JP2006041761A - Multimedia content providing system, home content server, and portable viewing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a viewer to continuously view from the same scene when the viewer moves from inside or outside the house with or without a portable wireless terminal device.
An outside-home movement detection unit 303 of a portable wireless terminal device (portable viewing device) 115 detects movement from inside or outside the house to the outside or inside the house and detects a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal. The switching instruction signal is generated. The switching unit 304 switches the interface connected to the transmission / reception means to the home wireless interface 301 or the public wireless interface 302 based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal. The portable wireless terminal device 115 includes content transmission request notification means for notifying the home content server 111 of a content transmission request when the switching unit 304 switches the interface.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a multimedia content providing system that includes a home content server that stores various multimedia contents installed in a home, and a portable viewing device that reproduces the contents.

  In recent years, home information servers, such as DVD recorders with built-in hard disk recorders, have been enriched with home content servers that store a large amount of video content and music content, TV programs, and various service information obtained from the Internet. Yes.

  As a multimedia content providing system, a system including a home content server that stores various multimedia contents installed in a home and a viewing device that reproduces the contents is known.

  Also, in-home devices including in-house information devices that play a server role are connected to a home network system, and the in-home home network system is connected to a public network system via the Internet. A service that allows you to control your home devices has started.

  Examples of the multimedia content providing system that controls home devices connected to such a network system from a portable wireless terminal device outside the home include those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

In the future, the cooperation service between these home devices and mobile terminal devices will not only exchange control signals such as device control and warning alarm notification, but also increase the bandwidth of recent public mobile wireless services, Widespread information exchange, that is, video and music stored in the above-mentioned home content server in the home by the spread of hotspot service using the wireless LAN technology represented by IEEE802.11 used indoors outdoors Content downloading / streaming and downloading of service information including image data are considered to be widespread.
JP 11-47693 A JP 2001-389359 A

  However, in the multimedia content providing systems described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when the viewer moves from the home or from the home to the outside or the home with the portable wireless terminal device, the viewer is in the same scene. There is a problem that it is not possible to continue watching.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and when a viewer moves from inside or outside the house to the outside or inside the house with a portable wireless terminal device, the viewer continuously views from the same scene. An object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia content providing system, a home content server, and a portable viewing device that can perform the above.

  A multimedia content providing system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a home content server that is installed in a home and stores different multimedia content, a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server, A multimedia content providing system comprising: a home network system connected to a home content server; and a public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, the home content server comprising: A device detection unit that detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server, a terminal ID that identifies the portable viewing device, and a content that includes device information necessary for distribution of the content When a transmission request is received, a connection device setting unit that sets the portable viewing device to which the content is transmitted, a viewing content management unit that manages the content to be transmitted to the portable viewing device, and the content transmission request A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device that is a transmission destination, and each of the plurality of portable viewing devices is a home or home A home wireless interface for connecting to the home network system, and an out-of-home movement detection means for detecting the movement from the outside to the outside or inside the house and generating the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal And a public wireless interface for connecting the public wireless network system A transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, and an interface connected to the transmission / reception means based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal. A switching unit that switches to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, a device detection unit that detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server, and a device information management unit that manages the device information; And a content transmission request notifying means for notifying the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit.

  According to this configuration, even when the portable viewing device moves to the outside or inside the home while viewing and downloading the content from the home content server of the home network system, the public wireless network system or the home network system is automatically provided. It is possible to continuously view the same content from the same scene via.

  A multimedia content providing system according to a second invention is the multimedia content providing system according to the first invention, wherein the portable viewing device is connected to the home network system or the public wireless network system as a switching destination immediately after the switching of the interface by the switching unit. And a notification re-sending means for automatically notifying the home content server of the content transmission request after being connected when the connection is impossible.

  According to this configuration, even when the portable viewing device moves to the outside or inside the home while viewing and downloading the content from the home content server of the home network system, the public wireless network system or the home network system is automatically provided. It is possible to continuously view the same content from the same scene via.

  A multimedia content providing system according to a third invention includes a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents, a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server, A multimedia content providing system comprising: a home network system connected to a home content server; and a public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, the home content server comprising: A device detection unit that detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server, a terminal ID that identifies the portable viewing device, and a content that includes device information necessary for distribution of the content A connection device setting unit configured to set the portable viewing device as a transmission destination of the content when receiving a transmission request; a viewing content management unit managing content information including the content and scene to be transmitted to the portable viewing device; A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device that is a transmission destination when a content transmission request is received, and each of the plurality of portable viewing devices includes Connected to the home network system, and a home out-of-home movement detection means for detecting that the viewing device has moved from inside or outside the home to outside or inside the home and generating a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal To connect the home wireless interface to the public wireless network system A public wireless interface for connection, transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, and transmission / reception based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal A switching unit that switches the interface to be connected to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, a device detection unit that detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server, and manages the device information A device information management unit, a content transmission request notification unit that notifies the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit, the content currently distributed, and the Taking a viewing content management unit for managing the contents information including the over down, the arrangement comprising a content information notification means for notifying said content information in the home content server upon notification of the content transmission request.

