KR20130110976A - System and method of converting media files based on external terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A media server converts a multimedia file requested by an external terminal into a directly playable file with regard to playback capacity of the external terminal. CONSTITUTION: A holding list-providing unit provides a holding list of media files to an external terminal according to a request of the external terminal (S100). A connection-processing unit receives from the external terminal a name of a selection file selected in the holding list and playback capacity information including a codec list which the external terminal has (S160). A reproduction capacity determining unit compares format information and compression standard of the selection file with the playback capacity information of the external terminal, and determines playback capacity for the selection file of the external terminal (S170). A streaming transmission unit streaming-transmits the selection file to the external terminal when the external terminal does not support playback of the selection file (S200), and converts the selection file by using a converting codec supported by the external terminal for streaming-transmission (S180). [Reference numerals] (110) Media server; (120) Internal device; (130) External device; (S100) Provide a media list; (S110) Create a possession list; (S120) Create information about a playback capacity; (S130) Request for access & possession lists; (S140) Provide the possession list; (S150) Input a selection file; (S160) Identify the title of the selection file and check the playback capacity information; (S170) Determine the playback capacity; (S180) Determine whether the selection file is to be converted regarding the playback capacity; (S190) Provide the selection file; (S200) Selection file; (S210) Play the selection file

Description

System and method of converting media files based on external terminal}

The present invention relates to a media file conversion system and a conversion method. More particularly, the media server converts a multimedia file requested by an external terminal to be directly played by the external terminal and transmits the multimedia file to an external terminal. A media file conversion system and method are based.

By using the existing Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) or file sharing function, multimedia files existing in the home network or the internal network can be directly played inside the home network or the internal network. However, in order to play files existing on the internal network on the external network outside the home network or the internal network, multimedia files should be inserted into a NAS (Network Access Storage) and then accessed and played from the external NAS, stored in a memory card, or It is inconvenient to play on a hard or cloud service.

On the other hand, even if the multimedia file is stored in the NAS, the multimedia file is stored in the memory card, or the web file is stored in a web hard or cloud service, an appropriate codec can be used to play the multimedia file on the terminal that plays the multimedia file. If it is not there, there is a problem to search for codec and install new.

Accordingly, by converting and transmitting various multimedia files in accordance with the playing capability of the terminal, there is a need for a terminal to play the multimedia file to be able to play immediately without installing a new codec.

In addition, with the recent spread of smart phones and tablet computers, the multimedia files can be accessed from anywhere by using the Internet, and therefore, the necessity of a technology that enables the service to directly play multimedia files regardless of the playback capability of a terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. This is getting bigger.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the media server converts the multimedia file requested by the external terminal to be directly played by the external terminal in consideration of the playback capability of the external terminal and transmits it to the external terminal. The present invention provides a system and method for media file conversion.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention, the holding list providing unit for providing a holding list of the media file to the external terminal at the request of the external terminal; A connection processing unit which receives, from the external terminal, the capability information including the codec list held by the external terminal and the name of the selected file selected from the retention list; A playback capability determination unit for comparing the format information and the compression standard of the selected file with the playback capability information of the external terminal and determining the playback capability of the selected file of the external terminal; And if the external terminal supports playback of the selected file, the selected file is streamed to the external terminal, but if the external terminal does not support playback of the selected file, the selected file is converted and streamed using the conversion codec supported by the external terminal. It provides a media file conversion system based on the playback capability of the external terminal, including a streaming transmission unit for transmitting.

Preferably, the media file conversion system may further include a codec determination unit that determines, as a conversion codec, a codec that supports a compression standard of a selected file from a codec list of an external terminal.

Preferably, the playability information further includes supportable resolution information of an external terminal, and the conversion codec may convert the selection file to a resolution corresponding to the supportable resolution information of the external terminal.

Preferably, the playability information further includes supportable resolution information of an external terminal, and the streaming transmission unit may convert the selection file to a resolution corresponding to the supportable resolution information of the external terminal.

Preferably, the holding list providing unit collects the name, format information, and information on the compression standard of the media file held by the internal terminal existing in the internal network to generate a holding list, and the streaming transmission unit internal and external The selected file may be relayed and transmitted between the terminals.

