CN1179869A - System for information on demand - Google Patents
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- CN1179869A CN1179869A CN 96192960 CN96192960A CN1179869A CN 1179869 A CN1179869 A CN 1179869A CN 96192960 CN96192960 CN 96192960 CN 96192960 A CN96192960 A CN 96192960A CN 1179869 A CN1179869 A CN 1179869A
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Abstract
The present invention provides a system for serving information data such as video data to one or more users, comprising: one or more storage medium units for storing data of said information data; one or more end devices for receipt of said information data by the user; managing means for managing distribution of said data to said end device, the managing means being capable of receiving demand data form said user and related to data selected by the user in the end device, and which managing means output distribution control data including channel information of the selected information data and routs information from the end device; and least one ATM switch for connecting the storage medium unit, the end device and the managing means, and for routing the data from the storage medium unit and the distribution control data from the managing means.
Description
Conventional cable television system is supplied to some spectators' monitor from the video data of distributing and releasing corporation by the cable handle.The time modern each tame CNN by the many programs of many channel allocations, but user or beholder must wait for, begin and by selected passage transmission up to required program.
Recently, the interactive video system has also been proposed.Show on the monitor of film that the beholder can select to want to see in this interactive video system described beholder.In this video on-demand system, foundation is connected with user's monitor or the direct of terminal installation, and after this terminal use just can watch the film of institute's program request.
Yet, in this known system,, in fact can not upgrade to it in case set up this system by for example distributing and releasing corporation.When the video number of the number of members of this system and program request increases, must build new interactive video system.
The invention provides and a kind of information data is supplied to the system of one or more users' one or more terminal installations, comprising:
One or more be used for stored information memory of data media units (storage medium unit, SMU);
The management equipment that management is used to any one terminal installation distributing information data, wherein management equipment receives the relevant demand data (demand data) of information data by its choice of equipment with the user, and management equipment is exported the distribution control data (distribution control data) of the routing iinformation of the channel information that comprises the selected information data and described terminal installation; And
Storage medium unit is connected to terminal installation and gives from the information data of storage medium unit with from the routing device of the distribution control data fixed route of management equipment.
Provide a kind of platform according to this system of the present invention, can be connected to the terminal use effectively by common network, can be used as the autonomous system that effectively is connected to each terminal installation and come work, under latter event, also being provided with to the terminal use enters this system according to system of the present invention provides various navigator that may chosen contents.
Routing device preferably comprises an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) switch at least.I.150 and I.327 the substance of ATM and standard by International Telecommunications Union (International Telecommunication Union) stipulating in the recommendation in March, 1993 announcement.ATM is generally used for the transmission means that the specific packet-oriented of asynchronous time-division multiplex technology is adopted in addressing.Multiplexing information flow is organized into the piece of fixed dimension, and these pieces are called cell (cell).Cell is made up of information field and leader.The main effect of leader is that identification belongs to same tunnel (virtual channel, each cell vc) in the asynchronous time-division multiplex.
Described information data is the video and/or audio data preferably, though the invention is not restricted to this application.First rising application relates to video-on-demand service, but system of the present invention also can comprise the application of video-game, built-in function, database etc.
If information provider of the present invention system is connected to common network, the public address of giving the selected information data is preferably arranged in the demand data.
Management equipment preferably offers terminal installation to the routine data of information retrieval, makes the terminal installation can be with this routine data from system downloads.It is that terminal installation need only comprise the seldom software that purposes such as startup are used that these characteristics are brought additional benefit.
At hotel accommodation etc. on a small scale in the configuration, information provider of the present invention system can include only a storage medium unit (even a terminal installation), but system of the present invention preferably comprises a second memory media units at least.In the case, management equipment just comprises form, and this form is used for storage representation according to the data of distributing to the information data of first and second storage medium units from the demand data of terminal installation.In this way, the exchange of management equipment management ATM switch is to set up the tunnel between terminal installation and the storage medium unit.
Storage medium unit of the present invention preferably includes:
The memory devices of store video and/or voice data;
Storage is represented routing iinformation and is stored in the form equipment of the data that concern between the video and/or audio data in the memory devices;
Storage is used for the program storage device of the routine data of control storage media units operation;
According to routine data control storage equipment, form equipment and program storage device and one or more control signals are exported to the control appliance of terminal installation; And
At least one interface, be used for sending to routing device, and be used for the form of one or more packets routine data from routing device reception memorizer media units operation usefulness having the video and/or audio data of routing iinformation and control signal form with one or more packets.Memory devices can comprise magneto-optic (MO) dish or coil more quick hard disk than MO.In addition, preferably routing iinformation is supplied with the atm interface of storage medium unit.
Information provider system in the video and/or audio data are used preferably can provide sleep mode resembling in VCR (video cassette recorder), F.F. mode, the mode that falls back, fall mode and the operation of mosaic (mosaic) mode is provided soon.
Even in order also to avoid time delay in the not quicker memory devices of storage medium unit, the video and/or audio data preferably are divided into the data set of predetermined number and to be different from the sequence arrangement of original order.
