JPH11252486A - Video server system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a system that maximizes the number of available contents by providing a storage device storing an attachable and detachable storage medium, on which contents are recorded and distributing contents to a client based on storage medium information and content information, when a distribution request for the contents from the client is inputted. SOLUTION: A client 14 connects to a video server 10 via a network 15. The server 10 distributes video data in response to a request from the client 14. A storage medium 20 is stored in a storage device 11 and is made attachable. The medium 20 becomes a unit for attaching and detaching exchange. Content information 21 is provided in the server 10 and records the attributes regarding a video data file. Medium information 22 about the medium 20 is provided in the server 10 and records information about the device 11. Access history information 23 provided in the server 10 records the number of accesses made, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a video server system having a storage device to which a storage medium can be attached and detached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 shows an example of a video server system.
2 is shown. FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a conventional video server system provided with a combination of a high-speed storage medium with high access speed and a low-speed storage medium with low access speed. In FIG. 22, reference numeral 10 denotes a video server. 11 is a storage device. Connected to video server 10. The storage device 11 has a high-speed storage medium 12 and a low-speed storage medium 13. The high-speed storage medium 12 has a high access speed but is expensive.
No. 3 has slow access but is inexpensive. Reference numeral 14 denotes a client, and the video server 10
Connected to.

Next, the operation of the conventional video server system shown in FIG. 22 will be described. The video server 10 distributes the video data file stored in the storage device 11 to the client 14 based on a distribution request from the client 14. The client 14 receiving the distribution from the video server 10 reproduces and displays the distributed video data. The video server 10 that has received the distribution request from the client 14 checks whether the content based on the distribution request is stored in the high-speed storage medium 12 or the low-speed storage medium 13 of the storage device 11. Then, when the file of the content is not in the high-speed storage medium 12, the file of the content is copied from the low-speed storage medium 13 to the high-speed storage medium 12, and then the file of the content is distributed from the high-speed storage medium 12.

[0004]

Since the required storage capacity of the video data file provided by the video server system is enormous, the conventional video server system has a large storage capacity as compared with a system mainly using character data. This has been dealt with by providing a storage device with a large capacity. The large-capacity storage device includes a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as H
DD) and a magneto-optical disk. However, the HDD has a problem that the access speed is high while the unit price is high, and the cost is too high to obtain a large-capacity storage device. , Each had its pros and cons. Therefore, the conventional video server system uses both a HDD and a magneto-optical disk as a storage medium in combination.

[0005] As described above, a high-speed storage medium such as an HDD and an inexpensive low-speed storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk are combined and operated as a storage device, and contents stored in these storage media are transferred. The storage medium in which the content is stored is properly used according to the access frequency. However, if the amount of content stored in the storage device continues to increase and the capacity required to store the new content in the storage device exceeds the remaining capacity of the existing storage device, the new content is stored in the storage device. In order to register, it is impossible to register new content unless one of the already registered contents is deleted. Alternatively, in order to register new content, a new storage medium must be added to expand the capacity of the storage device.

[0006] In order to register such new content in the storage device, deleting the existing content is as follows.
Depending on the access situation, it is difficult to select the content to be deleted, which increases the burden on the administrator of the video server system. Even if the content to be deleted is successfully selected, the content once deleted cannot be used again. When it becomes necessary to reuse the content once deleted, the same content has to be registered again in the storage device of the video server system. This content re-registration processing is to copy the video data file of the content to the storage medium again, and the time required for the copy processing is very long.

When a new storage medium is added to register new content and the capacity of the storage device is expanded, a new cost is required for adding the new storage medium. Become. Also, the housing of the storage device is
It is often the case that the absolute number of storage media that can be stored in the housing is physically limited, and the number of storage devices that can be connected to the video server itself is also physically limited. For this reason, the expansion of the capacity of the storage device is considerably limited.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and has made the storage medium 20 stored in the storage device 11 connected to the video server 10 detachable and once stored in the storage device 11. The information on the stored storage medium 20 and the information on the content recorded on the storage medium 20 are maintained and saved even when the storage medium 20 is removed from the storage device 11, so that the number of available contents is increased as much as possible. The purpose is to obtain a video server system.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a video server system comprising: a storage device storing a removable storage medium in which content is recorded; a client requesting content distribution; a storage device and a network. The storage device is connected to the client via the storage device, and has storage medium information on the storage medium stored in the storage device and content information on the content recorded on the storage medium stored in the storage device, and receives a content distribution request from the client. Then, based on the storage medium information and the content information, a video server that distributes the content to the client is provided.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, the storage medium information includes medium ID information indicating a medium ID unique to each storage medium, and status information indicating whether the storage medium is stored in the storage device. And, when the storage medium is stored in the storage device, drive letter information indicating in which storage position the storage medium is stored in the storage device.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, the content information includes content ID information indicating a content ID unique to each content recorded on the storage medium, and a medium unique to the storage medium for recording the content. Storage destination medium ID information indicating an ID, status information indicating whether a storage medium for recording content is stored in a storage device, and transfer rate information indicating a transfer rate that must be secured on a network in order to transfer the content And

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, when the video server receives a distribution request of a certain content from a certain client, the video server refers to the transfer rate information included in the content information and transfers the transfer rate on a network with the client. It secures and maintains a data transfer amount based on information, and distributes contents from a storage medium stored in a storage device to a client.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, when the video server receives a distribution request of a certain content from a certain client, the video server refers to the transfer rate information included in the content information and transmits the transfer rate on the network with the client. It is intended to maintain a data transfer rate based on information and to deliver contents to a client from a storage medium stored in a storage device.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, when the storage medium having the content is removed from the storage device, the video server detects the removal, and indicates that the storage medium has been removed from the storage device. Thus, the storage medium information is updated, and the content information is updated so as to indicate that the distribution of the content to an arbitrary client has become impossible.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, the video server determines whether the storage medium stored in the storage device has a medium ID unique to the storage medium, and determines whether the storage medium has no medium ID. , A unique medium ID is assigned to the storage medium, the storage medium is determined to be newly stored in the storage device, the storage medium information is updated to include the information about the storage medium, and the content information is updated. It is updated to include information about the content.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, the video server determines whether the storage medium stored in the storage device has a medium ID unique to the storage medium, and the storage medium has the medium ID. When it is determined that the medium is once stored in the storage device after the medium is once removed from the storage device, the record relating to the storage medium recorded in the storage medium information is stored from the record at the time of removal from the storage device. It is updated to the record at the time when it is stored again in the device.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, the video server determines whether the storage medium has the same content as when the storage medium is removed from the storage device, and when there is no change, the video server records the content in the content information. In this case, the record relating to the content is updated from the record at the time when the storage medium is removed from the storage device and the distribution becomes impossible, to the record at the time when the storage medium is stored again in the storage device and the distribution becomes possible.

Further, the video server system according to the present invention determines whether or not the video server has the same content as when the storage medium is removed from the storage device. When the storage medium was removed from the storage device, it was recorded, but when the storage medium was stored again in the storage device, information about the deleted content was deleted from the content information, and the storage medium was removed from the storage device. Although the information is not recorded sometimes, when the storage medium is stored in the storage device again, information on the newly recorded content is recorded in the content information.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, the storage medium includes: an entity file in which the entity of the content is recorded; an attribute file in which attribute information relating to the content required for registration of the content information is recorded; A registration order list indicating a registration order for the content information, and when the storage medium is stored in the storage device, the video server converts the attribute information indicated in the attribute file based on the registration order list into the content information. Registration is performed, and control is performed based on content information based on a content distribution request from the client, and the entity file is distributed to the client.

Also, in the video server system according to the present invention, the storage device includes a plurality of storage media each having content, and the video server has access history information in which the access frequency to the content is recorded. The recording medium on which the content is recorded is changed based on the history information.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, the video server changes the recording destination of the frequently accessed content from a storage medium having a low processing speed to a recording medium having a high processing speed.

Further, in the video server system according to the present invention, a storage medium having a low processing speed is a magneto-optical disk medium, and a recording medium having a high processing speed is an HDD.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 An embodiment of a video server system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the video server system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, 10
Is a video server that distributes video data in response to a request from the client 14. A storage device 11 is connected to the video server 10 and stores video data files. Reference numeral 14 denotes a client, which is connected to the video server 10 via a network 15.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a storage medium, which is stored in the storage device 11. The storage medium 20 is detachable from the storage device 11, and the storage medium 20 is a unit for attachment and detachment exchange. Reference numeral 21 denotes content information, and the video server 10
Is provided. In the content information 21, an attribute relating to the video data file is recorded. Reference numeral 22 denotes medium information on the storage medium 20, which is provided in the video server 10. In the medium information 22, information on all the storage media 20 that have been stored in the storage device 11 is recorded.

Reference numeral 23 denotes access history information, which is provided in the video server 10. In the access history information 23, an access status such as the number of accesses to the video data file (content) from the client 14 is recorded. Reference numeral 24 denotes a control program, which is provided in the video server 10 and controls the entire video server system such as access request processing from the client 14. 2
A video data distribution program 5 controls distribution of video data to the client 14.

Next, the S / W configuration of the control program 24 of the video server system will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 30 denotes a medium ID management unit, which controls the storage medium 20 stored in the storage device 11.
It issues a medium ID and reads and writes a medium ID. 31 is a content management means for managing the content information 21. The content information 21 includes the video server 10
The attribute information includes a storage location indicating a physical path including a title, a directory and a file name, a status indicating whether or not the video file is usable, a storage destination medium, a transfer rate, and the like. The content management means 31 manages the video file using the content information 21.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a medium management unit, and the medium information 22
Manage. The medium information 22 includes medium IDs of all the storage media 20 that have been stored in the storage device 11.
・ Includes information such as volume name, drive letter, and status information. The medium management unit 32 manages the storage medium 20 using the medium information 22. Reference numeral 33 denotes a content attribute file analysis unit which analyzes the contents of the content attribute file 34. This content attribute file 3
4 includes data required for registering the content information 21 about the video data file recorded on the storage medium 20 in the video server 10.

An access history management unit 35 manages the access history information 23 of the video server 10. Reference numeral 36 denotes a medium operation detecting unit that detects whether or not the exchange processing has been performed on the storage medium 20. This storage medium 2
The exchange process of 0 is performed using the medium ID management unit 30 and the medium management unit 32. Reference numeral 37 denotes a consistency management unit, and the content information 21 and the medium information 22 of the video server are registered so that the registered contents of the content information 21 and the medium information 22 match the status of the storage medium 20 provided in the storage device 11.
And means for actually matching the registered contents of the medium information 22. The process for maintaining the consistency for actually matching the registered contents of the content information 21 and the medium information 22 is as follows.
This is performed when the exchange operation of the storage medium 20 is performed using the content management unit 31 and the medium management unit 32.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a content automatic registration means for registering content. Note that the content registration processing is performed using the content attribute file analysis unit 33 and the content management unit 32. Reference numeral 39 denotes a content rearrangement unit that rearranges files. The relocation of the file is performed using the access history management unit 35 and the consistency management unit 37. The relocation processing is performed by the access history management unit 35 in the storage medium 20.
First, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to move a file of a certain content stored in the storage medium to another storage medium. When the access history management unit 35 determines that the file needs to be moved, the file is moved to a predetermined storage medium 20. After that, the maintenance process is performed by the consistency management unit 37 so as to maintain the consistency of the content attribute related to the moved file, thereby completing a series of relocation processes.

