JP2009075689A - Data conversion system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data conversion system capable of suppressing the load of a conversion device, and also more increasing the efficiency of a conversion processing. <P>SOLUTION: The system includes a plurality of conversion devices for performing the conversion processing of conversion object data; and a management device for providing the conversion object data to the conversion devices. The management device includes a data analysis means for analyzing the content of the conversion object data; and a data provision means for dividing the conversion object data into a plurality of parts according to the analysis results by the data analysis means, and for providing the respective divided data to the plurality of conversion devices, or for connecting the plurality of conversion object data, and for providing the connected data to one conversion device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data conversion system, and more particularly to a data conversion system including a plurality of data conversion devices.

  With the development of network technology, various multimedia data such as document data, still image or moving image data, and audio data are distributed. The multimedia data is subjected to conversion processing according to the network to be used and the distribution request before being distributed. For example, the compression format is converted or the transmission band is converted.

  In recent years, with the increase in multimedia data capacity and the diversification of compression formats, it has become necessary to perform conversion processing efficiently. However, since there is only one piece of multimedia data that can be converted by a single conversion device, if the amount of multimedia data to be converted is large, the conversion process takes a long time and the processing load of the conversion device is increased. The problem arises that becomes high. Also, if a large amount of multimedia data with a small amount of data must be converted, a plurality of conversion devices will be occupied, the conversion of other data will not proceed, and the conversion processing of each multimedia data will not proceed. It becomes inefficient. As described above, there is a problem that even when a plurality of conversion devices are provided, efficient conversion processing cannot be performed.

  Here, techniques related to the conversion of multimedia data are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of conversion servers. Among these, a technique is such that one of the conversion servers is selected, for example, there is a load, and the conversion process is performed by the selected conversion server. Is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique of reducing the load of each conversion process by distributing the conversion process of multimedia data to a plurality of conversion devices.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-40204 JP 2002-374317 A

  However, with the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, it is possible to efficiently convert a large amount of multimedia data to some extent, but there are various amounts of multimedia data to be converted. In this case, efficient conversion cannot be realized for all data. For example, when converting multiple small-capacity data, there is a possibility that multiple conversion devices will be occupied, and other multimedia data will be waiting for conversion processing, and efficient conversion processing will be executed The problem of not being able to do so may arise.

  For this reason, the object of the present invention is to improve the disadvantages of the above-described conventional example, and particularly to suppress the load on the conversion device and increase the efficiency of the conversion process.

  Therefore, a data conversion system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of conversion devices that perform conversion processing of conversion target data, and a management device that provides the conversion target data to the conversion device. A data analysis means for analyzing the contents of the conversion target data, and depending on the analysis result by the data analysis means, the conversion target data is divided into a plurality of pieces and each divided data is provided to a plurality of conversion devices, or a plurality of conversion devices The data providing means for combining the conversion target data and providing the combined data to one conversion apparatus is employed.

  By configuring the present invention as described above, it is possible to suppress the occupation of a plurality of conversion devices while suppressing the load on each conversion device, and to increase the efficiency of conversion processing. It has an excellent effect that has never been seen before.

  The present invention is a system for converting various multimedia data into other formats. In particular, it is possible to divide multimedia data and perform conversion processing in parallel with a plurality of conversion devices, or combine a plurality of multimedia data and perform conversion processing with one conversion device. As a result, a plurality of data conversion processes are collectively executed while suppressing a load on each conversion apparatus, thereby realizing an efficient conversion process.

And the data conversion system which is one form of this invention,
A data conversion system comprising a plurality of conversion devices that perform conversion processing of conversion target data, and a management device that provides the conversion target data to the conversion device,
Management device
Data analysis means for analyzing the contents of the conversion target data;
Depending on the analysis result by the data analysis means, the conversion target data is divided into a plurality of pieces and each divided data is provided to a plurality of conversion devices, or a plurality of conversion target data is combined to combine the combined data into one conversion device. Data providing means to provide to,
It has the structure of having.

  According to the above invention, the management device first analyzes the content of the conversion target data, and divides the conversion target data into a plurality of pieces or combines the plurality of conversion target data into one in accordance with the analysis result. To provide. Then, the conversion device performs a conversion process on the provided conversion target data. Therefore, for example, data with a large amount of conversion processing is divided and converted by a plurality of conversion devices, and a plurality of pieces of data with a small amount of conversion processing are combined and converted by a single conversion device. As a result, while suppressing the load applied to each conversion device, the occupation of the plurality of conversion devices can be suppressed, and the conversion process can be highly efficient.

  Further, the data providing means includes a conversion time estimation means for estimating a time required for the conversion process of the conversion target data according to the analysis result of the conversion target data, and a conversion estimation time estimated by the conversion time estimation means. Further, a configuration is employed in which data to be converted is divided or data dividing / combining means for combining a plurality of pieces of conversion target data is provided.

  Further, the data dividing / combining means divides the conversion target data when the conversion estimation time is larger than a preset division reference value, and when the conversion estimation time is smaller than the preset combination reference value, The configuration is to combine data.

