JP2008293436A - Content reception control device and content reception control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to appropriately control download reception while keeping stable streaming reception in processing streaming reception and download reception parallelly. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention comprises: streaming reception means S1-Sn for receiving streaming data; streaming data storage means B1-Bn for storing streaming data; a data buffer amount measurement means 11 for measuring a data amount of respective streaming data; a download reception processing control means 12 for generating a download enable signal if the data amounts of all streaming data exceed a predetermined reference value, and generating a download disable signal if at least one of the data amounts is the predetermined reference value or less; and download reception means W1-Wn for receiving download data if the download enable signal is provided, and stopping download data reception if the download disable signal is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reception control apparatus and a content reception control program that efficiently perform download reception while maintaining stable streaming reception.

  Recently, with the spread of home networks such as DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), video data and music data such as video and TV broadcasts are also streamed and received by AV devices in the home via the network. Those having a function of downloading still image data and music data are widely used.

  Here, DLNA is a non-profit organization that develops a standard for seamlessly sharing AV content via a network among home appliances, personal computers, and mobile devices. The standard formulated by DLNA is DLNA. It is called a standard.

  In the DLNA standard, “Streaming Transfer” is a streaming communication for reproducing data while receiving data such as video and music via a network, “Background Transfer” is a communication for downloading data for the user to view later. Communication that downloads data that does not have a time axis during playback, such as still images, is defined as “Interactive Transfer”. In these communications, the HTTP protocol is generally used.

  However, since the HTTP protocol does not guarantee the communication speed or communication band, there may be a case where a communication delay occurs when a plurality of communications are mixed and the communication load exceeds the capability of the device or the network.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of communication using the HTTP protocol, which is a conventional technique.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the server 200 returns a response to the request from the client 100. When the client 100 requests the server 200 for stream delivery, as shown in the content request command 301, the “transferMode.dlna.org” header is set to “Streaming” and the request is sent to the server 200 as “Streaming Transfer”. To do. When the client 100 requests the server 200 to distribute a still image, the “transferMode.dlna.org” header is set to “Interactive” as shown in the content request command 302, and “Interactive” is sent to the server 200. Request as “Transfer”. Similarly, when requesting data download, as shown in the content request command 303, the “transferMode.dlna.org” header is set to “Background” and the server 200 is requested as “Background Transfer”. Thus, since the “transferMode.dlna.org” header is added to the content request command from the client 100 and the type of communication is set, there is no difference in the communication data itself.

  In addition, in the DLNA standard, in order to prevent content streaming playback from becoming unstable due to communication delays, etc., priority is given to “Streaming Transfer” over “Background Transfer” and “Interactive Transfer” with diffServ-type QoS bandwidth guarantee. It includes provisions such as raising it.

  However, QoS bandwidth guarantee gives priority to high-priority data transmitted over the network, but it cannot efficiently control clients that simultaneously receive content streaming and download. It was. That is, in the QoS bandwidth guarantee, when the communication of a plurality of content data from the server to the client exceeds the network load, the communication packet with the low priority is discarded because the communication packet with the low priority is discarded. In some cases, it was destroyed.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a terminal device that measures a network communication speed between a client and a server, a router, or the like in a plurality of network data reception processes, and changes the communication priority based on the measurement result. .
Japanese Patent No. 3732149

  However, for example, in streaming reception of MPEG2 moving image data and MP3 music data compressed with a variable compression rate, the band speed changes in a very short time. In some cases, efficient control could not be performed with a typical speed measurement.

  Furthermore, in the terminal device described in Patent Document 1, since the network communication speed is measured between the client and the server, the router, or the like, the measurement itself may become a network load as the measurement interval is shortened. In such a case, for example, when the speed of download communication is measured, a pause state of streaming communication occurs, and streaming reception may become unstable.

  In addition, as in the terminal device described in Patent Document 1, in the technique of changing the priority according to the measurement result of the network communication speed, the client that performs simultaneous streaming reception and download reception is efficiently controlled. I can't do it. That is, when communication of a plurality of content data from the server to the client exceeds the load on the network, it may not be possible to appropriately control communication without discarding communication packets with low priority.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a content reception control apparatus that appropriately controls download reception while maintaining stable streaming reception when performing streaming reception processing and download reception processing in parallel, and It is an object to provide a content reception control program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the content reception control apparatus according to the present invention is that one or more streaming receiving means for receiving streaming data from a server and streaming data received by the one or more streaming receiving means. One or a plurality of streaming data storage means for storing data corresponding to each streaming receiving means, and a data buffer amount measuring means for measuring the data amount of each streaming data stored in the one or more streaming data storage means And the data amount of each streaming data measured by the data buffer amount measuring means and a predetermined reference value, and if the data amount of all streaming data exceeds the predetermined reference value, a download permission signal Generates one or more strikes Download data processing control means for generating a download disapproval signal when the data amount of the game data is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value, and a server when the download permission signal generated by the download reception process control means is supplied One or a plurality of download receiving means for receiving download data and stopping reception of download data from a server when a download non-permission signal generated by the download reception processing control means is supplied.

