notice but also to determine the quality of the so-called content data.

  The quality mode is a mode indicating the quality (encoding level, etc.) of content data such as a high image quality mode, a medium image quality mode, or a low image quality mode, or a high sound quality mode, a medium sound quality mode, or A mode indicating the quality of the quality of the content data such as a low sound quality mode can be exemplified.

  When the user terminal 101 receives the test data from the content management server 400, the user terminal 101 accumulates the test data in a buffer such as a memory and generates reception status data indicating the reception status of the test data.

  After the end of streaming test data, the user terminal 101 analyzes the reception status data based on the quality mode determination data, which is a material for determining the quality mode, and determines the quality mode. The quality mode determination data is transmitted from the content management server 400 together with test data distribution. Details of the quality mode discrimination data will be described later.

  When the quality mode is determined as a result of distributing the test data, the content management server 400 distributes the content data encoded in the quality mode determined by the user terminal 101 to the user terminal 101 via the network 103.

  With this configuration, the user terminal 101 determines the quality of the content data in consideration of the line condition such as the traffic of the network 103. Therefore, the user terminal 101 receives the content data encoded in the quality mode optimal for the traffic at that time. Can do. Therefore, the user terminal 101 can prevent a situation in which the video is interrupted during reproduction because the content data is not stored in the buffer, and the content data can be reproduced seamlessly.

  In addition, after the distribution of the content data is completed, the charging server 700 performs a charging process. The charging server 700 charges the user for distribution of content data. Billing data generated as a result of billing is stored in a billing database (billing DB).

  Note that, during distribution of content data, the content data encoded in the quality mode determined by the user terminal 101 has a bit rate less than or equal to a predetermined threshold determined in the quality mode for the user terminal 101 for some reason. In this case, the billing server 700 charges the users belonging to the user terminal 101 with a discount. Discounted charging is to charge by discounting various fixed amounts over normal charging.

  Here, the user terminal 101 shown in FIG. 1 is various playback devices capable of streaming content data such as video or audio to a storage device corresponding to a built-in hard disk drive or the like. More specifically, the user terminal 101 is, for example, a computer device (notebook type or desktop type) such as a personal computer.

  The user terminal 101 according to the present embodiment will be described by taking a streaming playback apparatus as an example. However, the user terminal 101 is not limited to this example. For example, content data is downloaded and recorded in a storage apparatus. The recording / reproducing apparatus for reproducing the recorded content data may be used. Note that downloading refers to playing back content data after all content data has been received.

  The user terminal 101 according to the present embodiment will be described by taking a computer device as an example. However, the user terminal 101 is not limited to this example. For example, the user terminal 101 may be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a portable type. Video players / recorders, portable audio players / recorders such as IC recorders, imaging devices such as digital cameras or video recorders, home game machines, VTRs, CD or DVD recorders / players, radio devices, mobile phones, PHS, TV ( (TeleVison), information appliances, and the like.

  In this specification, access refers to, for example, use of the content distribution system, connection from the user terminal 101 to each server such as the content management server 400, and access from each server such as the content management server 400 to the user terminal 101. Collectively refers to information processing such as connection, connection from server to server, data reference, data storage, data deletion, or data change.

  In addition, the user terminal 101 according to the present embodiment stores the content data distributed from the content management server 400 in a built-in storage device, CD, CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-Ray Disc, or the like after the end of streaming. The present invention can be implemented even when recording is performed on a recording means such as a corresponding recording medium.

  Next, the content management server 400 is a server used for a content distribution service that distributes a variety of content data to the user terminal 101 via the network 103 as described above, and is configured by a computer device or the like having a server function. Is done.

  When distributing music content, the content management server 400 encodes the content data using, for example, the MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) method, ATRAC3 (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 3), and distributes it to the user terminal 101. However, it is not limited to such a format.

  In addition, when distributing the video content, the content management server 400 encodes the content data in MPEG2 (Moving Picture Image Coding Experts Group 2), MPEG4, or QuickTime format and distributes it to the user terminal 101, for example. , It is not limited to such a format.

  Next, the network 103 is typically a public line network connected by a similar method such as ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) or FTTH (Fiber To The Home), but is dedicated to WAN, LAN, IP-VPN, etc. Includes the network. The connection medium may be a fiber optic cable using FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), a coaxial cable using Ethernet (registered trademark) or a twisted pair cable, or wireless using a wired communication such as IEEE802.11b, a satellite communication network, etc. Including.

  Next, the user authentication server 300 is a computer device mainly having an authentication function for verifying the identity of a user belonging to a member of the content distribution service and a function for storing / managing user information regarding the member user. The user information managed by the user authentication server 300 includes license information for reproducing / recording content data.

  The accounting server 700 performs accounting processing for streaming content data to the user terminal 101, for example. When the content data cannot be distributed at the bit rate corresponding to the quality of the content data when streaming of the content data is completed, a discount billing process is performed on the user terminal 101.

  When discounted billing processing or billing processing is executed, billing data is generated and stored in the billing DB from the billing data. The stored billing data is referred to at the time of settlement processing for each user, for example, and settlement processing is executed based on the billing data.

  Examples of the charging process include a case where a predetermined amount is charged for one piece of content data and a case where a piece of content data is charged in a metered manner every predetermined time.

  In the content distribution system 100 configured as described above, when the user terminal 101 receives a request for processing such as reproduction of the distributed content data from the user, the user terminal 101 requests the charging server 700 for charging processing.

  Although the user authentication server 300, the content management server 400, and the accounting server 700 according to the present embodiment are configured as separate units and are connected to the network 103 as an example, the description is limited to this example. Not. For example, the present invention can be implemented even when the user authentication server 300, the content management server 400, and the billing server 700 are integrated.

(About user terminal 101)
Next, the configuration of the user terminal 101 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the user terminal 101 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 101 includes, for example, a CPU 102, a memory 104, an input unit 106, a display unit 108, a communication unit 110, a parameter transmission unit 112, a storage device 114, and content distribution. A request unit 116, a reception status analysis unit 118, a quality determination unit 120, and a content reproduction unit 180 are provided.

  The CPU 102 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and can control processing of each unit in the user terminal 101.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the memory 104 according to the present embodiment temporarily stores content data or test data distributed from the content management server 400 in a storage area as a buffer, and receives the test data. Temporarily stores reception status data and quality mode discrimination data generated by. Details of the reception status data or quality mode discrimination data will be described later.

  The memory 104 is constituted by a storage means such as a RAM, a ROM, or a cache memory, for example, and temporarily stores various data related to the processing of the CPU 102 and data such as a software program for reproducing content data. It also has a function.

  The input unit 106 includes, for example, operation means such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, and a lever, and an input control circuit that generates an input signal and outputs it to the CPU 102. The user of the user terminal 101 can input various data and instruct processing operations to the user terminal 101 by operating the input unit 106.

