JP2008099041A - Information distribution system using information display terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information distribution system using an STB in which content information scarcely runs out without mounting a complicated and expensive DRM. <P>SOLUTION: The information distribution system, etc. uses a global server having a semipermanent memory, a local server having the semipermanent memory, the STB having no semipermanent memory, and a display device having no semipermanent memory. Basically, the STB is configured not to store content information, the local server (LS) is provided between a GS having contents and the STB, and the contents are stored in the LS. The LS is installed in the same local network as the STB on a network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution system using an information display terminal.

  An information distribution system using an information display terminal (hereinafter referred to as STB) typified by a set top box (STB) is known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-341039: Patent Document 1 below). Here, STB refers to receiving moving image, still image, and audio content via a wired or wireless network and performing playback processing of the content, and outputting the playback processed content to an externally connected display device. Refers to a device that can do. However, the STB may be integrated with the display unit. In an information distribution system using a conventional STB, information is directly transmitted from the main server to the STB via the network as shown in FIG. Further, the content information transmitted from the main server is recorded via the STB or recording device as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, and is read and displayed according to a program stored in the STB as appropriate. That is, the content information is stored once in the STB or the recording device.

  A device used as an STB is a general PC (Personal Computer) such as an IBM PC / AT compatible machine and is installed with a general-purpose OS such as Windows (registered trademark) or Linux (registered trademark). There were many.

  However, in an environment outside a home such as a commercial facility or a public place, a terminal such as an STB may be operated by an unspecified number of users, and content may be lost if the terminal is stolen or the terminal is illegally operated. There was a risk of information leaking. For this reason, the STB has a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated and the cost is increased, for example, a DRM circuit having a complicated function is mounted.

In addition, since the STB is handled by the user, there is a problem in that the STB is likely to fail if the structure of the circuit or the like included in the STB is complicated.

In addition, the general PC such as the IBM PC / AT compatible machine described above has many extra functions on the circuit in addition to the functions necessary for the STB, and similarly, Windows (registered trademark) and Linux (registered trademark). In addition to the functions required for STB, the general-purpose OS has many extra functions in the software, and the extra functions are costly. There was a problem that it took a lot of time to deal with security holes for all the extra functions. Examples of PC failures include HDD failures, heat dissipation fan failures to suppress chip heat generation, failures due to heat generation, and the like.

In addition, when a problem occurs in the STB, there is a problem that information set in each STB, operation log information, and recorded content information are lost, and the STB replacement work is burdened.

In an information distribution system using an information display terminal, the STB usually has the largest number, and if the STB circuit is complicated or an expensive DRM mechanism is introduced, a system is constructed. Therefore, there was a problem that it took a lot of expenses. Therefore, there is a problem that a user who introduces STB has to bear a lot of expenses.

  In addition, when transmitting a large amount of content information such as a moving image directly from the main server to the STB, there is a problem that the moving image information is not transmitted to the STB due to a line trouble or the like.

  Also, when providing content directly to the STB from the main server, if the number of STBs that transmit content information increases, the main server must process the requests from all the STBs, resulting in an increase in the number of STBs. There was a problem that I could not.

In addition, when the number of STBs increases, it is impossible to grasp the failure or failure status of the STB or display device when managing the system, and the display device is left unrecognized without being reproduced. There was a problem.
JP 2005-341039 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution system using an STB that is less likely to leak content information without mounting a complicated and expensive DRM.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution system using an STB that can reduce the cost by mounting only the functions necessary as an STB without complicating the functions of the STB and can reduce the occurrence of problems. And This is because it is expected that many STBs expected to have many opportunities to touch the user will cause the STB to be operated unexpectedly by a large number of users, including mischief, etc. It is expected that the operation by the user is difficult to prevent, so to reduce the cost of the information distribution system, it is important to reduce the cost of the STB itself and to prevent the occurrence of defects. Based on knowledge.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an information distribution system using an STB that makes it easy to find a defect and grasp its detailed contents when a malfunction occurs, and to easily replace an STB when a malfunction occurs. With the goal.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution system using an STB that can reliably provide information without providing a storage device in the STB and can increase the number of clients.

  The present invention provides an information distribution system capable of centrally managing transmission management of contents subdivided for each STB after introduction of the STB and status management of STB failure status and playback status on a global server (GS). The purpose is to do.