In addition, the present invention to solve the above problems, (a) at the request of the external terminal providing a holding list of the media file to the external terminal; (b) receiving, from the external terminal, the capability information including the codec list held by the external terminal and the name of the selected file selected from the retention list; (c) comparing the format information and the compression specification of the selected file with the playback capability information of the external terminal to determine the playback capability of the selected file of the external terminal; (d) if the external terminal supports reproduction of the selected file, streaming the selected file to the external terminal; And (e) converting the media file based on the playback capability of the external terminal, including converting and streaming the selected file using a conversion codec supported by the external terminal if the external terminal does not support playback of the selected file. Provide a method.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing the method for converting a media file.

According to the present invention, an external network can directly access and play a media file existing in an internal network, and can play a media file not supported by an external terminal located in an external network.

1 is a diagram illustrating a media file conversion system and method according to the present invention.
2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of converting a media file according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating step S180 of FIG. 2 in more detail.
Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a media file conversion system according to the present invention.
5 is a block diagram showing an external terminal.
6 is a block diagram showing an internal terminal.

As the inventive concept allows for various changes and numerous modifications, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present application, the terms "comprising" or "having ", and the like, are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and are to be interpreted as ideal or overly formal in meaning unless explicitly defined in the present application Do not.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference symbols in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is a diagram illustrating a media file conversion system and method based on the playback capability of an external terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the media file conversion system includes a media server 110 that provides media files to external terminals 130_1 to 130_n, and is further located on the same network 20 as the media server 110. The internal terminals 120_1 to 120_n and / or external terminals 130_1 to 130_n located in an external network of the media server 110 may be further included.

In the present invention, the media file refers to a multimedia file including an image (including a still image and a moving image) and / or an audio.

Using existing DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) or file sharing function, media files can be shared between internal terminals 120_1 to 120_n existing in the same network as the media server 110, that is, the internal network 20. Do. However, in the external network, the media files held by the internal terminals 120_1 to 120_n cannot be accessed through the router 140 unless special settings are made to the internal terminals 120_1 to 120_n.

In the present invention, the media server 110 can directly play a media file by accessing various media files stored in the internal terminals 120_1 to 130_n located in the internal network by the external terminals 130_1 to 130_n located in the external network. Support server.

The media server 110 may be installed in a general server system, or may be installed in a set-top box for watching IPTV held at home.

When the function of the media server 110 is put into the set-top box, the set-top box is always operated, so that the media files always present in the internal network can be directly played by streaming. In addition, if you put the function of the media server 110 in the IPTV set-top box, the IPTV set-top box is connected to the Internet and can always be used easily because the power is on. Existing IPTV was used only to bring data from outside, but it is possible to send data from outside to provide users with media data from home.

The internal terminals 120_1 to 120_n store media files such as computers, laptops, server systems, network access storage (NAS), cellular phones, and tablet PCs, and may be any terminal device capable of being connected to a network. In addition, the external terminals 130_1 to 130_n may access any media server 110 through a network such as a computer, a laptop, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, and any terminal device having a playback capability for media files.

Meanwhile, although the external terminals 130_1 to 130_n are expressed as terminal devices located in the external network of the media server 110, the external terminals 130_1 to 130_n may be located in the internal network. That is, the external terminals 130_1 to 130_n may be any terminal device that can access the media server 110 and play the media file through wired or wireless communication.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, one internal terminal and an external terminal will be described as an example.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of converting a media file according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, each internal terminal 120 existing in the same network as the media server 110 provides the media server 110 with a media list for the media files it holds (S100). Here, the media list includes the name of each media file, format information, and information on a compression standard.

Format information, compression standards, and codecs will be briefly described.

Format information means format information of video and / or audio such as mkv, avi, asf, mp4, m4v, mov, wmv, WMA, mp3, AAC, AC3, OGG, etc. same.

Compression standard means a compression standard of video and / or audio.

Codec is a compound word (Co + Dec) of a coder for converting an analog signal of audio and / or video into a digital signal and a decoder for converting a digital signal into an audio or video. ) Means a device that performs both the role of the decoder and (decoder) at the same time.

Even if the format information of the media file is the same, compression standards of video and audio included in the media file may be different. In this case, if a codec supporting the corresponding compression standard is not installed in the terminal, even a file having the same format information can be played and some files cannot be played.

Therefore, the media list includes information on the name, format information, and compression standard of each media file.

