Picture distribution system and method thereof

• US 7,400,592 B1
• Filed: 07/20/2000
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Kaneko, Nobuyuki, Fujiyama, Takehiko, Niimi, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryman; Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US09/620,715
• Time in Patent Office: 2,917 Days
• Field of Search: 370/403, 370/404, 370/442, 370/443, 370/444, 370/458, 370/459, 370/460, 370/468, 370/477, 370/496, 370/503, 370/521, 370/465, 370/258
• US Class Current: 370/270
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1611 Synchronous digital hierarchy [SDH] or SONET H04J3/1664 takes precedence for interactions with OTN
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1694 Allocation of channels in TDM/TDMA networks, e.g. distributed multiplexers Passive Optical Networks H04Q11/0062
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/43 with synchronous transmission, e.g. time division multiplex [TDM], slotted rings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/041 using special codes as synchronising signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A plurality of distribution devices accommodate one or more respective cameras. Respective picture monitors are connected to a plurality of receiving devices. The plurality of distribution devices and the plurality of receiving devices are connected by a transmission line. This transmission line is in a ring shape, and transmits picture data by a time division multiplex method. On receipt of a request related to picture display from a user terminal, a central device transmits an instruction to the plurality of distribution devices and to the plurality of receiving devices, according to a usage condition of the transmission line and the number of simultaneously distributed pictures. The plurality of distribution devices distribute picture data according to the instruction, and the plurality of receiving devices receive the picture data according to the instruction.

Claims

1. A picture distribution system for distributing picture data from one or more sources to a plurality of receiving devices using a distribution device, the system comprising:

a network where a plurality of logical channels are established in a time division multiplex method;

the distribution device distributing picture data from the one or more sources to the plurality of receiving devices via a logical channel designated by a distribution instruction;

the plurality of receiving devices receiving picture data from respective logical channels designated by receiving instructions; and

an allocation unit allocating respective bandwidth to each of a plurality of logical channels used to transmit picture data according to a number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels, wherein

said allocation unit allocates a predetermined first bandwidth to each of the logical channels when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels does not exceed a predetermined threshold number, and when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels exceeds the threshold number by having a new source added thereto, said allocation unit

a) selects one of the plurality of logical channels, on which picture data from a corresponding source has been transmitted, to which the first bandwidth has been allocated,

b) generates new logical channels each having a second bandwidth, which is obtained by dividing the first bandwidth of the selected logical channel by a predetermined integer, and

c) allocates one of the new logical channels to the corresponding source and the other of the new logical channels to the new source.

2. The picture distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said network is a ring-shaped transmission line.

3. The picture distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit determining the number of logical channels to be established in said network.

4. The picture distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising the allocation unit allocating respective bandwidth used to transmit picture data to the plurality of logical channels.

5. The picture distribution system according to claim 1, wherein

priority is given in advance to the plurality of logical channels, and

said allocation unit allocates respective bandwidth to the plurality of logical channels based on the priority given to each logical channel.

6. The picture distribution system according to claim 1, wherein

priority is given in advance to the plurality of receiving devices;

and

said allocation unit allocates respective bandwidth to said plurality of logical channels based on the priority given to each receiving device.

7. The picture distribution system according to claim 1, wherein

said distribution device generates a receiving instruction according to a received distribution instruction and transmits the receiving instruction to a corresponding receiving device via said network.

8. A distribution device which is used in a picture distribution system for distributing picture data from one or more sources to a plurality of receiving devices via a network where a plurality of logical channels are established by a time division multiplex method, comprising:

a distribution unit distributing picture data to the plurality of receiving devices via a logical channel designated by a distribution instruction, the picture data being received by the receiving devices with a function to receive picture data from a logical channel designated by a receiving instruction; and

an allocation unit for allocating respective bandwidth to the plurality of logical channels used to transmit picture data according to a number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels, wherein

said allocation unit allocates a predetermined first bandwidth to each of the logical channels when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels does not exceed a predetermined threshold number, and when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels exceeds the threshold number by having a new source added thereto, said allocation unit

a) selects one of the plurality of logical channels, on which picture data from a corresponding source has been transmitted, to which the first bandwidth has been allocated,

b) generates new logical channels each having a second bandwidth, which is obtained by dividing the first bandwidth of the selected logical channel by a predetermined integer, and

c) allocates one of the new logical channels to the corresponding source and the other of the new logical channels to the new source.

9. A receiving device which is used as one of a plurality of receiving devices in a picture distribution system for distributing picture data using a distribution device from one or more sources to a plurality of receiving devices via a network where a plurality of logical channels are established by a time division multiplex method and respective bandwidth is allocated to the plurality of logical channels used to transmit picture data according to a number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels, comprising:

a receiving unit receiving a set of picture data from a logical channel designated by a receiving instruction, the set of picture data being transmitted from the distribution device with a function to distribute picture data via a logical channel designated by a distribution instruction, wherein

respective bandwidth is allocated as a predetermined first bandwidth to each of the logical channels when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels does not exceed a predetermined threshold number, and when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels exceeds the threshold number by having a new source added thereto, the respective bandwidth is allocated by

a) selecting one of the plurality of logical channels, on which picture data from a corresponding source has been transmitted, to which the first bandwidth has been allocated,

b) generating new logical channels each having a second bandwidth, which is obtained by dividing the first bandwidth of the selected logical channel by a predetermined integer, and

c) allocating one of the new logical channels to the corresponding source and the other of the new logical channels to the new source.

10. A picture distribution system for distributing picture data from one or more sources to a plurality of receiving devices using a distribution device, comprising:

a network where fixed-length frames each composed of a plurality of time slots are transmitted;

one or more distribution devices storing first picture data in a first time slot of the fixed-length frame, storing second picture data in a second time slot of the fixed-length frame, and transmitting the fixed-length frame to the network;

the plurality of receiving devices receiving the respective picture data from the first or second time slots of the fixed-length frame according to a receiving instruction; and

an allocation unit for allocating respective bandwidth to the plurality of time slots used to transmit picture data according to a number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of time slots, wherein

said allocation unit allocates a predetermined first bandwidth to each of the time slots when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of time slots does not exceed a predetermined threshold number, and when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of time slots exceeds the threshold number by having a new source added thereto, said allocation unit

a) selects one of the plurality of time slots, on which picture data from a corresponding source has been transmitted, to which the first bandwidth has been allocated,

b) generates new time slots each having a second bandwidth, which is obtained by dividing the first bandwidth of the selected time slot by a predetermined integer, and

c) allocates one of the new time slots to the corresponding source and the other of the new time slots to the new source.

11. The picture distribution system according to claim 10, wherein if third picture data are requested to be distributed while the first and second picture data are being distributed, said one or more distribution devices store the first picture data in the first time slot of the fixed-length frame, store the second and third picture data in the second time slot of the fixed-length frame, and transmit the fixed length frame to said network.

12. A picture distribution method for distributing picture data from one or more sources to a plurality of receiving devices using a distribution device, comprising:

establishing a plurality of logical channels by a time division multiplex method;

allocating respective bandwidth to the plurality of logical channels used to transmit picture data according to a number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels;

distributing picture data via a logical channel designated by a distribution instruction; and

receiving by the plurality of receiving devices respective picture data from logical channels designated by corresponding receiving instructions, wherein

said allocating step allocates a predetermined first bandwidth to each of the logical channels when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels does not exceed a predetermined threshold number, and when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels exceeds the threshold number by having a new source added thereto, said allocating step includes

a) selecting one of the plurality of logical channels, on which picture data from a corresponding source has been transmitted, to which the first bandwidth has been allocated,

b) generating new logical channels each having a second bandwidth, which is obtained by dividing the first bandwidth of the selected logical channel by a predetermined integer, and

c) allocating one of the new logical channels to the corresponding source and the other of the new logical channels to the new source.

13. The picture distribution method according to claim 12, further comprising:

determining a number of logical channels to be established according to the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels; and

generating the distribution instruction based on the determined number of logical channels and allocated bandwidth.