JP2001203982A - Reproduction control method for video file, and reproduction control program storage medium for video file - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the quality and diversity of a means for communication between a sender and a recipient by adding bidirectional and real-time elements to a function of unidirectional and no-real-time video mailing. SOLUTION: Transmitting and receiving terminals (a) and (b) having video files 6a and 6b of the same contents communicate control signal for video reproduction to each other through a communication line 1x to project the same video collaboratively on monitors 4a and 4b of the both and also transmit information of intention transmitting means 7a and 7b such as voice communication by telephone, text display by keyboards, and marking by mouses and electronic pens through the communication line 1y to actualize reproduction control over video files bidirectionally in real time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Video mail has been considered as a service for sending video information photographed using a video camera or the like to a remote network terminal using a communication line. The present invention relates to a method for controlling playback of a video file transmitted and received by video mail or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are the following two methods for transmitting and receiving a video signal including a moving image between two network terminals connected by a communication line. Hereinafter, a conventional example will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a communication service called a videophone. As shown in FIG. 8, the network terminals 3a and 3b transmit and receive video data of video captured by the video cameras 2a and 2b to and from each other through the communication line 1 and receive / reproduce the data on both monitors 4a and 4b in real time. The user can see the received / reproduced screen. Network terminals 3a and 3b
Transmits and receives voice signals to and from each other through the communication line 1 and allows the user to make a telephone call using the telephones 5a and 5b.

As described above, the videophone has two-way, real-time communication means as indicated by the arrow of the communication line 1 for passing video data and audio signals. However, since the frequency band of the currently used communication line called ISDN is as narrow as 64 kbps, the images on the monitors 4a and 4b, especially moving images, are caused by the small number of image frames per unit time. As a result, the reproduced video has a deteriorated image quality.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a communication service called video mail. This video mail service is possible at present, but the concept is as follows. On the transmission side a, video information previously captured by a video camera or the like is stored in the network terminal 3a as a video file 6a. Further, the video file 6a is transferred to the other party using the communication line 1 and stored as a video file 6b in the network terminal 3b on the receiving side. After the file transfer is completed, the video file 6
By playing back b, the user can view it on the monitor 4b.

As is apparent from the fact that the direction of the arrow of the communication line 1 shown in FIG. 9 is from the transmitting side a to the receiving side b, this service is a unidirectional communication method that does not have real-time characteristics. Has become. However, since the entire video file is fetched once and then played back, the image quality played back on the receiving side is of high quality without any loss of image frames depending on the bandwidth of the communication line.

[0007]

In communication, interactivity and real-time are important quality factors. Video mail is a one-way, non-real-time information transmission means. If it is compared to a voice transmission telephone, it is like an answering machine that has only sent a voice message unilaterally and lost the real-time characteristic. is there. If one-way / non-real-time video mail can be provided with two-way and real-time elements, it will provide a good means of communication so that people can exchange information and opinions while watching the same video image. It is considered possible.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a video file reproduction control method which can add a bidirectional / real-time element to the function of a video mail and improve the quality of communication between a sender and a receiver. .

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a video file transmitted and received in advance by a method such as video mail at a terminal such as a personal computer connected to a computer network via a communication line or the like. When playing back, control signals that control the video playback control functions such as "play", "stop (including pause)", "fast forward", and "rewind" are exchanged with each other over a narrow-band, low-communication-rate communication line. This makes it possible to play back video files cooperatively between terminals, and the main feature is that the same video is played back simultaneously on the monitor of each terminal. In addition, by providing the terminal with two-way, real-time communication means such as telephone, character display means, and means for drawing points and lines,
It features communication while watching the same playback video.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. In the conventional example of FIG. 9, the communication line 1 is occupied in one direction in order to transfer a file from the transmitting side a to the receiving side b. In the present embodiment, the file transfer of video data is executed in advance, and the video file 6a on the transmitting side is transferred and recorded as the video file 6b on the receiving side through the communication line 1, as in the above-described conventional example. There is a different playback method.

[0011] "Play", "stop",
Video operations such as "fast forward" and "rewind"
The receiver can operate as a master from either side. This video operation is performed on the communication line 1 shown in FIG.
The signal is transmitted to the other party as a video reproduction control signal through x, and functions so that the same image is displayed on the monitors 4a and 4b at both ends of transmission and reception.

The communication line 1x may be the same line as the communication line 1 previously used for transferring the video file. The application software for playing a video file may be started on each terminal at the start of the cooperative playback operation, or may be started at the same time as the first playback control operation.

FIG. 2 shows the network terminal 3 shown in FIG.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are flowcharts of the playback control of the video file in FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A shows the processing flow of the master terminal, and FIG. 2B shows the processing flow of the slave terminal.

