JP4564401B2 - Stream selection receiving apparatus, stream selection receiving method, and stream selection receiving program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for receiving a stream distributed by multicast over a network, and more particularly to a stream selection receiving apparatus, a stream selection receiving method, and a stream selection receiving program for selecting and receiving one stream from a plurality of streams. .

  Conventionally, when a stream such as a moving image or audio is simultaneously distributed from one server to a plurality of terminals, multicast distribution has been performed. In this multicast distribution, one stream distributed from a server is duplicated and branched at a router and transmitted to a plurality of terminals. At this time, in order to receive the stream, the terminal needs to specify a multicast group address and a port number for identifying the stream. These pieces of information are notified by a session description protocol (SDP) together with information indicating stream contents and delivery time (see Non-Patent Document 1). The user who is the receiver of the stream refers to the contents of the announced stream, selects the stream to be received, and registers the multicast group address in the router, so that the terminal receives the stream selected by the user. can do.

  In digital broadcasting in Japan, there is a descriptor (target area descriptor) that describes the reception area in each prefecture in the descriptor that describes the attributes of the broadcast stream. A stream that is not a reception target can be prevented from being received based on the child (see Non-Patent Document 2). This target area descriptor is a 56-bit bit field. For example, Aomori Prefecture is the 3rd bit, Iwate Prefecture is the 4th bit, Miyagi Prefecture is the 5th bit, Akita Prefecture is the 6th bit, and Yamagata Prefecture is the 7th bit. In Fukushima Prefecture, a bit indicating the reception target is assigned to the eighth bit, and if the third bit is 1, it indicates that Aomori Prefecture is the reception target region. If all the bits from the third bit to the eighth bit are 1, it indicates that the Tohoku block (Aomori Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Akita Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, and Fukushima Prefecture) is the reception target area.

Furthermore, the server includes a server that transmits a stream and stream information that is information about the stream, and a receiver that receives the stream information from the server, displays the stream information on the display device, and acquires the stream selected by the user from the server. An information distribution system is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-251345 A (paragraph numbers 0011 to 0076) IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) / RFC (Request For Comment) 2327 SDP: Session Description Protocol ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses) STD-B10 Program arrangement information used for digital broadcasting part2 6.2.27 Target area descriptor

  However, the information notified by SDP is the contents of the stream, the media, the encoding method, etc., and information for specifying the terminal that receives the stream cannot be notified.

  The target area descriptor used in digital broadcasting can identify whether a stream should be received by a terminal installed in a certain prefecture, but if there are multiple streams to be received, which stream should be received? It cannot be used for the purpose of judging. For example, when both the stream associated with the target area identifier indicating that only Aomori Prefecture is the reception target and the stream associated with the target area identifier indicating that the Tohoku block is the reception target are receivable In addition, the terminal in Aomori Prefecture could not set which stream should be received with priority.

  Furthermore, in the information distribution system of Patent Document 1, the user must select a stream with reference to the stream information, and the receiving apparatus determines which of the plurality of streams should be received with priority. It is not possible.

  The present invention was made to solve the problems of the prior art, and even when there are a plurality of streams to be received, a stream selection receiving device that can determine which stream is preferentially received, An object of the present invention is to provide a stream selection reception method and a stream selection reception program.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the stream selection receiving device according to claim 1 is a device on a stream distributor side, and a stream to be distributed via a multicast network from a plurality of stream transmission devices that distribute the stream. It includes a multicast group address for identifying and receiving a plurality of notification information including the reception condition information utilized to determine the priority at the receiving side I information der indicating a condition for receiving a stream for a plurality of the stream A stream selection receiving apparatus that selects and receives one stream corresponding to reception condition information with the highest priority , the priority storage means, the notification information reception means, the priority determination means, and the stream reception Means.

