JP2003143598A - Picture distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture distribution system for enabling distribution of live pictures of a small-scale event, which reduces the production cost for a producer company and give merits to a picture provider and please viewers. SOLUTION: A server 100 performs processing of moving picture signals from k cameras (k is an integer equal to or smaller than n and is equal to 2 or larger) photographing the same object in the same place in relation to each other based on photographic information received from n personal cameras 1031 to 103n through a network 101 and adds prescribed information to the processed moving picture signals and distributes them to unspecified viewers 1021 to 102m through the network 101. Thus moving picture signals from k unconcerned personal cameras are utilized and edited to generate a photographed moving picture signal of a small-scale event unprofitable for the producer, and the photographed moving picture signal can be delivered to viewers.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image distribution system, and more particularly to an image distribution system for distributing a moving image of the same object captured by a plurality of cameras connected to a net (communication network) via the net.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of the Internet has made it possible to provide an environment in which moving images can be broadcast live.
Most of the mechanisms are, for example, broadcasting an event such as a concert of a famous artist to many viewers and collecting a fee from the viewers.

On the other hand, a plurality of individual photographers can photograph the same subject.
If the captured moving image is to be delivered via the Internet, the process shown in FIG.
As shown in, cameramen A, B, and C are the same
Take an image of the event of interest and manage it yourself
On the home page (HP) 1, 2 and 3
An unspecified number of viewers who broadcast via the Internet 4₁Four _Two
The system configuration for viewing is usually taken.

[0004]

However, for a production company, an event that can secure a large number of viewers, such as a big event of a famous artist, can earn a profit commensurate with the production cost. For small-scale events in limited areas where only a limited number of people are interested, such as soccer tournaments and soccer tournaments, production companies do not justify the production costs.

Therefore, a person who cannot attend a small-scale event for the sake of convenience will watch the images broadcast on the personal HP, but each of those images is personal.
I often don't know where it's on the net, and even if I know it, the HP footage is usually single-angled and of poor quality.

[0006] In a small-scale event, the recorded video is often photographed by an individual who is closely related to the event, but when the individual broadcasts live, the exchange of the video is limited to friends after the event. Will be done in.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image distribution system capable of distributing a live image of a small event that a production company has a low production cost, has an advantage for an image provider, and is also pleasing to a viewer.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the image distribution system of the present invention is connected to a network 101 as shown in the principle configuration diagram of FIG. One or more viewers 10
2 ₁ a server 100 that distributes the image to ~102m, n stand having a function of transmitting a moving image signal obtained by photographing the network 101 and the photographing information (n is an integer of 2 or more) camera 103 ₁ of privately owned an image distribution system comprising a ～103N, server 100, based from the camera ₁₀₃ 1 ~103n of n stand individually owned photographing information received via the network 101, by capturing the same imaging target in the same location K units (k is n or less and an integer of 2 or more) that are present are identified, and a processing unit that processes the moving image signals from these k cameras in association with each other; Predetermined information is added to the moving image signal, and the unspecified viewer 1 via the network 101
It is configured to have a transmitting means for delivering to 02 _{1 to} 102 m.

According to the present invention, the server 100 receives, via the network 101, the moving image signals of the same subject to be photographed at the same place from the k cameras owned by the individual, and the moving images processed by associating them are predetermined. Can be distributed to the viewers 102 ₁ to 102 m together with the additional information.

Here, the above-mentioned transmission means of the server 100 inserts the advertisement information from the advertisement client into the processed moving image signal as the above-mentioned predetermined information, and unspecified via the network 101. The server 100 may be a means for delivering to the viewers 102 ₁ to 102 m, and the server 100 may further have means for outputting information for collecting a fee for the advertisement client.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned k cameras are cameras respectively owned by k unrelated individuals. According to the present invention, the server 100 can process the moving images of the same subject captured by irrelevant k individuals and deliver them to the viewers 102 ₁ to 102 m.

