FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
“CLIENT TERMINAL, CLIENT TERMINAL
OPERATING METHOD, TRANSMISSION SERVER,
TRANSMISSION SERVER OPERATING METHOD,AND PROGRAM”
SONY CORPORATION, of 1-7-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
108-0075, Japan
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention:
CLIENT TERMINAL AND OPERATION METHOD OF CLIENT TERMINAL,TRANSMISSION SERVER AND OPERATION METHOD OF TRANSMISSION SERVER, AND PROGRAM
Technical Field
[0001]
The present technology relates to a client terminal and
an operation method of a client terminal, a transmission
server and an operation method of a transmission server, and
a program, and more specifically, it relates to a client
terminal and an operation method of a client terminal, a
transmission server and an operation method of a
transmission server, and a program, whereby manufacturing
costs, developing costs, and maintenance costs can be
reduced for a television receiver which is a client terminal
handling distribution of contents from multiple service
providers.
Background Art
[0002]
The conventional IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)
broadcast system has been a method where control messages
and AV streams of contents are both transferred over the
same bidirectional IP (Internet Protocol) network.
[0003]
3
However, with regard to television receivers which are
connected to cable broadcast networks having plentiful
available bandwidth already (or to be newly set up), but
have insufficient bidirectional IP network bandwidth,
network resources may be able to be used more efficiently by
VoD (Video on Demand) streams requested from individual
client terminals being individually delivered using channels
on the cable broadcast network. This form of distribution
system is being proposed as a cable VoD service system (see
PTL 1).
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2011-193058
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005]
Now generally, a cable VoD service which a service
provider or cable operator provides (service provider
provided IPTV service) requires the service provider to
provide all cable VoD-STBs (Set Top Box) and perform
maintenance thereof, so service maintenance costs are
incurred.
[0006]
4
To solve this problem, service providers have been
requesting multiple different television receiver
manufactures to implement a cable VoD service protocol in
television receivers proper, so that the service providers
do not have to provide STBs.
[0007]
However, with the cable VoD service system currently on
the market, cable VoD service protocols which service
providers have individually stipulated need to be
implemented in televisions which are client terminals. The
manufacturers of television receivers desire to apply a
configuration built into a television receiver which is a
client terminal, developed for a certain cable VoD service,
to provide multiple cable VoD services.
[0008]
However, in order to realize this, a single type of
television receiver must implement multiple devices
corresponding to the individual cable VoD service protocols
of the service providers, leading to costs for the
manufacturers of the television receivers for implementation
of the devices corresponding to the protocols, and also
maintenance regarding to additional functions in accordance
with requests from the service providers, and so forth.
[0009]
Implementation of cable VoD service in the current
5
market often is of a configuration where control information
unique to a cable VoD service is broadcast over the cable
broadcast band using the individual protocol, and access is
made to a VoD server at a local cable headend, based on that
information. The processing system of control information
unique to that service provider must be implemented in the
television receiver proper, so the manufacturer of the
television receiver incurs the costs of implantation of
devices corresponding to the protocol, and maintenance such
as addition of functions and the like.
[0010]
On the other hand, regardless of television receivers
from multiple different manufacturers, the service providers
have to provide end users with a uniform service which does
not depend on difference in implementation in television
receivers of multiple different manufacturers, which takes
time for testing, service development such as service
quality management, and maintenance.
[0011]
The present technology has been made in light of this
situation, and accordingly it is a particular object thereof
to realize multiple different cable VoD service client
application programs as an application program which can run
on a browser, thereby reducing costs relating to
manufacturing, development, and maintenance of
6
implementation for service providers providing multiple
different contents which can be played on a television
receiver, and to make service quality among service
providers to be more uniform.
Solution to Problem
[0012]
A client terminal according to a first aspect of the
present technology includes a reception unit configured to
receive control information including broadcast contents,
self-requested contents, and access information to a
transmission server, from the transmission server via a
first network of which the downstream transmission band has
a band sufficient to transmission of contents; and a browser
application program which is a program operable on a browser,
configured to present the self-selectable contents based on
control information transmitted from the transmission server,
and request the transmission server for distribution of
contents selected out of the presented contents, via a
second network which is a bidirectional IP network.
[0013]
The reception unit may receive the requested contents
from the transmission server, via a channel on the first
network allocated as the channel over which the requested
contents are to be transmitted.
[0014]
7
An operation method of a client terminal according to
the first aspect of the present technology includes the
steps of: reception processing for receiving control
information including broadcast contents, self-requested
contents, and access information to a transmission server,
from the transmission server via a first network of which
the downstream transmission band has a band sufficient to
transmission of contents; and a browser application program,
which is a program operable on a browser, performing
processing of presenting the self-selectable contents based
on control information transmitted from the transmission
server, and requesting the transmission server for
distribution of contents selected out of the presented
contents, via a second network which is a bidirectional IP
network.
[0015]
A program according to the first aspect of the present
technology causes a computer to function as: a reception
unit configured to receive control information including
broadcast contents, self-requested contents, and access
information to a transmission server, from the transmission
server via a first network of which the downstream
transmission band has a band sufficient to transmission of
contents; and a browser application program which is a
program operable on a browser, configured to present the
8
self-selectable contents based on control information
transmitted from the transmission server, and request the
transmission server for distribution of contents selected
out of the presented contents, via a second network which is
a bidirectional IP network.
[0016]
A transmission server according to a second aspect of
the present technology includes a transmission unit
configured to transmit, to a client terminal, via a first
network of which the downstream transmission band has a band
sufficient to transmission of contents, control information
for causing a browser application program running on a
browser at the client terminal to operate, the control
information including broadcast contents, contents requested
by the client terminal, and access information to self; and
a client-terminal-requested-content supplying unit
configured to supply the contents requested to the
transmission unit, based on a play control signal for
contents requested by the browser application program at the
client terminal via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.
