JP2005202582A - Contents provision method, contents provision system and client apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to view contents by a computer other than the user's computer even when the contents are distributed and stored in a plurality of computers. <P>SOLUTION: A contents provision method is disclosed which comprises: a list display step for enabling a client apparatus 104-1 to display the list of indicated things showing contents to be distributed and managed by a plurality of servers 103-1 to 103-N for each category; a transmission instructing step for enabling the client apparatus 104-1 to instruct the servers 103-1 to 103-N which manage contents corresponding to the indicated thing selected by the user among the indicated things displayed by the list display step to transmit the contents; and a reception output step for enabling the client apparatus 104-1 to receive and output the contents transmitted from the servers 103-1 to 103-N. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content providing method for providing a user with content managed by a plurality of servers in a distributed manner, a content providing system, a client device used in the system, and a client program for causing a computer to function as the client device. .

  In recent years, computers have become more sophisticated and computers can handle multimedia data. Specifically, computers have a function of inputting, storing, and outputting not only letters and numbers but also music and video. As for music, for example, a computer can receive music data compressed in MP3 (MPEG-1 audio layer 3) format from a server via the Internet, store it in a hard disk drive, and output it from a stereo speaker. It has become. As for video, the computer can receive video data compressed in MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format from the server via the Internet, store it in the hard disk drive, or display it on the monitor. Yes. Furthermore, with regard to the video, it is possible to receive a television broadcast by a television tuner built in the computer and store the received television broadcast in a hard disk drive or display it on a monitor.

  On the other hand, homes that own a plurality of computers are increasing, and a plurality of computers in the home are connected by a LAN (Local Area Network). A router is also connected to the LAN, and a plurality of computers can be simultaneously connected to the Internet via the router.

In the inventions described in Non-Patent Documents 1 to 7, a server is mounted on one of a plurality of computers connected to a LAN, and a client is mounted on another computer. Examples of the server include an image server and a music server. For example, each client accesses the image server, receives image data stored in the image server from the image server, and displays an image based on the received image data.
VAIO Media, Internet <URL: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Software_03q3/VAIOMedia/> Giga Pocket, Internet <URL: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Software_03q3/GigaPocket/index.html> SonicStage, Internet <URL: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Software_03q3/SonicStage/index.html> PictureGear Studio, Internet <URL: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Software_03q3/PictureGearStudio/index.html> VAIO Media Official Site, Internet <URL: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Solution/VAIOMedia/index.html> VAIO Media Official Site, Internet <URL: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Solution/VAIOMedia/basic0.html> VAIO Media Official Site, Internet <URL: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Solution/VAIOMedia/basic1.html>

  However, according to the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 7, since a server that performs a specific service is mounted on a specific computer, there is a limitation that content must be stored in the computer on which the server is mounted. is there. Due to such limitations, the following problems arise.

  When each person in the home uses a different computer, considering the problem of where to store the content collected by each person, the other computers are not always turned on at the same time. If you turn on the computer, it will be a waste of power, and other computer owners will hate to store content collected by others on their own computers. Considering that it is wasteful to purchase, and that it is easy to store in your computer, it is often stored in your computer. In this way, when each person stores the contents collected by himself / herself in his / her computer, the contents are distributed and stored in a plurality of computers. On the other hand, each family member may wish to view content collected by others in the family. However, if there is the above limitation, it becomes impossible to deal with such a situation.

  Even if there is a request to collect content on the go, store the collected content on your computer, and watch it on another computer after returning home, Cannot meet the demands.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a content providing method, a content providing system, and a client device used in the system that allow viewing on another computer even when the content is distributed and stored in a plurality of computers. It is another object of the present invention to provide a client program for causing a computer to function as the client device.

  According to the present invention, the client device displays a list of display objects representing content managed by a plurality of servers in a distributed manner for each category, and the client device is displayed by the list display step. A transmission instruction step for transmitting content corresponding to the display item selected by the user to the server managing the content, and reception for receiving and outputting the content transmitted from the server by the client device And an output step. A content providing method is provided.

  In the content providing method, the management may include at least one of storage, input, and reception.

  In the content providing method, the list display step may display a list of display objects representing the content managed by the plurality of servers in a distributed manner for each category without distinguishing between servers managing the content. Good.

