JP2003299055A - Video distribution system, video distribution server and subscriber accommodation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute high-quality video contents, without depending on the traffic condition of a subscriber access line. <P>SOLUTION: A video distribution server 10 preliminarily distributes video contents needless to send in real time to a subscriber accommodation terminal 20 before their distributing times. Upon receipt of a distribution request from a subscriber terminal 30, the server 10 judges whether the distribution-requested video contents are already distributed preliminarily, and, if distributed preliminarily, instructs the subscriber accommodation terminal 20 at the preliminarily distributed side to send the preliminarily distributed data. The subscriber accommodation terminal 20 once stores the preliminarily distributed video contents from the video distribution server 10, and upon receipt of the instruction from the distribution server 10 to send the preliminarily distributed data, sends the stored preliminarily distributed video contents to the subscriber terminal 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a subscriber accommodation device accommodating a subscriber terminal and a video distribution server connected via a network, and the subscriber is connected from the video distribution server via the network and the subscriber accommodation device. The present invention relates to a video distribution system for distributing video contents to terminals, a video distribution server and a subscriber accommodation device used in the system, and more specifically, to a subscriber terminal with high quality without depending on communication quality of a subscriber access line. The present invention relates to improvement of a video content distribution method for providing a stable video distribution service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one form of a video distribution system, it comprises a subscriber accommodation device accommodating a subscriber terminal and a video distribution server connected to the subscriber accommodation device via a network. Video data (video content) to the subscriber terminal via the subscriber accommodation device
Are known to deliver.

In this type of system, a broadband and low-delay communication channel is generally indispensable in order to provide subscribers with high-quality video content distribution.

In this regard, it is relatively easy to arrange the communication network (provider network) and the relay network of the service providing company that provides the video distribution service so as to satisfy the wide band and the low delay.

However, the subscriber access line (called the last one mile) in the subscriber access network between the relay network and the subscriber accommodation device must be shared with other subscriber accommodation devices. For this reason, since the communication band changes and the amount of delay always changes, it is difficult to keep the subscriber access line in a wideband and low delay state, and it is difficult to deliver high-quality video content.

In addition, in the conventional system of this type, under the above-mentioned operating environment, the subscriber terminal sends a video distribution request to the video distribution server as needed, and the video distribution server sends the video distribution request each time. Communication channel (provider network →
It has been common to deliver video contents in real time to subscriber terminals via a relay network → subscriber access network) and a subscriber accommodation device.

According to the configuration of the conventional system, a very large video content in terms of capacity is transferred through the communication path at the time of video distribution. At this time, the subscriber access line in the subscriber access network described above is transferred. Depending on the user communication status, the communication band is insufficient, and the quality of the delivered video content may be significantly reduced due to the influence.

[0008]

As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional video distribution system, the video distribution server is designed to distribute the video content to the subscriber terminal in real time in response to the video distribution request from the subscriber terminal. Therefore, depending on the situation of user communication on the subscriber access line at this time, there is a problem that the communication band is insufficient and high quality video content cannot be distributed due to the influence.

The present invention solves the above problems and enables a high-quality video content distribution without depending on the communication status of a subscriber access line, and a video distribution server and a subscriber used in the system. An object is to provide a storage device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is formed by connecting a subscriber accommodation device accommodating a subscriber terminal and a video distribution server through a network. In a video distribution system for distributing video content from a video distribution server to the subscriber terminal via the network and the subscriber accommodation device, the video distribution server stores storage means for storing video content, and stores in the storage means. And a pre-delivery control means for pre-delivering a specific video content in the stored content to the subscriber accommodation terminal before the delivery schedule, wherein the subscriber accommodation device pre-distributes the video from the video delivery server. Storage means for storing content, and pre-delivered video content stored in the storage means,
A preliminary distribution response control means for transmitting to the subscriber terminal based on a preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction from the video distribution server.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the video delivery server determines whether or not the video content requested by the subscriber terminal for delivery has been pre-delivered. And a preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction means for transmitting the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction to the subscriber accommodation terminal of the preliminary distribution destination when the video content requested for distribution has been already distributed. Characterize.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned second aspect, the video delivery server has a delivery information table for storing the video content delivered for each subscriber accommodation device in association with each other. The judging means may judge whether or not the preliminary distribution has been completed by referring to the distribution information table.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the subscriber accommodation device detects a communication use band of a subscriber access line with the network, and the video. And a preliminary distribution refusal control means for instructing the video distribution server to reject the preliminary distribution according to the communication use band detected by the detecting means when the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction is received from the distribution server. If the video distribution server receives the preliminary distribution refusal instruction from the subscriber accommodation device of the preliminary distribution destination after transmitting the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction,
A preliminary distribution re-execution control means for controlling the preliminary distribution again after a predetermined period is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned first aspect of the invention, the video distribution server and the subscriber accommodating device have a message communication means for transmitting and receiving various instruction messages and response messages to the various instruction messages. It is characterized in that at least the control relating to the preliminary distribution and the data transmission of the preliminary distribution between the preliminary distribution control means and the preliminary distribution response control means is performed by transmitting and receiving an instruction and a response message corresponding to each control. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned fifth aspect of the invention, the message communication means corresponds to normal real-time distribution that does not depend on the preliminary distribution, a video content deletion instruction, and a video content reference instruction. And a response message to each instruction message can be transmitted and received mutually, and the real-time delivery by transmitting and receiving each instruction and response message,
It is characterized by performing control of deletion and reference of video contents.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the specific video content is a real-time non-real-time video content, and the video distribution server is real-time other than the specific video content. The responsive video content is delivered to the subscriber terminal in real time via the subscriber accommodation device in response to the delivery request from the subscriber terminal.

