JP2008236779A - Information providing apparatus and information providing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide view selection information or any other additional information in which user preference is made obvious based on a user's view history. <P>SOLUTION: A server retrieves a content information database for contents viewed or the like based on a view history summed up from a certain user, further extracts a content table relating to the contents viewed or the like, and sums up appearance frequency by categories, by performers or by keywords. The categories, performers, and the like having high-order appearance frequency represent user preference or object of interest, and they are provided to the user as view support information or value-added information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing method for presenting useful information to a user, and a computer program, and in particular, information for presenting useful information to a user who records, reserves or views broadcast content. The present invention relates to a providing apparatus, an information providing method, and a computer program.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing method for presenting information for supporting viewing selection of content and other value-added information to a user who records, reserves or views broadcast content, and a computer, The present invention relates to a program, and more particularly, to an information providing apparatus and information providing method for providing viewing selection information and other value-added information in which a user's preference has become apparent based on a user's viewing history, and a computer program.

  In the modern information civilized society, the role of broadcasting is immeasurable. In particular, the influence of television broadcasting that delivers video information directly to viewers along with sound is significant. Broadcast technology includes a wide range of technologies such as signal processing, transmission / reception thereof, and information processing of audio and video. In addition, there are various transmission forms for providing program content to the user, such as broadcasting systems using radio waves such as terrestrial waves and satellite waves, cable television systems, and net programs provided using computer communications.

  The penetration rate of television is extremely high, and it is installed in almost all households. Broadcast content distributed from each broadcasting station is viewed by an unspecified number of people. Another form of viewing broadcast content is that the received content is recorded once on the viewer side and played back at any time.

  Recently, with the development of digital technology, it has become possible to store a large amount of AV data consisting of video and audio. For example, an HDD (hard disk drive) with a capacity of several tens of GB or more can be obtained at a relatively low cost, and an HDD-based recorder or a personal computer with a TV program recording / viewing function・ Computers (PCs) have appeared.

  The HDD is a device capable of random access to recorded data. Therefore, when playing back recorded content, it is not necessary to simply play back the recorded programs in order from the beginning as in the case of conventional video tapes. Or a specific corner) can be started directly. Using a receiver (television or video recording / playback device) equipped with a large-capacity storage such as a hard disk device, it is a viewing format in which broadcast content is received, temporarily stored in the receiver, and then played back. This is called “type broadcasting”.

  According to the server-type broadcasting system, not only real-time viewing such as normal television reception, but also video and audio are distributed in advance so that they can be viewed from a specified time, and information distributed at the same time, etc. It is possible to search for scenes and view digests by using them.

  However, in a system capable of recording a program for several tens of hours with the increase in capacity of the HDD, when a large number of programs are accumulated, the user determines which program should be started first. You will be bothered by content selection. Therefore, if the user efficiently selects a program that the user wants to watch and records or reserves recording, and further does not support viewing of the accumulated content, the content will be stored. Since a large amount of recorded content is accumulated in the recording device and it is difficult to view all the content, it must be selected. That is, it is thought that it is important for the user to send a useful TV program viewing activity to perform an efficient recording reservation operation.

  Here, a so-called electronic program guide (EPG) in which a program guide for selecting a television broadcast program is transmitted by being superimposed on an image signal and displayed on a display device on the receiving side. The system is known. On the CE device side such as an HDD recorder, an EPG is acquired in parallel with the recording processing of the broadcast program, and a certain viewing support effect is obtained by presenting the EPG when the user plays back or views the recorded program. be able to.

  The EPG system includes a VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) system (see, for example, Patent Document 1), a digital direct satellite broadcast (DSS: Digital Satellite System) (a trademark of Hughes Communications). There is a system (for example, refer to Patent Document 2).

  In the VBI system, in normal (VHF (Very High Frequency) band) terrestrial television broadcasting, VBI data constituting an EPG is inserted and transmitted at a position that does not affect the original image of the horizontal scanning line. . On the receiving side, display data of the electronic program guide can be generated from the VBI data and displayed on the monitor. In the digital satellite system, EPG data is digitized together with original image data, and further packetized and transmitted. On the receiving side, this EPG data is stored in a memory, corresponding display data is generated and displayed on the monitor.

  Conventionally, since there is only a method of simply presenting a list of contents based on EPG or the like, it is clear that it is difficult for a user to find contents that the user wants to view.

  For example, a program guide display device has been proposed that can display a program guide that can efficiently recognize a program that the user particularly wants to watch even when there are many programs that match the user's preference (for example, Patent Document 3). checking). In this case, while storing EPG data of a plurality of programs, EPG data is searched using the EPG data storage means 102 and a keyword for program search input by the user, and each program detected by this search is searched for. A program table arranged based on evaluation information for keywords is created and displayed.

