Server use method, server use reservation management apparatus, and program storage medium

Server usage method, server usage reservation management device, and program storage media

<p>100. . . Content supply system</p><p>101. . . Server uses appointment management device</p><p>102. . . Data stream server</p><p>103. . . Internet</p><p>104. . . Telephone network</p><p>106. . . User PC</p><p>107. . . Client PC</p><p>108. . . The server is connected to a private network</p><p>150. . . Live broadcast format conversion server,</p><p>151. . . Appointment database</p><p>152. . . User database</p><p>153. . . NTP server</p><p>154. . . Network interface</p><p>155. . . Database server</p><p>200. . . Network system</p><p>MS3, MS4. . . Digital mobile phone with camera</p>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic overall structure of a content supply system to which a method of using a server according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of a user's PC that uses the above-mentioned content supply system to receive a personal casting service (personal casting service).

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of the above-mentioned user PC.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the initial screen when the user PC is used to start the application.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display portion of the user PC in the shooting mode.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display portion of the user PC in the upload mode.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the above-mentioned display part of the above-mentioned user PC in the Web (website) confirmation mode.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display section of the user PC in the live broadcast reservation mode.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display section of the user PC in the live broadcast signal distribution mode.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the effect display column in the above-mentioned live broadcast signal distribution mode.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen during the effective setting process in the above-mentioned live broadcast signal distribution mode.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the structure of the reservation management device used by the server of the above content supply system.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the top page of the web page stored in the hard disk of the live broadcast type conversion server of the above-mentioned server usage reservation management device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the webpage stored in the hard disk of the live broadcast type conversion server.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a webpage stored in the hard disk of the above-mentioned live broadcast type conversion server.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the webpage stored in the hard disk of the above-mentioned live broadcast type conversion server.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a webpage stored in the hard disk of the above-mentioned live broadcast type conversion server.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the registration content of the reservation database of the reservation management device used by the above-mentioned server.

FIG. 19 is a sequence flow chart showing the processing actions of the user PC and the live broadcast type conversion server when the member logs in.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display section of the user PC when the member logs in.

FIG. 21 is a sequence flow chart showing the processing actions of the user PC and the live broadcast mode conversion server at the time of signal delivery reservation.

Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC at the time of the signal delivery reservation.

Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC at the time of the signal delivery reservation.

Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC at the time of the signal delivery reservation.

FIG. 25 is a sequence flow chart showing the processing actions of the user PC and the live broadcast type conversion server during the reconfirmation process in the signal delivery reservation.

Fig. 26 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC during the reconfirmation process.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC during the reconfirmation process.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing the reservation setting information file created by the live broadcast type conversion server and sent to the user PC during the reconfirmation process.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC during the reconfirmation process.

Fig. 30 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the e-mail sent to the recipient of the designated e-mail address during the above-mentioned reconfirmation process.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is changed.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is changed.

FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC when the reservation is changed.

FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is cancelled.

FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is cancelled.

FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is confirmed.

Fig. 37 is a sequence flow chart showing the processing actions of the above-mentioned content supply system when the live broadcast signal is distributed.

FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the client PC that receives the content supply when the live broadcast signal is distributed.

Fig. 39 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the Internet system as an improved example of the above-mentioned embodiment.

Fig. 40 is a schematic perspective view showing the external structure of a digital mobile phone with a camera.

Fig. 41 is a schematic perspective view showing the display portion of the above-mentioned digital mobile phone with camera when the camera portion is rotated.

Fig. 42 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the above-mentioned digital mobile phone with camera.

[Technical Field to which the Invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a server use method for accessing a processing server for predetermined processing through the Internet and using the functions of the processing server, and server use for managing the use of the processing server A reservation management device and a program storage medium used to memorize the program that the server uses to execute the reservation device.

[Prior Art]

In the past, in a computer network system, for example, when content created by an individual was provided via the Internet, the person generally opened a homepage by the individual.

In this way, when a homepage is opened by an individual, the user will obtain a homepage creation program through a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC), and create a homepage with multiple contents and hyperlinks (hyperlink) based on the homepage creation program. And save it in advance in the server of the Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP).

Then, the ISP provides a homepage from the server to the clients that access it through the Internet. When the anchor on the homepage is clicked, it can continue to provide the connected content.

In recent years, as mentioned above, in addition to still images, content provided to clients via the Internet has also been produced such as animation or sound. In the case of providing the content of this kind of animation, etc., the user-created animation file or audio file is uploaded in the predetermined memory area of the ISP's data stream server in advance. Then, if the requirements of the client are met, the data stream server of the ISP will distribute the data stream signal to the client via the Internet according to the requested file.

In addition, the method of distributing the content of animation and other data to the client through the Internet is to upload the animation file to the streaming server in advance. As mentioned above, in addition to the signal distribution from the client as required In addition to the "ondemand signal distribution", signal distribution can also be carried out according to the so-called "live broadcast signal distribution" method. In the distribution of live broadcast signals, the animation data produced by the content producer is encoded in realtime, such as the animation data produced by a digital camera, and sent to the data stream server via the Internet, etc. . Then, the data stream server, by recording the animation data provided in real time from the content producer in a dedicated memory area and reproducing the data stream, can provide it to the clients that require it in real time.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned live broadcast signal distribution, since the content producer needs to send the animation data to the streaming server in real time, it is necessary during the live broadcast signal distribution period Ensure the communication path for sending animation data between the data stream server and the personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) of the content producer. Therefore, there is a limit to the number of contents that can be used for live broadcast signal distribution using the streaming server at the same time, and in a time zone where there are many people who want to use it, it may happen that preparations are made for live broadcast in this time zone. The problem that the content producer who distributes the broadcast signal cannot perform the distribution of the live broadcast signal in this time zone. In order to prevent the occurrence of such problems and efficiently use the data stream server for live broadcast signal distribution, the use of the data stream server can be considered as a reservation system.

In this way, when the use of the data stream server is reserved, you can also consider accessing the data stream server through the Internet in order to carry out live broadcast signal distribution in each time zone if it is not authenticated. If the incoming content producer is a legitimate use reservation person, the content producer who is not a proper reservation person may use the streaming server for improper use. Therefore, although it is necessary to perform authentication processing to verify whether the reservation is a legitimate reservation, this type of authentication processing has the right to use the live broadcast signal to deliver, and it is necessary to authenticate the reservation in the time zone, and in the content The processing on the side that provides authentication such as input operations for authentication on the producer's side, or on the side that provides services such as live broadcast signal distribution, that is, on the side of authentication, becomes complicated. In addition, the method of using the access port for accessing the above-mentioned data stream server to make multiple calls at once may also cause the access line to the data stream server to be busy and hinder the use of content creators who have made a reservation. It is also possible that the maintenance of the appointment system may be endangered due to such obstacles.

In addition, this kind of problem is not limited to the reservation system of the streaming server used for live broadcast signal distribution. It is used on the user side PC through the Internet and other networks other than the live broadcast signal distribution. The same problem may also occur when the function of the processing server is scheduled for processing, or when the processing capacity of the processing server or the guarantee of the communication path between the two are considered and the reservation system is adopted.

The present invention is completed in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a function of a processing server that does not cause the authentication processing or operation to be complicated, and allows most users to efficiently use the processing server that performs predetermined processing through the network , And can reduce the obstacles caused by improper users, such as server use methods, server use reservation management devices, and program storage media.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention allows the user terminal device to access the processing server for performing predetermined processing through the network and use the functions of the processing server, so that the user terminal device can manage the processing server The reservation management device of the reservation status uses the network to process the use reservation of the server, and then use the function of the processing server according to the reservation, use the following steps. First of all, the reservation request information including the desired use time of the desired use processing server is sent from the user terminal device to the reservation management device via the network, and the use desired time contained in the reservation request information allows the processing server In the case of a reservation for the use of the device, authentication information that can only be used for the allowed reservation is generated, and the reservation setting information containing the authentication information is sent from the reservation management device to the user terminal device via the network. Then, write and memorize the authentication information contained in the reservation setting information sent by the reservation management device in the predetermined memory area in the user terminal device, and the user terminal device is accessing the processing server according to the reservation When in use, the authentication information stored in the predetermined memory area is read out and sent from the user terminal device. Then, according to the authentication information sent by the user terminal device, it is determined whether the user terminal device is allowed to use the processing server.

In this way, a reservation system is set to use the function of the processing server, and most user terminal devices can use the processing server efficiently. In addition, the authentication of whether it is a legitimate reservation is based on the authentication information used to authenticate only reservations, so the reservation can be used to authenticate the user of the user terminal device from which the authentication information is sent as the legitimate reservation. And it can reduce the complexity of the authentication process. In addition, since the authentication information is stored in the user terminal device, it can be read out when accessing the processing server and can be used for authentication processing. That is, since the authentication information stored in the memory area is read and sent, the user does not need to input the authentication information. In addition, since the authentication processing is performed based on the authentication information sent only to the user terminal device that made the reservation, the use of processing servers other than the legitimate reservation can be restricted.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention is that in order for the user terminal device to access and use the function of the processing server for performing predetermined processing through the network, the user terminal device can manage the processing The reservation management device of the reservation status of the server processes the use reservation of the server through the network, and then uses the function of the processing server according to the reservation, the following steps are used. First of all, the reservation request information including the desired use time of the desired use processing server is sent from the user terminal device to the reservation management device via the network, and the use desired time contained in the reservation request information allows the processing server In the case of a reservation for the use of the device, the reservation setting information including the communication connection information required to establish a communication connection through the network between the user terminal device and the processing server is sent from the reservation management device to the User terminal device. Then, write and memorize the authentication information contained in the reservation setting information sent by the reservation management device in the predetermined memory area in the user terminal device, and the user terminal device is accessing the processing server according to the reservation When in use, the communication connection information stored in the predetermined memory area is read, and the processing for establishing the communication connection with the processing server is performed based on the read communication connection information.

In this way, in order to use the function of the processing server, it is set to a reservation system, so that most user terminal devices can use the processing server efficiently. In addition, on the user terminal device of the legitimate reservation person, the information used to establish a communication connection with the processing server can be sent, and the information can be read for communication processing. Therefore, the user can omit the operation of inputting information for establishing a communication connection, and the information for establishing a communication connection with the processing server can be read from the memory area and used in processing, that is, because of the The information is not distributed in the form of conspicuous books or display data, so it can reduce improper communication processing such as obstruction to the processing server due to malicious use of the information. When the processing program is installed in the hard disk of the live broadcast type conversion server 150 in advance, or the various processing programs for the execution of the signal distribution reservation or the various processing programs for the live broadcast signal distribution are installed in the user's PC 106 in advance 123 of the hard disk, but the present invention is not limited to this, it can also be stored by the content provider program such as CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) or read only DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc-ReadOnly The above-mentioned various programs can be installed on a program storage medium such as a package medium such as a package medium, and the above various programs can be installed by recreating a program storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or an optical disk that temporarily or permanently stores the program.

The means of storing the above-mentioned various programs on these program storage media can also be stored using wired and wireless communication media such as local area networks, digital satellite broadcasting, or various communication interfaces interposed with routers or modems.

[Implementation of the invention]

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A. The structure of the content supply system A-1. The overall structure of the system. First, Figure 1 shows a content supply system that uses a server usage method of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a personal casting service (Personal Casting Service) Block diagram of the overall composition of 100. In addition, in this embodiment, although the present invention is applied to a method of using a stream server having the power to distribute stream signals for content such as animation data, it is described, but the present invention can also be applied It is a method of using a server that performs other processing functions.

As shown in FIG. 1, the content supply system 100 includes a user PC (signal distributor terminal device) 106 connected via an Internet service provider not shown in the Internet 103 and a telephone network 104. ; The server connected to the Internet 103 uses the reservation management center 101 and the data stream server (processing server) 102; and the Internet 103 is connected via the telephone network (not shown) or dedicated line (not shown) Multiple (3 in the figure) client PC107. Here, the data stream server 102 is connected to a dedicated network 108. When the user PC 106 sends data to the data stream server 102 during the live broadcast signal distribution described later, the user PC 106 can use a telephone The network 104 is connected by the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) of the server connected to the private network 108. In this way, a communication path between the user PC 106 and the data stream server 102 can be established, and the communication path can be used to send content data. In addition, a dedicated line 109 is also laid between the data stream server 102 and the server usage reservation management center 101. When performing authentication processing and other operations described later, the dedicated line 109 can be used to transfer data between the two. .

In this content supply system 100, in a pre-booked time zone (for example, 15:00~16:00), content data (for example, live broadcast of photographic music) captured by the user of the user PC 106 using a digital camera Video data, etc.) are sent to the data stream server 102. On the other hand, the data stream server 102 delivers the data stream signal of the content data to the client PC 107 that has the request. By performing such operations, the content supply system 100 can provide the content data captured by the user of the user PC106 with a digital camera, etc., on the client PC107 side to provide a personal type of personal broadcast that can be received and played in real time. Switch the server.

In addition, in the content supply system 100, in order to realize the personal profile conversion service in which the user can actually perform the personal broadcast transmission within the desired time zone, each user is used to access the data stream server 102 and The appointment system used. That is, the user requests the server to use the reservation management center 101 through the Internet 103 to request the appointment of the time zone for personal broadcasting, that is, the user (the PC) is required to access the data stream server 102 and According to the reservation of the time zone in which the data stream server 102 wishes to use the data stream signal distribution function. Then, when the reservation is permitted by the server using the reservation management center 101, the user PC 106 will access the stream server 102 in the time zone based on the reservation to perform live broadcast signal distribution.

The content supply system 100 is a system that provides a personal profile conversion service such as the above-mentioned reservation system. Hereinafter, each component of the content supply system 100 will be described in detail.

A-2. User PC First, the user PC106 will be explained. In this embodiment, the user PC 106 is referred to as the PC that the user uses for the transmission of the above-mentioned content data, etc., after the registration procedure described later is processed in the personal profile conversion service of the content supply system 100, etc. The user has the right to be the broadcaster who can send the content after it is made.

As shown in Figure 2, the user PC 106 includes: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 120 used to control various parts while performing various calculations; random access used as the work memory of the CPU 120 Memory RAM (Random Access Memory) 121; a read-only memory ROM (ReadOnly Memory) 122; the hard disk 123 used to store the operating system that is read and executed by the CPU 120 (such as "Windows95/98/2000" (Microsoft Corporation) or application programs, etc.; LCD display that displays images to the user, etc. The display portion 124; the display interface 125 for displaying the data and images provided by the CPU 120 on the display portion 124; the user input is only applicable to the keyboard, mouse, the rotary dial (dial) and operation keys, etc. described later Operation unit 126; provides data indicating instructions input through operation unit 126 to the operation unit interface 127 of CPU 120; connects to the Internet 103 (refer to Fig. 1) through the telephone network 104 (refer to Fig. 1) or The server is connected to the network interface 128 for data transfer between devices on the private network 108 (refer to Figure 1); and a digital video camera 129 built into the user's PC 106. In addition, the hard disk 123 is read by the CPU 120 The writer is also used for the custody of animation data or various control data.

Here, FIG. 3 shows an example of the external configuration of a user PC 106 with the above-mentioned digital video camera 129 built-in. As shown in Figure 3(a), the user PC 106 shown in this example is the same as a general notebook personal computer, and has a display side frame 106a with a liquid crystal screen 124a and a keyboard side frame with a keyboard 126a. Part 106b, and the two can be connected by a hinge part 106c so as to be relatively rotatable. In addition, the display side frame portion 106a may also rotate relative to the keyboard side frame portion 106b in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the figure. Furthermore, a rotary operating dial 126b is provided on one end side of the display side frame body portion 106a. The operating dial 126b is not only capable of rotating operation, but also a pressing operation.

On one side end surface of the keyboard side frame portion 106b, a key frame portion 106e in which a plurality of operation keys 126c (four in the figure) are arranged, and the above-mentioned digital video camera 129 are mounted. Here, the key frame 106e is fixedly installed as shown in the figure. On the other hand, the digital video camera 129 is rotatably supported at a point on the side end surface of the keyboard side frame 106b, thereby being rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow B in the figure.

