JPH07111648A - AV signal distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] An AV that distributes an AV signal by receiving a distribution request for the same program acquired from a plurality of terminal stations within a specified time and allocating the same channel after a specified time has elapsed from the master station. Provide a signal distribution system. A request acquisition unit 41 acquires a distribution request for the same designated program from a plurality of terminal stations within a predetermined prescribed time, and a channel determination unit 42 sets the same channel to the plurality of terminal stations. , By the notification from the timekeeping means 44, when the specified time has passed, the distribution means 43
Distribute V signal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an AV signal distribution system for managing channel allocation for distributing video information and audio information of a master station to a terminal station via a communication path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for digitizing and transmitting a signal having video information and audio information has been developed. The video conference system efficiently encodes and compresses the data by using the encoding / decoding technology of the digitized video signal, transmits the compressed information using the ISDN line, and decodes it on the receiving side. It is to reproduce the video. In addition, the program provider has set up a center (hereinafter, abbreviated as “master station”) for providing many video-compressed programs,
There is a system that receives a service request for a desired program from each terminal station connected by a line and distributes video information. In this example, video on demand (Video on Demand)
There is a service called "demand" (hereinafter abbreviated as VOD). VOD distributes the video while passing through the line, as if the VTR deck is nearby.
It is a service that allows the user to control the video that he / she wants to watch by controlling fast-forward, rewind, pause, etc. The master station has transmission capability capable of supplying several tens to several hundreds of programs at the same time and stored video information. Then, since video information is transmitted to a plurality of terminal stations at the same time, a communication path having a transmission bandwidth capable of transmitting a plurality of programs is set between the master station and the terminal station. For example, if a compressed video signal requires a transmission rate of 1 megabit / second, a channel having a transmission bandwidth of 100 megabit / second can be used to deliver 100 channels at the same time. 100 kinds of programs can be provided.

A conventional AV signal distribution system will be described below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an AV signal distribution system that realizes a conventional VOD service. In FIG. 2, 1 is a master station, 2, 3, 4 are terminal stations, 5
Is a communication path connecting the master station 1 and the terminal stations 2, 3, 4; 6 is a request obtaining means for obtaining a distribution request from the terminal stations 2, 3, 4;
Is a delivery destination determining means for determining a delivery destination according to a delivery request,
Reference numeral 8 is an AV source for storing video information and audio information, and 9 is a connecting means for providing the storage information of the AV source 8 to the terminal station determined by the delivery destination determining means 7 via the communication path 5.

The AV signal distribution system configured as described above will be described. The distribution request input from the input means (not shown) of the terminal station 2 is transmitted to the master station 1. When the request acquisition means 6 of the master station 1 receives the distribution request, the terminal station 2
A channel for distributing a signal having video information is assigned to. When the channel for distribution is assigned, the connection means 9 notifies the terminal station 2 of the signal such as the channel number assigned. The terminal station 2 receives the signal of the notified channel and acquires the video information. The video information is provided from the AV source 8 in the master station 1 or a device connected to the master station 1. In this example, since there are three terminal stations, distribution requests for different programs may occur simultaneously from the three terminal stations. Therefore, a communication path 5 having a band for enabling distribution of three types of video information is prepared.

The distribution destination determining means 7 has source information currently being distributed, which is effective information for determining the distribution destination. This source information is managed as shown in (Table 1).
Table 1 shows the contents of the distribution destination management table created in the distribution destination determining means 7.

[0006]

[Table 1]

The delivery destination management table stores the name of the program being delivered and the information indicating the terminal name of the delivery destination. Table 1 shows a state in which the program A and the program B are distributed to the terminal stations 3 and 4, respectively. Here, when a distribution request for the program A currently being distributed is received from the terminal station 2, the distribution destination determining unit 7 checks the distribution destination management table, and the distribution is currently being distributed to the terminal station 3, so that the distribution is impossible. Message to the terminal station 2. On the other hand, when the program C that is not currently distributed is requested, the information about the program C and the terminal station 2 is added to the distribution destination management table, the connection means 9 secures the channel to be distributed to the terminal station 2, and the program C The video information regarding the above is distributed via the communication path 5. Therefore, one terminal station is specified for one program, and VOD services such as video reproduction, stop, and fast forward are provided in accordance with a request from a user who uses the specified terminal station. In this way, the designated program requested from the terminal station side is transmitted to the AV source 8
From the communication path 5 to meet the user's request.

