WO2011145320A1

WO2011145320A1 - Broadcast-complementing schedule offering apparatus, broadcast complementing system, and broadcast complementing method

Info

Publication number: WO2011145320A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/002705
Authority: WO
Inventors: 昌之馬場; 宣彦中澤; 嘉明加藤; 暁山田; 保静松岡; 智之大矢
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社; 株式会社エヌ・ティ・ティ・ドコモ
Priority date: 2010-05-18
Filing date: 2011-05-16
Publication date: 2011-11-24
Also published as: JPWO2011145320A1; KR20120132562A; CN102948158A; CN102948158B; JP5511946B2; BR112012023986A2; KR101399748B1

Abstract

A broadcast-complementing schedule offering apparatus (5) generates a broadcast complementing schedule that indicates a period of time wherein one or more pieces of content can be downloaded in dispersion from a broadcast complementing apparatus (4) via a communication network (7), by referring to a broadcasting schedule that indicates the broadcasting time of one or more pieces of content, and broadcasts the broadcast complementing schedule to a content reception apparatus (6).

Description

Broadcast complementary schedule provision device, broadcast complementary system and broadcast complementary method

The present invention relates to a broadcast supplement system and a broadcast supplement method including a broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus and a broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus for broadcasting a broadcast supplement schedule indicating a period in which contents can be downloaded from the broadcast supplement apparatus. It is a thing.

In recent years, the fusion of broadcasting and communication has progressed, and when the content receiving apparatus can not normally receive the content broadcasted from the data broadcasting apparatus, the broadcast is performed to download the non-reception part of the content from the server apparatus via the communication network. A complementary system is disclosed in the following patent document 1.
That is, if the content receiving apparatus in the broadcast supplement system can normally receive the content broadcasted from the data broadcasting apparatus, it can reproduce the content normally.
However, depending on the radio wave conditions at the time of receiving the content, etc., the content may not be received properly, and a part of the content may be dropped. In such a case, the content is normally Can not play.

Therefore, when a part of the content is missing, the content receiving apparatus notifies the server apparatus of the missing part (non-receiving part) via the communication network.
When receiving the notification of the non-reception part of the content from the content reception apparatus, the server apparatus transmits the non-reception part to the content reception apparatus via the communication network.
When the content reception device downloads the non-reception part of the content from the server device, it combines the non-reception part with the part that has already been successfully received by broadcasting to construct complete content.

Thereby, the content receiving apparatus can reproduce the content normally, but for example, the content receiving apparatus in a certain area is broadcasted from the data broadcasting apparatus due to deterioration of the radio wave condition due to the weather etc. If a situation where the content can not be received normally has occurred, it is expected that a large number of content receiving devices belonging to the area will simultaneously download the content from the server device. As described above, when a large number of content receiving devices start downloading content at the same time, the traffic on the communication network rapidly increases, causing congestion in the communication network, making it difficult to continue normal communication, and the content The receiving device can not download the content from the server device.
Therefore, in order to distribute the download timings of the content by the many content receiving devices, the many content receiving devices use random number generators to randomly set the start timing of the content download.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2006-165915 (summary)

Since the conventional broadcast supplement system is configured as described above, if a large number of content receiving devices randomly set the download start timing of the content using a random number generator, the downloading by the large number of content receiving devices can be performed. The start timing can be dispersed. However, if multiple contents can not be received normally, downloading of multiple contents may be concentrated within a certain period, and in such a case, network traffic within a certain period may increase rapidly. As a result, congestion in the communication network may occur.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of congestion in a communication network by distributing the download of a plurality of contents even when the plurality of contents can not be received normally. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus, a broadcast supplement system, and a broadcast supplement method that can

A broadcast supplement system according to the present invention comprises a content broadcast apparatus for broadcasting content according to a broadcast schedule indicating broadcast time of content, a broadcast complement apparatus for providing content broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus via a communication network, and the broadcast A broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus that generates a broadcast supplement schedule indicating a period in which one or more contents can be distributed and downloaded from the broadcast supplement apparatus via the communication network with reference to the schedule, and that broadcast supplement schedule is broadcasted If the content receiving apparatus receives the broadcast supplementation schedule broadcasted from the broadcast supplementation schedule providing apparatus and there is a non-reception part that can not normally receive the content broadcasted from the content broadcasting apparatus, the broadcast supplementation schedule is See the above content Specifying a period during which download can be downloaded, and randomly determining when to start downloading within the above period, and downloading the non-reception part of the content from the broadcast complementing device in accordance with the above timing It is.

According to the present invention, the content broadcasting apparatus for broadcasting the content according to the broadcasting schedule indicating the broadcasting time of the content, the broadcast complementing apparatus for providing the content broadcasted from the content broadcasting apparatus via the communication network, and the above broadcasting schedule And a broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus for generating a broadcast supplement schedule indicating a period in which one or more contents can be distributed and downloaded from the broadcast supplement apparatus via the communication network, and the broadcast supplement schedule is broadcasted. If the content receiving apparatus receives the broadcast supplement schedule broadcasted from the broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus and there is a non-reception part that can not normally receive the content broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus, the broadcast supplement schedule is referred to. Download the above content It is configured to randomly determine the timing to start downloading within the above-mentioned period and to download the non-reception part of the content from the broadcast complementing device at the above-mentioned timing. Even when the plurality of contents can not be received normally, the download of the plurality of contents can be distributed to prevent the occurrence of congestion in the communication network.