Under this configuration, the user PC106 can be used in a form similar to the general notebook personal computer shown in Figure 3(a), and can also be used as shown in Figure 3(b) to Figure 3(d). Morphological use. For example, if it is used in the form shown in FIG. 3(b), the user can take the user's PC 106 and use the digital video camera 129 to photograph the user himself. At this time, since the liquid crystal screen 124a is facing the user side as shown in the figure, the user can confirm what kind of image was taken, and take the picture. When used in this form, the keyboard 126a is located on the back of the user, so it is difficult for the user to perform correct operations. Considering this point, the digital video camera 129, which is processed by the application program described later, performs operations related to photography or processing of captured images (for example, to instruct photography start, stop, zoom, effect, etc.) , The operation of saving and sending animation data) can be performed by appropriately operating the above-mentioned operation dial 126b and operation keys 126c. In addition, if it is used in the form shown in FIG. 3(c), the user can hold the user PC 106 while looking at the liquid crystal screen 124a while photographing the photographic subject located on the front.

Returning to FIG. 2, the user PC 106 is configured by the CPU 120 to execute the application programs stored in the ROM 122 and the hard disk 123 based on the addition of a power supply not shown in the figure or the user's instruction input by the operating unit 126. Receive animation data signal distribution processing, animation data production, processing, and World-WideWeb (browsing) services of the above-mentioned content supply system 100. Hereinafter, focusing on the various functions realized by the CPU 120 executing the processing in accordance with the application program, the functions of the user's PC 106 will be described while referring to the display screen and the like.

First, when the user PC 106 executes the above-mentioned application program, the display of the initial screen shown in FIG. 4 can be displayed on the display unit 124 under the control of the CPU 120. As shown in the figure, the initial screen is used to display the large-sized main image display area 40 such as the image taken by the digital video camera 129, and the preview of the last image taken when the application was executed last time ( The small size secondary image display area 41 of preview) is displayed on the upper right side of the screen. Moreover, under the secondary image display area 41, a graphical user interface GUI (Graphical User Interface) for selecting mode, image type (camera), setting (setting) and instruction content (operation) is displayed. The user, by appropriately selecting and setting these items, can perform mode selection, selection of types of still images (STILL) or animation (MOVIE), setting changes, and instruction input, etc.

Here, in this application, the user can select the shooting mode (the mode when selecting "Photography" on the GUI), the upload mode (the mode when selecting the "View and Send" on the GUI), and the web confirmation mode ( Select the mode when "Viewing Web" on the GUI), live broadcast reservation mode (select the mode when "To Live Broadcast Reservation/Confirm" on the GUI) and the live broadcast signal distribution mode (select the "To Live Broadcast Signal" on the GUI The mode of "delivery") of 5 modes. In addition, in the initial state when the application is started, the shooting mode will be selected.

The shooting mode is a mode in which the digital video camera 129 built in the user's PC 106 performs shooting. When this mode is selected or in the initial state, the screen shown in FIG. 5(a) can be displayed under the control of the CPU 120. As shown in the figure, on the display screen in the shooting mode, the main image display area 40 and the sub-image display area 41 are displayed in the same way as the above-mentioned initial screen (refer to FIG. 4), and the current image display area 40 is displayed on the main image display area 40. The image during shooting, and the preview of the last image taken before the current shooting is displayed on the secondary image display area 41.

Even in this mode, the above-mentioned GUI is displayed under the secondary image display area 41. As shown in Figure 5(b), the GUI in this mode displays the above-mentioned selection items of "mode", "camera", "setting" and "operation", and the selection of "operation" in this mode In terms of items, there are items for instructing the capture of images ("capture"), and items for instructing to connect/disconnect the Internet ("network connection/disconnection"), etc., by selecting and operating After operating the dial 126b to move the focus F (shown in thick lines) to the desired item, the desired item can be selected and determined by pressing the operating dial 126b.

Also, in this shooting mode, if the operation key 126c (refer to FIG. 3) provided on the key frame 106e is assigned to the command required for image shooting (for example, a command to instruct the selection of image effects, etc.) Command), the user does not need the keyboard 126a (refer to Figure 3), only the operation dial 126b and the operation keys 126c can be operated in the shooting mode, and can be easily performed in Figure 3 (b) or Figure 3 (c) The photographing operation in the position where the keyboard 126a is not easy to operate as shown. In addition, the operation key 126c can also be assigned the above-mentioned command as a default value (default), but in the shooting mode or modes other than the following description, the user can also choose to assign the user arbitrarily to the operation key in each mode. 126c order. If this is the case, by setting the user to assign commands that are frequently used in each mode to the operation key 126c, the necessity of operating the operation keyboard 126a in each mode can be reduced, and the operability can be improved.

The status window SW displayed on the lower side of the screen shown in Figure 5(a) shows the current status of the users PC 106 (for example, the remaining battery capacity or the remaining memory capacity of the hard disk drive, etc.), the selection mode Processing status (for example, the size of the data used for photography, the designated save destination (hard disk or network, etc.), and the command distribution of the operation key 126c, etc.

Second, the upload mode is to display and refer to the image data taken in the above-mentioned photography mode, or select the image data and send it to a server (not shown) connected to the Internet 103 (refer to Figure 1) of a predetermined upload destination ) On the model. When this mode is selected, the screen shown in FIG. 6(a) can be displayed on the display portion 124 under the control of the CPU 120. As shown in the figure, on the display screen of the upload mode, a preview area 42 is displayed, a list area 43 that displays the captured images side by side (in the example shown in the figure is side by side), a GUI, and a status window. SW, and sending capsule icon (Kapselicon) SC.

As shown in Figure 6(b), on the "operation" of the upload-style GUI, there are items useful for instructing the connection/disconnection of the Internet ("network connection/disconnection") to instruct the sending of image data The start/end item ("send start/end"), the item used to instruct the focus F to move to the list display area 43 ("focus move"), look in the sending capsule icon SC, that is, watch the selection of sending The items in the image data list ("refer to the sending capsule icon"), etc., and the same as the above shooting mode, after rotating the operation dial 126b to move the focus F to the desired item, just press the operation dial 126b. Select the desired item.

Also, in the upload mode, the operation key 126c is assigned a command for instructing the preview area 42 to play/stop an animation or display a still image. In addition, the status window SW in this mode displays the file name, file size, format (JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), etc. of the image data, or displays the current designated sending destination Information (the name of the uploaded server or its URL (Uniform Resource Locator)).

Here, when an item ("focus movement") for instructing the focus F to move to the list display area 43 is selected, the focus F will move to the list display area 43. In this way, when the focus F is moved to the list display area 43, the focus F can be sequentially moved to the images displayed in the list according to the rotating operation of the operation dial 126b. When the user wants to send a certain image data, he rotates the operation key 126c to move the focus F to the image data. Then, when the operating dial 126b is pressed, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the SUBGUI used to instruct the processing of the image data is displayed, and the focus F will move to the item of the SUBGUI. As shown in Figure 6(c), the instruction items of "Save", "Delete", "Preview", and "Put into the sending capsule icon" are set on SUBGUI. Here, when the operation dial 126b is rotated to move the focus F to the desired processing "put in the sending capsule icon" and the operation dial 126b is pressed, the image data can be added to the image data to be sent At a glance. In this way, in the case of selecting the image data to be sent and actually sending it, the focus F is sent back to the GUI item, and the sending start/end is selected. In this way, when the transmission start/end is selected, the transmission processing of the image data selected by the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 can be executed.

Secondly, the Web confirmation mode is a mode for connecting to a network such as the Internet for browsing. When the Web confirmation mode is selected, the screen shown in Figure 7(a) can be controlled by the CPU 120 and displayed on the display unit 124 superior. As shown in the figure, in the Web confirmation mode, the browser display screen 44 for displaying the Web browser is displayed, the URL display column 45 for displaying the entered URL in order to display the resource on the browser display screen 44, GUI, and status window SW. Here, when the Web confirmation mode is selected, browser software (for example, Internet Explorer (Microsoft Corporation) or Netscape Navigator (Netscape Navigator) Registered trademark), and on the browser display screen 44, the display screen of the above-mentioned browser software is displayed.

As shown in Figure 7(b), on the GUI of the Web confirmation mode, "browsing" is displayed to select the item indicated during browsing, and on "browsing", it is displayed to indicate a jump to a predetermined web page (Web page) The item on the upper side ("jump"), or the item of operating the browser (for example, "Go to the next page" or "Back to the home page", etc.). In addition, on the "operation" in this mode, there are items for instructing the Internet ("Internet connection/disconnection"), and items for instructing Focus F to move to the browser display screen 44 (" Focus Move") etc., and after rotating the operating dial 126b to move the focus F to the desired item, the desired item can be selected by pressing the operating dial 126b.

In this "Web Confirmation", you can enter the URL to browse, that is, perform normal browsing processing.

Secondly, in the live broadcast reservation mode, the reservation management center 101 (refer to Figure 1) is used to connect to the server through the Internet 103 to make reservations for the above-mentioned personal profile conversion service for personal broadcast time zones, etc. When the live broadcast reservation mode is selected, the screen shown in FIG. 8(a) can be displayed on the display unit 124 under the control of the CPU 120. As shown in the figure, in the live broadcast reservation mode, in addition to the browser display screen 44, URL display column 45, GUI, and status window SW, the reservation list display area 46 is also displayed in the same way as the above-mentioned Web confirmation mode.

As shown in Figure 8(b), in the "operation" of the GUI in the live broadcast reservation mode, there are items useful to indicate the Internet ("network connection/disconnection") and to instruct the focus F to move to The browser displays items on the screen 44 ("focus movement") and the like. Also, on the GUI in this mode, the same as the above-mentioned Web confirmation mode, "browsing" is displayed. On "browsing", it is useful to instruct to jump to the item on the web page where the live broadcast reservation is made ("reservation jump") , Or the items of operating the browser (for example, "Go to the next page" or "Back to the home page", etc.), etc. After the user rotates the operating dial 126b to move the focus F to a desired item, the user can select the desired item by pressing the operating dial 126b. In addition, the so-called web page for making a live broadcast reservation refers to a web page stored in the hard disk of the server using the live broadcast type conversion server described later in the reservation management center 101.

Here, when the user uses the personal profile conversion service to make a reservation for live broadcast signal delivery, the selection determines the item used to instruct to jump to the web page where the signal delivery reservation is made. In order to make a live broadcast reservation, the CPU 120 will access the above-mentioned live broadcast type conversion server via the Internet 103, so that the reservation request information can be sent to the live broadcast type conversion server, or downloaded Granting and accepting the information related to the reservation from the reservation setting information of the live broadcast type conversion server.

In the reservation list display area 46, the contents of the reservations made by the user using the reservation management center 101 for the above-mentioned server are displayed in a list, and summary information such as the reservation time zone is displayed on each reservation. The user rotates the operating dial 126b to move the focus F to the appointment list display area 46, and then presses the operating dial 126b to display the desired appointment summary information on the appointment list display area 46. In order to confirm its reservation, the CPU 120 will jump to the web control to confirm the reservation of the server using the reservation management center 101's live broadcast type conversion server, but the related user PC106 and the server The reservation processing between using the reservation management center 101 will be described later.

Secondly, the live broadcast signal distribution mode is to connect the data stream server 102 (refer to Figure 1) through the telephone network 104 and the server connected to the private network 108, and use the content of the animation data taken by the digital video camera 129. A mode in which the data is sent to the data stream server 102 in real time. In this mode, the content data sent can be distributed by the data stream server 102 to the client PC 107 that requires data stream signals. In this way, users can instantly distribute personally broadcast signals.

When this live broadcast signal distribution mode is selected, the screen shown in FIG. 9(a) can be displayed on the display unit 124 under the control of the CPU 120. As shown in the figure, in the live broadcast reservation mode, an effect display column 48 is displayed for selecting the effect to be given to the photographic image, and is used to display the image sent to the data stream server 102 (that is, to display on the digital video camera 129). The preview screen 47, the GUI, and the status window SW are provided on the photographic image with predetermined effects and other images).

On the status window SW in the live broadcast signal delivery mode, on air information showing the status of signal delivery, signal delivery elapsed time information showing the elapsed time of the start of signal delivery, and service provider side information are displayed. Time information, time information on the user's PC106 side, appointment time zone information showing the start time or end time of the appointment, image size information, bit rate information showing the sending speed (bit rate) of the signal delivery data, signal delivery image The subject name information of the data, the connection destination information showing the connected stream server 102 and its channel, and the number of viewers information showing the number of clients receiving the content data distributed by the stream server 102 by the stream signal Wait.

As shown in Figure 9(b), on the "operation" of the GUI in the live broadcast signal distribution mode, there are items useful to indicate connection/disconnection of the Internet ("network connection/disconnection"), to indicate The item of the start/end of the live broadcast signal distribution ("Start/End of the signal distribution"), the effect setting item ("Effect Setting") used to set the effect displayed on the effect display column 48, to indicate the focus F movement For items ("focus movement") in the effect display column 48, the focus F is moved to the desired item by rotating the operation dial 126b, and then the desired item can be selected by pressing the operation dial 126b.

Here, when the item used to indicate the start/end of the live broadcast signal distribution is selected and determined, the CPU 120 will follow the reservation setting information provided by the live broadcast mode conversion server in the above-mentioned live broadcast reservation mode. The data stream server 102 is connected via the telephone network 104 and the server connection network 108. Then, when the connection with the data stream server 102 is established, the CPU 120 will instantly transfer the animation data set by the digital video camera 129 according to the content (for example, data transmission speed, etc.) set in the reservation setting information. Send to the data stream server 102. In addition, the details of the communication connection processing with the data stream server 102 or the operation data transmission processing after the communication connection will be described later.

As shown in Figure 10, on the effect display column 48 in the live broadcast signal distribution mode, each of the operation keys l26c of the A key and the B key (the keys are marked with "A" and "B" in advance) have an effect. The names are displayed side by side in the up and down direction. Here, the effect name displayed on the top layer is the effect name currently selected. In the example shown in the figure, on the A key, the effect names of "Heart-shaped pattern display", "None", "Clap"... are displayed in order from the top as selection candidates. These are used to instruct to give effect names corresponding to the effect names enclosed by the focus F that is relatively moved by the rotating operation of the operating dial 126b (that is, the effect names corresponding to the effect names currently selected and displayed on the top layer) Effect), by pressing the A key of the operation key 126c by the user, the effect surrounded by the focus F and corresponding to the selected effect name can be imparted to the photographed image of the digital video camera 129. For example, in the state shown in the figure, when the A key is pressed and operated, the effect processing of adding the clapping sound corresponding to the "hand clapping sound" to the animation data photographed by the digital video camera 129 can be performed. In addition, the so-called relative movement of the focus F mentioned above is only in this mode. The focus F is not moved by the operation of the rotary dial 126b, but the scrolling effect is clearly displayed in the display line, and the result is moved to the " The meaning of "effect name".

On the top layer of the B button, the selected effect name "titleim pose" currently surrounded by focus F is displayed. Below it, "BGM1", "Black and White Image" and " The effect name of "theme collection"... is used as a candidate for selection. These are used to indicate that the effect corresponding to the name of the effect surrounded by the focus F is given. By pressing the B button in the operation key 126c, the user is surrounded by the focus F and matches the selected effect name The corresponding effect can be imparted to the photographed image of the digital video camera 129. For example, in the state of the icon, when the B button is pressed, the animation data captured by the digital video camera 129 can be subjected to the super impose of the theme name effect corresponding to the "theme impose". )handle. Here, the effect processing corresponding to the A key refers to the addition of a temporarily applied "hand clapping sound" processing, etc., while the effect processing corresponding to the B key refers to the continuous application processing. Therefore, as the B key in the operation key 126c of the user PC106, the trigger key is used. Once it is pressed, the effect of making it into a "black and white image" will continue until the next pressed operation. Give treatment.

In addition, on the right side of the screen for displaying the effect name corresponding to the B key, the preset effect name set by the user in advance is displayed. The effect displayed here can continue to be given to the effect displayed in this column regardless of the key operation, as long as the effect preset in the effect setting described later is not changed. In the example shown in the figure, "time and time" is set. In this case, the date and time of the collection are often displayed in the animation data of the signal distribution.

