JP2003348125A - Information distribution system, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information distribution system whereby a user can view streaming from the sequel to an interrupted part when a defect takes place in a network and the defect is recovered. <P>SOLUTION: A packet reception section 61 receives a distributed RTP (real time protocol) packet and allows a buffer 62 to store the packet. When the RTP packets of a prescribed amount are buffered, a de-packetizer 63 reads the packets and applies de-packetizer processing to the packets. A display control section 65 displays a decoded image. A network monitor section 71 monitors a reception state of the packet reception section 61. A reproduction control section 72 stores a reproduction position of data decoded by a decoder 64 when the network monitor section 71 informs the reproduction control section 72 about a defect of the network. When the network monitor section 71 informs the reproduction control section 72 about the recovery of the network, the reproduction control section 72 requests a server to distribute data from a stored reproduction position. This invention is applicable to streaming distribution. <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 an information distribution system, an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an information distribution system, an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program that can be continuously reproduced from a reproduction position in which has occurred.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of network infrastructure such as the Internet, it has become possible to access networks from various places using portable information terminals such as mobile phones.

[0003] For example, a user can use a mobile phone to access a streaming distribution server via a network at a location away from home and play back the data in real time while acquiring data such as audio and moving images.

[0004]

However, from the viewpoint of continuous connectivity in a mobile situation, there are many places where network access is still not possible, such as when entering a tunnel while traveling by train.
It was difficult to access the network constantly while traveling.

[0005] Further, if a situation occurs in which access to the network cannot be made while watching moving image data by streaming, data (scenes) during that time is overlooked, and the user operates the user interface to operate the user interface. (For example, by moving the slider bar of the player so as to play back from the video immediately before), it was necessary to request the streaming delivery server to deliver data from the interrupted playback position.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and when a failure occurs in a network, the playback position is stored, so that after network recovery, data distribution from the playback position is requested. Is what you can do.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information distribution system comprising: a distribution unit for distributing data to an information processing apparatus; Stopping means for stopping the distribution of the data, when the information distribution apparatus instructs the data distribution, the distribution means distributes the data from a predetermined position based on the instruction, and the information processing apparatus Receiving means for receiving the distributed data, reproducing means for reproducing the data received by the receiving means, monitoring means for monitoring the status of the network, and when the monitoring means determines that a failure has occurred in the network, Storage means for storing a playback position of data being played back by the playback means; and information when the monitoring means determines that the network failure has been recovered. To communication apparatus, characterized in that it comprises an instruction means for instructing the delivery of data from the reproduction position stored in the storage means.

[0008] An information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a receiving means for receiving data distributed from an information distributing apparatus; a reproducing means for reproducing data received by the receiving means; and a monitoring means for monitoring a network condition. When the monitoring means determines that a failure has occurred in the network, the storage means for storing the playback position of the data being played back by the playback means, and when the monitoring means determines that the failure of the network has been recovered, information distribution is performed. Instruction means for instructing the apparatus to distribute data from the reproduction position stored in the storage means is provided.

[0009] The monitoring means may be adapted to determine that a failure has occurred in the network if the receiving means has not been able to receive the data for a predetermined period.

The monitoring means can determine that the network has been recovered when the receiving means has again received a predetermined amount of data from the failed network.

When the monitoring means determines that a failure has occurred in the network, a holding means for holding data reproduced by the reproducing means can be further provided.
When the monitoring means determines that the network failure has been recovered, the reproducing means reproduces the data stored in the storing means and then reproduces the data distributed from the information distribution apparatus in response to the instruction means. You can make it.

An information processing method according to the present invention includes a reception control step of controlling reception of data distributed from an information distribution apparatus, a reproduction step of reproducing data whose reception has been controlled by the processing of the reception control step, A monitoring step of monitoring the status of the network, a storage control step of controlling storage of a reproduction position of data being reproduced by the processing of the reproduction step when it is determined that a failure has occurred in the network by the processing of the monitoring step, and a monitoring step. In the case where it is determined that the failure of the network has been recovered by the processing of the step (a), the information distribution apparatus includes an instruction step of instructing the information distribution apparatus to distribute data from a reproduction position whose storage is controlled by the processing of the storage control step. Features.

