JPH10326274A - Digital content edition method and device therefor and recording medium for recording digital content edition program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital content edition method in which the editing work of a digital content can be executed while the synchronization of editing operations can be attained on plural computers without imposing any load on a network. SOLUTION: An editing operation a1 is operated to content data in a client A, and when this is changed, not the changed content data but the operation information a1 is transmitted to a server, and this operation information a1 is transmitted from the server to each client. In a client which receives the operation information a1, for example, a client B, the content data are changed in the same way as the client A, and an editing operation b1 based on the editing operator a1 is operated, and the operation information b1 is transmitted to the server, and this is repeated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for editing digitized data or data on a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an editing operation for digitized data or a group of data (hereinafter referred to as digital contents) on a computer, for example, an editing operation such as modeling in computer graphics, is performed through a network. In the case of performing on a computer, first, content data in a server is downloaded to a client via a network, editing is performed on the client, and the resulting content data is sent back to the server again via the network.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned method, there is a problem that a load is generated on the network when the data amount of the content data is large. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a digital content editing method and apparatus capable of executing digital content editing work on a plurality of computers without imposing a load on a network.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an editing operation for digital content is performed on a plurality of computers connected via a network. Digital
A content editing method, comprising: storing, in at least one computer, initial data of digital content and editing operation information obtained by converting an editing operation on digital content into data, and transferring these to computers participating in the editing operation; A digital content editing method characterized in that editing operation for digital content is converted into data to generate editing operation information, and only the editing operation information is exchanged via a network to edit the digital content. is there.

[0005] Next, a second aspect of the present invention is a digital video editing system for editing digital contents by collaborating with a client connected via a network.
In the content editing method, at least initial data of digital content is stored, and information required for starting digital content editing is transmitted to the client in response to a request from the client, and an editing operation on the digital content sent from the client is performed. A digital content editing method characterized by sequentially accumulating editing operation information obtained by converting data into a history and sending the editing operation information to a client. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital content editing method according to the second aspect, the editing operation information is stored as storage information at predetermined time intervals with respect to the editing operation information sent from the client. After a predetermined period has elapsed, a process of sequentially selecting the editing operation information stored as the storage information in accordance with a predetermined selection rule, sequentially storing the selected editing operation information as a history, and transmitting the editing operation information to the client. It is characterized by performing. Also,
The invention as set forth in claim 4 is a digital / digital converter according to claim 3.
In the content editing method, when processing the editing operation information sent from the client, a difference in the network transfer speed between the clients is determined, and when the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the editing operation information sent from the client On the other hand, the editing operation information is stored as storage information every predetermined period, and after the predetermined period elapses, the editing operation information stored as the storage information is sequentially selected according to a selection rule, and the selected editing operation information is sequentially stored in the history. And store the editing operation information to the client.If the difference is smaller than the predetermined value, the editing operation information sent from the client is sequentially accumulated as a history, and the editing operation information is transmitted to the client. It is characterized by performing a sending process.

Next, a fifth aspect of the present invention is a digital content editing method for editing digital content by collaborating with a server connected via a network. To obtain and store the information necessary for the operation from the server, convert the editing operation to the digital content into data, send it to the server as editing operation information, and store the editing operation information sent from the server as necessary. This is a featured digital content editing method.

[0007] Next, a sixth aspect of the present invention is a digital video editing system for editing digital content by collaborating with a client connected via a network.
A content editing apparatus, comprising: a storage unit for storing at least initial data of digital content and editing operation information obtained by digitizing an editing operation on the digital content; and a request from a client for starting digital content editing. A request processing unit for transmitting necessary information to the client; and an operation information processing unit for sequentially accumulating editing operation information from the client as a history in the storage unit and transmitting the editing operation information to the client. Digital content editing device.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the digital content editing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the operation information processing section performs an editing operation based on editing operation information from the client to generate content data. Further, a process of storing the content data in the storage unit is further performed, and the request processing unit compares the sum of the data amount of the initial data and the editing operation information with the data amount of the content data. , Characterized in that the smaller data amount is used as information necessary for starting digital content editing. The invention described in claim 8 is:
7. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation information processing unit determines whether or not the editing on the history is appropriate when the client sends the editing on the history of the editing operation information as the editing operation information. If it is inappropriate, the client is notified of the fact and the editing operation information is not sent to the client.

