JP2006054796A - Image reproducing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reproducing system for smoothly and continuously reproducing a plurality of video contents scattered on a network and in a plurality of kinds of encoding forms. <P>SOLUTION: The image reproduction system is provided with a control command generating means 1 for generating a control command to control image reproduction; internal player means 4, 5, and 6 for converting video contents into image signals according to the kind of the video contents; an order-managing means 2 for analyzing the control command, generating a list of reproduction, including information on order and time of image reproduction and information on reproduction situations for each internal player means, and managing the image reproduction; a switching control means 3 for selecting the internal player means 4, 5, and 6 to switch them, on the basis of the list of reproduction 10; and a switching display means 7 for successively switching a plurality of kinds of continuous video contents outputted from the internal player means 4, 5, and 6, and displaying images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reproduction system for reproducing an image of video content.

As a conventional technique for continuously playing back a plurality of video contents, the video playback means B has two video playback means A and B internally, while the video playback means A plays back the video content. An “object image playback system” has been devised in which video content to be played back is stored in advance so that the two video content are played back without interruption (see Patent Document 1). In order to continuously reproduce a plurality of video contents scattered on the network, it is desirable to be able to handle video contents of various encoding formats (codecs) and lengths.
JP 2002-51311 A

  However, in the conventional image reproduction system, there is only one type of encoding format that is taken into consideration for the video content to be reproduced, so that it is not possible to continuously reproduce video content in a wide variety of encoding formats. It was.

  In addition, when a short video content is continuously played and there are only two video playback means, when one video playback means finishes playing the video content, the other video playback means must It was necessary to complete the accumulation of video content to be played. For this reason, the accumulation of video content is often not in time, and it is difficult to smoothly connect and play back.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention continuously reproduces video contents of various encoding formats and various lengths as if they were one video, that is, various video contents scattered on the network. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reproduction system that can be freely combined and reproduced smoothly as if it were one video content.

  The present invention according to claim 1 is an image reproduction system for reproducing an image of a plurality of types of video content distributed via a network, and generates a control command for controlling the image reproduction of the video content. Control command generating means, a plurality of internal player means for converting each to an image signal according to the type of the video content, information on the order and time of image reproduction by analyzing the control command, and And an order management means for managing the image reproduction by generating a reproduction list including information relating to the reproduction status of each internal player means, and the image based on the reproduction list output from the order management means A switching control means for executing control for selecting and switching the internal player means used for reproduction, and an output from the internal player means. Comprising a switching display means for displaying images sequentially switching the plurality of types of the video contents successive that, the.

  In addition, the present invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the switching control means includes a contract line speed acquisition means for acquiring speed information of the distribution in the network, and the contract line speed acquisition means. Internal player means number calculation information acquisition means for acquiring internal player means number calculation information, which is a basis for obtaining the number of uses of the internal player means used for the image reproduction by calculation, and acquisition of the internal player means number calculation information Internal player means number determining means for calculating the number of internal player means used based on the internal player means number calculation information output from the means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the internal player means number calculation information acquisition means calculates the average bit rate based on the bit rate information acquired from the order management means. A bit rate calculation means is provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the control command is control information for reproducing an image of an arbitrary part of the video content.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the internal player means stores a video playback player information database storing video playback player software corresponding to the type of encoding of the video content. Have

  According to the present invention, since the video playback player suitable for the video to be played is activated as the internal player means, video content in a wide variety of encoding formats can be played as if it were one video.

  Further, the switching control means controls the plurality of internal player means at the same time, so that each internal player means may accumulate the video content while the other plurality of internal player means are reproducing each video content. Even when short video content continues, each internal player means can obtain a sufficient accumulation time, so that video content of various lengths can be reproduced continuously as if it were one video. .

  That is, it is possible to provide an image reproduction system capable of freely combining various video contents scattered on the network and reproducing them as smoothly as if they were one video content.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration for continuous video playback according to an embodiment of an image playback system of the present invention.

