JP2006268274A - Content list generation device, program, method, and content list generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily determine whether a service can be used in a user terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: A content list generation system is provided with; a user terminal 20A connected to a network 15; a content providing server 50A which provides the user terminal 20A with content; a program providing server 40A which provides an extension program for extending the functions of the user terminal 20A; and a service portal 30A which generates a list of content which indicates whether the user terminal 20A can use the content or not. The service portal 30A generates a list of content, which the user terminal 20A can use, from ability data, content characteristic information, and program attribute data on the extension program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content list creation device, a program, a method, and a content list creation system for providing a content list to a user terminal device.

  In recent years, various services have been provided through communication networks. A service user (hereinafter referred to as a user) connects a terminal device on a network and uses a service provided by a server device or the like of a service provider that is also connected on the network.

  In such a network service, the service may not be enjoyed depending on the function of the user terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a user terminal). For example, in a digital content distribution service for moving images, even if digital content is received, a content playback program installed in the user terminal is used as a codec for the digital content (rules for digitizing moving images) or a copyright protection mechanism. If it is not compatible, the content cannot be browsed.

  If it is found that the content cannot be used at the obtained user terminal after the content is obtained in this way, problems such as user confusion and waste of communication resources occur.

  Therefore, the service provider may grasp the functions of the user terminal before providing the service and provide an optimized service. For example, a service for customizing and delivering a web page to a web browser can be used. The service provider delivers a Web page customized according to the type and version of the user's Web browser.

Patent Document 1 discloses a content management device that prevents a user terminal that processes content from receiving an unusable service by notifying the content management device of the content provider in advance of the function of the user terminal. And a content processing apparatus.
JP 2003-6026 A

  However, in the existing technology, it is determined whether or not the service provided by the service provider can be used based only on the function of the user terminal when using the content distribution service.

  For this reason, there is a problem that even if the service can be used by extending the function of the user terminal, the service provider misses the opportunity to provide the service, and the user misses the opportunity to use the service.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a content list creation device, a program, a method, and a content list creation system for creating a content list for easily recognizing availability of content in a user terminal. To do.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a first acquisition unit that acquires capability data representing the capability of a user terminal, a second acquisition unit that acquires content condition data representing a use permission condition for content, and a program for constructing the content usage environment. A third acquisition unit that acquires program attribute data representing attribute information, and the content indicates that the content can be used when the capability indicated by the capability data satisfies a use permission condition indicated by the content condition data; A content list creation device comprising creation means for creating a content list including service data having the program attribute data and means for providing the content list to the user terminal when the capability does not satisfy the use permission condition It is solved by.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not content can be used in a user terminal.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a content list creation apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The computer reads and executes the content list creation program recorded on the recording medium. Thereby, each function as content list creation device 30 is realized.

  When the user 10 executes a content search request using the user terminal 20 connected to the network 15, the content list creation device 30 determines whether the searched content can be used on the user terminal 20. The content list is created.

  The network 15 is a network such as the Internet. The user 10 can enjoy various content distribution services and the like via the network 15.

  The user terminal 20 is a device used by the user 10, and as shown in FIG. 2, the reception unit 21, the display unit 22, the input / output unit 23, the transmission unit 24, the storage unit 25, and the management unit 26. And. The user terminal 20 includes not only a so-called personal computer but also use of a dedicated terminal, a portable terminal, or the like.

  The receiving unit 21 receives a content list and content data via the network 15. For example, streaming content is received.

  The display unit 22 is a display that reproduces and displays the content received by the receiving unit 21.

  The input / output unit 23 is a user interface that allows the user 10 to input a search keyword and the like.

  The transmission unit 24 transmits the search keyword input by the input / output unit 23 and the capability data stored in the storage unit 25 to the content list creation device 30 via the network 15.

  The storage unit 25 is configured by hardware such as a hard disk and stores capability data and the like.

