JP2006245641A - View history information generating apparatus and view history information generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a view history information generating apparatus and a view history information generating method capable of obtaining data associated with on-time viewing of a television broadcast program or data associated with viewing by a video or a DVD without the need for a special-purpose television receiver. <P>SOLUTION: The view history information generating apparatus 4 installed close to a television receiver 3 includes: input means 43, 44 for respectively using an imaging section and a sound collection section to receive a video signal and an audio signal outputted from the television receiver 3 in a state of being embedded with identification information for identifying a broadcast program or the like; a detection means 45 for detecting the identification information from at least either of acquired video data and audio data; a generating means 46 for generating view history information on the basis of the detected identification information; a recording means 47 for recording the generated view history information; and a transmission means 48 for transmitting the recorded view history information to a collection request source in response to an external collection request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a viewing history information generating apparatus and a viewing history information generating method for generating viewing history information used for viewing rate surveys and the like in an environment where a television broadcast can be viewed.

  The audience rating is a society in which broadcasters measure the media effectiveness of TV and the advertising effect of commercials (hereinafter abbreviated as CM) as reference data to help with program production and organization, and also analyze the interests of viewers and social movements. It is used as survey data.

  As a conventional method for investigating the audience rating, there is a viewing detection method using a viewing detection system described in Patent Document 1. This viewing detection system includes a video reproduction device (television receiver) and a counting device. In the operation, first, video data in which a video code is added to a video / audio signal is acquired by a video playback device. Next, the video code is separated from the acquired video data and collated with the video code of the video for which viewing is detected. As a result of the collation, if they match, the stored viewing history is updated. This viewing history is transmitted to the counting device as necessary. The totaling device totals the viewing histories received from the video reproduction device to create total data and manages it. The viewing detection method by this viewing detection system can perform viewing detection that reflects not only when a broadcast program is viewed, but also when viewing with a video or DVD.

  Also, when investigating the audience rating, if you can determine whether the TV is just turned on, whether you are actually watching, and who the viewer is, you get audience rating statistics with higher added value be able to. In order to make these determinations, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 describe a method of identifying a viewer by attaching a camera.

Further, in Patent Document 4, there is a system in which viewing history information including operation history information (fast forward, rewind, etc.) by a remote controller for a broadcast program stored in a home server is transmitted to an audience rating survey company via a network. Are listed. Thereby, it is possible to grasp an area that the viewer wants to view in the program.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-177853 JP 9-35067 A JP-A-7-95625 JP 2002-305760 A

  However, since all of the techniques described in Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3 require a television receiver dedicated to audience rating survey, increasing the number of samplings to be surveyed increases the cost burden. There was a problem of becoming.

  In addition, although the technology described in Patent Document 4 can perform a viewing rate survey on a general-purpose television device, it is limited to information stored in a home server, and therefore, when a television broadcast program is viewed on time. There was a problem that data could not be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and does not require a dedicated television device for conducting audience rating surveys, and obtains data related to on-time viewing of TV broadcast programs as well as data related to viewing by video and DVD. It is an object of the present invention to provide a viewing history information generation apparatus and a viewing history information generation method that can be used. It is another object of the present invention to provide a viewing history information generating apparatus and a viewing history information generating method capable of obtaining data related to fast forward and rewind performed during viewing.