The media server 110 collects a media list from each internal terminal 120 and generates a retention list for the media file. The possession list includes all the media lists of the internal terminals 120. Meanwhile, when the media server 110 stores the media file in a local storage such as its hard disk, the media server 110 also includes the media list owned by the media server. Of course, media files may be stored only in the media server 110.

On the other hand, the external terminal 130 extracts a codec list including the names of all the codecs it owns, and generates the reproduction capability information including the extracted codec list (S120). The playability information means the ability of the external terminal 130 to play a media file. Since the codec supporting the compression standard of the media file can play the media file, referring to the codec name included in the codec list of the external terminal 130, it is possible to determine which media file the external terminal 130 can play. You can judge.

The external terminal 130 connects to the media server 110 and requests a retention list that the media server 110 has (S130).

The media server 110 provides a holding list to the external terminal 130 (S140), and the external terminal 130 selects a file to be played from the provided holding list. When the selection file is input, the selection file name is transmitted to the media server 110 (s160).

On the other hand, the external terminal 130 transmits its playing capability information together with the selected file name (S160). The playability information may be transmitted together with the selected file name, but may also be transmitted when the external terminal 130 first accesses the media server 110 or requests a retention list.

The media server 110 compares the format information and the compression specification of the selected file with the playability information of the external terminal 130, and determines the playability of the selected file of the external terminal 130 (S170).

As a result of the determination, that is, the media server 110 determines whether to convert the selected file according to the playing capability of the external terminal 130 (S180).

3 is a flowchart illustrating step S180 of FIG. 2 in more detail.

If the external terminal 130 supports playback of the selected file, the media server 110 directly streams the selected file to the external terminal 130 (S320 and S200).

However, if the external terminal 130 does not support playback of the selected file, the media server 110 determines the conversion codec to be used to convert the selection file (S330), and converts the selection file to the determined conversion codec (S340). ) Streaming transmission (S350, S200).

Here, the conversion codec means a codec used to convert a media file that is compressed to a specific compression standard and cannot be played in the external terminal 130 into a compression standard that can be supported by the external terminal 130.

The conversion codec may be determined as a codec that supports a compression standard of a selected file from a codec list of an external terminal.

If there is no codec supporting the compression standard of the selected file among the codec list of the external terminal, the media server 110 determines one codec from the codec list of the external terminal as the conversion codec. The method of determining the conversion codec will be described later.

On the other hand, since the resolution of the selected file is higher than the maximum resolution supported by the external terminal 130, the external terminal 130 may not be able to play the data even when the streaming transmission or conversion is performed without streaming. To prevent this, the external terminal 130 extracts the maximum resolution information that can be supported by the external terminal 130 and includes the extracted maximum resolution information in the reproduction capability information.

In order to stream the selection file, various protocols for streaming, such as Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) (RFC2326), HTTP, MMS, and Real-time Transfer Protocol (RTP), may be used.

Returning to Fig. 2, description will be made again.

On the other hand, if the selection file does not exist in the media server 110 and is stored in the internal terminal 120, the media server 110 receives the selection file from the internal terminal 120 and provides it to the external terminal 130. Even when the media server 110 relays the selection file located in the internal terminal 120 to the external terminal 130, whether to convert the selection file is also selected by the playback capability information of the external terminal 130, that is, the external terminal 130. It depends on whether you can play the file.

The external terminal 130 directly plays the selection file or the converted selection file being streamed from the media server 110 (S210).

Although not shown in the drawing, the external terminal 130 may transmit the information on the playback situation collected in real time or periodically to the media server 110 in real time or periodically when playing the selected file being streamed. Information on the playback status includes information on actual playback time, processor busyness, and network conditions.

The media server 110 receives information on the playback situation from the external terminal 130, and determines whether the file being streamed and transmitted is smoothly played on the external terminal 130 based on the received playback status information. Can be.

If the actual playback time is longer than the original playback time, the processor processing power of the external terminal 130 may be low or the network may be busy. When the selection file or the converted selection file in the external terminal 130 does not play smoothly, the media server 110 reduces the resolution of the selection file being streamed.

Hereinafter, a media file conversion system according to the present invention will be described. Since the media file conversion system according to the present invention performs essentially the same function as the media file conversion method according to the present invention, detailed descriptions and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a media file conversion system according to the present invention.

