JP2005328443A - Home server, home server system and client terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a conventional home server is present to complement or share data stored in a server via a network and to distribute the data of the server via the network but communication bands of the network are not considered, data under recording can not be distributed and a system construction becomes large-scaled. <P>SOLUTION: Contents from a broadcast or communication are recorded in a first accumulation means and at the same time, converted contents are accumulated in a second accumulation means. A list of converted contents accumulated in the second accumulation means is updated as occasion demands, information about the converted contents is selected from another home server or client terminal connected to a network, and contents are selected out of a latest list of accumulated converted contents, so that the designated converted contents can be transmitted from the other home server or client terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a home server, a home server system, and a client terminal that distribute contents stored in a home server between a plurality of home servers and client terminals connected via a network to other terminals.

  Conventionally, when a program to be viewed cannot be at home when the program is broadcast, the program is recorded on a video or a hard disk, and the recorded program is viewed when convenient.

  However, even if there is a program that you want to watch, you may forget to make a scheduled recording. In that case, there is a problem that the recording media must be borrowed from an acquaintance who has recorded the program, and if there is no such acquaintance, the viewing must be given up.

  Such program recording is recorded in a relatively high bit rate format such as MPEG2, and is a format suitable for viewing on a television or the like. However, it is desirable that the recorded program cannot be viewed without a playback device such as a living room, and can be viewed on another home server or a mobile terminal outside the office via a communication network without exchange of recording media.

  However, there is a problem of communication bandwidth for network distribution of video content of stored content viewed in a living room or the like, and the environment of the mobile terminal used varies depending on the user, so that the content cannot be viewed effectively. Can happen.

  Furthermore, in response to vague requests such as watching a historical drama as well as programs that you forgot to schedule, all available programs that are recorded on each home server are listed, and you can search and select programs from them. It is desirable to watch it.

  As a conventional technique for solving such a problem, in the first prior art (see, for example, Patent Document 1), video data stored in each home server in a system in which a plurality of home servers are connected via a network. By registering the list in a different list server, the home server can search and acquire video data stored in other home servers, and multiple home servers complement and share the video data recorded with each other 1 A system has been proposed in which video data of programs recorded on one home server can be viewed on another home server.

  In addition, in this system, a system configuration is proposed in which a list server is not required by maintaining a list of other home servers to which each home server is connected.

In the second prior art (see, for example, Patent Document 2), the stored content is converted into a network-distributable format so that the content stored in the storage means in the home server can be viewed on a mobile terminal outside the home. When there is a transmission request from a user, a system has been proposed in which user authentication is performed by another management server connected to the network, and then the stored content is distributed over the network to the authenticated user.
JP 2003-46958 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-37802

  However, in the first prior art described above, the user inputs desired program information and searches using the program database of each home server stored in the list server on the network and the program list information of each home server. From the result, the program is selected and viewed, and even if a desired program is searched, it is not always a hit and it is not immediately known what program can be viewed. In addition, when a program is distributed over a network, communication bandwidth is not taken into consideration, and it is difficult to introduce it in the current communication network environment.

  In addition, since the recorded programs are shared between the home servers, programs that are not desired by others may be viewed, which is not preferable. Next, recording and playback processing may be performed by the home server user in each home server, and the converted content distribution capability of the home server may be insufficient.

  In the second prior art, since the original content is converted and stored in a format that can be distributed to the network after the storage is completed, the content being broadcast cannot be viewed from another home server or client terminal, and the broadcast program is stored. It is necessary to access the home server after completion of the format conversion. In addition, there is no mechanism for complementing and sharing programs between home servers connected to the network.

  Furthermore, the content to be distributed is targeted for the content stored in the storage means built in the home server, and the content recorded in an external storage device such as a general video or DVD recorder at home is stored in the home server. It was necessary to re-accumulate the means.

  In addition, since an authentication server other than the home server is required for user authentication, a large-scale system is required.

  In order to solve the above problems, a home server according to claim 1 of the present invention is a content conversion means for converting original content into converted content, converted content storage means for storing the converted content, and conversion of other home servers. Means for receiving content; other home server content list receiving means for receiving a content list of another home server; a content list generated from the converted content stored in the converted content storage means; and the other home server content list receiving means Content list updating means for updating the content list by merging with the output of the content, means for transmitting the output of the content list updating means to another home server or client terminal, and conversion from the other home server or client terminal Characterized by comprising a means for transmitting from the converted content storage means the converted content corresponding to content transmission request.

