JP2002351912A - Information distributing system, information collecting and creating terminal device, information providing device, information utilization terminal device and program for operating them, its storage medium and method for distributing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information distributing system which can provide contents of individual preferences, an information collecting and creating terminal device, an information providing device, an information utilization terminal device for the system, a program to operate them, a storage medium in which the program is stored and an information distribution method. SOLUTION: The information distributing system comprises a domestic server 1 which is capable of providing information of domestic devices (electronic devices such as a TV set 2, a music device 3, a personal computer 4) and information on a user's preferences through networks like the Internet, an information center 5 which provides utilization information furnished by the domestic server 1 and original information it has collected or created on its own and an information device 6 which can access the information center 5 and use the utilization information of the domestic server 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information distribution system, an information collecting / creating terminal device used therefor, an information providing device, an information utilizing terminal device, a program for operating them, a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and It relates to an information distribution method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the modern information network society, the amount of information that can be handled on the Internet is rapidly increasing due to the constant connection of electric information communication networks such as the Internet and the development of broadband. Along with this, a video distribution service using the Internet and a service of distributing a video taken by a video camera to an unspecified number of people using the Internet as a personal broadcasting station have begun. These services are
Provide the content collected or created by the content provider to an unspecified number of users, or
It is provided for the purpose of allowing individual users to show their video works to an unspecified number of users.

[0003] Further, a service for providing a customized homepage according to preference from information collected by the Internet user using the Internet is also expanding. In addition, video distribution services for communication devices such as mobile phones are beginning to be launched. In addition, it is possible to view a video by accessing a specific site using a mobile phone having a network connection function and selecting a video content that the user wants to view from a video distribution service site.

[0004] Further, Japanese Patent No. 2995177 proposes a stream distribution system. This stream information distribution system is an information distribution system capable of receiving a plurality of types of digital stream information and selecting and distributing high-priority information of a user's request. This is a system for distributing the selected information to the terminal device in an appropriate transmission band by changing the band allocation according to the situation within. With this system, in particular, users can view stream information such as multiple programs simultaneously from multiple channels, so that users can view desired information from various stream information in real time and operate the bandwidth allocation of channels for each stream information. Thus, continuous and appropriate bandwidth allocation can be realized without requiring complicated procedures.

[0005]

In the video distribution service as described above, an information center that provides video collects or creates contents, and presents the contents in a content menu on an Internet information center site. Provided by Then, the user selects a favorite channel from a content menu using an information device that can access a site of the information center and watches the video. However, when an information center collects or creates content and provides it, it is currently difficult to collect or create content that is effective for many users.

[0006] Further, when the information center prepares contents that match the taste of each user, the number of contents becomes enormous, so that the burden of managing the contents by the information center increases. On the other hand, when the number of contents becomes enormous, the burden on the user of the information device to search his / her favorite contents from a large number of content menus increases.

[0007] Also, like a personal broadcasting station that distributes video taken by a video camera, the purpose of making a photographed work public on the Internet is to inform yourself to the whole world or a specific friend. Some are. The content provided by the personal broadcasting station is, in a sense, one of the contents of the video distribution service.
There is one. However, the content distributed by the individual broadcasting station may be a content that is only interested in a part of the users who subscribe to the video distribution service.

[0008] In recent years, with the development of a network society, it is possible to search for a target content by using a search engine incorporated in an information device (for example, a personal computer) on a network in which a variety of contents are flooding. Has become. However, at present, there are very few contents that can be accepted by any user. For example, when it comes to video content, the best content is television video content created by a television station. In the case of the video content of the television, it is a copyright problem that the information center, which is a third party other than the television station, records the video content by some means and provides it on the network. Also, it is difficult to purchase all video contents of a television set by an information center and to provide the contents using a network, because it is economical. Therefore, even if it is accepted by many users, it is impossible to distribute it on a network.

[0009] Therefore, there has been a demand for an information distribution system capable of providing a favorite content according to each individual.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an information distribution system capable of providing a favorite content according to each individual;
An object of the present invention is to provide an information collecting and creating terminal device, an information providing device, an information using terminal device and a program for operating them, a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and an information distribution method.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) An information collection and creation terminal device of the present invention includes an information providing device (information center 5) capable of providing various types of information to an information use terminal device and an electrical information communication device ( An information collection and creation terminal device (home server 1) communicable via a network, and a usage information storage means (conversion information storage device) for storing usage information collected or created by the information collection and creation terminal device; Part 1
5. The information stored in the usage information storage unit when the information collection and creation terminal device is accessed via the information providing device using the information providing unit 18) and the information usage terminal device. A use control unit (communication discriminating unit 11, control unit 17) for making information available is provided.

According to the above configuration, the information utilization terminal device can utilize the utilization information of the information collection and creation terminal device via the information providing device.

(2) The information collection and creation terminal device according to (1), wherein the information collection and creation terminal device according to (1) is a preference data extraction unit for extracting preference data of a user of the information collection and creation terminal device. (Control unit 17, FIG. 7A)
7C), preference data storage means (preference information storage unit 16) for storing the preference data extracted by the preference data extraction means, and preference data stored in the preference data storage means. Collection means (control section 17 and distribution information receiving section 13) for collecting or creating the usage information.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to collect or create use information based on the user preference data of the information collection and creation terminal device.

(3) In the information collection and creation terminal device according to the present invention, in the information collection and creation terminal device according to (2), the preference data extraction unit inputs an evaluation for the usage information to the information collection and creation terminal device. Then, the preference data is extracted (FIG. 7A).

According to the above configuration, it is possible to collect or create usage information based on preference data according to the user's evaluation.

(4) The information collection and creation terminal device of the present invention is the information collection and creation terminal device according to (2), wherein the preference data extracting means extracts the preference data using the number of times of use of the usage information. (FIG. 7B).

According to the above configuration, it is possible to collect or create usage information based on preference data according to the number of times of use of the user.

