JP4808122B2 - Method of acquiring content from external server on external network and transmitting to internal terminal on internal network, internal server, and external server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for acquiring and transmitting content from an external server on an external network to an internal terminal on the internal network, an internal server, and an external server.

  Conventionally, information appliances with a display (including AV planes such as digital television (DTV) and set top box (STB)), white planes such as air conditioners and refrigerators, and PC planes such as PCs, printers, and digital cameras) Terminals are mutually connected, and a home network (so-called home network) is constructed as an internal network. In this internal network (home network; home network), for example, a protocol such as Digital Living Network Alliance (Digital Living Network Alliance); DLNA, UPnP, ECHONET, and the like has been proposed.

  Furthermore, information appliances as terminals (internal terminals; Home Devices (HD)) on this internal network (home network; home network) are, for example, Home Access (HA); Gateway devices, Home Bridge (HB); Hubs And routers, Home Client (HC); connected to external networks (including IP networks) via controllers of information appliances, etc., unidirectional content reception mainly for broadcasting services, and communication by IP communication Provides services (two-way communication mainly using the Internet). In addition, various information home appliances are remotely operated and monitored via a home network (home network), and various services such as home security are also provided.

  By the way, when these information home appliances acquire content on an external network (including an IP network), the information home appliance requires the content once stored in an internal server (home server) on the internal network. Content is downloaded from an internal server (home server) via an internal network (home network; home network).

  For example, the gateway device as the internal server receives data related to a content acquisition address, a content identifier, and a content storage capacity from an information home appliance via a home network (home network), and uses the data as the content acquisition address via an IP network. The content is received from the corresponding server. Here, when the content identifier of the content matches the content identifier of the information appliance, the content is sent to the information appliance according to the content storage capacity. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, when transmitting information from a wide area network (WAN) to an information terminal connected to a local area network (LAN), a gateway device as an internal server (home server) temporarily stores received information received from the WAN. Some broadcast information related to received information is generated and broadcast on the LAN. Here, the information terminal determines whether or not the reception information received by the gateway device is necessary based on the broadcast communication information, and if necessary, an acquisition request is made from the information terminal to the gateway device, Received information is sent from the gateway device to the information terminal via the LAN (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-320282 A JP 2003-244182 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, an information appliance or information terminal in which a home server or gateway device as an internal server acquires content on an IP network and is connected to a home network or LAN as an internal network A method is described in which the home server or gateway device transmits contents one by one to the information home appliance or information terminal in response to a request from the information home appliance or information terminal. Only.

  In other words, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 simply specify content on a network such as an IP network one by one at an information appliance or information terminal via a home server or gateway device. It is just acquired, and various contents (text, photos, videos, etc.) are laid out using protocols such as HTML, and contents such as Web documents that are updated daily are used in home networks (home networks). There is no disclosure about the technology for reproduction in the above information home appliance or information terminal. Therefore, it can be said that the information home appliance on the home network (home network) has no connectivity to the Web content.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, an internal server on a home network (home network) as an internal network acquires content managed by an external server on the external network (for example, Web content updated daily on the IP network). An object is to provide a content transmission method, an internal server, and an external server that can be received and reproduced by an internal terminal such as an information home appliance.

  Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) Protocols of internal terminals on a predetermined internal network (for example, protocols for information appliances with a display such as DLNA, UPnP, ECHONET, etc.) and protocols of external servers on an external network connectable to the internal network (for example, The internal server (home server) on the internal network that performs protocol conversion between the IP server and the Web server protocol (IP) on the IP network acquires content from the external server to the internal terminal via the external network And send it,
In response to a request from the internal terminal (information home appliance with display), transmitting data requesting the content to the external server;
Receiving, from the external server, data indicating the content and association of the content by a folder according to the protocol of the external server;
Converting into content tree structure data representing a link structure of the content according to the protocol of the internal terminal based on the received data;
Transmitting the content to each internal node (information home appliance with display) in association with each node of the content tree structure data.

  With such a configuration, the internal server (home server) uses the protocol of the external server based on the data indicating the association between the content and the folder of the content by the protocol of the external server. Can be converted into content tree structure data representing the link structure, and the content can be associated with each node of the content tree structure and transmitted to the internal terminal (information home appliance with display).

