JP5163594B2 - Content distribution apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution apparatus and method for distributing content to a user terminal via a network.

  In recent years, with the spread of mobile terminals and the like, services for distributing various contents to user terminals have become widespread. A distribution company that distributes content distributes the content received and stored from the content provider (CP) that holds the content from the content distribution device to the user terminal, and charges the content distribution for the content provider (CP) We develop business to collect on behalf of.

  As a feature of content distribution, some content is bursted immediately after a certain content is introduced on mass media such as TV, or by various advertisements and discount campaigns implemented by the content provider (CP). The distribution requests from users are concentrated, and the phenomenon of exceeding the distribution amount limit of equipment may occur.

  Due to such a phenomenon, the distribution of content for which the concentration of distribution requests has not occurred is prevented, and the content distribution amount of the content provider (CP) that distributes the content with an appropriate distribution amount decreases. For this reason, even when some contents are distributed in a concentrated manner to distribution providers providing distribution services to content providers (CPs), contents from other content providers (CPs) can be handled without any problem. Realization of fair and fair content distribution is required to be distributed.

  Conventionally, in a content distribution system, when content distribution close to the limit of distribution capability occurs, content cannot be distributed beyond the limit of distribution capability, so in response to a new distribution request from a user, A process of rejecting the request or accepting a distribution reservation procedure for performing the distribution after a predetermined time is performed.

  However, the user may make a distribution request when the desire for the use of a certain content increases, and if the content cannot be distributed to the user terminal at that time, the user gives up the use of the content. It often happens. Therefore, the inability to respond to the distribution request misses the opportunity for content distribution for the content provider (CP).

  Even if access is concentrated evenly on all contents and such a situation where distribution is not possible, each content provider (CP) enjoys more distribution requests than usual, which is particularly problematic. Must not. However, when distribution is impossible due to concentration of access to specific content, the number of content distributions from content providers (CPs) where access is not concentrated decreases. Therefore, it cannot be said that the distribution provider provides a fair and fair distribution service to the content provider (CP). In order to prevent such a phenomenon from occurring, it is necessary to invest in distribution facilities so that other content distribution can be performed without any trouble even during intensive content distribution. This will increase the burden.

  Priority is given to services with a small increase in bandwidth over user terminals with increased bandwidth as a countermeasure when the network does not have the capability to distribute all content simultaneously for all distribution requests that occur during the same time period. A technique for restricting services that use a large amount of bandwidth by displaying them on a menu is known (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in the asynchronous transfer mode access control method, when the number of simultaneous connection calls of a narrowband call is less than a reference value, a new connection of the narrowband call is permitted, and when the number of simultaneous connection calls reaches a reference value, A technique for prohibiting a new connection is known (see Patent Document 2). In addition, a technology is known that makes it possible to use a spare band depending on the usage status of a logical link of a service that uses a normal band (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2005-86323 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-84844 JP-A-5-167619

  When the amount of distribution is approaching the distribution limit of the content distribution device and the cause is a concentrated distribution request to a specific content, the distribution request to the specific content is regulated and transferred to other content. Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve this problem.

  A content distribution apparatus as a first aspect that solves the above-described problem is a content distribution apparatus that receives a distribution request from a user terminal and distributes the received content to the user terminal via a network. A distribution number storage means for recording the number of simultaneous distributions of distributed contents for each content name, a restriction candidate content extraction means for extracting a content name for which the number of simultaneous distributions exceeds a predetermined threshold, and registering it in a restriction candidate list; Content distribution processing means for rejecting distribution in response to a content name distribution request registered in the restriction candidate list when it is detected that a variable related to the total content distribution amount exceeds a predetermined restriction start threshold; It is equipped with.

  A content distribution method as a first aspect is a content distribution method in which a distribution request is received from a user terminal and the received content is distributed to the user terminal via a network. The first step of recording the number of simultaneous distributions for each content name, the second step of extracting the content name for which the number of simultaneous distributions exceeds a predetermined threshold and registering it in the restriction candidate list, and the total content distribution amount A third step of rejecting distribution in response to a content name distribution request registered in the restriction candidate list when it is detected that the variable relating to exceeds a predetermined restriction start threshold.

  Even if the demand for distribution of some content increases rapidly and the amount of distribution approaches the limit of the distribution facility, distribution can be restricted to the content causing the congestion. It is possible to maintain the distribution frame. Therefore, it is possible to ensure fairness in the content distribution service between content providers (CP).

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the functional block of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the functional block of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the delivery number totalization part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the restriction candidate content extraction part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of a content delivery process part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the functional block of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the delivery number totalization part of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the regulation candidate content extraction part of 4th Embodiment.