The more details of the present invention, characteristics and advantage will be described following in conjunction with following each figure of schematic representation embodiment of the invention each several part, wherein
Fig. 1 represents to provide the whole system of IP Information On Demand;
Fig. 2 represents storage medium unit first embodiment;
Fig. 3 represents storage medium unit second embodiment;
Control and data flow in Fig. 4 presentation graphs 2 and Fig. 3 storage medium unit;
Fig. 5 represents storage medium unit the 3rd embodiment;
Fig. 6 represents the data set stream of storage medium unit shown in Figure 2 and output thereof;
Fig. 7 is illustrated in the time relationship of the atm interface in the storage medium unit;
The embodiment of navigation system in Fig. 8 presentation graphs 1;
The embodiment of user terminal apparatus in Fig. 9 presentation graphs 1;
The embodiment of system administration manager in Figure 10 presentation graphs 1;
Figure 11 represents irregular record is reproduced operation substantially;
Figure 12 represents the mosaic menu function;
Figure 13,14,14A represent each row record format in MO disc recording road;
Figure 15 represents the reproduction with the data of the irregular format record of Figure 14;
Figure 16 illustrates the example of multiplex broadcasting;
Figure 17 illustrates the example of communication steps order in the system of the present invention; And
Figure 18 illustrates another example of communication steps order among the preferential embodiment of system of the present invention.
The following combination that hardware and software is described with reference to the description of each figure; Should be understood that some hardware can merge in the independent hardware, CPU for example therein can the various functions of time division multiplexing.Be to be further appreciated that, the connection between logic (software) unit can than meaning property shown in the figure represent more complicated.
Fig. 1 illustrates the whole configuration of the preferred embodiment of interactive communication system of the present invention, comprising: ATM switch 1 (only as an example: Fore Runner
TMASX-200, production firm are the Fu Er system house (Fore Systems Inc., Warrendale, Pennsylvania, USA)) of Pennsylvania, United States Wahlen Deere; Storage medium unit 20 (SMU); Terminal installation 40; System administration manager 60; And navigator 30.By using tunnel to connect, ATM switch 1 be connected to each other selectively storage medium unit 20, terminal installation 40, system administration manager 60 and navigator 30; Data transmit in these equipment with the form that ATM wraps by ATM user/network interface of setting up between each equipment and ATM switch 1 with passing in and out, and the ATM bag is made up of the leader of the 5 byte cells that comprise routing iinformation and the information field of 48 bytes.ATM switch 1 has the map table of the routing iinformation such as the tunnel identification mark, by the routing iinformation of each input ATM bag being transformed to the routing iinformation of expression output tunnel, the ATM bag can be sent to correct destination.ATM switch is well-known, omits further instruction here.
Below will specifically interactive communication system be described with reference to the embodiment that video request program (VOD) service is provided to users.Yet, should be noted that here other information exchanges of using as shopping online, recreation and other types are possible equally.These service general designation information on demand services (information-on-demand services).
In interactive communication system shown in Figure 1, vision signal and/or audio signal are stored among each SMU 20.Below will describe some embodiment of SMU 20 in detail.
In Fig. 1, terminal installation 40 is set top box (set top boxes), in them each can be communicated by letter with each navigator 30 and system administration manager 60, can decode to video data (preferably compressing) and/or voice data, and decoded vision signal and/or audio signal are supplied with monitor 43 and/or speaker system 42 according to Moving Picture Experts Group-2 from SMU 20.Each set top box or terminal installation 40 have input equipment 44, for example are connected to the keyboard or the remote controller of this set top box or terminal installation 40.Be equipped with preferably for set top box 40 and produce graph data with graphics processor unit 49 convenient and user interactions for monitor 43.Preferably wrap the data that provide Graphics Processing Unit to use by ATM by system administration manager 60.The beholder can be by keyboard 44 or other suitable input equipment process set top box 40 input commands.Below will describe the embodiment of set top box 40 in detail.
Navigator 30 can provide information about available video frequency program to any one set top box 40.This information can the mode with figure, text or the two combination show on the monitor 43 of set top box 40.Obtainable video frequency program is can be by the video frequency program of beholder's selection.This can information requested will be called hereinafter service item (service items, SI).Below the embodiment of navigator 30 will be described in more detail.
The main feature of the interactive communication system of this preferential embodiment of the present invention is to the operating system of hardware that uses or installation without limits.Before each group communication operation, transmit the Control Software program that is exclusively used in this group operation to reception and/or transmit block, make this reception and/or transmit block after downloading described Control Software program, can import best and/or output communication.
In the embodiment in figure 1, having a SMU 20 at least is file store SMU (archive SMU).In the present embodiment, other SMU 20 provide SMU (delivery SMU).File store SMU stores many kinds of Control Software programs, video data and/or voice datas.File store SMU can comprise tape or MO dish as memory devices, and granting SMU then preferably includes quick hard disk or MO coils as memory devices.The MO dish is not as the hard disk agility, still than tape agility.Each provides the different piece of the data of SMU memory file storehouse SMU.Though file store SMU also can provide SMU and be used for VOD (video request program) service as the SMU that provides purpose.When video-on-demand service begins or before this, in order to finish from file store SMU to the copy operation of providing one of SMU, system administration manager 60 is downloaded the Control Software program to file store SMU and is provided SMU.With file store SMU the process of providing SMU being installed is illustrated in greater detail among Figure 18.According to from system administration manager 60 particularly from the copy operation order of memory medium manager 62, provide SMU from the necessary video data of file store SMU storage.
When system administration manager 60 when terminal installation 40 receives demand data, system administration manager 60 is to ATM switch 1 output distribution control data, this distribution control data comprises the information of the tunnel that selected video data is used, and video data that should be selected is by the address generation of demand data that receives and terminal installation 40.Then, provide SMU has routing iinformation for these terminal installation 40 outputs selected video data.Before the copy operation of carrying out video data, the software program that write operation is used downloads to the RAM 24 of SMU 20 from system administration manager 60.According to the software program that the write operation that is stored among the RAM 24 is used, the write operation of the CPU 22 control physical storage medium 21 among the SMU 20.Then before Video service begins,, replace write operation software program among the RAM 24 with the software program of read operation by download from system administration manager 60.In Video service, CPU 22 controls the read operation of physical storage medium 21 according to the software program of read operation.
