Patent ID: 6211901
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: H04H,H04N

Abstract:
A video data distributing device having at least one video server including a video data storage device for storing video data and a streaming unit reading the video data from the video data storage device to perform a video streaming process on the video data, said video data distributing device providing a subscriber with a video-on-demand service at a request from the subscriber, comprising:a load state management unit managing a load in a process of each video server and determining if spare capacity exists on the video server;a full-video-on-demand service providing unit providing a requested video data through a full-video-on-demand service which broadcasts the video data stored in the video data storage device along one channel, wherein the broadcasted video data is played upon a request of the subscriber;a near-video-on-demand service providing unit providing said requested video data through a near-video-on-demand service which broadcasts the video data stored in video data storage device along plural channels at predetermined time intervals;a service switch determining unit determining, upon receipt of a request to watch a video from the subscriber, whether a broadcast of the requested video is to be serviced in the full-video-on-demand service or the near-video-on-demand service depending on management information managed by said load state management unit including whether spare capacity exists on the server as determined by said load state management unit; anda broadcast unit broadcasting the requested video by said full-video-on-demand service providing unit or said near-video-on-demand service providing unit for the subscriber according to a determination result from said service switch determining unit.