According to the invention described in claim 8, in the invention described in claim 7, the video distribution server multicast-distributes corresponding video contents to a plurality of subscriber accommodation devices at the time of the real-time distribution and the preliminary distribution. It is characterized by comprising a multicast distribution means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the subscriber accommodation device is a point-to-multipoint radio as an access interface in a subscriber access line with the network. It is characterized by having an access interface corresponding to any one of an access line, a cable television, an optical fiber, and an asymmetric digital subscriber line.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, a subscriber accommodation device accommodating a subscriber terminal is connected via a network, and video contents are distributed to the subscriber terminal via the network and the subscriber accommodation device. In the video delivery server, storage means for storing video content, preliminary delivery control means for pre-delivering specific video content stored in the storage means to the subscriber accommodation terminal before the delivery schedule, and Judgment means for deciding whether or not the video content requested for distribution from the subscriber terminal has been preliminarily distributed, and if the video content for which distribution has been requested has been preliminarily distributed, the preliminarily distributed destination subscriber accommodating terminal And a preliminary distribution completed data transmission instructing means for transmitting the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction.

The invention according to claim 11 is the above-mentioned claim 10.
In the invention described in the above, there is a distribution information table for storing the video contents distributed for each of the subscriber accommodation devices in association with each other, and the judging means refers to the distribution information table to determine whether or not the preliminary distribution has been completed. It is characterized by making a judgment.

The invention according to claim 12 is the above-mentioned claim 10.
In the invention described, after sending the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to reject the preliminary distribution from the subscriber accommodation device of the preliminary distribution destination, and if there is a preliminary distribution refusal instruction, A preliminary distribution re-execution control means for controlling the preliminary distribution again after a predetermined period is provided.

The invention according to claim 13 is the above-mentioned claim 10.
In the described invention, the specific video content is
Video content having no real-time property and having real-time property other than the specific video content is transmitted to the subscriber terminal in real time via the subscriber accommodation device in response to the distribution request from the subscriber terminal. It is characterized by being delivered to.

The invention according to claim 14 is the above claim 13.
In the invention described above, in the real-time distribution and the preliminary distribution, a multicast distribution unit for multicasting the corresponding video content to a plurality of subscriber accommodation devices is provided.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the subscriber accommodation device which accommodates a subscriber terminal, receives the video content distributed from the video distribution server via the network and distributes the video content to the subscriber terminal. Accumulation means for accumulating video content extracted by the distribution server before the distribution schedule and preliminarily distributed, and received via the subscriber access line to the network, and pre-distributed video accumulated in the storage means And a preliminary distribution response control means for transmitting contents to the subscriber terminal based on a preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction from the video distribution server.

The invention according to claim 16 is the above-mentioned claim 15.
In the invention described above, depending on the detection means for detecting the communication usage band of the subscriber access line, and the communication usage band detected by the detection means when receiving the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction from the video distribution server. And preliminary distribution refusal control means for instructing the video distribution server to reject the preliminary distribution.

The invention according to claim 17 is the above-mentioned claim 15.
In the invention described above, an access interface corresponding to any one of a point-to-multipoint wireless access line, a cable television, an optical fiber, and an asymmetric digital subscriber line is provided as an access interface in the subscriber access line. It is characterized by

[0027]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a video distribution system according to the present invention.

This system accommodates a video distribution server 10 for distributing video contents provided by a video distribution service provider (provider) and a subscriber terminal 30 owned by a subscriber who uses the video distribution service. It is configured by connecting a subscriber accommodation device 20 that receives the video content distributed from the video distribution server 10 and distributes it to the subscriber terminal 30 via a provider network 50, a relay network 60, and a subscriber access network 70. To be done.

In this system, the subscriber accommodation device 2
0 is rented from a provider to a subscriber who has a subscription contract for a video distribution service provided by the provider.

This subscriber accommodation device 20 is installed in the subscriber's house and accommodates the subscriber terminal 30 which is a terminal for using the video distribution service, while it is connected to the subscriber access line with the subscriber access network 70. Are connected via a predetermined access interface.

In the system of FIG. 1, in particular, subscriber accommodation devices 20 are installed in the homes of N subscribers (A to N), and these subscriber accommodation devices 20 are provided for each subscriber (A to N). It shows a configuration in which each subscriber terminal 30 is accommodated.

In this system, the subscriber accommodation device 2
The following are possible access interfaces between 0 and the subscriber access line.

For example, the access line is point-to-multi between the wireless base station installed in the subscriber access network 70 and the own subscriber accommodation device 20 and other similar subscriber accommodation devices 20. An access interface corresponding to the PTMP subscriber wireless access line may be used as long as it is realized by the PTMP subscriber wireless access line that performs wireless communication by the point (PTMP).

The access line is a cable television (CATV), an optical fiber [FTTH (Fiber To T
he Home)], ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
Etc., the access interface corresponding to each line may be applied.

On the other hand, the video distribution server 10 is installed in the provider network 50 connected to the subscriber access network 70 via the relay network 60.

The video distribution server 10 has a database (DB: corresponding to a video content DB 114 described later) in which various video contents are registered, and based on this DB, the provider network 50, the relay network 60, and subscriber access. The video content is distributed via the network 70 and the subscriber accommodation device 20 to the subscriber terminal 30 accommodated in the subscriber accommodation device 20.

In particular, in the video distribution system of the present invention, the video distribution server 10 uses the subscriber accommodating device 20 for the video contents, such as movies and dramas, which are not real-time, among the video contents registered in the DB. Is preliminarily delivered to the subscriber accommodation device 20 and the preliminarily delivered video content is then delivered from the subscriber accommodation device 20 to the subscriber terminal 30 accommodated in the subscriber accommodation device 20.
It has a function of delivering to.