For the above-mentioned effect processing, it is considered to carry out live broadcast signal distribution, that is, it is considered to send the animation data set by the digital video camera 129 in real time. That is, in the case of live broadcast signal distribution, the user PC106, in order to send the photographed image in real time, requires simple operation when applying effects to the photographed image, and as described above, you can use the A key or One press operation of the B key executes the processing. However, although it is possible to instruct the processing of applying the effect by pressing the key once, when the A key or the B key is pressed, the effect name enclosed by the focus F on the effect display column 48 can be executed. Corresponding effect processing. Therefore, when the effect name displayed on the effect display column 48 or its display sequence is not consistent with the user's intention, the relative movement amount of the focus F for imparting the desired effect will increase, and the operation dial 126b The rotation operation takes time, and sometimes the user cannot give the desired effect at the desired time.

Therefore, in the live broadcast signal distribution mode, in the above-mentioned GUI (refer to Figure 9(b)), by selecting "Effect Setting", you can set the order in which multiple effects are prepared in advance. What kind of effect is displayed on the effect display column 48. Here, FIG. 11 is a screen displayed on the display unit 124 when the "effect setting" (refer to FIG. 9(b)) is selected in the above-mentioned GUI. As shown in Figures (a), (b), (c), there are 3 custom screens for A key, B key and preset. On the screen for setting the effect corresponding to the A key shown in Fig. 11(a), the A key corresponding effect list column 50a that is temporarily assigned (that is, the multiple effect names corresponding to the A key) prepared in advance is displayed in On the left column of the screen, on the right side thereof, a registration list column 52 displayed on the above-mentioned effect display column 48 is displayed. On the registration list column 52, the A key registration list column 52a, the B key registration list column 52b and the preset registration column 52c are displayed. In the screen for the A key setting, the B key registration list column 52b and the preset The display color of the registration column 52c is different from the display color of the A key registration list column 52a, so that the user can easily recognize the registration column that can be set at present. In the effect list column 50a corresponding to the A key, the effect name scrolls of the plurality of effect processes that have been prepared and executable are displayed in the up and down direction.

In this type of display screen, from the effects displayed on the effect list column 50a corresponding to the A key, select the effect that should be displayed on the effect display column 48, and drag the selected effect to the A key. Log on to the list column 52a. In this way, the user can set in advance to display the desired effect corresponding to the A key on the effect display column 48 in the desired order.

When the effect corresponding to the B key is set, the screen shown in Fig. 11(b) is displayed. On the right side of the screen is displayed a previously prepared and continuously assigned effect list 50b corresponding to the B key (that is, displaying a plurality of effect names corresponding to the B key). On the effect list 50b corresponding to the B keys, the effect name scrolls of a plurality of effect processes that are prepared in advance and executable are displayed in the up and down direction.

In this kind of display screen. From the effects displayed on the effect list column 50b corresponding to the B key, select the effect to be displayed on the effect display column 48 and drag it to the registration list column 52b for the B key. In this way, the user can set in advance to display the desired effect corresponding to the B key on the effect display column 48 in the desired order.

In the case of setting the preset effect, the screen shown in Figure 11(c) is displayed. On the right side of the screen is displayed a preset effect list 50c prepared in advance and continuously assigned to display a plurality of effect names. On the preset effect list 50c, the effect name scrolls of a plurality of effect processes that are prepared in advance and executable are displayed in the up and down direction.

In this kind of display screen. From the effects displayed on the preset effect list column 50c, select the effect to be displayed on the effect display column 48 and drag it to the preset registration list column 52c. In this way, the user can set the preset effect in advance.

Generally speaking, in the case of live broadcast signal distribution, the type of effect that should be imparted, the timing or sequence of imparting the effect, etc., can all be used as the user's idea. Therefore, if the type of effect or the order of granting based on the user's idea is set in advance, the user's idea can be reproduced more faithfully with simple operations in the live broadcast signal distribution. The effect of processing.

Although the user PC106 can store applications with 5 functions such as the above-mentioned photography mode, upload mode, web confirmation mode, live broadcast reservation mode, and live broadcast signal distribution mode in the hard disk 123 to perform the above-mentioned processing Function, but other programs can also be stored to execute the process of automatically fetching the reservation setting information file described later when making a live broadcast signal distribution reservation, or to execute the communication connection to the data stream server 102 when making a live broadcast signal distribution The processing procedures, and the detailed content of the functions executed by these procedures will be described later.

A-3. Server use reservation management device As described above, when the user PC106 is used as a broadcaster for live broadcast signal distribution, it is necessary for the personal profile conversion service provided by the content supply system 100 The reservation used by the stream server 102 is made in the time zone when the live broadcast signal is distributed. Next, the server usage reservation management center 101 used to manage the service provider using the reservation of the data stream server 102 will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

As shown in the figure, the server uses the reservation management center 101, which includes a live broadcast type conversion server 150, a reservation database 151, a user database 152, and a network connected to a local area network (LAN). Time protocol NTP (Network Time Protocol) server 153, network interface 154 and database server 155. Here, the server uses the above-mentioned constituent elements of the reservation management center 101, which is the data flow of the user PC 106 or the client PC 107 connected to the Internet 103 and the dedicated line 109 (refer to Figure 1) through the network interface 154. The server 102 exchanges various data.

The live broadcast type conversion server 150 is a server that manages the overall processing of the service, such as reservation processing, collection processing, and service member registration processing of the live broadcast signal distribution in the personal type conversion service. The live broadcast type conversion server 150 is used for the registration to obtain the user's right to accept the service, and for the reservation acceptance for accepting the reservation from the user. It is used for the reservation confirmation or modification of the user's reservation. , And the program list reference web pages for referencing the program list sent to the client PC107 by referring to the live broadcast signal are stored in the hard disk, and can be used when there is a request from the user PC106 or the client PC107 The PC 106 or the client PC 107 browses the web page according to the request. Hereinafter, the web page prepared by the live broadcast format conversion server 150 will be described with reference to the display screen displayed on the browser screen on the PC side that requests the web page to be viewed.

Here, FIG. 13 shows the use of a PC that can be connected to the Internet 103 such as the user PC 106 or the client PC 107, and enters the home page of the web page of the live broadcast type conversion server 150 for the user of the PC to identify. The URL of) is displayed on the web page display screen of the requested PC in the case of a request for viewing. In addition, in the case of a request to view the homepage of the webpage of the live broadcast format conversion server 150, in addition to the method of entering the URL as described above, there are also clicks on the link keys on other homepages to jump to that Page method.

As shown in Figure 13, on the homepage, in addition to the fields for entering the user ID and password for login, it also displays "Member Login", "What is Personal Type Conversion TV?", "Live Broadcasting Today? Link keys for "Rebroadcast", "Program Guide", "My Channel", "Live Broadcast Signal Distribution Reservation", "Program Picker", and "Image Station". When the link button is clicked, The web pages that are hyperlinked to each link key can be sent and displayed on the PC side.

First, when "Member Login" is clicked, the web page used to log in members who can receive the live broadcast format conversion service can be displayed on the display screen on the PC side. The details of this will be described later.

Secondly, when "What is Personal Type Conversion TV?" is selected, the screen shown in Figure 14 can be displayed on the display screen on the PC side. As shown in the figure, on the web page screen, there is displayed a record that promotes the member registration of the live broadcast type conversion service, or the link key "Go to the login page" that causes it to jump to the web page of the above-mentioned "Member Registration". In addition, on the display screen, there are descriptions of a summary description or processing procedures of the live broadcast format conversion service.

Secondly, when "Today's live broadcast" is selected, the screen shown in Figure 15 can be displayed on the display screen on the PC side. As shown in the figure, on the screen of the web page, the live broadcast program that was delivered today is displayed, and the current time of the service provider (the appointment is fulfilled according to the time) is displayed on the upper side, and the current day is displayed on the lower side. The information of the special program and private program's signal delivery time, theme, signal distributor `summary, etc. Signal distributor name or subject name, etc.)). Here, the so-called special program refers to the content provided by the enterprise, etc., and the private program refers to the content provided by the individual user such as the user PC 106. In addition, the program that describes "on demand" instead of the signal delivery time is not a live broadcast signal delivery, but the signal delivery data is memorized in advance on the live broadcast type conversion server 150 side, and the client PC107 is sent as required The program for the demand signal distribution such as the signal distribution. In addition, the "fixed amount" in the personal program shows the information of the fixed amount of the number of clients that can accept the content signal distribution of the program, and the "OPEN" and "CLOSE" at the current point show whether the above-mentioned fixed amount and other restrictions are considered. The information that the signal can be distributed according to the client's request ("OPEN" means that the signal can be distributed, and "CLOSE" means that the signal can't be distributed).

Here, the "theme" in the list of programs mentioned above becomes the link key. When the link key is clicked, as shown in Figure 16, the live broadcast program of the selected "theme" can be displayed. For details. In this screen, if the proper password is entered in the signal delivery time of the program and the "play" button 175 is clicked at the same time, the signal delivery request of the live broadcast rebroadcast program can be sent to the data via the Internet 103 Streaming server 102. In this way, the client PC 107 that makes the signal distribution request can receive the data stream signal distribution of the live broadcast rebroadcast program content according to the data stream server 102, and play it in real time. In addition, in order to play the content distributed by the streaming server 102 in real time, there is a need for playback software (for example, "RealPlayer" (real-time network company), "Windows Media player" (Microsoft Corporation), etc.). Therefore, if the PC requesting the signal distribution has not stored the above-mentioned playback software, it clicks the "Playback Software" button 176. In this way, the above-mentioned playback software can be downloaded to the PC, and the content distributed according to the data stream signal performed by the data stream server 102 can be played in the PC in real time.

Secondly, when the "Program Guide" is clicked, the screen shown in Figure 17 can be displayed on the display screen of the PC. As shown in the figure, the page screen displays a monthly calendar containing the current date, and displays a list of programs that are delivered to the date displayed in the reversed display of the monthly calendar. Here, the list of programs displayed is the same as the above-mentioned "Today's Live Broadcasting" (refer to Figure 16). On the display screen, if you click the desired date on the above-mentioned calendar, a list of programs for that date can be displayed. In addition, the screens displayed in the above-mentioned "Today's Live Broadcasting" or "Program Guide" are not limited to those shown in Figures 16 and 17. You can also set the time on the vertical axis and set the channel on the horizontal axis. A matrix-like program display column, and the theme name `content` signal distributor name is displayed in the matrix, such as the display type of the newspaper's TV program column, and the display format is arbitrary.

Secondly, "My Channel" is a web page prepared by every user who has the right to be the sender of the live broadcast signal distribution (the users who log in as an excellent member described later). When the "My Channel" is clicked When selected, the user can display the web page for confirming the content of the live broadcast signal delivery reservation at the current point. In addition, when the "live broadcast signal delivery reservation" is clicked, the web page for making the reservation for live broadcast signal delivery can be displayed, and the details of these will be described later. In addition, for users who have not logged in as a member, because they do not have a user ID or password, they cannot perform the login process of entering the above user ID and password. When the "My Channel" or "Live Broadcast Signal Delivery Reservation" is selected on the PC of a user who has not done this kind of login processing, it does not jump to the corresponding webpage, but jumps to "What is personal Status change to TV?" and prompt the user to log in as a member.

Secondly, "Program Picker" is a web page used to introduce programs awarded by the service provider. When this is clicked, the detailed information of the programs awarded by the service provider will be displayed (refer to Figure 16) .

The live broadcast format conversion server 150 stores the above-mentioned web page in its hard disk.

Returning to Fig. 12, the reservation database 151 is used to memorize information related to the reservation status in the distribution of live broadcast signals or the collection of accounts due to reservations. As shown in Fig. 18, the corresponding memory contains every 1 The reservation content information such as the channel used in the reservation time zone and the used frequency band (bps (bits per second)) in the reservation is used to identify the user ID of the user, used to show whether the reservation is established at that time and whether Receivable billing flag information, that is, the appointment ID used for authentication when the appointment is fulfilled. Each of these information is written when the live broadcast type conversion server 150 described later performs reservation processing, etc., and you can refer to the stored information when the live broadcast type conversion server 155 described later performs authentication processing. News.

The user database 152 is used to memorize the information related to the registered users who have the right to receive the personal type conversion service. In each of the registered users, the name (name) and user ID are memorized. , Password, e-mail address, residential address, telephone number (mobile phone or fax machine number), and credit card number used to collect bills or credit card expiration date and other information. Each of these information is written during the member registration process performed by the live broadcast type conversion server 150 described later, and can be referred to when the live broadcast type conversion server 150 described later performs the reservation process.

The NTP server 153 is used for batch management of the time information in the server using the reservation management center 101 or the data stream server 102 and other service provider side devices, and the live broadcast type conversion server 150 or data stream The server 102 obtains time information from the NTP server 153, and manages the start time or end time of the live broadcast signal distribution based on the obtained time information. This is to consider providing services that must be operated under the correct time control of the live broadcast signal distribution. By unifying the time that becomes the benchmark on the service provider side into one, it is suppressed as a server on the service provider side. When the reservation management center 101 and the data stream server 102 are shifted from each other as a reference, the operation is performed. In addition, it can be considered that the time of the user PC106 as the user side device deviates from the time of the service provider side. When the user of the user PC106 does not recognize the time shift, the service provider side may The predetermined live broadcast signal distribution start time or end time may be offset from the live broadcast signal distribution start time or end time recognized by the user side. Therefore, in the reservation processing performed by the live broadcast type conversion server 150, although the user PC 106 is notified of the time offset, the time offset at this time can be obtained from the NTP server 153 The time information of the live broadcast type conversion server 150 is obtained.

The database server 155 is used to connect the server to the access port of the dedicated network 108 for connection requests from the user's PC 106 or other improper user's PC to use the data stream server 102 to accept the connection request from the server The device is connected to the request of an unshown access server of the private network 108, and whether the PC from which the access is made is the PC (that is, the user PC106) that has been properly reserved in the time zone for authentication processing server. In addition, in the above authentication process, if the PC is authenticated as a legitimate PC, the communication connection between the data stream server 102 and the user PC 106 can be established, and the user PC 106 can request the data stream server 102 for data stream Execution of signal distribution processing. At this time, the data stream server 102 requests authentication processing from the database server 155 in order to verify whether the PC requesting the signal distribution is a PC with a legitimate reservation. The database server 155, even if there is a request from the data stream server 102 of this type, will perform authentication processing on whether it is a PC with a legitimate reservation. These authentication processes can be performed by referring to the reservation database 151, and the details of the above two authentication processes will be described later.

A-4. Streaming server Next, the streaming server 102 shown in Fig. 1 receives the animation data etc. sent from the PC 106 of the user with a legitimate reservation via the server connected to the dedicated network 108, etc. A server that distributes the data stream signal to the client PC 107 that makes the signal distribution request via the Internet 103.

The data stream server 102 is capable of delivering data stream signals to a plurality of contents at the same time. In other words, a structure with multiple channels is formed, so that multiple signal distributors can use the stream server 102 in the same time zone to deliver content live broadcast signals. In the data stream server 102, the number of people who can deliver the signal per channel, the transmission frequency band (64kbps or 28.8kbps, etc.), the usage fee, etc. are preset, and the data stream server 102 is used for content signal delivery. Alternatively, the channel to be reserved is selected in consideration of the above settings.

In addition, the data stream server 102 performs the data stream signal distribution processing of the content sent by the live broadcast signal distributor such as the user's PC 106 as described above, and also stores the time zone of the reserved slot or the time between the program and the program. The commercial content of the signal distribution is carried out in the above-mentioned idle time zone, and the signal distribution processing of the commercial content is carried out.

In addition, the data stream server 102 controls the management of the signal delivery time zone and the limit on the number of client PCs 107 for signal delivery in accordance with the reservation content allowed to the user PC 106 by the use of the reservation management center 101 of the server. The processing will be described later.

