CN1879366A - Media stream multicast distribution method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A media stream transmitter apparatus for transmitting a plurality of media streams, comprises a packet assembling part for combining a plurality of information units, in which the respective media streams are transmitted, into a single packet; and a multicast packet transmitting part for multicast transmitting the packet. A media stream receiver apparatus comprises a multicast packet receiving part for connecting, via a network having a multicast-capable router, to the media stream transmitter apparatus to receive the multicast packet; an information element extracting part for extracting, from the received packet, one or more information elements to be reproduced; and a reproducing part for reproducing the extracted information elements.

Description

Media stream multicast distribution method and device

Technical field

The present invention relates to transmit the method and apparatus of media stream by multicast, more specifically, even relate to the method and apparatus that when some media streams are distributed to some recipients, also can reduce the increase of the load on (en route) node and the link in Distributor and the way.

Background technology

In recent years, come distributing multimedia stream development rapidly to be arranged by broadband network with the live broadcast of transmitting film, sports tournament and concert etc.By being extensive use of ADSL (asynchronous digital subscriber line) and the optical fiber that is connected to spectators' family, solved so-called " last kilometer problem ", further promoted to increase the trend of the distribution of media stream.Along with the increase of media stream distribution, Distributor and being used to provides the load on the network of service also to increase, thereby is giving the program supplier more and more heavier burden aspect the facility investment that is used to widely disseminate.For quantity that increases the program that will be distributed as Media Stream and the quantity that the recipient is served in increase, be necessary distribution media stream efficiently.

The most basic process according to distribution media stream, sender's assembling is used for the information of each recipient's required Media Stream, and the information after will assembling sends to the recipient as unicast packet, and the recipient receives unicast packet, and the unicast packet representation media stream from receiving.If enough capacity for the recipient's of the species number of the Media Stream that will provide and while receiving media stream quantity are provided for sender and network, then this process is effective.

But, if the species number of the Media Stream that provides and simultaneously receiving media stream recipient's quantity increase, then sender and the load that is used on the network of distribution media stream increase pro rata.As a result, to the species number of the Media Stream that will provide and simultaneously receiving media stream recipient's quantity add a restriction.

In order to address the above problem, Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication application No.2000-118841 (JPP2000-118841A) discloses a kind of technology, is used for specifying multicast address to each program, and this program is multicasted to the recipient who watches same program.

According to above-mentioned traditional Media Stream distribution technology, be necessary for each program audience and generate grouping, perhaps for having that different compressions is handled or each Media Stream of different compression ratio generates grouping, perhaps be that every kind of combination of these Media Streams generates and divides into groups.Therefore, if number of programs increases, if the perhaps identical program person of being received receives constantly in difference, if having perhaps that different compressions are handled or the Media Streams of different compression ratios need depend on recipient's terminal and be distributed, the burden of Distributor then.Because therefore the grouping relaying on network that is generated is also increasing by the load on the node on the route of network.In addition, because there is the grouping of a plurality of identical contents, and head is assigned to each grouping, and therefore required bandwidth increases, and has also increased by the load on the link on the route of network.Receive complete data if desired, when data error or disappearance then occurring when Media Stream is sent out by transmission path, data need be retransmitted.Consider data re-transmission, required bandwidth further increases.

According to traditional Media Stream distribution, when the quantity of number of programs and Media Stream receiver increases, plurality of media stream transmitter must be installed, on network, adopt high-performance router, and between router and device, adopt high-speed link.

Summary of the invention

The problem to be solved in the present invention

An object of the present invention is provides the method for transmitting a plurality of programs and Media Stream efficiently by multicast.

Another object of the present invention is the device that is provided for transmitting efficiently a plurality of programs and Media Stream by multicast.

The means of dealing with problems

According to the present invention, the media stream sending method that is used for sending a plurality of Media Streams comprises that a plurality of information units that will be used to send each Media Stream are connected to the step of single grouping, and step that multicast should grouping.

According to the present invention, the Media Stream method of reseptance that is used for receiving media stream comprise the grouping that reception has been transmitted by multicast step, extract one or more steps of wanting reproduced information elements from the grouping that receives, and the step of reproducing the one or more information elements that extract.

According to the present invention, the Media Stream dispensing device that is used for sending a plurality of Media Streams comprises that a plurality of information units that are used for being used to send each Media Stream are connected to the device of single grouping, and the device that is used for coming by multicast the multicast grouping.

According to the present invention, the Media Stream receiving system that is used for receiving media stream comprises the device that is used to receive the grouping of being transmitted by multicast, be used for extracting one or more devices of wanting reproduced information elements from the grouping that receives, and the device that is used to reproduce the one or more information elements that extract.

According to the present invention, the Media Stream distribution method comprise by media stream sending method according to the present invention send multicast grouping step, distribute the step of multicast grouping and the step that receives the multicast grouping by Media Stream method of reseptance according to the present invention by network with multicast function.

According to the present invention, media stream distribution system comprises according to Media Stream dispensing device of the present invention, according to Media Stream receiving system of the present invention and comprise the network that at least one has the router of multicast capability.

According to the present invention, it is the grouping of destination that the Media Stream dispensing device does not need to edit with each terminal, but can only edit a grouping.In other words, do not need to depend on the quantity of Media Stream receiving system and the program that will be viewed and admired in end and the combination of medium and differently edit grouping, when handling the Media Stream that is encoded and be distributed to some recipients when a plurality of programs or from the combination of the Media Stream of a program or by different coding, the load that is used to send on the device of Media Stream has alleviated.

In addition, according to the present invention, the number of packet that receives has reduced with the number of packet that will be transferred to the router of next jumping, and time per unit wants processed number of packet (determining a principal element of the limited processing ability of router) also to reduce.Therefore, the load on each in the such middle device of for example router of network has reduced.According to the present invention because the sum of packet header reduced, and do not need for the recipient generates and send a plurality of groupings that comprise identical information units, therefore between device and the router and between the router link on load alleviated.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the block diagram according to the layout of the media stream distribution system of first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1B is the diagrammatic sketch that shows the configuration of multicast grouping by the mode of example;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of handling the layout that identical content is encoded according to different coding;

Fig. 3 is the block diagram of layout with distribution identical content of time difference;

Fig. 4 A is the block diagram with media stream distribution system of ciphering unit;

Fig. 4 B is the diagrammatic sketch that shows the configuration of multicast grouping by the mode of example;

Fig. 5 shows the block diagram of the processing that is used for definite each parameter that need mate between dispensing device and receiving system;

Fig. 6 A is the diagrammatic sketch that shows the form of multicast grouping by the mode of example;

Fig. 6 B is the diagrammatic sketch that shows the form of multicast grouping by the mode of example;

Fig. 6 C is the diagrammatic sketch that shows the form of multicast grouping by the mode of example;

Fig. 6 D is the diagrammatic sketch that shows the form of multicast grouping by the mode of example;

Fig. 6 E is the diagrammatic sketch that shows the form of multicast grouping by the mode of example;

Fig. 7 A shows the block diagram of the layout of the media stream distribution system with error correction;

Fig. 7 B is the diagrammatic sketch that shows the configuration of multicast grouping by the mode of example; And

Fig. 8 shows the block diagram of the processing that is used for definite each parameter that need mate between transmitting device and receiving system.

