JP2009055518A - Streaming server, and streaming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that, in a conventional streaming system which achieves viewing on a remote site, in the case that time zones are different between a transmission point and a view point, since a time difference occurs between the two points, a time zone broadcasting a program being viewed becomes different from a time zone of actual viewing. <P>SOLUTION: A streaming server 10 including a function for performing followup playback while video-recording contents is provided with a means for setting to the streaming server 10 a time difference, caused by a difference of time zones, between a place 1 at which the streaming server is installed and a place 2 at which a streaming client is installed, wherein the streaming server 10 transmits stored contents that are constantly shifted by the time difference to the streaming client 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a streaming server and a streaming system, and more particularly to a streaming server and a streaming system that enable a user to view a program in the same time frame as a content reception point even in a remote place with a time difference.

Streaming systems that allow users to watch TV programs at remote locations via a public network such as the Internet, such as PC (Personal Computer) based systems, Sony's location free, and Sling Media's sling boxes are already on the market. Yes. In addition, a DVD recorder capable of chasing playback (a playback method of recording a TV program or the like and simultaneously playing back a recorded program after a predetermined time so as to follow the currently recorded program) is already on the market, Some of them are generally used, and some of them have a streaming function (a function of simultaneously reproducing data while receiving it when viewing multimedia data such as video and audio through a network such as the Internet). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-344920 (Patent Document 1) also proposes a technique for distributing content to a plurality of streaming clients by applying a similar streaming technique.
JP 2002-344920 A

  The streaming system that realizes remote viewing as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like is a very convenient technique for users in that a desired program can be viewed even at a remote location. However, if the time zone of the transmission point and the viewing point are different, there will be a time difference between the two points, so the time frame of the program being watched is different from the time frame actually being viewed. There is a problem that it ends up. Taking Japan and New York as an example, a drama that is broadcast at 9:00 pm in Japan time will be watched at 8:00 am in New York. In addition, users at the viewing point can browse the program guide on newspapers, magazines, and the Internet, but it is necessary to always refer to the program while taking into account the time difference. This is very inconvenient because it increases the possibility of a situation that does not occur.

  If you use a DVD recorder or similar to perform scheduled recording, it is not impossible to watch at the same time, but if there are many programs you want to watch, it is impractical to reserve all of them, and “zapping” And as represented by “while viewing”, not all programs are actively viewed. In addition, even if everything can be recorded, it is impossible to handle “zapping” or “while watching”, and the storage capacity of the recorded data of recent DVD recorders is so large that the user cannot manage it. There is also the problem of being. There are also DVD recorders that have a chasing playback function, but chasing playback is a function that assumes an unspecified time difference for a short time, and does not support a specific time difference from a remote location and accumulation for a long time. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and has been made for the purpose that a user can view a program in the same time frame as a content reception point even in a remote place with a time difference. .

The streaming server of the present invention is a streaming server having a function of performing chasing playback while recording content, a time difference setting means for setting a time difference between a streaming server installation point and a streaming client installation point actually viewed by a user, A content sending means for sending the recorded content to a streaming client installed at the streaming client installation point with a delay of a set time difference, and erasing the recorded content that has passed the sending time to the streaming client The content erasing means is provided.
In the streaming server of the present invention, the time difference setting means sets the time difference by selecting a time zone of each of the streaming server installation point and the streaming client installation point.
The streaming server of the present invention is characterized in that the time difference is set in the streaming server by communicating with the streaming client that is installed at the streaming client installation point and is actually viewed by a user.
In addition, the streaming server of the present invention may exchange the time information by communication when there is a change in the time information related to the time difference in at least one of the streaming server or the streaming client. The time frame between the streaming server and the streaming client is automatically readjusted.
Further, the streaming server of the present invention has a plurality of receiving units, and a plurality of content storage units for storing the contents of the plurality of channels received by the plurality of receiving units, respectively, The time difference set by the time difference setting means is shared by a plurality of channels, and the content of any one of the plurality of channels stored in the plurality of content storage units is transmitted to the streaming client.
The streaming system according to the present invention includes the streaming server and the streaming client that receives content transmitted from the streaming server via a communication network.
Further, the streaming system of the present invention includes a plurality of streaming servers that receive content of different channels at the same streaming server installation point and can transmit the received content to a streaming client via a communication network, The streaming client issues a transmission instruction to only one of the plurality of streaming servers.

