JP2006013847A - Multimedia content providing system, home content server, and viewing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a viewer to view a content consecutively from the same scene even when viewing of the same content is switched between different viewing devices. <P>SOLUTION: Each of television and mobile wireless terminals (viewing devices) 113, 115 is provided with: a connection device setting section 3062 (4033) for setting a viewing device of a switching destination; and a device switching request input transmission means for receiving a device switching request and transmitting it to a home content server 111. The home content server 111 is provided with: a connection device switching section 2055 for switching distribution of the content from a switching source viewing device to a switching destination viewing device upon the receipt of the device switching request; and a content parameter control section 2057 for revising parameters of the content on the basis of device information of the switching destination viewing device required for the distribution when receiving the device switching request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multimedia content providing system that includes a home content server that stores various multimedia contents installed in a home, and a viewing device that reproduces the contents.

  In recent years, home information servers, such as DVD recorders with built-in hard disk recorders, have been enriched with home content servers that store a large amount of video content and music content, TV programs, and various service information obtained from the Internet. Yes.

  As a multimedia content providing system, a system including a home content server that stores various multimedia contents installed in a home and a viewing device that reproduces the contents is known.

  In addition, these home information devices that play the role of servers, home devices are connected to the home network, and connected to the Internet via gateway devices that connect the home and the outside network. A service that can control devices in the house from a portable wireless terminal device has started.

  As what controls the in-home apparatus connected to such a network from the portable terminal device outside a house, what was described in patent document 1 and patent document 2 is mentioned.

  In the future, the cooperation service between these home devices and mobile terminal devices will not only exchange control signals such as device control and warning alarm notification, but also increase the bandwidth of recent public mobile wireless services, Widespread information exchange, that is, video and music stored in the above-mentioned home content server in the home by the spread of hotspot service using the wireless LAN technology represented by IEEE802.11 used indoors outdoors Content downloading / streaming and downloading of service information including image data are considered to be widespread.

If real-time performance is to be pursued, a service in which a TV program broadcast in real time can be transmitted from a home content server having a tuner function to a portable terminal device via the Internet and viewed in real time can be considered.
JP 11-47693 A JP 2001-389359 A

  However, in a conventional multimedia content providing system that includes a home content server that stores various multimedia contents installed in a home and a viewing device that plays back the content, the same content can be viewed differently. When switching between devices, there is a problem that the viewer cannot continuously watch from the same scene.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and since a home content server installed in a home can switch and transmit a viewing device as a transmission destination based on a viewer's operation, the same content can be viewed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multimedia content providing system, a home content server, and a viewing device that enable a viewer to continue viewing from the same scene even when the viewer is switched between different viewing devices.

  A multimedia content providing system according to a first invention includes a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices for reproducing the content distributed from the home content server. A multimedia content providing system, wherein the home content server detects a plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server, and a connected device setting unit sets the switching viewing device A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from the switching source viewing device to the switching destination viewing device when a device switching request is received from the switching source viewing device, and transmitting to the viewing device Manage the content A viewing content management unit, and a content parameter control unit that changes parameters of the content based on device information of the viewing device that is a switching destination necessary for distribution of the content when the device switching request is received. Each of the plurality of viewing devices detects a plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server, a connection device setting unit that sets the switching destination viewing device, and the device information It adopts a configuration comprising a managed device information management unit and device switching request transmitting means for transmitting the device switching request to the home content server.

  According to this configuration, since the home content server installed in the home can switch and transmit the viewing device as the transmission destination based on the operation of the viewer, the viewing of the same content is switched between different viewing devices. Even in such a case, the viewer can continuously watch from the same scene.

  A multimedia content providing system according to a second invention includes a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices for playing back the content distributed from the home content server. A multimedia content providing system, wherein the home content server detects a plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server, and a connected device setting unit sets the switching viewing device A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from the viewing device that is the switching source to the viewing device that is the switching destination when a device switching request is received from the viewing device that is the switching destination, and transmission to the viewing device Manage the content A viewing content management unit, and a content parameter control unit that changes parameters of the content based on device information of the viewing device that is a switching destination necessary for distribution of the content when the device switching request is received. Each of the plurality of viewing devices detects a plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server, a connection device setting unit that sets the switching destination viewing device, and the device information Device information management section that is managed, device switching request transmission means for transmitting the device switching request to the home content server when the viewing device becomes the switching destination, information of viewing content and viewing scene being viewed A viewing content management unit for managing a viewing source device When the device switching request is transmitted, the first content is transmitted to the viewing-destination device to be switched, the content information including the viewing content and the viewing scene information managed by the viewing-content managing unit. An information transmission means and a second content information transmission means for transmitting the content information received from the switching source viewing device to the home content server when the switching destination becomes the viewing device is adopted. .

