JP2007006431A - Dynamic image delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dynamic image delivery system in which system operability or flexibility is enhanced by making a personal computer and a mobile phone available as a viewing terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: The dynamic image delivery system comprises: a viewing terminal device 1a, for a viewer, which inputs a peculiar access channel number preset for each dynamic image to be delivered and requests the delivery of the dynamic image to a delivery management server 3; a video accumulation server 6 for accumulating data of the dynamic images; the delivery management server 3 which includes a delivery management data table 3D2 storing an access channel number and a URL of the video accumulation server 6 for accumulating data of the dynamic image to which the access channel number is set for each of a plurality of preset channel numbers and controls the delivery of the dynamic images in response to the delivery request from the viewing terminal device 1a; a terminal device 11 or the like including a channel number rewriting means for accessing the delivery management server 3, inputs an access channel number stored in the delivery management data table 3D2 and registering the inputted access channel number into the delivery management data table 3D2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for distributing a moving image, particularly a moving image such as a streaming video, using the Internet.

  Accompanying the development of information communication technology using the Internet in recent years, a viewing terminal device composed of a personal computer connected to the Internet is operated to access a video storage server that stores (stores) moving image data including audio. Many streaming video distribution systems for requesting and viewing these moving image data have been proposed and put into practical use in various fields. Also, it has been put into practical use to distribute moving images including sound to mobile phones.

  In such a streaming video or moving image (hereinafter referred to as a moving image) distribution system, new moving image data can be uploaded to a video storage server and distributed when a predetermined moving period ends. Has been done. A service is also proposed in which a daily distribution schedule (distributed program) table is published on a Web page, and a moving image specified by the viewer in the distributed program table is distributed to the viewer's viewing terminal device. ing.

  On the other hand, as an example of a system for delivering a moving image to a viewer as one business, the present applicant has proposed the invention described in Patent Document 1 below.

  JP 2005-102095 A

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a unique channel number is set in advance for each streaming video distributed to the viewer, and when the viewer makes a distribution request, the viewer terminal device includes this unique channel number. A video identification number (access channel number) is input and a distribution request is made to the distribution management server. Then, the distribution management server extracts the channel number from the access channel number acquired from the viewing terminal device, and obtains the URL of the video storage server that stores the pre-registered streaming video corresponding to this channel number. Accordingly, the streaming video is distributed to the viewing terminal device.

When the distribution of moving images is constructed as one business as in the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is a database provided in the distribution management server, and is a unique set in advance for each unique channel number described above. By adopting the following data registration means for a database in which channel numbers for access are registered, it becomes possible to construct a moving image distribution system that can quickly respond to various distribution requests from distribution requesters. .
In other words, if a means for registering access channel numbers in the database or rewriting operation is not burdened by the distribution requester, the distribution requester distributes a short-term distribution, for example, a different moving image every week. It will be possible to meet the needs and the business field will expand.

    Also, the development of moving image capturing and playback technology in recent mobile phones is remarkable. Therefore, when a mobile phone is used as a viewing terminal device of a moving image distribution system, if the operability and flexibility of the system are improved, the mobile phone is greatly used as a viewing terminal device of the moving image distribution system. The business field can be expected to expand further.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve a conventional moving image distribution system so that a personal computer and a mobile phone can be used as a viewing terminal device, and the operability and flexibility of the system are further improved. To provide a distribution system.

The present invention includes a viewer terminal device that inputs a unique access channel number preset for each moving image to be distributed, and requests the distribution management server to distribute the moving image;
A video storage server for storing the moving image data;
For each of a plurality of preset channel numbers, a distribution management data table storing the access channel number and the URL of the video storage server that stores the moving image data set with the access channel number is provided. The distribution management server for performing distribution control of the moving image in response to a distribution request from the viewing terminal device;
Channel number rewriting means for accessing the distribution management server, inputting the access channel number stored in the distribution management data table, and registering the input access channel number in the distribution management data table A terminal device;
Is a moving image distribution system.

  Furthermore, the present invention is the moving image distribution system in which the access channel number stored in the distribution management data table by the channel number rewriting means is composed of a telephone number.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides the moving image distribution system in which the access channel number stored in the distribution management data table by the channel number rewriting means is a part of the telephone number or an identification number including the telephone number. is there.

  Furthermore, the present invention is the moving image distribution system in which the viewing terminal device is composed of a mobile phone having an Internet connection function and a moving image reproduction function.

  The moving image described above is a moving image including streaming video, and may be a moving image further including sound. Specifically, it is a moving image captured by a distribution requester (program registrant) including individuals, or a moving image for which the program registrant has ownership. Specific examples include PR videos of companies and various organizations, video images of research conferences and lectures at various academic societies, and examples of answers to classes and practice questions at schools and cram schools. It is possible to target moving images including voices of various fields such as educational moving images, moving images of families taken by individuals, movies, various sports images, karaoke images, and the like. Furthermore, in the present invention, a moving image captured by a camera-equipped cellular phone and compressed by MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Experts Group phase 4) or the like is also included.

  The moving image distribution system of the present invention that can lease the channel number set in the present system to a program registrant who is a distribution requester of moving images exhibits the following effects. Can do.

  (1) In response to a distribution request from a viewing terminal apparatus, an access channel number stored in association with a channel number in a distribution management data table serving as a basic database for performing distribution control is connected to the Internet. It is possible to register or rewrite from a terminal device of a distributor. As a result, the distribution manager who manages and operates the system can lease the channel number set in the system to the program registrant for a short period of several days to one week. As a result, it is possible to provide a moving image distribution system that can respond to the wide variety of moving image distribution needs of program registrants.

  (2) In the system of the present invention, a telephone number owned by a program registrant or the like can be used as an access channel number. As a result, it is possible to immediately set a unique identification number without automatically generating an access channel number for each moving image to be distributed and for requesting distribution from the viewing terminal device by program processing. .

  (3) In the system of the present invention, when the viewing terminal device is a mobile phone and the access channel number is configured with a telephone number as described in (2) above, the operability and functions of the system of the present invention are expanded. It becomes possible to do. For example, by publishing a web page for a mobile phone that enables viewing of the telephone number の of each program registrant on the distribution management server, the viewer inputs the access channel number from the mobile phone to the screen of the mobile phone. It is possible to make a moving image distribution request without any problem.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration for carrying out the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1a, 1b, and 2 denote viewer terminal devices for viewers who use the system of the present invention to make moving image distribution requests and view them. Note that a moving image indicates a moving image including a streaming video, and in the following description, a moving image or a streaming video is described as a “moving image”.

  The viewing terminal devices 1a and 1b are composed of a personal computer. In addition to an OS such as Windows (Microsoft), Internet Explorer (Microsoft), which is software (Web browser) for browsing Web pages, is used for e-mail. Software Express (Microsoft), Windows Media Player (Microsoft), or Real Player (RealNetworks), software for receiving and playing streaming video data distributed from video storage servers , Quick Time Player (Apple Computer) and the like are preinstalled.

