JP2003296288A - Contents rearrangement management device, method for rearranging contents, program therefor, and program recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rearrange contents of a plurality of distribution servers so that when the contents are distributed, the concentration of a load on a specified distribution server is avoided. <P>SOLUTION: The contents rearrangement management device for rearranging contents data stored in a plurality of distribution server devices has a log totaling part which totals access logs of the plurality of distribution server devices to calculate access frequencies by the contents, a rearrangement determination part which performs ordering based upon the access frequencies of the contents according to the access frequencies calculated by the log totaling part, and a rearrangement execution part which rearranges the contents according to the determination of the rearrangement determination part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content relocation management device, a method for relocating content, a program therefor, and a program recording medium. More specifically, for example, the content access count and average access count are used for content relocation. The present invention relates to a content rearrangement management device capable of coping with a change in the number of user accesses to content, a method for rearranging content, a program therefor, and a program recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Due to recent improvements in communication technology and enhancement / expansion of communication infrastructure, distribution of contents using communication networks has become popular. Generally, a business operator that distributes such contents prepares various kinds of contents in order to meet various requests of users, and distributes the requested contents in response to the user's request. For this reason, the number of contents that such businesses can provide to users tends to be very large. Also,
These contents are usually distributed and stored in a plurality of distribution servers.

Since the prepared contents have different reference frequencies and the number of accesses by the user, the distribution load is different for each distribution server, and the access from the user is concentrated on the distribution server for distributing the popular contents. Therefore, the response of this delivery server may be degraded.

[0004]

To deal with the deterioration of the response as described above, it is necessary to add a distribution server that distributes only the relevant content. The work to transfer is
Since it is generally performed manually, the time, labor, and cost required for such management are problems. In addition, if there is a distribution server with a low load among multiple distribution servers, it is not necessary to add a distribution server with specific content, despite such a server, because it will increase the investment efficiency in hardware. There is also a problem of lowering utilization efficiency.

An object of the present invention is to distribute contents when
An object of the present invention is to perform content rearrangement in a plurality of distribution servers so as to avoid concentration of load on a specific distribution server.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The book has the following features as means for solving the above-mentioned various problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a content relocation management device for relocating content data stored in a plurality of delivery server devices, access logs of the plurality of delivery server devices are aggregated and Based on the log counting unit for calculating the number of accesses for each content, and the number of accesses of each content based on the number of accesses calculated by the log counting unit, this ranking and the average of each distribution server device The present invention is characterized by including a rearrangement determining unit that determines rearrangement of content according to the number of accesses, and a rearrangement executing unit that executes rearrangement of content according to the determination of the rearrangement determining unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method for rearranging content data stored in a plurality of distribution server devices including at least one multicast distribution server device and at least one unicast distribution server device, A step of ranking the access numbers of the contents and determining the contents to be stored in the multicast distribution server device based on this ranking; and a content to be moved from the multicast distribution server device to any one of the unicast distribution server devices. If the difference between the average access number of each unicast distribution server device and the step of moving the unicast distribution server device with the smallest average access number to the destination is within the allowable value, the difference of the average access number is the allowable value. If it is within the range, the relocation is decided, while the allowable value If exceeds, characterized by a step of specifying a combination of different replacement content.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The content delivery system 100 can be connected to a content supplier side terminal 101 and a user side terminal 103 via a communication network 102.

The content distribution system 100 includes one or more multicast distribution server devices 104, one or more unicast distribution server devices 105, a web server device 106, and a content management server device 107.
And an operation management device 108 and a content rearrangement management device 109.

The operation management device 108 includes all the multicast distribution server devices 104, all the unicast distribution server devices 105, and the content management server device 107.
And the content relocation management device 109. Further, the content relocation management device 109 includes an operation management device 108, all multicast distribution server devices 104, and all unicast distribution server devices 105.
And the content management server device 107 and the web server device 106. All multicast distribution server devices 104, all unicast distribution server devices 105, content management server device 107,
The Web server device 106 is connected to the communication network 102, and the user terminal device 103 can communicate with these devices via the communication network 102.

Each of the above components will be described below.

