JP2002374317A - Data converter, data distribution device and data conversion network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data converter, a data distribution device and a data conversion network system enriched with objects and functions of a transcode. SOLUTION: The data converter is provided with a processing information exchanging means for exchanging transfer information of multimedia data with another device, a transfer management storing means for holding transfer information, and a data transfer processing means for transfer data, based on the transfer information held by this transfer management storing means. The data distribution device determines transfer destination by the request of a processor which can be a distribution destination. The data conversion network system is configured, to include the data converter or the data distribution device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a data conversion device,
The present invention relates to a data distribution device and a data conversion network system, and more particularly, to a device that converts and outputs the quality of input multimedia data and a network system including such a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, voice data,
2. Description of the Related Art Various multimedia data such as hypertext data, image data, and moving image data are distributed. As networks, there are networks of various transmission qualities (transmission speed, code amount, etc.). To transfer multimedia data through multiple networks,
There is a technology called transcodec that converts transmission quality. For example, multimedia data such as audio and images has data redundancy, and functions as significant data even if the data amount is reduced by the data redundancy. The transcodec uses such a property to convert data quality.

[0003] Some Internet transmission protocols for multimedia data use a control address and a data transfer address separately. For example, IE
TF (Internet Engineer Task)
ing Force), RTSP (Real Ti
me Streaming Protocol), SI
P (Session Initiation Prot
oTP) and a protocol for control (for example, signaling or content type transmission) and RTP (Real
A protocol for transmission such as time transport protocol (time transport protocol) is defined on the assumption that another channel or address is used. In RTP, in addition to a channel for transmitting media data, RTCP for transmitting statistical data for control (for example, packet loss rate and jitter) is transmitted using another channel.

In general, the processing amount of the transcodec has a larger load than the routing processing of a router or the like, and the limit of the transcodec load becomes a bottleneck rather than the network load.

There is also a method of distributing media data to be transmitted to a plurality of transcodecs by switching or the like, and simply distributing the load of the transcodec to the plurality of transcodecs. On the Internet,
Since the data to be transmitted is divided into units called packets, if the data to be transmitted is, for example, moving image data, the data in the same image may be divided into a plurality of packets and transmitted. It may not be transmitted to the codec.

[0006] If predictive coding is performed, which is one of the moving picture coding methods, the preceding and following data must be processed by the same transcodec. In addition, RT
When multiple channels are used for control and media transmission, such as SP, RTP, and RTCP, control data and media transmission data are processed by the same transcodec. Is desirable.

[0007]

In the past, since it was only a simple distribution based on an IP address or the like, it was difficult to distribute and transcode a plurality of media streams using a plurality of channels. Was.

Therefore, there is a need for a data conversion device, a data distribution device, and a data conversion network system in which the objects and functions of transcoding are further enhanced.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data conversion apparatus connected to at least one or more networks and having a transcode processing means for transcoding multimedia data. Processing information exchange means for exchanging transfer information of multimedia data, transfer management storage means for holding the transfer information, and data transfer processing means for performing data transfer based on the transfer information held in the transfer management storage means It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the processing information exchanging means converts the transfer information requesting the transcoding processing to another data conversion depending on the load status of the transcoding processing means. It is characterized in that it is sent to a device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the processing information exchanging means includes a transfer requesting a transfer address or a port number of the multimedia data to be transcoded by the transcode processing means. The information is transmitted to another data conversion device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the processing information exchange means transfers to any other data conversion device based on transfer information of a transfer request from another data conversion device. Is determined.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a control unit for receiving a control signal from another device and controlling the processing information exchange unit is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transcode control means for receiving a transcode control signal from another device and controlling the transcode processing means. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first or fifth aspect of the present invention, the processing information exchange means is a data distribution device for distributing multimedia data to a plurality of paths.

The present invention according to claim 8 is a data conversion network system for transcoding multimedia data transmitted on a network, comprising a plurality of data conversion devices for performing transcoding processing and transmitting a transfer request. And a transfer destination device determining device that distributes transcode processing based on transfer requests from the plurality of data conversion devices.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data conversion network system for transcoding multimedia data transmitted on a network.
The data conversion apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (3) is provided.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a data distribution apparatus for distributing multimedia data transmitted on a network to a plurality of paths, a transfer destination is determined according to a request of a processing apparatus which can be a distribution destination. I do.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the processing device is a data conversion device that executes a transcoding process.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the processing device is another data distribution device that distributes multimedia data to a plurality of paths.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in a data distribution apparatus for distributing multimedia data transmitted on a network to a plurality of paths, the multimedia data is transferred on the basis of a transfer request from a processing apparatus. A transfer request to the data distribution apparatus.

A data conversion network system according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is configured by combining the data distribution device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention and the data conversion device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention in a network form. It is characterized by.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data conversion network system according to the twelfth aspect, the data distribution apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, and the eighth aspect.
And a data conversion apparatus according to the present invention.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a data conversion device and a data conversion network system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the first embodiment, data conversion processing of real-time multimedia data flowing on a network is distributed to a plurality of data conversion devices. By reducing the load of the conversion processing by distributing, it is possible to perform complicated conversion processing and increase the number of sessions accommodated by one node (data conversion device).

(A-1) Configuration of the First Embodiment FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data conversion network system 300 of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 3, a data conversion network system 300 includes one or more external networks (FIG. 3).
Then, the first network 31 and the second network 3
2). For example, if a stream of multimedia data from a server (not shown) is supplied to a client (not shown) via the Internet, the first network 31 and the second network 31
The server is connected to one of the networks 32, and the client is connected to one of the first network 31 and the second network 32. The server and the client may be connected to the same network.