Interactive communication system preferably includes a plurality of (granting) SMU.In native system, terminal installation 40 numbers of if possible selecting particular video frequency and/or audio program are less than predetermined number, and the necessary video and/or audio data of this particular video frequency and/or audio program only copy to from file store SMU and provide one of SMU.On the contrary, if the terminal installation of Duoing than predetermined number have select this particular video frequency and/or audio program may, then Bi Yao video and/or audio data also copy to one or more other granting SMU from file store SMU or from above-mentioned granting SMU.This predetermined number can be according to the number of the terminal installation 40 of asking this particular video frequency and/or audio program in particular moment being made certain statistics or monitoring in real time and determine.
Preferential embodiment of the present invention provide when operation monitoring terminal number of users and dynamically changing dispose in case the possibility of system overload.When terminal use's number increases, can provide the new granting SMU of SMU loading from file store SMU or another.
Providing under the malfunctioning occasion of one of SMU, system administration manager 60 is preferably exported the backup control data.Export selected video and/or audio data by another granting SMU fail-safed, that select according to described backup control data then.System administration manager 60 upgrades the map table of tunnel in the ATM switch 1, makes the input tunnel of granting SMU that may be malfunctioning be changed into the tunnel that another puts a SMU, so that same video and/or audio data to be provided from the 2nd SMU.
The user selects required navigation Service, terminal installation 40 is connected to the navigator 30 that required navigation Service is provided.Comprise that the navigation data that shows software program that the service item menu is used and the recognition data corresponding with each service item preferably downloads in advance from least one navigator 30 of being selected by terminal installation 40.The monitor 43 of terminal installation 40 shows that this can obtain the menu of service item, also shows its corresponding recognition data where necessary.Come the menu of self-navigation brain 30 can comprise the video and/or audio information and the control data of graphic form, text formatting or the two combination, to make things convenient for terminal use's selection.
If the user is by means of with the video frequency program that needs in the pointer point in the monitor 43, perhaps by means of the recognition data (if this recognition data be presented at monitor 43 on) of input corresponding to required programs, come to select the video and/or audio program by input equipment 44 from menu, recognition data just offers system administration manager 60 by terminal installation 40 by ATM switch 1.If system administration manager 60 is connected to public atm network, then this recognition data can be a public address.Navigation data may further include from the video data of SMU 20 or navigator 30 acquisitions.The navigation data of downloading from navigator 30 can also comprise the information about some other optional navigator 30.
In a unshowned embodiment, terminal installation 40 can be connected to navigator 30 by public ATM switch, and so in the case navigator can be selected by public address.By so public navigator, should select other navigator through this first public navigator.
After set top box 40 received recognition data, system administration manager 60 was downloaded to terminal installation 40 being used for VOD software program all terminal installations 40, corresponding with selected video frequency program at system administration manager 60.Before VOD service beginning, system administration manager 60 is also downloaded to SMU 20 being used for VOD software program all SMU20, corresponding with selected video frequency program by ATM switch 1.System administration manager 60 is according to for example representing that with the form of form the data that video frequency program distributes select SMU 20 and the most appropriate service item in all SMU 20, and will comprise corresponding to the channel information of selected video frequency program and the distribution control data of routing iinformation and offer selected SMU 20, make and reproduce selected video frequency program from SMU 20.
As described in more preceding, the physical storage medium can comprise hard disk, MO dish or the tape that records video film.
Come the control data control information of terminal installation 40 (as be used for) of self-controller 26 to supply with terminal installation 40 by atm interface 29 and ATM switch 1.The control data that receives from terminal installation 40 by ATM switch 1 and atm interface 29, for example broadcast mode of Yao Qiuing.
In the unshowned embodiment of public ATM switch and special ATM switch combination use, when the service beginning, by the connection of using public address to set up the tunnel of public ATM switch.
In VOD operating period, according to the mode that the user selects on input equipment 44, terminal installation 40 exports the control data of request broadcast mode (as normal play, fast-forward play, reverse play, fast broadcast), rest image mode or more ambiguous (more vague) mode to ATM switch 1 by atm interface 41.Then control data is sent to system administration manager 60 through ATM switch 1.System administration manager 60 has selected request the control data of broadcast mode to export ATM switch 1 to by atm interface 61.SMU 20 reproduces selected video data with selected broadcast mode.As a kind of distortion, the control data of request broadcast mode can directly be sent to SMU 20 from terminal installation 40.
With regard to the VCR option, the physical storage medium are hard disk preferably, because hard disk is more quicker than other physical storage medium of mentioning.As an alternative, can use the MO dish, with irregular mode recorded information, this will be illustrated afterwards thereon.
With regard to its function, system administration manager 60 comprises one or more memory medium managers (storage medium manager, SMM) 62, containing one or more service items provides device (serviceitem provider, SIP) 64 and one or more service item group (service item group, SIG) 65 memory medium group (storage medium group, SMG) 63, information provider routing manager (servesrouting manager, SRM) 66 and Program Manager 67 (program manager, PM).Each memory medium manager 62 can comprise static data and/or the dynamic data about each SMU 20 under its control.Static data can comprise for example type, price or the recording capacity of each storage medium unit 20.Dynamic data for example can comprise that whether SMU is occupied by the video and/or audio data or do not using or deny malfunctioning state information.