  The display unit 108 includes, for example, a CRT display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a display device such as a lamp, and an audio output device such as a speaker. The display unit 108 can output the content data reproduced by the content reproduction unit 180. Specifically, the display device displays reproduced video data, electronic books, games, GUI screens of various software, and the like. On the other hand, the audio output device can sound the reproduced audio data. If the content data handled by the user terminal 101 is only audio data, the display device is unnecessary, whereas if the content data is only video data, the audio output device is unnecessary.

  The communication unit 110 is a communication interface configured with, for example, a communication line, a communication circuit, a communication device, and the like. The communication unit 110 can transmit and receive various data such as content data, test data, and quality mode determination data to and from the content management server 400 on the network via the network 103.

  The parameter transmission unit 112 is a communication interface that transmits the quality parameter in which the quality mode determined by the quality determination unit 120 is set via the network 103. The parameter transmission unit 112 according to the present embodiment will be described by taking a case where it is separate from the communication unit 110 as an example, but is not limited to this example, and the communication unit 110 and the parameter transmission unit 112 are integrated. Even in this case, it can be implemented.

  The storage device 114 is a data storage device configured by, for example, a hard disk drive, a flash memory, and the like, and can store various data such as user information, terminal performance information, network line information, and programs.

  The above user information includes, for example, information such as user identification information (user ID) and an encrypted password for identity verification when the user is a member who has subscribed to the content distribution service. It is.

  The terminal performance information includes information indicating the performance of the user terminal 101 itself, such as the clock frequency of the CPU 102 and the storage capacity of the memory 104 or the storage device 114.

  The network line information includes information such as the type of line that the user terminal 101 connects to the network 103, such as ADSL and FTTH, and the line speed (for example, 8 Mbps and 100 Mbps). The environment information such as the network line information is set by a user, for example.

  When the user operates the input unit 106 and content data is selected from the title name displayed on the screen, the content distribution request unit 116 identifies the title name of the content data and identification information for identifying the content data. Etc. are transmitted to the content management server 400. The content distribution request unit 116 may request an authentication process from the user authentication server 300 based on the user information.

  In addition, after transmitting the distribution request information, the content distribution request unit 116 further transmits at least one of terminal performance information and network line information stored in the storage device 114 to the content management server 400.

  By transmitting at least one of the terminal performance information and the network line information to the content management server 400, the content management server 400 refers to the terminal performance information and / or the network line information and determines the quality mode of the test data. can do.

  The test data quality mode according to the present embodiment may be determined by, for example, determining any one mode from one or more predetermined quality modes, terminal performance information, and / or network. For example, the quality mode of the test data is determined by calculating with a predetermined formula based on the line information and dynamically obtaining the quality mode value.

  The reception status analysis unit 118 generates reception status data indicating the reception status of the test data distributed from the content management server 400, and analyzes the reception status data based on the quality mode determination data.

  In addition, when the reception status analysis unit 118 analyzes the reception status data, the reception status analysis unit 118 generates analysis result information indicating an analysis result. In the analysis result information, an appropriate quality mode is set as a result of the analysis.

  The reception status data is data indicating a transition of an accumulated data amount in which test data is accumulated in the memory 104 serving as a buffer. Specific details will be described later. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the reception status data is data indicating a transition of the amount of data in which test data is newly stored in the memory 104 serving as a buffer, or test data stored in the memory 104 serving as a buffer. The present invention can also be implemented in the case of data indicating the bit rate (bps) of the data.

  The quality determination unit 120 refers to the analysis result information generated by the reception status analysis unit 118, refers to the quality mode set in the analysis result information, and determines the quality mode. The quality determining unit 120 may use the contents of the terminal performance information or the network line information stored in the storage device 114 as a judgment material when determining the quality mode. For example, when determining the quality mode, if the frequency of the CPU 102 in the terminal performance information is 1 GHz or more, the case where the quality mode set in the analysis result information is further upgraded may be exemplified. it can.

  In addition, the determination of the content data quality mode according to the present embodiment is performed, for example, when one mode is determined from one or more predetermined quality modes, or the quality set in the quality parameter is determined. For example, the quality mode of content data is determined by calculating with a predetermined formula based on at least one of mode, terminal performance information, or network line information, and dynamically determining the quality mode value. It is done.

  When the quality determination unit 120 determines the quality mode, the quality determination unit 120 generates a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set. The quality parameter is transmitted to the content management server 400 via the network 103, and the content data encoded in the quality mode is distributed to the user terminal 101.

  The test data is distributed from the content management server 400 to the user terminal 101, and the user terminal 101 receives the content data encoded in the quality mode corresponding to the reception status by analyzing the reception status of the test data. can do. That is, the user terminal 101 can receive content data encoded in a quality mode that allows the user terminal 101 to process content data most efficiently during distribution. Accordingly, the user terminal 101 can reproduce the video without interruption during the streaming even in the best effort type.

  The content playback unit 180 has a streaming playback function of acquiring test data or content data stored in the memory 104 serving as a buffer and performing a predetermined process such as decoding to display it on the screen of the display unit 108.

  The content playback unit 180 is configured by, for example, a playback device having a content playback function or content playback software installed in the user terminal 101, and can play back various types of content data.

(About the user authentication server 300)
Next, the user authentication server 300 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the user authentication server according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the user authentication server 300 includes, for example, a CPU 202, a memory 204, an input unit 206, a display unit 208, a communication unit 210, a storage device 214, a user authentication unit 220, and user information. A management unit 222.

  The CPU 202 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and can control processing of each unit provided in the user authentication server 300. The memory 204 is constituted by, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a cache memory, and the like, and has a function of temporarily storing various data related to the processing of the CPU 202, an operation program of the CPU 202, and the like.

  The communication unit 210 is a communication interface configured with, for example, a communication line, a communication circuit, a communication device, and the like. The communication unit 210 can transmit / receive authentication request information, authentication result information, and the like for authenticating a user who uses the user terminal 101 to / from the content management server 400 or the like.

  The storage device 214 is, for example, a data storage device composed of a hard disk drive or the like, and can store various data such as programs. The storage device 214 stores, for example, a user information database (user information DB) 218.

  In the user information DB 218, for example, authentication information such as a user ID and a password for determining whether the user is a member who can use the content distribution service is stored for each user.

  The user authentication unit 220 confirms whether or not the user is a member of the content distribution service. The identity verification is determined, for example, based on whether or not the user ID and password transmitted from the user terminal 101 match the user ID and password stored in the user information DB.

  For example, the user information management unit 222 newly stores user information stored in the user information DB and deletes or changes existing user information in response to a request from the user terminal 101.

(About the content management server 400)
Next, the content management server 400 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the content management server according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the content management server 400 includes, for example, a CPU 402, a memory 404, an input unit 406, a display unit 408, a communication unit 410, a content acquisition unit 411, a storage device 414, and content data. A distribution unit 421, a test data distribution unit 422, and a distribution request reception unit 423 are provided.

