JP2008072484A - Load adjusting device, load adjusting method, reproducing device, reproduction system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that processing to equipment resources of specified equipment on a home network system is concentrated to cause a situation that reproduction of content fails. <P>SOLUTION: An equipment load prediction part 108 provided to a receiver 100 predicts high load time zones of each of pieces of equipment on the home network system 1, a content prediction selection part 107 predicts the content whose viewing and listening are desired by a user among the contents held by object equipment to be a mitigation object and a movement control part 109 moves the predicted contents from the object equipment to other equipment by starting of the high load time zones. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for effectively utilizing resources of each device in a home network system in which a plurality of devices are connected to each other.

In a home network system configured by connecting a plurality of devices such as digital video recorders and digital televisions to each other, if requests such as recording and playback are concentrated on one device exceeding the capabilities of the device, the requested processing May fail.
In order to prevent such a situation, Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a resource manager that centrally manages the resource usage status of each device. According to this technology, each device requests the resource manager to provide a service or content, and when the resource manager receives the request, depending on the resource availability of each device, the device proxy Provide the requested service or content.

Thus, by appropriately allocating tasks related to service provision to each device, it is possible to avoid a situation where service requests are concentrated on any device.
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-540739

  However, in the above technique, when a service request occurs, the resource manager determines task allocation according to the resource availability of each device. For this reason, there may be a case where it is not possible to sufficiently cope with the availability of resources provided by each device and the usage state of content at the timing when the request is generated. For example, when a plurality of requests for content possessed by one device occur, provision of the requested content cannot be performed by a device other than the device. For this reason, even if the resources of other devices are empty, tasks cannot be distributed using this, and requests cannot be handled.

  In response to such a problem, the present invention provides a load adjustment device, a load adjustment method, and a load adjustment program that can more efficiently use resources provided in each device constituting a home network system and reliably execute a request by a user. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a load adjustment device that is a component of a home network including a first device and a second device each having at least one resource related to content, In the prediction target period, a load prediction unit that identifies a high load time period in which the number of resources used by the first device is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and is allocated to the resource of the first device as necessary. Content prediction means for identifying predicted content expected to be desired by the user, and control for allocating the predicted content to the resource of the second device before the high load time period of the first device Means.

  In addition, said load adjustment apparatus is the receiver 100 which consists of a component common to each apparatus demonstrated in following Embodiment 1. FIG. In addition, the above-described “load prediction unit” has the functions of the device function management unit 106, the operation history management unit 105, and the device load prediction unit 108 described in the first embodiment below. In the first embodiment, the “content prediction unit” has the functions of the content information management unit 103, the reproduction history management unit 104, and the content prediction selection unit 107. The “control means” has the function of the movement control unit 109. The “resource” includes both a hardware configuration (for example, the number of accesses that can be processed in parallel with respect to the recording device) and a software configuration (for example, the number of processes that can be executed in parallel). .

  According to this configuration, the control unit allocates the predicted content to the resource of the second device by the high load time period in which the use number of the resource of the first device is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value. When a processing request related to the predicted content occurs in a high load time period of the first device, the resource of the second device executes the processing related to the predicted content instead of the resource of the first device. Therefore, the resource of the first device and the resource of the second device can be efficiently utilized to respond to a request from the user. Further, the predicted content desired by the user is likely to be requested for use by the user. In the present invention, since the predicted content is moved, it is possible to respond to the user's request with higher probability.

  In addition, the load predicting means indicates an operation received by the first device in a past reference period, and indicates an operation related to a process of using the resource of the first device, and at least a time zone in which the process is executed An operation history storage unit that stores an operation history indicating a time period in which the number of resources used by the first device is greater than or equal to a predetermined time period from a time period included in the operation history, and the prediction target period And a load specifying unit that specifies a time zone that coincides with the detected time zone as the high load time zone.

According to this configuration, the load specifying unit specifies the high load time zone with high accuracy based on a time zone during which the number of device resources used by the first device is equal to or greater than a predetermined value within the reference period. Can do.
The resources included in the first device and the second device are resources used for storage and input / output of content, and the resource included in the first device stores the content as allocated content, The control unit may control the first device and the second device so as to store the predicted content in a resource of the second device.

According to this configuration, the control unit causes the second device to acquire predicted content by the high load time period. Therefore, the present invention has an excellent effect that the resource of the second device can reliably perform the output process of the predicted content that the resource of the first device is scheduled to execute in the high load time period. Play.
In addition, the content prediction unit is configured so that a user can determine whether a user has a playback history storage unit that stores a playback history indicating content that has been played in the past, and a type of content indicated by the playback history. It is also possible to include a content selection unit that specifies the type of content that is preferably reproduced and selects content belonging to the specified type as the predicted content.

According to this configuration, the content selection unit selects the predicted content based on the reproduction history. Since the user's hobbies and preferences are reflected in the reproduction history, the content selection unit can select the content that the user desires to view with higher probability.
In addition, the content selection unit extracts a partial history indicating content reproduced in a time zone that matches the high load time zone of the first device within the reference period in the reproduction history, and extracts the extracted portion The type of content that the user likes to reproduce may be specified from the type to which the content indicated by the history belongs. In addition, the content selection unit specifies a type of content that the user likes and plays back in each of a plurality of predetermined time periods within the reference period, and selects a plurality of candidate content belonging to each of the specified types Then, among the plurality of selected candidate contents, candidate contents corresponding to a time zone that matches the high load time zone of the first device may be used as the predicted content within the reference period.

  Depending on the time of day, the type of content viewed by the user may be biased. In addition, when there are a plurality of users, the main users may be different depending on the time zone, and in this case as well, the type of content to be played back varies depending on the time zone. In the above configuration, the content selection unit selects the predicted content based on a reproduction history in the same time period as the high load time period of the first device within the reference period. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the predicted content can be selected in consideration of the bias due to the above-described time zone.

Further, the content prediction means includes a calculation unit that calculates a size upper limit value obtained by multiplying a communication speed of the home network from a current time to a start time of the maximum load time period, and the size upper limit value. A content selection unit that selects the predicted content from content having the following sizes may be included.
According to this configuration, the content selection unit selects the predicted content that is equal to or smaller than the size upper limit value, so that the control unit sends the predicted content to the second device before the high load time period of the first device. Can be acquired. Therefore, when a reproduction request for the predicted content is generated during the high load time period, there is an excellent effect that the device resource of the second device can surely execute processing related to reproduction.

  In addition, the load prediction unit is further predicted that the number of resources used by the second device is greater than or equal to a predetermined value during the prediction target period, and is in a high load time zone after the high load time zone of the first device. And the content predicting unit, at the latest, displays content that can be played back in time from the end time of the high load time zone of the first device to the start time of the high load time zone of the second device. It may be specified as the predicted content.

  In the high load time zone of the second device, the usage rate of the device resource of the second device is predicted to increase. If the second device reproduces the predicted content during this time period, there is a high possibility that a request for reproduction or the like to the second device will fail. According to said structure, the said prediction content selection part is the prediction of the length which can be reproduced | regenerated in the time from the end time of the high load time zone of the said 1st apparatus to the start time of the high load time zone of the said 2nd apparatus at the latest Since the content is specified, processing failure required for the second device can be suppressed in the high load time zone of the second device.

  In addition, any device in the home network has a broadcast receiving function for receiving broadcast content, and the load adjustment device further includes the high-level information based on broadcast schedule information indicating broadcast content scheduled to be broadcast. A determination means for determining whether or not broadcast content that the user desires to watch is broadcast in the load time period, and the content prediction means, when the broadcast content that the user desires to watch is broadcast, The specification of the predicted content may be stopped.

  When broadcast content predicted to be viewed by the user is broadcast in the high load time zone of the first device, the user is more likely to play the broadcast than to play the content held by the first device. Since it is considered that priority is given to content viewing, the effect cannot be expected even if the predicted content is acquired by the second device. In the above configuration, when the broadcast content that the user desires to watch is broadcast, the content predicting unit cancels the specification of the predicted content, and thus has an excellent effect of suppressing useless movement of content. .

  Moreover, the resource with which the said 1st apparatus and the 2nd apparatus are provided is a resource with which storage of content is provided, The said content prediction means is a user's said 1st apparatus in the high load time zone of the said 1st apparatus. The broadcast content reserved for recording in the resource is specified as the predicted content, and the control means changes the broadcast content recording destination to the resource of the second device, so that the predicted content is changed to the second content. It may be a load adjusting device assigned to the resource of the device.

According to this configuration, the control unit changes the recording destination of the predicted content to the resource of the second device. Therefore, in the high load time zone of the first device, the second device can reliably execute the recording instead of the first device.
In addition, the load predicting unit further specifies a future high load time period in which the number of resources used in the second device is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and the control unit includes the high load of the first device. An adjustable time zone that is not included in any of the time zone and the high load time zone of the second device may be calculated, and the predicted content may be allocated to the resource of the second device in the calculated adjustable time zone. Good.

In this configuration, the control means calculates the adjustable time zone, and allocates the predicted content to the resource of the second device in the adjustable time zone. By doing in this way, even if it uses the resource of the said 1st apparatus and the resource of the said 2nd apparatus for the said allocation, there exists the outstanding effect that the said allocation can be performed reliably.
The resource of the first device is a broadcast receiving tuner, and the load specifying unit specifies the high load time period based on the operation history indicating an operation causing the operation of the tuner. It is good as well.

According to this configuration, the load adjustment device can suppress a failure of a process accompanied by a tuner operation such as display or recording of broadcast content.
The present invention also relates to a load adjustment device for a home network that includes at least one resource related content and at least one resource related to the content, and the load adjustment device included in the future prediction target period. Load forecasting means that identifies the high load time period in which the number of uses of the resource is expected to exceed a predetermined level, and, if necessary, a prediction that is expected by the user among the contents allocated to the user's own resource Content prediction means for specifying content, and control means for allocating the predicted content to resources of the other device before the high load time period are provided. Further, the present invention is the load adjustment device of a home network including a load adjustment device and other devices each including at least one resource related to content, and the other devices in a future prediction target period Load predicting means for identifying a high load time period in which the number of resources used is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and, if necessary, among the contents allocated to the resources of the other devices, Content prediction means for specifying predicted content predicted to be desired, and control means for allocating the predicted content to its own resource by the high load time period.

According to this configuration, the load adjustment device can cope with a case where a processing load on a resource included in the load adjustment device increases. Also, when the processing load on the resources of other devices increases, the processing can be undertaken by itself.
The present invention is also a playback device in a content playback system including a plurality of playback devices that play back the content by using right information that permits playback of the content, and the content playback system includes: Location information storage means for storing location information indicating the location of the right information, acquisition means for acquiring the content reproduction request, and acquisition of the right information based on the location information upon acquisition of the reproduction request A playback apparatus comprising: request means for trying to perform the operation; and operation instruction means for presenting a location indicated by the location information and prompting a user to perform a predetermined operation when acquisition is not possible.

  The playback apparatus of the present invention corresponds to the digital video recorder and the digital television in the following Embodiment 4. In addition, the above-mentioned “location storage unit” has the functions of the content information management units 703 and 733 according to the fourth embodiment described below. The “acquiring means” has the functions of the information transmission / reception unit 702, the operation reception unit 743, and the content information management units 703 and 733. The “request means” has the functions of the content information management units 703 and 733. The “operation instruction unit” has the functions of the content information management units 703 and 733 and the reproduction processing unit 741.

  According to this configuration, the location information storage means stores location information indicating the location of the right information in the content reproduction system, so even if the license cannot be obtained, An excellent effect is shown in that the location can be indicated and an appropriate operation can be promoted. On the other hand, even if the content reproduction fails, the user can quickly cope with the presentation.

  Further, the present invention is a content reproduction system including a reproduction device that reproduces content using sub-right information corresponding to the content, the storage means storing the main right information, and at least the usable state And an acquisition unit that acquires the sub-right information having two states of an unusable state, and a conversion unit that converts the state of the sub-right information from an unusable state to an available state using the main right information; And a control unit that controls the conversion unit so that the conversion is performed before the reproduction of the content is requested.

  The content reproduction system corresponds to a home network system according to the following fifth embodiment. Further, the “memory means” of the firearm is responsible for the function of the secure memory 1402 in the fifth embodiment. The “acquiring unit” has the function of the communication service control unit 1203 in the fifth embodiment. The “conversion unit” has the function of the license decryption unit 1401. The “control unit” has the function of the content information management unit 1303.

  According to this configuration, the control unit controls the conversion unit so that the conversion is performed before the reproduction of the content is requested. In the content reproduction system, which device has the decryption unit and the storage unit is arbitrary, but when the reproduction of the content is requested, the device requested to reproduce, and the decryption unit Even when a device having the storage means cannot communicate, the conversion is performed in advance, so that the device that is requested to reproduce can execute the reproduction of the content. There is an excellent effect.

1. Embodiment 1
A home network system 1 as one embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1.1 Configuration of Home Network System 1 As shown in FIG. 1, a home network system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a digital television 201, a digital television 202, a digital television 203, a digital video recorder 204, and a digital video. Each of the digital television, each digital video recorder, and the gateway device 206 is composed of a recorder 205 and a gateway device 206, and is connected to each other via a wired LAN. Each digital television and each digital video recorder is connected to the Internet 2 via a gateway device 206.

Each digital television may be of any type as long as it is a video playback device that plays back content. In addition, each digital video recorder may be a recording / reproducing apparatus such as an HDD recorder, VOD, or IP broadcast compatible terminal, or a video reproducing apparatus.
In the home network system 1, each digital television and each digital video recorder are connected via a wired LAN, but via a wireless LAN, a high-speed power line communication network, or a network to which a plurality of other devices can be connected. It may be connected.

Each digital television requests each digital video recorder to play back and record content, and each digital video recorder records and plays back content according to the request.
Each digital video recorder holds a task table indicating a task being executed by itself. The task table is composed of records corresponding to the task being executed, and each record includes a process being executed, data to be processed, a request source device of the process, and the like.

  In FIG. 1, as an example, the digital television 201 and the digital television 202 output content reproduction requests 231 and 232 to the digital video recorder 204, respectively. Each reproduction request includes an identifier (hereinafter referred to as “criid (Content Reference ID)” as necessary) that uniquely identifies the content requested to be reproduced (the “crid” will be described later).

  For example, the reproduction request 231 requests reproduction of the content indicated by “crid // aaa.co.jp / 001...”. Upon receiving the playback request 231, the digital video recorder 204 adds a record corresponding to the playback request 231 (fourth record in the task table 211) to the task table 211 held by the digital video recorder 204, and outputs the content to the digital television 201. To start. Similarly, the reproduction request 232 of the content indicated by “crid // aaa.co.jp / 002...” Is received from the digital television 202, and a record corresponding to the received reproduction request 232 is added to the task table 211. (Fifth record), content output to the digital television 202 is started.

Similarly, the digital television 203 outputs a playback request 233 to the digital video recorder 205, and the digital video recorder 205 adds a record corresponding to the playback request 233 to its own task table (not shown). , Start outputting content.
Any device in the home network system 1 predicts the processing load of each device in the system in each future time zone. The frequency and timing of the prediction, the future time zone to be predicted, and the unit of the time to be predicted are arbitrary, but at the time of device production or installation of the home network system 1, a predetermined time ( The setting is made so as to predict the processing load for a predetermined day in the future (for example, one day in the near future such as the current day, the next day, etc., hereinafter referred to as a prediction target day). Has been. In addition, various setting items such as prediction frequency and device load prediction time may be input / changed by the user.

In the present embodiment, as an example, specifically, the predicted device load time is “3 am”, and the prediction target date is 24 hours from 4:00 am to 28:00 on the day when the prediction is executed. That is, one of the devices in the home network system 1 predicts the processing load of each device at 3 am every day for 24 hours from 4:00 to 28:00 on that day.
As an example of the prediction method, the prediction is made based on the past operation status of the device on the day of the week (hereinafter referred to as “designated day” in this specification) to which the start time of the prediction target day belongs. That is, if the prediction target date is “Saturday, July 22, 2006”, the operation status of the device on the designated day “Saturday” immediately before is referred to and a time zone with a high processing load is specified.

When the predicted load is high in a specific time zone, the content is moved between the devices constituting the home network system 1 in order to reduce the load on the device.
1.2 Configuration of Digital Televisions 201, 202, and 203 and Digital Video Recorders 204 and 205 As described above, the digital televisions 201, 202, and 203 receive digital broadcast waves and reproduce content, 205 records the received content.

  As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the digital television 201 has a broadcast service A reception function 241, a broadcast service B reception function 242, a communication service C reception function 243, and a content management function 244. The digital video recorder 204 also has a broadcast service A reception function 251, a broadcast service B reception function 252, a communication service C reception function 253, a content management function 254, a recording function 255, and a recording function 256.

The digital televisions 201, 202, and 203 and the digital video recorders 204 and 205 have the same components in addition to the above-described unique device functions. Here, as a representative of the digital televisions 201, 202, and 203 and the digital video recorders 204 and 205, the receiver 100 including these overlapping components will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the receiver 100 includes a device function acquisition unit 101, an information transmission / reception unit 102, a content information management unit 103, a playback history management unit 104, an operation history management unit 105, a device function management unit 106, and a content prediction selection unit. Unit 107, device load prediction unit 108, and movement control unit 109, which are the above-described overlapping components. The receiver 100 further includes a broadcast service reception unit, a communication service control unit, a management function unit, a recording unit, an operation reception unit, and the like (not shown).

Specifically, the receiver 100 is a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Computer programs are stored in the ROM and RAM. The microprocessor 100 operates according to the computer program, whereby the receiver 100 achieves a part of its functions.
(1) Device function acquisition unit 101
The device function acquisition unit 101 stores in advance device metadata acquisition times that are the same as the number of other devices corresponding to each of a plurality of other devices in the home network system 1. Each device metadata acquisition time indicates a time at which device metadata (described later) is acquired from another device corresponding to the device metadata acquisition time.

  The plurality of device metadata acquisition times may all be the same time. In this case, the device function acquisition unit 101 starts acquiring device metadata from all other devices at the same time. The plurality of device metadata acquisition times may be different times. In this case, the device function acquisition unit 101 acquires device metadata from each other device at different times. Further, the device function acquisition unit 101 may store one device metadata acquisition time in advance corresponding to a plurality of other devices in the home network system 1. In this case, the device function acquisition unit 101 starts acquiring device metadata from all other devices at the same time.

Here, each of the bibliographic information, the reproduction history information, the operation history information, and the device function type of the content is collectively referred to as device metadata. Bibliographic information, reproduction history information, operation history information, and device function type of these contents will be described later.
The device function acquisition unit 101 acquires the current time from the internal clock included in the receiver 100, and compares the acquired current time with each device metadata acquisition time stored in advance.

If there is a device metadata acquisition time that matches the current time, the current time is a time for acquiring device metadata from other devices in the home network system 1, so a request for transmission of device metadata is made. The device metadata acquisition request shown is transmitted to another device corresponding to the device metadata acquisition time via the information transmitting / receiving unit 102.
Next, the device function acquisition unit 101 receives a device metadata acquisition response from the other device. The device metadata acquisition response includes device metadata that is a target of a transmission request by the device metadata acquisition request. Upon receiving the device metadata acquisition response, the device function acquisition unit 101 analyzes the device metadata acquisition response and extracts the device metadata. The extracted device metadata is at least one of content bibliographic information, reproduction history information, operation history information, and device function type.

If the extracted device metadata is the bibliographic information of the content of another device, the device function acquisition unit 101 outputs the extracted bibliographic information of the content to the content information management unit 103 and registers the bibliographic information of the content. To instruct.
If the extracted device metadata is playback history information of another device, the extracted playback history information is output to the playback history management unit 104, and an instruction is given to register the playback history information.

If the extracted device metadata is operation history information of another device, the extracted operation history information is output to the operation history management unit 105, and an instruction is given to register the operation history information.
If the extracted device metadata is a device function type of another device, the extracted device function type is output to the device function management unit 106 to instruct to register the device function type.
The device function acquisition unit 101 receives a device metadata acquisition request indicating a request for transmission of device metadata from another device in the home network system 1 via the information transmission / reception unit 102. When a device metadata acquisition request is received, the type of requested device metadata is determined from the received device metadata acquisition request. The requested device metadata is at least one of content bibliographic information, reproduction history information, operation history information, and device function type.

  When the bibliographic information of the content is requested by the received device metadata acquisition request, the device function acquisition unit 101 requests the bibliographic information of the content from the content information management unit 103, and then the content information management The bibliographic information of the content is received from the unit 103. When the playback history information is requested by the received device metadata acquisition request, the device function acquisition unit 101 requests the playback history management unit 104 for the playback history information, and then plays the playback history management. Playback history information is received from the unit 104. When the operation history information is requested by the received device metadata acquisition request, the device function acquisition unit 101 requests the operation history information from the operation history management unit 105, and then manages the operation history. Operation history information is received from the unit 105. If the device function type is requested by the received device metadata acquisition request, the device function acquisition unit 101 requests the device function management unit 106 for the device function type, and then performs device function management. The device function type is received from the unit 106.

Next, the device function acquisition unit 101 generates a device metadata acquisition response including at least one of the bibliographic information, playback history information, operation history information, and device function type of the received content, and generates the generated device metadata. The response is transmitted to the other device that has transmitted the device metadata acquisition request via the information transmitting / receiving unit 102.
When the device function acquisition unit 101 acquires a function held by another device in the home network system 1, each device transmits information on the current device in a unique data format, and the device function acquisition unit 101 The information on the device in the specific data format may be received, and the operation status of each device may be acquired by analyzing the received information. Further, the device function acquisition unit 101 exchanges information with each device using a standard protocol for exchanging device information such as UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) device architecture specification, SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), and the like. Thus, the function, service, and current operating status of each device may be acquired.

  In addition, the timing for acquiring the function and operating status of each device is not limited to a specific method, and the device function acquisition unit 101 may poll other devices at regular intervals to inquire, or the device itself. The information may be transmitted to the device function acquisition unit 101 of another device at the timing when the operating status of the device is changed. Further, it may be acquired via a recording medium such as a removable medium, or information on each device being used may be acquired by a user operation. Further, the information of each device acquired by the device function acquisition unit 101 may be a network bandwidth, a disk I / O, a recording storage capacity, and the like of each device.

(2) Information transmission / reception unit 102
The information transmitting / receiving unit 102 receives a control command from the device function acquiring unit 101 and transmits the received control command to other devices in the home network system 1. Further, it receives a control command from another device in the home network system 1 and outputs the received control command to the device function acquisition unit 101.

Here, the control command includes the device metadata acquisition request and the device metadata acquisition response described above.
(3) Content information management unit 103
The content information management unit 103 includes the bibliographic information of the recorded content held by the receiver 100, the bibliographic information of the distributed content distributed by the broadcast service, the communication service, etc. that can be received by the receiver 100, and the in-home network system 1 It manages the bibliographic information of the recorded content held by other devices or the bibliographic information of the distributed content distributed to other devices.

Here, the bibliographic information of the content includes the title, playback time, delivery date / time, recording date / time, broadcast channel, summary of the broadcast program included in the content, performer of the program, genre to which the program belongs, etc. It is information indicating whether the content is such.
The content information management unit 103 holds a content information management table 300 shown in FIG. 4 as an example, and manages content bibliographic information by the content information management table 300.

The content information management table 300 is a data table that includes a plurality of pieces of content information, as shown in FIG. The plurality of pieces of content information respectively correspond to recorded content or distributed content that is held by the receiver 100 and other devices in the home network system 1.
Each content information includes an identifier for uniquely identifying the content (hereinafter referred to as “crid (Content Reference ID)” as necessary), a recording destination identifier indicating a recording device that records the content, a title of the content, and a content. Includes genre, content recording date and time, other information not shown. The “crid” is described in a format such as “CRID // <authority> / <data>” in accordance with the definition of IETF-RFC2396. Here, <authority> is a URI storing the DNS name, that is, the corresponding content. <Data> is an arbitrary character string compliant with the URI, and is a combination of, for example, a channel name, a genre, a broadcast time, and the like of the corresponding content.

Here, as an example, the content information 301 includes “crid: //aaa.co.jp/drama/kokuyaku001.ts”, recording destination identifier “DVR — 01”, title “black night”, genre “drama”, recording date and time. It includes “2006/01/10” and other information not shown.
Other information includes content holder name (content owner name), content distributor, content size (file size, resolution, long length (total playback time), etc.), to play encrypted content Examples include license information including necessary content keys and rights information.

  In addition, a single content information management table may be created for all devices in the home network system 1 to manage the bibliographic information of the content. For example, individual content for each device in the home network system 1 An information management table may be created, and bibliographic information of content may be managed using one content information management table for each device. A content information management table may be created for each bibliographic information of content.

The content information management unit 103 receives a request for content bibliographic information from the device function acquisition unit 101. When the request is received, the content information stored in the content information management table 300 is read, and the read content information is output to the device function acquisition unit 101 as the bibliographic information of the content.
Also, bibliographic information of the content is received from the device function acquisition unit 101. When the bibliographic information is received, the bibliographic information of the received content is written into the content information management table 300 as content information. Here, the content information management table 300 stored therein may be rewritten with the newly received content bibliographic information, or the newly received content bibliographic information and the content information management table 300 may be merged. .

Further, the content information management unit 103 receives a content information acquisition request (hereinafter simply referred to as a request) from the content prediction selection unit 107. The request includes a search condition and a reception condition.
When receiving the request, the content information management unit 103 analyzes the received request and extracts the specified search condition and reception condition. Next, the content information corresponding to the search condition is detected from the content information management table 300, and the detected content information is edited so as to match the reception condition (for example, only the data of a specific item whose order is changed is extracted. The edited data is output to the content prediction / selection unit 107.

Here, in the first embodiment, an example of a request acquired by the content information management unit 103 will be specifically described.
As an example, the content information management unit 103 receives a request including one or more “crid” of specific content as a search condition and including the item name {genre} of the content information as a reception condition. Hereinafter, in the description relating to the detection condition and the reception condition constituting the request, item names included in the table (in the case of the content information management table 300, “crid”, “recording destination identifier”, “title”, “genre”, etc.) In this case, specific data is shown, and the items enclosed in {} indicate the item. That is, when “genre” is written and {genre} is written, the former specifically indicates that data such as drama and movie is included, and the latter is an item on the content information management table 300: genre. Pointing. Further, in the former case, when specific data is described as an example, genre = “drama” is described.

  Upon receipt of this request, the content information management unit 103 detects content information including the “crid” that matches the “crid” received as the search condition from the content information management table 300. Subsequently, according to the reception condition {genre}, a genre is extracted from each detected content information. Next, the content information management unit 103 outputs all the extracted genres to the content prediction selection unit 107.

  In addition, the content information management unit 103 includes, as an example, one or more “criid”, one “genre”, and a holding device identifier = “DVR — 01” as a search condition from the content prediction / selection unit 107. As a result, a request including a “content information group sorted in ascending order of recording elapsed time” is received. Upon receiving this request, the content information management unit 103 detects content information including both the genre and the cird included in the search condition, and sorts the detected content information in ascending order of recording elapsed time according to the reception condition. To generate a list.

