JP2006033026A - Multimedia information receiving method, program for realizing the same, and multimedia information receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention realizes streaming playback in response to a playback instruction from a user.
If there is link information to video and / or audio data, the data reception / playback device 203 sets up RTSP for the data (S12). Session information necessary for reproduction is stored here (S13), which is information acquired until the RTSP setup is completed. When the user instructs the reproduction of the video / audio data using the input device, the PLAY method is transmitted to request the reproduction start (S16).
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a multimedia information receiving method and a multimedia information receiving apparatus in a video-on-demand service using an IP network over the Internet or a home network.

  With the spread of broadband Internet and home networks, video and audio data can be downloaded or streamed from other computers and servers. In the download method, video and audio data transmitted from the server is temporarily stored on the client side and then played back. For this reason, data cannot be reproduced until the data transfer is completed, and is not suitable for long-time reproduction. On the other hand, in the stream method, the data received on the client side is reproduced while the data is transmitted from the server to the client. Since the stream method requires real-time performance rather than reliability, protocols such as RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) recommended by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are used. .

  Hereinafter, a stream-type network configuration and usage method will be described. The video-on-demand system shown in FIG. 2 includes a streaming server 201 that transmits video and audio data, a Web server 202 that transmits hypertext, images, and the like, and a data reception / playback device 203 that receives the data. , They can communicate with each other via a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) network. The data reception / reproduction device 203 receives an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file from the Web server 202 and displays it. The user can browse another HTML file or view video / audio data by selecting a link included in the link (generally clicking a mouse). At this time, RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) and MMS (Microsoft Media Services) are used for video / audio data control.

  Here, FIG. 3 shows a general sequence when RTSP is used (see Non-Patent Document 1).

  First, a communication path is established between the data reception / playback apparatus 203 and the streaming server 201. For example, communication is established according to a TCP / IP communication procedure (not shown).

  Next, the data reception / playback apparatus 203 inquires about the method supported by the streaming server 201 using the OPTIONS method (step S31). Next, the header information and properties of the video / audio data to be reproduced are acquired by the DESCRIBE method (step S32), and the transmission method and the port are negotiated by the SETUP method (step S33). When a playback start is requested by the PLAY method (step S34), the streaming server 201 sends video / audio data such as MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) established by ITU-TS (International Telecommunication Union) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization). And a UDP packet or an RTP packet in a format conforming to the protocol negotiated by the SETUP method, and transmits the packet to the data reception / reproduction device 203. The data receiving / reproducing device 203 extracts and reproduces the video / audio data from the payload of the received packet (step S35).

  During this time, the data reception / playback apparatus 203 may transmit keepalives in order to maintain a session with the streaming server 201.

  To end the reproduction of the video / audio data, a TEARDOWN method is transmitted to request that the resources allocated by the streaming server 201 be released (step S36).

  In addition, the streaming server 201 notifies the data reception / playback apparatus 203 of control information indicating the end of data when transmission of all video / audio data is completed and information on an error occurring in the streaming server 201 by the ANNOUNCE method. It also has a function to

  In this way, when streaming playback is performed, until the actual video / audio data is played back by the data reception / playback apparatus 203, establishment of a communication path according to the TCP / IP communication procedure, OPTIONS, DESCRIBE, and SETUP in RTSP It is necessary to wait for a setup such as a request such as a method and a response from the streaming server 201, and streaming reproduction cannot be performed as if watching television.

  With regard to this point, while displaying hypertext, a technology that responds to link instructions from users with high response by pre-reading the link destination document data that exists in the hypertext and registering it in the cache Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, when receiving streaming data linked to hypertext, it is difficult to use this technology as it is. Even if the streaming data composed of video / audio data is compressed by MPEG or the like, the amount of data is large, and a huge amount of cache is required for the data reception / playback device 203 to cache it in advance. A memory is required, leading to an increase in the cost of the data reception / playback apparatus 203. This problem becomes significant when a plurality of streaming data are linked to one hypertext.

