JP2007208744A - Content distribution device, content distribution system and content distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content distribution device capable of managing all the servers and performing a distribution that will not causing traffic congestion in a network. <P>SOLUTION: The content distribution device 2 is provided with a receiving schedule input part in which receiving schedule information, by associating the content to be distributed to a receiver with a distribution time zone in which the content is distributed is input; a time zone division part which divides the distribution time zone of of the content into unit time zones, based on the receiving schedule information; a content specification part which specifies the content to be distributed in the same unit time zone based on a plurality of pieces of receiving schedule information; a common content extraction part which extracts the common content from among a plurality of specified content; a server schedule generation part which generates schedule information which generates schedule information which servers 40-44 are made to transmit; and a server schedule transmitting part which transmits the server schedule information to servers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution apparatus, a content distribution system, and a content distribution method, and more particularly to a content distribution apparatus, a content distribution system, and a content distribution method that transmit image data or audio data via a network.

As a conventional technique, a content distribution apparatus capable of distributing content according to a schedule according to each viewer is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). When the content distribution apparatus receives distribution schedule information designating a content distribution desired time from the terminal device, the content distribution apparatus stores the distribution schedule information in the storage device, and the distribution desired time in the distribution schedule information stored in the storage device and the current Are compared with each other, and it is determined that the desired delivery time has been reached. When the desired delivery time is reached, the content is delivered to the terminal device.
JP 2003-230121 A

  However, in the content distribution device described in Patent Document 1, when a large number of servers distribute content to each terminal device according to the content distribution information, network traffic is congested and the content is not quickly distributed to each terminal device.

  Further, in the disclosed content distribution device, each terminal device transmits distribution schedule information, and the server that distributes the content distributes the content to each terminal device according to the distribution schedule information. Optimal content distribution cannot be performed.

  On the other hand, when the distribution schedule is changed in each server, since there are a large number of servers that distribute the content, it is difficult to change the content in these many servers.

  The content distribution device of the present invention is based on the reception schedule input unit to which the reception schedule information in which the content distributed to the reception device and the distribution time zone in which the content is distributed is associated is input, and the reception schedule information. Based on a plurality of reception schedule information input from the reception schedule input unit, a time zone division unit that divides the content distribution time zone into unit time zones, and the content distributed in the same unit time zone A content specifying unit for specifying each, a common content extracting unit for extracting common content among the plurality of contents specified by the content specifying unit, and a plurality of receiving devices for transmitting the common content in one data transmission Schedule for sending to the server in a way that can be received Comprising a server schedule generation unit for generating information, and a server schedule transmission unit for transmitting the server schedule information to the server.

  According to this configuration, since the server schedule generation unit generates server schedule information that causes the server to transmit the common content for each unit time zone by a method in which a plurality of receiving apparatuses can receive the data by one data transmission, the network traffic Is alleviated. Moreover, according to this structure, a content delivery apparatus can manage a server by changing server schedule information, and can perform optimal content delivery.

  In addition, the content distribution device of the present invention receives, based on the reception schedule information and the server schedule information, reception information for causing the reception device that wants to receive the common content to receive the common content. An information generation unit; and a reception information transmission unit that transmits the reception information to the plurality of reception devices.

  According to this configuration, since the reception information generation unit generates reception information to be received by a reception device that desires reception of common content based on the reception schedule information and the server schedule information, the reception device receives the reception information. The common content can be received based on.

  In the content distribution apparatus of the present invention, the server schedule generation unit generates server schedule information so that the common content is transmitted to the server by multicast.

  According to this configuration, the server can receive the common content by a single data transmission by a plurality of receiving devices.

  The content distribution apparatus of the present invention further includes a time synchronization unit that synchronizes the time of the server and the plurality of reception apparatuses.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately match the timing at which the server and the receiving device transmit / receive common content.

  The content distribution apparatus of the present invention further includes an identical content identification unit that identifies identical content in different unit time zones, and the server schedule generation unit is configured to transmit the identical content to one server. Generate server schedule information.

  According to this configuration, even if there are a large number of servers that distribute content, it is possible to perform optimal content distribution by collectively managing a large number of servers.