  Thereby, the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) on the internal network (home network; home network) can receive and reproduce data indicating the content on the external network (including the IP network). .

  The data indicating the content may be, for example, text data, image data such as JPEG or GIF, moving image data such as MGEG, audio data such as MP3, and the like. Further, the data indicating the association of the contents by the folder may be data expressed by a protocol indicating a link such as HTML or XML, for example.

(2) In the step of receiving data indicating the association between the content and the folder of the content, the internal server receives XML data generated by the external server referring to a database managing the content,
In the step of converting to the content tree structure data, the internal server converts to the content tree structure data based on the received XML data,
In the step of associating the content with each node of the content tree structure data and transmitting the content to the internal terminal, the internal server adds the content included in the XML data to each node of the converted content tree structure data. The method according to (1), wherein each is associated and transmitted to the internal terminal.

  By providing such a configuration, the internal server (home server) converts the content tree structure data into the content tree structure data based on the received XML data, and sends the XML data to each node of the converted content tree structure data. Can be associated with each other and transmitted to the internal terminal (information appliance with display).

  Thereby, the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) on the internal network (home network; home network) receives and plays back the content managed in the database on the external network (including the IP network). be able to.

  As a result, for example, if news content (text, images, videos, etc.) is managed in a database that is classified into a category having a hierarchical structure, the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) is XML data representing the hierarchical structure. The news content associated with each node of the content tree structure data converted by the internal server (home server) based on the above can be reproduced.

(3) In the step of receiving the data indicating the content and the association of the content by the folder, the internal server receives the XML data generated by the external server referring to the HTML data including the content,
In the step of converting to the content tree structure data, the internal server converts to the content tree structure data based on the received XML data,
In the step of associating the content with each node of the content tree structure data and transmitting the content to the internal terminal, the internal server transmits the content included in the HTML data to each node of the converted content tree structure data. The method according to (1), wherein each is associated and transmitted to the internal terminal.

  By providing such a configuration, the internal server (home server) converts the received content tree structure data into the content tree structure data based on the HTML data including the content, and each node of the converted content tree structure data. The contents included in the HTML data can be associated with each other and transmitted to the internal terminal (information appliance with display).

  Accordingly, the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) can receive and reproduce content on an external network (including an IP network) expressed using HTML.

  As a result, for example, if the news content (text, image, video, etc.) is expressed using HTML having an anchor tag, the internal terminal is connected to the internal server (home server) based on the anchor tag of the HTML data. The news content associated with the respective nodes of the content tree structure data converted by () can be reproduced.

  (4) The method according to (3), wherein the content tree structure data of the content has a tree structure.

  By providing such a configuration, the internal server (home server) converts the content tree structure data into the content tree structure data based on the link structure of the HTML data having a tree structure, and converts each of the converted content tree structure data. The contents included in the HTML data can be associated with a node and transmitted to the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) via the internal network (home network; home network).

  Thus, the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) can receive and reproduce content on the external network (IP network) expressed using HTML having a tree structure.

  As a result, for example, if the news content (text, image, moving picture, etc.) is expressed using HTML having a tree structure, the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) is connected to the internal server based on the HTML data. The news content associated with each node of the content tree structure converted by the (home server) can be reproduced with the original tree structure faithfully reproduced.

  (5) When the content is HTML content, the external server (Web server) further includes a step of converting the HTML content into image data (for example, JPEG data) to be displayed in a predetermined size (1) ) To (4).

  By providing such a configuration, the external server (Web server) can convert the HTML content into image data (for example, JPEG data) to be displayed in a predetermined size.

  Thereby, the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) can reproduce image data that faithfully reproduces the display mode of the HTML content.

  As a result, for example, the internal terminal (information appliance with display) can reproduce news content in which text and images are laid out while maintaining almost the same layout.

  (6) The method according to (5), further including a step in which the external server (Web server) generates a two-dimensional barcode representing a predetermined URL and inserts it into the image data.

  By providing such a configuration, the external server (Web server) generates a two-dimensional barcode representing a predetermined URL (for example, a URL of a screen that accepts data input from a user, etc.) and generates it in the image data. Can be inserted.