Note that the transfer rate included in the content information 21 refers to the transmission of video and audio data, which is indispensable for seamlessly distributing data having a time axis such as video and audio from the video server 10 to the client 14. This is unique attribute information. Unlike the case where a text file or the like is distributed from the server to the client, video and audio are transmitted from the video server 10 to the client 14 via the network 1.
5, the video and audio data to be distributed cannot be interrupted on the way. Therefore, in order to distribute video and audio data without interruption, it is necessary to keep the transfer rate constant. The transfer rate indicates a data transfer amount per unit time or a data transfer speed.

However, in the conventional data distribution system,
A plurality of clients are connected to the network, and each of the plurality of clients makes a data distribution request on demand. Therefore, when the load on the network increases due to an increase in distribution requests to the server and the network becomes congested, the bandwidth of the network that can be used for each distribution data is squeezed. As described above, when the bandwidth of the network is squeezed, the transfer rate for distributing data is reduced, and finally, the distribution data being transferred may be interrupted.

Therefore, in the system for distributing data having a time axis from the video server 10 to the plurality of clients 14 via the network 15 as in the present video server system, in order to avoid the above-mentioned problem, At the start of data distribution to maintain a constant transfer rate required for data transfer. Then, the video server system controls to maintain the bandwidth once reserved until the end of data distribution. Such control is performed by the video distribution program 25 of the present system. However, there are some variations in the transfer rate of video / audio data having a time axis, such as 1.5 Mbps and 3.0 Mbps.

Therefore, in the control for securing the transfer rate described above, it is necessary to switch the secured bandwidth according to the transfer rate of the distribution data. This is for example
If only 1.5 Mbps bandwidth is secured by the video data delivery program 25 when delivering 3.0 Mbps video data, the delivery of video data is interrupted due to insufficient bandwidth required for delivery. This is because Also, when distributing 1.5 Mbps video data, the video data distribution program 25 sends 3.0 Mbps video data.
This is because if the bandwidth of s is secured, a bandwidth of 1.5 Mbps will be left, and network resources will be wasted.

As described above, in order to avoid problems unique to the video server system, such as interruption of distribution data at the time of data distribution and wasteful use of network resources, the video server system uses a transfer rate of each distribution video data. It manages and controls the bandwidth used for each distribution video data. For this reason, in the present system, information relating to the transfer rate is managed by the content management means 31 of the control program 24. It is assumed that the information on the transfer rate is recorded in association with the content information 21. Then, the video data distribution program 25 communicates with the content management unit 31 of the control program 24,
By acquiring information on the transfer rate, the band used is controlled when delivering video data corresponding to the transfer rate. The video data distribution program 25
Information about a desired transfer rate is acquired from the content information 21 via the content management means 31.

Next, a table record of the medium information 22 included in the video server system and managed by the medium management means 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
, The table record of the medium information 22 includes:
"Medium ID", "volume name", "drive letter",
And four columns of "state". In the “medium ID” column, information unique to each storage medium 20 for specifying the storage medium 20 is shown.

In the "drive letter" column, the storage position (slot) of the storage medium 20 is specified. Note that the above-mentioned storage position indicates the storage position of the storage medium 20 in the storage device 11. Further, the “volume name” column indicates the volume name of a volume such as a cartridge assigned to the above-mentioned “drive letter” column. This volume name is used as a part of the physical path information of the video data file of the content. In addition, one storage medium 20 may be provided in one volume, or a plurality of storage media 20 may be provided. Also,
One volume may correspond to one drive or a plurality of drives.

In the “status” column, the storage medium 2
It indicates whether 0 is in a usable state or not. When the storage medium 20 is stored in the storage device 11, the storage medium 11 is in a usable state, and the storage medium 20 is stored in the storage device 11.
If it is not stored in, it is in an unusable state. If the storage medium 20 is usable, ONLINE is recorded in the “status” column. If the storage medium 20 is not usable, the status is recorded in the “status” column.
Recorded as OFFLINE. The medium information 22 shown in FIG.
Is obtained by deleting all recorded contents recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3), that is, all recorded contents including the medium ID from the table record of the medium information 22 shown in FIG. .

Next, a table record of the content information 21 of the video server system and managed by the content management means 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the table record of the content information 21 is provided with four columns of “content ID”, “content name”, “storage medium ID”, and “state”. In the “content ID” column, information unique to each content for specifying the content is shown. In the “content name” column, information indicating the title of the content is shown. Further, in the “storage destination medium ID” column, information indicating the storage medium 20 on which the content is recorded is indicated, and the information indicating the storage medium 20 is a medium ID unique to each storage medium 20. .

The "status" column indicates whether or not the content is usable. When the storage medium 20 on which the content is stored is stored in the storage device 11, the storage medium 11 is in a usable state, and when the storage medium 20 on which the content is stored is not stored in the storage device 11, the storage medium is used. It becomes impossible state. When the content is usable, ONLINE is recorded in the “status” column, and when the content is unusable, OFFLINE is recorded in the “status” column. Note that the table record of the content information 21 shown in FIG. 10 is obtained from the table record of the content information 21 shown in FIG.
Is deleted from the content 2 (content ID # 2).

Next, FIGS. 11 to 13 show an example of replacement of the storage medium 20 which is attached to and detached from the storage device 11. FIG. 11 shows a state 1 of the storage device 11. The storage device 11 in the state 1 is a state in which the storage medium 20 (medium IDs # 1 to 4) is stored in the logical drives DG and the storage medium 20 is not stored in the drive H. The table record of the medium information 22 in this state 1 corresponds to FIG. In addition, this state 1
The table record of the content information 21 in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a state 2 of the storage device 11, which is obtained by performing the operation 1 on the storage device 11 in the state 1. In the storage device 11 in this state 2, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1 or 2) is removed from the storage device 11 in state 1, and a new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 5) is added to the logical drive H that has been free until then. Is inserted.

Note that the operation 1 of removing the storage medium 20 (medium IDs # 1 and 2) from the storage device 11 and inserting a new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 5) into the logical drive H which has been free until then is performed. Content information 2 immediately after execution
1 and the state of the table record of the medium information 22 are shown in FIG.
7, the state of the storage medium 20 actually stored in the storage device 11 and the state of the content recorded in the storage medium 20 are inconsistent with the state of the table record.

The state of the storage medium 20 stored in the storage device 11 after the operation 1, the state of the content recorded in the storage medium 20, and the table record A maintenance process for making the status consistent is performed, and the table record of the medium information 22 in FIG. 3 is updated to FIG. Then, the table record of the content information 21 in FIG. 7 is updated to FIG. In this way, the storage device 11
The storage medium 20 stored in the storage medium 20 and the state of the content recorded in the storage medium 20 are made consistent with the state of the table record.

FIG. 13 shows a state 3 of the storage device 11, which is obtained by performing the operation 2 on the storage device 11 in the state 2. The storage device 11 in this state 3 removes the storage medium 20 (medium IDs # 3 to 4) from the storage device 11 in state 2 and stores the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) in the logical drive E that has been vacant until then. insert. Further, a new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) is added to the logical drive F vacated by removing the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3).
Insert # 6). Further, the storage medium 20 (medium ID #
The storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) is inserted into the logical drive G vacated by removing 4).

It should be noted that the storage device 11 in the state 2 as described above.
The storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) is removed from the logical drive E, and the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is inserted into the logical drive E which has been empty until then.
A new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 6) is inserted into the logical drive F that has become empty due to the removal of
The operation of inserting the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) into the logical drive G vacated by removing 0 (medium ID # 4) is referred to as operation 2.

The state of the table records of the content information 21 and the medium information 22 immediately after the execution of the operation 2 remains as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, and the storage medium 20 and the storage medium 20 actually stored in the storage device 11 are stored. The state of the content recorded on the storage medium 20 and the state of the table record are inconsistent. Therefore, the medium operation detecting unit 36 and the consistency managing unit 37 change the state of the storage medium 20 stored in the storage device 11 after the operation 2 and the state of the content recorded in the storage medium 20 and the state of the table record. Perform maintenance processing to ensure consistency. Thereby, the table record of the medium information 22 in FIG. 4 is updated to FIG. 5, and the table record of the content information 21 in FIG. 8 is updated to FIG. 9, and the storage medium 20 and the storage medium stored in the storage device 11 again. The state of the content recorded in the table 20 and the state of the table record are made consistent.

The operation of replacing the storage medium 20 is performed while paying attention to the following points. The replacement operation of the storage medium 20 is performed after the service to the user is stopped. Then, after detecting the replacement operation of the storage medium 20 by the medium operation detection unit 36, a process for maintaining the consistency of the content accompanying the replacement operation of the storage medium 20 by the consistency management unit 37 is performed, and Restart the service.

Next, the storage device 11 is moved to the state 1 shown in FIG.
The processing operation of the video server system when the state is changed to state 2 shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 shows the operation of the medium operation detection means 36 of the video server system, and FIGS. 15 and 16 show the operation of the consistency management means 37 of the video server system. Note that the operation of the medium operation detecting means 36 depends on the storage device 1.
1 starts when the storage medium 20 is attached to and detached from the storage medium 1. And
When the attachment / detachment state of the storage medium 20 is detected by the medium operation detection unit 36, the consistency management unit 37 starts operating.

When the storage medium 20 is attached to or detached from a storage position (hereinafter, referred to as a slot) of the storage device 11, the medium operation detecting means 36 detects the actual state of the medium operation.
The number of slots in the storage device 11 may be one or more. When the storage device 11 has a plurality of slots and the storage medium 20 is attached to or detached from any of the plurality of slots, the medium operation detection unit 36 detects the actual state of the medium operation. .

The steps in FIG. 14 (hereinafter referred to as S)
At 100, the video server 10
, And confirms the volume status information recorded in this file system. The volume status information records information on each slot of the storage device 11, and indicates, for example, which logical drive each slot corresponds to.

Incidentally, the volume status information immediately after the status relating to the storage medium 20 is changed from the status 1 in FIG. 11 to the status 2 in FIG. Is supported. "
That "the logical drive E corresponds to the slot 2", "the logical drive F corresponds to the slot 3", "the logical drive G corresponds to the slot 4", And "slot 5 corresponds to logical drive H". When S100 ends, the process proceeds to S101.

In step S101, the video server 10 executes
The statuses of the respective logical drives of the storage device 11 are confirmed in a predetermined order based on the volume status information confirmed in (1).
The confirmation of the status of each logical drive is to confirm whether the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot corresponding to the logical drive. The confirmation as to whether or not the storage medium 20 is stored in each slot is performed in the alphabetical order of the logical drive corresponding to each slot. Then, when it is confirmed whether or not the storage medium 20 is stored in each slot, if the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot, the process proceeds to S102, and if the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot, Goes to S110.

