JP2008269514A - Receiver, transmitter, delivery method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content download delivery reservation method along with a recording reservation function of a broadcast program in consideration of a processing capability in an appliance and the use state of resources in a digital household electrical appliance which comprises a network connection function and a video recording device and receives a broadcast program service and a content delivery service. <P>SOLUTION: In this content delivery system comprising a delivery server device and a recording and reproducing device, the recording and reproducing device is provided with a program recording reservation part for managing broadcast program recording reservation information using a video recording function provided in the device, a terminal resource managing part for managing resource use reservation information, such as the video recording function provided in the device, a network communication function and a processing load of the device, and a download reservation part for determining a content distribution time zone with the distribution server device with reference to the broadcast program recording reservation information managed by the program recording reservation part and the resource use reservation information managed by the terminal resource managing part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The technical field relates to technology for downloading data via a network.

  In recent years, with the spread of broadband lines such as ADSL and FTTH to homes, a network environment in which large-capacity content (information content) centered on video and music can be distributed to homes without stress is being prepared. Furthermore, along with the progress of content compression technology and distribution technology, it has become possible to distribute content to homes while maintaining high quality.

  In Patent Document 1, an object is to “provide a download system that can appropriately distribute a load on a server and a transmission path and further improve convenience regarding data download”. The reservation candidate acquisition unit 14 acquires, from the software management server 30, reservation candidate information including time information related to candidate time zones to which reservations for downloading update files can be assigned, in the communication terminal 10, the time information included in the reservation candidate information The software management server 30 registers the reservation time zone reservation from the time zone corresponding to the time zone, and thus the reservation time zone can be selected from the time zone candidates transmitted by the software management server 30. In addition, the time zone candidates include the load on the software management server 30 and the load on the transmission path. Since it is determined based on the set reservation table as cause dispersion, the load to the load and the transmission path of the software managing server 30 is properly dispersed as "it is disclosed.

JP 2004-185114 A

  With the development of content compression technology and distribution technology, there is a content distribution service whose basic business model is to distribute content to users' playback and recording devices and collect content usage fees (viewing fees) from users. Standing up.

  There are a plurality of content distribution methods. The download method, which is a method in which the playback device collectively downloads content data from the distribution server and stores the content data in the external storage unit of the playback recording device, (1) Content playback quality does not depend on network quality / bandwidth, (2) Internet standard data transfer technologies such as HTTP and FTP are used to start content playback after receiving and storing all content data Yes, (3) No content playback quality degradation due to missing content data, (4) Special playback (trick play) that moves forward and backward data such as fast forward / rewind / cue for video and music content is easy It is used in content distribution services that emphasize quality. There.

  However, in the content distribution system using the download method, the user cannot reproduce and use the content until the download and storage of the content is completed. For this reason, it is common to reserve a time slot for content download distribution and complete the download and storage of the content within the reserved time slot. Reserving download distribution (hereinafter referred to as “download distribution reservation”) provides the user with the time required to download the content (time required) and the date and time when the download is completed, that is, when the user can use the content. This will eliminate the inconvenience for users.

  The required download time depends on the processing load on the playback / recording device and distribution facility (server device), and the bandwidth (congestion level) of the distribution network. Therefore, there is a method for distributing download distribution reservations in order to distribute contents efficiently. In Patent Literature 1, a plurality of time zones that can be distributed by the distribution server are presented to the terminal based on the network distribution of the distribution server and the distribution reservation schedule, and the terminal selects one of the time zones to determine the distribution reservation time zone. Presents how to do.

  However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a distribution reservation method for a download distribution service alone. In digital home appliances having a recording function such as an HDD recorder or an HDD-mounted TV receiver, the content data recording function for download distribution shares the same function as the recording function used for recording a broadcast program. For this reason, if the time slot reserved for download distribution overlaps with the time slot already reserved for recording broadcast programs, the recording function is occupied by recording broadcast programs. The recording process will fail.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a content distribution system including a distribution server device and a recording / playback device, wherein the recording / playback device uses a recording function of the device. A program recording reservation unit that manages recording reservation information, a terminal resource management unit that manages resource usage reservation information such as a recording function, a network communication function, and a processing load of the device, and a management of the program recording reservation unit The broadcast program recording reservation information and the resource use reservation information managed by the terminal resource management unit are referred to, and a download reservation unit for determining a content distribution available time zone with the distribution server device is provided.

  According to the above means, it is possible to download data efficiently. Specifically, it is possible to realize a download distribution reservation that takes into account the processing capability and resource usage in the device in a device that has the function of downloading content by connecting to a network and the function of recording a broadcast program. Become.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the configuration of the download content distribution system according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the download content distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a download recording device 1 and a download distribution server device 3 connected via a communication medium 2.
The communication medium 2 included in the download distribution system shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a wired communication medium constituted by an optical line, a CATV, a telephone line, or a public communication network or a dedicated communication constituted by using a wireless medium. A network, or a wired medium configured with a communication cable, a power line, an extension telephone line, or the like, or a LAN (local area network) in a home network or a corporate network configured using a wireless medium; It is possible to exchange data according to a predetermined communication protocol between devices connected to the.

  Further, the download recording device 1 and the download distribution server device 3 shown in FIG. 1 can be realized by an information processing device having a hardware configuration capable of executing software. FIG. 2 is a specific hardware configuration example of the download recording device 1 and the download distribution server device 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the download recording device 1 and the download distribution server device 3 include a CPU (arithmetic processing device) 91, a main memory 92, a communication unit 93, an external storage unit 94, an input unit 95, and an output unit 96. Each unit is connected to each other via a bus 90 so that necessary information can be transmitted between the units.

The CPU 91 performs a predetermined operation by a program stored in advance in the main memory 92 or the external storage unit 94.
The main memory 92 functions as a work area and stores necessary programs. The main memory 92 can be realized by, for example, a RAM for the former and a ROM for the latter.
The communication unit 93 transmits / receives information (data) to / from a device connected to the same communication medium 2 via the communication medium 2. The communication unit 93 is realized by, for example, a modem, a network adapter, a wireless transmission / reception device, and the like.

The external storage unit 94 stores a program for controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus and accumulates content distributed via a communication medium. The external storage unit 94 can be realized by a hard disk (HDD), an optical disk, or the like, for example.
The input unit 95 is used by the apparatus user to input necessary instructions and information to the information processing apparatus. The input unit 95 can be realized by, for example, a remote controller used in a television (TV) receiver, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like used in a PC. The output unit 96 outputs and displays information for responding to content and device user operations. The output unit can be realized by, for example, a cathode ray tube, CRT, liquid crystal display, PDP, projector, speaker, headphones, lamp, LED, or the like.

  Note that the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and it does not necessarily have to be this way. For example, the output unit 96 may be realized by a device (TV receiver or the like) different from the information processing device. In this case, the information processing device includes a television signal generation device such as a D / A converter separately. The apparatus and the output unit 6 are connected by an AV cable, a coaxial cable, or the like. Further, for example, unnecessary components among the components constituting the information processing apparatus may be omitted as appropriate. For example, when the information processing apparatus does not require data input or output during execution, the input unit 95 and the output unit 96 may not be included in the configuration. Further, for example, when used for a function that can be realized by the CPU 91, the function may be realized by the CPU 91, and thus may not be included in the configuration.

  The information processing apparatus may have hardware unique to the apparatus in addition to the above-described components. For example, an information processing apparatus having a TV broadcast receiving function such as a TV or an HDD recorder has a receiving unit (tuner) for receiving TV broadcast waves. For example, when data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD is input, a CD drive and a DVD drive are provided.

Next, the functions and database configuration realized by the execution of software by the download recording device 1 and the download distribution server device 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
The download recording apparatus 1 requests download distribution reservation from the download distribution server apparatus 3 and receives information (hereinafter referred to as “download distribution reservation information”) that reserves download distribution of content as a reply (request result). The information processing apparatus is connected to the download distribution server apparatus 3 based on distribution reservation information, receives and records (downloads) content data, and reproduces the downloaded content in accordance with a user instruction after the download is completed. Examples of the download recording device 1 include an HDD recorder, a TV receiver having a storage function, and a PC.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration diagram of the download recording apparatus 1. The download recording apparatus 1 includes a communication unit 11, a download processing unit 12 including a download communication unit 13 and a download reservation unit 14, a program recording reservation unit 15, a program receiving unit 16, a content recording unit 17, a program recording reservation display unit 18, and a content A playback unit 19, a download reservation table 20, a program recording reservation table 21, and recorded content data 22 are included. The communication unit 11 corresponds to, for example, the communication unit 93 in FIG. The download processing unit 12, including the download communication unit 13 and the download reservation unit 14, the program recording reservation unit 15, the program receiving unit 16, and the content recording unit 17 are programs stored in the main memory 92 or the external storage unit 94 of FIG. Can be realized by the CPU 91 executing. The program recording reservation display unit 18 and the content reproduction unit 19 correspond to, for example, the output unit in FIG. The download reservation table 20, the program recording reservation table 21, and the recorded content data 22 are stored, for example, in the main memory 92 or the external storage unit 94 shown in FIG.