  The viewing terminal device 2 is a mobile phone having an Internet connection function and a function conforming to the specifications of 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), and using this function, a distribution request for a moving image and a distribution request are made. This is a mobile terminal device that can play back video on the screen of a mobile phone.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a distribution management server composed of a personal computer, a workstation, or the like, which is a company that operates this system, for example, a distribution management company that manages and operates the distribution management server 3 (hereinafter, a company that operates this system). Is a server owned by a distribution manager. When the distribution management server 3 receives a distribution request for moving images from the viewing terminal devices 1a and 1b and the mobile phone 2 to the distribution management server 3 via the Internet, the distribution management server 3 stores the distribution requested moving images by program processing. The video storage server is controlled to distribute the moving image data to the viewing terminal devices 1a and 1b and the mobile phone terminal 2. The distribution management server 3 also uploads a moving image that a distribution requester (hereinafter referred to as a program registrant) such as a company or an individual wants to distribute from the terminal device of the program registrant to the video storage server. 3 also has a function for supporting the uploading operation using the Web page 3.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a second distribution management server that is managed and operated by a distribution manager, and includes a personal computer or the like. The second distribution management server 4 is a server installed when the number of moving images distributed by the system of the present invention increases, and is provided as necessary. For example, the second distribution management server 4 is used as a server that accumulates moving images in the hard disk device or the like in case of an emergency. Reference numeral 5 denotes a terminal device managed by a distribution management company, and performs operations such as addition and correction of new data to various databases (data tables) registered in the distribution management server 3 by accessing the distribution management server 3. It is a terminal device for performing.

  Reference numerals 6 and 7 denote video storage servers including personal computers or workstations, which store (store) moving images requested for distribution by viewers, and perform distribution requests by distribution control of the distribution management server 3. Provided with a function of distributing moving images to the viewing terminal devices 1a and 1b and the mobile phone 2. In this system, the video storage servers 6 and 7 may be owned by a distribution management company, but a Web server operated by a third party may be borrowed as a rental server.

  In the system of the present invention, when the scale of the system is small, that is, when the number of moving images to be distributed is small, it is not necessary to provide the video storage servers 6 and 7, and the moving images to be distributed are managed for distribution. A system stored in the server 3 or the second distribution management server 4 may be used.

  8 and 9 are terminal devices of program registrants composed of personal computers or workstations. The terminal devices 8 and 9 may be Web servers operated by companies, various organizations, or individuals who publish Web pages on the Internet. In the present invention, the owners of the terminal devices 8 and 9 become program registrants who request distribution management companies to distribute moving images, and the program registrants themselves use the terminal devices 8 and 9 to request distribution. The operation of uploading the moving image to the video storage servers 6 and 7 can be performed.

  Also, the program registrant's terminal devices 8 and 9 publish a distribution program table of moving images (distribution date and time for each video menu to be distributed) distributed to viewers using the system of the present invention on the Web page. You may make it have a role to do. The terminal devices 8 and 9 are also installed with the above-described software such as OS, Web browser, e-mail software, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) software, and the like.

  Reference numerals 10a and 10b denote computer-readable recording media. The computer-readable recording medium 10a is a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, floppy disk, storage medium with a USB terminal, etc., and is readable by a terminal device 8, 9 or the like composed of a personal computer or the like. It is a medium. In these recording media 10a and the like, an application for program registration to the distribution management server 3, an application for uploading a moving image, and a moving image to be distributed on the program registrant side from the terminal devices 8 and 9 are distributed to the distribution storage server 6, A program that supports an operation of uploading to 7 etc. (hereinafter referred to as an opening application program) is recorded in advance.

  Further, a unique opening identification number is set in advance for each of the computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b,. This station identification number is a unique number having a predetermined number of digits set in advance for each computer-readable recording medium 10a by the distribution management company, and is pasted on the computer-readable recording medium 10a,. Printed on the sticker. The number of digits of the opening identification number may be set to about 5 to 12 digits consisting of numbers or alphanumeric characters, depending on the scale of the system.

  In the system of the present invention, the distribution manager or its agent conducts activities to widely sell these computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b,. Then, a program registrant who wants to distribute moving images using the system of the present invention, for example, various companies, organizations, individuals, etc., purchases the computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b,. The above station opening application program is operated using the terminal devices 8, 9, etc., and an operation of the station opening application is performed on the distribution management server 3.

  11 is a terminal device owned by a distributor of a distribution management company, and accesses the distribution management server 3 by inputting an ID and a password, and distribution management data described later registered in the distribution management server 3 This is a terminal device for performing an operation of registering an access channel number in a table.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a mobile phone such as a program registrant. In the present invention, the program registrant can upload the moving image data from the mobile phone 12 to either the video storage server 6 or 7 for the moving image captured by the mobile phone 12.

  The viewer terminal devices 1a and 1b, the distribution management servers 3 and 4, the terminal device 5, the video storage servers 6 and 7, the program registrant terminal devices 8 and 9, and the agency terminal device 11 are located in various places. It is connected to the Internet 14 which is a communication network through an existing Internet service provider 13.

  Communication data from the mobile phones 2 and 12 is connected to the Internet 14 via the ground base stations 15a and 15b and Internet connection servers (information centers) 16a and 16b of the mobile phone service company. Note that the mobile phone 12 is a mobile phone having an Internet connection function and a camera function capable of capturing a moving image (image compression with MPEG-4) conforming to the specifications of 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project).

  A program registrant who wants to distribute moving images using the system of the present invention, for example, various companies, organizations, individuals, etc., purchases the computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b,. 8, 9, and the like are used to upload a moving image to be distributed to the distribution storage servers 6, 7, etc. with the program registrant's confidence.

  In order to upload a moving image to the video storage servers 6 and 7 using the terminal devices 8 and 9, etc., knowledge about streaming technology and a personal computer is required. Therefore, for the program registrant who has little knowledge, the distribution manager or its agent or the like guides the upload operation. Further, for some program registrants, the terminal device 5 or 11 may be used to perform the upload operation. The terminal devices 8 and 9 that upload moving images to the video storage servers 6 and 7 have software for converting (encoding) a moving image captured by a digital video camera or the like into a data format that can be distributed as a streaming video. Must be installed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution management server 3 includes a software unit 3S and a database unit 3D in a storage area of the hard disk device or the like.
The software unit 3S stores various programs for operating the distribution management server 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the programs stored in the software unit 3S are 3S1, which is an OS such as Windows (Microsoft), Web browser 3S2, e-mail software 3S3, distribution control program 3S4, and upload support program. 3S5, access channel number registration program 3S6, database registration maintenance program 3S7, and the like. Each of these programs is read into the main storage device of the distribution management server 3 when executed.

