JP2004080416A - Motion picture delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a motion picture delivery system capable of offering delivery service according to a download condition (a time, charge, etc.) requested by a user. <P>SOLUTION: When a motion picture is to be downloaded, the user inputs the download condition (the time, charge, etc.) to a download condition input section 12 of a mobile terminal 1, and transmits it to a motion picture delivery device 2 via a transmission/reception section 11. A delivery control unit 26 of the motion picture delivery device 2 registers the download condition received by the transmission/reception section 22 in a download condition registration section 23. When the download condition is satisfied, the section 26 reads out motion picture data stored in a motion picture storage section 21 and delivers the data to the mobile terminal 1 via the transmission/reception section 22. A transmission/reception control section 15 of the mobile terminal 1 stores the motion picture data received by the transmission/reception section 11 into a motion picture recording section 13. Then, when the transmission of the motion picture is completed, the motion picture delivery device 2 transmits delivery completion information to the mobile terminal 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a moving image distribution system, and more particularly, to a moving image distribution system that distributes a moving image to a portable terminal in response to a user request.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Services for distributing moving images such as video images have begun to spread in order to enable viewing of moving images on mobile terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs.
[0003]
Conventionally, in order for a distribution source to distribute moving image data to a user at low cost, after receiving a distribution reservation from a user, when a distribution condition determined by a predetermined method is satisfied, for example, Delivery is performed when the number of reserved users exceeds a predetermined number or when a communication line becomes available.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventionally, when a user downloads and views a moving image on a mobile terminal, a high communication fee must be paid depending on the time at which the distribution source distributes the moving image data. In addition, there is a problem that it is not possible to receive an easy-to-use distribution service in consideration of various download conditions according to a time and a fee desired by a user.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide a moving image distribution system that can receive a distribution service according to a download condition (time, fee, etc.) desired by a user.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A moving image distribution system according to the present invention is a moving image distribution system including a moving image distribution device that distributes a moving image to a user's mobile terminal in response to a user's request. A download time, a time zone, a fee, or the like is transmitted to the video distribution device as a download condition, and the video distribution device receives the download condition transmitted from the mobile terminal, and transmits a video when the download condition is satisfied. It has means for distributing the image.
[0007]
Further, the moving image distribution apparatus has means for reducing the data size of a moving image so as to be within the user's designated fee when normal download is not possible within the fee specified by the user as the download condition, The means for reducing the data size of the moving image may be thinned out of the moving image and subjected to an editing process for summarization (summarization), the resolution of the moving image may be reduced, or the distribution may not be performed within the specified fee. The moving image data may be deleted.
[0008]
Further, the portable terminal transmits a moving image download condition (time, fee, etc.) desired by the user to the moving image distribution device, and receives and stores moving image data transmitted from the moving image distribution device. Means for displaying various information including moving images.
[0009]
Further, the moving image distribution device includes a moving image storage unit that stores moving image data, a unit that receives and registers the download condition transmitted from the portable terminal, and a fee specified by the download condition. A moving image editing unit that performs a thinning process or a deleting process on the moving image data to reduce the data size, and a unit that sends distribution completion information to the portable terminal when distribution of the moving image is completed; Distribution control means for performing a distribution control of the video data. The distribution control means checks the registered download condition, and when the download condition is at a designated time, a moving image is stored from the moving image storage means. The data is read out and distributed, and when it is determined that the normal download cannot be performed within the fee specified by the download condition, the moving image editing means To deliver to reduction of the data size of the moving image to fit the more the fee specified.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the mobile terminal 1 is a small terminal having a mobile phone function and a moving image reproducing function, and is connected to the moving image distribution device 2 via the wireless access network 3. The moving image distribution device 2 is managed and operated by a provider that provides moving images.
[0012]
In FIG. 1, a mobile terminal 1 inputs and receives a transmitting / receiving unit 11 for performing wireless communication with a moving image distribution apparatus 2 via a wireless access network 3 and a moving image download condition (time, fee, etc.) desired by a user. Download condition input unit 12, a moving image recording unit 13 for storing received moving image data, a display unit 14 for displaying various information including moving images, and transmission / reception control for controlling each unit to perform a moving image reception process And a portion 15.
[0013]
On the other hand, the moving image distribution device 2 includes a moving image storage unit 21 that stores moving image data, a transmission / reception unit 22 that communicates with the mobile terminal 1 via the wireless access network 3, and transmission from the mobile terminal 1. A download condition registration unit 23 for registering incoming download conditions, a charging information registration unit 24 for recording usage fees, and a distribution completion information generation unit 25 for generating distribution completion information to be transmitted when distribution of a moving image is completed. And a distribution control unit 26 that controls each unit to perform a moving image distribution process.
[0014]
Next, the operation will be described.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the moving image distribution system shown in FIG.
[0016]
When a user downloads a moving image from the moving image distribution device 2, the user first inputs a download condition using the download condition input unit 12 of the mobile terminal 1.
[0017]
Here, the download condition is a moving image name, a download start time, or a time zone. For example, there are conditions related to the download time and time zone, such as "download start time = 01:00 am" and "time zone with the lowest communication fee within 24 hours".
[0018]
The input of the download condition may be selected from a menu displayed by pressing an operation button, or a numerical value or the like may be directly input in a corresponding column.
[0019]
The transmission / reception control unit 15 of the mobile terminal 1 sends the input download conditions to the moving image distribution device 2 via the transmission / reception unit 11 and the wireless access network 3 (Step 101).
[0020]
On the other hand, the distribution control unit 26 of the moving image distribution device 2 registers the download condition received by the transmission / reception unit 22 in the download condition registration unit 23 (Step 201). Then, it is periodically checked whether or not the condition registered in the download condition registration unit 23 is satisfied (step 202). If the download condition is not satisfied (step 203), the process waits for a predetermined time (step 204). Then, the process returns to step 202 to repeat the download condition determination check process.
[0021]
When the download condition is satisfied (step 203), the moving image data stored in the moving image storage unit 21 is read, and distribution to the mobile terminal 1 is started via the transmission / reception unit 22 and the wireless access network 3. (Step 205). For example, when the download condition is “the time zone with the lowest communication fee within 24 hours”, the time when the communication traffic is small within the time zone satisfying the condition requested by the user is selected to distribute the moving image data. To start.
[0022]
Any moving image format can be used as the file format of the moving image data to be distributed, and for example, an MPEG4 moving image format can be used.
[0023]
The transmission / reception control unit 15 of the mobile terminal 1 stores the moving image data received by the transmission / reception unit 11 in the moving image recording unit 13 (Step 102).
[0024]
Thereafter, when the transmission of the moving image data is completed (step 206), the moving image distribution apparatus 2 generates and transmits distribution completion information for notifying the distribution completion and notifying the fee (step 207). Then, the fee is recorded in the charging registration unit 24, and the download condition of the moving image whose distribution has been completed is deleted from the download condition registration unit 23 (step 208).
[0025]
On the other hand, the transmission / reception control unit 15 of the mobile terminal 1 ends the reception processing of the moving image data based on the distribution completion information received by the transmission / reception unit 11, and displays information such as the reception completion and the fee on the display unit 14 (step). 103).
[0026]
Note that the distribution completion information may use e-mail, SMS (Short Message Service), or the like, depending on the performance of the user's mobile terminal.
[0027]
The user sees the notice of the completion of receiving the moving image displayed on the display unit 14 of the mobile terminal 1 and knows the download completion and the fee. Then, when the user instructs the reproduction of the moving image, the transmission / reception control unit 15 reads the moving image data recorded in the moving image recording unit 13 and reproduces and displays the moving image data on the display unit 14 (Step 104).
[0028]
As described above, when a user requests a download of a moving image, the mobile terminal 1 transmits download conditions (time, fee, etc.) to the moving image distribution device 2, and the moving image distribution device 2 is designated by the user. By distributing the moving image data based on the downloaded download conditions (time, fee, etc.), it is possible to specify the download start time and time zone of the moving image at midnight, when the communication fee is low, and to provide a low-cost moving image distribution service. Can be used. In addition, since the moving image can be downloaded in advance, the user can view the moving image at any time without waiting for the download time.
[0029]
Furthermore, the moving image distribution device 2 can select a time period during which communication traffic is low and distribute a moving image if the conditions of the user are satisfied. Therefore, network traffic is smoothed, and suppression of network equipment investment can be expected.
[0030]
By the way, as the download condition, not only the above-mentioned designation of the download start time and the time zone, but also a charge allowable for one-time downloading of the moving image can be designated in advance.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, which is a configuration example in a case where a user designates a fee in advance. Here, the difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. The device 2 is provided with a moving image editing unit 27 that performs a thinning process or a deleting process on moving image data and reduces the data size so as to be within a designated fee. Other components are basically the same and are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the moving image distribution system shown in FIG.
[0033]
First, a user inputs download conditions using the download condition input unit 12 of the mobile terminal 1. In this case, a fee allowable for one-time downloading of a moving image and a processing method in a case where normal download cannot be performed within a designated fee. Is specified.
[0034]
As a processing method in a case where a normal download cannot be performed within the designated fee, for example, a method of reducing the data size by thinning out a moving image, performing an editing process, and summarizing (summarizing) the movie so as to be within the designated fee, a designated fee, There are a method of reducing the data size by lowering the resolution of the moving image so as to fit in the moving image, and a method of deleting moving image data that cannot be distributed within the designated fee.
[0035]
The transmission / reception control unit 15 of the mobile terminal 1 sends the input download condition to the moving image distribution device 2 via the transmission / reception unit 11 and the wireless access network 3 (Step 301).
[0036]
On the other hand, the distribution control unit 26 of the moving image distribution device 2 registers the download condition received by the transmission / reception unit 22 in the download condition registration unit 23 (Step 401). Then, it is checked whether or not normal download is possible within the designated fee (step 402).
[0037]
If it is determined that normal download is not possible within the designated fee (step 403), the moving image data read from the moving image storage unit 21 is input to the moving image editing unit 27, and the designated fee is charged. An editing process for reducing the data size of the moving image so as to fit is executed (step 404), and the edited image is distributed to the portable terminal 1 via the transmission / reception unit 22 and the wireless access network 3 (steps 405, 406).
[0038]
If it is determined that the normal download is possible within the designated fee (step 403), the distribution process is performed without reducing the data size of the moving image (steps 407 and 408).
[0039]
The transmission / reception control unit 15 of the mobile terminal 1 stores the moving image data received by the transmission / reception unit 11 in the moving image recording unit 13 (Step 302).
[0040]
Thereafter, when the transmission of the moving image data is completed (steps 406 and 408), the moving image distribution apparatus 2 generates and transmits distribution completion information for notifying the distribution completion and the fee (step 409), and also causes the charging recording unit 24 to transmit. The download condition of the moving image whose distribution has been completed is deleted from the download condition registration unit 23 (step 410).
[0041]
On the other hand, the transmission / reception control unit 15 of the mobile terminal 1 ends the reception processing of the moving image data based on the distribution completion information received by the transmission / reception unit 11, and displays information such as download completion and fee on the display unit 14 for use. Is notified to the user (step 303).
[0042]
The user sees the notice of the completion of receiving the moving image displayed on the display unit 14 of the mobile terminal 1 and knows the download completion and the fee. Then, when the user instructs the reproduction of the moving image, the transmission / reception control unit 15 reads the moving image data recorded in the moving image recording unit 13 and reproduces and displays the moving image data on the display unit 14 (Step 304).
[0043]
By the way, in the mobile phone contract, the fee is settled every month, but if the usage frequency is low and the usage fee is less than the monthly basic fee, this surplus fee will become invalid after the end of the month . Therefore, if a preset moving image can be automatically downloaded only in a case where the surcharge is surplus, the monthly usage fee can be effectively utilized without surplus.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a time and a time zone for downloading a moving image can be arbitrarily specified in advance, so that it is possible to receive a moving image service at a low cost such as late at night when communication costs are low, and a mobile terminal can be used. Moving images can be downloaded when not in use. In addition, if the conditions specified by the user are satisfied, the provider selects and distributes the time during which the communication traffic is small, so that the network traffic is smoothed and the network equipment investment can be suppressed.
[0045]
Further, according to the present invention, by editing and distributing a moving image so as to be within a fee specified by the user, a moving image service can be provided according to various requests of the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the moving image distribution system shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the moving image distribution system illustrated in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 mobile terminal 2 moving image distribution device 3 wireless access network 11, 22 transmission / reception unit 12 download condition input unit 13 moving image recording unit 14 display unit 15 transmission / reception control unit 21 moving image storage unit 23 download condition registration unit 24 charging information registration unit 25 Distribution completion information generation unit 26 Distribution control unit 27 Moving image editing unit

Claims (7)

In a moving image distribution system including a moving image distribution device that distributes a moving image to a user's mobile terminal in response to a user's request, the mobile terminal determines a download time, a time zone, a fee, and the like of a moving image specified by the user. The download condition is transmitted to the moving image distribution device, the moving image distribution device receives the download condition transmitted from the mobile terminal, and distributes a moving image when the download condition is satisfied. Video distribution system. The moving image distribution apparatus further comprises means for reducing a data size of a moving image so as to fall within the user's designated fee when normal download cannot be performed within a fee specified by a user as the download condition. The moving image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein 3. The moving image distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the means for reducing the data size of the moving image is a means for thinning out a moving image, performing an editing process, and summarizing (summarizing) the moving image. 3. The moving image distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the means for reducing the data size of the moving image is a means for lowering the resolution of the moving image. 3. The moving image distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the means for reducing the data size of the moving image is means for deleting moving image data that cannot be distributed within the designated fee. In a moving image distribution system including a moving image distribution device that distributes a moving image to a user's mobile terminal in response to a user's request, the mobile terminal uses a moving image download condition (time, fee, etc.) desired by the user. Transmitting to the video distribution device, receiving and storing moving image data transmitted from the video distribution device, and displaying various information including a moving image. Video distribution system. The moving image distribution device includes: a moving image storage unit that stores moving image data; a unit that receives and registers the download condition transmitted from the mobile terminal; Moving image editing means for reducing the data size by performing thinning processing or deletion processing on moving image data, means for transmitting distribution completion information to the portable terminal when distribution of the moving image is completed, and distribution of the moving image. And a distribution control unit for performing control.The distribution control unit checks the registered download condition, and when the download condition has reached a designated time, deletes the moving image data from the moving image storage unit. Read out and distribute, and when it is determined that the normal download cannot be performed within the fee specified by the download condition, the moving image editing means Moving image distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the delivering by reduction of the data size of the moving image to fit within the more specified rates.

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