JP2011018382A - Apparatus and method for accumulating preference - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information distribution system providing content desired by each individual.SOLUTION: The information distribution system includes a home server 1 providing information about home appliances (electronic apparatuses such as television receiver 2, music device 3, personal computer 4) and preference information of a user via a network such as the Internet. The information distribution system further includes: an information center 5 providing use information provided by the home server 1 or original information originally collected or created, and an information device 6 that can use the use information of the home server 1 by accessing the information center 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a preference storage device and a preference storage method.

  In the modern information network society, the amount of information that can be handled on the Internet is rapidly increasing due to the constant connection of electrical information communication networks such as the Internet and the development of broadband (broadband). Along with this, video distribution services using the Internet, and services for distributing video shot by a video camera to an unspecified number of people using the Internet as personal broadcast stations are starting. These services are provided for the purpose of providing content collected or created by content providers to an unspecified number of users, or for individual users to show their video works to an unspecified number of users. Yes.

  Furthermore, services that provide home pages customized according to preferences from information collected by Internet users using the Internet are also spreading. In addition, video distribution services for communication devices such as mobile phones are starting. Further, it is possible to view a video by accessing a specific site using a mobile phone having a network connection function and selecting a video content that the user wants to see from the video distribution service site.

  Japanese Patent No. 2995177 proposes a stream distribution system. This stream information distribution system is an information distribution system that can receive a plurality of types of digital stream information, select and distribute information with high priority of user request, and has a limited transmission band range of the system It is a system for distributing selected information to a terminal device in an appropriate transmission band by changing the band allocation according to the situation. With this system, in particular, stream information such as multiple programs can be viewed from multiple channels at the same time, so the user can view the desired information from various stream information in real time and manipulate the bandwidth allocation of each stream information channel. Thus, continuous and appropriate bandwidth allocation can be realized without requiring such complicated procedures.

Japanese Patent No. 2995177

  The video distribution service as described above is provided by collecting or creating content by an information center that provides video, and presenting the content by incorporating it into a content menu at an Internet information center site. Then, the user selects a favorite channel from the content menu using an information device that can access the information center site, and views the video. However, when the information center collects or creates and provides the content, it is currently difficult to collect or create the content that is effective for many users.

  In addition, when the information center prepares content that matches each user's preference, the number of content becomes enormous, increasing the burden of managing the content by the information center. On the other hand, when the number of contents becomes enormous, the burden on the user of the information device increases the work of searching for his / her favorite contents from a large number of content menus.

  In addition, some personal broadcasters, such as personal broadcasters that distribute video shot with a video camera, aim to inform the world or specific friends of themselves by publishing their shots on the Internet. is there. The content provided by the personal broadcasting station is one of the contents of the video distribution service in a sense. However, the content distributed by this individual broadcast station may be content that is only of interest to some of the users who subscribe to the video distribution service.

  In recent years, with the development of network society, it has become possible to search for target content using a search engine incorporated in information equipment (for example, a personal computer) on a network where a wide variety of content is flooded. Yes. However, there is very little content that can be accepted by any user. For example, when it comes to video content, the best content is television video content created by a television station. In the case of the video content on the TV, it is a copyright problem that the information center, which is a third party other than the TV station, records it by some means and provides it on the network. In addition, it is difficult to purchase video contents of all televisions from an information center and provide them using a network, considering the economy. Therefore, even if it is accepted by a large number of users, it is impossible to distribute it on the network.

  Therefore, there has been a demand for an information distribution system that can provide favorite content according to each individual.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a preference storage device and a preference storage method capable of solving the above-described problems.

  The preference storage apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit that transmits / receives information to / from a plurality of terminal devices via a network, an authentication unit that authenticates user information output from the terminal device, and content by the terminal device The preference storage means for storing the preference information based on the usage of each user, the content storage means for storing the content, the user is identified by the authentication means when accessing from the terminal device, and the preference storage means is referred to Using the preference information corresponding to the user, the menu providing means for providing the content menu stored in the content storage means to the terminal device, the designated content specified using the content menu is read from the content storage means, and the designated content Content providing means for providing to the terminal device. According to this, favorite content can be provided according to each individual.

It is a schematic block diagram of an information delivery system. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a home server. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of an information center. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of information equipment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which an information center receives the information delivered by a household server. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which provides the content accumulated in the conversion information storage part of the home server, and content information to an information center. It is a figure for demonstrating the preference information of the preference information storage part of a home server, (a) is a figure which shows the mark sheet | seat for extracting preference information, (b) is a preference data is content utilization. (C) is a figure which shows the example in the case of inputting a user's keyword and extracting preference information, (d) is a figure for demonstrating the example in the case of being accumulate | stored automatically by (d). FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the setting of information provided to an information center, (e) is an automatic recording list stored in a home server, and (f) is a list of contents provided to an information center. It is a figure for demonstrating the list of utilization conditions. It is a figure for demonstrating the information which the information provision part of a domestic server provides to the apparatus in a home. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement when information is transmitted to the information center from the home server. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement until an information center produces a provision page for information apparatuses. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the provision page produced for information devices. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement at the time of accessing an information center using an information equipment, and selecting a content.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram of the information distribution system of the present embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates home devices connected to a user's home and a network such as the Internet. Hereinafter, the information distribution system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The information distribution system according to the present embodiment can provide information on household devices (electronic devices such as a receiver 2, a music device 3, and a personal computer 4) and user preference information via a network such as the Internet. The home server 1, the information center 5 that provides usage information provided from the home server 1, or original information that is collected or created independently, and accesses the information center 5 to use the usage information of the home server 1. It is comprised from the information apparatus 6 which can be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the home server 1 according to the present embodiment is connected to a television receiver 2, a music apparatus 3, and a personal computer 4 that receive and view distributed video. As long as the electronic device has information that can be provided to the information center 5, another electronic device may be connected. That is, the home server 1 of the present embodiment has a function of storing data such as stored data of each device and user preference information therein, or the home server 1 is connected to a network. What is necessary is just to have a means which can recognize the information of the apparatus which has it.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information center 5 of the present embodiment is a provider that provides information to the information device 6 via at least a network.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information device 6 according to the present embodiment is a mobile terminal having a communication function, which can be used regardless of inside or outside of the home, and functions and information for accessing the information center 5. It has a function of performing input for selecting a content menu provided by the center 5 and a function of using the selected content. The information device 6 according to the present embodiment is not a mobile terminal, but a fixed terminal represented by the television receiver 2, the music device 3, the personal computer device 4 and the like in FIG. The content may be available, and although not shown, the content is exchanged with other network devices such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and microwave ovens that can be connected to the network, or proxy devices such as personal computers. This includes devices that are not connected to a possible network.

