JP2004362261A - Metadata distribution method, transmission device for metadata distribution, and recording medium recording function program of transmission device for metadata distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a user with efficient metadata by using broadcast type and individual type distribution in an integrated manner.
A distribution priority management unit receives a distribution priority for each content and a distribution priority for each information content, and supplies it to a metadata distribution determining unit. From the transmission band and retransmission cycle available for broadcast distribution from the network condition management unit 13 and the metadata capacity of the metadata from the metadata storage unit 14, the metadata to be distributed in the broadcast type is retransmitted multiple times. The determination is performed for each cycle, and the determination result is supplied to the metadata separation processing unit 15. The separation processing unit 15 divides the actual metadata as a file based on the information provided from the metadata distribution determination unit 12, and divides the file that can be broadcasted for each retransmission cycle. Is placed on the broadcast server 16 according to the above, and the metadata file that is not broadcast is placed on the individual delivery server 17.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a broadcast service and a user who collectively distribute to a plurality of users according to a distribution schedule led by a server when a metadata service provider distributes metadata describing attribute information about content to the user. The present invention relates to a metadata distribution method, a metadata distribution transmission device, and a recording medium on which a functional program of a metadata distribution transmission device is recorded for performing metadata distribution by integrally using individual distribution based on a side request. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional metadata distribution method, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of broadcast distribution by the DSM-CC data carousel transmission method, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of individual distribution by HTTP access, and FIG. 7 is a diagram when these distributions are integrated. FIG.
[0003]
By using the broadcast distribution by the data carousel transmission method shown in FIG. 5 or the broadcast distribution such as IP multicast (not shown), the metadata commonly required by a plurality of users (users having a receiver) can be transmitted to the service. It is possible for the provider to use the satellite to collectively distribute the data (the case where the satellite is used as an example in FIG. 5, but a wired line may be used). Metadata can be distributed without increasing the load on the server or the network.
[0004]
However, in the case of simple broadcast distribution as described above, since the timing of data reception by users varies, it is necessary to repeatedly distribute the same metadata at a certain retransmission cycle. Due to restrictions, there is a limit on the total amount of metadata that can be distributed.
[0005]
In the case of individual metadata distribution such as HTTP shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to acquire requested metadata from a metadata server at an arbitrary timing desired by a user via a network.
[0006]
However, with only individual distribution, access from a large number of users may be concentrated, and thus there is a problem that the load on a server or a network increases.
[0007]
Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with metadata related to the program content by using the broadcast distribution and the individual distribution shown in FIG. 7 in an integrated manner. In this method, only the metadata required by multiple users is broadcasted, and the metadata required by only a small number of users is individually distributed. Due to the immediacy of the broadcast distribution and the individual distribution within the retransmission cycle, the convenience of the user can be improved.
[0008]
For example, integrated use is considered, such as broadcasting the content title, distribution time, and summary description, etc. commonly used by users, and receiving detailed description of the content as individual distribution only to the necessary users. Can be
[0009]
There is also an operation method of distributing all the metadata related to the popular content by broadcast distribution, and receiving the metadata related to the less popular content (with few users) by individual distribution.
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-344935
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when broadcasting and individual distribution are used in an integrated manner to provide users with metadata related to program content, one piece of metadata is divided into meter data for broadcasting and metadata for individual distribution. When storing in each distribution server, there is no mechanism for optimally determining the division of the distribution route.
[0012]
For example, information is fixedly divided, such as "summary information is broadcast type, detailed information is individual type" or "popular content metadata is broadcast type, and minor content metadata is individual type". Means for arranging in a server or a transmission device.
[0013]
For this reason, the division of information becomes fixed, and in broadcast distribution, the distribution band that satisfies the required retransmission cycle cannot be estimated optimally, or reduction in individual distribution by broadcasting metadata is not expected. There was a problem.
[0014]
Furthermore, when the number of metadata and the description level of metadata are different, there is a problem that the distribution band required for the broadcast distribution cannot be estimated optimally. In other words, even when the total amount of metadata increases due to an increase in the number or description detail, it is essential to keep a fixed retransmission cycle, and it is necessary to secure a distribution band assuming the maximum metadata amount. .
[0015]
For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to optimally design a network, and that the description creativity is restricted for a metadata creator.