Embodiment

" Media Stream " used herein is meant as the unit on distribution basis, and comprise one or more medium, it will be encoded by same code device so that send a series of clear and definite expression.For example, the information unit that is encoded from a series of images and sound by certain encoding process of Media Stream.For example, the motion picture of the sound of the sound of the motion picture of film, film, concert and concert is represented Media Stream.If a width of cloth motion picture then can be generated different Media Streams from it by different encoding process codings.

" information unit " is meant the element of a part that constitutes a Media Stream, and it serves as wants unit processed or that send.A plurality of information units can be become a new information unit by caking (lump).For example, in PCM (pulse code modulation) data of the sound of constant cycle up-sampling and the voice packets representative information unit that constitutes by the sampling of several these type of data.The agglomerate (lump) of the compression unit of this PCM data and voice packets and this compression unit is also referred to as information unit.The difference information of the consecutive frame of one two field picture, image, and a part of representative information unit of the set of this frame or information or this frame or information.Information unit can comprise to reproduce and send controls required information and data length thereof.

" program " is meant the unit as the basis of distribution services, and it is made of one or more Media Streams.For example, movie program comprises the motion picture Media Stream and the sound Media Stream of pairing.If film is made of motion picture Media Stream and macaronic two acoustic medium streams, then program is by the combination representative of the Media Stream of motion picture Media Stream and a kind of language.But, motion picture Media Stream and a plurality of acoustic medium stream can be combined as a program to be used for language learning.

" first embodiment "

Figure 1A shows the media stream distribution system according to first embodiment of the invention.This dissemination system comprises Media Stream dispensing device 100, Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145, and the network 130 of interconnection media flow transmitting device 100 and Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145.There is the router one 31 to 134 of multicast capability to be deployed in the network 130.Media Stream dispensing device 100 is connected to router one 31, Media Stream receiving system 140,141 is connected to router one 32, Media Stream receiving system 142,143 is connected to router one 33, and Media Stream receiving system 144,145 is connected to router one 33, and router one 31 is connected to router one 32 to 134.

Media Stream dispensing device 100 is combined as single grouping with each Media Stream, and by multicast this packet delivery is arrived network 130.Media Stream dispensing device 100 has packet assembler 101 and multicast packet sender 102, wherein packet assembler 101 is used for a plurality of information units 114 to 116,125 to 127 of each Media Stream of transmission are assembled into single grouping, and multicast packet sender 102 is used for the grouping by packet assembler 101 assemblings is multicasted to network 130.Below packet assembler 101 can be added to dividing into groups at least one: the medium type of Media Stream under the information of program, the information unit under the identification information unit, and the coded message of the affiliated Media Stream of information unit.The layout that is used for multicast is well known by persons skilled in the art.

According to present embodiment, a plurality of information units are following at least one: a plurality of information units that differ from one another that (a) serve as the composition of the different media flows that constitutes single program, (b) serve as a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the composition of the different media flows that constitutes different programs, (c) serve as a plurality of information units that differ from one another of composition of the Media Stream of different media types, (d) a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the representative identical content that is encoded by each different encoding process, (e) by a plurality of information units that differ from one another of identical encoding process with the representative identical content of a plurality of different compression ratios codings, the free poor a plurality of information units that differ from one another when (f) distributing, (g) a plurality of information units of differently being encrypted that differ from one another, and (h) by a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the representative different content of identical encryption.The method that is used for the tectonic information unit is that those skilled in the art is known.

Media Stream receiving system 140 comprises: multicast branch group of receivers 150 is used to receive the grouping of transmitting by multicast; Information element extracting device 151 is used for extracting one or more reproduced information elements of wanting from the grouping that receives; Image decoder 152 is used to decode and the image information corresponding element of one or more information elements of extracting; Image-display units 153, the decoded information word that is used to depend on image is display image usually; Voice decoder 154 is used for decoding with the corresponding information element of the sound of the one or more information elements that extract; And audio reproduction unit 155, the decoded information word that is used to depend on sound is usually reproduced sound.In other words, the one or more information elements that extracted by information element extracting device 151 are reproduced by image decoder 152, image-display units 153, voice decoder 154 and sound reproduction units 155.Multicast divides group of receivers 150 also to receive following at least one: the medium type of Media Stream under the information of program, the information unit under the identification information unit, and the coded message of Media Stream under the information unit.Based on the information that receives, image decoder 152, image-display units 153, voice decoder 154 and sound reproduction units 155 reproduce one or more information elements.Media Stream receiving system 141 to 145 is structurally identical with Media Stream receiving system 140, and each all has multicast branch group of receivers, information element extracting device, image decoder, image-display units, voice decoder and sound reproduction units.

In the example shown, Media Stream dispensing device 100 is provided to the movie program from movie file 110, and also being provided to can program from the live music in concert meeting-place 120.Movie file 110 comprises film image 111, film English Phonetics sound 112, and film japanese voice sound 113.Film image 111 is with film image information unit 114 input packet assembler 101.Film English Phonetics sound 112 is with film English Phonetics acoustic information unit 115 input packet assembler 101.Film japanese voice sound 112 is with film japanese voice acoustic information unit 116 input packet assembler 101.Concert meeting-place 120 has the microphone 122 that is used to pick up from performing artist 201 speech sound, and the camera A 123 and the camera B 124 that are used to catch performing artist 201 picture.The decoded device 170 of speech sound that is picked up by microphone 122 is decoded as concert speech sound information unit 125, and it is transfused to packet assembler 101.The image that camera A 123 and camera B 124 capture is encoded to camera A image information units 126 and camera B image information units 127 by each encoder 171,172 respectively, and they are transfused to packet assembler 101.Among the Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145 of reception from the Media Stream of Media Stream dispensing device 100, Media Stream receiving system 140,142,144 allow film image 111 and film japanese voice sound 113 to be viewed and admired, Media Stream receiving system 141 allows film image 111 and film English Phonetics sound 112 to be viewed and admired, the concert image that concert sound that Media Stream receiving system 143 permission microphones 122 pick up and camera A 123 catch is viewed and admired, and the concert image that concert sound that Media Stream receiving system 145 permission microphones 122 pick up and camera B 124 catch is viewed and admired.

The distribution of system to Media Stream is described below.

In media stream distribution system, movie file 110 periodically sends to Media Stream dispensing device 100 with the information of film image 111, English Phonetics sound 112 and japanese voice sound 113 as film image information unit 114, film English Phonetics acoustic information unit 115 and film japanese voice acoustic information unit 116 respectively.Similarly, the image that image that the speech sound that microphone 122 picks up, camera A123 catch and camera B 124 catch is encoded to concert speech sound information unit 125, camera A image information units 126 and camera B image information units 127 respectively, and they are periodically sent to Media Stream dispensing device 100 from concert meeting-place 120.

In Media Stream dispensing device 100, periodically send or be grouped assembler 101 and be assembled into single UDP (User Datagram Protoco (UDP)) grouping, wherein each information unit has been distributed RTP (RTP) head from film image information unit 114, film English Phonetics acoustic information unit 115, film japanese voice acoustic information unit 116, concert speech sound information unit 125, camera A image information units 126 and camera B image information units 127 that file reads.Then, the UDP grouping is sent to the router one 31 of network 130 as multicast grouping 160 by multicast packet sender 102.An example of the form of this multicast grouping is the multicast grouping 160 shown in Figure 1B.If supposing network 130 is internets, then,, and after multicast IP head, the UDP head is arranged so multicast grouping 160 starts from multicast IP head owing in the internet, use IP (Internet Protocol).After the UDP head, multicast grouping 160 also has continuous information unit, and a RTP head is all arranged before each information unit.