[Content Supplier Side Terminal] The content supplier side terminal 101 is a device which allows the content supplier to supply the content management server apparatus 107 with the content and information about the content, and has, for example, a communication function. An information processing device such as a computer or a workstation. Here, the “content” is digitized information that can be viewed, viewed, and used by a user by an information processing device such as a computer, and is, for example, a music file such as MP3, a moving image file such as MPEG, or JPEG. Image files, video game data, etc. In addition, "content supplier" means
It is a person who provides the content to be supplied to the user, regardless of whether or not he / she is the creator / owner of the content.

[Communication Network 102] Communication Network 102
Acts to enable transmission / reception of information between a device connected to it, whether wired / wireless, a private line or a switched line, when a session is established with the target device. . Each communication network may be realized by combining a plurality of networks via a gateway like the Internet. Also, regarding the connection, even if the connection is not made directly to the backbone line called the so-called backbone, but is temporarily connected by PPP connection or the like, when the session is established, information can be transmitted and received between them. I don't care. The "communication network" includes a communication network that does not use an exchange, such as a fixed line with fixed lines.

[User Terminal] The user terminal 103 is
The Web server device 106 is accessible via the communication network 102, and the multicast distribution server device 10
4. An information processing apparatus capable of receiving content data transmitted by the unicast distribution server apparatus 105, which includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) and a main memory (RA
M), read only memory (ROM), input / output device (I /
O), a device including an external storage device such as a hard disk device. For example, the user terminal 10
3 is a mobile phone, a computer, a workstation or a mobile communication terminal, and a PDA (Personal Digital A).
An information processing device such as a ssistant) is a device equipped with a mobile phone having a Web connection function and a so-called browser that is Web document browsing software.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the user side terminal 103. The user side terminal 103 includes a communication control unit 201 and a content information requesting unit 2 connected to the communication control unit 201.
02, a content data request unit 203, a content data acquisition unit 204, a display unit 205, and an input unit 20.
Have six. The display unit 205 displays the user interface unit 207 and the content display unit 208 as needed.

The communication control unit 201, via the communication network 102, the Web server device 106, the multicast distribution server device 104, and the unicast distribution server device 105.
It has a function of establishing a connection with and exchanging information, and is composed of, for example, basic software (OS) including a protocol stack including TCP / IP.

The content information request unit 202 accesses the WEB server device 106, receives the list information,
This is passed to the user interface unit 207. The content data request unit 203 stores the content based on the allocation information (for example, URI) of the content selected by the user, the multicast distribution server device 104 or the unicast distribution server device 10.
5 requests the data of the content. The content data acquisition unit 204 receives the content data transmitted from the multicast distribution server device 104 or the unicast distribution server device 105 that stores the content, and passes it to the display unit 208. The display unit 205 is a means for providing information to the user in a form in which the information can be recognized by the user, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, voice reproduction, a speaker, or the like. When the display unit 205 receives the list information from the content information request unit 202, the display unit 205 generates the user interface unit 207 to provide the list information to the user, and the content data acquisition unit 204.
When the content data is received from, the content display unit 208 is generated, and the reproduced content is displayed here. The input unit 206 is a unit such as a keyboard, pointing device, or voice input software for passing input information from the user to the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the user interface unit 207 generated by the display unit 208.
In the figure, a window 300 is a list information area 30.
1, and the list information area 301 has one or more pieces of content information 302, 303, .... The list information area 301 is the content distribution system 10
Display all or part of the content that 0 can provide.
The user uses the input unit 206 to select the content to be downloaded from the list information area 301. As a selection method, for example, a method of clicking the corresponding content information with a pointing device, inputting identification information of the content (for example, content serial number), or the like is conceivable, but any method may be used. .

After selection, when the button 304 is activated by an operation such as clicking the button 304 or pressing the enter key, the content data request unit acquires allocation information (eg URL) of the content, and based on this allocation information. The content transmission request is sent to the corresponding multicast distribution server device 104 or unicast distribution server device 105.

Next, a display example of the content display unit 208 will be described. FIG. 4 shows the window 30 shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a content display unit 208 displayed on the display unit 205 after requesting content using 0. In the example shown in FIG.
It is provided as a window 400. Window 4
00 is an image display area 401, a play button 402,
It has a stop button 403. When the user activates the play button 402, the played content is displayed in the image display area 401. Note that the content display unit 208 does not necessarily need to be provided by a window, and may be displayed on the display unit 205 without using a window.

