WO2006088181A1

WO2006088181A1 - Streaming delivery system and relay center used therein

Info

Publication number: WO2006088181A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/302950
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masahiro Hirono; Hideatsu Aoki
Original assignee: Masahiro Hirono; Hideatsu Aoki
Priority date: 2005-02-18
Filing date: 2006-02-20
Publication date: 2006-08-24

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a streaming delivery system and a relay center used therein. They are capable of reducing the loss and delay of communication data, providing a bilateral communication in which the reproduction quality and real time characteristic are high at the delivery destination, and further flexibly changing the delivery sources and delivery destinations in accordance with the needs. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A streaming delivery system (10) comprises a single delivery client (12) that can be arbitrarily selected from among a plurality of clients (CL); a plurality of receiving clients (14) that are other than the delivery client (12) and that are capable of a unicast transmission of the data of the receiving ends, which receives video, audio and so on, to the delivery client (12); and a relay center (16) that is capable of a unicast reception of the delivery data, such as motion picture, from the delivery client (12), while being capable of a multicast delivery of the unicast-received delivery data to the plurality of receiving clients (14) via an IP network (38) having a multicast function.

Description

Streaming distribution system and relay center used in the same

The present invention relates to a streaming distribution system capable of distributing distribution data such as moving images to a plurality of clients, and a relay center used therefor.

Background art

[0002] Conventionally, streaming distribution systems that can distribute distribution data such as moving images to a plurality of clients are widely known.

[0003] For example, the learning supplementary institution virtual learning system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a server capable of distributing class data and a plurality of student terminals connected to the sano via the Internet. As a result, class data can be streamed to multiple students, and two-way communication is possible between the server and students.

[0004] According to this learning supplementary institution virtual learning system, a student can attend a normal class without going to school, and can ask questions about unclear points.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-139986

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] By the way, in such a streaming distribution system, it is necessary to transmit and receive an enormous amount of data such as moving images via a network. In the conventional streaming distribution system, the loss or delay of communication data due to an increase in traffic volume. There have been problems such as poor playback quality at distribution destinations that are prone to occurrence and time lag between distribution sources and distribution destinations. In addition, the distribution source and distribution destination are fixed, and it is difficult to change the distribution source and distribution destination according to the needs.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and it is possible to reduce communication data loss and delay, and to perform two-way communication with high reproduction quality and high real-time performance at the delivery destination. In addition, the aim is to provide a streaming distribution system that can flexibly change the distribution source and distribution destination according to the needs, and a relay center used for this. Target.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] The present invention comprises one distribution client that can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of clients, and the plurality of clients excluding the distribution client, and receives data on the receiving side such as video and audio to the distribution client. A receiving client that can perform a multicast transmission, and can receive the distribution data such as a moving image from the distribution client via the IP network having a multicast function. A streaming distribution system including a relay center capable of multicast distribution to a plurality of receiving clients.

[0008] In addition, "cast transmission (or reception)" according to the present invention refers to one distribution client and one by one-to-one (point-to-point) data communication in IP (Internet Protocol) communication. Sending (or receiving) packets between two receiving clients.

[0009] Furthermore, "multicast distribution" according to the present invention means that data of the same content is transmitted at once from a single distribution client to a plurality of reception clients by a single packet. For example, IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) or MLD (Multicast Listener Discovery) can be applied as the multicast distribution protocol.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the traffic volume as compared with a conventional streaming distribution system. As a result, communication data loss and delay can be reduced, and bi-directional communication with high playback quality and real-time performance at the delivery destination is possible. In addition, it is possible to flexibly change the distribution source and distribution destination according to the needs, and it is possible to use existing network services represented by the Internet, thereby suppressing an increase in initial investment and running costs. can do.

[0011] Note that, if the receiving client can send the receiving side data to the distribution client via the relay center, the receiving client can grasp the contents of the receiving side data at the center! For example, it is possible to adjust the amount of traffic on the receiving side data or to authenticate the receiving side data at the relay center.

