JP2001333394A - Program distributing device, duplication transferring device and method for transferring duplication of program data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multicast distribution system for video data which effectively utilizes a global address on the Internet prepared for multicast. SOLUTION: A program distributing device 1 attaches an identifier for identifying a stream to each stream of one piece of program data composed of a plurality of streams and distributes the program data to all of the same group address for reception. A duplication transferring device 2 duplicates the program data received from the device 1 into program quality requested by duplication transferring devices 3 and 4 on the basis of the identifier attached to each stream and distributes the resultant program data to the devices 3 and 4. The transferring device 3 duplicates the program data into program quality requested by receiving and reproducing devices 5 and 6 and distributes the program data as in the same manner as the device 2. The transferring device 4 performs program distribution to program receiving and reproducing devices 7 and 8 in the same manner as the device 3. The receiving and reproducing devices 5, 6, 7 and 8 reproduce the received program data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for distributing, transferring, receiving and reproducing a program composed of video and audio data, and more particularly to a system for transmitting and receiving a program composed of a plurality of streams.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of distributing video data to a plurality of receiving terminals using an IP (Internet Protocol) network, as shown in FIG. 13, a video server transmits a unicast channel (unicast address) as many as the number of clients. A method of distributing video program data by using the same is known. This method is a method that consumes a large amount of network transmission capacity because video data is distributed from a video server for the number of clients that receive video data. Therefore, a multicast method of video data is known as a video data distribution method that effectively utilizes the transmission capacity.

[0003] In IP multicast of video data distribution, video program data of the same quality is distributed to a plurality of clients. However, as shown in FIG. Instead, as shown in FIG. 14, the video program data is distributed using one multicast channel (multicast address), and the required number of video program data is copied in a multicast router to which a plurality of clients are connected. Then, the same video data is distributed to a plurality of clients. In this method, the video server only distributes video data for one program regardless of the number of receiving clients. In order to create and distribute the required number of copies in a router that branches and distributes video data in a transmission network. This is a transmission system that effectively utilizes the transmission capacity as compared with the unicast system.

As a transmission control method of hierarchically coded data that can be reproduced to a plurality of qualities from coded video program data, "Coded transmission control method in video multicast", Journal of the Institute of Image Information and Television Engineers, Vol. 52, N
o. 6, pages 863 to 870 (1998-6). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, a control method for transmitting hierarchically encoded video program data from a video server to a client using a plurality of channels (multicast addresses) is described. In this method, as the layering of video data, I, P, and B frame data specified by the MPEG standard, which is an international standard, and a total of six types of low frequency components and high frequency components of spatial frequency components in each frame. The encoded data is distributed from the server to the client using a plurality of channels. In the I, P, and B frame data defined by the MPEG encoding method, I frame data is required to reproduce P frame data, and I frame, P frame data is required to reproduce B frame data. Frame data is required, and as a result, the order of the I frame, P frame, and B frame has importance. Further, the spatial frequency component in each frame has a relationship of importance such that a low-frequency component representing a basic contour is more important than a high-frequency component representing details of an image.

In the coded transmission control method in the video multicast, the above-mentioned six types of hierarchical coded data are distributed from a video server to a client using six channels. Here, for example, clients 1, 2, 3, and 4
When requesting 6,4,3,1 types of hierarchical video data, router 1 distributes 6 types of hierarchical video data to router 2 and 3 types of hierarchical video data to router 3. Distribute data. The router 2 also distributes six types of hierarchical video data from the six types of hierarchical video data received from the router 1 to the client 1,
, Four types of hierarchical video data are distributed. Furthermore, the router 3 distributes three types of hierarchical video data to the client 3 and distributes one type of hierarchical video data to the client 4 from the three types of hierarchical video data received from the router 1. By distributing the hierarchical video data as described above, the configuration is such that the hierarchical data requested by each client is distributed.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional method, since video data having a plurality of layers (multiple streams) is distributed using a plurality of channels (multicast addresses), a plurality of video programs having a plurality of layers are distributed. In this case, the number of channels equal to the number of distribution videos multiplied by the number of layers is consumed. However, the global address of the Internet prepared for multicast is from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.
Due to the finite value up to 255, there is a problem that consuming a plurality of addresses in one program is not an efficient use.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to distribute one video program consisting of a plurality of layers (streams) by one channel (multicast address), and to copy only the data of the layer requested by each client in a router on the transmission path. Another object of the present invention is to provide a video data transmission / reception system for delivering video data, and to provide a video data multicast distribution system that makes effective use of global addresses on the Internet prepared for multicast.

[0008]

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the following means are used. First, according to the present invention, a program distribution device receives a program request quality for the same program from a plurality of reception / reproduction devices or copy / transfer devices, and determines a minimum necessary program data configuration that satisfies all the received program request qualities. I do. When program data composed of a plurality of streams is distributed from a program distribution device, a means for assigning an identifier to each stream constituting a program and distributing the stream to the same reception destination group address (multicast address) is used. .