[Multicast distribution server device] The multicast distribution server device 104 is a device capable of simultaneously distributing the same content to a plurality of users.
Further, the content data held by itself is sent to another distribution server device according to an instruction from the content relocation management device 109, and the content data is received from another distribution server device. Multicast distribution server device 104
Is content that users tend to concentrate on,
For example, he is in charge of distribution of contents by popular artists and contents related to new releases.

The multicast distribution server device 104
An information processing apparatus capable of transmitting content data to a user side terminal 103 via a communication network 102, including an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and an input / output device (I / I). O), a device including an external storage device such as a hard disk device.

FIG. 5 shows the multicast distribution server device 10.
4 shows a configuration example of No. 4. The illustrated multicast distribution server device 104 includes a communication control unit 501 and a communication control unit 501.
A content distribution processing unit 502 and a distribution request receiving unit 503, a content data storage unit 504 connected to the content distribution processing unit 502, and a content arrangement processing unit 505 connected to the content data storage unit 504. , And an access log processing unit 506 connected to the delivery request receiving unit 503.

The communication control unit 501 has a function of establishing a connection with the user side terminal 103 and exchanging information via the communication network 102, and includes, for example, a protocol stack including TCP / IP. Basic software (O
S).

The distribution request receiving unit 503 is used by the user side terminal 1.
03, the content distribution request is received, and it is passed to the content distribution processing unit 502. The content distribution processing unit 502 acquires the content data stored in the content data storage unit 504 in accordance with the content distribution request, and acquires the content data via the communication control unit 501.
Send to 3. The content distribution processing unit 502
Can send contents by multicast. The content data storage unit 504 has a function of storing and holding content data (eg, MP3 file, MPEG file, etc.). The content placement processing unit 505, in accordance with an instruction from the content relocation management device 109, sends other delivery server devices (multicast delivery server device 104, unicast delivery server device 10).
5) Moving (copying) content data to and from
Regarding the content data stored by itself, the content is deactivated and activated, and unnecessary content is deleted. The access log processing unit 506 acquires the access history of the user and the content distribution history to the user from the distribution request receiving unit 503 and the content distribution processing unit 502, and transmits this to the operation management apparatus 108.

[Unicast Distribution Server Device] Next, the unicast distribution server device 105 will be described. The unicast distribution server device 105 is a device that distributes content to users, but unlike the multicast distribution server device 104, it does not have the function of distributing the same content to multiple users at the same time. Further, the unicast distribution server device 105 sends the content data held by itself to another distribution server device according to an instruction from the content rearrangement management device 109, and receives the content data from another distribution server device.

The unicast distribution server device 105 sends content data to the user side terminal 1 via the communication network 102.
An information processing device that can be transmitted to 0, and includes an external storage device such as an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and a hard disk device. Is a device.

FIG. 6 shows a unicast distribution server device 105.
A configuration example of is shown. The configuration of the unicast distribution server device 105 is basically the same as that of the multicast distribution server device 104, except that the content distribution processing unit 60 is different.
2 does not perform multicast delivery (delivering the same content to a plurality of users at the same time) and is provided with a log slide unit 607 and a log input unit 608.

The illustrated unicast distribution server device 105
Is a communication control unit 601, a content distribution processing unit 602 connected to the communication control unit 601, a distribution request receiving unit 603, a content data storage unit 604 connected to the content distribution processing unit 602, and this content data storage. Content placement processing unit 605 connected to the unit 604
An access log processing unit 606 connected to the delivery request receiving unit 603, a log slide unit 607 connected to the access log recording unit 606, and an access log recording unit 60.
6 has a log input unit 608 connected to it.

The communication control unit 601 has a function of establishing a connection with the user side terminal 103 and exchanging information via the communication network 102, and includes, for example, a protocol stack including TCP / IP. Basic software (O
S).

