JP2008224730A - Content distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content distribution device for selecting an encipherment system, according to the contents of the content to be transmitted and received, while maintaining real-time performance. <P>SOLUTION: A communication pathway and an encipherment system are selected separately in each data contained in content data to be distributed. Security is emphasized more than real-time performance, in data such as MIDI data for accompanying high level of importance of data protection to distribute the data via ISDN and a closed-area IP communication network. Real-time performance is emphasized in data such as user's singing voice and image data with low level of importance of data protection that enables distribution of the data via a SSL-VPN and an IP (without encryption). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution apparatus that encrypts content data and transmits / receives it.

  In recent years, services that stream audio data and video data have become widespread due to the speeding up of networks. However, since such streaming distribution is performed via the Internet, copyright problems such as unauthorized copying and unauthorized use have occurred. Therefore, many techniques for encrypting streaming data have been proposed.

However, if the encryption is more complicated than necessary, the processing load increases, and the real-time property that is characteristic of streaming data is hindered. In view of this, the streaming distribution system described in Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for efficiently performing streaming distribution by selecting one encryption process from a plurality of encryption processes.
JP 2004-187230 A

  However, the streaming distribution system of Patent Document 1 performs encryption with an emphasis on real-time performance, and thus lacks versatility. In other words, depending on the content of the streaming data (content), there are various types of content such as those that do not require encryption and those that require more emphasis on encryption than real-time properties. It was desired to change the method.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution apparatus that selects an encryption method according to the content of content to be transmitted and received while maintaining real-time characteristics.

  The content distribution device of the present invention includes an audio input unit that inputs audio signals to generate audio data, a camera that outputs video signals, a communication unit that communicates with other devices via one or more communication paths, A content data creation unit for creating content data including video data based on the audio data and video signals output from the camera, and a table describing an encryption method and a communication path for each type of data included in the content data Based on the table stored in the storage unit and the table stored in the storage unit, the encryption method or communication path of each data included in the content data is selected, and based on the selected encryption method or communication path Then, each data included in the content data is encrypted or not encrypted to other devices through the respective communication paths. And a control unit that distributes content data, characterized by comprising a.

  In this configuration, the audio data and video data included in the content data are encrypted by separate encryption methods and transmitted through the respective communication paths. For example, when transmitting singing voice sung by the user, karaoke performance data (MIDI data), and video data of the user, data for karaoke performance with a high degree of importance of data protection is sent to a dedicated line (ISDN or closed IP communication). The user's video data is transmitted via the Internet using the SSL-VPN protocol, and the user's singing voice is transmitted via the Internet without being encrypted.

  Furthermore, the present invention is further characterized in that the storage unit stores sequence data, and the content data creation unit includes the sequence data as the content data.

  In this configuration, sequence data stored in the storage unit as content data is included. The sequence data is MIDI data for performing karaoke performance, for example. Since this MIDI data is included in the content data and transmitted, it is reproduced together with the user's singing voice and video on the receiving side, and the user on the transmitting side can watch the karaoke being performed. Thereby, for example, a karaoke audition can be performed. In addition, audition can be performed even when the user on the transmission side plays any one part of the karaoke song in accordance with the karaoke performance sound.

  In addition, the present invention is further characterized in that the content data is streaming data.

  In this configuration, since the streaming data is transmitted as the audition data, the real-time property is further improved.

  Furthermore, the present invention is further characterized in that the content data creation unit generates a time code for synchronizing each data and includes the time code in the content data.

  In this configuration, by adding a time code to the content data, it can be reliably reproduced on the receiving side.

  According to the present invention, a highly versatile content distribution can be performed because a communication path and an encryption method are individually selected for each data based on the contents of various data included in the content data.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content distribution system of this embodiment has a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 1A to 1E connected via the Internet 2. In this embodiment, the contents include karaoke voice, singing voice, singer's video, and the like. The karaoke device corresponds to the content distribution device of the present invention.

  The karaoke apparatuses 1A to 1E all have the same configuration and function. Therefore, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the configuration and operation of the karaoke apparatus 1A are representatively shown.

  Karaoke device 1A and karaoke device 1B are installed at point 50. The karaoke apparatus 1 </ b> C is installed at the point 51. The karaoke apparatus 1D is installed at the point 60. The karaoke apparatus 1E is installed at the point 70. In addition, the number of karaoke apparatuses and an installation point are not restricted to this example.

  The karaoke apparatus 1A includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a display unit 13, a storage unit 14, an operation unit 15, a billing processing unit 16, a karaoke performance unit 17, a mixer 18, a speaker 19, a microphone 20, and a camera 21. Yes.