[0012] Further, in the IPv6 network using the IP network power IPv6 protocol having the multicast function, If so, multicast is much easier to use than the IPv4 network because its own multicast address that is not batting with others is predefined. As a result, transmission data transfer delay and deterioration in the IP network can be greatly reduced, and high-quality video and audio can be distributed in real-time stably. In particular, if the IP network with the multicast function is a regional IPv6 network, the routing destination in the IP network is limited, so the number of routers through which distribution data and receiving data pass can be reduced, and the data by routing can be reduced. Deterioration can be reduced. In addition, since the IPv6 network can improve the confidentiality of the IP network, it is possible to prevent the distribution data such as video and audio from being intercepted by a third party, and to further improve the reliability of the streaming distribution system. Can be built.

[0013] Further, if transmission / reception of the distribution data and reception side data between the distribution client, the reception client, and the relay center is performed via an IPv6 network using an IPv6 protocol, Not only the distribution data but also the delay and deterioration of the transfer of the receiving side data can be greatly reduced, and the confidentiality of the receiving side data can be greatly improved, and the reliability can be further improved. However, compared to conventional streaming distribution systems using the IPv4 network, it is possible to obtain a global address at a low cost and easily, and it is possible to avoid the disadvantages of wasteful cost and labor for obtaining the address.

[0014] Further, if the distribution client is provided with a protocol conversion device that converts between the IPv4 protocol and the IPv6 protocol, the protocol can be changed according to the specifications of the IP network to which the distribution client is connected. Therefore, it is possible to construct a streaming distribution system with excellent flexibility and convenience without being limited to the specifications of the connected IP network.

[0015] In addition, the distribution client circulates each receiving client every predetermined time, and if the receiving side data can be acquired every predetermined time, the distribution client always grasps the status of a plurality of receiving clients. In addition, the amount of traffic can be reduced compared to when receiving data is received from multiple receiving clients at once.

[0016] Furthermore, if the distribution client can select a specific reception client from among the plurality of reception clients and can acquire the reception-side data in the specific reception client, it is desirable. Pinpoint the status of incoming clients Togashi.

[0017] Furthermore, if the distribution center includes a plurality of distribution groups including the distribution client and the plurality of receiving clients, and the relay center is configured to be sharable by the plurality of distribution groups, a plurality of the distribution groups are provided. Can share a relay center, and can effectively use limited resources.

[0018] Further, if each of the distribution groups belongs to a different network that is blocked, the confidentiality of the communication contents in each of the distribution groups can be enhanced.

[0019] Furthermore, if a reservation unit capable of making a reservation for use of the relay center by the distribution group is provided, the convenience of using the relay center can be enhanced.

[0020] Furthermore, the relay center has recording means capable of recording the distribution data received from the distribution client, and the distribution data recorded by the recording means is received by the receiving client. If multicast distribution is possible, the receiving client can receive the distribution data from the distribution client whenever necessary.

[0021] The distribution client and the receiving client include, for example, a company consisting of a head office and a branch office or a branch office, a school consisting of a main school and various school buildings, a religious corporation consisting of a base and a local base, a head office and a branch. It consists of a dealership, a demonstration venue where performances and plays are performed, and a demonstration distribution group that is the receiving venue that receives the performances.

[0022] Further, distribution data such as a moving image can be received from a distribution client via multicast and the distribution data received by multicast can be distributed to a plurality of reception clients via an IP network having a multicast function. At the same time, a relay center that allows the distribution client to receive the receiving side data such as video and audio at each receiving client can reduce the loss and delay of communication data and reproduce at the distribution destination. Two-way communication with high quality and real-time capability is possible.

[0023] If the receiving side data is unicast-received and the receiving-side data received by unicast can be unicast-transmitted to the distribution client, the contents of the receiving side data are grasped at the center. For example, at the relay center It is possible to adjust the amount of traffic on the receiving side data and to authenticate the receiving side data.

The invention's effect

According to the streaming distribution system and the relay center used therefor according to the present invention, communication data loss and delay can be reduced, and bidirectional communication with high reproduction quality and real-time performance at the distribution destination is possible. The distribution source and distribution destination can be flexibly changed according to the needs.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, the streaming delivery system 10 according to the example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the streaming distribution system 10, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the distribution client, the reception client, and the relay center in the streaming distribution system 10.

