JP2006140914A - Content distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute many kinds of programs without reinforcing server equipment in a center. <P>SOLUTION: A digital cable TV terminal 1100b of a house of a user B requests distribution of content to a CATV station 1000 and the CATV station 1000 learns that a digital cable TV terminal 1100a of a house of a user A registered in the CATV station has the content, for example, by retrieving distribution lists in the past. As a result of retrieval, when it turns out that there is a history that the house of the user A views the content, the digital cable TV terminal 1100b of the house of the user B requests the digital cable TV terminal 1100a of the house of the user A to transmit the content. When the content is transmitted from the digital cable TV terminal 1100a of the house of the user A to the CATV station 1000, the content is distributed to the digital cable TV terminal 1100a of the user B which is a requesting origin. The contents are all transferred via a CATV transmission path 1300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system, and more particularly to a new content distribution system that distributes programs, programs, and the like (hereinafter referred to as “contents”) from content distribution stations such as cable TV stations to terminals.

  In recent years, digital broadcasting distribution systems such as BS digital broadcasting, CS digital broadcasting, terrestrial digital broadcasting, and digital cable TV broadcasting have been widely put into practical use. In these digital broadcast distribution systems, two-way communication is possible between a digital broadcast distribution device on the center side that provides a broadcast program and a digital broadcast reception terminal device on the user side that receives the broadcast program.

  In the digital broadcast distribution system, a pay program providing service called “video on demand” is performed using two-way communication. Video on demand charges for a program or program viewed by a user. The video-on-demand billing method includes a pay-per-view (PPV) method in which only a desired program is viewed and the fee is charged, a pay-per-time (PPT) method in which the fee is charged per viewing time, and a fee is charged for each program viewed. There is a pay program (PPP) method. Furthermore, PPP has a video-on-demand system that transmits each requested content to each viewer. In addition, although the method differs depending on the network such as the Internet, user distribution is already possible.

  For example, in a network environment such as the Internet, as a stream data distribution / distribution technique that can realize autonomous or personal stream data distribution between user terminals, for example, special stream data distribution using, for example, a broadband network environment Has disclosed a technique capable of realizing distributed distribution of moving image / audio stream data between clients (terminal mode) without preparing a server for use (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-169089 A

  However, since the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not have a server-like existence that is the core of content distribution unlike a content distribution server, the existing cable TV system is different from general techniques currently applied. (Network) equipment could not be used, and there was a problem in feasibility in terms of convenience and cost.

  On the other hand, when existing equipment is used, the number of programs that can be sold on the server side (hereinafter referred to as the center side) is limited depending on the scale of the server equipment. Moreover, in order to cope with users whose preferences are diversified, it is necessary to prepare various types of contents. In particular, niche content is very valuable for a certain user group, and the required number of users is not so large, but there is a great attraction for attracting users to their system.

  However, if such niche content is held on the center side and distributed from the center side, it is necessary to enlarge the server equipment, which increases the cost and must be reflected in the fee paid by the user. In some cases, hesitates to purchase content. In the system that changes the price for each content, the fee system becomes complicated and there are many practical problems.

  An object of this invention is to provide the technique for responding to a user's various request | requirements, suppressing the increase in the installation cost in the center side.

  According to the present invention, a content once distributed from a content distribution server such as a CATV server is controlled by the content distribution server to be redistributed from the first user terminal to the requesting second user terminal via the network. Features.

  According to the present invention, a center having a CATV server can distribute various programs without increasing server facilities. In addition to viewing and enjoying the recorded program by the user, the user can receive an incentive such as a charge reduction by permitting distribution of the program. Therefore, it contributes to the development of the CATV system itself.

  Hereinafter, a cable TV system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a center-side digital broadcast distribution apparatus in the cable TV system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the digital cable TV terminal device. FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram showing the concept of content distribution according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the receiving terminal, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process flow in the center-side digital broadcast distribution apparatus, and FIG. 6 shows the process flow of the user distribution terminal. It is a flowchart figure.

