JP2021022898A - Distribution server device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a distribution server device capable of inserting a timed event into a moving image content even in a form in which a reception terminal device requests various time positions of various contents.SOLUTION: A moving image resource management unit stores and manages a moving image resource for distribution. A timed event processing unit generates a timed event, which is meta data to be distributed together with the moving image resource, on the basis of a timed event transmission request received from an external device. A request reception unit receives a moving image resource request from the side of a terminal device. When a generated timed event exists, a coupling unit couples the timed event with the moving image resource taken out from the moving image resource management unit in response to the request. A response processing unit transmits the moving image resource corresponding to the request, as a response to the request, to the terminal device that is a transmission source of the moving image resource request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a distribution server device and a program.

There are technologies for notifying events that synchronize with content such as video and audio delivered by the web. As described in Non-Patent Document 1, standardization of such an event notification method is being attempted. Non-Patent Document 1 describes a request for a timed event (event to be timed) associated with video media or audio media on the web, and a use case thereof.

"Media Timed Events --W3C Interest Group Note 03 June 2019", World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), updated June 3, 2019, downloaded June 26, 2019, URL https://www.w3.org/TR / 2019 / NOTE-media-timed-events-2019

By the way, in the video-on-demand (VOD) service, the content is provided at the timing desired by the viewing user in response to the request from the receiving terminal device side of the viewing user. That is, unlike the case of live distribution, in services such as VOD, the receiving terminal device of the viewing user acquires and reproduces the resources of the relative time position unique to each of the contents (video contents, etc.) unique to each. .. In such a case, when it is desired to notify a timed event at a predetermined timing, the resource (resource fragment) to which the timed event should be added differs for each viewing user. That is, for example, when a timed event (for example, MTE described later) is dynamically assigned according to an external situation or the like, the timed event cannot be fixedly associated with the content resource (resource fragment). There is a problem.

Further, it is desirable that the device on the distribution side can switch ON / OFF of the transmission of the timed event.

The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned problem recognition, and even in a form in which a large number of receiving terminal devices request various time positions of various contents, such as a VOD service, the distributor side It is intended to provide a distribution server device and a program capable of inserting a timed event into video content at a setting timing.

[1] In order to solve the above problems, the distribution server device according to one aspect of the present invention has a video resource management unit that accumulates and manages video resources for distribution, and a timed event transmission request received from an external device. Based on the above, a timed event processing unit that generates a timed event that is metadata for distribution together with the video resource, a request receiving unit that receives a video resource request from the terminal device side, and the generated said unit. When a timed event exists, the request is made as a response to the request and a joint unit that combines the video resource fetched from the video resource management unit in response to the request and the timed event. A response processing unit that transmits the video resource according to the above to the terminal device that is the source of the request for the video resource is provided, and the coupling unit combines the video resource and the timed event. If so, the response processing unit is a distribution server device that transmits the timed event to the terminal device together with the moving image resource.

[2] Further, one aspect of the present invention further includes a transmission state management unit that manages whether the transmission state of the timed event is on or off in the distribution server device, and the coupling unit is provided. Based on the determination result of the transmission state of the timed event, only when the transmission state of the timed event is on, the video resource fetched from the video resource management unit in response to the request and the timed It combines with the event.

[3] Further, in one aspect of the present invention, in the distribution server device, the timed event processing unit causes the terminal device to start receiving a broadcast according to the type of the timed event transmission request. It generates the timed event for control.

[4] Further, in one aspect of the present invention, in the distribution server device, the timed event processing unit uses a television in the vicinity of the terminal device according to the type of the timed event transmission request. This is to generate the timed event for controlling to perform the cooperation processing with the receiver.

[5] Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the video resource is based on a video resource management unit that stores and manages video resources for distribution and a timed event transmission request received from an external device. When there is a timed event processing unit that generates a timed event that is metadata for distribution together with, a request receiving unit that receives a video resource request from the terminal device side, and the generated timed event. In response to the request, the video resource fetched from the video resource management unit and the timed event are combined, and the video resource corresponding to the request is used as a response to the request. A program for functioning as a distribution server device including a response processing unit for transmitting the request for the video resource to the terminal device from which the request is transmitted, wherein the coupling unit is the video resource and the time. When combined with a computer, the response processing unit is a program that transmits the timed event to the terminal device together with the video resource.

