JP2003228573A - Method, device and program for providing image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To integrally process image informations different in using forms when the image information is provided to a user's equipment. <P>SOLUTION: ID information for discriminating the image information uniquely, and classification information different in the using form are imparted to the image information of an image received from the user side equipment to be accumulated, a provision requiring signal for the registered image information is received from the user side equipment to acquire the ID information and the classification information of the image information corresponding to the provision requiring signal, and the image information corresponding to the ID information is distributed to the user side equipment in the form corresponding to the classification information, based on the acquired ID information and classification information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video information providing method and apparatus, and a video information providing program, and in particular, various kinds of video information having different usage forms are handled in an integrated manner and provided according to a user's request. The present invention relates to a video information providing method and device and a video information providing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a system for providing video information, the most basic system is to store various video information in a file and store it in a server.
There is a system that downloads a desired image information file from a center device and provides it to a user. As a more technically advanced system, there is a video-on-demand (VO) system.
There is a system such as D) that enables interactive control of distribution of video information between a server and a client.

There is also a system capable of providing video information captured by a video information supplier to a user in real time in a live format.

Each of these systems has a different form of providing video information and is configured as a separate system.

[0005]

However, since the above-mentioned conventional systems for providing various kinds of video information are separately configured, from the user's point of view, when desired video information is downloaded, it is viewed by VOD. In this case, it is necessary to access a different system from that for viewing a live program, which is not convenient.

Further, it is not convenient for the supplier of the video information, because it is necessary to select different systems depending on the difference in the video information supplied.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video information providing method and apparatus and a video information providing program capable of integrally handling video information having different usage forms. To do.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.

According to the present invention, in a video information providing method for controlling storage / distribution of video information, the video information is uniquely identified from the video information received from the video supplier side device.
The D information and the classification information different depending on the usage form are added and accumulated (step 1), the provision request signal for the registered video information is received from the user side device, and the video information corresponding to the provision request signal is received. The ID information and the classification information are acquired (step 2), and the video information corresponding to the ID information is distributed to the user side device in a format corresponding to the classification information based on the acquired ID information and the classification information (step 2). 3).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

The present invention is a video information providing apparatus for controlling storage / distribution of video information, which uniquely identifies the video information from the video information received from the video supplier side apparatus.
The provision request signal for the registered video information is received from the D information, the registration unit 201 that assigns and stores different classification information according to the usage pattern, and the user side device, and the provision request signal of the video information corresponding to the provision request signal is received. A request receiving unit 204 that acquires ID information and classification information, and a distribution that distributes video information corresponding to the ID information to the user-side device in a format corresponding to the classification information based on the acquired ID information and classification information. And means 206. The classification information of the present invention is a first mode in which video information is provided to a user-side device in a download format in which a file in which all the data that composes one video content stored in advance is collectively sent, Video-on-demand format in which data (usually in units of several seconds) consisting of multiple bits that compose one video content that has been stored in advance is divided into multiple pieces and transmitted sequentially in playback order to the user-side device. Second mode of providing information and data of a plurality of bits (usually in units of several seconds) are sequentially received in reproduction order from the supplier side device that constitutes the video content, accumulated and transmitted to the user side device in real time. It is classified into at least one of the third forms for providing video information in a live format.

The registration means 201 of the present invention includes storage means for storing video information according to the first to third forms of classification information, and the distribution means 206 stores video information corresponding to the provision request signal. Read from the device and transmitted to the user side device in the first to third forms.

The registration means 201 of the present invention is the storage means 20.
1 includes means for inserting copyright information including ID information for uniquely identifying video information when the video information is stored.

According to the present invention, based on the classification information, a different charge depending on the download format, the video-on-demand format, or the live format is designated in advance by the video information supplier or the user. It further has a charging means for charging by the payment means. Request reception means 20 of the present invention
4 further comprises means for verifying the legitimacy of the user by comparing the user identifier and password registered in advance with the user identifier and password included in the provision request signal.

