JP2009017013A - Content output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content output device which outputs a content taking into consideration conditions of respective viewers when there are a plurality of content viewers. <P>SOLUTION: A content output device 1 receives a user attribute including the content viewing condition of a user, from a user attribute acquisition part 15 through a communication part 11. A content attribute management part 35 manages attributes of contents received through a communication part 43 by a content reception part 41. A content output permission/inhibition determination part 21 determines whether the output of a content is permitted on the basis of the user attribute and the attribute of this content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content output device, and more particularly, to a content output device having a function for determining whether content can be output.

  In today's highly information-oriented society, the number of distributed content is steadily increasing, and even when walking around the city, a lot of content jumps into the eyes and ears. On the other hand, there is a growing awareness of parents who want to protect children from harmful content, and rating systems and V-chips have been introduced. For example, in the United States, it is obliged to mount a V chip, and TV programs exceeding the allowable value set for the V chip of each television cannot be played back (viewed) on that TV. On the other hand, when a parent uses a television receiver to watch a program exceeding the rating, it is necessary to input a password. There is a problem in that it is inconvenient for the TV set used by multiple people to change the settings one by one.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a system that allows a parent to restrict or prevent a child from watching television without direct supervision. In this technique, a controller that operates a television receiving apparatus is configured to identify a user and refer to a user profile associated with the user. The user profile describes viewing restrictions, and control is performed so that content whose viewing is restricted by the user profile is not played back on a television or recorded on a connected recorder. In this way, flexible viewing restrictions can be performed for each user.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which when a single display is viewed by a plurality of people, an image that matches the viewing restrictions of each user is selected and shown to each user. In this document, different video information is displayed for each user's viewpoint, and audio information is individually output to each user, so that the same type of content can be viewed and adapted to each user. Customized content can be provided to each user.

  In addition to such compulsory viewing restrictions, for example, if you do not want to know the results of a soccer game you are looking for until the user sees the recorded game, you want to avoid the so-called spoilers. There is a need.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an information reproducing apparatus that selects content provided to a user so as to avoid spoilers based on the viewing history of individual users and the citation relationship between the contents. As a result, when there is an unviewed program even though it is recorded, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a story following the unviewed program is viewed first.

JP 2001-268462 A JP 2006-319819 A JP 2004-118483 A

  A television is a shared device that is viewed by a plurality of people, and a plurality of people often view the same content. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, only a profile of a user who operates a television with a controller is evaluated. For example, even if there is a third party who is not suitable for viewing the content, the content is reproduced. There is a problem of end. For this reason, there is a problem for parents that content that they think is not suitable for children will be exposed to children.

  Patent Document 2 outputs content suitable for each user in consideration of viewing restrictions of each user, assuming shared use of a television. However, the method described in Patent Document 2 requires means for outputting audio and video to each user individually. Therefore, it is difficult to use the present general television receiver. In addition, it is necessary to prepare content for each user, and even if multiple people are viewing the content at the same time, the practical usage mode is the same as when using a personal TV individually, and the shared use of TV Is not realized.

  Patent Document 3 supports individual users to select content that avoids spoilers. However, it does not consider the viewing mode in a shared device such as a television, and is assumed to be used personally. Therefore, a situation occurs in which content that becomes spoiler for oneself is played by watching a television set under the control of another user.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a content output device that outputs content in consideration of the conditions of each viewer when there are a plurality of content viewers.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a content output device that allows a user viewing content to select and output content appropriate for all users who receive the content output from the content output device in consideration of viewing restrictions on the content. provide.

  Each user carries a terminal that records information related to his / her viewing restrictions. The motivation for users to have a terminal that records information related to viewing restrictions is that when they watch a television receiver with the terminal, their personal viewing history is stored in the terminal, and various services are available. The point that is personalized based on. Based on the information regarding viewing restrictions provided by the user terminal, not only the information that the user does not like can be filtered, but also the information that the user likes can be searched, which motivates the user to hold the terminal. In the future, if many information output devices installed in public places will be able to support this function, it will be possible to filter information encountered in the city. It is also mentioned as a motivation that there is no need to make it.

  Furthermore, spoiler prevention can be motivated to carry a terminal. For example, there was a soccer game that I was looking forward to, but before I watched the recorded video, I couldn't see it anymore because I was alerted by news and knew the result. Therefore, the filter information is regularly exchanged between the terminals, and the television receiver is configured to always grasp the viewer's Filter information. Then, when a part corresponding to Filter (for example, soccer) appears, NG display is performed and viewing of the program (soccer) is interrupted, and when the corresponding condition for Filter is resolved, viewing can be resumed. Spoilers can be prevented.

