JP4496926B2 - Content distribution system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system that receives and outputs stream content distributed from a server device by an output device.

  Conventionally, stream content such as moving images and audio streamed from a server device is received and output by various output devices such as a television, a PC (personal computer), and a mobile phone via the Internet. There is a distribution system. Stream distribution means that audio and video data on the server device is not transmitted after the output device serving as a client has downloaded all the data, but via a communication path or the like so that it can be output sequentially while transmitting and receiving data in the order of the time axis. Technology to distribute. The stream content is data such as a moving image and sound provided for such stream distribution.

In such a content distribution system, when output of stream content from an output device, for example, a video playback device, is stopped, output of the stream content is performed for a predetermined time from the stopped position in the same output device. There are some that can start playback from the advanced or returned position. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
According to this content distribution system, the content once stopped from the output device can be output again from the stop position in the same output device.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-046928 (first page, FIG. 3, etc.)

However, in such a content distribution system, the output of the stream content that has been once stopped can be started from the stop point only when the same output device is used.
For this reason, for example, it is assumed that the user is viewing a desired stream content on the go with a mobile phone. Then, after returning home, the viewing is stopped, and then the continuation of the stream content is to be viewed on a device different from the mobile phone, for example, a home PC or a television. In this case, the user selects a stream content viewed on the mobile phone from the stream contents provided by the server device using the PC or the television, and further fast-forwards the portion where the viewing of the stream content is stopped. It is necessary to search using reproduction etc.

  As described above, it is very time-consuming and time-consuming to easily output the stream content whose output has been stopped in the first output device from the location around the location where the output has been stopped in the second output device. There was a problem that it was difficult.

A content distribution system according to the present invention includes a first output device that receives and outputs stream content, a second output device that receives and outputs stream content, and a server device that distributes stream content. The first output device receives the stream content from the server device in response to the first output instruction accepting unit that accepts the first output instruction that instructs the output of the stream content, and the first output instruction. And, when receiving the stream content, a first receiving unit that outputs data indicating that the stream content has been received to the server device, a first output unit that outputs the stream content received by the first receiving unit, If the first receiver has not received the stream content from the server device for a predetermined period In response to the reception of the switching instruction, the output stopping unit for stopping the output of the stream content from the first output unit, the switching instruction receiving unit for receiving the switching instruction for switching the output device of the stream content, An output instruction sending unit for sending a second output instruction for instructing the output of stream content to the second output device, and the second output device accepts a second output instruction from the first output device. In response to receiving the second output instruction, in response to the transmission of the distribution continuation instruction transmission unit that transmits a distribution continuation instruction that instructs the server device to continuously distribute the stream content, A second receiving unit that receives stream content from the server device, and a second output unit that outputs the stream content received by the second receiving unit, The server device stores the stream content storage unit that stores the stream content, the distribution continuation instruction reception unit that receives the distribution continuation instruction from the second output device, and the stream content stored in the stream content storage unit as the first content. A distribution unit that distributes to the output device or the second output device, the distribution unit to the first output device when the data indicating that the stream content has been received from the first output device is not received for a predetermined period Stores the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content that has stopped distribution and stores the stream content, and stops the output of the stream content according to the information indicating the distribution stop point when a distribution continuation instruction is accepted The stream content is distributed to the second output device from the location per location. To do.

A content distribution system according to the present invention includes a first output device that receives and outputs stream content, a second output device that receives and outputs stream content, and a server device that distributes stream content. In the distribution system, the first output device receives a stream content from the server device in response to receiving a first output instruction receiving unit that receives a first output instruction that receives a first output instruction that instructs output of the stream content. A first receiving unit that outputs data indicating that the stream content has been received to the server device when receiving the stream content and a first output unit that outputs the stream content received by the first receiving unit And the first receiver does not receive the stream content from the server device for a predetermined period. In response to the reception of the switching instruction, the output stopping unit that stops the output of the stream content from the first output unit, the switching instruction receiving unit that receives the switching instruction that instructs switching of the output device of the stream content, A distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit that transmits to the server device a distribution continuation instruction that instructs to continuously distribute the stream content, and the second output device includes a second receiving unit that receives the stream content from the server device; A second output unit that outputs the stream content received by the second receiving unit, and the server device receives a stream content storage unit that stores the stream content and a distribution continuation instruction received from the first output device First output of stream content stored in continuation instruction receiver and stream content storage Or a distribution unit that distributes to the second output device, and the distribution unit receives a stream indicating that the stream content has been received from the first output device, and the stream to the first output device is not received for a predetermined period. Stores the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content that has been stopped while stopping the content distribution, and when receiving a distribution continuation instruction, stops outputting the stream content according to the information indicating the distribution stop point The stream content is distributed to the second output device from a location per location.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily output the stream content whose output has been stopped by the first output device from where it has been stopped by the second output device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a content distribution system and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the component which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in embodiment performs the same operation | movement, re-explanation may be abbreviate | omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the content distribution system according to the first embodiment. The content distribution system according to the first embodiment includes a first output device 100, a second output device 200, and a server device 300.

  The first output device 100 receives and outputs stream contents such as moving image data and audio data transmitted from the server device 300 via the network 500. The first output device 100 is connected to the second output device 200 via the network 500. The first output device 100 may be any device as long as it can receive and output stream content. Here, the first output device 100 is a mobile terminal that can be connected to a network, such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assist).

The second output device 200 receives and outputs stream contents such as moving image data and audio data transmitted from the server device 300 via the network 500. The second output device 200 may be any device as long as it can receive and output stream content. Here, the second output device 200 is a stationary output device such as a television or a PC that can output moving images and sounds.

  The server device 300 stores stream contents such as moving image data and audio data. The stored stream content is stream-distributed to the first output device 100, the second output device, and the like via the network 500.

  The network 500 transmits and receives data between the first output device 100 and the server device 300, between the second output device 200 and the server device 300, and between the first output device 100 and the second output device 200. Can be any network such as LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), etc., such as wired or wireless communication form, connection form, communication control method, etc. Does not matter. Here, as an example, the first output device 100 is wirelessly connected to the network 500, and the second output device 200 and the server device 300 are wired to the network 500. Instead of the network 500, a wireless broadcast means or a wired broadcast means such as CATV (cable television) may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content distribution system according to the first embodiment. The content distribution system according to the first embodiment includes a first output device 100, a second output device 200, and a server device 300.

  The first output device 100 includes a first output instruction reception unit 10, a distribution start instruction transmission unit 11, a first reception unit 12, a first output unit 13, an output stop unit 14, and a switching instruction reception unit 15. The output instruction sending unit 16 is provided.

  The first output instruction receiving unit 10 receives a first output instruction for instructing output of stream content such as moving image data and audio data from a user. The data structure of the first output instruction does not matter. The first output instruction includes, for example, a content identifier for identifying the stream content that the user instructs to output. The data structure of the content identifier does not matter. The content identifier is, for example, ID information or a title name of the stream content. The input received by the first output instruction receiving unit 10 is input by a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., input from another information processing terminal, input by wired or wireless communication from another device, and the like. Can be anything. The first output instruction receiving unit 10 is realized by a device driver of an input unit such as a numeric keypad or a keyboard, control software for a menu screen, a wired or wireless communication unit, or a broadcasting unit.

In response to the first output instruction received by the first output instruction receiving unit 10, the distribution start instruction transmitting unit 11 transmits a distribution start instruction that is an instruction to distribute stream content to the server device 300. The data structure of the distribution start instruction does not matter. The distribution start instruction includes, for example, a content identifier, a first output device identifier for identifying the distribution start instruction transmission unit 11, and the like. The first output device identifier is, for example, a telephone number, an IP address, or a MAC (media access).
The data structure is not limited by the control address or the like. The distribution start instruction transmission unit 11 is realized by a wired or wireless communication unit, a broadcasting unit, or the like.