According to the requirement from all terminal installations 40,63 outputs of memory medium group are assigned to SMU 20 request of memory medium manager 62.This requirement can stipulate with statistical information, as can be in the statistical information so the possible number of the terminal installation 40 of application service in certain time frame of video frequency program or in certain length range.Other possible requirements can be whether arbitrary terminal installation 40 may be selected above-mentionedly to comprise F.F., complicated broadcast mode such as fall soon.Memory medium manager 62 according to it include about the static data of each SMU 20 and/or dynamic data (as form equipment) with according to request from memory medium group 63, a suitable memory medium is used for the Video service to terminal installation 40 in suitable SMU 20 of memory medium group 63 suggestion one or SMU 20.In addition, memory medium group 63 response is controlled from the request of one of terminal installation 40 software program is downloaded operation to this terminal installation 40.
If use a plurality of memory medium managers 62, then each memory medium manager 62 can belong to the suitable SMU 20 of each memory medium manager 62 to 63 suggestions of memory medium group, is used for Video service.If a memory medium manager 62 can not satisfy the request of memory medium group 63, then described memory medium manager 62 can require the suitable SMU 20 of another medium management device 62 suggestions when being asked by described memory medium group 63.More particularly, by service item group 65, service item provides device 64 requests to specify one of SMU 20 to memory medium manager 62.Service item group 65 also is provided at first by the down operation of the Control Software program that is provided by Program Manager 67, Program Manager 67 management all prepare the Control Software program in native system, used and to each equipment granting upgrade, suitable and effective program.
Even memory medium manager 62 is malfunctioning, also can in SMU 20 output videos and/or voice data, recover this malfunctioning memory medium manager 62, because the video and/or audio data of reproducing are not passed through memory medium manager 62 but directly exported ATM switch 1 to.
Full VCR function is described below, for example F.F., puts upside down, fall soon and static broadcast mode.Under the situation of full VCR function, use quick memory medium, for example hard disk.Quick memory medium is installed among the one or more SMU.In beginning during video-on-demand service, from the selected video frequency program of terminal installation 40 or the video and/or audio data of video frequency program that may have a VCR function from file store SMU or provide SMU and copy to this agility memory medium.Under the control of system administration manager 60, broadcast mode output video and/or voice data that quick memory medium requires with set top box 40.If the terminal use asks full VCR function, system administration manager 60 for a change tunnel creates conditions, and makes such terminal use be connected on the SMU with the hard disk that allows full VCR function by tunnel.Offer terminal installation 40 and this terminal installation and for example ask F.F. or fall soon under the situation of broadcast mode by this information being write down superincumbent MO dish with irregular pattern in information, can use the other SMU that contains quick hard disk.When having the elapsed time between the moment of another tunnel of asking the moment and this broadcast mode of acquisition payment, this may be favourable.When in the middle of the agility dish is done, using, with the time indicator time corresponding pointer place of request used tunnel constantly, can connect this agility hard disk, can quicken or slow down, then when the time indicator of quick dish and speed meet with selected broadcast mode granting from the time indicator of another tunnel of MO dish (this MO dish contains with the information of advancing or the pattern that falls back writes down) information and speed, can disconnect this agility hard disk.
When set top box 40 required such as progressively F.F. modes or progressively fall the simple VCR function of mode soon, these simple VCR functions can be provided SMU 20 by another and realize.In the case, the granting SMU that does not contain quick memory medium for example by atm interface in some tunnels with interchannel time delay output separately with after a certain with the video and/or audio data of the format record described.Under the control of system administration manager 60, ATM switch 1 provides video and/or audio data with the broadcast mode that requires to set top box 40 by the relation that changes between input tunnel and the output tunnel then.
Below will use some examples of the list data explanation communication of foundation between terminal installation 40, system administration manager 60 and each SMU 20 among Figure 11.If terminal installation 40 (STB-2) is asked this selected film at moment 0:09 by the identification number 678901 corresponding to selected film that is provided by one of navigator 30 is provided, then this identification number specified services project provides one of device 64 (SIP-1).
Service item provides device 64 (SIP-1) to check current time then; Provide form in the device 64 (SIP-1) to obtain from this service item as this film next (time point of the available moment of the zero hour, TP) 0:10, the number " 2 " of SMU 20 of video and/or audio data that comprises this film of expression storage and the expression film service item stream from SMU20 that can start anew to obtain at moment 0:10 (service item stream, SIS) one of number " 2 " at interior distribution control data, and flow the tunnel number " 21 " of usefulness for this; Provide SIS number " 2 ", tunnel number " 21 " and terminal installation number " STB-2 " to SMU 20 then by tail number " 2 " expression.
Service item provides device 64 (SIP-1) to upgrade map table in the ATM switch 1 according to the data that available another form in the device 64 (SIP-1) is provided in this service item, so that set up the relation between the output tunnel number " 2 " of the input tunnel number " 21 " of service item stream (SIS) usefulness and terminal installation 40 (STB-2) usefulness.Therefore, the data flow of the film of being asked starts anew to offer terminal installation 40 (STB-2) at moment 0:10.
If terminal installation 40 (STB-1) request service item provides one of device 64 (SIP-1) that full VCR function is provided, service item provide device 64 (SIP-1) just from its inner form, obtain to comprise expression have the number " 4 " of SMU 20 of full VCR Functional Capability and expression from the distribution control data of the number " 1 " of one of service item stream (SIS) of this SMU 20, reach the tunnel number " 28 " that supplies this stream usefulness; Provide SIS number " 1 ", tunnel number " 28 " and terminal installation number " STB-1 " to SMU 20 then by tail number " 4 " expression.