Router one 31 sends to router one 32, router one 33 and router one 34 based on default multicast route with multicast grouping 160.Router one 32 sends multicast grouping 160 to Media Stream receiving system 140,141, and router one 33 is to Media Stream receiving system 142,143, and router one 34 is to Media Stream receiving system 144,145.

In Media Stream receiving system 140, multicast divides group of receivers 150 to receive multicast grouping 160, the film image information unit 114 and the film japanese voice acoustic information unit 116 of the Media Stream that the 151 extraction conducts of information element extracting device will be reproduced.Image decoder 152 and image-display units 153 reproduce film image information unit 114, and voice decoder 154 and sound reproduction units 155 reproduce film japanese voice acoustic information unit 116.

By periodically repeating said process, can on Media Stream receiving system 140, be viewed and admired from the film image 111 and the film japanese voice sound 113 of movie file 110.

Similarly, film image 111 and film japanese voice sound 113 that Media Stream receiving system 142,144 reproduces from movie file 110, film image 111 and film English Phonetics sound 112 that Media Stream receiving system 141 reproduces from movie file 110, Media Stream receiving system 143 reproduces from the image of camera A 123 with from the sound of microphone 122, and Media Stream receiving system 145 reproduces from the image of camera B 124 with from the sound of microphone 122.

If the grouping that sends from Media Stream dispensing device 100 comprises following at least one: the coded message of Media Stream under the medium type of Media Stream and the information unit under the information of program, the information unit under the identification information unit, then multicast divides group of receivers 150 to receive this information, and controls the reproduction of information element in image decoder 152, image-display units 153, voice decoder 154 and the sound reproduction units 155 based on the information that receives.

In the present embodiment, a multicast grouping comprises the information unit of a plurality of Media Streams of the composition of representing a plurality of programs, and this grouping is passed to Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145 by the multicast on the network 130.Each Media Stream receiving system only extracts the packet partial that it will reproduce, and reproduces the part of being extracted.

Compare with traditional system, present embodiment provides following advantage:

At first, it is the grouping of destination that Media Stream dispensing device 100 does not need to edit with each terminal, but can only edit a grouping.Differently do not edit grouping because Media Stream dispensing device 100 does not need to depend on the quantity of Media Stream receiving system and the program that will view and admire in end and the combination of medium, so the load on the Media Stream dispensing device 100 has reduced.

The second, the number of packet of router one 31 receptions reduces, and reduces to the number of packet of router one 32 to 134 transmission, and the quantity of the grouping that time per unit will be processed (principal element that is used for the limited processing ability of definite router) has reduced.Therefore, the load on the router one 31 has reduced.

The 3rd, the number of packet that router one 32 to 134 receives reduces, and if they be connected to the Media Stream receiving system by common shared LAN, then they can only send a multicast grouping.Therefore, the number of packet that be sent out reduces, and the load on the router one 32 to 134 reduces.

The 4th, the total quantity of the packet header of the grouping by the link between Media Stream dispensing device 100 and router one 31 and the router reduces, so the load on the link reduces.

The 5th, according to conventional art, depend on the combination of the Media Stream of will the person of being received viewing and admiring, the information unit of same Media Stream appears in a plurality of different grouping.According to present embodiment, identical Media Stream only appears in the multicast grouping.Therefore, the load on the link is further reduced.

According to the present invention, described the speech sound of film and expressed with bilingual (English and Japanese).But this bilingual is not limited to such combination.The present invention also is applicable to the movie file of the speech sound that comprises 3 kinds or more kinds of language.

" second embodiment "

Media stream distribution system according to second embodiment of the invention is described below, and this media stream distribution system is by the Media Stream of different coding with a program distribution, perhaps allows the recipient to select the type of Media Stream.

As shown in Figure 2, the media stream distribution system according to second embodiment will can be distributed to a plurality of Media Stream receiving systems 230 to 232 from Media Stream dispensing device 210 by network 220 by program from the live music in concert meeting-place 200.Media stream distribution system adopts different encoding process respectively to Media Stream receiving system 230 to 232.Network 220 is identical with network 130 shown in Figure 1.

Concert meeting-place 200 has microphone 202, is used to pick up the speech sound from performing artist 201, also has camera 203, is used to catch performing artist 201 picture.Media Stream dispensing device 210 comprises: vocoder 204, the speech sound that the microphone 202 that is used to encode picks up; Image type-1 encoder 205 and image type-2 encoder 206, the image that the camera 203 that is used to encode is caught; Packet assembler 211, it is identical with packet assembler 101 in the system shown in Figure 1; And multicast packet sender 212, it is identical with multicast packet sender 102 in the system shown in Figure 1.Image type-1 encoder 205 and partially or completely different each other image size, the ratio of width to height, chromatic number, compression processing and the compression ratios of image type-2 encoder 206 bases, come image encoding, and image type-1 after generation is encoded respectively and the image type-2 behind the coding.From the concert speech sound information unit of vocoder 204, from image type-1 information unit of image type-1 encoder 205, and be provided for packet assembler 211 from image type-2 information unit of image type-2 encoder 206.

Media Stream receiving system 230 to 232 structurally with system shown in Figure 1 in Media Stream receiving system 141 identical to 145.But according to the present invention, for each Media Stream receiving system, different encoding process is used to the image of viewing and admiring identical.Media Stream receiving system 230 allows to be viewed and admired according to image type-1 image encoded and sound, and Media Stream receiving system 231 allows to be viewed and admired according to image type-2 image encoded and sound.Media Stream receiving system 232 only allows sound to be heard.

Below with the distribution of descriptive system to Media Stream.

In media stream distribution system, when the image that speech sound that picks up when microphone 202 and camera 203 are caught is transfused to Media Stream dispensing device 210, in Media Stream dispensing device 210, vocoder 204 is encoded to the speech sound information unit with speech sound, and image type-1 encoder 205 and image type-2 encoder 206 are encoded to image type-1 information unit and image type-2 information unit respectively with image.Packet assembler 211 is compiled as speech sound information unit, image type-1 information unit and image type-2 information unit the form of multicast grouping 240.Multicast packet sender 212 is carried out multicast by 220 pairs of multicast groupings 240 of network.Multicast grouping 240 starts from multicast IP head, and has the UDP head after multicast IP head.After the UDP head, multicast grouping 240 also has continuous information unit, and all there is a RTP head each information unit front.

Network 220 is relayed to Media Stream receiving system 230 to 232 with multicast grouping 240.The result, Media Stream receiving system 230 only extracts image type-1 information unit and speech sound information unit and reproduces them from the multicast grouping 240 that receives, and Media Stream receiving system 231 only extracts image type-2 information unit and speech sound information unit and reproduces them from the multicast grouping 240 that receives.Media Stream receiving system 232 only extracts the speech sound information unit and reproduces it from the multicast grouping 240 that receives.

According to conventional art,, must depend on each receiving system and generate and distribute packets for a plurality of Media Stream receiving systems extract different Media Stream and combination thereof.But according to present embodiment, image type-1 information element, image type-1 information element and speech sound information element are a grouping by caking, and grouping is multicast.The Media Stream receiving system extracts required information element and reproduces them from the multicast grouping.Therefore according to present embodiment, can and distribute single multicast and divide into groups to achieve the goal by generation.Therefore, whether the user can based on existing the combination of image, picture quality and image size to view and admire program, and this combination is to be selected by the difference that the user depends between the price of the ability of Media Stream receiving system and program distribution.