[0008] The invention according to claim 9 provides the invention according to claim 6.
In the digital content editing device according to the above, the digital content editing device, an operation information storage unit that stores the editing operation information sent from the client every predetermined period in the storage unit as storage information, after the predetermined period, A selection unit for sequentially selecting editing operation information stored as the storage information according to a selection rule,
The operation information processing unit performs a process on the editing operation information selected by the selection unit.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital content editing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the operation information storage unit determines the predetermined period based on a transfer speed of a network with a client. Features. According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the digital content editing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the operation information storage unit determines the predetermined period based on the number of accessing clients. Further, the invention according to claim 12 is a digital-to-digital converter according to claim 9.
In the content editing device, when the editing operation information to which transmission time information is added is transmitted from the client, the selection unit sequentially selects the editing operation information stored as the storage information according to a selection rule based on the transmission time. It is characterized by doing. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital content editing device according to the ninth aspect, when the editing operation information to which the client name information is added is transmitted from the client, the selection unit may determine the client name. The editing operation information stored as the storage information is sequentially selected in accordance with a selection rule based on.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital content editing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect,
The selection unit changes a selection rule based on the client name at predetermined time intervals. According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital content editing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the selection rule based on the client name is such that the selection order of the selection is determined in the order of the time when the client started the connection. Features. The invention according to claim 16 is the first invention.
3. The digital content editing device according to item 3, wherein the selection rule based on the client name information is such that the selection order is determined in the order of the amount of processing by the client.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital content editing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the digital content editing apparatus is configured such that a difference in a network transfer speed between each client is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In case,
The operation information storage unit, the selection unit, and the operation information processing unit process the editing operation information sent from the client, and when smaller than the predetermined value, the editing operation information sent from the client is sent to the operation information processing unit in the order of arrival. It is characterized by further comprising an accumulation judging unit for processing. The invention according to claim 18 is a digital / digital converter according to claim 9.
In the content editing apparatus, the digital content editing apparatus stores editing operation information sent from a client when the transfer speed of a network between the digital content editing apparatus and the client is equal to or less than a predetermined value. And a storage judging unit for causing the operation information processing unit to process the editing operation information sent from the client in the order of arrival when the value is equal to or more than the predetermined value.

Next, an invention according to claim 19 is a digital content editing apparatus for editing digital content in cooperation with a server connected via a network, wherein the digital content editing apparatus starts digital content editing. A storage unit for storing editing operation information obtained by digitizing information and editing operation for digital content necessary for the operation, and acquiring information required for starting the digital content editing from a server; An initialization unit for storing, an operation processing unit for converting an editing operation on the digital content into data and sending the editing operation information to the server, and an operation information acquiring unit for storing the editing operation information sent from the server as necessary. A digital content editing device comprising: According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the digital content editing apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, the operation processing section performs a process of sequentially storing editing operation information sent from the server as a history, When editing is performed on the history of the editing operation information stored in the storage unit, the computer is made to perform a process of transmitting the editing information on the history to the server as the editing operation information. Also,
According to a twenty-first aspect, in the digital content editing apparatus according to the twentieth aspect, the operation processing unit includes:
It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not editing of the history is appropriate, and only when appropriate, the computer is made to perform a process of sending the editing information for the history to the server as operation editing information.

Next, the invention according to claim 22 is a computer-readable recording medium which records a digital content editing program for editing digital content in cooperation with a client connected via a network. And at least digital
It stores initial data of the content, sends information necessary for starting digital content editing to the client in response to a request from the client, and edits the editing operation information on the digital content sent from the client into data. A recording medium that stores a digital content editing program that causes a computer to sequentially accumulate as a history and send the editing operation information to a client. According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing the digital content editing program according to the twenty-second aspect, wherein the editing operation information sent from the client is processed at predetermined time intervals. Storing information as stored information, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, sequentially selecting the editing operation information stored as the stored information according to a predetermined selection rule;
The selected editing operation information is sequentially accumulated as a history, and a process of transmitting the editing operation information to the client is performed. According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which the digital content editing program according to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention is recorded. A difference in speed is obtained, and when the difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the editing operation information is stored as accumulation information every predetermined period for the editing operation information sent from the client, and after the predetermined period elapses, the editing operation is performed according to a selection rule. When the editing operation information stored as the accumulated information is sequentially selected, the selected editing operation information is sequentially stored as a history, and the editing operation information is sent to the client. If the difference is smaller than the predetermined value, In addition to sequentially accumulating the editing operation information sent from the client as a history, the editing operation information It is characterized by performing a process of sending the client.

[0013] Next, the invention according to claim 25 is a computer-readable recording medium recording a digital content editing program for editing digital content in cooperation with a server connected via a network. Then, acquire and store the information necessary for starting digital content editing from the server,
Digitalize editing operations on digital content,
This is a recording medium that stores a digital content editing program that is sent to a server as editing operation information and causes a computer to store the editing operation information sent from the server as necessary.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which a single server and a plurality of clients A, B, C... This shows an outline of the editing operation. The server and each client hold initial data of digital content, editing operation information, and content data (edited) at that time.