According to such a configuration, the stream selection reception device stores the reception condition information, the priority information indicating the priority for receiving the stream corresponding to the reception condition information, and the condition indicated by the reception condition information in the priority storage unit. Corresponding in advance is partial reception condition information indicating a part of the stream as a condition for receiving a stream and mask information indicating a mask for extracting only a part corresponding to the condition indicated by the partial reception condition information from the reception condition information Add and remember. Further, the stream selection receiver, the announcement information receiving unit receives each notification information including the reception condition information via the multicast network, the priority determination means, for each notification information received by the notification information receiving unit The reception condition information included in the notification information is compared with the reception condition information stored in the priority storage means , or a part of the reception condition information included in the received notification information is masked by the mask information. The partial reception condition information extracted by multiplying the partial reception condition information stored in the priority storage means, and the priority of the stream corresponding to the received notification information is stored in the priority storage means The priority is determined as the priority indicated by the priority information , and the notification information having the highest priority among all the received notification information is determined. Furthermore, the stream selection receiving device transmits the multicast group address included in the notification information determined to have the highest priority by the stream receiving unit and the address of the stream selection receiving device to the multicast network, thereby A stream corresponding to the notification information is received.

  Thereby, the stream selection receiving apparatus can set the priority of the stream to be received in advance by the priority information, and can receive the stream having the highest priority indicated by the priority information among the receivable streams.

  As a result, the stream selection receiving apparatus can extract partial reception condition information, analyze priority, and receive a stream including reception condition information with the highest priority.

Further, the stream selection receiving method according to claim 2 is a multicast group address for identifying a stream to be distributed from a plurality of stream transmission apparatuses that are streams distributors and distribute streams via a multicast network. It includes, and receives a plurality of notification information including the reception condition information utilized to determine the priority at the receiving side I information der indicating a condition for receiving a stream for a plurality of the streams, the receiving condition information Priority information indicating the priority for receiving the stream corresponding to the reception condition information, partial reception condition information indicating a part of the condition indicated by the reception condition information as a condition for receiving the stream, and this part To extract only the part corresponding to the condition indicated by the reception condition information from the reception condition information It reads the priority information corresponding to the received condition information included in the announcement information from the priority storage unit for previously associating and storing the mask information indicating a disk, one corresponding to the highest priority reception condition information A stream selection reception method for selecting and receiving the stream, comprising a notification information reception step, a priority determination step, and a stream reception step.

According to this method receiving, at the announcement information receiving step receives each announcement information over a multicast network, the priority determination step, for each notification information received by the notification information reception step, included in the announcement information Partial reception obtained by comparing the condition information and the reception condition information stored in the priority storage device or by masking a part of the reception condition information included in the received notification information by mask information The condition information and the partial reception condition information stored in the priority storage means are compared, and the priority of the stream corresponding to the received notification information is indicated by the priority information stored in the priority storage means. It is determined as the degree, and the notification information having the highest priority among all the received notification information is determined. Then, in the stream reception step, by transmitting the multicast group address included in the notification information determined to have the highest priority by the priority determination step and the address of the stream selection reception device to the multicast network, A stream corresponding to the notification information is received. Accordingly, it is possible to receive a stream having the highest priority indicated by the priority information among the streams that can be received.

The stream selection reception program according to claim 3 is a multicast group address for identifying a stream to be distributed via a multicast network from a plurality of stream transmission apparatuses that are streams distributors and distribute the stream. It includes, and receives a plurality of notification information including the reception condition information utilized to determine the priority at the receiving side I information der indicating a condition for receiving a stream for a plurality of the streams, the receiving condition information Priority information indicating a priority for receiving a stream corresponding to the reception condition information, partial reception condition information indicating a part of the condition indicated by the reception condition information as a condition for receiving the stream, and this partial reception To extract only the part corresponding to the condition indicated by the condition information from the reception condition information Reads the priority information from the priority storage unit for previously associating and storing the mask information indicating mask corresponding to the received condition information included in the announcement information, the one corresponding to the highest priority reception condition information In order to select and receive the stream, the computer is caused to function as notification information receiving means, priority determination means, and stream receiving means.

According to such a configuration, the stream selection reception program receives each notification information via the multicast network by the notification information receiving unit, and for each notification information received by the notification information receiving unit by the priority determination unit , The reception condition information included in the notification information is compared with the reception condition information stored in the priority storage means , or a mask is applied to a part of the reception condition information included in the received notification information by the mask information. The partial reception condition information extracted over time and the partial reception condition information stored in the priority storage means are compared, and the priority of the stream corresponding to the received notification information is stored in the priority storage means. The priority indicated by the degree information is determined, and the notice information with the highest priority among all the received notice information is determined. Further, the stream selection reception program sends the multicast group address and the address of the stream selection reception device included in the notification information determined by the stream reception unit as having the highest priority by the priority determination unit to the multicast network. To receive a stream corresponding to the notification information .