Data conversion network system 300
Has one or more upper data converters 301 and one or more lower data converters 302 to 304, and has one or more networks (expressed as first and second downstream networks 33 and 34). Have). The upper data conversion device 301 is connected to the external first network 3
It is connected to the first and second networks 32 and to the first and second networks 33 and 34 downstream in the data conversion network system 300. Each of the lower data conversion devices 302,..., 304 has the same configuration, and is connected to the first and second networks 33 and 34 downstream in the data conversion network system 300, respectively.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the upper data conversion device 301. In FIG. 1, the upper-level data conversion device 301 includes an upper-level node
1, transfer management table 102, data transfer processing unit 103
And a transcode processing unit 104. Each part 101
Functions 104 to 104 will be clarified in the section of operation description.

FIG. 2 shows lower-order data converters 302 to 30.
4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of FIG. In FIG.
Each of the lower data conversion devices 302 to 304 includes a lower node processing information exchange unit 201, a transfer management table 202, a data transfer processing unit 203, and a transcode processing unit 204. The functions of the units 101 to 104 will be clarified in the section of the operation description.

(A-2) Operation of First Embodiment Next, the operation of the data conversion device and the data conversion network system of the first embodiment will be described.

Here, a client (not shown) for receiving data is connected to the data conversion network system 300 via the first network 31, and a server (not shown) for delivering data is connected to the second network 31. It is assumed that it is connected to the data conversion network system 300 via the C.

(A-2-1) Outline of Initialization Operation of First Embodiment First, the operation of the data conversion network system 300 during initialization will be briefly described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. explain. Note that in FIG.
(302, 303), all of the lower-level data conversion devices to be initialized are included.

The operation at the time of initialization means that the high-order data converter 301 transmits the lower-order data converters 302, 303, 304
This is an operation of collecting information such as a state in which transcoding is possible.

The upper data converter 301 is used when the system is started up or periodically.
Broadcast a processing delegation inquiring signal to 2, 303, 304 as to whether transcoding processing is possible (S100).

Each of the lower data conversion devices 302, 303, 3
04 creates a standby rule based on its own transcoding capability and filter rules such as the address and port number of the session to be transcoded (S1).
01), and notifies the upper data conversion device 301 using the process delegation notification signal (S102).

The upper data converter 301, based on the information of the processing delegation notification signal from the lower data converters 302, 303, 304 which has been notified, the address of each lower data converter 302, 303, 304, and the processing capacity. And a set of standby rules, and a set of the address, the processing capacity, and the standby rule of the higher-level data conversion device 301 with priorities registered.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a standby rule and a transfer rule described later.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the standby rule includes a source address Src Addr, a source port number Src Port, and a destination address Dest Add.
r, a destination port number Dest Port, a processable level, and a node ID. Source address Src Addr, source port number Src Port, destination address Dest in standby rules
Specific values such as Addr include a large number of "*" for judging that any value matches. The processable level is the data conversion device (301,
.., 304), and a transcoder in a standby state (either hardware or software) that can operate in the converter.
Is represented by the number of The node ID is an identification number of the data conversion device (any of 301,..., 304) related to the standby rule.

As described above, the transcode processing unit 104 of the upper data conversion device 301 and the transcode processing unit 204 of the lower data conversion devices 302 to 304
Has a plurality of transcoders so that transcoding processes for a plurality of sessions can be performed in parallel. Of course, one may be sufficient. In the above description, all the lower data conversion devices 302 to 304 have the same configuration, but the number of transcoders in the transcode processing unit 204 may be different. The transcoding level (quality, etc.) may be different. In this case, the transcoding level information may be included in a standby rule (the same applies to a transfer rule described later).

The standby rules initially held by the upper data conversion device 301 and the lower data conversion devices 302 to 304 may be written when the system is installed. Then, the data may be stored via a network.

The transfer rule is, as shown in FIG.
Source address Src Addr, source port number S
rc Port, destination address Dest Addr,
Destination port number Dest Port and node I
D. The transfer rule is formed from one of the standby rules when the transfer of a data packet or the like becomes necessary, and is a more specific rule than the standby rule.

The source address Src Addr, source port number Src Port, and destination address Dest Addr in the standby rule and the transfer rule
The portion of the destination port number Dest Port is a filter rule that defines a data packet to be processed (accordingly, a session).

The priorities for the standby rules and the like may be determined, for example, as follows. The lower data converters 302 to 304 are prioritized over the upper data converter 301. If the filter rule of the standby rule specifies a range and the ranges overlap, the rule with a smaller specified range is given higher priority. Give priority to the one with the higher processing capacity. The application to be applied may be determined by scheduling while predicting the end of the session. It may be a combination of a plurality of viewpoints described above.

(A-2-2) Overview of Operation at the Time of Receiving Data of the First Embodiment Next, the operation when the data conversion network system 300 receives data from the external network 31 or 32 will be described with reference to FIG. This will be briefly described with reference to a sequence diagram and a flowchart of FIG.

When a server and a client (not shown) perform data communication, transfer of control data (for example, signaling protocol data) is performed first before transfer of a data stream such as an image. FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the control data in the RTSP, and includes a type of a communication protocol, a port number of a server and a client, and the like.

