JP2017079343A - Content distribution method, and content distribution server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of a user in content distribution.SOLUTION: A first server and a second server transmit second attribute information that includes first attribute information on contents that can be distributed by a third server belonging to the same LAN, to a client. In distribution request of contents from the client after transmission of the second attribute information, in a case where distribution of contents that can be provided by the third server is requested, the first server and the second server request the third server to dub divided contents corresponding to a predetermined time period of the selected contents, and distribute the dubbed divided contents to the client. At this time, the second server, during the distribution of the divided contents by the first server, requests the third server to dub contents corresponding to a predetermined time period from the next part of the divided contents being distributed by the first server, as a next divided contents.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution method and a content distribution server for distributing content data via a network.

Movies, music, still images, and the like are called contents, and a content distribution function for sharing and distributing content digital data via a network is realized. In general, a side that receives content distribution is called a DMP (digital media player), and a side that distributes content is called a DMS (digital media server).
This network is often used in a local area network (hereinafter referred to as a LAN) such as a home or a company. However, DMP can also receive content from devices connected to the LAN by connecting to a home or office LAN via a wide area network such as the Internet or a telephone network. . A device that allows DMP to receive only content distribution within the LAN is referred to as a device that does not support distribution outside the home, and a device that enables DMP to receive distribution from outside the LAN is referred to as a device that distributes outside the home.

  Both Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 disclose an out-of-home delivery function.

JP 2011-151712 A JP 2011-90469 A

When an out-of-home delivery device and an out-of-home delivery-incompatible device are connected to the LAN, a client located outside the LAN cannot receive content held in the out-of-home delivery-incompatible device.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to improve user convenience in content distribution.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an aspect of the present invention relates to a content distribution system including a first server and a second server that distribute content to clients according to, for example, the UPnPAV protocol. Here, the first server and the second server are generic names of devices functioning as a DMS corresponding to UPnPAV DLNA or the like, and can distribute contents to clients functioning as a DMP.

The first server and the second server include an attribute information acquisition unit that acquires first attribute information of content that can be distributed by a third server belonging to the same LAN, and second attribute information that includes the acquired first attribute information as a client When a content distribution request that can be provided by the third server is made in the content distribution request from the attribute information providing unit to be transmitted to the client and the client after the transmission of the second attribute information, a predetermined time of the selected content A dubbing request unit that requests the third server to dubb the divided content, and a content distribution unit that distributes the dubbed divided content to the client.
Here, “attribute information” corresponds to meta information as an example, and means attribute information such as content title, recording location, size, and information required for reproduction, and is a well-known mark such as XML (eXtensible markup Language). Created in up language.
“Divided content” is data divided on the time axis based on the content that is the source held by the third server.

Further, the dubbing request unit of the second server performs dubbing so that the content for a predetermined time from the continuation of the divided content being distributed by the first server is dubbed as the next divided content during distribution of the divided content by the first server. Request to 3 servers.
“Content for a predetermined time from the continuation of the divided content” means data of the original content for a predetermined time from the reproduction scene following the reproduction scene (time) of the previous divided content. Of course, the “continuous playback scene” is not only the case where the beginning of the scene is strictly continuous from the end scene of the previous split content, but also the scene that overlaps between the previous split content and the subsequent split content It is a concept that also includes

In the invention configured as described above, the original content is divided and dubbed, whereby the distribution from the first server and the distribution from the second server are performed while shifting the time axis. Since the delivery can be started after the first divided dubbing is completed, the time required from the delivery request to the delivery of the content is shortened compared to the case where the entire content is dubbed and delivered after the delivery request is made. Can do.
The first server and the second server can alternately share and repeat dubbing and distribution, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which distribution is performed while dubbing alone.