The distribution request receiving unit 603 is used by the user side terminal 1.
The content distribution request from the server 03 is received, and this is passed to the content distribution processing unit 602. The content distribution processing unit 502 acquires the content data stored in the content data storage unit according to the content distribution request, and transmits this to the user-side terminal 103 via the communication control unit 501. The content distribution processing unit 502 transmits the content by unicast, but does not transmit it by multicast. Content data storage unit 6
04 is content data (for example, MP3 file,
It has a function of storing and holding MPEG files). In accordance with an instruction from the content relocation management device 109, the content placement processing unit 605 moves (copies) content data with another delivery server device (multicast delivery server device 104, unicast delivery server device 105), and With respect to the content data stored by, the content is deactivated and activated, and unnecessary content is deleted. The access log processing unit 606 acquires the access history of the user and the content distribution history to the user from the distribution request receiving unit 603 and the content distribution processing unit 602, and transmits this to the operation management apparatus 108. The log slide unit 607 is used by the operation management device 10
According to the instruction from 8, the log record to be totalized is determined from the access log recorded by the access log recording unit 606, and the log is prevented from overflowing.

The log input unit 608 is the operation management device 108.
In response to an instruction from the user, the access log recorded by the access log recording unit 606, which is confirmed by the log slide unit 607, is acquired, and this is acquired.
Send to.

[Content Management Server Device] Next, the content management server device 107 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows the content management server device 107.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of FIG. From the content supplier side terminal 101, the content management server device 107
It operates to accept registration of a content to be newly registered in this content distribution system, and to provide the information related to this content to the content relocation management device 109.

The content management server device 107 includes a meta content information input unit 701 and a content management GUI.
And a portion 702. Meta-content information input section 7
01 provides a user interface for inputting meta-content information to the content supplier with respect to the content supplied from the content-provider side terminal 101, and inputs the input meta-content information to the content relocation management device 109. send.

The content management GUI section 702 enables the content supplier side terminal 101 to browse the content information in the content distribution system 100 by referring to the content management table section 906 of the content relocation management apparatus 109. . In addition, in response to a content deletion request from the content supplier side terminal 101, the content rearrangement management apparatus 109 issues a content deletion request.

[WEB server device] WEB server device 1
Reference numeral 06 denotes a server device for providing the user-side terminal 103 with list information including hyperlinks to the contents of the present system. For example, a WWW for providing a web document in response to a request from the browser of the user-side terminal 103. (World Wide Web) server. The list information including hyperlinks to contents is always supplied from the contents rearrangement management device 109 based on the latest arrangement of contents.

[Operation Management Device] Next, the operation management device 1
08 will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 8
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an operation management device 108. FIG.
The operation management device 108 includes a scheduler unit 801, a log file storage unit 802, a log slide unit 803,
A log input unit 804, and a scheduler unit 801.
Is connected to the log slide unit 803 and the log input unit 804 and functions to send a predetermined instruction to the content relocation management device 109 and the unicast distribution server device 105. Further, the log file storage means 802 is connected to the log slide means 803 and the log input means 804 and receives log information from the multicast distribution server device 104.

The scheduler unit 801 activates each distribution server device and its own log slide units 607 and 803 in order to collect access log transmission at a predetermined timing (for example, at a predetermined set cycle). After the processing of the log slide units 607 and 803 is completed, the log input unit 60
8, 804 is activated and the access log is transmitted to the content relocation management device 109.

The schedule section 80 of the operation management device 108
1 has a function of managing the execution timing for automatically and autonomously executing the relocation of the contents in the present distribution system and issuing an execution instruction to another device when the timing comes.

[Content Rearrangement Management Device] Next, the content rearrangement management device 109 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows the content relocation management device 1
It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 09.

The content relocation management device 109 determines the relocation of the content data based on the access log, moves the content data according to the determined relocation, and displays the list information of the relocated content data. Has a function to generate.

The content rearrangement management device 109 is an information processing device such as a computer or a workstation, and has an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) and a main memory (R).
AM), read only memory (ROM), input / output device (I
/ O), an external storage device such as a hard disk device. A program for causing the information processing apparatus to function as the content relocation management apparatus 109 or a program for causing a computer to execute the content relocation method is stored in the ROM or the external storage device, and the program is stored in the main memory. The content rearrangement management device 109 is realized or is executed by placing it on the CPU and executing it by the CPU. Further, the above-mentioned program does not have to be stored in the storage device in the device, and is provided from an external device (for example, ASP (server of application service provider)) and stored in the main memory. It may be configured to be mounted.