  Accordingly, the internal terminal (information home appliance with display), for example, stores image data including a two-dimensional barcode representing a URL of a screen edited for a mobile phone or a URL of a screen for accepting a payment input by the mobile phone. Can be played.

  As a result, for example, a two-dimensional barcode displayed on the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) is read by a mobile phone or the like, and content for going out is displayed or displayed on the internal terminal (information home appliance with display). The product can be settled using a mobile phone.

  Here, the two-dimensional barcode may be a so-called QR code.

(7) The method further includes a step of storing the user identification data in response to the internal server (home server) receiving the user identification data;
In the step of transmitting data requesting content to the external server (Web server), the internal server (home server) further transmits the user identification data to the external server (Web server) (1) to (6 ) Any one of the methods.

  By providing such a configuration, the internal server (home server) can transmit the received user identification data to the server.

  Accordingly, the external server (Web server) can recognize which user is accessing by receiving the user identification data.

  As a result, for example, if the external server (Web server) manages the content customized for each user, the content customized according to the user identification data is stored in the internal terminal (information home appliance with display). Can be played.

(8) The method further includes a step of storing the plurality of user identification data in response to the internal server (home server) receiving the plurality of user identification data,
In the step of transmitting data requesting content to the external server (Web server), the internal server (home server) stores the request in response to receiving the request from the internal terminal (information home appliance with display). In response to transmitting data prompting one selection from the plurality of user identification data to the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) and receiving data indicating the selection from the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) The method according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the selected user identification data is further transmitted to an external server (Web server).

  By providing such a configuration, the internal server (home server) transmits data that prompts one of the stored user identification data to the internal terminal (information home appliance with display), In response to receiving data indicating selection from the internal terminal (information appliance with display), the selected user identification data can be further transmitted to the external server (Web server).

  Thus, even when the internal server (home server) stores a plurality of user identification data, the internal terminal (information appliance with display) selects one of the plurality of user identification data. The indicated data can be transmitted.

  As a result, even when the internal server (home server) is shared by a plurality of users, the same effect as in (7) can be expected by selecting each user identification data.

(9) An internal server on the internal network that performs protocol conversion between a protocol of an internal terminal on a predetermined internal network and a protocol of an external server on an external network connectable to the internal network, An internal server that acquires and transmits content from the external server to the internal terminal via the external network,
Means for transmitting data requesting the content to the external server in response to a request from the internal terminal;
Means for receiving, from the external server, data indicating the content and the association of the content by a folder according to the protocol of the external server;
Means for converting into content tree structure data representing a link structure of the content according to the protocol of the internal terminal based on the received data;
Means for associating the content with each node of the content tree structure data and transmitting the content to the internal terminal.

  By providing such a configuration, the internal server (home server) can be expected to have the same effect as (1).

  (10) The internal server according to (9), further comprising means for connecting the internal network and the external network.

  With such a configuration, the internal server (home server) has an effect that it can connect the internal network and the external network.

Thereby, the internal server can also function as a so-called gateway.
(11) The internal server on the internal network that performs protocol conversion between the protocol of the internal terminal on the predetermined internal network and the protocol of the external server on the external network connectable to the internal network is transferred to the external server. An external server that transmits content over a network,
Means for receiving data requesting the content from the internal server in response to a request from the internal terminal;
The internal server converts the content tree structure data representing the link structure of the content according to the protocol of the internal terminal, and associates the content with each node of the content tree structure data to transmit to the internal terminal Means for transmitting data indicating the content and the association of the content by a folder to the internal server according to the protocol of the external server.

  By providing such a configuration, the external server can be expected to have the same effect as (1).

  According to the present invention, the internal server (home server) converts to content tree structure data based on data indicating the content and the association of the content by a folder, and sends the content tree structure data to each node of the content tree structure data. The content can be associated and transmitted to the internal terminal (information home appliance with display). Thereby, the internal terminal (information home appliance with display) can receive and reproduce the content on the external network (including the IP network).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[System overall configuration]

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a content transmission system 1 according to an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. First, referring to FIG. 1A, an external server (Web server) 10 is connected to an internal server (home server) 20 disposed in a house (home) via an external network (including an IP network) 40. Connected. In the home, an information home appliance with display (home device) 30 as a terminal is connected to each other by a home network (home network, for example, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance, UPnP, ECHONET, etc.)) 50, and this internal network ( A home network (home network) 50 is connected to an internal server (home server) 20.