  According to the present invention, when a failure occurs in any part of the entire information distribution system, the discovery, grasping and repairing of the situation are quickly performed, and the content for which the STB is scheduled cannot be reproduced due to the failure. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information delivery system that can automatically reproduce alternative contents from the time of a malfunction to the repair of the situation and prevent a state where nothing is displayed on the display device.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution system capable of reducing costs and performing stable content transmission even when the number of STBs increases and the information distribution system becomes large-scale.

  The present invention is basically configured such that the STB does not store content information, a local server (LS) is provided between the GS having the content and the STB, and the content is stored in the LS. . The LS is installed in the same local network as the STB on the network. By doing so, the STB does not need to store the content information, does not need to provide a storage device for the content, and does not need to install a DRM circuit or the like for managing the content. The failure rate of STBs can be reduced by not installing hard-to-failure storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDDs) that are generally prone to failure to STBs that are close to the distance, and by reducing the absolute number of HDDs This is based on the knowledge that the total failure probability can be reduced.

  The present invention is preferably a global server having a semi-permanent storage device such as a hard disk or a CD-ROM, a local server having a semi-permanent storage device, an STB having no such semi-permanent storage device, and a display device having no semi-permanent storage device. The present invention relates to an information distribution system using the. The STB and the display device preferably include only a temporary storage device such as a volatile memory that temporarily stores information such as a RAM, a flash memory, a frame buffer, and the like. More preferably, the content control information including the content information and the reproduction schedule of the content information and the STB management information for managing the STB state are handled independently. Content information is centrally managed on the GS, transmitted to the LS, and content management information is transmitted / received to / from the STB via the LS from the system on the GS to perform reproduction management of the displayed content. On the other hand, STB management status is managed by transmitting / receiving STB management information to / from the STB from the system on the GS via the local server (LS).

  In the present invention, the STB does not directly communicate with the GS, which is a device that performs central management of the system, and all communication between the STB and the GS is performed by the LS and the STB is managed by the LS. The LS functions as a temporary storage area for mutual communication between GSs that receive information and the like.

  The present invention does not use a general PC for the STB, but includes an interface for connecting to a network such as a LAN and a minimum LSI for performing playback processing of content received from the network. It is preferable not to use a heat radiating fan or the like, and it is preferable not to use a chip or the like that generates excessive heat, and to use a substrate made of a simple circuit having only a function necessary as an STB for the STB (FIG. 3). ). FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the information distribution system of the present invention.

  In the present invention, a flash memory having a failure rate smaller than that of an HDD is installed in an STB as an emergency, and emergency substitute contents are stored in the STB. When the content cannot be normally played back, it has a function of automatically playing back the alternative content in the flash memory.

  A preferred aspect of the present invention is a hybrid P2P mechanism that performs P2P (Peer to Peer) distribution between LSs according to the line load between GSs and LSs, the load status of GS machines, etc. during content transmission from GS to LS Have

  According to the present invention, content information is not stored in a readable form on the display terminal or STB operated by the user, so that the possibility of content information being leaked can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the present invention, content information is not stored in a readable form in the STB operated by the user, so that a content information storage device such as an HDD that is generally prone to failure is not necessary, and a DRM circuit is also installed. Since the STB configuration is simplified, problems are unlikely to occur, the total failure probability can be reduced by reducing the absolute number of HDDs, and costs can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, since a substrate having a minimum necessary circuit is used as an STB for communicating and reproducing content, the configuration of the display terminal or STB is simplified, so that the IBM PC / AT compatible machine is used. Compared to the case of using a general PC such as the above, the operation and operation become easier, it is difficult for problems to occur, and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the cost of the STB is suppressed, and the STB is not provided with a storage device for content or STB management information, all setting information is managed on the GS side. Even when an STB is exchanged when a failure occurs, the state set at the end of the STB to be exchanged recorded in the GS can be easily restored, so that the STB can be exchanged without labor and cost. be able to.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the LS is provided between the GS and the STB and the content is stored in the LS, the number of transmission destinations to which the GS transmits content information can be reduced. As a result, the GS line load for content transmission and the GS load for processing for transmission can be suppressed, and content information can be provided reliably without providing a storage device in the STB.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to install a large number of STBs by reducing the GS line load and the GS load of processing for transmission and reducing the cost of the STB.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the content information is temporarily stored in the LS in advance and placed in the LS as a device that directly transmits to the STB, the wide area Internet line can be omitted from the network directly related to the display terminal. . As a result, direct transmission to the display terminal can be completed within the local network, and the anxiety that content cannot be received due to a failure of the wide area Internet line can be eliminated.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, large-scale transmission of large-capacity content can be realized while performing centralized management on the GS even when the information distribution system is large-scale.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the information distribution system becomes large and the number of LS and STBs increases, the operation management of the entire information distribution system can be performed from one GS, and each STB distributed on a large scale can be managed. Therefore, it is possible to easily provide information that is subdivided, and to avoid complicated operation management of the entire information distribution system.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to centrally manage status management such as a failure of the entire information distribution system and the current state on the GS.

