WO2023073943A1

WO2023073943A1 - Distribution system, distribution method, and distribution control device

Info

Publication number: WO2023073943A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/040083
Authority: WO
Inventors: 康文本間; 文崇渡辺
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社; 株式会社インターネットイニシアティブ
Priority date: 2021-10-29
Filing date: 2021-10-29
Publication date: 2023-05-04

Abstract

Provided is a distribution system capable of making viewing users more comfortable. A distribution system (1) comprising: an acquisition unit (11) for acquiring program information including a distribution start time for each of a plurality of videos; an extraction unit (12) for extracting candidates for a second video to be played back at a user terminal subsequently to a first video played back at the user terminal from among the plurality of videos on the basis of the program information acquired by the acquisition unit (11); and a determination unit (13) for determining the second video on the basis of the distribution start times for the candidates for the second video.

Description

Distribution system, distribution method, and distribution control device

The present invention relates to a distribution system, a distribution method, and a distribution control device.

In recent years, video distribution services that distribute videos to user terminals via the Internet have been widely used. With such video distribution services, users can easily watch videos anytime and anywhere, but since the number of video content and distribution channels continues to increase, there is a demand for greater convenience and comfort.

For example, in a video distribution service, technology is being developed to collect user preferences and distribute videos. Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known as related techniques. In Patent Document 1, a content distribution server attaches a flag for acquiring the viewing status of a user terminal to a packet of content to be distributed, and a user terminal that detects the flag transmits a signal that detects the flag to distribute the content. It is described that by transmitting to the server, the viewing status of the user terminal is collected and other contents are recommended. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200003 describes creating a playlist that describes the playback order of multimedia content and the addresses related to playback based on the user's operation history.

WO2003/027860 JP 2007-166536 A

With related technologies such as Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is possible to recommend other videos and generate playlists based on information collected from users. However, it does not take into account the case where a plurality of moving images are distributed at predetermined times, such as streaming distribution of many programs from a plurality of distribution channels. Therefore, with the related technology, the user may not be able to comfortably watch the video depending on the time at which the video is distributed.

In view of such problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a distribution system, a distribution method, and a distribution control device capable of improving the comfort of viewing users.

A distribution system according to the present disclosure includes acquisition means for acquiring program information including a distribution start time for each of a plurality of moving images; extracting means for extracting candidates for a second moving image to be reproduced on a terminal from the plurality of moving images; and determining means for determining the second moving image according to a distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image; , is provided.

A distribution method according to the present disclosure acquires program information including a distribution start time for each of a plurality of moving images, and reproduces the first moving image on the user terminal next to the first moving image reproduced on the user terminal according to the program information. Candidates for the second moving image to be distributed are extracted from the plurality of moving images, and the second moving image is determined according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image.

A distribution control device according to the present disclosure includes acquisition means for acquiring candidates for a second moving image to be played back on the user terminal after a first moving image played on the user terminal; Determining means for determining the second moving image according to the distribution start time; and control means for controlling reproduction of the second moving image.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a distribution system, a distribution method, and a distribution control device capable of improving the comfort of viewing users.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a distribution system according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of a distribution method according to Embodiment 1; 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a distribution control device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a distribution system according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of genres of program information according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of content discovery processing according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of content discovery processing according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation example of content discovery processing according to Embodiment 2; 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of content discovery processing according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of content discovery processing according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation example of content discovery processing according to Embodiment 2; 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of user experience processing according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation example of user experience processing according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation example of user experience processing according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation example of user experience processing according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a distribution system according to Embodiment 3; 14 is a flow chart showing the flow of user experience processing according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation example of user experience processing according to Embodiment 3; 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overview of hardware of a computer according to an embodiment; FIG.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as necessary.

(Overview of Embodiment)
In recent years, commercial broadcasting stations have been working on Internet simultaneous distribution, in which TV programs are simultaneously broadcast on the Internet. In addition, streaming distribution of cable community channels and streaming distribution by content creators are being actively carried out. there is For this reason, it is predicted that, in the future, video distribution services via the Internet will spread, in addition to VOD (Video On Demand) distribution, streaming distribution such as Internet broadcast stations. Note that streaming distribution means real-time distribution like broadcasting without downloading content to a terminal.

In video distribution via the Internet, there is no limit to the number of channels assigned for broadcasting (470MHz to 710MHz), unlike conventional broadcasting. When using 5G or next-generation mobile communications, it is technically possible to transmit thousands of channels. For this reason, streaming distribution is expected to have several hundred channels in the near future, and it is possible that it will be expanded to several thousand channels once the prospects for commercialization are in sight.

In this way, as streaming distribution becomes more popular in the future, hundreds or even thousands of channels will become available on terminal devices such as smartphones. If the range of broadcasting stations is limited to dozens of channels, as at present, users can select and view program content from the TV remote control or an EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) on the TV screen. . However, when it comes to streaming distribution of hundreds or thousands of channels, a user interface (UI) such as a TV remote controller or EPG cannot efficiently and effectively select or find program content.

Therefore, in the embodiment, a function is provided that extracts and presents the program content that the user views from among the program content distributed on many distribution channels, and allows the user to comfortably continue watching the program content.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a distribution system 1 according to this embodiment. The distribution system 1 is, for example, a system that distributes program content (sometimes simply referred to as moving images or programs) distributed from a distribution server to user terminals. Note that distributing the program content to the user terminal includes presenting the program content to the user terminal so that it can be viewed (reproduced).

The distribution system 1 is connected to a distribution server via a network, and is also connected to user terminals via the same or a different network. A network that connects the distribution system 1 and distribution servers or user terminals is a network capable of transmitting program content. The network is, for example, the Internet, but may include any network. Networks include public networks and closed networks (private networks), and consist of wired LAN (Local Area Network), wireless LAN, VPN (Virtual Private Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), mobile networks such as 4G and 5G. may be

A distribution server is, for example, a streaming server that distributes program content by streaming. The distribution server may include an archive server that distributes an archive of program content. A user terminal is a terminal device that reproduces distributed program content and is viewed by a user. For example, user terminals include mobile terminals such as smart phones and mobile phones, tablet terminals, information processing terminals such as notebook PCs (personal computers) and desktop PCs, television receivers, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution system 1 includes an acquisition unit 11, an extraction unit 12, and a determination unit 13. The distribution system 1 may be composed of one device, or may be composed of a plurality of devices by distributing the functions of each unit. For example, the distribution system 1 can be composed of computers such as one or more servers.

The acquisition unit 11 acquires program information of a plurality of program contents. The program content is a moving image of a program distributed from the distribution server, and is distributed at a predetermined distribution start time. For example, the program content is a moving image for streaming distribution, but may also include moving images distributed by other methods. That is, program content may include not only broadcast-derived programs such as streaming, but also other Internet videos such as VOD content. The acquisition unit 11 acquires program information of program content distributed from a plurality of distribution servers through a plurality of distribution channels. The program information is information about program content, and is, for example, EPG data including the genre of the program content and the distribution start time.

The extracting unit 12, according to the program information of the plurality of programs acquired by the acquiring unit 11, distributes the first program content to the user terminal (reproduced in the user terminal) next to the first program content delivered to the user terminal ( Candidates for second program content (to be played back on the user terminal) are extracted from the plurality of programs. The first program content (first moving image) may be, for example, a moving image being distributed to the user terminal, that is, a moving image of the program that the user is viewing, or a moving image that is scheduled to be distributed afterward. For example, when the first video content is a video being delivered, the second program content (second video) is a video delivered to the user terminal after the video being delivered, that is, a video that the user is watching The moving image of the program to be viewed by the user next to the first moving image content may be the moving image scheduled to be distributed next to the first moving image content. Also, the second program content is not limited to streaming videos, and includes archive videos. Note that the program that the user views next, that is, the program that is reproduced next on the user terminal may be called the next program. The next program includes a program to be delivered (played) continuously to the first program which is being delivered or scheduled to be delivered, and a program to be delivered (played) after a predetermined time has passed from the first program. The extraction unit 12 extracts candidates for the second program content, for example, based on the genre included in the program information.

The determination unit 13 determines the second program content (next program) according to the distribution start time of the second program content candidate extracted by the extraction unit 12 . The delivery start time is the time when the delivery server starts to deliver the program content. The determination unit 13 may compare the distribution start times of a plurality of program contents that are candidates for the next program, and determine the program contents of the next program based on the comparison result. Further, the determining unit 13 specifically determines the first program content based on the distribution end time of the first program content that is being distributed or scheduled to be distributed and the distribution start time of the second program content candidate that is the next program. The second program content may be determined based on the time difference between the delivery end time of the program content and the delivery start time of the second program content candidate. Preferably, the determining unit 13 determines the second program content by prioritizing the moving image with the smallest time difference among the candidates for the second program content, and in particular, the moving image with the smallest time difference among the candidates for the second program content. A video is determined as the second program content.

FIG. 2 shows the flow of the distribution method by the distribution system 1 according to this embodiment. For example, each step in FIG. 2 is executed by the acquiring unit 11, the extracting unit 12, and the determining unit 13 included in the distribution system 1, but the executing entity is not particularly limited.

As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution system 1 first acquires program information of a plurality of program contents distributed from the distribution server (S11). As described above, the distribution system 1 acquires program information including the distribution start time of each of a plurality of program contents from the distribution server.

Next, the distribution system 1 extracts candidates for the second program content, which is the program next to the first program content played on the user terminal (S12). As described above, according to the program information acquired in S11, the distribution system 1 selects a plurality of candidates for the second program content, which is the next program of the first program content being distributed or scheduled to be distributed to the user terminal. extracted from the program content of

Next, the distribution system 1 determines the second program content, which is the next program, from among the candidates for the second program content (S13). As described above, the distribution system 1 determines the second program content, which is the next program, according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second program content extracted in S12. After that, the distribution system 1 controls the reproduction of the second program content on the user terminal according to the distribution end time of the first program content or the distribution start time of the second program content.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the distribution control device 20 according to this embodiment. The distribution control device 20 is an example of a device included in the distribution system 1, for example, an example of a device including the determination unit 13 described above. The distribution control device 20 controls distribution of program content distributed from the distribution server to user terminals. The distribution control device 20 is configured by, for example, a computer device such as a server.

