JP2007323179A - Content processing and transmitting system and content processing and transmitting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to easily process, share and distribute content data without imposing a load on a user. <P>SOLUTION: As content processing is requested by using a client device 12 having a Web browser function, simple and interactive processing using an existing interface becomes possible without requiring a user to execute complicated processing procedures. As the contents transmitted from media servers 11a-11c, which are connected to other networks, are transmitted to a media player 31 by means of a proxy device 30 connected to the same network as the media player 31, the contents, which are connected to different networks, can be shared by operating a general-purpose media player without requiring, to a user, complicated knowledge and operations which are executed by operating a personal computer or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to technology for processing, sharing, and distributing content data via an information communication network.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital information home appliances, possession of electronic media content is progressing. Along with this, there is a growing need for easy and high-quality content data processing that utilizes the characteristics of digitized data and the sharing and distribution of such data against the background of the spread of information distribution networks represented by the Internet. .

In a network (same network) that is closed to a certain size, such as a user network, using a technology such as UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), a home personal computer, home appliances, etc. without complicated setting work Can be provided to each other simply by connecting to the network, and content data can be shared.
JP-A-2005-311773 JP 2003-85105 A

  However, a technique for easily sharing content data between different networks, for example, a technique required for sharing content data by connecting a certain household with another family such as a relative, is still insufficient.

  In order to share content data, device connection settings to the information communication network, discovery of the content and the server that owns the content, notification, registration and identification of characteristics such as media type, communication route, especially firewall and address conversion It is necessary to make settings.

  Especially when the network is different, it is not easy for the notification information from each device to be blocked by a router in the middle of the route, and it is not easy to properly perform firewall and address translation, and specialized knowledge about computers and information communication networks There is a problem that it is very difficult for a general user who does not have content data to share content data.

  In Patent Literature 1, network information home appliances that enable use of UPnP are used, and a sharing device that exists in different networks virtually communicates in the same network, or communicates between the relay device or the conversion device itself. Therefore, by using a method of installing a registration server, the above-described problems that occur when content data is shared between different networks are solved.

  However, Patent Document 1 describes a technique related to simple content data sharing, and does not describe processing of the data.

  In Patent Document 2, content data is generated and stored on a server, distribution information is transmitted using e-mail, and content data is shared by connecting to a content distribution center from a receiving terminal and receiving the content data. Techniques to do this are disclosed.

  However, Patent Document 2 considers distribution of content data, and does not describe content data processing as in the technology of Patent Document 1. In addition, since it is assumed that a small amount of content is distributed to a large number of users in the case of general commercial content distribution, there is no problem in sharing content data using the method described in Patent Document 2. Seem. On the other hand, when sharing the content of an individual user targeted by the present invention, a server with a large storage capacity is required to store content data, but the number of users for a single content is considered to be small. Therefore, when content data sharing is realized using the technique described in Patent Document 2, a large-capacity content server is required even though the number of users is small. There seems to be a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to easily process, share, and distribute content data without burdening the user.

  A content processing transfer system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a client device having a function of an HTTP client connected to a first network, a media server, a first proxy device that relays a connection to the media server, a second A content processing transfer system comprising: a processing device connected to the first network; a media player connected to the third network; and a second proxy device that relays the connection to the media player. The proxy device includes storage means for storing the address information of the media server, and transmission means for reading the address information from the storage means and transmitting the address information to the processing device. Sent from the proxy device via the first network and the second network. A first receiving means for receiving the address information; and the media server connected to the media server for the address information and transmitted from the media server via the first network and the second network. A second receiving means for receiving the content stored in the client, an analysis means for analyzing a process for performing the processing when the client device has requested processing of the content, and a result of the analysis. Storage means for storing the analysis information to be shown, and transmission means for reading the analysis information from the storage means and transmitting it to the second proxy device, wherein the second proxy device is from the processing device. Receiving means for receiving the analysis information transmitted via the second network and the third network; Storage means for storing information, and when requested by the media player, the analysis information is read from the storage means and transmitted to the media server, and the content processed based on the analysis information is And a transfer means for transferring to the media player after receiving from the media server.

  In the present invention, since content processing is requested using a client device having an HTTP client function, simple and interactive use of an existing interface such as a web browser without requiring a complicated processing procedure from the user. Can be processed easily.

  In addition, the second proxy device connected to the same network as the media player transfers the content transmitted from the media server connected to the other network to the media player. The content connected to different networks can be shared by operating a general-purpose media player without forcing the user to perform knowledge and operations.

  Further, since the processed content based on the analysis information is transferred to the media player by the second proxy device, it is not necessary to store the content itself in the processing device, and it is also necessary to distribute the content from the processing device. Absent. That is, even when the number of media servers increases, content sharing and distribution can be realized without increasing the storage capacity and distribution capability of the processing device.

  In the content processing transfer system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the client device is a media player, and the first proxy device receives a content name transmitted from the media server; Storage means for storing the content name, conversion means for reading the content name from the storage means and converting the content name into a content name associated with processing for the content, and the converted content name And transmitting means for transmitting to the media player, wherein the media player displays the received content name on the display means so as to be selectable, and responds to the content name when the content name is selected. Requesting means for requesting the processing of the content.

  In the present invention, the first proxy device transmits the content name converted to the content name associated with the content processing to the media player connected to the first network, and the media player transmits the content name. Since the name is selected, the user operating the media player can request the processing of the content corresponding to the content name without taking into account the complicated processing procedure.

  The content processing transfer system according to a third aspect of the present invention further includes a connection device that restricts access to the first network, and the connection device is configured to receive a request from the first proxy device. A setting for permitting connection from the processing device or the second proxy device is performed.

  In the present invention, when there is a request from the first proxy device connected to the first network, the processing device connected to another network with respect to the connection device that restricts access to the network. Alternatively, since the setting for permitting the connection from the second proxy device is performed, connections to the first network from devices other than the permitted device can be excluded.

