JP2003111078A - Contents coder, contents decoder, contents distributor, contents reproduction device, contents distribution system, contents coding method, contents decoding method, contents coding program, and contents decoding program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To limit a reproducible time for each object on the basis of designation of contents distribution time. SOLUTION: An encoder 1b encodes objects 3a to 3c of contents 3. A reproducible period information setting section 1c gives reproducible period information items 1aa, 1ab to a time dependent object in coded objects 4a to 4c and a multiplexer 1d multiplexes the resulting contents. A demultiplexer 2a demultiplexes the multiplexed contents. Then a reproduction propriety decision section 2b compares the reproducible period information items 1aa, 1ab of the time dependent objects with a current time to decide whether or not the time dependent objects can be reproduced. Then a decoder 2c decodes the time independent object independently of the reproduction time and the time dependent object decided to be reproduced by the reproduction propriety decision section.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content encoding device, a content decoding device, a content distribution device, a content reproduction device, a content distribution system, and a content distribution program for encoding or decoding content such as moving images. And a content reproduction program, particularly, a content encoding device, a content decoding device, a content distribution device, a content reproduction device, a content distribution system, a content distribution program, which encodes or decodes content composed of a plurality of objects. And a content reproduction program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of information communication technology, it has become possible to distribute contents such as moving images via networks such as the Internet. For example, a moving image of a live concert or a baseball relay can be distributed via the Internet.

Generally, contents such as moving images are
It is delivered in a state where the data volume is compressed by encoding. MPEG (Motion Pict) is one of the moving image compression technologies.
ure Experts Group) 4.

In MPEG4 for moving image compression, constituent elements of images and sounds (including sounds that do not include human voices) are divided into arbitrary units and managed as objects. For example, a background object in an image, a main object moving in the image, and a sound effect object.

Further, the object to be distributed is held in the terminal device for reproducing the object, and at a later date,
It is also possible to reproduce. In this case, each object is time-controlled for display or audio output according to the relative elapsed time from the start of reproduction. Therefore, when a stream distributed on the network is once copied to a storage device such as a hard disk drive, and the content is read from that storage device and played back, it will be played back at all times unless the user intentionally inputs an operation. Also produces the same playback result.

When the content is composed of a plurality of objects, the layout of the displayed objects can be changed by the user's designation when reproducing the content. A technique for making such a layout change is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-175118 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-17
It is described in Japanese Patent No. 5155. By using these techniques, when the content is read from the storage device and played back, the layout of the object can be adjusted to the user's preference.

[0007]

By the way, the object included in the content is closely related to a specific time (for example, distribution time), and even if it is reproduced at a time different from that time, it does not make sense. There are some that are not. An object closely related to a specific time (hereinafter referred to as a time-dependent object) is, for example, a telop of an emergency broadcast such as a time display or an earthquake warning. These time-dependent objects do not provide useful information to the user, even if they are played back at a different time than the related time.

[0008] However, in the conventional content, the same reproduction result is obtained at any time unless the user intentionally instructed, and the reproduction time cannot be limited for each object by the intention of the content distribution side. . for that reason,
Even a time-dependent object that is not worth displaying at any other time will be played back regardless of the playback time.
When a time-dependent object is displayed on the screen at a time different from the time when it is related to itself, it makes other objects hard to see.

Moreover, when the time-dependent object is displayed at a time other than the related time, the user may be confused. For example, if the time signal object is displayed at a different time as if it is the current time, the user who sees the object may mistake the displayed time for the current time. Further, when the content is played back many days after the actual occurrence of the earthquake and the time-dependent object of the tsunami warning due to the earthquake is displayed, the user is confused when viewing the display.

There is also a time-dependent object which is desired to be displayed only when the content is reproduced after the distribution period. For example, 2 of the content by illegal copy
In order to prevent the next use, a time-dependent object that represents a logo for copyright protection may be displayed. It is not necessary to display the copyright protection logo when the content is played back at the same time as the content is received. On the other hand, when the content is read from the storage device and reproduced, it is necessary to display a copyright protection logo. The time-dependent object that represents such a copyright logo should not be displayed differently depending on the user's will.
When it is reproduced after the delivery time, it is desired to always display it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a content encoding apparatus and content decoding apparatus capable of limiting the reproducible period for each object based on the designation at the time of content distribution. An object is to provide a device, a content distribution device, a content reproduction device, a content distribution system, a content distribution program, and a content reproduction program.

[0012]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a content encoding apparatus 1 and a content decoding apparatus 2 as shown in FIG.

The content encoding apparatus 1 according to the first aspect of the present invention encodes a content 3 composed of a plurality of objects 3a to 3c. In order to solve the above problems, the content encoding device 1 has a memory 1
a, an encoder 1b, a reproducible period information setting unit 1c, and a multiplexer 1d. The memory 1a stores in advance reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab indicating the reproducible period of the time-dependent object in association with the time-dependent object that is affected by the reproduction time among the plurality of objects 3a to 3c in the content 3. To do. The encoder 1b includes a plurality of objects 3a to 3 in the content 3.
c is encoded for each of the objects 3a to 3c. The reproducible period information setting unit 1c stores the reproducible period information 1a stored in the memory 1a for the time-dependent object.
a and 1ab are given. The multiplexer 1d includes the reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab given to the time-dependent objects by the reproducible period information setting unit 1c, and the plurality of objects 4a to 4c encoded by the encoder 1b.
And are multiplexed together.

According to such a content encoding apparatus 1, first, the encoder 1b encodes the objects 3a to 3c of the content 3 for each of the objects 3a to 3c. The reproducible period information setting unit 1c gives reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab to the time-dependent objects of the encoded objects 4a to 4c. Then, the multiplexer 1d multiplexes the reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab and the plurality of objects 4a to 4c encoded by the encoder 1b.

The content decoding apparatus 2 according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of encoded objects 4a-4.
c is for decoding the content in a multiplexed state. The content decryption device 2 includes a demultiplexer 2
a, a reproducibility determination unit 2b, and a decoder 2c. The demultiplexer 2a converts the content in the multiplexed state into a plurality of encoded objects 4a to 4a.
c and a plurality of encoded objects 4a-
Reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab indicating a reproducible period given to the time-dependent object affected by the reproduction time of 4c. Reproducibility determination unit 2b
Compares the reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab of the time-dependent object separated by the demultiplexer 2a with the current time, and determines whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible. The decoder 2c, among the plurality of encoded objects 4a to 4c separated by the demultiplexer 2a, a time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time, and a time when the reproduction possibility determination unit determines that the reproduction is possible. Decrypt dependent objects and.

According to the content decoding apparatus 2 as described above, the content in a state in which the plurality of encoded objects 4a to 4c are multiplexed is demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 2a. Each is separated into reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab. Next, the reproducibility determination unit 2b compares the reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab of the time-dependent object with the current time, and determines whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible. Then, the decoder 2c decodes the time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time and the time-dependent object that is determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determination unit, among the plurality of encoded objects 4a to 4c. To be done.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the third aspect of the present invention provides a content distribution device for distributing content composed of a plurality of objects. The content distribution apparatus according to the present invention associates, in advance, reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period of the time-dependent object with a time-dependent object that is affected by a reproduction time, among the plurality of objects in the content. A memory for storing, an encoder for encoding the plurality of objects in the content for each object, and a reproducible period for giving the reproducible period information stored in the memory to the time-dependent object. An information setting unit, the reproducible period information given to the time-dependent object by the reproducible period information setting unit, and the plurality of objects encoded by the encoder are multiplexed together to generate a stream. Multiplexer and content connected via network In response to a request from the playback apparatus, having a communication unit for delivering the stream generated by the multiplexer to the content reproducing apparatus.