  According to this configuration, even when the portable viewing device moves to the outside or inside the home while viewing and downloading the content from the home content server of the home network system, the public wireless network system or the home network system is automatically provided. It is possible to continuously view the same content from the same scene via.

  A multimedia content providing system according to a fourth invention is the multimedia content providing system according to the third invention, wherein the portable viewing device is connected to the home network system or the public wireless network system that is the switching destination immediately after the interface is switched by the switching unit. It adopts a configuration comprising notification retransmitting means for automatically notifying the home content server of the content transmission request and the content information after being connected when connection is impossible.

  According to this configuration, even when the portable viewing device moves to the outside or inside the home while viewing and downloading the content from the home content server of the home network system, the public wireless network system or the home network system is automatically provided. It is possible to continuously view the same content from the same scene via.

  A home content server according to a fifth aspect of the invention is a home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents, a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server, and the home content A multimedia content providing system comprising: a home network system connected to a server; and a public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, each of the plurality of portable viewing devices Detecting movement of the portable viewing device from the home or outside the home to the outside or inside the home and generating a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal; For connecting to network systems A wireless network interface, a public wireless interface for connecting the public wireless network system, transmission / reception means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, and the first switching instruction signal Alternatively, a switching unit that switches the interface connected to the transmission / reception means to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface based on the second switching instruction signal and the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server are detected. A device detection unit; a device information management unit managing device information necessary for distribution of the content; and the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit. A content transmission request notifying means for notifying a server, a home content server in a multimedia content providing system, a device detecting unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices, and a terminal ID for identifying the portable viewing devices And a connection device setting unit for setting the portable viewing device as a transmission destination of the content when a content transmission request including the device information is received, and managing the content transmitted to the portable viewing device and the scene being viewed A configuration is provided that includes a viewing content management unit, and a content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device that is the transmission destination when the content transmission request is received.

  According to this configuration, even when the portable viewing device moves to the outside or inside the home while viewing and downloading the content from the home content server of the home network system, the public wireless network system or the home network system is automatically provided. It is possible to continuously view the same content from the same scene via.

  A home content server according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a home content server that is installed in a home and stores different multimedia contents, a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server, and the home content A multimedia content providing system comprising: a home network system connected to a server; and a public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, each of the plurality of portable viewing devices Detecting movement of the portable viewing device from the home or outside the home to the outside or inside the home and generating a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal; For connecting to network systems A wireless network interface, a public wireless interface for connecting the public wireless network system, transmission / reception means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, and the first switching instruction signal Alternatively, a switching unit that switches the interface connected to the transmission / reception means to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface based on the second switching instruction signal and the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server are detected. A device detection unit; a device information management unit managing device information necessary for distribution of the content; and the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit. Content transmission request notifying means for notifying the server, a viewing content management unit for managing the content information including the content and the scene currently distributed, and content information for notifying the content information when the content transmission request is notified A home content server in a multimedia content providing system comprising: a device detection unit that detects the plurality of portable viewing devices; a terminal ID that identifies the portable viewing devices; and the device information When a content transmission request is received, a connection device setting unit that sets the portable viewing device that is the transmission destination of the content, a viewing content management unit that manages the content to be transmitted to the portable viewing device, and the content transmission request Destination A configuration having a, a content parameter control unit for changing the parameters of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device.

  According to this configuration, even when the portable viewing device moves to the outside or inside the home while viewing and downloading the content from the home content server of the home network system, the public wireless network system or the home network system is automatically provided. It is possible to continuously view the same content from the same scene via.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable viewing device that is installed in a home and stores different multimedia contents, a plurality of portable viewing devices that reproduce the content distributed from the home content server, and the home content A multimedia content providing system comprising: a home network system connected to a server; and a public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, wherein the home content server When receiving a content transmission request including a device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to a content server, a terminal ID for identifying the portable viewing device, and device information necessary for distribution of the content A connection device setting unit that sets the portable viewing device that is the transmission destination of the content, a viewing content management unit that manages the content transmitted to the portable viewing device, and the portable device that is the transmission destination when receiving the content transmission request A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the viewing device, the portable viewing device in the multimedia content providing system, wherein the portable viewing device is out of the house or out of the house Or a home out-of-home movement detecting means for detecting the movement into the house and generating a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal; a home wireless interface for connecting to the home network system; and the public Public to connect wireless network system A wireless interface, a transmission / reception means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, and an interface connected to the transmission / reception means based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal A switching unit that switches to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, a device detection unit that detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server, and a device information management unit that manages the device information And a content transmission request notifying means for notifying the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit.