  Further, the conversion time estimation means estimates the time required for the conversion of the divided data, and the data dividing / combining means divides the conversion target data so that the conversion estimated time of the divided data is not less than a predetermined value. The configuration is taken. Further, the conversion time estimating means estimates the time required for conversion of the divided data, and the data dividing / combining means divides the conversion target data so that the conversion estimation times of the divided data are substantially constant, respectively. Take.

  The conversion time estimating means estimates the time required for conversion of the combined data, and the data dividing / combining means combines other conversion object data until the conversion estimated time of the combined data reaches a predetermined value. The configuration is taken.

  According to the above configuration, the conversion time is first estimated before the conversion process of the conversion target data. When the conversion estimation time is larger than the division reference value, the conversion target data is divided. When the conversion estimation time is smaller than the combination reference value, a plurality of conversion target data is combined. Therefore, it is possible to divide data that is likely to take a long conversion time, thereby reducing the processing load on the conversion device and shortening the conversion time of each divided data. In addition, data that is estimated to have a short conversion time is obtained by combining a plurality of pieces of conversion target data and performing conversion processing collectively, and suppressing an increase in processing load on the conversion device while occupying a plurality of conversion devices. Can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, by estimating the conversion time of the divided data obtained by dividing the conversion target data and dividing the conversion data so that the conversion estimation time of the divided data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the conversion target data is not divided too much, Occupying a large amount of data to be converted can be suppressed. In particular, by dividing each divided data so that the estimated conversion time is substantially constant, uniform conversion processing can be realized in each conversion device, and the processing load can be suppressed. In addition, the conversion time of combined data obtained by combining a plurality of conversion target data is estimated, and by combining other data until the conversion estimation time of the combined data reaches a predetermined value, the load on the conversion device is reduced. An efficient conversion process can be realized by processing a plurality of data collectively without excessively increasing the size.

  Further, the data analysis means adopts a configuration of analyzing at least one of the data amount, type, and characteristics of the conversion target data. The management device includes conversion time storage means for storing conversion time data representing a time taken when the conversion target data is actually converted by the conversion device in association with an analysis result by the data analysis means, The conversion time estimation means adopts a configuration in which the conversion time is estimated based on the data stored in the conversion time storage means.

  Thereby, more accurate conversion estimation time can be calculated based on each characteristic of the analyzed conversion target data. Further, by accumulating the actual conversion processing time in association with the analysis result, it is possible to calculate a more accurate conversion estimation time with reference to this.

  Further, the data analysis means associates priority data indicating the priority of the processing order of the conversion target data with the conversion target data, and the data providing means performs the order based on the priority data associated with the conversion target data. Then, the conversion target data is processed. In addition, the data analysis unit associates time information indicating the time when the conversion target data is received as the conversion target with the conversion target data, and the data providing unit waits for a conversion process that can be identified from the time information associated with the conversion target data. The conversion target data is processed in an order based on time.

  As a result, high-priority data that requires conversion and data with a long processing wait time can be preferentially processed, and the efficiency of the conversion process can be improved.

  A data conversion management device according to another embodiment of the present invention is a device that provides conversion target data to a plurality of conversion devices that perform conversion processing of conversion target data, and analyzes the contents of the conversion target data. According to the analysis result by the data analysis means and the data analysis means, the conversion target data is divided into a plurality of parts and each divided data is provided to a plurality of conversion devices, or the plurality of conversion target data is combined and combined data Is provided with data providing means for providing the same to one conversion device.

  Further, the data conversion management device is estimated by the conversion time estimation unit, wherein the data providing unit estimates a time required for the conversion process of the conversion target data according to the analysis result of the conversion target data, and the conversion time estimation unit. In accordance with the estimated conversion time, a configuration is adopted in which data to be converted is divided or data dividing / combining means for combining a plurality of data to be converted is provided.

  A program according to another aspect of the present invention includes a data analysis unit that analyzes the contents of the conversion target data to a computer that provides the conversion target data to a plurality of conversion devices that perform conversion processing of the conversion target data. Depending on the analysis result by the data analysis means, the conversion target data is divided into a plurality of pieces and each divided data is provided to a plurality of conversion devices, or a plurality of conversion target data is combined to combine the combined data into one conversion device. And providing the data providing means.

  In addition, the program stores the conversion time estimation means for estimating the time required for the conversion process of the conversion target data according to the analysis result of the conversion target data, and the conversion estimation time estimated by the conversion time estimation means. Accordingly, a configuration is adopted in which data providing means is provided that includes data dividing / combining means for dividing the conversion target data or combining a plurality of conversion target data.

  In addition, a method for providing conversion target data to a plurality of conversion devices that perform conversion processing of conversion target data according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a data analysis step for analyzing the contents of the conversion target data, and a data analysis step Depending on the analysis result, the data to be converted is divided into a plurality of pieces and each divided data is provided to a plurality of conversion devices, or the plurality of pieces of conversion target data are combined to provide combined data to one conversion device. And a data providing step.