(5) The information collection and creation terminal device according to any one of (2) to (4), based on the preference data stored in the preference data storage means. And a transmission information content determining unit (communication determining unit 11, S12) for determining the content of the usage information transmitted to the information providing apparatus.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to transmit the usage information based on the preference data to the information providing device.

(6) The information collection and creation terminal device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the use information is adapted to use of the information use terminal device. An information conversion unit (information conversion unit 14) for converting into a form is provided.

According to the above configuration, when the usage information of the information collection and creation terminal device is used by using the information usage terminal device, the usage is facilitated.

(7) The information collection and creation terminal device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the information collection and creation terminal device according to any one of (1) to (6) is used for determining the usage status of the usage information. Means (FIG. 7 (f)).

According to the above configuration, the usage information can be used in the information usage terminal device according to the usage status.

(8) The program according to the present invention comprises (1) to
A computer-readable program for operating the information collection and creation terminal device according to any one of (7).

According to the above-mentioned program, the information collecting / creating device which can use the usage information via the information providing device by the information using terminal device can be operated.

(9) The recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium on which the program described in (8) is recorded.

According to the recording medium described above, the information collection and creation terminal device can be operated by the information use terminal device via the information providing device using the recorded program.

(10) The information providing apparatus of the present invention can provide various information to the information using terminal device,
An information providing device (information center 5) capable of communicating with an information collection and creation terminal device for collecting or creating usage information via an electrical information communication means (network), wherein the information providing device uses the information using terminal device to provide the information. A usage information providing unit (authentication unit 22, information determination unit 21, content creation unit 28, content providing unit 29, control unit 30) for making the usage information available when the device is accessed; I have.

According to the above configuration, the use information transmitted from the information collection / creation terminal device can be used by those accessed using the information use terminal device.

(11) The information providing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with (1)
The information providing apparatus according to (1), further comprising: an access determining unit (authentication unit 22) configured to determine whether or not the usage information should be used when the information providing apparatus is accessed. The information providing means makes the use information available to the accessed one on condition that the access made by the access determination means is to use the use information.

According to the above configuration, the use information is prevented from being used by an unauthorized access.

(12) The information providing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
In the information providing apparatus according to (0) or (11), provided information storage means (information center content storage unit 2) for storing provided information collected or created by the information providing apparatus.
7), wherein the use information providing means can provide the provided information stored by the provided information storage means together with the use information.

According to the above configuration, the information provided by the information providing device and the information provided by the information collection and creation terminal device can be provided together.

(13) The information providing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
The information providing apparatus according to any one of (0) to (12), wherein information unique to a registrant registered in advance or an information use terminal device registered in advance is used prior to use of information of the information providing apparatus. An information storage unit (personal information storage unit 24); and a provided information creation unit (content creation unit 28) for creating provided information corresponding to the unique information stored in the unique information storage unit. The providing means can provide provided information corresponding to the unique information in addition to the use information.

According to the above configuration, it becomes possible for the information providing terminal device to provide information suitable for the user based on the unique information.

(14) The information providing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
3) The information providing apparatus according to 3), further including an advertisement information storage unit (advertisement information storage unit 26) that stores advertisement information for advertising another information different from the use information and the provided information. Information providing means, in addition to the use information and the provided information corresponding to the unique information,
And providing advertisement information corresponding to the unique information selected from the advertisement information storage means.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide advertisement information suitable for a user of the usage information.

(15) The program according to the present invention comprises (1)
A computer-readable program for operating the information providing device according to any one of (0) to (14).

According to the above-mentioned program, the information providing device can be operated to use the usage information transmitted from the information collection and creation terminal device.

(16) The recording medium of the present invention provides (15)
Is a recording medium on which the program described in (1) is recorded.

According to the recording medium described above, the information providing device can be operated by the recorded program in order to use the usage information transmitted from the information collection and creation terminal device.

(17) The information use terminal device of the present invention
Via an electric information communication means (network), it can communicate with an information providing apparatus (information center 5) for providing usage information transmitted from an information collection and creation terminal apparatus (home server 1) for collecting or creating information. An information use terminal device (information device 6), a receiving unit (communication unit 35, control unit 36) for receiving the use information, and a function of the use information received by the reception unit And a utilization information function exhibiting means (utilizing unit 39) for achieving a form in which the information is exhibited.

According to the above configuration, the use information collected or created by the information collection and creation terminal device can be used by using the information use terminal.

(18) The information use terminal device of the present invention
(17) In the information using terminal device according to (17), information unique to a registrant registered in advance in the information providing device or information unique to the information using terminal device registered in advance in the information providing device is transmitted, On condition that the information providing apparatus approves the use information, the use information function exhibiting unit converts the use information into a form in which the function of the use information is exhibited.

According to the above configuration, the use information is prevented from being used by a person who does not originally use the use information.

(19) The information use terminal device of the present invention
(17) In the information use terminal device according to (17) or (18), a selection unit (input unit 38) for accessing the information providing device and selecting any one of the pieces of use information from a plurality of pieces of use information. And a usage information reading unit (control unit 36) for reading the usage information selected by the selection unit from the information providing device or the information collection and creation terminal device into the information usage terminal device.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to select and use usage information. (20) The information use terminal device of the present invention includes (17) to
(19) In the information utilizing terminal device according to any one of (19), an information creating source determining unit (the control unit 36, which determines which of the information providing device and the information collecting and creating terminal device is the information creating source). S41).

According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine the source of the use information and access the information.

(21) The information use terminal device of the present invention
(17) In the information use terminal device according to any one of (17) to (20), it is determined whether the location where the use information is stored is one of the information providing device and the information collection and creation terminal device. There is provided a use information storage location discriminating means (S47).

According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine the storage location of the usage information and access the information.

(22) The information use terminal device of the present invention
(17) In the information use terminal device according to any one of (21) to (21), the use information function exhibiting means is provided in a form corresponding to the use state of the use information based on the information on the use state of the use information. There is provided a use status correspondence control means (control unit 36) for exerting the function of the use information.

According to the above configuration, the use information can be used according to the use situation.

