JP2006174045A - Image distribution device, program, and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication technique by which transmission/reception of image data suitable for a communication environment of terminal types or the like of a reception side client can be realized without imposing a heavy burden on a user and a device. <P>SOLUTION: The image distribution device is provided with an image acquiring means for acquiring image data of an image photographed by a camera, a coding means for coding the image data by using a video image compression system having a function of scalability, a reception means for receiving type information of an image receiver transmitted from the image receiver being a distribution destination of the image, a selection means which selects coded data of one or a plurality of layers distributed to the image receiver from among the coded data of a plurality of layers obtained by the coding means by using the type information of the image receiver, and a distribution means for distributing the selected coded data of one or a plurality of layers to the image receiver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image distribution apparatus that distributes an image, and more particularly to an image distribution apparatus that enables image data transmission suitable for the apparatus type of a receiving client.

  There is a service in which image data captured on the client side is stored in an image communication server on the service providing side, and the user can view the image as appropriate. Clients that browse image data include not only PCs (personal computers) but also various portable terminals (PDAs and cellular phones).

  A portable terminal such as a cellular phone generally has a lower image processing capability than a PC or the like, and a fine image encoded for a PC may not be displayed on the portable terminal. In addition, there is a difference in performance between portable terminals, and an image that can be displayed on a portable terminal with good performance may not be displayed on a portable terminal with low performance.

  Even when high-definition images taken by a PC are stored in an image communication server, it is desirable that various clients including mobile terminals be able to use the image data. Assuming in advance, it is considered necessary to generate and store a plurality of image data suitable for each type by image processing in the image communication server.

However, when a method of generating and storing a plurality of types of image data from one image data as described above, there is a problem that a large amount of storage area is consumed in the image communication server. In addition, a processing load is also required for generating image data suitable for various terminals. Furthermore, there is an inconvenience for the user that it is necessary to select image data suitable for the terminal type used by the user.
JP 2003-324714 A "Check Point H.323 / MPEG4 Textbook", IE Institute, 2001

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a technique for transmitting and receiving image data suitable for the terminal type of a receiving client that receives an image without imposing a great burden on a user or an apparatus. For the purpose.

  The above-described problem is an image distribution device that distributes encoded data of an image encoded using a video compression method having a scalability function, and acquires image data of an image captured by a camera Means, encoding means for encoding the image data using the video compression method, and receiving means for receiving type information of the image receiving apparatus transmitted from an image receiving apparatus that is a destination to which the image is distributed. Selecting one or a plurality of layers of encoded data to be distributed to the image receiving device from among the encoded data of the plurality of layers obtained by the encoding means using the type information of the image receiving device An image distribution device comprising: a selection unit; and a distribution unit that distributes the encoded data of the selected one or more layers to the image reception device. It can be.

  The image distribution device stores the encoded data obtained by the encoding means in a storage device, and stores it in the storage device in response to receiving the distribution request for the image transmitted from the image reception device. The selected encoded data layer may be selected and the selected encoded data may be distributed, or the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit may be stored in a storage device, In response to receiving the transmitted distribution request for the image, the image data stored in the storage device is encoded, the layer of the encoded data is selected, and the selected encoded data is distributed. It may be configured.

  The type information is a mobile phone model or a browser type used in a computer, and when the type is a mobile phone model, the selection means selects encoded data of a base layer, and When the type is a browser type, the selection unit selects encoded data including an enhancement layer.

  The selection unit may select encoded data of one or a plurality of layers based on a reception state corresponding to the image reception device in addition to the type information. In this case, the selecting means includes one or more layers of encoded data determined corresponding to the type information and one or more layers of encoded data determined corresponding to the reception state. One or a plurality of encoded data having a smaller number of layers are selected.

