JP2001101206A - Archive system and its inspecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make conditions about a copyright between a video information provider and a user clear more easily and surely than in the conventional manner, to provide agreed video to the user and to charge its counter value to the user. SOLUTION: This archive system is constituted of a video contents DB 11, a DB 12 for retrieval consisting of a means to part video contents, a means 121 to attach copyright data to the parted video, a means 122 to attach data for retrieval to the parted video and a means 123 to attach contents introduction data to it, an archive server 1 constituted of an attached data storage means 13 to store each piece of data to be outputted from the DB 12, a stored data retrieving means 14 to retrieve the stored data and a terminal 3 on the user's side on the client side with a display part 32 to display each piece of the parted video, the copyright data and the contents introduction data corresponding to the data inputted by the user from among the pieces of stored data and to be connected with the archive server 1 via a communication line 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distribution system (archive system) for digital contents, in particular, video information, and a search method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, methods for providing video information include, for example, a clipping technology for each scene, a tagging technology for analyzing the meaning of a sentence and giving a title, a database search technology, a video reproduction technology, and a video communication. Although individual technologies such as transfer technology have been realized, when attempting to receive services via an NW (network) such as a communication line or a computer network, the handling of the video copyright is not always clear. . For example, with regard to copyright management, using the key information for extracting copyright information, arbitrarily setting usage conditions for such information and finely regulating the usage form, diversifying choices and improving protection of copyrighted works. What is sufficiently achieved (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-294726:
"Copyright management method and system"),
A device in which a user processing device obtains a function missing from a charging center, transfers the function to an IC card, and encrypts and retains the function to ensure that usage fees are collected (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-20958: Software billing method and system ") and registration, which allow image information to be mutually used between those having image databases of different structures via a communication NW (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-14)
No. 9366: "Image Communication System").
In addition, the system has a problem that it takes time to search for a video desired by the user. Further, the obtained video information was not processed and edited and registered as secondary information in the archive server.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been made in consideration of the provision conditions of a copyrighted content provider and the usage conditions of a user with respect to contents used or desired by a user. And implement copyright clearance between them and provide users (or users) with the agreed-upon video and charge the user for it, while the copyright content provider pays for the user. Aim to provide an archive system and a method for paying. In addition, when a user intends to receive video information via an NW such as a communication line or a computer network, the mediator clarifies the handling of the video copyright and makes the user himself / herself. In order to search for a video desired by the user, means for segmenting the video content from its semantic content is provided to shorten the search time. In addition, a secondary processing / editing unit that can process and edit the obtained video information and use it as secondary information is provided, and this can be registered in an archive server, so that it can be provided to users more conveniently. With the goal.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video content database (hereinafter, referred to as DB) for storing video content, and means for partializing the video content from its semantic content. , A search DB including means for attaching copyright data, means for attaching search data, and means for attaching content introduction data to each of the partial videos, Attached data storage means for storing data, stored data search means for searching for the stored data, partial video, copyright data, search data, corresponding to data input by a user from the stored data; An archive server comprising display means for displaying each data of the content introduction data as search result information, and a communication line with the archive server. Archive system characterized by comprising a client-side user terminal to be connected is provided Te.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an archive system characterized in that the data input by the user is performed from a user terminal via a communication line. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an archive system characterized in that the search result information display means is provided in a user terminal. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an archive system characterized in that the means for segmenting the video content from the semantic content is automatically performed by electronic means, that is, by performing segmentation without human intervention. Provided.

According to a fifth feature of the present invention, the communication line has means for charging according to the contents of the search data displayed by the input data of the user. An archive system is provided that is characterized by: According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an archive system characterized by including means for displaying and duplicating video information retrieved according to the input data of the user.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an archive system characterized in that the user terminal has a secondary video processing / editing means for editing the retrieved plurality of video information. . According to an eighth feature of the present invention, the user side terminal has an archive registration unit for registering the video information, copyright data, search data, and content introduction data edited by the secondary video processing / editing unit. An archive system characterized by the following.

According to a ninth feature of the present invention, in an archive server connected to a user terminal on the client side via a communication line, a video content DB for storing video content, and a video content data DB Using a search DB that performs data processing using a search DB
Thereby, a step of partializing the video content from its semantic content, a step of attaching copyright data to each of the partial videos, a step of attaching search data, and a step of attaching content introduction data, An attached data storing step of storing each of the partial and attached data; a stored data searching step of searching the stored data; and a partial video and / or copyright corresponding to data input by a user from the stored data. A display step of displaying each of right data, search data, and content introduction data as search result information.