  The content distribution system of the present invention includes a server for distributing content, a receiving device for receiving the content, and a content distribution device for controlling content distribution of the server, wherein the content distribution device is the receiving device. A reception schedule input unit to which reception schedule information in which content distributed to the content is distributed and a distribution time zone in which the content is distributed is input, and based on the reception schedule information, the distribution time zone of the content is a unit time zone A content identification unit that identifies each of the contents distributed in the same unit time zone based on a plurality of reception schedule information input from the reception schedule input unit; Among the plurality of contents specified by the specifying unit, A common content extraction unit that extracts content to be passed through; a server schedule generation unit that generates server schedule information for causing the server to transmit the common content in a method that can be received by a plurality of receiving devices in one data transmission; A server schedule transmission unit that transmits the server schedule information to the server.

  According to this configuration, since the server schedule generation unit generates server schedule information that causes the server to transmit the common content for each unit time zone by a method in which a plurality of receiving apparatuses can receive the data by one data transmission, the network traffic Is alleviated. Moreover, according to this structure, a content delivery apparatus can manage a server by changing server schedule information, and can perform optimal content delivery.

  The content distribution method of the present invention includes a step of receiving reception schedule information in which a content distributed to a receiving device and a distribution time zone in which the content is distributed are input, and based on the reception schedule information, Dividing the content delivery time zone into unit time zones, identifying each of the content delivered in the same unit time zone based on a plurality of input reception schedule information, and the identified Extracting common content from the plurality of contents; generating server schedule information for transmitting the common content to a server in a manner that allows a plurality of receiving apparatuses to receive the common content in one data transmission; Sending the server schedule information to the server Equipped with a.

  According to this configuration, the server schedule information that causes the server to transmit the common content for each unit time zone by a method in which a plurality of receiving apparatuses can receive the data by one data transmission is generated, thereby reducing network traffic congestion. . Moreover, according to this structure, a content delivery apparatus can manage a server by changing server schedule information, and can perform optimal content delivery.

  According to the content distribution device, the content distribution system, and the content distribution method according to the present invention, the content distribution device manages all the servers, and can realize content distribution in which network traffic is not congested.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content distribution system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system according to the first embodiment includes servers 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, receiving devices 50, 51, 52, 53, and a content distribution device 2. The servers 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, the receiving devices 50, 51, 52, 53, and the content distribution device 2 perform data transmission / reception via the network 1. For example, the network 1 is a speaker line disposed on the premises, and the receiving devices 50, 51, 52, and 53 are speakers for premises broadcasting.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the content distribution device 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the content distribution apparatus 2 includes a reception schedule input unit 21, a reception schedule storage unit 22, a time zone division unit 23, a content specification unit 24, a common content extraction unit 25, a server schedule generation unit 26, a server schedule. A transmission unit 28 and a time synchronization unit 29 are provided.

  The servers 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 are each provided with a storage device (not shown) for storing content, and distribute the content stored in the storage device to the receiving devices 50, 51, 52, 53 via the network 1. . Here, the content includes all data such as image data, audio data, and text data, and may be either digital data or analog data.

  The receiving devices 50, 51, 52, and 53 receive the content distributed by the servers 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44, and reproduce the content on an output device (not shown) such as a display or a speaker. The receiving devices 50, 51, 52, and 53 may store the received content in a storage device (not shown).

  Reception schedule information is input from the reception schedule input unit 21. Here, the reception schedule information refers to information in which content distributed to the receiving devices 50, 51, 52, and 53 is associated with a distribution time zone in which the content is distributed. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of reception schedule information of the reception device. As shown in FIG. 3, the content 1 is distributed from 10:00 to 11:00 on Monday, April 4, 2005, and the content 4 is distributed from 11:00 to 12:00 on the same day. The reception schedule information is created according to each of the reception devices 50, 51, 52, and 53 and is input to the reception schedule input unit 21. The reception schedule information may be input directly from the reception schedule input unit 21 to the content distribution apparatus 2. In addition, reception schedule information may be created in each of the receiving devices 50, 51, 52, and 53 that desire content distribution, and may be input from the reception schedule input unit 21 to the content distribution device 2 via the network 1. In addition, in each of the servers 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 that permit content distribution, reception schedule information may be created and input to the content distribution apparatus 2 from the reception schedule input unit 21 via the network 1. .

  Further, in the reception schedule information, different types of contents such as image data and audio data may be mixed. For example, the content 1 may be image data and the content 2 may be audio data.