  A content processing transfer method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a client device having a function of an HTTP client connected to a first network, a media server, a first proxy device that relays a connection to the media server, a second A content processing transfer method in which processing is performed by a processing device connected to the network of the second network, a media player connected to the third network, and a second proxy device that relays the connection to the media player. A step of storing address information of the media server by a proxy device; and a step of reading the address information from a storage unit and transmitting the address information to the processing device. Sent from the first network and the second network Receiving the address information; connected to the media server of the address information; and stored in the media server transmitted from the media server via the first network and the second network. A step of receiving content, a step of analyzing a process for performing the processing when there is a processing request for the content from the client device, a step of storing analysis information indicating a result of the analysis, Reading the analysis information from the storage means and transmitting the analysis information to the second proxy device, and the second proxy device from the processing device to the second network and the third network. Receiving the analysis information transmitted via the network, and storing the received analysis information And, when requested by the media player, after the analysis information is read from the storage means and transmitted to the media server, and the content processed based on the analysis information is received from the media server. Transferring to the media player.

  In the content processing transfer method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the client device is a media player, and the first proxy device receives the content name transmitted from the media server, and receives the content name. Storing the content name; reading the content name from storage means; converting the content name into a content name associated with processing for the content; and converting the converted content name to the media player Transmitting the received content name to the display means so as to be selectable by the media player, and processing the content corresponding to the content name when the content name is selected. And a step of making the request.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily process, share, and distribute content data without burdening the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the entire system in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment has a configuration including first to fourth four networks.

  The first network 1 includes a proxy device 10 that relays connection to a media server, media servers 11a to 11c that store content data such as music and movies, a client device 12 having a web browser function, and other networks. A connection device 40a for controlling access to the first network 1 is connected. The connection device 40a is connected to the first network and is also connected to the fourth network. The number of media servers is not limited to the three media servers 11a to 11c shown in FIG. 1, and a configuration in which one or two or four or more media servers are possible is also possible.

  The proxy device 10 and the media servers 11a to 11c have specifications of DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) guidelines. DLNA refers to an industry group established to establish specifications for connecting digital AV devices and personal computers to each other via a home network and mutually using moving image, music, and still image data. The guidelines defined by DLNA are made by combining existing standards such as TCP / IP and HTTP and general-purpose protocols.

  The first network 1 has a network address of 192.168.1.0 with the upper 24 bits as a subnet mask. The IP address of the interface eth1 connected to the first network of the proxy device 10, the media server 11a, the media server 11b, the media server 11c, the client device 12, and the connection device 40a is the network address of the first network 1 Are set as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 1, respectively.

  Connected to the second network 2 are a processing device 20 that processes content, a data reception and distribution device 21 that receives requests from proxy devices, an authentication device 22 that authenticates users, and a router 41. Yes. The router 41 is connected to the second network and is also connected to the fourth network.

  The second network 2 has a network address of 172.16.0.0 with the upper 24 bits as a subnet mask. The IP address of the interface eth1 connected to the second network of the processing device 20, the data reception / distribution device 21, the authentication device 22, and the router 41 is the fourth octet of the network address of the second network 2, respectively. , 2, 3, 4 and 1 are set.

  Connected to the third network 3 are a proxy device 30 that relays the connection to the media player, a media player 31 that receives and reproduces the contents of the media servers 11a to 11c, and a connection device 40b. The connection device 40b is connected to the third network and is also connected to the fourth network.

  The proxy device 30 and the media player 31 have the DLNA guideline specifications described above.

  The third network 3 has a network address of 192.168.2.0 using the upper 24 bits as a subnet mask. The IP address of the interface eth1 connected to the third network of the proxy device 30, the media player 31, and the connection device 40b is set to the fourth octet of the network address of the third network 3, respectively. It is set as 1.

  A connection device 40a, a connection device 40b, and a router 41 are connected to the fourth network 4. As described above, the connection device 40 a is also connected to the first network 1, and the connection device 40 b is also connected to the third network 3. The router 41 is also connected to the second network 2.

  The fourth network 4 is not configured by a single network as shown in FIG. 1, but can be configured by using a plurality of networks using, for example, the Internet, a public line network, a CATV network, or the like. is there. Note that the Internet means a collection of networks linked to each other based on a predetermined protocol.

  The fourth network 4 has a network address of 10.0.0.0 using the upper 24 bits as a subnet mask. The interface s1 connected to the fourth network of the connection device 40a, the interface s1 connected to the fourth network of the connection device 40b, and the IP address of the interface s1 connected to the fourth network of the router 41 are: The fourth octet of the network address of the fourth network 4 is set as 101, 102, and 100, respectively.

  The network addresses of the first to fourth networks 1 to 4 described above and the IP addresses of the devices connected to the networks are not limited to these.

  Next, the proxy device 10, the client device 12, the processing device 20, the data reception / delivery device 21, the authentication device 22, the proxy device 30, the connection device 40a, and the connection device 40b (hereinafter referred to as “each device” shown in FIG. The configuration of the computer system will be described.

  Each device has a central processing unit and a memory unit, and is connected via an input / output bus. The client device 12 further includes a display unit. Each device can include a hard disk unit in addition to the above configuration.

  Specifically, the central processing unit is realized by a CPU, and instructs each process constituting the present embodiment, and the instructions are executed by a program.

  The memory unit functions as a program execution area and a data area. This program means a program that executes each process constituting the present embodiment.

  Note that content lists A to C, metadata, an address conversion table, an access control table, a processing list, content, and the like, which will be described later, are stored in or read from the memory unit by the central processing unit based on instructions from the program.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the proxy device 10. The proxy device 10 includes a device discovery module 101, a remote communication module 102, a device advertisement response module 103, a user access module 104, a firewall control module 105, an address conversion module 106, an HTTP server relay module 107, and a content name conversion module 108. This is a configuration provided.

  The device discovery module 101 receives the advertisement based on the DLNA from the media server to the first network 1 or the request based on the DLNA from the proxy device 10 to the first network 1. It has a function to discover device information.

  The remote communication module 102 has a function of exchanging device information discovered by the device discovery module 101 with another proxy device.

  The device advertisement response module 103 has been exchanged from the function of performing advertisement based on DLNA to the first network 1, and the device information discovered by the device discovery module 101 and the remote communication module of another proxy device. It has a function of responding as a virtual device based on device information.

  The user access module 104 has a function of performing user authentication.

  The firewall control module 105 has a function of changing settings for an access control table stored in a connection device that operates as a firewall.

  The address translation module 106 has a function of changing settings for an address translation table stored in a connection device that operates as a router.

  The HTTP server relay module 107 has a function of responding to a request by HTTP.

  The content name conversion module 108 converts the content name into a content name associated with the processing content stored in the processing list, and when the converted content name is designated by the client device, It has a function of converting to processing content associated with a content name.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the data reception / delivery device 21. The data reception / distribution device 21 includes a user authentication module 211, an access right management module 212, a processing device control module 213, and a data distribution module 214.

  The user authentication module 211 has a function of performing user authentication.

  The access right management module 212 has a function of managing the user's access authority to the content.

  The processing device control module 213 has a function of instructing the processing device 20 to analyze processing for processing content.

  The data distribution module 214 has a function of transmitting metadata and the like in which analysis information analyzed by the processing device 20 is stored.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the processing device 20. The processing device 20 includes a content acquisition module 201, a data processing module 202, a metadata storage management module 203, and a metadata providing module 204.

  The content acquisition module 201 has a function of acquiring content stored in the media server.

  The data processing module 202 has a function of processing the content based on the processing content of the processing list and analyzing the processing for processing the content.

  The metadata storage management module 203 has a function of storing and managing the analysis information analyzed by the data processing module 202 as metadata.

  The metadata providing module 204 has a function of providing metadata and the like stored and managed by the metadata storage management module 203.

  The processing device 20 can also have the function of the data reception / delivery device 21. In this case, the modules 211 to 214 of the data reception / delivery device 21 described above are included in the processing device 20.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the connection device 40a. The connection device 40a includes an IP packet transfer module 401, a firewall module 402, and an address port number conversion module 403.

  The IP packet transfer module 401 has a function of transferring IP packets transmitted to the interfaces eth1 and s1 of the connection device 40a.

  The firewall module 402 has a function of permitting or denying transfer of the IP packet transmitted to the interface of the connection device based on the access control table.

  The address port number conversion module 403 has a function of converting the transmitted IP address and port number based on the address conversion table.

  The overall system processing flow in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of the entire system processing in the present embodiment.

  The media servers 11a to 11c advertise to the connected first network 1 based on DLNA that they are media servers storing media content (S1).

  The proxy device 10 discovers the advertisement transmitted to the first network 1 by the device discovery module 101, and obtains the content name of the content stored in the media servers 11a to 11c and the URL of the media server storing the content. The contents are stored in the content list A (S2).

  FIG. 7 is a table of the content list A stored in the proxy device 10 in step S2. This content list A has a table structure, the “content name” column of the content stored in the media server, the “internal URL” column of the media server storing the content, and other networks. And a column of “external URL” of the media server. The table structure of the content list A is not limited to this, and for example, a “server name” column of the media server can be added.

  The URL is a descriptor used to indicate the location of the content, and is described using http: // {IP address}: {port number} / {content location}. {IP address} is not limited to an IP address, and it is also possible to use an FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) or a host name that can identify a device on the network.

  {IP address}, {port number}, and {content location} in the column of "internal URL" are the IP address of the media server, the port number where http is running on the media server, and the content on the media server, respectively. An identifier (for example, a content file name) for specifying is stored.

  On the other hand, {IP address} in the column of “external URL” stores the IP address of the interface s1 of the connection device 40a used when accessing the first network from another network. {Port number} is set without duplicating an appropriate number. Also, {content location} stores an identifier for specifying the content on the media server in the same manner as {content location} in the column of “internal URL”.

  Specifically, for example, the content name of the content stored in the media server 11a is “music_1”, and the URL where the content is stored is “http://192.168.1.3:80/music_1”. In this case, “music_1” is stored in the “content name” column of the record R10 of the content list A, and “http://192.168.1.3:80/music_1” is stored in the “internal URL” column. Stored. Further, “http://10.00.0.101:8081/music — 1” is stored in the “external URL” column.

  Similarly, when the content name of the content stored in the media server 11b is “music_2” and the URL storing the content is “http://192.168.1.4:80/music_2”, the content list “Music_2” is stored in the “content name” column of R11, which is the next row of the record R10 of A, and “http://192.168.1.4:80/” is stored in the “internal URL” column. music_2 "is stored. Further, “http://10.0.0.101:8082/music_2” is stored in the “external URL” column.

  Similarly, when the content name of the content stored in the media server 11c is “movie_1” and the URL storing the content is “http://192.168.1.5:80/movie_1”, “Movie_1” is stored in the “content name” column of R12, which is the next row of the record R11 of the content list A, and “http://192.168.1.5:” in the “internal URL” column. 80 / movie_1 "is stored. Further, “http://10.0.0.101:8083/music_2” is stored in the “external URL” column.

  Note that {IP address} in the column of “external URL” described above is the IP address of the interface s1 of the connection device 40a required to connect to the first network from another network 10.0.0. 101 is stored. Further, 8081 to 8083 stored in {port number} are numbers appropriately assigned by the proxy device 10.

  The client device 12 transmits a content list acquisition request to the proxy device 10 using the web browser function (S3).

  The proxy device 10 receives the content list acquisition request transmitted from the client device 12 through the HTTP server relay module 107 and receives the content name stored in the “content name” column from the content list A shown in FIG. The data is read and transmitted to the client device 12 (S4).

  In addition, after receiving the content list acquisition request, the proxy device 10 performs step S2 before reading the content name from the content list A, and investigates the content of the media server currently connected to the first network 1. Is also possible.

  When the client device 12 receives the content name transmitted from the proxy device 10, displays the content name on the display unit so that the content name can be selected, and the user A who operates the client device 12 specifies the content name. Transmits a service use request including the designated content name (hereinafter referred to as “designated content name”) and the user A name to the proxy device 10 (S5).

  Specifically, on the display unit of the client device 12, the content names “music_1”, “music_2”, and “movie_1” stored in the “content name” column of the content list A of the proxy device 10 are the clients. Displayed on the device screen. Of these plural content names, for example, the case where “music_1” is designated by the user A will be described below.

  The proxy device 10 receives the service use request transmitted from the client device 12 through the HTTP server relay module 107, and transmits this service use request to the data reception / distribution device 21 (S6).

  The data reception / delivery device 21 receives the service use request transmitted from the proxy device 10 via the first, fourth, and second networks, and the user authentication module 211 has registered user A in advance. In order to check whether the user A is a sender, the access right management module 212 checks whether the user A has the authority to process the content with the specified content name. (S7).

  Note that the confirmation of the transmission source and the confirmation of the processing authority in step S7 can be omitted. In this case, the authentication device 22 may not be included.

  The data reception / distribution device 21 transmits a service use request to the processing device 20 when the transmission source confirmation and the processing authority are confirmed in step S7 (S8).

  The processing device 20 receives the service use request transmitted from the data reception / delivery device 21, and transmits a content URL acquisition request based on the designated content name to the proxy device 10 (S9).

  The proxy device 10 receives the content URL acquisition request transmitted from the processing device 20 via the second, fourth, and first networks, and the processing device 20 is a processing device corresponding to the service use request of the user A. In order to confirm whether or not there exists, the authentication device 22 is checked for the transmission source, and further, the user access module 104 confirms whether the media servers 11a to 11c are media servers corresponding to the service use request of the user A. (S10).

  Note that the confirmation in step S10 can be omitted, and in this case, a configuration that does not include the authentication device 22 is possible.

  If the proxy device 10 is confirmed in step S10, the proxy device 10 reads the data stored in the record corresponding to the specified content name from the content list A in order to enable connection from the processing device 20 to the media servers 11a to 11c. Then, the setting of the address conversion table and the access control table stored in the connection device 40a is changed (S11).

  If the connection device 40a does not have a function for performing access control, it is possible not to change the setting of the access control table.

  FIG. 8 is a table of an address conversion table stored in the connection device 40a. This address conversion table has a table structure, and has a configuration including an “internal” column having the first network 1 as an internal and an “external” column having the other network as an external. Each column includes a column of “IP address” and “port number”.

  Before the content URL acquisition request is transmitted from the processing device 20 to the proxy device 10, the columns “10.0...” Are respectively displayed in the “external” “IP address” and “port number” columns of the record R20 of the address conversion table. “0.101” and “80” are stored. Also, “192.168.1.2” and “80” are stored in the “IP address” and “port number” columns of “internal” of R20, respectively. As a result, access to the IP address 10.0.0101 and port number 80 from the outside is transferred to the internal IP address 192.168.1.2 and port number 80. That is, in step S10, the processing device 20 existing in the external network can access the proxy device 10 existing in the internal network.

  Here, the operation of changing the setting of the address conversion table in step S11 will be specifically described. The proxy device 10 searches the content list A shown in FIG. 7 for a record corresponding to the designated content name “music_1”, and the column of “internal URL” and “external URL” related to the corresponding record R10. Read the data stored in the column. The {IP address} and {port number} stored in the “External URL” column are replaced with the “External” “IP address” and “Port” of R21, which is the next row of R20 of the address conversion table shown in FIG. Store in the column of “number”. Similarly, {IP address} and {port number} stored in the “internal URL” column are stored in the “internal” “IP address” and “port number” columns of R21. As a result, external access to the IP address 10.0.0101 and port number 8081 is transferred to the internal IP address 192.168.1.3 and port number 80.

  FIG. 9 is a table of an access control table in the interface s1 of the connection device 40a stored in the connection device 40a. This address conversion table has a table structure, a column of “permission classification” indicating permission or denial of access to the interface s1, a column of “communication source” of an IP packet accessing the interface s1, and an interface s1. And a “communication destination” column of an IP packet for accessing the network. Furthermore, the “communication source” and “communication destination” columns include “IP address” and “port number” columns.

  Before the content URL acquisition request is transmitted from the processing device 20 to the proxy device 10, “deny” is stored in the “permitted category” column of the record R30 of the access control table. In the “IP address” column of “communication source”, “any” indicating all IP addresses or port numbers is stored, and “any” is also stored in the “port number” column. Further, “any” is also stored in the “IP address” and “port number” columns of “communication destination”.

  Further, “permitted” is stored in the “permitted category” column of R31 stored on the record R30. In the “IP address” and “port number” columns of “communication source”, “any” is stored. Further, “10.0.0.101” is stored in the “IP address” column of “communication destination”, and “80” is stored in the “port number” column.

  Further, “permitted” is stored in the “permitted category” column of R32 stored on the record R31. “192.168.1.0” is stored in the “IP address” column of “communication source”, and “any” is stored in the “port number” column. Further, “any” is stored in the “IP address” and “port number” columns of “communication destination”.

  The access control by the connection device 40a includes the IP address / port number of the communication source / destination of the IP packet transmitted to the interface s1, and the IP address / port number of the communication source / destination stored in the access control table. Are compared in order from the record stored above, and as a result of the comparison, processing is performed based on the contents stored in the “permitted category” column of the matching record. For example, in the IP packet transmitted to the interface s1, the IP address / port number of the communication source is 10.0.0.10/10888, and the IP address / port number of the communication destination is 10.0.0101 / In the case of 8081, first, the communication source / destination IP address / port number stored in the highest record R32 is compared. Since the IP address of the communication source of R32 does not match, it is compared with the IP address / port number of the communication source / destination stored in R31. Since the IP address / port number of the communication source are both “any”, they match, but the port number of the communication destination does not match, so the IP address / port number of the communication source / communication destination stored next in R30 Compare with Since the IP address / port number of the communication source / destination of R30 are all “any”, they match, and the IP packet is rejected at the interface s1 due to “rejection” stored in the “permission category” of R30. It will be.

  Here, the operation of changing the setting of the access control table in step S11 will be specifically described. A record corresponding to “music_1” as the designated content name is searched from the content list A shown in FIG. 7, and the data stored in the “external URL” column associated with the corresponding record R10 is read. The {IP address} and {port number} stored in the “external URL” column are replaced with the “IP address” and “IP address” of “communication destination” of R33 stored on R32 of the access control table shown in FIG. Store in the “Port number” column. Further, 172.16.0.2 that is the IP address of the processing device 20 that is the transmission source of the content URL acquisition request is stored in the “IP address” column of the “communication source” of R33, and the “port number” column. Stores any. Further, “permitted” is stored in the “permitted category” column.

