JPWO2002073969A1 - On-demand information provision method and on-demand information provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an on-demand information providing method capable of effectively and easily providing local information to a remote place. When the user accesses the streaming server by executing browser software using the keyboard or mouse of the client (S501), the streaming server transmits a Web page. The client displays the received Web page on a display (S502). The user selects streaming data to be downloaded according to the description on the Web page. With this selection, the streaming server extracts and streams the corresponding streaming data from the database. In the client, the decompression and reproduction of the received streaming data are executed, so that sound is output from the speaker (S506).

Description

Technical field
The present invention relates to an on-demand information providing method and an on-demand information providing system, and more particularly, to an on-demand information providing method capable of providing audio and / or image streaming data via the Internet, and an on-demand information providing method. The present invention relates to an information providing system, a computer-readable recording medium, and a computer program.
Background art
In recent years, rapid developments in distribution mechanisms and means of transportation have led to market expansion for local businesses such as tourism and specialty products. This is because a company that runs these businesses can advertise its business and provide customers in remote locations by providing information such as advertisements. In addition, with the spread of tourism and mail-order sales, demand for information at remote locations is increasing.
As described above, transmitting local-specific (local) information to a remote place is extremely important for the promotion of local industries.
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, technology related to multimedia communication in which still images and moving images are added to voice communication and data communication has been developed, and it has become easy to easily provide voice and moving images to remote locations. As a technique related to multimedia communication, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-004485 discloses a technique related to content distribution of audio data using a wireless communication network as a transmission medium. According to this technique, a wireless station server stores a plurality of subscriber profiles along with personal interest topics and assembles content material from a web site according to the topics. Then, in response to a request from the user terminal of the subscriber, the assembled content is transmitted.
By using this communication technology, the above-mentioned businesses can transmit information unique to a region to the whole country or the whole world. However, in the technology described above, although a technology related to multimedia transmission is disclosed, a method of providing information is not disclosed. In other words, there is a problem that it is up to the individual business operator to effectively provide information to a resident in a remote place.
A medium that has been most widely used as a medium for providing information closely related to a region is a program created in a local television or radio broadcasting station. Locally created programs created by these broadcasters are broadcast only within a narrow broadcast area. Providing unique programs created by this local broadcasting station to long-distance users can encourage long-distance residents to raise their interest in the area and raise their interest. Conceivable.
As a conventionally known technique for providing program contents, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-031849 discloses a technique for distributing a program scheduling file, and receiving a broadcast file by a data broadcast receiving apparatus to distribute broadcast data. Is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-041190 discloses a technique of a broadcasting system including a device for transmitting broadcast content and a device for receiving broadcast content.
However, although the technology for providing broadcast content as a device or system is disclosed, these technologies are intended to provide already recorded content and have the effect of appealing to the interest of information users. It does not imply the provision of information. Therefore, with the conventionally known technology, depending on the method of providing information, there is a case where the information user does not attract the interest, does not increase the interest, or it is difficult for the information user to obtain desired information. There was a problem.
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an on-demand information providing method and an on-demand information providing method capable of providing area-specific information to a remote place effectively and easily. It is to provide a demand type information providing system.
The present invention uses techniques for streaming audio and / or images. Streaming is a technology that plays back video and sound data in real time. Streaming, unlike conventional multimedia distribution in which all files are downloaded once and then playback software is activated and played back, content can be played back in real time. Since the streamed data is discarded after reproduction, the free space on the hard disk in the computer is smaller than the free space required in the conventional multimedia distribution.
Disclosure of the invention
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an on-demand information providing method according to the present invention acquires audio and / or image data, and acquires the acquired audio and / or image data. And / or converting the image data into streamable data, storing the converted audio and / or image data in a storage device, and upon request obtained via the Internet, storing the stored audio and / or image data. The image data is transmitted as streaming data via the Internet.
Further, in the first aspect, the acquisition, conversion, storage, and transmission of the audio and / or image data may be performed by an information providing server.
In the first invention, the acquisition and conversion of the audio and / or image data are performed by a multimedia server, the accumulation and transmission of the audio and / or image data are performed by a streaming server, and the streamable data is The content may be supplied from a multimedia server to the streaming server.
