JP4643068B2 - Content distribution system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a content distribution system that distributes content stored in a home server to a mobile terminal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, if it is inconvenient when the program you want to watch is broadcast, record the program on a video or digital TV hard disk, etc., and play and watch the recorded program when there is free time Was.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the recorded program can only be viewed in the presence of a playback device such as at home, there is a problem that when the user is busy, the recorded program ends without viewing.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to distribute contents accumulated by a user on a home server at home to a mobile terminal on the go so that the user can accumulate at home from anywhere at any time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content distribution system that enables viewing of the content being played.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a content that connects a management server, a home server owned by a user, and a mobile terminal, and distributes content stored in the home server to the mobile terminal. It relates to a distribution system.
  Here, the management server accepts information for identifying the user, information for identifying the home server, and information for identifying the mobile terminal, and a user registration means for registering the user, and the user registration means Authentication data generation means for generating authentication data for confirming that the user has been registered in (1) and the authentication data generated by the authentication data generation means are transmitted to the home server and the portable terminal. Transmitting means.
  The mobile terminal transmits authentication data received from the management server to the home server, content list requesting means for requesting a content list of content stored in the home server, designation of target content from the content list, and transmission of the content to the content Content requesting means for transmitting the specific conditions concerned and means for reproducing the content distributed from the home server.
  The home server evaluates the image data with respect to the content and the storage means for storing the content list of the content, and extracts the image data immediately after the variation occurs in the image data, and the image data Image time index means for adding an image time index based on the time of the image, and for the audio data of the content, a portion below the predetermined level of the audio data is cut, and the audio time index is added based on the time of the audio data Based on the audio time index means, the means constituting the unit as the minimum viewing unit by the correspondence between the image time index and the audio time index, the authentication data transmitted from the management server, and the terminal authentication data transmitted from the terminal User authenticator that authenticates the device And means for transmitting a content list to the authenticated mobile terminal; content distribution means for processing the target content specified from the authenticated mobile terminal in units based on specific conditions and distributing the processed content to the mobile terminal; Have
[0006]
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the user can view the contents stored in the home server at home from anytime and anywhere on the mobile terminal.Further, since the unit, which is the smallest unit that can be viewed, can be generated and the content can be played back at an arbitrary playback time, the user can watch the content at the desired playback time. In addition, since the content list of the content stored in the home server is provided to the mobile terminal, the user can check the content stored in the home server on the mobile terminal. In addition, since the management server sends the information necessary for registering the user and receiving the service of this system to the home server and the mobile terminal, the user can receive the service by the content distribution system. You can watch the content stored on your home server on your mobile device anytime, anywhere.
[0007]
  Here, the specific condition includes a reproduction time designated by the user, and the content distribution means distributes the content processed in units of units based on the reproduction time.
Thereby, since the user can designate the playback time of the content, the user can view the content with the desired playback time.
[0008]
  Here, the specific condition includes a playback type of full playback or digest version playback, and a rate of shortening the playback time of the content when digest version playback is designated. The content distribution means includes the playback method and the playback time. Based on the above, content processed in units is distributed.
Accordingly, since the user can specify the rate of shortening the playback time when the content playback type is specified and the digest version playback is specified, the user can view the content at the desired type and the rate of reduction.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a content distribution system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
1. System configuration
As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 1 of the present embodiment stores a management server 2 that performs processing such as user registration and usage fee billing in this system, and information related to users registered in this system. A user information database 3, a service information database 4 for storing information necessary for services provided by this system, a content holder 5 for producing and supplying content, and a program by CS broadcast or BS digital broadcast A broadcasting station 6 that broadcasts, a home server 9 that receives the broadcast content, stores it in the storage unit 7 and displays it on the digital TV 8, and a mobile phone that receives content from the home server 9 and provides the user with the content The terminal 10 is configured.
[0027]
Here, the management server 2, the content holder 5, the home server 9, and the mobile terminal 10 are connected by a communication network 11, and are configured by communication lines such as the Internet, dial-up, dedicated line, wireless connection, ADSL, and FTTH. Communication network.
[0028]
In addition, the management server 2 receives user personal information, information for specifying a home server, information for specifying a portable terminal, etc., and a user registration means 21 for registering a user, and the user An authentication data generating unit 22 that generates authentication data for confirming that the user registered by the registration unit 21 is registered, and authentication data and information for receiving a service by this system are recorded. Program transmitting means 23 for transmitting the program file or the like to the home server 9 and the portable terminal 10.
