JP2009141856A - Proxy access device, proxy access system, and video device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the access to a download service system of a video content using a mobile terminal. <P>SOLUTION: A proxy access device 30 is connected to the mobile terminal, a DTV (Digital TV) 70 having a download function for video data, and a content distributing device 50 for accumulating a plurality of video data and permitting the download of the video data to an authenticated DTV via a network, and relays the transmission/reception of the data. An association executing portion 42 associates the identification code of the DTV with the identification code of the mobile terminal on chance of the instruction from the user. An identification code holding portion 44 holds the associated identification codes. An authentication executing portion 46 receives the identification code of the video device associated with the identification code of the mobile terminal when it receives the instruction from the user that the user wishes the download of video data to the video device via the mobile terminal, and executes the authentication procedure between it and the content distributing device 50 using at least this identification code. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to technology for downloading video data from a server that stores a plurality of video data via a network.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, so-called information home appliances such as a digital television (DTV) that has a browser and can browse web pages via a network have become widespread. Thereby, even if it does not use a personal computer (PC), the user can acquire various information on the web and can do shopping. In addition, as high-speed data communication networks such as optical cables are established, video distribution services for downloading digital content data such as movies and TV programs to DTVs of households are becoming widespread.

As a technique for realizing such a distribution service, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that contents are temporarily accumulated from a service provider's server to a distribution server installed in an apartment house such as a condominium, and distributed according to a user's request. A content distribution system is disclosed in which content is distributed from a server to a home viewing terminal.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-221212

  In general, since the amount of data of video content including movies is very large, when using a download-type distribution service that enables viewing after the entire content data is distributed to each home TV device, The user cannot enjoy the video content for a while after starting the download.

  If the user can instruct the television apparatus at the user's home to download video data from an outside location, the user does not have to wait in front of the television while downloading is in progress. Accordingly, the inventors of the present application have come to realize that it is convenient to be able to access the video data distribution system using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a download operation from other than a video device to an existing video data distribution service that targets only a video device such as a television. It is to provide technology to do.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, a video device having a function of downloading video data via a network and assigned with a unique video device identification code and a plurality of video data stored and the video device are identified. A network is connected to a content distribution device that executes an authentication procedure using a code and permits downloading of video data to an authenticated video device, and a mobile terminal that has a communication function and is assigned a unique mobile identification code. It is a proxy access device that is connected via a relay and relays data transmission / reception. This apparatus includes a proxy access processing unit for enabling a user to instruct downloading of video data from a content distribution apparatus to a video apparatus via a portable terminal. The proxy access processing unit associates the video device identification code and the portable identification code with an instruction from the user as an opportunity, an identification code holding unit that holds the associated identification code, and a user via the portable terminal The video device identification code associated with the portable identification code of the portable terminal is received from the identification code holding unit, and at least the video device identification code is received. And an authentication execution unit that executes an authentication procedure with the content distribution apparatus. The proxy access device further receives a metadata necessary for allowing the user to select desired video data after completion of the authentication procedure from the content distribution device, and corrects the metadata to a mode usable on the mobile terminal; A transmission control unit that transmits the corrected metadata to the mobile terminal, and receives information about the video data selected by the user from the mobile terminal and transmits the information to the content distribution device.

  According to this aspect, after the identification code of the mobile terminal is associated with the identification code of the video device, the proxy access device uses the video device identification code to the content distribution device when there is an operation from the mobile terminal. I tried to access it. Thereby, it is possible to instruct the content distribution apparatus configured to perform the authentication procedure using the identification code of the video apparatus from a portable terminal other than the video apparatus to instruct the download of the video data. Therefore, it is possible to perform a download operation from an outside location and the like, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  The transmission control unit may transmit a completion notification transmitted from the video device to the portable terminal when downloading of the video data is completed. Thereby, the user can confirm that the download to the video apparatus is completed.

  You may further provide the identification code issuing part which issues the management identification code to a portable terminal in response to the instruction | indication from a user. The association execution unit may associate the video apparatus identification code with the mobile identification code based on the fact that the same management identification code is included in communication from both the video apparatus and the mobile terminal. Accordingly, the proxy access device can associate the identification code of the portable terminal and the identification code of the video device without causing the user to manually input the identification code.

