Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing – Computer network monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-07
2003-10-14
Jaroenchonwanit, Bunjob (Department: 2141)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Computer network monitoring
C709S206000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06633911
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information distribution apparatus, an information distribution method, and a computer readable recording medium, on which an information distribution program is recorded, which distributes contents information (movie data and audio data) which can be reproduced in real time to a plurality of receiving apparatuses. More particularly, this invention relates to a technology of recognizing a number of recipients of the contents information on a distributor side.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With popularization of the Internet and intranet, as in a conventional television broadcast, a system for lively broadcasting lectures and concerts has attracted attention. Contents information which can be reproduced in real time on a receiving apparatus is generated with a technology called the streaming technology, and the contents information is distributed uniformly to a plurality of receiving apparatuses through the Internet or the like. Under such a one-direction communication environment, information like whether the contents information is received or not cannot be obtained on the distribution side. Therefore, in order to effectively realize a live broadcast, means and method for recognizing of recipient side information are desired on the distribution side.
Under a conventional environment of the Internet or intranet, an information distribution system for distributing the circumstances of lectures or concerts as contents information (moving image or voice) to a recipient in real time has spread. This information distribution system comprises video cameras and microphones installed in a hall in which the lecture is given or a concert is preformed. A distribution apparatus generates a streaming packet (containing the contents information), utilizing the streaming technology, which can be reproduced in real time by using a from the image data obtained by the video camera and audio data obtained by the microphone. The distribution apparatus then distributes the streaming packet uniformly to a plurality of receiving apparatuses through the Internet or some other network.
The receiving apparatuses receive the streaming packet and reproduce the contents information (e.g. movie or the speech) in real time. Thus, in this information distribution system, if there is a receiving apparatus connected to the Internet or the like, then the contents distributed information can be received by the receiving apparatus in real time. Therefore, the information distribution system is attracting the attention in recent years.
When planing a live broadcast that uses such an information distribution system, a distributor (or a sponsor) generally advertises the date and time on which the live broadcast is started in advance. Such advertising is made by using electronic mails, homepage, leaflets or newspaper to attempt to increase the number of recipients of the live broadcast.
However, in a conventional technique, since the transmission is only one-directional, i.e. a transmission from the distribution apparatus to the receiving apparatus, a means for recognizing the number of recipients who actually watch the live broadcast on the distributor side does not exist. The live broadcast is started on the assumption that the number of recipients who are watching the live broadcast is enough so as to perform the live broadcast. Because the number of recipients cannot be accurately recognized, there may be a case such that the live broadcast is performed although there are very few or no watchers. Under this condition, a meaningless live broadcast is disadvantageously performed in vain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an information distribution apparatus, an information distribution method, and a computer readable recording medium on which a program to execute the information distribution method on a computer is recorded, in which it is possible to recognize the number of recipients that receive the information on the distributor side, and also effectively distribute the information on the basis of thus recognized number of recipients.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to one aspect provides an information distribution apparatus which comprises an inquiry unit for inquiring the plurality of receiving apparatuses to decide whether the receiving apparatuses accept the distribution of the information or not before the distribution of the information is started, an accumulation unit for accumulating the reply from the receiving apparatuses, and a distribution control unit for starting or stopping the distribution of the information on the basis of the result accumulated in the accumulation unit.
According to the above invention, before the distribution of the information is started, the inquiry unit inquires the receiving apparatuses to decide whether they accept the distribution. The receiving apparatuses output a reply representing whether they accept the distribution to the accumulation unit. The accumulation unit sequentially accumulates the reply obtained from the receiving apparatuses from which the number of receiving apparatuses that are ready to accept or that are not ready to accept the distribution can be determined. The distribution control unit starts or stops the distribution on the basis of the replies accumulated in the accumulation unit. For example, the distribution control unit starts the distribution when the number of receiving apparatuses ready to accept the distribution is above a threshold, on the other hand, stops the distribution if the number of receiving apparatuses which do not want to accept the distribution exceeds a threshold.
In this manner, an enquiry is made to the receiving apparatuses whether they accept the distribution, and the distribution is started or stopped on the basis of the accumulation result of the reply from the receiving apparatuses. Thus, the number of recipients (receiving apparatuses) that accept the distribution of the information can be accurately recognized on a distributor side, and the distribution of the information can be effectively performed on the basis of the recognition result.
Further, an informing unit for informing a distributor of the accumulation results, and a selection unit for selecting whether the distribution is started or stopped are provided. The distribution control unit starts or stops the distribution on the basis of the selection in the selection unit.
According to the above invention, the informing unit informs the accumulation results to the distributor. Thus, the distributor can decide whether the distribution is started or stopped. When the distributor selects the start or stop of the distribution using the selection unit, the distribution unit starts or stops the distribution.
In this manner, the number of recipients (receiving apparatuses) which accept the distribution can be recognized on the distributor side, and it is possible to decide whether the distribution is started or stopped.
Further, a comparison unit for comparing the number of receiving apparatuses which accept the distribution with a predetermined distribution start threshold is provided. The distribution control unit starts the distribution when the number of receiving apparatuses which accept the distribution exceeds the distribution start threshold.
According to the above invention, before the distribution of the information is started, the inquiry unit inquires the receiving apparatuses to decide whether they accept they distribution. The receiving apparatuses output a reply representing whether they accept the distribution to the accumulation unit. In this manner, the accumulation unit accumulates results sequentially replied from the receiving apparatuses to accumulate the number of receiving apparatuses accepting and not-accepting the distribution. The comparison unit compares the number of receiving apparatuses which accept the distribution with the distribution start threshold. The distribution control unit starts the di
Matsuzaki Yuji
Nishide Atsushi
Osawa Mitsuru
Fujitsu Limited
Greer Burns & Crain Ltd
Jaroenchonwanit Bunjob
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