JP2002158986A - Viewer participating broadcast system through internet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system in which a multimedia service uniting broadcast and chat can be provided smoothly. SOLUTION: The participation broadcast system comprises means for distributing a video picked up through a broadcast content generation camera to clients through an electronic network such that it is presented on displays connected with respective clients, means for providing viewers and listeners with a partition chat service through an electronic network such that the content is presented on the same screen as the video of the display, means for providing a list of broadcast programs, means for accepting a subscription to each program on the list, and means for making a decision whether an access to a program received from a client through an electronic network during broadcast time of a program is from a subscribed viewer and listener or not wherein the distributing means and chat providing means execute distribution of the video and provision of chat service to the client based on a decision made by the decision means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a broadcasting system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, and more particularly to a broadcasting system for providing a program in which viewers participate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Broadcasting systems through an electronic network such as the Internet are expected to be widely used in the future due to the development of streaming technology and higher performance of personal computers. However, simply broadcasting the information is limited to only one-way information transmission from the program creator to a large number of viewers.

[0003] As a method for realizing simultaneous communication between many people at the same time as broadcasting, it is conceivable to provide a system called "chat" for real-time text-based conversation through an electronic network in conjunction with broadcasting. As a result, not only real-time provision of a broadcast program and communication between many users can be realized, but also each viewer can enjoy these combined services with only one client terminal and one communication line. .

[0004]

However, real-time broadcasting and chatting through an electronic network are premised on simultaneous access by a large number of people to the server, and therefore, there is a possibility that the access may exceed the capacity of the server. is there. W that provides conventional web pages
If the EB server cannot receive and process a large number of accesses, the processing speed may be reduced. However, if the EB server receives an access exceeding the capacity of the server when providing real-time broadcasting and chat, the processing speed may be reduced. If it decreases, it will not be in real time,
The significance of the service is lost.

As an example of a method for limiting the number of accesses,
It is conceivable to pay for browsing the site or make it a membership system. However, paying for browsing the site does not mean that the number of accesses cannot be limited to a predetermined number.Even if a membership system is used, not all members will watch all broadcasts. You have to gather more members than you can, and in the end you cannot limit the number of accesses to a certain number.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of smoothly providing a multimedia service combining broadcasting and chat. Specifically, the objectives are as follows.

First, in a broadcasting system through an electronic network, it is possible to provide a favorable transmission / reception environment by enabling viewers to communicate at the same time and limiting the number of viewers to an appropriate number. Further, by making the number of viewers controllable, the machine design of the server system is facilitated.

Further, for example, it is possible to provide in a broadcast a quiz winning match or a personality test in which the next question changes depending on the answer to the previous question.

[0009] Also, a system is provided which allows each viewer to understand the response tendency of other viewers in real time.

[0010] Further, it is possible to provide an auction program on a network that allows a viewer to participate with peace of mind.

[0011] Further, in a broadcasting system for providing multimedia contents, even if a failure occurs in a part of the system, a system capable of reducing the risk of stopping the broadcasting service and continuing the broadcasting service without interruption is provided. .

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a broadcasting system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, comprising: Delivery means for delivering via an electronic network to be displayed on a display device connected to each of the clients;
Means for providing a chat service to which the viewer can participate to the viewer via an electronic network so that the content is displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device; List providing means for providing a list; reception processing means for receiving a viewing application for each program in the list; and when an access to view the program at a broadcast time of the broadcast program is received from a client via an electronic network. Determining means for determining whether or not the program has been accessed by a viewer who has applied for viewing the program, wherein the distribution means and the chat providing means determine whether or not the program is to be accessed by the client based on the determination by the determining means. Executes video distribution and chat service provision.

[0013] In the above-mentioned broadcasting system, there is further provided an output means for outputting the contents of the chat to a performer who is shooting the program so as to be recognizable, and the delivery means performs the delivery substantially simultaneously with the shooting. It may be that.

In the above-mentioned broadcasting system, the broadcasting system may further comprise a member authentication unit for authenticating a member, and the reception processing unit may receive a viewing application for each program only from the authenticated member.