  According to the present invention, even when viewing at a remote place with different time zones and different time zones, it is possible to always view the program in the same time frame as the transmission point without requiring a recording reservation. For example, a drama broadcast at 9:00 pm in Japan time can be viewed in New York, USA at 9:00 pm. Newspapers, magazines, and online program guides can be used as they are without considering the time difference.

  In addition, since the recording reservation is not required, “while watching” is possible, and the streaming server can also watch while “zapping” between the channels by supporting a plurality of channels. Each streaming server does not require an excessive recording data storage capacity, and can be limited to a storage capacity corresponding to the time difference.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  An example of an embodiment of a streaming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this explanation, Japan is taken as an example of the installation location of the streaming server, and New York is taken as an example of the installation location of the streaming client that the user actually views. At this time, the time difference between the two points is 14 hours.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the streaming server 10 installed at the streaming server installation point 1 on the Japanese side receives the broadcast from the TV station 3 from the antenna 12, stores it in the streaming server 10, and delays it by the time difference to stream in New York, USA. It is transmitted to the client installation point (user's home) 2 via the Internet 4 and indicates that the user views the content received by the television 30 to which the streaming client 20 is connected. This figure shows an example in which a television broadcast is directly received by the antenna 12, but it is of course possible to support an external tuner or the like by providing an external input.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the streaming server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the streaming client 20. This block diagram shows a general configuration, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be considered for the specific configuration when carrying out the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention. Since a system that realizes a streaming operation and a reception operation is already common, detailed operations on these aspects will be omitted.

  A schematic configuration of the streaming server 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

  The streaming server 10 receives a broadcast radio wave reception signal from the antenna 12, demodulates it, and decodes it into desired program data (content), a content storage unit 11 that stores the decoded content, and the content An encoder 14 that compresses and encodes the content, a network interface 16 that is an interface circuit that transmits content to the network, a control unit 13 that includes a CPU and controls the entire streaming server 10, and a control unit 13 for executing control The storage unit 15 stores a control program, temporary data during operation, time difference information, which will be described later, and an operation unit 18 that operates the streaming server 10. Each of these elements is connected to each other by an internal system bus. The operation unit 18 includes operation keys for performing various settings, which will be described later, and a display unit for displaying a menu screen for operation.

  A schematic configuration of the streaming client 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 will be described.

  The streaming client 20 is connected to a network and receives a network interface 24 that receives content transmitted from the streaming server 10, a decoder 23 that decodes and outputs the content received by the network interface 24, and externally receives content data from the decoder 23. An external output interface 26 that is an interface circuit that outputs to the television 30 connected to the control unit 21, a control unit 21 that includes a CPU and controls the entire streaming client 20, and a memory that stores a control program of the control unit 21 and temporary data during operation. The unit 22 and the operation unit 25 for operating the streaming client 20 are included. Elements other than the external output interface 26 are connected to each other by an internal system bus.

  Subsequently, an operation example of the streaming system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows the time difference setting of the streaming server 10 and the operation of receiving and storing the content, and FIG. 5 shows the operation of transmitting and deleting the content of the streaming server 10.

  First, the user sets a time difference between the streaming server installation point 1 and the streaming client installation point 2 for the streaming server 10 (step S101). There are various methods for setting the time difference. Here, a few examples of methods for setting the time difference through menu-type operations will be described.

(Time difference setting example 1)
FIG. 6 is an example in which time difference information between two points is directly set as a numerical value.

  In order to set the time difference information, first, an operation key provided in the operation unit 18 of the streaming server 10, for example, a “time difference setting key” is pressed to display a time difference setting menu screen as shown in FIG. In the example of the menu screen of FIG. 6, the options “Set by Number”, “Set from List”, “Set from Map”, and “Set Automatically” are displayed on the left side of the menu screen. "Is selected. When this “set by number” selection is selected using the selection key (cursor movement key), an input section for setting the time difference is displayed from the center of the menu screen to the right side. The time difference can be input using a numeric input key (ten key) provided on the operation unit 18 of the streaming server 10 or an up key, a down key, an enter key (ENTER key), a return key (RETURN key), and the like. When the setting is complete, press the EXIT key to end the time difference setting operation.