  In addition, the user sets a keyword (for example, a program title or content, a performer, etc.) that expresses his / her preference (for specifying a program he / she wants to watch) by himself / herself, and broadcast content hits this keyword Proposals have been made for a system for automatically recording video recording.

  However, even if the keyword is input by the user himself, there is a problem that his / her preference is not necessarily revealed. As a result, the user does not like viewing and unnecessary program recording is performed, while the program that the user really wants to watch is not recorded and disappears from the user.

JP-T-6-504165 (US Pat. No. 5,353,121) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-111823 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-308547

  An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent information providing apparatus and information providing method capable of presenting information for supporting viewing selection of content and other value-added information to a user who records, reserves or views broadcast content. And providing a computer program.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent information providing apparatus and information providing method capable of suitably providing viewing selection information and other value-added information in which the user's preference is revealed based on the user's viewing history, And providing a computer program.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and a first aspect thereof is an information providing apparatus for providing value-added information related to content viewing selection,
Viewing history information acquisition means for acquiring viewing history related to viewing of the user's content;
Content related information acquisition means for acquiring related information of each content included in the viewing history;
Value-added information generating means for adding content-related information for each user and generating value-added information related to the user's content viewing selection;
Presenting means for presenting value-added information to the user;
It is an information provision apparatus characterized by comprising.

  However, “system” here refers to a logical collection of a plurality of devices (or functional modules that realize specific functions), and each device or functional module is in a single housing. It does not matter whether or not.

  The viewing history information acquisition means acquires at least one operation history as viewing history among viewing, recording, recording reservation, voting or evaluation, and purchasing of content performed by the user.

  Then, the value-added information generation means measures the appearance frequency of the content related information aggregated for each user for each attribute type, and based on the attribute value having the highest appearance frequency in each attribute type, Value-added information related to viewing selection is generated.

  According to the information providing apparatus of the present invention, based on the viewing history aggregated from a certain user, each content viewed or the like is searched in the content information database, the related content table is retrieved, and these are classified by genre. The appearance frequency in the viewing history information is measured for each attribute type such as by performer or by keyword. At this time, the genre, performer, and the like whose appearance frequency is higher represent the user's preference and interest, and therefore can be provided to the user as viewing support information or value-added information. The presenting means presents the user with a value-added information screen including a list of attribute values having the highest appearance frequency in each attribute type.

  When searching for corresponding content using a keyword specified by the user himself / herself, there is a problem that the keyword does not necessarily reveal the user's preference or request. On the other hand, in the present invention, content-related information is tabulated for each attribute type such as genre or performer based on the user's viewing history, and ranking is obtained. Ranking results (i.e., genres and performers that have been ranked high) may or may not have been recognized by the user, but the user's preferences and requests have been revealed more accurately. It can be effective and useful viewing support information or value-added information.

  The information providing apparatus according to the present invention can be realized, for example, as a server connected to a CE device through which a user receives and / or records / reproduces content via a network. In this case, on the server side, user information, viewing history information, and the like accumulated in each CE device are uploaded to a server on the network, and the uploaded user information and viewing history information for viewing content are aggregated for each user. Then, the aggregated user viewing history information and the accumulated content related information are combined, and value-added information reflecting each user's preference is created and provided for each user.

  In addition, the content viewing history totaling process (ranking creation or the like) in the present invention is not performed by integrating the viewing history of many users, but is performed only for each user. It is not always necessary to perform information creation processing centrally and intensively on the server side, and on each CE device side, the aggregation processing related to the corresponding user and the added value information creation processing may be performed in a decentralized manner. Of course.

  In the latter case, in the CE device in which the user receives and / or records / plays content, the user's operation history related to content viewing / recording / playback, viewing history information such as voting and evaluation on the content is accumulated in the device. deep. On the other hand, the server side is inquired and related information of the content included in the viewing history is downloaded. Then, in the CE device, content related information is aggregated for each attribute type such as genre and performer based on the viewing history of the user, ranking is performed, value-added information is generated, and presented to the user.

  Also, as a method for acquiring content-related information on the CE device side, it is provided in parallel with content broadcasting / distribution such as EPG, rather than inquiring to the server-side content information database using viewing history information as a search key. The program information may be stored in the CE device in advance and used in combination with the viewing history information.

  Here, on the value-added information screen including a list of attribute values having the highest appearance frequency in each attribute type, for example, an input unit that receives an operation for specifying or selecting an attribute value such as a genre or a performer. It is prepared. The input means includes, for example, an operation button embedded in the screen or an anchor that activates a request for providing detailed value-added information.

  Then, in response to the user specifying or selecting the attribute value, the content related to the attribute value is further searched, detailed value-added information is generated based on the extracted content, and presented to the user.