In this embodiment, the logical drives recorded in the volume status information of the video server 10 are arranged in alphabetical order, that is, in the order of logical drive D, logical drive E, and logical drive F. It is determined whether the storage medium 20 is stored in each slot corresponding to. The confirmation process for the logical drive D, which is performed first, will be described below as a first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the video server 10 checks whether the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 1 corresponding to the logical drive D based on the volume status information. However, since the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) stored up to that point has been removed from the slot 1 of the storage device 11, the video server 10
Is not stored, and the process proceeds to S110.

In S110, the video server 10 searches the medium information 22 table. And this video server 1
“0” confirms whether or not there is a registration for the logical drive confirmed in S101 in the medium information 22 table. If there is a registration for the logical drive in the medium information 22 table, the process proceeds to S111; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1.
Proceed to 20.

In the first embodiment, the video server 10
If it is confirmed that the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot 1 corresponding to the logical drive D, then the medium information 22 table is referred to and it is confirmed whether or not the medium information 22 table has a record relating to the logical drive D. . Note that the recording at the time when the storage medium 20 was stored in the storage device 11 remains in the medium information 22 table at this time.

The medium information 22 table at this time is shown in FIG.
Correspond to the medium information 22 table shown in FIG.
Have a record of That is, the medium information 22 table at this point indicates that “logical drive D has medium ID #
1 is provided, a volume having a volume name of VOL_D is set, and the content recorded on the storage medium is in an ONLINE state where distribution is possible. " Therefore, when S110 ends, the process proceeds to S111.

At S111, the medium operation detecting means 36 of the video server 10 determines that the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot corresponding to the logical drive confirmed at S101.
Since there is a record related to the logical drive in the medium information 22 table confirmed in S110, the storage medium 2 stored in the slot corresponding to the logical drive
It is confirmed that 0 has been removed.

In the first embodiment as well, the medium operation detecting means 36 of the video server 10 determines that the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot 1 corresponding to the logical drive D, while the medium information 22 table records the logical drive D. Is left, it is confirmed that the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) stored in the slot 1 has been removed. When S111 ends, the process proceeds to S200.

In S200 of FIG. 15, the consistency management unit 37 of the video server 10
The processing for reflecting the result in the two tables is started. This S
When 200 ends, the process proceeds to S201. In S201, the consistency management unit 37 of the video server 10 determines whether “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11 and, if “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, Proceed to S210, otherwise proceed to S202. In the first embodiment, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) has been removed from the logical drive D of the storage device 11, and the process proceeds to S202.

In S202, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines whether or not “deletion of the storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, and when the “deletion of the storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, Proceeds to S212, otherwise proceeds to S203. In the first embodiment, since the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) has been deleted from the logical drive D of the storage device 11, the process proceeds to S212.

In S212, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 updates the recorded contents of the medium information 22 table to one according to the actual condition of the storage device 11. That is, information on the storage medium 20 removed from the storage device 11 is stored.
Go offline. The term “offline” means that the storage medium 20 removed from the storage device 11 cannot be accessed. In the first embodiment, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) starts from the slot 1 corresponding to the logical drive D.
Is removed, the storage medium 20 (medium ID
There is no logical drive corresponding to # 1), and the medium information 2
The storage medium 20 in the two tables (medium ID # 1)
Update the record "D" in the drive letter column for the invalid record "#".

The storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1)
Also, the record “VOL_D” in the volume name column for the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) in the medium information 22 table is updated to an invalid record “VOL_OFF1”. Then, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is removed from the slot 1 corresponding to the logical drive D, and the storage medium 20
Since the logical drive corresponding to (medium ID # 1) has disappeared, the record "ONLINE" in the status column related to the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) in the medium information 22 table is changed to the invalid record "OFFLINE".
Update to As a result of these updates, the recorded contents of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) have been updated from state 1 in FIG. 3 to state 2 in FIG. When S212 ends, S2
Proceed to 13.

At S 213, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 updates the recorded contents of the table of contents information 21 to those in accordance with the actual condition of the storage device 11. That is, the information related to the content recorded on the storage medium 20 removed from the storage device 11 is turned OFFLINE. This O
FFLINE conversion means that the content recorded on the storage medium 20 removed from the storage device 11 cannot be accessed.

In the first embodiment, since the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is removed from the slot 1 corresponding to the logical drive D, there is no logical drive corresponding to the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1). In the content information 7 table, the record “O” in the status column related to the content recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1)
"NLINE" is updated to an invalid record "OFFLINE". By such an update, the storage medium 20 (medium I
D # 1) has been updated from state 1 in FIG. 7 to state 2 in FIG. This S21
When 3 is completed, the process proceeds to S106.

In S106, the video server 10 checks whether the recording state of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 has been updated for all the slots of the storage device 11 indicated by the volume state information. Then, when such data updating processing has been performed for all slots, a series of processing ends. However, if there is still a slot that has not been subjected to such processing, the process returns to S100.

The storage medium 20 and the content that have been turned OFFLINE may not be displayed on the client 14 or the like and cannot be searched. The OFFLINE operation temporarily stops access to the content or the like, and stores the recording medium 5 on which the content is recorded in the storage device 11 and performs a predetermined setting so that the content is re-entered. Will be accessible. On the other hand, the storage medium 20
In the case where the data related to the content recorded in the file is once erased and then recorded again, an enormous copy time is required.

When the update processing of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 on the logical drive D is completed, the medium information 22 and the content information 2 on the logical drive E are next based on the volume information of the video server 10.
1 is performed. This updating process is referred to as a second embodiment. However, the operation of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the logical drive E is used instead of the logical drive D, and the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) is used instead of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1). This is the same as the operation of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

When the updating process of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 on the logical drive E is completed, the medium information 22 and the content information 2 on the logical drive F are next based on the volume information of the video server 10.
1 is performed. This updating process is referred to as a third embodiment. In S100 of FIG. 14, the video server 10 refers to the file system and checks the volume status information recorded in the file system. The volume status information at this point records that “slot 3 corresponds to logical drive F”. When S100 ends, the process proceeds to S101.

In S101, the video server 10 proceeds to S100
It is confirmed whether or not the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 3 corresponding to the logical drive F based on the volume status information confirmed in the above. When the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 3, the process proceeds to S102,
If the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot, the process proceeds to S110. At this time, even if the state of the entire storage device 11 is changed from the state 1 in FIG. 11 to the state 2 in FIG. 12, no change is observed in the slot 3 of the storage device 11 in the third embodiment, and the storage medium 20 ( The medium ID # 3) is continuously stored. Therefore, when S101 ends, the process proceeds to S102.

Next, in step S102, the video server 10 checks the storage medium 20 stored in the slot for the slot for which the storage medium 20 has been stored.
Check the unique media ID. If the medium ID of the storage medium 20 to be confirmed is “NULL” indicating that the medium ID has not yet been assigned to the new storage medium 20, the process proceeds to S112, and if the medium ID is not “NULL”, Proceed to S103. In the third embodiment, the medium ID of the storage medium 20 stored in the slot 3 of the storage device 11 is “#”.
3 "and not" NULL ". Then, when this S102 ends, S1
Go to 03.

In S103, the video server 10 searches the medium information 22 table. And this video server 1
“0” confirms whether or not there is a registration for the logical drive confirmed in S102 in the medium information 22 table. If there is a registration for the logical drive in the medium information 22 table, the process proceeds to S104; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1.
Proceed to 14.

In the third embodiment, the video server 10 confirms that the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) is stored in the slot 3 corresponding to the logical drive F, and then refers to the medium information 22 table. Then, it is confirmed whether or not there is a record relating to the logical drive F in the medium information 22 table. At this time, in the medium information 22 table, “a volume having a storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) and a volume name of VOL_D is set in the logical drive F, and the distribution of the content recorded in the storage medium 20 is performed. ONLI is possible
NE state "is recorded. Therefore, this S
When 103 ends, the process proceeds to S104.

In S104, the video server 10 executes S102
Information on the drive F of the storage device 11 confirmed in
The medium information 22 is compared with the information on the drive F recorded in the table. If the contents of these two types of information match, the process proceeds to S105, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to S11.
Go to 5. Then, in the case of the third embodiment, since the contents of both information match, the process proceeds to S105.

In S 105, the video server stores in the storage medium 20
For the slot for which it has been confirmed whether or not the exchange operation has been performed, it is determined that the exchange operation of the storage medium 20 has been performed in a slot other than the slot, and the same storage medium 20 Is stored, and the exchange operation of the storage medium 20 is not performed. " Also in the third embodiment, it is determined that the exchange operation of the storage medium 20 has not been performed on the slot 3 corresponding to the logical drive F, and when this S105 ends, the process proceeds to S106.

In S106, the video server 10 checks whether the recording state of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 has been updated for all the slots of the storage device 11 indicated by the volume state information. Then, when such data updating processing has been performed for all slots, a series of processing ends. However, if there is still a slot that has not been subjected to such processing, the process returns to S100.

When the process related to the logical drive F is completed, the process of updating the medium information 22 and the content information 21 related to the logical drive G is performed. This updating process is referred to as a fourth embodiment. The operation of the fourth embodiment differs from that of the third embodiment in that the logical drive G is used instead of the logical drive F, and the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) is used instead of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3). The operation is the same as that of the third embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

When the update processing of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 relating to the logical drive G is completed, the medium information 22 and the content information 2 relating to the logical drive H are next determined based on the volume information of the video server 10.
1 is performed. This updating process is referred to as a fifth embodiment. In S100 of FIG. 14, the video server 10 refers to the file system and checks the volume status information recorded in the file system. The volume status information at this point records that “slot 5 corresponds to logical drive H”. When S100 ends, the process proceeds to S101.

In S101, the video server 10 proceeds to S100
It is confirmed whether or not the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 5 corresponding to the logical drive H based on the volume status information confirmed in the above. When the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 5, the process proceeds to S102,
If the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot, the process proceeds to S110. At this time, in the fifth embodiment, it is confirmed that the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 5 of the storage device 11. Therefore, when S101 ends, the process proceeds to S102.

Next, in step S102, the video server 10 checks the storage medium 20 stored in the slot for the slot for which the storage medium 20 has been stored.
Confirm the unique medium ID. If the medium ID of the storage medium 20 to be confirmed is “NULL” indicating that the medium ID has not yet been assigned to the new storage medium 20, the process proceeds to S112, and if the medium ID is not “NULL”, Proceed to S103. In the fifth embodiment, the storage device 11
The medium ID of the storage medium 20 stored in the slot 5 is not confirmed, and it is confirmed that the medium ID is “NULL”. Therefore, when S102 ends, the process proceeds to S112.

In S112, the video server 10 searches the medium information 22 table. And this video server 1
“0” confirms whether or not there is a registration for the logical drive confirmed in S101 in the medium information 22 table. If there is a registration for the logical drive in the medium information 22 table, the process proceeds to S113, otherwise, to S1.
Proceed to 21. However, the record related to the logical drive H confirmed in the fifth embodiment does not exist in the medium information 22 table. Therefore, when S112 ends, S1
Proceed to 21.

