JP3850671B2 - CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, SERVER USED FOR THE SAME, CLIENT TERMINAL USED FOR THE SAME, CONTENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING PROGRAM FOR CAUSING COMPUTER TO EXECUTE THE METHOD - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage-type content distribution technique, and particularly to a technique related to a system including a terminal device (client terminal) that receives a broadcast stream and a server that stores the broadcast stream.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional broadcast service, a viewer watches a broadcast program (content) preconfigured by a broadcast station by appropriately selecting the program with the receiver. Therefore, even though the viewer can select a broadcast program for each broadcast station, the viewer cannot select the contents constituting the broadcast program itself.
[0003]
In addition, the broadcast program is one stream as a whole, but the broadcast program may partially contain information (for example, CM) having the same contents. This means that the same content information was broadcast repeatedly when viewed partially. Further, conventional broadcasting services based on terrestrial waves are divided into a plurality of regions with the reach of the broadcast radio wave output from the ground station as a limit. A so-called nationwide network program broadcast nationwide from a key station generally consists of a nationwide broadcast portion and a broadcast portion for a specific area such as a CM. That is, in the case of broadcasting a main program content from a key station in a broadcast program, for example, when broadcasting a CM or the like, a control signal for CM insertion called a Q signal is transmitted, and the received local program is received. The station broadcasts a CM prepared in advance for the specific area instead of the key station CM at a predetermined timing. Therefore, a broadcast service for each specific area can be realized by such replacement, but the service range is an area based on a broadcasting station, and an individualized service cannot be provided.
[0004]
On the other hand, in recent years, satellite broadcasting services using broadcasting satellites are in full swing. In the satellite broadcasting service, it is possible to broadcast over a plurality of areas each covered by a conventional ground station. However, such satellite broadcasting can provide a wide-area broadcasting service using the same radio wave, but on the other hand, depending on the content of the broadcast, there may be no or very low necessity for viewers in a specific area. Some cases were not desirable from the standpoint of service personalization.
[0005]
As described above, in the past, it was only possible to view a program created by a content production company substantially unilaterally, or a user could select a favorite program from many programs and view it.
[0006]
However, if the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) advocated by NTT is able to extend an optical fiber network capable of high-capacity transmission to the home, content distribution by IP (Internet Protocol) connection is possible. Service will be possible. According to the Internet content distribution service, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-341449, content is reconfigured according to the user's preference, and content suitable for the user is distributed for each user. Service is possible. According to the above publication, the server side has the content entity, data describing the content (additional information data, material data), and some methods to reconstruct the content. According to the request, the above method is executed on the server, the content description data is reconstructed, and the resulting reconstructed content is distributed to the client terminal.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above conventional technology, since the server-specific method reconstructs the content, for example, the replacement of the violent scene and the incorporation of the CM suitable for the user can be easily realized. Is impossible. The multi-story referred to in this specification defines content that dynamically develops a content story according to the user's preference. For example, if a user likes a happy end drama, the story is developed so that the drama itself has a happy end. Furthermore, in the case of a horror movie, biological information such as a user's heart rate is acquired in real time, and a story is developed based on the biological information. Thus, the multi-story development based on user preferences and user biometric information is not considered in the technology of the above publication.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a content distribution service capable of realizing the above-described multi-story development.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The storage-type content distribution system according to the present invention holds a multi-story as partial content on the server side, and also holds a partial program for selecting and determining the next partial content corresponding to each partial content. And has means for delivering each partial content or partial program to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal. Further, the terminal side decodes and outputs the partial content acquired from the server, operates the partial program corresponding to the partial content, and has each means for holding the user's preference information and biological information in real time, Furthermore, it has means for issuing a next partial program or partial content distribution request to the server based on the result of the partial program selecting and determining the next partial content based on the user information.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
First, multi-story in the storage type content distribution system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is an example of multi-story.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-story is composed of partial contents S _{1 to} S _N , and the whole image has a tree structure. In each partial content, a plurality of lower partial contents are hung. If there is no partial content below, it is the last scene. In addition, there is a case where one partial content is hung, not a plurality, at the lower level, for reasons such as scene switching without a story branch.
[0013]
Thus, one multi-story begins S _1, or less, story dynamically vary with each conditional branch, greet the last scene. Each branch condition is a condition specific to the story and can be conditioned by the intention / intention of the content creator. Therefore, the multi-story creator can create content that can appeal to a large number of viewers (users) who have various feelings and sensibilities. Incidentally, in the example shown in FIG. 3, ten kinds of story development are possible.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content distribution server 1 in a storage type content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content distribution server 1 includes a command interpretation unit 2, a data generation unit 3, a transmission / reception unit 4, a content storage unit 5, and a content selection program storage unit 6.