According to the present invention, even in a content distribution system in which a large number of receiving terminal devices individually request distribution of different content resources, each receiving terminal device sets a predetermined timed event at a timing set by the distributor. Can be inserted into the content resource received by.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the content distribution system by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal functional structure of the distribution server apparatus by the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific data example of MTE inserted into the moving image content by the same embodiment. In the same embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows the specific data example which EM inserted in a broadcast signal contains. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure from the occurrence of an event to the reception of an event by a distribution server device in the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process for transmitting the response of the moving image resource in response to the request from the receiving terminal apparatus by the distribution server apparatus by this embodiment.

Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The content distribution system according to the present embodiment distributes information regarding the timing of the event to the receiving terminal device. Events associated with timing are sometimes referred to as "timed events." The timed event is transmitted to the receiving terminal device as metadata, via a communication network, or as a broadcast signal. The substance of the "timed event" data may or may not include time data. Even if the timed event data does not include time data, the time the metadata is sent may represent the time associated with the event. In the present embodiment, the timed event delivered via the communication network is called an MTE (media timed event). In addition, a broadcast EM (event message) may be transmitted in a form of being multiplexed with a broadcast signal.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a content distribution system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the content distribution system 1 distributes the video content to be broadcast to the receiving terminal device in an on-demand format mainly after the broadcast. As shown in the figure, the content distribution system 1 includes a broadcast video supply device 12, an encoder device 13, an encoder device 14, a TS multiplexing device 16, a modulation device 18, a transmission device 19, an event generator 41, and the like. The EM transmission device 42, the MTE transmission device 44, the television receiver 61, the reception terminal device 62, and the distribution server device 70 are included. Each of these functional units can be realized by, for example, a computer and a program. In addition, each functional unit has a storage means, if necessary. The storage means is, for example, a variable on the program or a memory allocated by executing the program. Further, if necessary, a non-volatile storage means such as a magnetic hard disk device or a solid state drive (SSD) may be used. Further, at least a part of the functions of each functional unit may be realized not as a program but as a dedicated electronic circuit. Further, each functional unit may be a device having an independent housing, or may be housed in a housing common to other functional units. Although FIG. 1 shows only one television receiver 61 and one receiving terminal device 62, in reality, the content distribution system 1 receives a large number of television receivers 61 and / or a large number of receivers. The configuration may include the terminal device 62. The "majority" referred to here may be, for example, about several hundred million units. The functions of the illustrated parts are as described below.

The broadcast video supply device 12 supplies video content (including video and audio) for television broadcasting. The broadcast video supply device 12 passes the video content to the encoder devices 13 and 14, respectively.

The encoder device 13 encodes the video content output by the broadcast video supply device 12 in a manner for television broadcasting. The encoder device 13 is, for example, an MPEG2 system or an MPEG-H HEVC / H. The video content is encoded using the 265 method or the like. The encoder device 13 passes the code obtained by the coding process to the TS multiplexing device 16.

The encoder device 14 encodes the video content output by the broadcast video supply device 12 by a method for online distribution. The encoder device 14 generates, for example, MPEG-DASH moving image content. DASH stands for "Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP" (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming by HTTP). The encoder device 14 generates, for example, an MP4 format moving image file. The encoder device 14 uploads the data obtained as a result of the coding process to the distribution server device 70.

The TS multiplexing device 16 multiplexes and outputs the code of the video output by the encoder device 13 and at least the information including the EM (event message) passed from the EM sending device 42. The EM and the EM sending device 42 will be described later.
The modulation device 18 modulates the broadcast signal using the signal output by the TS multiplexing device 16.
The transmission device 19 transmits the broadcast signal modulated by the modulation device 18 to the outside. The signal transmitted by the transmission device 19 propagates in the air, a metal cable, or the like.

The event generator 41 generates event information for transmission together with broadcast contents and video contents distributed via a communication network. The event information generated by the event generator 41 is distributed from the broadcasting system side (a system including the TS multiplexing device 16, the modulation device 18, the transmitting device 19, etc.) and the communication network side (from the distribution server device 70 via the communication network). It is communicated both with the system that performs).

The EM sending device 42 generates and outputs an EM (event message) for broadcasting based on the event information passed from the event generating device 41. The EM transmission device 42 passes the generated EM data to the TS multiplexing device 16.