  In order to limit the content that a child can watch, if a parent considers having a terminal as described above, the child simply has to filter the information that the parent considers unsuitable for the child. There is a high possibility that the viewing restriction function will not work well, such as refusing to possess or turning off the terminal, but you can search for information of your child's preference so that you can actively possess the terminal If there is a merit of possessing such as making it possible to manage the user's viewing history, it is possible to increase the possibility of possessing the terminal.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a content attribute information acquisition unit that acquires output content attribute information, a communication unit that communicates with a plurality of external terminals that receive output content to be output, and a plurality of the above-described communication units via the communication unit Whether or not the output content can be output based on user attribute information acquisition means for acquiring user attribute information including content viewing conditions set in each of the external terminals, the output content attribute information, and the plurality of user attribute information A content output apparatus comprising: content output enable / disable determining means for determining the content; and content output means for outputting content excluding a portion determined to be non-outputtable by the content output enable / disable determining means. .

  Each user always carries a user attribute management device that stores user attribute information representing his / her content viewing conditions. The user attribute management device may be a mobile device such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or may be an electronic tag such as an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag. When the user attribute management device senses the presence of the content output device, it transmits user attribute information to the content output device.

  The user attribute information itself is managed by a server installed on the network, and the terminal owned by the user transmits a pointer to the user attribute information managed by the server to the content output device, and the content output device is provided. The user attribute information of the corresponding user may be acquired from the server based on the pointer.

  As a result, the content output device can determine whether or not the content can be output in consideration of the content viewing conditions of all users who receive the content output from the content output device. It is possible to prevent in advance content that is not suitable for users existing in

  The output content includes broadcast content from television receivers and radio receivers, multimedia data such as audio and video distributed over the IP network, compound documents such as web pages, CD (Compact Disc), Examples thereof include multimedia data stored in a storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The entity does not necessarily exist as a file. For example, a real-time stream video from a surveillance camera is one of the contents. Content that causes interaction such as games is also conceivable.

  Content attribute information includes program attribute information based on EPG (Electric Program Guide) information for TV programs, information obtained by HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) tag analysis for Web pages, and RSS (RDF Site Summary). ) Etc., meta information such as titles and summaries set in advance by the content supplier (which can be obtained by measuring the content or distributed in association with the content), and many unspecified Meta information such as tags attached by users.

  Some content attribute information is attached to the entire content, and some is attached to a part of the content. Detailed meta information is added in minute units for TV programs, and content attribute information can be set at a fine granularity by extracting keywords from closed caption information such as Closed Caption and utterance contents of performers. In order to perform appropriate filtering, it is desirable that detailed meta information is provided on the content producer side.

  Specifically, the content output device may be a device such as a television, projector, audio system, PC, or mobile phone used in the home, a street kiosk terminal, an advertisement display device, or the like. Large-scale devices such as Aurora Vision (registered trademark) at a baseball stadium, movie theater screens, and town broadcasting facilities are also included.

  Here, since it is necessary to determine whether or not content can be output before content output, in the case of real-time broadcasting or the like, the content output device obtains content attribute information in advance by some means or slightly delays the output of content. Therefore, it is necessary to secure time required for output.

  The output content attribute information includes content rating information, and the user attribute information includes information related to whether or not the content can be viewed based on the rating. This can prevent a situation in which content is output to a user who does not satisfy the rating.

  The output content attribute information may include information regarding a person related to the content, and the user attribute information may include information regarding whether or not the content can be viewed based on the person. This makes it possible to use information such as shutting out disliked information such as talent.

  The output content attribute information includes information related to topics handled by the content, and the user attribute information includes information related to whether or not the content can be viewed based on the topics. This makes it possible to eliminate content that deals with topics that are not appropriate for children's education, or to deal with unpleasant topics.

  In addition, the user attribute information includes viewing conditions associated with information for specifying other users, and the content output availability determination means includes: a terminal associated with the other users specified by the communication means; The viewing condition associated with the information specifying the other user is evaluated according to whether or not communication is possible.

  In addition, there are contents such as PG-12 that can be accompanied by a guardian when viewing movie ratings and the like. This content is not suitable for a child under the age of 12 alone, but is allowed to be viewed if viewed with a guardian. It is characterized by considering such user combination conditions. Content with ratings such as PG-12 can be viewed even by children under 12 years of age if accompanied by a guardian.

  In order to perform such control, it is necessary for the system side to detect whether a guardian is accompanied. Whether or not the content can be output can be determined by determining whether or not the terminal assigned to the guardian is included in the content output target and the user attribute information of the guardian can be acquired. This makes it possible to evaluate combination ratings as described above, and to meet the need to avoid playing non-educational content when sitting with a specific person. This makes it possible to avoid situations such as awkwardness.

