JP2002191038A - Moving picture distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moving picture distribution system and method that can relieve a load on the network traffic between a moving picture distribution server and a repeater and relieve a load on the network traffic of a specific client terminal only for communication between the repeater and the specific client terminal without giving effect on data transfer of other client terminals. SOLUTION: The repeater 20 receives a moving picture data distribution request from a client terminal 31, references relay distribution information stored in a storage section 22, copies moving picture data when the same moving picture data are distributed to another client terminal, receives moving picture data from the moving picture distribution server when the moving picture data are not distributed to the other client terminal, a transmission data quantity revision section 23 revises as required a transmission data quantity of the moving picture data, updates/generates intermediate distribution information and the repeater 20 relay-distributes the moving picture data to the client terminal 31. The transmission data quantity revision section 23 revises the transmission data quantity on the basis of a load of a network to which the client terminal 31 is connected and user information of the client terminal 31.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a moving image distribution system and a moving image distribution method having a relay device for relaying distribution of moving image data, and more particularly, to moving image data for facility monitoring via the Internet / intranet. The present invention relates to a moving image distribution system and a moving image distribution method suitable for relaying moving image data between a receiving device and a moving image distribution device when viewing with a plurality of receiving devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a method of transmitting moving image data from a moving image distribution server, which is a moving image distribution device, to a plurality of client terminals, which are reception devices, on the Internet / intranet is a multicast, particularly a multicast by IP communication. A technique called IP multicast has been widely used (Vinay Ku)
mar, "Internet Multicast MBon
e ", Impress, 1996, etc.). IP multicast is a technique for simultaneously transmitting the same data to a large number of partners by IP communication.

On the other hand, as a method for distributing moving image data to a plurality of client terminals using a relay device, a method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-331812 by Ikuzawa et al. There is a way. According to this technology, the relay device determines whether or not to cache the distribution data dynamically in response to a distribution request from the client terminal without using the multicast,
It realizes intelligent data distribution to client terminals.

[0004]

According to the above-mentioned multicast technology, when performing data communication requiring a wide band transmission capacity such as moving image data from a plurality of client terminals, a relay device (in the case of IP multicast, , A router) is transferred as one data, and the relay device can copy and transfer the data to a plurality of client terminals.

However, since the relay device merely duplicates and relays the data to be transmitted, when the traffic on the network connected to one of the client terminals to which the data is to be transmitted is large and transmission is difficult, It is necessary to give up the transmission to the client terminal or reduce the transmission data amount of the moving image data distributed by the moving image distribution server. In the latter case, there is a disadvantage that the amount of moving image data transmitted to the client terminal receiving another moving image data is also reduced.

According to the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-331812, a relay device is installed between a moving image distribution server and a client terminal, and a plurality of moving images with different transmission timings from the client terminal in the relay device. For data distribution requests, efficient moving image distribution is realized by caching according to the difference in request timing, but this technology also has the same problem of moving image data distribution as multicast technology. Not resolved.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the data is distributed as one data between the moving image distribution server and the relay device in the same manner as the multicast technique to reduce the load of network traffic, and the intermediate device and the client terminal are connected to another client. A moving image distribution system and a moving image distribution system for distributing moving image data by changing a transmission data amount in consideration of a load on a network to which the client terminal is connected, without affecting a data transfer to the terminal and only a specific client terminal It is an object to provide a distribution method.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a moving image distribution device for distributing moving image data, a receiving device for receiving moving image data, and moving image data distributed by the moving image distribution device And a relay apparatus that relays the received information to the receiving apparatus, and a moving image distribution system including a network that connects the distribution apparatus, the receiving apparatus, and the relay apparatus.