Such an AV signal distribution system can be used only in a specific area such as a large-scale system using a public telephone network, one building premises, an aircraft with fixed seats, a bus, a train, etc. It can be applied as a simple system.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the number of channels that can be distributed is limited because the amount of transmission using the communication path is limited. When the number of terminal stations increases, distribution becomes impossible for a distribution request exceeding the allowable amount. Furthermore, since a channel is assigned to one program so that only one terminal station can use it, even if a plurality of users make a request to deliver the same program, they cannot be fulfilled.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems by assigning a distribution request for the same program acquired from a plurality of terminal stations within a predetermined prescribed time as the same channel when a prescribed time elapses. It is an object of the present invention to provide an AV signal distribution system for simultaneous distribution to the terminal stations of.

[0011]

To achieve this object, in the AV signal distribution system of the present invention, the request acquisition means is
Within a predetermined prescribed time, a distribution request for the same designated program is acquired from a plurality of terminal stations, and the channel determination means notifies the plurality of terminal stations of the same channel by the notification from the time measuring means to the prescribed time. It has means for allocating when the time has elapsed and for distributing the AV signal from the distribution means.

[0012]

According to the present invention, with the above-described structure, the channel determining means assigns the same channel to the distribution request to the same program of a plurality of terminal stations obtained within the specified time, thereby assigning the same channel when the specified time elapses. The AV signal is distributed to the terminal station on the same channel.

[0013]

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

FIG. 1 shows an AV according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a signal distribution system. Figure 1
, 21 is a master station, 22 to 39 are terminal stations, 40 is a communication path connecting the master station 21 and the terminal stations 22 to 39, 41 is a request acquisition means for acquiring a distribution request from the terminal station, and 42 is a distribution channel. Determining means for deciding allocation of 4
3 is a distribution means for distributing the AV signal designated by the channel determination means 42, and 44 is a time counting means for notifying the elapse of a predetermined time. In FIG. 1, the terminal station 2
Although only 2, 23, 39 are shown in the figure, it is assumed that a total of 18 terminal stations from the terminal station 24 to the terminal station 38 are connected.

The AV signal distribution system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. The user at the terminal station 22 side is
A distribution request for the designated program is output to the master station 21. The request acquisition unit 41 acquires this distribution request, and the channel determination unit 42 receives the distribution request contents (requested program, terminal station number, etc.).
Tell. The channel determining means 42 is
A notification is given to start timing of a preset specified time (for example, about 5 minutes). Then, it waits for a distribution request from another terminal station within the specified time. The time measuring means 44 performs the time measurement of the specified time, and the channel determining means 4 confirms that the time has arrived.
2 and the function of notifying the delivery means 43. If there is a distribution request for the same program from another terminal station 23, a plurality of terminal stations 22 and 23 requesting distribution of the same program
Allocate the same channel. By the timing means 44,
The distribution means 43, which has been notified of the elapse of the specified time, uses the channels determined by the channel determination means 42 to allocate the channels to be actually distributed to the terminal stations 22 and 23 that have made the distribution request, and the AV signal is transmitted. Will be delivered. At this time, for each terminal station 22 and 23, the channel number indicating which channel is assigned to each terminal station 22,
23, each terminal station 22, 23 can acquire the assigned channel number, receive a desired AV signal, reproduce video and audio, and respond to the user's request.

The channel determining means 42 can accept distribution requests for a plurality of different programs. (Table 2) is an example of the distribution schedule management table included in the channel determining means 42. Here, distribution requests for two types of programs are registered. The distribution request for program A
It is shown that the terminal stations 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 issue the distribution request for the program B from the terminal stations 27, 28. When the current time is 9:58, it can be seen that each program is scheduled to be distributed from 10:00. The channel number for distribution is monitored by the channel determining means 42 for the usage status of the communication path 40.
It can be defined by reserving available channels. Then, the scheduled start time can be determined only by securing the used channel.