  According to this configuration, even when the portable viewing device moves to the outside or inside the home while viewing and downloading the content from the home content server of the home network system, the public wireless network system or the home network system is automatically provided. It is possible to continuously view the same content from the same scene via.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable viewing device that is installed in a home and stores different multimedia contents, a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the contents distributed from the home content server, and the home content A multimedia content providing system comprising: a home network system connected to a server; and a public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, wherein the home content server When receiving a content transmission request including a device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to a content server, a terminal ID for identifying the portable viewing device, and device information necessary for distribution of the content The connection device setting unit that sets the portable viewing device that is the transmission destination of the content, the viewing content management unit that manages content information including the content and scene to be transmitted to the portable viewing device, and the content transmission request received A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the mobile viewing device as a transmission destination, and a portable viewing device in a multimedia content providing system, the portable viewing device comprising: A home-out-home movement detection means for detecting a movement from inside or outside the house to the outside or inside the house and generating a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal, and for connecting to the home network system A home wireless interface and the public wireless network; Based on a public wireless interface for connecting a network system, transmission / reception means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, and the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal A switching unit that switches the interface connected to the transmission / reception means to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, a device detection unit that detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server, and manages the device information A device information management unit, a content transmission request notifying unit for notifying the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit, and the currently distributed copy. Take the Ceiling and viewing content management unit for managing the contents information including the scene, the arrangement comprising a content information notification means for notifying said content information in the home content server upon notification of the content transmission request.

  According to this configuration, even when the portable viewing device moves to the outside or inside the home while viewing and downloading the content from the home content server of the home network system, the public wireless network system or the home network system is automatically provided. It is possible to continuously view the same content from the same scene via.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the viewer can continuously watch from the same scene when the viewer moves from the home or the outside to the home or the home with the portable wireless terminal device.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multimedia content providing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multimedia content providing system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a home network system 110, the Internet 120, a public wireless network system 130, and a gateway device 140.

  The home network system 110 is connected to the Internet 120. The Internet 120 is connected to the public wireless network system 130 via the gateway device 140. The public wireless network system 130 includes a public wireless base station 131.

  The home network system 110 includes a home content server 111, an antenna 112, a television 113, a home wireless base station 114, a plurality of portable wireless terminal devices 115, and a home gateway device 116. Only one portable wireless terminal device 115 is shown. The home network system 110 includes a plurality of viewing devices. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the home network system 110 includes a television 113 and a portable wireless terminal device (portable viewing device) 115 as the plurality of viewing devices.

  The antenna 112 is connected to the home content server 111. The television 113 and the home wireless base station 114 are connected to the home content server 111. The home gateway device 116 is connected between the home content server 111 and the Internet 120.

  The home content server 111 can receive content from the Internet 120 via the home gateway device 116 in addition to receiving television programs via the antenna 112. The home content server 111 can store the acquired television program and content. The home content server 111 transmits / receives data and signals to / from the portable wireless terminal device 115 via the home wireless base station 114. The content stored in the home content server 111 can be viewed and viewed at any time in the home by the television 113 and the portable wireless terminal device 115.

  Next, home content server 111 and portable wireless terminal apparatus 115 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of home content server 111 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of portable radio terminal apparatus 115 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the home content server 111 includes a content storage unit 201, a tuner 202, a content storage control unit 203, an external memory read / write unit 204, a content transmission control unit 205, a content conversion unit 206, a file configuration unit 207, A data processing unit 208 and an input / output interface 209 are provided.

  The content accumulation control unit 203 includes a channel control unit 2031 and an external memory control unit 2032. The content transmission control unit 205 includes a connection management unit 2051 and a content management unit 2052. The connection management unit 2051 includes a device detection unit 2053, a connection device setting unit 2054, and a connection device switching unit 2055. The content management unit 2052 includes a viewing content management unit 2056 and a content parameter control unit 2057.

  The content accumulation control unit 203 controls the accumulation of content in the content accumulation unit 201. Broadcast program data, which is one of the contents, is received by the antenna 112 and taken into the content storage unit 201 via the tuner 202. In this case, the channel control unit 2031 controls content storage in the content storage unit 201.

  Further, the content is taken from the external memory device by the external memory read / write unit 204. In this case, the external memory control unit 2032 controls content storage in the content storage unit 201.

  The content transmitted to the television 113 or the portable wireless terminal device 115 is extracted from the content storage unit 201, and the content conversion unit 206 transcodes the content to the codec, frame rate, and bit rate suitable for each viewing device. The file configuration unit 207 formats the content from the content conversion unit 206 into a file format (ASF, MP4, etc.) suitable for each viewing device.

  The data processing unit 208 performs packet processing of the content from the file configuration unit 207 and transmits it to the television 113 or the portable wireless terminal device 115 via the input / output interface 209. In addition, the data processing unit 208 processes a signal received from the television 113 or the portable wireless terminal device 115 via the input / output interface 209 and supplies the processed signal to the content transmission control unit 205.

  The content transmission control unit 205 controls the content conversion unit 206 and the file configuration unit 207 to take out the content from the content storage unit 201 and transmit the content to the television 113 or the portable wireless terminal device 115.