Specifically, the relay device includes information for identifying the moving image distribution device, information for identifying the moving image data distributed by the moving image distribution device, and transmission data of the distributed moving image data. A storage unit having information indicating the attribute of the receiving apparatus that is referring to the same moving image data as the information indicating the amount, and when relaying moving image data distribution to a specific receiving apparatus, The transmission data amount changing means for changing the transmission data amount of the moving image data to be distributed, and the transmission data amount changing means is instructed to change the transmission data amount based on the information in the storage device, and the transmission data amount is changed to the receiving device. A processing unit that performs a moving image data distribution process is provided.

[0010] Thus, the moving image is distributed according to the following procedure. First, a moving image data distribution request from the client terminal to the moving image distribution device is relayed and received by the relay device.

If the relay device does not relay the same moving image data as the requested moving image data to another client terminal, the relay device transmits a moving image data distribution request from the client terminal. Is transmitted to the moving image distribution device, and the moving image data from the moving image distribution device is received. Here, if necessary, the transmission data amount of the received moving image data is changed, and the information on the moving image data distributed from the moving image distribution device and the information on the moving image data to be relay-distributed to the client terminal are described above. The moving image data is relay-distributed to the client terminal while being held in a storage device of the relay device.

In the case where the relay device relays the same moving image data as the requested moving image data to another client terminal, the relay device relays the moving image data to the other client terminal. Copy the moving image data to be distributed, if necessary, change the transmission data amount of the copied moving image data, and store the relay data to the other client terminal in the previous period. Information about new relay distribution to the client terminal is added, and the moving image data is relay distributed to the client terminal.

[0013] Here, when changing the transmission data amount of the moving image data to be relay-distributed in the relay device, the transmission data amount is determined according to the traffic load of the network to which the client terminal is connected. The apparatus includes a measuring unit that measures a loss of the received moving image data and transmits a measured data loss ratio to the relay device.

Thus, the distribution of the moving image data is performed according to the following procedure. First, the receiving device transmits the measured data loss rate to the relay device. The relay device determines a transmission data amount of moving image data to the receiving device from a data loss rate in the receiving device that receives from the receiving device, and transmits the same or similar moving image data to another receiving device. In the case of relay distribution with the data amount, the moving image data is duplicated, and in the case where the same moving image is not relay-distributed to other receiving devices with the same or similar transmission data amount, the moving image distribution device Is changed to the transmission data amount, and the copied or changed moving image data is relay-distributed to the receiving device.

Further, when changing the transmission data amount of the moving image data to be relay-distributed in the relay device, if the transmission data amount is determined based on the user name of the user of the client terminal, the reception device is configured to perform Input means for inputting the user name of the user of the receiving device, and processing means for transmitting the user name to the relay device, wherein the relay device classifies the user according to the user name of the user of the receiving device There is provided a second storage unit for holding.

Thus, the moving image data is distributed according to the following procedure. First, the receiving device acquires a user name of a user of the receiving device from the input unit, and transmits the acquired user name to the relay device. The relay device refers to the second storage unit for a user name received from the receiving device, and acquires a classification of the user according to the user name. The relay device determines a transmission data amount of moving image data to the receiving device according to the user classification, and relays and distributes the same moving image data to another receiving device with the same or similar transmission data amount. In the case, the moving image data is duplicated, and when the same moving image is not relay-distributed to another receiving device with the same or similar transmission data amount, the moving image data to be distributed by the moving image distribution device is The data amount is changed to the transmission data amount, and the moving image data whose copy or transmission data amount is changed is relayed to the receiving device.

According to the invention, the load of network traffic between the moving image distribution server and the relay device is reduced, and the location between the intermediate device and the client terminal is specified without affecting the data transfer to another client terminal. A moving image distribution system and a moving image distribution method that can reduce the load of network traffic only on the client terminal can be provided.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. First, a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a moving image distribution system according to the first embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the basic configuration of the present moving image distribution system comprises a moving image distribution server 10, a relay device 20, client terminals 31, 32, and a network connecting these. The network includes a network 41 connecting the relay device and the moving image distribution server, and a network 42 connecting the relay device and the client terminal. Relay device
20 includes a processing unit 21, a storage unit 22, a transmission data amount changing unit 23, and communication interfaces 24 and 25, which are connected by a common signal line 26. The communication interface 24 is connected to a network 41, and the communication interface 25 is connected to a network 42.