  Accordingly, the stream selection reception program can set the priority of the stream to be received in advance by the priority information, and can receive the stream having the highest priority indicated by the priority information among the receivable streams.

The stream selection receiving apparatus, the stream selection receiving method, and the stream selection receiving program according to the present invention have the following excellent effects. According to the first, second, or third aspect of the invention, even when there are a plurality of streams to be received, the stream having the highest priority can be determined and received based on the notification information. . Further, it is possible to set which stream is received from the distributor side by the notification information.

According to the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention, among the reception conditions included in the reception condition information, conditions that are not considered when analyzing the priority are not considered because mask processing is performed. There is no need to store the reception condition information in the priority storage means corresponding to all patterns that can be taken by the condition.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of stream distribution system]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the stream delivery system 1 provided with the stream selection receiver 7 which is embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a stream distribution system including a stream selection receiving device according to the present invention.

  The stream distribution system 1 includes a stream selection reception device 7 that is a receiver side device via a multicast network 5 from a stream transmission device 3, 3,. 7 is a system for transmitting a stream to.

  The stream transmission device 3 sends notification information including a multicast group address for identifying a stream to be distributed and reception condition information as a condition for receiving the stream, and a stream via the multicast network 5 to the stream selection reception devices 7, 7,. To send to. The notification information may include information indicating a port number, stream contents, and delivery time in addition to the multicast group address and reception condition information. Here, the reception condition information is a code indicating the location (region) of the stream selection receiving device 7 that receives the stream, and is set by the stream distributor. However, the reception condition information is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a category of a reception contract. Further, a code that can identify each stream selection receiving device 7, a code that can identify a set of several stream selection receiving devices 7, 7,..., Each stream selection receiving device 7 and each stream selection receiving device 7, 7 ,... May be a bitmap code assigned to a bit at a specific position.

  The stream selection reception device 7 receives a plurality of notification information transmitted via the multicast network 5 from the stream transmission devices 3, 3,..., Selects a stream with high priority, and receives this stream. is there.

(Configuration of stream selection receiver)
Hereinafter, the stream selection receiving device 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 (refer to FIG. 1 as appropriate). FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the stream selection receiving apparatus according to the present invention. The stream selection reception device 7 includes a communication transmission / reception unit 71, a notification information reception unit 72, a priority storage unit 73, a priority determination unit 74, a stream reception unit 75, and a stream output unit 76.

  The communication transmission / reception means 71 transmits / receives communication data via the multicast network 5. For example, the communication transmission / reception means 71 transmits / receives communication data using a UDP / IP (User Datagram Protocol / Internet Protocol) communication protocol.

  The notification information receiving unit 72 receives the notification information transmitted from the stream transmitting devices 3, 3,... Via the communication transmitting / receiving unit 71. Here, the received notification information is output to the priority determination means 74. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of pieces of notification information corresponding to a plurality of streams are transmitted from a plurality of stream transmission devices 3, 3,.

  The priority storage means (priority storage device) 73 stores reception condition information and priority information indicating priority for receiving a stream corresponding to the reception condition information in association with each other, such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. This is a general recording medium. Here, the priority storage unit 73 further includes partial reception condition information indicating a part of the condition indicated by the reception condition information as a condition for receiving the stream, and priority information of the partial reception condition information, and The mask information indicating the mask for extracting only the portion corresponding to the condition indicated by the partial reception condition information from the reception condition information is stored in advance in association with each other.

  Based on the notification information input from the notification information reception unit 72 and the priority information stored in the priority storage unit 73, the priority determination unit 74 includes the reception condition information included in the input notification information. The one with the highest priority is determined. Here, the priority determination means 74 includes a priority analysis unit 74a, a reception condition information extraction unit 74b, and a notification information selection unit 74c.

  Based on the reception condition information included in the notification information input from the notification information receiving unit 72 and the priority information stored in the priority storage unit 73, the priority analysis unit 74a is a stream corresponding to the notification information. The priority of is analyzed. The priority analyzed here is output to the notification information selection unit 74c.

