JP2000201343A - Moving image data reproducing device, moving image data dividing device and recording medium readable by computer in which program is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable random access to moving image data without changing a server function. SOLUTION: A moving image data reproducing device with an index information receiving means 6 to receive index information to be generated by relating plural pieces of divided data to be obtained by deviding the moving image data to its reproduction time information by requesting the information to a server, a divided data receiving means 7 to receive the divided data related to reproduction time information at the reproduction time information to which starting of reproducing is instructed and afterward by successively requesting the information to the server by referring to the index information received by the index information receiving means 6, a storage means 9 to store the divided data received by the divided data receiving means 7 and a reproducing means to successively reproduce the divided data stored in the storage means 9 according to the index information received by the index information receiving means 6 is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention records a moving picture data reproducing apparatus, a moving picture data dividing apparatus, and a program for enabling random access of moving picture data without changing the configuration and functions of a server. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional moving image data distribution system mainly comprises a client and a WWW server. In this conventional moving image data distribution system, first, a client transmits a request for transmission of moving image data (moving image content) for reproduction to a WWW server.

The WWW server holds various data, and selects and transmits requested moving image data from the data.

[0004] The transmitted moving image data is received by the client that has transmitted the transmission request, and stream reproduction is performed.

[0005] In such a conventional moving image data distribution system, when a client and a WWW server are connected via the Internet, an HT is generally used.
Moving image data is transmitted by the TP protocol.

Here, for example, some users who request reproduction of moving image data request reproduction from a middle position of the moving image data (hereinafter referred to as "random access").

In order to realize random access by the conventional moving image data distribution system, it is necessary to apply a dedicated HTTP server that enables random access to the moving image data distribution system.

As another technique, CGI (Common G) which is a dedicated program enabling random access is used.
ateway Interface) must be implemented in the WWW server.

The dedicated HTTP server or WWW server having CGI has a function of receiving a unique request from a client for reproducing moving image data and transmitting the moving image data from a designated position by using the HTTP protocol. .

[0010]

However, as described above, a dedicated H is used to enable random access.
In a method of using a TTP server or mounting a CGI on the server, the WW of the conventional moving image data distribution system
It is necessary to modify the W server, and it cannot be realized with the current infrastructure.

Therefore, it is difficult to realize and introduce random access, and the operation is complicated.

Further, in this conventional method, since the processing for random access is mainly performed in the server, there is a problem that the load on the server increases. In particular, when the moving image data distribution system has a plurality of clients, the tendency becomes stronger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and provides a moving image data reproducing apparatus and a moving image for enabling random access of moving image data without changing the configuration and functions of a server. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image data dividing device and a computer-readable recording medium recording a program.

[0014]

The gist of the present invention is to divide moving image data into a plurality of divided data, associate the divided data with reproduction time information indicating respective reproduction times, and use the divided data as index information. The point is that the divided data is sequentially reproduced according to the information.

Hereinafter, specific means taken to realize the present invention will be described.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an index information receiving means for requesting a server to receive index information generated by associating a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing moving image data with respective reproduction time information, and receiving the index information. A divided data receiving means for sequentially requesting and receiving divided data associated with the reproduction time information instructed to start reproduction and subsequent reproduction time information from the server according to the index information received by the index information receiving means; Storage means for storing the divided data received by the divided data receiving means, and reproduction for sequentially reproducing the divided data stored in the storage means in accordance with the reproduction time information of the index information received by the index information receiving means. And a moving image data reproducing apparatus comprising:

In the moving picture data reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the divided data after the reproduction time information instructed to start the reproduction are sequentially received and stream-reproduced.

When the moving image data reproducing apparatus is applied, the server only needs to have a function of transmitting requested data among the data held by the server.

Therefore, in the first invention, random access is easily realized without adding a new configuration or function to the server.