In S121, the video server 10 executes S102
Storage medium 20 (medium ID)
“NULL”) is stored, and since there is no record of the logical drive corresponding to the slot in the medium information 22 table confirmed in S112, the new storage medium is stored in the vacant logical drive. Was done "
Is determined. Therefore, the video server 10 of the fifth embodiment
Determines that a new storage medium has been stored in the free logical drive H. When S121 ends, S
Proceed to 200.

In S200 of FIG. 15, the consistency management unit 37 of the video server 10
The processing for reflecting the result in the two tables is started. This S
When 200 ends, the process proceeds to S201. In S201, the consistency management unit 37 of the video server 10 determines whether or not “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, and when “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, Proceeds to S210, otherwise proceeds to S202. In the fifth embodiment, a new storage medium 20 is stored in the logical drive H of the storage device 11, and when S201 ends, the process proceeds to S210.

In S210, the new storage medium 20 stored in the storage device 11 is issued and recorded by the medium ID management means 30 of the video server 10 with a new medium ID. In the fifth embodiment, a medium ID “# 5” is assigned to the new storage medium 20 and recorded. This S2
When 10 is completed, the process proceeds to S211.

At S 211, the video server 10 sets the medium information 22 on the storage medium 20 to which the medium ID has been newly assigned.
Then, registration of the content information 21 is performed. When the medium ID “# 5” is assigned to the new storage medium 20 in S210, the video server 10 of the fifth embodiment registers the medium information 22 on the new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 5). Also,
The video server 10 has a new storage medium 20 (medium ID #).
Content information 2 on the content recorded in 5)
Perform one registration.

First, the new storage medium 20 has the medium ID “#”
When the video server obtains “5”, the video server registers the medium information 22 on the new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 5), and the medium ID “# 5” is assigned to the storage medium stored in the logical drive H. The drive letter “H” is recorded in the drive letter column of the medium information 22 table, and “# 5” is recorded in the medium ID column corresponding to the drive letter. Then, this storage medium 20 (medium ID # 5)
Volume name "VOL_H" for a volume with
, “VOL_H” is recorded in the volume name column of the medium information 22 table.

The new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 5)
Has been stored in the storage device 11 and has been placed in a state in which the distribution of the content recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 5) is always enabled. Therefore, “ONLINE” is displayed in the state column of the medium information 22 table. Be recorded. From these facts, regarding the logical drive H, from the state 1 in FIG.
Is updated to state 2. New storage medium 20 (medium ID #
When the medium information 22 on 5) is recorded in the medium information 22 table, the video server records the content information 21 on the content recorded on the new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 5) in the content information 21 table.

The contents information 21 table includes a storage medium 20 (medium ID #) newly stored in the storage device 11.
Since the information on the content of 5) is registered, first, the medium ID “# 5” is recorded in the storage destination medium ID column of the content information 21 table. And this medium ID
The content name of the content recorded in the storage medium 20 of “# 5” is recorded in association with the medium ID “# 5” of the storage medium 20. In addition, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 5)
Is stored in the storage medium 20 (medium I).
Since D # 5) is stored in the storage device 11 and can be distributed, “ONLINE” is recorded in the status column of the content information 21 table. When this S211 is completed,
Proceed to S106.

In S106, the video server 10 checks whether the recording states of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 have been updated for all the slots of the storage device 11 indicated by the volume state information. Then, when such data updating processing has been performed for all slots, a series of processing ends. However, if there is still a slot that has not been subjected to such processing, the process returns to S100.

As described above, when the operation 1 is performed on the storage device 11 in the state 1, the medium information 22 of the storage medium corresponding to each logical drive of the storage device 11 and the content information 21 recorded on each storage medium are compared. Maintenance is achieved. Thereby, the medium information 22 is updated from FIG. 3 to FIG. 4, and the content information 21 is updated from FIG. 7 to FIG. The media information 22 and the content information 21 always reflect the actual state, and consistency with the actual state is achieved.

Next, the storage device 11 is moved to the state 2 shown in FIG.
The processing operation of the video server system when the state is changed to state 3 shown in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. In S100 of FIG. 14, the video server 10 refers to the file system of the video server 10,
The volume status information recorded in this file system is confirmed. This volume status information includes the storage device 1
Information about each slot is recorded, for example, which logical drive each slot corresponds to. Incidentally, in the volume status information immediately after the status relating to the storage medium 20 is changed from the status 2 in FIG. 12 to the status 3 in FIG. 13, the recording relating to the status 2 remains. When S100 ends, the process proceeds to S101.

In S101, the video server 10 proceeds to S100
The statuses of the respective logical drives of the storage device 11 are confirmed in a predetermined order based on the volume status information confirmed in (1).
Then, when it is confirmed whether or not the storage medium 20 is stored in each slot, if the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot, the process proceeds to S102, and if the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot, Goes to S110. The confirmation process for the logical drive D among the confirmation processes for each logical drive confirmed after the status of the storage device 11 changes from the state 2 to the state 3 will be described below as a sixth embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment, the video server 10 checks whether the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 1 corresponding to the logical drive D based on the volume status information. Are not stored, and when S101 ends, the process proceeds to S110.

In S110, the video server 10 searches the medium information 22 table. And this video server 1
0 checks whether or not there is a registration for the logical drive D confirmed in S101 in the medium information 22 table. If there is a registration for this logical drive D in the medium information 22 table, the process proceeds to S111, otherwise, to S1.
Proceed to 20. Note that the medium information 22 table at this point in the sixth embodiment is the medium information 22 table shown in FIG. Therefore, when S110 ends, the process proceeds to S120.

In S120, the video server 10 executes S101
Slot 1 corresponding to logical drive D as confirmed in
That the storage medium 20 is not stored in the
Since there was no record of the logical drive D in the medium information 22 table as confirmed in the above, the storage medium 20 was not originally stored in the storage device 11, that is, the replacement operation of the storage medium 20 in the storage device 11 was not performed. Is not confirmed. When S120 ends, S10
Proceed to 6.

In S106, the video server 10 checks whether the recording state of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 has been updated for all the slots of the storage device 11 indicated by the volume state information. Then, when such data updating processing has been performed for all slots, a series of processing ends. However, if there is still a slot that has not been subjected to such processing, the process returns to S100.

When the update processing of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 for the logical drive D is completed, the medium information 22 and the content information 2 for the logical drive E are next based on the volume information of the video server 10.
1 is performed. This updating process is referred to as a seventh embodiment.

At S100 in FIG. 14, the video server 10
Referring to the file system, the volume status information recorded in the file system is confirmed. This S100
Is completed, the process proceeds to S101.

In S101, the video server 10 proceeds to S100
It is confirmed whether or not the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 2 corresponding to the logical drive E based on the volume status information confirmed in the above. When the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 3, the process proceeds to S102,
If the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot, the process proceeds to S110.

In the seventh embodiment, the storage medium 20 has not been stored in the slot 2 of the storage device 11 until now, but when the state 3 is reached, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is reached.
Is stored in the slot 2. Therefore, the medium operation detecting means 36 of the video server 10 changes from the state 2 to the state 3 and detects that the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 2. When S101 ends, the process proceeds to S102.

Next, in S102, the video server 10 confirms the medium ID unique to the storage medium 20 stored in the slot 2 for the slot 2 in which the storage medium 20 has been confirmed. Then, the medium ID of the storage medium 20 is changed to the medium ID of the new storage medium 20.
Is “NULL”, the process proceeds to S112, and “NULL”
If it is not "LL", the process proceeds to S103. In the seventh embodiment, the medium I of the storage medium 20 stored in the slot 2
It is confirmed that D is "# 1", and when S102 ends, the process proceeds to S103.

Next, the video server 10 searches the medium information 22 table in S103. Then, the video server 10 checks whether or not there is a record related to the logical drive E checked in S102 in the medium information 22 table.
If there is a record for this logical drive E somewhere in the medium information 22 table, the process proceeds to S104; otherwise, the process proceeds to S114. Note that the embodiment 7 at this point was performed.
In the medium information 22 table of the storage medium 20 (medium ID #) identified in the slot 2 corresponding to the logical drive E,
There is no record for 1). Therefore, this S103
Is completed, the process proceeds to S114.

In S121, the video server 10 executes S102
It is confirmed that the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is stored in the slot 2 by S2, and that there is no record of the logical drive E corresponding to the slot 2 in the medium information 22 table by S103. "The storage medium 20 that has once been stored in the storage device 11 in the free logical drive E and has been removed for a while
(Medium ID # 1) is returned again ". This S
When 114 ends, the process proceeds to S200.

In S200 of FIG. 15, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines the current status of the logical drive in the medium information 2
The processing for reflecting the result in the two tables is started. This S
When 200 ends, the process proceeds to S201. In S201, the consistency management unit 37 of the video server 10 determines whether “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11 and, if “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, Proceed to S210, otherwise proceed to S202. In the seventh embodiment, the storage medium 20 that has been
(Medium ID # 1) has been returned to the logical drive E of the storage device 11, and the process proceeds to S202.

In S202, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines whether or not “deletion of storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, and if “deletion of storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, Proceeds to S212, otherwise proceeds to S203. In the seventh embodiment, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) that has been removed is returned to the logical drive E of the storage device 11, and the process proceeds to S203.

In S203, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines whether or not “the existing storage medium 20 has been returned” to the storage device 11, and executes “return of the existing storage medium 20” to the storage device 11. If so, proceed to S214, otherwise proceed to S204. The seventh embodiment corresponds to this, and proceeds to S214.

At S 214, the video server 10 updates the recorded contents of the medium information 22 table to one according to the actual condition of the storage device 11. That is, the information about the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) once removed from the storage device 11 is turned ONLINE when the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is stored in the storage device 11 again. . This ONLINE
The conversion means that the media information 2 (media ID # 1) stored in the storage device 11 can be accessed.
It is to register in two tables.

In the seventh embodiment, first, the medium ID “#” recorded in the medium ID column of the medium information 22 table
1) Search for a record. The record of the medium ID “# 1” is continuously recorded and stored after the medium ID “# 1” is assigned to the new storage medium 20 stored in the storage device 11. For example, even if the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) once stored in the storage device 11 is once removed from the storage device 11, the state of the storage medium (medium ID # 1) is changed to OFFLINE, and Only the record is updated when there is no logical drive. That is, the recording related to the medium ID “# 1” once registered is continuously recorded in the medium information 22 table.

The medium ID in the medium information 22 table
When the record of the medium ID “# 1” is searched from the column, the record “E” is added to the corresponding drive letter column,
Also, record "ONLINE" in the status column and record "VOL_E" in the volume name column to update the data.

The record "E" is recorded in the drive letter column of the medium information 22 table because the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is stored in the slot 2 corresponding to the logical drive E. Further, as the record “ONLINE” is recorded in the status column of the medium information 22 table, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is turned ONLINE. With these updates, the storage medium 20 (medium I
The recorded contents relating to D # 1) are updated from state 2 in FIG. 4 to state 3 in FIG. When S214 ends, S21
Go to 5.

At S 215, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 updates the recorded contents of the table of contents information 21 to one according to the actual condition of the storage device 11. That is, the information on the content recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) again stored in the storage device 11 is transmitted to the ONLI.
Convert to NE.