  Further, the above problem is an image distribution apparatus that distributes encoded data of an image encoded using a video compression method having a scalability function, and the image data of an image captured by a camera is converted into the video Receiving means for receiving encoded data of a plurality of layers obtained by encoding using a compression method from an image transmission source device, and type information of the image receiving device transmitted from an image receiving device that is a destination to which the image is distributed And obtaining one or more layers of encoded data to be distributed to the image receiving device out of the plurality of layers of encoded data received from the image transmission source device. It comprises selection means for selecting using information, and distribution means for distributing the selected encoded data of one or a plurality of layers to the image receiving apparatus. It can be solved by the image distribution device.

  Further, according to the present invention, a program for realizing an image distribution apparatus and a processing method for the image distribution apparatus are provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to transmit and receive image data suitable for the terminal type of the receiving client without imposing a great burden on the user or the device. In addition, it is possible to provide an image suitable for the terminal type to the receiving client without preparing a plurality of images. Furthermore, since the user can receive the optimum image without being conscious of the type of his / her terminal, it is possible to provide a service that is easy for any user to use.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In any of the embodiments, image (moving image) data stored in the transmission client is distributed to the reception client in response to a request from the reception client. In the first embodiment, the transmission side is used. The client performs the layer selection process of the encoded data according to the present invention, and the server performs the layer selection process of the encoded data in the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a server 5, a client A (6), a client B (7), a client C (8), and a client D (9). The client A communicates with the server 5 via the network 1, and the client B communicates with the server 5 via the network 2. Client C communicates with server 5 via network 3, and client D communicates with server 5 via network 4.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, cameras are connected to the client A and the client B. Camera images are hierarchically encoded according to the transmission status of each client. The camera connected to each client is, for example, a USB camera or an NTSC TV camera connected via a capture board.

  In the client A and the client B, shooting by the camera may be automatically performed in response to motion detection, arrival of time by a timer, etc., may be performed by a remote shooting request, or by a user of the corresponding client You may carry out by operation.

  The networks 1 to 4 are the Internet or an intranet, and are networks that can transmit and receive data by IP. The server 5 has a general computer hardware configuration including a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, a network communication device, and the like, and the function according to the present embodiment is that a program installed in the server 5 is executed. It is realized by. Each client is a PC, a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, or the like having a general computer hardware configuration including a CPU, a memory, a storage device, a network communication device, and the like. The function of the receiving client or transmitting client according to the present embodiment is realized by executing a program installed in the client. The program can be installed on the client from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or can be downloaded and installed on the client via a network.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of a transmission-side client (referred to as client A in FIG. 1) in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission-side client has an image acquisition unit 11, an encoding unit 12, an encoded data storage unit 13, a selection processing unit 14, an encoded data distribution unit 15, and a request / type reception unit 16. is doing.

  The image acquisition unit 11 acquires an image captured by the camera as image data. The encoding unit 12 encodes the acquired image data and stores the encoded image data in the encoded data storage unit 13. The request / type receiving unit 16 receives the image distribution request and the terminal type transmitted from the receiving client and sent via the server 5. Further, the selection processing unit 14 performs processing for selecting the encoded data stored in the encoded data storage unit 13 based on the received image distribution request and the terminal type. The encoded data distribution unit 15 distributes the selected encoded data to the receiving side client via the server 5.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image communication system including the transmission side client having such a functional configuration. This flowchart shows the operations of the sending client, server, and receiving client when an image is distributed from the sending client (client A) to the receiving client (for example, client C in FIG. 1).

  In the present embodiment, MPEG4 or H.264 is used. 263 (see Non-Patent Document 1) or the like is used to generate a key frame compressed in the frame as the basic layer 1, and the key frame compressed in the frame and the inter-frame compressed as the basic layer 2. An insertion frame is generated, a difference information frame of a high-frequency part with respect to the basic layer 1 and the basic layer 2 is generated as the enhancement layer group 1, and the enhancement layer group 2 is used to smooth the motion with respect to the enhancement layer group 1. Assume that an interpolation frame is generated. Such a function of generating encoded data hierarchically is called scalability. Here, hierarchical coding having the basic layer 1, the basic layer 2, the enhancement layer group 1, and the enhancement layer group 2 as described above is used, but the number of layers and the contents of each layer are the same as those in the present embodiment. It is not limited to the example.