The program recorded on the recording medium of the present invention reproduces data whose reception is controlled by the processing of the reception control step for controlling the reception of data distributed from the information distribution apparatus. A playback step, a monitoring step for monitoring the status of the network,
If it is determined by the processing of the monitoring step that a failure has occurred in the network, the storage control step for controlling storage of the reproduction position of the data being reproduced by the processing of the reproduction step, and the failure of the network has been recovered by the processing of the monitoring step. And determining that the information distribution apparatus distributes data from a reproduction position whose storage is controlled by the processing of the storage control step.

[0014] A program according to the present invention comprises: a reception control step of controlling reception of data distributed from an information distribution apparatus; a reproduction step of reproducing data whose reception has been controlled by the processing of the reception control step; A monitoring step of monitoring the network, a storage control step of controlling storage of a reproduction position of data being reproduced by the processing of the reproduction step when it is determined that a failure has occurred in the network by the processing of the monitoring step, and a processing of the monitoring step. When it is determined that the network failure has been recovered from the above, the computer is caused to execute an instruction step of instructing the information distribution apparatus to distribute data from a reproduction position whose storage is controlled by the processing of the storage control step.

In the information distribution system according to the present invention, when the information distribution device instructs the data distribution device to stop the data distribution, the data distribution is stopped and the information distribution device instructs the data distribution. In the case, based on the instruction, the data is distributed from a predetermined position, and the information distribution device receives and reproduces the data distributed from the information distribution device, and reproduces the data when it is determined that a problem occurs in the network. The playback position of the data
When it is determined that the network failure has been recovered, the information distribution apparatus is instructed to distribute data from the stored reproduction position.

In the information processing apparatus, method, and program according to the present invention, data distributed from the information distribution apparatus is received and reproduced, and when it is determined that a failure has occurred in the network, the reproduced data is reproduced. When the playback position is stored and it is determined that the network failure has been recovered, the information distribution apparatus is instructed to distribute data from the stored playback position.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a streaming distribution system to which the present invention is applied. In this streaming distribution system, a streaming distribution server 1 and a user terminal device 3 are connected to a network 2 such as the Internet.

The streaming distribution server 1 is a computer and its CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1
1 (FIG. 2) executes streaming data distribution processing based on the server program. For example, the streaming distribution server 1 uses a hard disk drive (HDD)
19, various types of media data are stored, and when streaming distribution of predetermined media data is requested from the user terminal device 3 via the network 2, the corresponding media data is read out and RTP (Real-time streaming) for performing streaming distribution is performed. RTP packets conforming to the Time Transport Protocol (RTP) standard are generated and distributed via the network 2.

The user terminal device 3 is composed of, for example, a digital mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a notebook personal computer, accesses the streaming distribution server 1 via the network 2, and distributes streaming data. Request and receive streaming data distributed based on the request. The user terminal device 3 reproduces the received streaming data and allows the user to view it.

The network 2 may be a wired or wireless network such as a public line network, a mobile radio communication network, a local area network, or a network such as the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

Although only one user terminal device 3 is shown in the example of the streaming distribution system shown in FIG. 1, it goes without saying that many user terminal devices are connected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the streaming distribution server 1.

The CPU 11 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12
Server program stored in the hard disk drive 19 or a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1
3 executes various processes according to the server program loaded. The RAM 13 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 are mutually connected via a bus 14. The bus 14 is also connected to an input / output interface 15.

The input / output interface 15 includes an input unit 16 composed of buttons, switches, a keyboard or a mouse, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and an LCD (Liquor).
An output unit 17 including a display such as an id crystal display), a speaker, a communication unit 18 including a modem and a terminal adapter, and a hard disk drive 19 are connected. The communication unit 18
The communication processing is performed via the network 2. The hard disk drive 19 stores media data for streaming distribution in addition to the server program.