A second aspect of the present invention is a copy and transfer apparatus, which is a packet data transmission apparatus, comprising a plurality of reception and reproduction apparatuses;
Alternatively, program request quality data transmitted from a plurality of copy transfer apparatuses other than the own apparatus to the program distribution apparatus is received, and a minimum required program data configuration that satisfies all of the required qualities is determined. All are discarded, and a newly determined program request of the minimum necessary configuration is transmitted to the program distribution device. In the case where the received request quality is included in the currently received program quality, the copy transfer apparatus does not issue a new program request to the program distribution apparatus. If the received request is a change in the reception quality of the currently received program, the copy transfer apparatus discards the received program quality change request, resets the program data configuration necessary for reception, and resets the current program data configuration. The program compares the received program quality setting with the received program quality setting.If they are the same, it does not make a new reception quality change request to the program distribution device. Means to do so.

Third, the present invention provides a means for making a distribution request to a program distribution apparatus by designating the distribution quality for a predetermined program, and a request for determining whether the request is a new request or changing the reception quality. And a means for notifying that That is, a program distribution device according to the present invention is a program distribution device for distributing program data composed of a plurality of streams, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a program distribution request including a program quality; and a stream corresponding to the received program quality. Means for assigning an identifier to each stream and assigning the same destination group address for distribution.

A program distribution apparatus for distributing program data composed of a plurality of streams receives a program distribution request including program quality for the same program from a plurality of apparatuses (receiving / reproducing apparatus and / or copy / transfer apparatus). Receiving means, means for determining a minimum required stream combination that satisfies all of the received plurality of program qualities, and assigning an identifier to each stream determined by the means for each stream and assigning the same destination group address And a means for delivering.

[0012] A copy and transfer apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a receiving means for receiving a plurality of program distribution requests including program quality transmitted from a plurality of reception / reproduction apparatuses and / or other copy / transfer apparatuses to a program distribution apparatus; Setting means for setting a program distribution request including a minimum necessary program quality that satisfies all of the plurality of program qualities; and means for discarding the received program distribution request and transmitting the program distribution request set by the setting means to the program distribution apparatus. It is characterized by having.

[0013] The copy and transfer apparatus according to the present invention further includes a receiving means for receiving a plurality of program distribution requests including program quality transmitted from a plurality of reception / reproduction apparatuses and / or other copy / transfer apparatuses to the program distribution apparatus; Storage means for storing a program distribution request including a program quality to be requested to be distributed to the program distribution device;
Calculating means for integrating the received plurality of program distribution requests and calculating an integrated program distribution request including the minimum required program quality that satisfies all of the plurality of program qualities; and the integrated program distribution request obtained by the calculating means Means for changing the program distribution request stored in the storage means to the integrated program distribution request obtained by the arithmetic means when the content of the program distribution request differs from the content of the program distribution request stored in the storage means; And transmitting means for transmitting the changed program distribution request to the program distribution device when the content of the stored program distribution request is changed.

As one specific mode, there is provided means for accumulating and holding the program quality requested to be distributed to the program distribution device, and a plurality of reception / reproduction devices and / or a plurality of other copy / transfer devices. Means for receiving the program request quality data transmitted to the program, and the new program request quality for the newly received same program is not included in the program quality for the program currently requested to be received by the program distribution apparatus. And means for newly distributing a distribution request with integrated quality that satisfies both the received new program quality and the quality currently requested for reception to the program distribution device.

[0015] In another aspect, from the same receiving / reproducing apparatus or another copy / transfer apparatus that has already made a distribution request, a notification for changing the reception quality of the program being received and distributed from the current program distribution apparatus is received. Has a means for revising the required quality data for the receiving / reproducing apparatus or another copy / transfer apparatus which has already been stored and held, and newly sets a quality for integrating all the required qualities for a program whose required quality has been changed. , Compare the newly set integrated request quality with the already requested program quality, do not make a new reception quality change request to the program distribution device if they are the same, Means for making a distribution request with the newly set reception quality.

The copy and transfer apparatus according to the present invention further comprises means for receiving a plurality of program distribution requests including program quality transmitted from a plurality of reception / reproduction apparatuses and / or other copy and transfer apparatuses to the program distribution apparatus; Storage means for storing a destination port for each receiving / reproducing apparatus and / or another copy / transfer apparatus which has made a distribution request, and a requested program quality; means for receiving program data distributed from the program distribution apparatus; Each distribution destination where the received program data is subjected to copy conversion in accordance with the program quality of each receiving / reproducing device and / or another copy / transfer device that has made a program distribution request, and added and stored a group address for each program as a final destination. Means for delivering to a port.

According to the method of copying and transferring program data according to the present invention, a step of receiving a program distribution request including program quality transmitted from a receiving / reproducing device or another copying and transferring device to a program distribution device, and a program distribution request are performed. Storing the destination port of the device and the requested program quality in the storage means, and calculating and storing the minimum necessary integrated program quality which satisfies the program quality of all the program distribution requests by integrating the received program quality Discarding the received program distribution request and transmitting the program distribution request to the program distribution device with the integrated program quality stored in the storage means; storing the program data received from the program distribution device in the storage means And copying to the distribution destination port in accordance with the program quality of the distribution destination port.