[0016]
In addition, when the metadata of a certain content reaches a certain amount or more, if the method of distributing the data that exceeds the fixed limit individually is adopted, the transmission bandwidth of the broadcast distribution is designed and the retransmission cycle is secured. Is easy, but the metadata required by the majority of users may not be broadcast. If the number of users who request metadata for individual distribution increases, the load on the server and network increases. There is a problem of doing.
[0017]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a part provided in the broadcast distribution using the broadcast distribution priority of the metadata, a transmission band of the broadcast distribution, a retransmission cycle, and the like and an individual distribution. Provided is a metadata distribution method, a metadata distribution transmission device, and a recording medium on which a functional program of the metadata distribution transmission device is recorded, wherein the metadata is divided into parts and transmitted efficiently on each path. The task is to
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a distribution unit for broadcasting or individually distributing metadata describing attribute information relating to content to a receiving terminal, and performing a meta data distribution from the distribution unit. In the data distribution method,
From the distribution priority of the metadata and the network conditions of the transmission method, the metadata to be distributed and the metadata to be individually distributed among all the distribution metadata are determined, and the broadcast or the individual distribution metadata is determined from the determination result. Separately and separately, thereafter, the separated metadata is respectively supplied to the broadcast distribution means or the individual distribution means, and a metadata distribution method characterized by executing the distribution of the metadata separately from this distribution means, It is a means of solving it.
[0019]
Alternatively, in the above-described metadata distribution method, a metadata distribution method, characterized in that a retransmission cycle under the network conditions includes a plurality of retransmission cycles having different frequencies, is a means for solving the problem.
[0020]
Alternatively, in the above metadata distribution method, the transmission method determines a method that can be received by a receiving terminal to which the metadata is to be distributed, and distributes the metadata according to the determined method. , As a means of solving the problem.
[0021]
In addition, the transmitting device for metadata distribution, which includes a distribution unit that broadcasts or individually distributes the metadata describing the attribute information on the content to the receiving terminal, and distributes the metadata from the distribution unit,
Means for determining distribution of metadata to be distributed and metadata to be individually distributed among all distribution metadata based on the distribution priority of the metadata and network conditions of the transmission method, and a result determined by the distribution determining means A means for separately separating broadcast or individual distribution metadata from each other, and a broadcast distribution means or individual distribution means to which the metadata separated by the separation means are respectively supplied,
A transmitting device for metadata distribution that separately distributes metadata from the distribution unit is a means for solving the problem.
[0022]
Alternatively, in the above-mentioned metadata transmitting device, the retransmitting period under the network condition is composed of a plurality of retransmitting periods having different frequencies.
[0023]
Alternatively, in the transmission device for metadata distribution described above, the transmission method determines a method receivable by a receiving terminal targeted for metadata distribution, and distributes the metadata in accordance with the determined method. The transmitting device for use is a means for solving the problem.
[0024]
Furthermore, a recording medium comprising distribution means for broadcasting or individually distributing metadata describing attribute information about contents to a receiving terminal, and recording a functional program of a transmission device for metadata distribution for distributing metadata from the distribution means At
A step of determining, from the delivery priority of the metadata and network conditions of the transmission method, the metadata to be broadcast and the metadata to be individually delivered among all the delivery metadata; A computer readable recording of a function program of a transmission device on a recording medium, comprising a procedure of separately separating the distribution metadata and a procedure of supplying the metadata separated in this procedure to the broadcast distribution unit or the individual distribution unit, respectively. A simple recording medium is a means for solving the problem.
[0025]
Alternatively, in a recording medium on which the function program of the transmission device for metadata distribution described above is recorded, a computer-readable recording medium on which a function program of a procedure in which the retransmission cycle under the network conditions is composed of a plurality of retransmission cycles having different frequencies is recorded. A possible recording medium is the means for solving the problem.
[0026]
Alternatively, in the recording medium recording the function program of the transmitting device for metadata distribution, the transmission method determines a method that can be received by a receiving terminal to which the metadata is to be distributed, and distributes the metadata accordingly. A computer-readable recording medium in which the functional program of the procedure is recorded on the recording medium is a means for solving the problem.