  According to the content reception control apparatus and the content reception control program according to the present invention, when streaming reception and download reception are processed in parallel, download reception can be appropriately controlled while maintaining stable streaming reception.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the content reception control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a content reception control apparatus 1 is connected to network AV servers 3 and 4 having a streaming distribution function and a download data distribution function via a network 2.

  The content reception control apparatus 1 includes streaming reception means S1 to Sn, data buffers B1 to Bn, data decompression means D1 to Dn, data reproduction means R1 to Rn, download reception means W1 to Wn, and data buffer amount measurement. Means 11, download reception processing control means 12, and data storage means 13 are provided.

  The streaming receiving means S 1 to Sn receive streaming data from the servers 3 and 4 via the network 2.

  The data buffers B1 to Bn are constituted by a memory or the like, and are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the streaming receiving means S1 to Sn. Each streaming data received by the streaming receiving means S1 to Sn is stored.

  Data decompression means D1 to Dn are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the data buffers B1 to Bn, and decompress the streaming data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn.

  The data reproduction means R1 to Rn are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the data decompression means D1 to Dn, and reproduce the streaming data decompressed by the data decompression means D1 to Dn.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a streaming reception state by the streaming receiving means S1 to Sn. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the streaming receiving means S1 to Sn start streaming processing, the data amount stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn is “0”.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, when the data amount of the streaming data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn reaches a predetermined reference value V, the data decompression means D1 to Dn and the data reproduction means R1 to Rn start their respective processes.

  Here, the reference value V needs to be calculated in advance by a provider or the like in advance based on actual measurement, and the provider or user or the like needs to set an appropriate value in advance. For example, the reproduction time in the reproduction means R1 to Rn is set to be a data amount corresponding to about 0.2 to 0.4 seconds. Further, the value of the reference value V can be set to ½ of the upper limit value L of the data buffers B1 to Bn. The upper limit L indicates the storage capacity of the data buffers B1 to Bn, and is theoretically preferable to be larger, but is mounted as an appropriate storage capacity in consideration of manufacturing costs and the like. Therefore, by setting the value of the reference value V to ½ of the upper limit value L, the data amount of the streaming data in the data buffers B1 to Bn is unlikely to exceed the upper limit value L, and a sufficient data amount can be secured. it can.

  The data buffer amount measuring means 11 measures the data amount of each streaming data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn.

  The download reception processing control unit 12 compares the data amount of each streaming data measured by the data buffer amount measurement unit 11 with a predetermined reference value V. When it is determined that the data amount of all streaming data exceeds the predetermined reference value V, a download permission signal is generated, and the data amount of any one or more streaming data is equal to or less than the predetermined reference value V. If it is determined that the download is not permitted, a download non-permission signal is generated and supplied to the download receiving means W1 to Wn.

  The download receiving means W1 to Wn receive the download data from the servers 3 and 4 when the download permission signal generated by the download reception processing control means 12 is supplied, and the download generated by the download reception processing control means 12 When the non-permission signal is supplied, reception of download data from the servers 3 and 4 is stopped.

  The data storage unit 13 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD), and stores download data received by the download receiving means W1 to Wn.

<< Operation of Content Reception Control Device 1 >>
Next, the operation of the content reception control apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the content reception control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the content reception control apparatus 1 determines whether or not the streaming reception unit S1 is performing streaming communication via the network 2 (step S101). If the streaming reception unit S1 is not performing streaming communication, it is downloaded to the download reception unit W1. A download reception permission signal for receiving data is supplied.

  If it is determined in step S101 that streaming communication is being performed, the streaming reception unit S1 is caused to execute the streaming reception process (step S102), and then the data amount of the streaming data stored in the data buffer B1 is determined. Measurement is performed (step S103).

  Then, the download reception processing control unit 12 determines whether or not the data amount of the streaming data measured by the data buffer amount measurement unit 11 exceeds a predetermined reference value V (step S104). When it is determined that the data amount of the streaming data exceeds the reference value V, it is determined whether or not the data amount of the streaming data stored in the other data buffers B2 to Bn exceeds the predetermined reference value V. To do.