The figure which shows each apparatus which comprises the content delivery system 1 as an example. The block block diagram of the servers 10-30. The functional block diagram explaining the function of the control part 15 in the servers 10-30. The figure explaining the structure of meta information MD which the meta information acquisition part 154 acquired. The sequence diagram explaining the content delivery method performed in the content delivery system. The figure explaining browsing. The figure explaining UI screen 400 for selecting the delivery method displayed on the client. The figure explaining the method of delivering the content which the 3rd server 30 hold | maintains outside the house. The figure which shows the example which the 3rd server 30 produces N division | segmentation content from the original content COD. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram in a case where divided distribution is selected as a method for distributing content held by the third server 30 outside the home in step S8 of FIG. 4. The figure explaining the timing of the dubbing | copying of the content by the 1st server 10 and the 2nd server 20, and delivery of a content. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram in a case where divided delivery is selected as a method for delivering content held by a third server 30 outside the home in step S8 of FIG. 4 in the second embodiment. The figure explaining UI screen 450 for selecting the presence or absence of the delivery from the 2nd server 20 displayed on the client. The figure explaining the division content DCD which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure explaining the content delivery server in 4th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
1. First embodiment:
(1) Configuration of content distribution system (2) Content distribution method (3) Operation and effect Second embodiment:
3. Third embodiment:
4). Fourth embodiment:
5. Other embodiments:

1. First embodiment:
(1) Configuration of Content Distribution System FIG. 1 is a diagram showing each device constituting a content distribution system 1 as an example. The content distribution system 1 is a system that supports UPnP AV DLNA. The content distribution system 1 includes servers 10, 20, and 30 that function as a DLNA DMS. In FIG. 1, the servers 10, 20, and 30 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network), which is a small-scale network, via a wired or wireless connection. The LAN 50 is connected to the wide area network N via the router 60. The router 60 also serves as a gateway, and a network device connected to the LAN 50 can be connected to each network device connected to the wide area network N via the router 60. The wide area network N is the Internet or a telephone line network.

  The first server 10 and the second server 20 are out-of-home delivery devices capable of delivering content to a network device (the client 40 in FIG. 1) connected to the wide area network N via the router 60. On the other hand, the third server 30 is an out-of-home delivery-compatible device that can deliver content only on the same LAN 50. A device that does not support distribution outside the home cannot distribute content to each network device connected via the wide area network N.

  Connected to the wide area network N are a client 40 functioning as DMP of DLNA and an activation server 70 for registering information (local IP address, MAC address, global IP address, etc.) of the client 40. Content distribution from the servers 10 and 20 corresponding to the distribution outside the home to the client 40 is performed by obtaining an address information inquiry using the activation server 70. The activation server 70 converts the destination of the content distributed from the first server 10 and the second server 20 according to the registered information of the client 40, and enables the distribution of the content to the client 40. Note that the out-of-home delivery process using the activation server 70 is well known, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of the servers 10 to 30. As an example, the servers 10 to 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 are recorders that store content such as moving images and sounds in an external storage device. The servers 10 to 30 include a television broadcast and a data input unit 11 that receives external input from an external device (not shown), an external storage device 12 that stores content and meta information MD of the content, and user operation input. For example, a network IF 14 for connecting to the wide area network N, and a control unit 15 for controlling these in an integrated manner.

  The data input unit 11 includes a tuner 111 and an input terminal 112. The tuner 111 receives television broadcasts such as terrestrial waves and satellite broadcast waves, radio broadcasts, and data broadcasts. The input terminal 112 receives a digital input or an analog input from an external device (not shown).

  The external storage device 12 includes a magnetic memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a semiconductor memory such as an SSD (solid state drive). The content stored in the external storage device 12 is, for example, a television broadcast (video signal) recorded by the servers 10 to 30 via the data input unit 11. The meta information MD is XML data indicating the title, recording date / time, playback time, recording location (URL), etc. of the content stored in the external storage device 12. A specific configuration of the meta information MD will be described later.

The operation input unit 13 includes an operation key (not shown) and a reception unit that receives an input from a remote control device.
The network IF 14 is configured by a LAN card, a NIC (Network Interface Card), etc. for connecting to the wide area network N.

