JP2004328382A - Rental data depository system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of recording, storing a broadcast program reserved by a user and enabling a user to utilize it when it is necessary. <P>SOLUTION: One or a plurality programs reserved by the user are recorded by a content recording server 123 stored in a content DB 127 and a content distribution server 124 distributes the stored program to a DSTB2 operated by the user at any time. Namely, the vicarious recording of the program and the rental of the content DB 127 are performed. A charging processing server 141 performs charging processing according to rental conditions specified by the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention saves and saves content composed of digital data (contents of digital information such as digital video, images, sounds, characters, and numerical values that can be played back by a predetermined playback mechanism, the same applies hereinafter) on behalf of a user. The present invention relates to an information processing technology that enables the use of existing contents. More specifically, assuming the use of a broadband network, the content deposited or obtained on behalf of the user at the request of the user is stored in the data repository, and the stored content is stored by the requesting user. The present invention relates to a mechanism of information processing for making it available anytime and anywhere.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, digitalization of broadcasting technology, such as digital high-definition broadcasting and CATV, has been rapidly advanced. Unlike analog data, digital data maintains its quality at a certain level or more even when it is propagated through a communication path, and does not deteriorate even when stored for a long time on a recording medium such as a digital tape. For this reason, new services, such as value-added services and high-quality contents-provided services, that combine the advantages of digital technology with the advantages of broadcasting that enable 1: N data distribution, have emerged. ing. Recently, digital video recorders for digitally recording broadcasted content have become widespread, and it is common for individuals to own a wide variety of content.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if a wide variety of contents are distributed, it is usually not possible to acquire the desired contents unless the distribution time zone of the desired contents is known. In a digital video recorder, a tuner is usually used. In order to record a large number of contents at the same time, a plurality of digital video recorders must be purchased.
Also, as the content owned increases, the management becomes more troublesome. Generally, each content is recorded and managed on a medium such as a CD-ROM or a digital tape. It will be difficult. Further, depending on the storage environment, dirt or deterioration of the media becomes a problem, and storage for a long period of time may be difficult. In particular, data on the hard disk of a personal computer (PC) may be lost due to a PC virus or failure of the PC or hard disk drive (HDD), and the danger of irreparable damage due to complete loss of data. Enthusiastic.
[0004]
The present invention solves such a problem, and receives a plurality of contents transmitted simultaneously on behalf of a user, stores the contents in a data repository, and can use the stored contents at any time. The main task is to provide a rental data repository system.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The rental data repository system of the present invention is a system that is connected to a wide area network to which a plurality of user terminals each having a playback mechanism for digital content and an information transmission mechanism can be connected. A data repository having a storage area capable of storing a plurality of types of contents that may be transmitted for a plurality of days, and an acquisition reservation of contents to be stored in the storage area among the plurality of types of potentially transmitted contents. A reservation database having a reserved area for recording the contents, a reservation for acquiring the contents and a rental condition of the storage area for storing the acquired contents are received from any user terminal, and the received acquisition reservation and rental are received. And a condition together with the attribute information of the user terminal. A reservation receiving means for recording in the approximate area, searching the reserved area, and when the acquisition reservation is recorded, obtains the corresponding content in place of the user terminal according to the recorded content, and Content storage means for storing in the storage area, reproduction control means for enabling reproduction of the content stored in the storage area by the user terminal in accordance with a reproduction request from the user terminal for which acquisition reservation has been made, Charging processing means for performing charging processing for rental of the storage area by the user terminal according to rental conditions recorded in the reserved area for the terminal. The “data repository” refers to a data recording device or system capable of recording computer-readable electronic information and reading the recorded electronic information as needed.
[0006]
From the viewpoint of improving the operability at the time of using the user terminal, an electronic program guide indicating the reservation status of the acquisition reservation received from the user terminal and the content of the content stored in the content storage unit is edited for each user. In addition, the rental data repository system is further provided with program table management means for distributing the contents to a user terminal operated by the user and enabling the user to specify the content selected on the display screen of the electronic program guide.
[0007]
In one embodiment, a plurality of types of the content are transmitted from a plurality of content transmission sources each day. The reservation database includes a matrix-shaped cell in which identification information of a content source is set in a first direction, and scheduled transmission times of a plurality of contents transmitted in chronological order from each content source are set in a second direction. It has a structure consisting of a set. The reservation receiving unit is configured to record the received acquisition reservation and rental conditions in the reservation area of the cell, and the content storage unit stores each cell in the first direction of the reservation database in a second direction. The content is sequentially read in the direction, the corresponding content is acquired according to the contents of the acquisition reservation recorded in each cell, and the acquired corresponding content is stored in any of the storage areas.