" the 3rd embodiment "

Media stream distribution system according to third embodiment of the invention is described below, this media stream distribution system is distributed a Media Stream with the time difference, to allow spectators from the beginning to view and admire Media Stream, rather than beginning sometime in Media Stream view and admire, even spectators begin to view and admire Media Stream in the different moment.

As shown in Figure 3, the media stream distribution system according to the 3rd embodiment will can be distributed to a plurality of Media Stream receiving systems 330,331 from Media Stream dispensing device 310 by network 320 by program from the live music in concert meeting-place 300.Media stream distribution system is distributed to Media Stream receiving system 330 with the live sound and the image of concert, and the sound and the image of concert is distributed to Media Stream receiving system 331 with certain time delay.Network 320 is identical with network 130 shown in Figure 1.

Concert meeting-place 300 has microphone 302, is used to pick up the speech sound from performing artist 301, also has camera 303, is used to catch performing artist 301 picture.Media Stream dispensing device 310 comprises: vocoder 304 is used for the speech sound that microphone 302 picks up is encoded to live speech sound information unit; Image encoder 305, the image encoding that is used for camera 303 is caught is the live image information unit; Delay circuit 306 is used to postpone live speech sound information unit and live image information unit, to generate the speech sound information unit of delay and the image information units of delay respectively; Packet assembler 311, it is identical with packet assembler 101 in the system shown in Figure 1; And multicast packet sender 312, it is identical with multicast packet sender 102 in the system shown in Figure 1.Live speech sound information unit, live image information unit, the speech sound information unit of delay and the image information units of delay are provided for packet assembler 311.

Media Stream receiving system 330,331 structurally with system shown in Figure 1 in Media Stream receiving system 141 identical to 145.Media Stream receiving system 330 allows the concert performance to be viewed and admired by live telecast, and Media Stream receiving system 331 allows the concert performance to be viewed and admired with certain time delay.

Below with the distribution of descriptive system to Media Stream.

In media stream distribution system, when the image that speech sound that picks up when microphone 302 and camera 303 are caught is transfused to Media Stream dispensing device 310, vocoder 304 is encoded to live speech sound information unit with speech sound, and image encoder 305 is the live image information unit with image encoding.Live speech sound information unit and live image information unit are provided for packet assembler 311 and delay circuit 306.Delay circuit 306 postpones certain period with live speech sound information unit and live image information unit, with the speech sound information unit that generate to postpone respectively and the image information units of delay, and the speech sound information unit that postpones and the image information units of delay offered packet assembler 311.Packet assembler 311 is compiled as the image information units of the speech sound information unit of live speech sound information unit, live image information unit, delay and delay the form of multicast grouping 340.Multicast packet sender 312 is carried out multicast by 320 pairs of multicast groupings 340 of network.Multicast grouping 340 starts from multicast IP head, and has the UDP head after multicast IP head.After the UDP head, multicast grouping 340 also has continuous information unit (promptly, the live speech sound information unit of Bu Zhiing, live image information unit, the speech sound information unit of delay and the image information units of delay successively), all there is a RTP head each information unit front.

Network 320 is relayed to Media Stream receiving system 330,331 with multicast grouping 340.Media Stream receiving system 330 only extracts live speech sound information unit and live image information unit and reproduces them from the multicast that receives grouping 340, and Media Stream receiving system 331 only extracts the image information units of the speech sound information unit that postpones and delay and reproduces them from the multicast grouping 340 that receives.Therefore, Media Stream receiving system 330,331 allows identical program to be viewed and admired with a time difference.

In the present embodiment, having described the real time programme of representing live music to understand was distributed with a time difference.Similarly, for example the so stored program of movie file also can be distributed with a time difference.In order to provide the time difference in the distribution from the image of movie file, image can read from movie file with the time difference, rather than provided delay circuit to come generation time poor.

" the 4th embodiment "

According to the present invention, information unit can encrypted and distribution.The media stream distribution system according to third embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4 A has added encryption function to system shown in Figure 1, and comprises ciphering unit 400,401 that adds Media Stream dispensing device 100 to and the decrypting device 402 of adding each Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145 to.

400 pairs of conducts of ciphering unit are encrypted from film image information unit 114, film English Phonetics acoustic information unit 115 and the film japanese voice acoustic information unit 116 of the information unit of Media Stream dispensing device 100, and the information unit after will encrypting offers packet assembler 101.Similarly, 401 pairs of conducts of ciphering unit are encrypted from concert speech sound information unit 125, camera A image information units 126 and the camera B image information units 127 of the information unit of concert, and the information unit after will encrypting offers packet assembler 101.Ciphering unit 400 and ciphering unit 401 are according to different encryptions or use the different secret key according to identical encryption to come information unit is encrypted.

The information element deciphering that 402 pairs of information element extracting devices of decrypting device 151 extract, and the image information units after will deciphering and speech sound information unit offer image decoder 152 and voice decoder 154 respectively.Can be decrypted the information unit of unit 402 deciphering be limited to those by default encryption and the information unit that uses secret key to encrypt.Decrypting device 402 can not to by other encryption information encrypted unit with use the deciphering of different secret key information encrypted unit.

The distribution of system to Media Stream is described below.

In media stream distribution system, when film image information unit 114, film English Phonetics acoustic information unit 115 and film japanese voice acoustic information unit 116 when movie file 110 is provided for Media Stream dispensing device 100, the encrypted unit 400 of these information units is encrypted.Similarly, encrypt from concert speech sound information unit 125, camera A image information units 126 and the camera B image information units 127 encrypted unit 401 of concert.Information unit 114 to 116,125 to 127 after packet assembler 101 will be encrypted is compiled as the form of multicast grouping 403.Multicast packet sender 102 is multicasted to Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145 with multicast grouping 403 by network 130.Fig. 4 B shows the example of the configuration of multicast grouping 403.Multicast grouping 403 is that with the difference of the multicast grouping 160 shown in Figure 1B each information unit is all encrypted.

Receive multicast at Media Stream receiving system 140 and divided into groups 403 o'clock, 402 pairs of film images of decrypting device and the deciphering of film japanese voice sound are so that reproduce.At this moment, Media Stream receiving system 140 is known encryption and the secret key that adopts in the ciphering unit 400, but does not know the encryption and the secret key of employing in the ciphering unit 401.Therefore, Media Stream receiving system 140 can not be to the divide into groups information unit deciphering of the concert that comprises in 403 of multicast.

Similarly, Media Stream receiving system 141 to 145 is known the program decryption that how will reproduce them, therefore can reproduce those programs.But,, therefore on Media Stream receiving system 141 to 145, viewing and admiring of those programs is restricted because Media Stream receiving system 141 to 145 does not know how to decipher other programs.

Therefore, if program be charge and their expense depend on Media Stream and different, then different encryptions and secret key can be used to each Media Stream, and given the Media Stream receiving system by indication in advance, thereby the Media Stream receiving system can not reproduce other Media Streams outside the Media Stream that this Media Stream receiving system has the right to reproduce.It is can be only decrypted by identical encryption and secret key are applied to those Media Streams to constitute the Media Stream of a program.

If ciphering unit 400 uses different secret keys to come the media information unit is encrypted with ciphering unit 401 according to each different encryption or in identical encryption, then can or not indicate how specific image or the sound that only is limited in the same program will be viewed and admired in the decryption information unit by indication.If ciphering unit 400 and ciphering unit 401 have selected each media information unit whether encrypted, then view and admire the specific image or the sound that also can only be limited in the same program.