  The operation of the image communication system in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

(Image accumulation processing of sending client)
First, the sending client acquires camera image data (step 1). Next, the transmission side client performs an encoding process of the camera image data (step 2). Here, the camera image is hierarchically encoded at the bit rate and frame rate in the transmission state, and hierarchically encoded data of the image is generated. That is, in the basic layer 1 to the basic layer 2, the enhancement layer group 1, and the enhancement layer group 2, the encoded data from the basic layer 1 to any one of the layers is hierarchically encoded according to the transmission state. Generate as digitized data. For example, the base layer 1 to the extended layer group 2 are generated when the transmission state is good, but only the base layer 2 is generated when the transmission state is bad. In the present embodiment, the transmission side client generates encoded data of layers of the basic layer 2 or higher. Then, the transmitting client stores the encoded data in a storage device such as a hard disk (step 3). Instead of accumulating encoded data in advance as described above, data acquired from the camera is stored in a storage device, and processing from hierarchical encoding is started after receiving an image request. May be.

  The above transmission state refers to the connection bandwidth of the transmitting client to the network, the processing capability of the transmitting client, and the like. The transmission state may be fixedly set in advance in the transmission side client, and the transmission side client may generate encoded data of a predetermined layer corresponding to the transmission state. It is also possible to generate encoded data while changing the layer in real time according to the transmission state. In order to constantly monitor the transmission state, for example, transmission data throughput and RTCP protocol messages are monitored.

(Image request transmission / reception processing)
On the other hand, the receiving side client transmits the image distribution request and the terminal type to the transmitting side client via the server (step 101). In addition, when the transmission side client performs the reception state determination described later, the reception state is also transmitted. The reception state is a connection band in the reception direction of the receiving client.

  More specifically, the following processing is performed.

  In this embodiment, the sending client has a function of notifying the server that images have been accumulated by periodically accessing the server. For example, the transmission-side client notifies the server of the time when the image was taken, a partial screen of the taken image having a predetermined time length, and the like. The server stores the information in a predetermined storage area associated with the sending client.

  The sending client has an e-mail sending function, and sends information indicating that images are stored and URL information of the storage area in the server to a specific receiving client by e-mail. .

  The receiving client that has received the e-mail accesses the storage area of the server by using the URL in response to an operation from the user of the receiving client, and acquires accumulated image information corresponding to the transmitting client. When a specific image is selected by the user in the receiving client, the receiving client sends the image distribution request (including request source information) and the terminal type to the server (step 101), and the server distributes the image. The request and the terminal type are transferred to the sending client (steps 102 and 103). Then, the transmitting client receives the distribution request and the terminal type (step 104).

  The terminal type in the present embodiment is included in the HTTP protocol message from the browser operating on the receiving client, transmitted to the server, and transferred to the transmitting client. The information is, for example, the type of browser (Internet Explorer: IE, Netscape: NS, etc.) if the receiving client is a personal computer, and the mobile phone model (mobile phone A, mobile phone) if it is a mobile phone. B,...)).

  In the above example, the distribution request and terminal type (or distribution request, terminal type and reception status) are transmitted via the server, but direct communication between the receiving client and the transmitting client (peer-to-peer) If communication is possible, it is also possible to send the distribution request and the terminal type directly from the receiving client to the transmitting client. In this case, the encoded data can also be transmitted directly from the transmitting client to the receiving client.

(Processing of the sending client that received the delivery request)
When the transmission client receives the distribution request, the image data corresponding to the distribution request is searched and it is confirmed that the image exists (step 105).

  Then, the transmitting client determines the terminal type of the receiving client (step 106), and if the terminal type indicates “mobile phone”, the terminal is only up to the basic layer 2 in this embodiment. Since it cannot be received, after determining the reception state (step 107), the base layer (1 or 1 and 2) encoded data is transmitted to the server (step 108). Note that the layer selection using the reception state may not be performed.