  The reception schedule storage unit 22 stores the reception schedule information of each of the reception devices 50, 51, 52, and 53. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of reception schedule information of a plurality of reception apparatuses. As shown in FIG. 4, the reception schedule storage unit 22 stores reception schedule information for each date and time zone. According to FIG. 4, the content 2 is distributed to the receiving device 52 and the content 3 is distributed to the receiving device 53 from 10:00 to 13:00 on Monday, April 4, 2005.

  Based on the reception schedule information stored in the reception schedule storage unit 22, the time zone division unit 23 divides the distribution time zones of the contents distributed to the receiving devices 50, 51, 52, and 53 into unit time zones. . For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the time zone dividing unit 23 is in units of 1 hour such as 10: 00-11: 0, 11: 00-12: 00, 12: 00-13: 00. Divide the delivery time zone. The unit time zone to be divided may be 1 minute units or 1 second units. The unit time zone to be divided is arbitrarily set.

  The content specifying unit 24 specifies content to be distributed in the same unit time zone based on a plurality of reception schedule information input from the reception schedule input unit 23. For example, in FIG. 4, the contents distributed in the same unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0 are specified. That is, in the same unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0, content 1 delivered to the receiving device 50, content 2 delivered to the receiving device 51, content 2 delivered to the receiving device 52, and receiving device 53 Content 3 to be distributed to each is identified. Similarly, the content specifying unit 24 specifies the contents distributed in the unit time zones 11: 00-12: 00, 12: 00-13: 00.

  The common content extraction unit 25 extracts common content (hereinafter referred to as “common content”) from among the content specified by the content specification unit 24. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the content 2 distributed to the receiving device 51 and the content 2 distributed to the receiving device 52 are common. Therefore, content 2 is extracted as common content in the same unit time zone 10: 00-11: 00: 00.

  Further, the common content extraction unit 25 may extract a plurality of common contents in the same unit time zone. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, content 3 is common to content 2 in the same unit time zone 14: 00-15: 00. In this case, content 2 and content 3 are extracted as common content.

  The server schedule generation unit 26 generates server schedule information for causing the server to transmit the common content extracted by the common content extraction unit 25 by a method in which a plurality of receiving apparatuses can receive the data by one data transmission. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of server schedule information according to the first embodiment. According to the server schedule information shown in FIG. 5, the common content is the content 2 in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0, and the common content is the content 4 in the unit time zone 11: 00-12: 00. Based on the server schedule information, the server transmits the content 2 in a unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0 00 by a method that can be received by a plurality of receiving devices by one data transmission. In addition, the server transmits the content 4 in a unit time zone 11:00 to 12:00 by a method that can be received by a plurality of receiving devices by one data transmission. For example, based on the server schedule information shown in FIG. 5, the server 40 transmits the content 2 in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0 and the content 4 in the unit time zone 11: 00-12: 00.

  As described above, the server transmits the common content for each unit time period based on the server schedule information by a method in which a plurality of receiving apparatuses can receive the data by one data transmission. Here, for example, there is a multicast method as a method that can be received by a plurality of receiving devices by one data transmission. When common content is transmitted to a plurality of receiving apparatuses by the multicast method, a multicast address is assigned to the common content. Here, the multicast address refers to an address that designates a plurality of receiving apparatuses that wish to receive common content as a group. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the multicast address MA2 is assigned to the content 2, and the multicast address MA4 is assigned to the content 4.

  The server schedule transmission part 28 transmits server schedule information to the server which transmits common content. For example, the server schedule transmission unit 28 transmits the server schedule information illustrated in FIG. 5 to the server 40 via the network 1.

  The time synchronization unit 29 synchronizes the time of the server and the receiving device. For example, the time of the servers 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 and the receiving devices 50, 51, 52, and 53 shown in FIG. As a synchronization means, there is a network time protocol (NTP).

  Next, the content distribution method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step S100, reception schedule information as shown in FIG. 3 is input from the reception schedule input unit 21 shown in FIG. The input reception schedule information is stored in the reception schedule storage unit 22.

  In step S110, the time zone dividing unit 23 uses the delivery time zone of the content delivered to the receiving devices 50, 51, 52, and 53 from the reception schedule information stored in the reception schedule storage unit 22 as a unit time zone. To divide. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the time zone dividing unit 23 is in units of 1 hour such as 10: 00-11: 0, 11: 00-12: 00, 12: 00-13: 00. Divide the delivery time zone.

  In step S115, the content specifying unit 24 selects a predetermined unit time zone. For example, the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0 shown in FIG. 4 is selected.