  The CPU 402 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and can control processing of each unit provided in the content management server 400. The memory 404 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a cache memory, and the like, and has a function of temporarily storing various data related to processing of the CPU 402, an operation program of the CPU 402, and the like. The other input unit 406, display unit 408, or communication unit 410 provided in the content management server 400 is substantially the same as the configuration described in the user authentication server 300, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The content acquisition unit 411 accesses the storage apparatus 414 to call and acquire data of each database stored in the storage apparatus 414, delete data, update data, and the like.

  The storage device 414 is a data storage device composed of, for example, a hard disk drive, a flash memory, etc., and can store various data such as programs and content data.

  The storage device 414 stores at least a content database (content DB) 416, a test database (test DB) 417, and quality mode determination data 418.

  The content DB 416 is a database that stores content data such as sports, music, and movies. Content data produced by a producer or the like is stored in the content DB 416 as appropriate.

  In the content DB 416, content data encoded in one or more quality modes such as a high image quality mode and a low image quality mode are stored for each content data. Therefore, when a quality parameter is transmitted from the user terminal 101, content data encoded in the quality mode set in the quality parameter is acquired from the content DB 416 and distributed to the user terminal 101.

  The content DB 416 according to the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example the case where content data encoded in advance in one or more quality modes is stored, but is not limited to this example. For example, in the content DB 416, only original data that has not been subjected to any processing such as compression is stored for each content, and is encoded in the quality mode set in the quality parameter when distributed to the user terminal 101. In addition, the present invention can also be implemented when the encoded content data is distributed to the user terminal 101.

  The test DB 417 is a database in which test data used for determining the quality mode of content data to be distributed is stored for each content. As described above, the test data can be exemplified as content data that is a trailer of content data that is the main part of sports, music, movies, or the like.

  The test DB 417 stores test data encoded for each test data in one or more quality modes such as a high image quality mode and a low image quality mode. Therefore, when terminal performance information or network line information is transmitted from the user terminal 101, the quality mode of the test data is determined based on the information, and the test data encoded in the quality mode is the user terminal. 101.

  The test DB 417 according to the present embodiment has been described as an example in which test data encoded in advance in one or more quality modes is stored, but is not limited to this example. For example, in the test DB 417, only original data that has not been subjected to any processing such as compression is stored for each content, and is determined based on terminal performance information or network line information when distributed to the user terminal 101. In addition, the quality mode encoding can be performed, and the encoded test data can be distributed to the user terminal 101.

  The quality mode discriminating data 418 is data serving as a judgment criterion when the user terminal 101 decides the quality mode. By applying the reception status data to the quality mode discrimination data 418, it is determined which quality mode is appropriate. The quality mode discrimination data 418 is transmitted to the user terminal 101 together with the test data by the test data distribution unit 422.

  Further, the quality mode discrimination data according to the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example a case where the same data is transmitted uniformly to each user terminal 101, but is not limited to such an example. For example, quality mode discrimination data The data can be implemented even when the quality mode discrimination criterion is changed depending on the contents of the terminal performance information or network line information of the user terminal 101.

  When there is a content data distribution request from the user terminal 101, the test data distribution unit 422 acquires test data corresponding to the content data on a one-to-one basis from the test DB 418, and distributes the acquired test data to the user terminal 101. To do. In addition, when there is no test data corresponding to the content data, the content data encoded in an arbitrary quality mode for the predetermined time may be distributed at the beginning of the content data selected by the user.

  The distribution request receiving unit 423 has a function of receiving a content data distribution request from the user terminal 101. Also, a notification that the streaming process has been completed is received from the user terminal 101.

  When the quality parameter is transmitted from the user terminal 101, the content data distribution unit 421 acquires content data encoded in the quality mode set in the quality parameter, and sends it to the user terminal 101 via the network 103. To deliver. Also, quality mode instruction information is transmitted before distribution. Note that the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, when the content data distribution unit 421 acquires a quality parameter, the content data is dynamically encoded in the quality mode set in the quality parameter, and the encoded content data May be transmitted to the user terminal 101.

(About billing server 700)
Next, the charging server 700 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the accounting server according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the billing server 700 includes, for example, a CPU 502, a memory 504, an input unit 506, a display unit 508, a communication unit 510, a billing processing unit 512, a storage device 514, and a discount judgment unit. 516.

  The CPU 502 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and can control processing of each unit provided in the accounting server 700. The memory 504 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a cache memory, and the like, and has a function of temporarily storing various data related to processing of the CPU 502, operation programs of the CPU 502, and the like.

  The communication unit 510 is a communication interface configured by, for example, a communication line, a communication circuit, a communication device, and the like. The communication unit 510 transmits / receives charging request information, charging result information, etc. for performing charging processing for distribution of content data to a user who uses the user terminal 101 with the content management server 400 or the like. Can do.

  When the content data distribution process by the content management server 400 is completed, the charge processing unit 512, when the content management server 400 requests the charge server 700 to execute the charge process for the content data distribution process, the content data distribution destination The billing process is executed for the user using the user terminal 101.

  The storage device 514 is a data storage device configured by, for example, a hard disk drive, and can store various data such as programs. The storage device 514 also has a charging database (charging DB) 518, for example.

  In the charging DB 518, for example, charging information is stored in the order of the user ID of each user. The billing information is information indicating the processing result when the billing process is executed, and the price for delivering the content data is billed to the user of the delivery destination. For example, information such as a title name of distributed content data, a content ID for identifying content data, a distribution date and time, and a charged amount are set in the charging information. However, the charging information is not limited to this example.

  Discount determination unit 516 determines whether or not the content data distribution process is a discount target. When the discount determination unit 516 receives discount request information from the user terminal 101 via the communication unit 510, the discount determination unit 516 stores the discount request information in the memory 504, for example. When the billing processing unit 512 requests that the billing processing unit 512 determine whether or not it is a discount target, the discount judgment unit 516 causes the discount request stored in the memory 504 to be discounted. In the information, the presence / absence of the corresponding discount request information is confirmed, and if there is discount request information by the distribution processing of the requested content data, a response is made to the charging processing unit 512 that it is a discount target.

  The discount request information is used to discount the amount charged for the content data distribution process when the distribution process corresponding to the quality mode of the content data is not performed in the content data distribution process for the user terminal 101. This is information for requesting the content management server 400 from the user terminal 101.

  The standard for determining whether or not the distribution process corresponding to the quality mode of the content data has been performed is, for example, the content data quality mode is a medium image quality mode (bit rate is 4800 bps, etc.), and encoded content data If the bit rate falls below 4800 bps even during reception, the user terminal 101 generates discount request information. The discount request information is generated by the reception status analysis unit 118 provided in the user terminal 101. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the discount request information may be the quality determination unit 120 or the discount request information generation unit ( Even if it is generated by (not shown), it can be implemented.

(About content data distribution processing)
Next, content data distribution processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an outline of content data distribution processing according to the present embodiment.