In the seventh embodiment, since the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is stored in the slot 2 corresponding to the logical drive E, it is recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) in the content information 7 table. Update the record of the status column related to the content that has been updated to "ONLINE".

The storage medium 20 (medium ID “#”
The record related to the content recorded in 1)) is once stored and continuously stored. For example, the storage medium 20 (medium ID #) that was once stored in the storage device 11
Even if 1) is once removed from the storage device 11, the status of the content recorded on the storage medium (medium ID # 1) is turned OFFLINE, the fact that the content cannot be accessed is recorded, and the data is updated. It is just being done. That is, the once registered content information 7 is continuously recorded in the medium information 22 table.

However, when the record in the status column of the content information 21 is changed to “ONLINE” again, the content previously recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) remains unchanged. (Media ID #
It is necessary to check whether it is recorded in 1). As a result of such an update, the recorded content relating to the content recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is in the state 2 in FIG.
Is updated to state 3 in FIG. When S215 ends, the process proceeds to S106.

In S106, the video server 10 checks whether the recording state of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 has been updated for all the slots of the storage device 11 indicated in the volume state information. Then, when such data updating processing has been performed for all slots, a series of processing ends. However, if there is still a slot that has not been subjected to such processing, the process returns to S100.

When the updating process of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 on the logical drive E is completed, the medium information 22 and the content information 2 on the logical drive F are next based on the volume information of the video server 10.
1 is performed. This updating process will be referred to as an eighth embodiment. In S100 of FIG. 14, the video server 10 refers to the file system and checks the volume status information recorded in the file system. When S100 ends, the process proceeds to S101.

In step S101, the video server 10 executes
It is confirmed whether or not the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 3 corresponding to the logical drive F based on the volume status information confirmed in the above. When the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 3, the process proceeds to S102,
If the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot 3, the process proceeds to S110. At this time, in the eighth embodiment,
Since it is confirmed that the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 3 of the storage device 11, the process proceeds to S102 when S101 ends.

Next, in step S102, the video server 10 checks a medium ID unique to the storage medium 20 stored in the slot 3 for the slot 3 in which the storage medium 20 has been checked. Then, the medium ID of the storage medium 20 is the medium I in the new storage medium 20.
If D is not assigned, the process proceeds to S112, and if any medium ID is confirmed, the process proceeds to S103. In the eighth embodiment, the medium ID of the storage medium 20 stored in the slot 3 is not confirmed. Therefore, when S102 ends, the process proceeds to S112.

In S112, the video server 10 searches the medium information 22 table. And this video server 1
“0” confirms whether or not there is a registration for the logical drive F confirmed in S101 in the medium information 22 table. If the registration of the logical drive F is found in the medium information 22 table, the process proceeds to S113, and if not, the process proceeds to S121. Medium information 22 at this point in embodiment 8
The record regarding the logical drive F remains in the table.

Therefore, when this S112 is completed, S11
Proceed to 3. In the eighth embodiment, the storage medium 20 (medium ID) stored in the slot 3 corresponding to the logical drive F
Since # 3) was replaced with a new storage medium 20, the storage medium 20 actually stored in the logical drive F
Although D is not confirmed, it is confirmed that the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) is stored in the logical drive F in the medium information 22 table.

In S113, the video server 10 executes S102
Since the new storage medium 20 having no medium ID is stored in the logical drive F and the record of the logical drive F is stored in the medium information 22 table in S112, "the storage medium 20 ( A new storage medium 20 is stored instead of the medium ID # 3). " When S113 ends, the process proceeds to S200.

In S200 of FIG. 15, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines the current state of the logical drive in the medium information 2
The processing for reflecting the result in the two tables is started. This S
When 200 ends, the process proceeds to S201. In S201, the consistency management unit 37 of the video server 10 determines whether “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11 and, if “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, Proceed to S210, otherwise proceed to S202. In the eighth embodiment, the storage medium 2 previously stored
Since the new storage medium 20 has been stored in the logical drive F instead of 0 (medium ID # 3), the process proceeds to S202.

In S202, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines whether or not “deletion of storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, and if “deletion of storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, Proceeds to S212, otherwise proceeds to S203. In the eighth embodiment, a new storage medium 20 is stored in the logical drive F instead of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) that has been stored so far, and the process proceeds to S203.

In S203, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines whether or not "the existing storage medium 20 has been returned" to the storage device 11, and the "return of the existing storage medium 20" is performed on the storage device 11. If so, proceed to S214, otherwise proceed to S204. In the eighth embodiment, a new storage medium 20 is stored in the logical drive F instead of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) that has been stored so far, and the process proceeds to S204.

In S204 of FIG. 16, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 stores the new storage medium 20 in the storage device 11 in place of the storage medium 20 which has been stored so far. Determine whether or not. Then, if the above operation has been performed on the storage device 11, the process proceeds to S216; otherwise, the process proceeds to S205. The eighth embodiment corresponds to this, so the process proceeds to S216.

At S216, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 updates the recorded contents of the medium information 22 table to one according to the actual condition of the storage device 11. That is, the storage medium 20 (medium ID #) removed from the storage device 11
3) Make information related to OFFLINE.

In the eighth embodiment, since the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) is removed from the slot 3 corresponding to the logical drive F, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) is removed.
There is no logical drive corresponding to 3) and the medium information 22
The record “F” in the drive letter column for the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) in the table is updated to an invalid record “#”. Also, regarding the volume name given to the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3), the storage medium 20 (medium I
D # 3) regarding the record “VO” in the volume name column.
L_F ”is updated to an invalid record“ VOL_OFF3 ”.

Then, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) is removed from the slot 3 corresponding to the logical drive F, and there is no longer a logical drive corresponding to the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3). The record in the status column related to the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) in the table is updated to an invalid record “OFFLINE”. When S216 ends, the process advances to S217.

At S 217, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 updates the recorded contents of the table of contents information 21 to one according to the actual condition of the storage device 11. That is, information on the content recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) removed from the storage device 11 is OFFL.
INE.

In the eighth embodiment, since the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3) is removed from the slot 3 corresponding to the logical drive F, there is no logical drive corresponding to the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 3). Therefore, the storage medium 20 (medium ID #) in the content information 7 table
The record in the status column related to the content recorded in 3) is updated to an invalid record “OFFLINE”.
When S217 ends, the process advances to S218.

In S218, the medium ID management means 30 of the video server 10 issues and records a new medium ID for the new storage medium 20 stored in the storage device 11. In the eighth embodiment, a medium ID “# 6” is assigned to the new storage medium 20 and recorded. This S2
When 10 is completed, the process proceeds to S211.

In S 219, the video server 10 sets the medium information 22 on the storage medium 20 to which the medium ID has been newly assigned.
Then, registration of the content information 21 is performed. When the medium ID “# 6” is assigned to the new storage medium 20 in S218, the video server 10 of the eighth embodiment registers the medium information 22 on the new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 6). Also,
The video server 10 has a new storage medium 20 (medium ID #).
Content information 2 on the content recorded in 6)
Perform one registration.

First, the new storage medium 20 has the medium ID “#”.
6 ", the video server 10 establishes a new storage medium 20
The medium information 22 relating to (medium ID # 6) is registered, and the medium ID “# 6” is stored in the storage medium stored in the logical drive F.
, The drive letter “F” is recorded in the drive letter column of the medium information 22 table. Further, “# 6” is recorded in the medium ID column corresponding to the drive letter. Then, this storage medium 20
Since the volume name “VOL_F” is assigned to the volume having (medium ID # 6), the medium information 22
“VOL_F” is recorded in the volume name column of the table.

The new storage medium 20 (medium ID # 6)
Is stored in the storage device 11 and placed in a state in which the distribution of the content recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 6) is always enabled, so that “ONLINE” is displayed in the state column of the medium information 22 table. Be recorded. From these facts, regarding the logical drive F, from the state 2 in FIG.
Is updated to state 3. New storage medium 20 (medium ID #
When the medium information 22 regarding 6) is recorded in the medium information 22 table, the video server 10
The content information 21 relating to the content recorded in (medium ID # 6) is recorded in the content information 21 table.

The contents information 21 table contains a storage medium 20 (medium ID #) newly stored in the storage device 11.
Since the information regarding the content 6) is registered, the medium ID “# 6” is first recorded in the storage destination medium ID column of the content information 21 table. And this medium ID
The content name of the content recorded on the storage medium 20 of “# 6” is associated with the medium ID “# 6” of the storage medium 20 and recorded. The storage medium 20 (medium ID # 6)
Is stored in the storage medium 20 (medium I).
Since D # 6) is stored in the storage device 11 and can be distributed, “ONLINE” is recorded in the status column of the content information 21 table. When this S219 is completed,
Proceed to S106.

In S106, the video server 10 checks whether the recording state of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 has been updated for all the slots of the storage device 11 indicated in the volume state information. Then, when such data updating processing has been performed for all slots, a series of processing ends. However, if there is still a slot that has not been subjected to such processing, the process returns to S100.

Next, based on the volume information of the video server 10, the medium information 22 on the logical drive G is read.
Then, the content information 21 is updated. This updating process is a ninth embodiment. In S100 of FIG. 14, the video server 10 refers to the file system and checks the volume status information recorded in the file system.
When S100 ends, the process proceeds to S101.

In S101, the video server 10 executes S100
It is confirmed whether or not the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 4 corresponding to the logical drive G based on the volume status information confirmed in the above. When the storage medium 20 is stored in the slot 3, the process proceeds to S102,
If the storage medium 20 is not stored in the slot, the process proceeds to S110.

In the ninth embodiment, the storage medium 20 (medium ID)
# 4) is removed from the storage device 11 and replaced with the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) instead of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4).
2) is stored in the storage device 11 again. Therefore,
When S101 ends, the process proceeds to S102.

Next, in S102, the video server 10 checks the storage medium 20 stored in the slot for the slot for which the storage medium 20 has been stored.
Has a media ID. If the storage medium 20 does not have a medium ID, the process proceeds to S112, and if it does, the process proceeds to S103. Example 9
Now, the medium ID of the storage medium 20 stored in the slot 4
Is “# 2”. Therefore, this S1
When 02 is completed, the process proceeds to S103.

In step S103, the video server 10 searches the medium information 22 table. And this video server 1
“0” confirms whether or not there is a registration for the logical drive confirmed in S102 in the medium information 22 table. If there is a registration for the logical drive in the medium information 22 table, the process proceeds to S104; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1.
Proceed to 14.

In the ninth embodiment, the video server 10 confirms that the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) is stored in the logical drive G, while checking the storage information in the logical drive G from the medium information 22 table. Confirm that the medium 20 is stored. Then, when S103 ends, the process proceeds to S104.

In S104, the video server 10 executes S102
Information on the drive G of the storage device 11 confirmed in
A comparison is made with the information on the drive G recorded in the medium information 22 table. If the contents of these two types of information match, the process proceeds to S105, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to S11.
Go to 5.

