Information receiving device and method, information release device, and information communication system

• US RE42,204 E1
• Filed: 05/13/1999
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sawatari, Ryusuke, Utsumi, Shusuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Jain; Raj K
• Application Number:
  US11/356,422
• Time in Patent Office: 4,317 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5667 IP over ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 29/06027 Protocols for multimedia communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/724 at intermediate nodes, e.g. resource reservation protocol [RSVP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/801 Real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers

Abstract

If an instruction is provided so as to receive second content information in place of first content information on the basis of only one operation by a user while the first content information is received through a connection formed in a communication network, the connection for communication of the first content information is disconnected, and thereafter, a connection for communication of the second content information is formed. In this manner, network resources can be reserved or released without consciousness of users.

Claims

1. An information receiving apparatus which is connected to an information providing apparatus by forming a connection in a communication network and which receives content information from the information providing apparatus through the connection, comprising:

input means for inputting a command based on an operation by a user;

communication means for making communication through the communication network;

control means for controlling the communication means so as to output an instruction signal, based on the command inputted through the input means; and

display means for displaying the content information received by the communication means,

characterized in that if a switching instruction which indicates that second content information should be received in place of first content information is inputted as the command to the communication means when the communication means is receiving the first content information through the connection formed in the communication network, the control means makes control so as to output a disconnection instruction for disconnecting the connection for transmitting the first content information, which is formed in the communication network connecting the communication means and the information providing apparatus, and a formation instruction for forming the connection for transmitting the second content information, which is formed in the communication network connecting the communication means and the information providing apparatus, further characterized in that prior to formation of the connection, the control means controls makes control such that the communication means outputs a reservation instruction signal for making reservation of a communication band resource of the communication network, as the instruction signal, and further characterized in that if the control means recognizes the communication band resource which is necessary for the content information to be received, the control means makes control such that the communication means outputs the reservation instruction signal containing resource information indicating the communication band resource, or if the control means does not recognize the communication band resource which is necessary for the content information to be received, the control means makes control such that the communication means outputs the reservation instruction signal without containing the resource information indicating the communication band resource.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing predetermined resource information used for reserving a communication band resource necessary for transmitting the content information,

characterized in that the control means generates the formation instruction containing the predetermined resource information stored in the storage means, when forming the connection.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the storage means stores information used for reserving a communication band resource for transmitting the content information as the predetermined resource information.

4. An information receiving apparatus which is connected to an information providing apparatus by forming a connection in a communication network and which receives content information from the information providing apparatus through the connection, comprising:

input means for inputting a command based on an operation by a user;

communication means for making communication through the communication network;

control means for controlling the communication means so as to output an instruction signal, based on the command inputted through the input means; and

display means for displaying the content information received by the communication means,

characterized in that if a switching instruction which indicates that second content information should be received in place of first content information is inputted as the command to the communication means when the communication means is receiving the first content information through the connection formed in the communication network, the control means makes control so as to output a disconnection instruction for disconnecting the connection for transmitting the first content information, which is formed in the communication network connecting the communication means and the information providing apparatus, and a formation instruction for forming the connection for transmitting the second content information, which is formed in the communication network connecting the communication means and the information providing apparatus, further characterized in that after outputting the disconnection instruction for instructing disconnection of the connection for content information presently received at a previously set time interval, the control means makes control so as to output the information instruction for instructing formation of the connection for transmitting content information according to a previously set order.

5. An information receiving method in which a connection is made in a communication network to an information providing apparatus and content information is received from the information providing apparatus through the connection, comprising:

A method for communications on a network between an information providing apparatus and a content receiving apparatus, the method comprising;

an input step of inputting a command to the content receiving apparatus based on an operation by a user;

a communication step of making communicationcommunicating a signal as a result of the command through thea communication network and receiving content data from the information providing apparatus at the content receiving apparatus over the communications network;

a control step of controlling the communication step content receiving apparatus so as to output an instruction signal, based on the inputted command inputted through the input step ; and