  Up to now, the usage method of eliminating undesirable content has been cited as the usage of user attributes, but conversely, by storing desirable content attribute information as user attribute information, the user attribute may be prompted to output desired information. It doesn't matter. Even in such a case, it is necessary to take into account the user attribute information of other users who view at the same time, and to control the content so that other users are uncomfortable.

  If it is determined by the content output permission determination means that the output is not possible, the content output permission determination means evaluates whether or not the alternative content can be output, and the content output means is determined by the content output permission determination means. It may be possible to have content output means for outputting alternative content determined to be output.

  As a result, for content that cannot be immediately transferred to the next content, such as broadcast content, when it is determined that content output is possible or not, not only the content is not output but also prepared in advance. It is possible to fill the time until the alternative content is output and the content is switched to the content suitable for output. Although it is desirable that the alternative content is prepared as general content that does not cause a problem in output, it may be determined whether or not to output based on the user attribute information of each user.

  Assuming TV channel selection, it is also possible to transition to another channel as alternative content. When zapping is performed with a television remote control device, it is possible to control so that the channel to be filtered does not transition in the first place.

  Further, the alternative content may be an advertisement. The advertisement may be selected at random, but is preferably selected based on the user attribute information of the viewing user. A preferable advertisement category may be registered as the user attribute information, and an unfavorable advertisement category may be registered. Whether or not output is possible is determined in the same manner as normal content selection.

  The selection of the advertisement can also be performed based on the reason why the output content is determined not to be output by the output permission determination unit. For example, it is efficient to request appeals, donations, and signatures appealing to peace and cooperation from users who refuse to output content related to “violence”.

  Furthermore, the alternative content includes information regarding a reason why the output content is determined not to be output by the output permission determination unit. Thereby, the viewing user can know why the output of the content is stopped, and the user attribute information can be changed after appropriate authentication if necessary.

  Also, a user identification having a presence notification unit for notifying information for acquiring user attribute information including user content viewing conditions to a content output device that outputs content, and a communication unit forming a communication interface An apparatus for notifying a content output apparatus that outputs content via the communication unit of information for acquiring user attribute information including a user's content viewing condition and outputting the content via the communication unit A presence detection unit that receives a presence notification sent from the device, and enters the area where the content output device can communicate with the presence detection unit, and receives the presence notification from the content output device; When transmitting the information for acquisition and entering an area where the presence notification cannot be received, the position information The user identification device is provided, wherein not transmitting. Here, “information for acquisition” refers to “URL of user identification information” or “user ID”. If the URL is used, user identification information can be acquired from a user management apparatus on the network. If the user management device is known, the user identification information can be acquired based on the user ID. Some authentication information may be required.

  A step of acquiring output content attribute information; a step of communicating with a plurality of external terminals that receive the output content to be output; and a user who includes content viewing conditions set for each of the plurality of external terminals by the communication step Based on the step of acquiring attribute information, the output content attribute information, and the plurality of user attribute information, a content output availability determination step for determining whether the output content can be output, and an output by the content output availability determination step There is provided a content output method comprising: a content output step of outputting content excluding a portion determined to be impossible. A program for causing a computer to execute the above steps, a computer-readable recording medium for recording the program, and a transmission medium may be used.

  According to the present invention, content can be output without inconvenience even when there are a plurality of content viewers.

  Hereinafter, a content output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a system diagram showing a configuration example of a content output system including a content output device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1A, the content output system A includes a content output device 1, a content transmission device 3, and user attribute management devices 3a to 3c that manage user (client) attributes. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a substantially circular area indicated by the symbol AR <b> 1 indicates an area where the content output apparatus 1 and the user attribute management apparatuses 3 a to 3 c can communicate. The user attribute management devices 3a to 3c transmit the respective user attribute information 5a to 5c to the content output device 1. Note that the user attribute management device 3d is out of the communication range, and the region outside the communication range is substantially the same as the region where the content cannot be viewed. The communication range shown here indicates the communication range in proximity wireless communication for sensing users within the viewable range. In FIG. 1A, the content transmission device 3 and the like located outside the communication range is such as the Internet. Communication is possible through another communication means.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1A, since the communication means having a relatively low directivity is used, the communication range is substantially circular. However, by using the communication means with strong directivity, for example, a content output device It is also possible to set a communication range within the front of. Here, since the user existing in the viewable area is recognized based on the reception of the Advertisement packet (presence notification) described later, ideally, the content viewable area and the communication range are desirably equal.