Here, editing operation by the client,
The editing operation information and content data obtained by converting this editing operation into data will be described. Here, it is assumed that the editing operation is started from a state where there is no digital content as initial data. For example, the editing operation by the client is as follows: ・ Draw a circle having a radius of 10 at the position (100, 100) ・ Change the color of the circle to red ・ Move the position of the circle to (150, 50) ・ Move the line to (20, 100) , 20) to (130, 80) ・ Change the color of the line to blue. FIG. 6 shows an example of the editing operation information obtained by converting these editing operations into data. In addition,
The accumulation of the editing operation information in that order is referred to as “history of editing operation information”. In addition, the content data at the time when the above-described editing operation is completed is, for example, as shown in FIG.
become that way. As described above, the content data describes the final state of the generated graphic or the like.
Note that the initial data is the initial content data for starting the editing operation.

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of the server, and FIG.
Is a control flowchart of the client.

In the above configuration, when one client who wants to participate in the editing work issues a data request to the server (step S21), the server returns to the time (step S1).
In 1), it is checked whether or not there is an operation history of another client (step S12). If there is no operation history, only the initial data of the content is transferred (step S13). Information, that is, initial data of digital content, editing operation information, and content data at that time are transferred (step S14).
(Note that in order to reduce the data amount, only the initial data and the editing operation information or only the content data at that time may be transferred. That is, the sum of the data amount of the initial data and the editing operation information and the content The data may be compared with the data amount, and the smaller data amount may be transferred as information necessary for starting digital content editing.)

On the other hand, the client receiving the information holds the information (steps S22 and S23). Note that the information received here becomes information necessary for starting digital content editing. Perform editing operation on content data on this client (operation input)
(Step S24), the content data on the client is changed (Step S25), this is saved (Step S26), and the editing operation is converted into data to create editing operation information, which is transferred to the server. (Step S27).

When the server receives the operation information from one client (step S15), the server changes the content data on the server (step S1).
6) Transfer this operation information to all clients (step S17).

Furthermore, the client that has received the operation information determines whether the operation information matches the immediately preceding operation input (step S29), and if the operation information matches, ignores the information as its own operation input information, If they do not match, the content data is changed and saved (step S3).
0, 31).

Next, FIGS. 8 and 9 show device configurations of the server and the client operating according to the above control flow. The clients A, B, C,... Shown in FIG.
Etc. are the device configuration of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a device configuration of a digital content editing device serving as a server. In the following, the digital content editing device serving as a server is simply referred to as a “server”. Server 1
It is roughly divided into a processing unit 10 for realizing a server function and a storage unit 20 for storing various data. Further, the processing unit 10 includes an overall control unit 11, a request processing unit 12, and an operation information processing unit 13. Here, the control unit 11
Analyzes the contents of the information and the request sent from the client, and activates the request processing unit 12 or the operation information processing unit 13 to perform the processing. The request processing unit 12
In response to a request from the client, processing for sending information necessary for starting digital content editing to the client is performed. Further, the operation information processing unit 13 sequentially accumulates the editing operation information from the client as a history in the storage unit 20 and performs a process of transmitting the editing operation information to the client.

Here, the relationship between each processing unit and the control flow of FIG. 2 will be described. The supervising unit 11 makes a determination in step S11 and step S15. If it is determined in step S11 that the condition is satisfied, the request processing unit 1
2 is started, and processing for the request is performed. Also,
If it is determined in step S15 that the condition is satisfied, the operation information processing unit 13 is activated to process the editing operation information sent from the client. It should be noted that the control unit 11 always requests from the client (step S1).
1) and the editing operation information (step S15) sent from the client, and if the condition is satisfied, the request processing unit 12
And the operation information processing unit 13 is started. The operation of the request processing unit 12 is steps S12 to S14.
Then, the operation of the operation information processing unit 13 is step S16,
It becomes S17. Even if the processing unit 10 is realized by dedicated hardware, its function is realized by being provided as a program and executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) in the processing unit 10. May be performed. The storage unit 20 stores initial data 21, a history 22 of editing operation information, and content data 23. Note that the storage unit 20 has a RAM
(Random Access Memory) or a storage device such as a hard disk.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a device configuration of a digital content editing device serving as a client. In addition,
Hereinafter, the digital content editing device serving as a client is simply referred to as a “client”. The client 2 is roughly composed of a processing unit 30 for realizing a client function and a storage unit 40 for storing various data. Further, the processing unit 30 includes an overall control unit 31, an initialization unit 32, an operation processing unit 33, and an operation information acquisition unit 34. Here, the supervising unit 31 analyzes the content of the input by the user of the device and the information sent from the server,
The initialization unit 32, the operation processing unit 3
3. Activate one of the operation information acquisition units 34. The initialization unit 32 acquires information necessary for starting digital content editing from a server and stores the information in the storage unit 40. The operation processing unit 33 performs a process of converting an editing operation on digital content into data and transmitting the data to the server as editing operation information. The operation information acquisition unit 34 performs processing for storing the editing operation information sent from the server in the storage unit 40 as necessary.