Further, in the first invention, the audio and / or image data includes information on a tourist spot in a broadcasting area of a local radio or television broadcasting station, an event held in the broadcasting area, and information on a special product in the broadcasting area. Any of them can be included.
Here, a Web page of a map including the broadcasting area may be displayed in response to the request.
here. The displayed Web page may include a hyperlink for selecting audio and / or image data related to the broadcast area for each broadcast area.
Here, further, in response to the selection of the hyperlink, a hyperlink to a homepage that provides information in a broadcasting area corresponding to the selected hyperlink may be displayed.
In the first invention, the client further receives the transmitted voice and / or image data, converts the received voice and / or image data into a wireless signal, and transmits the converted wireless signal. You can do it.
In a second aspect of the present invention, an on-demand information providing system according to the present invention comprises: an acquiring unit for acquiring audio and / or image data; and converting the acquired audio and / or image data into streaming data. Conversion means for storing the converted voice and / or image data in a storage device, and streaming data for storing the stored voice and / or image data in response to a request obtained via the Internet. Transmission means for transmitting via the Internet.
In the second invention, the acquisition unit, the conversion unit, the storage unit, and the transmission unit may be included in an information providing server.
Further, in the second invention, the acquisition unit and the conversion unit are provided in a multimedia server, the storage unit and the transmission unit are provided in a streaming server, and the streamable data is transmitted from the multimedia server to the streaming server. It can be provided to the server.
Further, in the second invention, the audio and / or image data includes information on a tourist spot in a broadcasting area of a local radio or television broadcasting station, an event performed in the broadcasting area, and information on a special product in the broadcasting area. Any of them can be included.
Here, it is possible to further include a display unit that displays a Web page of a map including the broadcast area in response to the request.
Here, the displayed Web page may include, for each of the broadcasting areas, a hyperlink for selecting audio and / or image data related to the broadcasting area.
Here, in accordance with the selection of the hyperlink, the display unit may further display a hyperlink to a homepage that provides information in a broadcast area corresponding to the selected hyperlink.
Further, in the second invention, a receiving means for receiving the transmitted voice and / or image data via the Internet, a converting means for converting the received voice and / or image data into a wireless signal, And broadcasting means for transmitting the obtained radio signal.
In a third aspect of the present invention, a computer readable recording medium according to the present invention comprises the steps of obtaining audio and / or image data, and converting the obtained audio and / or image data into streamable data. Storing the converted voice and / or image data in a storage device; and responding to a request obtained via the Internet, using the stored voice and / or image data as streaming data over the Internet. And transmitting the information via an on-demand type information providing program.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer program according to the present invention comprises the steps of: acquiring audio and / or image data; converting the acquired audio and / or image data into streamable data; Storing the converted voice and / or image data in a storage device, and transmitting the stored voice and / or image data as streaming data via the Internet in response to a request obtained via the Internet And causing the computer to perform the following steps.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, “streaming data” refers to data formatted for streaming.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an on-demand type information providing system to which the present invention is applied. In this system, a multimedia server 102 for editing streaming data, a streaming server 103 for registering and providing streaming data edited by the multimedia server, and a client for receiving and reproducing streaming data are connected to the Internet 100. Are connected, and these are configured to be able to communicate with each other.
The multimedia server 102 is a personal computer (PC) installed at a local FM radio broadcast station, receives audio data from an audio mixer device 105 for editing audio data of a program created at the FM radio broadcast station, The streaming data is edited and transmitted based on the received data.
The streaming server 103 receives the streaming data transmitted from the multimedia server 102 and registers the streaming data in a database (not shown). Further, the streaming server 103 registers a Web page for providing streaming data in a database to a client, and functions as a WWW server.
Note that the multimedia server 102 and the streaming server 103 function as the information providing server of the present invention.
The clients 101a, 101b, and 101c (hereinafter collectively referred to as clients 101) are computers for receiving information provision from the streaming server 103.
A mobile communication network 110 is connected to the Internet 100. A wireless mobile device 112 is connected to the mobile communication network via a base station 111 via a wireless line. As the wireless mobile device 112, a mobile phone or a PHS capable of communicating with the mobile communication network 110 is used, and browser software for reproducing streaming data is introduced as described later.
