JP2004248138A - Transmitting system, receiving system, and information transmitting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a system for providing video images, sound, games, etc. is constructed in the existing facilities and vehicles, however, equipment and devices constituting the system become redundant since another system, etc. for inside announcement is constructed separately from the system for providing the video images, sound, games, etc. in such existing facilities and vehicles. <P>SOLUTION: A signal is read from AV equipment 23 inside a server 2, an identification flag representing the signal and priority is imparted to the signal by a streaming server function 22 and time division multiplex transmission is performed from a communicating function 21. At a client terminal 1, the signal is received by a communicating function 11, a signal is sorted out to the signal before multiplexing based on the identification flag by a streaming client function 12 and a video/sound signal is outputted based on the priority corresponding to the identification flag by output equipment 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network system laid in an aircraft or a bus vehicle, for example, and has a feature of distributing video and audio from a server to a plurality of seats where terminals are installed via a network. . More specifically, priority is given to a large number of video signals and audio signals, and when performing display and generation on a terminal, with the aim of controlling technology that can select signals with higher priority with priority over others, and to reduce costs The present invention relates to simplification of a communication device by transmission using a time division multiplex method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been an increasing number of services that provide video and audio viewing services to passengers in vehicles, for example, in passenger aircraft. In general, in order to implement such a service, a system that builds a client-server type network using existing communication technology and efficiently distributes signals is used.
[0003]
What is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,063 or JP-A-63-221785 is mentioned as a typical example. These are systems that include a server and a plurality of client terminals, and distribute contents such as video, audio, and games to client terminals and provide services to users.
[0004]
Embodiments of the above-described conventional technology will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13. FIG.
[0005]
10 and 11 show an overview of a conventional embodiment and the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a positional relationship between a client terminal and a server, and FIG. 10 shows a configuration and an example of use of each element. . In many cases, there is no general difference between the conventional example and the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, 10 in the conventional example corresponds to 1 in the overview, 20 in the conventional example corresponds to 2 in the overview, and 30 in the conventional example corresponds to 3 in the overview. FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional network configuration, and FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional client terminal configuration.
[0006]
10 to 11 will be described. Reference numeral 1 denotes a client terminal by which a user enjoys a service. Reference numeral 2 denotes a server which stores data for a service provided to the client terminal in advance, and performs processing such as transmitting data as necessary. Reference numeral 3 denotes a network, in which a frequency-multiplexed signal is transmitted using a coaxial cable.
[0007]
In the conventional system configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 12, a network 30 is provided for a system for an announcement service that has been laid on an aircraft before and a system for a video, audio, and game service. It is redundantly configured.
[0008]
Next, FIG. 13 will be described. A first communication means 101 is a service passively received by a passenger, such as an announcement of a flight attendant, and often receives information of high importance from the viewpoint of the operation of passenger aircraft. Reference numeral 102 denotes a second communication means, which is a service mainly selected by the user actively, and is used for receiving information of low importance from the viewpoint of the operation of the passenger aircraft. A separating unit 103 separates the multiplexed signal into individual signals. An information selection unit 104 selects a desired signal. Reference numeral 105 denotes a voice generating unit which generates a signal by converting the signal into voice. Reference numeral 106 denotes an image display unit which converts a signal into an image and displays the image.
[0009]
In the conventional client terminal configured as described above, the system for the announcement service, which has been laid on the aircraft, and the system for the video, audio, and game services are provided side by side. 101 and the second communication means 102 have a redundant configuration. At this time, the signal from the first communication unit 101 always has priority.
[0010]
However, it lacked the function of distributing high-priority content such as announcements from cabin attendants, or distributing in coordination with low-priority content such as videos watched by passengers.
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,063
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-63-221785
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-11-234208
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the system that provides the video, audio, game, and the like related to the present invention is built in existing facilities and vehicles. However, in such existing facilities and vehicles, a system such as an in-flight announcement system is constructed in addition to a system that provides video, audio, games, and the like. Due to such a redundant system configuration, the devices and devices in the equipment become redundant, causing an increase in cost and complexity.
[0013]
For example, in the case of an aircraft in which a video / audio distribution system to be constructed is constructed, an in-flight announcement system is separately constructed. For this reason, it is necessary to lay a network environment for each system and to add devices for receiving at the terminal side.