  In the content providing method, the list display step may include a list of display objects representing content distributed and managed by a plurality of servers for each category according to at least one of a sorting condition and a filtering condition selected by a user. May be displayed.

  The content providing method includes a server loading confirmation step of confirming whether or not the client device is mounted on each of a plurality of computers connected to a network, and the client device is mounted on the server. A service confirmation step for confirming what service each server confirmed to be installed in the computer in the confirmation step can provide; and a category in which the client device intends to display the list in the list display step Content information acquisition step of acquiring content information related to the content of the category managed by the server from a server that can provide a service corresponding to the server, wherein the client device is the content information acquisition step in the list display step Gained On the basis of the content information, it may be the display of the list.

  The content providing method may further include a content distribution management step in which the server distributes and manages the content.

  The content providing method may further include a content information updating step in which the resident program updates the content information corresponding to each server when a change in content occurs in a computer on which each server is mounted. .

  According to the first, second, eighth, and ninth aspects of the present invention, any content among the content managed by a plurality of servers in a distributed manner is displayed on any client device connected to the network. And so on. Therefore, the user does not need to limit the storage location of the content to a recording medium connected to a specific computer, and the storage location of the content can be connected to any computer as long as the server is mounted on the computer. What is necessary is just to be a recording medium. In addition, as long as a server is installed in a computer, a digital still camera, a digital movie camera, a CD player, or the like is connected to any computer, so that any client device connected to the network can display content. be able to. Furthermore, as long as the server is mounted on the computer, the content received by any client device connected to the network can be displayed by mounting the TV tuner or the streaming client on any computer.

  According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention, since the list is displayed without distinguishing the server that manages the content, the user does not need to switch the screen for each server, and a plurality of servers are distributed and managed. The content to be played can be grasped at a glance.

  According to the fourth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, since the list is displayed according to at least one of the sort condition and the filter condition selected by the user, the user can easily perform the content according to his / her favorite selection criteria. It becomes possible to select.

  According to the fifth and twelfth aspects of the present invention, since the server mounting confirmation step, the service confirmation step, the content information acquisition step, and the like are provided, the client device automatically sees the list according to the first aspect from the user. It is possible to display.

  According to the sixth and thirteenth aspects of the invention, since the content distribution management step and the like are provided, the client device can collect the content from each computer.

  According to the seventh and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, since the content information acquisition step and the like are provided, the client device can always grasp the latest content information.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The content providing system according to the present embodiment is constructed on a LAN 101 as shown in FIG. A plurality of computers 102-1, 102-2,..., 102-N are connected to the LAN 101. The computers 102-1, 102-2, ..., 102-N communicate with each other by a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), UDP / IP (User Datagram Protocol / Internet Protocol). Is possible. The server 103 is installed in one or more computers, and the client 104 is installed in one or more computers. Both the server and the client may be mounted on the same computer. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, both servers and clients may be mounted on all computers. Of course, a server may be mounted on some computers, and a client may be mounted on other computers.

  The server 103 is a computer program that provides services to the client 104, and the client 104 is a computer program that receives services from the server 103. The server 193 and the client 104 communicate with each other using an upper layer protocol such as TCP / IP or UDP / IP (for example, a protocol according to uPnP (registered trademark, universal Plug and Play)).

  More specifically, the server 103-i (i = 1, 2,..., N) is a recording medium 105 such as a hard disk drive connected to the computer 102-i on which the server 103-i is mounted. -The contents stored in -i are always grasped, and services that can be provided by the server 103-i are provided to the client 104-j in accordance with requests from the client 104-j (j = 1, 2,..., N). Notify the client 104-j of information (content information) related to the content stored in the recording medium 105-i, or transmit the content stored in the recording medium 105-i to the client 104-j. Or