[0018] The program receiving / reproducing apparatus designates a distribution request for the program distribution apparatus by designating the distribution quality for a predetermined program, and responds to the request whether the request is a new request or a request for changing the reception quality. And means for notifying the user of the presence.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a program data transmission / reception system according to the present invention. The program transmission / reception system includes a program distribution device 1 for distributing program data, duplicate transfer devices 2, 3, and 4 for transferring program data, and reception and reproduction devices 5, 6, 7, and 8.

More specifically, the program distribution device 1 includes a CPU 11 connected to a bus 10 and a CPU 11
A program storage unit 12 for storing a program data distribution processing program operating on a PC, a main memory 14 for storing and retaining data required during the program data distribution process, and a hierarchical video data unit 15 for storing and retaining distribution data. And an input / output unit 13 for data distribution. Since the copy transfer apparatuses 2, 3, and 4 have the same configuration, the configuration will be described in detail here on behalf of the copy transfer apparatus 4. The copy transfer device 4 includes a CPU 41 connected by a bus 40 and a C
A program storage unit 42 for storing a program data copy and transfer processing program operated by the PU unit 41; a main memory 45 for storing and holding data required during the program data copy and transfer process; Parts 43, 4
4, 46.

Since the receiving and reproducing devices 5, 6, 7, and 8 have the same configuration, the configuration of the receiving and reproducing device 8 will be described in detail here. The reception / reproduction device 8 includes a CPU 81 connected via a bus 80, a program storage unit 82 storing a program data reception / reproduction program operated by the CPU 81, and a program storage unit 82 for storing data required during the program data reception / reproduction processing. A main memory 87 for storing, an input / output unit 85 for receiving a program data distribution request and program data distributed from the program distribution device, a decoding unit 86 for decrypting the received data, and It comprises a display / reproducing unit 83 for reproducing and displaying program data, a program table accumulating unit 88 for accumulating and holding receivable program data, and an input unit 84 for receiving an input of required video quality from a user.

Next, the operation of the program data transmission / reception system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The program reception / reproduction device C4 of FIG. 8 first loads the processing program stored and held in the program storage unit 82 into the CPU unit 81, and starts the reception / reproduction operation of the program. The detailed processing operation of the CPU unit 81 will be described later with reference to FIG. Subsequently, in the receiving and reproducing apparatus 8, the program guide data for program reception is stored and held in the program guide storage unit 88 in advance. When the reception / reproduction operation is started, the CPU section 81 reads out the program table data from the program table storage section 88 and displays it on the display / reproduction section 83.

FIG. 2 shows a display example of the program guide data displayed by the display / reproduction unit 83. The programs of group 1 and group 2 are transmitted from the program distribution apparatus 1 (the address value in hexadecimal notation is 0xC0A8F001). Indicates that it will be delivered. The program of group 1 is distributed to 0xC0A80100, which is a destination group address (corresponding to a multicast address), so that when performing reception and reproduction, it is necessary to receive data having the destination group address 0xC0A80100. . Also, it shows that the program of group 1 is composed of four types of streams. Furthermore, the programs of group 1 are of quality 1 to quality 15 represented by 4 bits (one program is composed of four types of streams).
This indicates that reception of different qualities is possible, and that the selection of quality 0 indicating the end of reception is possible.

The following description is based on the assumption that the user of the receiving device 8 has newly selected the reception / reproduction with the quality 2 of the group 1 shown in 91 using the input unit 84. When the user newly selects the program reception with the quality 2 of the group 1 by the input unit 84, the receiving and reproducing apparatus C4 sends the program shown in 94 of FIG. Send request command data. In the program request command data 94, the command data delivery destination address (0xC0A8F001), the address of the device that issued the command (0xC0A800C4), the name of the program requested to be received (group 1: 0xC0A80100), and the request are new. Of the program (new reception: 0xFF), and the required quality (quality: 2: 0x02) of the program requested to be received. After the program distribution request, the reception / playback device 8 receives the program data via the input / output unit 85, decodes the data at the decoding unit 86, and plays back the decoded program data at the display / playback unit 83. Display.

When the user changes the reception quality of the currently received program (group 1) to the quality 3 shown at 92 in FIG. 2, the reception quality change command data shown at 95 in FIG. The data is transmitted from the input / output unit 85 of the reception / reproduction device 8 to the program distribution device 1. The configuration of the quality change command data 95 is basically the same as that of the new program request command data 94, except that the command name changes from new reception (0xFF) to quality change (0x0F). And the required quality changes from quality 2 (0x02) to quality 3 (0x02).
This is the point that will be changed to 03).