A drive 20 is connected to the input / output interface 15 as necessary.
1, an optical disk 22, a magneto-optical disk 23, a semiconductor memory 24, or the like is appropriately mounted, and a computer program (a server program or the like) read therefrom.
Is installed in the hard disk drive 19 as necessary.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the user terminal device 3. Note that the configuration is basically the same as the configuration of the streaming distribution server 1 shown in FIG. 2, and a description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

The CPU 31 executes streaming data reproduction processing according to a streaming reproduction program stored in the ROM 32 or a streaming reproduction program loaded from the hard disk drive 19 into the RAM 33.

A magnetic disk 41, an optical disk 42, a magneto-optical disk 43, a semiconductor memory 44, or the like is appropriately mounted on the drive 40, and a computer program (streaming reproduction program or the like) read therefrom may be used as needed. It is installed on the hard disk drive 39.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the functions of a streaming reproduction program installed and executed in the CPU 31 of the user terminal device 3. As shown in the figure, the streaming reproduction program is composed of a reproduction module 51 and a continuation reproduction module 52.
The reproduction module 51 includes a packet receiving unit 61, a buffer 62, a depacketizer 63, a decoder 64, and a display control unit 65. The continuous reproduction module 52 includes a network monitoring unit 71, a reproduction control unit 72, and a post-reproduction data buffer 73. It is composed of

The packet receiving unit 61 receives RTP packets, which are streaming data distributed from the streaming distribution server 1 via the network 2 and the communication unit 38, and stores the RTP packets in the buffer 62.

That is, in the case of streaming viewing,
Since streaming data is distributed via the network 2, there is a jitter (fluctuation) in the timing at which the data is distributed (even if the streaming distribution server 1 transmits data at predetermined intervals, In some cases, a large amount of data is transmitted, and in other cases, almost no data is transmitted.) Therefore, in order to cope with the jitter, a predetermined amount of streaming data is reproduced after being buffered.

When a predetermined amount of RTP packets are accumulated in the buffer 62, the depacketizer 63 performs a depacketizing process such as reading out the RTP packets from the buffer 62 and removing the header portion, and supplies the depacketized data to the decoder 64. The data is supplied to the buffer 73, where it is held for a predetermined period (for example, several seconds).

The decoder 64 converts the data supplied from the depacketizer 63 into MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Groove) data.
up) In the case of compressed data such as data, it is supplied to the display control unit 65 after being decoded. The decoder 64 reads out the post-reproduction data stored in the post-reproduction data buffer 73 under the control of the reproduction control unit 72, decodes the data, and supplies the decoded data to the display control unit 65.

The display control section 65 displays the image decoded by the decoder 64 on the user interface 91 (FIG. 5) of the output section 37 (display) and allows the user to view the image.

The network monitoring unit 71 monitors the reception status of the packet receiving unit 61, and when a failure occurs in the network 2 or when the network 2 in which the failure has recovered is notified, the reproduction control unit 72.
Notify.

The method of determining whether a failure has occurred in the network 2 is not particularly limited here. For example, if an RTP packet is received within the timeout period, it is determined that the network 2 is being connected, and the timeout period is determined. If no RTP packet can be received within the network 2, it is determined that some trouble has occurred in the network 2.

The method of determining whether or not the network 2 has recovered is not particularly limited here. For example, the packet receiving unit 61 may be configured to receive the RTP packet even when a failure occurs in the network 2. It keeps opening the port and waits for the RTP packet to be delivered again from the streaming delivery server 1. Then, when a predetermined amount of packets is received, it is determined that the network 2 has recovered.

When the network monitor 71 notifies the network controller 71 of a failure in the network 2, the reproduction controller 72 refers to the data decoded by the decoder 64,
The playback position is stored. The playback control unit 72
When the recovery of the network 2 is notified from the network monitoring unit 71, the communication unit 38 and the network 2
Requesting the streaming distribution server 1 to stop the streaming distribution via the server, requesting the distribution of the streaming data from the stored reproduction position, controlling the decoder 64, and storing the data in the post-reproduction buffer 73. Read the data that is stored.

The playback control unit 72 sets a recovery waiting time for the network 2 based on an instruction from the user, and automatically recovers the streaming data from the continuation when the network 2 recovers within the time. Start playback.