[0017]
A channel allocation unit configured to allocate a
channel over which to transmit contents requested from the
client terminal via the first network may be included; and
9
the transmission unit may transmit contents supplied from
the client-terminal-requested-content supplying unit to the
client terminal via the channel on the first network
allocated by the channel allocation unit.
[0018]
In a case where distribution of contents has been
requested from the client terminal, the channel allocation
unit may dynamically allocate a channel to transmit the
contents requested by the client terminal, to a channel
other than the broadcast contents on the first network.
[0019]
An operation method of a transmission server according
to the second aspect of the present technology includes the
steps of: transmission processing for transmitting, to a
client terminal, via a first network of which the downstream
transmission band has a band sufficient to transmission of
contents, control information for causing a browser
application program running on a browser at the client
terminal to operate, the control information including
broadcast contents, contents requested by the client
terminal, and access information to self; and clientterminal-
requested-content supplying processing for
supplying the contents requested in the transmission
processing, based on a play control signal for contents
requested by the browser application program at the client
10
terminal via a second network which is a bidirectional IP
network.
[0020]
A program according to the second aspect of the present
technology causes a computer to function as: a transmission
unit configured to transmit, to a client terminal, via a
first network of which the downstream transmission band has
a band sufficient to transmission of contents, control
information for causing a browser application program
running on a browser at the client terminal to operate, the
control information including broadcast contents, contents
requested by the client terminal, and access information to
self; and a client-terminal-requested-content supplying unit
configured to supply the contents requested to the
transmission unit, based on a play control signal for
contents requested by the browser application program at the
client terminal via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.
[0021]
According to the first aspect of the present technology,
control information is received including broadcast contents,
self-requested contents, and access information to a
transmission server, from the transmission server via a
first network of which the downstream transmission band has
a band sufficient to transmission of contents, and a browser
11
application program, which is a program operable on a
browser, presents the self-selectable contents based on
control information transmitted from the transmission server,
and requests the transmission server for distribution of
contents selected out of the presented contents, via a
second network which is a bidirectional IP network.
[0022]
According to the second aspect of the present
technology, control information is transmitted, to a client
terminal, via a first network of which the downstream
transmission band has a band sufficient to transmission of
contents, for causing a browser application program running
on a browser at the client terminal to operate, the control
information including broadcast contents, contents requested
by the client terminal, and access information to self, and
the contents requested are supplied to the transmission unit,
based on a play control signal for contents requested by the
browser application program at the client terminal via a
second network which is a bidirectional IP network.
[0023]
The client terminal and transmission server according
to the present technology may be independent devices, or may
blocks which perform operations as a client terminal and
transmission server.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
12
[0024]
In either of the first aspect and second aspect of the
present technology, the service quality amount service
providers can be made uniform while reducing costs relating
to manufacturing, developing, and maintenance of devices for
service providers which provide multiple different contents
which can be played at television receivers.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0025]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a
configuration example of an embodiment of an IPTV
distribution system including a client terminal, and headend
and backend, to which the present technology has been
applied.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a
configuration example of a first embodiment of the backend,
headend, and client terminal in Fig. 1.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a flowchart for describing
communication processing by the IPTV distribution system in
Fig. 2.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a
configuration modification of the first embodiment of the
backend, headend, and client terminal in Fig. 1.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a flowchart for describing
communication processing by the IPTV distribution system in
13
Fig. 4.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a diagram for describing a
configuration example of a general-purpose computer.
Description of Embodiments
[0026]
An embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter
referred to as present embodiment) will now be described.
Note that description will be made in the following order.
1. Present Embodiment (example of case where VoD channel is
allocated beforehand)
2. Modification (example of case where VoD channel is
allocated dynamically)
[0027]

[Configuration Example of IPTV Distribution system]
Fig. 1 illustrates a configuration example of an
embodiment of an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)
distribution system configured including a client terminal
and transmission server, to which the present technology has
been applied.
[0028]
The IPTV distribution system illustrated in Fig. 1 is
configured including a backend 11, headends 12-1 and 12-2,
client terminals 13-1 through 13-3 and 13-x, 13-y, and 13-z,
and the Internet 14. The IPTV distribution system is to
14
distribute broadcast contents and VoD (Video on Demand)
contents from the backend 11 to the client terminals 13-1
through 13-3 and 13-x, 13-y, and 13-z via the headends 12-1
and 12-2 provided in each region, using a bidirectional IP
network and cable broadcast network. Of these, the backend
11 and the headends 12 together practically function as
transmission servers, as if it were, transmitting
(distributing) contents through the IPTV distribution system.
Note that if there is no particular need to distinguish
between the headends 12-1 and 12-2, and the client terminals
13-1 through 13-3 and 13-x, 13-y, and 13-z, these will be
simply called headend 12 and client terminal 13, as will
other configurations as well.
[0029]
There is basically just one backend 11 nationwide,
which distributes broadcast contents from the headends 12 to
all client terminals 13 over a main channel, via the cable
broadcast network. The backend 11 also distributes control
information which a browser application program stored in
the client terminals 13 can read at the time of startup, VoD
channel information which is information of channels where
VoD contents are distributed, and VoD server access
information which is information to access a VoD server, by
time-division multiplexing on the main channel. The backend
11 distributes a portal page via the Internet 14 which is an
15
IP network, where access from the client terminals 13 is
accepted and processing to sell VoD contents is performed,
based on the control information supplied to the client
terminals 13.