  FIG. 1 shows a functional block configuration example of a first embodiment of the disclosed content distribution apparatus. The content distribution processing unit 1 has a function of determining whether or not to accept a content distribution request from a user terminal and, when deciding to accept, a function of executing a content distribution process to the user terminal. In the present embodiment, the content distribution processing unit 1 requests the distribution of content names registered in the restriction candidate list 6 when a variable (distribution amount parameter) related to the total content distribution amount exceeds a predetermined restriction start threshold. Start rejecting. Thereafter, when the delivery amount parameter falls below a predetermined restriction release threshold, the delivery request for all content names is accepted, and the restriction on content delivery is released.

  Here, the restriction start threshold value and the restriction release threshold value are determined according to the distribution capability of the content distribution system. For example, the CPU usage rate of the content distribution processing unit 1, the memory usage amount, the congestion degree of the distribution request reception queue, or It is determined and set in advance based on a composite value of these.

  The content distribution processing unit 1 records the time, content name, and start / end type as a distribution log 4 at the start and end of content distribution. The distribution number totaling unit 2 refers to the distribution log 4 recorded by the content distribution processing unit 1 and periodically totals the number of simultaneous distributions (number of connections) for each content name to create a distribution number counter 7. The distribution number counter 7 stores the number of connections for each content name.

  The restriction candidate content extraction unit 3 is activated at the timing when the distribution number counter 7 is created by the distribution number aggregation unit 2, extracts content names greater than a predetermined number of connections, and uses the content names as restriction target candidates. Register to 6. Here, the predetermined number of connections serving as a threshold value when registering in the restriction candidate list 6 is a number of connections set in advance as a scale for detecting that distribution requests of specific content are concentrated. Even if a content name is once registered in the restriction candidate list 6, if the number of connections of the content name is equal to or less than the predetermined number of connections, the registration of the content name is deleted.

  Even in a normal state, the distribution totaling unit 2 and the restriction candidate content extraction unit 3 are periodically activated, and the registered content of the restriction candidate list 6 is constantly updated. The content distribution processing unit 1 detects that the distribution process has approached the limit due to an increase in acceptance of content distribution requests, by detecting that the distribution amount parameter has exceeded the regulation start threshold. After the delivery amount parameter exceeds the restriction start threshold, the content name delivery acceptance request registered in the restriction candidate list 6 is rejected and registered in the restriction candidate list 6 until the delivery amount parameter falls below the restriction release threshold. Continue to regulate content name distribution.

  As a result, when the demand for distribution of some specific content suddenly increases due to the introduction and promotion of content by mass media such as TV, and the distribution amount limit of the content distribution facility is approached, some of the specified content increased rapidly. Only the distribution acceptance of the content name is restricted, so that it is possible to maintain a distribution frame for other content with an appropriate distribution amount.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of functional blocks according to the second embodiment. In the content distribution system, as the limit of content distribution capability, the content distribution request is received and processing such as billing is performed, and the previous processing until the content main body distribution starts, and the content main body distribution There is a case where the capacity of the distribution facility assigned to is approaching the limit.

  The former occurs due to an increase in the number of distribution requests received per unit time, and the latter occurs due to an increase in the number of simultaneous distributions of content distributed by distribution facilities. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the distribution number counter 7 of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 is separately implemented in the distribution reception counter 7.1 and the simultaneous distribution number counter 7.2.

  The content distribution processing unit 1 accepts a distribution request and starts content distribution, and the start log data of one record including information with the time, content name, and start / end type as “start” is set as the distribution log 4. At the end of distribution, one record of end log data including information with the time, content name, and distribution / end type set to “end” is output as the distribution log 4 (1).

  The distribution count totaling unit 2 is periodically started and, as shown in the operation flow of FIG. 3, the total log of the start log data of the distribution log 4 up to the present is totaled for each content name after totaling in the previous cycle, A counter 7.1 is created (3-1 in FIG. 3). The distribution reception counter 7.1 stores the number of connections for each content name.

  Also, the distribution number totaling unit 2 totals the start log data and end log data of the distribution log 4 up to the present since the aggregation in the previous cycle for each content name, and the number of simultaneous connections after the aggregation in the previous cycle Is output as the simultaneous connection increase / decrease counter 7.3 (3-2). The simultaneous connection increase / decrease counter 7.3 is a work counter held in the distribution number totaling unit 2 in order to calculate the simultaneous distribution number counter 7.2 from the distribution log 4.

