KR19990059507A - Integrated multimedia system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated multimedia system that integrates various multimedia services in an intelligent building.

Integrated multimedia system according to the present invention, the first to n-th on-demand multimedia service server terminal for transmitting the service of the main server in the subnet sub, the first to n-th real-time communication service server terminal for transmitting the service in real time, the on-demand multimedia And a client group receiving the server-side service by connecting a service server-side and the real-time communication service server-side to a high-speed single data network.

Description

Integrated multimedia system

The present invention relates to a network environment, and more particularly, to an integrated multimedia system integrating various multimedia services in an intelligent building.

In recent years, the office environment has been equipped with a high-performance computer and a stable, high-speed, high-capacity data network infrastructure. Such high-performance equipment is shifting the office environment from the conventional simple text communication to the environment where various multimedia services supported by video and audio are available. For example, video conferencing, tele-learning, and Video On Demand (hereinafter referred to as "VOD"). In existing environments such as Audio On Demand (AOD), LOD (Lecture on Demand; "LOD"), Computer Telephony Integration (CTI), and multimedia e-mail, The service, which was difficult to apply, can be easily implemented. Such a multimedia service system can bring time and cost savings to users.

In fact, the structure of the network applied to the intelligent building is shown in FIG. 1, and the intelligent building can adopt the multimedia service system as an office-based environment. In addition, in the intelligent building, the network structure of FIG. 1 (a) and FIG. 1 (b) is applied to support each service.

In FIG. 1 (a), the first to n-th service servers 2, 4, and 6 are connected to the clients through respective leased lines 2a, 4a, and 6a to provide high quality services, and there is no interference of other services. Maintain the best service. However, adding a new service requires a separate leased line and control system. It also costs a lot to demolish infrastructure that supported unneeded services. On the other hand, in Figure 1 (b), although the first to n-th service server (2, 4, 6) and the client is connected to a single data network (8), each service is a simple combination implemented by a separate three-dimensional Since it is used in the same data network, coordination between services considering the state of the network becomes difficult, resulting in a decrease in utilization of limited network resources. Also, when determining the network node arrangement of each service, it ignores the characteristics of the service and restricts it to a hierarchical client / server structure, which does not satisfy the user's expectations.

As a result, there is a need for an integrated multimedia system that integrates each service into a single data network to utilize an efficient network in which request coordination and characteristics of services are considered.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an integrated multimedia system integrating various multimedia services in an intelligent building.

1 is a diagram illustrating an existing network structure.

2 is a diagram showing the structure of an integrated multimedia system according to the present invention;

3 illustrates a network connected to the high speed single data network of FIG.

4 illustrates the integrated client model of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating role sharing of a server according to an increase in server load of FIG. 2; FIG.

6 is a diagram illustrating a distributed arrangement of a database in consideration of the subnet feature of FIG. 2.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

2,12: first service server 4,14: second service server

6,16 control service server 8: single data network

18,32 High speed single data network 20: Client

22: middleware 24: communication application program interface

26: service level control protocol 28: communication management mechanism

30: data transmission protocol 34: main server

36: multimedia database 38: common multimedia database

40a to 40n: first to nth on-demand multimedia service server stage

42a to 42n: first to nth real time communication service server end

In order to achieve the above object, the integrated multimedia system according to the present invention includes a first to n-th on-demand multimedia service server terminal transmitting a service of a main server in a subnet sub, and a first to n-th real time communication service transmitting a service in real time. A server group, the on-demand multimedia service server end and the real-time communication service server end is provided with a client group receiving the server-side service by connecting to a high speed single data network.

Other objects and features of the present invention other than the above object will become apparent from the description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an integrated multimedia system according to the present invention. In the configuration of FIG. 2, the integrated multimedia system according to the present invention provides a service of a main server 34 to subnet subnets 12 and 14. A first to n-th on-demand multimedia service server end 40a to 40n, a first to n-th real-time communication service server end 42a to 42n for immediately transmitting data to a client belonging to the same ring array, and the on-demand multimedia And a client group 20 connecting the service server end and the real-time communication service server end to the high speed single data network 18. The integrated multimedia system connects each service to a high speed single data network 18. In detail, the structure of the single data network is a form in which several multimedia services are connected to a single high speed data network 18. The single data network 18 is based on a high speed data network capable of using multiple multimedia services simultaneously. As a result, in the single data network, since the client 20 receives each service from the high speed single data network 18, information sharing between services is possible, and complex services in which two or more services are linked are supported. The first to nth service servers connected to the high speed single data network 18 at this time are shown in FIG.