[0027]
In the present invention, the metadata is divided into a portion to be provided in the broadcast delivery and a portion to be provided in the individual delivery by using the broadcast delivery priority of the metadata and the transmission band of the broadcast delivery, a retransmission cycle transmission method, and the like. Is efficiently transmitted through the distribution route of
[0028]
Further, according to the present invention, in the transmitting station, the broadcast delivery priority added to the metadata file for each content to be delivered and the broadcast delivery priority for each element / attribute (information content) in the metadata In consideration of the above, the broadcast distribution portion of each metadata is determined from the transmission band for the broadcast distribution and the plurality of retransmission periods according to the file capacity that can be distributed by the broadcast type within a certain time. Broadcast distribution metadata can be separated into a plurality of types according to a plurality of retransmission cycles. In addition, any metadata element / attribute that cannot be broadcast is separated into separate files and placed on a server that performs individual distribution. As described above, it is possible to solve the problem in the case of using the broadcast type and the individual type distribution in an integrated manner, and to efficiently provide the metadata to the user.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the metadata provided in the broadcast delivery using the broadcast delivery priority of the metadata and the available transmission band, retransmission cycle, and transmission method of the broadcast, and the metadata provided in the individual delivery. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a system configuration using the present invention, which divides data and efficiently transmits the divided data through each path.
[0030]
The system configuration shown in FIG. 1 is used for, for example, a metadata server shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, a distribution priority management unit 11 receives a metadata distribution priority for each content and a distribution priority for each information content, manages them, and, in accordance with a request from the metadata distribution determination unit 12, It has a function of supplying information to the metadata distribution determination unit 12.
[0031]
On the other hand, the network condition management unit 13 has a function of receiving and managing a cycle for repeatedly retransmitting the same metadata as the transmission band in the broadcast distribution and a transmission method. The retransmission cycle can manage a plurality of cycles having different frequencies. There is a function of supplying such information in accordance with a request from the metadata distribution determination unit 12.
[0032]
The metadata storage unit 14 has a function of storing metadata describing attribute information of the content and supplying the metadata in response to a request from the metadata distribution determination unit 12.
[0033]
The metadata delivery determination unit 12 includes a broadcast delivery priority of metadata obtained from the delivery priority management unit 11, a transmission band and a retransmission cycle of the broadcast obtained from the network condition management unit 13, and a metadata storage unit. It has a function of judging the metadata to be distributed in a broadcast format for each of a plurality of retransmission cycles based on the data capacity of the metadata obtained from 14, and supplying the judgment result to the metadata separation processing unit 15.
[0034]
The metadata separation processing unit 15 divides the actual metadata as a file based on the information passed from the metadata distribution determination unit 12, and divides the actual metadata into files for each retransmission cycle. Then, it is arranged on the broadcast server 16 according to the transmission method. Those using individual distribution are arranged in the individual distribution server 17.
[0035]
The server 16 for broadcasting is composed of a broadcasting server 16a of the IP multicast transmission system and a broadcasting server 16b of the data carousel transmission system.
[0036]
The former broadcast distribution server 16a has a function of broadcasting the received broadcast distribution metadata file by the IP multicast transmission method in accordance with a specified retransmission cycle. 16b has a function of broadcasting the received broadcast distribution metadata file by the DSM-CC data carousel transmission method in accordance with a specified retransmission cycle.
[0037]
The individual distribution server 17 has a function of holding the delivered individual distribution metadata file and individually returning the metadata file in accordance with a distribution request from the user side.
[0038]
In the system according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the distribution priority management unit 11 receives the metadata describing the attribute information of the content as the distribution priority for each content and the distribution priority for each information content. Thereafter, when there is a request from the metadata distribution determination unit 12, the received information is supplied to the metadata distribution determination unit 12.
[0039]
The metadata delivery determination unit 12 receives the broadcast priority of the received metadata, the transmission band and retransmission cycle available for the broadcast delivery from the network condition management unit 13, and the metadata from the metadata storage unit 14. The metadata to be distributed in a broadcast type is determined for each of a plurality of retransmission periods based on the metadata capacity of.
[0040]
The metadata separation processing unit 15 divides actual metadata into files based on information provided from the metadata distribution determination unit 12 by a separation process shown in FIG. By this process, the metadata file that can be broadcast is divided for each retransmission cycle and placed on the broadcast servers 16a and 16b according to the transmission method.
