JPH1013816A - Video on demand system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide various information related to program distribution to a subscriber who makes a program distribution request at the time of program distribution congestion in a video-on-demand system, and the subscriber selects and executes the information. Accordingly, a VOD system capable of improving the operation rate of the entire system is provided. SOLUTION: In a video-on-demand system which distributes a program from a center facility 2 having a video server 1 in response to a request from a subscriber having a terminal device 3, when the program distribution is congested, the center facility 2 and each For the subscriber A4 who has made a program distribution request via the communication network 5 connected between the subscribers, an information signal indicating that the system is in a program distribution congestion state and a program distribution reservation are made. The information signal prompting the user is distributed to the terminal device 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video-on-demand system (hereinafter referred to as a VOD system) for delivering a program from a center facility having a video server in response to a request from a subscriber having a terminal device. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a conventional general VOD system. A center facility 62 having a video server 61 as a video program database server, and a terminal device
A subscriber A 64 and a plurality of other subscribers N 66 are connected by a communication network 65. The subscriber A64 sends a request for program distribution to the center equipment 62.
To the subscriber A64.
And other subscribers N66 can receive similar services.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional VOD system, there is a problem in that when a program is congested, a subscriber who makes a program distribution request must simply wait until the program is distributed. I was

The present invention solves the conventional problem at the time of the above-mentioned program distribution congestion, and at the time of program distribution congestion, gives various information related to program distribution to a subscriber who requests a program distribution so that the subscriber can receive the program distribution information. By selecting and executing this, VOD that can improve the operation rate of the entire system
The purpose is to provide a system.

[0005]

According to the VOD system of the present invention, as a means for solving the problem of program distribution congestion, when the program distribution is congested, the center equipment is connected via a communication network connected between the center equipment and each subscriber. Having a function of distributing an information signal indicating that the system is in a program congestion state to a subscriber who has made a program distribution request from the user and an information signal prompting reservation of program distribution to the terminal device. It is equipped with facilities.

According to the present invention, the subscriber can confirm the program distribution state of the system and is encouraged to make a reservation for program distribution, thereby improving the operating rate of the entire system.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a VOD system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and also shows an operation mode of the VOD system when program distribution is congested. In the figure, a subscriber A4 having a terminal device 3 and a subscriber group N6, and a video server 1
Is connected to the center equipment 2 having the communication network 5 by a communication network 5, thereby forming a VOD system.

The operation of the VOD system configured as described above will be described. When the program distribution is congested, program distribution is performed from the center facility 2 via the communication network 5 connected between the center facility 2 and each subscriber. An information signal for notifying the requesting subscriber A4 that the system is in a program distribution congestion state and an information signal for prompting reservation of program distribution are distributed to the terminal device 3, and A4 enters a state where it can be viewed. Therefore, subscriber A
No. 4 knows that the program distribution is congested and that the program distribution can be reserved, and decides whether to wait or make a reservation for the program distribution, and executes it.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the program distribution is congested, the system notifies the subscriber A requesting the program distribution that the system is in the program distribution congestion state. Can confirm the program distribution state of the system, and prompt the reservation of program distribution, thereby improving the operating rate of the entire system.

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 is an operation mode when a reservation for program distribution is made in the VOD system in Embodiment 1 above, and a storage device is stored in a terminal device on the subscriber side. Is provided so that viewing of the reserved distribution program can be performed more effectively. Accordingly, the basic configuration of the entire VOD system is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and the terminal device 3 in the VOD system is as shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of this terminal device. A terminal device 21 which is a modification of the terminal device 3 shown in FIG.
Distribution data storage device 25 comprising a memory control unit 24, a stream control unit 26, an MPEG decoding unit 27, a D / A unit
Consists of 28.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the terminal device 21 is connected to the communication network and the center equipment (the communication network 5 and the center equipment 2 shown in FIG. 1) via the network interface 22. When a program (data stream) for which a program distribution reservation has been made is input from the network interface 22 to the stream control unit 26, the program is first stored in the distribution data storage device 25. Memory part 23
Can read data stream from MPEG
The content can be viewed on the TV monitor via the decoding unit 27 and the D / A unit 28.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the distribution data storage device in the terminal device, after the subscriber makes a reservation for program distribution, the center equipment starts to distribute the program. After that point, the subscriber can view the program at any time.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a VOD system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and also shows an operation mode of the VOD system when program distribution is congested. In the figure, a subscriber A34 having a terminal device 33 and a subscriber group N36, and a video server 31
Are connected to the center equipment 32 having the communication network 5 by the communication network 5, thereby forming a VOD system. This configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