Here, it is assumed that a request for distribution of moving image data is issued from the client terminal 31 to the moving image distribution server 10 via the network 42, and that the same moving image data is not distributed via the relay device 20. I do. At this time, the relay device 20 receives the moving image distribution request from the client terminal 31 at the processing unit 21 through the communication interface 25 and the common signal line 26. The processing unit 21 refers to the content of relay distribution to another client terminal held in the storage unit 22. here,
Since the distribution of the same moving image data to other client terminals is not performed via the relay device 20, the processing unit 21
By referring to the storage unit 22, it is confirmed that the same moving image data is not distributed, and a moving image data distribution request from the client terminal 31 is transmitted to the moving image distribution server 10 via the communication interface 24 and the network 41. . The reference information stored in the storage unit 22 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

The moving image distribution server 10 transmits the requested moving image data to the relay device 20 via the network 41. The processing unit 21 of the relay device 20 that has received the moving image data,
The storage unit 22 stores, together with the additional information, the reception of the moving image distribution from the moving image distribution server 10 and transmission to the client terminal 31, and transmits the moving image data to the client terminal 31. At this time, the processing unit 21 can change the transmission data amount of the moving image data to be transmitted to the client terminal 31 by the transmission data amount changing unit 23 as necessary, and transmit the moving image data to the client terminal 31. Here, changing the transmission data amount of the moving image data means lowering the resolution of the moving image and lowering the transfer speed. The change of the transmission amount of the moving image data is specified in advance by the client terminal 31 at the time of the request for distribution of the moving image data from the client terminal 31, or is determined by a method described later with reference to FIGS.

On the other hand, a case where a request for distribution of moving image data is issued from the client terminal 31 to the moving image distribution server 10 when the same moving image data is distributed via the relay device 20 will be described below. .

In this case, the processing unit 21 of the relay device 20 having received the moving image data distribution request from the client terminal 31 transmits the same moving image data to another client terminal by referring to the storage unit 22. Then, the moving image data to another client terminal is copied and transmitted to the client terminal 31 that has made the moving image data distribution request.
At this time, the processing unit 21 may, if necessary,
The transmission data amount of the moving image data to be transmitted to the
Can be sent to

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relay distribution information which holds the moving image distribution status from the moving image distribution server to the client terminal, which is stored in the storage unit of the relay device 20. The processing device 21 in FIG. 1 always stores the relay distribution information 100 in the storage unit 22 when the relay device 20 relays the moving image data distribution from the moving image distribution server to the client terminal 30.

The relay distribution information 100 includes the following information. Moving image distribution server identifier 111... In the moving image distribution system and the moving image distribution method of the present invention, it is possible to assume that there are a plurality of moving image distribution servers. . When the moving image distribution system and the moving image distribution method of the present invention are realized by an IP network, the IP address of the moving image distribution server corresponds to the system.

Identifiers 112 of moving image data distributed by the moving image distribution server. Since the moving image distribution server 10 can distribute a plurality of moving image data, identifiers for distinguishing the plurality of moving image data are provided. It is. The relay device 20 uniquely determines this identifier for each moving image distribution server from a distribution request from the client terminal 31.

The amount of data transmitted from the moving image distribution server 11
3 ... Transmission data amount (bps) of moving image data distributed from the moving image distribution server 10.

Delivery destination client information 114: relay apparatus 2
“0” is information on the client terminal 31 that relays the moving image data distributed from the moving image distribution server 10.
The distribution destination client information 114 includes a client identifier 121 described below and a transmission data amount 1 to the client terminal.
Consists of 22. However, in the moving image distribution system and the moving image distribution method according to the present invention, the client terminal
Since 31 there are a plurality of delivery destination client information 114
Is an array of client identifiers 121 and pointers to the amount of data 122 to be transmitted to the client terminal 31.