Further, since the processing for realizing the random access is executed by the moving picture data reproducing apparatus (client) instead of the server, it is possible to prevent an increase in the load on the server.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the moving picture data reproducing apparatus of the first aspect, a time estimating means for estimating a time from requesting the server to transmit the divided data to receiving the divided data is added. The divided data receiving unit requests the server for the divided data according to the index information and reproduces the divided data when the divided data for substantially the same time as the time estimated by the time estimating unit is not stored in the storage unit. The moving image data reproducing apparatus starts sequential reproduction of the divided data stored in the storage means when the divided data for substantially the same time as the time estimated by the time estimating means is stored in the storage means. It is.

In the moving picture data reproducing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the divided data which is presumed to be reproduced between the time when the divided data is requested and the time when the divided data is received is stored in the storage means.

Therefore, in the second invention,
In addition to the same operation and effect as the first invention, the moving image data is reproduced as soon as the required minimum amount of divided data is stored. Therefore, the time until the reproduction is started can be optimized. it can.

As a result, the time until the start of reproduction can be shortened.

Further, since the necessary divided data is secured between the time when the next divided data is requested and the time when the next divided data is received, it is possible to prevent the reproduction of the moving image data from being interrupted.

Further, the time from when the divided data is requested to the server until the divided data is received is sequentially measured, and the amount of the divided data to be stored in a reproducible state is determined according to the time.

Therefore, it is possible to cope with dynamic load fluctuation of the line, and an appropriate amount of divided data is secured.

Therefore, smooth stream reproduction becomes possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of types having different transmission speeds are generated for a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing moving image data, each of the plurality of types of divided data and respective reproduction time Index information receiving means for requesting and receiving index information generated in association with information from a server, and time estimation for estimating a time from requesting transmission of the divided data to the server to receiving the divided data Means, a divided data selecting means for selecting a type of the requested divided data based on the time estimated by the time estimating means, and a reproduction start commanded in accordance with the index information received by the index information receiving means. The type associated with the reproduction time information and the subsequent reproduction time information and selected by the divided data selection means. Divided data receiving means for sequentially requesting and receiving the divided data from the server, storing means for storing the divided data received by the divided data receiving means, and reproduction time information of the index information received by the index information receiving means And a reproducing means for sequentially reproducing the divided data stored in the storage means according to the above.

In the moving picture data reproducing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, among a plurality of types of divided data having different transmission speeds, divided data having an appropriate transmission speed is selected and received in consideration of line load fluctuation. .

Therefore, when the transmission speed of the line is low, the transmission is performed by the divided data which can be transmitted at a high speed, so that the data to be reproduced can be prevented from being untransmitted.

Further, by the same operation as the first invention, random access is possible without changing the server.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the moving picture data reproducing apparatus of the third aspect, the divided data receiving means stores the divided data for substantially the same time as the time estimated by the time estimating means in the storage means. When there is no data, the divided data of the type selected by the data selecting means is requested from the server in accordance with the index information, and the reproducing means stores the divided data for substantially the same time as the time estimated by the time estimating means. Is a moving image data reproducing apparatus which starts sequential reproduction of the divided data stored in the storage means when stored in the storage means.

In the moving picture data reproducing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same operation and effect as the third aspect of the present invention, it is presumed that the moving picture data reproducing apparatus is required for reproducing the divided data from requesting to the server until receiving the divided data. The divided data corresponding to the divided data is stored in the storage unit.

Therefore, the same effect as that of the second invention can be obtained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moving picture which divides moving image data into a plurality of pieces to generate a plurality of pieces of divided data and generates index information in which the plurality of pieces of divided data are associated with reproduction time information of the divided data. An image data dividing device.

By using the moving picture data dividing apparatus of the fifth invention to create a plurality of divided data and index information and providing them on a server, and using the moving picture data reproducing apparatus of the first or second invention, Random access is possible without changing the configuration and functions of the server.

Further, by using the moving image data dividing device, a plurality of divided data and index information can be easily created.

