JP2004240780A - Information processor, its method and program for allowing computer to execute the method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply and quickly prepare/disclose a presentation in which various materials such as sentences/images/moving images/voices are synchronized through a network. <P>SOLUTION: A client 101 logs in an SMIS server 100 and sets the constitution of a presentation to be prepared by a series of wizard pictures. The SMIS server 100 generates an SMIL file in accordance with the set constitution. The client 101 is informed of an URL for reading the prepared presentation. When the reading of the presentation is requested from a client 102 on the basis of the URL, the constitution file of the presentation including the SMIL file is returned to the client 102 after authenticating whether the reading of the presentation can be read or not. In the case of uploading a file to the SMIS server 100, the file is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to a prescribed address. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for publishing, on a network, a presentation in which various materials such as a text file and a moving image file are synchronized, an information processing method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the explosive growth of the Internet population in recent years, various information, such as news, product introductions, and company introductions, which had been provided through mass media such as TV and newspapers, is now electronically available on a homepage on a WWW server. Is being offered. With the widespread use of broadband communication networks such as ADSL and ISDN, and the improvement of the processing capability of devices owned by individuals, the number of more complicated and elaborate homepages opened on the Internet is increasing. I have.
[0003]
In such pages, text (text), images (img), moving images (video), audio (audio), and the like are combined in one screen, and the timing of display and reproduction of each material is controlled to synchronize. By doing so, there are those that realize what is called a multimedia presentation that goes beyond the conventional concept of a homepage. For example, it is a page in which one screen is divided into left and right, and the text arranged on the right is sequentially switched as the reproduction of the moving image arranged on the left progresses.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, these complex homepages require specialized software and a sense of design, and in the past they were often outsourced to specialized agents. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes time and cost, and in particular, it usually takes 1 to 2 weeks from request to delivery, and there is a problem that it is virtually impossible to transmit information flexibly while using the Internet as a medium. there were.
[0005]
An information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of easily and quickly creating and publishing a presentation in which various materials such as a text file and a moving image file are synchronized on a network in order to solve the above-described problem of the related art. And a program for causing a computer to execute the method.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem and achieve the object, an information processing apparatus according to the invention according to claim 1 publishes on a network a presentation in which various materials such as a text file and a moving image file are synchronized on a network. A setting information receiving means for receiving the presentation setting information from a first client connected by the network; and a display or reproduction of each material based on the setting information received by the setting information receiving means. File generating means for generating a file in which a schedule or the like is described; browsing request receiving means for receiving a browsing request for the presentation from a second client connected via the network; and a browsing request by the browsing request receiving means. Previous about received presentation The files generated by the file generation means, characterized in that and a file transmission means for transmitting to said second client.
[0007]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the display / playback schedule of each material set online by the user of the first client is automatically generated as a file in a predetermined format by the server, and the file is stored in the server. It is delivered from the server to the user of the second client.
[0008]
The information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the file generated by the file generating means is a SMIL file.
[0009]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the display / playback schedule of each material set online by the user of the first client is automatically generated by the server as a file in the SMIL format, and the file is generated by the server. It is delivered from the server to the user of the second client.
[0010]
An information processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising an e-mail receiving apparatus for receiving an e-mail transmitted from the first client. Means for determining whether the source address of the e-mail received by the e-mail receiving means matches a pre-registered e-mail address of a user; and A file storage unit for storing a file attached to the electronic mail in a directory of the user when it is determined that the address matches the electronic mail address of the user registered in advance.
[0011]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the file can be uploaded to the server only by attaching the file to the e-mail and transmitting the file.
[0012]
An information processing method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the information processing method for publishing, on a network, a presentation in which various materials such as a text file and a moving image file are synchronized on a network. A setting information receiving step of receiving the setting information of the presentation from a client, and a file for generating a file describing a display or reproduction schedule of each material based on the setting information received in the setting information receiving step A generating step, a browsing request receiving step of receiving a browsing request for the presentation from a second client connected by the network, and a generating step in the file generating step of the presentation for which the browsing request has been received in the browsing request receiving step. File A file transmitting step of transmitting to the second client, characterized by including.
[0013]
According to the invention described in claim 4, the display / playback schedule of each material set online by the user of the first client is automatically generated as a file in a predetermined format by the server, and the file is stored in the server. It is delivered from the server to the user of the second client.
[0014]
An information processing method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the information processing method according to the fourth aspect, wherein the file generated in the file generating step is a SMIL file.
[0015]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the display / playback schedule of each material set online by the user of the first client is automatically generated by the server as a file in the SMIL format, and the file is generated by the server. It is delivered from the server to the user of the second client.
[0016]
An information processing method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the information processing method according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further comprising: receiving an e-mail transmitted from the first client. A step of determining whether a source address of the email received in the email receiving step matches an email address of a user registered in advance; and A file storing step of storing a file attached to the e-mail in a directory of the user when it is determined that the address matches a pre-registered e-mail address of the user.
[0017]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the file can be uploaded to the server only by attaching the file to the e-mail and transmitting the file.