As shown in FIG. 3, the distribution control device 20 includes a candidate acquisition unit 21, a determination unit 22, and a distribution control unit 23. The candidate acquiring unit 21 acquires candidates for second program content to be played back on the user terminal after the first program content played back on the user terminal. For example, the candidate acquisition unit 21 requests the extraction unit 12 to extract the next program, and acquires the candidates for the next program extracted by the extraction unit 12 .

The determination unit 22 determines the second program content, which is the next program, from the second program content candidates acquired by the candidate acquisition unit 21 . The determination unit 22 determines the second program content according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second program content, similarly to the determination unit 13 described above.

The distribution control unit 23 controls reproduction of the second program content on the user terminal according to the distribution end time of the first program content or the distribution start time of the second program content. Controlling the reproduction of program content on the user terminal means controlling the program content distributed from the distribution server so that the user can view the program content on the user terminal. For example, the distribution control unit 23 may transfer the program content transmitted from the distribution server to the user terminal (distribute the video from the distribution server to the user terminal via the distribution control device) at a predetermined time. The terminal may be notified of an address such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the distribution server to cause the user terminal to receive the program content (the user terminal may acquire the video from the distribution server according to the instruction of the distribution control device). .

As described above, in the present embodiment, in a distribution system for distributing program content distributed from a distribution server to user terminals, candidates for the next program to be distributed after the program distributed to the user terminals are extracted and extracted. An appropriate program is extracted from the candidates for the next program. In particular, the next program is determined based on the distribution start time of the program. As a result, for example, when there are a plurality of programs with different distribution start times, it is possible to select a program so that the waiting time of the user is reduced. Therefore, since the time from the program that the user is viewing to the next program can be controlled appropriately, the user can comfortably view the program.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a specific example of the distribution system in Embodiment 1, and is an example of providing a "content discovery function" and a "user experience function" that operate on the same Internet distribution platform.

The content discovery function is a function that searches for programs recommended for users from programs on multiple channels. The content discovery function does not explicitly search for a specific program from a specific program name, but finds a favorite program from a user's (viewer's) favorite genre and presents it to the user. The user experience function is a function that enables smooth continuous viewing of the next program. The user experience function enables continuous viewing of favorite programs by automatically extracting programs using the content discovery function.

By providing a distribution platform portal app that realizes these functions to terminal devices such as TVs and smartphones, you can comfortably watch your favorite program content through the portal screen of the portal app. The distribution platform is a system for streaming distribution of program content transmitted from a broadcaster (distribution server or distribution channel) or the like. A company that operates this system may be called a platform company. Also, the portal application is an application program that makes it possible to collectively search and view program content from a plurality of broadcasters.

<System configuration>
FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a distribution system 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the distribution system 10 according to this embodiment includes a distribution platform 100, a terminal device 200, and a streaming server 300. FIG. The streaming server 300 and the distribution platform 100 are connected via a network such as the Internet, and the distribution platform 100 and the terminal device 200 are also connected via a network such as the Internet. Also, the streaming server 300 and the terminal device 200 can be connected via a network such as the Internet. A plurality of terminal devices 200 may be connected to the distribution platform 100 . That is, it is possible to distribute program content from the distribution platform 100 to a plurality of terminal devices 200 .

The streaming server 300 is a distribution server that performs streaming distribution of program content, and is also a server that provides program information of the program content to be distributed. The streaming server 300 distributes program content via distribution channels for streaming. A plurality of distribution channels may be provided from one streaming server 300 , or a plurality of distribution channels may be provided from a plurality of streaming servers 300 . Also, the distribution server that distributes the program and the server that provides the program information may be different servers. In this example, the program content is distributed from the streaming server 300 to the terminal device 200 via the distribution platform 100, but it is also possible to distribute the program content directly from the streaming server 300 to the terminal device 200.

The distribution platform 100 is a platform system that distributes program content distributed from multiple streaming servers 300 to the terminal device 200 . The distribution platform 100 includes a portal application service section 110, a program extraction section 120, a program information DB 130, and a viewing information DB 140.

The distribution platform 100 may consist of any number of one or more devices. That is, as long as the functions of each part of the distribution platform 100 can be realized, the specific device configuration is not limited. Note that the distribution platform 100 includes other functions for realizing the platform as necessary. For example, it includes a communication unit that communicates with the streaming server 300 and the terminal device 200, an application management unit that manages portal applications, a genre management unit that manages program content genres, a file management unit that manages VOD program content files, and the like. It's okay. Also, part of the functions of the distribution platform 100 may be provided on the terminal device 200 or the streaming server 300 side.

The program information DB 130 is a database that stores program information of program content distributed from multiple streaming servers 300 . Program information DB 130 includes an acquisition unit that acquires program information from streaming server 300 and a storage unit that stores the acquired program information. The program information DB 130 may periodically access a plurality of streaming servers 300 to obtain obtainable program information, or may access a plurality of streaming servers 300 in response to a request from the program extraction unit 120 to obtain necessary program information. A range of program information may be acquired. The program information may be acquired not only from the streaming server 300 but also from other devices such as an EPG server.

The program information is information about program content distributed from the streaming server 300. The program information is, for example, EPG data, but may be other data as long as it contains information necessary for program search. The program information includes, for example, major genre, medium genre, minor genre, program outline, program name, performers, delivery start time, delivery end time, and the like of the program. The major genre, middle genre, and minor genre of programs are major, middle, and minor categories of program genres. The genre of the program is not limited to the three levels of large, medium, and small, and may be divided into any number of levels. The program information may include recommendation information indicating that the distribution platform 100 or the streaming server 300 has set the program as a recommendation. The program information may also include information on the degree of popularity (degree of attention) of the program. For example, in the case of a program being distributed, the information on popularity is the number of viewers watching the program and the number of reactions such as comments from viewers, etc. In the case of a program before distribution, content discovery, etc. It is the number of viewers who choose to watch next because of.

FIG. 5 shows an example of genres included in program information according to the present embodiment. For the large genre and the medium genre, genres defined by private sector standards (ARIB standards) can be used. Note that the large genre and medium genre are not limited to standard genres, and may be individually set by the platform operator. Since small genres are not defined in the standard, the platform operator can freely set arbitrary keywords, and FIG. 5 shows an example. A keyword of a small genre may be a keyword included in a program outline or the like, or may be a keyword that is highly likely to be used by a user in searching. For example, it may be a keyword in the top search trends used for searching for programs on the Internet.

The viewing information DB 140 is a database that stores viewing information of the user (viewer) of the terminal device 200 . The viewing information DB 140 stores viewing information acquired from the terminal device 200 by the portal application service unit 110 . The viewing information DB 140 acquires the viewing information of each user from the plurality of terminal devices 200, associates the acquired users with the viewing information, and stores them. The viewing information is information related to viewing by the user, and includes viewing history and viewer attributes. The viewing history is information on a plurality of program contents viewed by the user, and includes, for example, program information such as program name and genre of the viewed program, viewing date, viewing time, viewing channel, and the like. The viewing history is access log data for accessing program content. The viewer attribute is information indicating user attributes, and includes “gender”, “birth year”, “birth month”, “place of residence (postal code)” and the like. Viewer attributes may also include "date of birth", "occupation", "place of birth", and the like.

The program extraction unit 120 extracts program content based on program information in the program information DB 130 and extraction conditions. In response to a request from portal application service section 110 , program extraction section 120 extracts program content that meets the requested extraction conditions, and outputs a list of the extracted program content to portal application service section 110 . Extraction conditions are conditions for information included in program information, for example, conditions for large genres, medium genres, and small genres. When performing a keyword search for a small genre, it is possible to search including spelling inconsistencies.

The portal application service unit 110 provides the terminal device 200 with the portal application service of the distribution platform 100 . Portal application service unit 110 includes content discovery unit 111 , user experience unit 112 , distribution control unit 113 and viewing information management unit 114 . The portal application service unit 110 is also a distribution control device that distributes appropriate program content to the terminal device 200 through content discovery and user experience processing.

The content discovery unit 111 executes content discovery processing for searching for recommended programs, and provides the terminal device 200 with a content discovery function. The content discovery unit 111 searches for program content by setting conditions for extracting program content and requesting the program extraction unit 120 to extract the program content according to the set extraction condition. The content discovery unit 111 is a candidate acquisition unit that acquires candidates for the next program to be distributed to the user for user experience processing. It can also be said that it is an extractor that

In the content discovery process, program content is extracted according to extraction conditions related to user preferences. The extraction conditions related to preferences include, for example, extraction conditions based on user input and settings, extraction conditions based on user's viewing history and viewer attributes, and the like. Specifically, the condition specifies the genre of the program information, but it may be a condition specifying other information included in the program information. The content discovery unit 111 extracts program content under the first extraction condition, and if the number of programs in the extraction result is greater than a predetermined number, further refines extraction under the second extraction condition. A predetermined number or less of program contents are acquired by repeating narrowing and extraction.

Content discovery processing includes manual search mode, semi-automatic search mode, and fully automatic search mode. Manual search mode is a mode in which program content is searched according to user input. In the manual search mode, extraction conditions are set based on information input by the user, and a program content list is obtained from the program extraction unit 120 according to the set extraction conditions. The semi-automatic search mode is a mode in which program content is automatically searched according to user settings input in advance. In the semi-automatic search mode, the user sets extraction conditions based on preset information, and acquires a list of program contents from the program extraction unit 120 according to the set extraction conditions. In the manual search mode and the semi-automatic search mode, the user inputs or sets major genres and medium genres, and inputs or sets minor genres as necessary, so that the content discovery unit 111 can identify appropriate program content for the user. . It should be noted that an arbitrarily selected level of genre may be used as an extraction condition, and it is also possible to cross-search only middle genres or large genres + small genres.