  The network is a concept including all mechanisms capable of exchanging information in one direction (broadcasting using radio waves) or bidirectional (such as the Internet) between the information device 6 and the information center 5.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the home server 1 of the present embodiment. The home server 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. A communication unit 10 that transmits and receives information via a network is provided. A communication determination unit 11 is provided for performing the content check of the transmission / reception information of the communication unit 10, the timing of transmission / reception, and the security check of the information of transmission / reception. A distribution information receiving unit 13 for receiving distributed information such as television, radio, and PUSH type information distribution is provided. A reception information storage unit 12 that stores information including content acquired on the network via the communication unit 10 and information received by the distribution information reception unit 13 is provided.

  Moreover, the information conversion part 14 which converts the information accumulate | stored in the received information storage part 12 into the information which can be used for the information equipment 6 (a household apparatus is included) is provided. A conversion information storage unit 15 that stores the information converted by the information conversion unit 14 is provided. A preference information storage unit 16 is provided that stores preference information for each user regarding information acquired from various devices connected to the network, the information device 6, the information center 5, and the like. A control unit 17 that controls the entire home server 1 is provided. An information providing unit 18 is provided for providing information on the home server 1 when another device accesses the home server 1 via the network. The control unit 17 and the communication determination unit 11 determine whether or not there is an access via the information center 5 and whether or not the usage information stored in the information providing unit 18 should be used.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information center 5. The information center 5 of the present embodiment has the following configuration. A communication unit 20 that transmits and receives information via a network is provided. A communication determination unit 21 is provided for performing a content check in transmission / reception information of the communication unit 20 and a security check of the transmission / reception information. An authentication unit 22 that authenticates user information based on information from the home server 1 and information from the information device 6 is provided.

  Also, an information determination for determining whether the information sent from the home server 1 to the information center 5 is personal information or content, or whether the information server 6 has accessed the home server 1 for the purpose of using the content. The unit 23 is provided. A personal information storage unit 24 is provided for storing the information when the information determination unit 23 determines that the information is personal information. A personal content information storage unit 25 is provided for storing content or content information sent from the server 1 in the home.

  In addition, based on the information stored in the personal content information storage unit 25, there is provided an advertisement information storage unit 26 that stores advertisement information in the information center 5 for performing advertisements suitable for the individual. An information center content storage unit 27 that stores information center content provided by the information center 5 is provided. When a user is confirmed by access from the information device 6, it is stored in the personal content information storage unit 25, the advertisement information storage unit 26, the information center content storage unit 27, etc. based on the personal information in the personal information storage unit 24. The content creation unit 28 for creating a page for the user of the information device 6 using the stored information. A content providing unit 29 that provides a page for the user created by the content creating unit 28 is provided. A control unit 30 is in charge of overall control.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information device 6. The information device 6 of the present embodiment has the following configuration. A communication unit 35 is provided for exchanging information via the network. A control unit 36 that performs various controls of the information device 6 in general is provided. A personal information storage unit 37 that stores information for recognizing a device that has accessed the information center 5 such as personal information related to the user of the information device 6 and an authentication number unique to the information device 6 when the information center 5 is accessed. It has. In addition, an input unit 38 for a user to input an operation command or the like to the information device 6 is provided. Furthermore, a use unit 39 for using a command input by the input unit 38 or a menu displayed when accessing the information center 5 or using information from the information center 5 is provided.

  Here, the input unit 38 may be any input means that can realize the user's intention, such as voice input, in addition to a keyboard, button, or touch panel that can be input by the user by a pressing operation. . In addition, the utilization unit 39 may have any one function such as a character, image, or video display function, a voice output function that can use voice, or the like, and has a plurality of functions. It's okay.

  FIG. 5 explains in detail the operation of the home server 1 for receiving information distributed from the network, using a flowchart. Here, an example is given of video content distributed via a network. Information distributed via the network includes content itself and content information that is related to the content, and is received by the distribution information receiving unit 13 of the home server 1.

  The content described here as an example is content that is distributed at a fixed time, such as existing TV or radio, and what you want to see, such as video on demand, is downloaded via the network Content that can be streamed or content that is streamed from the information center 5 on the network. The content information is a content that allows the user to refer to the distribution content of the information center 5 when necessary, such as a schedule showing detailed information of the content to be distributed, or a content menu published in the information center 5. It is information about.

