Multi-user talking system and multi-user talking method Number:7,146,629 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Multi-user talking system and multi-user talking method

Abstract: Out of viewers of the same content, multi-user talking service is provided to only viewers who wish to enjoy the content in a large number of people. Only when an address of a terminal 4, 5 that has transmitted a request for participation in multi-user talking is registered in a viewer management DB (which manages viewers of contents), a content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 registers the above-mentioned address into a participant management DB (which manages participants in multi-user talking) associating the address with identification information of a content that is registered in association with the address in question in the viewer management DB. Then, for each content, respective pieces of talking data received from addresses registered in association with identification information of said content in the participant management DB are synthesized to generate multi-user talking data, and generated multi-user talking data is transmitted to each of said addresses.

Patent Number: 7,146,629 Issued on 12/05/2006 to Tsukada,   et al.

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Inventors:	Tsukada; Koji (Tokyo, JP), Kawaguchi; Kenji (Yokohama, JP), Takada; Osamu (Kamakura, JP)
Assignee:	Hitachi, Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)
Appl. No.:	09/987,589
Filed:	November 15, 2001

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Foreign Application Priority Data

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Nov 15, 2000 [JP]			2000-348264

Current U.S. Class:	725/106 ; 348/14.01; 348/14.08; 348/14.09; 725/110; 725/133
Current International Class:	H04N 7/173 (20060101)
Field of Search:	725/106,110,133

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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U.S. Patent Documents

	6195680		February 2001		Goldszmidt et al.
	6339842		January 2002		Fernandez et al.
	6590602		July 2003		Fernandez et al.
	6889385		May 2005		Rakib et al.
	2002/0007490		January 2002		Jeffery
	2004/0117831		June 2004		Ellis et al.
	2005/0262542		November 2005		DeWeese et al.

Other References

Sony Drive, Do you dream in Sony, Oct. 31, 2000, (Translation attached). cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Kelley; Chris
Assistant Examiner: Hossain; Farzana E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mattingly, Stanger, Malur & Brundidge, P.C.

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. A multi-user talking system for providing a multi-user talking service among viewers of a content, comprising: a content distribution apparatus and a multi-user talking control apparatus, each apparatus being connected to terminals of viewers through a network; wherein said content distribution apparatus comprises: request-for-viewing receiving means for receiving the request for viewing said content from a terminal of a viewer; viewer management means for managing the request for viewing received by said request-for-viewing receiving means, associating said request with a transmission source address of said request for viewing; and content distribution means for distributing said content to a transmission source address managed by said viewer management means, through said network; and wherein said multi-user talking control apparatus comprises: request-for-participation receiving means for receiving a request for participation in multi-user talking, from a terminal of a viewer; participant management means that manages a transmission source address of a request for participation received by said request-for-participation receiving means, when said transmission source address is managed by said viewer management means; mixing means that receives, through said network, respective pieces of talking data from terminals of viewers who have transmission source addresses managed by said participant management means, and mixes said pieces of talking data received to generate multi-user talking data; and multi-user talking data distribution means for distributing the multi-user talking data generated by said mixing means to transmission source addresses managed by said participant management means, through said network; and wherein said network is an IP network; wherein said content distribution means converts said content into IP packets, adds transmission source addresses managed by said viewer management means to a header of each IP packet, and multicasts the IP packets onto said IP network; and wherein said multi-user talking data distribution means converts the multi-user talking data generated by said mixing means into IP packets, adds transmission source addresses managed by said participant management means to a header of each IP packet, and multicasts the IP packets onto said P network; wherein said multi-user talking system further comprises: a first relay for relaying data between said IP network and television broadcast, said first relay having means for assembling P packets addressed to the first relay itself to restore a content and for broadcasting the restored content; and a second relay for relaying data between said IP network and a telephone network, said second relay having means for assembling IP packets addressed to the second relay itself to restore multi-user talking data and for transmitting the restored multi-user talking data to a channel specified by a telephone number informed from said multi-user talking control apparatus, and means for converting talking data received by said channel into IP packets and for transmitting the IP packets to said multi-user talking control apparatus; wherein said request-for-viewing receiving means comprises: means for receiving a request for viewing from a viewer's terminal provided with an interface with said IP network through said IP network; and means for receiving a request for viewing from a viewer's terminal provided with an interface with said telephone network through said telephone network; wherein said viewer management means sets a transmission source address associated with a request for viewing received by said request-for-viewing receiving means, to an IP address of a transmission source of said request for viewing, when said request-for-viewing receiving means receives said request for viewing through said IP network, and to a telephone number of the transmission source of said request for viewing, when said request-for-viewing receiving means receives said request for viewing through said telephone network; wherein said content distribution means uses an P address of said first relay, as a transmission source address added to a header of each IP packet of said content, in place of a telephone number included in the transmission source addresses managed by said viewer management means, when such a telephone number exists; wherein said request-for-participation receiving means comprises: means for receiving a request for participation from a viewer's terminal provided with an interface with said IP network through said IP network; and means for receiving a request for participation including a telephone number from a viewer's terminal provided with an interface with said telephone network through said telephone network; wherein said participant management means sets a transmission source address associated with a request for participation received by said request-for-participation receiving means, to an IP address of a transmission source of said request for participation, when said request-for-participation receiving means receives said request for participation through said IP network, and to a telephone number of the transmission source of said request for participation, when said request-for-participation receiving means receives said request for participation through said telephone network; wherein said mixing means receives pieces of talking data through said network from viewer's terminals each having an IP address managed by said participant management means and from said second relay, when a telephone number is included in transmission source addresses of requests for participation managed by said participant management means, and mixes the received pieces of talking data to generate multi-user talking data; wherein said multi-user talking data distribution means uses an IP address of said second relay, as an address added to a header of each IP packet of the multi-user talking data generated by said mixing means, in place of a telephone number included in the transmission source addresses of the requests for participation managed by said participant management means, when such a telephone number exists; and wherein said multi-user talking control apparatus further comprises a number informing means for informing said second relay of a telephone number included in a request for participation, when a transmission source address of said request for participation received by said request-for-participation means is said telephone number.