[0008]
When the plurality of content transmission sources are, for example, broadcasting stations that respectively perform digital broadcasting, the reservation accepting unit arranges transmission scheduled contents obtained from the respective broadcasting stations and transmission times thereof in advance for each broadcasting station. The electronic program guide is presented to each user terminal connected to the wide area network, and a recording reservation of the content in a time zone designated by the user terminal is accepted along with the rental condition in accordance with the presentation, and the received recording reservation and rental condition are set to the reservation. It is configured to record in the corresponding cell of the database. Further, the content storage means is configured to record the corresponding content in accordance with the content of the recording reservation recorded in the cell, and to record the recorded content in any of the storage areas.
[0009]
The rental data repository system of the present invention can also be used to store personal content held by a user. As an example of a configuration for enabling such an operation, a storage request receiving unit that receives a storage request for personal content held by a user is further provided, and the content storage unit further includes a storage request receiving unit. The received personal content is configured to be stored in any storage area of the data repository, and the reproduction control means is stored in the storage area in accordance with a reproduction request from a user terminal having reproduction authority. The user terminal that has made a request for storage of the personal content. The rental condition recorded in the reserved area for the user terminal that has made a storage request for the personal content. Is configured to perform charging processing for the rental of the storage area by the user terminal according to To so that.
[0010]
The data repository includes, for example, a fixed type first recording medium and a removable second type recording medium capable of mutually copying or moving data, and a recording / reading mechanism for these recording media. It is composed. The first type recording medium is any one of a magnetic disk type recording medium, a magneto-optical disk type recording medium, and a semiconductor memory type recording medium, and the second type recording medium is a tape type recording medium. . The first type recording medium or the second type recording medium may be constituted by an external information recording system connected to the wide area network.
[0011]
The content storage means generates statistical information on the frequency of storage and use of the content, and stores the storage medium in which the content is to be stored in another storage medium according to the frequency of storage and use based on the statistical information. It is configured to be changeable,
The user designates storage for a relatively long period of time, and moves the content stored in the storage area of the first type recording medium to the storage area of the second type recording medium without actually using it for a certain period of time or longer. As a result, costs for storing the content can be reduced.
[0012]
When accepting storage of personal content, the storage request accepting unit also accepts identification information of another user to whom reproduction authority of the stored personal content should be granted or identification information of a user terminal operated by the other user. It can be configured to record in a predetermined authority information recording area. In this case, when there is a playback request from any of the user terminals, the playback control unit determines whether the authority information attached at the time of the playback request is the same as the identification information recorded in the authority information recording area. Is determined.
[0013]
The rental condition may include a size of the storage area and a storage time. In this case, the charging processing means is configured to determine a charging amount based on a result of multiplying the storage area size by a storage time. The rental condition may further include a scheduled number of reproductions of the content stored in the storage area, and the billing processing unit may add a billing amount according to the number of actual reproductions.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a rental data repository system (hereinafter abbreviated as “RDD system”) of the present invention will be described.
In this embodiment, the characteristics of the CATV infrastructure that the two-way communication band has a large capacity and a wide band in both the upstream and downstream directions are used to store the content entrusted from the user and to record the content broadcast by digital broadcasting. A description will be given of an example in which the present invention is applied to a service that allows a user to perform proxy and storage thereof, and reproduce stored content by a user.
[0015]
Broadcast contents include program contents and advertisement contents, but here, for convenience, only program contents are targeted. The content entrusted by the user is not particularly limited, such as digital video, image, audio, music, text file, binary file, and the like. In the following description, the program content is simply referred to as “program”. In addition, when it is necessary to distinguish the content type in particular, the content recorded by digital broadcasting is referred to as “broadcast recording content”, and the content recorded by the user and recorded by the digital recording device on the user side is referred to as “personal recording content”. The content owned by the user other than the recording is called “personal content” and these are collectively called “personal content” or “personal data”.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a use state of the RDD system according to this example.
The RDD system 1 can be implemented, for example, as an optional service system in a base station of the CATV network N.
In the CATV network N, a plurality of digital set-top boxes (hereinafter, abbreviated as “DSTB”) 2 each serving as an example of a user terminal, or a DSTB 2 and a personal computer (hereinafter, abbreviated as “PC”) 3 Are connected to each other. When operated by a set of the DSTB 2 and the PC 3, these sets also function as user terminals.
[0017]
The DSTB 2 is connected to the user's home television, and transmits a program reservation between the RDD system 1 and the RDD system 1 via a cable modem to reproduce a program on the home television according to various programs, and transmits various kinds of notification information. An information transmission / reception mechanism for performing reception is provided. The PC 3 is provided with a hard disk in which a content recording area for recording broadcast recorded content, personal content, and the like stored in the RDD system 1 is formed.
[0018]
The DSTB 2 is loaded with a program (hereinafter, referred to as a “first program”) that generates reservation data for requesting recording reservation of a program and reproduction request data for requesting reproduction of a recorded program. The PC 3 is loaded with a program (hereinafter, referred to as a “second program”) for generating upload request data / download request data when requesting upload / download of personally held content or personal recorded content.
