JP2004064330A - Streaming distribution method, streaming distribution system and its device - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To enable streaming distribution from a previous viewing location when a user views content by streaming in an IP network such as the Internet.
When a server receives a content viewing request by streaming from a user terminal, the server determines whether the viewing request is a request for viewing a new content or a request for viewing a previously viewed content in the middle. And notifies the user terminal of content reproduction location information for reproducing the content from the most appropriate location. The user terminal receives streaming distribution from an arbitrary location of the content based on the notified content reproduction location information.
[Selection] Fig. 2

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for streaming distribution of digital contents such as audio and video in an IP network such as the Internet, and in particular, to a streaming distribution method and a streaming distribution system capable of performing an appropriate resumption process when a disconnection occurs during viewing of streaming contents. And a device used for the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when viewing digital content such as audio and video as streaming in an IP network such as the Internet, the player installed on the user terminal is activated and the server is accessed to allow the streaming content to be downloaded from the beginning of the content. I'm watching.
[0003]
The player is an application program that has a function of playing, stopping, fast-forwarding, rewinding, and the like of digital content such as audio and video, which can be operated by the user's will. The user can instruct the player to fast-forward when skipping the-part of the streaming content, and instruct the user to rewind if he wants to view the same location repeatedly, so that the content can be reproduced and viewed from any location. It is possible.
[0004]
On the other hand, if the connection between the user terminal and the server is disconnected due to the user's action, or if the disconnection occurs due to a change in network conditions unrelated to the user's action, the same terminal or a different terminal When the user reconnects to the same content, the user views the content again from the beginning, and the user himself / herself fast-forwards and rewinds to specify a location that was viewed before the reconnection. .
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the case of viewing content by streaming via an IP network such as the Internet, in the related art, after disconnecting the connection between the user terminal and the server, the user who attempts to reconnect to the same content operates the player. By doing so, there was a problem that the previous viewing location had to be specified by fast forward and rewind operations.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for re-connecting to the same content as the content previously viewed using the same terminal or another terminal, and immediately re-connecting the content from the previous viewing location. It is an object of the present invention to provide reproduction and viewing of content, and to simplify terminal movement of content being viewed in changing a terminal due to movement of a user.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention manages, for each user, a content ID of a content that has been viewed before, a playback location when the viewing of the content is interrupted, and a user terminal. When a request for viewing content by streaming is received from the server, the management information indicates whether the request for viewing is a request for viewing a new content or a request for viewing the previously viewed content from the middle. The main feature is to determine and notify the user terminal of a content reproduction location for reproducing the content from the most appropriate location. This allows the user to view the continuation from the previous viewing location.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram showing a configuration example of a streaming distribution system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a user terminal 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a terminal) is a personal computer or the like on which a user mounts a player for viewing streaming content. The user request processing device 2 on the server side is connected via an IP network such as the Internet. And the streaming distribution device 4. The user request processing device 2 is a server that receives a request for obtaining location information (URL) of a streaming content as a streaming content viewing request from the terminal 1 and responds with the location information of the content. The user request processing device 2 also cooperates with the streaming quality management device 3 to determine whether the request is a new streaming distribution request or a reconnection from the interrupted location, and the content playback location information And notifies the terminal 1. The streaming quality management device 3 is a server that manages the viewing location of the content at the time of interruption along with the user ID and the content ID when the user intentionally or accidentally interrupts the viewing of the streaming content. The streaming distribution device 4 is a server that actually distributes contents to the terminal 1 as streaming and traces IP packets exchanged with the terminal 1.
[0009]
The user request processing device 2, the streaming quality management device 3, and the streaming distribution device 4 constituting each server are installed, for example, in a streaming distribution service center and connected via a LAN or the like, or respectively installed in remote locations. Then, any method of connecting via a wide area network may be used. The functions of the devices 2, 3, and 4 may be realized by one device. The functions of the devices 2 and 3 are performed by one device, and the device 4 is installed by another device at another place. It may be. Further, the device 3 may be connected to a plurality of devices 2 and 4.
[0010]
Hereinafter, details of each device will be described with reference to FIG.
