JPH10285578A - Information providing device and method and computer readable recording medium recording program for providing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily construct and individualize a user interface adapted to the request of a customer. SOLUTION: At the time of requesting information provision from a VOD (video on demand) server 11, a client uses a WWW(world wide web) browser 27, accesses an HTML document including a control code for controlling the VOD server 11, and in the case that the control code is included in the HTML document distributed from a WWW server 21, originates the control request of the VOD server 11 to the WWW server 21. The control request is sent from the WWW server 21 to a server interface part 23, the server interface part 23 supplies an instruction to a server control part 22 and the server control part 22 controls the VOD server 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and method for providing predetermined information on demand, and a computer-readable recording medium on which an information providing program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in response to a request for obtaining a movie, a program, or the like from a client, a server distributes image data, audio data, and the like to a video-on-demand (hereinafter, referred to as a video on demand) server.
Also referred to as VOD. ) The system has been put to practical use. In a client-side terminal device in a conventional VOD system, dedicated software is used as software for communication with a server. This dedicated software uses a programming language such as C language to design a user interface that meets the requirements of a customer who uses a client-side terminal device, and integrates it with a communication unit with server control software. Was created.

[0003]

The VOD system can be used by various customers such as museums, exhibition halls, mini theaters, stores, and the like. Therefore, a different user interface is required for each client in the terminal device on the client side. Moreover, the user interface changes dynamically according to time and season, and in museums and the like, according to the contents of the exhibition.

However, in the conventional method of using dedicated software for communication with a server in a client terminal device, individualization (customization) of a user interface for adapting to a customer's request is easily performed. There was a problem that can not be. Therefore, the conventional VOD system has a problem that it is difficult to cope with a case where the user interface changes frequently and it is difficult to support many customers with different specifications.

In addition, in the conventional VOD system, when a new VOD system is introduced, it is necessary to newly construct a communication means between the terminal device on the client side and the server physically and software. There is. In this case, the server needs server control software dedicated to the VOD system to control the server. On the other hand, the client-side terminal device communicates with the server-side server control software by the client software operating on the terminal to request the server-side server control software to reproduce image data, audio data, and the like. There is a need to do. Therefore, conventionally,
In a VOD system that can be used by various customers,
There has been a problem that it is not easy to newly construct a user interface adapted to customer requirements.

[0006] Although the case of the VOD system has been described so far, the above-mentioned problems are not limited to the case of the VOD system, but an information providing system for providing predetermined information in response to a request from a client. This is generally true.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an information providing apparatus and method, and a method and apparatus for easily constructing and individualizing a user interface adapted to customer requirements. An object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable recording medium on which an information providing program is recorded.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus comprising: a correspondence storage means for storing a correspondence between a network address of each client connected to the network and a channel of each client; A request receiving means capable of receiving information provision requests from a plurality of clients via a network using the World Wide Web which is a system capable of linking information, and a request from a client received by the request receiving means. In response to the information provision request, by referring to the correspondence stored by the correspondence storage means, a predetermined channel is provided to the client that has requested information provision by using a channel corresponding to the client that has requested information provision. And information transmitting means for transmitting information.

The information providing method according to the present invention is a system which stores the correspondence between the network address of each client connected to the network and the channel of each client, and enables linking to information on the Internet. Using the Wide Web, receive an information provision request from a client via a network, and in response to the information provision request, refer to a correspondence relationship between a stored address and a channel for each client, and perform an information provision request. The predetermined information is transmitted to the client who has requested the information provision using the channel corresponding to the client having the request.

[0010] A computer-readable recording medium on which the information providing program of the present invention is recorded is a computer-readable storage medium which stores a correspondence between a network address of each client connected to the network and a channel of each client. A storage function and a request receiving function capable of receiving information provision requests from a plurality of clients via a network using the World Wide Web, which is a system that can link to information on the Internet, and a request receiving function In response to the information provision request from the client received by the function, by referring to the correspondence stored by the correspondence storage function, there was an information provision request using the channel corresponding to the client that has requested the information provision. Given to the client Is a record of an information provision program for realizing the information transmission function of transmitting the broadcast.

In the information providing apparatus of the present invention, the correspondence storage means stores the correspondence between the network address of each client connected to the network and the channel of each client, and the request receiving means stores the world wide by the request receiving means. Using the web, via the network, receive information provision requests from a plurality of clients, and in response to the information provision request, refer to the correspondence stored by the correspondence storage means by the information sending means. The predetermined information is transmitted to the client that has requested the information provision using the channel corresponding to the client that has requested the information provision.

[0012] In the information providing method of the present invention, the correspondence between the network address of each client connected to the network and the channel of each client is stored, and the World Wide Web is used to access the network. An information provision request from the client is received, and in response to the information provision request, the correspondence between the stored address and the channel for each client is referred to, and the channel corresponding to the client that has requested the information provision is used. As a result, predetermined information is sent to the client that has requested the information provision.