  On the other hand, when the terminal type indicates “PC”, in the present embodiment, reception is possible up to the enhancement layer 2 at the maximum. In this case, the reception state is determined (step 109), and hierarchically encoded data is selected based on the reception state. Here, when it is determined to transmit the encoded data of the base layer, the process of step 108 is performed. When transmitting up to the enhancement layer, in step 110, the encoded data of the selected layer is transmitted. Information indicating that the distribution destination of the encoded data is the receiving client that is the transmission source of the distribution request is also sent to the server.

(Image transfer processing on the server)
The server that has received the encoded data from the transmission side copies the encoded data to the memory (step 111), and transfers the encoded data to the reception side client (step 112).

(Image reception processing on the receiving client)
The receiving client that has received the encoded data determines whether the received encoded data is only the base layer or includes the enhancement layer (step 113), and if it is the base layer, performs display processing (step 114). ).

  When the encoded data including the enhancement layer is received, the decoding process is performed by combining the base layer and the enhancement layer group 1 (step 115). If there is no data of the enhancement layer group 2, display processing is performed (steps 116 and 117). If there is the data of the enhancement layer group 2, the enhancement layer group 2 is decoded to generate an interpolation frame. The frame is inserted between frames created based on the basic layer 2 and the extended layer group 1 (steps 116 and 118). Then, display processing is performed.

  In transmission of hierarchically encoded data from the transmission side client to the server and transmission of encoded data from the server to the reception side client, for example, RTP / UDP or TCP obtained by encapsulating RTP / UDP with HTTP is used as a communication protocol. Is used to transmit the encoded data as a video packet divided in units of frames.

(Concrete example)
Next, specific processing in the sending client will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, basic 1 is basic layer 1 (key frame compressed in frame), basic 2 is basic layer 2 (key frame compressed in frame and interpolated interframe), and extended 1 is extended layer. Group 1 (difference information frame of a high-frequency part with respect to basic layer 1 and basic layer 2), and extension 2 indicate extension layer group 2 (interpolation frame for smoothing motion with respect to extension layer group 1).

  In the example of FIG. 4, it is assumed that the transmitting client (client A) accumulates encoded data up to extension 2, and images related to the encoded data are client B (PC) and client C (PC). ), Encoded data transmitted to each client (via a server) when each of the clients D (assumed to be a mobile phone) requests is shown. Note that the server is not shown in FIG.

If the terminal type information is information on the browser used by the PC (IEorNS) as shown in the example of FIG. 4, the transmitting client determines that the receiving client is “PC”, and the mobile phone model If it is information on the mobile phone, it is determined to be a “mobile phone”. The transmission side client holds in advance information indicating that reception is possible up to extension 2 if the terminal type of the reception side is “PC”, and basic 2 if it is “portable terminal”. A layer of encoded data to be transmitted is selected according to the received terminal type.
Instead of classifying the types into “PC” and “mobile phone”, a receivable layer may be determined for each individual model. For example, up to extension 2 can be received for PC (model A), up to extension 1 can be received for PC (model B), and up to base 2 can be received for mobile phones (model X). For a portable terminal (model Y), the basic 1 can be received.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where the reception state is also determined. In this case, the transmission side client holds in advance data indicating to what layer the transmission state can be transmitted to the client in accordance with the reception state. For example, if the connection band received from the reception-side client as the reception state is XX, a receivable layer determined in advance corresponding thereto is acquired. Note that the receiving client may transmit the receivable layer information itself as the reception state information to the transmitting client, and in that case, the receivable layer information is used. The transmitting client compares the receivable layer information corresponding to the terminal type with the receivable layer information corresponding to the reception state, and determines the smaller layer number as a layer that can be transmitted to the receiving client. When the reception state is not used, the transmission layer determination is performed only by the terminal type.

  Since the above processing is performed, transmission determination is performed for each receiving client as shown in the table of FIG.