The MTE transmission device 44 passes an MTE transmission request for distributing an MTE (Media Timed Event (s)) to the distribution server device 70 based on the event information passed from the event generation device 41. The media timed event itself is an existing technical concept and is also described in the aforementioned document "Media Timed Events --W3C Interest Group Note 03 June 2019".

The television receiver 61 is a device that receives a television broadcast signal and presents broadcast content (video, audio, etc.). The television receiver 61 may have a function of performing communication using an Internet protocol (IP) or the like. Further, the television receiver 61 may have a hybridcast (registered trademark) function. In this case, the television receiver 61 can also operate in cooperation with a nearby terminal device (for example, a receiving terminal device 62 or the like).

The receiving terminal device 62 is a terminal device connected to a communication network such as the Internet. The receiving terminal device 62 is realized as, for example, a PC (personal computer), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a wearable terminal, or the like. The receiving terminal device 62 has an environment for executing an application program (application). The receiving terminal device 62 may have the function of an MPEG-DASH player, for example, as a function of an application. This MPEG-DASH player has a function of receiving so-called VOD (Video on Demand) video content distribution. By executing the MPEG-DASH player, the receiving terminal device 62 requests the distribution server device 70 to distribute the moving image files based on the user's operation or the like, and sequentially receives and decodes the moving image files. , Present using a screen or speaker.

The distribution server device 70 is a server device that distributes video content by the VOD method. The distribution server device 70 receives the moving image resource from the encoder device 14, records it on a recording medium or the like under control, and manages it. Further, the distribution server device 70 at least temporarily stores the MTE data received from the MTE transmission device 44 and inserts it into the video content to be distributed. Further, the distribution server device 70 transmits the requested video content file to the receiving terminal device 62 based on the request from the receiving terminal device 62. The distribution server device 70 may transmit the video content in which the MTE is inserted to the receiving terminal device 62.

In the content distribution system 1, an event can be generated. The MTE based on the event can be transmitted from the distribution server device 70 to the receiving terminal device 62. The MTE is information indicating the timing of the event. The receiving terminal device 62 that has received the MTE sent from the distribution server device 70 may perform processing or operation based on the MTE. An example of an event is the Earthquake Early Warning. However, the event may represent any event other than the Earthquake Early Warning. For example, the MTE may be a trigger for controlling a device or the like controlled by the receiving terminal device 62.

For example, when a broadcaster provides a VOD service for broadcast content, the timing at which the moving image resource is distributed depends completely on the request from the receiving terminal device 62. Therefore, the distribution server device 70 and the MTE and the moving image resource cannot be associated with each other in a fixed relationship in advance. The distribution server device 70 of the present embodiment can also distribute the MTE in the VOD service at the timing led by the distribution subject side (distribution company side). The detailed functional configuration of the distribution server device 70 for that purpose will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal functional configuration of the distribution server device 70. As shown in the figure, the distribution server device 70 includes a video resource management unit 71, an MTE processing unit 72, a request receiving unit 77, a sending state management unit 79, a coupling unit 81, and a response processing unit 82. Consists of. The functions of each part in the distribution server device 70 are as described below.

The video resource management unit 71 manages video resources for distribution. Specifically, the moving image resource management unit 71 receives the encoded moving image resource from the encoder device 14 (FIG. 1) and writes it to the recording medium under control. The video resource is, for example, a group of video files in MP4 format. Each moving image file stores, for example, moving images divided into predetermined time lengths so that they can be distributed by the MPEG-DASH method. The video resource management unit 71 reads and passes the video resource under management in response to a request from the transmission state management unit 79 and the like.

The MTE processing unit 72 receives an MTE transmission request from the MTE transmission device 44 (FIG. 1), and performs processing necessary for combining the MTE based on the request with the moving image file. The detailed functional configuration inside the MTE processing unit 72 will be described below.

The MTE processing unit 72 includes an MTE transmission request receiving unit 73, an MTE generating unit 74, and an MTE buffer unit 75.
The MTE transmission request receiving unit 73 receives an MTE transmission request from the MTE transmission device 44 (FIG. 1). The MTE transmission request receiving unit 73 passes the received MTE transmission request to the MTE generation unit 74. Further, the MTE transmission request receiving unit 73 notifies the transmission state management unit 79 of the received MTE transmission request.
The MTE generation unit 74 generates MTE data for transmission based on the MTE transmission request passed from the MTE transmission request reception unit 73. The data structure of MTE will be described later.
The MTE buffer unit 75 temporarily stores the MTE generated by the MTE generation unit 74. The MTE buffer unit 75 passes the accumulated MTE to the coupling unit 81 when requested by the coupling unit 81. The MTE buffer unit 75 may play a role of cache storage. That is, the storage means for the MTE buffer unit 75 to store the MTE may be a memory having a relatively small capacity and high-speed readability. As a result, the coupling portion 81 can acquire the MTE with a short delay time when necessary.

