JP3355992B2 - Multimedia information providing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multimedia title which is stored in a server and includes multimedia titles including time-continuous data such as moving pictures and audios, which are reproduced by a plurality of terminals via a network. The present invention relates to an information providing device. Note that a multimedia title may be composed of only moving image data, a moving image, a sound, a still image,
There may be a case where it is composed of a plurality of material data such as text and a scenario for presenting them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One conventional technique is to play back multimedia title data including time-continuous data, such as moving images and audio, transferred by a server on a plurality of terminals in real time. For example, JP-A-7-1074
When a video server such as 25 is used, according to this method, it is possible to respond to a playback request from a terminal in a short time and start playback. However, the number of reproducible terminals is limited due to the upper limit of the simultaneous transfer capability of the server and the upper limit of the transfer capability of the network. Figure
20 (a) shows a case where terminals are installed in a star network. This is an example in which the number of reproducible terminals is limited by the upper limit of the simultaneous transfer capability of the server. FIG. 20 (b) shows a case where terminals are installed in a bus-type network.

[0003] Even if the number of terminals is within the range of the simultaneous transfer capability of the server, if reproduction requests from terminals on the same line are concentrated, the number of terminals that can be reproduced is limited by the upper limit of the transfer capability of that line. It is an example. In both cases (a) and (b) of FIG. 20, if the reproduction is performed simultaneously from a terminal of a number equal to or greater than the limit, breaks occur in moving images and sounds that should be temporally continuous.

[0004] For this reason, when installing more terminals than the limit, as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-288800, a new real-time transfer from the server is not performed in an access situation exceeding the transfer capability of the server. Was. in this case,
It was necessary for the user to display a message indicating that reproduction was not possible and to wait until congestion was reduced.
Alternatively, there is a method of configuring a plurality of servers or increasing the number of network lines. However, there is a problem that the cost of the apparatus is increased.

On the other hand, as another conventional technique, a mechanism for holding multimedia title data on a terminal side is provided,
The server distributes multimedia title data in advance. At the time of reproduction, the data held by each terminal is reproduced, so that temporally continuous data such as moving images and audio can be reproduced without interruption irrespective of the load on the network. There is no limit on the number of terminals.

However, in general, data that can be held in each terminal is a part of data stored in a server. If the title requested by the user is held in the terminal, the title can be played immediately after the request, but if not, the title cannot be played or distributed from the server. Had to wait for the user to finish before starting playback. That is, there is a problem that the response time from when the user requests the reproduction to when the actual reproduction starts is very long depending on the selected title.

[0007]

A first object of the present invention is to determine the number of terminals capable of transmitting real-time continuous data such as moving images and voices (determined by the transfer capability of the server and the network). )
It is to provide multimedia information with a short response time regardless of which title is selected.

A second object of the present invention is to make it difficult for a user to wait until congestion is alleviated even in a situation where many terminals are simultaneously accessed.

A third object of the present invention is to allow a terminal to refer to the updated information as soon as possible when multimedia information stored in a server is updated.

[0010] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a distribution process for causing each terminal to hold multimedia title data.
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to use each terminal during the operation time of the apparatus without hindering the use of each terminal.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a server of a multimedia information providing apparatus, comprising: title data storage means for storing multimedia title data; A title data transfer means for transferring data while guaranteeing a transfer rate to a plurality of terminals, especially when transferring temporally continuous data such as moving images and audio, and using a terminal and a network. The terminal includes an access status storage unit for storing a status, the terminal accepts a request from the user, and inputs and outputs a presentation title to the user, and material data constituting the title are described in the scenario. Title playback means to be passed to the input / output means in accordance with the display timing; The title data cache area for storing a copy of some of the title data, and the title data requested to be reproduced are stored in either the title data cache area of the terminal or the title data storage means of the server. Title data search means for searching whether the terminal and the network use status of the server access status storage means via a network interface, and access status inquiry means for determining whether the title data can be transferred from the server at present. , writing of a copy of the title data stored in the title data storing means to the title data cache area, and delete the title data stored in the title data cache area, and a title data writing and deleting means, The said Torr data writing and deleting means, when writing to the title data cache area, for frequently updated still image or textual material, rather than the material data itself, the material data stored in the title data storage area of the server Writes reference information to the
Only image data is stored in the title data cache area.
The still images and texts that are frequently
Information in the title data cache area
It is always transferred from the server without using it. Thus, when the multimedia information stored in the server is updated, the terminal can refer to the updated information as soon as possible.