(23) The program according to the present invention comprises (1)
A computer-readable program for operating the information use terminal device according to any one of 7) to (22).

According to the above program, the information use terminal device can be operated in order to use the use information collected or created by the information collection and creation terminal device.

(24) The recording medium of the present invention provides (23)
Is a recording medium on which the program described in (1) is recorded.

According to the recording medium described above, the information use terminal device can be operated by the recorded program in order to use the use information collected or created by the information collection and creation terminal device.

(25) The information distribution system of the present invention
An information distribution system for distributing use information collected or created by an information collection and creation device to an information use terminal device for using the use information by accessing an information providing device that provides various types of information And
A use information storage unit for storing use information collected or created in the information collection and creation terminal device, and a state in which the use information can be used when the information providing device is accessed using the information use terminal device And a use control means.

According to the above information distribution system, the use information collected or created by the information collection and creation terminal device can be used by using the information use terminal device via the information providing device.

(26) According to the information distribution method of the present invention, the use information collected or created by the information collection and creation device is used by accessing the information providing device that provides various information. An information distribution method for distributing information to an information use terminal device, comprising: storing use information collected or created by the information collection and creation terminal device; and the information providing device using the information use terminal device. And setting the use information to a usable state when there is an access to the information distribution method.

According to the above method, the information utilization terminal device can utilize the utilization information of the information collection and creation terminal device via the information providing device.

[0062]

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information distribution system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates home devices connected to a user's home and a network such as the Internet. Hereinafter, the information distribution system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The information distribution system according to the present embodiment can provide information on home devices (electronic devices such as the video receiver 2, the music device 3, and the personal computer 4) and user preference information via a network such as the Internet. A home server 1, an information center 5 for providing usage information provided from the home server 1 and original information collected or created independently, and an access to the information center 5 to use the usage information of the home server 1. And an information device 6 capable of performing the operations.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home server 1 according to the present embodiment is connected to a television receiver 2, a music device 3, and a personal computer 4 for receiving and viewing the distributed video. In addition, other electronic devices may be connected as long as they have information that can be provided to the information center 5. That is, the home server 1 of the present embodiment has a function of storing data such as stored data of each device and user preference information or the like, or the home server 1 is connected to a network. What is necessary is just to have a means for obtaining the information of the device in question.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information center 5 of this embodiment is a provider that provides information to at least the information device 6 via a network.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information equipment 6 according to the present embodiment is a mobile terminal having a communication function, which can be used inside or outside the home, and accesses the information center 5. It has a function, a function of performing input for selecting a content menu provided by the information center 5, and a function of using the selected content. The information device 6 according to the present embodiment is not a mobile terminal but a fixed terminal represented by the television receiver 2, the music device 3, the personal computer device 4, and the like in FIG. Content may be available, and although not shown, content can be exchanged with other network devices such as refrigerators, air conditioners, microwave ovens, etc. that can be connected to the network, or substitute devices such as personal computers. Devices that are not connected to a possible network are also included.

Note that the network is a concept including all the mechanisms capable of exchanging information in one direction (such as broadcasting by radio waves) or two-way (such as the Internet) between the information equipment 6 and the information center 5. .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of home server 1 according to the present embodiment. The home server 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. A communication unit 10 for transmitting and receiving information via a network is provided. The communication unit 10 includes a communication determination unit 11 that performs a content check of transmission / reception information, transmission / reception timing, and security check of the transmission / reception information. TV and radio, P
A distribution information receiving unit 13 for receiving distributed information such as USH type information distribution is provided. There is provided a reception information storage unit 12 for storing information including content obtained on a network via the communication unit 10 and information received by the distribution information reception unit 13.

Further, an information conversion unit 14 is provided which converts the information stored in the reception information storage unit 12 into information which can be used by the information equipment 6 (including home equipment). A conversion information storage unit 15 that stores information converted by the information conversion unit 14 is provided. The apparatus includes a preference information storage unit 16 that stores preference information for each user regarding information obtained from various devices and information devices 6 connected to the network, the information center 5, and the like. The home server 1 includes a control unit 17 that controls the entire home server 1. An information providing unit 18 that provides information on the home server 1 when another device accesses the home server 1 via a network. The control unit 17 and the communication determination unit 11 determine whether or not access has been made via the information center 5 and whether or not the usage information stored in the information providing unit 18 should be used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information center 5. Information center 5 of the present embodiment
Has the following configuration. A communication unit 20 for transmitting and receiving information via a network is provided. Communication unit 2
There is provided a communication determining unit 21 for performing a security check of the contents of the transmission / reception information of 0, transmission / reception information and the like. An authentication unit 22 for authenticating user information based on information from the home server 1 and information from the information device 6 is provided.

Further, the home server 1 to the information center 5
Is provided with an information judging unit 23 for judging whether the information sent to the server 1 is personal information or content, or whether the information device 6 accesses the server 1 in the home for the purpose of using the content. The personal information storage unit 24 stores the information when the information is determined to be personal information by the information determination unit 23. A personal content information storage unit 25 for storing content or content information sent from the server 1 at home is provided.

Further, based on the information stored in the personal content information storage unit 25, there is provided an advertisement information storage unit 26 storing advertisement information in the information center 5 for performing an advertisement suitable for the individual. ing. An information center content storage unit 27 that stores information center content provided by the information center 5 is provided. When the user is determined by the access from the information device 6, the user is stored in the personal content information storage unit 25, the advertisement information storage unit 26, the information center content storage unit 27, and the like based on the personal information in the personal information storage unit 24. A content creation unit 28 for creating a page for the user of the information device 6 using the information is provided. Content creation unit 2
8 is provided with a content providing unit 29 for providing the user created page. Control unit 3 for overall control
0 is provided.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information device 6. The information device 6 of the present embodiment has the following configuration. A communication unit 35 for exchanging information via a network is provided. A control unit 36 for performing various controls of the information device 6 is provided. A personal information storage unit 37 that stores personal information relating to a user of the information device 6 when accessing the information center 5 and information for recognizing a device that has accessed the information center 5 such as an authentication number unique to the information device 6. It has. Further, an input unit 38 is provided for the user to input an operation command or the like to the information device 6. Further, a command input by the input unit 38 and a menu displayed when the information center 5 is accessed can be used.
And a use unit 39 for using information from the user.