[0017]

[Table 2]

A description will be given below assuming a communication path 40 that does not have a transmission capacity capable of assigning channels to all of the plurality of connected terminal stations. If the channel for transmitting the AV signal cannot be secured, the scheduled start time cannot be determined. Not available unless some other current channel is available. Communication path 4
When the transmission capacity of 0 is exceeded, a distribution request is issued from a new terminal station, and the channel assigned to another terminal station must be released in response to the request for channel assignment for AV signal transmission. For example, it is impossible to allocate a channel to a new terminal station. Therefore, it is preferable that the channel determining means 42 transmits the scheduled start time information to the terminal station that has made a program distribution request. The terminal station side is relieved to know whether the request has been accepted and when the service will be started by knowing the scheduled start time information of the requested program distribution. On the other hand, because there are no free channels,
Since information that the start time is not determined can be obtained, it is possible to request another program. When a request for distribution of another program is made, if there is a program with the same channel as the program requested by other terminal stations and a channel is allocated, if the scheduled start time comes, that program Can be delivered.

The number of channels assigned to each terminal station is not limited to one. You can also enjoy multiple screens by receiving multiple AV signals. Multiple A's in one terminal station
It is also possible to have a unit for receiving the V signal and outputting a plurality of screens and voices. When a plurality of distribution requests are issued from the same terminal station as a distribution request and a plurality of channels are assigned, the user can enjoy a plurality of programs using the plurality of channels. And you can enjoy multiple screens at the same time or by switching appropriately.

Using this embodiment, the user of the terminal station
We cannot provide VOD services such as one-to-one operation of VCRs. This is because one program is distributed to a plurality of terminal stations, which affects users of other terminal stations. In order to provide a one-to-one service to all terminal stations that request distribution, the transmission capacity of the communication path 40 must have a capacity corresponding to the number of terminal stations.
This embodiment describes an application when the transmission capacity of the communication path 40 is smaller than the capacity distributed to all terminal stations. However, with the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide video and audio information for delivering the desired program to more users after the specified waiting time has elapsed.

According to this embodiment, the channel determining means 42
However, after receiving the first distribution request, in response to the distribution request to the same program from multiple terminal stations acquired within the specified time,
By allocating the same channel, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of channels, perform efficient channel allocation, and realize an AV signal distribution system that is convenient for users to return scheduled start time information in response to a distribution request. it can.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. A
The configuration of the V signal distribution system is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the channel deciding means 42 allocates channels by looking at the usage state of the communication path 40 at the time when the distribution request is first accepted. However, since the number of channels is limited, the channel determination means 42
As a channel allocation method to be allocated by, the method of effectively allocating using a specific rule is desired. Some of these specific rules are described below.

First, there is a method of giving priority to a program having a large number of distribution requesting terminal stations for a program acquired within a specified time. Channels are assigned only after a specified time has elapsed. For example, the request acquisition means 41
Receives a distribution request from a plurality of terminal stations at intervals of 10 minutes, the channel deciding unit 42 looks at the usage state of the communication channel 40, secures an allocatable channel, and then, after 10 minutes have passed, a program with many distribution requests is selected. Assign channels in order. The distribution unit 43 can adopt a method of immediately transmitting a channel number to a terminal station requesting a program and starting distribution when a channel is assigned. This is a method that meets the demands of many users within the limited number of channels. When the number of distributable channels is low, if a certain standard is not met within a specified time (for example, only one terminal station requests for one program), the request may not be met. . Of course, if the frequency of use of the communication path 40 is low and there is a margin in channel allocation,
Not limited to this.

Second, a method of allocating a channel is adopted when the number of distribution requests for the same program reaches a predetermined number, even within a specified time. For example, when the request acquisition unit 41 first receives a distribution request for a program and then receives distribution requests from a plurality of terminal stations for the same program within a specified time, the channel determination unit 42 determines that the channel Seeing the usage status of 40, the channels that can be allocated are secured, and when the number of terminals reaches a certain number or more (for example, the number of terminal stations is 5 or more), the timing is stopped and the channels are assigned. The distribution unit 43 can adopt a method of immediately transmitting a channel number to a terminal station requesting a program and starting distribution when a channel is assigned. This is a method of responding to the requests of many users as soon as possible within the limited number of channels. Unlike the first method, if the number of requesting terminal stations exceeds a certain number even if the prescribed time is not reached, distribution is started immediately, so that there is an advantage that a particular popular program can be quickly supplied. It is more preferable to determine the fixed number of devices by changing the number of channels currently used in the communication path 40 and the number of newly distributable channels. When the number of deliverable channels is small, the number of units can be set higher than usual, and when the number of channels is large, the number of units can be changed lower than usual, thereby enabling more flexible delivery service operation. it can.