More specifically, the user operates the input unit 36 to display, for example, a user interface 91 for reproducing the streaming data shown in FIG. A user interface 91 in the example of FIG. 5 includes a screen 92 for reproducing (displaying) streaming data, a slider lever 93 indicating a current reproduction position,
A play button 94 selected by the user to instruct playback, a stop button 95 selected by the user to instruct playback stop, and a pause button selected by the user to instruct playback pause. 96 is displayed.

The user operates the input unit 36 to select an item of “continuous reproduction” from the list box of the “option” tag, and displays a “continuous reproduction” setting screen 101 as shown in FIG. Display. Setting screen 101 in the example of FIG.
Displays an input box 102 in which an input waiting time (timeout) can be input. The user uses the input unit 36 to input a predetermined time to the input box 102 (20 in the example of FIG. 6).
Seconds) and select the OK button 103. Thereby, when the malfunction of the network 2 is recovered within the waiting time (20 seconds), the playback control unit 72 automatically
The reproduction of the streaming data is started from the continuation. On the other hand, if the failure of the network 2 is not recovered within the waiting time, the reproduction of the streaming data is temporarily stopped.

The post-reproduction data buffer 73 holds the post-reproduction data supplied from the depacketizer 63 and subjected to the depacketizing process for a predetermined period (for example, several seconds). This is because, when a failure occurs in the network 2, data that has been correctly received immediately before the failure occurs is held in the post-reproduction data buffer 73, so that after the recovery of the network 2 (that is, the post-reproduction data) The data can be reproduced (from the post-reproduction data held in the buffer 73), and the buffering time can be reduced.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, during the reproduction of the streaming data, a problem occurs in the network 2 at time T1, and after a lapse of the period ΔL, the trouble of the network 2 occurs at time T2. The streaming distribution process in the case of recovery will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG.
The horizontal axis in is represented by time (time axis).

In step S11, the CPU 31 of the user terminal device 3 sends a request to the streaming distribution server 1 via the network 2 based on an instruction from the user.
Send PLAY method. In step S1, the CPU 11 of the streaming distribution server 1 sends predetermined media data to be streamed from a plurality of media data stored in the hard disk drive 19 in accordance with the PLAY method received from the user terminal device 3. The data is read, converted into an RTP packet, and distributed to the user terminal device 3.

In step S2, the CPU 11 determines whether or not to end the streaming distribution, that is, whether or not the streaming data being distributed has been completely distributed according to the PLAY method. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the streaming distribution is to be ended, the processing is ended.

In step S12, the packet receiving section 61 of the user terminal device 3 receives the RTP packet distributed from the streaming distribution server 1 via the network 2, and stores the RTP packet in the buffer 62. When a predetermined amount of RTP packets are accumulated in the buffer 63, the depacketizer 63 reads out the RTP packets, performs depacketizing processing, supplies the packets to the decoder 64, and causes the data buffer 73 after reproduction to hold the data. Decoder 64
Decrypts the data supplied from the depacketizer 63,
The display control unit 65 displays (reproduces) the decoded image on the user interface 91 and allows the user to view the image.

In step S13, the CPU 31 of the user terminal device 3 determines whether or not to end the streaming reproduction, that is, whether or not the user operates the input unit 36 to instruct the end of the reproduction, or transmits the designated streaming data. It is determined whether or not the reproduction has been completed.

If it is determined in step S13 that the streaming reproduction has not been completed, step S1
Proceeding to 4, the network monitoring unit 71 monitors the reception status of the packet receiving unit 61 and determines whether a failure has occurred in the network. For example, when the packet receiving unit 61 cannot receive the RTP packet within the timeout period, it is determined that some trouble has occurred in the network 2.

In step S14, the network 2
If it is determined that there is no failure in step S
Returning to 12, the above-described processing is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that a failure has occurred in the network 2, the network monitoring unit 71 notifies the playback control unit 72 of the failure in the network 2, and proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the display controller 65
Causes the user interface 91 of the output unit 37 to display the state of the network (that is, a message indicating that a failure has occurred in the network 2). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, a dialog box 111 in which a message such as “A problem has occurred in the network. Please wait for a while.” Is displayed.

The user who confirms this message can know that the streaming reproduction has been interrupted due to the trouble in the network 2.