(Time difference setting example 2)
FIG. 7 shows an example in which the time zone between two points is selected from the list, and the time difference is calculated and set from the result.

  In order to set the time difference information, the time difference setting menu screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed by pressing an operation key provided in the operation unit 18 of the streaming server 10, for example, “time difference setting key”, as in the time difference setting example 1. Is displayed. On the left side of the menu screen, “Set with numbers”, “Set from list”, “Set from map”, and “Set automatically” are displayed. Use the selection key (cursor move key) to select 2 from the top Select the second "Set from List". Then, the area (time zone) where the server and the client are located is displayed from the center to the right side of the menu screen, so the time zone where the server and the client are located is selected. The time zone is selected by selecting either the server or client time zone setting using the operation keys provided on the operation unit 18 of the streaming server 10 and then operating the cursor movement key to move the corresponding cursor. Can be done. As with time difference setting example 1, when setting is completed using the enter key (ENTER key), return key (RETURN key), etc., the time difference setting operation is terminated with the end key (EXIT key).

(Time difference setting example 3)
FIG. 8 shows an example in which a time zone between two points is selected from a map, and a time difference is calculated and set from the result. The user sets the time difference between the two locations by selecting the time zone of the installation location of the streaming server 10 and the installation location of the streaming server client 20 from the map on the map, respectively.

  In order to set the time difference information, as in the time difference setting examples 1 and 2, an operation key provided in the operation unit 18 of the streaming server 10, for example, the “time difference setting key” is pressed to set the time difference as shown in FIG. Display the menu screen. On the left side of the menu screen, “Set with numbers”, “Set from list”, “Set from map”, and “Set automatically” are displayed. Use the selection key (cursor move key) to select 3 from the top Select the second “Set from Map”. Then, the world map is displayed from the center to the right side of the menu screen, and a frame for setting the server and client time zones is displayed on the map. The time zone is moved and selected by operating, for example, the cursor movement key of the operation keys provided on the operation unit 18 of the streaming server 10 and selecting either the server or the client time zone setting, and then the time zone corresponding to each is selected. This can be done by moving the frame. As with time difference setting examples 1 and 2, when setting is completed using the enter key (ENTER key), return key (RETURN key), etc., the time difference setting operation is terminated with the end key (EXIT key).

(Time difference setting example 4)
FIG. 9 shows that the streaming server 10 and the streaming server client 20 each hold real time information including the time zone, and the streaming server 10 automatically calculates the time difference by exchanging the time information by communication. This is an example of setting.

In order to set the time difference information, as in the time difference setting examples 1 to 3, an operation key provided in the operation unit 18 of the streaming server 10, for example, a “time difference setting key” is pressed to set the time difference as shown in FIG. Display the menu screen. On the left side of the menu screen, “Set with numbers”, “Set from list”, “Set from map”, and “Set automatically” are displayed. Use the selection key (cursor move key) to select 4 from the top Select the second “Set automatically”. Then, the time automatically set for the server and the client is displayed from the center of the menu screen to the right side. In addition, “use NTP server”, “automatically correct daylight saving time”, and the like can be set as condition settings. When the setting is completed using the enter key (ENTER key), return key (RETURN key), etc., as in the time difference setting examples 1 to 3, the time difference setting operation is terminated using the end key (EXIT key).
If such a setting method is adopted, if the time information of both the streaming server and the client or one of them changes, such as when shifting to daylight saving time, the information is communicated. By exchanging with, the time frame between the streaming server and the client can be readjusted automatically, and it is possible to automatically cope with it.

  The time difference information is set in the streaming server 10 by the method as described above, and the streaming server 10 holds the time difference information in the storage unit 15.

