JP2009017417A - Server, program and system for content distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute content so as to allow users to easily and synchronously reproduce video content and music content which are separately created, and to increase using variations of content. <P>SOLUTION: A content distribution server 10 has a video DB 11 stored with video content that music content which is to be reproduced by a user terminal 31 and synchronous information for synchronous reproduction are linked. The content distribution server 10 receives music specification data that indicates the specification content of a music content from the user terminal 31, and then transmits a video content which is stored in the video DB 11 and can be synchronously reproduced with the music content indicated by the received music specification data to the user terminal 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution server, a content distribution program, and a content distribution system for distributing content via a communication network in response to a request from a user terminal.

  Conventionally, a system for distributing music data in association with other data has been proposed (Patent Document 1). This Patent Document 1 discloses that advertisement data is associated in advance with a specific portion of music data so that it can be synchronized and reproduced, and the music data associated with the advertisement data is distributed.

JP 2002-73050 A

  However, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, since fixed music data in which advertisement data is associated in advance is generated and distributed, it is not possible to give variations when reproducing on the user side. could not. For example, when various music and video are associated with each other and played back, it is necessary to edit on the user side using various editing software so that the desired video and music are synchronized. However, the editing work is not easy, and in some cases it may not be possible to edit due to file format restrictions, etc., and it is possible to easily enjoy the use of content by playing music and video arbitrarily associated with each other. There wasn't.

  In order to solve the above-described problems caused by the conventional technology, the present invention can distribute content so that the user can easily synchronize and reproduce separately produced video content and music content, and variations in content usage can be achieved. It aims to be able to increase.

  The content distribution server according to the present invention is a content distribution server that distributes content via a communication network in response to a request from a user terminal, and that can be synchronized with the first content reproduced on the user terminal. A second content storage database for storing second content associated with information; first content designation data receiving means for receiving first content designation data indicating the designated content of the first content from the user terminal; The second content that is stored in the second content storage database and can be reproduced in synchronization with the first content indicated by the first content designation data received by the first content designation data receiving means. Second content transmission means for transmitting to the user terminal. To.

  By being configured in this manner, it is possible to distribute the content so that the second content (for example, video content) and the first content (for example, music content) produced separately can be easily synchronized and reproduced on the user side, Variations in content usage can be increased.

  The second content storage database stores a plurality of types of second content that can be reproduced in synchronization with the first content, and the first content designation data received by the first content designation data receiving means indicates the first content. List creation and transmission means for creating and transmitting a second content list indicating a list of a plurality of types of second content that can be reproduced in synchronization with the content, and among the plurality of types of second content included in the second content list Second content designation data receiving means for receiving second content designation data indicating the designated content designated by the second content designation data received by the second content designation data receiving means. Read the second content indicated by the data from the second content storage database, the user terminal Or it may be configured to transmit.

  The synchronization information is, for example, header information in which synchronization timing data for identifying the synchronization timing with the corresponding first content is written.

  An advertisement confirmation unit for confirming whether or not the second content transmitted by the second content transmission unit includes advertisement information; and when the advertisement confirmation unit confirms that the advertisement information is included. It may be configured to include billing information storage means for storing billing information for billing the advertiser.

  For example, one of the first content and the second content is music data, and the other is video data.

  A content distribution program according to the present invention is a content distribution program for distributing content via a communication network in response to a request from a user terminal, wherein a designated content of the first content from the user terminal is transmitted to a computer. Second content for storing second content in which first content designation data reception processing for receiving the first content designation data to be shown and synchronization information that can be synchronously reproduced with the first content reproduced at the user terminal are associated with each other The second content stored in a storage database, the second content being playable in synchronization with the first content indicated by the first content designation data received in the first content designation data receiving process To execute the second content transmission process to be transmitted to the user terminal It is intended.

  A content distribution system according to the present invention is a content distribution system including a user terminal connected to a communication network and a content distribution server that distributes content via the communication network in response to a request from the user terminal. The content distribution server includes a second content storage database that stores second content associated with synchronization information that can be synchronized and reproduced with the first content reproduced at the user terminal, and a first content from the user terminal. First content designation data receiving means for receiving first content designation data indicating the designated content of the content, and the second content stored in the second content storage database, the first content designation data receiving means. The first container indicated by the received first content designation data Second content transmitting means for transmitting the second content that can be reproduced in synchronization with the user terminal to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal transmits first content specifying data to the user terminal; Second content receiving means for receiving second content from the content distribution server, the first content specified by the first content specifying data, and the second content received by the second content receiving means. Content reproduction means for reproducing in synchronization according to synchronization information associated with two contents.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to distribute content so that the second content (for example, video content) and the first content (for example, music content) produced separately can be easily synchronized and reproduced on the user side. There is an effect that variations can be increased.

