JP2002140541A - Contents data storage system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To vicariously reserve the video recording, sound recording, etc., of a television program, a film, a radio program, etc., by a remote reservation video recording system through remote operation while protecting the copyright of an existent contents data distributor and to store, process, copy to another RAM, and to transmit those contents data to another information terminal. SOLUTION: Many information storage devices SS1 which store information and many tuners T of various types which can receive contents data that the contents distributor distribute are provided between the contents data distributor side and individual clients (terminals TA and TB). A storage procuration server SV for the contents data is installed and receives the reservation registration of the video recording, sound recording, etc., of television programs, films, radio programs, etc., by remote operation; and the contents that the contents data distributor side distributes are stored into the information storage devices SS1 and transmitted to the terminals TA and TB, etc., when the data are used thereafter.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a content data storage system and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a large number of systems for recording television from a remote place such as a destination have been invented. As described in JP-A-6-14129, by recognizing sound using a telephone, a recording time, a recording channel and the like are stored in a memory, and when the time comes, a video reservation function is activated and the program or the like is started. There is a system for recording. In recent years, many video receivers for recording on a hard disk or DVD-RAM have been sold. It is expected that automatic recording devices from outside will become popular in the next few years as a system that is closely linked to these digital recording devices.

[0003]

However, these digital storage devices, which are expected to become popular now and in the coming years, have the following problems. That is,
For example, in the case of a video device or audio playback device using a hard disk, even if it is for personal enjoyment,
In general, there is a problem that the user only has to watch on a television provided with the video device or the like or move the video device or the like to view the video device. This is because it is necessary to disconnect the video device or the like from the screen device, the television, or the PC to which the device is attached, and use the device once. In this way, it is unavoidable that the labor of installing on another television or the like with effort.

In many cases, digital recording systems are much more likely to have copyright problems than analog recording systems. That is, in the digital recording system, since the broadcast is recorded as a digital signal, deterioration of the video and audio is less likely to occur when the copy is made, and the copy can be easily performed in a shorter time than in the related art. For this reason, there is a problem that the copyright of the distributor of the content data is likely to be infringed and the economic damage is increased.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast recording system capable of recording a broadcast without installing a video device or the like by the user himself and solving a copyright problem.

[0006]

According to the broadcast recording system according to the first aspect of the present invention, which has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording device such as a video device can be provided to a user. Broadcast) can be recorded without installing any device.

That is, a storage device such as a video device is not placed on the side of a television or radio in each home. For example, a book which is a data storage system of a third party independent of each user or a content data distributor. It can be assigned to the system. Then, only the authenticated user can store the content data, and the content data is stored in the storage area for the user. Further, the content data stored for each user in this way can be supplied only to the authenticated user. Therefore, a person other than a pre-registered user cannot store (record) the content data or receive the content data. In addition, it is not possible to receive the supply of the content data accumulated by other users, but only to receive the supply of the content data stored according to its own instruction.

[0008] Therefore, whether the content data can be recorded or not, and whether the recorded content data is supplied or not, is determined by the content data distributor or the content data storage system administrator for each user. Can be set to. Also, for example, a user who uses this system can use a specific storage device in the system or a specific portion in one storage device, which is a storage area for the user, as a personal property of the user by contract. Purchased data can be stored in this portion (the storage area for the user) dedicated to the purchased user. Therefore, even if the content data is copied to the storage device, this copy is a copy intended for the personal use of the user, and there is no copyright problem.

The instruction input by the instruction input means may include information for specifying the transmission source and transmission time of the content data received by the receiving means, the format of the information stored in the storage means, and the like. . In addition, the authentication may be performed using, for example, an ID and a password. If the content data distribution side desires more strict authentication, not only the inquiry using the login ID and the password for each user but also the TCP / IP (for example, IP address) and MA
Authentication can be performed by referring to various addresses such as the C address, and the distributed content data can be protected.

[0010] In this way, the distributed content data can be stored in the storage device of the present system, and the content data stored in each terminal machine is downloaded to the terminal of the authenticated user, whereby the authenticated user is authenticated. Users can enjoy content data such as respective programs.

By the way, the conventional digital storage device cannot store and store data exceeding the data allowable amount initially provided in the hard disk, DVD-RAM or the like in the device, and the user needs to store such a recording medium. This system had to be replaced, but users of this system can have a larger data capacity in the system by re-assigning it under a contract with the system provider or by renewing and allocating sequentially. Become. Therefore, the shortage of the time of the tape as in the existing video recorder can be avoided by the expansion of the allocated capacity for the user.

The contract for the transfer of the ownership or the change of the capacity of the storage area can be made in writing or the like, but is preferably made via a network, for example, as described in claim 2. In this way, the user can view the contents of the contract via the network, and can accumulate the content data by inputting an instruction for consent to the contents of the contract. As the contract content, for example, the content of complying with the copyright law, such as that the recorded content data cannot be transferred to another person, may be described. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized copying of the content data of the user.

[0013] The content data received by the receiving means may be received via a communication network such as the Internet or a broadcast may be received as described in claim 3. In this way, a broadcast can be received and recorded as content data.

[0014] For example, in a radio program, there is a broadcast such as English conversation that cannot be overlooked by the user at a specific time every day, and there are various dramas that cannot be overlooked by the user in television broadcasting. By inputting such an instruction such as a broadcast time and a broadcast channel to the instruction input means, the broadcast contents can be recorded. Therefore, such broadcasts are not overlooked or overlooked due to a power outage at each home, forgetting to register a timer such as the current time of each home device, or the like.

[0015] In addition, a television program,
It can provide a unified platform for radio programs and online download music. That is, by accessing a single system, it is possible to efficiently record various content data desired by the user.

For example, in the case of recording a television broadcast or a radio broadcast, the tuner provided by the present system is stored only by transferring the ownership of the tuner in accordance with a contract with the present system provider during the time zone. can do. Because we transfer ownership, during that time,
The owner of the tuner has moved the system from the provider to each contracted user. Therefore, there is no copyright problem.

It should be noted that a plurality of tuners are provided,
It is preferable that one user can record a plurality of broadcasts at the same time. For example, since a conventional recording apparatus generally includes one tuner, it is impossible to simultaneously record broadcasts of two television channels and radio channels. However, according to the present system, a plurality of broadcasts can be recorded simultaneously. For example, if it is desired to record over two or more channels at the same time, two or more tuners can be used by rental. In addition, many tuners for existing terrestrial analog broadcasting and CS digital broadcasting, such as BS digital and sky perfect TV, will be prepared and rented at any time.

Further, for example, the tuner is provided in claim 4
In such a manner, they may be installed in different broadcasting areas. That is, the received content data is retransmitted via the network, and the retransmitted data is received and recorded. Then, an apparatus having a function of receiving and retransmitting content data and an apparatus having a function of receiving retransmitted content data are installed in different places. In this way, it is possible to record broadcasts in each area at one place.

For example, if a tuner is installed abroad, it is also possible to record a broadcast from abroad or the like, and it is difficult to access a recording device at home, or the broadcast reception is significantly greater than in a city in Japan. People in difficult situations can also watch the broadcast. For example, in analog broadcasting, the data quality of radio is considerably lower in mountainous areas than in the vicinity of antennas used by radio stations for transmission. However, by installing a device having a function of receiving and retransmitting content data in an area having good reception conditions, it is possible to obtain a radio program with excellent sound quality. The same can be said for a television broadcast by analog radio waves.

For example, in addition to downloading the content data stored in the present system, the content data may be stored in the system.
As shown in (1), data transferred to a recording medium such as an MD, a DVD-RAM, or a memory stick can be received. For such private use, reproduction is permitted.

[0021] By the way, as described above, the instruction of the recording content of the content data includes, for example, information for specifying the distribution source of the content data to be recorded, such as a broadcast channel, and information for specifying the recording time. And broadcast of a desired channel can be recorded at a desired time.

However, in order to input such an instruction, the user needs to know which distribution source intends to distribute what content and when. Such information can be obtained from a television section of a newspaper or the like, but it is preferable that the present system provides the information as described in claim 6. In this way, the user can easily know the distribution schedule of the content data. In particular, it is possible to easily know a broadcast schedule of a program or the like that is not broadcast in an area where the user lives. In addition, according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to input a recording content instruction based on the distribution schedule of the content data thus provided. Therefore, the user can easily make a recording reservation and a recording reservation. In addition, the distribution time and distribution contents of the content data may be, for example, reception of broadcast EPG information or reception of program information provided via the Internet or the like. .

The content distribution schedule providing means according to the present invention is not only used as a personal storage of digital data but also provided as an electronic program.
It should be made available as a unified platform as a Guide. For example, this can be used as a single visual image as shown in FIG. 2 from the viewpoint of the user. Therefore, the present system can be provided by a single system that is consistent from receiving a scheduled recording of data to recording and accumulating data. Regarding the actual operation, for example, a WEB page similar to the Electronic Program Guide (Electronic Automatic TV Program Guide) or Electronic Progr
On am Guide, it is possible to perform everything from scheduled recording to downloading. Also,
This system can also be used when a person living in the United States wants to watch Japanese TV programs.

However, when such a recording reservation or the like is made, if the broadcast start time or the broadcast channel is changed by the distribution source of the content data, the content data desired by the user cannot be recorded. Therefore, as described in claim 7, when there is a change in the distribution schedule, the allocation is performed based on the changed distribution schedule. In this way, even if the distribution schedule is changed, the content data desired by the user can be recorded.

Further, when the recording of the content data is completed, it is preferable that the present invention is configured as described in claim 8. In this way, the user can easily know that the recording has been completed. It should be noted that, in claim 8, providing via a network means, for example, storing a user's e-mail address and transmitting information indicating that recording is completed to the e-mail address, or a content data storage system. Includes the case of providing from a web server provided for

[0026] Such a system can be operated, for example, by means of advertising fee revenues provided to users via a network, but it is also possible to charge each user as described in claim 9. For example, a predetermined amount may be charged for each predetermined period, or the amount may be charged according to the time of use or the capacity of the storage device.

In order to obtain the advertisement fee income, the advertisement information may be provided to the user as described in claim 10. Such an advertisement includes information requesting an action of a response from a user, such as a quiz or a questionnaire, as shown in claim 11. Is detected, for example, the charge of the user may be reduced. That is, the user can reduce the charge by answering the quiz or the questionnaire.

It is convenient to provide the contents of the recorded content data in a list format. For example, as shown in claim 12, when the terminal displays the index of the received content data and the data amount of the content data in association with each other, the user can determine which content data is stored in the storage device and how much capacity of the storage device. You can easily know if you are using.

Further, as described in claim 13, for example, it is preferable that the user can register related information such as impressions of the content data so that the user can browse the information. In this way, the user can easily specify the contents of the content data, and can store related information in association with the content data.

Further, according to claim 14,
Data of the user terminal can be stored. Therefore, the present system can be used as a data storage, and content data can be handled by a unified platform. Further, as described in claim 15, the function of realizing each means according to any one of claims 1 to 14 in a computer system can be provided, for example, as a program activated on the computer system side. In the case of such a program, for example,
Floppy (registered trademark) disk, magneto-optical disk, C
It can be used by recording it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a D-ROM, a hard disk, a ROM, and a RAM, and loading and activating the computer system as needed. It can also be used by loading and activating via a network.

Since the content data storage system may constitute the content data storage system as a whole, for example, each function may be realized by a plurality of computers. For example, each unit may be configured by a plurality of different computers, and may function as a content data storage system as a whole.

[0032]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the network service system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a communication network INT is a general-purpose communication network such as a cable television network or the Internet.

The server SV is a server that provides services such as provision of broadcast program related information to the terminals TB, TA, etc., and is connected to the communication network INT. Program information INF is a server
This is information related to broadcast programs and broadcast programs held by the SV. The terminal TB (for example, terminal TB1, TB2, TB3)
These are first communication terminals that can be connected to or are connected to the communication network INT. Each terminal TB
As shown in FIG. 1, a terminal having a browsing function or a mail function capable of exchanging data with another information terminal. For example, i-mode (registered trademark)
Such as a mobile phone having a browsing function and an e-mail function, a digital TV, a cable TV, and a personal computer having an EPG function capable of bidirectional information exchange. It is a terminal having a communication function enough to simply access the control device CT1 and set a recording reservation.

The terminal TA (for example, the terminal TA1) is a communication terminal connected to a writing device for each storage medium such as a VTR, an MD component, or a DVD-RAM writing device. That is, the terminal has the same communication function as the terminal TB, and can be connected to a device having a function of writing to a medium such as a VTR.

Tuners T1, T2, T3 and T4 are tuners for terrestrial analog television broadcasting, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, satellite digital broadcasting, analog radio broadcasting, digital radio broadcasting, etc., and are directly connected to the control device CT1. Or is connected to the control device CT1 via the communication network INF.

The information storage device SS1 is actually a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a large variety of RAMs, which are most often used as computer storage devices. Writing devices W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6 are M
It is a writing device for various storage media such as D, DVD-RAM, video, and memory stick. Some are directly connected to the control device CT1, some are once connected via the communication network INT, some are both connected, and all are connected to the terminal TA1. .

The control device CT1 is connected to the communication network INT, and opens an exclusive data area for each user who operates them according to an instruction from the terminal TB1, TB2, TB3, TA1, or the like. Decodes data obtained from tuners T1, T2, T3, etc., and converts it to the first terminal, TB
1, a control device for encoding and storing information as information for each user in the information storage device SS1 according to an instruction from each terminal such as TB2, TB3, or the terminal TA1 or, in some cases, an instruction from the server SV. . Various data formats are used for decoding and encoding. Decoding is performed according to the output format of the tuner, and encoding is performed according to an instruction from each terminal or an instruction from the server SV. That is, the data can be encoded and stored in a data format desired by the user. The control device CT1 transmits the information stored in SS1 to the writing devices W1, W2, W3, W4, etc.
It issues an instruction to write to each storage medium such as RAM.

The operation of the network service system of the present invention configured as described above will be described below. The user operates the control device C via the communication network INT.
It is possible to create a room dedicated to the user for accessing T1 and storing his / her content data in the information storage device SS1. You must agree to the terms that only this individual can store, retrieve, and process data in this room.

Next, when making a video recording reservation or the like, the user first accesses the server SV via the communication network INT using the terminal TA or the terminal TB, and the server SV holds the server SV. Program information INF related to program guides and broadcast programs, such as television programs, radio programs, and various online programs on a communication network, is obtained, and a program to be recorded is selected from the information. Also the server
There is also a method of processing the program information INF provided by the SV using the control device CT1 so as to be intuitively provided as shown in FIG. When the selection of the program is completed, the user accesses the control device CT1 from the terminal TB or the terminal TA to request a program reservation. The control device CT1 identifies a user for each request and automatically stores information in a room of the information storage device SS owned by the user.

For example, when there is a change in the distribution schedule of a broadcast program in advance, there is an access from the server SV, and a request for a change in program reservation or the like is made by the control device CT1. The server SV is configured to change the recording time in advance, so even if the broadcast time of the requested program changes, record and record according to the change of the broadcast time be able to.

When the recording is completed, the user transmits the recording to the terminal TA, which is his / her own communication terminal, at an arbitrary time zone to view and listen on the terminal TA. It is also possible to write directly to the writing devices W5 and W6. When recording is completed, various writing devices W directly connected to the information storage device SS.
It is possible to write information to 1, W2, W3, W4.