[0019]
The RDD system 1 of the present embodiment includes a digital head end (hereinafter abbreviated as “DHE”) 11, a recording / playback system 12, a user data management system 13, and a billing system 14 as main components. I have.
First, an outline of these components will be described.
[0020]
[DHE11]
The DHE 11 is an interface component serving as a bidirectional communication interface between the CATV network N and each of the above systems 12, 13, and 14 and between each of the systems 12, 13, and 14. FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration diagram of the DHE 11.
[0021]
Referring to FIG. 2, the DHE 11 includes a network-type router 111, downlink components for transmitting data from each of the systems 12, 13, and 14 in the direction of the CATV network N, and data from the CATV network N to each system. And uplink components for transmission in the directions of 12, 13, and 14.
The router 111 connects the respective systems 12, 13, and 14 with each other, and switches the routes between the respective systems 12, 13, and 14 and a plurality of DSTBs 2 connected to the CATV network N.
[0022]
Downlink system components include a digital encoder 112 for encoding data (including contents) destined for the CATV network N, a modulation device 113 for digitally modulating the encoded data by a CATV modulation method (64 QAM, etc.), and a modulated data. And a transmitting device 115 for transmitting the combined data to the CATV network N. A plurality of sets of the digital encoder 112 and the modulation device 113 are provided for each broadcast channel.
On the other hand, the uplink components include a receiving device 116 that receives data from the CATV network N, a demodulating device 117 that demodulates the received data, and a decoder 118 that decodes the demodulated data.
[0023]
[Recording reservation playback system 12]
The recording reservation / reproduction system 12 is a system for recording, acting as a form of acquiring a broadcasted program, and performing storage and distribution. For example, the program table distribution server 121, the program reservation server 122, and the content recording server 123 , A content distribution server 124, a program DB 125, a program reservation DB 126, and a content DB 127 which is an example of a data repository.
[0024]
The content DB 127 is a large-capacity recording medium capable of recording a plurality of types of programs broadcast at least for one day for a plurality of days, for example, a fixed-type first-type recording medium capable of mutually copying or moving data. It is composed of a removable type 2 recording medium. The first type recording medium is any of a magnetic disk type recording medium, a magneto-optical disk type recording medium, and a semiconductor memory type recording medium. The second type recording medium is a tape type recording medium, for example, a digital tape. When this digital tape is used, a digital tape recording / reproducing device is separately provided in the content DB 127, and a program is copied or moved to / from the first type recording medium through the digital tape recording / reproducing device. . In consideration of the cumulative increase in programs, these recording media may be connected at any time or replaced with new ones as needed. It should be noted that the first type recording medium or the second type recording medium may be another external information recording system (information processing system specialized in content recording) connected to the CATV network N.
[0025]
The program guide distribution server 121 is used to edit a program guide for one day, one week, and one month based on scheduled broadcast programs and scheduled broadcast times obtained from a plurality of broadcast stations. The program data to be recorded is recorded in the program DB 125, and the program data recorded in the program DB 125 is read out according to the request from each DSTB 2, and an EPG (Electronic Program Guide / Electronic Program Guide) format unique to the requesting DSTB 2 is provided. , And distributes the generated program guide to the DSTB 2 that has issued the request through the CATV network N.
The contents of the program data in the program DB 125 are updated to the latest version at any time, and the past program data is saved in the history data area in a state where it can be read as appropriate.
[0026]
The program DB 125 can have, for example, the data structure shown in FIG. That is, in the program DB 125, the identification information of the broadcast channel is set in the X-axis direction (row direction), and the scheduled transmission times of a plurality of programs transmitted in time series from each broadcast station are set in the Y-axis direction (column direction). It has a two-dimensional data structure composed of a set of cells in a matrix. In this two-dimensional data structure, each program is shown as a cell at the intersection of a designated broadcast channel (X-axis side in FIG. 3) and broadcast date / time (Y-axis side in FIG. 3). Each cell represents a program attribute item R1 for recording a broadcast channel and a broadcast date and time of the program, a title item R2 for recording a title of the program, trailer data of contents, synopsis data, and related Web information. Data such as the introduction item R3 is recorded.
[0027]
The program reservation server 122 includes a reservation receiving unit that receives the reservation data received from each DSTB 2, and a control device that records the received reservation data in the program reservation DB 126 and sequentially updates the reservation data recorded in the program reservation DB 126. Have. The reservation data is data including personal information of a user who operates the DSTB 2, broadcast channel and program identification information, recording start time and end time of the program, and rental conditions together with reservation request instruction information. It is generated by executing one program.
[0028]
The program reservation DB 126 for recording the reservation data can have, for example, a data structure shown in FIG.