Client identifier 121: An identifier of the client terminal 31 to which the relay device 20 relays and distributes moving image data. Similarly to the moving image distribution server identifier, the IP address of the client terminal 31 corresponds to the IP network.

Transmission data amount to client terminal 122
... The transmission data amount (bps) of the moving image data relayed and delivered by the relay device 20 to the client terminal 31.

The processing unit 21 shown in FIG. 1 transmits the same moving image data via the relay device 20 in response to the moving image data distribution request from the client terminal 31 based on the information stored in the storage unit 22. You can know if it has been distributed or not. In addition, when the moving image data is distributed, the amount of the transmitted data from the moving image distribution server 10 to the relay device 20 and the amount of the transmitted data from the relay device 20 to the other client terminals. You can know if it is being distributed.

A moving image distribution method in the moving image distribution system described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the relay device 20 of FIG. First, when the client terminal 31 requests the moving image distribution server 10 to distribute moving image data, the relay device receives the moving image data distribution request.
(Step 201) The relay device 20 checks whether or not the same moving image data has already been relay-distributed to another client terminal based on the relay distribution information held in the storage unit 22. (Step 202) If the same moving image data is not relayed to another client terminal, a moving image data distribution request from the client terminal 31 is transmitted to the moving image distribution server 10 and the moving image distribution server 10 Receive moving image data. (Step
203) The relay device 20 changes the transmission data amount of the moving image data received from the moving image distribution server 10 as necessary.
(Step 204) The relay device 20 creates the information of the moving image data received from the moving image distribution server 10 and the information of the moving image data to be relay-distributed to the client terminal 31 as the relay distribution information according to the contents described in FIG. Hold at 22. (Step 205) After the above, the relay device 20 distributes the moving image data to the client terminal 31. (Step 206) On the other hand, when the relay device 20 relays the same moving image data to another client terminal, the moving image data is copied. Here, if necessary, the transmission data amount of the copied moving image data is changed. (Step 207) The relay device 20 transmits the information of the moving image data to be relay-distributed to the client terminal 31 in accordance with the contents described in FIG. Add to relay distribution information on data distribution,
Update the relay distribution information. (Step 208) After the above, the relay device 20 distributes the moving image data to the client terminal 31. (Step 206) As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, even when the moving image distribution server transmits the same moving image data to a plurality of client terminals, one moving image data distribution is performed. The client terminal should receive moving image data with a reduced network load without affecting the amount of data transmitted to other client terminals, as long as the processing of moving image data distribution equivalent to that described above can be performed. Becomes possible.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. According to the second embodiment, in the moving image distribution system and the moving image distribution method according to the first embodiment, based on the missing rate of moving image data received by the client terminal, the moving image data relay-distributed by the relay device is determined. in which it made it possible to change the amount of data transmitted.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a client terminal of the moving image distribution system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the client terminal 31
A measurement unit 33 and a communication interface 34 are provided, and these are connected by a common signal line 35. Client terminal 31
The common signal line 35 is connected to a processing unit for receiving moving image data and displaying it on a display or the like, or a display unit such as a display, but is omitted in FIG. The client terminal 31 is connected to the network 42 of FIG. 1 via the communication interface 34.

The measuring unit 33 monitors the loss of data of moving image data received via the communication interface due to network traffic congestion or failure, and measures the data loss rate.

Using the flowchart of FIG. 5, the client terminal that has measured the lack of the moving image data to be distributed,
A method of contacting the relay device and changing the amount of transmission data relayed and distributed by the relay device will be described.

Here, the client terminal 31 in FIG.
Receives the moving image data from the moving image distribution server 10 via the relay device 20, but the traffic on the network 43 to which the client terminal 31 is connected is large,
It is assumed that data loss has occurred in distribution of moving image data from. The network 43 is a part of the network 42 in FIG. 1, but the network segment is divided by a router or the like, and the congestion of the network affects other parts of the network 42 (the network 43, the network 44, etc.). Not to be local.