  The home server according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the original content is stored in the original content storage means or the external storage device and simultaneously the output of the content conversion means is stored in the converted content storage means.

  Further, the home server according to claim 3 of the present invention can store the stored portion of the converted content even if the converted content is being stored in the converted content storage means when there is a transmission request from another home server or a client terminal. It is characterized by transmitting.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the home server has a content list that can be set for non-transmission of converted content that is not transmitted to other home servers or client terminals.

  The home server according to claim 5 of the present invention transmits the converted content to the client terminal when the converted content requested to be transmitted from the client terminal is stored in the home server. In the case where it is stored only in the server, the other home server is instructed to transmit the converted content to the client terminal.

  The home server according to claim 6 of the present invention is characterized in that the original content includes an output of a video camera.

  In addition, the home server according to claim 7 of the present invention, when converted content of the same program is stored in a plurality of home servers, requests the plurality of home servers to transmit a distribution image quality rate, and transmits the transmitted distribution. A request is made to send the converted content to a home server selected based on the image quality rate.

  The home server according to claim 8 of the present invention is further characterized by further comprising means for restricting authentication from access from other home servers or client terminals.

  The home server according to claim 9 of the present invention is further characterized by further comprising means for retrieving the converted content from the output of the content list updating means.

  The home server system according to claim 10 of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of home servers according to claims 1 to 9 are connected via a network.

  The client terminal according to claim 11 of the present invention, when converted content of the same program is stored in a plurality of home servers, requests transmission of a distribution image quality rate to the plurality of home servers, and transmits the transmitted distribution. A request is made to send the converted content to a home server selected based on the image quality rate.

  As described above, the converted content is stored in the second storage unit at the same time as the content from the broadcast or communication is recorded in the first storage unit, and the content list of the converted content stored in the second storage unit Is updated at any time, shared by sending a content list of converted content to other home servers connected via the network, and user authentication is simplified when accessed from other home servers or client terminals. In addition, content can be searched and selected from the content list of the latest converted content acquired, and the specified converted content can be transmitted from another home server or client terminal. This allows viewers to watch high-quality programs such as MPEG2 in the living room, etc., and record converted content that has been converted to a format suitable for network distribution, that is, programs that have been forgotten to be recorded on their home server. Complement and share programs that are not available, and can be viewed on other home servers in other homes, in separate rooms, or on client terminals on the go.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the user can specify a program shared with another home server, it is possible not to distribute a program that the user does not want to be viewed by others.

  Further, according to the present invention, when a user makes a distribution request for a program searched and selected from a content list of converted content, if the desired program is stored in a plurality of home servers, the plurality of homes It is possible to inquire about the distribution image quality level in consideration of the recording / reproduction status of the server and the reproduction time of the program, and to be distributed from the home server with the high distribution image quality level returned.

  Further, according to the present invention, the conversion content is created on the home server at the same time when a recording instruction is given to a video, a DVD recorder or the like on the premise of recording on a removable medium. Thus, even when no media is inserted in an external storage device such as a VTR or a DVD recorder when a transmission request is received from the user, the converted content created at the time of program recording is stored in the home server. Therefore, viewing from another home server, a separate room, or a client terminal on the go is possible.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the content list is transmitted between the home servers at the start of the conversion process, so that it is also possible to transmit the network with respect to the accumulated portion of the converted content that is being converted. As a result, the user can view a program recorded on a certain home server in the home server system almost simultaneously via a network in a separate room, a client terminal outside the home, or another home server.

  Further, according to the present invention, not only content from broadcasting and communication but also video of a camera connected to the home server can be distributed over the network. As a result, it is possible to simply distribute live video from home or the like to a destination or another home server.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to set information related to the converted content such as the presence / absence of creation of the converted content, the conversion parameter, and the number of converted content. Thereby, conversion content accumulation and network distribution can be realized in a form according to the usage form of the user such as the capacity of the storage means of the home server and the performance of the client terminal.

  According to the home server system of the present invention, a user accumulates a program stored in a home server in the home server system, including a program that has not been recorded on his home server or a program that has just started recording, anytime and anywhere. Can be viewed, and a huge video library system can be configured relatively easily. In addition, each program can be set not to be shared with other home servers, and an optimal distribution source server can be selected from the connected home servers to distribute the program. In addition, programs recorded on the external storage device can be viewed from another home server, a separate room, or a client terminal outside the home without trouble. Furthermore, a live distribution system can be configured by connecting a video camera.