  The control unit 15 is an integrated circuit such as an SoC, a decoder that converts digital data acquired via the data input unit 11 into content data that conforms to the MPEG standard, and content data that conforms to the MPEG standard for output. Encoder, a CPU that functions as a calculation center, a ROM that stores programs and data executed by the CPU, and a RAM that functions as a work area of the CPU.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the control unit 15 in the servers 10 to 30. Each functional block shown in FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM.

  The control unit 15 of the third server 30 includes a meta information management unit (attribute information management unit) 151 that manages meta information, a content editing unit 152 that edits content, and a service providing unit that distributes content via the LAN 50 via the network IF. 153 functionally. Hereinafter, the meta information managed by the meta information management unit 151 of the third server 30 is also referred to as first meta information MD1. A divided content DCD described later can be generated by the function of editing / editing by the content editing unit 152. The service providing unit 153 is a function for moving content to a content distribution request from a client in the LAN 50, a request for an action (content reproduction, stop, seek, etc.) to be performed along with the content distribution, and moving or copying the content. It has.

  The first server 10 and the second server 20 include the meta information acquisition unit (attribute information acquisition unit) 154 that acquires the first meta information MD1, the first meta information MD1, and the meta information MD of the content held by the own device. The meta information providing unit (attribute information providing unit) 155 that transmits the meta information (second meta information MD2) to the client by browsing the CDS, and the content distribution request from the client by browsing does not support out-of-home distribution When a distribution request for content held by the server (in this embodiment, the third server 30) is made, a dubbing request unit 156 that requests dubbing of the selected content from the server holding the content is dubbed. A content distribution unit 157 for distributing the received content.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the meta information (attribute information) MD acquired by the meta information acquisition unit 154. The second meta information MD2 is managed as a directory structure hierarchized for each tag included in the XML data. For example, in FIG. 4, a tag “DMS_ *” for identifying a server holding content corresponding to the meta information MD is hierarchized as a child with “Root” as a vertex. Note that “*” is an identifier for identifying any DMS, and is one of A, B, and C in this embodiment. The tag “DMS_A” indicates that the meta information acquisition unit 154 is the first meta information MD1 acquired from the third server 30. A tag “DMS_B” indicates meta information of content held by the own device. For example, the meta information acquisition unit 154 can acquire the first meta information MD1 from the third server 30 (DMS_A) by an HTTP GET request.

  A tag “item id” is hierarchized as a child in each “DMS_ *” tag, and an ID and an attribute value for uniquely identifying the content are assigned to the tag “item id”. For each “item id”, a tag “dc: title” indicating the title of the content, a tag “dc data” indicating the generation date and time of the content, a tag “upnp: genre” indicating the content genre, and the content are used as children. The tag “res protoclInfo” that manages information used when a service is provided is layered. Among these, “res protoclInfo” is assigned with attributes such as the total playback time of the content, the bit rate, and the address where the content is recorded.

  In the browsing of CDS (Content Directory Service), the meta information providing unit 155 can transmit the second meta information MD2 to the client 40. The client 40 acquires a URL corresponding to the content from the second meta information MD2 provided by browsing, and can make a content distribution request (HTTP GET request) based on the URL. Detailed functions of each part other than those described here will be described later.

(2) Content Distribution Method A content distribution method executed in the content distribution system 1 will be described based on FIG. In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the pairing between the first server 10 and the second server 20 and the client 40 has already been completed.

  In step S1, the meta information acquisition unit 154 of the first server 10 and the second server 20 acquires the first meta information MD1 of the third server 30. When a request for meta information (HTTP GET request) is made from the first server 10 to the third server 30, the third server 30 transmits the first meta information MD 1 to the first server 10. Through the processing in step S1, the meta information MD shown in FIG. 5 is acquired by the first server 10. Similarly, when a request for meta information is sent from the second server 20 to the third server 30, the third server 30 transmits the first meta information MD 1 to the second server 20.

  In step S2, an out-of-home authentication process is performed between the first server 10 and the client 40. In the outside authentication process, for example, when the user operates the client 40 and inputs an account, authentication between the client 40 and the first server 10 is performed.