The fully automatic search mode is a mode in which program content is automatically searched without user input or settings. In the fully automatic search mode, extraction conditions are set based on viewing information such as the user's viewing history and viewer attributes, and a list of program contents is obtained from the program extraction unit 120 according to the set extraction conditions. In the fully automatic search mode, the user can find appropriate program content simply by instructing the start of search. Since the full-automatic search mode uses the viewing history and viewer attributes, it may be possible to use tracking for collecting the viewing history and viewer attributes when the user permits.

The user experience unit 112 executes user experience processing that enables continuous viewing of recommended programs, and provides the terminal device 200 with a user experience function. The user experience unit 112 automatically extracts the program content of the next program using the automatic search function including the semi-automatic search mode and the full-automatic search mode of the content discovery unit 111, and distributes the extracted program content to the terminal device 200 ( present). The user experience unit 112 searches for the next program while the user is viewing the program, and presents it to the terminal device 200, thereby automatically distributing the programs one after another. In addition, the user experience unit 112 searches not only for the program next to the program that the user is viewing, but also for programs scheduled to be distributed after the next program (for example, the program following the next), and presents the searched program. may

The user experience unit 112 is also a determination unit that determines the program content of the next program to be distributed to the terminal device 200 from the program content candidates of the next program extracted by the content discovery unit 111 and the program extraction unit 120 . The conditions for determining the next program can be set by the user, and can be set as one condition or as a combination of multiple conditions. As an example of the determination condition, the program content of the next program is determined based on the distribution start time of the program content candidate. A time difference between the distribution end time of the program content being viewed and the distribution start time of the program content candidate of the next program is obtained, and the program content of the next program is determined based on the obtained time difference. For example, the program content of the next program is determined by giving priority to a moving image with a smaller time difference among the program content candidates of the next program. The time difference of each program content is compared to determine the program content with the smaller time difference. Determining with priority includes determining a program content with a small time difference in preference to other conditions. In particular, it is preferable to determine the program content with the smallest time difference as the program content of the next program. This time difference is the waiting time from the program being distributed or scheduled to be distributed to the next program, that is, the waiting time from the distribution end time of the program content being distributed or scheduled to be distributed to the distribution start time of the program content candidates for the next program. Also, it is the overlap time between the program being delivered or scheduled to be delivered and the next program, that is, the overlap time from the delivery start time of the program content candidate for the next program to the delivery end time of the program content being delivered or scheduled to be delivered. . The user can set the condition for minimizing the waiting time and overlap time as the determination condition for the next program.

For example, the user experience unit 112 may determine waiting time content to be distributed to the terminal device 200 during the waiting time when there is a waiting time between the program being distributed or scheduled to be distributed and the next program. The content for waiting time is an archive played on the terminal device 200 before playing the next program during the waiting time. Archives to be played include, for example, advertisement videos and digest videos of other program content. Also, the program content that has not been selected from among the candidates for the program content of the next program may be used as the waiting time content.

As another example of the determination condition, the user experience unit 112 determines the program content of the next program based on the degree of matching between the program information of the extracted program content candidates of the next program and the extraction conditions used for extraction. decide. The degree of matching is the degree to which the program information matches the extraction condition (matching accuracy), for example, the degree of matching of the genre. The degree of matching may be a value depending on whether the extraction condition is completely (all) matched, whether it is partially matched with the extraction condition, or whether it matches the spelling variation of the keyword of the extraction condition. . If there are multiple extraction conditions, the matching degree of each extraction condition may be included. For example, the program content of the next program is determined by giving priority to the program content with a higher degree of matching among the program content candidates of the next program. The degree of matching of each program content is compared, and the program content with the higher degree of matching is determined. Determining with priority includes determining program content with a high degree of matching in preference to other conditions. In particular, it is preferable to determine the program content with the highest degree of matching as the program content of the next program. The user can set the condition for maximizing genre matching accuracy as the condition for determining the next program. For example, it is possible to select a condition that minimizes the waiting time and overlap time and a condition that maximizes genre matching accuracy, and which condition is prioritized. If one program cannot be selected under the prioritized conditions, the program is selected under the following conditions. That is, priority may be set for a plurality of conditions, and programs may be selected in order of priority.

Furthermore, the user experience unit 112 is also a notification unit that notifies the terminal device 200 of the timing at which the overlap time starts when the program being delivered or scheduled to be delivered overlaps the time of the next program. For example, the user is notified to select whether to view the program content currently being viewed or the program content of the next program during the overlapping time. It is preferable to notify before the distribution of the program contents of the next program is started.

The distribution control unit 113 controls distribution of program content to the terminal device 200 . It can also be said that the distribution control unit 113 controls reproduction of program content on the terminal device 200 . The distribution control unit 113 controls distribution of program content distributed from one of the distribution channels of the plurality of streaming servers 300 to the terminal device 200 . The distribution control unit 113 switches the distribution channel distributed from the streaming server 300 to the terminal device 200 according to the program content or distribution channel selected by the user. Specifically, the access destination of the terminal device 200 is switched to the URL of the distribution channel of the streaming server 300 that distributes the program. The distribution control unit 113 distributes program content selected by the user from the list presented to the terminal device 200 by the content discovery unit 111 . Also, the distribution control unit 113 distributes the program content of the next program automatically extracted by the user experience unit 112 to the terminal device 200 at the distribution start time of the program content. For example, control is performed so that the terminal device 200 reproduces the program content of the next program at the distribution end time of the program content currently being viewed or at the distribution start time of the program content of the next program.

The viewing information management unit 114 acquires and manages the audience information of the user of the terminal device 200 . The viewing information management unit 114 acquires the viewing information of the user from the terminal device 200 and stores the acquired viewing information in the viewing information DB 140 in association with the user. The viewing information management unit 114 may store viewing information registered from the terminal device 200, or may store viewing information collected from the terminal device 200 periodically or at any timing. For example, the viewing information management unit 114 acquires and stores viewer attributes input by the user when downloading a native application or registering a web application. The viewing information management unit 114 also collects information about program content viewed by the terminal device 200 and stores the information as the user's viewing history. The viewing history may be collected from the terminal device 200 or may be collected according to the distribution control of the distribution control unit 113 .

Also, the viewing information management unit 114 may acquire the user's profile set by the user and generated by the terminal device 200 and store it in the viewing information DB 140 . For example, user profiles may be shared among users. In other words, the user profile information may be made public as platform-provided information so that each user can refer to and use the information, thereby realizing effective content discovery. It should be noted that the user information may be collected when the user permits the tracking of the user information. The profile set by the user and various setting information can be acquired from the terminal device 200 as needed.

The terminal device 200 is a user terminal that receives program content distributed from the distribution platform 100 and is viewed by the user. For example, the terminal device 200 is a smart phone, a PC, a television receiver, or the like. The terminal device 200 includes a portal application execution unit 210 , an operation unit 220 , a display unit 230 and a storage unit 240 . Note that the terminal device 200 includes other functions for realizing the terminal device 200 as necessary. For example, it includes a communication unit that communicates with the distribution platform 100, an audio output unit that outputs audio, and the like.

The operation unit 220 is an input interface for inputting operations by the user. For example, the operation unit 220 is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the display unit 230, and information according to user operations is input from an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or remote controller. A user selects a program content or the like to be viewed via a portal screen, which is a GUI of the portal application. The portal screen is a screen on which a user can select a program from streams of hundreds of channels.

The display unit 230 is a display device that displays program content and other information presented to the user. For example, the display unit 230 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 230 displays the portal screen of the portal application, and displays program content selected by the user.

The storage unit 240 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the operation of the terminal device 200 . For example, the storage unit 240 is a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk device, or the like. The storage unit 240 stores portal application programs, user-set profiles, and the like. A profile is user setting information used for portal application processing, and includes, for example, genre settings used in the semi-automatic search mode. Note that the profile, which is the user's setting file, may be stored on the terminal device 200 side, or may be stored on the distribution platform 100 side.

The portal application execution unit 210 executes the portal application according to the user's operation, and realizes the portal application service provided by the distribution platform 100 on the terminal device 200. In other words, it provides the user with the ability to search for program content through content discovery and continuous viewing of program content through user experience. The portal application may be a native application that is downloaded from the distribution platform 100 to the terminal device 200, or a web application that runs on a web browser. A user inputs viewer attributes when downloading a native application or registering a web application, and the portal application execution unit 210 registers the input viewer attributes in the distribution platform 100 . Portal application execution unit 210 also generates a profile according to user settings, and stores the generated profile in storage unit 240 .

The portal application execution unit 210 requests the distribution platform 100 to search for program content by content discovery according to the user's operation on the portal screen, acquires the extracted program list, and displays it on the display unit 230 . The portal application executing unit 210 also requests the distribution platform 100 to view the program content selected by the user's operation on the portal screen, and displays the distributed program content on the display unit 230 . Furthermore, the portal application execution unit 210 displays on the display unit 230 programs automatically extracted and distributed by the distribution platform 100 based on user experience.

<Content discovery processing (manual search mode)>
FIG. 6 shows the flow of the manual search mode of content discovery processing according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 shows display images of terminal devices for each processing in FIG.

First, the user selects a major genre of program content to be searched (S101), and then selects a medium genre (S102). When the user operates the terminal device 200 and executes the portal application, the portal application execution unit 210 acquires genre information and the like from the portal application service unit 110 of the distribution platform 100 and displays the portal screen on the display unit 230 . As shown in FIG. 7, the portal application executing unit 210 displays a list of major genres and medium genres for manual search on the portal screen. When viewing a program, the user selects a genre of interest from a list of major genres and medium genres displayed on the portal screen. For example, the portal application executing unit 210 displays a list of major genres, and when the user selects a major genre from the displayed list, displays a list of medium genres included in the selected major genre, and displays the displayed list. The user selects a medium genre from the . Note that the large genre and medium genre selected by the user in the previous manual search may be preset and stored, and the preset large genre and medium genre may be preferentially displayed or highlighted.