[0026] This streaming distribution system 10 includes one distribution client 12 that can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality (four in the first embodiment) of client CL and a plurality of clients CL excluding the distribution client 12. The receiving client 14 and the relay center 16 are configured.

[0027] The distribution client 12 and the reception client 14 are a camera 18, a distribution machine 22 capable of encoding a moving image captured by the camera 18 into an MPEG format (for example, MPEG4), and generating distribution data, and an IPv4 protocol. And a protocol conversion device 23 that mutually converts the IPv6 protocol, a monitor PC 24 for viewing received images such as moving images, and a web camera 26.

[0028] Each client CL according to the example of the present embodiment is configured to have both functions of distribution data distribution and reception side data reception. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when only receiving functions for receiving data are provided, distribution facilities such as the camera 18 and the distribution machine 22 are unnecessary. That is, the “streaming distribution system” according to the present invention only needs to have at least one client capable of distributing distribution data.

[0029] Depending on the specifications of the network to be connected, the protocol converter 23 is not necessary. Furthermore, a TV or a projector can be applied instead of the monitor PC 24. It is also possible to apply a videophone or the like instead of the Web camera 26 (or together with the Web camera 26).

The relay center 16 includes a service server 30 and a gateway 32.

[0031] The service server 30 is connected to the Internet 28 via the switch 34, and is connected to an IP network 38 having a multicast function via a protocol gateway 36. Examples of the IP network 38 having a multicast function include a regional IP network such as NTT's FLET'S (trademark) network.

[0032] Here, considering the reduction of communication data loss, secrecy, and cost reduction, the protocol of each network is preferably the IPv6 protocol for both the Internet 28 and the IP network 38. In addition to this, the Internet 28 and the IP network 38 are both IPv4 protocol, the Internet 28 is the IPv4 protocol, the IP network 38 is the IPv6 protocol, the Internet 28 is the IPv6 protocol, and the IP network 38 is the IPv4 protocol. Combinations of these are also possible.

[0033] The protocol gateway 36 is a gateway arranged to eliminate restrictions on the protocol in the line. For example, the protocol gateway 36 supports the protocol at the OS level on the service server 30 side. In some cases, it cannot be implemented in the service server 30! /, And is used for protocol conversion.

[0034] The transmission side of the distribution client 12 and the reception side of each reception client 14 are connected via this service server 30, and the relay center 16 receives distribution data such as videos from one distribution client 12. -In addition to receiving the cast, the distribution data received by the cast is encrypted, and then multicast distributed to a plurality of receiving clients 14 via the IP network 38. Each receiving client 14 that has received the distribution data decrypts the distribution data and then displays the video on the monitor PC 24.

On the other hand, the transmission side of the reception client 14 and the reception side of the distribution client 12 are connected via the gateway 32, and the relay center 16 receives reception side data such as video and audio from each reception client 14. Receive a cast. The gateway 32 then receives After the data is authenticated, the receiver side data is casted to the distribution client 12 with predetermined information added. The distribution client 12 performs filtering using predetermined information added to the reception side data in the router 15 and receives only the reception side data that has passed this filtering.

[0036] Although the relay center 16 according to the example of the present embodiment authenticates the receiving side data at the gateway 32, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, If VPN (Virtual Private Network) is applied to the connection between the sending side of the receiving client 14 and the receiving side of the distribution client 12, authentication of the receiving side data at the gateway 32 is unnecessary.

Further, the distribution client 12 is configured to receive the receiving side data of each receiving client 14 via the gateway 32 of the relay center 16, but the present invention is not limited to this. The distribution client 12 may be configured to acquire the address information of each receiving client from the relay center 16, and the distribution client 12 may receive the receiving side data of each receiving client 14 directly via the Internet 28. . In other words, the relay center according to the present invention is not limited as long as the distribution client 12 can receive the reception side data such as video and audio in each reception client 14 in a multicast manner.

[0038] Further, the distribution client 12 circulates each receiving client 14 at predetermined time intervals, and receives data received by the Web camera 26 of each receiving client 14 such as video and audio at a predetermined time. It is possible to view the video and audio of multiple receiving clients 14 simultaneously in a time-sharing manner using a browser or the like that is configured to receive multicast and is pre-installed on the monitor PC 24. Further, the distribution client 12 can select a specific reception client 14 from among a plurality of reception clients CL, and can also acquire reception side data in this specific reception client.