Service item provides device 64 (SIP-1) to upgrade map table in the ATM switch 1 according to the data that available another form in the device 64 (SIP-1) is provided in this service item, so that set up the relation between the output tunnel number " 7 " of the input tunnel number " 28 " of service item stream (SIS) usefulness and terminal installation 40 (STB-1) usefulness.Therefore, the data flow of the film of being asked offers terminal installation 40 (STB-1) with full VCR function.
More than Gai Shu interactive communication system is fit to simultaneously a plurality ofly to provide device to occupy main, a plurality of navigator to occupy main, a plurality of system administration managers and occupy a plurality of users' that advocate peace platform as having, one can also use one or several SMU 20 to use system administration manager 60 and/or one or several navigator 30 on this platform.
Whole system is around single AMT switch 1 configuration in Fig. 1.Using an above special ATM switch and/or public atm network is possible equally.Can also use the transmission network of another kind of type.Yet the network with one or more ATM switch is considered to the optimum network configuration that various expectations are used.
The details of every kind of equipment below is described.
Fig. 2 represents the structure of SMU 20.Each SMU 20 comprises physical storage medium 21 (for example magneto-optic (MO) dish and corresponding driving program or one or more hard disk and corresponding driving program thereof), as atm interface 29 a SMU20 part or that be positioned at these 20 outsides, unit, be used for for example storing the memory 25 of form and the controller of forming by CPU 22, RAM 24, ROM 23 and bus 27 26.
But RAM 24 comprises executable code among the ROM 23, make it have the download module and the buffer of optimal functional during as information provider.
The bus 27 of SMU 20 shown in Fig. 3 is divided into independent control bus and independent data/address bus so that high throughput to be provided.
Fig. 4 is the control and the schematic diagram of data flow among the SMU 20 shown in Figure 3.Here input and output video and/or audio data, input and output control data and input Control Software program to be downloaded have been distinguished.Even the bag separately of video and/or audio data, control data and software program is sent to same SMU 20 or same terminal installation 40, also should different routing iinformations be arranged in leader so that can distinguish each other.
Fig. 5 represents the 3rd embodiment of SMU 20, and wherein the ATM switch 1 of this SMU 20 and atm interface 29 merge.Consequently, can be directly set up from SMU 20 to terminal installation 40 connection by atm interface 41.In the case, can be connected to ATM switch 1 to system administration manager 60, also can replace the function of system administration manager 60 by controller 26.
Fig. 6 represents the SMU 20 corresponding to Fig. 2 embodiment, and this illustrates the method that reads and export from the data segment of physical storage medium (for example dish).As an example, data set is exported via three tunnels, and these passages also can be by dividing other physical channel to form.The reproduction principle of the irregular record data that will further specify after this illustrates.SMU 20 among the figure comprises buffer 210 and timer 2 11, wherein buffer 210 part of atm interface 29 preferably.Video data is divided into the sentence (sentences) of predetermined number T, and wherein T is corresponding to the number of passage, and T equals 3 under the situation of Fig. 6.Each sentence is divided into the data set of predetermined number N, and N equals 4 under the situation of Fig. 6.After the order that changes data set with following method video data recording in memory medium 21, the method that changes preface is at the n of the 1st sentence (n=1 wherein, 2,3,4 ... N) sequentially connect after the data set with T, T-1 ... and the n data set of T-(T-2) sentence, n increases progressively in proper order, shown in Fig. 6 upper left side.
Video data in order to last method record periodically reproduces from memory medium 21 in order.The n data set of each T sentence is stored in order in the buffer 210 and by atm interface 29 and exports different separately tunnels to.After each N data set output of T sentence, in following one-period and later cycle, change tunnel as illustrated in fig. 7, make N * T data set reproduce via each tunnel continuously, the data set that each tunnel reproduces has the time difference of a sentence, shown in Fig. 6 is right-hand.
Fig. 8 represents the structure of navigator 30.Navigator 30 preferably includes: by CPU 32, ROM33, the controller 36 that also has RAM 34 and bus 37 to form, wherein RAM 34 is used for the navigation software program that arrives terminal installation 40 to be downloaded; Form 35 is used to list obtainable video frequency program and recognition data (for example can obtain the public address of video frequency program); And atm interface 31.Controller 36 is controlled the operation of navigator 30 according to the program among ROM 33 and the RAM 34 of being stored in.When set top box 40 required navigator 30 to make navigation operation, navigator 30 was downloaded the navigation software program to set top box 40.Navigator 30 then provides the information relevant with obtaining video frequency program and recognition data thereof to set top box 40.When in this interactive communication system, using common network, can use public address.If interactive communication system has for example navigator 30 of Japanese version, English edition, 3-D graphic version etc. of a plurality of uses, then can provide the navigation menu of numerous species and version.
Fig. 9 represents the structure of terminal installation (being set top box 40 herein).Set top box 40 can comprise CPU 45, RAM 46, ROM 47 and MPEG2 decoder 48.CPU 45 controls the operation of set top box 40 according to the program among ROM 47 and the RAM 46 of being stored in.Described program may be downloaded from system administration manager 60, SMU 20 or navigator 30.The video data of the compression that MPEG2 decoder 48 will provide via ATM switch 1 and/or voice data decoding offer video data (in case of necessity together with the data from graphic process unit 49) monitor 43 and voice data are offered speaker system 42 via amplifier 51 via video-ram memory 50.The designation data (instruction data) that CPU 45 imports by keyboard 44 or similar devices according to the user causes the demand data.Such demand data is via atm interface 41 outputs.