  The control unit 12 of the karaoke apparatus 1A reads karaoke song data from the storage unit 14 and inputs it to the karaoke performance unit 17 in response to a user request. The karaoke performance unit 17 performs a karaoke song and generates an audio signal. The karaoke song data includes audio data such as MIDI data (sequence data) and MP3. An audio signal may be generated by reproducing MIDI data, or an audio signal may be generated by reproducing audio data such as MP3 data. The sound signal of the performance sound and the singing sound input from the microphone 20 are mixed by the mixer 18 and output to the speaker 19 as sound. The control unit 12 reads out the lyrics data included in the karaoke song data and displays the lyrics on the display unit 13. Further, a background video or the like is also displayed on the display unit 13. As described above, the karaoke apparatus 1A has a normal karaoke performance function in the same manner as a general karaoke apparatus, but further includes a distribution function for distributing content data in addition to the karaoke performance function, and an encryption for encrypting the content data. It has a function.

  The distribution function transmits content data including karaoke song data (MIDI data and MP3 data), singing voice data of a singer, and video data (including still images and moving images) of a face and a figure to other devices. It is a function to do. In this distribution function, a communication path is selected for each data included in the content data. A user of each karaoke device can cause the user of another karaoke device to view his / her singing voice and video by distributing content data, and can hold a karaoke audition or a band contest. The encryption function is a function for encrypting various data of the content data, and is a function for selecting an encryption method for each data type. As the encryption method, SSL-VPN (AES256-SHA), SSL-VPN (RC4-MD5), or the like is selected.

  In order to realize these functions, the karaoke apparatus 1A transmits / receives data to / from a camera 21 that inputs image data, an operation unit 15 that inputs user operations, and other karaoke apparatuses through a plurality of communication paths (ISDN, IP). A communication unit 11 is provided. In addition, since this content distribution service is a paid service, a charging processing unit 16 is also provided for injecting a service fee.

  The content distribution mode will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the content distribution mode. First, the user sets a content distribution mode for the karaoke device (s11). Setting of the content distribution mode may be performed by inputting a command from the operation unit 15 or by inputting a command from an infrared remote controller attached to the karaoke apparatus. When the content distribution mode is set, the accounting processing unit 16 performs accounting processing (s12). The charging process may use any known method. Note that the charging process is not performed at this timing, but may be performed after content distribution. The billing process includes not only charging a usage fee, but also includes processing for discounting (cashing back) a usage fee by distributing content and holding an audition. When auditing, the discount rate may be changed according to the examination result, or the usage fee may be free.

  When the accounting process is completed, the user selects a karaoke song as usual and starts karaoke performance (s13), and sings along with the performance of the karaoke song. The karaoke apparatus 1A generates singing voice data based on the singing sound, karaoke song data, and video data of the user, and creates content data (s14). This content data is generated and distributed as streaming data. Although it is not essential in the present invention that it is streaming data, it is generated as streaming data in this embodiment in order to improve real-time performance.

  The singing audio data may be generated as compressed audio data such as ADPCM and MP3 data, and the video data may be generated as compressed video data such as MPEG. The karaoke song data includes accompaniment MIDI data, accompaniment tone designation extension data (DSP control data), and the like.

  The karaoke apparatus 1A selects a communication path for transmitting each generated data and an encryption method for each data (s15). The communication path and the encryption method are determined based on a table stored in the storage unit 14. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a table describing communication paths and encryption methods. FIG. 6A is a table showing the correspondence between media types and security levels. This table may be common to each karaoke device or may be different for each karaoke device.

  As shown in the table of FIG. 5A, a separate security level is assigned to each data included in the content data. Of the above karaoke song data, accompaniment MIDI data (accompaniment MIDI) is assigned a security level “high”, and extended data for accompaniment tone color designation (accompaniment tone color) is assigned a security level “medium”. ing. Further, a security level “low” is assigned to the singing voice data (user voice), and a security level “low” is assigned to the video data (user video).

  This is because the accompaniment MIDI data is copyrighted by the music creator and the like, and the importance of encryption is high, and the user's voice and video are low in importance of encryption. In addition, about the user audio | voice and user image | video in this table, the user of each karaoke apparatus may enable it to change a security level. Some users may not want to know their singing voice and video, and in that case, the security level can be changed to “high” or “medium” to increase the importance of encryption.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the correspondence between the security level and the communication path / encryption method. This table varies depending on each karaoke apparatus.
First, as shown in the upper column of FIG. 3B, the karaoke apparatus 1A assigns the ISDN network to the security level “high”, assigns the SSL-VPN (AES256-SHA) to the security level “medium”, and sets the security level. SSL-VPN (RC4-MD5) is assigned to “low”. Therefore, the karaoke apparatus 1A assigns an ISDN network to the accompaniment MIDI, assigns an SSL-VPN (AES256-SHA) to the accompaniment tone color, and assigns an SSL-VPN (RC4-MD5) to the user's voice and user video.

  The communication unit 11 of the karaoke apparatus 1A has a function of transmitting and receiving data by ISDN, and distributes accompaniment MIDI data via the ISDN network. Although ISDN has a low communication speed (64 kbps), it communicates via a dedicated line, and therefore has strong security without encrypting data to be transmitted and received. The distribution destination may be a karaoke device designated by the user, or an arbitrary karaoke device (for example, a karaoke device installed at a close position). Alternatively, it may be distributed only to the karaoke apparatus which has transmitted the audition notification in advance and has transmitted that it participates in the examination in response to this notification. The transmission may be unicast transmission or multicast transmission.