The request receiving unit 77 receives a request for a moving image resource from the receiving terminal device 62. The request receiving unit 77 passes the received request to the sending state management unit 79.

The transmission state management unit 79 manages the transmission of the moving image resource and the MTE. Specifically, the transmission state management unit 79 takes out the video resource to be distributed from the video resource management unit 71 and passes it to the coupling unit 81 in response to the request received from the receiving terminal device 62 side. Further, the transmission state management unit 79 manages ON (ON) / OFF (OFF) of the MTE transmission state. The MTE transmission state is binary information indicating whether or not the distribution server device 70 transmits MTE. The transmission state management unit 79 updates the MTE transmission state from OFF to ON or from ON to OFF as necessary. Further, the transmission state management unit 79 receives a request for MTE transmission from the MTE transmission request reception unit 73 in the MTE processing unit 72.

The MTE transmission state may be a single state common to all receiving terminal devices 62 under the distribution server device 70. Further, the MTE transmission state may be a state unique to each receiving terminal device 62 (that is, for each user). Further, the transmission state management unit 79 may manage the MTE transmission state common to a plurality of users (reception terminal device 62) who are viewing a specific moving image content. Further, the transmission state management unit 79 may manage the MTE transmission state common to a plurality of users (reception terminal device 62) who are viewing the moving image content belonging to a specific genre. Further, the transmission state management unit 79 may manage the MTE transmission state common to users (reception terminal device 62) having specific attributes (attributes such as region, age group, gender, etc.). In either case, the transmission state management unit 79 appropriately updates the MTE transmission state from OFF to ON or from ON to OFF.

The transmission state management unit 79 updates the MTE transmission state from OFF to ON or from ON to OFF, for example, based on a trigger signal or the like input from the outside. In this case, the distribution server device 70 has a function of receiving a signal for updating the MTE transmission state. Further, when the MTE transmission request is received, the transmission state management unit 79 may update the MTE transmission state from OFF to ON. Alternatively, the transmission state management unit 79 may update the MTE transmission state from ON to OFF at the timing when all the MTEs to be transmitted are exhausted.

The coupling unit 81 combines the moving image resource passed from the transmission state management unit 79 and the MTE taken out from the MTE buffer unit 75 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Specifically, the coupling unit 81 generates data for distribution including both the data of the moving image file and the data of the MTE. The connecting unit 81 passes the moving image file in which the MTE is combined to the response processing unit 82. Here, the case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is, for example, the case where the MTE transmission state is "ON" and the MTE to be transmitted to the receiving terminal device 62 of the distribution destination exists. .. When the MTE is not combined, the coupling unit 81 passes the moving image file passed from the transmission state management unit 79 to the response processing unit 82 as it is.

The response processing unit 82 transmits the moving image resource to the receiving terminal device 62 of the request source as a response to the request received by the request receiving unit 77.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a specific data example of the MTE inserted in the moving image content. In the figure, the line numbers of the data are added for convenience. As shown in the figure, the MTE can be configured as text data having a block structure as an example. The MTE illustrated here is an example, and is an MTE representing an “Earthquake Early Warning”. The MTE of this "Earthquake Early Warning" corresponds to the EM (Earthquake Early Warning) emergency earthquake breaking news inserted in the broadcast signal.

In the figure, the left curly brace (curly braces) on the first line represents the start of the entire MTE. This left curly brace on the first line corresponds to the right curly brace on the 16th line. From the second line to the fifteenth line, a set of pairs of data item names and data item values is described. One data item name and one data item value are associated with each other by a colon (:).

In the second line, the data item name "scheme_id" (scheme identifier) and its data item value "urn: mpeg: dash: event: strl" are described. The data item name "scheme_id" has an event string.
In the third line, the data item name "value" and the data item value "1" are described.
On the 4th line, the data item name "event_id" (event identifier) and the data item value "5" are described. This event identifier is information for uniquely identifying the event.
In the 5th and 7th lines, the data item name "presentation_delta" (presentation time delta) and the data item value "1" are described, respectively. This presentation time delta represents the relative time of the presentation time.
In the sixth line, the data item name "time_scale" and the data item value "1" are described. This represents the time scale of the presentation time.
In the 8th line, the data item name "event_duration" (event duration) and the data item value 3 are described. This represents the length of presentation time.