[0018]
According to a program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the method according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects is executed by a computer.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that causes a computer to execute the method according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a presentation creation / publication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 100 is an SMIS server (SMIS: Synchronized Multimedia Integration Server) corresponding to the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0021]
The SMIS server 100 has a function of creating a presentation in which various materials such as text, images, moving images, and sounds are mixed according to an instruction of a user of the present system, and releasing the created presentation on the Internet. Note that the OS of the SMIS server 100 is Linux (R), Solaris (R), Windows (R), or the like.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a presentation created and published on the SMIS server 100. In the illustrated presentation, one screen is divided into right and left, and a player 200 a (an application for reproducing a moving image, specifically, for example, “RealOnePlayer (R)”) is arranged in the left frame 200. The HTML file in the right frame 201 is sequentially switched and displayed with the progress of the moving image and the sound reproduced by the player 200a. Note that a table of contents area 200b is provided in the left frame 200, and a table of contents of the presentation being executed is displayed.
[0023]
Referring back to FIG. 1, next, 101 and 102 are clients of the SMIS server 100. Here, for example, the client 101 is a PC of a user who creates and edits a presentation using the function provided by the SMIS server 100, and the client 102 is created and edited as described above using the function provided by the SMIS server 100. This is the PC of the user who browses the presentation.
[0024]
The clients 101 and 102 are not limited to PCs, but may be, for example, a mobile phone or PDA that can be connected to the Internet, or a navigation system mounted on a private car or the like. More specifically, the software required for the user environment includes a general browser (such as “Internet Explorer”) for a user who creates and edits a presentation, and the above-described browser for a user who views a presentation. There is only an application (such as "RealOnePlayer (R)") corresponding to a SMIL file, which will be described later, for displaying and reproducing the individual constituent materials.
[0025]
Reference numeral 103 denotes a material server, which holds files of individual materials constituting the presentation created by the SMIS server 100. As described later, the SMIS server 100 incorporates not only data and programs (such as CGI) held by the SMIS server 100 itself, but also arbitrary data and programs held by another server on the Internet, here, the material server 103. Can create presentations.
[0026]
Although FIG. 1 shows only one material server 103, there are countless servers holding the material on the Internet. Conversely, it is possible to create a presentation using the materials on the material server 103, which are innumerable on the Internet. The protocol of the material server 103 may be any protocol such as HTTP or RTSP.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of each device constituting the presentation creation / publication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, that is, the SMIS server 100 to the material server 103 shown in FIG. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the SMIS server 100 to the material server 103 all have the same hardware configuration.
[0028]
In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, 302 denotes a ROM storing a basic input / output program, and 303 denotes a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 301.
[0029]
Reference numeral 304 denotes an HDD (hard disk drive) that controls reading / writing of data from / to an HD (hard disk) 305 under the control of the CPU 301, and reference numeral 305 denotes an HD that stores data written under the control of the HDD 304. I have. An FDD (flexible disk drive) 306 controls reading / writing of data from / to an FD (flexible disk) 307 under the control of the CPU 301, and a detachable FD 307 stores data written under the control of the FDD 306. Are shown respectively.
[0030]
A CD-RW drive 308 controls reading / writing of data from / to the CD-RW 309 under the control of the CPU 301. A detachable CD-ROM 309 stores data written under the control of the CD-RW drive 308. RW are shown respectively.
[0031]
Reference numeral 310 denotes a display for displaying various data such as cursors, menus, windows, and characters and images; 311, a keyboard having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, and various instructions; A mouse for selecting and executing an instruction, selecting a processing target, moving a mouse pointer, and the like is shown. Reference numeral 313 denotes a network I / F which is connected to the Internet via a communication cable 314 and functions as an interface between the network and the CPU 301, and reference numeral 300 denotes a bus for connecting the above components.
[0032]
Next, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of a presentation creation / publication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 400x is a SMIS server 100, 401x is a client 101 for creating and editing a presentation on the SMIS server 100, 402x is a client 102 for browsing a presentation on the SMIS server 100, and 403x is a functional unit of a material server 103.
[0033]
Reference numeral 400a denotes a user DB (database), which includes, in addition to the name (or company name), address (or location), telephone number, e-mail address, etc., of the user who uses the SMIS server 100, an automatically numbered user number; This is a database that stores a login ID and a password used when a user logs in to the SMIS server 100 in association with each other.
[0034]
Reference numeral 400b denotes a login receiving unit which receives a login ID and a password from the client 101, determines whether login to the SMIS server 100 is possible, and returns a main screen described later when the login is permitted. .
[0035]
When there is an access from the client 101, the SMIS server 100 first returns a login screen as shown in FIG. 5 by the login receiving unit 400b. Upon receiving this, the client 101 displays the screen and waits for an input from the user. When the “AUTH” button 500 in the figure is pressed, the client 101 transmits the input login ID and password to the login accepting unit 400b. .