That is, in the program reservation DB 126, similarly to the program DB 125, the identification information of the broadcast channel is set in the X-axis direction (row direction), and the scheduled transmission times of a plurality of programs transmitted in time series from each broadcasting station are set in the Y-axis direction. It has a two-dimensional data structure consisting of a set of cells in a matrix set in the (column direction). Each program is shown as a cell at the intersection of a designated broadcast channel (X-axis side in FIG. 4) and broadcast date / time (Y-axis side in FIG. 4). Each cell includes a program attribute item RD1 for recording a broadcast channel and a broadcast date and time of the program, a program introduction item RD2 for recording a brief introduction of the program, and personal information of a user who made a program reservation. , A rental condition, a user attribute item RD3 for recording the use status of the program, and the like are formed. The user attribute item RD3 is stored as RD3-1, RD3-2,... For each user.
[0029]
In the example of FIG. 4, the user attribute item RD3 includes the user name, address, telephone number, usage period / number of usages as rental conditions included in the program reservation data sent from the DSTB2, and the content distribution server 124 described later. The usage flag sent from the server is recorded. The use flag indicates whether or not the program has been reproduced by the user. If the program has been reproduced, “1” has been used, and if not, “0” has not been used.
The program reservation DB 126 can be easily constructed by copying necessary parts from the program DB 125, that is, data within a reservable period.
[0030]
The content recording server 123 is an example of a content storage unit, and includes a tuner that can receive a program from a broadcast channel of a recordable program, for example, a digital terrestrial wave / digital CS broadcast wave / digital BS broadcast wave; A decoder, a recording mechanism for recording (recording) a program received by the tuner or a program decoded by the decoder in the content DB 127, a timer, control of the tuner and the recording mechanism, and reading and changing of the recorded program; There is provided a control device for recording, changing, deleting, and the like, deletion and other information in the content DB 127.
[0031]
In satellite broadcasting, etc., data is coded and decoded only by a dedicated decoder so that non-regular subscribers cannot freely watch the program, so that the program can be viewed normally. Although it is possible, by providing this decoder in the content recording server 123, there is no need to provide an expensive decoder for each DSTB 2 on the user side, and there is an advantage that the DSTB 2 can be inexpensive. However, it goes without saying that the decoder may be provided on the DSTB 2 side, and the decoding process may be performed on the DSTB 2 side. In this case, since a program without a decoder cannot watch the program, there is an advantage that it is easy to prevent unauthorized viewing.
[0032]
The control device of the content recording server 123 always refers to the recording information and the timer of the program reservation DB 126, and receives the program when the recording start time reserved for the program in a certain time zone is reached. Recording (recording) to the content DB 127 is started, and when the reserved recording end time is reached, the recording of the program ends. When the recording of the program is completed, the control device, in addition to the program itself, program identification information for identifying the program, date and time of recording, recorded information indicating broadcast channel identification information, recording of the program, The identification information of the user who made the reservation is also stored in the content DB 127. In the content DB 127, only programs reserved in the program reservation DB 126 are stored.
[0033]
The control device also generates statistical information on the frequency of storage and use of the program, and stores the recording medium of the content DB 127 in which the program should be stored in accordance with the frequency of storage and use based on the statistical information, with another storage medium. It also has the function of changing to a recording medium. In particular, the user designates the storage for a relatively long period of time, and the content stored in the storage area of the first type recording medium of the content DB 127 without actually being reproduced for a certain period of time or longer is stored in the second type recording medium. Move to storage area.
[0034]
The control device further transmits to the accounting server 141 of the accounting system 14 information such as the distribution of the content to the user and the result of the selection of the accounting system by the user. Further, after the data is used, the program reservation DB 126 is referred to, and if there is no user using the data, the video data is deleted from the content DB 127.
[0035]
Upon receiving a distribution request (a distribution request of the content generated by executing the first program) from the user's DSTB 2, the content distribution server 124 transmits the program recorded (recorded) in the content DB 127 to the request source, Distribute to DSTB2. The term “distribution” used herein refers to a mode in which a program recorded in the content DB 127 is copied and transmitted to the DSTB 2 at a time, and a mode in which the program is reproduced on the content distribution server 124 and sequentially transmitted in chronological order. (So-called streaming transmission) is also included. When distributing the program, the content distribution server 124 refers to the program reservation DB 126 to check the reservation contents and rental conditions from the user.
[0036]
[User data management system 13]
The user data management system 13 is a system for storing personal content, such as the above-mentioned personally owned content and / or personally recorded content, as user data unique to the user separately from or together with the program. And includes a user data registration server 131, a user data distribution server 132, and a user DB 133.
[0037]
In the user data registration server 131, the main body of personal content (personal content or personal recorded content) and their content attribute information (information such as content type and content summary, size, rental conditions, media to be stored ( A receiving mechanism for receiving the type 1 recording medium / type 2 recording medium), a usage permission attribute representing a reproduction right, and user attribute information (user name, user ID, etc.); and a content body received by the receiving mechanism. A control device is provided to store the content attribute information and the user attribute information in the user DB 133 while linking the content attribute information and the user attribute information to the storage area of the content DB 127. The control device also controls the editing, deletion, reading, and the like of various information recorded in the user DB 133.