2. The multi-user talking system according to claim 1, wherein: said viewer's terminal provided with the interface with said telephone network comprises: receiving means for receiving said content broadcast by the television broadcast and for outputting the received content to a television broadcast display apparatus; request-for-viewing transmitting means for transmitting a request, which includes a telephone number of a telephone set by an operator, for viewing said content, to said content distribution apparatus through said telephone network, before said receiving means receives said content; and request-for-participation transmitting means for receiving a request for participation in multi-user talking from the operator while said receiving means is receiving said content, and for transmitting the received request for participation to said multi-user talking control apparatus through said telephone network.

3. The multi-user talking system according to claim 1, wherein: said viewer's terminal provided with the interface with said IP network comprises: request-for-viewing transmitting means for transmitting a request for viewing said content, to said content distribution apparatus through said IP network; content display means for assembling IP packets addressed to said content display means itself to restore said content, and for displaying the restored content on a display unit; request-for-participation transmitting means for receiving a request for participation in multi-user talking from an operator while said content display means is displaying said content on said display unit, and for transmitting the received request for participation to said multi-user talking control apparatus through said IP network; multi-user talking output means for assembling IP packets addressed to said multi-user talking output means itself to restore said multi-user talking data, and for outputting sound conforming to the restored multi-user talking data, to a sound output apparatus; and talking data transmitting means for converting talking data conforming to sound inputted through a sound input apparatus into IP packets, and for adding an IP address of said multi-user talking control apparatus to a header of each IP packet, to transmits the IP packets onto said IP network.

4. A method of multi-user talking, which uses a computer for providing a multi-user talking service among viewers of a content, comprising: a request-for-viewing receiving step of receiving a request for viewing said content from a terminal of a viewer; a viewer management step of managing the request for viewing received in said request-for-viewing receiving step, associating said request with a transmission source address of said request for viewing; a content distribution step of distributing said content to a transmission source address managed in said viewer management step; a request-for-participation receiving step of receiving a request for participation in multi-user talking, from a terminal of a viewer; a participant management step of managing a transmission source address of a request for participation received in said request-for-participation receiving step, when said transmission source address is managed in said viewer management step; a mixing step of receiving respective pieces of talking data from terminals of viewers who have transmission source addresses managed in said participant management step, and mixing said pieces of talking data received to generate multi-user talking data; and a multi-user talking data distribution step of distributing the multi-user talking data generated in said mixing step to transmission source addresses managed in said participant management step; wherein in said request-for-viewing receiving step, said request for viewing is received from a viewer's terminal provided with an interface with an IP network, through said IP network, and received from a viewer's terminal provided with an interface with a telephone network, through said telephone network; wherein in said viewer management step, a transmission source address that is associated with a request for viewing received in said request-for-viewing receiving step is set to an IP address of a transmission source address of said request for viewing, when said request for viewing is received through said IP network, and to a telephone number of the transmission source of said request for viewing, when said request for viewing is received through said telephone network; wherein in said content distribution step, said content is converted to IP packets, and transmission source addresses managed in said viewer management step are added to a header of each IP packet, to multicast the IP packets onto said IP network, and, when a telephone number is included in the transmission source addresses managed in said viewer management step, then, an IP address of a first relay, which assembles IP packets addressed to the first relay itself to restore a content and broadcasts the content, is used in place of said telephone number as a transmission source address added to a header of each IP packet of said content; wherein in said request-for-participation receiving step, a request for participation is received from a viewer's terminal provided with an interface with said IP network, through said IP network, and a request for participation including a telephone number is received from a viewer's terminal provided with not an interface with said IP network but an interface with said telephone network, through said telephone network; wherein in said participant management step, a transmission source address of a request for participation received in said request-for-participation receiving step is set to an IP address of a transmission source of said request for participation, when said request for participation is received through said IP network, and to a telephone number of the transmission source of said request for participation, when said request for participation is received through said telephone network; wherein in said mixing step, pieces of talking data are received through said IP network from viewer's terminals each having an IP address managed in said participant management step, and the received pieces of talking data are mixed to generate multi-user talking data; wherein in said mixing step, when a telephone number is included in transmission source addresses managed in said participant management step, pieces of talking data are received from viewer's terminals each having an IP address managed in said participant management step and from a second relay, and said pieces of talking data are assembled to generate multi-user talking data, wherein said second relay assembles IP packets addressed to the second relay itself to restore multi-user talking data and to transmit the restored multi-user talking data to a channel specified by a telephone number informed from said computer, and converts talking data received from said channel to IP packets to transmits the IP packets to said computer; wherein in said multi-user talking data distribution step, the multi-user talking data generated in said mixing step is converted to IP packets, and the transmission source addresses managed in said participant management step are added to a header of each IP packet, to multicast the IP packets onto said IP network; and wherein in said multi-user talking data distribution step, when a telephone number is included in the transmission source addresses managed in said participant management step, an IP address of said second relay is used in place of said telephone number, as an address added to a header of each IP packet of said multi-user talking data, and, when a transmission source address of a request for participation is said telephone number, then said telephone number is sent to said second relay.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-user talking service, and particularly to a technique for providing a multi-user talking service among viewers who views a same content through a network.

