Patent Application
20070244818
The present invention relates to a contents distribution control system, a distribution scheduling method, a communication terminal and a computer program of the same.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-149193, filed May 19, 2004, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a contents distribution control system, its distribution scheduling method, a communication terminal and a computer program for realizing the contents distribution control system by using a computer.
In recent years, with respect to a mobile wireless terminal such as a cellular phone or the like, along with improving its performance and/or capacity, a mobile wireless terminal which can receive and/or transmit a large size movie file such as the content of a TV program has been realized.
Moreover, in recent years, users of the mobile wireless terminals have been able to see the contents of the TV program such as movies or motion pictures on-demand by using the Internet.
On the other hand, there is a well-known distribution system which, in a case in which data such as music data and/or the like is distributed to the terminals via a communication network, determines a distribution time schedule based on an average value of the number of distributions at each time period in the past, an upper limit of a maximum distribution performance of a distribution server per hour, the condition of traffic on network at each time period (calculated from continuously measured results of transmission rate/speed on network), and/or the like (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H11-355346). In accordance with such a manner or a method, both a load distribution/balance of the distribution server which distributes data and effective distribution of data are aimed at.
However, in the above-described conventional system, there is a problem in that it is not possible to distribute as scheduled; and therefore, it is not possible to obtain sufficient effects because the distribution time schedule is determined without any considerations for data communication speed/rate of the terminals. There are some types of mobile wireless terminals which have lower performance and slower throughput. Moreover, the mobile wireless terminals are affected from the state of radio waves or wireless communication such as electric field intensity, fading and/or the like. Therefore, the throughput of the mobile wireless terminal greatly differs in accordance with its type and the state of radio waves or wireless communication. Due to such a problem, with respect to terminals which have different throughput, if the distribution time schedule of data is determined uniformly or equally, the time required for distributing data differs even though the amount of data is the same because the amount of data that it is possible to distribute in a certain time unit is respectively different among the terminals, and the accuracy of distribution schedule is lower.
An on-demand contents distribution service for movies and the like via the Internet is convenient for users; however, it increases the chance of traffic jams on the network in a situation in which the network is crowded. On the other hand, the traffic on the Internet greatly differs depending on time period (and slightly differs depending on days,) and is smaller especially from midnight to early morning; therefore, there is a problem of using network resources effectively.
If the broadcasting time of a program is predetermined like a generally used broadcasting service, viewers can receive and watch the broadcasted program at the time, record it with a video and playback/watch it later, and the like.
The present invention has been conceived in view of the problems above, and its object is to provide a contents distribution control system and distribution scheduling method therefore which can increase utilization efficiency, when the content is delivered in a time period of lower traffic (for example, a time period from midnight to early morning) on the communication network, by generating a distribution schedule which aims to flatten or lessen the traffic based on an estimated load calculated from differences of throughputs among the terminals, a size of the content, and/or the like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal which can be applied to the contents distribution control system of the present invention.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer program for realizing the contents distribution control system of the present invention by using a computer.
A contents distribution control system of the present invention that distributes content to a communication terminal via a relay apparatus which has a predetermined operation performance, is characterized by including: an expected load calculation unit which calculates an expected load on the relay apparatus upon distributing the content that is scheduled to be distributed to the communication terminal based on a throughput of the communication terminal; and a distribution scheduling unit which flattens or lessens a distribution schedule in order to prevent a total load on the relay apparatus from being over a predetermined value, based on a traffic template of the relay apparatus and the estimated load on the relay apparatus.
The contents distribution control system of the present invention is characterized by an estimated load calculation unit which calculates the estimated load based on a throughput result of the communication terminal.
The contents distribution control system of the present invention is characterized by further including a throughput calculation unit which calculates a throughput result based on a contents distribution result sent to the communication terminal.
The contents distribution control system of the present invention is characterized by the throughput calculation unit which, every time the content is delivered to the communication terminal, records or stores the throughput result of the communication terminal after updating.
The contents distribution control system of the present invention is characterized by the distribution scheduling unit which, upon receiving a content update check request from the communication terminal, generates the distribution schedule for the next distribution and notifies of the time for conducting a next content update check request to the communication terminal.
The contents distribution control system of the present invention is characterized by the distribution scheduling unit which, in accordance with the distribution schedule, transmits a signal including an activation request of the communication terminal to the communication terminal.
The contents distribution control system of the present invention is characterized by an estimated load calculation unit which, based on a size of the content to be distributed and the throughput of the communication terminal, calculates the estimated load.