A-5. The communication path between the data stream server and the user's PC for the distribution of live broadcast signals is shown in Figure 1. The data stream server 102 is connected to the server connection dedicated network 108. As in the case of the live broadcast signal distribution described above, the user's PC 106 can be connected to the data stream server 102 through the telephone network 104 and the server connected to the private network 108. The server is connected to a dedicated network 108, which is a dedicated network for live broadcast signal distribution in the personal profile conversion service provided by the content supply system 100.

Here, the communication connection between the data stream server 102 and the users PC 106 can also be carried out via the Internet 103, but in the content supply system 100, in order to ensure that the data stream server is from the users PC 106 For the transmission path and transmission frequency band of the content data of 102, the server connected to the data stream server 102 is connected to the dedicated network 108. The reason for using a dedicated network in this way is as follows. In order for the user PC 106 to connect to the Internet 103, it is necessary for the user PC 106 to connect to a contracted Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP) via the telephone network 104. This kind of ISP not only accepts the registered members of the personal profile conversion service, but also accepts the PC connection from most Internet users. Therefore, when a large number of Internet users connect to the ISP and connect to the Internet 103, it is impossible to secure the transmission band required by the user's PC 106 for live broadcast signal distribution. In addition, due to reasons such as busy line of the user's PC 106, it may not be possible to connect to the ISP. In terms of data transmission using the Internet 103, although the above-mentioned deterioration of the connection environment may occur, when performing live broadcast signal distribution, it is necessary to securely secure the data with the data stream server 102 within the desired time. The communication path of the desired bit rate cannot provide normal services when the above problems occur. Therefore, in the content supply system 100, the Internet 103 is not used, but a server is prepared to connect to the private network 108 to prevent the above-mentioned problems from occurring.

Here, on the dedicated server connection network 108, there are prepared many lines for connecting to the data stream server 102. The number of lines prepared on the server to connect to the private network 108 is more than the maximum number of users allowed to connect to the data stream server 102 in the same time zone (for example, the maximum number of users allowed to connect is 10 In this case, the number of lines is 20). This is based on the following reasons. As mentioned above, the access server of the server connected to the private network 108 authenticates the PC request database server 155 (refer to Figure 12) that requires connection to verify whether the connected PC has a legitimate reservation. PC. In this authentication process, if it is determined that there is no proper reservation, the call from the PC requesting the connection is directly disconnected. Therefore, although the PC of the illegitimate person cannot use the server to connect to the line of the private network 108, one line will become busy during the above authentication process. Therefore, when the maximum number of users allowed to connect is the same as the number of lines prepared, the illegitimate will use the personal type conversion service for the purpose of hindering, etc., while accessing the server connected to the private network 108 If the port calls multiple places at the same time, it will not be possible to connect to the PC of the user who has a legitimate reservation. Therefore, as described above, by preparing in advance the number of lines more than the maximum number of users, it is possible to reduce the hindrance of services due to improper persons.

In addition, in this personal profile conversion service, the connection to the data stream server 102 is allowed before the scheduled time before the start of the signal delivery based on the reservation, so that the authentication, etc., can be completed before the start time of the signal delivery Connection processing, and on-site broadcast signal delivery at the time when the scheduled signal delivery start time is reached. Therefore, the following problems may occur when consecutive users have different appointment times. That is, the connection of the user in the signal distribution at the time before the reservation, and the connection before and after the scheduled time before the signal distribution start due to the user at the time after the reservation will overlap, and there is only the largest user who can perform the signal distribution The number of lines has become too numerous to cope with. Therefore, as described above, by preparing in advance twice the number of lines of the maximum number of users, it is possible to cope with the situation where the connections between the reserved users in the previous time zone and the reserved users in the next time zone overlap.

In addition, the server connection dedicated network 108 used to connect to the data stream server 102 is not limited to an access port to a carrier's network (for example, a public telephone network), and can also be prepared by Access ports to which various networks of multiple telecommunications companies (for example, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) or mobile phone network) are connected. In this case, on the users PC 106 side, it selects the connected telecommunications company, calls the access port of the corresponding telecommunications companys network, and then connects to the dedicated network 108 through the server to establish a connection with the data stream server The communication connection between 102.

A-6. Client PC As described above, the content data sent by the user PC 106 to the data stream server 102 in real time is the client PC 107 that requests the data stream server 102 for signal distribution via the Internet 103. Stream signal distribution. The client PC 107 can also make a signal distribution request from the web page of the live broadcast type conversion server 150 (refer to Figure 16), and can input the URL of the data stream server 102 to directly send the signal to the data stream server 102 Require. In this embodiment, it is a PC that makes a signal distribution request to the data stream server 102 and receives the data stream signal distribution from the data stream server 102, and these client PCs 107 store the data stream for real-time playback. The application program of the content data of the signal distribution (for example, "Real Player" (real-time network company), "Windows Media Player" (Microsoft Corporation), etc.), the application can be executed when the signal is distributed and the signal can be played in real time The contents of the delivery information.

B. Operations of the content supply system Next, various processing operations of the content supply system 100 configured as described above for realizing the live broadcast format conversion server will be described.

B-1. Member registration. First of all, when the user of the user PC106 uses the personal profile conversion service to perform live broadcast signal distribution, in order to obtain the right to perform live broadcast signal distribution in this service, it is necessary to contact the server Use the live broadcast format conversion server 150 of the reservation management center 101 for member registration. Here, FIG. 19 is a sequence flowchart showing the processing operations of the user PC 106 and the live broadcast format conversion server 150 when the member registration is performed. As shown in the figure, in the case of member registration, the user's PC 106 is connected to the Internet 103 and makes a web page viewing request to the live broadcast format conversion server 150 (refer to FIG. 12) (step Sal). Here, when the user PC 106 is connected to the Internet 103, first, after power is applied to the user PC 106, the above-mentioned application program is started. Then, the user selects the Web confirmation mode, so that the screen shown in FIG. 7(a) is displayed on the display portion 124. In the Web confirmation mode, the user inputs the URL for identifying the web page of the live broadcast format conversion server 150 to make a request for viewing.

In this way, when the user PC 106 requests the live broadcast format conversion server 150 to read a web page, the live broadcast format conversion server 150 can send the web page to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103 (step Sa2). The user PC 106 that has received the transmitted web page displays the web page on the browser display screen 44 (step Sa3).

When performing this kind of reading request and web page transmission, the following operations or processing can be performed on the user's PC 106 and the live broadcast format conversion server 150. First, when the user PC 106 inputs the URL of the live broadcast type conversion server 150 to make a viewing request, the web page storing the live broadcast type conversion server 150 shown in FIG. 13 can be displayed on the browser display screen 44 Home page. Here, in order to log in as a member, the user clicks "Member Login". In this way, the CPU 120 of the user's PC 106 follows the click operation and uses the Internet 103 to make a request for viewing the web page for member registration to the live broadcast type conversion server 150. Then, the web page for member login can be sent from the live broadcast type conversion server 150, and the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 that receives this can display the screen for member login as shown in FIG. 20 on the browser display screen 44.

As shown in FIG. 20, on the member registration screen, the name of the item to be input for member registration and the input field for inputting the item are displayed. Here, in the personal profile conversion service, general members who have the function of the client PC107 as described above (that is, accept the content service that the data stream server 102 has received for live broadcast signal distribution), and in addition to receiving the above content In addition to the services provided, it is also the signal distribution side for live broadcast signal distribution. Two types of membership registrations are available for premium members who can use the service, and the general and excellent common input fields are displayed on the screen for member registration. 210. And the input column 211 dedicated to excellent members.

In this display screen, like a user of the client PC 107, a user who has logged in only as a general member enters each item in the input field 210. Here, on the input screen for member registration, a cancel key 212 for invalidating the input content and a registration key 213 for instructing the registration of the input content are displayed. When the user clicks the registration key 213, the input is input by the CPU 120 The content of the column 210 is used as registration information and sent to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 via the Internet 103.

On the other hand, in the case of the excellent member registration, the user confirms the confirmation dialog box (checkboX) to input each item in the input field 210 and the input field 211. Then, when the users entry of each item is completed and the login key 213 is clicked, the CPU 120 of the users PC 106 will create a login information file with the same content as the content entered into the above-mentioned member login input screen. It is sent to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 via the Internet 103 (step Sa4), and at the same time, the registration information file is written into the hard disk 123 in the user's PC 106 in advance.

The live broadcast type conversion server 150 receives the information file for registration created according to the user's input content of the user PC 106 via the Internet 103 as described above, and confirms the content of the received information file for registration To determine whether to allow login (step Sa5). The processing content here is as follows. First, when there is no information about a certain item (that is, the user has not input the item), etc., the PC 106 side of the user is notified of the intention, and re-input is prompted. In addition, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 accesses the credit confirmation server of the credit card company through the Internet 103 to confirm whether the credit card in the registration information file is valid, and only if the credit card is valid Only valid conditions are allowed to log in.

When the registration is allowed, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 writes the information of each item located in the above-mentioned registration information file into the user database 152 and performs registration processing (step Sa6). In addition, in the registration process of excellent members, a web page corresponding to the "My Channel" of the logged-in user is created and stored in the hard disk.

When this type of registration process ends, the live broadcast format conversion server 150 informs the user PC 106 of the completion of the registration process via the Internet 103 (step Sa7), and ends the member registration process.

B-2. Signal delivery reservation When the above-mentioned member registration process is completed, the user of the user PC106 can become the signal delivery side that uses the personal profile conversion service for live broadcast signal delivery, and the actual live broadcast signal delivery The used live broadcast format conversion server 150 makes a signal delivery reservation. In this personal profile conversion service, once the user registers on the live broadcast form conversion server 150, to the scheduled time before the scheduled live broadcast signal delivery time (for example, 6 hours before), the user can The live broadcast type conversion server 150 performs reconfirmation (reconfirmation of the reservation) to establish the reservation. In this way, the obligation to reconfirm the appointment is given to the user of the appointment, so as to improve the establishment of the appointment and reduce the empty appointment. Moreover, in the personal profile conversion service, the logged-in user sets the maximum number of aberrations (coma) that can be booked in a month (for example, 1 aberration is set to 10 points), so as to suppress the number of aberrations. The user of the service becomes oligopolistic.

B-2-1. Reservation registration The following refers to the processing actions of the user's PC 106 and the live broadcast format conversion server 150 when the reservation registration in this kind of signal delivery reservation is made. Refer to the flow chart showing the sequence of the processing actions. 21 and the display screen of the user's PC 106 will be described.

As shown in the figure, in the case of making a signal delivery reservation, the user starts the above-mentioned application after powering on the user's PC 106. Then, by the user selecting the live broadcast reservation mode, the screen shown in FIG. 8(a) is displayed on the display unit 124. In this live broadcast reservation mode, the user operates the operation dial 126b and the like to select and determine the "reservation jump" as the selection item of the GUI. With this, the CPU 120 of the user's PC 106 performs connection processing to the Internet 103, and performs a web page for making a signal delivery reservation to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 (the "Live broadcast signal delivery reservation" in Figure 13 is selected Circumstances web page) reading request (step Sb1). In this way, in the user PC106, the function implemented by the above application can be used to select and determine the "reservation jump", although it can be used to make a request for viewing the web page of the signal delivery reservation, but it can also be viewed by entering the URL Require. Specifically, enter the URL to request the home page view shown in Figure 13, and enter the user ID and password and log in, then you can click the link key operation of "Live Broadcast Signal Delivery Reservation" for Reading requirements of the webpage for making signal delivery reservations.

In this way, when the user PC 106 requests the live broadcast format conversion server 150 to request the web page for signal distribution reservation, the web page can be sent from the live broadcast format conversion server 150 to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103 ( Step Sb2). The user PC 106 that has received the transmitted web page displays the web page on the browser display screen 44 (step Sb3).

Here, FIG. 22 shows the web page for the signal delivery reservation displayed on the browser display screen 44. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, on the display screen, there is displayed a calendar column 220` a reservation status display column 221 that displays the reservation status of the date displayed in reverse in the monthly calendar, and displays the input items and input fields for the user to make a reservation. The reservation input field 222, a reservation key 223' for instructing an application for reservation, and a cancel key 224 for invalidating the input content of the reservation input field 222.

In this display screen, the user clicks on the desired appointment date in the monthly calendar column 220. In this way, the CPU 120 of the user's PC 106 highlights the selected date, and at the same time sends the data showing the reservation status of that date to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 via the Internet 103. The field type conversion server 150 that accepts the request creates data to display the reservation status of the date at the current point by referring to the registered content of the reservation database 151, and will use it to display the requested date of the reservation The status information is sent to the user's PC 106 via the Internet 103. The CPU 120 of the user PC 106 displays the reservation status display column 221 based on the data.

As shown in the figure, the reservation status display column 221 displays the fixed number of signal delivery per channel, the transmission frequency band used, the usage fee, and the reservation status ("empty" or "completed") at each time. , The user refers to the reservation status display field 221, and determines the channel or time zone to input each item in the reservation input field 222. Here, the above-mentioned fixed number, transmission frequency band, and usage fee for signal delivery are set in advance for each frequency band, and the user of PC106 who is the content signal distributor is displayed in the reservation status display by referring to it. With the information set in advance for each channel in the column 221, it is possible to select a channel that matches the desired usage fee or fixed number, etc.

Here, the items to be entered in the reservation input field 222 are used to select the "channel" of the channel used, "reservation date and time" to specify the date and time of the reservation, and to enter the content. "Subject" of the subject name, "Category" of the category to which the content belongs, "Email Disclosure" for selecting whether the email address of the content provider is public, and "Email Disclosure" for selecting whether the URL of the content provider's webpage is public or not WEB disclosure", "password" for entering the password, "friend list", "summary" that writes a summary of the content within a predetermined number of words (for example, 20 words), and within a predetermined number of words (for example, 200 words) The detailed "detailed" item of the written content.

The input item "disclosure level" in the reservation input field 222 is the disclosure level of the content supply for signal distribution according to the reservation, that is, the content provider's user specifies the content's signal distribution destination restriction item, here Three levels of "Public", "Password", and "Secret" can be specified.

"Public" refers to the designation of full disclosure. If "Public" is designated, if you are the above-mentioned general member registration, you can receive the provision of content according to the content signal distribution of the reservation (but, in Within the fixed number).

"Password" is used to restrict the content providers who can accept the reservation according to the reservation, and only those who enter the proper password can accept the disclosure level of the content signal distribution. When the user selects "Password", it is necessary to enter the password used at the time in advance.

Secondly, "Secret" is also the same as the aforementioned "Password". Only the person who enters the proper password can allow the content signal to be distributed. When the user selects "Secret", it is also necessary to enter the password used at the time in advance. Here, in the case of selecting "Password" or "Secret", the recipient of the email address specified in the "Friend List" described later can be notified of the signal delivery time of the program or the above-mentioned password and other information.

In addition, although "Password" and "Secret" are the same in terms of allowing content to be provided only by a specific person, the difference between the two is that when "Password" is selected, they will be broadcast on the above-mentioned "Today's Live Broadcast". On the webpage of "Program Guide", the program based on the reservation is disclosed. In contrast, "Secret" is not disclosed on the above webpage, and the content supply itself is not disclosed. When "Secret" is selected, only those who have the email address disclosed on the "Friend List" described later will be notified of the distribution of the content signal.

The user may consider the content to be delivered, etc., and choose any of the above-mentioned three levels of "Public", "Password", and "Secret". For example, in the case of content signal distribution to a specific minority, it is better to choose a channel with a small number of quotas (low cost), but when it is fully disclosed, it will receive signals other than those specified above. In the case of a delivery request, the above-mentioned specific person will not be able to accept the signal delivery of the content due to the quota restriction. Therefore, in this case, by selecting "Password" or "Secret", the content signal can be delivered to a specific person reliably and economically.

The input item "friend list" in the reservation input field 222 is a field in which the user of the user PC 106 enters the email address of the person who wishes to notify the person who is used to deliver the content signal according to the time zone or channel of the reservation. Here, the live broadcast format conversion server 150 sends to the recipient of the entered email address, an email containing various information provided for receiving the content signal delivered according to the reservation. The content will be described later. .