Here, the relationship between each processing unit and the control flow of FIG. 3 will be described. The supervision unit 31 activates the initialization unit 32 when participating in editing of digital content. Also,
The determination in step S24 or step S28 is performed. If it is determined in step S24 that the condition is satisfied, the operation processing unit 33 is activated to perform processing for the input. If the condition is satisfied in the determination in step S28, the operation information acquisition unit 34 is activated to process the editing operation information sent from the server. In addition,
The supervising unit 31 always performs the user's operation input (step S2).
4) and transfer of editing operation information from the server (step S2)
8) is monitored, and when the condition is satisfied, the operation processing unit 33 or the operation information acquisition unit 34 is activated. The operation of the initialization unit 32 is steps S21 to S23 in FIG. The operation of the operation processing unit 33 is performed in steps S25 to S27.
Becomes The operation of the operation information acquisition unit 34 is performed in step S
29 to S31. The processing unit 30 is provided as a program even if it is realized by dedicated hardware, and a CPU (not shown) in the processing unit 30.
The function may be realized by being executed by the (central processing unit). The storage unit 40
Stores initial data 41, a history 42 of editing operation information, and content data 43. The storage unit 20 stores
It is assumed that it is configured by a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a hard disk.

Although not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, devices necessary for network communication are included in the server 1 or the client 2 or connected to the server 1 or the client 2. In addition, CRT (Cathode Ray Tu
be), a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, and an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard are connected to the server 1 and the client 2 as necessary.

Next, a description will be given of an editing image of digital contents by a joint work between a server and a client connected via a network, with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. FIG.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when an operation a1 is performed on the initial data of the content in the client A, the operation information a1 is sent to the server, and in the client B having obtained the operation information from the server, the operation a1 is performed. Is performed, and the operation b1 is sent to the server. In this way, the editing operation of the content data via the network is performed.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Is sent to the server as operation information, the editing operation is also performed on the content data in the server, and the content data is changed (changed). At this time, the operation information a2 is sent (update) to all the clients connected to the server to urge the change, but is ignored in the client A that has performed the editing operation,
The editing operation is executed only in the other clients B, C,.... In this way, the editing operations performed on the network can be easily synchronized.

FIG. 5 shows how the history of editing operation information is edited. According to the method of the present invention, not only the load on the network can be reduced but also editing such as cut and paste of the editing operation and rearrangement of the operation order can be performed by flowing the editing operation information corresponding to the editing operation on the network. is there.

As shown by reference character a in FIG. 5, in the client A, one of the operation information histories (operation b1) is deleted and inserted into an arbitrary position to change the operation order.
The same operation can be combined or the like, and the editing operation itself can be edited, such as deleting an undesired operation (operation c2) of another client, as indicated by reference numeral b in FIG. By editing the editing operation, the history of the operation information held by the client can be reduced, but a different result will be obtained unless the commutability of the operation is carefully considered. For example, when the history of operation information is as follows: 1: draw a line 2: paint green on a line 3: draw a circle, the history of the editing operation information is 2 → 1 →
3. In this case, there is no longer any target for painting the color of the editing operation information 2. Therefore, when the client sends an edit to the history of the edit operation information as the edit operation information, the operation information processing unit 13 of the server 1 determines whether or not the edit to the history is appropriate.
If inappropriate, notify the client to that effect,
A process for not sending the transmitted editing operation information to another client is performed. Alternatively, the writing operation processing unit 33 of the client 2 may determine whether or not editing of the history is appropriate, and may send the editing of the history to the server 1 as operation editing information only when appropriate.

Also, by utilizing this, a different result can be used as editing of an intended operation. That is,
There are cases where an artistic figure or the like is created by editing the history of editing operation information.

As described above, the editing operation for the content data on the client is individually described, the editing operation information is used as the editing operation information, and only the history of the editing operation information is transmitted to the network. It is no longer necessary to read all the data in the file, and editing can be performed without imposing a large load on the network.

When a plurality of clients access digital content stored in the server and perform an editing operation on the content data, only information on an editing operation performed by each client is sent to the network. The client holds a history of digital content initial state data and editing operation information for the data. As a result, the editing operation on the content data using the network can be performed without reading all the data constituting the digital content, and a responsive operation feeling can be realized.

At this time, the change of the content data by the editing operation from the client is sent back to the server as operation information. The editing operation information by the client is sent not only to the server but also to other clients, and the synchronization is made. Must be taken. Therefore, if there is any change in the content data in the server, the server sends operation information to all the clients and urges the content data to be changed. Then, each client holds the change as a history of the editing operation and changes the content data. This makes it possible to easily synchronize the editing operation on the content data.

Further, since the editing operation on the content data is held as an individual operation history, cut-and-paste and combination of the editing operation on the content data, rearrangement of the operation order, and the like can be performed at each client. That is, since the operation history itself can be edited, it is possible to freely change the editing operation on the undesired content data performed by another client.

(Embodiment 2) If there is a difference in the network quality between each client and the server, a difference occurs in the transfer speed. As described above, if there is a difference in the transfer speed among the clients, the editing work of the digital content is performed preferentially in the server with the client having the higher transfer speed. For example, three clients A,
It is assumed that B and C are accessing the server. It is assumed that the transfer time of one information (for example, the average data amount of the editing operation information) at a certain point in time is 50, 100, and 10, respectively. In this case, while the client B is transferring one piece of information, the client A has two pieces of information (2 = 100/50),
Client C can send 10 information (10 = 100/10). Therefore, if the server processes the editing operation information in the order in which the server arrives at the server, the processing of the server for the editing operation information becomes unfair among the clients. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a server that adds a new process to the processing unit 10 of the server 1 in FIG. 8 and solves a problem caused by a difference in transfer speed will be described.

First, the configuration of the apparatus of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
Shown in The difference from FIG. 8 is that the operation information storage unit 14 stores the editing operation information sent from the client every predetermined period in the storage unit 20 as storage information 24, and after the predetermined period elapses, the storage information 24 according to a predetermined selection rule. And a selection unit 15 for sequentially selecting the editing operation information stored as. 8, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to the respective portions in FIG. 8, and the description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the operation of the server will be described with reference to FIG. 11 focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

First, the operation information storage unit 14 determines a period for storing the editing operation information sent from the client, and starts a timer (not shown in FIG. 10) (step S31). The method of determining this period will be described in detail separately. Then, when receiving the editing operation information from the client, the supervising unit 11 operates the operation information storage unit 14.
And passes the editing operation information. The operation information storage unit 14 sequentially stores the editing operation information in the storage unit 20 as the storage information 24 during the period determined in step S31 (step S32).

When the timer reaches the period determined in step 31, the selector 15 is activated. Then, the selection unit 15 selects the editing operation information stored as the storage information 24 according to a predetermined selection rule (step S3).
3). This selection rule will be separately described in detail. The editing operation information selected in step S33 is transferred to the operation information processing unit 13. Then, the operation information processing unit 13 performs the processing described in steps S16 and S17 of FIG. 2 on the delivered editing operation information. The selected editing operation information is stored in the stored information 24 as soon as the process is completed.
Shall be deleted from within. The selecting unit 12 determines whether there is any unprocessed editing operation information in the accumulated information 24 (Step S35). If there is any unprocessed data, step S33 is executed to select the editing operation information to be processed next.
If not, the process proceeds to step S31 to perform the accumulation process in the next period. Although not shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 11 always monitors the data request from the client (step S11 in FIG. 2). If there is a request, the request processing is performed. The unit 12 is started. The server 1 operates as described above.

Next, a method of determining the period determined in step S31 will be described. There are roughly three methods for determining this period, which will be sequentially described. [First Period Determination Method] A fixed period is used. That is, the period is always a predetermined period. In this case,
The process of determining the accumulation period in step S31 is omitted.

[Second Period Determination Method] The period is determined based on the transfer speed of the network with the client.
Here, when acquiring the editing operation information sent from the client, the control unit 11 stores information on the transfer speed for each client based on the size (number of bytes) of the information and the time (seconds) required for acquisition. 20. Then, the operation information storage unit 14 determines the period with reference to the transfer speed. If a plurality of pieces of editing operation information are sent from the client, the storage unit 20 may store the average value of the transfer speed obtained from the information. The transfer rate measuring method described above is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the client
It is assumed that the client name information is added to the editing operation information and sent to the server 1. Thus, the server 1 can identify each client. Here, the “client name information” is the name of a digital content editing device serving as a client, the name of a user using the device, or both. As a specific example of the determination of the period based on the transfer speed, a period in which at least one piece of information (for example, an average data amount of the editing operation information) can be acquired based on the slowest transfer speed among the transfer speeds of the clients. . For example, the slowest transfer rate is α [bit
/ S], and if the information amount of one information is β [bit], β
/ Α [s] or more. This is because if the delay is longer than this, the editing operation information sent from the client cannot be accumulated within the determined period.

[Third Period Determination Method] The period is determined based on the number of clients to be accessed. That is, if the number of clients is large, the period is lengthened. This is because if the number of clients is large, the number of editing operation information transferred to the server is also expected to increase almost in proportion,
This is because by making the period relatively long, it is possible to obtain a statistically uniform distribution of transfer. For this purpose, the control unit 11 also monitors the number of clients accessing the server, and the operation information storage unit 14 determines the period by referring to this number.

It should be noted that any of the above three methods for determining a period may be used. Further, the second and third period determination methods may be combined.

Next, the selection rule in step S33 will be described in detail. As the selection rule, there are a selection rule based on the transmission time of the editing operation information from the client and a selection rule based on the client name. Hereinafter, each will be described. [Selection Rule Based on Transmission Time] The selection rule based on transmission time is to select the editing operation information in the order of earlier transmission time. When making a selection based on the transmission time, the client sends editing operation information to which transmission time information has been added. Then, the selection unit 15
By referring to the call time added to the editing operation information,
The editing operation information is sequentially selected from the plurality of editing operation information stored in the storage information 24. As a result, the processing is performed in the order of the time when the client transmits to the server, and the processing is not performed after transmitting to the server first.

[Selection Rule Based on Client Name] There are roughly four selection rules based on the client name, and these will be described below in order. In order to select the editing operation information based on the client name, the client sends the editing operation information with the client name information added. Then, the selecting unit 15 refers to the client name added to the editing operation information, thereby obtaining the accumulated information 2
The editing operation information is sequentially selected from a plurality of pieces of editing operation information stored in the storage unit 4. [First rule] A selection rule in which the selection order of each client is fixed. For example, priority is fixedly assigned in the order of client A, client B, and client C, and selection is always made in that order. This processing is effective when there is a difference in the transmission speed between the client and the server and the change in the transmission speed is small.

[Second Rule] A rule that changes the selection order of each client at predetermined time intervals. For example, in the case of three clients, the selection order of the first predetermined period Client A, B, C
The order of selection for the second predetermined period Client B, C, A
The order of selection for the third predetermined period Client C, A, B
Change the selection order as shown. As a result, the processing of the editing operation information of each client is equally distributed and performed. Note that this change may be made for each accumulation period performed in step S32 in order to simplify the process of changing the priority. [Third Rule] The order of selection is determined in the order of the time when the client started the connection. That is, the supervision unit 11
Each client name and its connection start time are stored in the storage unit 20, and the selection unit 15 refers to this value and makes the selection order higher as the connection start time is shorter. [Fourth Rule] The selection order is determined in the order of the amount of processing by the client. For this purpose, the management unit 11 stores the amount of processing performed within a certain period of time or in the past for each client, and the selecting unit 15 refers to this value and determines the selection order as the amount of processing increases. Make it higher.

Any of the above selection rules based on the client name may be used. When there are a plurality of pieces of editing operation information of each client in the accumulated information 24 and the selection order is the clients A, B, and C, the selection unit 15 selects: A) all the editing operation information from the client A. Then, select all the editing operation information from client B,
Finally, a selection process of selecting all the editing operation information from the client B may be performed. B) The first editing operation information from the client A and the first editing operation information from the client B , First editing operation information from client C, client A
May be selected.

As described above, even if there is a difference in the transfer speed between each client and the server, the server accumulates the editing operation information from the client for a predetermined time, selects the editing operation information to be processed according to the selection rule, and executes the processing. I will be. As a result, a client with a higher transfer speed does not preferentially perform digital content editing work processing.

(Embodiment 3) As in Embodiment 2, if the processing for accumulating the editing operation information sent from the client is always performed for a predetermined period, the editing efficiency for digital contents is reduced due to the overhead. In particular, when such processing is not required, for example, when there is no difference in the transfer speed between each client and the server, the editing efficiency is simply reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment,
A server that adds a new process to the processing unit 10 of the server 1 in FIG. 8 to prevent a decrease in editing efficiency will be described.

First, the device configuration of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
Shown in The difference from FIG. 10 is that a storage determination unit 16 for determining whether to perform the storage process of the second embodiment is further provided. In the figure, the parts corresponding to the respective parts in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the operation of the server will be described with reference to FIG. 13 focusing on the differences from the second embodiment.

First, the accumulation judging section 16 judges whether or not the editing operation information from the client is accumulated for a predetermined period of time and processed (step S41). Note that this determination method will be separately described in detail. If it is determined that the editing operation information from the client needs to be accumulated and processed for a predetermined period, the editing information transmitted from the client is processed by the operation information storage unit, the selection unit, and the operation information processing unit (step S31 to S35). This process is the same as steps S31 to S35 in FIG. 11, and a description thereof will be omitted. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no need to accumulate and process the editing operation information from the client for a predetermined period, the operation information processing unit is made to process the editing operation information sent from the client in the order of arrival (step S42).
The processing in step S42 is performed in step S42 in FIG.
16, the processing is the same as that in S17, and a description thereof will be omitted. The server 1 operates as described above.

Next, the determination method in step S41 will be described in detail. There are two ways to determine
Each of these will be described below. [First judging method] When the difference in the network transfer speed between the clients is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the processing of steps S31 to S35 is performed, and otherwise, it is determined that the processing of step S42 is performed. I do. Specifically, the transfer rate difference between each client is calculated, and the maximum value of the difference is
The determination is made based on whether or not the value is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. This is because when the difference in transfer speed between the clients is small, the editing operation information from the clients arrives at the server in the order of the transmission time, so that the processing in steps S31 to S35 does not have to be performed.

[Second Judgment Method] When the transfer rate of the network with the client is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the processing of steps S31 to S35 is to be performed, and otherwise, the processing of step S42 is performed. Judge. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not the lowest transfer speed among the transfer speeds of the clients is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the minimum transfer rate is less than the predetermined value,
That is, when the transfer speed is low, there is generally a high possibility that the transfer speed difference between other clients is large.

Note that any of the above two determination methods may be used. Here, the method of obtaining the transfer speed of each client has been described in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the server 1 performs the processing of steps S31 to S35 of FIG. 13 only when it is necessary. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the editing efficiency of the digital content from lowering.

A program for realizing the function of the processing unit 10 of the server 1 in FIGS. 8, 10 and 12 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is stored in a computer. A server function that edits digital content by reading it into the system and executing the system so as to cooperate with a client connected via a network may be realized. Also, a program for realizing the function of the processing unit 30 in FIG. 9 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is read by a computer system and executed, thereby executing the program via a network. A client function for editing digital content by collaborating with a server connected to the server may be realized. The “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and includes a design and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, an editing operation for digital contents can be realized on a plurality of computers without imposing a burden on a network and while ensuring synchronization of editing operations. Further, it becomes possible to edit the digital content itself, that is, to change the editing operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of a server.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of a client.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing how to synchronize editing operations.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing how to edit the history of editing operation information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of editing operation information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of content data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a client.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a control flowchart of a server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of a server according to the fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 server 2 client 10 processing unit 11 control unit 12 request processing unit 13 operation information processing unit 20 storage unit 21 initial data 22 editing operation information history 23 content data 30 processing unit 31 control unit 32 initialization unit 33 Operation processing unit 34 Operation information acquisition unit 40 Storage unit 41 Initial data 42 History of editing operation information 43 Content data