[0014]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to develop a small-sized and low-cost device.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an information transmission system according to the present invention includes the following transmission system and a plurality of reception systems.
[0016]
The transmission system has the following configuration. A plurality of signal sources that can store and output information for services or have input devices that can be used as needed for announcements and can output signals for announcements are provided. Prepare. Multiplexing means is provided for multiplexing a plurality of signals from the signal source by adding identification flags indicating the priority at the time of output and the signal source of the output source. Communication means for dividing the multiplexed signal from the multiplexing means into arbitrary lengths and transmitting the multiplexed signals to a time division multiplex transmission line.
[0017]
The receiving system has the following configuration. Communication means is provided for receiving the multiplexed signal output from the transmission system described above and restoring the multiplexed signal to a state before multiplexing. A separating unit is provided for separating a signal before being multiplexed based on the identification flag. Output means for outputting a signal from the separation means based on the priority order corresponding to the identification flag.
[0018]
As described above, the information transmission system according to the present invention is characterized in that the priority of a signal is identified based on an identification flag having a predetermined priority, and a signal with a high priority is output preferentially from an output unit of a receiving system. Thus, the structure can be simplified and the service quality can be improved.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The first to third aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0020]
The invention described in claim 1 of the present invention
A plurality of signal sources; a flag providing unit for providing a plurality of signals from the signal sources with an identification flag indicating a priority at the time of output and a signal source of an output source; A transmission-side communication unit that divides the received data into time-division multiplexed data and time-division multiplexes the data to be transmitted to a transmission path.
The structure is simplified because only a single communication device is used as compared with the conventional example.
[0021]
The invention described in claim 2 of the present invention
A receiving-side communication unit that receives a multiplexed signal output from the transmission system according to claim 1 and restores the multiplexed signal to a state before multiplexing, and separates the signal from the transmission system based on an identification flag. A receiving system, comprising: a separating unit, and an output unit that outputs a signal from the separating unit based on a priority order corresponding to the identification flag,
For the same reason as the transmission system, the structure is simplified, and the corresponding transmission system can provide information of different importance without interrupting the viewing service provided to the user.
[0022]
The invention described in claim 3 of the present invention provides:
A transmission system according to claim 1, and a plurality of reception systems according to claim 2;
An information transmission system characterized by identifying the priority of a signal based on an identification flag having a predetermined priority, and outputting the signal with a higher priority from the output unit of the receiving system preferentially,
Information with different degrees of importance can be provided without eliminating system redundancy and hindering viewing services provided to users.
[0023]
The first embodiment of the present invention is based on the invention described in claim 3.
[0024]
The invention of claims 4 to 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0025]
The invention described in claim 4 of the present invention provides:
Storage means for storing flag information in which an identification flag is associated with a priority; input means for inputting flag information; updating means for writing flag information from the input means to the storage means and transmitting the flag information via communication means Wherein the flag assigning means reads an identification flag indicating the priority at the time of output and the signal source of the output source from the storage means, and assigns the read identification flag to a plurality of signals from the signal source. The transmission system according to claim 1, wherein:
The importance can be changed dynamically.
[0026]
The invention described in claim 5 of the present invention provides:
Accumulating means for storing flag information; updating means for newly writing and updating the flag information based on the flag information from the receiving communication means; and a signal based on the priority of the flag information stored in the accumulating means. The receiving system according to claim 2, further comprising: an output unit configured to output.
Respond to dynamic changes in importance.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention provides:
A transmission system according to claim 4, and a plurality of reception systems according to claim 5, wherein the transmission system has a high priority signal based on a priority corresponding to an identification flag allocated to each reception system. Is an information transmission system, wherein the priority is output, and the priority can be changed,
The importance of the information to be provided can be dynamically changed. For example, operations other than announcements, such as forcibly distributing a video for disaster countermeasures, can be performed. This provides a more flexible service.
[0028]
The second embodiment of the present invention is based on the invention described in claim 6.
[0029]
The invention according to claim 7 of the present invention provides:
7. The information transmission according to claim 3, wherein the output from the signal source in the transmission system is a video signal and an audio signal, and the output means in the reception system outputs based on the video signal and the audio signal. System
The signal to be processed is specified.
[0030]
The invention described in claim 8 of the present invention provides:
The information transmission system according to claim 3, wherein the signal source in the transmission system includes a recording medium on which a signal is recorded, and reading means for reading the signal from the recording medium.
