JP2005122548A - Information processing system, information processing apparatus, information processing method and computer program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To synchronously acquire data, regardless of the configuration of an information processing system. <P>SOLUTION: Servers 51 and 61 and clients 551 and 561 are connected via the Internet 301. The server 51 registers the server 61 as a slave server, and the servers 51 and 61 synchronously acquire data with the reference clock of the server 51. The server 51 transmits the data acquired by the server 51 itself and the data acquired by the server 61 to the client 551, whereas the client 551 registers the client 561 as a slave client. The client 551 distributes the data from the server 51 to the client 561. The clients 551 and 561 synchronously reproduce the data with the reference clock of the client 551. For example, this invention is applicable to a device connected to the Internet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a computer program, and a recording medium, and, for example, an information processing system that can easily guarantee temporal relevance of a plurality of data, The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, a computer program, and a recording medium.

  Currently, there are services called Web camera service, network camera service, and the like that provide images taken by a camera installed at a remote place as services for transmitting data via the Internet. In the Web camera service, digital data obtained by performing A / D conversion processing on the output of an analog image sensor in a camera or digital data output by a digital image sensor is transmitted to various digital interfaces such as IEEE1394 (Institute of Institute). It is output to the information processing system via Electrical and Electronic Engineers (1394) or USB (Universal Serial Bus). In an information processing system, digital data supplied via a digital interface is recorded on a recording medium, and is transmitted via the Internet or a public network via TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) communication or the like. Delivered to the client.

  The client receives digital data distributed via the Internet, whereby the user can view (view) an image at a remote place or perform image processing with an application program.

  Also, for example, when the information processing system is equipped with a World Wide Web (WWW) server function that supports HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), and the client that receives the digital data is equipped with a WWW browser, The client can browse the digital data recorded by the information processing system as a WWW server via the Internet using a WWW browser. In this case, a large number of clients can browse the digital data.

  Therefore, digital data of an image taken by a camera can be distributed to another information processing apparatus (client) via a transmission system such as the Internet by an information processing apparatus (server) provided with the camera. Further, the client can receive the transmitted digital data, record it on a recording medium, and reproduce it to display an image on a monitor. As described above, for example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for relaying an image of a camera installed in a remote place via a transmission system.

  In addition, various attempts have been made for communication forms for exchanging digital data, and technology for relaying and distributing digital data of images taken by remote cameras in real time, and applying the technology to various monitoring cameras, etc. Technology has been developed (see Non-Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, such technology is not limited to image data captured by a camera. For example, when audio data such as music, data of various observations such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure by a weather observation device are relayed. It can also be applied to.

  As described above, according to an apparatus having a camera and a server function, various types of remote information can be obtained with a relatively small system, and the information can be distributed and recorded on a recording medium. It can be easily performed.

Yoshida, Matsuyama, "Digital Camera Networking", Journal of the Institute of Image Electronics Engineers of Japan, Vol. 28, No. 3, 234-239 (1999) Wakamatsu, Sakurai, Chinen, Shimizu, Matsumoto, "Examination of networking camera construction method and its characteristics" Journal of the Institute of Image Electronics Engineers of Japan, Vol. 31, No. 87-93 (2002)

  In the above-described technique, a server that records and distributes digital data is assumed to be a single server.

  However, for example, when a plurality of servers each having a plurality of cameras installed so as to photograph the same spot at different angles simultaneously acquire digital data, each of the plurality of servers handles digital data independently. Therefore, the digital data acquired by each of the plurality of servers is digital data acquired at the same time, but the temporal relevance is guaranteed due to the difference in the reference clock of each server and the delay time due to communication. There was no problem.

  On the other hand, at the client, for example, a virtual stereoscopic image is generated by synthesizing a plurality of image data obtained by photographing the same point at different angles, or a sound field is obtained from sound data acquired by a plurality of microphones directed to the same point. When processing such as generating reproduction information is performed, it is difficult to perform these processing using a plurality of digital data whose temporal relevance is not guaranteed.

  By the way, it is possible to guarantee the temporal relevance of multiple digital data by recording and distributing digital data output by multiple cameras with this single server equipped with multiple cameras It becomes. However, if the data collection locations are very far apart, it may be difficult to physically connect multiple cameras to a single server. In addition, a new problem in which the connection mode for connecting a plurality of cameras to the server becomes complicated may occur.

  Furthermore, it may be necessary to change the configuration of the server each time the conditions for recording and distributing digital data, for example, the number of cameras and microphones, the installation position, and the like are changed. Therefore, when the camera is temporarily installed or when the installation location of the camera or the like is frequently moved, the installation and adjustment work becomes complicated.

  Furthermore, when digital data is recorded or distributed by a single server, it may be necessary to greatly change the configuration of the server when the type, nature, number, etc. of the digital data changes. On the other hand, constructing a server that supports all cases in advance may make the server configuration redundant.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to easily guarantee the temporal relevance of data of a plurality of servers.

  In the first information processing system of the present invention, the master server has master server reference clock generation means for generating its own server reference clock, and master server control for transmitting server control information based on its own server reference clock to the slave server. Information transmitting means, slave server registering means for registering slave server information, master server data requesting means for requesting data distribution to the slave server based on the slave server information, and receiving data distributed by the slave server A master server data receiving means for delivering data to the master client and a master server data delivering means for delivering data to the master client, the slave server transmitting master information to the master server detecting means for detecting the master server, Make itself a slave server Slave server registration request means for requesting registration, reference clock adjusting means for acquiring server control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own server reference clock, and data according to a synchronization signal based on its own server reference clock Synchronization data acquisition means for acquiring data and slave server data distribution means for distributing data in response to a request from the master server, and the master client generates master client reference clock for generating its own client reference clock, Master client control information transmission means for transmitting client control information based on its own client reference clock to the slave client, slave client registration means for registering slave client information, and data distributed by the master server Master client data receiving means for receiving, and data redistribution means for redistributing data to the slave client based on information of the slave client, wherein the slave client detects a master client, a master client detecting means, and a master client Slave client registration request means for requesting to register itself as a slave client and slave client reference for obtaining client control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its client reference clock Clock adjustment means, slave client data reception means for receiving data redistributed by the master client, and data reproduction according to a synchronization signal based on its own client reference clock And synchronous data reproducing means.

  In the second information processing system of the present invention, the master server generates master server reference clock generating means for generating its own reference clock, and master server control information transmitting means for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server. Slave server registration means for registering slave server information, master server data request means for requesting the slave server to distribute data based on the slave server information, and data reception for receiving data distributed by the slave server Means and a master server data distribution means for distributing data via a network, the slave server detects the master server, and transmits the information of the master server to the master server, As a slave server that requires registration as A registration request means, a reference clock adjusting means for obtaining control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own reference clock, a synchronous data obtaining means for obtaining data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock, and a master Slave server data distribution means for distributing data in response to a request from the server is provided.

  In the third information processing system of the present invention, a master client generates master client reference clock generating means for generating its own reference clock, and master client control information transmitting means for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client. And slave client registration means for registering slave client information, master client data receiving means for receiving data distributed via the network, and redistributing data to the slave clients based on the slave client information A data redistribution unit, and the slave client registers the master client as a slave client by transmitting master information to the master client and a master client detection unit that detects the master client Slave client registration request means for requesting the master client, slave client reference clock adjusting means for acquiring control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock, and slave client data for receiving data redistributed by the master client It is characterized by comprising receiving means and synchronous data reproducing means for reproducing data in accordance with a synchronizing signal based on its own reference clock.

  The first information processing apparatus of the present invention registers reference clock generation means for generating its own reference clock, control information transmission means for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server, and information on the slave server Slave server registration means, data request means for requesting distribution of data to the slave server based on information of the slave server, data receiving means for receiving data distributed by the slave server, and data for distributing data to the client And a distribution means.

  The first information processing apparatus transmits time information for time keeping based on its own reference clock, and information for making the time measured by the slave server coincide with the time measured by the time measuring means to the slave server. An information transmission means can be further provided.

  The slave server registration means may register the slave server information when the slave server is connected to the network, and delete the slave server information when the slave server is disconnected from the network. it can.

  The first information processing apparatus can further include a data integration unit that integrates one or more data into integrated data, and the data distribution unit can distribute the integrated data.

  The data can be image data or audio data.

  The data can be data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon.

  A first information processing method of the present invention includes a reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock, a control information transmission step for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to a slave server, and registration of information on the slave server A slave server registration step, a data request step for requesting data distribution to the slave server based on the information of the slave server, a data reception step for receiving data distributed by the slave server, and data for distributing data to the client A distribution step.

  The first computer program of the present invention registers a reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock, a control information transmission step for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server, and information on the slave server. A slave server registration step, a data request step for requesting data distribution to the slave server based on information of the slave server, a data reception step for receiving data distributed by the slave server, and a data distribution for distributing data to the client And a step.

  The computer program recorded on the first recording medium of the present invention includes a reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock, a control information transmission step for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server, A slave server registration step for registering slave server information, a data request step for requesting data distribution to the slave server based on the slave server information, a data reception step for receiving data distributed by the slave server, and a client And a data distribution step for distributing data.

  The second information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a master server detection unit that detects a master server, a slave server registration request unit that transmits its own information to the master server and requests to register itself as a slave server. The control information transmitted by the master server is acquired, the reference clock adjusting means for adjusting its own reference clock, the synchronous data acquiring means for acquiring data according to the synchronization signal based on its own reference clock, and according to the request of the master server And data distribution means for distributing data.

  The second information processing apparatus can further include a clocking unit that clocks time based on its own reference clock, acquires information for matching the time clocked by the master server, and clocks the clocking unit. The time can be made to coincide with the time counted by the master server.

  The second information processing apparatus can further include data recording means for recording the data acquired by the synchronous data acquisition means.

  The second information processing apparatus can record the data acquired by the synchronous data acquisition unit on a recording medium, and cause the data distribution unit to distribute the data recorded and reproduced on the recording medium. .

  The data can be image data or audio data.

  The data can be data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon.

  The second information processing method of the present invention includes a master server detecting step for detecting a master server, a slave server registration requesting step for transmitting own information to the master server and requesting to register itself as a slave server, In response to a request from the master server, the control information transmitted by the master server is acquired, a reference clock adjustment step for adjusting its own reference clock, a synchronization data acquisition step for acquiring data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock, and And a data delivery step for delivering data.

  The second computer program of the present invention includes a master server detecting step for detecting a master server, a slave server registration requesting step for requesting to register itself as a slave server by transmitting its information to the master server, The control information transmitted by the master server is acquired, the reference clock adjustment step for adjusting its own reference clock, the synchronous data acquisition step for acquiring data according to the synchronization signal based on its own reference clock, and according to the request of the master server And a data distribution step for distributing data.

  The computer program recorded on the second recording medium of the present invention requests a master server detection step for detecting a master server, and transmits its information to the master server to register itself as a slave server. A slave server registration request step; a control information transmitted by the master server; a reference clock adjustment step for adjusting its own reference clock; a synchronous data acquisition step for acquiring data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock; And a data distribution step of distributing data in response to a request from the master server.

  The third information processing apparatus of the present invention registers reference clock generation means for generating its own reference clock, control information transmission means for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client, and information on the slave client Slave client registration means, data receiving means for receiving data distributed by the master server, and data redistribution means for redistributing data to the slave clients based on information of the slave client.

  The third information processing apparatus includes a clocking unit that clocks time based on its own reference clock, and a clocking unit that transmits to the slave client information for matching the clocking time of the slave client with the clocking time of the clocking unit. An information transmission means can be further provided.

  The third information processing apparatus may further include a data requesting unit that requests data from the master server, and the data receiving unit causes the data distributed by the master server to be received in response to a request from the data requesting unit. Can be.

  When the master server distributes integrated data obtained by integrating one or more pieces of data, the data receiving unit can receive the integrated data.

  The data redistribution means can redistribute the integrated data divided based on the information of the slave client.

  The third information processing apparatus of the present invention can further include recording / reproducing means for recording data on a recording medium or reproducing data recorded on the recording medium.

  The data can be image data or audio data.

  The data can be data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon.

  A third information processing method according to the present invention includes a reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock, a control information transmission step for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client, and registration of the slave client information. A slave client registration step, a data reception step of receiving data distributed by the master server, and a data redistribution step of redistributing data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client.

  The third computer program of the present invention registers the reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock, the control information transmission step for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client, and the slave client information. It includes a slave client registration step, a data reception step for receiving data distributed by the master server, and a data redistribution step for redistributing data to the slave client based on information of the slave client.

  The computer program recorded on the third recording medium of the present invention includes a reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock, a control information transmission step for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client, A slave client registration step for registering slave client information, a data reception step for receiving data distributed by the master server, and a data redistribution step for redistributing data to the slave client based on the slave client information It is characterized by that.

  A fourth information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a master client detection unit that detects a master client, a slave client registration request unit that transmits its own information to the master client and requests to register itself as a slave client. The slave client reference clock adjusting means for acquiring the control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock, the data receiving means for receiving the data distributed by the master client, and the synchronization signal based on its own reference clock Synchronous data reproducing means for reproducing data is provided.

  The fourth information processing apparatus can further include a clocking unit that clocks time based on its own reference clock, acquires information for matching the time clocked by the master client, and clocks the clocking unit. The time can be made to coincide with the time counted by the master client.

  The fourth information processing apparatus can further include recording / reproducing means for recording the data on the recording medium or reproducing the data recorded on the recording medium.

  The data can be image data or audio data.

  The data can be data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon.

  The fourth information processing method of the present invention includes a master client detection step for detecting a master client, a slave client registration request step for requesting registration of the master client as a slave client by transmitting its own information to the master client. The slave client reference clock adjustment step for acquiring the control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock, the data reception step for receiving the data distributed by the master client, and the synchronization signal based on its own reference clock And a synchronous data reproduction step for reproducing data.

  A fourth computer program of the present invention includes a master client detecting step for detecting a master client, a slave client registration requesting step for requesting to register the master client as a slave client by transmitting its own information to the master client, The slave client reference clock adjustment step for obtaining control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock, the data reception step for receiving the data distributed by the master client, and the data according to the synchronization signal based on its own reference clock And a synchronous data reproduction step for reproducing data.

  The computer program recorded on the fourth recording medium of the present invention requests a master client detection step of detecting a master client, transmits its own information to the master client, and registers itself as a slave client. A slave client registration request step, a slave client reference clock adjustment step for acquiring control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock, a data reception step for receiving data distributed by the master client, and its own reference A synchronous data reproduction step of reproducing data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on a clock.

In the first information processing system of the present invention, the master server generates its own server reference clock and transmits server control information based on its own server reference clock to the slave server. Also, slave server information is registered, and data distribution is requested to the slave server based on the slave server information. Then, the data distributed by the slave server is received, and the data is distributed to the master client. In the slave server, the master server is detected and it is required to register itself as a slave server. Also, server control information transmitted by the master server is acquired, and its own server reference clock is adjusted. Then, data is acquired in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own server reference clock, and the data is distributed in response to a request from the master server. In the master client, its own client reference clock is generated, and client control information based on its own client reference clock is transmitted to the slave client. The slave client information is registered, while the data distributed by the master server is received, and the data is redistributed to the slave client based on the slave client information. In the slave client, the master client is detected and required to register itself as a slave client. Also, client control information transmitted by the master client is acquired, and its own client reference clock is adjusted. Then, the data redistributed by the master client is received, and the data is reproduced according to the synchronization signal based on its own client reference clock.

  In the second information processing system of the present invention, the master server generates its own reference clock and transmits control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server. Also, slave server information is registered, and data distribution is requested to the slave server based on the slave server information. Then, the data distributed by the slave server is received, and the data is distributed via the network. In the slave server, the master server is detected and it is required to register itself as a slave server. Also, control information transmitted by the master server is acquired, and its own reference clock is adjusted. Then, data is acquired in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock, and the data is distributed in response to a request from the master server.

  In the third information processing system of the present invention, the master client generates its own reference clock and transmits control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client. Also, slave client information is registered, and data distributed via the network is received. Then, based on the information of the slave client, the data is redistributed to the slave client. In the slave client, the master client is detected and required to register itself as a slave client. Also, control information transmitted by the master client is acquired, and its own reference clock is adjusted. Then, the data redistributed by the master client is received, and the data is reproduced according to the synchronization signal based on its own reference clock.

  In the first information processing apparatus, the first information processing method, the first computer program and the computer program recorded in the first recording medium of the present invention, its own reference clock is generated, and its own Control information based on the reference clock is transmitted to the slave server. Also, slave server information is registered, and data distribution is requested to the slave server based on the slave server information. Then, the data distributed by the slave server is received, and the data is distributed to the client.

  In the second information processing apparatus, the second information processing method, and the second computer program and the computer program recorded in the second recording medium of the present invention, the master server is detected and the slave server Is required to register as Also, control information transmitted by the master server is acquired, and its own reference clock is adjusted. Then, data is acquired in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock, and the data is distributed in response to a request from the master server.