It should be noted that the video server 10 of the ninth embodiment
At 102, the storage medium 20 (medium ID #) is stored in the logical drive G.
2) is stored, while the medium information 2 is stored.
From the two tables, it is also confirmed that there is a record that "the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) is stored in the logical drive G", and it is confirmed that both information contents do not match. Therefore, when S104 ends, the process proceeds to S115.

At S115, the video server 10 confirms that the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) is stored in the logical drive G. On the other hand, since it was also confirmed from the medium information 22 table that there is a record “the storage medium 20 (the medium ID # 4) is stored in the logical drive G”,
"The storage medium 20 (the medium ID #
Instead of 4), the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) that was once stored in the storage device 11 is stored again ". When S115 ends, the process proceeds to S200. FIG.
5, the consistency management unit 37 of the video server 10 in S200
Starts a process for reflecting the current state of the logical drive in the medium information 22 table. When S200 ends, the process proceeds to S201.

In S201, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines whether “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, and “addition of a new storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11. If so, proceed to S210; otherwise, proceed to S202. In the ninth embodiment, “the storage medium 20 previously stored in the storage device 11 is replaced by the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) stored before”.
(Medium ID # 2) has been stored again ", and S20
Proceed to 2.

In S202, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines whether or not “deletion of storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, and if “deletion of storage medium” has been performed on the storage device 11, Proceeds to S212, otherwise proceeds to S203. In the ninth embodiment, “the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) that was once stored in the storage device 11 has been stored again instead of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) that has been stored until then”. , To S203.

In S203, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 determines whether or not “the existing storage medium 20 has been returned” to the storage device 11, and executes “return of the existing storage medium 20” to the storage device 11. If so, proceed to S214, otherwise proceed to S204. In the ninth embodiment, “the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) that was once stored in the storage device 11 has been stored again instead of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) that has been stored until then”. , S
Proceed to 204.

In S204 of FIG. 16, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 stores the new storage medium 20 in the storage device 11 in place of the storage medium 20 which has been stored so far. It is determined whether or not the above operation has been performed on the storage device 11 in step S216.
If not, the process proceeds to S205. Example 9
Then, "The storage medium 20 (the medium I
D # 4), the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) previously stored in the storage device 11 has been stored again ", and the process proceeds to S205.

In step S205, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 stores in the storage device 11 “the storage medium 20 that has been stored in the storage device 11 in place of the storage medium 20 that has been stored so far, Is stored in the drive. " If the above operation has been performed on the storage device 11, the process proceeds to S220, and if not, the process proceeds to S106. In the ninth embodiment, since the above operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S220.

At S220, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 updates the recorded content of the medium information 22 table to one according to the actual condition of the storage device 11. That is, the storage medium 20 (medium ID #) removed from the storage device 11
3) Make information related to OFFLINE.

In the ninth embodiment, since the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) is removed from the slot 3 corresponding to the logical drive F, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) is removed.
There is no logical drive corresponding to 4) and the medium information 22
The record “G” in the drive letter column for the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) in the table is updated to an invalid record “#”.

The storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4)
Also, the record “VOL_G” in the volume name column for the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) in the medium information 22 table is updated to an invalid record “VOL_OFF4”.

Then, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) is removed from the slot 4 corresponding to the logical drive G, and there is no longer a logical drive corresponding to the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4). The record in the status column related to the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) in the table is updated to an invalid record “OFFLINE”. When S220 ends, the process proceeds to S221.

At S 221, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 updates the recorded content of the content information 21 table to one according to the actual condition of the storage device 11. That is, information on the content recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) removed from the storage device 11 is OFFL.
INE.

In the ninth embodiment, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 4) is removed from the slot 4 corresponding to the logical drive G. As a result, the storage medium 20 (medium ID #
4), the storage medium 20 (medium ID #) in the content information 7 table is deleted.
The record in the status column related to the content recorded in 4) is updated to an invalid record “OFFLINE”.
When S221 ends, the process proceeds to S222.

At S222, the video server 10 updates the recorded contents of the medium information 22 table to one according to the actual state of the storage device 11. That is, the information about the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) once removed from the storage device 11 is turned ONLINE when the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) is stored in the storage device 11 again. .

In the ninth embodiment, first, the medium ID “#” recorded in the medium ID column of the medium information 22 table is set.
2) Search for a record. When the record of the medium ID “# 2” is retrieved from the medium ID column of the medium information 22 table, the record “G” is recorded in the corresponding drive letter column, the record “ONLINE” is recorded in the status column, and the volume name is further recorded. Record the record "VOL_G" in the column and update the data. As a result of these updates, the recorded contents of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) are updated from state 2 in FIG. 4 to state 3 in FIG. When S222 ends, the process advances to S223.

In S223, the consistency management means 37 of the video server 10 updates the recorded contents of the table of contents information 21 to those in accordance with the actual condition of the storage device 11. That is, the information on the content recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) again stored in the storage device 11 is set to ONLI.
Convert to NE.

In the ninth embodiment, since the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) is stored in the slot 4 corresponding to the logical drive G, it is recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) in the content information 7 table. Update the record of the status column related to the content that has been updated to "ONLINE".

When the status column record of the content information 21 is changed to “ONLINE” again, is the content recorded on the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) still unchanged? Check if it is.
By such an update, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2)
Is updated from the state 2 in FIG. 8 to the state 3 in FIG. When S223 ends, the process proceeds to S106.

In S106, the video server 10 checks whether the recording state of the medium information 22 and the content information 21 has been updated for all the slots of the storage device 11 indicated by the volume state information. Then, when such data updating processing has been performed for all slots, a series of processing ends. However, if there is still a slot that has not been subjected to such processing, the process returns to S100.

When the process related to the logical drive G is completed, the process of updating the medium information 22 and the content information 21 related to the logical drive H is performed. This updating process will be referred to as a tenth embodiment. The operation of the tenth embodiment is the same as the operation of the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, when the operation 2 is performed on the storage device 11 in the state 2, the medium information 22 of the storage medium corresponding to each logical drive of the storage device 11 and the content information 21 recorded on each storage medium are displayed. Maintenance is planned,
The medium information 22 is updated from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5, and the content information 21 is updated from FIG. 8 to FIG.

It is to be noted that the control program 24 of the video server 10 can delete data relating to arbitrary contents recorded on the storage medium 20. When the data relating to this arbitrary content is deleted, the record recorded in the content information 21 table is also deleted.

When the storage medium 20 on which the content is recorded is stored in the storage device 11, the table of the content information 21 is sequentially updated. When the storage medium 20 is not stored in the storage device 11, the content information 21 is updated. When the content information 21 is stored in the device 11, the content information 21 table is updated. Note that the content information 21 recorded in the content information 21 table may include a file name and a file size of the content recorded on the storage medium 20.

For example, from the storage device 11 in the state 2 to the content (content ID) of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1)
When # 2) is deleted, the content information 21 table in FIGS. 8 to 10 is updated. Note that once deleted content cannot be reused unless it is copied and registered again. Further, the portion of the deleted content may be used as a storage area for new content.

It is to be noted that whether to delete the content from the storage medium 20 is determined by referring to the access history information 23 of the video server 10 to determine whether the access status to the content has reached a predetermined number of times. You may judge for a reason. Also, access history information 2
With reference to 3 or the like, even if the content is edited such that the content frequently accessed between the plurality of storage media 20 is collected in one storage medium 20 and the content accessed infrequently is collected in another storage medium 20. Good.

Further, the storage medium 2 having a certain medium ID
From 0, by deleting all the contents recorded on the storage medium 20 and the assigned medium ID,
It can be used as a new storage medium 20. As described above, in the video server system according to the first embodiment, the storage medium 20 stored in the storage device 11 is removable, and the information of the storage medium 20 that has been stored in the storage device 11 and the storage medium 20 Even if the storage medium 20 is removed from the storage device 11, the information on the recorded contents is stored in the medium information 22 table and the contents information 21 table. can do.

Further, in the video server system according to the first embodiment, even if an access request is made to the content recorded on the storage medium 20 that is not stored in the storage device 11, the recording medium 5 on which the content is recorded is stored. Is stored in the storage device 11 to easily realize the distribution of the content. Further, in the video server system according to the first embodiment, for example, among a plurality of storage media 20, content with a high access frequency is collected on a certain storage medium 20, and content with a low access frequency is collected on another storage medium 20, and the access is performed. By storing the storage medium 20 on which the frequently-used content is recorded in the storage device 11, it is possible to immediately distribute many frequently-accessed contents and increase the number of accessible contents.

Further, in the video server system according to the first embodiment, since the available storage media 20 can be held indefinitely, the content data recorded on a certain storage medium 20 is deleted, and new content data is deleted. It is not necessary to perform the process of recording. Therefore, in order to distribute the once-deleted content, it is not necessary to prepare for distribution which requires an enormous amount of time to copy the data of the content to the storage medium 20 again, and the storage medium 20 on which the content is recorded is stored in the storage device. 11 and waiting for the update of the medium information 22 table and the content information 21 table, the content can be distributed quickly.

Further, in the video server system according to the first embodiment, since the storage medium 20 of the storage device 11 is detachable, the storage capacity of the storage device 11 can be substantially expanded, and it can be realized at a low cost.

Embodiment 2 Another embodiment of the video server system according to the present invention will be described. Note that the system configuration of the video server system according to the second embodiment corresponds to FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted. The S / W of the control program 24 of the video server system according to the second embodiment
The configuration corresponds to FIG. 2 and the description is omitted.

Next, FIG. 17 shows an example of a state transition due to a replacement operation of the storage medium 20 which can be attached to and detached from the storage device 11. FIG.
7 shows a state 1 in which the storage medium 20 is not provided.
1 shows a storage device 11. 17 shows the storage device 11 in the state 12 in which the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is provided. The storage device 11 in the state 12 stores the storage medium 20 (medium ID #) in the storage device 11 in the state 11.
It is obtained by performing operation 1 of adding 1).

The storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) is
The data is stored in the storage medium storage slot allocated to the logical drive D of the storage device 11. The storage medium 20
The medium ID of (medium ID # 1) is given from the video server by being loaded into the storage device 11, and before that, the storage medium 20 does not have the medium ID.

Further, the lower part of FIG.
Storage device 11 in state 13 provided with (medium ID # 2)
Is shown. The storage device 11 in the state 13 performs the operation 2 of removing the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) from the storage device 11 in the state 12 and storing the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) instead. can get.

That is, the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2)
Is replaced with the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 1) and stored in the storage medium storage slot assigned to the logical drive D of the storage device 11. The medium ID of the storage medium 20 (medium ID # 2) is given from the video server by being loaded into the storage device 11, and before that, the storage medium 20 does not have the medium ID. .

Next, from the storage device 11 in the state 11 to the state 1
The processing operation of the video server system when changing to the second storage device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
Means that the control program 24 executes
5 is a flowchart relating to a registration process for automatically registering content information recorded on a storage medium newly stored in the storage device 11 by using.

First, a storage medium having a video data file, a content attribute file 34, and a newly registered content list file is prepared. The content attribute file 34 is a file in which information about content attributes such as a title and a file name of a video data file recorded on the same storage medium is set in a predetermined format.