  When the user terminal 101 accesses the content management server 400, first, the content management server 400 requests the user authentication server 300 to authenticate the user in order to authenticate the user who uses the access source user terminal 101.

  For example, the user authentication server 300 generates login screen data for inputting a user ID and a password corresponding to the user ID, and transmits the login screen data to the content management server 400. Note that screen data such as login screen data according to the present embodiment is generated in a markup language (HTML or XML format) that can be displayed by a program such as a Web browser.

  The user terminal 101 receives the login screen data from the user authentication server 300 via the content management server 400, and a login screen (not shown) is displayed on the screen of the display unit 108.

  When the user terminal 101 is operated by the user to input a user ID and password, the user terminal 101 transmits the input user ID and password to the user authentication server 300 via the network 103, and the user terminal 101 A confirmation process is performed. Note that the user ID and password may be user information stored in the storage device 114 without being input by the user.

  When authenticated by the user authentication server 300, the content management server 400 generates list screen data for displaying a list of content data on the screen of the user terminal 101, and transmits it to the user terminal 101.

  When the user terminal 101 receives the list screen data, the user terminal 101 displays the list screen data on the screen of the display unit 108. The user selects desired content data from the list screen data displayed on the screen.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the user terminal 101 accepts selection of content data from the user, the user terminal 101 requests the content management server 400 to distribute the content data (S601).

(About the content data list screen)
Here, a list screen on which content data according to the present embodiment is displayed in a list will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a content data list screen according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a list screen 601 displaying a list of content data is displayed on the display unit 108. The list screen 601 includes at least a check box 603 for selecting content data, a “delivery start” button, and a “next list” button.

  The user determines the desired content data among the content data whose content name displayed on the list screen 601 is “AAA”, and enters the input unit 106 in the check box 603 corresponding to the content name of the content data. Mark ("Re") with a mouse or the like to select content data. Note that the content data displayed on the list screen according to the present embodiment is not limited to four, and is not limited to a number as long as it is 1 or 2 or more.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the list screen 601, a check box 603-3 corresponding to the content name of the content data “CCC” is marked (“Re”). In the state where the check box 603-3 is marked, when the “distribution start” button is selected by the input unit 106, distribution request information in which a content name or the like is set is transmitted to the content management server 400.

  The list screen 601 according to the present embodiment has been described by taking the case where the content name is displayed on the screen as an example. However, the list screen 601 is not limited to this example. Even when a quality mode name for designating a quality mode of content data such as a sound quality mode is further displayed, the present invention can be implemented. In such a case, if it is determined that the content data encoded in the selected quality mode can be distributed to the user terminal 101 in the quality mode determination process, it is encoded in the quality mode as desired by the user. Content data is distributed. The determination of the quality mode will be described later.

  Next, when the distribution request information is transmitted from the user terminal 101 to the content management server 400 (S601), the content distribution request unit 116 provided in the user terminal 101 further stores the terminal performance information stored in the storage device 114 and The network line information is transmitted to the content management server 400 as the terminal environment information (S603).

  The test data distribution unit 422 provided in the content management server 400 acquires the terminal performance information and / or network line information, determines the quality mode of the test data, and further adds the same quality mode to the requested content data. Corresponding encoded test data is retrieved from the test DB 417.

  The test data quality mode according to the present embodiment may be determined by, for example, determining any one mode from one or more predetermined quality modes, terminal performance information, and / or network. For example, the quality mode of the test data is determined by calculating with a predetermined formula based on the line information and dynamically obtaining the quality mode value.

  When the encoded test data exists in the test DB 417, the test data distribution unit 422 transmits quality mode instruction information to the user terminal 101 (S605). The quality mode instruction information indicates, for example, at least one of a test data quality mode instruction and a timing to transmit test data from now on to the user terminal 101.

Distribution of the encoded test data to the user terminal 101 is started via the network 103 (S607). The test data distribution unit 422 distributes test data for the time _St1 .

  When the distribution of the test data is completed (S609), the user terminal 101 determines the quality mode of the main content data to be distributed from the test data reception status, and generates the quality parameter in which the quality mode is set. Then, it is transmitted to the content management server 400 (S611).

  The content data quality mode according to the present embodiment is determined when, for example, one of the predetermined quality modes or two or more quality modes is determined, or the quality set in the quality parameter. For example, the quality mode of content data is determined by calculating with a predetermined formula based on at least one of mode, terminal performance information, or network line information, and dynamically determining the quality mode value. It is done.

  When the content management server 400 receives the quality parameter from the user terminal 101, the content management server 400 acquires the quality mode set in the quality parameter, searches the content DB 416 for content data encoded in the quality mode, and takes it out.

  When the encoded content data selected by the user is acquired, the content management server 400 transmits the quality mode instruction information of the content data to be distributed (S613). The quality mode instruction information is almost the same as described above.

The content management server 400 starts distributing the encoded content data (S615). The delivery of the encoded content data is continued during the time _Sc1 .

  When content data is transmitted from the content management server 400, the user terminal 101 first temporarily stores it in the memory 104, which is a buffer. When a predetermined amount of content data is stored, the user terminal 101 is set in the quality mode instruction information. In the quality mode, the decoding process is performed and the data is reproduced on the screen of the display unit 108.

  When the distribution processing of the encoded content data is completed from the content management server 400 (S617), the user terminal 101 confirms whether or not the content data has been transmitted at a bit rate or the like corresponding to the quality mode.

  For example, when the bit rate for receiving content data falls below a predetermined value set for each quality mode even once, the user terminal 101 determines that content data suitable for the quality mode has not been transmitted, and discount request information And the discount request information is transmitted to the content management server 400 as a reception result notification (S619). If content data suitable for the quality mode has been transmitted, discount request information is not generated, and information indicating that reception has been completed is transmitted as a reception result notification (S619).

  When the content management server 400 receives the reception result notification, the content management server 400 transfers the reception result notification to the accounting server 700. The billing server 700 checks whether or not discount request information is included in the reception result notification in order to charge for content data distribution processing. If discount request information is included, the content data distribution processing is performed. Is discounted, and a discount billing process is executed in which a predetermined amount is discounted from the price for billing. If discount request information is not included, normal charging processing is executed.

  When the accounting process ends, the accounting data is stored in the accounting DB, and accounting result information describing the contents of the accounting data is generated, and the accounting server 700 sends the accounting result information to the user terminal 101 that is the accounting destination. Transmit (S621). Thus, a series of operations of content data distribution processing when there is a single content data for which a distribution request has been made ends.

  Next, content data distribution processing when there are a plurality of content data requested for distribution according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing an outline of a delivery process for a plurality of content data according to the present embodiment. In the description of the distribution process for distributing a plurality of content data according to the present embodiment, differences from the above-described distribution process for distributing a single piece of content data according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. .