  When the distribution information receiving unit 13 receives information distributed via the network, the received information is temporarily stored in the reception information storage unit 12 (step S1). In step S1, the reception information stored in the reception information storage unit 12 is determined (step S2). This determination is to determine whether the content itself is content information.

  In the case of content information in step S2, the information conversion unit 14 converts the content information into a form optimal for the user (step S3). In this case, the conversion into the optimum form means providing a large amount of content information unidirectionally distributed from the information center 5 to the content that the user wants to use according to the user preference information storage unit 16. The conversion is performed so that it can be immediately clearly understood in the part 18. That is, if the user's preference information is stored in the preference information storage unit 16, the content information from the information center 5 is automatically converted into a form close to the user's preference. Here, the form close to the preference includes, for example, the fact that content information frequently used by the user looks large. A method of accumulating preference information will be described later.

  The content information converted in step S3 is stored in the information providing unit 18 (step S4). If the information received in step S2 is content, it is converted into optimal content according to the preference information storage unit 16 (step S5).

  The control unit 17 receives the distribution information based on the preference information stored in the preference information storage unit 16 to be described later, such as the content specified in advance by the user or the information most suitable for the user based on the preference information. This is the content instructed to be selected and received by the unit 13. The optimal content here is based on the preference information described later, for example, the optimal screen size, compression format, and TV program that the user often sees outside the home device that the user uses. The content is converted into an information form most suitable for the device to be used, based on preference information such as a movie broadcast viewed on the television receiver 2. Also, it is conceivable that the content is converted into a form that can be used by all the used devices without limiting the used devices. This is because there is a case where the content that has been viewed halfway on the information device 6 is returned and enjoyed on the television receiver 2.

  After the content is converted in step S5, it is determined where to use the converted content (step S6). This information on where to use is included in the setting shown in FIG.

  Of the content converted in step S6, the content converted for use by the information device 6 via the information center 5 is stored in the conversion information storage unit 15 (step S7). Content used without going through the information center 5 in step S6 is stored in the information providing unit 18 (step S4). In step S7, the content stored in the conversion information storage unit 15 is stored together with the content information until a command from the communication determination unit 11 is received.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the home server 1 that provides the information center 5 with the content or content information stored in the conversion information storage unit 15 in step S7. When the content and content information are stored in the conversion information storage unit 15, the control unit 17 of the home server 1 makes a predetermined determination before providing the content and content information to the information center 5 (step S11). Here, the predetermined determination is a determination as to whether or not there is no influence on the system when various functions of the home server 1 provide the center 5 with content and content information. When information cannot be provided to the information center 5 for some reason in step S11, the control unit 11 waits for timing again and proceeds to step S11. If content or content information can be provided in step S11, the communication determination unit 11 determines what information is provided based on the information stored in the storage unit 16 (step S12). The preference information can be selected by the user as to whether only the content information is provided or the content is provided together. When only content information is provided in step S12 (step S13), the content information is transmitted to the information center 5 via the communication unit 10 (step S14).

  When the content information is transmitted in step S14, the information is notified or recorded to the information providing unit 18 (step S16). The information providing unit 18 will be described later. In step S12, when providing content and content information (step S16), the information is transmitted to the information center 5 via the communication unit 10 (step S17). When the content and content information are transmitted in step S17, the information is notified to the information providing unit 18 and recorded (step S15). Here, only content information and content are transmitted, but other user preference information, messages, emergency information, presence / absence of mail, abnormal information in the home, and the like may be transmitted simultaneously.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the preference information of the preference information storage unit 16 of the home server 1. The preference information described here stores each piece of preference information as shown in FIG. 7 for each user or for each device connected to the network. User and device authentication is automatically performed when each device starts communicating with the home server 1. FIG. 7A shows a part of the approximate preference information stored in the preference information storage unit 16 of the home server 1. The general preference information is used to determine a user's general hobbies and preferences.

  In addition, a mark sheet is prepared in the preference information storage unit 16 of the home server 1 in advance, and the mark sheet can be changed when the information center 5 is accessed. FIG. 7A shows an example of a mark sheet displayed to collect preference information. In FIG. 7A, the user selects each item in three stages. This check is displayed and filled in when the user accesses the home server 1 for the first time using a certain device. In addition to this, when the mark sheet is changed from the information center 5, there is a request for entry from the home server 1 only for the changed portion. The user can cancel without filling out the mark sheet. In the three-stage evaluation, the points are set to like (+5), normal (± 0), and dislike (−5). Here, each item is illustrated in three stages, but it is only an example and any number of stages may be used. This general preference information is mainly effective when no other preference information is accumulated or when an advertisement is displayed for each device. Also, the points can be used as personal preference information in association with other preference information.

  FIG. 7B shows usage history information for each device connected to the home server 1 via a network. Here, the data is tabulated in a ranking format according to the number of uses for each keyword (small category) for each application (major category) used in a television receiver with a network connection function. For example, in an application whose major category is TV, programs, genres, entertainers, etc. are pointed to the number of times of use depending on the TV usage status. For example, when a TV distributed on a network is watched for a certain period of time, points are added to the program, genre, entertainer, and the like. Also, when the program is checked when the user likes it by looking at the program information, points are added when the program is searched, the Internet information or the like is checked, or the keyword is checked.

  Then, points are assigned by major classification, minor classification and TOTAL, and preference information based on the user's usage history is accumulated for each device. Furthermore, the TOTAL of the preference information based on the usage history for each device is summarized as shown in FIG.

  FIG.7 (c) is a figure which shows the example in the case of extracting a user's preference information using a keyword input. A user can input a keyword from each device connected to the home server 1 via a network, and in addition to being added as a point to the usage history of FIG. 7B, the mark sheet of FIG. May also be reflected. In any case, the information is prepared so that the user's intention is reflected by inputting a keyword for information desired by the user. This information can be input for each user device.