  Furthermore, in order to realize an easy-to-use content distribution system that can immediately output the content selected by the user, the streaming data linked to the content is predetermined in advance using the period until the user selects the content. A technique for sequentially downloading data in units of data is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2). According to this technique, while the user is thinking about selecting a program, streaming data for a predetermined amount of data necessary for video playback is sequentially transmitted according to the priority determined based on past history information. By downloading and buffering in the data storage unit, it becomes possible to reproduce and display streaming data in response to user program selection.

However, if there is a lot of streaming data linked from the content, that is, there are many programs that can be selected by the user, the streaming data for every program divided into predetermined data units is received and stored. Therefore, it is inevitable that the memory is increased and the receiving / reproducing apparatus is expensive. It is also possible to prioritize the streaming data to be received and stored, and to receive and store only a certain amount of streaming data by giving priority to the streaming data. As a result, it may occur that the reception of the streaming data cannot be completed by the user's reproduction instruction. In particular, there is a possibility that the user desires streaming data that has not been seen in the past and issues a reproduction instruction to streaming data that has not been received or stored. In such a case, in order to newly receive streaming data, it is necessary to start communication and setup with the streaming server, and the waiting time of the user cannot be eliminated. Furthermore, even if the user selects and decides the streaming data received and stored in advance, communication with the streaming server is started again and setup is completed until the playback of the received streaming data is completed. It is necessary to receive the remaining streaming data. If the communication cannot be started again or it takes time due to circumstances such as the line of the streaming server being connected, the playback of the streaming is stopped when the playback of the accumulated data is completed. In order to avoid such an adverse effect, increasing the predetermined data amount unit of the streaming data to be stored directly increases the memory capacity and prolongs the time until completion of accumulation.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-45259 JP 2003-284029 A IETF / RFC (Request for Comments) 2326 April 1998 Recommendation

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to realize a streaming data reception / playback method that can immediately respond to a streaming playback instruction from a user without significantly increasing the memory capacity of the data reception / playback apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, a multimedia information receiving method according to the present invention includes a step of receiving a file described in hypertext from a WEB server via a network, and one or more included in the received hypertext. Analyzing the link information to the multimedia server and the multimedia server specified by the analyzed link information, and sending a request for sending multimedia information to the multimedia server. Performing the setup until transmission, storing the session information specifying communication with the multimedia server acquired by the setup, and selecting the link information by the user to the multimedia server Send a send request It is characterized by having a step.

  According to the present invention, since it is possible to perform setup necessary for data reception and reproduction ahead of time during the idle time of the network, reproduction can be started promptly when a reproduction instruction is issued from the user. it can.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a processing sequence diagram of a data reception / playback apparatus, that is, a client machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Further, the network configuration diagram in the first embodiment of the present invention is the same as FIG. 2 used in the background art.

  The data reception / playback apparatus 203 acquires an HTML file from at least one Web server 202 using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) (step S10). Then, the acquired HTML file is analyzed (step S11), and if it is necessary to acquire images and other HTML files, those files are requested from the Web server 202, and the finally obtained page is displayed by the browser. To do.

  If the HTML file analyzed at this time has link information to streaming video and / or audio data, communication with the streaming server 201 is started based on the address of the streaming server 201 described in the link information, A setup such as TCP / IP or RTSP is performed for the video / audio data (step S12). Here, setup means transmission / reception processing of a method such as TCP / IP or RTSP until the data reception / playback apparatus 203 transmits an RTSP PLAY method to the streaming server 201. In the RTSP method, FIG. Steps S31 to S33 in FIG.

  In this case, the RTSP method to be transmitted is not limited to the OPTIONS method, the DESCRIBE method, and the SETUP method because any method can be transmitted in any order as long as the data reception / playback apparatus 203 observes certain restrictions.

  The session information necessary for receiving / reproducing the video / audio data is stored here (step S13), which is information acquired until the RTSP setup is completed. For example, the file name of the video / audio data, the address of the streaming server 201, the transmission protocol, the port number, the rate, and the like.

  If link information to a plurality of video / audio data is included in the HTML file, steps S12 and S13 are repeated with respect to all of them or with a certain threshold as an upper limit. In this case, a plurality of streaming servers 201 can exist. The threshold value is set in advance in the data reception / playback device 203 or can be arbitrarily set by the user.