The database unit 3D is composed of an opening identification number management data table 3D1, a delivery management data table 3D2, an agency data table, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 3, the station opening identification number management data table 3D1 is assigned with a unique station opening identification number h1 preset for each computer-readable recording medium 10a,... And this station opening identification number. Channel number h2 is registered in advance. Then, in the opening identification number management data table 3D1, the user who has purchased the recording medium 10a,... Uses the terminal devices 8, 9, etc. to upload the user registration and moving image for making an opening application. The name h3 related to the program registrant transmitted from the terminal device 8, 9 or the like to the distribution management server 3 and the attribute data h4 (program registrant ID, password, etc.) related to other program registrants are added. And stored (registered).

  The distribution management data table 3D2 is stored in the video storage servers 6 and 7 by the distribution control program 3S4 when a distribution request is generated from the viewing terminal devices 1a, 1b, and 2 to the distribution management server 3. It is referred to when performing processing for image distribution control.

  In the distribution management data table 3D2, as shown in FIG. 4, a channel number h2 having a predetermined number of digits set for each moving image to be distributed, an access channel number h5 set for each channel number h2, and video Identification number h6, video (program) title name h7, URL h8 of the video storage server for storing video data to which this video title name h7 is assigned, file name h9 of this video (video), and distribution period (start of distribution) Data relating to the date and time (end date and time) h10, etc. is stored.

  The channel number h2 recorded in the opening management identification number management data table 3D1 and the distribution management data table 3D2 indicates an identification number composed of numerals or alphanumeric characters having a predetermined number of digits set in advance by the distribution manager. . The distribution management company assigns one or a plurality of channel numbers h2 for each of the computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b,..., That is, for each opening identification number, and stores them in the opening identification number management data table 3D1 shown in FIG. The channel number assigned for each opening identification number is registered. The distribution management company gives the program registrant who purchased the computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b the channel number h2 set for the purchased recording media 10a, 10b, etc. as a compensation for a predetermined period (for example, The right to use is given (leased) for about one year. The channel number h2 may be composed of a 5-12 digit number consisting of numbers or alphanumeric characters, depending on the scale of the system.

  The distribution management data table 3D2 includes an access channel number h5 and a video identification number h6, which are various attribute information related to a moving image requested to be distributed from the program registrant, for each channel number h2 that gives the program registrant the right to use. , A database in which data relating to a video title name h7, a URL h8 of a video storage server, a file name h9,.

  Further, the access channel number h5 recorded in the distribution management data table 3D2 is a unique identification number set for each moving image to be distributed on the assumption that it will be disclosed to general viewers. This access channel number h5 is set for each moving image stored in the video storage server 6 or 7 corresponding to the channel number h2 leased to the program registrant. The access channel number h5 is used as a number input by the viewer when the viewer accesses the distribution management server 3 from the viewing terminal devices 1a, 2 and the like and makes a distribution request for the desired video. .

  The access channel number h5 may be the same as the channel number h2, but in order to ensure security, a unique identification number composed of about 6 to 12 digits or alphanumeric characters is set by program processing. Alternatively, a telephone number owned by the program registrant may be adopted.

  In this system, the program registrant normally uploads a moving image to the video storage servers 6 and 7 using the terminal device 8 or 9, and the uploaded video is uploaded for a predetermined period, for example, one month to several months. Deliver to viewers. When uploading this moving image, the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 sets the access channel number h5 and registers it in the distribution management data table 3D2.

  In the system of the present invention, this access channel number h5 is stored in the distribution management data table 3D2 of the distribution management server 3 from the terminal device 5 of the distribution manager or the terminal device 11 of the agency as required by the program registrant. It is characterized in that it can be accessed and registered in the distribution management data table 3D2. Further, at this time, it is also possible to upload a moving image distributed from the terminal device 5 or the terminal device 11 of the agency to the video storage server 6 or 7.

  For example, when the program registrant is in the service industry, the above-mentioned “as required by the program registrant” is to collect moving images related to bargain sales, various events, events, etc. Indicates sales promotion etc. The program registrant may be a new program registrant who has not made a moving image distribution contract with a distribution manager.

  Next, the operation of the system of the present invention will be described. First, in order to construct and operate the system of the present invention, it is necessary to perform the following items (1) to (6) in advance. This will be described below.

  (1) The distribution management company creates the station identification number management data table 3D1 shown in FIG. 3 by the database registration maintenance program 3S7 and registers it in the external storage device of the distribution management server 3. The initial data of the opening station identification number management data table 3D1 includes the opening station identification number h1 set for each of the computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b,. One or a plurality of channel numbers h2 assigned (set) to is registered. In FIG. 3, three channel numbers “00001”, “00002”, “00003” are assigned to “123-0000-0001” of the opening identification number h1, and “123-0000-0002” is also assigned to the opening identification number h1. One channel number “00004” is registered in advance.

  Note that the program registrant's name (name) h3 and other attribute data h4 (ID, password,...) Shown in FIG. When an application (opening application) is made, registration is performed by processing of the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3.

  (2) The distribution management company creates the distribution management data table 3D2 shown in FIG. 4 by the database registration maintenance program 3S7 and registers it in the external storage device of the distribution management server 3. At the initial stage when the distribution management data table 3D2 is registered in the distribution management server 3, only the channel number h2 shown in FIG. 4 is registered.

  (3) The distribution manager determines a video storage server that stores the streaming video to be distributed. The video storage server may use the distribution management server 4 operated by a distribution manager or the video storage servers 6 and 7 operated by a third party. When the video storage server is determined, the distribution manager assigns a URL (Uniform Resource locator), which is the address of the video storage server on the Internet, for each channel number h2 of the distribution management data table 3D2, and assigns the allocated URL. The registration operation is performed in the URL h8 column of the video storage server of the corresponding channel number h2 in the distribution management data table 3D2. This URL is composed of a scheme name (http), a domain name (www....), And a directory for accessing the video storage server.

  (4) The distribution manager develops a program to be stored in the computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b,. This program inputs attribute data such as the name of the program registrant when uploading the streaming video to the video storage servers 6 and 7 using the terminal devices 8 and 9 and the like, and manages the input data. A station opening application program for registration in the server 3 and an upload support program for supporting an operation for uploading the streaming video stored in the external storage device such as the terminal devices 8 and 9 to the video storage servers 6 and 7. Has been. These programs can be developed using an HTML language or the like.

  (5) The program registrant images the streaming video to be distributed as necessary using a digital video camera or the like, or requests the third party to take an image. Then, the personal computer is used to convert the captured video into data that can be distributed as a streaming video. For example, Windows Media Encoder (Microsoft), RealProducer (RealNetworks), QuickTime Pro (Apple Computer), or the like can be used as software for converting captured video into data that can be distributed as streaming video. The converted streaming video is given a file name h9 and stored in an external storage device such as the terminal device 8 or 9 of the program registrant.

  (6) A program registrant or distribution management company publishes a distribution menu such as a distribution program table on a Web page for moving images that can be distributed by the system of the present invention. This Web page is published on the Internet 14 using, for example, the terminal devices 8 and 9 of the program registrant, the distribution management server 3 of the distribution manager. It should be noted that the distribution program table or the like to be disclosed on the Web page displays attribute data related to moving images, such as program title names, distribution periods (distribution start date and distribution end date), and the like. Further, a web page such as a distribution program table of the distribution management server 3 is accessed from the viewer terminals 1a, 2 and the like, and then linked to the web for inputting the access channel number h5, and a moving image distribution request can be made. It is good to do so.