Next, the distribution platform 100 performs program content search processing (S103). As shown in FIG. 7 , a search button (“search ON”) is displayed on the portal screen of the terminal device 200 . When the user presses the search button after selecting the major genre and the medium genre, the portal application executing unit 210 requests the distribution platform 100 to search including information on the major genre and the medium genre selected by the user. In the distribution platform 100, upon receiving the search request from the terminal device 200, the content discovery section 111 requests the program extraction section 120 to extract a program using the large genre and medium genre included in the search request as extraction conditions. When program extraction is requested, the program extraction unit 120 refers to the program information in the program information DB 130, and extracts program content that meets specified extraction conditions from programs distributed within a predetermined extraction time range. The extraction time range is a certain time range from the current time, and can be changed by a user setting. The extraction time range may be set in advance by the user, or may be specified by the user when starting the search. The program extracting section 120 extracts program contents corresponding to the designated large genre and medium genre, and outputs a list of extraction results to the content discovery section 111 .

Next, the distribution platform 100 determines whether or not the number of extracted program contents is greater than the predetermined number of presentations (S104). The predetermined number of presentations is the upper limit of program content presented to the user, and can be changed by the user through settings. The predetermined number of presentations may be set in advance by the user, or may be specified by the user at the start of the search. For example, by setting the number of presentations to 1, only the most appropriate and best content can be presented.

If the number of extracted program contents is greater than the predetermined number of presentations, the distribution platform 100 prompts the user to input a minor genre for re-searching (S105). When the number of program contents extracted from the major genre and the medium genre is greater than the preset number of presentations, the content discovery section 111 requests the terminal device 200 to input a minor genre in order to further narrow down the program contents. In the terminal device 200, upon receiving the input request from the distribution platform 100, the portal application execution unit 210 displays a small genre keyword input box on the portal screen as shown in FIG. A user inputs a keyword of a small genre into an input box displayed on the portal screen. The user may enter all the letters of the keyword, or the candidate keywords may be displayed and the user may select from among the displayed candidates. Keyword candidates are keywords included in the sub-genre of the program information. Keyword candidates may be displayed according to the input characters. Also, the keyword input by the user in the previous manual search may be preset and stored, and the preset keyword may be displayed in the input box, thereby omitting the input by the user.

Next, the distribution platform 100 performs re-search processing for program content (S106). As shown in FIG. 7, a search button is displayed on the portal screen of the terminal device 200, and the user presses the search button after inputting a keyword. When the search button is pressed, portal application execution unit 210 requests delivery platform 100 to search again, including the entered keyword. In the distribution platform 100, when the re-search request is received from the terminal device 200, the content discovery section 111 requests the program extraction section 120 to re-extract the program using the small genre keyword included in the re-search request as an extraction condition. When re-extracting a program is requested, the program extracting unit 120 extracts corresponding program content from the program content already extracted according to the large genre and medium genre, using the specified extraction condition as the narrowing condition. The program extracting section 120 extracts program content corresponding to a character string including variations in the notation of the keyword of the designated minor genre, and outputs a list of the extraction results to the content discovery section 111 . Note that the program extraction unit 120 first extracts the program content under conditions that do not include keyword notation fluctuations (exact match), and if re-extraction is requested, the program extraction unit 120 extracts programs under conditions that include keyword notation fluctuations. may be extracted.

Next, the distribution platform 100 determines whether or not the number of re-extracted program contents is greater than the predetermined number of presentations (S107). , S105 and thereafter, the narrowing down by re-searching is repeated. The terminal device 200 is requested to provide extraction conditions for re-searching. For example, a small genre keyword may be added to the extraction conditions, or other conditions may be added. For example, additional conditions may be added, such as keywords for the program outline, performers, delivery start time, delivery end time, length of program time, and the like. In addition, you may set the upper limit which repeats a re-search. If the number of re-searches exceeds the upper limit, the repetition of re-searches may be stopped, and the results may be displayed after S108.

Next, the terminal device 200 displays the program content search result (S108). If the number of program contents extracted in S104 is equal to or less than the predetermined number of presentations, or if the number of program contents extracted in S107 is equal to or less than the predetermined number of presentations, the content discovery unit 111 selects the program content as the extraction result. Send the content list to the terminal device 200 . The list of program content includes the program name and program synopsis. The program name and program outline are part of the information included in the program information.In addition, the list includes the performers, distribution start time, distribution end time, recommended information, popularity information, etc. included in the program information. good too. When the terminal device 200 receives the program content list from the distribution platform 100, the portal application execution unit 210 displays the received program content list on the portal screen as shown in FIG. include and display.

Next, the user selects program content and views the selected program content (S109). The user selects program content to view from the list of program content displayed on the portal screen. For example, the user can select a program by referring to program information such as a program summary displayed as additional information. The portal application executing unit 210 requests the distribution platform 100 to view the program content selected by the user. In the distribution platform 100, upon receiving the distribution request from the terminal device 200, the distribution control unit 113 controls to start distribution of the requested program content. When the requested program content is being distributed, the distribution control unit 113 immediately transmits the URL of the distribution channel of the program content to the terminal device 200 so as to start distribution from that point. If the requested program content has not yet started distribution, the distribution control unit 113 waits until the distribution start time and transmits the URL of the distribution channel of the program content to the terminal device 200 so that the distribution starts at the distribution start time. In the terminal device 200 , upon receiving the URL of the distribution channel, the portal application execution unit 210 receives streaming of the distribution channel from the received URL and displays the distributed program content on the display unit 230 .

It should be noted that the distribution platform 100 may distribute other content such as advertising videos and digest videos to the user terminal during the waiting time until the start of the selected program content. Advertisement moving images may be obtained from the advertisement server, or digest moving images of the program content may be obtained from the streaming server 300 as necessary. For example, an advertisement video or the like to be delivered during the waiting time may be selected using the extraction conditions used for program extraction. Alternatively, a moving image having a length corresponding to the length of waiting time may be selected.

For example, after the user starts viewing the program content, the program content list as the search result may be displayed again according to the user's operation. The user can select and watch another program content from the list of program content displayed again.
Here, as an example of content discovery processing (including the semi-automatic search mode and full-automatic search mode below), an example of narrowing down and searching for programs in the order of large genre, medium genre, and small genre will be described. A program may be searched by specifying a genre. For example, programs may be searched in the order of small genre, medium genre, and large genre. In this case, when the user first selects a minor genre, programs associated with the selected minor genre are extracted, and there are no programs that correspond to the selected minor genre (or below the threshold arbitrarily set by the platform operator). If only a few programs can be extracted), programs may be extracted from medium genres that include the selected small genre, and similarly the search range may be expanded to large genres. Whether to adopt a search method of selecting and searching from large genres or a searching method of selecting and searching from small genres may be selected by the platform operator's settings, or may be selected by the user's settings. good.
Also, programs may be extracted based on the order of priority (priority) or combination of large genre, medium genre, and small genre. The order of priority and combination can be arbitrarily set, and may be set by the platform operator or by the user. For example, if the order of priority is set as large genre>medium genre>small genre, programs are extracted in order of large genre, medium genre, and small genre. When the order of priority is set as small genre>medium genre>large genre, programs are extracted in the order of small genre, medium genre, and large genre. Also, when only the small genre is set as the extraction condition, programs are extracted using only the small genre without using the large and middle genres. If a large genre and a small genre are set as extraction conditions and the priority order is set to large genre>small genre, programs are extracted in the order of large genre and small genre without using the middle genre.

FIG. 8 shows an operation example of the manual search mode of content discovery processing. The brackets attached to each program in FIG. 8 indicate the genre code. The genre code conforms to the English characters corresponding to the large genre and the numbers corresponding to the middle genre shown in FIG. The same applies to the subsequent operation examples. For example, program P11 (A6) indicates that the major genre of program P11 is information wide (A), and the medium genre is gourmet/cooking (6).

In the example of FIG. 8, streaming programs are distributed from N distribution channels CH1 to CHn. For example, when the user starts viewing a program, he/she selects a large genre (A) and a middle genre (6) from the list of genres displayed on the portal screen, and presses the search button. Then, the distribution platform 100 refers to the program information of the program content within the predetermined extraction time range, and extracts the program content corresponding to the large genre (A) and medium genre (6). For example, among the programs P11, P12, P21, P31, P32, P41, P42, . In this example, program P11 (on air) and program P42 (next program) are extracted as programs of large genre (A) and middle genre (6).

For example, if the predetermined number of presentations of programs to be presented to the user is 5, the number of extracted programs is less than the predetermined number of presentations. indicate. Alternatively, when the number of extracted programs is larger than the predetermined number of presentations, a program list narrowed down by a small genre search is displayed. The user selects one of the programs by referring to the program outline of the program list, and views the selected program. For example, when the program P11 is selected, viewing is started immediately, and when the program P42 is selected, viewing of the program P42 is automatically started at the start time of the program P42.

<Content discovery processing (semi-automatic search mode)>
FIG. 9 shows the flow of the semi-automatic search mode of content discovery processing according to this embodiment. A profile is stored in advance in the storage unit 240 of the terminal device 200 . The user's favorite large genre, medium genre, small genre key third, etc. are set in advance in the profile. The profile may also store major, medium, and minor genres entered by the user in manual search mode. The semi-automatic search mode process is the same as the manual search mode process, except for the process of using profile information as an extraction condition.

First, the distribution platform 100 acquires the large genre of the program content to be searched (S111), and further acquires the middle genre (S112). The terminal device 200 displays a search button and a profile designation box on the portal screen. For example, a plurality of profiles with different settings are registered, and a profile to be used for searching is designated from among the plurality of profiles. In the semi-automatic search mode, the user designates a profile that includes the genre to be searched at the desired viewing timing, and presses the search button. For example, if the search button is pressed while a profile is specified, it may be determined that the semi-automatic search mode is on, or a search button for the semi-automatic search mode may be prepared. When the search button is pressed, portal application execution unit 210 requests distribution platform 100 to search in a semi-automatic search mode, including profile information in which major genres and minor genres are set. If the user's profile is stored in the distribution platform 100, information designating the profile may be transmitted. In the distribution platform 100, when the search request in the semi-automatic search mode is received from the terminal device 200, the content discovery unit 111 acquires the major genre and medium genre used for the search from the user's profile included in the search request.