Further, when the user selects the reception end shown in 93 in FIG. 2 for the program (group 1) currently being received, the reception end command data shown in 96 in FIG. It is transmitted from the input / output unit 85 of the playback device 8 to the program distribution device 1. The configuration of the reception end command data shown in 96 is basically the same as that of the program reception quality change command data 95, except that the command name changes from the quality change (0x0F) to the reception end (0x00). It is a point that changes to. The above is the operation of the program receiving and reproducing apparatus.

Next, the operation of the copy transfer apparatus will be described. The copy transfer device R3 in FIG. 1 stores the processing program stored and held in the program storage
The data is loaded into the U section 41 and the processing operation is started. The detailed processing operation of the CPU 41 will be described later with reference to FIG. Upon receiving a new program distribution request from the reception and reproduction devices 7 and 8 to the program distribution device 1, the copy transfer device R3 integrates the request and newly distributes the integrated request quality to the program distribution device 1. Note that command data such as a program distribution request can be identified by attaching an identifier to a predetermined field in a header of a packet transmitting the command data. As the predetermined field, for example, IET
RFC 24 of Internet Engineering Task Force (F)
DS (Differentiated Services) field described in 74 (Request For Comments 2474)
It is possible to use CP (Differentiated Services Code Point).

Here, the case where there is a distribution request of quality 1 from the receiving / reproducing device C3 to the program group 1 and a distribution request of quality 3 from the receiving / reproducing device C4 to the program group 1 will be described. Will be described. First, the receiving / reproducing device C3 is transmitted from the input / output unit 44 to the program distribution device 1
Request quality 1 of program group 1 requesting
Is received, a search is performed to determine whether or not a distribution request for program group 1 has been registered. If not registered, a request destination address for requesting program distribution (distribution device 1: 0xC0A8F001) as shown in FIG. , The group name of the requested program (group 1: 0xC0A80100), the distribution destination port of the device that requested the program (reception / reproduction device C3: 0xC0A800C3),
And the required reception quality for the requested program (quality 1: 0x0
1) is stored and held in the main memory 45. When the receiving / reproducing device C4 receives the distribution request quality 3 of the program group 1 requested from the program receiving device 1 from the input / output unit 43, it is determined whether the distribution request for the program group 1 is registered as described above. And if it has already been registered, the main memory 45 stores the distribution destination port (reception / reproduction device C4: 0xC0A800C4) of the device that has requested the program and the reception request quality (quality 3: 0x03) for the requested program. And store it.

When a request for a program is registered, the received request quality is integrated, and the integrated required quality is accumulated and held in the main memory 45. As an integration method, when a new reception request is received, the destination port and the reception request quality are stored and held as described above, and the integrated request quality 101 already stored and held is compared with the new request quality. The integration can be performed by calculating a logical sum. In the case of a change in the quality already received and a termination of the reception instead of a new request, it is possible to integrate by recalculating the logical sum of all the stored and held required reception qualities.

In FIG. 4, the logical sum of the received required quality 1 (0x01) and the quality 3 (0x03) accumulated and held is calculated (integrated), and the integrated required quality 3 (0x03) of 101 is calculated. This shows a state where the data is stored and held in the memory 45. The required quality 1 (binary 0001) indicates 1 of the stream constituting the program, and the required quality 3 (binary 0011) indicates 1 and 2 of the stream constituting the program. Since the quality with the minimum data configuration having the quality is the quality 3, the integrated required quality only needs to accumulate and hold the quality 3. The copy and transfer device R3 is a receiving and reproducing device C
3, for the new program request received from C4, the table shown in FIG. 4 is created and stored, and then the received request is discarded, and the received request with the new integrated reception quality is stored and held. Request destination address (program distribution device 1: 0xC0A8
F001).

That is, the copy and transfer apparatus R3 first receives a reception request with the quality 1 for the program group 1 by the reception and reproduction apparatus C3.
, The request after integration shown in 102 in FIG. As shown in 102, the command data after integration includes a request destination address (program distribution device 1: 0xC0A8F001), a request source address (copy transfer device R3: 0xC0A83000), and a program group name (group 1: 0x).
C0A80100), the command name (new reception: 0xFF), and the required quality after integration (quality 1: 0x01).

Subsequently, when the copy and transfer apparatus R3 receives a reception request of quality 3 for the program group 1 from the reception and reproduction apparatus C4, the command data received from the reception and reproduction apparatus C4 is discarded, and the copy and transfer apparatus 103 shown in FIG. Is transmitted to the program distribution device 1. That is, since the copy transfer apparatus R3 needs to receive the data of the program group 1 at the quality 1 at the beginning, it needs to receive the data at the quality 3,
It is necessary to transmit the command data of the reception quality change shown in 03 to the program distribution device 1. The command data for changing the quality includes a request destination address (program distribution device 1: 0xC0A8F001), a request source address (copy transfer device R3: 0xC0A83000), a program group name (group 1: 0xC0A80100), and a command name as shown in 103. (Quality change: 0x0F) and the integrated required quality after the change (quality: 3x0x03).