[0030]
The headends 12 are provided to each region, with
distribution to the client terminals 13 of each region being
allocated to each channel. The headends 12 distribute
broadcast contents supplied from the backend 11, and also
distribute VoD contents managed by themselves.
[0031]
That is to say, in the case illustrated in Fig. 1, the
headend 12-1 distribute broadcast contents and VoD contents
to the client terminals 13-1 through 13-3 for each preset
channel, via cable network lines CN-1 through CN-3. A cable
network line CN is a cable standard C2 (Cable 2) cable
stipulated in DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) for example,
or the like. The headend 12-2 also distribute broadcast
contents and VoD contents to the client terminals 13-x, 13-y,
and 13-z, for each preset channel, via cable network lines
CN-x, CN-y, and CN-z.
[0032]
In further detail, the headend 12-1 distributes
broadcast contents to the client terminals 13-1 through 13-3
via each of the channels BCB-1 through BCB-3 for broadcast
16
contents, illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. Also,
the headend 12-2 distributes broadcast contents to the
client terminals 13-1 through 13-3, and 13-x, 13-y, and 13-z,
via each of the channels BCB-x, BCB-y, and BCB-z for
broadcast contents, illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig.
1. The channels BCB-1 through BCB-3 and BCB-x, BCB-y, and
BCB-z are common channels, so the client terminals 13-1
through 13-3 and 13-x, 13-y, and 13-z receive distribution
of broadcast channels over the same channels.
[0033]
On the other hand, the headend 12-1 distributes VoD
contents to the client terminals 13-1 through 13-3 via VoD
content channels VoDB-1 through VoDB-3, respectively. The
headend 12-2 distributes VoD contents to the client
terminals 13-x, 13-y, and 13-z via VoD content channels
VoDB-x, VoDB-y, and VoDB-z, respectively, illustrated in Fig.
1 by solid lines. The channels VoDB-1 through VoDB-3 and
VoDB-x, VoDB-y, and VoDB-z are individual channels to the
respective client terminals 13, so the client terminals 13-1
through 13-3 and 13-x, 13-y, and 13-z receive distribution
of VoD channels each through dedicated channels. The
headends 12 manage allocation of VoD channels VoDB when
distributing VoD contents to the client terminals 13 by such
a configuration. Here, we will say that VoD channels VoDB
have been pre-allocated, and that basically there is no
17
change thereof.
[0034]
Note that while Fig. 1 illustrates a case where the
number of headends 12 managed by the backend 11 is two, and
the number of client terminals 13 managed by each headend 12
is three each, but numbers other than these may be managed.
[0035]
The client terminal 13 is a so-called television
receiver, which receives distribution of broadcast contents
or VoD contents supplied from the headend 12 and displays
audio and images. At the client terminal 13, an application
program which operates on a so-called browser (application
111 (Fig. 2)) is downloaded from a portal server 51 for each
service provider which is the distributing source of the VoD
contents, operates based on control information included in
the broadcast contents, and also performs purchasing
processing of VoD contents. Also, (the application 111 of)
the client terminal 13 accesses a VoD server 72 (Fig. 2) of
the headend 12 via the Internet 14, based on access
information to the VoD server 72 of the headend 12 included
in the broadcast contents. Further, (the application 111
of) the client terminal 13 supplies control commands such as
playing and stopping of the VoD contents to the VoD server
72, so as to control playing of the VoD contents being
distributed thereto.
18
[0036]
[Configuration Example of Backend, Headend, and Client
Terminal]
Next, a configuration example of the backend 11,
headend 12, and client terminal 13 making up the IPTV
distribution system in Fig. 1 will be described with
reference to the block diagram in Fig. 2.
[0037]
First, a configuration example of the backend 11 will
be described.
[0038]
The backend 11 has a portal server 51 and a broadcast
content distributing unit 52. The portal server 51 accepts
download requests from the client terminal 13 via the
Internet 14, and causes the portal page to be downloaded.
The broadcast content distributing unit 52 distributes
broadcast contents common to all regions and all client
terminals 13, such as VoD content promotion programs for
example, to the client terminal 13 via the headend 12.
[0039]
Next, a configuration example of the headend 12 will be
described.
[0040]
The headend 12 includes a MUX 71, a VoD server 72, a
resource management server 73, and a modulator 74. The MUX
19
71 multiplexes VoD contents supplied from the VoD server 72,
AV streams made up of broadcast contents supplied from the
backend 11, and control information, VoD channel information,
and VoD server access information packets supplied from the
resource management server 73, so as to generate a transport
stream. The modulator 74 modulates the stream data
(transport stream) by C2-QAM (Quadrature Amplitude
Modulation) or the like, and distributes to the client
terminal 13 over the cable network line CN. Now, in the
case of modulating a transport stream of normal broadcast
contents, a VoD content transport stream, or a stream of
control information, VoD channel information, and VoD server
access information alone, may be multiplexed and modulated.
Further, the modulator 74 distributes broadcast channels and
VoD channels based on channel information allocated by the
resource management server 73.
[0041]
The resource management server 73 manages, of the
broadcast channel bands for the cable network lines CN under
the control of that server, channels to be allocated to VoD
channels for distributing VoD contents. More specifically,
the resource management server 73 assigns (reserves) or
releases channels to be allocated to VoD channels.
Assigning VoD channels may be performed by fixedly
allocating multiple channels before operating so as not to
20
be changed while operating, or by assigning beforehand only
common VoD channels to carry information necessary to
identify which region the cable network belongs to (channels
over which actual VoD content transport streams are not
streamed) to be used in common among all clients before
operating, and dynamically assigning VoD channels on the fly
only in cases where an actual VoD distribution request is
made by a client. The resource management server 73 also
supplies nationwide control information, VoD channel
information which differs for each headend 12, i.e., each
region, and VoD server access information, to the MUX 71.