  According to this configuration, since the home content server installed in the home can switch and transmit the viewing device as the transmission destination based on the operation of the viewer, the viewing of the same content is switched between different viewing devices. Even in such a case, the viewer can continuously watch from the same scene.

  A home content server according to a third invention includes a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server. In the media content providing system, each of the viewing devices detects a plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server, and a connected device setting unit sets the switching viewing device Home content in a multimedia content providing system, comprising: a device information management unit that manages device information necessary for content distribution; and device switching request transmission means for transmitting a device switching request to the home content server S A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices, a connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device as a switching destination, and a switching source when receiving the device switching request from the viewing device as a switching source A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from the viewing device to the viewing destination device, a viewing content management unit that manages the content being transmitted to the viewing device, and the device switching request received A content parameter control unit that changes the parameter of the content based on the device information of the viewing device that is the switching destination.

  According to this configuration, since the home content server installed in the home can switch and transmit the viewing device as the transmission destination based on the operation of the viewer, the viewing of the same content is switched between different viewing devices. Even in such a case, the viewer can continuously watch from the same scene.

  A home content server according to a fourth invention includes a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server. A media content providing system, wherein each of the plurality of viewing devices detects a plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server, and a connection device setting that sets the switching destination viewing device A device information management unit for managing device information necessary for distribution of the content, and device switching request transmission means for transmitting the device switching request to the home content server when the viewing device is switched to And the content you are viewing A viewing content management unit that manages information on viewing scenes, and the viewing content and the viewing scenes that are managed by the viewing content management unit when the device switching request is transmitted when the viewing device becomes a connection source First content information transmitting means for transmitting the content information having the information to the switching destination viewing device, and the content information received from the switching source viewing device when the switching destination viewing device becomes the home A home content server in a multimedia content providing system comprising: a second content information transmitting unit configured to transmit to the content server; and a device detection unit that detects the plurality of viewing devices, and the switching destination viewing device. Connected device setting section to be set, and the switching destination A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from the viewing device that is the switching source to the viewing device that is the switching destination when the device switching request is received from the listening device, and manages the content that is being transmitted to the viewing device A configuration is provided that includes a viewing content management unit and a content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the viewing device that is the switching destination when the device switching request is received.

  According to this configuration, since the home content server installed in the home can switch and transmit the viewing device as the transmission destination based on the operation of the viewer, the viewing of the same content is switched between different viewing devices. Even in such a case, the viewer can continuously watch from the same scene.

A viewing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a multimedia comprising a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the contents distributed from the home content server. A content providing system, wherein the home content server detects a plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server, a connection device setting unit that sets the switching destination viewing device, and a switching A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from the viewing device that is the switching source to the viewing device that is the switching destination when a device switching request is received from the original viewing device; and the content that is being transmitted to the viewing device Manage viewing content And a content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on device information of the viewing device that is a switching destination required for distribution of the content when the device switching request is received. A device detection unit that detects the plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server, a connection device setting unit that sets the viewing device as a switching destination, and manages the device information A device information management unit,
And a device switching request transmitting means for transmitting the device switching request to the home content server.

  According to this configuration, since the home content server installed in the home can switch and transmit the viewing device as the transmission destination based on the operation of the viewer, the viewing of the same content is switched between different viewing devices. Even in such a case, the viewer can continuously watch from the same scene.

A viewing device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a multimedia comprising a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the contents distributed from the home content server. A content providing system, wherein the home content server detects a plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server, a connection device setting unit that sets the switching destination viewing device, and a switching When a device switching request is received from the previous viewing device, a connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from the switching viewing device to the switching viewing device, and managing the content transmitted to the viewing device Viewing content management department Viewing in a multimedia content providing system comprising: a content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on device information of the viewing device that is a switching destination required for distribution of the content when the device switching request is received A device detecting unit that detects the plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server; a connection device setting unit that sets the viewing device to be switched to; and a device that manages the device information An information management department;
A device switching request transmission unit that transmits the device switching request to the home content server when the viewing device is switched to, a viewing content management unit that manages information of viewing content and viewing scenes, and a connection; When the device becomes the original viewing device, the content information including the viewing content and the viewing scene information managed by the viewing content management unit is transmitted to the viewing destination switching device when the device switching request is transmitted. First content information transmitting means, and second content information transmitting means for transmitting, to the home content server, the content information received from the switching source viewing device when it becomes the switching destination viewing device. The structure to comprise is taken.