When the copy and transfer apparatus R3 receives a command to end the reception for the program group 1 from the receiving and reproducing apparatuses C3 and C4, the copy and transfer apparatus R3 needs to receive the program data for the group 1. Since there is no,
The reception end command data received from the reception devices C3 and C4 is discarded, and the command data 104 for ending the reception of the program data for the group 1 is newly transmitted to the program distribution device 1. The command data for ending the program data reception includes a request destination address (program distribution device 1: 0xC0A8F001), a request source address (copy and transfer device R3: 0xC0A83000), and a program group name (104) in FIG. Group 1: 0xC0A80100), command name (reception end: 0xFF), and quality after reception (quality 0: 0x00)
Consists of

FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the program name stored and held in the copy transfer device R1 and the distribution destination. Since the copy transfer device R1 performs the same operation as the copy transfer device R3, a brief description will be given here. When the transfer device R1 first receives a reception request command of quality 3 for the program group 1 from the copy transfer device R3, as shown in FIG. 6, the program request destination address (program distribution device: 0xC0A8F001), the program group The name (group 1: 0xC0A8F001), the distribution destination of the program data (copy transfer device R3: 0xC0A83000), and the required quality (quality: 3: 0x03) of the program to be received are stored and retained, and quality 3 (0011: 0x03). The newly received command data received from the copy transfer device R3 is discarded, and the newly received command data indicated by reference numeral 106 in FIG.

Subsequently, when the copy transfer apparatus R1 receives a reception request command of quality 6 for the program group 1 from the copy transfer apparatus R2, registration of the reception apparatus with respect to the program group 1 has already been performed as shown in FIG. Is being done,
The delivery destination port (copy transfer apparatus R2: 0xC0A82000) and the required reception quality (quality 6: 0x06) are accumulated and held, and the quality 7 (011) indicated by 105 as the integrated required quality is stored.
1: 0x07). The command data of the new reception received from the copy transfer device R2 is discarded, and the command data of the reception quality change indicated by 107 in FIG. 7 is newly transmitted to the program distribution device 1.

When the copy transfer device R1 receives command data indicating the end of reception for the program group 1 from the copy transfer devices R2 and R3, the copy transfer device R3
Since there is no need to receive the program data for the group 1, the command data 108 for discarding the reception end command data received from the copy and transfer apparatuses R2 and R3 and newly terminating the program data reception for the group 1 is discarded.
Is transmitted to the program distribution device 1. The above is the operation of starting, changing, and ending the program data reception in the copy and transfer apparatus.

Next, the duplication and transfer of the program data by the duplication and transfer device will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when there is a reception request of quality 1 and quality 3 for the program group 1 from the reception and reproduction devices C3 and C4, the copy transfer device R3 sends the program group 1 to the program distribution device 1. 1 is requested to be distributed at quality 3, and program data of program group 1 is received from input / output unit A at quality 3.

FIG. 8 shows the structure of program data received by the copy transfer device R3 from the program distribution device. A plurality of streams (S1, S2, S3,
S4) is an identifier (0x) of a predetermined field in the header.
1C, 0x2C, 0x3C, 0x4C). As the predetermined field in the header, the DSC (Differentiated Services) field
P (Differentiated Services Code Point) can be used. The individual stream can be identified by the code point. The data of the program group 1 received from the program distribution device 1 by the copy and transfer device R3 is copied based on the identifier according to the distribution destination port and the reception quality request in FIG. Are performed, and each of the receiving / reproducing devices C3, C3, which has made a reception request from the input / output units B, C of the duplication transfer device R3 shown in FIG.
The program data of the program group 1 of different quality is distributed to C4. The above is the operation of the copy transfer device.

Next, the operation of the program distribution device 1 of FIG. 1 will be described. In the program distribution device 1, hierarchically encoded video data composed of a plurality of streams is stored and held in the hierarchical video data unit 15 in advance. First, the processing program stored in the program storage unit 12 is loaded into the CPU unit 11, and the distribution operation of the program data is started. The detailed processing operation of the CPU unit 11 will be described later with reference to FIG. When the distribution operation of the program data is started, the program waits for a program request from the receiving device. For example, when a request for distribution of the program group 1 with a quality of 7 is made by the copy transfer device R1, as shown in FIG. 9, the name of the program group to be distributed (group 1: 0xC0A80100) and the distribution destination port (copy) The transfer device R1: 0xC0A81000) and the distribution quality (quality 7: 0x07) are accumulated and held in the main memory 14.

When a distribution request is received, necessary program data is read from the hierarchical video data section 15 based on the distribution program group name and distribution quality shown in FIG. The identifier shown in FIG. 8 is added to the header of the transmission packet, and the packet is transmitted from the input / output unit 13 to the copy transfer device R1 (0xC0A81000) as the distribution destination. The above is the operation of the program distribution device. In this embodiment, the distribution of the program data composed of a plurality of stored streams has been described, but the program data composed of a plurality of streams generated in real time may be distributed.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a process executed by the CPU 11 of the program distribution device 1. (1) When the power of the program distribution device 1 is turned on, the processing program stored and held in the program storage
The program data is loaded into the unit 11 and the distribution operation of the program data is started (step 110). (2) When the distribution operation of the program data is started, the input / output unit 1
It is determined whether the command data for the program has arrived at 3 and if the command data has arrived, then it is determined whether or not the command data is a command for requesting new reception of the program data. (Step 11
1, 112).