  In order to simplify the description, a digital cable TV system among the digital content distribution systems will be specifically described. A limited channel among a plurality of distribution channels will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the digital content distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a digital broadcast distribution apparatus 1000 on the center side that provides a broadcast program and a digital cable TV terminal apparatus 1100 on the user side that receives the broadcast program. And a CATV transmission line 1300 to be connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the center-side digital broadcast distribution apparatus 1000 is connected to a CATV transmission line 1300. Since CATV has a plurality of channels, distribution units are also provided from a distribution unit for Ch1 to a distribution unit for Chn according to the number of channels. The Ch1 distribution unit 1010 includes a terrestrial broadcast distribution unit 1011 for distributing terrestrial waves from the antenna 1040, a satellite broadcast distribution unit 1020 for distributing satellite broadcasts, a multiplexer 1013 for multiplexing these different broadcasts, A modulation unit 1014 that modulates the multiplexed signal with 64QAM, which is a cable TV standard. The modulation unit 1014 transmits to the mixer / distributor 1006 using any channel transmission path from Ch1 to Chn. The mixer / distributor 1006 transmits the first content to the CATV transmission line 1300. The configuration of the distribution unit for Chn is the same as the configuration of the distribution unit for Ch1 1010.

  Furthermore, the program server 1001 transmits compressed packet data of a program to be distributed to a modulation unit (64QAM, 256QAM, etc.) 1004a at regular time intervals. The modulation unit (64QAM, 256QAM, etc.) 1004a modulates the program compressed packet data by 64QAM, and transmits it to the mixer / distributor 1006 using the channel transmission path of the channel α in the same manner as the broadcast program distribution operation. The mixer / distributor 1006 transmits the first content to the CATV transmission line 1300. The first content transmitted via the CATV transmission path 1300 is received by the digital cable TV terminal device 1100 on the user side.

  Further, the modem unit 1005 demodulates the modulated compressed packet data of the channel δ using QPSK or 16QAM, assembles video on-demand program viewing request data or compressed packet data, and transmits the video on-demand program viewing request data to the control unit 1007. The compressed packet data is transferred to the buffer memory 1008. Further, the control data received from the control unit 1007 is modulated and transmitted to the mixer / distributor 1006 using the channel transmission path of the channel γ as in the broadcast program distribution operation. That is, the modem unit 1005 demodulates the control data and content, and modulates the control data received from the control unit 1007. In Chγ and Chδ, control data is exchanged with the digital cable TV terminal device 1100 on the user side via the network of the CATV transmission line 1300, and content is received. Further, the compressed packet data sent from the modulation / demodulation unit 1005 to the modulation unit 1004b via the buffer memory 1008 is modulated by the modulation unit 1004b with 64QAM, 256QAM, etc. 1300 to the digital cable TV terminal device 1100 on the user side. Here, Chβ uses a modulation method (64QAM, 256QAM) that is compatible with a part of a channel band for mainly transmitting content compressed packet data, and Chγ and Chδ are mainly used for transmitting and receiving control data. A modulation scheme (16QAM, QPSK) that matches a part of the channel band is used. The information management server 1003 manages, for example, information on users contracted by the CATV company. The control unit 1007 performs overall management of each component described above.

  Next, the digital cable TV terminal device 1100 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital cable TV terminal device 1100.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a digital cable TV terminal device 1100 on the user side includes a tuner 1101 connected to a CATV transmission line 1300, a modem unit 1102, a digital multiplexer 1103, a video / audio decoder 1120, and a video / audio. An interface 1140 for outputting the video / audio decoded by the decoder 1120 to an output device, a program storage unit 1106 for storing contents such as programs, and a format in which the contents stored in the program storage unit 1106 can be transmitted. A cable modem 1105 to be used. The tuner 1101 selects a channel and transmits a signal of the selected channel to a modem unit (QAM, QPSK, etc.) 1102. A modem unit (QAM, QPSK, etc.) 1102 demodulates the received signal and generates a digital signal sequence. The generated digital signal sequence is transmitted to a demultiplexer (multiplexed signal demultiplexing unit) 1103, and the demultiplexer 1103 outputs only the digital signal sequence of a desired broadcast program from the digital signal sequence to the video decoder / audio decoder unit 1120. .