[0029]
The management server 2 is a server installed in a data center that manages the system, is managed by a so-called Internet provider, and is connected to a host computer (not shown) via the Internet. When an access is made from the user's home server 9 via the communication network 11, a registration screen is provided and processing such as billing is performed.
[0030]
The home server 9 receives the broadcasted content and stores it in the storage unit 7, and when there is a distribution request for the content stored in the storage unit 7, the mobile terminal that has transmitted the distribution request The user authentication means 92 that receives the authentication data from 10 and confirms that it is a registered mobile terminal and permits the distribution of the content, and when the content distribution is permitted, is stored in the storage unit 7. A content distribution means 93 for distributing the target content designated by the user to the mobile terminal 10 from the content, and a content list for generating the content list of the content stored in the storage unit 7 and providing the content list to the mobile terminal 10 Providing means 94.
[0031]
Although the home server 9 is described separately from the digital television 8 in FIG. 1, it may be installed in the digital television 8 or may be installed in other devices such as a DVD recorder and a video deck. Good. Furthermore, an apparatus such as a set top box may be used.
[0032]
The mobile terminal 10 is a device such as a mobile phone or a PDA. When the user wishes to distribute the content, the mobile terminal 10 transmits the authentication data to the home server 9 and the home server 9 When the distribution of the content is permitted, the user is prompted to specify the target content desired to be distributed, the content request means 102 that requests the home server 9 to distribute the specified target content, and the target content Content reproduction means 103 that receives and reproduces data from the home server 9 is included.
[0033]
Further, in the user information database 3, as personal information of each user, the device ID of the user's home server, the phone number connected to the home server, the user's mobile phone number, the settlement method, and the content viewing status The service information database 4 stores information such as a service use program file and an EPG (electronic program guide) in which an application for using the service is recorded.
[0034]
The storage unit 7 stores information such as MPEG2 data, MPEG4 data, metadata, content list, authentication data, EPG, and unit of the received content.
[0035]
2. Operation explanation
Next, each process performed by the content distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0036]
2-1. registration process
First, a user registration process by the content distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0037]
A user who intends to use the service provided by the content distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment accesses the management server 2 from the home server 9 at home (S201).
[0038]
Then, the management server 2 presents the service TOP screen as shown in FIG. 3 to the user (S202), and the user selects “new application” on this service TOP screen and applies for the service use as shown in FIG. The screen is opened (S203).
[0039]
Then, the user inputs the telephone number of the telephone connected to the home server at home, the telephone number of the mobile telephone to be registered, and the settlement method on the service usage application screen (S204).
[0040]
At this time, a plurality of mobile phones can be registered. As a settlement method, it is possible to select from settlement methods such as bank withdrawal with a registered account, bank withdrawal by opening a new account, bank transfer, credit card payment, and the like.
[0041]
When the registration content is input in this way, a registration content confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (S205). If the user confirms the registration content and there is no mistake, the transmission button is selected and the registration content is managed by the management server. 2 (S206). At this time, the machine ID recorded on the B-CAS card or C-CAS card is also transmitted to the management server 2 at the same time.
[0042]
When the management server 2 receives the registered content of the user, the management server 2 first stores and registers the received personal information of the user in the user information database 3 (S207), and issues authentication data. (S208).
[0043]
This authentication data is encrypted data for confirming the individual user.
[0044]
Next, the management server 2 reads a service use program file in which information such as an application necessary for using this service is recorded from the service information database 4 (S209), and the service use program file and authentication data are registered. It is transmitted to the home server 9 and the portable terminal 10 of the user (S210).
[0045]
The home server 9 stores the received authentication data in the storage unit 7 (S211), and automatically installs the service use program file (S212).
[0046]
Similarly, the received authentication data is also stored in the mobile terminal 10 (S213), the service use program file is automatically installed (S214), and the user registration process in the content distribution system of the present embodiment ends.
[0047]
2-2. List processing of service target contents
Next, the content listing process stored in the home server 9 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0048]
First, when content is broadcast by the broadcast station 6 (S601), the home server 9 receives the content and stores it in the storage unit 7 (S602).
[0049]
Then, the home server 9 checks whether or not there is an electronic program guide corresponding to the stored content (S603). If there is no electronic program guide, the home server 9 requests the electronic program guide from the management server 2 (S604). ). In response to this request, the management server 2 transmits an electronic program guide to the home server 9 (S605).