  In step S120, the content specifying unit 24 specifies each content to be distributed in the same unit time zone based on a plurality of reception schedule information. For example, in FIG. 4, content 1 (reception device 50), content 2 (reception device 51), content 2 (reception device 52), and content 3 (reception device 53) delivered in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 00: 00 Identify each.

  In step S125, the common content extraction unit 25 determines whether there is a common content among the content specified by the content specifying unit 24. For example, in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not common content exists in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 00: 00. When common content exists, it progresses to step S130. If there is no common content, the process proceeds to step S135.

  In step S <b> 130, the common content extraction unit 25 extracts common content from the content specified by the content specification unit 24. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, content 2 is extracted as common content in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 00: 00.

  In step S135, the content specifying unit 24 determines whether or not all of the unit time zones divided by the time zone dividing unit 23 have been selected. As shown in FIG. 4, the content specifying unit 24 selects all unit time zones of 10: 00-11: 0, 11: 00-12: 00, 12: 00-13: 00. Determine whether or not. If all unit time zones have been selected, the process proceeds to step S150. If all unit time zones have not been selected, the process proceeds to step S136.

  In step S136, the content specifying unit 24 selects a unit time zone different from the selected predetermined unit time zone. For example, a unit time zone 11: 00-12: 00 different from the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0 shown in FIG. 4 is selected. If a different unit time zone is selected, the process returns to step S120, and the content specifying unit 24 specifies content to be distributed in the same unit time zone based on a plurality of reception schedule information. For example, in FIG. 4, content 4 (receiving device 50), content 4 (receiving device 51), content 2 (receiving device 52), and content 3 (receiving device 53) delivered in the unit time zone 11: 00-12: 00. Identify each.

  In step S150, the server schedule generation unit 26 generates server schedule information for causing the server to transmit the common content extracted by the common content extraction unit 25 by a method in which a plurality of receiving devices can receive the data by one data transmission. . For example, the server schedule information shown in FIG. 5 is generated. Based on the server schedule information, the server transmits the common content to the receiving device by a multicast method or the like.

  In step S170, the server schedule transmission unit 28 transmits the server schedule information shown in FIG. 5 to the server that transmits the common content.

  According to the first embodiment, the server schedule generation unit generates server schedule information that causes the server to transmit the common content for each unit time zone by a method that allows a plurality of receiving apparatuses to receive the content by one data transmission. As a result, network traffic congestion is alleviated and content is quickly distributed to each receiving device. For example, according to the multicast method in a TCP / IP network, if data of common contents is transmitted once by specifying the destinations of a plurality of receiving devices, the router on the communication path automatically copies the data according to the destination. Therefore, common content can be distributed efficiently without squeezing the line. Further, according to the first embodiment, the content distribution apparatus can manage the server by changing the server schedule information, and can perform optimal content distribution.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the server schedule generation unit 26 generates server schedule information for transmitting common content to one server. However, there may be a plurality of servers that transmit the common content. For example, based on the server schedule information shown in FIG. 5, the server 40 transmits the content 2 in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0, and the server 41 sends the content 4 in the unit time zone 11: 00-12: 00. You may send it. As shown in FIG. 5, the server transmits content 2 and content 3 in a unit time zone from 14:00 to 15:00 by a method that can be received by a plurality of receiving devices by one data transmission. In this case as well, there may be one server or a plurality of servers that transmit the common content. For example, one server 40 may divide the content 2 and the content 3 into packets and transmit the content 2 and the content 3 for each packet by one data transmission. Alternatively, the server 40 may transmit the content 2 and the server 41 may transmit the content 3.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content distribution apparatus according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the content distribution device 2 according to the second embodiment further includes a reception information generation unit 27 and a reception information transmission unit 30. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Based on the reception schedule information and the server schedule information, the reception information generation unit 27 generates reception information to be received by a receiving device that desires to receive common content. When a plurality of receiving devices receive common content by the multicast method, the received information is information in which a receiving device that desires to receive the common content is associated with the multicast address of the common content. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the reception information generated by the reception information generation unit 27 based on the reception schedule information shown in FIG. 4 and the server schedule information shown in FIG. According to FIG. 4, the receiving devices 51 and 52 desire to receive the content 2 that is the common content shown in FIG. 5 in the unit time zone 10:00 to 11:00. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 00: 00, the receiving devices 51 and 52 and the multicast address MA2 of the content 2 are associated with each other. Similarly, in the unit time zone 11:00 to 12:00, the receiving devices 50 and 51 that desire to receive the content 4 that is the common content are associated with the multicast address MA4 of the content 4. The receiving device receives the common content based on the received information. Based on the received information, the receiving devices 51 and 52 receive the content 2 to which the multicast address MA2 is assigned in the unit time zone 10: 00-110: 00. In addition, the receiving devices 50 and 51 receive the content 4 to which the multicast address MA4 is assigned in the unit time zone 11:00 to 12:00 based on the reception information.