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Noboru Sonehara 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A digital content editing method for performing an editing operation on digital content on a plurality of computers connected via a network, wherein at least one computer has initial data of digital content and digital content. In addition to storing editing operation information that digitizes editing operations for
These are transferred to computers participating in the editing operation, and each computer converts the editing operation to the digital content into data to create editing operation information, and exchanges only the editing operation information via a network to edit the digital content. A digital content editing method characterized by performing work. 2. A digital content editing method for editing digital content by collaborating with a client connected via a network, wherein at least initial data of the digital content is stored, and the digital content is edited by a request from the client. Sends the information necessary for starting the editing of digital content to the client, sequentially accumulates, as a history, editing operation information obtained by digitizing the editing operation for the digital content sent from the client, and transmits the editing operation information to the client. Digital content editing method, characterized by sending to digital contents. 3. The editing operation information stored as the accumulated information according to a predetermined selection rule after a predetermined period of time, wherein the editing operation information is stored at predetermined time intervals with respect to the editing operation information sent from the client. 3. The digital content editing method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of sequentially selecting information, accumulating the selected editing operation information as a history, and transmitting the editing operation information to a client. 4. When processing editing operation information sent from the client, a difference in network transfer speed between each client is determined, and when the difference is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the editing operation information sent from the client is On the other hand, the editing operation information is stored as storage information every predetermined period, and after the predetermined period elapses, the editing operation information stored as the storage information is sequentially selected according to a selection rule, and the selected editing operation information is sequentially stored in the history. When the difference is smaller than the predetermined value, the editing operation information sent from the client is sequentially accumulated as a history, and the editing operation information is sent to the client. 4. The digital content editing method according to claim 3, wherein a sending process is performed. 5. A digital content editing method for editing digital content in cooperation with a server connected via a network, wherein information necessary for starting digital content editing is obtained from the server.・ Memorize and convert editing operations to digital content into data,
A digital content editing method characterized by sending to a server as editing operation information and storing the editing operation information sent from the server as necessary. 6. A digital content editing apparatus for editing digital content by collaborating with a client connected via a network, wherein at least initial data of the digital content and an editing operation on the digital content are performed. A storage unit for storing data of editing operation information, a request processing unit for transmitting information necessary for starting digital content editing to the client in response to a request from the client, and a storage unit for storing the editing operation information from the client And an operation information processing unit that sequentially accumulates the history as a history in the unit and sends the editing operation information to the client.
Content editing device. 7. The operation information processing unit performs an editing operation based on editing operation information from the client to generate content data, and further performs a process of storing the content data in the storage unit. The processing unit compares the sum of the data amount of the initial data and the editing operation information with the data amount of the content data, and uses the smaller data amount as information necessary for starting digital content editing. 7. The digital content editing device according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The operation information processing unit determines whether or not the editing of the history is appropriate when the client sends the editing of the history of the editing operation information as the editing operation information. 7. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the client is notified of the fact, and processing for not sending the editing operation information to the client is performed. 9. An operation information storage unit for storing, in the storage unit, editing operation information sent from a client every predetermined period as storage information, wherein the digital content editing device stores the operation information according to a selection rule after the predetermined period has elapsed. A selection unit that sequentially selects editing operation information stored as information, wherein the operation information processing unit performs processing on the editing operation information selected by the selection unit. Item 7. A digital content editing device according to Item 6. 10. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said operation information storage unit determines said predetermined period based on a transfer speed of a network with a client. 11. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the operation information storage unit determines the predetermined period based on the number of clients to access. 12. When the editing operation information to which transmission time information is added is transmitted from the client, the selection unit sequentially selects the editing operation information stored as the accumulation information according to a selection rule based on the transmission time. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein 13. When the client sends editing operation information to which client name information is added, the selection unit sequentially selects the editing operation information stored as the storage information according to a selection rule based on the client name. 10. The digital content editing device according to claim 9, wherein: 14. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the selection unit changes a selection rule based on the client name at predetermined time intervals. 15. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein in the selection rule based on the client name, the selection order of the selection is determined in the order of the time when the client starts the connection. 16. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the selection order based on the client name information is determined in the order of the amount of processing by the client. 17. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a difference in network transfer speed between each client is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the digital content editing apparatus stores editing operation information sent from the client into the operation information storage unit, the selection unit, 10. The storage determining unit according to claim 9, further comprising: a storage determining unit that causes the processing unit to process the editing operation information sent from the client in the order of arrival when the value is smaller than the predetermined value. Digital content editing device. 18. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing operation information sent from the client is stored in the operation information storage unit, the selection unit, and the operation information processing when the transfer speed of the network with the client is equal to or less than a predetermined value. 10. The digital processing device according to claim 9, further comprising a storage determining unit for causing the operation information processing unit to process the editing operation information sent from the client in the order of arrival when the value is equal to or more than the predetermined value.・ Content editing device. 19. A digital content editing apparatus for editing digital content by collaborating with a server connected via a network, comprising: information necessary for starting digital content editing; and digital content. A storage unit for accumulating editing operation information obtained by converting an editing operation into data, an initialization unit for acquiring information necessary for starting digital content editing from a server, and storing the information in the storage unit; Data editing operations for
A digital content editing apparatus, comprising: an operation processing unit that sends editing operation information to a server; and an operation information acquisition unit that stores the editing operation information sent from the server as needed. 20. The operation processing unit performs a process of sequentially storing editing operation information sent from the server as a history, and performs editing on the history of the editing operation information stored in the storage unit. 20. The digital content editing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein when the history is edited, the editing information for the history is sent to the server as editing operation information. 21. The operation processing unit according to claim 20, wherein the operation processing unit determines whether editing of the history is appropriate, and sends the editing information for the history to the server as operation editing information only when appropriate. Digital content editing device. 22. A computer-readable recording medium recording a digital content editing program for editing digital content in cooperation with a client connected via a network, comprising at least initial data of the digital content. In response to a request from the client, information necessary for starting digital content editing is sent to the client, and editing operation information obtained by converting the editing operation for the digital content sent from the client into data is sequentially stored as a history. And a recording medium storing a digital content editing program for causing a computer to send the editing operation information to a client. 23. When processing the editing operation information sent from the client, the editing operation information is stored as storage information every predetermined period, and after the predetermined period elapses, the editing operation information is stored as the storage information according to a predetermined selection rule. 23. The digital computer according to claim 22, wherein the editing operation information is sequentially selected, the selected editing operation information is sequentially accumulated as a history, and a process of transmitting the editing operation information to a client is performed by a computer. A recording medium on which a content editing program is recorded. 24. When processing the editing operation information sent from the client, a difference in network transfer speed between each client is determined, and when the difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the editing operation information sent from the client is On the other hand, the editing operation information is stored as storage information at predetermined intervals, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, the editing operation information stored as the storage information is sequentially selected according to a selection rule, and the selected editing operation information is sequentially stored in the history. When the difference is smaller than the predetermined value, the editing operation information sent from the client is sequentially accumulated as a history, and the editing operation information is sent to the client. The digital processing according to claim 23, wherein the computer is caused to perform a process of performing a sending process. -A recording medium on which a content program is recorded. 25. A computer-readable recording medium on which a digital content editing program for editing digital content is edited in cooperation with a server connected via a network, for starting digital content editing. Obtain and store necessary information from the server, convert the editing operations for digital content into data,
A recording medium that stores a digital content editing program that is sent to a server as editing operation information and causes a computer to store the editing operation information sent from the server as necessary.