  Services that can be provided by the server 103 are, for example, a stored moving image distribution service, a received moving image distribution service, a stored still image distribution service, a stored music distribution service, and the like. The received moving image distribution service is possible if the computer 102 has, for example, a TV tuner or a streaming client function. For example, in the case of a stored moving image, the content information is the file name of the stored moving image, the shooting date and time of the stored moving image, the shooting location of the stored moving image, and the location where the stored moving image is stored (computer name, Drive name and folder name), the file size of the stored moving image, the author name of the stored moving image, the copyright owner name of the stored moving image, the compression method name of the stored moving image, the compression parameter of the stored moving image, the stored moving image In the case of a stored still image, such as a thumbnail image obtained from the playback time and a representative still image (for example, the first frame), the file name of the stored still image, the shooting date and time of the stored still image, and the shooting of the stored still image Location, location where stored still image is stored (computer name, drive name and folder name), file size of stored still image, author name of stored still image, stored still image Name of author, stored still image compression method name, stored still image compression parameters, stored still image shooting conditions (shutter speed, aperture, sensitivity, flash on / off), thumbnail image, etc. For stored music , Stored music file name, stored recording date and time, stored music recording location, stored music storage location (computer name, drive name and folder name), stored music file size, stored music The author name, the copyright holder name of the stored music, the compression method name of the stored music, the compression parameter of the stored music, the recording condition of the stored music, the genre of the stored music, and the like.

  Whether the client 104-j is equipped with the server 103 for all the computers 102-1 to 102-N (including the computer 102-j on which the client 104-j is installed) connected to the LAN 101. If it is installed, the service that can be provided by the server is inquired. In addition, the server requests the server to transmit content information or requests transmission of content. Further, when the content information is received from the server, the content information is displayed on the screen, and when the content is received from the server, the content is displayed on the screen or output from the speaker.

  Next, the server 103-1 and the client 104-1 are mounted on the computer 102-1, the server 103-2 is mounted on the computer 102-2, and the server 103-3 is mounted on the computer 102-3. The server 103-1 can provide a stored still image distribution service and a stored music distribution service, the server 103-2 can provide a stored still image distribution service and a stored moving image distribution service, Taking the case where the stored music distribution service can be provided as an example, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  The server 103-1 can provide a stored still image distribution service, but enables the server 103-1 to notify the client 104-1 of the latest content information related to still image data stored in the recording medium 105-1. Therefore, in the computer 102-1, the resident program 106-1 operating in the background always writes the still image data to the recording medium 105-1, and deletes the still image data stored in the recording medium 105-1. The change is monitored, and when there is writing, deletion or change, this is reflected in the content information 107-1. The content information 107-1 is stored in the recording medium 105-1, and can be accessed by the server 103-1 and the resident program 106-1.

  Similarly, the server 103-1 can provide a stored music distribution service, but the server 103-1 can notify the client 104-1 of the latest content information regarding the music data stored in the recording medium 105-1. Therefore, in the computer 102-1, the resident program 106-1 operating in the background always writes the music data to the recording medium 105-1, deletes the music data stored in the recording medium 105-1, and The change is monitored, and when there is writing, deletion or change, this is reflected in the content information.

  Similarly to the resident program 106-1, the resident program 106-2 installed in the computer 102-2 and the resident program 106-3 installed in the computer 102-3 are respectively content information 107-2 and 107-3. Update processing is performed.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when activated, the client 104-1 inquires of the computer 102-1 whether or not the computer 102-1 is equipped with a server (step S201-1). In response to this inquiry, the computer 102-1 returns a response to the effect that the computer 102-1 is equipped with a server to the client 104-1 (step S202-1). The client 104-1 also makes an inquiry similar to the inquiry in step S201-1 to all the other computers 102-2 to 102-N (steps S201-2 to S201-N). The computers 102-2 and 102-3 return responses to the effect that the computers 102-2 and 102-3 are equipped with servers to the client 104-1 (steps S202-2 and S202-3). On the other hand, each of the computers 102-4 to 104-N returns a response to the effect that the computers 102-4 to 104-N do not have a server (steps S202-4 to S202-N). ).

  Referring to FIG. 3, next, the client 104-1 inquires of the server 103-1 what kind of service can be provided (step S203-1). In response to this inquiry, the server 103-1 returns a response to the client 104-1 that the server 103-1 can provide the stored still image distribution service and the stored music distribution service (step S204-1). The client 104-1 also makes an inquiry similar to the inquiry in step S203-1 to all the other servers 103-2 and 103-3 (steps S203-2 and S203-3). The server 103-2 returns a response to the effect that the server 103-2 can provide the stored still image distribution service and the moving image distribution service to the client 104-1 (step S204-2). The server 103-3 returns a response to the effect that the server 103-3 can provide the stored music distribution service to the client 104-1 (step S204-3).