Upon receiving such control data (packet) from the external network 32, the higher-level data converter 301 refers to the managed standby rules and transfer rules to determine the transfer destination of the control data. . For example, whether the data is sent immediately to another external network 31, or is processed inside the upper data conversion device 301, or one of the lower data conversion devices 302,.
304. If it is described in the transfer rule, it is sent to the destination of the transfer rule, and if it is not described in the transfer rule, the destination is determined according to the standby rule having a higher priority.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the standby rule notified from the lower data conversion device 302 is applied.

The upper data conversion device 301 rewrites the standby rule notified and registered from the lower data conversion device 302 into a transfer rule based on the content of the received control data, the input port, and the like (S200). afterwards,
According to the transfer rule, the received control data is transferred to the corresponding lower data conversion device 302 (S201).

In the lower-level data conversion device 302 to which the control data has been given, first, the waiting rule is rewritten to the transfer rule (S202). After that, the transferred control data is analyzed by the transcode processing unit 204 and converted for the external network 31 relating to the final destination (server or client) of the control data (S203). If there are additional necessary addresses, port numbers, etc., they are added to the transfer rule (S204). For example, it is added so as to support bidirectional communication, or address information of a data packet necessary for transcoding obtained by analysis is added. Lower data conversion device 302
Notifies the upper data conversion device 301 of the added transfer rule (S204).

The upper data conversion apparatus 301 writes the notified transfer rule therein (S205).

After notifying the added transfer rule to the upper data conversion device 301, the lower data conversion device 302 sends out the converted control data, and this control data is transmitted via the upper data conversion device 301 to the incoming external data. The data is transmitted to another external network 31 different from the network 32 (S206).

After that, stream data arrived from a server or a client (for example, according to RTP / RTCP)
Are the upper data converter 301 and the lower data converter 3
According to the transfer rule set to “02”, the data enters the lower data conversion device 302, is transcoded, and is transmitted to the other client or server (S207).

When the communication of the session is completed, although not shown, the upper data conversion device 301
And the transfer rules set in the lower data conversion device 302 are deleted from the transfer management tables 102 and 202.
Also, the standby rule is returned to the state before the setting of the transfer rule.

FIG. 8 shows the upper data conversion device 30 when receiving control data (or data stream) packets.
3 is a flowchart showing processing of the first and lower-order data converters 302 to 304. In the following, the upper data converter 3
01 will be described.

Upon receiving the packet (S300), the higher-level data converter 301 first searches for a matching transfer rule (S301), and determines whether the received packet is a packet that matches any of the transfer rules. Yes (S3
02).

If the packet matches one of the transfer rules, the received packet is transferred to the address of the node (data conversion device) described in the transfer rule according to the transfer rule (S303), and a series of processing ends. Here, the transfer destination may be (the transcode processing unit 104 of) the higher-level data conversion device 301.

If there is no transfer rule that matches the received packet, the upper data conversion device 301 searches for a matching standby rule (S304), and determines whether the received packet is a packet that matches any of the standby rules. It is determined whether or not it is (S305). If there is more than one, the standby rule to be applied is determined according to the set priority.

If the packet matches one of the waiting rules, the received packet is transferred to the address of the node (data converter) described in the waiting rule according to the waiting rule (S306). Here, the transfer destination may be (the transcode processing unit 104 of) the higher-level data conversion device 301. Also, based on the contents of the received packet, etc., change the address of the standby rule, etc.,
The transfer rule is recorded in the transfer management table 102 (S307), and the series of processing ends. When recording the transfer rule, the record of the standby rule from which the transfer rule is based may be left, and in that case, only the level of the processing capability may be updated.

If there is no standby rule that matches the received packet, normal network transfer processing (processing of simply passing through the upper data conversion device 301) is performed (S308), and a series of processing ends.

(A-2-3) Upper data converter 301
Next, the internal operation of the upper data conversion device 301 will be described. This internal operation is, of course, an operation that matches the various operations described above.

The upper node processing information exchange unit 101 creates a packet for broadcasting a process transferable inquiry message to the downstream networks 33 and 34 and sends the packet to the data transfer processing unit 103. Note that a polling method may be used instead of the broadcast method. The data transfer processing unit 103 broadcasts this packet to the downstream networks 33 and 34.

In response to this inquiry, the lower-level data converter 30 connected to the downstream networks 33 and 34
2 to 304 return a process transferable notification signal. This notification signal is delivered to the upper node processing information exchange unit 101 via the data transfer processing unit 103.

The upper node processing information exchange section 101 transmits the transfer management table 102 based on the processing transferable notification signal.
Then, a standby rule including a number of a processing standby node (lower-level data conversion device), a filter rule, and the like is written.

The above is the operation at the time of initialization inside the high-order data converter 301.

The data transfer processing unit 103 converts data flowing from the external network 31 to the network 32 or from the network 32 to the network 31
The transfer is performed based on information (a transfer rule, a standby rule, and the like) written in the transfer management table 102.

The transcode processing section 104 notifies the upper node processing information exchange section 101 of the transmission port number of the data to be transcoded. In addition, the transcode processing unit 104 notifies the upper node processing information exchange unit 101 of information on the amount that can be processed based on the load status of transcoding at present.

The upper node processing information exchange section 101 generates a standby rule from the transmission port number of the data to be transcoded and the information on the processable amount, and writes it into the transfer management table 102.

The transcode processing unit 104 analyzes session data between the server and the client, and monitors (determines) whether it is better to use another port number for data such as a media stream and control data. )
Then, when analyzing that data transmitted by another port number is necessary for the transcoding process, it transmits a transfer control signal for notifying an address, a port number, and the like to the upper node processing information exchange unit 101.

Upon receiving the transfer control signal from transcode processing section 104, upper node processing information exchange section 101
The transfer management table 102 is updated, and a transfer rule such as a data address and a port number required by the transcode processing unit 104 is added.

When a data packet arrives from the external network 31 or the network 32, the data transfer processing unit 103 first refers to a transfer rule on the transfer management table 102. If the corresponding transfer rule exists on the transfer management table 102, the data is transferred to the specified node (lower data conversion device). If the own node (the higher-level data conversion device 301) describes that the processing is to be performed, the transcode processing unit 10
Pass the data to 4.

When the arriving packet does not correspond to the transfer rule, the standby rule is referred to. If there is no applicable rule, the data transfer processing unit 103
Sends an arriving packet to the network 31 or 32 having the address described in the packet.

If any of the standby rules is satisfied, the information such as the destination address and the source address described in the arrival packet is transferred to the upper node processing information exchange unit 1.
Notify 01. The upper node processing information exchange unit 101
(Address of the lower node described in the standby rule)
, A transfer rule is generated, a transfer rule is created based on information such as a destination address and a source address and a standby rule, and the transfer rule is added to the transfer management table 102 and written.

The data transfer processing section 103 transfers the arrival packet to the transfer destination of the changed transfer management table 102.

According to the above operation, the upper data converter 301 performs transcoding when the lower data converters 302 to 304 connected to the networks 33 and 34 can perform the transcoding process. It is possible to transfer a data packet required for the code.

(A-2-4) Lower data converter 302
Next, the internal operation of the lower data conversion devices 302 to 304 will be described. This internal operation is, of course, an operation that matches the various operations described above. In the following, the lower data conversion device 302 will be described as an example.

The operations of the data transfer processing unit 203 and the transcode processing unit 204 in the lower data conversion device 302 are the same as the operations of the data transfer processing unit 103 and the transcode processing unit 104 in the upper data conversion device 301, respectively.

Upon receiving the transfer control signal from the transcode processing section 204, the lower node processing information exchange section 201 updates the transfer management table 202 in the same manner as the upper node processing information exchange section 101, and further adds the upper data A transfer request signal to the conversion device 301 is sent to the data transfer processing unit 203. The data transfer processing unit 203
This transfer request signal is sent to the upper data converter 301 via the networks 33 and 34.

The data transfer processing unit 203 transfers the process transferable inquiry message sent from the upper data conversion device 301 to the lower node processing information exchange unit 201. When receiving the processing delegation inquiry message, the lower node processing information exchange unit 201 sends the processing status information received from the transcoding processing unit 204 and the transmission port number of the data to be transcoded to the upper data conversion apparatus 301. A process transferable notification signal to be sent to the server is created and transmitted to the data transfer processing unit 203. The data transfer processing unit 203 transmits the data to the upper data conversion device 301 via the networks 33 and 34.

By the above operation, the lower data conversion device 3
No. 02 can request the upper data conversion apparatus 301 to transfer data necessary for transcoding to the upper data conversion apparatus 301, and can appropriately distribute the load of the transcode processing.

(A-3) Effects of the First Embodiment According to the first embodiment, it is possible to appropriately, quickly and efficiently disperse data that requires transcoding processing. The number of media stream sessions that can be coded can be increased.

Further, by distributing the load, it is possible to perform a transcoding process with a large processing amount such as a multimedia stream with one data converter.

(B) Second Embodiment Next, a data conversion apparatus and a data conversion network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(B-1) Configuration of the Second Embodiment FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data conversion network system 300A of the second embodiment, and FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment described above. The same and corresponding parts are denoted by the same and corresponding reference numerals.

The data conversion network system 300A of the second embodiment includes three types of data conversion devices.

The data converter 301 described as “data converter A” in FIG. 9 is the same as the upper data converter 301 of the first embodiment. The data conversion device 3 described as “data conversion device B” in FIG.
02 to 305 are the same as the lower data conversion devices 302 to 304 of the first embodiment.

The major feature of the second embodiment is that an intermediate data converter 400 described as "data converter C" in FIG. 9 is provided.

The intermediate data conversion device 400 is connected to the network 3 in the data conversion network system 300A.
3 and 34, and can be connected to the higher-level data conversion device 301, and the data conversion network system 3
It can be connected to the lower data conversion devices 304 and 305 via the networks 35 and 36 in 00A.

The intermediate data conversion device 400 behaves with respect to the high-order data conversion device 301 in the same manner as the low-order data conversion device in the first embodiment.
04 and 305 behave in the same manner as the higher-level data conversion device in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the intermediate data conversion device 400 has an intermediate node information processing exchange unit 401, a transfer management table 402, a data transfer processing unit 403, and a transcode processing unit 404. The functions of the units 401 to 404 will be clarified in the section of operation.

(B-2) Operation of Second Embodiment Next, the operation of the data conversion network system 300A according to the second embodiment will be described.

The upper data conversion device 301 regards the intermediate data conversion device 400 as a lower data conversion device.
The same processing procedure as that for 02 and 303 is performed. That is, the operation of the upper data conversion device 301 is as follows.
This is the same as the operation of the higher-level data conversion device in the first embodiment.

The intermediate data converter 400, like the upper data converter, performs transcoding processing on the lower data converters 304 and 305 connected to the intermediate data converter 400 via the networks 35 and 36. A query is issued by issuing a processing delegation inquiring message as to whether or not it is possible.

The intermediate data converter 400, like the lower data converters 302 and 303, uses the process delegation notification signal to change the waiting rule such as the address and port number of the session for transcoding to the upper data. The conversion device 301 is notified.