The data item name "message_data" (message data) and the data item value are described in the 9th to 15th lines. This message data is for storing general-purpose messages. The value of the above message data further has an internal block structure. This internal block contains five pairs of data item names and data item values. The pairs are as follows.
That is, on the 10th line, the data item name "component_tag" (component tag) and the data item value "0x40" are described.
On the 11th line, the data item name "message_group_id" (message group identifier) and the data item value 0 are described.
On the 12th line, the data item name "message_id" (message identifier) and the data item value 170 are described.
On the 13th line, the data item name "message_version" and the data item value 1 are described.
On the 14th line, the data item name "private_data" (private data) and the data item value "emergency" (emergency) are described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of data included in the EM inserted in the broadcast signal. As described above, the EM is multiplexed as a part of the broadcast signal by the TS multiplexing device 16 and transmitted from the transmitting device 19. In the figure, the line numbers of the data are added for convenience. As shown in the figure, the EM can be configured as text data having a block structure as an example. The EM shown here is an example, and is a message of "Earthquake Early Warning" representing the same event as the MTE shown in FIG.

The pair of the left curly brace in the first row and the right curly brace in the seventh row of the illustrated data represents the range of one block. The second to sixth lines include five pairs of data item names and data item values. The pairs are as follows. That is, the data item name "component_tag" and the data item value "0x40" are described in the second line. In the third line, the data item name "message_group_id" (message group identifier) and its data item value 0 are described. In the fourth line, the data item name "message_id" (message identifier) and the data item value 170 are described. In the fifth line, the data item name "message_version" and the data item value 1 are described. In the sixth line, the data item name "private_data" (private data) and the data item value "event msg" (event message) are described.

Next, the processing procedure in the content distribution system 1 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from the occurrence of the event to the reception of the event by the distribution server device 70. Hereinafter, description will be given according to this flowchart.

In step S1, the event generator 41 generates event data. The event generator 41 passes the generated event data to the MTE transmission device 44. In addition, the event generator 41 also passes the event data to the EM transmission device 42.

In step S2, the MTE transmission device 42 transmits an MTE transmission request to the distribution server device 70 based on the event data received in step S1.

In step S3, the MTE transmission request receiving unit 73 of the distribution server device 70 receives the MTE transmission request sent from the MTE transmission device 42 in step S2.

In step S4, the MTE generation unit 74 of the distribution server device 70 generates MTE based on the MTE transmission request received in step S3. Further, the MTE generation unit 74 stores the generated MTE in the MTE buffer unit 75.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the distribution server device 70 to transmit a response of a moving image resource in response to a request from the receiving terminal device 62. As shown in the figure, the distribution server device 70 may transmit the MTE to the receiving terminal device 62 in this processing procedure. The process shown in this flowchart is executed by the distribution server device 70 each time the request for the moving image resource is shaded from the receiving terminal device 62. That is, the receiving terminal device 62 sequentially requests time-series video resources in order to present the video content. The distribution server device 70 executes the process shown in this flowchart each time. In addition, a large number of receiving terminal devices 62 may request video resources in parallel. Even in that case, the distribution server device 70 executes the process shown in this flowchart in response to each request. Hereinafter, description will be given according to this flowchart.

In step S11, the request receiving unit 77 of the distribution server device 70 receives a request for distribution of the video resource from the receiving terminal device 62. The request contains information that identifies the video file to be delivered.

In step S12, the transmission state management unit 79 of the distribution server device 70 takes out the video resource to be distributed next from the video resource management unit 71 based on the request received in step S11. The transmission state management unit 79 passes the extracted video resource to the coupling unit 81.

In step S13, the transmission state management unit 79 determines the MTE transmission state at that time. The MTE transmission state is either ON or OFF.
In step S14, the transmission state management unit 79 branches based on the determination result of the MTE transmission state. If the MTE transmission state is ON (step S14: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S15. If the MTE transmission state is OFF (step S14: NO), the process jumps to step S17.

