Multicast system capable of dividing entire group into plural groups with easier procedures
First Claim
1. A method of controlling processing of stream data communicated in a multicast mode, the processing being conducted by a certain terminal of a plurality of terminals having the same multicast address, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a request for division into groups, the request indicating which one or more other terminals belong to the same group; and
performing either one of selective reception and selective replay of stream data issued from only the one or more other terminals belonging to the same group in accordance with the request, the stream data being simultaneously transmitted through a communication network to the plurality of terminals having the same multicast address.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A conference terminal is incorporated in a multicast conferencing system. The conference terminal receives a request for division into groups. The request includes information indicating that the terminal belongs to which group. The terminal then produces, in response to the request, only the stream data coming from one or more other conference terminals belonging to the same group as the terminal. This production is realized by selectively accepting such stream data at a reception unit to which all stream data are transmitted from all the terminals having the same multicast address. Alternatively, the production is realized by selectively re-writing stream data at a scene re-writer. Thus, the produced stream data are replayed and displayed. The division of an entire group into plural small groups can be performed without additionally issuing multicast addresses.
39 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of controlling processing of stream data communicated in a multicast mode, the processing being conducted by a certain terminal of a plurality of terminals having the same multicast address, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request for division into groups, the request indicating which one or more other terminals belong to the same group; and
performing either one of selective reception and selective replay of stream data issued from only the one or more other terminals belonging to the same group in accordance with the request, the stream data being simultaneously transmitted through a communication network to the plurality of terminals having the same multicast address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of controlling a flow of stream data in a multicast system in which a plurality of terminals all having the same multicast address are mutually connected communicably in a multicast mode through a communication network and a certain terminal serves as a host terminal and the remaining terminals serve as client terminals, the method comprising the steps of:
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making the host terminal divide the plurality of terminals to a plurality of groups of terminals in response to a division request;
making the host terminal transmit information about a plurality of divided groups to the client terminals having the same multicast address, each of the client terminals recognizing one or more terminals belonging to the same divided group; and
making each of the client terminals perform either one of selective reception and selective display of stream data issued from only the one or more terminals belonging to the same divided group, the stream data being simultaneously transmitted through the communication network to the plurality of terminals having the same multicast address.
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5. A terminal distributed, together with other terminals, to form a plurality of terminals to which the same multicast address is given, through a communication network in a multicast system in which stream data are transmitted through the communication network in a multicast mode, the terminal comprising:
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request receiving means for receiving a request for division into groups, the request including information indicating that the terminal belongs to which group;
producing means for producing, in response to the request, only the stream data coming from one or more other terminals belonging to the same group as the terminal; and
replaying means for replaying only the stream data produced by the producing means. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17)
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15. A multicast conferencing system in which a plurality of conference terminals all having the same multicast address are mutually connected communicably in a multicast mode through a communication network, the system comprising:
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a single host conference terminal designated in the plurality of conference terminals, including;
first request receiving means for receiving a request for division into groups, the request including information indicating that the terminal belongs to which group;
first producing means for producing, in response to the request, only the stream data coming from one or more other terminals belonging to the same group as the terminal;
first replaying means for replaying only the stream data produced by the first producing means;
deciding means for arbitrarily deciding a plurality of divided groups of terminals among the plurality of terminals all having the same multicast address; and
issuing means for issuing the request, based on the plurality of groups decided, to the first request receiving means and client conference terminals all having the same multicast address, and a plurality of remaining client conference terminals, each including;
second request receiving means for receiving the request for division into groups;
second producing means for producing, in response to the request, only the stream data coming from one or more other terminals belonging to the same group as the terminal; and
second replaying means for replaying only the stream data produced by the second producing means;
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18. A recording medium which is readable by a computer and in which information about a method of controlling processing of stream data communicated in a multicast mode is recorded, the processing being conducted by a certain terminal of a plurality of terminals having the same multicast address, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request for division into groups, the request indicating which one or more other terminals belong to the same group; and
performing either one of selective reception and selective replay of stream data issued from only the one or more other terminals belonging to the same group in accordance with the request, the stream data being simultaneously transmitted through a communication network to the plurality of terminals having the same multicast address.
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19. A computer-readable program for controlling processing of stream data communicated in a multicast mode, the processing being conducted by a certain terminal of a plurality of terminals having the same multicast address, the program realizing the steps of:
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receiving a request for division into groups, the request indicating which one or more other terminals belong to the same group; and
performing either one of selective reception and selective replay of stream data issued from only the one or more other terminals belonging to the same group in accordance with the request, the stream data being simultaneously transmitted through a communication network to the plurality of terminals having the same multicast address.
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Specification