JP2013098769A - Unicast data distribution method related to announcement information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stable system operation capable of alleviating a load of a distribution server, in unicast distribution of announcement information.SOLUTION: A data distribution method for distributing announcement information by unicast to a plurality of information terminals from a plurality of distribution servers via an IP network, comprises the following steps of: a) preliminarily determining a specific distribution server to which the own terminal should be connected for receiving the announcement information by dividing the respective information terminals into a plurality of groups corresponding to the number of the distribution servers depending on the number of the information terminals to which the announcement information should be distributed, and assigning one of the plurality of distribution servers for each group, by a distribution control server; b) broadcasting a distribution start notification to the respective information terminals from the distribution control server via the IP network prior to the distribution of the announcement information on the basis of the determination to preliminarily notify the respective information terminals of the specific distribution servers to which the information terminals should be connected; c) receiving the distribution start notification broadcasted from the distribution control server, and connecting to the distribution server designated on the basis of the distribution start notification, by each information terminal; and d) distributing the announcement information by unicast to the information terminal on the basis of the connection from the information terminal, by each distribution server.

Description

  The present invention relates to a data distribution method by unicast distribution using a distribution server that distributes notification information, a distribution control server that controls the distribution, and a plurality of information terminals that receive the notification information distributed via the IP network, And about the system.

  In local networks such as municipalities, it is required to transmit notifying information such as administrative consultations and health consultations as well as urgent notifications such as heavy rains, floods and earthquakes to the residents. With the advancement of information communication technology, information transmission means via IP networks such as the Internet network and CATV network have begun to be used in addition to the conventional circulation board or disaster prevention radio by broadcasting of speakers installed outdoors. . For example, when used in a regional network, there is a method of distributing various types of notification information issued from a notification broadcast server installed at a public office to an information terminal such as a personal computer installed in each home via an IP network. Can be mentioned.

  As a method of distributing notification information via such an IP network, it is conceivable to use unicast distribution or multicast distribution. In unicast distribution, individual information terminals (clients) on the receiving side directly access the distribution server holding the information data, and the distribution server recognizes the access and transmits the data directly to the information terminal. Communication. On the other hand, in multicast distribution using a multicast protocol (for example, a method using a multicast IP address), the information terminal on the receiving side and the distribution server do not communicate directly, and each information terminal is distributed through a router arranged on the network. When the request is transmitted and the distribution server transmits the information data, the router copies the data and delivers the same data to all the information terminals.

  So far, attempts have been made to use multicast distribution for announcement broadcasting (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2002-368807 A However, in multicast distribution, it is necessary to make all routers and information terminals on the network compatible with multicast, and there are practical problems in terms of reliability such as security and network stability. is there. On the other hand, unicast distribution is widespread and does not have a problem such as a transfer route. However, since it is one-to-one communication as described above, a distribution server is used when distributing information data to a plurality of information terminals simultaneously. In addition, there is a problem that the load on the network band increases and there is a risk of network failure or system failure.

  On the other hand, it is also conceivable to use an external device such as a load balancer as means for distributing and reducing the load on the server in unicast distribution. However, load balancing by the load balancer always monitors the number of sessions to the server and allocates the next connected session to a server with a small number of connections, so there is no normal session, but distribution starts. In the case of notification broadcasting in which a large number of sessions occur at the same moment, there is a possibility that the load balancer distribution process may not operate normally, which is not preferable for application to such notification broadcasting.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the load on a distribution server and provide stable system operation in unicast distribution of notification information.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventor divides information terminals into groups based on the number of information terminals to which the notification information is to be distributed and the number of distribution servers, and one distribution server is in charge of distribution. The present invention has been completed by finding means for dynamically distributing the number of information terminals and notifying each terminal of a distribution server to be connected in advance before distribution of actual notification information.

  That is, in one aspect, the present invention provides a data distribution method for unicast distribution of notification information from a plurality of distribution servers to a plurality of information terminals via an IP network, wherein a) the distribution control server includes the notification By dividing each information terminal into a plurality of groups corresponding to the number of distribution servers according to the number of information terminals to which information is to be distributed, and assigning one of the plurality of distribution servers to each group A step of predetermining a specific distribution server to which each information terminal should be connected in order to receive the notification information; b) based on the determination, prior to distribution of the notification information, from the distribution control server to the IP network The broadcast start notification is simultaneously transmitted to each information terminal via the information terminal, so that the specific distribution server to be connected is notified to each information terminal in advance. Step c) each information terminal receives the distribution start notification transmitted from the distribution control server and connects to a distribution server designated based on the distribution start notification; and d) each distribution server And a step of unicasting the notification information to the information terminal based on a connection from each information terminal.