[0036]
The login receiving unit 400b searches the user DB 400a, and displays a main screen as shown in FIG. 6 when a user having the above-mentioned login ID and password exists, and displays an error screen indicating that login is impossible when there is no user, Each is sent back to the client 101.
[0037]
Referring back to FIG. 4, reference numeral 400c denotes a presentation creation unit, which is a function unit for setting a new presentation configuration on a series of screens described later. When the “NEW” button 600 on the main screen shown in FIG. 6 is pressed on the client 101, the presentation creation unit 400c receives a request from the client 101 and returns a screen as shown in FIG.
[0038]
On the illustrated screen, the name of the presentation, the overall layout, and the like are set. The "player position" is the position of the player 200a with respect to the entire screen (selected from either the left or right; in the example of FIG. 2, left), and the "player size" is the size of the player 200a (small, medium, or large). "Player frame background" is the background image of the frame (left frame 200 in the example of FIG. 2) in which player 200a is arranged, and "player frame table of contents background" is the table of contents arranged in the frame. It is a background image of the area 200b.
[0039]
When the “REGIST” button 700 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 7, the setting contents of the screen are transmitted from the client 101 to the presentation creating unit 400c of the SMIS server 100, and stored in the presentation DB 400d described later. At the same time, a transfer request for the next screen as shown in FIG. 8 is issued, and upon receiving the request, the presentation creating unit 400c returns the screen to the client 101. When the “NEXT” button 701 in FIG. 7 is pressed, the screen of FIG. 8 is simply returned from the SMIS server 100 to the client 101.
[0040]
In the screen of FIG. 8, information on the copyright of the presentation is set. Specifically, the title (the name may not be the same as the “name” set on the screen in FIG. 7), the copyright holder, and the like.
[0041]
When the “REGIST” button 800 in the figure is pressed, the setting contents of the screen are transmitted from the client 101 to the presentation creating unit 400c of the SMIS server 100, and stored in the presentation DB 400d described later. At the same time, a transfer request for the next screen as shown in FIG. 9 is issued, and upon receiving the request, the presentation creating unit 400c returns the screen to the client 101. When the “NEXT” button 801 in FIG. 8 is pressed, the screen of FIG. 9 is simply returned from the SMIS server 100 to the client 101.
[0042]
When the “YES” button 900 is pressed on the screen in FIG. 9, a transfer request for the next screen as shown in FIG. 10 is issued, and upon receiving this, the presentation creating unit 400 c returns the screen to the client 101. On the screen shown in the figure, a special effect to be set particularly when switching a moving image is selected. Specifically, the special effect is to push out the video of the video 1 played earlier from the left to the right so that the video of the video 2 played later fades in or the video of the video 1 is played from the center of the video of the video 1 This is a special moving image switching in which the second image fades in.
[0043]
In the figure, when an arbitrary special effect is selected from the “special effect type” list in the right frame and a “REGIST” button 1000 is pressed, the settings on the screen are transmitted from the client 101 to the presentation creating unit 400 c of the SMIS server 100. Then, it is stored in a presentation DB 400d described later. Further, the presentation creating unit 400c adds the name of the special effect selected above to the “special effect list” in the left frame, and returns the updated frame to the client 101 (in the client 101, the “special effect list” is refreshed). Is done).
[0044]
When the “NEXT” button 1001 in the figure is pressed, a transfer request for the next screen as shown in FIG. 11 is issued, and upon receiving this, the presentation creating unit 400 c returns the screen to the client 101. When the “NO” button 901 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9, the screen of FIG. 10 is skipped and the screen directly shifts to the screen of FIG.
[0045]
On the screen of FIG. 11, the schedule and mode of display and reproduction of the individual materials constituting the presentation, for example, the start and end timings, duration, special effects at the time of switching, and the like are set. In the completed presentation, the character strings set as “table of contents” in the figure are listed in the table of contents area 200b (see FIG. 2) in the frame where the player 200a is arranged.
[0046]
In the "media file name" in the figure, the file name of the image / movie / audio (when the file is on the SMIS server 100) or the URL (when the file is on another material server 103) is input. In the "media type" in the figure, the type of the file is selected from img, video, and audio. In the case where only a part of the moving image or sound (for example, from the first 10 seconds to the 30 seconds) is reproduced, the screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed by pressing the “TS” button 1100 in the figure. , Set the playback range in seconds.
[0047]
When the “Parallel” button 1101 is pressed on the screen in FIG. 11, a screen as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and an image, a moving image, or a sound to be displayed / played simultaneously with the file specified by the “media file name” is specified. it can. For example, by setting a video with no sound in the “media file name” on the screen in FIG. 11 and a sound (BGM) in the screen in FIG. Can be done.
[0048]
Further, in the “special effect” on the screen of FIG. 11, only when the “media type” is “video”, any one of the special effects selected in advance on the screen of FIG. 10 can be selected.