  In steps S3 and S4, browsing according to CDS between the first server 10 and the client 40 is performed. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining browsing. The meta information providing unit 155 transmits all or part of the second meta information MD2 managed by the external storage device 12 to the client 40 as a response to the browse request (step S3) from the client 40 (step S4). . In FIG. 6A, the second meta information MD 2 having “item id” “9012” is the first meta information MD 1 acquired from the third server 30.

  The client 40 processes the second meta information MD2 with a browser (not shown), thereby displaying a content list for inputting an action for the content. The content list 300 shown in FIG. 6B includes list icons 301, 302, and 303 in which content titles are described. Among these, the list icon 303 is an icon displayed corresponding to the first meta information MD1. The user can select content that requests re-browsing or content that requires distribution using list icons 301, 302, and 303.

  In step S5, a content distribution request from the client 40 to the first server 10 is made. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the user operates the client 40 to select content (BS theater in FIG. 6) held by the third server 30 in step S5.

  In step S <b> 6, the first server 10 searches for a server (in this embodiment, the second server 20) that supports out-of-home delivery (search for out-of-home delivery compatible devices) within the same LAN 50. For example, the first server 10 requests a response to the server paired with the client 40 connected to the LAN 50 by multicast. In this embodiment, since the second server 20 has been paired with the client 40, the second server 20 responds to the request from the first server 10. By this response, the first server 10 can recognize the address and the like of the second server 20.

  In steps S7 to S9, a method for distributing contents held by the server that does not support distribution outside the house (in this embodiment, the third server 30) between the first server 10 and the client 40 is selected. Is called.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen 400 for selecting a distribution method displayed on the client 40. In the UI screen 400 shown in FIG. 7, the title 401 of the content to be distributed, the text 402 indicating that the content is held by a server that does not support distribution outside the home, and a control for selecting a method for distributing this content. 403 and 404 are displayed. For example, when the user operates the client 40 and selects one of the controls 403 and 404, the selected delivery method is transmitted from the client 40 to the first server 10 (step S9).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of delivering content held by the third server 30 outside the home. 8A is a distribution method selected by the control 403 of the UI screen 400 shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 8B is a distribution method selected by the control 404.

  FIG. 8A shows a method of distributing content from the first server 10 to the client 40 after all the content held by the third server 30 is dubbed to the first server 10 (hereinafter also referred to as normal distribution). To do.) In this normal distribution, the content is not distributed to the client 40 until the content dubbing from the third server 30 to the first server 10 is completed. Therefore, a delay time corresponding to the size (information amount) of the content occurs until the client 40 requests the content distribution and the distribution of the content starts.

  FIG. 8B shows a method of dividing the content held by the third server 30 for each predetermined reproduction time and dubbing it to the first server 10 or the second server 20 (hereinafter also referred to as divided distribution). To do.) In this divided distribution, the content held by the third server 30 is divided and dubbed into the first server 10 and the second server 20, and the content is dubbed from the other server at the timing when the content is dubbed to one server. Is delivered. For this reason, the delay time that occurs between the time when the client 40 requests distribution of content and the start of distribution of the corresponding content is shorter than the delay time that occurs during normal distribution shown in FIG.

  Next, a process when the user selects the divided distribution as a method for distributing the content held by the third server 30 outside the home in step S8 of FIG. 5 will be described. First, the divided content DCD generated by the third server 30 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the third server 30 (content editing unit 152) creates N divided contents (DCD_1 to DCD_N) from the original content COD (also displayed as DCD_0). The content editing unit 152 creates divided content according to a predetermined condition based on the original content COD_O. Hereinafter, when the content COD playback time is described, it means the time required for the client 40 to play back the original content. When described as the reproduction time PT of the divided content DCD, it means the time required for the client 40 to reproduce the divided content DCD.