  According to claim 1 of the present invention for achieving the above object, identification information for identifying a broadcast program is broadcast from a broadcast station in advance as broadcast data in which at least one of video data and audio data is embedded. A viewing history information generating device that receives the broadcast data by a broadcast receiving device on the viewer side, detects identification information embedded from the received broadcast data, and generates viewing history information. Video and audio signals that have been output and output as audio data in a state where identification information is embedded in at least one of video data and audio data included in the broadcast data received from the device are respectively captured by the imaging units. Input means for collecting sound by the image pickup and sound collection unit, and at least one of image pickup data and sound collection data acquired by the input means Identification information detecting means for detecting embedded identification information, viewing history information generating means for generating viewing history information based on the detected identification information, viewing history information recording means for recording the generated viewing history information, Viewing history information transmitting means for transmitting viewing history information recorded in response to an aggregation request from the outside to an aggregation request source is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcasting station as broadcast data in which identification information for identifying a broadcast program and predetermined time information are embedded in at least one of video data and audio data for each predetermined time unit. Viewing history information generation that is broadcasted and received by the broadcast receiving device on the viewer side, and that identification information and time information embedded in the received broadcast data is detected to generate viewing history information An image output and an audio output from the broadcast receiving device with identification information and time information embedded in at least one of video data and audio data included in the received broadcast data Input means for collecting a video signal and an audio signal by an image pickup section and collecting sound by a sound collection section, and image data and sound collection acquired by the input means Identification / time information detecting means for sequentially detecting identification information and time information embedded from at least one of the data of the data, and the temporal continuity of the time information based on the sequentially detected identification information and time information Viewing history information generating means for detecting a playback state of a broadcast program in which identification information and time information detected by measuring the characteristics are embedded and generating viewing history information, and viewing for recording the generated viewing history information It is characterized by comprising history information recording means and viewing history information transmitting means for transmitting viewing history information recorded in response to an aggregation request from the outside to an aggregation request source.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, identification information for identifying a broadcast program is broadcast from a broadcast station in advance as broadcast data configured to be embedded in at least one of video data and audio data. The viewing history information generating method for generating the viewing history information by detecting the identification information embedded in the received broadcast data and generating the viewing history information. Video and audio signals that have been output and output as audio in a state where identification information is embedded in at least one of the included video data and audio data are picked up by the image pickup unit and collected by the sound collection unit, respectively. Embedded from at least one of the input step and imaging data and sound collection data acquired by this input step An identification information detecting step for detecting different information; a viewing history information generating step for generating viewing history information based on the detected identification information; a viewing history information recording step for recording the generated viewing history information; A viewing history information transmission step of transmitting viewing history information recorded in response to the aggregation request to the aggregation request source.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a broadcast station is provided as broadcast data in which identification information for identifying a broadcast program and predetermined time information are embedded in at least one of video data and audio data for each predetermined time unit. Viewing history information generation that is broadcasted and received by the broadcast receiving device on the viewer side, and that identification information and time information embedded in the received broadcast data is detected to generate viewing history information A method of outputting video and audio from a broadcast receiving device in a state where identification information and time information are embedded in at least one of video data and audio data included in the received broadcast data. An input step for capturing a video signal and an audio signal by an imaging unit and a sound collecting unit, respectively, and an imaging acquired by the input step Based on the identification / time information detecting step for sequentially detecting identification information and time information embedded from at least one of the data and the sound collection data, and the time information A viewing history information generating step for generating a playback history information while detecting a playback state of a broadcast program in which identification information and time information detected by measuring temporal continuity are embedded, and the generated viewing history information Viewing history information recording step, and viewing history information transmission step for transmitting viewing history information recorded in response to an aggregation request from the outside to the aggregation request source.

  When identification information is added to video data or audio data, a method that is difficult to separate or erase, for example, a digital watermark technique is used.

  According to the viewing history information generating device of claim 1 and the viewing history information generating method of claim 3 of the present invention, an on-time viewing of a television broadcast program is not required without requiring a dedicated television device for performing a viewing rate survey. Data related to viewing by video or DVD can be obtained together with data related to.

  Further, according to the viewing history information generating device of claim 2 and the viewing history information generating method of claim 4, it is also possible to obtain data relating to the viewing state related to fast forward and rewind performed during viewing.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a viewing history information collecting system to which a viewing history information generating apparatus and a viewing history generating method of the present invention are applied. The viewing history information collection system according to this embodiment includes a digital watermark embedding device 1, a broadcasting station 2, a television device 3, a viewing history information processing device 4, and a counting device 5.

  The digital watermark embedding device 1 includes at least one of video data and audio data of broadcast programs such as dramas and movies or commercial messages (hereinafter collectively referred to as broadcast programs) and identification information related to the broadcast programs or commercial messages per unit time. The information to which the predetermined time information is added is embedded in the data at the position corresponding to the time information using a known digital watermark technique.