  Unlike the case of using an external device such as a load balancer, such a configuration does not determine the connection destination distribution server for the first time at the time of connection of the information terminal, but a specific connection to be connected in advance by a distribution start notification. A distribution server is specified. Accordingly, each information terminal only connects to a distribution server designated in advance, while the distribution server also connects to information terminals in a group specified in advance, that is, information terminals whose maximum number is known in advance. Accordingly, since the notification information is distributed according to the simple operation, appropriate load distribution can be performed according to the number and capacity of the distribution servers, and stable data distribution is possible.

In addition, the number of distribution servers used can be appropriately selected according to the number of information terminals to which notification information is distributed, that is, the size of the user. Also, the CPU performance and hard disk capacity of the distribution server can be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art.

  The notification information distributed in the present invention can be voice information, character information, image information, or a combination thereof.

  In a further aspect, the data distribution method according to the present invention is such that a user of the information terminal creates the notification information and connects the encoding terminal to the encoding server via the IP network. The server further includes a step of performing an encoding process in real time, and a step of the encoding server sending the encoded notification information to the distribution server. As a result, any user of the information terminal can send notification information such as voice to the encoding server using the information terminal, and can directly encode the notification information. It becomes possible.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a data distribution system for unicasting notification information from a plurality of distribution servers to a plurality of information terminals via an IP network, wherein the information to be distributed is the information According to the number of terminals, each information terminal is divided into a plurality of groups corresponding to the number of distribution servers, and the notification information is received by assigning one of the plurality of distribution servers to each group. A distribution control server having a function of predetermining a specific distribution server to be connected to each information terminal, and the distribution control server sends a notification of the start of the distribution before the distribution of the notification information Means for notifying each information terminal in advance of a specific distribution server to which each information terminal is to be connected based on the determination, Includes means for transmitting a distribution request to a specific distribution server designated by the notification and receiving the notification information from the distribution server, and the distribution server responds to a request from the information terminal. The present invention relates to a data distribution system comprising means for unicasting the notification information to the assigned group of information terminals. By using the system, the data distribution method according to the present invention can be implemented.

  In a further aspect, the data distribution system according to the present invention records or records the notification information transmitted from the information terminal by the user of the information terminal via the IP network, and performs an encoding process in real time. The encoding server further includes an encoding server for sending the encoded notification information to the distribution server. By providing an encoding server, any user of an information terminal can send notification information such as voice to the encoding server using the information terminal and directly encode the notification information. Recording becomes possible. A plurality of encoding servers may be provided, and preferably two encoding servers may be provided. As a result, when one unit is recording, it can be automatically distributed to another unused server for reception. When the information terminal is a videophone, it is advantageous in that the user can create notification information using a telephone, and other devices such as a microphone are unnecessary, as in a normal call.

  In a further aspect, the data distribution method and system according to the present invention is characterized in that the distribution control server further has a function of performing unicast distribution of the notification information to each information terminal together with the distribution server. . As described above, the distribution control server also has a function of distributing the notification information, so that the number of necessary distribution servers can be reduced.

  In a further aspect, the data distribution method and system according to the present invention allows one of the plurality of distribution servers to operate as a new distribution control server when the distribution control server stops due to a failure. Features. Even if the distribution control server fails or cannot perform its function due to some trouble, etc., the function of the distribution control server is assigned to another distribution server that is operating normally, so that the operation of the entire system is stopped. It is possible to avoid this, and the continuity of the distribution function and the like is ensured.

  In a further aspect, the data distribution method and system according to the present invention is characterized in that the notification information is encoded at a multi-bit rate. The multi-bit rate is a function that integrates a plurality of bit rates of normal quality data and low-quality, low-capacity data into a single file for audio and video data. Even if a sufficient bandwidth cannot be secured, the distribution server does not stop the distribution itself, but the distribution server automatically switches to the distribution of low-quality data, so that stable distribution can be continuously performed. In the present invention, preferably, data having two kinds of bit rates are integrated into one file. This is preferable when the notification information distributed in the present invention is audio information, image information, or a combination thereof, in particular, a video with audio.