The operation of the VOD system configured as described above will be described. When the program distribution is congested, the program A is transmitted from the subscriber A34 via the communication network 35 connected between the center facility 32 and each subscriber. Is transmitted to the center facility 32, the program P is included in the programs already distributed from the center facility 32 to other subscriber groups N36.
If there is, an information signal that prompts the user to view the content is delivered to the terminal device 33 of the subscriber A4, and the subscriber A4 determines whether to follow or wait, as a result of watching the content, and to execute it. Becomes possible.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the distribution request of the program P is made from the subscriber A to the center equipment during the program distribution congestion, the other subscribers N watching the program P Exists, the subscriber A is encouraged to view the program P halfway, so that the subscriber A can view the program P without waiting if the user wants to view the program P halfway. You can also do it.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a VOD system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and also shows an operation mode of the VOD system at the time of congestion of program distribution. In the figure, a subscriber A44 having a terminal device 43 and a subscriber group N46, and a video server 41
Is connected to a center facility 42 having a communication network 45 to form a VOD system. This configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

The operation of the VOD system configured as described above will be described. First, at the time of program distribution congestion, a subscriber A44 receives a signal from a subscriber A44 via a communication network 45 connected between a center facility 42 and each subscriber. When the distribution request of the program Q is made to the center equipment 42, another subscriber group N46
Is transmitted to the terminal device of the subscriber group N46, and as a result of watching the program, if the number of subscribers according to the information signal increases, the entire system becomes Operating rate can be improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when subscriber A requests distribution of program Q to the center equipment during program congestion, viewing / listening of program Q to other subscriber groups N is performed. , The operation rate of the entire system can be improved.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a VOD system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and also shows an operation mode of the VOD system when program distribution is congested. In the figure, a subscriber A 54 having a terminal device 53 and a subscriber group N 56 and a video server 51
Is connected by a communication network 55 to form a VOD system. This configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

The operation of the VOD system configured as described above will be described. First, when a program is congested, a subscriber A54 sends a signal via a communication network 55 connected between the center equipment 52 and each subscriber. When the distribution request for the program X is made to the center equipment 52, the center equipment 52 sends a request to the subscriber A54 and the group of subscribers N56 for the maximum distribution request collected by the center equipment 52 from a plurality of subscribers in advance. Program R
The information signal prompting the user to view is a subscriber A54 and a subscriber group N.
The subscriber A 54 and the subscriber group N are distributed to 56 terminal devices 53 and the like.
As a result of watching this, if the number of subscribers following this increases, the system operation rate can be improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the distribution request of program X is made from the subscriber A to the center equipment at the time of program distribution congestion, the subscriber A and the subscriber group N are The center facility promotes viewing of the most requested distribution program R collected in advance from a plurality of subscribers, thereby improving the operation rate of the entire system and allowing the subscriber to obtain the latest program distribution information. Can be.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, when program distribution is congested, a subscriber who has made a program distribution request from the center facility via a communication network connected between the center facility and each subscriber is provided. By notifying the system that the system is in a program distribution congestion state and prompting the user to reserve and view the program distribution, the subscriber can check the system program distribution state and reduce the operating rate of the entire system. An advantageous effect that it can be improved is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a VOD system according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an operation mode when program distribution is congested.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a terminal device according to a second embodiment of the VOD system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a VOD system according to a third embodiment of the present invention and an operation mode when program distribution is congested;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a VOD system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and an operation mode when program distribution is congested;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a VOD system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and an operation mode when program distribution is congested.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional VOD system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 31, 41, 51, 61 ... Video server, 2, 32, 42, 5
2, 62 ... center equipment, 3, 21, 33, 43, 53, 63 ... terminal equipment, 4, 34, 44, 54, 64 ... subscriber A, 5, 35, 45,
55, 65 ... communication network, 6, 36, 46, 56, 66 ... subscriber N, 22 ... network interface, 23 ... memory unit, 24 ... memory control unit, 25 ... distribution data storage device, 26 ... stream control unit, 27: MPEG decoding unit; 28: D / A unit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A video-on-demand system that distributes a program from a center facility having a video server in response to a request from a subscriber having a terminal device. An information signal indicating that the system is in a program distribution congestion state to a subscriber requesting program distribution via a communication network connected therebetween, and an information prompting reservation of program distribution. A video-on-demand system for delivering a signal to a terminal device. 2. The terminal device is provided with a distribution data storage device, and the subscriber can view the distribution-reserved program at any time after the start of storing the distribution-reserved program in the distribution data storage device. The video according to claim 1
On-demand system. 3. In a video-on-demand system for delivering a program from a center facility having a video server in response to a request from a subscriber having a terminal device, when the program delivery is congested, the center facility issues a program delivery request. If there is another subscriber who is viewing the same program as the program for which the subscriber has made a program distribution request, an information signal that prompts the user to view the program in the middle is sent to the subscriber. A video-on-demand system for delivering to a terminal device. 4. In a video-on-demand system for delivering a program from a center facility having a video server in response to a request from a subscriber having a terminal device, when the program delivery is congested, the center facility issues a program delivery request. A video-on-demand system for distributing, to a terminal device of another subscriber, an information signal inviting another subscriber to view a program selected by the subscriber performing the program. 5. In a video-on-demand system for delivering a program from a center facility having a video server in response to a request from a subscriber having a terminal device, when there is a program delivery request at the time of program delivery congestion, A video-on-demand system wherein the center facility distributes an information signal for prompting the user to view the most requested distribution program collected from a plurality of subscribers in advance to the subscriber's terminal device.