The on-demand multimedia service server stage includes a main server 34 and subnet subs 12 and 14. The on-demand multimedia service has a physical dedicated server for each service and has a hierarchical structure of a main server-subnet server-client. In the case of services that are lightly loaded, several services may be used together by one server. Meanwhile, the main server 34 transmits multimedia data that can be requested in common in each subnet. When the first client 20b sends a request to the main server 34, the data is sent to the first through n-th subnet servers. The first through n-th subnet servers seamlessly send data received from the main server to the first client through a buffering operation considering the delay. At this time, if a request exceeding the transmission capacity of a specific subnet server occurs when receiving data from the main server, a subnet server having a margin around it transmits data instead. As shown in FIG. 5, the first to third clients 20b, 20c, and 20d of the second subnet server 14 make a service request to the second subnet server, and the first client 20b receives the second subnet server. You are unable to receive service due to exceeded your transmission capacity. In this case, if the transfer control right is transferred to the first subnet server having sufficient transmission capacity, the first client can receive the service from the first subnet server. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, the main server 24 and the subnet server (12, 14) is distributed in a database (DataBase (hereinafter referred to as "DB") in consideration of each subnet characteristics). In detail, the common multimedia DB (hereinafter referred to as "MM") DB of the main server 34 stores multimedia data that can be requested for each subnet. For example, it may be an English conversational video education program. On the other hand, each subnet in a building may have a MM DB for each subnet because the type of interest is small. In addition, since the contents stored in the MM DB 36 of the subnet are transmitted by the server of the corresponding subnet, the data is not concentrated in the common MM DB 38 so that the main server 34 distributes the request of the terminal to be processed. Get In addition, the contents of the common MM DB 38, which are frequently requested, are mirrored to the subnet MM DB 36 so that the first to n-th clients can receive the service more conveniently. For example, on-demand multimedia services suitable for this arrangement include VOD, AOD, and LOD. Even if there is a slight transmission delay to the intermediate node, these services can receive almost continuous results after a slight transmission delay at the beginning of the connection if the terminal or the intermediate node closest to the terminal has sufficient buffering work.

Meanwhile, the real time communication service server end forms a ring arrangement of network nodes. In detail, the ring arrangement of the network node is advantageous in the case of serving a small number of terminals at the same time while being sensitive to delay and having a small amount of data transmitted at any moment. This arrangement can be applied to a place where real-time communication is required because the transmission delay is small because the distance between terminals is short and there is no need to go through an intermediate node. Also, if the same data is sent to each client belonging to the same ring array, multicasting can effectively use network bandwidth while avoiding full connection to avoid wasting network resources. For example, suitable services include video conferencing, three-way calling, and the like. These services often need to respond immediately to the other person's actions. If you reduce the delay through buffering, it is hard to see an immediate response. This can be inconvenient to proceed with a meeting, so the transmission delay should be relatively less than for other services. Multicasting is also advantageous because each person's data must be shared by everyone in the conference. The number of participants in a meeting is often less than 10, and at one point, only one or two people speak and there is not much data transfer because they do not continue to speak frequently or for a long time. Ring arrays are suitable for services with this characteristic. At this time, the logical arrangement (server side) of the network node is changed according to the characteristics of the service by the hybrid arrangement of network nodes in FIG.