The content relocation management device 109 includes a log aggregation unit 901, a unicast distribution server (UCS) log table (TBL) unit 902, a multicast distribution server (MCS) log table (TBL) unit 903,
New content table section 904, meta-content management table section 905, and content management table section 90
6, a rearrangement determination unit 907, a distribution server information file unit 908, a rearrangement execution unit 909, an intermediate language regular file unit 910, and a list information generation unit 911.

The log totaling unit 901 includes a unicast distribution server (UCS) log table (TBL) unit 902 and a multicast distribution server (MCS) log table (TB).
L) section 903 and the new content table section 904, and the content management table section 90
Connected to 6. The reallocation determining unit 907 is connected to the content management table unit 906 and the distribution server information file unit 908, and also the reallocation executing unit 909.
It is connected to the. The relocation execution unit 909 is connected to the intermediate language file unit 910 and is also connectable to all the multicast distribution server devices 104 and all the unicast distribution server devices 105. The list information generation unit 911 is connected to the meta content management table unit 905 and the content management table unit 906, and also connected to the Web server device 106.

The log totaling unit 901 includes a unicast distribution server (UCS) log table (TBL) unit 902 and a multicast distribution server (MCS) log table (TB).
The L) unit 903 and the new content table unit 904 store the access counts for each content, based on the access log information stored in the new content table unit 904, and store the totaled result in the content management table unit 906. The unicast distribution server (UCS) log table (TBL) unit 902 receives and stores the access log provided from the log input unit 608 of each unicast distribution server device 105.

The multicast distribution server (MCS) log table (TBL) unit 903 receives and stores the access log provided from the log input unit 804 of the operation management apparatus 108. The new content table unit 904 stores new content data sent from the content management server device 107. New content table section 90
The content data stored in No. 4 is unconditionally placed in any of the multicast distribution server devices 104 when the relocation is performed.

The meta contents management table section 905
The meta content information provided from the content management server device 107 is stored. "Meta-content information" is
It is a set of information about contents (for example, work name, artist name, usage fee, etc.) and is mainly used for creating list information.

The content management table unit 906 stores the result of totaling the number of accesses for each content (hereinafter, referred to as “log total result table”), and stores the content information such as the capacity (file size) of the content and the storage of the content. Information indicating the destination (for example, file name, path name, URI, etc.) is stored.

The rearrangement determining unit 907 includes a content management table unit 906 and a distribution server information file unit 90.
Referring to 8, based on the number of access to content,
Execute the content relocation method and decide the relocation.
In addition to the number of access to the content, the content reposable capacity for each server and the content replacement capacity information may be used to determine the rearrangement of the content. The determined content related to the rearrangement and its location destination are written and stored in the content management table unit 906.

The distribution server information file section 908 stores information about the environment of the server. Information about the environment of the server is, for example, the OS (Operating System),
Content distribution software, content replacement capacity, and content storage capacity.

The reallocation executing unit 909 is a reallocation determining unit 90.
7 receives the information about the content data to be relocated, which has been determined in step 7, and based on this information, from the distribution server device (current location) that currently holds the content to the new distribution server device (relocation destination). ) To send these commands to these distribution server devices. After that, a command is transmitted to the distribution server device, which is the relocation destination, so that the copied content is activated to make it accessible to the user. In addition, it sends a command for deactivating unnecessary content and deleting unnecessary content.

The above-mentioned command is first described in an intermediate language (a script for a virtual delivery machine for realizing a unified operation that does not depend on the delivery server environment), and the relocation execution unit 909 makes the intermediate language definition file unit. 910, the command written in the intermediate language is converted into a command of the distribution server device to which the command is transmitted,
It is sent to each distribution server device.

The intermediate language definition file unit 910 stores a file in which correspondence between the intermediate language and the command / error code of each distribution server device is defined in order to absorb the difference in command and operation system of each distribution server device. Store.

The list information generating section 911 includes a content management table section 906 and a meta-content management table section 9
05, the list information having the location information of the rearranged contents is generated and provided to the Web server device 106. The list information is sent as a Web document (for example, an HTML document, an XML document, etc.) that includes the location of the content as a hyperlink.

[Operation of Content Delivery System] Next,
The operation of the content distribution system will be described. FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a content rearrangement method in the present content distribution system.