Specifically, the current time is acquired, and for each detected content information,
The recording elapsed time is calculated by the formula: recording elapsed time = current time−recording date and time. Next, all the detected content information is rearranged in ascending order of recording elapsed time to create a content information list, and the created content information list is output to the content prediction selection unit 107.

(4) Playback history management unit 104
The playback history management unit 104 acquires playback history information related to playback of recorded content held by the receiver 100 and distribution content distributed by a broadcast service, a communication service, etc., and the acquired playback history information is stored in a local database. to manage. In addition, the playback history management unit 104 acquires the playback history information of each content from other devices in the home network system 1 via the information transmission / reception unit 102 and the device function acquisition unit 101, and uses the acquired playback history information. Management is performed in the reproduction history table 320 constructed on the local database.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the playback history table 320. As shown in FIG. 5, the reproduction history table 320 is a data table composed of a plurality of pieces of reproduction history information. Each piece of reproduction history information corresponds to either content held or distributed in the receiver 100 or another device in the home network system 1. For content that has not been played back, the content and playback history information have a one-to-one correspondence. There is one or more corresponding playback history information for the played content.

  Each piece of playback history information includes a content identifier (crid), a holding device identifier, a playback state, a playback time zone indicating a time zone during which the content is played back, and other information. The reproduction time zone includes a reproduction date (year / month / day and day of the week), a reproduction start time, and a reproduction end time. Other information includes the cumulative number of times the content has been played in the past, the identifier of the playback instruction device that has instructed playback of the content, user information regarding the user who performed the playback operation, and playback permission that allows playback of the content. The usage status of right information (license) including the number of times and the reproduction permission start date and time may be included.

  FIG. 5 shows the playback history table 320 including the playback history information of the contents held by all the devices in the home network system 1, but instead of or together with this, the playback history management unit 104 May hold a reproduction history table generated separately for each device in the home network system 1. Further, the reproduction history information may be managed by classifying the reproduction history information related to the reproduced content and the reproduction history information related to the unreproduced content according to the reproduction state.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the reproduced content table 340 generated based on the reproduction history information related to the reproduced content, and the reproduction history management unit 104 has the reproduced content table 340. Also good. The played content table 340 includes a plurality of grids, and each grid corresponds to the played content.
Also, the playback history management unit 104 receives a request for content playback history information from the device function acquisition unit 101. When the request is received, the reproduction history information stored in the reproduction history table 320 is read, and the read reproduction history information is output to the device function acquisition unit 101.

  Also, playback history information of other devices is received from the device function acquisition unit 101. When the playback history is received, the playback history table 320 is updated with the received playback history information. Here, the newly received reproduction history information may be added to the reproduction history table 320 stored therein, or the newly received reproduction history information and the reproduction history table 320 may be merged.

Also, the reproduction history management unit 104 receives a reproduction history information acquisition request (hereinafter simply referred to as a request) from the content prediction selection unit 107. The request includes a search condition and a reception condition.
When receiving the request, the reproduction history management unit 104 analyzes the received acquisition request and extracts the search condition and the reception condition. Reproduction history information corresponding to the extracted search condition is detected in the reproduction history table 320. Next, the playback history management unit 104 edits the detected playback history information so as to match the reception conditions (extract specific data, rearrange them in a predetermined order, etc.), and generate response data. To do. The generated data is output to the content prediction / selection unit 107.

Here, a specific example of a request received by the reproduction history management unit 104 in the first embodiment will be described.
For example, the playback history management unit 104 receives a request including playback state = “played”, playback time zone = “designated day of week, maximum load time zone” as a search condition, and {crid} as a reception condition. The designated day of the week is the day of the week to which the prediction target day belongs. The maximum load time zone will be described later.

  Upon receiving this request, each component detects reproduction history information that satisfies the search condition. Specifically, first, reproduction history information including the reproduction state “reproduced” is specified. Next, the playback time zone included in the specified playback history information is compared with the received playback time zone. If the day of the week included in the playback date matches the specified day of the week, and at least a part of the time zone from the playback start time to the end of the playback time and the maximum load time zone (detailed later) overlaps with the specified time zone, It is determined that the reproduction history information satisfies the detection condition.

Next, the reproduction history management unit 104 extracts the grid included in the detected reproduction history information according to the reception condition {crid}. When a plurality of pieces of reproduction history information are detected, the crid is extracted from each piece of reproduction history information. The reproduction history management unit 104 outputs the extracted grid to the content prediction selection unit 107.
As another specific example, the reproduction history management unit 104 receives a request from the content prediction selection unit 107 that includes a reproduction state = “unreproduced” and a reception condition {crid} as a search condition. Upon receiving this request, the playback history management unit 104 detects playback history information including the playback state “unplayed” received as a search condition in the playback history table 320. Subsequently, according to the reception condition {crid}, the crid is extracted from each of the detected reproduction history information, and the extracted crid is output to the content prediction selection unit 107.

(5) Operation history management unit 105
The operation history management unit 105 operates and operates the receiver 100 from an input unit (not illustrated) provided in the receiver 100 (for example, an operation panel or a remote controller) or from other devices in the home network system 1. The operation history information obtained is acquired as operation history information, and the other device is acquired from another device in the home network system 1 via the information transmission / reception unit 102 and the device function acquisition unit 101. Operation history information is acquired, and the acquired operation history information is managed by an operation history table 360 built on a local database in the receiver 100.

An example of an operation history table 360 that stores operation history information managed by the operation history management unit 105 is shown in FIG. The operation history management unit 105 manages operation history information for a predetermined period (for example, for one week) using the operation history table 360.
The operation history table 360 is a data table for managing operation history information of devices in the home network system 1. The operation history table 360 includes a plurality of operation history information 361, 362, 363, 364, 365,. Each of the plurality of operation history information corresponds to a plurality of device operations operated and executed on the devices in the home network system 1.

  Each operation history information includes a device operation indicating the content of the operation on the device, an operation result indicating a result corresponding to the device operation, an operation target identifier for identifying the device to be operated, and an operation source for identifying the operation source device. A device identifier, a grid for identifying content related to an operation target, a date and time when the device accepts each operation, an operation reception time indicating a time when the device accepts each operation, and a process indicating a time when processing corresponding to the operation is started It includes a start time and a process end time indicating the time when the process ends.

Examples of device operations are “play”, “record”, “power OFF”, and “power ON” as shown in FIG. Here, “play”, “record”, “power off”, and “power on” are respectively an operation for playing content, an operation for recording content, an operation for turning off the device, and an operation for turning on the device. Is shown.
An example of a device result is “success” and “failure”. Here, “success” indicates that each operation has been accepted normally. Further, “failure” indicates that each operation has not been normally accepted for some reason, a process corresponding to each operation does not operate normally, and the like.

An example of the operation target identifier is “DVR — 01” and “DVR — 02”.
Examples of the operation source device identifier are “DTV — 01”, “DTV — 02”, and “DVR — 03”. There is also operation history information that does not include the operation source device identifier.
An example of “crid” is “crid // aaa.co.jp / drma / kokujapan-trip.ts”, “crid // dddd.co.jp / hoby / kokuyaku001.ts”, and the like. There is also operation history information that does not include crid.

An example of the date and time is “2006/01/13”. “2006/01/13” indicates January 13, 2006.
Examples of the operation reception time are “17:00: 00”, “19:00: 00”, “13:00: 00”, and the like. “17:00: 00” indicates 17:00:00. There is also operation history information that does not include the operation reception time.

An example of the processing start time is “17:00: 00”, “19:00: 00”, “13:00: 00”, or the like. “17:00: 00” indicates 17:00:00. There is also operation history information that does not include the processing start time.
An example of the processing end time is “23:00: 00”, “21:00: 00”, “13:30: 00”, and the like. “23:00: 00” indicates 23:00:00. There is also operation history information that does not include the processing end time.

The operation history management unit 105 may create a device operation history table for each device, or create a device operation resource table (Tuner, HDD, media, etc.) or device function instead of a device. Good.
Further, the operation history management unit 105 receives a request for operation history information from the device function acquisition unit 101. When the request is received, the operation history information stored in the operation history table 360 is read, and the read operation history information is output to the device function acquisition unit 101.

  Further, the operation history management unit 105 receives operation history information held by other receivers constituting the other home network system 1 from the device function acquisition unit 101. When this is received, the received operation history information is added to the operation history table 360. Instead of addition, the stored operation history table 360 and the received operation history information may be merged to reconfigure the operation history table 360.

Further, the operation history management unit 105 issues an operation history information acquisition request (hereinafter referred to as a request) from the device load prediction unit 108. The request output from the device load prediction unit 108 includes a search condition and a reception condition, similarly to the request output from the content prediction selection unit. Here, the reception condition includes one or more item names.
When receiving the request, the operation history management unit 105 analyzes the received request and extracts the search condition and the reception condition from the acquisition request. Next, operation history information that matches the extracted search condition is detected from the operation history table 360, data belonging to the item indicated by the reception condition is extracted from the operation history information, and item information including the extracted data is extracted. Generate. When a plurality of operation history information is detected, item information is generated from each operation history information. Next, the operation history management unit 105 outputs the generated item information to the device load prediction unit 108.

Here, the operation history management unit 105 will be described more specifically with a specific example of a request received by the operation history management unit 105.
The operation history management unit 105 includes the operation target identifiers = “DVR — 01” and “DVR — 02”, the device operation = “playback or recording”, and the date = “designated day” as search conditions. A request including the item {device operation, operation target identifier, process start time and process end time} is received.

Upon receiving the request, the operation history management unit 105 specifies operation history information including one of the date and time corresponding to the specified day of the week and the operation target identifiers “DVR — 01” and “DVR — 02” in the operation history table 360, From the identified operation history information, one including device operation “recording” or “playback” is detected.
The device operation, the operation target identifier, the process start time, and the process end time are read from the detected operation history information, and these are used as item information. When a plurality of operation history information is detected, item information is generated from each operation history information.

Subsequently, the operation history management unit 105 outputs the generated item information to the device load prediction unit 108.
(6) Device function management unit 106
The device function management unit 106 manages device functions and device resources of the receiver 100. In addition, the device function management unit 106 acquires and manages the device functions and device resources of the other devices from the other devices in the home network system 1 via the information transmission / reception unit 102 and the device function acquisition unit 101. .

  The device resource refers to the capability possessed by the receiver 100. Examples of device resources include one or more tuners included in the receiver 100, a free capacity of a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, a removable medium capable of writing content, an external device, and a DRM supported by the receiver 100. This is a license indicating a right to use content reproduced by the (Digital Right Management) system and the receiver 100.

  An example of the device function table 380 managed by the device function management unit 106 is shown in FIG. The device function table 380 shows the type and number of tuners held by each device on the home network system, the size and usage status of the hard disk and the storage recording area, the copyright protection system supported by the device, the content output protection method, and the service. It manages a list of items such as a DRM system indicating a specified content encryption method and a medium indicating a compatible removable medium (SD, DVD, BluRay-Disc, etc.) supported by the device.

As shown in FIG. 8, the device function table 380 includes a plurality of device function information. Each piece of device function information corresponds to one of the devices in the home network system 1.
Each device function information includes a device identifier for identifying a device corresponding to the device function information. In addition to the device identifier, at least one of tuner information, device information, DRM system information, and media information is included.

  The tuner information is information related to a tuner included in the device. As an example, “terrestrial digital (BS / CS)”, “terrestrial digital”, and “IP broadcasting” correspond to the tuner information. “Terrestrial digital (BS / CS)”, “terrestrial digital”, and “IP broadcasting” indicate tuners that can receive broadcasting by terrestrial digital (BS / CS), terrestrial digital, and IP broadcasting, respectively.

  The device information is information related to a device included in the device, and “HDD 600G” corresponds to this as an example. The device information “HDD600G” indicates that the device includes a hard disk unit of 600 GB. Further, the device information may include an upper limit number of device resources (hereinafter referred to as Rmax) regarding the HDD processing of the device. Note that the device resource related to HDD processing refers to a resource used for reading recorded content from the HDD and a resource used for writing content to the HDD during recording, and Rmax represents an access that the HDD can simultaneously accept. The upper limit.

  The DRM system information is information related to the DRM system included in the device, and, for example, “System A” and “DTCP-IP (Digital Transmission Content Protection over IP)” correspond to this. The DRM system information “System A” and “DTCP-IP” indicate that the device includes a DRM system called “System A” and a DRM system called “DTCP-IP”, respectively.

  The media information is information related to a portable recording medium that can be mounted on the device, and, for example, “BD”, “DVD”, and “SD” correspond to the media information. Media information “BD”, “DVD”, and “SD” can be accessed by BD (Blu-ray Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and SD memory card (Secure Digital memory card), respectively. It shows that it has a drive unit.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, device function information 391 includes device identifier 381 “DVR — 01”, tuner information 382 “terrestrial digital (BS / CS)”, tuner information 383 “terrestrial digital”, tuner information 384 “IP broadcasting”. , Device information 385 “HDD600G”, media information 388 “BD”, 389 “DVD”, and 390 “SD”. Furthermore, a DRM system 386 “System A” corresponding to the tuner information 382 and a DRM system 387 “DTCP-IP” corresponding to the tuner information 383 are included.

  This is because the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” 381 is equipped with a tuner capable of receiving terrestrial digital (BS / CS) broadcasting and a DRM system called “System A”, and is protected by the system A. It shows that the content can be received by terrestrial digital (BS / CS) broadcasting. It also shows that it has a function of receiving content protected by the DTCP-IP system by digital terrestrial broadcasting. In addition, it shows that a drive unit capable of accessing a 600 GB hard disk unit and a BD and SD memory card is provided.

Note that the device function management unit 106 may create a device function table for each device, or may create a resource (Tuner, HDD, media) or device function held by the device instead of the device. .
In addition, the device function management unit 106 receives a request for device function information from the device function acquisition unit 101. When the request is received, the device function information stored in the device function table 380 is read, and the read device function information is output to the device function acquisition unit 101.

  In addition, the device function management unit 106 receives a device function information acquisition request (hereinafter referred to as a request) from the device load prediction unit 108. The request includes a search condition and a reception condition. Upon receiving the request, the device function management unit 106 analyzes the acquisition request and extracts the search condition and the reception condition from the acquisition request. Next, device function information that matches the extracted search condition is detected from the device function table 380, and the detected device function information is edited and processed so as to match the reception condition (extracting data of a specific item) The data after editing / processing is output to the device load prediction unit 108.

Specifically, as an example, the device function management unit 106 receives a request including the device identifier = “DVR — 01 or DVR — 02” as the detection condition and including the reception condition {Rmax}.
Upon receiving the request, the device function management unit 106 detects device function information including the device identifier “DVR — 01” or “DVR — 02” from the device function table 380. Rmax is extracted from the detected device function information, and the extracted Rmax is output to the device load prediction unit 108.

(7) Content prediction selection unit 107
The content predicting / selecting unit 107 is a content that is highly likely to be viewed by the user, that is, content that is likely to be requested to be played (predicted) from the content stored in the digital video recorders 204 and 205. It has a function to select (content). The content prediction sorting unit 107 sorts content that matches a predetermined condition as predicted content. The condition is arbitrary depending on the manufacturer of the receiver 100 or the user, but in the present embodiment, as an example, it is not played back and is frequently viewed by the user of the home network system 1. Content that belongs to a genre and has a shorter elapsed time since recording is used as predicted content.

Hereinafter, the content prediction selection unit 107 will be described in detail.
The content prediction selection unit 107 receives a content prediction instruction from the movement control unit 109. The content prediction instruction includes a device identifier and maximum load time zone information. The maximum load time zone information indicates the time zone (hereinafter referred to as the maximum load time zone) in which the processing load of the device indicated by the device identifier is maximized, in other words, the number of operating device resources is predicted to reach the upper limit value. . The maximum load time zone information will be described in detail in the later section (9) Movement Control Unit 109.

Upon receiving the content prediction instruction, the content prediction selection unit 107 predicts content that is likely to be requested to be played in the time zone indicated by the maximum load time zone information among the content stored in the device indicated by the device identifier. Sort out.
(Selection of predicted content)
Hereinafter, a procedure for selecting predicted contents will be described. Here, as an example, a case where the device identifier included in the content prediction instruction is “DVR — 01” will be described, but the same applies to the case where the device identifier is another device identifier.

The content prediction / selection unit 107 generates a request including the reproduction state = “reproduced”, the reproduction time zone = “specified day of week, received maximum load time zone information” as a search condition, and {crid} as a reception condition. Then, the generated request is output to the reproduction history management unit 104.
Here, as described above, the designated day of the week is the day of the prediction target day, and in the case of the present embodiment, the content prediction selection unit 107 acquires the current date and time from the internal clock built in the receiver 100, Extract the day of the week from the acquired current date and time. The extracted day of the week corresponds to the specified day of the week.

Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 receives data matching the search condition and the reception condition from the reproduction history management unit 104, that is, a grid indicating the content reproduced in the maximum load time zone on the specified day of the week.
Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 generates a request including “crid =“ crid of received reproduced content ”” as a search condition and including the reception condition {genre}, and the generated request is the content information management unit 103. Output to.

Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 acquires the content reproduced in the maximum load time zone on the designated day of the week and the genre corresponding to each. In this way, the content prediction selection unit 107 acquires one or more genres.
Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 counts the number of the acquired one or more genres for each genre, and calculates the number of reproductions of the content belonging to each genre in the maximum load time zone on the designated day of the week.

  Further, the total number (total number) of received genres is calculated. Furthermore, a ratio (playback rate) to the total number of playbacks of content belonging to each genre is calculated. FIG. 9 is a genre-specific reproduction count list 400 showing an example of the number of reproductions of contents belonging to the genre for each genre calculated by the content prediction selection unit 107 and a reproduction rate in a table form.

The reproduction count list 400 vertically arranges the genres 401, 403,... 407 to which the reproduced content belongs in the maximum load time zone of the specified day of the week, and the reproduction count corresponding to each genre (the reproduction rate in parentheses) 402. 408 and the total number of reproductions 409 in the maximum load time zone of the specified day of the week.
As shown in this figure, the content held in the home network system 1 is reproduced 409 “200 times” in the maximum load time zone on the designated day of the week. The reproduced content belongs to one of the genres 401 “movie”, 402 “variety”, 403 “drama”, and 407 “hobby”. The number of playback times of contents belonging to each genre is 402 “20 times (10%)”, 404 “40 times (20%)”, 406 “100 times (50%)”, and 408 “40 times (20%)”, respectively. It is.

The content prediction selection unit 107 generates a genre-specific reproduction count list 400 and temporarily stores it. Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 identifies the genre with the largest number of reproductions (the most frequently reproduced genre) from the genre-specific reproduction number list 400. Here, the most frequently played genre is genre 405 “drama”.
Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 generates a request including the reproduction state = “unreproduced” and the reception condition {crid} as search conditions, and outputs the generated request to the reproduction history management unit 104. Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 receives from the reproduction history management unit 104 data that matches the specified search condition and reception condition, that is, the crid of unreproduced content.

  Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 includes, as search conditions, recording destination identifier = “DVR — 01”, crid = “crid of received unreproduced content”, and genre = “genre of most-reproduced times”. A request including “content information group sorted in ascending order of recording elapsed time” is generated. The recording elapsed time is the time from the current time to the recording completion time of the content. Subsequently, the generated request is output to the content information management unit 103.

Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 receives from the content information management unit 103 data matching the search condition and the reception condition, that is, either the recording destination identifier “DVR — 01” or the grid of the unreproduced content, and the genre “most played genre”. ”Including a list of content information including“ ”sorted in ascending order of elapsed time after recording.
When the list is received, the grid and the file size are read out from the content information corresponding to the content having the shortest elapsed time after recording in the received list. Here, among the contents corresponding to the content information included in the list, the content with the shortest recording elapsed time is the predicted content. The content prediction selection unit 107 outputs a crid indicating the predicted content and the file size of the predicted content to the movement control unit 109.

  Further, a request indicating a change in predicted content may be received from the movement control unit 109. When this request is received, the next content with the shortest recording elapsed time is selected as a new predicted content, and the crid and file size are read from the content information corresponding to the new predicted content in the list of content information and read. The grid and the file size are output to the movement control unit 109.

(8) Device load prediction unit 108
The device load prediction unit 108 checks the operation history of the device resource of the receiver 100 using the device function information managed by the device function management unit 106 and the operation history information managed by the operation history management unit 105. And a function for predicting in which time zone the device load of the receiver 100 will increase. In addition, the device load prediction unit 108 uses the device function information and operation history information of other devices in the home network system 1 to predict in which time zone the device load of the device resources of the other devices will increase. It has a function to do.

Here, the device load is the total number of device resources used in a certain time zone.
Here, an example of acquiring the device load of the device resource related to the HDD processing of the device identified by the device identifier “DVR — 01” and the device identifier “DVR — 02” in the home network system 1 is shown. Note that device resources related to HDD processing refer to resources used for reading recorded content from the HDD and resources used for writing content to the HDD during recording.

Details of the device load prediction unit 108 will be described below.
(8-1) Start of Device Load Prediction The device load prediction unit 108 stores device load prediction time (for example, 3 am) in advance. Here, the device load prediction time indicates a time when the device load prediction unit 108 starts an operation of device load prediction described later.

  The device load prediction unit 108 acquires the current time from the internal clock included in the receiver 100, and compares the acquired current time with the device load prediction time stored in advance. When the current time and the predicted device load time match, the current time is the time when the device load prediction unit 108 should start the device load prediction operation. Start device load prediction.

(8-2) Acquisition of Upper Limit Number of Device Resources and Operation History Information The device load prediction unit 108 generates and generates a request including the device identifier = “DVR — 01, DVR — 02” as the search condition and the reception condition {Rmax}. The request is output to the device function management unit 106. Next, the device load prediction unit 108 determines the upper limit number (Rmax) of the device resources identified by the device identifier “DVR — 01” from the device function management unit 106 and the device resources of the device identified by the device identifier “DVR — 02”. The upper limit number (Rmax) is received.

  Next, the device load prediction unit 108 includes, as search conditions, operation target identifier = “DVR — 01, DVR — 02”, device operation = “playback, recording”, and date = “designated day of the week”, and operation history table 360 as reception conditions. Request {device operation, operation target identifier, process start time, process end time} is generated, and the generated request is output to the operation history management unit 105.

Next, the device load prediction unit 108 receives and receives one or more item information corresponding to the search condition and the reception condition extracted from the operation history information included in the operation history table 360 from the operation history management unit 105. All item information is temporarily stored inside.
(8-3) Details of Calculation of Number of Device Resources Predicted to be Active Next, the device load prediction unit 108 uses the received item information for each device in operation at each time zone. The number of device resources predicted to be present is calculated, and a later-described load time zone table is generated for each device. Subsequently, the device load prediction unit 108 uses, for each device, the number of device resources that matches the upper limit number obtained above using the number of device resources in each time zone included in the generated load time zone table. A time zone having a number is specified as a maximum load time zone, maximum load time zone information indicating the specified maximum load time zone is generated, and the generated maximum load time zone information is written in the maximum load time zone table 600. Details of generation in the load time zone table and the maximum load time zone table 600 will be described later.

  Details of the calculation of the number of device resources predicted to be in operation will be described below. The prediction method is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, as an example, it is the same day of the week as the prediction target day, and operates in each time zone of the latest day (the day seven days before the prediction target day). The number of device resources that were present is the number of device resources that are predicted to be operating in each time zone of the prediction target date. This prediction method is merely an example, and may be predicted according to another prediction criterion.

The device load prediction unit 108 generates a load time zone table for each device. The load time zone table indicates the number of device resources expected to be used for each time zone for a specified day (the above “predicted date”) for the device corresponding to the load time zone table. It is a data table.
When there is no device resource that is expected to be used for a certain device (hereinafter, the device for which the number of device resource usage is predicted is described as the prediction target device) on the prediction target date The load time zone table stores no information. That is, it is in a blank state. When there is a device resource that is expected to be used in the prediction target device on the prediction target date, the load time zone table includes the time zone in which the device resource is expected to be used in one day, The number of device resources used in the time zone is stored.

The load time zone table includes an area for storing one or more load time zone information. Each load time zone information includes a processing start time, a processing end time, and the number of device resources.
Each load time zone information uses the number of device resources indicated by the number of device resources included in the load time zone information in the time zone indicated by the process end time from the process start time included in the load time zone information. It is expected to be.

An example of the load time zone table is the load time zone table 500a to 500e shown in FIG. The load time zone tables 500a to 500e shown in FIG. 12 will be described in more detail later.
In the following, regarding the case where the prediction target device is the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01”, details of calculation of the number of device resources predicted to be active among the device resources of the prediction target device explain. Since the calculation method is the same when the other device is a prediction target device, the description thereof is omitted.

(I) The device load prediction unit 108 initializes the load time zone table generated corresponding to the prediction target device with a blank.
(Ii) Next, the device load prediction unit 108 reads item information stored therein one by one, and repeats (iii) to (v) below for the read item information.
(Iii) The device load prediction unit 108 determines whether or not the operation target identifier included in the item information is “DVR — 01”. If it is not “DVR — 01”, the following processing is not performed on the read item information. Here, as an example, a method of calculating the predicted number of device resources for the device identified by the operation target identifier “DVR — 01” is described. Therefore, when calculating the number of device resources predicted for another device, if the operation target identifier included in the item information is not an identifier for identifying the other device, It is sufficient to avoid the process.

(Iv) The device load prediction unit 108 searches the load time zone table for load time zone information including a time zone that overlaps the time zone determined by the read item information. If the load time zone table is blank, there is no overlap.
Here, for convenience of explanation, a time zone determined by the process start time and the process end time included in the read item information is called an input time zone, and the time zone included in the load time zone information in the load time zone table is an update time. It will be called a belt.

(V) Generation of load time zone information (v-1) When there is no overlapping time zone When there is no overlapping time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 performs processing start time and processing included in the read item information. Load time zone information including the end time and the number of device resources having the value “1” is generated, and the generated load time zone information is written in the load time zone table. Further, when the load time zone table is blank, there is no duplication, and the same applies to this case.

An example when there is no overlap between the input time zone and the update time zone is shown in FIG. In this figure, the input time zone 551 starts from “17:00” and ends at “18:00”, and the update time zone 552 starts from “19:00” and “20:00” Therefore, the input time zone 551 and the update time zone 552 do not overlap.
In this case, as described above, the device load prediction unit 108 generates load time zone information including the same update time zone and the number of device resources “1” as the input time zone 551, and uses the generated load time zone information as the load time. Add to the band table and write.

As in the case of the input time zone 551 shown as an example, an input time zone when there are no overlapping update time zones will be referred to as a type B time zone. (V-1 end)
(V-2) When overlapping time zones exist The device load prediction unit 108 divides the input time zone based on the item information and the update time zone based on the load time zone information based on the overlapping portions. The division mode will be described later.