Build the signal source in the transmission system.
[0031]
The invention according to claim 9 of the present invention is
7. A signal source in a transmission system, comprising: broadcast communication means for receiving an existing broadcast; and signal conversion means for converting a signal from the broadcast communication means into a video / audio signal. Information transmission system described in
Build the signal source in the transmission system.
[0032]
The invention according to claim 10 of the present invention is:
7. The information transmission system according to claim 3, wherein the signal source in the transmission system includes a recording unit, and a conversion unit that converts audio / video from the recording unit into a signal. ,
Build the signal source in the transmission system.
[0033]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the first embodiment. In particular, the main function is to provide a video viewing service and an in-flight announcement service in an airplane such as an airplane. This is an in-flight network service system as an information transmission system. There are a plurality of servers 2 as a transmission system and a plurality of client terminals 1 as a reception system, which are connected by a network unit 3 as a time division multiplex transmission path so that data transmission is possible. A switch, a bridge, and the like are arranged in a portion (not shown) of the network unit 3, and the configuration is made in consideration of the installation location of the system.
[0034]
The server 2 includes a communication function 21 as a communication unit, a streaming server function 22 as a multiplexing unit / flag providing unit for video / audio signals, and an AV device 23 as a signal source. The client terminal 1 includes a communication function 11 as a communication unit, a streaming client function 12 as a separation unit, and an output device 13 as an output unit.
[0035]
Based on these, the configuration and function of each unit will be described.
[0036]
(A) Description of configuration and function of server 2
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the server 2 according to the embodiment. The server 2 includes a management device 4 and AV equipment 23. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the embodiment of the server 2.
[0037]
The management device 4 is configured based on a general PC-AT compatible machine. However, although not shown, the management device 4 can perform an operation necessary for the operation by executing software stored in the internal hard disk drive 45. The software (not shown) includes an operating system 58 and streaming server software 56. These software are executed by the CPU 48 in the SDRAM 49. The executing SDRAM 49 is controlled by the CPU 48 via the memory bus controller 50.
[0038]
The AV device 23 is compatible with devices such as a microphone 231, a camera 232, a DVD-ROM and a DVD-ROM drive 233, and a RAID 234 that output audio and video signals that are valuable as information and require some real-time performance. I do. Although not specifically shown, as the signal, a video / audio signal which is compressed and molded for efficient transmission, such as an MPEG stream and an MPEG2 Layer3 stream, can be considered. These transmit data via a SCSI card 41, a DV capture card 42, and a sound card 43. However, any device that satisfies the performance of the AV device 23, such as an E-IDE compatible CD-ROM drive connected to a RAID card, can be regarded as an AV device and connected to the management device by a corresponding interface card. Shall be.
[0039]
After acquiring the video signal / audio signal from the AV device 23, the streaming server function 22 assigns a port number corresponding to the identification flag, and transfers the port number to the Ethernet (R) card 44 via the operating system.
[0040]
The Ethernet (R) card 44 corresponds to a function equivalent to the communication function 11 by using a TCP / IP protocol stack, a device driver, and the like in the operating system. In this embodiment, TCP / IP or UDP / IP is used. In effect, these protocols add port numbers to the packets after fragmentation. This corresponds to the identification flag given from the streaming server function 22. The network card receives and transmits packets from the library and the protocol stack a via the device driver. A specific transmission method conforms to the IEEE802.3 standard, and time division multiplex transmission corresponds to transmission of this standard.
[0041]
(B) Description of configuration and function of client terminal 1
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the embodiment of the client terminal 1. The client terminal 1 includes a terminal device 5 and an output device 13. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the embodiment of the client terminal 1.
[0042]
The client terminal 1 has a structure and functions based on a general PC-AT compatible machine, and an operating system 78 is installed as control software. Similarly, a plurality of applications, streaming client software 76, and flag information updating software 77 are also provided. Each software including the operating system is executed in the SDRAM 68 by the CPU 67 in FIG. The running SDRAM 68 is controlled by the CPU 67 via the memory bus controller 69.
[0043]
The communication function 11 in the client terminal 1 corresponds to an Ethernet (registered trademark) card 61 as hardware, and a device driver and a protocol stack of an operating system as software. A packet transmitted from the server 2 via the network unit 3 is received by the Ethernet (R) card 61, and data is converted from the packet based on the port number and other information written on the packet itself using an operating system. Take them out, sort and sort them, and finally restore the data to its state before transmission.