  In the above method, the data providing step estimates the time required for the conversion processing of the conversion target data according to the analysis result of the conversion target data, and the conversion estimation estimated in the conversion time estimation step According to the time, the conversion target data is divided, or a data dividing / combining step of combining a plurality of conversion target data is employed.

  The data conversion method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a data providing step in which a computer provides conversion target data to the conversion device, and a conversion processing step in which the conversion processing of the conversion target data provided by the conversion device is performed. Before the data providing step, the computer has a data analysis step for analyzing the contents of the conversion target data, and the data providing step converts the data according to the analysis result of the data analysis step. A configuration is adopted in which the target data is divided into a plurality of pieces and each divided data is provided to a plurality of conversion devices, or a plurality of pieces of conversion target data are combined to provide combined data to one conversion device.

  And in the said data conversion method, the said data provision process estimated in the conversion time estimation process which estimates the time concerning the conversion process of the said conversion object data according to the analysis result of the conversion object data, and the conversion time estimation process According to the conversion estimation time, the conversion target data is divided, or a data division / combination step of combining a plurality of conversion target data is employed.

  Even the invention of the apparatus, program, and method having the above configuration can achieve the above-described object of the present invention because it has the same operation as the above-described data conversion system.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the data conversion system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state at the time of inputting multimedia data which is conversion target data. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a management device that is a data conversion management device that forms part of the data conversion system. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state when multimedia data is managed as a task in the management apparatus. 5 to 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the data conversion system.

[Constitution]
First, the data conversion system according to the present embodiment is used, for example, in a content distribution service that distributes multimedia data via a network. However, the use is an example, and the present invention is not limited to being used for a content distribution service.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the data conversion system according to the present embodiment includes an input device 1 that inputs multimedia data as conversion target data to the system, a management device 2 that manages the conversion processing of multimedia data, And a plurality of conversion devices 3 connected to the management device 2 and performing conversion processing of multimedia data. Each of the devices 1, 2, and 3 may be configured by one computer, for example, or may be configured by being distributed among a plurality of computers. Hereinafter, each device will be described.

  The input device 1 is a device that accepts multimedia data conversion processing tasks and receives conversion processing requests. For example, when the multimedia data that is the conversion target data is an electronic document, the electronic document is accepted and a request for converting it into a still image or the like is accepted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the input device 1 receives input of priority and conversion destination format information together with the multimedia data MD that is the conversion target data. Then, the task D is configured by associating them and passed to the management apparatus 2. The priority is data representing the priority of the conversion processing order of the associated multimedia data MD, as will be described later. That is, the multimedia data MD to which this priority data is added or to which data set with a high priority is added is preferentially converted as will be described later. The conversion destination format represents, for example, specification of a format when converting an electronic document into a still image compression format such as GIF or JPEG.

  In addition, the input device 1 has a function of accepting an input of a conversion task status check request stored in the management device 2 and a request for changing the above-described priority of the conversion task and passing the request to the management device 2. .

  Next, the management apparatus 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the management device 2 includes a data analysis unit 21 that analyzes the content of multimedia data requested for conversion, and a multi-device to be converted by incorporating a program in an arithmetic device (not shown) such as a CPU. A task selection unit 23 that selects media data, that is, a conversion task, and a task analysis unit 24 that analyzes a task that performs conversion processing are provided. In addition, the management device 2 stores, in a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory, a task list 22 that temporarily stores a conversion task that is multimedia data to be converted, and information indicating a situation when the conversion process is actually performed. Conversion information storage unit 25. Hereinafter, each configuration will be further described in detail.

  First, the data analysis unit 21 (data analysis means) adds an ID (identification information) to each multimedia data received from the input device 1, that is, for each conversion task, and stores it in the task list 22 as a conversion task 22a. Further, the data analysis unit 21 adds the task reception time received from the input device 1 to the conversion task 22a. The data analysis unit 21 has a data amount analysis unit 21a for analyzing the data amount of multimedia data, analyzes the data amount of the multimedia data, and adds it to the conversion task 22a. The data analysis unit 21 has a type analysis unit 21b for analyzing the type of multimedia data (file format, etc.), performs analysis of the type of multimedia data received from the input device 1, and is included in the conversion task 22a. Append. In addition, the data analysis unit 21 includes a feature analysis unit 21c that analyzes features of multimedia data, and what kind of feature is present in which part of the data (for example, where is the image part in the electronic document). And the like are added to the conversion task 22a.

  Here, an example of the data structure of the conversion task 22a including the multimedia data to be converted analyzed by the data analysis unit 21 is shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the conversion task 22a includes identification ID, priority received at the time of input, task reception time by the management apparatus 2, multimedia data itself, multimedia data type, and amount of multimedia data. , Data features, conversion status information, etc. The conversion state of the conversion task 22a includes three states of “waiting for conversion”, “converting”, and “conversion completed”, and is rewritten by the task selection unit 23 as described later, for example. However, the information included in the conversion task 22a is not limited to the information described above.

  The task selection unit 23 has a function of selecting an execution task from the task list 22 and passing the conversion task to the conversion device 3. Specifically, first, the task selection unit 23 selects a task 22a that has not been subjected to conversion processing from the task list 22 when there is an empty conversion device 3 that has not performed conversion processing. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the conversion task 22 a selected from the task list 22 is taken out in consideration of the task priority and task reception time associated with each multimedia data. For example, the task selection method is to first search for a task that has been waiting for conversion in the task list for a certain time or more in the task list 22 based on the task reception time. Select a task with a long wait time. If there is no such task, the task with the highest priority in the task list is selected. If there are a plurality of tasks with the highest priority, a task with a longer waiting time is selected. Then, the task selection unit 23 passes the selected task to the task analysis unit 24 that performs processing for improving conversion efficiency. In response to this, the task selection unit 23 receives the result analyzed by the task analysis unit 24, and passes the conversion task 22a to the conversion device 3 based on the result.

  Further, the task selection unit 23 receives a task after the conversion process from the conversion device 3 and writes the conversion state of each task in the conversion task 22 a in the task list 22. Further, the task selection unit 23 stores the conversion processing time of the task for the actual conversion processing in the conversion information storage unit 25 (conversion time storage unit) together with the analysis data of the target task, that is, the multimedia data. For example, after the conversion processing in the conversion device 3 is completed, information is collected from the conversion measure 3, and based on the collected data of actual conversion processing time, the amount of data that can be converted per unit time is calculated, The influence of the feature on the conversion time is extracted and held as such information.

  Next, the task analysis unit 24 will be described. The task analysis unit 24 receives the conversion task 22a selected by the task selection unit 23, and based on the analysis result by the data analysis unit 21 added to the task as shown in FIG. Divide data, or combine multiple multimedia data to be converted. Specifically, the task analysis unit 24 includes a conversion time estimation unit 24a (conversion time estimation means), and calculates a conversion estimation time such as how much conversion time is required for the entire data. The task analysis unit 24 includes a data division / combination unit 24b (data division / combination means). When the calculated conversion estimation time is equal to or greater than the preset division reference value Tmax, a task When the calculated conversion estimated time is equal to or less than Tmin, which is a preset combination reference value, a plurality of tasks are combined. Note that Tmax is an upper limit of the conversion processing time determined to be efficient by the conversion device 3, for example, which is determined in advance by experiments, empirical rules, or theoretical formulas. Also, Tmin is a lower limit of the conversion processing time that is determined to be efficient by the predetermined conversion device 3. At this time, for example, the task analysis unit 24 divides or combines tasks so that conversion can be performed efficiently with information on actual conversion time accumulated in the conversion information storage unit 25 and information on tasks to be converted. A specific task division or combination process will be described in detail when the operation is described.

  The task divided or combined in this way is provided to the conversion device 3 through the task selection unit 23 for conversion processing. For example, multimedia data that is determined to have a long conversion estimation time due to a large amount of data is divided into a plurality of data and processed by a plurality of conversion devices. On the other hand, multimedia data determined to have a short conversion estimation time due to a small amount of data or the like is not processed by the conversion device 3 alone, but a plurality of multimedia data itself are combined to form a single multi data. As media data, conversion processing is performed by one conversion device.

  As described above, the task selection unit 23 and the task analysis unit 24 cooperate to divide the multimedia data into a plurality of pieces according to the analysis result by the data analysis unit 21 and to convert each divided data into a plurality of conversion devices. 3 or functions as data providing means for combining a plurality of multimedia data and providing the combined data to one conversion device 3.

  Next, the conversion device 3 will be described. A plurality of conversion devices 3 are connected to the management device 2 and receive a conversion task from the management device 2 to convert multimedia data. Then, after the conversion is completed, information such as conversion data, an end notification, and a conversion time is passed to the management device 2, that is, the data selection unit 23.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the above-described data conversion system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, when converting multimedia data, the multimedia data, priority, and format to be converted are input to the input device 1 (see step S1 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 2). Then, the input device 1 passes the received multimedia data, priority, and format to be converted to the management device 2.

  Subsequently, the management device 2 receives the multimedia data that is the conversion target data passed from the input device 1, the priority, and the format to be converted by the data analysis unit 21 and sets it as a conversion task (step in FIG. 5). S2). Then, the management device 2 first passes the conversion task to the data amount analysis unit 21a. The data amount analysis unit 21a analyzes the data amount of the multimedia data (step S3 in FIG. 5), adds the data amount of the multimedia data as information to the conversion task 22a (see FIG. 4), and analyzes the task type. To the part 21b. The type analysis unit 21b analyzes the type of multimedia data (step S4 in FIG. 5), adds the type of multimedia data as information to the conversion task 22a (see FIG. 4), and sends the task to the feature analysis unit 21c. hand over. The feature analysis unit 21c analyzes the feature of the multimedia data (step S5 in FIG. 5). For example, by looking at the data from the beginning to the end, analyzing which part of the data has what characteristics, and adding the information to the conversion task 22a (see FIG. 4).