According to a sixth aspect, a plurality of types having different transmission speeds are generated for a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing moving image data, and each of the plurality of types is associated with respective reproduction time information. A moving image data dividing apparatus that generates index information.

A plurality of types of divided data and index information are created using the moving picture data dividing apparatus of the sixth invention and provided in the server, and the moving picture data reproducing apparatus of the third or fourth invention is used. Thus, random access is possible without changing the configuration and functions of the server, and the time required for transmission can be adjusted.

Further, by using this moving picture data dividing apparatus, a plurality of types of divided data and index information can be easily created.

Each of the seventh to twelfth inventions is a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to realize the same functions as those of the first to sixth inventions.

By using a recording medium on which a program as in the seventh to twelfth aspects is recorded, it is possible to easily add the above-described functions to an apparatus or a computer that does not have the above-mentioned functions. it can.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in a moving image data distribution system for distributing moving image data stored in a server to a client, the server includes a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing the moving image data and each of the divided data. Index information receiving means for holding index information that associates the divided data with the respective pieces of reproduction time information, the client requests index information to a server, and receives the index information;
In accordance with the index information received by the index information receiving means, divided data receiving means for sequentially requesting the server to receive divided time associated with the reproduction time information instructed to start reproduction and the subsequent reproduction time information, and Storage means for storing the divided data received by the divided data receiving means, and reproducing means for sequentially reproducing the divided data stored in the storage means in accordance with the reproduction time information of the index information received by the index information receiving means This is a moving image data distribution system including:

In the moving image data distribution system according to the thirteenth aspect, the client functions in the same manner as the moving image data reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect.

Thus, the same function and effect as those of the first invention can be obtained.

The second to twelfth inventions also include the first invention.
Like the third invention, the present invention is applicable to a moving image data distribution system.

[0048]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) In this embodiment, divided data obtained by dividing moving image data (moving image content) into a plurality of pieces and index information which associates the plurality of divided data with respective pieces of reproduction time information are provided. A moving image data distribution system that enables random access to moving image data without changing the server will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a moving image data distribution system according to the present embodiment.

The moving image data distribution system 1 includes an encoder 2 for generating divided data and index information from moving image data, a server 3 for storing various data in an internal storage device 3a in a file format, And a client 4 having a viewer 4a for reproduction.

In the moving image data distribution system 1, moving image data is divided into files at splice points, and the viewer 4a requests and receives the divided data at a desired position from the server 3 based on the index information.

Hereinafter, each component of the moving image data distribution system 1 will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functions of encoder 2 provided in moving image data distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The encoder 2 divides moving image data (moving image content) composed of moving image material such as video at predetermined splice points to generate a plurality of divided data at the time of moving image encoding. Each generated divided data is output with a different file name. In FIG. 2, "douga000000" is used as an example of the file name of the divided data.
, "Douga000003", "douga000006" and the like.

The divided data is stored in the viewer 4a.
Is generated in a size that fits within one page of the received page buffer.

Further, the encoder 2 generates index information 5 by associating the file name of each divided data with the information of each reproduction time, and outputs it in a file format.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the server 3 provided in the moving image data distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The server 3 mainly includes a storage device 3a and a server body 3b.

The server body 3b has a function of storing various data in the storage device 3a and a function of reading and transmitting the contents of the storage device 3a in accordance with a request from the client 4.

The storage device 3a stores various data,
Here, a plurality of divided data generated by the encoder 2 and index information 5 are also stored.

As shown in FIG. 1, the client 4 mainly comprises a client main unit 4b and a viewer 4a functioning as a moving image data reproducing apparatus. The viewer 4a operates on the client main unit 4b.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functions of the viewer 4a provided in the moving image data distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows a state during buffering before the start of reproduction, and shows a state until three pages of divided data are stored in the page buffer.

On the other hand, FIG. 4 (b) shows a state during reproduction. When one page of divided data is read by the decoder, the divided data is read from the server 3 again.