Next, the device load prediction unit 108 determines whether the divided time zone is type A or type B for the divided time zone generated by dividing the input time zone based on the item information. A time zone (or a divided time zone) that overlaps the update time zone is referred to as a type A time zone. Type A will be described in detail later.
Next, the device load prediction unit 108 adds a value “1” to the number of device resources in the load time zone information for each type A divided time zone. Also, for each divided time zone of type B, load time zone information consisting of the same update time zone as the input time zone and the number of device resources “1” is generated, and the generated load time zone information is added to the load time zone table. Write. (V-2 end)
(8-4) Types of Overlapping Relationships Between Input Time Zones and Update Time Zones Types of overlap relationships between input time zones and update time zones are shown in FIGS. 10 (b) to 10 (g) and FIG. 11 (h). ) To (j). 10 (b) to (g) and FIGS. 11 (h) to (j) do not display all types of overlapping relations between the input time period and the update time period, but a part thereof. Not too much. However, in the case of other types not shown, the device load prediction unit 108 operates as in the case of the types described below.

Here, the types of the overlapping relationship between the input time zone and the update time zone shown in FIGS. 10B to 10G and FIGS. 11H to 11J will be described. In each type, How the device load prediction unit 108 operates will be described.
(A) FIG. 10B shows a case where the input time zone 553 and the update time zone 554 completely coincide and overlap. That is, the input time zone 553 and the update time zone 554 each start from “17:00” and end at “19:00”.

In this case, the device load prediction unit 108 adds “1” to the number of device resources in the load time zone information including the update time zone 554 and writes it.
An input time zone when there are completely overlapping update time zones, such as an input time zone 553 shown as an example, will be referred to as type A.
In this case, since the input time zone 553 and the update time zone 554 are completely coincident and overlapped, the input time zone and the update time zone are not divided based on the overlapping portion.

  (B) FIG. 10C shows a case where the input time zone 555 and the update time zone 556 overlap in part (time zone 555b and time zone 556a). The input time zone 555 starts from “15:00” and ends at “19:00”, and the update time zone 556 starts from “17:00” and ends at “20:00”. That is, the input time zone 555 and the update time zone 556 are completely the same in the time zone 555b and the time zone 556a from “17:00” to “19:00”.

In this case, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the input time zone 555 into two parts, a divided time zone 555 a from “15:00” to “17:00”, and “19:00” to “19” A divided time zone 555b up to “00 hour” is generated.
Here, the divided time zone 555a is a type B input time zone, and the divided time zone 555b is a type A input time zone.

  In addition, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone 556 into two, a divided time zone 556a from “17:00” to “19:00”, and “19:00” to “20:00” And the load time zone information including the update time zone 556 in the load time zone table, and the two newly generated division time zones 556a and 556b are respectively generated in the load time zone table. Replace with two new load time zone information.

  The new one load time zone information generated in this way includes the processing start time “17:00” and the processing end time “19:00” indicated by the divided time zone 556a, and the load including the update time zone 556. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the time zone information. Similarly, the new other load time zone information includes the process start time “19:00” and the process end time “20:00” indicated by the divided time zone 556b, and the update time zone 556. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the load time zone information.

  Next, the device load prediction unit 108 loads the load time zone information including the division time zone 555a and the number of device resources “1” for the division time zone 555a because the division time zone 555a is a type B input time zone. Add to time zone table and write. Further, since the divided time zone 555b is a type A input time zone, the value “1” is added to the number of device resources of the load time zone information including the divided time zone 556a for the divided time zone 555b.

  (C) FIG. 10D shows a case where the input time zone 557 and the update time zone 558 overlap in part (time zone 557a and time zone 558b). The input time zone 557 starts from “17:00” and ends at “20:00”, and the update time zone 558 starts from “15:00” and ends at “19:00”. That is, the input time zone 557 and the update time zone 558 are completely the same in the time zone 557a and the time zone 558b from “17:00” to “19:00”.

In this case, the device load predicting unit 108 divides the input time zone 557 into two parts, a divided time zone 557a from “17:00” to “19:00”, and “19:00” to “20” A divided time zone 557b up to “hour 00 minutes” is generated.
Here, the division time zone 557a is a type A input time zone, and the division time zone 557b is a type B input time zone.

  In addition, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone 558 into two, a divided time zone 558a from “15:00” to “17:00”, and “17:00” to “19:00” And the load time zone information including the update time zone 558 in the load time zone table, and the two newly generated division time zones 558a and 558b are respectively generated in the load time zone table. Replace with two new load time zone information.

  The new one load time zone information generated in this way is the load including the processing start time “15:00” and the processing end time “17:00” indicated by the divided time zone 558a, and the update time zone 558. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the time zone information. Similarly, the new load time zone information includes the processing start time “17:00” and the processing end time “19:00” indicated by the divided time zone 558b, and the update time zone 558. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the load time zone information.

  Next, the device load prediction unit 108 loads the load time zone information including the division time zone 557b and the device resource number “1” for the division time zone 557b because the division time zone 557b is a type B input time zone. Add to time zone table and write. In addition, since the divided time zone 557a is a type A input time zone, the value “1” is added to the number of device resources of the load time zone information including the divided time zone 558b for the divided time zone 557a.

  (D) FIG. 10E shows a case where the input time zone 559 and the update time zone 560 overlap in the input time zone 559. The input time zone 559 starts from “17:00” and ends at “19:00”, and the update time zone 560 starts from “17:00” and ends at “20:00”. That is, the input time zone 559 and the update time zone 560 are completely the same in the input time zone 559 and the time zone 560a from “17:00” to “19:00”.

In this case, the input time zone 559 is a type A input time zone.
The device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone 560 into two, a divided time zone 560a from “17:00” to “19:00”, and “19:00” to “20:00” 2, and in the load time zone table, the load time zone information including the update time zone 560 includes 2 newly generated division time zones 560 a and 560 b, respectively. Replace with new load time zone information.

  The new one load time zone information generated in this way is the load including the process start time “17:00” and the process end time “19:00” indicated by the divided time zone 560a, and the update time zone 560. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the time zone information. Similarly, the new load time zone information includes the processing start time “19:00” and the processing end time “20:00” indicated by the divided time zone 560b, and the update time zone 560. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the load time zone information.

Next, since the input time zone 559 is a type A input time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 sets the value “1” to the number of device resources in the load time zone information including the divided time zone 560a for the input time zone 559. Add.
(E) FIG. 10F shows a case where the input time zone 561 and the update time zone 562 overlap in the input time zone 561. The input time zone 561 starts at “17:00” and ends at “19:00”, and the update time zone 562 starts at “15:00” and ends at “19:00”. That is, the input time zone 561 and the update time zone 562 are completely the same in the input time zone 561 and the time zone 562b from “17:00” to “19:00”.

In this case, the input time zone 561 is a type A input time zone.
The device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone 562 into two parts, a divided time zone 562a from “15:00” to “17:00”, and “19:00” to “19:00” 2, and in the load time zone table, the load time zone information including the update time zone 562 includes two newly generated division time zones 562 a and 562 b. Replace with new load time zone information.

  The new one load time zone information generated in this way is the load including the process start time “15:00” and the process end time “17:00” indicated by the divided time zone 562a, and the update time zone 562. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the time zone information. Similarly, the new load time zone information includes the processing start time “17:00” and the processing end time “19:00” indicated by the divided time zone 562b, and the update time zone 562. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the load time zone information.

Next, since the input time zone 561 is a type A input time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 sets the value “1” to the number of device resources in the load time zone information including the divided time zone 562b for the input time zone 561. Add.
(F) FIG. 10G shows a case where the input time zone 575 and the update time zone 576 overlap in a part (time zone 575b, time zone 576). The input time zone 575 starts from “13:00” and ends at “20:00”, and the update time zone 576 starts from “15:00” and ends at “19:00”. That is, the input time zone 575 and the update time zone 576 are completely the same in the time zone 575 b and the update time zone 576 from “15:00” to “19:00”.

In this case, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the input time zone 575 into three, and divides the time zone 575a from “13:00” to “15:00” and “15:00” to “19” A divided time zone 575b from “00 hour” and a divided time zone 575c from “19:00” to “20:00” are generated.
Here, the divided time zone 575a and the divided time zone 575c are type B input time zones, and the divided time zone 575b is a type A input time zone.

The update time zone 576 is not divided.
Next, since the divided time zone 575a is a type B input time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 loads the load time zone information including the divided time zone 575a and the number of device resources “1” for the divided time zone 575a. Since the divided time zone 575c is an input time zone of type B added to the time zone table and written, the load time zone information consisting of the divided time zone 575c and the number of device resources “1” is loaded time for the divided time zone 575c. Add to the band table and write. Further, since the divided time zone 575b is a type A input time zone, the value “1” is added to the number of device resources of the load time zone information including the update time zone 576 for the divided time zone 575b.

  (G) In FIG. 11 (h), the input time zone 564 and the update time zone 565 overlap in part (time zone 564a, time zone 565b), and further, the input time zone 564 and the update time zone A case where 566 overlaps with a part thereof (time zone 564c, time zone 566a) is shown. The input time zone 564 starts from “15:00” and ends at “19:00”, and the update time zone 565 starts from “13:00” and ends at “17:00” The update time zone 566 starts from “18:00” and ends at “20:00”.

That is, the input time zone 564 and the update time zone 565 are completely the same in the time zone 564a and the time zone 565b from “15:00” to “17:00”. The time zone 566 is completely the same in the time zone 564c and the time zone 566a from “18:00” to “19:00”.
In this case, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the input time zone 564 into three, and divides the time zone 564a from “15:00” to “17:00” and “17:00” to “18” A divided time zone 564b from “10:00” and a divided time zone 564c from “18:00” to “19:00” are generated.

Here, the divided time zone 564a and the divided time zone 564c are type A input time zones, and the divided time zone 564b is a type B input time zone.
In addition, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone 565 into two, a divided time zone 565a from “13:00” to “15:00”, and “15:00” to “17:00” And the load time zone information including the update time zone 565 in the load time zone table, and the two newly generated division time zones 565a and 565b are respectively generated in the load time zone table. Replace with two new load time zone information.

  The new one load time zone information generated in this way is the load including the process start time “13:00” and the process end time “15:00” indicated by the divided time zone 565a, and the update time zone 565. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the time zone information. Similarly, the new other load time zone information includes the process start time “15:00” and the process end time “17:00” indicated by the divided time zone 565b, and the update time zone 565. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the load time zone information.

  Further, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone 566 into two parts, a divided time zone 566a from “18:00” to “19:00”, and “19:00” to “20:00” And a load time zone information including the update time zone 566 in the load time zone table, and two newly generated division time zones 566a and 566b, respectively. Replace with two new load time zone information.

  The new one load time zone information generated in this way is the load including the process start time “18:00” and the process end time “19:00” indicated by the divided time zone 566a, and the update time zone 566. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the time zone information. Similarly, the new load time zone information includes the processing start time “19:00” and the processing end time “20:00” indicated by the divided time zone 566b, and the update time zone 566. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the load time zone information.

  Next, since the divided time zone 564b is a type B input time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 loads the load time zone information including the divided time zone 564b and the number of device resources “1” for the divided time zone 564b. Add to time zone table and write. In addition, since the divided time zone 564a is a type A input time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 sets the value “1” as the number of device resources in the load time zone information including the divided time zone 565b for the divided time zone 564a. Since the division time zone 564c is a type A input time zone, the value “1” is added to the number of device resources of the load time zone information including the division time zone 566a for the division time zone 564c.

  (H) In FIG. 11 (i), the input time zone 567 and the update time zone 568 overlap in part (time zone 567a and time zone 568b), and the input time zone 567 and the update time zone A case where 569 overlaps in the update time zone 569 will be described. The input time zone 567 starts from “15:00” and ends at “20:00”, and the update time zone 568 starts from “13:00” and ends at “17:00” The update time zone 569 starts from “18:00” and ends at “20:00”.

That is, the input time zone 567 and the update time zone 568 are completely the same in the time zone 567a and the time zone 568b from “15:00” to “17:00”. The time zone 569 is completely the same in the update time zone 569 and the time zone 567c from “18:00” to “20:00”.
In this case, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the input time zone 567 into three, a divided time zone 567a from “15:00” to “17:00”, and “17:00” to “18” A divided time zone 567b until “hour 00 minutes” and a divided time zone 567c from “18:00” to “20:00” are generated.

Here, the divided time zone 567a and the divided time zone 567c are type A input time zones, and the divided time zone 567b is a type B input time zone.
In addition, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone 568 into two, a divided time zone 568a from “13:00” to “15:00”, and “15:00” to “17:00” And the load time zone information including the update time zone 568 in the load time zone table, and the two newly generated division time zones 568a and 568b are respectively generated in the load time zone table. Replace with two new load time zone information.

  The new one load time zone information generated in this way includes the processing start time “13:00” and the processing end time “15:00” indicated by the divided time zone 568a, and the load including the update time zone 568. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the time zone information. Similarly, the new other load time zone information includes the processing start time “15:00” and the processing end time “17:00” indicated by the divided time zone 568b, and the update time zone 568. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the load time zone information.

Note that the update time zone 569 is not divided.
Next, since the divided time zone 567b is a type B input time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 loads the load time zone information including the divided time zone 567b and the number of device resources “1” for the divided time zone 567b. Add to time zone table and write.
Further, since the divided time zone 567a is a type A input time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 sets the value “1” as the number of device resources in the load time zone information including the divided time zone 568b for the divided time zone 567a. Since the division time zone 567c is a type A input time zone, the value “1” is added to the number of device resources in the load time zone information including the update time zone 569 for the division time zone 567c.

  (I) In FIG. 11 (j), the input time zone 570 and the update time zone 571 overlap in part (time zone 570a and time zone 571b), and further, the input time zone 570 and the update time zone A case where 572 overlaps in the update time zone 572 is shown. The input time zone 570 starts from “15:00” and ends at “20:00”, and the update time zone 571 starts from “13:00” and ends at “17:00” The update time zone 572 starts from “18:00” and ends at “19:00”.

That is, the input time zone 570 and the update time zone 571 are completely the same in the time zone 570a and the time zone 571b from “15:00” to “17:00”. The time zone 572 is completely the same in the update time zone 572 and the time zone 570c from “18:00” to “19:00”.
In this case, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the input time zone 570 into four, and divides the time zone 570a from “15:00” to “17:00” and “17:00” to “18”. The division time zone 570b from “10:00”, the division time zone 570c from “18:00” to “19:00”, and the division time from “19:00” to “20:00” A band 570d is generated.

Here, the divided time zone 570a and the divided time zone 570c are type A input time zones, and the divided time zone 570b and the divided time zone 570d are type B input time zones.
In addition, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone 571 into two parts, a divided time zone 571a from “13:00” to “15:00”, and “15:00” to “17:00” And the load time zone information including the update time zone 571 in the load time zone table, and the two newly generated division time zones 571a and 571b are respectively generated in the load time zone table. Replace with two new load time zone information.

  The new one load time zone information generated in this way includes the processing start time “13:00” and the processing end time “15:00” indicated by the divided time zone 571a, and the load including the update time zone 571. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the time zone information. Similarly, the new other load time zone information includes the process start time “15:00” and the process end time “17:00” indicated by the divided time zone 571b, and the update time zone 571. It includes the number of device resources having the same value as the number of device resources originally included in the load time zone information.

Note that the update time zone 572 is not divided.
Next, since the division time zone 570b is a type B input time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 loads the load time zone information including the division time zone 570b and the number of device resources “1” for the division time zone 570b. Since the divided time zone 570d is a type B input time zone and is written in the time zone table, the load time zone information consisting of the divided time zone 570d and the number of device resources “1” is loaded time for the divided time zone 570d. Add to the band table and write.

  Moreover, since the divided time zone 570a is a type A input time zone, the device load prediction unit 108 sets the number of device resources of the load time zone information including the divided time zone 571b to the value “1” for the divided time zone 570a. Since the division time zone 570c is the type A input time zone, the value “1” is added to the number of device resources of the load time zone information including the update time zone 572 for the division time zone 570c.

(8-5) Specific Example of Generation of Load Time Zone Table A specific example of load time zone table generation by the device load prediction unit 108 will be described with reference to FIG.
Assume that the device load prediction unit 108 acquires and stores the item information 521, 522, 523, and 524 shown in FIG.

The device load prediction unit 108 generates a load time zone table 500a initialized with blanks.
The device load prediction unit 108 reads the item information 521 and determines whether or not the input time zone based on the read item information 521 and the update time zone based on the load time zone information stored in the load time zone table 500a overlap. To do. Here, since the load time zone table 500a is blank and does not have load time zone information, the device load prediction unit 108 uses the same update time zone and device resource number as the input time zone according to the read item information 521. Load time zone information 501 including “1” is generated, and the generated load time zone information 501 is written in the load time zone table 500a. Thus, the load time zone table 500a becomes the load time zone table 500b having the load time zone information 501.

  Next, the device load prediction unit 108 reads the item information 522, and does the input time zone based on the read item information 522 overlap with the update time zone based on the load time zone information 501 stored in the load time zone table 500b? Judge whether or not. The input time zone by the read item information 522 is from “19:00” to “21:00”, and the update time zone by the load time zone information 501 is from “17:00” to “23:00. Therefore, the input time zone and the update time zone overlap in the time zone from “19:00” to “21:00”. Therefore, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone from “17:00” to “23:00” into three, and the divided time from “17:00” to “19:00” A three-time zone, a divided time zone from “19:00” to “21:00”, and a divided time zone from “21:00” to “23:00” Load time zone information 502, 503, and 504 each having a divided time zone and a device resource number “1” are generated, and the generated three load time zone information 502 is used instead of the load time zone information 501. , 503 and 504 are written in the load time zone table 500b. Since the input time zone by the item information 522 is from “17:00” to “19:00”, the load time zone having the update time zone from “17:00” to “19:00” The value “1” is added to the number of device resources in the information 503. Thus, the load time zone table 500b becomes the load time zone table 500c having the load time zone information 502, 503, and 504.

  Next, the device load prediction unit 108 reads out the item information 523, and the input time zone based on the read item information 523 and each update time zone based on the load time zone information 502, 503, and 504 stored in the load time zone table 500c. And whether or not are duplicated. The input time zone by the read item information 523 is from “13:00” to “13:30”, and “13:00” to “13:30” is stored in the load time zone table 500c. There is no load time zone information having an update time zone that overlaps the time zone. Therefore, the device load prediction unit 108 generates load time zone information 505 including an update time zone from “13:00” to “13:30” and the number of device resources “1”, and the generated load The time zone information 505 is written into the load time zone table 500c. Thus, the load time zone table 500c becomes the load time zone table 500d having the load time zone information 505, 502, 503, and 504.

  Next, the device load prediction unit 108 reads the item information 524 and updates each of the input time zone based on the read item information 524 and the load time zone information 505, 502, 503, and 504 stored in the load time zone table 500d. It is determined whether the time zone overlaps. The input time zone by the read item information 524 is from “17:30” to “18:30”, and the update time zone by the load time zone information 502 is from “17:00” to “19:00”. Therefore, the input time zone and the update time zone overlap in the time zone from “17:30” to “18:30”. Therefore, the device load prediction unit 108 divides the update time zone from “17:00” to “19:00” into three, and the divided time from “17:00” to “17:30” The three zones created by generating the zone, the divided time zone from “17:30” to “18:30”, and the divided time zone from “18:30” to “19:00” 3 load time zone information 510, 511, 512 each having a divided time zone and the original device resource number “1” are generated, and instead of the load time zone information 502, the generated three load time zones Information 510, 511, 512 is written in the load time zone table 500d. Since the input time zone by the item information 524 is from “17:30” to “18:30”, the load time zone having the update time zone from “17:30” to “18:30” The value “1” is added to the number of device resources in the information 511. Thus, the load time zone table 500d becomes the load time zone table 500e having the load time zone information 505, 510, 511, 512, 503, and 504.

(8-6) Visual Example of Load Time Zone Table The load time zone table described above is visually exemplified. Graphs 651 and 661 shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B visually exemplify load time zone tables generated for the devices identified by the device identifier “DVR — 01” and the device identifier “DVR — 01”, respectively. In the time zone from “4:00” to “28:00”, the number of operating device resources is shown.

  In the graph 651, the horizontal axis represents time change, and the vertical axis represents the number of device resources expected to be used. In this graph 651, the number of device resources expected to be used in the device identified by the device identifier “DVR — 01” is “0” from time T0 “04:00” to time T1, and from time T1 to time T2. Is “5”, is “1” from time T2 to time T3, is “5” from time T3 to time T4, and is “0” from time T4 to time T5. From time T5 to time T6, it is “5”, and after time T6, it is “0”.

  In the graph 661, the horizontal axis represents time change, and the vertical axis represents the number of device resources expected to be used. In this graph 661, the number of device resources expected to be used in the device identified by the device identifier “DVR — 02” is “0” from time T10 “04:00” to time T11, and from time T11 to time T12. Is “2”, “0” from time T12 to time T13, “5” from time T13 to time T14, and “T” from time T14 to time T15 “28:00”. 0 ".

  As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, in the device identified by the device identifier “DVR — 01”, the time zone from time T1 to time T2, the time zone from time T3 to time T4, and the time from time T5 In the time zone up to T6, the operation of the device resource has reached the upper limit number, and in the device identified by the device identifier “DVR — 02”, the operation of the device resource is performed in the time zone from time T13 to time T14. Has reached.

(8-7) Details of Generation of Maximum Load Time Zone Table 600 The device load prediction unit 108 generates the maximum load time zone table 600 shown in FIG. 14 as an example. Here, generation of the maximum load time zone table 600 by the device load prediction unit 108 will be described in more detail.
The device load prediction unit 108 has a maximum load time zone table 600. First, the maximum load time zone table 600 is initialized.

  The device load prediction unit 108 includes, for each device, load time zone information including the same number of device resources as the upper limit number (Rmax) obtained from the device function management unit 106 from the load time zone table generated as described above. To generate the maximum time zone information including the device identifier for identifying the device and the maximum load time zone configured from the processing start time and the processing end time included in the extracted load time zone information, The maximum time zone information is written into the maximum load time zone table 600.

As an example, the maximum load time zone table 600 includes maximum time zone information 601 and 602 as shown in FIG. The maximum time zone information 601 and 602 correspond to the digital video recorders 204 and 205 identified by the device identifier “DVR — 01” 621 and the device identifier “DVR — 02” 622, respectively.
The maximum time zone information 601 includes a device identifier 621 and maximum load time zone information 611, 612 and 613. The maximum load time period information 611, 612, and 613 includes a process start time and a process end time, respectively. The maximum time zone information 601 is a time zone from “13:00” to “13:30”, “15:00” to “16:00” for the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01”. ”And the time zone from“ 19:00 ”to“ 28:00 ”indicate that the number of device resources scheduled to be used is equal to the upper limit number (Rmax).

  The maximum time zone information 602 includes a device identifier 622 and maximum load time zone information 614. The maximum load time zone information 614 includes a process start time and a process end time. The maximum time zone information 602 has an upper limit on the number of device resources to be used in the time zone from “23:00” to “24:00” for the digital video recorder 205 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 02”. Indicates that it is a number.

(9) Movement control unit 109
The movement control unit 109 applies the predicted content selected by the content prediction selection unit 107 to a device on the network that is predicted to have a low device load before the predicted content is played back. It is a functional part that moves.
As described above, the maximum load time zone stored in the maximum load time zone table 600 is a time zone in which processing requests are predicted to be concentrated on the device indicated by the corresponding device identifier. There is a high possibility that a reproduction request for the predicted content is made. That is, the maximum load time zone corresponds to “a time zone in which the predicted content is predicted to be reproduced”.

Details of the movement control unit 109 will be described below.
The movement control unit 109 acquires the load time zone table and the maximum load time zone table 600 for each device from the device load prediction unit 108, and uses the acquired load time zone table and the maximum load time zone table 600 for each device. Thus, in any device, a time zone in which device resources are not operating (hereinafter referred to as a movable time zone) is calculated.
Specifically, a movable time zone other than the time zone indicated by the load time zone information included in the load time zone table is calculated.

  Specifically, taking FIG. 13 as an example, the time zone from time T0 to time T1 and the time zone from time T12 to time T5 are either the device with the device identifier “DVR — 01” or the device with the device identifier “DVR — 02”. Also, it is predicted that the operating device resource is zero. Therefore, in this case, the time zone from time T0 to time T1 and the time zone from time T12 to time T5 are movable time zones.

  Note that the method for determining the movable time zone is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the device resources that can be used for content movement are secured in both the two devices. All time zones other than the maximum load time zone may be set as movable time zones. Taking FIG. 13 as an example, time T0 to time T1, time T2 to time T3, time T4 to time T5, and time T6 to time T15 can be set as movable time zones.

Next, one device that is a target of processing load reduction is selected. Specifically, the device identifiers included in the maximum load time zone table 600 are sequentially read one by one. Hereinafter, a case where the device identifier “DVR — 01” is read will be described.
The movement control unit 109 sequentially reads the maximum load time zone information from the maximum time zone information 601 including the read device identifier 621 “DVR — 01”, and repeats the following processing for each maximum load time zone information.

  The movement control unit 109 generates a content prediction instruction including the device identifier 621 “DVR — 01” and the read maximum load time zone information, and outputs the content prediction instruction to the content prediction selection unit 107. The content prediction instruction instructs selection of content that is likely to be played back in the maximum load time period indicated by the maximum load time period information, among the contents of the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01”. To do.

Next, the movement control unit 109 receives the crid indicating the predicted content and the file size of the predicted content from the content prediction selection unit 107.
When receiving the crid indicating the predicted content, the movement control unit 109 calculates the movement time of the predicted content in the home network system 1. As a calculation method, for example, the file size of the predicted content is divided by the HDD transfer bandwidth, and the travel time is calculated.

Subsequently, the movement control unit 109 acquires the current time from the internal clock of the receiver 100. It is determined whether or not the acquired current time is included in the calculated movable time. If not, the process waits until the start time of the movable time.
If it is determined that the current time is included in the movable time of the digital video recorder 205, then the movement control unit 109 calculates the movement end scheduled time TM by adding the calculated movement time to the current time. Next, the movement control unit 109 compares the processing start time Ts included in the maximum load time zone information read from the maximum load time zone table 600 with the planned movement end time TM. If TM ≦ Ts, a request indicating an instruction to move the predicted content is generated, and the generated request is output to the movement control unit 109 of the counterpart device. Specifically, in this case, a request indicating output of predicted content is output to the movement control unit of the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01”, and the movement control unit of the digital video recorder 205 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 02”. Outputs a request to write the predicted content.

  If Ts <TM, the movement of the predicted content does not end until the maximum load time period starts, so the movement control unit 109 requests the content prediction selection unit 107 to change the predicted content. The grid indicating new predicted content and the file size of the predicted content are received from the content prediction selection unit 107, the scheduled movement end time is calculated based on the received grid, and a content movement request is output.

Further, the movement control unit 109 receives a request indicating an instruction to move the predicted content from the movement control unit 109 of another device. When the request is received, the predicted content is moved according to the received request (here, the predicted content may be moved or copied).
1.3 Operations of Digital Televisions 201, 202, 203, and Digital Video Recorders 204, 205 Here, operations of the receiver 100 are described on behalf of operations of the digital televisions 201, 202, 203, and digital video recorders 204, 205. To do.