In step S16, the reproduction control unit 72 receives the notification of the failure of the network 2 from the network monitoring unit 71, refers to the data decoded by the decoder 64, and determines the reproduction position (in the example of FIG. T1) is stored. In step S17, the network monitoring unit 71 further monitors the reception status of the packet receiving unit 61, and determines whether the failure of the network 2 has been recovered. For example, even when a failure occurs in the network 2, the packet receiving unit 61 continues to open a port for receiving a packet and waits for an RTP packet to be delivered again from the streaming delivery server 1. Then, when a predetermined amount of packets is received, it is determined that the network 2 has recovered.

In step S17, the network 2
If it is determined that the problem described above has been recovered, step S18
The display control unit 65 causes the user interface 91 of the output unit 37 to display the state of the network (that is, a message indicating that the failure of the network 2 has been recovered). As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a dialog box 121 in which a message such as "The network has been restored."
Is displayed. Then, when a predetermined time (that is, a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) that allows the user to fully understand the message described in the dialog box 121) elapses, the dialog box 121 is displayed. The display is terminated.

In step S19, the reproduction control section 72 requests the streaming distribution server 1 via the network 2 to stop the streaming distribution. In step S3, the CPU 31 of the streaming distribution server 1 determines whether or not the stop of the streaming distribution has been requested by the user terminal device 3, and if it is determined that the stop of the distribution has not been requested, the process returns to step S2.
The above processing is repeatedly executed.

If it is determined in step S3 that the stop of the streaming distribution has been requested, step S4
The CPU 11 stops the streaming distribution currently being executed.

The RTP packet delivered immediately before the request for stopping the streaming delivery in the process of step S19 (that is, the RTP packet delivered after network recovery) is data whose reproduction has been advanced.
It is deleted from the buffer 62.

In step S20, the reproduction control section 72 of the user terminal device 3 reads the reproduction position (time T1 in this case) stored in the processing in step S16, and transmits it to the streaming distribution server 1 via the network 2. , Requesting streaming distribution from the playback position.

For example, a Range field is defined in the PLAY method, and as shown in FIG.
By describing “Range: npt = 20.0−”, data reproduction from the 20th second is required. Note that "Range: n
pt = 20.0−30.0 ”, from the 20th second to the 30th
Reproduction of the second-second data is required.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12B,
"00: 00: 20-" in the transmission command (Packet Request)
(Reproduction time) or, as shown in FIG. 12C, "Packet # 025" (packet identifier), requesting data reproduction from the 20th second.

In step S5, the CPU 11 of the streaming distribution server 1 receives a request for streaming distribution from the reproduction position from the user terminal device 3, and distributes streaming data from the reproduction position. Thereafter, the process returns to step S2.

In step S21, the reproduction control section 72 controls the decoder 64, and
3 is read and decoded, and then supplied to the display control unit 65. Display control unit 65
Displays (reproduces) the decoded image on the user interface 91 and allows the user to view it.

In step S22, the depacketizer 6
3 indicates that when a predetermined amount of RTP packets redistributed from the streaming distribution server 1 are accumulated in the buffer 62,
It is read out and subjected to depacketizing processing, and the decoder 6
4 and stored in the data buffer 73 after reproduction. The decoder 64 decodes the data supplied from the depacketizer 63, and the display control unit 65 displays the decoded image on the user interface 91 to allow the user to view.

More specifically, for example, the CPU 31 executes the first re-distribution from the streaming distribution server 1.
When the RTP packet is received by the packet receiving unit 61, from the buffer length, it is calculated how many seconds before the data to be reproduced from among the post-reproduction data held in the post-reproduction data buffer 73. Play from the data.

For example, when the threshold of the buffer 62 (threshold: the amount of data to be stored in the buffer) is set to 2 seconds, the reproduction control unit 72
4 to read out the 2-second post-reproduction data stored in the post-reproduction data buffer 73 and store the redistributed RTP packets in the buffer 62. Thereby, first, the data after the reproduction for 2 seconds is decoded and reproduced, and then the RTP stored in the buffer 62 is reproduced.
Since the packet is depacketized and decoded and reproduced, the buffering delay time can be reduced.