The media file conversion system according to the present invention includes a media server 110 for providing a media file to an external terminal 130, and further includes an internal terminal 120 located on the same network 20 as the media server 110. And / or an external terminal 130 located in an external network of the media server 110.

Referring to FIG. 4, the media server 110 includes a connection processing unit 111, a retention list providing unit 112, a playability determining unit 113, a codec determination unit 114, and a streaming transmission unit 115. The apparatus further includes a codec information providing unit 117 and a network state detecting unit 118.

The connection processing unit 111 is a component for processing a request of the external terminal 130, the playability information including the codec list containing the codec name held by the external terminal 130 and the external terminal 130 in the holding list The name of the selected selection file is received from the external terminal 130.

The playability determining unit 113 compares the format information and the compression specification of the selected file selected by the external terminal 130 with the playability information received from the external terminal 130, and the external terminal 130 can play the selected file. Judgment of the playability means the presence or absence.

The holding list includes information on the names, format information, and compression standards of all the media files, and also includes a place where the selection file is stored. Therefore, the media server 110 stores various information on the selection file from the holding list. And where they are stored.

The streaming transmitter 116 determines whether to simply transmit the selected file or convert the external terminal 130 so that it can be played back according to the determination result of the playability determination unit 113. The streaming transmitter 115 streams the selected file to the external terminal 130 when the external terminal 130 supports the playback of the selected file, and externally if the external terminal 130 does not support the playback of the selected file. The selected file is converted and streamed by using a conversion codec supported by the terminal 130.

The streaming transmission unit 115 includes a conversion unit 116 for converting the selected file using a conversion codec.

If the external terminal 130 does not support playback of the selected file, the codec determination unit 114 determines a conversion codec to use to convert the selected file.

As described above, the codec determination unit 114 may determine the conversion codec as a codec that supports the compression standard of the selected file from the codec list of the external terminal. If there is no codec that supports the compression standard of the selected file among the codec list of the external terminal, the codec determination unit 114 determines any one codec included in the codec list of the external terminal 130 as the conversion codec.

In the present invention, there may be various methods for determining the conversion codec. The most preferable method is that when there is a hardware codec among the codecs held by the external terminal 130, the codec determination unit 114 determines the hardware codec as a conversion codec. When there are a plurality of hardware codecs in the external terminal 130, the codec determination unit 114 determines the codec having the highest compression rate among the plurality of hardware codecs as a conversion codec.

On the other hand, when there is no hardware codec in the external terminal 130 and only a software codec exists, the codec determination unit 114 determines the codec having the highest compression ratio among the software codecs as a conversion codec. If the compression rate is high, the network load is reduced, but there is a problem in that the share of the processor (CPU or GPU) that handles it increases. Therefore, it may be desirable for the codec determination unit 114 to determine a software codec having a high compression ratio and a low processor occupancy as a conversion codec.

Since the resolution of the selected file is higher than the maximum resolution supported by the external terminal 130, the external terminal 130 may not play back. To prevent this, the streaming transmission unit 115 performs streaming transmission while converting the selected file to a resolution less than the maximum resolution of the external terminal 130 that can be supported.

The codec information providing unit 117 serves to provide various codecs to the codec determining unit 114, so that the network state detecting unit 118 measures the network condition between the media server 110 and the external terminal 130. .

On the other hand, the streaming transmission unit 115 is based on the network status between the media server 110 and the external terminal 130, the processor processing capacity and busy degree of the external terminal 130, the playback status information received from the external terminal 130 This allows you to dynamically adjust or change the resolution and / or conversion codec for the selected file. For example, the processor processing power of the external terminal 130 is low, the network between the media server 110 and the external terminal 130 is busy, or the selection file (or converted selection file) in the external terminal 130. In the case of slow playback or dropping, it is possible to reduce the streamed packet size by reducing the resolution.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an external terminal 130.

The external terminal 130 includes a connection unit 131, a reproduction capability information generation unit 132, and a reproduction unit 135.

The connection unit 131 transmits various requests, playability information, and selection file names to the media server 110, receives a retention list from the media server 110, and streams a selection file corresponding to the transmitted selection file name. To receive. Of course, the selected file converted by the conversion codec may be received in a streaming manner.

The playability information generation unit 132 extracts a codec list 133 including names of all codecs held by the playability information generator 132 to generate playability information. The playability information may include the extracted codec list, and may further include the maximum resolution information supported by the external terminal 130 and / or the device characteristic information 134 of the external terminal 130. The device characteristic information of the external terminal 130 includes information on the processor processing capacity and the screen size of the external terminal 130.