  Here, the priority analysis unit 74a obtains the reception condition information corresponding to the priority information or the partial reception condition information and the mask information from the priority storage unit 73 in the descending order of priority indicated by the priority information. read out. When the reception condition information is read, the priority analysis unit 74a matches the read reception condition information with the reception condition information included in the notification information input from the notification information receiving unit 72. If they match, the priority of the stream corresponding to the notification information input from the notification information receiving means 72 is set as the priority indicated by the priority information.

  Here, the reception condition information includes conditions for other stream selection reception apparatuses 7, 7,..., Other than the conditions for the stream selection reception apparatus 7. For example, even when the stream selection receiver 7 is in Aomori Prefecture, the reception condition information includes not only whether the stream selection receiver 7 in Aomori Prefecture is the target of reception but also the stream selection reception in each other prefecture. It also describes whether the devices 7, 7,.

  Therefore, the priority analysis unit 74a includes conditions other than the conditions to which the stream selection reception device 7 corresponds in the reception condition information included in the notification information and the reception condition information read from the priority storage unit 73. If all bits match completely, the priority of this stream can be the priority indicated by the priority information. For example, in the stream selection reception device 7 in Aomori Prefecture, reception condition information describing that only the stream selection reception device 7 in Aomori Prefecture is to be received, and priority information indicating the priority at this time, Is stored in the priority storage means 73, the priority analysis unit 74a determines the priority of the stream corresponding to the notification information including the reception condition information describing that only Aomori prefecture is the reception target. The priority is indicated by the priority information stored in the priority storage unit 73.

  When the partial reception condition information and the mask information are read, the priority analysis unit 74a adds the mask information and the notification information input from the notification information reception unit 72 to the reception condition information extraction unit 74b described later. The received reception condition information is output, and the partial reception condition information is input from the reception condition information extraction unit 74b, and it is determined whether the partial reception condition information matches. If they match, the priority of the stream is set to the priority indicated by this priority information.

  In this way, by performing mask processing on the reception condition information by the reception condition information extraction unit 74b described later, the priority analysis unit 74a can perform this processing when only the conditions that are not masked in the reception condition information match. The priority of the stream can be the priority indicated by the priority information. For example, in the stream selection receiving apparatus 7 in Aomori Prefecture, priority is given to partial reception condition information describing that all Tohoku blocks are to be received and mask information for masking other than the conditions corresponding to Tohoku blocks. The priority analysis unit 74a, when stored in the degree storage means 73, receives that it is described that at least all Tohoku blocks are to be received regardless of whether other than Tohoku blocks are to be received. The stream corresponding to the condition information is set to the priority indicated by the priority information stored in the priority storage unit 73. As described above, since the reception condition information extraction unit 74b performs the mask process for the conditions that are not considered when analyzing the priority, the reception condition information for all patterns that can be taken into the conditions that are not considered is stored in the priority storage unit 73. No need to remember.

  If the received reception condition information or the partial reception condition information does not match, the priority analysis unit 74a displays the next highest priority reception condition information, or the partial reception condition information and the mask information. read out. When the notification information input from the notification information receiving means 72 includes a plurality of pieces of reception condition information, the priority analysis unit 74a is obtained from each reception condition information or each reception condition information. For partial reception condition information, it is determined whether the received reception condition information or partial reception condition information matches, and if there is a match, the priority of the stream is indicated by the priority information. Can be degrees.

  The reception condition information extraction unit 74b performs a mask process on the reception condition information of the notification information input from the priority analysis unit 74a, and extracts partial reception condition information. The partial reception condition information extracted here is output to the priority analysis unit 74a.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3 (refer to FIG. 2 as appropriate), a method by which the reception condition information extraction unit 74b extracts partial reception condition information will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method in which the reception condition information extraction unit extracts partial reception condition information from the notification information, (a) is a diagram showing an example of notification information received by the notification information receiving means, (B) is a diagram showing the target area descriptor indicated by the reception condition information of the notification information of (a), (c) is an example of partial reception condition information extracted from the target area descriptor of (b) FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3A, the notification information includes a multicast group address [line (1)], a port number [line (2)], a media type [line (3)], encoding. Type [(4) line], reception condition information (priority determination code) [(5) line and (6) line]. In FIG. 3A, for convenience of explanation, a line number is assigned to the left side of the notification information.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the notification information shown in FIG. 3A is input from the notification information receiving means 72 to the priority analysis unit 74a. Then, it is assumed that the reception condition information and mask information indicating a mask for setting bits other than the third to eighth bits of the target area descriptor to zero are input from the priority analysis unit 74a. Here, the reception condition information included in the notification information corresponds to the target area descriptor. For example, “0x3FE00000000” that is the reception condition information (priority determination code) on the (6) line is shown in FIG. 3 correspond to a 56-bit target area descriptor (Prefecture bitmap) in which the third to eleventh bits are “1” and the rest are “0”. Here, as described above, the target area descriptor is Aomori Prefecture for the 3rd bit, Iwate Prefecture for the 4th bit, Miyagi Prefecture for the 5th bit, Akita Prefecture for the 6th bit, Yamagata Prefecture for the 7th bit, 8 The bit corresponds to Fukushima Prefecture.