  After transmitting the selection information of the video data to the content distribution apparatus, a trigger transmission unit that transmits a trigger signal for prompting reception of video data or preparation for recording to the video apparatus may be further provided. As a result, it is possible to prompt the video apparatus to receive video data or prepare for recording.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a proxy access system. This system has a function of downloading video data via a network, stores a plurality of video data with a video device assigned a unique video device identification code, and a video device identification code between the video devices. A content distribution device that executes an authentication procedure using an ID and permits download of video data to the authenticated video device, a portable terminal having a communication function and a unique identification code, a portable terminal, and a video device And a proxy access device that is connected to the content distribution device via a network and relays transmission / reception of data. The proxy access device holds a table in which the mobile identification code assigned to the mobile terminal and the video device identification code are associated with each other, and issues a command to the user that the user wishes to download video data to the video device via the mobile terminal. An authentication execution unit that, when received, takes out the video device identification code associated with the portable identification code of the mobile terminal from the table, and executes an authentication procedure with at least the content distribution device using the video device identification code; After completion of the authentication procedure, a metadata correction unit that receives metadata necessary for allowing the user to select desired video data from the content distribution device and corrects the metadata to a mode that can be used on the mobile terminal, and the corrected metadata Is sent to the mobile terminal, and information about the video data selected by the user is received from the mobile terminal and content is distributed. Further comprising a transmission control unit that transmits to the location, the.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to instruct the content delivery apparatus configured to perform the authentication procedure using the video apparatus identification code from a mobile terminal other than the video apparatus to instruct video data download.

  The proxy access device may further include an identification code issuing unit that issues a management identification code to the mobile terminal in response to an instruction from the user. The video device displays a screen asking the user whether or not he / she wishes to instruct the download of video data from the content distribution device to the video device using the mobile terminal, and the user has given an instruction to do so. In this case, the management identification code input from the user is transmitted to the proxy access device together with the video device identification code, and the proxy access device includes the same management identification code in communication from both the video device and the portable terminal. Therefore, the video device identification code may be associated with the portable identification code. Accordingly, the proxy access device can associate the identification code of the portable terminal and the identification code of the video device without causing the user to manually input the identification code.

  The proxy access device further includes a trigger transmission unit that transmits to the video device a trigger signal that prompts the video device to receive video data or prepare for recording after transmitting the video data selection information to the content distribution device. Good. The content distribution device may shift to a video data transmission waiting state after receiving the selection information of the video data, and the video device may request the content distribution device to start transmission of the video data after receiving the trigger signal. . As a result, it is possible to prompt the video apparatus to receive video data or prepare for recording.

  The video device identification code may be a serial number assigned to hardware constituting the video device.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a video apparatus. This video device is a video device having a function of downloading video data via a network and assigned with a unique video device identification code, and has been authenticated by executing an authentication procedure using the video device identification code. A content distribution device that permits downloading of video data to the device and a proxy access device that executes an authentication procedure between the content distribution device instead of the video device are connected via a network. The video device provides an address holding unit that holds the network address of the proxy access device, and a selection screen for inquiring the user whether to accept a video data download request from the user to the content distribution device using the mobile terminal. The selection screen providing unit, the transmission unit for transmitting the video device identification code to the proxy access device using the address when the user selects to accept the download request, the proxy access device, and the content distribution device. And a video receiving unit for starting preparation for receiving video data transmitted from the content distribution apparatus after completion of the authentication procedure.

  According to this aspect, the user is guided to use the proxy access system by storing in advance in the video device the address of the proxy access device and the screen that prompts the mobile terminal to access the content distribution device. Can do.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to perform download operation to a video device using a portable terminal with respect to the existing video data distribution service only for video devices including a television.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user downloads video data to a DTV using a mobile terminal with respect to an existing content distribution apparatus that distributes video data to a digital television (DTV) having a function of recording video data. This is a proxy access system that can direct Thereby, even if a user does not operate DTV directly, video data can be recorded on DTV using a portable terminal from whereabouts.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a proxy access system 90 according to the present embodiment.

  The mobile terminal 10 is any hardware that can move with a user such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) or a mobile phone having a communication function. The mobile terminal 10 is connected to a network 14 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet via an access point 16 by a user operation, and can access the proxy access device 30. The mobile terminal 10 is given a unique identification code (hereinafter referred to as “mobile ID”). The mobile identification code may be assigned to hardware, may be software, or may be a telephone number.

