Network delivery data transmitting method, network delivery data receiving method, network delivery data transmitting system, and network delivery data receiving system

• US 20030058866A1
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kitayama, Jiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,412,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/394
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1881 with schedule organisation, e.g. priority, sequence management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]

Abstract

The present invention is intended to provide network delivery data transmitting methods and receiving methods which allow the selection of content data as desired by user. In a data transmitting system, a specification information packet for specifying a content source used, plural packet sequences each attached with identification information, and a correspondence information packet for relating the content sources with the identification information are multiplexed with on on-air stream, which is transmitted to each receiving system via a network. On the basis of the received specification information packet and correspondence information packet, each receiving system selects desired content data from plural pieces of content to view the selected content data at the same time or in a switched manner.

Claims

1. A network delivery data transmitting method, wherein a data transmitting system forms content data generated by a plurality of content sources including at least one of imaging apparatuses and image generating apparatuses into a plurality of packet sequences composed of a plurality of packets and transmits an on-air stream carrying at least said plurality of packet sequences to a receiving system via a network, comprising the steps of:

attaching, by said transmitting system, at least identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences and serial numbers thereof to said plurality of packets forming said plurality of packet sequences formed by said applied plurality of content sources and putting on said on-air stream at least

(1) specification information for describing said applied plurality of content sources,

(2) correspondence information indicative of correspondence between said applied plurality of content sources and said identification information, and

(3) said plurality of packet sequences composed of said plurality of packets to which said identification information and said serial numbers are attached; and

transmitting said resultant on-air stream to said receiving system via said network.

2. A network delivery data transmitting method, wherein a data transmitting system forms content data generated by a plurality of content sources including at least one of imaging apparatuses and image generating apparatuses into a plurality of packet sequences composed of a plurality of packets and transmits an on-air stream carrying at least said plurality of packet sequences to a receiving system via a network,

said plurality of packet sequences including at least one program packet sequence and at least one advertisement packet sequence,

said method comprising the steps of:

attaching by said transmitting system, to each of said plurality of packets forming said plurality of packet sequencing based on said plurality of applied content sources, at least

(1) type information indicative of whether each of said plurality of packet sequences is said program packet sequence or said advertisement packet sequence,

(2) identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences, and

(3) a serial number of each of said plurality of packets; and

attaching to any of said plurality of packets,

(4) combination information for specifying a combination of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences;

attaching to said on-air stream

(1) specification information for describing said applied plurality of content sources;

(2) correspondence information indicative of correspondence between said applied plurality of content sources and said identification information; and

(3) said plurality of packet sequences composed of said plurality of packets to which said identification information and said serial numbers are attached; and

transmitting said resultant on-air stream to said receiving system via said network.

3. A network delivery data transmitting method, wherein a data transmitting system forms content data generated by a plurality of content sources including at least one of imaging apparatuses and image generating apparatuses into a plurality of packet sequences composed of a plurality of packets and transmits an on-air stream carrying at least said plurality of packet sequences to a receiving system via a network,

said plurality of packet sequences including at least one program packet sequence and at least one advertisement packet sequence,

said method comprising the steps of:

attaching, by said transmitting system, to each of said plurality of packets forming said plurality of packet sequences based on said plurality of applied content sources, at least

(1) type information indicative of whether each of said plurality of packet sequences is said program packet sequence or said advertisement packet sequence,

(2) identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences, and

(3) a serial number of each of said plurality of packets; and

attaching to said on-air stream

(1) specification information for describing said applied plurality of content sources,

(2) correspondence information indicative of correspondence between said applied plurality of content sources and said identification information,

(3) combination information for specifying a combination of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences, and

(4) said plurality of packet sequences composed of said plurality of packets to which said identification information and said serial numbers are attached; and

transmitting said resultant on-air stream to said receiving system via said network.

4. The network delivery data transmitting method according to claim 3, wherein said transmitting system receives individual information from said receiving system via said network, creates said combination information on the basis of said individual information for each receiving system, and puts said created combination information onto said on-air stream.

5. A network delivery data transmitting system comprising:

transmission data organizing means for forming a plurality of packet sequences composed of a plurality of packets on the basis of a plurality of content data supplied from a plurality of external or internal content sources including at least one of an imaging apparatus and an image generating apparatus and attaching identification information for identifying each of said plurality of packet sequences and a serial number to each of said plurality of packets to organize transmission data;

specification data organizing means for organizing specification information for describing said plurality of content sources;

correspondence information organizing means for organizing correspondence information for describing correspondence between said plurality of content sources and said identification information, and

management means for transmitting said transmission data to a receiving system via a network;

wherein said transmission data organizing means puts said specification information and said correspondence information onto said transmitting data.