  Note that an internal network (home network; home network) 50 that interconnects information home appliances with a display (home device) 30 as the terminal may be wired or wireless.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), an internal server (home server) 20 may be provided in a display-equipped information home appliance (home device) 30 as a terminal. The internal network and the external network may be connected by a gateway 60 or the like, and the internal network may include an IP network.

  In the illustrated example, the internal server (home server) 20 transfers content on the external server (Web server) 10 connected via an external network (including an IP network) 40 to an internal network (home network; home network). ) It transmits to the information household appliance (home device) 30 with a display as a terminal connected via 50. For example, when there is a content request from one of the information home appliances with display (home device) 30 as a terminal, the internal server (home server) 20 is connected to the external server (Web server) via the external network (including the IP network) 40. The content request data is transmitted to 10. When the external server (Web server) 10 receives the content request data, the external server (Web server) 10 transmits data indicating the content according to the content request data and the association of the content by the folder to the internal server (home server) 20.

Then, the internal server (home server) 20 converts the content into data tree structure data (content tree structure data), which will be described later, based on the data indicating the association between the content and the folder of the content. The content is associated with the node and transmitted to an information home appliance with display (home device) 30 as an internal terminal via an internal network (home network; home network) 50. In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the internal server (home server) 20 incorporated in the information home appliance with display (home device) 30 as an internal terminal converts the content tree structure.
[Hardware configuration of external server (Web server)]

  Here, an example of the hardware configuration of the external server (Web server) 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The external server (Web server) 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1010 constituting the control unit 101 (a plurality of CPUs such as a CPU 1012 may be added in a multiprocessor configuration), a bus line 1005, a communication I / F 1040, a main A memory 1050, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) 1060, a USB port 1090, an I / O controller 1070, an input unit such as a keyboard and mouse 1100, and a display device 1022 are provided.

  Storage means such as a tape drive 1072, a hard disk 1074, an optical disk drive 1076, and a semiconductor memory 1078 can be connected to the I / O controller 1070. The BIOS 1060 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1010 when the external server (Web server) 10 is started, a program depending on the hardware of the external server (Web server) 10, and the like.

  The hard disk 1074 constituting the storage unit 107 stores various programs for the external server (Web server) 10 to function as a server and programs for executing the functions of the present invention, and further configures various databases as necessary. Is possible.

  As the optical disc drive 1076, for example, a DVD-ROM drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-RAM drive, or a CD-RAM drive can be used. In this case, the optical disk 1077 corresponding to each drive is used.

  A program or data may be read from the optical disk 1077 by the optical disk drive 1076 and provided to the main memory 1050 or the hard disk 1074 via the I / O controller 1070. Similarly, the tape medium 1071 corresponding to the tape drive 1072 can be used mainly for backup.

  The program provided to the external server (Web server) 10 is provided by being stored in a recording medium such as the hard disk 1074, the optical disk 1077, or a memory card. The program may be installed in the external server (Web server) 10 and executed by being read from the recording medium via the I / O controller 1070 or downloaded via the communication I / F 1040.

  The aforementioned program may be stored in an internal or external storage medium. Here, as a storage medium constituting the storage unit 107, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MD or a tape medium can be used in addition to the hard disk 1074, the optical disk 1077, or the memory card. A storage device such as a hard disk 1074 or an optical disk library provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication line or the Internet is used as a recording medium, and a program is provided to an external server (Web server) 10 via the communication line. May be.

  Here, the display device 1022 displays a screen for accepting data input to the user, or displays a screen of a calculation processing result by the external server (Web server) 10, and includes a cathode ray tube display device (CRT), A display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) is included.

  Here, the input means accepts input by the user, and may be configured by a keyboard, a mouse 1100, and the like. The communication I / F 1040 is a network adapter that enables the external server (Web server) 10 to be connected to a terminal via a dedicated network or a public network. The communication I / F 1040 may include a modem, a cable modem, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) adapter.

