TWI258994B - Content distribution systems and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

Content distribution systems and methods are provided. A content source comprises a service advertising channel and a content delivery channel. The content source provides service information on the service advertising channel, and provides content on the content delivery channel. At least one content sink couples to the content source to acquire the service information from the service advertising channel, and specify a content item from the content for playback according to the service information. The content sink further controls the content source via a control channel between the content source and the content sink.

Description

1258994 V. INSTRUCTION DESCRIPTION (1) ‘[Technical Field to Which the Invention Alongs] The present invention relates to a content distribution system and method ′ and particularly relates to a system and method for providing content through a home network. [Prior Art] At present, the distribution of digital home content is based on demand. A Content Sink first uses a specific technology, such as Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), to connect to a Content Source and obtain a content directory. Then, the _ content user can select a specific content item to play. Broadcast services, such as music and audio jukeboxes, and digital video broadcasting (DVB)/TV (TV) / cable television (Cable) are usually distributed through the Home Network. Since the content user must browse and retrieve each entry point in the content directory to confirm a specific broadcast service, and initially set a specific service based on the entry point information, the demand-oriented content distribution system is very inconvenient. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention provides a content distribution system and method. A content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one content source end and at least one content use end. The content source includes a service advertisement channel (Channe 1) and a content delivery channel. The content source provides services to the service advertising channel and provides content to the content delivery channel. Content Use the end face to connect to the content source, and obtain the service fund from the service advertising channel.

0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANHOU.ptd Page 6 1258994 V. Invention Description (2) 汛, and play a content item specified in the content according to the service information. According to the content distribution method of the embodiment of the present invention, a content source is used for a content source, wherein the content source includes a service advertisement channel 2, and the content source provides service information to the service. Channel Y and provide content to the content delivery channel. The content usage end is served by the service: the frequency of the service is obtained. The content user specifies a content item from the content according to the service information, and plays the content item. The above method of the present invention can be recorded in a physical code by a physical code. When the field code is loaded and executed, the machine becomes a device for implementing the present invention. The above described objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the aspects of the appended claims. [Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inner valley distribution system 1 〇 includes at least one content source end and at least one content end. The content distribution system 丨00 can be a multimedia broadcast system. In Fig. 1, the content distribution system 两个 includes two content source terminals (1 1 〇盥 2 〇) and two content usage terminals (130 and 140). The content source end provides, β content items (111 and 112), and the content source end 12 provides a content page 121. The inner valley item in the valley source is broadcasted to the inner valley using a home network. (13〇 and 14〇). These content items can be accessed by a variety of devices or applications, such as digital audio/video/television/mirror television reception, audio and video capture cards, webcam, jukebox applications and photography.

1258994 丨· 丨丨 -丨· i, description of the invention (3) ‘provided by the recorder, etc. The content source provides the content I & broadcast service including content delivery to the content user. Multi-media (Back Service, 告, and post-service control transfer (MU, lTiCast) to transmit multimedia ☆ ☆ media broadcast service using multi-point source does not need to know the internal - each to the content use end. The skirt does not need to know the content source end, and the content uses the content that is transmitted by the content source. The valley user can receive and broadcast the three channels provided in the embodiment of the invention, and the post service control channel ( Service service advertising channel, content is a built-in Internet communication protocol (ίρ) ^ No ^: service advertising channel multimedia broadcasting service. Content source ^ group, used to advertise the multimedia content of the content item = to provide Any device of interest, 苴中,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, The content user can also use the Internet Protocol to get more information. The multimedia broadcast service information of all content sources. The voice information includes the content source and the current broadcast. Content, Interpretation, _Metadata, format and identification code, and individual content items, etc. The content delivery channel is selected by the content source. ^ One of the buccal Internet Protocol Multicast Group. Content source=mixes different content items into the content delivery channel, and the content 'make ^ ^ can use the multimedia broadcast service information to filter and specify specific content ^ mouth

0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANHQU.ptd Page 81258994 V. Description of the invention (4^一•目. The post-service control channel is the _link-knot between the source of the content and the content usage end, A device for controlling the content provided on the content source. It is worth noting that 'different devices may have different control methods, and the corresponding control agreement will be specified and specified in the service advertisement. It is worth noting that the content usage end It can be a Dummy playback device for receiving and playing content by the content delivery channel. In addition, the content usage end can also be used as an active content usage terminal for controlling the multimedia broadcast service and corresponding through the post service control channel. Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the content distribution method of the source end according to the content of the embodiment of the present invention. In step S20 1, the content source end lists the content device thereon, and as determined in step S20 2 Whether the status of the individual device is shareable. Step S 2 0 3 'Initialize the multimedia broadcast service, and add all the shareable content to the service. Step S 2 0 4, generating an identification code for identifying the individual content item and the source of the content. If step S2 〇 5, using the Internet Protocol Multicast mechanism to participate in the (J 0 in ) service advertisement channel, and as in step S 2 0 6 'Get the service information from the service advertisement channel. If step s 2 〇7, check whether there is the same identification code. If there is the same discrimination, the six steps back to step S204 to generate another identification version. The horse 'wins the alpha 啷蝎. If you want, , / ^ 士 ' stomach identification code, as in step S208, provide service resources __ wood' has a presence, where the service information includes the content source, the destination = To the service advertisement frequency g full release tribute, format and identification code, as well as individual content, broadcast, and other information. In step S209, the process of processing the multimedia broadcast service 1 control channel brother 3 is a flow chart display basis The content of the invention of the invention 1