The first receiving unit 12 receives the stream content transmitted from the server device 300 in response to receiving the first output instruction. The stream content may be received directly from the server apparatus 300, or may be received indirectly, for example, via another server apparatus. The data structure of the stream content, the encoding method, the data transmission method, etc. are not limited. The stream content is distributed in a packet form, for example. When receiving the stream content, the first receiving unit 12 outputs data indicating the reception to the server device 300. In addition, when the reception of the stream content is stopped, data indicating that the stream content has been received is not output to the server device 300. The data structure of the data indicating the reception is not limited. The first receiving unit 12 is realized by a wired or wireless communication unit, a broadcasting unit, or the like.

  The first output unit 13 outputs the stream content received by the first receiving unit 12. The first output unit 13 may or may not include an output device such as a display or a speaker. Further, it may be considered that a decoder configured by software or hardware for decoding stream contents is included or not included. The first output unit 13 can be realized by driver software for an output device, driver software for an output device and an output device, or a combination of these and a decoder.

  The output stop unit 14 stops the output of the stream content from the first output unit 13. For example, the output stop unit 14 stops the reception of the stream content by giving an instruction to the first reception unit 12 to stop the reception of the stream content, and outputs the stream content from the first output unit 13. To stop. There is no limitation on the data structure of the instruction to stop output. For example, the output stopping unit 14 receives an instruction to stop the output of the stream content from the user from a means (not shown) or the like, or the stream content is received from the server device 300 due to the deterioration of the connection state with the server device 300. An instruction to stop the output of the stream content is issued when it is not transmitted for a predetermined period or when the server device 300 stops the delivery of the stream content due to the convenience of the server device 300.

  The switching instruction receiving unit 15 receives a switching instruction for instructing switching of an apparatus that outputs stream content from a user. The data structure of the switching instruction does not matter. The switching instruction includes, for example, a second output device identifier for identifying the second output device 200 that is the switching destination. The second output device identifier is, for example, a telephone number, an IP address, a MAC address, etc., and its data structure is not limited. The input accepted by the switching instruction accepting unit 15 is input from a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., input from another information processing terminal, input by wired or wireless communication from another device, etc. It may be something like this. The switching instruction receiving unit 15 is realized by a device driver of an input unit such as a numeric keypad or a keyboard, control software for a menu screen, a wired or wireless communication unit, or a broadcasting unit.

  The output instruction sending unit 16 outputs a second output instruction for instructing the second output device 200 to output stream content based on the switching instruction received by the switching instruction receiving unit 15. The data structure of the second output instruction does not matter. The second output instruction includes, for example, a first output device identifier for identifying the first output device 100. The first output device identifier is, for example, an IP address or a MAC address, and the data structure is not limited.

The second output device 200 includes a second output instruction reception unit 17, a distribution continuation instruction transmission unit 18, a second reception unit 19, and a second output unit 20.
The second output instruction receiving unit 17 receives the second output instruction sent by the output instruction sending unit 16. The second output instruction receiving unit 17 is realized by a wired or wireless communication unit, a broadcast unit, or the like.

The distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 18 transmits a distribution continuation instruction for instructing to distribute the stream content to the server device based on the second output instruction received by the second output instruction receiving unit 17. The data structure of the distribution continuation instruction does not matter. The distribution continuation instruction includes, for example, a first output device identifier.
In response to the transmission of the distribution continuation instruction, the second reception unit 19 receives the stream content distributed from the server device 300 from a location around the location where the first output device 100 stops outputting the stream content. The stream content may be received directly from the server apparatus 300, or may be received indirectly via another server apparatus, for example. In addition, when receiving the stream content, the second reception unit 19 outputs data indicating reception to the server device 300. The data structure of the data indicating the reception is not limited. The second receiving unit 19 is realized by a wired or wireless communication unit, a broadcast unit, or the like.

  The second output unit 20 outputs the stream content received by the second receiving unit 19. The second output unit 20 may be considered as including or not including an output device such as a display or a speaker. Further, it may be considered that a decoder configured by software or hardware for decoding stream contents is included or not included. The second output unit 20 can be realized by driver software of an output device, driver software of an output device and an output device, or a combination of these and a decoder.

The server device 300 includes a distribution instruction receiving unit 21, a distribution unit 22, a stream content storage unit 23, and an output device information storage unit 24.
The distribution instruction receiving unit 21 receives a distribution start instruction output from the first output device 100 and a distribution continuation instruction output from the second output device 200. The distribution instruction receiving unit 21 is realized by a wired or wireless communication unit, a broadcasting unit, or the like.

The stream content storage unit 23 stores stream content data in association with a content identifier. The data structure of the stored stream content, the encoding method, etc. are not limited. The stream content storage unit 23 can be realized by a storage device such as a hard disk, a memory, or an optical disk.
The output device information storage unit 24 stores one or more sets of the first output device identifier and the second output device identifier. The output device information storage unit 24 can be realized by a storage device such as a memory.

The distribution unit 22 acquires the stream content stored in the stream content storage unit 23 based on the distribution start instruction received by the distribution instruction reception unit 21 and distributes the stream content to the first output device 100. Specifically, for example, the stream content corresponding to the content identifier included in the distribution start instruction is acquired from the stream content storage unit 23, and this is identified by the first output device identifier included in the distribution start instruction. Delivered to the first output device 100. The distribution unit 22 receives data indicating that the first reception unit 12 has received the stream data, which is output from the first reception unit 12 of the first output device 100. Then, when the stream content distributed to the first output device 100 is not received from the first receiving unit 12 for a predetermined period or longer, data indicating that the stream content has been received is not received. The distribution of the stream content to the output device 100 is stopped, the first output device identifier, the content identifier for identifying the stream content for which the distribution has been stopped, and the information indicating the distribution stop location of the stream content are associated with each other, such as a memory Stored in the storage device. This storage device may be inside the server device 300 or outside the server device 300. The data structure of the information which shows the 1st output apparatus identifier stored, a content identifier, and the stop location of delivery of stream content is not ask | required. The information indicating the stop point of the delivery of the stream content includes, for example, the playback time until the stop point of the stream content, and the time, minute, second, frame in which the stream content is time-coded, that is, time-series. If the time information such as the number is included, the time code of the stop point, the scene number including the stop point, the amount of data delivered to the stop point, the number of packets, etc. can be specified as long as the stop point of distribution can be specified. May be correct information. In addition, the distribution unit 22 outputs a second output device identifier stored in a pair with the first output device identifier that is the same as the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21. Obtained from the device information storage unit 24. In addition, the content identifier stored in the memory or the like paired with the same first output device identifier as the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 and the stop of the distribution of the stream content Get information indicating the location. And the delivery part 22 acquires the stream content identified by the acquired content identifier from the location per location where the delivery was stopped based on the information indicating the location where the delivery of the stream content is stopped. The part where the stream content is acquired may be the same part as the part where the distribution is stopped. Further, as long as it is a location other than the start position of the stream content, it may be a location determined based on a location where distribution is stopped. For example, when a stream content provider or the like distributes stream content that has been stopped as a service that provides stream content, a predetermined time before the location where the distribution was stopped, for example, from a location 5 minutes before When it is desired to provide stream content, the distribution unit 22 is set so that the stream content is acquired from a location 5 minutes before the location where the distribution of the stream content is stopped. May be. Further, based on an instruction from the user or a user setting, the distribution unit 22 may acquire the stream content from a predetermined time before, for example, one minute before the point where the distribution of the stream content is stopped. . Then, the stream content is distributed to the second output device 200 identified by the second output device identifier acquired from the output device information storage unit 24 from the location around the location where the delivery is stopped. In the case where the distribution of the stream content is performed from the same location as the location where the distribution is stopped, the location where the distribution is actually started may include a slight error with respect to the location where the distribution is stopped. The distribution unit 22 is realized by a memory, an MPU, a wired or wireless communication unit, a broadcast unit, or the like. If the stream content stored in the stream content storage unit 23 is not encoded, it may be encoded in a predetermined format at the time of distribution.