  In the above example, the hardware configuration of the external server (Web server) 10 has been mainly described. However, it is described above by installing a program in a computer and operating the computer as the external server (Web server) 10. Functions can also be realized. Therefore, the functions realized by the Web server described as an embodiment in the present invention are realized by executing the above-described method by the computer, or by introducing the above-mentioned program into the computer and executing it. Is possible.

  Next, an example of the functional configuration of the external server (Web server) 10 and the internal server (home server) 20 illustrated in FIG. 1A will be described with reference to FIG. The internal server (home server) 20 includes a content request data receiving unit 201, a content request data transmitting unit 202, a user ID / password data receiving unit 203, a user ID / password data transmitting unit 204, and a content data / folder association data receiving unit 205. , A content tree structure data conversion unit 206, a content tree structure data / content data transmission unit 207, and a protocol conversion unit 208 including a content tree structure data conversion unit. Protocol conversion is performed between the (Web server) 10 and a display-equipped information home appliance (home device) 30 as a terminal.

  The user ID / password data receiving unit 203 is connected to an information terminal device such as a PC, and receives user ID / password data as user identification data.

  FIG. 4 shows a content transmission processing procedure according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. First, the content request data receiving unit 201 of the internal server (home server) 20 requests data from the display-equipped information home appliance (home device) 30 as a terminal on the internal network (home network; home network) 50. Is received (step S101). Here, the user ID / password data receiving unit 203 of the internal server (home server) 20 may receive user ID / password data as user identification data in advance from a PC or the like. In this case, the received user ID / password data is set in the internal server (home server) 20 thereafter.

  Next, the internal server (home server) 20 converts the received request data of the content from the protocol of the internal network (home network; home network) 50 to the protocol of the external network (including the IP network). Then, the data is transmitted to the external server (Web server) 10 via the external network (including the IP network) 40 (FIG. 1) (step S102). At this time, if a user ID / password is set in the internal server (home server) 20, the user ID / password data transmission unit 204 passes the external server (Web) via the external network (including the IP network) 40. Server) 10 further transmits the user ID / password data.

  The external server (Web server) 10 transmits data indicating the requested content and the association of the content by the folder to the internal server (home server) 20 via the external network (including the IP network) 40. Further, when the external server (Web server) 10 further receives the user ID / password data, the external server (Web server) 10 determines whether or not the user ID / password data is registered. Data indicating the customized content and link structure is transmitted to the user specified by the password data.

  Here, the external server (Web server) 10 generates image data for displaying the content data to be transmitted in a predetermined size as necessary, and further, if necessary, a two-dimensional barcode representing a predetermined URL A QR code may be generated and inserted into the image data (step S103). Thereafter, the external server (Web server) 10 transmits the content data and image data to the internal server (home server) 20 via the external network (including the IP network) 40.

  Next, the internal server (home server) 20 receives data indicating content and association of the content by the folder from the external server (Web server) 10 by the content data / folder association data receiving unit 205 (step S104).

  Next, the content tree structure data conversion unit 206 of the internal server (home server) 20 converts it into content tree structure data based on the data indicating the link structure (step S105).

  Next, after the internal server (home server) 20 associates content data with each node of the content tree structure (step S106), the content tree structure data / content data transmission unit 207 The content tree structure data and the content data are transmitted to the information home appliance with display (home device) 30 as a terminal on the network (home network) 50 (step S107). If the content data includes image data generated by the external server (Web server) 10 described above, the internal server (home server) 20 transmits the image data as content data.

  Then, the internal server (home server) 20 determines whether or not there is more content request data (step S108). If there is content request data, the process returns to step S101 to continue the process. If there is no content request data, The process ends.

  By the way, when the user ID / password is set in the internal server (home server) 20, the user identification data setting process according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 is performed. First, the user ID / password data receiving unit 203 receives data for setting a user ID / password as user identification data from a PC or the like connected to the internal server (home server) 20 (step S201).

  Next, the internal server (home server) 20 stores and saves this user ID password in a memory (not shown) (step S202). Note that a plurality of user IDs / passwords may be set in the internal server (home server) 20, and in that case, data requesting content from the information home appliance with display (home device) 30 as a terminal thereafter. At the time of reception, data specifying one of the plurality of user IDs / passwords may be further received.

