Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Computer Program

Abstract

A configuration is provided in which a device in a home network receives content from a server outside the home network and plays the content. A home IMS gateway maps an external server outside the home network as a virtual home network device, and executes a process of receiving a content providing service provided by the external server by using mapping information. Furthermore, switched reception of multicast distribution content provided by the external server and unicast distribution content is executed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to information processing apparatuses, information processing methods, and computer programs. Particularly, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a computer program for implementing use of data supplied from outside a home network at a device in the home network.BACKGROUND ART[0002]With the spread of PCs and digital home appliances, it is becoming a reality to interconnect these devices via a home IP (Internet Protocol) network and to share and enjoy digital content, such as video, audio, and pictures. For example, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) defines technical specification and implementing guideline needed for sharing digital content among these digital devices so that it is possible to interconnect devices of different vendors with each other, and DLNA has become as an industry standard of home IP networks.[0003]FIG. 1 shows an example of a home netwo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0042]According to the configuration of the present invention, it becomes possible for a DMP as a content playing apparatus, which is a client device in a home network, to receive content from a content providing server outside the home network and to play the content. That is, a home IMS gateway, which is an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, executes communication with a content providing server to map the content providing server as a virtual home network device, and in response to reception of a device discovery request from a content playing apparatus in a home network, the home IMS gateway provides the content playing device with server information of the content providing server as information of a device that is allowed to receive a service. Furthermore, by executing switched reception of multicast distribution content provided by the external server and unicast content, it becomes possible to receive content with increased flexibility on the client side.

Problems solved by technology

However, in the former case, a time for downloading is needed for temporary storage at a home server, so that it is difficult to enjoy video when desired, which is possible with a video on demand service, and it is not suitable for live viewing.

In the latter configuration in which processing is executed by a residential gateway (RG), it is necessary that the residential gateway (RG) executes protocol conversion and media conversion, so that high-performance hardware is needed and software becomes complex, and the RG becomes expensive.

Generally, in many cases, an RG is supplied from an access line providing company (telephone company or the like) of a broadband network, and this becomes an obstacle in a case where IPTV services are provided on the open Internet, for example, IPTV services available for the user are limited to the vendor provided by the access line.

Although it is possible to provide a new gateway device in a home IP network separately from the residential gateway (RG), in this case, depending on the network topology, content streaming data is transmitted in duplicates in the home network, so that such a situation occurs that a band in the home network is used in vain.

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