Note that description will be made here regarding an example
where VoD channels have been fixedly allocated beforehand at
a stage before operating, and the stage before operating.
[0042]
The VoD server 72 accepts requests for distribution of
VoD contents from clients handled by a headend 12 (from
client terminals 13 capable of receiving VoD contents
distributed using the VoD channel bands of the cable network
in each region), and transmits stream data (transport
stream) of the accepted VoD contents.
[0043]
Next, a configuration example of the client terminal 13
will be described.
[0044]
21
The client terminals 13 includes a browser 91, a
photoreceiver 92, a communication unit 93, a tuner 94, a
renderer 95, and a display unit 96. The browser 91 analyzes
information of files described in various types of languages
such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and Java script,
and displays on the display unit 96 formed of such as an LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) or organic EL (Electronic
Luminescent) via the renderer 95. Note that the browser 91
usually refers to a program which runs on an OS (operating
system) installed in a computer, to display various types of
files, but here illustrates that the environment which the
browser can operate is realized as hardware or software.
Accordingly, the browser 91 here is a hardware or software
configuration which functions as a browser by an unshown
microcomputer or the like provided to the client terminal 13.
[0045]
Application programs 111-1 through 111-3 (hereinafter
may also be referred to as applications 111-1 through 111-3)
are programs which can run on the browser 91, and are
downloaded from the portal server 51 by the browser 91 for
each of the service providers which are distributing sources
of the VoD contents. The application 111 executes this
portal page to present selectable (viewable) VoD contents on
the display unit 96, and desired VoD contents can be
selected by an operating signal being operated from a remote
22
controller 41.
[0046]
Further, upon the remote controller 41 being operated
to select the desired VoD content, and a signal indicating
this being received at the photoreceiver 92, the application
111 switches the tuner 94 to the VoD channel where the VoD
content is distributed, by way of a standard API on the
browser 91, based on the channel information. At the same
time, the application 111 controls the communication unit 93
by way of a standard API to access the VoD server 72 of the
headend 12 via the Internet 14, and supply a play control
command which controls playing of the VoD content, based on
VoD server access information. This play control command
causes the VoD server 72 of the headend 12 to supply stream
data (transport steam) to the MUX 71. As a result, the MIX
71 supplies stream data to the modulator 74. The modulator
74 modulates this stream data and distributes to the client
terminal 13 over the VoD channel allocated beforehand.
Accordingly, the tuner 94 of the client terminal 13 acquires
the transport stream of the VoD content by switching to the
VoD channel necessary to receive the VoD content begin
distributed by the headend 12, and supplies this to the
renderer 95. The renderer 95 displays moving images, for
example, of the transport stream on the display unit 96.
[0047]
23
[Communication Processing]
Next, communication processing by the IPTV distribution
system illustrated in Fig. 2 will be described with
reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3.
[0048]
In step S1, the resource management server 73 generates
control information, VoD channel information, and VoD server
access information, and supplies this to the MUX 71. Also
in the same way, stream data of broadcast contents supplied
from the broadcast content distributing unit 52 of the
backend 11 is supplied to the MUX 71.
[0049]
In step S11, the MUX 71 acquires the broadcast contents
stream data supplied from the backend 11 and the control
information, VoD channel information, and VoD server access
information supplied from the resource management server 73,
multiplexes this, and supplies to the modulator 74.
Accordingly, the modulator 74 modulates the multiplexed
broadcast contents stream data, control information, VoD
channel information, and VoD server access information,
according to a main channel band, and distributes to the
client terminals 13 via the cable network line CN.
[0050]
In step S41, the tuner 94 of the client terminal 13 is
set to the main channel by a standard API of the browser 91.
24
Accordingly, the tuner 94 receives the broadcast content
stream data where the control information, VoD channel
information, and VoD server access information have been
multiplexed, that is distributed from the headend 12 by the
processing in step S11. The tuner 94 then supplies the
received broadcast content stream data where the control
information, VoD channel information, and VoD server access
information have been multiplexed, to the browser 91 and
renderer 95.
[0051]
In step S81, the renderer 95 displays the nationwide
broadcast content supplied by the processing in step S41 on
the display unit 96. The broadcast contents is, for example,
a VoD content promotion program by the service provider, for
example.
[0052]
On the other hand, in step S61, the browser 91 acquires
the control information, VoD channel information, and VoD
server access information.
[0053]
In step S62, the browser 91 controls the control unit
93 based on the control information, and accesses the portal
server 51 of the backend 11 via the Internet 14. The
application 111 then requests the portal server 51 for a
download of the portal page.
25
[0054]
In response to this request, in step S31 the portal
server 51 of the backend 11 allows the client terminal 13 to
download information of the portal page regarding which
there has been the request from the browser 91, over the
Internet 14.
[0055]
In step S63, the application 111 acquires the data of
the portal page from the portal page 51 over the Internet 14,
and supplies what is included such as the titles of the VoD
contents included in the portal page, for example, to the
renderer 96.
[0056]
In response to this processing, in step S82 the
renderer 95 displays what is included in the portal page
such as the titles of the VoD contents, which the
application 111 renders, on the display unit 96.