Another broadcasting system according to the present invention is a broadcasting system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, wherein a video constituting a broadcast program including a question is displayed on a display connected to the client. Distribution means for distributing through an electronic network so as to be displayed on a device; and an answer input screen for a question set in the broadcast program, which is displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. Input screen providing means for providing through an electronic network, totaling means for totalizing the responses of each viewer to the questions set out in the broadcast program, and grouping of viewers based on the totaling result by the totaling means Executing the grouping means, wherein the input screen providing means performs each viewing according to the grouping. To determine the answer input screen to the next question to be provided to.

Another broadcast system of the present invention is a broadcast system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, wherein a video constituting a broadcast program including a question is connected to the client. Distribution means for distributing through an electronic network so as to be displayed on a display device, and an answer input screen for a question set in the broadcast program is displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. Input screen providing means provided through an electronic network,
Totaling means for totalizing the responses of the respective viewers to the questions set in the broadcast program; and a totaling result based on the totaling means displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. And an aggregation result providing means provided through an electronic network.

Further, another broadcasting system of the present invention is a broadcasting system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, wherein a video constituting a broadcast program including an auction of a product or a service is transmitted to the client. Distribution means for distributing through an electronic network so as to be displayed on a connected display device, and a chat service in which a viewer can participate is displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. And a chat providing means provided through an electronic network.

Further, the broadcasting system of the present invention is a broadcasting system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, wherein a video taken by a broadcast content generation camera is transmitted to a display device connected to each of the clients. A distribution server for distributing through an electronic network to be displayed, and a chat service in which a viewer can participate through an electronic network such that the contents are displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. And a server that provides a chat to a viewer. At least one server and another one of the servers are connected to the electronic network via different DNS servers. .

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1. Network Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a server group including a web server 1, a distribution server 2, a chat server 3, and the like is a DN.
It is connected to an electronic network 5 such as the Internet via the S server 100 and can be connected to the client 4. Each of the WEB server 1, the distribution server 2, the chat server 3, and the client 4 is composed of a computer and has a communication function. The WEB server 1, the distribution server 2, and the chat server 3 may be constituted by separate computers, respectively, or the functions of the three servers may be realized by one computer.

(1-1. Web Server) Web Server 1
Is a server that receives an access from the client 4 through the electronic network 5 and provides a WEB page described in a predetermined language such as HTML. The WEB server 1 is connected to the distribution server 2, the chat server 3, and the database server 12, and can transmit information to each server and access the database server 12 to read information.

The information provided from the WEB server 1 to the client 4 can include information indicating an access destination to the distribution server 2 or the chat server 3 and a layout of a display screen thereof. Client 4 that received this
According to the above information provided from the WEB server 1,
It is possible to automatically access the specified distribution server 2 or chat server 3 and display it on the screen in the layout specified by the information from the web server 1.

(1-2. Distribution Server) The distribution server 2
A server that receives access from the client 4 through the electronic network 5 and distributes broadcast content. The distribution server 2 includes content distribution software such as a real server (trademark), and can perform streaming distribution of moving images, audio, and the like to the client 4.

The distribution server 2 is connected to a broadcast content generation camera 24 via an encoding device 22 composed of a computer. Then, the video captured by the broadcast content generation camera 24 is converted by the encoding device 22 into a data format that can be transmitted and received over a network, and transmitted to the distribution server 2.

The distribution server 2 is connected to a storage device that stores the contents of programs broadcasted in the past, and can distribute past program contents to viewers on demand. In this case, since the broadcast of the program has already ended, the viewer cannot participate in chat or the like.

(1-3. Chat Server) The chat server 3 is a server that performs processing for providing a chat service to the client 4, and is connected to the electronic network 5. In response to a request from the web server 1, the chat server 3 performs a process of a chat service, that is, a process of transmitting a comment from a chat participant to another participant.

(1-4. Client) Client 4
Is composed of a personal computer having an environment connectable to the electronic network 5. The client 4 includes a browser which is a software for browsing a web page, a real player (trademark) which is a software for browsing a movie, and displays the received content such as a web page and a movie on a display device connected to the client. be able to. Also, on the client 4, the address or URL (Unif) of the WEB server 1 on the electronic network 5.
The client 4 can access the address and the URL by designating the "orm Resource Locator".