  The reception information transmission unit 30 transmits the reception information to a reception device that desires to receive common content. For example, the reception information transmission unit 30 transmits the reception information illustrated in FIG. 8 to the reception device 50 via the network 1.

  Next, the content distribution method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S100 to S150 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In step S160, the reception information generation unit 27 generates reception information to be received by a receiving device that desires to receive the common content, based on the reception schedule information and the server schedule information. For example, the reception information shown in FIG. 8 is generated. The receiving device receives the common content based on the received information.

  In step S170, the reception information transmission unit 30 transmits the reception information illustrated in FIG. 8 to a reception device that desires to receive common content.

  According to the second embodiment, the reception information generation unit generates reception information to be received by a reception device that desires to receive common content based on the reception schedule information and the server schedule information. Can receive common content based on the received information.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content distribution apparatus according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in the third embodiment, the content distribution device 2 includes the same content specifying unit 260. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The same content specifying unit 260 specifies the same content (hereinafter referred to as “same content”) in different unit time zones. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the reception schedule information of the content other than the common content and the common content based on the reception schedule information of FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the common content is content 2, content 3, content 4, and content 5. In this case, the same content specifying unit 260 specifies the same content of content 2, content 3, content 4, and content 5, which are common content, in different unit time zones. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the content 2 includes a unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0, a unit time zone 11: 00-12: 00, a unit time zone 12: 00-13: 00, and a unit time zone 14: Since it is distributed at 00-15: 00, it is specified as the same content in these unit time zones.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the same content specified from the reception schedule information. As shown in FIG. 12, the same content specifying unit 260 specifies the same content of the content 2 in the time zone 10: 00-13: 00 and the time zone 14: 00-15: 00. Similarly, the same content specifying unit 260 specifies the same content of content 3, content 4, and content 5, respectively.

  In the third embodiment, the server schedule generation unit 26 generates server schedule information for causing the same content to be transmitted to one server. Further, the server schedule generation unit 26 generates server schedule information for causing the server to transmit at least common content among the same content by a method in which a plurality of receiving apparatuses can receive the data by one data transmission. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of server schedule information according to the third embodiment. According to the server schedule information shown in FIG. 13, the content 2 is transmitted to the server 40 in the time zone 10: 00-13: 00 and the time zone 14: 00-15: 00. Similarly, content 3, content 4, and content 5 that are the same content are transmitted to the servers 41, 42, and 43, respectively. Further, the content 2 of the common content among the content 2 of the same content is transmitted to the server 40 by a multicast method or the like in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0 and the unit time zone 14: 00-15: 00.

  As described above, each server transmits the same content based on the server schedule information. When the common content is transmitted to a plurality of receiving apparatuses by the multicast method, a multicast address is assigned to the common content among the same content. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, among the content 2 of the same content transmitted by the server 40, the multicast address MA2 is assigned to the common content in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0, 14: 00-15: 00. The

  Next, a content distribution method according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S100 to S135 and step S136 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  If all the unit time zones have been selected in step S135, the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, the same content specifying unit 260 selects one common content among the common content extracted by the common content extracting unit 25. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, content 2 is selected from the common content.

  In step S141, the same content specifying unit 260 selects a predetermined unit time zone. For example, the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0 shown in FIG. 11 is selected.

  In step S142, the same content specifying unit 260 determines whether or not the same content exists in the content transmitted in the selected predetermined unit time zone. For example, it is determined whether or not the content 1 that is the same content exists in the content 1, the content 2, and the content 3 that are transmitted in the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0 shown in FIG. If the same content exists, the process proceeds to step S143. If the same content does not exist, the process proceeds to step S144.

  In step S143, the same content specifying unit 260 specifies the same content. For example, the content 2 that is the same content is specified from the content 1, the content 2, and the content 3 that are transmitted in the unit time zone 10:00 to 11:00 shown in FIG. 11.