  Other methods may be used as long as the user existing in the viewing range or the terminal held by the user can be identified. For example, user position information may be acquired, and this may be compared with the position information of the output terminal to detect users in the viewable area. In addition, it is possible to record user entry / exit on a room-by-room basis and to regard that the user existing in the room is viewable.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the content output apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the content output apparatus 1 includes a communication unit 11 that forms a communication interface, a user attribute acquisition unit 15 that receives user attributes from the communication unit 11, and a user attribute management unit 17 that manages user attributes. A content output availability determination unit 21 that determines whether content can be output, an alternative content selection unit 23 that selects alternative content described later, and a status information generation unit 25 that generates status information described later. Yes. Further, a communication unit 43 that constitutes a communication interface related to content reception, a content reception unit 41 that receives content, a content management unit 27 that manages content, and a content attribute management unit 35 that manages attributes of received content. And a presence notification unit 37 to be described later. Furthermore, it has the content adjustment part 31 which adjusts the content which should be output based on the information of the content management part 27 and the status information generation part 25, and the content output part 33 which outputs the adjusted content.

  The content output device 1 receives content from the content transmission device 3. The content output device 1 can output the received content to a user carrying one of the surrounding user attribute management devices 3a to 3c.

  The content output device 1 periodically transmits an Advertisement packet (presence notification) for notifying its presence to the viewable area AR1 of its output content. When receiving the advertisement packet of the content output device, the user attribute management device notifies the content output device of user attribute information. The user attribute management device in the unviewable area (outside the viewable area AR1) that cannot receive the Advertisement packet is not concerned.

  Prior to content output, it is appropriate that the content output device 1 compares the user attribute information 5a held by the user attribute management device 3a and the like existing in the viewable area with the content attribute information to output the content. Whether or not the content is output is determined by the content output permission determination unit 21. If it is determined that the content output is appropriate, the content is output. If it is determined that the content output is not appropriate, the output of the content can be interrupted, and for example, the alternative content selected by the alternative content selection unit can be output.

  Hereinafter, in more detail, the content receiving unit 41 receives content via the communication unit 43, and the received content is managed by the content management unit 27 and the content attribute management unit 35 stores content attribute information. Extraction is performed. The presence notification unit 37 transmits an Advertisement packet that notifies the user attribute management device 3a and the like of the presence of the content output device via the communication unit 43. At that time, by including a part or all of the content attribute information to be output, it is possible to inform the user of the outline of viewable content.

  The user attribute acquisition unit 15 receives user attribute information 5a and the like from the user attribute management device 3a and the like that have received the Advertisement packet. The received information is managed by the user attribute management unit 17. Prior to the output of the content, the content output permission determination unit 21 compares the content attribute information managed by the content attribute management unit 35 with the user attribute information managed by the user attribute management unit 17, and compares the content attribute information. Determine whether output is possible.

  When it is determined that the content is not output, the content attribute information of the content attribute management unit 35 and the user attribute management unit 17 are selected from the alternative content managed by the content management unit 27 by the alternative content selection unit 23. Appropriate alternative content is selected from the user attribute information. When there is no appropriate alternative content, a black screen or the like can be provided.

  Furthermore, the status information generation unit 25 generates status information such as character information that informs the user that the content is being filtered, and remaining time information until the content returns to the original content, according to the output content. The generated content is superimposed on the output content in the content adjustment unit 31 and output from the content output unit 33.

  FIG. 3A is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user attribute management device. As shown in FIG. 3A, the user attribute management device 3a includes a user ID management unit 51, a user attribute notification unit 53, a communication unit 55, a presence detection unit 57, a viewing log management unit 61, and a user attribute management unit. 63, a user attribute editing unit 65, and an authority authentication unit 67.

  The presence detection unit 57 receives the Advertisement packet sent from the content output device 1 via the communication unit 55. When the presence is detected, the user attribute management unit 63 provides the user attribute information 5 a to the content output device 3 via the user attribute notification unit 53. The user ID management unit 51 performs a solution relating to the user ID to be described in the user attribute information 5a. The user ID is preferably newly recreated periodically from the viewpoint of privacy protection, which makes it difficult to track on the content output apparatus 1 side. The user ID is calculated by the user ID management unit according to a predetermined rule. As shown in the figure, the user attribute information provided by the user attribute management device 3a is only 5a. The same applies to 5b and 5c. In the content specification condition included in the user attribute information 5a, it may be necessary to specify other users, but by making the user ID generation rule known in advance between users and generating the user ID according to the rule, A situation where the user ID does not match can be prevented. From the viewpoint of a node that does not know the rules, it seems that the user ID is generated at random. Although it is difficult to determine whether the past user ID and the current user ID indicate the same person or not, if the user ID generation rule is known in advance, the user ID is calculated according to the rule. The same person can be specified.

