JP2010147845A - Video image distribution system and unicast-type multipoint video image distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video image distribution system and a unicast-type multipoint video image distribution method which obtain distribution of the same video image contents to a plurality of standard video image receiving terminals at the same timing by a unicast method. <P>SOLUTION: The video image distribution system has a contents storage 3 for storing the data of a plurality of video image contents, a video image distribution portal server 1 for providing a means of selecting a video image content by utilizing a Web browser installed in a video image receiving terminal, and a video image distribution server 2 having a means of controlling a distribution session of a distribution group ID so that the same video images are subjected to unicast distribution at the same timing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video distribution system and a unicast multipoint video distribution method, and more particularly, in a network, a plurality of video receptions in a unicast method in which a single address is designated and data is transmitted to a specific partner. It is suitable for use as a video distribution system that distributes video to a terminal and a unicast multipoint video distribution method.

  With the spread of broadband lines in recent years, video distribution services that distribute video content using a network have become widespread.

  The video distribution service includes a unicast video on demand (VOD) video distribution service (hereinafter referred to as video on demand service) and a multicast video broadcast service (hereinafter referred to as broadcast type). Service)).

  In the case of providing a service for distributing the same video content at the same timing to a plurality of users, the conventional technology distributes the video content to the video receiving terminal using a multicast method. However, in order to distribute by the multicast method, there is a problem that a network corresponding to the multicast has to be constructed. For this reason, it is general that a single provider has established a CDN (Contents Delivery Network) and has been limited to multicast delivery services.

In order to solve the problems of the multicast method, a system has been proposed in which terminals having the same content can be shared and viewed simultaneously by a unicast method instead of the multicast method. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
As another conventional technique, a method of taking a start timing of video distribution to a plurality of terminals has been proposed for the purpose of reducing the load of video distribution processing of the video distribution server. (For example, see Patent Document 2)
As another conventional technique, there has been proposed a content synchronization system that independently synchronizes the timing of updating the content on the receiving terminal side. (For example, see Patent Document 3)
JP 2007-104193 A JP 2007-189437 A JP 2007-150838 A

  However, in the prior art (Patent Document 1), a means for transmitting system time information in a terminal device, a means for receiving a video sharing command, and a means for transmitting a video distribution request from the received video sharing command are required. A dedicated terminal device is required, and the service cannot be used with a standard terminal device.

  In addition, in the prior art (Patent Document 2), it is not possible to control the distribution of the same video content separately from the distribution with synchronization and the distribution without synchronization. If there is a request for distribution of the same content, it cannot be synchronized with video distribution that has already started.

  Furthermore, the prior art (Patent Document 3) is a content synchronization method system related to the handling of screen update rights. In this case as well, the receiving terminal device requires a dedicated terminal device. Is not available.

  The present invention provides a video distribution system and a unicast type multi-point video distribution method for realizing the distribution of the same video content to a plurality of standard video receiving terminals by the unicast method at the same timing. Make it the purpose.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video distribution system that distributes video data to a plurality of video receiving terminals that form a predetermined group via a network.
A content storage for storing a plurality of video content data, a video distribution portal server providing means for selecting video content using a Web browser provided in the video receiving terminal, and a distribution session of the distribution group ID are the same And a video delivery server having means for controlling the video to be unicast delivered at the same timing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to distribute the same video content to a standard video receiving terminal by the unicast method at the same timing, which can be realized only by adding a function on the server side. Can provide a system.

  A second invention is a video distribution method for distributing video data to a plurality of video receiving terminals that form a predetermined group via a network, wherein the video distribution portal server issues a portal access request from the video receiving terminal. Receiving, registering content information as portal information to the video receiving terminal, selecting video content to be viewed on the video distribution portal server on which the video receiving terminal is displayed, The video distribution portal server includes a step of receiving a request for a content URL from the video receiving terminal, and a step of performing a response of a content URL including a unicast distribution group ID.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a unicast multipoint video distribution method that allows a user to acquire a content URL including a unicast distribution group ID.