The present invention (Claim 8) relates to storage of video information.
A video information providing program for performing distribution control, wherein ID information uniquely identifying the video information and classification information different depending on the usage form are added to the video information received from the video supplier side device and stored in the storage means. A registration process for storing and a request receiving process for receiving a provision request signal for the registered video information from the user side device and acquiring ID information and classification information of the video information corresponding to the provision request signal, And a distribution process for distributing the video information corresponding to the ID information to the user-side device in a format corresponding to the classification information.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to integrally handle a plurality of video information of different usage forms, and not only the distribution processing for each video information but also copyright information management, security management, billing Various processing such as management becomes possible.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 shows a system configuration having an image providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The system shown in the figure makes a request for providing image information, acquires and presents the provided image information, so that each user uses the device 100 on the user side and the device 100 on the user side. Connected via network 400,
A video information providing device 200 that provides video information, and a supplier-side device 30 that is connected to the video information providing device 200 and is used by each supplier to supply information to be provided to users.
It consists of zero.

The video information providing device 200 and each of the supplier side devices 3001 to 300n may be directly connected as shown in FIG. 3 or may be connected via a network. Image information transmission 200 and each user side device 1001
Any network such as an optical network, the Internet, or a telephone network may be used as a network for connecting the network 400 connecting 100 m, the video information providing apparatus 200, and each supplier side apparatus 3001 to 300n.

The video information providing device 200 includes a registration unit 201 for performing a registration process regarding the video information supplied from the supplier side device 300, a request accepting unit 204 for accepting a request from the user side device 100, User side device 1
00 is configured to include a distribution unit 206 that controls the distribution of video information to 00 and a charging unit 208 that performs a charging process.

The registration unit 201 also stores and stores image information.
It includes a storage / playback unit 202 for playing back and a copyright information insertion unit 203 for inserting copyright information into video information.

The request receiving unit 204 has a user authentication unit 205 that authenticates the legitimacy of the user who makes a request for providing video information.

The distribution unit 206 has an encryption unit 207 for encrypting the video information provided to the user.

In the video information providing device 200 shown above,
By managing the video information provided to the user by classifying it according to the usage pattern, various types of video information are handled in an integrated manner.

[0026] Examples of usage forms can be classified into a download format, a video-on-demado format, and a live format.

The download format is user device 100.
In response to the request from the video information providing device 200,
Corresponding video information in file format on the user side device 1
No. 00 is provided.

In the video-on-demand format, like the so-called VOD system, interactive distribution control of video information is performed between the user side device 100 and the video information providing device 200, and the video information is transmitted to the user side device. To 100.

In addition, the live format, like a live broadcast,
The video information supplied by the supplier apparatus 300 is provided to the user apparatus 100 in real time via the video information providing apparatus 200.

[0030]

[Embodiment] [First Embodiment] In the present embodiment, description will be given of a case where a usage format is a download format and a video on demand format.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Step 101) Video information providing device 20
0, when the video information is provided from each of the supplier side devices 3001 to 300n, the registration unit 20 of the video information providing device 200
1 gives ID information for identifying other video information to the video information supplied from the supplier side device, and determines classification information for identifying the usage pattern of the supplied video information. The determined ID information and classification information are set in the management table 210 provided in the video information providing device 200. An example of the management table is shown in FIG. The management table 210 stores control information necessary for various operations of the video information providing device 200.

Step 102) In the case of the download format and the video-on-demand format, the video information itself is input from the supplier-side device 300 together with the registration in the management table 210, and the provision request from the user is requested. Prior to reception, it is stored in the video information providing device 200 in advance. Specifically, the registration unit 20 of the video information providing device 200
In No. 1, the video information is input from the supplier side device 300, and the accumulating / reproducing unit 202 suitable for the classification information is selected and accumulated.
Note that the configuration of FIG. 3 has only one accumulation / reproduction unit 202, but in reality, n units are required. The configuration of the storage / playback unit 202 differs depending on the classification information. In the case of the download format, a normal storage apparatus may be used, but in the case of the video-on-demand format, a plurality of user-side apparatuses 100 can simultaneously operate in real time. A device capable of reproducing images is used. Therefore, the registration unit 201 selects the accumulation / reproduction unit 202 suitable for the classification information of the supplied video information,
Accumulate video information. When the accumulation operation of the image information is completed, the device type of the accumulation / reproduction unit 202 and the accumulation / reproduction unit 20.
Storage / reproduction information such as storage position information in 2 is set in the management table 210.

Further, the registration unit 201 includes a storage / reproduction unit 20.
When registering the video information in 2, the copyright information inserting unit 203 may insert the copyright information into the video information. As an insertion method, a digital watermark technique used as a copyright management method for images can be used. As the copyright information, ID information or the like that uniquely identifies the video information can be used. By doing so, it becomes possible to manage the copyright of the video information.