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration of an information providing apparatus according to the present invention.
(B) shows a case where a terminal is installed in a bus-type network. An apparatus for providing multimedia data used in such a system, that is, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a multimedia information providing apparatus. One or a plurality of terminals (207, 2
13,214). The components of the server 201 include:
Title data storage means 202, title data transfer means 2
03, access status storage means 204, and network interface 205. The components of the terminal 207 are the input / output
1, title reproduction means 209, title data search means 21
0, access status inquiry means 208, title data cache area 212, and network interface 208.

Next, the role of each means will be described. The title data storage unit 202 stores information on the stored multimedia title, information on material data constituting the title, a material data file constituting the title, and the like. FIG. 3 is an example in which two titles are stored. The information on the stored multimedia title is stored in a table format 301, and the information on the material data constituting the title is stored in a table format 302, 303. The material data files include not only material data files for moving images, still images, texts, etc., but also scenario files describing display timings and display positions of the materials.

The title data transfer means 203 reads the title data stored in the title data storage means 202 and transfers the data to the terminals 207, 213, 214 and the like via the network interface 205. In particular, when transferring temporally continuous data such as moving images and audio, the transfer is performed while guaranteeing the transfer rate to a plurality of terminals.

The access status storage means 204 stores the usage status of each terminal and each line. FIG. 4B shows an example of data to be stored in the case of the arrangement as shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that a case where a process of reproducing a moving image in real time from a server via a network interface is being used (ON).

The input / output means 211 receives a request from the user (playback, stop, etc. of the title) and passes the title ID to the title data search means 210. Also, the playback title is presented to the user.

Based on the title ID and the data read destination passed from the title data search means 210, the title reproduction means 209 transmits material data constituting the title from the title data transfer means 203 of the server,
Either it is read from the title data cache area 212 of the terminal or it is passed to the input / output means 211 in accordance with the display timing described in the scenario.

The title data cache area 212 is an area for storing a copy of a part of the title data among the title data stored in the title data storage means 202 of the server. Title data storage means
Similarly to 202, information about the stored multimedia title, information about material data constituting the title, and a material data file constituting the title are stored. FIG. 5 shows an example of the storage, in which information about the stored multimedia title is stored in a table format 501, and information about the material data constituting the title is stored in a table format 502. The material data file described in the table format 502 is also stored in the title data cache area.

The title data search means 210 checks whether the title data having the title ID passed from the input / output means 211 should be read from the title data cache area 212 of the terminal or the title data storage means 202 of the server. The title playback unit 209 is notified.

The access status inquiry means 208 inquires the access status storage means 204 of the server about the current use status of each terminal and each line via the network interface 208, and determines whether data transfer is currently possible from the server 201. to decide. First, it is checked whether the number of terminals currently in use does not exceed the upper limit of the transfer capability of the server. Next, it is checked whether the number of terminals currently in use on the line does not exceed the upper limit of the transfer capability of the line. In the case of Fig. 4, if the upper limit of the number of terminals that can simultaneously transfer data from the server on each line is three, even if there is a playback request from the terminal with terminal ID 2, three terminals are already in use on line 1. Because of this, data cannot be transferred from the server for real-time playback.

The network interfaces 205 and 208 are
Input / output data to / from the network.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing at the time of title reproduction according to the first embodiment.

When a user requests title playback (60
1), the title data search means 210 checks where the title is (602, 603), and if it is in the title data cache area 212 in the terminal 207, the title reproduction means reproduces the title from there (604, 610), and After the termination, the access status storage unit 204 turns off the use status of the terminal 207 (611, 612).

On the other hand, if it is not in the title data cache area 212 in the diagnosis processing 603, the access status inquiry means 208 checks whether or not real-time reproduction from the server 201 is possible (605). (608).

If the real-time reproduction is possible in the diagnosis process 606, the access status storage means 204
Is turned on (607), the data reading destination is specified to the title data storage means 202 (609), and thereafter, the reproduction process and the access status update process are performed (610 to 612). Note that there is an upper limit to the number of terminals that can be transferred from the server in real time, but terminals that play titles stored in the title data cache area are not included in the number.

