Patent Publication Number: US-2007112933-A1

Title: Network system and method of providing data distribution service

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to a network system and a data distribution service providing method for providing a distribution service for distributing video and/or audio data to an information terminal such as a portable terminal, a personal computer, or the like, and providing an uploading service for uploading a video and/or audio message in response to data distributed by the distribution service.  
      Particularly, the present invention is concerned with a network system and a data distribution service providing method for providing, to an information terminal, a distribution service for distributing real-time video and/or audio data representing various events occurring in event sites which include wedding ceremonies, celebrations, exhibitions, etc.  
     BACKGROUND ART  
      At present, there are distribution services for distributing data such as live video data or the like to portable terminals with a TV telephone function. According to a certain distribution service, the server collects live video data captured by a camera at an event site such as a wedding center and distributes the collected data to portable terminals.  
      The above distribution service is, however, problematic in that though the downlinks of portable terminals are effectively utilized, the uplinks of portable terminals are not effectively utilized except that only data for keeping the portable terminals connected are flowing through their uplinks (stuffing data according to ITU-T (International Telecommunication Unibn-Telecommunication sector) Recommendations H.223).  
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a network system and a data distribution service providing method which are capable of effectively utilizing not only the downlinks, but also the uplinks, of information terminals such as portable terminals or the like.  
      To achieve the above object, a network system according to an aspect of the present invention has an information terminal connectable to a network, a distribution server for distributing video and/or audio data to the information terminal through the network while the information terminal is being connected to the network, and a storage server for storing a message of video and/or audio contents when the message is sent from the information terminal to the network in response to the data distributed from the distribution server while the information terminal is being connected to the network.  
      With this arrangement, the user of the information terminal can not only browse data (e.g., video data and audio data of a wedding ceremony) distributed from the distribution server through the downlink of the information terminal, but also upload a message (e.g., a celebration message for the bride and groom) in response to the distributed data through the uplink of the information terminal to the storage server.  
      To achieve the above object, a network system according to another aspect of the present invention has a first information terminal and a second information terminal which are connectable to a network, a distribution server for distributing video and/or audio data to the second information terminal through the network while the second information terminal which is designated as a distribution destination by the first information terminal is being connected to the network, and a storage server for storing a message of video and/or audio contents when the message is sent from the second information terminal to the network in response to the data distributed from the distribution server while the second information terminal is being connected to the network.  
      With this arrangement, the user of the first information terminal can distribute data from the distribution server to the second information terminal that is positioned in another location. In this case, the user of the second information terminal also can not only browse the data distributed from the distribution server through the downlink of the second information terminal, but also upload a message in response to the distributed data through the uplink of the second information terminal to the storage server.  
      The network system may further have image capturing/sound collecting means installed in a predetermined location for capturing images and/or collecting sounds of the predetermined location to produce the data, and the distribution server may distribute the data produced by the image capturing/sound collecting means through the network to the information terminal in real time.  
      With this arrangement, the user of the information terminal can browse in real time data (e.g., video data and audio data of a wedding ceremony) produced by capturing images and collecting sounds with the image capturing/sound collecting means.  
      The network system may further have a gateway device for sending the message from the information terminal through the network to the storage server after the gateway device has detected a signal representing a start of transmission of the message sent from the information terminal until the gateway device detects a signal representing an end of transmission of the message sent from the information terminal, and the storage server may have receiving means for receiving the message sent from the gateway device through the network, and storing means for storing the message received by the receiving means.  
      With this arrangement, the user of the information terminal can store a message in the storage server simply by sending a signal (e.g., PB sounds of the information terminal, etc.) representing a start of transmission of the message or an end of transmission of the message.  
      The storage server may have transmitting means for sending the message stored by the storing means to the network.  
      With this arrangement, a message stored in the storage server can be sent to a display unit (e.g., a monitor installed in a wedding center) to display the message at a predetermined time (e.g., at a time for presenting celebration telegrams in a wedding ceremony).  
      The storage server may also have display means for displaying the message stored by the storing means.  
      With this arrangement, the storage server can be installed in a predetermined location (e.g., a wedding center), and display a message stored in the storage server at a predetermined time (e.g., at a time for presenting celebration telegrams in a wedding ceremony). 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:  
       FIG. 1  is a view showing the configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a storage server shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an operation sequence of the network system shown in  FIG. 1  for the user of a portable terminal to use a data distribution service; and  
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an operation sequence of the network system shown in  FIG. 1  for the user of a portable terminal to use a message uploading service. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION:  
      The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A network system according to the present invention will be described with respect to its functions to provide a distribution service for distributing real-time video and/or audio data obtained by capturing images and collecting sounds of wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions and also to provide an uploading service for uploading a message in response to data distributed by the distribution service. For the sake of convenience, wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions will hereinafter be referred to as wedding ceremonies, and wedding centers and wedding reception halls as wedding centers.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention has camera  1 , encoder  2 , authentication server  3 , distribution server  4 , storage server  5 , call processing server  6 , GW (gateway)  7 , IP (Internet Protocol) network  8 , telephone line network  9 , and portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2 .  
      Authentication server  3 , distribution server  4 , storage server  5 , and call processing server  6  are connected to IP network  8 . Encoder  2  can also be connected to IP network  8  according to a call processing process performed by call processing server  6 . GW  7  for line switching between IP network  8  and telephone line network  9  is also connected to IP network  8 .  25  Telephone line network  9  includes an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) network, a PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) network, and a 3G (3rd Generation) network, etc. Portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  can also be connected to IP network  8  through telephone line network  9  according to a call processing process performed by call processing server  6 .  
      Camera  1  and encoder  2  are installed in a wedding center. Camera  1  captures images and collects sounds of a wedding ceremony on the day of the wedding ceremony, and produces video and audio data. Encoder  2  encodes data produced by camera  1  into IP data (e.g., UDP (User Datagram Protocol)/IP data according to a predetermined format), and sends the encoded data through IP network  8 , to which encoder  2  is connected, to distribution server  4 .  
      Call processing server  6  performs a call processing process for connecting encoder  2  to IP network  8 . For example, for encoder  2  to connect to IP network  8  according to SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), call processing server  6  operates as an SIP server.  
      Call processing server  6  also performs a call processing process for connecting portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  to IP network  8  through telephone line network  9 . For example, if portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  requests the network system to start distributing data, then call processing server  6  requests authentication server  3  to authenticate portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2 . If the authentication is successful, then call processing server  6  performs a call processing process for portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2 .  
      Authentication server  3  authenticates portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  in response to an authentication request from call processing server  6 .  
      With portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  being connected to IP network  8  by the call processing process performed by call processing server  6 , distribution server  4  distributes IP data that have been sent from encoder  2  through IP network  8  to portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  through IP network  8 .  
      GW  7  converts the IP data distributed from distribution server  4  toward portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  into line switching data (e.g., 64 kbps unlimited digital data), and sends the line switching data through telephone line network  9  to portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2 .  
      GW  7  also has a function to detect a signal representing the start or end of transmission of a message, sent from portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2 . Furthermore, GW  7  has a function to send a message from portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  through IP network  8  to storage server  5  after it has received a signal representing the start of transmission of a message, sent from portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  until it receives a signal representing the end of transmission of the message.  
      With portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  being connected to IP network  8  by the call processing process performed by call processing server  6 , if a message of video and audio contents is sent from portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  to IP network  8  in response to data distributed from distribution server  4 , then storage server  5  stores the sent message.  
      More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , storage server  5  has receiver  51  for receiving a message sent from portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  and transmitted from GW  7  through IP network  8 , and storage unit  52  for storing the message received by receiver  51 .  
      Storage server  5  also has transmitter  53  for transmitting a message stored in storage unit  52  to IP network  8  and display unit  54  for displaying the message stored in storage unit  52 . Therefore, storage server  5  can send a message stored in storage unit  52  through IP network  8  to a display means such as a monitor, not shown, in a wedding center, for the display means to display the message. If storage server  5  is installed in a wedding center, it can display by itself a message stored in storage unit  52 .  
      Portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  have general TV telephone functions.  
      Specifically, portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  has a function to decode video and audio data received from a party which they are communicating with through telephone line network  9 , and output the decoded video and audio data, and a function to encode video and audio data produced by capturing images and collecting sounds of the user, and send the encoded video and audio data to a party which they are communicating with through telephone line network  9 .  
      Consequently, portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  can decode video and audio data distributed from distribution server  4  and output the decoded video and audio data as images and sounds, and can encode a video and audio message in response to data distributed from distribution server  4  and send the encoded message to storage server  5 .  
      Operation of the network system shown in  FIG. 1  for providing a data distribution service and a message uploading service will be described below.  
      Initially, preliminary arrangements between the users of portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  and the system administrator (e.g., the operation manager of the wedding center) are made as follows:  
      First, the system administrator notifies the users of portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  of the following information (1) through (3). The notification may be sent by any desired method, e.g., a post card, electronic mail, or the like.  
      (1) a time zone in which the distribution service can be used within the time zone in which the wedding ceremony is carried out, i.e., a time zone in which the connection of portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  is effective;  
      (2) a calling number (e.g., 03-1234-5678) to be called to request the start of transmission of data for using the distribution service on the day of the wedding ceremony; and  
      (3) a signal (e.g., a PB (Push Button) signal such as a DTMF (Dial Tone Multi-Frequency) signal or the like) to be sent as representing the start or end of transmission of a message for using the message uploading service.  