Here, the input unit 38 is not limited to a keyboard, button, touch panel, or the like that can be input by the user by pressing operation, but may be any input means that can realize the user's intention, such as voice input. You may.
The use unit 39 may have any one of a function of displaying characters, images, moving images, and a sound output function that can use sound, and the like, and may have a plurality of functions. May be.

FIG. 5 describes in detail the operation of home server 1 for receiving information distributed from the network with reference to a flowchart. Here, an example of video contents distributed via a network will be described. The information distributed via the network includes content itself and content information which is information related to the content.
3 is received.

Here, the contents described as an example are contents distributed at a fixed time, such as an existing television or radio, and contents that the user wants to view, such as video on demand, and select a network. The content is a content that can be downloaded via the Internet or a content to which the content is streamed from the information center 5 on the network. In addition, the content information is a schedule showing detailed information of the content to be distributed, or a content such as a content menu published in the information center 5, which allows the user to refer to the distributed content of the information center 5 when necessary. Information about

When the distribution information receiving section 13 receives information distributed via the network, the received information is temporarily stored in the reception information storage section 12 (step S1). The received information stored in the received information storage unit 12 is determined in step S1 (step S2). The determination here is to determine whether the content is content information or content information.

In the case of content information in step S2, the information is converted into an optimum form for the user by the information conversion section 14 (step S3). Here, the conversion to the optimal form means that a large number of content information unidirectionally distributed from the information center 5 is provided to the content desired by the user according to the user preference information storage unit 16. That is, the conversion is made so that it can be immediately understood by the unit 18. That is, if the user's preference information is stored in the preference information storage unit 16, the content information from the information center 5 is automatically converted into a form close to the user's preference. Here, the form close to the preference includes, for example, the fact that the content information frequently used by the user looks large or stands out. A method of storing preference information will be described later.

The content information converted in step S3 is stored in the information providing unit 18 (step S4).
If the information received in step S2 is a content, it is converted into an optimal content according to the preference information storage unit 16 (step S5).

The received content may be, for example, information specified by the user in advance, information optimal for the user based on preference information, or the like.
The control unit 17 instructs the distribution information receiving unit 13 to select and receive the content based on the preference information stored in the preference information storage unit 16 described later. In addition, the optimal content here is based on the preference information described later, for example, the optimal screen size and compression format for the home device used by the user, the TV program that the user often watches outside The content is converted into an information form optimal for the device to be used, based on preference information such as a movie broadcast watched on the television receiver 2. It is also conceivable that the content is not limited to a device used, but is converted into a format that can be used by all the devices used, to provide a plurality of contents. This is because the content that has been viewed halfway on the information device 6 may be returned and enjoyed on the television receiver 2.

After converting the content in step S5, it is determined where to use the converted content (step S6). The information on where to use this is included in the setting shown using FIG. 7D described later.

The contents converted in step S6 for use by the information equipment 6 via the information center 5 are stored in the conversion information storage unit 15 (step S7). In step S6, the content to be used without passing through the information center 5 is the information providing unit 1.
8 (step S4). In step S7, the content stored in the conversion information storage unit 15 is stored together with the content information until a command from the communication determination unit 11 is issued.

FIG. 6 shows the conversion information storage unit 1 in step S7.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the home server 1 that provides the content or content information stored in the home server 5 to the information center 5. When the content and the content information are stored in the conversion information storage unit 15, the control unit 17 of the home server 1 makes a predetermined determination before providing the content and the content information to the information center 5 (step S1).
1). Here, the predetermined determination is a determination as to whether the control unit 17 has no influence on the system when various functions of the home server 1 provide the center 5 with contents and content information. If the information cannot be provided to the information center 5 for some reason in step S11, the control unit 1
1 waits for the timing and proceeds to step S11. If the content or the content information can be provided in step S11, the communication determining unit 11 determines what information to provide based on the preference information based on the information in the storage unit 16 (step S12). As the preference information, the user can select whether to provide only the content information or to provide the content together. When only the content information is provided in step S12 (step S13), the content information is transmitted to the information center 5 via the communication unit 10 (step S14).

When the content information is transmitted in step S14, the information is notified or recorded to the information providing unit 18 (step S16). The information providing unit 18 will be described later. When the content and the content information are provided in step S12 (step S16), the information is transmitted to the information center 5 via the communication unit 10 (step S17). When the content and the content information are transmitted in step S17, the information is notified to the information providing unit 18 and recorded (step S15).
Here, only the content information and the content are transmitted, but other information such as user preference information, a message, emergency information, presence / absence of mail, and abnormal information in the home may be transmitted at the same time.

FIG. 7 illustrates the preference information in the preference information storage section 16 of the home server 1. As the preference information described here, preference information as shown in FIG. 7 is stored for each user or for each device connected to the network. Authentication of a user or device is automatically performed when each device starts communicating with the home server 1. FIG. 7A shows a part of the general preference information stored in the preference information storage unit 16 of the home server 1. The general preference information is to determine a user's rough hobbies and preferences.

Further, a mark sheet is prepared in the preference information storage section 16 of the home server 1 in advance, and the mark sheet can be changed when the information center 5 is accessed. FIG. 7A shows an example of a mark sheet displayed for collecting preference information. FIG.
In (a), the user selects three items for each item. This check is displayed and entered when the user accesses the home server 1 for the first time using a certain device. In addition to this, when there is a change in the mark sheet from the information center 5, there is a request for entry from the home server 1 only for the changed portion. The user can cancel without filling in the mark sheet. In addition, I like the three-point evaluation here,
5) Normal (± 0), dislike (-5). Here, although each item is illustrated in three stages, it is merely an example and any number of stages may be used. The general preference information is effective mainly when no other preference information is stored or when displaying an advertisement for each device. The points can be used as personal preference information in combination with other preference information.