As the multimedia server 102, the streaming server 103, and the client 101, specifically, a personal computer in which multimedia-compatible system software (computer program) is installed is used. The processing content of the computer program installed in each personal computer will be described later.
Next, the hardware configuration of the multimedia server according to the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The multimedia server 102 includes an audio controller 201 for receiving an audio signal, a system memory (RAM) 203 and a ROM 211 for storing object data for executing the program and data necessary for executing the program, and instructions for the program. Is connected to the bus 202. Further, a hard disk drive (HDD) 207 and a communication interface (I / F) 210 for executing communication with a network are connected to the bus 202.
The audio controller 201 is connected to a reproduction device such as a tape recorder 221, a microphone 222, or an audio mixer device 105 that edits an audio signal from a telephone 223 connected through a telephone network (not shown). As the audio controller 201, specifically, a sound board on which a chip such as a PCM sound source is mounted is used, and its microphone connection terminal is connected to the audio output terminal of the audio mixer device 105.
The system memory 203 stores an authoring tool 204 as a program for performing processing according to the present invention. The authoring tool 204 is a program for registering streaming data obtained by digitally converting an audio signal into the HDD 207. Such a program is generally called a media encoder.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, compressed streaming data is used. For example, data in an asf (advanced streaming format) format created by a program called Windows On-Demand Producer of Microsoft Corporation corresponds to such data.
Each of the streaming data has characteristic (property) data composed of information such as an FM radio broadcasting station that created the data and a program name indicating the content of the data. This characteristic data may be automatically created at the time of registration, or may be created by an operator of the multimedia server after registration.
With such a configuration, the mixer device 105 that has collected the audio from the tape recorder 221, the microphone 222, and the telephone 223 transmits the audio to the multimedia server 102 directly or by adding an editing process. The audio signal received by the multimedia server 102 is converted into streaming data by the CPU 205 executing the program code of the authoring tool 204, compressed, and registered in the hard disk drive 207.
By this registration process, one piece of streaming data is registered. The registered streaming data is collectively transmitted to the streaming server 103 via the communication interface 210 and the Internet 100 after a certain period has elapsed.
Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the streaming server 103 and the client 101 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
In the streaming server 103, a system memory 302, a CPU 306, a database (DB) 307 storing a plurality of streaming data, a ROM 308, and a communication interface 309 are connected to a bus 301. The system memory 302 stores a DB control program 303, a streaming server program 304, and a CGI script 305.
The DB control program 303 is a program for performing processing such as data registration, update, and deletion with respect to the database 307. The streaming server program 304 is a program that performs streaming distribution of data registered in the database 307. The CGI script 305 is a program conforming to an interface (Common Gateway Interface; CGI) for activating a corresponding program in response to a request from browser software of the client 101 and returning a result obtained by the program to the client side.
The registration processing to the database 307 is performed based on the characteristic data. That is, the streaming data is registered with an index for each broadcast station, for each program, and for each reception time.
The database 307 is a set of streaming data received from the multimedia server 102 via the communication interface 309 and registered, and Web pages to be provided to the client 101, and is registered on the hard disk.
On the other hand, in the client 101, a CPU 316, a ROM 318, a system memory 313, an audio controller 321 connected to a speaker 322, and a communication interface 317 are connected to a bus 311. Further, a display 312, a keyboard 319, and a mouse 320 are connected to the bus 311 as peripheral devices.
The system memory 313 stores browser software 314 for browsing Web pages and electronic contents provided from a WWW server, and a reproduction program 315 for reproducing streaming media. As the reproduction program, for example, software such as Microsoft's Windows MediaPlayer or Real Networks' RealPlayer is used.
As the display 312, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) is used. The keyboard 319 and the mouse 320 are used to control a cursor on the display 312 and to input a command to the CPU 316.
Note that the wireless mobile device 112 in FIG. 1 can also operate as a client for the streaming server 103, similarly to the client 101. The wireless mobile device 112 has the same hardware configuration as the client 101 except that buttons are used instead of a keyboard and a mouse, and that a communication interface is connected to a network by a wireless line. Description is omitted.
