Patent ID: 7400592

Claim:
A picture distribution system for distributing picture data from one or more sources to a plurality of receiving devices using a distribution device, the system comprising: a network where a plurality of logical channels are established in a time division multiplex method; the distribution device distributing picture data from the one or more sources to the plurality of receiving devices via a logical channel designated by a distribution instruction; the plurality of receiving devices receiving picture data from respective logical channels designated by receiving instructions; and an allocation unit allocating respective bandwidth to each of a plurality of logical channels used to transmit picture data according to a number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels, wherein said allocation unit allocates a predetermined first bandwidth to each of the logical channels when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels does not exceed a predetermined threshold number, and when the number of sources for picture data to be transmitted via the plurality of logical channels exceeds the threshold number by having a new source added thereto, said allocation unit a) selects one of the plurality of logical channels, on which picture data from a corresponding source has been transmitted, to which the first bandwidth has been allocated, b) generates new logical channels each having a second bandwidth, which is obtained by dividing the first bandwidth of the selected logical channel by a predetermined integer, and c) allocates one of the new logical channels to the corresponding source and the other of the new logical channels to the new source.