(Embodiment 1)
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a home server system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

A home server (1) 1-1 to a home server (N) 1-N and client terminals 10-1 and 10-2 are connected to a first network 12 such as the Internet.
A home server (1) 1-1 and client terminals 10-3 to 10-N are connected to a second network 13 such as a home LAN.
A digital VTR 8 and a video camera 9 are connected to the home server (1) 1-1.
The external storage device connected to the home server (1) 1-1 may be a hard disk recorder, a DVD recorder, or the like, an analog connection such as an AV cable, or a digital connection such as IEEE1394.

  The home server (1) 1-1 is suitable for, for example, network transmission of a broadcast receiving unit 2 that receives a broadcast and high bit rate content (hereinafter referred to as “original content”) from, for example, a broadcast or a communication network. A medium-to-low bit-rate content (hereinafter referred to as “converted content”), a data conversion processing unit 3, an original content storage unit 4-1 that stores original content, and converted content converted in its home server The merged converted content storage unit 4-2, the converted content list in the converted content storage unit 4-2, the content list received from another home server, and the original content list in the original content storage unit 4-1 are merged and electronically merged. Accompanying program from program guide etc. A content list management / search unit 7 that generates, updates, manages, and retrieves programs from the data as needed, and a content list storage unit 4-3 that stores the output of the content list management / search unit 7 Are connected to the first network 12, receive requests from other home servers or client terminals, perform authentication processing, send / receive content lists to / from other home servers, and send contents to the client terminals. The communication / authentication unit 6 that transmits the list and the converted content, the reproduction unit 5 that reproduces the data content including the converted content and the original content, and the digital VTR 8 that records the output of the broadcast receiving unit 2 are provided.

  Note that the original content storage unit 4-1 and the converted content storage unit 4-2 can be configured separately as, for example, separate sections of the hard disk. Moreover, you may comprise with things like an optical disk. As long as the access speed of the hard disk permits, storage of original content, storage of converted content, playback of original content, and playback of converted content are performed in parallel.

  The original content can be stored in an external storage device such as a digital VTR 8, and the converted content can be stored in the converted content storage unit 4-2. The user can play back the converted content from the client terminal even in a situation where the tape media that was recorded on the digital VTR 8 at a later date is not inserted.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the broadcast receiving unit 2. The broadcast receiving unit 2 can receive and select an analog broadcast and / or a digital broadcast. In the case of analog broadcasting, the analog tuner 21 receives and selects the broadcast, passes through the analog signal processing unit 25, and then outputs as analog video video and audio data. The analog signal processing unit 25 may perform digital signal processing after conversion to a digital signal by a video encoder, and output the analog signal by a video encoder or audio DAC. Further, it may be output as a digital signal. In the case of digital broadcasting, the digital tuner 23 receives and selects the broadcast, and further selects the multiplexed program by the transport decoder 26, and the video / audio data stream having the recording format and the viewing / playback Two types of streams, video and audio data streams, are output.

  In addition, by providing the broadcast receiver 2 with the analog tuner 22 and the digital tuner 24, it is possible to provide a plurality of reception functions for analog broadcast and digital broadcast, respectively, and to output broadcasts other than being viewed. When both analog broadcast and digital broadcast receivers are provided, the other broadcast can be output when either broadcast is received.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data conversion processing unit 3. The data conversion processing unit 3 receives analog data and digital data. In the case of analog data input, the monitor data output unit outputs analog data from the broadcast receiver 2, analog data from an external video input terminal that can be connected to a video camera or VCR, and the video and audio data being viewed. One or a plurality of analog input selectors 31 that can select an input from analog data of a terminal are provided. The output of the analog input selector 31 is digitized by the video / audio decoder 33. The output of the video / audio decoder 33 is, for example, an MPEG2 encoder 34 that outputs high bit rate data for storing original content of analog input data, and an MPEG4 encoder 35 that outputs medium, low bit rate data for storing converted content, for example. And supplied to.