a display step of displaying the content information received through the communication step communications network, characterized in that if a switching command which instructs that second content information should be received in place of first content information is inputted as the command in the communication step , based on only one operation by a user in the input step , when the first content information is being received in the communication step through the connection formed in the communication network, the control step makes control so as to output the content receiving apparatus is controlled to output a disconnection instruction for instructing disconnection of the connection for transmitting the first content information, which if formed in the communication network connected with the information providing apparatus by the communication step , and a formation instruction for instructing formation of the connection for transmitting the second content information, which is formed in the communication network connected with the information providing apparatus in the communication step , further characterized in that prior to formation of the connection, the control step makes control such that a reservation instruction signal for making reservation of a communication band resource of the communication network is outputted as the instruction signal in the communication step , and further characterized in that if the communication band resource which is necessary for the content information to be received is recognized in the control step, the control step makes control such that the a reservation instruction signal containing resource information indicating the communication band resource is outputted in the communication step by the content receiving apparatus, or if the communication band resource which is necessary for the content information to be received is not recognized in the control step, the control step makes control such that the a reservation instruction signal without containing resource information indicating the communication band resource is outputted in the communication step by the content receiving apparatus.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising a storage step of storing predetermined resource information used for reserving a communication band resource necessary for transmitting the content information, characterized in that the control step generates the a formation instruction containing the predetermined resource information stored in the storage step, is generated when forming the connection.

7. A method according to claim 5 6, characterized in that information used for reserving a communication band resource for transmitting the content information is stored as the predetermined resource information in the storage step .

8. An information receiving method in which a connection is made in a communication network to between a content receiving apparatus and an information providing apparatus and content information is received from the information providing apparatus through the connection, comprising:

an input step of inputting a command to the content receiving apparatus based on an operation by a user;

a communication step of making communicationcommunicating a signal as a result of the command through thea communication network and receiving content data from the information providing apparatus at the content receiving apparatus over the communications network;

a control step of controlling the communication step content receiving apparatus so as to output an instruction signal, based on the inputted command inputted through the input step ; and

a display step of displaying the content information received through the communication step from the information providing appartus, characterized in that if a switching command which instructs that second content information should be received in place of first content information is inputted as the command in the communication step , based on only one operation by a user in the input step, when the first content information is being received in the communication step through the connection formed in the communication network, the control step makes control so as to output the content receiving apparatus outputs a disconnection instruction for instructing disconnection of the connection for transmitting the first content information, which if formed in the communication network connected with the information providing apparatus by the communication step , and a formation instruction for instructing formation of the connection for transmitting the second content information, which is formed in the communication network connected with the information providing apparatus in the communication step , further characterized in that after outputting the disconnection instruction for instructing disconnection of the connection for content information presently received, at a previously set time interval, the control step makes control so as to output the content receiving apparatus outputs the formation instruction for instructing formation of the connection for transmitting content information according to a previously set order.

9. An information providing apparatus which is connected to an information receiving apparatus through a communication network and which provides the information receiving apparatus with content information, with use of a communication band resource of the communication network which is reserved prior to providing of the content information, comprising:

communication means for making communication through the communication network;

storage means for storing the content information;

directiondetection means for detecting whether or not resource information indicating the communication band resource is contained in an instruction signal, when the communication means receives the instruction signal from the information receiving apparatus; and

control means for outputting a band reservation command for reserving the communication band resource, based on a detection result from the detection means, and for making control to make a selection from a first mode in which the communication means is controlled so as to output the content information to the information receiving apparatus, and a second mode in which the communication means is controlled so as to output the content information with use of the communication band resource indicated by the resource information,

characterized in that the control means selects the first mode if the instruction signal does not contain the resource information, or the second mode if the instruction signal contains the resource information.

10. An information communication system comprising an information providing apparatus and an information receiving apparatus connected to a communication network, in which the information providing apparatus and the information receiving apparatus exchanges content information through communication with use of a communication band resource of the communication network which is reserved prior to communication of the content information,

characterized in that

the information providing apparatus includes providing communication means for making communication through the communication network, storage means for storing the content information, and providing control means for controlling the providing communication means so as to output the content information,

the information receiving apparatus includes input means for inputting a command based on an operation by a user, receiving communication means for making communication through the communication network, receiving control means for controlling the receiving communication means so as to output an instruction signal based on the command inputted through the input means, and display means for displaying the content information received by the communication means, and