The viewer 4a is a device for reproducing moving image data, and comprises an index information receiving unit 6, a divided data receiving unit 7, a page buffer 8, and a decoder 9.

The index information receiving section 6 inputs from a user a designation of moving image data to be reproduced. Also, the server 3 requests the server 3 for index information 5 on the specified moving image data, and receives and holds the index information 5 from the server 3 as a response to the request.

The divided data receiving section 7 receives from the user reproduction time information which is the reproduction start position of the moving image data.
Also, the index information 5 of the index information receiving unit 6
, And requests the server 3 to transmit a file associated with the playback time information after the playback time information input by the user. This request is based on the assumption that the amount of divided data stored in the page buffer 8 is a fixed amount (here, three).
Output sequentially until.

The divided data receiving section 7 sequentially receives the divided data in response to the request and outputs the divided data to the page buffer 8.

The page buffer 8 includes a plurality of pages, and buffers one divided data for each page. Also, the contents of each page are sorted and stored in the order of reproduction time. Further, the divided data in the page read by the decoder 9 is discarded, and the next inputted divided data is newly secured.

When a predetermined amount of divided data is stored in the page buffer 8, the decoder 9 starts decoding processing and thereafter continues decoding processing sequentially. As a result, moving image data can be reproduced without delay.

Next, the operation of the moving image data distribution system 1 having the above configuration will be described below.

First, moving image data is divided by the encoder 2, divided data and index information are generated and stored in the server 3.

Next, the user designates the moving image data to be reproduced and the position where the reproduction is started is determined by the user in the viewer 4.
is input to a.

Next, the index information 5 generated from the moving image data designated by the user is requested from the index information receiving unit 6 of the viewer 4a to the server 3, and is received.

The received index information 5 includes
The file name of the divided data is described for the reproduction time information of the moving image data.

In the divided data receiving section 7, based on the received index information 5, the divided data associated with the position from which reproduction is to be started and thereafter is requested from the server 3 and received.

The received divided data is stored in each page of the page buffer 8 and is rearranged in the order of reproduction time.

When a certain amount of buffering is performed in the page buffer 8, stream reproduction is started by the decoder 9.

In the page buffer 8, every time one page of divided data is reproduced, the data is discarded and a page is opened.

Then, in the divided data receiving unit 7, the next undivided data that has not been received is searched based on the index information 5, and is repeatedly requested, received, and reproduced by the server 3, as described above. In the moving image data distribution system 1 according to the embodiment, the moving image data is divided into files at the splice points, and the state is described in the index information 5.

The viewer 4a requests the index information 5, and subsequently requests and receives the divided data sequentially from a desired position described in the index information 5, and reproduces the divided data.

Therefore, since the divided data from the position desired by the user are sequentially reproduced, random access to the moving image data becomes possible.

In the present embodiment, the server 3
Only keeps the file and sends the requested file from among the kept files. Therefore, when introducing the moving image data distribution system 1, it is not necessary to add a new function or action to the server 3.

Therefore, the viewer 4a on the client 4 side
Random access can be easily realized only by storing the divided data and the index information 5 in the server 3.

Further, since the processing for realizing the random access is executed by the viewer 4a instead of the server 3, it is possible to prevent the load on the server 3 from increasing even if there are a plurality of clients 4.

In the moving image data distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is assumed that the function of the encoder 2 is implemented in the client 4 and the client 4 stores the divided data and the index information 5 in the server 3 via the network. Is also good.

In the present embodiment, the function of the viewer 4a can be realized as a function of a browser or the like.
The server 3 can be a WWW server.

As a result, random access of the moving image content referred to by the browser becomes possible.

Further, in the moving image data distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, the number of clients 4 can be plural.

(Second Embodiment) In the present embodiment, a viewer which is a modification of the viewer 4a provided in the moving picture data distribution system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment, the time from when the viewer 4a requests the server 3 to receive the divided data until it receives the data depends on the load of the network line. In addition, the load of this line changes every moment due to various factors.