[0038]
The user DB 133 has a data structure as exemplified in FIG. 5, that is, a user name for identifying a user, a user ID (identification information), and whether the personal content stored in the content DB 127 is a personal recorded content. Content type indicating other content (personal data) held by an individual, content information indicating an outline of the content, size of the content, registration date, specified storage period, storage medium (first type recording medium / second type) Recording medium) and a usage permission attribute are stored as items.
In this case, the personal content is stored in the content DB 127 together with the program, and only the user attribute information and the content attribute information are recorded in the user DB 133. However, the user DB 133 has the same structure as the content DB 127. Personal contents may be stored in the user DB 133.
[0039]
The user data distribution server 132 is a server that distributes personally held content and personally recorded content stored in the content DB 127 to the DSTB 2 or the PC 3 operated by the user in response to a request from the user. As described above, “distribution” has two modes.
[0040]
[Charge processing system 14]
The billing system 14 is a system that performs billing processing according to rental conditions for each user, and includes a billing server 141 and a billing DB 142. The charging processing server 141 stores the rental conditions recorded in the program reservation DB 126, the data size (rental size) used for recording in the content DB 127, the rental conditions and the data size (rental size) recorded in the user DB 133. Is periodically read out, billing data for each user is created, and the created billing data is stored in the billing DB 142. The stored billing data is totaled monthly, a bill is issued to the user, and payment is confirmed.
[0041]
6 and 7 show examples of the contents of the billing DB 142. FIG.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the charging DB 142 in the case of performing only recording surrogate and storage of a program, and FIG. 7 shows an example of the charging DB 142 in the case of receiving storage of personal contents by the same user. In the illustrated example, identification information (user name, user ID) of the user, content type, content information, usage mode, usage log, unit price of charging, total charging, and payment confirmation are stored as items for each user. . A summary or the like is used as the content information. As the usage mode, a charging system selected by the user at the time of a content reproduction request and a usage period and the number of times of use specified by the user are recorded. The billing DB 142 having such a structure makes it possible to list the billing amount and the payment status for the user.
[0042]
<Usage of RDD system 1>
Next, a usage pattern of the RDD system 1 configured as described above will be described.
First, a procedure in which a user operates his / her own DSTB 2 to request recording reservation of a desired program, storage of a recorded program, and reproduction of the stored program will be described with reference to screen examples of FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043]
When using the RDD system 1, the user operates his / her DSTB 2 to give an access instruction. FIG. 8 shows an outline of the procedure of recording reservation and reproduction request. In DSTB2, when an instruction from the user, that is, execution of the first program is requested, the first program is executed (S102: Yes, S104). As a result, the use of the RDD system 1 by the DSTB 2 becomes possible.
After accessing the RDD system 1 and receiving predetermined user authentication, the user makes a request to distribute a program guide for one day, one week, or one month.
[0044]
If the accessing user is a legitimate user, the RDD system 1 allows the program guide distribution server 121 to update the predetermined layout for the user based on the latest recording information of the program DB 125 in accordance with the distribution request from the DSTB 2. And edits the program table, and transmits the program table to the request source DSTB2.
[0045]
The DSTB 2 displays the received program guide on the screen of the home television. FIG. 9 shows an example of the display screen at this time. The user performs operations such as selection of a desired program and recording reservation while checking the displayed program table. For example, the user clicks the display area of a desired program to select a program to be reserved for recording, and presses "reservation" in the "operation guide" displayed on the left side of the screen. As a result, information indicating that the program has been specified is generated. This operation is usually performed by an input device such as an external controller (remote controller) connected to the DSTB 2, but when the PC 3 is connected to the DSTB 2, the input device such as a mouse or a keyboard connected to the PC 3 is used. It can also be done.
[0046]
When the program reserved for recording is specified, the display screen switches as shown in FIG. The user can use the display screen shown in FIG. 10 to rent a program for storing the program, that is, a combination of a charging system based on the storage period of the program and a charging system based on the number of times of viewing (the number of times of reproduction). Select In the example of FIG. 10, the condition of viewing once during storage for one week is selected. Note that selection of the number of times of viewing is indispensable for a pay program, but can be omitted for a program that is not so. Further, the storage period and the number of times of viewing are not limited to this example, and the user may directly input an arbitrary storage period or the number of times of viewing. The program reserved in this manner may be displayed as "reserved" on the screen of the program guide, so as to clearly indicate which program has been reserved.
[0047]
When the information of the reserved program and the rental conditions are determined in this way (S106: Yes), the DSTB 2 executes the first program together with the user attribute information and the identification information of the DSTB 2 uniquely determined in the CATV network N. It is formed into reservation data and transmitted to the RDD system 1 through the CATV network N (S108).