  The video decoder / audio decoder unit 1120 decodes a digital signal sequence into, for example, program stream data which is a digital signal before compression, and displays the decoded audio signal and video signal via a D terminal or an AV terminal, etc. To 1140. The system controller 1110 controls each of the above components and includes a user program distribution availability control unit 1111. The user program distribution permission / inhibition control unit 1111 receives the content stored in the program storage unit 1106 based on the signal instructing permission / inhibition regarding distribution input from the user program distribution permission / inhibition input unit 1150, the cable modem 1105, the modem unit 1102, The data is sent to the center-side digital broadcast distribution apparatus 1000 via the tuner 1101 and the CATV transmission path 1300. The sent content passes through Chδ of the modem unit 1005 and is sent to the digital cable TV terminal device 1100 of the user who has requested content distribution via a buffer memory (not shown) and the modulator 1004b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the digital cable TV terminal device 1100b at user B's home requests distribution of content from the CATV station 1000, and this content is held by the digital cable TV terminal device 1100a at user A's home registered in the CATV station. For example, by searching the past distribution list, the CATV station 1000 can know by searching. As a result of the search, if it is found that there is a history of viewing the corresponding content at the user A's home, a request is made to send the content to the digital cable TV terminal device 1100a at the user A's home. On the other hand, when the content is sent from the digital cable TV terminal device 1100a of the user A to the CATV station 1000, it is distributed to the digital cable TV terminal device 1100a of the user B who is the request source. These contents are all moved through the CATV transmission line 1300. Also in this case, it is preferable to leave the viewing history of the corresponding content in the B user's house in the CATV station 1000. Thereby, the user B is also registered as a content owner by possessing the same content. It should be noted that it is preferable to determine in advance that the CATV station may perform the above operation when exchanging the content with the company that operates the CATV station. In this case, the user's fee for providing the content may be discounted to return the profit to the user.

  Next, the flow of processing in each terminal apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As a general flow, the digital cable TV terminal device shown in FIG. 2 is a VOD (video on demand) stored in a program storage unit 1106 (FIG. 2) such as a hard disk device (HDD) held by the digital cable TV terminal device. PPV (pay-per-view) content is temporarily picked up by control from the center-side digital broadcast distribution device, and redistributed to the user who requested the content.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the digital cable TV terminal device (referred to as a receiving terminal in the following description) that has requested the content starts processing in step S31 (START), and requests to view VOD content in step S32. The data is transmitted to the center-side digital broadcast distribution apparatus (referred to as a transmission terminal in the following description) (step S32). In response to this transmission, if data indicating that content distribution is possible is received from the receiving terminal, the process proceeds to step S34. When data indicating that content distribution is not possible is received from the receiving terminal, the process is terminated (END: step S38). In step S34, VOD content is received from the transmitting terminal and stored. This process is continued until the final packet is received (step S36). If it is the final packet, VOD content (program) viewing is terminated (step S37), and the process is terminated (END: step S38).

  As shown in FIG. 5, when processing is started in the transmission terminal (START: step S01), VOD content viewing request data is received from the reception terminal (step S02). At this time, it is authenticated whether or not consistency and billing are possible (step S03). If the authentication fails, in step S19, a notification indicating that the program cannot be delivered is sent to the receiving terminal, and the process is terminated (END: step S20). If the authentication is successful (Yes), it is next checked whether or not the designated program exists in its own program server 1001 (FIG. 1) (step S04). If there is a designated program in the program server 1001 (FIG. 1) (Yes), the receiving terminal is notified in step S09 that the program can be distributed, and charging processing is performed in step S010.

  When the designated program does not exist in the program server 1001 (FIG. 1) (No), an inquiry is made as to whether or not the designated program exists in the storage device of the user terminal (step S05). It is determined whether or not the designated program exists in the user's terminal. If it does not exist (no), the process proceeds to step S20. When the designated program exists (Yes), the terminal of the user where the designated program exists is selected (step S08), the reception terminal is notified in step S09 that the program can be distributed, and the billing process is performed in step S010. Do. Next, it is authenticated whether the user terminal to be distributed is consistent and billable (step S11). If the authentication fails, in step S19, a notification indicating that the program cannot be delivered is sent to the receiving terminal, and the process is terminated (END: step S20). If the authentication is successful (Yes), the designated program distribution start notification is transmitted in step S12, and the distribution source user's charge reduction (incentive provision) processing is performed (step S13).