  The device detection unit 2053 detects a viewing device included in the home network system 100. The connection device setting unit 2054 is for setting a viewing device as a content transmission destination. The connected device switching unit 2055 switches the destination viewing device based on the detection signal from the device detecting unit 2053 and the setting signal from the connected device setting unit 2054.

  The viewing content management unit 2056 manages the currently viewed content and the viewing device among the accumulated content. The content parameter control unit 2057 controls parameters such as the codec and file format of the content to be transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile wireless terminal device 115 includes a home wireless interface 301, a public wireless interface 302, an out-of-home movement detection unit 303, a switching unit 304, a data processing unit 305, a connection management unit 306, and a content storage unit 307. A file processing unit 308, a decoding unit 309, and a monitor 310.

  The connection management unit 306 includes a wireless connection management unit 3061, a device detection unit 3062, and a device information management unit 3063.

  The home wireless interface 301 includes a wireless interface such as IEEE 802.11 or UWB. The public wireless interface 302 includes a cellular wireless interface such as PDC, PHS, or IMT-2000, and a public wireless LAN interface (hot spot) using IEEE802.11.

  The in-home out-of-home movement detection unit 303 detects whether the portable wireless terminal device 115 is in the home or outside the home, generates a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal, and switches the switching unit 304 and the connection management unit 306. To give. The switching unit 304 receives a reception signal via the home wireless interface 301 and the public wireless interface 302. The switching unit 304 connects the data processing unit 305 to either the home wireless interface 301 or the public wireless interface 302 based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal from the in-home movement detection unit 303. Switch the connection.

  The data processing unit 305 performs packet processing of data and signals to be transmitted / received. The data processing unit 305 transmits a signal from the connection management unit 306 to the home content server 111 via the home wireless interface 301 or the public wireless interface 302. In addition, the data processing unit 305 processes content received via the home wireless interface 301 or the public wireless interface 302 and supplies the processed content to the content storage unit 307 or the file processing unit 308.

  The wireless connection management unit 3061 manages the wireless connection between the data processing unit 305, the home wireless base station 114, and the public wireless base station 131. The device detection unit 3062 is for detecting a viewing device currently connected to the home network system 110. The device information management unit 3063 manages device information such as a supported codec, the number of pixels, a supported frame rate, a bit rate, and a file format.

  The file processing unit 308 decomposes the content received from the data processing unit 305 or the content storage unit 307 into data (content) of each medium such as audio, video, text, or image. The decoding unit 309 decodes the data (content) from the file processing unit 308 and sends it to the monitor 310. The monitor 310 displays the data (content) from the decoding unit 309.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the out-of-home movement detection unit 303 in the portable wireless terminal device 115 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the out-of-home movement detection unit 303 includes a received signal strength comparison unit 3031 and an interface switching instruction unit 3032.

  The received signal strength comparison unit 3031 compares the strengths of received signals from the home wireless interface 301 and the public wireless interface 302. The received signal strength comparison unit 3031 performs the first comparison result when the strength of the received signal from the home wireless interface 301 is below a certain level and the strength of the received signal from the public wireless interface 302 is greater than the certain level. A signal is generated and given to the interface switching instruction unit 3032.

  The received signal strength comparison unit 3031 is the second when the strength of the received signal from the home wireless interface 301 is greater than a certain level and the strength of the received signal from the public wireless interface 302 is less than or equal to a certain level. The comparison result signal is generated and provided to the interface switching instruction unit 3032.

  The interface switching instruction unit 3032 generates a first switching instruction signal that instructs to switch from the home wireless interface 301 to the public wireless interface 302 when receiving the first comparison result signal from the received signal strength comparing unit 3031. This is given to the switching unit 304 and the connection management unit 306.

  Further, the interface switching instruction unit 3032 generates a second switching instruction signal for instructing switching from the public wireless interface 302 to the home wireless interface 301 when receiving the second comparison result signal from the received signal strength comparing unit 3031. To the switching unit 304 and the connection management unit 306.

  When the switching unit 304 receives the first switching instruction signal from the interface switching instruction unit 3032, the switching unit 304 switches the interface connected to the data processing unit 305 from the home wireless interface 301 to the public wireless interface 302. Further, when the switching unit 304 receives the second switching instruction signal from the interface switching instruction unit 3032, the switching unit 304 switches the interface connected to the data processing unit 305 from the public wireless interface 302 to the home wireless interface 301.

  Next, another example of the out-of-home movement detection unit 303 in the mobile wireless terminal device 115 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the out-of-home movement detection unit 303 in the mobile wireless terminal device 115 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the out-of-home movement detection unit 303 includes a boundary signal detection unit 3033 and an interface switching instruction unit 3034.

  In this case, a boundary signal generator (not shown) that generates a boundary signal needs to be disposed at a boundary position outside the home. The boundary signal detection unit 3033 includes a position storage unit that stores information indicating that the user is inside or outside the home.