When the reservation data reaches the program reservation server 122 via the DHE 11 of the RDD system 1, the program reservation server 122 records the reservation contents of the program in the program reservation DB 126. In this case, in FIG. 4, the reservation contents are already recorded in the items RD3-1 and RD3-2, and if it is assumed that the items RD3-3 and thereafter are vacant, the user name is entered in the vacant item RD3-3. , Address, telephone number, and the selected charging system described above are updated. At the time when the program is reserved, since the user is not viewing the program, 0 (unused) is recorded as the use flag.
[0048]
When the update of the program reservation DB 126 is completed, the program reservation server 122 transmits an update end notification to the DSTB 2 and switches the display screen as shown in FIG. The DSTB 2 confirms that the update of the program reservation DB 126 has been completed by receiving the update completion notification of the program reservation DB 126 from the program reservation server 122, and furthermore, the end of use of the RDD system 1 by the user, that is, the end of the first program. When a command is input, the flow ends (FIG. 8: S110: Yes, S112). If the end command has not been input, the process returns to S106.
[0049]
Thereafter, when the time zone in which the program reserved by the user is broadcast is reached, the recording mechanism of the content recording server 123 starts recording the program in the content DB 127, and ends the recording when the end of the time zone is reached. As a result, the program reserved for recording by the user is stored (recorded) in the storage area of the content DB 127.
[0050]
The user can access the RDD system 1 at any time to receive the distribution of the stored program contents, and thereby the user can reproduce the contents on his / her own DSTB 2. It is also possible to request the RDD system 1 to confirm what kind of recorded program is. FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen displayed on the DSTB 2 in response to the confirmation request. In order to notify the user that there is a recorded program, an icon may be displayed on the display screen, or separately from the icon display, the recording indicator (lamp) may be lit on the DSTB 2 or its remote controller. By doing so, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the fact that there is recorded content is transmitted. Alternatively, an email may be transmitted from the RDD system 1 to the user indicating that the recording of the reserved program has ended. As shown in FIG. 12, when a recorded program is displayed, information such as the program name, distribution date and time, and channel are shown. By clicking the displayed program name, detailed data such as an outline of the program and a trailer may be referred to.
[0051]
The program reproduction request is made by inputting a program reproduction request instead of the reservation request in steps S102 to S106 in FIG. In step S106, if the content input by the user is a program reproduction request, the first program of DSTB2 generates reproduction request data (S106: No, S202: Yes), and transmits this to the RDD through the CATV network N. The data is transmitted to the system 1 (S204).
[0052]
On the RDD system 1 side, the content distribution server 124 reads the relevant program from the content DB 127 based on the received reproduction request data, and distributes the program to the requesting DSTB 2. As a result, the program can be reproduced on the DSTB 2 (S206). The DSTB 2 monitors whether or not the reproduction of the received program has ended (S208). When the reproduction has ended, the DSTB 2 notifies the RDD system 1 (the program reservation server 122) of the end (S208: Yes). In response to this notification, the program reservation server 122 updates the use flag for the program in the program reservation DB 126 from unused “0” to used “1”, and transmits an update end notification to the DSTB 2. The DSTB 2 recognizes that the update of the program reservation DB 126 has been completed by the update completion notification from the program reservation server 122 (S210), and returns to the process of S202.
[0053]
When the user uses the RDD system 1, the billing system 14 calculates the billing amount for each user for the program recording, storage, and distribution services based on the record information of the billing DB 142 in FIG. 6 or FIG. Then, for example, this billing amount is added to a monthly invoice of CATV and issued to the user.
When the number of uses of the program reaches the number of uses specified by all users, or when the storage period of the program ends, the program is deleted from the content DB 127. Thereby, the capacity of the content DB 127 can be used efficiently.
[0054]
<In the case of personal content>
Next, instead of recording a broadcasted program, an example of storing personal contents such as digital videos, backup data, and text files owned by the user in the RDD system 1 and reading out the contents and writing the contents back to the PC 3 as appropriate. Will be described.
[0055]
A user who intends to use the RDD system 1 executes the second program installed in the PC 3 or the DSTB 2 to perform user authentication with the RDD system 1 and to store personal recorded contents and backup files. The personal content is transferred from the PC 3 to the user data registration server 131 of the RDD system 1 via the DSTB 2, the CATV network N, and the DHE 111.
[0056]
The user data registration server 131 stores the transferred personal content in the content DB 127, and stores information (item name, user ID, content type, content information, content size, registration date, storage period) of the items shown in FIG. , Storage media, and usage permission attributes) are linked to the storage area of the content DB 127 and registered in the user DB 133. In the example of FIG. 5, in addition to the user A (self), personal recorded contents that can be used by other users B and C, PC backup data that can be used only by the user A, and files that can be used only by the users A and C # 1, a file # 2 that can be used only by the users A and B is stored.
[0057]
When importing the stored personal content from the RDD system 1 to the user's own PC 3, the user specifies the content to be imported by executing the second program from the DSTB 2. In this case, the second program causes the personal content currently stored in the RDD system 1 to be displayed on a screen as shown in FIG. 13, for example. From these personal contents, the user selects the contents to be taken into the PC 3 and requests the RDD system 1 to transfer the personal contents.