(1) Device Metadata Acquisition and Registration Operation The receiver 100 receives device metadata (content bibliographic information, reproduction history information, content history) held by another device from another device in the home network system 1. The operation of acquiring the operation history information (device function type) and registering the acquired device metadata by each management unit will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Here, as an example, FIG. 15 illustrates the operation of each device when the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” acquires device metadata from the digital video recorder 205 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 02”. Has been.
The device function acquisition unit 101 of the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” compares the current time acquired from the internal clock with each device metadata acquisition time, and if they do not match (NO in step S101), After a predetermined time, compare again. If they match, that is, if it is determined that it is time to acquire the device metadata (YES in step S101), the device function acquisition unit 101 generates a request for requesting device metadata acquisition (step S102). The request is transmitted to the other devices constituting the home network system 1 via the information transmitting / receiving unit 102 (step S103).

The device function acquisition unit 101 of the digital video recorder 205 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 02” receives a device metadata acquisition request from the digital video recorder 204 via the information transmission / reception unit 102 (step S103), and receives the received device metadata. The acquisition request is analyzed to determine the type of requested device metadata (step S104).
According to the analysis result, the device function acquisition unit 101 receives device metadata requested from the content information management unit 103, the reproduction history management unit 104, the operation history management unit 105, and the device function management unit 106 in the digital video recorder 205. (Step S105), a device metadata acquisition response including the acquired device metadata is generated (step S106), and the generated device metadata acquisition response is transmitted via the information transmitting / receiving unit 102 of the other device. It transmits to the transmission source device of the device metadata acquisition request (step S107).

  The device function acquisition unit 101 of the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” receives the device metadata acquisition response via the information transmitting / receiving unit 102 (step S107), and interprets the received device metadata acquisition response. Then, device metadata is extracted from the received device metadata acquisition response (step S108). Depending on the type of the extracted device metadata, each management unit is instructed to register device metadata, and each management unit registers device metadata (step S109). Specifically, if the acquired device metadata is bibliographic information of the content of another device, the acquired device metadata is output to the content information management unit 103, and the acquired device metadata is the playback history information of the other device. If there is, the acquired device metadata is output to the reproduction history management unit 104. If the acquired device metadata is operation history information of another device, the acquired device metadata is output to the operation history management unit 105. If the device metadata is a device function type of another device, the device metadata is output to the device function management unit 106 to instruct registration.

(2) Maximum Load Time Zone Extraction Operation The maximum load time zone extraction operation by the device load prediction unit 108 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, as an example, a case where the maximum processing load time zone related to HDD processing of the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” and the digital video recorder 205 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 02” is extracted is illustrated. ing.

  The device load prediction unit 108 acquires the current time from the internal clock included in the receiver 100, and compares the acquired current time with the device load prediction time stored in advance (step S161). If the current time matches the device load prediction time (YES in step S161), the device load prediction unit 108 includes device identifier = “DVR — 01, DVR — 02” as a search condition, and relates to HDD processing as a reception condition. A request including the upper limit number {Rmax} of device resources is generated (step S162), and the generated request is output to the device function management unit 106 (step S163).

  The device function management unit 106 receives a request including the device identifier = “DVR — 01, DVR — 02” as the search condition and the reception condition {Rmax} from the device load prediction unit 108 (step S163). The received request is analyzed, and the search condition and the reception condition are extracted from the acquisition request (step S164). From the device function table 380, device function information that matches the extracted search condition, that is, a device identifier “ The device function information including “DVR — 01” and the device function information including the device identifier “DVR — 02” are detected, and Rmax is extracted from the detected device function information according to the reception condition (step S165).

Next, the device function management unit 106 outputs the Rmax of the device identified by the acquired device identifier “DVR — 01” and the Rmax of the device identified by the device identifier “DVR — 02” to the device load prediction unit 108 (step S166). ).
The device load prediction unit 108 receives the Rmax of the device identified by the device identifier “DVR — 01” and the Rmax of the device identified by the device identifier “DVR — 02” from the device function management unit 106 (step S166).

  Upon receiving these, the device load prediction unit 108 includes the operation target identifier = “DVR — 01, DVR — 02”, the device operation = “playback, recording”, and the date = “designated day” as the search conditions, and the operation history as the reception conditions. A request including an item {device operation, operation target identifier, process start time and process end time} in the table 360 is generated (step S167), and the generated request is output to the operation history management unit 105 (step S168).

The operation history management unit 105 receives a request from the device load prediction unit 108 (step S168), analyzes the received request, and extracts a search condition and a reception condition (step S169).
Next, the operation history management unit 105 detects operation history information that matches the extracted search condition in the operation history table 360, and extracts data corresponding to the item included in the reception condition from the detected operation history information. Then, item information is generated (step S170). When a plurality of operation history information is detected, item information is generated for each detected operation history information.

Next, the operation history management unit 105 outputs the generated item information to the device load prediction unit 108 (step S171).
The device load prediction unit 108 receives one or more item information from the operation history management unit 105 (step S171), and temporarily stores the received item information inside (step S173).

Next, the device load prediction unit 108 calculates, for each device, the number of device resources that are predicted to be operating in each time zone, and loads corresponding to each device. A time zone table is generated (step S174).
Subsequently, the device load prediction unit 108 determines a time zone in which the number of active device resources matches Rmax (that is, the maximum load time zone) based on the load time zone table generated for each device and the upper limit number Rmax. The detected maximum load time zone table 600 including the maximum load time zone information indicating the detected maximum load time zone is generated, and the generated maximum load time zone table 600 is stored therein (step S176).

(3) Load Time Zone Table Generation Operation by Device Load Prediction Unit 108 The load time zone table generation operation by the device load prediction unit 108 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This is the detail of step S174 in FIG. Further, here, generation of a load time zone table corresponding to the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” is described, but the same operation is performed when a load time zone table corresponding to another device is generated. The description is omitted.

First, the device load prediction unit 108 determines a prediction target device that is a target for prediction of a load time period (step S190). Here, the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” is set as a prediction target device. next. The device load prediction unit 108 initializes the load time zone table corresponding to the prediction target device with a blank (step S191).
Next, the device load prediction unit 108 tries to read item information stored therein (step S192). When reading is completed for all item information (YES in step S193), the load time zone table generation operation is terminated.

If the reading has not been completed (NO in step S193), the device load prediction unit 108 reads item information that has not yet been read. If the operation target identifier included in the read item information is not “DVR — 01” (NO in step S194), the process returns to step S192 to repeat the process.
When the operation target identifier included in the read item information is “DVR — 01” (YES in step S194), the device load prediction unit 108 overlaps the time zone determined by the read item information from the load time zone table. The load time zone information including the time zone to be searched is searched (step S195).

  When there is no overlapping time zone (“none” in step S196), the device load prediction unit 108 is configured from the processing start time and processing end time included in the read item information and the number of device resources having the value “1”. The generated load time zone information is generated, the generated load time zone information is written in the load time zone table (step S199), and then the process returns to step S192 to repeat the process.

When there are overlapping time zones (step S196 “Yes”), the device load prediction unit 108 divides the input time zone based on the item information and the update time zone based on the load time zone information based on the overlapping portions ( Step S201). Next, the load time zone information is replaced according to the division of the update time zone (step S202).
Next, the device load prediction unit 108 identifies whether the divided time zone is type A or type B for the divided time zone generated by dividing the input time zone based on the item information (step S204). The value “1” is added to the number of device resources of the load time zone information corresponding to each divided time zone (step S206). For each type B divided time zone, load time zone information including the divided time zone and the number of device resources “1” is added to the load time zone table and written (step S207). Next, the process returns to step S192, and the process from step S192 to step S207 is repeated until the same process is completed for all item information.

(4) Content Movement Control Operation The content movement control operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, as an example, a case where content movement for reducing the load on the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” on the prediction target date is described.

The movement control unit 109 acquires the load time zone table and the maximum load time zone table 600 for each device from the device load prediction unit 108, and uses the acquired load time zone table and the maximum load time zone table 600 for each device. Thus, the movable time zone is calculated (step S221).
Next, the movement control unit 109 tries to read the device identifier included in the maximum load time zone table 600 (step S222). If all the device identifiers included in the maximum load time zone table 600 have been read, the content movement control operation ends (YES in step S223).

  If the reading has not been completed (NO in step S223), the movement control unit 109 reads the device identifier from the maximum load time zone table 600 and temporarily stores it. Subsequently, between steps S226 to S253, each maximum load time is obtained by repeating the processing of steps S227 to S252 for each maximum load time zone information constituting the maximum time zone information including the stored device identifier. In order to reduce the processing load during the maximum load time indicated by the band information, the optimum content (predicted content) is moved from the device indicated by the temporarily stored device identifier to another device.

  First, the movement control unit 109 reads one maximum load time zone information corresponding to the stored device identifier from the maximum load time zone table 600 (step S227), and temporarily stores the device identifier, A content prediction instruction including the read maximum load time zone information is generated (step S228), and the generated content prediction instruction is output to the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S229).

  The content prediction selection unit 107 receives the content prediction instruction, and selects the prediction content that is highly likely to be reproduced by the device indicated by the device identifier in the time zone indicated by the maximum load time zone information included in the received content prediction instruction. (Step S231). Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 outputs the predicted content's grid and file size to the movement control unit 109 (step S232).

The movement control unit 109 receives the crid indicating the predicted content and the file size of the predicted content from the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S232).
Subsequently, the movement control unit 109 divides the received file size by the HDD transfer bandwidth and calculates the movement time of the predicted content (step S224). Note that another method may be used as a method of acquiring the travel time.

Next, the movement control unit 109 acquires the current time from the internal clock of the receiver (step S236). If the acquired current time is not included in the movable time zone (NO in step S237), the process returns to step S236 and waits until the movable time zone is reached.
When the acquired current time is included in the movable time zone (YES in step S237), the movement control unit 109 calculates the estimated movement end time by adding the movement time to the current time (step S239).
The movement control unit 109 compares the calculated estimated movement end time with the start time of the maximum load time period (step S241).

If the scheduled movement end time is later than the start time of the maximum load time period (NO in step S241), the movement control unit 109 generates a request indicating a change in predicted content (step S231), and the generated request Is output to the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S243).
The content prediction selection unit 107 receives a request indicating the change of the predicted content (step S243). When the request is received, the next content with the shortest recording elapsed time is selected as a new predicted content based on the list acquired from the content information management unit 103. The content prediction selection unit 107 reads out the grid indicating the new predicted content and the file size from the list (step S244). The read grid and file size are output to the movement control unit 109 (step S246).

The movement control unit 109 receives the crid indicating the new predicted content and the file size, and moves the process to step S234.
If the scheduled movement end time is before the start time of the maximum load time period (YES in step S241), the movement control unit 109 generates a request indicating an instruction to move the predicted content to the movement control unit 109 of the counterpart device ( In step S251, the generated request is transmitted to the counterpart device (step S252).

The movement control unit of the counterpart device receives a request indicating an instruction to move the predicted content (step S252), and moves the predicted content according to the received request (step S256).
Here, the counterpart devices are the digital video recorder 204 that is the target of load reduction and the digital video recorder 205 that is the recipient of the predicted content. Note that this is not the case when the movement control unit 109 of the digital video recorder 204 or 205 performs the content movement control unit described here.

When the output of the predicted content movement request is completed, the process returns to step S228, and the same processing is repeated for all the maximum load time zone information.
When the repetition is completed, the process returns to step S223 and attempts to read the next device identifier from the maximum load time zone table 600.
(5) Content Prediction Selection Operation The content prediction selection operation in the receiver 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. This is the detail of step S231 in FIG. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which optimal predicted content is selected in order to reduce the processing load on the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01”.

The content prediction selection unit 107 receives a content prediction instruction from the movement control unit 109 (step S301). The content prediction instruction received here includes a device identifier “DVR — 01” and maximum load time zone information.
Upon receiving the content prediction instruction, the content prediction selection unit 107 includes, as search conditions, a reproduction state = “reproduced” and a reproduction time zone = “designated day of the week, maximum load time zone”, and a request that includes a reception condition {crid}. Is generated (step S302), and the generated request is output to the reproduction history management unit 104 (step S303).

  Next, the reproduction history management unit 104 receives a request from the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S303), analyzes the received request, and extracts a search condition and a reception condition (step S306). Next, the playback history management unit 104 detects playback history information that matches the specified search condition, that is, content information corresponding to the played content in the maximum load time zone of the specified day of the week, and detects each detected content Crid is extracted from the information (step S307).

The reproduction history management unit 104 outputs the extracted grid to the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S308). Based on the above search conditions and reception conditions, the grid output here is a grid indicating the content reproduced in the maximum load time zone of the specified day of the week.
The content prediction / selection unit 107 receives, from the playback history management unit 104, the content played in the maximum load time zone on the specified day of the week (step S308).

  Next, the content predicting / selecting unit 107 includes, as a search condition, “crid =“ crid of content reproduced in the maximum load time zone of the specified day of the week (in other words, the crid received in step S308) ”, and the reception condition {genre } Is generated (step S311), and the generated request is output to the content information management unit 103 (step S312).

The content information management unit 103 receives a request from the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S312), analyzes the received acquisition request, and extracts a search condition and a reception condition (step S313).
The content information management unit 103 detects content information that matches the extracted search condition, that is, content information that includes “crid” received as the search condition, and extracts a genre from each detected content information in accordance with the extracted reception condition ( Step S314). Next, the extracted genre is output to the content prediction sorting unit 107 (step S316). Based on the above search conditions and reception conditions, the genre received here is the genre to which each reproduced content belongs in the maximum load time zone of the specified day of the week.

  The content prediction / selection unit 107 acquires a genre that matches the specified search condition and reception condition from the content information management unit 103 (step S316), and reproduces the content for each genre using the acquired one or more genres. The number of times is calculated to generate a reproduction count list 400 by genre (step S319). The genre with the largest number of reproductions (most genre reproduction number genre) is specified from the generated genre-specific reproduction number list 400 (step S321).

Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 generates a request including the reproduction state = “unreproduced” as a search condition and the reception condition {crid} (step S322), and the generated request is the reproduction history management unit 104. (Step S324).
The reproduction history management unit 104 receives the request from the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S324), analyzes the received request, and extracts a search condition and a reception condition from the received request (step S326). Next, the playback history management unit 104 searches the playback history table 320 to detect playback history information that matches the extracted search conditions. Subsequently, according to the reception condition, the crid is extracted from the detected reproduction history information (step S327).

Next, the reproduction history management unit 104 outputs the extracted grid to the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S329). From the above search condition and reception condition, the grid output here is a grid corresponding to an unreproduced content.
The content prediction selection unit 107 receives the crid of content that has not been played back from the playback history management unit 104 (step S329).

  Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 includes, as search conditions, “crid =“ crid of unreproduced content ”, genre =“ most played count genre ”, and recording destination identifier =“ DVR — 01 ”. A request including “content information sorted in ascending order of recording elapsed time” is generated (step S331), and the generated request is output to the content information management unit 103 (step S332).

  The content information management unit 103 receives a request from the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S332), analyzes the received request, and extracts designated search conditions and reception conditions (step S334). Content information that matches the extracted search condition, that is, content information including any of the unplayed content crid received as the search condition, the genre “most played count genre”, and the recording destination identifier “DVR — 01” It is detected from the management table 300 (step S336).

  Next, the content information management unit 103 acquires the current time, calculates the recording elapsed time for each detected content information (step S337), and sets all the detected content information in ascending order of the calculated recording elapsed time. Rearrangement is performed to generate a list of content information (step S339), and the generated list of content information is output to the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S341).

The content prediction selection unit 107 acquires a list of content information from the content information management unit 103 (step S341), and based on the acquired list, determines the content with the shortest elapsed recording time as the predicted content (step S343). .
1.4 Summary As described above, the receiver 100 of the present invention predicts the operating status of the resources of each device constituting the home network system 1, and further reproduces the content stored in each device. Predicted content (predicted content) that is likely to be performed.

If it is predicted that the processing load of a specific device will increase due to these predictions, the predicted content stored in that device is moved to another device before the high load time period.
With the receiver 100 having such a configuration, an in-home network system capable of effectively using the equipment resources of the entire in-home network system and avoiding an increase in processing load on specific equipment in the in-home network system is provided. realizable.

In addition, by moving the content as described above under the control of the movement control unit of the receiver 100, the functions of each device existing on the home network system can be mutually utilized among a plurality of devices, and the content of the user can be Respond flexibly to playback requests.
In addition, since the predicted content is selected in consideration of the user's hobbies and preferences, the content after moving is played back, and as a result, the probability of succeeding in reducing the processing load of the device from which the predicted content is moved is increased. Can do.
1.5 Modification regarding Embodiment 1 The following cases are also included in the present invention in Embodiment 1.

(1) In the first embodiment, the content movement process for reducing the processing load on the prediction target day is performed in the early morning (3 o'clock) of the prediction target day. However, as described above, the content movement process When to do is arbitrary.
Here, when the content movement process for reducing the processing load is performed before the prediction target date, the calculation of the movable time zone and the determination of whether or not the current time is included in the movable time are Without confirming, simply check whether the other device can execute the content transfer, and if possible, immediately output a request indicating the content transfer request. The operation status of the counterpart device may be confirmed and a request may be output. In this case, the movement control unit 109 acquires the current date from the internal clock at the beginning of the above-described content movement control, and calculates the date of the prediction target date based on the acquired current date. In determining whether or not the movement of the predicted content ends before the start of the maximum impossible time period (steps S239 to S241 in FIG. 20), the determination is made in consideration of the calculated date.

(2) Alternatively, in addition to the maximum load time zone table 600 for predicting the operation status of each device on the prediction target date, the load time zone table and the maximum load time zone table on the date (movement execution date) for performing content transfer processing Based on the above, a movable time zone may be calculated to determine whether or not the current time is included in the movable time zone.
The load time zone table and the maximum load time zone table of the movement execution date may be newly generated at this time, or the processing related to the reduction of the processing load of each device on the movement execution date may be performed before the movement execution date. You may leave what was generated when you went.
(3) In the first embodiment, the predicted content is selected based on the content genre, but at least one of the metadata indicating the title and series information of the content and the elapsed recording time of the content is used. The predicted content may be predicted. In particular, in the case of content such as dramas where the story can be understood by continuously playing, it is not predicted from the shortest recording elapsed time, but is selected as the predicted content from the unrecorded and the longest recording elapsed time .

  Further, when there is metadata (Related Material) in which related contents are listed and described as metadata given to the predicted content, not only the predicted content but also the related content moves as a set. For example, when a specific travel program (Japan: Kyoto) is selected as predicted content, when travel program 1 (Japan: Nara) and travel program 2 (Japan: Kobe) are described in the metadata of the predicted content, If the travel program 1 and the travel program 2 exist in the movement source device, they are moved as a set with the predicted content.

  (4) In the first embodiment, the content prediction selection unit 107 detects the genre of the content having the largest number of reproductions (maximum number of reproductions genre) based on the genre reproduction number list shown in FIG. Predicted content is determined from unreproduced content belonging to the genre with the largest number of times of reproduction. However, as already described, the selection criteria for the predicted content are not limited to this. As an example, an example using the reproduction rate will be described below.

  The reproduction count list 400 by genre shown in FIG. 9 includes not only the reproduction count for each genre but also the reproduction rate. The content prediction selection unit 107 holds a predetermined threshold and specifies a genre (high reproduction rate genre) whose reproduction rate exceeds the threshold. Two or more reproduction rate genres may be specified. For example, when the threshold is 45%, the reproduction rate of the genre “drama” is 45%, and the reproduction rate of the genre “variety” is 48%, “drama” and “variety” correspond to the high reproduction rate genre.

Thereafter, the content prediction / selection unit 107 generates a request using the high playback rate genre as a search condition instead of the most frequently generated genre, and outputs the request to the content information management unit 103.
(5) In addition, the movement control unit 109 receives the file size of the predicted content from the content prediction selection unit 107, and based on the received file size, the maximum load time period in which the movement of the predicted content is a reduction target It is determined whether or not to end by the start time.

However, the following may be used instead.
The content prediction selection unit 107 calculates the upper limit of the data size that can be transferred before the start of the maximum load time period by multiplying the communication speed by the time from the current time to the start time of the maximum load time period.
Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 acquires a list according to the procedure described in the first embodiment, and from the list, the content whose file size is equal to or less than the calculated upper limit value and whose elapsed time after recording is the shortest Is identified as the predicted content.

(6) In the first embodiment, in the maximum load time zone on the designated day of the week (specifically, seven days before the prediction target day), the most frequently used genre to which the most content belongs is reproduced. Although the viewing frequency genre is set, the method for determining the most viewed frequency genre is not limited to the above method.
For example, the number of playbacks by genre is counted for all content played back on a specified day of the week without specifying a time zone, and the genre corresponding to the highest number of playbacks as the coefficient is the highest playback number genre. good.

Furthermore, the most frequently played genre may be determined for all reproduction history information without specifying a period such as a day of the week.
In addition to the playback history of the recorded content, the viewing history of the broadcast program may be taken into account. In this case, the content predicting / selecting unit 107 counts the number of times of reproduction (or display) for each genre for the broadcast content and the recorded content viewed by the user, and specifies the most frequently used genre (most frequently viewed genre). Instead of the most frequently played genre, the most viewed genre is used.

(7) In the above embodiment, the maximum load time zone in which the number of operating device resources is maximized has been set as the target time zone for reducing the processing load of the device. However, it is not limited to this standard, and the time zone in which the number of operating device resources is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold and the time zone in which the percentage of operating resources is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold are the time zones to be reduced. It is also good.
2. Embodiment 2
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
2.1 Configuration of Home Network System The home network system according to the second embodiment is formed by connecting a plurality of devices to each other via a wired LAN, similarly to the home network system 1 of the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, these devices (hereinafter referred to as receivers as in the first embodiment) exchange device metadata with each other. The processing load time zone is specified, and content movement processing is performed in advance so that the processing load is not concentrated on a specific device. Also in the present embodiment, since each device includes common components, all devices are collectively referred to as a receiver as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the receiver according to the present embodiment uses the electronic program guide information (EPG) of the broadcast service before the content moving process to determine whether or not the content moving process is necessary for reducing the processing load. Specifically, the user's favorite genre is estimated, and during a time period when many programs belonging to the user's favorite genre are broadcast, the user broadcasts more than the content stored in the digital video recorder. Since it is considered that the program is viewed, it is determined that the movement of the content is unnecessary. On the contrary, during a time period when programs belonging to the user's favorite genre are not broadcast so much, it is considered that the user views the content stored in the digital video recorder rather than the broadcast program. Judge that it is necessary.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the receiver in the second embodiment will be described. However, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the characteristic portions of the second embodiment.
2.2 Configuration of Receiver Each device configuring the home network system according to the present embodiment is also provided with the same components. Here, a receiver including these overlapping components will be described. Note that the receiver of this embodiment also has the same configuration as that of the receiver of Embodiment 1, and will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the receiver 100 according to the second embodiment includes a device function acquisition unit 101, an information transmission / reception unit 102, a content information management unit 103, a reproduction history management unit 104, an operation history management unit 105, and a device function management unit. 106, a content prediction / selection unit 107, a device load prediction unit 108, and a movement control unit 109, which are the above-described overlapping components.
The device function acquisition unit 101, the information transmission / reception unit 102, the reproduction history management unit 104, the operation history management unit 105, the device function management unit 106, and the device load prediction unit 108 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

The content information management unit 103, the content prediction selection unit 107, and the movement control unit 109, which are characteristic parts of the receiver 100 according to the second embodiment, will be described below.
(1) Content information management unit 103
The content information management unit 103 holds the content information management table 300 as in the case of the first embodiment, and receives various information from the content information management table 300 in response to a request from the content prediction selection unit 107. Extracted and edited and output to the content prediction selection unit 107.

In addition to this, the content information management unit 103 periodically acquires and stores an EPG related to the broadcast received by the receiver 100.
The EPG includes program information related to a program scheduled to be broadcast for about two weeks on each channel. Specifically, each piece of program information includes a name of a program content scheduled to be broadcast, an identifier (crid), a scheduled broadcast date, broadcast time zone information, a genre, a description, and the like.

The content information management unit 103 receives a request including a search condition and a reception condition from the content prediction selection unit 107, detects program information corresponding to the received detection condition, and processes the detected program information according to the reception condition. The processed program information is output.
Here, a specific example of a request received by the content information management unit 103 in the second embodiment will be described.

The content information management unit 103 receives a quest including a scheduled broadcast date = “prediction target date”, a broadcast time zone = “maximum load time zone information” as a search condition, and a reception condition {genre}. (The prediction target date is a date that is subject to device load prediction and processing load reduction, as in the first embodiment.)
Upon receiving this request, the content information management unit 103, in the stored EPG, program information that matches the search condition, that is, the scheduled broadcast date that matches the “prediction target date” and at least a part of the maximum load time. Program information including broadcast time zone information indicating a broadcast time zone overlapping with the zone is detected, and a genre included in the detected program information is extracted.

Next, the content information management unit 103 outputs the extracted genre to the content prediction selection unit 107.
(2) Content prediction selection unit 107
The content prediction selection unit 107 has a function of determining whether or not content movement processing is necessary in order to reduce the processing load of devices belonging to the home network system in a predetermined time zone on the prediction target date, in addition to selection of prediction content. .

Hereinafter, the function of the content prediction selection unit 107 will be described.
Similar to the first embodiment, the content prediction selection unit 107 receives a content prediction instruction including a device identifier and a maximum load time period from the movement control unit 109.
When the content prediction instruction is received, a request is output to the content information management unit 103 and the reproduction history management unit 104 in the same procedure as in the first embodiment, the genre of the reproduced content is acquired, and the number of reproductions for each genre is obtained. Count.

Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 identifies the genre with the largest number of reproductions (maximum number of reproductions genre) and the genre with the smallest number of reproductions (minimum number of reproductions genre).
Subsequently, the content prediction selection unit 107 acquires the current date from the internal clock. Here, in the second embodiment as well, it is assumed that the date for processing load reduction is the same as the date for executing content movement for processing load reduction, as in the first embodiment. The current date acquired here corresponds to the “prediction target date” described above.

Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 generates a request including the scheduled broadcast date = “prediction target date”, the broadcast time zone = “maximum load time zone information” as the search condition, and the reception condition {genre}. The generated request is output to the content information management unit 103.
Subsequently, the content prediction selection unit 107 receives from the content information management unit 103 the program content corresponding to the search condition, that is, the genre of the content scheduled to be broadcast in the maximum load time zone on the prediction target day.

Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 counts the scheduled number of broadcasts for each genre based on the received one or more genres. From the counted scheduled number of broadcasts, the scheduled number of broadcasts of the genre with the largest number of reproduction times and the scheduled number of broadcasts of the genre with the minimum number of reproductions are extracted and compared.
When the scheduled number of broadcasts in the genre with the largest number of playbacks ≦ the scheduled number of broadcasts in the genre with the minimum number of playbacks, the content prediction selection unit 107 receives unreproduced content from the playback history management unit 104 as in the procedure described in the first embodiment. And a list in which the content information related to the content belonging to the reproduction number genre that has not been reproduced and bloomed is sorted in ascending order of the elapsed recording time is acquired from the content information management unit 103. Based on the acquired list, the grid indicating the content having the shortest recording elapsed time is selected as the grid indicating the predicted content.