First, the client terminal 31 measures the lack of the moving image data distributed in the measuring section 33. (Step 301) The client terminal 31 transmits the data loss rate to the relay device 20 if the loss rate of the received moving image data is larger than a certain threshold. If the data loss rate is low, the client terminal does nothing and measures the loss of the moving image data that is continuously received. (Steps 302 and 303) The relay device 20 calculates an appropriate transmission data amount to the client 31 based on the data loss rate received from the client terminal 31. Here, the appropriate transmission data amount means that, for example, if the data loss rate is 30%, the transmission data amount is reduced to 70% or less, and the transmission data amount to the client terminal 31 at this time is 10 Mbps. Then, 7Mb
That is, it is reduced to ps or less. Next, the relay device
20 relays the moving image data to another client terminal with the same or practically the same transmission data amount based on the relay distribution information held in the storage unit 22 if the moving image data is relayed, and copies the This is moving image data to be delivered to the terminal 31. On the other hand, if the moving image data is not relayed to the other client terminals with the same or similar transmission data amount, the transmission data amount of the moving image data distributed from the moving image distribution server 10 is changed and the client terminal 31 is changed. Moving image data to be delivered to (Step 304) The relay device 20 updates the relay distribution information stored in the storage unit 22 according to the processing performed in step 304.
(Step 305) After the above, the relay device 20 distributes the moving image data with the transmission data amount changed to the client terminal 31. (Step
306) In the above description using FIGS. 4 and 5, when the network to which the client terminal 31 connects is congested,
A client terminal 31 is described only for the method of reducing the transmission data amount of moving picture data received, conversely, even when the measuring unit 33 of the client terminal the network detects that it is not congested, the same procedure It is also possible to increase the transmission data amount of the moving image data received by the client terminal 31.

In the above description with reference to FIGS.
Client terminal 31 transmits moving image data to moving image distribution server
Although a case has been described in which distribution is performed from the relay device 20 via the relay device 20, the same processing may be performed when the client terminal 31 first requests the moving image distribution server 10 to distribute moving image data. In this case, the client terminal 31
Since the missing rate of the moving image data to be distributed cannot be measured yet, the data missing rate expected by an appropriate or arbitrary traffic prediction method is calculated and transmitted to the relay device 20. The relay device 20 that has received the moving image data distribution request and the expected data loss rate changes the transmission data amount based on the expected data loss rate in step 204 or step 207 in FIG. .

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the client terminal receiving the distribution of the moving image data dynamically adjusts the transmission data amount in accordance with the traffic situation of the network to which the client terminal connects. It is possible to receive the moving image data distributed by the moving image distribution server after being changed.

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. According to the third embodiment, in the moving image distribution system and the moving image distribution method according to the first embodiment, the transmission data amount of the moving image data to be relay-distributed by the relay device is changed according to the classification of the user of the client terminal. It is possible to do.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a client terminal of the moving image distribution system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The client terminal 31 includes a processing unit 36 and an input unit
37 and a communication interface 34, which are common signal lines.
Connected by 35. The common signal line 35 of the client terminal 31 is connected to a processing unit that receives moving image data and displays it on a display or the like, or a display unit such as a display, but is omitted in FIG. Client terminal
1 is connected to the network 42 of FIG. 1 via the communication interface 34.

The processing section 36 acquires the user name of the client terminal through the input section 37 and transmits the user name to the relay device.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the relay device of the moving image distribution system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The relay device 20 includes a processing unit 21, a storage unit 22, a transmission data changing unit 23, communication interfaces 24 and 25, and a second
, And these are connected by a common signal line 26. Communication interface 24 is connected to the network 41, communication interface 25 is connected to the network 42. Here, the storage unit 2 in the relay device 20
2, transmission data change unit 23, communication interfaces 24, 25
The operation is the same as that in the moving image distribution system and the moving image distribution method according to the first embodiment.