In the viewer 4a, in order to absorb the change in transmission speed due to the time required for transmission and the load on the line, a certain amount of divided data (set a threshold value) at the start of reproduction of moving image data is set. , And the divided data is sequentially read out thereafter.

In this method, if the amount of divided data buffered in the viewer 4a is increased, it is possible to cope with the delay due to the load on the line, but the waiting time until the start of reproduction is correspondingly increased.

It is desirable that the waiting time until the start of the reproduction be minimized within a range in which the delay due to the line load can be absorbed. Therefore, it is desirable that the amount of buffered divided data is also minimized within a range that can cope with a change in transmission time due to line load.

In the present embodiment, the time from requesting the divided data to receiving it is estimated. A description will be given of a viewer that changes the amount of divided data stored in the page buffer based on the estimated time and dynamically optimizes the amount of buffered divided data.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the viewer according to the present embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. explain in detail.

The viewer 10 includes a divided data receiving unit 11 in which the function of the divided data receiving unit 7 of the viewer 4a described in the first embodiment is changed, and a time estimation unit 12 is added as a new configuration. I have. Further, the viewer 10 can be installed in the moving image data distribution system 1 similar to the first embodiment.

The time estimating unit 12 includes the divided data receiving unit 11
Requests the server 3 for the divided data, and measures the time until the divided data is received (hereinafter, referred to as “request receiving time”).

If the measured required reception time is strictly used, there is no room for buffering. Therefore, the time estimating unit 12 estimates a slightly larger value as the required reception time so as to have a little extra. For example, even if the actual request reception time is 0.5 seconds, the request reception time is estimated to be 0.7 seconds and set.

In the time estimating section 12, the requested reception time is re-estimated and updated every time the divided data is requested and received after the reproduction is started.

The divided data receiving unit 11 performs the same processing as that of the divided data receiving unit 7 described in the first embodiment, except that the conditions for reading the divided data from the server 3 are different.

Before the start of reproduction, the divided data receiving section 11 receives the divided data from the server 3 until the total reproduction time of the divided data in the page buffer 8 exceeds the required reception time.

During reproduction, the current requested reception time is added to the reproduction time information associated with the currently reproduced divided data, and the divided data associated with the reproduction time information corresponding to the added value is requested. To receive. That is, for example, assuming that the request reception time is set to 0.7 seconds, the divided data to be reproduced after 0.7 seconds is requested and received.

The operation of the viewer 10 having the above configuration will be described below.

FIG. 6 shows a viewer 10 according to the present embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation up to the start of reproduction.

In the viewer 10, first, the index information 5 is received from the server 3 (s1).

Next, based on the index information 5 and the contents specified by the user, divided data of the reproduction start position is requested (s2).

Next, the requested divided data is received (s3), and at this time, an extra required reception time is estimated (s4).

Next, referring to the index information 5, the next divided data is requested (s5) and received (s5).
6).

Then, the divided data for the requested reception time is
It is determined whether or not it has been received by the page buffer 8 (s
7) If received, playback is started.

If not received, the next divided data is requested again and received.

FIG. 7 shows a viewer 10 according to the present embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation after the start of reproduction.

After the reproduction starts, the page buffer 8
Is empty (t1), and there is no divided data for the requested reception time in the page buffer 8 (t2), the next divided data is requested (t3).

During this time, the divided data in the page buffer 8 is decoded and reproduced (t4, t4).
9).

Next, the requested divided data is received (t5), and it is determined whether or not this divided data is the last divided data (t6).

In the case of the last divided data, the decoding process and the reproduction are continued (t7), and the process ends.

If the data is not the last divided data, the request reception time with extra data is estimated (t8), and the moving image data is reproduced by the decoding process (t9).
The above processing is repeated.

As described above, in the viewer 10 according to the present embodiment, the divided data for the time obtained by adding a little extra to the time from when the divided data is requested to the server to when the divided data is received is stored in the page buffer 8. Is accumulated in

Therefore, only the minimum necessary divided data is secured in advance, so that the time until the start of reproduction can be optimized.