[0044]
The streaming client software 76 in the client terminal 1 passes the data received via the operating system 78 to the output device 13 via the corresponding operating system function.
[0045]
The output device of the client terminal 1 corresponds to the video card 63 and the monitor 131 in the case of video. When the decoder card 62 reads the video data via the operating system, it decodes the video and outputs it. The video card 63 receives the video output from the decoder card 62, combines the video with the graphic image, and outputs it from the monitor 131. In the case of voice, it corresponds to the sound card 64 and the headphones 132. The sound card 64 reads audio data via the operating system, decodes the audio, and outputs the decoded audio. Headphones 132 output sound from sound card 64. When synthesizing a plurality of audio data, the sound card is operated via the operating system. For example, the sound card 64 is operated so as to generate high-priority audio from the headphones 64 at a high output and low-priority audio at a low output.
[0046]
(C) Operation of the entire system
7 and 8 are schematic sequence diagrams showing an operation example of the streaming server software 56 and the streaming client software 76. These show information transmission systems, particularly those used on aircraft.
[0047]
First, FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a service, such as an in-flight announcement, originated by a person skilled in the art. More specifically, an announcement of a precautionary item such as "removable seat belt" or "prohibition of use of mobile phone" may be considered.
[0048]
First, the flight attendant turns on the microphone (A1). Thereby, the streaming server software 56 transmits to the streaming client software 76 the identification flag specified for the in-flight announcement and a reception request as a signal for the streaming client software 76 to enter the reception state (A2). . After that, the streaming server software 56 waits until there is a response to the transmission (A3).
[0049]
Upon receiving the reception request and the identification flag (A4), the streaming client software 76 creates a reception thread for signal reception (A5). This receiving thread opens a port for receiving based on the identification flag. Further, the priority is determined from the identification flag (A6), and the mixer setting of the sound card is performed based on the priority (A7). Specifically, the output ratio is calculated in consideration of what sound is currently being output, and the sound card is accessed to set parameters (A8). With the above processing, the preparation of the streaming client software 76 is completed, and a signal indicating the completion of preparation is transmitted to the streaming server software 56 in the form of a response to the reception request (A9).
[0050]
The streaming server software 56 that has received the response restarts the processing (A10). The sound input from the microphone is read as a sound signal via a sound card (A11) and transmitted (A12). At this time, the port number for transmission corresponds to the identification flag.
[0051]
The streaming client software 76 receives the audio signal (A13), writes data to the sound card set previously, and finally emits audio (A14).
[0052]
Next, FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 8 shows services starting from the user, such as watching movie contents. More specifically, a movie content provided by a person skilled in the art as a service, a broadcast receiving terrestrial waves, and the like can be considered.
[0053]
The processing of such a service is started by a user's request (B1). Upon receiving the user's playback request, the streaming client software 76 converts the playback request into data for a playback request, and transmits the data together with a tag indicating the requested content to the streaming server software 56 (B2).
[0054]
The streaming server software 56 that has received the reproduction request (B3) verifies the presence / absence of the content, etc., and transmits a response of acceptance if the request is valid (B4). The streaming server software 56 transmits, to the streaming client software 76, an identification flag specified for viewing the movie content and a reception request as a signal for the streaming client software 76 to enter a receiving state (B5). After that, the streaming server software 56 waits until there is a response to the transmission (B6).
[0055]
Upon receiving the reception request and the identification flag (B8), the streaming client software 76 creates a reception thread for signal reception (B9). This receiving thread opens a port for receiving based on the identification flag. Further, the priority is determined from the identification flag (B10), and the mixer setting of the sound card is performed based on the priority (B11). Specifically, the output ratio is calculated in consideration of what sound is currently being output, and the sound card is accessed to set parameters (B12). With the above processing, the preparation of the streaming client software 76 is completed, and the preparation completion signal is transmitted to the streaming server software 56 in the form of a response to the reception request (B13).
[0056]
The streaming server software 56 that has received the response restarts the processing (B14). The video signal and the audio signal output from the RAID are read (B15 / B16) via the SCSI card and transmitted (B17 / B18). At this time, the port number for transmission corresponds to the identification flag.