  The user attribute editing unit 65 provides a means for editing the user attribute information 5a managed by the user attribute management unit 35. At that time, the authority authentication unit 67 determines whether or not there is an appropriate authority to edit the user attribute. On the other hand, the output content attribute information 5a included in the advertisement received by the presence detection unit 57 is accumulated in the viewing log management unit 61, and information on what content the user has viewed is accumulated.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of filtering display in the content output apparatus 1. In the display example 1a shown in FIG. 4A, the remaining time 73 until the display of the original content is resumed is displayed together with the reason 71 for filtering the output of the content. FIG. 4B shows an example in which a notification 81 indicating that filtering is being performed, an advertisement 77 prepared in advance, and a notification 75 indicating an advertisement are displayed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing up to content output in the content output apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when processing is started (step S1; start), content attribute information is acquired (step S2), and an advertisement is transmitted in step S3. Next, in step S4, a user existing in the viewable area is detected. If the user cannot be detected (none), the process proceeds to step S5, for example, the output is turned off, and the process ends in step S6. When a user is detected (yes), the process proceeds to step S7, where user attribute information is confirmed, and whether output is possible is determined in step S8. If the output is possible, the process proceeds to step S9 to output the content, and the process ends in step S10.

  In step S8, if output is not possible, the process proceeds to step S11, where it is determined whether or not skipping to the next content is possible. If skipping is possible, the process proceeds to step S12 and skipping to the next content. Then, the process ends (step S10: end). When skipping, the reason for skipping can be presented to the user. If skipping is not possible in step S11, the presence / absence of alternative content is determined in step S13. If there is no alternative content, status information generation processing is performed in step S17, the generated status information is output in step S18, and the processing is terminated (step S19).

  FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of content output availability determination processing in the content output availability determination unit 21. Basically, all user attributes of all users whose presence is detected in the viewable area are associated with the content attribute information of the content to be output. When a combination condition with other users is specified in the content viewing condition described in the user attribute information, whether or not the combination target user exists in the viewable area is determined based on the specified user ID. Search and perform condition judgment according to presence / absence. If any one of the conditions is not satisfied, the content cannot be output. If all the conditions are satisfied, it is determined that the content can be output.

  More specifically, when the process is started (step S21), it is determined in step S22 whether or not confirmation has been completed for all detected users. In the case of Yes, the content can be output (step S23), and the process ends (step S24: end).

  If No in step S22, the user who has not been evaluated is confirmed in step S25. In step S26, it is determined whether or not all user attributes have been confirmed. In the case of Yes, it returns to step S22. In No, it progresses to step S27, the user attribute which is not evaluated is confirmed, it progresses to step S28, and the presence or absence of designation | designated of combination conditions is determined. In the case of Yes (Yes), it is determined whether or not a combination target user is detected. In the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S33 to check the conditions when the user exists, and in step S34, the content attribute is It is determined whether or not the user attribute is satisfied. If yes, the process returns to step S26. In No, it progresses to step S30, and a process is complete | finished as content output power impossibility (step S31). In the case of No in step S32, the condition when the user is absent is confirmed in step S35, and in step S36, it is determined whether or not the content attribute satisfies the user attribute. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S26, and if No, the process proceeds to step S30. Based on the above algorithm, it is determined whether or not the content can be output.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of user attribute information transmission processing in the user attribute management device 3a. Every time the presence detection unit 57 receives an advertisement from the content output device 1, it is wasteful for the user attribute notification unit 53 to retransmit the user attribute information 5a. Therefore, the user attribute information 5a is repeated while the session continues. The amount of communication can be reduced by performing only the presence notification including the user ID without sending. The content output apparatus 1 caches the user attribute information 5a, and when receiving a presence notification including the same user ID, the content output apparatus 1 calls the user attribute information 5a from the cache and uses it in the output permission determination. In either case, the viewing log management unit 61 accumulates content viewing logs. Actually, since the content output by the content output device 1 is not performed at the stage when the output is predicted by the advertisement, the content output device 1 gives a notification again when the content is output, and whether or not the content is actually output. It is desirable that the user attribute management apparatus 3a can also record the above.

  More specifically, when the process is started in step S41 and the advertisement is received in step S42, the user attribute information transmission necessity determination process is performed in step S43. In the case of transmission failure, the presence notification is performed in step S46, In step S47, the content viewing log is accumulated, and the process ends (step S48: end). If necessary in step S43, the process proceeds to step S44, where the user attribute information is confirmed, the user attribute information is transmitted in step S45, the content viewing log is accumulated in step S47, and the process ends (step S48: end). ).