Next, the operation of the content distribution system according to the first embodiment will be described.
First, operation | movement of the 1st output device 100 is demonstrated using the flowchart shown in FIG.
(Step S101) The first output instruction receiving unit 10 determines whether or not a first output instruction has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S102. If not accepted, the process returns to step S101.
(Step S102) The distribution start instruction transmitting unit 11 transmits a distribution start instruction corresponding to the first output instruction to the server device 300.

(Step S <b> 103) The first receiving unit 12 determines whether or not the stream content transmitted from the server device 300 has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S104. If not received, the process proceeds to step S107.
(Step S <b> 104) The first receiving unit 12 transmits data indicating that the stream content has been received to the server device 300.

(Step S105) The first output unit 13 outputs the stream content. Note that the process of step S105 may be performed before the process of step S104.
(Step S106) It is determined whether the output stop unit 14 has output an instruction to stop receiving the stream content. If an instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to step S108. If an instruction has not been issued, the process returns to step S103.

  (Step S107) The output stopping unit 14 determines whether or not the time during which the first receiving unit 12 has not received the stream content has reached a predetermined period. If the predetermined period has been reached, the process proceeds to step S108, and if not, the process returns to step S103.

(Step S108) The switching instruction receiving unit 15 determines whether a switching instruction has been received. If a switching instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S109. If not accepted, the first output device 100 ends the process.
(Step S109) The output instruction sending unit 16 sends the second output instruction to the second output device 200.

Next, the operation of the second output device 200 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.
(Step S201) It is determined whether the second output instruction receiving unit 17 has received the second output instruction. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S202. If not accepted, the process returns to step S201.

(Step S202) The distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 18 transmits a distribution continuation instruction corresponding to the second output instruction to the server device 300.
(Step S203) The second receiving unit 19 determines whether or not stream content has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S204. If not received, the process returns to step S203.

(Step S <b> 204) The second receiving unit 19 transmits data indicating that the stream content has been received to the server device 300.
(Step S205) The second output unit 20 outputs the stream content. Note that the process of step S205 may be performed before the process of step S204.

  (Step S206) The second receiving unit 19 determines whether or not the reception of the stream content may be finished. When the reception is finished, the second output device 200 finishes the process, and when not finished, the step S203 is finished. Return to. The second receiving unit 19 determines that the reception may be terminated, for example, when an instruction to terminate the output of the stream content is received from a unit (not shown) or the like.

Next, the operation of the server apparatus 300 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.
(Step S301) It is determined whether the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 has received a distribution start instruction. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S302. If not accepted, the process proceeds to step S307.

(Step S302) The distribution unit 22 acquires the stream content from the stream content storage unit 23 based on the distribution start instruction.
(Step S303) The distribution unit 22 distributes the stream content acquired from the stream content storage unit 23 to the first output device 100 based on the first output device identifier included in the distribution start instruction.

  (Step S304) The distribution unit 22 determines whether or not the data output when the stream content is received from the first output device 100 is received. If received, the first output device 100 receives the stream content and returns to step S302. If not received, the first output device 100 determines that the stream content has not been received and proceeds to step S305.

  (Step S305) A period in which the distribution unit 22 does not receive data output when stream content is received from the first output device 100, and a period in which the first output device 100 does not receive stream content Determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed. When it is determined that the predetermined period has not elapsed, the process returns to step S303, and when it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S306.

(Step S306) The distribution unit 22 stops the distribution of the stream content, the first output device identifier of the first output device 100, the content identifier for identifying the stream content whose distribution has been stopped, and the distribution of the stream content Information indicating the stop point is associated and stored in a memory or the like.
(Step S307) It is determined whether or not the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 has received a distribution continuation instruction. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S308. If not accepted, the process returns to step S301.

  (Step S308) The distribution unit 22 is paired with the same first output device identifier as the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction, and the content identifier stored in the memory or the like, and the stream content distribution stop point Get information indicating Further, the second output device identifier stored in a pair with the same first output device identifier as the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction is acquired from the output device information storage unit 24.

  (Step S309) The distribution unit 22 acquires, from the stream content storage unit 23, the stream content identified by the content identifier obtained in step S308 from the location indicated by the information indicating the location where the stream content delivery is stopped.

  (Step S310) The distribution unit 22 distributes the stream content acquired in step S309 to the second output device 200 identified by the second output device identifier acquired from the output device information storage unit 24.

  (Step S311) The distribution unit 22 determines whether or not data to be output when the second receiving unit 19 receives stream content has been received. If received, the second output device 200 receives the stream content and returns to step S309. If it has not been received, it is determined that the second output device 200 has not received the stream content, and the process advances to step S312.

  (Step S312) The distribution unit 22 obtains a period during which data to be output when the second receiving unit 19 receives stream content is not received. Then, it is determined whether the period during which the second output device 200 has not received the stream content has passed a predetermined period. When it is determined that the predetermined period has not elapsed, the process returns to step S310, and when it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed, the server apparatus 300 ends the process.

  Next, a specific example of the content distribution system according to the first embodiment will be described. Here, the first output device 100 is a mobile phone capable of reproducing stream content, and the second output device 200 is a television capable of reproducing stream content at the user's home. It is assumed that the device 200 and the server device 300 are connected via the Internet.

First, a case where the user views the stream content with the first output device 100 will be described.
When the user operates the input means such as a key of the first output device 100 to select a stream content desired to be viewed, for example, one title of a movie, the first output instruction accepting unit 10 selects a movie designated by the user. A first output instruction for instructing output is received. Here, the first output instruction includes the ID information of the movie designated by the user as the content identifier.

Next, in response to the first output instruction received by the first output instruction receiving unit 10, the distribution start instruction transmitting unit 11 is an instruction for distributing a movie specified by the user to the server device 300. Send instructions via the wirelessly connected internet. The distribution start instruction includes the content identifier included in the first output instruction and the first output device identifier. Here, the IP address of the first output device 100 is included in the first output device identifier.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of data stored in the stream content storage unit 23 of the server device 300, and this data has a content identifier and stream content. The content identifier is ID information of stream content. The stream content storage unit 23 stores ID information and data of the stream content as a pair.

  When the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 of the server apparatus 300 receives the distribution start instruction output from the first output device 100, the distribution unit 22 stores the content identifier stored in the stream content storage unit 23 as shown in FIG. The same content identifier as the content identifier included in the distribution start instruction is searched. Then, the stream content stored in pairs with the retrieved content identifier is acquired from the stream content storage unit 23. Then, this is distributed via the Internet to the first output device 100 identified by the first output device identifier included in the distribution start instruction. The stream content is distributed by packetizing data, for example.

  In the first output device 100, the first receiving unit 12 receives stream content distributed from the server device 300. Each time the first receiving unit 12 receives a stream content packet, the first receiving unit 12 transmits data indicating the reception to the server device 300. And the 1st output part 13 decodes the stream content which the 1st receiving part 12 received, and outputs it from a display or a speaker.

  Next, a case will be described in which the user stops the output of the stream content that has been viewed on the first output device 100 and the second output device 200 views the continuation of the stopped stream content.

  For example, when the user inputs an instruction to stop the output of the stream content to the first output device 100 from means (not shown) or the like, the output stop unit 14 sends the stream from the server device 300 to the first reception unit 12. Give instructions to stop receiving content. In response to this instruction, the first receiving unit 12 stops receiving the stream content. Then, transmission of data indicating that the stream content has been received is stopped with respect to the server apparatus 300.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the structure of data stored in the memory or the like by the distribution unit 22, and this data has a first output device identifier, a content identifier, and a distribution stop point. Here, the first output device identifier is the IP address of the first output device 100, the content identifier is ID information of the stream content, and the distribution stop point is a time code of the distribution stop point of the stream content.

  The distribution unit 22 of the server device 300 continues to distribute the stream content while the data indicating that the stream content has been received is output from the first output device 100. However, the distribution of the stream content to the first output device 100 is stopped when the period in which the data indicating that the stream content has been received is not longer than a predetermined period. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the first output device identifier corresponding to the first output device 100 that has distributed the stream content, here the IP address, and the content identifier for identifying the stream content for which distribution has been stopped. Here, the ID information of the stream content and the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content, here the time code of the stop point, are associated with each other and stored in the memory.