Further, a form in which the first and second methods are combined may be adopted. The channel determination means 42 is configured so that if there are distribution requests for more than the specified number within the specified time, channels are assigned immediately, and even if the number of specified requests is less than the specified number, the channels are allocated from the programs with the most requests after the specified time. By doing so, it is possible to provide a service for quickly distributing desired programs to even more users.

Thirdly, when deciding the allocation of a plurality of different channels acquired within a specified time, after the specified time has elapsed, according to the address information classified by the hierarchy of each terminal station, the terminal station with a higher class of the address information is obtained. The priority is given to the distribution to and the channel is sequentially allocated. (Table 3) shows a configuration example of the terminal station attribute table indicating the attribute information of the terminal stations referred to by the channel determining means 42. It is assumed that each terminal station that constitutes the AV signal distribution system is classified by class, and the class is lowered in the order of, for example, class A, class B, and class C. When determining allocation of a plurality of different channels, the channel determining means 42
However, by referring to the terminal station attribute table, it is possible to prioritize the distribution requests from the terminal stations 22 and 23 having a high class. The class is set by providing a means for setting which class each terminal station is classified into at the time of initial introduction. By classifying the terminal stations, it is possible to provide differentiated services among the terminal stations.

[0027]

[Table 3]

Fourthly, when a distribution request having usage charge information is received from the terminal station after the lapse of the specified time in determining the allocation of a plurality of different channels acquired within the specified time, the charge setting is performed according to the usage charge information. The priority is given to the distribution to the terminal stations with high communication rates, and the method of sequentially allocating channels is adopted. As a price to allocate a channel and provide a video distribution service, a usage fee can be collected from a user who uses a terminal station. When operating the system with an emphasis on profits, the priority is given to the distinction between pay and free, and the distribution request that can collect more expensive charges for the same pay. The terminal station outputs the distribution request to the master station 21 by adding the usage charge information in addition to the program designation content. Request acquisition means 4
1 acquires the distribution request, classifies the distribution request with the usage charge information and the distribution request without the usage charge information, and inputs them into the channel determining means 42. Channel determination means 4
2 gives priority to the usage charge information and determines the distribution channel. Increasing profits can be expected by prioritizing usage charge information.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. A
The configuration of the V signal distribution system is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the channel determining means 42 accepts and allocates the arrival of the distribution request during the specified time, but in the present embodiment, the allocation of a plurality of different channels acquired within the specified time is performed. In response to the decision, when a distribution request including a designated time reservation is received from the terminal station, a channel is allocated according to the designated time reservation information even if the specified time has not elapsed. (Table 4) is a configuration example of a distribution reservation management table created in the channel determining means 42 for managing distribution reservation information. From the terminal station 36, a delivery request with designated start time reservation information is output. The channel determining means 42 confirms the reservation information for the designated start time, secures the AV source program and secures the channel so that the program can be distributed at the reserved time, and when the reserved time is reached, it means that the specified time has elapsed. Regardless of this, channels are preferentially assigned and AV signals are distributed. With this configuration, since the distribution can be performed at the time designated by the user in advance, a highly satisfactory AV signal distribution system can be configured.

[0030]

[Table 4]

Further, it is convenient that the channel determining means 42 has a distribution management table indicating programs currently distributed. (Table 5) is a configuration example of the during-delivery management table. Information on programs C and D currently being distributed is stored in the distribution management table. The program time indicating the entire broadcast time of one program, the reproduction time indicating the time from the start of distribution to the current distribution, the terminal station name of the distribution destination, the distribution channel number, etc. are managed. When receiving the information with the designated start time reservation for the previous program C, it is known whether or not the program C is currently being delivered and whether or not the program will end by the scheduled start time. Therefore, in order to receive the reservation for the designated start time, it is possible to determine whether or not the channel currently being used for distribution to another terminal station is free. If a free channel can be secured, a delivery service that reliably accepts a reservation can be operated by always securing only that channel by the time the reservation time is reached.

[0032]

[Table 5]

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. A
The configuration of the V signal distribution system is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the channel determination means 42 allocates a new channel to the delivery request acquired within the specified time. However, when the specified program to which the current channel is allocated after the specified time has elapsed and the AV signal is distributed from the distribution means 43 and a distribution request for the same specified program from another terminal station are acquired, the channel determination means 42 is obtained.
However, the same channel as the channel currently being distributed can be assigned to the other terminal station, and the distribution means 43 can be configured to distribute the AV signal. In the channel determining means 42, there is a distribution management table 54 (see (Table 5)) that manages information that is currently distributed, and see the program content of the acquired distribution request, the same as the currently distributed program. If so, add the terminal station that has made a distribution request to the distribution management table 54,
By returning the channel number currently distributed to the distribution means 43 to the requesting terminal station, the terminal station side can receive the distribution of the requested program from the middle. . In this way, if the user wishes to deliver even in the middle of the program in the program currently being delivered,
By responding to the request, the video distribution service can be provided even when all channels are occupied.