  Here, when the user attribute management device 3a detects the presence of the content output device, it transmits the user attribute information 5a. However, since the user attribute information is personal information, only the content output device set in advance is detailed. It is also possible to configure such that no user attribute information is passed. For example, a minimum filter effect may be obtained by configuring such that only the minimum age information for determining rating information is transmitted to unregistered devices.

  It is also possible to configure so that user attribute information is not passed to the content output device. That is, based on the content information provided by the content output device, the user attribute management device determines whether or not the output is desirable for the user, and the determination result (“OK” or “NG (reason)) ]) To the content output device. In this way, there is no need to give personal information called user attribute information to the content output apparatus. However, since filter information including combination conditions with other users cannot be determined only by individual user management apparatuses, conditional determination results that require combination determination may be returned to the content output apparatus. The determination result in this case is, for example, “output OK when there is a user of DOD890112650970” or “output OK when there is no user under 12 years old”.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of content attribute information. In the example shown in FIG. 8 (A), content attribute information of terrestrial broadcast content is shown. Content type, content type such as terrestrial broadcast, content title, content subtitle, content source such as MHK, news, sports, Content genres such as soccer, content broadcasting date and time, content tags such as keywords related to content, content ratings related to content viewing restrictions, and the like are shown.

  FIG. 8B is a diagram showing content attribute information related to moving image content distributed over the IP network. The examples given here are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these examples.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of user attribute information. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an example of user attribute information of a child user. In the user ID, an ID generated by the user ID management unit 51 is described. The date of birth is information necessary for making a determination regarding the rating, and is a material for determining whether or not the rating is satisfied. Here, only one specific user ID (the user in FIG. 9B) is designated as the guardian ID, but a plurality of user IDs or an adult such as ANYONE OVER 20 is designated. It is possible to specify that a person is not specified as long as it is done. In the prohibited content type, prohibited content title, prohibited content source, prohibited tag, etc., the attribute information of the content that is considered unfavorable to view is described.

  FIG. 9B is a diagram describing parent user attribute information. Since the CM is described in the prohibited content type, this user is prohibited from viewing the CM. Moreover, by describing several names on the prohibition tag, the content in which the person appears can be kept away. The output of the content including both the tags “soccer” and “match result” is also filtered, and the news of the match result of soccer is not seen. For example, since the content shown in FIG. 8A includes both “soccer” and “match result” in the content tag, the output of the content is filtered.

  The condition prohibition tag prohibits output of content having a tag (such as a keyword) of “Cruel” when the user is present with a specific user (user ID is DOD890112650970). In addition, for example, sexual depiction suppresses output except when one person is alone, and suppresses output when a drug is used with a child under 12 years old. Although the conditions set here are conditions based on the presence of other users, other conditions such as the user's current position (inside / outside of the house) and the current time may be used. For example, by combining with weather conditions, it is possible to set a condition such as “prohibit watching TV on a sunny day” and encourage children to play outside.

    The above conditions can be set by the user himself, or typical rules may be automatically set by a web service or the like. In addition, when a recording reservation is made for a certain program in the HDD recorder, it is possible to perform device cooperation between the own device and the cooperation device, such as adding a condition for filtering all information related to the program. For example, when a certain soccer broadcast is reserved for recording in an HDD recorder, the user can save time and effort to set a filter each time if the setting is made to automatically filter soccer game results. Further, after the user has finished watching the recorded program, the filter that is no longer necessary may be automatically canceled. In this case, the HDD recorder may directly notify the user attribute management device for setting a filter, or after collecting the status information of the AV devices in the home using an HGW (Home Gateway) or the like, The user attribute management apparatus may be notified so as to set a simple filter. The user attribute management apparatus updates the managed user attribute information based on the notification. Next, a modification of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the system B in which the user attribute management device 6 is arranged on the network. The user identification devices 7 a to 7 c existing in the communication range AR transmit the location information (URL) 8 a to 8 c of the user attribute information managed by the user attribute management device 6 to the content output device 1. The content output device acquires user attribute information corresponding to the user of each user identification device from the user attribute management device 6 based on the received position information. Since the user identification device 3d is located outside the communication range as in the case of FIG. 1A, the user attribute information is not acquired and the user attribute information is not acquired based on the position information.

  In the functional block of the content output device 1 shown in FIG. 2, the user attribute acquisition unit 15 acquires the user attribute information position information and the user attribute information acquisition authority from the user identification devices 7a to 7c via the communication unit. Based on the obtained position information and authority information (ID, password, etc.), the user attribute management device 6 is accessed again via the communication unit, and user attribute information associated with each user is obtained and stored in the user attribute management unit. give. Since the subsequent processing flow is the same as in FIG. 1, the description will not be repeated. As described above, the user attribute information may be acquired once during the session and does not need to be repeated every time.