The playback unit 135 plays back the media file.

6 is a block diagram illustrating the internal terminal 120.

Referring to FIG. 6, the internal terminal 120 includes a media file storage 121, a media list providing unit 122, and a selection file providing unit 123.

The media file storage 121 means a local storage area such as a hard disk, and various media files are stored therein.

The media list providing unit 122 generates a media list for all media files stored in its media file storage 121 and provides it to the media server 110. The media list contains the name, format information, and compression standard of each media file.

The selection file providing unit 123 transmits the selection file to the media server 110 when the media server 110 attempts to stream the selection file to the external terminal 130.

The method of the present invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording apparatuses in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission via the Internet) . The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection of the present invention should be construed in accordance with the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents and equivalents thereof should be construed as being covered by the scope of the present invention.

110, Media Server 120, Internal Terminal
130, external terminal 111, connection processing unit
112, possession list generation unit 113, playback capacity determination unit
114, codec decision unit 115, streaming transmitter
117, codec information providing unit 118, network status detection unit

Claims (13)

Retention list providing unit for providing a retention list of the media file to the external terminal at the request of the external terminal;
A connection processing unit which receives, from the external terminal, playback capability information including a codec list held by an external terminal and a name of a selection file selected from the retention list;
A playback capability determination unit for comparing the format information and the compression standard of the selection file with the playback capability information of the external terminal and determining the playback capability of the selected file of the external terminal;
If the external terminal supports playback of the selected file, the selected file is streamed to the external terminal. If the external terminal does not support playback of the selected file, the conversion codec supported by the external terminal is used. And a streaming transmission unit converting the selected file and streaming the selected file. The method of claim 1, wherein the media file conversion system,
And a codec determining unit that determines, as the conversion codec, a codec that supports a compression standard of the selected file from the codec list of the external terminal. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The playability information further includes supportable resolution information of the external terminal,
And the streaming transmission unit converts the selection file to a resolution corresponding to supportable resolution information of the external terminal. The method of claim 1,
The holding list providing unit generates the holding list by collecting information on a name, format information, and compression standard of a media file held by an internal terminal existing in an internal network,
And the streaming transmitter relays and transmits the selected file between the internal terminal and the external terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the reproduction capability information further includes information on processor processing capability of the external terminal.
And the streaming transmission unit converts the resolution of the selected file in response to the processor processing capability of the external terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the streaming transmission unit,
Measuring the network state with the external terminal and reducing the resolution of the selected file when the network is busy; (a) providing a holding list of media files to an external terminal at the request of the external terminal;
(b) receiving from the external terminal the capability information including the codec list held by the external terminal and the name of the selected file selected from the retention list;
(c) comparing the format information and the compression standard of the selection file with the reproduction capability information of the external terminal to determine the reproduction capability of the selected file of the external terminal;
(d) if the external terminal supports reproduction of the selected file, streaming the selected file to the external terminal; And
(e) if the external terminal does not support the playback of the selected file, converting the selected file using a conversion codec supported by the external terminal and transmitting the streaming; How to convert media files. The method of claim 7, wherein the step (e),
And determining as a conversion codec a codec supporting a compression standard of the selected file from among the codec list of the external terminal, based on the playback capability of the external terminal. 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8,
The playability information further includes supportable resolution information of the external terminal,
The step (e) further comprises the step of converting the selection file to a resolution corresponding to the supportable resolution information of the external terminal, the media file conversion method based on the playback capability of the external terminal. The method of claim 7, wherein the media file conversion method is performed before step (a).
Collecting the name, format information, and information on a compression standard of a media file held by an internal terminal existing in an internal network, and generating the retention list.
The step (e) is a media file conversion method based on the playback capability of the external terminal, characterized in that for transmitting the selection file between the internal terminal and the external terminal. The method of claim 7, wherein the reproducing capability information further includes information on processor processing capability of the external terminal.
The step (e) is a media file conversion method based on the playback capability of the external terminal to convert and transmit the resolution of the selected file in response to the processor processing capacity of the external terminal. The method of claim 7, wherein the step (e),
Measuring a network state with the external terminal and reducing the resolution of the selected file when the network is busy; A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

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