  Next, the client 104-1 displays a menu as shown in FIG. The screen 301 includes icons representing each category (specifically, an icon 302 representing a still image, an icon 303 representing a moving image, and an icon 304 representing music).

  Next, an operation when the user selects the icon 302 representing a still image will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the client 104-1 has already recognized that the servers that provide the stored still image distribution service corresponding to the still image category are the server 103-1 and the server 103-2. Accordingly, the client 104-1 requests the server 103-1 to transmit the content information regarding the still image data stored in the recording medium 105-1 among the content information 107-1 (Step S205-). 1) The server 103-2 is requested to transmit content information relating to still image data stored in the recording medium 105-2 of the content information 107-2 (step S205-2). In response to the request in step S205-1, the server 103-1 transmits content information related to still image data in the content information 107-1 to the client 104-1 (step S206-1). Similarly, in response to the request in step S205-2, the server 103-2 transmits content information regarding still image data in the content information 107-2 to the client 104-1 (step S206-2).

  Next, the client 104-1 merges the content information related to the still image data received in steps S206-1 and S206-2 (step S207), and, as shown in FIG. All or part of the list is displayed on the screen (step S208). In the list of FIG. 6, as a result of the merge, the content information is displayed without distinguishing the recording media between the still image data stored in the recording media 105-1 and 105-2. In other words, the content information is displayed without distinguishing between the computer 102-1 and the computer 102-2 and without distinguishing between the server 103-1 and the server 103-2. For example, the content information on the first and third rows is content information representing still image data stored in the recording medium 105-1, and the content information on the second and fourth rows is the recording medium. Content information representing the generated image data stored in 105-2.

  Next, the client 104-1 determines whether content information (image, file name, etc.) representing any one of the still image data is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 6 (step S209). When content information representing any still image data is selected (YES in step S210), the server 103-1 or the server 103-2 is requested to transmit still image data corresponding to the selected content information. (Step S210). The server to which the request should be issued can be determined based on the storage location in the content information. The server 103-1 or 103-2 that has received the request in step S210 transmits the requested still image data to the client 104-1 (step S211). Next, the client 104-1 displays the still image received in step S211 (step S212). Next, the client 104-1 waits until “return” is selected by pressing a button for returning to the list displayed together with the still images (NO in step S213). If “return” is selected (YES in step S213), the process proceeds to step S214.

  If the determination result in step S209 is negative, steps S210 to S213 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S214, the client 104-1 determines whether a sort condition has been input. The sort condition is, for example, sorting in order of file name, sorting in order of shooting date and time, and the like. If the sort condition is input (YES in step S214), the client 104-1 sorts the content information according to the input sort condition (step S215).

  Next, the client 104-1 determines whether or not a filter condition has been input (step S216). The filter conditions are, for example, a condition for selecting only still image data shot at a specific date and time, a condition for selecting only still image data shot under a specific shooting condition, and the like. If the filter condition is input (YES in step S216), the client 104-1 filters the content information according to the input filter condition (step S217).

  Next, the client 104-1 re-displays the content information of the current state regarding the still image data (content information sorted as necessary and filtered as necessary) (step S218), and step S209. Return to.

  Since the operation when the user selects the icon 303 representing the moving image and the operation when the user selects the icon 304 representing the music are the same as the operation when the user selects the icon 302 representing the still image, These descriptions are omitted.

  The recording medium connected to each computer is composed of one or more logical drives, and one logical drive is composed of one or more folders when the root is regarded as a folder. The resident program 106 generates content information for content stored in all folders on all drives, and the server transmits content information and content for content stored in all folders on all drives to the client. However, the user may want to store content that he / she does not want to use on another computer in his / her computer. Accordingly, the utility program allows the user to specify a combination of drives and folders that may be disclosed to other computers, and the resident program 106 only applies to the contents stored in the specified folder of the specified drive. The content information may be generated, and the content information and the content may be transmitted to the client only for the content stored in the designated folder of the designated drive.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the description has been made taking the form in which the content is stored in the recording medium as an example, but in addition, the computer in which the server is mounted has a TV tuner and a streaming client function. There is also a mode in which the server transfers the moving image received by the TV tuner or the streaming client function to the client as step S211 in FIG. In addition, a digital still camera, a digital movie camera, a CD player, or the like is connected to the computer on which the server is mounted, and these devices connected to the computer with the resident program are attached to the content input from the outside or these devices. Content information about content stored in a recording medium (tape, memory card, disk, etc.) may be generated, and the server may access such content and content information and provide it to the client.

  The present invention can be used to provide users with content managed by a plurality of servers in a distributed manner.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a computer and a LAN in which a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. It is a 1st sequence diagram which shows the content provision method performed by the content provision system by embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd sequence diagram which shows the content provision method performed by the content provision system by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the menu screen which the client by embodiment of this invention displays. It is a 3rd sequence diagram which shows the content provision method performed by the content provision system by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the list screen of the content information which the client by embodiment of this invention displays.

Explanation of symbols

101 LAN
102-1 to 102-N Computer 103-1 to 103-N Server 104-1 to 104-N Client 105-1 to 105-N Recording Medium 106-1 to 106-N Resident Program

Claims (15)

A list display step in which a client device displays a list of display objects representing content managed by a plurality of servers in a distributed manner for each category;
A transmission instruction step for causing the client device to transmit content corresponding to a display object selected by a user among display objects displayed in the list display step to a server that manages the content;
A reception output step in which the client device receives and outputs the content transmitted from the server;
A content providing method comprising: The content providing method according to claim 1,
The content management method includes at least one of storage, input, and reception. The content providing method according to claim 1,
In the content display method, the list display step displays, for each category, a list of display objects representing content managed by the plurality of servers in a distributed manner without distinguishing servers managing the content. The content providing method according to claim 1,
The list display step displays a list of display objects representing content managed by a plurality of servers in a distributed manner for each category according to at least one of a sort condition and a filter condition selected by a user. To provide content. The content providing method according to claim 1,
A server loading confirmation step of confirming whether or not the server is mounted on each of a plurality of computers connected to the network by the client device;
A service confirmation step for confirming what service each server that is confirmed to be mounted on the computer by the server installation confirmation step can provide;
A content information acquisition step in which the client device acquires content information regarding the content of the category managed by the server from a server capable of providing a service corresponding to the category for which the list is to be displayed in the list display step;
Further comprising
The content providing method, wherein the client device displays the list based on the content information acquired in the content information acquisition step in the list display step. In the content provision method of Claim 1 thru | or 5,
The content providing method, wherein the server further comprises a content distribution management step for distributing and managing the content. The content providing method according to claim 6,
A content providing method, further comprising: a content information update step of updating the content information corresponding to each server when a change in content occurs in a computer on which each server is installed. A list display means for displaying a list of display objects representing contents managed by a plurality of servers distributed for each category;
Transmission instruction means for transmitting content corresponding to the display object selected by the user among the display objects displayed by the list display means to a server managing the content;
Receiving and outputting means for receiving and outputting content transmitted from the server;
A client device comprising: The client device according to claim 8, wherein
The management includes at least one of storage, input, and reception. The client device according to claim 8, wherein
The list display means displays a list of display items representing contents managed by the plurality of servers in a distributed manner for each category without distinguishing servers managing the contents. The client device according to claim 8, wherein
The list display means displays a list of display items representing content managed by a plurality of servers in a distributed manner for each category according to at least one of a sort condition and a filter condition selected by a user. Client device to perform. The client device according to claim 8, wherein
Server loading confirmation means for confirming whether or not the server is loaded on each of a plurality of computers connected to the network;
Service confirmation means for confirming what service each server confirmed to be mounted on the computer by the server installation confirmation means can provide;
Content information acquisition means for acquiring content information regarding the content of the category managed by the server from a server capable of providing a service corresponding to the category for which the list display means is to display the list;
Further comprising
The list display means displays the list based on the content information acquired by the content information acquisition means. A client device according to claim 8;
Multiple servers that manage content in a distributed manner,
A content providing system comprising: The content providing system according to claim 13,
A content providing system further comprising content information updating means for updating the content information corresponding to each server when a change in content occurs in a computer on which each server is mounted.   A client program for causing a computer to function as the client device according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

Images