  That is, in the case of the client B, both the terminal type and the reception state can be received up to the enhancement layer group 2, so that the transmission side client selects all the encoded data of the basic layer 1 to the enhancement layer group 2 stored, To deliver. In the case of the client C, the terminal type can receive up to the enhancement layer group 2, but the reception state is a state where only the enhancement layer group 1 can be received. Therefore, the basic layer groups 1 and 2 and the enhancement layer group 1 Select and distribute. In the case of the client D, since the terminal type and the reception state are both up to the base layer group 2, the encoded data up to the base layer group 2 is distributed.

(Details of encoded data reception processing)
Next, the encoded data reception process at the receiving client will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 shows the order of transmission of encoded data transmitted from the server to the receiving client. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the receiving client receives up to the base layer 2, encoded data of base layer 1 or 2 (denoted as base layer 1/2) is sequentially transmitted. As shown in FIG. 5B, when receiving up to the enhancement layer group 1, the encoded data is transmitted in the order of the enhancement layer group 1, the base layer 2, the enhancement layer group 1, the base layer 2,. Is done. As shown in FIG.5 (c), when receiving up to the extended layer group 2, the extended layer group 1, the basic layer 2, the extended layer group 2, the extended layer group 1, the basic layer 2, the extended layer group 2,. Encoded data is transmitted in the order of

  Since the encoded data is transmitted as described above, the receiving client receives the encoded data according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  First, in the initial state, the receiving client is in a reception waiting state for the encoded data of the base layer or the enhancement layer group 1 (step 21). First, the encoded data of base layer 1/2 or enhancement layer group 1 is received. In this state, when the encoded data of the enhancement layer group 1 is received (step 22), the reception of the encoded data of the base layer 2 is awaited (step 23). When the encoded data of the base layer 2 is received in this state (step 24), the reception of the encoded data of the enhancement layer group 1 or 2 is awaited (step 25). As shown in FIG. 5, the encoded data of the enhancement layer group 1 or the enhancement layer group 2 is received next. When the encoded data of the enhancement layer group 2 is received (step 26), the process proceeds to step 21. Return. When the encoded data of the enhancement layer group 1 is received in the state of step 25 (step 27), the base layer 2 reception waiting state of step 23 is entered. On the other hand, when the encoded data of the base layer 1/2 is received in the encoded data reception waiting state of the enhancement layer group 1 in step 21 (step 28), the process returns to step 21 again.

  In the procedure of FIG. 6, the repetition of step 21 and step 28 corresponds to the case of FIG. In addition, repetition of Step 21, Step 22, and Step 23, Step 24, Step 25, Step 27, Step 23,... Corresponds to FIG. Further, the repetition of step 21 to step 26 corresponds to FIG. Therefore, according to the procedure shown in FIG. 6, the reception client can receive the encoded data appropriately selected according to the terminal type.

  Thus, by using the processing method of the present embodiment, data transmission / reception suitable for the terminal type of the receiving client can be performed. In addition, since only encoded data of the required number of layers is transmitted and received between the server and the client, the bandwidth of the network can be effectively used without wastefully using the bandwidth of the network.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, with respect to the second embodiment of the present invention, portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, the server side selects encoded data according to the terminal type of the receiving client. The overall apparatus configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a functional configuration of the server (server 5 in FIG. 1) in the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the server includes an encoded data reception processing unit 21, a selection processing unit 22, an encoded data distribution unit 23, and a request / type transmission / reception unit 24. The encoded data reception processing unit 21 receives encoded data of an image from the transmission side client, and performs copying to a memory or the like. The request / type transmission / reception unit 24 receives the image distribution request and the terminal type transmitted from the receiving client. The request / type transmitting / receiving unit 24 also has a function of providing the received terminal type to the selection processing unit 22 and transferring an image distribution request to the transmitting client. The selection processing unit 22 performs processing for selecting encoded data of an appropriate layer from the received encoded data based on the terminal type. The encoded data distribution unit 23 distributes the selected encoded data to the receiving client.

  Next, the operation of the system in the second embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

(Image accumulation processing of sending client)
First, the transmission side client acquires camera image data (step 31). Next, the transmitting client performs camera image data encoding processing based on the transmission state (step 32). Then, the transmitting client stores the encoded data in a storage device such as a hard disk (step 33). The image accumulation processing of the transmission side client is the same as that in the first embodiment.

