JP2006270745A - Distribution apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distribution apparatus capable of reducing the power consumption by controlling ON/OFF of a power supply in response to the history of the presence/absence of a distribution request from a client terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The distribution apparatus includes: an input section for receiving a video signal and an audio signal; a signal processing section for applying signal processing to the video signal and the audio signal; a recording section for recording the video signal and the audio signal subjected to the signal processing by the signal processing section; a storage section for storing history information of the distribution request of the video signal and the audio signal from the client terminals; and a power supply control section for controlling stop of supply of power to the input section, the signal processing section, and the recording section according to the history information stored in the storage section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a distribution apparatus that distributes recorded video signals and audio signals to client terminals via a network.

  There is a distribution apparatus that distributes a video signal and an audio signal (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a content signal) input from an external device to a client terminal via a network. This distribution apparatus performs signal processing on a content signal input from an external device, and then records the content signal on a recording medium such as an HD (Hard Disk). In response to a distribution request from the client terminal, the content signal recorded on the recording medium is distributed to the client terminal via the network and reproduced on the client terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Such a distribution apparatus is always in a power-on state in order to constantly receive a content signal distribution request from a client terminal and distribute the content signal to the client terminal that has received the distribution request. For this reason, there has been a problem that power consumption increases. In order to solve this problem, a time for starting and stopping power supply to a disk device for storing data is set, and start and stop of power supply to the disk device can be controlled according to the set time. (See, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-176616 (Pages 2 to 3 and FIG. 3) JP 2000-259289 A

  When receiving a distribution request from a client terminal in a predetermined time zone, a power supply control technique as disclosed in Patent Document 2 can be used. However, when receiving a distribution request from a client terminal at all times, it is difficult to set a time for starting and stopping power supply to the disk device.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and controls power on / off according to the history of the presence / absence of a distribution request from a client terminal without setting the time to start and stop power supply. An object of the present invention is to provide a distribution apparatus that can reduce power consumption.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an invention according to claim 1 of the present application includes an input unit for inputting a video signal and an audio signal, and a signal for performing signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal input from the input unit. A processing unit; a recording unit that records a video signal and an audio signal subjected to signal processing by the signal processing unit; and an interface unit that distributes the video signal and the audio signal recorded in the recording unit to a client terminal via a network And a storage unit for storing the history information of the distribution request of the video signal and the audio signal from the client terminal, and supplying power to the input unit, the signal processing unit, and the recording unit according to the history information stored in the storage unit And a power supply control unit that controls to stop the operation.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the distribution device according to claim 1, wherein when a distribution request for a video signal and an audio signal is made from a client terminal, the storage unit is based on time information when the distribution request is made. An update control unit that controls to update the history information stored in is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a distribution device capable of controlling power on / off and reducing power consumption according to a history of presence / absence of a distribution request from a client terminal without setting a time for starting and stopping power supply. Can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distribution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an input unit, 2 is a signal processing unit, 3 is a recording unit, 4 is a user interface unit, 5 is a power supply control unit, 6 is a storage unit, 7 is an update control unit, 8 is an interface unit, 9 Indicates a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a distribution system including a distribution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment, 200 denotes a network, and 300 denotes a client terminal. The distribution apparatus 100 and the client apparatus according to the present embodiment are connected to a network, and the distribution apparatus 100 distributes a video signal and an audio signal (hereinafter referred to as a content signal) to the client terminal 300 via the network 200. The number of client terminals 300 that can be connected to the network 200 is not limited.

  An input unit 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an input terminal for connecting an external device, and inputs a video signal and an audio signal (referred to as a content signal) output from the external device. External devices include playback devices such as tuners, CD (Compact Disc) players, and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) players. The signal processing unit 2 performs compression processing on the content signal input from the input unit 1 using a compression algorithm such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group). The recording unit 3 includes a recording medium such as HD, and records a content signal compressed by the MPEG method or the like on the recording medium.

  The user interface unit 4 includes an operation unit that allows the user to operate and set the distribution device according to the present embodiment, and a display unit that displays an operation state and a setting state of the distribution device according to the present embodiment. The power supply control unit 5 controls the supply of power from a power source (not shown) to each component of the distribution apparatus of the present embodiment. When there is an instruction to turn on the power from the user interface unit 4, the power supply control unit 5 controls to start supplying power to each component of the distribution apparatus of the present embodiment and turns off the power from the user interface unit 4. If there is an instruction to do so, control is performed to stop the supply of power. Further, the power supply control unit 5 relates to signal processing and recording processing of content signals such as the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit 3 according to the history information stored in the storage unit 6 as will be described later. Control is performed to start or stop the supply of power to the components.

  The storage unit 6 stores history information of content signal distribution requests from client terminals connected to the network. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining history information recorded in the storage unit 6. The table shown in FIG. 3 shows the presence / absence of a content signal distribution request from the client terminal on an hourly basis for each day of the week. In this table, the hatched portion is a time zone in which a content signal distribution request is received from the client terminal, and the blank portion is a time zone in which no distribution request is received. In the present embodiment, the history information (date information) for which a content signal distribution request has been made in the past several weeks (for example, three weeks) is stored in the storage unit 6 as a table shown in FIG.

  The power supply control unit 5 controls to start or stop the supply of power to the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit 3 in accordance with the history information table shown in FIG. 3. In the table shown in FIG. 3, when the current time is changed from the blank time zone to the shaded time zone (power supply start time), the power supply control unit 5 includes the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit. 3 is controlled to start supplying power. In addition, when the current time is changed from the shaded time zone to the blank time zone (power supply stop time), the power supply control unit 5 supplies power to the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit 3. Control to stop. Regardless of the history information table stored in the storage unit 6, the power supply control unit 5 supplies power to the components of the distribution apparatus of the present embodiment other than the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit 3. Supply.

  The update control unit 7 performs control to update the history information stored in the storage unit 6 based on the time information when the distribution request is made when there is a content signal distribution request from the client terminal. The update control unit 7 includes a timer (not shown) that counts the current date and time, and uses the current date and time counted by the timer as date and time information when a distribution request is made.

  For example, if there is a content signal distribution request from a client terminal at 17:32 on Monday, the update control unit 7 sets the time zone from 17:00 to 18:00 on Monday in the history information table stored in the storage unit 6. Control to update the distribution request from no distribution request to distribution request. That is, in the table shown in FIG. 3, the time zone from 17:00 to 18:00 on Monday is updated from the blank portion to the shaded portion. In addition, when the time period of the day of the week in the shaded portion of the table shown in FIG. 3 is not requested for content signal delivery from the client terminal over a certain period (for example, three weeks), the update control unit 7 Control to update the time zone from the shaded part to the blank part.

  The interface unit 8 is a network interface connected to a network. The interface unit 8 inputs a command such as a content signal distribution request output from the client terminal via the network. The interface unit 8 outputs the content signal read from the recording unit 3.

  The CPU 9 controls the overall operation of the distribution apparatus of this embodiment. For example, when a distribution request command is input from the interface unit 8, the CPU 9 analyzes the command and controls to read the content signal to be distributed from the recording unit 3, and controls to distribute to the client terminal that is the distribution request source. . In addition, the CPU 9 outputs a control signal indicating that the distribution request has been received to the update control unit 7.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the power control operation of the distribution apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Step S1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is an operation step in which the user turns on the power of the distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment from the user interface unit 4. The power supply control unit 5 performs control to start the supply of power to each component unit of the distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Step S2 is a step in which the CPU 9 determines whether or not there is a content signal distribution request from the client terminal. The content signal distribution request is input from the client terminal to the interface unit 8 via the network. If there is a content signal distribution request, the process proceeds to step S3. If there is no content signal distribution request, the process proceeds to step S5.

  Step S3 is a step in which the CPU 9 controls to distribute the content signal recorded in the recording unit 3. The CPU 9 analyzes the content signal distribution request command input from the interface unit 8 and controls to read out the content signal to be distributed from the recording unit 3. The CPU 9 controls so that the read content signal is distributed from the interface unit 8 to the client terminal that is the distribution request source via the network. In addition, the CPU 9 outputs a control signal indicating that the distribution request has been received to the update control unit 7.

  Step S4 is a step in which the update control unit 7 updates the history information stored in the storage unit 6. When receiving a control signal indicating that a distribution request has been received from the CPU 9, the update control unit 7 updates the history information in the time zone in which the distribution request has been made as having a distribution request.

  Whether or not step S5 has come to a stop time in which the power supply control unit 5 stops supplying power to the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2 and the recording unit 3 in accordance with the history information table stored in the storage unit 6. This is a step for determining. When the history information stored in the storage unit 6 is the table shown in FIG. 3, the power supply control unit 5 changes the current time from the hatched time zone to the blank time zone (power supply stop time). It is determined whether or not. If it is time to stop power supply, the process proceeds to step S6. If it is not the power supply stop time, the process proceeds to step S2.

  Step S6 is a step in which the power supply control unit 5 performs control to stop supplying power to the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit 3. The power supply control unit 5 controls to supply power to the components of the distribution apparatus of the present embodiment other than those, even if the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit 3 are controlled to stop power supply. I continue to do.

  Step S7 is a step in which the CPU 9 determines whether or not there is a content signal distribution request from the client terminal. The content signal distribution request is input from the client terminal to the interface unit 8 via the network. If there is a content signal distribution request, the process proceeds to step S8. If there is no content signal distribution request, the process proceeds to step S10.

  Step S8 is a step in which the CPU 9 controls to distribute the content signal recorded in the recording unit 3. When the content signal distribution request command is input from the interface unit 8, the CPU 9 controls the power supply control unit 5 to supply power to the recording unit 3 and analyzes the input distribution request command. The content signal to be distributed is controlled to be read from the recording unit 3. The CPU 9 controls so that the read content signal is distributed from the interface unit 8 to the client terminal that is the distribution request source via the network. In addition, the CPU 9 outputs a control signal indicating that the distribution request has been received to the update control unit 7.

  Step S9 is a step in which the update control unit 7 updates the history information stored in the storage unit 6. When receiving a control signal indicating that a distribution request has been received from the CPU 9, the update control unit 7 updates the history information in the time zone in which the distribution request has been made as having a distribution request. In step 7, since the distribution request is in the blank time zone in the history information table stored in the storage unit 6 shown in FIG. 3, the blank time zone requested by the update control unit 7 is hatched. To be updated.

  Step S10 is a time when the power supply control unit 5 has started the start of power supply to the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2 and the recording unit 3 according to the history information table stored in the storage unit 6. This is a step for determining. When the history information stored in the storage unit 6 is the table shown in FIG. 3, the power supply control unit 5 changes the current time from the blank time zone to the shaded time zone (power supply start time). It is determined whether or not. If it is time to start power supply, the process proceeds to step S11. If it is not the power supply stop time, the process proceeds to step S7.

  Step S11 is a step in which the power supply control unit 5 performs control to start supplying power to the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit 3. In step 6, the power supply control unit 5 performs control to start supplying power to the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit 3 that have stopped supplying power. Therefore, the power supply control unit 5 is in a state of supplying power to each component unit of the distribution apparatus of the present embodiment.

  In the distribution apparatus of the above-described embodiment, according to the history information stored in the storage unit 6, to the components related to the signal processing and recording processing of the content signal, such as the input unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, and the recording unit 3. However, it is also possible to receive a command such as a content signal distribution request from the client terminal and stop the supply of power to components other than the component that analyzes the command.

  According to the history information stored in the storage unit, the distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment performs signal processing and recording of a content signal in a time period in which there is no content signal distribution request from a client terminal over a past certain period (for example, three weeks). Since the supply of power to the components related to the processing is stopped, the power consumption can be reduced even if the power is always turned on. In addition, the distribution apparatus according to the present embodiment receives a command from the client terminal and supplies power to a component unit that analyzes the command regardless of the history information stored in the storage unit. The received command can be processed without requiring a long time.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the delivery apparatus which is one Example of this invention. The block diagram of the delivery system containing the delivery apparatus of a present Example. The figure explaining the historical information recorded on the memory | storage part. The flowchart explaining the power supply control operation | movement of the delivery apparatus of a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input part, 2 ... Signal processing part, 3 ... Recording part, 4 ... User interface part, 5 ... Power supply control part, 6 ... Memory | storage part, 7 ... Update control part, 8 ... Interface part, 9 ... CPU, 100 ... Distribution device, 200 ... Network, 300 ... Client terminal

Claims (2)

An input unit for inputting a video signal and an audio signal;
A signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the video signal and the audio signal input from the input unit;
A recording unit for recording a video signal and an audio signal that have been subjected to signal processing by the signal processing unit;
An interface unit for distributing a video signal and an audio signal recorded in the recording unit to a client terminal via a network;
A storage unit for storing history information of a video signal and audio signal distribution request from a client terminal;
A distribution apparatus comprising: a power supply control unit configured to control power supply to the input unit, the signal processing unit, and the recording unit according to history information stored in the storage unit. The distribution device according to claim 1,
An update control unit is provided for performing control to update history information stored in the storage unit based on time information when a distribution request is made when there is a video signal and audio signal distribution request from a client terminal. Distribution device.

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