JP2001136511A - Image distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image distribution system which can wire report commercials which are exciting to consumers and effective to enterprises instead of television commercials and distribute image data, capable of being updated at any time in real time to many on-line terminal devices, without saturating resources of an on-line communication line such as the Internet through the use of the on-line communication line. SOLUTION: This image distribution system comprises a distribution center 10, a user-side terminal device 20, and the on-line communication line 30 which connects the both together in two-way. A program image distributed by the distribution center 10 is projected inside a frame 23, formed at least part of the display screen of the user-side terminal device 20. When an instruction by pointing inside the frame 23 is inputted with a pointing device 22 of the user-side terminal device 20, the user-side terminal device 20 can obtain specific data provided by or via the distribution center.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image distribution system, and more particularly, to a distribution center for sequentially distributing program image data that can be sequentially updated to a user terminal device, and the distributed program image data is distributed by the user terminal device. The present invention relates to an image distribution system capable of acquiring provided data corresponding to a program image, and is particularly suitable for application to the provision of commercials by multimedia using the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Terrestrial television broadcasting has been a main player in the media until now, but recently the spread of personal computers (hereinafter, also simply referred to as personal computers) and the general use of the Internet have led to the rapid development of multimedia. Have been doing. Under such circumstances, the effects of television commercials are being reviewed. That is, there is a demand for more exciting multimedia for companies, which is more exciting for consumers and more effective for companies.

[0003] In such a situation, a commercial is provided to a personal computer user through a banner appearing on a screen of a homepage on the Internet. However, this banner is fixedly displayed at a specific location on a specific homepage, and the banner cannot be accessed without opening the homepage, so that the commercial provider has not been sufficiently satisfied.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a system for distributing various types of image information (still images and moving images) to personal computer users using the Internet. In this case, in the user terminal device, as a method for acquiring the image information from a center that distributes the image information, a download method and a stream method are mainly used. The former download method is a method in which image information obtained from the center is stored in a storage means (floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.) of a personal computer and then reproduced, but it takes a considerable time to store data. However, it is not suitable for obtaining real-time image information. The latter stream method is a method of storing image data at intervals of about 10 to 30 seconds and reproducing the stored image data at each interval. Compared with the above-described download method, real-time acquisition of image information is achieved. It can be said that there is.
However, the streaming method consumes a considerable amount of resources on the Internet in distributing moving images, and when a large number of users simultaneously use the services in the method,
Internet resources can quickly become saturated. For example, at the time of this application, the maximum number of stream resources that can be simultaneously used in Japan is about 10,000.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been proposed to replace television commercials with more exciting multimedia commercials that are more exciting for consumers and more effective for companies. An object of the present invention is to provide an image distribution system that can be realized. Further, the present invention provides an image distribution system capable of distributing sequentially updatable image data in real time to a large number of online terminal devices using an online communication line such as the Internet without saturating its resources. That is another issue. For example, as described above, the maximum number of users in the stream system is 1
In contrast to 0000, the maximum number of simultaneous users to be realized by the present invention is over one million at present at the time of calculation (design).

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventors have made intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, have completed the present invention. That is, according to the present invention, a data distribution mechanism that distributes program image data that can be updated sequentially, a database that stores digitized data of a time table that represents broadcasts of programs to be distributed and their time zones, A distribution center having a link mechanism for linking predetermined provided data to broadcast images in each time slot of the time table; a display device and a pointing device, a function of reproducing the image data, and a screen of the display device A user-side terminal device having a function of forming a frame in at least a part thereof; and an online communication line for connecting the distribution center and the user-side terminal device online so that bidirectional communication is possible. A program image distributed by the distribution station inside a frame formed on at least a part of the display screen And when the pointing device of the user terminal device inputs a pointing instruction inside the frame, the user terminal device can acquire the predetermined provided data. Is provided. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image distribution system in the above configuration, wherein the broadcast image data is provided to a user by a semi-automatic online image data distribution method. Further, according to the present invention, in the above configuration, there is provided an image distribution system in which the provided data is character data, image data, and / or audio data. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image distribution system in which the online communication line is the Internet in the above configuration. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image distribution system in the above configuration, wherein the link mechanism links to a URL of a homepage corresponding to the broadcast image. Further, according to the present invention, in the above configuration, there is provided an image distribution system in which the user terminal device is a personal computer. Further, according to the present invention, in the above configuration, there is provided an image distribution system in which an operation relating to the image distribution system of the user-side terminal device is performed in synchronization with a standard clock set in the distribution center. Further, according to the present invention, in the above configuration, there is provided an image distribution system in which the user terminal device has a function of storing broadcasted program image data as local data. Further, according to the present invention, in the above configuration, the broadcast program image data is a combination of the program image data newly distributed by the distribution center and the local data stored in the user-side terminal device. A distribution system is provided.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a configuration example of an image distribution system according to the present invention. In the figure, 10 is a distribution center for distributing program image data that can be updated sequentially, and 20 is an online terminal device (also referred to as a user terminal device) such as a personal computer, both of which are connected by an online communication line 30.

[0008] The distribution center 10 stores at least a data distribution mechanism 11 for distributing program image data that can be updated successively, and digitized data of a time table showing the broadcast activities of the program to be distributed and their time zones. And a link mechanism 13 for linking predetermined provided data to broadcast images in each time zone of the time table. The distribution center 10 has a function of mixing and organizing program image data provided online and program image data stored locally, which will be described later.

[0009] The data distribution mechanism 11 of the distribution center 10 prepares program image data to be broadcast on the display screen of the user terminal device 20. The program image data is prepared for each broadcasting program (channel) and for each time.
Through the user terminal 20. Of course, you can have only one broadcast program. Also,
The time table database 12 is, for example, 24
The database 12 is updated every time, and the database 12 can be accessed from the user terminal device 20 side. In addition, a clock of universal time (GMT) is installed on the distribution center 10 side, and application software related to the image distribution system on the user terminal device 20 side operates according to the reference clock. That is, the application software installed in the user terminal device 20 acquires the universal time (GMT) from the distribution center 10 immediately after startup, converts the time to the reference time, refers to the database 12, and compares the reference time with the time table. I do. Based on the collation result, a program at a time when the approximate value of the reference time is obtained is broadcast. Furthermore, the distribution center 10
The provided data is linked to the broadcast image of each time zone of the time table, and the link mechanism 13 transmits the provided data to the user terminal device 20 in response to a request from the user terminal device 20 side. To be provided to The provided data can be multimedia data composed of character data, image data, and / or audio data. Typically, the link mechanism 1
3 links the URL of the Internet homepage corresponding to the broadcast image in response to the request.

On the other hand, the user terminal device 20 has a central control device (CPU), a RAM, a ROM, a communication control unit, an input / output interface, and the like, and also has a display device 21 and a pointing device 22. A typical example of the user terminal device 20 is a personal computer, but the present invention is not limited to this, because a similar function can be realized in a television receiver, a mobile phone terminal, or the like. A typical pointing device 22 is a mouse, but a trackball, a light pen, a touch screen, a joystick, a trackpad, and the like can also be used. The user terminal device 20 has a function of forming a frame 23 for displaying an image distributed from the distribution center 10 on a screen of the display device 22, an engine function of reproducing the image distributed from the distribution center 10, It has a function of notifying the distribution center 10 of the information when the pointing device 22 performs an instruction operation in the frame 23, and a function of obtaining provided data corresponding to a desired broadcast image. Further, the user terminal device 20 has a function of taking in the image data once broadcasted into the device as needed and storing it as local data. Further, the user terminal device 20
May be connected to the online communication line 30 by dial-up, or may be connected to the online communication line 30 via a LAN. On the screen of the display device 21 of the user terminal device 20, a frame 23 for broadcasting the program image distributed from the distribution center 10 is formed.
The position and size can be arbitrarily set and changed using the pointing device 22 such as a mouse as desired by the user. The user may form the frame 23 of an appropriate size in an appropriate place so as not to disturb the creation of documents in the office using the personal computer or the learning using the personal computer.

A typical example of the online communication line 30 is the Internet, but other communication lines such as a dedicated line and a digital broadcasting network can also be used.

In the image distribution system of the present invention, the data of the program image to be provided includes data to be newly distributed,
Once broadcast and acquired online, user terminal device 2
The data stored as local data on the 0 side is efficiently combined. Newly distributed data includes the latest program guide data, broadcast image data set to be broadcast in real time in the program guide, and various text data to supplement the data. The data stored as local data includes opening broadcast data, fixedly used video data, and the like. In the image distribution system of the present invention, acquisition of the provided program image can be said to be a real batch type multimedia (image) data distribution method with an automatic learning function of distributed (broadcast) image data. According to this method, it is possible to distribute program image data that can be sequentially updated to a large number of online terminal devices using an online communication line such as the Internet without saturating its resources. The content of the provided program image may be a still image / movie commercial, development of a homepage, download of data, application for a prize, and the like. This content can be, for example, one for about 10 seconds and repeated at appropriate intervals.
For example, in the core time from 9:00 to 20:00 (11 hours), if the same company provided CM video is broadcast twice for about 10 seconds per hour, it will be distributed 22 times a day. In the case of January 31st, 682 times of C
M broadcast. The broadcast pattern can be a rolling type, a paper-bound type, an animation type, a still image type, or the like. For program distribution, 24 hours may be used as core time, or 24 hours may be divided into core time and a time zone other than core time. In the latter case, time periods other than the core time can be used for various test distributions, viewer participation type programs, broadcast of promotion programs for acquiring viewers, and the like.

An example of the operation will be described. In the above-mentioned distribution system, a user looks at a frame formed in an appropriate position on his or her personal computer screen as an accessory, and when a desired image is displayed, the user can, for example, move the frame with a mouse. click. The information of this click is transmitted to the distribution center, linked to the URL of the homepage corresponding to the image, and the contents of the homepage are provided to the user.

Next, the operation of the image distribution system will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of a related application (also referred to as a viewer) in the user terminal device 20 of the image distribution system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation flow when the viewer is activated on the screen of the display device 21 of the user terminal device 20. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation flow of an opening cast reproduction process, that is, an initial cast process for reproducing immediately after starting the viewer. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation flow for acquiring a program table (alias table) via the Internet and storing it in a local environment. The acquisition method is divided into an offline state and an online state.
Note that Index TV is the distribution system. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of a process of reproducing a cast based on a program table. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation flow for initializing the operation environment when the viewer performs the cast reproduction process and the communication process with the distribution center. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of a process of drawing a viewer, that is, a process executed with reference to a preference file stored as an operation result up to the previous time. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of a connection state acquisition process. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation flow when the mouse is clicked in the frame.

[0015]

According to the present invention, since the above configuration is employed, a novel image distribution system capable of providing commercials by multimedia using an online communication line such as the Internet can be realized. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide multimedia-based commercials that are more exciting for users and more effective for companies. According to the present invention, image data that can be sequentially updated can be distributed in real time to a large number of online terminal devices using an online communication line such as the Internet without saturating the resources. According to this, information can be transmitted directly to a user who is not using the web browser.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a configuration example of an image distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of a related application in a user terminal device.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart when a viewer is activated on a display screen of a user terminal device.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of an opening cast reproduction process.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart for acquiring a program table via the Internet and storing it in a local environment.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of a process of reproducing a cast based on a program table.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart for initializing an operation environment when a viewer performs a cast reproduction process and a communication process with a distribution center.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of a process of drawing a viewer, that is, a process executed with reference to a preference file stored as a previous operation result.

FIG. 9 is an operation flow of a connection state acquisition process.

FIG. 10 is an operation flow when a mouse is clicked in a frame.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 distribution center 11 data distribution mechanism 12 time table 13 link mechanism 20 user terminal device 21 display device 22 pointing device 23 frame

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A data distribution mechanism for distributing program image data which can be sequentially updated, a database for storing digitized data of a time table showing broadcast activities of the program to be distributed and their time zones, and the time table A distribution center having a link mechanism for linking predetermined provided data to the broadcast image of each time zone; a display device and a pointing device, a function of reproducing the image data, and at least one of a screen of the display device. A user-side terminal device having a function of forming a frame in the unit;
An online communication line that connects the distribution center and the user terminal device online so that bidirectional communication can be performed; and the distribution station is provided inside a frame formed on at least a part of a display screen of the user terminal device. Broadcasts a program image to be distributed, and when a pointing instruction is input inside the frame by the pointing device of the user-side terminal device, the user-side terminal device can acquire the predetermined provided data. An image distribution system characterized in that: 2. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast image data is provided to a user by a semi-automatic online image data distribution system. 3. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the provided data is character data, image data, and / or audio data. 4. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said online communication line is the Internet. 5. The link mechanism links a URL of a homepage corresponding to a broadcast image.
Image distribution system. 6. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said user terminal device is a personal computer. 7. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein an operation relating to said image distribution system of said user terminal device is performed in synchronization with a standard clock set at said distribution center. 8. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said user terminal device has a function of storing broadcasted program image data as local data. 9. The image distribution system according to claim 8, wherein the program image data to be broadcast is a combination of program image data newly distributed by a distribution center and local data stored in the user-side terminal device.