  In this embodiment, the reproduction time of the divided content DCD is an information amount that can be dubbed in a shorter time than the reproduction time of the divided content including the scene before the divided content. In other words, it can be said that the time required for dubbing content is shorter than the playback time. Here, the scene means a set of pictures corresponding to a specific reproduction time. As an example, the case where the time (recording time RT) required to record the divided content having the playback time PT is 1/5 of the playback time PT will be described as an example. In FIG. 9, if the content playback time of the divided content DCD_1 is PT_1 (5 minutes), the first server 10 is not dubbing during PT_1 (5 minutes) during which the divided content DCD_1 is played back. Within minutes, the second server 20 records the divided content DCD_2 from the third server 30 via the LAN 50 (recording time RT_2). At this time, the playback time RT of the divided content DCD_2 recorded at the recording time RT_2 is theoretically the recording time RT_2 × 5 (in this example, within 25 minutes). The reproduction time RT_3 of the divided content DCD_3 that can be recorded at the reproduction time RT_2 of the divided content DCD_2 is the reproduction time RT_2 × 5. Similarly, recording times RT_4... Can be determined based on the reproduction times PT_3. That is, the length of the divided content that is repeatedly divided and dubbed is gradually increased within the range of the length that can be dubbed within the reproduction time of the divided content being distributed.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, a sequence in a case where divided distribution is selected as a method for distributing content held by the third server 30 outside the home in step S <b> 8 of FIG. 4 will be described.
First, in step S <b> 11, the first server 10 notifies the second server 20 of the title and resolution (distribution bit rate) of the content selected by the client 40. This is executed for the purpose of matching the image quality such as the resolution of the content (divided content) distributed to the client 40 between the first server 10 and the second server 20.

  In steps S <b> 12 and S <b> 13, processing necessary for dubbing divided content is performed between the first server 10 and the third server 30. Here, dubbing means moving or copying content from the third server 30. For example, when the corresponding content does not support copying, only moving may be performed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the timing of content dubbing and content distribution by the first server 10 and the second server 20. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis is a time axis, a dubbing period using the LAN 50 in the first server 10 (FIG. 11A), a distribution period using the wide area network N (FIG. 11B), and A dubbing period using the LAN 50 in the second server 20 (FIG. 11C), a distribution period using the wide area network N (FIG. 11D), and content reproduction on the client 40 (FIG. 11E) ) Respectively.

  Returning to FIG. 10, when the dubbing of the divided content DCD is completed, the first server 10 notifies the second server 20 of dubbing completion in step S14. By this dubbing completion notification, the second server 20 can determine that the dubbing using the LAN 50 by the first server 10 has been completed. In the example shown in FIG. 11, when the dubbing of the divided content DCD_1 by the first server 10 is completed (FIG. 11A), the second server 20 uses the LAN 50 to transfer the divided content DCD_2 from the third server 30. Dubbing is started (FIG. 11 (c)).

In step S <b> 15, the content distribution unit 157 of the first server 10 starts distributing content (divided content) to the client 40. The client 40 analyzes the distributed divided content DCD and starts reproduction. In FIG. 11 (e), for ease of explanation, the divided content DCD reproduced by the client 40 is provided with an interval, but the distribution interval between the actual divided contents DCD is narrower or seamlessly distributed. .
During the distribution of the divided content DCD using the wide area network N by the first server 10, in steps S 16 and S 17, processing associated with the dubbing of the divided content DCD between the second server 20 and the third server 30 is performed. This is performed (FIG. 11 (c)).

  When the dubbing of the divided content DCD to the second server 20 is completed, the second server 20 sends a dubbing completion notification to the first server 10 in step S18. The first server 10 that has received the notification of completion of dubbing of the divided content DCD from the second server 20 sends a distribution request notification to the second server 20 in step S19 if the distribution of the divided content DCD has been completed.

  In step S20, an out-of-home authentication process is performed between the second server 20 and the client 40. Also in this outside authentication process, for example, when the user operates the client 40 and inputs an account, authentication between the client 40 and the second server 20 is performed. The out-of-home authentication process is executed only for the distribution of the first divided content DCD from the second server 20. Since the first server 10 has already been authenticated, the second server may be automated.