" the 5th embodiment "

In media stream distribution system according to the present invention, parameter may be flowed to be used for distribution media by coupling between Media Stream dispensing device and Media Stream receiving system.The media stream distribution system that can determine each parameter that need mate between dispensing device and receiving system will be described below.

Media stream distribution system according to fifth embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5 comprises Media Stream dispensing device 500 and Media Stream receiving system 530, and they are by network 520 interconnection identical with network shown in Figure 1 130.Though only show a Media Stream receiving system 530, the same with above-mentioned each embodiment, media stream distribution system can have a plurality of Media Stream receiving systems 530.

Media Stream dispensing device 500 comprise connect call controller 501, send manager 502, be used to generate first Media Stream Media Stream-1 maker 503, be used to generate second Media Stream Media Stream-2 maker 504, be used to generate the 3rd Media Stream Media Stream-3 maker 505, be used for ciphering unit 506,507,508, packet assembler 509 of respectively information unit of first to the 3rd Media Stream being encrypted and packet sender 510.

Connecting call controller 501 has when receiving beginning by network 520 at least one function below receiving system 530 is indicated: carry out multicast address, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, the encryption configuration information of the transmission of receiving system 530, and the data length of information unit.

Packet assembler 509 have with system shown in Figure 1 in packet assembler 101 identical functions.About the one or more information units that comprise in the grouping, packet assembler 509 can also have the function of adding following at least one to grouping: the coded message of the medium type of Media Stream, the affiliated Media Stream of information unit under the information of program, the information unit under the identification information unit, and the delimiter mark of indicating two borders between the adjacent information unit.

Packet sender 510 have with system shown in Figure 1 in packet sender 102 identical functions.Packet sender 510 also has the function of constructing grouping based on predetermined information, and described predetermined information is following at least one: the data length of the multicast address that is used to send, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, encryption configuration information and information unit.

Transmission is provided with unit 511 and determines and set in advance following at least one in Media Stream dispensing device 500: the data length of the multicast address that is used to send, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, encryption configuration information and information unit.

Media Stream receiving system 530 comprises connection call controller 531, receiving management device 532, be used to receive the multicast branch group of receivers 533 of the grouping of transmitting by multicast, be used for extracting the information element extracting device 534 of one or more information elements from the grouping that receives by multicast branch group of receivers 533, be used for decrypting device 535 to the one or more information unit deciphering that extract, be used for decoder 536 to the one or more information unit decodings after the deciphering, be used for coming the display unit 537 of display image, and unit 538 manually is set based on decoded one or more information units.

Connect call controller 531 is connected to dispensing device 300 by network 520 connection call controller 501.Connect call controller 531 and have the function of reception by the information of connection call controller 501 indications of dispensing device 300, the information of described indication is with respect to following at least one: the data length of the multicast address that is used to receive, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, encryption configuration information and information unit.

Multicast branch group of receivers 533 divides group of receivers 150 identical with multicast in the system shown in Figure 1.Multicast branch group of receivers 533 can have the function that receives the following at least a information in the grouping that is included in extraly: the medium type of Media Stream under the information of program, the information unit under the identification information unit, and the coded message of the affiliated Media Stream of information unit.

Unit 538 manually is set to be determined and set in advance following at least one in Media Stream receiving system 530: the multicast address that is used to receive, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, encryption configuration information, and the data length of information unit.

The distribution of system to Media Stream is described below.

In Media Stream dispensing device 500, transmission is provided with unit 511 and pre-determines the multicast address that will be used to distribute, the configuration of multicast grouping and the enciphered message that is used for each Media Stream, and control send manager 502 with those information setting in Media Stream-1 maker 503, Media Stream-2 maker 504, Media Stream-3 maker 505, ciphering unit 506,507,508, packet assembler 509 and packet sender 510.

When viewing and admiring of Media Stream begun, Media Stream receiving system 530 control connection call controllers 531 were with the connection call controller 501 request receiving medias streams to Media Stream dispensing device 500.In response to request, the connection call controller 501 of Media Stream dispensing device 500 is indicated the multicast address that will be used to distribute, the configuration information of multicast grouping to the connection call controller 531 of Media Stream receiving system 530, and the enciphered message of the Media Stream that will be viewed and admired.

Information based on connection call controller 501 indication of Media Stream dispensing device 500, the connection call controller 531 control receiving management devices 532 of Media Stream receiving system 530 are to be provided with the multicast address that will be used to distribute in multicast branch group of receivers 533, the configuration information of multicast grouping is set in information element extracting device 534, and in decrypting device 535, enciphered message is set.Media Stream receiving system 530 has been ready to receive distribution now.

Then, Media Stream is distributed and views and admires in mode same as the previously described embodiments.

The processing of determining to mate between Media Stream dispensing device and Media Stream receiving system such as the various parameters of for example multicast packet configuration can be:

(a) come processing getparms by Media Stream dispensing device 500 shown in Figure 5 and the communication between the Media Stream receiving system 530;

(b) utilize programme on the paper media, can parameter be notified to the recipient by programme or the email message that Web obtains, and allow the recipient to determine the processing of parameter in advance by hand;

(c) before Media Stream begins to be received, carry out the unicast communication between dispensing device and the receiving system, and when being necessary, come to determine the processing of parameter through consultation;

(d) in the multicast grouping, the essential configuration information of receiving system is set, and uses this information to carry out the processing of the reproduction in the receiving system; Perhaps

(e) said method (a) is to the processing of the combination in any of (d).

One of above-mentioned processing can be dependent on the character of distribution services and is selected.In handling (b), use the unit 538 that manually is provided with of Media Stream receiving system 530 to carry out predetermined set.

In the present embodiment, with respect to the one or more information units that comprise in the grouping, at least a information below the packet assembler 509 of Media Stream dispensing device can be added to dividing into groups: the coded message of the medium type of Media Stream, the affiliated Media Stream of information unit under the information of program, the information unit under the identification information unit, and the delimiter mark of indicating two borders between the neighbor information unit.If such information is added to grouping, then comprise this packets of information and be multicast 533 receptions of branch group of receivers, and in Media Stream receiving system 530, based on the information that receives, Media Stream is reproduced.

In the present embodiment, receiving management device 532 can be dependent on the selection that the recipient carries out or the ability of Media Stream receiving system 530, select to want reproduced medium based on following at least a information: from the multicast address that is used to send, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, the encryption configuration information of dispensing device indication, or the like.

Fig. 6 A shows the form of the multicast grouping of using in the present embodiment in the mode of example to Fig. 6 E.In the form 600 to 604 each has the IP head at its front end, and IP head heel is with the UDP head is arranged.

According to the form 600 shown in Fig. 6 A, the back of UDP head is the RTP head, and RTP head back is 3 continuous media information unit.If these 3 media information unit belong to identical medium and have experienced identical coding rule, then these 3 media information unit can be used, and the media information element length can be determined regularly or information unit can be according to the regulation of coding rule and separated.Information unit can be separated an example of situation be the situation that the sync mark again according to the MPEG-4 encoding process is used.Under the situation that the timing that does not have data with grouping is sent out, for example, if the media information element length is fixed, then be set in this zone with corresponding padding datas of filling data (stuffing data) (fill data) according to the MPEG-4 encoding process, if and information unit is separated according to the regulation of coding rule, then have only sync mark again to be set in this zone.

For receiving system extracts required Media Stream, need discern which content in advance according to the combination of handling any one or those processing in (a) to (c) and will be sent to which information unit, perhaps check and extract content.