Various functions according to the present invention are achieved by the CPU of each of the above-described multimedia server 102, streaming server 103, and client 101 reading and executing a program code of a program recorded in a system memory or a ROM or the like. Needless to say.
Next, a procedure performed between the multimedia server 102 and the streaming server 103 in the information providing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
First, an audio signal is transmitted from the audio mixer device 105 installed in the local FM radio broadcast station to the multimedia server 102. The audio data to be transmitted may be audio of a broadcast program input from the microphone 222 or audio of a recorded program input from the tape recorder 201. May be the voice transmitted from.
Upon receiving the analog audio data from the audio mixer device 105 (step S401), the multimedia server 102 converts the analog audio data into digital data, that is, streaming data, compresses the data, and stores it on the hard disk 207 (step S402).
Next, the streaming data on the hard disk 207 is transmitted from the multimedia computer 102 to the streaming server 103 (step S403). Upon receiving the streaming data, the streaming server 103 registers the streaming data in the database 307 based on the characteristic data (step S404).
The operator of the streaming server 103 creates a Web page to provide the streaming data registered in the database 307 to the client, or updates the Web page if it has already been created.
Next, a procedure in which the client 101 uses the information providing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the client accesses the streaming server 103 (step S501). In response to the access, the streaming server 103 transmits a home page, that is, a top page of a hierarchical Web page to the client 101 (step S502). The home page displayed here is provided with hyperlinks for providing information on the broadcasting area of the FM radio broadcasting station that created the streaming data, the specific contents of which will be described later with reference to FIG. .
Next, when the user selects a desired hyperlink using the mouse or the like of the client 101 (Yes route in step S503), the streaming server 103 extracts a Web page corresponding to the selected hyperlink from the database, It is displayed on the client 101 (step S502). On the Web page displayed here, a hyperlink to a homepage providing information on the selected broadcast area and a hyperlink for downloading streaming data are arranged. The specific contents of this Web page will be described later with reference to FIG.
When the user selects a hyperlink for download from this Web page using a mouse or the like (Yes route in step S505), the streaming data is downloaded from the streaming server 103 to the client 101, and the program is streamed on the client. Then, a sound is output from the speaker 322 (step S506).
On the other hand, when the user selects a hyperlink to a home page that provides information on the broadcast area (Yes route in step S508), the client connects to the WWW server at the corresponding address, and acquires the home page from the WWW server. A home page is displayed on the display (step S509).
Next, an example of a Web page displayed on the display of the client 101 in the above-described processing will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a streaming server home page displayed on the display in step S502. This screen is an example of a homepage for providing streaming data created by a plurality of local FM radio stations existing in Hokkaido, Japan. On the homepage, a title 603, a burner advertisement 602, and a map 600 of the entire Hokkaido area are provided.
On the map 600, a radio tower symbol 601 corresponding to the FM radio broadcast station that has created the streaming data is arranged. The symbol 601 is a hyperlink to a homepage that provides information on the broadcasting area of the FM radio broadcasting station, and is configured to be selectable with a mouse or the like. Thus, when the user selects one of the symbols 601, the corresponding home page is displayed on the client's display.
FIG. 7 shows an example of a Web page displayed on the display in step S504. The Web page provides a screen title 701, a button 702 for downloading streaming data of the latest program, notification information 703 in text, and information on the broadcasting area of the FM radio station selected on the homepage. And a hyperlink 705 to the homepage of the FM radio station selected on the homepage. The user can download streaming data or display a homepage by selecting a desired one from these hyperlinks.
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the client reproduces streaming data downloaded from the server has been described. However, it is assumed that a broadcasting station downloads streaming data of a program of another broadcasting station and reproduces and broadcasts the data. Is also good.
FIG. 8 shows another configuration example of the information providing system to which the present invention is applied. This system includes a multimedia server 102 for editing streaming data, a streaming server 103 for registering and providing streaming data edited by the multimedia server, and a client 101 for receiving and reproducing electronic contents. The multimedia server 201a installed at the FM radio broadcasting station, the multimedia server 201b installed at the FM radio broadcasting station in Hakodate, and the client 201c installed at the FM radio broadcasting station in Kushiro are connected to the Internet 100. I have.