Recently, there have been proposed content distribution services that distribute various contents through a network such as the Internet. Examples of content distribution services include a movie distribution service and a karaoke music distribution service. A user of such a content distribution service can enjoy a movie or karaoke at his home, without going to a movie theater or a karaoke house. Further, a portable terminal such as a PDA may be used to enjoy a movie or karaoke at a place where a user is staying.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among contents, there are contents that a group of persons enjoy more than a lonely person. For example, usually, a comedy movie becomes more enjoyable when many persons see it together. Also, karaoke is more enjoyable for a group. On the other hand, there are movies that a person wishes to see intently by himself. And, sometimes a person wishes to practice karaoke by himself. The conventional content distribution services have not considered such things at all.

As a system for realizing a multi-user talking system, a TV conference system may be mentioned. However, the TV conference system premises that all the persons who participate in a conference (i.e., all the persons who view the respective TVs) participate in multi-user talking. In other words, it is not supposed that, among viewers seeing or hearing a same content through a content distribution service, there are intermingled persons who wish to enjoy the content in a group talking with many persons about the content and persons who each wish to intently enjoy the content by himself.

Further, the TV conference system premises that all the persons participating in a conference use TV conference terminals having a same interface. Thus, it is impossible to provide a multi-user talking service between terminals having different interfaces, for example, between a terminal provided with an interface with an IP network and a terminal provided with an interface with a telephone network.

The present invention has been completed taking the above-described conditions into consideration. And, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-user talking service only for viewers who wish to enjoy a content in a group, among viewers who view the same content through a content distribution service.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-user talking service between terminals having different interfaces, for each viewer who views a same content through a content distribution service.

To attain the above objects, the present invention uses a content distribution apparatus and a multi-user talking control apparatus, each connected to terminals of viewers through a network, to provide a multi-user talking service among viewers of content.

The above-mentioned content distribution apparatus comprises: a request-for-viewing receiving means for receiving a request for viewing said content from a terminal of a viewer; a viewer management means for managing a request for viewing received by said request-for-viewing receiving means, associating said request with a transmission source address of said request for viewing; and a content distribution means for distributing said content to a transmission source address managed by said viewer management means.

Further, the above-mentioned multi-user talking control apparatus comprises: a request-for-participation receiving means for receiving a request for participation in multi-user talking, from a terminal of a viewer; a participant management means that manages a transmission source address of a request for participation received by said request-for-participation receiving means, when said transmission source address is managed by said viewer management means; a mixing means that receives respective pieces of talking data from terminals of viewers who have transmission source addresses managed by said participant management means, and mixes said pieces of talking data received to generate multi-user talking data; and a multi-user talking data distribution means for distributing the multi-user talking data generated by said mixing means to transmission source addresses managed by said participant management means.

Here, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) network may be used as the above-mentioned network. In that case, it is favorable that the above-mentioned content distribution means converts said content into IP packets, and adds transmission source addresses (IP addresses) managed by said viewer management means to multicast the IP packets onto said IP network. Further, it is favorable that the above-mentioned multi-user talking data distribution means converts the multi-user talking data generated by said mixing means into IP packets, adds transmission source addresses (IP addresses) managed by said participant management means to a header of each IP packet, and multicasts the IP packets onto said IP network. As a sound talking service using an IP network, VoIP (Voice over IP) technique is known.