  Then, the reception condition information extracting unit 74b performs a mask process on the target area descriptor. Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, the third to eighth bits are converted into a 56-bit bit field with “1” and the remaining “0”.

  Note that the notification information may include two or more reception condition information as shown in FIG. 3A, or may include one reception condition information. By including a plurality of reception target condition information, various reception conditions can be indicated by a single piece of notification information. Then, the reception condition information extraction unit 74b performs a mask process on each reception condition information to generate partial reception condition information.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. The notification information selection unit 74c determines notification information having a high priority analyzed by the priority analysis unit 74a. Here, the notification information selection unit 74 c outputs the multicast group address included in the notification information determined to have the highest priority to the stream receiving unit 75.

  Note that a plurality of pieces of notification information may be transmitted from the stream transmission devices 3, 3,. Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the case where the stream selection receiver 7 receives a plurality of pieces of notification information will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of notification information including a plurality of reception condition information (priority determination codes) and an example of a plurality of notification information for one stream. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of notification information including condition information (priority determination code), and (b) is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of notification information for one stream. In FIG. 4, the notification information A, B1, and B2 are the multicast group address [(1) line], port number [(2) line], and media type [(3) line], as in FIG. , Coding type [(4) line], reception condition information (priority determination code) [(5) line, (6) line]. Here, for convenience of explanation, a line number is attached to the left side of the notification information.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the notification information A includes two pieces of reception condition information (priority determination codes) on the (5) line and the (6) line. Then, the stream selection receiving device 7 that has received the notification information A uses the priority determination means 74 to receive the reception condition information (priority determination code) on the (5) line and the reception condition information on the (6) line. The priority is analyzed for each of the (priority determination code), and the priority of the stream having the multicast group address “244.1.1.1” [line (1)] is determined. Then, the stream selection receiving device 7 uses the priority determination unit 74 to select the highest priority among the streams corresponding to all received notification information (not shown).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when two pieces of notification information B1, B2 are transmitted from the stream transmission devices 3, 3,. By the degree determination means 74, the reception condition information (priority determination code) on line (5) of the notification information B1 and the reception condition information (priority determination code) on line (5) of the notification information B2 The priority is analyzed for each, and the multicast group address is set to the priority of the stream of “244.1.1.1” [(1) line of notification information B1, B2]. Then, the stream selection receiving device 7 uses the priority determination unit 74 to select the highest priority among the streams corresponding to all received notification information (not shown).

  Here, the reception condition information (priority determination code) on line (5) of the notification information A and the reception condition information (priority determination code) on line (5) of the notification information B1 satisfy the same conditions. In addition, the reception condition information (priority determination code) in the (6) line of the notification information A and the reception condition information (priority determination code) in the (5) line of the notification information B2 are the same conditions. Is shown. For this reason, the stream selection receiving device 7 receives either the notification information A or the notification information B1 and the notification information B2, and any one of the two pieces of reception condition information (priority determination code) is received. When the reception condition with the highest priority is indicated, the stream corresponding to the notification information A can be determined as the stream with the highest priority.

  In this way, the stream transmission devices 3, 3,... Transmit a plurality of pieces of notification information for one stream, so that the stream selection reception device 7 has a plurality of reception conditions for one stream. Reception condition information can be received.

  The stream receiving unit 75 receives a stream corresponding to the notification information determined to have the highest priority by the notification information selecting unit 74c of the priority determination unit 74. The stream received here is output via a stream output means 76 to a display device (not shown) connected to the outside.