  When providing a certain threshold value, a step of selecting a number of pieces of link information corresponding to the certain threshold value from link information to a plurality of video / audio data included in the HTML file is added. The selection in this case can be performed based on the past reproduction instruction information by storing the user's past reproduction instruction information in the storage device of the data receiving / reproducing apparatus 203. For example, you can only set up streaming data that the user has not seen in the past, or select only the streaming data that the user has selected in the past for users who frequently select the same streaming data Is possible.

  As a result, it is not necessary to set up with all the streaming servers described in the link information included in the HTML, but only with a certain number of streaming servers. It is possible to reduce the load on the data reception / playback apparatus 203 resulting from the provision of a large number of sessions with the.

  It is also possible to add a step of determining the type of streaming data from the link information and make a selection according to the type of streaming data determined in this step. For example, it is possible to select only a certain streaming data compression method, or to select according to the type of streaming data such as video / audio data. The type of streaming data can be determined based on, for example, an extension (“.mpg”, “.avi”, etc.) included in the link information. This makes it possible to set up only with a streaming server that is likely to be selected by the user.

  Further, a step of ordering setup may be added to link information to a plurality of video / audio data included in the HTML file. As a result, it is possible to preferentially set up the streaming server that the user is likely to select next. Further, it is possible to provide a step of determining the type of streaming data from the link information, and to determine the priority of setup based on the type of streaming data determined here. Further, a step of storing information of streaming data selected by the user in the past may be provided, and the priority order of setup may be determined based on the stored streaming data. Thus, it is possible to preferentially complete the setup with the streaming server that is highly likely to be selected by the user so that the user can cope with the selection of streaming data at an early timing.

  Next, when the user instructs playback of video / audio data using an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or remote controller, setup of the video / audio data has already been completed (step S12), and session information is already known. If it is (step S13), a PLAY method is transmitted and a reproduction start is requested (step S16). If the setup of the video / audio data is not completed and the session information is not stored, the RTSP method necessary for the setup is transmitted to the streaming server 201, and the information obtained there is stored (step S14, S15), the playback start is requested by transmitting the PLAY method (step S16). That is, an instruction from the user can be accepted even while steps S12 and S13 are being performed, and steps S14 and S15 are processed with priority over steps S12 and S13.

  Upon receiving the playback start request, the streaming server 201 uses the video / audio data such as MPEG as a payload, constructs a UDP packet or RTP packet in a format conforming to the protocol negotiated by the SETUP method, and transmits it to the data reception / playback device 203. To do. The data receiving / reproducing device 203 extracts the video / audio data from the payload of the received packet and reproduces it.

  According to such a method, the setup process of the streaming server 201 that is executed each time the user selects video / audio data and the playback start request are performed in advance during the network idle time. When a reproduction instruction is issued, reproduction can be started quickly only by making a reproduction start request.

  In this embodiment, the data reception / playback apparatus 203 acquires an HTML file from the Web server 202, but XML (Extensible Markup Language) and SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia) standardized by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) are recommended. (Language) or other markup languages. Further, it may be a file dynamically generated by CGI (Common Gateway Interface) or the like. The transmission protocol is not limited to the RTSP described in the first embodiment, and any protocol such as MMS may be used as long as it is a protocol suitable for streaming reproduction. Also, the video / audio data encoding method is not limited to MPEG.

  In the first embodiment and the embodiment described below, the case where streaming data is received and reproduced has been described as an example. However, in addition to streaming data of video / audio information, still image information and hypertext are stored. The present technology can also be applied to scenes in which multimedia information such as document data, games and software programs are downloaded from a multimedia server. In this case, it is possible to prepare for a download instruction of multimedia information from the user by performing the setup before transmitting the transmission request of the multimedia information to the multimedia server. For example, if the HTML file contains link information to the server that holds the download program, the setup with the link destination server is performed in advance, and the setup including TCP / IP communication establishment before the program transmission request is performed. By doing so, it is possible to shorten the period from when the user actually selects these link destinations to when the program download starts.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a processing sequence diagram of the data reception / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Further, the network configuration diagram in the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as FIG. 2 used in the background art.