[0015]
The transmission / reception unit 4 is connected to the external Internet, receives a partial content distribution request command and a partial program distribution request command from the client terminal, transmits the command to the command interpretation unit 2, and receives data from the data generation unit 3. It has a function of transmitting the transmitted partial content (S _{1 to} S _N ) or partial program (P _{1 to} P _N ) to a designated client.
[0016]
The command interpretation unit 2 interprets the command transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 4 and issues a generation request for data for transmission of partial content or partial program to the data generation unit 3.
[0017]
Based on the data generation request from the command interpretation unit 2, the data generation unit 3 reads out the partial content or partial program in the content storage unit 5 or the content selection program storage unit 6 and transmits it to the transmission / reception unit 4.
[0018]
The content storage unit 5 and the content selection program storage unit 6 store partial contents (S _{1 to} S _N ) and partial programs (P _{1 to} P _N ), respectively, and the partial content S _i is stored in the partial program P. _i (represented by a horizontal dotted line in the figure). The partial content (S _{1 to} S _N ) is a compressed moving image file such as MPEG2 or MPEG1, and the partial program (P _{1 to} P _N ) is a program for selecting the next partial content. This partial program is distributed from the content distribution server 1 to the client terminal 7 and can be executed by the program operation unit 11 of the client terminal 7.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the client terminal 7 in the storage type content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The client terminal 7 includes a user biometric information input unit 8, a user preference data storage unit 9, a user biometric information storage unit 10, a program operation unit 11, a transmission / reception unit 12, a content selection program storage unit 13, and data control. The unit 14 and the output device 15 are configured.
[0020]
The user biometric information input unit 8 transmits the biometric information measured in real time, such as heart rate, blood pressure, α wave emitted from the brain, skin impedance, and the like to the user biometric information storage unit 10. It has a function.
[0021]
The user biometric information storage unit 10 has a function of recording user biometric information transmitted from the user biometric information input unit 8 and transmitting user biometric information to the program operation unit 11 in accordance with a request from the program operation unit 11.
[0022]
The user preference data storage unit 9 stores user preference data created or updated from the user's past viewing history and information directly input by the user, and program the user preference data according to a request from the program operation unit 11. It has a function of transmitting to the operation unit 11.
[0023]
The program operation unit 11 reads out the partial program stored in the content selection program storage unit 13 and executes the partial program to make a partial content distribution request. And depending on this partial program, the user biometric information and user preference data stored in the user biometric information storage unit 10 and the user preference data storage unit 9 are called and related to the next partial content according to the execution result of the partial program. It has a function of transmitting the next partial program distribution request to the transmission / reception unit 12.
[0024]
Based on the partial content distribution request and the next partial program distribution request from the program operation unit 11, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits a partial content and a distribution command for the next partial program to the specific server 1, and addresses the client terminal 7. It has a function of receiving the partial content and the next partial program transmitted from the server 1 and transmitting them to the data control unit 14.
[0025]
The data control unit 14 has a function of transmitting the partial content and the partial program transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 12 to the output device 15 and the content selection program storage unit 13, respectively.
[0026]
The output device 15 has a memory buffer and a decoder that decodes a compressed file such as MPEG1 or MPEG2, receives the partial content transmitted from the data control unit 14, decodes it, and displays it on a display means such as a CRT. It has a function.
[0027]
Next, the basic operation of the partial program will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the partial program in the storage type content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0028]
The partial program stored in the content selection program storage unit 6 of the content distribution server 1 is stored in the content selection program storage unit 13 of the client terminal 7 via the Internet and then operates in the program operation unit 11. When the operation of the partial program is started (step S1), a partial content distribution request is issued to the transmission / reception unit 12 (step S2). Next, when the reception start of the partial content transmitted from the content distribution server 1 is confirmed (step S3), a timer (not shown) in the program operation unit 11 in FIG. 2 is started (step S4). In the next step S5, the operating timer is monitored in a loop to determine whether or not the next partial content selection start time has come.
[0029]
When the timer comes to the next partial content selection start time, the timer is reset (step S6), and user preference data and user biometric information are acquired (step S7). Note that the next partial content selection start time takes into account the processing time of steps S6 to S11 of the current partial program and the processing time of steps S1 to S3 of the next partial program, and the program being viewed by the user is interrupted. It is important that the time is considered in advance so as not to occur. In particular, the delay times of steps S9 → S10 and steps S2 → S3 are the delay times from the delivery request to the actual delivery of the data, and dynamically change depending on the processing state of the server. It is desirable that the delay time from the distribution request to the distribution start is determined based on the actual latest measured value.