[0057]
In further detail, the control information is
configured including a Portal Application AIT (Application
Information Table) set for each service provider, for
example. Thus, upon this information being supplied from
the tuner 94, the browser 91 itself accesses the portal
server 51 by controlling the communication unit 93 based on
the URL (Universal Resource Locator) of the portal server 51
26
included in the control information, downloads and
application 111 corresponding to the relevant service
provider from applications 111-1 through 111-3 configured as
the portal page which can run on the browser 91, and starts
operation. The portal page which is the downloaded
application 111 controls the renderer 95 so as to display a
list of viewable VoD contents and a selection screen thereof
on the display unit 96. This series of operations allows
the user to view a promotion program of viewable VoD
contents, and at the same time select VoD contents.
[0058]
Note that while the processing in step S81 makes a
state where the broadcast contents are displayed, but the
portal page may be displayed at the same time, so an
arrangement may be made where one of these is switched to
and displayed, or both may be displayed by two windows or
the like.
[0059]
In step S64, the application 111 controls the
photoreceiver 92, the remote controller 41 is operated,
determination is made regarding whether or not one of the
VoD contents has been selected, and the same processing is
repeated until one of the VoD contents is selected.
[0060]
In step S64, in a case where a selection signal is
27
received at the photoreceiver 92 due to the user having
operated the remote controller 41, and selection of one of
the VoD contents is recognized, the processing advances to
step S65.
[0061]
In step S65, the application 111 requests the tuner to
switch to the VoD channel where the stream data of the VoD
content is to be distributed, based on the VoD channel
information.
[0062]
In response to this request, in step S42 the tuner 94
switches to the VoD channel where the VoD content requested
by the application 111 is distributed.
[0063]
In step S66, the application 111 controls the
communication unit 93 based on the VoD server access
information to access the VoD server 72 of the headend 12,
and requests distribution of the VoD content selected by the
user having operated the remote controller 41.
[0064]
On the other hand, in step S21 the VoD server 72
determines whether or not there is a distribution request
for VoD contents from one of the client terminals 13, and
repeats the same processing until there is a request. In
the event that there has been a request in step S21 for
28
distribution of VoD contents due to the processing in step
S66, the processing advances to step S22.
[0065]
In step S22, the VoD server 72 supplies the stream data
of the requested VoD content to the MUX 71.
[0066]
In step S12, the MUX 71 supplies the stream data of the
VoD content to the modulator 74. The modulator 74 modulates
the stream data by C2-Q AM (C2-Quadrature Amplitude
Modulation) for example, and distributes to the client
terminal 13 at the VoD channel band.
[0067]
In step S43, the tuner 94 is set to the VoD channel,
and accordingly receives the stream data of the VoD contents
distributed over the VoD channel. The tuner 94 supplies the
received stream data to the renderer 95.
[0068]
In step S83, the renderer 95 plays the audio and video
of the VoD contents based on the stream data of the VoD
content, and displays on the display unit 96.
[0069]
Due to the above processing, the client terminal 13
displays a promotion program of VoD contents purchasable
(selectable) from broadcast contents on the display unit 96,
and also images regarding which VoD contents can be
29
purchased (selected) are displayed. As a result, the user
can purchase (select) VoD contents by operating the remote
controller 41 while viewing the promotion program of VoD
contents.
[0070]
Also, upon purchasing (selection) of the VoD content
being completed, the tuner 94 is switched to the VoD channel
where the purchased VoD content is distributed, and the VoD
content distributed from the VoD server 72 is displayed on
the display unit 96 of the client terminal 13. Note that
after the VoD content has been purchased (Selected) and
playing has been started, the user can control the playing
operations by simply operating the remote controller 41, for
play control commands supplied from the remote controller 41
such as pause, fast-forward, fast-rewind, and so forth, for
example, in the same way as processing in steps S66, S21,
S22, S12, S43, and S83, instead of a command requesting
distribution of VoD contents.
[0071]
Also, the portal page managed by the VoD portal server
is developed by the service provider which is the
distributing source of VoD contents, so from the perspective
of the manufacturer of the client terminals 13, all that has
to be provided is an environment which can run a browser 91
implementing standardized APIs. That is to say, the service
30
provider can design programs and so forth necessary for
selecting (purchasing) contents. Accordingly, even if
multiple different service providers which are distribution
sources of VoD contents provide difference services,
providing uniform service quality to the end user can be
readily realized.
[0072]

[Modification of Backend, Headend, and Client Terminal]
While description has been made above regarding an
example where fixed VoD channels are set for each of the
client terminals 13 beforehand, the VoD channels may be
dynamically set at a timing of distribution of VoD contents
being requested.
[0073]
Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration
example of the backend 11, headend 12, and client terminal
13 making up the IPTV distribution system in Fig. 1,
arranged to dynamically set a VoD channel at a timing of
distribution of VoD contents being requested. Note that in
Fig. 5, configurations having the same functions as
configurations in Fig. 2 will be denoted by the same names
and same reference numerals, and description thereof will be
omitted as appropriate.
[0074]
31
That is to say, the block diagram in Fig. 5 differs
from the configuration in Fig. 2 in that a VoD server 151, a
resource management server 152, a modulator 153, and
applications 161-1 through 161-3 have been provided instead
of the VoD server 72, resource management server 73,
modulator 74, and applications 111-1 through 111-3.
[0075]
The basic functions of the VoD server 151 are the same
as with the VoD server 72, but in the case that there is a
distribution request for VoD contents, the resource
management server 152 is requested to set the VoD channel to
distribute that VoD content, along with information
identifying that client terminal 13.
[0076]
The basic functions of the resource management server
152 are the same as the resource management server 73, but a
list indicating the correlation between the client terminal
13 which is the distribution destination of the VoD contents
and the assigned VoD channel is further distributed by
controlling the modulator 153, using part of the VoD
channels. When the VoD server 151 is requested for
distribution of VoD contents from the client terminal 13,
the resource management server 152 dynamically allocates a
VoD channel for distribution of the VoD contents, and
updates this list.
32
[0077]
The functions of the applications 161-1 through 161-3
are basically the same as the applications 111-1 through
111-3, but further, when distribution of VoD contents is
requested, the above-described list is updated, and received
by the tuner 94 at the VoD channel. The applications 161-1
through 161-3 recognize the VoD channel where the VoD
contents regarding which distribution has been requested is
actually distributed based on the information of the list,
and the tuner 94 is controlled to be set to the recognized
VoD channel, thereby causing reception of the VoD content
stream data regarding which distribution has been requested.
[0078]
[Communication Processing]
Next, the communication processing by the IPTV
distribution system in Fig. 5 will be described with
reference to the flowchart in Fig. 6. Note that description
of processing which is the same as processing described with
reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3 will be omitted as
appropriate.
[0079]
That is to say, in step S201, the resource management
server 152 generates, along with stream data of the
broadcast contents, control information, VoD channel
information, and VoD server access information, and supplies
33
this to the MUX 71. Note however, that the initial VoD
channel information does not stream any stream data of VoD
contents, just information of a list indicating VoD channels
allocated to each of the client terminals 13 managed at the
headend 12. Accordingly, in the initial processing, no VoD
channel to stream the stream data of VoD contents is
assigned to any of the client terminals 13.
[0080]
The series of processing of steps S211 through S264 is
the same as the processing of steps S11 through S64 in Fig.
3 except that the above-described VoD channel information
differs, so description thereof will be omitted.
[0081]
In the event that any one VoD content is selected in
step S264, the processing advances to step S265.
[0082]
In step S265, the application 161 request distribution
of the selected VoD content and allocation of a VoD channel
for distribution of the content VoD content.
[0083]
The VoD server 72 determines in step S221 whether or
not a request is transmitted from any one of the client
terminals 13 for distribution of VoD content and allocation
of a VoD channel, and the same processing is repeated until
there is a request. In a case where there has been a
34
request in step S221 for distribution of VoD content and
setting of a VoD channel due to the processing in step S265,
the processing advances to step S222.
[0084]
In step S222, the VoD server 151 requests the resource
management server 152 for information identifying the client
terminal 13 requesting distribution of the VoD content, and
requests allocation of a VoD channel.
[0085]
At this time, in step S202 the resource management
server 152 determines whether or not information identifying
the client terminal 13 requesting distribution of the VoD
content, and allocation of a VoD channel, have been
requested. In a case where allocation of a VoD channel has
been requested by the processing in step S222, the
processing advances to step S203.
[0086]
In step S203, the resource management server 152
allocates a VoD channel to the client terminal 13 which has
requested distribution of the VoD content so as to
distribute the requested VoD content, updates the list, and
supplies that information to the VoD server 151 and the
modulator 153.
[0087]
In step S223, the VoD server 151 supplies the stream
35
data of the requested VoD content to the MUX 71.
[0088]
In step S212, the modulator 151 distributes the updated
list to the client terminal 13 using a part of the VoD
channel.
[0089]
In step S266, the application 161 requests the tuner 94
to switch to the channel where the stream data of the VoD
content is being distributed.
[0090]
In response to this, in step S242 the tuner 94 switches
to the VoD channel under control of the application 161.
According to this processing, the tuner 94 receives the list
distributed over the VoD channel. That is to say, the
stream data of the VoD content is not being distributed at
this VoD channel, and only the list is received. Based on
the information in the list received by the tuner 94, the
application 161 reads out the VoD channel to which it has
been assigned for VoD contents actually distributed, and
further controls the tuner 94 to switch to the VoD channel
that has been read out. That is to say, a state where the
stream data of the requested VoD content can be received is
achieved by essentially switching the VoD channel twice.
[0091]
In step S212, the MUX 71 supplies the stream data of
36
the VoD content to the modulator 151. The modulator 151
modulates the stream data by C2-QAM (C2-Quadrature Amplitude
Modulation) for example, and distributes to the client
terminal 13 at a VoD channel band allocated to distribute
the requested VoD content, based on the updated list.
[0092]
In step S243, the tuner 94 acquires the VoD content
stream data, at the VoD channel assigned to itself over
which the VoD content stream data is actually distributed,
and supplies to the renderer 95.
[0093]
In step S283, the renderer 95 plays the audio and video
of the VoD content based on the stream data of the VoD
content.
[0094]
In the event that allocation of a VoD channel is not
requested in step S202, the processing of step S203 is
skipped, and the processing advances to step S204. In step
S204, the resource management server 152 determines whether
or not a predetermined time has elapsed, and if not elapsed,
the processing returns to step S202 and the processing of
steps S202 through S204 is repeated until the predetermined
time elapses.
[0095]
Then, upon the predetermined time elapsing in step S204,
37
the processing ends.
[0096]
The above processing enables a VoD channel to be
allocated when distribution of VoD contents is requested
from a client terminal 13. As a result, when there is a
request for distribution of VoD contents, a VoD channel can
be dynamically allocated.
[0097]
While description has been made above regarding an
example of using cable television, the present technology
can also be used with satellite distribution and mobile
broadcast using base stations, by causing satellites used in
satellite broadcasting and base stations used with mobile
terminals to function in the same way as with the headend 12
described above, for example.
[0098]
As described above, the present technology does away
the need to implement configurations corresponding to
individual service protocols of each service provider in the
manufacturing and development of client terminals 13. As a
result, manufacturing costs and developing costs to provide
configurations corresponding to different service providers
in the manufacturing and development of television receivers
which are client terminals 13 can be reduced. Also, the
service providers can each directly manage the
38
configurations corresponding to their individual service
protocols, thereby enabling the management costs thereof to
be reduced as well.
[0099]
The above-described series of processing can be carried
out by hardware, or can be carried out by software. In a
case where the series of processing is to be carried out by
software, a program making up the software is installed into
a computer. Note that computers include computers built
into dedicated hardware, general-purpose personal computer
capable of executing various types of functions by various
types of programs being installed thereto for example, and
so forth.
[0100]
Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration example of a computer which executes the
above-described series of processing by a program.
[0101]
The computer has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001,
ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002, and RAM (Random Access Memory)
1003, which are connected to each other by a bus 1004.
[0102]
An input/output interface 1005 is further connected to
the bus 1004. Connected to the input/output interface 1005
are an input unit 1006, output unit 1007, storage unit 1008,
39
communication unit 1009, and drive 1010.
[0103]
The input unit 1006 is made up of a keyboard, mouse,
microphone and so forth. The output unit 1007 made up of a
display, speaker, and so forth. The storage unit 1008 is
made up of a hard disk, non-volatile memory, or the like.
The communication unit 1009 is made up of a network
interface or the like. The drive 1010 drives removable
media 1011 such as a magnetic disk, optical disc, magnetooptical
disc, semiconductor memory, or the like.
[0104]
In the computer configured as described above, the CPU
1001 loads a program stored in the storage unit 1008, for
example, to the RAM 1003 via the input/output interface 1005
and bus 1004 and executes the program, whereby the abovedescribed
series of processing is performed.
[0105]
The program which the computer (CPU 1001) executes may
be recorded in a removable medium 1011 and provided as
packaged media or the like for example. The program may
also be provided via a cable or wireless transmission medium
such as a local area network, the Internet, digital
satellite broadcasting, or the like.
[0106]
The program may be installed to the computer by
40
mounting the removable media 1011 to the drive 1010 and
installing to the storage unit 1008 via the input/output
interface 1005. The program may also be received at the
communication unit 1009 via a cable or wireless transmission
medium such, and installed in the storage unit 1008.
Alternatively, the program may be installed in the ROM 1002
or storage unit 1008 beforehand.
[0107]
Note that the program which the computer executes may
be a program of which processing is performed following the
order described in the present specification in time
sequence, or may be a program regarding which processing is
performed in parallel, or at a necessary timing such as when
a call-up is performed or the like.
[0108]
Also, system as used in the present description means a
collection of multiple components (devices, modules (parts)
and so forth), regardless of whether all components are
within the same housing. Multiple devices connected via
network, and a single device having multiple modules stored
within a single housing, are both systems.
[0109]
Note that embodiments of the present disclosure are not
restricted to the above-described embodiment, and that
various modifications may be made without departing from the
41
essence of the present disclosure.
[0110]
For example, the present disclosure may assume a
configuration of cloud computing, where a single function is
distributed to multiple devices via network and processed
collaboratively.
[0111]
Also, the steps described in the above-described
flowchart may be distributed among multiple devices and
executed, besides being executed at a single device.
[0112]
Further, in a case where multiple processes are
included in a single step, the multiple processes included
in that single step may be distributed among multiple
devices and executed, besides being executed at a single
device.
[0113]
Note that the present technology may also assume the
following configurations.
(1)
A client terminal including:
a reception unit configured to receive control
information including broadcast contents, self-requested
contents, and access information to a transmission server,
from the transmission server via a first network of which
42
the downstream transmission band has a band sufficient to
transmission of contents; and
a browser application program which is a program
operable on a browser, configured to present the selfselectable
contents based on control information transmitted
from the transmission server, and request the transmission
server for distribution of contents selected out of the
presented contents, via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.
(2)
The client terminal according to (1), wherein the
reception unit receives the requested contents from the
transmission server, via a channel on the first network
allocated as the channel over which the requested contents
are to be transmitted.
(3)
An operation method of a client terminal, the method
including the steps of:
reception processing for receiving control information
including broadcast contents, self-requested contents, and
access information to a transmission server, from the
transmission server via a first network of which the
downstream transmission band has a band sufficient to
transmission of contents; and
a browser application program, which is a program
43
operable on a browser, performing processing of presenting
the self-selectable contents based on control information
transmitted from the transmission server, and requesting the
transmission server for distribution of contents selected
out of the presented contents, via a second network which is
a bidirectional IP network.
(4)
A program causing a computer to function as:
a reception unit configured to receive control
information including broadcast contents, self-requested
contents, and access information to a transmission server,
from the transmission server via a first network of which
the downstream transmission band has a band sufficient to
transmission of contents; and
a browser application program which is a program
operable on a browser, configured to present the selfselectable
contents based on control information transmitted
from the transmission server, and request the transmission
server for distribution of contents selected out of the
presented contents, via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.
(5)
A transmission server including:
a transmission unit configured to transmit, to a client
terminal, via a first network of which the downstream
44
transmission band has a band sufficient to transmission of
contents, control information for causing a browser
application program running on a browser at the client
terminal to operate, the control information including
broadcast contents, contents requested by the client
terminal, and access information to self; and
a client-terminal-requested-content supplying unit
configured to supply the contents requested to the
transmission unit, based on a play control signal for
contents requested by the browser application program at the
client terminal via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.
(6)
The transmission server according to (5), further
including:
a channel allocation unit configured to allocate a
channel over which to transmit contents requested from the
client terminal via the first network;
wherein the transmission unit transmits contents
supplied from the client-terminal-requested-content
supplying unit to the client terminal via the channel on the
first network allocated by the channel allocation unit.