[0057]
The streaming client software 76 receives the audio signal and the video signal (B19 / B20), writes the data into the sound card set previously, and finally emits the audio (B21).
[0058]
As voice provided by the above services, in-flight announcements have high importance. Therefore, in the mixer function setting (A7) of the sound card, a higher ratio is set than the value set in the mixer function setting (B11) of the sound card immediately before, for example, and a sound is generated at a higher volume.
[0059]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the identification flag corresponds to a port number defined by TCP / IP and UDP / IP.
[0060]
As the priority corresponding to the port number, a predetermined one is used. More specifically, 25001 to 30000 are Default, 30001 to 35000 are Important, 3501 to 40000 are Emergency, Default is the lowest priority, Important permits multiplexing to Default, and Emergency excludes all data and displays / It can occur.
[0061]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the second embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the main function is to provide a video viewing service and an in-flight announcement service, especially in an airplane such as an airplane. This is an in-flight network service system as an information transmission system.
[0062]
This is basically the same as the first embodiment, except for the following points.
[0063]
The server 2 is provided with a storage function 25 such as a hard disk as storage means, a flag information management function 24 as update means, and an input device 26 as input means. Further, the client terminal 1 is provided with a storage function 15 which is a RAM as storage means and a flag information update function 14 as update means.
[0064]
Based on these, the configuration and function of each unit will be described.
[0065]
(A) Description of configuration and function of server 2
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the server 2 according to the embodiment. The server 2 includes a management device 4, an AV device 23, and an input device 26. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the software configuration of the embodiment of the server 2, and includes a streaming server software 56, flag information management software 57, and an operating system 58.
[0066]
The management device 4 is configured based on a general PC-AT compatible machine. However, although not shown, the management device 4 can perform an operation necessary for the operation by executing software stored in the internal hard disk drive 45. These software are executed by the CPU 48 in the SDRAM 49. The executing SDRAM 49 is controlled by the CPU 48 via the memory bus controller 50.
[0067]
The internal configuration is the same as that described in the first embodiment, except that an input device 26 is added. The input device 26 includes a keyboard 261 and a monitor 262, and the input of the keyboard 261 is input via the IF bus controller 46. At the time of inputting flag information, the flag management software displays a screen for input using the monitor 262 and the video card 47.
[0068]
(B) Description of configuration and function of client terminal 1
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the embodiment of the client terminal 1. The client terminal 1 of the second embodiment includes a terminal device 5 and an output device 13. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a software configuration of the embodiment of the client terminal 1. In the second embodiment, the streaming client software 76, the flag information update software 77, and the operating system 78 Be composed.
[0069]
The client terminal 1 has a structure and functions based on a general PC-AT compatible machine. It also has multiple applications. Each software including the operating system is executed in the SDRAM 68 by the CPU 67 in FIG. The running SDRAM 68 is controlled by the CPU 67 via the memory bus controller 69.
[0070]
The client terminal 1 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, but further includes flag information update software 77. This updates the flag information stored in the SDRAM 68 based on a flag update request transmitted via the communication function 11.
[0071]
The streaming client software 76 in the client terminal 1 of the second embodiment transfers the data received via the operating system 78 to the output device 13 via the function of the operating system individually corresponding to each. At this time, the flag information that is the basis of the priority refers to the one stored in the SDRAM 68 by the flag information update software 77.
[0072]
(C) Operation of the entire system
7 and 8 are schematic sequence diagrams showing an operation example of the streaming server software 56 and the streaming client software 76. These show information transmission systems, particularly those used on aircraft.
[0073]
First, the operation of the entire system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows a service, such as an in-flight announcement, originated by a person skilled in the art. More specifically, an announcement of a precautionary item such as "removable seat belt" or "prohibition of use of mobile phone" may be considered.
[0074]
First, the flight attendant turns on the microphone (A1). Accordingly, the streaming server software 56 sends the identification flag for the in-flight announcement stored in the hard disk drive 45 and a reception request as a signal for the streaming client software 76 to enter the receiving state to the streaming client software 76. Transmit (A2). After that, the streaming server software 56 waits until there is a response to the transmission (A3).