  The boundary signal detection unit 3033 generates a first movement signal when receiving a boundary signal when the viewer moves from the home to the outside with the portable wireless terminal device 115, and gives the first movement signal to the interface switching instruction unit 3034. Further, the boundary signal detection unit 3033 generates a second movement signal when the viewer moves from the outside of the house with the portable wireless terminal device 115 to the inside of the house to receive the boundary signal, and sends it to the interface switching instruction unit 3034. give.

  When receiving the first movement signal from the boundary signal detection unit 3033, the interface switching instruction unit 3034 generates the first switching instruction signal and supplies it to the switching unit 304 and the connection management unit 306. Further, the interface switching instruction unit 3034 generates the second switching instruction signal when receiving the second movement signal from the boundary signal detection unit 3033, and gives it to the switching unit 304 and the connection management unit 306.

  When receiving the first switching instruction signal from the interface switching instruction unit 3034, the switching unit 304 switches the interface connected to the data processing unit 305 from the home wireless interface 301 to the public wireless interface 302. When the switching unit 304 receives the second switching instruction signal from the interface switching instruction unit 3034, the switching unit 304 switches the interface connected to the data processing unit 305 from the public wireless interface 302 to the home wireless interface 301.

  Next, content viewing and browsing continuous switching operation in the portable wireless terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 together with FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an image of a protocol stack accompanying content transmission / reception in home network system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, L1 and L2 correspond to the home network system 110 and the public wireless network system 130, and are connected to the home network system in the upper layer of TCP / IP or UDP / IP. In addition to a protocol for automatically detecting devices and switching a higher-layer content download protocol and streaming between these devices, an out-of-home connection protocol for connecting to the home network system 110 from a wireless environment outside the home is implemented. Yes.

  Next, a description will be given of an operation in which the content that the portable wireless terminal device 115 viewed in the home network system 110 at home is moved outside the home and the content is continuously viewed on the public wireless network system 130.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining an example of the continuous switching operation of content viewing and browsing in the mobile wireless terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, streaming viewing is performed from a home content server via a home network at home.

  Therefore, when the viewer starts to move outside the home with the portable wireless terminal device 115, the out-of-home movement detection unit 303 detects the movement of the portable wireless terminal device 115.

  The out-of-home movement detection unit 303 generates a first switching instruction signal when the portable wireless terminal device 115 moves outside the home, and provides the first switching instruction signal to the switching unit 304 and the connection management unit 306.

  When the connection management unit 306 receives the first switching instruction signal and confirms that the device information management unit 3063 is currently connected to the home content server 111 to perform the streaming operation of the content, the public wireless network system 130 And connection to the home network system 110 from outside the house are performed.

  Here, when there is no active application by the device information management unit 3063, the connection operation is not performed. Also, while this connection operation is performed, content streaming in the home network system 110 continues as long as possible. If the wireless network environment cannot be continued due to sudden deterioration of the wireless environment, the content streaming in the home network system 110 ends.

  The portable wireless terminal device 115 connected to the home network system 110 via the public wireless network system 130 and the Internet 120 is automatically connected to the home network system 110 by the device detection / device switching protocol shown in FIG. The device list is acquired, the currently connected home content server 111 is confirmed, and the home content server 111 is connected from outside the house. After the connection is completed, the portable wireless terminal device 115 sends a content transmission request to the home content server 111 via the public wireless network system 130.

  In this content transmission request, it is necessary to send the terminal ID information of the portable wireless terminal device 115 in order to search for content and viewing scenes that have been viewed through the home network system 110 so far. Further, when content is transmitted via the public wireless network system 130, the wireless environment and the network environment are different from the home network system 110. Therefore, the public wireless network system 130 such as the bit / frame rate of the content and the file format is set. It is necessary to send device information suitable for content distribution via the Internet. Therefore, the portable wireless terminal apparatus 115 holds the content parameter information in the home wireless environment and the public wireless environment in the device information management unit 3063.

  The home content server 111 that has received the content transmission request uses the terminal ID information to transmit the content being transmitted via the home network system 110 to the current portable wireless terminal device 115 managed by the viewing content management unit 2056. The scene is confirmed, and the content transmission permission is notified to the portable wireless terminal device 115 via the public wireless network system 130.

  At the same time, in the multimedia content providing system 100, the transmission of content is stopped via the home network system 110, and the parameters and file format of the content are suitable for distribution via the public wireless network system 130. The content parameter control unit 2057 controls the content conversion unit 206 to start changing, and the packetization transmission address performed by the data processing unit 208 is also the address on the public wireless network system 130 side of the portable wireless terminal device 115. Change to Then, the portable wireless terminal device 115 can restart the download of the content via the public wireless network system 130, and can continuously start reproducing the same content from the same scene.