  As shown in FIG. 8, after authentication by the user authentication server 300, when the user terminal 101 receives selection of content data from the user, the user terminal 101 requests the content management server 400 to distribute the content data (S801). . As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, two content data are requested to be distributed. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and any number of content data can be included in a plurality of distribution requests. Even if a distribution request is made, it can be implemented.

  Next, when the distribution request information is transmitted from the user terminal 101 to the content management server 400 (S801), the content distribution request unit 116 provided in the user terminal 101 transmits the terminal performance information stored in the storage device 114 and / or Alternatively, the network line information is transmitted to the content management server 400 as terminal environment information (S803).

  The test data distribution unit 422 acquires the terminal performance information and / or network line information, determines the quality mode of the test data, and further encodes the same quality mode and corresponding to the requested content data. Test data is retrieved from the test DB 417.

  When the encoded test data exists in the test DB 417, the test data distribution unit 422 transmits quality mode instruction information to the user terminal 101 (S805). The quality mode instruction information indicates a test data quality mode instruction and / or timing for transmitting test data from now on to the user terminal 101, but is not limited to this example.

Distribution of the encoded test data to the user terminal 101 is started via the network 103 (S807). The test data distribution unit 422 distributes test data for the time _St2 .

  When the distribution of the test data is completed (S809), the user terminal 101 determines the quality mode of the content data from the reception status of the test data, generates a quality parameter in which the determined quality mode is set, and the content management server 400. (S811).

  When the content management server 400 receives the quality parameter from the user terminal 101, the content management server 400 acquires the quality mode set in the quality parameter, encodes the quality data in the quality mode, and the content data for which the first distribution request has been made. Search and retrieve from DB416.

  When the content data selected and encoded by the user is acquired, the content management server 400 transmits the quality mode instruction information of the content data that is requested to be distributed first (S813).

The content management server 400 starts distributing the encoded content data (S815). The delivery of the encoded content data is continued during the time _Sc2 .

  When the content data is transmitted from the content management server 400, the user terminal 101 temporarily stores it in the memory 104, which is a buffer, performs decoding processing in the quality mode set in the quality mode instruction information, and displays the display unit 108. Output to the screen or speaker.

  When the distribution processing of the encoded content data from the content management server 400 is completed (S817), the user terminal 101 analyzes the reception status of the content data during the distribution of the content data, thereby changing the quality mode. The quality parameter determined again and the quality mode set is transmitted again to the content management server 400 (S819). In other words, the content data of the main part can be substituted for the test data, and any data that can be distributed to the user terminal 101 for a predetermined time can be used.

  When the quality parameter is transmitted again to the content management server 400 (S819), the content management server 400 acquires the quality mode, is encoded in the quality mode, and the content data that has been requested to be delivered second is the content. Search and obtain from DB 416.

  When the encoded content data to be distributed second is acquired, the content management server 400 transmits the quality mode instruction information related to the content data requested to be distributed second (S821).

Next, the content management server 400 starts distributing the second encoded content data among the content requested to be distributed (S823). Note that the distribution processing of the encoded content data is continuously performed for the time _Sc2 .

  When content data is transmitted from the content management server 400, the user terminal 101 first temporarily stores it in the memory 104, which is a buffer. When a predetermined amount of content data is stored, the user terminal 101 is set in the quality mode instruction information. Decode processing is performed in the quality mode and reproduction is performed on the screen of the display unit 108.

  Next, when the distribution processing of the encoded content data is completed from the content management server 400 (S825), the user terminal 101 checks whether content data suitable for the quality mode has been transmitted during reception. If it is determined that the content data suitable for the quality mode has not been transmitted, discount request information is generated, and the discount request information is transmitted to the content management server 400 as a reception result notification (S827).

  When the content management server 400 receives the reception result notification, the content management server 400 transfers the reception result notification to the accounting server 700. If discount request information is included in the reception result notification, the charging server 700 determines that the content data distribution process is a discount target, and executes a discount charging process in which a charge is discounted by a predetermined amount. If discount request information is not included, normal charging processing is executed.

  When the accounting process ends, the accounting data is stored in the accounting DB, and accounting result information describing the contents of the accounting data is generated, and the accounting server 700 sends the accounting result information to the user terminal 101 that is the accounting destination. Transmit (S829). Thus, a series of operations of distribution processing for distributing a plurality of content data according to the present embodiment is completed.

(About server-side processing)
Next, processing executed by the user authentication server 300, the content management server 400, and the billing server 700 in the content distribution system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing an outline of the content distribution processing executed on the server side according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, after the user authentication server 300 authenticates, when the user terminal 101 accepts content data selection from the user, the distribution request accepting unit 423 of the content management server 400 receives the content from the user terminal 101. A distribution request is received to distribute data (S901).

  Further, when the content management server 400 receives the terminal performance information and / or network line information from the user terminal 101, the test data distribution unit 422 acquires the terminal performance information and / or network line information, and the test data quality mode. Further, the test DB 417 is searched for encoded test data corresponding to the requested content data with the same quality mode (S903).

  When the encoded test data exists in the test DB 417, the test data distribution unit 422 transmits quality mode instruction information to the user terminal 101 (S905). Since the quality mode instruction information is substantially the same as described above, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the test data distribution unit 422 distributes the encoded test data to the user terminal 101 via the network 103 (S907).

  When the distribution of the test data is completed, the content management server 400 waits until the quality parameter is transmitted from the user terminal 101 (S908). When the quality parameter is received (S908), the quality mode set in the quality parameter is changed. Obtained (S909), content data that has been encoded in the quality mode and requested for distribution is retrieved from the content DB 416 and retrieved (S911).

  When the content data selected and encoded by the user is acquired, the content data distribution unit 421 transmits to the user terminal 101 quality mode instruction information that informs the user terminal 101 of the quality mode of the content data to be distributed. (S913).

  Next, the content data distribution unit 421 distributes the encoded content data to the user terminal 101 that is the distribution request source via the network 103 (S915).

  When the content data distribution unit 421 finishes the distribution processing of the encoded content data, the content data distribution unit 421 waits until a reception result notification is transmitted from the user terminal 101 as shown in FIG. In S917), when the reception result notification is received (S917), it is transferred to the accounting server 700.

  The content data distribution unit 421 receives again a quality parameter for which the quality mode is set from the user terminal 101 when there is content data that has been requested for distribution but has not yet been distributed.

  Next, when receiving the reception result notification, the discount determination unit 516 provided in the charging server 700 determines whether or not discount charging is performed by confirming whether or not discount request information is included in the reception result notification ( S919).

  If discount request information is included (S921), the discount determination unit 516 determines that a discount is necessary (S921), and instructs the charging processing unit 512 to discount.

  Based on the title name of the distributed content data set in the reception result notification, the content identification information, the user ID, etc., the charging processing unit 512 starts from the fee for charging the content data distribution processing to the user. The fee is set again by discounting the predetermined amount (S923).