Next, the distribution platform 100 performs an automatic search from the acquired major genre and from the medium genre (S113). The content discovery unit 111 requests the program extraction unit 120 to extract a program using the major genre and medium genre acquired from the user's profile as extraction conditions. When program extraction is requested, the program extraction unit 120 refers to the program information in the program information DB 130 in the same way as in the manual search, and selects programs that meet the specified extraction conditions from programs distributed within a predetermined extraction time range. Program content is extracted, and a list of extraction results is output to content discovery section 111 .

Next, the distribution platform 100 determines whether or not the number of extracted program contents is greater than the predetermined number of presentations (S114). Therefore, the small genre is acquired (S115). When the number of program contents extracted from the acquired major genre and medium genre is larger than the predetermined number of presentations set in advance, the content discovery unit 111 acquires the minor genre in order to further narrow down the candidates. The content discovery unit 111 acquires keywords of small genres from the user's profile included in the search request from the terminal device 200 . If the profile does not include the keyword of the minor genre, the input may be requested to the terminal device 200 .

Next, the distribution platform 100 automatically re-searches using the acquired minor genre (S116). The content discovery unit 111 requests the program extraction unit 120 to re-extract the program using the keyword of the small genre acquired from the user's profile as an extraction condition. When a program re-extraction is requested, the program extraction unit 120 selects the corresponding programs from among the program contents already extracted by the large genre and the middle genre using the specified extraction condition as the narrowing condition, as in the manual search. Contents are extracted, and a list of extraction results is output to content discovery section 111 .

Next, the distribution platform 100 determines whether or not the number of re-extracted program contents is greater than the predetermined number of presentations (S117). , S115 and thereafter, the narrowing down by re-searching is repeated. When re-searching, conditions may be added as in the manual search. For example, get additional conditions from the user's profile. If additional conditions are not included in the profile, additional conditions may be requested from the terminal device 200 .

After that, when the number of program content extractions is equal to or less than the predetermined number of presentations, the terminal device 200 displays a list of program content search results (S118), and the user can select Program content is selected, and the selected program content is viewed (S119).

<Content discovery processing (fully automatic search mode)>
FIG. 10 shows the flow of the fully automatic search mode of content discovery processing according to this embodiment. The processing of the fully automatic search mode is the same as that of the manual search mode except for the processing of estimating the genre of the extraction condition.

First, the distribution platform 100 starts program content search processing (S201). As described above, the terminal device 200 displays the portal screen on the display unit 230, and the portal screen includes the search button. In the fully automatic search mode, the user presses the search button at the desired timing. For example, if the search button is pressed without selecting a genre or specifying a profile, it may be determined that the full-automatic search mode is on, or a search button for the full-automatic search mode may be prepared. When the search button is pressed, portal application execution unit 210 requests distribution platform 100 to search in a fully automatic search mode. In the distribution platform 100, when the search request for the fully automatic search mode is received from the terminal device 200, the content discovery section 111 starts search processing.

Next, the distribution platform 100 estimates a genre for searching (S202). In order to perform an automatic search, the content discovery unit 111 refers to the viewing information in the viewing information DB 140, and from the viewing history included in the viewing information of the user of the terminal device 200 who requested the search, selects large genres and middle genres for automatic search. , to estimate sub-genres. For example, among the programs in the viewing history, the program with the highest number of viewing times or the program with the longest viewing time may be estimated as large, medium, and small genres for automatic search. . Also, each genre may be estimated from the tendency of large genre, medium genre, and small genre of all programs in the viewing history. The large, medium, and small genres that are the most frequent among the genres of all programs may be estimated as the large, medium, and small genres for automatic search. If there is a profile set by the user, the genre may be estimated using the genre settings included in the profile.

Next, the distribution platform 100 automatically searches for the estimated genre (S203). The content discovery unit 111 requests the program extraction unit 120 to extract a program using the estimated large genre, medium genre, and small genre as extraction conditions. When program extraction is requested, the program extraction unit 120 refers to the program information in the program information DB 130 in the same way as in the manual search, and selects programs that meet the specified extraction conditions from programs distributed within a predetermined extraction time range. Program content is extracted, and a list of extraction results is output to content discovery section 111 .

Next, the distribution platform 100 determines whether or not the number of extracted program contents is greater than a predetermined number of presentations (S204). , the genre is re-estimated (S205). When the number of program contents extracted from the estimated large genre, medium genre, and small genre is larger than a predetermined presentation number, the content discovery unit 111 re-estimates the genre to further narrow down the candidates. The content discovery unit 111 refers to viewing information in the viewing information DB 140, and estimates large, medium, and small genres for re-search from the viewer attributes of the user of the terminal device 200 that requested the search. For example, from the gender, date of birth, place of residence, etc. included in the viewer attributes, large genres, medium genres, and small genres related to the relevant gender, age, region, etc. are searched again. can be estimated. Also, the large, medium, and small genres of programs recommended by the distribution platform may be estimated as the large, medium, and small genres for re-search.

Next, the distribution platform 100 performs automatic re-search processing using the re-estimated genre (S206). The content discovery unit 111 requests the program extraction unit 120 to re-extract programs using the re-estimated large genre, medium genre, and small genre as extraction conditions. When re-extraction of the program is requested, the program extraction unit 120 extracts the corresponding program content from among the program content extracted first, using the designated extraction condition as the narrowing condition, as in the case of the manual search, A list of extraction results is output to content discovery section 111 .

Next, the distribution platform 100 determines whether or not the number of re-extracted program contents is greater than the predetermined number of presentations (S207). , S205 and thereafter, the narrowing down by re-searching is repeated. When re-searching, the genre may be re-estimated from the viewing information. For example, when re-searching, the genre is re-estimated from the user's viewing history and viewer attributes. A keyword of a small genre or the like may be further added from the viewing history. For example, first, the genre is estimated and searched from the gender of the viewer attribute, then the genre is estimated and searched from the date of birth of the viewer attribute, and the genre is further estimated from the place of residence of the viewer attribute. You can search by Further, as in the manual search, other conditions may be added without being limited to the genre.

After that, when the number of program content extractions is equal to or less than the predetermined number of presentations, the terminal device 200 displays a list of program content search results (S208), and the user can select Program content is selected, and the selected program content is viewed (S209).

FIG. 11 shows an operation example of the fully automatic search mode of content discovery processing. For example, when the user presses the search button displayed on the portal screen when the user starts viewing a program, the distribution platform 100 estimates major, medium, and minor genres from the user's viewing history. For example, the distribution platform 100 estimates the major genre (C) and the medium genre (3) from the viewing history, refers to the program information of the program content in the predetermined extraction time range, ) is extracted. For example, among the programs P11, P12, P21, P31, P32, P41, P42, . In this example, program P21 (on air) and program P41 (on air) are extracted as programs of large genre (C) and middle genre (3).

For example, if the predetermined number of presentations of programs to be presented to the user is 5, the number of extracted programs is less than the predetermined number of presentations. indicate. Alternatively, when the number of extracted programs is larger than the predetermined number of presentations, the large genre, medium genre, and small genre are re-estimated from the viewer attribute of the user and the recommended programs of the platform, and the narrowed down program list is displayed. The user selects one of the programs by referring to the program outline of the program list, and views the selected program.

<User Experience Processing>
FIG. 12 shows the flow of user experience processing according to this embodiment. Here, as an example of user experience processing, an example of automatically searching for a program to be viewed next while the user is viewing a program will be described. programs) may be searched automatically. In addition, even when the user switches programs midway through a program based on a narrowed down program list or the like, the process of automatically searching for the program to be viewed next may be executed each time after switching.

First, the user views program content from a distributed channel (S301). A user searches program content by content discovery and views the searched program content. The user views the program content searched using the manual search mode, the semi-automatic search mode, or the fully automatic search mode of content discovery. As described above, the distribution platform 100 extracts a predetermined number of program contents in the manual search mode, the semi-automatic search mode, or the fully automatic search mode, and distributes the program contents selected by the user from the extracted program contents to the terminal device. 200. It should be noted that not only contents discovery but also programs arbitrarily selected by the user or programs recommended by the distribution platform 100 may be viewed.

Next, the distribution platform 100 automatically searches for program content candidates for the next program (S302). When the distribution of the current program content is started, the content discovery unit 111 distributes the current program to the user terminal next (to be viewed by the user next) by the content discovery semi-automatic search mode or full-automatic search mode. To automatically search for program content candidates. The user may preset whether to use the semi-automatic search mode or the fully automatic search mode. In the semi-automatic search mode, as described with reference to FIG. 9 (S111 to S117), a predetermined number of program contents are extracted based on the large genre, medium genre, and small genre set in advance in the profile. In the fully automatic search mode, as described with reference to FIG. 10 (S201 to S207), large genres, medium genres, and small genres are estimated from the viewing history and the like, and a predetermined number of program contents are extracted. Note that the profile to be used may be switched while the user is viewing. As a result, the program content to be viewed can be instantly switched to the content of another genre, and the change in profile can be reflected in the genre of the program content to be continuously viewed by the user experience.

Next, the distribution platform 100 determines program content for the next program (S303). When a predetermined number of program content candidates are extracted by content discovery, the user experience unit 112 determines program content to be delivered next from the extracted program content. The conditions for determining the next program content can be set by the user. For example, it is possible to set a condition that minimizes waiting time and overlap time, or a condition that maximizes genre matching accuracy. Note that the next program content may be selected under other determination conditions. For example, a program recommended by the distribution platform 100 or a highly popular program may be selected, or may be randomly selected. Here, a content discovery function (S302, S303 function) is called dynamic content discovery. Dynamic content discovery is performed at least from the start of distribution (viewing) of a program to the end of distribution of the program.

