JP2002369174A - Bearer selecting and moving picture distributing system and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select one bearer optimal according to a condition requested by a subscriber when moving picture reproduction is requested by the subscriber. SOLUTION: This bearer selecting and moving picture distributing system for distributing contents to an moving picture corresponding portable terminal 101 of a subscriber is provided with a moving picture server part 161 for storing contents, a bearer part 164A of a network interface part 164 having a plurality of bearer lines corresponding to a plurality of networks 102, 103, 104, and 105 for interfacing with those networks, and a selecting part 163A for selecting one optimal bearer line for streaming reproducing or downloading the contents, and for distributing the contents to the moving picture corresponding portable telephone terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a moving picture distribution system. In particular, the present invention relates to a bearer selection moving image distribution system and program for selecting an optimal bearer according to attributes of moving image contents, a transmission method thereof, and conditions required by a subscriber and distributing moving image contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-541
No. 75 discloses a method of contacting a plurality of subscribers of a radio bearer service. In this publication, a user subscribes to one or more radio bearer services using one radio communication device via a plurality of networks, and radio bearer services are sequentially selected until the user is connected.

Further, as a conventional technique, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 53282 discloses a configuration of an exchange mode of an ISDN terminal device. The operation of this configuration will be described below.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the configuration of the switching mode of the ISDN terminal device in the related art. As shown in this figure,
The communication time calculation unit 303 includes a transfer data capacity analysis unit 301
The communication time in the circuit switching mode is calculated based on the data capacity analyzed in the above.

[0004] On the other hand, a packet number calculation unit 304 calculates the number of packets in the packet length used in the packet switching mode based on the data capacity analyzed by the transfer data capacity analysis unit 301. Next, the communication time / distance checking unit 305 checks the first communication charge data table 307 based on the communication time calculated by the communication time calculating unit 303, the distance between the own subscriber number and the destination subscriber number, Extract communication charges in circuit-switched mode.

On the other hand, the packet / distance collating unit 306 calculates a second communication charge based on the number of packets calculated by the packet number calculating unit 304 and the distance between the own subscriber number and the destination subscriber number calculated by the distance calculating unit 302. The data table 308 is referenced to extract a communication charge in the packet switching mode. These two communication charges are compared by the communication charge comparison unit 311, and the exchange mode which is cheaper is determined by the exchange mode determination unit 312.

Next, the configuration of an automatic line switching circuit is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-245660. The operation of this configuration will be described below. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the configuration of the conventional line automatic switching circuit. As shown in the figure, the line automatic switching circuit 401 includes a line type registration unit 407 for registering the association of each use mode and each type in use priority and the selection condition of each line. A line usage mode registration unit 408 for associating a name with each usage mode;
A business name reading unit 409 that reads the business name from the service name 02;
A line use form registration unit 408 stores a use form corresponding to the business name.
From the line type registration unit 407, and the line type registration unit 407 reads the line type corresponding to this usage type from the line type registration unit 407.
A line selection unit 411 for detecting a line having the highest priority available and a communication device 402.
And a connection switching unit 406 for connecting the selected line 403 and the communication device 402 with each other.

In the automatic line switching device 401, if the line user sets in advance the line usage pattern for each job and the line selection order and conditions according to the usage pattern, the line user can set the line according to the started job. Is automatically selected. When a line is selected, the use status of each line is referred to, so that the line most suitable for the business using the line is selected.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
The prior arts described in 001-54175, JP-A-5-153282, and JP-A-7-245660 are configured to select an optimal bearer for each data, and thus are applied to a moving image distribution system. In this case, there are the following problems.

[0009] That is, there is a problem that two types of transmission methods of streaming reproduction and download are available for one piece of data in moving image content, and it is not possible to configure so as to select an optimal bearer for each transmission method. In addition, there is a problem that only a method of preliminarily storing the bearer selection condition is considered.

In other words, regarding the moving picture distribution system, the same moving picture content requires different conditions for each subscriber, but it is possible to select the optimal bearer according to the priority requested by the subscriber when the moving picture is requested from the subscriber. There is a problem that can not be. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bearer selection moving image distribution system and a program that can select an optimal bearer according to a moving image content reproduction method in a moving image distribution system in view of the above problems.

Further, the present invention provides a bearer selection moving image distribution system and a program capable of selecting an optimal bearer according to a condition requested by a subscriber when a moving image reproduction is requested from the subscriber.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a bearer-selected moving image distribution system for distributing moving image contents to a moving image compatible portable terminal of a subscriber. Server part,
Interfacing with a plurality of networks, selecting a bearer unit of a network interface unit having a plurality of bearer lines for each network, and one optimal bearer line for performing streaming reproduction or download of the video content, A bearer selection unit that distributes the moving image content to the moving image compatible mobile phone terminal.

By this means, one optimal bearer can be selected according to the method of reproducing the moving image content.
Preferably, the system further comprises a charge database unit, wherein the charge database unit stores communication charges for a plurality of bearer lines of each network according to a communication time, a communication distance, and the number of packets. With reference to the fee database section, one optimal bearer line for performing streaming reproduction or download of the moving image content is selected.

[0014] By this means, there are two types of transmission methods of streaming reproduction and download for one piece of moving image content, and it is possible to select an optimal bearer for each transmission method. Preferably, the system further comprises a subscriber database unit, wherein the subscriber database unit accumulates priority requirements for a bearer line for streaming reproduction and download of the moving image content for each subscriber, and the bearer selection unit, In response to a request for streaming playback and download of video content, one of the optimal bearer lines is selected with reference to the subscriber database unit.

According to this means, when a moving picture is requested from the subscriber, an optimum bearer can be selected in accordance with the conditions required by the subscriber. Preferably, the bearer selecting unit selects one of the lowest-cost bearer lines that can guarantee a band when performing streaming reproduction of the moving image content, and selects a lowest-charge bearer line when downloading the moving image content. Select one.

[0016] By this means, it becomes possible to provide moving image contents at a low fee. Preferably, the interface unit includes an IMT-2000 circuit switching network, a packet network, and a PH.
S network and PDC network are connected, and the IM
T-2000 circuit switching network, packet network, PHS network, PD
For the video-capable mobile phone terminal wirelessly connectable to at least one of the C networks, select an optimal bearer line among the IMT-2000 circuit switched network, packet network, PHS network, and PDC network. The streaming reproduction and download of the moving image content are performed by the bearer selection unit.

[0017] It is possible to select an optimal bearer for a mobile phone terminal supporting moving images corresponding to various networks. The bearer selection unit causes the network interface unit to select a packet network from a plurality of networks when displaying a menu on the mobile phone terminal supporting video and selecting video content of a subscriber.

With this means, it takes time to operate the menu and select the moving image content, which is advantageous in terms of charge. Further, the present invention provides a bearer selection moving image distribution system for distributing moving image contents to a moving image-capable portable terminal of a subscriber, wherein the moving image server unit for storing the moving image contents is interfaced with a plurality of networks. A bearer section of a network interface section having a plurality of bearer lines, a charge database section for storing communication charges for a plurality of bearer lines of each network according to a communication time, a communication distance, and the number of packets; Each time the subscriber database unit accumulates the streaming playback and download priority of the video content for the bearer line, and the fee database unit and the subscriber database unit for performing the streaming playback or download of the video content. Bandwidth for streaming playback of the video content. A bearer selecting unit that selects one bearer line with the lowest charge that can be guaranteed, selects one bearer line with the lowest charge in the case of downloading the video content, and distributes the video content to the mobile phone terminal supporting the video. And a bearer selection moving image distribution system.

According to this means, it is possible to select one optimal bearer according to the method of reproducing the moving image content, as in the above-mentioned invention. Further, the present invention provides a bearer selection moving image distribution program for distributing moving image contents to a moving image-capable portable terminal of a subscriber, wherein the step of storing the moving image contents, the step of interfacing with a plurality of networks, A procedure for performing streaming playback or download of the moving image content stored through one of a plurality of networks, and selecting one optimal bearer line for the plurality of networks to perform the streaming playback or download; And a procedure for distributing the moving image content via the selected bearer line.

According to this means, it is possible to select one optimum bearer according to the method of reproducing the moving image content, as in the above invention.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bearer selection moving image distribution system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the bearer selection moving image distribution system 1
60 is provided with a network interface unit 164, and the network interface unit 164 is provided with an IMT (International
nal Mobile Telecommunication
ion) -2000 circuit switching network 102, packet network 10
3. PHS (Personal Handy-Phon)
e System) network 104, PDC (Persona)
l Digital Cellular) network 105 and interfaces with them.

The mobile phone terminal 101 corresponding to a moving image is an IMT-
2000 circuit switching network 102, packet network 103, PHS
It has a function of wirelessly receiving and reproducing moving image content corresponding to at least one of the network 104 and the PDC network 105. The network interface unit 164 has a bearer unit 164.
A is provided, and the bearer unit 164A has a plurality of bearer lines.
00 circuit switching network 102, PHS network 104, PDC network 10
5 interface.

Further, the bearer selection moving image distribution system 16
0 is provided with a moving image server unit 161.
1 stores moving image content. Further, the bearer selection moving image distribution system 160 is provided with a charge database (DB) unit 162, and the charge database unit 162 stores a communication (call) charge table of each network according to the communication distance, the communication time, or the number of packets.

Further, the bearer selection moving image distribution system 16
0 is a control unit 16 composed of a CPU (central processing unit).
3 is provided, and the control unit 163 includes a bearer selecting unit 163A.
The bearer selection unit 163A has a program for selecting the bearer line of the bearer unit 164A of the network interface unit 164 based on the fee database unit 162 according to the moving image content reproduction method of the moving image server unit 161.

There are two methods of transmitting the moving image content: streaming and downloading. Streaming is a method of instantly playing back video data on the mobile phone terminal 101 while sending video content data. In general, moving image content such as news that is not repeatedly played back and that requires immediate information is suitable for streaming playback.

When performing streaming reproduction, it is necessary to select a bearer that guarantees a certain band.
This is because the moving image data cannot be immediately reproduced unless the moving image data is transmitted to the moving image-compatible mobile phone terminal 101 at a certain communication speed. Downloading is a method in which the moving image content is transferred as a file to the moving image-capable mobile phone terminal 101, and the transferred moving image content file is reproduced by a function in the moving image-compatible mobile phone terminal 101.

Video contents, such as video clips and concert videos, which are stored in the mobile phone terminal 101 corresponding to a moving image and which are to be repeatedly reproduced at any time, are suitable for downloading. When downloading, there is no need to guarantee bandwidth for file transfer. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of moving image content stored in the moving image server unit 161 in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the moving image server section 161 classifies news images, sports images, Diet images, concert images, movie notices, advertisements, etc. into moving image classification names 1, 2,. 1-1, movie 1-2, ..., movie 2-
Video clips are accumulated like 1, 2-2,...
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication (call) charge table of each network stored in the charge database unit 162 in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the IMT-2000 circuit switching network 102, the PHS network 104, and the PDC network 105 are connected to a plurality of bearer lines 1, 2, and 3 respectively, within the prefecture and outside the prefecture. And other communication charges (yen / second) are stored.
Here, the display outside the prefecture is a communication fee according to the communication distance. Further, for the packet network 103, a circle /
The packet is stored. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of control unit 163 of bearer selection moving image distribution system 160 in FIG.

In step S21, a mobile phone terminal 1 having a function of receiving and reproducing moving image contents
01 (referred to as a moving image terminal in this figure), a subscriber who wants to play a moving image is connected to the bearer-selected moving image distribution system 160 via the network interface unit 164.
In step S22, the control unit 163 sets the moving image classification name of the moving image content provided by the moving image
1 is transmitted.

In step S23, the subscriber selects a moving image content to view from the received menu.
Since it takes time to operate the menu and select the moving image content, the bearer at this time should generally select the packet network 103. This is because, in the packet network 103, the communication fee is charged based on the number of transmitted and received packets regardless of the length of the communication time.

In this case, the bearer selection unit 163A of the control unit 163 selects the packet network 103 for the bearer unit 164A of the network interface unit 164 based on the selection of the subscriber. In step S24, the subscriber selects streaming or download as the transmission method of the moving image content. In step S25, the bearer selector 163A of the controller 163 selects an optimal bearer line according to the transmission method selected by the subscriber, and distributes the moving image content.

Here, a method of selecting an optimal bearer will be described. Normally, in the case of streaming, the control unit 1
The 63 bearer selection unit 163A is the charge database unit 16
Referring to FIG. 2, the lowest cost communication among the bearer lines that can guarantee the bandwidth is selected and the moving image content is transmitted. In the case of downloading, a bearer with the lowest communication fee is selected and the moving image content is transmitted.

In this manner, the provision of moving image content can be provided at a low fee. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bearer selection video distribution system that selects an optimal bearer line according to a video content reproduction method. That is, in the case of moving image content, there are two types of transmission methods of streaming reproduction and download for one data, and it is possible to select one optimal bearer for each transmission method.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bearer selection moving image distribution system according to a modification of FIG. As shown in this figure, compared to FIG. 1, the bearer selection moving image distribution system 160 is provided with a subscriber database unit 165, and the subscriber database unit 165 is connected to the control unit 163, and the subscriber wants to watch. Various types of subscriber information, which are requirements to be prioritized with respect to the method of transmitting moving image content, are stored in advance.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an example of subscriber information stored in the subscriber database unit 165 in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the subscriber database unit 165 includes:
As a priority requirement of the subscriber A, a low-speed (low-charge) bearer line for downloading and a low-speed (low-charge) bearer line for streaming are stored.

Normally, a low-cost bearer line is selected even if it takes time to complete transmission at the time of downloading, and a low-speed bearer line with a low communication fee is selected because the image quality may be reduced during streaming reproduction. To be done. As a priority requirement of the subscriber B, a high-speed (high-charge) bearer line for downloading and a low-speed (low-charge) bearer line for streaming are stored.

[0038] This makes it possible to respond to a subscriber's request to give priority to quickness even if a fee is charged at the time of downloading. As a priority requirement of the subscriber C, a low-speed (low-charge) bearer line for downloading and a high-speed (high-charge) bearer line for streaming are stored.
This makes it possible to respond to a subscriber's request to prioritize high image quality during streaming playback.

As a priority requirement of the subscriber D, a high-speed (high fee) bearer line for downloading and a high-speed (high fee) bearer line for streaming are stored. This makes it possible to respond to a subscriber's request to give priority to quickness even if a fee is charged at the time of downloading, and also to meet a subscriber's request to give priority to high image quality during streaming reproduction.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of the bearer selector 163A of the controller 163 in FIG. As shown in the figure, compared with FIG.
Steps S31 to S34 are the same.
5. Step S36 is different as follows. In step S35, the subscriber requests streaming reproduction or download of the moving image content to be viewed.

In step S36, the control unit 163 of the control unit 163 responds to the subscriber's request according to the priority requirements registered in the subscriber database unit 165 from the bearer unit 164A of the network interface unit 164 to the bearer line. Select For example, in response to the priority request from the subscriber A shown in FIG. 6, as described above, in the case of streaming, the bearer selection unit 163A of the control unit 163 refers to the fee database unit 162 and bearers capable of guaranteeing the bandwidth. Select the one with the lowest communication fee among the lines and transmit the moving image content.

In the case of downloading, a bearer with the lowest communication fee is selected and the moving image content is transmitted. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to select an optimal bearer line in response to a request transmitted when a subscriber selects moving image content to view. It should be noted that the mobile phone terminal 101 corresponding to a moving image is the IMT-2000 circuit switching network 102, the packet network 103, the PHS network 104,
If all functions to connect to C network 105 are provided, IM
T-2000 circuit switching network 102, packet network 103, P
One optimal bearer line is selected from the bearer unit 164A of the network interface unit 164 for the HS network 104 and the PDC network 105.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Storing video content, interfacing with a plurality of networks, streaming playback or downloading of the stored video content via one of the plurality of networks, and providing a plurality of networks for streaming playback or download; , The most suitable bearer line is selected, and the moving image content is distributed via the selected bearer line. It becomes possible to select one.

Further, the communication fee is accumulated for a plurality of bearer lines of each network according to the communication time, the communication distance, and the number of packets, and streaming reproduction or download of the moving image content is performed by referring to the fee database. In this case, one optimal bearer line is selected for each transmission method because the video content has two types of transmission methods: streaming reproduction and download for one data. Will be possible.

Further, the priority requirements for the bearer line for the streaming reproduction and download of the moving image content are stored for each subscriber, and the subscriber database unit is referred to in response to the request for the streaming reproduction and download of the moving image content from the subscriber. Thus, since one optimal bearer line is selected, it becomes possible to select one optimal bearer according to the conditions required by the subscriber when the subscriber requests the reproduction of the moving image content.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bearer selection moving image distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of moving image content stored in a moving image server unit 161 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication (call) fee table of each network stored in a fee database unit 162 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a moving image distribution system 16 for selecting a bearer in FIG. 1;
11 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of a control unit 163 of 0.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a bearer selection moving image distribution system according to a modification of FIG. 1;

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of subscriber information stored in a subscriber database unit 165 in FIG.

7 is a moving image distribution system 16 for selecting a bearer in FIG. 5;
11 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of a control unit 163 of 0.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an exchange mode of an ISDN terminal device according to the related art.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional line automatic switching circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101: Mobile phone terminal supporting video 102: IMT-2000 circuit switching network 103: Packet network 104: PHS network 105: PDC network 160: Bearer selection video distribution system 161: Video server unit 162 ... Charge database unit 163: Control unit 163A ... Bearer selector 164: Network interface 164A: Bearer 165: Subscriber database

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A bearer selection moving image distribution system for distributing moving image contents to a moving image-capable portable terminal of a subscriber, comprising: a moving image server for storing the moving image contents; and an interface with a plurality of networks. And a bearer line of a network interface unit having a plurality of bearer lines, and one optimal bearer line for performing streaming reproduction or download of the moving image content, and distributes the moving image content to the moving image compatible mobile phone terminal. A bearer selection moving image distribution system, comprising: 2. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a charge database unit, wherein the charge database unit stores communication charges for a plurality of bearer lines of each network according to a communication time, a communication distance, and the number of packets. The bearer-selected moving image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein one of the bearer lines optimal for performing streaming reproduction or downloading of the moving image content is selected with reference to the fee database unit. 3. The system further comprises a subscriber database unit,
The subscriber database unit stores, for each subscriber, priority requirements for a bearer line for streaming reproduction and download of the video content, and the bearer selection unit responds to a request for streaming reproduction and download of video content from the subscriber. The bearer selection moving image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein one optimal bearer line is selected with reference to the subscriber database unit. 4. The bearer selecting unit selects one bearer line having the lowest charge that can guarantee a band when performing streaming reproduction of the moving image content, and a bearer line having the lowest charge when downloading the moving image content. Line 1
The bearer selection moving image distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one is selected. 5. The IMT-20 according to claim 1, wherein
At least one of a circuit switching network, a packet network, a PHS network, and a PDC network is connected to at least one of the IMT-2000 circuit switching network, the packet network, the PHS network, and the PDC network.
The IMT-2000 circuit-switched network, the packet network,
The bearer selection moving image according to claim 1, wherein a bearer line of an optimum network is selected from a PHS network and a PDC network, and the streaming reproduction and download of the moving image content are performed by the bearer selection unit. Delivery system. 6. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the bearer selection unit causes the network interface unit to select a packet network from a plurality of networks when displaying a menu on the mobile phone terminal supporting video and selecting video content of a subscriber. The bearer selection moving image distribution system according to claim 1. 7. A bearer selection moving image distribution system for distributing moving image contents to a moving image-capable portable terminal of a subscriber, comprising: a moving image server for storing the moving image contents; and an interface with a plurality of networks. A bearer unit of a network interface unit having a plurality of bearer lines, a charge database unit for storing communication charges for a plurality of bearer lines of each network according to a communication time, a communication distance, and the number of packets; Streaming playback of the video content,
A subscriber database unit for storing the priority requirements for the bearer line of the download; and a streaming database for the video content, with reference to the fee database unit and the subscriber database unit for streaming playback or download of the video content. In the case where the bandwidth is guaranteed, one bearer line with the lowest charge can be selected, and in the case of downloading the moving image content, one bearer line with the lowest charge is selected, and the moving image content is transferred to the moving image compatible mobile phone. A bearer selection moving image distribution system, comprising: a bearer selection unit for distributing to a terminal. 8. A bearer selection moving image distribution program for distributing moving image contents to a moving image-capable portable terminal of a subscriber, wherein: a step of storing the moving image contents; a step of interfacing with a plurality of networks; Streaming playback or download of the moving image content stored via one of the networks; and selecting one optimal bearer line for the plurality of networks to perform the streaming playback or download. A bearer selection moving picture distribution program, comprising: a procedure; and a step of distributing moving picture content to the moving picture compatible mobile phone terminal via the selected bearer line.