The contents distribution control system of the present invention is characterized by further including: a registered content information storing unit in which information of the content to be distributed to the communication terminal is stored; a registered content inconsistency detection unit which detects an inconsistency of registered content information by checking both the registered content information maintained by the communication terminal and the registered content information of the registered content information storing unit; and a registered content information synchronization unit which, upon detecting an inconsistency of the registered content information by the registered content inconsistency detection unit, transmits the registered content information of the registered content information storing unit to the communication terminal.
A communication terminal of the present invention that receives content distributed via a relay apparatus having a predetermined operation performance is characterized by including: a registered content storing unit in which information on the content to be distributed is stored; and a registered content synchronization unit which receives registered content information maintained by a contents distribution control system and updates registered information on the registered content storing unit.
A communication terminal of the present invention that receives content distributed via a relay apparatus having a predetermined operation performance is characterized by including: a memory rnanagement unit which assigns and reserves memory of a memory/storage unit in accordance with the size of the content to be distributed; and a content storing control unit which stores the distributed content at a memory area reserved by the memory management unit.
A distribution scheduling method of the present invention is a distribution scheduling method of a contents distribution control system which distributes content to a communication terminal via a relay apparatus which has a predetermined operation performance, and is characterized by including the steps of: preparing a traffic template beforehand; calculating an expected load on the relay apparatus upon distributing the content which is scheduled to be distributed to the communication terminal based on a throughput of the communication terminal; and flattening or lessening a distribution schedule in order to prevent a total load on the relay apparatus from being over a predetermined value, based on the traffic template of the relay apparatus and the estimated load on the relay apparatus.
A computer program product of the present invention is a computer program product for generating a distribution schedule of a contents distribution control system which distributes content to a communication terminal via a relay apparatus which has a predetermined operation performance, and which is characterized by including: a function of calculating an expected load on the relay apparatus upon distributing the content to be distributed to the communication terminal based on a throughput of the communication terminal; and a function of flattening or lessening a distribution schedule in order to prevent a total load on the relay apparatus from being over a predetermined value, based on both a traffic template prepared beforehand of the relay apparatus and the estimated load on the relay apparatus.
In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to calculate an estimated load which will affect a relay apparatus at the time of a next contents distribution based on a throughput in the past and a size of the content to be distributed and to schedule delivering along with flattening or lessening the total load which is expected to affect the relay apparatus so as not to exceed a predetermined amount. By applying such a system, when the contents are delivered by using the time period of lower traffic on the communication network (for example, from midnight to early morning), it is possible to increase the utilization efficiency of the network.
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described along with referring to figures. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments below, and it is possible to, for example, combine constitutional elements of the embodiments appropriately.
Hereinafter, referring to figures, one embodiment of the present invention is explained.
A proxy 3 is an apparatus which relays Web access from the mobile wireless terminal 1. This Web access includes access to a distribution service of the present invention and other accesses. A log server 4 is an apparatus which collects or records traffic data of the Proxy 3. A DEC (DElivery Controller: a distribution control apparatus) 5 is an apparatus (a contents distribution control system) which controls CP (content provider) information, program information and user information of the distribution service, and manages a distribution schedule to the mobile wireless terminal 1 and distribution results.
A distribution server 6 distributes the program provided by the distribution service to the mobile wireless terminal 1. A Web server 7 of the CP is a Web server of a provider who provides the program in the distribution service and opens a Web page for registering and canceling the provided program. The Web page of the Web server 7 is linked from a Web page which is a user interface or entrance of the DEC 5.
The Proxy 3, the DEC 5, the distribution server 6 and the Web server 7 are connected via a communication network 8. The communication network 8 is constituted from the Internet, dedicated networks, and the like. The log server 4 is connected to the Proxy 3 and the DEC 5.
The log server 4 collects the log data from the Proxy 3 and operates logging of all requests which are passed through the Proxy 3. The log server 4 summarizes the logging data and calculates or generates log data including a summarized log output item L2. The DEC 5 obtains this log data by applying a file transfer via the router 32.
The log data transferred to the DEC 5 includes, for example, summarized results of the log data of the Proxy 3 generated in a day. With respect to the summarized results, for example, a summarizing unit is one minute, and summarizing items are: a number of requests of all services and an average number of transferred bytes of all services; a number of requests of the distribution service and an average number of transferred bytes of the distribution service; and the like.
An analysis server 54 obtains log data from the log server 4 and stores the data as traffic analysis data. A database (DB) server 55 stores traffic information, CP information, program information, user information and the like. An operation server 56 realizes functions such as registering or updating the CP information from operation terminals, the program information, the user information (mobile wireless terminal information and the like) and the like for the system operator and the CP.
A delivery scheduling method of this embodiment is explained next.