  A third invention is a video distribution method for group distribution of video data to a plurality of video reception terminals that form a predetermined group via a network, wherein the video distribution server requests a content URL from the video reception terminal. A receiving step and a step of checking whether or not a distribution group ID is included in the content URL, determining that unicast distribution requires group distribution when the distribution group ID is included, and newly generating a distribution session And a step of reading the corresponding content and performing group distribution of the content.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to distribute the same video content to a standard video receiving terminal by the unicast method at the same timing, and the user talks on the phone while watching the same video. Can provide a unicast multi-point video distribution method that realizes such video sharing services.

  As described above, according to the video distribution system and the unicast multipoint video distribution method of the present invention, a video receiving terminal having a special protocol or a special function unit is not required. For this reason, it is possible to distribute the same video to a plurality of standard video receiving terminals by the unicast method at the same timing, and the same video content even if the users use different networks or terminals Can be viewed at the same timing.

  In addition, since the system can be realized only by adding functions on the server side without changing the network device or the video receiving terminal, it is easy to realize the video distribution service that has already been provided.

  Furthermore, because it has means to manage the unicast distribution session by group, even if it is a playback request for the same video content, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of playback synchronization, such as distributing each independently or simultaneously, Distribution control can be performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a video distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the video distribution system according to this embodiment includes a video distribution portal server 1, a video distribution server 2, a content storage 3, and video receiving terminals 5 _{1 to} 5 ₃ . These are connected via a network.

The video distribution portal server 1 has a function of providing means for allowing a user to select video content registered in the video distribution system using a Web browser or the like provided in the video receiving terminals 5 _{1 to} 5 _3. is doing.

Video distribution server 2, to the distribution request requested from the image receiving terminal 5 ₁ to 5 _3, the requested video content read from the content storage 3, the image receiving terminal 5 ₁ to 5 ₃ via the network 4 It has a function to perform unicast delivery. The protocol used for distribution is assumed to be a combination of HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) or RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) and RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol), but is not limited thereto.

Image receiving terminals 5 ₁ to 5 _3, it is assumed that can be connected to the network 4 PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or the like of the portable information terminal, a set-top box, television, standard video reception terminal such as a personal computer.

  In the present embodiment, the video distribution portal server 1, the video distribution server 2, and the content storage 3 are separated from each other. However, a partial or whole configuration may be integrated into one server.

  In addition, the video distribution system according to the present invention assumes that video is not used and is distributed using audio-only content.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block of the video distribution portal server in one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a video distribution portal server 1 accepts a portal access request from a video receiving terminal connected via a network 4, publishes registered content information as portal information, and selects distribution content to the user. A portal application unit 11 that provides a means, and a distribution group ID generation unit 12 that generates a distribution group ID included in a content URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for performing unicast group distribution.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the video distribution server 2 in one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a video distribution server 2 receives a content distribution request from a video receiving terminal connected via a network 4 and includes a distribution control unit 21 that controls content distribution in response to the request, and is included in the content distribution request. The distribution group ID notified by the content URL is managed, the distribution sessions 23 ₁ to 23 ₂ having the same distribution group ID are managed as a group, and the distribution sessions 23 ₁ to 23 ₂ belonging to the same distribution session group It has a distribution session group management unit 22 that controls to perform unicast distribution at the same timing, and a content cache unit 24 that temporarily stores video content read from the content storage 3.

  Note that the content URL obtaining means in the video receiving terminal 5 obtains the content URL from the video distribution portal site by selecting the video content to be viewed on the video distribution portal site using a remote controller or a mouse. However, the content URL acquisition is not limited to the acquisition from the video distribution portal site, and the content URL may be acquired by other means.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a video receiving terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, it is assumed that a video receiving terminal 5 has a functional unit generally provided in a standard video receiving terminal, and accesses the video distribution portal server 1 via the network 4 to access video content. A portal access unit 52 such as a Web browser for selecting the video content, a distribution control unit 53 that makes a video content distribution request to the video distribution server, and a video reproduction unit that reproduces video of the video content distributed from the video distribution server 2 54.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) showing the contents of the video sharing service. The video sharing service shown here is a service image in which the group distribution service is used while talking on the phone.

The service user 1 and the service user ₂ use the video distribution service while having conversations with each other using the telephones 6 ₁ and 6 ₂ and using the respective video receiving terminals 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ .

In the voice call, voice call data is exchanged from the telephones 6 ₁ and 6 ₂ via the telephone network 4 ₂ . On the other hand, the image of the group distribution, the video for the group distribution stored in the content storage 3 via the distribution network 4 ₁ from video distribution server 2 to the image receiving terminals 5 _1, 5 ₂ as a unicast distribution data Delivered simultaneously.

This service image is distribution network 4 ₁ and the telephone network 4 ₂ is in the network configuration that are separated respectively, may be integrated network configuration into one.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) showing the contents of the video sharing service. The video sharing service shown here is a service image that uses group distribution while chatting.

The service user 1 and the service user ₂ use the video distribution service using the video receiving terminals 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ while chatting with each other using the chat software 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ , respectively.

Chat data exchange chat data is made via the chat software 7 _1, 7 ₂ chat network 4 ₃ from. On the other hand, the image of the group distribution, the video for the group distribution stored in the content storage 3 via the distribution network 4 ₁ from video distribution server 2 to the image receiving terminals 5 _1, 5 ₂ as a unicast distribution data Delivered simultaneously.

This service image, although distribution network 4 ₁ chat network 4 ₃ is a network configuration that are separated respectively, may be integrated network configuration into one.

  FIG. 7 is a first video distribution flowchart according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a procedure for obtaining a video content URL including a distribution group ID will be described with reference to FIGS.

S1. The user uses the portal access features such as Web browser which is provided in the portal access unit 52 of the image receiving terminals 5 ₁ to 5 _3, performs portal access request to the video distribution portal server 1.

S2. Video distribution portal server 1 receives the portal access request from the video receiving terminal 5 ₁ to 5 ₃ by the portal application unit 11.
S3. Next, the video distribution portal server 1 makes an access response to publish the registered content information as portal information.

  S4. The user requests a content URL by selecting video content to be viewed on the displayed video distribution portal using a remote controller or a mouse.

S5. The portal application unit 11 that has received the request returns a content URL response. The content URL to the video receiving terminal 5 ₁ to 5 ₃ received include delivery group ID which is required to manage the group distribution of unicast by the video distribution server 2.

This distribution group ID is generated in order to manage and identify a plurality of distribution sessions 23 ₁ to 23 ₃ to be synchronized in order to synchronize a plurality of unicast distributions and perform group distribution, and is given to the content URL. To use.

Conventional content URL
http: //example.domain/contentsnameurl
If so, the distribution group ID generation unit 12 of the present invention generates a distribution group ID in a format such as sharegroupid = 1234567890, for example, and the portal application unit 11 includes the distribution group ID generated by the distribution group ID generation unit 12. URL is generated.
http: //example.domain/contentsnameurl? sharegroupid = 1234567890
In the above example the distribution group ID is assigned to the URL, but not limited thereto, the distribution group ID in other means information of a video distribution portal server 1 and the image receiving terminals 5 ₁ to 5 ₃ You may pass between them. Further, the distribution group ID may not be dynamically generated but may be fixedly given by a portal administrator or a user.

  Depending on the service provided on the portal, the opportunity or group unit for generating the distribution group ID and generating the content URL for unicast group distribution depends on the service provided on the portal. In the case of a service for selecting a member to be distributed, a service providing method for notifying the selected member of a content URL assigned with the same distribution group ID can be considered.

  In addition, if the service is a group distribution of content that is distributed in real time, such as event relay, a special site including a content URL with a specific distribution group ID is prepared on the portal. A service providing method for notifying a content URL assigned with a dedicated distribution group ID is conceivable.

  In this embodiment, the content URL is obtained from the video distribution portal, but the acquisition of the content URL is not limited to the video distribution portal, and may be obtained by other means. For example, it is conceivable to obtain a content URL from e-mail, chat, blog or the like.

  FIG. 8 is a video distribution flowchart (part 2) in the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a procedure for distributing video content including the distribution group ID will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8.

S6. Image receiving terminals 5 ₁ to 5 ₃ performs when receiving the content URL of the video content, in order to perform a distribution request for video content, the content delivery request to the video distribution server 2 based on the received content URL. The protocol used when making a distribution request is assumed to be HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) or RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol), but is not limited thereto.