[0013] In the computer-readable recording medium storing the information providing program according to the present invention, the correspondence storage function realized by the information providing program allows the address of each client connected to the network in the network and the number of each client. And a request receiving function for receiving an information providing request from a client via a network using the World Wide Web, and in response to the information providing request, an information transmitting function. Thus, the correspondence stored by the correspondence storage function is referred to, and predetermined information is transmitted to the client that has requested the information provision using the channel corresponding to the client that has requested the information provision.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a VOD system including an information providing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. This VOD system uses a plurality of channels in response to information provision requests from a plurality of clients,
This is a system that provides predetermined video information and audio information. This VOD system includes a VOD server 11 that stores information to be provided to a client and sends out predetermined information according to an instruction, a server computer 12 for controlling the VOD server 11, and a A client computer 13 for sending an information provision request, a rate converter 14 for converting a video signal output from the client computer 13 into a video signal for display on a display, and a video signal and a rate transmitted from the VOD server 11 A switcher 15 for switching and outputting a video signal output from the converter 14;
And a display 16 for inputting a video signal output from the display 5 and displaying an image. The information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a VOD server 11 and a server computer 12.

The VOD server 11 has an output channel for a plurality of video data and audio data (hereinafter, these are called AV data). VOD server 1
1 and the server computer 12 are connected via a serial transmission line 17 using a serial interface such as RS-232C. The server computer 12 and the client computer 13 are connected, for example, by Ethernet (Et).
Hernet) via a network 18 (for example, the Internet). Although FIG. 1 shows only one client computer 13, the network 18 includes a plurality of client computers 1 that are provided with information from the VOD server 11.
3 is connectable. The switcher 15 corresponding to one client computer 13 is connected to one of a plurality of output channels of the VOD server 11 via a transmission line 19 different from the network 18.

In the present embodiment, the VOD server 11 and the server computer 12 are called a server side, and the client computer 13, the rate converter 14, the switcher 15 and the display 16 are called a client side.

The server computer 12 manages information disclosed on the Internet by using the World Wide Web (WWW), which is a system that can link to information on the Internet. Server 21 that performs distribution and distribution
And a server control unit 22 for giving a command as an instruction to the VOD server 11 via the serial transmission path 17 to control the VOD server 11, and a server interface unit for interfacing the WWW server 21 with the server control unit 22 23 and HTML which is a hypertext language
(Hypertext Markup Language)
HTM for storing HTML documents created using e)
An L file disk 24 is provided. The HTML file disk 24 is accessible from both the WWW server 21 and the server control unit 22. WWW
Each of the server 21, the server control unit 22, and the server interface unit 23 is realized by separable software (program). The HTML file disk 24 is realized by a hard disk in the server computer 12.

The server computer 12 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the request receiving means (request receiving function) and the correspondence storage means (correspondence storage function) in the present invention.
The VOD server 11 corresponds to the information sending means (information sending function) in the present invention.

The server computer 12 operates as an operating system, for example, Windows NT.
(Trademark). The WWW server 21 is, for example, a software IIS (Microsoft-Int
ernet Information Server
(Trademark)). The server interface unit 23 is, for example, ISA which is additional software for providing an extended function to a WWW server by IIS.
PI (Internet Server Applic)
ation Programming Interfa
ce) is realized by software designed in accordance with (c).

On the other hand, the client computer 13
P for controlling parallel input / output (hereinafter referred to as PIO)
The system includes an IO control unit 26 and a WWW browser 27 for accessing a WWW server on the Internet using the WWW. These are all realized by software (program). PIO control unit 26
Has a function of controlling the switcher 15 in accordance with a command from the WWW server 21.

In this embodiment, the server computer 1
An HTML document including a control code for realizing a user interface using the WWW browser 27 is recorded in the HTML file disk 24 in 2.
The control code included in the HTML document includes a control code for controlling the VOD server 11. WW
The W browser 27 receives the H distributed from the WWW server 21.
If a control code for controlling the VOD server 11 is included in the TML document, a control request for the VOD server 11 is issued to the WWW server 21. The control request is sent from the WWW server 21 in the server computer 12 to the server interface unit 23, and the server interface unit 23 gives a control execution instruction to the server control unit 22 in response to the control request, and responds to the control execution instruction. Thus, the server control unit 22 controls the VOD server 11 by giving a command to the VOD server 11 via the serial transmission path 17.