[0041]
Metadata files that are not to be distributed are placed in the individual distribution server 17 and distributed as appropriate based on a request from a user. Automatically split metadata files to achieve efficient distribution.
[0042]
The above-described embodiment has functions different from those of the conventional system shown in FIG. 7, and the different components receive and manage the input of the distribution priority for each content and the distribution priority for each information content. A distribution priority management unit 11, a network condition management unit 13 that receives and manages input of network conditions such as a transmission band available for broadcast distribution, a cycle for repeatedly retransmitting the same metadata, and a transmission method; The metadata distribution determination unit 12 determines the metadata to be broadcast and the metadata to be individually distributed based on the degree and the transmission band / retransmission cycle, separates the metadata into separate files from the determination result, and This is the metadata separation processing unit 15 to be passed to the distribution server.
[0043]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of the metadata separation processing unit 15. In FIG. 2, the metadata of the contents A, B, and C sent from the metadata distribution determination unit 12 are stored in the metadata separation processing unit 15. Then, the metadata of the contents A and B for broadcast distribution and the metadata of the contents A, B and C for individual distribution are separated and arranged on the broadcast distribution server 16 and the individual distribution server 17, respectively.
[0044]
FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of a distribution priority for each content managed by the distribution priority management unit 11 and a distribution priority order for each information content.
[0045]
Next, the operation of the system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0046]
First, in step S1, the distribution priority management unit 11 reads the distribution priority for each content and the distribution priority for each information content managed by the distribution priority management unit 11 in step S1, and distributes the metadata. It is supplied to the determination unit 12.
[0047]
In step S2, network conditions such as a transmission band, a retransmission cycle, and a transmission method managed by the network condition management unit 13 are read by the network condition management unit 13 and supplied to the metadata distribution determination unit 11.
[0048]
Further, in step S3, the metadata managed by the metadata storage unit 14 is read by the metadata storage unit 14 and supplied to the metadata distribution determination unit 12.
[0049]
The metadata delivery determination unit 12 determines a delivery route in step S4 from the passed information as described later.
[0050]
First, the metadata distribution determination unit 12 calculates the amount of metadata that can be transmitted per unit time from the transmission band and the retransmission cycle, and if there are multiple retransmission cycles, calculates the metadata capacity for each retransmission cycle.
[0051]
In addition, the metadata distribution determination unit 12 sums the distribution priority for each content and the distribution priority for each information content by a certain weight, and calculates the broadcast distribution priority of each metadata element / attribute.
[0052]
Further, the metadata delivery determination unit 12 calculates the sum of the data capacities from those having higher priorities, and when the metadata capacity reaches the upper limit, calculates the data capacity to be delivered in the next retransmission cycle. repeat.
[0053]
Then, after completing the calculation for all retransmission cycles, the metadata distribution determination unit 12 determines the distribution route in step S4 together with the transmission method using the classification result of the metadata element / attribute to be distributed in each retransmission cycle. After the determination, the information is supplied to the metadata separation processing unit 15.
[0054]
In step S5, the metadata separation processing unit 15 divides the metadata into individual files based on the classification result, and notifies the broadcast distribution server 16 corresponding to the specified transmission method of the retransmission cycle together with the metadata file. Are arranged (step S6). The metadata file for individual distribution is arranged on the individual distribution server 17 (step S7).
[0055]
Thereafter, the metadata file is repeatedly broadcasted to the broadcast server 16 to which the metadata file has been supplied in accordance with the specified retransmission cycle. Further, the individual distribution server 17 to which the metadata file has been supplied individually distributes the corresponding metadata file in accordance with a request from the user.
[0056]
With the above operation, in the form of using the broadcast type and the individual type distribution in an integrated manner, it is possible to distribute the metadata required by multiple users according to the specified network conditions. The metadata can be efficiently distributed to the user together with the distribution.
[0057]
It is to be noted that a part or all of the functions of each unit in the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 are configured by a computer program, and that the program can be executed using a computer to realize the present invention. It is needless to say that the steps shown in the above can be configured by a computer program, and that the program can be executed by the computer, or a program for realizing the function by the computer or a program for causing the computer to execute the processing step Can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, for example, a flexible disk, an MO, a ROM, a memory card, a CD, a DVD, or a removable disk, and can be stored or distributed.