Figure 10 represents the structure of system administration manager 60.System administration manager 60 comprises the memory 71 of CPU 68, ROM69, RAM 70, atm interface 61 and for example form apparatus-form, and wherein RAM70 is used to store the various VOD software programs to each set top box 40 and/or each SMU 20 to be downloaded.The operation of CPU 68 control system managers 60.System administration manager 60 provides function software and upgrades the form of represent input tunnel in the ATM switch 1 and exporting the data that concern between the tunnel to each SMU 20 and each set top box 40.Such system administration manager 60 can be finished above-mentioned and memory medium manager 62, Program Manager 67, service item provides all relevant functions of device 64, service item group 65 and information provider routing manager 66.
Figure 11 represents the sequence of scene, and this sequence can realize by showing the video data on the different transmission channels.In this example, because T=12 has used 12 (virtual) transmission channels, though omitted passage 4 to 12 for the sake of simplicity from figure.Data set reproduces from the physical storage medium 21 that comprise irregular record data with the same quadrat method of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, and via these tunnel output.As shown in figure 11, switch to another passage from a passage, just can change the order of scene, thereby realize simple VCR function by input to the video data of forming this scene.For example, by in displayed scene " 2 ", switching to passage 2 from passage 1, but displayed scene " 4 ", thus skipped scene " 3 " as the F.F. mode.Same by switching to passage 1 from passage 3 when displayed scene " 6 ", demonstration next time will be scene " 5 ", thereby created the mode of putting upside down.The realization of this switching between the tunnel relies under the control of system administration manager 60 according to from the renewal to map table in the ATM switch 1 of the control data of terminal installation 40.When the switching do not done between the passage, the natural order of scene will be followed, on single passage because this is the order that video data occurs.
By switching to passage 1 from passage 3, scene " 5 " occurs afterwards in scene " 6 ".So put upside down.
Figure 12 indicates with the example of the mosaic function of terminal installation 40 execution, according to this function, shows scene selected from sequence on monitor 43.So, the user can send corresponding demand by input equipment 44 and select starting point outside the film beginning.Such mosaic function can certainly be used to observe the menu of the service item that can select by one or several navigator 3, for example some title frames of selecting video frequency program; By means of switching virtual passage in real time, meanwhile the scene of selecting is stored in the video-ram 50, perhaps, just can show the scene that these are selected for mosaic function by means of being stored in video data among the SMU 20 before reproducing as Marseille horse video data.
Following record format with reference to Figure 13 to Figure 15 explanation video data on physical storage medium 21.
Figure 13 represents physical storage medium 21, wherein 90 be installed in can towards or leave on the arm 91 that moves at physical storage 21 centers.Here, physical storage medium 21 are made up of the MO dish.Data set leaves in the data track of MO dish 21, shown in Figure 13 physical storage medium 21 tops according to irregular record order 92.Represent 90 a order at the arrow of illustrated order about in the of 92 from physical storage medium 21 reading of data groups.As shown in the figure, reproduce 90 and skip some data sets during outwards by physical storage medium 21, reading the data set that these are skipped towards the center during inwards by physical storage medium 21 in decentre.Like this, time of occurrence loss (see figure 6) not just between the order terminal point of the data set of the controller 26 that will deliver to SMU 20 and starting point has guaranteed the continuous flow of data set according to the controller 26 desired order of SMU20.Because the continuous flow of data set only needs small-scale buffer storage.
Preparation is reproduced from described memory medium 21 with the video data of above-mentioned format record to memory medium, and exports ATM switch 1 by atm interface 29 with 3 tunnels from SMU 20.
Handle has first and second video data recordings of the still opposite time orientation of identical content on dish in Figure 14.The data set of the data set of first video data and second video data is staggered in this example.When set top box need normally advance, F.F. or progressively during the fast-forward play mode, use first video data.On the other hand, when set top box need be put broadcast mode upside down, then use second video data.In addition, might be every the data set of trace record first video data on dish.The data set of second video data is stored on all the other roads of dish.Then come every the road from coiling first video data of reproducing recorded by move the reproduction head with first direction.Reproduce second video data that head comes reproducing recorded from all the other roads of dish by moving with this first direction.Also may after reproducing first video data, reproduce second video data by the rightabout with first direction, so that obtain the effect identical with record format shown in Figure 13.
If first and second video datas are encoded according to mpeg standard, what the coded system of second video data should be with first video data is opposite.In the case, perhaps can not reproduce second video data as described above in the opposite direction.In the example of Figure 14 A, for advancing and reverse play, the displacement of head all is minimum, because the data set that advances (1F, 2F, 3F, 4F etc.) with Figure 13 similarly every three trace records, and the data set that falls back (12R, 11R, 10R, 9R etc.) also be recorded in 2F respectively every three roads, 3F is before the 4F etc.In the edge of dish, the displacement of head also reaches minimum, and this is from the 6F of outer edge, 7F and 8F and 7R, and 6R and 5R and from the 12F of inside edge, 1F and 2F and 1R, 12R and 11R can see clearly.
Figure 15 is the figure that is illustrated in the order of the video data that shows on the monitor, wherein the preparation method of this order is to use record format shown in Figure 14 and reads in proper order and respectively and receives and send so that obtain to advance and/or the reverse play mode at the different virtual passage, for this reason, data are with irregular pattern record, as an example with reference to Figure 13,14 and 14A as described in.