  In a further aspect, the data distribution method and system according to the present invention is characterized in that the information terminal is a videophone.

  Furthermore, in another aspect, the present invention relates to an information terminal for use in the data distribution method or the unicast data distribution system. Preferably, the information terminal is a videophone.

  Furthermore, in another aspect, the present invention is a server device connected to a plurality of information terminals via an IP network and having a function of distributing notification information, wherein the notification information is distributed before the notification information is distributed. Each information terminal is divided into a plurality of groups corresponding to the number of distribution servers according to the number of information terminals to which information is to be distributed, and a group to which the notification information is to be distributed is assigned to each of the distribution servers Thus, the present invention relates to a server device having a function of controlling load distribution in distribution.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load on the distribution server with a relatively simple system configuration without using a complicated network protocol, and to avoid pressing the network bandwidth. Unlike the case of using a load balancer that determines a connection destination distribution server for the first time at the time of connection, the load distribution function determines a specific distribution server to be connected in advance and notifies each information terminal of the distribution start notification. Since the information terminal performs a simple operation of connecting to a distribution server designated in advance, not only stable data distribution is possible, but also appropriate load distribution can be performed according to the number and capacity of distribution servers.

  Therefore, the present invention eliminates the disadvantage of the conventional unicast distribution that increases the load on the distribution server and network bandwidth when distributing information data to a plurality of information terminals at the same time, while unicasting in the distribution of notification information. It has an excellent effect that it can provide a stable system operation utilizing the characteristics of distribution.

  Furthermore, by providing an encoding server, any user of an information terminal can send notification information such as voice to the encoding server using the information terminal and directly perform encoding processing of the notification information. Sound recording is possible. In particular, when the information terminal is a videophone, it is also excellent in that the user can create notification information by using a telephone, as in a normal call.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the data delivery system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the data delivery system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the data delivery method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data delivery method which concerns on another embodiment of this invention.

The data distribution system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data distribution system according to the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a network for transmitting notification information (voice notification information, character notification information, image information, etc.) handled by data distribution. The network 1 is composed of communication lines such as an Internet network, a CATV network, and a local intranet network of a local government. The broadcast broadcast information to be distributed is input to the network 1. The encoding server 10 that encodes the broadcast information, the distribution control server 20 that controls the distribution, a plurality of information terminals 40 that receive the notification information, and the notification information Distribution servers 30 that distribute to the information terminals 40 are connected to each other.

[Data distribution system configuration]:
The schematically relates configured data distribution system as described above will be described in more detail with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG.

  The encoding server 10 plays the role of notification information input means for capturing the notification information and transferring the notification information to the distribution server 30, and includes an input unit 11 for capturing the notification information into the encoding server 10. Yes. Specifically, the input unit 11 is configured with a microphone that captures voice notification information as analog data, a keyboard and a display for creating text and image notification information, and the like, although not shown, and performs notification broadcasting using these. A person can directly create notification information contents to be distributed to the information terminal 40 as notification information on the terminal of the encoding server 10. Further, the encoding server 10 includes a receiving unit 12 that receives notification information content from the information terminal 40. As a result, not only the encoding server but also the user himself can create the notification information using the information terminal 40. For example, when the information terminal 40 is a videophone, it is not from a place where an encoding server such as a city hall is installed, but other information terminals directly from the information terminal 40 installed at the person in charge in the emergency, etc. Notification information to be distributed to 40 groups can be created or recorded.

  The encoding server 10 is preferably composed of a plurality of units. For example, it is assumed that the first encoding server includes the microphone, the keyboard, and the display, and the second encoding server is limited to a function that directly creates and records the notification information content on the server terminal and encodes it. 10 can be limited to the function of encoding only the notification information content created by the user in the information terminal 40. By performing such division of roles, there is an advantage that the burden on the encoding server 10 can be distributed. In addition, the plurality of encode servers 10 have the same application group inside and can perform the same operation, so that they can be used alternatively in the event of a device failure or the like.