if a switching instruction which indicates that second content information should be received in place of first content information is inputted as the command to the receiving communication means when the receiving communication means is receiving the first content information through the connection formed in the communication network, the receiving control means makes control so as to output a disconnection instruction for disconnecting the connection for transmitting the first content information, which is formed in the communication network connecting the receiving communication means and the information providing apparatus, and a formation instruction for forming the connection for transmitting the second content information, which is formed in the communication network connecting the receiving communication means and the information providing apparatus, and characterized in that the information providing apparatus further includes detection means for detecting whether or not resource information indicating the communication band resource is contained in an instruction signal, when the receiving communication means providing communication means receives the instruction signal from the information receiving apparatus, and

based on a detection result from the detection means, the providing control means makes control so as to select a first mode in which a band reservation command for reserving the communication band resource is outputted and the communication means is controlled so as to output the content information to the information receiving apparatus, if the instruction signal does not contain the resource information, or a second mode in which the communication means is controlled so as to output the content information with use of the communication band resource indicated by the resource information, if the instruction signal contains the resource information.

11. A system according to claim 10, further comprising a relay apparatus between the information providing apparatus and the information receiving apparatus,

characterized in that the relay apparatus reserves the band communication resource based on an instruction from the providing control means and the receiving control means.

12. A system according to claim 11, characterized in that the relay apparatus reserves the communication resource used for communication from the information providing apparatus to the information receiving apparatus.

13. A content receiving apparatus for receiving content data from a content server via a communications network, the content receiving apparatus comprising:

a communication unit that receives content data and sends request messages;

an input unit that inputs a switch command, which switches the content receiving apparatus from a first content data to a second content data sent by the content server; and

a controller that controls the communications unit;

wherein in order to switch between the first content data and the second content data, the controller controls the communication unit to send a reservation release request message to the content server, which releases a first network connection, and a reservation instruction signal to reserve a communication resource, and form a second connection utilizing the communication resource, such that the second content data is received by the content receiving apparatus via the second network connection; and

wherein if the controller recognizes a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the controller controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message containing resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize, and if the controller does not recognize a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the controller controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message that does not contain resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize.

14. A method for communications on a network between a content server and a content receiving terminal, the method comprising:

receiving at the content receiving terminal data containing resource reservation information sent by the content server;

sending a network resource reservation request message from the content receiving terminal to the content server to reserve a first network resource;

receiving first content data at the content receiving terminal sent by the content server via the first network resource; and

wherein when an input signal is received by the content receiving terminal to display second content data,

sending a network resource release message from the content receiving terminal to the content server to release the first network resource;

sending a second network resource reservation request message to reserve a second network resource; and

receiving second content data at the content receiving terminal sent by the content server via the second network resource; and

wherein if a network resource which is necessary for receiving content data is recognized by a control unit, then the network reservation request message includes resource information indicating a network resource to utilize to receive the content data, otherwise if the network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data is not recognized by the control unit, then the network reservation request message does not include resource information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the content receiving terminal automatically switches between different content data, after a predetermined period of time.

16. A content server for providing content data for a content receiving apparatus via a communications network, the content server comprising:

a communication unit that receives a request message indicating a communication network resource and provides content data via the communication network resource;

a storage unit that stores content information; and

a controller that makes a selection to output content information stored in the storage unit to the content receiving apparatus, in response to a request to switch from a first content data to a second content data;

wherein the controller releases a first network resource and reserves a second network resource such that the communication unit sends the second content data via the second network resource; and

wherein if the controller recognizes a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the controller controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message containing resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize, and if the controller does not recognize a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the controller controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message that does not contain resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize.

17. A method for communications on a network between a content server and a content receiving terminal, the method comprising:

sending data containing resource reservation information from the content server to the content receiving terminal;

receiving a network resource reservation request message sent from the content receiving terminal to the content server to reserve a first network resource;

sending first content data from the content server to the content receiving terminal via the first network resource;

receiving the first content data on the content receiving terminal; and

wherein when an input signal is received by the content receiving terminal to display second content data,

receiving a network resource release message sent from the content receiving terminal to the content server to release the first network resource;

receiving a second network resource reservation request message at the content server to reserve a second network resource;

sending second content data to the content receiving terminal sent by the content server via the second network resource; and

receiving the second content data on the content receiving terminal; and

wherein if a network resource which is necessary for receiving content data is recognized by a control unit, then the network reservation request message includes resource information indicating a network resource to utilize to receive the content data, otherwise if the network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data is not recognized by the control unit, then the network reservation request message does not include resource information.

