JP2006004391A - Multimedia content generation/distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem where it takes a lot of trouble in a series of processing processes of input/generation/edition/distribution of multimedia contents in order to construct a website providing the multimedia such as a still image/sound/animation, resulting in a disincentive for popularization. <P>SOLUTION: By providing this media content generation/distribution system with a function for automatically extracting a still image from an animation content file and a function for automatically generating HTML based on bibliographical information inputted in uploading a multimedia content file, trouble of website update is reduced, and thereby a website with high update frequency and high instantaneousness can be constructed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multimedia content generation / distribution system using the Internet, and relates to a system that automatically extracts still images from moving image content and automatically generates HTML.

  Conventionally, in order to create / update a website for distributing multimedia contents, it is necessary to upload the multimedia contents file to the multimedia contents distribution server and to create / update the related HTML file and upload it to the web server. was there. Further, when part of the contents of the moving image content is disclosed as a still image, it is necessary to upload the still image file to the Web server after performing the work of extracting the still image file from the moving image content file in advance.

  On the other hand, moving image content and still image information included in the moving image content are extracted from moving image content recording media such as DVD and S-VHS and stored together with the bibliographic information of the moving image content in the database. In addition, there is a system that can search for moving image content from a database based on bibliographic information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). There is also a content storage management method or system that allows metadata to be used to control various types of content, such as content presentation methods and usage conditions, by defining metadata that describes detailed information about content. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

    JP 2002-335473 A     JP 2002-251328 A

  When using a system such as the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, each specific person uses his / her still image information or bibliographic information of moving image contents stored in the system database. There is no means for specifying an individual who uses the system or means for customizing the appearance of the website according to what the individual wants to produce. Therefore, it is necessary for website creators to create new HTML source code based on bibliographic information on the database, and to acquire still image information from the database and upload it individually to the web server. Since it takes a lot of time and effort to update, it becomes an obstacle to providing an attractive website with high update frequency and high information freshness.

  On the other hand, when using a system such as Patent Document 2, it is possible to control distribution conditions for users using the system, but there is no means for extracting still image information or bibliographic information from a moving image file. Therefore, when a website creator tries to create a unique website including a plurality of types of multimedia contents such as moving images and still images using the system described in Patent Document 2, the website creator It is necessary to produce web contents by individually combining various types of multimedia contents, and it takes a lot of work to create and update them.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a content storage management system having user authentication means, and a scene thumbnail image generation means for automatically extracting still images from moving image content files and storing them in the content storage means. By linking, it is possible for an unspecified number of persons to use a scene thumbnail image generation means customized for individual use.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention inputs the configuration information of the Web page together with the bibliographic items of the multimedia content in the content receiving means, and stores it in the database in association with the registered user. When multimedia content is browsed, the HTML automatic generation means immediately reads the bibliographic information stored in the database and the configuration information of the Web page associated with the content, and dynamically configures the Web page. Send to web page viewer. Since this HTML automatic generation means can be provided individually for each user, a web page customized for each user is automatically generated based on the information generated and accumulated by the scene thumbnail image generation means. can do.

  FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention includes a storage unit for storing multimedia content files and supplementary information such as search information, and a content input unit for inputting multimedia content files to the system. A content processing unit for extracting bibliographic information and still images from the multimedia content file, and a content output unit for generating and distributing content for viewers based on the information stored in the storage unit. In the content input unit of FIG. 1, the content receiving unit 1 (101) is a unit that receives content using the HTTP protocol, the content receiving unit 2 (102) is a unit that receives content using the FTP protocol, and the content receiving unit 3 (103). Is means for receiving content from the e-mail transmission client.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the actual configuration of the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention. 1 may be an HTTP server (202) operating on a Web server, the content reception unit 2 may be an FTP server (205), and the content reception unit 3 may be a mail server (204). Further, the user authentication means (104), content storage means (112), and content information storage means (113) in FIG. 1 are integrated with the database (211) and file storage (212) and operate on the content management server. It can be configured as a management system (208). The content management system (208) may be a system as described in Patent Document 2, for example. Further, the content reception notification unit (105) and the scene thumbnail image reception unit (107) in FIG. 1 can be a content reception notification system (209) operating on a content reception notification server. Further, the scene thumbnail image generation means (106) of FIG. 1 can be a moving image file conversion system (210) operating on a moving image processing server. This moving image file conversion system (210) may be a system as described in Patent Document 1, for example. Also, the HTML automatic generation means 1 (108) in FIG. 1 can be an HTML automatic generation module (207) disposed in the content management system operating on the content management server. 1 may be an HTTP server (202) or a streaming server (201) operating on a moving image distribution server.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow performed when a multimedia content file is input to the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the multimedia content file (301) is transmitted to the content input unit by any means of an HTTP client, an FTP client, and an e-mail transmission client, and is received by the corresponding content receiving means. . The multimedia content file transmitted by the HTTP client is transmitted by the content receiving means 1 (101), and the multimedia content file transmitted by the FTP client is transmitted by the content receiving means 2 (102) by the e-mail transmission client. As for the content file, the content accepting means 3 (103) accepts the transmitted multimedia content file.

  The multimedia content file received by the content input unit is stored in the content information storage means (113). Bibliographic information transmitted simultaneously with the multimedia content file is also stored in the content information storage means (113). At this time, the bibliographic information incidental to the multimedia content file is stored in an associated state on the content information storage means. When the content input unit receives the multimedia content file, the content reception notifying unit (105) detects the reception of the multimedia content file and notifies the scene thumbnail image generation unit (106). In addition, by detecting the reception of the multimedia content file to the scene thumbnail image generating means (106) and also detecting the reception of the multimedia content file to the moving image format conversion means (114), It is also possible to simultaneously perform conversion processing to an arbitrary format while generating a scene thumbnail image.

  FIG. 4 is a screen configuration example when multimedia content is input to the system using an HTTP client. When inputting multimedia content to the system using an HTTP client, the multimedia content file is specified on the HTTP client screen, and bibliographic information such as the title and comment of the content can be input. You can configure the input fields on the screen. The HTTP client may be Web browser software that operates on a personal computer, a portable terminal including a mobile phone, or a fixed installation type terminal equipped with a Web browser.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing sequence when the multimedia content is input to the system using an HTTP client when the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention is constructed with the configuration shown in FIG. The HTTP client transmits the multimedia content file and the bibliographic information to the HTTP server (202) (S501). The Web server transmits the received multimedia content file and bibliographic information to the HTTP interface (206) via the system interface (203). The HTTP interface (206) passes the received multimedia content file and bibliographic information to the content management system (208) (S502). The content management system (208) transmits the multimedia content file to the file storage (212) (S503), and transmits bibliographic information to the database (211) (S504). The content reception notification system (208) detects that the content management system (208) has newly received a multimedia content file and bibliographic information (S505), and if the multimedia content file is a moving image file, A thumbnail extraction process is requested to the file processing system (209) (S506). The moving image file processing system (209) transmits the thumbnail image extracted from the moving image file to the content management system (208) (S507). The content management system (208) transmits the thumbnail image file to the file storage (212) (S508), and transmits the bibliographic information of the thumbnail image file to the database (211) (S509).

  FIG. 6 is a screen configuration example when multimedia content is input to the system using an e-mail transmission client. When using the email sending client to enter multimedia content into the system, specify the multimedia content file as an email attachment, and the bibliographic information, such as the content title and comments, is the subject of the email. It can be specified in the input field or text input field. In addition, by providing a certain rule in the format of the text input field, it is possible to describe all of a plurality of bibliographic information in the subject input field. This e-mail transmission client may be e-mail transmission client software that operates on a personal computer, a portable terminal including a mobile phone, or a fixed installation type terminal equipped with the e-mail transmission client.

  FIG. 7 is a processing sequence when the multimedia content is generated and distributed to the system using the e-mail transmission client when the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention is constructed with the configuration shown in FIG. The e-mail transmission client transmits the multimedia content file and the bibliographic information to the mail server (204) (S701). The content reception notification system (208) detects that the mail server (204) has newly received the multimedia content file and the bibliographic information as the body of the email and the attached file (S702), and receives the received multimedia content file. The bibliographic information is transferred to the content management system (208) (S703). The content management system (208) transmits the multimedia content file to the file storage (212) (S704), and transmits bibliographic information to the database (211) (S705). When the received multimedia content file is a moving image file, the content reception notification system (208) requests the moving image file processing system (209) to perform thumbnail extraction processing (S706). The moving image file processing system (209) transmits the thumbnail image extracted from the moving image file to the content management system (208) (S707). The content management system (208) transmits the thumbnail image file to the file storage (212) (S708), and transmits the bibliographic information of the thumbnail image file to the database (211) (S709).

  FIG. 8 is a processing sequence when the multimedia content is input to the system using the FTP client when the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention is constructed with the configuration shown in FIG. The FTP client transmits the multimedia content file to the FTP server (205) (S801). The content reception notification system (208) detects that the FTP server (204) has newly received a multimedia content file (S802), and passes the received multimedia content file to the content management system (208) (S803). ). The content management system (208) transmits the multimedia content file to the file storage (212) (S804). When the received multimedia content file is a moving image file, the content reception notification system (208) requests the moving image file processing system (209) to perform thumbnail extraction processing (S805). The moving image file processing system (209) transmits the thumbnail image extracted from the moving image file to the content management system (208) (S806). The content management system (208) transmits the thumbnail image file to the file storage (212) (S807), and transmits the bibliographic information of the thumbnail image file to the database (211) (S808).

  When the multimedia content file is input to the system by the FTP client, a screen for inputting bibliographic information of the multimedia content file later can be provided separately. The bibliographic information input screen may be a web application configured with an HTML form, for example. The FTP client may be FTP client software that operates on a personal computer, a portable terminal including a mobile phone, or a fixed installation type terminal equipped with the FTP client.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the content reception notifying means when the moving image content file is input. While the multimedia content generation / distribution system according to the present invention is in operation, the content reception means constantly checks whether new content has arrived at the system (S901 to S902). When the arrival of new content is found by the check (S903), it is determined whether or not the new arrival content is video content (S904). If arrival of new content cannot be found (S903), the process returns to the beginning of the repeated check. When new content is found and the newly arrived content is video content, the arrival of the video content is notified to the scene thumbnail image generation means (S905). If the newly arrived content is not video content, the process returns to the beginning of the repeated check.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the scene thumbnail image generating means. While the multimedia content generation / distribution system according to the present invention is in operation, the scene thumbnail image generation means constantly checks whether there is a new video content arrival notification from the content reception notification means ( S1001 to S1002). If there is no new arrival notification (S1003), the process returns to the beginning of the repeated check. If there is a new arrival notification (S1003), the new moving image content file is analyzed, and a still image is extracted for each scene constituting the moving image content (S1004). When the still image extraction for each scene is completed, the scene thumbnail image generation unit acquires the incidental information input when the moving image content file that is the source of the extraction of the still image for each scene is received by the content input unit (S1005). ). Next, the extracted still image for each scene is stored in the content information storage means of the multimedia content generation / distribution system according to the present invention by the scene thumbnail image reception means. At this time, the still image for each scene is stored in an associated state on the content information storage unit with the original moving image content file from which the still image is extracted. This process is repeated for the number of still images extracted for each scene (S1006 to S1007).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow performed when a website viewer browses a website. As shown in FIG. 11, when a web site visitor visits a web site, the multimedia content file is designated in order to browse the multimedia content file stored in the content storage means (112). The HTML automatic generation means (108) inquires the content information storage means (113) for the bibliographic information of the multimedia content file designated by the Web site visitor, and obtains the bibliographic information attached to the multimedia content file. get. The HTML automatic generation means (108) automatically generates HTML based on the bibliographic information attached to the acquired multimedia content file, and returns it to the website viewer so that the Web content related to the media content file is provided. In addition, since the bibliographic information of the multimedia content file can include storage location information on the content storage means (112) of the multimedia content file, the multi-content is included in the HTML generated by the HTML automatic generation means (108). By including the location information of the media content file, the multimedia content file can be distributed to the website viewer using the content distribution means (111). In addition, when the multimedia content file is a moving image file, the thumbnail image of the moving image file may be sent to the website viewer by reading out the thumbnail image together with the bibliographic information attached to the multimedia content file. it can.

  FIG. 12 shows a processing sequence when the HTML automatic generation means (108) sends a scene thumbnail image related to a video content file to the Web site viewer when the Web site viewer designates a video file. When a website viewer browses a website, an identifier (video content file ID) of the video content file is specified in order to specify a video content file to be browsed. This moving image content file ID is passed to the HTML automatic generation means (108) (S1201 to S1202). The HTML automatic generation means (108) searches the content search information database for a still image associated with the moving image content file using the specified moving image content file ID as a key (S1203). As a result of the search, a list of still images associated with the moving image content file is returned to the HTML automatic generation means (108) (S1204). Based on the list of still images acquired as a search result, the content search information database is queried for supplementary information of each still image (S1205 to S1206). The HTML automatic generation means (108) performs HTML generation processing based on the list of still images acquired by the above processing and the accompanying information of each still image (S1207). The generated HTML is sent to the website viewer (S1208).

  Here, one or more HTML automatic generation means can exist for one Web site, and a plurality of HTML automatic generation means can constitute a Web site as a whole. Accordingly, by embedding different HTML generation rules in individual HTML automatic generation means, it is also possible to configure a Web site with only HTML automatic generation means. For example, HTML automatic generation means for displaying a list of all multimedia content files stored in the content information storage means in HTML format is attached to the HTML automatic generation means 1 and the multimedia content file designated by the website viewer. HTML automatic generation means 2 for displaying bibliographic information to be displayed in HTML format, HTML automatic generation means 2, classifying multimedia content files in an arbitrary method in advance, a list of multimedia content files for each classification in HTML format The HTML automatic generation means for displaying in the above can be the HTML automatic generation means 3.

  Also, the HTML automatic generation means matches the still image for each scene extracted from the video content file by the scene thumbnail image generation means and stored in the content information storage means in accordance with the video content file specified by the website viewer. The content information storage means can be inquired and provided to the website viewer together with the automatically generated HTML. The HTML automatic generation means is an HTML automatic generation module (207) that operates on the content management system (208) when the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention is constructed with the configuration shown in FIG. Can do. In this case, the HTML automatic generation module (207) may be a program module created in a program language such as Java or C language.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of Web sites are configured for one content information storage unit, and an HTML automatic generation unit is provided for each. Can be provided for. For example, a website with lots of information is provided for website visitors who browse websites on Windows computers, and minimal information is concise for website visitors who browse websites with mobile devices. It is possible to provide a website that matches the characteristics of the website viewer, such as providing a website posted in

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example when the HTML automatic generation means automatically generates HTML in accordance with the HTML generation rules. For example, when inputting multimedia contents to the system using an HTTP client as shown by 1401 in FIG. 14, automatic generation rules 1 to 4 listed in 1402 of FIG. 14 are embedded in the HTML automatic generation means. In such a case, an HTML in which a Web page as shown by 1403 in FIG. 14 is displayed on the Web browsing terminal of the Web viewer based on the character strings input in the title character string, genre character string, and comment character string. HTML can be automatically generated and transmitted to the web browsing terminal of the web viewer.

The invention's effect

  As described above, according to the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention, when uploading a multimedia content file, bibliographic information such as search information attached to the multimedia content file is simultaneously input. Therefore, there is no need to input incidental information again after uploading the multimedia content file, and the possibility of erroneous association between the multimedia content file and bibliographic information is greatly reduced.

  Further, according to the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention, by uploading a video content file, a still image included in the video content is automatically extracted and stored in the content information storage unit. There is no need to upload a still image separately after uploading a moving image content file, and the effort to update the Web site is greatly reduced.

  Also, according to the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention, the HTML is automatically generated based on the bibliographic information that is simultaneously input when uploading the multimedia content file by the function of the HTML automatic generation means. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the trouble of updating the Web site together with the above-described still image automatic extraction function. This makes it easy to increase the frequency and immediacy of the website update, and it is possible to build an attractive website and enhance the appealing effect to the viewer.

  Furthermore, according to the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention, by providing a plurality of HTML automatic generation means corresponding to one multimedia content file, it is possible to browse one multimedia content file in different expression forms. Can be provided to a person. As a result, for example, it becomes possible to distribute the content to a website viewer who browses the website only with a mobile terminal without having a personal computer, and more than in the case where a fixed HTML is provided. Content can be distributed to website visitors.

  Furthermore, according to the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention, the search means for searching the multimedia content file and the bibliographic information attached to the multimedia content file is provided not only to the website updater but also to the viewer. By doing so, it becomes possible to effectively search for the multimedia content file intended by the viewer from a large amount of multimedia content files, improving the convenience of the website viewer, and the attractiveness of the website. Can be increased.

  Furthermore, according to the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention, by replacing the scene thumbnail image generation means (106), the HTML automatic generation means (108), and the content distribution means (111), various media can be used. It is possible to generate and distribute corresponding multimedia contents. For example, a system capable of converting the format of a moving image file for television broadcast is used for the scene thumbnail image generation means (106), and a transmission system for television broadcast is used for the content distribution means (111). And a multimedia content generation / distribution system compatible with television broadcasting.

  1 is an overall view of a multimedia content generation / distribution system according to the present invention.   It is the figure which showed one example at the time of actually configuring the multimedia content production / distribution system of the present invention.   It is the figure which showed the processing flow performed when a multimedia content file is thrown into the multimedia content production | generation system of this invention.   It is a flowchart showing the process of a moving image content reception notification means when a moving image content file is thrown into the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention.   It is an example of a screen structure at the time of inputting a multimedia content into a system using an HTTP client.   2 is a processing sequence when a multimedia content is input to the system using an HTTP client when the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention is constructed with the configuration shown in FIG.   It is an example of a screen structure at the time of inputting a multimedia content into a system using an e-mail transmission client.   When the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention is constructed with the configuration shown in FIG. 2, it is a processing sequence when multimedia content is input to the system using an e-mail transmission client.   FIG. 3 is a processing sequence when inputting multimedia content to the system using an FTP client when the multimedia content generation / distribution system of the present invention is constructed with the configuration shown in FIG. 2.   It is a flowchart showing the process of a content reception notification means when a moving image content file is input.   It is a flowchart showing the process of the scene thumbnail image generation means.   It is the figure which showed the processing flow performed when a web site browsing person browses the web site comprised on the multimedia content production | generation system of this invention.   This is a processing sequence when the HTML automatic generation means provides a scene thumbnail image related to a video content file to the Web site viewer when the Web site viewer specifies a video file.   It is the figure which showed the processing flow performed when a website browsing person browses each website, when the website of the multimedia content production | generation system of this invention is comprised with two or more.   It is a figure showing an example when the HTML automatic generation means automatically generates HTML in accordance with the HTML generation rules.

Explanation of symbols

101 Content accepting means 1
102 Content accepting means 2
103 Content accepting means 3
104 User authentication means 105 Content reception notification means 106 Scene thumbnail image generation means 107 Scene thumbnail image reception means 108 HTML automatic generation means 111 Content distribution means 112 Content storage means 113 Content information storage means 114 Video format conversion means 201 Streaming server 202 HTTP server 203 System Interface
204 Mail server 205 FTP server 206 HTTP interface 207 HTML automatic generation module 208 Content management system 209 Content reception notification system 210 Video file processing system 211 Database 212 File storage 301 Content file 1401 HTTP client 1402 HTML automatic generation rule example 1403 Web page example

Claims (2)

  User authentication means, content storage means for storing multimedia content files, content information storage means for storing bibliographic information incidental to the multimedia content files, multimedia content files stored in the storage means, and Retrieval means for retrieving bibliographic information stored in the content information storage means, and bibliographic information incidental to the multimedia content file and the multimedia content file via an HTTP protocol client, an FTP protocol client, or an e-mail transmission client Content accepting means for accepting, scene thumbnail image generating means for generating a representative still image by dividing the moving picture content file into scenes constituting the moving picture content, Movie format converting means for converting the file format, and content acceptance notifying means for notifying the scene thumbnail image generating means when the multimedia content file and bibliographic information attached to the multimedia content file are accepted And a multimedia content generation / distribution system comprising scene thumbnail image reception means for receiving the thumbnail image generated by the scene thumbnail image generation means and storing the thumbnail image in the content storage means.   When browsing a website configured by the multimedia content generation / distribution system according to the present invention, when browsing a web page including a multimedia content file stored in the content information storage means, 2. The HTML automatic generation means for reading bibliographic information incidental to the multimedia content file and immediately and automatically generating HTML source code according to an HTML generation rule embedded in the multimedia content file. Multimedia content generation / distribution system.

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