  Here, capability data is information indicating the capability of the user terminal. Specifically, in addition to the codec information supported by the content playback program installed in the user terminal 20, the model name, serial number, CPU processing performance, screen resolution, communication speed, and storage of the user terminal 20 Information such as remaining capacity and receivable transmission speed. Here, the capability data is set to be automatically transmitted when the user terminal 20 connects to the content list creation device 30. However, the user can arbitrarily set transmission via the input / output unit 23 instead of automatic transmission.

  The management unit 26 is configured by a CPU or the like, and manages data input / output between the components in the user terminal 20. Further, in response to a user instruction via the input / output unit 23, a program installed to use the content is activated and the content is reproduced on the display unit 22.

  The content list creation device 30 includes a content information storage unit (first storage unit) 31, a program information storage unit (second storage unit) 32, a capability data acquisition unit (first acquisition unit) 33, and a content information search unit. 34, a content condition data acquisition unit (second acquisition unit) 35, a program information acquisition unit (third acquisition means) 36, a determination unit 37, a list creation unit 38, a provision unit 39, and a management unit (not shown) 310.

  The content information storage unit 31 stores content feature information. Moreover, it has a function which can update content characteristic information from the external content provision server 50 as needed.

  Here, the content feature information is information indicating features related to the content. Specifically, in addition to the codec information supported by the content, the name of the content, an outline of the content, the URL of the hyperlink to the server to which the content is uploaded, the processing of the CPU of the user terminal that can use the content This is information such as performance and content transmission speed. The content condition data is information related to determining whether or not the content can be reproduced among the content feature information. In the above example, codec information corresponding to the content is used as the content condition data.

  The program information storage unit 32 stores program attribute data representing attribute information of a program that builds a content use environment in the user terminal 20. Further, the program attribute data can be updated from the external program providing server 40 as necessary. The content information storage unit 31 and the program information storage unit 32 are configured by hardware such as a hard disk.

  Here, the program attribute data is information indicating attributes relating to a program for using the content. For example, in addition to codec information of content that can be reproduced by the program, information such as the name of the program, the version, the specification of the user terminal 20 that can install the program, and the URL of the server that uploads the program.

  The capability data acquisition unit 33 receives and acquires content search keyword information and capability data from the user terminal 20 via the network 15. The search keyword information is sent to the content information search unit, and the capability data is sent to the program information acquisition unit 36.

  The content information search unit 34 searches the content information storage unit 31 for content feature information corresponding to the search keyword acquired by the capability data acquisition unit 33. Further, the searched content feature information is sent to the content condition data acquisition unit 35. Further, the content information search unit 34 requests the external content providing server 50 to transmit the content feature information, acquires the content feature information, and stores or updates the content feature information in the content information storage unit 31 as necessary. To do.

  The content condition data acquisition unit 35 acquires content condition data representing use permission conditions required for the user terminal 20 to use the content from the content feature information searched by the content information search unit 34. . For example, in order to use the contents C1, C2, and C3, use permission conditions such that a content reproduction program corresponding to each of the codecs A1, A2, and A3 is necessary are acquired from the content feature information. The acquired content condition data is sent to the determination unit 37.

  The program information acquisition unit 36 acquires program attribute data of a program that can be incorporated into the user terminal 20 from the program information storage unit 32 based on the capability data acquired by the capability data acquisition unit 33.

  Specifically, based on the acquired capability data and the program attribute data stored in the program information storage unit 32, a program that can be incorporated into the user terminal is searched, and the program attribute data of the program extracted by the search is obtained. get. For example, when programs PX1, PX2, and PX3 are stored in the program information storage unit 32 as programs that can be installed in the user terminal 20, the program information acquisition unit 36 searches for PX1, PX2, and PX3, Get program attribute data. If the program attribute data of the programs PX1, PX2, and PX3 is information corresponding to the codecs A1, A2, and A3, respectively, the program PX1 corresponds to the codec A1 and the program PX2 corresponds to the codec A2. The program information acquisition unit 36 acquires program attribute data indicating that the program PX3 corresponds to the codec A3.