  Examples of “added time information” include broadcast time of broadcast programs and commercial messages, time information indicating a relative time from a certain time, or difference information with respect to time information immediately before the time.

  The television device 3 is a device that receives and outputs video data and audio data transmitted from the broadcasting station 2. The radio wave receiving means 31, the data conversion means 32, the video data output means 33, and the audio data output means 34 are provided. Have

  The radio wave receiving means 31 receives a radio wave transmitted from the broadcasting station 2.

  The data conversion unit 32 converts the radio wave received by the radio wave reception unit 31 into video data and audio data, and separates the video data and audio data.

  The video data output means 33 outputs the video data obtained by separation by the data conversion means 32 as a video on the screen.

  The sound data output means 34 outputs the sound data obtained by the data conversion means 32 as sound.

  The viewing history information processing device 4 is an embodiment of the viewing history information generating device, and is installed in the vicinity of the television device 3. The viewing history information processing device 4 is a camera 41, a microphone 42, an imaging data input unit 43, and a sound collection data input unit 44. A digital watermark detection unit 45, a viewing history information generation unit 46, a viewing history information recording unit 47, a viewing history information transmission unit 48, and viewer identification information 49.

  The camera 41 captures an image displayed on the screen of the television device 3. The microphone 42 collects sound output from the television device 3.

  In the imaging data input means 43, an image captured by the camera 41 is input as imaging data. The sound collection data input means 44 inputs the sound collected by the microphone 42 as sound collection data.

  The digital watermark detection means 45 detects identification information and time information embedded by the digital watermark technique from the image data and sound collection data input by the image data input means 43 and the sound collection data input means 44.

  The viewing history information generating means 46 measures the continuity of the time information based on the sequentially detected identification information and time information, and the broadcast program in which the detected identification information and time information are embedded. The reproduction state is detected and viewing history information is generated.

  As an example of the detection of the playback state by the viewing history information generating means 46, the fast-forward playback is performed by sequentially detecting the added time information and comparing the time difference between each time information that is temporally continuous and the detection time. It is detected whether etc. were performed.

  The viewing history information recording unit 47 records the viewing history information generated by the viewing history information generating unit 46.

  The viewing history information transmitting unit 48 transmits the viewing history information recorded by the viewing history information recording unit 47 to the counting device 5 as necessary. For example, the viewing history information processing device 4 transmits the viewing history information from the viewing history information transmitting means 48 to the counting device 5 in response to the counting request from the counting device 5.

  The viewer identification information 49 holds information that is recorded in advance by the viewer and identifies the viewer.

  The counting device 5 is a device managed by a counting service organization that handles viewing history information, and includes a viewing history information receiving unit 51 and a viewing history counting unit 52.

  The viewing history information receiving unit 51 receives viewing history information from the viewing history information transmitting unit 48 of the viewing history information processing apparatus 4. The viewing history totaling means 52 collects and totalizes the received viewing history information.

  Next, the operation of the viewing history information collection system to which the viewing history information collection method in this embodiment is applied will be described.

  First, the broadcast station side inputs video data and audio data of a broadcast program or commercial message, identification information related to the broadcast program or commercial message, and predetermined time information to the digital watermark embedding apparatus 1. The digital watermark embedding apparatus 1 embeds identification information or the like in the input video data and audio data using a digital watermark technique, and generates identification information-added video data and identification information-added audio data. The identification information and the time information are embedded according to this time information for each relatively short time unit of the video data and the audio data. Here, the “relatively short time unit” means an interval that is sufficiently shorter than one broadcast program and longer than the time during which identification information or the like can be detected. For example, commercial messages are short and about 15 seconds long. In this case, it is preferable to set the interval to several seconds.

  Next, identification information-added video data and identification information-added audio data generated by the digital watermark embedding apparatus 1 are transmitted by radio waves through the broadcasting station 2. The radio wave transmitted from the broadcasting station 2 is received by the radio wave receiving means 31 of the television apparatus 3. The radio wave received by the radio wave receiving means 31 is converted into the identification information-added video data and the identification information-added audio data by the data conversion means 32 of the television apparatus 3, and the identification information-added video data and the identification information-added audio data are separated. The The identification information-added video data obtained by being separated by the data conversion means 32 is output by the video data output means 33, and the video is displayed on the screen. The identification information-added voice data obtained by being separated by the data conversion means 32 is output as voice by the voice data output means 34.