If adopt form 600, then the overhead that causes of head is minimized.Form 600 is applicable to and utilizes the plurality of media flow receiving device to browse the image that a plurality of still cameras are caught.

According to the form 601 shown in Fig. 6 B, UDP head back is the RTP head, and RTP head back is 3 continuous media information unit, and each front, media information unit all has one to connect head (coupling header).Connect head and comprise the interior media stream identifier of program identifier, program, media coding information and the payload length that is used to identify program.

The program identifier representative is used for the information of the affiliated program of identification medium information unit.Media stream identifier is that to indicate corresponding information unit whether be identifier as the media information unit of the composition of a plurality of Media Streams that constitute program in the program.Media coding information is the information of the medium, encoding process of indication media information unit etc.These information can with the replenishing of the payload type information overlap, contradiction stored in the RTP head or its.If this information and payload type information contradiction, then this media coding information is preferentially received.Payload length representative connects the length of the content that head manages, and comprises the byte length of media information unit.

These 3 media information unit can belong to different medium, have different coding rules, and its payload length may not be still may differing from one another of fixing.Do not have data will the timing situation that be sent out with grouping under, be set in this zone with the corresponding padding data of filling data according to the MPEG-4 encoding process, perhaps only connect head and be set in this zone.

If adopt form 601, then receiving system can be known corresponding relation and the content between the media stream identifier in program identifier and the program in advance, and can extract required Media Stream based on media stream identifier in program identifier in the multicast grouping and the program.

According to the form 602 shown in Fig. 6 C, the RTP head is distributed to 3 media information unit respectively.The length of these 3 media information unit and payload must be scheduled to or from the regular length of dispensing device indication.3 Media Streams can have different frame rate.Do not have data will the timing situation that be sent out with grouping under, be set in this zone with the corresponding padding data of filling data according to the MPEG-4 encoding process.

Utilize form 602, which content receiving system can grasp according to the combination of handling any one or those processing in (a) to (c) will be sent to for which information unit, and extract required Media Stream, perhaps can judge the content of information unit, and extract Media Stream according to the payload type that comprises in the RTP head or SSRC (synchronous source identifier) or CSRC (contribution source identifier).

According to the form 603 shown in Fig. 6 D, connect head and RTP head and be assigned to 3 media information unit respectively.These 3 media information unit can be any information units.Utilize form 603, which content receiving system can grasp according to the combination of handling any one or those processing in (a) to (c) will be sent to for which information unit, and extract required Media Stream.Perhaps, receiving system can be known corresponding relation and the content between the media stream identifier in program identifier and the program in advance, and can extract required Media Stream based on media stream identifier in program identifier in the multicast grouping and the program.

Form 604 shown in Fig. 6 E is to adopt not as delimiter to mark the bit in the present media information element 1,2,3 or the form of Bit String.Different with the form 600 shown in Fig. 6 A, each media information unit can not be a regular length, but can be any length.Required Media Stream is extracted in the mode identical with form 602.

With a plurality of information units caking is that the processing of a grouping is not limited to above-mentioned processing, but when dispensing device and receiving system adopt the same treatment that structure divides into groups, can be any one in the various processing.The suitable treatments of structure grouping can depend on the form of service and selected.According to present embodiment, the grouping of the above-mentioned packet format of packet assembler 509 assemblings, information element extracting device 534 is explained grouping and is extracted essential information from it.

" the 6th embodiment "

According to the present invention, information unit can be encoded with error correction, is distributed then.The media stream distribution system according to sixth embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 7 A has added error correction to system shown in Figure 1, and comprise the error correction code data maker 700,701 that is added to Media Stream dispensing device 100, and the error correction code data processor 702 that is added to each Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145.According to present embodiment, a plurality of information units comprise following at least a information unit: from the error correction information unit of at least one Media Stream generation with according to a plurality of error correction code information unit that differ from one another of a plurality of different disposal from same Media Stream generation.

Error correction code data maker 700 generates error correction code data (film image error correction information unit) from the film image information unit 114 from movie file 110, and error correction code data maker 701 generates error correction code data (camera A image error correction information unit and camera B image error correction information unit) from camera A image information units 126 and the camera B image information units 127 from concert meeting-place 120.These error correction code datas and film image information unit 114, film English Phonetics acoustic information unit 115, film japanese voice acoustic information unit 116, concert speech sound information unit 125, camera A image information units 126 and camera B image information units 127 are grouped assembler 101 together and are assembled into a grouping.Then, this grouping is sent to Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145 from multicast packet sender 102 by network 130 as multicast grouping 703.

Shown in Fig. 7 B, multicast grouping 703 comprises film image error correction information unit, camera A image error correction information unit, the camera B image error correction information unit of the multicast grouping 160 that is added to shown in Figure 1B.These fronts, error correction information unit are RTP heads separately.

In the present embodiment, error correction code data maker 700,701 can adopt different mutually error correction codings to handle, and perhaps can adopt identical error correction coding to handle.Error correction coding is handled can adopt the prior art that is commonly referred to as FEC (forward error correction), for example Reed Solomon code, LDP (low-density checksum) sign indicating number etc.

For brevity, only film image information unit 114, camera A image information units 126, camera B image information units 127 are generated error correction code data in the present embodiment.But the generation of error correction code data is not limited to above-mentioned information unit.

In each of Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145, error correction code data processor 702 is provided between information element extracting device 151 and the decoder 152,154, and carries out error correcting code based on the error correction information unit that information element extracting device 151 extracts and handle.The result, if the multicast of each reception in the Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145 grouping 703 has data error or loses, then each in the Media Stream receiving system 140 to 145 is recovered the information unit that comprises in the grouping based on error correction code data and other information units and the acquired in advance error correction coding information of wanting reproduced medium.

According to present embodiment, error correction code data maker 700,701 can be only by selecting to generate the error correction code data that is used for each media information unit, strengthen transmit path to the mistake of some media information data and the resistance of losing, thereby strengthen the mistake resistance that depends on the frequency band that can be used.

In the present embodiment, generate error correction code data from the media information unit.The generation of error correction code data can be used in combination with the encryption according to the 4th embodiment.In this case, generate error correction code data from encrypted media information unit.If the grouping that each receiving system receives has mistake or loses, then receiving system recovers the media information unit based on error correcting code, then the media information unit is deciphered to reproduce them.

According to present embodiment, comprise that the grouping of error correction code data is sent out, to carry out the data error in the transmit path and to lose resistive packet distribution.Not not like this, repeat requests is brought the load on the network, so the load on the network is reduced.

" the 7th embodiment "

In media stream distribution system according to the present invention, even use error correcting code, parameter also may be mated between Media Stream dispensing device and Media Stream receiving system to be used for distribution media stream.The media stream distribution system that can determine the various parameters that need mate between dispensing device and receiving system is described below.

Media stream distribution system according to seventh embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 8 has error correction code data maker 800 to 802, they have replaced shown in Figure 5 according to the ciphering unit in the media stream distribution system of the 6th embodiment 506 to 508, media stream distribution system according to the 7th embodiment also has error correction code data processor 803, and it has replaced shown in Figure 5 according to the decrypting device in the media stream distribution system of the 6th embodiment 535.Certainly, media stream distribution system can have the error correction coding processing capacity when keeping the encryption and decryption function.

Error correction code data maker 800 to 802 generates error correction code data for each information unit of first to the 3rd Media Stream.The error correction information unit that error correction code data processor 803 extracts based on information element extracting device 534 is carried out error correcting code and is handled.