  According to this configuration, since the home content server installed in the home can switch and transmit the viewing device as the transmission destination based on the operation of the viewer, the viewing of the same content is switched between different viewing devices. Even in such a case, the viewer can continuously watch from the same scene.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a home content server installed in a home can switch and transmit a viewing device as a transmission destination based on a viewer's operation. Even when switching between devices, viewers can continue to watch from the same scene.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multimedia content providing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multimedia content providing system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a home network system 110 and the Internet 120.

  The home network system 110 includes a home content server 111, an antenna 112, a television 113, a home wireless base station 114, a plurality of portable wireless terminal devices 115, and a home gateway device 116. Only one portable wireless terminal device 115 is shown. The home network system 110 has a plurality of viewing devices, and in the first embodiment of the present invention, the home network system 110 has a television 113 and a portable wireless terminal device 115 as the plurality of viewing devices.

  The antenna 112 is connected to the home content server 111. The television 113 and the home wireless base station 114 are connected to the home content server 111. The home gateway device 116 is connected between the home content server 111 and the Internet 120.

  The home content server 111 can receive content from the Internet 120 via the home gateway device 116 in addition to receiving television programs via the antenna 112. The home content server 111 can store the acquired television program and content. The home content server 111 transmits / receives data and signals to / from the portable wireless terminal device 115 via the home wireless base station 114. The content stored in the home content server 111 can be viewed and viewed at any time in the home by the television 113 and the portable wireless terminal device 115.

  Next, home content server 111, television 113, and portable wireless terminal apparatus 115 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of home content server 111 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of television 113 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of portable wireless terminal apparatus 115 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, home content server 111 includes content storage unit 201, tuner 202, and content storage control. A unit 203, an external memory read / write unit 204, a content transmission control unit 205, a content conversion unit 206, a file configuration unit 207, a data processing unit 208, and an input / output interface 209.

  The content accumulation control unit 203 includes a channel control unit 2031 and an external memory control unit 2032. The content transmission control unit 205 includes a connection management unit 2051 and a content management unit 2052. The content transmission control unit 2051 includes a device detection unit 2053, a connected device setting unit 2054, and a connected device switching unit 2055. The content management unit 2052 includes a viewing content management unit 2056 and a content parameter control unit 2057.

  The content accumulation control unit 203 controls the accumulation of content in the content accumulation unit 201. Broadcast program data, which is one of the contents, is received by the antenna 112 and taken into the content storage unit 201 via the tuner 20. In this case, the channel control unit 2031 controls content storage in the content storage unit 201.

  Further, the content is taken from the external memory device by the external memory read / write unit 204. In this case, the external memory control unit 2032 controls content storage in the content storage unit 201.

  The content transmitted to the television 113 or the portable wireless terminal device 115 is extracted from the content storage unit 201, and the content conversion unit 206 transcodes the content to the codec, frame rate, and bit rate suitable for each viewing device. The file configuration unit 207 formats the content from the content conversion unit 206 into a file format (ASF, MP4, etc.) suitable for each viewing device.

  The data processing unit 208 performs packet processing of the content from the file configuration unit 207 and transmits it to the television 113 or the portable wireless terminal device 115 via the input / output interface 209. In addition, the data processing unit 208 processes a signal received from the television 113 or the portable wireless terminal device 115 via the input / output interface 209 and supplies the processed signal to the content transmission control unit 205.

  The content transmission control unit 205 controls the content conversion unit 206 and the file configuration unit 207 to take out the content from the content storage unit 201 and transmit the content to the television 113 or the portable wireless terminal device 115.

  The device detection unit 2053 detects a viewing device included in the home network system 110. The connection device setting unit 2054 is for setting connection of a viewing device as a content transmission destination. The connected device switching unit 2055 switches the destination viewing device based on the detection signal from the device detecting unit 2053 and the setting signal from the connected device setting unit 2054.

  The viewing content management unit 2056 manages the currently viewed content and the viewing device among the accumulated content. The content parameter control unit 2057 controls parameters such as the codec and file format of the content to be transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the television 113 includes an input / output interface 301, a data processing unit 302, a file processing unit 303, a decoding unit 304, a monitor 305, and a connection management unit 306.

  Here, the television 113 is described as having a function of only decoding video and music content from which the tuner function has been removed and viewing on a monitor, but it may also have a broadcast signal tuner function. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the case where the tuner function is collectively included in the home content server 111 is described.

  The monitor 305 includes a display operation unit 3051. The display operation unit 3051 includes a connected device display unit 3052 and a viewing content display unit 3053. The connection management unit 306 includes a device detection unit 3061, a connection device setting unit 3062, and a device information management unit 3063.