The network terminals 3a and 3b have video files 6a and 6b of the same content sent in advance by file transfer. First, the terminal on the master side transmits a video file designation signal such as a file name of a video file to be reproduced to the partner terminal on the slave side (step S1). Next, the video file is opened, the reproduction time data is initialized to 0 (head), and a control instruction is waited (step S2).

[0015] From the user, "play" the video file,
When there is a control instruction related to a video operation such as “stop”, “fast forward”, “rewind” or the like (step S3), a control signal indicating the type of the video operation is generated,
The data is transmitted to the reproduction unit of the own device and the terminal on the slave side (step S4). Thus, the video file is reproduced based on the control signal (step S5). This video file playback processing will be described later with reference to FIG. This reproduction process of the video file is repeated until the user instructs to terminate the reproduction or until the reproduction of the video file is completed. When the reproduction is completed (step S6), the video file is closed and the process is terminated. (Step S7).

When the terminal on the slave side receives the video file designation signal transmitted from the master side (step S10), the terminal opens the video file, initializes the reproduction time data to 0 (head), and outputs the control signal of the control signal. Wait for reception (step S11). When a control signal is received from the master side (step S12), a video file is reproduced based on the control signal by the processing shown in FIG. 3 described later (step S13).
This reproduction process of the video file is repeated until the master side instructs to terminate the reproduction or until the reproduction of the video file is completed. When the reproduction is completed (step S14), the video file is closed and the process is terminated. (Step S15).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of video file reproduction based on the control signal. In playback of a video file based on a control signal, the type of the received control signal is determined. If the playback is "playback", the video is played in the forward direction from the position indicated by the playback time data until the next control signal comes or playback is completed. The image data of the file is read out and displayed on the monitor (step S2
0, S21). The playback time data is updated according to the elapsed playback time.

If the control signal is "fast forward",
Until the next control signal arrives or the playback position reaches the end position, the image data of the video file is read from the position indicated by the playback time data in the forward direction and displayed on the monitor. At this time, while the reproduction time data is being updated, the video frames to be displayed are skipped in units of several or several tens, thereby reproducing at a higher speed than the normal speed (steps S22 and S23).

If the control signal is "rewind",
Until the next control signal arrives or returns to the start position of the video, the image data of the video file is read in the reverse direction from the position indicated by the reproduction time data and displayed on the monitor. At this time, high-speed reproduction in the reverse direction is performed by skipping the video frames to be displayed by several or tens of units while subtracting the reproduction time data (step S24,
S25).

If the control signal is "stop" (or "pause"), the current reproduction time data is stored,
Stop the reproduction and return to the calling source (steps S26, S
27).

In this example, examples of reproduction, stop, fast forward, and rewind are given as typical examples of the control signal. However, pause, slow reproduction, reproduction position setting to a start position or an end position, etc. The control signal can have an operation function related to the reproduction control of the control signal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in addition to the example shown in FIG.
The communication means 1a connects the communication means 7a and 7b of each terminal. The communication means 7a and 7b include voice communication means such as telephones and monitors 4a and 4b of each terminal.
Character communication means for displaying characters thereon, drawing means for lines and points to be superimposed and displayed on the displayed image, and the like can be used.

According to voice communication means such as a telephone, conversation can be exchanged while watching the same video image. As a character communication means, there is a character by keyboard input.
Messages can be exchanged by character display on the monitors 4a and 4b of both terminals. As a drawing means, there is a marking by a point instruction or a free line drawing. For example, it is possible to "pause" a video image and exchange telephone conversations while marking an object of interest with a mouse or an electronic pen.

It is apparent that the addition of these communication means 7a and 7b allows not only the cooperative reproduction of the video file but also the addition of a comment or the like to the video being reproduced, thereby further improving the communication. It is.

FIG. 5 shows the network terminal 3 shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart of reproduction control of the video file in a and 3b. The network terminals 3a and 3b have video files 6a and 6b of the same content sent in advance by file transfer. First, the network terminal 3a,
3b transmits the video file designation signal to the partner terminal, and the partner terminal receives the signal (step S3).
0). Each terminal opens the video file and initializes the reproduction time data to 0 (head) upon transmission / reception of the video file designation signal. (Step S3
1).

The user "plays" the video file,
When there is a control instruction related to video operation such as "stop", "fast forward", "rewind", etc. (step S32),
A control signal indicating the type of the video operation is generated, and a control signal is sent to the playback unit of the own device and the slave terminal together with the time data of the playback time according to the type of the video operation or according to a user's instruction. Is transmitted (step S33), and the process proceeds to step S35. The time data is transmitted, for example, when the control signal indicates a stop (including a temporary stop) in order to match the stop positions. Here, it is possible to enable the user to input an instruction of the reproduction start position, and to transmit the control signal with time data added when the instruction is input.