  The antenna 4 connected to the download recording device 1 is an antenna that receives, for example, broadcast waves (for example, satellite digital broadcast waves, terrestrial digital broadcast waves, terrestrial analog broadcast waves).

The communication unit 11 generates, interprets, and communicates a message according to a communication protocol so that the download reservation unit 14 and the download communication unit 13 communicate with a device (download distribution server device 3) connected to the communication medium 2. It has a function to perform.
The download processing unit 12 includes a download communication unit 13 and a download reservation unit 14, and has a function of performing content download reservation and download reception.

  The download communication unit 13 has a function of connecting to the download distribution server device 3 via the communication unit 11, a function of downloading content data from the download distribution server device 3, and content data downloaded to the content recording unit 17 as recorded content data. 22 has a function of requesting recording to the external storage unit 94 and a function of notifying the download reservation unit 14 of completion of downloading of content data. As a content data download transfer method, for example, FTP, HTTP, etc., which are known data transfer communication protocols, can be applied.

  The download reservation unit 14 has a function of connecting to the download distribution server device 3 via the communication unit 11, content download distribution reservation to the download distribution server device 3 at the time of reservation, start, and completion of content distribution. Information for requesting reservation (hereinafter referred to as “download distribution reservation request information”), information for requesting start of content download distribution (hereinafter referred to as “download distribution start request information”), notification of completion of content download distribution ( (Hereinafter referred to as “download completion notification information”), a download distribution reservation information corresponding to the transmission information from the download distribution server device 3, and an address relating to the content download distribution (hereinafter referred to as “download address information”). Receiving machine A function of storing the download distribution reservation information in the download reservation table 20, a function of requesting the download communication unit 13 to download content based on the contents of the download distribution reservation information held in the download reservation table 20, and the content download completion And a function of deleting reservation information of completed download distribution from the download reservation table 20.

  The program recording reservation unit 15 manages reserved recording in which a broadcast program received from a broadcast wave and an external television signal input are recorded in a predetermined time zone. The program recording reservation unit 15 is a function provided in, for example, an HDD recorder or a TV receiver. The program recording reservation unit 15 receives a recording reservation information (for example, recording channel, start date / time, end date / time, recording mode) instructed by, for example, an electronic program guide (EPG) or direct input by the input unit, the recording reservation information Is stored in the program recording reservation table 21, the recording reservation information stored in the program recording reservation table 21 is displayed using the program recording reservation display unit 18, and the recording is stored in the program recording reservation table 21. Based on the content of the reservation information, the program receiving unit 16 is requested to switch the reception channel, and the content recording unit 17 is requested to record the content data from the program receiving unit 16 or external signal input to the external storage unit 94. And a function of deleting the completed recording reservation information from the program recording reservation table 21.

  The program receiving unit 16 is a receiving unit (tuner) that receives TV broadcast waves, and is a function provided in, for example, an HDD recorder or a TV receiver. The program receiving unit 16 is connected to the broadcast wave receiving antenna 4 and the content recording unit 17 and receives broadcast waves (for example, satellite digital broadcast wave, terrestrial digital broadcast wave, terrestrial analog broadcast wave) from the broadcast wave receiving antenna 4. , A function of converting to a television signal or content digital data and sending it to the content recording unit 17.

  The content recording unit 17 records the input signal, digital data, or the like converted into digital data (digital compression, encoding, etc.) or the input data as it is as the recorded content data 22 in the external storage unit 94. The content recording unit 17 is a function provided in, for example, an HDD recorder or a TV receiver. The content recording unit 17 connects the program receiving unit 16, the download distribution unit 13 of the download reservation unit 12, the download reservation unit 14, the program recording reservation unit 15, and an external storage unit 94 for recording content, and According to an instruction from the recording reservation unit 15 and / or the download reservation unit 12, a function of selecting (switching) a recording target as an input, a recording start to an external storage unit 94, a recording pause, and a recording stop (end) as an output. It has a function to control.

The program recording reservation display unit 18 has a function of displaying the contents of recording reservation information held in the program recording reservation table 21.
The content reproduction unit 19 has a function of outputting the recorded content data 22 stored in the external storage unit 94 to the output unit 96 of the download recording device 1. For example, when the usage content is a video, it is a function for reproducing the video, and when it is a music content, it is a function for reproducing the music.
The program recording reservation display unit 18 and the content reproduction unit 19 may be separate display units, for example, or the contents of the recording reservation information and the video may be displayed on one display unit.

The download reservation table 20 is a table for managing reservation information necessary for content download distribution reservation and information (including address information) of content reserved for distribution. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the download reservation table 20 holds a reservation ID 101, a content ID 102, a size 103, a hash value 104, an address 105, a reservation delivery date 106 (start date 107, scheduled completion date 108), and a status 109. . The download reservation table 20 will be described below with reference to 101 to 109 in FIG. In the reservation ID 101, information (identifier) indicating a download distribution reservation assigned by the download distribution server apparatus 3 is registered.
In the content ID 102, information (identifier) indicating the content reserved for distribution in the download distribution system is registered. Information indicating content is also referred to as content information.

In the size 103, the data size of the content reserved for distribution corresponding to the content ID 102 is registered.
In the hash value 104, a hash value of content data is registered as information for determining the completeness of the content reserved for distribution corresponding to the content ID 102. Completeness means that the content data stored in the download distribution server device 3 and the content data stored in the download recording device 1 are the same. The completeness is determined, for example, by comparing the hash value of the data stored in the download recording device 1 with the hash value of the data calculated on the download distribution server device 3 side.

In the address 105, the download address in the download distribution server device 3 of the content reserved for distribution corresponding to the content ID 102 is registered.
The reserved delivery date and time 106 includes a start date and time 107 that is information indicating a reserved delivery date and time in a download delivery reservation corresponding to the reservation ID 101, and a scheduled completion date and time 108. The start date and time 107 registers the date and time when the content download distribution can be started, and the scheduled completion date and time 108 registers the scheduled date and time when the content download is completed.

  In the state 109, the processing state of content download in the download distribution reservation corresponding to the reservation ID 101 is registered.

  Note that the download reservation table 20 does not have to hold all of the information as long as the download distribution reservation and the download content in the download distribution server device 3 can be specified. For example, in the download distribution server device 3, when the distribution reservation can be specified only by the reservation ID 101, the information of the content ID 102, the size 103, and the hash value 104 is not essential. Further, the scheduled delivery date and time 106 of the download reservation table 20 for specifying the date and time when the download delivery is reserved (hereinafter referred to as “reserved delivery date and time”) can be calculated as the sum of the start date and time and the download duration. Therefore, instead of the start date and time 107 and the scheduled completion date and time 108, the start date and time and the download duration time may be included.

  The program recording reservation table 21 is a table for managing information related to a program recording reservation for recording a broadcast program received from a broadcast wave and an external television signal input in a predetermined time zone. In this embodiment, information about download distribution reservation is also managed. As shown in FIG. 6, the program recording reservation table 21 holds a recording reservation date and time 201 (start date and time 202, end date and time 203), a channel 204, a program name 205, a recording mode 206, and a recording capacity 207. 6 will be described below.

The scheduled recording date and time 201 includes a start date and time 202 and an end date and time 203 that are information indicating the scheduled date and time of program recording. The start date and time 202 registers the date and time when program recording starts, and the end date and time 203 registers the date and time when program recording ends.
Information for specifying the recording source of the program recording reservation is registered in the channel 204. For example, the broadcast wave channel number of a program reserved for recording, information indicating an external input signal source for recording reservation, or information indicating a download distribution reservation is registered in the channel 204.

In the program name 205, a name indicating a program reserved for recording is registered. For example, the name of a program to be reserved for recording (hereinafter referred to as “recorded reserved program”) (hereinafter referred to as “recorded reserved program name”), and the name of content to be downloaded (hereinafter referred to as “download distribution content”) (hereinafter referred to as “download reserved content”). "Download distribution content name") is registered in the program name 205.
In the recording mode 206, a recording mode indicating the quality at the time of recording the program reserved for recording is registered. The recording mode defines a data compression method and compression rate (bit rate) at the time of recording and recording that determine the recording quality as fixed values, and is selected by the user at the time of recording. For example, information indicating high quality, normal quality, and low quality is registered in the recording mode 206.

  In the recording capacity 207, the data size required for recording the program reserved for recording is registered. The recording capacity 207 can be calculated from the bit rate derived from the recording mode 206 and the recording duration obtained from the recording reservation date and time 201 (start date and time 202 and end date and time 203), and may not be a strict value. In the case of program reservation information related to content for which download distribution has been reserved, the data size of the content is registered in the recording capacity 207.

  In addition, since the recording reservation date / time 201 of the program recording reservation table 21 for specifying the program recording date / time can be calculated from the sum of the start date / time and the recording duration time, the end date / time can be calculated instead of the start date / time 202 and the scheduled completion date / time 203. In addition, the start date and time and the recording duration may be included.

  The recorded content data 22 is data of a broadcast program, an external input signal, or downloaded content stored in the external storage unit 94 by the content recording unit 17 of the download recording device 1.