  The data reception / playback apparatus 203 acquires an HTML file from at least one Web server 202 using the HTTP protocol (step S40). Then, the acquired HTML file is analyzed (step S41), and if it is necessary to acquire an image or another HTML file, those files are requested from the Web server 202, and the finally obtained page is displayed by the browser. To do.

  If the analyzed HTML file includes link information to streaming video and / or audio data, setup such as TCP / IP or RTSP is performed on the video / audio data (step S44).

  The session information necessary for reproducing video / audio data is stored here (step S45).

  If link information to a plurality of video / audio data is included in the HTML file, steps S44 and S45 are repeated with a certain threshold as an upper limit.

  This threshold is determined by the bandwidth of the network to which the data reception / reproduction device 203 is connected. The data reception / playback apparatus 203 acquires the network bandwidth (step S42), and calculates the maximum number of sessions from the acquired bandwidth (step S43). The maximum number of sessions is calculated by comparing the acquired network bandwidth with the data rate required for one session. In this case, since the session information has not yet been acquired, a value set in advance as the data rate necessary for one session is used. The calculation of the maximum number of sessions in step S43 may be performed after step S44 or after step S45. In this case, since it can be compared with the data rate included in the acquired session information (steps S44 and S45), a more realistic maximum number of sessions can be calculated.

  In addition, to obtain the network bandwidth, it can be determined by how long it took to download a file of a certain size, but it is also possible to set it in advance by the user and use it .

  Since the subsequent sequence is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention, description thereof is omitted.

  According to such a method, when a plurality of video / audio data is included in a hypertext such as an HTML file, a number of sessions exceeding the bandwidth of the network environment in which the data reception / playback device 203 is connected to the streaming server. Can reduce the load on the data reception / playback apparatus and the network.

  In this embodiment, steps S42 and S43 are performed every time hypertext is input, but may be executed at least once after the data reception / playback apparatus 201 is activated. . This is because the network environment to be connected is the same, and when the bandwidth does not change greatly during the analysis of the hypertext, it is not necessary to repeat steps S42 and S43, and quick setup can be realized.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a processing sequence diagram of the data reception / playback apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a transmission / reception sequence diagram of the RTSP method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the network configuration diagram in Embodiment 3 of the present invention is the same as FIG. 2 used in the background art.

  The data reception / playback apparatus 203 acquires an HTML file from at least one Web server 202 using the HTTP protocol (step S50). Then, the acquired HTML file is analyzed (step S51), and if it is necessary to acquire images and other HTML files, those files are requested from the Web server 202, and the finally obtained page is displayed by the browser. To do.

  If the analyzed HTML file includes link information to streaming video and / or audio data, RTSP is set up for the video / audio data (step S52).

  Session information necessary for reproducing video / audio data is stored here (step S53), which is information acquired until setup of TCP / IP, RTSP, etc. is completed.

  If link information to a plurality of video / audio data is included in the HTML file, steps S52 and S53 are repeated with respect to all of them or with a certain threshold as an upper limit.

  Thereafter, the data reception / playback apparatus 203 transmits keepalives necessary for maintaining communication with the streaming server 201 at certain time intervals (step S54).

  If setup is performed for a plurality of video / audio data, a keep-alive for each video / audio data is transmitted. The RTSP method used for keep-alive is arbitrary as long as it does not affect playback, such as the OPTIONS method, but CR (Carriage Return) + LF (Line Feed) can also be used. The RTSP method response is not returned from the streaming server 201 to the data reception / playback apparatus 203.

  Next, when the user instructs playback of video / audio data using an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or remote controller, the setup of the video / audio data has already been completed, and if the session information is known, PLAY A method is transmitted and a reproduction start is requested (step S57). If the setup of the video / audio data is not completed and the session information is not known, the RTSP method necessary for the setup is transmitted to the streaming server 201, and the information obtained there is stored (steps S55 and S56). ), A playback start is requested by transmitting the PLAY method (step S57).

  Upon receiving the playback start request, the streaming server 201 uses the video / audio data such as MPEG as a payload, constructs a UDP packet or RTP packet in a format conforming to the protocol negotiated by the SETUP method, and transmits it to the data reception / playback device 203. To do. The data reception / reproduction device 203 extracts and reproduces the video / audio data from the payload of the received packet (step S60). During this time, the data reception / playback apparatus 203 continues to transmit keepalives at certain time intervals.