If a control signal has been received from the partner terminal (step S34), the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, it is determined whether or not time data is included in the control signal, and if so, the reproduction start position is set by updating the reproduction time data based on the time data (step S3).
6). Next, the video file is reproduced based on the control signal by the processing shown in FIG. 3 described above (step S37).

At the same time as the video file reproduction processing, in step S38, it is determined whether or not any communication instruction has been input. If the communication instruction has been received, communication information such as voice or text is transmitted to the communication line 1y. Then, the data is transmitted to the partner terminal via the terminal (step S39).

When the communication information is received from the partner terminal via the communication line 1y (step S40),
The communication information from the partner terminal is output to an output medium such as a receiver, a speaker, and a monitor (step S41). The processes in steps S32 to S41 are repeated until there is a reproduction end instruction from the user or an end instruction from the partner terminal, and if there is an end instruction (step S4
2), close the video file and end the process (step S43).

In the above example, communication line 1, communication line 1
Although the x, communication line 1y and the three types of communication lines are illustrated as being different from each other, they need not necessarily be physically separated. Since both the communication line 1x and the communication line 1y have narrow bands, they can be easily multiplexed into one line. For example, if an ISDN line in which one physical line is multiplexed into a plurality of channels is used, simultaneous use of video playback control and telephone service becomes possible, and even a remote terminal can share time and space. As a result, it is possible to realize a good communication method of exchanging conversation while watching the same video image.

When "playback" and "stop (including pause)" of a video file are frequently repeated between distant terminals, a shift occurs in the playback position due to transmission delay of a control signal and the like. It is also conceivable that the data accumulates and grows. Therefore, adjustment for synchronization is required. As an adjustment method related to the video playback control, the side performing the operation of “stop (including the case of pause)” acquires the priority as the master, and the master side stops the playback video such as the video frame number stopped. Is transmitted together with a control signal such as "stop" to the other party acting as a slave through the communication line 1x (see step S33 in FIG. 5), and the time data of the video frame displayed on the terminal of the other party is transmitted. , "Rewind", etc., or by setting the stop position (ie, setting the position of the image data to start playback next)
What is necessary is just to adjust so that it may correspond to this. If both still images match when “pause” or the like is performed, it is possible to start from the image with the same frame number when performing “playback” or the like again.

Also, a function is provided for the user to input, for example, an instruction of a reproduction start position together with an instruction of "reproduction", and when there is an instruction of the reproduction start position, it is transmitted as time data together with a control signal. This makes it possible to reproduce a video file from an arbitrary position.

Here, an example in which a video frame number is used as an example of time data for synchronization adjustment and the like has been described. However, instead of the video frame number, other data such as the elapsed time from the beginning of the video file is used. Obviously, the same effect can be obtained by using the time data. Since these video operations can function as a master in either terminal, bidirectional operations can be realized.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus for implementing the present invention. The terminal device 10 is a device including a CPU and a memory, such as a personal computer. The same applies to the partner terminal device 10 ', which is connected via a network.

The input device 20 is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse or an electronic pen. Video file 21
Is a file of image data stored in a hard disk or the like. The display device (monitor) 22 is a device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display capable of displaying an image. The communication device 23 is a telephone or other input / output peripheral device for enabling information exchange between terminals by voice, text, marking, or the like. Communication device 2
As 3, the input device 20 and the display device 22 can be used.

The video file designation information input unit 11 is a means for inputting information for designating a video file to be reproduced from the input device 20. When a video file is designated, a video file designation signal is transmitted to the video file reproduction unit 15 And the video file designation signal transmission unit 12.
The video file designation signal transmitting unit 12 transmits the video file designation signal to the other terminal device 10 '.

The control instruction input section 13 receives control instructions relating to video operations such as reproduction / rewind / fast forward / stop from the input device 20, generates control signals for the control instructions, and outputs a video file reproduction section 15 and a control signal transmission section. Send to 14. Control signal transmission unit 1
4 transmits the control signal to the partner terminal device 10 '.

The video file designation signal receiving section 16 receives the video file designation signal transmitted from the partner terminal device 10 'and notifies the video file playback section 15 of the signal. Further, the control signal receiving unit 17 receives the control signal transmitted from the partner terminal device 10 'and notifies the video file reproducing unit 15 of the control signal.

The video file reproducing section 15 reads out image data from the video file 21 specified by the video file specifying signal, and displays on the display device 22 according to the control signal. The communication unit 18 performs input / output to / from the communication device 23 and transmission / reception of communication information to / from the partner terminal device 10 '.