  Embodiments of a content distribution system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 100 includes a content distribution server 10, a content providing user terminal 20, and user terminals 31 to 3N (N is an arbitrary natural number). Any number of content providing user terminals may be provided.

  The content distribution server 10, the content providing user terminal 20, and the user terminals 31 to 3N are connected to a communication network 40 such as the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, a dedicated communication line, and a wireless communication line, respectively. The communication network 40 may be any one of a closed network that can be used only by a specific terminal device, an open network that can be used by all terminal devices, and a partially open (closed) network that includes a closed network and an open network. Good.

  The content distribution server 10 is managed by, for example, a system administrator of the system 100, and includes a server device such as a WWW server or a workstation server. The content distribution server 10 is a server device for operating a website for content distribution established on the communication network 40.

  The content distribution server 10 includes a video DB 11 that stores a plurality of types of video content. For example, a video content registration table (see FIG. 2) described later is stored in the video DB 11.

  The content providing user terminal 20 is managed by, for example, a user (for example, a video production artist) who creates video content and provides it to the content distribution server 10, and is configured by an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer.

  Each of the user terminals 31 to 3N is managed by a user who acquires and uses video content from the content distribution server 10, and is configured by an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. In this example, each of the user terminals 31 to 3N includes a music DB in which music content is stored. This music content is assumed to be in a predetermined file format (“FLV”, which will be described later, which is the same file format as the video content in this example) by, for example, a file format conversion process by the user.

  Each of the user terminals 31 to 3N is assumed to be equipped with a platform (for example, Adobe apollo) capable of reading both video content and music content. Each of the user terminals 31 to 3N follows the synchronization information (for example, the synchronization command program described in XML) included in the header information added to the video content on the installed platform. It has a function of synchronously playing back music content associated with video content.

  As long as the content providing user terminal 20 and the user terminals 31 to 3N each have a communication function and a necessary content processing function, for example, a PDA, a mobile phone, a portable audio, a digital camera, a television, etc. The information processing apparatus may be used.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data storage state in the video content registration table. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of types of video content are registered in the video content registration table. Each video content is associated with a video content number for uniquely identifying each video content, a title of the video content, a title of the corresponding music content, and a singer name or a player name of the corresponding music content. It is registered. It is assumed that each video content is produced in a predetermined file format (in this example, “FLV” which is a file format for delivering a flash video).

  In this example, the content distribution server 10 includes video content produced by FLV from the content providing user terminal 20 and its accompanying information (the title of the video content given by the producer and the corresponding music content specified by the producer. Title, the singer name or performer name of the corresponding music content specified by the producer), the video content number is assigned, and the video content and accompanying information acquired together with the assigned video content number are video content registration table Register with.

  Assume that header information including synchronization information is added to the video content by the producer so as to be synchronized with the corresponding music content. In the synchronization information, various playback timings such as video display start timing, switching timing, and end timing are set by the video content producer so as to match the playback timing of the corresponding music content. Specifically, for example, it is set to start video display when a music content playback operation is performed, and the switching timing and end timing are set according to the time from the start of playback.

Next, the operation of the content distribution system of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of content distribution processing. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that processing not related to the content distribution control of this example may be omitted. Here, a case where the content distribution server 10 distributes video content in response to a request from the user terminal 31 managed by the user X will be described as an example.

  In the content distribution process, the user terminal 31 displays a list of music contents stored in the music DB provided in the user terminal 31 on the display device provided in the user terminal 31 according to the operation of the user X (step S101). Next, the user terminal 31 accepts designation of music content by the user X (step S102), and music designation data (for example, the title of the music and the name of the singer / player name) indicating the accepted music content is received via the communication network 40. Transmit (step S103).

  When the content distribution server 10 receives the music specification data (step S201), the content distribution server 10 searches the video content registration table for video content associated with the music indicated by the music specification data, and can use the searched video content list. A video list is created (step S202). Then, the content distribution server 10 transmits the created usable video list (step S203).

  Upon receiving the available video list (step S104), the user terminal 31 displays a usage video designation screen including the received available video list on its own display device (step S105).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the use video designation screen includes a designated music display area 51 for displaying the contents of the music designation data, an available video list display area 52 for showing a list of available videos, and a determination button 53. It has been. The available video list display area 52 is also a use video designation area for designating a video used by the user X. In this example, the user terminal 31 selects the video content number associated with one title desired to be used from among the video content titles displayed in the list in the available video list display area 52. Selection is performed by operating an input device provided (for example, selection by mouse click). FIG. 4 shows a state where the video content number “00001” is selected. Then, the user X operates the input device included in the user terminal 31 and presses the determination button 53.