FIG. 8 shows the first output device 100 when an instruction to view the continuation of the stream content from which the output from the first output device 100 is stopped is input to the first output device 100. It is the figure which illustrated the display contents displayed on a display etc.

  When the user inputs an instruction for causing the second output device 200 to output the continuation of the stream content whose output has been stopped to the first output device 100 using a numeric keypad or a menu, for example, FIG. As shown in the figure, a question “Do you want to switch to the registered device for viewing the continuation of the stopped content?” Is displayed on the display or the like. In response to this display, when the user selects “YES”, the switching instruction receiving unit 15 receives a switching instruction to switch to the second output device 200 registered in advance and view the continuation of the stopped stream content. This switching instruction includes an identifier for designating a pre-registered second output device, here, the IP address of the second output device 200. Then, in response to the switching instruction received by the switching instruction receiving unit 15, the output instruction sending unit 16 sends a second output instruction for instructing the output of the content to the second output device 200 identified by this switching instruction. Output via connected internet. The second output instruction includes a first output device identifier for identifying the first output device 100, here, the IP address of the first output device 100. When the user selects “NO”, the process of viewing the continuation of the stream content is not performed.

  When the second output instruction receiving unit 17 of the second output device 200 receives the second output instruction sent by the output instruction sending unit 16 of the first output device 100, the distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 18 receives the second output instruction receiving Based on the second output instruction received by the unit 17, the first output apparatus 100 transmits to the server apparatus 300 a distribution continuation instruction that instructs to distribute the stream content. The distribution continuation instruction includes a first output device identifier for identifying the first output device 100.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the second output instruction receiving unit 17 receives the second output instruction sent from the output instruction sending unit 16 of the first output device 100, , “There is a continuation of the program that was being viewed on another output device.” Or the like may be displayed to notify the user that there is stream content whose viewing has been stopped on the first output device 100. . Then, the user may select whether or not to view the stream content from the position where the viewing is stopped, and the distribution continuation instruction transmission unit 18 may be made to send the distribution continuation instruction only when the user performs viewing. .

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of data stored in the output device information storage unit 24. The output device information storage unit 24 stores a first output device identifier and a second output device identifier. ing. Here, the first output device identifier is the IP address of the first output device 100, and the second output device identifier is the IP address of the second output device 200. The output device information storage unit 24 stores the IP address of the first output device 100 and the IP address of the second output device 200 as a pair.

When the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 of the server device 300 receives the distribution continuation instruction, the distribution unit 22 receives the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21, that is, the first output device 100. The output device information storage unit 24 is searched for the same first output device identifier as the IP address. Then, the second output device identifier stored in a pair with the searched first output device identifier, here, the IP address of the second output device 200 is acquired from the output device information storage unit 24. 7 is the same as the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21, that is, the IP address of the first output device 100, from the data stored in the memory by the distribution unit 22 shown in FIG. The first output device identifier is searched, and the content identifier stored in the memory in a pair with the searched first output device identifier, and information indicating the stream content distribution stop point are acquired. Then, the distribution unit 22 acquires the stream content identified by the acquired content identifier from the stream content storage unit 23 from the location indicated by the location where the distribution of the stream content is stopped. Then, the stream content is distributed from the location where the distribution is stopped to the second output device 200 identified by the second output device identifier acquired from the output device information storage unit 24.

  The second receiving unit 19 of the second output device 200 receives from the server device 300 the stream content distributed from the location around the location where the first output device 100 has stopped outputting the stream content. The second output unit 20 decodes the stream content received by the second reception unit 19 as necessary, and outputs the decoded content from a display, a speaker, or the like.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the output of the stream content output from the first output device 100 is stopped, the server device 300 converts the stream content to the stop location based on the information indicating the stop location. Delivered to the second output device 200 from the hit points. As a result, the stream content whose output has been stopped by the first output device 100 can be easily output by the second output device 200 from where it stopped.

  In this embodiment, instead of the distribution unit 22 of the server device 300 storing the content identifier for identifying the stream content for which distribution has been stopped and the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content in the memory or the like. In addition, the first output device 100 acquires one or more of these data based on the stream content received by the first receiving unit 12, and includes these data in the distribution continuation instruction to include the server device 300. You may make it transmit to. Thereby, the delivery part 22 can deliver the stream content which the 1st output device 100 stopped outputting from the location per the stop location based on these data contained in a delivery continuation instruction | indication. The same applies to other embodiments.

  Further, in this embodiment, instead of providing the output device information storage unit 24, the second output device identifier of the second output device 200 is included in the distribution continuation instruction, and the server device 300 is included in the distribution continuation instruction. The stream content may be distributed to the second output device 200 identified by the second output device identifier.

  The distribution unit 22 stores only one set of the content identifier for identifying the stream content whose distribution has been stopped and the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content. When an output destination device that distributes stream content for which the output device 100 has stopped outputting is specified as one second output device 200, the distribution continuation instruction transmitted to the server device 300 simply causes distribution to be executed. Any instruction may be used. The data structure of this instruction is not limited. The same applies to other embodiments.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the data indicating that the stream data output from the first output device 100 to the server device 300 is not received for a predetermined period or longer, the server device 300 receives the stream data. Distribution is stopped, the first output device identifier, the content identifier for identifying the stream content for which distribution has been stopped, and the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content are associated with each other and stored in a memory or the like. . However, in the present invention, when the output of the stream content is stopped, the first output device 100 outputs a signal notifying the server device 300 that the output of the stream content is stopped, and the server device 300 When the signal for stopping the output of the stream content is received, the distribution of the stream data by the distribution unit 22 is stopped, the first output device identifier, the content identifier for identifying the stream content for which the distribution is stopped, Information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content may be associated and stored in a memory or the like. The same applies to other embodiments.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the server device 300 stops the distribution of the stream content, the server device 300 identifies the content identifier for identifying the stream content for which the distribution has been stopped, and the distribution stop point of the stream content. The information indicating this is associated and stored in a memory or the like. However, in the present invention, when the server device 300 stops the distribution of the stream content, the content identifier for identifying the stream content for which the first output device 100 has stopped the distribution and the distribution stop point of the stream content are The information shown may be stored. In this case, when the switching instruction accepting unit 15 accepts the switching instruction, the stored content identifier and information indicating the distribution stop location are included in the second output instruction from the output instruction sending unit 16, and the second output device. 200, and further included in the distribution continuation instruction by the second output device 200 so as to be transmitted to the server device 300. Furthermore, in the server device 300, if the stream content is distributed to the second output device 200 from around the distribution stop point based on the content identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction and the information indicating the distribution stop point. Good. The same applies to other embodiments.

  Until the server device 300 receives the distribution continuation instruction, the stream content is distributed according to a predetermined schedule or the like, and the first output device 100 simply views the stream content from the server device 300. However, when only selecting whether or not, the distribution start instruction transmission unit 11 of the first output device 100 may be omitted. In this case, the first output instruction received by the first output instruction receiving unit 10 includes an instruction for designating whether to view the stream content distributed from the server device 300. Further, the first output instruction output from the first output instruction receiving unit 10 is transmitted to the first receiving unit 12. The first receiving unit 12 receives the stream content only when the first output instruction is an instruction to receive the stream content. The same applies to other embodiments.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the first output device is a portable terminal and the second output device is a stationary output device has been described as an example. However, in the present invention, the first output device is May be a stationary output device, and the second output device may be a portable terminal. Further, both the first output device and the second output device may be a portable terminal or a stationary output device. The same applies to other embodiments.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the content distribution system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts. The content distribution system according to the second embodiment includes a first output device 100a, a second output device 200a, and a server device 300.

  The first output device 100a receives and outputs stream contents such as moving image data and audio data transmitted from the server device 300 via the network 500. The first output device 100 may be any device as long as it can output moving images and sounds. Here, the first output device 100a is a mobile terminal that can be connected to a network, such as a mobile phone or a PDA.

The second output device 200a receives and outputs stream contents such as moving image data and audio data transmitted from the server device 300 via the network 500. The second output device 200 may be any device as long as it can output moving images and sounds. Here, the second output device 200 is a stationary output device such as a television or a PC that can output moving images and sounds.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same or corresponding parts. The content distribution system according to the second embodiment includes a first output device 100a, a second output device 200a, and a server device 300.

With regard to the configuration of the server device 300, except for the point that the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 is transmitted from the distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 31 of the first output device 100a, the first embodiment described above. Since this is the same as the server apparatus described in FIG.
Since the configuration of the first output device 100a other than the switching instruction receiving unit 30 and the distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 31 is the same as the configuration of the first output device 100 described in the first embodiment, the description will be given here. Omitted.

  The switching instruction receiving unit 30 receives a switching instruction for instructing switching of the output device of the stream content from the user. The data structure of the switching instruction does not matter. Unlike the switching instruction accepting unit 15 of the first embodiment, the switching instruction may not include the second output device identifier for identifying the second output device 200a that is the switching destination. The input accepted by the switching instruction accepting unit 30 is input from a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., input from another information processing terminal, input by wired or wireless communication from another device, etc. It may be something like this. The switching instruction receiving unit 30 is realized by a device driver of an input unit such as a numeric keypad or a keyboard, control software for a menu screen, a wired or wireless communication unit, or a broadcasting unit.

  The distribution continuation instruction transmission unit 31 transmits a distribution continuation instruction for instructing the server device 300 to distribute the stream content to the server device 300 based on the switching instruction received by the switching instruction reception unit 30. The data structure of the distribution continuation instruction does not matter. The distribution continuation instruction includes, for example, a first output device identifier for identifying the first output device 100a. The first output device identifier is, for example, an IP address or a MAC address, and the data structure is not limited.

  The second output device 200 a includes a second receiving unit 19 and a second output unit 20. Since the second receiving unit 19 and the second output unit 20 are the same as those of the second output device described in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, the operation of the content distribution system according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the operation of the server apparatus 300 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first output device 100a. The operation of the first output device 100a other than step S401 is the operation of the first output device 100 shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. Since it is the same as that, the description is omitted.

  (Step S <b> 401) When the switching instruction receiving unit 30 receives a switching instruction in Step S <b> 108, the distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 31 sends a distribution continuation instruction to the server device 300. Then, the operation of the first output device 100a is finished.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second output device 200a. The operation of the second output device 200a is the operation from step S203 to S206 of the second output device 200 shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. Since it is the same as that, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, a specific example of the content distribution system according to the second embodiment will be described. Here, the first output device 100a is a mobile phone capable of reproducing stream content, the second output device 200a is a television capable of reproducing stream content at the user's home, and the server device 300 is the first output device. Suppose that it is connected to 100a and the second output device 200a via the Internet.

  First, an example in which the user views the stream content with the first output device 100a is the same as the specific example described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a case will be described in which the user stops the output of the stream content that was being viewed on the first output device 100a and the continuation of the stopped stream content is viewed on the second output device 200a.

  For example, when the user inputs an instruction to stop the output of the stream content to the first output device 100a from means (not shown) or the like, the output stop unit 14 sends the first reception unit 12 from the server device 300, An instruction to stop receiving the stream content is issued. In response to this instruction, the first receiving unit 12 stops receiving the stream content, and stops transmitting data indicating that the stream content has been received to the server apparatus 300.

  The distribution unit 22 of the server device 300 continues to distribute the stream content while data indicating that the stream content has been received from the first receiving unit 12 of the first output device 100a. However, when the period during which the data indicating that the stream content has been received is no longer output is equal to or longer than the predetermined period, the distribution of the stream content to the first output device 100a is stopped, and the first embodiment shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the first output device identifier corresponding to the first output device 100a that has distributed the stream content, here the IP address, and the content identifier for identifying the stream content that has been stopped to be distributed, here the stream The content ID information is associated with the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content, here the time code of the stop point, and stored in the memory.

  When the user inputs an instruction for viewing the continuation of the stream content whose output has been stopped to the first output device 100a from the second output device 200a using a keyboard or the like, for example, in FIG. As shown in the above, a question “Do you want to switch to a registered device for viewing the continuation of the stopped content?” Is displayed. In response to this display, when the user selects “YES”, the switching instruction receiving unit 30 receives a switching instruction to switch to the second output device 200a registered in advance and view the continuation of the stopped stream content. Based on this switching instruction, the distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 31 of the first output device 100a transmits a distribution continuation instruction for instructing to distribute the stream content to the server apparatus 300. The distribution continuation instruction includes a first output device identifier for identifying the first output device 100a. When the user selects “NO”, the process of viewing the continuation of the stream content is not performed.

When the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 of the server device 300 receives the distribution continuation instruction, the distribution unit 22 receives the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21, that is, the first output device 100a. The first output device identifier that is the same as the IP address is searched from the data in the output device information storage unit 24 shown in FIG. 10 in the first embodiment. Then, the second output device identifier stored in a pair with the searched first output device identifier, in this case, the IP address of the second output device 200 a is acquired from the output device information storage unit 24. The first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 from the data stored in the memory by the distribution unit 22, that is, the same first output device identifier as the IP address of the first output device 100a The content identifier stored in the memory in a pair with the searched first output device identifier and the information indicating the stop point of the distribution of the stream content are acquired. Then, the distribution unit 22 acquires the stream content identified by the acquired content identifier from the stream content storage unit 23 from the location indicated by the location where the distribution of the stream content is stopped. Then, the stream content is distributed from the location where the distribution is stopped to the second output device 200a identified by the second output device identifier acquired from the output device information storage unit 24.

  The second receiving unit 19 of the second output device 200a receives from the server device 300 the stream content distributed from the location around the location where the first output device 100 has stopped outputting the stream content. The second output unit 20 decodes the stream content received by the second reception unit 19 as necessary, and outputs the decoded content from a display, a speaker, or the like.

  When the distribution unit 22 distributes the stream content from the location where the distribution is stopped, the second output device 200a may not be able to receive the stream content because the power is not turned on, for example. Conceivable. For this reason, for example, the configuration of the second output device 200a is configured so that the server device 300 can be notified that the stream content can be received, and the second output device 200a can receive the stream content. When the server device 300 confirms, the server device 300 may transmit the stream content to the second output device 200a.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the output of the stream content output by the first output device 100a is stopped, the server device 300 converts the stream content to the stop location based on the information indicating the stop location. It distributes to the second output device 200a from the hit location. As a result, the stream content whose output has been stopped by the first output device 100a can be easily output by the second output device 200a from where it stopped.

  Further, when the first output device 100a switches the device that outputs the stream content whose output is stopped to the second output device 200a, the second output device 200a does not need to accept data from the first output device 100a. . For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the need for the second output device 200a to always accept data from the first output device 100a.

  In this embodiment, instead of providing the output device information storage unit 24, the second output device identifier of the second output device 200a is included in the distribution continuation instruction, and the server device 300 is included in the distribution continuation instruction. The stream content may be distributed from the location where the distribution is stopped to the second output device 200a identified by the second output device identifier. In this case, when issuing an instruction to switch the output destination to output the continuation of the stopped stream content, the user can specify the output destination to output the continuation, and the output destination to output the continuation of the stream content. There is an effect that the user can freely specify.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the content distribution system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 11 denote the same or corresponding parts. The content distribution system according to the third embodiment includes a first output device 100, a second output device 200a, a server device 300, and a control device 400.

The control device 400 receives stream content such as moving image data and audio data transmitted from the server device 300 via the network 500. Then, the received stream content is transferred to the second output device 200a via the network 600. The control device 400 can be realized by, for example, a so-called home server that manages moving image data and audio data and distributes the data to a television set, a PC, or the like connected via a LAN or the like. The control device 400 and the second output device 200a may be directly connected by a wired or wireless communication unit or the like without using a network or the like.

  The network 600 may be a network of any scale, such as a LAN or a WAN, as long as it can transmit and receive data between the control device 400 and the second output device 200a. The communication form, the connection form, the communication control method, etc. are not questioned. Here, the network 600 is a LAN by wire communication as an example.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 2 and 11 denote the same or corresponding parts. The content distribution system according to the third embodiment includes a first output device 100, a second output device 200a, a server device 300, and a control device 400.

  With regard to the configuration of the first output device 100, the first output described in the first embodiment is the same as the first output device 100 except that the output instruction sending unit 16 sends the second output instruction to the output instruction receiving unit 41 of the control device 400. Since it is the same as the apparatus 100, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  Regarding the configuration of the second output device 200a, the second output device described in the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the second output device 200a except that the second reception unit 19 receives the stream content transferred by the content transfer unit 43 of the control device 400. Since it is the same as 200a, the description is omitted here.

  The configuration of the server device 300 is the same as that of the server device described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted here. However, in the present third embodiment, the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 is transmitted from the distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 42 of the control device 400. Further, the second output device identifier stored in the output device information storage unit 24 is an identifier for identifying the control device 400 to which the second output device 200a is connected. The identifier for identifying the control device 400 is, for example, the IP address or the MAC address of the control device 400, and the data structure thereof does not matter.

The control device 400 includes an output instruction receiving unit 41, a distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 42, and a content transfer unit 43.
The output instruction receiving unit 41 receives the second output instruction sent by the output instruction sending unit 16. The output instruction receiving unit 41 is realized by a wired or wireless communication unit, a broadcasting unit, or the like.

  The distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 42 transmits a distribution continuation instruction for instructing to distribute the stream content to the server device based on the second output instruction received by the output instruction receiving unit 41. The data structure of the distribution continuation instruction does not matter. The distribution continuation instruction includes, for example, a first output device identifier. The distribution continuation instruction transmission unit 42 is realized by a wired or wireless communication unit, a broadcast unit, or the like.

  The content transfer unit 43 receives the stream content distributed from the distribution unit 22 of the server device 300 in response to the transmission of the distribution continuation instruction. The received stream content is transmitted to the second receiving unit 19 of the second output device 200a. Further, when the content transfer unit 43 receives the stream content, the content transfer unit 43 outputs data indicating the reception to the server device 300. The content transfer unit 43 is realized by a memory, an MPU, a wired or wireless communication unit, a broadcast unit, or the like.

  Next, the operation of the content distribution system according to the third embodiment will be described. Since the operations of the first output device 100 and the server device 300 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here. The operation of the second output device 200a is the same as that described in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

Hereinafter, the operation of the control device 400 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
(Step S501) It is determined whether the output instruction receiving unit 41 has received a second output instruction. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S502, and if not accepted, the process returns to step S501.

(Step S502) The distribution continuation instruction transmission unit 42 transmits a distribution continuation instruction corresponding to the second output instruction to the server device 300.
(Step S503) The content transfer unit 43 determines whether or not stream content has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S504. If not received, the process returns to step S503.

(Step S <b> 504) The content transfer unit 43 transmits data indicating that the stream content has been received to the server device 300.
(Step S505) The content transfer unit 43 transfers the stream content to the second output device 200a.

  (Step S506) The content transfer unit 43 determines whether to stop the transfer of the stream content. If the transfer is not stopped, the process returns to step S503, and if the transfer is stopped, the transfer process is stopped. The content transfer unit 43 determines that the transfer may be stopped, for example, when an instruction to end the transfer of the stream content is received from the second output device 200a or a means (not shown).

  Next, a specific example of the content distribution system according to the third embodiment will be described. Here, as an example, the first output device 100 is a mobile phone capable of reproducing stream content, the second output device 200a is a television capable of reproducing stream content at the user's home, etc., and the control device 400 is In a so-called home server at a user's home or the like, the server device 300 is connected to the first output device 100 and the control device 400 via the Internet, and the second output device 200a and the control device 400 are connected by wire. It is assumed that they are connected via a LAN.

  First, an example in which the user views the stream content with the first output device 100 is the same as the specific example described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a case will be described in which the user stops the output of the stream content that was being viewed on the first output device 100 and the continuation of the stopped stream content is viewed on the second output device 200a.

  For example, when the user inputs an instruction to stop the output of the stream content to the first output device 100 from a means (not shown) or the like, the output stop unit 14 sends the first reception unit 12 from the server device 300. An instruction to stop receiving the stream content is issued. In response to this instruction, the first receiving unit 12 stops receiving the stream content, and stops transmitting data indicating that the stream content has been received to the server apparatus 300.

The distribution unit 22 of the server device 300 continues to distribute the stream content while data indicating that the stream content has been received is output from the first reception unit 12 of the first output device 100. However, when the period during which the data indicating that the stream content has been received is not output is equal to or longer than the predetermined period, the distribution of the stream content to the first output device 100 is stopped. As shown in FIG. 4, the first output device identifier corresponding to the first output device 100 that has delivered the stream content, here the IP address, and the content identifier for identifying the stream content that has been delivered, here the stream The content ID information is associated with the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content, here the time code of the stop point, and stored in the memory.

  When the user inputs an instruction for viewing the continuation of the stream content whose output is stopped from the second output device 200a to the first output device 100 using a keyboard or the like, for example, in FIG. As shown in the above, a question “Do you want to switch to a registered device for viewing the continuation of the stopped content?” Is displayed. In response to this display, when the user selects “YES”, the switching instruction accepting unit 15 accepts a switching instruction to switch and view the continuation of the stopped stream content to the second output device 200a registered in advance. Based on this switching instruction, the output instruction sending unit 16 of the first output device 100 transmits a distribution continuation instruction for instructing to distribute the stream content to the control device 400 from the location around the location where the output of the stream content is stopped. To do. The distribution continuation instruction includes a first output device identifier for identifying the first output device 100. When the user selects “NO”, the process of viewing the continuation of the stream content is not performed.

  When the output instruction receiving unit 41 of the control device 400 receives the second output instruction, the distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 42 determines that the first output device 100 has stream content based on the second output instruction received by the output instruction receiving unit 41. The distribution continuation instruction for instructing to distribute the stream content is transmitted to the server apparatus 300 from the portion around the portion where the output of the output is stopped. The distribution continuation instruction includes a first output device identifier for identifying the first output device 100.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the structure of data stored in the output device information storage unit 24. The output device information storage unit 24 stores a first output device identifier and a second output device identifier. . The first output device identifier is the IP address of the first output device 100, and the second output device identifier is the IP address of the control device 400 here. The output device information storage unit 24 stores the IP address of the first output device 100 and the IP address of the control device 400 as a pair.

  When the distribution instruction receiving unit 21 of the server device 300 receives the distribution continuation instruction, the distribution unit 22 receives the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21, that is, the first output device 100. The first output device identifier that is the same as the IP address is searched from the data in the output device information storage unit 24 shown in FIG. Then, the second output device identifier stored in a pair with the searched first output device identifier, here, the IP address of the control device 400 is acquired from the output device information storage unit 24. Further, the first output device that is the same as the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction received by the distribution instruction receiving unit 21, that is, the IP address of the first output device 100, from the data stored in the memory by the distribution unit 22 The identifier is searched, and the content identifier stored in the memory in a pair with the searched first output device identifier and the information indicating the stop point of distribution of the stream content are acquired. Then, the distribution unit 22 acquires the stream content identified by the acquired content identifier from the stream content storage unit 23 from the location indicated by the location where the distribution of the stream content is stopped. Then, the stream content is distributed from the location where the distribution is stopped to the control device 400 identified by the second output device identifier acquired from the output device information storage unit 24.

  The content transfer unit 43 of the control device 400 receives, from the server device 300, the stream content distributed from a location per location where the first output device 100 stops outputting the stream content. Then, this stream content is transferred to the second output device 200a. In addition, a plurality of second output devices 200a are connected to the content transfer unit 43 of the control device 400 via a LAN or the like, and the content transfer unit 43 is controlled in accordance with a user instruction or the like, thereby transferring the stream content transfer destination. May be switched to one of a plurality of second output devices.

  The second receiving unit 19 of the second output device 200a receives, from the control device 400, stream content distributed from locations around the location where the first output device 100 has stopped outputting stream content. The second output unit 20 decodes the stream content received by the second reception unit 19 as necessary, and outputs the decoded content to a display, a speaker, or the like. Note that the decoding of the stream content may be performed by the content transfer unit 43 or the like of the control device 400.

  Note that when the distribution unit 22 distributes the stream content, the second output device 200a may be in a state where the stream content cannot be received, for example, because the power is not turned on. For this reason, for example, as a configuration in which the second output device 200a can notify the control device 400 that the stream content can be received, the control device 400 indicates that the second output device 200a can receive the stream content. When confirmed, the distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit 42 of the control device 400 may transmit a distribution continuation instruction to the server apparatus 300.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the output of the stream content output from the first output device 100 is stopped, the server device 300 converts the stream content to the stop location based on the information indicating the stop location. It distributes to the second output device 200a from the hit location. As a result, the stream content whose output has been stopped by the first output device 100 can be easily output by the second output device 200a from where it stopped.

Further, when the first output device 100 switches the output destination of the stream content whose output has been stopped to the second output device 200a, it is not necessary for the second output device 200a to accept data from the first output device 100. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the need for the second output device 200a to always accept data from the first output device 100.
Further, by switching the transfer destination of the content transfer unit 43 of the control device 400, it is possible to freely switch and output the continuation of the stream content between the plurality of second output devices 200a.

  In this embodiment, instead of providing the output device information storage unit 24, the second output device identifier of the control device 400 is also included in the distribution continuation instruction, and the server device 300 is included in the distribution continuation instruction. Stream content may be distributed to the control device 400 identified by the second output device identifier from the location where the distribution is stopped.

  In each of the above embodiments, each process or each function may be realized by centralized processing by a single device or system, or may be realized by distributed processing by a plurality of devices. Also good.

In the first embodiment, the server device 300 stores information indicating the content identifier and the distribution stop point of the stream content, and based on these information and the distribution continuation instruction output by the second output device 200, The server device 300 is configured to output the stream content to the second output device 200 from the location where the first output device 100 stops outputting the stream content. In the second embodiment, the server device 300 stores information indicating the content identifier and the distribution stop point of the stream content. Based on the information and the distribution continuation instruction output by the first output device 100a, The server device 300 is configured to output the stream content to the second output device 200a from the location where the first output device 100a stops outputting the stream content. In the third embodiment, the server device 300 stores information indicating the content identifier and the distribution stop point of the stream content. Based on the information and the distribution continuation instruction output by the control device 400, the server device 300 causes the control device 400 to output the stream content from the location where the first output device 100 stops outputting the stream content, and the control device 400 outputs the stream content to the second output device 200a. I tried to do it.

  However, in the present invention, if the second output device can output the stream content from the location where the first output device stopped outputting the stream content, the content identifier or the stream content delivery stop location is set. Any device may store and manage the information shown, the distribution continuation instruction, and the like. Also, these data may be input to any device by any route. Furthermore, data other than these data may be used.

  That is, in the present invention, the first output device receives and outputs the stream content from the server device, stops outputting the stream content, the second output device outputs the stream content. Any configuration may be used as long as the stream content is received from the server device and output from the location where the first output device stops outputting the stream content after the stop.

  In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component can be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. The software that realizes the information processing apparatus in each of the above embodiments is a program as described below.

  That is, the program distributes stream content to a first output device that receives and outputs stream content to a computer, stops delivering stream content to the first output device, This is a program for causing the second output device that receives and outputs the stream content to be distributed from a location per location where the output of the stream content is stopped.

  A step of accepting a first output instruction to instruct the computer to output stream content; a step of receiving stream content in response to acceptance of the first output instruction; and step of outputting the received stream content A step of stopping the output of the stream content, a step of receiving a switching instruction for instructing switching of an output device of the stream content, and a second receiving and outputting the stream content in response to the reception of the switching instruction. And a step of sending a second output instruction for instructing output of stream contents to the output device.

A step of receiving a second output instruction to the computer; a step of transmitting a distribution instruction instructing to distribute the stream content in response to the reception of the second output instruction; and responding to the transmission of the distribution instruction. The first output device that receives and outputs the stream content performs a step of receiving the stream content from a location around the location where the output of the stream content is stopped, and a step of outputting the received stream content It is a program.

A step of receiving a distribution instruction instructing the computer to distribute the stream content; and a first output device that receives and outputs the stream content in response to accepting the distribution instruction outputs the stream content A program for causing a stored stream content to be delivered to a second output device that receives and outputs the stream content from a location per stopped location.
A step of accepting a first output instruction to instruct the computer to output stream content; a step of receiving stream content in response to acceptance of the first output instruction; and step of outputting the received stream content A step of stopping the output of the stream content, a step of receiving a switching instruction for instructing switching of an output device of the stream content,
In response to accepting the switching instruction, a program for executing a step of transmitting a distribution instruction for instructing to distribute stream content.

  Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a step of receiving stream content and a step of outputting the received stream content from a location around the location where the first output device stops outputting the stream content.

  A step of accepting a second output instruction to the computer; a step of sending a delivery instruction instructing to deliver the stream content in response to the acceptance of the second output instruction; and correspondence of sending of the delivery instruction The first output device that receives and outputs the stream content receives the stream content from a location around the location where the output of the stream content is stopped, and transmits the received stream content. It is a program.

  In each of the above programs, in a transmission step for transmitting information, a reception step for receiving information, etc., processing performed by hardware, processing performed only by hardware, for example, a modem or an interface card in the transmission step This does not include processing performed by

Each of the above programs may be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like. For example, a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium such as an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory is read out. May be executed by
Further, the computer that executes this program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The content distribution system according to the present invention is useful as a content distribution system that receives stream content distributed from a server device by an output device, and is particularly suitable as a content distribution system in which a user switches and uses a plurality of output devices. ing.

The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the content delivery system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the 1st output device of the content delivery system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the 2nd output device of the content delivery system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the server apparatus of the content delivery system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which illustrated the structure of the data stored in the stream content storage part of the content delivery system by Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which illustrated the structure of the data which the delivery part of the content delivery system by Embodiment 1 of this invention stored The figure which shows the example of a display displayed on the display of the 1st output device of the content delivery system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display displayed on the display of the 2nd output device of the content delivery system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which illustrated the structure of the data stored in the output device information storage part of the content delivery system by Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the content delivery system by Embodiment 2 of this invention. Block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the 1st output device of the content delivery system by Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the 2nd output device of the content delivery system by Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the content delivery system by Embodiment 3 of this invention. Block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to a third embodiment of the present invention The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the control apparatus of the content delivery system by Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which illustrated the structure of the data stored in the output device information storage part of the content delivery system by Embodiment 3 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st output instruction | indication reception part 11 Distribution start instruction | indication transmission part 12 1st reception part 13 1st output part 14 Output stop part 15 Switching instruction | indication reception part 16 Output instruction | indication sending part 17 2nd output instruction | indication reception part 18 Distribution continuation instruction | indication transmission part 19 Second receiving unit 20 Second output unit 21 Distribution instruction receiving unit 22 Distribution unit 23 Stream content storage unit 23 Distribution unit 24 Output device information storage unit 30 Switching instruction reception unit 31 Distribution continuation instruction transmission unit 41 Output instruction reception unit 42 Distribution Continuation instruction transmission unit 43 Content transfer unit 43 Output instruction reception unit 100, 100a First output device 200, 200a Second output device 300 Server device 400 Control device 500 Network 600 Network

Claims (9)