  The DTV 70 is a recorder-integrated television receiver. The DTV 70 downloads video data from the content distribution device 50 that provides a download-type video content data distribution service via the network 14, and stores the video data in a mass storage device such as a hard disk drive or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive. Can be recorded. The recording function is preferably configured integrally with the DTV 70, but the recorder 20 may be externally attached to the DTV 70. Even in this case, it is preferable that operations such as activation of the recorder 20, start of recording, and confirmation of end of recording can be performed by operations from the DTV side. The DTV 70 is assigned a serial ID unique to hardware (hereinafter referred to as “device ID”) at the time of factory shipment. The device ID may be a machine number assigned by a manufacturer, or a physical address such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address of a built-in network device.

  The mobile terminal 10 and the DTV 70 are equipped with a well-known browser, and can access a web server specified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) via the network 14 and browse a web page.

  In addition to a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory (RAM: Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, the portable terminal 10 and the DTV 70 are provided with a display and an input device. The input device of the portable terminal is various buttons arranged on a casing, a touch panel arranged on the surface of a display, or the like. The input device of the DTV 70 may be a keyboard or a mouse connected to the DTV via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal or the like, or may be a format in which characters arranged and displayed on the display are selected by a remote controller. In addition, the mobile terminal 10 and the DTV 70 include a communication control device (not shown) that controls data communication by various communication methods. The data communication method includes an arbitrary method such as data communication by wireless LAN such as IEEE802.1b / g, infrared communication, or packet communication.

  Since both the portable terminal 10 and the DTV 70 are well-known devices, further detailed description is omitted.

  The content distribution device 50 is a device that stores a large amount of video content data such as movies, dramas, and news. The content distribution device 50 provides video data to the DTV 70 via the network 14. The video data is MPEG-2, H.264. It is transmitted in a compressed state according to a known moving image compression standard such as H.264 / AVC. Normally, the content distribution apparatus 50 can be connected only from a browser installed in the DTV 70, and is configured such that it cannot browse the menu screen or download video data from other apparatuses such as a PC. For this reason, the content distribution apparatus 50 executes an authentication process according to a predetermined protocol with the DTV 70, and permits download only when the authentication is successful.

  The proxy access device 30 performs a relay function so that a download instruction can be given even from a portable terminal by proxy execution of the above-described authentication protocol for the content distribution device 50 that is permitted only access from the DTV 70. Device. The user associates the DTV at home with his / her portable terminal in advance and registers them in the proxy access device 30. When the user connects to the proxy access device 30 using the mobile terminal, the proxy access device 30 inquires of the user whether or not to instruct to download video data. When the user wishes to download, the proxy access device 30 can perform a download instruction using the mobile terminal by acting as if the DTV associated with the mobile terminal is connected to the content distribution device 50. .

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for downloading video data between a conventional content distribution apparatus and a DTV.
When the user desires to download video data, the user activates the DTV browser and accesses the content distribution apparatus. At this time, the device ID is given from the DTV to the content distribution apparatus (S10), authentication processing is performed between the two according to a predetermined protocol (S12), and the authentication result is notified to the DTV (S14).

  Subsequently, a menu screen for selecting video data is transmitted from the content distribution apparatus to the DTV (S16), and the menu is displayed on the display of the DTV (S18). When the user selects any video data, the information is sent (S20), and the selected video data is downloaded from the content distribution apparatus to the DTV (S22). When the download is completed, a completion notification is transmitted from the DTV to the distribution apparatus (S24).

  A content distribution apparatus that provides a download-type service executes an authentication procedure based on the fact that the device ID of the DTV is included at the time of access according to HTTP, and the video data only when the authentication is successful. Allow delivery of. This prevents another device such as a PC from accessing the content distribution device. However, as described above, since it takes a considerable amount of time to download the video data, the video data cannot be viewed during that time. Therefore, if an instruction to download the video data to the DTV at home can be issued from the outside, the convenience of the user Is greatly improved.

  In this embodiment, a proxy access device is interposed between the mobile terminal and the content distribution device, thereby enabling video data download instructions using the mobile terminal. In other words, the proxy access device 30 behaves like the DTV 70 in the user's home using the registered information, and requests to connect to the content distribution device 50 and download the video data to the DTV. In response to this, the content distribution apparatus 50 transmits the video data to the DTV, so that the DTV 70 can record it.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a portion according to the present embodiment in the proxy access device 30, the content distribution device 50, and the DTV 70 shown in FIG. These configurations can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of an arbitrary computer, and in terms of software, they are realized by programs loaded in the memory. Draw functional blocks. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  Next, details of the operation and configuration of each functional block will be described.