  The detailed value-added information is composed of a list of contents including attribute values designated by the user, such as genres and performer names. That is, on the detailed value-added information screen, related viewing content information stored in the CE device, viewing content information related to unbroadcast content, and the like are presented. For example, the corresponding content is searched from the viewing history information, and it is configured with a list of recorded or reserved recording contents related to the genre and performer name designated by the user. Alternatively, a corresponding content is searched from a program schedule such as EPG, and a broadcast schedule list of contents related to a genre and performer name designated by the user is configured. At this time, each piece of content information may be configured by an anchor that activates a request for providing each detailed content information.

  On the detailed value-added information screen, the state of viewing in the CE device is reflected, and if recorded, a means for immediately reproducing is provided, and if it is unbroadcast content, A means is provided that allows immediate recording reservation. That is, a content operation method corresponding to the viewing status such as playback or recording reservation is also presented, and the corresponding content is played in response to the user's content operation method designation or selection operation on the detailed value-added information screen. Alternatively, a corresponding operation such as recording reservation is activated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to execute processing for providing value-added information related to content viewing selection on a computer system,
Viewing history information acquisition step for acquiring viewing history related to viewing of the user's content;
A content related information acquisition step of acquiring related information of each content included in the viewing history;
A value-added information generation step for generating value-added information related to a user's content viewing selection by aggregating content-related information for each user;
A presentation step of presenting the value-added information to the user;
A computer program characterized by comprising:

  The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention defines a computer program described in a computer-readable format so as to realize predetermined processing on a computer system. In other words, by installing the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention in the computer system, a cooperative action is exhibited on the computer system, and the information provision according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided. The same effect as the apparatus can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, an excellent information providing apparatus and information providing method capable of presenting information for supporting viewing selection of content and other value-added information to a user who records, reserves or views broadcast content. As well as computer programs.

  Further, according to the present invention, an excellent information providing apparatus and information providing method capable of suitably providing viewing selection information and other value-added information in which the user's preference is revealed based on the user's viewing history As well as computer programs.

  According to the present invention, by adding a user's viewing history and content-related information, value-added information having a user's own tendency from several aspects is provided, and a user's new viewing selection in a large amount of recorded content is provided. Means can be provided.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings.

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

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of a content viewing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the content viewing support system according to the present embodiment, the viewing history information for the viewing content stored in each CE device is aggregated for each user, and the totaling result of the viewing history information and the related information of the viewing content are combined, It is possible to create value-added information that reflects preferences in units of users and provide value-added information to each user.

  In the example shown in the figure, one or more CE devices (hereinafter also referred to as clients) as content recording / playback apparatuses that receive, record, and play back broadcast content, and a server that provides value-added information to each CE device is the Internet or the like. Are interconnected via a wide area network or other form of communication path.

  A content recording / playback apparatus as a client is configured to be integrated with a CE device such as a set-top box or a television receiver, or externally connected to a personal computer with a tuner function, and distributed from each broadcast station every moment. The incoming broadcast content is stored according to a recording reservation setting by a user operation or a predetermined automatic recording reservation procedure.

  The content recording / playback apparatus includes information for identifying content when receiving / recording broadcast content, operation information related to content recording / playback, user viewing history information including “voting” for broadcast programs, Preference information and other user profile information.

  The content recording / playback device is connected to a wide area network such as the Internet, and transmits (uploads) user viewing history information and preference information to an information providing server built on the network, and provides information. The server provides recommended information regarding viewing of broadcast content.

  Specifically, the data to be uploaded from the client to the server includes user operation history on the CE device, content purchase history, program information reserved by the user for recording, program information viewed by the user, Operation information generated so as to express the preference of a user who has performed certain processing on these pieces of information (for example, input information such as voting and evaluation for broadcast programs), or a combination thereof. For example, viewing history information including a combination of user identification information: content identification information (or alternative information such as a broadcast time zone and a broadcast channel capable of identifying the content): a recording status of the content (recorded or not recorded) The data is uploaded from the client to the server side at a predetermined timing.

  On the other hand, the server is a content information database that manages EPG of contents broadcast at each broadcasting station or program information corresponding to the EPG, a user information database that manages each user's preference information and profiles, and each user views A database such as a viewing history information database for managing the viewing history regarding the broadcast content recorded and reserved for recording and the operation history regarding the operation of these devices in units of users is provided.

  On the server side, user information, viewing history information, and the like accumulated in each CE device are uploaded to a server on the network, and the uploaded user information and viewing history information for viewing content are aggregated for each user. Then, the aggregated user viewing history information and the accumulated content related information are combined, and value-added information reflecting each user's preference is created and provided for each user.

  The server totals what kind of related information is included in what kind of viewing content by combining the viewing history of the viewing content of the user and the related information of the viewing content, and presents it to the user.