  When the charge is set again, the charging processing unit 512 executes the charging process for the user, generates charging data, stores it in the charging DB 518, and uses the charging result information indicating the contents of the charging process. To the user terminal 101 (S925).

(About processing on the user terminal side)
Next, a process executed by the user terminal 101 in the content distribution system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing an outline of the content reception process executed on the user terminal side according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, after authentication by the user authentication server 300, when the content distribution request unit 116 provided in the user terminal 101 accepts selection of content data from the user (S1101), the content management server 400 sends the content described above. A request is made to distribute data (S1103).

  Further, the content distribution request unit 116 provided in the user terminal 101 transmits the terminal performance information and / or network line information stored in the storage device 114 to the content management server 400 as terminal environment information (S1103).

  Next, as a result of the search by the content management server 400, when the encoded test data exists in the test DB 417, the content reproduction unit 180 provided in the user terminal 101 transmits the quality related to the test data via the communication unit 110. Wait until mode indication information is received.

  When the content reproduction unit 180 receives the quality mode instruction information (S1105), the quality mode set in the quality mode instruction information is referred to, and the mode for decoding the encoded content data is set to the quality mode ( S1107). Furthermore, the user terminal 101 receives from the content management server 400 quality mode determination data that is a reference for determining the quality mode of the content data requested for distribution.

  The user terminal 101 starts receiving the encoded test data via the network 103 (S1109), and the received data is temporarily stored in the memory 104. Furthermore, reception status data indicating the reception status of the test data is generated by the reception status analysis unit 118.

  When the distribution of the test data is completed and the reception status data indicating the reception status of all the distributed test data is generated, the reception status analysis unit 118 provided in the user terminal 101 is based on the quality mode determination data received in advance. The reception status data is analyzed (S1109).

  When the reception status data is analyzed, analysis result information indicating an analysis result is generated by the reception status analysis unit 118.

  Here, the reception status data analysis processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of reception status data and quality mode discrimination data according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the quality mode discrimination data according to the present embodiment, the vertical axis (y-axis) is the accumulated data amount (received data amount) in which test data is accumulated in the buffer, and the horizontal axis (x-axis). ) Is composed of an execution time (min) for distributing the test data.

  Further, the quality mode discrimination data includes boundary lines 1301 (1301a, 1301b, 1301c) for indicating the boundaries (thresholds) of each mode of one or more quality modes. The number of boundary lines 1301 according to the present embodiment is three as shown in FIG. 13, but is not limited to this example, and any number of boundary lines 1301 is included depending on the number of types of quality modes. Even if it is a case, it can be implemented.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the range from the boundary line 1301a to the boundary line 1301b is a high-quality mode among the quality modes having one or more types, and similarly, the range from the boundary line 1301b to the boundary line 1301c. However, in the medium image quality mode, the range from the boundary line 1301c to the horizontal axis t is the low image quality mode. As shown in FIG. 13, the case where the quality mode is image quality has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and even when the sound quality (high sound quality, medium sound quality, low sound quality) is used. Is possible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the quality mode discrimination data according to the present embodiment is data in such a format that the quality mode can be discriminated when the reception status data is data indicating the transition of the accumulated data amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, when the reception status data is data indicating the bit rate of test data stored in the memory 104 that is a buffer or the bit rate of test data received by the communication unit 110, the quality mode The discrimination data can be implemented even in the case of data in a format including the boundary line 1301 parallel to the horizontal axis direction in the order of the boundary line 1301a, the boundary line 1301b, the boundary line 1301c,.

  The reception status analysis unit 118 calls the quality mode discrimination data on the storage area of the memory 104, and further maps reception status data 1303 indicating the reception status of the test data as shown in FIG.

  Next, the reception status analysis unit 118 analyzes the entire range of the reception status data 1303 mapped to the quality mode discrimination data. As shown in FIG. 13, the reception status data changes between the boundary line 1301a and the boundary line 1301b immediately after the start of distribution, but as shown in a circle drawn with a broken line between 3 and 4 minutes. In addition, the reception status of the test data deteriorates, and the reception status data 1303 changes between the boundary line 1301b to the boundary line 1301c. When the reception status analysis unit 118 analyzes the reception status data as described above, for example, analysis result information in which the quality mode is set to the medium image quality mode is generated.

  Note that the reception status data analysis processing by the reception status analysis unit 118 according to the present embodiment is not limited to this, for example, when the number of times the reception status data has shifted to the range of the medium image quality mode is two times or more, When the time during which the reception status data has shifted to the range of the medium image quality mode is 3 minutes or more, the medium image quality mode may be set in the generated analysis result information.

  Returning to FIG. 11, when analyzed by the reception status analysis unit 118 provided in the user terminal 101 (S1109), the quality determination unit 120 next refers to the analysis result information generated by the reception status analysis unit 118, A quality mode is determined (S1111).

  In the determination of the quality mode according to the present embodiment, the quality mode set in the analysis result information is determined as it is as the quality mode of the content data. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Or, referring to the network line information, if the storage capacity of the memory 104 is 300 Mbps and the line speed of the network 103 is 100 Mbps, the mode is changed to a mode that is one rank higher than the quality mode set in the analysis result information. Even when the mode is determined as the quality mode of the content data, the present invention can be implemented.

  Next, the parameter transmission unit 112 sets the quality mode of the content data determined from the reception status of the test data to the quality parameter, and transmits the quality parameter to the content management server 400 (S1113).

  Next, when the quality mode set in the quality parameter is acquired by the content management server 400, and the content data encoded in the quality mode is retrieved and extracted from the content DB 416, as shown in FIG. The content reproduction unit 180 waits until the quality mode instruction information of the encoded content data to be distributed is transmitted from the content management server 400 to the user terminal 101 (S1115).

  Upon receiving the quality mode instruction information (S1115), the content reproduction unit 180 refers to the quality mode set in the quality mode instruction information, and sets the mode for decoding the encoded content data to the quality mode. (S1117).

  The user terminal 101 starts receiving the encoded content data via the network 103 (S1119), and the received content data is temporarily stored in the memory 104. Further, reception status data indicating the reception status of the content data is generated by the reception status analysis unit 118.

  The content reproduction unit 180 takes out the encoded content data temporarily stored in the memory 104, decodes it in the set quality mode, and outputs it to the display unit 108. Accordingly, if it is video data, the video is displayed on the screen and can be viewed by the user.

  When the distribution of the content data is finished and reception status data indicating the reception status of all the distributed content data is generated, the reception status analysis unit 118 provided in the user terminal 101 is based on the quality mode determination data received in advance. The reception status data is analyzed (S1119). The content data analysis process is substantially the same as the test data analysis process described above, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the user terminal 101 determines whether content data suitable for the quality mode has been transmitted during reception of the content data based on the result of the reception status data analysis processing by the reception status analysis unit 118. (S1121) When the distribution of content data is interrupted, discount request information is generated, and the discount request information is transmitted to the content management server 400 as a reception result notification (S1123).