(Third Embodiment) During reproduction of moving image data, if the transmission speed of the line becomes lower than the transmission speed of the divided data due to the load of the network, the moving image data may not be reproduced without interruption in the viewer. .

In the present embodiment, in such a case, a moving image data distribution system will be described which switches to divided data which can be transmitted at high speed even during the reproduction and transmits the data, thereby maintaining smooth reproduction. .

The moving picture data distribution system according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1, but special functions are added to the encoder and the viewer.

The encoder of the present system generates a plurality of types of divided data and index information having the same original moving image data and the same splice point but different transmission speeds under the same conditions.

The viewer of the present system has a function of selecting the type of divided data based on the requested reception time.

Hereinafter, an encoder having a function different from that of FIG. 1 and a viewer will be described in detail.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functions of an encoder provided in the moving picture data distribution system according to the present embodiment.

The encoder 13 performs encoding at the time of encoding.
A plurality of types of divided data having different transmission speeds are generated and output from one moving image data.

In the following, two different transmission speeds are used.
An example in which three types of divided data are generated will be described, but the same applies to a case where three or more types are generated. Also, one of the two types will be described as standard divided data, and the other having a higher transmission speed than the standard divided data will be described as high-speed divided data.

Further, the encoder 13 generates index information 1 in which the file name of the generated standard divided data and the file name of the high-speed divided data are associated with the reproduction time information.
4 is generated and output in a file format.

That is, in the index information 14, a plurality of columns of divided data file names are associated with each piece of reproduction time information, and each column is a divided data sequence encoded to have a different transmission speed. .

The server stores the standard divided data, the high-speed divided data, and the index information as a file, and transmits the file requested by the client viewer.

The viewer shown in FIG. 5 according to the second embodiment
Has a configuration similar to that of the viewer 10 except that a divided data selection function is added to the divided data receiving unit 11.

The divided data selection function is based on the assumption that the time from requesting the standard divided data to receiving it is equal to the time estimating unit 1.
If it is significantly longer than the required reception time estimated in step 2, it is determined that the transmission speed of the network is lower than the transmission speed of the divided data. In this case, the divided data selection function switches the reference of the divided data in the index information 14 from the standard divided data string to the high-speed divided data string.

On the other hand, if the time from the request of the high-speed divided data to the reception thereof becomes smaller to some extent than the requested reception time estimated by the time estimating unit 12, the transmission speed of the network is reduced. It is determined that the speed has become faster than the speed, and the reference to the divided data in the index information 14 is switched from the high-speed divided data to the standard divided data sequence having a low transmission speed but good image quality.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing executed after the reproduction is started in this viewer.

In this viewer, the moving image data is decoded and reproduced (u1). In parallel with this, it is determined whether or not the divided data for the required transmission time is stored in the page buffer 8 (u2). .

Here, if the divided data for the required transmission time is not stored in the page buffer 8, it is determined by the divided data selection function whether or not the required transmission time is too long (u3).

If the requested transmission time is too long, the one with the higher transmission speed is selected from the divided data strings of the index information 14 (u4).

On the other hand, if the requested transmission time is not too long, it is determined whether the requested transmission time is not too short (u5).

If the requested transmission time is too short, the one with the lower transmission speed is selected from the divided data strings of the index information 14 (u6).

Then, the next divided data of the type selected by the divided data selection function is requested from the server (u7).

During this time, the decoding process of the moving image data is executed and the reproduction is performed (u8).

When the requested divided data is received (u
9), extra request reception time is estimated (u1)
0).

When there is no more divided data to be requested (u11) and there is no more divided data to be reproduced (u11).
12), the process ends.

If the requested divided data exists,
The above processing is repeated.

As described above, in the moving image data distribution system according to the present embodiment, divided data having different transmission rates are generated, and if the time from requesting the divided data to receiving it is long, And the viewer reads the divided data having a high transmission speed.