  The data processing unit 302 performs data transmission / reception and data packet processing with the home content server 111 via the input / output interface 301. The file processing unit 303 decomposes the content from the data processing unit 302 into data (content) of each medium such as audio, video, text, or image. The decoding unit 304 decodes the data (content) from the file processing unit 303 and sends it to the monitor 305. The monitor 305 displays data (contents) from the decoding unit 304.

  The connected device display unit 3052 is for displaying a viewing device currently connected to the home content server 111. The viewing content display unit 3053 is for displaying the content currently being viewed. The display operation unit 3051 is for a viewer to input information by operating using a touch panel and a remote control device while viewing the connected device display unit 3052 and the viewing content display unit 3053.

  The device detection unit 3061 detects a viewing device connected to the home content server 111. The connection device setting unit 2062 is used for the viewer to set connection of a viewing device as a content transmission destination. The device information management unit 3063 manages device information such as the corresponding codec, the number of pixels, the corresponding frame rate, the bit rate, and the file format of the portable wireless terminal device.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile wireless terminal device 115 includes a home wireless interface 401, a data processing unit 402, a connection management unit 403, a content storage unit 404, a file processing unit 405, a decoding unit 406, and a monitor 407. .

  The connection management unit 403 includes a wireless connection management unit 4031, a device detection unit 4032, a connection device setting unit 4033, and a device information management unit 4034.

  The home wireless interface 401 is configured by a wireless interface such as IEEE802.11 or UWB. The data processing unit 402 performs packet processing of data and signals to be transmitted / received. The data processing unit 402 transmits a signal from the connection management unit 403 to the home radio base station 114 via the home radio interface 401. Further, the data processing unit 402 processes the content received from the home wireless base station 114 via the home wireless interface 401 and supplies the processed content to the content storage unit 404 or the file processing unit 405.

  The wireless connection management unit 4031 manages the wireless connection between the data processing unit 402 and the home wireless base station 114. The device detection unit 4032 is for detecting a viewing device currently connected to the home content server 111. The connection device setting unit 4033 is for the viewer to set the connection of the viewing device that is the content viewing switching destination. The device information management unit 4034 manages device information such as the corresponding codec, the number of pixels, the corresponding frame rate, the bit rate, and the file format of the portable wireless terminal device.

  The file processing unit 405 decomposes the content received from the data processing unit 402 or the content storage unit 404 into data (content) of each medium such as audio, video, text, or image. The decoding unit 406 decodes the data (content) from the file processing unit 405 and sends it to the monitor 407. The monitor 407 displays data (content) from the decoding unit 406.

  Next, the content viewing and browsing continuous switching operation in the plurality of viewing devices of the home network system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9 together with FIGS. To do.

  First, an operation for viewing content stored in the home content server 111 on the television 113 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image of a protocol stack accompanying transmission / reception of content in the multimedia content providing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the home network system 110 imagines a network conforming to the Ethernet (registered trademark) and the IP protocol, but there is no problem with other protocols.

  An important part of the present invention is that a device connected to the network system is automatically detected in an upper layer of TCP / IP or UDP / IP, and a protocol for downloading the upper layer content between these devices and A protocol for switching streaming is implemented.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence of viewing operations in the multimedia content providing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The home content server 111 and the television 113 connected to each other by the home network system 110 have completed the mutual recognition by the device detection units 2053 and 3061 and grasp the partner address.

  The television 113 connects to the home content server 111 to determine content to be viewed, acquires content list data, and displays it on the monitor 305. At this time, the television 113 sends a connection request to the home content server 111. The home content server 111 returns a connection permission to the television 113 when receiving the connection request.

  Next, the television 113 transmits a content list request to the home content server 111. The home content server 111 returns a content list data notification when receiving a content list request.

  The viewer selects a video to be viewed from the content list displayed on the monitor 305 (inputs selection information), starts downloading the requested content, and starts viewing on the monitor 305 of the television 113 (starts streaming playback). ).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the television 113 transmits a codec (for example, MPEG2), the number of pixels, the number of frames, a file format, and the like to the home content server 111 as television device information together with the viewing content request. When the home content server 111 receives device information, the home content server 111 selects content to be transmitted from the content storage unit 201. Next, the content conversion unit 206 processes the parameters to match the device information sent from the content storage unit 201. Further, the file configuration unit 207 converts the content from the content conversion unit 206 into a file format and packetizes it with the data processing unit 208. Thereafter, the television 113 starts downloading the content from the home content server 111.