For example, in the case of the condition of minimizing the waiting time and the overlap time, the user experience unit 112 determines the overlap time between the current program content and the candidate for the next program content, or the candidate for the next program content from the current program content. Select the next program content based on the waiting time to. That is, referring to the distribution end time of the current program content and the distribution start time of the next program content candidate, the program content with the shortest overlap time or the shortest waiting time is selected. Either the program content with the minimum overlap time or the program content with the minimum waiting time may be selected, or the program content with the minimum time including the overlap time and the waiting time may be selected. good. It should be noted that the program content that is closest to the set waiting time or overlap time (2 to 3 minutes, etc.) may be selected instead of the minimum. A program with a waiting time may be preferentially selected over a program with an overlapping time, or a program with an overlapping time may be preferentially selected over a program with a waiting time.

In addition, in the case of the condition for maximizing genre matching accuracy, the user experience unit 112 selects the next program content based on the degree of matching between the program content candidate and the extracted genre condition. That is, the program contents having the highest degree of matching with the large genre, medium genre, and small genre of the extraction conditions used in the search in the semi-automatic search mode or full-automatic search mode and the program content candidate large genre, medium genre, and small genre are selected. , to select to the next program content.

Next, the distribution platform 100 determines whether or not there is overlap time between the current program content and the next program content (S304), and if there is overlap time, performs predetermined overlap time processing (S305). If there is overlap time, the user experience unit 112 notifies the terminal device 200 that the next program will start (start timing) as overlap time processing to be executed at the overlap time when the distribution start time of the next program content comes. Notice. It is preferable to notify before (for example, 1 to 2 minutes) before the distribution start time of the next program content. When the terminal device 200 receives the notification of the next program, the portal application execution unit 210 displays a sub-screen or the like on the screen being watched to indicate that the next program will start (“How many more minutes will the next program start?”, etc.). ). For example, the user may be prompted to switch to viewing the next program or continue viewing the current program. Note that the overlapping time processing may be set by the user. For example, it may be set to preferentially switch to the next program during the overlapping time, or may be set to watch the program being viewed to the end. In the overlapping time, the next program may be viewed on the sub-screen.

Next, the distribution platform 100 determines whether or not there is a waiting time from the current program content to the next program content (S306), and if there is a waiting time, performs predetermined waiting time processing (S307). If there is a waiting time, the user experience unit 112 performs waiting time processing to be executed during the waiting time when the distribution of the current program content ends, until the next program content distribution start time. Distribute other content such as videos and digest videos. The advertisement video or digest video may be a video set by the distribution platform, or may be a video corresponding to the user's viewing history or viewer attributes. Any of the program contents that have not been selected from among the candidates for the program contents of the next program may be delivered during the waiting time. For example, a program with the next highest genre match may be distributed. Also, the program content recommended by the distribution platform 100 may be distributed. Note that the waiting time process may be set by the user. It may be set whether to watch an advertisement video, a digest video, or another program during the waiting time.

Next, the user views the next program content (S308). The distribution platform 100 starts distributing the next program content to the terminal device 200 when the distribution end time of the current program content or the distribution start time of the next program content comes. When there is no overlapping time and waiting time, the next program content is distributed from the beginning at the distribution end time of the current program content and the distribution start time of the next program content, continuing from the end of the current program content. If there is an overlapping time, the distribution of the next program content is started continuously from the current program content at either the distribution end time of the current program content or the distribution start time of the next program content according to the user's selection. . When the user selects viewing of the current program at the overlapping time, the next program content is distributed from the middle at the distribution end time of the current program content, continuing from the end of the current program content. When the user selects viewing of the next program at the overlapping time, the next program content is distributed from the beginning at the distribution start time of the next program content, continuing from the middle of the current program content. If there is a waiting time, the next program content is distributed from the beginning with an interval from the end of the current program content at the distribution start time of the next program content. The distribution control unit 113 transmits the URL of the distribution channel of the next program content to the terminal device 200 at the relevant time. In the terminal device 200 , upon receiving the URL of the distribution channel, the portal application execution unit 210 receives streaming of the distribution channel from the received URL and displays the distributed program content on the display unit 230 .

For example, a list of the program genre of the current viewing week or the program content of the same genre of other channels currently being distributed may be displayed so that the user can check it. Also, an extraction list of program contents extracted by automatic search may be displayed. The user may select a program from the displayed list to immediately switch to another program. When switching to another program, it can be reflected in the viewing history and used as a condition for extracting program content. In addition, the user's action or the like may be used as a trigger to update the program content extraction conditions and extraction list as needed. For example, an extraction condition or an extraction list may be changed, added, deleted, or the like according to a user's operation.

FIG. 13 shows an operation example of user experience processing. First, when the user starts viewing the program P11 using content discovery or the like, the distribution platform 100 performs dynamic discovery processing for automatically searching for the next program of the program P11. In the dynamic discovery process at this time, for example, from the program of the genre estimated from the user's viewing history, the genre is large genre (A) and medium genre (6) and can be continuously viewed next to program P11 (current program The program P42 whose delivery end time is the same as the delivery start time of the next program is extracted.

Next, when the distribution of the program P11 ends, the distribution platform 100 starts distributing the program P42 in succession to the program P11, and performs dynamic discovery processing for automatically searching for the next program after the program P42. In the dynamic discovery process at this time, for example, the genres are large genre (A) and medium genre (6), and there is a waiting time after program P42 (the difference from the end of distribution of the current program to the start of distribution of the next program is Yes) program P14 is extracted.

Next, when the distribution of the program P42 ends, the distribution platform 100 distributes advertisement videos and the like during the waiting time after the distribution of the program P42 ends. Furthermore, when the distribution start time of the program P14 comes, the distribution of the program P14 is started, and the dynamic discovery process for automatically searching for the next program of the program P14 is performed. In the dynamic discovery process at this time, for example, the genres are large genre (A) and middle genre (6), and there is overlap with program P14 (distribution of the next program starts before the distribution of the current program ends). Program P44 is extracted.

Next, at the distribution start time of the next program P44, the distribution platform 100 notifies the terminal device 200 that the next program P44 will start. When the user selects to start viewing the next program P44, distribution of the program P44 is started. Also, when the user selects to continue viewing the current program P14, the distribution of the program P44 is started (from the middle of the program) following the end of the distribution of the program P14. When the distribution platform 100 starts distribution of the program P44, it performs dynamic discovery processing for automatically searching for the next program of the program P44. Live program Pn4 is extracted. After that, when the distribution of the program P44 is finished, the distribution platform 100 distributes an advertisement video or the like, and starts distribution of the live program Pn4 at the distribution start time of the live program Pn4.

FIG. 14 is an operation example when selecting a program that minimizes the waiting time and overlap time in user experience processing.

First, when the user starts viewing Program A, the distribution platform 100 performs dynamic discovery processing for automatically searching for the program following Program A. In the dynamic discovery process at this time, program B, program C, and program D are extracted as candidates for the next program. Program B can be delivered continuously after program A has been delivered (no waiting time), program C can be delivered 5 minutes after program A has been delivered (waiting time is 5 minutes), and program D can be delivered. can be delivered 10 minutes after the end of delivery of program A (waiting time is 10 minutes). Then, since the waiting time of program B is minimized, program B is selected as the next program.

Next, when the distribution of program A ends, the distribution platform 100 starts distributing program B consecutively after program A, and performs dynamic discovery processing for automatically searching for the next program after program B. In the dynamic discovery process at this time, program E, program F, and program G are extracted as candidates for the next program. Program E can be distributed 10 minutes after the end of distribution of program B (waiting time is 10 minutes), program F can be distributed 5 minutes after the end of distribution of program B (waiting time is 5 minutes), Program G can be delivered 15 minutes after the end of delivery of program B (waiting time is 15 minutes). Then, since the waiting time of program F is the shortest, program F is selected as the next program.

Next, when the distribution of program B ends, the distribution platform 100 distributes advertising videos and the like during the waiting time after the distribution of program B ends. Furthermore, when the distribution start time of the program F comes, the distribution of the program F is started, and dynamic discovery processing for automatically searching for the next program after the program F is performed. At this time, in the dynamic discovery process, program H, program I, and program J are extracted as candidates for the next program. Program H overlaps Program F by 20 minutes (distribution starts 20 minutes before the end of the program), Program I overlaps Program F by 15 minutes (distribution starts 15 minutes before the end of the program), Program J overlaps program F by 10 minutes (distribution starts 10 minutes before the end of the program). Then, program J is selected as the next program because the overlapping time of program J is the shortest.

After that, 10 minutes before the end of the distribution of program F, the distribution platform 100 displays the next program selection screen on the terminal device 200. When the user selects to start viewing program J, program J is distributed from the beginning. Further, when continuing viewing of the current program F is selected, the program J is continuously distributed from the middle after the distribution of the program F is finished.

FIG. 15 is an operation example when selecting a program that maximizes genre matching accuracy in user experience processing.

First, when the user starts viewing Program A, the distribution platform 100 performs dynamic discovery processing for automatically searching for the program following Program A. In the dynamic discovery process at this time, program B, program C, and program D are extracted as candidates for the next program. For program B, the major, medium, and minor genres completely match the extraction criteria. The major and middle genres of program D match the extraction conditions including variations in the notation of the keywords, and the minor genre matches the extraction conditions including variations in the notation of the keywords. Then, program B is selected as the next program because it best matches the extraction condition. Also, depending on the setting of the service (distribution platform 100), regardless of whether or not the major genre and medium genre match, only the case where the minor genre matches completely or includes variations in spelling may be used as an extraction condition.

Next, when the distribution of program A ends, the distribution platform 100 starts distributing program B in succession to program A, and performs dynamic discovery processing for automatically searching for the next program after program B. In the dynamic discovery process at this time, program E, program F, and program G are extracted as candidates for the next program. For program E, the large genre and middle genre completely match the extraction conditions, and the small genre matches the extraction condition including variations in the notation of the keywords. Each genre of the extraction condition is completely matched, and for the program G, the large genre and medium genre are completely matched with each genre of the extraction condition, and the minor genre is not matched with the extraction condition. Then, program F is selected as the next program because program F matches the extraction condition the most. Also, depending on the setting of the service (distribution platform 100), regardless of whether or not the major genre and medium genre match, only the case where the minor genre matches completely or includes variations in spelling may be used as an extraction condition.