  In step S144, the same content specifying unit 260 determines whether all of the unit time zones divided by the time zone dividing unit 23 have been selected. As shown in FIG. 11, the same content specifying unit 260 determines all unit time zones of 10: 00-11: 0, 11: 00-12: 00, 12: 00-13: 00. It is determined whether or not it has been selected. If all unit time zones have been selected, the process proceeds to step S146. If all unit time zones have not been selected, the process proceeds to step S145.

  In step S145, the same content specifying unit 260 selects a unit time zone different from the selected predetermined unit time zone. For example, a unit time zone 11: 00-12: 00 different from the unit time zone 10: 00-11: 0 shown in FIG. 11 is selected. If a different unit time zone is selected, the process returns to step S142, and the same content specifying unit 260 determines whether or not the same content exists in the content transmitted in the selected unit time zone. For example, it is determined whether or not content 2 that is the same content exists in the content transmitted in the unit time zone 11:00 to 12:00 shown in FIG.

  In step S146, the same content specifying unit 260 determines whether all of the common content extracted by the common content extraction unit 25 has been selected. For example, it is determined whether all of content 2, content 3, content 4, and content 5 that are common contents shown in FIG. 11 have been selected. If all common contents have been selected, the process proceeds to step S150. If all the common contents have not been selected, the process proceeds to step S147.

  In step S147, the same content specifying unit 260 selects a common content different from the selected common content. For example, content 3 that is common content different from content 2 shown in FIG. 11 is selected. If a different common content is selected, it will return to step S141 and the same content specific | specification part 260 will select a predetermined unit time slot | zone.

  In step S150, the server schedule generation unit 26 generates server schedule information for transmitting the same content to one server. Further, the server schedule generation unit 26 generates server schedule information for causing the server to transmit at least common content among the same content by a method in which a plurality of receiving apparatuses can receive the data by one data transmission. For example, the server schedule information shown in FIG. 13 is generated. Based on the server schedule information, the server transmits the common content to the receiving device by a multicast method or the like.

  In step S170, the server schedule transmission unit 28 transmits the server schedule information shown in FIG. 13 to the server that transmits the common content.

  According to the third embodiment, even if there are a large number of servers that distribute content, it is possible to perform optimal content distribution by collectively managing a large number of servers.

(Modification of the third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the server schedule generation unit 26 generates server schedule information for transmitting one identical content to one server. However, a plurality of identical contents may be transmitted to one server in the same unit time zone. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing server schedule information for transmitting a plurality of contents in the same unit time zone. In accordance with the server schedule information shown in FIG. 15, the server 40 transmits content 1, content 2, and content 3 in the unit time period 10: 00-11: 00: 00. In this case, one server 40 may divide content 1, content 2, and content 3 into packets and transmit content 1, content 2, and content 3 for each packet. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing server schedule information for transmitting a plurality of contents for each unit time period. In accordance with the server schedule information shown in FIG. 16, the server 43 transmits the content 1 and the content 4 in a time zone during which the content 5 is not transmitted.

(Other embodiments)
The servers 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 illustrated in FIG. 1 each include a storage device that stores content. The servers 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 may store all of the distributed contents in the storage device, or may store a part of the content in the storage device. For example, the server 40 may store all of the content 1, the content 2, the content 3, the content 4, and the content 5, or may store only the content 2.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the content distribution system may include a shared storage device 60 connected to the servers 40, 41, 42, 43, 44. The servers 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 may read the content stored in the storage device 60 and transmit them to the network 1 instead of the storage devices included in each of them.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the server schedule generation unit 26 causes the server to transmit not only the common content but also content other than the common content by a method that the plurality of receiving apparatuses can receive by one data transmission. The server schedule information may be generated. For example, based on the distribution schedule information shown in FIG. 18, the server 40 transmits the content 2 that is the same content in all unit time zones by a method that the plurality of receiving devices can receive in one data transmission. In this case, the reception information generation unit 27 generates reception information for causing a plurality of reception devices to receive the content based on the reception schedule information and the server schedule information. For example, the reception information shown in FIG. 19 is generated based on the reception schedule information shown in FIG. 4 and the server schedule information shown in FIG.

  The network 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 17 is a ring network, but any topology network such as a star network or a bus network is allowed.