  Subsequently, using the system of the present invention, a procedure for uploading a streaming video that the program registrant wants to distribute to the video storage servers 6 and 7, in response to a short-term distribution request from the program registrant, A procedure for accessing the distribution management server 3 using the terminal device 11 or the like of the agency, registering the access channel number h6 in the distribution management data table 3D2, and a procedure for requesting distribution for the viewer to view the moving image And the processing content of the delivery management server 3 with respect to these procedures is demonstrated.

(Procedure for uploading moving images)
A program registrant who purchases a computer-readable recording medium 10a uploads a moving image to be distributed to one of the video storage servers 6 and 7 using the terminal devices 8 and 9 on the program registrant side. The procedure to do is as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a description will be given according to the procedure shown in FIG.

(Procedure t1)
The program registrant stores the moving image to be uploaded in the external storage device (hard disk device or the like) of the terminal device 8 or 9 of the program registrant. At this time, as described above, this moving image is converted into a data format that can be distributed as a streaming video, given a file name h9, and stored in an external storage device.

(Procedure t2)
The program registrant sets the purchased computer-readable recording medium 10a,... In the terminal device 8 or the like. Then, since the above-mentioned opening application program and the like are stored in advance in the computer-readable recording medium 10a, when this program starts, for example, a menu screen G1 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display device.

(Procedure t3)
From the menu screen G1, click “1. Registration of start-up applicant” with the mouse. Then, the opening application program controls to display a screen G2 for inputting attribute data related to the opening applicant as shown in FIG. The “registration of the station opening applicant” means that the attribute data such as the name, ID, address, etc. regarding the program registrant who purchased the computer-readable recording medium 10a,. Indicates that registration is to be made in the table 3D1.

(Procedure t4)
The program registrant inputs data for each input item on the registration screen G2 of the station opening applicant displayed on the display device. Among these input items, the opening identification number indicates the opening identification number printed in advance on the computer-readable recording medium 10a or the like purchased by the program registrant. The other input items shown in the screen G2, which are the use ID (ID), password, channel name, name, address, mail address, etc., are attribute data relating to the program registrant. Of these attribute data, the ID and password become authentication data of the program registrant for the distribution management server 3 when the program registrant performs an operation for uploading a moving image.

(Procedure t5)
When the input operation in step 4 is completed, the “Confirm” button on the screen G2 is clicked with the mouse. Then, although not shown in the figure, the station opening application program re-displays the data input in step 4 on the screen, and performs a process for allowing the program registrant to confirm the data input in step 4.

(Procedure t6)
The program registrant confirms whether or not there is an input error in the data input in step t4 with respect to the display content of the confirmation screen. If there is no input mistake, a “registration” button displayed on a confirmation screen (not shown) is clicked. The computer-readable recording medium 10 a and the like also store a program for starting a program (a browser) for accessing the distribution management server 3 via the Internet 14. Thus, when the “registration” button is clicked, the data entered by the program registrant in step 4 is transmitted to the distribution management server 3.

  When the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 receives the data input by the procedure t6 from the terminal device 8 or the like, whether or not the received opening identification number is registered in the opening identification number management data table 3D1 in advance. Perform the check. If the received data is normal, a process of displaying the screen G3 shown in FIG. 8 on the terminal device 8 of the program registrant is performed. If the received opening identification number is not registered in the opening identification number management data table 3D1, an error is displayed on the terminal device 8 of the program registrant.

  When the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 determines that the data received in step t6 is normal, the upload management program 3S5 stores the received station opening number management data table 3D1 that stores the opening number of the registered program registrant. Processing for storing the received data in each column such as the program registrant's name h3, the program registrant's attribute data h4 ID, password, channel name (channel nickname), e-mail address, address, etc. Do.

  When the registration operation of the attribute data of the program registrant is completed according to the above (procedure t1) to (procedure t6), the distribution management server 3 displays the screen G3 as shown in FIG. Processing to be displayed on the devices 8 and 9 is performed. Then, the program registrant can continuously perform the operation of uploading the moving image stored in the terminal device 8 or the like to one of the video storage servers 6 and 7 using this screen G3. In order to allow the program registrant to perform the operation of uploading moving images at a later date, the login page of the distribution management server 3 is displayed on the computer-readable recording medium 10a,. A URL (G3a) for access is displayed.

  Subsequently, an operation procedure for uploading a moving image stored in the terminal device 8 or the like by the program registrant to the video storage server 6 or 7 will be described based on the following (procedure t7) to (procedure t10). .

(Procedure t7)
The program registrant clicks “go to login screen” on the screen G3 shown in FIG. 8 with the mouse. The URL of the login page of the distribution management server 3 is embedded (arranged) in the HTML description language for displaying the screen G3. Thus, when the program registrant clicks “go to login screen” on the screen G3 with the mouse, the upload support program 3S5 performs a process of displaying the login page screen G4 as shown in FIG. Do.

(Procedure t8)
The program registrant enters his / her ID and password entered in step t4 in the “ID” field and “password” field, which are input items on the login page screen G4, and displays “login” on the login page screen G4. Click with the mouse.

  When the program registrant clicks “login” with the mouse in (procedure t8), the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 can acquire data related to “ID” and “password”. Then, the upload support program 3S5 performs processing (program registrant authentication processing) to check whether or not the “ID” and “password” are registered in advance in the opening identification number management data table 3D1. As a result of this check, if it is registered in the opening identification number management data table 3D1, it is determined that the correct “ID” and “password” have been input, and the program information registration screen G5 shown in FIG. Processing to display in 8, 9, etc. is performed. Further, the upload support program 3S5 refers to the opening identification number management data table 3D1 and performs a process for obtaining the opening identification number h1 in which the “ID” and the “password” match.

  When the program registrant performs an operation for uploading a moving image stored in the terminal device 8, 9, etc., the program information registration screen G5 is stored in the terminal device 8, 9, etc. This is a Web page for inputting the file name of this moving image and transmitting the input data to the distribution management server 3.

  Further, the configuration of the program information registration screen G5 relates to a moving image for each channel number corresponding to the number of channel numbers preset in the computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b,. Attribute data can be input. For example, when the display area G5a shown in FIG. 10 is clicked with the mouse, it can be confirmed that the program registrant has purchased a computer-readable recording medium 10a in which three channel numbers are set. Then, “Program 1”, “Program 2”, and “Program 3” are displayed in the display area G5b, indicating that it is necessary to input attribute data regarding moving images for each of the three channel numbers.