(Image request transmission / reception processing)
On the other hand, the receiving client transmits an image distribution request to the transmitting client and the terminal type to the server in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step 201). The reception status is also transmitted. The reception status may be sent to the server separately from the distribution request.

  In the second embodiment, the server records the terminal type and the reception state in association with the receiving client that is the distribution request source. Then, the distribution request from the receiving client (including the destination information of the receiving client) is transferred to the transmitting client (steps 202 and 203).

(Processing of the sending client that received the delivery request)
When the transmission client receives the distribution request (step 204), it searches the encoded data of the image corresponding to the distribution request and transmits the encoded data to the server (steps 205 and 206). Information indicating that the delivery destination of the encoded data is the receiving client of the request transmission source is also sent to the server.

(Encoded data selection process at the server)
The server that has received the encoded data from the transmission side copies the encoded data to the memory (step 207). Then, the terminal type and reception state of the receiving client that is the distribution request source are acquired, and the layer is determined in the same manner as the processing of the transmitting client in the first embodiment (step 208). The subsequent processing (steps 209 to 211) is the same as the processing (steps 108 to 110) of the transmitting client in the first embodiment except that the encoded data is transmitted to the receiving client.

(Image reception processing on the receiving client)
The reception client that has received the encoded data performs an encoded data reception process in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

(Concrete example)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing specific processing in the server. In the example of FIG. 9, client A, which is a transmission side client, transmits encoded data up to extension 2 to the server. The terminal type and reception state corresponding to each receiving client are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, when the receiving client is the client B, both the terminal type and the reception state can be received up to the enhancement layer group 2. Therefore, the server selects all the stored encoded data of the basic layer 1 to the enhancement layer group 2. And distribute it to the receiving client. In the case of the client C, the terminal type can receive up to the enhancement layer group 2, but the reception state is a state where only the enhancement layer group 1 can be received. Therefore, the basic layer groups 1 and 2 and the enhancement layer group 1 Select and distribute. In the case of the client D, since the terminal type and the reception state are both up to the base layer group 2, the encoded data up to the base layer group 2 is distributed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can be made within the scope of the claims.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the image communication system in 1st Embodiment. It is a function block diagram of the transmission side client in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the image communication system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the transmission side client in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the transmission order of the encoding data from a server to the receiving side client. It is a figure which shows the procedure which receives encoded data in the receiving side client. It is a functional block diagram of the server in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the image communication system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the server in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3, 4 Network 5 Server 6 Client A
7 Client B
8 Client C
9 Client D
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image acquisition part 12 Encoding part 13 Encoded data storage part 14 Selection processing part 15 Encoded data distribution part 16 Request / type receiving part 21 Encoded data reception processing part 22 Selection processing part 23 Encoded data distribution part 24 Request / Type transceiver

Claims (12)

An image distribution device that distributes encoded data of an image encoded using a video compression method having a scalability function,
Image acquisition means for acquiring image data of an image taken by a camera;
Encoding means for encoding the image data using the video compression method;
Receiving means for receiving type information of the image receiving apparatus transmitted from the image receiving apparatus that is a destination to which the image is distributed;
Selection for selecting one or more layers of encoded data to be distributed to the image receiving device from among the encoded data of the plurality of layers obtained by the encoding means, using the type information of the image receiving device Means,
An image distribution apparatus comprising: distribution means for distributing the selected encoded data of one or a plurality of layers to the image reception apparatus.   The image distribution device stores the encoded data obtained by the encoding means in a storage device, and stores it in the storage device in response to receiving the distribution request for the image transmitted from the image reception device. The image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selected encoded data layer is selected and the selected encoded data is distributed.   The image distribution device stores the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit in a storage device, and stores the image data in the storage device in response to receiving the image distribution request transmitted from the image reception device. The image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image distribution apparatus performs encoding of the selected image data, selection of a layer of the encoded data, and distribution of the selected encoded data.   The type information is a mobile phone model or a browser type used in a computer, and when the type is a mobile phone model, the selection means selects encoded data of a base layer, and The image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the type is a browser type, the selection unit selects encoded data including an enhancement layer.   The image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects encoded data of one or a plurality of layers based on a reception state corresponding to the image reception apparatus in addition to the type information.   The selection means includes one or more layers of encoded data determined corresponding to the type information and one or more layers of encoded data determined corresponding to the reception state. 6. The image distribution apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one or a plurality of encoded data having a smaller number is selected. An image distribution device that distributes encoded data of an image encoded using a video compression method having a scalability function,
Receiving means for receiving, from an image transmission source device, encoded data of a plurality of layers obtained by encoding image data of an image captured by a camera using the video compression method;
Acquisition means for acquiring type information of the image receiving device transmitted from an image receiving device that is a destination to which the image is distributed;
Selection for selecting one or more layers of encoded data to be distributed to the image receiving device from among the plurality of layers of encoded data received from the image transmission source device using the type information of the image receiving device Means,
An image distribution apparatus comprising: distribution means for distributing encoded data of one or a plurality of selected layers to the image reception apparatus.   The image distribution apparatus receives the image distribution request from the image reception apparatus, transmits the distribution request to the image transmission source apparatus, and transmits encoded data of an image corresponding to the distribution request to the image transmission source apparatus. The image delivery apparatus according to claim 7, which is received from the image delivery apparatus. A program for causing a computer to realize a function of an image distribution apparatus that distributes encoded data of an image encoded using a video compression method having a scalability function, the computer comprising:
Image acquisition means for acquiring image data of an image taken by a camera;
An encoding means for encoding the image data using the video compression method;
Receiving means for receiving type information of the image receiving device transmitted from the image receiving device that is a destination to which the image is distributed;
Selection for selecting one or more layers of encoded data to be distributed to the image receiving device from among the encoded data of the plurality of layers obtained by the encoding means, using the type information of the image receiving device means,
Distribution means for distributing encoded data of one or more selected layers to the image receiving device;
A program characterized by functioning as A program for causing a computer to realize a function of an image distribution apparatus that distributes encoded data of an image encoded using a video compression method having a scalability function, the computer comprising:
Receiving means for receiving, from an image transmission source device, encoded data of a plurality of layers obtained by encoding image data of an image captured by a camera using the video compression method;
Acquisition means for acquiring type information of the image receiving device transmitted from the image receiving device that is a destination to which the image is distributed;
Selection for selecting one or more layers of encoded data to be distributed to the image receiving device from among the plurality of layers of encoded data received from the image transmission source device using the type information of the image receiving device means,
Distribution means for distributing encoded data of one or more selected layers to the image receiving device;
A program characterized by functioning as A method for distributing encoded data of an image encoded using a video compression method in which the image distribution apparatus has a scalability function,
An image acquisition step of acquiring image data of an image captured by the camera;
An encoding step of encoding the image data using the video compression method;
A receiving step of receiving type information of the image receiving device transmitted from the image receiving device that is a destination to which the image is distributed;
Selection for selecting one or more layers of encoded data to be distributed to the image receiving device from among the encoded data of the plurality of layers obtained by the encoding step using the type information of the image receiving device Steps,
A distribution step of distributing the encoded data of the selected layer or layers to the image receiving device. A method for distributing encoded data of an image encoded using a video compression method in which the image distribution apparatus has a scalability function,
An acquisition step of acquiring type information of the image receiving device transmitted from the image receiving device that is a destination to which the image is distributed;
A reception step of receiving, from an image transmission source device, encoded data of a plurality of layers obtained by encoding image data of an image captured by a camera using the video compression method;
Selection for selecting one or more layers of encoded data to be distributed to the image receiving device from among the plurality of layers of encoded data received from the image transmission source device using the type information of the image receiving device Steps,
A distribution step of distributing the encoded data of the selected one or more layers to the image receiving device.

Images