[0030]
Next, in step S8, the optimum next partial content to be shown to the user is determined using the user information (user preference data, user biometric information). As this determination condition, for example, when using user preference data, if a certain user likes a happy-end drama, the story development such that the drama itself has a happy end is performed (the story branch condition Or if a user likes a dramatic drama with an endless turn, the story may be developed so that the drama itself will go back and forth. It is done. In addition, when using user biometric information as the determination condition for the next partial content, for example, if the multi-story is a horror movie, biometric information such as the user's heart rate is acquired in real time, A selection condition is conceivable, such as performing a story development based on biological information so as to give the user a feeling of pounding (so that the heart rate increases every predetermined time). Alternatively, it is also possible to use both user preference data and user biometric information, with one as a preferential selection condition and the other as a next selection condition (for example, a user's preference data is a nuisance If the story is developed with priority given to this user preference data, there are two next partial contents of the garage system, A and B, as candidates for the next story branch. If the user's α wave as information is low, it is possible to select one of A and B that is more likely to increase the α wave).
[0031]
When the next partial content is determined in step S8, a distribution request for the next partial program corresponding to the next partial content is made in step S9. Then, in step S10, confirmation of the start of reception of the next partial program and reception of the next partial program in step S11. Completion confirmation is made, and this partial program ends (step S12).
[0032]
When this partial program ends, the partial program is discarded from the program operation unit 11, the next partial program stored in the content selection program storage unit 13 is acquired, and the partial program is executed in the same manner.
[0033]
Since the partial program corresponding to the partial contents S ₁₅ , S ₁₆ , S ₁₇ , S ₁₈ , S ₁₉ , S ₂₀ (multi-story last partial content) in FIG. 3 no longer needs to select the next content, FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the process is completed in steps S1, S2, S3, and S12.
[0034]
As described above, starting from the partial contents S _1, story branching using the user information performed by each partial program, the user can enjoy the content without being aware of the story branches.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a multi-story creator can create content that can be individually appealed to a large number of viewers (users) who have various feelings and sensibilities. Also, from the viewer's standpoint, story development according to their own preference and biometric information is automatically performed, so it is possible to enjoy the story development that suits you, especially when using biometric information, It is possible to enjoy the story development according to the emotional state of the user at that time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content distribution server in a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a client terminal in the content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a multi-story to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a partial program processing operation in the content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the final partial program in the content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content delivery server 2 Command interpretation part 3 Data generation part 4 Transmission / reception part 5 Content storage part 6 Content selection program storage part 7 Client terminal 8 User biometric information input part 9 User preference data storage part 10 User biometric information storage part 11 Program operation part 12 Transmission / Reception Unit 13 Content Selection Program Storage Unit 14 Data Control Unit 15 Output Device S ₁ -S _N Partial Content P ₁ -P _N Partial Program

Claims (5)

In a content distribution system in which a client terminal receives content stored in a server connected to the Internet,
The above server
A content storage unit for storing partial content;
A content selection program storage unit for storing a partial program for selecting the next partial content related to the partial content;
A server transmission / reception unit that receives a partial content distribution request command and a partial program distribution request command from the client terminal, and distributes data to the client terminal;
A command interpreter that interprets a command sent from the server transceiver and issues a data distribution command to the data generator;
Receives a data distribution command from the command interpreter, acquires partial content data corresponding to the data distribution command from the content storage unit, transfers the acquired partial content data to the server transmission / reception unit, and transmits data from the command interpreter. A data generation unit that receives a distribution command, acquires partial program data corresponding to the data distribution command from the content selection program storage unit, and transfers the acquired partial program data to the server transmission / reception unit ;
Equipped,
The client terminal
A user biometric information input unit that obtains user biometric information such as pulse and blood pressure in real time and transfers the biometric information to the user biometric information storage unit;
A user biometric information storage unit for storing data from the user biometric information input unit;
A user preference data storage unit for storing user preference data;
A terminal content selection program storage unit for storing a partial program distributed from the server;
Obtaining a partial program stored in the terminal content selection program storage unit and operating it, generating a partial content distribution request corresponding to the operated partial program, and at least user biometric information or user preference information A program operation unit that determines the next partial content using one of them and generates a distribution request for the next partial program corresponding to the determined next partial content ;
Sending a partial content delivery request command to the server and receiving partial content data, sending a next partial program delivery request command to the server, receiving the next partial program data, and receiving the received data as data A terminal transmission / reception unit for transmission to the control unit;
A data control unit that receives the partial content data and the next partial program data sent from the terminal transmission / reception unit, and distributes the partial content data to the terminal content selection program storage unit and the output unit;
Output means for receiving, decoding and outputting the partial content data transmitted from the data control unit;
Equipped ,