  Here, when the user instructs the streaming server 201 to stop the reproduction of the video / audio data being received, the data reception / reproduction device 203 transmits a PAUSE method (step S61). Also in this case, the data reception / playback apparatus 203 continues to transmit keepalives at certain time intervals.

  According to this method, since there is no request from the data reception / playback apparatus 203, it is possible to prevent the streaming server 201 from timing out and releasing resources allocated to receive / playback the video / audio data. In addition, even when the user instructs the reproduction of the video / audio data once stopped, the reproduction can be promptly started.

  Since the keep-alive transmission interval depends on the streaming server 201, it is necessary to use a transmission interval that is shorter than the expected time-out time. This is set in the data reception / reproduction device 203 in advance. In many cases, another method can be determined by negotiation between the streaming server 201 and the data reception / playback device 203 in the process of setup.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, the user instructs to stop the reproduction. However, the transmission of the video / audio data is completed, and EOS (End Of Stream) by the ANNOUNCE method is notified from the streaming server 201. Even in this case, the communication is maintained in the same manner.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 7 is a processing sequence diagram of the data reception / playback apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Further, the network configuration diagram in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as FIG. 2 used in the background art.

  The data reception / playback apparatus 203 acquires an HTML file from at least one Web server 202 using the HTTP protocol (step S70). Then, the acquired HTML file is analyzed (step S71), and if it is necessary to acquire an image or another HTML file, the Web server 202 is requested for those files, and the finally obtained page is displayed by the browser. To do.

  If the analyzed HTML file includes link information to streaming video and / or audio data, TCP / IP or RTSP is set up for the video / audio data (step S72).

  The session information necessary for reproducing the video / audio data is stored here (step S73), which is information acquired until the RTSP setup is completed.

  At this time, in order to manage the elapsed time from the start of communication, a timer that times out at a certain time is started (step S74). Note that the timer is deleted when communication is terminated. Thereafter, when a timeout occurs, the TEARDOWN method is transmitted to the video / audio data to request that the resources allocated by the streaming server 201 be released (step S75). In this case, communication can be terminated by not sending the keep-alive method to the streaming server 201 after the timeout.

  If link information to a plurality of video / audio data is included in the HTML file, steps S72 to S75 are repeated with respect to all of them or with a certain threshold as an upper limit.

  When the user instructs playback of video / audio data using an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, remote controller, etc., if the video / audio data has already been set up and the session information is known, the PLAY method is set. The transmission is requested to start reproduction (step S79). At this time, the timer that manages the session elapsed time of the video / audio data is reset (step S78). If the setup of the video / audio data is not completed and the session information is not known, the RTSP method necessary for the setup is transmitted to the streaming server 201, and the information obtained there is stored (steps S76 and S77). ), A playback start is requested by transmitting the PLAY method (step S79). In this case, since steps 76 and 77 have priority over steps 72 and 73, the timer is not started.

  According to such a method, when an operation from the user cannot be obtained for a certain period of time, the RTSP method communicated thereafter can be stopped to reduce unnecessary communication and the load on the data reception / playback apparatus 203. Further, by releasing the resources of the streaming server 201 to other clients, the network can be effectively used.

  In this embodiment, the timer is reset only when the playback is requested, but an RTSP method that controls playback of video / audio data such as pause, stop, fast forward, and rewind is transmitted. In this case, the timer may be similarly reset. In addition, when an instruction to acquire another HTML file is given while the user is viewing an HTML file, if there is an already connected session, it may be released in the process before and after step S70. Good. As a result, sessions that increase cumulatively can be reduced. Alternatively, the end of communication may be requested only when the HTML file is switched a plurality of times and the number of switching exceeds a certain number. This makes it possible to respond to a user request such as returning to the previously viewed HTML file and instructing playback to the streaming server.

(Embodiment 5)
As described above, in Embodiments 1 to 4, the multimedia information receiving method according to the present invention has been described. By incorporating a reception method as software and processing and executing this by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in a PC or the like, it is possible to realize a streaming data reception device that responds immediately to a reproduction instruction from a user.