When the MTE transmission state is ON, in step S15, the coupling unit 81 takes out the MTE from the MTE buffer unit 75.
In step S16, the coupling unit 81 combines the moving image resource to be distributed with the MTE extracted in step S15. Specifically, the coupling unit 81 adds MTE data to, for example, an MP4 format moving image file.

In step S17, the response processing unit 82 transmits the moving image resource taken out in step S12 to the receiving terminal device that is the request source. If the MTE transmission state is "ON" as a result of the determination in step S13, and if the MTE is combined with the moving image resource in step S16, the MTE is also sent to the receiving terminal device together with the moving image resource. ..

It should be noted that at least a part of the functions of the content distribution system 1 in the above-described embodiment can be realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read by a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The "computer-readable recording medium" is a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a USB memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Say that. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a device that temporarily and dynamically holds a program, such as a communication line when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In that case, it may include a program that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or a client. Further, the above-mentioned program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions, and may be further realized by combining the above-mentioned functions with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention can be further implemented in the following modifications.

[First modification]
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 1 is configured to include a system for transmitting a broadcast signal. That is, the content distribution system 1 includes an encoder device 13, a TS multiplexing device 16, a modulation device 18, a transmission device 19, and an EM transmission device 42. As a first modification, the content distribution system 1 may be configured not to include the encoder device 13, the TS multiplexing device 16, the modulation device 18, the transmission device 19, and the EM transmission device 42. Even in that case, the distribution server device 70 transmits the moving image resource to the receiving terminal device 62 by the VOD method. Further, the distribution server device 70 combines the MTE based on the event generated by the event generator 41 with the moving image resource to be distributed and transmits the MTE to the receiving terminal device 62.

[Second modification]
In the second modification, the receiving terminal device 62 has a television broadcast receiving function. In addition, the receiving terminal device 62 includes a broadcast communication cooperation function (Hybridcast function). That is, the receiving terminal device 62 can present the moving image content distributed from the distribution server device 70, and can also present the content distributed as a broadcast. At this time, when the MTE representing a predetermined event is delivered, the receiving terminal device 62 stops the presentation of the content delivered from the delivery server device 70 with the reception of the MTE as a trigger, and receives the broadcast content. Controls switching automatically. Specifically, the receiving terminal device 62 stops the execution of the MPEG-DASH player, which is an application for reproducing communication contents, and automatically starts receiving the broadcast signal, triggered by the reception of the MTE. To. As a result, the content distribution system 1 can forcibly switch the receiving terminal device 62 having the broadcast receiving function to the broadcast reception. As an example, an MTE (timed) for controlling the receiving terminal device 62 to start receiving a broadcast according to the type of MTE transmission request (timed event transmission request) received by the MTE transmission request reception unit 73. Event) may be generated. That is, the MTE generation unit 74 generates a predetermined type of MTE for starting broadcast reception.

[Third variant]
In the third modification, the receiving terminal device 62 does not have a television broadcast receiving function, but has a function of linking with the television receiver 61 (terminal linking function). For example, the receiving terminal device 62 and the television receiver 61 can operate in cooperation with each other by using the function of Hybridcast Connect (Hybridcast Connect). The receiving terminal device 62 and the television receiver 61 are close to each other, and can communicate with each other using, for example, a home wireless network. At this time, when the MTE representing a predetermined event is delivered, the receiving terminal device 62 starts the cooperation processing with the television receiver 61 triggered by the reception of the MTE. For example, when the receiving terminal device 62 requests the television receiver 61 for the cooperation processing, the television receiver 61 can start the processing based on the request. An example of the cooperative processing is to control the television receiver 61 to start receiving a predetermined broadcasting service (channel). As described above, in this modification, the receiving terminal device 62 and the television receiver 61 can be operated in cooperation with each other based on the MTE transmitted from the distribution server device 70. As an example, an MTE for controlling the receiving terminal device 62 to perform cooperation processing with the television receiver 61 according to the type of the MTE transmission request (timed event transmission request) received by the MTE transmission request reception unit 73. (Timed event) may be generated. That is, the MTE generation unit 74 generates a predetermined type of MTE for starting the cooperation processing between the receiving terminal device 62 and the television receiver 61.

Further, the second modification and the third modification may be carried out at the same time. That is, the distribution server device 70 may have both a function for realizing the second modified example and a function for realizing the third modified example.

The embodiments described above can be summarized as follows.