  In addition, the data analysis unit 21 adds the time when the management device 2 receives the task and an ID unique in the management device 2 to the conversion task 22a (see FIG. 4), and the task list 22 in the management device 2 (Step S6 in FIG. 5). At this time, the input device 1 is notified of the ID added to the conversion task 22a. Then, the input device 1 receives a notification of the conversion task ID from the management device 2. The above is the data analysis process for analyzing the contents of the multimedia data.

  Subsequently, when there is the conversion device 3 that has not performed the conversion process (Yes in step S11 in FIG. 6), the task selection unit 23 selects a task to be converted from the task list 22 (step S21 in FIG. 6). ). At this time, the selection is made based on the task reception time and the task priority. Here, the task selection operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the task list 22 is searched for a conversion task that has been waiting for conversion in the task list 22 for a certain time or longer (Yes in step S21 in FIG. 7), and the longest waiting time among those tasks is found. A long task is selected as a task for executing conversion (step S22 in FIG. 7). If there is no such task (No in step S21 in FIG. 7), the task with the highest priority in the task list 22 is selected (step S23 in FIG. 7). At this time, if there are a plurality of tasks having the highest priority (Yes in step S24 in FIG. 7), a task having a longer waiting time is selected (step S25 in FIG. 7). Then, the task selection unit 23 takes out the selected task from the task list 22 and passes it to the task analysis unit 24 (step S13 in FIG. 6).

  Subsequently, the task analysis unit 24 analyzes the conversion task 22a passed from the task selection unit 23 (step S14 in FIG. 6). First, the number of free conversion devices 3 that have not been converted is determined. At this time, from the conversion information storage unit 25, information on how much data of each feature existing in the data of the selected conversion task 22a can be converted per unit time based on the past conversion status, is acquired. A conversion estimation time is calculated to determine how much conversion time is required for the entire data (conversion time estimation step). If the estimated conversion time is equal to or greater than the constant value Tmax (Yes in step S15 in FIG. 6), the task is divided (step S16 in FIG. 6, data division / combination step).

  At this time, in the division of the task, in consideration of the estimated conversion estimation time and the characteristics of the data, the number of divisions so that the conversion estimation time in one conversion device 3 becomes a certain value (for example, Tmin) or more, That is, the number of empty conversion devices 3 is selected, and the multimedia data is divided by the number of empty conversion devices so that the conversion estimation time in each conversion device 3 is substantially the same. That is, the conversion estimation time of each divided data generated by dividing is estimated by the conversion time estimation unit 24a, and the task is divided. Then, N tasks are newly generated from the divided multimedia data, and unique IDs are assigned. Further, the divided task is linked with the original task.

  Thereafter, the task analysis unit 24 determines allocation to the divided tasks and the empty conversion device 3 (step S19), and returns the information to the task selection unit 23. Receiving this, the task selection unit 23 provides the divided tasks to each conversion device 3. As a result, efficient load distribution for the free conversion device 3 is realized to increase the operation efficiency of the conversion device, and the conversion time of the multimedia data itself can be shortened.

  If the task conversion estimation time is not Tmax or more (No in step S15 in FIG. 6) and Tmin or less (Yes in step S17 in FIG. 6), the tasks are combined (step in FIG. 6). S18, data division / combination). In this case, the task selection unit 23 selects a task in which the currently analyzed task and the multimedia data are the same type and the conversion destination format is the same except for the task currently being analyzed. . Then, the conversion estimated time of the multimedia data of the selected task is calculated. When the sum of the conversion estimated time of the task under analysis is Tmin or less, the multimedia data are combined, the tasks are combined, One task is associated with the original task. Then, this task combining process is repeated unless there is a task to be selected or the conversion estimation time of the combined task does not exceed Tmax. Thereafter, the combined task and information on assignment to the free conversion device are returned to the task selection unit 23. Thus, the task selection unit 23 assigns the combined task to one conversion device 3 (step S19 in FIG. 6). Therefore, when there are many multimedia data conversion tasks with a short conversion time, conversion of a plurality of multimedia data is performed collectively by one conversion device 3, so that the conversion efficiency can be increased and the conversion device 3 to be used is further used. This makes it possible to efficiently execute other tasks in the other conversion device 3.

  If the conversion estimation time is neither Tmax nor more than Tmin (no in step S15 in FIG. 6, no in step 17), the multimedia data is not divided and combined, and the task is transferred to the conversion device 3. Assign (step S19 in FIG. 6).

  Thereafter, the task selection unit 23 provides the task to the empty conversion device 3 based on the task returned from the task analysis unit 24 and the allocation information to the conversion device. As described above, the data providing process for providing the conversion device 3 with the multimedia data to be converted is completed. At this time, the task conversion unit 23 sets the conversion state in the assigned task to “converting”.