Further, since the type of the divided data can be switched every time each divided data is read, the transmission speed can be changed even after the reproduction of the moving image data is started, so that the network status can be flexibly changed. Can respond.

Further, when there is a margin in the transmission speed, it is possible to change to the divided data having good image quality.

Therefore, the moving image data can be satisfactorily reproduced on the client viewer without interruption.

The functions of the viewer and the encoder described in each of the above embodiments can be implemented as a program that can be executed by a computer, such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.). ), It is also possible to apply it by writing it on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, or to apply it to various devices by transmitting it via a communication medium. A computer that realizes the functions of the viewer and the encoder reads the program recorded on the recording medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0152]

As described above in detail, in the present invention, a server is provided with a plurality of divided data obtained by decomposing moving image data, and index information in which each divided data is associated with respective reproduction time information.

Then, the moving image data reproducing apparatus receives the index information, and sequentially reads out the divided data associated with the time reproduction information at the position where reproduction is desired to start.

As a result, random access is possible without changing the configuration and functions of the server.

Further, since the processing for the random access is executed by the moving picture data reproducing device instead of the server, it is possible to prevent the load on the server from increasing due to the execution of the random access.

Further, according to the present invention, the amount of divided data stored in the moving image data reproducing apparatus is set to the time from the request of the divided data to the reception of the divided data. Can be optimized.

Further, in the present invention, a plurality of types of divided data having different transmission speeds are prepared, and the type of the divided data to be received is switched according to the network conditions, so that the data can be smoothly processed without being affected by the load on the network. Reproduction becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a moving image data distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functions of an encoder according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server provided in the moving image data distribution system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram showing functions of a viewer provided in the moving image data distribution system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a viewer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the viewer according to the embodiment before the reproduction is started.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the viewer according to the embodiment after the reproduction is started.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functions of an encoder provided in a moving image data distribution system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of the viewer provided in the moving image data distribution system according to the embodiment after the reproduction is started;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Moving image data distribution system 2, 13 ... Encoder 3 ... Server 4 ... Client 4a, 10 ... Viewer 5, 14 ... Index information 6 ... Index information receiving part 7, 11 ... Divided data receiving part 8 ... Page buffer 9 ... Decoder 12: Time estimation unit