  The control command generation means 1 generates a control command for continuously reproducing an arbitrary part of a plurality of video contents based on video content metadata managed by an external metadata management server (not shown).

  The order management unit 2 analyzes the control command received from the control command generation unit 1 and generates a reproduction list 10. The reproduction list 10 manages reproduction information and reproduction status of video content, and the switching control means 3 sequentially accesses the reproduction list 10 to thereby provide a plurality of internal player means a4, internal player means b5, internal contents. A control instruction is issued to the player means c6.

  The switching control means 3 gives a control instruction to the plurality of internal player means a4, internal player means b5, internal player means c6 and switching display means 7 until the reproduction of all the video contents in the play list 10 is finished according to the play list 10. put out.

  The internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, and the internal player means c6 perform prefetching and playback of an arbitrary part of the video content distributed from the external video distribution server according to the control instruction, and when each operation ends, the switching control means. A control completion notification is issued to 3.

  The switching display means 7 displays the reproduction output of the video content of the internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, and the internal player means c6 selected according to the control instruction.

  The internal player means number calculation information acquisition means 8 is information (hereinafter referred to as internal player means) for calculating the number of internal player means used, such as the line type contracted by the viewer and the average bit rate of the video content to be reproduced. As number calculation information).

  The internal player means number determining means 9 calculates and determines the appropriate number of internal player means based on the internal player means number calculation information.

  Therefore, the plurality of internal player means a4, internal player means b5, and internal player means c6 are determined by the internal player means number calculation information obtaining means 8 and the internal player means number determining means 9.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which three internal player means, that is, an internal player means a4, an internal player means b5, and an internal player means c6 are calculated by the internal player means number determining means 9 and determined to be necessary. .

  FIG. 1 shows three internal player means, an internal player means a4, an internal player means b5, and an internal player means c6. These internal player means are prepared in a necessary number according to the video content to be reproduced. Is done. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, three internal player means are required and prepared. In this way, in other video contents, for example, when five internal player means are required, five internal player means are prepared accordingly.

  The internal player means is video playback software for playing back video content. For example, various video playback software may be acquired and stored via a network. In this way, the required number and types of video playback software can be activated and prepared in accordance with the type and number of video playback software required for playback of video content.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control command generated by the control command generation unit 1.

  The control command 20 is a command for continuously reproducing an arbitrary part of a plurality of video contents, and sequentially describes reproduction information of the plurality of video contents desired to be continuously reproduced. The playback information of the video content includes “URL” that is a character string indicating a storage location of the video content to be played back, “playback start point” that indicates the playback start time of the video content, and “duration” that indicates the playback time length of the video content. “Media type” indicating the encoding type of the video content, and “Bit rate” indicating the transfer rate of the video content.

  For example, in the case of the control command 20 shown in FIG. 2, “From the beginning of the Windows® Media format video content that is first saved in“ mms: //movie.co.jp/movie1.wmv ”and transferred at 1024 kbps. Video content in Windows (registered trademark) Media format that is played continuously for 3 minutes from the point after 2 minutes, and then saved at "mms: //movie.co.jp/movie1.wmv" and transferred at 512kbps Rea.Media format video content that is played continuously for 3 minutes from the point 7 minutes after the beginning of the video, and is finally saved in "rtsp: //movie.co.jp/news1.rm" and transferred at 1024kbps It will continue to be played for 2 minutes from the point 3 minutes after

  FIG. 3 shows a playlist 21 as an example of the playlist 10 generated by the order management means 2.

  The playback list 21 includes two pieces of information, “playback information” that is attribute information necessary for playing back video content, and “playback status” that indicates the status of the video content (playing and waiting).

  “Playback information” is generated by the order management unit 2 based on the control command received from the control command generation unit 1, and indicates the “playback number” indicating the order of playback on the viewer terminal, and the storage location of the video content to be played back. “URL” which is a character string, “reproduction start point” indicating the reproduction start time of the video content, “duration” indicating the reproduction time length of the video content, “media type” indicating the encoding type of the video content, video content It has six pieces of information “bit rate” indicating the transfer speed.