The newly registered content list file is a file in which the file name of the video data file recorded on the same storage medium and the file name of the content attribute file 34 are set in association with each other. Further, these three files, the video data file, the content attribute file 34, and the newly registered content list file are copied under a predetermined directory (for example, \ touroku) of the storage medium.

The file name of the newly registered content list file is a predetermined file name (for example, newconte
nts.lst ) Is used. It is assumed that the storage medium does not yet have a medium ID unique to the medium.

When the storage medium that does not hold the medium ID is stored in an empty slot of the storage device 11 in operation 1, the series of processing shown in FIG. Is done. Through this series of processing, the medium operation detecting means 36 determines that a new storage medium has been added to the storage device 11, and assigns a medium ID unique to this storage medium to the newly added storage medium. Is done. That is, the state changes from state 1 to state 2 in FIG. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the slot of the storage device 11 in which the storage medium that does not hold the medium ID is stored corresponds to the D drive.

The process of assigning a unique medium ID to such a new storage medium corresponds to the state transition from the state 1 to the state 2 in the logical drive H in the first embodiment. As described above, when a unique medium ID is assigned to a new storage medium, the processing by the automatic content registration unit 38 shown in FIG. 18 is thereafter performed.

In step S301, the contents automatic registration means 38
Checks whether the storage medium newly stored in the storage device 11 has a predetermined directory (for example, \ touroku). Further, it is checked whether a predetermined file (for example, newcontents.lst) is present in a predetermined directory of the storage medium. If there is a predetermined directory in the storage medium and a predetermined file exists in the predetermined directory, the process proceeds to S302. Otherwise, the process ends.

In step S302, the contents automatic registration means 38
Confirms an attribute file name and a video data file name relating to a content to be newly registered from a predetermined file of a storage medium newly stored in the storage device 11. When S302 ends, the process proceeds to S303.

In step S303, the contents automatic registration means 38
Confirms whether the attribute file and the video data file relating to the new content desired to be registered confirmed in S302 exist in the storage medium newly stored in the storage device 11. If the file exists in the storage medium, the process proceeds to S304. If the file does not exist in the storage medium, the process ends.

In step S304, the contents automatic registration means 38
Initializes processing data relating to new registration of content. As the processing data, for example, the setting of the number of contents (C) to be newly registered, the number of contents (C)
May be set to 0 for the number of registered contents (I). The number of newly registered contents (C) is determined by the content attribute file analyzing means 33 by the number of content attribute files 34 recorded on the storage medium newly stored in the storage device 11 and the newly registered content list file. Obtained by analysis.

In step S305, the contents automatic registration means 38
Registers attribute information such as a content name relating to a newly registered content in the content information 21 table via the content management means 31. Note that, among the data recorded in the content information 21 table, the content I
D and data relating to the storage medium ID are automatically generated and registered. The content registration order includes, for example, the number order set in the newly registered content list file.

Further, the storage location of the requested content in the storage medium is confirmed by specifying the actual physical path in the content attribute file in the storage medium. In addition, a certain storage destination directory is set in the content attribute file in the storage destination medium, the video data file is moved to this storage destination directory, and the physical path information to the storage destination directory is explicitly specified in the content attribute file. Is also good.

Further, as the data notified to the content information 21 table, data relating to the transfer rate managed and maintained by the video server 10 when the content is distributed can also be notified. When S305 ends, S3
Proceed to 06.

In step S306, the content automatic registration means 38
Updates processing data relating to new registration of content. For example, the number (I) of registered contents is incremented. When S306 ends, the process advances to S307.

In step S307, the contents automatic registration means 38
Confirms whether the number of registered contents (I) is smaller than the number of newly registered contents (C). If the number of registered contents (I) is smaller than the number of newly registered contents (C), the process returns to S305, otherwise the process ends.

It should be noted that the recording at the time of executing the registration of the content is as follows.
An error log and the like are recorded in a dedicated log file formed under a predetermined directory (for example, \ touroku) of the storage medium. When the content registration process has been completed normally, a message to the effect that the process has been completed is recorded in the log file along with the content name, the content ID, the video data file name, and the like. If the content registration process does not end normally and ends in an error, an outputable error log is recorded in a log file.

Next, the processing operation of the video server system when the state is changed from state 12 to state 13 in FIG. 17 will be described. When the storage medium (medium ID # 1) stored in the storage device 11 is removed from the storage device 11, the control of the video server 10 is performed so that the content recorded in the storage medium (medium ID # 1) cannot be accessed. According to the program 24, the OF relating to the storage medium (medium ID # 1) is stored in the medium information 22 table and the content information 21 table.
FLINE settings are applied.

The storage medium (medium ID # 1) is removed from the storage device 11 and the storage medium (medium ID # 1) is removed.
After the new storage medium is stored in the storage device 11 instead of the above, the processing operation relating to the automatic registration of the content recorded on the new storage medium by the control program 24 is changed from state 11 to state 12 in FIG. This is equivalent to the processing operation of the video server system when it is performed, and a description thereof will be omitted. Note that, instead of the storage medium (medium ID # 1), the medium ID newly assigned to the storage medium stored in the storage device 11 is # 2.

When the new storage medium is stored in the storage device 11, the content automatic registration means 38 of the video server 10 reads the content attribute file 34 and the newly registered content list file recorded on the new storage medium. Then, based on these files, the medium information 22 table and the content information 21 of the video server 10 are stored.
The process of registering new content in the table is automatically executed. For this reason, the processing load on the new registration of content by the administrator of the video server system is reduced.

As described above, in the video server system according to the second embodiment, the storage medium 20 on which content data is recorded in a predetermined format is stored in the storage device 11, so that the content recorded on the storage medium 20 can be stored. Registered automatically. Therefore, the burden on the administrator of the video server system can be reduced, and the cost required for operating the video server system can be suppressed.

As a scene using such a video server system, news distribution and the like can be considered. In news programs that distribute news, content is added frequently, such as every day or every week, and it is necessary to distribute the content to multiple locations at the same time, and the value of the content decreases as the number of days elapses .
Therefore, the storage medium 2 on which the content is recorded
It is very effective to use the video server system of the embodiment in which registration of new content is completed only by exchanging 0 for news distribution.

Embodiment 3 Another embodiment of the video server system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the video server system according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 19, reference numeral 40 denotes a first storage device, which is connected to the video server 10 and exchanges commands with the control program 24 of the video server 10. Reference numeral 41 denotes a second storage device, which is connected to the video server 10 and exchanges commands with the control program 24 of the video server 10.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a high-speed storage medium as a first storage medium, which is stored in the first storage device 40 and has a high processing speed. Reference numeral 13 denotes a low-speed storage medium serving as a second storage medium, which is stored in the second storage device 41 and has a low processing speed. In FIG. 19, the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted, and the parts different from FIG. 1 will be described.

Next, a table record of the access history information 23 connected to the video server 10 and managed by the access history management means 35 of the video server 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 20, the table record of the access history information 23 is provided with two columns of “content ID” and “access request count”.

[0202] In the "content ID" column, information peculiar to each content for specifying the content individually included in the deliverable content is shown. The information unique to each content shown in the “content ID” column is shared with the content ID recorded in the table record of the content information 21. That is, when a new content is registered in the table record of the content information 21, the new content is also newly registered in the table record of the access history information 23.

[0203] In the "access request count" column, the number of accesses to the content is recorded, and 0 is set as the initial value. When the setting of the “content ID” column and the “access request count” column for the new content is completed, the control program 24 uses the access history management unit 35 every time the access request to the content is received, Is updated, and the number of access requests is increased by one.

Therefore, the larger the value in the “access request frequency” column, the higher the access request frequency, and conversely, the smaller the value in the “access request frequency” column, the lower the access request frequency. . Note that the number of access requests may be counted in a predetermined period. For example, a plurality of “access requests” may be assigned to one “content ID” so that a day is divided into several time zones, and the number of access requests for each time zone is recorded in a different “access request count” column. The "number of times" may be provided.

[0205] Next, a moving process which is a relocation of a video data file from the low-speed storage medium 13 to the high-speed storage medium 12 in the video server system shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21A shows a moving process of moving the video data file of the content from the low-speed storage medium 13 to the high-speed storage medium 12 by the content rearranging unit 39 with reference to the access history information 23, and the content accompanying the moving process. It is a flow chart about maintenance processing of information 21.

Whether or not to execute the moving process of the video data file is determined based on the number of access requests (upper limit) to the content corresponding to the video data file. Temporarily 8
Times. The data serving as the criterion is set in the content rearrangement unit 39 in advance. When counting the number of access requests divided into a plurality of periods, the number of access requests serving as a criterion for executing the movement process is set for each period, for each of a plurality of periods, or a combination thereof. Is also good.

The video data files of the content IDs # 2, # 4, and # 5 in the table of the access history information 23 in FIG.
And the content ID is # 1,
It is assumed that the video data file of the content of # 3 is stored in the low-speed storage medium 13 of the second storage device 41.

[0208] In S401, the video server 10 receives from the client 14 a distribution request for the content whose content ID is # 3. The video data file of the content whose content ID is # 3 is stored in the low-speed storage medium 1.
3 recorded. When S401 ends, S40
Proceed to 2.

In S402, the video server 10 determines the number of access requests for the content with the content ID # 3 based on the access history information 23,
9 is compared with a preset upper limit of the number of access requests. If the number of access requests based on the access history information 23 exceeds the upper limit, the process proceeds to S403. on the other hand,
If the upper limit value exceeds the number of access requests based on the access history information 23, a series of processing ends.

[0210] In S403, the video server 10 determines on which storage medium the video data file of the content is recorded based on the content information 21, and
It is checked which of the low-speed storage medium 13 and the high-speed storage medium 12 is recorded. If the video data file of the content is recorded on the low-speed storage medium 13, the process proceeds to S404. If the video data file of the content is recorded on the high-speed storage medium 12, the series of processing ends.

[0211] In S404, the video server 10 stores the video data file of the content whose content ID is # 3,
Copy to a high-speed storage medium 12. When S404 ends, the process advances to S405. Video server 10 in S405
Performs an update process of the content information 21 accompanying the copy process of the video data file. This content information 21
The updating process of (1) includes updating data relating to a “storage destination medium ID” in which a video data file of the content is stored. Then, this content information 21
Is completed, the copy destination high-speed storage medium 12
From the client who requested the delivery of the content,
The content is distributed. When S405 ends, a series of processes ends.

As described above, when an access request for a certain content is output from the client 14, the storage destination of the content is changed in accordance with the frequency of access to the content, and the processing speed of the video data file of the frequently accessed content is reduced. Since the contents are collected on the high-speed storage medium 12, which is high-speed, the ability to access frequently-accessed and frequently accessed contents is improved.

[0213] In the video server system shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21B shows a moving process in which the content rearranging unit 39 refers to the access history information 23 and moves the video data file of the content from the high-speed storage medium 12 to the low-speed storage medium 13, and the content accompanying the moving process. It is a flow chart about maintenance processing of information 21.

Whether to execute the moving process of the video data file is determined on the basis of the number of access requests (lower limit) to the content corresponding to the video data file. Temporarily 3
Times. The data serving as the criterion is set in the content rearrangement unit 39 in advance.