  Moreover, the communication part 11 of a karaoke apparatus has the function to transmit / receive data via IP, and distributes the expansion data for accompaniment tone color specification by the protocol of SSL-VPN (AES256-SHA). SSL-VPN (AES256-SHA) is lower in security than ISDN because it transmits data via the Internet, but the data is transmitted after being strongly encrypted. Moreover, the communication part 11 of a karaoke apparatus delivers singing voice data and video data with the protocol of SSL-VPN (RC4-MD5). SSL-VPN (RC4-MD5) is less secure than SSL-VPN (AES256-SHA), but has a feature of high speed.

  Each data is transmitted separately, but can be synchronized by adding a time code. Also, the singing voice data and the video data may be multiplexed into one data (MPEG data or the like) in the received karaoke apparatus.

  In this way, because the communication path and encryption method are selected for each data, security is more important than real-time for those with high importance of data protection, and real-time for those with low importance of data protection. Emphasis on sex.

  As shown in the lower column of FIG. 5B, the karaoke apparatus 1B assigns the closed IP communication network to the security level “high”, and assigns the SSL-VPN (RC4-MD5) to the security level “medium”. IP (no encryption) is assigned to the security level “low”. Therefore, the karaoke apparatus 1B assigns a closed IP communication network to the accompaniment MIDI, assigns SSL-VPN (RC4-MD5) to the accompaniment tone color, and assigns IP (no encryption) to the user's voice and user video.

  The communication unit 11 of the karaoke apparatus 1B distributes accompaniment MIDI data via the closed IP communication network. A closed IP communication network is a wide area communication that uses a dedicated IP network of a communication carrier and has a high communication cost. However, since communication is performed via a dedicated line, strong security can be achieved without encrypting data to be transmitted and received. Have sex.

  Moreover, the communication part 11 of the karaoke apparatus 1B distributes the expansion data for accompaniment tone color specification by the protocol of SSL-VPN (RC4-MD5). Singing voice data and video data are distributed via the Internet without encryption. Without encryption, it is the fastest but the security is low.

  In the example of FIG. 5B, if the distribution destination of the content data does not correspond to the closed IP communication network, the communication path may be changed to the ISDN communication network or the SSL-VPN. Further, in the example of FIG. 5A, if it does not support ISDN, the communication path may be changed to the SSL-VPN communication path.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the communication path / encryption method of each data can be appropriately set according to the environment of each karaoke device. Depending on the karaoke device, cost, security, and high speed can be set as appropriate, and the versatility is very high. For example, if the installer of the karaoke device (karaoke store manager) is aware of the cost, ISDN and SSL-VPN can be set, and the security and speed of each data rather than the cost (quality of the distribution service) If you are aware of this, you can set up a closed IP communication network.

  In the above embodiment, the karaoke apparatus is exemplified as the content distribution apparatus and the karaoke system is exemplified as the content distribution system. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A general personal computer can also be used as the content distribution apparatus. Further, it can be used not only for karaoke auditions but also for other general events (for example, a band contest). When used in a band contest, it is only necessary to capture the performance of a plurality of users with the camera 21 and collect the performance sounds of the users with the microphone 20. Also, a plurality of cameras and microphones may be installed, and each user's performance may be photographed by a plurality of cameras, and each user's performance sound may be collected by the plurality of microphones. When shooting with a plurality of cameras, the shot images of the cameras may be combined into a single video data. When a user performs using an electronic musical instrument, a sound signal of performance sound may be directly input by line input.

  In addition, when using the audition apparatus of this invention for a band contest, a karaoke performance sound is not an essential structural requirement. That is, the content data includes user performance sound (corresponding to singing voice data in the above embodiment) and video data.

  It is also possible for the user to play any one part of the karaoke music according to the karaoke performance sound. In this case, the karaoke performance may not be performed only for the part for which the user is in charge of the performance (minus one playback).

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a karaoke system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a karaoke apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a karaoke apparatus. It is a figure which shows the table which selects a communication path and an encryption system.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E-Karaoke device 2-Internet

Claims (4)

An audio input unit that inputs audio signals and generates audio data;
A camera that outputs a video signal;
A communication unit that communicates with other devices via one or more communication paths;
A content data creation unit for creating content data including video data based on the audio data and the video signal output by the camera;
A storage unit storing a table describing an encryption method and a communication path for each type of data included in the content data;
Based on the table stored in the storage unit, select the encryption method or communication path of each data included in the content data,
Based on the selected encryption method or communication path, a controller that encrypts each data included in the content data or distributes the content data to other devices via the respective communication path without encryption ,
A content distribution apparatus comprising: The storage unit stores sequence data,
The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content data creation unit includes the sequence data as the content data.   The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content data is streaming data.   The content distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the content data creation unit generates a time code for synchronizing each data and includes the time code in the content data.

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