It is a block diagram which shows the broadcast complementation system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the content receiver of the broadcast complementation system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the content receiving apparatus of the broadcast complementation system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the broadcast complementation schedule provision apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the broadcast complementation schedule provision apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a broadcast schedule and a broadcast complementation schedule. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a broadcast schedule and a broadcast complementation schedule. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a broadcast schedule and a broadcast complementation schedule. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a broadcast schedule and a broadcast complementation schedule. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a broadcast schedule and a broadcast complementation schedule.

Hereinafter, in order to explain the present invention in more detail, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described according to the attached drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a broadcast supplement system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a content server 1 is a server device that stores content for broadcasting.
The program scheduling apparatus 2 is an apparatus for organizing contents to be broadcast, and a process of outputting a broadcast schedule indicating the broadcast time of the contents A to N scheduled to be broadcast to the content broadcast apparatus 3, the broadcast supplement apparatus 4 and the broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus 5. Conduct.

The content broadcasting apparatus 3 refers to the broadcast schedule output from the program scheduling apparatus 2 to acquire contents A to N scheduled to be broadcast from the content server 1 and broadcasts contents A to N scheduled to be broadcasted according to the broadcast schedule Perform the process.
The content broadcasting apparatus 3 broadcasts the contents A to N using broadcast waves by performing protocol processing for broadcasting when the contents A to N to be broadcasted are broadcasted, but any kind of broadcast wave may be used. For example, it may be ground waves or satellite waves.
In the first embodiment, an example in which the content broadcast apparatus 3 broadcasts the contents A to N using a broadcast wave is shown, but the content is multicast using the communication network 7 without using the broadcast wave ( Broadcast).

The broadcast complementing device 4 acquires the contents A to N to be broadcast from the content server 1 and stores the contents A to N, while receiving the content provision request from the content receiving device 6 via the communication network 7 Provided from identification information (for example, program ID (Identification)) of the content included in the provision request and specific information (for example, the number of bytes from the head of the content and the amount of data, etc.) indicating a missing portion in the content A non-reception portion of the content for which the request is desired is identified, and the non-reception portion of the content is distributed to the content reception device 6 via the communication network 7.

The broadcast supplement schedule providing device 5 refers to the broadcast schedule output from the program scheduling device 2 and broadcasts showing periods in which the contents A to N can be distributed and downloaded from the broadcast supplement device 4 via the communication network 7 A process of generating a complementary schedule and broadcasting the broadcast complementary schedule is performed.
When the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 broadcasts the broadcast supplement schedule, the broadcast supplement schedule is broadcasted using the broadcast wave by performing protocol processing for the broadcast, but the type of the broadcast wave is not particularly limited, for example , Or may be satellite waves.
In this first embodiment, an example is shown in which the broadcast supplement schedule providing device 5 broadcasts the broadcast supplement schedule using the broadcast wave, but the broadcast supplement schedule using the communication network 7 without using the broadcast wave. May be multicast (broadcast).

The content receiving device 6 receives the broadcast supplementation schedule broadcasted from the broadcast supplementation schedule providing device 5, and if there is a non-reception part that can not normally receive the content broadcasted from the content broadcasting device 3, refers to the broadcast supplementation schedule. And identify the period during which the content can be downloaded, and randomly determine the timing to start the download within the period, and download the non-reception part of the content from the broadcast complementing device 4 according to the timing. Implement the process.
The communication network 7 is, for example, a network such as the Internet.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which the device on the content providing side is configured of the content server 1, the program scheduling device 2, the content broadcasting device 3, the broadcast supplement device 4 and the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5, but For example, one device having the functions of the content server 1, the program scheduling device 2, the content broadcast device 3, the broadcast supplement device 4, and the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 may be used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the content receiving apparatus 6 of the broadcast supplement system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, the broadcast wave receiver 11 receives a broadcast wave transmitted from the content broadcast apparatus 3 and the broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus 5, and carries out processing to demodulate a content or a broadcast supplement schedule from the broadcast wave.
The broadcast complementation schedule acquisition unit 12 is configured of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, or a one-chip microcomputer, and the broadcast wave receiver 11 when the broadcast complementation schedule is demodulated by the broadcast wave receiver 11. The broadcast supplement schedule is acquired from the above, and the processing to record the broadcast supplement schedule in the internal memory is performed.
The broadcast wave receiver 11 and the broadcast complementary schedule acquiring unit 12 constitute a broadcast complementary schedule acquiring means.

The content acquisition unit 13 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, or a one-chip microcomputer, and when the content is demodulated by the broadcast wave receiver 11, the content is transmitted from the broadcast wave receiver 11. A process of acquiring the content and recording the content in the content recording unit 14 is performed.
The content recording unit 14 is a data recording medium such as a RAM or a hard disk storing content.
The broadcast wave receiver 11, the content acquisition unit 13, and the content recording unit 14 constitute a content reception means.