In the present embodiment, connecting call controller 501 has when receiving beginning by network 520 at least one function below receiving system 530 is indicated: be used for data length, coded message, the error correction coding information of medium type, the Media Stream of multicast address, the Media Stream of the transmission of receiving system 530, the data length of information unit, and the data length of error correction code data.If receiving system has encryption function, then when receiving beginning, connect call controller 501 and can send enciphered message to receiving system 530.

Packet assembler 509 have with system shown in Figure 1 in packet assembler 101 identical functions.About the one or more information units that comprise in the grouping, packet assembler 509 also can have to grouping adds following at least one function: the coded message of the medium type of Media Stream, the affiliated Media Stream of information unit under the information of program, the information unit under the identification information unit, and the delimiter mark of indicating two borders between the adjacent information unit.

Packet sender 510 have with system shown in Figure 1 in packet sender 102 identical functions.Packet sender 510 also has the function of constructing grouping based on predetermined information, described predetermined information be following at least one: the data length of the multicast address that is used to send, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, error correction coding information, information unit and encrypt configuration information.

Transmission be provided with unit 511 determine and in dispensing device 500, set in advance following at least one: the data length of the multicast address that is used to send, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, error correction coding information, information unit, and encrypt configuration information.

Connect call controller 531 is connected to dispensing device 300 by network 520 connection call controller 501.Connect the function of information that call controller 531 has connection call controller 501 indications of transmission and reception apparatus 300, described information about following at least one: the configuration information of the multicast address that is used to receive, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, error correcting code, the data length of information unit, encrypt the data length of configuration information, Media Stream and other data lengths of error correction code data.

Multicast branch group of receivers 533 divides group of receivers 150 identical with multicast in the system shown in Figure 1.Multicast branch group of receivers 533 can have the function of the following at least a information that comprises in the grouping of receiving extraly: the medium type of Media Stream under the information of program, the information unit under the identification information unit, and the coded message of the affiliated Media Stream of information unit.

Manually be provided with unit 538 determine and in receiving system 530, set in advance following at least one: the data length of the configuration information of the multicast address that is used to send, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, error correcting code, the data length of information unit, Media Stream and other data lengths of error correction code data.If dissemination system has encryption function, unit 538 then manually is set determines and to be provided with the encryption configuration information.

Below with the distribution of descriptive system to Media Stream.

In Media Stream dispensing device 500, transmission is provided with unit 511 and determines the multicast address that will be used to distribute, the configuration of multicast grouping and the error correction coding information of each Media Stream, and control send manager 502 with those information setting in Media Stream-1 maker 503, Media Stream-2 maker 504, Media Stream-3 maker 505, error correction code data maker 800,801,802, packet assembler 509 and packet sender 510.

When beginning to view and admire Media Stream, Media Stream receiving system 530 control connection call controllers 531 are with the connection call controller 501 request receiving media streams to Media Stream dispensing device 500.In response to this request, the error correction coding information of the multicast address that the connection call controller 501 of Media Stream dispensing device 500 will be used to send to connection call controller 531 indication of Media Stream receiving system 530, the configuration information of multicast grouping and the Media Stream that will be viewed and admired.

Information based on connection call controller 501 indication of Media Stream dispensing device 500, the connection call controller 531 control receiving management devices 532 of Media Stream receiving system 530, so that the multicast address that will be used to distribute to be set in multicast branch group of receivers 533, the configuration information of multicast grouping is set in information element extracting device 534, error correction coding information is set in error correction code data processor 803.Now, Media Stream receiving system 530 has been ready to receive distribution.

Then, Media Stream is distributed and views and admires in mode same as the previously described embodiments.

The processing of the definite various parameters that need mate between Media Stream dispensing device and Media Stream receiving system (for example configuration of multicast grouping) can be identical with the processing among the 5th embodiment.

In the present embodiment, about the one or more information units that comprise in the grouping, at least a information below the packet assembler 509 of Media Stream dispensing device can be added to dividing into groups: the coded message of the medium type of Media Stream, the affiliated Media Stream of information unit under the information of program, the information unit under the identification information unit, and the delimiter mark of indicating two borders between the adjacent information unit.If such information is added to grouping, then comprise this packets of information and be multicast 533 receptions of branch group of receivers, and Media Stream is reproduced based on the information that receives in the Media Stream receiving system 530.

In the present embodiment, receiving management device 532 can depend on the selection that the recipient makes or the ability of Media Stream receiving system 530, select to want reproduced medium based on following at least a information: from the multicast address that is used to send, the medium type of Media Stream, coded message, the encryption configuration information of dispensing device indication, or the like.The state that receiving management device 532 can depend on the mistake in the information unit that receives or lose is selected best error correction information unit from the error correction information that extracts.

In above-mentioned media stream distribution system, each Media Stream dispensing device and Media Stream receiving system all can be by computer realization.Particularly, when executive program, processing in above-described Media Stream dispensing device and the Media Stream receiving system and control can be implemented.The computer meaning is to comprise processor and controller.Program is read into computer by network or from the such recording medium of stored program for example CD-ROM.The present invention covers such product, program product or recording medium.The medium that is used to send this program also falls within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (42)

1. media stream sending method that is used to send a plurality of Media Streams may further comprise the steps:

A plurality of information units that will be used for sending each Media Stream are connected to single grouping; And

The described grouping of multicast.

2. method according to claim 1, wherein, described a plurality of information units comprise at least a information unit included in the group of being made up of following information unit:

(a) serve as a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the composition of the different media flows that constitutes single program;

(b) serve as a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the composition of the different media flows that constitutes different programs;

(c) serve as a plurality of information units that differ from one another of composition of the Media Stream of different media types;

(d) a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the representative identical content that is encoded by each different encoding process;

(e) a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the representative identical content that is encoded with a plurality of different compression ratios by identical encoding process;

(f) a plurality of information units of distributing with the time difference that differ from one another;

(g) a plurality of information units of differently being encrypted that differ from one another; And

The a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the representative different content of (h) being encrypted in the same manner.

3. method according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, described a plurality of information units comprise at least a information unit included in the group of being made up of following information unit:

From the error correction information unit that at least one Media Stream generates; And

According to a plurality of mutually different error correction information unit of a plurality of different disposal from same Media Stream generation.

4. according to any one described method in the claim 1 to 3, also comprise the step of adding at least a information included in the group of forming by following information to described grouping:

(i) information of program under the identification information unit;

The (ii) medium type of Media Stream under the information unit;

The (iii) coded message of Media Stream under the information unit; And

(iv) indicate the delimiter mark on two borders between the adjacent information unit.

5. according to any one described method in the claim 1 to 4, also comprise pre-determining following at least one step:

-the multicast address that is used to send;

The medium type of-Media Stream;

-coded message;

-encryption configuration information;

The data length of-information unit;

-error correction coding information; And

The data length of at least one in-Media Stream and the error correction code data.

6. according to any one described method in the claim 1 to 5, also be included in when receiving beginning to the recipient and indicate following at least one step:

-the multicast address that is used to send;

The medium type of-Media Stream;

-coded message;

-encryption configuration information;

The data length of-information unit;

-error correction coding information; And

The data length of at least one in-Media Stream and the error correction code data.

7. method according to claim 1 and 2 also comprises differently medium input is encoded to generate the step of a plurality of information elements.

8. method according to claim 1 and 2 also comprises medium input or information unit are postponed the given time to generate the step of the information unit that has the time difference therebetween.