[0075]
Upon receiving the reception request and the identification flag (A4), the streaming client software 76 creates a reception thread for signal reception (A5). This receiving thread opens a port for receiving based on the identification flag. Further, a priority is determined from the identification flag based on information about the flag in the SDRAM 68, and a mixer setting of the sound card is performed based on the priority (A7). Specifically, the output ratio is calculated in consideration of what sound is currently being output, and the sound card is accessed to set parameters (A8). With the above processing, the preparation of the streaming client software 76 is completed, and a signal indicating the completion of preparation is transmitted to the streaming server software 56 in the form of a response to the reception request (A9).
[0076]
The streaming server software 56 that has received the response restarts the processing (A10). The sound input from the microphone is read as a sound signal via a sound card (A11) and transmitted (A12). At this time, the port number for transmission corresponds to the identification flag.
[0077]
The streaming client software 76 receives the audio signal (A13), writes data to the sound card set previously, and finally emits audio (A14).
[0078]
Next, FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 8 shows services starting from the user, such as watching movie contents. More specifically, a movie content provided by a person skilled in the art as a service, a broadcast receiving terrestrial waves, and the like can be considered.
[0079]
The processing of such a service is started by a user's request (B1). Upon receiving the user's playback request, the streaming client software 76 converts the playback request into data for a playback request, and transmits the data together with a tag indicating the requested content to the streaming server software 56 (B2).
[0080]
The streaming server software 56 that has received the reproduction request (B3) verifies the presence / absence of the content, etc., and transmits a response of acceptance if the request is valid (B4). The streaming server software 56 transmits, to the streaming client software 76, a movie content viewing identification flag stored in the hard disk drive 45 and a reception request as a signal for the streaming client software 76 to enter a reception state. (B5). After that, the streaming server software 56 waits until there is a response to the transmission (B6).
[0081]
Upon receiving the reception request and the identification flag (B8), the streaming client software 76 creates a reception thread for signal reception (B9). This receiving thread opens a port for receiving based on the identification flag. Further, a priority is determined from the identification flag based on information on the flag in the SDRAM 68 (B10), and a mixer setting of the sound card is performed based on the priority (B11). Specifically, the output ratio is calculated in consideration of what sound is currently being output, and the sound card is accessed to set parameters (B12). With the above processing, the preparation of the streaming client software 76 is completed, and the preparation completion signal is transmitted to the streaming server software 56 in the form of a response to the reception request (B13).
[0082]
The streaming server software 56 that has received the response restarts the processing (B14). The video signal and the audio signal output from the RAID are read (B15 / B16) via the SCSI card and transmitted (B17 / B18). At this time, the port number for transmission corresponds to the identification flag.
[0083]
The streaming client software 76 receives the audio signal and the video signal (B19 / B20), writes the data into the sound card set previously, and finally emits the audio (B21).
[0084]
As voice provided by the above services, in-flight announcements have high importance. Therefore, in the mixer function setting (A7) of the sound card, a higher ratio is set than the value set in the mixer function setting (B11) of the sound card immediately before, for example, and a sound is generated at a higher volume.
[0085]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the identification flag corresponds to a port number defined by TCP / IP and UDP / IP.
[0086]
As the priority corresponding to the port number, a predetermined one is used. More specifically, 25001 to 30000 are Default, 30001 to 35000 are Important, 3501 to 40000 are Emergency, Default is the lowest priority, Important permits multiplexing to Default, and Emergency excludes all data and displays / It can occur.
[0087]
Next, a process of updating the entire identification flag will be described with reference to FIG.
[0088]
First, the update request is made possible by the input device 26 of the server 2 and, in this example, the cabin attendant performing an input operation from the input device 26 (C1). However, in addition to the keyboard 261 and the monitor 262 shown here, an interface such as a USB which can take in only information is also included. Upon receiving the request, the flag management software 56 updates the contents of the hard disk drive (C3). Further, transmission of an update request and flag update information to each client terminal 1 is started (C4).
[0089]
The flag information update software 76 is normally on standby, and starts operating upon receiving the update request (C6), and updates the flag information inside the RAM 15 based on the received flag update information (C7) (C8). When the update is completed, a response is transmitted (C9), and the process returns to the standby state again.