[0058]
Further, it is also possible to provide the above program through a network such as the Internet or e-mail. As described above, the present invention can be implemented by installing a program provided by a recording medium or a network on a computer.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a portion provided in the broadcast distribution and a portion provided in the individual distribution are provided by using network conditions such as a transmission priority of the metadata and a transmission band and a retransmission cycle in the broadcast. The metadata can be divided into portions to be transmitted, and can be transmitted through each path.
[0060]
Further, according to the present invention, regardless of the total capacity of the metadata, the metadata required by a plurality of users is broadcasted at a fixed retransmission cycle within a specified transmission band, and is individually distributed. Thus, metadata required by a small number of users can be immediately distributed, and metadata distribution that maximizes the advantages of broadcast distribution and individual distribution can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a metadata separation processing unit according to the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of a distribution priority for each content managed by a distribution priority management unit and a distribution priority order for each information content.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a broadcast distribution according to a conventional DSM-CC data carousel transmission method.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of individual distribution by conventional HTTP access.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram in which conventional broadcast distribution and individual distribution are used in an integrated manner.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 distribution priority management unit 12 metadata distribution determination unit 13 network condition management unit 14 metadata storage unit 15 metadata separation processing unit 16 broadcast distribution server 17 individual distribution server

Claims (9)

A metadata delivery method comprising: a delivery unit that performs broadcast delivery or individual delivery of metadata describing attribute information on content to a receiving terminal, and executes delivery of metadata from the delivery unit.
From the distribution priority of the metadata and the network conditions of the transmission method, the metadata to be distributed and the metadata to be individually distributed among all the distribution metadata are determined, and the broadcast or the individual distribution metadata is determined from the determination result. A metadata distribution method, wherein the metadata is separated separately from each other, and then the separated metadata is supplied to a broadcast distribution unit or an individual distribution unit, respectively, and the distribution of the metadata is performed separately from the distribution unit. The metadata delivery method according to claim 1,
A meta data distribution method, wherein the retransmission cycle under the network condition comprises a plurality of retransmission cycles having different frequencies. The metadata delivery method according to claim 1,
The metadata transmission method is characterized in that the transmission method determines a method that can be received by a receiving terminal targeted for metadata distribution, and distributes the metadata according to the determined method. A delivery device for broadcasting or individually delivering metadata describing attribute information about the content to a receiving terminal, wherein the metadata delivery transmission device delivers the metadata from the delivery device,
Means for determining distribution of metadata to be distributed and metadata to be individually distributed among all distribution metadata based on the distribution priority of the metadata and network conditions of the transmission method, and a result determined by the distribution determining means A means for separately separating broadcast or individual distribution metadata from each other, and a broadcast distribution means or individual distribution means to which the metadata separated by the separation means are respectively supplied,
A transmission device for metadata distribution, wherein metadata is separately distributed from the distribution unit. The transmitting device for metadata distribution according to claim 4,
A retransmission cycle under the network condition includes a plurality of retransmission cycles having different frequencies. The transmitting device for metadata distribution according to claim 4,
The transmission device for metadata distribution, wherein the transmission method determines a method that can be received by a receiving terminal targeted for metadata distribution, and distributes the metadata in accordance with the determined method. A recording medium that has a distribution unit that broadcasts or individually distributes metadata describing attribute information about content to a receiving terminal, and that records a functional program of a transmission device for metadata distribution that distributes metadata from the distribution unit,
A step of determining, from the delivery priority of the metadata and network conditions of the transmission method, the metadata to be broadcast and the metadata to be individually delivered among all the delivery metadata; A computer readable recording of a function program of a transmission device on a recording medium, comprising a procedure of separately separating the distribution metadata and a procedure of supplying the metadata separated in this procedure to the broadcast distribution unit or the individual distribution unit, respectively. Recording medium. A recording medium recording a function program of the transmission device for metadata distribution according to claim 7,
A computer-readable recording medium in which a function program of a procedure including a plurality of retransmission cycles having different frequencies in a retransmission cycle under the network condition is recorded on a recording medium. A recording medium recording a function program of the transmission device for metadata distribution according to claim 7,
The transmission method is a computer-readable recording medium in which a function program for a procedure of distributing metadata is determined on a recording medium, the method determining a method that can be received by a receiving terminal targeted for metadata distribution.

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