  The program information acquisition unit 36 requests the external program providing server 40 to send program attribute data, acquires the program attribute data, and stores or updates the program attribute data in the program information storage unit 32 as necessary. . The acquired program attribute data is sent to the determination unit 37.

  The determination unit 37 compares the capability data acquired by the capability data acquisition unit 33 with the content condition data acquired by the program information storage unit 32, and the capability indicated by the capability data satisfies the use permission condition indicated by the content condition data. In this case, it is determined that the content requested to be searched is usable, and it is determined that the content cannot be used when the capability does not satisfy the use permission condition.

  That is, the codec information corresponding to the content reproduction program installed in the user terminal 20 in the capability data is compared with the codec information corresponding to the content in the content condition data, and the content is reproduced in the user terminal 20. Determine whether it is possible. The determination result is sent to the list creation unit 38.

  Further, the determination unit 37 detects a program necessary for using the content on the user terminal 20 from the content condition data acquired by the content condition data acquisition unit 35 and the program attribute data acquired by the program information acquisition unit 36. To do.

For example, from the content condition data that the content C1 requires a program corresponding to the codec A1, and the program attribute data that the program PX1 that can be incorporated into the user terminal 20 corresponds to the codec A1, the user terminal 20 A program PX1 for using the content C1 is detected. The program attribute data of the detected program is sent to the list creation unit 38. If there is no corresponding program, a message to that effect is sent to the list creation unit 38.

  The list creation unit 38 creates the content list by displaying the determination result by the program detection unit 37 and the service data extracted from the detection result and the content feature information.

  The content list is, for example, a list on which service data such as content names and outlines are displayed. The name of the content is displayed in characters, and a hyperlink such as the URL of the content providing server 50 is set in the name portion. Then, the display color of the characters in the name portion is classified and changed according to whether the content is usable. Here, content that can be used without newly installing a program in the user terminal 20 is displayed in black. Among the contents that can be used by installing the program on the user terminal 20, those that can be installed free of charge are displayed in blue, and those that can be executed for a fee are displayed in green. In addition, a user terminal 20 that does not have a program necessary for using the content is displayed in red. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the content that can be used by installing the program displays a dialog prompting the execution of the installation when the name portion of the content is clicked.

  The providing unit 39 transmits the content list created by the list creating unit 38 to the user terminal 20 via the network 15 and provides the content list.

  A management unit 310 (not shown) manages data input / output between the components in the content list creation device 30.

  The program providing server 40 holds a program for the user terminal 20 to use the content and its program attribute data. Moreover, a program is provided to the user terminal 20 and program attribute data is provided to the content list creation device 30 as necessary.

  The content providing device 50 holds content requested by the user terminal 20 and its content feature information. Further, if necessary, the content is provided to the user terminal 20, and the content feature information is provided to the content list creation device 30.

  Next, the operation of the content list creation device 30 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S1, the search keyword for the content C1 is input to the user terminal 20X by the operation of the user 10. The user terminal 20X transmits the input search keyword together with capability data to the content list creation device 30.

  In step S <b> 2, the capability data acquisition unit 33 acquires a search keyword and capability data from the user terminal 20 </ b> X via the network 15. The acquired search keyword information is sent to the content information search unit 34, and the capability data is sent to the program information search unit 36.

  In step S <b> 3, the content information search unit 34 searches the content information storage unit 31 for content feature information corresponding to the search keyword acquired by the capability data acquisition unit 33. At this time, the content information storage unit 31 requests the content providing server 50 to transmit content feature information as necessary. The searched content feature information is sent to the content condition data acquisition unit 35.

  In step S <b> 4, the content condition data acquisition unit 35 obtains content condition data representing use permission conditions required for the user terminal 20 to use the content C <b> 1 from the content feature information searched by the content information search unit 34. get. Here, the content condition data is codec information, and the acquired codec information is sent to the determination unit 37.