Also, according to the present invention, when a failure occurs in any part of the information distribution system, the STB automatically detects the situation and displays alternative content until communication with the LS is established normally. Thus, it is possible to avoid the content from being hidden on the display terminal.

1. Information Distribution System A preferred embodiment of an information distribution system using the information display terminal of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information distribution system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information delivery system of the present invention basically outputs a content storage unit that stores content information including video content and audio content, and content information stored in the content storage unit. A global server comprising an output unit for receiving; a server connected to the global server via the Internet, an input unit for inputting content information output from the global server, and from the input unit A local server comprising: a content storage unit for storing the input content information; and an output unit for outputting the content information stored in the content storage unit; via the local server and the Internet or an intranet Connected and output from the local server. An information display terminal having an input unit for inputting the content information and an output unit for outputting the content information; connected to the information display terminal and displaying the content information output from the output unit of the information display terminal The present invention relates to an information distribution system using an information display terminal comprising: a display device;

2. Global server (GS)
As shown in FIG. 1, a global server 101 (GS) is connected to a client 100 of an administrator via, for example, the Internet 106, receives management information from the administrator, and controls various information. Specifically, the GS includes, for example, an alert management unit 108, a content information management unit 109, a content control information management unit 110, a local server management unit 111, an STB information management unit (display terminal control unit management unit) 112, log information One or all of the management unit 113 and the data storage unit 114 are provided. The data storage unit 114 includes a content storage unit 115 that stores content, a content information control unit 116 that stores content control information, a local server management information storage unit 117 that stores management information of local servers, and management information of the STB. An STB management information storage unit 118 that stores information and a log file 119 that stores past log information are provided as appropriate. For example, the alert management unit 108 monitors the log information management unit 113. When the log information analyzed by the log information management unit 113 matches the alert conditions set in the alert management unit 108, the alert information is displayed. The administrator 100 is notified via the Internet 106. The content information management unit 109 is a device for managing information related to the content 115, which is actual file information of the content stored in the data storage unit 114. The management of content information includes content file name, file size, file format, content ID, content title, remarks, registration date / time, distribution schedule, content thumbnail, playback time, and the like. The content control information management unit 110 is a device for managing content control information 116 which is meta information and schedule information of content stored in the data storage unit 114. The local server management unit 111 manages local server management information 117, which is management meta-information regarding the local server stored in the data storage unit 114. As management meta-information about the local server, the local server ID, title, remarks, installation location information, information registration date, local server installation date, installation location movement history, machine specifications, stored contents, from the local server The ID of the target STB to which content is to be distributed, and the like.

  The STB management unit 112 is a device for managing STB management information 118, which is meta information on STB management accumulated in the data storage unit 114. As STB management meta information, STB ID, title, remarks, installation location information, information registration date, STB installation date, installation location movement history, STB version, appropriate content playback schedule, current operating status , Etc. The log information management unit 113 manages a log file 119 that is log information relating to the content transmission stored in the data storage unit 114 and the usage status of the STB and the local server. For example, the GS 101 is physically installed mainly in a data center, and a Web site dedicated to the operation manager is provided there, and all management of the entire information distribution system is performed by the Web site for the administrator on the GS. Is preferably performed. It is preferable that the administrator Web site can be referred to from anywhere via the Internet, and that the entire information distribution system can be managed by logging in with the administrator ID and password. In addition, the GS generates content to be distributed and content control information based on ID information allocated to each display terminal, STB, or local server in advance. On the other hand, log information fed back from the display terminal or STB may be received, and the terminal operating status may be grasped appropriately. In this way, content distribution is controlled using ID information allocated to each display terminal or STB (or ID information for each local server), so that effective playlist reproduction according to the display terminal can be performed. it can. Further, by analyzing a log including ID information for each display terminal or STB, it is possible to grasp the operating status for each display terminal. Accordingly, the GS issues a command to the local server having a specific ID to transmit the content information stored in the local server to the local server having a certain ID, and the local information to which the content information is transmitted. By transmitting only relatively small information such as content information control information and local server control information to the server, the content can be appropriately distributed to the display terminal. Therefore, it is possible to perform content distribution according to the operating status and traffic status.

