JP2002199317A - Video recording and distribution system through internet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video recording and distribution system through the Internet which video-records a television program constantly or in response to a request and distributes the video-recorded program through the Internet. SOLUTION: The system consists of a system server provided with a video recording and distribution device installed on the side of a system by each video-recording object channel and a user terminal which is capable of accessing the system server through the Internet and designate the name of a channel, a date, the starting time and the finishing time, etc., of video recording to request video recording and distribution to give necessary items such as a desired distribution time zone. The system server distributes a desired program recorded in response to access from the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to a television program broadcasted through radio waves or cables.
The present invention relates to a video recording / distribution system using the Internet, which distributes a video program recorded in advance or a video program recorded by a user's specification via the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Video tapes and DVDs containing movies and plays are sold and rented, and recorded video programs are widely available. A desired program can be enjoyed at an arbitrary time and place by using an appropriate reproducing device for such a video tape or the like. However, the video sources are limited to movies and very limited television dramas, and have a low degree of freedom.

[0003] On the other hand, many types of television broadcasting such as dramas, sports, drama, concerts and other music and entertainment programs, documentaries, education, cooking, etc. are performed by analog and digital systems using terrestrial waves, satellite waves, cables and the like. ing. There are so many programs being broadcast on each channel at the same time that it can be said that the channel is flooding. Even with such a wide variety of programs, they cannot be enjoyed simultaneously due to time or geographical restrictions.

In order to solve such a problem, a video recorder (VTR) possessed by each individual is used. Normal video recording is often performed by a self-operation using a VTR (video deck) or by requesting a family member or acquaintance. In this case, a VTR equipped with many functions
Is not always easy, and there are many cases of failure due to lack of operation skills or errors. In consideration of such problems, a G code or the like is used to improve the operability of program selection to some extent, but there are still many problems.

[0005] In addition, it is difficult to directly receive a VTR during school hours, going to work, traveling, going to bed, receiving another program, or other reasons during the airing time, and it is usually assumed that the VTR will be used later. Therefore, recording is usually started at a time set by timer reservation, and terminated after recording a predetermined program.

[0006] However, the reservation by the timer setting is performed through a rather complicated selection, such as distinction between the day of the week, morning and afternoon, once or weekly repetition setting, a plurality of settings, and the like. Or they often fail due to errors.

There are also cases where the recording of a desired program is not performed normally even though the recording setting is made securely. For example, if unexpected situations occur, such as insufficient capacity of video tapes or other recording media, changes in broadcast programs such as natural disasters, accidents and other abnormal situations, instantaneous loss of power, resetting by mistakes of others, etc. No recording is performed. Recordings that failed once were often irreparable and often had to be abandoned, except in the case of reruns.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and constantly records a television program having no problem under the copyright law or records a television program according to a request via the Internet. An object of the present invention is to provide a video recording / distribution system using the Internet, which distributes recorded programs to users via the Internet.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a system server 12 having a recording / distribution device installed on the system 10 side for each recording target channel, and a user who can access the system server via the Internet. A user terminal U ₁ , U ₂ , U _3. Which requests recording / distribution by designating a channel name, a date, a start time, an end time, etc., and transmits necessary information such as a desired distribution time zone;
The system server is solved by an Internet-based video recording and distribution system configured to distribute a desired program recorded in response to access from a user.

[0010] In the video recording / distribution system using the Internet according to the present invention, as a video recording form in the system, a specific program recording on a specific channel and time zone can be performed in response to a reservation request of a user. Needless to say, the program of each channel can be always recorded. In the latter case, it is possible to respond to retroactive requests for past programs.

[0011] In the video recording / distribution system using the Internet according to the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously play / watch while receiving the distributed video signal while using the distributed video signal. It is also possible to download using a recording medium and play / appreciate at any time.

Note that the user terminals U ₁ ,
The signal format in the distribution to U ₂ , U ₃ .
It can be transmitted in a well-known format such as MPEG or real video. In addition, the system can be appropriately provided with a sponsor 30, and an advertisement by an advertiser may be appropriately added to a recording program distributed by the system. Further, the system may charge the user with any method such as prepayment by a membership system or a pay-as-you-go system in proportion to the usage time, and the settlement may be performed by electronic money, a credit card, a transfer, or the like.

[0013] According to the video recording / distribution system using the Internet according to the present invention, it does not bother family members or acquaintances, and can be performed by relatively simple operations.
It is possible to freely enjoy a wide variety of programs at desired times.

[0014]

Next, a video recording / distribution system using the Internet according to the present invention will be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a video recording / distribution system 10 includes a system server 12 and a large-capacity video recording device (VTR) 14. The system 10 also includes a distribution device for the user. The system server 12 includes video sources 20-1 and 20
, 20-3,..., And performs video recording under a required contract. This video source 2
0-1, 20-2, 20-3,... Include terrestrial TV, cosmic wave TV as satellite broadcasting (BS, CS), cable TV, and the like.
Hi-vision, digital, etc. are included.

The video recording / distribution system 10 includes:
A contract can be made with a sponsor 30 that additionally distributes an advertisement at the time of recording and distribution. The sponsor 30 can be changed according to a program requested by the user, and generally used products and service advertisements can be added to all programs.

For example, cases that are changed in accordance with a program include advertisement of sports equipment, sportswear and shoes for sports programs, guidance on rental courts, grounds, golf courses, etc., music, movies, theaters, etc. For example, advertisements for products and services that take into account the audience, such as guidance for musical instruments and the like, guidance, and the like. For travel articles, advertisement guidance for travel agencies, transportation agencies, travel goods, inns, hotels, and the like. For home-based programs, advertisement guidance for food and drink, clothing, travel and leisure, and the like can be considered.