  If the billing server 700 determines that the content data distribution process is discounted, a discount billing process is performed in which the bill is discounted by a predetermined amount from the price. If discount request information is not included, normal charging processing is executed.

  When the accounting process ends, the accounting server 700 stores the accounting data in the accounting DB and generates accounting result information describing the contents of the accounting data. The billing result information is transmitted to the billing user terminal 101 (S1125).

  When receiving the charging result information, the user terminal 101 displays the contents of the charging result information on the screen of the display unit 108 (S1127). Thus, a series of processing operations executed by the user terminal 101 in the content distribution system according to the present embodiment is completed.

  In addition, although each part with which the user terminal 101 concerning this Embodiment, the user authentication server 300, the content management server 400, and the accounting server 700 consists of hardware was demonstrated as an example, this invention is such an example. It is not limited to. For example, each unit may be a program composed of one or two or more modules or components.

  Here, in this specification, the processing steps for describing a program for causing a computer such as the user terminal 101 or the content management server 400 to perform various processes are not necessarily described as the flowcharts shown in FIGS. It is not necessary to perform processing in time series according to the order, and includes processing executed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or processing by an object).

  The program may be processed by one computer, or may be distributedly processed by a plurality of computers.

  From the above, it is possible for the user terminal 101 to receive the content data encoded in the quality mode according to the line status of the network 103 or the processing capability of processing the content data of the user terminal 101 by the content distribution system 100. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation where the streaming is interrupted at any time.

  Further, in the content distribution system 100, the quality mode is (1) every time content data is selected, (2) every time content data is distributed, or (3) It is determined every time a predetermined time elapses. In other words, the optimum mode in which the user terminal 101 can reproduce the content data without interruption is determined every time the conditions (1) to (3) are met. The user terminal 101 can reproduce the content data encoded in the mode.

  Before distributing the content data, the quality mode of the content data to be distributed is determined from the test data of each user terminal 101, the reception status of the content data, etc., so that it is not interrupted according to the user terminal requesting the distribution. The content data can be encoded and distributed to the user terminal so that it can be reproduced. Therefore, it is unlikely that packet loss or delay will occur in the network 103, and the traffic and load on the network 103 can be reduced.

  In the content distribution system 100, a technique such as QoS (Quality of Service) that secures a certain bandwidth of the network 103 is applied, the bandwidth of the network 103 is further increased, or an edge for content distribution service is used. Even if a plurality of servers are not provided, it is possible to distribute content data encoded in an optimal quality mode in which the user terminal 101 can reproduce the content data without interruption by streaming. Therefore, it is possible not only to realize efficient distribution of content data according to each user terminal 101 without imposing a load on the network, but also the initial investment and capital investment necessary for operating the content distribution system 100 are very large. Therefore, the economic effect is very large. Even if an unexpected event that is interrupted by streaming occurs, the discount billing process is automatically performed, so that the burden and dissatisfaction of the user can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, this invention is not limited to this example. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be envisaged within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

  In the above embodiment, the content data stored in the content DB 416 and the test data stored in the test DB 417 are taken as an example when they are encoded and stored in advance for each of one or more quality modes. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, content data or test data can be implemented even when the quality mode is dynamically determined and encoded and distributed every time the quality mode is dynamically determined.

  In the above embodiment, the process for determining the quality mode is performed after the content data distribution request information is transmitted by the user terminal 101 or when there is a plurality of content data distribution requests, and one content data distribution is completed. The latter case has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the process for determining the quality mode may be executed at any given time.

  In the above embodiment, the storage device 114, the storage device 214, the storage device 414, or the storage device 514 has been described as an example of a single hard disk drive, but is not limited to this example. For example, one or more hard disk drives may be provided separately, or a portable removable recording medium may be further provided.

  Moreover, although the user terminal 101 concerning this Embodiment gave and demonstrated the case where the test data was analyzed and the quality mode of content data was determined as an example, this invention is not limited to this example. For example, the present invention can be implemented even when the content management server 400 analyzes the test data and determines the quality mode of the content data. In the above case, the content management server 400 includes, for example, substantially the same reception status analysis unit 118 or quality determination unit 120 provided in the user terminal 101. Further, the content management server 400 can receive the reception status data transmitted from the user terminal 101, for example, to analyze the reception status data based on the quality mode discrimination data and determine the quality mode of the content data. it can.

  The present invention is applicable to a content distribution system, a content distribution device, a user terminal, and a computer program that can distribute content data via a network.

It is a block diagram which shows roughly the whole structure of the content delivery system concerning this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the user terminal concerning this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the user authentication server concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the content management server concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the accounting server concerning this embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the outline of a content data delivery process in case the content data requested | required of delivery concerning this Embodiment is one. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the list screen of the content data concerning this Embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the outline of a content data delivery process in case the content data by which the delivery request | requirement concerning this Embodiment is 2 or more. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the content delivery process performed by the server side concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the content delivery process performed by the server side concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the content reception process performed by the user terminal side concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the content reception process performed by the user terminal side concerning this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the receiving condition data and quality mode discrimination | determination data concerning this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Content delivery system 101 User terminal 103 Network 112 Parameter transmission part 116 Content delivery request part 118 Reception condition analysis part 120 Quality determination part 300 User authentication server 400 Content management server 411 Content acquisition part 416 Content database 417 Test database 418 Quality mode discrimination Data 421 Content data distribution unit 422 Test data distribution unit 700 Billing server

Claims (25)