For example, after program B, there is a waiting time of 5 minutes before the start of program F. Therefore, when the distribution of the program B is finished, the distribution platform 100 distributes the advertisement video or the like during the waiting time after the distribution of the program B is finished. Furthermore, when the distribution start time of the program F comes, the distribution of the program F is started, and dynamic discovery processing for automatically searching for the next program after the program F is performed. In the dynamic discovery process at this time, program H, program I, and program J are extracted as candidates for the next program. For program H, the large, medium, and small genres completely match the extraction conditions of each genre, and overlap with program F by 20 minutes. It completely matches the genre and overlaps program F by 15 minutes. Program J completely matches the extraction conditions in major, medium, and small genres, and overlaps program F by 10 minutes. Then, although genre matching is the same for all programs, program J is selected as the next program because program J has the shortest overlap time.

After that, 10 minutes before the end of distribution of program F, the next program selection screen is displayed on the terminal device 200 . When the user selects the viewing start of the program J, the program J is distributed from the beginning, and when the viewing continuation of the current program F is selected, the distribution of the program J is started continuously after the distribution of the program F is finished.

<effect>
As described above, in the present embodiment, a content discovery function and a user experience function are provided in a distribution platform that distributes program content distributed from a streaming server to user terminals.

In the manual search mode and semi-automatic search mode of the content discovery function, it is possible to find and present the user's favorite program content by setting the program genre from many streaming distribution channels. Since this mode does not use viewing histories, viewer attributes, etc., it is characterized in that it operates effectively even for users who do not permit tracking that collects viewing histories, viewer attributes, and the like. In recent years, there are many users who do not want tracking, so it is effective as a method that can provide certain services to such users. In other words, a user who does not want tracking can effectively present appropriate program content simply by sequentially inputting or presetting keywords for large genres, medium genres, and, if necessary, small genres. For example, in the manual search mode and the semi-automatic search mode, it is possible to find suitable program content for the user from about several hundred streaming channels.

In the fully automatic search mode of the content discovery function, all of the user's favorite program content can be automatically searched and extracted from many streaming distribution channels. Since no input or settings are required, it has the advantage of being able to search effectively, especially when the number of streams increases. In this mode, the user simply instructs a fully automatic search, and the distribution platform estimates the user's large, medium, and small genres from the viewing history and viewer attributes, and selects candidates below a predetermined number. can be presented. For example, in the fully automatic search mode, program content can be found effectively even when the number of streaming channels increases to about several thousand channels.

In addition, when viewing hundreds or thousands of channels of streaming distribution, it is not a means of continuing to watch a specific channel or selecting a channel from the TV program list as in conventional TV viewing, but rather Accordingly, there is a need for a user experience in which recommended contents (favorite programs) distributed from many streams can be viewed continuously while switching channels. Therefore, in the user experience function of the present embodiment, when viewing program content is started, it is possible to automatically search for related program content and continue viewing as if moving between channels without being conscious of the channel. make it possible. Specifically, the content of the next program is discovered and presented by using the content discovery function until the content of the program being viewed ends. In the case of full-automatic search mode, the genre is automatically estimated without any particular selection of viewing genre, etc., and in the case of semi-automatic search mode, by setting the genre in advance, it is possible to continuously select the desired genre. program content can be viewed. When determining the next program, it is possible to select a setting that minimizes the overlap time between program contents and the waiting time until the start of the program content, or a setting that prioritizes genre matching accuracy over overlap time and waiting time. As a result, it is possible to continue watching the program more comfortably according to the user's taste.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, these functions are provided by a common platform. This enables effective content discovery using common genre data, and further ensures the safety and security of program content. That is, it is possible to avoid distribution of illegal content. For content creators, services can be provided without making a large capital investment. Furthermore, since the 4K system is already in operation for network distribution, an extended service to 4K is easily possible.

Also, according to the distribution platform of the present embodiment, benefits can be enjoyed by both the content creator side and the user side. On the content production side, when program content of a specific genre is produced, it becomes easier to deliver the program to users who want to view that genre. In addition, it is possible to support new businesses such as free digest distribution on the streaming distribution side and charge distribution of full version viewing on VOD. Users can freely create their own "(pseudo) specialized channels" regardless of broadcasting stations or channels. In addition, if the video creators who provide videos are set to a small genre or the like, it is possible to use the service by sticking to a specific creator. It is also possible to realize a function as a "program content matching application" that mediates between the program production side and the viewing user side.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which archive distribution is further performed on the distribution platform in the second embodiment.

<System configuration>
FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of a distribution system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the distribution system according to this embodiment includes an archive server 400 in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment.

The archive server 400 is a distribution server that distributes archive data that archives program content. Archive data is VOD (Video On Demand) data for archive distribution. The archive data of the archive server 400 is data obtained by archiving the program content stream-delivered by the streaming server 300 . For example, program information of program content includes identification information indicating whether or not there is an archive. When the program information indicates that there is an archive, the archive server 400 stores archive data of the program content. Program content that is not distributed from the streaming server 300 may be stored in the archive server 400 and distributed. In this case, the program information may include information indicating the presence or absence of archiving and information indicating the presence or absence of streaming. Note that the archive server 400 and the streaming server 300 may be one server.

The distribution platform 100 includes an archive DB 150 in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment. The archive DB 150 downloads and acquires archive data of program content from the archive server 400, and stores the acquired archive data. The archive DB 150 may periodically access the archive server 400 to obtain available archive data, or may access the archive server 400 in response to a request from the portal application service section 110 to obtain necessary archive data. may be obtained. The streaming data distributed from the streaming server 300 may be archived and stored. That is, the distribution platform 100 may have the archive server 400 instead of the archive DB 150 .

In the present embodiment, distribution control unit 113 of portal application service unit 110 distributes streaming data (program content) from streaming server 300 to terminal device 200, and distributes archive data of archive server 400 (archive DB 150). is delivered to the terminal device 200 as an archive. Archive distribution means that program content to be viewed is prepared not only as streaming but also as VOD content (archive data) so that it can be distributed (viewed) at any time.

<User Experience Processing>
FIG. 17 shows the flow of user experience processing according to this embodiment. In FIG. 17, S311 and S312 are added to the processing of the second embodiment.

In S301 to S303, the distribution platform 100 automatically searches for candidates for the next program content, and when determining the next program content from among the candidates, determines whether or not the next program content is archived (S311). For example, the user experience unit 112 refers to the program information of the determined next program content, and determines whether or not there is an archive based on the identification information indicating whether or not there is an archive included in the program information. If there is no archive of the next program content, the next program is streamed after S304, as in the first embodiment. If the next program does not have overlapping time and waiting time, it may be streamed without acquiring the archive.

If there is an archive of the next program content, the distribution platform 100 acquires the archive of the next program content (S312). The user experience section 112 acquires archive data of the next program content from the archive DB 150 . When the archive data is not stored in the archive DB 150, the archive data is acquired from the archive server 400. - 特許庁Next, when the distribution of the current program content is completed, the distribution platform 100 distributes the acquired archive data following the current program content (S308). This allows the user to watch the next program continuously.

In this example, after the next program is automatically extracted and determined as in the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the determined program is archived. decisions may be made. That is, in addition to the conditions of the second embodiment, the next program may be determined based on the presence or absence of an archive. For example, programs with archives may be preferentially selected when there is waiting time or overlapping time.

FIG. 18 is an operation example of user experience processing, and is an example in which archive distribution is applied to the operation example of FIG. 13 of the second embodiment.

In FIG. 18, as in FIG. 13, the program P42 is distributed following the program P11, and the program next to the program P42 is determined to be the program P14. It is assumed that there is an archive of program P14, although there is a waiting time from the end of distribution of program P42 to the start of streaming distribution of program P14. Therefore, when the distribution of the program P42 is completed, the distribution platform 100 acquires the archive data of the program P14, and archive-distributes the archive data of the program P14 continuously after the distribution of the program P42 is completed. That is, when there is a waiting time until the program P14, the start of distribution of the program P14 is advanced to the distribution end time of the program P42, and archive distribution is performed continuously without waiting time.

Next, suppose that program P14 and the next program P44 overlap in streaming distribution time, but there is an archive of program P44. Therefore, the distribution platform 100 continues to distribute the program P14 to the end without notifying the user when the distribution of the program P44 is started. When the distribution of the program P14 is completed, the archive data of the program P44 is acquired, and the archive data of the program P44 is archive-distributed continuously from the end of the distribution of the program P14. That is, if the program P44 has overlapping time, the start of distribution of the program P44 is delayed until the distribution end time of the program P14, and archive distribution is performed continuously from the beginning of the program without overlapping time. Since there is no archive data for the content of the next live program Pn4 (live distribution program), streaming distribution is performed from the distribution start time after the waiting time, as in the second embodiment.

<effect>
As described above, in the present embodiment, archive distribution is added to the user experience function in the second embodiment. Specifically, at the end of the program content, an automatic search is performed by content discovery, the next program content is uniquely determined, and archive distribution of the program content is performed. As a result, it is possible to improve the continuity between program contents to be viewed and to realize a more advanced user experience. Since the time-lag transmission service of streaming contents becomes possible, the program contents already started at the time of viewing start can be viewed from the beginning by redistributing the program contents from the archive. That is, when the next program content overlaps with the program content being viewed, the program can be viewed continuously without duplication by distributing the next program content from the archive.

It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope. In the embodiment, an example of distributing a moving image program including video and audio has been described, but the present invention may be applied to a system distributing only an audio program such as a radio program.