When the input of each item in the above reservation input field 222 is completed and the reservation button 223 is clicked, the CPU 120 of the user PC106 will create a reservation hope information file with the same content as the input in the reservation input field 222 , And send the reservation hope information file to the live broadcast format conversion server 150 via the Internet 103 (step Sb4). In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 22, although the user can operate the keyboard or the like to input characters in each field of the reservation input field 222, the input operation can be performed, but the "channel" can be input in advance. , "Reservation date and time", "Category" and other items are determined, you can also drop-down menu to display the selection candidates, and the user can select and specify from the displayed candidates for input operation.

The live broadcast format conversion server 150 receives the reservation hope information file made according to the users input of the users PC 106 via the Internet 103 as described above, and sends it to the server for reconfirming whether it can be received Reserve the web page of the content of the desired information file (step Sb5). Thereby, on the display screen of the user's PC 106, it is possible to display the information that prompts the user to confirm the reservation desired information shown in FIG. 23. At this time, it is also possible to use the service fee based on the reservation, or the e-mail address of the destination of the reservation setting information sent from the live broadcast type conversion server 150 to the user PC 106 (the e-mail address is input by the user when logging lose members during the show's e-mail address into) the confirmation of. Also, as mentioned above, in the personal profile conversion service, the user who made a reservation for live broadcast signal delivery has to reconfirm before the scheduled time (for example, 6 hours before) according to the scheduled signal delivery time of the reservation The obligation of, can also display a message package that informs the user of the intention and the execution order of reconfirmation.

Here, the user, if the content displayed on the confirmation screen is good, clicks the understanding button 240, and if the content displayed on the confirmation screen is not good, clicks the cancel button 241. When the cancel button 241 is clicked, the message will be sent to the live broadcast type conversion server 150, and the live broadcast type conversion server 150 will discard the reservation hope information file and display it on the display screen of the user's PC 106. , The screen for appointment input shown in Fig. 22 is displayed, and re-entry is prompted. On the other hand, when the know button 240 is clicked, the meaning is sent to the live broadcast format conversion server 150 via the Internet 103 using the CPU 120 (step Sb6).

In the case that the know button 240 is clicked, the live broadcast format conversion server 150 confirms the content of the information file desired for the reservation to determine whether the reservation is allowed (step Sb7). Here, it is possible to check whether the input content is insufficient, whether the desired reservation time zone of the desired channel is empty, etc., and the user who requests the reservation will also confirm whether to make a reservation with more than the set number of aberrations. Specifically, in the live broadcast type conversion service, the registered user has the maximum number of aberrations that can be reserved within 1 month (for example, 1 aberration is set to 10 points) as shown above Narrated. Therefore, the confirmation of whether the reservation is allowed here is to determine whether the user has made a reservation during one month. The number of aberrations is more than the set aberration number. If it is more than the set aberration number, it is not. Allow appointments. On the other hand, if the number of aberrations is less than the set number of aberrations, it is judged that there is no problem with the confirmation result, and if there is no problem with the other confirmation results, the reservation is allowed. In this way, in order to confirm the number of reservation aberrations of the user in one month, every user registered in the excellent member in the user database 152 will go back at least one month and memorize the current reservation status.

If reservations are allowed, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 will create a reservation ID that is only used for authentication when the reservation is fulfilled. At the same time, based on the contents of the above reservation hope information file, it will include the reservation time zone, the channel used, and Use frequency band (bps (bits per second)), reservation content information such as the email address of the friend list, the user ID used to identify the user who made the reservation, and the prepared reservation ID are written and registered in the reservation database 151 (refer to FIG. 18) (step Sb8). In addition, at the time of the reservation registration, the collection flag information showing whether the collection can be collected will be changed to "Not available". If the collection flag is reconfirmed later and an appointment is established, it will be rewritten as "Yes." In addition, the live broadcast format conversion server 150 may additionally write information related to the reservation in the webpage of the "My Channel" corresponding to the user who made the reservation in advance. In addition, if the above-mentioned disclosure level in the reservation is "Public" or "Password", the live broadcast format conversion server 150 will be on the above-mentioned "Today's live broadcast rebroadcast" or "Program guide" webpage , In order to reveal the update process of the webpage according to the reservation program. In other words, it can be read in advance to memorize the situation of the content signal distribution based on the above reservation. In this case, the web page can be viewed from the client terminal device 107 or the like via the Internet 103, and the intention to perform live broadcast signal distribution based on the reservation can be notified. In other words, the setting of "Public" is a matter of course, and when the setting of "PasSword" is set, you can also browse the web page that contains the live broadcast signal delivery according to the reservation, and any third party can notify you The purpose of this live broadcast signal distribution. On the other hand, in the case of setting "Secret", the live broadcast type conversion server 150 has not disclosed the information about the distribution of the live broadcast signal based on the reservation in the above-mentioned "Live broadcast of the day". Or on the webpage of "Program Guide". Therefore, regarding the distribution of the live broadcast signal with the setting of "Secret", it is possible to receive the e-mail transmission described later and notify that only designated persons such as those who have already viewed it can perform the live broadcast signal distribution.

When this kind of reservation registration process ends, the copyright management or prohibition items when using the service are displayed, and the web page that prompts the user's consent is sent to the user PC106 so that it will be displayed on the display screen of the user PC106 superior. Then, in the case of sending an instruction of the intention approved by the user's PC 106, the live broadcast format conversion server 150 sends a web page notifying the completion of the reservation procedure except for reconfirmation to the user's PC 106. Here, FIG. 24 shows the reservation program completion screen displayed on the display screen of the user PC106. As shown in the figure, on the completion screen of the reservation procedure, a message useful to prompt the user to reconfirm is displayed. Here, when the "OK" button 245 is clicked, the reservation procedure except for reconfirmation is completed. After that, the server 150 will convert the e-mail to include the reservation ID made about the reservation. It is sent to the user PC106 (step Sb9).

B-2-2. Reconfirmation As mentioned above, in this personal type conversion service, the user needs to reconfirm 6 hours before the appointment execution time. If the reconfirmation is not performed, the appointment will be mandatory got canceled. Therefore, in order to establish the reservation, the user who obtains the reservation ID according to the e-mail from the live broadcast format conversion server 150 will use the user PC 106 to reconfirm. In addition, the reservation program until the above-mentioned reservation ID is accepted, although a PC different from the PC used for the live broadcast signal distribution can be used, but as the PC for reconfirmation, it is used when the live broadcast signal distribution is performed. The obligation of the PC used in the following description is to use the user PC106 for reconfirmation. The processing actions of the user PC106 and the live broadcast format conversion server 150 when reconfirming are added with reference to Fig. 25 instruction.

In the case of reconfirmation, the user starts the above-mentioned application after powering on the user's PC 106 (when the power is cut off). Then, by the user selecting the live broadcast reservation mode, the screen shown in FIG. 8(a) is displayed on the display unit 124. In this live broadcast reservation mode, the user operates the operation dial 126b and the like and selects and determines the reservation for reconfirmation in the reservation list displayed on the reservation list display area 46 (there may be one). With this, the CPU 120 of the user's PC 106 performs connection processing to the Internet 103, and makes a request for viewing the web page of the user's "My Channel" to the live broadcast format conversion server 150 (step Sb10). In this way, the user 106 can use the functions implemented by the above-mentioned application program to make a request for viewing a webpage for making a signal delivery reservation, but it can also make a request for viewing the webpage by appropriately inputting a URL. Specifically, enter the URL and make the request to view the homepage shown in Figure 13, enter the user ID and password and log in, that is, click the link button of "My Channel" to make the request to view the web page.

In this way, when the user PC106 requests the webpage of "My Channel" to the live broadcast type conversion server 150, the webpage can be sent from the live broadcast type conversion server 150 to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103. (Step Sb11). The user PC 106 receiving the transmitted web page displays the web page on the browser display screen 44 (step Sb12).

Here, FIG. 26 shows a web page of "My Channel" displayed on the display screen 44 of the browser. As shown in the figure, the display screen displays a reservation list 250 of a list of reservations currently made by the user to the live broadcast format conversion server 150, and a viewer who is used to jump to the program that confirms the users past signal delivery. The link key 251 on the web page used for counting, and the link key 252 on the web page used to change the login information file of the user registered in the user database 152 (refer to FIG. 25). In addition, a description is displayed to explain how to cancel or change the reservation. In this personal profile conversion service, if the content of the channel or the date and time of the reservation is changed, once the reservation is cancelled, it is necessary to make a signal delivery reservation again The processing procedures and describe the intention. On the other hand, information other than the channel, date and time, such as the topic name, summary, etc., can be changed without canceling the reservation.

In the appointment list 250, each appointment is displayed (in the case of the icon, there is only one appointment), it displays "appointment date and time", "channel", "topic", and the appointment is in the status of "waiting for reconfirmation" Or click the "Cancel" button to indicate the status of the status item of the status of "Completed Reconfirmation", and to indicate the cancellation of the appointment.

Here, in the status item, Although the reservation has not been reconfirmed, "Waiting for reconfirmation" is displayed as shown in the figure, and after the confirmation, the page will be displayed. "Complete reconfirmation" is displayed, but in the case of "Waiting for reconfirmation", when this is clicked, the reconfirmation screen reading request can be sent to the live broadcast type conversion server through the Internet 103 by the CPU 120Device150. The live broadcast type conversion server 150 sends the web page for reconfirmation to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103 according to the request, and displays the screen shown in FIG. 27 on the user PC 106.

As shown in the figure, on the reconfirmation screen, the "User ID", "Channel", "Reservation Date and Time", "Disclosure Level", "Subject", and "Category", which are set for the reservation are displayed. The contents of the items of "Email Disclosure", "Web Disclosure", "Password", "Friend List", "Summary", and "Details". In addition, on the display screen, a field for inputting the reservation ID and a message for prompting the user to input the reservation ID for reconfirmation are displayed.

When the user reconfirms, he enters the reservation ID contained in the email sent by the live broadcast format conversion server 150 in the above reservation procedure, and clicks the reconfirmation button 261. On the other hand, to return to the case where the My Channel screen of the reservation list 250 etc. (refer to FIG. 26) is displayed, the button 262 to be returned is clicked.

Here, on the display screen for reconfirmation shown in FIG. 27, when the reconfirmation key 261 is clicked, the setting for establishing the communication connection with the streaming server 102 will be performed when the live broadcast signal is distributed. The information is automatically set on the PC, and a message is displayed to prompt the corresponding PC, that is, the PC that performs the live broadcast signal distribution to perform reconfirmation.

When the above-mentioned re-confirmation key 261 is clicked, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 sends the user's reconfirmation execution instruction via the Internet 103 to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 (step Sb13).

As described above, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 that receives the reconfirmation execution instruction sent by the user PC 106 refers to the reservation database 151 or the user database 152 to create a table in Fig. 28 related to the reservation. The appointment setting information file shown (step Sb14). Here, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 is to combine the information related to each reservation registered in the reservation database 151 with the time point 6 hours before the start time of the signal distribution according to the reservation. The information related to the reservation is erased from the reservation database 151, and the reservation is cancelled. That is, after a time point 6 hours before the start time of the signal delivery according to a certain reservation, the data related to the reservation in the reservation database 151 can be erased. Therefore, when the live broadcast type conversion server 150 receives the execution instruction of the reconfirmation 6 hours before the start time of the signal distribution, even if it refers to the reservation database 151, no data related to the reservation is registered. In this case, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 will be used to display the message "Because the reconfirmation is not performed, the reservation will be cancelled. If you want to make a reservation, please perform the signal delivery reservation procedure again." and other messages are sent to the web page. To the user PC106.

On the other hand, if the live broadcast type conversion server 150 receives the reconfirmation execution instruction 6 hours before the signal delivery start time, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 can create reservation setting information according to the live broadcast type conversion server 150. As shown in Figure 28, the reservation setting information file created by the live broadcast type conversion server 150 contains "reservation ID", "live broadcast signal delivery reservation date and time", "server connection time", "Connected phone number", "Connection destination server information", "Signal delivery request destination address information", "Send channel", "Subject", "Summary", "Disclosure level", "Friend list address information" , "Signal delivery request password" information.

The so-called "reservation ID" describes the reservation ID made for the reservation mentioned above. In the "live broadcast signal delivery reservation date and time", the start time and end time of the scheduled signal delivery are described. "Server connection time" describes the time zone allowed to connect to the data stream server 102 for live broadcast signal distribution. In this example, it describes the data stream allowed to start 3 minutes before the start of signal distribution. The server 102 is connected, and the connection information is allowed until 3 minutes after the end of the signal distribution.

In the "connection number", describe the telephone number that is used to connect the server of the data stream server 102 to the access port of the private network 108. In this example, it is described as plural (the figure is 4 A) The telephone number of any access port of the telecommunications company. In the process of actually connecting to the data stream server 102 described later, the user can select one of the telecommunication companies to perform the process of calling the telephone number of the access port used by the selected telecommunication company.

In the "Connection Destination Server Information", the item is determined according to the channel selected by the reservation, which describes the "server type", "server name", and "connection" to which the channel is used. Port", "data flow bus to server", etc. When the communication connection between the user's PC 106 and the access port of the server connected to the private network 108 is established, the channel reserved by the stream server 102 is used according to the description of the "connection destination server information" Used connection processing.

"Signal delivery request destination address information" describes the situation where the client PC107 requests the user PC106 to send the data stream signal to the data stream server 102, and is used to connect to the data stream server 102's URL information . When the client PC 107 makes a content signal distribution request, it only needs to use the URL to connect to the data stream server 102 via the Internet 103.

In the "transmission channel", information determined according to the reserved channel is described, and information about the transmission frequency band of the reserved channel preset to 64kbps or 28.8kbps is described. In "Subject", "Summary", and "Disclosure Level", the contents registered at the time of reservation are described respectively (refer to Figure 22 and Figure 23). In the "Friend List Address Information", describe the e-mail address registered when making a reservation.

In the "Signal Delivery Request Password", although the password information registered at the time of booking is also described, when the "Publicity Level" is "Public", the signal delivery request will not be entered because the signal delivery request side will not enter the password. Therefore, in this case, the information of "signal delivery request password" is not included in the appointment setting information file.

In this way, the reservation configuration information file created by the live broadcast type conversion server 150 includes the reservation ID used for authentication when connecting to the streaming server 102 described later or used to establish a connection with the streaming server 102. Information such as the telephone number of the communication connection or the connection part of the server. The reservation setting information file is sent from the live broadcast type conversion server 150 to the user's PC 106 via the Internet 103, but at this time, the reservation setting information file is automatically written and taken in by the user. Command information in a predetermined area made on the hard disk 123 of the PC 106, or command information used to indicate a message that the automatic fetching is normally completed or failed. In this way, the technology of automatically fetching the files sent by the live broadcast type conversion server 150 on the signal distribution side into the user's PC 106 on the receiving side only needs to use the "Activex" (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) technology. In the case of using this technology, it is necessary for the user's PC 106 to use the "Internet Explorer" (Microsoft Corporation) that can use the aforementioned "Activex" as the browser software.

The live broadcast type conversion server 150, which produces the reservation setting information file containing the above various data or commands with text data, etc., uses encryption methods such as the data encryption standard DES (Data Encryption Standard) to encrypt it, and then The password file is sent to the web page for displaying the reconfirmation end screen, and at the same time is sent to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103 (step Sb15).

As mentioned above, when the reservation setting information file and web page encrypted by the live broadcast type conversion server 150 are sent, the CPU120 of the user PC106 will receive it and use the above-mentioned "Activex" technology to interpret the reservation setting The information file is automatically taken into the predetermined area of the hard disk 123 according to the commands contained in the file (step Sb16), and the reconfirmation completion screen is displayed on the browser display screen 44 (step Sb17). Therefore, the user's PC 106 stores a program for interpreting the above-mentioned password, and the program is executed when the above-mentioned reservation setting information file is interpreted. In addition, when the CPU 120 writes the reservation setting information file into the predetermined area, the program that is encrypted with a predetermined password (DES, etc.) and written is stored in the user's PC 106, and the reservation setting information can be executed according to the program. Encryption and preservation. Therefore, generally, the user cannot display the content of the appointment setting information file that is automatically taken in and cannot refer to it. In this way, the access port number of the server connected to the private network 108 can be prevented from being deliberately known by most people, and it can be reduced to improperly improperly perform the access port number of the server connected to the private network 108 in order to interfere with the service. access.