[0049]
When the “WEB” button 1102 on the screen in FIG. 11 is pressed, a screen as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, and an HTML file to be displayed at the same time as the image / movie or audio specified by “media file name” can be specified. . Up to 10 HTML files can be specified for one image / movie or audio, and the display time of each can be set in seconds. For example, in parallel with the reproduction of a moving image for 20 seconds, it is possible to sequentially display the HTML file 1 for 10 seconds, the HTML file 2 for 5 seconds, and the HTML file 3 for 15 seconds.
[0050]
When the “Property” button 1103 on the screen in FIG. 11 is pressed, a screen as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed, and the operation of the entire presentation can be set. In the “start delay time” in the figure, the required number of seconds is input when it is necessary to intentionally delay the start of the presentation. In "Video processing", select whether to black out the video used for the presentation at the end of the presentation ("Removal of the image immediately after playback") or keep the last frame displayed ("Fix the image until the end") I do. In the “number of repetitions” field, the number of repetitions of the entire presentation is input.
[0051]
Further, in “channel authentication”, “present” is set when the disclosure target of the presentation is to be limited (when authentication is required for a user who requests browsing). In this case, as described later, a user who does not know the character string specified in the “account” on the screen cannot browse the presentation. When “channel authentication” is set to “absent”, the created presentation can be viewed by all users who can access the SMIS server 100.
[0052]
When the “REGIST” button 1104 on the screen in FIG. 11 is pressed, the settings on the screen are transmitted from the client 101 to the presentation creation unit 400c of the SMIS server 100 and stored in the presentation DB 400d described later. Then, after the necessary file is generated by the file generating unit 400e described later and stored in the file storage unit 400f, the presentation generating unit 400c returns a screen as shown in FIG. 16 to the client 101. The illustrated screen describes a URL for browsing the created presentation.
[0053]
Referring back to FIG. 4, reference numeral 400 d denotes a presentation DB, in addition to the contents set on each screen of FIGS. 7 to 15, an automatically numbered presentation number, and a file of a file generated by a file generation unit 400 e described later. This is a database that stores file names, statuses described later (whether or not the presentation is currently open), creation date and time, creation source user numbers, and the like in association with each other.
[0054]
Reference numeral 400e denotes a file generation unit which, in accordance with the configuration of the presentation held in the presentation DB 400d, includes files necessary for the presentation, for example, HTML files describing frames, and screens shown in FIGS. Is a function unit for automatically generating a SMIL file equivalent to the setting information set by the.
[0055]
SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) is a markup language for WWW that was authenticated and recommended by the W3C in 1998. For example, if a plurality of moving images are specified in a <seq><//seq> tag, sequential playback is performed. If a moving image and a sound are specified in the><//par> tag, the display / reproduction schedule of each material can be described in detail, such as simultaneous reproduction. The contents set on each screen of FIGS. 7 to 15 can all be described by this SMIL.
[0056]
Reference numeral 400f denotes a file storage unit, which is a functional unit that classifies and holds various files generated by the file generation unit 400e and arbitrary files transmitted from the client 101 into directories for each user.
[0057]
Reference numeral 400g denotes a presentation editing unit, which is a functional unit that receives editing (eg, correction / change) of the presentation created by the presentation creating unit 400c.
[0058]
In the main screen shown in FIG. 6, 601 is a presentation list, and 602 is a job menu. In the presentation list 601, the names of all presentations created by the logged-in user are listed (the login receiving unit 400b determines whether the input login ID and the password match with each other in the user DB 400a). Then, the user searches the presentation DB 400d with the user number of the user, and fits the names of all presentations created by the user into the main screen).
[0059]
In the job menu 602, work that can be executed for an existing presentation is listed. The work is specifically as follows.
(1) Editing the presentation
(1) Reset the name, overall layout, etc. (Fig. 7)
(2) Resetting information on copyright (Fig. 8)
(3) Resetting special effects (Fig. 10)
(4) Schedule resetting (Figs. 11 to 15)
(2) Presentation preview
(3) Presentation list display
(4) File list display
[0060]
When an arbitrary presentation is selected in the presentation list 601 and further, for example, (1) (2) is selected in the job menu 602 and the “J” button 603 is pressed, the client 101 sends a diagram to the presentation editing unit 400 g of the SMIS server 100. 8 is transmitted.
[0061]
Upon receiving this, the presentation editing unit 400g searches the presentation DB 400d, reads the record of the selected presentation, fills in the current settings on the screen of FIG. 8, and returns it to the client 101. That is, the copyright information of the designated presentation is read out to the client 101 side. When the copyright information is corrected on this screen and the “REGIST” button 800 is pressed, the presentation DB 400d is updated, and the SMIL file is re-created by the file generation unit 400e based on the updated information.
[0062]
When the user selects, for example, (3) in the job menu 602, a list of all presentations created by the logged-in user can be displayed as shown in FIG. In the figure, "Status" means whether the presentation is currently open or not. If "Valid" is selected, it can be viewed from other users, and if "Invalid" is selected. It is in a state where it cannot be viewed by other users (an undisclosed state that only the creator can see). Note that a presentation for which “invalid” is set is not displayed in the presentation list 601.
[0063]
By reselecting the status and pressing the “Status Change” button 1700, the fact is notified from the client 101 to the presentation editing unit 400g of the SMIS server 100, and the setting contents of the presentation DB 400d are rewritten. You can change from public or private to public.
[0064]
When the user selects “delete” in the figure and presses the above button, the presentation editing unit 400g receives this, deletes the record of the presentation from the presentation DB 400d, and deletes the file generated by the file generation unit 400e. It is deleted from the storage unit 400f.
[0065]
When, for example, (4) is selected in the job menu 602 in FIG. 6, a list of files uploaded by the logged-in user to the SMIS server 100 can be displayed as shown in FIG. To delete a file, check its check box and press the “Delete” button 1800. Conversely, to add or update a file, an e-mail attached to the file is transmitted to a predetermined e-mail address, as described below.
[0066]
Referring back to FIG. 4, reference numeral 400h denotes a file receiving unit, which is a functional unit that receives an electronic mail transmitted from the client 101 and stores the attached file in the file storage unit 400f. The file receiving section 400h searches the user DB 400a with the source address of the received e-mail, and if there is a user having the address, saves the attached file in the directory of the user in the file storage section 400f. If a file with the same name exists, the existing file is overwritten with the newly received file.
[0067]
Reference numeral 400i denotes a presentation publishing unit, which receives a request from the client 102 that browses a presentation, determines whether or not the browsing is possible, and returns a configuration file of the presentation when browsing is possible.
[0068]
The user of the client 102 designates the URL of the presentation notified on the screen of FIG. 16, for example, “http://smis.net8.co.jp/smis/SmisShow.jsp?cn=01” and designates the browsing request. Upon transmission, the presentation publishing unit 400i of the SMIS server 100 first searches the presentation DB 400d and checks the status of the presentation with the presentation number "01". Then, when the status is “valid”, that is, when the presentation is open, a browsing authentication screen as shown in FIG. 19 is returned to the client 102.
[0069]
When the client 102 receives the account and transmits an account, the presentation publishing unit 400i searches the presentation DB 400d to determine whether the received account matches the account specified by the creator on the screen in FIG. Check Then, when they match, the configuration file of the presentation identified by the presentation number “01” is read from the file storage unit 400f and returned to the client 102.
[0070]
Next, the functional configuration of the client 101 that creates and edits a presentation will be described. First, reference numeral 401a denotes a log-in receiving unit on the client 101 side, which receives and displays the log-in screen shown in FIG. 5 to receive input of a log-in ID and a password, and transmits these information to the log-in receiving unit 400b on the SMIS server 100 side. , And receives / displays the main screen shown in FIG. 6 when login is possible.
[0071]
Reference numeral 401b denotes a presentation creation unit on the client 101 side, which sequentially receives and displays each screen shown in FIGS. 7 to 15 to accept the creation of a new presentation, and converts the settings made on each screen to the presentation creation unit on the SMIS server 100 side. This is a functional unit that transmits data to 400c. The presentation creation unit 401b starts the above-described processing when the “NEW” button 600 is pressed on the main screen in FIG.
[0072]
Reference numeral 401c denotes a presentation editing unit on the client 101 side, which is a functional unit that accepts editing of a presentation that has already been created and transmits the edited settings to the SMIS server 100. The presentation creating unit 401c starts the above-described processing when the “J” button 603 is pressed on the main screen in FIG.
[0073]
Reference numeral 401d denotes a file transmission unit, which is a functional unit that creates and transmits an e-mail attached with a file to be uploaded to the SMIS server 100. The file transmission unit 401d allows the user to input a destination mail address (an address specified in advance for adding or updating a file on the SMIS server 100) and a path name of an attached file on a predetermined mail creation screen. The e-mail address is set to the e-mail address of the user of the client 101, and the e-mail is transmitted to the above-mentioned destination with the subject and the body left blank.
[0074]
Next, a functional configuration of the client 102 that browses a presentation will be described. Reference numeral 402a denotes a presentation browsing unit which obtains a presentation configuration file as shown in FIG. 2 from the SMIS server 100 (and the material server 103 as necessary), and according to the SMIL file included in the file, individual material. Is a function unit that displays and reproduces (executes a presentation) while synchronizing with.
[0075]
When the URL of the presentation to be browsed is input by the user, the presentation browsing unit 402a transmits a browsing request for the presentation specified by the URL to the SMIS server 100. If the presentation is open (if the status is "valid"), the browsing authentication screen shown in FIG. 19 is returned from the presentation publishing unit 400i of the SMIS server 100, and is accepted by the screen. Reply further to the account you created.
[0076]
Then, referring to the file returned from the presentation publishing unit 400i when the accounts match, if there is a missing file (for example, the SMIL file obtained from the SMIS server 100 converts the MPEG file on the material server 103 to the In the case where the file is referred to, for example, the material server 103 holding the file is individually accessed to acquire the data. Thereafter, the presentation is executed with reference to the SMIL file.
[0077]
Next, a functional configuration of the material server 103 will be described. Reference numeral 403a denotes a file storage unit, which is a functional unit that holds various material files such as texts, images, moving images, and sounds that are referred to from presentations created and edited on the SMIS server 100.
[0078]
Reference numeral 403b denotes a file transmission unit, which is a functional unit that receives a request from the presentation browsing unit 402a of the client 102, reads a specified file from the file storage unit 403a, and transmits the file to the client 102.
[0079]
Next, FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure from presentation creation to publication in the presentation creation / publication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0080]
First, when the client 101 requests the SMIS server 100 to log in by indicating the login ID and the password from the login reception unit 401a (step S1), the login reception unit 400b of the SMIS server 100 checks the login ID and the password with the user DB 400a. Then, it is determined whether or not login is possible (step S2). Then, when the login is permitted, the data of the main screen shown in FIG. 6 is returned (step S3).
[0081]
When the “NEW” button 600 is pressed on the main screen, the presentation creation unit 401b is called in the client 101, and the transmission of the screens of FIGS. 7 to 15 necessary for setting the configuration of the presentation is sequentially performed by the SMIS server. 100 (step S4). The presentation creation unit 400c of the SMIS server 100 sequentially returns the requested screen in response to the request (Step S5).
[0082]
The contents set on each of the above screens are transmitted from the client 101 to the SMIS server 100 when the “REGIST” button (700 or the like) is pressed (step S6), and the presentation is performed based on the automatically numbered presentation number. Stored in the DB 400d.
[0083]
When the settings on the screens in FIGS. 7 to 15 are completed, the SMIS server 100 generates necessary files including the SMIL file with reference to the presentation DB 400d by the file generation unit 400e, and stores the generated files in the file storage unit 400f. (Step S7). At this time, the file generation unit 400e registers the path name of the saved file in the presentation DB 400d.
[0084]
When the presentation is created as described above, the presentation creating unit 400c notifies the client 101 of the URL for browsing the presentation on the screen of FIG. 16 (step S8).
[0085]
In the case of editing a once created presentation, the current settings for the presentation are previously input on the screens of FIGS. However, the whole procedure is the same as that of the case of the new creation described above. First, the user logs in to the SMIS server 100, reads the main screen of FIG. 6, sequentially requests the necessary screens, and sets and transmits necessary items. Go on. However, in the case of editing, there is no notification of the URL as in step S8.
[0086]
The material constituting the presentation may be anywhere on the Internet, but may be uploaded to the SMIS server 100 as needed. On the mail creation screen displayed by the file transmission unit 401d of the client 101, a file to be uploaded is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to a predetermined destination (step S9). The SMIS server 100 which has received the above-mentioned mail in the file receiving section 400h specifies the user from the source address and stores the attached file in the directory of the user in the file storage section 400f (Step S10).
[0087]
Thereafter, when the client 102 requests the SMIS server 100 to view the presentation number from the presentation browsing unit 402a (step S11), the SMIS server 100 searches the presentation DB 400d by the presentation publishing unit 400i, and retrieves the presentation DB 400d. If the “Status” is “Valid” and the “Channel Authentication” is “Yes”, the browsing authentication screen shown in FIG. 19 is returned (step S12).
[0088]
Then, when an account is transmitted from the client 102 (step S13), whether or not browsing is possible is determined by collating with the account in the presentation DB 400d (step S14). Then, a configuration file (such as a SMIL file) of the presentation is returned (step S15).
[0089]
The presentation browsing unit 402a of the client 102 checks whether there is a file referred to from the received file, and if there is a missing file, transmits the transfer request to the material server 103 holding the file. (Step S16). Upon receiving this, the file transmission unit 403b of the material server 103 reads the specified file from the file storage unit 403a and returns it to the client 102 (Step S17).
[0090]
According to the above-described embodiment, by using the function provided by the SMIS server 100, a complicated presentation in which various materials such as text, images, moving images, and sounds are synchronized can be performed without using a specialized agent. But it can be easily created. No knowledge about SMIL or the like is required, just inputting necessary items according to the displayed wizard screen. Further, knowledge of FTP is not required, and a file to be uploaded to the SMIS server 100 may be simply attached to an e-mail and transmitted to a predetermined destination.
[0091]
In the above-described embodiment, the user of the client 101 creates and edits the presentation solely by himself. However, another user inputs the SMIS server 100 from another computer with the same login ID and password as the user. By logging into, multiple people can work together (collaboration). Also, by sending an e-mail from a common e-mail address, each worker can update a file on the SMIS server 100. It doesn't matter that each person is physically separated.
[0092]
When there are a plurality of presentations to be created, a plurality of users can simultaneously log in to the SMIS server 100 with their login IDs and passwords, and can create and edit presentations assigned to them (parallel processing). .
[0093]
In addition, in the present system, since the material already published on the Internet can be secondarily used, there is no need to collect data once as data to be transferred to the agency and store it in some medium. Further, in the present system, in principle, there is no delay time from presentation creation to publication. In the past, it was necessary to prepare the required data from a vendor and upload the delivered data to the server, so it took many days, including office work such as data collection and exchange, The time required in this system is only the time required to set necessary items on the wizard screens of FIGS. 7 to 15 and upload the missing material.
[0094]
Further, conventionally, if a correction is made to a presentation once delivered, it is expensive and time consuming. However, according to the present system, subsequent editing is easy. Conversely, as much as possible can be modified later, it is possible to transmit information flexibly, giving priority to speed over accuracy, such as publishing if it has been completed to some extent. Due to the nature of the information to be transmitted, advanced presentations can be created even when frequent updates are required.
[0095]
Conventionally, the entire presentation was stored in a single file, so it was necessary to update the entire file even if it was necessary to modify or change a part of the presentation. Of these, only specific files can be replaced (partial updates are possible). In addition, when the material used secondarily is corrected or changed, the latest data is always reflected in the presentation without any particular operation.
[0096]
In addition, in the present system, since it is possible to request the viewer of the presentation to input an account, it is possible to limit the disclosure to a target such as only friends or employees.
[0097]
However, presentations that anyone wants to see, such as the introduction of a new product by a company, are rather complicated. For example, “http://smis.net8.co.jp/smis/SmisShow.jsp?cn=01&ac” = ****** "(" ***** "at the end is the account set on the screen of FIG. 15), and the URL incorporating the account in advance may be publicized. When the above URL is received, the presentation publishing unit 400i of the SMIS server 100 omits the authentication processing using the screen of FIG. 19 (simple authentication).
[0098]
In the above-described embodiment, the presentation is created on the SMIS server 100 and then released as it is. However, if the SMIL file is downloaded, the presentation can be executed locally without passing through the SMIS server 100. Conversely, the presentation creation / editing function provided by the SMIS server 100 may be packaged as software for a personal computer so that the SMIL file can be created locally only on a series of screens as described above. The created presentation can be published on any server on the Internet other than the SMIS server 100.
[0099]
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the presentation created by the SMIS server 100 is composed exclusively according to the description contents of the SMIL file. However, the file does not necessarily have to be in the SMIL format. The file may be of any format as long as the setting information on the screen can be held. The SMIL file is a type of text file like the HTML file, but the file generated by the SMIS server 100 is not limited to the text file, and may be, for example, a binary file semantically equivalent to the SMIL file.
[0100]
Also, in the above-described embodiment, the presentation created by the SMIS server 100 is viewed by a browser and a player. However, when an information home appliance or the like is considered as the client 102, these devices are provided with “RealOnePlayer (R)”. ) "And other players.
[0101]
Therefore, not only presentations in the form shown in FIG. 2 but also presentations that can be viewed only by players, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, may be made. In the figure, an image such as JPEG or a moving image such as MPEG is displayed in an area 2100a, and text such as HTML is displayed and reproduced in a synchronized manner in an area 2100b. The procedure of the creation itself is the same as that of the presentation in FIG. 2 except for the application to be executed and the overall layout.
[0102]
Note that the login accepting unit 400b, the presentation creating unit 400c, the file generating unit 400e, the presentation editing unit 400g, the file receiving unit 400h, and the presentation publishing unit 400i specifically execute the program read from the HD 305 or the like to the RAM 303. This is realized by execution by the CPU 301. This program can be stored and distributed on various recording media such as a CD-ROM and an MO, and can also be distributed via a network. The user DB 400a, the presentation DB 400d, and the file storage unit 400f are specifically realized by the HD 305.
[0103]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the invention according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus that publishes on a network a presentation in which various materials such as a text file and a moving image file are synchronized from a first client connected by the network. Setting information receiving means for receiving the setting information of the presentation, and file generating means for generating a file describing a display or reproduction schedule of each material based on the setting information received by the setting information receiving means A browsing request receiving unit for receiving a browsing request for the presentation from a second client connected by the network; file And a file transmission unit for transmitting the material to the second client, so that the display / playback schedule of each material set online by the user of the first client is automatically generated by the server as a file in a predetermined format. At the same time, the file is delivered from the server to the user of the second client, whereby a presentation in which various materials such as a text file and a video file are synchronized can be easily and quickly created and published on a network. This provides an effect that a simple information processing device can be obtained.
[0104]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, since the file generated by the file generating means is a SMIL file, each of the materials set by the user of the first client online. The display / playback schedule is automatically generated by the server as a file in the SMIL format, and the file is delivered from the server to the user of the second client, thereby synchronizing various materials such as text files and video files. There is an effect that an information processing apparatus capable of easily and quickly creating and publishing a given presentation on a network can be obtained.
[0105]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an e-mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail transmitted from the first client; Determining means for determining whether or not the source address of the e-mail received by the receiving means matches the e-mail address of the user registered in advance; and wherein the source address is pre-registered by the determining means. File determining means for storing a file attached to the e-mail in a directory of the user when it is determined that the file matches the e-mail address of the user; Can upload the file to the server. An effect that various materials synchronized presentation information processing apparatus capable of creating and released easily and quickly on the network can be obtained.
[0106]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for publishing, on a network, a presentation in which various materials such as a text file and a moving image file are synchronized, the first client connected via the network transmits the presentation. A setting information receiving step of receiving setting information, and a file generating step of generating a file describing a display or reproduction schedule of each material based on the setting information received in the setting information receiving step; A browsing request receiving step of receiving a browsing request for the presentation from a second client connected by a network, and a file generated in the file generating step for the presentation for which the browsing request has been received in the browsing request receiving step; The second client A file transmission step of transmitting the material, the display / playback schedule of each material set online by the user of the first client is automatically generated by the server as a file in a predetermined format, and the file is A server is issued from the server to the user of the second client, whereby an information processing method capable of easily and quickly creating and publishing a synchronized presentation of various materials such as a text file and a moving image file on a network is obtained. It has the effect that it can be done.
[0107]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the file generated in the file generating step is a SMIL file, each material set by the user of the first client online. The display / playback schedule is automatically generated by the server as a file in the SMIL format, and the file is issued from the server to the user of the second client. There is an effect that an information processing method capable of easily and quickly creating and publishing a synchronized presentation on a network can be obtained.
[0108]
The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising: an e-mail receiving step of receiving an e-mail transmitted from the first client; A determining step of determining whether the source address of the email received in the email receiving step matches the email address of the user registered in advance, and in the determining step, the source address is registered in advance. The file attached to the e-mail is stored in the user's directory when it is determined that the e-mail address matches the e-mail address of the user. You can upload the file to the server. Material is an effect that simple and information processing method capable of quickly created and published to obtain a synchronized presentation over the network.
[0109]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 7, there is an effect that a program capable of causing a computer to execute the method described in any one of claims 4 to 6 is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a presentation creation / publication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation created and published on the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of each device constituting the presentation creation / publication system according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of a presentation creation / publication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a login screen in the present system.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a main screen in the present system.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation creation screen (presentation registration screen) in the present system.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation creation screen (presentation information registration screen) in the present system.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a presentation creation screen (special effect setting screen—first page) in the present system.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation creation screen (second special effect setting screen) in the present system.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation creation screen (scenario creation screen) in the present system.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation creation screen (media time setting screen) in the present system.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation creation screen (simultaneous execution media registration screen) in the present system.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation creation screen (Web page registration screen) in the present system.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation creation screen (scenario operation setting screen) in the present system.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation creation screen (presentation creation end screen) in the present system.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a presentation list screen in the present system.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a file list screen in the present system.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a browse authentication screen in the present system.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure from presentation creation to publication in the presentation creation / publication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a presentation created and published on the information processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 SMIS server
101, 102 clients
103 Material Server
300 bus
301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 HDD
305 HD
306 FDD
307 FD
308 CD-RW drive
309 CD-RW
310 display
311 keyboard
312 mouse
313 Network I / F
314 Communication cable
400a User DB
400b Login reception unit
400c Presentation Creation Department
400d presentation DB
400e file generator
400f file storage unit
400g presentation editorial department
400h file receiving unit
400i Presentation Publishing Department
401a Login reception unit
401b Presentation creator
401c Presentation editor
401d file transmission unit
402a Presentation viewer
403a File storage unit
403b File transmission unit

Claims (7)

In an information processing device that publishes on a network a presentation in which various materials such as text files and video files are synchronized,
Setting information receiving means for receiving the setting information of the presentation from a first client connected by the network;
File generating means for generating a file describing a display or reproduction schedule of each material based on the setting information received by the setting information receiving means,
Browsing request receiving means for receiving a browsing request for the presentation from a second client connected by the network;
File transmitting means for transmitting, to the second client, a file generated by the file generating means for the presentation for which the browsing request has been received by the browsing request receiving means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the file generated by the file generation unit is a SMIL file. E-mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail transmitted from the first client;
Determining means for determining whether or not the source address of the e-mail received by the e-mail receiving means matches an e-mail address of a user registered in advance;
When the determination unit determines that the source address matches the e-mail address of the user registered in advance, a file storage unit that saves a file attached to the e-mail in the directory of the user,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: In an information processing method that publishes a synchronized presentation of various materials such as text files and video files on a network,
Setting information receiving step of receiving the setting information of the presentation from a first client connected by the network;
Based on the setting information received in the setting information receiving step, a file generating step of generating a file in which the display or playback schedule of each material is described,
A browsing request receiving step of receiving a browsing request for the presentation from a second client connected by the network;
A file transmission step of transmitting, to the second client, a file generated in the file generation step for the presentation for which the browse request has been received in the browse request reception step,
An information processing method comprising: 5. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein the file generated in the file generation step is a SMIL file. An e-mail receiving step of receiving an e-mail transmitted from the first client;
A determining step of determining whether or not the source address of the email received in the email receiving step matches an email address of a user registered in advance;
In the determining step, when it is determined that the source address matches the e-mail address of the user registered in advance, a file storage step of storing a file attached to the e-mail in the directory of the user,
The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein the information processing method includes: A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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