Each configuration in the above-described embodiments is configured by hardware or software, or both, and may be configured from one piece of hardware or software, or may be configured from multiple pieces of hardware or software. Each device and each function (process) may be implemented by a computer 30 having a processor 31 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory 32 as a storage device, as shown in FIG. For example, a program for performing the method (distribution method) in the embodiment may be stored in the memory 32 and each function may be realized by executing the program stored in the memory 32 by the processor 31 .

These programs contain instructions (or software code) that, when read into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more of the functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media or tangible storage media may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drives (SSD) or other memory technology, CDs - ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disc storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example, and not limitation, transitory computer readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure.

Some or all of the above-described embodiments can also be described in the following supplementary remarks, but are not limited to the following.
(Appendix 1)
Acquisition means for acquiring program information including distribution start times for each of a plurality of moving images;
extracting means for extracting, from the plurality of moving images, candidates for a second moving image to be reproduced by the user terminal after the first moving image to be reproduced by the user terminal, according to the program information;
determining means for determining the second moving image according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image;
distribution system.
(Appendix 2)
The determining means determines the second moving image based on the distribution end time of the first moving image and the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image.
The distribution system according to appendix 1.
(Appendix 3)
The determining means determines the second moving image based on the time difference between the distribution end time of the first moving image and the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image.
The distribution system according to appendix 2.
(Appendix 4)
The determining means determines the second moving image by giving priority to a moving image having a smaller time difference among candidates for the second moving image.
The distribution system according to appendix 3.
(Appendix 5)
The determining means determines the moving image with the smallest time difference among the candidates for the second moving image as the second moving image.
The distribution system according to appendix 4.
(Appendix 6)
The time difference is the waiting time from the distribution end time of the first moving image to the distribution start time of the second moving image candidate, or the waiting time from the distribution start time of the second moving image candidate to the first moving image. It is the overlapping time until the delivery end time,
6. The distribution system according to any one of Appendices 3 to 5.
(Appendix 7)
The determining means determines an archive to be played on the user terminal before playing the second moving image during the waiting time.
The distribution system according to appendix 6.
(Appendix 8)
The determining means determines, as the third moving image, a moving image that has not been selected as the second moving image among the candidates for the second moving image.
The distribution system according to appendix 7.
(Appendix 9)
A notification means for notifying the user terminal of the timing at which the overlap time starts,
The distribution system according to appendix 6.
(Appendix 10)
The notification means notifies to select whether to view the first video or the second video during the overlapping time.
The distribution system according to appendix 9.
(Appendix 11)
The determining means determines the second moving image based on the degree of matching between the program information of the candidate for the second moving image and the extraction condition of the extracting means.
11. The distribution system according to any one of appendices 1 to 10.
(Appendix 12)
The determining means determines the second moving image by prioritizing a moving image with a higher degree of matching among candidates for the second moving image.
The distribution system according to appendix 11.
(Appendix 13)
The determining means determines, as the second moving image, the moving image with the highest degree of matching among the candidates for the second moving image.
The distribution system according to appendix 12.
(Appendix 14)
The extraction means extracts candidates for the second moving image according to an extraction condition related to preferences of the user of the user terminal.
14. The distribution system according to any one of appendices 1 to 13.
(Appendix 15)
The extraction condition includes any one of an extraction condition based on the user's setting, an extraction condition based on the user's viewing history, and an extraction condition based on the user's attribute.
14. The distribution system according to appendix 14.
(Appendix 16)
The extraction conditions include genre conditions included in the program information,
16. The distribution system according to appendix 14 or 15.
(Appendix 17)
The extracting means extracts candidates for the second moving image based on a match between the program information and the notation variation of the keyword included in the extraction condition.
17. The distribution system according to any one of appendices 14-16.
(Appendix 18)
The extracting means extracts moving images under a first extraction condition, and if the number of moving images in the extraction result is greater than a predetermined number, further refines extraction under a second extraction condition.
18. The distribution system according to any one of appendices 14-17.
(Appendix 19)
Control means for controlling streaming playback of the second video on the user terminal according to the distribution end time of the first video or the distribution start time of the second video,
19. The distribution system according to any one of appendices 1 to 18.
(Appendix 20)
The control means acquires an archive of the second moving image, and controls to archive-deliver the acquired archive according to the end of delivery of the first moving image.
19. The distribution system according to appendix 19.
(Appendix 21)
Acquire program information including distribution start time for each of multiple videos,
extracting, from the plurality of videos, candidates for a second video to be played back on the user terminal after the first video played on the user terminal, according to the program information;
determining the second video according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second video;
delivery method.
(Appendix 22)
In the determination, the second moving image is determined based on the distribution end time of the first moving image and the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image.
The distribution method according to appendix 21.
(Appendix 23)
In the determination, the second moving image is determined based on the degree of matching between the program information of the candidate for the second moving image and the extraction conditions in the extraction.
23. The distribution method according to

appendix

21 or 22.
(Appendix 24)
In the extraction, the candidate for the second moving image is extracted according to an extraction condition related to the preference of the user of the user terminal.
24. The distribution method according to any one of appendices 21 to 23.
(Appendix 25)
Acquisition means for acquiring candidates for a second moving image to be played back on the user terminal after the first moving image played on the user terminal;
determining means for determining the second moving image according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image;
Control means for controlling reproduction of the second moving image on the user terminal according to the distribution end time of the first moving image or the distribution start time of the second moving image;
A distribution control device.
(Appendix 26)
The determining means determines the second moving image based on the distribution end time of the first moving image and the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image.
26. The distribution control device according to appendix 25.
(Appendix 27)
Acquire program information including distribution start time for each of multiple videos,
extracting, from the plurality of programs, candidates for a second moving image to be played back on the user terminal after the first moving image played on the user terminal, according to the program information;
determining the second video according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second video;
A program that causes a computer to execute a process.
(Appendix 28)
Obtaining candidates for a second video played on the user terminal after the first video played on the user terminal,
determining the second moving image according to the delivery start time of the candidate for the second moving image;
Controlling the reproduction of the second video on the user terminal according to the distribution end time of the first video or the distribution start time of the second video,
Delivery control method.
(Appendix 29)
Obtaining candidates for a second video played on the user terminal after the first video played on the user terminal,
determining the second moving image according to the delivery start time of the candidate for the second moving image;
Controlling the reproduction of the second video on the user terminal according to the distribution end time of the first video or the distribution start time of the second video,
A program that causes a computer to execute a process.

1, 10 distribution system 11 acquisition unit 12 extraction unit 13 determination unit 20 distribution control device 21 candidate acquisition unit 22 determination unit 23 distribution control unit 30 computer 31 processor 32 memory 100 distribution platform 110 portal application service unit 111 content discovery unit 112 user experience Unit 113 Distribution control unit 114 Viewing information management unit 120 Program extraction unit 130 Program information DB
140 Viewing information DB
150 Archive DB
200 terminal device 210 portal application execution unit 220 operation unit 230 display unit 240 storage unit 300 streaming server 400 archive server

Claims

Acquisition means for acquiring program information including distribution start times for each of a plurality of moving images;
extracting means for extracting, from the plurality of moving images, candidates for a second moving image to be reproduced by the user terminal after the first moving image to be reproduced by the user terminal, according to the program information;
determining means for determining the second moving image according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image;
distribution system.
The determining means determines the second moving image based on the distribution end time of the first moving image and the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image.
The distribution system according to claim 1.
The determining means determines the second moving image based on the time difference between the distribution end time of the first moving image and the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image.
3. The distribution system according to claim 2.
The determining means determines the second moving image by giving priority to a moving image having a smaller time difference among candidates for the second moving image.
The distribution system according to claim 3.
The time difference is the waiting time from the distribution end time of the first moving image to the distribution start time of the second moving image candidate, or the waiting time from the distribution start time of the second moving image candidate to the first moving image. It is the overlapping time until the delivery end time,
5. The distribution system according to claim 3 or 4.
The determining means determines an archive to be played on the user terminal before playing the second moving image during the waiting time.
The distribution system according to claim 5.
A notification means for notifying the user terminal of the timing at which the overlap time starts,
The distribution system according to claim 5.
The notification means notifies to select whether to view the first video or the second video during the overlapping time.
The distribution system according to claim 7.
The determining means determines the second moving image based on the degree of matching between the program information of the candidate for the second moving image and the extraction condition of the extracting means.
9. A distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The extraction means extracts candidates for the second moving image according to an extraction condition related to preferences of the user of the user terminal.
A distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The extraction condition includes any one of an extraction condition based on the user's setting, an extraction condition based on the user's viewing history, and an extraction condition based on the user's attribute.
The distribution system according to claim 10.
The extraction conditions include genre conditions included in the program information,
12. The distribution system according to claim 10 or 11.
Control means for controlling streaming playback of the second video on the user terminal according to the distribution end time of the first video or the distribution start time of the second video,
13. A distribution system according to any one of claims 1-12.
The control means acquires an archive of the second moving image, and controls to archive-deliver the acquired archive according to the end of delivery of the first moving image.
14. A distribution system according to claim 13.
Acquire program information including distribution start time for each of multiple videos,
extracting, from the plurality of videos, candidates for a second video to be played back on the user terminal after the first video played on the user terminal, according to the program information;
determining the second video according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second video;
delivery method.
In the determination, the second moving image is determined based on the distribution end time of the first moving image and the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image.
16. The distribution method according to claim 15.
In the determination, the second moving image is determined based on the degree of matching between the program information of the candidate for the second moving image and the extraction conditions in the extraction.
17. The distribution method according to claim 15 or 16.
In the extraction, the candidate for the second moving image is extracted according to an extraction condition related to the preference of the user of the user terminal.
18. The delivery method according to any one of claims 15-17.
Acquisition means for acquiring candidates for a second moving image to be played back on the user terminal after the first moving image played on the user terminal;
determining means for determining the second moving image according to the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image;
Control means for controlling reproduction of the second moving image on the user terminal according to the distribution end time of the first moving image or the distribution start time of the second moving image;
A distribution control device.
The determining means determines the second moving image based on the distribution end time of the first moving image and the distribution start time of the candidate for the second moving image.
The distribution control device according to claim 19.