The server control unit 22 has data of a correspondence table showing a correspondence between an Internet address (IP address), which is an address of a plurality of client computers 13 on a network, and an output channel. FIG. 5 shows an example of the form of the correspondence table. Such a correspondence table is created by the administrator of the VOD system. When there is an information provision request from the client computer 13, the server control unit 22 refers to the correspondence table to determine an output channel corresponding to the Internet address of the client computer 13 that has made the information provision request,
The VOD server 11 is controlled so that information corresponding to the information provision request is transmitted from the output channel to the client computer 13 that has made the information provision request.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the entire VOD system according to the present embodiment. The VOD system shown in FIG. 1 includes a server computer 12 connected to a network 18, a VOD server 11 whose operation is controlled by the server computer 12,
It has four client-side terminal devices 31 to 34 connected to the network 18. In this example, VO
The D server 11 outputs six AV data output channels c.
The terminal devices 31 to 34 are provided with AV data from output channels ch1 to ch4 of the VOD server 11, respectively. Note that, in FIG. 2, the symbol V represents video data, and the symbol A represents audio data.

The terminal device 31 has substantially the same configuration as that of the client side in FIG. 1, and has a client computer 13 connected to the network 18 and a video signal for displaying a video signal output from the client computer 13 on a display. A rate converter 14 for converting the signals into a signal, a switcher 15 for switching and outputting a video signal sent from the VOD server 11 and a video signal output from the rate converter 14, and a video signal output from the switcher 15 are input. And a display 16 for displaying images. In this example, the switcher 15 has a function of switching and outputting an audio signal transmitted from the VOD server 11 and an audio signal output from the client computer 13 in addition to the switching of the video signal. The terminal device 31 further includes an active speaker 36 and a headphone 37 for inputting an audio signal output from the switcher 15 and outputting a sound, and a trackball 38 connected to the client computer 13. In this example, the client computer 13
Has a function of inputting and processing an external video signal, and the video signal transmitted from the VOD server 11 is also input to the client computer 13.

The terminal device 32 includes two head mounted displays 39 instead of the display 16, the active speaker 36 and the headphones 37 in the terminal device 31. The head mounted display 39 has a built-in speaker, and the switcher 1
The video signal and the audio signal output from the input device 5 are input, and a video display and an audio output are performed.

The terminal device 33 includes a client computer 13 connected to the network 18 and a touch monitor 41 which functions as a touch panel for displaying a video signal output from the client computer 13 and giving an instruction to the client computer 13. And an active speaker 42 and a headphone 43 for inputting an audio signal transmitted from the VOD server 11 and an audio signal output from the client computer 13 and outputting sound. The client computer 13 in the terminal device 33 has a function of inputting and processing an external video signal, and a video signal transmitted from the VOD server 11 is input to the client computer 13. The client computer 13 has a function of displaying an image based on a video signal transmitted from the VOD server 11 on the touch monitor 41 on a screen created by the client computer 13, and a command from the WWW server 21. Has the function of controlling the overlay display in accordance with

The terminal device 34 includes a client computer 13 connected to the network 18, a touch panel 44 for displaying a video signal output from the client computer 13 and giving an instruction to the client computer 13, and a VOD server 11. It has a display 45 for inputting a video signal to be transmitted and displaying a video, and an audio system 46 for inputting an audio signal transmitted from the VOD server 11 and outputting audio.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer used as the server computer 12 or the client computer 13 in FIG. This computer comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 and R
An OM (read only memory) 52, a RAM (random access memory) 53, a display interface (denoted by I / F in the figure) 54, and an interface 60 for connection to the network 18; , And a bus 50 to which these are connected. The computer further includes a hard disk 62 and a CD connected to the bus 50 via the interfaces 55 to 59, respectively.
(Compact disk)-comprises a ROM drive 63, a floppy disk drive 64, a keyboard 65 and a mouse 66.

In the computer shown in FIG.
1 is a hard disk 6 using the RAM 53 as a work area.
2. CD driven by CD-ROM drive 63
-To execute application programs stored in a floppy disk driven by a ROM or a floppy disk drive 64; In the server computer 12, a program for realizing the WWW server 21, the server control unit 22, and the server interface unit 23 corresponds to the information sending program in the present embodiment. Therefore, in the server computer 12, a program for realizing the WWW server 21, the server control unit 22, and the server interface unit 23 is stored in a CD-ROM or a floppy disk drive 64 driven by the CD-ROM drive 63.
When the program recorded on a floppy disk driven by the CD-ROM or the floppy disk is installed in the hard disk 62, the CD-ROM or the floppy disk is used as the information transmission program according to the present embodiment. Corresponds to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the VOD server 11 in FIG. V shown in this figure
The OD server 11 includes a storage unit 71 and a control unit 72. The storage unit 71 includes a plurality of hard disk drives (hereinafter, HDDs) each for driving a hard disk.
It is written. ) 73. The hard disk driven by the HDD 73 stores AV data to be provided to the client.

On the other hand, the control unit 72 includes a main CPU 74
, An HDD interface (denoted as HDD I / F in the figure) 75, an AV data output section 76 for the number of output channels, and an internal bus 77 connecting these to each other. The HDD interface 75 is connected to the HDD 73 in the storage unit 71. Each AV data output unit 7
6 outputs AV data extracted from the hard disk in the storage unit 71 via the HDD interface 75 to the transmission path 19 in FIG. The main CPU 74 is connected to the server computer 12 via the serial transmission path 17 in FIG.
And an AV data interface (in the figure, referred to as AV data I / F) 79 for receiving AV data stored in the storage unit 71 from an encoder (not shown). The communication unit 78 and the AV data interface 79 are realized by software. The main CPU 74 receives a command given from the server computer 12 via the serial transmission path 17 by the communication unit 78, controls the HDD 73 in the storage unit 71 according to the content of the command, and
The data is extracted, and the extracted AV data is output from the AV data output unit 76 in accordance with the content of the command.

Next, the VOD server 11 and the server computer 12 as the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment
The operation of the VOD system shown in FIG. Note that this description also serves as an explanation of the information providing method according to the present embodiment and the information providing program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium that records the information providing program according to the present embodiment.

As described above, the HTML document including the control code for realizing the user interface using the WWW browser 27 is recorded in the HTML file disk 24 in the server computer 12. H
The control code included in the TML document includes the VOD server 1
1 is also included. On the client side, when requesting control of the VOD server 11 such as an information provision request, that is, an AV data reproduction request, W
Using the WW browser 27, an HTML document including a control code for controlling the VOD server 11 is accessed. The WWW browser 27 is a WWW server 2
VOD server 11 in the HTML document distributed from
If a control code for controlling
The control request of the VOD server 11 is issued to the WWW server 21. The control request is sent from the WWW server 21 in the server computer 12 to the server interface unit 23, and the server interface unit 23 gives a control execution instruction to the server control unit 22 in response to the control request, and responds to the control execution instruction. The server control unit 22 controls the VOD server 11 by giving a command to the VOD server 11 via the serial transmission path 17.

Here, the VOD included in the HTML document
A control code for controlling the server 11 will be described with a specific example. Generally, by adding application software on the WWW server 21, the HT
Conversion of an ML document, database search, and the like can be performed. In the present embodiment, using this function, H
Instead of converting the TML document, the VOD server 11
Communication with the server control unit 22 that performs the above control is realized. Therefore, a general-purpose code is used as the control code added to the HTML document. To actually control the VOD server 11 using an HTML document, for example,
Use code like the following:

<HTML><BODY><A HREF = “http: //www.addres/scripts/dll/VSR
SI.dll? Play? 1 & / home / play1.html "> Play Clip 1 </A></BODY></HTML>

In the above code, "Play Clip 1"
Is a portion displayed on the client-side display 16 to which the HTML document including the code is distributed,
When "Play Clip 1" on the display screen of the display 16 is selected (for example, clicked) on the client side,
The WWW browser 27 uses “http: //www.a” in the above code.
ddres / scripts / dll / VSRSI.dll? play? 1 & / home / play1.htm
l ”to the WWW server 21. Here, `` VSRSI.dll?
play? 1 & / home / play1.html "is a command for activating software for realizing the server interface unit 23. “VSRSI” is the server interface unit 23
Is the name of the software that implements Also, "http: /
“/www.addres/scripts/dll” is the address and directory of the server where “VSRSI.dll” is located. This allows
Activate and operate the server interface unit 23. In the above code, "play? 1 & / home / play1.htm
“l” is a parameter (a number of a clip (AV program) or the like) for controlling the VOD server 11, and here,
Specifies that clip number 1 is to be played, and, at the same time as playing, the home page (/home/play1.ht) displayed during playback.
ml).

The server interface unit 23 started as described above transmits the Internet address of the requested client computer 13 to the server control unit 22 in addition to the parameters. Server control unit 22
Analyzes the parameters and outputs the VOD
A command is given to the server 11 and the VOD server 11
Control. At this time, the server control unit 22 specifies an output channel corresponding to the Internet address with reference to a correspondence table indicating a correspondence between the Internet address and the output channel. The server control unit 22 has a VOD
When a command for instructing a time-consuming operation such as video playback is given to the server 11, if the command is passed normally, a virtual image file (hereinafter, referred to as a virtual image WWW server 21)
In the HTML file disk 24 managed by
Created in the directory and the client computer 13
Tells the start of playback and the end of the playback request. At this time, a command for video signal switching control (switching of the switcher 15 and control of overlay display, etc.) is sent to the client computer 13 as necessary. The virtual image is created for each client.

The server control unit 22 senses (detects) the status of the VOD server 11 and
The operation of detecting the end of reproduction in the server 11 is periodically performed. For example, when playing a 15-minute clip, 1
The intermittent detection operation is performed for 5 minutes. Server control unit 22
Deletes the virtual image when the end of the reproduction is detected. It should be noted that the server control unit 22 sets the VO so as to stop the reproduction when the viewer requests the stop of the reproduction.
It controls the D server 11 and deletes the virtual image.