Further, it is more preferable to use a plurality of the second encoding servers. In such a case, for example, notification information content can be received from a plurality of information terminals 40, and a situation such as operation stoppage at the time of a server failure can be avoided. In this case, the outgoing video-phone call from the information terminal 40 is automatically selected by the automatic call destination distribution function of the information terminal 40, and the non-calling encoding server 10 is automatically operated even when a failure occurs. An aspect in which the encoding server 10 is selected is also possible.
The encoding server 10 includes a processing unit 13 that converts (encodes) the notification information content input from the input unit 11 or received from the information terminal 40 into digital data, and the digital data converted by the processing unit 13. A storage unit 14 for storing data (notification information) is provided. A communication interface 15 for sending the notification information content stored in the storage unit 14 to the network 1 is provided. The digital data (notification information) thus obtained is distributed via the network 1 to the distribution server 30. (And, in the case where the distribution control server 20 is also responsible for distribution to the information terminal 40, the distribution control server 20 is transferred to the distribution control server). Here, as described above, the notification information is preferably encoded at a multi-bit rate.

  Furthermore, the distribution schedule of notification information can be set using the input unit of the encoding server 10. The distribution schedule is then transmitted to the distribution control server 20 and managed in the distribution control server 20 as described later.

  Next, the distribution control server 20 controls the distribution of the notification information and plays a role of notifying the information terminal 40 of the start of distribution. The distribution control server 20 includes a receiving unit that receives the distribution schedule set in the encoding server 10, and the schedule management unit 22 manages the schedule. In addition, the distribution control server 20 includes a load distribution control unit 23 that executes load distribution of the distribution server in distribution of notification information, as will be described later.

Based on the schedule management, when it is time to start distribution, the distribution notification transmission unit 24 creates a distribution start message and transmits the distribution start notification to each information terminal 40. The distribution server 30 receives the distribution schedule and notification information from the encoding server 10 via the network 1,
And the communication interface 25 which transmits a delivery start notification to each information terminal 40 is provided. The distribution control server 20 may be configured as application software incorporated in, for example, a personal computer. Furthermore, the distribution control server 20 can also have a notification broadcast distribution function similar to the distribution server 30 described later, thereby reducing the number of necessary distribution servers.

  Next, the distribution server 30 plays a role of distributing the notification information transferred from the encoding server 10 to a plurality of information terminals (clients) 40 via the network 1. Although only two are shown in the drawing, a plurality of distribution servers 30 can be provided as desired. The distribution server 30 is provided with notification information receiving means 31 for receiving notification information data transmitted from the encoding server 10.

  The distribution server 30 is provided with a notification information database 32 that holds notification broadcast data received by the notification information receiving means 31. The notification information held in the notification information database 32 is sent to the information terminal 40 by the notification information transmitting means 33 at a predetermined timing. Further, the distribution server 30 is provided with a communication interface 34 that exchanges the notification information described above between the encoding server 10 and each information terminal 40 via the network 1.

  When the distribution control server 20 is stopped due to a failure or the like, for example, the server administrator switches the role of each server using a remote management tool or the like, so that the failed distribution control server 20 Instead, one of the distribution servers 30 can be operated as a new distribution control server.

Distribution server 30
On the other hand, the information terminal 40 plays a role of receiving notification information distributed from the distribution server 30 via the network 1 and notifying the recipient who receives the notification information of the notification information. The information terminal 40 is provided with a communication interface 41 that exchanges notification information with the distribution server 30 via the network 1.

  In addition, the information terminal 40 includes a notification information receiving unit 42 that receives notification information data transmitted from the distribution server 30, and a notification information database 43 that holds notification broadcast data received by the notification information receiving unit 42. Is provided. And the said notification information is output with respect to a user by the output part 44 provided with a speaker and / or a display.

  The information terminal 40 is preferably a videophone. In this case, a videophone interface 45 that performs videophone communication with other communication terminals via the network 1 is provided.

[Delivery process flow]:
Next, the flow of the process of distributing announcements broadcast of by the thus configured data distribution system will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  The distribution process flow shown in FIG. 3 is a mode in which the content of the notification information is stored and accumulated in the encoding server 10 and the distribution server 30 in advance and distributed to the information terminal 40 in a desired date and time schedule. (Schedule delivery type). Distribution is performed by the following processes A to F.

A) Creation of notification information data As described above, a person who performs notification broadcasting creates character data or records / records voice or video on the terminal of the encoding server 10 or via the information terminal 40. To do. The recorded content such as sound is converted from analog to digital by the encoding process in the processing unit 13 of the encoding server 10 and stored in the storage unit 14 as notification information data.