  Here, in the content information database, a content table including a content ID for identifying content and information describing content details such as a program title, a broadcast channel and a time zone, a genre, a performer, a program content, or a keyword. Prepared for each (see FIG. 2). In addition, the user's viewing history is configured by history information on the broadcast content of the user such as viewing (including recording, recording reservation, voting or evaluation, and information on purchasing the content in addition to viewing). From the CE device side, not the identification information of the viewed content but the time zone information when the operation such as viewing is performed may be sent as the history information. In the latter case, the content information is sent on the server side. The content can be identified by checking against a database.

  Then, the server searches the content information database for each content viewed or the like based on the viewing history aggregated from a certain user, takes out the content table related to the content, and extracts these by genre, by performer, Alternatively, the appearance frequency is measured for each attribute type such as by keyword (see FIG. 3). Since the genre or performer whose appearance frequency is higher in the user's viewing history information represents the user's preference or interest, these are provided to the user as viewing support information or value-added information. .

  When searching for corresponding content using a keyword specified by the user himself / herself, there is a problem that the keyword does not necessarily reveal the user's preference or request. On the other hand, when content-related information is aggregated for each attribute type such as genre or performer based on the user's viewing history and ranking is taken, the ranking result (that is, the genre or performer name in the top ranking) ), Which may or may not have been recognized by the user, is a more accurate manifestation of the user's preferences and requests, and becomes effective and useful viewing support information or value-added information. obtain.

  In addition, the server totals what kind of related information is contained in what kind of operation target content by combining the operation history of the viewing content of the user and the related information of the viewing content, To present.

  The server also aggregates what kind of related information is included in what kind of voted / evaluated content by combining the preference information such as voting history of the user's content and the related information of the viewing content. And present it to the user.

  In addition, regarding the aggregation of appearance frequency in viewing history information such as genre and performers, the number of exposure scenes of performers using face recognition and voice recognition is acquired, not only for each viewing content, but for each scene Counting may be extended to show performers with a high appearance frequency.

  Here, the following processing can be considered as a totaling method of content related information.

(1) A method of counting and counting the same content that appears repeatedly many times in a specific period for each appearance frequency. For example, when the programs broadcast every weekday are counted for one week, this program is counted as five.

(2) A method in which matching is performed for the same content repeatedly appearing within a specific period, and counting is performed as the same count even if a plurality of contents appear. For example, when the programs broadcast every weekday are counted for a period of one week, this program is counted as one.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows a functional configuration of a client device that performs recording / reproduction of content. The client device is configured with a CE device such as a set-top box or a television receiver, or connected externally to a personal computer with a tuner function, and broadcast content distributed from each broadcast station every moment. Then, recording is performed according to a recording reservation setting by a user operation or a predetermined automatic recording reservation procedure (described above).

  The CE device 10 includes a tuner 11, an encoding unit 12, a hard disk device (HDD) 13, a communication control unit 14, a reproduction control unit 15, an input device 16, and a television monitor 17. Under the overall control by the control unit 18, device operations related to content viewing such as content reception, recording, and reproduction are performed, and user content viewing history information is acquired based on device operations. .

  In response to a user operation (which may include a remote control operation) via the input device 16, the CE device 10 performs operations such as reception of television broadcasts and EPGs, recording of received broadcast content, and playback of recorded content. to start. Of course, operations accompanying playback of recorded content such as fast forward / rewind and pause, and operations such as deleting recorded content may be performed together.

  Broadcast waves received by an antenna (not shown) are supplied to the tuner 11. The broadcast wave may be any of terrestrial waves, satellite waves, digital broadcasts, and analog broadcasts. The tuner 11 tunes a broadcast wave of a predetermined channel, that is, selects a channel, in accordance with an instruction from the user via the input device 16.

  Further, the communication control unit 14 accesses a predetermined server on the broadband Internet according to an instruction from the user via the input device 18 and uploads the viewing history information of the user acquired in the CE device to the server. In addition, it downloads value-added information related to viewing content and other information content.

  The CE device 10 is equipped with an HDD 13 as a content storage device for recording and reproducing content provided by broadcast waves. The HDD 13 is a magnetic recording type storage device. Generally, several magnetic media as recording media are accommodated in the drive unit, and are rotated at high speed by a spindle motor. The medium is coated with a magnetic material plated with nickel or phosphorus. Then, by scanning the magnetic head in the radial direction on the surface of the rotating medium, magnetization corresponding to data can be generated on the medium to perform writing or data reading. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to the HDD, and the content can be replaced with other media capable of recording and reproducing.

  In the case of analog broadcasting, the broadcast content received by the tuner 11 is encoded on the HDD 13 after being encoded by the encoding unit 12 into, for example, the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format. Further, in the case of digital broadcasting, the received content is in an encoded state, and thus is stored in the HDD 13 as it is.