  In this way, each streaming receiving unit S1 to Sn performs streaming reception processing, and whether or not the data amount of the streaming data stored in each data buffer B1 to Bn exceeds the predetermined reference value V. Determine whether. When it is determined that the amount of data stored in all the data buffers B1 to Bn exceeds the predetermined reference value V, the download reception processing control unit 12 causes the download reception unit W1 to receive download data. A reception permission signal is supplied.

  FIG. 2C is an explanatory diagram illustrating a streaming reception state when the amount of streaming data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn exceeds a predetermined reference value V.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, when the amount of data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn exceeds a predetermined reference value V, the communication bandwidth of the network 2 and the capability of the streaming receiving means S1 to Sn are sufficient. Since it is considered sufficient, the download reception processing control unit 12 transmits a download reception permission signal that causes the download reception units W1 to Wn to receive the download data.

  On the other hand, if the download reception processing control means 12 determines in step S104 that the data amount stored in any one or more of the data buffers B1 to Bn is equal to or less than the predetermined reference value V, the download reception means A download stop signal for stopping reception of download data is supplied to W1.

  FIG. 2D is an explanatory diagram illustrating a streaming reception state when the amount of data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value V.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (d), when the amount of data stored in the data buffer B1 is equal to or less than the predetermined reference value V, it is considered that the communication bandwidth of the network 2 and the capability of the streaming receiving means S1 are not sufficient. Therefore, the download reception processing control unit 12 supplies the download reception stop signal for stopping the download data reception to the download reception unit W1.

  Then, the download reception processing control unit 12 determines whether or not the data amount of the streaming data stored in the data buffer B1 exceeds a predetermined reference value V for all the download reception units W1 to Wn. When the value exceeds the reference value V, a download reception permission signal is supplied, and when the data amount is equal to or less than the reference value V, a download reception stop signal is supplied.

  As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not the data amount stored in all the data buffers B1 to Bn exceeds the predetermined reference value V for each of the download receiving means W1 to Wn.

  Further, the streaming reception state can be measured without applying a network load such as speed measurement to the network 2. Therefore, even when the bandwidth speed changes in a very short time, such as when streaming video data of MPEG2 or music data of MP3 is received, the download reception processing control means 12 stores the data in the data buffers B1 to Bn. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the amount of data that has been exceeded exceeds a predetermined reference value V.

  Next, when receiving the download reception permission signal, the download receiving means W1 to Wn execute a download process via the network 2 (step S105).

  FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the transition of the amount of data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn of the content reception control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4B is the download reception unit W1. It is explanatory drawing which showed the data total amount of the download data received by thru | or Wn.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), since the data amount of the streaming data received by the streaming receiving means S1 to Sn varies, the data amount of the streaming data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn also varies accordingly. Yes.

  In FIG. 4A, the amount of data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn exceeds the reference value V until the elapsed time T1. Therefore, the download reception processing control means 12 transmits a download reception permission signal that causes the download reception means W1 to Wn to receive download data. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the total amount of download data received by the download receiving means W1 to Wn is increased until the elapsed time T1.

  At time T1, the download reception processing control unit 12 determines that the data amount of the stream data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn is equal to or less than the reference value V, and stops the download reception unit W1 from receiving download data. A download stop signal is supplied.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, since the download receiving means W1 to Wn have stopped the download processing from the elapsed time T1 to T2, the download data received by the download receiving means W1 to Wn. The total amount of data does not increase and remains constant.

  Since the data amount of the streaming data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn exceeds the reference value V from time T2 to time T3, the download receiving means W1 to Wn restart the download process.

  In this way, the download reception process control means 12 causes the download reception means W1 to Wn to execute the download process only while the amount of data stored in the data buffers B1 to Bn exceeds the reference value V. When performing both the network reception process and the download process, the download process can be appropriately controlled without delaying the streaming process.

<Example>
An example in which the content reception control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is applied to a TV receiver with a HDD corresponding to DLNA will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a TV receiver with a DLNA-compatible HDD to which the content reception control device 1 according to the present embodiment is applied.

  In FIG. 5, the TV receiver 100 with a DLNA compatible HDD is connected to a DLNA compatible PC server 31, a DLNA compatible video camera 32, and a DLNA compatible video recorder 33 having a streaming distribution function and a download data distribution function via the network 2. Has been.

  The DLNA-compatible TV receiver with HDD 100 includes a streaming receiving unit S1, a data buffer B1, an MPEG decoder D1, a speaker R1a, a display R1b, an interactive download receiving unit W1, a download receiving unit W2, and a data buffer. An amount measuring unit 11, a download reception processing control unit 12, a data storage unit 13, and a JPEG decoder 14 are provided.

  The streaming receiving unit S1 receives streaming data from the DLNA compatible PC server 31, the DLNA compatible video camera 32, and the DLNA compatible video recorder 33 via the network 2.

  The data buffer B1 is composed of a memory or the like, and stores the streaming data received by the streaming receiving unit S1.

  The MPEG2 decoder D1 decompresses the streaming data stored in the data buffer B1 or the download data stored in the HDD.

  The speaker R1a outputs the streaming data or download data decompressed by the MPEG2 decoder D1, and the display R1b displays the streaming data or download data decompressed by the MPEG2 decoder D1, or the download decompressed by the JPEG decoder 14. Display data.

  The data buffer amount measuring means 11 measures the data amount of the streaming data stored in the data buffer B1.

  The download reception processing control unit 12 compares the data amount of the streaming data measured by the data buffer amount measurement unit 11 with a predetermined reference value V. When it is determined that the data amount of the streaming data exceeds the predetermined reference value V, a download permission signal is generated. When it is determined that the data amount of the streaming data is equal to or less than the predetermined reference value V, A download non-permission signal is generated and supplied to the interactive download receiving means W1 or the download receiving means W2. Further, the download reception process control means 12 determines whether or not the interactive download reception means W1 is in the download reception process. If the download reception process is in progress, the download reception process control means 12 supplies a download permission signal to the download reception means W2. If not, a download permission signal is supplied to the interactive download receiving means W1.

  When the download permission signal generated by the download reception processing control means 12 is supplied, the interactive download receiving means W1 receives download data from the DLNA compatible PC server 31, the DLNA compatible video camera 32, or the DLNA compatible video recorder 33. Receive. When the download non-permission signal generated by the download reception processing control unit 12 is supplied, reception of download data from the DLNA compatible PC server 31, the DLNA compatible video camera 32, and the DLNA compatible video recorder 33 is stopped.

  The download receiving means W1 receives download data from the DLNA compatible PC server 31, the DLNA compatible video camera 32, or the DLNA compatible video recorder 33 when the download permission signal generated by the download reception processing control means 12 is supplied. To do. When the download non-permission signal generated by the download reception processing control unit 12 is supplied, reception of download data from the DLNA compatible PC server 31, the DLNA compatible video camera 32, and the DLNA compatible video recorder 33 is stopped.

  The interactive download receiving means W1 receives still image data as download data, and the download receiving means W2 receives still image data and moving image data as download data.

  The HDD 13 stores the download data downloaded and received by the download receiving means W2.

  The JPEG decoder 14 decompresses the download data supplied from the interactive download receiving means W1 and the download data stored in the HDD.

<< Operation of TV receiver with DLNA compatible HDD >>
Next, the operation of the TV receiver 100 with a DLNA-compatible HDD to which the content reception control device 1 according to this embodiment is applied will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the TV receiver 100 with a DLNA-compatible HDD to which the content reception control apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is applied.

  First, the TV receiver 100 with a DLNA compatible HDD determines whether or not the streaming receiving means S1 is performing streaming communication via the network 2 (step S201). The process proceeds to S205.

  If it is determined in step S201 that streaming communication is being performed, the streaming receiving unit S1 is caused to execute a streaming reception process (step S202).

  Next, the data buffer amount measuring unit 11 measures the data amount of the streaming data received by the streaming receiving unit S1 and stored in the data buffer B1 (step S203).

  Then, the download reception process control unit 12 determines whether or not the data amount of the streaming data measured by the data buffer amount measurement unit 11 exceeds a predetermined reference value V (step S204).

  When it is determined that the amount of data stored in the data buffer B1 is equal to or less than the predetermined reference value V, the download reception processing control unit 12 stops receiving download data in the interactive download reception unit W1 and the download reception unit W2. A download stop signal is transmitted.

  When the download reception processing control unit 12 determines that the amount of data stored in the data buffer B1 exceeds the predetermined reference value V, the download reception processing control unit 12 determines whether the interactive download reception unit W1 is performing a download reception process. (Step S205).

  If the interactive download receiving means W1 is in the process of receiving a download, a download permission signal is supplied to the interactive download receiving means W1, and the interactive download receiving means W1 executes download reception (step S206).