In this contents distribution control system, a traffic template for distribution scheduling (hereinafter, traffic template) is provided beforehand. The distribution schedule is generated based on this traffic template.
A generation method of this traffic template is explained next.
First, as shown in
As shown in
In an example of
The operation load per unit time of the Proxy 3 is proportionate to a number of requests per unit time received from the mobile wireless terminal 1. Therefore, it is possible to apply the number of requests received from the mobile wireless terminal 1 in the unit of time to an estimated load of the Proxy 3 per unit time.
It is possible that the DEC 5 applies a distribution band calculated in accordance with “number of requests×average transferred bytes” to the estimated load of the Proxy 3 per unit time.
Hereinafter, a case of applying the number of requests to the estimated load is explained.
The traffic template is checked and reviewed based on the log data of the log server at the proper/appropriate time and is updated if necessary.
An operation of the delivery scheduling of the DEC 5 is explained next in reference to
The next time and date calculation for the timed activation operation by the DEC 5 is explained below.
The DEC 5 includes the DB server 55 which stores, as shown in
Upon conducting the next time and date calculation for the timed activation operation, based on the file size of the registered program which will be sent to the user the next time and the response size, the DEC 5 calculates a total number of requests which will be sent to the mobile wireless terminal of the user upon distributing the file. For example, in a case in which the response size is 96 K bytes, in order to obtain a file of 3 M bytes, the mobile wireless terminal 1 should send the requests to the distribution server 6 at least 32 times.
“3 M bytes÷96 K bytes=32”, therefore, the total number of the requests=32.
Based on the file size for distributing the next time and the distribution throughput in the past, the DEC 5 calculates the required time for the next distribution.
For example, in a case in which a file of 3 M bytes is transmitted in accordance with the distribution throughput in the past “250 Kbps (250 K bit per one second)”, retention time=3 M bytes÷205 Kbps=120 seconds.
The DEC 5 calculates the number of requests per unit time (one minute) transmitted from the mobile wireless terminal 1.
For example, in a case in which the total number of requests is 32 and the retention time is 120 seconds, the number of requests/minute=32÷120 seconds×60=16. “The number of requests per unit time (1 minute)” calculated here is the estimated request number per the unit time (1 minute) which should be scheduled for the next scheduled time period and is loaded on the Proxy 3. The estimated request number is retained for the estimated retention time.
Based on: an estimated total load which includes the calculated and estimated request number per unit time and the calculated and estimated retention time; the traffic template; and the scheduling condition including other users, the DEC 5 determines the next file distribution date and time (that is, the next date and time for timed activation of the mobile wireless terminal 1, and that is, the time when the mobile wireless terminal 1 will request the DEC 5 to check whether or not the content is updated).
It should be noted that it is possible to distribute the program accurately by scheduling a time period in which the Proxy 3 has enough and surplus performance or processing capacity with a higher priority.
In
When the distribution in this time is successfully finished, the mobile wireless terminal 1 notifies a size of the received file (number of received Bytes) as a distribution result to the DEC 5 (step S6). When this distribution result is received, the DEC 5 calculates a throughput of this time (step S7). In this throughput calculation operation, the time required for distribution is calculated based on the distribution start time and distribution end time in this time. The throughput of this time is calculated by dividing the number of received bytes by the distribution required time. The throughput result information of the user in this time is updated by applying the throughput of this time. The DEC 5, for example, with respect to each user, maintains both the throughputs of previous 10 times and an average throughput of specified times of operations (for example, previous 5 times).
It should be noted that it is possible to notify the number of received bytes of the mobile wireless terminal 1 to the DEC 5 for calculating the throughput even if the distribution fails.
One example of the above-described embodiment of the contents distribution control system is explained.
First, referring to
In
If no inconsistencies are detected, the control server 51 extracts the program information, calculates the next date and time for timed activation (step S103), transmits this next date and time for timed activation and a program size to the mobile wireless terminal 1, and requests to set a program information registration. This next date and time for timed activation is a date and time of the content check request at the mobile wireless terminal.
When a registration button is pushed in accordance with the user's operation, the program information including the program ID, the program size, the next date and time for timed activation, and the like which is notified by the DEC 5 is written onto the memory. It should be noted that the written information is still not valid at this step, and the written information is validated when a program information actual registration reply is received from the control server 51. In accordance with such a manner, the mobile wireless terminal 1 assigns and reserves a sufficient amount of memory from its memory for storing the program file. In such a manner, by assigning and reserving memory of the mobile wireless terminal 1 corresponding to the program size beforehand, it is possible to prevent distribution errors because of a lack of memory of the mobile wireless terminal 1 beforehand and to conduct operations in accordance with the distribution schedule generated by the DEC 5.