The video resource management unit 71 accumulates and manages video resources for distribution.
The MTE processing unit 72 (also referred to as a “timed event processing unit”) distributes the video resource together with the video resource based on the MTE transmission request (timed event transmission request) received from the external device (MTE transmission device 44). Generates MTE (Timed Event), which is the metadata of.
The request receiving unit 77 receives a request for a moving image resource from the receiving terminal device 62 side.
When the generated MTE (timed event) exists, the connecting unit 81 combines the video resource (video file) fetched from the video resource management unit 71 in response to the request with the timed event. Join.
As a response to the request, the response processing unit 82 transmits the video resource corresponding to the request to the receiving terminal device 62 that is the source of the request to the video resource. That is, when the coupling unit 81 combines the video resource and the MTE (timed event), the response processing unit 82 transmits the MTE (timed event) together with the video resource to the receiving terminal device 62. ..

The transmission state management unit 79 may manage whether the transmission state of the MTE (timed event) is on or off.
The coupling unit 82 manages video resources in response to the request only when the transmission state of the MTE (timed event) is on, based on the determination result (on or off) of the transmission state of the MTE (timed event). The moving image resource extracted from the unit 71 and the MTE (timed event) are combined.

In the above-described modification, the MTE processing unit 72 (timed event processing unit) controls the receiving terminal device 62 to start receiving the broadcast according to the type of the MTE transmission request (timed event transmission request). MTE (Timed Event) may be generated.

Further, in another modification, the MTE processing unit 72 (timed event processing unit) causes the receiving terminal device 62 to perform cooperation processing with the television receiver 61 according to the type of MTE transmission request (timed event transmission request). An MTE (Timed Event) may be generated to control the operation.

Although the embodiments (including modifications) of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and the design does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Etc. are also included.

The present invention can be used, for example, in a business of distributing contents (including a broadcasting business). However, the scope of use of the present invention is not limited to those exemplified here.

1 Content distribution system 12 Broadcast video supply device 13 Encoder device 14 Encoder device 16 TS multiplexing device 18 Modulator device 19 Transmission device 41 Event generator 42 EM transmission device 44 MTE transmission device 61 TV receiver 62 Reception terminal device 70 Distribution server device 71 Video resource management unit 72 MTE processing unit 73 MTE transmission request reception unit 74 MTE generation unit 75 MTE buffer unit 77 Request reception unit 79 Transmission status management unit 81 Coupling unit 82 Response processing unit

Claims (5)

Video resource management department that accumulates and manages video resources for distribution,
A timed event processing unit that generates a timed event, which is metadata for distribution together with the video resource, based on a timed event transmission request received from an external device.
A request receiver that receives video resource requests from the terminal device side,
If the generated timed event exists, a connecting unit that combines the video resource fetched from the video resource management unit in response to the request and the timed event
As a response to the request, a response processing unit that transmits the video resource in response to the request to the terminal device from which the request of the video resource is transmitted, and a response processing unit.
With
When the connecting unit combines the moving image resource and the timed event, the response processing unit transmits the timed event to the terminal device together with the moving image resource.
Delivery server device. Sending status management unit that manages whether the sending status of timed events is on or off,
With more
Based on the determination result of the transmission state of the timed event, the connection unit is connected to the video resource fetched from the video resource management unit in response to the request only when the transmission state of the timed event is on. , Combine with the timed event,
The distribution server device according to claim 1. The timed event processing unit generates the timed event for controlling the terminal device to start receiving the broadcast according to the type of the timed event transmission request.
The distribution server device according to claim 1 or 2. The timed event processing unit generates the timed event for controlling the terminal device to perform cooperation processing with a television receiver in the vicinity of the terminal device according to the type of the timed event transmission request. To do,
The distribution server device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Computer,
Video resource management department that accumulates and manages video resources for distribution,
A timed event processing unit that generates a timed event, which is metadata for distribution together with the video resource, based on a timed event transmission request received from an external device.
A request receiver that receives video resource requests from the terminal device side,
If the generated timed event exists, a connecting unit that combines the video resource fetched from the video resource management unit in response to the request and the timed event
As a response to the request, a response processing unit that transmits the video resource in response to the request to the terminal device from which the request of the video resource is transmitted, and a response processing unit.
It is a program for functioning as a distribution server device equipped with
When the connecting unit combines the moving image resource and the timed event, the response processing unit transmits the timed event to the terminal device together with the moving image resource.
program.

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