3. Local Server As shown in FIG. 1, the local server (LS) includes a content information management unit 120, a content control information management unit 121, a local server management unit 122, an STB information management unit 123, a log information management unit 124, and a data storage. The unit 125 is provided as appropriate. The content information management unit 120 is, for example, a device for appropriately converting information that is stored in the content storage unit 115 and transmitted to the content information that can be decoded by the STB and decoded into images and sounds. is there. The content control information management unit 121 receives the content control information 116 from the GS 101 and accumulates and manages it as content control information 127 in the data storage unit 125. The STB information management unit 123 communicates with the GS 101, receives the STB management information, and accumulates and manages it as STB management information 128 in the data storage unit 125. The log information management unit 124 manages all log files 129 including the communication with the STB 104, the use status of the STB 104, the use status of the local network 102, and transfers them to the GS 101. The local server manager 122 receives commands from the GS 101 and inputs from a pointing device (not shown) and controls local server operations such as information reception, calculation, control, storage, and information output. The data storage unit 125 includes a content information storage unit 126 that stores content such as video or audio displayed on the display 105, a content control information storage unit 127 that stores content control information, and STB management information. Examples include an STB right information storage unit for storing and a log file 129 for storing log information as appropriate. The LS 103 preferably belongs to the same local network 102 as the STB. In such a case, it is physically placed near the STB, but unlike the STB or the display device (105), it is not necessary to place it directly on the end user. The LS 103 communicates with the STB via a wired LAN network or a wireless LAN network. The LS mediates all communications between the global server (GS) and the STB. That is, the local server functions as a data storage layer for storing contents and the like. The LS stores content information and schedule data transmitted from the GS server, and transmits content information and the like to the display terminal or STB in accordance with the control information and schedule data. In addition, a command to start or stop the display terminal or STB is transmitted. On the other hand, log information such as terminal operation status and distribution status transmitted from the display terminal or STB is received and transmitted to the GS as log information. As described above, since the local server having the ID managed by the GS is used, the security is improved and the load on the GS does not increase so much even if a display terminal or STB in the local server is added.

4). Information Display Terminal As shown in FIG. 1, the information display terminal of the present invention receives information in a predetermined format so that a display device represented by a set top box (STB) can output various information, and the display terminal Is a terminal for converting to a format that can be output. Since the information display terminal of the present invention is represented by the STB, the following description will be made using the STB, but it can be appropriately read as an information display terminal. The STB receives the content information output from the content storage unit 126, and transmits the content information converted to the format that can be displayed on the display terminal 105, and the content information converted by the content reproduction unit 131 to the display terminal 105. A content output unit 130 for receiving content control information from the content control information storage unit 127, a content control information processing unit 132 for performing control processing related to the content such as timing when the content output unit 130 outputs the content, and an STB An STB management information processing unit 133 that receives STB management information from the management information storage unit 128 and controls STB operations such as information reception, calculation, control, storage, information exchange, and information output. Further, the STB may include a log information transmission unit 134 that transmits information regarding the operation of the STB such as the usage status of the content reproduction STB to the log file 129. The content information is converted into a format that can be displayed on the display terminal 105, for example, a format that can be directly written into the frame buffer of the display terminal 105, or a format that can be directly output to the speaker of the display terminal 105 and output as audio. Can be converted into a format that can be written directly into the frame buffer if it is decoded by the decoding algorithm in the display terminal 105, or can be output as speech by being input to a speaker that is decoded by the decoding algorithm in the display terminal 105 Something that converts to a format. The STB reproduces the content information stored in the local server (LS) according to the content management information transmitted from the local server (LS), outputs the information to be displayed on the display terminal, and all of the STBs. The log information regarding the operation of is sent to the global server (GS) via the local server (LS). It is preferable that the STB has only the minimum necessary functions. Specifically, it is preferable to mount a network interface such as a LAN and an LSI for performing content reproduction processing received from the network interface (FIG. 3). As an example of the optimum LSI used here, NXP (formerly Philips)
PNX1502 which is an LSI manufactured by Semiconductors). Many of these LSIs are installed in products compliant with the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), which is a standard for digital home appliances for connecting home TVs and audio players to a network and playing video and audio content. Specific product examples include “ZEN VISION W” from Creative Media Corporation and “LinkTheater PC-P4 Series” from Buffalo Corporation.