(7)
The transmission server according to (5) or (6),
wherein, in a case where distribution of contents has been
45
requested from the client terminal, the channel allocation
unit dynamically allocates a channel to transmit the
contents requested by the client terminal, to a channel
other than the broadcast contents on the first network.
(8)
An operation method of a transmission server, the
method including the steps of:
transmission processing for transmitting, to a client
terminal, via a first network of which the downstream
transmission band has a band sufficient to transmission of
contents, control information for causing a browser
application program running on a browser at the client
terminal to operate, the control information including
broadcast contents, contents requested by the client
terminal, and access information to self; and
client-terminal-requested-content supplying processing
for supplying the contents requested in the transmission
processing, based on a play control signal for contents
requested by the browser application program at the client
terminal via a second network which is a bidirectional IP
network.
(9)
A program causing a computer to function as:
a transmission unit configured to transmit, to a client
terminal, via a first network of which the downstream
46
transmission band has a band sufficient to transmission of
contents, control information for causing a browser
application program running on a browser at the client
terminal to operate, the control information including
broadcast contents, contents requested by the client
terminal, and access information to self; and
a client-terminal-requested-content supplying unit
configured to supply the contents requested to the
transmission unit, based on a play control signal for
contents requested by the browser application program at the
client terminal via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.
Reference Signs List
[0114]
11 backend
12, 12-1, 12-2 headends
13, 13-1 through 13-3 client terminals
14 Internet
51 portal server
52 broadcast content distributing unit
71 MUX
72 VoD server
73 resource management server
74 modulator
91 browser
47
92 photoreceiver
93 communication unit
94 tuner
95 renderer
96 display unit
111, 111-1 through 111-3 applications
151 VoD server
152 resource management server
153 modulator
161, 161-1 through 161-3 applications
48
CLAIMS
[Claim 1]
A client terminal comprising:
a reception unit configured to receive control
information including broadcast contents, self-requested
contents, and access information to a transmission server,
from the transmission server via a first network of which
the downstream transmission band has a band sufficient to
transmission of contents; and
a browser application program which is a program
operable on a browser, configured to present the selfselectable
contents based on control information transmitted
from the transmission server, and request the transmission
server for distribution of contents selected out of the
presented contents, via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.
[Claim 2]
The client terminal according to Claim 1, wherein the
reception unit receives the requested contents from the
transmission server, via a channel on the first network
allocated as the channel over which the requested contents
are to be transmitted.
[Claim 3]
An operation method of a client terminal, the method
comprising the steps of:
49
reception processing for receiving control information
including broadcast contents, self-requested contents, and
access information to a transmission server, from the
transmission server via a first network of which the
downstream transmission band has a band sufficient to
transmission of contents; and
a browser application program, which is a program
operable on a browser, performing processing of presenting
the self-selectable contents based on control information
transmitted from the transmission server, and requesting the
transmission server for distribution of contents selected
out of the presented contents, via a second network which is
a bidirectional IP network.
[Claim 4]
A program causing a computer to function as:
a reception unit configured to receive control
information including broadcast contents, self-requested
contents, and access information to a transmission server,
from the transmission server via a first network of which
the downstream transmission band has a band sufficient to
transmission of contents; and
a browser application program which is a program
operable on a browser, configured to present the selfselectable
contents based on control information transmitted
from the transmission server, and request the transmission
50
server for distribution of contents selected out of the
presented contents, via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.
[Claim 5]
A transmission server comprising:
a transmission unit configured to transmit, to a client
terminal, via a first network of which the downstream
transmission band has a band sufficient to transmission of
contents, control information for causing a browser
application program running on a browser at the client
terminal to operate, the control information including
broadcast contents, contents requested by the client
terminal, and access information to self; and
a client-terminal-requested-content supplying unit
configured to supply the contents requested to the
transmission unit, based on a play control signal for
contents requested by the browser application program at the
client terminal via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.
[Claim 6]
The transmission server according to Claim 5, further
comprising:
a channel allocation unit configured to allocate a
channel over which to transmit contents requested from the
client terminal via the first network;
51
wherein the transmission unit transmits contents
supplied from the client-terminal-requested-content
supplying unit to the client terminal via the channel on the
first network allocated by the channel allocation unit.
[Claim 7]
The transmission server according to Claim 6, wherein,
in a case where distribution of contents has been requested
from the client terminal, the channel allocation unit
dynamically allocates a channel to transmit the contents
requested by the client terminal, to a channel other than
the broadcast contents on the first network.
[Claim 8]
An operation method of a transmission server, the
method comprising the steps of:
transmission processing for transmitting, to a client
terminal, via a first network of which the downstream
transmission band has a band sufficient to transmission of
contents, control information for causing a browser
application program running on a browser at the client
terminal to operate, the control information including
broadcast contents, contents requested by the client
terminal, and access information to self; and
client-terminal-requested-content supplying processing
for supplying the contents requested in the transmission
processing, based on a play control signal for contents
52
requested by the browser application program at the client
terminal via a second network which is a bidirectional IP
network.
[Claim 9]
A program causing a computer to function as:
a transmission unit configured to transmit, to a client
terminal, via a first network of which the downstream
transmission band has a band sufficient to transmission of
contents, control information for causing a browser
application program running on a browser at the client
terminal to operate, the control information including
broadcast contents, contents requested by the client
terminal, and access information to self; and
a client-terminal-requested-content supplying unit
configured to supply the contents requested to the
transmission unit, based on a play control signal for
contents requested by the browser application program at the
client terminal via a second network which is a
bidirectional IP network.