  The first embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to switching from the public wireless network system 130 to the home network system 110. At this time, the second switching signal is generated, and switching from the public wireless network system 130 to the home network system 110 is started.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the mobile wireless terminal device 115 moves from the home content server 111 of the home network system 110 to the outside or inside the home while downloading or downloading the content inside or outside the home. However, the same content can be automatically viewed continuously from the same scene via the public wireless network system 130 or the home network system 110.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable wireless terminal device of the multimedia content providing system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those in the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a multimedia content providing system 800 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes a portable wireless terminal device 801 instead of the portable wireless terminal device 115 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. is there.

  The portable wireless terminal device 801 includes a connection management unit 802 instead of the connection management unit 306 in the portable wireless terminal device 115. The connection management unit 802 is obtained by adding a viewing content management unit 8021 in the connection management unit 306.

  In the mobile wireless terminal device 801, while viewing the content of the home content server 111 via the home network system 110, the viewing content management unit 8021 displays the viewing content information and the currently viewed scene (specifically, the content) (Time stamp from start) is stored.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a sequence for explaining an example of the continuous switching operation of content viewing and browsing in the mobile wireless terminal device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9, first, streaming viewing is performed from a home content server via a home network at home.

  Therefore, when the viewer starts to move outside the home with the portable wireless terminal device 801, the out-of-home movement detection unit 303 detects the movement of the portable wireless terminal device 801.

  The out-of-home movement detection unit 303 generates a first switching instruction signal when the mobile wireless terminal device 801 moves outside the home, and provides the first switching instruction signal to the switching unit 304 and the connection management unit 802.

  Upon receiving the first switching instruction signal, the connection management unit 802 confirms that the device information management unit 3063 is currently connected to the home content server 111 and performing the content streaming operation, and then the public wireless network system 130 And connection to the home network system 110 from outside the house are performed.

  Here, when there is no active application by the device information management unit 3063, the connection operation is not performed. Also, while this connection operation is performed, content streaming in the home network system 110 continues as long as possible. If the wireless network environment cannot be continued due to sudden deterioration of the wireless environment, the content streaming in the home network system 110 ends.

  The portable wireless terminal device 801 connected to the home network system 110 via the public wireless network system 130 and the Internet 120 is automatically connected to the home network system 110 by the device detection / device switching protocol shown in FIG. The device list is acquired, the currently connected home content server 111 is confirmed, and the home content server 111 is connected from outside the home. After the connection is completed, the portable wireless terminal device 115 sends a content transmission request to the home content server 111 via the public wireless network system 130.

  In this content transmission request, it is necessary to send the terminal ID information of the portable wireless terminal device 801 in order to search for content and viewing scenes that have been viewed through the home network system 110 so far. In addition, the mobile wireless terminal device 801 transmits viewing content information and viewing scene information managed by the viewing content management unit 8021. Further, when content is transmitted via the public wireless network system 130, the wireless environment and the network environment are different from the home network system 110. Therefore, the public wireless network system 130 such as the bit / frame rate of the content and the file format is set. It is necessary to send device information suitable for content distribution via the Internet. Therefore, the portable wireless terminal apparatus 115 holds the content parameter information in the home wireless environment and the public wireless environment in the device information management unit 3063.

  Upon receiving the content transmission request, the home content server 111 confirms the content included in the transmission request signal with the current portable wireless terminal device 801, and sends the content to the portable wireless terminal device 801 via the public wireless network system 130. Notify sending permission. At the same time, the home content server 111 stops the content transmission via the home network system 110, searches for the content and scene to be transmitted, and sets the content parameters and file format via the public wireless network system. The content parameter control unit 2057 controls the content conversion unit 206 to start a change to the one suitable for the distribution, and the packetized transmission address performed by the data processing unit 208 is also the public wireless network of the portable wireless terminal device 801 The address is changed to the address on the system 130 side. Then, the portable wireless terminal device 801 can restart the download of the content via the public wireless network system 130, and can continuously start streaming reproduction of the same content from the same scene.

  The above-described operation is a case where connection to the public wireless network system 130 can be made immediately after moving outside the house. A case where connection to 130 is not possible is conceivable. In this case, as the viewer moves with the portable wireless terminal device 801, the radio wave environment of the home network system 110 deteriorates and content transmission is temporarily suspended.

  FIG. 10 shows an operation sequence in such a case. As shown in FIG. 10, after content transmission is interrupted, the portable wireless terminal device 801 requests to retransmit the content automatically when entering a good wireless area of the public wireless network system 130 or manually by the viewer. Start. When the viewer starts manually, in order to improve operability, as shown in FIG. 11, it is displayed on the monitor of the portable wireless terminal device 801 that the content viewing is temporarily interrupted, and a series of operations are performed with one click. It is desirable that the operation is performed.

  With regard to the following operations, content viewing is performed continuously and seamlessly except that content transmission from the home content server 111 to the portable wireless terminal device 801 via the home network system 110 has already been stopped. The operation is similar to the case.

  The second embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to switching from the public wireless network system 130 to the home network system 110. At this time, the second switching signal is generated, and switching from the public wireless network system 130 to the home network system 110 is started.