B) Transfer of notification information data The obtained notification information data is automatically transferred to the distribution control server 20 and the distribution server 30 (if there are a plurality of distribution servers 30, it is transferred to all distribution servers 30). ) Here, FTP (file transfer protocol) can be typically used for data transfer.

C) Registration of Distribution Schedule A person who performs broadcast notification registers a schedule for when notification information is distributed on the terminal of the encoding server 10. In addition, when the user of the information terminal 40 performs notification broadcasting, schedule registration can be performed on the screen of the information terminal 40. The registered schedule is transferred to the distribution control server 20 and registered in the schedule management unit 22.

D) Management of distribution schedule The schedule management unit 22 of the distribution control server 20 manages the registered schedule. The management can be performed by means normally used in the technical field, for example, appropriate application software.

E) Transmission of distribution start notification After reaching the date and time set in the schedule registration, in the distribution control server 20, in the load distribution control unit 23, as will be described later, the number of distribution servers 30 and the number of distribution-destination information terminals 40 The distribution of load in distribution is calculated according to the above, and the start notification transmission unit 24 generates a distribution start notification message and transmits it to each information terminal 40. The transmission is performed by multicast transmission or unicast transmission, and notifies address information indicating a notification information storage location of the distribution server 30.

F) Notification information distribution The information terminal 40 connects to the distribution server 30 at the address notified in the distribution start notification, and the distribution server 30 distributes the notification information to the information terminal 40. The information terminal 40 receives the notification information and outputs it at the output unit 44. The distribution is performed by unicast transmission, preferably unicast transmission using http (HyperText Transfer Protocol). As described above, a series of notification information distribution ends.

  The schedule distribution type is, for example, in a local government or a local network, etc., when an event is scheduled to be held, an administrative consultation, or a post-decision decision in a parliament is made to the residents who are users of each information terminal 40 It is suitable for use in non-emergency or periodic notifications.

  Next, the distribution processing flow shown in FIG. 4 is a mode in which the content of the notification information is recorded and recorded and simultaneously distributed to the information terminal 40 (real-time distribution type). Distribution is performed by the following processes a to f. In addition, here, the notification information is mainly exemplified assuming that the notification information is audio information, image information, or a combination thereof.

a) Preparation for recording of announcement information data A person who performs announcement broadcasting starts recording / recording on the terminal of the encoding server 10 or the encoding server 10 via the information terminal 40 using voice and video as notification information. Prepare to do.

b) Start of recording of notification information data When recording or the like is started, the encoding server 10 notifies the distribution control server 20 that real-time distribution is started. The notification is executed by http or the like.

c) Distribution start notification In the distribution control server 20, the load distribution control unit 23 calculates load distribution in distribution according to the number of distribution servers 30 and the number of distribution destination information terminals 40, as will be described later. The transmission means 24 creates a distribution start notification message and transmits it to each information terminal 40. The transmission is performed by multicast transmission or unicast transmission, and notifies address information indicating a notification information storage location of the distribution server 30.

d) Encoding process of notification information The processing unit 13 of the encoding server 10 encodes the notification information being recorded in real time, and stream-distributes the notification information to the distribution control server 20 in real time.

e) Relay by Distribution Control Server 20 The distribution control server 20 relays the notification information received from the encoding server 10 to all the distribution servers 30 as they are.

f) Relay by distribution server 30 The information terminal 40 connects to the distribution server 30 at the address notified in the distribution start notification, whereby the distribution server 30 receives the notification information received from the distribution control server 20. Relay to the information terminal 40. The information terminal 40 receives the notification information and outputs it at the output unit 44. As described above, a series of notification information distribution ends.

  Data distribution in the processes d to f is performed by unicast transmission, preferably unicast transmission using http (HyperText Transfer Protocol). Executed by.

  The real-time distribution type is, for example, a case where, in a local government or a regional network, notification information in an emergency such as disaster information such as heavy rain, flood, or earthquake is promptly transmitted to the residents who are users of each information terminal 40 It is suitable for.

[Control of load distribution and control of connection destination distribution server]:
As described above, the load distribution control unit 23 of the distribution control server 20 calculates the load distribution of the distribution server 30 in advance prior to the start of distribution of the notification information. Specifically, each information terminal is divided into a plurality of groups corresponding to the number of distribution servers 30 according to the number of information terminals 40 to which the notification information is to be distributed, and a plurality of distributions are performed for each group. By assigning one of the servers 30, a specific distribution server 30 to which the own terminal is to be connected in order to receive the notification information is determined in advance.