According to a tenth feature of the present invention, the step of segmenting the video content from the semantic content is characterized by performing the segmentation automatically, that is, by an electronic process without human intervention. A search method for an archive system according to claim 9 is provided. According to an eleventh feature of the present invention, the method includes a step of charging the user in accordance with the contents of the search data displayed by the input data of the user on the communication line, and separately charging the user. 10. A method for searching for an archive system according to claim 9 is provided.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of displaying and duplicating the video information retrieved according to the input data of the user at the user terminal. An archive system search method is provided. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention,
10. The search method for an archive system according to claim 9, characterized by comprising a secondary video processing / editing step of editing said plurality of searched video information in said user terminal.

According to a fourteenth feature of the present invention, an archive registration step of registering video information, copyright data, search data, and content introduction data edited in the secondary video processing / editing step at the user side terminal. 10. The search method for an archive system according to claim 9, wherein the search method is characterized by having:

[0012] In the above-described configuration, for the content that the user wants to use or want to use, the copyright clearance is implemented between the provision condition of the provision of the copyrighted content and the usage condition with the user, and the user (or user) is used. Provides an agreed-upon image and charges the user for the price, while providing an archive system and a method for paying the price to the provider. That is, when a user intends to receive video information via a network such as a communication line or a computer network, the mediator can clarify the handling of the video copyright. Means for segmenting the content from its semantic content is provided, and the user searches for the video he or she wants using the segmented information, so that the time required for the search can be reduced. Further, a secondary processing / editing means for processing and editing the obtained video information and using it as secondary information is provided, and this can be registered in the archive server, so that it is provided to the user for further convenience. be able to.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention. The archive server 1, the client 3, the billing means 21 and the like shown in FIG.
It comprises an electronic computer such as a workstation, and various peripheral devices such as an input / output device and a communication device.Each of the internal means includes each hardware and a software program executed using the hardware. Can be configured by Further, the program used in the system of the present embodiment can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and distributed.

The archive server 1 provides information desired by each user, for example, video contents. 11
Is a video content DB in which various videos are stored in advance. In this state, the data necessary for the search has not been arranged yet, and exists as so-called raw data. It can be considered that basic data for search, processing, and editing of video content described later is accumulated. 12 is a search D
B, which is a DB system that processes data in the video content DB 11 to create search data, and a user sets the data processed in this portion as a search target. 1
Reference numeral 20 denotes a video content partialization unit that decomposes (classifies) the content of the video content DB 11 based on a certain category, and separates not the video data itself but data specifying each of the partial video data. Is output as the processing result. This segmentation work can be performed by electronic means without human intervention, and the segmentation data is stored in a storage device in the video content segmentation means 120 in advance and is updated periodically. Reference numeral 121 denotes a copyright data attaching unit, which clarifies conditions such as a copyright handling when each video is used by a user with respect to each of the partial data segmented by the video content partial unit 120. The copyright data to be used is attached. The contents of copyright data are, for example,
Regarding conditions for secondary use such as copying, editing, etc., whether they can be used freely, whether it is necessary to pay considerable consideration, and if necessary, how much is it? This copyright data may be stored in the video content DB 11, or may be stored in the archive server 1 or another storage device outside the archive server 1.

Reference numeral 122 denotes a search data attaching unit, which assigns an internal mechanism, that is, an index, to each of the partial data segmented by the video content segmenting unit 120 so that the user can easily search. Is what you do. The search data is, specifically, a file ID (file identification number), a segment number, and the like when a certain video is divided. Reference numeral 123 denotes a content introduction data attaching unit that attaches, to each video segmented by the video content segmenting unit 120, the first frame or the like of each video scene in a still image such as a BMP format (BitMap format). Things.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an attached data storage unit for temporarily storing a plurality of sets of results processed by the video segmentation unit 120 to the content introduction data attachment unit 123 based on a keyword from the user. . This information is provided to the user as a candidate list. Numeral 14 is a stored data search means for searching the user for what he or she wants to obtain from the plurality of information stored by the attached data storage means 13. The stored data search means 14 responds to an instruction from the user, for example,
The candidate list is searched for and output as a combined video of the A candidate, the B candidate, and the C candidate. Of course, it is needless to say that the candidate A can be designated by itself.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a display means, which is stored in the attached data storage means 13 or stored data search means 14
Visually display multiple information hits by. The display means 15 may be anything as long as it can provide a visible display such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display. Reference numeral 16 denotes a video duplicating unit, which duplicates and accumulates this video from the original video in the video content DB 11 based on the request of the user A (the video may be the original video or may be edited). . Reference numeral 17 denotes a video editing unit, which edits video data copied by the video copying unit 16 based on a request from the user A.

The network 2 may be a public network or the Internet. Any device can be used as long as information can be exchanged between the user and the archive server. The billing means 21
This is a means for charging a communication fee when the user A accesses the archive server 1 via the communication line 2 and a fee when referring to or obtaining the video content. The billing means 21 is provided in a server managed by, for example, a provider of a communication line for the network 2 separately from the archive server 1 to manage billing information, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to manage the billing information in the archive server 1 by providing it in the archive server 1. When provided separately from the archive server 1, for example, a communication unit for exchanging information between the archive server 1 and the billing unit 21 is provided.