The terminal 1 has a streaming content player mounted on a commercial PC or the like, for example. The terminal 1 is not limited to a commercially available personal computer, but may be any device capable of mounting a streaming content player, such as a mobile phone or a PDA.
[0011]
The user request processing device (user request processing server) 2 exchanges content location information and content reproduction location information with the terminal 1, and reproduces the content in response to a request from the streaming quality management device 3 and the terminal 1. A communication unit 21 which is an interface for exchanging location information, a content location information management unit 22 which manages location information of the content, and a content location information acquisition request as a content viewing / listening request from the terminal 1 by streaming. A playback location inquiring unit 23 for inquiring the streaming quality management device 3 where the appropriate playback location of the content is, and integrating the two pieces of information to notify the terminal 1 of the content location information and the playback location information together A response processing unit 24 for making a response, an authentication unit 25 for authenticating whether a user connected via the terminal 1 can view the content, and an authentication information table 251 for managing authentication information. It is composed. The number of the communication units 21 may be one or more, and different interfaces may be used for communication with the terminal 1 and communication with the streaming quality management device 3.
[0012]
The streaming quality management device (streaming quality management server) 3 exchanges appropriate reproduction location information of the content with the user request processing device 2 in response to the user request, and also exchanges the streaming distribution device 4 with the user's viewing content and viewing content. A communication unit 31 which is an interface for exchanging interruption point information; a viewing content ID for each user; a viewing location management unit 32 for managing a location where content viewing has been interrupted; and a viewing content ID for each user. It comprises a viewing location management table 321 for recording locations where viewing has been interrupted. The number of the communication units 31 may be one or more, and different interfaces can be used for communication with the user request processing device 2 and communication with the streaming distribution device 4.
[0013]
The streaming distribution device (streaming distribution server) 4 is an interface for transmitting streaming data to the terminal 1 and exchanging the streaming quality management device 3 with viewing content information for each user, information on interruption points of viewing content, and the like. A communication unit 41, a streaming distribution processing unit 42 for performing a streaming distribution process to a user, a message trace unit 43 for tracing an IP packet exchanged with the terminal 1, a viewing information management unit 44, It comprises a viewing information management table 441 that records viewing content ID, user IP address, distribution port, viewing start time, and the like. The number of the communication units 41 may be one or more, and different interfaces may be used for communication with the terminal 1 and communication with the streaming quality management device 3.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is an example of a sequence showing an overall processing outline of the system of the present invention. The terminal 1 transmits a content location information (URL) acquisition request to the user request processing device 2 as a content viewing request when a user requests a new streaming distribution or a reproduction request from a disconnection point (S1). After receiving the content location information acquisition request from the terminal 1, the user request processing device 2 performs user authentication using the authentication information table 251 (S 2), and then reproduces the content of the user with respect to the streaming quality management device 3. An inquiry about the location is made (S3). The streaming quality management device 3 searches the viewing location management table 321 (S4), and responds to the user request processing device 2 with the most appropriate reproduction location of the content (the beginning or interruption location of the content) (S5). The user request processing device 2 notifies the terminal 1 of the reproduction location information of the requested content together with the location information of the requested content (S6).
[0015]
The terminal 1 accesses the streaming distribution device 4 using the content location information, and transmits the content information and the content reproduction information as a streaming distribution request (S7). The streaming distribution device 4 distributes the requested content to the terminal 1 by streaming from the requested reproduction point (S8), and at the same time, traces IP packets exchanged with the terminal 1 (S9). . Thereafter, when a streaming distribution interruption request from the terminal 1 or a distribution interruption due to a change in network status or the like occurs (S10), the streaming distribution device 4 sends the user ID, the content ID, the content viewing interruption point, and the like to the streaming quality management device 3. Notify (S11). The streaming quality management device 3 updates the viewing location management table 321 with the user ID, content ID, content viewing suspension location, and the like from the streaming distribution device 4 (S12).