According to such a content distribution device,
First, the encoder encodes each object of the content for each object. The reproducible period information setting unit gives reproducible period information to the time-dependent object among the encoded objects. Further, the multiplexer multiplexes the reproducible period information and the plurality of objects encoded by the encoder to generate a stream. Then, the communication unit delivers the stream generated by the multiplexer to the content reproduction apparatus in response to a request from the content reproduction apparatus connected via the network.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a content reproducing apparatus for reproducing content in a state in which a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed. A content reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit that receives the content from a content distribution apparatus connected via a network, the content received by the communication unit, and a plurality of encoded objects. Reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period, which is given to a time-dependent object that is affected by a reproduction time of the plurality of objects,
And a reproducibility determination unit that determines whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible by comparing the reproducible period information of the time-dependent object and the current time, which are separated by the demultiplexer. Of the plurality of encoded objects separated by the demultiplexer, a time-independent object that does not depend on a reproduction time, and the time-dependent object that is determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determination unit. And a decoder for decoding and reproducing.

According to such a content reproducing apparatus,
First, the communication unit receives the content. Then, the content in the multiplexed state is separated by the demultiplexer into each of the plurality of encoded objects and the reproducible period information. Next, the reproducibility determination unit compares the reproducible period information of the time-dependent object with the current time, and determines whether the time-dependent object is reproducible. And by the decoder,
Of the plurality of encoded objects, the time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time and the time-dependent object that is determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determination unit are decoded, and the decoded object is regenerated. To be done.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, a fifth aspect of the present invention provides a content delivery system for delivering and playing back content composed of a plurality of objects. The content distribution system according to the present invention includes a content distribution device and a content reproduction device. The content distribution device stores, in advance, a reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period of the time-dependent object in association with a time-dependent object that is affected by a reproduction time, among the plurality of objects in the content. An encoder that encodes the plurality of objects in the content for each object, and a reproducible period information setting unit that adds the reproducible period information stored in the memory to the time-dependent object, A multiplexer that combines the reproducible period information given to the time-dependent object by the reproducible period information setting unit and the plurality of objects encoded by the encoder to generate a stream, and a network Content playback device connected via In response to the request comprises a first communication unit for delivering the stream generated by the multiplexer to the content reproducing device. The content reproduction apparatus receives the content from the content distribution apparatus via the network.
And the content received by the communication unit,
A demultiplexer that separates each of the plurality of encoded objects and the reproducible period information, compares the reproducible period information of the time-dependent object that is separated by the demultiplexer with the current time, and A reproducibility determining unit that determines whether a dependent object is reproducible, a time-independent object that does not depend on a replay time among the plurality of encoded objects that are separated by the demultiplexer, and the reproducibility And a decoder for decoding and reproducing the time-dependent object determined to be reproducible by the determination unit.

According to such a content distribution device,
Streamed contents are distributed by the content distribution device having the same function as that of the third aspect of the present invention, and streamed by the content distribution device having the same function as that of the fourth aspect of the present invention. Of the contents, the time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time and the time-dependent object that is determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determination unit are reproduced.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sixth aspect of the present invention provides a content encoding method for encoding content composed of a plurality of objects. The content encoding method according to the present invention encodes the plurality of objects in the content for each object, and for a time-dependent object that is affected by a reproduction time among the plurality of objects in the content. A process of adding reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period and multiplexing the reproducible period information given to the time-dependent object and a plurality of the objects together.

According to such a content encoding method, the content is encoded in the same procedure as the processing executed by the content encoding apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In order to solve the above problems, a seventh aspect of the present invention provides a content decoding method for decoding content in a state in which a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed. . A content decoding method according to the present invention, wherein the content has a reproducible period assigned to each of the plurality of encoded objects and a time-dependent object that is influenced by a reproduction time of the plurality of objects. The reproducible period information indicated is separated into, and the reproducible period information of the separated time-dependent object is compared with the current time to determine whether the time-dependent object is reproducible and encoded. Of the plurality of objects, a time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time and a time-dependent object that is determined to be reproducible are decrypted.

According to such a content decrypting method, the content is decrypted in the same procedure as the processing executed by the content decrypting apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention.

In order to solve the above problems, the eighth aspect of the present invention provides a content encoding program for causing a computer to execute the content encoding method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention. .

By executing such a content encoding program on a computer, the content is encoded in the same procedure as the processing executed by the content encoding device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In order to solve the above problems, the ninth aspect of the present invention provides a content decrypting program for causing a computer to execute the content decrypting method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention. .

By causing the computer to execute such a content decoding program, the content is decoded in the same procedure as the processing executed by the content decoding device according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a content encoding device 1 and a content decoding device 2 according to the present invention.

The content encoding device 1 encodes the content 3 composed of a plurality of objects 3a to 3c. The content encoding device 1 includes a memory 1
a, an encoder 1b, a reproducible period information setting unit 1c, and a multiplexer 1d.

The memory 1a is associated with a time-dependent object that is affected by the reproduction time among the plurality of objects 3a to 3c in the content 3, and the reproducible period information 1aa, 1 indicating the reproducible period of the time-dependent object.
Store ab in advance. Encoder 1b has content 3
The plurality of objects 3a to 3c in the
Encode every a to 3c. Reproducible period information setting section 1c
Adds the reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab stored in the memory 1a to the time-dependent object.
The multiplexer 1d combines and multiplexes the reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab given to the time-dependent object by the reproducible period information setting unit 1c and the plurality of objects 4a to 4c encoded by the encoder 1b.

The content decoding device 2 is for decoding the content in a state in which a plurality of encoded objects 4a to 4c are multiplexed. The content decryption device 2 includes a demultiplexer 2a, a reproduction permission / inhibition decision section 2b,
And a decoder 2c.

The demultiplexer 2a converts the content in the multiplexed state into a plurality of encoded objects 4
a to 4c and reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab indicating a reproducible period given to a time-dependent object that is affected by the reproduction time of the plurality of encoded objects 4a to 4c. . The reproducibility determining unit 2b compares the reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab of the time-dependent object separated by the demultiplexer 2a with the current time, and determines whether the time-dependent object is reproducible. The decoder 2c is a demultiplexer 2a.
A plurality of encoded objects 4a separated by
4c, the time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time and the time-dependent object that is determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determination unit are decrypted.

According to the content encoding apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 1, first, the encoder 1b causes the respective objects 3a to 3c of the content 3 to change from the objects 3a to 3c.
It is encoded every 3c. Encoded object 4a
4c, the reproducible period information setting unit 1c sets the reproducible period information 1aa, 1 for the time-dependent object.
ab is given. Then, by the multiplexer 1d, the reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab and the encoder 1
The plurality of objects 4a to 4c coded in b are multiplexed. Here, it is assumed that a stream is generated by multiplexing.