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An index information receiving means for requesting a server to receive index information generated by associating a plurality of pieces of divided data obtained by dividing moving image data with respective pieces of reproduction time information; According to the index information received by the information receiving means, the divided data receiving means for sequentially requesting and receiving the server from the server, the reproduction time information instructed to start the reproduction and the divided data associated with the subsequent reproduction time information, A moving image data reproducing apparatus, comprising: a storage unit for storing the divided data received by the divided data receiving unit; and a reproducing unit for sequentially reproducing the divided data stored in the storage unit. 2. The moving image data reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a time estimating unit for estimating a time from a request for transmission of the divided data to a server to a reception of the divided data, The divided data receiving means requests the server for the divided data according to the index information when the divided data for substantially the same time as the time estimated by the time estimating means is not stored in the storage means; The means starts reproducing the divided data stored in the storage means when the divided data for substantially the same time as the time estimated by the time estimation means is stored in the storage means. Moving image data reproducing device. 3. When a plurality of types having different transmission speeds are generated for a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing moving image data, the plurality of types of divided data are associated with respective reproduction time information. Index information receiving means for requesting and receiving index information generated by the server, and time estimating means for estimating a time from requesting the server to transmit the divided data to receiving the divided data. , Based on the time estimated by the time estimation means,
Division data selection means for selecting the type of the division data to be requested, according to the index information received by the index information receiving means, associated with reproduction time information instructed to start reproduction and subsequent reproduction time information, and Divided data receiving means for sequentially requesting and receiving the divided data of the type selected by the divided data selecting means from the server; storage means for storing the divided data received by the divided data receiving means; And a reproducing means for sequentially reproducing the divided data stored in the moving image data. 4. The moving image data reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the divided data receiving unit does not store the divided data for substantially the same time as the time estimated by the time estimating unit in the storage unit. In this case, the divided data of the type selected by the data selecting means is requested to the server in accordance with the index information, and the reproducing means is configured to divide the data by a time substantially equal to the time estimated by the time estimating means. A moving image data reproducing apparatus, wherein when data is stored in the storage means, reproduction of the divided data stored in the storage means is started. 5. A moving image data dividing apparatus that divides moving image data into a plurality of pieces to generate a plurality of pieces of divided data, and generates index information that associates the plurality of pieces of divided data with reproduction time information of the divided data. . 6. A plurality of types having different transmission speeds are generated for a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing moving image data, and index information in which each of the plurality of types of divided data is associated with respective reproduction time information is generated. A moving image data dividing device to generate. 7. An index information receiving function for requesting a server to receive index information generated by associating a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing moving image data with respective pieces of reproduction time information, and a computer, According to the index information received by the index information receiving function, a divided data receiving function for sequentially requesting the server to receive the reproduction time information instructed to start reproduction and the divided data associated with the subsequent reproduction time information and receiving the data. And a computer-readable program storing a program for realizing a storage function for storing the divided data received by the divided data reception function and a reproduction function for sequentially reproducing the divided data stored by the storage function. recoding media. 8. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 7, further comprising: a time estimating function for estimating a time from requesting the server to transmit the divided data to receiving the divided data, The divided data receiving function requests the divided data from the server according to the index information when the divided data for substantially the same time as the time estimated by the time estimation function is not stored by the storage function, The reproducing function is characterized in that, when divided data for approximately the same time as the time estimated by the time estimation function is stored by the storage function, reproduction of the divided data stored by the storage function is started. Computer-readable recording medium. 9. When a plurality of types having different transmission speeds are generated for a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing moving image data, a plurality of types of divided data and respective reproduction time information are provided in a computer. An index information receiving function for requesting and receiving index information generated in association with the server, and a time estimation for estimating a time from requesting the server to transmit the divided data to receiving the divided data. Based on the function and the time estimated by the time estimation function,
A divided data selection function for selecting a type of the divided data to be requested; and, in accordance with the index information received by the index information receiving function, the reproduction time information instructed to start reproduction and the subsequent reproduction time information, and A divided data receiving function for sequentially requesting and receiving the divided data of the type selected by the divided data selecting function from the server; a storage function for storing the divided data received by the divided data receiving function; A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for realizing a reproduction function of sequentially reproducing divided data stored by the computer is recorded. 10. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the divided data receiving function stores divided data for substantially the same time as the time estimated by the time estimating function in the storage function. If there is no data, the divided data of the type selected by the data selection function is requested to the server in accordance with the index information, and the reproduction function performs the same time as the time estimated by the time estimation function. A computer-readable recording medium, wherein when divided data is stored by the storage function, reproduction of the divided data stored by the storage function is started. 11. A computer having a function of dividing moving image data into a plurality of pieces to generate a plurality of pieces of divided data, and generating index information in which the plurality of pieces of divided data are associated with reproduction time information of the divided data. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for realizing the program is recorded. 12. A computer generates a plurality of types having different transmission speeds for a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing moving image data, and associates each of the plurality of types of divided data with respective reproduction time information. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for realizing a function of generating index information is recorded. 13. A moving image data distribution system for distributing moving image data stored in a server to a client, the server comprising: a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing the moving image data; And the client holds index information that associates each piece of reproduction time information with the client. The client requests the server for the index information and receives the index information. The index information received by the index information receiving means A divided data receiving means for sequentially requesting and receiving divided data associated with the reproduction time information instructed to start reproduction and the subsequent reproduction time information from the server, and receiving the divided data received by the divided data receiving means. Storage means for storing data; stored in the storage means Moving image data distribution system comprising: a reproducing means for sequentially reproducing the divided data that.