  In accordance with a content playback instruction from the user via the input device 16, the playback control unit 15 reads out desired content from the content stored in the HDD 13 and performs playback control thereof.

  The decoding unit 16 decodes the recorded content in the encoded state. Then, the television monitor 17 outputs the decoded audio signal and video signal as audio and display, respectively.

  FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the functional configuration of the server device. The server is installed on a wide area network such as an internetwork, has an upper link with a client device such as a CE device, and creates and provides value-added information reflecting the preferences of each user for each user (described above). ).

  The server is connected to the Internet 120 via a firewall (F / W) 121 and includes an application server 100 and a plurality of databases 110 to 112.

  The user management database 110 manages account information, user profiles, and the like regarding users of CE devices connected via the Internet 120. The viewing history information database 111 manages content viewing history information (including operation information such as recording reservation, recording, playback, voting, and evaluation in addition to content viewing) performed on the CE device for each user. The content information database 112 manages related information related to content broadcast from each broadcasting station. In the content information database, a content table that includes content IDs for identifying content and information describing content details such as program titles, broadcast channels and time zones, genres, performers, program details or keywords (described above and FIG. 2). Is prepared for each content.

  The application server 100 includes an upload / data collection unit 101, a viewing history information totaling unit 102, a viewing history information-content information correspondence search unit 103, a correspondence information count unit 104, a presentation information creation unit 105, and presentation information. A transmission unit 106 is provided.

  The upload / data collection unit 101 collects data uploaded from each CE device. Specifically, the data to be uploaded from the client to the server is constant in the user operation history on the CE device, the program information reserved by the user for recording, the program information watched by the user, and these information. The operation information generated so as to express the preference of the user who has performed the process (for example, input information such as voting and evaluation for a broadcast program), or a combination thereof.

  The viewing history information totaling unit 102 counts the viewing history information uploaded from each CE device for each user and registers it in the viewing history information database 111. In the present embodiment, the viewing history information of each user is not integrated and is aggregated for each user.

  The viewing history information-content information correspondence search unit 103 is activated in response to a user request from the CE device and searches for a correspondence relationship between the viewing history information aggregated from the request source user and the content information in the content information database 112. To do. More specifically, each content included in the viewing history information is searched in the content information database 112 to extract a related content table.

  The correspondence information counting unit 104 performs a totaling process for the content table extracted based on the correspondence relationship with the viewing history information. More specifically, the frequency of appearance of content in the viewing history information is measured for each attribute type, such as by genre, by performer, or by keyword.

  The presentation information creation unit 105 generates value-added information including a list of attribute values having the highest appearance frequency in each attribute type in the viewing history based on the result of counting the appearance frequency of each attribute type. Then, the presentation information transmission unit 106 sends the created added value information to the requesting user via the Internet 120, and supports viewing selection of the content. The specific configuration of the added value information screen will be described later.

  When searching for corresponding content using a keyword specified by the user himself / herself, there is a problem that the keyword does not necessarily reveal the user's preference or request. In contrast, in the present embodiment, content-related information is tabulated for each attribute type such as genre or performer based on the user's viewing history, and ranking is obtained. Ranking results (i.e., genres and performers that have been ranked high) may or may not have been recognized by the user, but the user's preferences and requests have been revealed more accurately. It can be effective and useful viewing support information or value-added information.

  Next, the operation of the content viewing support system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The content viewing history information of the user acquired by the CE device 10 (viewing history of the user viewing content, operation history such as recording reservation, preference information such as voting / evaluation results, purchase history of content related products) is stored on the Internet 120. Is uploaded to the application server 100 via (step S1).

  Uploaded user viewing history information is subjected to user authentication or the like via the upload / data collection unit 101, and then extracted as appropriate information by the user information collection unit 102 and stored in the viewing history information database 111. (Step S11).

  The viewing history information is, for example, a combination of user identification information: content identification information (or alternative information such as a broadcast time zone and a broadcast channel in which the content can be identified): content recording status (recorded / recorded reserved) Composed. The timing of uploading and counting the user's viewing history information may be either periodically or when accessing a service page that causes some upload trigger (described above).

  Next, the user transmits a request for added value information to the application server by an operation on the CE device or on the Web page (step S2). At this time, for example, the user selects an appropriate combination from the following viewing history information and viewing content related information, and specifies a user information period to be processed (the category (attributes in parentheses). Type) service image name).