  In step S <b> 21, the second server 20 starts distributing the divided content DCD to the client 40. Therefore, the browser of the client 40 reproduces the divided content DCD distributed from the second server 20.

  In steps S <b> 22 and S <b> 23, processing accompanying dubbing of the divided content between the first server 10 and the third server 30 is started. That is, during the distribution of the divided content DCD using the wide area network N by the second server 20, the first server 10 dubs the divided content COD using the LAN 50 (FIG. 11 (a)).

  Thereafter, the dubbing and distribution of the divided content DCD by the first server 10 and the second server 20 are alternately performed. Then, when the divided content DCD to which the end of the content COD belongs is distributed from the third server 30, the divided distribution of the content ends.

(3) Operation / Effect In the invention according to the first embodiment as described above, the distribution from the first server 10 and the distribution from the second server 20 are performed to the client 40 by shifting the time axis. Done. In other words, the dubbing request unit of one content distribution server (10, 20) requests and dubbes the divided content after the divided content dubbed by the dubbing request unit of the other content distribution server (20, 10). When the distribution of the divided content by the content distribution unit in the other content distribution servers (20, 10) is completed, the content distribution unit starts the distribution of the divided content thereafter, thereby the plurality of content distribution servers (10, 20). ) Continuously deliver the content to the client (40). Therefore, the time required from the distribution request to the start of content distribution can be shortened compared to the case where all of the content is distributed after the distribution request from the client 40 is distributed.
In addition, during the distribution of the divided contents using the wide area network N by the third server 30, the divided contents are dubbed using the LAN by the first server 10, and therefore the usage time of the LAN and the wide area network N by each server is used. This shortens the network load.

2. Second embodiment:
Even if the user selects the divided distribution of content, the user may select whether or not the user wishes to distribute from the second server immediately before the distribution is switched from the first server to the second server. Good.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence in the second embodiment when the user selects split distribution as a method for distributing content held by the third server 30 outside the home in step S8 of FIG.

  In step S31, the first server 10 notifies the second server 20 of the title and resolution (distribution bit rate) of the content selected by the client 40.

  In step S <b> 32, the first server 10 requests the third server 30 to copy the divided content DCD. In step S <b> 33, the third server 30 dubbes the divided content to the first server 10.

  When dubbing of the divided content is completed, the first server 10 notifies the second server 20 of dubbing completion in step S34.

  In step S <b> 35, the first server 10 starts distributing content (divided content DCD) to the client 40. During distribution of the divided content DCD using the wide area network N by the first server 10, in steps S <b> 36 and S <b> 37, processing associated with the divided content dubbing between the second server 20 and the third server 30 is performed.

  When dubbing of the divided content DCD to the second server 20 is completed, the second server 20 notifies the first server 10 of dubbing completion in step S38.

  In step S39, the first server 10 that has received the notification of completion of dubbing of the divided content DCD from the second server 20 requests the client 40 to confirm whether or not the divided content DCD is to be distributed from the second server 20. In response to a confirmation request from the first server 10 to the second server 20, the client 40 displays a UI screen 450 for selecting whether or not to deliver from the second server 20 (step S40).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen 450 for selecting whether or not to deliver from the second server 20 displayed on the client 40. In the UI screen 450 shown in FIG. 13, a title 451 of the content selected by the client 40 and a control 452 (Yes, No) for selecting whether to distribute this content from the second server 20 are displayed. . For example, when the user operates the client 40 and selects “Yes” in the control 452, a response indicating permission of distribution from the second server 20 is sent to the first server 10 (step S41). On the other hand, if the user selects “No” in the control 452, a response is made to the first server 10 that disallows distribution from the second server 20 (step S41).

  If the distribution of the divided content DCD has been completed, the first server 10 notifies the second server 20 of a distribution request in response to a reply from the client 40 according to the selection from the user (step S42). ). If the response from the client 40 corresponds to “Yes” in the control 452, the first server 10 makes a distribution request to the second server 20. On the other hand, if the response from the client 40 corresponds to “No” in the control 452, the first server 10 does not make a distribution request to the second server 20. In this case, content distribution ends.