On the other hand, in the case where the scheduled number of broadcasts of the genre with the largest number of playbacks> the scheduled number of broadcasts of the genre with the minimum number of playbacks, that is, when many programs belonging to the genre that the user likes to watch are broadcast on the designated scheduled broadcast date, Instead of selecting the predicted content, the migration control unit 109 is notified that the content migration process for reducing the processing load is unnecessary.
It should be noted that the method / determination criteria for determining whether or not the content transfer processing is necessary is an example, and other determination methods / determination criteria are used depending on the intention of the receiver 100 producer or the user of the home network system. May be. As an example, a predetermined threshold value is stored, and if the scheduled number of broadcasts of the most frequently generated genre is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the content movement process is unnecessary, and if it is less than the threshold value, the content movement process is performed. Judge that it is necessary.

(3) Movement control unit 109
Similar to the first embodiment, the movement control unit 109 is a functional unit that controls the movement of content in order to reduce the processing load on the device indicated by the device identifier included in the maximum load time zone table 600.
As in the first embodiment, a content prediction instruction including a device identifier and maximum load time zone information is output to the content prediction selection unit 107. In response to this, the content prediction / selection unit 107 receives a notification content crid and file size, or a notification that content migration processing is unnecessary.

When receiving the predicted content's grid and file size, the movement control unit 109 controls the movement of the content in the same manner as the movement control unit 109 of the first embodiment.
When notified from the content prediction sorting unit 107 that content movement processing is unnecessary, the processing related to the maximum load time zone information included in the content prediction instruction is stopped, and the next maximum load time zone information Move on to processing.
2.3 Operation Hereinafter, the operation of the receiver 100 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the necessity determination of the processing load reduction and the selection of the predicted content, which are characteristic parts of the present embodiment, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

The content prediction selection unit 107 acquires the genre of the content reproduced in the maximum load time zone on the specified day of the week according to the content prediction instruction from the movement control unit 109 (step S361). The details of this processing are the same as the processing in steps S301 to S316 (see FIG. 21) described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 calculates the number of reproductions for each genre by counting the acquired genres (step S362). Subsequently, the genre with the largest number of reproductions (the genre with the largest number of reproductions) and the genre with the smallest number of reproductions (the genre with the smallest number of reproductions) are specified (step S363).

Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 generates a request including the scheduled broadcast date = “prediction target date” and the broadcast time zone = “maximum load time zone information” as the search conditions, and the reception condition {genre}. (Step S364), the generated request is output to the content information management unit 103 (step S366).
The content information management unit 103 receives a request from the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S366), analyzes the received acquisition request, and extracts designated search conditions and reception conditions (step S367). The content information management unit 103 broadcasts the program information corresponding to the extracted search condition in the stored EPG, that is, the broadcast scheduled date “prediction target date”, and overlaps with the maximum load time zone (or part of it). The program information including the time zone is detected, and the genre included in the detected program information is extracted (step S369). Subsequently, the content information management unit 103 outputs the extracted genre to the content prediction selection unit 107 (step S371).

The content prediction / selection unit 107 acquires the genre of the program content corresponding to the search condition and the reception condition specified from the content information management unit 103 (step S371), counts the acquired genre, and belongs to the genre for each genre. The number of scheduled broadcasts of the content is calculated (step S372).
Next, the content predicting / selecting unit 107 extracts the scheduled broadcast count of the content of the genre with the highest playback count and the scheduled broadcast count of the content with the genre of the minimum playback count from the calculated scheduled broadcast count for each genre, and compares the two. (Step S373).

  As a result of comparison, if the scheduled number of broadcasts of the content of the genre with the largest number of playbacks ≦ the scheduled number of broadcasts of the content of the genre with the minimum number of playbacks (YES in step S373), then, The content having the shortest recording elapsed time is selected as the predicted content (step S374). The details of this process are the same as steps S322 to S343 (see FIGS. 22 and 23) described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As a result of the comparison, if the scheduled broadcast count of the content of the genre with the highest generation count> the scheduled broadcast count of the genre with the minimum playback count (NO in step S373), it is not necessary to move the content to reduce the processing load. The movement control unit 109 is notified (step S376).
2.4 Summary Regarding the operation of the receiver 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the content information management unit 103 is not only the bibliographic information of the recorded content of the home network system but also the electronic program guide information of the broadcast service received by the device. (EPG) is acquired and managed.

  As a timing for reproducing the content recorded by the user, there may be a case where the content of the broadcast service does not attract the user's interest. In such a case, since the user tries to play back the previously recorded content, access to the normal broadcast service does not occur, the number of HDD read resources is greater than that of the Tuner resource, and the HDD processing is performed. There may be cases where the load becomes excessive.

  Therefore, the content prediction selection unit 107 uses the electronic program guide (EPG) information of the broadcast service managed by the content information management unit 103 and the playback history table 320 managed by the playback history management unit 104 to use the home network system. When it is determined that a large number of contents of a genre with a small number of reproductions are broadcast on the above device, the predicted contents are selected from the recorded contents in advance. Specifically, in the present embodiment, content that belongs to a genre with a large number of playbacks, has not been played back, and has a short elapsed time since recording is selected as predicted content. By moving the selected predicted content to another device, it is possible to flexibly respond to the user's content reproduction operation request and prepare for not concentrating the load on a specific device.

On the other hand, when a large number of genre contents with a large number of playbacks are broadcast on the devices on the home network system, the user views the broadcast contents, so the number of HDD read resources is considered to be reduced. Therefore, in such a case, it is possible to cancel the selection of the predicted content and the movement of the content, and to avoid unnecessary content movement processing.

3. Embodiment 3
The home network system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described below.
3.1 Outline of Network System The home network system according to the second embodiment is also formed by connecting a plurality of devices to each other via a wired LAN, similarly to the home network system 1 of the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, these devices exchange device metadata with each other, perform prediction content selection and maximum processing load time zone specification based on the device metadata, and process the specific device. Content movement processing is performed in advance so that the load is not concentrated. In the present embodiment, each device includes many common components. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, these devices are collectively called a receiver.

In the present embodiment, when determining the content to be moved (predicted content), the source device (the device that is the target of processing load reduction; hereinafter referred to as the reduction target device if necessary) And the maximum processing load time interval of the destination device (hereinafter referred to as the destination device if necessary) and the reproduction time of the content.
In other words, assuming that playback is performed on the destination device during the maximum processing load time zone of the device to be reduced, the length of content that can be played back is predicted before the maximum unavailable time zone of the destination device starts. Sort as content.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the receiver according to the second embodiment will be described, but the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the characteristic points of the third embodiment.
3.2 Configuration of Receiver Each device configuring the home network system of the present embodiment is also provided with the same components. Here, a receiver including these overlapping components will be described. Note that the receiver of this embodiment also has the same configuration as the receiver of Embodiment 1, and will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the receiver 100 according to Embodiment 3 includes a device function acquisition unit 101, an information transmission / reception unit 102, a content information management unit 103, a playback history management unit 104, an operation history management unit 105, and a device function management unit. 106, a content prediction / selection unit 107, a device load prediction unit 108, and a movement control unit 109, which are the above-described overlapping components.
The device function acquisition unit 101, the information transmission / reception unit 102, the reproduction history management unit 104, the operation history management unit 105, the device function management unit 106, and the device load prediction unit 108 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, the content information management unit 103, the content prediction selection unit 107, and the movement control unit 109, which are characteristic parts of the receiver 100 according to Embodiment 3, will be described.
(1) Content information management unit 103
Similar to the first embodiment, the content information management unit 103 stores the content information management table 300, receives a request from the content prediction selection unit 107, and corresponds to the search condition and the reception condition included in the received request. Data to be extracted from the content information management table 300 and output to the content prediction selection unit 107.

Here, a specific example of a request received by the content information management unit 103 from the content prediction selection unit 107 in the present embodiment will be described.
The content information management unit 103 uses the recording destination identifier = “DVR — 01”, crid = “crid of unreproduced content”, genre = “most played genre”, playback time ≦ “ A request including “playable time” and “sorting in ascending order of recording elapsed time” as a reception condition is received. The “reproducible time” is a time estimated to be available for reproduction of the predicted content in the destination device. Details of the reproducible time will be described later.

Upon receiving this request, the content information management unit 103 matches one of the recording destination identifier “DVR — 01”, the genre “most played count genre”, and the crid of unplayed content from the content information management table 300 according to the search condition. Content information including a playback time that is less than or equal to the playable time is detected.
Next, the content information management unit 103 calculates a recording elapsed time for each detected content information, and generates a list in which the detected content information is rearranged in order from the shortest recording elapsed time. The generated list is output to the content prediction selection unit 107.

(2) Content prediction selection unit 107
Similar to the first embodiment, the content prediction / selection unit 107 controls the content information management unit 103 and the reproduction history management unit 104 so that the user frequently views the content stored in the device identifier. It has a function of selecting content that belongs to a genre and has a playback time shorter than the playable time and a shorter recording elapsed time as a predicted content.

  In the present embodiment, the content prediction selection unit 107 receives a content prediction instruction including a device identifier, maximum load time zone information, and playable time. Upon receiving this content prediction instruction, the content prediction selection unit 107 outputs a request to the content information management unit 103 and the reproduction history management unit 104 in the same procedure as in the first embodiment, and from the data received as a response to the request , Specify the genre with the highest number of playbacks. Also, the grid of the unreproduced content is acquired.

  Next, the content prediction selection unit 107 uses, as search conditions, the recording destination identifier = “device identifier included in the content prediction instruction”, genre = “most played count genre”, crid = “crid of unplayed content”, playback time. A request including “reproducible time” and “sorted in ascending order of elapsed time” as a reception condition is generated and output to the content information management unit 103.

  Subsequently, the content prediction selection unit 107 is stored in a list of content information satisfying the search condition and the reception condition, that is, stored in the device indicated by the device identifier included in the content prediction instruction, has not been reproduced, A list generated by sorting content information that belongs to the genre of reproduction counts and content corresponding to content whose reproduction time is less than or equal to the reproducible time in ascending order of elapsed recording time is acquired.

Next, the top content information in the acquired list, that is, content information with the shortest recording elapsed time is specified, and the grid and file size included in the specified content information are output to the movement control unit 109.
(3) Movement control unit 109
The movement control unit 109 acquires the maximum load time zone of each device constituting the home network system, specifies the condition that the predicted content should satisfy from the acquired maximum load time zone of each device, and presents the specified condition The function unit instructs the content prediction / selection unit 107 to predict the content and moves the predicted content.

Here, the condition that the predicted content should satisfy is that, when played back in the maximum load time zone of the reduction target device, the playback can be finished before the maximum load time zone of the destination device starts.
Hereinafter, the movement control unit 109 will be described.
The movement control unit 109 receives the maximum load time zone table 600 from the device load prediction unit 108. When the maximum load time zone table 600 is received, the device identifier included in the received maximum load time zone table 600 is read.

Hereinafter, a case where the device identifier “DVR — 01” included in the maximum time zone information 621 is read will be described. Here, the device indicated by the read device identifier corresponds to a reduction target device whose processing load due to the movement of content is to be reduced.
For each maximum load time zone information included in the maximum load time zone information 609 corresponding to the reduction target device, the movement control unit 109
(3-1) Confirmation of overlap between the maximum load time zone of the destination device and the reduction target time zone (3-2) Processing for calculating the reproduction permission time, and reduction in the maximum load time zone indicated by each maximum load time zone information In order to reduce the processing load on the target device, the optimum prediction content condition is detected, and a content prediction instruction including the detected condition is output to the content prediction selection unit 107.

Hereinafter, (3-1) identification of a destination device and confirmation of duplication of the maximum load time zone, and (3-2) calculation of a reproduction permission time will be described.
(3-1) Identification of destination device and confirmation of duplication of maximum load time zone The movement control unit 109 reads 1 maximum load time zone information to be processed. For convenience of explanation, the maximum load time zone information read here is referred to as reduction target time zone information, and the maximum load time zone indicated by the reduction target time zone information is referred to as a reduction target time zone.

  Next, the movement control unit 109 identifies a destination device having a function capable of taking charge of the processing of the reduction target device. Specifically, the movement control unit 109 stores a list of device identifiers indicating devices equipped with HDDs, and reads and reads device identifiers indicating devices other than the reduction target device from the list. The device indicated by the device identifier is the destination device. The list may be acquired from the device yesterday management unit 106.

Here, the digital video recorder 205 with the device identifier “DVR — 02” corresponds to the destination device. In FIG. 1, only two digital video recorders are shown, but when the home network system includes a large number of digital video recorders, the destination device is determined according to a predetermined priority order. To do.
Next, the movement control unit 109 checks whether or not the maximum load time zone of the device identifier “DVR — 02” indicating the destination device overlaps with the reduction target time zone. Specifically, the movement control unit 109 searches the maximum load time zone table 600 for the maximum time zone information including the device identifier “DVR — 02” and each maximum load time zone information constituting the detected maximum time zone information 602. And the reduction target time zone information are compared to determine whether or not the reduction target time zone overlaps the maximum load time zone indicated by the maximum load time zone information.

If there is a maximum load time zone of the movement destination device that overlaps with the reduction target time zone, the movement control unit 109 stops the following process (3-2) and the next maximum time zone information Move on to processing.
If there are two or more devices such as a digital video recorder that can handle the reduction target device on the home network system, the processing of (3-1) is performed again with another device as the movement destination device. I do.

(3-2) Calculation of playback permission time When there is no overlap with the reduction target time zone among the maximum load time zones of the movement destination device, the movement control unit 109 then proceeds to the maximum time corresponding to the movement destination device. The processing start time of each maximum time zone information included in the zone information 602 is compared with the end time of the reduction target time zone, and the maximum time zone information including the processing start time after the reduction target time is selected. Next, the maximum load time zone information including the earliest processing start time among the selected maximum load time zone information is specified. The maximum load time zone information specified here indicates the maximum load time zone that is after the reduction target time and closest to the reduction target time in the maximum time zone information corresponding to the movement destination device.

Next, the start time of the reduction target time zone is subtracted from the processing start time of the specified maximum load time zone information, and the time from the end of the reduction target time zone to the start of the maximum load time zone indicated by the specified time zone information ( Hereinafter, this is referred to as “playable time”.
Here, when the maximum time zone information corresponding to the movement destination device is not detected, that is, when the movement destination device does not have the maximum load time on the prediction target date, the reproducible time is set to a sufficiently large value (for example, , Here 24 hours).

Next, the movement control unit 109 outputs a content prediction instruction including the device identifier “DVR — 01” indicating the reduction target device, the reduction target time zone information, and the calculated playable time to the content prediction selection unit 107.
Subsequently, the movement control unit 109 receives the predicted content crisis and file size from the content prediction selection unit 107. Upon receipt of these, the movement control unit 109 confirms whether the current time is included in the movable time zone and whether the received content can be transferred by the start of the reduction target time zone, as in the first embodiment. After that, a request indicating the movement of the content indicated by the received grid is generated, and the generated request is output to the movement control unit 109 of the counterpart device (reduction target device and destination device).
3.3 Specific example of specifying conditions to be satisfied by the predicted content The following are specific examples of the maximum load time zone and the reduction target time zone of the destination device,
A specific example of specifying conditions to be satisfied by the predicted content will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 26A shows the number of device resources of the reduction target device predicted to be operating at each time on the prediction target date. Here, the time zone from time T21 to T22 in which the number of device resources predicted to be operating reaches Rmax is the reduction target time zone.
FIGS. 26B to 26D illustrate the number of device resources that are predicted to be operating in each time zone of the movement destination device. The horizontal axes of FIGS. 26 (a), (b), (c) and (d) match. Assume that Rmax = 5 for both the reduction target device and the destination device.

(1) When there is a maximum load time zone that overlaps with the reduction target time zone FIG. 26B shows the number of device resources of the destination device predicted to be operating at each time on the prediction target date. Yes. Time T23 to T24 is the maximum load time zone in the movement destination device. Time T23 indicates a time point after time T21 and before time T22. Therefore, the reduction target time zone and the maximum load time zone overlap at times T23 to T22. Note that the mode of overlap between the reduction target time zone and the maximum load time zone of the destination device is not limited to the mode shown in FIG.

  In such a case, even if the predicted content is moved to the destination device to reduce the processing load of the reduction target device in the reduction target time zone, the processing load of the reduction target device is high because the processing load of the destination device is high. There is a high possibility that it cannot be sufficiently reduced. In addition, since the processing of the mitigation target device is performed, there is a high possibility that the processing requested for the movement destination device will fail. Therefore, the movement control unit 109 does not move the content to the movement target device in order to reduce the processing load of the reduction target device in the reduction target time zone.

(2) When the reduction target time zone and the maximum load time zone do not overlap FIG. 26C shows the number of device resources of the destination device predicted to be operating at each time on the prediction target date. . Here, time T26 to T27, time T28 to T29, and time T30 to T31 are the maximum load time zones of the movement target device. The time T27 points to a time point before the time T21, the time T28 points to a time point after the time T22, and any maximum load time zone does not overlap with the reduction target time zone. In this case, the reproducible time calculated by the movement control unit 109 is the time from time T22 to time T28.

  The predicted content is content that is presumed that the user desires to view in the reduction target time zone. Since the predicted time zone and the predicted content are only estimated based on the past history, the time when the user starts viewing may be before the reduction target time zone, or the reduction target time zone. Although it may be included, at least a part of the time zone in which the predicted content is reproduced and the reduction target time zone are considered to overlap. That is, it is considered that the playback start time of the predicted content is at the latest before time T22.

Therefore, if the reproduction time of the predicted content is equal to or less than the time from time T22 to time T28, the reproduction of the prediction content is estimated to end by the start time T28 of the maximum load time zone (T28 to T29) of the movement destination device. Is done.
Therefore, the movement control unit 109 calculates the reproducible time by subtracting the time T22 from the time T28, outputs a request including the calculated reproducible time, and the content predicting / selecting unit 107 determines that the replay time is less than the reproducible time. A certain content is selected as a predicted content.

(3) When there is no maximum load time zone corresponding to the movement destination device FIG. 26D shows the number of device resources of the movement destination device predicted to be operating at each time on the prediction target day. Yes. Here, there is no time zone in which the number of device resources predicted to be operating among the device resources of the destination device reaches Rmax.
In such a case, the movement destination device can take charge of the reduction target device in any time zone. Therefore, unlike the case (2) above, it is not necessary to consider the conditions regarding the reproduction time of the predicted content. Therefore, the movement control unit 109 sets a sufficiently long time (for example, 24 hours) as the reproducible time.
3.4 Operation The operation of receiver 100 in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Content Movement Control Operation FIGS. 27 to 29 are flowcharts showing the content movement control operation. The operation of content movement control by the movement control unit 109 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The movement control unit 109 receives the maximum load time zone table 600 from the device load prediction unit 108 (step S381). Next, the movement control unit 109 tries to read the device identifier from the received maximum load time zone table 600 (step S383). If all the device identifiers included in the maximum load time zone table 600 have already been read (YES in step S386), the movement control unit 109 ends the content movement control operation.

  If reading of all device identifiers has not been completed yet (NO in step S386), in steps S387 to S413, the movement control unit 109 determines the maximum time period including the read device identifier (indicating the reduction target device). The processing of step S388 to step S412 is repeated for each of the maximum load time zone information constituting the information. By repeating this, content movement for reducing the processing load in each maximum load time zone of the reduction target device is performed.

First, one maximum load time zone information (reduction target time zone information) is read out from the maximum time zone information including the read device identifier (step S388). Next, the destination device is specified (step S389).
Next, the movement control unit 109 searches the maximum load time zone table 600 for the maximum time zone information corresponding to the destination device (step S391). When the corresponding maximum time zone information is detected (YES in step S393), the movement control unit 109 subsequently overlaps the reduction target time zone from the maximum load time zone information included in the detected maximum time zone information. The maximum load time zone information indicating the time zone is searched (step S394). If the corresponding maximum load time zone information is detected (YES in step S396) and the destination device can be changed (YES in step S397), the destination device is changed to another device and step S389 is performed. Return to.

If the destination device cannot be changed (NO in step S397), the process returns to step S388, and the process proceeds to the next maximum load time zone information.
In step S396, when the maximum load time zone information indicating the time zone overlapping with the reduction target time zone is not detected (NO in step S396), the movement control unit 109 displays the maximum time zone information corresponding to the destination device. Among the maximum load time zone information to be configured, the maximum load time zone information starting after the end time of the reduction target time zone and indicating the maximum load time zone nearest to the reduction target time zone is specified (step S401). Subsequently, the movement control unit 109 generates a reproducible time by subtracting the end time of the reduction target time zone from the start time of the specified maximum load time zone (step S402).

If the maximum time zone information corresponding to the destination device is not detected in step S393 (NO in step S393), “24 hours” is substituted for the reproducible time (step S403).
Next, the movement control unit 109 generates a content prediction instruction including the device identifier indicating the reduction target device, the reduction target time zone information, and the reproducible time (step S404), and the generated content prediction instruction is the content prediction. It outputs to the selection part 107 (step S406).

  The content prediction selection unit 107 receives the content prediction instruction from the movement control unit 109, and can be reproduced in the reduction target time zone among the content stored in the device indicated by the device identifier included in the received content prediction instruction. A content having a high probability and having a reproduction time equal to or shorter than the reproducible time is selected as a predicted content (step S407). The operation of selecting predicted content by the content prediction selecting unit 107 is substantially the same as the operation of selecting predicted content described in the first embodiment. In step S331, the operation is the same as the operation shown in FIGS. 21 to 23 except that the search condition includes reproduction time ≦ “reproducible time”, and thus the description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

The content prediction selection unit 107 outputs the grid indicating the predicted content and the file size of the predicted content to the movement control unit 109 (step S409).
The movement control unit 109 receives the crid indicating the predicted content and the file size of the predicted content from the content prediction selection unit 107. Upon receiving these, the movement control unit 109 calculates a movable time zone using the maximum load time zone table 600 and the load time zone table corresponding to each of the reduction target device and the movement target device (step S411). .

  Subsequently, the movement control unit 109 takes into account the mitigation target device and the movement destination so that the movement of the prediction content is completed before the mitigation target time period starts, taking into account the movable time zone, the movement time of the prediction content, and the like. A request is made to move the predicted content to the device (step S412). Details of step S412 are the same as steps S234 to S252 of FIG. 20 described in the first embodiment.

When the repetition of step S387 to step S413 ends, the movement control unit 109 returns to step S383 and tries to read the next device identifier.
3.5 Summary As described above, in the third embodiment, the movement control unit 109 determines whether the maximum load time zone of the reduction target device and the maximum load time zone of the destination device overlap, and both The playable time is calculated in consideration of the time interval.

The content prediction / selection unit 107 is content that is predicted to be viewed by the user in the reduction target time zone among the content held by the reduction target device, and whose playback time is equal to or shorter than the playable time. As the predicted content.
In this way, the movement control unit 109 determines the time condition to be satisfied by the predicted content in consideration of the device resource operating state of the destination device, so that the device resource of each device can be used effectively. As a result, it is possible to improve the number of successful playbacks in response to a playback request by the user.
4). Embodiment 4
Hereinafter, a home network system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
4.1 Outline of Home Network System As in the first embodiment, the home network system is configured by connecting a plurality of devices such as a digital video recorder and a digital television to each other via a wired LAN. Hereinafter, a home network system according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 used in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the digital video recorders 204 and 205 store content acquired from the outside and usage right information (hereinafter referred to as a license) corresponding to each content. The digital televisions 201, 202, 203,... Obtain a license from the digital video recorder, subsequently acquire content by streaming transfer, decode the acquired streaming using the license, and reproduce it. When playback is completed, the license is returned to the digital video recorder.

The license is purchased together with each content by the user's operation and recorded in the digital video recorder 204 or 205. The license can be moved in the home network system, but cannot be copied. Therefore, while any one of the devices holds the license, other devices cannot use the license.
Each device constituting the home network system stores bind information indicating the location of the license corresponding to the content. When the license moves from the digital video recorder that holds the content to the digital television that tries to play back the content, both rewrite the binding information that they hold.

  As described in the first embodiment, each device transmits / receives metadata to / from other devices. At that time, each device also transmits / receives the binding information together, and each device holds the binding held by itself. Rewrite information to the latest contents. The binding information may be transmitted and received periodically, or a device that has changed the binding information held by itself may distribute the latest binding information to other devices every time it is changed.

  Each device in the home network system refers to the binding information indicating the location of the license, identifies the device holding the license, the identified device is powered off, the device is not connected to the network, etc. If the license cannot be acquired due to the above reason, the user is informed that the communication with the specified device cannot be performed promptly and the coping method. Furthermore, each device stores arrangement information of each device constituting the in-home network system, and at the time of the above-mentioned presentation, the device arrangement information (power supply) is indicated to the user by indicating the arrangement information of the specified device. To turn on, connect a LAN cable, etc.). In this way, the reason for the reproduction failure can be quickly resolved.

In this embodiment, as an example, the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” and the digital television 201 indicated by the device identifier “DTV — 01” are the living room on the first floor, and the digital television 202 indicated by the device identifier “DTV — 02” is In the child room on the second floor, the digital video recorder 205 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 02” and the digital television 203 indicated by the device identifier “DTV — 03” are respectively installed in the study.
4.2 Configuration of Digital Video Recorders 204 and 205 The configuration of the digital video recorder 204 configuring the home network system will be described below with reference to FIG. Since the configuration of the digital video recorder 205 is the same, only the digital video recorder 204 will be described here.

  FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital video recorder 204. As shown in FIG. 30, the digital video recorder 204 includes an information transmission / reception unit 702, a device function acquisition unit 701, a device function management unit 706, a content information management unit 703, and a content storage unit 710. Although not shown, the digital video recorder 204 includes a playback history management unit, an operation history management unit, a content prediction selection unit, a device load prediction unit, a movement control unit, and a broadcast service reception unit described in Embodiment 1. Although a communication service control unit, a management function unit, a recording unit, and the like are provided, only the function units related to the features of the present embodiment are described here.

Specifically, the digital video recorder 204 is a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The digital video recorder 204 achieves a part of its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.
(1) Information transmission / reception unit 702
As described in the first embodiment, the information transmission / reception unit 702 transmits and receives various control signals including a device metadata acquisition request and a device metadata acquisition response between the device function acquisition unit 701 and the external device. Do.

In addition, the information transmission / reception unit 702 transmits / receives various control signals and content between the content information management unit 703 and the external device. Here, the control signal includes a command for requesting transfer of the above-mentioned license, its response, a content acquisition request, and the like.
Although not described in the first to third embodiments, the information transmission / reception unit 702 detects that the main power supply of another device is turned on via the LAN cable, and turns the digital video recorder 204 on. Notify each component. The detection method conforms to the UPnP device architecture.

(2) Content storage unit 710
The content storage unit 710 includes a hard disk, and outputs stored content and writes new content according to instructions from the content information management unit 703.
Each content stored in the content storage unit 710 is an encrypted digital work generated by encrypting a digital work such as a broadcast program or a movie.

(3) Device function acquisition unit 701
Similar to the device function acquisition unit 101 described in the first embodiment, the device function acquisition unit 701 transmits / receives device metadata to / from other devices periodically or upon request from each management unit. I do.
In the present embodiment, the device metadata that the device function acquisition unit 701 transmits / receives to / from other devices includes bind information corresponding to each content.