  The download distribution server device 3 receives the download distribution reservation request information from the download recording device 1, assigns a time zone for performing content download distribution (hereinafter referred to as "download distribution reservation time zone"), and download distribution reservation including the information It returns to the download recording apparatus 1 as information. Information processing that receives download distribution start request information from the download recording device 1, sends the corresponding content to the download recording device 1, and receives download completion notification information from the download recording device 1 when the content download distribution is completed Device.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration diagram of the download distribution server device 3. The download distribution server device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a download reservation management unit 32, a download distribution unit 33, a content information database 34, a distribution reservation information table 35, and content data 36. The communication unit 31 corresponds to, for example, the communication unit 93 in FIG. The download reservation management unit 32 and the download distribution unit 33 can be realized by the CPU 91 executing, for example, a program stored in the main memory 92 or the external storage unit 94 of FIG. The content information database 34, the distribution reservation information table 35, and the content data 36 are stored, for example, in the main memory 92 or the external storage unit 94 shown in FIG.

The communication unit 31 has a function of generating, interpreting, and communicating messages according to a communication protocol so that the download reservation management unit 32 communicates with the download recording device 1 connected to the communication medium 2.
The download reservation management unit 32 refers to the function of connecting to the download recording device 1 via the communication unit 31, the function of receiving download distribution reservation request information from the download recording device 1, the content information database 34, and the distribution reservation table 35. A function for determining download distribution reservation information such as a download distribution reservation time period and registering it in the distribution reservation table 35, a function for sending download distribution reservation information and download address information to the download recording device 1, a download has been completed, or It has a function of deleting the download distribution reservation information that has become invalid from the distribution reservation table 35.

  The download distribution unit 33 has a function of connecting to the download recording apparatus 1 via the communication unit 31 and a function of transmitting data of content reserved for download distribution to the download distribution server apparatus 3. For example, FTP or HTTP, which are data transfer communication protocols, can be applied as a content data transmission method. That is, the download distribution unit 33 can be configured by a Web server (server function) or an FTP server (server function) which is a data distribution server (function).

  The content information database 34 is a database that manages content information stored in an external storage unit or the like of the download distribution server device 3. The content information database 34 holds, for example, information regarding content such as an identifier, a size, and a download address of distributed content.

The distribution reservation information table 35 is a table for managing information related to download distribution reservations to the download recording apparatus 1. The distribution reservation information table 35 includes, for example, a distribution reservation identifier, unique information (identifier) of a distribution destination download recording device, a content identifier to be distributed, a reserved distribution date and time (start date and time, scheduled end date and time), and a distribution status. Holds information about reservations.
The content data 36 is content data distributed to the download recording device 1 in the download distribution system.

  Next, an outline of the procedure for using the content download distribution service executed in the download distribution system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  First, the user can obtain content information obtained by connecting the download recording device 1 to the download delivery server device 3 or an information providing server device such as a portal server provided by another delivery service, for example, the content name, content, etc. The content to be downloaded is selected with reference to information such as the usage price, the usage period and the number of times (selection step). The content information may be acquired automatically by the download recording apparatus 1 from the distribution service server device in advance.

Next, the download recording device 1 requests the download distribution server device 3 to reserve download distribution of the selected content, and the download distribution server device 3 allocates a download distribution reservation time zone to the download recording device 1 (distribution reservation step). .
At the date and time when download distribution is reserved, the download recording device 1 connects to the download distribution server device 3 and downloads data of the content reserved for distribution (download step).
After the download is completed, the user can select the downloaded content and play it back (playback step).

  By proceeding with the steps described above in order, the user can use the content download distribution service. Hereinafter, the details of the distribution reservation step, that is, the process of download distribution reservation, will be described.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of processing executed in download distribution reservation processing (distribution reservation step).
The start of the process is, for example, when the user selects content to be downloaded by the download recording device 1 in the selection step of the download recording device 1.

  The download reservation unit 14 of the download recording device 1 generates download distribution reservation request information from the content information of the content to be distributed and sends it to the download distribution server device 3 via the communication unit 11 (S1001). Here, the download distribution reservation request information includes at least information indicating content in the download distribution system (for example, a content identifier), the network line speed (data communication speed) of the download recording device 1, and the distribution reservation request source, that is, download. Information (for example, a device identifier) for specifying the recording device 1 is included. The content identifier is included in the content information acquired for download content selection in the selection step, and the network line speed uses a fixed value that is set in advance as the line speed in the download recording apparatus 1. In this case, unique information previously assigned to the download recording apparatus 1 is used. The download distribution reservation request information may include authentication information for connection with the download distribution server apparatus 3 such as a password.

  In the download distribution server device 3, the download reservation management unit 33 receives the download distribution reservation request information via the communication unit 31, and searches for the download distribution reservation status (S1002). In the search process, first, the content information database 34 is searched based on the content identifier included in the download distribution reservation request information, and the content data size and download address are acquired from the content information corresponding to the content identifier. Subsequently, the status of the download distribution reservation registered in the distribution reservation table 35, the data size of the content, the network line speed of the download recording device 1 included in the download distribution reservation request information, and the processing of the download distribution server device 3 Due to load or network load (line speed, data transmission speed), a time zone during which content data can be delivered from the download delivery server device 3 to the download recording device 1 (for example, start date and time, required time; hereinafter referred to as “distributable time zone”). ). A plurality of deliverable time zones may be extracted. For the extraction of the distributable time zone, for example, a plurality of times can be selected from the time zone where the processing load of the download delivery server device 3 is low, the earliest time zone among the time zones where the network load is sufficient, the early time zone where download is possible, etc. May be. If authentication information is included in the download distribution reservation request information, the authentication information may be verified at this step to authenticate the download reservation request.

  Next, the download reservation management unit 32 of the download distribution server device 3 sets the extracted distribution available time zone as a candidate for reserved distribution date and time (hereinafter referred to as “reserved distribution date and time candidate”) and notifies the download recording device 1 ( S1003). By registering this reservation delivery date / time candidate as a provisional reservation in the delivery reservation table 35, it is possible to prevent overlapping time zones from being registered with different delivery reservations before the reservation delivery date / time is determined.

  Next, in the download recording device 1, the download reservation unit 14 receives the reserved delivery date / time candidates via the communication unit 11, and searches for the reservation status of program recording in the download recording device 1 (S1004). In the search process, the download reservation unit 14 inquires of the program recording reservation unit 15 whether or not the program reservation is possible in the received reservation delivery date / time candidate time zone. The program recording reservation unit 15 searches the recording reservation date / time 201 in the program recording reservation table 21 and checks whether there is a program reservation in a time zone that overlaps with the reserved distribution date / time candidate (S1005). If the program reservation exists, the search process is performed with another reservation delivery date candidate. As a result of checking in all the reserved delivery date / time candidates in S1005, if a reserved delivery date / time candidate that does not overlap the program reservation and the time zone is not found (No in S1005), the process returns to S1001 to the download delivery server apparatus 3. Execute the download reservation request again. When the download distribution server device 3 has temporarily reserved the reservation distribution date and time candidate, the temporary reservation registered in the distribution reservation table 35 when the download reservation request from the download recording device 1 is received again is canceled and deleted.

  Note that the user may confirm the reservation delivery date candidate in S1005. For example, the reserved delivery date / time candidates received from the download delivery server device 3 are presented to the user via the display screen, and the user confirms the reservation delivery date / time candidates registered by the input means 95 in FIG. It may be determined.

  As a result of checking the reserved delivery date / time candidates in S1005, if a reserved delivery date / time candidate whose program reservation and time zone do not overlap is found (Yes in S1005), the program recording reservation in the reserved delivery date / time candidate time zone is made. Registration is requested to the program recording reservation unit 15 (S1006). The program recording reservation unit 15 determines the recording reservation date / time (start date / time, end date / time) from the reserved delivery date / time candidate time zone, and stores it in the recording reservation date / time 201 (start date / time 202, end date / time 203) of the program recording reservation table 21. To do. The channel 204 of the program recording reservation table 21 stores information indicating download distribution reservation, the program name 205 stores the content name to be downloaded, and the recording capacity 207 stores the data size of the content to be downloaded. The content name and content data size are passed as reservation information when a reservation registration request is sent from the download reservation unit 14 to the program recording reservation unit 15.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of reservation delivery date / time candidates that do not overlap the program reservation and time zone, as a method for determining the reservation delivery date / time, a method for selecting the earliest time zone and a method for selecting a short required time A method may be considered in which a plurality of reserved delivery date / time candidates are presented using the output unit 96 of the download recording apparatus 1 and the user is allowed to select them.

  Subsequently, the download reservation unit 14 generates a request (hereinafter referred to as “download reservation determination request information”) for determining the reservation delivery date and time from the reservation delivery date and time candidates in order to determine the reservation delivery date and time, and the communication unit 11. Is sent to the download distribution server apparatus 3 via S (S1007).