When the response from the client 40 corresponds to “Yes” in the control 452, the outside authentication process is performed between the second server 20 and the client 40 in step S43. In step S <b> 44, the second server 20 starts distributing the divided content DCD to the client 40.
Thereafter, the dubbing and distribution of the divided content DCD by the first server 10 and the second server 20 are alternately performed. Then, when the divided content DCD to which the end of the content COD belongs is distributed from the third server 30, the divided distribution of the content ends.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when the user selects the divided distribution of the content, it is possible to select the stop of the divided distribution from the second server 20. For example, there is an actual benefit when the user wants to stop the distribution of the content during the distribution of the content outside the home.

3. Third embodiment:
The divided content DCD generated by the third server 30 may be one in which the reproduction scene at the beginning or the reproduction scene at the end overlaps with respect to the divided content DCD whose reproduction position is front and rear on the time axis.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the divided content DCD according to the third embodiment. Also in the third embodiment, the third server 30 creates N divided contents (DCD_1 to DCD_N) from the original content COD. For example, in FIG. 14, in the divided content DCD_1, the playback scene Se_1 at the rear end overlaps the playback scene Sf_2 at the beginning of the divided content DCD_2 that is behind in the time axis. In the divided content DCD_2, the playback scene Se_2 at the rear end overlaps the playback scene Sf_3 at the beginning of the divided content DCD_3 that is behind in the time axis.

  Therefore, in the client 40, when the divided content DCD distributed from the first server 10 (for example, DCD_1 in FIG. 14) is switched to the divided content DCD distributed from the second server 20 (for example, DCD_2 in FIG. 14), The same playback scene is repeated for a predetermined period. By adopting such a configuration, the contents can be surely grasped even when switching in the middle of a conversation. In addition, even if the network is defective at the timing when the server that distributes the divided content DCD is switched, it takes time to switch the server, or even if the reproduction at the client is defective at the beginning of the server switch. It becomes possible to assist the viewing of the user.

4). Fourth embodiment:
The dubbing of the divided content DCD and the distribution of the divided content DCD from a server that does not support distribution outside the house may be performed by one server.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a content distribution server (first server) according to the fourth embodiment. As in the other embodiments, the first server 10 includes the meta information acquisition unit 154 that acquires the first meta information MD1 of the content that can be distributed by the third server belonging to the same LAN shown in FIG. 3, and the acquired first meta When a distribution request for content that can be provided by the third server 30 is made from the meta information providing unit 155 that transmits the second meta information MD2 including the information MD1 to the client 40 and the client 40 after transmitting the second meta information MD2. A dubbing request unit 156 that requests the third server to copy the divided content, and a content distribution unit 157 that distributes the dubbed divided content.

On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the dubbing request unit 156 performs a predetermined time from the continuation of the dubbed divided content DCD during distribution of the divided content DCD (FIG. 15B). The third server 30 is requested to copy the content of the minute as the next divided content DCD (FIG. 15A). That is, the dubbing request unit requests and dubbes the next divided content while the content distribution unit distributes the divided content, so that the content distribution unit performs the dubbed division after dubbing the first divided content. Deliver content continuously.
In the fourth embodiment, the first server 10 performs dubbing and distribution of the divided content DCD, but the dubbing using the LAN 50 and the distribution using the wide area network N are performed in a time division manner. As a result, the occupation ratio of the LAN 50 and the wide area network N is reduced, and the network load can be reduced.
Of course, also in this embodiment, the divided contents (DCD_1, DCD_2,...) Are sequentially delivered to the client 40 (FIG. 15C), and the original content COD using the divided contents DCD is reproduced.