The multimedia servers 201a, 201b, and 201c have the same functions as the multimedia server 102 and the client 101 described above, and can create streaming data and transmit it to the streaming server 103, and can also download data from the streaming server. It is possible. Needless to say, these functions are realized by the CPU that installs the computer program installed in the multimedia server 102 and the client 101 described above.
The output terminals of the sound boards built into the multimedia servers 201a, 201b and 201c are connected to the radio towers 202a, 202b and 202c via transmitting devices (not shown) for converting audio signals into radio signals, respectively. It is connected.
With such a configuration, the multimedia server 201a can download streaming data created in the multimedia server 201b or 201c and registered in the streaming server 103. The downloaded data is reproduced in real time, and an audio signal is output to the transmitting device. The transmitting device converts the received audio signal into a radio signal and transmits the radio signal from the radio tower. As a result, it is possible to provide programs created by FM radio broadcast stations in Ichihakodate and Kushiro from a broadcast station in Asahikawa City to listeners within the broadcast area.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in other various forms. For example, in the above-described embodiment, audio streaming has been described as an example, but streaming data may be moving images, or a combination of audio and moving images. In a preferred embodiment in this case, a multimedia server owned by a local television station creates streaming data of the television program.
Note that the created streaming data is not limited to radio or television.
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which audio data output from the audio mixer device is input has been described. However, audio data previously converted to streaming data is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The streaming data may be input by causing the multimedia server to read the data on the recording medium.
The present invention is implemented using a computer program executable on a computer system having a processor coupled to receive data and instructions from storage, input and output devices, and to send data and instructions to them. it can. This computer program is described in a markup language such as a high-level procedural programming language, an object-oriented programming language, an assembly language, a machine language, or an HTML language.
Thus, the processor receives the computer program from the storage device. Examples of the storage device that substantially incorporates the instructions of the computer program include a semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory device, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk and a removable disk, and a medium such as a CD-R.
Industrial applicability
As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an information providing method performed by an information providing server, wherein at least one audio and / or moving image is input, and the input audio and / or moving image can be streamed. The registered audio and / or moving image is received, and the selected audio and / or moving image is selected and transmitted in a streaming format. It is possible to provide an information providing method, an information providing server, and an information providing device that can be provided to a remote place effectively and easily.
In addition, a local broadcasting station reproduces and broadcasts streaming data of a program broadcasted at a remote broadcasting station, so that a listener in the local area does not own a special information processing device and can use a radio or a television. The user can view a remote program using a relatively simple device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the multimedia server according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a streaming server and a client to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the on-demand information providing method according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the on-demand information providing method according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Web page displayed on the display of the client.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Web page displayed on the display of the client.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system to which the present invention is applied.

[0003]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an on-demand information providing method and an on-demand information providing method capable of providing area-specific information to a remote place effectively and easily. It is to provide a demand type information providing system.
The present invention uses techniques for streaming audio and / or images. Streaming is a technology that plays back video and sound data in real time. Streaming, unlike conventional multimedia distribution in which all files are downloaded once and then playback software is activated and played back, content can be played back in real time. Since the streamed data is discarded after reproduction, the free space on the hard disk in the computer is smaller than the free space required in the conventional multimedia distribution.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, an on-demand information providing method according to the present invention acquires audio or image data of a program provided by a plurality of local broadcasting stations, and acquires the acquired audio or image data. Converting the image data into streamable data, storing the converted audio or image data in a storage device, and in response to a request obtained via the Internet, a map including the broadcasting area of the plurality of broadcasting stations. And displaying a web page of a map on which a hyperlink for selecting audio or image data of a program provided by the corresponding broadcasting station is displayed for each broadcasting area, and selecting the displayed hyperlink. And transmits the stored audio or image data as streaming data via the Internet.
Here, the acquisition, conversion, storage, and transmission of the audio or image data may be performed by an information providing server.
Also, the acquisition and conversion of the audio or image data is performed by the multimedia server.

[0004]
Thus, the storage or transmission of the audio or image data is performed by a streaming server, and the streamable data can be supplied from the multimedia server to the streaming server.
Further, the audio or image data may include any of information on a tourist spot in the broadcast area, an event held in the broadcast area, and information on a special product in the broadcast area.