First, a new content is provided from the content supplier side terminal 101 to the content management server device 107 as content data and meta-content data, and the content management server device 107 accepts the content data and the meta-content data. It is sent to the content relocation management device 109 (S1001). Note that step 1001 is an event that can occur at any time and is not executed by this system.

Next, the scheduler unit 801 of the operation management apparatus 109 executes the access log totaling process at the set cycle (S1002). First, the scheduler unit 801
Activates the log slide unit 607 in the unicast delivery server device 105 and the log slide unit 803 in the operation management device 109 to confirm the aggregation target logs of the distribution server devices 104 and 105, and execute the log confirmation. . After the normal end of the processing by the log slide units 607 and 803, the scheduler unit 801 of the operation management apparatus 108
Log input unit 6 in the unicast distribution server device 105
08 and the log input unit 804 of the operation management apparatus 108 are started. The content relocation management device 109 is caused to input the confirmed access log. That is, the access logs of all the multicast distribution server devices 104 are stored in the MCS log table unit 903 of the content relocation management device 109, and all the unicast distribution server devices 10 are also stored.
The access log of No. 5 is stored in the UCS log table unit 902 of the content relocation management device 109.

Next, the scheduler unit 801 causes the log totaling unit 901 of the content rearrangement management device 109.
The log totaling unit 901 totalizes the number of accesses for each content from the UCS log table unit 902, the MCS log table unit 903, and the new content table unit 904. The tabulation result is stored in the content management table unit 906 as a log tabulation result table.

With the above, the access log totaling process is completed.

Next, content rearrangement determination processing is performed (S1002). The scheduler unit 801 activates the rearrangement determination unit 907 of the content rearrangement management device 109, and the rearrangement determination unit 907 uses the number of accesses as a reference based on the log aggregation result table of the content management table unit 906. Determine the relocation destination. It is preferable to refer to the server information file (prepared for each server) and complete the content retentive capacity and content replacement capacity information for each server when determining the relocation destination of the content.

11 and 12 are flow charts showing an example of the method of determining the rearrangement of the contents, which is performed by the rearrangement determining unit 907. First, the contents are ranked in descending order of the number of accesses (S1101).

Next, according to this ranking, the contents stored in the multicast distribution server device 104 are determined (S1102). At this time, the free disk space of the multicast distribution server device 104 caused by the movement of the contents to be replaced is calculated, and the contents stored in the multicast distribution server device 104 are determined so that there is sufficient free space for replacement. next,
By this determination, it is checked whether or not there is content that needs to be replaced from the multicast distribution server device 104 to the unicast distribution server device 105 (S110).
3). When there is no replacement, the rearrangement determination process is terminated, and when there is replacement, the content to be replaced (hereinafter referred to as replacement target content) and the unicast distribution server device 105 to be replaced are provisionally determined ( S1104). At this time, the unicast distribution server device 105 that is the replacement destination is selected to have the smallest average access count. The average access count is the average access count of all contents held by the distribution server devices 104 and 105.

Next, the contents previously stored in the multicast distribution server device 104 are moved to the unicast distribution server device 105 with the least average access. Next, the average number of accesses of each unicast distribution server device 105 when the contents are replaced is calculated (S1106).

Next, each unicast distribution server device 1
It is checked whether the difference between the average access numbers of 05 is within the allowable value (S1107). If the difference between the average access numbers is within the allowable value, the rearrangement determination process ends.

On the other hand, if the allowable value is exceeded, another combination of replacement contents is specified (S1108).
For example, if the content with the least number of accesses (access number = x) stored in the server with the smallest average number of accesses,
Number of accesses stored on the server with the highest average number of accesses
Content with a small amount of (A) (A (n)> x) is replaced with another content.

The difference in the average number of accesses due to this replacement is calculated (S1109).

It is checked whether or not the average number of accesses of each unicast distribution server device 105 falls within the allowable value range by the combination of the replacement contents (S1).
110). At this time, if the difference between the average access numbers is within the allowable value, the relocation determining process is ended.

On the other hand, if the allowable value is exceeded, another combination of replacement contents is specified and the combination of all contents is tried until steps S1108 to S1110.
Is repeated (S1111).