An operation of canceling of a program is explained next in reference to
In
Referring to
In
An operation of distributing the program is explained next in reference to
In
The mobile wireless terminal 1 accesses the distribution server 6 by using the replied URL and requests to download the program in accordance with its response size. The downloaded program is written into the memory assigned for storing the program inside the mobile wireless terminal. When this download is finished, together with a download result in this time, the mobile wireless terminal 1 notifies the control server 51 whether or not the previously downloaded program which is overwritten because of distribution is played once at least. In accordance with this reply, the control server 51 records the distribution result, calculates the throughput of this time, updates the throughput result information of the user, and records whether or not the previous program has been watched (step S402).
As described above, in this embodiment, the expected load on the Proxy 3 upon distributing the program next time is calculated based on the distribution throughput in the past of the mobile wireless terminal. It is possible to schedule so as to distribute and flatten or lessen the total load on the Proxy 3 so as not to be over a predetermined amount. By applying such a manner/system, when the contents are delivered by using a time period of lower traffic on the communication network (for example, from midnight to early morning), it is possible to increase the utilization efficiency of the network.
In nighttime period, there is a high possibility that the users are sleeping and the mobile wireless terminals are not moved or brought; therefore, a state of wireless communication is stable. Therefore, in a time period from midnight to morning before the user starts moving, the program is distributed accurately and is stored in the terminal; therefore, it is possible to realize the appropriate program distribution for the user's action or movement.
It is possible to apply a special hardware in order to implement the DEC 5 of this embodiment, or it is possible as well to constitute the DEC 5 by applying a generally used computer system and by executing a program for realizing each function of the DEC 5 shown in
It should be noted that the DEC 5 is connected to peripheral equipment such as an input apparatus, a display apparatus, and the like (not shown in figures). Here, the input apparatus means a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The display apparatus means a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display apparatus, and the like.
It is possible for the peripheral equipment to be directly connected to the DEC 5 or connected via a communication line.
It is possible for the program for realizing the function of the DEC 5 shown in
In a case in which the “computer system” can use a WWW system, the computer system includes a homepage environment (or an environment to display).
The “computer-readable medium” means a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flexible disc, a magneto-optical disc, a ROM, a flash memory, and the like, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, a storage device such as a hard disc set inside the computer system.
Moreover, “computer readable medium” includes a volatile memory (such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) inside the computer systems used for a server or a client to which the programs are transmitted via a network like the Internet or a communication line like a telephone line, which saves the programs for a certain time period.
The program above can be transmitted from the computer storing this program in the storage apparatus or the like via a transmission medium or via transmission waves in the transmission medium to another computer system. “Transmission medium” transmitting the program is a medium such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (line) like a telephone line that has a function to transmit information.
It is possible for the above program to be a program for realizing a part of the above-described functions. Moreover, it is possible for the program to be a so-called difference file (difference program) which realizes the above functions by being combined with a program already stored in the computer.
The embodiment of the present invention is explained above, however, a concrete constitution of the present invention is not considered to be limited by the embodiments above, and the present invention includes constitutional modifications if they are inside the fundamental theory of the present invention.
For example, the present invention can be applied to a service for automatically distributing content periodically from a distribution center to a user terminal.
Apart from
The DEC 5, by conducting the scheduling operation, calculates and manages the next timed activation date and time of the respective mobile wireless terminals 1. The DEC 5 operates the timed activation operation at the calculated time (step S501) and requests activation of the mobile wireless terminal 1 (step S502). The mobile wireless terminal 1, in accordance with the request as a trigger, requests the DEC 5 to check the update of the content (step S503). The DEC 5 calculates and stores/memorizes the next timed activation date and time after conducting the content update checking operation (step S504) and transmits the URL of the distribution server 6 which distributes in this time to the mobile wireless terminal 1 (step S505). The following access operations (steps S506-S509) from the mobile wireless terminal 1 to the distribution server 6 are the same as above.
In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to calculate the estimated load which will affect a relay apparatus at the time of a next contents distribution based on a throughput of a communication terminal (for example, the mobile wireless terminal) in the past and the size of the content and to schedule delivering along with flattening or lessening the total load which is expected to affect the relay apparatus so as not to exceed a predetermined amount. By applying such a manner/system, when the contents are delivered by using a time period of lower traffic on the communication network (for example, from midnight to early morning), it is possible to increase the utilization efficiency of the network.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-149193 | May 2004 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP05/04623 | 3/16/2005 | WO | 11/17/2006 |