  For example, when the information terminal 40 is a videophone, the load distribution determination procedure is as follows (when five distribution servers are provided).

1. Uniform allocation mechanism All the terminals are divided into 100 groups using the last two digits of the “telephone number” set for each terminal. On the server, the number of the group 00, the number of 02, the number of 03, and the number of 04 to 99 are calculated. Allocate each of the five distribution servers equally with the above logic.

2. Even allocation procedure
A. Divide the number of terminals to be distributed into 5 equal parts and obtain an average value assigned to one server.

B. The grouped information from group 00 to 99 is sorted in descending order of the number.

C. The first five values sorted by B are randomly set to five distribution servers in descending order.

D. After that, for the distribution server having a small assigned value and the distribution server not exceeding the average value, the next large numerical value after sorting is set.

E. D. repeat.

3. Calculation result example

  Next, on the basis of the calculation result of the load distribution, the start notification transmission unit 23 of the distribution control server 20 creates a distribution start notification message to be transmitted to each information terminal 40. A specific example of the distribution start notification message will be described below by taking as an example the case where five distribution servers are provided.

A typical message format is

The first column represents the delivery mode. That is, 01: voice notification, 02: video notification (video), 03: character image notification, 99: server information notification. From the second column onward, the numbers representing the distribution servers to which the 100 groups of information terminals 40 grouped from 0 to 99 are connected to among the five distribution servers 30 for each group. It is. For example, the second column is the distribution server number to which the 00 terminal group is connected, the third column is the distribution server number to which the 01 terminal group is connected, and the fourth column is the distribution server number to which the 02 terminal group is connected. The connection destination distribution server numbers of a total of 100 groups are displayed as a message of one record, separated by commas in the order of group numbers. Accordingly, the information terminal 40 that has received the distribution start notification message can recognize the distribution server 30 to be connected from the last two digits of the telephone number of its own terminal, and connect to the distribution server. (For example, in the case of the above message, the terminal with the last three digits of the telephone number “04” is the sixth column of the message string, and recognizes that it will connect to the server No. 3 corresponding to the number “03”. it can).

  As a result, when each information terminal 40 connects to the distribution server 30, it requests acquisition of information in accordance with the distribution mode displayed in the first column of the message format, and the distribution server 30 enters the distribution mode. Deliver together.

Similarly, in addition to the above-described connection designation, the IP address of the distribution server 30 to be connected can be notified together by a distribution start notification message. In this case, 99 (server information notification) is used as the delivery mode of the first column as described above. For example, the message format is

In the second column and thereafter, the respective IP addresses are displayed in order from the first unit of the distribution server 30 (in the above case, the first unit: 122.215.70.100, the second unit: 122 215.7710.01, Unit 3: 122.215.70.102 is recognized by the information terminal 40).

The message notifying the IP address is transmitted from the distribution control server 20 only when the server configuration is changed due to a server failure or the addition of a server. Normally, the information terminal 40 Once the IP address information is received, it is stored and stored in a file. Therefore, it is possible to determine each connection destination server only by the information on the number of the distribution server 30 without always notifying the IP address information. Can do.

[Reception control of videophone communication and announcement broadcasting]:
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information terminal 40 is a videophone. In such a case, the information terminal 40 can have a function of determining whether the videophone is in use.

  Based on this determination, if the notification information is accompanied by a screen display, that is, if it includes image information and text information, urgent notification information (in the case of real-time distribution, etc.) Even if it exists, the notification information is forcibly displayed. Audio information is output from the speaker, while the screen display is displayed over the videophone call screen. On the other hand, even if the notification information is accompanied by a screen display, if it is not urgent (such as in the case of schedule distribution), the use of the videophone is given priority, and it is possible to set the notification information not to be output.

  Further, when the notification information consists only of voice information, it can be set to give priority to outputting the notification information from the speaker regardless of whether the notification is an emergency notification.