(3) If it is determined in step 112 that the received command is command data requesting a new program distribution, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a program group name to be distributed (group 1: 0xC0A80100) , The destination port of the program data (copy transfer device R1: 0xC0A8100
0) and the distribution quality (quality 7: 0x07) of the program data is registered (stored and held) in the main memory 14, and step 1
11 (steps 112, 113, 11)
1). (4) If it is determined in step 112 that the received command data is not command data for newly requesting program distribution, then it is determined whether or not the command data is command data for changing the quality of the received program. A judgment is made (steps 112 and 114).

(5) If it is determined in step 114 that the received command data is command data for changing the quality of the received program, the main memory 14
Search for the data for program distribution stored and held in, change the distribution quality of the corresponding program group and distribution destination port,
Return to the processing of step 111 (steps 114 and 11
5,111). (6) If it is determined in step 114 that the received command data is not command data for changing the quality of the program being received, then the command data is a command requesting termination of reception of the received program from the program receiving apparatus. It is determined whether the data is data (step 114,
116).

(7) If it is determined in step 116 that the received command data is command data for requesting termination of reception of a program received from the program receiving apparatus, the distribution setting of the corresponding program group and distribution destination port ( For example, the setting shown in FIG.
1 (steps 116, 117 and 111). (8) If it is determined in step 111 that no command data has arrived, it is determined whether or not the setting for distributing the program (for example, the setting shown in FIG. 9) is stored and held. Make a decision (steps 111 and 1
18). (9) If it is determined in step 118 that the setting for distributing the program is not stored and held, the process returns to step 111 (steps 118 and 1).
11)

(10) In the determination at step 118,
If it is determined that the setting for distributing the program is stored and held, the program of the relevant program group to be transmitted per unit time is determined according to the distribution setting (name of the program group to be distributed and distribution quality). The data is read out from the hierarchical video data unit 15 and, for example, an identifier for each stream shown in FIG. 8 and a program group name address (group 1: 0xC0A80100) are given as the final destination, and the registered distribution destination port (copy) It is delivered to the transfer device R1: 0xC0A81000) (steps 118 and 119). After the distribution of the program data to be distributed per unit time, the process returns to step 111 (step 111). The above is the flow of the processing executed by the CPU 11 of the program distribution device 1.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the CPU unit of the copy transfer device, for example, the CPU unit 41 of the copy transfer device R3. (1) When the power of the copy transfer device R3 is turned on, the processing program stored and held in the program storage unit 42 is loaded into the CPU unit 41, and the copy / transfer operation of the program data is started (step 120). ). (2) When the copy / transfer operation of the program data is started, 4
It is determined whether or not command data for the program has arrived at the input / output units B and C at 4, 43. If the command data has arrived, the command data subsequently requests new reception of program data. It is determined whether the command is a command to be executed (steps 121 and 122).

(3) If it is determined in step 122 that the received command is command data for requesting a new program distribution, it is searched whether a distribution request for the requesting program group is registered. If not registered, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the program distribution request destination (program distribution device 1: 0xC0A8F001), the distribution requesting program group name (group 1: 0xC0A80100), the distribution destination port of the program data (reception) The reproduction device (0xC0A800C3) and the required distribution quality (quality: 1x01) of the program data are registered (stored and held) in the main memory 45. In addition, the received command data is discarded, and the new command command data 102 shown in FIG.

Further, if a new reception request is received from another device (for example, the reception / reproduction device C4) for a program (for example, group 1) for which reception request registration has already been performed, FIG.
As shown in (1), the distribution destination port (reception / reproduction device C4: 0xC0A800C4) of the device that has requested the program and the required reception quality (quality: 3: 0x03) for the requested program are accumulated and held in the main memory 45. When a new reception request for the same program from another device is registered, the reception request quality is integrated, and the integrated required quality (quality: 3: 0x03) is stored and held in the main memory 45. Further, the received command data is discarded, and the distribution quality change command data for the receiving program shown at 103 in FIG. 5 is newly transmitted to the program distribution device 1, and the process returns to step 121. As an integration method, when a new reception request is received from another device, the delivery destination port and the reception request quality are stored and held as described above, and the integrated request quality 101 already stored and held is compared with the new integration request quality. It is possible to integrate by calculating the logical sum with the required quality. (Step 12
2, 123, 121).