18. A content receiving apparatus for receiving data, the content receiving apparatus comprising:

a communication unit configured to send a request message and to receive data;

an input unit configured to make a switch request and a reservation request, wherein the switch request is made to release a first network connection which is utilized to receive first content data, and the reservation request reserves a second network connection in order to receive a second content data at the communication unit; and

a control unit configured to control the communication unit to send the switch request message and the reservation request message periodically; and

wherein in order to switch between the first content data and the second content data, the controller controls the communication unit to send a reservation release request message to the content server, which releases a first network connection, and a reservation instruction signal to reserve a communication resource, and form a second connection utilizing the communication resource, such that the second content data is received by the content receiving apparatus via the second network connection; and

wherein if the control unit recognizes a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the control unit controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message containing resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize, and if the control unit does not recognize a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the control unit controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message that does not contain resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize.

19. A method of switching between content data stored on a content server and received over a communications network by a content receiving terminal, the method comprising:

sending a switch request message from the content receiving terminal to the content server to release a first network connection and to stop transmission of first content data sent over the first network connection; and

sending a reservation request message from the content receiving terminal to the content server to reserve a second network connection and to start transmission of second content data over the second network connection;

wherein the switch request message and the reservation request message are sent periodically to switch between the stored content data.

20. An information receiving apparatus which is connected to an information providing apparatus by forming a connection in a communication network and which receives content information from the information providing apparatus through the connection, comprising:

an operating section for inputting a command based on an operation by a user;

a communication section for making communication through the communication network;

a control section for controlling the communication section so as to output an instruction signal, based on the command inputted through the operating section; and

a display section for displaying the content information received by the communication means,

characterized in that if a switching instruction which indicates that second content information should be received in place of first content information is inputted as the command to the communication section when the communication section is receiving the first content information through the connection formed in the communication network, the control section makes control so as to output a service switching instruction for requesting that the information providing apparatus provide the second content information in place of the first content information, and the communication section subsequently receives the second content information through the same connection through which the first content information was received.

21. An information providing apparatus which is connected to an information receiving apparatus through a communication network and which provides the information receiving apparatus with content information, with use of a communication band resource of the communication network which is reserved prior to providing of the content information, comprising:

a communication section for making communication through the communication network;

a storage unit for storing the content information; and

a controller for outputting a band reservation command for reserving the communication band resource, for making control to provide first content information through a communication band resource, and for making control to switch from providing the first content information to providing second content information through the same communication band resource in response to receiving a service switching instruction from the information receiving apparatus.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the controller includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM.

23. A method of providing content information from an information server to an information receiving terminal through a communication network, with use of a communication band resource of the communication network which is reserved prior to providing of the content information, comprising:

providing a service from the information server to the information receiving terminal through the reserved communication band resource, including providing first content information to the information receiving terminal;

receiving a service switching instruction at the information server from the information receiving terminal, indicating a change in service; and

changing the service provided from the information server to the information receiving terminal through the reserved communication band resource according to the indicated change of service;

wherein the change of service indicates second content information, and further comprising;

stopping providing the first content information; and

providing the second content information from the information server to the information receiving terminal through the same reserved communication band resource that was used for providing the first content information.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

determining a quality of service appropriate to provide the second content information through the reserved communication band resource; and

changing the quality of service provided by the information providing apparatus according to the determined quality of service, if different from the quality of service appropriate for providing the first content information.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the change of service indicates a change in quality of service, and further comprising:

changing the quality of service provided by the information providing apparatus according to the indicated change of service.

26. A content receiving apparatus for receiving content data from a content server via a communications network, the content receiving apparatus comprising:

a communication unit that receives content data and sends request messages;

an input unit that inputs a switch command, which switches the content receiving apparatus from a first content data to a second content data sent by the content server; and

a controller that controls the communications unit;

wherein in order to switch between the first content data and the second content data, the controller controls the communication unit to send a reservation release request message to the content server, which releases a first network connection, and a reservation instruction signal to reserve a communication resource, and form a second connection utilizing the communication resource, such that the second content data is received by the content receiving apparatus via the second network connection; and

wherein if the controller recognizes a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the controller controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message containing resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize, and if the controller does not recognize a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the controller controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message that does not contain resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize; and

wherein the reservation release request message and the reservation request message are sent together in one message.