A content distribution system comprising a user terminal capable of reproducing content data and a content distribution device for distributing content data to the user terminal via a network:
The content distribution device includes test data for determining a quality mode of the content data to be distributed to the user terminal, or quality mode determination data for determining an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data. A test data distribution unit for transmitting at least one of the user terminals to the user terminal;
The user terminal analyzes reception status data indicating the reception status of the test data based on the quality mode discrimination data and generates an analysis result information indicating the analysis result;
A quality determination unit that determines a quality mode of content data distributed to the user terminal based on the analysis result information and generates a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set;
With
Further, the content distribution device refers to the quality mode of the quality parameter transmitted from the user terminal, and is encoded in a mode corresponding to the quality mode among the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal. A content data acquisition unit for acquiring content data from a content database;
A content distribution system comprising: a content data distribution unit that distributes the encoded content data to the user terminal via a network. A content distribution apparatus that distributes content data to a user terminal via a network:
Using at least one of test data for determining a quality mode of the content data distributed to the user terminal or quality mode determination data for determining an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data A test data distribution unit to be transmitted to the user terminal;
Reference is made to the quality mode of the quality parameter transmitted from the user terminal, and the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal is pre-encoded in a mode corresponding to the quality mode set in the quality parameter. A content data acquisition unit for acquiring the acquired content data from the content database;
A content distribution apparatus comprising: a content data distribution unit that distributes the encoded content data to the user terminal via a network. The test data distribution unit
Every time the content data is requested from the user terminal, or when there is a plurality of content data delivery requests from the user terminal, every time at least one of the plurality of content data is completed, or every predetermined time In addition,
The content distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the test data and the quality mode determination data is transmitted to the user terminal. The test data distribution unit includes one or more quality modes based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal transmitted from the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a quality mode of any one of the test data is determined, and test data encoded in advance in the mode is transmitted to the user terminal. The content data distribution unit determines the quality mode set in the quality parameter based on at least one of performance information of the user terminal or line information of a network connected to the user terminal. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 2. The content distribution apparatus further includes a charging processing unit,
If the distribution bit rate of the content data by the content data distribution unit cannot maintain a threshold value or more determined for each quality mode, the charging processing unit executes a discount charging process for the distribution of the content data The content distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: A content distribution apparatus that distributes content data to a user terminal via a network:
Using at least one of test data for determining a quality mode of the content data distributed to the user terminal or quality mode determination data for determining an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data A test data distribution unit to be transmitted to the user terminal;
Each time the quality mode of the quality parameter transmitted from the user terminal is referred to, the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal is acquired from the content database, and the content data is set to the quality set in the quality parameter. A content data acquisition unit for encoding in a mode corresponding to the mode;
A content distribution apparatus comprising: a content data distribution unit that distributes the encoded content data to the user terminal via a network. The test data distribution unit
Every time the content data is requested from the user terminal, or when there is a plurality of content data delivery requests from the user terminal, every time at least one of the plurality of content data is completed, or every predetermined time In addition,
8. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the test data and the quality mode determination data is transmitted to the user terminal. The test data distribution unit operates a quality mode of the test data based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal transmitted from the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. 8. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the test data encoded in the mode is transmitted to the user terminal. The content data distribution unit determines the quality mode set in the quality parameter based on at least one of performance information of the user terminal or line information of a network connected to the user terminal. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 7. The content distribution apparatus further includes a charging processing unit,
If the distribution bit rate of the content data by the content data distribution unit cannot maintain a threshold value or more determined for each quality mode, the charging processing unit executes a discount charging process for the distribution of the content data The content distribution apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: A user terminal that reproduces at least content data distributed from a content distribution device via a network:
A content delivery requesting unit that accepts content data selection from a user and requests the content delivery device to deliver the content data;
Test data for determining the quality mode of the content data is transmitted from the content distribution apparatus, and at least reception status data indicating the reception status of the test data is analyzed, and analysis result information indicating the analysis result is generated With the situation analysis department;
A quality determining unit that determines a quality mode of the content data based on the analysis result information and generates a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set;
A user terminal, comprising: a parameter transmission unit that transmits the quality parameter to the content distribution apparatus via a network. The reception status analysis unit analyzes reception status data indicating a reception status of the content data or test data distributed from the content distribution device based on the quality mode determination data at predetermined time intervals, and the quality determination unit The method according to claim 12, wherein the quality mode of the content data is determined based on the analysis result information generated by the reception status analysis unit, and a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set is generated. User terminal. A computer program that causes a computer to function as a content distribution device that distributes content data to user terminals via a network:
Using at least one of test data for determining a quality mode of the content data distributed to the user terminal or quality mode determination data for determining an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data A test data distribution means to be transmitted to the user terminal;
Reference is made to the quality mode of the quality parameter transmitted from the user terminal, and the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal is pre-encoded in a mode corresponding to the quality mode set in the quality parameter. Content data acquisition means for acquiring acquired content data from a content database;
A computer program comprising content data distribution means for distributing the encoded content data to the user terminal via a network. The test data distribution means includes:
Every time the content data is requested from the user terminal, or when there is a plurality of content data delivery requests from the user terminal, every time at least one of the plurality of content data is completed, or every predetermined time In addition,
The computer program according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the test data and the quality mode determination data is transmitted to the user terminal. The test data distribution means includes one or more quality modes based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal transmitted from the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. 15. The computer program according to claim 14, wherein a quality mode of any one of the test data is determined and test data encoded in advance in the mode is transmitted to the user terminal. The content data distribution means determines the quality mode set in the quality parameter based on at least one of performance information of the user terminal or line information of a network connected to the user terminal. The computer program according to claim 14. The computer program further includes billing processing means,
The charge processing means performs a discount charge for the delivery of the content data when the delivery bit rate of the content data by the content data delivery means cannot maintain a threshold value or more determined for each quality mode. The computer program according to claim 14, characterized in that A computer program that causes a computer to function as a content distribution device that distributes content data to user terminals via a network:
Using at least one of test data for determining a quality mode of the content data distributed to the user terminal or quality mode determination data for determining an appropriate quality mode from the reception status of the test data A test data distribution means to be transmitted to the user terminal;
Each time the quality mode of the quality parameter transmitted from the user terminal is referred to, the content data requested for distribution from the user terminal is acquired from the content database, and the content data is set to the quality set in the quality parameter. Content data acquisition means for encoding in a mode corresponding to the mode;
A computer program comprising content data distribution means for distributing the encoded content data to the user terminal via a network. The test data distribution means includes:
Every time the content data is requested from the user terminal, or when there is a plurality of content data delivery requests from the user terminal, every time at least one of the plurality of content data is completed, or every predetermined time In addition,
The computer program according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the test data and the quality mode determination data is transmitted to the user terminal. The test data distribution means operates the quality mode of the test data based on at least one of the performance information of the user terminal transmitted from the user terminal or the line information of the network connected to the user terminal. The computer program according to claim 19, wherein the test data is determined and transmitted to the user terminal as test data encoded in the mode. The content data distribution means determines the quality mode set in the quality parameter based on at least one of performance information of the user terminal or line information of a network connected to the user terminal. The computer program according to claim 19. The content distribution apparatus further includes billing processing means,
The charge processing means performs a discount charge for the delivery of the content data when the delivery bit rate of the content data by the content data delivery means cannot maintain a threshold value or more determined for each quality mode. The computer program according to claim 19, characterized in that A computer program that causes a computer to function as a user terminal that reproduces at least content data distributed from a content distribution device via a network:
Content distribution request means for accepting selection of content data from a user and requesting the content distribution apparatus to distribute the content data;
Test data for determining the quality mode of the content data is transmitted from the content distribution apparatus, and at least reception status data indicating the reception status of the test data is analyzed, and analysis result information indicating the analysis result is generated With situation analysis means;
Quality determining means for determining a quality mode of the content data based on the analysis result information and generating a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set;
A computer program comprising parameter transmission means for transmitting the quality parameter to the content distribution apparatus via a network. The reception status analysis means analyzes reception status data indicating a reception status of the content data or test data distributed from the content distribution device based on the quality mode discrimination data at predetermined time intervals, and the quality determination means 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein a quality mode of the content data is determined based on analysis result information generated by the reception status analysis means, and a quality parameter in which the quality mode is set is generated. Computer program.

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