  FIG. 3B (a) shows a configuration example of the user identification device 7a, and FIG. 3B (b) is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the user attribute management device 6. Basically, the user attribute management device 3a shown in FIG. 3A is divided into two devices, but the structure of the user identification device 7a can be simplified, and the user terminal and content output device can be simplified. There is an effect that it is possible to reduce the amount of communication between the two.

  When the presence detection unit 57b of the user identification device 7a receives the presence notification from the content output device, the presence notification unit 57a receives the location information and authority of the user attribute information managed by the user attribute management device 6 from the user ID management unit 51a. Information is obtained, and a presence notification including them is transmitted to the content output apparatus.

  On the other hand, when the content management apparatus 6 receives the user attribute information request from the content output apparatus in the user attribute request receiving unit 91, the content management apparatus 6 determines whether it is a legitimate request having appropriate authority in the authority authentication unit 67b. When the request is determined to be a request, the user attribute information managed by the user attribute management unit 63b is combined with the user ID resolved by the user ID management unit 51b, and the user attribute notification unit 53b uses the user attribute information. Send. Further, the user attribute information can be edited in the user attribute editing unit 65b by accessing the UI unit 93 via the communication unit 55b. At that time, the authority authentication unit 67b confirms whether or not the editing authority exists.

  Next, a modification of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Human speech in the real world is also a type of content, and humans themselves can also be considered content output devices. Therefore, if it is possible to convey the user attribute information to a person who encounters in the real world, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of topics related to information that the user does not want.

  Here, consider a situation in which a user wears an HMD (Head Mounted Display) and can acquire information on a person or an object viewed through the HMD in real time. FIG. 10 shows a display example when the person 101 is viewed through the HMD. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of an apparatus for outputting information to the HMD.

  The person 101 carries the user attribute management device 3a or the user identification device 7a, and by communicating with them, the person 101 can be identified as to who the person 101 is currently viewing. The user attribute acquisition unit 121 acquires the user attribute information of the person 101 via the communication unit 113 and specifies the person 101, and from the data managed by the user attribute management unit 123, the personal attribute of the person Search for data. The output information preparation unit 117 displays the user attribute information newly acquired by the user attribute acquisition unit 121, the user attribute information searched by the user information management unit 123, and the communication log and schedule information related to the person as PIM information. Information is acquired from the management unit 115 and information to be output regarding the person is selected and shaped. The information output unit 111 outputs the information prepared by the output information preparation unit to the HMD.

  In FIG. 10, users such as the name 102 of the person 101, the profile of the person 101, the encounter history with the person 101, the communication log such as the mail history, the recent activity history of the person 101, etc. are superimposed on the live-action video of the person 101. Attribute information 104 is displayed. When you meet a person, you often don't remember the name of the person or who you are, but this system provides information about the person you meet to facilitate communication in the real world. Provide support to advance.

  Here, the content output condition 103 is particularly highlighted, and it is well known that a topic relating to a specific drama is not preferred. The user wearing the HMD respects the intention of the person 101 and can carefully avoid raising a topic related to the drama. Whether or not the intention of the person 101 is reflected is left to the speaker.

  The HMD also presents information not related to the person 101, such as the current time and future schedule 105. In this example, the HMD is used for information presentation. However, the device type is not limited as long as there is a means for presenting user attribute information to the speaker. You may comprise so that the shown information may be shown.

  The present invention can be used for a content output apparatus.

1 is a system diagram showing a configuration example of a content output system including a content output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a system diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the content output system containing the content output device by the modification of one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of a content output device. It is a functional block diagram of a user attribute management device. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other structural example of a user attribute management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the filtering display in a content output device. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a process until the content output in a content output device. It is a detailed flowchart figure of the content output permission determination process in a content output permission determination part. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the user attribute information transmission process in a user attribute management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of content attribute information. It is a figure which shows an example of user attribute information. It is a figure which shows the Example comprised so that when a user wears HMD and it sees a person, it superimposes on the person and user attribute information is displayed. It is a functional block diagram of the information output device to HMD.

Explanation of symbols

A ... content output system, AR1 ... communication area, 1 ... content output device, 3 ... content transmission device, 3a ... user attribute management device, 5a ... user attribute information, 11 ... communication unit, 15 ... user attribute acquisition unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... User attribute management part, 21 ... Content output permission determination part, 23 ... Alternative content selection part, 25 ... Status information generation part, 27 ... Content management part, 31 ... Content adjustment part, 33 ... Content output part, 35 ... Content Attribute management unit 37... Presence notification unit 41... Content reception unit 43.