  In the download distribution server device 3, the download reservation management unit 33 receives the download reservation determination request information via the communication unit 31, and registers the reservation distribution date / time candidates in the distribution reservation table 35 as download distribution reservation information (S1008). . That is, an identifier indicating a download distribution reservation is issued, the reservation identifier, an apparatus identifier for specifying the download recording apparatus 1 included in the download distribution reservation request information received in S1002, and an identifier of the content to be downloaded acquired in step S1003 The data size, the download address, and the reservation information (reservation distribution date and time) are registered in the distribution reservation table 35 of the download distribution server device 3. If the download distribution server device 3 has temporarily reserved the reservation distribution date and time candidate, the other temporary reservation registered in the distribution reservation table 35 is canceled and deleted.

  Subsequently, the download distribution server device 3 notifies the download recording reservation information to the download distribution reservation information 1 (S1009).

  In the download recording device 1, the download reservation unit 14 receives the download distribution reservation information via the communication unit 11 and registers it in the download reservation table 20 (S1010). The reservation identifier included in the download distribution reservation information is the reservation ID 101 of the download reservation table 20, the content identifier is the content ID 102, the content data size is size 103, the download address is the address 105, and the reservation distribution date and time (start date and time, completion) (Scheduled date and time) are stored in the start date and time 107 and the scheduled completion date and time 108 of the reserved delivery date and time 106, respectively.

  Finally, the download reservation unit 14 of the download recording apparatus 1 sets information indicating “download waiting” in the state 109 corresponding to the reservation ID 101 of the download reservation table 20 and downloads until the start date 107 of the reservation delivery date 106. (S1011), and the download distribution reservation process is terminated. Here, the download standby state means that the processing related to the content reserved for download is suspended and the processing is restarted at the start date and time. For example, it is in the same state as waiting for timer recording of a home video recorder or HDD recorder.

  In the download delivery reservation process of FIG. 8, in S1005, if no reservation delivery date and time candidate that does not overlap the program reservation and time slot can be found in all the reserved delivery date and time candidates received from the download delivery server device 3, Returning to S1001, the download reservation request to the download distribution server device 3 is executed again, but the number of repetitions of the reservation request may be limited. In this case, the download distribution reservation is impossible, and the fact may be presented to the user using the output unit 96 of the download recording device 1.

  In the download distribution reservation process of FIG. 8, download reservation distribution date / time candidates are determined by the download distribution server device 3. However, the reservation distribution date / time candidates are determined by the download recording device 1, and the download distribution server device 3 selects candidates. Alternatively, the reservation delivery date and time may be determined. In this case, first, the download reservation unit 14 of the download recording apparatus 1 predicts the required download time from the content data size and the network line speed, inquires the program recording reservation unit 15, and the time for which the program recording reservation can be made for the required download time. Bands may be searched from the program recording reservation table 21 to determine reservation distribution date / time candidates. Then, the download reservation unit 14 of the download recording device 1 notifies the download reservation management unit 32 of the download distribution server device 3 of the reservation distribution date / time candidate, and the download reservation management unit 32 searches the distribution reservation table 35 and reserves the distribution date / time candidate. The processing procedure is to extract a time zone in which distribution is possible, determine a reservation distribution date and time, and register it in the distribution reservation table 35.

  Further, in the download distribution reservation process of FIG. 8, it is assumed that the program reservation in the overlapping time zone is not possible. However, when the download recording apparatus 1 supports the recording of a plurality of programs, the number of simultaneous recordings of the recorded programs You may make it allow duplication. In this case, the program recording reservation unit 15 manages the overlap of time zones, and can perform an operation taking into account the overlap of time zones in which recording is performed in the program recording reservation registration process (S1006 in FIG. 8). This processing may be the same as the processing flow of FIG.

  As described above, by the download distribution reservation process of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8, for example, the recording reservation of the broadcast program, which is a function provided in the HDD recorder, the TV receiver, etc., and the distribution reservation function of the download distribution service, The contention of the recording unit due to overlapping bands can be prevented, and both can coexist and be handled in an integrated manner.

  Further, by managing the download distribution reservation in synchronization with the recording reservation of the broadcast program, the contents of the download distribution reservation can be confirmed by the existing recording reservation content confirmation method. An example of a confirmation screen for the download distribution reservation content is shown in FIG.

  The screen of FIG. 7 represents a program recording reservation time table in which dates are arranged in rows 301 and times are arranged in columns 302. For example, the portion 303 where the column of the item “January 25” in the row 301 and the row of the item “11:00” in the column 302 intersect is the time of “January 25 11:00 to 12:00”. This indicates that the recording reservation has been made on the channel ch1 of the broadcast wave during the time slot. Similarly, the portion 304 indicates a time zone of “January 26, 12:00 to 14:00”, and this time zone indicates that a download distribution reservation for the content “walking in the air” is registered. Yes. Similarly, the time zone “January 28, 10:00 to 12:00” of the portion 305 is a download distribution reservation for the content “white snow”. Here, the background color of the portion corresponding to the broadcast program recording reservation and the portion corresponding to the download distribution reservation may be changed. As a result, it becomes easy to determine whether it is a broadcast program recording reservation or a download distribution reservation in the time table.

Hereinafter, the download step, which is the next procedure after the distribution reservation step, will be described.
The download reservation unit 14 of the download recording apparatus 1 monitors the reservation delivery date and time 106 in the download reservation table 20 and requests the download communication unit 13 to download content when the reservation delivery date and time comes. The download communication unit 13 connects to the download distribution server device 3 and downloads content by, for example, applying data transfer communication protocols such as FTP and HTTP as the content data download transfer method as described above, and records the content. The unit 17 is requested to record content in the external storage unit 94.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of processing executed when downloading is completed in the download processing (downloading step).
The start of the process is, for example, when the download of the content data is completed in the download step of the download recording device 1.

  When the download communication unit 13 of the download recording apparatus 1 detects the end of the download of the content due to the transfer data size or the like, it notifies the download reservation unit 14. First, the download reservation unit 14 requests the program recording reservation unit 15 to delete the recording reservation information registered at the time of distribution reservation of the completed download distribution. The program recording reservation unit 15 deletes the corresponding recording reservation information from the program recording reservation table 21 (S3001).

  Subsequently, the download reservation unit 14 generates download completion notification information including a reservation identifier of a distribution reservation corresponding to the download distribution in order to delete the distribution reservation, and sends it to the download distribution server device 3 via the communication unit 11 ( S3002). Here, the reservation ID 101 of the download reservation table 20 is used as the reservation identifier.

  In the download distribution server device 3, the download reservation management unit 33 receives the download distribution record completion notification information via the communication unit 31, and downloads the download distribution reservation information corresponding to the reservation identifier included in the download distribution record completion notification information. Delete from the distribution reservation table 35 (S3003). Subsequently, the download distribution server device 3 notifies (responds) the processing result to the download recording device 1 (S3004).

  In the download recording device 1, the download reservation unit 14 receives the processing result via the communication unit 11, and deletes the download distribution reservation information from the download reservation table 20 (S3005).

  With the above download processing, the content download recording processing is completed, and at the time of completion, download distribution reservation information managed in synchronization with the program recording reservation is also deleted. In the next reproduction step, the user can reproduce and use the recorded content data 22 recorded in the external storage unit 94 using the content reproduction unit 19.

  In the first embodiment, the broadcast program recording reservation, which is a function of the TV receiver, and the download distribution service distribution reservation are handled equivalently, and the use of the recording function due to overlapping time zones is prevented. Although the recording function is shared, an embodiment in which the download distribution content can be recorded independently of the broadcast program recording reservation (without being restricted by the restriction of the broadcast program recording reservation) is also conceivable.

  A configuration of the download content distribution system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is obtained by adding a terminal resource management unit 40 to the functional configuration diagram of the download recording terminal device 1 shown in FIG. The terminal resource management unit 40 is connected to the download reservation unit 14 and the program recording reservation unit 15 to manage the use schedule of the terminal resource, and the download reservation unit 14 determines the reservation delivery date and time based on the resource use plan. It has a function. The terminal resource management unit 40 includes a resource management unit 41, a resource monitoring unit 42, a recording speed calculation unit 43, a processing load calculation unit 44, and a network speed calculation unit 45. The main memory 92 or the external storage unit 94 of the download recording apparatus 1 stores a resource limit table 46, a resource management table 47, a recording speed table 48, a processing load table 49, and a net speed table 50.

  The resource management unit 40 has a function to acquire information on terminal resources used in broadcast program recording or download distribution content recording (hereinafter referred to as “download distribution content recording”) from the resource monitoring unit 42, and a resource restriction table 46. 2 has a function of acquiring the limit value of the terminal resource from the terminal and a function of registering / deleting the resource use schedule in the resource management table 47.

  The resource monitoring unit 41 has a function of acquiring a broadcast program recording or download distribution content recording load from the recording speed calculation unit 43, and a processing load of the broadcast program recording or download distribution content recording from the processing load calculation unit 44. And a function of acquiring the network line speed of the download recording device 1 from the network speed calculation unit 45.

