JP7282340B2 - CONTENT PROVIDING DEVICE AND CONTENT PROVIDING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides a small computer device, a mobile terminal, a setting application, a content providing device, and a content providing system that can implement a content providing system by linking the small computer device and the content providing device via a network. The present invention relates to an initial setting method and a content providing system.

Content distribution services at facilities (hotels, hospitals) that are used by an unspecified number of people and have multiple information output devices (televisions, monitors) are equipped with content receiving/playback equipment (set-top boxes). or a content distribution service using a dedicated information output device having a partial function of a content receiving/playback device has been widely used.

Patent Document 1 discloses means for realizing a method of distributing content in consideration of display timing. Since the timing is not taken into consideration, as a means to solve it, the content related to the program is displayed on the content display terminal of the user who watches the program by a method composed of a content distribution control server, a communication network, and a user terminal. to be displayed at the appropriate timing.

Patent Document 2 is a system for controlling the provision of content, and existing content provision systems may be controlled to provide content only to specific users or only to users who have purchased the content. However, the introduction and development of such a content provision system requires a great deal of cost and high technical capabilities. We will realize a technology that enables the introduction of a system that controls content provision easily.

JP 2015-139078 A JP 2015-191305 A

At present, lodging facilities such as hotels and hospitals provide content provision services through the televisions provided. However, providing this service requires relatively high costs such as large-scale equipment, construction, operation equipment, etc., and requires time and effort. In many cases, it takes time, and there is an increasing need to use smartphones, etc., which users are familiar with.

However, smartphones have a small screen size, cannot receive high-definition video services such as 4K/8K broadcasting, and are not suitable for multiple people to enjoy content services at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a small-sized computer device capable of realizing a content providing system by interlocking with a content providing device via a network.

Means of trying to solve the problem

The present invention for achieving the above object is a content providing device that realizes a content providing system by interlocking with a small computer device through a network , wherein the small computer device is connected to each terminal of the small computer device. The associated content can be received from the content providing system and used, and has a function of interlocking the small computer device, the content providing device, and the mobile terminal , The content provided device has a function of making it available for use by operating the mobile terminal, and the content provided device provides content displayed on the mobile terminal, It is characterized by having a function of suspending the use of the contents of the mobile terminal when life-and-death monitoring data sent periodically is not received for a certain period of time.

The small computer device includes an information output interface unit for transmitting information to an information output device (e.g., television, monitor), a network communication unit for communicating via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and a content and a data storage unit (memory) for storing setting information in an internal memory, and a control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) for performing control processing.

The control unit has a function of linking the small computer device, the content providing device, and a mobile terminal (for example, a smart phone, a tablet, or a mobile phone), and also has a function of linking the content providing device to the small computer device. It has a function that allows the user to use the content obtained by operating the mobile terminal.

A mobile terminal capable of communicating with the small computer device, which receives from the small computer device a QR code (registered trademark), which is device identification information for specifying the small computer device, and operates on the mobile terminal. By causing the application software to read the QR code, the setting application software transmits setting information to the small computer device and the content providing device, and causes the small computer device and the content providing device to work together. It has a function to complete the initial setting.

The mobile terminal receives and displays content associated with each of the small computer devices from the content providing device, and among the received content, individual content (e.g., video data, music data, facility information, etc.) By selecting individual content identification information (for example, thumbnails of video data and music data, menu information) associated with the mobile terminal and the small computer device linked with the mobile terminal The individual content can be used.

A setting application software capable of communicating with the small computer device via a mobile terminal, wherein the setting application software receives a QR code from the small computer device and communicates with the small computer device and the content It has a function of transmitting setting information to a providing device and completing an initial setting for interlocking the small computer device and the content providing device.

a step in which the mobile terminal receives device identification information of the small computer as means for performing initial settings for linking the small computer, the content providing device, and the mobile terminal; and from the mobile terminal, the small computer. a step of transmitting setting information to the small computer device; a step of transmitting terminal registration information from the small computer device to the content providing device; and a step of transmitting registration completion information from the content providing device to the small computer device.

Further, the present invention is a content providing system in which a small computer device, a content providing device, and a mobile terminal are linked through a network, and the small computer device can receive and use content from the content providing device. The content providing device has a function of transmitting content corresponding to each of the small computer devices to the small computer device and the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal receives content from the content providing device. and display the content, and by operating the content , it is possible to use the content of the mobile terminal and the small computer device linked to the mobile terminal. It is characterized by having a function of stopping the use of the contents of the mobile terminal when life-and-death monitoring data periodically transmitted from the contents displayed on the mobile terminal is not received for a certain period of time.

Effect of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a new content providing system in which a small computer device and a content providing device are linked through a network.
Also, a dedicated server is not required for each facility.
Also, no environment construction is required.
In addition, it is possible to reduce the time and cost of introducing the content distribution service.
In addition, since a dedicated information output device is not required, the threshold for introduction is low.
Furthermore, by linking with a mobile terminal, the content displayed on the information output device can be used by operating the mobile terminal.
By being able to obtain one or more of the above effects, it is possible to use the content distribution service in an unprecedented new way.

1 is an external view of a small computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system that operates in conjunction with a small computer device; FIG. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of initial settings of the system of the small computer device; FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when a small computer device uses a content service;

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

FIG. 1 is an external view of a compact computer device of the present invention. The small computer device includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control unit 1, a memory as a data storage unit 2, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) as a network communication unit 3, and an information output interface unit on the side. 4 HDMI (registered trademark) terminal.

There are various shapes of housings, and in addition to the HDMI terminal, the information output interface unit 4 may be provided with a separate connection terminal such as a D connector or an RGB connector for each information output device (television, monitor). Similarly, the network communication unit 3 may also be equipped with an Ethernet (registered trademark) terminal in addition to the wireless LAN. Regardless of the housing shape, the control section, data storage section, network communication section, and information output interface section have the minimum necessary basic structure.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a system that operates in conjunction with a small computer device. The small computer device 11 and the mobile terminal 12 exist on the same network. The network is connected to the Internet 14 through a router 13. Beyond the Internet 14, a content management system 15 and a service providing server 16 such as a streaming server, a content server, and a WEB (World Wide Web) server are connected. It is configured to

The service providing server 16 may be in the same network as the small computer terminal 11 and the mobile terminal 12 connected to the router 13 instead of on the Internet 14 .

For the purpose of outputting information, the small computer device 11 and the information output device 17 are connected, and output information is transmitted from the small computer device 11 to the information output device 17 .

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of initial setting of a system realized by a small computer device. staff) perform the initial settings. A sequence between a mobile terminal 21, a display device 22, a small computer device 23, and a content management system (hereinafter referred to as CMS) 24 is shown. In any case, the operation of the small-sized computer device 23 begins with connecting to the information output device 22 and turning on the power (S1). The small computer device 23 whose power is turned on checks whether or not there is CMS setting information inside (S2). registered trademark) is displayed on the screen (S3). The terminal setting QR code is embedded with information that can identify the terminal of the small computer device.

Next, when a setting application installed in advance on a mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone, tablet, or mobile phone) is activated (S4) and the terminal setting QR code is scanned (S5), the setting application The information that specifies the individual of the small computer device is taken into the inside. Based on the captured information, the mobile terminal issues a connection request (S6) to the small computer device by wireless communication, and the mobile terminal and the small computer device are connected.

After that, information specifying the installation location (for example, room number information when installing in a hotel, or bed number information when installing in a private room in a hospital) is entered in the setting application, and the setting operation (S7) is performed. Thus, the setting application transfers the terminal setting information (network information to which the small computer device should be connected and information necessary for connection with the CMS) to the small computer device (S8), and makes necessary settings for the small computer device. Complete (S9).

When the setting of the small computer device is completed, the small computer device next transmits the terminal registration information to the CMS through the network (S10) to complete the setting of the CMS. By setting the individual information of the terminal of the small computer device in the CMS, it becomes possible to receive different contents for each small computer device. After completing the setting of the CMS, the registration completion information is sent to the small computer device (S11).

The setting process is as described above, but when the setting is completed, the small computer device requests the content necessary for screen display from the CMS (S12), and the content and the display QR code are downloaded from the CMS to the small computer terminal (S13). ), the content and the display QR code are displayed on the information output device (S14).

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram when using the service of the small computer device. , accompanying family members) use the service. A service providing server 25 is added to FIG. 4 based on FIG. After the power is turned on (S20), the small computer device checks whether there is setting information in the CMS in the same way as in FIG. (S22). After that, the content and the display QR code are obtained from the CMS (S23), and displayed on the screen of the information output device (S24).

When the user scans the QR code displayed on his mobile terminal (S25), the mobile terminal issues a connection request to the CMS (S26) and acquires the content and key from the CMS (S27). In response to a connection request from a mobile terminal, it is also good to check the conditions on the CMS and reject the connection. For example, it is good to include a restriction that only one terminal can be connected, or a determination that only a terminal that has not been connected in the past is permitted.

A user enjoys content on a mobile terminal while using the content displayed on the mobile terminal. If there is a service such as a moving picture service that is linked with the information output device, for example, by pressing a moving picture reproduction button (S28), a moving picture reproduction signal is sent to the CMS, and a smaller computer than the CMS. is issued an operation command (S29).

The small computer device that receives the operation command, in accordance with the content of the operation command, in this example, requests streaming distribution of the moving image from the content server that is installed on the Internet and is providing the moving image service (S30), Streaming distribution is performed from the content server to the small computer device, and reproduction is started (S31). The reproduced moving image is displayed on the screen of the information output device (S32).

After that, with the same logic, when the video stop button is pressed (S33), the signal is received on the CMS and a stop command is sent to the small computer device (S34), and the small computer device follows the command. , a stop request (S35) is sent to the content server, and the reproduction of the content is stopped (S36).

When the moving image stops, the screen of the display device returns to the screen displaying the content and the QR code for display (S37), as in (S24). The user can repeat the moving image by performing the operation from (S28) again (S38).

In addition, for connection management of the mobile terminal, it is also possible to periodically transmit life-and-death monitoring data called KeepAlive from the content on the mobile terminal to the CMS (S39). This KeepAlive will not be sent to the CMS if the contents of the mobile terminal stop or if the user leaves the same network.

When the CMS detects that the KeepAlive is not received, for example, the key received in (S27) is deleted from the CMS (S40), and even if the same mobile terminal resumes content operation (S41), the CMS From the side, the connection can be refused and a QR code rescan request (S42) can be made. In other words, by managing the key passed to the mobile terminal in (S27) on the CMS, it is possible to restrict users. This has a high utility value when an unspecified number of users in public places link the same television with their respective mobile terminals.

The embodiment of the invention described above is merely an example, and does not limit the invention. For example, the QR code may be any other means as long as it can transmit information identifying the terminal of the small computer device. Also, the content providing device may construct a CMS, a content server, a streaming server, etc. with one physical server.

1 control unit (CPU)
2 Data storage unit (memory)
3 Network communication unit (wireless LAN)
4 Information output interface (HDMI terminal)
11 small computer device 12 mobile terminal 13 router 14 internet 15 content management system (CMS)
16 Service providing server 17 Information output device 21 Mobile terminal 22 Information output device 23 Small computer device 24 Content management system (CMS)
S1 Power on S2 No CMS setting information S3 Terminal setting QR code display S4 Setting application start S5 Terminal setting QR code scan S6 Wireless connection S7 Setting operation S8 Terminal setting information signal S9 Setting complete S10 Terminal registration information S11 Registration complete S12 Content request S13 Content + display QR code acquisition S14 Content + display QR code display 25 Service providing server S20 Power supply startup S21 CMS setting information present S22 Content request S23 Content + display QR code acquisition S24 Content + display QR code display S25 QR code Scanning S26 CMS connection request S27 Content application + key transmission S28 Movie playback button press S29 Operation command S30 Streaming request S31 Streaming playback start S32 Movie display S33 Stop button press S34 Stop command S35 Stop request S36 Stop completion S37 Content + display QR code S38 Repeat S39 KeepAlive transmission S40 Key deletion S41 Content operation S42 QR code scan request

Claims (3)

A content providing device that realizes a content providing system by interlocking with a small computer device through a network,
The small computer device can receive and use content associated with each terminal of the small computer device from the content providing system . and a mobile terminal, and the content transmitted from the content providing device to the small computer device can be used by operating the mobile terminal,
The content providing device has a function of stopping the use of the content of the mobile terminal when life-and-death monitoring data periodically transmitted from the content displayed on the mobile terminal is not received for a certain period of time. A content providing device characterized by: A content providing system in which a small computer device, a content providing device, and a mobile terminal are linked through a network,
The small computer device has a function of receiving and using content from the content providing device,
The content providing device has a function of transmitting content corresponding to each of the small computer devices to the small computer device and the mobile terminal,
The mobile terminal receives content from the content providing device, displays the content, and operates the content to use the content of the mobile terminal and the small computer device linked to the mobile terminal. It is possible to
The content providing device has a function of stopping the use of the content of the mobile terminal when life-and-death monitoring data periodically transmitted from the content displayed on the mobile terminal is not received for a certain period of time. A content providing system characterized by : The mobile terminal is configured to receive and display content associated with the individual content of the small computer device from the content providing device, and among the received content, the individual content associated with the individual content 2. The individual content of the mobile terminal and the small computer device linked to the mobile terminal can be used by selecting the content identification information. The content providing system described in.

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