  The “reproduction status” is information that the switching control means 3 monitors each internal player means a4, internal player means b5, and internal player means c6 and sequentially updates as necessary. This is used when determining which control instruction should be given to the player means.

  The “playback status” includes an “internal player means number” indicating a reference number assigned to the internal player means a4, internal player means b5, and internal player means c6 for playing back video content, and the current video content status. Two pieces of information “content status” indicating “” are included.

  “Content status” is “Unplayed” indicating that video content storage has not started yet, “Accumulating” indicating the time from the start of video content storage to the end of storage, “Waiting” indicating the time from when content accumulation is finished until playback is started, “Now playing” indicating the time from when playback of video content is started until playback ends, playback of video content is The state is selected from five types of “end of reproduction” indicating the end.

  Therefore, if the contents of the reproduction list 21 shown in FIG. 3 are described, the procedure is as follows.

  First, the video content of playback number “1” to be played back is “mms: //movie.co.jp/movle1. It is played continuously for 3 minutes from the point at which 2 minutes have elapsed from the beginning of the Windows® Media format video content stored in wmv and transferred at 1024 kbps, and is currently played by internal player means a4. Is in a finished state.

  The video content of playback number “2” to be played next is “mms: //movie.co.jp/movle1. "Wmv" is stored and transferred at 512kbps, and is played continuously for 3 minutes from the point at which 7 minutes have elapsed from the beginning of the Windows (R) Media format video content. Currently, the video is played by the internal player means b5. The content is being played back.

  The video content with the playback number “3” to be played next is “rtsp: //movie.co.jp/news1. rm ”and transferred at 1024 kbps, the video content is stored and replayed continuously by the internal player means c6 for 2 minutes from the point where 3 minutes have elapsed from the beginning of the RealMedia format video content. It is in a finished state.

  The video content with the playback number “4” to be played next is “rtsp: //movie.co.jp/news1. The video content is stored in “mov” and transferred at 256 kbps, and is played continuously for 3 minutes from the point where 5 minutes have elapsed from the beginning of the Quick Time format video content. It is in a state.

  The video content with the playback number “5” to be played last is “mms: //movie.co.jp/movle2. "Wmv" is stored and transferred at 512kbps, and is played continuously for 4 minutes from the point at which 1 minute has elapsed from the beginning of the video content in the Windows (registered trademark) Media format. Currently, the video is played by the internal player means b5. The content has not been accumulated yet.

  Note that the order management means 2 according to the present invention not only generates the play list 10 (21) based on a predetermined control command, but also sequentially receives the control commands and sequentially adds them to the play list 10. It is also possible to take a method.

  FIG. 4 shows a video playback player information DB 22 as an example of video playback player information DBs (databases) 11, 12, and 13 managed by the internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, and the internal player means c6.

  The video playback player information DB 22 is a video that can be played back by a general video playback player (for example, Windows (registered trademark) Media Player, RealPlayer G2 (registered trademark), QuickTimePlayer (registered trademark)) installed in the viewer terminal. It manages the encoding type of content.

  The video playback player information DB 22 holds information on video playback players that can play video content of the encoding type for each “media type” indicating the encoding type of the video content.

  Therefore, the video playback player information DB 22 shown in FIG. 4 uses the video playback player “Windows (registered trademark) Media Player” to reproduce the video encoded in the “Windows (registered trademark) Media format” and encodes it into the RealMedia format. It is shown that the reproduced video is reproduced using the video reproduction player “RealOnePlayer”, and the video is reproduced using the video reproduction player “Quick Time Player” when encoded in the Quick Time format.

  The internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, and the internal player means c6 are a video playback player (for example, Windows (registered trademark) Media Player (registered trademark) or ReaPlayer G2 (registered trademark)) that is suitable for the encoding type of the video content to be played back. QuickTimePlayer (registered trademark, etc.) is selected on the basis of the video playback player information 11, 12, and 13, and the video content can be played back by starting the selected video playback player. In the video playback player information 11, 12, and 13, a combination of video content encoding type and video playback player can be recorded in advance, and a combination can be added as necessary. Note that the same information is stored in the video playback player information 11, 12, and 13.

  The internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, and the internal player means c6 can reproduce the video content instructed to be reproduced next by accessing the video reproduction player information DB 22 (11, 12, 13). A suitable video player is selected.

  Therefore, by installing a wide variety of video playback players in the viewer terminal and registering the encoding types that can be played back by the video playback player in the video playback player information DB 22, this video continuous playback system can display a wide variety of video content. Playback is also possible.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the internal player means a4 among the state transitions of the internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, and the internal player means c6. The state transitions of the other internal player means b5 and internal player means c6 are the same as the state transition of the internal player means a4.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the internal player means a4 changes its state in response to reception of a reproduction standby instruction or a reproduction start instruction from the switching control means 3, and an accumulation completion notification or reproduction completion notification to the switching control means 3. To do.

  The “playback standby instruction” is an instruction issued to prefetch the video content to be played next by the internal player means (in this case, the internal player means a4), and the “playback start instruction” is a playback standby instruction. This is an instruction issued to start reproduction of video content to the internal player means a4 that has already accumulated video content according to the instruction and is in a standby state.

  First, when the internal player means in the pause state (step 1: S1) receives the “playback standby instruction” from the switching control means 3, the internal player means transitions to the accumulation state (step 2: S2) and distributes prefetched video content. A reproduction request is made to the video distribution server 23, and accumulation of video content is started. This video server 23 exists on a network (including the Internet) (not shown).

  Next, when the accumulation of the video content is completed, the internal player means a4 makes a temporary stop request to the video distribution server 23, and switches the "accumulation completion notice" for notifying that the accumulation of the video content is completed. Is put into a standby state (step 3: S3) where reproduction of video content can be started at any time.

  Next, when the internal player means a4 in the standby state receives the “reproduction start instruction” from the switching control means 3, the internal player means a4 transitions to the reproduction state (step 4: S4) and requests the video distribution server 23 to cancel the pause. To start playing the video content.

  Next, when the video content is reproduced for a specified time, the internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, and the internal player means c6 make a stop request to the video distribution server 23 to notify that the reproduction of the video content has ended. By issuing a “reproduction completion notification” to the switching control means 3, a transition is made to the pause state (step 5: S 5).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing respective operations of the switching control means 3, the internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, the internal player means c6, and the switching display means 7 of the image reproduction system of the present invention. The case where the number of use of the internal player means determined by the player means number determining means 9 is three is taken as an example.

  In the following, referring to FIG. 1 already shown and FIG. 6 at the same time, five 1-minute video contents (videos A, B, C, D, E) will be described below by the image reproduction system of the present invention. The operation of each means during continuous reproduction will be described.

  When the viewer requests viewing of continuous video content of the video images A to E, first, the control command generation unit 1 uses a plurality of video content metadata managed by a metadata management server on a network (not shown). A control command for continuously reproducing an arbitrary part of the video content is generated.

  Next, the order management unit 2 analyzes the control command received from the control command generation unit 1 and generates the reproduction list 10.

  Next, in the internal player means number calculation information acquisition means 8, the average bit rate calculation means 26 calculates the average bit rate (bps) from the bit rate information of each video content stored in the reproduction list 10.

  Further, the contracted line speed acquisition means 27 acquires the network line speed (bps) with which the viewer has a contract. Information such as the average bit rate and the network line speed obtained in this way is used as internal player means number calculation information and transmitted to the internal player means number determining means 9.

  Next, the internal player means number determining means 9 that has acquired the internal player means number calculation information obtains a value obtained by dividing the average bit rate (bps) included in the internal player means number calculation information by the network line speed (bps). Is calculated as the number of internal player means.

  Next, based on the number of internal player means calculated by the internal player means number determining means 9 and the play list 10 of the order management means 2, the switching control means 3 performs the types of media types necessary for playing the videos A to E. And the necessary number (three) of internal player means a4, internal player means b5, and internal player means c6 are prepared.

  Next, in FIG. 6B, the switching control means 3 issues a reproduction start instruction to reproduce the video A to the internal player means a4, and the internal player means a4 that has received the reproduction start instruction receives the video. Playback of A is started and a playback state is entered. At the same time, the switching control means 3 instructs the switching display means 7 to start reproduction output by the internal player means a4, and the switching display means 7 reproduces the video A by the internal player means a4. Output begins.

  The internal player means a4 (same as the internal player means b5 and internal player means c6) transmits a control completion notification to the switching control means 3 when starting each action.

  When the reproduction state is thus started and the reproduction output is started, the switching control means 3 issues a timing for issuing a control instruction to the internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, and the internal player means c6, and the internal player means a4, At the timing of receiving the control completion notification from the internal player means b5 and the internal player means c6, the playlist update information is transmitted to the order management means 2 according to the contents of the control instruction and the control completion notification. The order management means 2 that has acquired the playlist update information updates the playback status of the playlist 10.

  Next, in FIG. 5B, while the internal player means a4 is reproducing the video A, the switching control means 3 displays the video B for the internal player means b5 and the video C for the internal player means c6. When the playback standby instruction is issued so as to pre-read, the internal player means b5 that has received the playback start instruction starts to store the video B, and the internal player means c6 starts to store the video C, as in step 2: S2 described in FIG. It will be in the accumulation state.

  Thereafter, when the internal player means b5 completes the accumulation of the video B and the internal player means c6 completes the accumulation of the video C, the internal player means b5 enters a standby state, and can be reproduced and output at any time as in step 3: S3 described in FIG.

  Next, in (c) in the figure, when the internal player means a4 that has continuously played back the video A for one minute stops the playback of the video A and enters a pause state, the switching control means 3 causes the video to the internal player means b5. The internal player means b5 issues a reproduction start instruction to reproduce B and receives the reproduction start instruction, starts reproduction of the video B, and enters a reproduction state as in step 4: S4 described in FIG.

  At the same time, the switching control means 3 issues a playback output start instruction to the switching display means 7 to start playback output by the internal player means b5, and the switching display means 7 displays the video B by the internal player means b5. Playback output is started.

  Next, in (D) in the figure, the switching control means 3 issues a reproduction standby instruction to pre-read the video D to the paused internal player means a4, and the internal player means a4 that has received the reproduction standby instruction The accumulation of the video D is started and the accumulation state is entered. After that, the internal player means a4 is in a standby state when the accumulation of the video D is completed, and can be reproduced and output at any time.

  Next, in (e) in the figure, the internal player means b5 that has continuously played back the video B for one minute stops the playback of the video B, and enters a paused state as in step 5: S5 described in FIG. Then, the switching control means 3 issues a reproduction start instruction to reproduce the video C to the internal player means c6, and the internal player means c6 that has received the reproduction standby instruction starts reproduction of the video C and enters a reproduction state. At the same time, the switching control means 3 issues a reproduction output start instruction to the switching display means 7 so as to start the reproduction output by the internal player means c6, and the switching display means 7 displays the video C by the internal player means c6. Re-output is started.

  Next, in FIG. 6F, the switching control means 3 issues a reproduction standby instruction to pre-read the video E to the internal player means b5 in the pause state, and the internal player means b5 that has received the reproduction standby instruction The video E starts to be accumulated and enters an accumulation state. After that, the internal player means b5 is in a standby state when the accumulation of the video E is completed, and can be reproduced and output at any time.

  Next, in FIG. 6G, when the internal player means c6 that has continuously played back the video C for one minute stops the playback of the video C and enters a pause state, the switching control means 3 causes the video to the internal player means a4. The internal player means a4 issues a reproduction start instruction to reproduce D, and receives the reproduction start instruction, starts reproduction of the video D and enters a reproduction state. At the same time, the switching control means 3 issues a playback output start instruction to start the playback output by the internal player means a4 to the switching display means 7, and the switching display means 7 displays the video D by the internal player means a4. Playback output is started.

  Next, in (H) in the figure, when the internal player means a4 that has continuously played back the video D for one minute stops the playback of the video D and enters a pause state, the switching control means 3 gives a video to the internal player means b5. The internal player means b5 that issues a reproduction start instruction to reproduce E and receives the reproduction start instruction starts reproduction of the video E and enters a reproduction state. At the same time, the switching control means 3 issues a playback output start instruction to start the playback output by the internal player means b5 to the switching display means 7, and the switching display means 7 causes the video E of the internal player means b5 to be displayed. Playback output is started.

  In this way, as shown in FIG. 6, the switching control means 3, the internal player means a4, the internal player means b5, the internal player means c6, and the switching display means 7 operate to make a plurality of video contents as if they were one video content. It becomes possible to connect and display like this.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a service to which the image reproduction system is applied.

  For example, in the program Q24 that is movie content and the program R25 that is entertainment news content, when the viewer wants to watch only the highlight scene of the program Q24, only the highlight scene “☆” of the program Q24 is continuously displayed. For example, when it is desired to play only a scene of a certain entertainer, or to view only the appearance scene “◇” of a certain entertainer in the program Q24 and the program R25, it can be applied to a service.

  As described above, by applying the image reproduction system according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a service for dividing a program and reconstructing and viewing it according to one's preference. Improvement can be expected.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, when a plurality of video contents scattered on the network are continuously played back, they can be smoothly connected and played back as if they were one video content. it can.

1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of an image reproduction system according to an embodiment of an image reproduction system of the present invention. An example for explaining a control command in the embodiment of the image reproduction system of the present invention is shown. An example for explaining a reproduction list in the embodiment of the image reproduction system of the present invention will be shown. An example for demonstrating video reproduction | regeneration player information DB in embodiment of the image reproduction system of this invention is shown. An explanatory view for explaining state transition of an internal player means in an embodiment of an image reproduction system of the present invention is shown. An explanatory view for explaining operation of a change display part concerning an embodiment of an image reproduction system of the present invention is shown. An explanatory view for explaining an example of a service to which an image reproduction system according to an embodiment of the image reproduction system of the present invention is applied is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control command production | generation means 2 Order management means 3 Switching control means 4 Internal player means a
5 Internal player means b
6 Internal player means c
7 switching display means 8 internal player means number calculation information acquisition means 9 internal player means number determination means 10 order management means 11, 12, 13 video playback player information 20 control command 21 playback list 22 video playback player information DB (database)
23 Video distribution server

Claims (5)

An image reproduction system for reproducing an image of a plurality of types of video content distributed via a network,
Control command generating means for generating a control command for controlling the image reproduction of the video content;
A plurality of internal player means each for converting into an image signal according to the type of the video content;
An order for analyzing the control command to generate a play list including information related to the order and time of the image playback and information related to the playback status of each internal player means, and managing the image playback Management means;
Switching control means for executing control for selecting and switching the internal player means used for the image reproduction based on the reproduction list output from the order management means;
Switching display means for sequentially switching and displaying images of the plurality of types of video content output from the internal player means;
An image reproduction system comprising: The switching control means includes
Contract line speed acquisition means for acquiring speed information of the distribution in the network;
Internal player means number calculation information acquisition means for acquiring internal player means number calculation information as a basis for calculating the number of uses of the internal player means used for the image reproduction from the contracted line speed acquisition means;
Internal player means number determination means for calculating the number of internal player means used based on the internal player means number calculation information output from the internal player means number calculation information acquisition means;
The image reproduction system according to claim 1, further comprising: The internal player means number calculation information acquisition means comprises:
3. The image reproduction system according to claim 2, further comprising an average bit rate calculation unit for calculating an average bit rate based on the bit rate information acquired from the order management unit. The control command is
The image reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the image reproduction system is control information for reproducing an image of an arbitrary part in the video content. The internal player means
5. The image playback system according to claim 1, further comprising a video playback player information database storing video playback player software corresponding to a type of encoding of the video content.

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