(Procedure t9)
The program registrant displays on the program information registration screen G5 shown in FIG. 10 the title of the program (video), the distribution period of the moving image (for the distribution start date and time and the distribution end date and time), public / non-disclosure, and the moving image to be uploaded. Enter the attribute data related to the uploaded video, such as the file name.
Of these, the “public / non-public” category means “public” in the case of distributing to the unspecified number of viewers of the moving image distributed by the program registrant, that is, to anybody and publishing. When the viewer is targeted, “not disclosed” is indicated. As an example of distributing moving images to specific viewers, when distributing family videos only to families who are far away from each other, videos of lectures and research presentations at various academic societies are only available to members of those academic societies. For example, when karaoke, movies, videos of various sports, etc. are distributed for a fee.

  In the present invention, the moving image stored in the external storage device of the terminal device 8 or 9 is uploaded to one of the video storage servers 6 and 7 by using the program information registration screen G5 shown in FIG. Is possible. In order to perform this operation, “Reference” displayed in the display area G5c is clicked with the mouse, and the drive name storing the moving image to be uploaded and its file name are designated in the display area G5d. .

(Procedure t10)
The program registrant clicks the “Register” button when the input operation to each input field of the program information registration screen G5 is completed. Thereby, the distribution management server 3 can acquire the attribute data regarding the moving image input by the program registrant.

(Procedure t11)
The upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 sets the video identification number to be described later when the “public / non-public” category is “non-public” in the attribute data regarding the moving image to be uploaded acquired in step t10. Processing for automatically generating is performed, and processing for displaying the generated video identification number in the display area G5e of the program information registration screen G5 is performed.

  When the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 acquires (receives) the attribute data related to the moving image to be uploaded by the procedure t10, it performs the following processing.

(Process 1)
Using the ID and password of the program registrant transmitted in step t8 as a key, processing for searching the station opening identification number management table 3D1 is performed. Then, the channel number h2 in which the input “ID” and “password” are registered is obtained in the opening identification number management table 3D1, and this channel number is stored in the internal storage device. When the attribute data related to the moving image is acquired by the procedure t10, an area field for storing the same channel number as the channel number h2 stored in the internal storage device is obtained for the distribution management data table 3D2.
Subsequently, in the distribution management data table 3D2 storing the channel number h2, the program title name, the file name, the distribution period 2 and the like acquired by the procedure t10 are stored in the video title name h7, the file name h9, and the distribution period h10, respectively. A process of storing (registering) in the storage column is performed.

(Process 2)
For the channel number h2 obtained in the above process 1, the URL h8 of the video storage server registered in advance in the distribution management data table 3D2 is obtained. Then, the upload support program 3S5 transmits the obtained URL h8 and the received file name h9 to the terminal device 8 or the terminal device 9 of the accessing program registrant. Then, the upload support program installed in the terminal device 8 or the like uploads the moving image stored in the external storage device such as the terminal device 8 by assigning the file name h9 to the URL h8 of the video storage server. I do.

  In the present invention, the process of uploading a moving image stored in the terminal device 8 or 9 of the program registrant to any one of the video storage servers 6 and 7 is temporarily performed under the control of the upload support program 3S5. Uploading from the device 8 or 9 to the distribution management server 3 and subsequent uploading to any of the video storage servers 6 and 7 may be performed. Also, the upload support program 3S5 displays the URL of the video storage servers 6 and 7 to be uploaded on the terminal device 8 and 9 of the program registrant, and the program registrant uses the URL for a moving image for FTP (File Transfer Protocol). You may make it operate by uploading a program.

(Process 3)
The upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 has a predetermined number of digits when “public” is selected for the “public / non-public” category in the attribute data related to the moving image in step t9. A unique access channel number is automatically generated, and the generated access channel number is stored in the access channel number h5 column of the corresponding channel number in the distribution management data table 3D2. This access channel number h5 may be the same as the channel number h2, but in order to ensure the security of the channel number h2, a unique number consisting of about 6 to 12 digits or alphanumeric characters different from the channel number h2. An identification number may be set. For example, the identification number is obtained by adding a predetermined number of digits to the channel number h2.

(Process 4)
In the present invention, the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 selects “unpublished” for the “published / unpublished” category from the attribute data related to streaming video in the above procedure t9. A unique video identification number having a predetermined number of digits is automatically generated by program processing, and the generated video identification number is stored in the video identification number h6 column of the corresponding channel number in the distribution management data table 3D2. Further, the video upload support program 3S5 displays the generated video identification number h6 on, for example, the display area G5e of the program information registration screen G5 to notify the program registrant. Further, the means for contacting this video identification number h6 to the program registrant may contact the program registrant's terminal devices 8 and 9 by mail from the distribution management server 3.
The video identification number h6 is composed of numbers or alphanumeric characters having a different number of digits from the access channel number h5, and the access channel number h5 and the video identification number h6 can be discriminated by program processing. Good.

The video identification number described above is “unpublished”, that is, a unique identification number set for each moving image distributed to a specific viewer, and is a number set for identifying the video to be distributed. . The video identification number is a number input from the viewing terminal device 1a,... For designating this video when the viewer makes a moving image distribution request. Therefore, the program registrant contacts the viewer who wants to view the moving image set with the video identification number, for example, a family member or a member of the program registrant by a document or e-mail.
As described above, the form for inputting the video identification number (distribution request form) is stored in advance in the computer-readable recording media 10a, 10b,... You may send it to your family, members, etc.

When “public” is selected for the “public / non-public” category, the following tag including the access channel number h5 (for example, 00001-01) and the URL of the distribution management server 3 is added. The information may be displayed in the display area G5e of the program information registration screen G5 and contacted by the program registrant.
A href = “http: //www.streaming.. ./Ccu/index.php?ch=0000101
Then, by embedding this tag in the Web page of the distribution program guide that is opened by the program registrant to make a distribution request to the viewer, it is possible to make a distribution request to the distribution management server 3 from this Web page. Become.

  Further, when the distribution management server 3 is accessed from the viewing terminal devices 1a, 2 and the like and a distribution request is made, the access channel number h5 is input to the distribution management server 3 so that the input access channel is input. It becomes possible to make a moving image distribution request corresponding to the number h5.

(Process 4)
When the processing of (Processing 1) to (Processing 3) is completed, a message indicating “Upload is completed” is displayed in the display area G5e of the program information registration screen G5, and the moving image of the program registrant is displayed. The upload operation ends.

  In the present invention, it is also possible to perform an operation of deleting a previously uploaded moving image (deleting a program) using the program information registration screen G5 shown in FIG. The outline of the program deletion process is as follows.

That is, when the program registrant clicks “Login” on the login page screen G4 shown in FIG. 9 to access the distribution management server 3, the upload support program 3S5 refers to the opening identification number management table 3D1 and the distribution management table 3D2. Then, it is checked whether or not a moving image has already been uploaded to the channel number of the program registrant. If it has already been registered, its attribute data is displayed on the program information registration screen G5.
Subsequently, the program registrant confirms the program title name displayed by operating the display area G5a of the registration screen G5 with the mouse, and clicks a “delete program” button G5f on the screen G5 for a moving image to be deleted. . Thereby, the distribution management server 3 can acquire the deletion information of the program (video).