6. A network delivery data transmitting system comprising:

transmission data organizing means for forming content data generated by a plurality of packet sequences of program packet sequences or advertisement packet sequences each composed of a plurality of packets on the basis of a plurality of content data supplied from a plurality of content sources including at least one of imaging apparatuses and image generating apparatuses,

attaching to each of said plurality of packets

(1) type information indicative of whether each of said plurality of packet sequences is said program packet sequence or said advertisement packet sequence;

(2) identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences; and

(3) a serial number of each of said plurality of packets, and

attaching to any of said plurality of packets,

(4) combination information for specifying a combination of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences;

specification information organizing means for organizing specification information for describing said plurality of content sources;

correspondence information organizing means for organizing correspondence information for describing correspondence between said plurality of content sources and said identification information;

combination information organizing means for organizing said combination information; and

management means for transmitting said transmission data to a receiving system via a network;

wherein said transmission data organizing means puts said specification information and said correspondence information onto said transmitting data.

7. A network delivery data transmitting system comprising:

transmission data organizing means for forming content data generated by a plurality of packet sequences of program packet sequences or advertisement packet sequences each composed of a plurality of packets on the basis of a plurality of content data supplied from a plurality of content sources including at least one of imaging apparatuses and image generating apparatuses and

attaching to each of said plurality of packets

(1) type information indicative of whether each of said plurality of packet sequences is said program packet sequence or said advertisement packet sequence;

(2) identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences; and

(3) a serial number of each of said plurality of packets;

specification information organizing means for organizing specification information for describing said plurality of content sources;

correspondence information organizing means for organizing correspondence information for describing correspondence between said plurality of content sources and said identification information;

combination information organizing means for organizing said combination information; and

management means for transmitting said transmission data to a receiving system via a network;

wherein said transmission data organizing means puts said specification information, said correspondence information, and said combination information onto said transmission data.

8. The network delivery data transmission system according to claim 7, further comprising:

receiving-side information analyzing means for gathering individual information supplied from said receiving system via said network;

wherein said combination information organizing means creates said combination information for each receiving system on the basis of said individual information.

9. A network delivery data receiving method for receiving, when each of a plurality of content data generated by a plurality of content sources is organized into a plurality of packet sequences composed of a plurality of packets and said plurality of packet sequences are transmitted from a transmitting side of network delivery, said plurality of packet sequences via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving via said network at least

(1) said plurality of packet sequences, each of said plurality of packets being attached with identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences and a serial number,

(2) correspondence information indicative of correspondence between said plurality of content sources and said identification information, and

(3) specification information for describing said plurality of content sources;

displaying a selection screen for said plurality of content sources on the basis of said specification information;

acquiring identification information corresponding to said specified content source indicated by said correspondence information upon reception of an externally given command for selecting any one of said plurality of content sources;

extracting a plurality of corresponding packets by matching said acquired identification information with said attached identification information; and

restoring said content data by aligning said plurality of extracted packets by their serial numbers.

10. A network delivery data receiving method for receiving, when each of a plurality of content data generated by a plurality of content sources is organized into program packet sequences or advertisement packet sequences composed of a plurality of packets and said plurality of packet sequences are transmitted from a transmitting side of network delivery, said program packet sequences and advertisement packet sequences via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving via a network

(1) a plurality of packet sequences, each packet being attached with

(a) type information indicative of whether each of said plurality of packet sequences is said program packet sequence or said advertisement packet sequence,

(b) identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences, and

(c) a serial number of each of said plurality of packets, and at least a part of said plurality of packets being attached with

(d) combination information specifying a combination of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences,

(2) correspondence information indicative of correspondence between said plurality of content sources and said identification information, and

(3) specification information for describing said plurality of content sources;

displaying a selection screen for said plurality of content sources on the basis of said identification information;

acquiring identification information corresponding to said specified content source indicated by said correspondence information upon reception of an externally given command for selecting any one of said plurality of content sources;

determining the type of said plurality of packet sequences by said type information;

extracting a plurality of corresponding packets by matching said acquired identification information with said attached identification information;

restoring said content data by aligning said plurality of extracted packets by their serial numbers; and

restoring, at a given or predetermined trigger time or upon confirmation of said plurality of packets attached with said combination information, both of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences of which combination is specified by said combination information at the same time or only one of them at one time in a switched manner.

11. A network delivery data receiving method for receiving, when each of a plurality of content data generated by a plurality of content sources is organized into a plurality of program packet sequences and a plurality of advertisement packet sequences composed of a plurality of packets and said plurality of packet sequences are transmitted from a transmitting side of network delivery, said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving via a network

(1) a plurality of packet sequences, each packet being attached with

(a) type information indicative of whether each of said plurality of packet sequences is said program packet sequence or said advertisement packet sequence;

(b) identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences; and

(c) a serial number of each of said plurality of packets,

(2) correspondence information indicative of correspondence between said plurality of content sources and said identification information, and

(3) specification information for describing said plurality of content sources;

(4) combination information for specifying a combination of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences;

displaying a selection screen for said plurality of content sources on the basis of said identification information;

acquiring identification information corresponding to said specified content source indicated by said correspondence information upon reception of an externally given command for selecting any one of said plurality of content sources;

determining the type of said plurality of packet sequences by said type information;

extracting a plurality of corresponding packets by matching said acquired identification information with said attached identification information;

restoring said content data by aligning said plurality of extracted packets by their serial numbers; and

restoring, at reception of said combination information or a given or predetermined trigger time, both of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences of which combination is specified by said combination information at the same time or only one of them at one time in a switched manner.