  As described above, according to the content distribution device, the content distribution system, and the content distribution method according to the present invention, the content distribution device manages all the servers, and can realize content distribution in which network traffic is not congested. It is useful as a content distribution device, a content distribution system, a content distribution method, and the like that transmit image data or audio data via a network.

The figure which showed an example of the content delivery system concerning 1st Embodiment 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a content distribution apparatus according to a first embodiment The figure which showed an example of the reception schedule information of the receiver concerning 1st Embodiment The figure which showed an example of the reception schedule information of the some receiver concerning 1st Embodiment The figure which showed an example of the server schedule information in 1st Embodiment The flowchart which showed an example of the content delivery method concerning 1st Embodiment The figure which showed an example of the content delivery apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment The figure which showed an example of the reception information concerning 2nd Embodiment The flowchart which showed an example of the content delivery method concerning 2nd Embodiment The figure which showed an example of the content delivery apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment The figure which showed the reception schedule information concerning 3rd Embodiment The figure which showed the same content specified from the reception schedule information concerning 3rd Embodiment The figure which showed an example of the server schedule information concerning 3rd Embodiment The flowchart which showed an example of the content delivery method concerning 3rd Embodiment The figure which showed the server schedule information which transmits plural contents in the same unit time zone The figure which showed the server schedule information which transmits plural contents every unit time zone The figure which showed an example of the content delivery system concerning other embodiment The figure which showed an example of the server schedule information concerning other embodiment The figure which showed an example of the reception information concerning other embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 2 Content delivery apparatus 21 Reception schedule input part 22 Reception schedule storage part 23 Time-zone division | segmentation part 24 Content specification part 25 Common content extraction part 26 Server schedule generation part 27 Reception information generation part 28 Transmission part 29 Time synchronization part 40, 41 42, 43, 44 Server 50, 51, 52, 53 Receiving device 260 Same content specifying unit

Claims (7)

A reception schedule input unit for receiving reception schedule information in which content distributed to a receiving device and a distribution time zone in which the content is distributed are input;
Based on the reception schedule information, a time zone dividing unit that divides the content delivery time zone into unit time zones;
Based on a plurality of reception schedule information input from the reception schedule input unit, a content specifying unit for specifying each of the contents distributed in the same unit time zone,
A common content extraction unit that extracts common content among the plurality of contents identified by the content identification unit;
A server schedule generating unit that generates server schedule information for causing the server to transmit the common content in a method that can be received by a plurality of receiving devices in one data transmission;
A server schedule transmission unit for transmitting the server schedule information to the server;
A content distribution apparatus comprising: A reception information generating unit that generates reception information for causing the receiving device that desires to receive the common content to receive the common content based on the reception schedule information and the server schedule information;
A reception information transmission unit for transmitting the reception information to the plurality of reception devices;
The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the server schedule generation unit generates server schedule information so that the common content is transmitted to the server by multicast.   The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a time synchronization unit that synchronizes time of the server and the plurality of reception apparatuses. The same content specifying unit for specifying the same content in different unit time zones is further provided,
The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the server schedule generation unit generates server schedule information for transmitting the same content to one server. A server for delivering content;
A receiving device for receiving the content;
A content distribution device for controlling content distribution of the server;
With
The content distribution device includes:
A reception schedule input unit for receiving reception schedule information in which content distributed to the receiving device and a distribution time zone in which the content is distributed are input;
Based on the reception schedule information, a time zone dividing unit that divides the content delivery time zone into unit time zones;
Based on a plurality of reception schedule information input from the reception schedule input unit, a content specifying unit for specifying each of the contents distributed in the same unit time zone,
A common content extraction unit that extracts common content among the plurality of contents identified by the content identification unit;
A server schedule generating unit that generates server schedule information for causing the server to transmit the common content in a method that can be received by a plurality of receiving devices in one data transmission;
A server schedule transmission unit for transmitting the server schedule information to the server;
Content distribution system with Receiving schedule information associating content distributed to a receiving device with a distribution time zone in which the content is distributed; and
Dividing the content delivery time zone into unit time zones based on the reception schedule information;
Identifying each of the contents distributed in the same unit time zone based on a plurality of input reception schedule information;
Extracting a common content from the plurality of identified contents;
Generating server schedule information for causing the server to transmit the common content by a method in which a plurality of receiving devices can receive the data by one data transmission;
Transmitting the server schedule information to the server;
Content delivery method comprising:

Images