  Next, the user sets a channel for the streaming server 10 to receive and store in the streaming server 10 (step S102). FIG. 10 shows an example in which a reception channel is set for the streaming server 10 in the menu format. The user inputs a channel number numerically from the operation unit 18. Set the image quality as required.

  Note that the time difference setting input or channel setting input from the operation unit 18 described above is the same as that of a remote control generally used in television receivers other than using the operation keys provided in the operation unit 18 as described above. Operation input or operation input via a network.

  When the setting is completed in this way, the streaming server 10 starts actual operation from here. The streaming server 10 waits for a user operation start instruction (step S103), and when there is an instruction, starts receiving content (step S104) and encoding / saving (step S105). If there is no operation start instruction (NO in step S103), the process waits in an operation start instruction waiting state. After the operation is started, the content reception (step S104) and the encoding / saving (step S105) are continued until an operation stop instruction is issued (YES in step S106). The operation start and stop instructions are actually assumed to be via buttons on the operation unit 18 or via a network.

  In parallel with the operation of receiving and encoding / saving the content, an operation of transmitting / deleting the content from the streaming server 10 to the streaming client 20 is performed. The flow is shown in FIG.

  First, the streaming server 10 waits for a user operation start instruction (step S201), and when there is an operation start instruction (YES in step S201), the streaming server 10 refers to the time difference setting stored in the storage unit 15 (step S202). If there is no operation start instruction (NO in step S201), the process waits in an operation start instruction waiting state. Next, the streaming server 10 waits for a content transmission request from the streaming client 20 via the network (step S203). If there is a transmission request (YES in step S203), the streaming server 10 delays the time by the time difference information. The transmitted content is transmitted to the streaming client 20 (step S204). If there is no transmission request (NO in step S203), the process proceeds to the next step (step S205). Next, the streaming server 10 deletes the stored content that has passed the time difference information from the content storage unit 11 (step S205). After the operation is started, if there is no operation stop instruction (NO in step S206), the contents transmission (step S204) and deletion (step S205) operations are continued (steps S203 to S206). If there is an operation stop instruction (YES in step S206), the process ends. The instruction to start and stop the content transmission operation is actually assumed to be a button on the operation unit 18 or an instruction via a network, as in the case of content reception / storage. It can also be used as a transmission / deletion operation instruction.

  The management state of the content storage unit 11 of the streaming server 10 that performs the content reception / storage operation and the transmission / deletion operation in parallel as described above is as shown in FIG. In this figure, the state at the time when viewing at 9:00 pm on August 1 in New York is taken as an example. The Japanese time at this point is 10:00 am on August 2nd. In addition, the content is saved in the time from 9:00 pm on August 1 to 10:00 am on August 2 in Japan time. The content from the streaming server 10 to the streaming client 20 at 9:00 pm on August 1 in Japan time is transmitted. The arrows arranged on the left and right indicate that, as time further advances from here, the content is continuously received and stored, and the transmitted time-out content is deleted. The content storage unit 11 of the streaming server 10 stores only the time difference between the streaming server installation point 1 and the streaming client installation point 2 because the content storage unit 11 is continuously used like this operation. It is enough if there is a capacity that can handle this. The actual required capacity is determined by the resolution of the video to be stored, the number of frames per second, the audio sampling rate, the data compression method, the transmission bit rate, and the like.

  With respect to the operation of the streaming server 10, the streaming client 20 is not particularly different from the operation of a general streaming client, and the content transmitted from the streaming server 10 is received by the network interface 24 and decoded by the decoder 23. Thereafter, by outputting to the television 30 through the external output interface 26, the user views the channel set in the streaming server 10 in the same time frame as the streaming server installation point 1. Functions of the control unit 21, the storage unit 22, the operation unit 25, etc. are not particularly different from general functions. The difference between a general streaming client and the streaming client 20 according to the present invention is whether or not it has a setting function for the streaming server 10 and a function for adjusting a time difference by communication as described above. Since the content being viewed is streamed along the time axis by adjusting the time difference, there is no need to schedule recording to a DVD recorder, etc. Of course it is also possible to do.

  Through the above operation, the streaming system according to the present invention prepares only a minimum content storage area, so that content can be viewed in the same time frame between the streaming server installation point 1 and the streaming client installation point 2. Is possible.