As described above, in the present embodiment, if the multimedia title data requested by the user to be reproduced is stored in the title data cache area of the terminal, it is read from the terminal and reproduced. If it is not stored in the title data cache area, it is transferred from the server and reproduced in real time.

For this reason, multimedia information is provided to a number of terminals exceeding the number of terminals capable of transmitting time-continuous data such as moving images in real time (determined by the transfer capability of the server and the network). can do. With this device, it is possible to build a large-scale system consisting of a large number of terminals without increasing the transfer capacity of the server or increasing the number of network lines, that is, without increasing the cost required for building the system. No matter which title is selected by the user, the title is either read from the title data cache area of the terminal and played, or the data transferred from the server is played in real time. Since playback does not start after the entire title data has been transferred and stored in the cache area, multimedia information can be provided to the user with a short response time regardless of which title is selected. The practical effect is great.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a multimedia information providing apparatus. In the configuration diagram of FIG. 2, the title priority storage unit 705, the priority order inquiry unit 711, the title data writing / deletion unit 715, the distribution processing control unit 7
12 is added.

The title priority storage unit 705 calculates the priority of the title when storing the title in the title data cache area 717 of the terminal, and stores the result. FIG. 8 shows an example of storage in the title priority order storage means 705. FIG. 9 is an access record table for each title, which is included in the title priority order storage unit 705 to calculate the order of priority. On the basis of this record table, for example, higher priorities are assigned in ascending order of the number of accesses within a predetermined period, and stored in FIG. Whenever the title-specific access record table is updated, the priority may be calculated again and the result may be stored, or the priority may be calculated periodically, such as once a day, and the result may be stored. . Alternatively, the priority order as shown in FIG. 8 may be directly input by the administrator of the apparatus, and a high priority order may be assigned to a title expected to be accessed frequently.

The priority inquiry means 711 compares the priority stored in the title priority storage 705 with the title stored in the title data cache area 717 via the network interface 709. Then, it is checked whether there is a title having a higher priority than the title already stored in the cache area and not yet stored in the title data cache area.

The title data writing / deleting means 715
The data of the designated title is transferred to the title data transfer unit 703 via the network interface 709 and written to the title data cache area 717. If there is not enough free space in the title data cache area, the priority order inquiry means 711 is used to select and delete the title with the lowest priority among the titles stored in the title data cache area.

The distribution processing control means 712 is a means for controlling the flow of the entire title distribution processing. The title distribution process is to select a title from those stored in the title data storage unit 702 of the server and copy the data.
This is a process of storing the title in the title data cache area 717 of the terminal. In the second embodiment, a title having a higher priority is selected with reference to the title priority storage unit 705.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a title distribution process according to the second embodiment.

The request for starting the title distribution process in step 1001 is made by the user through the input / output means, or
The request is automatically made when the terminal is not used, for example.

After the request to start the title distribution process, the priority is checked, and if there is no title to be stored in the cache, the distribution process is stopped (1002 to 1004). If there is any title, the free space in the cache area is checked and adjusted. (1005 to 1006, or 1005 to 1007), check whether transfer is possible based on the access status (1008, 1009), and if not possible, stop distribution processing (10
10), if possible, update access status (1011),
After writing to the cache (1012 to 1013) and updating the access status again (1014), the process jumps to step 1002, and thereafter performs a series of processes as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing at the time of title reproduction in the second embodiment. The present embodiment is obtained by adding two steps 1102 and 1111 to the steps in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. That is, when a title reproduction request is issued from the user (1101), if distribution processing is being performed on the terminal, the request is canceled (1102), and step 602 in FIG.
To 609 (1103 to 1110), update the title-specific access record table (1111), and execute the processing corresponding to steps 610 to 612 in FIG.
112-1114).

As described above, in the present embodiment, a high priority is given to a title expected to be frequently accessed in the future, and stored in the title priority storage means 705. In the title data cache area 717, title data that is expected to be accessed frequently is stored with priority.

As a result, the frequency of occurrence of a situation in which the title data requested to be reproduced by the user does not exist in the title data cache area of the terminal and must be transferred from the server and reproduced in real time is significantly reduced. become. As a result, even in a situation where a large number of terminals are simultaneously accessed, a situation in which the number of terminals exceeding the transfer capability of the server or the network must be simultaneously transferred from the server is less likely to occur.
In other words, it is difficult for the user to wait until the congestion is reduced, and the practical effect is large.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a multimedia information providing apparatus. In the configuration diagram of FIG. 7, the title priority order storage unit, which is a component of the server, is a component of each terminal.