(1-5. Database Server) The database server 12 is connected to the web server 1 and includes a member database, a reservation database, and the like. The database server 12 registers access logs from the client 4, information on member registration, program viewing reservations, and the like in the above-described database, and when the WEB server 1 requests member authentication, reservation user confirmation, etc. By referring to the reservation database, authentication of the member, confirmation of the reservation person, and the like are executed, and the result is returned to the WEB server 1.

(1-6. DNS Server) DNS (Domain
A Name System) server is a system that associates a host name on a network with an IP address. The DNS server has information about the domain managed by itself, and registers the domain name and its own address in a route server on the network. The client first queries the root server for the domain name or IP address to be checked, checks the DNS server that manages the domain, and asks the DNS server for information.

(2. Reservation Receiving Process) FIG. 2 shows a communication sequence by each server when broadcasting is performed using the system according to the above embodiment. Based on this figure, the process of applying for and viewing a program will be described first.

(2-1. Steps S1 and S2) When the viewer accesses the WEB server 1 from the client 4,
The web server 1 transmits the requested web page to the client 4. When the client 4 transmits the member ID and the password to the web server 1 using a predetermined input form (S1), the web server 1 executes the member authentication by referring to the authentication information stored in the database server 12. As a result of the authentication, when it is confirmed that the viewer accessed from the client 4 is a member, the WEB server 1 transmits a member-only page to the client 4 (S2). If the enrollment has not been completed, the above processing is performed after a predetermined enrollment procedure is separately performed.

(2-2. Steps S3 to S4) The viewer can request a list of programs to be broadcast to the WEB server 1 through the member-only page (S3). W
Upon receiving the list request, the EB server 1 generates a program list with reference to the database server 12 and transmits it to the client 4 (S4). In this list, programs to be broadcast are displayed together with the reservation status of each program.

(2-3. Steps S5 and S6) The viewer can refer to this list and apply for a viewing reservation for one or more programs in the list (S5). Upon receiving the reservation application from the client 4, the WEB server 1 identifies which member has made the reservation application for which program, refers to the database server 12,
If the reservation is possible, the reservation is registered in the database server 12. Further, the WEB server 1 generates a password for the member to view the program and, if necessary, a viewing applicant ID (hereinafter referred to as “password etc.”), registers it in the database server 12, and allows the client 4 An e-mail or other transmission method is used for transmission (S6).

The above processing completes the reservation application for program viewing and its registration processing. The present invention is not limited to this,
A lottery may be performed after accepting the reservation application, and a password for viewing the program may be transmitted only to the winner.

(3. Program Broadcasting Process) The process of broadcasting a program through an electronic network will be described with reference to FIG.

(3-1. Step S11) At a predetermined program broadcast time, the viewer sends a message from the client 4 to the WEB server 1
When the member authentication similar to the steps S1 and S2 is completed, the viewer can request the transmission of the broadcast of the program. WEB server 1 requested to transmit broadcast
Requests the viewer to input the password and the like transmitted in step S6. When the WEB server 1 receives the password or the like from the client 4 (S11), the WEB server 1 refers to the database server 12 and determines whether or not the access is from a viewer who has applied for viewing the program by checking the password or the like.

(3-2. Step S12) If the access is from a viewer who has already applied for viewing, the WEB server 1 transmits information on members to be viewed to the distribution server 2 and the chat server 3. Then, a network address (such as an IP address) for accessing the distribution server 2 or the chat server 3 is transmitted to the client 4 (S12).

(3-3. Steps S13 to S16) When there is an access from the client 4 to the distribution server 2 and / or the chat server 3 to view the broadcast (S3).
13, S15), the distribution server 2 and / or the chat server 3 transmit the broadcast content and / or the chat to the client 4 at a predetermined broadcast time (S14, S1).
6).

This broadcast is performed by the broadcast content generation camera 2
The audio / video data obtained by encoding the video captured in step 4 or the voice collected by a microphone (not shown) by the encoding device 22 is delivered to the client 4 substantially simultaneously (in real time) with the progress of the shooting and chat. is there. Only the viewers of the broadcast can participate in this chat, and the viewers can enjoy conversation with each other as the broadcast progresses.

When one of the viewers makes a comment, the comment is transmitted to the chat server 3. When receiving the message of the viewer, the chat server 3 transmits the message to the clients 4 for all the viewers. As a result, the image transmitted from the distribution server 2 and the information on the chat transmitted from the chat server 3 are displayed on the same screen of the client 4. Also, the chat server 3 is configured not to accept a comment from another viewer when a certain viewer is speaking.

Note that a display device connected to the chat server 3 may be provided in order to output the contents of the chat to the performer who is shooting the program in a recognizable manner. This allows the performer to proceed with the program while watching the contents of the chat, thereby enlivening the program.

(4. Other Embodiments) Other application examples of the broadcasting system will be described below.

(4-1. Display Based on Answer Result for Each Viewer) The distribution server 2 distributes a broadcast program including a question to the client 4. The web server 1 generates an input screen for an answer to the question set in the program, and transmits the input screen to the client 4 so as to be displayed on the same screen as the video. When receiving the answer to the question from the client 4, the web server 1 causes the database server 12 to store the answer content. The database server 12 totals the answers of the respective viewers and executes grouping of the viewers according to the result of the totalization of the answers. For example, if the question is a quiz, the question is classified into a correct answer group and an incorrect answer group. If the question is a personality test, the question is classified by the corresponding personality type. According to this grouping, the WEB server 1 provides an answer input screen for the next question only to viewers belonging to a predetermined group, or provides an input screen different for each group as an answer input screen for the next question. be able to.

As a result, for example, a quiz winning match, a personality test in which the next question changes depending on the answer to the previous question, and the like can be provided in the broadcast.

(4-2. Display of Tally Result) Distribution Server 2
Distributes a broadcast program including a question to the client 4. The web server 1 generates an input screen for an answer to the question set in the program, and transmits the input screen to the client 4 so as to be displayed on the same screen as the video. When the answer to the question is received from the client 4, WEB
The server 1 causes the database server 12 to store the contents of the answer, and the database server 12 totals the answers of the viewers. For example, the number of viewers who chose each option for a certain question is counted. The WEB server 1 performs processing such as graphing based on the tally result obtained from the database server 12, and transmits the tally result to the client 4 so as to be displayed on the same screen as the video.

As a result, the viewer can understand the tendency of other viewers in real time, so that the present invention can be used not only for quizzes and personality tests but also for programs of various genres such as political discussions.

(4-3. Auction Program) FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device of the client when an auction program is provided by the broadcasting system according to the embodiment of the present invention. .

The broadcast content generation camera 24 captures an image of a product or service to be auctioned and an image of a performer who introduces it. The distribution server 2
This image is transmitted to the client 4. Further, the chat server 3 transmits the contents of the chat to the client 4. The WEB server 1 includes an access destination to the distribution server 2 and a display area 42 for information transmitted from the distribution server 2, and an access destination to the chat server 3 and a display area 43 for information transmitted from the chat server 3. The information is transmitted to the client 4. As a result, in the client 4, the display unit 42 of the video transmitted from the distribution server 2 and the display unit 43 of the chat transmitted from the chat server 3 are displayed on the same screen 41.

The WEB server 1 transmits information such as the product name of the auction, the maximum amount presenter, the amount thereof, and a message from the administrator to the client 4, and the information is displayed on the screen 41 of the client 4 in the information display area 44. Will be displayed. Display contents of information display area 44 and client 4
The input from the web server 1 is controlled through a management screen on the WEB server 1 side. Further, the WEB server 1 transmits to the client 4 a submit field 45 for the viewer to enter the amount presented by the viewer participating in the auction, and causes the screen 41 to display the same.

If the viewer has a question about the product or service to be auctioned, the viewer can ask the cast or another viewer by chat. Also, if there is a request about the shooting method and shooting conditions of the product or service, it can be communicated to the performers, so that the product or service can be evaluated under conditions that are almost the same as those for selecting the product for the hand, and You can trade with your heart. In addition, since the response to the question asked through the chat will be done by chat or distribution image or voice,
The answer to the question is given to all the viewers at the same timing, and there is an advantage that temporal unfairness is eliminated.

(4-4. Risk Distribution System) FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a network configuration according to another embodiment of the system shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, WEB server 1, distribution server 2, chat server 3, database server 1
4 are connected to a common DNS server 100, but in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the WEB server 1 is connected to the DNS server 10, the distribution server 2 is connected to the DNS server 20, and the chat server 3 is connected to the DNS server 30. The database server 12 is connected to the DNS server 11 and to the electronic network 5 via different DNS servers.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the DNS server 10
If a failure occurs in service 0, the service of the entire content may be stopped. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, even if a failure occurs in the DNS server 30, for example, the service of the chat server 3 cannot be provided. , And other broadcasting services can be provided without interruption.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the DNS server 2
0: Sub server 1a of WEB server 1, DNS server 3
0 is connected to the sub server 1b of the WEB server 1.
The sub-server 1a and the sub-server 1b are servers capable of performing the same operation as the WEB server 1, and can substitute for the WEB server 1 when a failure occurs. Therefore, even if a failure occurs in the DNS server 10 or the WEB server 1, services such as broadcasting can be provided without interruption.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a system capable of smoothly providing a multimedia service combining broadcasting and chat.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a communication sequence by each server when broadcasting using the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display device of a client when an auction program is provided by the broadcast system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a network configuration according to another embodiment of the system shown in FIG. 1;

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A broadcast system for broadcasting to a client via an electronic network, wherein the video captured by a broadcast content generation camera is displayed on display devices connected to the client. Distribution means for distributing through a network, and providing chat via an electronic network so that the contents of the chat service in which the viewer can participate are displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. Means, list providing means for providing a list of programs to be broadcast, reception processing means for receiving a viewing application for each program in the list, and client for accessing to view the program at the broadcast time of the broadcast program Has been subscribed to the program when received through an electronic network from A determining unit for determining whether or not the access is from a viewer; and the distribution unit and the chat providing unit perform distribution of the video and provision of a chat service to the client based on the determination by the determining unit. A broadcast system to run. 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs the contents of the chat to a performer who is shooting the program so as to be recognizable, wherein the delivery unit performs the delivery substantially simultaneously with the shooting. Broadcast system. 3. The broadcasting system according to claim 1, further comprising a member authentication unit for authenticating a member, wherein said reception processing unit accepts a viewing application for each program only from said authenticated member. 4. A broadcasting system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, wherein a video constituting a broadcast program including a question is displayed on a display device connected to each of the clients. Distribution means for distributing through an electronic network; and providing an answer input screen for a question set in the broadcast program through the electronic network so as to be displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. An input screen providing unit, a totaling unit that totals the responses of each viewer to the question set in the broadcast program, and a grouping unit that performs grouping of the viewers based on the totaling result by the totaling unit, Wherein the input screen providing means is configured to provide a response to the next question to be provided to each viewer in accordance with the grouping. To determine the input screen, broadcasting system. 5. A broadcasting system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, wherein a video constituting a broadcast program including a question is displayed on display devices connected to the clients. Distribution means for distributing through an electronic network; and providing an answer input screen for a question set in the broadcast program through the electronic network so as to be displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. Input screen providing means, totaling means for totalizing the responses of each viewer to the questions set out in the broadcast program, and a totaling result based on the totaling means, the same screen as the video displayed on the display device And a means for providing tally results provided through an electronic network as displayed above. 6. A broadcasting system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, wherein images constituting a broadcast program including an auction of a product or a service are displayed on display devices connected to the clients. Means for distributing via an electronic network, and a chat for providing a chat service through which a viewer can participate through an electronic network such that the contents are displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. A broadcasting system comprising: providing means. 7. A broadcasting system for broadcasting to a client through an electronic network, wherein an image captured by a broadcast content generation camera is displayed on display devices connected to the client. A distribution server for distributing through a network, and a chat service for providing a chat service to which the viewer can participate to the viewer through an electronic network such that the content is displayed on the same screen as the video displayed on the display device. A broadcasting system, comprising: a server group including: a server; and at least one server and another one of the server groups are connected to the electronic network via different DNS servers.