On the other hand, the client computer 13
When the start of the reproduction is notified, the switching of the video signal is controlled according to the command as necessary, and then the virtual image on the server computer 12 is periodically accessed using the WWW browser 27. When the virtual image disappears, the client computer 13 determines that the reproduction has been completed, controls the switching of the video signal as necessary, and causes the display 16 to display the screen of the client computer 13.

For the client computer 13,
To have regular access to a virtual image, for example,
It uses a Java applet, which is a small program in the Java language. Specifically, an applet is included in the HTML document sent from the WWW server 21 to the WWW browser 27, and the WWW browser 27 calls and executes the applet from the HTML document. Applet
The virtual image is periodically accessed, and it is determined that the image is being reproduced while the virtual image exists. An example of an HTML document including an applet is shown below.

<HTML><BODY><APPLET CODE = ClipSense.class "WIDT
H = 100 HIGH = 100><APPLET></BODY></HTML>

In the above HTML document, "ClipSens
"e.class" specifies the file name of the applet and "WI
“DTH = 100 HIGH = 100” indicates the size of the area used by the applet.

Next, a series of operations of the VOD system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 by taking, as an example, a case where the client computer 13 issues a request for reproducing AV data. When the client requests AV data reproduction, the client computer 1
3 using the WWW browser 27 and the VOD server 11
A page of the HTML document (HTML page) including the control code for controlling the HTML is selected (step S1). In response, the WWW server 2 of the server computer 12
1 transfers the HTML document to the WWW browser 27 (step S2). As a result, an output screen of the client computer 13 based on the HTML document is displayed on the display 16.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the output screen of the client computer 13 and the display screen of the display 16. After step S2, for example, an output screen of the client computer 13 as indicated by reference numeral 81 in FIG. When the client instructs reproduction of AV data on a screen displayed based on the HTML document, the WWW browser 27 transmits a control code for controlling the VOD server 11 in the HTML document distributed from the WWW server 21, Specifically, a control code for controlling the server interface unit 23 of the server computer 12 is returned to the WWW server 21 to issue a control request for the VOD server 11 (step S3). In the example shown in FIG. 7, selecting a part displayed as “encounter with Jupiter” or “star track” on the screen 81 instructs reproduction of AV data.

This control request is sent to the server computer 12
WWW server 21 to server interface unit 23
The server interface unit 23 is activated (step S4). The started server interface unit 23 passes parameters for controlling the VOD server 11 to the server control unit 22 (Step S5).
At this time, the server interface unit 23 simultaneously notifies the server control unit 22 of the Internet address of the client computer 13 that has issued the control request. The server control unit 22 analyzes the parameters and gives a command to the VOD server 11 via the transmission line 17 to control the VOD server 11 (step S6). At this time, the server control unit 22 specifies an output channel corresponding to the Internet address with reference to a correspondence table indicating a correspondence between the Internet address and the output channel. V
The OD server 11 starts playback according to the command from the server control unit 22 (step S7).

When the server control unit 22 sends a normal command to the VOD server 11, the WWW server 21 manages a virtual image indicating that the data is being reproduced.
Create in the TML directory (step S8), and
A predetermined HTML page is transferred to the client computer 13 via the server 21 to notify the start of reproduction and the end of the reproduction request (step S9). This HT
An example of the display screen of the ML page is denoted by reference numeral 82 in FIG.
Indicated by Java applet, for example, this HTML
Can be inserted into the page. At this time,
The server control unit 22 controls the switching of video signals (switching of the switcher 15, control of overlay display, etc.) to the client computer 13 as necessary.
Command.

The server control unit 22 senses (detects) the status of the VOD server 11 and
The operation of detecting the end of reproduction in the server 11 is periodically performed (step S10). When the reproduction is completed in the VOD server 11 (step S11) and the server control unit 22 detects the end of the reproduction (step S12), the server control unit 22 deletes the virtual image (step S13).

On the other hand, the client computer 13
When the start of reproduction is notified, video signal switching control is performed according to a command as necessary. For example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG.
Control is performed to select the output data from No. 1 (step S14). As a result, the display screen of the display 16 is switched to the output screen of the VOD server 11, as shown in FIG. Note that the VOD server 1 is displayed on the display 16.
When a predetermined operation is performed using a keyboard or a mouse while the output screen 1 is displayed, the screen indicated by reference numeral 82 is displayed on the display 16.