  Subsequently, an example of the above-described content transmission method will be specifically described. First, referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a general definition of an internal network (home network; home network) 50 according to an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The home server 20 (proxy) is an interface for connecting an external network (including an IP network) 40 and information home appliances existing on an internal network (home network; home network) 50. It has a connection function between the outside and the home network, a broadcast service reception function, a home network management function, a middleware conversion function, and the like. On the other hand, a unique protocol domain is defined in the home network. Here, there are a PC plane, an AV plane, a white object plane, and a telephone / FAX system as shown. The internal network (home network; home network) 50 may be realized by a power network or a wireless network such as Zigbee.

  Referring to FIG. 7, an external server (Web server) 10 according to an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a user DB and a content DB. The content data is converted into, for example, JPEG, MPEG, or MP3 and transmitted to the internal server (home server) 20. At this time, the external server (Web server) 10 may transmit the folder specification XML to the internal server (home server) so that the internal server (home server) 20 expands the content data in a folder.

  In this case, the internal server (home server) receives the XML data generated by the Web server with reference to the content DB, and converts the XML data into content tree structure data based on the XML data.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a pattern for creating a folder directly from a DB according to the principle of the present invention. For example, when creating a folder, XML is generated from the DB, JPEG data is further generated, and stored in the folder. Similarly, the moving image DB and the weather DB are also stored in folders.

  In the illustrated example, a news folder, a movie folder, and a weather folder are generated at the top (top folder). When the news holder is opened, domestic, overseas, and economic folders are further generated. When the domestic folder is opened, various JPEG files can be referred to. In the terminal, that is, the information home appliance 30 with a display, when the country is selected from the news and the “AAAA” JPEG file is further selected, the corresponding file is opened and displayed on the screen.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a pattern in which the relationship between an HTML document and an anchor tag is directly made into a folder according to the principle of the present invention. News, video, and weather folders are generated in the top page folder. At the same time, image data (top page image JPEG) for displaying the top page on the screen in a predetermined size like a Web browser is also generated. Similarly, in the news folder, folders of heading 1 and heading 2 are generated in accordance with the anchor tag, and image data (newly displayed on the screen in a predetermined size like a Web browser) is also displayed. News page image (JPEG) is also generated. When the heading 1 folder is opened, a heading 1 JPEG file is further generated.

  By doing so, the terminal, that is, the information home appliance 30 with a display, can display the image of the Web page and check the image of the page that is displayed on the Web browser. You can also display lower-level folders.

  When the HTML document includes an anchor tag for another HTML document, a two-dimensional barcode (or QR code) indicating the URL indicated by the anchor tag may be generated and inserted into the image data for display. .

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pattern for associating a link structure of an HTML document with a folder according to the principle of the present invention. In the illustrated example, a web link is associated with a hierarchical structure of a folder. As a result, when the content of the link destination changes, the content displayed on the terminal, that is, the information home appliance 30 with display changes in real time.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 11, the processing flow of ID / password setting by the system shown in FIG. 7 will be described. As described above, an ID / password (user ID / password) can be registered with the internal server (home server) 20 from a PC or the like. When ID / password registration is performed in the internal server (home server) 20, since the ID / password data is transmitted to the external server (Web server) 10 thereafter, a session cookie is issued thereafter. The contents customized for the ID / password can be transmitted to the DTV (HC) as the information home appliance (home device) 30 with a display. When the series of ID / password setting processing is completed, the internal server (home server) 20 notifies the PC or the like of the completion of ID / password setting.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 12, an ID selection processing flow by the system shown in FIG. 7 will be described. As described above, when setting registration of an ID / password (user ID / password) is performed with respect to the internal server (home server) 20 from a PC or the like, the information home appliance with display (home device) 30 is thereafter used. In response to the DTV (HC) searching for the internal server, the internal server (home server) 20 distributes the ID list to the DTV (HC), and the DTV (HC) prompts the user to select an ID.