When counting the number of access requests by dividing the number of access requests into a plurality of periods, the number of access requests serving as a criterion for determining the execution of the transfer process is determined for each period, for each of a plurality of periods, or a combination of these. May be set. Also, in the table of the access history information 23 in FIG. 20, the video data files of the content IDs # 2, # 4, and # 5 are stored in the high-speed storage medium 12 of the first storage device 40, and the content ID is # 1 , The video data file of the content of # 3 is stored in the second storage device 41.
Is stored in the low-speed storage medium 13 of FIG.

In step S501, the content management means 31 of the video server 10 searches for the content of the video data file whose storage destination medium ID indicates the high-speed storage medium 12 of the first storage device 40 based on the content information 21.
Then, the video server 10 stores the information on the content having the content IDs # 2, # 4, and # 5 obtained by the search in the content I managed by the content rearrangement unit 39.
Record on D-list.

The processing in S501 is the same as that in S40.
It is assumed that the processing is not performed after the processing of moving the video data file from the low-speed storage medium 13 to the high-speed storage medium 12 shown in 1 to S405. Suppose S401
When the processing of S501 is performed after the execution of steps S405 to S405, the content having the content ID # 3 is also recorded in the content ID list as a search result, and the following processing results will be slightly different. When S501 ends, the process proceeds to S502.

In S502, the video server 10 searches the content ID list of the content
A content with a certain content ID is selected. This S5
When 01 ends, the process proceeds to S503. In S503, the video server 10 compares the number of access requests for the content selected in S502 based on the access history information 23 with the lower limit of the number of access requests preset in the content rearrangement means 39. Access history information 2
If the number of access requests based on No. 3 is lower than the lower limit, the process proceeds to S504, and if the lower limit is lower than the number of access requests based on the access history information 23, the process proceeds to S5.
Proceed to 06.

[0219] In S504, the video server 10 stores the video data file of the content in a certain low-speed storage medium 1.
Copy to 3. When S504 ends, the process advances to S505. In S505, the video server 10 performs a process of updating the content information 21 accompanying the process of copying the video data file. An example of the process of updating the content information 21 includes updating data relating to a “storage destination medium ID” in which a video data file of the content is stored. After the copy processing of the video data file in S504 and the update processing of the content information 21 in S505 are completed successfully, the copy source video data file is deleted, so that it is easy to recover even when a failure occurs. It is easy to carry out processing safely.

[0220] In S506, the video server 10 performs processing for all contents listed in the content ID list.
It is confirmed whether or not the processes of S502 to S505 have been performed. If the processes of S502 to S505 have been performed on all the contents listed in the content ID list, the series of processes ends. Content I
Of the contents listed in the D list, S502-
If there is any content for which the process of S505 has not been performed, the process returns to S502.

In the present embodiment, the number of access requests for the content having the content ID # 2 and the number of access requests for the content having the content ID # 4 are both lower than the predetermined lower limit of the number of access requests. Storage device 41
Is copied to the low-speed storage medium 13. After being copied to the low-speed storage medium 13, the original data of the content remaining in the high-speed storage medium 12 is deleted.

Also, the content ID in the present embodiment
Since the number of access requests for the content of # 5 did not fall below the lower limit of the number of access requests provided in advance, it is maintained in the high-speed storage medium 12 without being copied to the low-speed storage medium 13. The high-speed storage medium 12 may be an HDD, and the low-speed storage medium 13 may be a magneto-optical disk medium. Further, the content is rearranged during a suspension period of the content distribution service or a maintenance time of the video server system.

As described above, the video server system according to the present embodiment preferentially places contents with a high access frequency on the high-speed storage medium 12 with a high access speed based on the access history information 23 in which the number of times of access to the contents is recorded. In addition, since the contents with low access frequency are preferentially arranged on the low-speed storage medium 13 with low access speed, the response to the request for distribution of the popular contents can be improved, and the various storage media can be effectively used.

In the video server system of the present embodiment, the arrangement of contents is automatically switched based on the access history information 23, so that the contents can be rearranged with a reduced burden on the administrator of the video server system. . Furthermore, the video server system according to the present embodiment can realize large-capacity content registration at relatively low cost by using an HDD as a high-speed storage medium and a magneto-optical disk as a low-speed storage medium.

[0225]

As described above, the video server system according to the present invention has a storage device in which a removable storage medium storing contents is stored, a client requesting distribution of contents, a storage device, and a network. Is connected to the client via the storage device, and has storage medium information on the storage medium stored in the storage device and content information on the content recorded on the storage medium stored in the storage device, and a content distribution request from the client is input. And a video server that distributes the content to the client based on the storage medium information and the content information. Since the storage medium stored in the storage device is detachable, the number of usable contents can be reduced. You can do as much as you like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a video server system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an S / W configuration of a control program of a video server system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a medium information 22 table when the storage device 11 according to the present invention is in state 1;

FIG. 4 is a table of medium information 22 when the storage device 11 according to the present invention is in state 2;

FIG. 5 is a medium information 22 table when the storage device 11 according to the present invention is in state 3;

FIG. 6 is a medium information 22 table after the state of the storage device 11 according to the present invention has been partially changed from the state 3;

FIG. 7 is a table of content information 21 when the storage device 11 in the present invention is in state 1;

FIG. 8 is a table of content information 21 when the storage device 11 in the present invention is in state 2;

FIG. 9 is a content information 21 table when the storage device 11 according to the present invention is in state 3;

FIG. 10 shows a state 2 of the storage device 11 according to the present invention.
21 is a table of content information 21 partially changed from.

FIG. 11 is a state diagram when the storage device 11 in the present invention is in state 1;

FIG. 12 is a state diagram when the storage device 11 according to the present invention is in state 2;

FIG. 13 is a state diagram when the storage device 11 according to the present invention is in state 3;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the medium operation detecting means 36 in the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the consistency management means 37 in the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the consistency management means 37 according to the present invention, which is subsequent to FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a state transition diagram showing an example of state transition due to an operation of replacing a storage medium 20 that is removable from the storage device 11 according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart relating to automatic registration of content information in the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a video server system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an access history information 23 table of the video server 10 according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a content moving process based on the access history information 23 and maintenance of the content information 21 accompanying the moving process in the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a conventional video server system.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 video server, 11 storage device, 12 high-speed storage medium, 13 low-speed storage medium, 14 client, 15
Network, 20 storage media, 21 content information, 22 media information, 23 access history information, 24
Control program, 25 video data distribution program,
30 medium ID management means, 31 content management means,
32 medium management means, 33 content attribute file analysis means, 34 content attribute file, 35 access history management means, 36 medium operation detection means, 37 consistency management means, 38 content automatic registration means, 39 content relocation means, 40 first Storage device, 41 second storage device.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06F 17/30 G06F 15/40 370D G11B 20/10 H04N 5/93 E H04N 5/93

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A storage device storing a removable storage medium on which content is recorded, a client requesting distribution of the content, and the storage device being connected to the client via the storage device and a network, Having storage medium information on the storage medium stored in the storage medium and content information on the content recorded on the storage medium stored on the storage device, when a distribution request for the content from the client is input, A video server that distributes the content to the client based on the storage medium information and the content information. 2. The storage medium information includes: medium ID information indicating a medium ID unique to each storage medium; status information indicating whether the storage medium is stored in a storage device; 2. The video server system according to claim 1, further comprising, when stored in the storage device, drive letter information indicating in which storage location the storage medium is stored in the storage device. 3. The content information includes content ID information indicating a content ID unique to each content recorded on the storage medium, and storage medium ID information indicating a medium ID unique to the storage medium recording the content. When,
It has status information indicating whether a storage medium for recording the content is stored in a storage device, and transfer rate information indicating a transfer rate that must be secured on a network in order to transfer the content. A video server system according to claim 1. 4. The video server, from a client,
Upon receiving a content distribution request, refer to the transfer rate information contained in the content information, secure and maintain a data transfer amount based on the transfer rate information on a network with the client, and store the storage medium in a storage device. 2. The video server system according to claim 1, wherein the content is distributed to the client from the video server. 5. A video server, comprising: a client;
When a distribution request for a certain content is received, the transfer rate information included in the content information is referred to, the data transfer rate based on the transfer rate information is maintained on the network with the client, and the data is transferred from the storage medium stored in the storage device. The video server system according to claim 1, wherein the content is delivered to the client. 6. The video server, when the storage medium having the content is removed from the storage device, detects the removal, and updates the storage medium information to indicate that the storage medium has been removed from the storage device. The video server system according to claim 1, wherein the content information is updated so as to indicate that distribution of the content to an arbitrary client has become impossible. 7. A video server determines whether a storage medium stored in a storage device has a medium ID unique to the storage medium. If the storage medium does not have the medium ID, the video server specifies a medium ID unique to the storage medium. The medium ID is given, and it is determined that the storage medium is newly stored in the storage device,
The video server system according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium information is updated so as to include the information about the storage medium, and the content information is updated so as to include the information about the content. 8. The video server determines whether the storage medium stored in the storage device has a medium ID unique to the storage medium, the storage medium has the medium ID, and the storage medium is the storage device. When it is determined that the storage medium is once stored in the storage device after being once removed from the storage device, the record related to the storage medium recorded in the storage medium information is changed from the record at the time of removal from the storage device to the storage device. 2. The video server system according to claim 1, wherein the video server system updates the record at the time when the video server is stored again in the device. 9. The video server determines whether the storage medium has the same content as when the storage medium was removed from the storage device,
If there is no change, the recording related to the content recorded in the content information is stored again in the storage device from the recording when the storage medium is removed from the storage device and distribution is disabled. 9. The video server system according to claim 8, wherein the record is updated to a record at a point in time when distribution becomes possible. 10. The video server judges whether the storage medium has the same content as when the storage medium is removed from the storage device, and when there is a change, the storage medium is moved from the storage device according to the change. It was recorded when it was removed, but when the storage medium was stored in the storage device again, information about the deleted content was deleted from the content information, and when the storage medium was removed from the storage device, it was recorded. 9. The video server system according to claim 8, wherein when the storage medium is stored in the storage device again, the information about the newly recorded content is recorded in the content information. 11. A storage medium comprising: an entity file in which an entity of a content is recorded; an attribute file in which attribute information relating to the content required for registration of the content information is recorded; And the video server registers the attribute information indicated in the attribute file in the content information based on the registration order list when the storage medium is stored in the storage device. 2. The video server system according to claim 1, wherein a control based on the content information is performed based on a request for distribution of the content from a client, and the entity file is distributed to the client. 12. The storage device includes a plurality of storage media each having a content. The video server has access history information in which an access frequency to the content is recorded, and the video server stores the content based on the access history information. The video server system according to claim 1, wherein a recording medium to be recorded is changed. 13. The video server system according to claim 12, wherein the video server changes a recording destination of the frequently accessed content from a storage medium having a low processing speed to a recording medium having a high processing speed. 14. The video server system according to claim 13, wherein a storage medium having a low processing speed is a magneto-optical disk medium, and a recording medium having a high processing speed is an HDD.