Thereafter, the client computer 13
Periodically accesses the virtual image on the server computer 12 by, for example, a Java applet (step S15). In response, the WWW server 21 of the server computer 12 transfers the virtual image to the client computer 13 (Step S16).
When the client computer 13 detects that the virtual image has been deleted (step S17),
It is determined that the reproduction has been completed, and video signal switching control is performed as necessary. For example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the switcher 15 is controlled so as to select the output data of the rate converter 14 (step S18).
The operation relating to the reproduction of the V data ends (step S1).
9). As a result, an output screen 82 of the client computer 13 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 16, for example. Note that, in the example shown in FIG.
The index 83 after the end of the reproduction is also recorded in 2 and when this index 83 is selected, the display returns to the original page (screen 81).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a request for controlling the VOD server 11 from the client computer 13 is received by the server computer 12 using the WWW, and in response to this request, , Giving an instruction to the VOD server 11
, The client side does not need to create dedicated software for the user interface, and the user interface can be constructed using the WWW browser 27. As a result, the client can adapt to the customer's requirements. It is possible to easily construct and individualize the user interface. Further, the communication between the client side and the server side can use the communication between the WWW server 21 and the WWW browser 27, and it is not necessary to newly construct a communication means.

At present, the WWW browser is rapidly expanding its market, is mounted on various personal computers and home information appliances, and is well known in general. Further, since the content editing environment on the browser is rich and there are many people who have experienced editing, it is possible to easily individualize the content. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even the customer can change the user interface relatively easily. In particular, museums, mini theaters, and the like, which are customers of the VOD system, require different user interfaces for each customer, and the user interface dynamically changes according to time and season, and in museums, etc., according to display contents. Although it changes, according to the present embodiment, it is easy to deal with such a case.

Specifically, by creating a home page for control of the VOD server 11 using standard HTML, a user who is actually provided with information from the VOD server 11 operates on the client computer 13. Browser 2 using the WWW browser 27
7, it is possible to control the VOD server 11 so that an arbitrary clip is selected from the home page described in HTML and the video and the audio are reproduced. Therefore, when viewed from a person using the WWW browser 27, the clip on the VOD server 11 appears as one content (video source) of the WWW browser 27.

In the present embodiment, the server computer 12 includes software (a program for implementing the server interface unit 23) for receiving a request from the client using the WWW,
Since the software for controlling the D server 11 (the program for realizing the server control unit 22) is a program which can be separated from each other, the software controls the VOD server 11 which is a device-dependent part. It is possible to easily divert the software to another system by changing the software for the device, and to easily create the software on the device control side according to the device.

In this embodiment, the VOD server 1
1, the AV data is transmitted to the client via a transmission line 19 different from the network 18, so that the AV data is transmitted at a large data transfer rate without being restricted by the data transfer rate in the network 18.
V data can be transmitted.

By the way, it takes longer to reproduce a clip than to read a text or download an image. Therefore, the WWW of the client computer 13
If the browser 27 is waiting from the request for reproduction of the clip to the end, the WWW browser 27 enters a busy state,
It becomes impossible to perform other operations using the WW, for example, completely move to another page. In the present embodiment, VOD
While the server 11 is reproducing (transmitting) the AV data, W
Using the WW, a virtual image is generated that indicates that the client is accessible via the network 18 and that the VOD server 11 is reproducing AV data,
Since the client side periodically accesses the virtual image and detects whether or not the reproduction of the AV data has been completed, the client uses the WWW without waiting for the reproduction of the provided AV data to be completed. It becomes possible to perform other operations, for example, to completely move to another page, and to recognize the end of reproduction of provided AV data.

In the present embodiment, the server computer 12 stores a correspondence table indicating the correspondence between the network addresses of the plurality of client computers 13 connected to the network 18 and the channels for each client. When a playback request for AV data is received from a client, by referring to the correspondence table, the AV data is sent to the client that has requested playback using the channel corresponding to the client that has requested playback. Therefore, it is possible to easily provide appropriate information to a plurality of clients.

According to the present embodiment, when the client connects to the external Internet, it becomes possible to link to external related information and a database, and information relating to the operation of the VOD server 11, for example, a clip to be reproduced. Information can be easily obtained. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a state in which a VOD system 100 used in a museum or the like is connected to an external Internet 110. In this example, the VOD system 100
And a VOD server 11 controlled by the server computer 12, and a server computer 12 and a plurality of client computers 13 connected via a network 18,
It has another WWW server computer 101 connected to the network 18. This VOD system 100
Network 18 in the network bridge 1
02, it is connected to the external Internet 110. The external Internet 110 has a plurality of WWs
The W server computer 111 is connected.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 105 denotes an example of a home page related to clip reproduction, which is managed and distributed by the server computer 12 in the VOD system 100. This home page includes an item 106 for instructing reproduction of a predetermined clip and an item 107 for instructing access to information on the predetermined clip. When the user selects the item 106, a predetermined clip is reproduced. When the user selects the item 107, the client computer 13 is linked to a predetermined WWW server computer 111 connected to the external Internet 110 by the WWW browser 27, and is managed by the WWW server computer 111. The distribution of information on a predetermined clip is received.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a client connects to the external Internet, it is possible to link to a WWW server all over the world. It becomes possible to access external information without being aware of this, and it is possible to increase the amount of information of the application of the VOD system.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the client is connected to the remote VOD server 11 via the Internet.
, And a plurality of VOD servers 11 can be controlled. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows one client computer 1
3 shows an example of a state where the server 3 is connected to a plurality of server computers 12 for controlling the VOD server 11. In this example, one client computer 13 and a plurality of server computers 12 are connected to a network 18. The network 18 is connected to an external Internet 110 via a network bridge 102.
It is connected to the. On the external Internet 110,
A plurality of server computers 12 are connected. A VOD server 11 controlled by each server computer 12 is connected to each server computer 12.