The video recording device 14 attached to the system server 12 has a usage pattern and a video source 20-1,
Depending on the relationship with 20-2, 20-3,..., Etc., either video recording may be performed constantly or video recording may be performed only when requested by the user.
Further, recording may be performed at all times in accordance with a contract with a specific video source (broadcasting station), and recording may be performed in combination with others in accordance with a user's request. In any case,
Continuous recording requires large-scale equipment and large operation costs.

By providing the system 10 with a homepage HP, it is possible to carry out publicity / advertisement for operating the present invention. However, since this is a normal technique, the details are omitted. A user who has been a member or the like, and a user who starts using a website or word of mouth, for example, requests the system to present a service menu. For the new user, an initial menu such as precautions for use, a solution at the time of trouble occurrence, a usage fee, and a billing means is required, but these are omitted.

The user terminals U ₁ , U ₂ , U ₃ ... Are terminals that can use the Internet, and have functions and / or functions of simultaneously reproducing video recorded contents by streaming.
Alternatively, it is necessary to add a function of recording by downloading. Devices having these functions can be configured in various combinations, and will not be described in detail. In addition,
When the video source corresponds to high-definition television, digital broadcasting, or the like, a function corresponding to a reproducing and / or recording device and a receiving device is required.

An outline of an operation example of the present system will be described below. The users U ₁ , U ₂ , U ₃ ... Can access the system server 1 from anywhere in the world via the Internet.
2 can be accessed. In response to a service menu request from the user terminal, the system server 12 presents, for example, a template as shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, specification of a program source (terrestrial wave, satellite, etc.), date and time, channel, program name, desired distribution date and time, form (streaming, download), etc. are specified. In addition, when the user accesses for the first time, whether the user is used repeatedly as a member or is a temporary use, the user ID, password, etc. in that case are also checked. Details are not described here.

With respect to the program source, specification is made such as transmission by radio wave or cable, terrestrial wave or satellite wave, and analog / high-vision / digital.

Although most are determined by specifying the date and time, channel, etc., the program name may be specified to prevent errors. By specifying the date and time,
It is determined whether the request is for recording a program broadcasted in the past or a reservation for a program after that day.If it is a request for past recording, check the desired date and time of distribution, etc. Delivery. If it is a reservation, a screen indicating that the reception has been completed is displayed for the time being.

With respect to the desired distribution form, a desired date and time (schedule), whether simultaneous reproduction by streaming or recording by downloading is specified. From the system side,
These contents are confirmed, and all requests are stored in the user-specific memory. In addition, with regard to the desired delivery date and time, particularly in the case of streaming playback, it is highly likely that the schedule or the like on the day will fluctuate, so that the change procedure is easy.

The system server 12, which has received the request specified in this manner, executes a necessary process if it can be distributed, and distributes a video signal of a desired program to the user terminal at a desired date and time. In this case, the contents desired by the sponsor 30 may be distributed with an advertisement screen added. In the case of a reservation, distribution is performed at a desired date and time after the execution of the recording process. The user who receives the distribution by download uses the recording program as appropriate.

[0027]

As described above, according to the video recording / distribution system using the Internet according to the present invention, the user specifies a program in a predetermined time zone of a desired program source to the system. It is possible to receive recording information at a desired date and time.
Since the reservation in this case is made via the Internet, it can be made from anywhere in the world and at any time. For example, it can be used even when traveling overseas or working.

As a result, the user does not need to have a recording device at hand, and does not need to perform any complicated recording operation including reservation, and can enjoy receiving and reproducing at a convenient date and time of the user. it can. Therefore, a situation such as a recording failure due to an erroneous operation or a handling error is completely avoided. Further, even if a change in the broadcast time or a change in the content due to a natural disaster or the like occurs when each user is absent, it can be dealt with by the judgment in the system and is not affected.

Further, when recording is always performed by a contract with a specific program source or the like, it becomes possible to retroactively obtain a past program which was impossible in the past.

Further, it is also possible to add a sponsor's advertisement contracted with the present system and distribute it to the user, and to provide a low-cost or free recording and distribution service to the user according to the advertisement fee of the sponsor. May be possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a basic configuration example of a video recording / distribution system using the Internet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a screen display example of a service request template in the video recording / distribution system using the Internet according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 video recording and distribution system 12 system server 14 recording device (VTR) 20-1,20-2,20-3, ··· video source 30 sponsors _{U 1, U 2, U 3} , ··· user terminal ( user)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A system server having a recording / distribution device installed on a system side for each recording target channel;
A user terminal that can access the system server via the Internet, requests recording / distribution by specifying a channel name, date, recording start time, end time, etc., and conveys necessary information such as a desired distribution time zone. A video recording and distribution system using the Internet, wherein the system server is configured to distribute a desired program recorded in response to an access from a user. 2. If the recording start time from the user is in the future, it is determined to be a recording reservation, and if it is in the past, it is determined that the recorded content is desired to be distributed. 2. The video recording / distribution system using the Internet according to claim 1, wherein each of the latter is configured to execute distribution of a program which can be performed at a desired date and time. 3. The video using the Internet according to claim 1, wherein a sponsor is attached to the system server, and the system server can distribute an advertisement screen as appropriate. Recording and distribution system.