With reference to Figure 16 the multiplex broadcasting function is described now.Under the multiplex broadcasting function, the system administration manager 60 of Fig. 1 is gone back the distribution of managing video data.If system administration manager 60 even receive from one or more terminal installations 40 in service process and require to provide and send to other terminal installation 40 from one of SMU 20 or by the demand data of the same video and/or audio data of other-end device 40 requests, system administration manager 60 just respond to the demand data that receives and the distribution control data of the output tunnel information of the terminal installation 40 of the input tunnel information of the video data that comprising of producing selected from SMU 20 and these video and/or audio data of request to ATM switch 1 output.For example, if terminal installation STB-3 asks " video 1 ", " video 2 ", the video data of " video 3 ", and these video datas with by another terminal installation STB-1 by the input tunnel " vc1 " request, or be sent to this another terminal installation STB-1 " video 1 " by output tunnel " vc7 " from SMU 20, " video 2 ", " video 3 " video data is identical, then the map table of system administration manager 60 output renewals makes to send " video 1 " to ATM switch 1, " video 2 ", the leader of the ATM of " video 3 " bag is changed to not still corresponding to the leader of output tunnel " vc7 " in ATM switch 1 and is corresponding to the leader by the output tunnel " vc8 " of terminal installation STB-3 appointment.Therefore, the ATM bag that contains " video 1 ", " video 2 " and " video 3 " supply with simultaneously terminal installation 40STB-1 and STB-3 these two.
Communication sequence shown in Figure 17 represent to set up video data from SMU 20 to set top box 40 the method that flows.At first, in step 1, he wishes to enter native system set top box that the user is represented by STB by his input equipment 44 notice 40.The answer-mode of set top box 40 is which kind of service he wishes to select step 2 inquiry user, as video, recreation or as long as the TV of program request.This selectable options can be stored in the memory of set top box 40.Down, in step 3, the user is input to set top box 40 to his selection by his input equipment 44, and this has just related to the navigator of representing with Navi 30 in this figure.Following description has selected the situation of video-on-demand service menu relevant with the user, is fit to use one or several navigator 30 for this reason.Yet in this figure, for the purpose of clear, only express a navigator 30.
Provide the menu that can select Video service in step 5 navigator 30 to set top box 40, these can select Video service is that this navigator 30 can enter.In described menu, also can comprise some options, guide another navigator 30 that can enter other Video service to set top box 40.Next step 6, set top box 40 is by menu being presented on the monitor 43 and this menu is sent to the user.In step 7, the user is by his selection of his input equipment 44 input, and this selection in this example is the further menu of request.This request is sent to navigator 30 in step 8, in view of the above, provides the menu of new chosen content to set top box 40 in step 9 navigator 30.Step 7 to 10 can repeated multiple times until as the situation in the step 10, set top box 40 shows on monitor 43 and comprises the menu that the user wishes the video frequency program option selected.The user selects this option, and this is represented by step 11.In step 12, the service item that set top box 40 requests are represented by SIP provides device 64 to provide device 64 addresses corresponding known public address for dynamic image distribution is provided with this service item to set top box.In step 13, service item provides device 64 at first to be provided as to set top box 40 to service item group 65 requests of being represented by SIG and sets up the required control data of set top box 40 optimization process video flowings.In step 14, this Control Software is downloaded in the set top box 40.Set top box 40 can send the order relevant with the VCR function now.Provide device 64 to send first play command in step 15 to service item.In step 16, service item provides device 64 to find out first obtainable video flowing for above-mentioned request, this video flowing comes the storage medium unit 20 that free SMU1 represents in this example, then service item provides device 64 that the ATM switch of being represented by ATM SW 1 is set, and makes by the tunnel table of rewriting in the ATM switch 1 described storage medium unit 20 to be connected with set top box 40.In step 17 and 18, the video flowing of being asked is sent to set top box 40 by ATM switch 1, and present video frequency program of asking can show on monitor 43.
In Figure 18, illustrated the dynamic change of system.In this sequential chart, be expert at that service item group (SIG) produces the new example of SMU erector on 13, and source SMU number, purpose SMU number and other parameters are provided.Be expert on 14, the SMU erector is carried out to the down operation as the SMU1 of purpose SMU, and allows pending data such as SMU1.Be expert at 15, the request of SMU erector begins to provide data to the SMU1 as purpose as the SMU2 in source.Be expert at 16, the data of being asked are sent to SMU1 from SMU2.Be expert at 17, SMU2 transmits to SMU erector report data and finishes.Be expert at 18, the SMU erector informs that to SIG SMU1 is ready to supply data, and after this SMU erector disappears.Be expert at 19, SIG request SMU1 begins to certain tunnel supply data such data to be supplied to terminal uses.
With reference to each preferred embodiment some characteristics and details have been described in the above description.But should be appreciated that the foregoing description that the invention is not restricted to such preferred embodiment.The right of being asked is determined by following claim.
Claims (17)
1. one kind provides the system of information data to one or more users' one or more terminal installations, comprising:
One or more stored information memory of data media units;
Management any one in terminal installation distributed the management equipment of described information data, wherein, described management equipment receives and the relevant demand data of being selected by his terminal installation by the user of information data, and described management equipment is exported the distribution control data of the routing iinformation of the channel information of the information data that comprises described selection and described terminal installation; And
Routing device is used for that described storage medium unit is connected to described terminal installation and is used for route from the described information data of described storage medium unit with from the described distribution control data of described management equipment.
2. information provider according to claim 1 system is characterized in that described routing device comprises at least one Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switch.
3. information provider according to claim 1 and 2 system is characterized in that described information data is the video and/or audio data.
4. according to claim 1,2 or 3 described information provider systems, it is characterized in that described demand data comprises the public address of giving to described selected information data.