  As described above, in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, when the mobile wireless terminal device 801 moves from the home content server 111 of the home network system 110 to the outside or inside the home while viewing and downloading the content inside or outside the home. However, the portable wireless terminal device 801 transmits the viewing content information and viewing scene information to the home content server 111, and sends the content transmission request and the home content server 111 to the public wireless network system 130 or the home network system 110. The same content can be continuously viewed from the same scene via the network.

  Further, in the second embodiment of the present invention, even if the viewer moves outside the house with the portable wireless terminal device 801, even if the wireless environment is bad and it cannot be immediately connected to the public wireless network system 130, the public wireless network When connected to the system 130, the same content can be easily restarted from the same scene.

  The present invention has an effect that the viewer can continuously view from the same scene when the viewer moves with the portable wireless terminal device from inside or outside the house to the outside or inside the house, and provides multimedia contents. Useful for systems, home content servers and portable viewing devices.

The figure which shows the structure of the multimedia content provision system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the home content server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile radio terminal apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the movement detection part in a house in the portable radio | wireless terminal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the other example of the movement detection part in a house in the portable radio | wireless terminal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the image of the protocol stack accompanying the transmission / reception of the content in the home network system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the sequence for demonstrating one example of the continuous switching operation | movement of content viewing and browsing in the portable radio | wireless terminal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the portable radio | wireless terminal apparatus of the multimedia content provision system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the sequence for demonstrating an example of the continuous switching operation | movement of content viewing and browsing in the portable radio | wireless terminal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the sequence for demonstrating the other example of the continuous switching operation | movement of content viewing and browsing in the portable radio | wireless terminal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. Schematic front view showing a portable radio terminal apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 800 Multimedia content providing system 110 Home network system 120 Internet 130 Public wireless network system 140 Gateway device 111 Home content server 112 Antenna 113 Television 114 Home wireless base station 115, 801 Portable wireless terminal device 116 Home gateway device 201 Content storage unit 202 tuner 203 content storage control unit 204 external memory read / write unit 205 content transmission control unit 206 content conversion unit 207 file configuration unit 208 data processing unit 209 input / output interface 2031 channel control unit 2032 external memory control unit 2051, 802 connection management unit 2052 Content management unit 2053 Device detection unit 2054 Connection device Chair setting unit 2055 Connection device switching unit 2056, 8021 Viewing content management unit 2057 Content parameter control unit 301 Home wireless interface 302 Public wireless interface 303 In-home movement detection unit 304 Switching unit 305 Data processing unit 306 Connection management unit 307 Content storage unit 308 File processing unit 309 Decoding unit 310 Monitor 3061 Wireless connection management unit 3062 Device detection unit 3063 Device information management unit 3031 Received signal strength comparison unit 3032, 3034 Interface switching instruction unit 3033 Boundary signal detection unit

Claims (8)