● Reserved-Performer information (“Many people who will appear in the future”)
● Reserved-Genre information (from now on, this genre pickles)
● Reserved-Keyword information ("This keyword from now on")
● Viewing History-Performers (“Your Favorite Performers”)
● Viewing History-Genre ("Genre you're into")
● Viewing History-Keywords ("Your addicted keywords")
● Voting History-Performers (“Your Good Impression Performers”)
● Voting History-Genre (“Your Good Impression Genre”)
● Voting history-Keywords ("Your addicted keywords")

  Upon receiving the request for added value information, the application server 100 causes the viewing history information-content information correspondence search unit 103 to store content related information (content table) attached to the viewing history information of the requesting user in the content information database. Search is performed at 112 (step S12). Further, the correspondence information counting unit 104 performs a process of counting the extracted content table, measures the appearance frequency in the viewing history information for each attribute type such as genre, performer, or keyword, and ranks the ranking. (Step S13).

  Next, the presentation information creation unit 105 orders the content related information according to the appearance frequency based on the total appearance frequency of the content, and creates added value information to be presented to the user (step S14). The value-added information is composed of a list of attribute values having the highest appearance frequency for each attribute type in the viewing history. The top-ranked genres and performer names may or may not have been recognized by the user, but they are a more accurate manifestation of the user's preferences and requests and are effective and useful. Viewing support information or value-added information.

  The created added value information is transmitted to the requesting user's CE device 10 via the presentation information transmitting unit 106 and presented to the user on the television monitor screen (step S3).

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the added value information screen presented when genre information is designated as the attribute type by the user. In the example shown in the figure, the appearance frequency and the genre name are listed in order from the highest appearance frequency in the viewing history information by genre, and are displayed together with the information period selected by the user.

  In the display area of each genre name in the display screen shown in the figure, a link requesting presentation of detailed value-added information related to the genre name is embedded. When a link of a certain genre name is pressed (step S4), a request for detailed value-added information about the genre name is notified to the application server 100.

  In the application server 100, the viewing history information-content information correspondence search unit 103 searches for correspondence between the specified genre name and the viewing history information of the requesting user (step S15), and further, EPG and other programs. Correspondence search with schedule information is performed (step S16). Detailed value-added information including a list of contents corresponding to a specified genre name among contents stored (recorded) in the CE device 10 of the request source user and contents scheduled to be broadcast in the future is provided as the presentation information creation unit 105. (Step S17). The created detailed value-added information is transmitted to the requesting user's CE device 10 via the presentation information transmitting unit 106 and presented to the user on the television monitor screen (step S5).

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of a detailed value-added information screen presented again when the genre name “soccer” is designated by the user on the value-added information screen shown in FIG. 7. In the example shown in the figure, a list of contents corresponding to the genre name “soccer” among the recorded contents in the CE device 10 and the contents scheduled to be broadcast in the future is displayed separately for each viewing status such as recorded and broadcast schedules. ing.

  On the illustrated detailed value-added information screen, a button for starting an operation method corresponding to the viewing status of each content is prepared. That is, a playback button for immediately starting playback processing is provided for recorded content, and a recording reservation button for immediately setting recording reservation is provided for unbroadcast content. ing.

  The detailed value-added information screen shown in the figure includes links to more detailed information on each content, and more detailed information on the content can be obtained by pressing the link.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the added value information screen presented when the performer name is designated as the attribute type by the user. In the example shown in the figure, the appearance frequency and the name of the performer are listed in order from the top of the appearance frequency in the viewing history information for each performer, and are displayed together with the information period selected by the user.

  In the display area of each performer name in the display screen shown in the figure, a link for requesting presentation of detailed value-added information related to the performer name is embedded. When a link for a performer name is pressed (step S4), a request for detailed value-added information about the performer is notified to the application server 100.

  In the application server 100, the viewing history information-content information correspondence search unit 103 searches for the correspondence between the designated performer name and the viewing history information of the requesting user (step S15), and also EPG and other information. Correspondence search with program schedule information is performed (step S16). Detailed value-added information including a list of contents corresponding to a specified performer name among contents stored (recorded) in the CE device 10 of the request source user and contents scheduled to be broadcast in the future is provided as a presentation information creation unit. It is created at 105 (step S17). The created detailed value-added information is transmitted to the requesting user's CE device 10 via the presentation information transmitting unit 106 and presented to the user on the television monitor screen (step S5).

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of the detailed value-added information screen presented again when the performer name “Junya Oide” is designated by the user on the value-added information screen shown in FIG. . In the example shown in the figure, a list of contents in which the performer name “Junya Oide” appears among the recorded contents in the CE device 10 and the contents scheduled to be broadcast in the future is recorded for each viewing status such as recorded and broadcast schedules. It is displayed separately.