The terminal 3 installed on the user (client) side includes a search input unit 31, a display unit 32, a candidate video list display unit 321, a video display unit 322, an archive registration unit 33, and a secondary video processing and editing unit 34. It is composed of The search input unit 31 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The display unit 32 is various displays such as a CRT and a liquid crystal displayed on a screen. The candidate list display section 321 is a place where the result of the request made by the user A to the archive server 1 is displayed. The candidate list display section 321 displays a video name, copyright information, and the like. Thereby, the user A
Demands the image she wants. The video display unit 322
The video from the video content DB 11 is reproduced on its own terminal. The secondary video processing / editing means 34 is a means for the user A to process and edit the video by himself based on the video obtained from the video content DB 11, and the processed and edited video data is stored in the client 3. Memorize in the device,
It can be transmitted to the archive server 1 by the archive registration means 33 and registered. The archive registration means 33 is composed of, for example, a program for transmitting video data and the like, and transmits and registers edited video information, copyright data, search data, and content introduction data to the archive server 1. Can be.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the organization of data output from the search DB 12. One set of the partial data 1201 and the copyright data 12 corresponding to each of the partial video data is shown.
11, search data 1221 and content introduction data 1231. The partial data 1201 is the video name and title of certain video data. Copyright data 1211
Is data for clarifying conditions such as copyright handling when a user uses a certain video indicated by the partial data 1201. The search data 1231 is data used as an internal device for facilitating a user to search for a certain video indicated by the partial data 1201, and is an index or the like assigned to each of the partial videos. Specifically, it is a file ID, a segment number, and the like when a certain video is divided. The content introduction data 1231 indicates the first frame or the like of a certain video scene indicated by the partial data 1201 as a BMP.
It is for giving in the form.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a list display of candidate videos. Next, a basic operation will be described with reference to FIG.

(Step 0): User authentication

First, the user A accesses the archive server 1 via the network 2 from the terminal 3 at his / her seat. In this case, the user is authenticated by a code for identifying the user A, for example, a user name and a password.

(Step 1): Keyword input and search execution

When the user is confirmed, the user A
Operates the search input means 32 and transmits the keyword information relating to the information desired by the user to the archive server 1.

(Step 2): Individual information of candidate video

The archive server 1 has, for example, a video name having a high degree of similarity from the partial data in which the information of the video content DB 11 has been previously divided by the video content fragmentation means 12 based on the transmitted keyword information. The partial data is extracted as a candidate video, temporarily stored in the attached data storage unit 13 together with other attached data, and then the individual information for each stored candidate video is sent to the user A.
Here, the individual information is a similar word (video name), the copyright information given by the copyright data attaching means 13, the video storage position information given by the search data attaching means 14 (for example, file ID, segment number, etc.). ), The video information (the first frame of the video scene) created by the content introduction data attaching means 15 in the BMP format.

(Step 3): Image storage position information

The user A specifies a video to be used from the transmitted candidate video list. FIG. 4 is an example of a list display of candidate videos sent from the archive server 1 to the terminal 3. In the list of candidate videos, a plurality of candidates 1, 2,.
, n, copyright information 1, 2,..., n corresponding to n (n is a natural number;
.., N and video storage position information 1, 2,. At this time, it is also possible to display content introduction data such as BMP in association with each candidate. here,
When the user clicks on a corresponding part of the video to be viewed, the video storage position information of the relevant video is transmitted to the archive server 1. Here, the user can edit video information to be transmitted from the list of candidate videos.
For example, a request to combine candidate 1 and candidate 2 can be issued. In this case, to the archive server 1, together with the video storage position information of each video, the editing information specifying the specified editing method is transmitted.

(Step 4): Individually supported video information

Video contents D in archive server 1
The video corresponding to the video storage position information (and the editing information) received from B11 is copied by the video copying unit 16 and, if necessary, edited by the video editing unit 17 and transmitted to the user A, The video is reproduced by the video display unit 322 in the terminal 3 on the user A side.

(Step 5): Video processing and editing

The user terminal 3 can edit and edit the video based on the transmitted screen to create a secondary video. In the user terminal 3, the secondary video processing / editing means 3
4 has a function for that. The secondary video processing / editing unit 34 refers to the copyright information of the video data to be edited, edits the video data based on the copyright information, and automatically copies the edited secondary video as necessary. An instruction to add a telop related to rights protection or to transmit new accounting information generated by editing work to the archive server 1 is issued.

(Step 6): Archive registration

The secondary image created by the user A is sent to the archive server 1 by the archive registering means 33, and the image is registered as a secondary image. Registered video information and its additional information such as copyright information are stored in the video content DB 11.
Is stored in

(Step 7): Analog output

The registered secondary video is recorded as an analog video on a magnetic recording medium such as a video tape by a video recording device (not shown), and the recording medium is delivered to a creator (user) by mail or the like. I do. Note that the data format is not limited to the BMP format of the above embodiment,
For example, a format such as GIF or JPEG may be used.

[0038]

As described above, according to the system of the present invention, the content used or desired by the user is copyrighted in terms of the provision conditions of the copyright content provider and the usage conditions with the user. Entitlement clearance, provide the user (or user) with the agreed video and charge the user for it, while providing the provider with an archiving system and method for paying the user. It has the effect of being able to. That is, the user transmits the video information to a network such as a communication line or a computer network.
If you intend to receive the service via, the mediator can clarify the handling of the video copyright, and the video content will be extracted from the meaning content in order for the user to search for the video he wants. Since the means for partialization is provided, the time can be reduced. Further, a secondary processing / editing means for processing and editing the obtained video information and using it as secondary information is provided, and this can be registered in the archive server, so that it is provided to the user for further convenience. There is an effect that can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration example of processing data of a search DB 12 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an operation flow of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a display example of a candidate video list in the operation example of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Archive server, 2: Network, 3: User terminal (client), 11: Video content DB, 1
2: search DB, 13: attached data storage means, 14: stored data search means, 15: display means, 16: video copy means, 17: video edit means, 21: billing means, 31: search input means, 32: Display unit, 33: archive registration means,
34: secondary video processing / editing means, 120: video content partialization means, 121: copyright data attaching means, 122:
Search data attachment means, 123: content introduction data attachment means, 321: candidate video list display section, 322: video display section, 1201: partial data, 1211: copyright data, 1221: search data, 1231: content introduction data

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shuichi Sumita 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Masakazu Nishino 2-3-3, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Hirokazu Nagasawa 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Eiji Katsura 5-Midoricho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 19-17-608 F term (reference) 5B049 BB60 GG02 5B075 KK07 ND12 NS01 NS10 5B089 GA12 GA21 JA33 JB03 JB22 JB24 KA15 KA17 KB13 KC44 KC46 LB14 5C064 BA01 BB01 BB02 BB05 BC06 BC18 BC23 BD02 BD04

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A video content database for storing video content, means for partializing the video content from its semantic content, means for attaching copyright data to each of the partial videos, A search database comprising: means for attaching data; means for attaching content introduction data; attached data storage means for storing the partialized and attached data; and stored data search means for searching the stored data. And display means for displaying, as search result information, each of partial video, copyright data, search data, and content introduction data corresponding to data input by a user from the stored data. Archive server, and a client-side user terminal connected to the archive server via a communication line. Archive system according to claim Rukoto. 2. The input of the data input by the user,
2. The archiving system according to claim 1, wherein the archiving is performed from the user terminal via the communication line. 3. The archiving system according to claim 1, wherein said search result information display means is provided in said user terminal. 4. The archiving system according to claim 1, wherein the means for segmenting the video content from the semantic content is automatically segmented by electronic means. 5. The communication line according to claim 1, further comprising means for charging the user in accordance with the contents of the search data displayed based on the input data of the user, and separately charging the user. 4. The archive system according to any one of 3. 6. The archiving system according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal has means for displaying and duplicating the video information retrieved according to the input data of the user. 7. The archiving system according to claim 1, wherein the user side terminal has a secondary video processing / editing unit for editing the plurality of searched video information. 8. The user terminal includes archive registration means for registering video information, copyright data, search data, and content introduction data edited by the secondary video processing / editing means. Item 7. An archive system according to Item 1. 9. An archive server connected to a user terminal on the client side via a communication line, a video content database storing video content, and a search database for performing data processing using the video content database. Using a search database to segment the video content from its semantic content, attaching copyright data to the segmented video, attaching search data, and content introduction data, respectively. Attached data accumulating step of accumulating each of the partialized and attached data; an accumulating data retrieval step of retrieving the accumulated data; and responding to data input by a user from the accumulated data. Video, copyright data, search data, and content introduction data Search method archive system, comprising a display step of displaying over data as the search result information. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of subdividing the video content from the semantic content is performed automatically in an electronic process. 11. The archive according to claim 9, further comprising a step of charging the user in accordance with the content of the search data displayed by the user's input data on the communication line, and separately charging the user. How to search for systems. 12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of displaying and duplicating the video information retrieved according to the input data of the user at the user terminal. 13. The retrieval method for an archive system according to claim 9, further comprising a secondary video processing / editing step of editing said plurality of retrieved video information at said user terminal. 14. An archive registration step of registering video information, copyright data, search data, and content introduction data edited in the secondary video processing / editing step at the user side terminal. 9. Search method of the archive system of 9.