As described above, the distribution channels are allocated effectively by allocating the distribution channels in accordance with a predetermined rule such that the distribution requests for the same program are combined into one and the same channel is allocated. As a result, it is possible to provide an AV signal distribution system that effectively uses a communication path with a limited transmission amount.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the channel determining means has means for allocating the same channel in response to a distribution request to the same program from a plurality of terminal stations obtained within a specified time. With this, you can start distributing channels after a specified time and allocate channels effectively, which is highly efficient.
A V signal distribution system can be constructed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an AV signal distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a delivery destination management table of an AV signal delivery system in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 parent station 22, 23, 39 terminal station 40 communication channel 41 request acquisition means 42 channel determination means 43 distribution means 44 timing means

Front page continued (72) Inventor Tetsuo Maeda 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A request acquisition unit configured to include a master station, a plurality of terminal stations, and a communication path connecting the terminals to each other, wherein the master station acquires a distribution request of a designated program from the terminal station, and each terminal station. Channel allocation means for deciding allocation of channels to be distributed to, channel timing means for notifying the elapse of a predetermined time, and distribution means for distributing an AV signal from the channel designated by the channel determination means, The request obtaining means obtains the distribution request for the same designated program from a plurality of terminal stations within a predetermined prescribed time, and the channel determining means makes the same channel for the plurality of terminal stations the timekeeping. An AV signal distribution system, characterized in that the AV signal is distributed from the distribution unit when the specified time has elapsed according to a notification from the unit. 2. A function in which, when a distribution request is obtained, the channel determining means allocates a channel and returns time information of a distribution waiting time until the AV signal is distributed to each terminal station which has issued the distribution request. The AV signal distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The channel deciding means, when deciding the assignment of a plurality of different channels acquired within a prescribed time set in advance, sequentially assigns the channels in descending order of distribution requests for the same program. The AV signal distribution system according to claim 1. 4. The channel determining means determines, when the distribution request for the same program reaches a predetermined number of terminal stations when deciding allocation of a plurality of different channels acquired within a predetermined time set in advance. The AV signal distribution system according to claim 1, wherein channels are assigned. 5. The channel deciding means decides the assignment of a plurality of different channels acquired within a predetermined prescribed time in accordance with the address information classified by the hierarchy of each terminal station after the prescribed time elapses. The AV signal distribution system according to claim 1, wherein channels are sequentially assigned with priority given to distribution to a terminal station having a high class of address information. 6. A terminal station outputs a distribution request including usage charge information for using a designated program, and the channel determining means determines the allocation of a plurality of different channels acquired within a predetermined time period set in advance. When a distribution request having usage charge information is received from a terminal station after the lapse of the specified time, priority is given to distribution of the usage charge information to a terminal station having a high charge setting, and channels are sequentially allocated according to the usage charge information. The AV signal distribution system according to claim 1. 7. The prescribed time period when the channel decision means receives a distribution request including a designated time reservation from a terminal station when deciding allocation of a plurality of different channels acquired within a prescribed time period defined in advance. The AV signal distribution system according to claim 1, wherein channels are allocated according to the reservation information for the designated time even if the time has not passed. 8. The request acquisition means is assigned a current channel after the elapse of a prescribed time set in advance, and the AV is transmitted from the distribution means.
When the specified program to which the signal is distributed and a distribution request for the same specified program from another terminal station are acquired, the channel determining means determines the same channel as the channel currently being distributed to the other terminal station. And the delivery means assigns an AV
The AV signal distribution system according to claim 1, which has a function of distributing a signal. 9. A channel determining means, when allocating a channel according to designated time reservation information, detects a program time and a reproduction time of a program being distributed with respect to a channel which is currently allocating a channel and distributing an AV signal. By doing
8. The A according to claim 7, wherein the time when the distribution of the program being distributed is completed is calculated, and the designated time reservation after the distribution is accepted.
V signal distribution system.