  In the above-described streaming system according to the present invention, only one channel is targeted, but in the block diagram of the streaming server 10 in FIG. 2, a plurality of functions of the receiving unit 17 and the content storage unit 11 are provided and operated simultaneously. It becomes possible to handle multiple channels. As an actual product, whether these functions are physically separate or virtually divided is a matter of implementation and there is no particular difference. In addition, a plurality of streaming servers 10 themselves may be provided, and implementation corresponding to a plurality of channels may be considered while sharing time difference setting information using a network or other inter-device communication means. By issuing a transmission instruction from the streaming client 20 only to the streaming server 10 in which a desired channel is set, “zapping” that freely moves between channels can be realized even after adjusting the time difference even in a remote place.

  If the streaming server 10 is installed at a point where the time has advanced from the streaming client 20, the problem remains that the streaming system according to the present invention cannot make the same date and time frame. However, by shifting the transmission time difference by one day, the day of the week will be different, but only the time frame can be matched, with the morning program in the morning and the night program in the night. It is possible to realize viewing.

  The present invention has been described in detail with specific embodiments. However, the above-described embodiments are exemplifications, and the specific configuration when carrying out the present invention is within the scope of the present invention. Of course, various modifications are possible.

  The present invention can be applied to a streaming system using a streaming server having a function of performing chasing playback while recording content.

It is a structural example of the streaming system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the streaming server which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the streaming client which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the transition of a series of settings and content preservation | save processing in the streaming server to which this invention is applied. It is the flowchart which showed the transition of a series of content transmission in the streaming server to which this invention is applied, and a deletion process. It is an example of a time difference setting screen by a user to which the present invention is applied. It is an example of a time difference setting screen by a user to which the present invention is applied. It is an example of a time difference setting screen by a user to which the present invention is applied. It is an example of a time difference setting screen by a user to which the present invention is applied. It is an example of a setting screen of a reception channel by a user to which the present invention is applied. It is an example which shows the management state of the preservation | save content in the streaming system to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Streaming server installation point 2 ... Streaming client installation point 3 ... Television station 4 ... Internet 10 ... Streaming server 11 ... Content storage part 12 ... Antenna 13 ... Control part 14 ... encoder 15 ... storage unit 16 ... network interface 17 ... receiving unit 18 ... operation unit 20 ... streaming client 21 ... control unit 22 ... storage unit 23 ... Decoder 24 ... Network interface 25 ... Operation unit 26 ... External output interface 30 ... TV

Claims (7)

In a streaming server that has the function of chasing playback while recording content,
A time difference setting means for setting a time difference between the streaming server installation point and the streaming client installation point that the user actually views;
Content sending means for sending the recorded content to the streaming client installed at the streaming client installation point with a delay of the set time difference;
A streaming server comprising content erasing means for erasing the recorded content that has passed the transmission time to the streaming client.   The streaming server according to claim 1, wherein the time difference setting means sets the time difference by selecting a time zone of each of the streaming server installation point and the streaming client installation point.   The streaming server according to claim 1, wherein the time difference is set in the streaming server by communicating with the streaming client installed at the streaming client installation point and actually viewed by a user.   When at least one of the streaming server and the streaming client changes in time information related to the time difference, the time information between the streaming server and the streaming client is exchanged by exchanging the time information by communication. The streaming server according to claim 3, wherein the readjustment is automatically performed. A plurality of receiving units, and a plurality of content storage units for storing the contents of the plurality of channels received by the plurality of receiving units, respectively.
The content sending means shares the time difference set by the time difference setting means to a plurality of channels, and sends the contents of any of the plurality of channels stored in the plurality of content storage units to the streaming client. The streaming server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the streaming server is characterized.   A streaming system comprising the streaming server according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the streaming client that receives content transmitted from the streaming server via a communication network. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein content on different channels can be received at the same streaming server installation point, and the received content can be transmitted to a streaming client via a communication network. With multiple streaming servers,
The streaming system, wherein the streaming client issues a transmission instruction to only one of the plurality of streaming servers.

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