[0039] According to the streaming delivery system 10 according to the example of the present embodiment, the streaming delivery system 10 includes one delivery client 12 that can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of clients CL, and a plurality of clients CL excluding the delivery client 12. In addition, the receiving client 14 that can send the receiving data such as video and audio to the distributing client 12 and the distribution client 12 can receive the distribution data such as the moving image and also receive the received data. It has a relay center 16 that can distribute distribution data to multiple receiving clients 14 via an IP network 38 that has a multicast function, so that the amount of traffic can be significantly reduced compared to conventional streaming distribution systems. Can do. For this reason, communication data loss and delay can be reduced, and bi-directional communication with high playback quality and real-time performance at the delivery destination is possible.

[0040] Table 1 below shows a performance comparison between the streaming distribution system according to the present invention and a conventional video distribution system.

[0041] [Table 1]

[0042] For example, a conventional satellite distribution system was capable of video distribution at a bit rate of 1.5 to 3 Mbps in MPEG2 compression format, 128 to 512 kbps at most in a video conference system, and 384 k to 2 Mbps in a VOD. According to the performance test of the inventor of the present invention, the streaming distribution system 10 of the present embodiment is capable of high-quality video distribution at a bit rate of about 4 Mbps (MPEG2 equivalent), which is superior to these. For this reason, a delay of about several tens of seconds to several minutes occurs in a conventional streaming distribution system, whereas in the streaming distribution system 10 of the present embodiment, the delay can be suppressed to about several seconds, which is unprecedented. High definition and large screen video can be distributed.

[0043] Further, the streaming distribution system 10 of the present embodiment can flexibly change the distribution source and the distribution destination according to the needs, and can use an existing network service represented by the Internet. Therefore, for example, compared with a conventional satellite distribution system that costs 100 million units to build a distribution base, playback quality and real-time performance that are equal to or better than the satellite distribution system with much lower initial investment and running cost And cheap It is possible to obtain integrity.

[0044] In addition, since the receiving client 14 can transmit the receiving side data to the distribution client 12 via the relay center 16, the receiving center 14 grasps the contents of the receiving side data at the intermediate center 16. For example, the traffic volume of the reception side data can be adjusted at the relay center 16 or the reception side data can be authenticated.

[0045] In addition, an IP network having a multicast function 38 IPv6 network that uses the IPv6 protocol has its own multicast address that is not batted with others, so multicast is significantly more efficient than the IPv4 network. It becomes easy to use. As a result, transmission data transfer delay and degradation in the IP network can be greatly reduced, and high-quality video and audio can be distributed in real time stably. In particular, if the IP network having the multicast function is a local IPv6 network, the routing destination in the IP network is limited, so that the number of routers through which the distribution data and receiving side data pass can be reduced, and the routing data can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the deterioration of the data.

[0046] Also, in the IPv6 network, since the confidentiality of the IP network can be increased, it is possible to prevent the distribution data such as video and audio from being eavesdropped by a third party, and a more reliable streaming distribution system. Can build 10. In particular, in the present embodiment, the distribution data encrypted by the relay center 16 is further encrypted by the IPv6 network, so that the secrecy can be further improved.

[0047] Furthermore, since transmission / reception of distribution data and reception side data among the distribution client 12, the reception client 14, and the relay center 16 can be performed via an IPv6 network using the IPv6 protocol, distribution is possible. Not only the data but also the delay and deterioration of the transfer of the receiving side data can be greatly reduced, and the confidentiality of the receiving side data can be improved and the reliability can be further improved. Compared to the conventional streaming delivery system using IPv4 network, the global address can be obtained easily and at a low cost, and it is possible to avoid the disadvantages of wasteful expense and labor for obtaining the address. .

[0048] Also, since the distribution client 12 has a protocol conversion device that converts the IPv4 protocol and the IPv6 protocol to each other, the protocol can be changed according to the specifications of the Internet 28 to which the distribution client 12 is connected. And build a streaming delivery system with excellent flexibility and convenience that is not limited to the specifications of the connected Internet 28 be able to.