The normal reception determination unit 15 is formed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, or a one-chip microcomputer, and the content recording unit 14 examines the continuity of the content recorded and the like. A process is performed to determine whether or not normal reception is possible.
For example, the downloadable period specifying unit 16 includes a semiconductor integrated circuit mounted with a CPU, or a one-chip microcomputer, etc., and when it is determined by the normal reception determination unit 15 that the content can not be received normally, With reference to the broadcast supplement schedule acquired by the broadcast supplement schedule acquisition unit 12, processing for specifying a period in which the content can be downloaded is performed.
The normal reception determination unit 15 and the downloadable period specifying unit 16 constitute a downloadable period specifying unit.

The network interface unit 17 is a network device that performs interface processing on the communication network 7.
The random number generator 18 carries out processing to generate a random value which is a random number.
For example, the download start timing determination unit 19 is configured of a semiconductor integrated circuit mounted with a CPU, or a one-chip microcomputer, etc., and when it is determined by the normal reception determination unit 15 that the content can not be received normally. The process of randomly determining the timing to start downloading within the period specified by the downloadable period specifying unit 16 (determining the timing to start the download according to the random value generated from the random number generator 18) is carried out .

The download unit 20 is formed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, or a one-chip microcomputer, etc. When the download start timing determined by the download start timing determination unit 19 comes, via the network interface unit 17 Sends a request for providing content including identification information of content that can not be received normally and specific information indicating a missing portion to the broadcast supplementation device 4 via the communication network 7, and the broadcast supplementation device 4 via the communication network 7. Implement the process of downloading the non-received part of the content.
The network interface unit 17, the random number generator 18, the download start timing determination unit 19, and the download unit 20 constitute a download means.

The content construction unit 21 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, or a one-chip microcomputer, etc., and the normal reception portion of the content recorded by the content recording unit 14 and the non-downloaded portion A process of combining the received parts to construct a complete content and recording the content in the content recording unit 14 is performed.
The content reproduction unit 22 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, or a one-chip microcomputer, and executes processing for reproducing complete content recorded in the content recording unit 14.
The content construction unit 21 and the content reproduction unit 22 constitute a content reproduction means.

In the example of FIG. 2, the broadcast wave receiver 11 which is a component of the content reception apparatus 6, the broadcast supplement schedule acquisition unit 12, the content acquisition unit 13, the content recording unit 14, the normal reception determination unit 15, and the downloadable period specification unit 16 It is assumed that each of the network interface unit 17, the random number generator 18, the download start timing determination unit 19, the download unit 20, the content construction unit 21 and the content reproduction unit 22 is configured by dedicated hardware. When the content receiving device 6 is configured by a computer, the broadcast wave receiver 11, the broadcast complementary schedule acquiring unit 12, the content acquiring unit 13, the content recording unit 14, the normal reception judging unit 15, the downloadable period specifying unit 16, the network Interface unit 17, random number generator 18, A program that describes the processing content of the loading start timing determination unit 19, the download unit 20, the content construction unit 21, and the content reproduction unit 22 is stored in the memory of the computer, and the CPU of the computer is the program stored in the memory May be performed.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing processing contents of the content receiving apparatus 6 of the broadcast supplement system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a broadcast supplement schedule providing device 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 4, the broadcast schedule acquisition unit 31 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, or a one-chip microcomputer, and performs processing for acquiring a broadcast schedule output from the program scheduling apparatus 2. . In addition, the broadcast schedule acquisition part 31 comprises the broadcast schedule acquisition means.

The broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 is configured of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, or a one-chip microcomputer, and the content broadcast apparatus 3 is referred to with reference to the broadcast schedule acquired by the broadcast schedule acquisition unit 31. Processing for generating a broadcast supplement schedule indicating a period in which one or more contents can be distributed and downloaded from the broadcast complement apparatus 4 via the communication network 7 when the one or more contents broadcast from the broadcast can not be received normally carry out.
The broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 constitutes a broadcast supplement schedule generation means.

The broadcast supplement schedule broadcast unit 33 is configured of a broadcast wave transmitter or the like, and modulates the broadcast supplement schedule generated by the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 into a broadcast wave and carries out a process of transmitting the broadcast wave. The broadcast supplement schedule broadcast unit 33 constitutes a broadcast supplement schedule broadcast means.

In the example of FIG. 4, each of the broadcast schedule acquisition unit 31, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32, and the broadcast supplement schedule broadcast unit 33, which are components of the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5, is configured with dedicated hardware. Although assumed, when the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 is configured by a computer, the program describing the processing contents of the broadcast schedule acquisition unit 31, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32, and the broadcast supplement schedule broadcast unit 33 is a computer The program may be stored in the memory of (1) and the CPU of the computer may execute the program stored in the memory.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the broadcast supplement schedule providing device 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the operation will be described.
The program scheduling apparatus 2 organizes the content to be broadcast, for example, under the instruction of the content creator or the like, and the content broadcasting apparatus 3, the broadcast supplementing apparatus 4, and the broadcast show a broadcast schedule indicating the broadcast time of the content A to N scheduled to be broadcast It outputs to the supplement schedule provision apparatus 5.
Here, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an example of the broadcast schedule and the broadcast supplement schedule. In the first embodiment, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 6, a broadcast that broadcasts various contents A to N in the order of content A → content B → content C → content D → content E → ... The schedule shall be output.