  The proxy device 10 reads the content (hereinafter referred to as “content URL”) stored in the column of “external URL” corresponding to the designated content name from the content list A, and transmits it to the processing device 20 (S12).

  More specifically, a record corresponding to the designated content name “music_1” is searched from the content list A shown in FIG. 7 and stored in the “external URL” column associated with the corresponding record R10. http://0.00.0.101:8081/music_1 ”is read out and transmitted to the processing device 20.

  The processing device 20 receives the content URL transmitted from the proxy device 10 by the content acquisition module 201 via the first, fourth, and second networks, and transmits a content acquisition request to the media server of the content URL. (S13).

  Since the IP address of the content URL is 10.0.0.101 and the port number is 8081, the content acquisition request is made based on the record R21 of the address conversion table of the connection device 40a shown in FIG. 1.3, forwarded to port number 80 Further, since the IP address of the communication source is 172.16.0.2 of the processing device 20 and the IP address / port number of the communication destination is 10.0.0101 / 8081, the access control table shown in FIG. Matching the record R33, the content acquisition request is transmitted to the media server 11a with the IP address 192.168.1.3 without being rejected at the interface s1 of the connection device 40a.

  The media server 11a receives the content acquisition request transmitted from the processing device 20 via the connection device 40a, reads the content stored in the media server 11a from the memory, and transmits it to the processing device 20 (S14).

  The processing device 20 receives the content transmitted from the media server 11a via the first, fourth, and second networks, and receives the link destination of the content, the content name received in step S9, and the step S13. The content URL is associated and stored in the content list B (S15).

  The operation of storing the content name in the content list B can be performed after step S9, and the operation of storing the content URL in the content list B can be performed after step S13.

  FIG. 10 is a table of the content list B stored in the processing device 20 at step S15. The content list B has a table structure, and includes a “content name” column, a “content URL” column, and a “content link destination” column. Specifically, “music_1” is stored in the “content name” column, “http://10.0.0.101:8081/music_1” is stored in the “content URL” column, In the “link destination of content” column, address information where the content is stored, for example, A1C2 is stored. The table structure of the content list B is not limited to this.

  The processing device 20 reads out the processing contents from the processing list stored in advance, and presents processing candidates for the specified content name to the client device 12 via the data reception / delivery device 21 and the proxy device 10 (S16).

  FIG. 11 is a table of processing lists stored in the processing device 20. As shown in FIG. 11, examples of processing contents include deletion of a silent part of content, digest creation for performing specific scene extraction and switching detection, and the like. Note that the processing content illustrated in FIG. 11 is merely an example, and it is possible to perform various types of processing according to the type of content.

  The client device 12 receives the processing content transmitted from the processing device 20, displays the processing content on the display unit so that the processing content can be selected, and when the processing content is designated by the user A, the proxy device 10 and the data A processing instruction including the designated processing is transmitted to the proxy device 30 via the reception delivery device 21 (S17).

  Specifically, on the display unit of the client device 12, silence part deletion and digest creation, which are processing contents stored in the processing list of the proxy device 10, are displayed. Of the plurality of processing contents, for example, the case where silent part deletion is designated by the user A will be described below.

  The processing device 20 receives the processing instruction transmitted from the client device 12, and the data processing module 202 processes the content of the specified content name based on the processing instruction, and analyzes the analysis information indicating the processing result as meta data. Data is stored in association with the content name of the content list B in FIG. 10 (S18).

  Specifically, as shown on the right side of FIG. 10, when the silent part is deleted for the content with the content name “music_1”, for example, the start of a valid content time zone without the silent part. As the time / end time, 0: 00: 07/07: 25: 45 is stored in the record R50, and 0: 26: 15/0: 48: 30 is stored in R51 of the next row of R50. The time stored as the start time and the end time means {hour}: {minute}: {second}.

  The processing device 20 reads out the designated content name and the metadata associated with the designated content name from the content list B by the metadata providing module 204, and transmits it to the data reception / delivery device 21 (S19).

  Note that the processing device 20 can also delete all the data stored in the content list B including metadata after step S19.

  The data reception / delivery device 21 associates the designated content name and metadata transmitted from the processing device 20 with each other and stores them in the content list C. The access right management module 212 assigns other access rights to the content list C to other content lists C. A setting is made to allow sharing to the user (S20).

  Specifically, the following description will be given in consideration of the case where the user B is set to share the access authority to the content list C.

  When requested by the user B operating the media player, the media player 31 transmits a content list acquisition request including the name of the user B to the proxy device 30 based on the DLNA (S21).

  The proxy device 30 receives the content list request transmitted from the media player 31 and transmits it to the data reception / delivery device 21 (S22).

  The data reception / delivery device 21 receives the content list request transmitted from the proxy device 30 via the third, fourth, and second networks, and the user authentication module 211 has registered user B in advance. In order to check whether the user B is the sender, the access source management module 212 confirms whether the user B has the right to access the content processed by the user A. (S23).

  Note that the transmission source confirmation and the access authority confirmation in step S23 can be omitted, and in this case, the authentication apparatus 22 may not be included.

  When the transmission source confirmation and the access authority are confirmed in step S23, the data reception / delivery device 21 reads the content name processed by the user A from the content list C and transmits it to the proxy device 30 (S24).

  The proxy device 30 transmits a content list request to the data reception / distribution device 21 by the remote communication module 102 without receiving a request from the media player 31, and receives the received content list request by the device advertisement response module 103. It is also possible to advertise. As a result, the media player 31 can automatically receive the content list based on the DLNA even when the content list request is not transmitted.

  The media player 31 displays the content list received based on the DLNA on the display unit so that the content can be selected. When the content name is selected by the user B who operates the media player 31, the selected content name ( Hereinafter, the content acquisition request including the “selected content name” and the user B name is transmitted to the proxy device 30 (S25).

  Specifically, “music_1”, which is the designated content name of the user A stored in the content list C of the data reception / delivery device 21, is displayed on the display unit of the media player 31. The following description will be given in consideration of the case where “music_1” is selected by the user B.

  The proxy device 30 receives the content acquisition request transmitted from the media player 31, and transmits the metadata acquisition request to the data reception / distribution device 21 (S26).

  The data reception / delivery device 21 receives the metadata acquisition request transmitted from the proxy device 30 via the third, fourth, and second networks, and sends the metadata associated with the selected content name from the content list C. The data is read and transmitted to the proxy device 30 by the data distribution module 214 (S27).

  The proxy device 30 receives the metadata transmitted from the data reception / delivery device 21 via the second, fourth, and third networks, stores the metadata in the memory, and then stores the analysis information stored in the metadata. The content URL acquisition request including the analysis information is read and transmitted to the proxy device 10 (S28).

  The proxy device 10 receives the content URL acquisition request via the third, fourth, and first networks, and transmits it to the authentication device 22 to confirm whether the user B is a user registered in advance. An original confirmation is performed, and further, the user access module 104 confirms whether or not the user B has the authority to access the media server 11a with the selected content name (S29).

  Note that the transmission source confirmation and the access authority confirmation in step S29 can be omitted, and in this case, the authentication apparatus 22 may not be included.

  When the transmission source confirmation and the access authority are confirmed in step S29, the proxy device 10 records from the content list A corresponding to the selected content name in order to enable connection from the proxy device 30 to the media server 11a. The data stored in is read out and the settings of the address conversion table and access control table stored in the connection device 40a are changed (S30).

  If the connection device 40a does not have a function for performing access control, it is possible not to change the setting of the access control table.

  In the address conversion table stored in the connection device 40a shown in FIG. 8, the selected content name in step S25 and the specified content name in step S5 are the same, and therefore the same as the record stored in the record R21. In this case, it is possible not to add a new row of records.

  On the other hand, regarding the change in the setting of the access control table shown in FIG. 9, the column “IP address” of “communication source” in R34 above the record R33 is “192.168.8.2. “Any” is stored in the “2” and “port number” columns, “10.0.101” in the “IP address” column of “communication destination”, and “10.0.101” in the “port number” column. 8081 "is stored.

  The proxy device 10 reads the content stored in the column “external URL” corresponding to the selected content name from the content list A, and transmits it to the proxy device 30 (S31).

  Specifically, the record corresponding to the selected content name “music_1” is retrieved from the content list A shown in FIG. 7 and stored in the “external URL” column associated with the corresponding record R10. “http://10.0.0.101:8081/music_1” is read and transmitted to the proxy device 30.

  The proxy device 30 receives the content URL transmitted from the proxy device 10 via the first, fourth, and third networks, reads the metadata received in step S28 from the memory, and based on the DLNA, A content acquisition request using the analysis information stored in the metadata as an argument is transmitted to the media server 11a of the content URL (S32).

  Specifically, the proxy device 30 has 0: 00: 07/0: 25: 45 and 0:26:15 which are start / end times stored in the records R50 and R51 stored in the metadata. / 0: 48: 30 is read from the memory, and a content acquisition request with the start time and end time as arguments is transmitted to http://0.0.0.101:8081/music_1. The designation of the acquisition position such as the start time / end time can be realized by conforming to the DLNA standard.

  Since the IP address of the content URL is {10.0.0.101} and the port number is {8081}, the content acquisition request is set to IP by R21 of the address conversion table of the connection device 40a shown in FIG. Forwarded to address 192.168.1.3, port number 80. Further, since the IP address of the communication source is 192.168.2.2 of the proxy device 30 and the IP address / port number of the communication destination is 10.0.0101 / 8081, the access control table of FIG. Matching the record R34, the content acquisition request is transmitted to the media server 11a with the IP address 192.168.1.3 without being rejected at the interface s1 of the connection device 40a.

  The media server 11a receives the analysis information transferred from the proxy device 30, and transmits the content based on the analysis information to the proxy device 30 based on the DLNA (S33).

  Specifically, the media server 11a has a time zone from 0:00:07 (start time) to 0:25:45 (end time) and 0:26:15 (start time) to 0:48:30 (end). Content in the time zone is read from the memory and transmitted to the proxy device 30.

  The proxy device 30 receives the processed content transmitted from the media server 11a via the first, fourth, and third networks, and transmits it to the media player based on DLNA (S34).

  According to the present embodiment, since content processing is requested using the client device 12 having a web browser function, simple and interactive processing utilizing an existing interface can be performed without requiring a complicated processing procedure from the user. Is possible.

  Further, the proxy device 30 connected to the same network as the media player 31 transfers the contents transmitted from the media servers 11a to 11c connected to other networks to the media player 31, so that a personal computer or the like is operated. The content connected to different networks can be shared by operating a general-purpose media player without forcing the user to perform complicated knowledge and operations.

  Further, since the processed content based on the analysis information is transferred to the media player 31 by the proxy device 30, it is not necessary to store the content itself in the processing device 20, and the content needs to be distributed from the processing device 20. Nor. That is, even when the number of media servers increases, content sharing and distribution can be realized without increasing the storage capacity and distribution capability of the processing device 20.

  Further, when there is a request from the proxy device 10 connected to the first network 1, the processing device 20 or the proxy device 30 connected to another network with respect to the connection device 40a that restricts access to the same network. Since the setting for permitting connection from is performed, connection to the first network from devices other than the permitted device can be excluded.

  The overall system processing flow in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the entire system processing in the present embodiment.

  The system configuration in this embodiment is a configuration including a media player 13 instead of the client device 12 shown in FIG.

  The media servers 11a to 11c advertise to the connected first network 1 based on DLNA that they are media servers storing media content (S1).

  The proxy device 10 discovers the advertisement transmitted to the first network 1 by the device discovery module 101, and obtains the content name of the content stored in the media servers 11a to 11c and the URL of the media server storing the content. The contents are stored in the content list A (S2).

  Specifically, the content A is stored as shown in FIG.

  The proxy device 10 transmits a processing list acquisition request to the data reception / distribution device 21 (S3).

  The data reception / delivery device 21 receives the processing list acquisition request transmitted from the proxy device 10 via the first, fourth, and second networks, and transmits it to the processing device 20 (S4).

  The processing device 20 receives the processing list acquisition request transmitted from the data reception / distribution device 21, reads the processing content from the processing list stored in advance, and transmits the processing content via the data reception / distribution device 21. And transmitted to the proxy device 10 (S5).