  From step S10 or step S13, the process proceeds to step S15, where transmission of VOD program packet data is started. When the transmission of the final packet is completed (Yes in step S16), a VOD program transmission end process is performed in step S17, and the process ends (END: step S20).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of the user distribution terminal. As shown in FIG. 6, the process is started (step S51: START), and a user-recorded program distribution available request is received from the transmission terminal in step S52. In step S53, it is determined whether or not the program designated by the transmitting terminal is stored (step S53). If not stored (No), the process proceeds to step S59 and the process is terminated (END: step S59). If it is stored (Yes), a notification that the designated program can be distributed is sent to the transmitting terminal (step S54). When receiving an instruction to start distribution of the designated program from the transmission terminal (step S55), the user-recorded program is transmitted in step S56. When the transmission of the final packet is completed (Yes in step S57), a recorded program transmission end process is performed in step S58, and the process is ended (END: step S59). Note that the processes in FIGS. 4 to 6 are performed in parallel.

  Through the above processing, the center can distribute various programs without increasing server facilities. In addition to viewing and enjoying the recorded program by the user, the user can make it easier to charge himself / herself by permitting distribution of the content. Furthermore, for users who want to receive distribution, it is possible to acquire rare contents and the like, and the number of subscribers to this system can be increased.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, there are three users A, B, and C, and A is the content request source, and both B and C hold the requested content. In this case, it is also possible to suck up contents from both users B and C according to the judgment and instruction on the center side. In this way, there is an advantage that throughput can be improved and efficient content redistribution can be performed.

  The present invention can be applied to a content distribution system for cable TV. Further, the present invention can be applied to a system that is distributed from a TV broadcasting station to the Internet.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the center side digital broadcast delivery apparatus among the cable TV systems by this Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the digital cable TV terminal device. FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram showing the concept of content distribution according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the receiving terminal. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the center-side digital broadcast distribution apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the user distribution terminal.

Explanation of symbols

1000 ... Center side digital broadcast delivery device, 1010 ... Ch1 delivery unit, 1040 ... Antenna, 1011 ... Terrestrial broadcast delivery unit, 1020 ... Satellite broadcast delivery unit, 1013 ... Multiplexer, 1014 ... Modulation unit, 1006 ... Mixing / distribution 1100... Digital cable TV terminal device on the user side that receives the broadcast program 1101. Tuner 1102. Modulation / demodulation unit 1103 Digital multiplexer 1120 Video / audio decoder 1140 Interface 1105 Cable modem 1106. Program storage unit, 1300... CATV transmission path.

Claims (10)

A content distribution system comprising: a content distribution server; and a first user terminal and a second user terminal connected to the content distribution server via a network,
The second user terminal responding to a content transmission request from the content distribution server based on a content distribution request from the first user terminal to the content distribution server, the distribution request content for which the content distribution request has been made A content distribution system, wherein the distribution request content is redistributed from the held second user terminal to the second user terminal via the content distribution server.   In a case where a third user terminal different from the first and second user terminals holds the distribution request content, the content distribution server is configured to execute the content distribution server in parallel with the first and third user terminals. The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution request content is received. A content distribution server that has a content storage server that holds content and distributes content to first and second user terminals via a network,
A channel for exchanging information about holding of the distribution request content with the second terminal when the distribution request content requested for distribution from the first user terminal is not stored in the content storage server; A content distribution server comprising: a control unit that performs control related to the exchange.   The content distribution server according to claim 3, further comprising an information management server that holds distribution history information including information regarding to which user terminal the content is distributed.   5. The content distribution server according to claim 3, further comprising a modulation unit that performs modulation for redistributing the distribution request content acquired based on the control of the control unit to the first user terminal. . A user terminal having a receiving unit that receives content from a content distribution server that distributes content, and a content storage unit that stores content,
A user terminal comprising: determination means for determining whether or not a distribution request content requested to be transmitted from the content distribution server is stored in the content storage unit.   The user terminal according to claim 6, further comprising: a transmission permission / inhibition input unit that presets whether to permit transmission of the distribution request content to a content distribution server. Receiving a content delivery request;
Determining whether or not the distribution request content requested to be distributed is held;
If not, requesting other content distribution destinations to transmit the distribution request content; and
Redistributing the distribution request content transmitted in response to the request to a content distribution request source.   The content distribution method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of giving an incentive to a content transmission source that has transmitted the distribution request content in response to a request. A program for causing a computer to execute the steps according to claim 8 or 9.

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