[0090]
The flag management software 56 having received the response subsequently transmits an update request to another client terminal 1 (C4). Update work (C4, C5, C10) is performed for all client terminals 1.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
According to the above-described invention, the structure can be simplified by integrating important information transmission and video and audio providing services in a single system. Also, as a secondary priority, video and audio signals with high priority are always transmitted to the user. It is possible to avoid or eliminate the possibility that the transmission of important information for both businesses and users, such as security-related information, may be hindered.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an information transmission system including a transmission system and a reception system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an information transmission system including a transmission system and a reception system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the first and second embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a software configuration of a server according to the first and second embodiments.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a client terminal according to the first and second embodiments.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a software configuration of a client terminal according to the first and second embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram schematically showing a signal transmission / reception operation starting from a server in the first and second embodiments.
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram schematically showing a signal transmission / reception operation starting from a client terminal in the first and second embodiments.
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram schematically showing a flag information update and transmission / reception operation in the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of use in the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a specific installation example in the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing a conventional example.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing a client terminal in a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 client terminal
2 server
3 Network section
4 Management device
5 Terminal device
11 Communication function
12 Streaming client function
13 Output device
131 monitor
132 headphones
14 Flag information update function
15 Storage function (RAM)
21 Communication Function
22 Streaming server function
23 AV equipment
231 microphone
232 camera
233 DVD-ROM and DVD-ROM drive
234 RAID
24 Flag information management function
25 Storage function (hard disk)
26 Input device
261 keyboard
262 monitor
41 SCSI card
42 DV Capture Card
43 sound card
44 Ethernet (R) Card
45 Hard Disk Drive
46 I / F bus controller
47 Video Card
48 CPU
49 SDRAM
50 Memory bus controller
56 streaming server software
57 Flag information management software
58 Operating System
61 Ethernet (R) Card
62 decoder card
63 video card
64 sound card
65 EEPROM
66 I / F bus controller
67 CPU
68 SDRAM
69 Memory bus controller
70 Controller
76 Streaming Client Software
77 Flag information update software
78 Operating system
10 Conventional client terminals
101 first receiving means
102 Second receiving means
103 Separation means
104 signal selection means
105 Voice generation means
106 image display means
20 Conventional server
30 Conventional Network Unit

Claims (10)

A plurality of signal sources, a flag providing unit for providing a plurality of signals from the signal sources with an identification flag indicating a priority at the time of output and a signal source of an output source, and arbitrarily providing a signal from the flag providing unit. A transmission-side communication unit that divides the data into time-division multiplexes, multiplexes them in a time-division manner, and sends them out to a transmission path. A receiving communication means for receiving a multiplexed signal output from the transmission system according to claim 1 and restoring the multiplexed signal to a state before multiplexing, and separating the signal from the transmission system based on an identification flag. A receiving system comprising: separating means; and output means for outputting a signal from the separating means based on a priority order corresponding to an identification flag. A transmission system according to claim 1, and a plurality of reception systems according to claim 2;
An information transmission system, wherein the priority of a signal is identified based on an identification flag having a predetermined priority, and a signal having a high priority is preferentially output from said output means of a receiving system. Storage means for storing flag information in which an identification flag is associated with a priority; input means for inputting flag information; updating means for writing flag information from the input means to the storage means and transmitting the information via communication means The flag assigning means reads the identification flag indicating the priority at the time of output and the signal source of the output source from the storage means, and assigns the read identification flag to a plurality of signals from the signal source. The transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission is performed. Storing means for storing flag information; updating means for newly writing and updating the flag information based on the flag information from the receiving communication means; and a signal based on the priority of the flag information stored in the storing means. 3. The receiving system according to claim 2, further comprising an output unit that outputs. A transmission system according to claim 4, and a plurality of reception systems according to claim 5, wherein the transmission system has a high priority signal based on a priority corresponding to an identification flag allocated to each reception system. An information transmission system characterized in that the priority is output and the priority can be changed. 7. The information transmission according to claim 3, wherein the output from the signal source in the transmission system is a video signal and an audio signal, and the output means in the reception system outputs based on the video signal and the audio signal. system. 7. The information transmission system according to claim 3, wherein the signal source in the transmission system includes a recording medium on which the signal is recorded, and reading means for reading the signal from the recording medium. 7. The signal source in the transmission system comprises: a broadcast communication unit for receiving an existing broadcast; and a signal conversion unit for converting a signal from the broadcast communication unit into a video / audio signal. The information transmission system described in 1. 7. The information transmission system according to claim 3, wherein a signal source in the transmission system includes a recording unit and a conversion unit that converts audio / video from the recording unit into a signal.

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