When the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 receives the broadcast schedule from the program scheduling device 2, the content reception device 6 distributes the contents A to N from the broadcast supplement device 4 via the communication network 7 with reference to the broadcast schedule. Generate a broadcast supplement schedule indicating a period in which it is possible to download, and broadcast the broadcast supplement schedule.
Hereinafter, the processing contents of the broadcast supplement schedule providing device 5 will be specifically described.

When the broadcast schedule is output from the program scheduling device 2 (step ST51 in FIG. 5), the broadcast schedule acquisition unit 31 of the broadcast complementary schedule provision device 5 acquires the broadcast schedule, and generates the broadcast schedule as the broadcast complementary schedule. It outputs to the part 32 (step ST52).
When the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 receives the broadcast schedule from the broadcast schedule acquisition unit 31, the content reception device 6 distributes the contents A to N from the broadcast complement device 4 via the communication network 7 with reference to the broadcast schedule. A broadcast supplement schedule indicating a period in which the download can be performed is generated (step ST53).

The start time of the period in which the content to be broadcasted can be downloaded is after the end of the broadcast of the content.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the start time of the period in which the content A can be downloaded is the time when T1 time has elapsed since the start of the broadcast of the content A (a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the broadcast of the content A). And the period during which content A can be downloaded is T2 hours.
Therefore, the end time of the period in which the content A can be downloaded is the time when T1 + T2 time has elapsed from the start of the broadcast of the content A.
In the example of FIG. 6, in order to distribute the broadcast complementation timings of the contents A to N, individual downloadable periods of the contents A to N do not overlap, and only download of one content is possible in a certain period. is there.

When the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 generates a broadcast supplement schedule, the broadcast supplement schedule broadcast section 33 modulates the broadcast supplement schedule into a broadcast wave, and transmits the broadcast wave to generate a large number of broadcast supplement schedules. It broadcasts to the content receiver 6 (step ST54).

When the content broadcast apparatus 3 receives the broadcast schedule from the program scheduling apparatus 2, the content broadcast apparatus 3 refers to the broadcast schedule, recognizes the contents A to N to be broadcast, and acquires the contents A to N to be broadcast from the content server 1 .
Upon acquiring the contents A to N to be broadcasted, the content broadcast apparatus 3 broadcasts the contents A to N to be broadcasted according to the broadcast schedule.
That is, the content broadcast apparatus 3 broadcasts the contents A to N to be broadcasted to a large number of content receiving apparatuses 6 by modulating the contents A to N to be broadcast into broadcast waves and transmitting the broadcast waves.
In the example of FIG. 6, contents A to N are broadcast in the order of content A → content B → content C → content D → content E →...

The content receiving device 6 receives the broadcast supplement schedule broadcasted from the broadcast supplement schedule providing device 5.
Also, the content receiving device 6 receives the content broadcasted from the content broadcasting device 3.
At this time, when there is a non-reception part that can not normally receive the content broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus 3, it is possible to download the content with reference to the broadcast supplement schedule broadcasted from the broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus 5. During the period, the non-reception part of the content is downloaded from the broadcast supplement device 4.

For example, when there is a situation where a large number of content reception devices 6 belonging to a certain area can not normally receive the contents A, B, C due to deterioration of the radio wave condition due to the weather etc. It is expected that a large number of content receiving devices 6 belonging to may simultaneously download the content A, B, C from the broadcast supplement device 4.
However, in the first embodiment, the periods in which the contents A, B, C can be downloaded are dispersed such that a large number of contents receiving devices 6 do not simultaneously download the contents A, B, C. ing.
The processing content of the content reception device 6 will be specifically described below.

When the broadcast wave receiver 11 of the content reception device 6 receives the broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 (step ST31 in FIG. 3), it demodulates the broadcast complementation schedule from the broadcast wave, and the broadcast complementation schedule Are output to the broadcast complementary schedule acquisition unit 12 (step ST32).
When the broadcast supplement schedule is output from the broadcast wave receiver 11, the broadcast supplement schedule acquisition unit 12 acquires the broadcast supplement schedule and records the broadcast supplement schedule in the internal memory (step ST33).

Next, when the broadcast wave receiver 11 receives the broadcast wave transmitted from the content broadcast apparatus 3 (step ST34), it demodulates the contents A to N from the broadcast wave, and acquires the contents A to N as a content acquisition unit It outputs to 13 (step ST35).
When the contents A to N are output from the broadcast wave receiver 11, the contents acquisition section 13 acquires the contents A to N and records the contents A to N in the contents recording section 14 (step ST36).

When the content acquisition unit 13 records the content A to N in the content recording unit 14, the normal reception determination unit 15 checks the continuity of the content for each of the content A to N, for example. Is judged to be normally received (step ST37).
Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the contents D to N are normally received, but the contents A, B and C are not normally received.

The determination result of the normal reception determination unit 15 is output to the downloadable period specification unit 16, the download start timing determination unit 19, and the content reproduction unit 22.
Thereby, the content reproduction unit 22 recognizes that reproduction of the contents D to N is possible, but reproduction of the contents A, B, and C is impossible at the present time, and temporarily the contents A, B, Even when the C reproduction instruction is received, the reproduction is not accepted. At this time, until complete content A, B, C is constructed, information such as non-reproduction may be displayed on a display (not shown).