(4) If it is determined in step 122 that the received command data is not command data for requesting a new program distribution, then the command data is command data for changing the quality of the received program. It is determined whether or not it is (steps 122 and 124). (5) If it is determined in step 124 that the received command data is command data for changing the quality of the program currently being received, the data for program distribution stored and held in the main memory 45 is searched. The distribution quality of the corresponding program group and the distribution destination port is changed, the logical sum of all the qualities stored and held as the reception request quality of the corresponding program group is calculated, and the required quality after integration is updated (storage and retention)
I do. When the required quality after integration is changed, 103 in FIG.
Is transmitted to the program distribution apparatus 1 and returns to the process of step 121 (steps 124, 125, 121). (6) If the received command data is not the command data for changing the quality of the currently received program in the determination at step 124, the command data subsequently requests the end of reception of the received program from the program receiving apparatus. It is determined whether the data is command data (step 12).
4,126).

(7) If it is determined in step 126 that the received command data is command data for requesting termination of reception of the program currently received from the program receiving apparatus, the corresponding program group and distribution destination port (For example, the program receiving device C4 shown in FIG. 4)
If there is a reception request for the relevant program even after deletion, calculate the logical sum of all the reception request qualities stored and held for the relevant program and update the integrated request quality (Accumulate and hold). When the integrated request quality is updated, the reception quality change command data for changing the reception quality similar to 103 in FIG. 5 is transmitted to the program distribution device 1. According to the received program reception end command data, after the reception request of the corresponding device is deleted, if there is no reception request registration for the same program, the command data shown in 104 of FIG. 1 and returns to the process of step 121 (steps 126, 127, 121).

(8) If it is determined in step 121 that the command data has not arrived, the setting for copying and transferring the program data (for example, FIG. 4)
(Steps 121 and 128). (9) If it is determined in step 128 that the setting for copying and transferring the program data is not stored and held, the process returns to step 121 (step 1).
(10) If it is determined in step 128 that the setting for distributing the program is stored and held, the copy transfer setting (name of the program group to be distributed, distribution port, and In accordance with the (delivery quality), the program data for the corresponding program received from the input / output unit 46 is duplicated in accordance with the quality of each destination port based on the identifier, and transmitted to the destination port (steps 128 and 129). After copying and transferring all the program data received from the input / output unit 46, the process returns to step 121 (step 121).
The above is the flow of processing executed by the CPU unit of the copy transfer device, for example, the CPU unit 41 of the four copy transfer devices R3.

FIG. 12 shows a CPU section of the program receiving and reproducing apparatus.
For example, it shows a flowchart of a process executed by the CPU unit 81 of the program reception / reproduction device C4. (1) When the power of the program reception / reproduction device C4 is turned on, the processing program stored and held in the program storage unit 82 is loaded into the CPU unit 81, and the reception / reproduction operation of the program data is started (step 130). (2) When the program data reception / reproduction operation starts, the CP
The U section 81 reads out the program table data from the program table storage section 88 and, for example, displays the program table data shown in FIG.
Then, it is determined whether or not the user has made any selection for the program through the input unit 84 (steps 131 and 132).

(3) If it is determined in step 132 that the user has made any selection for the program, then it is determined whether or not the selection is a selection for requesting a new reception of the program data (step 132). Steps 132 and 13
3). (4) If it is determined in step 133 that the command selected by the user is command data requesting a new program distribution, the command data requesting reception is input to the input / output unit as shown at 94 in FIG. The program 85 is distributed to the program distribution apparatus 1 and the reception status of the program 94 is stored and retained in the main memory 87, and the process returns to the step 132 (steps 133, 134, 132). (5) If it is determined in step 133 that the command selected by the user is not a command for requesting a new program distribution, whether or not the subsequently selected command is a command for changing the quality of the currently received program is determined. Is determined (steps 133 and 135).

(6) If it is determined in step 135 that the command selected by the user is the command data for changing the reception quality of the program currently being received, the command received and stored in the main memory 87 for the program reception is changed. The data is searched, the reception quality of the corresponding program group is changed, and the reception quality change command data of the format shown in 95 in FIG. After the transmission, the process returns to step 132 (steps 135, 1
36, 132). (7) If it is determined in step 135 that the command selected by the user is not the command data for changing the reception quality of the currently received program, the command data subsequently terminates reception of the received program from the program receiving apparatus. It is determined whether the command is a request (step 13).
5,137).

(8) If it is determined in step 137 that the command selected by the user is a command requesting termination of reception of the program currently being received from the program receiving apparatus, the command is applied as shown at 96 in FIG. The command data for terminating the reception of the program group to be transmitted is transmitted from the input / output unit 85 to the program distribution device 1, the stored program reception request setting is deleted, and the process returns to step 132 (step 137, step 137). 138, 132). (9) If it is determined in step 132 that the user has not made any selection for the program, then it is determined whether or not data for program reproduction has been received (steps 132 and 139). .

(10) In the determination in step 139,
If it is determined that the data for program reproduction has not been received, the process returns to step 132 (steps 139 and 139).
32) (11) If it is determined in step 139 that data for program reproduction has been received, the input / output unit 8
5 is decoded by the decoding unit 86, and the display and reproduction unit 83 reproduces and displays the decoded program data. After transferring all the program data received via the input / output unit 85 to the decoding unit 86, the process returns to step 132 (steps 139, 140, 1).
32). The above is the flow of processing executed by the CPU unit of the program reception / reproduction device, for example, the CPU unit 81 of the eight program reception / reproduction devices C4.