After the processing in step S22, step S1
3, and the above-described processing is repeatedly executed. If it is determined in step S13 that the streaming reproduction is to be ended, the processing ends.

If it is determined in step S17 that the network failure has not yet been recovered, the process proceeds to step S23, where the reproduction control unit 72 performs recovery of the network 2 set in advance as described above with reference to FIG. Determines whether the waiting time (timeout) has expired,
If it is determined that the timeout has not yet occurred, the process returns to step S17, and the above-described processing is repeatedly executed.

If it is determined in step S23 that the time-out has occurred, the process proceeds to step S24, where the display control unit 65 determines the state of the player (ie, a message indicating that the streaming playback is to be temporarily stopped).
Is displayed on the user interface 91 of the output unit 37. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG.
A dialog box 131 is displayed with a message such as "Pause is paused because the network is not restored. To continue playback, press the play button."

The user who confirms this message can know that the streaming playback has been temporarily stopped because the network 2 in which the trouble has occurred does not recover even if the timeout occurs.

In step S25, the reproduction control section 72 controls the decoder 64 to temporarily stop the streaming reproduction being executed. Here, even when the streaming reproduction is temporarily stopped, the packet receiving unit 61 keeps opening the port for receiving the packet and waits for the distribution of the RTP packet from the streaming distribution server 1. When a predetermined amount of packets are received, the network monitoring unit 71
Can be determined to have recovered.

After the network recovery, the display control unit 65
For example, a dialog box 12 as shown in FIG.
1 is displayed. When the user selects the play button 94, the above steps S19 to S22 are performed.
Is performed, and streaming reproduction can be performed from the paused reproduction position.

As described above, in a situation where a moving image or the like is being streamed and played back, even if the playback is temporarily interrupted due to a network failure or the like, the playback position at the time of the interruption is stored in the network. After recovery,
Reproduction can be performed from the continuation. As a result, the user can perform streaming viewing without missing a scene in a predetermined section.

Further, when the time during which a network failure occurs is short (that is, when the network is recovered immediately), the streaming playback is automatically performed from the continuation, so that useless operations are reduced. be able to.

The above-described series of processing can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software can execute various functions by installing a computer built into dedicated hardware or installing various programs. It is installed from a recording medium into a possible general-purpose personal computer or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a recording medium for recording a program installed in a computer and made executable by the computer is provided as follows.
Magnetic disks 21, 41 (including flexible disks), optical disks 22, 42 (CD-ROM, DVD (Digital Ve
rsatile Disc), magneto-optical disks 23, 43 (M
D (Mini-Disc) (registered trademark)), or package media including semiconductor memories 24 and 44, or an RO in which programs are temporarily or permanently recorded.
M12, 32 and hard disk drives 19, 39, etc. The recording of the program on the recording medium
The communication is performed using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a public line network, a local area network, or a network 2 such as the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary.

In this specification, the step of describing a program recorded on a recording medium may be performed in a chronological order according to the described order. This also includes processing executed in parallel or individually.

In this specification, the system is
It represents the entire device composed of a plurality of devices.

[0079]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
Streaming data can be delivered.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a failure occurs in the network, the reproduction position is stored on the terminal side, so that after the network recovery, streaming is performed based on the reproduction position transmitted from the terminal. Data can be delivered.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, streaming data can be viewed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a failure occurs in the network, the playback position is stored, and after network recovery, data distribution from the playback position can be requested. You can watch without streaming.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a streaming distribution system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a streaming distribution server.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a user terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating functions of a streaming playback program installed and executed on a user terminal device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a user interface.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a setting screen of a user interface.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a failure occurs in a network during reproduction of streaming data.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a streaming distribution process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart following FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a dialog box of a user interface.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of another dialog box of the user interface.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a command for requesting redelivery from a playback position.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of another dialog box of the user interface.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 streaming distribution server, 2 network,
3 User terminal device, 61 packet receiving unit, 62
Buffer, 63 depacketizer, 51 playback module, 52 continuous playback module, 64 decoder, 65 display control unit, 71 network monitoring unit, 72 playback control unit, 73 data buffer after playback