Ι^ηΊ 0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANHOU.ptd Page 91258994 Description of the main invention (5), multimedia broadcast service processing on the source side. Content provision on each source ('. Step S3 0 1, the inner channel is determined. In step S302, it is determined that the right two-point transmission) to the content delivery frequency application is from the content source, and any application input is received. Rounding, as in step S3 0 3, processing the application and J has received the application ςςη7 The service has expired or needs to be updated, such as burdock, update service information, and provide updated = ν advertise channel. In addition, you can set a new;;:;:= service information. It is worth noting that if the post-service update becomes a specific content item, the new content can be provided with the internal system to be changed, and the service is updated according to the change. If the second step is reached, the media broadcast service has already been or needs to be suspended. Phonetic, judging the suspension of multiple broadcast services can be controlled by the active content user or = multimedia. If the multimedia broadcast service does not need to be aborted, the process returns to 3 〇 1. If the multimedia broadcast service has already or needs to be suspended, 'Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the implementation of the content according to the present invention. Valley make

m 0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANHOU.ptd Page 101258994 *------- V. Invention Description (6) • As step S4G1, use the Internet Communication Association (1), point Conveyor, plus service advertising channel, and as in step ^ ς 4 nά to i good service. In step _, the multimedia broadcast service provides a step S404, the multimedia broadcast service selects a specific =, and if the second is 5, the selected content item is played. It is worth noting: Member = 丄: Dan Yuan: This specific content item can be specified and filtered out by the service information, and the content usage end is set to play. In step S406, it is determined whether any input has been received. The flowchart is a flow chart showing an input check method at the content usage end according to an embodiment of the present invention. As in step 35〇1, it is judged whether or not there is a round-in that is received at the content use end. If there is an entry for the content usage end, as in step S52, the input is processed. If the input of the internal end is not received, as in step S5〇3, it is judged whether any input regarding the source of the content is received. If there is a round-robin regarding the source of the content, as in step S5 04, the input is processed through the post-service control channel and the content source. If no input is received about the source of the content, the process ends. The succession is shown in Figure 4, as in step 84 〇 7, to determine whether the current content needs to be played. If you want to continue playing, the rogue goes back to step §4 〇 5. For example, if you do not need to play the performance, as in step 84〇8, judge whether the content end has been aborted. If the content usage end is not aborted, the flow returns to step S4〇3. If the content consumer has been aborted, the process ends. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a multimedia broadcast service through a home network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A content source 6 provides a multimedia service to the content usage terminal 6 2 〇, 6 3 丨〇 through a home network 650

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- V. Invention Description (7) Wide 6:0 Content 61: ί End 61 There are two devices to provide digital audio and video respectively ί: :: Two-line TV content 612. Content source (4). The network 6: : multicast mechanism is used to provide digital audio and video broadcast content: ,,, and the service information of the television content 612 is displayed on the service advertisement channel 661. To the knife network communication protocol multicast channel 6 6 2 and 6 63 ). Content usage end! With 2(8)〇 and 6 3 0) can be (inside; ^容\频源^610 receiving and playing digital audio and video broadcast content 6ιι 2 and 3 (6 3 0 and 640) can be used by content to use - and wood source And the receiving and playing cable f f 612. The content using terminal 2 (63〇) can be an active content using end to transmit the request by the post-transmission service control channel 6 64 to control the content source 钿 610. Therefore, the content Using terminal 2 (63〇), one of the control protocols specified in the service information can be used to change the channel of the digital source device on the content source 61, and even turn off the digital video broadcasting device. Let s 2 ( 630 ) change the digit When the channel of the AV broadcaster is used, the content use terminal 1 (6 2 0) will receive and play the new content seamlessly (non-disruptively). When the content use terminal 2 (6 3 0) turns off the content source 6 1 When the online TV line is set up, the multimedia broadcast service of the content source 610 will immediately advertise new service information in the service wide channel. The content usage terminal 2盥3/63〇盥•4.) can be received immediately. The latest service information, and then learned that cable TV broadcasts were suspended relevant information. Therefore, the content usage terminals 2 and "o" can operate normally. For example, the content usage terminal 2 (6 3 〇) can suspend the playback of the cable television content 612, and the content usage terminal 3 (64 〇) can be re-executed. Service choice.