The client terminal sequentially operates the partial program acquired from the server, so that the distribution request of the partial content corresponding to the operated partial program and the next part related to the partial content currently output by the output unit A content distribution system , wherein a distribution request for a next partial program for selecting next partial content related to the next partial content based on a content determination result is sequentially made to the server . In the server used for a content distribution system in which a client terminal receives content stored in a server connected to the Internet,
A content storage unit for storing partial content;
A content selection program storage unit for storing a partial program for selecting the next partial content related to the partial content;
By receiving a partial content distribution request command issued from the client terminal by operating the partial program in the client terminal, the partial content data is distributed to the client terminal, and the partial program is operated in the client terminal. A server transmission / reception unit for receiving a next partial program distribution request command corresponding to the next partial content determined using at least one of the user biometric information and the user preference information, and distributing the next partial program data to the client terminal ;
A command interpreter that interprets a command sent from the server transceiver and issues a data distribution command to the data generator;
Receives a data distribution command from the command interpreter, acquires partial content data corresponding to the data distribution command from the content storage unit, transfers the acquired partial content data to the server transmission / reception unit, and transmits data from the command interpreter. A data generation unit that receives a distribution command, acquires partial program data corresponding to the data distribution command from the content selection program storage unit, and transfers the acquired partial program data to the server transmission / reception unit ;
Equipped,
The partial content distribution request corresponding to the operated partial program generated by sequentially operating the partial program in the client terminal, and the determination result of the next partial content related to the partial content currently output in the client terminal The next partial program distribution request for selecting the partial content related to the next partial content based on the above is sequentially received, and the data distribution according to the received distribution request is performed to the client terminal. Server characterized by. In the client terminal used for a content distribution system in which a client terminal receives content stored in a server connected to the Internet,
A user biometric information input unit that obtains user biometric information such as pulse and blood pressure in real time and transfers the biometric information to the user biometric information storage unit;
A user biometric information storage unit for storing data from the user biometric information input unit;
A user preference data storage unit for storing user preference data;
A terminal content selection program storage unit for storing a partial program for selecting the next partial content related to the partial content distributed from the server;
Obtaining a partial program stored in the terminal content selection program storage unit and operating it, generating a partial content distribution request corresponding to the operated partial program, and at least user biometric information or user preference information A program operation unit that determines the next partial content using one of them and generates a distribution request for the next partial program corresponding to the determined next partial content ;
Sending a partial content delivery request command to the server and receiving partial content data, sending a next partial program delivery request command to the server, receiving the next partial program data, and receiving the received data as data A terminal transmission / reception unit for transmission to the control unit;
A data control unit that receives the partial content data and the next partial program data sent from the terminal transmission / reception unit, and distributes the partial content data to the terminal content selection program storage unit and the output unit;
Output means for receiving, decoding and outputting the partial content data transmitted from the data control unit;
Equipped ,
By sequentially operating the partial program acquired from the server, the distribution request for the partial content corresponding to the operated partial program and the determination result of the next partial content related to the partial content currently output by the output means A client terminal characterized in that, based on the next partial content, the next partial program distribution request for selecting the next partial content is sequentially made to the server . In a content distribution method in which a client terminal receives content stored in a server connected to the Internet,
The above server
Receiving a partial content distribution request from the client terminal;
Delivering partial content data stored in a server to the client terminal in response to a request from the client terminal;
Receiving a partial program distribution request for selecting the next partial content related to the partial content from the client terminal;
Delivering the partial program data stored in the server to the client terminal in response to a request from the client terminal ;
Run,
The client terminal
A step of reading and executing memory to the stored part partial programs in the client terminal,
Sending a partial content delivery request to the server by the executed program;
Decoding and outputting the distributed partial content data in the output means of the client terminal; and
By the executed program, at least one of the user preference data and the user biometric information stored in the client terminal is read, and the read data is used to relate to the partial content currently being output by the output means. Determining the next partial content,
And sending by the executed program, the delivery request for the next portion partial program corresponding to the next partial content in the server,
Receiving next part program data corresponding to the next part content distributed from the server and storing it in a memory in the client terminal;
Let it run
The client terminal sequentially operates the partial program acquired from the server, so that the distribution request of the partial content corresponding to the operated partial program and the next part related to the partial content currently output by the output unit A content distribution method characterized by sequentially performing a next part program distribution request for selecting next partial contents related to a next partial content based on a content determination result to the server .   A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the content distribution method according to claim 4.

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