  The proxy device 10 receives the processing content transmitted from the processing device 20 via the second, fourth, and first networks, and further reads the content name from the content list A shown in FIG. The conversion module 108 converts the content name into a content name associated with the processing content (S6).

  Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the content names stored in the content list A shown in FIG. 7 are “music_1”, “music_2”, and “movie_1”, and the transmitted processing details Is “deleted silent part of music_1”, “deleted silent part of music_2”, and “deleted silent part of movie_1”, and converted to the content name of the content list A Stored.

  The media player 13 transmits a content list acquisition request to the proxy device 10 based on DLNA (S7).

  The proxy device 10 receives the content list acquisition request transmitted from the media player 13 via the HTTP server relay module 107 and reads the converted content name stored in the column “content name” from the content list A. Is transmitted to the media player 13 (S8).

  As in the first embodiment, after receiving the content list acquisition request, the proxy device 10 performs step S2 before reading the content name from the content list A, and the media server currently connected to the first network 1 It is also possible to investigate content.

  The media player 13 receives the converted content name transmitted from the proxy device 10, displays the content name on the display unit in a selectable manner, and the content name is designated by the user A who operates the media player 13. If so, a service use request including the designated content name (hereinafter referred to as “designated content name”) and the user A name is transmitted to the proxy device 10 (S9).

  Specifically, on the screen of the media player 13, the content names “delete silent part of music_1”, “delete silent part of music_2”, and “silent part of movie_1” stored in the content list A of the proxy device 10 are displayed. “Delete” is displayed. Of the plurality of content names, for example, the case where “deleted silent part of music_1” is designated by the user A will be described below.

  The proxy device 10 receives the service use request transmitted from the media player 13 by the HTTP server relay module 107, and converts the designated content name included in the service use request by the content name conversion module 108. The service use request including the specified content name and the processing content after the conversion is transmitted to the data reception / delivery device 21 (S10).

  The data reception / delivery device 21 receives the service use request transmitted from the proxy device 10 via the first, fourth, and second networks, and the user authentication module 211 has registered user A in advance. In order to check whether the user A is a sender, the access right management module 212 checks whether the user A has the authority to process the content with the specified content name. (S11).

  As in the first embodiment, the transmission source confirmation and the processing authority confirmation in step S11 can be omitted, and in this case, the authentication device 22 may not be included.

  The data reception / distribution device 21 transmits a service use request to the processing device 20 when the transmission source confirmation and the processing authority are confirmed in step S11 (S12).

  The processing device 20 receives the service use request transmitted from the data reception / delivery device 21, and transmits a content URL acquisition request based on the designated content name to the proxy device 10 (S13).

  The proxy device 10 receives the content URL acquisition request transmitted from the processing device 20 via the second, fourth, and first networks, and the processing device 20 is a processing device corresponding to the service use request of the user A. In order to confirm whether or not there exists, the authentication device 22 is checked for the transmission source, and further, the user access module 104 confirms whether the media servers 11a to 11c are media servers corresponding to the service use request of the user A. (S14).

  Note that the confirmation in step S14 can be omitted, and in this case, a configuration that does not include the authentication device 22 is possible.

  If the proxy device 10 is confirmed in step S14, the proxy device 10 reads the data stored in the record corresponding to the designated content name from the content list A in order to enable connection from the processing device 20 to the media servers 11a to 11c. The address conversion table and the access control table stored in the connection device 40a are changed (S15).

  If the connection device 40a does not have a function for performing access control, it is possible not to change the setting of the access control table.

  Further, since the setting change of the address conversion table and the access control table is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The proxy device 10 reads the content (hereinafter referred to as “content URL”) stored in the column of “external URL” corresponding to the designated content name from the content list A, and transmits it to the processing device 20 (S16).

  As in the first embodiment, specifically, a record corresponding to the designated content name “music_1” is searched from the content list A shown in FIG. 7, and “external URL” related to the corresponding record R10 is searched. “Http://10.0.0.101:8081/music_1” stored in the column is read out and transmitted to the processing device 20.

  The processing device 20 receives the content URL transmitted from the proxy device 10 by the content acquisition module 201 via the first, fourth, and second networks, and transmits a content acquisition request to the media server of the content URL. (S17).

  As in the first embodiment, since the IP address of the content URL is 10.0.0.101 and the port number is 8081, the content acquisition request is made by the record R21 of the address conversion table of the connection device 40a shown in FIG. , IP address 192.168.1.3 and port number 80. Further, since the IP address of the communication source is 172.16.0.2 of the processing device 20 and the IP address / port number of the communication destination is 10.0.0101 / 8081, the access control table shown in FIG. Matching the record R33, the content acquisition request is transmitted to the media server 11a with the IP address 192.168.1.3 without being rejected at the interface s1 of the connection device 40a.

  The media server 11a receives the content acquisition request transmitted from the processing device 20 via the connection device 40a, reads the content stored in the media server 11a from the memory, and transmits it to the processing device 20 (S18).

  The processing device 20 receives the content transmitted from the media server 11a via the first, fourth, and second networks, and receives the content link destination, the content name received in step S13, and the step S17. The content URL is associated and stored in the content list B (S19).

  The operation of storing the content name in the content list B can be performed after step S13, and the operation of storing the content URL in the content list B can be performed after step S17.

  This content list B has a table structure, and includes a “content name” column, a “processing content” column, a “content URL” column, and a “content link destination” column. It is. Specifically, “music_1” is stored in the “content name” column, “silent part deletion” is stored in the “processing content” column, and “http: //” is stored in the “content URL” column. 10.0.0101: 8081 / music_1 ”is stored, and address information in which the content is stored, for example, A1C2 is stored in the“ content link destination ”column. The table structure of the content list B is not limited to this.

  The processing device 20 reads the designated content name and the processing details stored in the content list B, processes the content with the specified content name based on the processing details by the data processing module 202, and displays the processing result. The analysis information shown is stored as metadata in association with the content name of the content list B (S20).

  As in the first embodiment, specifically, when the content name is “music_1” and the processing content is “silent part deletion”, “silent part deletion” is performed on the content corresponding to the content name “music_1”. ”Is performed. For example, 0: 00: 07/07: 25: 45 is stored in the record R50 as the start time / end time of a valid content time zone without a silent portion, and 0: 26: 15/0: 48: 30 is set. Stored in R51 of the next row after R50. The time stored as the start time and the end time means {hour}: {minute}: {second}.