  Here, the stream receiving means 75 sends the multicast group address input from the notification information selection unit 74c and the address of the stream selection receiving apparatus 7 to a router (not shown) in the multicast network 5 via the communication transmitting / receiving means 71. Send. As a result, the stream corresponding to the multicast group address transmitted from the stream transmission device 3 is duplicated by the router and transmitted to the stream selection reception device 7.

  The stream output means 76 outputs the stream input from the stream receiving means 75 to the outside. The stream output here is presented by being input to a decoding device, a display device, a speech device, etc. (not shown) connected to the outside of the stream selection receiving device 7.

  As described above, the stream selection receiving device 7 can select and receive the stream with the highest priority based on the notification information of a plurality of streams. Further, since the reception condition information and the priority information are set in advance for each stream selection reception device 7 and stored in the priority storage means 73, the stream transmission devices 3, 3,. Even if the notification information corresponding to the receiving device 7 is not transmitted, the priority of the stream can be analyzed for each stream selection receiving device 7, and the stream having the highest priority can be selected and received. Further, since the reception condition information set by the distributor is described in the reception condition information of the notification information, the distributor can set what conditions the stream selection receiving device 7 should receive the stream. it can.

  In the stream distribution system 1, the stream transmission devices 3, 3,... Produce a program and transmit it via the multicast network 5, the stream selection reception devices 7, 7,. Select a local station to receive from the center station (stream transmission devices 3, 3,...), And the received program stream from the local station (stream selection reception devices 7, 7,...) To a television receiver (not shown). It may be broadcast.

  Further, the stream selection receiving device 7 can also realize each means as each function program in a computer, and can also operate each stream as a stream selection reception program by combining the function programs.

[Operation of stream selection receiver]
Next, with reference to FIG. 5 (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 as appropriate), an operation in which the stream selection receiving device 7 in the present invention selects and receives a stream will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the stream selection receiving apparatus according to the present invention selects and receives a stream.

  First, the stream selection receiving device 7 receives notification information via the communication transmitting / receiving unit 71 by the notification information receiving unit 72 (step S11; notification information receiving step). This notification information is at least one for each of the plurality of streams, and is transmitted from the stream transmission devices 3, 3... And transmitted via the multicast network 5.

  Subsequently, the stream distribution system 1 reads the reception condition information or the partial reception condition information and the mask information from the priority storage unit 73 in order of priority by the priority analysis unit 74a of the priority determination unit 74 (step S12). . Here, the stream selection receiving device 7 reads the reception condition information with the highest priority or the partial reception condition information and the mask information by the priority analysis unit 74a. Then, the stream selection receiving device 7 determines whether the mask information has been read out by the priority analysis unit 74a (step S13).

  If the mask information is not read (No in step S13), the stream selection receiver 7 receives the reception condition information read in step S12 and the notification information received in step S11 by the priority analysis unit 74a. (Step S14).

  If they do not match (No in step S14), the process returns to step S12 to read the reception condition information having the next highest priority, or the partial reception condition information and the mask information from the priority storage means 73. Perform the operation. If they match (Yes in step S14), the process proceeds to step S17.

  On the other hand, when the mask information is read in step S12 (Yes in step S13), the stream selection receiving device 7 uses the reception condition information extraction unit 74b to receive the reception condition included in the notification information received in step S11. The information is subjected to the mask process read in step S12 to generate partial reception condition information (step S15). Subsequently, the stream selection receiving device 7 determines whether the partial reception condition information read in step S12 matches the partial reception condition information generated in step S15 by the priority analysis unit 74a (step S16). ). If they do not match (No in step S16), the process returns to step S12, and after the operation of reading the reception condition information with the next highest priority, or partial reception condition information and mask information from the priority storage means 73 Perform the operation.

  If the reception condition information read in step S12 matches the reception condition information included in the notification information received in step S11 (Yes in step S14), or the partial reception read in step S12 When the condition information matches the partial reception condition information generated in step S15 (Yes in step S16), the stream selection reception device 7 receives the reception condition information read in step S12 or the partial reception condition. The priority indicated by the priority information corresponding to the information is set as the priority of the notification information (step S17).