In the system shown in FIG. 9, a client computer 13 can control a plurality of VOD servers 11 by giving a control request to a plurality of server computers 12. VOD server 1
1 is specified using an Internet address. Therefore, if the Internet address of each server computer 12 and the clip information registered in the VOD server 11 are known, if the server computer 12 is connected to the Internet 110 and the access is opened for security, the server computer 12 and the VOD server 11
Can be controlled by the client computer 13 anywhere in the world. For example, to control the VOD server 11 connected to the server computer 12 having the name of the Japanese address "www.abc.co.jp", if the playback clip number is "100", the HTM
The control code according to L is, for example, as follows.

<A HREF = “http://www.abc.co.jp/
scripts / vsrms.dll? play? 100 & / next / home.html "> 100
Play </A>

The VOD connected to the server computer 12 having the name of the US address "www.def.com"
To control the server 11, the playback clip number is set to "10".
If 1 "is set, the control code in HTML is, for example, as follows.

<A HREF = “http://www.def.com/sc”
ripts / vsrms.dll? play? 101 & / next / home.html "> 101 playback </A>

As described above, the client computer 1
3 allows a plurality of VOD servers 11 to be controlled, thereby enabling multi-channel control such as multi-screen.

Also, if a command for capturing a clip recorded in the remote VOD server 11 via the Internet is prepared, the database construction on the client computer 13 can be facilitated. In this case, for example, a command "list.dll" is prepared in the server computer 12, and a home page distributed by the server computer 12 has, for example, the following H
Include TML code.

<A HREF = “http://www.abc.co.jp/
scripts / list.dll "> Reference recorded clips </A>

The client computer 13 sends the above H
If you look at the homepage that contains the code in TML,
The server computer 12 executes the command “list.dll” and sends the text data constructed from the data on the VOD server 11 to the client computer 13 by HT.
Return as ML document.

Similarly, the function of making the state of the VOD server 11 a home page is performed by the WWW of the server computer 12.
If the server 21 is prepared, the state of the remote VOD server 11 can be monitored. Here, the status of the VOD server 11 is the hardware information of the VOD server 11 (the number of effective channels, the number of hard disks, the operating status of the hard disks, the status of failure occurrence, the self-diagnosis result).
And usage information (the number of registered clips and the remaining capacity of the hard disk). In a CATV (cable television) station using a VOD server, this function is useful because the VOD server of an unmanned relay base may be remotely operated. FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of a CATV system. This CATV system is designed for each home 12
1, a relay base 122 that supplies a program to the first base, an operation base 123 that controls the plurality of relay bases 122, and a plurality of operation bases 1
And a program transmission base 125 for supplying a program to each relay base 121 via an artificial satellite 126 or the like. Such a CA
In the TV system, a program transmission base 125 is provided for each fixed area.
In some cases, a plurality of unmanned relay bases 121 are operated from the head office to supply a program to each area or to perform management. In such a case, the monitoring function described above becomes useful.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the VOD server and the server computer are separated from each other.
By providing the function of a server computer to the VOD server, the VOD server and the server computer can be integrated. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a VOD server having the functions of a server computer. The VOD server 120 shown in this figure includes a storage unit 71 and a control unit 72. The control section 72 has a main CPU 74, an HDD interface (denoted as HDD I / F in the figure) 75, AV data output sections 76 for the number of output channels, and an internal bus 77 for connecting these to each other. ing. Main CPU
74 includes a WWW 121, a server control unit 122, and a server interface unit 123 having the same functions as the WWW 21, the server control unit 22, and the server interface unit 23 in the server computer 12 in FIG. Although not shown, the control unit 72 has the same function as the HTML file disk 24 in FIG. The control unit 72 further receives an AV data stored in the storage unit 71 from an encoder (not shown).
And a data interface (denoted as AV data I / F in the figure) 79. Other configurations of the VOD server 120 shown in FIG. 11 are the same as those of the VOD server 11 shown in FIG.