  On the other hand, in the case of digital data input, one digital input selector 32 that can select input from a video data stream having a recording format from the broadcast receiving unit 2 and a communication content stream from the communication / authentication unit 6 to be described later or Has multiple systems. The output of the digital input selector 32 is a transcoder that inputs MPEG2 data, for example, and outputs high bit rate data for original content storage, and outputs medium, low bit rate data, for example MPEG4 data, for storage of converted content. 36. The transcoder 36 can have a plurality of systems, and various conversion parameters such as bit rate and resolution can be set by the user. In this embodiment, an individual conversion processing unit is provided, but it may be constituted by one high-performance DSP or may be software-processed by a high-performance microcomputer.

  The digital output selector 37 selects and outputs one or more systems of high bit rate video and audio data output or medium / low bit rate video and audio data output from the outputs of the MPEG2 encoder 34, MPEG4 encoder 35 and transcoder 36, respectively. To do.

  In the data conversion processing unit 3, when accumulation of original content is started in the original content accumulation unit 4-1, if the user has set to create conversion content for network output at the same time, the input data according to the conversion parameter Is converted into the converted content storage unit 4-2.

  The content list is stored in the content list storage unit 4-3 in, for example, the HTML format, and is updated as needed when the stored content of the converted content changes, for example, when the converted content is created or deleted. Further, when the conversion content of other home server is created or deleted, the content list of the other home server is received from the communication / authentication unit 6 which will be described later, via the content list management / search unit 7 which will be described later. Are stored and updated in the converted content storage unit 4-2.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the content list. In the content list, serial numbers, program names, channels, recording dates, recording times, original / conversion flags, home server IDs, and file names are described. Here, the original / conversion flag describes “original” when the original content is recorded, and “conversion” when the converted content is recorded. For example, the home server ID of the home server (1) 1-1 is 1. In the home server (1) 1-1, the original content (file name: 100040108000930) of serial number 1 (program name: AAA) is converted to the converted content (file of serial number 6 (program name: FFF) in the original content storage unit 4-1. Name: 600040621002200) is stored in the converted content storage unit 4-2. It is assumed that the file name is uniquely determined. Access to the original content storage unit 4-1 and the converted content storage unit 4-2 is performed via a file name. Similarly, the converted content (file name: 2000402090991545) of serial number 2 (program name: BBB) is stored in the converted content storage unit of the home server (2) 1-2.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the playback unit 5. An input selector 51, an MPEG2 decoder 52, an MPEG4 decoder 53, and an output selector 54 are used to reproduce input data and display it on a display. Of course, another format decoder may be added, or multi-format decoding may be performed by one decoder. Software processing may be performed by a high-performance microcomputer.

  The communication / authentication unit 6 performs content download processing from the content server 11 on the first network 12. In addition, in order to share the content list with other home servers, the content list information of each home server is transmitted / received. The content list information thus collected is managed by the content list management / search unit 7 described later and presented to the user of the home server (1) 1-1. In order to send content list information to the client terminal, for example, a web server function is installed, and the content list described in html is presented to the client terminal. The client terminal can make a transmission request for converted content by selecting an html link. Upon receiving this request, the communication / authentication unit 6 extracts the corresponding file name from the content list in the content list storage unit 4-3 of its home server (1) 1-1, and the file in the converted content storage unit 4-2. Is sent to the client terminal.

  The content list management / search unit 7 merges the content list received from another home server with the content list of its own home server, and sends the list to the user of the home server (1) 1-1 in the list shown in FIG. Present in form. The user can select a program from the list. It also has a search function to narrow down the desired program from the list. A program can be selected from the program list and a playback instruction can be given to the playback unit 5. At this time, if the selected program (converted content or original content) is stored in the converted content storage unit 4-2 or the original content storage unit 4-1 of its own home server, it is played back by the playback unit 5 and converted content. Is not stored in the converted content storage unit 4-2 of its home server (1) 1-1, the distribution instruction of the program is issued to the converted content storage unit of the other home server.

  In addition, there may be a large number of home servers connected to the network, and selected programs may be stored in a plurality of home servers. In that case, recording settings for the converted content, such as the image quality by the resolution and bit rate settings, the recording and playback status of the home server that stores the converted content, and the playback of the selected content are reserved during playback. It is possible to transmit and receive a distribution image quality rate that takes into account the conditions such as whether it is executed before a distribution request and distribute it from a home server with a high distribution image quality rate.

  As described above, the content list is updated whenever there is a change in the content stored in the converted content of each home server, and since it is transmitted and received between each other, the scheduled recording of the program is executed and the storage of the original content is started. Then, the converted content is created, and the content list of each home server is also updated. In addition, since it is possible to reproduce from the stored portion of the converted content, the user can instruct and view the reproduction of the content that has just started reserved recording.

  Also, as a general rule, the converted content stored in your home server is distributed to other home servers, but programs that you do not want to be viewed by other home server users can be sent to and received from other home servers using the stored program settings. It is possible to prevent the program from being distributed by deleting the program or setting a flag indicating that the program is not distributed to the corresponding program in the content list.

  As for user authentication, data transmission / reception between home servers is authenticated by, for example, the IP address and home server ID of the home server, and client terminals are authenticated by, for example, access restrictions using a user ID and password for web server access. It can be performed.

  Next, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart in the case where a program with analog broadcasting is reserved for recording on the digital VTR 8 of the external storage device and the program is viewed from another home server one minute after the scheduled recording start time. Assume that the user of the home server sets in advance reservation recording of a program with analog broadcasting to the digital VTR 8. At this time, the home server user may be able to set information related to the converted content, such as the presence / absence of creation of the converted content, the conversion parameters, and the number of converted content. That is, the user sets whether to create conversion content, whether to perform conversion processing with the conversion parameter when creating the conversion content, or to create a plurality of conversion content to be converted with different conversion parameters. Here, it is assumed that the original content is set to MPEG2 8 Mbps, the resolution is 640 × 480, the converted content is one MPEG4 1.5 Mbps, and the resolution is 640 × 480 (step S601).

  When the reservation start time comes (step S602), the home server selects a reserved program by the analog tuner 22 of the broadcast receiving unit 2 (step S603).

  Next, the home server switches the analog input selector 31 of the data conversion processing unit 3 to the analog broadcast receiving unit, and switches the digital output selector 37 to output the data of the MPEG2 encoder 34 and the MPEG4 encoder 35 (step S604).

  Further, the home server sets the MPEG2 encoder 34 to a bit rate of 8 Mbps and a resolution of 640 × 480, and starts encoding. Also, the MPEG4 encoder 35 is set to a bit rate of 1.5 Mbps and the resolution is set to 640 × 480, and encoding is started. Thereby, the output preparation of the recording data and the network output storage data is completed (step S605).

  The digital VTR 8 is instructed to record the output of the MPEG2 encoder 34 or the original content storage unit 4-1, and the output of the MPEG4 encoder 35 is instructed to be stored in the converted content storage unit 4-2. Step S606). Thereby, recording of the digital VTR 8 or storage in the original content storage unit 4-1 and storage in the converted content storage unit 4-2 are continued in parallel (step S607).

  Since the contents of the converted content storage unit 4-2 and the original content storage unit 4-1 have changed, the content list information is updated and stored in the content list storage unit 4-3. Also, the updated content list is transmitted to another home server connected to the network (step S608).

  Each home server that has received the content list updates the content list in its own content list management / search unit. As a result, the user of the other home server can instruct transmission of the converted content of the reserved recording program (step S609).

  One minute after the reservation is started (step S610), a user of another home server selects a program being reserved for recording from the program list and makes a transmission request (step S611).

  The communication / authentication unit 6 of the home server receives a conversion content transmission request from another home server user, and starts network distribution from the beginning of the stored conversion content. As a result, other home server users can view the program (step S612).

  When the reservation end time is reached (step S613), the home server performs reservation recording end processing such as recording stop processing of the digital VTR 8. Thereby, the recording of the original content in the digital VTR 8 and the storage in the original content storage unit 4-1 are completed and the storage in the converted content storage unit 4-2 is also completed (step S614).

  The MPEG2 encoder 34 and the MPEG4 encoder 35 are instructed to stop encoding (step S615). The analog input selector 31 and the digital output selector 37 of the data conversion processing unit 3 are returned to the original state (step S616). The channel selection state of the analog tuner 22 is restored (step S617).

  One minute after the reservation end time (step S618), the converted content stored in the converted content storage unit 4-2 is completely distributed to the network, so that the program viewing of other home server users is also completed (step S619). ).

  Next, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for distributing a program from a home server having a higher distribution image quality rate when viewing the content of the same program stored in a plurality of home servers from the client terminal 10-1.

  The user of the client terminal 10-1 accesses the Web of the home server (1) 1-1 installed at home or the like, inputs the user ID and password, and completes simple authentication (step S701). The content list page is accessed and the content list stored in the content list storage unit 4-3 of the home server (1) 1-1 is displayed (step S702). The program search function narrows down the program and displays the desired program. At this time, it is assumed that the desired program is stored in the home server (2) 1-2 and the home server (N) 1-N (step S703). The program stored in the home server (2) 1-2 has a resolution of 640 × 480, a bit rate of 1.5 Mbps, and a program length of 1 hour. In addition, it is assumed that the home server (2) 1-2 has scheduled recording for 2 hours after 30 minutes (step S704). The program stored in the home server (N) 1-N has a resolution of 640 × 480, a bit rate of 2 Mbps, and a program length of 1 hour. Further, it is assumed that the home server (3) 1-3 is currently playing another program by the user of the home server (N) 1-N (step S705). The user of the client terminal 10-1 requests the home server (2) 1-2 and home server (N) 1-N to transmit the distribution image quality rate (step S706). The home server (2) 1-2 returns a value 70 as the distribution image quality rate, and the home server (N) 1-N returns a value 80 (step S707). The client terminal 10-1 presents the distribution image quality rate to the user, and the user makes a program distribution request to the home server (N) 1-N having a high rate (step S708). The home server (N) 1-N receives the distribution request for the program, and distributes the program stored in the converted content storage unit 4-2 via the communication / authentication unit 6 (step S709). The client terminal 10-1 reproduces the distributed program (step S710).

  Complemented content that has been converted to a format suitable for network distribution, that is, a program that has not been recorded on your home server, such as a program that you have forgotten to make a scheduled recording, complements and shares it with other home servers in other homes, other rooms, Can be viewed.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the home server system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the broadcast receiving part 2 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the data conversion process part 3 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Schematic diagram showing the contents of the content list in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the reproducing part 5 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1-1 to 1-N Home server 2 Broadcast receiving unit 3 Data conversion processing unit 4-1 Original content storage unit 4-2 Converted content storage unit 4-3 Content list storage unit 5 Playback unit 6 Communication / authentication unit 7 Content list Management / search unit 8 External storage device (digital VTR, etc.)
9 Video camera 10-1 to 10-N Client terminal 11 Content server 12 First network (public network such as the Internet)
13 Second network (local area network)

Claims (11)

Content conversion means for converting original content into converted content, converted content storage means for storing the converted content, means for receiving the converted content of another home server, and other home server content for receiving a content list of the other home server A list receiving unit; a content list updating unit that updates a content list by merging a content list generated from converted content stored in the converted content storage unit and an output of the other home server content list receiving unit; and the content A means for transmitting the output of the list update means to the other home server or client terminal, and a conversion content corresponding to the conversion content transmission request from the other home server or client terminal are stored in the converted content storage. Home server and means for transmitting from the means. 2. The home server according to claim 1, wherein the original content is stored in the original content storage means or the external storage device, and at the same time the output of the content conversion means is stored in the converted content storage means. 3. The home server according to claim 2, wherein when there is a transmission request from another home server or a client terminal, the stored part of the converted content is transmitted even if the converted content is being stored in the converted content storage means. The home server according to claim 1, further comprising a content list that can be set to non-transmission for converted content that is not transmitted to another home server or a client terminal. When the converted content requested from the client terminal is stored in its own home server, the converted content is transmitted to the client terminal, and when the converted content is stored only in the other home server, the other home server The home server according to claim 1, wherein an instruction is sent to the client terminal to transmit the converted content. The home server according to claim 1, wherein the original content includes an output of a video camera. When converted contents of the same program are stored in a plurality of home servers, the transmission request for the distribution image quality rate is sent to the plurality of home servers, and the converted contents are sent to the home server selected based on the transmitted distribution image quality rate. The home server according to claim 1, which makes a transmission request. 2. The home server according to claim 1, further comprising means for restricting authentication of access from another home server or a client terminal. 2. The home server according to claim 1, further comprising means for searching for converted content from the output of the content list update means. 10. A home server system in which a plurality of home servers according to claim 1 are connected via a network. When converted contents of the same program are stored in a plurality of home servers, the transmission request for the distribution image quality rate is sent to the plurality of home servers, and the converted contents are sent to the home server selected based on the transmitted distribution image quality rate. The client terminal that requests transmission.

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