In addition, the client 20 connected to the high speed single data network 18 is configured such that the client can receive various multimedia services as shown in FIG. In detail, the service control system 20 adjusts network bandwidth according to the characteristics of the service, and the first to n-th service servers 12 and 14 connected to the service control system 20 to provide respective services. And middleware 22 for connecting data to the service server and the single data network 32. The service control system 20 connects the first to n-th service servers in a service level control plane to adjust network resources required by various multimedia services through dialogue with a client. When two or more multimedia services are provided, if a client needs k more network resources from the client's point of view, it responds considering the resource utilization, minimum requirements, and network support of other services. For example, suppose that 2Mbps bandwidth is needed for video conferencing service when video conferencing service and VOD service are being provided at the same time. Client sends request to service control system to middleware supporting integrated multimedia service. Verify that the request is possible in the situation. If the network can accept the request, it allocates as much bandwidth as desired to the videoconferencing service. On the other hand, if such a request is not possible in the current network, the client checks whether the bandwidth occupied by the VOD service is available. If bandwidth is available, the bandwidth is returned to video conferencing to the extent allowed by the VOD service. This is a technique that can be applied to all types of services. This enables efficient use of limited network resources. In addition, a service level control plane and a data transmission plane are formed in the service control system 20 and the first through n-th service servers. To explain this in detail, the service level control plane is a module that determines the service level required by the current service and applies it when transmitting data. The service level control plane of each service is logically connected for communication with the service control system. In a situation where coordination with other services is not necessary, the data transmission service level is determined in consideration of the bandwidth of the current service. The service level control plane of the service control system serves only as a connection interface with the service level control plane of the service. In addition, the data transmission plane is an interface for transmitting multimedia data, service level control messages, and the like to the middleware 22.

In addition, the middleware 22 serves as an intermediary that provides the service application with the transparency of the characteristics of the physical device of the network and the specific service level technique. The middleware receives general data and service level control messages from the application program and transmits general data according to the instructions of the service level control message. Since the middleware in this system has the characteristics of integrating each multimedia service, it has a communication control mechanism 28 that can aggregate service level control messages and general data of each service. As a result, the client 20 connected to the single data network 18 enables the integrated service operation to efficiently utilize network resources regardless of the new addition of the multimedia service.

As described above, when the integrated multimedia system is applied to an intelligent building, it is possible to integrate and manage various multimedia services in a single data network. On the other hand, even if the capacity and speed of a single data network provided by an intelligent building is large and fast, using multiple services at the same time will lead to congestion in the network. Congestion of the terminal can be controlled by providing only the service of the terminal. In addition, the network node arrangement that considers the proper role sharing, DB distribution and mirroring, and service characteristics of the main server and the subnet server enables the network to be maintained smoothly regardless of the congestion of requests from a specific subnet or congestion of a specific service.

Integrated multimedia system according to the present invention, by using an integrated multimedia system based on a high-speed data network, by connecting each multimedia service to the same data network in the building to share information between services without additional costs when adding and deleting services It is possible to increase the efficiency of resources by integrating each multimedia service to interconnect with each other and preempting, distributing and coordinating the limited network bandwidth according to the characteristics of the service.

On the other hand, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (10)

First to nth on-demand multimedia service server stage for transmitting the service of the main server in the subnet sub, First to n-th real-time communication service server terminal for transmitting a service in real time, And a client group receiving the server-side service by connecting the on-demand multimedia service server-side and the real-time communication service server-side to a high-speed single data network. The method of claim 1, The on-demand multimedia service server end, A main server for transmitting multimedia data, And first to nth subnet subs which transmit data transmitted from the main server to a client. The method of claim 1, The on-demand multimedia service server end, Integrated server system, characterized in that the main server and the subnet server has a hierarchical structure. The method of claim 2, And a main multimedia database in which the main server stores multimedia data requested by the subnet server. The method of claim 2, And a local multimedia database for storing the multimedia data requested by each subnet server in each subnet. The method of claim 2, The first to n-th subnet server, Integrated multimedia system, characterized in that for continuously transmitting the data received from the main server to the client through a buffering operation having a slight delay. The method of claim 1, The real time communication service server end, And forming a ring array of network nodes to transmit the same data in real time to each client belonging to the same ring array. The method of claim 1, The client, A service control system for adjusting network bandwidth according to the characteristics of the service, An integrated multimedia system comprising the first to n-th service server and the middleware connected to a single data network to transmit data. The method of claim 6, The service control system, A service level control plane that adjusts bandwidth according to the level of service; And a data transmission plane for transmitting the multimedia data and the service level control message. The method of claim 8, The middleware, Integrated multimedia system, characterized in that to control the transmission of service level control messages and general data of each multimedia service.