  When the user selects an ID, the selected ID and the corresponding password are automatically sent from the internal server (home server) 20 to the external server (WEB server) 10 every time content is requested thereafter. The (WEB server) 10 authenticates the received ID and the corresponding password. If the authentication is successful, a content search customized according to the ID is performed, and the result is an internal server (home server). 20 to the DTV (HC).

  As a result, by registering a plurality of IDs / passwords in one internal server (home server) 20, the user of the DTV (HC) as the information home appliance with display (home device) 30 can use the one internal server ( Even when the (home server) 20 is shared, it is possible to perform customized content search by appropriately selecting an ID.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a processing flow at the time of content distribution according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here, when a content list request is made to the internal server (home server) 20 from the DTV (HC) as the information home appliance with display (home device) 30 as a terminal, the internal server (home server) 20 Conversion from the DLNA protocol to the HTTP protocol is performed and the data is transmitted to the external server (Web server) 10.

  In response to the content list request, the external server (Web server) 10 transmits a content list (XML or the like) to the internal server (home server) 20. The internal server (home server) 20 performs conversion from the HTTP protocol to the DLNA protocol, expands the content folder, caches the content list, and sends the content list to the DTV. In DTV, a content list is displayed on the screen.

  When the content list selection operation is accepted in the DTV, the internal server (home server) 20 performs conversion from the DLNA protocol to the HTTP protocol, and transmits it to the external server (Web server) 10. In response to this, the external server (Web server) 10 transmits a content list or content to the internal server (home server) 20. The internal server (home server) 20 performs conversion from the HTTP protocol to the DLNA protocol, expands the content folder as necessary, caches the content list or content, and sends the content list or content to the DTV. In the DTV, the content list is displayed on the screen or the content is reproduced.

  If the next layer is also cached at the stage of caching the content list, the external server (Web server) 10 is not inquired, and the response is completed between the internal server (home server) 20 and the DTV.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a home proxy system according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated example, the external server (Web server) 10 distributes content information (content), performs alert distribution, or performs content distribution.

  The home network proxy (internal server (home server) 20) as the internal server (home server) 20 includes a content information acquisition function and a content conversion function corresponding to content information, and content acquisition corresponding to alert delivery. Functions and content transfer functions are included. In addition, a content acquisition function and a content transfer function are included in correspondence with content distribution.

  With these functions, the home network proxy transmits content information in response to a request from the network device on the home network as the information home appliance with display (home device) 30 as a terminal, and the network device acquires the content information. can do. Further, the home network proxy notifies the alert information, and the network device can receive the alert information. The home network Proxy distributes content in response to a request from the network device, and the network device can reproduce the content.

  FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of multicast distribution according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. At the time of multicasting, a replica (duplicate) of the information home appliance service is placed in the home so that a pseudo-response is made to a search from the home network device. This replica does not require a service confirmation response to the actual state at the time of retrieval.

  FIG. 15B is a diagram showing a global address response example according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Control from other information home appliances is performed on the replica. The replica confirms control with respect to the actual situation as necessary, and responds. The control confirmation to the actual situation may not occur, for example, when cached in a replica.

  FIG. 15C is a diagram illustrating an example of a private address response according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The replica periodically checks the actual notification information (or for each event that occurs in the home network), and notifies the home information appliances in the home if necessary.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to embodiment mentioned above. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

It is a block diagram which shows the content transmission system which concerns on this invention, (a) is a figure which shows an example, (b) is a figure which shows another example. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the web server shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the internal server (home server) shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the content transmission process in the content transmission system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the user identification data setting process in the content transmission system shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the definition of a general home network. 1 is a diagram showing a general system configuration of a content transmission system according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a pattern for creating a folder directly from a database (DB) in the system shown in FIG. 7. In the system shown in FIG. 7, it is a figure for demonstrating the pattern which folder-forms the relationship between an HTML document and an anchor tag as it is. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a pattern for associating a link structure of an HTML document with a folder in the system shown in FIG. 7. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of ID and password setting in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of ID selection in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the delivery process of the content in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a home proxy system. It is a figure shown about the delivery of the content transmission system by embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure which shows the example of multicast delivery, (b) is a figure which shows the example of a response of a global address, (c) is a private address It is a figure which shows the example of a response.