  An example of the operation of the viewing history information processing apparatus 4 that processes video and audio output by the video data output means 33 and audio data output means 34 of the television apparatus 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in the viewing history information processing device 4, the video of the identification information-added video data displayed by the video data output means 33 of the television device 3 is captured by the camera 41. Imaging data obtained by imaging is input from the imaging data input means 43. In addition, the sound of the identification information-added sound data output from the sound data output unit 34 of the television apparatus 3 is collected using the microphone 42. The sound collection data obtained by collecting the sound is input from the sound collection data input means 44 (S1). Here, when only one of the imaging data and the sound collection data can be acquired, only the data that can be acquired may be input.

  Next, in the digital watermark detection means 45, identification information and time information embedded using the digital watermark technique are detected from the image data and the sound collection data input by the image data input means 43 and the sound collection data input means 44. (S2). An explanatory diagram of the detected identification information and time information is shown in FIG. In the digital watermark detection means 45, as shown in FIG. 3, the identification information A1-1 to 1-m, 2-1 to 2-n, and 3-1 to 3-k are input in the order in which the imaging data or the sound collection data is input. And the time information a1-1 to 1-m, 2-1 to 2-n, and 3-1 to 3-k are detected.

  The viewing history information generation means 46 measures the temporal continuity of the time information based on the sequentially detected identification information and time information, and the detected identification information and time information are embedded. The reproduction status of the broadcast program is detected, and viewing history information is generated. At this time, when only one of the imaging data and the sound collection data is acquired, viewing history information is generated from the acquired data. When both imaging data and sound collection data are acquired, both viewing history information is generated, and when either time information is detected in time series for each unit time, normal playback (fast forward or rewind) is performed. Etc.) is determined to have been performed.

  Next, the viewing history information generated by the viewing history information generating means 46 is recorded in the viewing history information recording means 47 (S4). Then, the viewing history information recorded by the viewing history information recording unit 47 is transmitted by the viewing history information transmitting unit 48 to the counting device 5 as required (S5). For example, viewing history information is transmitted from the viewing history information transmitting means 48 to the counting device 5 by the viewing history information processing device 4 in response to a counting request from the counting device 5. At this time, the corresponding viewer information is selected from the viewer identification information 49 recorded in advance by the viewer, and transmitted to the counting device 5 together with the viewer history information (S6).

  In the totaling device 5, the viewing history information receiving unit 51 receives the viewing history information and the corresponding viewer identification information from the viewing history information processing device 4, and the viewing history totaling unit 52 collects and aggregates the viewing history information and the audience rating information.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain both data relating to on-time viewing of a television broadcast program and data relating to viewing via video or DVD, and also relates to a playback state relating to fast-forwarding or rewinding performed during viewing. Data can also be obtained, and a high value-added audience rating survey can be conducted. In addition, it is possible to conduct an audience rating survey for each viewer, and incentives are given to viewers who have watched a program or commercial more than a certain amount (for example, from the beginning to the end). It can be applied to a system that promotes contact.

  In this embodiment, the digital watermark technique is used as a method for adding identification information or the like to video data or audio data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any method that is difficult to separate or erase from data may be used.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the viewing history information collection system to which the viewing history information generation apparatus and viewing history generation method of this invention are applied. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in one Embodiment of the viewing history information generation apparatus and viewing history generation method of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of the identification information detected in the viewing history information generation apparatus and viewing history generation method of this invention, and time information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital watermark embedding apparatus 2 Broadcasting station 3 Television apparatus 4 Viewing history information processing apparatus 5 Aggregation apparatus 31 Radio wave receiving means 32 Data conversion means 33 Video data output means 34 Audio data output means 41 Camera 42 Microphone 43 Video data input means 44 Audio data Input means 45 Digital watermark detecting means 46 Viewing history information generating means 47 Viewing history information recording means 48 Viewing history information transmitting means 49 Viewer identification information 51 Viewing history information receiving means 52 Viewing history counting means

Claims (4)

In advance, identification information for identifying a broadcast program is broadcast from a broadcast station as broadcast data configured by being embedded in at least one of video data and audio data, and the broadcast data is received by a broadcast receiver on the viewer side. A viewing history information generating device for generating the viewing history information by detecting the embedded identification information from the received broadcast data,
From the broadcast receiving device, a video signal and an audio signal that are output and output as a video in a state where the identification information is embedded in at least one of video data and audio data included in the received broadcast data. Input means for collecting images by the imaging unit and the sound collecting unit, respectively,
Identification information detection means for detecting the embedded identification information from at least one of imaging data and sound collection data acquired by the input means;
Viewing history information generating means for generating viewing history information based on the detected identification information;
Viewing history information recording means for recording the generated viewing history information;
Viewing history information transmitting means for transmitting the recorded viewing history information to the aggregation request source in response to an aggregation request from the outside;
A viewing history information generating apparatus. In advance, identification information for identifying a broadcast program and predetermined time information are broadcast from a broadcasting station as broadcast data configured to be embedded in at least one of video data and audio data at predetermined time units. A viewing history information generating device that receives broadcast data by a broadcast receiving device on the viewer side, detects the embedded identification information and time information from the received broadcast data, and generates viewing history information,
Video output and audio output from the broadcast receiving device with the identification information and the time information still embedded in at least one of video data and audio data included in the received broadcast data Input means for collecting a signal and a sound signal by an image pickup unit and a sound collection unit, respectively;
An identification / time information detecting means for sequentially detecting the embedded identification information and time information from at least one of imaging data and sound collection data acquired by the input means;
Based on the sequentially detected identification information and time information, the time continuity of the time information is measured to detect the playback state of the broadcast program in which the detected identification information and time information are embedded. And viewing history information generating means for generating viewing history information,
Viewing history information recording means for recording the generated viewing history information;
Viewing history information transmitting means for transmitting the recorded viewing history information to the aggregation request source in response to an aggregation request from the outside;
A viewing history information generating apparatus. In advance, identification information for identifying a broadcast program is broadcast from a broadcast station as broadcast data configured by being embedded in at least one of video data and audio data, and the broadcast data is received by a broadcast receiver on the viewer side. A viewing history information generating method for generating the viewing history information by detecting the embedded identification information from the received broadcast data,
From the broadcast receiving device, a video signal and an audio signal that are output and output as a video in a state where the identification information is embedded in at least one of video data and audio data included in the received broadcast data. An input step of collecting sound by the image pickup unit and the sound pickup unit, respectively,
An identification information detection step of detecting the embedded identification information from at least one of the imaging data and the sound collection data acquired by the input step;
Viewing history information generating step for generating viewing history information based on the detected identification information;
Viewing history information recording step for recording the generated viewing history information;
Viewing history information transmission step of transmitting the recorded viewing history information to the aggregation request source in response to an aggregation request from the outside;
A viewing history information generation method having In advance, identification information for identifying a broadcast program and predetermined time information are broadcast from a broadcasting station as broadcast data configured to be embedded in at least one of video data and audio data at predetermined time units. A viewing history information generating method for receiving broadcast data by a broadcast receiving device on the viewer side, detecting the embedded identification information and time information from the received broadcast data, and generating viewing history information,
Video output and audio output from the broadcast receiving device with the identification information and the time information still embedded in at least one of video data and audio data included in the received broadcast data An input step of collecting a signal and an audio signal by the imaging unit and the sound collecting unit, respectively,
An identification / time information detection step for sequentially detecting the embedded identification information and time information from at least one of imaging data and sound collection data acquired by the input step;
Based on the sequentially detected identification information and time information, the time continuity of the time information is measured to detect the playback state of the broadcast program in which the detected identification information and time information are embedded. And a viewing history information generation step for generating viewing history information,
Viewing history information recording step for recording the generated viewing history information;
Viewing history information transmission step of transmitting the recorded viewing history information to the aggregation request source in response to an aggregation request from the outside;
And viewing history information processing method.

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