Further, the intermediate data conversion device 400 holds a standby rule based on the information of the processing delegation notification signal from the lower data conversion devices 304 and 305, and performs transcoding processing in the intermediate data conversion device 400. Along with the above-described waiting rule such as the session address and the port number, the upper data converter 301 is notified.

The intermediate data conversion device 400 converts the packet transferred from the upper data conversion device 301 via the networks 33 and 34 into the lower data conversion device 304 or 305 based on the held transfer rules and standby rules. , Or processed by the transcode processing unit 404 in the intermediate data conversion device 400 or passed through as it is (see FIG. 8).

The intermediate data converter 400, like the lower data converters 302 and 303, breaks the data packet and further transmits address information and the like of the data packet necessary for transcoding to a transfer request signal (transfer rule).
To the upper-level data converter 301.

Next, a detailed operation inside the intermediate data conversion device 400 will be described.

The transfer management table 402, the data transfer processing unit 403, and the transcode processing unit 404 include an upper data conversion device 301 and lower data conversion devices 302 to 30.
5, the transfer management tables 102 and 202, the data transfer processing units 103 and 203, and the transcode processing unit 10.
4 and 204 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The intermediate node processing information exchange section 401 has both functions of the upper node processing information exchange section 101 (see FIG. 1) and the lower node processing information exchange section 201 (see FIG. 2).

The intermediate node processing information exchange section 401 receives the processing delegation inquiry message, similarly to the lower node processing information exchange section 201. Further, similarly to the upper node processing exchange unit 101, the data transfer processing unit 403 generates a process delegation inquiry message and sends it to the lower data conversion devices 304, 305 connected to the networks 35, 36. give. The intermediate node processing information exchange unit 401 receives a processing delegation notification signal from the lower data conversion device 200. The intermediate node processing information exchange unit 401 writes a standby rule including the address number of the processing standby node in the transfer management table 402 based on the processing delegation notification signal, and further writes the upper node processing information exchange unit 101 and the lower node processing information exchange. Part 2
In a manner similar to 01, the transcoding processing unit 404 writes the data waiting rule to the transfer management table 402. Further, the intermediate node processing information exchange unit 401
From the above standby rules, a processing delegation notification signal to the upper data conversion device 301 is generated in the same manner as the lower node processing information exchange unit 201, and the data transfer processing unit 403
Give to. The processing delegation notification signal is transmitted to the network 3
The data is sent to the higher-level data conversion device 301 via the third and third data transfer units 34.

The intermediate processing information exchange section 401 transmits a transfer request notification signal (transfer rule) from the lower data conversion device 200.
Updates the transfer management table 402 based on
A similar transfer request notification signal is transmitted to the upper data converter 301.

By the above operation, the lower data conversion device 3
02 and 303 are transferred directly to the upper data converter 301, and the lower data converters 304 and 305 are transferred to the upper data converter 301 via the intermediate node converter 400 for data necessary for transcoding. Can be requested. Further, the intermediate node conversion device 400 includes a lower data conversion device 304, 305 and a higher data conversion device 301.
It is possible to relay. As a result, it is possible to distribute the load of the transcoding process to a greater extent than in the first embodiment.

(B-3) Effects of the Second Embodiment With the configuration as in the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the data necessary for the transcoding process can be appropriately It can be widely dispersed, and the number of media stream sessions that can be transcoded as a system can be further increased.

(C) Third Embodiment Next, a data conversion device, a data distribution device, and a data conversion network system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The data conversion network system of the third embodiment is a network system for converting multimedia data, as in the first and second embodiments. However, the method of distributing the transcode processing is different. I have.

(C-1) Configuration of Third Embodiment FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a data conversion network system 500 of the third embodiment.

In FIG. 11, a data conversion network system 500 according to the third embodiment is connected to external first and second networks 51 and 52. A plurality of data conversion network systems shown in FIG. Data distribution device 5
01-1 and 501-2, and a plurality of distributed data converters 502-1 to 502-3 shown in FIG.

The data distribution device 501-1 is provided between one external network 51 and one internal network 53 in the system 500, and the data distribution device 501-2 is connected to the other external network 52 It is provided between the other internal network 54 in the system 500. Each distributed data converter 502-
, 502-3 are provided between the internal networks 53 and 54 in the system 500.

The data distribution device is the data distribution device 501.
As shown in FIG. 12, the data processing unit 601 includes a distributed device processing information exchange unit 601, a transfer management table 602, and a data transfer processing unit 603. The functions of the units 601 to 603 will be clarified in an operation description described later.

As shown in FIG. 13, the distributed data converter 501 includes a converter processing information exchange unit 701 and a transfer management table 702 for the distributed data converter 502-1.
And a data transfer processing unit 703 and a transcode processing unit 704. The functions of the units 701 to 703 will be clarified in an operation description described later.

(C-2) Operation of Third Embodiment Next, the operation of the data conversion network system 500 of the third embodiment will be described.

Each distributed data conversion device 502 (502-1
To 502-3) are connected to two data distribution apparatuses 501-1 and 501-2 via the internal networks 53 and 54.

The distributed data converter 502 is the same as the lower data converters of the first and second embodiments described above.
The own transcode processing unit 704 creates a transfer request signal (standby rule) from the port number of the media stream to be transcoded and information based on the processing load of the transcode processing unit 704. The difference from the lower-level data conversion device described above is that the distributed data conversion device 502 includes two connected data distribution devices 50.
The point is that a transfer request signal (standby rule) is sent to 1-1 and 501-2.

When transferring the transfer request signal, converter processing information exchange section 701 records the created waiting rule in transfer management table 702.

Each of the data distribution devices 501-1 and 501-2
Upon receiving the transfer request signal, the device records, in its own transfer management table 602, a standby rule (consisting of information based on the transcoding processing load and a port number) included in the transfer request signal.

The above is the operation of the third embodiment at the time of system startup or at the time of initialization which is periodically executed.

Each of the data distribution apparatuses 501-1 and 501-2
, When a data packet that matches the standby rule reaches the data transfer processing unit 603 via the external networks 51 and 52 (as in the first and second embodiments,
When the transfer rule does not match, the standby rule is referred to), the data transfer processing unit 603 notifies the distributed device processing information exchange unit 601 and, based on the notification signal, the distributed device processing information exchange unit 601 Transfer management table 60
Rewrite the standby rule 2 with a transfer rule (transfer address). In this case, the standby rule itself may be left, and in that case, only the processing capacity is updated.

The data transfer processing unit 603 operates in accordance with the transfer rule and the distributed data conversion device 5 specified by the transfer rule.
The data packet is transferred to the address 02 (any of 502-1 to 502-3).

When the data transfer processing unit 703 of the distributed data converter 502 receives a packet that matches the standby rule (similar to the first and second embodiments, if the packet does not match the transfer rule, the standby rule The conversion processing information exchange unit 701 notifies the conversion processing information exchange unit 701 of the waiting rule in the transfer management table 702 with the transfer rule (transfer address) based on the notification signal. In this case, the standby rule itself may be left, and in that case, only the processing capacity is updated.

When the data transfer processing unit 703 receives the data specified by the transfer rule (transfer address), it transfers it to the transcode processing unit 704.

When the address or the like of the received packet does not match the standby rule or the transfer rule, the data transfer processing unit 603 and the data transfer processing unit 703 transfer the data as it is, as in a normal network gateway device. Transfer to a predetermined network according to the routing.

The transcode processing unit 704 analyzes the session of the received packet, and notifies the converter processing information exchange unit 701 of the necessary media port address, port number, and the like using a transfer request signal.

Upon receiving the transfer request signal, converter processing information exchange section 701 writes (adds) a transfer rule such as a transfer address and a port number to transfer management table 702, and transmits a transfer request signal containing equivalent information. It is created and transferred to the data transfer processing unit 703 so as to be sent to the two data distribution devices 501-1 and 501-2 connected via the internal networks 53 and 54.

At this time, the data distribution devices 501-1, 501-1,
In 01-2, the transfer rule is added to the transfer management table 602.

(C-3) Effects of Third Embodiment According to the third embodiment, a multimedia stream can be efficiently distributed for each session, and the load of transcoding processing can be reduced by a plurality. It can be distributed to a distributed data conversion device.

Note that since there is only one type of data conversion device, a simple network configuration can be realized.

(D) Fourth Embodiment Next, a data conversion device, a data distribution device, and a data conversion network system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(D-1) Configuration of Fourth Embodiment FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a data conversion network system according to the fourth embodiment, which is different from FIG. 11 according to the third embodiment. Identical and corresponding parts are indicated by the same and corresponding reference numerals.

The data conversion network system 800 according to the fourth embodiment includes data distribution devices 501-1 and 501.
-2 and the relay data distribution devices 503-1 to 503-4 as shown in FIG. 15 in the connection between the distributed data conversion devices 502-1 to 502-4. This is different from the third embodiment.

In the case of the data conversion network system 800 of the fourth embodiment, for example, the external network 5
Reference numerals 1 and 52 denote broadband networks of 1000 MBps, and networks 53 and 54 connected to these external networks 51 and 52 via the data distribution devices 501-1 and 501-2 are 100 MBps networks. The networks 55 to 58 connected to the network 54 via the relay data distribution apparatuses 503-1 to 503-4 are 10 MBps networks.

Data distribution devices 501-1 and 501-2
Is the same as that of the third embodiment. Also, the distributed data converters 502-1 to 502-4 are the same as those in the third embodiment.

Each relay data distribution device 503-1 to 503
As shown in FIG. 15, the relay data distribution device 503-1 includes a relay distribution device information processing unit 801, a transfer management table 802, and a data transfer processing unit 803.

(D-2) Operation of the Fourth Embodiment Next, the operation of the data conversion network system 800 of the fourth embodiment will be briefly described.

The operations of the data distribution devices 501-1 and 501-2 and the distributed data conversion devices 502-1 to 502-4 are as follows.
This is the same as that of the third embodiment. However, the data distribution devices 501-1 and 501-2 are connected to the relay data distribution device 5
The same operations as in the third embodiment are performed as if the distributed data converters 03-1 to 503-4 were used. Also, the distributed data converters 502-1 to 502-4 perform the same operation as in the third embodiment, as if the relay data distributors 503-1 to 503-4 were as data distributors.

Relay data distribution devices 503-1 to 503-
4 acts as the distributed data conversion device of the third embodiment for the data distribution devices 501-1 and 501-2, and acts as the third data distribution device for the distributed data conversion devices 502-1 to 502-4. It behaves as the data distribution device of the embodiment.

However, the relay data distribution devices 503-1 to 503-1-5
03-4 is a distributed data converter 502-1 to 502-
When the transfer request signal is received from the transfer control table 802, a standby transfer rule, a transfer rule, and the like are recorded in its own transfer management table 802, and a similar transfer request signal is transmitted to the data distribution apparatuses 501-1 and 501-2. It differs from a data distribution device in that it performs a relay function.

(D-3) Effect of Fourth Embodiment According to the fourth embodiment, the multimedia stream can be efficiently distributed for each session, and the load of the transcoding process can be reduced by a plurality of distributed data. It can be distributed to converters.

By providing the relay data distribution device, it is possible to adopt a configuration of a data conversion network system that matches the bandwidth of the network.

(E) Fifth Embodiment Next, a data conversion apparatus and a data conversion network system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(E-1) Configuration of Fifth Embodiment FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the data conversion network system of the fifth embodiment, and also shows the overall configuration of the data conversion network system 300 of the first embodiment. Can be represented by

In the case of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the internal configuration of the upper data conversion device (represented by reference numeral 301A) is different from the internal configuration of the upper data conversion device 301 of the first embodiment. I have. Here, FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the higher-level data conversion device 301A of the fifth embodiment, and the same and corresponding parts as those of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Is shown.

The higher-level data converter 30 according to the fifth embodiment
1A includes a control unit 105 in addition to an upper node processing information exchange unit 101, a transfer management table 102, a data transfer processing unit 103, and a transcode processing unit 104.

Data transfer processing unit 103 of the fifth embodiment
Has a function of transferring, to the control unit 105, a control signal (including data defining a session) received from the network 31 or 32 and directed to the higher-level data conversion apparatus 301.

The control section 105 controls the upper node processing information exchange section 101 based on the received control signal to add or change a standby rule or a transfer rule of the transfer management table 102.

(E-2) Operation of Fifth Embodiment The data conversion network system of the fifth embodiment performs the same operation as the data conversion network system 300 of the first embodiment.

Further, the following operation is performed. The control unit 105 controls the upper node processing information exchange unit 101 according to a control signal received from the outside.

For example, the control unit 105 controls the network 3
In accordance with the control signal received from 1 or 32, the transcoding processing unit 1
04 converts the transcoded multimedia data into lower-order data converters 302 to 304 (see FIG. 3).
Can be controlled. At this time, the upper node processing information exchange unit 101
Under the control of (1), whether or not to transfer the transcoded multimedia data to the lower data conversion devices 302 to 304 is written in a transfer rule (transfer address or the like). For example, if the transcoded multimedia data is to be transferred to the lower-level data converters 302 to 304, a transfer rule (filter) for transferring the data from the transcode processor 104 to a predetermined lower-level data converter. Rules). In this case, the data transcoded by the lower data converter may be returned to the external network 32 or 31 without passing through the transcode processor 104 in the upper data converter.

The control of the upper node processing information exchange unit 101 by the control unit 105 is not limited to the control for the multi-stage transcode processing as described above, but the lower data conversion for supplying data from the external network 31 or 32. The control may be such that the devices 302 to 304 are limited by an external control signal.

(E-3) Effects of the Fifth Embodiment According to the fifth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, an appropriate control signal can be used to externally generate data in the data conversion network system. It is possible to control a data transfer path and the like.

For example, by controlling the transfer path so that multi-stage processing of the transcoding process can be performed, it is possible to perform primary conversion by the upper data conversion device and perform secondary conversion by the lower data conversion device. .

(F) Sixth Embodiment Next, a data conversion apparatus and a data conversion network system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(F-1) Configuration of the Sixth Embodiment FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the data conversion network system of the sixth embodiment, and also shows the overall configuration of the data conversion network system 300 of the first embodiment. Can be represented by

In the case of the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the internal configuration of the higher-level data converter (represented by reference numeral 301B) is different from that of the higher-level data converter 3 of the first and fifth embodiments.
01 and 301A. Here, FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the upper data conversion device 301B according to the sixth embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment. The same and corresponding parts as those in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment and FIG. 16 according to the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The upper data conversion device 30 of the sixth embodiment
1B is provided with a transcode control unit 106 in addition to the upper node processing information exchange unit 101, the transfer management table 102, the data transfer processing unit 103, the transcode processing unit 104, and the control unit 105.

Data transfer processing unit 103 of the sixth embodiment
Has a function of transferring a transcode control signal (including data defining a session) received from the network 31 or 32 and directed to the higher-level data conversion device 301 to the transcode control unit 106. I have.

The transcode control unit 106 sets the transcode level when the data of the corresponding session arrives in the transcode processing unit 104 in accordance with the given transcode control signal.

(F-2) Operation of the Sixth Embodiment The data conversion network system of the sixth embodiment also has
While performing the same operation as the system of the fifth embodiment,
Further, the following specific operation is performed.

Data transfer processing section 103 causes transcode control section 106 to transfer the transcode control signal directed to transcode control section 106.

[0160] The transcode control section 106 transmits the transcode processing section 104 according to the transcode control signal.
, The transcoding processing level is set, and the transcoding processing unit 104 performs the transcoding processing at the set transcoding processing level at the time of the transcoding processing.

Note that the transcode control section 106 needs to be capable of changing the level of the transcode processing. As this variable configuration, for example, a plurality of transcoders having different levels of transcoding processing are prepared, and a selective application configuration can be given.

(F-3) Effects of the Sixth Embodiment According to the sixth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the fifth embodiment.

A server outside the system (for example, an authentication server)
For example, the transcoding processing level of the system can be set. For example, for a specified address (eg, authenticated by an authentication server),
It can be configured to perform transcoding with a large load.

Further, by combining with the multi-stage processing of transcoding as in the fifth embodiment, it becomes possible to control the processing level of each data converter.

(G) Other Embodiments A data conversion network system may be configured by appropriately combining the technical ideas of the above embodiments. For example,
Hierarchical data converters as in the first and second embodiments can be combined with technical ideas as in the third and fourth embodiments. For example, 2 of the third embodiment
Each of the data distribution devices can be replaced with the higher-level data conversion device of the first embodiment. Further, the network portion sandwiched between the two data distribution devices according to the third embodiment can be replaced with a combination configuration of a hierarchical data conversion device as in the first embodiment.

The mechanism of the control unit 105 in the fifth embodiment is changed to a lower data converter (first and second embodiments), an intermediate data converter (second embodiment), and a distributed data converter (third embodiment). , The fourth embodiment). In this case, a transfer rule, a transfer address, and the like may be added to the transfer management table so that the data transfer processing unit can transfer a control signal to each control unit.

Similarly, the mechanism of the transcode control unit 106 in the sixth embodiment is different from the lower-order data converter (first and second embodiments), the intermediate data converter (second embodiment), and the distributed data You may make it incorporate in a conversion apparatus (3rd, 4th embodiment). In this case, a transfer rule and a transfer address may be added to the transfer management table so that the data transfer processing unit can transfer the transcode control signal to each transcode control unit.

The intermediate data converter according to the second embodiment may be operated only as an upper data converter or only as a lower data converter, depending on settings.

The number of hierarchies in the hierarchization of the data converter as in the second and fourth embodiments is not limited to two, but may be deeper.

The internal network in the data conversion network system is not limited to the bus-like one as in each of the above embodiments, but is defined by transfer information (data transfer destination and transfer source, etc.). As long as transfer is possible, a ring-shaped or mesh-shaped one may be used.

[0171]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a data conversion device, a data distribution device, and a data conversion network system in which the objects and functions of transcoding are further enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a high-order data conversion device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a lower data conversion device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data conversion network system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation at the time of initialization of the data conversion network system of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a standby rule and a transfer rule according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of control data according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the data conversion network system according to the first embodiment when receiving data.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of each data converter of the first embodiment when receiving a packet.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data conversion network system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an intermediate data conversion device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data conversion network system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data distribution device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a distributed data conversion device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data conversion network system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a relay data distribution device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a higher-level data conversion device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a higher-level data conversion device according to a sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101: upper node processing information exchange section, 102, 202, 402, 602, 702, 802: transfer management table, 103, 203, 403, 603, 703, 803 ... data transfer processing section, 104, 204, 404, 704 ... Transcode processing unit, 105: control unit, 106: transcode control unit, 201: lower node processing information exchange unit, 300, 300A, 500, 800: data conversion network system, 301, 301A, 301B: upper data conversion device, 302 to 305: lower-order data converter, 400: intermediate data converter, 501-1, 501-2: data distributor, 502-1 to 502-4: distributed data converter, 503-1 to 503-4: relay Data distribution device, 601: Distributed device processing information exchange unit, 701: Conversion device process Information exchange section, 801 ... relay balancer processing information exchanging section.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hisaaki Matsushita 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayuki Tokuma 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) in Electric Industry Co., Ltd. 5K034 AA07 CC01 CC02 CC05 DD03 EE10 HH01 HH02 HH16 HH61 HH63

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A data conversion device having transcode processing means for performing code conversion of multimedia data and connected to at least one or more networks, wherein processing information exchange for exchanging transfer information of multimedia data with another device. Means, transfer management storage means for holding the transfer information, and based on the transfer information held in the transfer management storage means,
A data conversion device comprising: data transfer processing means for transferring data. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing information exchange means sends transfer information for requesting transfer of the transcoding processing to another data conversion device according to a load condition of the transcoding processing means. Data conversion device. 3. The processing information exchange means sends to another data conversion device transfer information requesting a transfer of a transfer address or a port number of the multimedia data transcoded by the transcoding processing means. The data conversion device according to claim 1. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing information exchange means determines to which other data conversion apparatus the data is to be transferred based on transfer information of a transfer request from another data conversion apparatus. Data conversion device. 5. The data conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that receives a control signal from another device and controls the processing information exchange unit. 6. The data conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising a transcode control unit that receives a transcode control signal from another device and controls the transcode processing unit. 7. The data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein said processing information exchange means is a data distribution device for distributing multimedia data over a plurality of paths. 8. A data conversion network system for transcoding multimedia data transmitted on a network, comprising: a plurality of data conversion devices for performing transcoding processing and transmitting a transfer request; Based on the transfer request from the device,
A data conversion network system, comprising: a transfer destination device determination device that distributes transcode processing. 9. A data conversion network system for transcoding multimedia data transmitted on a network, comprising: the data conversion device according to claim 1. system. 10. A data distribution apparatus for distributing multimedia data transmitted on a network to a plurality of paths, wherein a transfer destination is determined according to a request of a processing apparatus which can be a distribution destination. 11. The data distribution device according to claim 10, wherein the processing device is a data conversion device that executes a transcoding process. 12. The data distribution device according to claim 10, wherein the processing device is another data distribution device that distributes multimedia data to a plurality of paths. 13. A data distribution device for distributing multimedia data transmitted on a network to a plurality of paths, wherein the data distribution device processes the multimedia data based on a transfer request from a processing device and transmits the multimedia data to another data distribution device. A data distribution device for making a transfer request by using a data transfer device. 14. A data conversion network system comprising a combination of the data distribution device according to claim 10 and the data conversion device according to claim 8 in a network form. 15. A data distribution device according to claim 12, a data distribution device according to claim 13, and a data conversion device according to claim 8 in a network configuration. And a data conversion network system.