[0050]
When there is an electronic program guide in step S603, or when the electronic program guide is transmitted from the management server 2, the program code is matched with the electronic program guide (S606), and the stored contents are described. A content list is created (S607).
[0051]
Then, the content list is stored in the storage unit 7 (S608), and the list processing of the service target content is completed.
[0052]
2-3. Indexing processing of service target content
Next, the indexing process of the content stored in the home server 9 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0053]
First, when content is broadcast by the broadcasting station 6 (S701), the home server 9 receives the content and stores it in the storage unit 7 (S702).
[0054]
Then, the home server 9 reads the stored content, first performs MPEG2 decoding (S703), and then performs MPEG4 encoding processing, audio indexing processing, and image indexing processing in parallel.
[0055]
First, the MPEG4 encoding process will be described. A scaling process is performed on the decoded MPEG2 data (S704), and then MPEG4 is encoded to generate an MPEG4 data file (S705). The generated MPEG4 data file is stored in the storage unit 7 (S706).
[0056]
Next, the audio indexing process and the image indexing process will be described. Here, as an example, a description will be given of a scene in which a Matsui player of Giants hits a goodbye home run in a professional baseball broadcast content.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 8, Matsui swings at time t = 0, and then a hit ball jumps into the stand to show a delightful bench, and Matsui goes around the base and finishes at t = 10. In the case of a scene, first, an image index and an audio index are added to the decoded MPEG2 data at intervals of a predetermined time interval (S707, 708). In FIG. 8, a 10-second scene is divided at 1-second intervals, image indexes M1 to M10 are added, and audio indexes V1 to V10 are added.
[0058]
Then, the variation of the motion vector image is evaluated for the image data (S709), and the image data immediately after the variation is extracted is extracted (S710). In this motion vector image, variation occurs when the scene is switched. For example, in FIG. 8, the motion vector image varies when a scene in which Matsui swings is switched to a scene in which the hit ball jumps into the stand.
[0059]
Therefore, when the image data immediately after the variation is extracted, the first scene after the image is switched can be extracted. As a result, in FIG. 8, image data of M1, M4, M6, and M9 are extracted, a scene in which Matsui swings, a scene in which a hit ball jumps into the stand, a scene that reflects a joyful bench, and a scene in which Matsui goes around the base Each is extracted.
[0060]
When the image data is extracted in this way, an image time index is added to the extracted image data (S711). This image time index is added based on the time of the extracted image data.
[0061]
For example, in FIG. 8, since the image data of M1, M4, M6, and M9 are extracted, the start time of the image data M1 is t = 0, so the image time index of MT0 is added at the start of the image data M1. The Similarly, the MT3 image time index is added at the start of the image data M4, the MT5 image time index is added at the start of the image data M6, and the MT8 image time index is added at the start of the image data M9.
[0062]
On the other hand, for the audio data, when the audio indexes V1 to V10 are added (S708), the audio is cut for a portion where the output level of the audio data is below a certain level, and the remaining audio data is extracted (S712). .
[0063]
For example, in FIG. 8, V3 and V4 audio data after Matsui swings and the announcer says “Matsui is big” is cut because the output level is below a certain level, and similarly the sound below the certain level is cut. As a result of cutting the data, audio data of V1, V2, V5, V7, and V8 is extracted.
[0064]
Then, an audio time index is added to the extracted audio data (S713). This audio time index is added based on the time of the extracted audio data.
[0065]
For example, in FIG. 8, since the start time of the audio data V2 is t = 1, the audio time index of VT1 is added at the start of the audio data V2. Similarly, since the start time of the audio data V5 is t = 4, An audio time index is added at the start of the audio data V5. Then, the audio time indexes of VT2 and VT3 are added at equal intervals between VT1 and VT4 as shown in FIG.
[0066]
When the audio time index and the image time index are thus added, a unit is created based on the time index (S714). This unit is the smallest unit that can be viewed, and is generated by associating an audio time index with an image time index.
[0067]
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, since the image time index at the start of the image data M4 is MT3, a unit is created so that the display of the image data M4 is started when the audio time index becomes VT3. The unit is created so that the display of the image data M6 starts when the sound time index becomes VT5, and the display of the image data M9 starts when the sound time index becomes VT8.