Here, FIG. 29 shows the reconfirmation end screen displayed on the browser display screen 44 as described above. As shown in the figure, on this screen, the current time on the service provider side and the time on the user's PC 106 are displayed. Here, the time on the service provider's side is the time information obtained from the NTP server 153 when the live broadcast format conversion server 150 sends the web page. On the other hand, on the time of the user PC 106, the current time according to the clock of the user PC 106 is displayed. Then, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 calculates the difference between these times (in units of minutes), and when there is a time shift, it displays a message indicating the shift as shown in the figure. In addition, although this can also shift the time between the CPU 120 of the user's PC 106 and the service provider side and prompt attention, the time information on the side of the service provider based on the time information sent at the same time as the web page as described above is stored in advance on the user PC 106 The time adjustment program that automatically adjusts the time of the user's PC106 and allows the user's PC106 to receive the web page of the reconfirmation completion screen as described above, the time adjustment program is performed by the CPU120, and it can also be used with the service provider's side The time of the user PC106 is corrected by the time. Thereby, the time on the side of the service provider and the time on the side of the user's PC 106 can be the same, and the service requiring the accuracy of the delivery time of the live broadcast signal can be smoothly performed.

In addition, on the reconfirmation completion screen, there are described special cases in the case where a dial-up router is used to connect to the server to connect to the private network 108. As for the user PC106, in the case of performing communication connection processing with the data stream server 102 in order to perform live broadcast signal distribution, it can be set to automatically call the server connection dedicated for the server described in the reservation configuration information file. The access telephone number from the network 108 to the access port (details will be described later). In this way, by the CPU 120 executing the automatic calling program in advance, the user does not need to perform the troublesome input operation of inputting the telephone number, and can automatically perform the communication connection processing. However, when the user's PC 106 connects to the network via a dial-up router, it is necessary to set information for connecting to the private network 108 via a dial-up router connection server in advance. Therefore, since it is impossible to perform automatic processing based on the phone number described in the appointment setting information file, it is necessary for the user to manually set the phone number of the access port, etc. The above special case is a description that considers that manual settings are necessary when using this dial-up router. In this case, the access port number and login ID manually set by the user are displayed (in this case, the reservation ID) ,password. In addition, in the example shown in the figure, the connection using the dial-up router is only allowed to pass through the integrated services digital network ISD N (Integrated Services Digital Network), but it is not limited to this.

When the user confirms the display of the above reconfirmation screen and clicks the "OK" button 291, the information indicating that the "OK" button 291 was clicked can be sent to the live broadcast mode conversion via the Internet 103 via the CPU 120 The server 150 (step Sb18) ends the process related to the reconfirmation on the user side. On the other hand, it is displayed that the "OK" button 291 is clicked, and the live broadcast format conversion server 150 that receives the message refers to the reservation database 151 to receive the e-mail address registered in the "friend list" for the reservation. The sender sends an e-mail informing that there is a live broadcast signal delivery (step Sb19). Here, FIG. 30 shows the content displayed on the display screen of the PC when the e-mail is opened. As shown in the figure, the e-mail displays "live broadcast signal delivery date and time", "subject", "summary", "signal delivery request destination URL" (refer to "Signal delivery request destination" in Figure 28 Address information"), information such as "password" for signal delivery request (refer to "Signal delivery request password" in Figure 28) when the disclosure level is "Password" or "Secret". Accordingly, if the user of the user PC 106 registers in advance the email address of a friend who wants to see the delivery of the live broadcast signal when making a reservation, he can notify the friend of information for automatically receiving the delivery of the live broadcast signal. Therefore, users who carry out live broadcast signal distribution do not need to use the telephone to transmit information for receiving live broadcast signal distribution, or create an e-mail containing the information, and other complicated operations.

In addition, in the above description, although the email address registered in the "friend list" is sent to the email address (refer to Figure 30) after the reconfirmation is completed, the server 150 is converted according to the live broadcast format. The timing of the above-mentioned e-mail transmission may also be performed at the time when the reservation registration process (step Sb8 of FIG. 21) to the reservation database 151 based on the reservation request file from the user ends. If the e-mail is sent at the end of the reservation registration process in this way, the person with the e-mail address can be notified of the delivery of the live broadcast signal at an earlier time. Also, in this case, the same email transmission process may be performed again at the time when the reconfirmation is completed.

In addition, as described above, while sending e-mails, the live broadcast format conversion server 150, when the reconfirmation process is completed, will treat the reservation as the person who established the reservation, and record the reservation database 151 of the reservation. Rewrite the billing flag information as "Yes" to process the billing for the appointment. Here, the chargeable amount can be calculated based on the usage fee set in advance on each channel as described above. For example, in the case that a reservation for a channel with a usage fee of 100 yuan set with 1 aberration (10 points) of 6 aberrations can be established, a 600 yuan billing is made for the reservation. However, the actual collection processing is performed after the normal operation of the data stream server 102 is confirmed on the day when the live broadcast signal is delivered.

In addition, in the above description, although the user PC106 is used to store the program that encrypts the reservation setting information file sent by the live broadcast type conversion server 150 and automatically saves it, it is explained that it is not stored. In the PC of this kind of program, the automatic fetching as mentioned above cannot be carried out. In this case, the appointment setting information file is taken into the PC side by the following method. First of all, in the case of a PC that does not store the above-mentioned program, automatic access cannot be performed, and the failure of automatic access will be displayed on the display screen of the PC. On the display screen of the failure situation, in addition to the message informing the failure situation, there is also a display to instruct to return to my channel again (refer to Figure 26) and click Wait for reconfirmation to reconfirm the viewing request on the screen again. message. On the other hand, after sending the web page of the above reconfirmation completion screen to the user PC106, the confirmation "OK" of the reconfirmation from the user PC106 is not sent, and the request for the reconfirmation screen from the user PC106 is accepted. The live broadcast type conversion server 150 determines that the user's PC 106 fails to automatically fetch the reservation setting information file, and sends a web page for downloading the reservation setting information file to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103. As a result, on the display screen of the PC side, the download button of the reservation setting information file is displayed, and by clicking this button, the reservation setting information file is downloaded.

The above description is the flow of the signal delivery reservation processing operation from the request of the reservation to the completion of the reconfirmed reservation. However, after the reconfirmation is completed, the information such as the category or summary can also be changed, and the information can also be changed in After the reconfirmation is completed, cancel the appointment (in this case, because the above-mentioned billing flag information is "Yes", the billing process can be processed.). Hereinafter, the processing operations in the case of performing such changes and cancellations will be described with reference to the display content of the browser display screen 44 displayed on the display unit 124 of the user PC 106.

First, in the case of changing or canceling the reservation that has been reconfirmed, the operation corresponding to the viewing request of the webpage of "My Channel" is performed in the same way as when reconfirming the above-mentioned reconfirmation. In this way, the CPU 120 of the user's PC 106 will perform connection processing to the Internet 103, and will make a request for viewing the webpage of the user's "My Channel" to the live broadcast format conversion server 150.

In this way, when the user PC106 requests the webpage of "My Channel" to the live broadcast type conversion server 150, the webpage can be sent from the live broadcast type conversion server 150 to the user PC106 via the Internet 103. . The user PC 106 receiving the transmitted web page displays the web page on the browser display screen 44.

Here, FIG. 31 is a web page showing the "My Channel" after reconfirmation displayed on the browser display screen 44. When comparing the display screen of "My Channel" after reconfirmation as shown in the same figure and the display screen of "My Channel" waiting for reconfirmation (refer to Figure 26), the screen after reconfirmation is different The point is that the status item of the reservation list 250 displays "reconfirmation complete" and the link key 310 of "change" is displayed.

In the case of making changes, click the link button 310 of the "change". When the link key 310 of "change" is clicked, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 sends the condition that the link key of "change" is clicked to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 via the Internet 103. In this way, the live broadcast format conversion server 150 sends the changed web page to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103. As a result, the browser display screen 44 of the user PC 106 can be displayed as shown in FIG. 32 Picture.

As shown in the figure, the currently set reservation content is displayed on the change screen. Among the displayed content, "category", "email publication", "web publication", "password", "summary", and "details" are displayed. The item of "can be changed, and make it different from the item (reservation date and time, etc.) that cannot be changed when the display color of the changeable item is displayed.

The user, for the item that he wants to change, writes the changed content on the currently displayed setting content, and clicks the update button 321. In addition, if there is no change, click the return key 322.

Then, when the update button 321 is clicked according to the user's operation, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 will create an information file of the changed content and send it to the live broadcast type conversion server via the Internet 103Device150. Thereby, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 will update the registration content of the reservation database 151 according to the information file of the changed content, and at the same time send the web page of the changed completion screen to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103. As a result, the screen shown in FIG. 33 can be displayed on the browser display screen 44 of the user's PC 106.

As shown in the figure, on the change completion screen, in addition to displaying the message of the acceptance of the change, similar to the above reconfirmation completion screen (refer to Figure 30), the time on the service provider side and the time on the user PC106 side are also displayed. Time, and mutual time offset, etc., also show special items when using dial-up routers. Here, when the "OK" button 331 is clicked and selected, the change will end, and the screen of "My Channel" set in FIG. 31 will be returned.

When the reservation is changed in this way, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 will send an e-mail containing the information of the reservation change or the content of the change to the e-mail address recipient registered in the above-mentioned friend list . In this way, the user of the user PC106 does not use the telephone to transmit the live broadcast signal distribution reservation content change, or the operation of creating an email containing the message of the intention, and the email address with the friend list , Automatically notify the change content of the reservation for the live broadcast signal delivery.

Next, explain the cancellation of the appointment. In this case, it is the same as the above-mentioned reconfirmation or change, and the operation corresponding to the viewing request of the webpage of "My Channel" is performed. As a result, as described above, the "My Channel" screen shown in FIG. 31 after the reconfirmation is completed can be displayed on the browser display screen 44.

In the case of canceling an appointment, the user clicks the link button 311 of "Cancel". When the "cancel" link key 311 is clicked, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 sends the situation that the "cancel" link key 311 is clicked to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 via the Internet 103. In this way, the live broadcast format conversion server 150 sends the canceled web page to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103. As a result, the browser display screen 44 of the user PC 106 can be displayed as shown in FIG. 34 The screen used to cancel it.

As shown in the figure, on the cancel screen, the currently set reservation content is displayed, and the "reservation cancel" key 341 and the "return" key 342 are displayed at the same time. Here, the user clicks the "reservation cancel" button 341 when canceling the reservation, and clicks the "return" button 342 when the reservation is not cancelled.

Then, when the "reservation cancel" button 341 is clicked by the user's operation, the CPU 120 of the user's PC 106 sends the request to cancel the reservation to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 via the Internet 103. In this way, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 erases the registration content of the reservation database 151 related to the reservation, and at the same time sends the web page of the cancellation completion screen to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103. As a result, as shown in FIG. 35, on the browser display screen 44 of the user's PC 106, a message notifying that it has been cancelled is displayed. Here, when the "OK" key 343 is clicked, the cancellation ends, and the screen returns to the "My Channel" screen shown in FIG. 31.

When canceling the reservation in this way, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 will send an email containing a message indicating that the reservation is cancelled and the live broadcast signal delivery is suspended to the email address registered in the above friend list. People. In this way, even if the user of the user PC106 does not use the telephone to transmit the suspension of the live broadcast signal distribution, or the operation of creating an e-mail containing the message of the intention, it can also automatically deal with the person with the e-mail address of the friend list. Notify the suspension of live broadcast signal delivery.

Also, as described above, after reconfirming, if the user wants to confirm the contents of the reservation, he clicks the "Complete Reconfirmation" button on the screen shown in FIG. 31. When the "Complete Reconfirmation" button is clicked, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 can be used to send the message to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 via the Internet 103. In this way, the live broadcast format conversion server 150 will send the reconfirmed reservation confirmation web page to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103. As a result, as shown in Fig. 36, on the browser display screen 44 of the user's PC 106, the currently set reservation content, special items for the use of the dial-up router, "re-login to PC connection settings" button 361, and instructions are displayed Return to the "Back" button 362 on the "My Channel" screen.

Here, when the "re-register PC connection settings" button 361 is clicked, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 is used to send the message to the live broadcast type conversion server 150 via the Internet 103. In this way, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 will send the reservation setting information file (refer to FIG. 29) to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103 again. As a result, in the user's PC 106, it is possible to perform automatic fetching processing of the reservation setting information file. The re-sending processing of this kind of reservation setting information file, for example, only needs to be performed when the PC that performs the live broadcast signal distribution is changed from the PC that performs the reconfirmation.

B-3. Live broadcast signal distribution When the signal distribution reservation including the reconfirmation mentioned above is over, and the scheduled live broadcast signal distribution start time comes, the user of the user PC106 will connect to the private network through the server The road 108 is connected to the data stream server 102 for the live broadcast signal distribution of the content. Then, the client PC 107 will request the distribution of the data stream signal of the content and accept the content provision.

B-3-1. The following is the content transmission from the user PC to the data stream server. The user PC 106 and the server are connected to the private network when the user PC 106 in the live broadcast signal distribution sends the content to the data stream server 102. The processing operations of the path 108, the database server 155 (refer to FIG. 12), and the data stream server 102 will be described with reference to FIG. 37 which shows a sequence flow chart of the processing operations.

In the case of live broadcast signal distribution, it is allowed to start the connection to the data stream server 102 5 minutes before the scheduled live broadcast signal distribution start time, so after this time, it will start to establish the user PC 106 The communication connection processing with the data stream server 102. The user prepares the content signal distribution in advance before the start time of the live broadcast signal distribution. Here, the preparation of the content signal distribution includes the determination of the shooting position of the digital video camera 129 (refer to FIG. 3) and the setting process of the effect of the live broadcast signal mode according to the content conception of the signal distribution (refer to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) Wait.

In this embodiment, the user PC106 displays the message "Soon to be the start time of the live broadcast signal distribution" before the scheduled time (for example, 10 minutes before) before the scheduled start time of the scheduled live broadcast signal distribution, and stores it to notify the use As shown in Fig. 37, when the program is executed by the CPU 120 of the user's PC 106 before the predetermined time is reached, the message "Soon to be the start time of live broadcast signal distribution" can be displayed on the display unit 124 ( Step Sc1). In this way, it is possible to reduce the situation where the user forgets the start time of the live broadcast signal distribution. Here, if the user's PC106 has not changed to the live broadcast signal distribution mode in the above application, the CPU 120 will automatically execute the application, and automatically select the live broadcast signal distribution mode in the application, and display it on the display unit. The screen of "display signal distribution mode" is displayed on 124 (refer to Figure 9(a)).

After that, in the user PC 106, when the time (5 minutes before the start time) is allowed to start the connection to the data stream server 102, the connection processing program is executed by the CPU 120, and the data stream server will be automatically started. The communication connection processing between the devices 102. The communication connection processing started here can also be a fully automated one, or a user only inputs a final connection start instruction and uses the input as a trigger to proceed automatically.

Here, in the processing performed by the CPU 120 in accordance with the above-mentioned communication connection processing program, the reservation setting information file (refer to Fig. 29) that is encrypted and memorized in the reservation record can be interpreted, and the "reservation ID" in the file can be read "", "Server connection time", "Connection phone number", and "Connection server information" are used for the following communication connection processing.

First, start the communication connection process at the time that becomes the start time of the connection indicated by the "server connection time", and by referring to the "connection phone number" in the reservation configuration information file, you can obtain the user The phone number of the access port of the set telecommunications company is used to call the phone number. Then, the server is connected to the access server of the private network 108, the reservation ID is sent and the communication connection request is made (step Sc2). In this way, since the automatic call processing can be performed, the user does not need to perform operations such as inputting a telephone number. In particular, in the case of the above-mentioned live broadcast signal distribution, the situation where the user PC 106 is used in the form shown in FIG. 3(b) or FIG. It is cumbersome, so by performing the automatic call processing as described above, the user can provide a comfortable content creation environment.

The server is connected to the access server of the private network 108, and in order to verify whether the user PC 106 connected to the access port as described above is a user with a legitimate reservation, the sent reservation ID is sent to the server Use the database server 155 of the reservation management center 101 (step Sc3). In this way, the database server 155 that receives the reservation ID sent by the access server of the server connected to the private network 108 will confirm whether the reservation is registered in the reservation database 151 in the time zone of the reservation from now. To perform confirmation processing (step Sc4). Here, in the case that the transmitted reservation ID is registered in the reservation database 151, it is determined that the user PC106 who transmitted the reservation ID is a user with a legitimate reservation, and the transmitted reservation ID is in the time zone If it is not registered in the reservation database 151, it is determined that it is not a user with a legitimate reservation.

In this authentication process, although only the reservation ID is used as described above, the following effects can be obtained by this. For example, in the case of using the user ID and password of a member with the service to authenticate the reservation, the user ID and password are legitimate, and even if the visitor can be confirmed as a member, the member cannot be identified Whether there is an appointment in this time zone. Therefore, in the authentication process, after the user is authenticated as a member, it is necessary to further confirm the registered content of the reservation, and it is necessary to check whether the member specified by the user ID has a reservation at that time, and the authentication process is very complicated . In contrast, if the reservation ID used in the authentication is used for only one reservation as described above, the reservation ID is information that only the user can know, so there is no need to authenticate the user ID, and the reservation can be confirmed. Whether the ID is recorded as a reservation in the time zone corresponding to the time when the access comes, that is, a simple authentication process is used to determine whether it is a legitimate reservation.

The database server 155 that uses the reservation ID to perform authentication processing as described above sends the authentication result to the access server of the server connected to the private network 108 (step Sc5).

The server is connected to the access server of the private network 108. When the authentication result from the database server 155 is a valid reservation, the connection between the user's PC 106 and the data stream server 102 is allowed, thereby both The PPP connection can be made, and the communication connection between the two can be established (step Sc6). On the other hand, if the above authentication result is not a legitimate reservation, the server is connected to the access server of the private network 108, and the connection with the data stream server 102 is not allowed, and the user will be cut off immediately. If the call from the PC 106 is judged to be from an improper call, the call is immediately cut off to secure the line of the legitimate reservation.

As described above, when the dedicated network 108 is connected to the data stream server 102 via the server connection, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 sends a reservation ID to the data stream server 102 and performs a live broadcast signal distribution request (step Sc7) .

The data stream server 102, which accepts the live broadcast signal distribution request from the user PC106, is to authenticate whether the user PC106 from the live broadcast signal distribution request is a user who has a legitimate reservation, and sends the reservation ID Send to the server to use the database server 155 of the reservation management center 101 (step Sc8). In this way, the database server 155 that receives the reservation ID sent by the data stream server 102 will perform authentication processing by confirming whether the reservation ID has been registered in the reservation database 151 in the time zone from now on. (Step Sc9). The authentication process here is the same as the case where the reservation ID is sent from the access unit of the above-mentioned server connected to the private network 108.

As described above, the database server 155 that uses the reservation ID to perform the authentication process sends the authentication process to the data stream server 102 (step Sc10).

The data stream server 102, when the authentication result from the aforementioned database server 155 is a reservation, allows the user's PC 106 to deliver the live broadcast signal, and sends the permission to the user's PC 106 (step Sc11) , And at the same time obtain information related to the reservation (reservation time zone, channel, etc.) from the reservation database 151, and control the distribution of the live broadcast signal based on the information. Thereby, the CPU 120 of the user's PC 106 displays a message that informs the user that the distribution of the live broadcast signal is allowed, and so on, and prompts the user to start the distribution of the content signal. When receiving this kind of notification, the user appropriately operates the operation dial 126b or the operation key 126c to start the photography of the digital video camera 129, and creates animation data for real-time effect processing on the photographed image, and at the same time instructs the live broadcast signal distribution Initially, the created animation data is sent to the data stream server 102 via the server connected to the private network 108 in real time (step Sc12).

In this way, the data stream server 102 that receives the animation data of the content sent by the user PC 106 is to deliver the data stream signal to the client PC 107 that has the request. At this time, if the "Publicity Level" (refer to Figure 22) of the live broadcast signal distribution is "Public", if it is within the fixed number of channels for the live broadcast signal distribution, the data will be processed unconditionally in accordance with the signal distribution request Stream signal distribution. On the other hand, when the "disclosure level" is "Password" or "Secret", the client PC107 that requested the signal distribution will prompt the input of the password, although it is only for the client that enters the proper password The PC 107 performs data stream signal distribution, but the signal distribution request between the data stream server 102 and the client PC 107 and the processing operation of the data stream signal distribution will be described later.

When the live broadcast signal distribution is started in this way, the data stream server 102 will send the time information of the service provider side obtained by the NTP server 153, or view and listen to the live broadcast signal distribution (that is, display the signal distribution requesting the content). The information of the number of the client PC107 is sent to the user PC106. As a result, the status window SW (refer to FIG. 9(a)) displayed on the display unit 124 of the user's PC 106 displays information useful for displaying the situation in the air, information on the elapsed time of signal delivery, and information on the service provider side. Time information, time information on the users PC106 side, number of viewers information, reservation start and end time, remaining time information to display the remaining time of signal delivery, image size information, transmission speed information of signal delivery data, etc. The user, by referring to the display of the status window SW, can notify various information related to the current live broadcast signal distribution. In particular, the sender of the content pays attention to how many people view the content. For example, it also serves as a reference for the channel selection (the selection of the fixed number) when the live broadcast signal is distributed next time. Therefore, the display of the number of viewers as described above can be said to be very meaningful to the user.

In this way, the content transmission from the user PC106 to the data stream server 102 can be performed. If the user of the user PC106 ends the live broadcast signal distribution earlier than the scheduled end time (the time on the service provider side), it will be Operate the operation dial 126b (refer to FIG. 3) and so on to select the "signal distribution start/end" of the GUI (refer to FIG. 9(b)) that determines the live broadcast signal distribution mode. In this way, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 ends the content sending process and cuts off the connection with the data stream server 102 (step Sc13). On the other hand, if the user finishes the content signal distribution before the reservation end time, although the above-mentioned processing can be performed, the content transmission from the user PC 106 to the data stream server 102 is performed at the time when the reservation end time is reached. In this case, the data stream server 102 will end the data stream signal distribution process to the client PC 107 of the content sent by the user PC 106 at the time when the reservation end time is reached. Furthermore, the communication connection with the user PC 106 will be forcibly cut off at the time when the connection time of the user PC 106 shown in the above-mentioned "server connection time" (refer to FIG. 29) ends.

B-3-2. Data stream signal distribution from the data stream server to the client PC. The above description is from the user PC106 as the sender terminal at the time of live broadcast signal distribution to the data stream server 102. For the details of the sending process, the data stream server 102 receives the content signal distribution from the user PC 106 in this way, and performs the data stream signal distribution process of the content to the client PC 107 that has the request. The processing operations during the distribution of the data stream signal of this kind of content will be described with reference to the display screen of the client PC 107 that requests the signal distribution. In addition, in the following description, the "disclosure level" (refer to Figure 22) of the content signal distribution is "Password" or "Secret", and the user of the client PC107 knows the password used to receive the content provided.

In the case that the client user of the client PC 107 makes a content signal distribution request, the client user will start the browser software after powering on the client PC 107. Then, in the client PC107, the client user will input the URL of the homepage to identify the web page of the live broadcast format conversion server 150, and thereby, the CPU of the client PC107 will connect to the Internet 103 The live broadcast format conversion server 150 makes a request for reading the webpage. Thereby, the homepage of the webpage can be sent from the live broadcast type conversion server 150 via the Internet 103, and as a result, the screen shown in FIG. 13 can be displayed on the display screen of the client PC 107.

In the case of receiving content signal delivery, the client user clicks the link button of "Today's Live Broadcast" (refer to Figure 15) or "Program Guide" (refer to Figure 17). In the case of clicking "Program Guide", click the current date on the monthly calendar displayed on the screen shown in FIG. 17. As a result, as shown in Figure 15, the program to be delivered can be displayed on the date. Then, the client user clicks the link button of the "topic" of the program that performs the signal distribution request among the displayed programs.

In this way, when the link key of "theme" is clicked, the CPU of the client PC107 will send a request to view the webpage displaying the detailed information of the "theme" to the live broadcast format conversion server via the Internet 103 150. In this way, the live broadcast type conversion server 150 will send a web page displaying detailed information of the designated live broadcast program to the client PC 107 via the Internet 103. As a result, on the display screen of the client PC 107, the screen shown in FIG. 16 can be displayed.

The client user is requesting the signal distribution of the program that displays the detailed information, and although in the display screen shown in Figure 16, enter the password to obtain the signal distribution permission, and click the "play" button 175 , But if the client PC107 does not store the real-time playback software, you need to click the "Play Software" button 176 before clicking the "Play" button 175 to download the playback software in advance.

Then, when the password is entered and the "play" button 175 is clicked, the CPU of the client PC 107 will send the entered password and the signal distribution request to the data stream server 102 via the Internet 103. The data stream server 102 sends the sent password to the database server 155, and refers to the reserved database 151 through the database server 155 to perform authentication processing on whether the sent password is the right one, and The authentication process is sent to the data stream server 102.

When the data stream server 102 judges that the authentication result is a valid password, it judges whether to distribute the signal to the client PC 107 based on the number of channels preset to be used for the distribution of the content signal. Specifically, now, compare the number of client PCs 107 that perform the signal distribution of the content with the above-mentioned fixed number, and when the fixed number of client PCs 107 has already been distributed the content signal, the signal distribution higher than that will not be performed. . That is, at the time when there is a signal distribution request, if the content signal is distributed to a fixed number of client PCs 107, the signal distribution request will not be followed.

On the other hand, if the number of the client PC107 of the signal delivery destination of the content is less than the fixed number at the time when there is a signal delivery request, the signal delivery is performed. In this case, the client PC107 requesting the signal delivery is allowed, and The data stream signal distribution from the data stream server 102 to the content of the client PC 107 can be performed. When the data stream signal distribution is started in this way, the display screen of the client PC107, as shown in Figure 38, can display the playback display screen 390 of the above-mentioned playback software on the detailed information display screen of the program, and it can be displayed on the playback screen. The content delivered by the data stream signal is played on the screen 390 in real time. In this way, the user of the client PC107 can play and watch the content delivered by the live broadcast signal in real time.

In addition, the data stream server 102 has the signal distribution request of the program, and successively counts the number of client PC 107 that actually performs signal distribution, and sends the counting result (real-time listener count information) to the content sending terminal (the description above) The middle is the user PC106).

In addition, in the above description, although the client PC 107 sends a signal distribution request to the data stream server 102 via the web page of the live broadcast type conversion server 150, it is set to the above-mentioned "friend list" (refer to FIG. 22). If the person with the email address in the client uses the client PC107 to make a signal delivery request, they can also input the "Signal Delivery Request" of the e-mail sent by the live broadcast format conversion server 150 (refer to Figure 30) as described above Destination address information" shows the URL, or click on the displayed URL. If this kind of operation is performed, the CPU of the client PC 107 can start connection processing to the connection destination specified by the URL (that is, the data stream server 102), and thereby can perform signal distribution to the data stream server 102 Require.

C. Modified Examples In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications as exemplified below can be made.

(Improved example 1)

In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the data stream server 102 processes the content sent by the user PC 106 to deliver the data stream signal to the client PC 107 that has the request, it can also perform the data stream signal delivery process. At the same time, the content sent by the user's PC 106 is stored in a medium such as a hard disk, and used as a required program to perform a replay service of signal distribution. In this case, just publish the replay program on the webpage of the above-mentioned "Today's Program" (refer to FIG. 15), and perform the signal distribution of the content to the client PC 107 that has the request.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the digital video camera 129 of the user's PC 106 sends the animation data for real-time shooting as content and sends the content signal to the data stream server 102, it can also be used by the user in advance. The content produced by the user's PC 106 is stored in the hard disk, and is sent to the data stream server 102 for the content signal distribution during the signal distribution period of the content reservation. In addition, in order to use the user PC 106 to perform real-time content signal distribution as in the above-mentioned embodiment, the content of the captured animation data and the like can be stored in the user PC 106 in advance when the content such as the captured animation data is sent to the stream server 102 The hard disk 123. Then, the reservation for the distribution of the live broadcast signal is made again, the stored content is regarded as a replay program, and the content is sent from the user PC 106 to the data stream server 102 again for content signal distribution.

(Improved example 2)

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the data stream server 102 processes the content sent by the user PC 106 to deliver the data stream signal to the client PC 107 that has the request, it can also be used in the data stream. At the same time of signal distribution processing, the content sent by the user PC106 is stored in the hard disk and other media in advance, and the content is written into the CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read OnlyMemory) or DVD-ROM (DigitalVerSatile Disc-Read Only Memory) and other well-known package media, to deliver services to users who have this request. If it is based on this kind of service, the client PC 107 client user of the client PC 107 can request to send the content written in the package media for the content that is of interest to the content delivered by the audiovisual live broadcast signal. Here, as described above, the communication path between the user PC 106 and the data stream server 102 as the content transmission terminal is connected to the dedicated network 108 by the server, so a sufficient transmission frequency band can be secured. On the other hand, since the communication path between the data stream server 102 and the client PC 107 uses the Internet 103, not only a sufficient data transmission frequency band can be ensured, but also the risk of being restricted by the transmission frequency band is high. Due to the limitation of the transmission frequency band, it is necessary to reduce the transmission speed of the data stream data sent to the client PC 107. In this case, the playback image quality of the content of the client PC 107 may deteriorate. In the above-mentioned services, the content that people are worried about can be performed in accordance with the expectations of using high-quality video playback. That is, if the above-mentioned services are used, the content sent from the user PC 106 to the data stream server 102 can be directly written into the package media, and the client PC 107 can be used to play the content data written in the package media. The end user can see and hear the content of the same quality as the content sent from the user PC 106 to the data stream server 102. Clients that accept the content provided in the package media can also use a playback device (other than PC) that can play and display the content stored in the package media to display the content. Watch and listen on the TV screen, etc.

(Improved example 3)

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the user of the user PC106 is allowed to perform live broadcast signal distribution only in the pre-booked time zone, it is also possible to use data stream during the period when the live broadcast signal is distributed according to the reservation. The server 102 refers to the reservation database 151 to confirm the reservation status of the channel currently in use after the reservation time ends, and if it is empty, the data can be retrieved before the scheduled time of the reservation end time (for example, 10 minutes before) The streaming server 102 sends a message indicating that "the appointment can be extended until point" to the user PC 106. Then, it is only necessary to display the message in the status window SW (refer to FIG. 9(a)) of the user CP106 who received the message. At this time, the extension button is displayed on the status window SW. When the extension button is clicked, the CPU 120 of the user PC 106 will send the extension request to the data stream server 102. The data stream server 102 that receives this is allowed to extend. If this kind of extension service is to be performed, it is possible to extend the users expectations for the user of the PC 106 who is the signal distributor. On the other hand, the service provider can also obtain an efficient use of the channel of the streaming server 102. Effect.

(Improved example 4)

Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the signal delivery reservation will be executed

(Improved example 5)

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as the network used for the signal distribution reservation between the user PC 106 and the live broadcast type conversion server 150, although the case where the Internet 103 is used is described, the present invention It is not limited to this, and various other networks constructed by wired or wireless can also be used.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, in order to connect the user PC 106 and the data stream server 102, the server connection dedicated network 108 is set, but it is not limited to this, and the Internet 103 can also be used to connect the two.

(Improved example 6)

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as the sender terminal of the live broadcast signal distribution, although the user PC106 with a built-in digital video camera (digital video camera) 129 is used, it can also be used by the American Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 interface connects a digital video camera to an ordinary PC with a cable, or connects a digital video camera to a PC wirelessly. In addition, it is also possible to use a mobile phone connected to a digital camera with a cable or the like, or use a mobile phone with a built-in digital camera to replace the user's PC 106.

The following is an example of using a mobile phone with a built-in digital camera to replace the user's PC 106 for description.

In FIG. 39, 200 shows a network system that is connected to the mobile phone MS3 of the present invention as a whole, and the bases of fixed radio stations are provided in cells that divide the area for providing communication services into desired sizes. Station CS1~CS4.

In these base stations CS1~CS4, for example, a method called wideband-code division multiple access W-CDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access) is used to wirelessly connect a portable radio station as a mobile radio station. Information terminals MS1 and MS2, or digital mobile phones MS3 and MS4 with cameras, can use the 2[GHz] frequency band to communicate with large-capacity data at a maximum data transmission speed of 2[Mbps] at high speed.

In this way, by using the portable information terminals MS1 and MS2 or the digital mobile phones MS3 and MS4 with cameras, the W-CDMA method can be used for high-speed data communication of large-capacity data, which enables not only voice calls but also electronics Various communications and data communications such as mail sending and receiving, simple home page reading, and image sending and receiving.

In addition, the base stations CS1~CS4 are connected to the telephone network 104 via wired lines. The telephone network 104 is connected to the Internet 103, or multiple subscriber wired terminals, computer networks, and corporate networks not shown in the figure. Wait.

The telephone network 104 is also connected to the access server AS of the Internet service provider, and the access server AS is connected to the content server TS that holds the Internet service provider.

The content server TS provides content such as simple homepages as required by subscribers' wired terminals or portable information terminals MS1, MS2, and digital mobile phones MS3 and MS4 with cameras, as small hypertext, for example File in the form of HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). The so-called small HTML refers to the subset of HTML software, which leaves only reflectable tags in a display device with a limited size and discards other parts. For example, in the iMode (registered trademark) of NTT DOCOMO's service mark, the I mode is used in HTML, which cannot specify the functions required to adjust the mobile phone and uses about 30 types of label text attributes. Or color, and the image also has restrictions such as recommended by a 2-tone GIF file. By using the description language HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language), the wireless markup language source WML (Wireless Markup Language), etc., you can create a simple home page file that can be viewed by a portable terminal with a display area or a display capability wired system.

For the network system 200, the Internet 103 is connected to the same server as the above-mentioned embodiment. The reservation management center 101 or the data stream server 102 can be used according to the transmission control protocol/Internet protocol. The TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication protocol is used from the subscriber's wired terminal or portable information terminal MS1, MS2 and digital mobile phones MS3, MS4 with cameras to the server using the reservation management center 101 or data stream The server 102 performs an access operation. In addition, in the example shown in the figure, when the streaming server 102 is used for content signal distribution, it is the same as the above-mentioned embodiment, although the digital mobile phones MS3 and MS4 with cameras are connected to the dedicated network 108 through the server. The content signal distribution is performed to the data stream server 102, but the content signal distribution may also be performed via the Internet 103.

By the way, the portable information terminals MS1, MS2 and digital mobile phones MS3, MS4 with cameras attached to the base station CS1~CS4, which are not shown in the figure, communicate with a simple transmission protocol of 2 [Mbps]. The base station CS1~CS4 communicate with the WWW server WS1~WSn through the Internet ITN and the TCP/IP communication protocol.

In addition, the management control device MCU is connected to the subscriber's wired terminal or portable information terminal MS1, MS2 and the digital mobile phone MS3, MS4 with camera through the telephone network 104, so as to connect the subscriber's wired terminal or portable information terminal MS1, MS4. Information terminals MS1, MS2 and digital mobile phones MS3, MS4 with cameras perform authentication processing or accounting processing.

Next, an example of the external configuration of a digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera that can be used in place of the above-mentioned user PC106 will be described. As shown in FIG. 40, the digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera is divided into a display portion 212 and a main body 213 with a hinge portion 211 in the center as a boundary, and the hinge portion 211 is formed to be foldable.

At the upper left part of the display portion 212, an antenna 214 for transmitting and receiving is installed in a state that can be pulled out and stored, and the antenna 214 can transmit and receive radio waves with the base station CS3.

In the center of the upper end of the display portion 212, there is a camera portion 215 that can rotate freely within an angle range of approximately 180 degrees, and the CCD camera 216 of the camera portion 215 can photograph a desired photographic object.

Here, the display portion 212 is set when the camera portion 215 can be rotated by a user approximately 180 degrees and positioned. As shown in FIG. 41, the horn 217 provided in the center of the back side of the camera portion 215 is located on the front side. This can be switched to a normal voice call state.

Furthermore, a liquid crystal display 218 is provided on the front of the display unit 212, so that in addition to displaying the reception status of the radio wave, the remaining battery level, the name or phone number of the other party registered as a phone book, and the transmission history, etc., it can also display The content of the e-mail, the simple homepage, and the image taken by the CCD camera 216 of the camera section 215.

On the other hand, on the surface of the main body 213, there are operation keys 219 such as the number keys "0" ~ "9", the call key, the redial key, the end of the call and the power key, the clear key, and the e-mail key. Various instructions can be input by operating the key 219.

There is a memory key 220 or a microphone 221 at the lower part of the operation key 219 of the main body 213. The memory key 220 can be used to record the sound during a call, and the microphone 221 can be used to concentrate the user's voice during a call.

Furthermore, on the upper part of the operation key 219 of the main body 213 is provided a jogdial 222 that is slightly protruding from the surface of the main body 213 and is rotatable. According to the rotating operation of the jogdial 222, the display on the liquid crystal can be executed. Various actions such as the phone book list on the display 218 or the scroll action of the e-mail, the scroll action of the simple homepage, and the image feed action.

For example, the main body 213 can select a desired phone number from a plurality of phone numbers in the phone book list displayed on the liquid crystal display 218 according to the rotating operation of the dial 222 by the user. When the dial 222 faces the main body 213 When the internal direction is pressed, the selected phone number can be determined and the call processing of the phone number can be automatically performed.

In addition, a battery pack (not shown) is plugged into the main body 213 on its back side. When the call ends and the power button is turned on, the battery can supply power to each circuit unit and start it into an operational state.

On the main body 213, there is a memory stick slot 224 to insert a freely pluggable memory stick (trademark of Xinli Co., Ltd.) 223 on the left side of the main body 213. When the memory key 220 is pressed At the same time, the voice of the other party during the call can be recorded on the memory film 223, or the email, the simple homepage, and the image taken by the CCD camera 216 can be recorded according to the operation of the user.

Here, the memory chip 223 is one of the flash memory cards developed by the applicant Xinli Co., Ltd. in this case. The memory chip 223 is an EEPR OM (ElectricallyErasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) is a kind of flash memory device, which can write and read various data such as video, sound, and music through the 10-pin terminal.

The memory chip 223 adopts a unique serial protocol (serial protocol) that can ensure the compatibility between the devices used even if the specifications of the built-in flash memory are changed for large-capacity, etc., to achieve maximum writing The high-speed performance of speed 1.5[MB/S] and maximum readout speed of 2.45[MB/S], at the same time, it can ensure high reliability due to the prevention of accidental erasure switch.

Therefore, in the digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera, since the memory chip 223 of this type is configured in a pluggable state, the memory chip 223 can be used to share data with other electronic devices.

As shown in FIG. 42, the digital mobile phone MS3 with camera is a main control unit 250 that controls the display unit 212 and the main body 213. The main control unit 250 is connected to the power circuit unit 251 through the main bus 260 to operate Input control unit 252, video encoder 253, camera interface 254, LCD (liquid crystal display) control unit 255, video decoder 256, multiple separation unit 257, recording and playback unit 262, modulation and demodulation circuit 258, and audio encoding/decoding The video encoder 253, the video decoder 256, the demultiplexer 257, the modulation and demodulation circuit 258, and the audio encoder/decoder 259 are connected to each other via the synchronization bus 261 at the same time.

The power circuit unit 251 activates the digital mobile phone MS3 with the camera into an operable state by supplying power from the battery to each unit when the call ends and the power button is turned on according to the user's operation.

The digital mobile phone MS3 with camera is controlled by the main control unit 250 such as CPU, ROM and RAM. In the voice call mode, the voice signal collected by the microphone 221 is converted into digital by the voice encoder/decoder 259 The audio data is processed by the modulation and demodulation circuit section 258 for audio diffusion, and after the digital-to-analog conversion processing and frequency conversion processing are performed by the transceiver circuit section 262, it is sent out via the antenna 214.

In addition, the digital mobile phone MS3 with camera, in the voice call mode, amplifies the received signal received by the antenna 214, performs frequency conversion processing and digital-to-analog conversion processing, and uses the modulation and demodulation circuit section 258 to perform audio Inverse diffusion processing, and after being converted into analog audio data by the audio encoder/decoder 259, it is output through the speaker 217.

In addition, the digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera is used to send e-mails in the data communication mode. The operation input control unit 252 will use the operation keys 219 and the dial 222 to input the text data of the e-mail. ) Is sent to the main control unit 250.

The main control unit 250 uses the modulation and demodulation circuit unit 258 to perform audio diffusion processing on the text data, and uses the transceiver circuit unit 262 to perform digital analog conversion processing and frequency conversion processing, and then transmits the antenna 214 to the base station CS3 ( Refer to Figure 39).

In contrast, when the digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera receives e-mails in the data communication mode, the received signal sent from the base station CS3 via the antenna 214 is used for audio de-spreading using the modulation and demodulation circuit section 258 After processing and restoring the original text data, it is displayed on the liquid crystal display 218 via the LCD control unit 255 as an e-mail.

After that, the digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera can also record the e-mail received in accordance with the user's operation in the memory sheet 223 via the recording and playback unit 262.

On the other hand, when the digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera transmits image data in the data communication mode, the image data captured by the CCD camera 216 is supplied to the image encoder 253 via the camera interface 254.

By the way, the digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera can directly display the image data captured by the CCD camera 216 on the LCD display 218 through the camera interface 254 and the LCD control unit 255 when the image data is not sent. .

The image encoder 253 uses a predetermined encoding method such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 or MPEG4 to perform compression encoding to convert the image data supplied by the CCD camera 216 into encoded image data, and It is sent to the multiple separation unit 257.

At this time, the digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera simultaneously sends the sound collected by the CCD camera 216 using the microphone 221 during photography to the multiple separation unit 257 via the sound encoder/decoder 259 as digital sound data.

The demultiplexing unit 257 multiplexes the encoded video data supplied by the video encoder 253 and the audio data supplied by the audio encoder/decoder 259 in a predetermined manner. As a result, the obtained multiplexed data is used in a modulation and demodulation circuit. The section 258 performs spectrum diffusion processing, and uses the transceiver circuit section 262 to perform digital-to-analog conversion processing and frequency conversion processing, and then transmits via the antenna 214.

In contrast, the digital mobile phone MS3 with camera, in the data communication mode, for example, when receiving the animation file data linked to the simple homepage, the received signal received by the base station CS3 is modulated and demodulated via the antenna 214. The circuit section 258 performs spectrum inverse diffusion processing, and as a result, the obtained multiplexed data is sent to the multiple separation section 257.

The multiple separation unit 257 separates the multiplexed data into coded video data and audio data, and supplies the coded video data to the video decoder 256 via the synchronization bus 261, and at the same time supplies the audio data to the audio coding/ Decoder 259.

The image decoder 256 decodes the encoded image data in a decoding method corresponding to a predetermined encoding method such as MPEG2 or MPEG4 to generate animation data for playback, and supplies it to the liquid crystal display 218 via the LCD control unit 255. In this way, the animation data contained in the animation file linked to the simple homepage, for example, can be displayed.

At this time, the sound codec (codec) 259 converts the sound data into an analog sound signal and supplies this to the speaker 217 at the same time, so that, for example, it can play animation files that are linked to a simple homepage. Sound data inside.

In this case, the digital mobile phone MS3 with camera attached, just as in the case of e-mail, can use the user's operation interface to record the data linked to the simple homepage and the like on the memory (memory). stick) 223.

In addition to this configuration, the digital mobile phone MS3 with a camera stores the same application program as the above-mentioned embodiment in the ROM of the main control unit 250, and according to the application program, it broadcasts to the live format conversion server 150 (refer to Figure 12) to access, you can perform the reservation processing of the delivery of the live broadcast signal including the above-mentioned member registration and reconfirmation with the live broadcast type conversion server 150, and when a reservation is made, the reservation is received Set up the information file (refer to Figure 28) and automatically encrypt and save it. In addition, the digital mobile phone MS3 with camera can perform the same processing as the live broadcast signal distribution processing in accordance with the reservation made by the user PC 106 in the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, when the live broadcast signal is distributed, the reservation setting information file saved during the reservation process can be automatically read out and a communication connection is established with the data stream server 102 to send the content photographed by the CCD camera 216 to The data stream server 102 also carries out the live broadcast signal distribution of the content.

[Effects of the invention]

As explained above, according to the present invention, the authentication process or operation will not be complicated, so that most users can efficiently use the functions of the processing server through the network for predetermined processing, and the cost can be reduced. Obstacles caused by legitimate users, etc.

Schematic description

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic overall structure of a content supply system to which a method of using a server according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of a user's PC that uses the above-mentioned content supply system to receive a personal casting service (personal casting service).

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of the above-mentioned user PC.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the initial screen when the user PC is used to start the application.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display portion of the user PC in the shooting mode.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display portion of the user PC in the upload mode.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the above-mentioned display part of the above-mentioned user PC in the Web (website) confirmation mode.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display section of the user PC in the live broadcast reservation mode.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display section of the user PC in the live broadcast signal distribution mode.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the effect display column in the above-mentioned live broadcast signal distribution mode.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen during the effective setting process in the above-mentioned live broadcast signal distribution mode.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the structure of the reservation management device used by the server of the above content supply system.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the top page of the web page stored in the hard disk of the live broadcast type conversion server of the above-mentioned server usage reservation management device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the webpage stored in the hard disk of the live broadcast type conversion server.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a webpage stored in the hard disk of the above-mentioned live broadcast type conversion server.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the webpage stored in the hard disk of the above-mentioned live broadcast type conversion server.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a webpage stored in the hard disk of the above-mentioned live broadcast type conversion server.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the registration content of the reservation database of the reservation management device used by the above-mentioned server.

FIG. 19 is a sequence flow chart showing the processing actions of the user PC and the live broadcast type conversion server when the member logs in.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the display section of the user PC when the member logs in.

FIG. 21 is a sequence flow chart showing the processing actions of the user PC and the live broadcast mode conversion server at the time of signal delivery reservation.

Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC at the time of the signal delivery reservation.

Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC at the time of the signal delivery reservation.

Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC at the time of the signal delivery reservation.

FIG. 25 is a sequence flow chart showing the processing actions of the user PC and the live broadcast type conversion server during the reconfirmation process in the signal delivery reservation.

Fig. 26 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC during the reconfirmation process.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC during the reconfirmation process.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing the reservation setting information file created by the live broadcast type conversion server and sent to the user PC during the reconfirmation process.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC during the reconfirmation process.

Fig. 30 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the e-mail sent to the recipient of the designated e-mail address during the above-mentioned reconfirmation process.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is changed.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is changed.

FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit of the user PC when the reservation is changed.

FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is cancelled.

FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is cancelled.

FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display section of the user PC when the reservation is confirmed.

Fig. 37 is a sequence flow chart showing the processing actions of the above-mentioned content supply system when the live broadcast signal is distributed.

FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen of the client PC that receives the content supply when the live broadcast signal is distributed.

Fig. 39 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the Internet system as an improved example of the above-mentioned embodiment.

Fig. 40 is a schematic perspective view showing the external structure of a digital mobile phone with a camera.

Fig. 41 is a schematic perspective view showing the display portion of the above-mentioned digital mobile phone with camera when the camera portion is rotated.

Fig. 42 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the above-mentioned digital mobile phone with camera.

Symbol description of main components

100. . . Content supply system

101. . . Server uses appointment management device

102. . . Data stream server

103. . . Internet

104. . . Telephone network

106. . . User PC

107. . . Client PC

108. . . The server is connected to a private network

150. . . Live broadcast format conversion server,

151. . . Appointment database

152. . . User database

153. . . NTP server

154. . . Network interface

155. . . Database server

200. . . Network system

MS3, MS4. . . Digital mobile phone with camera