[0058]
On the RDD system 1 side, the user data distribution server 132 reads out the stored personal content in response to a request from the user. Thereafter, referring to the user DB 133, the user confirms the attribute information and the use permission attribute of the user. If the user is permitted to use, the read personal content is distributed to the PC 3.
When the personal content is transferred to the user's PC 3, a message indicating that the transfer has been completed is displayed to the user through the second program.
It should be noted that not only the user who owns the content but also a user having a use permission attribute designated at the time of content registration can extract personal content by the same means as described above.
[0059]
Next, a case will be described in which personal recorded data among personal contents is reproduced on a VOD (video on demand) basis through the user data distribution server 132.
By executing the second program, the user selects the data to be reproduced from the personal recording data currently stored in the RDD system 1 and instructs the user data distribution server 132 to reproduce the data. As a result, the specified personal recorded content is transferred from the user data distribution server 132 to the user's DSTB2 or PC3 as a stream image, and can be viewed on a television screen.
[0060]
The accounting process for storing and reproducing personal contents in the accounting system 14 is performed in the same procedure as in the case of recording reservation, storage, and distribution of a program.
When the personal content is used as described above, a usage log is recorded in the charging DB 142 in the same manner as in the case of program reservation.
After the storage period of the personal content has ended, a confirmation message of the expiration of the storage period is transmitted to the DSTB 2 or PC 3 of the user. If the storage is not continued, the personal contents and the contents of the user DB 133 are deleted. An expiration confirmation message is sent when deleting personal content. In the case of program storage, it is usually possible to obtain the program again even if the program is deleted by mistake, whereas personal content is deleted. Takes into account that it is almost impossible to obtain the same thing once deleted.
[0061]
As described above, the RDD system 1 of the present embodiment can use a broadband network, have a large capacity and a wide band in both the upstream and downstream directions of the broadband network, the recording reservation / playback system 12 and the user data management system 13 Is installed in a CATV base station because the VOD (On-De-Mand) system can be used, and already has a multi-channel program receiving facility. It is assumed that services will be provided. However, it is also possible to provide a similar service by constructing a data repository on the Internet using the broadband Internet as a communication channel and the PC 3 or the like as a user terminal.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the stored content is distributed to the DSTB 2 or the PC 3 via the network. However, according to a request from a user, the portable content such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a digital tape, or the like may be used. A service of recording on a recording medium and physically distributing it to a user is also possible. In addition, the present invention can be used for a service for acquiring, storing, and distributing programs via a wide area network, instead of broadcasting by terrestrial waves or satellite waves.
[0063]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the form of charging for the rental of the data repository is a form specified by the user at the time of program reservation, but a default use form is determined at the first use of the system, and it is necessary to change the form. It is also possible to change only the mode of change or the mode of charging at the time of program reservation at the time of reproduction and use, and to change the charging process accordingly.
[0064]
In addition, for example, when performing recording and reproduction by a digital video recorder, an advertisement content (commercial message or the like) recorded together with a program may be skipped and reproduced. In this case, there is a possibility that the advertisement income of the broadcasting station may decrease. However, according to this embodiment, since the program and the advertisement content can be connected and played back, it is also possible to prevent a decrease in the advertising revenue of the broadcasting station due to the skip playback of the advertisement content.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, content is acquired in response to a user request, and the acquired content is stored in a rental data repository and delivered to the user when necessary. Therefore, a large number of contents can be obtained at the same time, and even if the number of contents increases, the user is freed from the troublesome management of those contents.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a use state of an RDD system.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of a DHE.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a program DB.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a data structure of a program reservation DB.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of contents of a user DB.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the contents of a charging DB (in the case of only broadcast recording contents).
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the contents of a billing DB (in the case of including personally owned contents).
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a recording reservation / reproduction procedure.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen when a program reservation is made.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen for selecting a charging system.
FIG. 11 is a view showing a display example of a screen after reservation.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of a list screen of available recorded data.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a list screen of registered personal contents.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Rental data repository (RDD) system
2 Digital Set Top Box (DSTB)
3 Personal computer (PC)
11 Digital Head End (DHE)
111 router
112 Digital Encoder
113 Modulator
114 Synthesizer
115 transmitter
116 receiver
117 Demodulator
118 decoder
12. Recording and playback system
121 Program Guide Distribution Server
122 Program reservation server
123 Content Recording Server
124 Content Distribution Server
125 Program DB
126 Program reservation DB
127 Content DB
13 User data management system
131 User data registration server
132 User data distribution server
133 User DB
14. Billing system
141 accounting server
142 Billing DB
N CATV network

Claims (13)

A system connected to a wide area network to which a plurality of user terminals each having a content playback mechanism and an information transmission mechanism made of digital data can be connected,
A data repository having a storage area capable of storing a plurality of types of content that may be transmitted at least in one day for a plurality of days,
A reservation database having a reservation area for recording the contents of the acquisition reservation of the content to be stored in the storage area among the plurality of types of content that may be transmitted,
A content acquisition reservation and a rental condition of the storage area for storing the acquired content are received from any user terminal, and the received acquisition reservation and rental condition are stored together with attribute information of the user terminal in the reservation database. Reservation reception means for recording in the reservation area,
Searching for the reserved area, when the acquisition reservation is recorded, acquiring the corresponding content in accordance with the recorded content on behalf of the user terminal, and storing the acquired corresponding content in any of the storage areas; ,
Playback control means for enabling playback of the content stored in the storage area in accordance with the playback request from the user terminal that has been reserved for acquisition by the user terminal;
Charging processing means for performing charging processing for the rental of the storage area by the user terminal according to the rental conditions recorded in the reserved area for the user terminal for which the acquisition reservation has been made,
Rental data deposit system. An electronic program guide indicating the reservation status of the acquisition reservation received from the user terminal and the content of the content stored in the content storage means is edited for each user, and distributed to a user terminal operated by the user. It further comprises a program table management means for enabling the user to specify the content selected on the display screen of the table,
The rental data repository system according to claim 1. A plurality of types of the content are transmitted from a plurality of content transmission sources each day,
The reservation database includes a matrix-shaped cell in which identification information of a content source is set in a first direction, and scheduled transmission times of a plurality of contents transmitted in chronological order from each content source are set in a second direction. Has a structure consisting of a set, the reservation receiving means is configured to record the received acquisition reservation and rental conditions in the reserved area of the cell,
The content storage means sequentially reads each cell in the first direction of the reservation database in the second direction, acquires the corresponding content according to the contents of the acquisition reservation recorded in each cell, and Characterized in that it is configured to be stored in the storage area of the
The rental data repository system according to claim 1. The plurality of content transmission sources are broadcasting stations that perform digital broadcasting, respectively,
The reservation accepting means presents, to each user terminal connected to the wide area network, an electronic program guide in which transmission scheduled contents and transmission times obtained in advance from each broadcasting station are arranged for each broadcasting station. According to the following, the recording reservation of the content of the time zone specified by the user terminal is received together with the rental condition, and the received recording reservation and the rental condition are recorded in the corresponding cell of the reservation database,
The content storage unit is configured to record a corresponding content in accordance with the contents of a recording reservation recorded in the cell, and to record the recorded content in any of the storage areas,
The rental data repository system according to claim 3. It further comprises storage request receiving means for receiving a storage request for personal content held by the user,
The content storage unit is configured to store the personal content received by the storage request reception unit in any storage area of the data repository,
The reproduction control means is configured to enable reproduction of the personal content stored in the storage area by the user terminal according to a reproduction request from a user terminal having reproduction authority,
The billing processing means is configured to perform a billing process for the rental of the storage area by the user terminal according to the rental condition recorded in the reserved area for the user terminal that has issued the storage request for the personal content. Characterized by the fact that
The rental data repository system according to claim 1. The data repository includes a fixed type 1 recording medium and a removable type 2 recording medium capable of mutually copying or moving data, and a recording / reading mechanism for these recording media. Features,
The rental data repository system according to claim 1. The first type recording medium is any one of a magnetic disk type recording medium, a magneto-optical disk type recording medium, and a semiconductor memory type recording medium,
The second type recording medium is a tape type recording medium,
The rental data repository system according to claim 6. The first type recording medium or the second type recording medium is an external information recording system connected to the wide area network,
The rental data repository system according to claim 6. The content storage means generates statistical information on the frequency of storage and use of the content, and stores the storage medium in which the content is to be stored in another storage medium according to the frequency of storage and use based on the statistical information. Characterized in that it is configured to be changeable,
A rental data repository system according to claim 6, 7 or 8. The content storage means stores the content stored in the storage area of the type 1 recording medium which has been designated by the user for a relatively long time storage and which has not been actually used for a certain period of time or longer. Moving to an area,
The rental data repository system according to claim 9. The storage request receiving means also receives identification information of another user to whom the reproduction authority of the stored personal content is to be given or identification information of a user terminal operated by the other user, and records the identification information in a predetermined authority information recording area. It is configured as
The reproduction control means, when there is a reproduction request from any of the user terminals, determines whether or not the authority information attached at the time of the reproduction request is the same as the identification information recorded in the authority information recording area. It is characterized by being constituted as follows,
The rental data repository system according to claim 5. The rental conditions include a size of the storage area and a storage time,
Wherein the billing processing means is configured to determine a billing amount based on a result of multiplication of the size of the storage area and a storage time,
The rental data repository system according to claim 5. The rental condition includes a scheduled number of playbacks of the content stored in the storage area,
Wherein the billing processing means is configured to add a billing amount according to the number of times of actual reproduction.
The rental data repository system according to claim 12.

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