  In the third information processing apparatus and the third information processing method of the present invention, as well as the third computer program and the computer program recorded in the third recording medium, its own reference clock is generated, and its own Control information based on the reference clock is transmitted to the slave client. Also, slave client information is registered, and data distributed by the master server is received. Then, based on the information of the slave client, the data is redistributed to the slave client.

  In the fourth information processing apparatus, the fourth information processing method, the fourth computer program, and the computer program recorded on the fourth recording medium of the present invention, the master client is detected and the slave client is Is required to register as Also, control information transmitted by the master client is acquired, and its own reference clock is adjusted. Then, the data distributed by the master client is received, and the data is reproduced according to the synchronization signal based on its own reference clock.

  According to the present invention, temporal relevance of a plurality of data can be easily ensured.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence relationship between the disclosed invention and the embodiments is exemplified as follows. Note that although there is an embodiment which is described in this specification but is not described here as corresponding to the invention, this means that the embodiment is not included in the invention. It does not mean that it does not correspond. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to an invention, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the invention. Absent.

  Further, this description does not mean all the inventions described in the specification. In other words, this description is an invention described in the specification, which is not claimed in this application, that is, an invention that will be divided in the future, appearing by amendment, and added. Is not to deny.

According to the present invention, a first information processing system is provided. This first information processing system
In an information processing system in which a master server, a slave server, a master client, and a slave client are connected via a network,
The master server is
Master server reference clock generating means for generating its own server reference clock (for example, voltage controlled reference oscillator 162 in FIG. 12),
Master server control information transmitting means (for example, the system controller 115 in FIG. 4) for transmitting server control information based on its own server reference clock to the slave server;
Slave server registration means for registering information of the slave server (for example, the storage unit 137 in FIG. 4);
Master server data requesting means for requesting the slave server to deliver data based on the information of the slave server (for example, the process of step S193 in FIG. 23);
Master server data receiving means for receiving the data distributed by the slave server (for example, the process of step S194 in FIG. 23);
Master server data distribution means for distributing the data to the master client (for example, the process of step S195 in FIG. 23),
The slave server is
Master server detection means for detecting the master server (for example, the process of step S102 in FIG. 8);
Slave server registration requesting means (for example, the process of step S183 in FIG. 21) for transmitting the information of the master server to the master server and requesting to register itself as a slave server;
Reference clock adjusting means (for example, voltage control reference oscillator 262 in FIG. 13) that acquires the server control information transmitted by the master server and adjusts its own server reference clock;
Synchronous data acquisition means (for example, A / D converter 207 in FIG. 5) for acquiring data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own server reference clock;
Slave server data distribution means for distributing the data in response to a request from the master server (for example, the process of step S203 in FIG. 23),
The master client is
Master client reference clock generating means for generating its own client reference clock (for example, voltage controlled reference oscillator 662 in FIG. 14);
Master client control information transmitting means (for example, the system controller 615 in FIG. 6) for transmitting client control information based on its own client reference clock to the slave client;
Slave client registration means for registering information of the slave client (for example, the storage unit 637 in FIG. 6);
Master client data receiving means for receiving the data distributed by the master server (for example, the process of step S593 in FIG. 24);
Data redistribution means (for example, the process of step S595 in FIG. 24) for redistributing the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client;
The slave client is
Master client detection means for detecting the master client (for example, the process of step S502 in FIG. 10);
Slave client registration requesting means (for example, the process of step S573 in FIG. 22) for sending the master client information to request registration of the slave client as a slave client;
Reference clock adjusting means (for example, voltage control reference oscillator 762 in FIG. 15) that acquires the client control information transmitted by the master client and adjusts its own client reference clock;
Slave client data receiving means for receiving the data redistributed by the master client (for example, the process of step S603 in FIG. 24);
Synchronous data reproduction means (for example, a D / A converter 726 in FIG. 7) for reproducing the data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own client reference clock is provided.

According to the present invention, a second information processing system is provided. This second information processing system
In an information processing system in which a master server and a slave server are connected via a network,
The master server is
Master server reference clock generation means for generating its own reference clock (for example, voltage controlled reference oscillator 162 in FIG. 12),
Master server control information transmitting means (for example, the system controller 115 in FIG. 4) for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server;
Slave server registration means for registering information of the slave server (for example, the storage unit 137 in FIG. 4);
Master server data requesting means for requesting the slave server to deliver data based on the information of the slave server (for example, the process of step S193 in FIG. 23);
Data receiving means for receiving the data distributed by the slave server (for example, the process of step S194 in FIG. 23);
Master server data distribution means for distributing the data via the network (for example, the process of step S195 in FIG. 23),
The slave server is
Master server detection means for detecting the master server (for example, the process of step S102 in FIG. 8);
Slave server registration requesting means (for example, the process of step S183 in FIG. 21) for transmitting the information of the master server to the master server and requesting to register itself as a slave server;
Reference clock adjusting means (for example, voltage control reference oscillator 262 in FIG. 13) that acquires the control information transmitted by the master server and adjusts its own reference clock;
Synchronous data acquisition means (for example, A / D converter 207 in FIG. 5) for acquiring data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock;
Slave server data distribution means for distributing the data in response to a request from the master server (for example, processing in step S203 in FIG. 23).

According to the present invention, a third information processing system is provided. This third information processing system
In an information processing system in which a master client and a slave client are connected via a network,
The master client
Master client reference clock generating means for generating its own reference clock (for example, voltage controlled reference oscillator 662 in FIG. 14);
Master client control information transmission means (for example, the system controller 615 in FIG. 6) for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client;
Slave client registration means for registering information of the slave client (for example, the storage unit 637 in FIG. 6);
Master client data receiving means for receiving data distributed via the network (for example, the process of step S593 in FIG. 24);
Data redistribution means (for example, the process of step S595 in FIG. 24) for redistributing the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client;
The slave client is
Master client detection means for detecting the master client (for example, the process of step S502 in FIG. 10);
Slave client registration requesting means (for example, the process of step S573 in FIG. 22) for sending the master client information to request registration of the slave client as a slave client;
Slave client reference clock adjusting means (for example, voltage control reference oscillator 762 in FIG. 15) that acquires the control information transmitted by the master client and adjusts its own reference clock;
Slave client data receiving means for receiving the data redistributed by the master client (for example, the process of step S603 in FIG. 24);
Synchronous data reproduction means (for example, a D / A converter 726 in FIG. 7) for reproducing the data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock is provided.

According to the present invention, a first information processing apparatus is provided. The first information processing apparatus
In an information processing apparatus connected to a slave server and a client via a network,
Reference clock generation means for generating its own reference clock (for example, the voltage controlled reference oscillator 162 in FIG. 12),
Control information transmitting means (for example, the system controller 115 in FIG. 4) for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server;
Slave server registration means for registering information of the slave server (for example, the storage unit 137 in FIG. 4);
Based on the information of the slave server, data request means for requesting the slave server to distribute data (for example, the process of step S193 in FIG. 23);
Data receiving means for receiving the data distributed by the slave server (for example, the process of step S194 in FIG. 23);
Data distribution means for distributing the data to the client (for example, the process of step S195 in FIG. 23).

The first information processing apparatus
Clocking means (for example, the internal clock 138 in FIG. 4) for clocking time based on its own reference clock;
Time information transmitting means (for example, the process of step S174 in FIG. 21) for transmitting information for causing the slave server to match the time measured by the slave server with the time measured by the time measuring means is further provided. can do.

  The slave server registration unit registers information of the slave server when the slave server is connected to the network, and deletes information of the slave server when the slave server is disconnected from the network. be able to.

The first information processing apparatus
Data integration means (for example, the process of step S195 in FIG. 23) that integrates one or more of the data into integrated data can be further provided.
The data distribution means can distribute the integrated data.

  The data can be image data or audio data.

  The data may be data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon.

Moreover, according to this invention, the 1st information processing method is provided. This first information processing method is:
An information processing method of an information processing apparatus connected to a slave server and a client via a network,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock (for example, the process of step S138 in FIG. 16);
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server (for example, step S134 in FIG. 16);
A slave server registration step of registering information of the slave server (for example, the process of step S173 in FIG. 21);
A data requesting step for requesting the slave server to deliver data based on the information of the slave server (for example, the process of step S193 in FIG. 23);
A data receiving step for receiving the data distributed by the slave server (for example, the process of step S194 in FIG. 23);
A data distribution step of distributing the data to the client (for example, the process of step S195 in FIG. 23).

According to the present invention, a first computer program is provided. The first computer program is
A computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a slave server and a client via a network,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock (for example, the process of step S138 in FIG. 16);
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server (for example, step S134 in FIG. 16);
A slave server registration step of registering information of the slave server (for example, the process of step S173 in FIG. 21);
A data requesting step for requesting the slave server to deliver data based on the information of the slave server (for example, the process of step S193 in FIG. 23);
A data receiving step for receiving the data distributed by the slave server (for example, the process of step S194 in FIG. 23);
A data distribution step of distributing the data to the client (for example, the process of step S195 in FIG. 23).

  The first computer program can be recorded on a recording medium.

According to the present invention, a second information processing apparatus is provided. This second information processing apparatus
In an information processing apparatus connected to a master server via a network,
Master server detection means for detecting the master server (for example, the process of step S102 in FIG. 8);
Slave server registration requesting means (for example, the process of step S183 in FIG. 21) for transmitting the information of the master server to the master server and requesting to register itself as a slave server;
Reference clock adjusting means (for example, voltage control reference oscillator 262 in FIG. 13) for acquiring control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own reference clock;
Synchronous data acquisition means (for example, A / D converter 207 in FIG. 5) for acquiring data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock;
Data distribution means for distributing the data in response to a request from the master server (for example, processing in step S203 in FIG. 23).

  The data distribution means can distribute the data acquired by the synchronous data acquisition means.

This second information processing apparatus
Data recording means (for example, a recording medium interface 219 in FIG. 5) for recording the data acquired by the synchronous data acquisition means with a time measured by the time measuring means can be further provided.

Recording the data acquired by the synchronous data acquisition means on a recording medium;
The data distribution means can distribute the data recorded on the recording medium.

  The data can be image data or audio data.

  The data can be data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon.

According to the present invention, a second information processing method is provided. The second information processing method is:
An information processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to a master server via a network,
A master server detecting step for detecting the master server (for example, step S102 in FIG. 8);
A slave server registration request step (for example, the process of step S183 in FIG. 21) for requesting that the master server transmit its information and register itself as a slave server;
A reference clock adjustment step of acquiring control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own reference clock (for example, the process of step S158 in FIG. 18);
A synchronous data acquisition step (for example, the process of step S201 in FIG. 23) for acquiring data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock;
A data distribution step of distributing the data in response to a request from the master server (for example, the process of step S203 in FIG. 23).

According to the present invention, a second computer program is provided. The second computer program is
A computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a master server via a network,
A master server detecting step for detecting the master server (for example, step S102 in FIG. 8);
A slave server registration request step (for example, the process of step S183 in FIG. 21) for requesting that the master server transmit its information and register itself as a slave server;
A reference clock adjustment step of acquiring control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own reference clock (for example, the process of step S158 in FIG. 18);
A synchronization data acquisition step (for example, the process of step S201 in FIG. 22) for acquiring data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock;
A data distribution step of distributing the data in response to a request from the master server (for example, the process of step S203 in FIG. 23).

  The second computer program can be recorded on a recording medium.

According to the present invention, a third information processing apparatus is provided. This third information processing device
In an information processing apparatus connected to a master server and a slave client via a network,
A reference clock generating means for generating its own reference clock (for example, the voltage controlled reference oscillator 662 in FIG. 14);
Control information transmitting means (for example, the system controller 615 in FIG. 6) for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client;
Slave client registration means for registering information of the slave client (for example, the storage unit 637 in FIG. 6);
Data receiving means for receiving data distributed by the master server (for example, the process of step S593 in FIG. 24);
Data redistribution means (for example, the process of step S595 in FIG. 24) that redistributes the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client.

This third information processing device
Clocking means (for example, the internal clock 638 in FIG. 6) for clocking time based on its own reference clock;
The apparatus further includes time information transmission means (for example, the process of step S564 in FIG. 22) for transmitting information for causing the slave client to match the time measured by the slave client with the time measured by the time measuring means. it can.

This third information processing device
Data request means for requesting the data to the master server (for example, the process of step S591 in FIG. 24) can further be provided,
The data receiving means can receive the data distributed by the master server in response to a request from the data requesting means.

The master server delivers integrated data obtained by integrating one or more of the data,
The data receiving means can receive the integrated data.

  The data redistribution means can redistribute the integrated data divided based on the information of the slave client.

This third information processing device
Recording means for recording the data on a recording medium or reproducing the data recorded on the recording medium (for example, a recording medium interface 619 in FIG. 6) may be further provided.

  The data can be image data or audio data.

  The data can be data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon.

According to the present invention, a third information processing method is provided. This third information providing method is:
An information processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to a master server and a slave client via a network,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock (for example, the process of step S528 in FIG. 19);
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client (for example, the process of step S524 in FIG. 19);
A slave client registration step of registering information of the slave client (for example, the process of step S563 in FIG. 22);
A data receiving step of receiving data distributed by the master server (for example, the process of step S593 in FIG. 24);
A data redistribution step (for example, the process of step S595 in FIG. 24) for redistributing the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client.

According to the present invention, a third computer program is provided. This third computer program is
A computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a master server and a slave client via a network,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock (for example, the process of step S528 in FIG. 19);
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client (for example, the process of step S524 in FIG. 19);
A slave client registration step of registering information of the slave client (for example, the process of step S563 in FIG. 22);
A data receiving step of receiving data distributed by the master server (for example, the process of step S593 in FIG. 24);
A data redistribution step (for example, the process of step S595 in FIG. 24) for redistributing the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client.

  The third computer program can be recorded on a recording medium.

According to the present invention, a fourth information processing apparatus is provided. This fourth information processing device
In an information processing apparatus connected to a master client via a network,
Master client detection means for detecting the master client (for example, the process of step S502 in FIG. 10);
Slave client registration requesting means (for example, the process of step S573 in FIG. 22) for sending the master client information to request registration of the slave client as a slave client;
Slave client reference clock adjusting means (for example, voltage control reference oscillator 762 in FIG. 15) that acquires control information transmitted by the master client and adjusts its own reference clock;
Data receiving means for receiving data distributed by the master client (for example, the process of step S603 in FIG. 24);
Synchronous data reproduction means (for example, a D / A converter 726 in FIG. 7) for reproducing the data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock.

This fourth information processing device
It may further comprise a clocking means (for example, an internal clock 738 in FIG. 7) for clocking time based on its own reference clock,
Information for matching with the time counted by the master client can be acquired, and the time counted by the timing means can be matched with the time counted by the master client.

This fourth information processing device
It may further comprise recording / reproducing means (for example, a recording medium interface 719 in FIG. 7) for recording the data on a recording medium or reproducing the data recorded on the recording medium.

  The data can be image data or audio data.

  The data can be data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon.

According to the present invention, a fourth information processing method is provided. This fourth information processing method is:
An information processing method of an information processing apparatus connected to a master client via a network,
A master client detecting step for detecting the master client (for example, step S502 in FIG. 10);
A slave client registration request step (for example, the process of step S573 in FIG. 22) for transmitting the information of the master client to the master client and requesting to register itself as a slave client;
A slave client reference clock adjustment step (for example, the process of step S548 in FIG. 20) for acquiring control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock;
A data receiving step for receiving the data distributed by the master client (for example, the process of step S603 in FIG. 24);
A synchronous data reproduction step (for example, the process of step S605 in FIG. 24) for reproducing the data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock.

According to the present invention, a fourth computer program is provided. This fourth computer program is
A computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a master client via a network,
A master client detecting step for detecting the master client (for example, step S502 in FIG. 10);
A slave client registration request step (for example, the process of step S573 in FIG. 22) for transmitting the information of the master client to the master client and requesting to register itself as a slave client;
A slave client reference clock adjustment step (for example, the process of step S548 in FIG. 20) for acquiring control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock;
A data receiving step for receiving the data distributed by the master client (for example, the process of step S603 in FIG. 24);
A synchronous data reproduction step (for example, the process of step S605 in FIG. 24) for reproducing the data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock.

  The fourth computer program can be recorded on a recording medium.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a first embodiment of an information processing system to which the present invention is applied.

  The server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561 are connected via the Internet 301.

  The server 51 includes a microphone 1, a microphone 2, and a camera 3. The server 51 acquires stereo audio data from the microphone 1 and the microphone 2 and acquires image data from the camera 3. The server 51 includes a speaker 4, a speaker 5, and a monitor 6. The server 51 reproduces (outputs) the stereo sound data with the speakers 4 and 5 and reproduces (outputs and displays) the image data with the monitor 6. Further, the server 51 includes a recording medium 7, records the acquired audio data and image data on the recording medium 7, reads out the audio data and image data recorded on the recording medium 7, the speaker 4, the speaker 5, And it reproduces on the monitor 6. The server 51 distributes the acquired audio data and image data to the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561 via the Internet 301, and the audio data and image data distributed by the server 61 via the Internet. Receive. The speaker 4 and the speaker 5 may be headphones.

  The server 51 performs the above-described recording and reproduction processes based on the reference clock that it oscillates. Further, the server 51 attaches the acquired time information to the audio data and image data acquired by the microphone 1, the microphone 2, and the camera 3 and records them on the recording medium 7 for distribution to the client 551 or 561, or Playback is performed from the speaker 4, the speaker 5, and the monitor 6. Also, the server 51 is synchronized information such as information based on a reference clock that it oscillates, information that sets the time measured by itself and other devices at the same time, and information such as its configuration and characteristics. Is transmitted to the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561 as appropriate via the Internet 301. Further, the server 51 receives, via the Internet 301, information such as the synchronization information transmitted by the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561 as another device, the configuration and characteristics of the other device, Processes such as adjusting the reference clock and time and registering other devices are performed.

  The server 61 includes a microphone 11, a microphone 12, a camera 13, a speaker 14, a speaker 15, a monitor 16, and a recording medium 17. Since the server 61 has the same configuration as the server 51, description thereof is omitted.

  The client 551 includes a speaker 501, a speaker 502, a monitor 503, and a recording medium 504. The client 551 reads out audio data and image data recorded on the recording medium 504 and reproduces them on the speaker 501, the speaker 502, and the monitor 503. Further, the client 551 receives audio data and image data distributed by the server 51 and the server 61 via the Internet 301 and reproduces them by the speaker 501, the speaker 502, and the monitor 503. The client 551 receives audio data and image data distributed by the server 51 and the server 61 and records them in the recording medium 504.

  Further, the client 551 performs the above-described processing such as recording and reproduction based on the reference clock oscillated by itself. Furthermore, the client 551 synchronizes information such as information based on a reference clock that it oscillates, information that sets the time measured by itself and other devices at the same time, and information such as its configuration and characteristics. Are transmitted as appropriate to, for example, the server 51, the server 61, and the client 561 as other apparatuses via the Internet 301. Further, the client 551 receives the synchronization information sent from the server 51, the server 61, and the client 561 via the Internet 301 and information such as the configuration and characteristics of other devices, and adjusts the reference clock and time. And processing such as registering other devices.

  The client 561 includes a speaker 511, a speaker 512, a monitor 513, and a recording medium 514. The client 561 has the same configuration as the client 551, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In FIG. 1, two servers 51 and 61 and two clients 551 and 561 are illustrated. However, the number of servers may be one or three or more. Good. The same applies to the client.

  FIG. 2 shows an outline of the hardware configuration of the server 51 and the server 61. The server 51 and the server 61 are configured based on a computer program.

  The server 51 and the server 61 incorporate a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71. An input / output interface 75 is connected to the CPU 71 via a bus 74. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 72 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73 are connected to the bus 74.

  The input / output interface 75 includes the microphone 1 and the microphone 2, or the microphone 11 and the microphone 12, and the input unit 77 including the camera 3 or the camera 13, the speaker 4 and the speaker 5, or the speaker 14 and the speaker 15, and An output unit 78 composed of the monitor 6 or the monitor 16, a display unit 76 composed of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like for displaying processing results, and a key input unit composed of a keyboard or the like for inputting commands by the user. 70, a storage unit 79 including a hard disk drive and a large-capacity memory for storing various programs and various data, and a communication unit 80 for performing communication via the Internet 301 are connected. The input / output interface 75 is connected to a drive 81 for reading / writing data from / to the recording media 7 and 17 including the magnetic disk 82, the optical disk 83, the magneto-optical disk 84, and the semiconductor memory 85.

  When the user inputs a command from the key input unit 70 via the input / output interface 75, the CPU 71 executes a program stored in the ROM 72 according to the command. Alternatively, the CPU 71 is a program stored in the storage unit 79, a program transferred from the Internet 301, received by the communication unit 80 and installed in the storage unit 79, or a magnetic disk 82 or a semiconductor mounted in the drive 81. A program read from the memory 85 and installed in the storage unit 79 is loaded into the RAM 73 and executed. Then, the CPU 71 displays the processing result of the program on the display unit 76 or the output unit 78 via the input / output interface 75, for example.

  FIG. 3 shows an outline of the hardware configuration of the client 551 and the client 561. The client 551 is configured based on a computer.

  The client 551 and the client 561 have a CPU 571 built therein. An input / output interface 575 is connected to the CPU 571 via the bus 574. A ROM 572 and a RAM 573 are connected to the bus 574.

  The input / output interface 575 includes speakers 501 and 502, or 511 and 512, an output unit 578 composed of a monitor 503 or 513, a display unit 576 composed of a CRT or LCD or the like for displaying processing results, and a user command. A key input unit 577 including a keyboard for inputting, a hard disk drive storing various programs and various data, a storage unit 579 including a large capacity memory, and a communication unit 580 for performing communication via the Internet 301 are connected. Yes. The input / output interface 575 is connected to a drive 581 for reading / writing data from / to recording media 504 and 514 including a magnetic disk 582, an optical disk 583, a magneto-optical disk 584, and a semiconductor memory 585.

  When a user inputs a command from the key input unit 577 via the input / output interface 575, the CPU 571 executes a program stored in the ROM 572 according to the command. Alternatively, the CPU 571 is a program stored in the storage unit 579, a program transferred from the Internet 301, received by the communication unit 580 and installed in the storage unit 579, or a magnetic disk 582 to a semiconductor mounted in the drive 581. The program read from the memory 585 and installed in the storage unit 579 is loaded into the RAM 573 and executed. Then, the CPU 571 displays the processing result of the program on the display unit 576 or the output unit 578 via the input / output interface 575, for example.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration example of the server 51 shown in FIGS. 4 is realized by the CPU 71 in FIG. 2 executing a program.

  Input terminals 101 to 103 are terminals connected to the microphone 1, the microphone 2, and the camera 3 shown in FIG. 1. The microphone 1 acquires audio data and outputs it to the amplifier 104 via the input terminal 101. The amplifier 104 acquires the audio data output from the microphone 1, amplifies it to an amplitude necessary for conversion into a digital signal, and outputs the amplified signal to an A / D (Analog / Digital) converter 107. The A / D converter 107 acquires the audio data output from the amplifier 104, A / D converts it into a digital signal, and outputs it to the encoder 110. The encoder 110 acquires audio data that is a digital signal output from the A / D converter 107, performs encoding processing, and outputs the audio data to the digital interface 113.

  Similarly, audio data acquired by the microphone 2 is input to the digital interface 113 via the input terminal 102, the amplifier 105, the A / D converter 108, and the encoder 111. Similarly, image data acquired by the camera 3 is input to the digital interface 113 via the input terminal 103, the amplifier 106, the A / D converter 109, and the encoder 112.

  The A / D converters 107 to 109 and the encoders 110 to 102 perform the above-described processing according to a synchronization signal based on the reference clock output from the variable control oscillator 120 (in synchronization with the reference clock).

  The A / D converters 107 to 109 can be omitted depending on the data supplied from the input terminals 101 to 103. That is, when the audio data and image data output from the microphone 1, the microphone 2, and the camera 3 are digital signals, the A / D converters 107 to 109 need not be provided.

  In addition, each of the encoders 110 to 112 performs an encoding process according to the data supplied thereto. The encoders 110 to 112 convert audio data and image data from the microphone 1, the microphone 2, and the camera 3, for example, ISO / IEC JTC1 SC29 / WG11, commonly called MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) standard, MPEG -1 (1992 and later), MPEG-2 (1995 and later), and MPEG-4 (1998 and later) are encoded to perform data compression.

  Note that it is not necessary to perform the encoding process depending on the data supplied from the input terminals 101 to 103. In that case, the encoders 110 to 112 can be omitted.

  The digital interface 113 corresponds to the input / output interface 75 shown in FIG. The digital interface 113 acquires audio data and image data output from each of the encoders 110 to 112, and converts the data into a data format for performing a process of distributing data to be described later and a process of recording the data. Then, the digital interface 113 outputs the audio data and the image data whose data formats are converted to the memory 114. The digital interface 113 performs processing according to a synchronization signal based on the reference clock output from the variable control oscillator 120.

  The memory 114 corresponds to the RAM 73 shown in FIG. The memory 114 temporarily stores audio data and image data output from the digital interface 113, performs block processing, and outputs the block data to the transmission system interface 118 or the recording medium interface 119. That is, the memory 114 outputs the audio data to the transmission system interface 118 or the recording medium interface 119 in units of blocks by taking a certain amount of time of the audio data acquired by the microphone 1 as one block (block). Similarly, the memory 114 outputs the audio data to the transmission system interface 118 or the recording medium interface 119 in units of blocks by taking a certain amount of time of the audio data acquired by the microphone 2 as one block. Further, similarly, the memory 114 outputs the image data to the transmission system interface 118 or the recording medium interface 119 in units of blocks by taking a certain amount of time of the image data acquired by the camera 3 as one block. Here, as the fixed time, for example, 1/30 second, which is the frame period of the NTSC (Normal Television Standards Committee) system, can be employed. In this case, the memory 114 converts the image data of the frame, which is 1/30 second data, into one block, and the audio data corresponding to (attached to) the image data of the frame into one block. Perform block processing.

  The memory 114 is a dual port memory having two input / output systems, so that the process of inputting, storing, and outputting audio data, image data, and the like can be efficiently performed.

  The transmission system interface 118 corresponds to the input / output interface 75 shown in FIG. The transmission system interface 118 includes, for example, a circuit and a control structure for realizing packet communication compliant with TCP / IP, and further includes a so-called WWW server function corresponding to HTTP. The transmission system interface 118 is connected to the Internet 301 via the transmission system connection terminal 135, and the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561 shown in FIG. The data is acquired by receiving the received packet. Further, the transmission system interface 118 can create a packet to be transmitted to the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561 and transmit the packet via the Internet 301.

  That is, the transmission system interface 118 transmits the audio data and image data block output from the memory 114 or the data read from the recording medium 7 by the recording medium interface 119 to the transmission system connection terminal 135 and the Internet 301. To the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561. Further, the transmission system interface 118 receives the audio data and image data distributed by the server 61 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system connection terminal 135, and the system controller 115, the recording medium interface 119, or the memory 121 as appropriate. Output to.

  Further, the transmission system interface 118 attaches the time information output by the system controller 115, that is, the time information when the audio data or image data is acquired, to the audio data or image data block as necessary. , To the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561.

  Further, the transmission system interface 118 sends the synchronization information output by the system controller 115 and information such as configuration and characteristics to the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561 via the transmission system connection terminal 135 and the Internet 301. To do. Further, the transmission system interface 118 receives the synchronization information of the devices sent by the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561, information on the configuration and characteristics of the devices, and the like, and outputs them to the system controller 115. .

  Here, the transmission system (network) to which the transmission system interface 118 is connected is the Internet 301, but the transmission system is not limited to the Internet 301. In other words, the server 51 can be connected to the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561 by, for example, a dedicated line. In this case, as the transmission interface 118, a standard equipped with a standardized communication standard or a function for realizing a unique communication standard can be adopted. The transmission system interface 118 may perform wired communication or may perform wireless communication such as radio waves or optical communication. As a wireless communication standard, there is IEEE 801.11. Used in a wireless LAN. In addition, as the transmission interface 118, for example, an interface that performs communication via a public network can be used.

  The recording medium interface 119 corresponds to the input / output interface 75 shown in FIG. The recording medium interface 119 includes, for example, a circuit and a control structure conforming to ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It is connected to a corresponding drive 81 to record data and read data.

  The recording medium recording medium interface 119 acquires a block of audio data and image data output from the memory 114 and supplies the block to the drive 81 via the recording medium connection terminal 136 to record the recording medium 7 (magnetic field) in time series. Recording on a disk 82, an optical disk 83, a magneto-optical disk 84, and a semiconductor memory 85). Further, the recording medium interface 119 reads out and obtains a block of audio data and image data recorded on the recording medium 7 by the drive 81 and sends it to the memory 121, the system controller 115, or the transmission system interface 118. Output.

  Further, the recording medium interface 119 attaches the time information output by the system controller 115, that is, the time information at which the audio data or the image data is acquired, to the audio data or image data block, if necessary. It is supplied to the drive 81 and recorded on the recording medium 7.

  Note that the configuration of the recording medium interface 119 is not limited to that conforming to the ATAPI standard. That is, for example, the recording medium interface 119 is a PC (Personal Computer) card jointly defined by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) and PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International). It is good also as a structure based on a standard.

  The system controller 115 corresponds to the CPU 71, the ROM 72, the RAM 73, the storage unit 79, the bus 74, and the like shown in FIG. The system controller 115 is connected to a key input unit 116 corresponding to the key input unit 70 shown in FIG. 2 and a display unit 117 corresponding to the display unit 76 shown in FIG. Further, the system controller 115 includes a storage unit 137 and an internal clock 138, and acquires and stores information output from the variable control oscillator 120, the transmission system interface 118, and the recording medium interface 119 as necessary. Stored in the unit 137. Further, the system controller 115 appropriately outputs the information stored in the storage unit 137 to the variable control oscillator 120, the transmission system interface 118, and the recording medium interface 119.

  The user can input a command to the system controller 115 by operating the key input unit 116 and set the operation mode, configuration, characteristics, and the like of the server 51. For example, in the case of the server 51 shown in FIG. 4, the server 51 has a configuration capable of acquiring, storing, distributing, receiving, and playing back two sets of audio data and one set of image data. Therefore, the operation mode of the server 51 can be set to record, distribute, receive, or reproduce the audio data of two systems or less and the image data of one system or less. The data characteristics include, for example, the data output voltage and the encoding method.

  In this case, it is assumed that the operation mode of the server 51 is set so as to perform processing for recording and distributing two lines of audio data and one line of image data. In FIG. 1, a device that acquires audio data, image data, and the like using a microphone or a camera is called a server, and a device that receives distribution of the audio data, image data, etc. is called a client.

  The system controller 115 controls the transmission system interface 118 in accordance with the set operation mode, and executes processing for distributing and receiving audio data and image data. Furthermore, the system controller 115 controls the recording medium interface 119 to execute processing for recording, distributing, and reproducing audio data and image data.

  In addition, the system controller 115 stores the operation mode set by the user in the storage unit 137 and appropriately transmits the operation mode to the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561 via the transmission system interface 118 and the Internet 301. Further, the system controller 115 acquires the respective operation modes sent from the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561 from the transmission system interface 118 and stores them in the storage unit 137.

  The system controller 115 controls the display unit 117 as necessary to display the operation mode of the server 51 and the operation modes of the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561. In addition, the system controller 115 installs the server that has acquired the data, for example, information on the time required to process the audio data and the image data as information on the audio data and image data to be recorded, distributed, received, or reproduced. Information such as the location, information on the state of each block 101 to 138 of the server 51, and the like are displayed on the display unit 117.

  Furthermore, the system controller 115 sends synchronization information for synchronizing with other devices to the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561 via the transmission system interface 118, the transmission system connection terminal 135, and the Internet 301. . That is, the system controller 115 acquires the control information output from the variable control oscillator 120, outputs the control information at regular time intervals, and appropriately outputs the time information output from the internal clock 138, thereby transmitting the transmission system interface. The data is transmitted to the server 61, the client 551, or the client 561 via 118 and the Internet 301.

  The internal clock 138 provided in the system controller 115 can be set at any time, and operates according to the reference clock output from the variable control oscillator 120 while power is supplied to the server 51. For example, the internal clock 138 is a clock capable of measuring time in units of 1/1000 second. The system controller 115 appropriately outputs the time information output from the internal clock 138 to the transmission system interface 118 or the recording medium interface 119. The transmission system interface 118 transmits the time information from the system controller 115 to another device, for example, the server 61, and corrects the time counted by the other device, so that the server 51 and the other device The time measured by the device is set within the error range due to transmission delay.

  The variable control oscillator 120 outputs the synchronization signal to the A / D converters 107 to 19, the encoders 110 to 112, the digital interfaces 113 and 122, the memories 114 and 121, the decoders 123 to 225, and the D / A converters 126 to 128. To do. That is, the variable control oscillator 120 oscillates the reference clock, and appropriately adjusts the frequency, phase, etc. of the reference clock according to the control information received from the device on the Internet 301 output from the system controller 115 as necessary. Furthermore, the variable control transmitter 120 generates a clock as a synchronization signal according to the reference clock, and the A / D converters 107 to 19, the encoders 110 to 112, the digital interfaces 113 and 122, the memories 114 and 121, and the decoders 123 to 225. , And D / A converters 126 to 128. In addition, the variable control oscillator 120 generates control information from the reference clock as necessary and outputs the control information to the system controller 115.

  The variable control oscillator 120 generates a synchronization signal for operating each block of the server 51 from the reference clock, and the A / D converters 107 to 109, the encoders 110 to 112, the digital interfaces 113 and 122, the memory 114 and 121, decoders 123 to 125, and D / A converters 126 to 128.

  The memory 121 corresponds to the RAM 73 shown in FIG. The memory 121 stores and accumulates audio data and image data to be reproduced, and outputs the audio data and image data according to a synchronization signal based on the reference clock. That is, the memory 121 outputs audio data and image data received via the Internet 301, output from the transmission interface 118, or audio data read from the recording medium 7 output from the recording medium interface 119. Store image data. Then, the memory 121 outputs the stored audio data and image data to the digital interface 122 according to the synchronization signal based on the reference clock from the variable control oscillator 120. The memory 121 outputs audio data and image data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on the reference clock, so that a delay time caused by communication and a plurality of audio data and image data times generated when the recording medium 7 is reproduced. Can absorb irregularities.

  Note that the memory 121 is a so-called dual-port memory provided with two systems of input / output, whereby audio data and image data can be input, stored, and output efficiently. Further, in FIG. 4, the memory 121 and the memory 114 are separate memories, but the same memory can be shared. Further, the storage area of one large-capacity memory can be divided and configured as the memory 121 and the memory 114.

  In addition, audio data and image data received by the transmission interface 118 via the Internet 301 and audio data and image data read from the recording medium 7 by the recording medium interface 119 are transmitted and received via the Internet. And a redundant part necessary for reading out data from the recording medium 7, for example, a packet header or the like. Such redundant portions of audio data and image data are removed by the transmission interface 118 or the recording medium interface 119, respectively. As a result, the memory 121 stores audio data and image data from which redundant portions have been removed.

  The digital interface 122 corresponds to the input / output interface 75 of FIG. The digital interface 122 divides and outputs the audio data and image data supplied from the memory 121 to the decoders 123 to 125 according to the type of data. That is, the digital interface 122 determines the type of data based on, for example, the file name or extension of the data, and outputs the data to decoders 123 to 125 suitable for reproducing the data. In the case of FIG. 4, the digital interface 122 outputs one and the other of the two systems of audio data that are stereo audio data to the decoder 123 and the decoder 124, respectively, and outputs one system of image data to the decoder 125. The digital interface 122 outputs data to the decoders 123 to 125 while performing temporal control necessary for reproducing continuous audio data and image data. Further, the digital interface 122 acquires a synchronization signal based on the reference clock from the variable control oscillator 120, and performs processing of acquiring data from the memory 121 and outputting data to the decoders 123 to 125 according to the synchronization signal.

  The decoders 123 to 125 perform D / A conversion on the data supplied from the digital interface 122 by performing decompression (decoding) that is inverse conversion corresponding to the data compression (encoding) performed by the encoders 110 to 112. Output to the units 126 to 128, respectively. In addition, the decoders 123 to 125 perform a process of acquiring a synchronization signal based on the reference clock from the variable control oscillator 120 and decompressing and outputting data according to the synchronization signal. If audio data or image data is not compressed, the decoders 123 to 125 can be omitted as in the encoders 110 to 112.

  D / A (Digital / Analog) converters 126 to 128 acquire data output from the decoders 123 to 125, D / A convert the digital data into analog data, and output the analog data to the amplifiers 129 to 131, respectively. The D / A converters 126 to 128 perform processing of converting data and outputting data according to a synchronization signal based on the reference clock.

  The amplifiers 129 to 131 amplify and adjust the data from the D / A converter in a state compliant with a predetermined standard, and output the data to output terminals 132 to 134 for reproducing the data, respectively. That is, for example, the amplifier 131 acquires image data from the D / A converter 128, amplifies and adjusts the image data to an output impedance of 75Ω and an output level of 2 Vpp, and the monitor 6 that reproduces the image data is connected. Output to the output terminal 134.

  The output terminals 132 to 134 are terminals to which the speaker 4, the speaker 5, and the monitor 6 shown in FIG. 1 are connected. The speaker 4 reproduces (outputs) audio data supplied from the amplifier 129 via the output terminal 132. The speaker 5 reproduces audio data supplied from the amplifier 130 via the output terminal 133. The monitor 6 reproduces (displays) image data supplied from the amplifier 131 via the output terminal 134.

  FIG. 5 shows a functional configuration example of the server 61 shown in FIG. 5 is realized by the CPU 71 in FIG. 2 executing a program.

  Each block 201 to 238 of the server 61 has the same configuration as each of the blocks 101 to 138 of the server 51 shown in FIG. It is assumed that the operation mode of the server 61 is set to an operation mode for recording and distributing two sets of audio data and one set of image data, similarly to the server 51.

  FIG. 6 shows a functional configuration example of the client 551 shown in FIG. A part of the configuration in FIG. 6 is realized by the CPU 571 in FIG. 3 executing the program.

  The blocks 615 to 638 of the client 551 have the same configuration as the blocks 115 to 138 of the server 51 shown in FIG. It is assumed that the operation mode of the client 551 is set to an operation mode for receiving and reproducing two lines of audio data and one line of image data.

  FIG. 7 shows a functional configuration example of the client 561 shown in FIG. A part of the configuration in FIG. 6 is realized by the CPU 571 in FIG. 3 executing the program.

  The blocks 715 to 738 of the client 561 have the same configuration as the blocks 115 to 138 of the server 51 shown in FIG. It is assumed that the operation mode of the client 561 is set to an operation mode for receiving and reproducing two sets of audio data and one set of image data, similarly to the client 551.

  Each of the server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561 shown in FIG. 1 executes an initial control process when the power is turned on, for example.

  The flowchart in FIG. 8 shows an initial control process executed by the system controller 115 of the server 51, that is, a server process.

  Server processing executed by the server 51 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the power is turned on, the system controller 115 of the server 51 performs network connection processing in step S101. That is, the system controller 115 connects to the Internet 301 via the transmission interface 118, and receives network information from a DHCP server on the Internet 301 (not shown in FIG. 1) by, for example, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). get. The network information is information such as an IP address (Internet Protocol Address) and a subnet mask, for example. The system controller 115 obtains network information from the DHCP server, thereby enabling TCP / IP communication with the Internet 301 via the transmission system interface 118.

  The network information can be obtained by DHCP, and can be set in advance by the user (administrator) of the server 51. In addition, it is possible to switch between network information acquired by DHCP and network information to be set by the user. This switching can be performed according to, for example, the network to which the server 51 is connected and the installation status of the server 51. If the server 51 can be connected to and disconnected from the Internet 301, it is convenient to obtain the network information by DHCP.

  Proceeding from step S101 to S102, the system controller 115 executes a master server search process. That is, the system controller 115 performs a process of searching for whether or not the master server is present in another device connected to the Internet 301. The master server search process in step S102 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, the master server is a server that adjusts a reference clock of another server so as to synchronize with a reference clock oscillated by itself among servers that are devices that distribute image data. A server other than the master server that adjusts its own reference clock to be synchronized with the reference clock of the master server and operates in synchronization with the master server is referred to as a slave server.

  Proceeding from step S102 to S103, the system controller 115 performs master server detection determination for determining whether a master server has been detected based on the result of the master server search process executed in step S102. That is, if the system controller 115 determines in step S103 that the master server has been detected in the process of step S102, the system controller 115 proceeds to step S104, executes the slave server process for the server 51 to become a slave server, and performs the server process. finish.

  The slave server process is, for example, a process of sending a request to register itself as a slave server to the master server detected in step S102 and setting the system controller 115 according to the information sent by the master server. The server 51 receives information from the master server by being registered as a slave server in the master server, and operates in accordance with the information transmitted by the master server, that is, in a form dependent on the master server and in cooperation with the master server. To do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the master server has not been detected in the process of step S102, the process proceeds to step S105, where the system controller 115 executes the master server process for becoming the master server and performs the server process. Ends.

  The master server process is, for example, a process of responding to a response request sent from another apparatus via the Internet 301 or registering another apparatus as a slave server. When the server 51 becomes the master server, the server 51 sends information for controlling operations and the like to the registered slave server.

  The master server search process executed by the system controller 115 in step S102 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S111, the system controller 115 executes search IP address table creation processing. That is, for example, the system controller 115 calculates IP addresses in the same segment from its own subnet mask acquired in step S101 of FIG. 8, creates a list thereof, and sets it as a search IP address table.

  The search IP address table can be created by calculating the IP address from the subnet mask, and can be held in advance by the system controller 115. That is, a search IP address table describing a fixed IP address can be created in advance and stored in the system controller 115. In this case, the process of step S111 is omitted.

  In addition, it is possible to select whether to use a search IP address table created from a subnet mask or a search IP address table created in advance. This selection can be performed according to, for example, the installation status and usage of the server 51.

  Proceeding from step S111 to S112, the system controller 115 determines whether or not all IP addresses in the search IP address table created in step S111, that is, all searches for IP addresses to be searched have been completed. In step S112, if the system controller 115 determines that all searches for IP addresses in the IP address table have not yet been completed, the system controller 115 proceeds to step S113 and is registered in the search IP address table via the Internet 301. Among the existing IP addresses, an IP address that is not yet a search target is set as a search target, and a response request is sent to the search target IP address, and the process proceeds to step S114. The response request sent out by the system controller 115 includes, for example, a protocol version compliant with HTTP defined in RFC (Request For Comment) 2616, a request method, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifiers), a request modifier, client information, and the like. This is a request signal.

  In step S114, the system controller 115 receives a predetermined code representing the master server, which is determined in advance with respect to the response request, from another device to which the search target IP address that sent the response request is attached. It is determined whether or not. If the system controller 115 determines that the predetermined code has been received, that is, if there is a master server to which the IP address to be searched exists on the Internet 301, the process proceeds to step S116. On the other hand, when the system controller 115 determines that the predetermined code has not been received, that is, when the code has not been received within a certain period of time, or the code has been received, the received code is the predetermined code. If not, the process returns to step S112, and the processes of steps S112 to S114 are repeated.

  Here, the predetermined code representing the master server is a code sent from the master server to another device that sent the response request in response to a response request sent from another device. By receiving a predetermined code representing the master server, the other device recognizes the IP address that is the search target at that time as the IP address of the master server.

  In step S116, the system controller 115 recognizes that the master server has been detected, and returns to step S103 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S112 that all IP addresses in the search IP address table are to be searched, the process proceeds to step S115, and the system controller 115 recognizes that the master server could not be detected. Then, the process returns to step S103 in FIG.

  The system controller 215 of the server 61 also executes the same processing as that of the system controller 115 of the server 51, that is, the server processing described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, after execution of the above server processing, the server 51 executes master server processing in step S105 to become a master server, and the server 61 executes slave server processing in step S104 to become a slave server. Hereinafter, the server 51 will be described as a master server 51 and the server 61 will be described as a slave server 61 as appropriate.

  The flowchart in FIG. 10 shows an initial control process executed by the system controller 615 of the client 551, that is, a client process.

  The client process executed by the client 551 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The client process is the same as the server process described with reference to FIGS.

  That is, when the power is turned on, the system controller 615 of the client 551 performs network processing, acquires network information from the DHCP server via the Internet 301, and registers it in the transmission interface 618. Since the network information is the same as the server process, the description thereof is omitted.

  Proceeding from step S501 to S502, the system controller 615 executes master client search processing. That is, the system controller 615 performs a process of searching for whether or not the master client is present in another device connected to the Internet 301. The master client search process in step S502 will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  Here, the master client is a client that adjusts a reference clock of another client so as to synchronize with a reference clock oscillated by itself among clients that are devices that receive image data and the like. A client that is a client other than the master client, adjusts its own reference clock so as to be synchronized with the reference clock of the master client, and operates in synchronization with the master client is called a slave client.

  Proceeding from step S502 to step S503, the system controller 615 performs master client detection determination for determining whether a master client has been detected based on the result of the search processing executed in step S502. In other words, if the system controller 615 determines in step S503 that a master client has been detected in the processing of step S502, the system controller 615 proceeds to step S504, executes slave client processing for the client 551 to become a slave client, and ends the client processing. To do.

  The slave client process is a process for sending a request to register itself as a slave client to the master client detected in step S502 and setting the system controller 615 according to the information sent by the master client. The client 551 is registered with the master client as a slave client, receives information from the master client, and operates according to the master client, that is, in a manner subordinate to the master client and in cooperation with the master client.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the master client has not been detected in the process of step S502, the process proceeds to step S505, where the system controller 615 executes the master client process for the client 551 to become the master client, and the client process Ends.

  The master client process is a process of responding to a response request sent from another apparatus via the Internet 301 or registering another apparatus as a slave client. When the client 551 becomes a master client, the client 551 sends information for controlling operations and the like to the registered slave client. The master client sends information such as requesting data from the master server.

  The master client search process executed by the system controller 615 in step S502 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S511, the system controller 615 executes search IP address table creation processing. That is, for example, the system controller 615 calculates an IP address table in the same segment from its own subnet mask acquired in step S501 of FIG. 10, creates a list thereof, and sets it as a search IP address table.

  As in the case of FIG. 9, the search IP address table can be prepared in advance with a fixed IP address described therein and stored in the system controller 615. In this case, the process of step S511 is omitted.

  In addition, it is possible to select whether to use a search IP address table created from a subnet mask or a search IP address table created in advance. This selection can be made according to, for example, the installation status or usage of the client 551.

  Proceeding from step S511 to S512, the system controller 615 determines whether or not all IP addresses in the search IP address table created in step S511, that is, all IP addresses to be searched have been searched. In step S512, if the system controller 615 determines that all searches for IP addresses in the IP address table have not yet been completed, the system controller 615 proceeds to step S513 and is registered in the search IP address table via the Internet 301. Among the existing IP addresses, an IP address that is not yet a search target is set as a search target, and a response request is sent to the search target IP address, and the process proceeds to step S514. The response request transmitted by the system controller 615 is a request signal similar to the response request transmitted by the system controller 115 described in FIG.

  In step S514, the system controller 615 receives a predetermined code representing the master client, which is determined in advance with respect to the response request, from another device to which the search target IP address that has transmitted the response request is attached. It is determined whether or not. If the system controller 615 determines that the predetermined code has been received, that is, if there is a master client to which the IP address to be searched exists on the Internet 301, the process proceeds to step S516. On the other hand, if the system controller 615 determines that the predetermined code has not been received, that is, if the code has not been received within a certain period of time, or has received the code, the received code is the predetermined code. If not, the process returns to step S512, and the processes of steps S512 to S514 are repeated.

  Here, the predetermined code representing the master client is a code sent from the master client to another device that sent the response request in response to a response request sent from another device. The other apparatus receives the predetermined code representing the master client, and recognizes the IP address that is the search target at that time as the IP address of the master client.

  In step S516, the system controller 615 recognizes that the master client has been detected, and returns to step S503 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S512 that all the IP addresses in the search IP address table are to be searched, the process proceeds to step S515, and the system controller recognizes that the master client could not be detected. Return to step S503 in FIG.

  The system controller 715 of the client 561 also executes the same processing as the system controller 551 of the client 551, that is, the client processing described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, after execution of the above-described client processing, the client 551 executes master client processing in step S516 and becomes a master client, and the client 561 executes slave client processing in step S515 and becomes a slave client. Hereinafter, the client 551 is described as a master client 551 and the client 561 is described as a slave client 561 as appropriate.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the variable control oscillator 120 (FIG. 4) of the master server 51.

  The variable control oscillator 120 includes a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) oscillator 167 including an amplifier 153, a voltage control oscillator 155, a frequency divider 157, and a phase comparator 159 connected to the output terminal 151. The variable control oscillator 120 also includes a PLL oscillator 168 including an amplifier 153 connected to the output terminal 152, a voltage controlled oscillator 156, a frequency divider 158, and a phase comparator 160. The variable control transmitter 120 also includes a frequency divider 161, a voltage control reference oscillator 162, an integrator 163, a numerical comparator 164 connected to the connection terminal 166, and an integrator 165.

  The voltage control reference oscillator 162 adjusts and outputs a reference clock oscillated by itself. In other words, the voltage control reference oscillator 162 is an oscillator having a circuit configuration that continues independent oscillation relatively stably against disturbances such as temperature and power supply voltage fluctuations. For example, the voltage control reference oscillator 162 is configured using a crystal resonator. Has been. The voltage control reference oscillator 162 outputs the oscillated reference clock to the frequency divider 161 and the integrator 165. Further, the voltage control reference oscillator 162 adjusts the frequency and phase of the reference clock according to the output of the integrator 163 as necessary, and then outputs it to the frequency divider 161 and the integrator 165.

  The accumulator 165 accumulates (counts) a reference clock output from the voltage-controlled reference oscillator 162 for a certain period, for example, 3 seconds, and outputs the accumulated value for 3 seconds to the numerical comparator 164. . That is, the integrator 165 counts the reference clock from the voltage controlled reference oscillator 162 by, for example, a 16-bit unsigned integer in units of 1/1000 second, and the count value is used as the integrated value of the reference clock. The result is output to the numerical comparator 164.

  The numerical comparator 164 acquires the integrated value of the reference clock output from the integrator 165 as control information, and compares the control information with control information received from another device via the connection terminal 166 as necessary. As a result, voltage information representing a deviation between the control information is generated. Then, the numerical comparator 164 outputs the voltage information of the deviation of the control information to the integrator 163. The numerical comparator 164 outputs the control information acquired from the integrator 165 to the system controller 115 via the connection terminal 166 as necessary.

  Here, the numerical comparator 164 compares the control information that is a certain period, for example, the integrated value of the reference clock for 3 seconds, with another device that has transmitted the compared control information. Between them, it is possible to realize the synchronization of the reference clock with a certain accuracy.

  The integrator 163 acquires the voltage information of the deviation output from the numerical comparator 164 and performs integration processing. The integrator 163 outputs the integrated value of the deviation voltage information obtained by the integration process to the voltage control reference oscillator 162. The voltage control reference oscillator 162 adjusts the oscillation frequency and phase of the reference clock based on the integrated value of the deviation voltage information output from the integrator 163. Here, in the integrator 163, in order to prevent a sudden change in the oscillation frequency and phase of the reference clock adjusted based on the deviation between the control information in the voltage control reference oscillator 162, an integration process of the deviation is performed. Is done.

  To prevent sudden changes in the oscillation frequency and phase of the reference clock, in addition to integrating the deviation voltage information, the deviation voltage information is filtered by a low-pass filter or high-pass blocking filter. May be. In addition, depending on the configuration of the device, the reference clock adjusted by the voltage control reference oscillator 162 may need to follow the oscillation frequency and phase. In this case, by omitting the integrator 163, another device may be used. It is possible to obtain a reference clock having good followability with respect to the deviation from the control information.

  As described above, the reference clock output from the voltage control reference oscillator 162 passes through the integrator 165, the numerical comparator 164, and the integrator 163, and is again voltage controlled as voltage information of deviation from the control information of other devices. This is sent to the reference oscillator 162, whereby the oscillation frequency and phase of the reference clock are adjusted. Therefore, the voltage control reference oscillator 162, the integrator 165, the numerical comparator 164, and the integrator 163 constitute a feedback structure, and control information from other devices supplied from the system controller 115 via the connection terminal 166. Generates and outputs a reference clock that gently follows.

  The numerical comparator 164 acquires control information from other devices output by the system controller 115 at regular intervals, and voltage information of deviation from its own control information (output of the integrator 165). Is output as error information with respect to the reference clock in the other device. However, if the control information from the other device is missing or abnormal, the voltage information of the abnormal deviation may be output to the voltage control reference oscillator 162. is there. When the voltage control reference oscillator 162 determines that the deviation voltage information is abnormal, the voltage control reference oscillator 162 outputs a reference clock by self-oscillating at a predetermined frequency.

  The frequency divider 161 divides the reference clock output from the voltage controlled reference oscillator 162 and outputs the divided reference clock to the phase comparator 159 and the phase comparator 160.

  The voltage controlled oscillator 155 independently oscillates a clock for operating a block that handles audio data, acquires voltage information of a phase deviation output from the phase comparator 159, and adjusts an oscillation frequency and a phase. Do. Further, the voltage controlled oscillator 155 outputs a clock for audio data whose frequency and phase are adjusted to the amplifier 153 and the frequency divider 157.

  The frequency divider 157 divides the frequency of the audio data clock output from the voltage controlled oscillator 155 and outputs it to the phase comparator 159.

  The phase comparator 159 compares the phases of the output of the frequency divider 161 and the output of the frequency divider 157, converts the deviation into a voltage, and outputs the voltage to the voltage controlled oscillator 155 as voltage information of the deviation.

  As described above, the voltage controlled oscillator 155 adjusts the oscillation frequency and phase of the clock for audio data based on the voltage information of the deviation output from the phase comparator 159, and outputs it to the amplifier 153 and the frequency divider 157. To do.

  The amplifier 153 acquires the clock for audio data output from the voltage controlled oscillator 155, and uses the acquired clock for audio data as the respective blocks (A / D converters 107 and 108, encoders 110 and 111, The D / A converters 126 and 127, the decoders 123 and 124, the digital interfaces 113 and 122, and the memories 114 and 121) are amplified to the power required and output to the output terminal 151.

  The output terminal 151 is an output terminal of the variable control oscillator 120. The output terminal 151 is connected to the A / D converters 107 and 108, the encoders 110 and 111, the D / A converters 126 and 127, the decoders 123 and 124, the digital interfaces 113 and 122, and the memories 114 and 121. .

  As described above, the audio data clock output from the voltage controlled oscillator 155 passes through the frequency divider 157 and the phase comparator 159 and is sent again to the voltage controlled oscillator 155 as voltage information of deviation from the reference clock. Thus, the oscillation frequency and phase of the audio data clock are adjusted based on the voltage information of the deviation. Therefore, the voltage controlled oscillator 155, the frequency divider 157, and the phase comparator 159 constitute a feedback structure, and output a clock for audio data following the reference clock divided by the frequency divider 161.

  The output terminal 152, the amplifier 154, the voltage controlled oscillator 156, the frequency divider 158, and the phase comparator 160 included in the PLL oscillator 168 are the output terminal 151, the amplifier 153, the voltage controlled oscillator 155, and the frequency divider 157 included in the PLL oscillator 167. , And the phase comparator 159, respectively.

  However, the voltage controlled oscillator 156 outputs a clock having a frequency for image data. In addition, the amplifier 154 uses the clock for each block (A / D converter 109, encoder 112, D / A converter 128, decoder 125, digital interfaces 113 and 122, and memories 114 and 121) that handle image data. Is output to the A / D converter 109, the encoder 112, the D / A converter 128, the decoder 125, the digital interfaces 113 and 122, and the memories 114 and 121 via the output terminal 152. To do.

  The variable control oscillator 120 includes a PLL oscillator 167 that outputs a clock for audio data and a PLL oscillator 168 that outputs a clock for image data in order for the master server 51 to process the audio data and the image data. Although it has a system PLL oscillator, it can be configured to include only one PLL oscillator or three or more PLL oscillators depending on the type and nature of data to be handled, the contents of data processing, and the like.

  The frequency of the clock output from the PLL oscillators 167 and 168 is determined by the frequency divider 157, the frequency divider 158, and the frequency division ratio of the frequency divider 161. Therefore, the frequency of the clock output from the PLL oscillators 167 and 168 can be set to a desired frequency by the frequency dividers 157, 158, and 161.

  FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of a circuit of the variable control oscillator 220 of the slave server 61.

  The output terminal 251 to the PLL oscillator 268 constituting the variable control oscillator 220 of the slave server 61 are configured in the same manner as the output terminal 151 to the PLL oscillator 168 constituting the variable control oscillator 120 of the master server 51 shown in FIG. Therefore, explanation of each block is omitted. The connection terminal 266 is connected to the system controller 215 shown in FIG. The output terminal 251 is connected to the A / D converters 207 and 208, the encoders 210 and 211, the D / A converters 226 and 227, the decoders 223 and 224, the digital interfaces 213 and 222, and the memories 214 and 221. . The output terminal 252 is connected to the A / D converter 209, the encoder 212, the D / A converter 228, the decoder 225, the digital interfaces 213 and 222, and the memories 214 and 221.

  FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of a circuit of the variable control oscillator 620 of the master client 551.

  The output terminal 651 through the PLL oscillator 668 constituting the variable control oscillator 620 of the master client 551 are configured similarly to the output terminal 151 through the PLL oscillator 168 constituting the variable control oscillator 120 of the master server 51 shown in FIG. Therefore, explanation of each block is omitted. The connection terminal 666 is connected to the system controller 615 shown in FIG. The output terminal 651 is connected to the D / A converters 626 and 627, the decoders 623 and 624, the digital interface 622, and the memory 621. The output terminal 652 is connected to the D / A converter 628, the decoder 625, the digital interface 622, and the memory 621.

  FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of a circuit of the variable control oscillator 720 of the slave client 561.

  The output terminal 751 to the PLL oscillator 768 constituting the variable control oscillator 720 of the slave client 561 are configured similarly to the output terminal 151 to the PLL oscillator 168 constituting the variable control oscillator 120 of the master server 51 shown in FIG. Therefore, explanation of each block is omitted. The connection terminal 766 is connected to the system controller 715 shown in FIG. The output terminal 751 is connected to the D / A converters 726 and 727, the decoders 723 and 724, the digital interface 722, and the memory 721. The output terminal 752 is connected to the D / A converter 728, the decoder 725, the digital interface 722, and the memory 721.

  Refer to the flowchart of FIG. 16 for the process of outputting the reference clock performed by the voltage control reference oscillator 162, the integrator 163, the numerical comparator 164, and the integrator 165 of the variable control oscillator 120 of the master server 51 shown in FIG. To explain.

  In step S131, the voltage control reference oscillator 162 outputs the reference clock to the integrator 165 and also outputs it to the frequency divider 161. The reference clock output to the frequency divider 161 passes through the PLL oscillator 167 and the PLL oscillator 168, respectively, as the audio data clock (synchronization signal) and the image data clock (synchronization signal). Is output from.

  Proceeding from step S131 to S132, the integrator 165 integrates the reference clock output from the voltage controlled reference oscillator 162. Proceeding from step S132 to S133, the integrator 165 determines whether or not a reference clock of a predetermined time has been integrated. If it is determined in step S133 that the reference clock for a predetermined time has not yet been accumulated, the process returns to step S132. The predetermined time is, for example, 3 seconds, and the integrator 165 outputs the integrated value to the numerical comparator 164 as control information every time the reference clock for 3 seconds is integrated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S133 that the reference clocks for a predetermined time have been integrated, the integrator 165 outputs the integrated value of the reference clocks as control information to the numerical comparator 164, and proceeds from step S133 to S134. . In step S134, the numerical comparator 164 outputs the control information output from the integrator 165 to the system controller 115 via the connection terminal 166. The system controller 115 of the server 51 as the master server sends the control information from the numerical comparator 164 to the slave server (server registered as a slave server) via the transmission interface 118.

  Proceeding from step S134 to S135, the numerical comparator 164 acquires a reference value that should be taken by the control information output from the integrator 165 from the system controller 115 via the connection terminal 166. That is, the system controller 115 of the server 51 which is the master server supplies the reference value control information to the numerical comparator 164 via the connection terminal 166, and the numerical comparator 164 supplies the reference value which is the control information. Acquired and proceeds from step S135 to S136.

  In step S136, the numerical comparator 164 generates voltage information of deviation between the control information from the integrator 165 and the control information as the reference value from the system controller 115. That is, the numerical comparator 164 compares the control information output from the accumulator 165 with the control information from the system controller 115 and converts the deviation information (error information) into a voltage to generate deviation voltage information. To do. Then, the numerical comparator 164 outputs the generated deviation voltage information to the integrator 163 and proceeds to step S137.

  In step S137, the integrator 163 integrates the voltage information of the deviation output from the numerical comparator 164, outputs the integrated value of the voltage information of the deviation obtained as a result to the voltage control reference oscillator 162, and proceeds to step S138. .

  In step S138, the voltage controlled reference oscillator 162 acquires the integrated value of the deviation voltage information output from the integrator 163, adjusts the frequency and phase of the reference clock based on the integrated value, and returns to step S131. That is, the voltage control reference oscillator 162 adjusts the frequency and phase of the reference clock that it oscillates based on the integrated value of the deviation voltage information acquired from the integrator 163, and returns to step S131.

  The process of outputting the reference clock in FIG. 16 (the processes of steps S131 to S138) is performed in the pipeline, and ends when, for example, the power of the master server 51 is turned off (including the slave state).

  As described above, the master server 51 sends control information based on its own reference clock to another device via the Internet 301, whereby the reference clock of the other device is used as a reference of itself (master server 51). Synchronize with the clock.

  The processing performed by the PLL oscillator 167 shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S141, the voltage controlled oscillator 155 outputs a clock having a predetermined frequency and phase to the frequency divider 157 and also to the amplifier 153, and proceeds to step S142. Here, the amplifier 153 amplifies the clock from the voltage controlled oscillator 155 and outputs it through the output terminal 151.

  In step S142, the frequency divider 157 divides the clock output from the voltage controlled oscillator 155 in step S141 and outputs the divided clock to the phase comparator 159.

  Proceeding from step S142 to step S143, the phase comparator 159 obtains the frequency division result of the reference clock output from the frequency divider 161 of FIG. 12, and also outputs the frequency division result of the clock output from the frequency divider 157 in step S142. Acquire and go to step S144.

  In step S144, the phase comparator 159 compares the frequency division result of the reference clock obtained by the frequency divider 161 acquired in step S143 with the frequency division result of the clock by the frequency divider 157, and uses the deviation as voltage information. The converted voltage information is output to the voltage controlled oscillator 155 as deviation voltage information.

  Proceeding from step S144 to S145, the voltage controlled oscillator 155 acquires the voltage information of the deviation generated by the phase comparator 159 in step S144. Then, the voltage controlled oscillator 155 adjusts its own oscillation frequency and phase based on the deviation voltage information, and returns to step S141.

  The processing in steps S141 to S145 in FIG. 17 is performed in a pipeline, and ends when, for example, the master server 51 is turned off (including the slave state).

  The PLL oscillator 168 in FIG. 12, the PLL oscillators 267 and 268 in FIG. 13, the PLL oscillators 667 and 668 in FIG. 14, and the PLL oscillators 767 and 768 in FIG. 15 perform the same processing as in the PLL oscillator 167. Is called.

  For the process of outputting the reference clock performed by the voltage controlled reference oscillator 262, the integrator 263, the numerical comparator 264, and the integrator 265 of the variable control oscillator 220 of the slave server 61 shown in FIG. To explain.

  In step S151, the voltage controlled reference oscillator 262 outputs the reference clock to the integrator 265 and also to the frequency divider 261. The reference clock output to the frequency divider 261 passes through the PLL oscillator 267 and the PLL oscillator 268 as the audio data clock (synchronization signal) and the image data clock (synchronization signal), respectively. Is output from.

  Proceeding from step S151 to S152, the integrator 265 integrates the reference clock output from the voltage controlled reference oscillator 262. Proceeding from step S152 to S153, the integrator 265 determines whether or not a reference clock of a predetermined time has been integrated. If it is determined in step S153 that the reference clock for a predetermined time has not yet been accumulated, the process returns to step S152. The predetermined time is the same 3 seconds as described in step S132 of FIG. 16, and the integrator 265 uses the integrated value as control information every time the reference clock for 3 seconds is integrated, and is a numerical comparator. H.264.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S153 that the reference clock of a predetermined time has been integrated, the process proceeds to step S154, where the integrator 265 outputs the integrated value of the reference clock to the numerical comparator 264 as control information. The process proceeds to S155.

  In step S <b> 155, the numerical comparator 264 acquires control information of the master server 51 from the system controller 215 via the connection terminal 266. That is, the system controller 215 of the server 61 that is the slave server receives the control information that the system controller 115 of the server 51 that is the master server transmits in step S134 of FIG. 14 and receives the numerical comparator 264 via the connection terminal 266. To supply. Then, the numerical comparator 264 acquires the control information from the master server 51, and proceeds from step S155 to S156.

  In step S <b> 156, the numerical comparator 264 generates voltage information of deviation between the control information from the integrator 265 and the control information from the master server 51. That is, the numerical comparator 264 compares the control information output from the integrator 265 with the control information from the master server 51, converts the deviation information (error information) into a voltage, and generates voltage information of the deviation. To do. Then, the numerical comparator 264 outputs the generated deviation voltage information to the integrator 263, and proceeds to step S157.

  In step S157, the integrator 263 integrates the voltage information of the deviation output from the numerical comparator 264, outputs the integrated value of the voltage information of the deviation obtained as a result to the voltage control reference oscillator 262, and proceeds to step S158. .

  In step S158, the voltage-controlled reference oscillator 262 acquires the integrated value of the deviation voltage information output by the integrator 263, adjusts the frequency and phase of the reference clock based on the integration location, and returns to step S151. That is, the voltage control reference oscillator 262 adjusts the frequency and phase of the reference clock that it oscillates based on the integrated value of the deviation voltage information acquired from the integrator 263, and returns to step S151.

  The process of outputting the reference clock in FIG. 18 (the process of steps S251 to S258) is performed in the pipeline, and ends when, for example, the slave server 61 is turned off (including the slave state).

  For the process of outputting the reference clock performed by the voltage controlled reference oscillator 662, the integrator 663, the numerical comparator 664, and the integrator 665 of the variable control oscillator 620 of the master client 551 shown in FIG. To explain.

  In step S521, the voltage controlled reference oscillator 662 outputs the reference clock to the integrator 665 and also to the frequency divider 661. The reference clock output to the frequency divider 661 passes through the PLL oscillator 667 and the PLL oscillator 668, respectively, as the audio data clock (synchronization signal) and the image data clock (synchronization signal), and the variable control oscillator 620. Is output from.

  Proceeding from step S521 to S522, the integrator 665 integrates the reference clock output from the voltage-controlled reference oscillator 662. Proceeding from step S522 to S523, the integrator 665 determines whether or not a reference clock of a predetermined time has been integrated. If it is determined in step S523 that the reference clock for a predetermined time has not yet been accumulated, the process returns to step S522. The predetermined time is, for example, 3 seconds, and the integrator 665 outputs the integrated value to the numerical comparator 664 as control information each time the reference clock for 3 seconds is integrated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S523 that the reference clock of a predetermined time has been integrated, the integrator 665 outputs the integrated value of the reference clock to the numerical comparator 664 as control information, and proceeds from step S523 to S524. . In step S524, the numerical comparator 664 outputs the control information output by the integrator 665 to the system controller 615 via the connection terminal 666. The system controller 615 of the client 551 that is a master client sends the control information from the numerical comparator 664 to the slave client (client registered as a slave client) via the transmission interface 618.

  Proceeding from step S524 to S525, the numerical comparator 664 obtains a reference value that the control information output from the integrator 665 should originally take from the system controller 615 via the connection terminal 666. That is, the system controller 615 of the client 551 that is the master client supplies the reference value control information to the numerical comparator 664 via the connection terminal 666, and the numerical comparator 664 receives the reference value that is the control information. Acquired and proceeds from step S525 to step 526.

  In step S526, the numerical comparator 664 generates voltage information of deviation between the control information from the integrator 665 and the control information as the reference value from the system controller 615. That is, the numerical comparator 664 compares the control information output from the integrator 665 with the control information from the system controller 615, converts the deviation information (error information) into a voltage, and generates voltage information of the deviation. To do. Then, the numerical comparator 664 outputs the generated voltage information of the deviation to the integrator 663, and proceeds to step S527.

  In step S527, the integrator 663 integrates the voltage information of the deviation output from the numerical comparator 664, outputs the integrated value of the voltage information of the deviation obtained as a result to the voltage control reference oscillator 662, and proceeds to step S528. .

  In step S528, the voltage-controlled reference oscillator 662 acquires the integrated value of the deviation voltage information output from the integrator 663, adjusts the frequency and phase of the reference clock based on the integration location, and returns to step S521. That is, the voltage control reference oscillator 662 adjusts the frequency and phase of the reference clock that it oscillates based on the integrated value of the deviation voltage information acquired from the integrator 663, and returns to step S521.

  The process of outputting the reference clock in FIG. 19 (the processes of steps S521 to S528) is performed in the pipeline, and ends when, for example, the power of the master client 551 is turned off (including the slave state).

  Note that the control information as the reference value output by the system controller 615 in step S535 can be the control information from the system controller 115 of the master server 51. That is, the system controller 615 receives the control information based on the master server 51 reference clock output by the master server 51 in step S135 of FIG. 16 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 618. Then, the system controller 615 uses the control information from the master server 51 as control information as its reference value, and outputs the control information to the numerical comparator 664 via the connection terminal 666. In this case, the reference clock of the master client 551 is synchronized with the reference clock of the master server 51.

Refer to the flowchart of FIG. 20 for the process of outputting the reference clock performed by the voltage control reference oscillator 762, the integrator 763, the numerical comparator 764, and the integrator 765 of the variable control oscillator 720 of the slave client 561 shown in FIG. To explain.

In step S541, the voltage controlled reference oscillator 762 outputs the reference clock to the integrator 765 and also outputs it to the frequency divider 761. The reference clock output to the frequency divider 761 passes through the PLL oscillator 767 and the PLL oscillator 768, respectively, as the audio data clock (synchronization signal) and the image data clock (synchronization signal), and the variable control oscillator 720. Is output from.

  Proceeding from step S541 to S542, the integrator 765 integrates the reference clock output from the voltage controlled reference oscillator 762. Proceeding from step S542 to S543, the integrator 765 determines whether or not a reference clock of a predetermined time has been integrated. If it is determined in step S543 that the reference clock for a predetermined time has not yet been accumulated, the process returns to step S542. The predetermined time is the same 3 seconds as described in step S132 of FIG. 16, and the integrator 765 uses the integrated value as control information every time the reference clock for 3 seconds is integrated. 764.

  If it is determined in step S543 that the reference clocks of a predetermined time have been integrated, the process proceeds to step S544, where the integrator 765 outputs the integrated value of the reference clock to the numerical comparator 764 as control information, and the process proceeds to step S545. move on.

  In step S545, the numerical comparator 764 acquires the control information of the master client 551 from the system controller 715 via the connection terminal 766. That is, the system controller 715 of the client 561 that is the slave client receives the control information that the system controller 615 of the client 551 that is the master client sends out in step S524 in FIG. 19, and the numerical comparator 764 via the connection terminal 766. To supply. The numerical comparator 764 acquires the control information from the client 551, and proceeds from step S545 to S546.

  In step S546, the numerical comparator 764 generates voltage information of deviation between the control information from the integrator 765 and the control information from the master client 551. That is, the numerical comparator 764 compares the control information output from the accumulator 765 with the control information from the master client 561 and converts the deviation information (error information) into a voltage to generate deviation voltage information. To do. The numerical comparator 764 outputs the generated voltage information of the deviation to the integrator 763, and the process proceeds to step S547.

  In step S547, the integrator 763 integrates the voltage information of the deviation output from the numerical comparator 764, outputs the integrated value of the voltage information of the deviation obtained as a result to the voltage control reference oscillator 762, and proceeds to step S548. .

  In step S548, the voltage-controlled reference oscillator 762 acquires the integrated value of the deviation voltage information output from the integrator 763, adjusts the frequency and phase of the reference clock based on the integrated value, and returns to step S541. In other words, the voltage control reference oscillator 762 adjusts the frequency and phase of the reference clock that it oscillates based on the integrated value of the deviation voltage information acquired from the integrator 763 and returns to step S541.

  The processing for outputting the reference clock in FIG. 20 (the processing in steps S541 to S548) is performed in the pipeline, and ends when, for example, the power of the slave client 561 is turned off (including the slave state).

  In step S545, the system controller 715 can use the control information of the master server 51 instead of the control information of the master client 551. That is, the system controller 715 receives the control information based on the reference clock of the master server 51 output by the master server 51 in step S135 of FIG. 16 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 718. Then, the system controller 715 outputs the control information from the master server 51 to the numerical comparator 764. In this case, the reference clock of the slave client 561 is synchronized with the reference clock of the master server 51.

  The system controller 115 of the master server 51 sends control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server 61 via the transmission interface 118 and the Internet 301. On the other hand, the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 receives the control information from the master server 51 via the transmission interface 218 and outputs it to the numerical comparator 264.

  The numerical comparator 264 of the slave server 61 compares the control information based on its own reference clock with the control information from the master server 51, and adds the control information based on its own reference clock to the control information from the master server 51. Deviation voltage information is generated so as to match, and supplied to the voltage controlled reference oscillator 262. As a result, the voltage controlled reference oscillator 262 adjusts the reference clock generated by the voltage controlled reference oscillator 262 so as to follow the reference clock of the master server 51 based on the voltage information of the deviation. As a result, the reference clocks of the master server 51 and the slave server 61 coincide, and the recording, distribution, reception, and reproduction operations in the master server 51 and the slave server 61 are synchronized. In other words, for example, the audio data and image data acquired by the master server 51 and the audio data and image data acquired by the slave server 61 are temporally related.

  The system controller 615 of the master client 551 sends control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client 561 via the transmission interface 618 and the Internet 301. On the other hand, the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 receives the control information from the master client 551 via the transmission interface 718 and outputs it to the numerical comparator 764.

  The numerical comparator 764 of the slave client 561 compares the control information based on its own reference clock with the control information from the master client 551, and adds the control information based on its own reference clock to the control information from the master client 551. Deviation voltage information is generated so as to match, and supplied to the voltage controlled reference oscillator 762. As a result, the voltage control reference oscillator 762 adjusts the reference clock generated by the voltage control reference oscillator 762 so as to follow the reference clock of the master client 551 based on the voltage information of the deviation. As a result, the reference clocks of the master client 551 and the slave client 561 match, and the recording, distribution, reception, and playback operations in the master client 551 and the slave client 561 are synchronized. In other words, for example, the audio data and image data acquired by the master client 551 and the audio data and image data acquired by the slave client 561 have a temporal relationship.

  Here, the reference clock of the slave server 61 is made to follow the reference clock of the master server 51. However, for example, the master server 51 and the slave server 61 output the reference clock independently (not shown). It is possible to adjust the reference clock output by the voltage controlled reference oscillator 162 and the voltage controlled reference oscillator 262 so as to follow the reference clock in the apparatus. The same applies to the master client 551 and the slave client 561.

  Further, in the above case, the reference clock of the slave server 61 is made to follow the reference clock of the master server 51, and the reference clock of the slave client 561 is made to follow the reference clock of the master client 551. For example, it is possible to make all the reference clocks of the slave server 61, the master client 551, and the slave client 561 follow the reference clock of the master server 51.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the master server process in step S105 in FIG. 8 performed by the master server 51 and the slave server process in FIG. 8 performed by the slave server 61.

  Note that the process described in FIG. 21 partially overlaps the initial control process (server process) described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.

  In step S171, the master server 51 is in a state of waiting for receiving a response request sent from another device (in this case, the slave server 61) that is to become a slave server.

  On the other hand, in step S181, the slave server 61 sends a response request to the master server 51. That is, the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 sends a response request to the IP address of the master server 51 via the transmission interface 218 and the Internet 301. Here, the process of step S181 corresponds to the process of step S113 of FIG.

  Proceeding from step S 181 to S 172, the master server 51 acquires the response request sent from the slave server 61, and sends a predetermined code representing the master server to the slave server 61. That is, the system controller 115 of the master server 51 receives the response request sent from the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 in step S181 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 118, and as a response to the response request, a predetermined response is received. Is sent to the slave server 61 via the transmission interface 118 and the Internet 301. Note that the response request includes the IP address of the slave server 61, and the master server 51 sends a predetermined code to the IP address.

  Proceeding from step S172 to S182, the slave server 61 performs a master server detection determination process corresponding to steps S114 to S116 of FIG. That is, in this case, the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 receives the predetermined code sent from the system controller 115 of the master server 51 in step S172 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 218. It is determined that the master server 51 has been detected.

  Progressing from step S182 to S183, the slave server 61 sends information such as its own operation mode to the master server 51 together with a slave server registration request. That is, the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 stores the slave server registration request to the IP address of the master server 51 together with the slave server registration request for registering itself as a slave server. Synchronize and synchronize with multiple devices such as requested IP address, A / D conversion characteristics of A / D converters 107 to 109 (for example, sampling frequency, conversion word length, etc.), operable mode, etc. Information necessary for operation is transmitted via the transmission interface 218 and the Internet 301.

  In step S173, the master server 51 acquires the slave server registration request sent by the slave server 61 and information such as the operation mode of the slave server 61, and registers the slave server 61 as a slave server. That is, the system controller 115 of the master server 51 transmits the slave server registration request sent by the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 in step S183, the operation mode of the slave server 61, etc. via the Internet 301 and the transmission interface 118. Get information and. Then, the system controller 115 registers the server 61 as a slave server by storing the information of the slave server 61 in the storage unit 137. The system controller 115 classifies and registers the slave servers for each type based on information such as the operation mode. In this case, the system controller 115 can easily send an instruction for performing a predetermined operation only to a slave server corresponding to a certain category.

  Proceeding from step S173 to S174, the system controller 115 of the master server 51 sends the operation mode, the synchronization initial value, and the like to the slave server 61. That is, the system controller 115 sends an operation mode command in accordance with a user instruction to the slave server 61, and the initial value of the internal clock necessary for the master server 51 and the slave server 61 to operate in synchronization with each other. Is sent as a synchronous initial value. The internal clock 138 of the master server 51 is represented by, for example, a 64-bit unsigned integer in units of 1/1000 second with reference to midnight on January 1, 2000 AD.

  In addition, there is an effect of facilitating the synchronization of the slave server 61 to the master server 51 by the master server 51 sending the information of the synchronization initial value to the slave server 61.

  Proceeding from step S 174 to S 184, the slave server 61 receives information such as the operation mode and synchronization initial value sent from the master server 51 via the Internet 301 and the transmission interface 218. Then, for example, the system controller 215 sets its own operation mode to the operation mode from the master server 51, or sets the value corresponding to the time counted by the internal clock 238 as the synchronous initial value from the master server 51. Various settings such as setting and correction are performed.

  Proceeding from step S184 to S185, the slave server 61 sends a response to the master server 51 indicating that the operation mode has been received, and enters a standby state until receiving an operation command from the master server 51. That is, the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 sends a response indicating that the operation mode, the initial synchronization value, and the like have been received to the system controller 115 of the master server 51 via the transmission interface 218 and the Internet 301. It will be in a standby state until the operation command from the server 51 is received.

  Proceeding from step S185 to S175, the master server 51 is in a standby state until the slave server 61 receives the response sent in step S185 and sends an operation command. That is, the system controller 115 of the master server 51 is in a standby state until it receives a response sent by the slave server 61 via the Internet 301 and the transmission interface 118 and sends an operation command.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the master client process in step S505 in FIG. 10 performed by the master client 551 and the slave client process in step S504 in FIG. 10 performed by the slave client 561.

  22 partially overlaps with the initial control process (client process) described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11.

  In step S561, the master client 551 is in a state of waiting for reception of a response request sent from another information processing apparatus (in this case, the slave client 561) that is to become a slave client.

  On the other hand, in step S571, the slave client 561 sends a response request to the master client 551. That is, the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 sends a response request to the IP address of the master client 551 via the transmission interface 718 and the Internet 301. Here, the process of step S571 corresponds to the process of step S513 in FIG.

  Proceeding from step S571 to S562, the master client 551 acquires the response request sent by the slave client 561, and sends a predetermined code representing the master client to the slave client 561. That is, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 receives the response request sent out by the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 in step S571 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 618, and determines a predetermined response as a response to the response request. Is sent to the slave client 561 via the transmission interface 618 and the Internet 301.

  Proceeding from step S562 to S572, the slave client 561 performs a master client detection determination process corresponding to steps S514 to S516 of FIG. That is, in this case, the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 receives the predetermined code sent by the system controller 615 of the master client 551 in step S562 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 718. It is determined that the master client 551 has been detected. Here, the predetermined code includes the IP address of the master client 551, and the system controller 715 stores the IP address in the storage unit 737.

  Proceeding from step S572 to S573, the slave client 561 sends information such as its own operation mode to the master client 551 together with a slave client registration request. That is, the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 stores the slave client registration request for registering itself as a slave client to the IP address of the master client 551 in the storage unit 737, for example, slave client registration. Synchronize and coordinate with multiple devices such as requested IP address, A / D conversion characteristics of A / D converters 707 to 709 (eg sampling frequency, conversion word length, etc.), operable mode, etc. Information necessary for operation is transmitted via the transmission interface 718 and the Internet 301.

  In step S563, the master client 551 acquires the slave client registration request sent by the slave client 561 and information such as the operation mode of the slave client 561, and registers the slave client 561 as a slave client. That is, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 transmits the slave client registration request sent by the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 in step S573, the operation mode of the slave client 561, etc. via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 618. Get information and. Then, the system controller 615 registers the client 561 as a slave client by storing the information of the slave client 561 in the storage unit 637. The system controller 615 classifies and registers slave clients for each type based on information such as the operation mode. In this case, the system controller 615 can easily send a command for performing a predetermined operation only to a slave client corresponding to a certain category.

  Proceeding from step S563 to S564, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 sends an operation mode, an initial synchronization value, and the like to the slave client 561. That is, the system controller 615 sends an operation mode command in accordance with a user instruction to the slave client 561, and the initial value of the internal clock necessary for the master client 551 and the slave client 561 to operate synchronously. Is sent out. The internal clock 638 of the master client 551 is represented by a 64-bit unsigned integer in units of 1/1000 second with reference to midnight on January 1, 2000 AD.

  Note that the master client 551 sends the information of the initial synchronization value to the slave client 561, so that the slave client 561 can easily synchronize with the master client 551.

  Proceeding from step S564 to S574, the slave client 561 receives information such as the operation mode and the initial synchronization value sent from the master client 551 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 618. Then, for example, the system controller 715 sets its own operation mode to the operation mode from the master client 551, or sets the value corresponding to the time measured by the internal clock 738 as the synchronous initial value from the master client 551. Various settings such as setting and correction are performed.

  Proceeding from step S574 to S575, the slave client 561 sends a response indicating that the operation mode or the like has been received to the master client 551, and is in a standby state until receiving an operation command from the master client 551. That is, the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 sends a response indicating that the operation mode, the initial synchronization value, and the like have been received to the system controller 615 of the master client 551 via the transmission interface 718 and the Internet 301, and the master It will be in a standby state until the operation command from the client 551 is received.

  Proceeding from step S575 to S565, the master client 551 is in a standby state until the slave client 561 receives the response sent in step S575 and sends an operation command. That is, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 is in a standby state until it receives a response sent by the slave client 561 via the Internet 301 and the transmission interface 118 and sends an operation command.