(4) Device function management unit 706
The device function management unit 706 stores a device function table in the same manner as the device function management unit 106 described in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, each piece of device function information constituting the device function table includes arrangement information of the corresponding device. The arrangement information indicates a place where each device constituting the home network system is installed, and is input by the user when each device is added to the network.

For example, the device function information corresponding to the digital television 201 includes arrangement information “2F child room”.
(5) Content information management unit 703
Similar to the first embodiment, the content information management unit 703 stores a content information management table composed of a plurality of pieces of content information describing bibliographic information related to each content.

In the present embodiment, each piece of content information constituting the content information management table includes binding information corresponding to each piece of content.
In addition, the content information management unit 703 stores each content stored in the content storage unit 710 and a corresponding license (in addition, while the digital TV is playing the content, the digital TV To MOVE). Note that the license itself may be managed by being included in the content information. In that case, when exchanging device metadata, it is necessary to delete the license from each content information and transmit it.

The license includes at least a crid indicating the corresponding content and a decryption key for decrypting the corresponding content to generate a digital work. In addition to these, an identifier indicating an encryption algorithm used for content generation may be included.
The binding information indicates the location of the content corresponding to each content information and the current location of the license for the content. FIG. 31 shows an example of the configuration of the bind information 721.

  The bind information 721 includes an original_location 722 indicating a device where the content exists and a current_location 723 indicating a device where the license exists. In FIG. 31, as an example, the current_location 722 is “DTV_01” and the original_location 723 is “DVR_01”, and the content corresponding to the bind information 721 exists in the digital video recorder 204 indicated by “DVR_01”. This indicates that the license corresponding to the content currently exists in the digital television 202 indicated by “DTV — 02”.

The content information management unit 703 receives a license acquisition request for requesting acquisition of a license from another device via the information transmission / reception unit 702. The license acquisition request received here includes at least a crid indicating the content corresponding to the license to be acquired and a device identifier indicating the device that is the transmission source of the license acquisition request.
Upon receipt of the license acquisition request, the content information management unit 703 detects content information including crid that matches the crid included in the received license acquisition request in the content information management table, and reads the binding information from the detected content information. . The current_location is extracted from the read binding information. Next, the content information management unit 703 compares the extracted current_location with “DVR — 01” indicating the digital video recorder 204.

If they match, the license corresponding to the received crid is read out, and the read out license is transmitted to the transmission source device of the license acquisition request via the information transmitting / receiving unit 702.
If the two do not match, the content information management unit 703 generates a license acquisition request including the received grid and a device identifier indicating the digital video recorder 204. Next, the generated license acquisition request is transmitted to the device indicated by the extracted current_location via the information transmitting / receiving unit 702.

The following processes (5-1) to (5-3) are performed depending on the presence / absence of a response to the transmitted license acquisition request and the content of the response.
(5-1) When there is no response When a response cannot be obtained from the device indicated by the current_location within a predetermined time, it is highly possible that the device indicated by the current_location cannot communicate.

  In this case, the content information management unit 703 acquires the position information corresponding to the device indicated by the current_location from the device function management unit 706. Next, a response including the read arrangement information and instructing display of a predetermined operation request message is generated, and the generated response is transmitted to the device that has transmitted the license acquisition request. Here, the operation request message is a message that prompts the user to perform a predetermined device operation such as turning on the power or connecting a LAN cable.

When the response is transmitted, the content information management unit 703 transmits a crid indicating the content waiting for the license return (that is, the crid received in the license acquisition request) and a current_location indicating the device holding the license. Is temporarily stored.
When the information transmitting / receiving unit 702 detects that the power of other devices on the home network system is turned on, the content information management unit 703 temporarily stores the device identifier of the device that is turned on, Current_location that is stored automatically. If the two match, a license acquisition request including temporarily stored crid is generated, and the generated license acquisition request is transmitted to the device indicated by current_location via the information transmitting / receiving unit 702.

Subsequently, the content information management unit 703 receives a license corresponding to the temporarily stored “crid” from the device indicated by the current_location via the information transmitting / receiving unit 702.
When the license is received, the content information management unit 703 stores the received license, and rewrites the current_location of the binding information corresponding to the received license to “DVR — 01” indicating the digital video recorder 204 itself.

(5-2) Response indicating that the license is being used When a response is received from the device indicated by the current_location within a predetermined time and the content indicates that the license is being used, the content information management unit 703 , The device arrangement information indicated by current_location is acquired from the device function management unit 706.

Next, the content information management unit 703 generates a response including the acquired arrangement information and instructing the display of the message in use, and transmits the generated response to the transmission source device of the previous license acquisition request.
Here, the in-use message is a message notifying the user that the specified content is being played on another device and cannot be played now.

(5-3) License When the license requesting movement is received as a response, the content information management unit 703 transmits the received license to the device that has transmitted the previous license acquisition request.
Subsequently, the current_location of the binding information corresponding to the transmitted license is rewritten to a device identifier indicating the transmission source device of the previous license acquisition request.

Subsequently, the content information management unit 703 receives a content reproduction request via the information transmission / reception unit 702. The content reproduction request includes a grid indicating the content to be reproduced.
When the content reproduction request is received, the content information management unit 703 outputs the “crid” included in the content reproduction request to the content storage unit 710 and instructs transmission of the content.
4.3 Configuration of Digital Television 201 The configuration of the digital television 201 will be described with reference to FIG. Since the digital televisions 202, 203,... Have the same configuration as the digital television 201, only the digital television 201 will be described here.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the digital television 201 includes an information transmission / reception unit 732, a device function acquisition unit 731, a device function management unit 736, a playback processing unit 741, a display 742, and an operation reception unit 743. Although not shown in the figure, the digital television 201 includes a reproduction history management unit, an operation history management unit, a content prediction selection unit, a device load prediction unit, a movement control unit, a broadcast service reception unit, and a communication described in the first embodiment. Although a service control unit, a management function unit, and the like are provided, only the function units related to the features of the present embodiment are described here.

Specifically, the digital television 201 is a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The digital video recorder 204 achieves a part of its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.
Each component will be described below. The configuration and operation of the information transmission / reception unit 732, the device function acquisition unit 731 and the device function management unit 736 are the same as those of the information transmission / reception unit 702, the device function acquisition unit 701 in the digital video recorder 204, Since this is the same as the device function management unit 706, the description thereof is omitted.

(1) Operation accepting unit 743
The operation reception unit 743 includes a reception mechanism that receives various operation keys including a play button and a stop button, and operations performed by the remote controller, and receives an operation by a user. When the operation is accepted, operation instruction information indicating the accepted operation is output to the functional unit corresponding to the operation.

(2) Reproduction processing unit 741 and display 742
The playback processing unit 741 receives streaming content from the digital video recorder via the information transmission / reception unit 732, receives the license from the content information management unit 733, and decrypts the received content with the decryption key included in the received license. Then, image and audio data are generated from the decrypted content and displayed on the display 742.

  In addition, various screens are generated and displayed on the display according to instructions from each functional unit. The various screens include, for example, a menu screen that displays functions that can be used by the user through the digital TV, a content list display screen that accepts selection of content to be played back, an operation request message that prompts the user to perform a predetermined operation, Examples include a screen that displays various messages such as a busy message notifying that a desired content is being reproduced in another device.

(3) Content information management unit 733
Similar to the content information management unit 103 described in the first embodiment, the content information management unit 733 stores a content information management table. Here, each piece of content information constituting the content information management table stored in the content information management unit 733 of the present embodiment includes binding information corresponding to each content. The bind information is as described above.

In addition, the content information management unit 733 stores messages that give various instructions to the user during the processing related to content reproduction. The content information management unit 733 reads and processes these messages as necessary, and then performs a reproduction processing unit. To display a message.
The content information management unit 733 receives a license acquisition request from another device via the information transmission / reception unit 732. Further, the content information management unit 733 receives operation instruction information indicating content reproduction by the user from the operation reception unit 743.

When the license acquisition request is received, if the playback processing unit 741 is using the license corresponding to the “crid” included in the license acquisition request (that is, the content is being played back), the content information management unit 733 displays the requested license. Generate a response indicating that is being used.
When the license acquisition request is received, if it is not in use, the content information management unit 733 generates a response including the requested license. Next, the generated response is transmitted to the transmission source device of the license acquisition request via the information transmission / reception unit 732.

When the license is transmitted included in the response, the content information management unit 733 further rewrites the current_location included in the binding information corresponding to the transmitted license with a device identifier indicating the transmission destination device.
When receiving the operation instruction information indicating the content reproduction from the operation reception unit 743, the content information management unit 733 reads the bind information from the content information corresponding to the content requested to be reproduced, and extracts the current_location from the read bind information. The extracted current_location is compared with the device identifier “DTV — 01” indicating the digital television 201.

Depending on the comparison result, the content information management unit 703 performs the following processing (3-1) or (3-2). Hereinafter, these processes will be described.
(3-1) When a license is held When the extracted current_location matches the device identifier “DTV — 01” indicating the digital television 201, that is, the license corresponding to the content requested to be played is assigned to the digital television When the content information management unit 733 holds the content information management unit 733, the content information management unit 733 generates a content reproduction request including a grid indicating the content requested to be reproduced. Next, the device holding the content is specified with reference to the original_location of the read binding information. Next, the content information management unit 733 transmits the generated content reproduction request to the device indicated by original_location via the information transmission / reception unit 732.

Subsequently, the license corresponding to the content requested to be reproduced is output to the reproduction processing unit 741, and the reproduction of the content is instructed.
(3-2) When the license is not held When the extracted current_location does not match the device identifier “DTV — 01”, that is, when the license of the content requested to be played is not held, the content information management unit 733 Then, a license acquisition request including a grid indicating the content requested to be reproduced and a device identifier “DTV — 01” is generated. Next, the content information management unit 733 transmits the generated license acquisition request to the device indicated by original_location included in the read binding information.

Subsequently, the content information management unit 733 receives a response from the device indicated by original_location.
If the received response includes a license, the content information management unit 733 temporarily stores the received license. Next, the current_location of the binding information corresponding to the received license is rewritten to “DTV — 01” indicating itself. Subsequently, the content information management unit 733 generates a content reproduction request including a crid indicating the content requested to be reproduced by the user, and reproduces the generated content reproduction to the device indicated by the original_location via the information transmission / reception unit 732. Send a request. Subsequently, the temporarily stored license is read, the read license is output to the playback processing unit 741, and the response received from the device indicated by original_location that instructs the playback of the content includes arrangement information, and an operation request message Is displayed, the operation request message “Please turn on the device located in *** and operate again” is read from the stored messages. The received arrangement information included in the response is inserted into the portion of “***” of the read operation request message. Subsequently, the content information management unit 733 outputs an operation request message in which the arrangement information is inserted to the reproduction processing unit 741, and instructs the display of the operation request message.

When the response received from the device indicated by original_location includes the location information and indicates the display of the in-use message, the content information management unit 733 uses the in-use message “of the various types of messages stored by itself. The desired content is *** and is being played, so it cannot be played here now. The received arrangement information is inserted into the “***” portion of the read message and output to the reproduction processing unit 741 to instruct the display of the busy message.
4.4 Operation Hereinafter, the operation of each device constituting the home network system will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Content Playback FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device during content playback. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which the content held by the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” is played back by the digital television 201 indicated by the device identifier “DTV — 01”.

  The operation reception unit 743 of the digital television 201 receives a content reproduction operation by the user (step S501). When a content reproduction operation is received, operation instruction information indicating the received operation is generated and output to the content information management unit 733. Here, it is assumed that the reproduction of the content indicated by crid = 0002 is specifically requested. Note that, as described in the first embodiment, “crid” is an arbitrary character string that conforms to the provisions of IETF-RFC2396, but here, it is described as a 4-digit number string “0002” for the sake of simplicity.

The content information management unit 733 of the digital television 201 receives operation instruction information indicating content reproduction. When this operation instruction information is received, the bind information corresponding to the content requested to be reproduced is read, and the current_location is extracted from the read bind information (step S502).
Next, the content information management unit 733 compares the extracted current_location with the device identifier “DTV — 01” indicating the digital television 201 itself (step S504), and if they match (YES in step S504), a step to be described later The process moves to S578, and streaming playback of content is started.

  If the two do not match (NO in step S504), the content information management unit 733 generates a license acquisition request including crid = “0002” and the device identifier “DTV — 01” indicating the digital television 201 itself (step S506). . Next, reference is made to the original_location (here, “DVR — 01”) included in the binding information (step S507), and the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the original_location “DVR — 01” is generated via the information transmitting / receiving unit 732 A license acquisition request is transmitted (step S508).

  The content information management unit 703 of the digital video recorder 204 receives a license acquisition request from the digital television 201 via the information transmission / reception unit 702 (step S508). Based on crid = “0002” included in the received license acquisition request, the bind information is read out, and current_location is extracted from the read out bind information (step S509).

Next, the content information management unit 703 compares the extracted current_location with the device identifier “DVR — 01” indicating the digital video recorder 204 itself (step S512), and if they match, the process proceeds to step S528.
If the current_location does not match the device identifier “DVR — 01” (NO in step S512), the content information management unit 703 generates a license acquisition request including crid = “0002” (step S514). Next, the license_location generated in the digital television 202 indicated by the current_location “DTV_02” is referred to by referring to the current_location (here, as an example, the current_location “DTV_02”) included in the read binding information (step S516). Is transmitted (step S517).

The content information management unit 703 of the digital television 202 receives a license acquisition request from the digital video recorder 204 via the information transmission / reception unit (step S517).
Subsequently, the content information management unit generates a response according to the usage status of the license corresponding to the crid included in the license acquisition request (step S521), and the generated response is sent to the digital video recorder via the information transmission / reception unit. It transmits to 204 (step S522).

If the response information cannot be received from the digital television 202 within a predetermined time (“no response” in step S526), the content information management unit of the digital video recorder 204 performs a license collection process (step S527).
When a response is received from the digital television 202, and the received response includes a license corresponding to crid = “0002” (“license” in step S526), the content information management unit 703 of the digital video recorder 204 Processing of license transfer and content streaming playback is started (step S528).

When a response is received from the digital television 202 and the received response indicates that the license is being used (“in use” in step S526), the content information management unit 703 of the digital video recorder 205 displays the digital television 201. Is notified that the license is being used (step S529).
(2) License Collection Operation When the device holding the license of the content requested to be played cannot communicate, the digital video recorder 204 and the digital television 201 perform a license collection process described below.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device in the license collection process. This is a detail of step S527 of FIG. Hereinafter, the operation in license collection will be described with reference to FIG.
The content information management unit 703 of the digital video recorder 204 reads the current_location “DTV — 02” from the binding information corresponding to the license to be collected, and requests the device capability management unit 703 for the device arrangement information indicated by the current_location “DTV — 02”. To do. In response to a request from the content information management unit 703, the device function management unit 706 reads out the arrangement information of the digital television 202 indicated by the current_location “DTV — 02” (step S541) and outputs it to the content information management unit 703.

  The content information management unit 703 generates a response instructing display of the operation request message, and transmits the generated response to the digital television 201 (step S544). After the response is transmitted, the current_location “DTV — 02” and the crid “0002” included in the license acquisition request received in step S508 are temporarily stored (step S546).

  The content information management unit 733 of the digital television 201 receives the response via the information transmission / reception unit 732 (step S544). Upon receiving the response, the content information management unit 733 analyzes the received response (step S547), and according to the analysis result, turns on the power of the device arranged in the child room of the operation request message “2F and operates again. Please generate "and output it to the reproduction processing unit 741. The reproduction processing unit 741 displays the operation request message output from the content information management unit 733 on the display 742 (step S548).

When the power of the digital television 202 is turned on by the user's operation (step S551), the digital television 202 notifies each device of the home network system that the power of the digital television 202 is turned on (step S552).
When the content information management unit 703 of the digital video recorder 204 detects that the power of the digital television 202 is turned on via the information transmission / reception unit 702 (step S552), the content identifier management unit 703 temporarily stores the device identifier “DTV — 02” of the digital television 202. It is confirmed that the current_location “DTV — 02” stored in the memory matches with the current one.

  Next, the content information management unit 703 reads the stored “0002” corresponding to the current_location “DTV — 02”, generates a license acquisition request including the read “0002” (step S553), The license acquisition request is transmitted to the digital television 202 indicated by the device identifier “DTV — 02” via the information transmission / reception unit 702 (step S554).

  The content information management unit of the digital television 202 receives the license acquisition request from the digital video recorder 204 (step S554), and reads the license corresponding to the crid “0002” included in the received license acquisition request (step S556). . The read license is transmitted to the digital video recorder 204 (step S557). After the transmission, the content information management unit rewrites the current_location of the binding information corresponding to the crid “0002” to “DVR — 01” (step S558).

  The content information management unit 703 of the digital video recorder 204 receives the license from the digital television 202 via the information transmission / reception unit 702 (step S557). When the license is received, the received license is stored, and the current_location of the binding information corresponding to the received license is rewritten to the device identifier “DVR — 01” indicating the digital video recorder 204 itself (step S561).

(3) License transfer and content stream playback When the digital video recorder 204 holds a license requested to be acquired from the digital television 201, the digital video recorder 204 and the digital television 201 Start stream playback processing.
FIG. 35 to FIG. 36 are flowcharts showing the operation of both devices in the license transfer and content stream playback processing. This is a detail of step S528 in FIG. The operation of both devices in the license transfer and content stream playback processing will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The digital video recorder 204 transmits a license including the crid “0002” to the digital television 201 (step S571). After the transmission, the current_location of the binding information corresponding to the transmitted license is rewritten to “DTV — 01” indicating the digital television 201 (step S572).
The content information management unit 733 of the digital television 201 receives the license from the digital video recorder 204 via the information transmission / reception unit 732 (step S571), and stores the received license (step S576).

  Subsequently, the content information management unit 733 rewrites the current_location of the binding information corresponding to the received license with the device identifier “DTV — 01” indicating the digital television 201 itself (step S577). Next, the content information management unit 733 generates a content reproduction request including the “0002” of the “criid” (step S578), and transmits the generated content reproduction request to the digital video recorder 204 via the information transmission / reception unit 732 ( Step S581).

The content information management unit 703 of the digital video recorder 204 receives a content reproduction request from the digital television 201 via the information transmission / reception unit 702 (step S581). When the content reproduction request is received, the grid “0002” included in the received content reproduction request is output to the content storage unit 710 to instruct content transmission.
The content storage unit 710 reads the content indicated by the crid “0002” in accordance with the instruction from the content information management unit 703, and streaming-transfers the read content to the digital television 201 via the information transmission / reception unit 702 (step S582). .

  The reproduction processing unit 741 of the digital television 201 receives a license corresponding to the crid “0002” from the content information management unit 733. Subsequently, the content indicated by the crid “0002” is received from the digital video recorder 204 via the information transmission / reception unit 732 (step S583), and the received content is streamed using the decryption key included in the license. Playback is performed (step S584).

  When the content is completely played back or when the user performs a playback end operation (YES in step S586), the content information management unit 733 sets the original_location “DVR — 01” of the binding information corresponding to the “0002” of the “crid”. Reference is made (step S587), and the license is transmitted to the digital video recorder 204 indicated by original_location "DVR_01" (step S589). After the transmission, the content information management unit 733 rewrites the current_location of the binding information corresponding to the transmitted license with the device identifier “DVR — 01” indicating the digital video recorder 204 (step S591).

  The content information management unit 703 of the digital video recorder 204 receives a license from the digital television 201 via the information transmission / reception unit 702 (step S589). When the license is received, the received license is stored (step S593), and the current_location of the binding information corresponding to the received license is rewritten to the device identifier “DVR — 01” indicating the digital video recorder 204 confidence (step S594).

(4) Notification during use of license When the license requested from the digital TV 201 is being used in another device, the digital video recorder 204 and the digital TV 201 are in use by the user. Notify that the desired content cannot be reproduced.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device in the notification process during license use. This is a detail of step S529 of FIG. The operation of each device related to the notification process during use of the license will be described below with reference to FIG.

The content information management unit 733 of the digital video recorder 204 reads out the current_location “DTV — 02” included in the bind information corresponding to the crid “0002” (step S601). The read current_location “DTV — 02” is output to the device function management unit 706 to request arrangement information.
In response to the request from the content information management unit 703, the device function management unit 706 reads out the arrangement information “2F child room” of the device identifier “DTV — 01” (step S602).

  The content information management unit 703 acquires the arrangement information “2F child room” from the device function management unit 706. Next, a response including the acquired arrangement information and instructing display of the message in use is generated. Subsequently, the generated response information is transmitted to the digital television 201 that is the transmission source of the license acquisition request in step S508 via the information transmission / reception unit 702 (step S606).

The content information management unit 733 of the digital television 201 receives a response from the digital video recorder 204 via the information transmission / reception unit 732 (step S606). When the response is received, the received response is analyzed (step S607), and the received arrangement information “2F child room” included in the response is inserted into the in-use message stored therein and output to the reproduction processing unit 741. Then, the playback processing unit 741 displays a message in use “2F being played in the child room, currently cannot be played here” on the display 742 (step S608).
4.5 Summary As described above, each device constituting the home network according to the fourth embodiment holds bind information indicating the location of the license.

A playback device such as a digital TV returns the license to the digital video recorder that holds the content immediately after the content is finished. Or other devices cannot obtain a license and cannot reproduce the content.
However, since the location of the license is clear from the bind information, the above-described operation instruction message can be displayed to instruct the user to operate the device holding the license. If the user operates the device holding the license according to the instruction, the device can be quickly restored to the home network.

For the user, when the reproduction of the content fails, an appropriate operation instruction can be obtained, and the content can be viewed by operating the device according to the instruction.
4.6 Directory Structure Related to Device Metadata As described above, in Embodiment 4, the content information management unit 103 in each device manages bibliographic information related to content in a table format. It may be.

In the fourth embodiment, the bind information indicating the location of the license of each content is also included in each content information constituting the content information management table, but may be managed separately from the content information.
Further, the content stored in the content storage unit 710 may also be managed by the logical directory structure.

Hereinafter, an example in which bibliographic information (hereinafter referred to as license bibliographic information) relating to each license such as content, content bibliographic information, and binding information is managed using a logical directory will be described.
(1) Content FIG. 38 shows a hierarchical structure of a logical directory for managing content. In FIG. 38, the symbol indicating Container and the symbol indicating item are used to refer to the logical directory structure (see the legend in the figure). The characters described in each symbol are the Container (folder). And the file name of the content file stored in the folder as item. For example, the folder name of the folder 806 is “sports”, and the item 811 stored in the folder 806 indicates that the content has the file name “Yankee-Mariners.ts”. Hereinafter, the folder with the folder name “AAA” is referred to as an “AAA” folder as necessary.

  Each folder is assigned a Container_ID for identifying the folder and a Parent ID indicating the parent folder. Parent_ID is the Container_ID of the parent folder. The ParentID of the highest folder 801 is “−1”. An item is stored in each folder at the lowest layer, and item_id is assigned to each item.

As shown in FIG. 38, the highest folder 801 stores folders 802, 803. In the folder 802, folders 806 to 809 are stored. In the lowermost folders 806 to 809, content files belonging to the same genre are stored as items.
As an example, items 811 and 812 composed of content files belonging to the genre “sports” are stored in the “Sports” folder 806, and items 816... Composed of content files belonging to the genre “drama” are stored in the “Drama” folder 807. .. 817 is stored.

(2) License Bibliographic Information FIG. 39 shows an example of a logical directory hierarchical structure for managing license bibliographic information. As in FIG. 38, the symbol indicating Container and the symbol indicating item are used (refer to the legend in the figure) to show the logical directory structure, but the characters described in the symbol indicating item are the items. This is the value of the decryption key included in the stored license bibliographic information.

39, folders 832, 833, 834... Are stored in the highest folder 831. Each of the folders 832, 833, 834... Stores one or more items. Each folder is assigned Container_id and ParentID, and each item is assigned item_id.
In the lowermost folders 832, 833, 834..., License bibliographic information of the same type of license is stored as an item. For example, the same type of license refers to a license that uses the same encryption method and a license that conforms to the same copyright protection standard.

(3) Content bibliographic information FIG. 40 shows an example of a logical directory hierarchical structure for managing content bibliographic information of each content. Here, as an example, an example of managing content bibliographic information (hereinafter referred to as TVA metadata) described in a format compliant with the TVA (TV-Anytime Forum) technology will be described.

  Similarly to FIGS. 38 and 39, folders 841, 842... 848 form a hierarchical structure, and Container_id and ParentID are assigned to each folder. A TVA fragment is stored as an item in the lowermost folder. The TVA fragment is composed of TVA metadata described in the XML format. Specifically, the TVA fragment includes content program information, location information indicating the location and acquisition location of content, usage information describing restrictions on usage of content, content format indicating encoding format, content usage history, user It consists of TVA metadata indicating profile information (including the gender, preference, age, etc. of the user who operates the content), segment information (including playback section designation and time information of a part of the content), and the like. In the figure, items 851, 852,... Show specific examples of TVA fragments.

In the “Program Information Table” folder 842, TVA fragments generated for each content are managed. The lowermost folders 846, 847,... Have a one-to-one correspondence with the contents, and store TVA fragments related to the corresponding contents.
In addition, in the “Group Information Table” folder 843 and lower, TVA fragments generated for each group (for example, the same genre) are managed.

  In addition, although not specifically illustrated, an “Instance Information Table” folder for managing TVA fragments generated for each content attribute such as a content storage location and content format, a usage history and a user Logic including “Consumer Information Table” folder for managing TVA fragments generated for each profile information, and “Segmentation Information Table” folder for managing TVA fragments generated for each piece of partial content time information for realizing digest playback It may be a directory structure.

(4) Data structure of license acquisition request and response Structure of license acquisition request and response transmitted / received between content information management units of each device when content bibliographic information and license bibliographic information are managed by the logical directory structure A specific example will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 and 42. FIG.
41 and 42 show specific examples of a license acquisition request and a response (referred to as a license acquisition response).

A Bowse command is used for the license acquisition request and response.
As shown in FIG. 41A, the Bose command includes six arguments, and the first argument is the object ID of the license for which acquisition is requested. The second argument indicates whether to obtain license bibliographic information corresponding to the objectID specified as the first argument. As shown in FIG. 41A, when “BrowseMetadata” is set, it indicates that the license bibliographic information corresponding to the objectID is acquired. When “BrowseDirectChildren” is specified, the license bibliography below the objectID is specified. Indicates that information is requested.

  The third argument indicates the search condition, the fourth argument indicates the ID number of the Container child element specified by the object ID, and the fifth argument indicates the number of requests of the Container child element specified by the object ID. When the fifth argument is “0”, it indicates that all child elements are requested. The sixth argument indicates the output order of the search results. If there is no particular need to specify, NULL (blank) is specified.

  In the license acquisition request 18001 shown in FIG. 41 (a), the Bose command includes a first argument “0”, a second argument “BrownMetadata”, a third argument “*”, a fourth argument 0, a fifth argument 0, and a sixth argument. The argument NULL is set, which requests information on the root of the logical directory hierarchy (folder 831 in FIG. 39) related to the license bibliographic information managed by the content information management unit 103.