When the content (stream) in the state of being multiplexed by the content encoding apparatus 1 is input to the content decoding apparatus 2, the stream is demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 2a into a plurality of encoded objects 4a ... 4c and reproducible period information 1aa, 1a
and b. Next, by the reproducibility determination unit 2b,
Reproducible period information 1aa, 1a of time-dependent object
b is compared with the current time to determine whether or not the time-dependent object can be reproduced. Then, by the decoder 2c, among the plurality of encoded objects 4a to 4c, a time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time,
The time-dependent object determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determination unit is decrypted. The decrypted object can be played.

As a result, when the content 3 is encoded, the objects 3a to 3c included in the content 3 are included.
Of these, a time-dependent object can be provided with a limit on the reproducible period. As a result, the time-dependent object with a limited reproducible period is reproduced only when the reproduction time is within the reproducible period, and is not reproduced at other times. Therefore, the reproducible period of each object can be limited in advance with the intention of distributing the content 3 to prevent the user from being confused.

For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the content 3
Is composed of three objects 3a to 3c representing images. Identifier of the object 3a (ID: IDentifi
cation) is “1”, the ID of the object 3b is “2”,
The ID of the object 3c is "3". The object 3a is a time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time, and the objects 3b and 3c are time-dependent objects that depend on the reproduction time. Memory 1a
Is associated with the object 3b (ID "2"),
The reproducible period information in which the reproducible period is “before September 17, 2001 8:00” is stored. In addition, the memory 1a stores the reproducible period information in which the reproducible period is set to "after 8:00 on September 17, 2001" in association with the object 3c (ID "3").

[0040] Such content is, for example, 200
It shall be distributed from 7:00 to 8:00 on September 17, 1st. At this time, the reproducible period information is not added to the object 4a encoded based on the object 3a. On the other hand, the reproducible period information 1aa and 1ab are given to the objects 4b and 4c encoded based on the objects 3b and 3c. These encoded objects 4a to 4c and reproducible period information 1aa,
1ab is multiplexed and a stream is generated. When the stream is passed to the content decryption device 2, the displayed screen differs depending on the playback time of the stream.

An image 5a based on the object 3a and an image 5b based on the object 3b are displayed on the screen 5 when the image is reproduced "before September 17, 2001 8:00" (reproduction during stream distribution). To be done. In the example of FIG.
The image 5a is a moving image, and the image 5b shows the time. On the other hand, an image 6a based on the object 3a and an image 6b based on the object 3b are displayed on the screen 6 when the image is reproduced after “8:00 on September 17, 2001” (the stream is read from the storage device and reproduced). Is displayed. In the example of FIG. 1, the image 6a is a moving image, and the image 6b is a logo showing copyright.

That is, when the stream is distributed in real time, as in normal television broadcasting, in addition to the normal image 5a and sound included in the object 3a, the image at the distribution time is displayed. 5b is displayed on the screen 5. However, no copyright notice is displayed. When this stream is stored once and then played back after distribution, the normal image 6a and audio, and the copyrighted image 6b are displayed, and the time at distribution is not displayed.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the reproducing side reproduces the stream, it is possible to automatically perform the display intended by the stream producing side. As a result, it is possible to avoid unnecessary confusion and also to protect the copyright.

The present invention can be applied to, for example, a content distribution system via a network.
In that case, the function of the content encoding apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 is installed in the content distribution apparatus installed on the network, and the function of the content decoding apparatus 2 is installed in the content reproducing apparatus. An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below by taking an example in which the present invention is applied to a content distribution system.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content distribution system. In the first embodiment, the content distribution device 200 and the plurality of content reproduction devices 300, 300 are connected via the network 10.
and a are connected to each other. The network 10
For example, the Internet.

The content distribution apparatus 200 distributes the content including the moving image and sound in response to the request from the content reproduction apparatuses 300, 300a, .... The content distribution device 200 is, for example, a content server operated by a content provider (Internet broadcasting station). Content reproduction devices 300, 300a, ...
Is a client device that receives and reproduces the content distributed by the content distribution device 200.

The content distribution device 200 and the content reproduction devices 300, 300a, ... According to the first embodiment.
Can be realized by causing a computer to execute a predetermined program (software).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that functions as a content reproducing apparatus. The computer 100 is a CPU (Central Processin).
g Unit) 101 controls the entire apparatus. C
The PU 101 is connected to a RAM (Random Ac
cess Memory) 102, hard disk drive (HD
D: Hard Disk Drive) 103, graphic processing device 1
04, the input interface 105, the communication interface 106, and the voice processing device 107 are connected.

The RAM 102 temporarily stores at least part of an OS (Operating System) program and application programs to be executed by the CPU 101. Further, the RAM 102 stores various data necessary for the processing by the CPU 101. In the HDD 103,
The OS and application programs are stored.

A monitor 11 is connected to the graphic processing device 104. Graphic processor 104
Monitors the image according to the instruction from the CPU 101.
Display it on the 1st screen. A keyboard 12 and a mouse 13 are connected to the input interface 105.
The input interface 105 sends a signal sent from the keyboard 12 or the mouse 13 to the CP via the bus 109.
Send to U101.

The communication interface 106 is connected to the network 10. Communication interface 106
Transmits and receives data to and from other computers via the network 10.

A speaker 14 is connected to the voice processing device 107. The voice processing device 107 is a CPU 101.
According to the instruction from, the voice is output through the speaker 14.

By causing the computer 100 having the above hardware configuration to execute a predetermined program,
The computer 100 is used as the content reproduction apparatus 300, 30.
It can function as 0a. In addition, in FIG.
Although the example of the computer 100 functioning as the content reproduction devices 300 and 300a is shown, the computer functioning as the content distribution device 200 also has the same hardware configuration as the computer 100 shown in FIG. However, the content distribution device 200 may not include the audio processing device or the speaker.

Next, the processing functions of the content distribution apparatus 200 and the content reproduction apparatus units 300, 300a, ... Will be described. Hereinafter, the content reproduction device 3
For the description of 00, 300a, ..., one content reproducing apparatus 300 is representatively used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of the first embodiment. The content distribution device 200 includes a reproducible period information holding unit 210, an encoder 220, a reproducible period information setting unit 230, a multiplexer 240, and a communication unit 250.

The reproducible period information holding unit 210 retains reproducible period information that defines the reproducible period of the objects forming the distributed content 30. The reproducible period information holding unit 210 is preset by the administrator of the content distribution device 200. The set reproducible period information holding unit 210 is stored in a recording medium such as a memory of a computer.

The encoder 220 uses the contents 30, 3
The objects forming 0a and 30b are encoded respectively. The encoding is performed in a format that conforms to the MPEG4 standard, for example.

The reproducible period information setting unit 230 gives the reproducible period information to the object encoded by the encoder 220. Specifically, the reproducible period information setting unit 230 includes the reproducible period information holding unit 210.
With reference to, the reproducible period information corresponding to the object encoded by the encoder 220 is acquired. Then, the reproducible period information setting unit 230 gives corresponding reproducible period information to each object.

The multiplexer 240 multiplexes the objects to which the reproducible period information has been added by the reproducible period information setting unit 230 to generate a stream (data string) of the content 30.

The communication section 250 includes the content reproducing device 30.
In response to the content acquisition request from 0, the stream generated by the multiplexer 240 is distributed via the network 10.

The content reproducing device 300 includes a content holding unit 310, a communication unit 320, and a demultiplexer 33.
0, a clock unit 340, a reproduction permission / inhibition determination unit 350, and a decoder 360.

The content holding unit 310 can hold the content in the stream state. The content holding unit 310 is a storage area in the storage device, and is provided, for example, in the HDD 103 of the computer 100.

The communication section 320 transmits a content acquisition request to the content distribution apparatus 200 in response to a user operation input. Then, the communication unit 320 receives the stream sent from the content distribution device 200 in response to the acquisition request. The communication unit 320 determines whether or not to immediately reproduce the content, according to the content of the operation input from the user. In the case of immediate reproduction, the communication unit 320 sends the received stream to the demultiplexer 330. When the reproduction is not the immediate reproduction, the communication unit 320 stores the received stream in the content holding unit 310. In the case of immediate reproduction, the communication unit 320 may send the stream to the demultiplexer 330 and store the stream in the content holding unit 310 at the same time.

The demultiplexer 330 has a communication section 320.
When the stream is received from, the stream is separated for each object. If the object is given reproducible information, the reproducible information is also separated. In addition, the demultiplexer 330 acquires the stream stored in the content holding unit 310 in response to the operation input from the user, and separates the acquired stream for each object.

The clock section 340 constantly measures the time. Then, the clock unit 340 passes the time information indicating the current time to the reproduction propriety determination unit 350 in response to the request from the reproduction propriety determination unit 350.

The reproduction permission / inhibition decision section 350 receives each separated object every time the stream is separated by the demultiplexer 330. In addition, the reproducibility determination unit 350
When receiving an object from the demultiplexer 330, outputs a time information acquisition request to the clock unit 340 and acquires the time information from the clock unit 340. The reproduction permission / inhibition determination section 350 recognizes the current time based on the acquired time information.

Then, for each object received from the demultiplexer 330, the reproducibility determining section 350 compares the reproducible period indicated by the reproducible period information given to the object with the current time. If the current time is within the reproducible period, the reproducibility determination unit 350 determines that the object to which the reproducible period information is added is reproducible and passes it to the decoder 360. On the other hand, if the present time is not included in the reproducible period, the reproducibility determination unit 350 determines that the object to which the reproducible period information is added is unreproducible and discards the object. An object for which a reproducible period is not set is determined to be reproducible regardless of the current time.

The decoder 360 includes a reproduction permission / inhibition decision section 350.
Decrypt the object passed by. Decoder 360
If the decoded object is image information, the object is reproduced and displayed on the screen of the monitor. If the decoded object is audio information, the decoder 360 reproduces the object and outputs it from the speaker.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the reproducible period information. In the reproducible period information holding unit 210,
A reproducible period information group 210a, 210b, 210c for each content 30, 30a, 30b is stored in advance. Note that the reproducible period information groups 210a, 210b, 2
10c is created by the operation input of the administrator of the content distribution apparatus 200.

Reproducible period information group 210a, 210b,
In the 210c, for each object included in the contents 30, 30a, 30b, an identifier (ID), a reproducible period start time, a reproducible period end time, and object type information are registered. A set of these pieces of information is the reproducible period information of each object.

The identifier (ID) is the content 30, 30.
This is information for uniquely identifying the objects in a and 30b. For example, in the reproducible period information group 210a, each of the three objects has ID "1",
“2” and “3” are assigned.

The reproducible period start time indicates the start time of the reproducible period of each object. For example,
In the reproducible period information group 210a, the reproducible period start time of the object of ID "1" is not set.
The reproducible period start time of the object with ID “2” is
It is “8:00 on September 10, 2001”. ID
The reproducible period start time of the object “3” is “2
It is 10:00 on September 10, 001 ". When the reproducible period start time is not set, the object is always reproducible before the end time of the reproducible period.

The end time of the reproducible period indicates the end time of the reproducible period of each object. For example,
In the reproducible period information group 210a, the reproducible period end time of the object of ID "1" is not set.
The end time of the reproducible period of the object of ID “2” is
It is "September 10, 2001 10:00". ID
The end time of the reproducible period of the object of "3" is not set. When the end time of the reproducible period is not set, the object is always reproducible after the start time of the reproducible period. If neither the start time nor the end time of the reproducible period is set, the object can be reproduced regardless of the time.

"Type of object" is information indicating the type of object. In the example of FIG. 5, the type of object having the ID “1” is “moving image and sound”. ID
The type of object "2" is "present request number". The type of object with ID “3” is
It is a "notice of completion of gift request".

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the time information is not set when the start time of the reproducible period is not limited, but "0" or "-∞ (minus infinity)" is set. May be. Similarly, “∞ (infinity)” may be set when there is no restriction on the end time of the reproducible period.

An object for which neither the start time of the reproducible period nor the end time of the reproducible period is set is
It is a time-independent object. It is not necessary to add the reproducible period information to the time-independent object at the time of content distribution.

With the system configured as described above, content is distributed from the content distribution apparatus 200, and the content 30 distributed by the content reproduction apparatus 300 is reproduced.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data flow of content encoding processing in the content distribution apparatus. Figure 6
In the example, the content 30 includes a plurality of objects 31.
~ 33.

The content 30 is encoded by the encoder 220 for each of the objects 31 to 33. As a result, streams (object-unit streams) 41 to 43 for each object are generated. The generated object unit streams 41 to 43 are passed to the reproducible period information setting unit 230. Then, for each of the object unit streams 41 to 43, the reproducible period information setting unit 230 causes the reproducible period information 211 to
213 is added. Reproducible period information 211-213
In the corresponding object unit streams 41 to 43
The renewable period of is defined. Renewable period information 2
The object unit streams 41 to 43 to which 11 to 213 are added are passed to the multiplexer 240.

The reproducible period information 211 to 213 and the object unit streams 41 to 43 are stored in the multiplexer 2
40 is multiplexed. As a result, the content stream 50 that is the content in the multiplexed state is generated. The generated content stream 50 is distributed to the content reproduction device 300 by the communication unit 250.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a content encoding processing procedure in the content distribution apparatus. Hereinafter, the process illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described in order of step number.
It should be noted that this process is executed when the distribution time of the content 30 is reached.

[Step S11] The encoder 220
It is determined whether or not processing such as encoding has been performed on all the objects 31 to 33 of the content 30. If the processing has been completed for all the objects 31 to 33, the processing proceeds to step S15. If not, the process proceeds to step S12.

[Step S12] The encoder 220
Select one unprocessed object and encode that object. If the object is a moving image, it is encoded in the MPEG4 format, for example. If the object has already been subjected to data compression processing or is simply character data (character code), encoding may not be performed. Then, the encoder 220 generates an object unit stream.

[Step S13] The reproducible period information setting unit 230 refers to the content of the reproducible period information holding unit 210, and whether there is reproducible period information corresponding to the object converted into the object unit stream in Step S12. Determine whether or not. It should be noted that the reproducible period information setting unit 230 does not reproduce the reproducible period start time and the reproducible period end time even if the ID corresponding to the object is registered. It is judged that there is no available period information.

If there is corresponding reproducible period information, the process proceeds to step S14. If there is no corresponding reproducible period information, the process proceeds to step S11.

[Step S14] The reproducible period information setting unit 230 acquires reproducible period information corresponding to the object unit stream from the reproducible period information holding unit 210. Then, the reproducible period information setting unit 230
The acquired reproducible period information is added to the object unit stream. After that, the process proceeds to step S11.
Proceed to.

[Step S15] When the processing is completed for all the objects, the multiplexer 24
0 multiplexes the object unit stream to which the reproducible period information is added to generate the content stream 50.

In the example of FIG. 7, all objects are coded and then multiplexed, but each object is coded in parallel in synchronization with the reproduction time of the content, and the code of each object is coded. The multiplexed data can be sequentially multiplexed.

When the content stream 50 thus generated is sent to the content reproducing apparatus 300,
The content reproduction apparatus 300 reproduces the content 30 based on the content stream 50.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data flow of the content decoding process in the content reproducing apparatus. In the content reproduction device 300 that has received the content stream 50, the content stream 50 is separated by the demultiplexer 330. By separating the content stream 50, the reproducible period information 211 to
Object unit streams 41 to 213
43 is taken out. Reproducible period information 211-213
Object unit streams 41 to 43
Is passed to the reproduction permission / inhibition decision section 350. At this time, the time information 3 is transmitted from the clock unit 340 to the reproduction permission / inhibition determination unit 350.
41 is passed. The current time is shown in the time information 341.

Then, by the reproduction permission / inhibition decision section 350,
For each of the object unit streams 41 to 43 to which the reproducible period information 211 to 213 is added, it is determined whether the object unit streams 41 to 43 are displayable objects at the current time. Reproducible period information 211-213 of the object
Of the object unit streams 41 to 43 assigned with, the object unit stream of the displayable object (for example, the object unit stream 41,
42) is passed to the decoder 360. The object unit stream of the non-displayable object (for example, the object unit stream 43) is discarded.

The object unit streams 41 and 42 of the displayable object are decoded by the decoder 360 to generate the displayable content 30c.
The content 30c includes only the objects 31 and 32 that can be displayed at the current time.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a content decoding processing procedure in the content reproducing apparatus. Hereinafter, the process illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described in order of step number.
Note that this processing is executed every time the demultiplexer 330 acquires a part of the data in the content stream 50.

[Step S21] Demultiplexer 33
0 separates some of the data in the acquired content stream 50 for each object. The content stream 50 to be reproduced is passed to the demultiplexer 330 via the communication unit 320 or the demultiplexer 33.
0 is taken out from the content holding unit 310.

[Step S22] Reproducibility determination unit 350
Performs steps S23 to S2 for all the objects included in the acquired content stream 50.
It is determined whether or not the process of No. 5 is performed. If all objects have been processed, the processing ends. If there is an unprocessed object, the process proceeds to step S23.

[Step S23] Reproducibility determination section 350
Selects one unprocessed object and determines whether or not the reproducible period information is added to the object unit stream of the object. If the reproducible period information is added, the reproducible period is limited, and the process proceeds to step S24. When the reproducible period information is not added, there is no limit on the reproducible period, and therefore the reproducibility determination unit 350 passes the object unit stream to the decoder 360, and the process proceeds to step S25.

[Step S24] Reproducibility determination section 350
Compares the time information 341 with the reproducible period information given to the object unit stream to determine whether or not the current time is within the reproducible period. That is, the reproducibility determination unit 350 determines that the current time is after the time set in the “reproducible period start time” of the reproducible period information and before the time set in the “reproducible period end time”. If it is, it is determined that it is within the reproducible period. Otherwise, the reproducibility determination unit 35
When 0 is determined, it is outside the reproducible period.

If the current time is within the reproducible period, the reproducibility determination unit 350 passes the object unit stream to the decoder 360, and the process proceeds to step S25. If the current time is outside the reproducible period, the reproducibility determination unit 350 discards the object unit stream, and the process proceeds to step S22.

[Step S25] The decoder 360 decodes the received object unit stream. Further, the decoder 360 reproduces the object obtained by the decoding. That is, the decoder 360 causes the image obtained by the object to be displayed if the object is an image, and outputs the sound of the object if the object is a sound.

[0100] In this way, the content 30c composed of an object for which there is no restriction regarding the reproducible period and an object whose current time is within the reproducible period is reproduced.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of objects constituting the content. FIG. 10A shows an example of an image based on the object of ID “1”.
FIG. 10B shows an example of an image based on the object with ID “2”, and FIG. 10C shows an example of an image based on the object with ID “3”. This example shows three objects 31 to 33 that form the content 30.

The image 51 based on the object 31 of ID "1" is a moving image (see FIG. 10A). In this example, as the object 31 with ID “1”, a moving image in which a moderator introduces a car for presenting viewers is prepared. Image 52 of object 32 with ID "2"
Is a still image (see FIG. 10B). In this example,
As the object 32 having the ID “2”, a still image is displayed which displays the present application acceptance period (8:00 to 10:00) and the present application acceptance telephone number (0120-XXXXXXX). An image 53 based on the object 33 with ID “3”
Is a still image. In this example, as the object 33 having the ID “3”, a still image for displaying the message “Present application acceptance is completed.” Is prepared.

For such a content 30, as shown in FIG.
When the reproducible period information as shown in the reproducible period information group 210a shown in is set, the reproducible period for each object is as follows.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a reproducible period for each object. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis indicates time. The displayable period of each object is shown by a solid line, and the non-displayable period is shown by a broken line. It is assumed that the content 30 is distributed for two hours from 8 am to 10 am on September 10, 2001.

The object 31 with ID “1” can be always displayed because no limitation is imposed on the reproducible period. The object 32 with ID “2” can be displayed only during the period from 8:00 am to 10:00 am on September 10, 2001, which is the present application acceptance period, and cannot be displayed during other periods. The object 33 with ID “3” is
It can be displayed only after the present application acceptance period, and cannot be displayed before that period.

Since the displayable period differs for each of the objects 31 to 33, the display result of the content differs depending on the reproduction time of the content 30. Figure 12
It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen according to reproduction time. 12
FIG. 12A is an example of a screen when the content is reproduced within the present application acceptance period, and FIG. 12B is an example of a screen when the content is reproduced after the end of the present application acceptance period.

Within the period for accepting gifts (September 2001)
When the content 30 is reproduced from 8:00 to 10:00 on the 10th of the month), as shown in FIG. 12A, the image 51 and the ID of the object 31 with the ID “1” are displayed on the screen 50a.
The image 52 of the object 32 of “2” is displayed.
On the other hand, after the present application period (September 1, 2001)
When the content 30 is reproduced after 10:00 on the day 0), the ID “1” is displayed on the screen 50b as shown in FIG.
An image 51 of the object 31 of No. 3 and an image 53 of the object 33 of ID “3” are displayed.

As described above, by allowing the distribution side of the content 30 to specify the reproduction object corresponding to the reproduction time of the content, only the necessary object can be reproduced at the reproduction time. For example, in the example of FIG. 12, the object 32 indicating the present application method is useful during the present application acceptance period, but is useless after the end of the present application acceptance period. Therefore, after the present application acceptance period ends, the object 33 is replaced with the object 33.
Is displayed to notify the user that the present application period has ended. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from misunderstanding the present application acceptance period.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the distribution time of contents can be set as a variable in the reproducible period information. That is, when the content to be distributed is created by the Internet broadcasting station, the distribution time of the content may not be determined. In this case, it is inconvenient if the reproducible period information cannot be set until the delivery time is fixed. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the start time of the reproducible period or the end time of the reproducible period can be set by an expression in which the actual delivery time is a variable.

Only the points of difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below. The system configuration and hardware configuration of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the content distribution device according to the second embodiment. In the content delivery apparatus 200a of the second embodiment, the reproducible period information holding unit 270 and the delivery time replacement unit 260 are different from those of the first embodiment, and the other components are the same as those of the first embodiment. It is the same. Therefore, in FIG. 13, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4, and description thereof will be omitted.

The reproducible period information holding section 270 can set a variable indicating the distribution time in the reproducible period information. The "reproducible period start time" and the "reproducible period end time" are defined by a formula that defines the elapsed time from the distribution time.

The delivery time replacing unit 260 responds to an operation input designating the delivery time from the administrator of the content delivery apparatus 200a, and sets a variable representing the delivery time set in the reproducible period information holding unit 270, Replace with the actual delivery time.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a data structure example of the reproducible period information in the second embodiment. The reproducible period information group 210d according to the second embodiment includes an identifier (I) for each object included in the content 30.
D), reproducible period start time, reproducible period end time,
Each type of object information is registered. A set of these pieces of information is the reproducible period information.

In the second embodiment, it is possible to set a defining expression using the distribution time at the reproducible period start time and the reproducible period end time of the reproducible period information.
For example, the "reproducible period start time" corresponding to the ID "2" in FIG. 14 is set to "delivery time t", and the "reproducible period end time" is set to "delivery time t + 1 week". ing. Also, the "reproduction time period start time" corresponding to the ID "3" is "delivery time t + 1 week".
Is set.

At the time when the content 30 is created, FIG.
Reproducible period information as shown in No. 4 is stored in the reproducible period information holding unit 270. When the delivery time of the content 30 is confirmed, the content delivery apparatus 200a
The administrator of (1) performs an operation input for designating the distribution time on the content distribution device 200a. Then, the delivery time replacement unit 260 causes the delivery time t in the reproducible period information to be delivered.
Is replaced with the input delivery time (actual time).

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the distribution time replacement processing procedure in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the process illustrated in FIG. 15 will be described in order of step number. It should be noted that this process is started when the administrator of the content distribution apparatus 200a inputs an operation to set the distribution time.

[Step S31] Delivery time replacing unit 260
Accepts the setting input of the delivery time for the content 30 by the administrator. [Step S32] The delivery time replacing unit 260 searches for the “delivery time t” from the reproducible period information corresponding to the content 30 in the reproducible period information holding unit 270.

[Step S33] Delivery time replacing unit 260
Determines whether or not the "delivery time t" is detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S34. If not detected, the process ends.

[Step S34] Delivery time replacement unit 260
Interprets the definition contents of the detected item for which the "delivery time t" is set, and calculates the time. For example, if “delivery time t + 1 week” is defined, the time one week after the input delivery time is obtained.

[Step S35] Delivery time replacing unit 260
Replaces the definition content of the detected item for which “delivery time t” is set with the time calculated in step S34. [Step S36] The delivery time replacement unit 260 determines whether or not all the search for the reproducible period information corresponding to the content 30 in the reproducible period information holding unit 270 has been completed. If the search is completed, the process ends. If not, the process proceeds to step S32.

In this way, the definition information once set as the distribution time t is replaced with the time information based on the actual distribution time. For example, when the reproducible period information group 210d shown in FIG. 14 in association with the content 30 is stored in the reproducible period information holding unit 210,
When the distribution time of the content 30 is input, the definition contents regarding the “reproducible period start time” and the “reproducible period end time” in the reproducible period information group 210d are replaced with the time information.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the reproducible period information group after the distribution time is replaced. This example is an example in which "September 10, 2001, 8:00" is designated as the delivery time. By specifying the delivery time, ID
The “reproducible period start time” corresponding to “2” is “200
"September 17, 2001, 8:00" and "Renewable period end time" is "September 17, 2001, 8:00
Has been replaced by "0". Also, the “reproducible period start time” corresponding to the ID “3” is replaced with “September 17, 2001 8:00”.

As described above, while the delivery time is undecided, the variable indicating the delivery time is set, and when the delivery time is input, the delivery time is replaced by the actual set time. When determined, the reproducible period for each object can be easily set.

When the distribution of the content 30 is started when the acquisition request for the content 30 is received from the content reproduction apparatus 300, the distribution time replacing unit 260.
Regards the acquisition request for the content 30 as the distribution time,
The delivery time t in the reproducible time information is replaced. This saves the administrator of the content distribution device 200a from having to input the distribution time.

[Modification] In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which contents are distributed from an Internet broadcasting station via a network has been described. However, in the case of wireless TV broadcasting or radio broadcasting, etc. The present invention can also be applied. In that case, a broadcast device is used instead of the content distribution devices 200 and 200a.
In the broadcasting device, the function of the communication unit 250 in the content distribution devices 200 and 200a is replaced with the broadcasting function. The broadcasting device has a preset distribution time of the content, and automatically distributes (broadcasts) the content at the distribution time.

Also, the encoded content (stream content) is recorded on a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read O
It is also possible to record on a computer-readable portable recording medium such as an nly memory) and distribute the recording medium to the user. In that case, the content reproducing device may be a device for reading data from the recording medium (for example, C
D-ROM drive) is provided.

In the first and second embodiments, the object unit stream is created by encoding the object and then the reproducible period information is added to the object unit stream. Reproducible period information may be added to each previous object.

The above processing functions can be realized by the server computer and the client computer. In that case, a server program describing the processing contents of the functions that the content encoding device 1 and the content distribution devices 200 and 200a should have, and the processing contents of the functions that the content decoding device 2 and the content reproducing devices 300 and 300a should have. A client program that describes is provided. By executing the server program on the server computer, the processing functions of the content encoding device 1 and the content distribution devices 200 and 200a are realized on the server computer. In addition, by executing the client program on the client computer, the content decoding device 2 and the content reproducing device 30
The processing functions of 0,300a are realized on the client computer.

The server program and the client program in which the processing contents are described can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, semiconductor memories, and the like.
The magnetic recording device includes a hard disk device (HDD), a flexible disk (FD), a magnetic tape, and the like.
Optical discs include DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and D
VD-RAM (Random Access Memory), CD-ROM,
There are CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWritable).
Magneto-optical recording media include MO (Magneto-Optical disc) and the like.

When distributing the server program and the client program, for example, a portable recording medium such as a DVD or a CD-ROM in which each program is recorded is sold. It is also possible to store the client program in the storage device of the server computer and transfer the client program from the server computer to the client computer via the network.

The server computer that executes the server program stores the server program recorded in a portable recording medium in its own storage device, for example. And
The server computer reads the server program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the server program. The server computer can also read the server program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the server program.

The client computer that executes the client program stores, for example, the client program recorded in the portable recording medium or the client program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the client computer reads the client program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the client program. The client computer can also read the client program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the client program. Further, the client computer can also sequentially execute processing according to the received client program each time the client program is transferred from the server computer.

(Supplementary Note 1) In a content encoding device for encoding a content composed of a plurality of objects, among the plurality of objects in the content, a time-dependent object affected by a reproduction time is associated with A memory that stores in advance reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period of the time-dependent object, an encoder that encodes the plurality of objects in the content for each object, and the memory for the time-dependent object. A reproducible period information setting unit for giving the reproducible period information stored in the reproducible period information, the reproducible period information given to the time dependent object by the reproducible period information setting unit, and encoded by the encoder. A multi that multiplexes together with a plurality of the above objects A content encoding device, comprising:

(Supplementary Note 2) In the reproducible period information stored in the memory, the reproducible period is defined by an expression including a distribution time as a variable, and when the distribution time of the content is designated, The content encoding device according to appendix 1, further comprising a delivery time substitution unit that substitutes the delivery time into the variable to calculate the expression and replaces the reproducible period with a calculation result of the expression.

(Supplementary Note 3) In a content decoding device for decoding content in a state in which a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed, the content is the plurality of encoded objects and a plurality of the plurality of encoded objects. A demultiplexer that separates into a reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period that is given to a time-dependent object that is affected by a reproduction time of the objects, and the reproduction of the time-dependent object that is separated by the demultiplexer. A reproduction permission / inhibition determination unit that determines whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible by comparing the available period information with the current time, and replays out of the plurality of encoded objects separated by the demultiplexer. Time-independent objects that do not depend on time and can be played back by the playability determination unit And a decoder that decodes the time-dependent object determined to be the content decoding device.

(Supplementary Note 4) In a content distribution device for distributing a content composed of a plurality of objects, among the plurality of objects in the content, a time-dependent object affected by a reproduction time is associated with the corresponding time. A memory that stores in advance reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period of the dependent object, an encoder that encodes each of the plurality of objects in the content for each object, and stores the time-dependent object in the memory. A reproducible period information setting unit for imparting the reproducible period information, the reproducible period information given to the time dependent object by the reproducible period information setting unit, and a plurality of encoded by the encoder. And multiplex the above objects together and stream A multiplexer that produces
A content distribution device, comprising: a communication unit that, in response to a request from a content reproduction device connected via a network, distributes the stream generated by the multiplexer to the content reproduction device.

(Supplementary Note 5) In the reproducible period information stored in the memory, the reproducible period is defined by an expression including the distribution time as a variable, and when the distribution time of the content is designated, 5. The content distribution device according to appendix 4, further comprising a distribution time substitution unit that substitutes the distribution time into the variable to calculate the expression and replaces the reproducible period with the calculation result of the expression.

(Supplementary Note 6) In a content reproducing apparatus for reproducing content in a state where a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed, a communication unit for receiving the content from a content distribution apparatus connected via a network. The content received by the communication unit is reproducible indicating the reproducible period given to each of the plurality of encoded objects and the time-dependent object that is affected by the reproduction time of the plurality of objects. A reproduction that determines whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible by comparing the reproducible period information of the demultiplexer separated into period information and the time-dependent object demultiplexed by the demultiplexer with the current time. Separated by the availability determination unit and the demultiplexer,
Of the plurality of encoded objects, a time-independent object that does not depend on a reproduction time and a decoder that decodes and reproduces the time-dependent object that is determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determination unit, and A content reproduction apparatus having:

(Supplementary Note 7) A storage device is further provided, wherein the communication unit stores the received content in the storage device, and the demultiplexer reads the content from the storage device. The content reproduction device according to attachment 6.

(Supplementary Note 8) In a content distribution system for distributing and reproducing content constituted by a plurality of objects, among the plurality of objects in the content, a time-dependent object affected by a reproduction time is associated with the time-dependent object. A memory that stores in advance playable period information indicating a playable period of the time-dependent object, and a plurality of the objects in the content,
An encoder that encodes each object, a reproducible period information setting unit that gives the reproducible period information stored in the memory to the time-dependent object, and the reproducible period information setting unit that sets the time From the content reproduction apparatus connected via a network and a multiplexer that multiplexes the reproduction-enabled period information given to the dependent object and the plurality of objects encoded by the encoder together to generate a stream. In response to the request, a content distribution device including a first communication unit that distributes the stream generated by the multiplexer to the content reproduction device, and the content distribution device from the content distribution device via the network. A second communication unit for receiving the A demultiplexer that separates the content into each of the plurality of encoded objects and the reproducible period information, and the reproducible period information and the current time of the time-dependent object that are separated by the demultiplexer. A time-independent object that does not depend on a reproduction time among the plurality of encoded objects separated by the reproduction possibility determination unit that determines whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible and the demultiplexer. And a content reproduction device including a decoder for decoding and reproducing the time-dependent object determined to be reproducible by the reproduction permission / inhibition determination unit.

(Supplementary Note 9) In a content encoding method for encoding a content composed of a plurality of objects, a plurality of the objects in the content are encoded for each object, and a plurality of objects in the content are encoded. Of the objects, a reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period is given to a time-dependent object affected by a reproduction time, the reproducible period information given to the time-dependent object, and a plurality of the objects And a content encoding method, the method comprising:

(Supplementary Note 10) In a content decoding method for decoding content in a state in which a plurality of coded objects are multiplexed, the content is each of the plurality of coded objects,
Reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period, which is given to a time-dependent object affected by a reproduction time of a plurality of the objects, and the reproducible period information of the time-dependent object that has been separated. Comparing with the current time, it is determined whether or not the time-dependent object can be reproduced, among the plurality of encoded objects, a time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time,
A content decryption method comprising a process of decrypting the time-dependent object determined to be reproducible.

(Supplementary Note 11) In a content encoding program for encoding a content composed of a plurality of objects, the computer encodes the plurality of objects in the content for each object, Of the plurality of objects, the playable period information indicating the playable period is given to the time-dependent object that is affected by the playback time, and the playable period information given to the time-dependent object is A content encoding program, characterized in that the content encoding program executes a process of multiplexing together with the above object.

(Supplementary Note 12) In a content decoding program for decoding content in a state in which a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed, the content is recorded on a computer by the plurality of encoded objects. And reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period given to a time-dependent object that is affected by the reproduction time of the plurality of objects, and the reproducible period of the separated time-dependent object. It is determined whether the time-dependent object is reproducible by comparing the information with the current time, and among the plurality of encoded objects, a time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time and reproducible It is characterized in that it executes a process of decrypting the determined time-dependent object. Content decryption program.

(Supplementary Note 13) In a computer-readable recording medium in which a content encoding program for encoding a content composed of a plurality of objects is recorded, a plurality of the objects in the content are stored in the computer. Encoding for each object, assigning reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period to a time-dependent object that is affected by the reproduction time among the plurality of objects in the content, and assigning it to the time-dependent object A recording medium, which executes a process of multiplexing the reproduced reproducible period information and a plurality of the objects together.

(Supplementary Note 14) In a computer-readable recording medium recording a content decoding program for decoding a content in which a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed, the content is stored in the computer. , Each of the plurality of encoded objects and reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period given to a time-dependent object that is affected by a reproduction time of the plurality of objects, and is separated. The time that does not depend on the reproduction time of the plurality of encoded objects by comparing the reproducible period information of the time-dependent object with the current time and determining whether the time-dependent object is reproducible. Independent object and the time-dependent object determined to be reproducible A recording medium characterized by causing a process of decoding and.

[0148]

As described above, according to the present invention, the reproducible period information indicating the reproducible period is added to the time-dependent object when the content is encoded, and the reproducible period information is reproduced at the time of reproduction. Enabled to play the time-dependent object only during the available period. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user's confusion due to the unlimited display of objects closely related to a specific time by limiting the reproducible period of each object in advance with the intention of distributing the content. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content distribution system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a computer that functions as a content reproduction device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of reproducible period information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data flow of content encoding processing in the content distribution apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a content encoding processing procedure in the content distribution device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data flow of a content decoding process in the content reproduction device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a content decoding processing procedure in the content reproduction device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of objects constituting content. FIG. 10 (A) shows an example of an object with ID “1”, FIG. 10 (B) shows an example of an object with ID “2”, and FIG. 10 (C) shows an object with ID “3”. Shows an example of.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a reproducible period for each object.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to a reproduction time. FIG. 12 (A) is an example of a screen when content is reproduced within the present application acceptance period, and FIG. 12 (B)
Is an example of a screen when content is reproduced after the end of the present application acceptance period.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a content distribution device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of reproducible period information in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a delivery time replacement processing procedure according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a reproducible period information group after distribution time replacement.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Content encoding device 1a memory 1aa, 1ab Renewable period information 1b encoder 1c Renewable period information setting section 1d multiplexer 2 Content compounding device 2a demultiplexer 2b Reproducibility determination unit 2c decoder 3 contents 3a-3c objects 4a to 4c coded objects 5 screens 5a, 5b images 6 screens 6a, 6b images 10 network 200 Content distribution device 300,300a content playback device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C053 FA13 FA23 GB06 GB21 GB40                       JA22 KA01 LA11 LA14                 5C059 MA00 MB21 PP04 RB01 RB10                       RB18 RC04 SS06 SS11 UA02                       UA05 UA34 UA39 (54) [Title of Invention] Content encoding device, content decoding device, content distribution device, content reproduction device,                     Content distribution system, content encoding method, content decoding method, content encoding program                     Gram and content decryption program

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A content encoding apparatus for encoding a content composed of a plurality of objects, wherein, among the plurality of objects in the content, a time-dependent object affected by a reproduction time is associated with the time. A memory that stores in advance reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period of the dependent object, an encoder that encodes the plurality of objects in the content for each object, and stores the time-dependent object in the memory A reproducible period information setting unit for imparting the reproducible period information, the reproducible period information given to the time dependent object by the reproducible period information setting unit, and a plurality of encoded by the encoder. Multiplex to combine and multiplex the above objects When the content encoding apparatus characterized by having a. 2. The reproducible period information stored in the memory defines the reproducible period by an expression including a distribution time as a variable, and when the distribution time of the content is designated, the variable The content encoding device according to claim 1, further comprising: a delivery time replacing unit that substitutes the delivery time into the formula to calculate the formula, and replaces the reproducible period with a calculation result of the formula. 3. A content decoding apparatus for decoding content in a state in which a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed, wherein the content includes a plurality of the encoded objects and a plurality of the objects. Assigned to a time-dependent object that is affected by the playback time,
Reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period, and a demultiplexer that separates into, and compares the reproducible period information and the current time of the time-dependent object separated by the demultiplexer,
A reproducibility determination unit that determines whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible, a time-independent object that does not depend on a reproduction time among the plurality of encoded objects that are separated by the demultiplexer, and A content decoding apparatus, comprising: a decoder for decoding the time-dependent object determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determination unit; 4. A content distribution device that distributes content composed of a plurality of objects, wherein the time-dependent object is associated with a time-dependent object that is affected by a reproduction time among the plurality of objects in the content. A memory that stores in advance reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period, an encoder that encodes each of the plurality of objects in the content for each object, and a time-dependent object that is stored in the memory. A reproducible period information setting unit that gives the reproducible period information that is present, the reproducible period information that is given to the time-dependent object by the reproducible period information setting unit, and a plurality of the encoders that are encoded by the encoder. Generate a stream by multiplexing with objects And a communication unit that, in response to a request from a content reproduction device connected via a network, distributes the stream generated by the multiplexer to the content reproduction device. Delivery device. 5. A content reproduction apparatus for reproducing content in a state in which a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed, a communication unit for receiving the content from a content distribution apparatus connected via a network, Reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period, which is given to each of the plurality of encoded objects and the time-dependent object that is affected by the reproduction time of the plurality of objects, the content being received by the communication unit. And a demultiplexer that separates into, and compares the reproducible period information of the time-dependent object separated by the demultiplexer with the current time,
A reproducibility determination unit that determines whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible, a time-independent object that does not depend on a reproduction time among the plurality of encoded objects that are separated by the demultiplexer, and A content reproducing apparatus, comprising: a decoder for decoding and reproducing the time-dependent object determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determining unit. 6. A content distribution system for distributing and reproducing content composed of a plurality of objects, wherein the plurality of objects in the content are associated with a time-dependent object affected by a reproduction time, A memory that stores in advance reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period of a time-dependent object, an encoder that encodes the plurality of objects in the content for each object, and a memory that stores the time-dependent object in the memory. A reproducible period information setting unit that adds the stored reproducible period information, the reproducible period information that is given to the time-dependent object by the reproducible period information setting unit, and is encoded by the encoder. Multiple objects are multiplexed together and A multiplexer for generating a ream, and a first communication unit for delivering the stream generated by the multiplexer to the content reproduction device in response to a request from the content reproduction device connected via a network. And a second communication unit that receives the content from the content distribution apparatus via the network, the content received by the communication unit, and the plurality of encoded objects, respectively. A demultiplexer for separating into reproducible period information and the reproducible period information of the time-dependent object separated by the demultiplexer and the current time are compared to determine whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible. Encoding separated by the reproducibility determination unit and the demultiplexer Among the plurality of objects, decoded and time-independent object that does not depend on the reproduction time, and the time-dependent object is determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determination section,
A content distribution system comprising: a content reproduction device including a decoder for reproduction. 7. A content encoding method for encoding a content composed of a plurality of objects, wherein the plurality of objects in the content are encoded for each object, and the plurality of objects in the content are encoded. Of the time-dependent objects that are affected by the playback time,
A content code including a process of adding reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period, and multiplexing the reproducible period information provided to the time-dependent object and a plurality of the objects together. Method. 8. A content decoding method for decoding a content in a state in which a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed, the content comprising: each of the plurality of encoded objects; Of the objects, the time-dependent objects that are affected by the playback time
The reproducible period information indicating the reproducible period is separated into, and the reproducible period information of the separated time-dependent object is compared with the current time to determine whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible, Of the plurality of encoded objects, a time-independent object that does not depend on a reproduction time and a time-dependent object that is determined to be reproducible are decoded. Method. 9. A content encoding program for encoding a content composed of a plurality of objects, wherein a computer encodes the plurality of objects in the content for each object, Of the above objects of, for time-dependent objects that are affected by the playback time,
Content for performing a process of providing reproducible period information indicating a reproducible period, and multiplexing the reproducible period information provided to the time-dependent object and a plurality of the objects together. Encoding program. 10. In a content decoding program for decoding content in a state in which a plurality of encoded objects are multiplexed, a computer is provided with the content, and the plurality of encoded objects, respectively. Assigned to a time-dependent object affected by the playback time of the plurality of objects,
The reproducible period information indicating the reproducible period is separated into, and the reproducible period information of the separated time-dependent object is compared with the current time to determine whether or not the time-dependent object is reproducible, Of the plurality of encoded objects, a time-independent object that does not depend on a reproduction time and a time-dependent object that is determined to be reproducible are decoded, and content that causes processing to be executed. Decryption program.