The title priority order storage means 1220 of FIG.
The priority of the title when the title is stored in the title data cache area 717 of the terminal 708 is calculated, and the result is stored. FIG. 13 shows title priority order storage means.
This is an example of storage in 1220. FIG. 14 is an access record table for each title, which the title priority order storage means has for calculating the order of priority. Based on this record table, for example,
Higher priorities are assigned in descending order of the number of accesses within the determined period, and stored in FIG. Unlike Embodiment 2,
Priorities reflecting the access status of each terminal can be assigned.

A flow chart showing the flow of processing at the time of title distribution in the third embodiment is the same as that in FIG. Further, the flowchart representing the flow of the processing at the time of title reproduction in Embodiment 3 is the same as that in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the access status of each terminal can be reflected in determining the priority of the multimedia title stored in the title data cache area 717, the multimedia title is installed. This enables caching that reflects the status of each terminal, such as the location where it is located.

Therefore, the probability that the requested title exists in the title data cache area is even higher than that of the invention according to the second embodiment. Is much lower, and its practical effect is great.

(Embodiment 4) Title data writing / deleting means 715 of Embodiment 2 or 3 (FIG. 7 or 12)
In the title data cache area 717, a copy of a part of the title data stored in the title data storage means 702 of the server and the reference information of the material data of the specific material type on the server side are copied. Write the material data file name. The title data cache area 717 stores information on the stored multimedia title, information on material data constituting the title, and material data files constituting the title.

FIG. 15 shows an example of storage, in which information on the stored multimedia title is stored in a table format 1501, and information on the material data constituting the title is stored in a table format 1502. Of the material data files described in 1502, if the storage location is a terminal, the material data file itself is also stored in the title data cache area.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the moving image
When updating multimedia information composed of still images and text, the update frequency generally differs depending on the type of material. For example, a moving image that has a larger data size than a still image or text and requires more cost to create Is not updated, only still images and text are updated, only the video data with a large data size and infrequently updated is stored in the title data cache area of the terminal,
Still images and texts that are frequently updated are always transferred from the server without being stored in the cache area, so if the multimedia information stored on the server is updated, the terminal will also refer to the updated content as soon as possible. And the practical effect is great.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a multimedia information providing apparatus. This is obtained by adding all-terminal distribution processing control means 1621 to the configuration diagram of FIG. Figure if the terminal is equipped with title priority order storage
It may be added to the configuration diagram of FIG.

All terminal distribution processing control means 1621
1 is a means for controlling the distribution processing control means 712 of each terminal via the network interface 707.

FIG. 17 shows an example of storage in access status storage means 704 in the fifth embodiment. For terminals whose use status is ON, the processing contents are also stored.
The access status inquiry means 710 of each terminal stops the distribution process if real-time reproduction of the terminal becomes possible by stopping the distribution process at a terminal other than the terminal. In this case, in order to stop the distribution processing at another terminal, the distribution processing control means 712 of the terminal to be stopped is transmitted through the all-terminal distribution processing control means 1621. Figure 1
In the case of 7, it is assumed that the upper limit of the number of terminals that can simultaneously transfer data from the server on each line is three terminals. When there is a playback request from the terminal with the terminal ID of 2, three terminals are already in use on the line 1, but if the distribution process on the terminal with the terminal ID of 4 is interrupted, the terminal with the terminal ID of 2 can be used. , Real-time playback from the server becomes possible.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of a title distribution process according to the fifth embodiment. This is a modification of the second embodiment from step 1109 of FIG. 11. That is, steps 1801 to 1807 correspond to steps 1101 to 1107 in FIG.
In the case where the real-time reproduction from the server is not possible, if the distribution processing on another terminal is stopped, it is checked whether or not the real-time reproduction from the server is possible (1809). Similarly, it is notified that playback is not possible at present (1816), and if it is possible, the previous terminal distribution processing control means 1621 stops distribution processing of the corresponding terminal (1815) and corresponds to step 1108 in FIG. Step 18
Jump is made to step 08, and steps 1810 to 1814 corresponding to steps 1110 to 1114 in FIG. 11 are executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the title distribution processing for storing the title data in the title data cache area also involves the transfer of data from the server, the transfer capability between the server and the network is reduced. If the terminal is used and it is possible that the reproduction of the title on another terminal may be hindered, it is possible to know which terminal is performing the distribution process, and further stop the distribution process. In this way, the title distribution process can be performed without interrupting the title playback process, which is the main purpose of use of each terminal,
Its practical effect is great.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a multimedia information providing apparatus. This is obtained by adding terminal use status detection means 1922 to the configuration diagram of FIG. It may be added to the configuration diagram of FIG.