  The distribution number counting unit 2 reflects the value of the simultaneous connection increase / decrease counter 7.3 in the current cycle in the previous simultaneous connection number counter 7.2, and outputs the value of the simultaneous connection number counter 7.2 in the current cycle. To do. At this time, the content name counter whose simultaneous connection number is 0 is deleted, and the content name counter which does not exist in the previous time and whose simultaneous connection number is 1 or more in this cycle is newly added (3-3). . The number-of-delivery-counting unit 2 records the position of the recording part that is the subject of the distribution log 4 in this cycle (3-4). The position of the recording portion becomes a counting start point at the time of counting in the next cycle.

  When the processing in the distribution number totaling unit 2 is completed, the restriction candidate content extracting unit 3 checks the number of connections for each content name in the distribution reception counter 7.1 and the simultaneous connection number counter 7.2, and determines the predetermined number of distributions. The content name exceeding is extracted, and the restriction candidate list restriction candidate list 6 is created.

  FIG. 4 shows an operation flow of the restriction candidate content extraction unit 3. The restriction candidate content extraction unit 3 refers to the distribution reception counter 7.1, extracts the number of connections exceeding the number of restriction target reception distributions, and creates a restriction candidate list (4-1). Further, with reference to the simultaneous distribution number counter 7.2, the number of connections exceeding the restriction target simultaneous distribution number is extracted and added to the restriction candidate list (4-2).

  When receiving a distribution request from the user terminal (5-1) as in the operation flow shown in FIG. 5, the content distribution processing unit 1 determines whether the distribution amount parameter exceeds the restriction start threshold (5-2). ). If the regulation start threshold is not exceeded, it is determined whether or not the regulation release threshold is below (5-3). If the regulation start threshold is exceeded and the regulation release threshold is not below, the regulation candidate list 6 is referred to in order to implement regulation (5-4). It is determined whether the content name of the distribution acceptance request is a content name registered in the restriction candidate list 6 (5-5). If the content name is a registered content name, the distribution request is rejected (5-6) and used. Notification of delivery refusal to the subscriber terminal.

  In the operation flow in step 5-3, when the distribution amount parameter has already exceeded the restriction start threshold, the content name registered in the restriction candidate list 6 is kept until the distribution amount parameter falls below the restriction release threshold. This is an operation for rejecting a distribution request, returning a distribution rejection notification to the user terminal, and regulating the distribution.

  If the delivery amount parameter is below the restriction release threshold, or if the content name of the delivery acceptance request is not a content name registered in the restriction candidate list 6, a delivery request is accepted and delivery start log data is output (5- 7) The distribution is performed (5-8). After the completion of distribution, distribution end log data is output (5-9).

  As the distribution amount parameter for restriction start and restriction release, the CPU usage rate, the memory usage rate, the congestion level of the distribution request receiving queue, the congestion level of the distribution waiting queue, etc., or a combination of them can be used as appropriate. . For example, the regulation is started when the CPU usage rate exceeds the threshold XX%, the memory usage rate exceeds the threshold YY%, or the distribution request reception queue or the distribution waiting queue is 1 or more. Further, the restriction is released when the CPU usage rate X% (XX> X), the memory usage rate Y% (YY> Y), and the distribution request reception queue and the distribution waiting queue are 0. These threshold values are determined in advance from the operation results of the content distribution system.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the functional block configuration of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the distribution log 4 in the content distribution processing unit 1 is output only at the start of distribution, and the estimated end time is recorded as the distribution end time, thereby omitting the recording of the distribution log at the end of distribution. Is. In the case where the band used for content distribution is limited due to the capability of the user terminal and the like, the amount of content data and the distribution time are proportional to each other, so the distribution end time can be predicted.

  Accordingly, by adding the estimated end time to the distribution log 4 at the start of distribution and outputting it, the distribution number counting unit 2 can create the simultaneous distribution number counter 7.2 as in the second embodiment. . FIG. 7 shows an operation flow of the distribution number counting unit in the third embodiment. The distribution number totaling unit 2 totals the start logs of the distribution log 4 up to the present after the aggregation in the previous cycle for each content name, and creates a distribution reception counter 7.1 (7-1). The distribution reception counter 7.1 stores the number of connections for each content name.

  Further, the distribution number counting unit 2 combines (merges) the distribution log 4 up to the present after the aggregation in the previous cycle with the distribution log work 4.1 created in the previous cycle, in the order of the estimated end time. Sort (sort). After rearrangement (sorting), all the ones whose estimated end time is older than the current time (previous one) are discarded (7-2).

  Distribution log work 4.1 with the estimated end time stored after the current time is aggregated for each content name, a simultaneous distribution number counter 7.2 is created, and distribution log work 4.1 is started until the next aggregation start Hold (7-3). The number-of-delivery counting unit 2 records the position of the recording part that has been counted in the distribution log 4 in this cycle (7-4). The position of the recording portion becomes a counting start point at the time of counting in the next cycle.

  FIG. 8 shows an operation flow of the restriction candidate content extraction unit 3 according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, when a distribution request for a specific content name increases rapidly, regulation is performed including other content distributed from a content provider (CP) that distributes the specific content. . In this case, the restriction candidate content extraction unit 3 refers to a database that associates the content name with the content provider (CP) name, thereby realizing the restriction of distribution for the entire content held by the content provider (CP). It becomes possible.

  The restriction candidate content extraction unit 3 in the fourth embodiment refers to the distribution reception counter 7.1 to extract those whose number of connections exceeds the number of restriction reception distributions, and sets the restriction candidate list work 6.1. Create (8-1). In addition, referring to the simultaneous distribution number counter 7.2, the number of connections exceeding the restriction target simultaneous distribution number is extracted and added to the restriction candidate list work 6.1 (8-2).

  Next, the content provider (CP) name of the distribution source of the content name extracted in the restriction candidate list work 6.1 is searched from the database in which the content name and the content provider (CP) name are associated with each other. Then, all other content names having the content provider (CP) name as the distribution source are extracted from the database, and those content names are extracted as the restriction candidate list 6 (8-3).

  In this way, the content provider (CP) that distributes a large amount of specific content can be regulated including other content distributed by the content provider (CP), and a small amount of content can be distributed. It is possible to ensure fairness with existing content providers (CPs).

  As described above, in a content distribution device that stores distribution content and distributes the content to user terminals via a network, content distribution is biased toward distribution of specific content, which presses distribution resources of the entire system. In response to the problem that the distribution of other content is hindered, when congestion is likely to occur, the distribution of only the specific content that is causing the congestion is restricted and does not cause the congestion The content distribution service can be prevented from being affected.

  In addition, a distribution company that is entrusted with content distribution may be entrusted with a plurality of content providers. In such a case, when resources are occupied by the distribution of specific content from a specific content provider, it is expected that other content providers will be deprived of distribution opportunities. Rather, by restricting the entire content of the content provider that provides the content, it is possible to ensure fairness of the distribution opportunities of other content providers.

  For example, when there is a distribution menu for music distribution, video distribution, book content distribution, game content, etc., and the cause is congested, if the cause is specified as video distribution, manage the number of simultaneous connections in video distribution content units Then, it is possible to regulate the distribution of specific content (including games, music, books, etc.) provided by a specific content provider that has caused congestion.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content distribution part 2 Distribution number totaling part 3 Restriction candidate content extraction part 4 Distribution log 6 Restriction candidate list 7 Distribution number counter

Claims (5)

In a content distribution apparatus that receives a distribution request from a user terminal and distributes the received content to the user terminal via a network.
Distribution number storage means for recording the number of simultaneous distributions of content distributed to each user terminal for each content name;
A restriction candidate content extracting unit that extracts a content name in which the number of simultaneous distributions exceeds a predetermined threshold and registers it in a restriction candidate list;
Content distribution processing means for rejecting distribution in response to a content name distribution request registered in the restriction candidate list when it is detected that a variable related to the total content distribution amount exceeds a predetermined restriction start threshold;
A content distribution apparatus comprising:   A distribution reception number storage unit that stores the number of distribution request receptions per unit time for each content name, wherein the restriction candidate content extraction unit is a content in which the number of distribution request receptions per unit time exceeds a predetermined threshold value; The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a name is extracted and additionally registered in the restriction candidate list.   The number-of-delivery storage means stores a content name based on a distribution log in which a distribution start time of content, a band used for distribution of the content, and an estimated distribution end time estimated based on the data amount of the content are recorded. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of simultaneous distributions for each is recorded.   The restriction candidate content extraction unit searches a database in which a content name and a content provider name are associated with each other, and all other content providers associated with a content name associated with a content name whose number of simultaneous distributions exceeds a predetermined threshold. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content name is registered in the restriction candidate list. In a content distribution method for receiving a distribution request from a user terminal and distributing the received content to the user terminal via a network,
A first step of recording, for each content name, the number of simultaneous distributions of content distributed to each user terminal;
A second step of extracting a content name in which the number of simultaneous distributions exceeds a predetermined threshold and registering it in a restriction candidate list;
A third step of rejecting distribution in response to a content name distribution request registered in the restriction candidate list when it is detected that a variable relating to the total content distribution amount exceeds a predetermined restriction start threshold;
A content distribution method comprising:

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