  When the slave server 61 is disconnected from the Internet 301, the master server 51 deletes the information of the server 61 registered as a slave server. When the slave client 561 is disconnected from the Internet 301, the master client 551 also deletes information on the client 561 registered as a slave client.

  When the master server 51 and the master client 551 are connected to the Internet 301, the master client 551 can acquire image data and audio data from the master server 51. Furthermore, when the server 61 is connected to the Internet 301 and the processing of FIG. 21 is performed, when the server 61 is registered as a slave server in the master server 51, the master server 51 receives image data and audio from the slave server 61. Data can be acquired and distributed to the master client 551 along with the image data and audio data acquired by itself as necessary. Thereafter, when the slave client 561 is further connected to the Internet 301 and the processing of FIG. 22 is performed, so that the slave client 561 is registered as a slave client in the master client 551, the slave client 561 becomes the master client 551. It is possible to acquire the image data and audio data distributed by the master server 51 via.

  Processing when audio data and image data are distributed from the master server 51 to the master client 551 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S191, the master server 51 starts acquisition (collection) of audio data and image data using the microphone 1, the microphone 2, and the camera 3 illustrated in FIG. The audio data or image data is supplied to the memory 114 via the input terminals 101 to 103, the amplifiers 104 to 106, the A / D converters 107 to 109, the encoders 110 to 112, and the digital interface 113 and temporarily stored. The Furthermore, audio data or image data stored in the memory 114 is recorded on the recording medium 7 via the recording medium interface 119 and the recording medium connection terminal 136 as necessary. In other words, after the power is turned on, the master server 51 starts acquiring audio data and image data, generates a block of data in the memory 114, and acquires the internal data when the data is acquired if necessary. Along with the time of the clock 138, recording is performed on the recording medium 7 in units of blocks.

  In step S201, the slave server 61 starts acquiring (collecting) audio data and image data using the microphone 11, the microphone 12, and the camera 13 illustrated in FIG. This audio data or image data is supplied to the memory 214 via the output terminals 201 to 203, the amplifiers 204 to 206, the A / D converters 207 to 209, the encoders 210 to 212, and the digital interface 213, and temporarily stored. The Furthermore, the audio data or the image data stored in the memory 214 is recorded on the recording medium 17 via the recording medium interface 219 and the recording medium connection terminal 236 as necessary. After the power is turned on, the slave server 61 starts acquiring audio data and image data, generates a block of data in the memory 214, and if necessary, an internal clock 238 when the data is acquired. Are recorded on the recording medium 17 in units of blocks.

  The processing for audio data and image data in the master server 51 and the processing for audio data and image data in the slave server 61 are performed in synchronization based on the above-described reference clock.

  In step S192, the system controller 115 of the master server 51 enters a state of waiting for a data request. Note that the state in which the master server 51 waits for a data request is the same as the state in which the master server 51 waits for an operation command to be sent in step S175 of FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 581, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 sends a data request to the master server 51 via the transmission interface 618 and the Internet 301. The system controller 615 designates the type of data, for example, stereo sound data (that is, two lines of sound data) and one line of image data, or the data acquisition time (start time and end time, etc.). Specify and make a data request.

  In step S193, the system controller 115 of the master server 51 receives the data request sent from the system controller 615 of the master client 551 in step S581 via the Internet 301 and the transmission interface 118, and the received data request is It is determined (authenticated) whether or not it is legitimate. If the system controller 115 determines that the data request is valid, a server that can acquire the requested data from the slave server registered in the storage unit 137 in step S173 in FIG. 21 and itself. recognize. Assuming that a server recognized as a server that can acquire data requested for data from the master client 551 is a possible server, the system controller 115 sends a data distribution command and data from the master client 551. The type of data included in the request, time information, and the like are transmitted via the transmission interface 118 and the Internet 301 to the slave server that can acquire the data among the possible servers. . In step S193, the master server 51 sends a delivery command to each slave server among the possible servers.

  Assuming that a delivery command is sent from the master server 51 to the slave server 61 in step S193, the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 passes the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 218 in step S202. In step S193, the data distribution command sent by the system controller 115 of the master server 51 and the information included in the data request are received. The system controller 215 determines (authentication) whether or not the data distribution command is a valid data distribution command sent from the master server 51, and distributes data corresponding to the information included in the data request. It is determined whether or not it is possible. If the system controller 215 determines that the received distribution command is a valid data distribution command and the data can be distributed, the system controller 215 proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, in response to the data distribution command, the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 stores the requested data, that is, for example, two audio data blocks and one image data block. The output is controlled from 214 to the transmission system interface 218. Then, the system controller 215 distributes audio data and image data to the master server 51 via the transmission system interface 218 and the Internet 301. In step S203, the system controller 215 controls the recording medium interface 119 to read out audio data and image data recorded on the recording medium 17, and the master server 51 via the transmission system interface 218. It is possible to send it to.

  Proceeding from step S203 to S194, the system controller 115 of the master server 51 receives the audio data and image data distributed by the system controller 215 of the slave server 61 in step S203. Here, when a delivery command is sent from the master server 51 to a plurality of slave servers in step S193, data is delivered from each of the plurality of slave servers to the master server 51. Therefore, step S194 Then, the master server 51 sequentially receives data from each of the plurality of slave servers.

  In step S194, when the master server 51 receives the audio data and the image data from all the slave servers that sent the distribution command, the process proceeds to step S195, and the system controller 115 obtains each of the one or more slave servers in step S194. The audio data and the image data thus obtained are integrated as one data to generate integrated data. Then, the system controller 115 sends the integrated data to the master client 551 via the transmission system interface 118 and the Internet 301.

  In addition, the possible server may include itself (master server 51). In this case, in step S195, the system controller 115 distributes the integrated data including audio data and image data acquired by the master server 51 itself, which are stored in the memory 114.

  On the other hand, in step S582, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 receives the integrated data sent by the system controller 115 of the master server 51 in step S195 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 618, and the process ends. .

  Note that the master server 51 can also read out audio data and image data recorded in the recording medium 7 and include them in the integrated data, as in the slave server 61.

  In step S196, the master server 51 returns the integrated data, and then returns to step S192. The master server 51 is in a standby state until receiving a data request from the master client 551, and the same processing is repeated thereafter. On the other hand, after receiving the integrated data sent by the master server 51 in step S582, the master client 551 returns to step S581 and sends out data requests continuously as necessary. As a result, the master client 551 can receive continuous data.

  Further, in response to a data request from the master client 551, the master server 51 can send one block (data for 1/30 second) in response to one data request, for example. In response to a single data request, it is possible to send continuous data until a stop command arrives. The same applies to data transmitted from the slave server 61 to the master server 51.

  Processing when the master client 551 receives the integrated data from the master server 51 and redistributes it to the slave client 561 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S211, the system controller 115 of the master server 51 enters a standby state waiting for a request from the master client 551. This standby state corresponds to the standby state in step S192 of FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S 591, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 sends a data request to the master server 51 via the transmission interface 618 and the Internet 301. Note that the processing in step S591 corresponds to the processing in step S581 in FIG.

  In step S212, the system controller 115 of the master server 51 receives the data request sent from the system controller 615 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 118.

  In step S212, the system controller 115 generates integrated data by performing the processing described in FIG. 23 in response to the data request from the master client 551, and transmits the integrated data via the transmission interface 118 and the Internet 301. To the master client 551. Here, the distribution of the integrated data corresponds to the processing in step S195 in FIG.

  Progressing from step S213 to S593, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 receives the integrated data transmitted by the system controller 115 of the master server 51. Here, the reception of the integrated data corresponds to the processing in step S582 in FIG.

  In step S591, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 performs processing for sending a data request, and then proceeds to step S592 to send a data reception standby command to the slave client 561. That is, the system controller 615 sends a command to wait for receiving data to the client registered as a slave client in the storage unit 637 via the transmission interface 618 and the Internet 301. The system controller 615 may send a data reception standby command to all clients registered as slave clients in the storage unit 637, or step S591 among the clients registered as slave clients in the storage unit 637. The data reception standby command may be sent only to the client that can reproduce the data requested by the data request. Here, it is assumed that a data reception standby command is transmitted from the master client 551 to one or more slave clients including the slave client 561.

  On the other hand, in step S601, the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 receives the data reception standby command sent from the system controller 615 of the master client 551 in step S592 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 718, and the data is received. It will be in a reception standby state waiting for delivery.

  Proceeding from step S601 to S602, the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 that is in a data reception standby state sends a response to the master client 551 that the data reception preparation is completed via the transmission interface 718 and the Internet 301. Send it out.

  In step S594, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 receives the fact that the data reception preparation sent from the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 in step S594 is completed via the Internet 301 and the transmission interface 618. . The fact that the preparation for data reception is completed means that the master client 551 is sent to the master client 551 from all the slave clients that have sent the data reception standby command. Receiving that is finished.

  Proceeding from step S594 to S595, the system controller 615 of the master client 551 sends the integrated data received from the master server 51 in step S593 to all the slave clients that sent the data reception standby command in step S592. That is, the system controller 615 confirms information such as the type of data that can be reproduced by each slave client that has transmitted a data reception standby command from the registered slave client information stored in the storage unit 637. Then, the system controller 615 separates (separates) the integrated data into one or more audio data and image data, and sequentially sends them to a reproducible slave client via the transmission system interface 618 and the Internet 301. It should be noted that the integrated data can be sent as it is from the master client 551 to the slave client 561.

  In step S603, the system controller 715 of the slave client 561 receives the data transmitted by the master client 551 in step S595 via the Internet 301 and the transmission system interface 718.

  In step S603, the slave client 561 performs an operation of reproducing the data received from the master client 551. That is, when the slave client 561 receives audio data and image data via the Internet 301 and the transmission interface 718, the memory 721, the digital interface 722, the decoders 723 to 725, and the D / A converter 726 in FIG. Through 728, amplifiers 729 through 731 and output terminals 732 through 734, audio data is output from the speakers 511 and 512, and image data is displayed on the monitor 513.

  On the other hand, the master client 551 also reproduces audio data and image data included in the integrated data received in step S593 in step S596 as necessary.

  In step S596 or step S604, audio data and image data can be reproduced and recorded on the recording medium 504 or 514.

  FIG. 25 shows a configuration example of the second embodiment of the information processing system to which the present invention is applied.

  The audio information collection server group 401 and the image information collection server group 403 are connected to the client 801 via the Internet 301. The audio information collection server group 401 is composed of a microphone server 402, and the image information collection server group 404 is composed of a camera server 404. If necessary, the audio information collection server group 401 or the image information collection server group 403 can be configured by a plurality of microphone servers 402 or a plurality of camera servers 403, respectively.

  The microphone server 402 is configured similarly to the master server 51 shown in FIG. However, only one system of audio data is acquired, and recording, distribution, and the like are performed. Similarly, the camera server 404 is configured in the same manner as the master server 51 shown in FIG. 4, but is configured to acquire only one system of image data and perform recording, distribution, and the like.

  Also in the microphone server 402 and the camera server 404, the processing in steps S101 to S105 shown in FIG. 8 is performed. For example, the microphone server 402 serves as a master server and the camera server 404 serves as a slave server to perform processing synchronously. . Even when a server is added to the audio information collection server group 401 or the image information collection server group 403 and the connection configuration of the servers on the Internet 301 is changed, the processing of steps S101 to S105 shown in FIG. 8 is performed. As a result, all servers can be operated synchronously.

  By installing a plurality of microphone servers 402 and a plurality of camera servers 403 and acquiring data synchronously, for example, audio data and image data of a vast area are acquired at the same time, and real time at different points. It is easy to record and reproduce the audio data and image data at the same time.

  In FIG. 25 (the same applies to FIGS. 26 to 28 described later), only one client 801 is shown. However, as in the case of FIG. 1, two clients and further three or more clients are provided. It is possible.

  FIG. 26 shows a configuration example of the third embodiment of the information processing system to which the present invention is applied.

  The weather information collection server group 410 is connected to the client 801 via the Internet 301. The meteorological information collection server group 410 includes a temperature server 411 that acquires (measures) temperature data, a humidity server 412 that acquires humidity data, an atmospheric pressure server 413 that acquires atmospheric pressure data, a wind power server 414 that acquires wind power data, and a chemical A chemical substance concentration server 415 for acquiring substance concentration data is provided, and these are connected to the Internet 301.

  Also in the information processing system shown in FIG. 26, when each server executes the server process shown in FIG. 8, one of the servers becomes a master server, and the remaining servers become slave servers. Synchronizes with the master server, and distributes data acquired by itself to the master server in accordance with a data distribution command sent by the master server. As a result, the master server sends the integrated data synchronized with the client 801.

  By installing multiple servers that are acquired by measuring each of the weather data related to multiple weather information, and acquiring the meteorological data synchronously, for example, the change of multiple meteorological data is acquired in time series, and the client In 801, it is possible to analyze the plurality of weather data in a comprehensive manner.

  FIG. 27 shows a configuration example of the fourth embodiment of the information processing system to which the present invention is applied.

  The biological information collection server group 420 is connected to the client 801 via the Internet 301. The biological information collection server group 420 includes a body temperature server 421 that acquires (measures) body temperature data, a heart rate server 422 that acquires heart rate data, a blood pressure server 423 that acquires blood pressure data, an electroencephalogram server 424 that acquires brain wave data, and the like. These are connected to the Internet 301.

  In the information processing system shown in FIG. 27, as in the case of FIG. 26, each server executes the server process shown in FIG. As a slave server, the slave server synchronizes with the master server, and distributes data acquired by itself to the master server in accordance with a data distribution command sent by the master server. As a result, the master server sends the integrated data synchronized with the client 801.

  By installing a plurality of servers that are acquired by measuring each of the biological data related to a plurality of biological information, and acquiring the biological data in synchronization, for example, the variation of the plurality of biological data is acquired in time series, and the client In 801, it is possible to analyze the plurality of biological data in a comprehensive manner.

  FIG. 28 shows a configuration example of the fifth embodiment of the information processing system to which the present invention has been applied.

  The physical phenomenon information collection server group 430 is connected to the client 801 via the network 305. The physical phenomenon information collection server group 430 includes a voltage server 431 that acquires (measures) voltage data, a current server 432 that acquires current data, a resistance server 433 that acquires resistance data, a power server 434 that acquires power data, and a magnetic field. A magnetic field server 435 for acquiring data, a speed server 436 for acquiring speed data, an acceleration server 437 for acquiring acceleration data, a flow rate server 438 for acquiring flow rate data, a frequency server 439 for acquiring frequency data, and the like. These are connected to the Internet 301.

  In the information processing system shown in FIG. 28, as in the case of FIG. 26, each server executes the server process shown in FIG. As a slave server, the slave server synchronizes with the master server, and distributes data acquired by itself to the master server in accordance with a data distribution command sent by the master server. As a result, the master server sends the integrated data synchronized with the client 801.

  By installing multiple servers that acquire physical phenomenon data related to information on multiple physical phenomena and acquiring physical phenomenon data synchronously, for example, time-series fluctuations in multiple physical phenomenon data The client 801 can comprehensively analyze the data of the physical phenomenon.

  In addition, the server can acquire information on social phenomena such as observation information associated with natural phenomena, chemistry and physical phenomena, traffic volume per unit time, traffic information such as average speed, etc. It is.

  As described above, the server 61 and the client 561 that individually distribute, receive, record, or reproduce a digital signal are connected to the Internet 301 as a transmission system that can be used for information transmission and the like, and are the same or different devices. The system can synchronize with the server 51 and the client 551, and can operate in cooperation. The server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561, which are a plurality of devices installed independently, synchronize and cooperate with each other via the Internet 301 to distribute, receive, record, or reproduce digital signals. It can be performed.

  Further, in the server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561, information (eg, control information, time information, data distribution command, etc.) such as system synchronous operation and cooperative operation such as device operation information is recorded. Can be delivered. The server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561, which are a plurality of devices installed independently, synchronize and cooperate with each other via the Internet 301 to distribute, receive, record, or reproduce digital signals. When performing, the information of the system synchronization operation and the cooperative operation can be distributed and received simultaneously with the digital signal or independently.

  Furthermore, the server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561 can mutually detect the connection of another device installed independently to the Internet 301 and the disconnection from the Internet 301. The server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561 can detect the connection and disconnection of other devices to change the configuration of the device group, and can synchronize and cooperate via the Internet 301. Thus, the structure of the digital signal for distribution, reception, recording, and reproduction can be changed.

  The server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561 are connected to the master server or the master client and the master server or the master client when other independently installed devices are connected via the Internet 301. It becomes a slave server or slave client that operates synchronously and cooperatively in a subordinate manner, and can share operations.

  Further, the server 51 becomes a master server, and can record or distribute digital signals by integrating data collected by slave servers 61 that operate in a synchronized and cooperative manner. Further, the client 551 becomes a master client, and can redistribute data to the slave clients 561 that operate synchronously and cooperatively in a subordinate manner, and can reproduce and receive digital signals.

  The server 51 and the server 61 can collect voice data. The server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561, which are a plurality of devices installed independently, synchronize and cooperate with each other via the Internet 301 to distribute, receive, and record digital signals in real time. Or play.