27. A method for communications on a network between a content server and a content receiving terminal, the method comprising:

receiving at the content receiving terminal data containing resource reservation information sent by the content server;

sending a network resource reservation request message from the content receiving terminal to the content server to reserve a first network resource;

receiving first content data at the content receiving terminal sent by the content server via the first network resource; and

wherein when an input signal is received by the content receiving terminal to display second content data,

sending a network resource release message from the content receiving terminal to the content server to release the first network resource;

sending a second network resource reservation request message to reserve a second network resource; and

receiving second content data at the content receiving terminal sent by the content server via the second network resource;

wherein if a network resource which is necessary for receiving content data is recognized by a control unit, then the network reservation request message includes resource information indicating a network resource to utilize to receive the content data, otherwise if the network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data is not recognized by the control unit, then the network reservation request message does not include resource information; and

wherein the network resource release message and the network resource reservation request message are sent together in one message.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the content receiving terminal automatically switches between different content data, after a predetermined period of time.

29. A content server for providing content data for a content receiving apparatus via a communications network, the content server comprising:

a communication unit that receives a request message indicating a communication network resource and provides content data via the communication network resource;

a storage unit that stores content information; and

a controller that makes a selection to output content information stored in the storage unit to the content receiving apparatus, in response to a request to switch from a first content data to a second content data;

wherein the controller releases a first network resource and reserves a second network resource such that the communication unit sends the second content data via the second network resource, wherein controller sends releases the first network resource and reserves the second network resource upon receipt of a single request message; and

wherein if the controller recognizes a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the controller controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message containing resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize, and if the controller does not recognize a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the controller controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message that does not contain resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize.

30. A method for communications on a network between a content server and a content receiving terminal, the method comprising:

sending data containing resource reservation information from the content server to the content receiving terminal;

receiving a network resource reservation request message sent from the content receiving terminal to the content server to reserve a first network resource;

sending first content data from the content server to the content receiving terminal via the first network resource;

receiving the first content data on the content receiving terminal; and

wherein when an input signal is received by the content receiving terminal to display second content data,

receiving a network resource release message sent from the content receiving terminal to the content server to release the first network resource;

receiving a second network resource reservation request message at the content server to reserve a second network resource;

sending second content data to the content receiving terminal sent by the content server via the second network resource; and

receiving the second content data on the content receiving terminal; and

wherein if a network resource which is necessary for receiving content data is recognized by a control unit, then the network reservation request message includes resource information indicating a network resource to utilize to receive the content data, otherwise if the network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data is not recognized by the control unit, then the network reservation request message does not include resource information; and

wherein the network resource release message and the second network resource reservation request message are sent together in one message.

31. A content receiving apparatus for receiving data, the content receiving apparatus comprising:

a communication unit configured to send a request message and to receive data;

an input unit configured to make a switch request and a reservation request, wherein the switch request is made to release a first network connection which is utilized to receive first content data, and the reservation request reserves a second network connection in order to receive a second content data at the communication unit; and

a control unit configured to control the communication unit to send the switch request message and the reservation request message periodically; and

wherein in order to switch between the first content data and the second content data, the controller controls the communication unit to send a reservation release request message to the content server, which releases a first network connection, and a reservation instruction signal to reserve a communication resource, and form a second connection utilizing the communication resource, such that the second content data is received by the content receiving apparatus via the second network connection and

wherein if the control unit recognizes a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the control unit controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message containing resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize, and if the control unit does not recognize a communication network resource which is necessary for receiving the content data, the control unit controls the communication unit to output a reservation request message that does not contain resource information indicating the communication network resource to utilize; and

wherein the reservation release request message and the reservation request message are sent together in one message.

32. A method of switching between content data stored on a content server and received over a communications network by a content receiving terminal, the method comprising:

sending a switch request message from the content receiving terminal to the content server to release a first network connection and to stop transmission of first content data sent over the first network connection; and

sending a reservation request message from the content receiving terminal to the content server to reserve a second network connection and to start transmission of second content data over the second network connection;

wherein the switch request message and the reservation request message are sent periodically to switch between the stored content data;

wherein the switch request message and the reservation request message are sent together as one message.