If the determination result of the normal reception determination unit 15 indicates that the contents A, B, and C can not be normally received (step ST 38), the downloadable period identification unit 16 determines the internals of the broadcast supplement schedule acquisition unit 12. The period during which the contents A, B and C can be downloaded is specified with reference to the broadcast supplement schedule recorded in the memory (step ST39).
In the example of FIG. 6, the time when T1 time has elapsed from the start time of the content A broadcast is the start time of the period in which the content A can be downloaded, and the time when T2 time elapses from the start time is , And the end time of the period in which the content A can be downloaded.
Further, the time when T1 + T2 time has elapsed from the start time of the content A broadcast is the start time of the period in which the content B can be downloaded, and the time from the start time until the T2 'time elapses is the content B Is the end of the period when it is possible to download
Also, the time when T1 + T2 + T2 ′ time has elapsed from the start time of the content A broadcast is the start time of the period in which the content C can be downloaded, and the time from the start time until T2 ′ ′ time elapses is the content At the end of the period when C can be downloaded.

The random number generator 18 downloads, for example, the content A (or content B, content C) simultaneously by the multiple content receiving devices 6 in a period in which the content A (or content B, content C) can be downloaded. To generate a random value which is a random number (step ST40).
For example, the random number generator 18 of one content receiving device 6 generates "X" as a random value R, and the random number generator 18 of another content receiving device 6 generates "Y" different from "X" as a random value R. Generate

For example, when downloading content A, the download start timing determination unit 19 starts the download timing of the non-reception portion of the content A within the period specified by the downloadable period specification unit 16 (period of time T2). It is determined according to the random value R generated from the random number generator 18 (step ST41).
For example, when the download start timing Tm is distributed to ten in a period in which the content A can be downloaded, the random value R is adjusted to be generated in the range of “0” to “9”.
Then, by substituting the random value R into the following equation, the download start timing Tm is calculated.
Tm = T1 + T2 × R / 10
When the content B is to be downloaded, the random number generator 18 generates the start timing of the download of the non-reception part of the content B within the period (period of time T2 ′) specified by the downloadable period specifying unit 16 According to the random value R.
Also, when downloading the content C, the random number generator 18 generates the start timing of the download of the non-reception part of the content C within the period specified by the downloadable period specifying unit 16 (period of time T2 ′ ′). According to the random value R.

When the download start timing determination unit 19 determines the download start timings of the contents A, B, and C, the download unit 20 monitors a clock (not shown) and detects the download start timings of the contents A, B, and C. .
For example, when the download unit 20 detects the start timing of the download of the content A (step ST42), the identification information (program ID) of the content A and the specific information indicating the defective portion in the content A via the network interface unit 17 A request for providing content A (for example, the number of bytes from the beginning of content A and the amount of data, etc.) is sent to the broadcast complementing apparatus 4 via the communication network 7 (step ST43).
Also, when the start timing of the download of the content B is detected (step ST42), identification information (program ID) of the content B and identification information (for example, the content B indicating a missing portion in the content B via the network interface unit 17) A request for providing content B including the number of bytes from the beginning of the header and the amount of data etc. is transmitted to the broadcast complementing apparatus 4 via the communication network 7 (step ST43).
In addition, when the start timing of the download of the content C is detected (step ST42), identification information (program ID) of the content C and identification information (for example, the content C indicating a missing portion in the content C via the network interface unit 17) A request for providing content C including the number of bytes from the beginning of the header and the amount of data etc. is transmitted to the broadcast complementing apparatus 4 via the communication network 7 (step ST43).

The broadcast supplementing device 4 acquires the content A to N scheduled to be broadcast from the content server 1, stores the content A to N, and receives a content provision request from the content receiving device 6 via the communication network 7. And the identification information of the content included in the provision request and the identification information indicating the missing portion in the content to identify the non-reception portion of the content desired to be provided, and the non-reception portion of the content to the communication network The content is distributed to the content receiving device 6 via 7.

The download unit 20 downloads the non-reception part of the content A (or content B, content C) from the broadcast supplement device 4 via the communication network 7 via the network interface unit 17, and the content A (or content B, The non-reception part of the content C) is output to the content construction unit 21 (step ST44).

When the content construction unit 21 receives the non-reception portion of the content A (or content B, content C) from the download unit 20, the content construction unit 21 outputs the content A (or content B, content C) recorded in the content recording unit 14. Get the normal reception part.
Then, the content construction unit 21 combines the normal reception portion and the non-reception portion of the content A (or content B, content C) to construct a complete content, and complete content A (or content B, content C) Are recorded in the content recording unit 14 (step ST45).

When the content construction unit 21 records the complete content A (or content B, content C) in the content recording unit 14, the content reproduction unit 22, for example, receives the content A (or content B, content C) from the user or the like. When the reproduction instruction is received, or immediately after the complete content A (or content B, content C) is recorded in the content recording unit 14, the complete content A (or The content B and the content C) are acquired, and the content A (or the content B and the content C) is reproduced (step ST46).

As apparent from the above, according to the first embodiment, the content broadcast apparatus 3 for broadcasting the content according to the broadcast schedule indicating the broadcast time of the content, and the content broadcast from the content broadcast apparatus 3 are transmitted via the communication network 7 The broadcast supplement schedule 4 indicates the period in which one or more contents can be distributed and downloaded from the broadcast supplement device 4 via the communication network 7 with reference to the broadcast supplement device 4 provided in , And a broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus 5 for broadcasting the broadcast supplement schedule, the content receiving apparatus 6 receives the broadcast supplement schedule broadcasted from the broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus 5, and the content broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus 3 If there is a non-reception part that can not receive the With reference to the module, the period during which the content can be downloaded is specified, and the timing at which the download is started is randomly determined within that period, and according to that timing Since the reception part is downloaded, even when the plurality of contents can not be received normally, the download of the plurality of contents can be distributed to prevent the occurrence of congestion in the communication network 7.

In the first embodiment, although the download start timing determination unit 19 determines the download start timing of the non-reception part according to the random value R generated from the random number generator 18, a large number of contents are described. The download start timing of the content by the receiving device 6 may be dispersed, and the download start timing of the content may be determined by a method other than the random value R generated by the random number generator 18.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 of the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 refers to the broadcast schedule to distribute and download the contents A to N from the broadcast supplement apparatus 4 via the communication network 7. Although what was shown about what produces | generates the broadcast complementation schedule which shows a possible period, when producing | generating the broadcast complementation schedule, content A as a period which can download content AN broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus 3 A period of a length proportional to the data amount of to N may be set.

Specifically, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 generates a broadcast supplement schedule as follows.
When the content broadcast apparatus 3 broadcasts the contents A to N at a constant transmission rate, the broadcast time of the contents A to N becomes longer as the data amount of the contents A to N is larger.
In addition, as the amount of data of the contents A to N is larger, the amount of data when the contents receiving device 6 downloads the contents from the broadcast complementing device 4 is likely to be large.
Therefore, if the downloadable period is lengthened for the content having a large amount of data, the download timing of the content is dispersed, the amount of data flowing through the communication network 7 is averaged, and congestion of the communication network 7 can be prevented.

Therefore, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 sets a period having a length proportional to the data amount of the contents A to N as a period in which the contents A to N can be downloaded.
That is, the start time of the period in which the contents A to N can be downloaded is after the end of the broadcast of the contents, as in the first embodiment, for example, in the period in which the contents A can be downloaded. The start time point is a time point T1 time has elapsed since the start of the broadcast of the content A.
The period in which the content A to N can be downloaded is, as described above, a period having a length proportional to the data amount of the content A to N, and is, for example, a period in which the content A can be downloaded T2 time is set to a length proportional to the data amount of content A.

As apparent from the above, according to the second embodiment, when the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 generates the broadcast supplement schedule, the contents A to N can be downloaded as the periods during which the contents A to N can be downloaded. Since a period having a length proportional to the amount of data is set, it is possible to prevent congestion of the communication network 7 when downloading contents from the broadcast complementing device 4.

Third Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 of the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 refers to the broadcast schedule to distribute and download the contents A to N from the broadcast supplement apparatus 4 via the communication network 7. Although what was shown about what produces | generates the broadcast complementation schedule which shows a possible period, when producing | generating the broadcast complementation schedule, content A as a period which can download content AN broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus 3 A period of a length proportional to the broadcast time to N may be set.

Specifically, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 generates a broadcast supplement schedule as follows.
When the content broadcasting apparatus 3 broadcasts the contents A to N at a constant transmission rate, the longer the broadcasting time of the contents A to N, the larger the capacity of the contents A to N (the broadcasting time and capacity of the contents are proportional) .
In addition, the larger the capacity of the contents A to N, the higher the possibility that the amount of data when the contents receiving apparatus 6 downloads the contents from the broadcast complementing apparatus 4 increases.
Therefore, if the downloadable period is extended as the content is longer, the download timing of the content is dispersed, the amount of data flowing through the communication network 7 is averaged, and congestion of the communication network 7 can be prevented.

Therefore, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 sets a period having a length proportional to the broadcast time of the contents A to N as a period in which the contents A to N can be downloaded.
Here, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of the broadcast schedule and the broadcast supplement schedule.
In the example of FIG. 7, the broadcast time of each content and the downloadable period (time T2) of each content in the broadcast supplement schedule are set to be the same.
As a result, the amount of data per unit time when each content is downloaded is theoretically averaged.
In the example of FIG. 7, the time T2 is the same time as the broadcast time of each content, and the timing at which each content is downloaded does not overlap.

As apparent from the above, according to the third embodiment, when the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 generates the broadcast supplement schedule, it is possible to download the contents A to N as the period during which the contents A to N can be downloaded. Since a period having a length proportional to the broadcast time is set, it is possible to prevent congestion of the communication network 7 when downloading contents from the broadcast complementing device 4.

Fourth Embodiment
In the third embodiment, the content broadcast apparatus 3 broadcasts the content one by one, and the broadcast supplement schedule is generated so that the periods in which the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 can download each content do not overlap. In the case where the content broadcast apparatus 3 simultaneously broadcasts a plurality of contents, the broadcast complement schedule is generated so that periods in which the broadcast complement schedule providing device 5 can download the plurality of contents overlap. May be

FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a broadcast schedule and a broadcast supplement schedule.
FIG. 8 shows an example in which the content broadcast apparatus 3 simultaneously broadcasts two contents. For example, the content A and the content M are simultaneously broadcast.
At this time, since the transmission bands of the contents M to P are wider than the transmission bands of the contents A to E, for example, focusing on the contents A and the contents M having the same broadcast time, It is expected that the amount of data of will be larger.