5. Other embodiments:
The reproduction time PT of the divided content DCD generated by the first server 10 may be an equal time. That is, the reproduction time of divided content that is repeatedly divided and dubbed is substantially constant.
It is only an example that the server 10 is an out-of-home delivery device, and all of the servers 10 to 30 may be out-of-home delivery devices.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It goes without saying for those skilled in the art,
・ Applying mutually interchangeable members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments by appropriately changing the combination thereof.− Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, it is a publicly known technique and the above embodiments. The members and configurations that can be mutually replaced with the members and configurations disclosed in the above are appropriately replaced, and the combination is changed and applied. It is an embodiment of the present invention that a person skilled in the art can appropriately replace the members and configurations that can be assumed as substitutes for the members and configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments, and change the combinations and apply them. It is disclosed as.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content delivery system, 10 ... 1st server, 11 ... Data input part, 12 ... External storage device, 13 ... Operation input part, 15 ... Control part, 20 ... 2nd server, 30 ... 3rd server, 40 ... Client 50 ... LAN, 60 ... router, 70 ... activation server, 111 ... tuner, 112 ... input terminal, 151 ... meta information management unit, 152 ... content editing unit, 153 ... service providing unit, 154 ... meta information obtaining unit, 155 ... Meta information providing unit, 156 ... Dubbing request unit, 157 ... Content distribution unit, 300 ... Content list, 301, 302, 303 ... List icon, 400, 450 ... UI screen

Claims (10)

A content distribution method for distributing content to a client using a first server and a second server,
The first server and the second server acquire first attribute information of content that can be distributed by a third server belonging to the same LAN,
The first server sends second attribute information including the acquired first attribute information to the client;
In the content distribution request from the client after the transmission of the second attribute information to the first server, when the content distribution request that can be provided by the third server is made, the first server is selected. Requesting the third server to copy the divided content corresponding to a predetermined time of the content,
The first server delivers the dubbed divided content to the client;
The second server dubbes content for a predetermined time from the continuation of the divided content being distributed by the first server as the next divided content during distribution of the divided content by the first server. 3. A content distribution method characterized by requesting three servers.   2. The divided content requested by the second server is an amount of information that can be dubbed in a shorter time than a reproduction time of the divided content distributed by the first server. Content delivery method.   2. The divided content requested by the second server has a head or end scene overlapping as compared to a reproduction time of the divided content distributed by the first server. The content distribution method according to claim 2. When the dubbing is completed, the first server notifies the second server of the dubbing completion,
The content according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the second server receives the dubbing completion notification, the second server requests the third server to copy the divided content. Delivery method. The first server and the second server are capable of delivering the content via a wide area network,
The content distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the third server can distribute the content only within the LAN. A content distribution server that distributes content to clients,
An attribute information acquisition unit that acquires first attribute information of content that can be distributed by a third server belonging to the same LAN;
An attribute information providing unit that transmits second attribute information including the acquired first attribute information to the client;
In a content distribution request from the client after the transmission of the second attribute information, when a content distribution request that can be provided by the third server is made, a divided content corresponding to a predetermined time of the selected content is A dubbing request unit that requests the third server to perform dubbing;
A content distribution unit that distributes the divided content that has been dubbed,
The dubbing request unit requests the third server to dubb content for a predetermined time from the continuation of the dubbed divided content as the next divided content during distribution of the divided content. Content distribution server to be used. When a distribution request for content that can be provided by the third server is made,
The dubbing request unit requests and dubbes the divided content after the divided content dubbed by the dubbing request unit in the other content distribution server,
When the content distribution unit completes the distribution of the divided content by the content distribution unit in the other content distribution server, the distribution of the divided content starts.
The content distribution server according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the content distribution servers continuously distribute the content to the client. When a distribution request for content that can be provided by the third server is made,
The dubbing request unit requests and dubbes the next divided content while the content distribution unit distributes the divided content, so that the content distribution unit performs the first dubbing of the divided content and thereafter. The content distribution server according to claim 6, wherein the divided content that has been dubbed is continuously distributed.   9. The content distribution server according to claim 6, wherein a reproduction time of the divided content that is repeatedly divided and dubbed is substantially constant.   The length of the divided content that is repeatedly divided and dubbed is gradually increased within a range of length that can be dubbed within the playback time of the divided content being distributed. 8. The content distribution server according to any one of 8.

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