According to the present invention, when an address of a viewer's terminal that transmits a request for participation in multi-user talking is a viewer's terminal that has transmitted a request for viewing a content, then, the viewer's terminal in question is permitted to participate in the multi-user talking. Thus, it is possible to provide a multi-user talking service only to viewers who have transmitted their requests for participation to the multi-user talking control apparatus, among viewers of the same content provided from the content distribution apparatus.

Further, in the present invention, the above-mentioned multi-user talking control apparatus may further comprise: a request-for-appeal-for-participation receiving means for receiving a request for appeal for participation in multi-user talking, from a terminal of a viewer; and an appeal-for-participation means that distributes an appeal for participation in multi-user talking to terminals of viewers who have respective transmission source addresses other than transmission source addresses managed by said participant management means, among transmission source addresses managed by said viewer management means, when a transmission source address of the request for appeal for participation received by said request-for-appeal-for-participation receiving means is a transmission source address managed by said participant management means, and receives respective answers to said appeal for participation, from the terminals of said viewers. And, when a answer to said appeal for participation received by said appeal-for-participation means indicates intention of participating, said participant management means manages a transmission source address of said answer.

By this, a participant in multi-user talking can appeal for participation in the multi-user talking to persons who are viewers of the content which the participant is viewing and who is not participating in the multi-user talking. By this, it is possible to enjoy the content provided from the content distribution apparatus, talking about the same content with more participants in the multi-user talking.

Further, in the present invention, when the above-mentioned network is an IP network, and, as the above-mentioned viewer's terminal, there exist a terminal (a first terminal) provided with an interface with said IP network and a terminal (a second terminal) provided with not an interface with said IP network but an interface with a telephone network and a television broadcast receiving function, then, it is favorable to further provide a first relay apparatus for relaying data between the IP network and the television broadcast, and a second relay apparatus for relaying data between the IP network and the telephone network.

Here, the above-mentioned first relay apparatus assembles IP packets addressed to itself, to restore a content, and broadcasts the restored content. Further, the above-mentioned second relay apparatus assembles IP packets addressed to itself, to restore multi-user talking data, and transmits the restored multi-user talking data to a channel specified by a telephone number informed from the multi-user talking control apparatus, and on the other hand, converts talking data received from the above-mentioned channel into IP packets, and transmits the IP packets to the multi-user talking control apparatus.

Then, said request-for-viewing receiving means receives a request for viewing the content from the first terminal through the IP network, and a request for viewing from the second terminal through the telephone network.

Further, said viewer management means sets a transmission source address associated with a request for viewing received by said request-for-viewing receiving means, to an IP address of a transmission source of said request for viewing, when said request for viewing is received through the IP network, and to a telephone number of the transmission source of said request for viewing, when said request for viewing is received through said telephone network.

Further, said content distribution means uses an IP address of said first relay apparatus, as a transmission source address added to a header of each IP packet of said content, in place of a telephone number included in the transmission source addresses managed by said viewer management means, when such a telephone number exists.

Further, said request-for-participation receiving means receives a request for participation from the above-mentioned first terminal through said IP network; and receives a request for participation including a telephone number (for example, a telephone number of a portable telephone) from the above-mentioned second terminal through said telephone network.

Further, said participant management means sets a transmission source address associated with a request for participation received by said request-for-participation receiving means, to an IP address of a transmission source of said request for participation, when said request for participation is received through said IP network, and to a telephone number of the transmission source of said request for participation, when said request for participation is received through said telephone network.

Further, said mixing means receives pieces of talking data from viewer's terminals each having an IP address managed by said participant management means and from said second relay apparatus, when a telephone number is included in transmission source addresses managed by said participant management means, and mixes the received pieces of talking data to generate multi-user talking data.

Further, said multi-user talking data distribution means uses an IP address of said second relay apparatus, as an address added to a header of each IP packet of the multi-user talking data, in place of a telephone number included in the transmission source addresses managed by said participant management means, when such a telephone number exists. Further, said viewer management means informs the second relay apparatus of a telephone number included in a request for participation having said telephone number as its transmission source address.

By this, it is possible to provide a multi-user talking service, while the same content is viewed by a first terminal provided with an interface with an IP network, and a second terminal provided with not an interface with an IP network but an interface with a telephone network and a television broadcast receiving function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a multi-user talking system to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents of the registration management database 17 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents of the viewer management database 133 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents of the content database 135 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents of the participant management database 143 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing an IP terminal 4 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the receiving terminal 5 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing the content relay apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing the multi-user talking relay apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents of the relay information database 25 shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of each component apparatus in the multi-user talking system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining operation in a case where an operator of an IP terminal 4 enjoys a content distribution service in the multi-user talking system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining operation in a case where an operator of the receiving terminal 5 enjoys a content distribution service in the multi-user talking system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining operation in a case where an operator of an IP terminal 4 enjoys the multi-user talking service by making a request for participation in multi-user talking in the multi-user talking system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining operation in a case where the operator of the receiving terminal 5 enjoys the multi-user talking service by making a request for participation in multi-user talking in the multi-user talking system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining operation in a case where an operator of a terminal 4 or 5 appeals to an operator of another terminal 4 or 5 to participate in multi-user talking in the multi-user talking system shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 18A to 18C are views showing examples of menu screens displayed on a display unit connected to a terminal 4 or 5 shown in FIG. 1 for an operator to give various instructions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a multi-user talking system to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