  Thus, according to the data distribution system and the data distribution method according to the present invention configured as described above, the distribution server 30 includes the notification information transmission means 33 for transmitting the notification information to the plurality of information terminals 40 via the network. It has become a thing. Since the notification information transmission means 33 performs unicast transmission after performing load distribution processing of the notification information to each information terminal 40 via the network 1, without sending out the bandwidth of the network 1 by sending the notification information, Efficient distribution of notification information data can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 10 Encoding server 11 Input part 12 Reception part 13 Processing part 14 Storage part 15 Communication interface 20 Distribution control server 21 Reception part 22 Schedule management part 23 Load distribution control part 24 Start notification transmission means 25 Communication interface 30 Distribution server 31 Notification information Reception means 32 Notification information database 33 Notification information transmission means 34 Communication interface 40 Information terminal 41 Communication interface 42 Notification information storage means 43 Notification information storage database 44 Output unit 45 Videophone interface

Claims (17)

A data distribution method for unicasting notification information from a plurality of distribution servers to a plurality of information terminals via an IP network,
a) The distribution control server divides each information terminal into a plurality of groups corresponding to the number of the distribution servers according to the number of the information terminals to which the notification information is to be distributed, and the plurality of distribution servers for each group Predetermining a specific distribution server to which each information terminal should connect in order to receive the notification information by assigning one of
b) Based on the determination, prior to the distribution of the notification information, the distribution control server simultaneously transmits a distribution start notification to each information terminal via the IP network, so that the specific distribution server to be connected is determined. A step of notifying each information terminal in advance;
c) Each information terminal receives the distribution start notification transmitted from the distribution control server, and connects to a distribution server designated based on the distribution start notification; and
d) A data distribution method characterized in that each distribution server includes a step of unicast distribution of the notification information to the information terminal based on a connection from each information terminal. A user of the information terminal creates the notification information by connecting to the encoding server from the information terminal via the IP network, and performs an encoding process in real time in the encoding server; and
The data distribution method according to claim 1, further comprising a step in which the encoding server sends the encoded notification information to the distribution server. The data distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the distribution control server further has a function of performing unicast distribution of the notification information to each information terminal together with the distribution server. 4. The data according to claim 1, wherein when the distribution control server stops due to a failure, one of the plurality of distribution servers is operated as a new distribution control server. 5. Delivery method.   The data delivery method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification information is voice information, character information, image information, or a combination thereof.   The data distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the notification information is encoded at a multi-bit rate.   The data distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information terminal is a videophone. A data distribution system for unicasting notification information from a plurality of distribution servers to a plurality of information terminals via an IP network,
Each information terminal is divided into a plurality of groups corresponding to the number of distribution servers according to the number of the information terminals to which the notification information is to be distributed, and one of the plurality of distribution servers is assigned to each group. A distribution control server having a function of predetermining a specific distribution server to be connected to each information terminal in order to receive the notification information,
The distribution control server broadcasts a specific distribution server to which each information terminal should be connected based on the determination in advance by distributing the distribution start notification to each information terminal before distributing the notification information. Means to notify the terminal,
The information terminal includes means for transmitting a distribution request to a specific distribution server designated by the notification and receiving the notification information from the distribution server, and the distribution server receives information from the information terminal. A data distribution system comprising: means for unicasting the notification information to the group of information terminals allocated based on a request.   Encoding to record or record the notification information transmitted from the information terminal via the IP network by the user of the information terminal, perform encoding processing in real time, and then send the encoded notification information to the distribution server The data distribution system according to claim 8, further comprising a server. The data distribution system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the distribution control server further has a function of unicasting the notification information to each information terminal together with the distribution server. 11. The data according to claim 8, wherein when the distribution control server stops due to a failure, one of the plurality of distribution servers is operated as a new distribution control server. 11. Distribution system.   The data distribution system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the notification information includes voice information, character information, image information, or a combination thereof.   The data distribution system according to claim 8, wherein the notification information is encoded at a multi-bit rate.   The data distribution system according to claim 8, wherein the information terminal is a videophone.   An information terminal for use in the data distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the data distribution system according to any one of claims 8 to 14.   The information terminal according to claim 15, which is a videophone. A server device connected to a plurality of information terminals via an IP network and having a function of distributing notification information,
Before distributing the notification information, each information terminal is divided into a plurality of groups corresponding to the number of distribution servers according to the number of the information terminals to which the notification information is distributed, and each of the distribution servers A server device comprising a function of controlling load distribution in distribution by assigning a group to which the notification information is to be distributed.

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