  On the other hand, the television 113 packet-processes the received content data, and then the audio signal and the video signal are decoded by the file processing unit 303 and the decoding unit 304 to be displayed on the monitor 305 as an RGV signal.

  An example of the configuration of the control signal and data in the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The data type is largely divided into data such as control signals, content list information, and the content itself, and has a data configuration that conforms to the data detection / device switching protocol of the protocol stack shown in FIG.

  Next, content viewing and browsing continuous switching operations in a plurality of viewing devices of home network system 110 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example sequence of content viewing and browsing continuous switching operations in a plurality of viewing devices of home network system 110 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  When device switching is selected by operating the television 113, a list of devices connected to the home network system 110 detected by the device detection unit 3061 is displayed. Here, the switching destination viewing device includes the portable wireless terminal device 115, a display device or a personal computer placed in each room, and the switching operation to the portable wireless terminal device 115 will be described here.

  When the viewer selects portable wireless terminal apparatus 115 as the switching destination device, television 113 transmits a device switching request notification (including switching destination device information) to home content server 111. Here, as the switching destination device information, in addition to the device name, an address or the like can be considered. When the home content server 111 receives the device switching request notification, the home content server 111 returns a device switching request confirmation notification to the television 113 and sends a connection request to the switching destination portable wireless terminal device 115.

  The portable wireless terminal device 115 returns a connection permission to the home content server 111 when receiving the connection request. Next, the home content server 111 sends a content transmission request to the portable wireless terminal device 115.

  The portable wireless terminal device 115 performs two major operations when receiving a content transmission request. That is, the portable wireless terminal device 115 performs either an operation for permitting notification of content or an operation for rejecting content.

  When the portable wireless terminal device 115 permits content notification, the portable wireless terminal device 115 that has received the content transmission request needs to send a content transmission permission. Generally, the viewer is currently used as a switching destination device. Devices such as personal portable wireless terminal devices 115 and display devices in the rooms of individual persons are expected, notification of switching is made on the display of each switching destination device, and the viewer himself or herself permits It is also conceivable that the viewer is forcibly switched without being in front of the switching destination device.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, the portable wireless terminal device 115 gives an instruction from the viewer assuming that the viewer permits and returns content transmission permission and that the viewer does not exist in front of the viewing device. Even if there is not, it is desirable to have a function of automatically transmitting a content transmission permission after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  The mobile wireless terminal device 115 that is the switching destination includes, as content information permission, device information managed by the device information management unit 4034 of the mobile wireless terminal device 115 shown in FIG. Notifies information such as bit rate and file format.

  The home content server 111 that has received the content transmission permission sends a device switching confirmation notification to notify the television 113 that device switching is possible. Next, when the home content server 111 receives a device switching approval notification from the television 113, the home content server 111 stops the content delivery to the television 113, and the device information sent from the portable wireless terminal device 115 by the content conversion unit 206 earlier. Based on the same content, the content parameters are changed from the same scene, the file format of the file format in the portable wireless terminal device 115 is configured by the file configuration unit 207, the address is changed to the portable wireless terminal device 115, and the content is changed. Start sending. That is, the portable wireless terminal device 115 starts downloading content from the home content server 111 and starts streaming playback.

  Also, when the switching destination viewing device is already used, for example, when the switching destination viewing device is used by a family member, the home content server 111 is connected to the portable wireless terminal device 115 as shown in FIG. When a content transmission request is made, the portable wireless terminal device 115 returns a content transmission non-permission to the home content server 111. At this time, the home content server 111 sends a device switching non-permission to the television 113. When the television 113 receives a device switching non-permission, the television 113 sends a device switching non-permission confirmation to the home content server 111.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the operation for switching the content viewed on the television 113 to the portable wireless terminal device 115 has been described. However, the content viewed on the portable wireless terminal device 115 at home is used. A similar operation is performed when switching to the television 113.

  That is, the device detection unit 4032 in the portable wireless terminal device 115 shown in FIG. 4 detects the viewing device connected to the home network system 110 (in this case, the television 113 is detected), and the sequence of FIGS. A control signal for switching in the reverse direction is sent.

  Similarly to the device switching to the portable wireless terminal device 115, the device information management unit 3063 of the television shown in FIG. 3 transmits the device information to the home content server 111 in order to transmit the content of parameters suitable for the television 113. As a result, the home content server 111 converts the content parameter suitable for the portable wireless terminal device 115 into the content parameter suitable for the television 113 and performs transmission.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the home content server 111 installed in the house can switch the transmission destination viewing device based on the operation of the viewer, so that the same content can be viewed. Can be viewed continuously from the same scene even when is switched between different viewing devices.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the television of the multimedia content providing system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable wireless terminal device of the multimedia content providing system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those in the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the multimedia content providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the viewing devices before and after switching have a viewing content management unit, the switched viewing devices exchange the content of viewing content peer-to-peer, and the switching destination viewing The content information obtained from the device is used to request content transmission from the home content server.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the multimedia content providing system 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the multimedia content providing system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the device 115, a television 1010 and a portable wireless terminal device 1020 are provided.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the television 1010 includes a connection management unit 1011 instead of the connection management unit 306 in the television 113. The connection management unit 1011 is obtained by adding a viewing content management unit 1012 in the connection management unit 306. The viewing content management unit 1012 manages the content to be viewed.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the mobile wireless terminal device 1020 includes a connection management unit 1021 instead of the connection management unit 403 in the mobile wireless terminal device 115. The connection management unit 1021 is obtained by adding a viewing content management unit 1022 to the connection management unit 403. The viewing content management unit 1022 manages the content to be viewed.

  Next, the operation | movement at the time of the movement between viewing devices in Embodiment 2 of this invention is demonstrated in detail with reference to FIGS. 12-14 with FIG.10 and FIG.11.

  An operation when the viewing device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention is switched from the television 1010 to the portable wireless terminal device 1020 will be described.

  The television 1010 obtains content from the home content server 111 and views it with an operation similar to the operation sequence shown in FIG. At this time, the viewing content management unit 1012 stores the viewing content information and the currently viewed scene (specifically, the time stamp from the start of the content).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a sequence of an example of the switching operation in the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, when the viewer starts device switching, the device detection unit 3061 of the television 1010 detects a device list connected to the home network system 110, and the connected device display unit 3052 of the monitor 305 detects the device. Display a list.

  When the viewer selects the portable wireless terminal device 1020 from the list, the television 1010 transmits a device switching request notification (automatic switching mode) directly to the portable wireless terminal device 1020 as shown in FIG. Here, the automatic switching mode is distinguished from the manual switching mode described later, and details will be described later.

  When receiving the device switching request notification, the portable wireless terminal device 1020 returns a device switching request confirmation notification to the television 1010 to acknowledge the switching. Here, it is conceivable that the viewer manually approves, but since it is desired to automatically reply, as described in FIG. 8 in the first embodiment of the present invention, it is automatically performed after a certain time. It is necessary to provide a function for sending back a device switching request confirmation notification.

  Further, when the portable wireless terminal device 1020 is used by another member of the family, the portable wireless terminal device 1020 is not switched to the television 1010 as described with reference to FIG. 9 in the first embodiment of the present invention. Permission is returned and device switching fails at that point.

  Next, when receiving the device switching request confirmation notification, the television 1010 sends the content information (viewing content and viewing scene) managed by the viewing content management unit 1012 to the portable wireless terminal device 1020. In the content transmission request, the television 1010 sends content information (viewing content and viewing scene) and device information of the portable wireless terminal device 1020, and sends the device name or address of the switching source (here, the television 1010).

  When receiving the content information, the portable wireless terminal device 1020 transmits a content information reception confirmation notification to the television 1010 and causes the viewing content management unit 1012 to store the content information.

  The portable wireless terminal device 1020 automatically transmits a connection request to the home content server 111 after transmitting a content information reception confirmation notification to the television 1010. When the home content server 111 receives the connection request, the home content server 111 returns a connection permission to the portable wireless terminal device 1020. The portable wireless terminal device 1020 transmits a content transmission request (content information, device information, and switching source device information) to the home content server 111 when receiving a connection permission from the home content server 111.

  When the home content server 111 receives a content transmission request from the mobile wireless terminal device 1020, the home content server 111 transmits a content transmission permission to the mobile wireless terminal device 1020 and transmits a content transmission stop notification to the television 1010. When receiving the content transmission stop notification, the television 1010 transmits a content transmission stop confirmation to the home content server 111.

  Thereby, the home content server 111 on the content transmission side can search the content and the viewing scene to be sent to the switching destination device by comparing the device information of the switching source and the content information, and the plurality of the same content can be searched. When viewing on a viewing device, search for wrong content can be prevented.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, when starting to transmit content to the portable wireless terminal device 1020, transmission to the switching source device, that is, the television 1010 can be smoothly stopped.

  By performing the above operations, the home content server 111 finally converts the content into a content parameter and file format suitable for the portable wireless terminal device 1020 by the content conversion unit 206 and the file configuration unit 207, and transmits the content. Start. As a result, the portable wireless terminal device 1020 starts playback of streaming from the same content and the same scene.

  The automatic mode has been explained above, but in the automatic mode, the content automatically starts when the switching destination viewing device is away, for example, in your own room, so you can miss the scene you want to see There is sex. Therefore, a manual mode in which the viewer starts the content after arriving before the switching destination viewing device will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sequence of another example of the switching operation according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the television 1010 notifies the home content server 111 to stop receiving content from the home content server 111 after notifying the portable wireless terminal device 1020 that is the switching destination viewing device of the content information. In response to this, a content transmission stop request is transmitted to stop the content.

  Next, when the viewer arrives in front of the portable wireless terminal device 1020 that is the switching destination viewing device, the viewer transmits a content transmission request to the home content server 111 based on the content information received from the television 1010. At this time, in order to improve the operability, it is desirable to display the device switching information on the monitor 407 of the portable wireless terminal device 1020 as shown in FIG. 14 so that a series of operations are performed with one click.

  Other operation sequences in the manual mode are the same as those in the automatic mode in FIG. 12 except that transmission to the television 1010 has already been stopped.

  In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the operation for switching the content viewed on the television 1010 to the mobile wireless terminal device 1020 has been described. However, the content viewed on the mobile wireless terminal device 1020 at home is used. The same operation is performed when the device is switched to the television 1010.

  As described above, in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, information related to the viewing content is exchanged between the viewing devices to be switched, and information related to the viewing content is transmitted from the switching viewing device to the home content server 111. By transmitting and requesting content transmission, even when viewing of the same content is moved between different viewing devices, it is possible to continue viewing from the same scene.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the content accompanying scene switching and the scene information managed by the viewing device are managed on the side of the viewing device to reduce the load associated with device switching in the home content server 111. it can.

  Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention may be configured to have three or more viewing devices.

  In the present invention, since the home content server installed in the home can switch and transmit the viewing device as the transmission destination based on the operation of the viewer, even when viewing the same content is switched between different viewing devices. This has the effect that the viewer can continuously view from the same scene, and is useful for a multimedia content providing system, a home content server, and a viewing device.

The figure which shows the structure of the multimedia content provision system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the home content server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile radio terminal apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the image of the protocol stack accompanying transmission / reception of the content in the multimedia content provision system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the sequence of viewing-and-listening operation | movement in the multimedia content provision system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure for demonstrating an example of a structure of the control signal and data in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the sequence of an example of the continuous switching operation | movement of content viewing and browsing in the some viewing device of the home network system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the sequence of the other example of the continuous switching operation | movement of content viewing and browsing in the some viewing device of the home network system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the television of the multimedia content provision system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the portable radio | wireless terminal apparatus of the multimedia content provision system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the sequence of an example of the switching operation | movement in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the sequence of the other example of the switching operation | movement in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Schematic front view of the portable radio terminal apparatus showing a state where the portable radio terminal apparatus of the multimedia content providing system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is displaying device switching information.

Explanation of symbols

100, 1000 Multimedia content providing system 110 Home network system 120 Internet 111 Home content server 112 Antenna 113, 1010 Television 114 Home wireless base station 115, 1020 Portable wireless terminal device 116 Home gateway device 201, 404 Content storage unit 202 Tuner 203 Content Storage control unit 204 External memory read / write unit 205 Content transmission control unit 206 Content conversion unit 207 File configuration unit 208, 302, 402 Data processing unit 209 Input / output interface 2031 Channel control unit 2032 External memory control unit 2051, 306, 403, 1011 , 1021 Connection management unit 2052 Content management unit 2053, 3061, 4032 Detection unit 2054, 3062, 4033 Connection device setting unit 2055 Connection device switching unit 2056 Viewing content management unit 2057 Content parameter control unit 301 Input / output interface 303, 405 File processing unit 304, 406 Decoding unit 305, 407 Monitor 3051 Display operation unit 3052 Connected device display unit 3053 Viewing content display unit 3063, 4034 Device information management unit 401 Home wireless interface 4031 Wireless connection management unit 1012, 1022 Viewing content management unit

Claims (6)