  Then, the stream selection receiving device 7 determines whether the priority analysis for all the notification information received in step S11 is completed by the priority analysis unit 74a (step S18). If not completed (No in step S18), the process returns to step S12, and the stream selection receiving device 7 uses the priority analysis unit 74a to analyze the priority of the next notification information. Operations after the operation of reading the reception condition information or the partial reception condition information and the mask information from the storage unit 73 in order of priority are performed.

  When the processing is completed (Yes in step S18), the stream selection receiving device 7 selects the notification information having the highest priority determined in step S17 by the notification information selection unit 74c (step S19). Then, the stream selection receiving device 7 uses the stream receiving means 75 to obtain the multicast group address described in the notification information selected in step S19 via the communication transmitting / receiving means 71 and the address of the stream selection receiving device 7. It transmits to the router (not shown) of the multicast network 5 (step S20).

  The stream selection receiving device 7 receives the stream corresponding to the multicast group address transmitted from the stream transmitting device 3 in step S20 by the stream receiving unit 75 via the communication transmitting / receiving unit 71 (step S21; stream reception). Step). Then, the stream selection receiving device 7 outputs the stream received in step S21 to the display device (not shown) by the stream output means 76 (step S22).

  Through the above operation, the stream selection receiving device 7 can select a stream based on the notification information and receive this stream. Note that the priority determination step described in the claims corresponds to steps S12 to S19.

[Operation of Stream Distribution System 1]
Next, with reference to FIG. 6 (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 as appropriate), the stream distribution operation of the stream distribution system 1 including the stream selection receiver 7 in the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of distributing a stream by the stream distribution system including the stream selection receiving device according to the present invention.

  First, the stream transmission devices 3, 3,... Transmit the notification information of the stream to be transmitted via the multicast network 5 (step S31). The stream selection reception device 7 receives the notification information transmitted from the stream transmission devices 3, 3,... In step S 31, and receives the reception condition information included in the notification information and the priority storage of the stream selection reception device 7. The priority is analyzed based on the priority information stored in the means 73, and the stream with the highest priority is selected (step S32; steps S11 to S19 in FIG. 5).

  Then, the stream selection receiving device 7 transmits the multicast group address of the stream selected in step S32 and the address of the stream selection receiving device 7 to a router (not shown) in the multicast network 5 (step S33; FIG. 5). Step S20). Then, the router registers the address of the stream selection receiving device 7 as a delivery destination in association with the multicast group address transmitted from the stream selection receiving device 7 in step S33 (step S34).

  Further, the stream transmission devices 3, 3,... Transmit the stream via the multicast network 5 (step S35). Then, the router duplicates the stream corresponding to the multicast group address registered in step S34 out of the streams transmitted from the stream transmission devices 3, 3,... Step S36). Further, the stream selection receiving device 7 receives the stream transmitted from the router in step S36 and outputs it to a display device (not shown) (step S37; steps S21 to S22 in FIG. 5).

  Through the above operation, the stream distribution system 1 can distribute the stream having the highest priority in the stream selection reception device 7 from the stream transmission devices 3, 3,... To the stream selection reception device 7.

It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the stream delivery system provided with the stream selection receiver in this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the stream selection receiver in this invention. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the method for the reception condition information extraction part of the stream selection receiver in this invention to extract partial reception condition information from notification information, (a) is an example of the notification information received by the notification information receiving means FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a target area descriptor indicated by the reception condition information of the notification information in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5C is a partial reception condition extracted from the target area descriptor in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the notification information containing the several reception condition information received by the stream selection receiver in this invention, and the example of several notification information, (a) is several reception condition information FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of pieces of notification information for the same stream. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement which the stream selection receiver in this invention selects and receives a stream. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement which a stream delivery system provided with the stream selection receiver in this invention delivers a stream.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stream delivery system 3 Stream transmission apparatus 5 Multicast network 7 Stream selection reception apparatus 71 Communication transmission / reception means 72 Notification information reception means 73 Priority storage means (priority storage apparatus)
74 Priority Determination Unit 74a Priority Analysis Unit 74b Reception Condition Information Extraction Unit 74c Notification Information Selection Unit 75 Stream Reception Unit 76 Stream Output Unit

Claims (3)