As shown in the figure, the multi-user talking system of the present embodiment comprises:

a content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 that provides a content distribution service and a multi-user talking service utilizing the VoIP (Voice over IP) technique;

IP terminals 4, such as a stationary terminal (for example, a PC (personal computer)) and a portable terminal (for example, a PDA (personal digital assistant)), for enjoying the content distribution service and the multi-user talking service provided through an IP (Internet Protocol) network 81 by the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1;

a receiving terminal 5, such as an STB (Set Top Box), for enjoying the content distribution service through a CATV (Cable Television) network 83 by the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1;

a portable telephone 7;

a content relay apparatus 3 for relaying data (content data) between the IP network 81 and the CATV network 83; and

a multi-user talking relay apparatus 2 for relaying data (multi-user talking data) between the IP network 81 and a telephone network 82.

The portable telephone 7 is a telephone used by an operator of the receiving terminal 5 when he or she enjoys the multi-user talking service provided by the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the telephone network 82. Here is illustrated an example of a radiotelephone connected to the telephone network 82 through a wireless relay station 84. However, it does not matter to use an ordinary wire telephone connected directly to the telephone network 82.

The content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 receives a request for viewing a content from an IP terminal 4 through the IP network 81, and receives a request for viewing a content from the receiving terminal 5 through the telephone network 82. The content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 provides content data of a request content with a channel number (identification information) of the content, and converts the data into IP packets. Then, the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 adds an address (IP address) of each terminal that has transmitted a request for viewing the content in question, to a header of each IP address, and multicasts the packets on the IP network 81. At that time, when a request for viewing the content is received from the receiving terminal 5 through the telephone network 82, then, instead of the telephone number of the receiving terminal 5, the IP address of the content relay 3 apparatus is used as the above-mentioned address added to the header of each IP address.

Further, the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 receives a request for participation in multi-user talking from an IP terminal 4 through the IP network 81, and receives a request for participation in multi-user talking from the receiving terminal 5 through the telephone network 82. Then, the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 receives IP packets, which store talking data, through the IP network 81 from each terminal that has transmitted a request for participation in multi-user talking, and assembles the received IP packets to restore the talking data. Next, pieces of received talking data are synthesized for each channel number of content, which is added to the talking data concerned, to generate multi-user talking data. Then, the channel number, which has been added to pieces of talking data, i.e., sources of the generated multi-user talking data, is given to the generated multi-user talking data in question, before forming the multi-user talking data into IP packets. Further, an address (IP address) of each terminal that has transmitted a request for viewing the content of the above-mentioned channel number and transmitted a request for participation in multi-user talking is added to a header of each IP address, and the packets are multicast on the IP network 81.

At that time, when a request for participation in multi-user talking is received from the receiving terminal 5 through the telephone network 82, then, IP packets that store talking data are received through the IP network 81 from each terminal that has transmitted a request for participation or the multi-user talking relay apparatus 2, and assembles the received IP packets to restore the talking data. Further, instead of the telephone number of the receiving terminal 5, the IP address of the multi-user talking relay apparatus 2 is used as the address added to the header of each IP address.

Furthermore, the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 receives a request for appeal for participation in multi-user talking, from an IP terminal 4 through the IP network 81, and receives a request for appeal for participation in multi-user talking, from the receiving terminal 5 through the telephone network 82. Then, the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 appeals to the other terminals 4, 5 than the terminal 4, 5 that has transmitted a request for appeal for participation, to participate in multi-user talking.

An IP terminal 4 transmits a request for viewing, which includes identification information of an operator of the IP terminal 4 and a channel number of a content that the operator wishes to view, to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the IP network 81. Then, the IP terminal 4 receives the content data of the channel number in question, which is sent from the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the IP network 81, and displays the received content data.

Further, an IP terminal 4 transmits a request for participation in multi-user talking relating to the content that the IP terminal 4 is receiving, to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the IP network 81, to enjoy multi-user talking service among the viewers of the same content. In detail, an IP terminal 4 gives a channel number of the content that the IP terminal 4 is receiving to talking data of the operator of the IP terminal 4, and transmits the resultant data to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the IP network 8. Further, an IP terminal 4 receives multi-user talking data added with the channel number of the content that the IP terminal 4 is receiving, from the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the IP network 81, and outputs the received data. By this, the IP terminal 4 enjoys multi-user talking service among viewers of the same content.

Further, an IP terminal 4 transmits a request for appeal for participation in multi-user talking to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the IP network 81, so that the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 appeals to viewers of the content that the IP terminal 4 is receiving to participate in multi-user talking.