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    F term (reference) 5C064 BA07 BB05 BC10 BC16 BC23                       BD02 BD07 BD08                 5K030 GA12 MA04 MD01                 5K034 AA06 CC02 EE11 FF01 HH01                       HH02 HH09 HH12 HH15 HH16                       HH17 HH22 HH37 HH50 MM01                       TT01 TT02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An information distribution system for distributing data from an information distribution device to an information processing device via a network, wherein the information distribution device distributes the data to the information processing device; Stopping means for stopping distribution of the data when an instruction to stop distribution of the data is issued from the device; and when the distribution of the data is instructed from the information processing device, the distribution means includes: The information processing device, receiving means for receiving the data distributed from the information distributing device, and reproducing means for reproducing the data received by the receiving means. Monitoring means for monitoring the status of the network; and when the monitoring means determines that a failure has occurred in the network. A storage unit for storing a reproduction position of the data being reproduced by the reproduction unit; and a storage unit for the information distribution apparatus, wherein the storage unit stores the reproduction position of the data reproduced by the reproduction unit. And an instruction means for instructing distribution of the data from the reproduction position. 2. An information processing apparatus for receiving data from an information distribution device via a network, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving the data distributed from the information distribution device; and the data received by the receiving unit. A monitoring unit that monitors the status of the network; and stores a playback position of the data that is being played back by the playback unit when the monitoring unit determines that a failure has occurred in the network. Storage means; and instructing means for instructing the information distribution apparatus to distribute the data from the reproduction position stored in the storage means when the monitoring means determines that the failure of the network has been recovered. An information processing apparatus comprising: 3. The information according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring unit determines that a failure has occurred in the network if the receiving unit cannot receive the data for a predetermined period. Processing equipment. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit determines that the network has been recovered when the receiving unit is able to receive a predetermined amount of the data again from the network in which a failure has occurred. The information processing device according to claim 2. 5. When the monitoring means determines that a failure has occurred in the network, the monitoring means further comprises a holding means for holding the data reproduced by the reproducing means, and the monitoring means recovers from the network failure. When it is determined that the information has been transmitted, the reproduction unit reproduces the data stored in the storage unit, and then reproduces the data distributed from the information distribution device in response to the instruction unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 6. An information processing method for an information processing device that receives data from an information distribution device via a network, wherein: a reception control step of controlling reception of the data distributed from the information distribution device; A reproduction step of reproducing the data whose reception has been controlled by the processing of the control step; a monitoring step of monitoring the status of the network; and, if the processing of the monitoring step determines that a failure has occurred in the network, the reproduction is performed. A storage control step of controlling storage of a reproduction position of the data being reproduced by the processing of the step, and when it is determined that the failure of the network has been recovered by the processing of the monitoring step, the information distribution apparatus From the playback position where storage is controlled by the processing of the storage control step The information processing method characterized by including the instruction step for instructing the delivery of the data. 7. A program for controlling an information processing device for receiving data from an information distribution device via a network, comprising: a reception control step for controlling reception of the data distributed from the information distribution device; A reproduction step of reproducing the data whose reception has been controlled by the processing of the reception control step; a monitoring step of monitoring the status of the network; and when it is determined that a failure has occurred in the network by the processing of the monitoring step, A storage control step of controlling the storage of a reproduction position of the data being reproduced by the processing of the reproduction step; and, if it is determined that the failure of the network has been recovered by the processing of the monitoring step, the information distribution apparatus The reproduction position whose storage is controlled by the processing of the storage control step. Recording medium from which a computer readable program is recorded, characterized in that it comprises an indication step of indicating a distribution of the data from. 8. A computer which controls an information processing apparatus that receives data from the information distribution apparatus via a network, a reception control step of controlling reception of the data distributed from the information distribution apparatus, A reproduction step of reproducing the data whose reception has been controlled by the processing of the control step; a monitoring step of monitoring the status of the network; and, if the processing of the monitoring step determines that a failure has occurred in the network, the reproduction is performed. A storage control step of controlling storage of a reproduction position of the data being reproduced by the processing of the step, and when it is determined that the failure of the network has been recovered by the processing of the monitoring step, the information distribution apparatus The playback position where the storage is controlled by the processing of the storage control step To execute the instruction step for instructing the delivery of the data.