After the execution of all the combinations of replacement, if it still does not fall within the allowable value range, the rearrangement of the contents is determined in a pattern that minimizes the difference in the average access numbers (S1112).

A specific example of the above processing will be given. Example) It is assumed that the permissible value is 5, and the contents and access count of each distribution server device are as follows. Unicast distribution server device 1 (uni 1) ・ Content a 300 ・ Content b 150 ・ Content c 100 ・ Content d 80 ・ Content e 40 Unicast distribution server device 2 (Uni 2) ・ Content f 400 ・ Content g 180 ・ Content h 170 ・ Contents i 90 ・ Contents j 80 Multicast distribution server device (multi) ・ Contents k 500 ・ Contents l 120 The above contents a to l are ranked in descending order of the number of accesses, as follows. -Ranking order: k->f->a-> g ... Here, the content l is replaced with the content f.

The content l is to be moved to the unicast distribution server, and the free disk space of the multicast distribution server device is calculated accordingly.

Since the contents f and a enter the multi due to the free disk space, the contents f and a are moved to the multicast distribution server device.

The current average number of accesses per content of the unicast distribution server device 1 is 370/4 = 92.5, while the average number of accesses per content of the unicast distribution server device 2 is 520/4 = 130.

It is assumed that the demoted content l is moved to the unicast distribution server device 1 having the least average access. In this case, unicast distribution server device
If the disk capacity of 1 becomes insufficient, the content l
Distribution server device that is the relocation destination of
The content e having the least access in 1 is moved to the unicast distribution server device having the second smallest access number.

When the average number of accesses of the unicast distribution server devices 1 and 2 when the contents 1 and e are moved is calculated, the average number of accesses of the unicast distribution server device 1 is 450/4 = 112.5, The average access number of the device 2 is 112, and the difference between the average access numbers is 0.5 <permissible value = 5 (within the permissible value), so the determination of the relocation is ended.

Returning to FIG. 10 again, the description will be continued.

After the rearrangement determination processing is completed, the system performs rearrangement execution processing (S1004). The relocation execution process is performed as follows. The scheduler unit 801 activates the relocation execution unit 909, and the relocation execution unit 909 generates a script in an intermediate language for relocating the relocation target content of the content management table unit 906. There are two types of scripts, "relocation intermediate script" for moving (copying) content, content deactivation, content activation, and
A "publishing intermediate script" for deleting unnecessary content is generated.

The intermediate language definition file part in which the correspondence of the actual command / error code from the intermediate language for absorbing the difference in the command and operation system of each server is defined by the "relocation intermediate script" and the "publishing intermediate script". By referring to 910, it is converted into an actual server operation. Realize a unified operation system. The relocation target content is copied from the current location to the relocation destination. The copied content is activated only during the subsequent publishing intermediate script.

The relocation execution process is completed as described above.

Next, a list information generation process is executed (S1005). The scheduler unit 801 activates the list information generation unit 911, and the list information generation unit 911
Generates list information based on the content management table unit 906 and the meta-content management table unit 905, and
It is supplied to the eb server device 106. Specifically, a Web page is created by creating Web document data including location information of each content as a hyperlink and referring to the style sheet. After that, the page of the Web server device 106 is updated with this Web document data. At this point, the link information of the Web server points to the relocated content location.

[Advantages of this Embodiment] While delivering contents while making the best use of the advantages of different types of delivery methods such as unicast / multicast,
Relocation of content in a plurality of distribution servers is performed so as to avoid the concentration of load on a specific distribution server.

Also, the necessity of automatically rearranging the contents is examined according to the access status of the user side terminal and the distribution capability of the distribution server device for arranging the contents (difference between multicast and unicast). At the same time, when rearrangement is necessary, an appropriate arrangement is determined, and the content is rearranged based on this determined arrangement, so unless new video content is input and accompanying video content deletion work is performed. Can operate the processing related to content rearrangement completely automatically.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the processes such as copying, deleting, activating, and specific activating the contents do not depend on the environment of the distribution server device, so that the distribution server devices of various models can freely use the contents. It can be incorporated into a distribution system.