  In step S <b> 5, the program information acquisition unit 36 acquires program attribute data of a program that can be incorporated into the user terminal 20 from the program information storage unit 32 based on the capability data acquired by the capability data acquisition unit 33. At this time, the program information storage unit 32 sends a program attribute data transmission request to the program providing server 40 as necessary. The acquired program attribute data is sent to the determination unit 37 together with capability data. When there is no program that can be incorporated into the user terminal 20X, the program information storage unit 32 notifies that there is no program corresponding to the user terminal 20X.

  In step S <b> 6, the determination unit 37 compares the capability data acquired by the capability data acquisition unit 33 with the content condition data acquired by the program information storage unit 32.

  When the capability indicated by the capability data satisfies the use permission condition indicated by the content condition data, the determination unit 37 determines that the requested content C1 can be used in the user terminal 20, and notifies the list creation unit 38 to that effect. Send out (S6-YES).

  In step S <b> 7, the list creation unit 38 creates a content list that displays the service data extracted from the content feature information as being “available”.

  On the other hand, when the capability does not satisfy the use permission condition, the determination unit 37 determines that the content C1 cannot be used (S6-N0).

  In step S8, when the determination unit 37 determines that the requested content C1 is not usable due to the capability of the user terminal 20, the content condition data acquired by the content condition data acquisition unit 35 and the program information acquisition unit From the program attribute data acquired in 36, detection of a program necessary for using the content C1 in the user terminal 20 is started.

  When a program is detected, program attribute data of the program is sent to the list creation unit 38 (S8-Yes).

  In step S <b> 9, the list creation unit 38 creates a content list that displays the service data extracted from the content feature information as a state “available if a new program is installed”.

  On the other hand, when the program is not detected, the fact that there is no program necessary for using the content C1 in the user terminal 20 is sent to the list creation unit 38 (S8-No).

  In step S <b> 10, the list creation unit 38 creates a content list that displays the service data extracted from the content feature information as an “unusable” state.

  In step S <b> 11, the providing unit 39 transmits the content list created by the content list creating unit 38 to the user terminal 20 via the network 15 and provides it.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, not only the usable content but also the content that can be used by obtaining a new program can be displayed. For this reason, the user can easily use the content. In addition, the content provider and the program provider can increase opportunities for providing content and programs.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, content condition data acquisition that acquires content condition data required for the user terminal 20 to use the content based on the searched content feature information by the content information search unit 34. Unit 35, program information acquisition unit 36 that acquires program attribute data of a program that can be incorporated into user terminal 20 from capability data, from program information storage unit 32, content condition data acquired by content condition data acquisition unit 35, and program From the program attribute data of the program acquired by the information acquisition unit 36, from the determination unit 37 for determining the presence or absence of a program necessary for using the content on the user terminal 20, the determination result by the determination unit 37 and the content feature information Extracted service data Since a list creation unit 38 that creates a content list displayed, it is possible in the user terminal 20 of the user 10 to easily recognize the availability of content.

<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment. Here, a content distribution service using the content list creation device 30 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration of a content distribution service according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the already demonstrated part, description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different part is mainly described here.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of a service using the content list creation device 30, the user 10A accesses the service portal (content list creation device) 30A via the network 15A using the user terminal 20A, It is assumed that the service receives and appreciates hyperlinked content from the provided content list.

  The user terminal 20A is a terminal device for content distribution service. Here, the user terminal 20A is a terminal in which the reproduction program PA corresponding to the codec A is installed in advance before using the content distribution service, but the function of the reproduction program PA is expanded to correspond to the codecs B and C. The extension programs PB and PC are not installed.

  The service portal 30A is a content list creation device that creates and provides a content list in response to a request from the user terminal 20A. Here, a management unit 310A, a content search unit 320A, a program information search unit 330A, and a list creation unit 340A are provided.

  The management unit 310A has functions of a capability data acquisition unit 33, a content condition data acquisition unit 35, a determination unit 37, a provision unit 39, and a management unit 310 (not shown). Further, the management unit 310A temporarily stores the capability data of the user terminal 20A together with the device ID assigned to each user terminal, receives only the device ID of the user terminal 20A, and temporarily stores the data. It is good also as a structure which acquires the capability data of apparatus 20A from.

  The content search unit 320A has functions of the content information storage unit 31 and the content information search unit 34, and holds information on the content providing server 50A. In some cases, content data itself is stored.

  In addition, the content search unit 320A periodically receives and temporarily stores the content feature information from the content providing server 50A, and when receiving the content feature information acquisition request from the management unit 310A, the content search unit 320A sends the content feature information to the management unit 310A. The temporarily stored content feature information may be transmitted.

  The program information search unit 330A searches for an extension program that expands the function of the program PA installed by the user terminal 20A, and has the functions of the program information storage unit 32 and the program information acquisition unit 36. .

  That is, the program information search unit 330A receives the capability data and content condition data for the user terminal 20A from the management unit 310A, and sends the content reproduction program provided to the user terminal 20A to the program providing server 40A. The program attribute data is inquired and the result is sent to the management unit 310A.

  The list creation unit 340A creates a content list from capability data of the user terminal 20A, content feature information, and program attribute data of a program provided to the user terminal 20A. It has a function.

  The program providing server 40A is a server that holds an expansion program that extends the function of the program of the user terminal 20A. Here, the user terminal 20A has extension programs PB and PC for making the codecs B and C correspond to each other. The extension program PB is provided free of charge, and the extension program PC is provided for a fee.

  The content providing server 50A is a server that holds content data. Here, contents CA, CB and CC are held. Each content is a moving image content encoded by a specific codec, the content CA is encoded by a codec A, the content CB is encoded by a codec B, and the content CC is It is assumed that it is encoded by a codec called C.

  Next, the procedure of the content distribution service according to the present invention will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS.

  First, the user 10A turns on the power and the like and starts using the user terminal 20A (ST1).

  Subsequently, the user 10A operates the user terminal 20A to make a transmission request for a content list regarding the desired content to the service portal 30A. Specifically, an operation such as inputting a search keyword corresponding to the desired content in the search keyword box displayed on the screen of the user terminal 20A and clicking the search button is performed (ST2).

  Next, the user terminal 20A makes a content list transmission request to the management unit 310A of the service portal 30A via the network 15A (ST3). The content list transmission request may be made by an operation by the user 10A, or may be automatically executed by the user terminal 20A when connected to the network 15A after the power is turned on.

  In addition, when making a content list transmission request, the user terminal 20A transmits the search keyword and capability data input by the user 10A to the service portal 30A. Note that it is assumed that the capability data of the user terminal 20A includes two types, that is, the model name and the corresponding codec.

  Next, the management unit 310A receives a content list transmission request and the capability data of the user terminal 20A from the user terminal 20A, and performs processing for obtaining the content list.

  Subsequently, the management unit 310A makes a content list creation request to the list creation unit 340A. For this reason, collection of capability data of the user terminal 20A, content feature information, and extended information of the user terminal 20A is started. Note that the capability data of the user terminal 20A is received at the time of a content list transmission request by the user terminal 20A.

  Specifically, management unit 310A makes a transmission request for content feature information to content search unit 320A (ST4). At this time, the search keyword input by the user 10A is also sent to the content search unit 320A.

  Next, the content search unit 320A makes a transmission request for content feature information to the content providing server 50A in which the storage location of URL information or the like is registered (ST5). At this time, the search keyword input by the user 10A is also transmitted to the content providing server 50A.

  Subsequently, the content providing server 50A receives the content feature information transmission request from the content search unit 320A, and selects the content related to the search keyword from the held content (ST6).

  Next, the content providing server 50A transmits the selected content feature information to the content search unit 320A (ST7). The content feature information includes the location of the content, an outline of the content, and the like, as well as content condition data necessary for the user terminal to reproduce the content. Here, the names of the contents CA, CB, and CC, the outline of the contents, the location information (URL), and the corresponding codec information are transmitted to the content search unit 320A. The codec information is information that codec A is necessary for reproducing content CA, codec B is necessary for reproducing content CB, and codec C is necessary for reproducing content CC. When there are a plurality of content providing servers grasped by the content search unit 320A, the content feature information transmission request by the content search unit 320A and the transmission of the content feature information from the content providing server are repeated.

  Next, the content search unit 320A sends the content feature information received from the content providing server 50A to the management unit 310A (ST8).

  Subsequently, after receiving the content feature information from the content search unit 320A, the management unit 310A requests the program information search unit 330A to acquire the program attribute data of the content reproduction program corresponding to the user terminal 20A (ST9). ). At this time, capability data of the user terminal 20A is also transmitted.

  Next, the program information search unit 330A requests the program providing server 40A to send program attribute data of the extended program provided to the user terminal 20A (ST10). At this time, the model name of the capability data of the user terminal 20A is also transmitted.

  Subsequently, the program providing server 40A searches for an extension program that is suitable for the model of the user terminal 20A (ST11).

Next, the program providing server 40A transmits the program attribute data of the searched extension program to the program information searching unit 330A (ST12). Here, the attribute data of the extension programs PB and PC are transmitted.

  Next, the program information search unit 330A sends the program attribute data of the extended program suitable for the received user terminal 20A to the management unit 310A (ST13).

  Subsequently, management unit 310A makes a content list creation request to list creation unit 340A (ST14). At this time, capability data of the user terminal 20A, content feature information, and extended information of the user terminal 20A are transmitted.

  Next, list creation unit 340A starts creating a content list (ST15). First, a content list in a format that can be displayed on the user terminal 20A is created based on the content feature information created by the content providing server 50A. The content list includes the names of the contents CA, CB, and CC and a summary of the contents.

  Next, the list creation unit 340A reflects the capability data of the user terminal 20A on the content list. For example, among the content feature information included in the content list, information reproducible with the program PA installed in advance on the user terminal 20A is displayed in black. Here, the name of the content CA is displayed in black. The content name included in the content list is a hyperlink to the content entity held by the content providing server 50A.

  Next, the list creation unit 340A reflects the attribute data of the extended program of the user terminal 20A on the content list. For example, among the content feature information included in the content list, the name of the content that can be reproduced by expanding the function for free on the user terminal 20A is displayed in blue. Here, the content CB that can be reproduced by the free extension program PB is displayed in blue. In addition, among the content information included in the content list, information that can be reproduced by applying a pay function extension to the user terminal 20A is displayed in green. Here, the content CC that can be reproduced by the paid extension program PC is displayed in green. The content name included in the content list is a hyperlink to the substance of the extended program held by the program providing server 40A. Although the URL of the content entity is not displayed in the content list, it is recorded as data.

  In order to customize such a content list, for example, the content CA that can be played back by the content playback program PA based on the capability data of the user terminal 20A and the content CB and CC that cannot be played back are created as separate content lists. A hyperlink may be set between the two content lists.

  Next, list creation unit 340A sends a customized content list reflecting information on the capability data of user terminal 20A and the expansion program that can be incorporated into user terminal 20A to management unit 310A (ST16).

  Subsequently, management unit 310A transmits the content list to user terminal 20A (ST17).

  Next, the user terminal 20A displays the received content list on the screen (ST18).

  Subsequently, the user 10A selects the desired content by looking at the content name and the outline of the content list (ST19). Here, it is assumed that the content CB is selected.

  Next, the user terminal 20A makes a transmission request for the extended program PB to the program providing server 40A (ST20). Since the name of the content CB is a hyperlink to the extension program PB on the content list, a transmission request is executed by clicking or the like.

  Next, the program providing server 40A transmits the extension program PB to the user terminal 20A (ST21).

  Subsequently, on the screen of the user terminal 20A, a dialog requesting confirmation and consent is displayed to the user 10A as to whether or not to install the extension program PB. When the user 10 performs an operation indicating consent, the extension program PB is installed in the user terminal 20A (ST22). As a result, the user terminal 20A can reproduce the content CB encoded by the codec B. Note that the operation of displaying and confirming this dialog can be omitted by obtaining the consent of the user 10 in advance.

  Next, the user terminal 20A makes a transmission request for the content PB stored in the content providing server 50A included as data in the content list (ST23).

  Subsequently, the content providing server 50A transmits the content CB (S24).

  Thereby, the user terminal 20A downloads and reproduces the content CB (ST25).

  Next, the user 10A appreciates the content CB displayed on the user terminal 20A (ST26).

  When the user 10A finishes viewing the content CB, the user 10A ends the reproduction of the user terminal 20A (ST27).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a content list that displays not only reproducible content but also content that can be reproduced by obtaining an extended program. For this reason, the user can easily use the content.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the service portal 30A creates a content list that can be reproduced by the user terminal 20A from the capability data, the content feature information, and the program attribute data, so that the content reproduction is performed at the user terminal 20A of the user 10A. It is possible to provide a content list creation system capable of easily recognizing availability.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the content list displays a list of contents that can be reproduced based on the capability data of the user terminal 20A and contents that can be reproduced by newly incorporating a reproduction program into the user terminal 20A. Since it is a list, it is possible to provide a service portal 30A that makes it very easy to recognize whether or not content can be reproduced.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the user 10A uses the content distribution service, the time required to receive the content that cannot be reproduced by the user terminal 20A owned, the network resources, and in some cases, waste of the content fee Can be avoided.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid missing information on attractive content that cannot be reproduced by the function of the user terminal 20A without impairing the advantage of quickly grasping only reproducible content.

  In addition, it is possible to reduce a loss of opportunity to inform the content provider of the presence of the content desired by the user 10A.

  Furthermore, it is possible to avoid wasting network resources due to non-reproducible content, so that the management burden on the network 15 administrator and the operation burden on the content providing server 50A operator can be reduced.

  In addition, it is possible to increase the opportunity for the user terminal 20A manufacturer to expand the function for a fee to a user who desires to download the expansion program.

  Furthermore, it is possible to cause the user 10A to perform the function expansion of the user terminal 20A without waste in a form that meets the needs. For example, in an OS used in a personal computer or the like, function expansion may be performed partially automatically. However, in an OS having such an automatic extension function, function extension is the first story, and it is not an automatic extension corresponding to user needs as in the present invention. That is, the convenience of viewing content can be improved in accordance with user needs.

  Also, simply by selecting the desired process (for example, by clicking the content name in the content list), the capability data at the time of selection is automatically determined and the extension program is installed. Can be made unaware of the need for installation.

  Further, the present invention makes it easy to use the content distribution service even in the user terminal 20A of a different manufacturer when providing the content distribution service to the user terminal 20A other than the personal computer. In other words, in the case of a personal computer, the web browser plug-in has a function of automatically installing a web browser extension for the content desired by the user. There are often no public specifications like web browsers. Therefore, only the manufacturer of the user terminal 20A often knows the specifications and extended information of the user terminal 20A. Therefore, even if only the manufacturer knows the specifications of the user terminal 20A and the extended interface information, if the exchanged messages are shared, the user terminal 20A of a different manufacturer can reproduce the common content distribution service. It becomes easy to make.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine a component suitably in different embodiment.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the content list production apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the user terminal in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the content list in the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the content list creation apparatus in the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the content delivery service which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the content delivery service in the embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the content delivery service in the embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the content delivery service in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... User, 15 ... Network, 20 ... User terminal, 21 ... Reception part, 22 ... Display part, 23 ... Input / output part, 24 ... Transmission part, 25. .. Storage unit 26... Management unit 30. Content list creation device 31. Content information storage unit 32... Program information storage unit 33. .. content information search unit, 35... Content condition data acquisition unit, 36... Program information acquisition unit, 37 .. determination unit, 38 .. list creation unit, 39. ..Management unit, 40... Program providing server, 50... Content providing server, 30 A... Service portal, 310 A... Management unit, 320 A. Part 340A ··· list creation unit.

Claims (6)

First acquisition means for acquiring capability data representing the capability of the user terminal;
Second acquisition means for acquiring content condition data representing content permission conditions;
Third acquisition means for acquiring program attribute data representing attribute information of a program necessary for using the content;
Creating means for creating a content list including service data having the program attribute data when the content indicated by the capability data does not satisfy the use permission condition for the content;
A content list creation device comprising means for providing the content list to the user terminal. The content list creation device according to claim 1,
The second acquisition means acquires a plurality of content condition data for a plurality of contents,
The third acquisition means acquires a plurality of program attribute data representing attribute information of a plurality of programs necessary for using each of the plurality of contents.
The creation means creates a plurality of service data for each of the plurality of contents, and creates a content list including the plurality of service data. In a content list creation device that creates a content list that displays content usable by the user terminal in response to a content search request from the user terminal,
First storage means for storing content feature information representing the feature of the content;
Second storage means for storing program attribute data representing attribute information of a program for constructing a content use environment in the user terminal;
First acquisition means for acquiring capability data representing the capability of the user terminal from the user terminal;
Content information retrieval means for retrieving content feature information representing the characteristics of the requested content from the first storage means;
Second acquisition means for acquiring content condition data representing use permission conditions required for the user terminal to use the content based on the content feature information searched by the content search means;
Based on the capability data acquired by the first acquisition means, third acquisition means for acquiring program attribute data of a program that can be incorporated into the user terminal from the second storage means;
When the capability data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the content condition data acquired by the second acquisition unit are compared, and the capability indicated by the capability data satisfies the use permission condition indicated by the content condition data, Program attribute data acquired by the third acquisition unit when a content list including service data indicating that the requested content is available is created and the capability does not satisfy the use permission condition Creating means for creating a content list including service data having:
A content list creation apparatus comprising: means for providing the content list to the user terminal. On the computer,
A first acquisition function for acquiring capability data representing the capability of the user terminal;
A second acquisition function for acquiring content condition data representing use permission conditions of the content stored in the first storage means;
A third acquisition function for acquiring program attribute data representing attribute information of a program necessary for using the content stored in the second storage means;
With respect to the content, when the capability indicated by the capability data satisfies the use permission condition indicated by the content condition data, it indicates that the content is usable, and when the capability does not satisfy the use permission condition, the program attribute data Create function to create content list including service data with
A program for realizing a function of providing the content list to the user terminal. In a method for creating a list of contents available on a user terminal by a computer,
Computer
Obtaining capability data representing the capability of the user terminal;
Obtaining content condition data representing use permission conditions of the content stored in the first storage means;
Obtaining program attribute data representing attribute information of a program for constructing the use environment of the content stored in the second storage means;
With respect to the content, when the capability indicated by the capability data satisfies the use permission condition indicated by the content condition data, it indicates that the content is usable, and when the capability does not satisfy the use permission condition, the program attribute data Create a content list that includes service data with
A content list creation method comprising providing the content list to the user terminal. A user terminal connected to the network;
A content providing device for providing content to the user terminal;
An extended program providing device for providing an extended program for extending the function of the user terminal;
In a content list creation system comprising a content list creation device that creates a content list as to whether or not the user terminal can use the content,
The user terminal transmits capability data indicating the capability of the user terminal to the content list creation device,
The content providing device transmits content feature information indicating content features to the content list creation device,
The extended program providing device transmits program attribute data indicating attribute information of an extended program that can be incorporated into the user terminal to the content list creating device,
The content list creation system creates a content list that can be used by the user terminal from the capability data, the content feature information, and the program attribute data.

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