A content distribution system comprising: a first output device that receives and outputs stream content; a second output device that receives and outputs stream content; and a server device that distributes stream content,
The first output device is:
A first output instruction receiving unit for receiving a first output instruction for instructing output of stream content;
In response to receiving the first output instruction, when receiving stream content from the server device and receiving the stream content, data indicating that the stream content has been received is output to the server device. A first receiver;
A first output unit that outputs the stream content received by the first receiving unit;
An output stopping unit for stopping output of the stream content from the first output unit when the first receiving unit has not received the stream content from the server device for a predetermined period ;
A switching instruction receiving unit that receives a switching instruction that instructs switching of the output device of the stream content;
An output instruction sending unit for sending a second output instruction for instructing the second output device to output the stream content in response to accepting the switching instruction;
The second output device is:
A second output instruction receiving unit for receiving the second output instruction from the first output device ;
In response to reception of said second output instruction, and distributes continue instruction transmitting unit that transmits the delivery continuation instruction to the server device instructing to deliver continuously a stream content,
A second receiving unit that receives stream content from the server device in response to transmission of the distribution continuation instruction;
A second output unit for outputting the stream content received by the second reception unit;
The server device
A stream content storage unit for storing stream content;
A distribution continuation instruction receiving unit that receives the distribution continuation instruction from the second output device ;
A distribution unit that distributes the stream content stored in the stream content storage unit to the first output device or the second output device, wherein the distribution unit receives the stream content from the first output device; When the data indicating is not received for a predetermined period, the distribution of the stream content to the first output device is stopped, the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content that has been stopped is stored, and the distribution is continued When receiving an instruction , the content distribution system distributes the stream content to the second output device from a location around the location where the output of the stream content is stopped according to the information indicating the delivery stop location. . A content distribution system comprising: a first output device that receives and outputs stream content; a second output device that receives and outputs stream content; and a server device that distributes stream content,
The first output device is:
A first output instruction receiving unit for receiving a first output instruction for instructing output of stream content;
In response to receiving the first output instruction, when receiving stream content from the server device and receiving the stream content, data indicating that the stream content has been received is output to the server device. A first receiver;
A first output unit that outputs the stream content received by the first receiving unit;
An output stop unit for stopping output of the stream content from the first output unit when the first reception unit has not received the stream content from the server device for a predetermined period ;
A switching instruction receiving unit that receives a switching instruction that instructs switching of the output device of the stream content;
In response to reception of the switching instruction, the delivery continue instruction instructing to deliver continuously a stream contents; and a distribution continuation instruction transmitting unit that transmits to the server apparatus,
The second output device is:
A second receiving unit for receiving stream content from the server device ;
A second output unit for outputting the stream content received by the second reception unit;
The server device
A stream content storage unit for storing stream content;
A distribution continuation instruction receiving unit that receives the distribution continuation instruction from the first output device ;
A distribution unit that distributes the stream content stored in the stream content storage unit to the first output device or the second output device, wherein the distribution unit receives the stream content from the first output device; When the data indicating is not received for a predetermined period, the distribution of the stream content to the first output device is stopped, the information indicating the distribution stop point of the stream content that has been stopped is stored, and the distribution is continued When receiving an instruction , the content distribution system distributes the stream content to the second output device from a location around the location where the output of the stream content is stopped according to the information indicating the delivery stop location. . The distribution continuation instruction, the first output unit identifier and claim 1 or claim 2 or according content distribution system having a second output apparatus identifier for identifying the second output device for identifying the first output device. The distribution continuation instruction has a first output device identifier for identifying the first output device,
The server device
An output device information storage unit that stores one or more pairs of the first output device identifier and the second output device identifier;
The delivery unit
From the location around the location where the first output device has stopped outputting the stream content to the second output device identified by the second output device identifier paired with the first output device identifier included in the distribution continuation instruction, the stream claim 1 or claim 2 content distribution system according any one to deliver content. A first output instruction receiving unit for receiving a first output instruction for instructing output of stream content;
In response to receiving the first output instruction, when receiving stream content from the server device and receiving the stream content, data indicating that the stream content has been received is output to the server device. One receiver,
A first output unit that outputs the stream content received by the first receiving unit;
An output stopping unit for stopping output of the stream content from the first output unit when the first receiving unit has not received the stream content from the server device for a predetermined period;
A switching instruction receiving unit that receives a switching instruction that instructs switching of the output device of the stream content;
A first output device comprising: an output instruction sending unit for sending a second output instruction for instructing the second output device to output stream contents in response to accepting the switching instruction. A first output instruction receiving unit for receiving a first output instruction for instructing output of stream content;
In response to receiving the first output instruction, when receiving stream content from the server device and receiving the stream content, data indicating that the stream content has been received is output to the server device. One receiver,
A first output unit that outputs the stream content received by the first receiving unit;
An output stopping unit for stopping output of the stream content from the first output unit when the first receiving unit has not received the stream content from the server device for a predetermined period;
A switching instruction receiving unit that receives a switching instruction that instructs switching of the output device of the stream content;
In response to accepting the switching instruction, the first output device includes a distribution continuation instruction transmission unit that transmits to the server device a distribution continuation instruction that instructs the second output device to continuously distribute the stream content. . A stream content storage unit for storing stream content;
A delivery unit for delivering the stream content stored in the stream content storage unit to the first output device or the second output device;
A distribution continuation instruction receiving unit that receives a distribution continuation instruction that instructs to continuously distribute stream content from the first output device or the second output device;
The distribution unit stops the distribution of the stream content to the first output device and stops the distribution when data indicating that the stream content has been received from the first output device is not received for a predetermined period. The information indicating the distribution stop position of the stream content is stored, and when the distribution continuation instruction is received, the stream content is determined from the position per position where the output of the stream content is stopped according to the information indicating the distribution stop position. Is delivered to the second output device. A content distribution method in a content distribution system comprising: a first output device that receives and outputs stream content; a second output device that receives and outputs stream content; and a server device that distributes stream content,
The first output device is:
Receiving a first output instruction for instructing output of stream content;
In response to receiving the first output instruction, receiving stream content from the server device;
Outputting data indicating reception of stream content to the server device when the stream content is received;
Outputting the received stream content;
Stopping the output of the stream content when the stream content has not been received from the server device for a predetermined period;
Receiving a switching instruction for instructing switching of the output device of the stream content;
In response to accepting the switching instruction, sending a second output instruction for instructing the output of the stream content to the second output device,
The second output device is:
Receiving the second output instruction from the first output device;
In response to accepting the second output instruction, transmitting a distribution continuation instruction to instruct to continuously distribute the stream content to the server device;
Receiving stream content from the server device in response to transmission of the distribution continuation instruction;
Outputting the received stream content,
The server device
Delivering stream content to the first output device;
Distributing the stream content that has stopped the distribution of the stream content to the first output device and has stopped the distribution when data indicating that the stream content has been received from the first output device has not been received for a predetermined period Storing information indicating a stop point;
Receiving the distribution continuation instruction from the second output device;
Delivering the stream content to the second output device from a location per location where the output of the stream content is stopped in response to the information indicating the location where the delivery is stopped when the delivery continuation instruction is received. A content distribution method characterized by the above. A content distribution method in a content distribution system comprising: a first output device that receives and outputs stream content; a second output device that receives and outputs stream content; and a server device that distributes stream content,
The first output device is:
Receiving a first output instruction for instructing output of stream content;
In response to receiving the first output instruction, receiving stream content from the server device;
Outputting data indicating reception of stream content to the server device when the stream content is received;
Outputting the received stream content;
Stopping the output of the stream content when the stream content has not been received from the server device for a predetermined period;
Receiving a switching instruction for instructing switching of the output device of the stream content;
In response to accepting the switching instruction, a step of transmitting a distribution continuation instruction for instructing to continuously distribute the stream content to the server device,
The second output device is:
Receiving stream content from the server device;
Outputting the received stream content,
The server device
Delivering stream content to the first output device;
Distributing the stream content that has stopped the distribution of the stream content to the first output device and has stopped the distribution when data indicating that the stream content has been received from the first output device has not been received for a predetermined period Storing information indicating a stop point;
Receiving the distribution continuation instruction from the first output device;
Delivering the stream content to the second output device from a location per location where the output of the stream content is stopped in response to the information indicating the location where the delivery is stopped when the delivery continuation instruction is received. A content distribution method characterized by the above.

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