[Modification] In the description of the above embodiment, the multicast distribution server apparatus 104, the unicast distribution server apparatus 105, the Web server apparatus 106,
Content management server device 107, operation management device 10
8. The content rearrangement management device 109 (hereinafter, referred to as “component device”) has been described as a device that is physically independent. However, information in which these two or more component devices are physically the same is described. The configuration may be realized by the processing device. For example, a program for causing the same computer to function as the operation management apparatus 108 and a program for causing it to function as the content relocation management apparatus 109 are installed, and one computer serves as the operation management apparatus 108 and the content relocation management apparatus 109. Is also good.

Also, the multicast distribution server device 10
4, the unicast distribution server device 105, the Web server device 106, the content management server device 107, the operation management device 108, and the content rearrangement management device 109 are not realized by physically the same information processing device. Alternatively, any of the above component devices may be configured by a plurality of information processing devices connected to each other. For example, the content relocation management device 109 may be configured by using its constituent elements as distributed objects and installing the distributed objects in a plurality of computers mutually connected by a network.

[0089]

As described above, when contents are distributed, it is possible to automatically and autonomously rearrange the contents in a plurality of distribution servers so as to avoid the concentration of load on a specific distribution server. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a user side terminal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface unit generated by a display unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a content display unit displayed on a display unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a multicast distribution server device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a unicast distribution server device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a content management server device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an operation management device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a content relocation management device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a content rearrangement method in the present content distribution system.

FIG. 11 is a first half of a flowchart showing an example of a method for determining a reallocation of contents performed by a reallocation determining unit.

FIG. 12 is the latter half of the flowchart showing an example of the method of determining the rearrangement of the content, which is performed by the rearrangement determining unit 907.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 ... Content supplier side terminal 102 ... Communication network 103 ... User side terminal 104 ... Multicast distribution server device 105 ... Unicast distribution server device 106 ... Web server device 107 ... Content management server device 108 ... Operation management device 109 ... Content relocation management device 901 ... Log aggregation unit 907 ... Relocation determination unit 909 ... Relocation execution unit 911 ... List information generation unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A content relocation management device for relocating content data stored in a plurality of delivery server devices, wherein access logs of the plurality of delivery server devices are totaled, and an access count for each content is calculated. Based on the number of accesses calculated by the log tallying unit for performing the above, the number of accesses of each content is ranked, and based on this ranking and the average number of accesses of each distribution server device A content relocation management device, comprising: a relocation determination unit that determines relocation; and a relocation execution unit that relocates content according to the determination of the relocation determination unit. 2. The content relocation management device according to claim 1, wherein the content relocation management device includes a list information generation unit for generating list information having location information of the relocated content. A content relocation management device further comprising: 3. The content relocation management device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of distribution server devices include at least one multicast distribution server device and at least one unicast distribution server device. A characteristic content relocation management device. 4. The content relocation management device according to claim 3, wherein the relocation determination unit, together with the ranking and the average number of accesses of each distribution server device, is load resistance to the access of each distribution server device. A content relocation management device, characterized in that content relocation is determined based on the above. 5. The content relocation management device according to claim 1, wherein the content relocation management device further comprises an intermediate language definition file unit, and the relocation execution unit includes the intermediate language definition file unit. A content relocation management device, which converts a command described in an intermediate language into a command of a distribution server device to which the command is transmitted and sends the command to each distribution server device. 6. A method of rearranging content data stored in a plurality of distribution server devices including at least one multicast distribution server device and at least one unicast distribution server device, wherein ranking of the number of access of contents is performed. And determining the content to be stored in the multicast distribution server device based on this ranking, and when there is content to be moved from the multicast distribution server device to any unicast distribution server device, the average number of accesses Check whether the difference between the step of moving the smallest unicast distribution server device and the average access number of each unicast distribution server device is within the allowable value, and if the difference of the average access number is within the allowable value, relocation decision If the process is terminated and the allowable value is exceeded, How to relocate the content data; and a step of specifying a combination of replacement content. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein after all the content replacement combinations are executed, if the average access count is not within the allowable value range for any content replacement combination, the average The method further comprising the step of determining the rearrangement of the content according to a combination of replacement of the content having the smallest difference in the number of accesses. 8. A program for causing a computer to function as the content relocation management device according to claim 1. Description: 9. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 6 or 7. 10. A computer-readable program recording medium storing the program according to claim 8 or 9.