The configuration and operation of each unit in the video distribution system of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of the video distribution server 10 in the video distribution system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the video distribution server 10 includes a network interface (I / F) unit 111, a video content transmission unit 112, a video content program database (DB) 113, a video content database (DB) 114, Management database (DB) 115, message communication processing unit 116, preliminary distribution processing unit 117, preliminary distribution destination address generation unit 118, timer processing unit 119,
It is configured to include a subscriber accommodation device control unit 120 and a main control unit 121.

The network I / F unit 111 controls the interface with the provider network 50.

The video content transmission unit 112 performs a process of transmitting video content to the corresponding subscriber accommodation device 20 at the time of preliminary distribution or real-time distribution, which will be described later.

Video content program database (D
B) 113 stores data corresponding to a program table (a title of video content is associated with its scheduled distribution time) describing a distribution schedule of what kind of content the video content is distributed at what time.

Video content database (DB) 1
Reference numeral 14 is a database in which video contents (contents: video data) to be subjected to preliminary distribution or real-time distribution are stored in a DB.

The management database (DB) 115 stores management information for managing the video content distribution status and device operating status of each subscriber accommodation device 20.

The management information stored in the management DB 115 is, for example, contents by subscriber accommodation device indicating to which subscriber accommodation device 20 the video content of what content has been distributed by preliminary distribution or real-time distribution. Distribution information 1151 and each subscriber accommodation device 2
Subscriber accommodation device status information 1152 indicating a current operating status of 0 (for example, a status of communication or non-communication) is included, and each of these pieces of information is stored in a respective table.

The message communication processing unit 116 transmits and receives various messages for negotiation with the message communication processing unit 212 of the subscriber accommodation device 20 which will be described later, such as communication conditions relating to real-time distribution or preliminary distribution. Yes, it is composed of a message transmitting unit, a message receiving unit, a message encoder / decoder, etc. (none of which are shown).

After the negotiation is completed, the preliminary distribution processing section 117 reads the corresponding video content (content) from the video content DB 114 and carries out preliminary distribution to the subscriber accommodation device 20.

The preliminary distribution destination address generator 118 generates a preliminary distribution destination address which is an address of the subscriber accommodation device 20 of the preliminary distribution destination. The preliminary distribution destination address generation unit 118 corresponds to the function of multicast distribution of video contents to a plurality of subscriber accommodation devices 20.

When the preliminary distribution is rejected by the subscriber accommodation device 20 of the distribution destination at the message communication stage before the start of the timed preliminary distribution, the timer processing unit 119 waits until the preliminary distribution is retried (retry timer). Time, or perform normal timekeeping processing.

The subscriber accommodation device control unit 120 issues various commands such as an instruction to deliver the video contents (contents) preliminarily delivered to the subscriber accommodation device 20 to the subscriber terminal 30 and issues the delivery destination subscriber. The storage device 20 is controlled.

The main control unit 121 is a video content DB.
The entire video distribution server 10 is controlled including the control of real-time distribution of the video content (contents) stored in 114 according to the program guide stored in the video content program DB 113.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the subscriber accommodation device 20 in the system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the subscriber accommodation device 2
Reference numeral 0 denotes a network interface (I / F) unit 211, a video content receiving unit 212, a preliminary distribution video content storage unit 213, a video content transmitting unit 214, a subscriber terminal interface (I / F) unit 215, and a message communication processing unit 216. , A preliminary distribution processing unit 217, an access line used band detection unit 218, and a main control unit 219.

The network I / F unit 211 is used by the subscriber access network 7
Manages the interface with 0.

The video content receiving section 212 performs a process of receiving the video content (contents) preliminarily distributed or real-time distributed from the video distribution server 10.

Preliminary distribution video content storage unit 213
Of the video contents received by the video content receiving unit 212, the video contents preliminarily distributed from the video distribution server 10 are accumulated.

The video content transmission unit 214 has the subscriber terminal 30 that stores the preliminary distribution video content stored in the preliminary distribution video content storage unit 213 in its own device.
Process to send to.

Subscriber terminal interface (I / F) unit 2
Reference numeral 15 denotes the subscriber terminal 30 when transmitting the real-time distributed video content received by the video content receiving section 212 and the pre-distributed video content stored in the preliminary distributed video content storage section 213 to the subscriber terminal 30. Manages the interface with.

The message communication processing unit 216 communicates with the message communication processing unit 116 of the video delivery server 10.
It sends and receives various messages for negotiation such as communication conditions related to video distribution. Like the message communication processing unit 116 of the video distribution server 10, the message communication processing unit 216 includes a message transmitting unit, a message receiving unit, a message encoder / decoder, etc. (all not shown).

After the negotiation is completed, the preliminary distribution processing section 217 receives the video content that is preliminary distributed from the video distribution server 10.

In the processing of the preliminary distribution processing unit 217, when the distribution instruction of the preliminary distribution video content from the video distribution server 10 is received via the message communication processing unit 216, the access line used band detection described later is performed. Based on the communication use band at that time detected by the unit 218, it is determined whether to reject the preliminary delivery, and the determination result is sent via the message communication processing unit 216 to the video delivery server 1.
The process of notifying 0 is included.

The access line used band detector 218 is
When the preliminary distribution processing unit 217 receives a distribution instruction request of the preliminary distribution video content from the video distribution server 10, the communication use band at that time of the connection line (subscriber access line) between the subscriber access network 70 and its own device is determined. A process of detecting and notifying the detection result to the preliminary distribution processing unit 217 is performed.

The main controller 121 controls the video distribution server 10
Real-time delivery from the video content receiver 2
The entire subscriber accommodation device 20 is controlled, including the control of transmitting the video content (contents) received by 12 to the subscriber terminal 215 via the subscriber terminal I / F unit 215.

Next, the preliminary distribution operation of video contents in the video distribution system of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the preliminary distribution processing operation of the video distribution server 10 in the video distribution system of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the preliminary distribution reception processing operation of the subscriber accommodation device 20 in the system. Is.