  When the determination button 53 is pressed, the user terminal 31 accepts the selected video content number as designation of the usage video (step S106), and transmits usage video designation data (video content number) indicating the received usage video. (Step S107).

  When the content distribution server 10 receives the use video designation data (step S205), the content distribution server 10 reads the video content associated with the received use video designation data from the video DB 11 and transmits it with reference to the video content registration table (step S205). Step S206).

  When the user terminal 31 receives the video content (step S108), the user terminal 31 stores the received video content in the DB included in the user terminal 31 in association with the music content that has been designated in step S102. Then, the user terminal 31 performs a reproduction process of the music content and the video content associated with the music content in accordance with the reproduction operation of the music content by the user X (step S109). In step S109, the music content is played and played according to the synchronization information to which the video content is added. Therefore, the music by the music content and the video by the video content are played back in synchronization.

  When the video content is transmitted, the content distribution server 10 stores the video distribution billing data used for calculating a billing amount for billing as a price for the distribution service of the video content in the DB provided therein (step S206). The video distribution billing data is data including, for example, the title of the distributed video content, the user name of the distribution destination, the distribution time, and the like.

  Furthermore, the content distribution server 10 checks whether or not the transmitted video content is a content including an advertisement video (step S207). In this example, it is assumed that the header information of the video content includes various types of information related to the advertisement, such as the presence / absence of the advertisement video and the advertiser name. Then, if the content distribution server 10 is a content including an advertising video, the content distribution server 10 stores the advertising billing data used for calculating the billing amount for billing the advertising service in its own DB (step S208). ). The advertisement billing data is data including, for example, the advertiser name, the title of the distributed video content, the distribution destination user name, the distribution time, and the like.

  As described above, the video content of the video that can be reproduced in synchronization with the music indicated by the music content is distributed to the user terminal 31. In the same way as in the above example, the music content of the music that can be reproduced in synchronization with the video indicated by the video content may be distributed to the user terminal 31.

  As described above, according to the content distribution system 100 of the present embodiment, the content distribution server 10 associates the first content (for example, music content) reproduced on the user terminal 31 with the synchronization information that can be synchronously reproduced. A second content storage database (for example, video DB 11) for storing the second content (for example, video content), and first content specification data (for example, music specification data) indicating the specified content of the first content from the user terminal 31 The second content that is stored in the second content storage database and that can be reproduced in synchronization with the first content indicated by the received first content designation data is transmitted to the user terminal 31. Since the second content and the first content produced separately, Easily can be delivered synchronized reproducibly content on the user side, it is possible to increase variation of content use.

  In other words, according to the above-described embodiment, video and music can be enjoyed in any combination, and video fans can capture music and music fans can capture video and needs that could not be captured before. it can. For this reason, the attractiveness as content can be improved, and the willingness to purchase for video and music can be improved.

  In addition, according to the embodiment described above, it is possible to increase variations in content usage, so that content creators can increase the number of places to provide their own works, and content creation willingness. Can be improved.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the user terminal 31 is provided with other types of content that can be synchronized and played back with the content held by the user, and is played back in synchronization with the user terminal 31. Can increase the willingness to purchase video and music.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the content distribution server 10 shows a list of a plurality of types of second content that can be reproduced in synchronization with the first content indicated by the received first content designation data (for example, music designation data). Second content specification data (for example, a list of available videos) is created and transmitted, and second content specification data (designated content specified from a plurality of types of second content included in the second content list) For example, use video designation data) is received, and the second content indicated by the received second content designation data is read from the second content storage database and transmitted to the user terminal 31, so that it can be reproduced in synchronization with the first content. Second content selected from a plurality of types of second content can be distributed.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the synchronization information added to the second content is header information in which synchronization timing data for identifying the synchronization timing with the corresponding first content is written. Therefore, it is possible to perform synchronous reproduction by reproducing according to the header information.

  Moreover, according to embodiment mentioned above, when the content delivery server 10 confirms whether advertisement information is contained in the transmitted 2nd content and it is confirmed that advertisement information is contained. Since the billing information for billing the advertiser is stored, it is possible to increase the content usage variation of the content including the advertisement. Therefore, the transmission effect of the advertisement included in the second content (for example, video content) can be enhanced, and the value as an advertising medium can be enhanced.