It is clear that the mechanism for controlling the reproduction of the video file described in the above embodiment can be realized by the CPUs constituting the terminal devices 10, 10 'and the software programs executed by the CPUs.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal device for a video file playback control method according to the present invention. The terminal devices 10 and 10 ′ shown in FIG. 6 include a CPU 30, a RAM 31, a memory such as a ROM 32, a communication interface 33, an external storage device 34, a display device 22, a keyboard 36, a mouse 37, and the like, as shown in FIG.
In addition, a handset can be connected via an input / output adapter. As the external storage device 34, for example, a hard disk 38, a floppy disk (FD) 39, a magnetic tape 40, an optical disk 41 such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC memory card 42, or the like can be used. The video file playback control program 50, which is software for executing the video file playback control method according to the present invention, can be distributed in a form stored in these storage media.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, a video mail as a one-way and non-real-time communication means can be reproduced by cooperative reproduction of video images at both ends of transmission and reception, voice communication by telephone, and keyboard. By adding functions such as text display, marking with a mouse and an electronic pen, the system can be transformed into interactive and real-time video mail, and the quality and diversity of communication means can be dramatically improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an embodiment of the present invention (in a case where a communication means is not included).

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of video file playback control in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of video file reproduction based on a control signal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing an embodiment of the present invention (in a case where a communication means is included).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of video file playback control in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram of an apparatus for implementing the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a terminal device for a video file reproduction control method according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional videophone.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional video mail.

[Explanation of symbols]

 a, b Transmission-side and reception-side terminals connected by communication lines 1 Communication line 1x Communication line for video reproduction control 1y Communication line for communication means 2a, 2b Video camera 3a, 3b Network terminal 4a, 4b Monitor 5a, 5b Telephone 6a, 6b Video file 7a, 7b Means of communication 10 Terminal device 10 'Remote terminal device 11 Video file designation information input unit 12 Video file designation signal transmission unit 13 Control instruction input unit 14 Control signal transmission unit 15 Video file reproduction unit 16 Video file designation signal receiving unit 17 Control signal receiving unit 18 Communication unit 20 Input device 21 Video file 22 Display device (monitor) 23 Communication device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Junichi Shimada 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Tetsuro Crescent 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5C053 FA06 FA23 FA29 HA23 HA24 LA06 LA11 LA15 5C064 AA01 AB04 AC07 AC12 AC13 AD09

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method in which a plurality of computer terminals connected to a network and having a video file playback control function cooperatively control the playback of video files having the same contents, each of which has one terminal. The device
Transmitting a signal for specifying a video file to be controlled for reproduction to another terminal device via a network, wherein the one terminal device transmits a control signal for controlling reproduction of the specified video file to the other terminal device via the network; Transmitting the video file of the one terminal device and the video file of the other terminal device to each other based on the control signal. Method. 2. A computer terminal device connected to a network and having a video file reproduction control function, cooperates with another terminal device when the computer terminal device has a video file of the same content as another terminal device. A method for controlling playback of a video file, wherein the terminal device transmits a control signal for controlling playback of a video file specified by itself or another terminal device to another terminal device via a network. Controlling the reproduction of the video file of the own terminal device based on the control signal; and controlling the reproduction of the video file of the own terminal device based on another control signal received from the other terminal device. A video file playback control method characterized by including: 3. The video file playback control method according to claim 1, wherein the time data indicating the playback start position designated by the user or the control signal indicates stop. Transmitting time data indicating a stop position based on the control signal to the other terminal device together with the control signal; and, when the time data is received together with the control signal, a terminal of the own terminal based on the time data. Changing the display video frame at the start of reproduction or the display video frame after the reproduction is stopped in the device. 4. The video file playback control method according to claim 3, wherein one or both of a video frame number at a playback start position or a stop position and an elapsed time from the beginning of the video file are used as the time data. A video file playback control method characterized by using: 5. The method for controlling reproduction of a video file according to claim 1, further comprising a step of communicating with said terminal device by means of a two-way and real-time communication. How to control the playback of video files. 6. The video file reproduction control method according to claim 5, wherein said interactive and real-time communication means includes voice communication means, character display means on a terminal screen, and drawing means on a terminal screen. A video file playback control method characterized by using one or a combination of a plurality of means. 7. The video file playback control method according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is a control signal for playback control relating to playback, stop, fast forward, or rewind. A method for controlling reproduction of a video file. 8. A video file storing a program for causing a computer constituting the terminal device to execute the video file reproduction control method according to claim 1. Description: Reproduction control program storage medium.