  The processing device 20 reads out the designated content name and the metadata associated with the designated content name from the content list B by the metadata providing module 204, and transmits it to the data reception / delivery device 21 (S21).

  Similar to the first embodiment, the processing device 20 can delete all the data stored in the content list B including the metadata after step S21.

  The data reception / delivery device 21 associates the designated content name and metadata transmitted from the processing device 20 with each other and stores them in the content list C. The access right management module 212 assigns other access rights to the content list C to other content lists C. A setting is made to allow sharing with a user, for example, user B (S22).

  Regarding the overall processing flow after step S22, the operations from the content list acquisition request by the media player 31 to the reception of the content are the same as steps S21 to S34 of the first embodiment, so a specific description will be given here. Is omitted.

  According to the present embodiment, the proxy device 10 transmits the content name converted to the content name associated with the content processing to the media player 13 connected to the first network, and the media player 13 transmits the content name. Since the name is selected, the user who operates the media player 13 can request the processing of the content corresponding to the content name without considering a complicated processing procedure.

It is a block diagram of the whole system in embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of a proxy device. It is a functional block diagram of a data reception delivery device. It is a functional block diagram of a processing apparatus. It is a functional block diagram of a connection apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of the whole system process in Example 1. FIG. It is a table | surface of the content list A stored in the proxy apparatus. It is a table | surface of the address conversion table stored in the connection apparatus. It is a table | surface of the access control table in interface s1 of a connection apparatus. It is a table | surface of the content list B stored in the processing apparatus. It is a table | surface of the processing list stored in the processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of the entire system processing in the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st network 2 ... 2nd network 3 ... 3rd network 4 ... 4th network 10 ... Proxy apparatus 11a-11c ... Media server 12 ... Client apparatus 13 ... Media player 20 ... Processing apparatus 21 ... Data reception Distribution device 22 ... Authentication device 30 ... Proxy device 31 ... Media player 40a, 40b ... Connection device 41 ... Router 101 ... Device discovery module 102 ... Remote communication module 103 ... Device advertisement response module 104 ... User access module 105 ... Firewall control module 106 ... Address conversion module 107 ... HTTP server relay module 108 ... Content name conversion module 201 ... Content acquisition module 202 ... Data processing module 203 ... Metadata storage management module Module 204 ... Metadata providing module 211 ... User authentication module 212 ... Access right management module 213 ... Processing device control module 214 ... Data distribution module 401 ... IP packet transfer module 402 ... Firewall module 403 ... Address port number conversion module A to C ... Content list R10, R11 ... record R20, R21 ... record R30-R34 ... record R50, R51 ... record S1-S34 ... step

Claims (5)

A client device having a function of an HTTP client connected to the first network, a media server, a first proxy device that relays a connection to the media server, a processing device connected to the second network, and a third device A content processing transfer system comprising a media player connected to a network and a second proxy device that relays the connection to the media player,
The first proxy device is:
Storage means for storing address information of the media server;
Transmitting means for reading the address information from the storage means and transmitting the address information to the processing device;
The processor is
First receiving means for receiving the address information transmitted from the first proxy device via the first network and the second network;
Second reception of connecting to the media server of the address information and receiving content stored in the media server transmitted from the media server via the first network and the second network Means,
When there is a processing request for the content from the client device, analysis means for analyzing the processing for performing the processing;
Storage means for storing analysis information indicating the result of the analysis;
A transmission unit that reads the analysis information from the storage unit and transmits the analysis information to the second proxy device;
The second proxy device is:
Receiving means for receiving the analysis information transmitted from the processing device via the second network and the third network;
Storage means for storing the received analysis information;
When there is a request from the media player, the analysis information is read from the storage means, transmitted to the media server, and the content processed from the content based on the analysis information is received from the media server. Transfer means for transferring to the player;
A content processing transfer system comprising: The client device is a media player,
The first proxy device is:
Receiving means for receiving a content name transmitted from the media server;
Storage means for storing the received content name;
Conversion means for reading out the content name from the storage means and converting the content name into a content name associated with processing for the content;
Transmitting means for transmitting the converted content name to the media player;
The media player is
A request means for displaying the received content name in a selectable manner on the display means, and, when the content name is selected, requesting processing of the content corresponding to the content name;
The content processing transfer system according to claim 1, further comprising: A connection device for restricting access to the first network;
The said connection apparatus performs the setting which permits the connection from the said processing apparatus or the said 2nd proxy apparatus, when there exists a request | requirement from the said 1st proxy apparatus. Content processing transfer system. A client device having a function of an HTTP client connected to the first network, a media server, a first proxy device that relays a connection to the media server, a processing device connected to the second network, and a third device A content processing transfer method for processing by a media player connected to a network and a second proxy device that relays the connection to the media player,
By the first proxy device,
Storing address information of the media server;
Reading the address information from the storage means and transmitting it to the processing device,
By the processing device,
Receiving the address information transmitted from the first proxy device via the first network and the second network;
Connecting to the media server of the address information and receiving the content stored in the media server transmitted from the media server via the first network and the second network;
Analyzing the processing for performing the processing when there is a processing request for the content from the client device;
Storing analysis information indicating the result of the analysis;
Reading the analysis information from the storage means and transmitting to the second proxy device,
By the second proxy device,
Receiving the analysis information transmitted from the processing device via the second network and the third network;
Storing the received analysis information;
When there is a request from the media player, the media player reads out the analysis information from the storage means, transmits it to the media server, and receives the content processed from the content based on the analysis information from the media server. A step to transfer to
A content processing transfer method characterized by comprising: The client device is a media player,
By the first proxy device,
Receiving a content name transmitted from the media server;
Storing the received content name;
Reading the content name from the storage means and converting the content name into a content name associated with processing for the content;
Transmitting the converted content name to the media player,
By the media player
Displaying the received content name on a display means so as to be selectable, and when the content name is selected, requesting processing of the content corresponding to the content name;
The content processing transfer method according to claim 4, further comprising:

Images