Explanation of symbols

1 Content transmission system 10 External server (Web server)
20 Internal server (home server)
30 Information appliances with display (home device)
40 External network (including IP network)
50 Internal network (home network; home network)
60 Gateway 111 Image data generation unit 112 Two-dimensional barcode generation unit 201 Content request data reception unit 202 Content request data transmission unit 203 User ID / password data reception unit 204 User ID / password data transmission unit 205 Content data / folder association data reception Unit 206 content tree structure data conversion unit 207 content tree structure data / content data transmission unit 208 protocol conversion unit

Claims (11)

And the internal terminal on the predetermined internal network protocol, internal server on the internal network that the external server protocol, the protocol conversion between on the internal network which can be connected an external network, before Kigaibu server A method of acquiring content via the external network and transmitting the content to the internal terminal ,
Transmitting data requesting the content to the external server in response to a request from the internal terminal;
From the external server, by the external server protocol, and receiving the content,
Received the content attribute information of the content in the case are those specified by XML showing the case or database structure is a record in the database, if the content is an HTML document identifying the content The link source information of the URL shown is used as information for specifying the upper node of the content, a folder is generated as the upper node in the protocol of the internal terminal, the content is stored in the folder, the folder and Converting to content tree structure data representing an association with the content contained in the folder ;
Method comprising the steps of: transmitting said content tree structure data before Symbol the internal terminal. In receiving the content, the internal server receives the XML data to which the external server is generated by referring to the database for managing the content,
In the step of converting into the content tree structure data, the internal server The method of claim 1 you converted to the content tree structure data based on the XML data received. In receiving the content, the internal server receives the XML data to which the external server is generated by referring to the HTML data including the content,
In the step of converting into the content tree structure data, the internal server The method of claim 1 you converted to the content tree structure data based on the XML data received. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the content tree structure data of the content is a tree structure. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: when the content is an HTML document , the external server further converts the HTML document into image data to be displayed in a predetermined size.   The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of the external server generating a two-dimensional barcode representing a predetermined URL and inserting it into the image data. Further comprising storing the user identification data in response to the internal server receiving the user identification data;
The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of transmitting data requesting content to the external server, the internal server further transmits the user identification data to the external server. Further comprising storing a plurality of the user identification data in response to the internal server receiving the plurality of user identification data;
In the step of transmitting data requesting content to the external server, the internal server prompts one of the plurality of stored user identification data in response to receiving the request from the internal terminal. The data is transmitted to the internal terminal, and the selected user identification data is further transmitted to the external server in response to receiving the data indicating the selection from the internal terminal. The method according to any one. And the internal terminal on the predetermined internal network protocols, and an external server protocol on the internal network which can be connected an external network, an internal server on the internal network for performing protocol conversion between the front Kigaibu server An internal server that acquires content from the external network and transmits the content to the internal terminal ,
Means for transmitting data requesting the content to the external server in response to a request from the internal terminal;
From the external server, by the external server protocol, and means for receiving the content,
Received the content attribute information of the content in the case are those specified by XML showing the case or database structure is a record in the database, if the content is an HTML document identifying the content The link source information of the URL shown is used as information for specifying the upper node of the content, a folder is generated as the upper node in the protocol of the internal terminal, the content is stored in the folder, the folder and , Means for converting into content tree structure data representing an association with the content contained in the folder ;
Internal server and means for sending said content tree structure data before Symbol the internal terminal.   The internal server according to claim 9, further comprising means for connecting the internal network and the external network. The internal server on the internal network that performs protocol conversion between the protocol of the internal terminal on the predetermined internal network and the protocol of the external server on the external network that can be connected to the internal network is passed through the external network. An external server that sends content,
Means for receiving data requesting the content from the internal server in response to a request from the internal terminal;
The internal server, the content attribute information of the content in the case are those specified by XML showing the case or database structure is a record of the database, the if the content is an HTML document content Using the link source information of the URL that indicates the information as information for specifying the upper node of the content, generating a folder as the upper node in the protocol of the internal terminal , storing the content in the folder, An external server comprising: the folder; and means for transmitting to the internal server data for conversion to content tree structure data representing an association with the content included in the folder .

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