  Then, the conversion device 3 performs conversion of the multimedia data passed from the management device 2 (conversion processing step). After the multimedia data is converted and all the conversion of the multimedia data is completed, the task ID and the converted data are passed to the management apparatus 2 to notify the end of the conversion.

  The task selection unit 23 of the management device 2 receives the image data and the task ID converted by the conversion end notification from the conversion device 3, and sets the conversion state in the corresponding task in the task list 22 to “conversion completed”. If the task notified of completion is a divided task, check the task before the division, and if all the divided tasks are completed, the conversion status in the task before the division is changed to "Conversion completed" To do. If the task is a combination of a plurality of tasks, the conversion state in the task before combining is set to “conversion completed”.

  Here, the conversion information storage unit 25 stores information regarding the conversion collected from the conversion device 3 by the task selection unit 23. In other words, when the conversion device 3 notifies the task that the conversion is completed, a certain type of data based on the type of multimedia data of the task, the amount of data, the format of the conversion destination, and the time taken for the conversion is obtained. The conversion speed with respect to the amount of data, that is, the time required for conversion (conversion time) when converting to a certain type of data is recorded in the form of successively averaging. If there is a feature in the multimedia data of the task for which the conversion has been completed, the conversion speed, that is, the time required for the conversion (conversion time) is recorded in such a form that is sequentially averaged. These pieces of information are used for the task conversion time estimation described above.

  Further, the task ID and priority can be input from the input device 1 to change the priority of the task existing in the management device 2. For example, when the management device 2 receives the task ID and priority from the input device 2 (step S31 in FIG. 8), it finds the task with the corresponding ID from the task list 22 (step S32 in FIG. 8). If a task with the corresponding ID exists in the task list 22 and the task state is waiting for conversion (Yes in step S32 in FIG. 8), the priority in the task is changed to the input value. (Step S33 in FIG. 8).

  Also, the task ID existing in the management device 2 can be confirmed by inputting the task ID from the input device 1. For example, when receiving the task ID from the input device 1 (step S41 in FIG. 9), the management device 2 finds the task with the corresponding ID from the task list 22 (step S42 in FIG. 9). If a task with the corresponding ID exists in the task list 22 (Yes in step S42 in FIG. 9), information indicating the conversion state in the task is returned to the input device 1 (step S42 in FIG. 9).

  As described above, according to the above-described data conversion system, the conversion processing is performed by the conversion device by dividing or combining a plurality of divisions according to the conversion processing time estimated from the conversion target data. Therefore, data that requires processing time is processed by a plurality of conversion devices, and data that does not require processing time is processed together by one conversion device. As a result, while suppressing the load applied to each conversion device, the occupation of the plurality of conversion devices can be suppressed, and the conversion process can be highly efficient.

  In addition, by analyzing multimedia data, it is possible to calculate a more accurate conversion estimation time based on the data volume, data type, data characteristics, etc. By associating and accumulating, it is possible to calculate a more accurate conversion estimation time with reference to this. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately divide and combine, and further increase the efficiency of the conversion process. Note that the analysis of multimedia data is not necessarily limited to analyzing the items such as the data amount, type, and characteristics described above. For example, at least one of these items may be analyzed, and other items may be analyzed.

  Furthermore, the required data can be converted more efficiently by selecting a task in consideration of the priority of multimedia data, the processing waiting time, and the like. In particular, convenience is enhanced by dynamically changing the priority from the outside.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a case where the conversion target data is electronic document data will be described. In the first embodiment described above, one input device 1 is provided, but a plurality of input devices 1 may be provided.

  First, in the conversion of electronic documents, it is difficult to simply divide by the amount of data, but it can be applied to the present invention by replacing the amount of data with the number of pages or using the characteristics of the data existing in the page. can do. Here, a case where an electronic document is converted into an image will be described as an example.

  First, the electronic document data, priority, and conversion destination format are input to the input device 1. The input device 1 passes the received electronic document data and priority to the management device. Then, the management device 2 uses the electronic document and priority received from the input device 1 as a conversion task, and passes the conversion task to the data analysis unit 21. The data analysis unit 21 analyzes the number of pages of the electronic document and adds the number of pages of the electronic document as information to the conversion task. Next, the data analysis unit 21 analyzes the type of electronic document, and adds the type of electronic document as information to the conversion task. Next, the data analysis unit 21 analyzes the characteristics of each page of the electronic document and adds the analyzed information to the task. The features of the page are classified according to the number of characters included in the page, the character size, the presence or absence of a figure, and the like.

  Next, the data analysis unit 21 adds the time when the management device 2 received the task and an ID unique in the management device 2 to the task, and adds the task to the task list 22 in the management device 2. Further, the added ID is notified to the input device 1. Then, the input device 1 receives the notification of the conversion task ID from the management device 2.

  Next, the task selection unit 23 selects a task to be converted from the task list 22 when there is a conversion device 3 that has not performed the conversion process. At this time, the task is selected based on the task reception time and the task priority. In the task selection procedure, first, a task that has been waiting for conversion in the task list for a certain time or longer in the task list is searched, and the task with the longest waiting time is converted among those tasks. Select as task to execute. If there is no such task, the task with the highest priority in the task list is selected. If there are a plurality of tasks with the highest priority, a task with a longer waiting time is selected. Thereafter, the task selection unit 23 passes the selected task to the task analysis unit 24 after selecting the task.