However, with reference to the broadcast schedule, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 of the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 has a length proportional to the broadcast time of the contents A to E as a period in which the contents A to E can be downloaded. A period is set, and a period having a length proportional to the broadcast time of the content M to P is set as a period in which the content M to P can be downloaded.
Therefore, even if the broadcast supplement schedule is generated so that periods in which a plurality of contents can be downloaded overlap, the amount of data flowing through the communication network 7 in each time zone is averaged to prevent congestion of the communication network 7. be able to.

As apparent from the above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the content broadcast apparatus 3 simultaneously broadcasts a plurality of contents, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 of the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 downloads the contents. The broadcast supplement schedule is generated so that the possible period of time is overlapped among multiple contents, and the period during which each content can be downloaded is set to a period proportional to the broadcast time of each content With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the congestion of the communication network 7 when downloading contents from the broadcast complementing apparatus 4.

Embodiment 5
In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, although not particularly mentioned, the number of content receiving devices 6 that download content from the broadcast supplement device 4 is affected by the rating of the content.
For example, even in the case of content with similar reception status, if the audience rating is high, the number of content receiving devices 6 downloading the content in the same time zone will increase, and conversely, if the audience rating is low, the content will be in the same time zone The number of content receiving devices 6 to be downloaded is reduced.
Therefore, frequent download of content with a high audience rating may cause congestion of the communication network 7.

Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the broadcast supplement schedule is generated so that the period in which the content can be downloaded overlaps between a plurality of contents (content with high audience rating and content with low audience rating). Thus, the frequency of downloading based on the content rating is averaged for a plurality of contents, and the amount of data flowing through the communication network 7 in each time zone is averaged.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a broadcast schedule and a broadcast supplement schedule.
FIG. 9 shows an example in which downloadable periods of content A and content B overlap, and downloadable periods of content C and content D overlap.
In the example of FIG. 9, since the ratings of the contents B and D are extremely high and the ratings of the contents A and C are low, the contents A and B are combined as a combination of contents for which downloadable periods overlap. Content C and content D are combined.

The broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 of the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 downloads each content so as not to cause congestion of the communication network 7 when downloading the contents B and D with high audience rating. Period is longer than the broadcast time of each content.
For example, the period during which content A and content B can be downloaded is T2 hours, which is longer than the broadcast time of content A and content B.
However, in order not to affect the broadcast schedule of other contents, T2 time, which is a period during which contents A and contents B can be downloaded, is from the total air time T3 of contents A and contents B. I'm short. Alternatively, it is the same as the total broadcast time T3 of the content A and the content B.
T2 ≦ T3

Sixth Embodiment
FIG. 10 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a broadcast schedule and a broadcast supplement schedule.
As shown in FIG. 10, the content broadcast apparatus 3 has a plurality of the same content during a predetermined period (for example, the predetermined period is set every time the content of 20 programs is broadcast or every 8 hours). It may broadcast repeatedly several times.
In the example of FIG. 10, in the period α, the content A is broadcast three times, the content B is twice, and the content C is broadcast once.

As in the first to fifth embodiments, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 of the broadcast supplement schedule provision device 5 generates a broadcast supplement schedule in consideration of the data amount of content, broadcast time, expected audience rating, and the like. With regard to the content that is repeatedly broadcasted a plurality of times during a predetermined period, a period in which the content can be downloaded only once after the last broadcast in the period is performed is set.
For example, although the content A is broadcasted three times in the period α, a period in which the content A can be downloaded only once is set after the third broadcast is performed.

As described above, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 sets, for example, the number “6” (= 3 + 2 + 1) of the content broadcasted in the period α in order to set the downloadable period of the content to be repeatedly broadcast a plurality of times as one. Therefore, although the number of downloadable periods "3" for each content is smaller, the total time T.sub..alpha. Of the broadcast time of content A, B and C in period .alpha. And the downloadable period for content A, B and C The downloadable period for the contents A, B, and C is set so that the total time T4 of the contents A, B, and C matches.
Tα = T4

As apparent from the above, according to the sixth embodiment, when the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit 32 generates the broadcast supplement schedule, the content broadcast from the content broadcast apparatus 3 for a certain period of time may be performed a plurality of times. When the content to be broadcast is included, the total time of the period in which the content to be broadcasted multiple times can be downloaded and the period in which the content to be broadcasted only once can be downloaded is a certain period from the content broadcast apparatus 3 Since the setting is made to coincide with the total time of the broadcast time of all the contents to be broadcast during the broadcast, it is possible to eliminate the time bias of the data amount when downloading the contents from the broadcast supplement device 4. The effect of preventing congestion can be achieved.