5. Display terminal As the display terminal 105, there are known display devices such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display panel, a CRT, and an organic EL device. Specifically, a monitor for a personal computer, a display screen of a vending machine, a display screen of a pachinko machine, a slot These include machine display screens and small 5 "to 10" displays. These display terminals have a storage unit for temporarily storing output information such as a frame buffer and a RAM, but do not have a storage unit using a semi-permanent storage device for storing long-term information such as a hard disk. Is preferred. As described above, since the display unit has only a minimum function, it is possible to prevent a failure of the display terminal physically close to the user. Therefore, the necessity of maintenance can be reduced even if it is used for a display screen of a vending machine. Furthermore, since it is possible to effectively prevent content from being stolen by a third party, it is not necessary to introduce a DRM system or the like. In addition, the display terminal may have an interface that can exchange information only with the STB, and may not have an interface that can be connected to an external memory. As described above, since the display terminal does not have an input from the user, it is possible to reduce a situation in which a failure is caused by an inadvertent operation. The display terminal 105 and the STB 104 may be the same device, for example, an LCD integrated type. This is preferable because the output from the set top box can be stored directly in the frame buffer of the display device.

  That is, a preferred aspect of the present invention includes a content storage unit that stores content information including video content and audio content, and a local server that outputs the content information stored in the content storage unit and to which the content information is transmitted. ID information, set top box or display terminal ID information in the local area of the local server to which the content is transmitted, management information of the local server, information including management information of the set top box or display terminal A global server comprising an output unit for performing the operation; one or a plurality of servers connected to the global server via the Internet, the input for inputting content information output from the global server And the input from the input unit Stored in the content storage unit, a set top box management information storage unit for storing information including management information of the set top box or display terminal, and the content storage unit An output unit for outputting information including content information and set-top box management information; a local server having a specific ID that can be managed by the management information of the local server; the local server and the Internet Alternatively, one or more connected via an intranet, a specification having an input unit for inputting content information output from the local server, and an output unit for outputting the content information in a state that can be displayed on a display terminal A set top box having an ID of; A display device connected to the box and displaying the content information output from the output unit of the set top box.

  Furthermore, a preferred aspect of the present invention is that in the above system, the content playback unit 131 that receives content information output from the content storage unit 126 of the server and converts the content information into a format that can be displayed on the display terminal 105; A content output unit 130 for transmitting the content information converted in 131 to the display terminal 105; including a timing at which the content output information is received from the content control information storage unit 127 of the server and the content output unit 130 outputs the content A content control information processing unit 132 for performing control processing related to content; receiving set top box management information from the set top box management information storage unit 128 of the server, and receiving information, calculating, controlling, storing, and outputting information Set-top box management information that controls the operation of the set-top box ; And a processing section 133, is to use a set-top box. More preferably, when the output information from the set top box includes video information, the video information is converted by the content playback unit so that it is stored directly in the frame buffer of the display device. is there. In such a case, the content reproduction unit may include a known rendering device as appropriate.

6). Providing Information Using the System of the Present Invention A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The overall configuration of the information distribution system will be described with reference to FIG. The administrator 100 is given the authority to manage all or part of the information distribution system, and can perform management within the given authority by performing authentication with a dedicated ID and password. Here, by giving only a part of authority, it becomes possible to perform user management according to authority, such as a person who can monitor only a transmission status log and a person who can perform only content transmission management.

  As the Internet 106, a commonly used Internet line can be used. Management from a mobile PC and transmission of an alert to a mobile phone terminal are also possible, and any type of management is possible if a Web site has a terminal that can be browsed.

  The global server 101 is a device that supervises management of the entire information distribution system. The content information management unit 109 manages information related to the content 115, which is the actual file information of the content stored in the data storage unit 114, and the content control information management unit 110 stores the meta information and schedule of the content stored in the data storage unit 114. The content control information 116 that is information is managed, the local server management unit 111 manages the local server management information 117 that is management meta-information regarding the local server stored in the data storage unit 114, and the STB management unit 112 STB management information 118, which is meta information on STB management accumulated in the data storage unit 114, is managed, and the log information management unit 113 relates to content transmission accumulated in the data storage unit 114 and the use status of the STB and the local server. Manage log file 119, which is log information That.

  The alert management unit 108 is monitored by the log information management unit, and when the log information analyzed by the log information management unit 113 matches the alert condition set in the alert management unit 108, the alert information is displayed. The administrator 100 is notified via the Internet 106.

  Data stored in the data storage unit 114 of the GS is transmitted / received to / from the LS via the Internet 107. Since the content 115 is generally likely to be a large-capacity file and the environment where the LS 103 is placed is not necessarily a broadband environment, the LS of the content 115 is transmitted mainly during non-business hours such as at night. It is assumed that transmission of the content control information 116 or reception of the log file 119 that may be performed during business hours is not hindered.

  A mechanism of P2P (Peer to Perr) communication between the GS and the LS via the Internet 107 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing peer-to-peer communication between a global server, a local server, and local servers. As shown in FIG. 2, in an environment where the number of LS 141 is small, for example, all the LS 141 may directly communicate with the GS 140. On the other hand, in an environment in which the transmission scale is increased and the number of LS 141 is enormous, it is not realistic to directly transmit all large-capacity contents from the GS 140. Therefore, it is preferable to construct a P2P communication network 142 so that communication can be performed between all LSs (or between specific LSs). In this way, for example, when a certain LS 141 tries to receive content from the GS 140 and the line 143 is congested or the GS 140 is congested and the content cannot be received, the LS 141 is not connected to the GS 140 but to itself. Automatically finds the LS 141 that holds the content to be received in another LS 141 and communicates with the LS 141 so that the target data can be received without imposing a load on the GS 140 or the line 143. become.

  A local server (LS) 103 is a device that mediates communication between the GS 101 and the STB 104. The content information management unit 120 receives the content 115 from the GS 101 and stores and manages it as the content 126 in the data storage unit 125, and the content control information management unit 121 receives the content control information 116 from the GS 101 and controls the content in the data storage unit 125. The information 127 is stored and managed, the STB information management unit 123 communicates with the GS 101 and is stored and managed as STB management information 128 in the data storage unit 125, and the log information management unit communicates with the STB 104 and uses the STB 104 All log files 129 including the usage status of the local network 102 are managed and transferred to the GS 101.

  A LS management method in the local server management unit 122 in the LS 103 will be described. In the LS 103, first, an ID of the LS 103 is issued by the local server management unit 122, and meta information such as an installation location regarding the LS 103 is registered in the local server management unit 122. Next, the actual machine of the LS 103 is prepared and the issued ID of the LS 103 is applied to the LS. Then, the actual machine is actually installed and connected to the network so that it can communicate with the GS 101. At the time of connection to the network, the LS 103 connects to the GS 101 and transmits its own ID. If the ID is a registered ID, the GS 103 authenticates and communicates the content 126, content control information 127, and STB management information 128. Start.

  The STB 104 is managed by the LS 103 when the STB management information control unit 133 receives the STB management information 128 from the LS 103. The STB 104 is first assigned an ID at a factory or the like. Next, this ID is registered in GS101. At this time, the ID of the LS 103 to be connected to the STB 104 is also registered as meta information. Next, the STB 104 is actually installed and connected to the same network as the LS 103. When connected to the network, the STB 104 first detects the LS 103 in the local network and transmits its own ID. The LS 103 determines whether or not the ID received from the STB 104 is the ID of the STB to be managed by itself received from the GS 101. If there is no problem, the authentication is completed and the LS 103 and the STB 104 start communication.

  The STB 104 transmits all operation logs of the STB 104 from the log information transmission unit 134 to the LS 103. Next, the content playback flow of the STB 104 will be described. The STB 104 is first designated with the content to be reproduced and its schedule according to the content control information received from the LS 103. Then, the content 126 is received according to the content, the content reproduction unit 131 performs the reproduction process, and the content is reproduced by being displayed on the display 105 as a display device from the content output unit 130. The STB 104 has a preliminary content storage unit 135. When the content 126 cannot be received due to a failure of the local network 102 or the LS 103, the STB 104 automatically reproduces the alternative content stored in the spare content 135, so that nothing is reproduced on the display device 105. A state can be avoided. A flash memory or the like is mainly used for the spare content storage unit.

  That is, in a preferred mode of the information distribution system of the present invention, the display terminal or STB managed with a specific ID receives a command from a local server having a specific ID in accordance with schedule data set in advance by GS, and starts up power Since a series of operations of content reproduction and power supply stop are performed, no user operation is required during normal operation. In case of an emergency, for example, an operation unit may be provided in a portion that is not necessarily suitable for input, such as the back surface, top surface, and bottom surface of the display unit, so that information can be input as appropriate. . Moreover, you may provide an alarm in such a site | part. The input information from these input devices is transmitted to the GS via the LS together with the display terminal or the ID of the STB as one piece of log information, and an alarm is transmitted to the administrator.

  In a preferred mode of the information distribution system of the present invention, since the STB or the display terminal is equipped with, for example, an image or sound chip for home appliances that conforms to dlna, not a PC, a multifunctional product such as Windows (registered trademark) is provided. This eliminates the need to start up the basic software and effectively prevents screen freezes. Furthermore, since the STB or the display terminal is not equipped with a hard disk, mechanical failure can be effectively prevented.

  Although not specifically shown, each server is appropriately provided with an input / output unit such as an interface, a calculation / control unit such as a CPU, a storage unit such as a memory, main memory, and hard disk, and a bus for connecting each element. When the CPU receives a command via the output unit, for example, a predetermined calculation is performed using a preset circuit, or a control program stored in the main memory is read, and various information is received in response to the control program command. It reads out from the memory, performs arithmetic processing, accumulates the arithmetic results in the memory as appropriate, and outputs the arithmetic results.

  Since the information distribution system using the set top box of the present invention can provide content information accurately, it can be suitably used in the information communication industry. In particular, the STB of the present invention does not store content information in a removable manner, and is therefore suitable as an information distribution system for providing product information, public information, etc. in an environment outside the home such as a commercial facility or a public place. Can be used. Moreover, it can be used widely and suitably both outdoors and indoors by linking with a wireless network such as a wireless LAN. For example, it can be used as an advertisement display terminal that can be replaced in a timely manner by installing an STB and a display device in a store or retail store such as a retail store. Also, for example, public information, disaster information, and map information can be displayed in a timely manner by installing STBs and display terminals in the city, shopping streets, parks, public facilities, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information distribution system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing peer-to-peer communication between a global server, a local server, and local servers. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the information distribution system of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing content distribution using STB. FIG. 5 is a chart showing the flow of content distribution using STB.

Explanation of symbols

101
Global server
102 Local network
103 Local server
104 STB
105 Display (display terminal)
106 Internet
107 Internet
108 Alert Management Department
109 Content Information Management Department
110 Content Control Information Management Department
111 Local Server Management Department
112 STB information management unit (display terminal control unit management unit)
113 Log information management department
114 Data storage
115 Content storage
116 Content information control unit
117 Local server management information storage
118 STB management information storage
119
logfile
120 Content Information Management Department
121 Content Control Information Management Department
122 Local Server Management Department
123 STB Information Management Department
124 Log Information Management Department
125 Data storage
127 Content control information (management department)
128 STB management information (management department)
129 Log file
130 Content output section
131 Content playback section
132 Content Control Information Processing Department
133 STB Management Information Processing Department
134 Log information transmitter

Claims (2)

A global server comprising a content storage unit for storing content information including video content and audio content, and an output unit for outputting the content information stored in the content storage unit;
One or a plurality of servers connected to the global server via the Internet, an input unit for inputting content information output from the global server, and the content information input from the input unit A local server comprising: a content storage unit for storing content; and an output unit for outputting content information stored in the content storage unit;
One or more connected to the local server via the Internet or an intranet, and an information display terminal having an input unit for inputting content information output from the local server, and an output unit for outputting the content information; ;
A display device connected to the information display terminal and displaying content information output from an output unit of the information display terminal;
An information distribution system using an information display terminal comprising: A content playback unit 131 that receives content information output from the content storage unit 126 of the server and converts it into a format that can be displayed on the display terminal 105;
A content output unit 130 for transmitting the content information converted by the content reproduction unit 131 to the display terminal 105;
A content control information processing unit 132 for receiving content control information from the content control information storage unit 127 of the server and performing control processing related to the content including the timing at which the content output unit 130 outputs the content;
An information display terminal management information processing unit 133 that receives information display terminal management information from the information display terminal management information storage unit 128 of the server and controls the operation of the information display terminal including information reception, calculation, control, storage, and information output. Comprising,
Information display terminal.

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