  The task analysis unit 24 analyzes the passed task. First, the number of free conversion devices 3 that have not been converted is determined. Subsequently, using the data on the relationship between the page characteristics and the conversion time in the conversion information storage unit 25, it is calculated how much time each page of the electronic document of the task takes to convert. Estimate the time required for conversion. If the estimated conversion time is equal to or longer than Tmax, the task is divided. In the task division, the empty conversion device is selected so that the value obtained by dividing the estimated conversion time of the electronic document by the number of empty conversion devices is equal to or greater than a certain value. At this time, the task analysis unit 24 divides the electronic document into the same number of electronic documents as the selected empty conversion device 3 based on this information. Further, the electronic document is divided so that the conversion time in each conversion device 3 is approximately the same, with the page being the minimum unit. Also, the divided task is linked with the original task. Thereafter, assignment to the divided tasks and the empty conversion device 3 is determined, and the information is returned to the task selection unit 23. As a result, load distribution with respect to the empty conversion device is realized to increase the operation efficiency of the conversion device, and the conversion time of the electronic document itself can be shortened.

  When the estimated conversion time of the electronic document of the task is Tmin or less, the tasks are combined. In this case, the task selection unit 23 selects a task of a document of the same type as the task currently being analyzed except for the task currently being analyzed. This is repeated as long as the sum of the estimated conversion time of the electronic document of the selected task and the estimated conversion time of the task under analysis does not exceed Tmax. After that, the combined task and the allocation information to the free conversion device 3 are returned to the task selection unit 23. As a result, when there are many tasks for an electronic document with a short estimated conversion time, conversion of a plurality of electronic documents is performed collectively by one conversion device, so that conversion efficiency can be increased and conversion devices to be used can be reduced. Therefore, the execution of other tasks in the conversion device becomes efficient. If neither is true, a conversion process is assigned to one conversion device 3.

  The conversion information storage unit 25 stores information regarding the conversion collected by the task selection unit 23. Specifically, when the task selecting unit 23 is notified of the task that has been converted from the conversion device 3, the task selecting unit 23 also includes the type of electronic document of the task, the number of pages, the format of the conversion destination, and the time taken for the conversion. Then, the conversion speed (conversion time) with respect to the data amount when converting a certain type of data into a certain type of data is recorded in the form of successively averaging. If there is a feature on the task page for which the conversion has been completed, the conversion speed (conversion time) is recorded for the feature in such a manner that the average is sequentially taken. These pieces of information are used to estimate task conversion time.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data conversion system in this embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the management device 120 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a data analysis unit 121 and a conversion data providing unit 122. And the data analysis part 121 analyzes the content of the multimedia data input from the input device 1 similarly to the data analysis part 21 shown in FIG. 1 mentioned above. Further, the data providing unit 122 (data providing unit) functions in the same manner as the data selecting unit 23 and the task analyzing unit 24 described above, and the multimedia data, that is, the conversion task is converted according to the analysis result by the data analyzing unit 121. The data is divided into a plurality of pieces and each divided data is provided to a plurality of conversion devices 3 or a plurality of multimedia data is combined to provide combined data to one conversion device 3.

  For example, in the first embodiment described above, the conversion estimation time is calculated based on the analysis result of the multimedia data, and the multimedia data is further divided and combined based on the conversion estimation time. It may be divided and combined based on Alternatively, the necessity of division or combination may be determined based on data representing other analysis results, and the multimedia data may be divided or a plurality of multimedia data may be combined.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a service in which multimedia data is converted and distributed via a network, and has industrial applicability.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a data converter. It is a figure which shows the mode at the time of the input of the multimedia data which are conversion object data. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows a state when multimedia data are managed as a task in the management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a data conversion system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a data conversion system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a data conversion system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a data conversion system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a data conversion system. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management device according to a third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Input device 2 Management device 3 Conversion device 21 Data analysis unit 21a Data amount analysis unit 21b Type analysis unit 21c Feature analysis unit 22 Task list 22a, 22b Task 23 Task selection unit 24 Task analysis unit 24a Conversion time estimation unit 24b Coupling unit 25 Conversion information storage unit

Claims (18)