  The recording speed calculation unit 43 has a function of acquiring the recording speed of the content recording unit 17 used for broadcast program recording or download distribution content recording. Here, the recording speed is the total of the writing speed (when recording) to the external storage unit 94. In other words, when writing to the external storage unit 94 alone, a writing speed close to the maximum speed can be ensured, but when writing to the external storage unit 94 simultaneously (in parallel), a high writing speed is ensured. I can't do that. The recording speed calculation unit 43 acquires a ratio with respect to the maximum speed corresponding to the type of the write operation (recording mode) to the external storage unit 94 held in the recording speed table 48 and converts it as a load. Note that the recording speed is not converted to a fixed value using the recording speed table 48, but the recording speed is dynamically monitored, and for example, the recording speed table 48 is updated with the average value of the monitoring history, thereby being closer to the effective value. Recording speed can also be obtained.

  The processing load calculation unit 44 has a function of acquiring the processing load of the download recording device 1 when recording a broadcast program or recording download distribution content. Here, the processing load is the CPU usage rate of the download recording device 1. That is, there is no problem in executing processing with a high processing load by itself, but the processing load cannot be increased at the same time. The processing load calculation unit 44 calculates a load conversion value corresponding to the type of processing such as program recording or download recording held in the processing load table 49 as a load factor. Note that the processing load is not converted to a fixed value using the processing load table 49, but dynamically monitors the processing load, and updates the processing load table 49 with, for example, the average value of the monitoring history, so that the processing load is closer to the effective value. Processing load can also be obtained.

  The network speed calculation unit 45 has a function of acquiring the network speed from the download distribution server device 3 to the download recording device 1. Here, the network speed is the speed of the network line to which the download recording apparatus 1 is connected, and the effective value is the transfer speed at the time of content reception. The network speed calculation unit 45 calculates a network line speed converted value corresponding to the network line type (for example, high speed ADSL, FTTH, cable television, etc.) held in the network speed table 50 as the network speed. As the network line type, a fixed value set in advance as the line speed in the download recording apparatus 1 may be used. The network speed is closer to the effective value by dynamically monitoring the network speed instead of using a fixed value conversion using the net speed table 50 and updating the net speed table 50 with, for example, the average value of the monitoring history. You can also get a value.

The resource restriction table 46 is a table for managing terminal resource restriction information of the download recording device 1. As shown in FIG. 12, the resource limit table 46 holds a recording number limit 501, a recording speed limit 502, a recording capacity limit 503, and a processing load limit 504.
In the recording number limit 501, an upper limit value of the number that can be recorded simultaneously (in parallel) in the recording of the broadcast program in the download recording apparatus 1 or the recording of the download distribution content is registered.
In the recording speed limit 502, an upper limit value of the total recording speed to the external storage unit 94 in the recording process of the broadcast program of the download recording apparatus 1 or the recording of download distribution contents is registered.
In the recording capacity limit 503, an upper limit value of the total data size of the content required by the external storage unit 94 for recording a broadcast program of the download recording apparatus 1 or recording a download distribution content is registered.
Registered in the processing load limit 504 is the upper limit value of the total processing load corresponding to the broadcast program recording process of the download recording apparatus 1 or the download distribution content recording process (hereinafter referred to as “download distribution content recording process”). Is done.

  The resource management table 47 is a table for managing terminal resource use schedule information in broadcast program recording processing or download distribution content recording processing in the download recording device 1. As shown in FIG. 11, the resource management table 47 holds a reservation date 401 (start date 402, end date 403), recording speed 404, recording capacity 405, and processing load 406.

  The scheduled date and time 401 is information indicating the scheduled date and time of terminal resource use in the broadcast program recording process or the download distribution content recording process of the download recording apparatus 1, and includes a start date and time 402 and an end date and time 403. In the start date and time 402, the scheduled date and time when the use of the terminal resource is started is registered, and in the end date and time 403, the scheduled date and time when the use of the terminal resource is ended is registered.

In the recording speed 404, a calculated value of the recording speed in the external storage unit 94 corresponding to the broadcast program recording process or the download distribution content recording process of the download recording apparatus 1 is registered.
In the recording capacity 405, the data size of the content required by the external storage unit 94 for broadcasting program recording of the download recording apparatus 1 or download distribution content recording is registered.
In the processing load 406, a calculation value of a processing load corresponding to the broadcast program recording process or the download distribution content recording process of the download recording apparatus 1 is registered.

  The recording speed table 48 is a table for managing recording speed information corresponding to the type of write operation (recording mode) to the external storage unit 94 in the broadcast program recording process or the download distribution content recording process of the download recording apparatus 1. . The recording speed table 48 holds a recording mode 601 and a speed converted value 602 as shown in FIG.

In the recording mode 601, the type of the write operation (recording mode) to the external storage unit 94 in the broadcast program recording process of the download recording apparatus 1 or the download distribution content recording process is registered.
In the speed conversion value 602, the ratio of the recording speed information corresponding to the type of the recording mode 601 to the maximum performance value (maximum speed) is registered.

  The processing load table 49 is a table for managing load information corresponding to the type of processing in the broadcast program recording processing or download distribution content recording processing of the download recording device 1. As shown in FIG. 14, the processing load table 49 holds processing contents 701 and load conversion values 702.

In the processing content 701, the type of processing in the broadcast program recording processing or download distribution content recording processing of the download recording device 1 is registered.
In the load conversion value 702, a load conversion value (load factor) corresponding to the processing content 701 is registered.

The net speed table 50 is a table for managing speed information of a network line to which the download recording apparatus 1 is connected. The net speed table 50 holds a line type 801 and a speed converted value 802.
In the line type 801, the line type of the network line to which the download recording apparatus 1 is connected is registered.
In the speed conversion value 802, the speed conversion value of the network line corresponding to the line type 801 is registered.

  FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of processing executed in the download delivery reservation process (distribution reservation step) in the use procedure of the content download delivery service executed in the download delivery system in the present embodiment.

  The process starts when the user selects content to be downloaded by the download recording device 1 in the selection step of the download recording device 1.

  The download reservation unit 14 of the download recording device 1 first inquires the content recording unit 17 about the remaining capacity for recording content data in the external storage unit 94 (S4000). If the remaining capacity is smaller than the data size of the content to be reserved for distribution (in the case of No in S4000), since the content cannot be downloaded and recorded, the process ends. At this time, the fact may be presented to the user using the output unit 96 of the download recording apparatus 1.

  When the remaining capacity is larger than the data size of the content to be downloaded (Yes in S4000), the process proceeds to S4001. Since S4001, S4002, and S4003 are the same processes as S1001, S1002, and S1003, respectively, description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, in the download recording device 1, the download reservation unit 14 receives the reserved delivery date / time candidate via the communication unit 11, and searches for the reservation status of program recording in the download recording device 1 (S4004). In the search process, the download reservation unit 14 inquires of the program recording reservation unit 15 whether or not the program reservation is possible in the received reservation delivery date / time candidate time zone. At this time, the program reservation time zone registered as a download distribution reservation is excluded from the program search targets (it is considered that there is no reservation).

  The program recording reservation unit 15 searches the recording reservation date / time 201 in the program recording reservation table 21 and confirms whether there is a program reservation other than the download distribution reservation in the time zone overlapping with the reserved distribution date / time candidate. Search processing is performed for all reservation delivery date candidates, and the reservation delivery date candidates are narrowed down. Even if one program reservation date and time and the reserved distribution date and time overlap, for example, in the case of an apparatus that can record a plurality of programs simultaneously (in parallel), it may be left as a reserved distribution date and time candidate.

  Further, by requesting all program recording reservation information to the program recording reservation unit 15 and registering the acquired program recording reservation information in the resource management table 47, the resource management table 47 and the program recording reservation table 21 are synchronized. . Specifically, the recording reservation date / time 201 (start date / time 202, end date / time 203) of the program recording reservation table 21 and the contents of the recording capacity 207 are recorded as the scheduled date / time 401 (start date / time 402, end date / time 403) of the resource management table 47. Registered in the capacity 405, requests the resource monitoring unit 42 for the recording speed corresponding to the recording mode, which is the content of the recording mode 206 of the program recording reservation table 21, and the processing load corresponding to the program recording process. Registration is made in the recording speed 404 and processing load 406 of the reservation table 21. The resource monitoring unit 42 acquires a speed conversion value 602 corresponding to the recording mode 601 of the recording speed table 48 via the recording speed calculation unit 43, and performs program recording processing of the processing load table 49 via the processing load calculation unit 44. The load conversion value 702 corresponding to the processing content 7011 is acquired and notified to the resource management unit 41.

  As a result of checking all the reserved delivery date / time candidates in the search process of S4004, if no reserved delivery date / time candidate whose program reservation and time zone do not overlap is found (No in S4005), the process returns to S4001, and the download delivery server The download reservation request to the apparatus 3 is executed again. When the download distribution server device 3 has temporarily reserved the reservation distribution date and time candidate, the temporary reservation registered in the distribution reservation table 35 when the download reservation request from the download recording device 1 is received again is canceled and deleted.

  On the other hand, as a result of checking with all the reserved delivery date / time candidates in the search process of S4004, if a reserved delivery date / time candidate that does not overlap with the program reservation is found (Yes in S4005), the program reservation and time zone are Reservation distribution date / time candidates that do not overlap are extracted.

The reason why the resource management table 47 and the program recording reservation table 21 are synchronized despite the fact that the program reservation date and time and the reserved distribution date and time are not overlapped in S4004 is as follows.
For example, if the configuration is such that three broadcast programs can be recorded in parallel, even if one program reservation date and time and the reserved distribution date and time overlap, the content to be downloaded using the resources for recording the remaining two broadcast programs Therefore, it is possible that the date / time does not have to be excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates. However, for example, if the content to be downloaded requires a resource equivalent to the resource for recording three broadcast programs, the content to be downloaded cannot be recorded even if the resource for recording two broadcast programs can be used. In such a case, even if resources for recording two broadcast programs are available, the date and time must be excluded from the candidates for reserved delivery date and time in subsequent steps. In order to exclude the date / time from the reserved delivery date / time candidates in the subsequent steps, the resource for recording the broadcast program should be managed by the resource management table 47. Therefore, it is desirable to keep the resource management table 47 and the program recording reservation table 21 synchronized even if the program reservation date and time and the reserved delivery date and time are not overlapped in S4004.

Next, the reservation delivery date / time candidates are narrowed down through the resource management unit 41 in consideration of the resource use schedule.
First, the download reservation unit 14 makes an inquiry to the resource management unit 41 in order to exclude those that exceed the simultaneous recording number limit in the reserved delivery date / time candidate time zone (S4006). The resource management unit 41 searches the resource management table 47, and there is already a time zone overlap scheduled for resource use in the scheduled delivery date / time candidate time zone, and the duplication number exceeds the record number limit 501 of the resource limit table 46. If there is, the download reservation unit 14 is notified that the reservation delivery date / time candidate is excluded.

  For example, if the reserved delivery date / time candidate time zone is the start date / time “2007/1/8 0:00” and the end date / time “2007/1/8 3:00”, the start date / time “2007 / 1/8 ”and end date and time“ 2007/1/8 4:00 ”overlap the resource usage schedule and time zone, but the overlap number is 2, and the record number limit 501 in the resource limit table of FIG. Since it is a book, the record number limit is not exceeded and it is not excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates. If the overlap number is 4 or more, the record number limit of 3 is exceeded, so it is excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates.

  As a result of confirming all the reserved delivery date / time candidates, when no reserved delivery date / time candidates remain (No in S4006), the process returns to S4001 to execute the download reservation request to the download delivery server device 3 again. When the download distribution server device 3 has temporarily reserved the reservation distribution date and time candidate, the temporary reservation registered in the distribution reservation table 35 when the download reservation request from the download recording device 1 is received again is canceled and deleted.

  On the other hand, if the reserved delivery date / time candidates remain in S4006 (Yes in S4006), the download reservation unit 14 excludes the time zone and the network transmission speed of the reserved delivery date / time candidates that exceed the network speed limit. Therefore, the resource management unit 41 is inquired (S4007). The resource management unit 41 searches the resource management table 47, and there is already a time zone overlap scheduled for resource use in the time zone of the reserved delivery date and time candidate, and the sum of the network speed 407 at that time and the network transmission speed are summed up. When the converted value 802 of the network line acquired via the resource management unit 42 and the network speed calculation unit 45 is exceeded, the download reservation unit 14 is notified that it is excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates.

  For example, when the reserved delivery date / time candidate time zone is the start date / time “2007/1/8 0:00”, the end date / time “2007/1/8 3:00”, and the network transmission speed is 10 Mbps, the resource management table of FIG. The resource use schedule of the start date and time “2007/1/8 1:00” and end date and time “2007/1/8 4:00” overlaps the time zone, and the network speed of the use schedule is 5 Mbps from 407 in FIG. The network speed in the overlapping time zone is 15 Mbps in total. On the other hand, assuming that the line type connected to the download recording apparatus 1 is “ADSL high speed”, if the line type 801 is “ADSL high speed” from the network speed table of FIG. 15, the speed conversion value 802 of the network line is 20 Mbps. is there. The sum of the network speed and the network transmission speed of 15 Mbps does not exceed the network line speed of 20 Mbps and is not excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates. If the sum of the network transmission speeds exceeds 20 Mbps, it is excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates.

  As a result of checking all the reserved delivery date / time candidates, if no reserved delivery date / time candidates remain (No in S4007), the process returns to S4001 to execute the download reservation request to the download delivery server device 3 again. When the download distribution server device 3 has temporarily reserved the reservation distribution date and time candidate, the temporary reservation registered in the distribution reservation table 35 when the download reservation request from the download recording device 1 is received again is canceled and deleted.

  On the other hand, if reservation delivery date / time candidates remain in S4007 (Yes in S4007), the download reservation unit 14 performs resource management to exclude those that exceed the processing load limit in the time zone of the reservation delivery date / time candidates. The unit 41 is inquired (S4008). The resource management unit 41 searches the resource management table 47, and there is already a time zone overlap scheduled for resource use in the time zone of the reserved delivery date and time candidate. The total processing load 406 at that time and the download processing load of the reserved delivery date and time candidate If the sum (obtained via the resource monitoring unit 42 and the processing load calculation unit 44) exceeds the processing load limit 504 of the resource limit table 46, the download reservation unit 14 is notified that it is excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates. To do.

  For example, if the reserved delivery date / time candidate time zone is the start date / time “2007/1/8 0:00” and the end date / time “2007/1/8 3:00”, the start date / time “2007 / 1/8 ”and end date and time“ 2007/1/8 4:00 ”, the resource usage schedule overlaps with the time zone, and the processing load of the usage schedule is 20% from the processing load 406 column in FIG. In the processing load table 49 of FIG. 14, the load conversion value 702 whose processing content 701 is “download recording” is 20%. Therefore, the sum of the total processing load and the download processing load is 40%, does not exceed 90%, which is the processing load limit of the resource limit table 46 of FIG. 12, and is not excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates. When the sum of the total processing load and the download processing load exceeds 90%, the reservation delivery date / time candidate is excluded.

  As a result of checking all the reserved delivery date / time candidates, if no reserved delivery date / time candidates remain (No in S4008), the process returns to S4001 and the download reservation request to the download delivery server device 3 is executed again. When the download distribution server device 3 has temporarily reserved the reservation distribution date and time candidate, the temporary reservation registered in the distribution reservation table 35 when the download reservation request from the download recording device 1 is received again is canceled and deleted.

  On the other hand, if the reserved delivery date / time candidates remain in S4008 (Yes in S4008), the download reservation unit 14 performs resource management to exclude those that exceed the recording speed limit in the distribution reservation date / time candidate time zone. The unit 41 is inquired (S4009). The resource management unit 41 searches the resource management table 47, and there is already a time zone overlap scheduled for resource use in the time zone of the reserved delivery date and time candidate. The total of the recording speed 404 at that time and the download processing record of the reserved delivery date and time candidate are recorded. If the sum of the speeds (obtained via the resource monitoring unit 42 and the recording speed calculating unit 43) exceeds the recording speed limit 502 of the resource limit table 46, the download reservation unit 14 is excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates. To notify.

  For example, if the reserved delivery date / time candidate time zone is the start date / time “2007/1/8 0:00” and the end date / time “2007/1/8 3:00”, the start date / time “2007 / 1/8 1:00 ”, end date and time“ 2007/1/8 4:00 ”, the resource usage schedule overlaps with the time zone, and the recording speed of the usage schedule is 60% from the column of recording speed 404 in FIG. In the speed processing load table 48 of FIG. 13, the speed conversion value 602 when the recording mode 601 is “no encoding” is 60%. Therefore, the sum of the total recording speed and the download processing recording speed is 120%, which exceeds 80%, which is the recording speed limit 502 of the resource limit table 46, and is therefore excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates. If the sum of the total recording speed and the download processing recording speed does not exceed 80%, it is not excluded from the reserved delivery date / time candidates.

  As a result of confirming all the reserved delivery date / time candidates, if no reserved delivery date / time candidates remain (No in S4009), the process returns to S4001 to execute the download reservation request to the download delivery server device 3 again. When the download distribution server device 3 has temporarily reserved the reservation distribution date and time candidate, the temporary reservation registered in the distribution reservation table 35 when the download reservation request from the download recording device 1 is received again is canceled and deleted.

  On the other hand, if the reservation delivery date candidate remains in S4009 (Yes in S4009), the reservation delivery date candidate remaining at this time is determined as the reservation delivery date. When a plurality of reserved delivery date / time candidates remain, as a method for determining the reserved delivery date / time, a method of selecting the earliest time zone, a method of selecting a short required time, and the output unit 96 of the download recording apparatus 1 A method of presenting a plurality of reserved delivery date / time candidates and allowing the user to select them can be considered.

  The download reservation unit 14 requests the resource management unit 41 to register a resource use schedule in the time zone of the reservation delivery date and time. The resource management unit 41 determines the scheduled date / time (start date / time, end date / time) from the reserved delivery date / time candidate time zone, and stores it in the scheduled date / time 401 (start date / time 402, end date / time 403) of the resource management table 47.

  In addition, the recording speed 404 and processing load 406 of the resource management table 47 include the recording speed and processing load corresponding to the download distribution recording processing acquired by the resource monitoring unit 42 from the recording speed calculation unit 43 and processing load calculation unit 44, respectively. sign up. Further, the data size of the content to be downloaded and distributed is registered in the recording capacity 405 of the resource management table 47, and the network transmission speed of the content to be downloaded and distributed is registered in the network speed 407.

  Next, in order to prevent broadcast program reservation in the time zone of the reserved delivery date and time, the program recording reservation unit 15 is requested to register program recording reservation in the same time zone (S4011: processing equivalent to S1006). The program recording reservation unit 15 determines the recording reservation date / time (start date / time, end date / time) from the reserved delivery date / time candidate time zone, and stores it in the recording reservation date / time 201 (start date / time 202, end date / time 203) of the program recording reservation table 21. To do.

  The channel 204 of the program recording reservation table 21 stores information indicating download distribution reservation, the program name 205 stores the content name to be downloaded, and the recording capacity 207 stores the data size of the content to be downloaded. The content name and content data size are passed as reservation information when a reservation registration request is sent from the download reservation unit 14 to the program recording reservation unit 15.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to S4012. Since S4012, S4013, S4014, S4015, and S4016 are the same processes as S1007, S1008, S1009, S1010, and S1011, respectively, description thereof is omitted.

  In the download distribution reservation process of FIG. 16, if all the reserved distribution date / time candidates received from the download distribution server apparatus 3 are out of the conditions in steps S4005 to S4009, the process returns to S4001 and the download distribution server apparatus 3 The download reservation request is again executed, but the number of reservation request repetitions may be limited. In this case, the download distribution reservation is impossible, and the fact may be presented to the user using the output unit 96 of the download recording device 1.

  In the download distribution reservation process of FIG. 16, download reservation distribution date / time candidates are determined by the download distribution server device 3, but the reservation distribution date / time candidates are determined by the download recording device 1, and the download distribution server device 3 selects the candidates from the candidates. A method of determining the reservation delivery date may be used. In this case, first, the download reservation unit 14 of the download recording apparatus 1 predicts the required download time from the content data size and the network line speed, inquires the program recording reservation unit 15, and the time for which the program recording reservation can be made for the required download time. A band is searched from the program recording reservation table 21 and a reservation distribution date candidate is determined. Then, the download reservation unit 14 of the download recording device 1 notifies the download reservation management unit 32 of the download distribution server device 3 of the reservation distribution date / time candidate, and the download reservation management unit 32 searches the distribution reservation table 35 and reserves the distribution date / time candidate. The processing procedure is to extract a time zone in which distribution is possible, determine a reservation distribution date and time, and register it in the distribution reservation table 35.

  Further, the steps of S4005 to S4009 may be changed in order as necessary, or unnecessary steps may be deleted. For example, in the case where the recording of the broadcast program and the recording of the content to be downloaded through the network are integrated, the broadcast program and the recording of the content to be downloaded may be performed in parallel unless the resource limit required for recording is exceeded. Thus, since it is not necessary to exclude the scheduled recording date / time from the reserved delivery date / time candidates, S4005 may be deleted. Further, for example, when there is no upper limit of the number that can be recorded in parallel, S4006 may be deleted.

  In the content download distribution system, the time required for downloading, that is, the download duration is estimated to be completed due to the influence of the network environment, the network load, the execution load of the download recording device 1 and the download distribution server device 3, etc. It is difficult to complete day and time. There is no problem when the download distribution is completed at a date earlier than the scheduled date, but when the download distribution is not completed even after the scheduled date and time, since the reservation information of the download recording device 1 has been deleted, another download distribution record Or program recording. For this reason, if the download distribution is not completed at the scheduled date and time, it is necessary to extend the download distribution reservation.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of processing executed in the download delivery reservation extending process (delivery reservation step) executed in the download delivery system in the present embodiment.
The start of the process is a time point at which the download and storage of the content data is executed in the download step of the download recording device 1.

  The download reservation unit 14 of the download recording device 1 confirms the scheduled completion date 108 of the reservation distribution date 106 of the download distribution reservation information stored in the download reservation table 20 (S5000). In S5001, if there is no distribution reservation whose current date and time has passed the scheduled completion date and time (No in S5001), the process returns to S5000 and repeats the confirmation process, and the current date and time has passed the scheduled completion date and time. If there is a distribution reservation (Yes in S5001), a distribution reservation process for continuously downloading a data size that has not been downloaded from the current date and time is executed (S5002). This distribution reservation process is the download distribution reservation process (distribution reservation step) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 or FIG.

  In S5003, when the execution result of the download delivery reservation process has confirmed the reservation delivery date and time in the time zone that has continued from the current date and time (Yes in S5003), the process proceeds to S5007. On the other hand, if the reservation delivery date and time cannot be determined in the time period that has continued from the current date and time (No in S5003), the delivery reservation process is executed regardless of whether or not it is continued (S5004). This distribution reservation process is also the download distribution reservation process (distribution reservation step) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 or FIG.

  In S5005, when the execution result of the download delivery reservation process has confirmed the reservation delivery date and time in the time zone that has continued from the current date and time (Yes in S5005), the process proceeds to S5007. On the other hand, if the reservation delivery date / time cannot be determined in the time period that has continued from the current date / time (No in S5005), the download cannot be continued and the delivery reservation becomes impossible, and the output unit 96 of the download recording device 1 is used. You may show that to a user (S5006). When the download distribution reservation of the data that has not been downloaded is confirmed, the user may be notified of the extension or the resumption of the download in another time zone (S5007).

In the content download distribution system, the time required for downloading, that is, the download duration time is estimated due to the influence of the network environment, the network load, the execution load of the download recording device 1 and the download distribution server device 3, and the like. This also occurs when the download distribution server device 3 cannot prepare for the start of download distribution at the download distribution reservation start date and time. For this reason, when download distribution does not start at the start date and time, re-reservation processing of download distribution is required.
FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of processing executed in the download delivery re-reservation processing (delivery reservation step) executed in the download delivery system in the present embodiment.

The start of the process is the time when the download recording apparatus 1 starts the download step.
The download reservation unit 14 of the download recording device 1 inquires of the download distribution server device 3 whether or not download distribution can be started at the reservation distribution date and time. At this time, the inquiry information includes a reservation identifier for specifying the distribution reservation. In the download distribution server device 3, the download reservation management unit 32 organizes distribution reservations according to the execution load and network load of the distribution reservation table 35 and the download distribution server device 3, if necessary, and the distribution reservation specified by the reservation identifier. However, if it is estimated that it can be started at the start date / time of the reservation delivery date / time (Yes in S2003), the download reservation unit 14 returns notification information indicating that delivery is possible to the download recording device 1 (S2004), and the download recording device 1 The download reservation unit 14 transitions to a state of waiting for download until the start date and time of the reservation delivery date (S2005).

  On the other hand, when it cannot start at the start date / time of the reserved delivery date / time (in the case of No in S2003), the download reservation unit 14 returns notification information indicating that the delivery cannot be started to the download recording device 1 (S2006). When the download reservation unit 14 of the download recording device 1 receives the distribution start impossible notification, the download reservation unit 14 deletes the current download distribution reservation information (for example, specified by the reservation identifier) from the download reservation table 20 and further sends it to the program recording reservation unit 15. , Request to delete the distribution reservation from the program recording reservation table. The download distribution re-reservation process of S2011 to S2018 is the same processing procedure as that after S1004 of the download distribution reservation process of FIG.

  Note that the processing after S2011 in FIG. 18 may be equivalent to the processing after S4004 in the download distribution reservation processing in FIG. In other words, the download distribution re-reservation process can be applied to both the download distribution reservation process shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  Also, the external storage unit 94 in FIG. 2 may be built in the download recording device or the download distribution server device, or may be connected to the outside.

  In addition, all the functions in the functional configuration diagrams shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 10 may be realized by hardware, or a part thereof may be realized by software.

  Further, it is not always necessary to provide all the functions of the functional configuration diagrams shown in FIGS.

  In addition, what is expressed as “table” in the embodiments of the present specification is a table that summarizes the relationship between data, but it is not necessarily a table, and the relationship between data and data is stored. It only has to be done. Therefore, the “table” is also simply referred to as a “storage unit”.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a content download distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the download recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the download distribution server device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the download reservation table according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the program recording reservation table according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a screen for presenting program reservation contents according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of download distribution reservation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of download distribution completion processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram of the download recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the resource management table according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the resource restriction table according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the recording speed table according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the processing load table according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the net speed table according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the download reservation process according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the download extension reservation process according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of download re-reservation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Download reproduction apparatus 2 Communication medium 3 Download delivery server apparatus 11 Communication part 13 Download communication part 14 Download reservation part 15 Program recording reservation part 16 Program receiving part 17 Content recording part 18 Program recording reservation display part 19 Content reproduction part 20 Download reservation table 21 Program recording reservation table 22 Recorded content data 31 Communication unit 32 Download reservation management unit 33 Download distribution unit 34 Content information database 35 Distribution reservation table 36 Content data 41 Resource management unit 42 Resource monitoring unit 43 Recording speed calculation unit 44 Processing load calculation unit 45 Network speed calculator 46 Resource limit table 47 Resource management table 48 Recording bandwidth table 49 Processing load table 50 Net speed table

Claims (18)

A communication unit connected to the communication medium;
A download processing unit that downloads content from a communication medium via the communication unit;
A receiving unit for receiving a broadcast program;
A recording unit for recording the downloaded content and / or recording the received broadcast program;
A program recording reservation unit that reserves recording of the broadcast program;
The download processing unit transmits content information indicating the content to be downloaded, receives reserved distribution date / time candidate information indicating a reserved distribution date / time candidate that is a candidate date / time for downloading the content, and the received reserved distribution date / time candidate information is It is determined whether there is a date / time when the content can be recorded in the recording unit from the reserved delivery date / time candidates shown. When it is determined that there is a date / time when the content can be recorded, information on the date / time when the content can be delivered A receiving device that receives information and registers the date and time when the content is distributed. The receiving apparatus according to claim 1.
The program recording reservation unit distributes information on the name of the broadcast program to be recorded, recording date / time information indicating the recording date / time that is the date / time when the broadcast program is recorded, content information of the content to be downloaded, and content indicated by the content information. Receiving apparatus including a program recording reservation storage unit including distribution date and time information indicating a date and time. The receiving device according to claim 2.
The download processing unit compares the scheduled delivery date / time candidate indicated by the received scheduled delivery date / time candidate information with the recording date / time indicated by the recording date / time information of the program recording reservation storage unit and the date / time when the content indicated by the delivery date / time information is delivered. The receiving apparatus that determines that the scheduled delivery date / time candidate that does not include the recording date / time and the date / time when the content is delivered is a date / time that can be recorded in the recording unit. The receiving device according to claim 2.
The download processing unit compares the scheduled delivery date / time candidate indicated by the received scheduled delivery date / time candidate information with the recording date / time indicated by the recording date / time information of the program recording reservation storage unit, and the reserved delivery date / time not including the recording date / time. A receiving apparatus that determines that a candidate is a date and time that can be recorded in the recording unit. The receiving device according to claim 2 or 4,
A resource management unit for managing resources used for recording content to be downloaded and broadcast programs using a resource management storage unit including recording date and time information indicating recording date and time when recording to the recording unit is performed;
The download processing unit determines whether or not there is a date and time when the content indicated by the content information can be recorded in the recording unit from the reserved delivery date and time candidate indicated by the reserved delivery date and time candidate information via the resource management unit. The receiving device according to claim 2 or 4,
A resource management unit for managing resources used for recording content to be downloaded and broadcast programs using a resource management storage unit including recording date and time information indicating recording date and time when recording to the recording unit is performed;
The resource management unit includes a resource limit storage unit including record number limit information indicating a record number limit that is a limit on the number of contents that can be recorded in parallel.
The download processing unit compares the reserved delivery date / time candidate determined to be the date / time that can be recorded in the recording unit and the recording date / time of the resource management storage unit, and the number of records to be recorded in parallel is the number of records in the resource limit storage unit A receiving apparatus that determines that a reserved delivery date and time candidate that does not exceed the record number limit indicated by the limit information is a date and time that can be recorded in the recording unit. The receiving device according to claim 2 or 4,
Using a resource management storage unit including recording date and time information indicating a recording date and time when recording to the recording unit and network speed information indicating a network speed that is a network speed used for downloading the content to be recorded A resource management unit for managing resources used for recording content to be downloaded and broadcast programs;
The resource management unit includes a network speed limit storage unit including network speed limit information indicating a network speed limit that is a limit of a sum of network speeds,
The download processing unit compares the reserved delivery date / time candidate determined to be the date / time that can be recorded in the recording unit and the recording date / time of the resource management storage unit, and determines the speed of the network used for downloading the content to be recorded in parallel. A receiving apparatus that determines that a reserved delivery date / time candidate whose sum does not exceed the network speed limit of the network speed limit storage unit is a date / time that can be recorded in the recording unit. The receiving device according to claim 2 or 4,
Resources used for recording content and broadcast programs to be downloaded using a resource management storage unit including recording date and time information indicating the recording date and time when recording to the recording unit and recording load information indicating the recording load Has a resource management unit to manage,
The resource management unit has a resource limit storage unit including a recording load limit indicating a limit of a load that can be recorded in parallel,
The download processing unit compares the reserved delivery date / time candidate determined to be the date / time that can be recorded in the recording unit with the recording date / time of the resource management storage unit, and the load when recording in parallel is the load of the resource limit storage unit A receiving apparatus that determines that a reserved delivery date and time candidate that does not exceed a recording load limit is a date and time that can be recorded in the recording unit. The receiving device according to claim 2 or 4,
Resources used for recording contents to be downloaded and broadcast programs using a resource management storage unit including recording date and time information indicating the recording date and time when recording to the recording unit and recording speed information indicating the recording speed are recorded. Has a resource management unit to manage,
The resource management unit includes a resource limit storage unit including recording speed limit information indicating a recording speed limit that is a limit of a speed at which recording can be performed in parallel.
The download processing unit compares the reserved delivery date / time candidate determined to be the date / time that can be recorded in the recording unit with the recording date / time indicated by the recording date / time information in the resource management storage unit, and records the recording speed when recording in parallel. A receiving apparatus that determines that a reserved delivery date / time candidate whose sum does not exceed the recording speed limit indicated by the recording speed limit information of the resource limit storage unit is a date / time that can be recorded in the recording unit. A storage unit for storing content;
A communication unit connected to the communication medium;
A distribution unit that distributes the content stored in the storage unit via the communication unit;
A distribution management unit for managing the distribution of the content;
The distribution management unit receives information indicating the content to be distributed, transmits reserved distribution date / time candidate information indicating a reserved distribution date / time candidate that is a date / time candidate for distributing the content, and the reserved distribution indicated by the reserved distribution date / time candidate information A transmission apparatus that receives distribution date / time information indicating a distribution date / time for distributing the content selected from date / time candidates, and registers the distribution date / time indicated by the received distribution date / time information. The transmission device according to claim 10, wherein
The transmission management unit includes a distribution reservation information storage unit including content information indicating content to be distributed, distribution date information of the content information, and information indicating a recording device to which the content is distributed. In a distribution method for distributing content,
Send content information indicating the content that is required to be delivered,
Receiving the content information and transmitting distribution date / time candidate information indicating a distribution date / time candidate that is a date / time candidate for distributing the content indicated by the content information;
The distribution date / time candidate information is received, the date / time at which the content indicated by the content information is distributed is determined from the distribution date / time candidates indicated by the distribution date / time candidate information, and the distribution date / time information indicating the distribution date / time is transmitted. And
Register the date and time indicated by the distribution date and time as the date and time when the content indicated by the content information is distributed, and send registered and distributed date and time information indicating the registered and distributed date and time that is the date and time when the registered content is distributed;
A delivery method for receiving the registered delivery date information and registering the registered delivery date indicated by the registered delivery date information as the date when the content indicated by the content information is delivered. The delivery method of claim 12,
A distribution method for determining a date and time when the content indicated by the content information is distributed from the distribution date and time candidates so that a plurality of contents are not distributed in parallel. The delivery method of claim 12,
A distribution method for determining a date and time when the content indicated by the content information is distributed from the distribution date and time candidates so as not to exceed a limit on the number of contents that can be distributed in parallel. The delivery method of claim 12,
A distribution method for determining a date and time when the content indicated by the content information is distributed from the distribution date and time candidates so as not to exceed a limit of a network transmission speed that can be distributed in parallel. The delivery method of claim 12,
A distribution method for determining a date and time when the content indicated by the content information is distributed from the distribution date and time candidates so as not to exceed a load limit on a recording process when the distributed content is recorded. The delivery method of claim 12,
A distribution method for determining a date and time when the content indicated by the content information is distributed from the distribution date and time candidates so as not to exceed a recording speed limit when recording the content to be distributed. In a distribution system having a receiving device for receiving content and a transmitting device for transmitting content,
A communication unit connected to the communication medium;
A download processing unit that downloads content from a communication medium via the communication unit;
A receiving unit for receiving a broadcast program;
A recording unit for recording the downloaded content and / or recording the received broadcast program;
A program recording reservation unit that reserves recording of the broadcast program;
The program recording reservation unit transmits the content information of the content to be downloaded to the transmission device, receives the date / time candidate for downloading the content, determines the date / time for downloading the content from the date / time candidate for downloading, A receiving device that transmits information of the determined download date and time to the transmission device and registers the download date and time;
A storage unit for storing content;
A communication unit connected to the communication medium;
A distribution unit that distributes the content stored in the storage unit via the communication unit;
A transmission device having a distribution management unit for managing the distribution of the content,
The distribution management unit receives content information indicating the content to be downloaded by the receiving device, and stores reserved distribution date / time candidate information indicating a reserved distribution date / time candidate, which is a date / time candidate for distributing the content indicated by the content information, to the receiving device. A transmitting device that transmits and receives information on a date and time when the receiving device downloads, registers a date and time indicated by the received date and time information as a distribution date and time, and transmits a notification that the registration has been performed to the receiving device; ,
Having a delivery system.

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