JP2005151100A - Content viewing confirming device and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for enabling only a person who views content to obtain additional information. <P>SOLUTION: First, information is buried in the content. Then, an instruction for extracting the information is made in linking with the content. A viewer extracts the information according to the instruction. Finally, the extracted information is used for accessing a web, or the like, thus enabling the viewer to obtain benefits. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for facilitating viewing of content.

  In order to allow more people to view the video provided by the sponsor, a prize may be provided as a privilege for viewing. However, the current sweepstakes system allows you to apply for the sweepstakes without completely viewing the content, so the advertising effect is halved.

  The conventional method will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 shows a time series of one program. In the conventional method, a question or a keyword is shown at a certain point in the program as shown in FIG. Viewers apply for the sweepstakes by writing their answers or keywords on a postcard.

  As another method, there is JP-A-2002-171492 (Patent Document 1).

  The above method will be described with reference to FIGS.

Keywords or passwords are inserted as digital watermarks in the content. First, keywords are detected from this content and stored. Then, the accumulated keywords are displayed (FIG. 16). In addition, in the case of having two-way communication, keywords can be automatically transmitted (FIG. 17).
JP 2002-171492 A

  In the conventional method in which a question or keyword is shown in a specific part of the content, it is possible to apply for a sweepstakes by viewing only the part in which the question or keyword is shown, so the advertising effect is halved. In the method described in Patent Document 1, when a keyword is displayed, if a content viewer teaches only a keyword to a third party, a non-content viewer can also apply for a prize. In the method described in Patent Document 1, the end of content is the end of watermark detection. For this reason, when automatically transmitting a keyword, it is possible to apply for a prize even after leaving the place after operating the detection device. Thus, in any case, since it is unclear whether or not the content has been browsed, the advertising effect is not always obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to ensure viewing of content by adding information to the content and performing an extraction operation linked to the content.

  The first invention includes a trigger signal input unit that inputs a trigger signal in accordance with an instruction for prompting the input of the trigger signal, and an information extraction unit that extracts information from content according to the trigger signal.

  The second invention is an invention subordinate to the first invention, and is characterized in that an instruction for prompting input of a trigger signal is included in the content.

  With the above configuration, a detection operation linked to the content can be performed, and the content is viewed while the detection is being performed.

  The third invention is an invention subordinate to the first invention, characterized in that an instruction for prompting the input of a trigger signal is clearly indicated on the external printed matter.

  With the above configuration, a detection operation linked to the content can be performed, and the content is viewed while the detection is being performed.

  A fourth invention is an invention dependent on the first or second invention, further comprising a content output unit, wherein the content output unit receives either or both of the content and the instruction for prompting the input of the trigger signal. It is characterized by outputting.

  By specifying the detection instruction, the viewer can perform the extraction operation smoothly.

  The fifth invention is an invention dependent on the first, second, and fourth inventions, and the instruction to input a trigger signal is an instruction by an image signal at a content output unit, or an instruction by an audio signal at a content output unit Or any combination thereof.

  A sixth invention is an invention dependent on the first to fourth inventions, and is any one of an instruction by light emission of the trigger signal input unit, an instruction by vibration of the trigger signal input unit, or a combination thereof. Features.

  By specifying the detection instruction, the viewer can perform the extraction operation smoothly.

  A seventh invention is an invention dependent on the first to sixth inventions, wherein the trigger signal is either a start signal indicating the start of information extraction, an end signal indicating the end of information extraction, or both. It is characterized by that.

  When the viewer inputs a detection start signal and an end signal, content viewing during the detection period is ensured.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information adding unit for adding watermark information to content, a trigger signal input unit for inputting a trigger signal, a content, a content output unit for outputting an instruction for prompting input of the trigger signal, and the trigger signal An information extraction unit that extracts information from the content according to the information processing unit, and an information processing unit that performs processing according to the information detected by the extraction unit.

  According to the present invention, since the viewer performs the detection operation according to the watermark detection instruction linked to the content, the viewer can surely view the content.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a content viewing promotion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the content viewing confirmation apparatus includes an information addition unit 101, a content output unit 102, an extraction device 1 </ b> A, and an information processing unit 105. The extraction device 1A includes a trigger signal input unit 103 and an information extraction unit 104. Processing in the information adding unit 101 is performed by a device on the content holder side, and other processing is performed by a device on the viewer side.

  Hereinafter, the content viewing confirmation apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the content viewing confirmation apparatus of FIG.

  The information adding unit 101 adds information to the content (step 201). As an addition method, there are a method of adding to an area other than the content such as a header and a method of adding to the content itself as a digital watermark. In the latter case, embedding is started L seconds after the beginning of the content (L ≧ 0), and embedding is completed M seconds before the end of the content (M ≧ 0). When there is no gap between different watermarks as shown in FIG. 3, if the detection end timing is shifted, it will lead to erroneous detection of the watermark. In order to prevent this, it is desirable to provide a gap between the contents (L ≠ 0, M ≠ 0) (FIG. 4). The additional information does not need to be completed with one content, and can be added so that one information is completed with a plurality of contents. Further, the same information can be added multiple times in one content. Furthermore, different pieces of information can be added to one content.

  The content output unit 102 outputs the content-containing content generated in step 101 (step 202). Here, a case where the content output unit is a monitor is shown. In this case, an instruction for prompting the input of the trigger signal can be displayed on the monitor. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the texts “detection start” and “detection end” are displayed. A signal that prompts input of a trigger signal can be included in the content. As a method of inclusion, there are a method of superimposing on the content itself (FIG. 5), and a method of preparing a data area different from the content and adding it (FIG. 6). In the latter case, the display method of the instruction for prompting input includes a reduced display area of the content and an area for displaying the detection instruction, and these two are displayed on the same screen (FIG. 7 (a)). Do. Alternatively, the detection instruction can be superimposed and displayed on the content without changing the content (FIG. 7B). It is also possible to detect an instruction that prompts the monitor to input a trigger signal and transmit this signal to the trigger signal input unit.

  The trigger signal input unit 103 inputs a trigger signal for information extraction (step 203). Here, a case where the trigger signal input unit is a remote controller and an information extraction start signal / end signal is input is shown. An instruction for prompting the input of the trigger signal from the content output unit is transmitted to the viewer by lighting or blinking the button, vibration of the remote control, or a combination thereof (FIG. 8). This instruction is given N seconds before the extraction is performed (N ≧ 0). This is in consideration of the time lag from when the instruction is transmitted to the remote controller until the button is pressed. Therefore, it is desirable that N ≠ 0 in order to reliably extract information from the location where the information is included.

  The information extraction unit 104 extracts information according to the trigger signal from the trigger signal input unit 104 (step 104) (FIG. 9).

  The information processing unit 105 performs control according to the information extracted by the digital watermark detection unit 104 (step 205). Here, a case where the information processing section applies for a sweepstakes is shown. First, access the web based on the extracted information and apply for the sweepstakes. Then, the viewer is notified that the process is complete (FIG. 10).

  According to the content viewing promotion apparatus according to the present embodiment, the viewer performs the detection operation in accordance with an instruction that prompts the user to input a trigger signal that is linked to the content, so that the content is surely viewed.

  In this embodiment, when digital watermark is used as additional information in step 201, information can be extracted in step 204 even after D / A and A / D conversion. In addition, if a digital watermark is added to all the frames of the content, it is possible to prevent information from being extracted when the frames are thinned out by fast-forwarding or the like (FIG. 11).

  In the present embodiment, the output unit is a monitor in step 202, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the content is only an audio signal, the output unit can be an audio device.

  In the present embodiment, in step 202, an instruction for prompting the input of the trigger signal is displayed on the monitor, and in step 203, the instruction for prompting the input of the trigger signal is indicated by lighting, blinking, and vibration of the remote control. It is not a thing. An instruction to input a trigger signal can be notified in advance to an external printed matter such as a newspaper.

  In this embodiment, the trigger signal is input by the remote control in step 203, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be performed by voice or gesture.

  In the present embodiment, the detection start / detection end signal is output as the trigger signal in step 203, but the present invention is not limited to this. When a trigger signal is input at a predetermined timing and this is correct, information is extracted at 4 in step 204 (FIG. 12). Although FIG. 12 shows a case where information is extracted when the button is correctly pressed at all timings, information may be extracted when the number of times the button is correctly pressed is greater than a predetermined threshold.

  In the present embodiment, the detection start / detection end signal is output as the trigger signal in step 203, but the present invention is not limited to this. Designation of an information extraction position (FIG. 13) and selection control of information to be extracted (FIG. 14) can also be used as a trigger signal. In that case, the monitor may display text or the like that prompts the user to specify the extraction position and select extraction information.

  In the present embodiment, in step 205, the web is accessed and the prize is applied, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to output a dedicated application form, output a coupon, and transfer watermark information to a portable terminal. It is also possible to display the success or failure of information extraction and the information extraction rate.

  In the present embodiment, in step 201, program information such as a password, ID, URL, and EPG, a program such as Java (registered trademark), image information, and audio information can be added information. Password, ID, and URL can be used as information when accessing the web. Program information such as EPG, programs such as Java (registered trademark), image information, and audio information can be used as a privilege for viewing the content.

  By adding information to content such as CM and extracting the additional information in conjunction with the content, viewing of the content can be ensured.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the content viewing confirmation apparatus which concerns on embodiment in this invention. The flowchart which shows the process performed with the content viewing confirmation apparatus of FIG. Diagram for explaining watermark detection at wrong timing Diagram for explaining watermark detection at correct timing The figure for demonstrating the case where the detection instruction | indication is added to the content The figure for demonstrating the case of the content and the data according to a detection instruction (A) A diagram for explaining an instruction display obtained by dividing a screen (b) A diagram for explaining a superimposed display of content and an instruction signal Diagram for explaining detection instructions linked to content Diagram for explaining trigger signal and information extraction The figure for demonstrating a watermark signal control part Diagram for explaining information extraction for normal playback and fast-forward playback Diagram for explaining trigger signal and information extraction Diagram for explaining the detection position specification Diagram for explaining selection of watermark to detect Diagram for explaining the conventional method The figure for demonstrating patent document 1 The figure for demonstrating patent document 1

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A Extraction apparatus 101 Information addition part 102 Content output part 103 Trigger signal input part 104 Information extraction part 105 Information processing part

Claims (11)

A trigger signal input unit for inputting a trigger signal in accordance with an instruction for prompting input of the trigger signal;
An information extraction apparatus comprising: an information extraction unit that extracts information from content according to the trigger signal. 2. The information extraction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction for prompting input of a trigger signal is included in the content. 2. The information extracting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction for prompting input of a trigger signal is clearly indicated on an external printed matter. A content output unit;
4. The information extracting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content output unit outputs either or both of content and an instruction for prompting input of a trigger signal. 5. The information extraction according to claim 4, wherein the instruction for prompting the input of the trigger signal includes either an instruction by an image signal at the content output unit, an instruction by an audio signal at the content output unit, or a combination thereof. apparatus. The instruction for prompting the input of the trigger signal includes either an instruction by light emission of the trigger signal input unit, an instruction by vibration of the trigger signal input unit, or a combination thereof. Information extraction device. The information extraction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is one of a start signal indicating the start of information extraction, an end signal indicating the end of information extraction, or both. The information extraction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information extracted from the content is digital watermark information. A content input unit for inputting content with digital watermark information added thereto;
A trigger signal input section for inputting a trigger signal;
A content output unit that outputs content and an instruction to prompt input of a trigger signal;
A content viewing confirmation apparatus comprising: an information extraction unit that extracts digital watermark information from content in response to the trigger signal; and an information processing unit that performs processing in accordance with the digital watermark information extracted by the extraction unit. A content input step for inputting content to which digital watermark information is added;
A trigger signal input step for inputting a trigger signal;
A content output step for outputting content and an instruction to prompt input of a trigger signal;
A content viewing confirmation method comprising: an information extraction step of extracting digital watermark information from content in response to the trigger signal; and an information processing step of performing processing in accordance with the digital watermark information extracted by the extraction unit. A trigger signal input step for inputting the trigger signal in accordance with an instruction for prompting the input of the trigger signal;
An information extraction method comprising an information extraction step of extracting digital watermark information from content in accordance with the trigger signal.

Images