  The server 51 and the server 61 can collect audio data and still or moving image data. Then, the server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561, which are a plurality of independently installed devices, synchronize and cooperate with each other via the Internet 301 to distribute, receive, and receive real-time digital audio image signals. Recording and playback can be performed.

  The server 51 and the server 61 can measure and collect information for weather observation such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind force, and chemical substance concentration. The server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561, which are a plurality of devices installed independently, synchronize and cooperate with each other via the Internet 301 to distribute, receive, and record digital signals in real time. , And can play.

  The server 51 and the server 61 can measure and collect biological information such as body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and electroencephalogram. The server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561, which are a plurality of devices installed independently, synchronize and cooperate with each other via the Internet 301 to distribute, receive, and record digital signals in real time. , And can play.

  The server 51 and the server 61 can measure and collect information on physical phenomena such as voltage, current, resistance, power, magnetic field, speed, acceleration, flow rate, and frequency. The server 51, the server 61, the client 551, and the client 561, which are a plurality of independently set devices, synchronize and cooperate via the Internet 301 to distribute, receive, and record digital signals in real time. , And can play.

  It should be noted that the servers, the clients, or the server and the clients may communicate with each other via the Internet 301, an optical cable, a radio using radio waves or radio waves, or any other information transfer line. it can.

  Further, in FIGS. 4 to 7, three input terminals or output terminals are provided to input or output audio data and image data. However, the number of input terminals and output terminals, the type of input / output data, The form (for example, a digital signal, an analog signal, or a voltage or current value) is not particularly limited.

  As for the server 51 and the server 61, the data recording portion and the reproducing portion can be configured as separate devices. Further, with respect to the server 51 and the server 61, the data distribution part and the data reception part can be configured as separate devices. The same applies to the client 551 and the client 561. Further, in this embodiment, the client 551 and the client 561 are configured without providing a part for acquiring (collecting) sound and images such as a microphone and a camera. It is possible to provide a part for collecting the data.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, for easy understanding of the description, the devices connected to the Internet 301 are divided into a server and a client in advance. For example, the device having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is a server. Of course, it is also possible to become a client.

  The image acquired (captured) by the camera 3 or the camera 13 may be a moving image or a still image.

  As described above, in the information processing system to which the present invention is applied, the time relevance of each data is guaranteed by operating a plurality of information processing devices connected via a network based on a synchronized reference clock. Is done. Therefore, reproduction of acquired data and other information processing can be easily performed.

  Furthermore, when changes are made in the type and number of data to be handled, for example, even when an increase or decrease in the number of audio channels or an increase or decrease in the various types of data to be acquired is required, it is not necessary to change the entire system. By connecting or disconnecting the corresponding information recording transmission / reproduction / reception device (server) to / from the transmission system (Internet 301), it is possible to easily cope with it, and therefore it is not necessary to construct a redundant system. An efficient configuration is possible.

  In addition, in the information processing system to which the present invention is applied, a plurality of devices (servers) acquire data synchronously, and furthermore, the information of the time at which the data was acquired is attached to the data. Time relevance can be easily assured. Therefore, even when data is recorded on different recording media or distributed by a transmission system having a large time difference (delay time), the temporal relationship can be easily reproduced at the time of reproduction or reception. .

  Furthermore, it is possible to record, distribute, receive, or play back data by combining multiple small information processing devices (servers and clients), which not only makes the system simpler, but also enables DSP. This is an optimal configuration for software implementation with a CPU including (Digital Signal Processor). When realized by software, a program constituting the software can be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware, or can execute various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose personal computer It is installed from a recording medium on a computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the computer, and includes a magnetic disk 82 (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk 83 (CD- Consists of ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), DVD (including Digital Versatile Disk)), magneto-optical disk 84 (including MD (Mini-Disk) (trademark)), or package media including semiconductor memory 85 can do.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 1st Embodiment of the information processing system to which this invention is applied. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a server 51 and a server 61. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a client 551 and a client 561. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a server 51. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a server 61. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a client 551. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a client 561. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a server process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a master server search process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a client process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a master client search process. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a circuit of a variable control oscillator 120. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a circuit of a variable control oscillator 220. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a circuit of a variable control oscillator 620. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a circuit of a variable control oscillator 720. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing in which the variable control oscillator 120 adjusts a reference clock. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a PLL oscillator 167. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing in which a variable control oscillator 220 adjusts a reference clock. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing in which a variable control oscillator 620 adjusts a reference clock. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing in which a variable control oscillator 720 adjusts a reference clock. It is a figure for demonstrating a master server process and a slave server process. It is a figure for demonstrating a master client process and a slave client process. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining processing when data is distributed from a master server 51 to a master client 551; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining processing when the master client 551 redistributes integrated data to the slave client 561. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 2nd Embodiment of the information processing system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 3rd Embodiment of the information processing system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 4th Embodiment of the information processing system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 5th Embodiment of the information processing system to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

51 master server, 61 slave server, 301 internet, 551 master client, 561 slave client, 70, 577 key input unit, 71, 571 CPU, 72, 572 ROM, 73, 573 RAM, 74, 574 bus, 75, 575 input Output interface, 76, 576 Display unit, 77 Input unit, 78, 578 Output unit, 79, 579 Storage unit, 80, 580 Communication unit, 81, 581 Drive, 82, 582 Magnetic disc, 83, 583 Optical disc, 84, 584 Magneto-optical disk, 85,585 semiconductor memory, 101-103, 201-203 input terminal, 104-106, 204-206 amplifier, 107-109, 207-209 A / D converter, 110-112, 210-212 encoder 113, 122, 213, 222 Digital interface, 114, 121, 214, 221, 621, 721 Memory, 115, 215, 615, 715 System controller, 116, 216, 616, 716 Key input unit, 117, 217, 617, 717 Display unit, 118, 218, 618, 718 Transmission system interface, 119, 219, 619, 719 Recording medium interface, 120, 220, 620, 720 Variable control oscillator, 123 to 125, 223 to 225, 623 Through 625, 723 through 725 decoder, 126 through 128, 226 through 228, 626 through 628, 726 through 728 D / A converter, 129 through 131, 229 through 231, 629 through 631, 729 through 731 amplifier, 132 To 134, 232 to 234, 632 to 634, 732 to 734 Output terminal, 135, 235, 635, 735 Transmission system connection terminal, 136, 236, 626, 726 Recording medium connection terminal, 137, 237, 637, 737 Part, 138, 238, 638, 738 internal clock, 151, 152, 251, 252, 651, 652, 751, 752 output terminal, 153, 154, 253, 254, 653, 654, 753, 754 amplifier, 155, 255 , 655, 755 Voltage controlled oscillator, 157, 158, 161, 257, 258, 261, 657, 658, 661, 757, 758, 761 Frequency divider, 159, 160, 259, 260, 659, 660, 759, 760 Phase comparator, 162, 262, 662, 762 Voltage control reference Oscillator, 163, 263, 663, 763 Integrator, 164, 264, 664, 764 Numerical comparator, 165, 265, 665, 765 Accumulator, 166, 266, 666, 766 Connection terminal, 167, 168, 267, 278 , 667, 668, 767, 768 PLL oscillator

Claims (39)

In an information processing system in which a master server, a slave server, a master client, and a slave client are connected via a network,
The master server is
Master server reference clock generating means for generating its own server reference clock;
Master server control information transmitting means for transmitting server control information based on its own server reference clock to the slave server;
Slave server registration means for registering information of the slave server;
Master server data requesting means for requesting delivery of data to the slave server based on the information of the slave server;
Master server data receiving means for receiving the data distributed by the slave server;
Master server data distribution means for distributing the data to the master client,
The slave server is
Master server detecting means for detecting the master server;
Slave server registration request means for requesting that the master server send its own information and register itself as a slave server;
Slave server reference clock adjusting means for acquiring the server control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own server reference clock;
Synchronous data acquisition means for acquiring data according to a synchronization signal based on its own server reference clock;
Slave server data distribution means for distributing the data in response to a request from the master server,
The master client is
Master client reference clock generation means for generating its own client reference clock;
Master client control information transmitting means for transmitting client control information based on its own client reference clock to the slave client;
Slave client registration means for registering information of the slave client;
Master client data receiving means for receiving the data distributed by the master server;
Data redistribution means for redistributing the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client;
The slave client is
Master client detecting means for detecting the master client;
Slave client registration requesting means for requesting that the master client send its own information and register itself as a slave client;
Slave client reference clock adjusting means for acquiring the client control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own client reference clock;
Slave client data receiving means for receiving the data redistributed by the master client;
An information processing system comprising: synchronous data reproduction means for reproducing the data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own client reference clock. In an information processing system in which a master server and a slave server are connected via a network,
The master server is
Master server reference clock generating means for generating its own reference clock;
Master server control information transmitting means for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server;
Slave server registration means for registering information of the slave server;
Master server data requesting means for requesting delivery of data to the slave server based on the information of the slave server;
Data receiving means for receiving the data distributed by the slave server;
Master server data distribution means for distributing the data via the network, and
The slave server is
Master server detecting means for detecting the master server;
Slave server registration request means for requesting that the master server send its own information and register itself as a slave server;
Slave server reference clock adjusting means for acquiring the control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own reference clock;
Synchronization data acquisition means for acquiring data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock;
An information processing system comprising: slave server data distribution means for distributing the data in response to a request from the master server. In an information processing system in which a master client and a slave client are connected via a network,
The master client
Master client reference clock generation means for generating its own reference clock;
Master client control information transmitting means for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client;
Slave client registration means for registering information of the slave client;
Master client data receiving means for receiving data distributed via the network;
Data redistribution means for redistributing the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client;
The slave client is
Master client detecting means for detecting the master client;
Slave client registration requesting means for requesting that the master client send its own information and register itself as a slave client;
Slave client reference clock adjusting means for acquiring the control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock;
Slave client data receiving means for receiving the data redistributed by the master client;
An information processing system comprising: synchronization data reproducing means for reproducing the data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock. In an information processing apparatus connected to a slave server and a client via a network,
A reference clock generating means for generating its own reference clock;
Control information transmitting means for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server;
Slave server registration means for registering information of the slave server;
Data request means for requesting the slave server to deliver data based on the information of the slave server;
Data receiving means for receiving the data distributed by the slave server;
An information processing apparatus comprising: data distribution means for distributing the data to the client. A time measuring means for measuring time based on its own reference clock;
5. The information processing according to claim 4, further comprising: time information transmitting means for transmitting to the slave server information for making the time measured by the slave server coincide with the time measured by the time measuring means. apparatus. The slave server registration means registers information of the slave server when the slave server is connected to the network, and deletes information of the slave server when the slave server is disconnected from the network. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. A data integration unit that integrates one or more of the data into integrated data;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data distribution unit distributes the integrated data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data is image data or audio data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data is data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon. An information processing method of an information processing apparatus connected to a slave server and a client via a network,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock;
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server;
A slave server registration step of registering information of the slave server;
A data requesting step for requesting the slave server to deliver data based on the information of the slave server;
A data receiving step for receiving the data distributed by the slave server;
A data distribution step of distributing the data to the client. A computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a slave server and a client via a network,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock;
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server;
A slave server registration step of registering information of the slave server;
A data requesting step for requesting the slave server to deliver data based on the information of the slave server;
A data receiving step for receiving the data distributed by the slave server;
And a data distribution step of distributing the data to the client. A recording medium on which a computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a slave server and a client via a network is recorded,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock;
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave server;
A slave server registration step of registering information of the slave server;
A data requesting step for requesting the slave server to deliver data based on the information of the slave server;
A data receiving step for receiving the data distributed by the slave server;
And a data distribution step of distributing the data to the client. A recording medium on which a computer program is recorded. In an information processing apparatus connected to a master server via a network,
Master server detecting means for detecting the master server;
Slave server registration request means for requesting that the master server send its own information and register itself as a slave server;
Reference clock adjusting means for acquiring control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own reference clock;
Synchronization data acquisition means for acquiring data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock;
An information processing apparatus comprising: data distribution means for distributing the data in response to a request from the master server. It further comprises a time measuring means for measuring time based on its own reference clock,
14. The information processing according to claim 13, wherein information for matching with a time counted by the master server is acquired, and a time counted by the timing unit is matched with a time counted by the master server. apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a data recording unit that records the data acquired by the synchronous data acquisition unit. Recording the data acquired by the synchronous data acquisition means on a recording medium;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the data distribution unit distributes the data recorded and reproduced on the recording medium. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the data is image data or audio data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the data is data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to a master server via a network,
A master server detection step of detecting the master server;
A slave server registration requesting step for requesting to register the master server as a slave server by transmitting its own information to the master server;
A reference clock adjustment step of obtaining control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own reference clock;
A synchronization data acquisition step of acquiring data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock;
A data distribution step of distributing the data in response to a request from the master server. A computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a master server via a network,
A master server detection step of detecting the master server;
A slave server registration requesting step for requesting to register the master server as a slave server by transmitting its own information to the master server;
A reference clock adjustment step of obtaining control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own reference clock;
A synchronization data acquisition step of acquiring data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock;
And a data distribution step of distributing the data in response to a request from the master server. A recording medium on which a computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a master server via a network is recorded,
A master server detection step of detecting the master server;
A slave server registration requesting step for requesting to register the master server as a slave server by transmitting its own information to the master server;
A reference clock adjustment step of obtaining control information transmitted by the master server and adjusting its own reference clock;
A synchronization data acquisition step of acquiring data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock;
And a data distribution step of distributing the data in response to a request from the master server. In an information processing apparatus connected to a master server and a slave client via a network,
A reference clock generating means for generating its own reference clock;
Control information transmitting means for transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client;
Slave client registration means for registering information of the slave client;
Data receiving means for receiving data distributed by the master server;
An information processing apparatus comprising: data redistribution means for redistributing the data to the slave client based on information of the slave client. Data request means for requesting the data from the master server;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the data receiving unit receives the data distributed by the master server in response to a request from the data requesting unit. The master server delivers integrated data obtained by integrating one or more of the data,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the data receiving unit receives the integrated data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the data redistribution unit redistributes the integrated data divided based on information of the slave client. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising recording / reproducing means for recording the data on a recording medium or reproducing the data recorded on the recording medium. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the data is image data or audio data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the data is data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to a master server and a slave client via a network,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock;
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client;
A slave client registration step of registering information of the slave client;
A data receiving step for receiving data distributed by the master server;
A data redistribution step of redistributing the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client. A computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a master server and a slave client via a network,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock;
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client;
A slave client registration step of registering information of the slave client;
A data receiving step for receiving data distributed by the master server;
A data redistribution step of redistributing the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client. A recording medium on which a computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a master server and a slave client via a network is recorded,
A reference clock generation step for generating its own reference clock;
A control information transmission step of transmitting control information based on its own reference clock to the slave client;
A slave client registration step of registering information of the slave client;
A data receiving step for receiving data distributed by the master server;
A data redistribution step of redistributing the data to the slave client based on the information of the slave client. A recording medium on which a computer program is recorded. In an information processing apparatus connected to a master client via a network,
Master client detecting means for detecting the master client;
Slave client registration requesting means for requesting that the master client send its own information and register itself as a slave client;
Slave client reference clock adjusting means for acquiring control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock;
Data receiving means for receiving data distributed by the master client;
An information processing apparatus comprising: synchronization data reproducing means for reproducing the data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock. It further comprises a time measuring means for measuring time based on its own reference clock,
33. The information processing according to claim 32, wherein information for matching with a time counted by the master client is acquired, and a time counted by the timing unit is matched with a time counted by the master client. apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising recording / reproducing means for recording the data on a recording medium or reproducing the data recorded on the recording medium. The data is image data or audio data.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein: The information processing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the data is data obtained by weather observation, data obtained by measuring a living body, or data obtained by measuring a physical phenomenon. An information processing method of an information processing apparatus connected to a master client via a network,
A master client detecting step of detecting the master client;
A slave client registration requesting step for requesting that the master client send its own information and register itself as a slave client;
A slave client reference clock adjustment step for obtaining control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock;
A data receiving step of receiving data distributed by the master client;
A synchronized data reproduction step of reproducing the data according to a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock. A computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a master client via a network,
A master client detecting step of detecting the master client;
A slave client registration requesting step for requesting that the master client send its own information and register itself as a slave client;
A slave client reference clock adjustment step for obtaining control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock;
A data receiving step of receiving data distributed by the master client;
And a synchronized data reproduction step of reproducing the data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on its own reference clock. A recording medium on which a computer program to be executed by a computer connected to a master client via a network is recorded,
A master client detecting step of detecting the master client;
A slave client registration requesting step for requesting that the master client send its own information and register itself as a slave client;
A slave client reference clock adjustment step for obtaining control information transmitted by the master client and adjusting its own reference clock;
A data receiving step of receiving data distributed by the master client;
And a synchronized data reproduction step of reproducing the data in accordance with a synchronization signal based on the reference clock of the recording medium.

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