A data conversion system comprising a plurality of conversion devices that perform conversion processing of conversion target data, and a management device that provides the conversion target data to the conversion device,
The management device is
Data analysis means for analyzing the content of the conversion target data;
Depending on the analysis result by the data analysis means, the conversion target data is divided into a plurality of pieces and each divided data is provided to the plurality of conversion devices, respectively, or a plurality of conversion target data is combined to obtain combined data. Data providing means provided to one of the conversion devices;
A data conversion system characterized by comprising: The data providing means includes
Conversion time estimation means for estimating the time required for the conversion processing of the conversion target data according to the analysis result of the conversion target data;
According to the conversion estimation time estimated by the conversion time estimation means, the data to be converted is divided, or data dividing / combining means for combining a plurality of the data to be converted,
The data conversion system according to claim 1, further comprising: The data division / combination means divides the conversion target data when the conversion estimation time is longer than a preset division reference value, and a plurality of the conversions when the conversion estimation time is smaller than a preset combination reference value. Combine target data,
The data conversion system according to claim 2, wherein: The conversion time estimation means estimates a time required for conversion of the divided data,
The data dividing / combining means divides the conversion target data so that a conversion estimation time of the divided data is not less than a predetermined value.
The data conversion system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The conversion time estimation means estimates a time required for conversion of the divided data,
The data dividing / combining means divides the conversion target data so that conversion estimation times of the divided data are substantially constant,
The data conversion system according to claim 2, 3 or 4. The conversion time estimation means estimates a time required for conversion of the combined data,
The data dividing / combining unit combines the other conversion target data until the conversion estimation time of the combined data reaches a predetermined value.
6. The data conversion system according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5. The data analysis means analyzes at least one of the data amount, type, and characteristics of the conversion target data.
The data conversion system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The management device comprises conversion time storage means for storing conversion time data representing a time taken when the conversion target data is actually converted by the conversion device in association with an analysis result by the data analysis means,
The conversion time estimation means estimates the conversion time based on the data stored in the conversion time storage means;
8. The data conversion system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. The data analysis means associates priority data representing the priority of the processing order of the conversion target data with the conversion target data,
The data providing means processes the conversion target data in an order based on the priority data associated with the conversion target data.
9. A data conversion system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. The data analysis means associates time information indicating a time when the conversion target data is received as a conversion target with the conversion target data,
The data providing means processes the conversion target data in an order based on a conversion processing waiting time that can be specified from the time information associated with the conversion target data.
10. The data conversion system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. A data conversion management device that provides the conversion target data to a plurality of conversion devices that perform conversion processing of the conversion target data,
Data analysis means for analyzing the content of the conversion target data;
Depending on the analysis result by the data analysis means, the conversion target data is divided into a plurality of parts, and each divided data is provided to the plurality of conversion devices, or a plurality of conversion target data is combined to obtain combined data. Data providing means provided to one of the converters;
A data conversion management device comprising: The data providing means includes
Conversion time estimation means for estimating the time required for the conversion processing of the conversion target data according to the analysis result of the conversion target data;
According to the conversion estimation time estimated by the conversion time estimation means, the data to be converted is divided, or data dividing / combining means for combining a plurality of the data to be converted,
The data conversion management device according to claim 11, further comprising: A computer that provides the conversion target data to a plurality of conversion devices that perform conversion processing of the conversion target data.
Data analysis means for analyzing the content of the conversion target data;
Depending on the analysis result by the data analysis means, the conversion target data is divided into a plurality of pieces and each divided data is provided to the plurality of conversion devices, respectively, or a plurality of conversion target data is combined to obtain combined data. Data providing means provided to one of the conversion devices;
A program to realize In the computer,
Conversion time estimation means for estimating the time required for the conversion processing of the conversion target data according to the analysis result of the conversion target data;
According to the conversion estimation time estimated by the conversion time estimation means, the data to be converted is divided, or data dividing / combining means for combining a plurality of the data to be converted,
Realizing the data providing means comprising:
The program according to claim 13. A method of providing the conversion target data to a plurality of conversion devices that perform conversion processing of the conversion target data,
A data analysis step of analyzing the content of the conversion target data;
Depending on the analysis result of the data analysis step, the conversion target data is divided into a plurality of pieces and each divided data is provided to the plurality of conversion devices, or a plurality of conversion target data is combined to obtain combined data. Providing data to one of the conversion devices;
A method for providing data to be converted, comprising: The data providing step includes:
A conversion time estimation step of estimating the time required for the conversion process of the conversion target data according to the analysis result of the conversion target data;
According to the conversion estimation time estimated in the conversion time estimation step, the conversion target data is divided, or a data division / combination step of combining a plurality of the conversion target data,
The conversion target data providing method according to claim 15, further comprising: A data conversion method comprising: a data providing step in which a computer provides conversion target data to a conversion device; and a conversion processing step in which the conversion device performs conversion processing on the conversion target data,
Before the data providing step, the computer has a data analysis step of analyzing the content of the conversion target data,
The data providing step divides the conversion target data into a plurality of pieces according to the analysis result of the data analysis step and provides each of the divided data to the plurality of conversion devices, or a plurality of the conversion target data. Combine to provide combined data to one of the converters;
A data conversion method characterized by that. The data providing step includes:
A conversion time estimation step of estimating the time required for the conversion process of the conversion target data according to the analysis result of the conversion target data;
According to the conversion estimation time estimated in the conversion time estimation step, the conversion target data is divided, or a data division / combination step of combining a plurality of the conversion target data,
18. The data conversion method according to claim 17, further comprising:

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