[0049] The distribution client 12 circulates each receiving client 14 every predetermined time and can acquire the receiving side data every predetermined time. In addition, the amount of traffic can be reduced as compared with the case where data on the receiving side is obtained from a plurality of receiving clients 14 at once.

[0050] Furthermore, since the distribution client 12 can select a specific reception client from the plurality of reception clients 14, and can acquire the receiving side data in the specific reception client, the distribution client 12 can obtain a desired reception client. The situation can be pinpointed.

Note that the streaming distribution system according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the streaming distribution system 10 according to the example of the embodiment.

Therefore, for example, the encoding format of the distribution data is not limited to MPEG. For example, after the distribution data is encoded into the DV (Digital Video) data format, multicast distribution is performed to each receiving client 14 by the DVo verlP method. You may make it do. “DV data” refers to data such as video generated by video compression technology based on discrete cosine transform and entropy coding, and “DVoverIP method” stores DV data in IP packets. In addition, it refers to a method of transferring over the high-speed Internet, and DVTS (Digital Video Transport System) can be applied as software for realizing DVoverl P.

The relay center 16 includes the service server 30 and the gateway 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the relay center 16 is connected to the distribution client 12. In this case, the distribution client 12 may be configured to be able to record the distribution data recorded by the recording means to the receiving client 14 by multicast distribution. The receiving client 14 can receive this delivery data whenever necessary.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of distribution groups GP (two in this example, GP1 and GP2) including a distribution client 12 and a plurality of reception clients 14 are provided, and the relay center 16 has a plurality of distributions. If it is configured so that it can be shared by groups GP1 and GP2, The relay group 16 can be shared by the trust groups GP1 and GP2, and the limited hardware resources can be used effectively.

[0055] Further, if a plurality of distribution groups GP1 and GP2 belong to different blocked networks (for example, VPN), the confidentiality of communication contents in each distribution group GP1 and GP2 can be increased. . If the service server 30 of the relay center 16 performs authentication management of the distribution data of each distribution group GP1 and GP2, and the gateway 32 performs authentication management of the reception side data of each distribution group GP1 and GP2, The confidentiality of the communication contents in distribution groups GP1 and GP2 can be further increased.

[0056] Furthermore, if a reservation means that can make a use reservation of the relay center 16 by the distribution groups GP1 and GP2 is provided, the convenience of using the relay center 16 can be improved. Note that the reservation means includes, for example, an application server that accepts and manages reservations via a browser, etc., and the connection permission between the distribution groups GP 1 and GP 2 and the relay center 16 in cooperation with this application server. It can be configured with a database server that controls permissions.

Next, Embodiments 1 to 5 of the streaming distribution system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

Example 1

FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment in which the head office 50 of the company is applied as the distribution client according to the present invention, and the branch office (or branch) 52 is applied as the receiving client according to the present invention. For convenience of explanation, illustration of the relay center is omitted (the same applies to the following embodiments).

[0059] The streaming distribution system according to the first embodiment can be applied to, for example, in-house training, meetings, morning meetings, etc. in a company. FIG. 5 shows a specific example in which the streaming distribution system according to the first embodiment is applied to a meeting between the head office and each branch office A, B, and C.

[0060] According to the streaming distribution system according to the first embodiment, wasteful travel time and travel expenses that do not require the employee to move from the branch office 52 to the head office 50 during in-house training, meetings, morning meetings, etc. In addition to savings, headquarters 50 does not need to provide space to accommodate employees.

[0061] Further, the streaming distribution system according to the present invention is capable of bidirectional communication with high real-time characteristics. As a result, information can be shared and awareness can be shared between employees at the head office 50 and employees at the branch office 52, and productivity of the entire company can be improved.

[0062] Furthermore, when the streaming distribution system according to the first embodiment is applied to in-house training, the instructor can unify the training contents throughout the company, and the gap between the head office 50 and the branch office 52 can be eliminated. it can.

Example 2

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment in which the main school 60 of the school is applied as the distribution client according to the present invention, and the school buildings 62 in various places are applied as the receiving client according to the present invention.