The user can store the data held in his / her own terminal TA, TB in the information storage device SS, and can use the data simply for storing data.
Also, any data existing on the communication network INT can be transmitted to the information storage device SS through the control device CT1 and accumulated.

An embodiment of the accompanying functions in the embodiment of the invention will be described below. Scanning of recorded radio broadcasts, etc.The control unit CT1 scans and extracts only the audio of the user's favorite video and audio from the content data stored under the rights of each individual according to each user's specification. And download only the extracted part or M
D, a memory stick, and a function of storing data on a recording medium such as a DVD-RAM are also included. It is also possible to keep only such information of one's own preference in the information storage device SS1.

Communication function when storage of content data is completed When control unit CT1 stores content data, a program for automatically informing the same is started.
For example, by launching e-mail software in the control device CT1 or in another server, various information about the program that has been stored, such as its channel, time zone, the capacity of the information storage device SS1 used for storage, An e-mail containing the remaining capacity of the information storage device SS1 of the user is sent. In addition, as a service by telephone, the control unit CT1
When the storage of the content data is completed, the external communication system is activated and various information about the program whose storage is completed, such as its channel, time zone, and the like, are used for each user. The capacity of the information storage device SS1,
The remaining capacity of the information storage device SS1 is sent.

Basic Billing Mechanism This service is basically in direct proportion to the allocated capacity of the information storage device SS1, which is a hard disk and a RAM used for storing content data for each user. Charged in the form and operated by it. For example, 1
A charge of 10,000 yen / year per gigabyte is made, and the user can use this capacity for storing content data. If this restriction is full during the storage of some content data, the storage in the storage device is automatically stopped there.

Recording mechanism and download mechanism Recording and recording reservation are basically described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-155131.
This is the same as the technology disclosed in the above publication. From the server SV in which original program information and program introduction information are stored, the information is extracted to the terminals TA and TB for viewing. The user transmits the program recording reservation to the server SV while watching this.
The server SV processes this, sends a recording reservation command to the information storage device SS1, and transmits the data of the recording command. E-mail or W provided by the control unit CT1 for recording reservation
It can also be used on EB pages. E-mail is now the most basic form of data transmission. By arranging specific numbers or characters in the e-mail, the time, channel, and its broadcast medium are specified, and a recording reservation is transmitted to the present system. This system analyzes it and sets the recording. This is performed by the control device CT1.

Copy Function for Individuals Copy function to various storage media such as control device CT1, MD, CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, video recorder, etc. In this service, the content data stored by each user is stored in the vicinity of the server. It also has the function of copying by MD, CD-RAM, DVD-RAM, videotape and other writing devices installed in the company. This is performed by the control device CT1.

Advertisement Interruption Mechanism The operator of the control device CT1 allows a user to view an advertisement other than an advertisement provided during broadcasting of a radio or television program, which is requested by a sponsor who has been independently attached. By
It is also possible to reduce the charge to the user. For example, when a certain user stores a certain TV program on the information storage device SS1 and wants to transmit the data stored in the terminals TA and TB for his / her own viewing, prior to the transfer of the stored data, Transmit certain proprietary advertising data. The terminals TA and TB for viewing receive and display the advertisement data so that the user can browse the advertisement data. In addition, at the end of this advertisement, or in the middle or part of the advertisement, there is a quiz or questionnaire questionnaire, which is answered by the WEB site for inputting the answer provided by the control device CT1 or the automatic telephone answering system. Can be entered. Then, the control device CT1 determines whether or not the answer here is the correct answer, and if the answer is correct, reduces the fee for using the control device CT1, the information storage device SS1, and the tuner T. . In addition to the quiz and the questionnaire, the control device CT1 can transmit a demonstration performed on a user's digital television or a terminal such as a PC. A specific encryption key is built in the first part or last part of the demonstration, and the encryption key transmitted from the terminals TA and TB is received, and the authentication system on the present system checks the key. As a result of the authentication, the user can download desired data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device CT1 transmits the content data of any channel on a browser or on a screen of the Electronic Program Guide which may be sold by each electric machine maker. For example, the time zone during which the video was recorded, recorded, or downloaded from another site, for example, is shown on the vertical axis in the amount of time or time zone in which the video was recorded, and in the horizontal axis, the number of data of the content data (bytes) Number), other comments, etc., and what kind of content data has been stored. The terminal TA, T
Provide to B. Further, when a recording reservation has been registered at the current stage, information is also provided for the recording schedule so that the same amount of time and the number of bytes are displayed. In this way, the user can use the terminal TA, TB
Therefore, the user can refer to the outline of all data including the currently used data amount and the remaining usable data amount.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a content data storage system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is browsing information provided from a control device to the terminal of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 TA1, TB1, TB2. TB3 Terminal INT Communication network SV Server CT1 Control device T1, T2, T3, T4 Tuner SS1 Information storage device W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6 Writing device INF Program information

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 17/60 414 G06F 17/60 414 512 512 13/00 520 13/00 520C 15/00 330 15/00 330B H04N 5 / 76 H04N 5/76 Z 7/173 610 7/173 610A 640 640A

Claims (15)

[Claims] An authentication unit for authenticating a user, an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction from a user authenticated by the authentication unit via a network, and an instruction input by the instruction input unit Receiving means for receiving the content data based on, the content data received by the receiving means,
A storage unit for storing in a storage area allocated for a user authenticated by the authentication unit; and a usage authenticated by the authentication unit by reading content data stored by the storage unit from the storage area for the user. And a supply means for supplying the content data to the terminal of the user. 2. The content data storage system according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting a contract content to said user terminal via a network, and agreeing with said contract content from said user terminal. And a allocating means for allocating the storage area for the authenticated user. The allocating means receives an instruction to agree to the contract by the contract confirming means. A storage area for the authenticated user when the content data is stored. 3. The content data storage system according to claim 1, wherein said content data receiving means has a tuner function of receiving a broadcast. 4. The broadcast recording system according to claim 1, wherein the content data receiving means transmits the received content data via a network, and transmits the received content data via the network. A content data storage system having a function of receiving content data. 5. The content data storage system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal includes a recording unit that records the content data stored in the storage unit on a recording medium. Content data storage system. 6. The content data storage system according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving a scheduled delivery time and a scheduled delivery content of the content data; and receiving the received scheduled delivery time and the scheduled delivery content. Content delivery schedule providing means for transmitting the content data to the terminal, and the instruction input means inputs, from the user's terminal, an instruction of a recording content based on the scheduled delivery time of the content data and the scheduled delivery content. Content data storage system. 7. The content data storage system according to claim 1, further comprising: a distribution change detecting unit configured to detect a change in a distribution schedule of the content data, wherein the receiving unit is configured to detect the change in the distribution schedule. A content data storage system, wherein when a change in a distribution schedule is detected, the content data is received based on the changed distribution schedule. 8. The content data storage system according to claim 1, wherein said storage means, when storage of said content data is completed, transmits information indicating the completion of recording to said network. A content data storage system characterized by being provided via a computer. 9. The content data storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a charging means for storing charging information for each user and performing charging. . 10. The content data storage system according to claim 1, wherein said providing means provides advertisement information together with said content information when providing said content information. Content data storage system. 11. The content data storage system according to claim 10, wherein the advertisement information includes information for requesting a predetermined action from a user, and the billing means includes a predetermined action from the user. The content data storage system characterized in that, when detecting the information, the accounting information of the user stored in the accounting information storage means is changed. 12. The content data storage system according to claim 1, wherein said storage means transmits a data amount of said stored content data together with an index of said content data. Data storage system. 13. The content data storage system according to claim 1, wherein said storage means stores related information received from said terminal in said storage means in association with said stored content data. A content data storage system capable of providing the stored related information. 14. The content data storage system according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means further has a function of receiving content data from said user terminal. system. 15. A program for causing a computer system to function as each means in the content data storage system according to claim 1. Description: