JP2008167195A - Content distributing method, content receiving method, content distributing apparatus, and content receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently store a content to be distributed in streaming. <P>SOLUTION: A LAN communication section 40 receives contents from a content distributing apparatus repeatedly distributing the same content. An input section 54 receives an instruction of the contents currently received. A data storage section 50 stores the contents received in the LAN communication section 40 on the basis of the received storage instruction. When the content storage starts at the midway of the contents, the data storage section 50 stores the contents until the whole content storage completes by the repeatedly distributed content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution technique and a content reception technique, and more particularly to a content distribution method, a content reception method, a content distribution apparatus, and a content reception apparatus for streaming distribution of content.

There is a demand for the viewer to record the entire broadcast program after viewing it. Techniques for solving such a demand are being studied. For example, when a broadcast program is received, the broadcast is automatically recorded from the start of the program, and the first part of the program is stored in a temporary storage area. In addition, after the start of the program, a space is allocated in the semi-permanent storage area when a recording command is received from the viewer. As a result, the second part of the program is recorded in the allocated space of the semi-permanent storage area. Finally, the first and second parts of the program are combined in a semi-permanent storage area to create a recording of the program (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a configuration, in addition to the terminal device for viewing the broadcast program, a device for recording the broadcast program is required.
JP-T-2004-505554

  In a case where the viewer is in a form of recording while watching a broadcast program while using the mobile terminal device at a place outside the office, it is difficult to separately prepare a device for recording the broadcast program. In addition, recording a broadcast program that the viewer does not want to record in advance consumes power of the mobile terminal device wastefully.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution technique and a content reception technique for efficiently storing contents to be distributed by streaming.

  In order to solve the above problems, a content receiving device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a content receiving unit that receives content from a content distribution device that repeatedly distributes the same content, and content received by the content receiving unit An instruction reception unit that receives the storage instruction, and a content storage unit that stores the content received by the content reception unit based on the storage instruction received by the instruction reception unit. When the storage is started from the middle of the content, the content storage unit stores the content until the storage of the entire content is completed by the repeatedly distributed content.

  “Content” corresponds to each of video data, audio data, information data included in a program, or any combination thereof. Further, the “content” may be video data itself or may be obtained by performing processing such as encoding on video data or the like. According to this aspect, even when storage is started from the middle of the content, the entire content is stored by using the repeatedly distributed content, so that the content that is streamed is received and stored efficiently. it can.

  The content received by the content receiving unit is composed of packets divided into a certain length, and a serial number is added to each packet so that the relative position in the content can be recognized. The content storage unit may end the storage of the entire content when receiving a packet having the same serial number as the serial number at the start of content storage.

  You may further provide the control part which performs rearrangement based on a serial number with respect to the packet memorize | stored in the content memory | storage part. In this case, since the rearrangement is performed on the received packets, the contents can be stored regardless of the order of receiving the packets.

  A control unit may be further provided that stores the relationship between the packets stored in the content storage unit in the content storage unit based on the serial number. In this case, since the relationship between the packets is stored, the content can be stored regardless of the order in which the packets are received.

  Another aspect of the present invention is also a content receiving device. This device includes a content receiving unit that receives content from a content distribution device that repeatedly distributes the same content, an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to save the content received by the content receiving unit, and an instruction receiving unit And a content storage unit for storing the content received by the content reception unit based on the storage instruction. The content storage unit receives the save instruction in the instruction receiving unit, and then starts storage when detecting the leading portion of the content and ends storage when detecting the trailing portion of the content.

  According to this aspect, when the storage is started from the middle of the content, the storage is started when the head portion of the content is detected, so that it is possible to efficiently store the content distributed by streaming.

  The content received by the content receiving unit includes information about the beginning and end of the content, and the content storage unit is based on the information about the beginning and end of the content included in the content. Detection of the beginning part and the end part of the content may be performed. In this case, since information that can recognize the head part and the tail part in the content is added, the head part and the tail part in the content can be recognized by using this information.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a content distribution apparatus. This apparatus includes a content storage unit that stores content, a content conversion unit that converts a format of content stored in the content storage unit into a format suitable for distribution, and content distribution that repeatedly distributes the content converted by the content conversion unit A part. The content conversion unit adds information for indicating the relative position in the content to the converted content.

  According to this aspect, since the information for informing the relative position in the content is added, the relative position in the content can be notified to the content receiving apparatus, and the content can be stored efficiently. .

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a content receiving method. This method is a content receiving method for storing received content when a content is received from a content distribution apparatus that repeatedly distributes the same content and receiving a content storage instruction, and starts storing in the middle of the content In this case, the content is stored until the storage of the entire content is completed by the repeatedly distributed content.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a content receiving method. This method is a content reception method for storing received content when a content is received from a content distribution apparatus that repeatedly distributes the same content, and when a storage instruction for the content is received. Storage is started when the head portion of the content is detected, and storage is ended when the tail portion of the content is detected.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a content distribution method. This method is a content distribution method for repeatedly distributing content, and adds information for informing the relative position in the content to the content.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently store content that is streamed.

  Before describing the present invention in detail, an outline will be described. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a content distribution system that distributes content to be communicated such as advertisement information (hereinafter referred to as “communication content”) from a content distribution device to a content reception device. Here, the content receiving device corresponds to, for example, a mobile phone terminal device or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). In a content distribution system, a content distribution device repeatedly broadcasts the same communication content using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) method, and a user receives and views the communication content at the content reception device.

  When the content distribution device distributes a plurality of communication contents, a different channel may be allocated to each communication content and distributed at the same time, or a plurality of communication contents may be sequentially distributed while switching over one channel. May be. Here, the channel corresponds to a combination of an IP address and a port number as a transmission destination when communication content is distributed by IP multicast. If the IP multicast is not used, the channel may be specified by a port number.

  When the user instructs to record the communication content while viewing the communication content on the content receiving device, the content receiving device starts recording immediately after the recording instruction even in the middle of the communication content. In addition, the content receiving apparatus records the remaining part by using the repeated communication content after recording to the end of the communication content. Further, the content receiving apparatus generates the entire recorded content by combining the recorded parts.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a content distribution system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content distribution system 100 includes a content distribution device 10 and a content reception device 12. Here, a plurality of content receiving apparatuses 12 may exist.

  The content distribution device 10 accumulates content. In addition, the content distribution device 10 performs conversion of the accumulated content into a communication content format, and distributes the communication content by a wireless LAN method. The “communication content” has a format particularly suitable for transmission by a wireless LAN system or the like. Here, the content distribution apparatus 10 repeatedly distributes communication content.

  The content receiving device 12 receives communication content distributed from the content distribution device 10 using the wireless LAN method, and converts the format of the received communication content into a broadcast format. This broadcast format corresponds to a TS packet format described later. Further, the content receiving device 12 outputs the communication content converted into the broadcast format. Furthermore, the content receiving device 12 records from the beginning to the end of the communication content being viewed according to the recording instruction from the user.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the content distribution apparatus 10. The content distribution device 10 includes an antenna 28, a LAN distribution unit 24, a content storage unit 20, a content conversion unit 22, and a control unit 26. The content storage unit 20 stores content. The format of the content stored in the content storage unit 20 has a TS packet format as described later. The content storage unit 20 may store communication content.

  The content conversion unit 22 converts the content format stored in the content storage unit 20 into a format suitable for streaming delivery (hereinafter, content in a format suitable for streaming delivery is also referred to as “communication content”). That is, the content conversion unit 22 acquires content stored in the content storage unit 20, converts the content format into a format that can be distributed by the wireless LAN method, and outputs the converted communication content to the LAN distribution unit 24. Here, the content conversion unit 22 adds information for notifying the relative position in the communication content to the converted communication content.

  Further, the content conversion unit 22 may add content identification information to the communication content. For example, when the content distribution device 10 distributes a plurality of communication contents, the content conversion unit 22 performs communication so that the content reception device 12 and the content distribution device 10 can identify the content in the recording request described later. Content information for identifying the content is included in the communication content.

  FIGS. 3A to 3D show the format of content processed in the content distribution apparatus 10. FIG. 3A shows a content format defined in terrestrial digital broadcasting. FIG. 3A corresponds to the aforementioned broadcast format. The content is composed of a plurality of TS packets, which are shown as “TS1”, “TS2” to “TS18” in FIG. A TS packet is a unit of data defined in digital terrestrial broadcasting, and the content receiving apparatus 12 can use a decoding function for digital terrestrial broadcasting on the TS packet.

  FIGS. 3B to 3D show the format of the content stored in the content storage unit 20 and the content converted in the content conversion unit 22. The content storage unit 20 stores content in a format obtained by dividing the format shown in FIG. That is, the content storage unit 20 is configured with a format composed of “TS1” to “TS7” shown in FIG. 3B, and with “TS8” to “TS14” shown in FIG. The format composed of “TS15” to “TS18” shown in FIG. 3D is stored.

  Further, the content conversion unit 22 adds the unique header shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D to the content acquired from the content storage unit 20. Here, the content information for identifying the content and the information for notifying the relative position in the communication content are stored in the unique header. For example, the information for informing the relative position in the communication content corresponds to a sequence number given in the order of the generated IP packets. Here, the content conversion unit 22 dynamically adds a unique header to each content, but the content storage unit 20 may store content with the unique header added.

  4A to 4E show the format of the IP packet generated in the content distribution apparatus 10. FIG. 4A shows the format of an IP packet. The IP packet is composed of an IP header portion and an IP packet data portion. FIG. 4B shows the format of the IP packet data part, and the IP packet data part is composed of a UDP header part and a UDP data part. FIG. 4C shows the format of the UDP data part, and the UDP data part is composed of an RTP header part and an RTP data part.

  FIG. 4D shows the format of the RTP data portion, and the RTP data portion is composed of a unique header portion and a unique data portion. FIG. 4E shows the configuration of the unique data portion, and the content to be distributed is stored in the unique data portion in the form of a plurality of TS packets. One IP packet may store one TS packet, or may store a plurality of TS packets as illustrated. When all TS packets of content cannot be stored in one IP packet, as shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D, the TS packets are divided according to the order of the data string, and each of them is unique to a plurality of IP packets. You may store in a data part.

  The unique header stores content information for identifying the content assigned to the unique data portion and a sequence number assigned in order from the top in accordance with the order of the data sequence of the communication content. When the content conversion unit 22 receives the content shown in the format of FIG. 4 (e) from the content storage unit 20, FIG. 4 (d), FIG. 4 (c), FIG. 4 (b), FIG. Conversion is performed in the order of (a). Here, the content converted into the format shown in FIG. 4A corresponds to the communication content described above. Returning to FIG.

  The LAN distribution unit 24 performs streaming distribution of the communication content generated in the content conversion unit 22 via the antenna 28. Here, the LAN distribution unit 24 repeatedly distributes communication content. The LAN distribution unit 24 sequentially distributes IP packets corresponding to a plurality of contents shown in FIGS. The LAN distribution unit 24 repeats the distribution of IP packets until receiving a broadcast end instruction. The control unit 26 controls the operation of each component included in the content distribution device 10.

  This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in terms of software, it is realized by a program having a communication function loaded in the memory. Describes functional blocks realized by collaboration. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the content receiving device 12. The content receiving apparatus 12 includes a LAN communication unit 40, an IP packet processing unit 42, a content processing unit 44, a TS packet processing unit 46, an output unit 48, a data storage unit 50, a control unit 52, an input unit 54, and an antenna 56.

  The LAN communication unit 40 receives communication content distributed in a streaming format from the content distribution device 10 (not shown) via the antenna 56. That is, the LAN communication unit 40 receives an IP packet corresponding to the wireless LAN method. Here, the same communication content is repeatedly distributed from the content distribution apparatus 10. In addition, as described above, the communication content is configured by IP packets divided into a certain length, and serial numbers such as “1” and “2” are added to the respective IP packets. . When receiving the IP packet, the LAN communication unit 40 outputs the IP packet data unit to the IP packet processing unit 42.

  The IP packet processing unit 42 outputs the IP packet data unit received from the LAN communication unit 40 to the content processing unit 44. In addition, when the content receiver 12 is in the recording state, the IP packet processing unit 42 extracts the RTP data part from the IP packet data part and records the RTP data part in the data storage unit 50. Further, the IP packet processing unit 42 outputs a recording stop signal to the data storage unit 50 when recording is stopped.

  The content processing unit 44 extracts TS packets from the received IP packet data unit, and outputs the TS packets to the TS packet processing unit 46 according to the order. As described above, the UDP packet is stored in the IP packet data part, and further, the RTP packet is stored in the UDP packet data part of the UDP packet. Since such an RTP packet includes a TS packet, the content processing unit 44 extracts the TS packet from the RTP packet. The content processing unit 44 also has a function of stably outputting TS packets by executing buffering and the like.

  The TS packet processing unit 46 sequentially analyzes the received TS packets and reproduces the content. The TS packet processing unit 46 receives TS packets and sorts video and audio TS packets based on PID (Packet ID). In addition, the TS packet processing unit 46 selects a built-in AAC decoder or H.264 according to the selection result. The TS packet is processed by the H.264 decoder. For this process, a packet including control information called SI / PSI (Service Information / Program Specific Information) is used. In addition to the video signal and the audio signal, data broadcast and caption information may be included, but they are omitted in this embodiment.

  H. The H.264 decoder removes the header of the TS packet related to the video and concatenates the payload to generate a PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) packet. H. The H.264 decoder obtains an ES (Elementary Stream) by removing the header of the PES packet and concatenating the payload. Further, H.C. The H.264 decoder decodes the ES and outputs an uncompressed video signal to the output unit 48. The AAC decoder performs H.264 for voice packets. It operates in the same manner as the H.264 decoder and outputs an audio signal to the output unit 48.

  The output unit 48 includes a liquid crystal screen or the like. A video is provided to the user by displaying the video signal output from the H.264 decoder. The output unit 48 includes a speaker and the like, and provides the user with sound by outputting the sound signal output from the AAC decoder.

  The input unit 54 is an interface with the user, and receives an instruction to save the communication content received in the LAN communication unit 40 from the user. The input unit 54 requests the control unit 52 to set the recording standby state. The control unit 52 sets and manages whether the state of the content receiving device 12 is a recording state, a recording standby state, or a non-recording state based on signals from the input unit 54 and the IP packet processing unit 42. .

  The data storage unit 50 performs reordering on the RTP data unit received from the IP packet processing unit 42 according to the order of the sequence numbers included in the unique header, and combines the TS packets according to the order. Completed communication content is generated and stored. As described above, the data storage unit 50 stores the content received by the content receiving unit based on the storage instruction received by the instruction receiving unit. In addition, when the storage starts from the middle of the content, the data storage unit 50 stores the content until the storage of the entire content is completed by the repeatedly distributed content. It is assumed that the data storage unit 50 has finished storing the entire content when it receives a packet with the same serial number as the content storage start time. Finally, the data storage unit 50 rearranges the stored packets based on the serial numbers.

  6A to 6D show the operation principle of the content distribution system 100. FIG. FIG. 6A shows communication content transmitted from the content distribution apparatus 10. As described above, the communication content is distributed using the LAN method. Therefore, the content distribution apparatus 10 generates IP packets by storing in order from the first TS packet, and distributes the IP packets in order. Only one TS packet may be stored in one IP packet, or a plurality of TS packets may be stored. In FIG. 6A, the order of “1” to “5” is assigned to each IP packet, and one communication content is formed by the IP packets “1” to “5”. Further, as shown in the figure, the communication content is repeatedly distributed.

  FIG. 6B shows communication content received by the content receiving device 12. The content receiving device 12 receives communication content distributed by the LAN method from the content distribution device 10 in the form of an IP packet. Therefore, FIG. 6B is the same as FIG. The content receiving device 12 converts the received IP packet into a TS packet format and outputs it. When the user is viewing the communication content, for example, in “R” in FIG. 6B, when the content receiving device 12 instructs recording, the content receiving device 12 receives the IP packet received immediately after the recording instruction, for example, Recording starts from “S” in FIG.

  Further, the content receiving device 12 records up to the last IP packet of the communication content, and from the first packet of the same communication content to be distributed next, immediately before the IP packet that has started recording, For example, IP packets up to “T” in FIG. 6B are recorded. FIG. 6C shows an IP packet recorded in the content receiving device 12 by the above processing. The content receiving apparatus 12 generates one complete communication content by performing rearrangement as shown in FIG. 6D on the IP packets recorded as shown in FIG.

The operation of the content distribution system 100 configured as above will be described. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a content storage procedure by the content distribution system 100.
The content distribution device 10 performs streaming distribution of the communication content to the content reception device 12 (S10). The user views the distributed communication content using the content receiving device 12. When the content receiving device 12 receives a save instruction from the user during content viewing (S12), the content receiving device 12 stores the received communication content (S14).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an IP packet distribution procedure by the content distribution apparatus 10. The content conversion unit 22 acquires content from the content storage unit 20 (S30), generates an IP packet as transmission content, and outputs the IP packet to the LAN distribution unit 24. The LAN distribution unit 24 distributes IP packets by streaming according to the order (S32). If the broadcast is not finished (N in S34), the process returns to step 32. If the broadcast ends (Y in S34), the process ends.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the IP packet processing unit 42 in the content receiving device 12. The content receiving device 12 transitions from the non-recording state to the recording state according to a user instruction. When receiving the IP packet data part, the IP packet processing unit 42 determines whether or not the content receiving device 12 is in the recording standby state (S50), and when it is in the recording standby state (Y in S50), the received IP packet The unique header of the data part is recorded, and the state of the content receiving device 12 is changed from the recording standby state to the recording state (S52). Further, the IP packet processing unit 42 outputs the RTP data part of the received IP packet data part to the data storage unit 50 (S54). On the other hand, when not in the recording standby state (N in S50), the IP packet processing unit 42 determines whether or not the content receiving device 12 is in the recording state (S56).

  If it is not in the recording state (N in S56), the IP packet processing unit 42 transmits the received IP packet data unit to the content processing unit 44 (S64), and ends the process. In the recording state (Y in S56), the IP packet processing unit 42 acquires the content information included in the unique header of the received IP packet data unit, and the acquired content information and the content receiving device 12 hold it. The content information included in the unique header information is compared (S58). If they do not match (N in S58), the IP packet processing unit 42 transmits the received IP packet data unit to the content processing unit 44 (S64), and ends the process. If they match (Y in S58), the IP packet processing unit 42 acquires the sequence number included in the unique header of the received IP packet data part, and is included in the acquired sequence number and the information of the retained unique header The sequence numbers to be compared are compared (S60). Here, the sequence number corresponds to the aforementioned serial number.

  If they match (Y in S60), the IP packet processing unit 42 changes the state of the content receiving device 12 from the recording state to the non-recording state, and outputs an end signal to the data storage unit 50 (S62). In addition, the IP packet processing unit 42 transmits the data part of the received IP packet to the content processing unit 44 (S64), and ends the process. If they do not match (N in S60), the IP packet processing unit 42 transmits the IP packet to the data storage unit 50 (S54), further transmits the IP packet data unit to the content processing unit 44 (S64), and ends the processing. To do.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the data storage unit 50. When receiving the RTP data part (Y in S80), the data storage unit 50 records the RTP data part (S82). If not received (N in S80), the data storage unit 50 stands by. The data storage unit 50 determines whether an end signal has been received (S84). If not received (N in S84), the data storage unit 50 continues to wait for input of the RTP data unit from the IP packet processing unit 42. When the end signal is received (Y in S84), the data storage unit 50 rearranges the recorded RTP data parts in the order of the sequence numbers described in the unique header (S86). Further, the data storage unit 50 extracts TS packets from the respective RTP data units, combines them in order, and records them (S88).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the TS packet processing unit 46. The TS packet processing unit 46 performs video and audio TS packet separation processing on the received TS packet (S100). The TS packet processing unit 46 performs output processing on each of the video TS packet and the audio TS packet (S102). That is, the TS packet processing unit 46 reproduces video from the video TS packet and reproduces audio from the audio TS packet.

  Below, the modification of a present Example is demonstrated. The content receiving apparatus according to the modification stores the communication content being distributed, as in the embodiment. However, after receiving a recording instruction, the content receiving apparatus according to the modification records the entire content by recording from the next start to the end of the same content broadcast. In the embodiment, recording starts immediately after the user's recording instruction, and then the IP packets are rearranged. There is a demand to reduce the processing amount of the content receiving apparatus. As in the modified example, by providing the content start information and end information to the communication content and starting recording from the start of the content, IP packet rearrangement processing becomes unnecessary, and the processing amount of the content receiving apparatus is reduced. The

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation principle of the content receiving device 12 according to the modification of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows communication content received by the content receiving device 12 as in FIG. As described above, the communication content distributed from the content distribution apparatus 10 is stored in the IP packet and distributed using the LAN method. A unique header area is assigned to the data portion of each IP packet, and content information, a start signal, and an end signal are written in the unique header.

  The start signal indicates whether the IP packet includes the first TS packet of the communication content. The end signal indicates whether the IP packet includes the last TS packet of the communication content. Note that the serial numbers described above may be used as the start signal and the end signal. When the user is viewing the communication content, for example, when “R” in FIG. 12 instructs the content receiving device 12 to record, the content receiving device 12 starts recording from the next packet “1”. Further, the content receiving apparatus 12 records IP packets up to the packet “5”.

  The content distribution system 100, the content distribution device 10, and the content reception device 12 according to the modification are the content distribution system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the content distribution device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2, and the content reception illustrated in FIG. It is the same type as the device 12. Here, the description will focus on functions different from the configuration shown in FIG.

  The LAN communication unit 40 receives communication content from the content distribution device 10 that repeatedly distributes the same communication content. Here, the communication content received by the LAN communication unit 40 includes information regarding the head portion and the tail portion of the content. Here, these pieces of information may be included in the unique header of each IP packet corresponding to the head portion and the tail portion, or a serial number may be included in each IP packet. That is, it is only necessary that the content receiving device 12 can grasp the head portion and the tail portion of the content.

  The input unit 54 receives an instruction to save the communication content received by the LAN communication unit 40. The IP packet processing unit 42 stores the communication content received by the LAN communication unit 40 in the data storage unit 50 based on the save instruction received by the input unit 54. At that time, after receiving the save instruction at the input unit 54, the IP packet processing unit 42 starts storing when detecting the head portion of the communication content and ends storing when detecting the tail portion of the communication content. To do. Note that the IP packet processing unit 42 detects the beginning part and the ending part of the content based on information on the beginning part and the ending part of the content included in the content.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the IP packet processing unit 42 according to the modification of the present invention. The content receiving device 12 transitions from the non-recording state to the recording standby state according to a user instruction. When receiving the IP packet data part, the IP packet processing part 42 determines whether it is in a recording standby state (S140). When it is in the recording standby state (Y in S140), the IP packet processing unit 42 determines whether the start signal in the unique header of the received IP packet data unit is valid (S142). If it is not valid (N in S142), the IP packet processing unit 42 outputs the received IP packet data unit to the content processing unit 44 (S154).

  If it is valid (Y in S142), the IP packet processing unit 42 changes the state of the content receiving device 12 to the recording state (S144), and outputs the received RTP data portion of the IP packet data portion to the data storage unit 50. (S146). When not in the recording standby state (N of S140), the IP packet processing unit 42 determines whether it is in the recording state (S150). If it is not in the recording state (N in S150), the IP packet processing unit 42 outputs the received IP packet data unit to the content processing unit 44 (S154). When it is in the recording state (Y in S150), the IP packet processing unit 42 outputs the RTP data part of the IP packet data part to the data storage unit 50 (S146).

  After transmitting the RTP data portion to the data storage portion 50, the IP packet processing portion 42 determines whether the end signal included in the received unique header of the IP packet data portion is valid (S148). If it is not valid (N in S148), the IP packet processing unit 42 outputs the received IP packet data unit to the content processing unit 44 (S154). If it is valid (Y in S148), the IP packet processing unit 42 changes the state of the content receiving device 12 to the non-recording state, and outputs a recording end signal to the data storage unit 50 (S152). The IP packet processing unit 42 outputs the received IP packet data unit to the content processing unit 44 (S154).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, even when the storage of the communication content is started in the middle, the communication content is stored until the storage of the entire communication content is completed while the communication content distributed repeatedly is used. Therefore, it is possible to store efficiently while receiving the communication content distributed by streaming. In addition, since a serial number that can recognize the relative position in the communication content is given to each IP packet, the relative position in the communication content can be recognized by using this serial number. Further, since the rearrangement is performed on the received IP packets, the contents can be stored regardless of the order of receiving the IP packets.

  In addition, according to this modification, since information that can recognize the head part and the tail part in the communication content is given, even if the storage starts from the middle of the communication content, the head part of the communication content is detected. In this case, the storage can be started, and the communication content streamed can be received efficiently while being received.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the content distribution apparatus 10 distributes one communication content. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the content distribution device 10 may distribute a plurality of types of communication content. At that time, content information is added to the unique header. According to this modification, even if there are a plurality of types of streaming content, the desired communication content can be specified. Further, only the communication content to be recorded can be recorded based on the content information.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the content receiving device 12 records the communication content being viewed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the content receiving device 12 may record communication content that is not viewed based on information obtained from a program guide or the like. Even if the user stops viewing during recording, the content receiving device 12 may continue to receive communication content and perform recording. Further, even when a state in which an IP packet cannot be received occurs during recording of the communication content, the content reception device 12 receives the same communication content to be distributed next and cannot receive the IP packet. May be supplemented. According to this modification, the present invention can be applied to various forms.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the description has been made assuming that authentication is not performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, authentication may be performed between the content distribution apparatus 10 and the content reception apparatus 12 before content transmission / reception. Also, wireless LAN encryption called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), or double encryption may be used. According to this modification, the safety of the content distribution system 100 can be improved.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the communication network is a wireless LAN. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication network may be a communication system that conforms to the IEEE 802.15 standard. Further, a wired LAN may be used instead of the wireless LAN. According to this modification, various communication systems can be applied to the present invention.

  In the modification of the present invention, the data storage unit 50 rearranges the RTP data unit received from the IP packet processing unit 42 according to the sequence number order included in the unique header. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the IP packet processing unit 42 stores the relationship between the IP packets stored in the data storage unit 50 in the data storage unit 50 based on the sequence number, that is, the serial number. May be. This corresponds to storing link information of TS packets. According to this modification, since the relationship between the IP packets is stored, the content can be stored regardless of the order in which the packets are received.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the content delivery system which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the content delivery apparatus of FIG. FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams showing a format of content processed in the content distribution apparatus of FIG. 4A to 4E are diagrams showing the format of an IP packet generated in the content distribution apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the content receiver of FIG. 6A to 6D are diagrams showing the operation principle of the content distribution system of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the storage procedure of the content by the content delivery system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the delivery procedure of the IP packet by the content delivery apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the IP packet process part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the memory | storage part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the TS packet process part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the principle of operation of the content receiver which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the IP packet process part which concerns on the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10 content distribution device, 12 content reception device, 20 content storage unit, 22 content conversion unit, 24 LAN distribution unit, 26 control unit, 28 antenna, 40 LAN communication unit, 42 IP packet processing unit, 44 content processing unit, 46 TS Packet processing unit, 48 output unit, 50 data storage unit, 52 control unit, 54 input unit, 56 antenna, 100 content distribution system.

Claims (10)

A content receiver that receives content from a content distribution device that repeatedly distributes the same content;
An instruction receiving unit for receiving an instruction to save the content received in the content receiving unit;
A content storage unit for storing the content received in the content receiving unit based on the storage instruction received in the instruction receiving unit;
The content storage device stores the content until the storage of the entire content is completed by the repeatedly distributed content when the storage starts from the middle of the content. The content received by the content receiving unit is composed of packets divided into a certain length, and a serial number is added to each packet,
2. The content receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the content storage unit receives a packet having a serial number that is the same as a serial number at the start of storage of content, the storage of the entire content is completed.   The content receiving apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that rearranges the packets stored in the content storage unit based on a serial number.   The content receiving apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that causes the content storage unit to store a relationship between the packets stored in the content storage unit based on a serial number. A content receiver that receives content from a content distribution device that repeatedly distributes the same content;
An instruction receiving unit for receiving an instruction to save the content received in the content receiving unit;
A content storage unit for storing the content received in the content receiving unit based on the storage instruction received in the instruction receiving unit;
The content storage unit starts storage when detecting a head portion of content after receiving a save instruction in the instruction receiving unit, and ends storage when detecting a tail portion of content. Content receiving device. The content received by the content receiving unit includes information on the beginning part and the end part of the content,
6. The content receiving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the content storage unit detects a head part and a tail part of the content based on information about a head part and a tail part of the content included in the content. A content storage unit for storing content;
A content conversion unit that converts the format of the content stored in the content storage unit into a format suitable for distribution;
A content distribution unit that repeatedly distributes the content converted in the content conversion unit,
The content distribution unit is characterized in that information for indicating a relative position in the content is added to the converted content. A content receiving method for receiving content from a content distribution device that repeatedly distributes the same content and receiving the content storage instruction, and storing the received content,
What is claimed is: 1. A content receiving method comprising: storing content when the storage is started from the middle of the content until the storage of the entire content is completed by the repeatedly distributed content. A content receiving method for receiving content from a content distribution device that repeatedly distributes the same content and receiving the content storage instruction, and storing the received content,
A content receiving method characterized in that after receiving a storage instruction, storage is started when a head portion of the content is detected, and storage is ended when a tail portion of the content is detected. A content distribution method for repeatedly distributing content,
A content distribution method, characterized in that information for indicating a relative position in content is added to the content.

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