A multimedia content providing system comprising: a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents; and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server,
The home content server
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device to be switched to;
A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from the viewing device that is the switching source to the viewing device that is the switching destination when a device switching request is received from the viewing device that is the switching source;
A viewing content management unit for managing the content being transmitted to the viewing device;
A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on device information of the viewing device that is a switching destination required for distribution of the content when the device switching request is received;
Each of the plurality of viewing devices is
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device to be switched to;
A device information management unit for managing the device information;
Device switching request transmitting means for transmitting the device switching request to the home content server;
A multimedia content providing system comprising: A multimedia content providing system comprising: a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents; and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server,
The home content server
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device to be switched to;
A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from the viewing device that is the switching source to the viewing device that is the switching destination when a device switching request is received from the viewing device that is the switching destination;
A viewing content management unit for managing the content being transmitted to the viewing device;
A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on device information of the viewing device that is a switching destination required for distribution of the content when the device switching request is received;
Each of the plurality of viewing devices is
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device to be switched to;
A device information management unit for managing the device information;
Device switching request transmitting means for transmitting the device switching request to the home content server when the viewing device is switched to;
A viewing content management unit for managing information of viewing content and viewing scenes being viewed;
The content information including the viewing content and the viewing scene information managed by the viewing content management unit when the device switching request is transmitted when the device is the connection source viewing device is transmitted to the switching destination viewing device. First content information transmitting means for transmitting;
Second content information transmitting means for transmitting to the home content server the content information received from the viewing device that is the switching source when the viewing device becomes the switching destination;
A multimedia content providing system comprising: A home content server that is installed in a home and stores different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server, and each of the viewing devices includes the home content A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices connected to the server, a connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device to be switched to, and device information management for managing device information necessary for distribution of the content A home content server in a multimedia content providing system comprising: a unit; and a device switching request transmission means for transmitting a device switching request to the home content server,
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices;
A connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device to be switched to;
A connection device switching unit that switches the distribution of the content from the switching source viewing device to the switching destination viewing device when the device switching request is received from the switching source viewing device;
A viewing content management unit for managing the content being transmitted to the viewing device;
A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the viewing device that is the switching destination when the device switching request is received;
A home content server. A home content server that is installed in a home and stores different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server, and each of the plurality of viewing devices includes: A device detection unit that detects the plurality of viewing devices connected to a home content server, a connection device setting unit that sets the viewing device to be switched to, and a device that manages device information necessary for distribution of the content An information management unit, device switching request transmitting means for transmitting the device switching request to the home content server when the viewing device becomes a switching destination, and viewing content for managing viewing content and viewing scene information being viewed When it becomes the viewing device of the management unit and the connection source First content information transmitting means for transmitting content information including the viewing content and the viewing scene information managed by the viewing content management unit to the switching destination viewing device when the device switching request is transmitted. And a second content information transmitting means for transmitting, to the home content server, the content information received from the switching source viewing device when it becomes the switching destination viewing device. A home content server,
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices;
A connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device to be switched to;
A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from the viewing device that is the switching source to the viewing device that is the switching destination when the device switching request is received from the viewing device that is the switching destination;
A viewing content management unit for managing the content being transmitted to the viewing device;
A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the viewing device that is the switching destination when the device switching request is received;
A home content server. A home content server that is installed in a home and stores different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server, the home content server including the home content server A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices connected to a connection device, a connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device as a switching destination, and a switching source when receiving a device switching request from the viewing device as a switching source A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from a viewing device to the viewing device that is a switching destination, a viewing content management unit that manages the content being transmitted to the viewing device, and when the device switching request is received The switching destination required for content distribution A content parameter control unit for changing the parameters of the content based on the device information of the hearing device, a viewing device in a multimedia content providing system comprising,
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device to be switched to;
A device information management unit for managing the device information;
Device switching request transmitting means for transmitting the device switching request to the home content server;
A viewing device comprising: A home content server that is installed in a home and stores different multimedia contents, and a plurality of viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server, the home content server including the home content server A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices connected to the device, a connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device as a switching destination, and a switching source when receiving a device switching request from the viewing device as a switching destination A connection device switching unit that switches distribution of the content from a viewing device to a switching destination viewing device, a viewing content management unit that manages the content transmitted to the viewing device, and the content when the device switching request is received Viewing of the switching destination required for distribution of A content parameter control unit for changing the parameters of the content based on the device's device information, a viewing device in a multimedia content providing system comprising,
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A connection device setting unit for setting the viewing device to be switched to;
A device information management unit for managing the device information;
Device switching request transmitting means for transmitting the device switching request to the home content server when the viewing device is switched to;
A viewing content management unit for managing information of viewing content and viewing scenes being viewed;
The content information including the viewing content and the viewing scene information managed by the viewing content management unit when the device switching request is transmitted when the device is the connection source viewing device is transmitted to the switching destination viewing device. First content information transmitting means for transmitting;
Second content information transmitting means for transmitting to the home content server the content information received from the viewing device that is the switching source when the viewing device becomes the switching destination;
A viewing device comprising:

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