1258994 Description of invention (8). The present invention, methods and systems, or specific types or portions thereof, may be privately typed, included in physical media, such as floppy disks, , , machine readable (eg, repeatable read and write), storage L When it is loaded and executed by a machine, ..., the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. The method and the code pattern of the present invention transmit through any transmission medium, such as a power transmission mode, wherein when the process j ', Cheng or 疋 receives, loads and executes, the machine cries incorrectly. & $ machine, such as computer. When used in the general sense:;;; = participate in the invention of the skirt | an operation similar to the application specific logic completion, code combined with the processor provided although the invention has been Unique device.仏 本 本 本 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏 仏Defining the garden 4 protection of the invention

0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANH〇U.ptd 1258994 Brief Description of the Drawing - [Simplified Description of the Drawing] _ Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing a content distribution method of a source according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a multimedia broadcast service processing method on the source side of the content according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the content acquisition method of the content use side according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing an input check method on the content use side according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a multimedia broadcast service through a home network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Main component symbol description] I 0 0~ content distribution system; II 0, 1 2 0~ content source; 111, 11 2, 1 2 1~ content item; 130, 140~ content use end; 1 6 0~ family Network; • S201, S2 0 2 .....S210 ~ operation steps; S301, S3 0 2 .....S3 0 8~ operation steps; S401, S40 2 .....S408~ operation steps; S501, S5 0 2 .....S5 04~ operation steps; 6 1 0~ content source end;

0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANHOU.ptd Page 141258994 Schematic description ~ 6 1 1~ digital audio and video broadcast content; 6 1 2~ cable TV content; 620, 630, 640~ content Use side; 6 5 0 ~ home network; 6 6 1 ~ service advertising channel; 662, 663 ~ content delivery channel; 6 6 4 ~ after service control channel.

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Claims (1)

1258994 Sixth, the scope of the patent application is one less than one within, for 1. to the channel to accommodate the content in at least one of the service advertising channel capacity specified in the content of the content φ control frequency 3. The content 4. The content control frequency 5. The content is sent to the channel 6. • Specify the content to pass the 7. The content control frequency 2. If you apply to use the channel to control the content of the distribution source, provide the service channel capacity to use the content of the project patent The system includes: a terminal, including a service advertisement channel and a content delivery and providing an internal patent application system, such as applying for the use of the end channel to change the patent scope of the application source, The information is transmitted to the service advertisement channel; and the end is coupled to the source of the content for use by the service information, and is played by the service according to the service information. The content distribution system of item 1, wherein the content usage end and the content source end are one of the source terminals. The content distribution system of item 1, wherein the content item is mixed with a second content item. The content distribution system of item 3, wherein the first content item on the source end is between the content usage end and the content source end. The content distribution system of claim 4, wherein the first content item is changed to the content distribution system as described in claim 5, wherein the content usage end of the first content item is further received. The first content item is changed with the play. The content distribution system of claim 3, wherein the user end suspends the first content item on the content source by using the content usage end and the content source end. 0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANHOU.ptd Page 16 1258994 0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANHOU.ptd Page 17 1258994 VI. Patent application scope, one of the control channels to control the source of the content. The content distribution method of claim 13 further includes mixing a first content item and a second content item into the content, and providing the mixed content to the content delivery channel. The content distribution method of claim 15, further comprising changing the content on the source of the content by using the content control end and the content control end of the content source end A content item. 1 7. The content distribution method according to claim 16 of the patent application scope, further comprising providing the changed content item to the internal content delivery channel by the content source end. The content distribution method of claim 17, further comprising receiving and playing the changed first content item by the content user end that specifies the first content item. The method for allocating content according to Item 15 of the patent application scope, further comprising: stopping, by the content use end, a control channel on the content source end by using the content control end and the content source end A content item. The content distribution method as described in claim 19, further comprising providing the updated service information related to the suspension of the first content item to the service advertisement channel by the content source. • 2 1. The content distribution method as described in claim 20, further comprising stopping the playing of the first content item by specifying the content usage end of the first content item. 2 2. The content distribution method according to claim 13 of the patent application scope, further comprising broadcasting the content to the content through a home network by the content source end 0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANHOU.ptd Page 18 1258994 VI. Scope of Application Patent 1). _ 2 3. The content distribution method as described in claim 22, wherein the service information includes information about the source of the content and the current broadcast content. 2 4. The content distribution method according to item 23 of the patent application scope, wherein the service information further includes control channel information of the individual content. 0599-A40433TWF(N2);2005-02-TW;YIANHOU.ptd Page 19