[0068]
Thus, when units are created for all scenes of the content, they are stored as metadata in the storage unit 7 (S706), and the indexing process for the service target content ends.
[0069]
2-4. Content distribution (download) processing
Next, content distribution processing to the mobile terminal 10 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 10, a user who desires to distribute content to the mobile terminal 10 displays a service TOP screen as shown in FIG. 11 on the mobile terminal 10 (S1001).
[0071]
Then, the user selects a service such as a content list reference or an unplayed list reference from the service TOP screen (S1002), and connects to the home server 9 to register authentication data registered in the mobile terminal 10 in advance. Data is transmitted to the home server 9 (S1003).
[0072]
Then, the home server 9 compares the received authentication data with the authentication data registered in the home server 9 to perform matching (S1004). If they do not match, the home server 9 transmits an unusable notification to the mobile terminal 10 ( S1005).
[0073]
When the authentication data matches, the home server 9 transmits the content list to the mobile terminal 10 (S1006), and the user wishes to play the mobile terminal 10 from the content list confirmation screen as shown in FIG. The content to be selected is selected (S1007).
[0074]
When the user selects content, the playback method is selected (S1008). In the selection of the reproduction method, first, the reproduction method is selected from full reproduction, digest version reproduction, reproduction time designation, and time zone designation on the reproduction method selection screen as shown in FIG.
[0075]
Here, full playback refers to playback of all content, and digest playback refers to playback of content shortened to one-half or one-third. Also, the playback time designation is to shorten the playback time specified by the user to play the content, and the time zone designation is a specified time zone such as the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes in the content. Is to play.
[0076]
When the user selects the digest version playback as the playback method, the digest version playback time is selected from 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 on the selection screen as shown in FIG. To do.
[0077]
Further, when the user selects the reproduction time designation, the reproduction time desired by the user is input from the input screen as shown in FIG.
[0078]
Further, when the user selects time zone designation, as shown in FIG. 16, on the selection screen, (1) start 10 minutes, (2) 10 minutes to 20 minutes, ..., (6) 80 minutes to end The desired time zone can be specified at intervals of 10 minutes.
[0079]
When the user selects the desired content and playback method in this way, these data are transmitted to the home server 9 (S1009), and the received home server 9 first extracts the target content to be played back from the storage unit 7. (S1010).
[0080]
Then, the home server 9 determines whether or not the reproduction method is full reproduction (S1011), and transmits the extracted target content to the mobile terminal 10 when full reproduction is performed (S1012).
[0081]
Here, an example of reproduction in the case of full reproduction will be described. As shown in FIG. 17, the image data is displayed as a still image every time the video is switched, and the audio is reproduced by stream delivery.
[0082]
If it is not full playback, the home server 9 creates a digest file according to the selected playback method (S1013).
[0083]
First, when the playback method is digest version playback, the total playback time of the target content is extracted, and the playback time is calculated from this total time. For example, when the total playback time of the target content is 90 minutes and ½ digest playback is selected, the playback time is calculated as 45 minutes.
[0084]
Then, the home server 9 extracts a unit for the calculated reproduction time and creates a digest file.
[0085]
For example, as shown in FIG. 18, in the case of the 1/3 digest version of FIG. 18B, there are fewer units in accordance with the reproduction time than in the case of the 1/2 digest version of FIG. Has been extracted.
[0086]
Similarly, when the playback method is designated as a playback time, the home server 9 extracts a unit corresponding to the specified playback time and creates a digest file.
[0087]
Further, when the reproduction method is designated as a reproduction time zone, the home server 9 fully reproduces the designated time zone, so the target content in the designated time zone is extracted and created as a digest file.
[0088]
When the digest file is created in this way, the home server 9 transmits the digest file to the mobile terminal 10 (S1014).
[0089]
Then, the mobile terminal 10 that has received the digest file or the data for full reproduction reproduces the target content based on the received information (S1015), and transmits the reproduction end to the home server 9 when the reproduction ends (S1016).
[0090]
However, here, the case where the target content is viewed on the mobile terminal 10 has been described, but the playback method is selected and the target content can be viewed on the digital television 8 at home in the same manner as when viewed on the mobile terminal 10. can do.
[0091]
On the other hand, the home server 9 generates reproduction information based on the transmitted content and information about the user, and this reproduction information is transmitted to the management server 2 (S1017).