  By such processing, the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 can delete the attribute data related to the video assigned the corresponding file name of the corresponding channel number from the distribution management data table 3D2. Further, the distribution manager performs a process of deleting the moving image assigned with the file name stored in either of the video storage servers 6 and 7.

(Uploading video with mobile phone)
In the present invention, it is also possible to upload a moving image captured by the mobile phone 12 owned by the program registrant to the video storage servers 6 and 7. In order to perform this upload, the mobile phone 12 needs to have an Internet connection function. Furthermore, the mobile phone 12 needs to have a function conforming to the specification of 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) capable of capturing moving images. Further, the data capacity of the moving image data to be uploaded needs to be about 100 KB to 150 KB.

  In addition, in order for a program registrant to capture a moving image with the mobile phone 12 and upload the moving image data stored in the storage device of the mobile phone to one of the video storage servers 6 and 7, the program registrant Needs to make an application for opening of the station by the above-described (procedure t1) to (procedure t6) and register the attribute data regarding the program registrant in the opening identification number management data table 3D1 of the distribution management server 3.

  The procedure for uploading the moving image data captured by the program registrant to the mobile phone 12 to either of the video storage servers 6 and 7 is almost the same as the above (procedure t7) to (procedure t11). The important points are the following (procedure t12) to (procedure t17).

(Procedure t12)
The distribution management company publishes an upload support Web page for the mobile phone on the distribution management server 3. Then, the program registrant accesses the upload support Web page for the mobile phone using the mobile phone 12. Note that the URL of this upload support Web page is described in the instruction manual of the computer-readable recording medium 10a.

(Procedure t13)
When the mobile phone 12 accesses the upload support Web page, the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 displays a screen for inputting the “ID” and “password” of the program registrant on the screen of the mobile phone 12a or the like. I do. The program registrant inputs his / her “ID” and “password” registered in the distribution management server 3 in the above-described (procedure t4) and transmits them to the distribution management server 3 (designates the “send” button on the screen). ).

(Procedure t14)
When the upload support program 3S5 of the distribution management server 3 acquires the “ID” and “password” of the program registrant, the upload management program 3S5 performs a process of checking whether or not these data are registered in advance in the opening identification number management table 3D1. . If it is registered as a result of this check process, with reference to the distribution management data table 3D2, regarding the channel number h2 assigned to the opening identification number in which the “ID” and “password” are set, It is checked whether program information has already been registered for this channel number. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the check result is displayed on the mobile phone 12 as a program list screen G6.

  The program list screen G6 is a screen that displays whether or not program information has already been registered for each channel number set in the opening identification number. The program registrant can confirm the display contents of the program list screen G6 and upload a new moving image to the place where “new program” is displayed. Note that the example shown in FIG. 11 indicates that three channel numbers are set for the station opening identification number, and no moving image is uploaded for the three channel numbers. When a moving image is uploaded, a program title is displayed in the “new program” column.

(Procedure t15)
When the program registrant confirms the display contents of the program list screen G6 and designates (clicks) the place where “new program” is displayed, the upload support program 3S5, as shown in FIG. A process of displaying a screen G7 of a web page for inputting attribute data relating to an image on the screen of the mobile phone 12a is performed. The program registrant inputs a program title, a distribution period (distribution start date / time, distribution end date / time), and public / private classification according to the screen display shown in FIG.

(Procedure t16)
The program registrant designates the “registration” button G7a when the input operation to the screen G7 is completed. By this operation, the input attribute data is transmitted to the distribution management server 3. Then, the upload support program 3S5 performs processing for registering the received data in the distribution management data table 3D2 or the like for the corresponding channel. Further, the upload support program 3S5 uploads the moving image data stored in the mobile phone 12 to the display area G7b of the screen G7 displayed on the mobile phone 12, that is, any of the video storage servers 6 and 7. This URL is displayed. The URL of the video storage server can be obtained by referring to the URL h8 of the video storage server of the corresponding channel number h2 in the distribution management data table 3D2.

(Procedure t17)
When the URL of the upload destination of the moving image is displayed on the screen area G7 of the mobile phone 12, the program registrant transmits the moving image stored in the mobile phone 12 as an attached file to the URL using the mail function. To do. This makes it possible to upload a moving image stored in the mobile phone 12 to either the video storage server 6 or 7. Note that the moving image stored in the mobile phone 12 may be temporarily uploaded to the distribution management server 3 and then uploaded to one of the video storage servers 6 and 7.

  In the data configuration example of the distribution management data table 3D2 shown in FIG. 4, for example, the channel number “01000” indicates that a moving image file (kazokut.3gp) uploaded from the mobile phone 12 is registered.

(Registration of access channel number from terminal device 11 of agency)
Next, a procedure for accessing the distribution management server 3 from the terminal device 11 or the like, which is a feature of the present invention, and registering the access channel number h6 in the distribution management data table 3D2 will be described. The registration of the access channel number h6 can be performed from the distributor manager side using the terminal device 5 owned by the distributor manager in addition to the terminal device 11 on the agency side. It may be.

  The necessity of accessing the distribution management server 3 from the terminal device 11 or the like and registering the access channel number h6 in the distribution management data table 3D2 is as described above, but the program registrant who has generated such a necessity. If the channel number has already been leased, the channel number is added. If the moving image is currently distributed, the access channel number h6 set for the moving image is newly added. The distributor is notified of the distribution period and file name of the moving image to be distributed.

  Further, the distribution management server 3 uses a web page (access channel number registration web page) for performing an operation of accessing the distribution management server 3 and registering the access channel number h6 for the terminal device 11 of the agency. Make it public.

The procedure for accessing the access channel number registration Web page from the terminal device 11 of the agency and registering the access channel number h6 in the distribution management data table 3D2 is as described in the following (1) to (6). become.
(1) When the access channel number registration Web page is accessed from the terminal device 11 and the ID and password are input, the access channel number registration program 3S6 of the distribution management server 3 is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 11 as shown in FIG. Processing to display the input screen G8 as shown is performed.

  (2) The agency inputs the channel number, the access channel number, the video title name, the file name, and the delivery period on the input screen G8 in the respective input fields G8a, G8b, G8c, G8d, and G8e. . When these input operations are completed, the registration button G8f is clicked with the mouse.

  In (2) above, the access channel number entered in the input field G8b may be a telephone number owned by the program registrant. The reason for this is that since a telephone number composed of a predetermined number of digits including an area code is a unique number, it is not necessary to generate a new access channel number by program processing.

  (3) When the registration button G8f is clicked with the mouse, the access channel number registration program 3S6 of the distribution management server 3 reads the channel number, access channel number, video title name, file name, input from the terminal device 11. Data related to the delivery period can be acquired.

  (4) The access channel number registration program 3S6 of the distribution management server 3 searches the distribution management data table 3D2 and obtains an area in which the same channel number h2 as the channel number acquired from the terminal device 11 is stored. When the channel number h2 is searched in the distribution management data table 3D2, it is determined that correct data has been input from the terminal device 11, and the terminal device 11 is stored for the area storing the channel number h2. The access channel number, video title name, file name, and distribution period data acquired from the above are stored in the access channel number column h5, video title name h7, file name column h9, and distribution period h10 column, respectively. As a result, when the access channel number is already registered in the access channel number column h5, the new access channel number input in (2) is overwritten and rewritten. The above procedures (1) to (4) are channel number rewriting means.