9. method according to claim 1 and 2 also comprises information unit is differently encrypted to generate the step of different information units.

10. method according to claim 1 and 2 also comprises the step that a plurality of information units are encrypted in the same manner.

11. a Media Stream method of reseptance that is used for receiving media stream may further comprise the steps:

Receive the grouping of having been transmitted by multicast;

Extract one or more reproduced information elements of wanting from the grouping that receives; And

One or more information elements that reproduction extracts.

12. method according to claim 11 also comprises when described one or more information elements are encrypted, recovers and reproduce the step of described one or more information elements.

13., further comprising the steps of according to claim 11 or 12 described methods:

Extract at least one error correction information unit from the grouping that receives; And

If the information unit that receives has mistake or loses, then use the error correction information unit that extracts to recover the described information unit that receives.

14. method according to claim 13 also comprises based on the mistake of the information unit that receives or the state of losing, and selects the step of optimum error correction information unit from the error correction information that extracts.

15., further comprising the steps of according to any one described method in the claim 11 to 14:

Receive following at least a information:

(i) information of program under the identification information unit;

The (ii) medium type of Media Stream under the information unit; And

The (iii) coded message of Media Stream under the information unit; And

Carry out reproduction based on the information that receives.

16., also comprise pre-determining following at least one step according to any one described method in the claim 11 to 15:

-the multicast address that is used to send;

The medium type of-Media Stream;

-coded message;

-encryption configuration information;

The data length of-information unit;

-error correction coding information; And

The data length of at least one in-Media Stream and the error correction code data.

17., comprise that also reception is from transmit leg indication and step following at least one relevant information according to any one described method in the claim 11 to 16:

-the multicast address that is used to send;

The medium type of-Media Stream;

-coded message;

-encryption configuration information;

The data length of-information unit;

-error correction coding information; And

The data length of at least one in-Media Stream and the error correction code data.

18. method according to claim 17 also comprises based on the described information from the indication of described transmit leg, depends on the step of the medium that selection that the user carries out selects to want reproduced.

19. a Media Stream dispensing device that is used to send a plurality of Media Streams comprises:

The a plurality of information units that are used for being used to sending each Media Stream are connected to the device of single grouping; And

The device that is used for the described grouping of multicast.

20. device according to claim 19, wherein said a plurality of information units comprise at least a information unit included in the group of being made up of following information unit:

(a) serve as a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the composition of the different media flows that constitutes single program;

(b) serve as a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the composition of the different media flows that constitutes different programs;

(c) serve as a plurality of information units that differ from one another of composition of the Media Stream of different media types;

(d) a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the representative identical content that is encoded by each different encoding process;

(e) a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the representative identical content that is encoded with a plurality of different compression ratios by identical encoding process;

(f) a plurality of information units of distributing with the time difference that differ from one another;

(g) a plurality of information units of differently being encrypted that differ from one another; And

The a plurality of information units that differ from one another of the representative different content of (h) being encrypted in the same manner.

21. according to claim 19 or 20 described devices, wherein, described a plurality of information units comprise at least a information unit included in the group of being made up of following information unit:

From the error correction information unit that at least one Media Stream generates; And

According to a plurality of mutually different error correction information unit of a plurality of different disposal from same Media Stream generation.

22., also comprise being used for the medium input is differently encoded to generate the device of a plurality of information elements according to any one described device in the claim 19 to 21.

23., also comprise being used for medium input or information unit are postponed the given time to generate the device of the information unit that has the time difference therebetween according to any one described device in the claim 19 to 21.

24., also comprise being used for information unit is differently encrypted to generate the device of different information units according to any one described device in the claim 19 to 21.

25., also comprise being used for device that a plurality of information units are encrypted in the same manner according to any one described device in the claim 19 to 21.

26., also comprise the device that is used for below described grouping is added at least one according to any one described device in the claim 19 to 25:

(i) information of program under the identification information unit;

The (ii) medium type of Media Stream under the information unit;

The (iii) coded message of Media Stream under the information unit; And

(iv) indicate the delimiter mark on two borders between the adjacent information unit.

27., also comprise the device that is used for based on construct grouping about following at least one predetermined information according to any one described device in the claim 19 to 26:

-the multicast address that is used to send;

The medium type of-Media Stream;

-coded message;

-encryption configuration information;

The data length of-information unit;

-error correction coding information; And

The data length of at least one in-Media Stream and the error correction code data.

28., also comprise being used for when receiving beginning indicating following at least one device to the recipient according to any one described device in the claim 19 to 27:

-the multicast address that is used to send;

The medium type of-Media Stream;

-coded message;

-encryption configuration information;

-error correction coding information; And

The data length of at least one in-Media Stream and the error correction code data.

29. a Media Stream receiving system that is used for receiving media stream comprises:

Be used for receiving the device of the grouping of being transmitted by multicast;

Be used for extracting the device of one or more information elements that will be reproduced from the grouping that receives; And

Be used to reproduce the device of the one or more information elements that extract.

30. device according to claim 29 also comprises being used for when described one or more information elements are encrypted, to the device of described one or more information element decodings.

31., also comprise according to claim 29 or 30 described devices:

Be used for extracting the device of at least one error correction information unit from the grouping that receives; And

If the information unit that is used for receiving has mistake or loses, then use the error correction information unit that extracts to recover the device of the described information unit that receives.

32. device according to claim 31 also comprises the mistake or the lost condition that are used for based on the information unit that receives, selects the device of optimum error correction information unit from the error correction information that extracts.

33., also comprise according to any one described device in the claim 29 to 32:

Be used to receive the device of following at least a information:

(i) information of program under the identification information unit;

The (ii) medium type of Media Stream under the information unit; And

The (iii) coded message of Media Stream under the information unit; And

Be used for carrying out the device of reproduction based on the information that receives.

34., also comprise being used to pre-determine following at least one device according to any one described device in the claim 29 to 33:

-the multicast address that is used to send;

The medium type of-Media Stream;

-coded message;

-encryption configuration information;

The data length of-information unit;

-error correction coding information; And

The data length of at least one in-Media Stream and the error correction code data.

35. according to any one described device in the claim 29 to 34, also comprise be used to receive from transmit leg indication with device following at least one relevant information:

-the multicast address that is used to receive;

The medium type of-Media Stream;

-coded message;

-encryption configuration information;

The data length of-information unit;

-error correction coding information; And

The data length of at least one in-Media Stream and the error correction code data.

36. device according to claim 34 also comprises the described information that is used for based on from the indication of described transmit leg, the device of the medium that the ability that depends on selection that the recipient carries out or described Media Stream receiving system is selected to want reproduced.

37. a Media Stream distribution method may further comprise the steps:

By send the multicast grouping according to any one described media stream sending method in the claim 1 to 10;

Distribute described multicast grouping by network with multicast function; And

By receive described multicast grouping according to any one described Media Stream method of reseptance in the claim 11 to 18.

38. a media stream distribution system comprises:

According to any one described Media Stream dispensing device in the claim 19 to 28;

According to any one described Media Stream receiving system in the claim 29 to 35; And

Comprise the network that at least one has the router of multicast capability.

39. a program is used for making computer can work to according to any one described Media Stream dispensing device of claim 19 to 28.

40. a program is used for making computer can work to according to any one described Media Stream receiving system of claim 29 to 35.

41. a storage is according to the computer readable recording medium storing program for performing of the described program of claim 39.

42. a storage is according to the computer readable recording medium storing program for performing of the described program of claim 40.

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