As described above, according to the broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus, the broadcast supplement system, and the broadcast supplement method according to the present invention, even when the plurality of contents can not be received normally, the download of the plurality of contents is distributed to prevent congestion of the communication network. A broadcast supplement system including a broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus and a broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus for broadcasting a broadcast supplement schedule indicating a period in which contents can be downloaded from the broadcast supplement apparatus, since occurrence can be prevented. Suitable for use in the broadcast complement method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 content server, 2 program scheduling device, 3 content broadcast device, 4 broadcast complement device, 5 broadcast complement schedule provision device, 6 content receiver, 7 communication network, 11 broadcast wave receiver (broadcast complement schedule acquisition means, content reception means , 12 broadcast complementary schedule acquisition unit (broadcast complementary schedule acquisition unit), 13 content acquisition unit (content reception unit), 14 content recording unit (content reception unit), 15 normal reception determination unit (downloadable period specification unit), 16 Downloadable period identification unit (downloadable period identification unit), 17 network interface unit (download unit), 18 random number generator (download unit), 19 download start timing decision unit (download unit), 20 Loading unit (downloading unit), 21 content construction unit (content reproducing unit), 22 content reproduction unit (content reproducing unit), 31 broadcast schedule acquisition unit (broadcast schedule acquisition unit), 32 broadcast complementation schedule generation unit (broadcast complementary schedule generation Means), 33 Broadcast complement schedule broadcast part (Broadcast complement schedule broadcast means).

Claims

The above-mentioned content broadcast apparatus is referred to by a broadcast schedule acquisition means for acquiring from the program scheduling apparatus a broadcast schedule showing broadcast times of a plurality of contents broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus, and the broadcast schedule acquired by the above broadcast schedule acquisition means. Broadcast complementation schedule generation which generates a broadcast complementation schedule indicating a period in which one or more contents can be distributed and downloaded from the broadcast complementation device via the communication network when one or more contents broadcasted from the broadcast can not be normally received A broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus comprising: means; and a broadcast supplement schedule broadcast means for broadcasting a broadcast supplement schedule generated by the broadcast supplement schedule generation means to a content reception apparatus.
The broadcast supplement schedule generation unit is a period after the content is broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus as a downloadable period when generating the broadcast supplement schedule, and has a length proportional to the data amount of the content The broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a period of time is set.
The broadcast supplement schedule generation unit is a period after the content is broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus as a downloadable period when the broadcast supplement schedule is generated, and has a length proportional to the broadcast time of the content. The broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a period of time is set.
The broadcast supplement schedule generation means is characterized by generating a broadcast supplement schedule in which a downloadable period starts after a predetermined time has passed from the time when content broadcast from the content broadcast apparatus is started. The broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus of description.
The broadcast supplement schedule generation means is characterized by generating a broadcast supplement schedule in which a downloadable period starts after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when content broadcast from the content broadcast apparatus is started. The broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus of description.
2. The broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit generates a broadcast supplement schedule such that a period in which the content can be downloaded overlaps among a plurality of contents.
When the broadcast supplement schedule is generated such that the period in which the content can be downloaded overlaps with the plurality of contents, the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit sets the length of the period to the broadcast time of the plurality of contents. 7. The broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the total time is set equal to or less than the total time.
When the broadcast supplement schedule generation unit generates the broadcast supplement schedule, the content broadcasted a plurality of times is included in the content broadcasted during a certain period from the content broadcast apparatus, the content broadcasted a plurality of times The total time of the period during which the content can be downloaded and the period during which the content that can be downloaded only once can be downloaded matches the total duration of the broadcast time of all the content that is broadcast over a certain period from the content broadcasting device The broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is set to
A content broadcast apparatus for broadcasting content according to a broadcast schedule indicating a broadcast time of the content, a broadcast complementing apparatus for providing content broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus via a communication network, and the broadcast with reference to the broadcast schedule A broadcast supplement schedule providing apparatus for generating a broadcast supplement schedule indicating a period in which one or more contents can be distributed and downloaded from the supplement apparatus via the communication network, and broadcasting the broadcast supplement schedule, and the broadcast supplement schedule provision If there is a non-reception part that can not receive the broadcast complemented schedule broadcasted from the device and can not normally receive the content broadcasted from the content broadcast device, the content can be downloaded with reference to the broadcast complemented schedule Identify a certain period Both broadcast supplemental system when to start downloading within the period determined randomly, and a content receiving apparatus to download the non-receiving portions of the content from the broadcast supplemental device in accordance with the above timings.
A content broadcast processing step in which the content broadcast apparatus broadcasts the content according to a broadcast schedule indicating a broadcast time of the content; and a broadcast complement processing step in which the broadcast supplement apparatus provides the content broadcast from the content broadcast apparatus via the communication network. The broadcast complementation schedule providing device generates a broadcast complementation schedule indicating a period in which one or more contents can be distributed and downloaded from the broadcast complementation device via the communication network with reference to the broadcast schedule, and the broadcast complementation schedule is generated A broadcast supplement schedule provision processing step of broadcasting a schedule, and a non-reception unit which can not normally receive the content broadcasted from the content broadcast apparatus when the content reception apparatus receives the broadcast supplement schedule broadcasted from the broadcast supplement schedule provision apparatus If there is, the broadcast supplement schedule is referenced to specify a period during which the content can be downloaded, and at the same time, the timing for starting the download is randomly determined, and the timing is matched with the timing. And a content reception processing step of downloading the non-reception part of the content from the broadcast complement apparatus.