S7. In the video distribution server 2, the distribution control unit 21 receives content distribution requests from the video receiving terminals 5 _{1 to} 5 ₃ .

  S8. Next, the video distribution server 2 checks whether the distribution group ID is included in the received content URL.

  S9. When the received content URL does not include a distribution group ID, it is determined that the distribution is not normal group unicast distribution, and a new distribution session is generated as in the case of conventional unicast distribution.

  S10. When the received content URL includes a distribution group ID, it is checked whether a distribution group having the same distribution group ID and a distribution session belonging to the distribution group ID have been generated.

  S11. If a distribution group and a distribution session with the same distribution group ID have not been generated, a new distribution group and distribution session are generated.

  S12. When a distribution group and a distribution session having the same distribution group ID are generated, a new distribution session is generated in the generated distribution group.

  Distribution session group management and group distribution are realized by the distribution session group management unit 22 in response to an instruction to generate a distribution session from the distribution control unit 21.

  S13. After the distribution session is generated, the designated content is read from the content storage 3 into the content cache unit 24.

  S14. Next, the content is distributed to the video receiving terminal 5 that has made the distribution request.

  When a distribution group is generated when performing a distribution operation, a distribution session generated at the earliest timing in the distribution group reads the designated content from the content storage 3 into the content cache unit 24, and receives the video. Distribution of contents to the terminal 5 is performed.

  Thereafter, when a delivery session is generated later in the delivery group, since there is already a delivery session in which content is read from the content cache unit 24 and video delivery operation is performed, the delivery session group management unit 22 first The content information read and distributed by the generated distribution session is copied to the delayed generated distribution session, and the content is distributed to the video receiving terminal 5, so that a plurality of video receiving terminals 5 can be distributed. For group distribution.

  A plurality of distribution requests including the same distribution group ID can be group-distributed regardless of whether they are received at different timings or at the same timing. When received at different timings, as described above, it is possible to distribute from the same content and the same playback position as the already started content by generating additional distribution sessions within the distribution group with the same distribution group ID. is there. If received at the same timing, the distribution session to be generated first may be determined by a policy determined in advance by some logic. After generating the distribution session to be generated first, the same as when receiving at different timing Processing can be performed by operation.

  In the above embodiment, the content URL is transferred from the video distribution portal server to the video receiving terminal 5 using the HTTP protocol implemented in a Web browser or the like. By including a content URL and a distribution group ID in an SDP (Session Description Protocol) described in the body part of the Session Initiation Protocol (STP) protocol, it is possible to adapt to unicast video distribution using SIP. In addition to generating the distribution group ID according to the procedure described above, it is also possible to use parameters already generated by the SIP protocol such as Call-ID.

By using SIP protocol, while talking on the phone 6 _and 62 to establish a voice session, it is possible to deliver the same video content at the same time to establish a video delivery session, the user same it is also conceivable, such as a conversation on the phone 6 _1, 6 ₂ while watching the video. As a session established by SIP, a procedure for establishing a voice session and a video distribution session separately, and a procedure for integrating and establishing a voice session and a video distribution session are considered.

    FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram when the user automatically creates a distribution group ID according to the present invention. The procedure for automatically creating a distribution group ID will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  S15. Mr. FJT, the creator of the group distribution service, operates the video receiving terminal connected to the distribution network 4 and sees the group of “travel memories” recorded while looking at the distribution group ID automatic generation screen of the terminal. Determine distribution members.

  S16. The portal application unit 11 in the video distribution portal server 1 requests a distribution group ID generation unit to automatically generate a distribution group ID.

  S17. As a member of the group distribution, xyz joins the group distribution member of “Travel Memories” as content that can be group distributed on the video distribution portal screen of the video receiving terminal of xyz connected to the distribution network 4. Is displayed.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when a user manually creates a distribution group according to the present invention. A procedure for manually creating a distribution group ID will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  S18. FJT, who is the creator of the group distribution service, operates the terminal connected to the distribution network 4 and looks at the distribution group ID manual generation screen of the terminal to record the group distribution of “Travel memories”. Enter any "password".