The second storage unit 27 holds a user name using the client terminal and a user classification corresponding to the user name (the above is referred to as user classification information). here,
The user classification is used when determining the amount of transmission data to be described later. For example, a user classification of rank A that needs to distribute moving image data with the transmission data amount of the highest quality, A user classification of rank B that distributes moving image data with a transmission data amount of quality, a user classification of rank C that may distribute moving image data regardless of quality, and the like.

The processing unit 21 inquires the user name received from the client terminal 31 with the user classification information stored in the second storage unit 27, acquires the user classification of the client terminal 31, and adds the user classification to the user classification. Depending on the moving image distribution server
The transmission data amount of the moving image data distributed from 10 is changed, and the moving image data is relay-distributed to the client terminal 31.

A method for changing the amount of transmission data to be relayed to the client terminal by the relay device according to the user classification of the user of the client terminal will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the client terminal 31 obtains the user name of the person using the client terminal 31 and transmits the user name to the relay device 20. (Step 401) The relay device 20 receives the user name of the person using the client terminal 31 from the client terminal 31, and refers to the user classification information stored in the second storage unit 27. , A user classification for the user name is obtained. (Step 402) The relay device 20 determines the transmission data amount of the moving image data distributed from the moving image distribution server according to the acquired user classification. Here, as a criterion for changing the transmission data amount of the moving image data, for example, the aforementioned rank A, B, C
In this case, the moving image data is relayed and delivered to the client terminal of the user class of rank A without reducing the transmission data amount in any case. However, when the moving image distribution system and the moving image distribution method according to the second embodiment are used together, the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, for example, to the client terminals of the rank B user classification, the transmission data amount is reduced in advance in anticipation of congestion of the network traffic, and the data is relay-distributed. For example, there is a method of relaying and distributing the transmission data amount to the lowest quality unconditionally. Then, the relay device 20 duplicates the moving image data if the moving image data is relay-distributed to the other client terminals with the same or similar transmission data amount, and if not, the moving image data transmitted to the client terminal that transmitted the user name. The transmission data amount of the image data is changed. (Step 40
3) The relay device 20 updates the relay distribution information stored in the storage unit 22 according to the processing performed in step 403.
(Step 404) After the above, the relay device 20 distributes the moving image data whose transmission data amount has been changed to the client terminal 31. (Step
405) As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the client terminal receiving the distribution of the moving image data changes the transmission data amount according to the user classification of the user of the client terminal, and It is possible to receive data and reduce the traffic load on the network.

According to the above embodiment of the present invention, even when the moving image distribution server transmits the same moving image data to a plurality of client terminals, a moving image It suffices to perform data distribution processing, and the client terminal can receive moving image data with a reduced network load and a reduced network load without affecting the amount of data transmitted to other client terminals.

Further, the client terminal receiving the distribution of the moving image data measures the traffic of the network to which the client terminal is connected, and transmits the data loss rate to the relay device. It is possible to dynamically change the amount of transmission data according to the above and receive the moving image data distributed by the moving image distribution server.

Further, the client terminal receiving the distribution of the moving image data obtains the user name of the user of the client terminal and transmits the acquired user name to the relay device, so that the transmission data is transmitted according to the user classification of the user of the client terminal. It is possible to change the amount and receive moving image data, and reduce the traffic load on the network.