As illustrated in FIG. 41B, the license acquisition response 18002 includes information (Result) corresponding to the search condition specified in the license acquisition request 18001 as the first argument. Here, the search result is described in conformity with the UPnP-CDS format.
FIG. 42 shows a license acquisition request 19001 shown in FIG. 42A. This is a license acquisition request that is output after acquiring information about the root directory in response to the license acquisition request 18001, and requests information about child directories below the root directory. To do. Specifically, here, the Bose command is set with the first argument “1”, the second argument “BrowseDirectChildren”, the third argument “*”, the fourth argument 0, the fifth argument 1, and the sixth argument NULL. Yes. This is because of the logical directory structure related to the license managed by the content information management unit 103, information on the child elements (folders 832, 833, 834 in FIG. 39) of the root directory (folder 831 in FIG. 39) with Container_id = 0. Indicates that acquisition is requested.

FIG. 42B includes, as a first argument, Result describing information that matches the specified search condition in accordance with the UPnP-DSC format by the license acquisition request 19001.
(5) Data structure of content bibliographic acquisition request and response Content bibliographic information acquisition request (hereinafter referred to as content bibliographic information acquisition request) received by the content information management unit of each device when content bibliographic information is managed by the logical directory structure ) And a response (hereinafter referred to as a content bibliographic information acquisition response) specific example of the configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 43 and 44. FIG.

43 and 44 show specific examples of a content bibliographic information acquisition request and a corresponding content bibliographic information acquisition response when the content bibliographic information is described using TVA metadata (for example, FIG. 40). ing. The Bose command is also used for the content bibliographic information acquisition request and response.
Here, the first argument of the Bose command is for specifying a table of TAV metadata. When there is no specification, it indicates that all TVA metadata objects are to be searched. The second argument indicates the number of requested search results, the third argument indicates the presence or absence of a search condition, and the fourth argument indicates a search condition (when the third argument indicates that there is a search condition). . The fifth argument indicates an item of metadata requesting acquisition as a search result (Result), and the sixth argument indicates a condition regarding the output order of the search result, but is NULL when no condition is specified. .

In the content bibliographic information acquisition request 24001 shown in FIG. 43 (a), the first argument NULL, the second argument “3”, the third argument “1”, the fourth argument “CRID: // tvaroot / movies”, the fifth argument “Title” and the sixth argument NULL are set.
This indicates that three titles of content belonging to the Group whose Group ID is CRID: // tvalroot / movies are requested.

  The content bibliographic information acquisition response 24002 shown in FIG. 43B is the content bibliographic information that matches the search condition (the group indicated by “CRID: // tvalroot / movies”) specified in the content bibliographic information acquisition request 24001. The three items of data of the requested item ("title") are acquired from the "Program Information Table" folder 842, and the Result described in conformity with the TVA metadata format is included as the first argument. .

Further, the content bibliographic information acquisition request 25001 shown in FIG. 44A includes a first argument NULL, a second argument “3”, a third argument “1”, a fourth argument “title =“ Fight club ””, a fifth argument. It includes an argument “CRID, title, genre” and a sixth argument NULL.
This means that among the bibliographic information related to the content whose title is “Fight club”, data corresponding to the items “CRID”, “title”, and “genre (genre)” are requested (3 in total). Show.

The content bibliographic information acquisition response 25002 shown in FIG. 44B is requested in the content bibliographic information corresponding to the content satisfying the condition (title = “Fight club”) specified in the content bibliographic information acquisition request 25001. The item (CRID, title, gene) data is acquired from the “Program Information Table” folder 842 and includes a Result described according to the format of the TVA metadata as the first argument.
5. Embodiment 5
The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
5.1 Overview This embodiment is also a home network system configured by connecting a plurality of devices such as a digital television and a digital video recorder to each other via a LAN cable. Devices mutually exchange device metadata (content bibliographic information, reproduction history information, operation history information, device function type, etc.) and share information within the home network system. In addition, each device acquires various types of content via the Internet and broadcast, and performs recording and playback of the acquired content.

  FIG. 45 shows the configuration of devices on the home network system of this embodiment and an outline of the data flow in the home network system. Here, as an example, a data flow between the digital video recorder 1204 and the digital televisions 1201 and 1202 is shown. Solid arrows in the figure indicate the flow of data (related to content and license) on the home network system and the server device 1100, and broken arrows indicate the flow of various control information. In transmission / reception of data and control information between devices, transmission / reception is performed via both information transmission / reception units (not shown).

In the present embodiment, server apparatus 1100 possessed by a provider providing content distribution service or broadcast service holds encrypted content generated by encrypting content. The content has a one-to-one license, and the license includes a decryption key used for decrypting the encrypted content. The server apparatus 1100 stores an accumulated license generated by encrypting this license. The digital video recorder 1204 acquires encrypted content via the Internet or broadcast, and decrypts the generated content for use at home. The data is transmitted to a playback display device (for example, a digital television) of the network system.

  The user attaches the license card issued by the information provider to any device in the home network system. The license card stores a main license for decrypting the stored license. The digital video recorder 1204 transmits the stored license to the device on which the license card is mounted, and the license card decrypts the stored license using the main license held and stores the stored license ( (Hereinafter referred to as a preparation license) is transmitted to the digital video recorder 1204.

  The digital video recorder 1204 acquires and stores a preparation license, and when a playback of content is requested from any device, a mechanism for executing secure processing such as decryption (in this embodiment, an externally attached license) The prepared license is transferred to a secure memory and a content decrypting unit built in the secure processing card. The content decrypted by the secure processing card is transmitted to the playback device.

  Here, each device constituting the home network system holds license status information indicating the status of each license on the home network as one piece of device metadata. The license status refers to the form of license data that changes according to the processing of the corresponding content (for example, whether it is ciphertext, plaintext, unverified signature, signature verified (signature Data is already deleted), storage location (whether stored on a normal recording device, on a secure memory for a license, or in a secure processing card), and usage status (number of times used so far). Whether or not the number of uses has reached the upper limit number of times permitted for use).

The configuration, data configuration, and operation of each device will be described below, but the description of the same parts as those of the first and fourth embodiments will be omitted, and the description will be focused on the parts related to the features of the present embodiment. .
5.2 Server device 1100
Specifically, the server device 1100 is a computer system including a storage device such as a microprocessor, RAM, ROM, and hard disk, and the RAM, ROM, and hard disk store computer programs. The server device 1100 achieves part of its functions by the processor operating according to the computer program.

The server device 1100 includes a control unit 1107 and an information storage unit 1110. Although not shown, various functional units such as a display unit, an authentication unit, and a communication unit are provided.
(1) Information storage unit 1110
The information storage unit 1110 is composed of a hard disk, and stores a storage license corresponding to each of the plurality of encrypted contents. As an example, the encrypted content 1102 is generated by encrypting the content identified by the crid “0001” using an encryption key. As described in the first embodiment, “crid” is an arbitrary character string that conforms to the provisions of IETF-RFC 2396, but here, it is described as a 4-digit number string “0001” for the sake of simplicity.

The license corresponding to the encrypted content 1102 includes at least a crid “0001” indicating the corresponding content, a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted content 1102, and a use condition of the decryption key. Of the data constituting the license, it is generated by encrypting at least the decryption key.
The contents of the use conditions are arbitrary, but as an example, the number of times that the use of the decryption key included in the license is permitted (hereinafter referred to as the number of times allowed to be used), the period during which the use is permitted, and the like can be considered. The use conditions are not essential, and the license may not include the use conditions. Further, the use conditions described above are merely examples, and other conditions may be used.

In the present embodiment, the use condition is described as the number of times that can be used.
(2) Control unit 1107
The control unit 1107 controls the operation of each functional unit constituting the server device 1100.
The control unit 1107 receives a content purchase request from an external device via the Internet. The content purchase request includes a grid for identifying the content for which purchase is requested.

FIG. 45 shows an example of receiving a content purchase request including the “0001” from the digital television 1202 as an example.
When a content purchase request is received, a series of purchase processing including user authentication, billing processing, and setting of a content storage destination device is performed, and then the encrypted content 1102 corresponding to the crid “0001” included in the content purchase request is stored. The license 1101 is transmitted.
5.3 License card 1208
The license card 1208 is attached to any device in the home network system. As an example, in FIG. 45, the digital TV 1202 identified by the device identifier “DTV — 02” is attached.

As shown in FIG. 45, the license card 1208 includes a license decryption unit 1401 and a secure memory 1402. Although not shown, the license card 1208 includes an input / output unit that inputs / outputs information to / from an external device, an authentication unit that verifies the validity of the external device, and the like.
Specifically, the license card 1208 is a computer system including a microprocessor, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. A computer program is recorded in the RAM and ROM, and the license card 1208 realizes its function by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.

(1) Secure memory 1402
The secure memory 1402 is a storage device having tamper resistance and stores a main license 1403.
The main license 1403 includes at least a main decryption key used for decrypting the above-mentioned stored license 1101. In addition to the main decryption key, it may include the identifier of the content provider that is the license card issuer, the usable period of the main key, and the like.

The secure memory 1402 stores various other information. For example, a card ID unique to the license card 1208, a public key certificate, or the like.
(2) License decryption unit 1401
The license decryption unit 1401 receives the stored license and the preparation processing instruction from the devices constituting the home network system. The preparation processing instruction instructs to decrypt the stored license so that the decryption key can be used.

Upon receiving the accumulated license, the license decryption unit 1401 reads the main license 1403 from the secure memory 1402. Using the main decryption key included in the read main license 1403, the stored license is decrypted to generate a preparation license, and the generated preparation license is output.
5.4 Digital TV 1201 and 1202
Each of the digital televisions 1201 and 1202 has an interface on which a license card 1208 can be attached and a content reproduction / display function.

  Although not shown, the digital televisions 1201 and 1202 include the device function acquisition unit, the information transmission / reception unit, the content information management unit, the playback history management unit, the operation history management unit, and the device function management unit described in the first embodiment. , A content prediction / selection unit, a device load prediction unit, a movement control unit, a broadcast service reception unit, a communication service control unit, a management function unit, a recording unit, and an operation reception unit. Since the configuration and operation of each functional unit are as described in the first embodiment, only the functional units related to the features of the fifth embodiment will be described below.

  The user operates the digital television set with the license card 1208 to purchase desired content. Also, any digital television is operated to reproduce the content recorded on the digital video recorder. Here, a specific case will be described assuming that the license card 1208 is attached to the digital television 1202, and the digital television 1201 executes content reproduction by user operation.

(1) Digital TV 1201
As shown in FIG. 45, the digital television 1201 includes a reproduction processing unit 1351 and a content information management unit 1353.
The playback processing unit 1351 receives content from the digital video recorder and plays back the received content.

  The content information management unit 1353 receives a reproduction operation by the user via an operation reception unit (not shown). Upon receiving the playback operation, the content information management unit 1353 generates a playback request including a content (for example, “0001”) indicating the content instructed to be played back by the user, and holds the generated playback request with the content. To the digital video recorder 1204.

When the content is received in response to the reproduction request, the reproduction processing unit 1351 is caused to reproduce the content.
When the playback to the end of the content has been completed or when the user has performed a playback end operation, the content information management unit 1353 transmits a control signal indicating the end of playback to the digital video recorder 1204.

When a response instructing display of various messages is received in response to the reproduction request, the reproduction processing unit is controlled to display various messages according to the response on a display (not shown).
(2) Digital TV 1202
A license card 1208 is attached to the digital television 1202, and mediates information exchange between the license card 1208 and devices constituting the home network system.

Further, the digital television 1202 includes a communication service control unit 1203. The communication service control unit 1203 performs processing related to various services provided by the content distribution service provider. As an example, in response to a user operation, a purchase request for content desired by the user is generated, and the generated purchase request is transmitted to the server device 1100 owned by the content distribution service provider. Subsequently, a series of purchase processing including authentication processing, billing processing, storage destination device setting, and the like is performed with the server apparatus 1100. In the purchase process, the communication service control unit 1203 reads and uses the card ID, public key certificate, and the like stored in the license card 1208. (In FIG. 45, this transfer process is omitted.)
When the purchase process is completed, the communication service control unit 1203 receives the encrypted content and the stored license from the server device 1100. The received encrypted license and encrypted content are transferred to the digital video recorder 1204 and instructed to store them.
5.5 Digital Video Recorder 1204
As shown in FIG. 45, the digital video recorder 1204 includes a content information management unit 1303, a content storage unit 1310, and a license memory 1311. The digital video recorder 1204 includes a device function acquisition unit, an information transmission / reception unit, a playback history management unit, an operation history management unit, a device function management unit, a content prediction selection unit, a device load prediction unit, a movement control unit, not shown. It has a broadcast service receiving unit, a communication service control unit, a management function unit, a recording unit, an operation receiving unit, etc., but since these configurations and functions are as described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. Below, only the part regarding the characteristic of Embodiment 5 is demonstrated.

Further, the digital video recorder 1204 includes an interface to which a secure processing card 1209 can be attached, and the secure processing card 1209 is attached to the interface.
Hereinafter, each functional unit and the secure processing card 1209 will be described.
(1) Content storage unit 1310
The content storage unit 1310 includes a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk unit, and stores new information and outputs stored information under the control of the content information management unit 1303.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 45, the content storage unit 1310 stores an accumulation license 1321 and encrypted content 1322. Since these are the same as the storage license 1101 and the encrypted content 1102 stored in the information storage unit 1110 of the server apparatus 1100, they will not be described again here.
(2) License memory 1311
The license memory 1311 has tamper resistance and does not accept access from an external device. The license memory 1311 stores new information and outputs stored information under the control of the content information management unit 1303.

The license memory 1131 stores a preparation license 1324 as an example. The preparation license 1324 corresponds to the storage license 1321 and the encrypted content 1322 and is generated by decrypting the storage license 1321 using the main decryption key included in the main license 1403.
(3) Content information management unit 1303
The content information management unit 1303 stores a content information management table 1330. Similar to the content information management unit 103 described in the first embodiment, the content information management unit 1303 uses the content information management table 1330 to manage content bibliographic information related to content held by devices on the home network system. Yes. Also, content bibliographic information is shared with other devices under the control of a device function acquisition unit (not shown in FIG. 45).

In addition, the digital television is instructed to store new encrypted content and a stored license. Upon receiving this instruction, the content information management unit 1303 performs a series of processes related to acquisition of new encrypted content and a stored license (details will be described later).
Also, a content reproduction request is received from any of the digital TV televisions, and processing related to content reproduction is performed.

Hereinafter, the content information management table 1330 held by the content information management unit 1303 and various processes performed by the content information management unit 1303 will be described. Note that the sharing of content bibliographic information is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
(3-1) Content information management table 1330
The configuration of the content information management table 1330 is almost the same as that of the content information management table 600 described in the first embodiment, and thus the description of the parts that overlap with the content information management table 600 is omitted.

The content information management table 1330 includes a plurality of pieces of content information corresponding to content stored in devices on the home network system. Each content information also corresponds to a storage license and a preparation license stored in a device on the home network system.
Each piece of content information includes bibliographic information related to the corresponding content. The license status information included in each content information indicates the status of the corresponding license in the home network system with values of “0” to “4”. Furthermore, depending on the content information, there are contents that include the number of times of use and the number of times that they can be used and those that do not. The number of times used is the number of times the corresponding license (preparation license) has been used. In other words, it is the cumulative number of times that the corresponding content has been played on the device on the home network system. The number of usable times is the number of times that the license is allowed to be used.

The license information corresponding to the license including the usable count as the use condition includes the use count and the usable count. The content information corresponding to the license that does not include the use condition does not include the number of times of use and the number of times of use. Hereinafter, the license status information including the number of times of use and the number of times of use is included.
The license status information “0” indicates that the license status is the pre-change status. The pre-change state indicates the state as received from the server apparatus 1100, that is, it exists only in the form of a stored license on the home network system.

The license status information “1” indicates that the license is unused after the change. The unused state after change indicates that the corresponding stored license has been decrypted and the preparation license generated by the decryption is unused. In other words, the storage license and the unused preparation license exist on the home network system.
The license status information “2” indicates that the license is usable after being changed. The post-change usable state indicates that the stored license has already been decrypted, and the number of uses of the prepared license generated by the decryption is one or more and less than the usable number. That is, the preparation license has been used once or more for the reproduction of the corresponding content, but has not yet reached the usable count, so that it can be used again.

  The license status information “3” indicates that the license is in the secure part input status. The secure part input state indicates a state in which the license is transferred to the secure processing card that executes the content decryption process. In other words, it indicates that the storage license and the preparation license exist on the home network system and are currently in use for reproducing the content.

The license status information “4” indicates that the license is in an unusable state. The unusable state refers to a state in which the reproduction condition included in the license is not satisfied and the license cannot be used. In the present embodiment, it is indicated that the number of times of use has already reached the usable number of times.
As an example, the content information 1331 includes crid “0004”, a recording destination identifier “DVR — 02”, and license status information “1”. This is because the encrypted content identified by the crid “0004” is stored in the digital video recorder indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 02”, and the storage license and the preparation license corresponding to the encrypted content exist in the home network system. However, it indicates that the content has not been used yet.

  Further, as another example, the content information 1332 is composed of a grid “0001”, a recording destination identifier “DVR — 01”, and license information “0 (0/20)”. This is because the digital video recorder 1204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” stores the encrypted content identified by the crid “0001”, and the stored license corresponding to this encrypted content exists on the home network system. Indicates that there is no reserve license.

(3-2) Acquisition of New Content The content information management unit 1303 is instructed to store encrypted content and a stored license from a digital television operated by the user (here, digital television 1202).
Subsequently, the content information management unit 1303 receives the stored license and the encrypted content from the server device 1100 via the digital television 1202 from the server device 1100, and writes them in the content storage unit 1310.

  Next, the content information management unit 1303 obtains new content information corresponding to the written storage license 1321 and the encrypted content 1322 based on the crid and usage conditions included in the storage license 1321 written to the content storage unit 1310. Generate. The license status information included in the content information generated at this time is “0” indicating the pre-change status. Next, the content information management unit 1303 adds the generated content information to the content information management table 1330.

When the addition of new content information is completed, the content information management unit 1303 identifies a device (digital television 1202) in which the license card 1208 is attached. As a specific method, for example, all the devices constituting the home network system are inquired by broadcast.
Subsequently, the content information management unit 1303 generates a preparation processing instruction and reads the accumulated license 1321 from the content storage unit 1310. The generated preparation processing instruction and the read storage license 1321 are transmitted to the digital television 1202. If the device on which the license card 1208 is mounted cannot be identified, an attempt is made to identify the device on which the license card 1208 is mounted at regular intervals.

Next, the content information management unit 1303 receives the preparation license from the digital television 1202 and writes the received preparation license in the license memory 1311.
(3-3) Processing Related to Content Playback The content information management unit 1303 receives a content playback request from a device on the home network system. The received content playback request includes the crid of the content for which playback is requested.

When the reproduction request is received, the content information management unit 1303 detects content information including the received grid in the content information management table 1330, and reads the license status information from the detected content information. The following processing is performed according to the read license status information.
(a) License status information “0”, “3” or “4”
The content information management unit 1303 holds various messages for notifying the user when the content requested to be reproduced cannot be reproduced at that time.

When the read license status information is “0”, the content information management unit 1303 reads the message “Please attach the main license key to any device” and sends the read message to the content playback request source. Send to the device and instruct the display of the sent message.
When the read license status information is “3”, the content information management unit 1303 reads the message “currently being played on another device”. The read message is transmitted to the transmission source device of the content reproduction request, and the display of the transmitted message is instructed.

When the read license status information is “4”, the content information management unit 1303 reads the message “The number of times that reproduction is permitted has been reached. The specified content cannot be reproduced”. The read message is transmitted to the transmission source device of the content reproduction request, and the display of the transmitted message is instructed.
(b) License status information “1” or “2”
When the read license status information is “1” or “2”, the content information management unit 1303 obtains the preparation license corresponding to the received “crid” included in the reproduction request from the license memory 1311 and the secure memory in the secure processing card 1209. 1412.

After the transfer, the content information management unit 1303 rewrites the license status information included in the content information to “3”.
Next, the content information management unit 1303 outputs a decryption instruction for instructing decryption of the encrypted content to the content decryption unit 1411 in the secure processing card 1209. Subsequently, the content information management unit 1303 sequentially reads out the encrypted content corresponding to the crid received in the reproduction request from the content storage unit 1310 and outputs the encrypted content to the content decrypting unit 1411 of the secure processing card 1209. Next, the content generated by the content decryption unit 1411 is stream-transferred to the digital television 1201.

  Next, the content information management unit 1303 receives a control signal indicating the end of reproduction from the digital television 1201. Upon receiving this control signal, the content information management unit 1303 reads the preparation license stored in the secure memory 1412 and returns it to the license memory 1324. Next, the license status information included in the content information corresponding to the grid received in the reproduction request is updated.

The update procedure will be described below. First, the content information management unit 1303 checks whether or not the license status information includes the number of times of use and the number of times of use, and if not, rewrites the license status information to “2”. If the use count and the usable count are included, 1 is added to the use count.
At this time, if the use count is less than the usable count, the content information management unit 1303 rewrites the license status information to “2”. If the number of times of use is equal to the number of times of use, the content information management unit 1303 rewrites the license information to “4”.

(4) Secure processing card 1209
The secure processing card 1209 is used by being mounted on a digital video recorder.
As shown in FIG. 45, the secure processing card 1209 includes a secure memory 1412 and a content decrypting unit 1411. Further, the secure processing card 1209 includes an authentication unit, an input / output unit, etc., not shown.

Specifically, the secure processing card 1209 is a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The secure processing card 1209 achieves a part of its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.
Hereinafter, each functional unit constituting the secure processing card 1209 will be described.

(4-1) Secure memory 1412
The secure memory 1412 is a non-volatile storage device having tamper resistance. The secure memory 1412 stores parameters, key data, functions, and the like necessary for the decryption processing by the content decryption unit 1411. In addition, the preparation license written by the content information management unit 1303 is temporarily stored.

(4-2) Content decryption unit 1411
The content decryption unit 1411 receives a decryption instruction from the content information management unit 1303 of the device (here, the digital video recorder 1204 as an example) to which the secure processing card 1209 is attached.
When receiving the decryption instruction, the content decryption unit 1411 reads the preparation license stored in the secure memory 1412. Next, encrypted contents corresponding to the crid included in the read preparation license are received in order from the top, and the received contents are decrypted using the decryption key to generate contents.
5.6 Operation Hereinafter, the operation of each device constituting the home network system according to Embodiment 5 will be described with reference to the drawings. The same step numbers are assigned to corresponding portions of the flowcharts of FIGS. 47 to 49 and the data flow of FIG.

(1) Acquisition of new content When purchase of new content is requested by a user's operation, each device constituting the home network system performs acquisition processing of new content. FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device in the new content acquisition process.
Hereinafter, the operation of each device in the new content acquisition process will be described with reference to FIG. The same step numbers are assigned to corresponding portions in the flowchart of FIG. 47 and the data flow of FIG.

Here, specifically, a digital video 1202 is attached to the digital television 1202 identified by the device identifier “DTV — 02”, and the digital video identified by the device identifier “DVR — 01” is the storage destination of the acquired content. Description will be made assuming that the recorder 1204 is set.
The communication service control unit 1203 of the digital television 1202 accepts a content purchase operation by the user (step S701). Upon receiving this operation, the communication service control unit 1203 generates a content purchase request including crid = 0001, and transmits the generated content purchase request to the server device 1100 via the Internet 2 (step S702).

  The control unit 1107 of the server apparatus 1100 receives a content purchase request including crid = 0001 from the digital television 1202 via the Internet 2 (step S702). Upon receiving the content purchase request, the control unit 1107 and the communication service control unit 1203 of the digital television 1202 perform content purchase processing including billing processing, setting of the content storage destination device, and the like (step S703).

  After the content purchase processing is completed normally, the control unit 1107 reads the stored license 1101 and the encrypted content 1102 corresponding to crid = 0001 from the information storage unit 1110, and reads the stored license 1101 and the encrypted content 1102 that have been read. Is transmitted to the digital television 1202 via the Internet 2. The digital television 1202 transfers the received stored license and encrypted content to the digital video recorder 1204 identified by the device identifier “DVR — 01” (step S704).

The content information management unit 1303 of the digital video recorder 1204 receives the storage license and the encrypted content (step S704), and writes the received storage license and the encrypted content to the content storage unit 1310 (step S706).
Next, content information 1332 corresponding to the storage license 1321 and the encrypted content 1322 written in the content storage unit 1310 is generated, and the generated content information is added to the content information management table 1330 (step S707). The content information generated at this time includes grid “0001” and license status information “0”.

  Next, the content information management unit 1303 searches for a device in which the license card 1208 is mounted (step S708). If the detection is successful (YES in step S709), the content information management unit 1303 reads the stored license 1321 from the content storage unit 1310 (step S711), and reads the read stored license 1321 and the preparation processing instruction to the digital television 1202. To the license card 1208 (step S712).

  The license decryption unit 1401 of the license card 1208 receives the stored license and the preparation processing instruction from the digital video recorder 1204 via the digital television 1202 (step S712). Upon receiving these, the license decryption unit 1401 reads the main license 1403 from the secure memory 1402 (step S714), decrypts the received stored license using the main decryption key included in the read main license 1403, and prepares the license. Is generated (step S716). Subsequently, the license decryption unit 1401 transmits the generated preparation license to the digital video recorder 1204 via the digital television 1202 (step S717).

  The content information management unit 1303 of the digital video recorder 1204 receives the preparation license from the license card 1208 via the digital television 1202 (step S717). When the preparation license is received, the content information management unit 1303 writes the received preparation license in the license memory 1311 (step S718). Next, the license status information included in the content information 1332 corresponding to the written preparation license 1324 is rewritten to “1” (step S719).

If the detection of the device in which the license card 1208 is mounted fails (NO in step S709), the content information management unit 1303 waits for a predetermined time and then returns to step S708.
(2) Content Reproduction Processing When a content reproduction operation is performed by the user, the digital video recorder 1204 storing the content and the digital television 1201 that has accepted the operation start content reproduction processing. Hereinafter, the operation of each device in the content reproduction process will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, as an example, it is assumed that the reproduction of the content of grid “0001” is requested.
The content information management unit 1353 of the digital television 1201 identified by the device identifier “DTV — 01” accepts a reproduction operation by the user (step S731), and generates a reproduction request including crid = 0001 indicating the content requested to be reproduced. (Step S732). Next, the content information management unit 1353 transmits the generated reproduction request to the digital video recorder 1204 (step S733).

  The content information management unit 1303 of the digital video recorder 1204 receives a reproduction request from the digital television 1201 (step S733). Upon receiving the content reproduction request, the content information management unit 1303 detects content information including the “0001” included in the received reproduction request, and reads the license status information from the detected content information (step S736).

When the read license status information is “0” (“0” in step S737), the content information management unit 1303 displays a message “Please insert a license card into any device” on the digital TV 1201. An instruction is given (step S738).
When the read license status information is “1” or “2” (“1 or 2” in step S737), the content information management unit 1303 starts processing of content stream playback and license status information update (step S37). S739).

When the read license status information is “3” (“3” in step S737), the content information management unit 1303 instructs the digital television 1201 to display the message “currently being played on another device” ( Step S738).
When the read license status information is “4” (“4” in step S737), the content information management unit 1303 notifies the digital television 1201 that the message “Reproduction permitted number of times has been reached. "Reproduction is not possible" is instructed (step S742).