      If the users of portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  want to use the distribution service and the uploading service, they notify the system administrator of the telephone numbers of their portable terminals, and tell that they are going to use the services. The notification may be sent by any desired method, e.g., a post card, electronic return mail, or the like.  
      It is assumed that the user of portable terminal  10   1  notifies the system administrator of the telephone number (e.g., 090-1234-5678) of portable terminal  10   1 , and tells that it is going to use the distribution service and the uploading service.  
      The system administrator registers the telephone number of portable terminal  10   1  and the effective connection time zone in which the connection of portable terminal  10   1  is effective. The system administrator also registers the telephone number of portable terminal  10   1  as the telephone number of the data distribution destination in distribution server  4  and call processing server  6 .  
      The preliminary arrangements are now finished.  
      Processing sequences for the user of portable terminal  10   1  to use the distribution service and the uploading service on the day of a wedding ceremony will be described below with reference to flowcharts shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
      First, a processing sequence for the user of portable terminal  10   1  to use the data distribution service will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , on the day of the wedding ceremony, video and audio data produced by capturing images and collecting sounds of the wedding ceremony with camera  1  are encoded by encoder  2  into IP data according to a predetermined format. After encoder  2  is connected to IP network  8  by according to a call processing process performed by call processing server  6 , the data are sent from encoder  2  through IP network  8  to distribution server  4  (step  301 ). For example, if portable terminal  10   1  as the data distribution destination is a portable TV telephone terminal, then encoder  2  encodes the video data into data according to MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Experts Group-4) or MPEG-2, and encodes the audio data into data according to AMR (Advanced Multi-Rate CODEC).  
      In the previously indicated effective connection time zone for portable terminal  10   1 , the user of portable terminal  10   1  calls the previously indicated telephone number (e.g., 03-1234-5678) using portable terminal  10   1  in order to request the start of distribution of the data of the wedding ceremony (step  302 ).  
      Call processing server  6  requests authentication server  3  to authenticate portable terminal  10 , which has made a call in step  302  (step  303 ).  
      In response to the authentication request from call processing server  6 , authentication server  3  confirms whether the telephone number (e.g., 090-1234-5678) as the identification number of portable terminal  10   1  is in agreement with the pre-registered telephone number or not, and whether the time at which portable terminal  10   1  has made the call is in agreement with the range of the pre-registered effective connection time zone or not, and authenticate portable terminal  10   1  (step  304 ). The authentication of portable terminal  10   1  by authentication server  3  is successful if either one of the telephone number and the effective connection time zone of portable terminal  10   1  is in agreement.  
      If authentication server  3  authenticates portable terminal  10   1  successfully, then call processing server  6  performs a call processing process for connecting the uplink and downlink of portable terminal  10   1  to IP network  8  through telephone line  9  and GW  7  (step  305 ).  
      Thereafter, distribution server  4  distributes the data of the wedding ceremony from IP network  8  through the downlink of portable terminal  10   1  to portable terminal  10   1  (step  306 ). At this time, GW  7  converts the data distributed from distribution server  4  to portable terminal  10   1  into line switching data, and sends the line switching data through telephone line network  9  to portable terminal  10   1 .  
      The user of portable terminal  10   1  is thus able to effectively utilize the downlink of portable terminal  10   1  to browse the video and audio data of the wedding ceremony in real time. At this time, stuffing data according to ITU-T Recommendations H.223 is flowing through the uplink of portable terminal  10   1 .  
      A processing sequence for the user of portable terminal  10   1  to use the message uploading service will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 .  
      It is assumed that while the data of the wedding ceremony are being sent from distribution server  4  to portable terminal  10   1  (step  401 ) the user of portable terminal  10   1  is to send a message (celebration message or the like) in response to the data.  
      The user of portable terminal  10   1  sends a transmission start signal representing the start of transmission of a message through the uplink of portable terminal  10   1  (step  402 ), and then sends a message of video and audio contents produced by capturing images and collecting sounds with portable terminal  10   1 , through the uplink of portable terminal  10   1  (step  404 ). The transmission start signal is a DTMF signal (e.g., PB sounds of 12345) or the like as described above.  
      If GW  7  detects the transmission start signal sent from portable terminal  10   1  (step  403 ), then GW  7  sends the message that is sent from portable terminal  10 , subsequently to the transmission start signal, through IP network  8  to storage server  5  (step  405 ). Storage unit  52  of storage server  5  starts storing the message sent from GW  7  through IP network  8  (step  406 ).  
      To end the transmission of the message, the user of portable terminal  10   1  sends a transmission end signal representing the end of transmission of the message through the uplink of portable terminal  10   1  (step  407 ). The transmission end signal is a DTMF signal (e.g., PB sounds of 67890) or the like as described above.  
      If GW  7  detects the transmission end signal sent from portable terminal  10   1  (step  408 ), then GW  7  ends transmitting the message to storage server  5  (step  409 ), and storage unit  52  of storage server  5  ends storing the message (step  410 ).  
      The user of portable terminal  10   1  is thus able to effectively utilize the uplink of portable terminal  10   1  to upload the message of video and audio contents.  
      Subsequently, transmitter  53  of storage server  5  may send the message stored in storage unit  52  through IP network  8  to the display means such as a monitor, not shown, installed in the wedding center for the display means to display the message at a predetermined time (e.g., at a time for presenting celebration telegrams in the wedding ceremony). Alternatively, if storage server  5  is installed in the wedding center, display unit  54  may display the message stored in storage unit  52  at a predetermined time.  
      In the present embodiment, the distribution of data of a wedding ceremony has been described by way of example. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but may be configured to distribute data of events other than wedding ceremonies (e.g., celebrations, exhibitions, etc.).  
      In the present embodiment, the distribution of video and audio data to portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  has been described by way of example.  
      However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but may be configured to distribute only video data or only audio data in response to a request from portable terminal  10   1 .  
      In the present embodiment, the uploading of a message of video and audio contents to storage server  5  has been described by way of example.  
      However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but may be configured to upload a message of only video data or audio contents.  
      In the present embodiment, the distribution of data to portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  has been described by way of example. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but may be configured to distribute data to an information terminal such as a stationary personal computer or the like. The information terminal as a distribution destination needs to have the same functions as portable terminal  10   1 .  
      In present embodiment, the real-time distribution of video and audio data as live data has been described by way of example. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but may be configured to store data in a storage unit, not shown, in distribution server  4  and distribute the stored data. For example, data of moving picture contents representing an advertisement of a wedding center may be stored in distribution server  4 , and the stored data may be distributed to the portable terminals of users who are looking for a wedding center. Alternatively, distribution server  4  may store movie data and distribute the stored data. When data stored in distribution server  4  are distributed, the user of a portable terminal as a distribution destination may send a signal representing the start of transmission of a message while browsing the data, and may upload the message subsequently to the signal.  
      In present embodiment, portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  are connected to IP network  8  through telephone line network  9  and unlimited digital data of telephone line network  9  are distributed to portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  by way of example. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but may be configured to connect portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  directly to IP network  8 . In this case, a calling number to be called when portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  request the start of distribution of data is not the telephone number described above, but is a number such as a URL (including an SIP URL) or the like on IP network  8 . Identification numbers of portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  which authentication server  3  refers to for authenticating portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  are mail addresses or the like on IP network  8 .  
      In present embodiment, portable terminal  10   1  which has requested the distribution of data becomes a distribution destination. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but may be configured to employ portable terminal  10   2  as a distribution destination, which is different from portable terminal  10   1  which has requested the distribution of data. In this case, the user of portable terminal  10   1  notifies in advance the system administrator of not only the telephone number of portable terminal  10   1 , but also the telephone number of portable terminal  10   2  that serves as a data distribution destination. The telephone number of portable terminal  10   2  is pre-registered in distribution server  4 , call processing server  6 , etc. by the system administrator as the telephone number of the data distribution destination. When the user of portable terminal  10   1  requests the distribution of data, authentication server  3  authenticates portable terminal  10   1 . If the authentication is successful, then call processing server  6  performs a call processing process for connecting portable terminal  10   2  to IP network  8 . Thereafter, distribution server  4  distributes the data through IP network  8  to portable terminal  10   2 . In this case, the user of portable terminal  10   2  as a distribution destination sends a signal representing the start of transmission of a message while browsing the data, and uploads the message subsequently to the signal.  
      In present embodiment, only one camera  1  is employed by way of example. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but may be configured to switch between a plurality of cameras according to a switching signal such as a DTMF signal (PB sounds) from portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2 . In this case, distribution server  4  is arranged to be able to simultaneously receive video and audio data from the plurality of cameras. The users of portable terminals  10   1 ,  10   2  send switching signals for switching between the cameras. When GW  7  detects a switching signal sent from portable terminal  10   1 , GW  7  instructs distribution server  4  through IP network  8  about which camera&#39;s data are to be distributed, based on the contents of the switching signal. In response to the instruction, distribution server  4  sends video and audio data from the camera indicated by GW  7  to GW  7  through IP network  8 .  
      The present invention may employ one of the above configurations or may employ two or more of the above configurations.  
      According to the present invention, the system may be managed by a wedding center to provide the above services and charge the users for the services. Alternatively, the system may be managed by an ISP (Internet Service Provider) to provide the above services, charge the users for the services, and give some of the profits back to the wedding center. Further alternatively, the system may be managed by the telephone company to provide the above services, charge the users for the services, and give some of the profits back to the wedding center.