  On the illustrated detailed value-added information screen, a button for starting an operation method corresponding to the viewing status of each content is prepared. That is, a playback button for immediately starting playback processing is provided for recorded content, and a recording reservation button for immediately setting recording reservation is provided for unbroadcast content. (Same as above)

  The detailed value-added information screen shown in the figure includes links to more detailed information on each content, and more detailed information on the content can be obtained by pressing the link. (Same as above)

  FIG. 11 shows another configuration example of the detailed value-added information screen. In the example shown in the figure, when a performer name is designated as an attribute type by the user, a detailed value-added information sheet for each performer is prepared for only the top predetermined number of appearance frequencies in the viewing history information for each performer. ing. In this detailed value-added information sheet, the top performers of the appearance frequency in the viewing history information for each performer are arranged in order from the left tab, and a list of unbroadcasted contents related to the performer is presented. Similar to the screen configuration shown in FIG. 10, a list of contents in which the performer has appeared may be displayed separately for each viewing status such as recorded and broadcast schedules. By selecting the performer name tab, the user can display the detailed value-added information sheet for the desired performer in the foreground, and further follow the link of the content information to display detailed information about this content. Can be obtained.

  The content viewing history totaling process (ranking creation, etc.) in the present invention is not performed by integrating the viewing history of multiple users, but is performed only in units of users. Therefore, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it is not always necessary to centralize and concentrate the viewing history totaling process and the added value information creating process on the server side. Of course, the aggregation process and the added value information creation process may be performed in a limited manner.

  FIG. 12 schematically shows the configuration of a content viewing support system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the case of the embodiment shown in the figure, in a CE device in which a user receives and / or records / plays content, the user's operation history related to content viewing, recording / playback, viewing history information such as voting and evaluation on the content is stored in the device. Accumulate within.

  When the user requests value-added information, the CE device inquires of the server-side content information database and downloads the related information of the content included in the user's viewing history.

  Then, in the CE device, content related information is aggregated for each attribute type such as genre and performer based on the viewing history of the user, ranking is performed, value-added information is generated, and presented to the user. Further, detailed value-added information related to the specified attribute value may be presented in response to a user request on the value-added information screen.

  Also, as a method for acquiring content-related information on the CE device side, it is provided in parallel with content broadcasting / distribution such as EPG, rather than inquiring to the server-side content information database using viewing history information as a search key. The program information may be stored in the CE device in advance and used in combination with the viewing history information.

  FIG. 13 schematically shows the configuration of a content viewing support system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the case of the embodiment shown in the figure, in a CE device in which a user receives and / or records / plays content, the user's operation history related to content viewing, recording / playback, viewing history information such as voting and evaluation on the content is stored in the device. Accumulate within. In addition, the CE device receives viewing content information distributed in EPG and other forms in parallel with the main content, and constructs content related information corresponding to a content information database in the device.

  When the user requests value-added information, the CE device searches for content-related information that has been constructed in advance in the device, and extracts content-related information included in the user's viewing history.

  Then, in the CE device, content related information is aggregated for each attribute type such as genre and performer based on the viewing history of the user, ranking is performed, value-added information is generated, and presented to the user. Further, detailed value-added information related to the specified attribute value may be presented in response to a user request on the value-added information screen.

  The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention. That is, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and the contents described in the present specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims section described at the beginning should be considered.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a content viewing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the content table. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of ranking information created for each user. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of a client device that performs recording / reproduction of content. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the server apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the content viewing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an added value information screen presented when genre information is designated by the user. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a detailed value-added information screen presented again in response to the genre name “soccer” being designated by the user on the value-added information screen shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an added value information screen presented when a performer name is designated as an attribute type by a user. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a detailed value-added information screen presented again when the performer name “Junya Oide” is designated by the user on the value-added information screen shown in FIG. 9. is there. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the detailed value-added information screen. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the content viewing support system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a content viewing support system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... CE apparatus 11 ... Tuner 12 ... Encoding part 13 ... HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Communication control part 15 ... Playback control part 16 ... Decoding part 17 ... Television monitor 18 ... Central control part 100 ... Application server 101 ... Uploading / data collection part 102 ... Viewing history information totaling part 103 ... Viewing history information-content Information correspondence search unit 104 ... correspondence information counting unit 105 ... presentation information creation unit 106 ... presentation information transmission unit 110 ... user management database 111 ... viewing history information database 112 ... content information database 120 ... internet 121 ... fire wall

Claims (21)