Further, in response to the selection of the hyperlink, a hyperlink to a homepage that provides information in a broadcasting area corresponding to the selected hyperlink can be displayed.
Further, a client connected to a radio tower used by one of the plurality of broadcasting stations receives the transmitted audio or image data, converts the received audio or image data into a wireless signal, The converted radio signal may be transmitted from the radio tower.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, an on-demand information providing system according to the present invention comprises: an acquiring unit for acquiring audio or image data of a program provided by a plurality of local broadcasting stations; Conversion means for converting image data into streamable data; storage means for storing the converted audio or image data in a storage device; and a broadcast area of the broadcast station in response to a request obtained via the Internet. Display means for displaying, for each broadcast area, a web page of a map in which hyperlinks for selecting audio or image data of a program provided by the corresponding broadcast station are arranged. In accordance with the selection of the hyperlink, the transmission of the stored audio or image data as streaming data via the Internet is performed. And means.
Here, the acquisition unit, the conversion unit, the storage unit, and the transmission unit may be provided in an information providing server.

[0005]
The acquisition means and the conversion means are provided in a multimedia server, the storage means and the transmission means are provided in a streaming server, and the streamable data is supplied from the multimedia server to the streaming server. can do.
Further, the audio or image data may include any of information on a tourist spot in the broadcasting area of the broadcasting station, an event performed in the broadcasting area, and information on a special product in the broadcasting area.
Further, the display means may further display, in response to the selection of the hyperlink, a hyperlink to a homepage that provides information in a broadcast area corresponding to the selected hyperlink.
A client connected to a radio tower used by one of the broadcasting stations, receiving means for receiving the transmitted voice or image data via the Internet, and transmitting the received voice or image data to the client. The radio communication apparatus may further include a conversion unit that converts the radio signal into a radio signal, and a broadcasting unit that transmits the converted radio signal from the radio tower.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer readable recording medium according to the present invention comprises: a step of acquiring audio or image data of a program provided by a plurality of local broadcast stations; Converting the data into streamable data; storing the converted audio or image data in a storage device; and responding to a request obtained via the Internet to change the broadcast area of the plurality of broadcast stations. Displaying a web page of a map including a hyperlink for selecting audio or image data of a program provided by the corresponding broadcasting station for each of the broadcasting areas. In accordance with the selection of the hyperlink, the stored voice or image data is used as streaming data to access the Internet. Oh to execute the steps on a computer that transmits

[0006]
The on-demand information providing program is stored.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer program according to the present invention includes the steps of: acquiring audio or image data of a program provided by a plurality of local broadcast stations; and streaming the acquired audio or image data. Converting the converted audio or image data into a storage device, and a map including broadcast areas of the plurality of broadcast stations in response to a request obtained via the Internet. Displaying a web page of a map on which a hyperlink for selecting audio or image data of a program provided by the corresponding broadcasting station is provided for each of the broadcasting areas; According to the selection, the stored voice or image data is transmitted as streaming data via the Internet. To perform the steps that.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the multimedia server according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a streaming server and a client to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the on-demand information providing method according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the on-demand information providing method according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Web page displayed on the display of the client.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Web page displayed on the display of the client.

[0015]
Needless to say, the functions are realized by the CPU that installs the computer program installed in the multimedia server 102 and the client 101 described above.
The output terminals of the sound boards built into the multimedia servers 201a, 201b and 201c are connected to the radio towers 202a, 202b and 202c via transmitting devices (not shown) for converting audio signals into radio signals, respectively. It is connected.
With such a configuration, the multimedia server 201a can download streaming data created in the multimedia server 201b or 201c and registered in the streaming server 103. The downloaded data is reproduced in real time, and an audio signal is output to the transmitting device. The transmitting device converts the received audio signal into a radio signal and transmits the radio signal from the radio tower. As a result, it is possible to provide a program created at an FM radio broadcast station in Hakodate and Kushiro to a listener within the broadcast area from a broadcast station in Asahikawa.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in other various forms. For example, in the above-described embodiment, audio streaming has been described as an example, but streaming data may be moving images, or a combination of audio and moving images. In a preferred embodiment in this case, a multimedia server owned by a local television station creates streaming data of the television program.
Note that the created streaming data is not limited to radio or television.
Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which audio data output from the audio mixer device is input has been described.

Claims (18)

Acquire audio and / or image data,
Converting the obtained audio and / or image data into streamable data;
Storing the converted audio and / or image data in a storage device;
An on-demand information providing method, wherein the stored voice and / or image data is transmitted as streaming data via the Internet in response to a request obtained via the Internet. 2. The on-demand information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition, conversion, storage, and transmission of the voice and / or image data are performed by an information providing server. 2. The on-demand information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition and conversion of the audio and / or image data is performed by a multimedia server, and the storage and transmission of the audio and / or image data is performed by a streaming server. An on-demand information providing method, wherein streamable data is supplied from the multimedia server to the streaming server. 2. The on-demand information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the audio and / or image data is a tourist spot in a broadcasting area of a local radio or television broadcasting station, an event performed in the broadcasting area, and the broadcasting area. An on-demand type information providing method, which includes any one of information on special products. 5. The on-demand information providing method according to claim 4, wherein a web page of a map including the broadcasting area is displayed in response to the request. 6. The on-demand information providing method according to claim 5, wherein a hyperlink for selecting audio and / or image data relating to the broadcast area is arranged for each of the broadcast areas on the displayed Web page. An on-demand type information providing method, characterized in that: 7. The on-demand information providing method according to claim 6, further comprising, in response to the selection of the hyperlink, displaying a hyperlink to a homepage that provides information in a broadcasting area corresponding to the selected hyperlink. On-demand information providing method characterized by the following. 2. The on-demand information providing method according to claim 1, further comprising:
A client receives the transmitted audio and / or image data,
Converting the received voice and / or image data into a wireless signal;
An on-demand information providing method, comprising transmitting the converted wireless signal. Acquisition means for acquiring audio and / or image data;
Conversion means for converting the obtained audio and / or image data into data that can be streamed;
Storage means for storing the converted audio and / or image data in a storage device;
Transmitting means for transmitting the stored voice and / or image data as streaming data via the Internet in response to a request obtained via the Internet. 10. The on-demand information providing system according to claim 9, wherein said obtaining means, said converting means, said storing means and said transmitting means are provided in an information providing server. 10. The on-demand information providing system according to claim 9, wherein the acquisition unit and the conversion unit are provided in a multimedia server, the storage unit and the transmission unit are provided in a streaming server, and the streamable data is stored in the multimedia server. An on-demand information providing system provided from a media server to the streaming server. 10. The on-demand information providing system according to claim 9, wherein the audio and / or image data is a sightseeing spot in a broadcasting area of a local radio or television broadcasting station, an event performed in the broadcasting area, and the broadcasting area. An on-demand type information providing system including any one of information on special products. 13. The on-demand information providing system according to claim 12, further comprising a display unit for displaying a Web page of a map including the broadcasting area in response to the request. 14. The on-demand information providing system according to claim 13, wherein a hyperlink for selecting audio and / or image data related to the broadcast area is arranged for each of the broadcast areas on the displayed Web page. An on-demand information providing system characterized by the following. 15. The on-demand information providing system according to claim 14, wherein, in response to the selection of the hyperlink, the display unit further displays a hyperlink to a homepage that provides information in a broadcasting area corresponding to the selected hyperlink. An on-demand information providing system characterized by displaying. The on-demand information providing system according to claim 9,
Receiving means for receiving the transmitted voice and / or image data via the Internet;
Converting means for converting the received voice and / or image data into a wireless signal;
A broadcast unit for transmitting the converted wireless signal; an on-demand information providing system, further comprising: Obtaining audio and / or image data;
Converting the obtained audio and / or image data into streamable data;
Storing the converted audio and / or image data in a storage device;
Transmitting the stored voice and / or image data as streaming data via the Internet in response to a request obtained via the Internet. Characteristic computer-readable recording medium. Obtaining audio and / or image data;
Converting the obtained audio and / or image data into streamable data;
Storing the converted audio and / or image data in a storage device;
Transmitting the stored voice and / or image data as streaming data via the Internet in response to a request obtained via the Internet.

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