The receiving terminal 5 transmits a request for viewing, which includes identification information of the operator of the receiving terminal 5 and a channel number of a content that the operator wishes to view, to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the telephone network 82. Then, the receiving terminal 5 receives the content of the channel number in question sent from the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the IP network 81, the content relay apparatus 3 and the CATV network 83, and displays the received content on a display unit such as a monitor.

Further, the receiving terminal 5 transmits a request for participation in multi-user talking relating to the content that the receiving terminal 5 is receiving to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the telephone network 82, to enjoy multi-user talking among viewers of the same content. The above-mentioned request includes the telephone number of the portable telephone 7 used by the operator of the receiving terminal 5 for multi-user talking. In detail, the portable telephone 7 used by the operator of the receiving terminal 5 transmits talking data to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the telephone network 82, the multi-user talking relay apparatus 2 and the IP network 81. Further, the above-mentioned portable telephone 7 receives multi-user talking data from the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the IP network 81, the multi-user talking relay apparatus 2 and the telephone network 82, and outputs the received data. By this, multi-user talking service among viewers of the same content is enjoyed.

Further, the receiving terminal 5 transmits a request for participation in multi-user talking to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 through the telephone network 82, so that the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 appeals to viewers of the content that the receiving terminal 5 is receiving, to participate in multi-user talking.

The content relay apparatus 3 obtains IP packets addressed to itself from the IP network 81, and assembles the obtained packets to restore the content data. Then, the content relay apparatus 3 scrambles the restored content data with a scramble key prepared in advance in association with a channel number given to the content data in question, and transmits the scrambled content data onto the CATV network 83.

The multi-user talking relay apparatus 2 receives talking data from the portable telephone 7 through the telephone network 82, provides the received data with a channel number of a content, which is informed in association with the telephone number of the portable telephone 7 from the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1, and converts the received data into IP packets. Then, the multi-user talking relay apparatus 2 transmits each IP packet to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1. Further, the multi-user talking relay apparatus 2 obtains IP packets addressed to itself from the IP network 81, and assembles the received packets to restore multi-user talking data. Then, the multi-user talking relay apparatus 2 extracts a channel number of a content, from the restored multi-user talking data, and transmits the restored data to the portable telephone 7 of the telephone number that is informed in association with the channel number in question from the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1.

Next, will be described each component apparatus in the multi-user talking system having the above-described configuration.

Here, the portable telephone 7 and the radio relay station 84 are similar to the conventional ones, and their descriptions will be omitted.

First, the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1.

As shown in the figure, the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 comprises: an IP network interface unit 11 for communicating with another apparatus through the IP network 81; a telephone network interface unit 12 for communicating with another apparatus through the telephone network 82; a registration management database 17; an authentication unit 15; an accounting unit 16; a content distribution control unit 13; and a multi-user talking control unit 14.

The IP network interface unit 11 relays between the IP network 81 and the content distribution control unit 13.

In detail, the IP network interface unit 11 obtains IP packets addressed to itself from the IP network 81, and assembles the obtained packets to restore data. When the restored data is a request for viewing a content, then, the IP network interface unit 11 informs the below-described instruction receiving unit 131 of the request in question together with a transmission source address of the request. Further, the IP network interface unit 11 converts information received from the instruction receiving unit 131 into IP packets, and adds an IP address, which is received together with the information in question from the instruction receiving unit 131, to a header of each IP packet, before distributing the IP packets onto the IP network 81. Further, the IP network interface unit 11 receives content data, which is added with a channel number of the content, from the below-described content distribution unit 134, and converts the received content data into IP packets. Then, the IP network interface unit 11 adds an IP address, which is received together with the content data in question from the content distribution unit 134, to a header of each IP packet, before multicasting the IP packets on the IP network 81.

Further, the IP network interface unit 11 relays between the IP network 81 and the multi-user talking control unit 14.

In detail, the IP network interface unit 11 obtains IP packets addressed to itself from the IP network 81, and assembles the obtained IP packets to restore data. When the restored data is a request for participation or a request for appeal for participation in multi-user talking, then, the IP network interface unit 11 informs the below-described instruction receiving unit 141 of the request together with a transmission source address of the request. Further, the IP network interface unit 11 converts information received from the instruction receiving unit 141 into IP packets, and adds an IP address, which is received together with the information in question from the instruction receiving unit 141, to a header of each IP packet, before distributing the IP packets onto the IP network 81. When the restored data is talking data, then, the IP network interface unit 11 sends the talking data to the below-described multi-user talking data generation unit 144. Further, the IP network interface unit 11 receives multi-user talking data, which is added with a channel number of a content, from the below-described multi-user talking data distribution unit 145, and converts the received multi-user talking data into IP packets. Then, the IP network interface unit 11 adds an IP address, which is received together with the multi-user talking data in question from the multi-user talking data distribution unit 145, to a header of each IP packet, before multicasting the IP packets on the IP network 81.

The telephone network interface unit 12 relays between the telephone network 82 and the content distribution control unit 13.