  (5) An operation of uploading the moving image data stored in the external storage device of the terminal device 11 to the URL stored in the URLh8 column of the video storage server of the corresponding channel number in the distribution management data table 3D2.

  (6) The program registrant gives the viewer a Web page for promoting a distribution request for a moving image corresponding to the access channel number h5 newly registered in the distribution management data table 3D2, using the terminal device 8 or the like. Use and publish. The Web page also displays an input form for inputting the newly registered access channel number h5 and requesting distribution to the distribution management server.

(Viewers' streaming video distribution request and viewing)
Next, a procedure in which the viewer makes a moving image distribution request and viewing using the viewing terminal device 1a,... Will be described with reference to FIG.

(Procedure t21)
The viewer turns on the power of the viewing terminal device 1a,... And starts a web browser such as Internet Explorer (Microsoft).

(Procedure t22)
When the Web browser is launched, for example, a program registrant accesses the distribution program table of moving images published on the Internet 14 using the Web servers 8, 9.

(Procedure t23) (Procedure t24)
As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to make a distribution request for a video that is distributed to an unspecified number of viewers and a video that is targeted to a specific viewer. Accordingly, when a video distribution request (public program distribution request) targeting an unspecified number of viewers is made from the viewing terminal device 1a or the like, the following (public program distribution request means 1) or (public program) The distribution request means 2) can be adopted.

(Distributed program distribution request means 1)
A program registrant or distribution manager publishes a distribution program table G8 as shown in FIG. 15 for moving images to be distributed via a Web page. The viewer accesses the distribution program guide G8 through the viewing terminal device 1a,... And the program title names “new product A”, “new product B”, “new product C” displayed in the display area G8a. The “Receive” buttons G8b, G8c, and G8d arranged corresponding to are clicked with the mouse to select them. With this operation, the distribution request for the selected moving image is transmitted to the distribution management server 3.

(Distributed program distribution request means 2)
The program registrant or distribution manager publishes a distribution request form G9 with access channel numbers as shown in FIG. 16 via the Web page. Then, the viewer displays this form G9 on the viewing terminal device 1a,..., Inputs the access channel number set in the moving image to be viewed, and clicks the “Receive” button G9a with the mouse to distribute it. A distribution request is made to the management server 3. The means for widely informing the viewer of the channel number for access set for each moving image is, for example, a method in which each program registrant publishes on the Internet 14 on a Web page, a method in which it is published in various publications, etc. Etc. should be adopted.

  Further, as described above, the distribution request form G9 shown in FIG. 16 having the function of accessing the distribution management server 3 may be stored in the computer-readable recording medium 10a or the like. Then, the program registrant who purchased the computer-readable recording medium 10a and the like may transmit this distribution request form G9 to the viewer using e-mail.

(Procedure t25)
The distribution request shown in FIG. 17 having a function of accessing the distribution management server 3 to a computer-readable recording medium 10a or the like in order to make a distribution request for a video targeted for a specific viewer from the viewing terminal device 1a or the like. The form G10 is stored. Then, the program registrant transmits the distribution request form G10 and the video identification number to the viewer using electronic mail (HTML mail).
When the viewer views a moving image to which the video identification number is assigned, the form G10 is displayed on the viewing terminal device 1a,..., The video identification number is input, and the “receive” button G10a is clicked with the mouse. Click to make a distribution request to the distribution management server 3.

(Procedure t26)
When the operation in the above-described procedure t24 or procedure t25 is performed, the distribution request data is transmitted to the distribution management server 3. Then, the distribution control program 3S4 of the distribution management server 3 controls the video storage servers 8 and 9 storing the requested moving images to distribute the video to the viewing terminal device 1a. Thus, the viewing terminal device 1a,... Can view the moving image requested for distribution. As described above, the viewing terminal device 1a,... Includes software such as Windows Media Player (Microsoft), Real Player (RealNetworks), QuickTime Player (Apple Computer), etc., which is software for playing streaming video in advance. One of them must be installed.

(Distribution control of distribution management server)
Next, the distribution control of the distribution control program 3S4 of the distribution management server 3 when a moving image distribution request is generated from the viewing terminal device 1a,. As described above, in the present invention, the distribution request for a moving image that can be requested by a viewer is performed for a moving image that targets an unspecified number of viewers and a moving image that targets a specific viewer. it can.

  When a viewer makes a moving image distribution request for an unspecified number of viewers, as described above, a distribution request (FIG. 15) using the distribution program guide G8 published on the Web page shown in FIG. Either a public program distribution request means 1) or a distribution request (public program distribution request means 2) by inputting an access channel number in the distribution request form G9 with access channel numbers shown in FIG. be able to.

When the distribution using the distribution request means 1 for the public program described above is performed, the URL of the distribution management server 3 and the access image set for the distribution requested in the HTML language describing the distribution program table G8. The channel number is embedded. Thereby, when the viewer clicks the “Receive” button, the distribution management server 3 can acquire the channel number for access.
On the other hand, when the viewer performs distribution using the distribution request means 2 of the public program, the distribution management server 3 accesses the access channel set in the moving image requested for distribution from the distribution request form G9 by the access channel number. You can get the number directly.

  In this way, when the distribution management server 3 receives a distribution request for a moving image for an unspecified number of viewers from the viewer terminal device 1a or the like, the distribution management server 3 uses the access set for the requested moving image. The channel number can be acquired. When the distribution control program 3S4 of the distribution management server 3 obtains this access channel number, it executes the following processes (distribution control 1) to (distribution control 4), and the viewer terminal apparatus that has made the distribution request Distribute moving images to 1a and the like.

(Delivery control process 1)
For the acquired access channel number, it is checked whether or not this access channel number is registered in the access channel number column h5 of the distribution management data table 3D2. When the acquired access channel number is not registered in the distribution management data table 3D2, an error is displayed on the viewing terminal device 1a or the like.

(Delivery control process 2)
When the acquired access channel number is registered in the distribution management data table 3D2, the date and time of today (distribution request date and time) when the distribution request is received is registered in the distribution management data table 3D2. It is checked whether it is included in the range of the distribution period h10. When the distribution request date and time does not satisfy the distribution period h10 registered in the distribution management data table 3D2, an error display is performed on the viewing terminal device 1a and the like.

(Delivery control process 3)
When it is determined by the above (Distribution Control Process 2) that the distribution request date / time satisfies the distribution period h10 registered in advance in the channel number management table 3D2, the distribution management data for this access channel number is obtained. The URL h8 and file name h9 of the video storage server registered in the table 3D2 are obtained.