Claims (21)

Content attribute information acquisition means for acquiring output content attribute information;
A communication means for communicating with an external terminal associated with a user who receives output content to be output;
User attribute information acquisition means for acquiring user attribute information including content viewing conditions of the user from the external terminal via the communication means;
Content output permission determination means for determining whether the output content can be output based on the output content attribute information and the user attribute information;
A content output device comprising: content output means for outputting content excluding a portion that is determined not to be output by the content output availability determination means. The output content attribute information includes content rating information,
The content output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user attribute information includes information related to whether or not the content can be viewed based on the rating information.   The information relating to whether or not the content can be viewed is determined based on the more restrictive condition of the information related to whether or not the content can be viewed based on the rating information of each of a plurality of external terminals. The content output device according to claim 2. The output content attribute information includes information about a person related to the content,
The content output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the user attribute information includes information related to whether or not the content can be viewed based on the person. The output content attribute information includes information on topics handled by the content,
The content output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user attribute information includes information related to whether or not the content can be viewed based on the topics. The user attribute information includes viewing conditions associated with information identifying other users,
The content output availability determination unit determines whether content output is possible based on a set of viewing conditions associated with presence / absence of the specified user and information specifying the other user. The content output device according to any one of 1 to 5. The content output permission determination means includes:
7. The content output according to claim 6, wherein the communication means determines whether or not the specified user exists according to whether or not communication with a terminal associated with the specified other user is possible. apparatus. The user attribute information includes viewing conditions associated with information identifying other users,
The content output permission determination means includes:
According to whether communication with a terminal associated with the other user specified by the communication means is possible,
6. The content output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein viewing conditions associated with information specifying the other user are evaluated.   7. The content output apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the determination as to whether or not the content can be output is changed based on adjustment of viewing conditions through communication with a terminal associated with another user.   10. The content output unit according to claim 1, wherein the content output unit outputs alternative content when it is determined that the output cannot be performed by the content output availability determination unit. 11. Content output device.   When a certain output content is determined not to be output by the content output permission determination unit, the content output permission determination unit evaluates whether or not the alternative content can be output, and the content output unit outputs the content output permission determination unit. The content output device according to claim 1, further comprising content output means for outputting alternative content determined to be acceptable.   12. The content output apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the alternative content is an advertisement.   12. The content output apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, when displaying the alternative content, a display including information on a reason why the output content is determined not to be output by the output permission determination unit is displayed. User attribute information management means for managing user attribute information including user content viewing conditions, a user attribute notification unit for notifying the user attribute information to a content output device that outputs content, and a communication unit forming a communication interface And a user attribute management device having
A presence detection unit that receives a presence notification sent from the content output device via the communication unit, and enters the area where the content output device can communicate with the presence detection unit and receives the presence notification from the content output device; The user attribute management apparatus, wherein the user attribute information is transmitted from the communication unit. 14. User attribute information management means for managing user attribute information including user content viewing conditions, and user attribute notification for notifying the content output device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 of the user attribute information A user attribute management device having a communication unit that forms a communication interface,
A presence detection unit that receives a presence notification sent from the content output device via the communication unit, and enters the area where the content output device can communicate with the presence detection unit and receives the presence notification from the content output device; The user attribute information is transmitted from the communication unit, and the user attribute information is not transmitted from the communication unit when entering an area where the presence notification cannot be received. A communication unit forming a communication interface;
Notifying the content output device that outputs content via the communication unit of information for acquiring user attribute information including the user's content viewing conditions, and receiving presence notification sent by the content output device A detection unit;
When the presence detection unit enters an area communicable with the content output device and receives a presence notification from the content output device, the information for acquisition is transmitted from the communication unit and the presence notification cannot be received. The user identification device characterized by not transmitting the position information when entering an area.   Furthermore, the content output system which has a content transmission device which transmits a content with respect to the content output device of any one of Claim 1-13. Obtaining output content attribute information;
Communicating with an external terminal associated with the user receiving the output content to be output;
Obtaining user attribute information including content viewing conditions of the user from the external terminal by the communication step;
A content output permission determination step for determining whether the output content can be output based on the output content attribute information and the user attribute information;
A content output method comprising: a content output step for outputting content excluding a portion determined to be impossible to output by the content output enable / disable determination step. The user attribute information includes viewing conditions associated with information identifying other users,
The content output permission determination step includes:
According to the communication step, according to whether communication with the terminal associated with the specified other user is possible.
19. The content output method according to claim 18, wherein the content output method is determined based on a set of viewing conditions associated with information specifying the other user.   19. The content output method according to claim 18, wherein the content output permission determination step is changed based on adjustment of viewing conditions through communication with a terminal associated with another user.   A program for causing a computer to execute the steps according to claim 19 or 20.

Images