  FIG. 7D shows an example of setting information for determining what information is sent when the information converted by the information conversion unit 14 is stored in the conversion information storage unit 15 and sent to the information center 5. FIG. In FIG. 7D, usage history information is stored for each device, but content to be transmitted and stored in the information center 5 is determined with the usage history information of the information device 6 as the center. The number of contents stored in the information center 5 and the top number of program rankings to be sent to the information center 5, the number 1 and 2 of the entertainer rankings to be sent to the information center 5, The work is transmitted to the information center 5, the storage organization of unviewed programs in the information center 5, the type of content stored in the information center 5, and the like. What is shown using FIG. 7D is merely an example, and other information may be used as long as information for setting information necessary for transmitting information of the information center 5 is included.

  FIG. 7 (e) is an illustration of the contents stored in the home server 1 arranged in time series based on the information of FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (d). Information necessary for control by the control unit 17 of the home server 1 such as time, content type, and program name is included.

  FIG. 7F shows a list of the contents provided to the home server 1 among the contents provided to the information center 5, and the usage status of the contents, that is, what percentage of the total contents is used. It is a figure which shows the example in the case of displaying. This information is communicated between the information center 5 and the home server 1 at any time. That is, when viewing halfway in the home, the information device 6 on the go can be viewed from the middle. On the other hand, it is possible to view the contents viewed halfway with the information device 6 in the home by communicating the usage status as needed.

  The outline of the preference information storage unit 16 has been described above by way of example, but the content of the information stored in the preference information storage unit 16 is different depending on various information that is merely an example and can be handled by the home server 1.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining information of the information providing unit 18 of the home server 1. The various information stored in the information providing unit 18 is information that is introduced or provided from the home server 1 to other devices via the network, and that can use the information stored in the home server 1 (In FIG. 1, the television receiver 2, the music apparatus 3, the personal computer 4, and the information equipment 6) are used by accessing the home server 1. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the information of the home server 1 is provided in the HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the home server 1 is accessed from the television receiver 2, a program for referring to the distribution information (distribution time, program content, channel information, etc.) of the video to the television receiver 2. List button (A), List button (B) for browsing or selecting recorded video, video on TV, video that can be viewed immediately on video, live video, etc. Other buttons (C) , And an advertisement column (D) for displaying information necessary for accessing with the television receiver 2 and an advertisement that matches the user.

  When the program guide button (A) is pressed, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), a video program guide in which video distribution information is described in detail is displayed. This program guide displays a program guide of video that can be received by the home server 1 by channel and time, and after selecting a TV broadcast program guide, a stream broadcast program guide, a video on-demand program guide, etc. Based on the information in the preference information storage unit 16, a program that is likely to be viewed by the user is picked up from each program guide and when the program guide button (A) is pressed, the programs are arranged in descending order of preference. It may be.

  When the list button (B) is pressed, video content stored in the home server 1 or a device connected to the network, video that can be viewed immediately on video, video name such as library video, program content The program time is displayed as shown in FIG. 8B, and the user of the television receiver 2 can select a specific video from the list and view the video.

  When the other button (C) is pressed, a submenu button FIG. 8C is displayed, and various information distributed to the home server 1 and the network can be referred to or used. Here, music information, Internet news, mail, schedule, personal computer data, and the like are illustrated, but these buttons may be displayed in FIG.

  Here, as an example of accessing the information providing unit 18 of the home server 1 from the television receiver 2 and referring to the information, an example centered on video content is given, but the information is stored in the information providing unit 18 by each device used. It is assumed that the displayed information is not the same, and only information that can be used for each information use device is displayed. In the advertisement column (D), the optimum advertisement is displayed on the user terminal based on the preference information storage unit 16. For example, a button visible from the front panel of the refrigerator changes information provided by the information providing unit 18 by an information device such as a list of refrigerator contents, a household account book, and a bargain advertisement.

  The operation when information is transmitted from the home server 1 to the information center 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Information transmitted from the home server 1 is sent to the communication unit 20 of the information center 5 (step 20). The information received by the communication unit 20 in step S20 is checked by the communication determination unit 21 as to whether the information has been correctly received, whether it can be analyzed, whether it is infected with a virus, or the like (step S21).

  In the case of NG in step S21, this program ends and notifies the home server 1 that information is not accepted (step S22). If it is OK in step S21, the authentication unit 22 authenticates the personal information (step S23). The authentication here authenticates whether the information is registered in the information center 5 or not. If authentication fails in step S23, the program ends. If the authentication is successful in step S23, the content of the information distributed by the information determination unit 23 for each user is determined (step S24). When the content of the information is determined in step S24, the information is distributed (step S25).

  The content and content information transmitted from the home server 1 in step S25 are stored in the personal content information storage unit 25 (step S26). In step S25, content and personal information other than content information (preference information, messages, etc.) are stored in the personal information storage unit 24 (step S27). The content and content information stored in step S26 and step S27, and personal information other than the content and content are used when the information center 6 accesses the information center 5.

  Next, the operation until the information center 5 creates the provision page for the information device 6 when the information device 6 accesses the information center 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The user accesses the information center 5 in order to acquire information using the information device 6 (step S30). When the information device 6 accesses the information center 5 in step S30, the communication unit 20 of the information center 5 acquires personal information necessary for authentication or the like from the information device 6 (step S31). The personal information here is information stored in the personal information storage unit 37 of the information device 6, ID (identification) necessary for accessing the information center 5, password, information for determining the information device 6 ( The registered information, the size of the screen, and what content can be used) are accumulated, and the communication unit 20 of the information center 5 acquires such information. The personal information acquired in step S31 is authenticated by the authentication unit 22 (step S32).

  The authentication here is to authenticate whether or not the acquired personal information matches the personal information stored in the personal information storage unit 24 in advance. In the case of NG in step S32, this program ends, and a message such as “Please confirm registration” of the device is notified to the information device 6 (step S33). If the authentication is successful in step S32, the control unit 30 issues a provision command to the information determination unit 23 and the content creation unit 28 so as to provide information that matches the information device (step S34). When a provision command is issued in step S34, the content creation unit 28 accesses based on information in the personal information storage unit 24, the advertisement information storage unit 26, the personal content information storage unit 25, and the information center content storage unit 27. The provided page that matches the information device 6 is immediately created (step S35). The provided page created in step S35 is disclosed to the information device 6 in the content providing unit 29 (step S36).

  FIG. 11 is an example of a provision page created for the information device 6 created in step S36. In FIG. 11, the frame is divided into two upper and lower frames, and the lower frame is an advertisement frame. Advertisement information based on personal information in the personal information storage unit 24 is selected from the advertisement information storage unit 26 and displayed. In the present embodiment, since the preference information shown in FIG. 7B is accumulated for each device, it is possible to display an advertisement for each information device used by the individual. In the example of FIG. 11, text information is posted. In this example, a link destination is displayed as “mobile product service”, but this link destination is a link destination of an advertisement optimally displayed on the information device 6.

  In the present embodiment, the user's preference information is stored for each information device, so that it is possible to provide an optimal advertisement to the information device 6 and the user who are using it. Moreover, although the advertisement here is exemplified by text and a link, any advertising means such as a burner advertisement, a moving image, a still image, and sound may be used.

  The upper frame is a channel, and content can be used by selecting a program. In FIG. 11, there is channel information such as a channel, a content provider, a genre, a time (fee), a preference point, a usage status, and the like, which can be rearranged. The channel information may be any other channel information that can be included in the content, such as popularity ranking, creation date and time, and content release period.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that the content collected or created by the home server 1 is provided as a channel among the content channels provided by the information center 5 in a content distribution service or the like. That is, in FIG. 11, there are two contents, “Center” indicating the information center 5 and “Personal” indicating the home server 1. Thereby, it becomes possible to select and enjoy the contents of the information center 5 and the contents from the home server 1 on the same screen of the information center 5. Here, for the sake of explanation, only “Center” and “Personal” are classified, but “Center” also considers each content production company, classification for each production individual, classification for each content creation device as “Personal”, etc. It is done.

  In the present embodiment, when the information center 6 is used to access the information center 5, the content provided for each user is different. When each user accesses the same service, the content that can be used by two or more people, that is, an unspecified number of people, is the one whose content provider is a “center” and is personal. Although the content looks like the content of the information center 5, the content can be used only by the user who transmitted the content to the information center 5. It is also conceivable to provide “center” content by presenting different content for each user according to user preference information.

  Each content information will be described. The channel is a channel assigned by the information center 5. In the example, the content supplier is the place where the content is converted to the information device 6, the genre is the type of content such as news, drama, movie, music, etc. The time (fee) is the content playback When the communication unit 20 of the information center 5 determines the execution speed of the information device 6 in relation to time, and the content is fully reproduced from the communication fee system included in the personal information storage unit 37 of the information device 6 The price is displayed. The preference point is preference information based on user preference information.

  The usage status is a percentage display of what percentage of the content usage information is used. This usage status is displayed when the content is used in the information center 5, and in the present embodiment, the content stored in the home server 1 is used halfway by other home devices. In such a case, the usage status is included in the content information, and the information device 6 can use the content from the middle based on the usage status. That is, the usage status of the content provided to the information center 5 in FIG. 7F and the usage status of the “personal” content in FIG. 11 are constantly communicated with each other, and the usage status is confirmed in the information center 5 and the home server 1. I know. In addition, the content information can be rearranged based on the content information, and the preference information including “center” and “personal” content can be rearranged.

  FIG. 12 illustrates an operation when the information device 6 accesses the information center 5 and selects content in the provided information as shown in FIG. 11, using a flowchart. In step S36, channel information is provided to the information device 6 as shown in FIG. The user refers to the channel information displayed on the use unit 39 of the information device 6 and selects content to be used using the input unit 38 (step S40). The content providing unit 29 determines where the content of the selected content information is stored (step S41). When the content information provided in step S41 is included in the information center 5 (step S42), the selected content is called from the information center content storage unit 27 (step S43). The content called in step S43 is used by the information device 6 (step S44). The use here may be streaming for distributing video in real time, or a method for downloading content to the information device 6 and reproducing it. In the case of personal content in step S41 (step S45), the content information selected by the personal content information storage unit 25 is called (step S46). It is determined where the content itself is based on the content information called in step S46 (step S47). If the content is stored in the information center 5 in step S47, the content contained in the personal content information storage unit 25 is called from the content information (step S48). The content output in step S48 is used by the use unit 39 of the information device 6 (step S49). If the content is in the home server 1 in step S47, information on the home server 1 is acquired from the personal information content information storage unit 25 (step S50). The home server 1 is accessed based on the information acquired in step S50 (step S51). The information device 6 that has accessed the home server 1 from the information center 5 in step S51 accesses via the communication unit 10 and calls the content stored in the information providing unit 18 (step S52). The content read in step S52 is used by the use unit 39 of the information device 6 (step S53). As described above, the content provided as shown in FIG. 11 is used by the content providing unit 39 of the information center 5. At this time, the role of the information center 5 is to introduce information provided by the information center 5 to the information device 6 and information stored in the home server 1 on the information center 5.