FIG. 7B shows use history information for each device connected to the home server 1 via a network.
Here, the data is totaled in a ranking format according to the number of times of use for each keyword (small category) for each application (major category) used in a television receiver having a network connection function. For example, in an application whose main category is TV, programs, genres, entertainers, and the like are pointed to the number of times of use according to TV usage. For example, when watching a TV distributed over a network for a certain period of time or more, points are added to the program, genre, entertainer who appears, and the like.
In addition, when the user checks the program when he / she likes the program information, if the user checks the program, the program is searched, the Internet information or the like is checked, or points are added when the user checks with the keyword.

Then, the major classification, the minor classification and the TOTAL
The preference information based on the usage history of the user is accumulated for each device. Further, the TOTAL and the like of the preference information based on the use history of each device are shown in FIG.
Put together as follows.

FIG. 7C is a diagram showing an example in which the user's preference information is extracted by using a keyword input. A user can input a keyword from each device connected to the home server 1 via a network.
In addition to being added as a point to the usage history in (b), it may be reflected in the mark sheet in FIG. 7 (a). Anyway, the information is prepared so that the user's intention is reflected by inputting the keyword desired by the user. This information can be input for each device of the user.

FIG. 7D shows that, when the information converted by the information conversion unit 14 is stored in the conversion information storage unit 15 and sent to the information center 5, the setting information for determining what information is to be sent is shown. It is a figure showing an example. In FIG. 7D, the usage history information is accumulated for each device, but the content to be transmitted to and accumulated in the information center 5 is determined based on the usage history information of the information device 6. Information Center 5
Number of contents to be stored, how many items in the program ranking are sent to the information center 5, what works in the first and second places in the celebrity ranking are sent to the information center 5, and what works in the top genre are information The information may be transmitted to the center 5 or a storage organization of unviewed programs of the information center 5, a type of content stored in the information center 5, and the like. The information shown in FIG. 7D is merely an example, and other information may be used as long as the information for setting information necessary for transmitting the information of the information center 5 is included.

FIG. 7 (e) shows an example in which the contents stored in the home server 1 are arranged in chronological order based on the information shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (d). Information necessary for the control unit 17 of the home server 1, such as time, content type, and program name, to be controlled is included.

FIG. 7F shows a list of the contents provided to the home server 1 among the contents provided to the information center 5, and the usage status of the content, that is, what percentage of the entire content is used. It is a figure showing an example in the case of displaying whether it was in the state where it was done. This information is exchanged at any time between the information center 5 and the home server 1. That is, when the user is watching partway in the home, the information device 6 at a destination can view the partway. Conversely, it is possible to view the content that has been viewed halfway on the information device 6 outside the home in the home by communicating the usage status as needed.

Although the outline of the preference information storage unit 16 has been described above by way of example, the contents of the information stored in the preference information storage unit 16 differ depending on various information that can be handled by the home server 1.

FIG. 8 shows the information providing unit 18 of the home server 1.
It is a figure for explaining about the information of. The various types of information stored in the information providing unit 18 are information to be introduced or provided from the home server 1 to other devices via the network, and are devices that can use the information stored in the home server 1. (In FIG. 1, the television receiver 2, the music device 3, the personal computer 4, and the information device 6) are used by accessing the home server 1 with the use thereof. Here, it is assumed that the information of the home server 1 is provided in an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format as an example.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the home server 1 is accessed from the television receiver 2, the television receiver 2
A program table button (A) for referring to video distribution information (distribution time, program content, channel information, etc.), recorded video, television video, video that can be immediately viewed on video-on-demand , A list button (B) for referring to or selecting a live video or the like, an other button (C), and an advertisement column for displaying information necessary for accessing the television receiver 2 and an advertisement matching the user ( D) is displayed.

When the program table button (A) is pressed, the program table button (A) shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a video program guide in which video distribution information is described in detail is displayed. This program table displays a program table of images receivable by the home server 1 by channel and time. After selecting a TV broadcast program table, a stream broadcast program table, a video-on-demand program table, etc., each program table is displayed. Based on the information in the preference information storage unit 16, the user selects a program and picks up programs likely to be seen by the user from the respective program guides, and arranges the programs in descending order of preference when the program guide button (A) is pressed. It may be.

When the list button (B) is pressed, the program name such as video content stored in the home server 1 or a device connected to the network, video that can be immediately viewed on video-on-demand, or library video is displayed. 8B is displayed as shown in FIG. 8B, and the user of the television receiver 2 can select a specific video from the list and view the video.

When the other button (C) is pressed, a submenu button shown in FIG. 8 (C) is displayed, and various information distributed to the home server 1 and the network can be referenced or used. Here, music information, Internet news, mail, schedule, data of a personal computer, and the like are illustrated, but these buttons may be displayed in FIG. 8A.

Here, as an example of accessing information from the television receiver 2 to the information providing unit 18 of the home server 1 and referring to information, an example focusing on video content has been described. It is assumed that the appearance of the stored information is not the same, and only information that can be used is displayed for each information using device. Also, in the advertisement section (D), based on the preference information storage section 16,
The most suitable advertisement is displayed on the terminal used. For example, a button visible from the panel in front of the refrigerator changes the information provided by the information providing unit 18 depending on the information device, such as a list of contents of the refrigerator, a household account book, a discount advertisement, and the like.

The operation when information is transmitted from the home server 1 to the information center 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The information transmitted from the home server 1 is transmitted to the communication unit 20 of the information center 5 (Step 20). The information received by the communication unit 20 in step S20 is checked by the communication determination unit 21 as to whether the information is correctly received, information that can be analyzed, whether the information is not infected with a virus or the like (step S21).

If the result is NG in step S21, this program ends and the home server 1 is notified that information is not accepted (step S22). O in step S21
In the case of K, the authentication unit 22 authenticates personal information (step S23). The certification here is the information center 5
Authenticates whether it is registered in, whether unauthorized access is made, etc. If the authentication fails in step S23, the program ends. If the authentication is successful in step S23, the information judging unit 23 for each user determines the content of the distributed information (step S24).
When the content of the information is determined in step S24, the information is distributed (step S25).

The contents and contents information transmitted from home server 1 in step S25 are stored in personal contents information storage unit 25 (step S2).
6). In step S25, the content and personal information other than the content information (such as preference information and a message) are stored in the personal information storage unit 24 (step S27). The content and the content information stored in step S26 and step S27, and the personal information other than the content and the content are used when the information device 6 accesses the information center 5.

Next, a description will be given of an operation until the information center 5 creates a provision page for the information device 6 when the information device 6 accesses the information center 5 with reference to a flowchart of FIG. The user accesses the information center 5 to obtain information using the information device 6 (Step S30). When the information device 6 accesses the information center 5 in step S30, the communication unit 20 of the information center 5 acquires personal information necessary for authentication or the like from the information device 6 (step S31). Here, the personal information is information stored in the personal information storage unit 37 of the information device 6, and an ID (identification) and a password necessary for accessing the information center 5 and information for determining the information device 6 ( The registered information, the size of the screen, and what content can be used) are accumulated, and the communication unit 20 of the information center 5 acquires such information. The personal information acquired in step S31 is authenticated by the authentication unit 22 (step S32).

The authentication here is to authenticate whether the acquired personal information matches the personal information of the personal information storage unit 24 registered in advance. In the case of NG in step S32, this program ends and the information device 6
, A message such as "please confirm registration" is sent to the device (step S33). If the authentication is successful in step S32, the control unit 30 issues a provision command to the information determination unit 23 and the content creation unit 28 so as to provide information matching the information device (step S34). When a provision instruction is issued in step S34, the content creation unit 2
In step 8, a provision page matching the accessed information device 6 is immediately created based on the information in the personal information storage unit 24, the advertisement information storage unit 26, the personal content information storage unit 25, and the information center content storage unit 27 ( Step S3
5). The provision page created in step S35 is released to the information provision unit 29 in the information device 6 (step S35).
36).

FIG. 11 is an example of a provision page created for the information device 6 created in step S36.
In FIG. 11, the frame is divided into upper and lower frames, the lower frame is an advertisement frame, and advertisement information based on the personal information in the personal information storage unit 24 is selected from the advertisement information storage unit 26 and displayed. In the present embodiment, since the preference information shown in FIG. 7B is stored for each device, it is possible to display an advertisement for each information device that is used by an individual. In the example of FIG. 11, text information is displayed. In this example, a link destination is displayed as "mobile merchandise service", but this link destination is a link destination of an advertisement optimally displayed on the information device 6.

In the present embodiment, since the preference information of the user is stored for each information device, it is possible to provide an optimum advertisement to the information device 6 used and the user. . Also, although the ads here are illustrated by text and links, burner ads, videos, still images,
Any means of advertising, such as audio, is acceptable.

The upper frame is a channel, and contents can be used by selecting a program. In FIG. 11, the channel, the content provider,
There is channel information such as genre, time (fee), preference points, usage status, etc., and can be rearranged according to each. The channel information may be any other channel information that can be included in the content, such as the popularity ranking, the date and time of creation, and the period during which the content is released.

The present embodiment is characterized in that the content collected or created by the home server 1 is provided as a channel in a content channel provided by the information center 5 in a content distribution service or the like. That is, in FIG. 11, there are two contents of the content provider “center” indicating the information center 5 and “personal” indicating the home server 1. Thereby, on the same screen of the information center 5,
The content of the information center 5 and the content from the home server 1 can be selected and enjoyed.
Here, for the sake of explanation, only “center” and “personal” are categorized. However, “center” also categorizes each content production company, individual production, and “personal”.
For example, a classification for each content creation device may be considered.

In the present embodiment, when the information center 5 is accessed using the information device 6, the content to be provided differs for each user. When each user accesses the same service, the content that can be used by two or more people, that is, an unspecified number of people, is the one whose content provider is the "center" The content is a content that looks like the content of the information center 5 but can be used only by the user who transmitted the content to the information center 5. It is also conceivable to provide the contents of the “center” by presenting different contents for each user according to the user's preference information.

[0110] Each content information will be described. The channel is a channel assigned by the information center 5. In the example, the content source is a place where the content is converted to the information device 6, and the genre is news,
The communication unit 20 of the information center 5 determines the execution speed and the like of the information device 6 in relation to the type of content such as drama, movie, music, etc. 6 personal information storage unit 37
The fee when the content is fully played is displayed according to the communication fee structure included in the. Taste points are
This is preference information based on user preference information.

[0111] The usage status is a percentage indicating the percentage of the content usage information used. This usage status is displayed when the content is used in the information center 5, and in the present embodiment, the content stored in the home server 1 is used halfway by another home device. In this case, the usage status is included in the content information, and the information device 6 can use the content from the middle based on the usage status. That is, the usage status of the content provided to the information center 5 in FIG. 7F and the usage status of the “personal” content in FIG. I know. In addition, sorting can be performed based on these pieces of content information, and sorting of preference information including “center” and “personal” contents becomes possible.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the information device 6 accesses the information center 5 and selects a content in the provided information as shown in FIG. In step S36, the information device 6
Channel information is provided as in 1. The user refers to the channel information displayed on the use unit 39 of the information device 6 and selects the content to be used using the input unit 38 (Step S40). The content providing unit 29 determines where the content of the selected content information is stored (step S41). If the content information provided in step S41 is included in the information center 5 (step S42), the selected content is stored in the information center content storage unit 2.
7 is called (step S43). The content called in step S43 is used by the information device 6 (step S44). As the usage here, streaming for distributing video in real time, or a method of downloading content to the information device 6 and reproducing it may be used.
If it is a personal content in step S41 (step S45), the content information selected by the personal content information storage unit 25 is called (step S46). It is determined from the content information called in step S46 where the content itself is (step S47). If the content is stored in the information center 5 in step S47, the content contained in the personal content information storage unit 25 is called from the content information (step S48). The content output in step S48 is used by the use unit 39 of the information device 6 (step S48).
49). In step S47, the content is stored in the home server 1.
If it is, the information of the home server 1 is acquired from the personal information content information storage unit 25 (step S50).
The home server 1 is accessed based on the information acquired in step S50 (step S51). Step S51
The information device 6 that has accessed the home server 1 from the information center 5 accesses via the communication unit 10 and calls the content stored in the information providing unit 18 (step S52). The content read in step S52 is used by the use unit 39 of the information device 6 (step S5).
3). As described above, the content provided by the content providing unit 39 of the information center 5 as shown in FIG. 11 is used. At this time, the role of the information center 5 is to introduce information provided by the information center 5 to the information device 6 and information stored in the home server 1 on the information center 5.

At this time, the contents are stored in the information center 5,
It may exist in the home server 1 or another information device of the network and the information center 5. However, the information equipment 6 can use the information by always accessing only the information center 5.

In the above description, the method of using the content reflected via the network has been described. In addition to storing the information distributed on the network in the information center 5, the information can be used at any time on the Internet. URL (Uniform Resource Loc)
)), the home server 1 circulates the latest information, etc.
Content obtained by comparing with the previous time and collecting new information can also be used as content. In addition, by acquiring or grasping information in various devices in the home by the home server 1, the information providing unit 18 can customize information necessary for each other user in FIG. 8C. .

The effects of using the information distribution system of the present embodiment will be described below. According to the present embodiment, a digital information system using a communication network is used. In particular, information stored in a home is automatically communicated to an information center of the network according to use, and the information is provided by the information center. Personal content is provided as a similar channel in the same manner as the original content, and the personal content can be used in the same manner as the original content.

In this embodiment, when the content is used by the information device 6, by accessing the information center 5, the contents of the information center 5 and the home server 1 can be used. The user of the information device 6 can use home information as if using the content provided by the information center 5.
The home server 1 has a feature in which personal preference information of a user can be accumulated based on information of each device used daily, and the content to be provided to the information center 5 is determined based on the information. Personalized contents that can be received at home compared to contents provided only by the information center 5 are effective contents when the information device 6 is used.

That is, the content provided to the information center 5 becomes more effective content for the user, and at the same time, the information center 5 also reduces the trouble of collecting the content for making the service effective for the user. .
Further, in the related art, it is necessary to access the home server 1 or the like and store information that the user may need in a recording medium or the like in advance before taking out the information device 6. Loses sex.

In addition, moving picture distribution using a mobile phone is gradually starting. However, if the user has no other way but to see the contents provided by the information center, the moving picture distribution service must collect the contents. Although it will not spread, it is possible to use the content that can be obtained at home based on the preference information of the devices at home through the information center through the information center. Can be.

Further, by using the preference information, it is possible to provide the optimum content usable by the information device 6 and to provide the optimum advertisement information to the information device 6. Furthermore, for example, if the same advertisement is displayed on a mobile phone and a computer, the user cannot obtain the optimal information even though various types of information devices are used or used for different purposes,
In addition, a business that wants to place an advertisement cannot place an accurate advertisement, but in the present embodiment, since the preference information for each user of the information device is used, the user is required to respond to the user for each information device to be accessed. It will be possible to place the optimal advertisement.

[0120] In addition, contents provided by the home server are processed by the home server to provide the information center with the personal preference and to access the information center using the information equipment to use the content. The content can be explicitly shown as a menu together with the content provided by the information center. The home server converts the content that matches the user's preference into data that can be received, stored, and reproduced by an information device, and provides the content to the information center used by the user. The content provided to the information center is stored in the storage area of the user. When the service user accesses the information center using the information device, the user is authenticated and a content menu is presented. As the content menu, a content menu provided by the information center and a content menu provided from the home server are displayed, and by selecting the menu, the information center also provides the content according to the user's preference. Enjoy the content.

That is, it is possible to select the content stored in the home device as if provided by the information center, and enjoy the original content of the user. For example, it is possible to enjoy recorded data on an information device using a television recorder at home. Of course, in addition to the distribution video such as a television program, information matching personal preferences on the Internet and digital data on a home network collected by the home server can be used by accessing the information center. The content provided from the home server is available only to the user, and is optimal for the user himself.

In the above embodiment, the contents are a moving image, an image, a sound, a book, information, text data,
It includes digital or analog data including software and the like. In addition, although it is described as a home server, any server can be used as long as the original contents to be used can be provided to users of the information equipment at an information center other than the information center. It is not limited to those installed in the home of the user of the device.

The embodiments disclosed this time must be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0124]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information distribution system, an information collection / creation terminal device, an information providing device, an information use terminal device, a program for operating them, a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and an information distribution method. For example, the information usage terminal device can use the usage information of the information collection and creation terminal device via the information providing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information distribution system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a home server.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information center.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation in which an information center receives information distributed by a home server.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of providing content and content information stored in a conversion information storage unit of a home server to an information center.

7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining preference information in a preference information storage unit of the home server, FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a mark sheet for extracting preference information, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example in which is automatically accumulated by use of content, and FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating an example in which preference information is extracted by inputting a keyword of a user; (D) is a diagram for explaining the setting of information and the like provided to the information center, (e) is an automatic record list stored in the home server, and (f) is provided to the information center. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a list of usage statuses of contents.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing information provided by an information providing unit of a home server to devices in the home.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when information is transmitted from a home server to an information center.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation until an information center creates a provided page for an information device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a provision page created for an information device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing an operation when an information center is accessed using an information device to select a content.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 home server, 2 television receiver, 3 music device,
4 PC, 5 information center, 6 information equipment, 10
Communication unit, 11 communication determination unit, 12 received information storage unit,
13 distribution information receiving unit, 14 information conversion unit, 15 conversion information storage unit, 16 preference information storage unit, 17 control unit, 1
8 information providing unit, 20 communication unit, 21 communication judgment unit, 22
Authentication unit, 23 information judgment unit, 24 personal information storage unit,
25 personal content information storage section, 26 advertisement information storage section, 27 information center content storage section, 28 content creation section, 29 content provision section, 30 control section, 35 communication section, 36 control section, 37 personal information storage section, 38 input Department, 39 utilization department.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 326 G06F 17/60 326 H04N 7/173 640 H04N 7/173 640A (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Nakamura 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka F-term (reference) in Sharp Corporation HA05 5C064 BA07 BB05 BB10 BC18 BC20 BC23 BD01 BD08 (54) [Title of the Invention] Information distribution system, information collection and creation terminal device, information providing device, information use terminal device, and program for operating them, Recording media on which programs are recorded, and information distribution Act

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An information collection and creation terminal device capable of communicating via an electrical information communication means with an information providing device capable of providing various types of information to an information use terminal device, wherein the information collection and creation terminal device collects information. Or use information storage means for storing the created use information; and when the information collection and creation terminal device is accessed via the information providing device using the information use terminal device, the use information storage device Use control means for making the use information stored in the means usable.
Information collection and creation terminal device. 2. Preference data extraction means for extracting user preference data of the information collection and creation terminal device; preference data storage means for storing the preference data extracted by the preference data extraction means; 2. The information collection and creation terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a collection creation unit that collects or creates the usage information based on the preference data stored in the preference data storage unit. 3. The information collection and creation terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the preference data extraction unit extracts the preference data by inputting an evaluation for the usage information to the information collection and creation terminal device. 4. The information collection and creation terminal device according to claim 2, wherein said preference data extracting means extracts said preference data using the number of times of use of said usage information. 5. A transmission information content determining means for determining the content of usage information to be transmitted to the information providing device based on the preference data stored in the preference data storage means.
An information collection and creation terminal device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. 6. An information conversion means for converting the use information into a form suitable for use of the information use terminal device.
An information collection and creation terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The information collection and creation terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a usage status determination unit for determining a usage status of the usage information. 8. A computer-readable program for operating the information collection and creation terminal device according to claim 1. Description: 9. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 8 is recorded. 10. An information providing device capable of providing various types of information to an information using terminal device and communicating with an information collection and creation terminal device for collecting or creating usage information via electrical information communication means. An information providing apparatus, comprising: usage information providing means for making the usage information available when the information providing apparatus is accessed using the information usage terminal device. 11. When there is access to the information providing apparatus, the information providing apparatus further comprises access determining means for determining whether or not the use information is to be used, and the access information providing means is provided by the access determining means. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the use information is made available to the accessed object on condition that it is determined that the accessed information is to use the use information.
0. The information providing device according to 0. 12. An information providing device, comprising: provided information storing means for storing provided information collected or created by the information providing apparatus, wherein the used information providing means provides the provided information stored by the provided information storing means together with the use information. The information providing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the information providing apparatus is capable of performing information processing. 13. A unique information storage means for storing information unique to a registrant or a previously registered information use terminal device prior to use of information of the information providing apparatus, and stored in the unique information storage means. Provided information creating means for creating provided information corresponding to the unique information obtained, wherein the use information providing means can provide the provided information corresponding to the unique information in addition to the use information. The information providing device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein 14. An advertisement information storage unit for storing advertisement information for advertisement of other information different from the use information and the provided information, wherein the use information providing unit is configured to store the use information and the unique information. 14. The information providing apparatus according to claim 13, which provides, in addition to the provided information corresponding to the information, advertisement information corresponding to the unique information selected from the advertisement information storage unit. 15. A computer-readable program for operating the information providing apparatus according to claim 10. Description: 16. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 15 is recorded. 17. An information use terminal device capable of communicating with an information providing device for providing use information transmitted from an information collection and creation terminal device for collecting or creating information via an electrical information communication means, An information use terminal comprising: reception means for receiving use information; and use information function exhibiting means for converting the use information received by the reception means into a form in which the function of the use information is exhibited. apparatus. 18. An information unique to a registrant registered in advance in the information providing device or information unique to an information utilizing terminal device registered in the information providing device in advance, and the information is transmitted according to the unique information. 18. The use information function exhibiting means sets the use information to a form in which the function of the use information is exhibited on condition that the use information is approved by the providing device.
Information use terminal device described in. 19. A selecting means for accessing the information providing apparatus and selecting any one of the plurality of pieces of usage information from the plurality of pieces of usage information; and providing the usage information selected by the selecting means to the information providing apparatus. 19. The information use terminal device according to claim 17, further comprising use information reading means for reading the information use terminal device from the device or the information collection and creation terminal device. 20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising information generation source determining means for determining whether an information generation source is the information providing apparatus or the information collection and generation terminal apparatus. Information use terminal device described in the above. 21. Use information storage location determining means for determining whether the location where the usage information is stored is one of the information providing device and the information usage terminal device. The information use terminal device according to claim 20. 22. A use situation correspondence control means for causing the use information function exhibiting means to exhibit the function of the use information in a form corresponding to the use situation of the use information, based on the information on the use situation of the use information. Claims 17-
The information use terminal device according to claim 21. 23. A computer-readable program for operating the information use terminal device according to claim 17. 24. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 23 is recorded. 25. Access to an information providing apparatus that provides various types of information, and distributes use information collected or created by the information collection and creation apparatus to an information use terminal apparatus for using the use information. Information distribution system for storing use information collected or created in the information collection and creation terminal device, and when the information provision device is accessed using the information use terminal device And a use control unit for setting the use information in a usable state. 26. Access to an information providing device that provides various types of information, and distributes usage information collected or created by the information collection and creation device to an information use terminal device for using the usage information. An information distribution method for accumulating usage information collected or created in the information collection and creation terminal device; and when the information providing device is accessed using the information usage terminal device, Bringing the usage information into a usable state.