  In addition, in order to cause the receiving method of the first to fourth embodiments to be processed and executed by a CPU provided in the PC or the like, these methods are recorded as a procedure that can be processed by the CPU, or data such as a program is recorded on a CD-ROM or the like. It can also be stored on a medium. As a result, the above-described method can be realized by a PC or the like equipped with a reading device.

  The data reception / playback method and data reception / playback apparatus of the present invention perform setup necessary for data reception / playback in advance during network idle time, and maintain a session with the streaming server. When a playback instruction is given, playback can be started immediately. As a streaming data reception method and streaming data reception / playback apparatus in a video-on-demand service using an IP network by the Internet or a home network Useful.

Processing sequence diagram of data reception / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Network configuration diagram of video-on-demand system in the conventional example Transmission / reception sequence diagram of RTSP method in the conventional example Processing sequence diagram of data reception / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention Processing sequence diagram of data reception / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Transmission / reception sequence diagram of RTSP method in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Processing sequence diagram of data reception / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

201 streaming server 202 web server 203 data receiving and reproducing apparatus

Claims (17)

A method of receiving multimedia information by a client machine connected to a network,
A step of receiving a file described in hypertext from a WEB server via a network; a step of analyzing link information to one or a plurality of multimedia servers included in the received hypertext; and the analyzed link information Starting a communication with the multimedia server specified by the step of performing setup until transmitting a transmission request of multimedia information to the multimedia server, and the multimedia server acquired by the setup A method for receiving multimedia information, the method comprising: storing session information for identifying communication of the user; and transmitting the transmission request to the multimedia server in accordance with selection of the link information by a user. . The method for receiving multimedia information according to claim 1, comprising:
When the selection of the link information by the user is performed prior to the storage of the session information, the setup with the multimedia server specified by the link information selected by the user, the storage of the session information, and the transmission request The multimedia information receiving method is characterized in that the transmission is performed prior to the setup and storage of the session information with the multimedia server specified by the other link information. The reception method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting one or a plurality of link information among the link information.
The method for receiving multimedia information, wherein the setup is performed only with a multimedia server specified in the selected link information. The receiving method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of determining a type of the multimedia information from the link information.
The method for receiving multimedia information, wherein the link information is selected based on a type of the multimedia information. The receiving method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of storing link information selected by a user in the past.
The method for receiving multimedia information, wherein the link information is selected based on link information selected by the user in the past. The receiving method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of ordering setup for the link information.
The multimedia information receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the setup is performed according to an order attached to the link information. The reception method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of determining a type of the multimedia information from the link information.
The method for receiving multimedia information, wherein the link information is ordered based on a type of the multimedia information. The receiving method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of storing link information selected by a user in the past.
The multimedia information receiving method, wherein the link information is ordered based on link information selected by the user in the past. The reception of multimedia information according to claim 1, further comprising a step of acquiring a bandwidth of a network to which a client machine is connected and a step of calculating a maximum number of multimedia information that can be acquired in the network bandwidth. A method,
The multimedia information receiving method, wherein the setup is performed with the maximum number as an upper limit. The method for receiving multimedia information according to claim 1, further comprising a step of transmitting control information for maintaining communication with the multimedia server to the multimedia server. Furthermore, after the user gives a stop instruction to the first multimedia data being received from the first multimedia server, control information for maintaining communication with the first multimedia server is provided. 11. The multimedia information receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the multimedia information is transmitted to the first multimedia server. The multimedia information receiving method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of requesting the multimedia server to end communication.
The multimedia information receiving method, wherein the communication end request is made at a timing when the hypertext file received by the client machine is switched to another hypertext file. And measuring a time from the start of communication with the multimedia server;
The multimedia information according to claim 1, further comprising a step of requesting a multimedia server other than the multimedia server that is transmitting the multimedia information being received by a client machine to end communication. A method for receiving multimedia information, wherein the request for termination of communication is made at a timing when a time from the start of the communication exceeds a predetermined time. 14. The multimedia information receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the multimedia information is video or audio streaming data. 15. A multimedia information receiving apparatus for realizing the method according to claim 1. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 1. 15. A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 1 or information according to the program is recorded.

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