Information indicating a condition for receiving a stream including a multicast group address for identifying a stream to be delivered from a plurality of stream transmission devices that deliver the stream via a multicast network , on the stream distributor side. a plurality of notification information including the reception condition information utilized to determine the priority at the receiving side I Oh received for a plurality of the streams, selects one of the streams corresponding to the highest priority reception condition information A stream selection receiving device for receiving
The reception condition information, priority information indicating priority for receiving a stream corresponding to the reception condition information, and partial reception condition information indicating a part of the condition indicated by the reception condition information as a condition for receiving a stream And priority storage means for storing in advance a mask information indicating a mask for extracting only a part corresponding to the condition indicated by the partial reception condition information from the reception condition information ,
Notification information receiving means for receiving each notification information via the multicast network;
For each piece of notification information received by the notification information receiving means, the reception condition information included in the notification information is compared with the reception condition information stored in the priority storage means , or the mask information is used to compare the reception condition information. The partial notification condition information extracted by masking a part of the reception condition information included in the received notification information is compared with the partial reception condition information stored in the priority storage means, and the received notification is compared. The priority of the stream corresponding to the information is determined as the priority indicated by the priority information stored in the priority storage means, and the notification information with the highest priority among all the received notification information Priority determination means for determining
Corresponding to the notification information by transmitting the multicast group address included in the notification information determined to have the highest priority by the priority determination means and the address of the stream selection receiving device to the multicast network And a stream receiving means for receiving the stream. Information indicating a condition for receiving a stream including a multicast group address for identifying a stream to be delivered from a plurality of stream transmission devices that deliver the stream via a multicast network , on the stream distributor side. a plurality of notification information including the reception condition information utilized to determine the priority at the receiving side I Oh received for a plurality of the stream, it receives said reception condition information, the stream corresponding to the received condition information priority Priority information indicating the degree of reception, partial reception condition information indicating a part of the condition indicated by the reception condition information as a condition for receiving a stream, and only a part corresponding to the condition indicated by the partial reception condition information advance association with each other the mask information indicating mask for extracting from the condition information In Sakido reads the priority information corresponding to the received condition information included in the announcement information from the storage device, the stream selection reception method for receiving and selecting one of the streams corresponding to the highest priority reception condition information There,
A notification information receiving step of receiving each notification information via the multicast network;
For each piece of notification information received in the notification information reception step, the reception condition information included in the notification information is compared with the reception condition information stored in the priority storage device , or the mask information is used to compare the reception condition information. The partial notification condition information extracted by masking a part of the reception condition information included in the received notification information is compared with the partial reception condition information stored in the priority storage means, and the received notification is compared. The priority of the stream corresponding to the information is determined as the priority indicated by the priority information stored in the priority storage means, and the notification information with the highest priority among all the received notification information A priority determination step for determining
Corresponding to the notification information by transmitting the multicast group address included in the notification information determined to have the highest priority by the priority determination step and the address of the stream selection receiving device to the multicast network. And a stream receiving step for receiving the stream. Information indicating a condition for receiving a stream including a multicast group address for identifying a stream to be delivered from a plurality of stream transmission devices that deliver the stream via a multicast network , on the stream distributor side. a plurality of notification information including the reception condition information utilized to determine the priority at the receiving side I Oh received for a plurality of the stream, it receives said reception condition information, the stream corresponding to the received condition information priority Priority information indicating the degree of reception, partial reception condition information indicating a part of the condition indicated by the reception condition information as a condition for receiving a stream, and only a part corresponding to the condition indicated by the partial reception condition information advance association with each other the mask information indicating mask for extracting from the condition information Sakido from the storage device reads the priority information corresponding to the received condition information included in the announcement information, a computer to select and receive one of the streams corresponding to the highest priority reception condition information,
Notification information receiving means for receiving each notification information via the multicast network;
For each piece of notification information received by the notification information receiving means, the reception condition information included in the notification information is compared with the reception condition information stored in the priority storage means , or the mask information is used to compare the reception condition information. The partial notification condition information extracted by masking a part of the reception condition information included in the received notification information is compared with the partial reception condition information stored in the priority storage means, and the received notification is compared. The priority of the stream corresponding to the information is determined as the priority indicated by the priority information stored in the priority storage means, and the notification information with the highest priority among all the received notification information Priority determination means for determining
Corresponding to the notification information by transmitting the multicast group address included in the notification information determined to have the highest priority by the priority determination means and the address of the stream selection receiving device to the multicast network A stream selection reception program that functions as a stream reception unit that receives the stream.

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