JP2008199125A - Video image distribution system performing related information distribution in combination - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video image distribution system capable of effectively performing distribution of related information such as advertisement carried out in combination with distribution of video image contents. <P>SOLUTION: The video image distribution system includes a plurality of view terminals and a video image distribution server which distributes a plurality of video image contents to the view terminals through an IP network to which at least one Web server is connected. The video image distribution system holds URLs of at least one Web server as related Web servers while making them correspond to the plurality of video image contents, displays distributed video image contents on display screens of the view terminals by the view terminals, and searches a URL corresponding to a selected video image content in response to detection of selection input of at least one of the video image contents displayed on the view terminals as a selected video image content, thereby displaying a Web page distributed from the related Web server corresponding to the URL obtained by the search on the display screen of the view terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video distribution system that distributes video content via a data network such as the Internet capable of video data communication, and in particular, a video that enables distribution of related information such as advertisement information along with the video content distribution. It relates to a distribution system.

Video distribution services that distribute video content such as movies for free via the Internet are used. The business model of such a free video distribution service is a business form in which profit is generated by distributing advertising information in conjunction with video content distribution. Selection of what kind of advertisement information is distributed is usually required by viewers to input in a questionnaire format at the time of prior viewer registration, and different advertisements for each viewer based on personal information such as preferences obtained Is made. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 is referred to in practice of the business model embodiment. For a technique for simultaneously displaying a plurality of video contents, Patent Document 1 is referred to.
Portal site provided by USEN Co., Ltd. (http://www.gyao.jp/) JP 2004-32341 A

  As described above, in the usage mode of the conventional free video distribution service, registration and update of personal information are usually required. However, in such a form, there is a problem that not only there is a risk of privacy infringement for the viewer, but also the usage procedure is cumbersome. On the other hand, in such a form, an advertisement that is not related to the content of the video content actually received is often displayed, and there is a problem that the advertising effect is poor.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a video distribution system capable of efficiently or effectively distributing related information such as advertisement distribution performed together with distribution of video content.

  A video distribution system according to the present invention includes a plurality of viewing terminals and a video distribution server that distributes a plurality of video contents to the viewing terminals via an IP network to which at least one Web server is connected. URL holding means for holding the URL using at least one of the Web servers as an associated Web server in association with each of the plurality of video contents, and the video content distributed for each viewing terminal. Selection for detecting video content display means to be displayed on the display screen of the viewing terminal and selection input for each viewing terminal with at least one of the video contents displayed on the viewing terminal as the selected video content In response to detection of the input detection means and the selection input, a URL corresponding to the selected video content is searched for and searched. Of a Web page to be delivered from the associated Web server corresponding to the resulting URL, and comprising a Web page display means for displaying on the display screen of the viewing terminal.

  According to the video distribution system of the present invention, a configuration is provided that distributes advertising information related to the content of video content that a viewer is actually listening to. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently and effectively distribute related information such as advertisement distribution that is performed together with the distribution of video content.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an overall configuration including a video distribution system according to the present invention. The video distribution system 10 includes a plurality of viewing terminals 201 to 20n (n is a positive number), a portal site server 40, and a video distribution server 50, each connected to the Internet 30. The Internet 30 is an IP network that is open to the public, but may instead be an intranet that is limited to a specific audience.

  A shopping site server 60 is connected to the Internet 30. The shopping site server 60 is a server for directly providing a shopping site to each of the viewing terminals 201 to 20n and selling various products according to purchase inquiries and purchase requests from the viewing terminals 201 to 20n. is there.

  The portal site server 40 is a server that provides an entrance site that is accessed when each of the viewing terminals 201 to 20n receives a video distribution service, that is, a portal site. Connected to the portal site server 40 is a content information database 41 that holds video information of each of a plurality of video contents and related URL information. The video distribution server 50 is a server that directly distributes a plurality of video contents covering various genres to each of the viewing terminals 201 to 20n. Each of the plurality of video contents is identified by video information such as a content ID determined for each video content. In the present embodiment, as an example, one each of the portal site server 40, the video distribution server 50, and the shopping site server 60 is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and there are a plurality of them. Also good.

  Each of the plurality of viewing terminals 201 to 20n is a normal personal computer, and particularly has a function capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of video contents on one display screen. As a method for realizing such a function, it is conceivable that one Web browsing function is provided with a plug-in function for simultaneous display, or one video viewer is provided with a plurality of Web browsing functions.

  FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the viewing terminal shown in FIG. Each of the viewing terminals 201 to 20n includes a network access unit 21, a Web display unit 22, a video playback unit 23, a video display unit 24, and a video selection unit 25. The network access unit 21 has a function of transmitting a content information acquisition request via the Internet 30 and a function of receiving content information, video content, and a Web page. The web display unit 22 has a function of simultaneously displaying the received web page on the display screen 29 together with the video content. The URL of the Web page is determined according to the content information (related URL information) received in advance.

  The video playback unit 23 has a function of decoding and expanding video content according to content information (video information) received in advance. The video display unit 24 has a function of simultaneously displaying a plurality of reproduced video contents on the display screen 29. The video selection unit 25 has a function of detecting a video content selection input that is input by moving the cursor on the display screen 29 and clicking. With this detection function, it is possible to arbitrarily change how each of the plurality of video contents is allocated and displayed in each of the plurality of partial display frames surrounded by the display frame of the display screen 29.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example on the display screen of the viewing terminal. Referring to one type example in FIG. 3A, the display screen 29 of the viewing terminal has a main screen 291, three sub-screens 292 to 294, and an advertisement screen 295 as a plurality of partial display frames surrounded by the display frame. It consists of. The main screen 291 is larger than the other screens 292-295. In each of the screens 291 to 295, different moving image and still image video contents are allocated and displayed in parallel. When any one of the sub-screens 292 to 294 is pointed and clicked by the cursor 299, the video content that has been displayed on the sub-screen and the video content that has been displayed on the main screen 291 are switched. Is displayed.

  Referring to another type example of FIG. 3B, the display screen 29 of the viewing terminal includes a main screen 291, a selected title display screen 297, and an advertisement screen as a plurality of partial display frames surrounded by the display frame. 295. Only the main screen 291 and the advertisement screen are displayed. On the selected title display screen 297, a plurality of selected titles 1 to m (m is a positive number) are displayed. When the selected title does not fit on the screen, the selection title display screen 297 can be selected by a scroll bar 298. When any one of the plurality of selected titles 1 to m is designated and clicked with the cursor 299, the video content corresponding to the selected title is displayed on the main screen 291.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the content information database shown in FIG. The content information database 41 includes tables 411 to 413 in which video information of a plurality of video contents is set in advance for each of the plurality of content groups A to C. In the present embodiment, three tables 411 to 413 are shown as an example, but the content information database 41 may include a number of tables corresponding to three or more content groups. One content group can be, for example, a group of multi-angle multiple video contents in one program.

  Referring to the table 411, video information and related URL information are set for each of a plurality of video contents included in the content group A. The video information includes at least a content ID, a distribution server name, a service port, and a protocol determined for the video content. The distribution server name is a name for identifying the distribution source of the video content. In this embodiment, the distribution server name indicates the video distribution server 50 (see FIG. 1). The service port is a number determined by the transmission method of the video content. 2 illustrates a compression encoding protocol for video content. In the related URL information, the URL of the Web page of the Web site related to the video content is set.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure performed jointly by the servers constituting the video distribution system. Here, a description will be given below on the assumption that one viewing terminal 20 receives provision of a video distribution service from the video distribution system 10 on behalf of the plurality of viewing terminals 201 to 20n shown in FIG.

  First, the viewing terminal 20 accesses the portal site server 40 that is an entrance for receiving a video distribution service via the Internet 30 and displays an entrance screen distributed from the portal site server 40 (step S1). FIG. 6 is referred to as a display example of the entrance screen. Next, the viewing terminal 20 requests the portal site server 40 to acquire content information via the Internet 30 by selecting video content including genre selection for the entrance screen (step S2). In response, the portal site server 40 transmits content information to the viewing terminal 20 (step S3).

  Next, the viewing terminal 20 determines the video information of the video content and the related URL information based on the received content information (step S4). Next, the viewing terminal 20 requests the video distribution server 50 to distribute video content based on the determined video information (step S5). The video content distribution request specifies, for example, a content group including a plurality of video contents corresponding to a plurality of shooting angles according to a viewer's program selection.

  In response to the distribution request, the video distribution server 50 distributes a plurality of video contents to the viewer terminal 20, and the viewer terminal 20 simultaneously displays them on the display screen (step S6). In this case, by default, it is possible to unconditionally display video content having a high priority among a plurality of contents on the main screen of the display screen of the viewing terminal 20.

  Here, it is assumed that a specific video content is selected in response to a selection input among a plurality of video contents displayed on the sub-screen. The viewing terminal 20 detects the selection input and displays the video content on the main screen (step S7). At the same time, the viewing terminal 20 searches the content information for a website related to the video content displayed on the main screen, and makes a delivery request for the web page corresponding to the URL obtained as a result of the search (step S8). Here, it is assumed that the Web page of the Web site is a Web site provided by the shopping site server 60. Therefore, the viewing terminal 20 makes a distribution request to the shopping site server 60. Next, in accordance with the viewer's operation, communication for sales and purchase of products is performed between the viewing terminal 20 and the shopping site server 60 via the advertisement screen (step S9).

  7 and 8 show display examples on the display screen of the viewing terminal. Here, an example is shown in which a performance stage in one broadcast program is displayed as a plurality of video contents by imaging from a plurality of angles.

  Referring to FIG. 7, on the display screen 29, the images of all the performers are displayed on the main screen 291, and the images of the performers are displayed on the plurality of sub-screens 292 to 294. Further, the advertisement screen 295 displays a web page of a company, for example, an ABC musical instrument website. The URL of the link destination is further embedded in the Web page, and when the viewer instructs and clicks on this, it is possible to transition to another Web page.

  Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown an example of a screen that is displayed by performing a selection input in which a cursor 299 designates and clicks on an image of a stringed instrument player on the sub-screen 294 in FIG. Here, the main screen 291 displays the video of the stringed instrument player that was previously displayed on the sub-screen 294, and the sub-screen 294 displays the video of all the players that were previously displayed on the main screen 291. Is done. At the same time, on the advertisement screen 295, a web page of “stringed instrument in the website of ABC musical instrument” is displayed as a web page of the website related to the video content of the main screen 291. In the Web page, a link destination URL such as “Click here to purchase” is embedded, and when the viewer instructs and clicks on this URL, the URL further transitions to another Web page such as “Purchase page”. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the portal site server and the video distribution server have been described as separate servers. However, the video distribution system according to the present invention is a single integrated function of the portal site server and the video distribution server. It can also be realized by a server.

  The video distribution system according to the present invention broadcasts a program in which a stage such as a concert or a fashion show is recorded from a plurality of angles using a plurality of cameras, and a specific Web site related to video contents from a selected angle. Including a configuration for guiding viewers to For example, by directing them to purchase sites for products related to concert members and clothing worn by fashion models, the Web business can be realized efficiently and effectively in response to changes in viewer preferences. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the advertisement information is displayed together with the display of the video content. However, the present invention is not limited, and various related information that is significant for the viewer is displayed together with the video content. Forms can also be included.

It is a block diagram which shows the Example of this invention and shows the whole structure containing the video delivery system by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the viewing-and-listening terminal shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the display screen of a viewing terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the content information database shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence of a video delivery system. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the entrance screen of a portal site. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the display screen of a viewing terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of a display when selection input is performed with respect to the example of a display of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Video distribution system 20, 201-20n Viewing terminal 21 Network access part 22 Web display part 23 Video reproduction part 24 Video display part 25 Video selection part 29 Display screen 30 Internet 40 Portal site server 41 Content information database 50 Video distribution server 60 Shopping Site server

Claims (6)

A video distribution system including a plurality of viewing terminals and a video distribution server for distributing a plurality of video contents to the viewing terminals via an IP network to which at least one Web server is connected,
URL holding means for holding the URL using at least one of the Web servers as an associated Web server in association with each of the plurality of video contents;
Video content display means for displaying the distributed video content on the display screen of the viewing terminal for each viewing terminal;
Selection input detection means for detecting a selection input in which at least one of the video contents displayed on the viewing terminal is selected video content for each of the viewing terminals;
In response to detection of the selection input, a URL corresponding to the selected video content is searched, and a Web page distributed from the related Web server corresponding to the URL obtained as a result of the search is displayed on the display screen of the viewing terminal. Web page display means;
A video distribution system comprising:   The video content display means allocates at least two of the distributed video content to each of a plurality of partial display frames surrounded by the display frame of the display screen, and assigns the allocated video content to a corresponding part. The video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the video distribution system displays simultaneously through a display frame.   3. The video distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the video content display means displays a partial display frame to which the selected video content is allocated larger than other partial display frames.   3. The video distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the video content display means displays only a partial display frame to which the selected video content is assigned.   3. The video according to claim 2, wherein the web page display means includes means for simultaneously displaying the web page together with the video content by assigning the web page to one of the partial display frames. Distribution system.   The web page display means includes means for transitioning to and displaying a new web page corresponding to the embedded URL in response to a transition command for the embedded URL embedded in the displayed web page. The video distribution system according to claim 2.

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