A home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents; a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server; and a home network system connected to the home content server A multimedia content providing system comprising the home network system and a public wireless network connected via the Internet,
The home content server
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A connection device setting unit configured to set the portable viewing device as the transmission destination of the content when receiving a content transmission request including a terminal ID for identifying the portable viewing device and device information necessary for distribution of the content;
A viewing content management unit for managing the content to be transmitted to the portable viewing device;
A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device that is a transmission destination when the content transmission request is received;
Each of the plurality of portable viewing devices is
An in-home out-of-home movement detection means for detecting that the portable viewing device has moved from in or out of the house to the out-of-home or in-home, and generating a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal;
A home wireless interface for connecting to the home network system;
A public wireless interface for connecting the public wireless network system;
Transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface;
A switching unit that switches the interface connected to the transmission / reception means to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal;
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A device information management unit for managing the device information;
Content transmission request notifying means for notifying the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit.   The portable viewing device automatically requests the content transmission after being connected when the switching unit cannot connect to the home network system or the public wireless network system as a switching destination immediately after the switching of the interface. 2. The multimedia content providing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification retransmission unit that notifies the home content server of the notification. A home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents; a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server; and a home network system connected to the home content server A multimedia content providing system comprising the home network system and a public wireless network connected via the Internet,
The home content server
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A connection device setting unit configured to set the portable viewing device as the transmission destination of the content when receiving a content transmission request including a terminal ID for identifying the portable viewing device and device information necessary for distribution of the content;
A viewing content management unit for managing content information including the content and scene to be transmitted to the portable viewing device;
A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device that is a transmission destination when the content transmission request is received;
Each of the plurality of portable viewing devices is
An in-home out-of-home movement detection means for detecting that the portable viewing device has moved from in or out of the house to the out-of-home or in-home, and generating a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal;
A home wireless interface for connecting to the home network system;
A public wireless interface for connecting the public wireless network system;
Transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface;
A switching unit that switches the interface connected to the transmission / reception means to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal;
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A device information management unit for managing the device information;
Content transmission request notifying means for notifying the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit;
A viewing content management unit for managing the content information including the content and the scene that are currently distributed;
Content information notifying means for notifying the home content server of the content information at the time of notification of the content transmission request, comprising a multimedia content providing system.   The portable viewing device automatically requests the content transmission after being connected when the switching unit cannot connect to the home network system or the public wireless network system as a switching destination immediately after the switching of the interface. 4. The multimedia content providing system according to claim 3, further comprising notification retransmission means for notifying the home content server of the content information. A home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents; a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server; and a home network system connected to the home content server A public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, and each of the plurality of portable viewing devices moves from the inside or outside the house to the outside or inside the house. An in-home / out-of-home movement detecting means for detecting the occurrence of the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal, a home wireless interface for connecting to the home network system, and the public wireless network system. Public wireless connection for connection Interface, transmission / reception means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, and an interface connected to the transmission / reception means based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal A switching unit that switches to a home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, a device detection unit that detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server, and device information necessary for distribution of the content A multimedia content provision comprising: a device information management unit configured to notify the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit A home content server in the system,
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices;
A connection device setting unit configured to set the portable viewing device as a transmission destination of the content when receiving a content transmission request including the terminal ID for identifying the portable viewing device and the device information;
A viewing content management unit for managing the content to be transmitted to the portable viewing device and the scene being viewed;
A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device of the transmission destination when receiving the content transmission request;
A home content server. A home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents; a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server; and a home network system connected to the home content server A public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, and each of the plurality of portable viewing devices moves from the inside or outside the house to the outside or inside the house. An in-home / out-of-home movement detecting means for detecting the occurrence of the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal, a home wireless interface for connecting to the home network system, and the public wireless network system. Public wireless connection for connection Interface, transmission / reception means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, and an interface connected to the transmission / reception means based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal A switching unit that switches to a home wireless interface or the public wireless interface, a device detection unit that detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server, and device information necessary for distribution of the content A device information management unit, a content transmission request notifying unit that notifies the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit, the currently distributed content, and the previous Home content in a multimedia content providing system comprising: a viewing content management unit that manages the content information including a scene; and content information notification means that notifies the content information to the home content server when the content transmission request is notified A server,
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices;
A connection device setting unit configured to set the portable viewing device as a transmission destination of the content when receiving a content transmission request including the terminal ID for identifying the portable viewing device and the device information;
A viewing content management unit for managing the content to be transmitted to the portable viewing device;
A content parameter control unit that changes a parameter of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device of the transmission destination when receiving the content transmission request;
A home content server. A home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents; a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server; and a home network system connected to the home content server A public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, and the home content server detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server A connection device setting unit configured to set the portable viewing device as a transmission destination of the content when receiving a content transmission request including a terminal ID for identifying the portable viewing device and device information necessary for distribution of the content; A viewing content management unit that manages the content to be transmitted to the band viewing device, and a content parameter control unit that changes the parameter of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device that is a transmission destination when the content transmission request is received A portable viewing device in a multimedia content providing system comprising:
An out-of-home movement detection means for detecting that the portable viewing device has moved from inside or outside the house to the outside or inside the house and generating a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal;
A home wireless interface for connecting to the home network system;
A public wireless interface for connecting the public wireless network system;
Transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface;
A switching unit that switches the interface connected to the transmission / reception means to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal;
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A device information management unit for managing the device information;
Content transmission request notifying means for notifying the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit;
A portable viewing device comprising: A home content server installed in a home and storing different multimedia contents; a plurality of portable viewing devices that play back the content distributed from the home content server; and a home network system connected to the home content server A public wireless network connected to the home network system via the Internet, and the home content server detects the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server A connection device setting unit configured to set the portable viewing device as a transmission destination of the content when receiving a content transmission request including a terminal ID for identifying the portable viewing device and device information necessary for distribution of the content; A viewing content management unit that manages content information including the content and scenes to be transmitted to the band viewing device, and parameters of the content based on the device information of the portable viewing device that is the transmission destination when the content transmission request is received A portable viewing device in a multimedia content providing system comprising a content parameter control unit to be changed,
An out-of-home movement detection means for detecting that the portable viewing device has moved from inside or outside the house to the outside or inside the house and generating a first switching instruction signal or a second switching instruction signal;
A home wireless interface for connecting to the home network system;
A public wireless interface for connecting the public wireless network system;
Transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving data and signals via the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface;
A switching unit that switches the interface connected to the transmission / reception means to the home wireless interface or the public wireless interface based on the first switching instruction signal or the second switching instruction signal;
A device detection unit for detecting the plurality of portable viewing devices connected to the home content server;
A device information management unit for managing the device information;
Content transmission request notifying means for notifying the home content server of the content transmission request when the interface is switched by the switching unit;
A viewing content management unit for managing the content information including the content and the scene that are currently distributed;
A portable viewing device comprising: content information notification means for notifying the content information to the home content server when the content transmission request is notified.

Images