  At this time, the content may exist in the information center 5, the home server 1, or other information devices of the network and the information center 5. However, the information device 6 can use the information by always accessing only the information center 5.

  In the above, the method of using the content reflected through the network has been described so far. In addition to storing the information distributed on the network in the information center 5, for example, the URL that is always used on the Internet The home server 1 circulates the new arrival information of (Uniform Resource Location), etc., compares it with the previous time, and the collected new arrival information can also be the content. Further, by acquiring or grasping information on various devices in the home by the home server 1, the information providing unit 18 can customize the information necessary for each other user in FIG. 8C. .

Hereinafter, effects obtained when the information distribution system of the present embodiment is used will be described.
According to this embodiment, a digital information system using a communication network, in particular, information stored at home is automatically communicated to a network information center according to use, and the information center provides the information. Like the original content, personal content is provided as a similar channel, and the personal content can be used in the same way as the original content.

  In the present embodiment, when content is used by the information device 6, the content of the information center 5 and the home server 1 can be used by accessing the information center 5. The user of the information device 6 can use the information in the home as if using the content provided by the information center 5. The home server 1 has a feature that personal user preference information can be accumulated based on information of each device that is used daily, and the content to be provided to the information center 5 is determined based on the information. Compared with content provided only by the information center 5, personalized content that can be received at home is effective when the information device 6 is used.

  That is, the content provided to the information center 5 becomes more effective content for the user, and at the same time, the trouble of collecting the content for the information center 5 to make the service effective for the user is reduced. Further, conventionally, before taking out the information device 6, it is necessary to store the information that the user needs to access and store it in a recording medium or the like in advance before accessing the home server 1. Sex is lost.

  In addition, video distribution using mobile phones is starting gradually, but users can only see the content provided by the information center, so if the content is not collected in the video distribution service, it will not spread However, by using the information matched with me that can be acquired in the home based on the preference information of the devices in the home via the information center, it can be an opportunity for the user to use the service of the information center 5.

  Further, by using the preference information, it is possible to provide optimal content that can be used by the information device 6 and to provide optimal advertisement information for the information device 6. In addition, for example, if the advertisements on the mobile phone and the computer are the same, the user will not be able to obtain the most appropriate information, even though he / she uses various information devices according to usage or usage, In addition, although a business operator who wants to place an advertisement cannot place an accurate advertisement, in this embodiment, since preference information for each user of the information device is used, each information device to be accessed corresponds to the user. The optimal advertisement can be displayed.

  In addition, in order to provide the information center with content that matches the personal preference processed by the server in the home, and to use the content by accessing the information center using information equipment, the content provided from the home server is It can be explicitly shown as a menu along with the content provided by the information center. The home server receives content that matches the user's preference, converts it into data that can be received, stored, and played back by the information device, and provides the content to the information center used by the user. The content provided to the information center is stored in the user's storage area. When the service user accesses the information center using the information device, the user is authenticated and the content menu is presented. The content menu displays the content menu provided by the information center and the content menu provided from the home server, and the information center also provides the content according to the user's preference by selecting the menu. You can also enjoy content.

  In other words, it is possible to select content stored in home devices as if it is provided by the information center, and enjoy the user's original content. For example, it is possible to enjoy recorded data on an information device with a television recording device in the home. Of course, in addition to the distribution video such as a TV program, information that matches personal preference on the Internet collected by the home server, digital data on the home network, and the like can be used by accessing the information center. The content provided from the home server can only be used by the user, and is the most suitable content for the user himself.

  In the above embodiment, the content includes digital or analog data including moving images, images, sounds, books, information, text data, software, and the like, and the like. In addition, although it is described as a home server, any server can be used as long as it can provide users of information equipment with original content to be used outside the information center. It is not limited to what is installed in the home of the user of the device.

The features of the invention disclosed in the embodiments will be summarized below.
(1) The information collection and creation terminal device according to the present embodiment can communicate via an information providing device (information center 5) capable of providing various types of information to the information using terminal device and an electrical information communication means (network). Use information storage means (conversion information storage unit 15, information providing unit 18) for storing use information collected or created in the information collection / creation terminal device. When the information collection terminal device is accessed through the information providing device using the information use terminal device, the usage information stored in the usage information storage means can be used. Use control means (communication discrimination unit 11 and control unit 17).

  According to said structure, the utilization information of an information collection creation terminal device can be utilized by an information utilization terminal device via an information provision apparatus.

  (2) The information collection / creation terminal device according to the present embodiment is the information collection / creation terminal device according to (1), wherein the preference data extraction means for extracting the user's preference data of the information collection / creation terminal device ( 7, a preference data accumulation unit (preference information accumulation unit 16) that accumulates the preference data extracted by the preference data extraction unit, and the preference data accumulation. Collecting / creating means (control unit 17, distribution information receiving unit 13) for collecting or creating the usage information based on preference data stored in the means.

  According to said structure, the utilization information based on the user preference data of an information collection creation terminal device can be collected or created.

  (3) The information collection / creation terminal device according to the present embodiment is the information collection / creation terminal device according to (2), wherein the preference data extraction unit inputs an evaluation of the usage information to the information collection / creation terminal device. Thus, the preference data is extracted (FIG. 7A).

  According to said structure, the utilization information based on the preference data according to a user's evaluation can be collected or created.