  On the other hand, if the interactive download receiving means W1 is not in the download receiving process in step S205, it is determined whether the download receiving means W2 is in the download receiving process (step S207).

  If the download receiving means W1 is in the process of receiving downloads, a download permission signal is supplied to the download receiving means W2, and the download receiving means W2 executes download reception (step S208).

  In this way, when the interactive download receiving means W1 is performing the download receiving process, the download receiving signal of the interactive download receiving means W1 is given priority over the download receiving means W2 by supplying the download permission signal to the interactive download receiving means W1. be able to.

  Further, the streaming reception state can be measured without applying a network load such as speed measurement to the network 2. Therefore, even when the bandwidth speed changes in a very short time, such as when streaming video data of MPEG2 or music data of MP3 is received, the download reception processing control means 12 is stored in the data buffer B1. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the data amount exceeds a predetermined reference value V.

  As described above, the download reception process control unit 12 causes the interactive download reception unit W1 or the download reception unit W2 to execute the download process only while the amount of data stored in the data buffer B1 exceeds the reference value V. When performing network reception processing for both streaming processing and download processing, the download processing can be appropriately controlled without delaying the streaming processing.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the content reception control apparatus according to the present embodiment. (A) is explanatory drawing explaining the streaming reception state at the time of a streaming receiving means starting a streaming process, (b) is when the data amount of the streaming data memorize | stored in the data buffer reaches a reference value (C) is an explanatory diagram explaining the streaming reception state when the data amount of the streaming data stored in the data buffer exceeds the reference value. d) is an explanatory diagram illustrating a streaming reception state when the amount of streaming data stored in the data buffer is equal to or less than a reference value. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the content reception control apparatus which is this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining transition of the data amount memorize | stored in the data buffer of the content reception control apparatus which is this embodiment, (b) is explanatory drawing which showed the data total amount of the download data received by the download receiving means. It is. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of TV receiver with a HDD corresponding to DLNA to which the content reception control apparatus which is this embodiment is applied. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of TV receiver with a HDD corresponding to DLNA to which the content reception control apparatus which is this embodiment is applied. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline | summary of the communication by HTTP protocol which is a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

B1-Bn: Streaming data storage means (data buffer)
D1 to Dn: MPEG decoder (data decompression means)
R1 to Rn Data reproduction means S1 to Sn Streaming reception means W1 to Wn Download reception means 1 Content reception control device 11 Data buffer amount measurement means 12 Download reception processing control means 13 Data storage means 14 JPEG decoder 31 ... Server 32 ... DLNA compatible video camera 33 ... DLNA compatible video recorder

Claims (2)

A content reception control device that receives streaming data and download data from a server connected via a network and controls reception of download data according to a reception state of the streaming data,
One or more streaming receiving means for receiving streaming data from the server;
One or more streaming data storage means for storing the streaming data received by the one or more streaming receiving means in correspondence with each streaming receiving means;
A data buffer amount measuring means for measuring the data amount of each streaming data stored in the one or more streaming data storage means;
The data amount of each streaming data measured by the data buffer amount measuring means is compared with a predetermined reference value, and if all the data amounts of the streaming data exceed a predetermined reference value, a download permission signal Download reception processing control means for generating a download non-permission signal when the data amount of any one or more of the streaming data is equal to or less than the predetermined reference value;
When the download permission signal generated by the download reception processing control means is supplied, download data is received from the server, and when the download non-permission signal generated by the download reception processing control means is supplied One or more download receiving means for stopping reception of download data from the server. A content reception control program for causing a computer to function as a content reception control device that receives streaming data and download data from a server connected via a network and controls reception of download data according to a reception state of the streaming data There,
A streaming receiving step for causing the one or more streaming means to receive streaming data from the server;
A streaming data storing step of storing the streaming data received by the one or more streaming means in one or more streaming data storage means corresponding to each streaming receiving means;
A data buffer amount measuring step for measuring a data amount of each streaming data stored in the one or more streaming data storage means;
The data amount of each streaming data measured in the data buffer amount measuring step is compared with a predetermined reference value, and if all the streaming data data amount exceeds a predetermined reference value, a download permission signal And a download reception processing control step of generating a download non-permission signal when the data amount of any one or more of the streaming data is equal to or less than the predetermined reference value;
When the download permission signal generated by the download reception process control step is supplied, one or a plurality of download reception units receive download data from the server, and the download failure generated by the download reception process control step is performed. A content reception control program for causing a computer to execute a download reception step of causing the one or more download reception units to stop receiving download data from the server when a permission signal is supplied.

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