(Delivery control process 4)
When the URL h8 of any of the video storage servers 6 and 7 that store the streaming video requested for distribution by the above (distribution control processing 3) and the file name h9 of the streaming video can be obtained, the distribution control program 3S4 The URL video storage server is controlled to distribute the moving image to the viewing terminal device 1a that has requested distribution. Through the above-described (distribution control process 1) to (distribution control process 4), the viewing terminal device 1a and the like can view the moving image requested to be distributed.

Next, distribution control of the distribution management server 3 when a viewer makes a moving image distribution request for a specific viewer will be described.
When a viewer makes a distribution request for a streaming video for a specific viewer, that is, when a distribution request is made using the “distribution request form by video identification number” G10 shown in FIG. 17, the distribution control program 3S4 The following (distribution control processing 5) to (distribution control processing 7) are performed to perform streaming video distribution processing to the viewing terminal device 1a or the like that has requested distribution.

(Delivery control process 5)
When the video identification number input by the “distribution request form by video identification number” G10 is acquired, processing for checking whether or not the acquired video identification number is registered in the video identification number column h8 of the distribution management data table 3D2 I do. When the acquired video identification number is not registered in the distribution management data table 3D2, an error display is performed on the viewing terminal device 1a or the like.

(Delivery control process 6)
When the acquired video identification number is registered in the distribution management data table 3D2 in the above (distribution control processing 5), it is determined that a distribution request based on the correct video identification number has been made. Subsequently, processing for determining whether the distribution request date and time for the video identification number satisfies the distribution period h10 registered in the distribution management data table 3D2 is performed. When the distribution request date and time does not satisfy the distribution period h10 registered in the distribution management data table 3D2, an error display is performed on the viewing terminal device 1a and the like.

(Distribution control process 7)
If it is determined by the above (Distribution Control Process 6) that the distribution period h10 is satisfied, the URL h8 and file of the video storage server registered in the distribution number management table 3D2 corresponding to this video identification number Find the name h9. Thereby, similarly to the above (distribution control process 4), it is possible to perform control for distributing the moving images stored in any of the video storage servers 6 and 7 to the viewing terminal device 1a and the like.

(Distribution request and viewing by mobile phone)
The moving image distribution system of the present invention can also make a distribution request and view a moving image using the cellular phone 2 of the viewer. However, a mobile phone capable of viewing such moving images needs to have a function (playback of moving images compressed by MPEG-4) compliant with the 3GPP specification described above. Furthermore, the mobile phone 2 needs to have an Internet connection function.

In order to perform a distribution request from the mobile phone 2 and a distribution process to the mobile phone 2, the distribution management server 3 needs to have the following functions.
That is, the terminal devices 8 and 9, the distribution management server 3, and the like publish on the Internet 14 a Web page for a mobile phone for receiving a distribution request from the mobile phone 2. This web page creates the web page shown in FIG. 15, the delivery request form with the access channel number shown in FIG. 16, the delivery request form with the video identification number shown in FIG. When the distribution management server 3 receives a distribution request from the mobile phone 2 using these forms, the distribution control program 3S4 refers to the distribution management data table 3D2 and performs streaming to the mobile phone 2 by the same distribution control as described above. Video can be distributed.

  Note that the extension name of the file name h9 registered in the distribution management data table 3D2 is given an extension name indicating that the moving image captured by the mobile phone is compressed by MPEG-4. As a result, the distribution control program 3S4 can search the file name to be distributed to the mobile phone 2 with reference to the distribution management data table 3D2, so that this file stored in one of the video storage servers 6 and 7 can be searched. It is possible to distribute a moving image with a name and an extension to the mobile phone 2 that requested the distribution.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, when the program registrant uploads video using the terminal devices 8 and 9, this video data is compressed by MPEG-4, and the compressed data capacity is about 500 KB. To be uploaded to one of the video storage servers 6 and 7.

  In the embodiment of the present invention described above, an example has been described in which a program registrant performs an operation of uploading moving image data to be distributed to the video storage servers 6, 7, etc. using the terminal devices 8, 9, etc. However, in the present invention, the distribution manager may use the terminal device 5 or the agency side to perform an operation of uploading a moving image to the video storage servers 6 and 7 using the terminal device 11. In particular, when the purchaser of the computer-readable recording medium 10a or the like is an individual and lacks knowledge of personal computer operation, the distribution manager or the agent side may perform an upload operation.

  It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a system configuration | structure about the moving image video delivery system of this invention.   It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a structure of a software part and a database part about the delivery management server shown in FIG.   It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a data structure of the opening station identification number management data table with which the delivery management server shown in FIG. 1 is provided.   It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a data structure of the delivery management data table with which the delivery management server shown in FIG. 1 is provided.   It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure when a program registrant uploads the data of a moving image.   It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a screen displayed when a program registrant makes a station opening application using a terminal device.   It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a screen which inputs the attribute data regarding a station opening applicant, when a program registrant makes a station opening application using a terminal device.   It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a screen displayed when a station opening application is completed normally by the input of the screen shown in FIG.   It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a screen displayed when a program registrant uploads moving image data using a terminal device.   It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a screen which inputs the attribute data regarding this moving image, when a program registrant uploads a moving image using a terminal device.   It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a screen displayed on the screen of a mobile telephone when uploading the moving image imaged with the mobile telephone.   It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a screen which inputs the attribute data regarding this moving image when uploading the moving image imaged with the mobile telephone.   It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a screen when registering the channel number for access from a terminal device.   It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure when a viewer performs the delivery request | requirement of a streaming video.   It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the delivery program table | surface of the streaming image | video published on a web page.   It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the input form when performing a delivery request | requirement by the channel number for access.   It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the input form when performing a delivery request | requirement by a video identification number.

Explanation of symbols

1a, 1b: Viewing terminal device (personal computer)
2: Mobile phone 3: Distribution management server 3D: Database unit 3D1: Opening station identification number management data table 3D2: Distribution management data table 3S: Software unit 3S4: Distribution control program 3S5: Upload support program 3S6: Channel number registration program for access 6, 7: Video storage server 8, 9: Terminal device of program registrant 10a, 10b: Computer-readable recording medium 12: Mobile phone 14: Internet

Claims (4)

A viewer terminal device for a viewer who inputs a unique access channel number preset for each moving image to be distributed and makes a distribution request for the moving image to the distribution management server;
A video storage server for storing the moving image data;
For each of a plurality of preset channel numbers, a distribution management data table storing the access channel number and the URL of the video storage server that stores the moving image data set with the access channel number is provided. The distribution management server for performing distribution control of the moving image in response to a distribution request from the viewing terminal device;
Channel number rewriting means for accessing the distribution management server, inputting the access channel number stored in the distribution management data table, and registering the input access channel number in the distribution management data table A terminal device;
A moving image distribution system comprising:   2. The moving image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the access channel number stored in the distribution management data table by the channel number rewriting means is constituted by a telephone number.   The moving image according to claim 1, wherein the channel number for access stored in the distribution management data table by the channel number rewriting means is composed of a part of a telephone number or an identification number including a telephone number. Image distribution system.   The moving image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the viewing terminal device includes a mobile phone having an Internet connection function and a moving image reproduction function.

Images