[0056]

According to the present invention, it is possible to distribute a moving image more efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overall configuration of a moving image distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of relay distribution information stored in a storage unit of the relay device in the moving image distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a moving image distribution method in the moving image distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a client terminal in a moving image distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a moving image distribution method in a moving image distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a client terminal in a moving image distribution system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a relay device in a moving image distribution system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a moving image distribution method in a moving image distribution system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Moving image distribution server 20 ... Relay device 21 ... Relay device processing unit 22 ... Relay device storage unit 23 ... Transmission data amount changing unit 24, 25 ... Relay device communication interface 26 ... Relay device common signal line 27 ... Second storage units 31 and 32 of the relay device 31 and 32 client terminal 33 measuring unit 34 communication interface of the client terminal 35 common signal line of the client terminal 36 processing unit 37 of the client terminal 37 input unit 41 and 42 of the client terminal 43, 44: Network 100: Relay distribution information 111 to 114: Details of relay distribution information 115, 116: Details of distribution destination client information

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 17/00 H04N 17/00 CF term (Reference) 5C061 BB03 CC03 5C064 BA01 BB05 BC11 BC18 BC20 BD02 BD05 BD08 5K030 GA13 HA05 HB02 HD03 KA06 LC11 LD02 LE17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A moving image distribution device for distributing moving image data, a receiving device for receiving moving image data, and a relay device for relaying moving image data distributed by the moving image distribution device to the receiving device, respectively. In the moving image distribution system connected via a network, the relay device includes information for identifying the moving image distribution device, information for identifying the moving image data distributed by the moving image distribution device, and the distributed moving image. A storage unit having information indicating an attribute of a receiving apparatus which refers to the same moving image data as information indicating a data transmission data amount, and a moving image data relaying method for relaying moving image data distribution to a specific receiving apparatus. Transmission data amount changing means for changing the transmission data amount of moving image data to be distributed by the image distribution device, and instructing the transmission data amount changing means to change the transmission data amount based on information in the storage device. A moving image distribution system having a processing unit for distributing moving image data of which transmission data amount has been changed to the receiving device. 2. The moving image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device has a measuring unit that measures missing data of moving image data to be received, and transmits a measured data missing ratio to the relay device. The relay device determines a transmission data amount of moving image data to the receiving device from a data loss rate in the receiving device that receives from the receiving device, and transmits the same or similar moving image data to another receiving device. In the case of relay distribution with the data amount, the moving image data is duplicated, and in the case where the same moving image is not relay-distributed to other receiving devices with the same or similar transmission data amount, the moving image distribution device Processing means for changing the moving image data to be distributed to the transmission data amount, and relaying and distributing the moving image data having the copied or changed transmission data amount to the receiving device. Moving image distribution system according to claim. 3. The moving picture distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device includes an input unit for inputting a user name of a user of the receiving device, and a processing unit for transmitting the user name to the relay device. The relay device has a second storage unit that holds a classification of a user according to a user name of a user of the receiving device, and queries the second storage unit for a user name received from the receiving device. In this way, the user classification is obtained, the transmission data amount of the moving image data to the receiving device is determined according to the user classification, and the same moving image data is relayed to other receiving devices with the same or similar transmission data amount. If the moving image data is duplicated and the same moving image is not relay-distributed to other receiving devices with the same or similar transmission data amount, the moving image distributed by the moving image distribution device De Moving image distribution system characterized in that it has a processing means for changing the data in the transmission data amount, to relay distribution of moving image data obtained by changing the replication or the transmission data amount to the receiving apparatus. 4. A moving image distribution apparatus for distributing moving image data, and a receiving apparatus for receiving moving image data, each being connected via a network, and transmitting the moving image data distributed by the moving image distribution apparatus to the receiving apparatus. A relay device that relays to the receiving device, the information identifying the video distribution device, the information identifying the video data distributed by the video distribution device, and the transmission data amount of the distributed video data. A storage unit having information indicating an attribute of a receiving apparatus that refers to the same moving image data as information; and a moving image distributed by the moving image distribution apparatus when relaying moving image data distribution to a specific receiving apparatus. Transmission data amount changing means for changing the transmission data amount of image data; and instructing the transmission data amount changing means to change the transmission data amount based on the information in the storage device, and changing the transmission data amount to the receiving device. Relay apparatus characterized by having a processing unit for performing the process of distributing moving image data.