[0016]
Hereinafter, the operations of the user request processing device 2, the streaming quality management device 3, and the streaming distribution device 4 will be described in detail.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of the user request processing device 2. When a content viewing request is received from the terminal 1 and a content location information acquisition request is received (S21), the authentication unit 25 checks whether or not the user can view the content by searching the authentication information table 251 (step S21). S22). The contents to be confirmed are, for example, a user ID and a password. FIG. 6 shows an example of the authentication information table 251. If the user can view the content, the playback location inquiry unit 23 determines whether the acquisition of the content location information is a request for playback from the interrupted location or a request for new viewing of the content. In order to make the determination, the streaming quality management device 3 is notified of the ID of the user who transmitted the content location information acquisition request and the ID of the content via the communication unit 21, and inquires the reproduction location of the content (S23, S24). ). When content playback location information is received as an inquiry result from the streaming quality management device 3 (S25), the response processing unit 24 notifies the terminal 1 of the location information of the requested content and the content playback location information (S26). The location information of the content is obtained from the content location information management unit 22. On the other hand, if the authentication of the user by the authentication unit 25 fails, the response processing unit 24 notifies the terminal 1 via the communication unit 21 that the request to acquire the content location information has been rejected (S23, S27).
[0018]
FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart when the streaming quality management device 3 receives an inquiry about a content reproduction location from the user request processing device 2. Upon receiving an inquiry from the user request processing device 2 via the communication unit 31 as to where the most appropriate content is to be reproduced in response to the request (S31), the viewing location management unit 32 transmits the notified user ID. Then, the viewing location management table 321 is searched using the content ID as a key (S32). The viewing location management table 321 records the user ID of the user who previously viewed the content halfway and interrupted the viewing, the content ID, and information on the location where the viewing was interrupted. FIG. 7 shows an example of the viewing location management table 321. When the information matching the user ID and the content ID is found by searching the viewing location management table 321, the streaming quality management device 3 sends the most appropriate information to the user request processing device 2 via the communication unit 31. The interruption point information is returned as the content reproduction point (S33, S34). If there is no interruption location information that matches the user ID and the content ID information, the top of the content is returned as the most appropriate content playback location (S33, S35). Note that the information on the interruption point of the content recorded for each user in the viewing location management table 321 is updated based on the result of the IP frame trace performed by the streaming distribution device 5 described later.
[0019]
FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart of the streaming distribution device 4. Upon receiving the content information and the reproduction location information of the content as a streaming distribution request from the terminal 1 (S41), the stream distribution processing unit 42 transmits the requested content to the terminal 1 via the communication unit 41 to perform the requested reproduction. Streaming distribution is performed from the location (S42). At the same time, the message tracing unit 43 traces the IP packet exchanged between the streaming distribution device 4 and the terminal 1, and acquires information such as the user's IP address, viewing content, and playback location (S43). The acquired information is managed in the viewing information management table 441 of the viewing information management unit 44 (S44). FIG. 8 shows an example of the viewing information management table 441. If a streaming distribution stop request is received at the time of tracing an IP packet, or if it is detected that streaming distribution with one or more terminals has been interrupted due to a change in network conditions or the like (S45), streaming is performed. The distribution device 4 notifies the streaming quality management device 3 of the ID of the user who has viewed the streaming, the ID of the content, and the information of the location where the viewing of the content has been interrupted, via the communication unit 41. It is updated (S46).
[0020]
As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, in the present invention, the user authentication performed in the user request processing device 2 is not based on the user ID and the password, but is based on the IP address of the terminal or the manufacturing unique to the portable terminal. Of course, it can be executed using a number, a mobile phone number or the like. In addition, when performing reproduction from the interruption point, it is of course possible to specify reproduction from before or after the interruption point in consideration of user's convenience.
[0021]
Furthermore, in the present invention, the user request processing device 2 requests the user in advance to specify whether the request is a new connection request or a reconnection, and only when the reconnection is selected, Needless to say, the streaming quality management device can be inquired of the reproduction location.