The terminal use state detecting means 1922 detects whether the terminal is currently in use or not, and when the state changes from the used state to the unused state, the distribution processing control means 712. Request to start the title distribution process. Further, when the terminal is changed from a non-used state to a used state, a request is made to the distribution processing control unit 712 to suspend the title distribution processing if it is being performed. In order to detect whether or not the terminal is being used, for example, an interpersonal sensor that detects the presence or absence of a user of the terminal is used.

As described above, in the present embodiment, even when the multimedia information providing device is operated, that is, when each terminal is in a state where it can receive a title reproduction request from a user, it is not always necessary. The terminal is not always used, and in such a case, the title distribution process to each terminal can be performed by effectively using the time when the terminal is not used. That is, the title distribution process to each terminal can be performed during the operation time of the apparatus without hindering use of each terminal, and the practical effect is large.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, the server
When the multimedia information stored in the
Terminal, the updated information can be referred to as soon as possible.
The effect of this is obtained.

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a terminal installed in a star-type or bus-type network.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is an example of storage of multimedia title data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage in an access status explanation unit.

FIG. 5 is an example of storage in a title data cache area.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing during reproduction according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram in Embodiment 2.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage in a title priority order storage unit according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an example of an access record table for each title according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a title distribution process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of processing during reproduction according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram in Embodiment 3.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage in a title priority order storage unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an example of an access record table for each title according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an example of storage in a title data cache area according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage in an access status storage unit according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of processing during reproduction according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram in Embodiment 6.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which terminals are installed in a star-type or bus-type network.

[Explanation of symbols]

 201 server 202 title data storage means 203 title data transfer means 204 access status storage means 205, 208 network interface 206 network 207, 213, 214 terminal 208 access status inquiry means 209 title reproduction means 210 title data search means 211 input / output means 212 title Data cache area 705 Title priority order storage unit 711 Priority order inquiry unit 712 Distribution processing control unit 715 Title data writing / deletion unit 1621 All terminal distribution processing control unit 1922 Terminal usage status detection unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-4-82465 (JP, A) JP-A-9-81455 (JP, A) JP-A-9-81491 (JP, A) JP-A-9-814 54730 (JP, A) JP-A-8-98148 (JP, A) JP-A-7-320422 (JP, A) JP-A-7-295916 (JP, A) JP-A-5-158815 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 7/10 H04N ^7/ 14-7/173 H04N ^7/ 20-7/22

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A moving image / still image / text stored in a server
A multimedia information providing apparatus for reproducing a multimedia title composed of a list and the like on a plurality of terminals via a network, wherein the server comprises: title data storage means for storing multimedia title data; A title data transfer means for transferring data while guaranteeing a transfer rate to a plurality of terminals, particularly when transferring temporally continuous data such as moving images and audio; and a terminal and a network. Access status storage means for storing the use status of the user, the terminal accepts a request from a user, and provides input / output means for presenting a playback title to the user; and material data constituting the title, Title playback means to be passed to the input / output means in accordance with the described display timing; A title data cache area for storing a copy of a part of the title data stored in the title data storage means, and a title data requested to be reproduced being stored in the title data cache area of the terminal. A title data search means for searching which of the title data storage means of the server is stored, and a use status of the terminal and the network to the access status storage means of the server via a network interface, and access status inquiry means for determining whether it can forward the data, writing of a copy of the title data stored in the title data storing means to the title data cache area, and stored in the title data cache area title Delete the data, the title data writing and deleting means, said title data writing and deleting means, when writing to the title data cache area, frequently updated static
For the Tomega or textual material, the material data rather than itself, writes a reference to the material data stored in the title data storage area of the server, low moving image data data size of large update frequency the
Stored in the title data cache area and updated frequently
Still images and texts are created based on the reference information.
It is always a server without storing it in the data cache area
A multimedia information providing apparatus, wherein