The VOD server 120 as shown in FIG.
Is provided, the connection on the server side is simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the VOD system as described in the embodiment, but can be applied to a general system in which a predetermined device provides predetermined information in response to a request from a client. 12 and 13
Next, examples of other systems to which the present invention can be applied will be described. FIG. 12 shows a configuration example when the present invention is applied to an autochanger system using a disc player. This autochanger system includes a server computer 1 connected to each other via a network 18.
2 and a client computer 13, and a disk cart system 130 controlled by the server computer 12 via the serial transmission line 133. The disc cart system 130 includes a plurality of disc players 131 each for reproducing information from an optical disc.
And a disc changer 132 for setting an optical disc in each disc player 131. The information reproduced by the disc player 131 is transmitted to the transmission path 13
4 to the client side. In this autochanger system, the server computer 12 controls the disk cart system 130 instead of the VOD server 11 in FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a configuration example when the present invention is applied to an autochanger system using a VTR (video tape recorder). This autochanger system includes a server computer 12 and a client computer 13 connected to each other via a network 18, and a VTR cart system 140 controlled by the server computer 12 via a serial transmission line 143. The VTR cart system 140 includes a plurality of VTRs 141 for reproducing information from video cassettes, respectively, and a changer 142 for setting a video cassette in each VTR 141. V
The information reproduced by the TR 141 is supplied to the client via the transmission line 144.
In this autochanger system, the server computer 12 replaces the VOD server 11 in FIG.
The R cart system 140 is controlled.

[0075]

As described above, according to the information providing apparatus of claim 1, the information providing method of claim 2, or the computer readable recording medium on which the information providing program of claim 3 is recorded. For example, the correspondence between the network address of each client connected to the network and the channel of each client is stored, and an information provision request from each client is received via the network using the World Wide Web. In response to the information provision request from the received client, referring to the correspondence relationship between the address of each client in the network and the channel of each client, using the channel corresponding to the client that has requested the information provision, Provide predetermined information to the client who The client side can build a user interface using a World Wide Web browser, which makes it easy to build and personalize a user interface that meets customer requirements. It is possible to perform the operation. Further, the correspondence between the network address of each client and the channel of each client is stored, and the predetermined information is sent to the client that has requested information provision by referring to this correspondence, This has the effect that appropriate information can be easily provided to a plurality of clients.
Further, by connecting the client to the external Internet, it is possible to link to external related information and a database, and it is possible to easily obtain information related to the provided information. This has the effect that the client can receive information from a remote device or receive information from a plurality of devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a VOD system including an information providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the entire VOD system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a computer used as a server computer or a client computer in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a VOD server in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a form of a correspondence table included in the server computer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for describing an operation of the VOD system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an output screen of a client computer and a display screen of a display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which the VOD system according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to an external Internet.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which a client computer according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a plurality of VOD server control server computers.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration of a CATV system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the VOD server according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example when the present invention is applied to an autochanger system using a disc player.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example when the present invention is applied to an autochanger system using a VTR.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: VOD server, 12: server computer, 13
... Client computer, 16 ... Display, 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... WWW server, 22 ... Server control part, 23 ... Server interface part, 24 ... HTML disk file,
27 ... WWW browser.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information providing apparatus capable of providing predetermined information using a plurality of channels in response to a request from a plurality of clients, the information providing apparatus comprising: a network address of each client connected to the network; Receives information provision requests from a plurality of clients via a network using a correspondence storage means for storing the correspondence with a channel and the World Wide Web which is a system capable of linking to information on the Internet. A possible request receiving means, and in response to an information providing request from the client received by the request receiving means, referencing the correspondence stored by the correspondence storing means to correspond to the client having made the information providing request Clients who have requested information provision using the channel Information providing means for transmitting predetermined information to the client. 2. An information providing method capable of providing predetermined information using a plurality of channels in response to a request from a plurality of clients, comprising: an address of each client connected to the network in the network; Using the World Wide Web, a system that can store links to channels on the Internet and link to information on the Internet, receives information provision requests from each client via a network, According to the information provision request of
An information providing method comprising: transmitting predetermined information to a client that has requested information provision by using a channel corresponding to a client that has requested information provision by referring to the correspondence relationship. 3. A computer-readable recording medium on which an information providing program for providing predetermined information using a plurality of channels in response to a request from a plurality of clients is recorded. Using the correspondence storage function of storing the correspondence between the network address of each client connected to the network and the channel of each client, and using the World Wide Web, a system that can link to information on the Internet A request receiving function capable of receiving an information providing request from a plurality of clients via a network, and a correspondence stored by the correspondence storage function in response to the information providing request from the client received by the request receiving function. Information request with reference to the relationship There was used a channel corresponding to the client, the information providing request of a computer-readable recording medium recorded with the provided program information for realizing the information transmission function of transmitting the predetermined information to the client.