Further, according to the present invention, the processing means of the server 100 is a means for processing the moving image signal of the image-captured object which is live photographed by the k cameras, and the transmitting means is processed by the processing means. Unspecified viewing is added via the network 101 by adding predetermined information to the live-moving moving image signal or the processed live-moving moving image signal accumulated moving image signal. It is characterized in that it is a means for delivering to the persons 102 ₁ to 102 m.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the image distribution system according to the present invention. In the figure, the service center server 6 (server 100 in FIG. 1
Is equivalent to the network 7 (the network 10 of FIG. 1).
(Equivalent to 1) through the net photographers 8 ₁ , 8 ₂ and 8
A camera having a ₃ (corresponds to the camera ₁₀₃ 1 ～103N in FIG. 1, hereinafter, described as net cameraman) connected,
Image signals are provided from these. Here, the net cameramen 8 ₁ , 8 ₂ and 8 ₃ are individual cameramen who are unrelated to each other at the same location and are photographing the same image-capturing object, and the service center server 6 is a network cameraman 8 ₁ , 8 ₂ and 8 3. ₃ and the network 7 are connected.

Further, the service center server 6 is connected to a commercial (CM) database 9, and this C
CM information is provided from the M database 9. In addition, the viewer 10 (102 ₁ to 10 1 in FIG. 1)
(Corresponding to one of the 2m) via the network 7,
Image information is provided from the service center server 6.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the net photographers 8 ₁ , 8 ₂ and 8 ₃ connect to the service center server 6 via the network 7 according to a predetermined procedure (step S1 in FIG. 3), and enter their position and target keyword in the service center server 6. Register (step S2 in FIG. 3). Here, the net photographers 8 ₁ , 8 ₂ and 8 ₃ are unrelated individual photographers photographing the same small event (children's athletic meet, soccer match, etc.) in the same place, each of which is different from other photographers. The service center server 6 receives a moving image signal (imaging signal) arbitrarily photographed regardless of the network 7.
(Step S3 in FIG. 3).

In addition, the net photographers 8 ₁ , 8 ₂ and 8
Each of ₃ can acquire moving images of other net photographers free of charge (step S4 in FIG. 3). Basically, after the image distribution from the service center server 6 described later to the viewer 10 is completed, the moving images of other net cameramen are acquired, but the net cameramen 8 ₁ , 8 ₂ and 8 are acquired.
Of the _three , a net cameraman who is wondering how the moving image that he is shooting is used can prepare a monitor and watch the moving image that is being broadcast during shooting. As a result, each net cameraman can refer to the moving images of other net cameraman to determine the angle of the image he / she shoots.

On the other hand, when the service center server 6 receives the registration of the image pickup position and the target keyword from the net cameraman (step S11 in FIG. 4), the same target is photographed at the same place based on the registration information. The moving image signals (imaging signals) respectively transmitted from the plurality of net cameramen (in this example, 8 ₁ , 8 ₂ and 8 ₃ ) are associated with each other (step S12 in FIG. 4).

Subsequently, the service center server 6 processes the associated moving image signals (imaging signals) such as angle switching to edit and create a video signal to be distributed, and the video signal is network 7 It is delivered to the viewer 10 via (step S13 in FIG. 4). As the above-mentioned processing, there is a rule that images transmitted from the same net cameraman are not used continuously for a predetermined time or more, and they are automatically switched, or the usage frequency of long shots and zoom shots is set to a certain ratio (long Whether it is zoom or zoom uses information such as the magnification of the camera), for each sports competition,
It is possible to decide the above ratio for each type of stage performance.

The viewer 10 is an unspecified person who does not need to be registered in the service center server 6 in advance, since the viewer 10 receives the moving image distribution from the service center server 6 free of charge. Further, the service center server 6 includes a plurality of net cameramen 8 ₁ who are in the same place and are photographing the same target.
A so-called live broadcast, in which the moving images currently transmitted from 8 ₂ and 8 ₃ are processed and sequentially delivered to the viewer 10, may be performed, or the delivered image content may be retained and stored. Viewer 1 as the stream data
You may make it deliver by a request from 0.

Subsequently, the service center server 6 appropriately inserts the advertisement information (CM) from the CM database 9 into the image distributed to the viewer 10 to perform the above image distribution (step S14 in FIG. 4). ). Here, it is difficult for the service center server 6 to determine when the image distribution should be discontinued and the CM should be completely switched to, so that, for example,
Square C at the corner of the screen or strips at the top and bottom of the screen
Provide M broadcast area and insert CM image there,
A method of inserting a telop at the bottom or the top of the screen can be considered. The CMs to be inserted are selected to have a high CM effect, for example, if the district in operation is A city, an advertisement of a store or service in A city is selected.

In this way, when the image distribution (net broadcasting) in which the CM is inserted via the network 7 is completed, the service providing company which owns the service center server 6 and the CM database 9 and provides the service, Charge the CM requesting company (step S1 in FIG. 4)
5). Although the fee collection method itself is not directly related to this embodiment, for example, if the service provider company makes a contract to collect a fee according to the number of times of CM distribution,
There are methods such as billing to the requesting company or receiving advance payment in advance.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Three unrelated photographers 8₁, 8 _TwoAnd 8_ThreeIs live
Service center server
Video obtained by processing by bar 6 and adding CM to it
The image can be broadcast live and live to the viewer.
Accumulate images and stream according to viewer's request
Images can be distributed with the CM as data, so the camera
Is a small-scale event such as a children's athletic meet or soccer tournament match.
When shooting an event, people in the past have been filming
I had no choice but to exchange them, but I connected three completely unrelated people
, Which allows you to exchange images and offers higher quality moving images than before.
I can serve you.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the number of cameras for photographing the same subject is two.
Any number of viewers may be used as long as the number of viewers is at least one, and any number of viewers may receive the image distribution.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A server receives, via a network, moving image signals of the same shooting target at the same location from k cameras owned by the individual, and a moving image processed by associating them with an unspecified viewer together with predetermined additional information. Since it was distributed to, the shooting video signal of a small event that does not meet the production cost for the production company is edited by using the video signal from the k cameras owned by the individual who have no relation It can be created, and thus the production cost can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, since the service providing company having the server can collect the fee from the client of the advertisement information which is the predetermined additional information, the service providing company also has an advantage and the advertisement information is provided. The client also has the advantage of being able to advertise, and in addition, viewers can obtain images of various angles, including images of other people, from the images of individuals who had previously only had to exchange images with acquaintances. Therefore, it is possible to construct an image distribution system capable of high-quality image distribution.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the net cameraman in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the service server in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of moving image distribution of a conventional individual photographer.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 service center server 7,101 network ₈ 1-8 ₃ net cameraman 9 CM database 10,102 ₁ ~102m viewer 100 server ₁₀₃ 1 _~103n camera

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A server connected to a network for delivering an image to one or more unspecified viewers via the network, and transmitting a moving image signal captured to the network and capturing information. N units with functions (n is an integer of 2 or more)
An image distribution system including a personally-owned camera according to claim 1, wherein the server captures the same image-capturing target at the same location based on the image-capturing information received from the n personally-owned cameras via the network. Identifying k cameras (k is n or less and is an integer of 2 or more), and
Processing means for processing the moving image signals from the single cameras in association with each other, and adding predetermined information to the moving image signals processed by the processing means, to the unspecified viewer via the network. An image distribution system comprising: a transmission unit for distribution. 2. The transmitting means inserts, as the predetermined information, advertisement information from an advertisement client into the processed moving image signal and distributes it to the unspecified viewer via the network. 2. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the server further comprises means for outputting information for collecting a fee for the advertisement client. 3. The k cameras are k independent of each other.
The image distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the camera is owned by each person. 4. The processing means is a means for processing a moving image signal of an image-captured object which is live-photographed by the k cameras, and the transmitting means is a live-photographing processed by the processing means. The predetermined information is added to the moving image signal that is stored, or the moving image signal that is the processed moving image signal that has been captured live.
The image distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image distribution system is means for distributing to the unspecified viewer via the network.