  Note that the content distribution processing described in the present embodiment can be realized, for example, by executing a program (content distribution program) relating to content distribution processing prepared in advance on a computer (content distribution server 10, user terminal 31). it can. That is, the content distribution server 10 and the user terminal 31 execute the above-described content distribution processing according to a content distribution program stored in, for example, a memory included in the content distribution server 10 or the user terminal 31. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, or a DVD, and executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  In the above-described embodiment, the video content of the video that can be reproduced in synchronization with the music indicated by the music content, or the music content of the music that can be played back synchronously with the video indicated by the video content is distributed to the user terminal 31. However, the music content and the video content that can be synchronously reproduced may be distributed to the user terminal 31. In this case, the user may be allowed to select a combination of music content and video content that can be synchronously reproduced.

  Although not specifically mentioned in the above-described embodiment, the video indicated by the video content is a CG (Computer Graphics) produced by the producer, a live-action video, an incoming video (a video that is reproduced when an incoming call is received at the mobile communication terminal) ), Answering machine video (response video message that changes to answering voice message of answering machine), animation, etc.

  In the above-described embodiment, the content distribution server 10 and the user terminals 31 to 3N are connected to the communication network 40 such as the Internet. However, the content is stored by software stored in the user terminals 31 to 3N. The functions of the distribution server 10 may be configured.

  As described above, the present invention provides a server device and system for distributing content so that the user can easily synchronize and reproduce separately produced second content and first content, and increase the variation in content usage. Useful to apply to.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of the content delivery system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the data storage state of a video content registration table. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a content delivery process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a utilization image | video designation | designated screen.

Explanation of symbols

10 Content distribution server 11 Video DB
20 content providing user terminal 31 to 3N user terminal 40 communication network 100 content distribution system

Claims (7)

A content distribution server that distributes content via a communication network in response to a request from a user terminal,
A second content storage database for storing second content in which synchronization information that can be synchronized and reproduced with the first content reproduced on the user terminal is associated;
First content designation data receiving means for receiving first content designation data indicating the designated content of the first content from the user terminal;
The second content stored in the second content storage database and reproducible in synchronization with the first content indicated by the first content designation data received by the first content designation data receiving means And a second content transmission means for transmitting the content to the user terminal. The second content storage database stores a plurality of types of second content that can be reproduced in synchronization with the first content,
List creation and transmission means for creating and transmitting a second content list indicating a list of a plurality of types of second contents that can be reproduced in synchronization with the first content indicated by the first content designation data received by the first content designation data receiving means. When,
Second content designation data receiving means for receiving second content designation data indicating designated contents designated from a plurality of types of second contents included in the second content list;
The said 2nd content transmission means reads the 2nd content which the 2nd content designation | designated data received by the said 2nd content designation | designated data reception means shows from the said 2nd content storage database, and transmits to the said user terminal. Content distribution server. The content distribution server according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization information is header information in which synchronization timing data for identifying a synchronization timing with the corresponding first content is written. Advertisement confirmation means for confirming whether or not advertisement information is included in the second content transmitted by the second content transmission means;
A billing information accumulating unit for accumulating billing information for billing an advertiser when it is confirmed by the advertisement confirming unit that the advertisement information is included in any one of claims 1 to 3. The content distribution server described. The content distribution server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the first content and the second content is music data, and the other is video data. A content distribution program for distributing content via a communication network in response to a request from a user terminal,
On the computer,
First content designation data reception processing for receiving first content designation data indicating the designated content of the first content from the user terminal;
The second content stored in a second content storage database that stores second content in which synchronization information that can be synchronized and played back is synchronized with the first content played on the user terminal, the first content being Content distribution for executing second content transmission processing for transmitting to the user terminal the second content that can be reproduced in synchronization with the first content indicated by the first content designation data received in the content designation data reception processing program. A content distribution system comprising a user terminal connected to a communication network and a content distribution server for distributing content via the communication network in response to a request from the user terminal,
The content distribution server is
A second content storage database for storing second content in which synchronization information that can be synchronized and reproduced with the first content reproduced on the user terminal is associated;
First content designation data receiving means for receiving first content designation data indicating the designated content of the first content from the user terminal;
The second content stored in the second content storage database and reproducible in synchronization with the first content indicated by the first content designation data received by the first content designation data receiving means Second content transmission means for transmitting to the user terminal,
The user terminal is
First content designation data transmission means for transmitting the first content designation data;
Second content receiving means for receiving second content from the content distribution server;
Content reproduction means for synchronously reproducing the first content designated by the first content designation data and the second content received by the second content receiving means in accordance with synchronization information associated with the second content A content distribution system characterized by including:

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