[0092]
Then, the management server 2 matches and aggregates the reproduction information and the user's personal information (S1018), creates a viewing report that summarizes the content viewed by the user, and transmits it to the content holder 5 (S1019). ). By this viewing report, the content holder 5 can analyze the user's hobbies and preferences.
[0093]
Further, the management server 2 calculates and charges a usage fee for each user based on the totaled reproduction information (S1020), and the content distribution processing in the content distribution system 1 of the present embodiment is completed.
[0094]
As described above, in the content distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, the home server 9 authenticates the user and distributes the stored content to the mobile terminal 10, so that the user can access the home server 9 at home from anywhere at any time. It is possible to view the content stored in the mobile terminal 10 on the go.
[0095]
In addition, since a unit that is the smallest unit that can be viewed is generated and the content can be played back at an arbitrary playback time, the user can view the content at the desired playback time.
[0096]
Furthermore, since the content list of the content stored in the home server 9 is generated and provided to the mobile terminal 10, the user can check the content stored in the home server 9 on the mobile terminal 10.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the content distribution system of the present invention, the user can view the content stored in the home server at home anytime and anywhere on the mobile terminal on the go.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a content distribution system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a user registration process in the content distribution system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a service TOP screen in the user registration process shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen in the user registration process shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a registration content confirmation screen in the user registration process shown in FIG. 2;
6 is a flowchart for explaining content listing processing in the content distribution system shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining content indexing processing in the content distribution system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining index addition in the indexing process shown in FIG. 7;
9 is a diagram for explaining unit generation in the indexing process shown in FIG. 7; FIG.
10 is a flowchart for explaining content distribution processing in the content distribution system shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
11 is a diagram showing an example of a service selection screen in the distribution process shown in FIG.
12 is a diagram showing an example of a content selection screen in the distribution process shown in FIG.
13 is a diagram showing an example of a playback method selection screen in the distribution processing shown in FIG.
14 is a diagram showing an example of a digest version selection screen in the distribution process shown in FIG.
15 is a diagram showing an example of a reproduction time designation screen in the distribution process shown in FIG.
16 is a diagram showing an example of a reproduction time zone designation screen in the distribution process shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a content reproduction method in the case of full reproduction;
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a content playback method in the case of digest version playback;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Content distribution system
2 Management server
3 user information database
4 Service information database
5 Content holder
6 broadcasting stations
7 Accumulator
8 Digital TV
9 Home server
10 Mobile devices
11 Communication network
21 User registration means
22 Authentication data generation means
23 Program transmission means
91 Content storage means
92 User authentication means
93 Content distribution means
94 Content list provision means
101 Authentication data transmission means
102 Content request means
103 Content playback means

Claims (3)

In a content distribution system for connecting a management server and a home server owned by a user and a mobile terminal, and distributing content stored in the home server to the mobile terminal,
The management server is
User registration means for accepting information for specifying the user, information for specifying the home server, and information for specifying the mobile terminal and registering the user;
Authentication data generating means for generating authentication data for confirming registration for the user registered by the user registration means;
Transmission means for transmitting the authentication data generated by the authentication data generation means to the home server and the portable terminal,
The portable terminal is
Means for transmitting authentication data received from the management server to the home server;
Content list requesting means for requesting a content list of content stored in the home server;
Content request means for transmitting a specific condition relating to the designation of the target content and the content from the content list;
Means for reproducing the content distributed from the home server,
The home server is
Storage means for storing content and a content list of these content;
Image time index means for evaluating the image data of the content, extracting the image data immediately after the variation in the image data, and adding an image time index based on the time of the image data;
Audio time index means for cutting a portion of the audio data below a certain level for the audio data of the content and adding an audio time index based on the time of the audio data;
Means for configuring a unit as a minimum viewing unit by correspondence between the image time index and the audio time index;
User authentication means for authenticating the terminal based on authentication data transmitted from the management server and authentication data of the terminal transmitted from the terminal;
Means for transmitting the content list to the authenticated portable terminal;
A content distribution system comprising: content distribution means for processing target content specified from the authenticated portable terminal in units of the unit based on the specific condition and distributing the processed content to the portable terminal. The specific condition includes a playback time specified by the user,
The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution unit distributes the content processed in units of units based on the reproduction time. The specific condition includes a playback type of full playback or digest version playback, and a ratio of shortening the playback time of the content when the digest version playback is designated,
The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution unit distributes the content processed in units of units based on the reproduction method and the reproduction time.

Images