[0022]
A part or all of the processing functions of each of the devices 2, 3, and 4 shown in FIG. 1 are configured by a computer program, and the program can be executed using a computer to realize the present invention; or Needless to say, the processing procedure shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 can be configured by a computer program, and the computer can execute the program. In addition, a program for realizing the processing function by the computer or a program for causing the computer to execute the processing procedure is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as an FD, an MO, a ROM, a memory card, The program can be recorded on a CD, a DVD, a removable disk, or the like, stored and provided, and the program can be distributed through a network such as the Internet.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, on the Internet or the like, when a user views a content by streaming, when the same content is changed to the same terminal or a terminal and reconnected. Also, the user can immediately start viewing the content from the previous viewing location.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a streaming distribution system to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall processing sequence of the streaming distribution system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flowchart of a user request processing device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flowchart when the streaming quality management device receives an inquiry about a content reproduction location.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flowchart of a streaming distribution device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table in which a user request processing device manages user authentication information.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table in which the streaming quality management device manages viewing locations of contents.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table in which the streaming distribution device manages content viewing information.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 User Terminal 2 User Request Processing Device 21 Communication Unit 22 Content Location Information Management Unit 23 Playback Location Inquiry Unit 24 Response Processing Unit 25 Authentication Unit 251 Authentication Information Table 3 Streaming Quality Management Device 31 Communication Unit 32 Viewing Location Management Unit 321 Viewing Location Management Table 4 Streaming distribution device 41 Communication unit 42 Streaming distribution processing unit 43 Message trace unit 44 Viewing information management unit 441 Viewing information management table

Claims (9)

A method of streaming content over a network,
The server side receives the streaming content viewing request from the user terminal, and determines whether the viewing request is a request to newly view the content or a request to view the previously viewed content from the middle. Notifies the user terminal of content reproduction location information for reproducing the content from the most appropriate location,
A streaming distribution method, wherein the user terminal receives streaming distribution from an arbitrary position of the content according to the notified content reproduction location information. The streaming distribution method according to claim 1,
The server side manages, for each user, the content ID of the content that has been viewed before, the playback location when the viewing of the content has been interrupted, and when receiving a content viewing request from the user terminal, the management thereof. A streaming distribution method characterized by determining whether the viewing request is a request to view a new content or a request to view a previously viewed content from the middle based on information. A system that is connected to a user terminal via a network and distributes content to the user terminal by streaming,
Comprising a user request processing device, a streaming quality management device, and a streaming distribution device,
The user request processing device notifies the streaming quality management device of the user ID of the user who transmitted the viewing request and the content ID of the content to the streaming quality management device. Inquiring the playback location, means for acquiring the playback location of the content, and means for notifying the user terminal of the location information of the content and the playback location information of the content,
The streaming quality management device includes, for each user, a content ID of the content that has been viewed before, a viewing location management table for managing a playback location when the viewing of the content is interrupted, and playback of the content from the user request processing device. Upon receiving the inquiry about the location, the user has a means for searching the viewing location management table based on the notified user ID and content ID, and responding to the most appropriate content reproduction location,
Upon receiving the content information and the reproduction location information of the content as a streaming distribution request from the user terminal, the streaming distribution device performs a streaming distribution of the requested content from the requested reproduction location, and, when detecting the interruption of the streaming distribution, Means for notifying the streaming quality management device of a user ID of a user who has viewed the streaming, a content ID of the content, and information of a content viewing interruption point,
A streaming distribution system, characterized in that: The streaming distribution system according to claim 3,
The user request processing device asks the user terminal in advance whether it is a new connection request or a reconnection, and in the case of the reconnection, inquires the streaming quality management device of the reproduction location only in the case of the reconnection. Streaming distribution system. The streaming distribution system according to claim 3 or 4,
A streaming distribution system, wherein the user request processing device, the streaming quality management device, and the streaming distribution device are respectively installed at remote locations and connected to each other via a network. The streaming distribution system according to claim 3 or 4,
A streaming distribution system wherein a part or all of the functions of a user request processing device, a streaming quality management device, and a streaming distribution device are realized by one device. A user request processing device used in the streaming distribution system according to claim 3. A streaming quality management device used in the streaming distribution system according to claim 3. A streaming distribution device used in the streaming distribution system according to claim 3.

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