5. according to the described information provider of in the claim 1 to 4 any one system, it is characterized in that being provided with control appliance, be used for controlling described storage medium unit, export described routing device to so that described storage medium unit will comprise the described selected information data of routing iinformation according to described distribution control data.
6. according to the described information provider of in the claim 1 to 5 any one system, it is characterized in that described management equipment is provided for carrying out from the Visual Display of the described information data of described storage medium unit and/or makes the routine data of audio-frequency information through the operation of loudspeaker apparatus on described terminal installation.
7. according to the described information provider of in the claim 1 to 6 any one system, it is characterized in that the routine data that described management equipment provides information retrieval to use to described terminal installation.
8. according to the described information provider of in the claim 3 to 7 any one system, it is characterized in that described information retrieval comprises video request program.
9. according to the described information provider of in the claim 1 to 8 any one system, comprise the second memory media units that at least one is stored second information data and is connected with described routing device, wherein, described management equipment comprises that storage representative distributes to the form of data of the information data of described first and second storage medium units, and described management equipment according to from the demand data of terminal installation for described first or the second memory media units distribution control data is provided.
10. according to the described information provider of in the claim 3 to 9 any one system, it is characterized in that described storage medium unit comprises:
Memory devices is used for store video and/or voice data;
Form equipment is used for the described routing iinformation of storage representation and is stored in the data that concern between the described video and/or audio data of described memory devices;
Program storage device is used to store the routine data of the operation of controlling described storage medium unit;
Control appliance is used for controlling described memory devices, described form equipment and described program storage device according to routine data, and is used for exporting one or more control signals to described terminal installation; And
At least one interface, be used for the described video and/or audio data and the control signal that have described routing iinformation being sent to described routing device, and be used for receiving routine data one or more data packet form, that the described storage medium unit of operation is used from described routing device with one or more data packet form.
11. information provider according to claim 10 system is characterized in that described routing iinformation and described interface relevant with one or more tunnels is an atm interface.
12. according to claim 10 or 11 described information provider systems, it is characterized in that described interface receives the control data that representative has been the mode of operation of described terminal installation selection, and described control appliance is controlled described memory devices according to the control data of described reception, makes described information data reproduce from described memory devices with described selected mode of operation.
13. information provider according to claim 12 system is characterized in that described mode of operation comprises sleep mode, F.F. mode, the mode that falls back and/or mosaic mode.
14. according to the described information provider of in the claim 3 to 13 any one system, it is characterized in that described video and/or audio data are divided into the data set of predetermined number, the data set of described predetermined number is with on the recording medium of journal in described storage medium unit that is different from original order, and described routing device is by being transferred to described data set one or more terminal installations and continuous video and/or audio data are sent to described terminal installation from one or more storage medium units.
15. information provider according to claim 14 system, it is characterized in that described recording medium is quick dish, and the first of described data set is every N-1 (N=1,2,3 ...) individual trace record is on described dish, the remainder of described data set is recorded on all the other roads of described dish.
16. information provider according to claim 15 system, the described first that it is characterized in that described data set reproduces by with first direction head being moved, and the described remainder of described data set reproduces by with the second direction opposite with described first direction described head being moved.
17. according to the described information provider of in the claim 3 to 16 any one system, it is characterized in that described video and/or audio data are divided into the data set of predetermined number, and described video and/or audio data are divided into T (T=2,3,4 ...) individual sentence, wherein T depends on number of active lanes, the data set of described predetermined number is the order record more to become like this in described storage medium unit, make the N (N=1 of the last sentence of described video data, 2,3,4 ...) data set appears at after the N data set of first sentence; And described routing device sends continuous video data stream by switching from the described data set of described storage medium unit to described terminal installation between tunnel.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN 96192960 CN1179869A (en) | 1995-03-31 | 1996-03-28 | System for information on demand |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP95200819.1 | 1995-03-31 | ||
| CN 96192960 CN1179869A (en) | 1995-03-31 | 1996-03-28 | System for information on demand |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1179869A true CN1179869A (en) | 1998-04-22 |
Family
ID=5128560
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN 96192960 Pending CN1179869A (en) | 1995-03-31 | 1996-03-28 | System for information on demand |
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| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN1179869A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1324895C (en) * | 2000-04-14 | 2007-07-04 | 日本电信电话株式会社 | Method, system and apparatus for acquiring information concerning broadcast information |
| CN100356791C (en) * | 2005-03-08 | 2007-12-19 | 费跃英 | Network, managing method for digital multi-media personal program arranging, publishing and playing |
| CN1925479B (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2011-01-12 | 株式会社Ntt都科摩 | Communication control unit and communication control method |
| CN105850149A (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2016-08-10 | 松下知识产权经营株式会社 | Image reception apparatus, parameter setting method, and additional information displaying system |
-
1996
- 1996-03-28 CN CN 96192960 patent/CN1179869A/en active Pending
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1324895C (en) * | 2000-04-14 | 2007-07-04 | 日本电信电话株式会社 | Method, system and apparatus for acquiring information concerning broadcast information |
| CN100356791C (en) * | 2005-03-08 | 2007-12-19 | 费跃英 | Network, managing method for digital multi-media personal program arranging, publishing and playing |
| CN1925479B (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2011-01-12 | 株式会社Ntt都科摩 | Communication control unit and communication control method |
| CN105850149A (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2016-08-10 | 松下知识产权经营株式会社 | Image reception apparatus, parameter setting method, and additional information displaying system |
| CN105850149B (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2018-12-14 | 松下知识产权经营株式会社 | Video receiver, parameter setting method and additional information display system |
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