Step 103) Video information providing device 20
When the request receiving unit 204 of 0 receives a request for providing video information from the user-side device 100, first, the user authenticating unit 20.
5, the user's legitimacy is authenticated, such as whether or not the user is a subscriber of the video information providing service of the present invention. As the authentication method, for example, user identification information (user identifier) for uniquely identifying the user and a password are registered in advance, and the user identifier included in the provision request from the user-side device 100 is used. A method such as authenticating the legitimacy of the user by collating each password may be used.

Step 104) If the authentication result is OK, the acceptance processing of the provision request is started, and the ID information of the video information requested by the user and its classification information are acquired. As a method of acquiring the ID information and the classification information, the normal video information providing apparatus 200 presents the title information of the video information whose ID information that can be provided is known to the user apparatus 100 including the classification information, and the user By selecting the desired video information, the video information requested by the user, the ID information, and the classification information are acquired in association with each other.

Step 105) When the request receiving unit 204 obtains the ID information and the classification information of the video information requested by the user, the distribution unit 206 causes the management table 210.
Referring to, the storage / playback information is acquired based on the ID information of the video information to be provided, and based on this, the corresponding video information is read from the storage / playback unit 202, and a form corresponding to the classification information of the video information is obtained. Is delivered to the user side device 100.

When distributing the video information, the encryption unit 207
As a result, it is possible to ensure security by encrypting and distributing the video information.

Step 106) Video information providing device 20
When the distribution of the video information to the user side device 100 is completed, the billing unit 208 of 0 collects the usage fee from the user for the distributed video information and collects the provision fee of this service from the supplier. Executes the billing process. Upon billing, the content of the video information provided, download format and video
Different charges may be collected depending on the type of usage such as the on-demand format. As a charging method, there are various methods such as a payment by credit card, a method of sending a bill to a user to receive a payment, a prepaid method, a postpaid method, and the like.

[Second Embodiment] In the present embodiment, an operation when the usage form is a live format will be described.

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Step 201) Video information providing device 20
0 indicates that when the information on the live format video information is supplied from the supplier of the live format information, the registration unit 201 of the information providing apparatus 200 indicates the supplied video information. And an ID to distinguish it from other video information
The information and the classification information for identifying the usage pattern of the supplied video information are added and registered in the management table 210. Supplier side information such as address information of the supplier side device is also registered in the management table 210.

In the case of the live format, the video information itself is delivered from the supplier side apparatus 300 to the user side apparatus 100 in real time. Therefore, in the case of the download format of FIG. 4 or the video-on-demand format. As described above, it is not necessary to store the video information in the video information providing apparatus 200 in advance.

Step 202) When there is a request for providing video information from the user-side device 100, as in the case of the download format or the video-on-demand format shown in FIG.
The request reception unit 204 authenticates the user by the user authentication unit 205.

Step 203) If the user authentication is OK, the ID information corresponding to the video information of the provision request and the classification information are acquired. The acquisition method of ID information and classification information is
This is similar to the first embodiment described above.

Step 204) The distribution unit 206 refers to the management table 210, reads the supplier side information corresponding to the ID information, reads the video information from the corresponding supplier side device 300, and reads it through the video information providing device 200. And deliver it to the user side device. Specifically, while using the storage / generation unit 202 capable of live distribution control, while buffering the video information from the supplier side device 300 in an appropriate unit,
It is delivered to the user device 100.

The copyright information insertion unit 203 of the video information providing device 200 inserts copyright information such as ID information into the video information by the digital watermarking technique when buffering the video from the supplier side device 300 and uses it. It is possible to manage the copyright by distributing it to the person-side device 100.
The copyright information includes content name, author name,
There are contents outline, permission period, etc.

In the download format and the video-on-demand format shown in FIG. 4, the copyright information is inserted when it is stored in the storage / playback unit 202. Similarly, it may be inserted at the time of distribution to the user-side device 100.

Step 205) Video information providing device 20
As in the case of FIG. 4 of the above-described first embodiment, the charging unit 208 of 0 collects the usage fee from the user for the distributed video information and collects the provision fee of this service from the supplier. Perform billing processing such as When charging, a fee different from the content of the provided video information and the download format or video-on-demand format of FIG. 4 may be collected.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to handle a plurality of video information of different usage forms in an integrated manner, and not only distribution processing for each video information but also copyright information management, security management, billing management, etc. It is possible to provide a video information providing system and a video information providing apparatus that can perform various processes.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment and examples,
Although the description has been given based on the configuration of the video information providing device shown in FIG. 3, the components of the video information providing device are constructed as a program, and the program downloaded via a storage medium such as a CD or a communication line is installed. CP
You may carry out by U etc.

Further, a hard disk device connected to a computer used as a video information providing device for the constructed program, a flexible disk, or a CD-RO.
The present invention can be easily realized by storing it in a portable storage medium such as M and installing it when carrying out the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, the video information is provided with the ID information for uniquely identifying the video information and the classification information for classifying the video information according to the usage pattern, and based on these information. By performing registration, management, distribution control, copyright management, security management, billing processing, etc. of video information, it becomes possible to provide an integrated system of video information, which is easy for the video information supplier and user to use. The system can provide.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram having an image providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration example of a video information management table according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 User side device 200 Video information providing device 201 Registration means, registration section 202 Storage / playback unit 203 Copyright information insertion section 204 request receiving means, request receiving unit 205 User Authentication Department 206 delivery means, delivery unit 207 Encryption unit 208 Billing department 210 management table 300 Supplier side device 400 network

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Koji Nada             2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Suzuki             2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nakagama             2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Yuji Ono             2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5B075 KK07 ND16 PQ12                 5C064 BA01 BA07 BB07 BC07 BC17                       BC18 BC22 BC23 BC25 BD02                       BD08 BD09

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A video information providing method for controlling storage / distribution of video information, wherein the video information received from a video supplier side device is ID information for uniquely identifying the video information, and different classifications depending on usage forms. Information is added and stored, a provision request signal for the registered video information is received from the user side device, ID information and classification information of the video information corresponding to the provision request signal are acquired, and the acquired information is acquired. According to the ID information and the classification information, the ID
A video information providing method, characterized in that video information corresponding to information is distributed to the user side device in a format corresponding to the classification information. 2. A video information providing apparatus for controlling storage / distribution of video information, the ID information uniquely identifying the video information with respect to the video information received from the video supplier side device, and the usage mode. Registration means for adding and storing different classification information, and a provision request signal for the registered video information from the user side device, and obtaining ID information and classification information of the video information corresponding to the provision request signal. Request receiving means for performing the ID, the ID based on the acquired ID information and the classification information.
A video information providing apparatus, comprising: a distribution unit that distributes video information corresponding to information to the user side device in a format corresponding to the classification information. 3. The classification information provides the video information in a download format for transmitting, to the user-side device, a file in which all the data constituting one pre-stored video content is collected. 1
And a video-on in which data (usually in units of several seconds) of a plurality of bits that constitutes one video content stored in advance is divided into a plurality of pieces and sequentially transmitted to the user side device in the order of reproduction. Second mode of providing the video information in a demand format, and sequentially receiving and accumulating data (usually in units of several seconds) of multiple bits from the supplier side device that constitutes the video content in the reproduction order and in real time. The video information providing device according to claim 2, wherein the video information providing device is classified into at least one form of the third form for providing the video information in a live format to be transmitted to the user side device. 4. The registration means includes storage means for storing the video information according to the first to third forms of the classification information, and the distribution means includes video information corresponding to the provision request signal. 3. The video information providing device according to claim 2, wherein the video information is read from the storage means and transmitted to the user side device in the first to third forms. 5. The video information according to claim 4, wherein the registration means includes means for inserting copyright information including ID information for uniquely identifying the video information when the video information is stored in the storage means. Providing device. 6. The video information supplier or user specifies in advance a different charge depending on any one of a download format, a video-on-demand format, and a live format based on the classification information. 6. The image information providing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a charging unit that charges by a payment unit. 7. The request acceptance means authenticates the legitimacy of the user by collating the user identifier and password registered in advance with the user identifier and password included in the provision request signal, respectively. 7. The video information providing device according to claim 2, further comprising: 8. A video information providing program for controlling storage / distribution of video information, the ID information uniquely identifying the video information with respect to the video information received from a video supplier side device, and a usage mode. A registration process in which different classification information is added and stored in the storage means, and a provision request signal for the registered video information is received from the user side device and is classified with ID information of the video information corresponding to the provision request signal. A request receiving process for acquiring information, and the ID by the acquired ID information and the classification information.
A video information providing program, comprising: a distribution process of distributing video information corresponding to information to the user side device in a format corresponding to the classification information.