In the example of the program data transmission / reception system shown in FIG.
1 connected. However, a system configuration in which the program distribution device 1 is connected to a plurality of copy transfer devices, or a system configuration in which the program distribution device 1 is directly connected to a plurality of program reception and reproduction devices via a hub or the like is also possible. With such a system configuration, the program distribution device itself receives a plurality of program request qualities for one program. In that case, the CPU unit 1 of the program distribution device 1 determines the minimum necessary program data configuration that satisfies all the received distribution request qualities, as in the copy transfer devices 2, 3, and 4. It is advantageous to have a function of distributing only the determined minimum program data.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to realize a program transmission / reception system capable of distributing programs of different qualities to a plurality of reception / playback apparatuses using one channel of one program composed of a plurality of streams. This also allows the program distribution device to
Only the minimum required data requested from the program receiving device can be distributed. Furthermore, since one program composed of a plurality of storms is distributed on one channel, the number of channels can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a program data transmission / reception system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a program quality selection display displayed on the receiving and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a program request transmitted from a reception / reproduction device to a program distribution device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration stored and held in a copy transfer device connected to a program reception / reproduction device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a program request transmitted from a copy transfer device to a program distribution device via another copy transfer device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration stored and held in a copy transfer device connected to a program distribution device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a program request transmitted from the copy transfer device to the program distribution device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of program data distributed from a program distribution device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration stored and held in a program distribution device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the program distribution device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copy transfer apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the program reception / reproduction device.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a conventional unicast distribution system.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a conventional multicast distribution system.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a conventional hierarchical video program data distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: program distribution device, 2, 3, 4: copy transfer device, 5,
6, 7, 8: reception / reproduction device, 10, 40, 80: bus,
11, 41, 81: CPU unit, 12, 42, 82: program storage unit, 13, 43, 44, 46, 84: input / output unit, 14, 45, 87: main memory, 15: hierarchical video data, 83: Display / reproducing unit, 84: input unit, 86: decoding unit, 88: program data storage unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A program distribution device for distributing program data composed of a plurality of streams, a receiving means for receiving a program distribution request including a program quality from the plurality of devices, and a requirement for satisfying all of the plurality of received program qualities. A program distribution apparatus comprising: means for determining a minimum combination of streams; and means for assigning an identifier to each stream determined by the means and assigning the same destination group address to distribute the stream. . 2. A receiving means for receiving a plurality of program distribution requests including a program quality transmitted from a plurality of receiving / reproducing apparatuses and / or another copy / transfer apparatus to a program distribution apparatus, and Setting means for setting a program distribution request including the minimum required program quality to be satisfied, and means for discarding the received program distribution request and transmitting the program distribution request set by the setting means to the program distribution device. Copy transfer device. 3. A receiving means for receiving a plurality of program distribution requests including program quality transmitted from a plurality of receiving / reproducing apparatuses and / or other copy / transfer apparatuses to a program distribution apparatus, and requesting the program distribution apparatus for distribution. Storage means for storing a program distribution request including a desired program quality, and an operation for integrating a plurality of received program distribution requests and calculating an integrated program distribution request including a minimum necessary program quality that satisfies all of the plurality of program qualities Means for calculating the program distribution request stored in the storage means when the content of the integrated program distribution request obtained by the calculation means is different from the content of the program distribution request stored in the storage means. Means for changing to the integrated program distribution request obtained by the program, and changing the program distribution request when the contents of the program distribution request stored in the storage means are changed. A transmission unit for transmitting the data to a distribution device. 4. A means for receiving a plurality of program distribution requests including program qualities transmitted from a plurality of reception / reproduction devices and / or other copy / transfer devices to a program distribution device, and a reception / reproduction device which has made a program distribution request And / or a storage unit for storing a destination port for each copy and transfer device and a requested program quality, a unit for receiving program data distributed from the program distribution device, and a program distribution request for the received program data. Means for performing copy conversion in accordance with the program quality of each receiving / reproducing apparatus and / or other copy / transfer apparatus that has performed the above, assigning a group address for each program as a final destination, and distributing the group address to each of the stored destination ports. A copy transfer device, comprising: 5. A step of receiving a program distribution request including program quality transmitted from a receiving / reproducing apparatus or another copy / transfer apparatus to a program distribution apparatus, and a distribution destination port of the apparatus which has issued the program distribution request and a requested port. Storing the program quality in the storage means, integrating the received program quality, calculating and storing the minimum necessary integrated program quality that satisfies the program quality of all program distribution requests, and discarding the received program distribution request Transmitting a program distribution request to the program distribution device with the integrated program quality stored in the storage means; and transmitting the program data received from the program distribution device to the program quality of the distribution destination port stored in the storage means. Copying in accordance with the quality and transmitting the copy to the distribution destination port.