Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to achieve data adaptation in accordance with a user's preferences, by holding a user's preference information for each content as user preferences, selecting a data segment according to user preferences, and performing resolution conversion on the basis of segment priority level and terminal capability, thereby enabling data adaptation to be performed for each content in a form the user wishes to see.

Abstract: The present invention, by storing media of a plurality of different forms for each content, and selecting and distributing media of a form corresponding to a distribution request of a client, distributes to a client media corresponding to content requested by the client in the form requested by the client.

Abstract: Television program schedule information is recorded, and a plurality of television program recording reservations previously input by a viewer are registered in a reservation storing unit as a plurality of registered television program recording reservations. When an input television program recording reservation for a desired television program newly input by the viewer overlaps with a specific registered television program recording reservation for a specific television program, the television program schedule information is searched for a rebroadcast television program having the same contents as those of the desired television program, and a rebroadcast television program recording reservation for the rebroadcast television program is produced on condition that the rebroadcast television program recording reservation does not overlap with any of the registered television program recording reservations, and the rebroadcast television program recording reservation is registered.

Abstract: A context of media content is represented by context description data having a hierarchical stratum. The context description data has the highest hierarchical layer, the lowest hierarchical layer, and other hierarchical layers. The highest hierarchical layer is formed from a single element representing content. The lowest hierarchical layer is formed from an element representing a segment of media content which corresponds to a change between scenes of video data or a change in audible tones. The remaining hierarchical layers are formed from an element representing a scene or a collection of scenes. A score corresponding to the context of a scene of interest is appended, as an attribute, to the element in each of the remaining hierarchical layers. A score relating to the time information about a corresponding media segment and a context is appended, as an attribute, to individual elements in the lowest hierarchical layer.

Abstract: From structure description data with a structure of media contents described therein is generated representation description data expressive of representation order, representation timing, and synchronization information of media segments described in the structure description data, whereby media segments are capable of being represented under various added restrictions.

Abstract: A video server apparatus is provided with a stream control section which determines a keyframe readout interval and a keyframe playback interval that satisfy a playback speed designated by a terminal apparatus. The video server apparatus transmits data of the thus-determined keyframe playback interval to the terminal apparatus. The video server apparatus reads out keyframes of a stored bit stream from at the thus-determined keyframe readout interval, and transmits a stream including the read-out keyframes to the terminal apparatus. The terminal apparatus decodes and displays the transmitted stream at the received keyframe playback interval. This system can correctly perform a playback at an arbitrary speed that is designated by the terminal apparatus.

Abstract: A video server apparatus is provided with a stream control section which determines a keyframe readout interval and a keyframe playback interval that satisfy a playback speed designated by a terminal apparatus. The video server apparatus transmits data of the thus-determined keyframe playback interval to the terminal apparatus. The video server apparatus reads out keyframes of a stored bit stream from at the thus-determined keyframe readout interval, and transmits a stream including the read-out keyframes to the terminal apparatus. The terminal apparatus decodes and displays the transmitted stream at the received keyframe playback interval. This system can correctly perform a playback at an arbitrary speed that is designated by the terminal apparatus.

Abstract: A video server apparatus is provided with a stream control section which determines a keyframe readout interval and a keyframe playback interval that satisfy a playback speed designated by a terminal apparatus. The video server apparatus transmits data of the thus-determined keyframe playback interval to the terminal apparatus. The video server apparatus reads out keyframes of a stored bit stream from at the thus-determined keyframe readout interval, and transmits a stream including the read-out keyframes to the terminal apparatus The terminal apparatus decodes and displays the transmitted stream at the received keyframe playback interval. This system can correctly perform a playback at an arbitrary speed that is designated by the terminal apparatus.

Abstract: A video server apparatus is provided with a stream control section which determines a keyframe readout interval and a keyframe playback interval that satisfy a playback speed designated by a terminal apparatus. The video server apparatus transmits data of the thus-determined keyframe playback interval to the terminal apparatus. The video server apparatus reads out keyframes of a stored bit stream from at the thus-determined keyframe readout interval, and transmits a stream including the read-out keyframes to the terminal apparatus. The terminal apparatus decodes and displays the transmitted stream at the received keyframe playback interval. This system can correctly perform a playback at an arbitrary speed that is designated by the terminal apparatus.