12. The network delivery data receiving method according to claim 11, wherein individual information is transmitted from the receiving side of network delivery to the transmitting side and said combination information set on the basis of said individual information is received from said transmitting side via said network.

13. A network delivery data receiving system for receiving, when each of plurality of content data generated by a plurality of content sources are organized into a plurality of packet sequences composed of a plurality of packets and said plurality of packet sequences are transmitted from a transmitting side of network delivery, said plurality of packet sequences via a network, comprising:

input means through which a user performs an input operation;

data exchange means for receiving via said network at least

(1) said plurality of packet sequences with each of said plurality of packets attached with identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences and a serial number,

(2) correspondence information indicative of correspondence between said plurality of content sources and said identification information, and

(3) specification information for describing said plurality of content sources;

data processing means for at least

(1) receiving a command for selecting any one of said plurality of content sources from said input means to acquire identification information corresponding to said specified content source by referencing said correspondence information,

(2) extracting a plurality of corresponding packets by matching said acquired identification information with said identification information attached to said plurality of packet sequences, and

(3) aligning said plurality of extracted packets by their serial numbers to restore said content data; and

output means for displaying a selection screen for said plurality of content sources based on said specification information and a screen for said content data reproduced from said plurality of packet sequences.

14. A network delivery data receiving system for receiving, when each of a plurality of content data generated by a plurality of content sources is organized into a plurality of program packet sequences or a plurality of advertisement packet sequences each composed of a plurality of packets and said plurality of packet sequences are transmitted from a transmitting side of network delivery, at least said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences via a network, comprising:

input means through which a user performs an input operation;

data exchange means for receiving via said network said plurality of packet sequences in which at least

(1) each of said plurality of packets is attached with

(a) type information indicative of whether each of said plurality of packet sequences is said program packet sequence or said advertisement packet sequence;

(b) identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences; and

(c) a serial number of each of said plurality of packets,

and at least a part of said plurality of packets is attached with

(d) combination information specifying a combination of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences,

(2) correspondence information indicative of correspondence between said plurality of content sources and said identification information, and

(3) specification information for describing said plurality of content sources;

data processing means for at least

(1) receiving a command for selecting any one of said plurality of content sources from said input means to acquire identification information corresponding to said specified content source by referencing said correspondence information,

(2) extracting said plurality of corresponding packets by matching said acquired identification information with said identification information attached to said plurality of packet sequences upon determination of the type of said plurality of packet sequences by said type information,

(3) reproducing said content data by aligning said plurality of extracted packets by their serial numbers, and

(4) restoring, at a given or predetermined trigger time or upon confirmation of said plurality of packets attached with said combination information, the content data of both of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences of which combination is specified by said combination information at the same time or only one of them at one time in a switched manner; and

output means for displaying a selection screen for said plurality of content sources based on said specification information and a screen for said content data reproduced from said plurality of packet sequences.

15. A network delivery data receiving system for receiving, when each of a plurality of content data generated by a plurality of content sources is organized into a plurality of program packet sequences or a plurality of advertisement packet sequences each composed of a plurality of packets and said plurality of packet sequences are transmitted from a transmitting side of network delivery, at least said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences via a network, comprising:

input means through which a user performs an input operation;

data exchange means for receiving via said network said plurality of packet sequences in which at least

(1) each of said plurality of packets is attached with

(a) type information indicative of whether each of said plurality of packet sequences is said program packet sequence or said advertisement packet sequence;

(b) identification information for identifying said plurality of packet sequences; and

(c) a serial number of each of said plurality of packets,

(2) correspondence information indicative of correspondence between said plurality of content sources and said identification information, and

(3) specification information for describing said plurality of content sources;

(4) combination information for specifying a combination between said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences;

data processing means for at least

(1) receiving a command for selecting any one of said plurality of content sources from said input means to acquire identification information corresponding to said specified content source by referencing said correspondence information,

(2) extracting said plurality of corresponding packets by matching said acquired identification information with said identification information attached to said plurality of packet sequences upon determination of the type of said plurality of packet sequences by said type information,

(3) reproducing said content data by aligning said plurality of extracted packets by their serial numbers, and

(4) restoring, at reception of said combination information or a given or predetermined trigger time, the content data of both of said plurality of program packet sequences and said plurality of advertisement packet sequences of which combination is specified by said combination information at the same time or only one of them at one time in a switched manner; and

output means for displaying a selection screen for said plurality of content sources based on said specification information and a screen for said content data reproduced from said plurality of packet sequences.

16. The network delivery data receiving system according to claim 15, further comprising:

usage-side information gather means for supplying via said network individual information which occurs in said network delivery data receiving system during the use thereof at least to the transmitting side of network delivery,

wherein said data exchange means receives at least individual combination information prepared for said network delivery data receiving system to be supplied from the transmitting side of network delivery via said network and

said date processing means selects said plurality of advertisement packet sequences combined with said plurality of program packet sequences in accordance with said command and said individual combination information.