  S19. When Mr. FJT determines the input “password”, this “password” is generated as the distribution group ID. In this case, the members of the group distribution can be joined as members of the group distribution if the “password” matches, without setting the members of the group distribution fixedly.

  S20. Mr. xyz, a participating member of the group distribution, participates in the group distribution of “Travel Memories” while viewing the video distribution portal screen, which is the video content selection screen, by operating the video receiving terminal connected to the distribution network 4. To do so, select the video content and enter a “secret word” at the start of viewing.

  S21. “Travel memories” starts to be viewed. When the “secret word” is not input, group distribution is not performed and normal video distribution is performed.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram when the service provider creates a distribution group ID according to the present invention. A procedure for manually creating a distribution group ID will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  S22. A service provider sets in advance video content to be group-distributed and a distribution group ID.

  S23. When a member of the group distribution, xyz, operates a video receiving terminal connected to the distribution network 4 and browses a video distribution portal screen that is a video content selection screen, the video content list (mountain scenery, sea In addition to the video and sky views, a list of video content that can be distributed in groups (such as live broadcasts at the event venue) is displayed.

  According to the present invention, since a unicast distribution session can be managed for each group, it is possible to realize a novel video sharing service that can be enjoyed while performing a voice call or chat within a video distribution group.

It is a block diagram of the video delivery system in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the video delivery portal server in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the video delivery server in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the video receiving terminal in one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) which shows the content of a video sharing service. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) which shows the content of a video sharing service. It is a video delivery flowchart (the 1) in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a video delivery flowchart (the 2) in one embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing in case a user creates delivery group ID automatically by this invention. It is explanatory drawing in case a user creates delivery group ID manually by this invention. It is explanatory drawing in case a service provision provider produces distribution group ID by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Video distribution portal server
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Portal application part 12 Distribution group ID production | generation part 13 Network transmission / reception part 2 Video distribution server 21 Distribution control part 22 Distribution session group management part 23 ₁ , 23 ₂ , 23 ₃ Distribution session 24 Content cache part 25 Network transmission / reception part 3 Content storage 4 Network 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , 5 ₃ Video receiving terminal 51 Network transmission / reception unit 52 Portal access unit 53 Distribution control unit 54 Video playback unit 6 ₁ , 6 ₂ Telephone 7 ₁ , 7 ₂ Chat software

Claims (5)

In a video distribution system for distributing video data to a plurality of video receiving terminals that form a predetermined group via a network,
Content storage for storing multiple video content data;
A video distribution portal server that provides means for selecting video content using a Web browser provided in the video receiving terminal;
A video delivery server having means for controlling the delivery session of the delivery group ID to unicast the same video at the same timing;
A video distribution system comprising: The video distribution system according to claim 1,
The video distribution portal server includes a distribution group ID generation unit that generates a distribution group ID necessary for group management of a plurality of distribution sessions;
A portable application unit that provides a content URL including the distribution group ID;
A video distribution system comprising: The video distribution system according to claim 1,
The video distribution server, in response to a video distribution request from the video receiving terminal, a distribution control unit that determines whether it is necessary to perform group distribution in synchronization with another distribution session;
In order to synchronize a plurality of distribution sessions and perform group distribution, a distribution session group management unit that performs distribution group ID management and distribution group ID management,
A video distribution system comprising: A video distribution method for distributing video data to a plurality of video receiving terminals that form a predetermined group via a network,
A video distribution portal server receiving a portal access request from a video receiving terminal;
Responding to the video receiving terminal as registered portal information as portal information;
Selecting video content to be viewed on the video distribution portal server on which the video receiving terminal is displayed;
The video distribution portal server receiving a request for a content URL from the video receiving terminal;
Responding with a content URL containing a unicast distribution group ID;
A unicast type multi-point video distribution method characterized by including: A video distribution method for distributing video data to a plurality of video receiving terminals that form a predetermined group via a network,
A step in which the video distribution server receives a request for a content URL from a video receiving terminal, and checks whether the content URL includes a distribution group ID, and a unicast that requires group distribution when the distribution group ID is included. A step of determining a distribution and generating a new distribution session;
Loading the relevant content and distributing the content in groups,
A unicast type multi-point video distribution method characterized by including:

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