[0064] The streaming distribution system according to the second embodiment can be applied to distribution of classes at various schools (qualification schools, preparation schools, universities, etc.), for example. Figure 7 shows a specific example in which the streaming distribution system according to the second embodiment is applied to a university class.

[0065] According to the streaming distribution system according to the second embodiment, a class of a highly capable instructor can be taken not only at the main school 60 but also at the school buildings 62 in various places, and the instructor and class content can be unified throughout the school. It is possible to eliminate the gap between the main school 60 and the school buildings 62 in each region.

[0066] In the second embodiment, an example in which a streaming distribution system is constructed between the main school and each school building is shown, but the streaming distribution system according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a streaming distribution system may be constructed between a school (or cram school) and a student (end user).

Example 3

[0067] Fig. 8 shows a third embodiment in which the base 70 of a religious corporation is applied as a distribution client according to the present invention, and a local base 72 such as a temple or a temple is applied as a receiving client according to the present invention. is there.

[0068] The streaming distribution system according to the third embodiment can be applied to, for example, the distribution of a guru, a lawyer's sermon, and a legal story at the headquarters 70. Fig. 9 shows a specific example in which the streaming distribution system according to the third embodiment is applied to the sermons of the guru and the lawyer.

[0069] According to the streaming distribution system according to the third embodiment, it is possible to distribute preaching and narratives with a high sense of realism, which is high in reproduction quality. Can be obtained. [0070] In the third embodiment, an example in which the streaming distribution system is constructed between the headquarters and the local base has been shown. However, the streaming distribution system according to the present invention is not limited to this, for example. It is also possible to construct a streaming distribution system between the headquarters (or local base) and followers (end users).

Example 4

[0071] Fig. 10 shows a fourth embodiment in which a dealer headquarter 80 such as a car or a house is applied as a distribution client according to the present invention, and a dealer 82 in each place is applied as a receiving client according to the present invention. is there.

[0072] The streaming distribution system according to the fourth embodiment can hold business talks and conferences between the dealer head office 80 and the dealers 82 in various places, for example. FIG. 11 shows a specific example in which the streaming distribution system according to the fourth embodiment is applied to a car negotiation.

[0073] According to the streaming distribution system according to the fourth embodiment, it is not necessary to place specialists at dealerships 82 in various locations by having highly specialized personnel stationed at the dealership headquarters 80, thereby reducing labor costs. Can be reduced. In addition, the dealer headquarters 80 can grasp the voices of end users at dealers 82 in various locations.

Example 5

[0074] FIG. 12 shows an implementation in which a demonstration venue 90 where performances and plays are performed is applied as a distribution client according to the present invention, and a reception venue 92 that receives a demonstration as a reception client according to the present invention is applied. Example 5 is shown.

The streaming distribution system according to the fifth embodiment can distribute demonstration videos such as performances, plays, movies, and entertainment from the demonstration hall 90 to the reception hall 92.

[0076] With the streaming distribution system according to the fifth embodiment, demonstrations that can only be seen at a specific place can be seen at a plurality of reception venues 92. If the reception venue 92 is a store such as a coffee shop or tavern, a live house, or a parking lot, the rate of attracting customers can be increased.

[0077] The streaming distribution system according to the present invention is not limited to the streaming distribution system according to the first to fifth embodiments. For example, in the streaming distribution system according to the fourth embodiment, the local distributors 82 As one of the distribution clients and sales The head office 80 can be used as a receiving client.

[0078] In addition, the distribution client and the receiving client are a head office and a branch office or a branch office company, a school consisting of the main school and various school buildings, a religious corporation consisting of a headquarters and a local base, a sales office consisting of a head office and a branch In addition, although an example in which a demonstration venue where performances such as performances and plays are performed and a demonstration distribution group consisting of reception venues that receive the performances is shown, the present invention is not limited thereto. Absent.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a streaming distribution system according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a distribution client, a reception client, and a relay center in the streaming distribution system.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a streaming distribution system according to another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the streaming distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of communication contents in the streaming distribution system.

FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of a streaming distribution system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of communication contents in the streaming distribution system.

FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram of a streaming distribution system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of communication contents in the streaming distribution system.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a streaming distribution system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of communication contents in the streaming distribution system.

FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram of a streaming distribution system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Explanation of symbols

[0080] CL ... Client

10 ··· Streaming distribution system

12 ··· Delivery client

14 ... Receiving client · · · Relay Center

· "Camera

... Delivery machine

··· Protocol converter ··· PC for monitoring •• Web camera

· "Internet 'Service Server" Gateway

· "Switch

··· Protocone Gateway · '• IP network

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] One delivery client that can be arbitrarily selected from multiple clients,

Consists of the plurality of clients excluding the distribution client, and can receive and receive distribution data such as video from the distribution client. As well as

A relay center capable of multicast distribution of the distribution data received by the multicast to the plurality of receiving clients via an IP network having a multicast function;

A streaming distribution system characterized by comprising:

[2] In claim 1,

The streaming distribution system characterized in that the receiving client is able to cast-transmit the receiving side data to the distribution client via the relay center.

[3] In claim 1 or 2,

The streaming distribution system, wherein the IP network having the multicast function is an IPv6 network using an IPv6 protocol.

[4] In claim 1 or 2,

Transmission and reception of the distribution data and reception side data among the distribution client, the reception client, and the relay center is performed via an IPv6 network using an IPv6 protocol.

[5] In claim 4,

A streaming distribution system, wherein the distribution client includes a protocol conversion device for converting between the IPv4 protocol and the IPv6 protocol.

[6] In any one of claims 1 to 5,

The streaming distribution system, wherein the distribution client can circulate each receiving client every predetermined time and acquire the receiving side data every predetermined time.

[7] In any one of claims 1 to 6,

The distribution client is a specific receiving client among the plurality of receiving clients. A streaming distribution system characterized in that the receiving side data in the specific receiving client can be acquired.

[8] In any one of claims 1 to 7,

A streaming distribution system comprising: a plurality of distribution groups each including the distribution client and a plurality of receiving clients, wherein the relay center is configured to be shared by the plurality of distribution groups.

[9] In claim 8,

A streaming distribution system, wherein each distribution group belongs to a different blocked network.

[10] In claim 8 or 9,

A streaming distribution system, comprising: reservation means capable of making a reservation for use of the relay center by the distribution group.

[11] In any one of claims 1 to 10,

The relay center has recording means capable of recording the distribution data received from the distribution client, and is capable of multicast distribution of the distribution data recorded by the recording means to the receiving client. Streaming スト S system characterized by this.

[12] In any one of claims 1 to 11,

The distribution client and the receiving client are a head office and a branch office or a company that also has branch office power, a school consisting of a main school and various school buildings, a religious corporation such as a headquarters and a local base, a sales office consisting of a head office and a branch office, and A streaming distribution system comprising at least one of a performance venue where performances and performances are performed and a performance distribution group that receives the performance.

[13] In claim 12,

The streaming distribution system, wherein the distribution client includes a head office of the company, and the reception client includes a branch office or a branch of the company.

[14] In claim 12,

The distribution client includes the main school of the school, and the receiving client is the school. Streaming distribution system characterized by including school buildings in various locations in Japan.

[15] In claim 12,

The streaming distribution system, wherein the distribution client includes a base of the religious corporation, and the reception client includes a local base of the religious corporation.

[16] In claim 12,

The streaming distribution system, wherein the distribution client includes a head office of the store, and the reception client includes a branch of the store.

[17] In claim 12,

The streaming distribution system, wherein the distribution client includes a demonstration venue of the demonstration distribution group, and the reception client includes a reception venue of the demonstration distribution group.

[18] The distribution data such as the moving image is received from the distribution client via multicast, and the distribution data received by the multicast can be multicast distributed to a plurality of reception clients via an IP network having a multicast function. The middle center characterized in that the distribution client can receive the receiving side data such as video and audio in each receiving client.

[19] In claim 18,

A relay center, wherein the receiving side data is received by a cast and the receiving side data received by the cast can be sent to the distribution client.

[20] In claim 18 or 19,

The IP center having the multicast function is an IPv6 network using an IPv6 protocol.