In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the time for preliminary distribution is set in advance, and when the preliminary distribution time comes, the video distribution server 10 stores the program guide stored in the video content program DB 113. It is assumed that a video content which is scheduled to be distributed after the preliminary distribution time and has no real-time nature is searched from among the above, and is preliminarily distributed to the subscriber accommodation device 20.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned preliminary distribution time and search are carried out so that non-real-time video contents such as movies and dramas can be preliminary distributed to the subscriber accommodation device 20 on the night before the scheduled distribution start date. It is assumed that the target time width is set.

Under such a premise, the video distribution server 10
Then, the preliminary distribution processing unit 117 checks whether or not the preliminary distribution time has come based on the time measured by the timer processing unit 119 (step S401).

If the preliminary distribution time has come (YES in step S401), the preliminary distribution processing section 117 searches the program column of the next day in the program guide stored in the video content program DB 113 (step S402), and It is checked whether or not there is video content to be preliminarily distributed (video content such as movies and videos without real time) (step S403).

If there is no video content subject to preliminary distribution (step S403 NO), the process ends.

On the other hand, when there is video content to be preliminarily distributed (YES in step S403), the preparatory distribution processing unit 117 notifies the message communication processing unit 11 to that effect.
6 and the preliminary distribution destination address generation unit 118.

As a result, the preliminary distribution destination address generator 1
18 generates the address of the subscriber accommodation device 20 of the preliminary distribution destination based on the subscriber DB registered in advance in the management DB 115, for example, and passes it to the message communication processing unit 116. The message communication processing unit 116 is the preliminary distribution processing unit 1.
Based on the instruction from 17, the preliminary distribution start request message is transmitted to the corresponding subscriber accommodation device 20 according to the preliminary distribution destination address (step S404).

The preliminary delivery destination address generation unit 118
Corresponds to the multicast distribution function, and when the setting for multicast distribution to a plurality of distribution destinations is made, it is possible to generate a multicast address corresponding to each distribution destination.

After sending the preliminary delivery start request message, when the message sent from the subscriber accommodation device 20 in response to the message is received by the message communication processing unit 116 and passed to the preliminary delivery processing unit 117, Based on the received message, the preliminary distribution processing unit 117 determines whether or not the subscriber distribution device 20 has rejected the preliminary distribution start request (step S405).

If the preliminary distribution start request is not rejected (NO in step S405), the preliminary distribution processing unit 1
17 reads out the video content of the preliminary distribution target specified in step S403 from the video content DB 114 (step S406), and passes it to the video content transmission unit 112. As a result, the video content transmission unit 112 transfers the video content to be preliminarily distributed to the network I.
It is transmitted to the subscriber accommodation device 20 via the / F unit 111 (step S407).

On the other hand, if the preliminary distribution start request is rejected (YES in step S405), the preliminary distribution processing section 117 instructs the timer processing section 119 to activate a preset retry timer (step S410). Thereafter, it is monitored whether or not this retry timer has timed out (step S411).

During this period, when it is recognized that the retry timer has timed out (YES in step S411), the process returns to step S404, and the preliminary distribution start request message is sent again to the subscriber accommodation device 20, and after step S405. The process continues in the same procedure as above.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, in the video distribution server 10 (for example, the main control unit 121), each time the preliminary distribution is performed, the preliminary distributed video content (title), Content distribution by subscriber accommodation device in which identification information of the subscriber accommodation device 20 of the preliminary distribution destination at this time (for example, a preliminary distribution destination address generated by the preliminary distribution destination address generation unit 118 during the preliminary distribution) is associated The information 1151 is generated and added to the management DB 115, or the content distribution information for each subscriber accommodation device 1151 is updated.

Further, not only during the preliminary distribution but also during normal real-time distribution, as in the case of the preliminary distribution, the title of the distributed video content and the distribution destination identification information are associated with each subscriber accommodation device. Processing for generating or updating the content distribution information 1151 is performed.

As a result, in the video distribution server 10,
By searching the subscriber-accommodation-apparatus-specific content distribution information 1151, it is possible to recognize which video content is preliminarily distributed or real-time distributed to which subscriber accommodation apparatus 20.

Further, the video distribution server 10 also carries out the generation and update processing of the subscriber accommodating apparatus state information 1152 in the management DB 115. This process is, for example, information indicating whether the delivery destination subscriber accommodation device 20 is communicating or not communicating (status information, depending on whether or not the preliminary delivery start request is rejected in the process of step S405). ) Is generated or updated.

On the other hand, in the subscriber accommodation device 20, for the preliminary distribution of the video content from the above-mentioned video distribution server 10, the preliminary distribution data receiving process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in the subscriber accommodation device 20, the preliminary distribution processing unit 217 monitors whether the message communication processing unit 216 receives any message from the video distribution server 10 (step S501).

Here, when the message is received (YES in step S501), the preliminary distribution processing unit 217 determines whether or not the received message is a message indicating a preliminary distribution start request (step S502).

If it is determined that the received message is not the preliminary distribution start request message (step S50)
2NO), the preliminary distribution processing unit 217 performs step S501.
The message received in step S4 is passed to the main controller 219. Thereby, the main control unit 219 performs the processing operation according to the message (step S503).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the received message is the preliminary distribution start request message (step S
502 YES), the preliminary distribution processing unit 217 checks the user communication usage band of the subscriber access line based on the detection result of the access line usage band detection unit 218 (step S504), and performs sufficient communication to receive the preliminary distribution. It is determined whether there is a band (step S505).

If it is determined that the communication band is sufficient (YES in step S505), the preliminary distribution processing unit 2
17 instructs the message communication processing unit 216 to that effect. Based on the above instruction, the message communication processing unit 216 transmits a message indicating that the preliminary distribution start request is responded to the video distribution server 10 (step S50).
6).