First, the proxy access device 30 will be described.
The proxy access processing unit 40 executes processing that allows the user to instruct the download of video data from the content distribution device 50 to the DTV 70 via the mobile terminal 10. The proxy access processing unit 40 includes an association executing unit 42, an identification code holding unit 44, an authentication executing unit 46, and an identification code issuing unit 48.

  The association execution unit 42 associates the device ID of the DTV 70 with the portable ID of the portable terminal 10. As will be described later, this association starts when the association ID and password are first issued to the portable terminal 10 and the user manually inputs them into the DTV 70 to be associated. Thereafter, the association executing unit 42 associates the device ID with the portable ID based on the fact that the same association ID is included in the communication from both the DTV 70 and the portable terminal 10.

  The identification code holding unit 44 holds the portable ID of the portable terminal 10 and the device ID of the DTV 70 in association with each other. The identification code issuing unit 48 issues an association ID and password to the mobile terminal 10 in response to an instruction from the user.

  When the authentication execution unit 46 receives an instruction to download video data from the user to the DTV 70 via the mobile terminal 10, the authentication execution unit 46 sets the device ID associated with the mobile ID of the mobile terminal 10 to the identification code holding unit 44. And the authentication procedure is executed with the content distribution device 50 using this device ID.

  After completion of the authentication procedure, the metadata correction unit 34 receives metadata necessary for allowing the user to select desired video data from the content distribution device 50 and corrects it to a mode that can be used on the mobile terminal 10. That is, metadata that is originally sent on the assumption that it is displayed on the display of the DTV 70 is selected in consideration of being displayed on the mobile terminal 10, and a menu screen for video data is created. Alternatively, when the HTML file of the menu screen is sent from the content distribution apparatus 50, the HTML file is rewritten according to the screen width of the display of the mobile terminal 10 or the supported HTML tag.

  The transmission control unit 32 transmits the corrected metadata to the mobile terminal 10, receives information about the video data selected by the user from the mobile terminal 10, and transmits the information to the content distribution device 50. Further, the transmission control unit 32 transmits a completion notification transmitted from the DTV 70 to the portable terminal 10 when the downloading of the video data is completed.

  The trigger transmission unit 36 transmits the selection information of the video data to the content distribution device 50, and then transmits a trigger signal for prompting preparation for recording of the video data to the DTV 70. Whether or not the trigger signal is transmitted depends on the recording function specification of the DTV 70. When the DTV 70 is configured to record the video data sent regardless of whether the main body switch is on or off, such a trigger signal is unnecessary.

  Next, functional blocks of the content distribution device 50 will be described.

  The authentication unit 52 receives the HTTP request in which the device ID is written, and executes an authentication procedure according to a predetermined protocol. If the device ID is already registered in the content distribution device 50 and conforms to the format assigned by the manufacturer or the like, it is determined that the request is from the DTV, and the video data download request Allow.

  The attribute information management unit 54 receives the device ID and refers to data given by the DTV manufacturer, and extracts various attribute information related to the video performance of the DTV being accessed. The attribute information includes information such as a supported compression encoding format, screen size, resolution, and bit rate.

  The video data storage unit 62 stores a plurality of video content data. It is preferable that a plurality of video data with variations in screen size and resolution are prepared for one type of content.

  The video data distribution unit 60 recognizes the video data selected by the user, reads out the video data suitable for the attribute of the DTV being accessed from the video data storage unit 62, distributes it through the network after compression encoding. The video data distribution unit 60 may start downloading immediately after the video data is specified, but may be configured to wait until the DTV 70 is ready for recording.

  The metadata management unit 58 manages metadata of each video data that can be downloaded from the content distribution device 50. This metadata includes information such as a title, playback time, genre, introduction comment, and billing information. When accessed from the proxy access device 30 or the DTV 70, the metadata management unit 58 returns the metadata of the viewable video data. The returned metadata is configured in a menu screen by the proxy access device 30 or the DTV 70 and displayed on the display. Alternatively, the metadata management unit 58 may refer to the attribute information to create a web page including menu information suitable for the screen size of the DTV and return it. The metadata employs, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language) as an expression format.

  The payment processing unit 56 executes a predetermined payment process when video data to be downloaded is selected by the user. Since such payment processing is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Finally, functional blocks of the DTV 70 will be described.

  The address holding unit 74 holds the addresses of the content distribution device 50 and the proxy access device 30 on the network. The address may be a URL or an IP address.

  The selection screen providing unit 76 displays a screen for inquiring the user as to whether or not the user desires a video data download command from the content distribution device 50 to the DTV 70 using the mobile terminal 10.

The transmission / reception unit 78 holds a device ID and a software ID as identification information of the DTV 70. Among these, the device ID is a serial number assigned to each hardware at the factory, and the software ID is an ID given to each DTV as a distribution destination from the content distribution apparatus.
The transmission / reception unit 78 transmits the association ID input by the user to the proxy access device 30 together with the device ID when an instruction to download is given on the selection screen. Further, when referring to the menu screen on the DTV 70, the content distribution device 50 is requested to request video data metadata.

  The download unit 82 requests the content distribution device 50 to start transmission of video data and receives the video data. When the entire video data is received, a download completion signal is transmitted. This signal is transmitted to the proxy access device 30 when the use of the mobile terminal is selected on the selection screen, and is transmitted to the content distribution device 50 otherwise.

  The video recording unit 84 records video data transmitted from the content distribution device 50.

  Note that the proxy access device 30 and the content distribution device 50 may each be configured by a single server, or a plurality of servers may share the above functional blocks.

  FIG. 4 is a table 100 showing an example of data held by the identification code holding unit 44 of the proxy access device 30. A column 102 represents an association ID issued by the identification code issuing unit 48 of the proxy access device 30. A column 104 represents the mobile ID described above. Columns 106 and 108 represent the device ID and software ID of the DTV 70, respectively. A column 110 represents an address of a content distribution apparatus that has contracted with each DTV. Column 112 shows user information such as the user's name.

  FIG. 5 is a table 120 used by the authentication unit 52 of the content distribution device 50. Columns 122 and 124 represent the device ID and software ID of the DTV 70 registered as a distribution destination. A column 126 represents an address on the network of each DTV. A column 128 represents attribute information of each DTV.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of associating the mobile ID and the device ID before using the proxy access system according to the present embodiment.
First, the user uses the mobile terminal 10 to access a website provided by the proxy access device 30, and displays an association web page on the terminal display (S30). Then, when requesting the linking ID and password on this page, the identification code issuing unit 48 creates them and transmits them to the mobile terminal 10 (S32). At this time, the association executing unit 42 associates the portable ID assigned to the portable terminal 10 with the association ID issued this time, and records it in the identification code holding unit 44.

  Subsequently, the user activates the browser of the DTV 70 at home and calls a registration screen. Then, the association ID and password issued from the proxy access device 30 are input (S34). The transmission / reception unit 78 of the DTV 70 transmits the input association ID and password to the proxy access device 30 (S36).

The association execution unit 42 of the proxy access device 30 checks the association ID and password sent from the DTV 70 with the issued ID (S38), and notifies the DTV 70 that the authentication is complete (S40). In response to this, the transmission / reception unit 78 of the DTV 70 reads the device ID of the DTV 70 and transmits it to the proxy access device 30 together with the address of the content distribution device 50 stored as the connection destination (S42). The association executing unit 42 records the device ID and the content distribution device address in the identification code holding unit 44 in association with the mobile ID (S44). Finally, the DTV 70 is notified that the device ID registration has been completed (S46).
In this way, the proxy access device can associate the DTV at the user's home with the mobile phone, and preparation for an instruction to download video data using the mobile terminal is completed.

7A to 7D show examples of screens displayed on the DTV 70 at each stage of the flowchart of FIG.
A screen 140 shows an example of a registration screen 140 called from the DTV. On this screen 140, an explanation indicating that video data download reservation using the mobile terminal 10 is possible and a selection button 142 are displayed. Screen 146 shows an example of a screen when the user proceeds to the registration procedure. Here, a message prompting the user to access the proxy access device 30 using the portable terminal 10 and issue a linking ID and password before the DTV procedure is displayed. The screen 146 also displays a button 148 that instructs whether to continue or cancel the registration.

  The screen 152 is a screen for the user to input a linking ID and a password, and an input area 154 for the screen and a button 156 for instructing whether to continue or cancel registration are displayed. The input management ID and password are sent to the proxy access device 30. The screen 160 is displayed when the DTV 70 receives an association completion notification.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing for instructing downloading of video data using a mobile terminal in the proxy access system according to the present embodiment.
First, the user accesses the proxy access device 30 using the mobile terminal 10 and requests proxy access for downloading the video data to the DTV 70 via a web page displayed on the display (S60). In response to this, the authentication execution unit 46 of the proxy access device 30 reads the portable ID of the portable terminal 10, and the identification code holding unit 44 specifies the device ID and software ID of the DTV associated therewith. And the HTTP request containing apparatus ID and software ID is transmitted with respect to the content delivery apparatus 50 (S62).

  The authentication unit 52 of the content distribution device 50 executes an authentication process according to a predetermined protocol using the device ID and software ID of the DTV (S64). In the authentication process, for example, it is confirmed whether or not the device ID and the software ID are a registered combination, and whether or not the device ID conforms to a predetermined format.

  When the authentication is completed, the metadata management unit 58 transmits metadata relating to the stored video data to the proxy access device 30 (S66). The metadata correction unit 34 of the proxy access device 30 creates a page that can be displayed on the mobile terminal 10 based on the metadata, and transmits the page to the mobile terminal 10 (S68).

  The user browses the menu page of the video data displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 10, selects video data to be downloaded to the DTV 70, and transmits it to the proxy access device 30 (S70). The transmission control unit 32 passes this information to the content distribution device 50 (S72). The video data distribution unit 60 searches the storage unit 62 for the selected video data. At this time, it is preferable to refer to the attribute information based on the device ID of the DTV and select video data in a format suitable for the attribute.

  The video data distribution unit 60 transmits the download destination information to inquire the user of the download destination of the video data when a plurality of recorders 20 are connected to the DTV 70 (S74). The proxy access device 30 creates a page that can be displayed on the mobile terminal 10 based on this information, and transmits the page to the mobile terminal 10 (S76). When the user selects a download destination (S78), the information is passed to the video data distribution unit 60 of the content distribution device via the proxy access device (S80).

  The video data distribution unit 60 transmits the video data to the selected download destination (S82). When the download is completed normally, the download unit 82 of the DTV 70 transmits a completion notification to the proxy access device 30 (S84). The proxy access device 30 transmits a completion notification to the mobile terminal 10 (S86).

  In this way, the proxy access device accesses the content distribution device using the device ID assigned to the DTV, and operates on the content distribution device as if it is a connection from the DTV. Even if it is not an operation, it becomes possible to instruct downloading of video data.

  The advantages of employing the proxy access device as in the present embodiment are as follows. It is of course possible to construct a system for reserving video data selected using a portable terminal so as to be distributed to a DTV registered in advance. However, in order to realize this, the content distribution apparatus must be in charge of the authentication procedure of the portable terminal, and therefore, it is necessary to greatly improve the existing distribution system or design a new distribution system. On the other hand, by installing the proxy access device as a relay between the portable terminal and the content distribution device, the existing content distribution device can be modified little. Further, since only the registration function for the proxy access device needs to be added to the DTV, it can be sufficiently handled by a software update.

  9 and 10 are diagrams for comparing the menu screen for selecting video data in the DTV 70 and the menu screen in the portable terminal 10. The metadata transmitted from the content distribution apparatus 50 is displayed on the DTV 70 as a video data menu screen 170 as shown in FIG. As an example, the menu screen 170 includes a tab 172 representing a genre, a title image 174 of each video data, a determination button 176, and the like. This menu screen is converted by the metadata correction unit 34 of the proxy access device 30 so that it can be displayed on a small screen for a portable terminal as shown in FIG. Also on this screen 180, a tab 182, a title image 184, an enter button 186, and the like are displayed. Information of low importance in the metadata may be deleted when correcting to a portable screen. As described above, the proxy access device 30 converts the image transmitted from the content distribution device 50 for the purpose of being originally displayed on the display of the DTV 70, so that the video data can be selected using the portable terminal 10. .

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams for comparing a menu screen for selecting a download destination displayed on the DTV 70 and a menu screen on the mobile terminal 10 when a plurality of recorders 20 are connected to the DTV 70. Also in this case, the metadata distributed from the content distribution apparatus 50 is displayed on the DTV as a download destination selection screen 200 as shown in FIG. The proxy access device 30 converts this screen so that a screen 210 for a portable terminal as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. The screens 200 and 210 include recorder names 202 and 212 as download destinations connected to the DTV 70 and decision buttons 204 and 214.
The name acquired on the home network is transmitted to the content distribution device by using a DTV and recorder compliant with the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) guidelines, so that the recorder name is added to the metadata sent from the content distribution device. Can be included.

  As described above, in the proxy access device according to the present embodiment, content delivery that accepts only access from the DTV by mediating data transmission / reception between the mobile terminal and the content delivery device using the device ID of the DTV. The device can be instructed to download video data to the DTV using a portable terminal. As a result, the user can instruct downloading of video data even from a location outside the home. For this reason, it is not necessary to wait for the completion of recording of time-consuming data in front of the DTV, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that in the video data distribution service for which the target device is a DTV, modification to the content distribution device, the DTV, or the like is minimized. That is, in the DTV, a mechanism for enabling the association between the device ID and the portable ID may be added, and in the content distribution device, the metadata transmission destination and the video data distribution destination may be different. Add a mechanism to do this. After that, the mobile terminal and the DTV can be operated in a coordinated manner by mediating the proxy access device.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  In the embodiment, it has been described that the proxy access device creates a menu page displayed on the mobile terminal based on the metadata sent to the proxy access device. However, the content distribution device itself may create the menu page. In this case, the content distribution apparatus refers to the attribute information of the DTV and creates a page that conforms to the attribute information, and thus cannot be displayed on the mobile terminal. Therefore, the metadata correction unit of the proxy access device may analyze the HTML of the web page, determine the content to be displayed on the mobile terminal, and reconstruct a new page based on the content.

  In the embodiment, it has been described that the device ID is transmitted from the DTV to the proxy access device, thereby associating with the portable ID. However, when the user can recognize the device ID of the DTV by some method, the user may directly input the device ID to the proxy access device. In this case, it is not necessary to add a special function to the DTV.

  In the embodiment, the content distribution device is configured to transmit metadata for selecting video data on the DTV to the proxy access device, and to transmit the video data to the DTV without passing through the proxy access device. . However, the content distribution device may be configured to transmit both metadata and video data to the proxy access device. In this case, the transmission / reception control unit of the proxy access device may determine whether the data is to be sent to the mobile terminal or the DTV with reference to the data header or data format.

  In the embodiment, one mobile ID is associated with one DTV device ID. However, a plurality of portable IDs may be associated with one DTV device ID. By doing so, for example, it becomes possible to give an instruction to download video data to one DTV at home using the mobile terminal of each family. Conversely, one mobile ID may be associated with a plurality of DTV device IDs.

The present invention can be applied to various video apparatuses as described below.
1. A television device with a browser function. A device ID is assigned to the hardware of the television apparatus. Although the user can issue a recording instruction through the television apparatus, the recording itself is performed by a recorder connected to the television apparatus.
2. Recorder with browser function. A device ID is assigned to the recorder hardware (such as a hard disk drive). There is no display to display the recorded video.
3. TV equipment with browser function, recorder function, and display. A device ID is assigned to the hardware of the television apparatus.
4). Set-top box with browser function. A device ID is assigned to the hardware of the set top box. The set top box is connected to the television apparatus and the recorder. The video downloaded by the set top box via the network can be output to the television apparatus, or the user can issue a recording instruction to the recorder through the set top box.
In the embodiment, the television apparatus corresponding to the above 1 or 3 has been described as an example. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be applied to a video apparatus such as the above 2 or 4 with appropriate modifications. it is obvious.

It is a figure showing the whole proxy access system composition concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the process which downloads video data between the conventional content delivery apparatus and DTV. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of a proxy access apparatus, a content delivery apparatus, and DTV. It is a figure which shows the table for an association recorded on the identification code holding | maintenance part. It is a figure which shows the table for authentication currently recorded on the content delivery apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process which associates portable ID and an apparatus before utilizing the proxy access system which concerns on one Embodiment. 7A to 7D are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the DTV at each stage of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing for instructing download of video data using a mobile terminal in a proxy access system. It is a figure which shows the menu screen for the video data selection in DTV. It is a figure which shows the menu screen for the video data selection in a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows the menu screen for the download destination selection in DTV. It is a figure which shows the menu screen for the download destination selection in a portable terminal.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mobile terminal, 14 Network, 30 Proxy access apparatus, 32 Transmission control part, 34 Metadata correction part, 36 Trigger transmission part, 40 Proxy access processing part, 42 Association execution part, 44 Identification code holding part, 46 Authentication execution part, 48 identification code issuing unit, 50 content distribution device, 52 authentication unit, 54 attribute information management unit, 58 metadata management unit, 60 video data distribution unit, 62 video data storage unit, 70 DTV, 74 address holding unit, 76 selection screen Providing unit, 78 transmitting / receiving unit, 80 menu screen providing unit, 82 download unit, 84 video recording unit.

Claims (9)

A video device having a function of downloading video data via a network and having a unique video device identification code;
A content distribution device that stores a plurality of video data, executes an authentication procedure using the video device identification code with the video device, and permits download of the video data to the authenticated video device;
A mobile terminal having a communication function and given a unique mobile identification code;
Connected to the network via a network and relaying data transmission / reception,
A proxy access processing unit for enabling a user to instruct the download of video data from the content distribution device to the video device via the portable terminal;
The proxy access processing unit
An association execution unit that associates the video device identification code and the mobile identification code with an instruction from a user as a trigger;
An identification code holding unit for holding an associated identification code;
When receiving a command from the user to download video data to the video device via the portable terminal, the video device identification code associated with the portable identification code of the portable terminal is received from the identification code holding unit. An authentication execution unit that receives and executes an authentication procedure with the content distribution device using at least the video device identification code,
After completion of the authentication procedure, a metadata correction unit that receives metadata necessary for allowing a user to select desired video data from the content distribution device and corrects the metadata to a mode that can be used on the mobile terminal;
A transmission control unit that transmits the corrected metadata to the mobile terminal, and receives information on the video data selected by the user from the mobile terminal, and transmits the information to the content distribution device;
The proxy access device further comprising:   2. The proxy access device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control unit transmits a completion notification transmitted from the video device to the mobile terminal when video data download is completed. Further comprising an identification code issuing unit that issues a management identification code to the portable terminal in response to an instruction from the user;
The association execution unit associates the video device identification code with the mobile identification code based on the fact that the same management identification code is included in communication from both the video device and the mobile terminal. The proxy access device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a trigger transmission unit configured to transmit a trigger signal for prompting reception of video data or preparation for recording to the video device after transmitting video data selection information to the content distribution device. The proxy access device according to any one of the above. A video device having a function of downloading video data via a network and having a unique video device identification code;
A content distribution device that stores a plurality of video data, executes an authentication procedure using the video device identification code with the video device, and permits download of the video data to the authenticated video device;
A mobile terminal having a communication function and given a unique identification code;
A proxy access device connected to the mobile terminal, the video device, and the content distribution device via a network and relaying data transmission and reception;
Including
The proxy access device is:
Holding a table associating the portable identification code assigned to the portable terminal with the video device identification code;
When receiving an instruction to download video data to the video device from the user via the mobile terminal, the video device identification code associated with the mobile identification code of the mobile terminal is extracted from the table, and at least An authentication execution unit that executes an authentication procedure with the content distribution device using the video device identification code;
After completion of the authentication procedure, a metadata correction unit that receives metadata necessary for allowing a user to select desired video data from the content distribution device and corrects the metadata to a mode that can be used on the mobile terminal;
A transmission control unit that transmits the corrected metadata to the mobile terminal, and receives information on the video data selected by the user from the mobile terminal, and transmits the information to the content distribution device;
A proxy access system, further comprising: The proxy access device further includes an identification code issuing unit that issues a management identification code to the mobile terminal in response to an instruction from a user,
The video device displays a screen for inquiring of the user whether or not it is desired to instruct download of video data from the content distribution device to the video device using the portable terminal, and the user wishes When the instruction is made, the management identification code input from the user is transmitted to the proxy access device together with the video device identification code,
The proxy access device associates the video device identification code with the mobile identification code based on the fact that the same management identification code is included in communications from both the video device and the mobile terminal. The proxy access system according to claim 5. The proxy access device transmits a trigger signal for transmitting to the video device a trigger signal that prompts the video device to receive video data or prepare for recording after transmitting the video data selection information to the content distribution device. In addition,
The content distribution apparatus, after receiving the selection information of the video data, shifts to a video data transmission waiting state,
The proxy access system according to claim 6, wherein the video device requests the content distribution device to start transmission of video data after receiving the trigger signal.   8. The proxy access system according to claim 5, wherein the video device identification code includes a serial number assigned to hardware constituting the video device. A video device having a function of downloading video data via a network and assigned with a unique video device identification code, and performing an authentication procedure using the video device identification code, Connected via a network to a content distribution device that permits data download and a proxy access device that executes an authentication procedure between the content distribution device instead of the video device;
An address holding unit for holding an address on the network of the proxy access device;
A selection screen providing unit that provides a selection screen for inquiring the user whether to accept a download request for video data from the user to the content distribution device using a mobile terminal;
A transmission unit that transmits the video device identification code to the proxy access device using the address when a selection is made to approve a download request from the user;
A video receiving unit for starting preparation for receiving video data transmitted from the content distribution device after completion of an authentication procedure between the proxy access device and the content distribution device;
A video apparatus comprising:

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