An information providing apparatus for providing additional information related to content viewing selection,
Viewing history information acquisition means for acquiring viewing history related to viewing of the user's content;
Content related information acquisition means for acquiring related information of each content included in the viewing history;
Additional information generating means for generating content-related information for each user and generating additional information related to the user's content viewing selection;
Presenting means for presenting additional information to the user;
An information providing apparatus comprising: The viewing history information acquisition means acquires at least one operation history as viewing history for viewing, recording, recording reservation, voting or evaluation, and purchasing of content performed by a user.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1. The additional information generation unit measures the appearance frequency of the content related information aggregated for each user for each attribute type, and relates to content viewing selection based on the attribute value having the highest appearance frequency in each attribute type. Generate additional information,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1. The viewing history information acquisition means acquires viewing history information acquired on a device on which a user receives and / or records / plays content via a communication path, and totals for each user,
The content related information acquisition means searches a content information database storing attribute information of each content, acquires content related information,
The presenting means presents additional information to the user via the communication path.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1. The viewing history information acquisition means holds viewing history information acquired on a device on which a user receives and / or records / plays content in the device,
The content related information acquisition means acquires content related information about each content included in the viewing history via a predetermined communication path,
The additional information creating means creates additional information in the device;
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1. The presenting means presents to the user an additional information screen including a list of attribute values having the highest appearance frequency in each attribute type.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1. Input means for accepting an attribute value designation or selection operation by the user via the additional information screen;
In response to the user specifying or selecting an attribute value, the content further includes detailed additional information generating means for searching for content related to the attribute value and generating detailed additional information based on the extracted content,
The presenting means presents the detailed additional information to a user;
The information providing apparatus according to claim 6. The detailed additional information generation means searches the user's viewing history information for content related to the attribute value, and generates detailed additional information composed of a list of corresponding contents including the viewing history.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 7. The detailed additional information generation means searches for content related to the attribute value from schedule information describing a future content broadcast or distribution schedule, and is configured with a list of corresponding contents including the scheduled broadcast or distribution time. Generating detailed additional information
The information providing apparatus according to claim 7. On the detailed additional information screen, the content operation method corresponding to the viewing history is also presented.
The input means receives a user's content operation method designation or selection operation on the detailed additional information screen, and activates the corresponding operation.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information providing apparatus is an information providing apparatus. An information providing method for providing additional information relating to content viewing selection,
Viewing history information acquisition step for acquiring viewing history related to viewing of the user's content;
A content related information acquisition step of acquiring related information of each content included in the viewing history;
An additional information generating step of generating content-related information for each user and generating additional information related to the user's content viewing selection;
A presentation step of presenting additional information to the user;
An information providing method comprising: In the viewing history information acquisition step, at least one operation history among viewing, recording, recording reservation, voting or evaluation, and purchase of content performed by the user is acquired as a viewing history.
The information providing method according to claim 11. In the additional information generation step, the content related information aggregated for each user is measured for the appearance frequency for each attribute type, and content viewing selection is performed based on the attribute value having the highest appearance frequency in each attribute type. Generate additional information,
The information providing method according to claim 11. In the viewing history information acquisition step, the viewing history information acquired on the device that the user receives and / or records / reproduces the content is acquired via the communication path, and is aggregated for each user.
In the content related information acquisition step, a content information database storing attribute information of each content is searched to acquire content related information,
In the presenting step, additional information is presented to the user via the communication path.
The information providing method according to claim 11. In the viewing history information acquisition step, the viewing history information acquired on the device that the user receives and / or records / reproduces the content is held in the device,
In the content-related information acquisition step, content-related information about each content included in the viewing history is acquired via a predetermined communication path,
In the additional information creation step, additional information is created in the device.
The information providing method according to claim 11. In the presenting step, an additional information screen including a list of attribute values having the highest appearance frequency in each attribute type is presented to the user.
The information providing method according to claim 11. An input step of accepting an attribute value designation or selection operation by the user via the additional information screen;
In response to the user specifying or selecting an attribute value, a detailed additional information generation step of searching for content related to the attribute value and generating detailed additional information based on the extracted content,
In the presenting step, the detailed additional information is presented to the user.
The information providing method according to claim 16. In the detailed additional information generation step, content related to the attribute value is searched from the user's viewing history information, and detailed additional information including a list of corresponding contents including the viewing history is generated.
The information provision method according to claim 17. In the detailed additional information generation step, content related to the attribute value is searched from schedule information describing a future content broadcast or distribution schedule, and is composed of a list of corresponding contents including the scheduled broadcast or distribution time. Generating detailed additional information
The information provision method according to claim 17. On the detailed additional information screen, the content operation method corresponding to the viewing history is also presented.
In the input step, the user's content operation method designation or selection operation on the detailed additional information screen is accepted, and the corresponding operation is started.
The information providing method according to claim 18, wherein the information providing method is the same as the information providing method according to claim 18. A computer program written in a computer readable format to execute processing on a computer system for providing additional information related to content viewing selection,
Viewing history information acquisition step for acquiring viewing history related to viewing of the user's content;
A content related information acquisition step of acquiring related information of each content included in the viewing history;
An additional information generating step of generating content-related information for each user and generating additional information related to the user's content viewing selection;
A presentation step of presenting additional information to the user;
A computer program comprising: