Internet system capable of automatically selecting suitable channels

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

P-0001[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

P-0002[0002] The present invention relates to an Internet system including an Internet subnetwork using radio channels and an Internet subnetwork using cable channels.

P-0003[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

P-0004[0004]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional Internet system. In FIG. 2, the reference numeral <b>51</b> designates a server possessing contents such as image information; <b>52</b> designates a transmitting station for transmitting the contents the server <b>51</b> possesses via a downlink terrestrial channel <b>61</b> or satellite channels <b>62</b> and <b>62</b>′; <b>53</b> designates a communications satellite for relaying the contents through the satellite channels <b>62</b> and <b>62</b>′; <b>54</b> designates a receiving station for receiving the contents from the transmitting station <b>52</b>; <b>55</b><i>a</i>, <b>55</b><i>b</i>, . . . , <b>55</b><i>n </i>each designate a user terminal utilizing the contents delivered by the receiving station <b>54</b>; and <b>63</b> designates an uplink terrestrial channel from the receiving station <b>54</b> to the transmitting station <b>52</b>.

P-0005[0005] Next, the operation of the conventional Internet system will be described.

P-0006[0006] Designating a channel for the transmission from the transmitting station <b>52</b> to the receiving station <b>54</b>, that is, the downlink terrestrial channel <b>61</b> or the satellite channels <b>62</b> and <b>62</b>′, the user terminal <b>55</b><i>a </i>requests the receiving station <b>54</b> to send the contents such as the image information via the channel, in response to which, the receiving station <b>54</b> transmits the request sent from the user terminal <b>55</b><i>a </i>to the transmitting station <b>52</b> via the uplink terrestrial channel <b>63</b>.

P-0007[0007] The transmitting station <b>52</b> extracts the contents requested by the user terminal <b>55</b><i>a </i>from the server <b>51</b>, and transmits them to the receiving station <b>54</b> via the downlink terrestrial channel <b>61</b> or the satellite channels <b>62</b> and <b>62</b>′. The receiving station <b>54</b> receives the contents from the transmitting station <b>52</b>, and delivers them to the user terminal <b>55</b><i>a. </i>

P-0008[0008] With the foregoing configuration, the conventional Internet system has a problem when downloading the contents the server <b>51</b> possesses to the user terminal <b>55</b><i>a </i>in that it sometimes cannot select the downlink terrestrial channel <b>61</b> or the satellite channels <b>62</b> and <b>62</b>′ specified by the user terminal <b>55</b><i>a </i>depending on traffic condition or desired contents.

P-0009[0009] For example, consider the case where the downlink terrestrial channel <b>61</b> is designated. In such a case, the transmitting station <b>52</b> is usually connected to a site near the receiving station <b>54</b> through a large capacity link. However, the site is often connected to the receiving station <b>54</b> through a small capacity link, which presents a problem called a “Last Mile Problem” that hinders the real time download of the desired contents when the traffic is heavy. In particular, as for the streaming contents the user terminal <b>55</b><i>a </i>reproduces with the download, they must be processed on real time. Otherwise, a problem arises in that the sound or images are corrupted badly.

P-0010[0010] Furthermore, when the satellite channels <b>62</b> and <b>62</b>′ are designated, although the contents can be broadcast to many user terminals <b>55</b><i>a</i>-<b>55</b><i>n </i>simultaneously, another problem arises in that it is difficult for the transmitting station to secure sufficient capacity because of many competing satellites that utilize so called Ku band, an uplink frequency band over 14.0-14.5 GHz and a downlink frequency band over 12.25-12.75 GHz.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

P-0011[0011] The present invention is implemented to solve the foregoing problems. It is therefore an-object of the present invention to provide an Internet system capable of automatically selecting either the downlink terrestrial channel <b>61</b> or the satellite channels <b>62</b> and <b>62</b>′ in response to the condition of the traffic of the channel or to the desired contents without requiring the user terminals <b>55</b><i>a</i>-<b>55</b><i>n </i>to designate the channels.

P-0012[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet system comprising: a receiver for receiving contents like image information from a first Internet subnetwork using a radio channel with a broadcasting function; for selecting, when contents requested by a user terminal are included in the contents transmitted from the first Internet subnetwork, the contents requested by the user terminal from among the contents transmitted from the first Internet subnetwork; and for delivering the contents requested by the user terminal to the user terminal.

P-0013[0013] Here, when the contents requested by the user terminal are not included in the contents transmitted from the first Internet subnetwork, the receiver may change its connection to a second Internet subnetwork using wired channels, and deliver the contents requested by the user terminal to the user terminal by receiving them from the second Internet subnetwork.

P-0014[0014] The receiver may store the contents received from the first Internet subnetwork into a storage, and deliver the contents requested by the user terminal to the user terminal by retrieving them from the storage.

P-0015[0015] The receiver may store index information including titles and contents of the contents transmitted from the first Internet subnetwork into a storage.

P-0016[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet system comprising an original server that possesses contents like image information, that monitors an access state from a second Internet subnetwork using a wired channel, and that when the second Internet subnetwork is likely to congest, transmits contents that have been transmitted through the second Internet subnetwork via a first Internet subnetwork using a radio channel with a broadcasting function.

P-0017[0017] Here, the Internet system may further comprise a receiver for receiving the contents from the first Internet subnetwork and from the second Internet subnetwork that is likely to congest; for changing its connection to the first Internet subnetwork when contents requested by a user terminal are included in the contents transmitted from the first Internet subnetwork; for selecting the contents requested by the user terminal from the contents transmitted from the first Internet subnetwork; and for delivering the contents selected to the user terminal.

P-0018[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet system comprising a platform server that is connected via a network to a plurality of original servers each possessing contents like image information; and that when a second Internet subnetwork using a wired channel is likely to congest, transmits the contents, which have been transmitted by each original server via the second Internet subnetwork, via a first Internet subnetwork using a radio channel with a broadcasting function in response to a request from the original server.

P-0019[0019] The first Internet subnetwork may consist of a satellite network using a communications satellite and satellite channels.

P-0020[0020] The communications satellite and satellite channels may employ Ka band of 30 GHz/20 GHz band.

P-0021[0021] The second Internet subnetwork may consist of at least one of a cable television Internet subnetwork and a terrestrial Internet subnetwork based on dialup Internet protocol connection and leased line Internet protocol connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

P-0022[0022]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment <b>1</b> of the Internet system in accordance with the present invention; and

P-0023[0023]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional Internet system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

P-0024[0024] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

P-0025[0025] Embodiment 1

P-0026[0026]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment <b>1</b> of the Internet system in accordance with the present invention. In this figure, reference numerals <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c</i>, . . . , <b>1</b><i>k</i>, <b>1</b><i>m </i>and <b>1</b><i>n </i>designate original servers that possess contents such as image information, and are connected to a satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>, a CATV (Cable Television) Internet subnetwork <b>102</b> and a terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b>.

P-0027[0027] The original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c</i>, . . . , <b>1</b><i>k</i>, <b>1</b><i>m </i>and <b>1</b><i>n </i>are managed by a provider. Among them, the original servers <b>1</b><i>a </i>and <b>1</b><i>b </i>may be connected to the terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b>, and the original servers <b>1</b><i>c</i>, . . . , <b>1</b><i>k</i>, <b>1</b><i>m </i>and <b>1</b><i>n </i>may be connected to the CATV Internet subnetwork <b>102</b>. The terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b> consists of an Internet subnetwork based on the dial-up IP (Internet Protocol) connection or least line IP connection.

P-0028[0028] In the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>, the reference numeral <b>2</b> designates a communications satellite for relaying the contents from the original server <b>1</b><i>m </i>through satellite channels <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′; <b>3</b> designates a platform server that collects the contents possessed by the original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c</i>, . . . , <b>1</b><i>k </i>and <b>1</b><i>m </i>through the satellite channels <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′ via the communications satellite <b>2</b> or terrestrial channels <b>12</b> consisting of large capacity optical fibers or the like, and stores them as a platform of the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>; and <b>4</b> designates a communications satellite that relays the contents through large capacity satellite channels <b>13</b> and <b>13</b>′ at Ku band of 14/12 GHz or Ka band of 30/20 GHz.

P-0029[0029] Reference numerals <b>5</b><i>a</i>, . . . , <b>5</b><i>n </i>designate receivers that are connected to the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b> through the satellite channels <b>13</b> and <b>13</b>′, and to the CATV Internet subnetwork <b>102</b> and terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b> through cables, and that are selectively connected to the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>, CATV Internet subnetwork <b>102</b> or terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b>; and <b>6</b><i>a</i>, . . . , <b>6</b><i>n </i>designate user terminals connected to the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>, . . . , <b>5</b><i>n </i>to be utilized by users.

P-0030[0030] Next, the operation of the present embodiment 1 will be described.

P-0031[0031] The original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c</i>, . . . , <b>1</b><i>k</i>, <b>1</b><i>m </i>and <b>1</b><i>n </i>possess broadcast contents, streaming contents like high-definition images, popular contents the users access frequently, and the like. The original server <b>1</b><i>m </i>transmits its contents to the platform server <b>3</b> through the satellite channels <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′ via the communications satellite <b>2</b>. The original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c</i>, . . . , and <b>1</b><i>k </i>transmit their contents to the platform server <b>3</b> through the terrestrial channels <b>12</b> consisting of large capacity optical fibers.

P-0032[0032] The platform server <b>3</b> collects the contents of the original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c</i>, . . . , <b>1</b><i>k </i>and <b>1</b><i>m </i>through the satellite channels <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′ and the terrestrial channels <b>12</b>, and integrates them as the platform of the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>. Then, the platform server <b>3</b> broadcasts the large capacity integrated contents to the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>through the large capacity satellite channels <b>13</b> and <b>13</b>′ via the communications satellite <b>4</b>. Thus, the platform server <b>3</b> can at once transmit the contents the original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c</i>, . . . , <b>1</b><i>k </i>and <b>1</b><i>m </i>possess.

P-0033[0033] The original server ln has the same function as the platform server <b>3</b>. That is, it can transmits its contents to the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-Sn independently through the satellite channels <b>13</b> and <b>13</b>′ via the communications satellite <b>4</b>.

P-0034[0034] In response to a request for desired contents sent from the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n</i>, the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>deliver, when the desired contents are present in the contents transmitted by the communications satellite <b>4</b>, the desired contents to the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n </i>by selecting the desired contents and by connecting to the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>.

P-0035[0035] If the contents the communications satellite <b>4</b> transmits do not include the contents desired by the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n</i>, the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>selectively connect the CATV Internet subnetwork <b>102</b> or terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b> in response to the contents the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n </i>require, so that the contents downloaded from the original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>-<b>1</b><i>n </i>are delivered to the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n. </i>

P-0036[0036] The original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>-<b>1</b><i>n </i>monitor access from the CATV Internet subnetwork <b>102</b> or from the terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b>. When the traffic of the CATV Internet subnetwork <b>102</b> or terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b> is likely to congest because of the large amount of access from the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n</i>, the following steps are taken: The download of the contents with the large access amount is continued from the original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>-<b>1</b><i>n </i>to the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>via the CATV Internet subnetwork <b>102</b> or the terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b>. In addition, the original servers la-lm transmit the contents with the large access amount to the platform server <b>3</b> through the satellite channels <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′ and the terrestrial channels <b>12</b>, and the original server in transmits them to the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>through the large capacity satellite channels <b>13</b> and <b>13</b>′ via the communications satellite <b>4</b>.

P-0037[0037] The platform server <b>3</b> transmits the contents with the large access amount that are transmitted from the original servers <b>1</b><i>a</i>-<b>1</b><i>m </i>to the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>through the large capacity satellite channels <b>13</b> and <b>13</b>′ via the communications satellite <b>4</b>. Monitoring the contents transmitted from the platform server <b>3</b> or from the original server <b>1</b><i>n</i>, and detecting the start of the download, from the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>, of the contents which have been downloaded via the CATV Internet subnetwork <b>102</b> or terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b>, the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>change their connections to the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>, and deliver the contents downloaded from the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b> to the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n </i>requesting the contents.

P-0038[0038] Although the present embodiment <b>1</b> employs the highly reliable, wide service area satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b> utilizing the communications satellite <b>4</b> and satellite channels <b>13</b> and <b>13</b>′, this is not essential. For example, it can employ the Internet subnetwork employing radio channels with a broadcasting function such as balloon-borne radio channels.

P-0039[0039] In addition, although the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>select and download the contents required by the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n </i>from the contents they receive from the communications satellite <b>4</b> in the present embodiment 1, this is not essential. For example, the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>can store the contents they receive from the communications satellite <b>4</b> into storages <b>7</b><i>a</i>-<b>7</b><i>n </i>such as VTRs to retrieve and deliver the contents required by the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n </i>from the storages <b>7</b><i>a</i>-<b>7</b><i>n</i>. This makes it possible for the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>to deliver the desired contents to the users at any time.

P-0040[0040] Furthermore, the present embodiment 1 can also store in storages <b>8</b><i>a</i>-<b>8</b><i>n </i>like a table, index information about titles or contents of the contents the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>receive from the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>, so that the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n </i>can access the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>to retrieve the desired contents when they can find them in the storages <b>8</b><i>a</i>-<b>8</b><i>n </i>such as the table. In this case, the capacity of the storages of the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>can be reduced even for the large amount of the contents, because it is unnecessary for the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>to store all of the contents.

P-0041[0041] As described above, according to the present embodiment 1, it is unnecessary for the user terminals <b>6</b><i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>n </i>to designate the channels for downloading the contents because the present embodiment 1 can automatically select the satellite Internet subnetwork <b>101</b>, CATV Internet subnetwork <b>102</b> or terrestrial Internet subnetwork <b>103</b> in response to the traffic condition of the channels or to the desired contents. Thus, it offers an advantage of being able to deliver the contents to the users on real time at high efficiency, and to provide the users with various services because it can employ various types of the Internet subnetworks.

P-0042[0042] Moreover, the present embodiment 1 utilizes the Ka band as the frequency band of the communications satellite <b>4</b> and satellite channels <b>13</b> and <b>13</b>′, which offers an advantage of being able to transmit any type of contents from the platform <b>3</b> or original server in to the receivers <b>5</b><i>a</i>-<b>5</b><i>n </i>because of the large capacity of the frequency band.