In detail, the telephone network interface unit 12 receives a request for viewing a content from the receiving terminal 5 through a channel established on the telephone network 82 by responding to an arrival from the receiving terminal 5. And, the telephone network interface unit 12 informs the instruction receiving unit 131 of the received request together with a sender's number (telephone number of the receiving terminal 5). Further, the telephone network interface unit 12 transmits information received as an answer to the request in question from the instruction receiving unit 131, to the receiving terminal 5 through the above-mentioned channel.

Further, the telephone network interface unit 12 relays between the telephone network 82 and the multi-user talking control unit 14.

In detail, the telephone network interface unit 12 receives a request for participation or a request for appeal for participation in multi-user talking from the receiving terminal 5 through a channel established on the telephone network 82, by responding to an arrival from the receiving terminal 5, and informs the instruction receiving unit 141 of the request in question together with the sender's number (telephone number of the receiving terminal 5). Further, the telephone network interface unit 12 transmits information received as an answer to the request question from the instruction receiving unit 141, to the receiving terminal 5 through the above-mentioned channel. Further, the telephone network interface unit 12 receives the telephone number together with appeal-for-participation information for appealing for participation in multi-user talking, from the instruction receiving unit 141, and calls the receiving terminal 5 specified by the received telephone number, to establish a channel on the telephone network 82. Through the established channel, the above-mentioned appeal-for-participation information is transmitted.

The registration management database 17 stores various pieces of information on a registered person who can use the content distribution service and the multi-user talking service provided by the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1.

FIG. 3 shows an example of registered contents of the registration management database 17.

As shown in the figure, the registration management database 17 registers: identification information (a user name and a password) 172 of each registered person; private information 173 including a name, an address, self-introduction, etc.; and accounting information 174 indicating a state of charging for use of the content distribution service; in association with a registration number 171 uniquely assigned to each registered person.

The instruction receiving unit 131 informs the authentication unit 15 of identification information included in a request for viewing a content. And, the authentication unit 15 investigates whether the received identification information is registered in the registration management database 17. By this, the authentication unit 15 authenticates the request for viewing, and informs the instruction receiving unit 131 of the result of the authentication. At that time, when the authentication is successful, the authentication unit 15 informs the instruction receiving unit 131 to that end, while informing it of the registration number 171 associated with the above-mentioned identification information in the registration management database 17.

When the authentication by the authentication unit 15 is successful, then, the accounting unit 16 adds a charge for using the content distribution service to accounting information 174 corresponding, in the registration management database 17, to the identification information included in the request for viewing for which the above-mentioned authentication has resulted in success.

The content distribution control unit 13 comprises the instruction receiving unit 131, a viewer management unit 132, a viewer management database 133, the content distribution unit 134, and a content database 135.

The instruction receiving unit 131 receives a request for viewing a content from an IP terminal 4 or the receiving terminal 5 through the IP network interface unit 11 or the telephone network interface unit 12, and informs the authentication unit 15 of the identification information included in the received request for viewing. When the authentication unit 15 informs the instruction receiving unit 131 of success of authentication together with the registration number 171, then, the instruction receiving unit 131 informs the viewer management unit 132 of the registration number 171, the request for viewing, and the transmission source address of the request for viewing in question. The transmission source address is an IP address when the transmission source is an IP terminal 4, and the telephone number when the transmission source is the receiving terminal 5.

The viewer management unit 132 registers the registration number 171, the channel number of the content, which is included in the request for viewing, and the transmission source address of the request for viewing, into the viewer management database 133, associating these items with one another.

FIG. 4 shows an example of registered contents of the viewer management database 133.

As shown in the figure, under each channel number 1351 as identification information of a content, the viewer management database 133 registers a registration number 171 of a viewer who has made a request for viewing the content in question, and a transmission source address 1331 of the request for viewing the content in question, associating these items with each other. Here, the transmission source address 1331 is an IP address when the transmission source is an IP terminal 4, and a telephone number when the transmission source is the receiving terminal 5.

The content database 135 registers a content that the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 can distribute.

FIG. 5 shows an example of registered contents of the content database 135.

As shown in the figure, the content database 135 registers a channel number 1351 as identification information of a content, and content data 1353 and descramble key 1354 for each channel number. Here, the descramble key 1354 is used by the receiving terminal 5 for canceling scramble applied to the content, when the receiving terminal 5 enjoys the content distribution service through the CATV network 83.

The content distribution unit 134 reads content data 1353 from the content database 135, and provides the content data 1353 with the channel number 1351 of the content data 1353 in question. Further, the content distribution unit 134 reads the address 1331 registered in the viewer management database 133 in association with the channel number 1351 in question. Then, the content distribution unit 134 delivers the above-mentioned content data 1353 added with the channel number 1351 and the above-mentioned read address 1331, to the IP network interface unit 11.

At that time, when the address 1331 registered in the viewer management database 133 in association with the channel number 1351 in question includes a telephone number, then, the content distribution unit 134 delivers the IP address of the content relay apparatus 3 instead of the telephone number in question, to the IP network interface unit 11. It is assumed that the address of the content relay apparatus 3 has been informed to the content distribution/multi-user talking service center 1 in advance.

The multi-user talking control unit 14 comprises the instruction receiving unit 141, a participant management unit 142, a participant management database 143, the multi-user talking data generation unit 144, and the multi-user talking data distribution unit 145.

The instruction receiving unit 141 receives a request for participation in multi-user talking from an IP terminal 4 or the receiving terminal 5 through the IP network interface unit 11 or the telephone network interface unit 12, and sends the received request for participation and the transmission source address of the request for participation, to the participant management unit 142. Further, the instruction receiving unit 141 receives a request for appeal for participation in multi-user talking from an IP terminal 4 or the receiving terminal 5 through the IP network interface unit 11 or the telephone network interface unit 12, and sends the received request for appeal for participation and the transmission source address of the request for appeal for participation, to the participant management unit 142. Then, according to an instruction of the participant management unit 142, the instruction receiving unit 141 appeals to viewers of the content received by the terminal 4, 5, which has transmitted the above-mentioned request for appeal for participation, to participate in multi-user talking, and receives answers to the appeal.

The participant management unit 142 investigates whether the transmission source address of the request for participation received from the instruction receiving unit 141 is registered in the viewer management database 133 in association with the channel number 1351 included in the request for participation. The transmission source address is an IP address when the transmission source is an IP terminal 4, and the telephone number when the transmission source is the receiving terminal 5. When the transmission source address is registered, the participant management unit 142 registers the transmission source address in question and the registration number 171 registered in the viewer management database 133 in association with the transmission source address, into the participant management database 143 in association with the channel number 1351 included in the above-mentioned request for participation. At that time, when the transmission source address of the request for participation is the telephone number, i.e., when the transmission source of the request for participation is the receiving terminal 5, then, the participant management unit 142 additionally registers the telephone number included in the request for participation in question into the participant management database 143. The telephone number is one of the portable telephone 7 used for multi-user talking by the operator of the receiving terminal 5.

FIG. 6 shows an example of registered contents of the participant management database 143.

As shown in the figure, the participant management database 143 registers, under each channel number 1351 as identification information of a content, a registration number 171 of a viewer (participant) who has made a request for viewing the content of the channel number 1351 in question and a request for participation, a transmission source address 1331 of the request for participation, and a telephone number 1352 included in the request for participation when the transmission source address 1331 is the receiving terminal 5, associating these items with each other. Here, the transmission source address 1331 is an IP address when the transmission source 1331 is an IP terminal 4 and the telephone number when the transmission source is the receiving terminal 5, and the telephone number 1352 is one of the portable telephone 7 used for multi-user talking by the operator of the receiving terminal 5.

Further, participant management unit 142 investigate whether the transmission source address of the request for appeal for participation received from the instruction receiving unit 141 is registered in the participant management database 143 in association with the channel number 1351 included in the request for appeal for participation. Here, the transmission source address is an IP address when the transmission source is the IP terminal 4, and the telephone number when the transmission source is the receiving terminal 5. When the transmission source address is registered, then, the participant management unit 142 extracts registration numbers 171 other than the registration number 171 registered in association with the above-mentioned channel number 1351 in the participant management database 143, out of the registration numbers 171 registered in the viewer management database 133 in association with the channel number 1351 included in the request for appeal for participation in question. Then, the participant management unit 142 extracts private information 173 registered in association with the extracted registration numbers 171, from the registration management database 17. Then, the participant management unit 142 generates appeal-for-participation selection information for the operator of the terminal, which has transmitted the request for appeal for participation, to select private information of a viewer to whom the operator appeals for participation, out of the extracted pieces of private information 173. The participant management unit 142 transmits the generated appeal-for-participation selection information to the transmission source address of the above-mentioned request for appeal for participation, through the instruction receiving unit 141.

Here, when the transmission source address of the above-mentioned request for appeal for participation is an IP address, i.e., when the terminal that has transmitted the request for appeal for participation is an IP terminal 4, then, the appeal-for-participation selection information is transmitted to the IP terminal 4 through the IP network interface unit 11 and the IP network 81. On the other hand, when the transmission source address of the above-mentioned request for participation is the telephone number, i.e., when the terminal that has transmitted the request for appeal for participation is the receiving terminal 5, then, the appeal-for-participation selection information is transmitted to the receiving terminal 5 through the telephone network interface unit 12 and the telephone network 82.

When the participant management unit 142 receives a result of the selection of private information of a viewer to whom participation is to be appealed, from the terminal that has transmitted the above-mentioned request for appeal for participation, the participant management unit 142 transmits appeal-for-participation information to the address 1331 registered in the viewer management database 133 in association with the registration number 171 of the private information of the viewer indicated by the selection result. Here, when the address 1331 to which the appeal-for-participation information is to be transmitted is