(3) Stream playback of content and update of license status information When the content can be played back according to the license status information corresponding to the content requested to be played back, the digital video recorder 1204 holding the content and the content playback The digital television 1201 that has transmitted the request starts content stream playback and license status information update processing. FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device in this processing. This is a detail of step S739 of FIG.

The operation of each device in the content stream playback and license status information update processing will be described below with reference to FIG.
The digital video recorder 1204 reads the preparation license 1324 corresponding to the “0001” from the license memory 1311 (step S741), and transfers the read preparation license 1324 to the secure memory 1412 (step S742).

The secure memory 1412 in the secure processing card 1209 stores the preparation license 1324 (step S743).
After the preparation license 1324 is transferred, the content information management unit 1303 rewrites the license status information of the content information including the crid “0001” to “3” (step S746). Next, a content decryption instruction is generated (step S747), and the generated decryption instruction is output to the content decryption unit 1411 in the secure processing card 1209 (step S749). Next, the content information management unit 1303 reads the encrypted content 1322 from the content storage unit 1310 (step S751), and outputs the read encrypted content 1322 to the content decryption unit 1411 (step S752).

  The content decryption unit 1411 receives a content decryption instruction from the content information management unit 1303 (step S749), and then sequentially receives the encrypted content 1322 from the top (step S752). The content decryption unit 1411 decrypts the encrypted content using the decryption key included in the preparation license stored in the secure memory 1412 (step S753).

The content information management unit 1303 stream-transfers the content generated by the decryption to the digital television 1201 (step S756).
The playback processing unit 1351 of the digital television 1201 receives content from the digital video recorder 1204 (step S756) and plays back the received content (step S757). When the reproduction ends (step S759), the content information management unit 1353 of the digital television 1201 transmits a control signal notifying the end of reproduction to the digital video recorder 1204 (step S761).

  The content information management unit 1303 of the digital video recorder 1204 receives a control signal for notifying the end of reproduction from the digital television 1201 (step S761). Upon receiving this control signal, the content information management unit 1303 reads the preparation license from the secure memory 1412 in the secure processing card 1209 (step S762), and writes the read preparation license to the license memory 1311 (step S763).

Next, the content information management unit 1303 detects content information including the “0001” and updates the license status information included in the detected content information (step S766). The updated content state information is either “2” or “4”.
5.7 Summary As described above, in the present embodiment, a main license and a license (preparation license) are required to reproduce content. The devices constituting the home network system acquire a storage license together with new encrypted content. As soon as the license is acquired, the location of the license card storing the main license is detected, and the license card is instructed to decrypt the stored license to obtain a preparation license.

In this way, since a preparation license is acquired in advance, when a content playback is requested, if the license card is not installed in any device on the home network system or if a license card is installed Even when the power of a device is turned off, it is possible to quickly decrypt the encrypted content and reproduce the content.
Further, as described in Embodiment 1, in order to distribute the processing load of the digital video recorder 1204, when the encrypted content held by the digital video recorder 1204 is copied or moved to another device, the encryption is performed. The preparation license is also copied or moved when the content is copied. Alternatively, the preparation license may be copied to another device in advance when the preparation license is generated.
6). Other Modifications Although the present invention has been described based on the above-described embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The following cases are also included in the present invention.

  (1) In the first embodiment, when the content prediction selection unit 107 receives a content prediction instruction including the device identifier of the reduction target device and the maximum load time period from the movement control unit 109, the content prediction selection unit 107 holds the reduction target device. The content that is highly likely to be viewed by the user in the received maximum load time period is specified as the predicted content from the received content.

However, it may replace with this structure as follows.
The content prediction selection unit 107 stores a predetermined prediction time (for example, the same as the prediction time held by the device load prediction unit). Moreover, the time width (for example, 2 hours) used as the unit for specifying the predicted content is held.
When the predicted time is reached, the content prediction selection unit 107 controls the playback history management unit 104 and the content information management unit 103 so that the prediction target date is 4:00 to 00 in the content held by the digital video recorder 204. Predictive content that is likely to be viewed by the user is specified between 6:00 (here, predictive content is specified every 2 hours between 4:00 and 26:00). The specific operation is the same as in FIGS. 21 to 23, and the content of step S301 is read as “current time matches predicted time”, and “reproduction time zone =“ maximum ”included in the search condition of step S302. “Loading time zone, designated day of the week” ”may be read as the playback time zone“ reproducing time zone = 4: 00 to 6:00, designated day of the week ”.

  When the prediction content at 4:00 to 6:00 has been specified, the content prediction selection unit 107 next predicts the prediction content at 6:00 to 8:00 and the prediction at 8:00 to 10:00 in the same manner. The predicted contents... In the contents, 10:00 to 12:00 are sequentially specified. When the prediction content for every two hours between 4:00 and 28:00 has been specified, the content prediction selection unit 107 generates the prediction content table 1340 shown in FIG. The predicted content table 1340 includes a device identifier 1341 and a plurality of predicted content information 1342. The device identifier 1341 “DVR — 01” indicates the digital video recorder 204. Each prediction content information includes a prediction target time and a grid. In addition to this, the file size, the storage location of the predicted content indicated by grid, and the like may be included. “crid” indicates content that is highly likely to be requested to be reproduced in the prediction target time zone among the content held by the device identifier 1341.

  For example, the prediction content information 1342 includes a prediction target time zone 4:00 to 6:00 and a grid “crid // aaa.co.jp / abc...”. This is because the crid indicating the content that is highly likely to be requested to be played between 4:00 and 6:00 among the contents held by the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01” is “criid / //Aaa.co.jp/abc...

Next, the content prediction / selection unit 107 similarly specifies the prediction content for every two hours on the prediction target date for the digital video recorder 205, and generates a prediction content table.
When the prediction content is specified for all the digital video recorders, the prediction content table generated for each digital video recorder is output to the movement control unit 109.

  The movement control unit 109 receives a plurality of prediction content tables corresponding to each digital video recorder from the content prediction selection unit 107, and corresponds to a device whose processing load is to be reduced in the received prediction content table. Specify the predicted content table. The movement control unit 109 detects prediction content information including a prediction target time zone that matches (at least partially matches) the maximum load time zone indicated in the maximum load time zone table 600 in the specified prediction content table. Then, the movement of the predicted content indicated by crid included in the detected predicted content information is controlled.

  Note that the time width as a unit for specifying the predicted content is arbitrary. Moreover, although the prediction content was specified about all the time zones between 4:00 and 28:00, you may set the time zone used as the specific object of prediction content beforehand. For example, when the time zone in which the user is at home is from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening, the morning time zone (4: 0 to 8:00) and the night time zone (18:00 to 28:00) ) Only for the predicted content.

(2) In the first embodiment, the predicted content that is likely to be viewed is moved according to the user's preference, and an error is not generated in response to the content reproduction request by the user. However, the present invention is also effective in the following cases.
Consider a case where a recording reservation is registered in the receiver 100. The content information management unit 103 of the receiver 100 stores recording reservation information indicating a recording reservation of a broadcast program. The recording reservation information includes a grid for identifying content scheduled to be recorded, a channel, a recording destination identifier indicating a device that performs recording, a recording scheduled date, and a recording time zone (including a recording start time and a recording end time). Contains.

The movement control unit 109 outputs to the content information management unit 103, which outputs a device identifier indicating a device that is a processing load reduction target device (referred to as a reduction target device) and the maximum load time zone of the device.
The content information management unit 103 reduces the recording destination by including a recording time zone that overlaps with a time zone indicated by the maximum load time zone received from the movement control unit 109 based on the recording reservation information held by itself. Search for recording reservation information as a target device. When the corresponding recording reservation information is detected, the recording reservation information indicating the detected recording reservation is output to the movement control unit 109.

  When the movement control unit 109 receives the recording reservation information from the content information management unit 103, the reservation recording of the content indicated by the reservation information based on the load time zone table and the maximum load time zone table received from the operation history management unit. Identify devices that can handle Next, the recording destination identifier included in the received recording reservation information is rewritten with the device identifier of the specified device. Subsequently, the rewritten recording reservation information is transmitted to each device via the information transmission / reception unit 102, and an instruction to change the recording reservation information is given. In addition, the content information management unit 103 in the receiver 100 is also instructed to change the same recording reservation.

By doing in this way, the resource of the apparatus which comprises a subscriber | terminal network system can be utilized without waste.
(3) In the first embodiment, the resource related to the input / output of the HDD mounted on the digital video recorder has been described as an example of the device resource to be reduced in processing load. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, tuners, licenses related to content reproduction, and the like may be resources to be processed. Hereinafter, a case where the processing load related to the tuner is reduced will be described.
In this case, the operation history management unit 105 acquires the number of tuners (hereinafter, referred to as Rc) included in each device from the device function management unit 106. Next, based on operation history information of operations related to processing using a tuner (for example, display and recording of broadcast programs), the number of tuner operations at each time on a predetermined day is calculated for each device, and the load time zone A table is generated (the specific configuration is the same as the load time zone table shown in FIG. 12). Further, a time zone in which the number of operating tuners matches Rc, that is, a maximum load time zone is specified for each device, and a maximum load time zone table is generated (a specific configuration is the maximum load time in FIG. 14). Same as obi table 600). The details of the method for specifying the maximum load time period are the same as those in the first embodiment except that operation history information related to recording and broadcast program display is used instead of operation history information related to playback and recording.

After the load time zone table and the maximum load time zone table related to the tuner are generated, the recording reservation may be changed in the same manner as in the modification (3).
(4) The first embodiment described above is configured to include two digital video recorders, and in order to reduce the processing load in the high load time zone of the digital video recorder 204 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 01”, The example in which the content held by the video recorder 204 is moved to the digital video recorder 205 indicated by the device identifier “DVR — 02” has been described.

When there are a plurality of devices that can handle the processing of the digital video recorder 204 (that is, storage and output of content) in the home network system, among these devices, a high-performance device (for example, Rmax having a large value) Device) is preferentially used as the destination device to move the predicted content.
If it is not possible to move to this device (specifically, when the movable time zone cannot be detected or the movement cannot be completed within the movable time zone), the next highest performance device is tried to move the predicted content. .

(5) In the fourth embodiment, when the digital television 201 is instructed to reproduce the content by the user's operation, if the digital television 201 does not retain the license, the digital television 201 proceeds to the digital video recorder 204 that retains the content. A license acquisition request is transmitted, and a license is acquired via the digital video recorder 204.
However, the digital television 201 itself may request a license from the digital television 202 holding the license by referring to the bind_current_location. That is, the digital television 201 itself executes the processing of steps S514 to 529 in FIG.

(6) In the fifth embodiment, each device holds position information indicating the device in which the license card 1208 is mounted, and the device with the license card is referred to by referring to the position information. Send preparatory processing instructions.
Here, when a response is not obtained from the transmission destination device within a predetermined time, an operation instruction message may be displayed as in the fourth embodiment.

(7) In the fifth embodiment, the digital video recorder 1204 that has received the content playback request confirms the license status information corresponding to the content requested to be played back in response to the license status information. The digital television 1201 is instructed to display a message.
However, the digital television (DTV_01) operated by the user may confirm the license status information stored therein.

In this case, when the content information management unit 1653 of the digital television 1201 accepts a content reproduction operation by the user, the content information management unit 1653 reads license status information corresponding to the content instructed to be reproduced. If the read license information is not “1” or “2”, the digital television 1201 displays a message corresponding to the license information.
When the license information is “1” or “2”, the content information management unit 1353 transmits to the digital video recorder 1204 a content playback request including the content of the content instructed to be played.

When the content information management unit 1303 of the digital video recorder 1204 receives the content reproduction request, the content information management unit 1303 starts the content stream reproduction and the update of the license status information described with reference to FIG.
(8) In the fifth embodiment, the digital video recorder 1204 transmits the storage license and the preparation processing instruction to the license card immediately after acquiring the encrypted content and the storage license, and acquires the preparation license. The timing of obtaining the preparation process license is not limited to this.

  For example, the device load prediction unit 108 described in Embodiment 1 controls the operation history management unit 105, and the power of the digital television 1202 in which the license card 1208 is mounted is turned off based on the operation history table 360. Predict the time zone. The digital video recorder 1204 obtains a preparation license before a predetermined time before the predicted time zone.

  Specifically, the operation history management unit 105 includes “DTV — 02” indicating the digital television 1202 as the target device identifier under the instruction of the device load prediction unit 108, and performs the device operation “Power ON” or “Power OFF”. The operation history information included is detected, and a time zone in which the power is likely to be turned off is calculated from the detected operation history information. The calculation method is arbitrary, but as an example, for the last week, the time zone where the power was turned off on each day was calculated, the calculated time zone was compared, and the power was turned off for at least 3 days The time zone in which the power is turned off is the time zone where the power supply is likely to be turned off.

As another example, the average of the times when the power is turned off is calculated, and the calculated time is set as the start time of the time zone where the power is likely to be turned off.
(9) Each of the above devices is specifically a computer system including a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, a hard disk unit, a display unit, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. Computer programs are stored in the RAM, ROM, and hard disk unit. Each device achieves its function by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. Here, the computer program is configured by combining a plurality of instruction codes indicating instructions for the computer in order to achieve a predetermined function.

  (10) A part or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above-described devices may be constituted by one system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The system LSI is a super multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of components on one chip, and specifically, a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. . A computer program is stored in the RAM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.

  (11) Part or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above devices may be configured from an IC card that can be attached to and detached from each device or a single module. The IC card or the module is a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The IC card or the module may include the super multifunctional LSI described above. The IC card or the module achieves its function by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. This IC card or this module may have tamper resistance.

(12) The present invention may be the method described above. Further, the present invention may be a computer program that realizes these methods by a computer, or may be a digital signal composed of the computer program.
The present invention also provides a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, BD (Blu-ray Disc). ), Recorded in a semiconductor memory or the like. Further, the present invention may be the computer program or the digital signal recorded on these recording media.

Further, the present invention may transmit the computer program or the digital signal via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, a data broadcast, or the like.
The present invention may be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory, wherein the memory stores the computer program, and the microprocessor operates according to the computer program.

In addition, the program or the digital signal is recorded on the recording medium and transferred, or the program or the digital signal is transferred via the network or the like, and is executed by another independent computer system. It is good.
(13) The present invention includes a case where all of the functional blocks of the license card 1208 and the secure processing card 1209 in the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. 45 are realized as an LSI that is an integrated circuit. Further, the present invention includes not only all functional blocks but also a part realized as an LSI. These may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include a part or all of them. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing the LSI or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.
Furthermore, if integrated circuit technology comes out to replace LSI's as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or a derivative other technology, it is naturally also possible to carry out function block integration using this technology. Biotechnology can be applied as a possibility.

  (14) The above embodiment and the above modifications may be combined.

  The present invention relates to continuous, repetitive, and sales operations in an industry that constructs a home network system and manufactures and sells devices that mutually use data and device resources, and an industry that provides a home network system using these devices. Can be used.

It is an example of apparatus connection of the home network system 1 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure common to each apparatus which comprises the in-home network system. It is an example of a function which the apparatus which comprises in-home network system 1 has. The structural example of the content information management table 300 is shown. The structural example of the reproduction | regeneration history table 320 is shown. The structural example of the reproduced content table 340 is shown. The structural example of the operation history table 360 is shown. The structural example of the apparatus function table 380 is shown. The structural example of the reproduction | regeneration frequency | count list | wrist 400 according to the genre which the content prediction selection part 107 produces | generates is shown. The type of the overlapping relationship between the input time zone and the update time zone is shown. The type of the overlapping relationship between the input time zone and the update time zone is shown. The process of generating the load time zone table 500e is shown. (A) It is the figure which expressed visually the load time zone table produced | generated with respect to the digital video recorder 204 identified by apparatus identifier "DVR_01".

(B) It is the figure which expressed visually the load time zone table produced | generated with respect to the digital video recorder 205 identified by apparatus identifier "DVR_02".
The structural example of the maximum load time zone table 600 is shown. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of each apparatus in the acquisition process of the data which decided the memory | storage part. 5 is a flowchart showing operations of extracting a maximum load time period by the device load prediction unit 108, the device function management unit 106, and the operation history management unit 105. 5 is a flowchart showing operations of extracting a maximum load time period by the device load prediction unit 108, the device function management unit 106, and the operation history management unit 105. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the production | generation of the load time zone table by the apparatus load estimation part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of content movement control. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of content movement control. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations for selecting predicted content by the content prediction selection unit 107, the reproduction history management unit 104, and the content information management unit 103. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations for selecting predicted content by the content prediction selection unit 107, the reproduction history management unit 104, and the content information management unit 103. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations for selecting predicted content by the content prediction selection unit 107, the reproduction history management unit 104, and the content information management unit 103. It is a flowchart which shows the necessity determination of processing load reduction, and the operation | movement of prediction content selection by the content prediction selection part and content information management part in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the necessity determination of processing load reduction, and the operation | movement of a prediction content selection by the content prediction selection part and content information management part in Embodiment 2 of this invention. (A) In Embodiment 3 of this invention, it is the figure which showed visually the apparatus load time zone estimated with respect to the reduction object apparatus and the movement destination apparatus. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of content movement control by a movement control unit according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of content movement control by a movement control unit according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of content movement control by a movement control unit according to the third embodiment. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital video recorder 204 (device identifier “DVR — 01”) in Embodiment 4. FIG. The structural example of the binding information which each apparatus which comprises the subscriber | terminal network system of Embodiment 4 hold | maintains is shown. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital television 201 (device identifier “DTV — 01”) in the fourth embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the content reproduction | regeneration in a home network system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of each apparatus in the license collection | recovery process on a home network system. The operation of each device in license transfer and content stream playback is shown. The operation of each device in license transfer and content stream playback is shown. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of each apparatus in the notification process in use of a license. The hierarchical structure of the logical directory which manages content is shown. An example of a logical directory hierarchical structure for managing license bibliographic information is shown. An example of a logical directory hierarchical structure for managing content bibliographic information of each content is shown. A specific example of the structure of a license acquisition request and response related to the root directory. A specific example of the structure of a license acquisition request and response related to a lower directory. Specific examples of the content bibliographic information acquisition request and the content bibliographic information acquisition response related to the root directory are shown. The specific example of the content bibliographic information acquisition request and content bibliographic information acquisition request regarding a lower directory is shown. It is a block diagram which shows the structure and data flow of each apparatus in Embodiment 5 of this invention. The structural example of the content information management table 1330 is shown. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of each apparatus in a new content acquisition process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of each apparatus concerning a content reproduction process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of each apparatus concerning the stream reproduction | regeneration of a content and the update process of license status information. The structural example of the prediction content table 1340 is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Home network system 100 Receiver 101 Equipment function acquisition part 102 Information transmission / reception part 103 Content information management part 104 Playback history management part 105 Operation history management part 106 Equipment function management part 107 Content prediction selection part 108 Equipment load prediction part 109 Movement control part 201 Digital Television 202 Digital Television 203 Digital Television 204 Digital Video Recorder 205 Digital Video Recorder 206 Gateway Device

Claims (25)

Each is a load adjustment device that is a component of a home network including a first device and a second device each having at least one resource related to content,
A load prediction means for specifying a high load time zone in which the number of resources used by the first device is predicted to be a predetermined value or more in a future prediction target period;
Content prediction means for identifying predicted content predicted to be desired by the user among the content allocated to the resource of the first device, if necessary,
The load adjustment apparatus comprising: a control unit that allocates the predicted content to the resource of the second device before the high load time period of the first device. The load predicting means includes
An operation received by the first device in a past reference period, indicating an operation related to a process using the resource of the first device, and storing an operation history indicating at least a time zone in which the process is executed; An operation history storage unit,
A time zone in which the number of resources used by the first device is greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected from a time zone included in the operation history, and a time zone that matches the detected time zone in the prediction target period is the high load. The load adjusting device according to claim 1, further comprising a load specifying unit that specifies the time zone. The resource included in the first device and the second device is a resource used for storage and input / output of content, and the resource included in the first device stores the content as allocated content,
The load adjusting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the first device and the second device so as to store the predicted content in a resource of the second device. The content prediction means includes
A playback history storage unit that stores a playback history indicating content played back in the past in the devices in the home network;
The content selection part which specifies the kind of content which the user liked and reproduced from the kind of content which the playback history shows, and sorts the contents which belong to the specified type as the prediction contents. 4. The load adjusting device according to 3. The content selection unit
Extracting the partial history indicating the content played in the time period that coincides with the high load time period of the first device within the reference period from the reproduction history,
5. The load reducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the type of content that the user likes to reproduce is specified from the type to which the content indicated by the extracted partial history belongs. The content selection unit
In each of a plurality of predetermined time periods within the reference period, the type of content that the user likes to play is specified, a plurality of candidate content belonging to the specified type and each is selected, and the plurality of selected candidate content The candidate content corresponding to the time slot | zone corresponding to the high load time slot | zone of the said 1st apparatus in the said reference period is set as the said prediction content in the load adjustment apparatus of Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The content prediction means includes
A calculation unit that calculates a size upper limit value obtained by multiplying the communication speed of the home network from the current time to the start time of the maximum load time zone;
The load adjustment apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a content selection unit that selects the predicted content from content having a size equal to or smaller than the size upper limit value. The load predicting means further includes:
In the prediction target period, it is predicted that the number of resources used by the second device will be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and specifies a high load time zone after the high load time zone of the first device,
The content prediction unit
A content having a length that can be played back in time from the end time of the high load time zone of the first device to the start time of the high load time zone of the second device at the latest is specified as the predicted content. The load adjusting device according to claim 3. Any device in the home network has a broadcast receiving function for receiving broadcast content,
The load adjusting device further includes:
Based on broadcast schedule information indicating broadcast content scheduled to be broadcast, comprising a determination means for determining whether or not broadcast content that the user desires to watch is broadcast in the high load time period,
The content prediction means includes
The load adjustment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the broadcast content desired by the user is broadcast, the prediction content is specified. The resource is a hard disk unit and its input / output mechanism,
The load adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the load specifying unit specifies the high load time period based on the operation history indicating an operation that causes an access to the hard disk unit. The resources provided in the first device and the second device are resources for storing content,
The content prediction means specifies, as the predicted content, broadcast content in which a user reserves recording in the resource of the first device in a high load time zone of the first device,
The load adjusting device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit allocates the predicted content to the resource of the second device by changing the broadcast content recording destination to the resource of the second device. . The load predicting means further includes:
Specify a future high load time period in which the number of resources used by the second device is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value,
The control means calculates an adjustable time zone that is not included in either the high load time zone of the first device or the high load time zone of the second device, and the predicted content in the calculated adjustable time zone The load adjusting device according to claim 2, wherein: is assigned to a resource of the second device. The resource of the first device is a tuner for receiving a broadcast,
The load adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the load specifying unit specifies the high load time period based on the operation history indicating an operation that causes the tuner to operate. Each of the load adjustment devices of a home network including a load adjustment device including at least one resource related to content and other devices,
A load predicting means for identifying a high load time zone in which the number of resources used by itself is predicted to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value in a future prediction target period;
Content prediction means for identifying the predicted content that is expected to be desired by the user among the content allocated to its own resources, if necessary,
Control means for allocating the predicted content to a resource of the other device before the high load time period. Each of the load adjustment devices of a home network including a load adjustment device including at least one resource related to content and other devices,
A load prediction unit that identifies a high load time period in which the number of resources used by the other device is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value in a future prediction target period;
Content prediction means for identifying predicted content that is predicted to be desired by the user among the content allocated to the resources of the other devices, if necessary,
Control means for allocating the predicted content to its own resource before the high load time period. A playback device in a content playback system including a plurality of playback devices that play back the content using right information that permits playback of the content;
Location information storage means for storing location information indicating the location of the right information in the content reproduction system;
Obtaining means for obtaining the content reproduction request;
Upon obtaining the reproduction request, based on the location information, request means for attempting to obtain the right information;
An operation instructing unit that presents a location indicated by the location information and prompts a user to perform a predetermined operation when the location information cannot be obtained. The playback device further includes:
The playback apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: rewriting means for rewriting the location information so as to indicate the location of the rights information after acquisition when the rights information is acquired. A content playback system including a playback device that plays back content using sub-right information corresponding to the content,
Storage means for storing sovereign rights information;
Acquisition means for acquiring the sub-right information having at least two states of an available state and an unavailable state;
Conversion means for converting the state of the sub-right information from an unusable state to an available state using the primary right information;
And a control unit that controls the conversion unit so that the conversion is performed before the reproduction of the content is requested. The storage means and the conversion means form a portable recording medium,
The content playback system according to claim 18, wherein the playback device is capable of mounting the portable recording medium. Each is a load adjustment method used in a load adjustment device that is a component of a home network including a first device and a second device each having at least one resource related to content,
A load prediction step for identifying a high load time period in which the number of resources used by the first device is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value in a future prediction target period;
If necessary, a content prediction step for identifying predicted content that is predicted to be desired by the user among the content allocated to the resource of the first device;
A control step of allocating the predicted content to the resource of the second device before the high load time period of the first device. Each is a load adjustment program used in a load adjustment device that is a constituent element of a home network including a first device and a second device each having at least one resource related to content,
A load prediction step for identifying a high load time period in which the number of resources used by the first device is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value in a future prediction target period;
If necessary, a content prediction step for identifying predicted content that is predicted to be desired by the user among the content allocated to the resource of the first device;
A control step of allocating the predicted content to the resource of the second device before the high load time period of the first device. A control method used in one playback device in a content playback system including a plurality of playback devices that perform playback of content using right information that permits playback of content,
The playback device includes location information storage means for storing location information indicating the location of the right information in the content playback system,
The control method is:
An acquisition step of acquiring a reproduction request for the content;
Upon obtaining the reproduction request, a request step for attempting to obtain the right information based on the location information;
An operation instruction step of presenting a location indicated by the location information and prompting a user to perform a predetermined operation when the location information cannot be obtained. A control program used in one playback device in a content playback system including a plurality of playback devices that play back the content using right information that permits playback of the content,
The playback device includes location information storage means for storing location information indicating the location of the right information in the content playback system,
The control program is
An acquisition step of acquiring a reproduction request for the content;
Upon obtaining the reproduction request, a request step for attempting to obtain the right information based on the location information;
An operation instructing step that presents the location indicated by the location information and prompts the user to perform a predetermined operation when the location information cannot be obtained. A control method used in a content reproduction system including a reproduction device that reproduces content using sub-right information corresponding to the content,
The content reproduction system includes storage means storing main right information,
The control method is:
Obtaining the sub-right information having at least two states of an available state and an unusable state; and
A conversion step of converting the state of the sub-right information from an unusable state to an available state using the primary right information;
A control step of controlling the converting means so that the conversion is performed before the reproduction of the content is requested. A control program used in a content playback system including a playback device that plays back content using sub-right information corresponding to the content,
The content reproduction system includes storage means storing main right information,
The control program is
Obtaining the sub-right information having at least two states of an available state and an unusable state; and
A conversion step of converting the state of the sub-right information from an unusable state to an available state using the primary right information;
A control step of controlling the conversion means so that the conversion is performed before the reproduction of the content is requested.

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