  (4) The information collection / creation terminal device according to the present embodiment is the information collection / creation terminal device according to (2), wherein the preference data extraction unit extracts the preference data using the number of uses of the usage information. (FIG. 7B).

  According to said structure, the utilization information based on the preference data according to the user's utilization frequency can be collected or created.

  (5) The information collection / creation terminal device according to the present embodiment is the information collection / creation terminal device according to any one of (2) to (4), based on the preference data stored in the preference data storage unit. Transmission information content determination means (communication determination unit 11, S12) for determining the content of the usage information to be transmitted to the information providing apparatus is provided.

  According to said structure, the utilization information based on preference data can be transmitted to an information provision apparatus.

  (6) The information collection / creation terminal apparatus according to the present embodiment is an information collection / creation terminal apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the usage information is adapted to the use of the information utilization terminal apparatus. Is provided with information conversion means (information conversion unit 14).

  According to said structure, when using the utilization information of an information collection creation terminal device using an information utilization terminal device, utilization becomes easy.

  (7) The information collection / creation terminal device according to the present embodiment is the information collection / creation terminal device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the usage status determination unit is configured to determine the usage status of the usage information. (FIG. 7F).

  According to said structure, utilization information can be utilized in an information utilization terminal device according to a utilization condition.

  (8) The program according to the present embodiment is a computer-readable program for operating the information collection / creation terminal device according to any one of (1) to (7).

  According to said program, the information collection creation apparatus which can utilize utilization information via an information provision apparatus by an information utilization terminal apparatus can be operated.

  (9) The recording medium of the present embodiment is a recording medium on which the program described in (8) is recorded.

  According to the recording medium described above, the information collection and creation terminal device can be operated to use the usage information via the information providing device by the information usage terminal device using the recorded program.

  (10) The information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment can provide various types of information to the information use terminal device, and collects or creates use information via an electrical information communication means (network). An information providing device (information center 5) capable of communicating with a device, and providing use information for making the use information available when the information providing device is accessed using the information using terminal device Means (authentication unit 22, information determination unit 21, content creation unit 28, content provision unit 29, control unit 30) are provided.

  According to said structure, the utilization information transmitted from the information collection creation terminal device can be used for what was accessed using the information utilization terminal device.

  (11) In the information providing apparatus according to (10), when the information providing apparatus is accessed, the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment determines whether the use of the usage information is to be performed. The access information providing means (authentication unit 22) is provided, and the usage information providing means performs the access on condition that it is determined that what has been accessed by the access discrimination means should use the usage information. The usage information is made available to the user.

According to the above configuration, the usage information is prevented from being used due to unauthorized access.
(12) The information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment is the information providing apparatus according to (10) or (11), provided information storing means (information center content) for storing provided information collected or created by the information providing apparatus. The usage information providing means can provide the provided information accumulated by the provided information accumulating means together with the usage information.

  According to said structure, the information which the information provision apparatus side provides and the information which the information collection creation terminal device side provides can be provided together.

  (13) The information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment is the information providing apparatus according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein the registrant or the registered in advance is registered prior to the use of the information of the information providing apparatus. Unique information storage means (personal information storage unit 24) for storing information unique to the information utilization terminal device, and provision information creation for creating provision information corresponding to the unique information stored in the unique information storage means Means (content creation unit 28), and the usage information providing means can provide provided information corresponding to the unique information in addition to the usage information.

  According to said structure, the information provision terminal device side can provide the information suitable for a user based on intrinsic | native information.

  (14) The information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment is the information providing apparatus according to (13), wherein the information providing apparatus stores advertisement information for advertising other information different from both the usage information and the provided information. Storage means (advertisement information storage unit 26), wherein the usage information providing means includes the unique information selected from the advertising information storage means in addition to the usage information and the provision information corresponding to the unique information. Provide advertisement information corresponding to.

According to said structure, the advertisement information suitable for the user of utilization information can be provided.
(15) The program according to the present embodiment is a computer-readable program for operating the information providing apparatus according to any one of (10) to (14).

  According to the above program, the information providing apparatus can be operated in order to use the utilization information transmitted from the information collection / creation terminal apparatus.

  (16) The recording medium of the present embodiment is a recording medium on which the program described in (15) is recorded.

  According to the recording medium described above, the information providing apparatus can be operated in order to use the usage information transmitted from the information collection / creation terminal apparatus by the recorded program.

  (17) The information utilization terminal device according to the present embodiment uses the utilization information transmitted from the information collection / creation terminal device (home server 1) that collects or creates information via the electrical information communication means (network). An information use terminal device (information device 6) capable of communicating with an information providing device (information center 5) to be provided, receiving means (communication unit 35, control unit 36) for receiving the use information, and the receiving unit Usage information function exhibiting means (utilization unit 39) for converting the usage information received by the function into a form in which the function of the usage information is exhibited.

  According to said structure, the utilization information collected or produced by the information collection creation terminal device can be utilized using an information utilization terminal.

  (18) The information use terminal device according to the present embodiment is the information use terminal device according to (17), wherein the information use device is registered in advance in the information providing device or information unique to the registrant registered in the information providing device in advance. If the information providing terminal device transmits the unique information to the information providing terminal device and is approved by the information providing device by the unique information, the usage information function exhibiting unit displays the usage information. In the form

  According to said structure, it is prevented that it utilizes for the thing which does not utilize utilization information originally.

  (19) The information use terminal device according to the present embodiment is the information use terminal device according to (17) or (18), wherein the information providing device is accessed to access any one of the plurality of use information. Selection means (input unit 38) for selecting usage information, and usage information reading for causing the information usage terminal apparatus to read the usage information selected by the selection means from the information providing apparatus or the information collection creating terminal apparatus Means (control unit 36).

According to said structure, it becomes possible to select utilization information and to utilize it.
(20) In the information use terminal device according to any one of (17) to (19), the information use terminal device according to the present embodiment is configured such that the information creation source is the information providing device and the information collection / creation terminal device. An information creation source discriminating means (control unit 36, S41) for discriminating which one of them is included.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine and access a provider of usage information.
(21) In the information use terminal device according to any one of (17) to (20), the information use terminal device according to the present embodiment is configured such that the location where the use information is stored is the information providing device and the information use device. Use information storage location determination means (S47) for determining which of the information collection and creation terminal devices is used.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine and access the usage information storage location.

  (22) The information use terminal device according to the present embodiment is the information use terminal device according to any one of (17) to (21), wherein the use information function is exhibited based on information on a use status of the use information. The means is provided with a usage status corresponding control means (control unit 36) that performs the function of the usage information in a form corresponding to the usage status of the usage information.

According to said structure, it becomes possible to use utilization information according to a utilization condition.
(23) The program according to the present embodiment is a computer-readable program for operating the information utilization terminal device according to any one of (17) to (22).

  According to the above program, the information utilization terminal device can be operated in order to use the utilization information collected or created by the information collection creation terminal device.

  (24) The recording medium of the present embodiment is a recording medium on which the program described in (23) is recorded.

  According to the above recording medium, the information utilization terminal device can be operated in order to use the utilization information collected or created by the information collection creation terminal device by the recorded program.

  (25) The information distribution system according to the present embodiment uses the usage information collected or created by the information collection creation device by accessing the information providing device that provides various types of information to use the usage information. An information distribution system for distributing to a usage terminal device, wherein the usage information storage means for storing usage information collected or created in the information collection creation terminal device, and the information using the information usage terminal device An information distribution system comprising usage control means for making the usage information available when the providing device is accessed.

  According to the above information distribution system, the usage information collected or created by the information collection / creation terminal device can be used by using the information usage terminal device via the information providing device.

  (26) The information distribution method according to the present embodiment uses the usage information collected or created by the information collection / creation device by accessing the information providing device that provides various types of information. An information distribution method for distributing to a use terminal device, the step of accumulating use information collected or created in the information collection creation terminal device, and the information providing device using the information use terminal device And a step of making the usage information available when it is accessed.

  According to the information distribution system, the information collection and creation terminal device used therefor, the information provision device, the information utilization terminal device, the program for operating them, the recording medium on which the program is recorded, and the information distribution method, the information utilization terminal The usage information of the information collection / creation terminal device can be used by the device via the information providing device.

  According to said method, the utilization information of an information collection creation terminal device can be utilized by an information utilization terminal device via an information provision apparatus.

  In addition, it should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Home server, 2 Television receiver, 3 Music device, 4 Personal computer, 5 Information center, 6 Information equipment, 10 Communication part, 11 Communication judgment part, 12 Reception information storage part, 13 Distribution information reception part, 14 Information conversion part 15 conversion information storage unit 16 preference information storage unit 17 control unit 18 information providing unit 20 communication unit 21 communication determination unit 22 authentication unit 23 information determination unit 24 personal information storage unit 25 personal content information Storage unit 26 Advertising information storage unit 27 Information center content storage unit 28 Content creation unit 29 Content provision unit 30 Control unit 35 Communication unit 36 Control unit 37 Personal information storage unit 38 Input unit 39 Use Department.

Claims (9)

A communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from a plurality of terminal devices via a network;
Authentication means for authenticating user information output from the terminal device;
Preference storage means for storing preference information based on the use of content by the terminal device for each user;
Content storage means for storing the content;
The content menu stored in the content storage means is identified by specifying the user by the authentication means at the time of access from the terminal device, and using the preference information corresponding to the user with reference to the preference storage means. Menu providing means for providing to the terminal device;
A preference accumulation device comprising: content provision means for reading designated content designated using the content menu from the content accumulation means and providing the designated content to the terminal device.   The preference storage device according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit authenticates device information output from the terminal device, and the preference storage unit stores the preference information for each terminal device.   The preference storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the menu providing unit provides only usable content that can be used for each terminal device.   2. The preference storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content storage unit stores the content acquired via the communication unit based on information stored in the preference storage unit.   The preference storage device according to claim 1, wherein the content storage unit stores a location on the network where the content entity is stored.   The preference storage device according to claim 1, wherein the content providing unit enables continuous use of specific content by different terminal devices that share the user information among the plurality of terminal devices. An advertisement storage means for storing advertisement information;
The preference storage device according to claim 1, wherein the content providing unit selects an advertisement corresponding to the user from the advertisement storage unit based on the preference information and provides the advertisement to the terminal device. An advertisement storage means for storing advertisement information;
The preference storage device according to claim 1, wherein the content providing unit selects an advertisement corresponding to the terminal device from the advertisement storage unit based on the preference information and provides the advertisement to the terminal device. Authentication means for authenticating user information output from the terminal device by communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from a plurality of terminal devices via a network;
Accumulating the preference information by preference accumulating means for accumulating preference information based on the use of content by the terminal device for each user;
An accumulation step of accumulating the content by content accumulating means for accumulating the content;
The content menu stored in the content storage means is identified by specifying the user by the authentication means at the time of access from the terminal device, and using the preference information corresponding to the user with reference to the preference storage means. Providing a menu to the terminal device;
A preference accumulation method comprising: a content provision step of reading designated content designated using the content menu from the content accumulation means and providing the designated content to the terminal device.

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