After that, the preliminary distribution processing section 217 controls the preliminary distribution data transmitted from the video distribution server 10 by the preliminary distribution start request response message to be received by the video content receiving section 212, and the preliminary distribution data is received. The preliminary distribution data is controlled to be stored in the preliminary distribution video content storage unit 213 (step S5).
07).

On the other hand, for example, the subscriber accommodation device 20
If it is determined that the communication band is not sufficient due to accessing the Internet in step (step S
(NO in step 505), the preliminary distribution processing unit 217 instructs the message communication processing unit 216 to that effect. Based on the instruction, the message communication processing unit 216 transmits a message indicating that the preliminary distribution start request is rejected to the video distribution server 10 (step S508).

Next, the above-mentioned preliminary distribution processing operation (see FIG. 4,
A message communication procedure between the video distribution server 10 and the subscriber accommodation device 20 (see FIG. 5) will be described with a specific example.

FIG. 6 shows the above-mentioned preliminary distribution processing operation.
It is a figure which shows an example of the message communication procedure between the both when the subscriber accommodation device 20 side can receive the preliminary distribution data transmitted from the video distribution server 10.

Further, FIG. 7 shows an example of a message communication procedure between the two when the subscriber accommodation device 20 cannot receive the preliminary distribution data transmitted from the video distribution server 10 in the preliminary distribution processing operation. It is a figure.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the premise distribution start request message is transmitted from the video distribution server 10 to the subscriber accommodation device 20 when the subscriber accommodation device 20 is not performing communication (FIG. 4). (Corresponding to the processing in step S404), the subscriber accommodation device 20 side starts checking the communication use band of the subscriber access line by receiving the preliminary distribution start request message. In this case, as described above, It is determined that the communication band is sufficient because the user communication is not executed (FIG. 5: step S505).
(Corresponding to YES processing) is performed, and the subscriber accommodation device 20
Sends a preliminary distribution start response message indicating that the preliminary distribution start request is to be responded to from the video distribution server 10 (corresponding to the processing of FIG. 5: step S506), and then a preliminary distribution data transmission request message prompting the preliminary distribution start. Will be sent.

On the other hand, in the video distribution server 10, after transmitting the preliminary distribution start request message, the subscriber accommodation device 2
By receiving the preliminary distribution start response message from 0, it is determined that the preliminary distribution start request has been accepted (corresponding to the process of FIG. 4: step S405 NO), and then by receiving the preliminary distribution data transmission request message, The transmission of the preliminary distribution data to the subscriber accommodation device 20 is started (corresponding to the processing of FIG. 4: steps S406 → S407).

Further, after the transmission of the preliminary distribution data is completed, the video distribution server 10 transmits a preliminary distribution end notification message indicating that the preliminary distribution is completed to the subscriber accommodation device 20, and the preliminary distribution operation is completed. To do.

Although not particularly shown in FIG. 6, when the subscriber accommodation device 20 receives the preliminary distribution data from the video distribution server 10, the preliminary distribution data is not distributed to the subscriber terminal 30. The preliminary distribution video content is stored in the storage unit 213.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the subscriber accommodation device 20 is performing communication (for example, the Internet), the video transmission server 10 sends the subscriber accommodation device 20 to the subscriber accommodation device 20.
If a preliminary distribution start request message is transmitted to the subscriber storage device 20 (corresponding to the processing of step S404 in FIG. 4), the subscriber accommodation device 20 receives the preliminary distribution start request message to perform communication on the subscriber access line. The check of the used band is started, but in this case, it is judged that the communication band is not sufficient because the user communication is being executed as described above (corresponding to the process of NO in step S505 in FIG. 5), and the joining is performed. Person accommodation device 20 to video distribution server 1
A preliminary distribution start refusal message indicating that the preliminary distribution start request is rejected is transmitted to 0 (corresponding to the processing of FIG. 5: step S508).

Although not particularly shown in FIG. 7, the video distribution server 10 executes the preliminary distribution again by receiving the preliminary distribution start refusal message from the subscriber accommodation device 20 (FIG. 4). : Step S410 →
(Corresponding to the processing of S411 → S404).

Next, the video distribution operation based on the request from the subscriber terminal 30 will be described.

In the video delivery system of the present invention, when a subscriber desires video delivery, the subscriber terminal 30 of the subscriber is used to access the home page (HP) of the video delivery service provider via the Internet or the like. A video distribution request is sent directly from the subscriber terminal 30 to the video distribution server 10 by a method of accessing and selecting a desired content from the program guide of the HP.

On the other hand, in the video distribution server 10, for example, the main control unit 121 supports the Internet access function, and the subscriber terminal 30 through the Internet is used.
By recognizing the video delivery request from the subscriber, the requested video content is delivered to the subscriber terminal 30 by either the pre-delivered data transmission or real-time transmission method described later.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the video distribution processing operation on the video distribution server 10 side based on the video distribution request from the subscriber terminal 30 by the above-described method, and FIG. 9 is also the subscriber accommodation apparatus 20. It is a flowchart which shows the video delivery process operation of the side.

As shown in FIG. 8, the video distribution server 10
Monitors whether or not there is a video distribution start request on the assumption that the video distribution request is made from the subscriber terminal 30 by the method described above (step S801).

Here, when there is a video distribution start request (YES in step S801), the main control section 121 causes the content distribution information 11 for each subscriber accommodation device in the management DB 115.
51 is searched and it is checked whether or not the video content requested this time for distribution has been preliminarily distributed to the subscriber accommodation device 20 that accommodates the subscriber terminal 30 that has requested the start of this video distribution (step). S802).

If the video content requested for distribution has already been pre-distributed (step S802YE).
S), the control unit 121 instructs the subscriber accommodation device control unit 120 to that effect. Thereby, the subscriber accommodation device control unit 120 instructs the corresponding subscriber accommodation device 20 to start transmitting the pre-delivered data (step S80).
3).

On the other hand, if the video content requested for distribution has not been preliminarily distributed (step S80).
2NO), the control unit 121, the message communication processing unit 11
Instruct 6 to that effect. As a result, the message communication processing unit 116 sends a video distribution start request to the corresponding subscriber accommodation device 20 (step S804).

After that, the main control section 121 monitors whether or not there is a response from the subscriber accommodation device 20 that the video distribution start is permitted (step S805).

When the above-mentioned response is received from the subscriber accommodation device 20 (YES in step S805), the main control unit 1
21 reads out the video content (video data) requested to be distributed this time from the video content DB 114, and transmits it to the subscriber accommodation device 20 via the video content transmission unit 112 (step S806).

On the other hand, in the subscriber accommodation device 20, the processing operation according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is performed with respect to the processing operation of the above-described video distribution server 10.

First, in the subscriber accommodation device 20, the main control unit 219 monitors whether the message communication processing unit 216 receives any message from the video distribution server 10 (step S901).

Here, when a message is received (YES in step S901), the main control unit 219 sequentially determines whether the received message is a request to start transmission of preliminary distributed data or a request to start video distribution (step S902 → S
903).

Here, it is judged that the received message is not a request for starting the transmission of the preliminary delivered data (step S902).
If NO) and it is determined that the request is not the video distribution start request (NO in step S903), the main control unit 219 proceeds to the processing operation according to the message received in step S901 (step S904).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the received message is the transmission start request for the preliminary distributed data (YES in step S902), the main control unit 219 notifies the video content transmission unit 214 of that fact.

As a result, the video content transmitting section 21
4 retrieves the corresponding pre-delivered data from the pre-delivered data stored in the pre-delivered video content storage unit 213 after the pre-delivery has been performed (step S91).
1) The retrieved pre-delivered data is read from the pre-delivered video content storage unit 213 and then transmitted to the subscriber terminal 30 via the subscriber terminal I / F unit 215 (step S912).

Further, it is determined that the received message is not a request to start the transmission of the preliminary delivered data (step S902N).
O), when it is determined that the request is a video distribution start request (YES in step S903), the main control unit 219 notifies the message communication processing unit 216 to that effect.

Thus, the message communication processing unit 216
Transmits a video distribution start response to the video distribution server 10 (step S921).

After that, the main control unit 219 sends the video distribution data transmitted from the video distribution server 10 in response to the video distribution start response to the video content receiving unit 212.
Control so that the received video distribution data is received by the subscriber terminal I / F unit 2 (step S922).
The subscriber terminal 30 is controlled to transmit through 15 (step S923).

Next, a message communication procedure between the video distribution server 10 and the subscriber accommodation device 20 in the above-described video distribution processing operation (see FIGS. 8 and 9) will be described with a specific example.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a message communication procedure between the two when the distribution of the video content requested to be distributed by the subscriber terminal 30 is realized in the form of pre-distributed data transmission in the video distribution processing operation. FIG.

Further, FIG. 11 shows an example of the message communication procedure between the two when the distribution of the video content requested to be distributed by the subscriber terminal 30 is realized in the normal real-time transmission form in the video distribution processing operation. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, when a video distribution start request is sent from the subscriber terminal 30 using the above-mentioned HP (FIG. 8: equivalent to the processing of step S801 YES).
When the video content requested for distribution is already pre-distributed to the subscriber accommodation device 20 accommodating the subscriber terminal 30 (corresponding to the process of FIG. 8: YES in step S802), the video distribution server 10 determines Storage device 20
A pre-delivered data transmission start request message for instructing to start transmission of pre-delivered data is transmitted to the device (corresponding to the processing of step S803 in FIG. 8).

On the other hand, when the subscriber accommodation device 20 receives the preliminary distribution completed data transmission start request message (corresponding to the process of FIG. 9: step S902 YES), the preliminary distribution completed data transmission start response is sent to the video distribution server 10. After returning the message, the pre-delivered video content storage unit 213 reads the pre-delivered data corresponding to the video content for which the delivery request has been made, and sends the pre-delivered data to the subscriber terminal 30 (FIG. 9: Steps S911 and S912). Equivalent).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the subscriber terminal 3
When a video distribution start request is sent from 0 using the above-mentioned HP (corresponding to the process of FIG. 8: YES in step S801), the video content for which the distribution request is made is the subscriber that accommodates the subscriber terminal 30. If the preliminary distribution to the accommodation apparatus 20 is not performed (corresponding to the processing of FIG. 8: NO in step S802), the video distribution server 10 determines that the subscriber accommodation apparatus 2
A video distribution start request message for requesting 0 to start video distribution as usual is transmitted to 0 (FIG. 8:
(Corresponding to the process of step S804).

On the other hand, when the subscriber accommodation device 20 receives the video distribution start request message (FIG. 9:
(Corresponding to the processing in step S903), a video distribution start response message indicating that the video distribution start request is responded to is returned to the video distribution server 10 (corresponding to the processing in step S921 in FIG. 9), and the video distribution server 10 further.
A video distribution data transmission request message for prompting the start of video distribution is transmitted to.

On the other hand, in the video distribution server 10,
By receiving the above-mentioned video distribution start response message from the subscriber accommodation device 20 (corresponding to the process of FIG. 8: YES in step S805) and then receiving the video distribution data transmission request message, the distribution request of this time is sent from the video content DB 114. The subscriber accommodation device 20 that reads out the video content (contents) and uses it as video distribution data.
(Corresponding to the processing of step S806 in FIG. 8).
Then, when the transmission of the video distribution is completed, a video distribution end notification message is transmitted to the subscriber accommodation device 20.

On the other hand, in the subscriber accommodation device 20, when the video distribution data is transmitted from the video distribution server 10, the video distribution data is sent to the video content receiving unit 21.
2 (corresponding to the processing in step S922 in FIG. 9), and the video content transmission unit 214 receives the subscriber I / O.
It is transmitted to the subscriber terminal 30 via the F section 215 (corresponding to the process of FIG. 9: step S923).

As described above, in the video distribution system of the present invention, the video contents (contents) are preliminarily distributed and accumulated from the video distribution server 10 to the subscriber accommodation device 20, and the video distribution request is made from the subscriber terminal 30. When receiving the pre-delivered video content, the subscriber accommodation device 20 is instructed to transmit the pre-delivered data, and based on this instruction, the subscriber accommodation device 20 receives the corresponding pre-delivered data. It will be delivered to 30.

According to such a configuration, if the video content requested for distribution from the subscriber terminal 30 has already been pre-distributed to the subscriber accommodation device 20, only the line between the subscriber accommodation device 20 and the subscriber terminal 30 will be displayed. Since the video distribution is performed using the video distribution server, the subscriber needs to distribute the video content requested by the video distribution server 10 at the provider site.
The video contents can be received as if they were delivered in real time from.

Moreover, in this case, the pre-delivered data is not transmitted through the subscriber access line, and it is possible to avoid delivery using the subscriber access line, which causes a problem in communication quality during real-time delivery of video contents. As a result, it becomes possible to provide a high-quality and stable video distribution to the subscriber, without depending on the usage status of the subscriber access line.

In the preliminary distribution, since a video content having a very large capacity is transferred, a communication path from the video distribution server 10 to the subscriber accommodation device 20 (provider network 50 → relay network 60 → subscriber access) Net 7
0) consumes a large bandwidth, and in particular the subscriber access network 7
User communications on the subscriber access line within 0 will be squeezed.

With respect to this point, in the video distribution system of the present invention, in the subscriber accommodation device 20 which receives the preliminary distribution start request from the video distribution server 10, the communication use band of the subscriber access line in the subscriber access network 70 is set. When the communication band is insufficient, the preliminary distribution is temporarily rejected. Therefore, the user communication (for example, when using the Internet) is performed on this subscriber access line, and the communication band is insufficient. In this case, by temporarily rejecting the preliminary distribution, it is possible to avoid pressure on user communication due to the preliminary distribution.

In the video distribution system of the present invention,
For example, the video contents such as movies and dramas that do not have real time are preliminarily distributed, for example, on the night before the scheduled start of video distribution, and the video contents such as news having real time properties are distributed from the video distribution server 10 in real time. Therefore, the subscriber (subscriber terminal 30)
On the side, it seems as if all the programs of the day were delivered on video on demand, without feeling the inconvenience of preliminary delivery, and it is possible to reduce the traffic on the subscriber access line.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but can be appropriately modified and carried out within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control performed by utilizing the mutual message communication function of the message communication processing unit 116 of the video distribution server 10 and the message communication processing unit 216 of the subscriber accommodation terminal 20 is described in the video. Although only the preliminary distribution or the real-time distribution of the content is described, in addition, by using this message communication function, for example, the video content preliminarily distributed from the video distribution server 10 is instructed from the video distribution server 10 side (message It may be configured such that various operations of the distributed video content can be performed such as deletion or reference by transmission).

[0137]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The video distribution server preliminarily distributes a specific video content to the subscriber accommodation terminal before the distribution schedule, and the subscriber accommodation device accumulates the video content preliminarily distributed from the video distribution server, and the accumulated preliminary distribution. The already-distributed video content is transmitted to the subscriber terminal based on the pre-distributed data transmission instruction from the video distribution server.
By pre-distributing non-real-time video contents such as movies and dramas to the subscriber accommodation device as the above-mentioned specific video contents, there is a distribution request from the subscriber terminal thereafter, and the video contents for which this distribution request has been made. Has already been pre-delivered, the video content can be delivered directly from the subscriber accommodation terminal to the subscriber terminal without using the subscriber access line. Video content can be distributed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a video distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a video distribution server of the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a subscriber accommodation device of the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a preliminary distribution processing operation of the video distribution server.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a preliminary distribution reception processing operation of the subscriber accommodation device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a message communication procedure when the subscriber accommodation device side can receive preliminary distribution data transmitted from the video distribution server.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a message communication procedure when the subscriber accommodation device cannot receive the preliminary distribution data transmitted from the video distribution server.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a video distribution processing operation of the video distribution server.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a video distribution processing operation of the subscriber accommodation device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a message communication procedure when the distribution of the video content requested to be distributed by the subscriber terminal is realized in the form of pre-distributed data transmission.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a message communication procedure in the case where the distribution of the video content requested to be distributed by the subscriber terminal is realized in the form of normal real-time transmission.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Video distribution server 111 Network interface (I / F) section 112 Video content transmitter 113 Video Content Program Database (DB) 114 Video Content Database (DB) 115 Management database (DB) 1151 Content distribution information by subscriber accommodation device 1152 Status information by subscriber accommodation device 116 Message Communication Processing Unit 117 Preliminary distribution processing unit 118 Preliminary distribution destination address generation unit 119 Timer processing unit 120 subscriber accommodation device control unit 121 Main control unit 20 Subscriber accommodation device 211 Network interface (I / F) part 212 Video Content Receiver 213 Preliminary distribution video content storage unit 214 Video Content Transmission Unit 215 Subscriber terminal interface (I / F) unit 216 Message communication processing unit 217 Preliminary distribution processing unit 218 Access line used band detector 219 Main control unit 30 subscriber terminals 50 provider network 60 relay network 70 subscriber access network

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A subscriber accommodation device accommodating a subscriber terminal and a video distribution server are connected via a network, and the video distribution server is connected to the subscriber terminal via the network and the subscriber accommodation device. In the video distribution system for distributing video contents, the video distribution server stores the video contents, and stores the specific video contents stored in the storage unit before the distribution schedule of the specific video contents stored in the subscriber accommodation terminal. And a pre-delivery control means for pre-delivering the pre-delivered video content stored in the storage means, wherein the subscriber accommodation device stores the video content pre-distributed from the video delivery server. To the subscriber terminal based on a pre-delivered data transmission instruction from the video distribution server. A video delivery system comprising: a preliminary delivery response control means for receiving the information. 2. The video distribution server determines whether the video content requested to be distributed from the subscriber terminal has been pre-distributed, and the video content requested to be distributed is pre-distributed. In this case, the video distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a preliminary distribution completed data transmission instructing means for transmitting the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction to the subscriber accommodation terminal of the preliminary distribution destination. 3. The video distribution server has a distribution information table for storing video contents distributed for each subscriber accommodation device in association with each other, and the judging means refers to the distribution information table to store the backup information. The video distribution system according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether or not distribution has been completed. 4. The subscriber accommodation device, when receiving detection means for detecting a communication use band of a subscriber access line with the network, and the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction from the video distribution server, A preliminary distribution refusal control unit for instructing the video distribution server to reject the preliminary distribution according to the communication use band detected by the detection unit, wherein the video distribution server transmits the preliminary distributed data. After the instruction is sent, when there is a preliminary distribution refusal instruction from the subscriber accommodation device of the preliminary distribution destination, preliminary distribution re-execution control means for controlling to perform preliminary distribution again after a predetermined period is provided. The video distribution system according to claim 1. 5. The video distribution server and the subscriber accommodation device include message communication means for transmitting and receiving various instruction messages and response messages to the various instruction messages, and at least the preliminary distribution control means and the preliminary distribution response control. 2. The video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the control relating to the preliminary distribution and the data transmission of the preliminary distributed data between the means is performed by transmitting and receiving an instruction and a response message corresponding to each control. 6. The message communication means mutually communicates a normal real-time distribution that does not depend on the preliminary distribution, an instruction message corresponding to a video content deletion instruction, a video content reference instruction, and a response message to each instruction message. 6. The video delivery system according to claim 5, wherein the video delivery system is capable of sending and receiving, and controls the real-time delivery, deletion of video contents, and reference by sending and receiving the respective instruction and response messages. 7. The specific video content is non-real-time video content, and the video distribution server distributes real-time video content other than the specific video content from the subscriber terminal. The video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the video data is distributed to the subscriber terminal in real time via the subscriber accommodation device in response to a request. 8. The video distribution server comprises multicast distribution means for multicasting corresponding video contents to a plurality of subscriber accommodation devices during the real-time distribution and the preliminary distribution. Video distribution system. 9. The subscriber accommodation device uses a point-to-multipoint wireless access line, a cable television, an optical fiber, as an access interface in a subscriber access line with the network.
The video distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising an access interface corresponding to any one of the asymmetric digital subscriber lines. 10. A video distribution server, which is connected to a subscriber accommodation device accommodating a subscriber terminal via a network and delivers video content to the subscriber terminal via the network and the subscriber accommodation device, Storage means for storing content, preliminary distribution control means for preliminary distribution of specific video content stored in the storage means to the subscriber accommodation terminal before the distribution schedule, distribution request from the subscriber terminal Determining means for determining whether or not the video content that has been subjected to preliminary distribution has been completed, and if the video content that has been requested to be distributed has already been preliminary distributed, the preliminary distribution completed data transmission to the subscriber accommodation terminal of the preliminary distribution destination A video delivery server comprising: a pre-delivered data transmission instruction means for transmitting an instruction. 11. A distribution information table for storing the video contents distributed for each of the subscriber accommodation devices in association with each other, wherein the determination means refers to the distribution information table to determine whether or not the preliminary distribution has been completed. The video distribution server according to claim 10, wherein the video distribution server judges. 12. After transmitting the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction, it is judged whether or not there is an instruction to reject the preliminary distribution from the subscriber accommodation device of the preliminary distribution destination. 11. The video distribution server according to claim 10, further comprising preliminary distribution re-execution control means for controlling to carry out preliminary distribution again after a predetermined period. 13. The specific video content is non-real-time video content, and the real-time video content other than the specific video content is the subscription in response to the distribution request from the subscriber terminal. 11. The video distribution server according to claim 10, wherein the video is distributed to the subscriber terminal in real time via a person accommodation device. 14. The video distribution server according to claim 13, further comprising a multicast distribution means for multicasting relevant video contents to a plurality of subscriber accommodation devices in the real-time distribution and the preliminary distribution. 15. A subscriber accommodation device for accommodating a subscriber terminal, receiving video content distributed from a video distribution server via a network, and distributing the video content to the subscriber terminal, before the distribution schedule by the video distribution server. Storage means for storing video content that has been extracted and pre-distributed to and received via a subscriber access line with the network, and the pre-distributed video content stored in the storage means A pre-delivery response control means for transmitting to the subscriber terminal based on a pre-delivery completed data transmission instruction from the server. 16. A detecting unit for detecting a communication use band of the subscriber access line, and a communication use band detected by the detecting unit when receiving the preliminary distribution completed data transmission instruction from the video distribution server. 16. The subscriber accommodation device according to claim 15, further comprising: preliminary distribution refusal control means for instructing the video distribution server to reject the preliminary distribution. 17. An access interface corresponding to any one of a point-to-multipoint wireless access line, a cable television, an optical fiber, and an asymmetric digital subscriber line is provided as an access interface in the subscriber access line. 16. The subscriber accommodation device according to claim 15, wherein: