JP2006048657A - Retrieval keyword input terminal, retrieval keyword statistical processing server system, and retrieval keyword utilizing terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein inputting a keyword for retrieving with a remote controller takes labor hour, when information about contents is retrieved using a search engine or the like of the Internet while the contents such as a TV program is viewed with a television set or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This retrieval keyword input terminal reproduces content information, allows input of the keyword for retrieving, and generates information associating the inputted keyword with the information related to the reproduction of the reproduced contents. The retrieval keyword utilizing terminal can perform a selection by reproduction and display of the contents based on a statistical processing result of the keyword inputted with the retrieval keyword input terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention performs statistical processing such as aggregating search keywords input by viewers viewing content to search for items related to the content, and searches the same or different viewers viewing the same content. The present invention relates to a search keyword input terminal, a search keyword statistics processing server device, and a search keyword utilization terminal for reducing the labor of inputting a search keyword for performing a search by presenting the total results.

  In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, a search engine for searching for information that can be obtained using the Internet has become indispensable. When these search engines input a keyword for search, a URL such as a web page including the keyword is presented, so that a user can easily obtain necessary information.

  In addition, with the spread of the Internet, there are many web pages related to the contents of television programs, radio programs, and contents that can be viewed via the Internet. For example, web pages that describe specific news in detail, web pages that sell related products such as actresses, actors, and singers, and web pages that present thoughts and thoughts about movies and dramas There are types.

  Under such circumstances, a technique for acquiring information related to these contents, particularly TV programs, from the Internet is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). For example, auxiliary program information related to a program being viewed is automatically obtained from a server device capable of communication via the Internet and displayed on a display screen of a terminal device for viewing a program or the like. It has been known.

In addition, video information transmitted via TV broadcast or computer network is associated with character information such as keywords, and web pages are searched using video information such as TV broadcasts as a key. There is also known a technique that makes it possible to search for a scene (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-125305 A JP 2003-157288 A

  By the way, when content such as a TV program is viewed on a television receiver or the like, when searching for information related to the content using an Internet search engine, the television receiver is equipped with a device suitable for input such as a keyboard. Therefore, it is necessary to input a keyword for searching with the remote control, which is very time-consuming and the viewer feels such an input troublesome.

  Further, in order to obtain a search result of an appropriate purpose, it is necessary to narrow down the results with a plurality of search keywords suitable for the search result, and this work is difficult for a viewer who is not used to search.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, content information is reproduced and a keyword for search can be input, and the input keyword and information related to reproduction of the content being reproduced are displayed. Provided is a search keyword input terminal that generates associated information (referred to as “search keyword input information”). In particular, “information related to reproduction” may be information indicating the position of the part of the content being reproduced during the entire content reproduction process. Further, the search keyword input terminal may transmit search keyword input information. Further, the content to be played back may be acquired by communication or may be acquired from a portable recording medium. Alternatively, a search may be performed based on the input keyword, and information that associates the secondary search keyword with information related to content reproduction may be generated from the search result.

  Thus, when the same content is played back at a different time later, when it becomes a situation where information related to the same or similar playback is obtained, a keyword associated with the information related to the playback can be presented. A user of a search keyword using terminal, which will be described later, can input a keyword for searching with less effort, and the problem is solved.

  The present invention also provides a search keyword statistics processing server device that receives search keyword input information, statistically processes the received search keyword input information, and transmits the result of the statistical processing.

  Thereby, a certain tendency obtained by a large number of search keyword input information can be acquired, and an appropriate keyword can be provided to many viewers, thereby solving the problem.

  In the present invention, the result of the statistical processing is acquired, the playback position of the content is acquired, and information for inputting a keyword based on the result of the statistical processing and the playback position of the content (for example, There is provided a search keyword use terminal for generating information for enabling selection of a keyword on a menu. The statistical processing result may be weighted in association with the reproduction position. In this case, the keyword may be displayed according to the weighting. In addition, when a part of a keyword is input, a keyword including the part may be searched and presented.

  This makes it possible to execute the input of keywords for searching with less effort and solve the problem.

  According to the present invention, during playback of content on a television receiver or multimedia terminal as a search keyword using terminal, an appropriate keyword related to the playback position of the content is displayed, and the viewer selects the keyword with the remote controller. The search can be performed by a search engine such as the Internet, and it is not particularly necessary to input characters. Moreover, even if a keyword is not displayed, a keyword can be input and selected by a simple operation.

  In addition, the viewer does not have to think about a plurality of keywords suitable for obtaining a target search result, which is suitable for a passive action of watching TV.

  In addition, when a viewer inputs a character with the remote controller, a keyword including the character, for example, a keyword starting with the character is displayed, and the keyword to be input is predicted and presented so that a remote control operation or the like can be performed. Time and effort can be reduced.

  Before describing the best mode for carrying out the invention as an embodiment, an outline of the present invention will be described first.

  FIG. 1 illustrates the relationship among a search keyword input terminal, a search keyword statistics processing server device, and a search keyword utilization terminal according to the present invention. The search keyword input terminal 102 acquires content from the content providing server device 101 and reproduces it. When the viewer of the content to be reproduced inputs a keyword for search at the search keyword input terminal 102, search keyword input information, which is information relating the keyword and information related to the reproduction of the content, is generated, and search keyword statistics It is transmitted to the processing server device 103. Here, “information related to content reproduction” is, for example, a position where the content is reproduced, and is information expressed by a reproduction time from the content reproduction start position. That is, when the elapsed time from the start position of content playback is 5 minutes, when the viewer inputs the keyword “mobile phone”, “mobile phone” and “5 minutes” are associated with each other and the search keyword is input. Information is generated. Note that the search keyword input terminal 102 may transmit the search keyword input information every time a keyword is input, or temporarily stores the generated search keyword input information and transmits it collectively later. Also good. The latter method has an advantage that communication overhead can be reduced. Further, it is assumed that “elapsed time from the content reproduction start position” includes content identification information for uniquely identifying the content. For example, there is a CRID standardized by the TV Anytime Forum and a content ID standardized by the Content ID Forum. In addition, the portion related to the time of “elapsed time from the content reproduction start position” may be a section including a start and an end.

  Since the operation from the start of keyword input to the end is time-consuming operation, there is a range of selection as to which time point should be set as “elapsed time from content reproduction start position”. . For example, there are a time when an operation for inputting a keyword is started and a time when an operation for inputting a keyword is completed. In the present invention, any of them may be used. However, since the keyword input is started as the content is viewed, it is preferable to use the time when the operation for inputting the keyword is started.

  The search keyword statistical processing server apparatus 103 receives the search keyword input information transmitted from the search keyword input terminal 102 and performs statistical processing. For example, the time from the start time of content playback is appropriately divided into sections (for example, in the case of content with video, it is divided by the time when a scene change is detected), and the keyword input in each section Count the numbers. Note that the search keyword statistical processing server apparatus 103 may include filtering means for eliminating keywords that are not preferable for performing statistical processing. For example, even if a keyword containing words that are offensive to public order and morals, the name or product name of a competitor of the content provider, or the name of a minor offender is not statistically processed from the viewpoint of human rights protection Good.

  Similarly to the search keyword input terminal 102, the search keyword using terminal 104 acquires content from the content providing server device 101 and reproduces the content. At the same time as acquiring the content, the search keyword statistical processing server device 103 receives search keyword statistical information. To get. “Search keyword statistical information” is a result of statistical processing by the search keyword statistical processing server apparatus 103. For example, the total number and ranking of keywords input from the search keyword input terminal in each section from the start time of reproduction of specific content. When the content acquired by the search keyword using terminal 104 is reproduced, the keyword included in the search keyword statistical information is displayed in a manner that allows easy selection according to the reproduction time. A viewer selects a displayed keyword using a remote controller or the like, and performs a search using a search engine such as the Internet. The search keyword utilization terminal 104 does not acquire the search keyword statistical information from the search keyword statistical processing server apparatus 103 all at once for the content to be reproduced, but gradually acquires it as the content is reproduced. It may be.

  By adopting such a configuration, for example, an Internet web page <URL: http://www.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0402/05/news059.html> (search date: June 2004 As shown in (18th), the problem of adding metadata to a broadcast program is solved. In addition, it is possible to easily search for items related to the content using a remote controller that is not suitable for inputting a large amount of character data.

  In FIG. 1, the content providing server apparatus 101 is not only connected to a communication line such as the Internet, but may be a broadcasting station using terrestrial waves or a broadcasting station using satellites. In addition, the search keyword input terminal 102 and the search keyword statistics processing server device 103, and the search keyword utilization terminal 104 and the search keyword statistics processing server device 103 are preferably connected to a communication line such as the Internet. Further, the search keyword input terminal 102 and the search keyword using terminal 104 may be the same terminal. In addition, the content providing server device 101, the search keyword input terminal 102, the search keyword statistics processing server device 103, and the search keyword use terminal 104 may be realized as one device.

  Further, the content providing server apparatus 101 is not essential. For example, when a DVD or a video tape is rented and reproduced, the content providing server apparatus 101 is not necessary.

  FIG. 2 illustrates the appearance of the search keyword input terminal 102. An area 202 where the video portion of the content is reproduced and an area 203 for inputting a keyword for search are displayed on the display 201. When a content viewer comes up with something that he wants to know more in detail while viewing the playback of the content, he / she enters the keyword in area 203. For example, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse is used as shown in FIG. When a keyword is input, the result may be displayed on the display 201. In FIG. 2, the display of content and the input of keywords are performed on one device, but they may be performed on different devices. In this case, information relating to the reproduction of the content is transmitted from the device for reproducing the content to the device for inputting the keyword by some means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, LAN (Local Area Network), or the like. It is necessary to come to be.

  FIG. 3 exemplifies a result of a search performed when a keyword is input to the search keyword input terminal 102. The video portion of the content is reproduced in the area 301, the identification information of the content is displayed in the area 302, and the reproduction time indicating the reproduction position of the content is displayed in the area 303. The keyword input in the area 304 is displayed, and the search result (for example, the title of the web page) by the keyword is displayed in the area 305.

  FIG. 4 exemplifies how content is played on the search keyword using terminal 104. In the area 401, the video part of the content is mainly displayed. In the area 402, the keywords from the first to the third in the ranking based on the number of keywords inputted during the time period of reproduction are displayed. The viewer operates a cursor key on the remote controller and selects a keyword displayed in the area 402, thereby displaying a search result by an Internet search engine or the like. The search result may be displayed by being overwritten on the display of the area 401, or another window may be generated and displayed. Further, for example, the search result may be displayed on another device capable of communicating by means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, or LAN, for example, a personal computer.

  FIG. 5 illustrates another state of content reproduction at the search keyword using terminal 104. The video portion of the content is mainly displayed in the area 501, and the keyword before the current time is displayed in the area 502 in the content 502. By doing this, the previous story can be predicted by keywords in dramas, movies, animation programs, etc., and correct answers and game results etc. can be predicted by keywords in quiz programs and sports programs. Can be prevented.

  FIG. 6 illustrates another state of content reproduction at the search keyword utilization terminal 104. In this example, the video portion of the content is displayed in area 601. An area 602 is an input area. When a part of a keyword, for example, an initial letter is input, information on the keyword including the part is displayed in the area 603. In FIG. 6, since “B” is input in the area 602, a keyword starting with “B” is displayed, and information relating to the reproduction associated with the keyword, here, the time from the start of reproduction is also displayed. . In addition, information relating to a keyword that is associated with information related to the current reproduction of the content, for example, a current reproduction time from the start of the content and that includes a part of characters input in the area 602 is displayed in the area 603. It may be displayed. In FIG. 6, the statistical value of the content is also displayed. The content statistical value is a value obtained based on the result of statistical processing in the search keyword statistical processing server apparatus 103, and indicates, for example, how many times the search keyword is input in the reproduction time interval. Or after the user of the search keyword input terminal 102 searches, the result of evaluating the web page obtained by the search may be sufficient. The evaluation result is manually input by the user of the search keyword input terminal 102 or calculated based on the time that the user of the search keyword input terminal 102 stayed on the web page. It is transmitted to the server device 103.

  FIG. 7 illustrates another state of content reproduction at the search keyword using terminal 104. In this example, the video portion of the content is displayed in the area 701, and a part of the keyword is input in the area 702, which is the same as in FIG. 6, but in FIG. The change is shown by a line graph. Thereby, the change of the statistical value of a keyword can be understood visually.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described as an embodiment with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to these embodiment and said outline at all, and can be implemented with various aspects in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  The relationship between each embodiment and the claims is as follows. The first embodiment mainly corresponds to claims 1, 12, and 15. The second embodiment mainly corresponds to claim 2. The third embodiment mainly corresponds to claim 3. The fourth embodiment mainly corresponds to claim 4. The fifth embodiment mainly corresponds to claim 5. The sixth embodiment mainly corresponds to claim 6. The seventh embodiment mainly corresponds to claims 7, 13, and 16. The eighth embodiment mainly corresponds to claims 8, 14, and 17. The ninth embodiment mainly corresponds to the ninth aspect. The tenth embodiment mainly corresponds to claim 10. The eleventh embodiment mainly corresponds to the eleventh aspect. The twelfth embodiment mainly corresponds to claim 18. The thirteenth embodiment mainly corresponds to the nineteenth aspect. The fourteenth embodiment mainly corresponds to the twentieth aspect.

(Embodiment 1)
As a first embodiment, a search keyword input terminal will be described.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a functional block diagram of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. The search keyword input terminal 800 includes a content information reproduction unit 801, a search keyword input unit 802, and a search keyword input information generation unit 803.

  A “content information reproduction unit” 801 reproduces content information. “Content information” means that audio, text, images, video, etc. can be played back, and other various media information that can be played back and used as it is. It refers to possible information. The content information may be digital data. For example, MP3 data, text data, JPEG data, MPEG (MPEG2 or MPEG4) data, and the like. Alternatively, it may be analog data such as a TV program recorded on a video tape or a radio program recorded on a cassette tape.

  The content information reproducing unit 801 reproduces and displays content in the area 202 of FIG. 2, for example. When some or all of the functions provided by the search keyword input terminal are realized by a program, the content information playback unit 801 is configured by a playback program for various contents.

  A “search keyword input unit” 802 inputs a search keyword that is a keyword. Here, the keyword is information that can be converted into a sequence of characters such as words, phrases, or sentences, or a sequence of characters (for example, information indicating a voice uttered by a person). Such keywords are used for searching. In addition, for purposes other than search, for example, annotations and explanations of moments of content information to be played, scenes depicted in certain sections, characters, objects appearing, places where they are filmed, music being played, etc. May be used for For example, it is a keyword for performing a search with an Internet search engine or patent electronic library. In the present invention, the term “search keyword” includes not only words such as “Japan Patent Office” and “Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry” but also “and”, “or”, “andnot”, and the like representing search conditions. May be interpreted as follows. For example, a search keyword including “Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry” and not “PTO” is expressed by “METI and nott Patent Office”. Information for specifying a search engine or the like may also be included. For example, <http://search-engine.example.com/search?q=%E7%89%B9%E8%A8%B1%E5%BA%81&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&btnG=searchEngine+%E6%A4% A URL indicating a search result page such as 9C% E7% B4% A2 & lr = & site: jpo.go.jp> may be a search keyword.

  For example, the search keyword input unit 802 acquires the keyword input in the area 203 in FIG. 2 and inputs the keyword into the search keyword input terminal 800. When some or all of the functions provided by the search keyword input terminal are realized by a program, the search keyword input unit 802 is realized by a module that reads information representing a keyword through a port representing the input device.

  A “search keyword input information generation unit” 803 generates search keyword input information. Here, “search keyword input information” is information in which (1) the search keyword input by the search keyword input unit 802 and (2) reproduction information related to reproduction by the content information reproduction unit 801 are associated with each other. . “Reproduction information related to reproduction in the content information reproduction unit 801” is information about a content reproduction mode in the content information reproduction unit 801. For example, there are a content ID for identifying the content being reproduced, information indicating the situation around which the content is being reproduced, and information indicating which part of the content is being reproduced. Information that indicates the situation around which content is being played includes, for example, longitude, latitude, and altitude that indicates where the content is being played, and weather, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, brightness, etc. There is. Information indicating which part of the content is being played back includes how many bytes have been played from the beginning of the content, how long the content has been played from the beginning, or whether the content is a still image. For example, it may be the coordinate position of the center of the display. In addition, when it can be distinguished from the context, it may be simply described as “content” in order to mean “content information”. Further, in order to mean “search keyword”, it may be simply described as “keyword”.

  The search keyword input information generation unit 803 associates the search keyword input information by an operation such as connecting the search keyword and the reproduction information, and generates search keyword input information. Alternatively, identification information for identifying the search keyword information is given to the search keyword information, and identification information for identifying the reproduction information is given to the reproduction information, and these two kinds of identification information are made into one information. You may link by combining. When some or all of the functions provided by the search keyword input terminal are realized by a program, a keyword is acquired from a module that reads information representing the keyword, and when the acquisition is performed, a program for reproducing various contents The search keyword input information generation unit 803 is realized by a module that acquires reproduction information of content information from the above and associates it with a keyword. For example, the module is a module that creates an instance of a class representing search keyword input information and sets the acquired keyword and reproduction information in the instance.

  FIG. 9 exemplifies a flowchart for explaining processing of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. The search keyword input terminal executes the processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9 every time the search keyword can be input to the search keyword input unit 802 while reproducing the content (content reproduction step).

  In step S901, a search keyword is input (search keyword input step). This step is executed by the search keyword input unit 802. In step S902, reproduction information is acquired. This step is executed when the search keyword input information generation unit 803 obtains reproduction information from the content information reproduction unit 801. In step S903, search keyword input information is generated by associating the input search keyword with the acquired reproduction information (search keyword input information generation step). This step is executed by the search keyword input information generation unit 803.

  The search keyword input terminal can be configured by any one of hardware, software, and both hardware and software (program). Therefore, the search keyword input terminal can be realized using a computer. For example, it can be realized using hardware including a CPU, a memory, a bus, an interface, a peripheral device, and the like, and software that can be executed on these hardware. It is also possible to record such a program, that is, a program for causing a computer to execute a content reproduction step, a search keyword input step, and a search keyword input information generation step on a medium.

  FIG. 10 illustrates a specific functional block diagram of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. For example, if the keyword 1001 “clothing red sea” is input to the search keyword input unit 802, the keyword is sent to the search keyword input information generation unit 803. It should be noted that the keyword 1001 outside the search keyword input terminal and the keyword 1002 existing inside may be the same or different from each other.

  The search keyword input information generation unit 803 requests the content information playback unit 801 for playback information, and acquires playback information 1003 indicating 284729 as the content ID, rain as the weather, and (217, 526) as the position. Here, the weather means, for example, the weather when the content identified by 284729 is reproduced, and the position indicates the coordinates of the center position where the content is displayed. Such reproduction information indicates that the coordinate position (217, 526) of the content of 284729 has been reproduced in the rain. The search keyword input information 1004 is generated by associating with the keyword 1002. By analyzing such correlated information, it is possible to know what people are interested in, for example, according to the weather when viewing the content.

  Note that the search keyword input information generation unit 803 may detect that an operation for inputting a keyword is started in the search keyword input unit 802 and may request the content information playback unit 801 for playback information. Also, the search keyword input information generation unit 803 does not request the reproduction information from the content information reproduction unit 801, but the content information reproduction unit 801 always or regularly or irregularly retrieves reproduction information from the search keyword input information generation unit. The data may be output to 803.

  The search keyword input information may be expressed by XML (extensible Markup Language).

  FIG. 11 illustrates a structure when search keyword input information is expressed in XML. The positional relationship between the nodes 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, and 1105 indicates the relationship of XML tag nesting. For example, since there are nodes of “content identification information” and “input information” as subordinate nodes of “search keyword input information”, “content identification information” and “input” are placed inside the tag of “search keyword input information”. There will be a portion surrounded by the tag “information”. It should be noted that “1” above the “content identification information” node 1102 and the “reproduction information” node 1104 is the relationship between the “content identification information” and “reproduction information” tags and the upper tag. Indicates that only one is described. For example, only one part surrounded by the tag “reproduction information” is described inside the part surrounded by the tag “input information”. Also, “1... N” above the “input information” node 1103 and the “search keyword” node 1105 is related to the upper tag in the portion surrounded by the “input information” and “search keyword” tags. Indicates that one or any number is described.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of search keyword input information as an XML document shown in the structure illustrated in FIG. In this example, the content identification information is 284729, there are two pieces of input information, one is “weather: sunny” as reproduction information, and the search keywords are “clothes red sea”, “Leonardo”. The other input information includes “weather: rain” as reproduction information, and “kappa store”, “umbrella chrysanthemum store”, and “acid rain” as search keywords. As described above, the search keyword is not limited to the form of the word, but may be a form in which the word is assembled as a search expression using operators such as and, or, and not.

(Embodiment 1: Main effects)
According to the present embodiment, keywords related to the content can be collected, and metadata can be easily assigned to the content. Moreover, by analyzing the search keyword input information, it is possible to know what kind of reaction is shown when a certain content is shown to people, which can be used for psychological tests and marketing.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 of the present invention is also a search keyword input terminal. The difference from the first embodiment is that in this embodiment, the content has an attribute such as time, and the reproduction information indicates a position in the entire reproduction process of the content.

  FIG. 13 illustrates a functional block diagram of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. The search keyword input terminal 1300 includes a content information playback unit 801, a search keyword input unit 802, and a search keyword input information generation unit 803. The content information playback unit 801 includes playback position information acquisition means 1301. ing. Therefore, the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the content information reproduction unit of the search keyword input terminal according to the first embodiment includes the reproduction position information acquisition unit 1301.

  A “playback position information acquisition unit” 1301 acquires playback position information. “Playback position information” is information indicating the position of the part of the content being played back during the entire content playback process. For example, when the content changes with the passage of time, such as video and audio, and has a start and an end, the position reproduced by the content information playback unit 801 indicates which position from the start to the end. The information indicating whether or not it is occupied is the reproduction position information, which is usually represented by the elapsed time from the beginning or the frame number in the case of a moving image. In addition, information indicating which section or group the currently reproduced frame belongs to may be playback position information by dividing time into sections or grouping frames. In addition, as a method of dividing time or grouping frames, it may be divided or grouped by a certain length of time or the like, and in the case of a movie, a scene change, that is, a scene change Separation or grouping may be performed each time. When the content information is recorded on a medium such as an optical disk, the reproduction position information may be a position in the medium, such as a track number or a sector number. When the content information is transmitted as a bit stream or the like, the reproduction position information may be represented by the number of bytes from the start of transmission.

  In this embodiment, the search keyword input information generation unit 803 reproduces information including the reproduction position information of the content reproduced by the content information reproduction unit 801 when the search keyword is input to the search keyword input unit 802 as reproduction information. To obtain search keyword information. The reproduction information includes, for example, information for identifying the content being reproduced in addition to the reproduction position information. Note that “when a search keyword is input to the search keyword input unit 802” may mean the time when the input of the search keyword to the search keyword input unit 802 is completed, or to the search keyword input unit 802 It may mean the time when the input of the search keyword is started, or may mean an arbitrary time from the start of the input of the search keyword to the completion.

  The processing of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the search keyword input terminal according to the first embodiment. However, the difference is that the reproduction information is reproduction position information.

  FIG. 14 illustrates a specific functional block diagram of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. For example, when the search keyword “sweet cherry blossom town” is input to the search keyword input unit 802, “10 minutes to 15 minutes” is reproduced by the reproduction position information acquisition unit 1301 as the reproduction information of the content in the content information reproduction unit 801. If the information including the reproduction position information 1403 is acquired, the search keyword input information generation unit 803 generates search keyword input information 1405 by associating the search keyword 1402 with the reproduction information 1404.

(Embodiment 2: Main effects)
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to associate a search keyword with a reproduction process for content that has the beginning and end of reproduction and changes with time. Thereby, it is possible to know how the search keyword changes as the content changes. For example, a scene associated with the search keyword can be acquired from the search keyword.

(Embodiment 3)
A search keyword input terminal will also be described as Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The difference from the first and second embodiments is that the search keyword input information is transmitted in this embodiment.

  FIG. 15 illustrates a functional block diagram of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. The search keyword input terminal 1500 includes a content information reproduction unit 801, a search keyword input unit 802, a search keyword input information generation unit 803, and a search keyword input information transmission unit 1501. Further, the content information playback unit 801 may have playback position information acquisition means 1301. Therefore, the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the search keyword input terminal according to the first or second embodiment includes a search keyword input information transmission unit.

  A “search keyword input information transmission unit” 1501 transmits the search keyword input information generated by the search keyword input information generation unit 803. For example, search keyword input information generated as an XML document is transmitted according to a predetermined protocol such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) or SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).

  FIG. 16 exemplifies a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. Steps S1601 to S1603 correspond to steps S901 to S903 in FIG. In step S1604, search keyword input information is transmitted. In this step, the search keyword input information transmission unit 1501 is used. In the flowchart of FIG. 16, each time a search keyword is input, the search keyword input information is transmitted. However, as described above, the search keyword input information is stored inside the search keyword input terminal. The accumulated search keyword input information may be transmitted after being accumulated to some extent.

(Embodiment 3: Main effects)
In this embodiment, since the search keyword input information is transmitted, the search keyword input terminal may be installed at a position away from a device that analyzes the search keyword input information, and the search keyword input terminal is installed at the place where the search keyword input terminal is installed. There are no restrictions.

(Embodiment 4)
Embodiment 4 of the present invention is also a search keyword input terminal. The difference from the first, second, and third embodiments is that the method for acquiring the content to be reproduced is clear in this embodiment.

  17 and 18 illustrate functional block diagrams of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. The search keyword input terminal 1700 and the search keyword input terminal 1800 include a content information playback unit 801, a search keyword input unit 802, and a search keyword input information generation unit 803. The content information reproduction unit 801 includes communication content information acquisition means and / or recording medium content information acquisition means. Further, as in the second embodiment, the content information playback unit may include playback position information acquisition means. Moreover, you may have a search keyword input information transmission part like Embodiment 3. FIG. Therefore, in the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment, the content information reproduction unit of the search keyword input terminal according to any one of the first to third embodiments includes the communication content information acquisition unit and / or the recording medium content information acquisition unit. It has the composition that it has.

  A “communication content information acquisition unit” 1701 acquires content information through communication. For example, the content information is downloaded together using a communication network such as the Internet. Further, only a portion necessary for reproduction may be acquired by communication as needed, such as streaming broadcasting.

  A “recording medium content information acquisition unit” 1801 acquires content information from a portable recording medium. A “portable recording medium” is a portable recording medium, such as a cassette tape, a video cassette tape, a memory stick, a memory card (for example, an SD memory card), an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a removable hard disk, and the like. is there.

  The process flow of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment is the same as the process of the search keyword input terminal according to any of the first to third embodiments. However, in the present embodiment, a method for obtaining content information reproduced by the content information reproducing unit 801 is mentioned.

(Embodiment 4: Main effects)
In this embodiment, content information can be acquired by communication or a portable recording medium. Therefore, any content desired by the user of the search keyword input terminal can be reproduced and search keyword input information can be generated.

(Embodiment 5)
A search keyword input terminal will be described as Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The difference from Embodiments 1 to 4 is that, in this embodiment, a search is performed based on a search keyword, a secondary search keyword is generated based on the search result, and association with reproduction information is performed. .

  FIG. 19 illustrates a functional block diagram of the search keyword input terminal according to this embodiment. The search keyword input terminal 1900 includes a content information playback unit 801, a search keyword input unit 802, a search keyword input information generation unit 803, a search execution unit 1901, a search result information acquisition unit 1902, and a secondary search keyword generation unit. 1903 and a secondary search keyword input information generation unit 1904. Further, as in the second embodiment, the content information playback unit may include playback position information acquisition means. Moreover, you may have a search keyword input information transmission part like Embodiment 3. FIG. Further, as in the fourth embodiment, the content information reproducing unit may include communication content information acquisition means and / or recording medium content information acquisition means. Therefore, the search keyword input terminal according to this embodiment is the same as the search keyword input terminal according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the search execution unit 1901, the search result information acquisition unit 1902, and the secondary search keyword generation unit 1903. , And a secondary search keyword input information generation unit 1904.

  A “search execution unit” 1901 executes a search based on the search keyword input from the search keyword input unit 802. For example, keywords and search conditions included in the search keywords are transmitted to an Internet search engine.

  A “search result information acquisition unit” 1902 acquires a search result in the search execution unit 1901. For example, a search result is received from a search engine.

  A “secondary search keyword generation unit” 1903 generates a secondary search keyword based on the search result information acquired by the search result information acquisition unit 1902. The “secondary search keyword” is a keyword obtained based on the search result information acquired by the search result information acquisition unit 1902. For example, when the search result information includes a summary of a web page, the keyword appears in common in the summary. In addition, if the search result information is a URL (Universal Resource Locator) of information such as a web page, the information indicated by the URL is acquired and the keyword appears frequently. Further, the keyword input by the user of the search keyword input terminal has come up with the search result information. Acquiring the keyword input by the user in this way is also the generation of the secondary search keyword.

  A “secondary search keyword input information generation unit” 1904 generates secondary search keyword input information. “Secondary search keyword input information” is information in which the secondary search keyword generated by the secondary search keyword generation unit 1903 is associated with reproduction information related to reproduction by the content information reproduction unit. Note that the reproduction information associated with the secondary search keyword may be reproduction information when the secondary search keyword is generated by the secondary search keyword generation unit 1903, or the search keyword is input to the search keyword input unit 802. It may be reproduction information at the time. Further, it is possible to use reproduction information at an arbitrary time from the start of the input of the search keyword to the search keyword input unit 802 until the secondary search keyword generation unit 1903 finishes generating the secondary search keyword. it can.

  FIG. 20 shows a search execution unit 1901, a search result information acquisition unit 1902, a secondary search keyword generation unit 1903, and a secondary search keyword input information generation unit 1904 among the processes of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. And the flowchart of the process regarding is illustrated. In step S2001, a search is performed based on the input search keyword. In step S2002, search result information is acquired. In step S2003, a secondary search keyword is generated based on the acquired search result information. In step S2004, secondary search keyword input information is generated. The search keyword input terminal executes the process of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 20 every time a search keyword is input to the search keyword input unit.

  In addition, when the search keyword input terminal which concerns on this embodiment has a search keyword input information transmission part, secondary search keyword input information is transmitted by a search keyword input information transmission part.

(Embodiment 5: Main effects)
In the present embodiment, secondary search keyword input information is generated based on a search result based on the input search keyword, so information related to a wider keyword is generated, and search keyword input information suitable for the content is generated. can do.

(Embodiment 6)
A search keyword input terminal will be described as Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The difference from the search keyword input terminals of the first to fifth embodiments is that, in the present embodiment, the reproduction of content information is a concept including the use of content. That is, in the search keyword input terminal according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments, the concept of reproduction of content includes the use of content, so that the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment is obtained.

  “Use of content” is not to passively view the content to be reproduced, but to actively obtain some information from the content or create new content. The present embodiment includes a case in which search keyword input information is generated based on a keyword representing information that the user needs to obtain in the process of obtaining information or creating in this way. By doing so, there is an effect that another person can relive the creation process by presenting the keyword based on the search keyword input information as the content is reproduced.

(Embodiment 7)
As a seventh embodiment of the present invention, a search keyword statistics processing server device will be described.

  FIG. 21 illustrates a functional block diagram of the search keyword statistics processing server device according to the present embodiment. The search keyword statistical processing server apparatus 2100 includes a search keyword input information receiving unit 2101, a search keyword input information statistical processing unit 2102, a search keyword statistical information generation unit 2103, and a search keyword statistical information transmission unit 2104.

  The “search keyword input information receiving unit” 2101 receives search keyword input information. For example, the search keyword input information transmitted from the search keyword input terminal according to the third embodiment is received. Alternatively, the search keyword input terminal according to the first embodiment and the search keyword statistics processing server device according to the present embodiment are integrated as one device, and the search keyword input information generated by the search keyword input information generation unit is received. It may be like this.

  The “search keyword input information statistical processing unit” 2102 statistically processes the search keyword input information received by the search keyword input information receiving unit. For example, for each content, the total number of search keywords input for each content playback section is tabulated. Further, since the number of times content is viewed varies from content to content, even if statistical processing is performed in consideration of the difference in the number of times (for example, normalization is performed based on the total number of viewing times of the total content). Good. In addition, since not all viewers of a single content view from the beginning to the end, statistical processing may be performed in consideration of this point.

  FIG. 22 exemplifies a table for summing up the total number of search keywords input for each content reproduction section. For example, for the content ID 284729, it is shown that the keyword B-BLUE is input 4265 times and the keyword B-MOT is input 3623 times between 0 and 5 minutes.

  The “search keyword statistical information generation unit” 2103 generates search keyword statistical information based on the statistical processing result in the search keyword input information statistical processing unit 2102. “Search keyword statistical information” is information for search associated with content based on the statistical processing result in the search keyword input information statistical processing unit 2102. For example, based on the table of FIG. 22, information for searching for content is generated for each content. That is, for the content having the content ID of 284729, for 0 to 5 minutes, for the keyword B-BLUE, information for search corresponding to the statistical processing result of 4265 times is generated. For example, if B-BLUE is a keyword that has been input the most times from 0 to 5 minutes, information for displaying B-BLUE so that it is most easily searched is generated.

  FIG. 23 exemplifies a structure when the search keyword statistical information is expressed as an XML document. 24 and 25 illustrate search keyword statistical information from 0 minutes to 5 minutes with a content ID of 284729 expressed based on the structure illustrated in FIG. The difference between FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 is that in FIG. 24, the keywords “B-BLUE” and “B-MOT” are included, but the number of inputs is not included, whereas in FIG. The number of times each keyword is input is also included (the number of times such a keyword is input may be referred to as “keyword weight”).

  The “search keyword statistical information transmission unit” 2104 transmits the search keyword statistical information generated by the search keyword statistical information generation unit 2103. For example, when a search keyword using terminal described as the next embodiment is connected to the Internet, search keyword statistical information is transmitted to the search keyword using terminal according to a predetermined protocol.

  FIG. 26 illustrates a flowchart of processing of the search keyword statistics processing server apparatus according to the present embodiment. In step S2601, search keyword input information is received (search keyword input information receiving step). This step is executed by the search keyword input information receiving unit 2101. In step S2602, the search keyword input information is statistically processed (search keyword input information statistical processing step). This step is executed by the search keyword input information statistical processing unit 2102.

  In step S2603, search keyword statistical information is generated (search keyword statistical information generation step). In step S2604, search keyword statistical information is transmitted (search keyword statistical information transmission step).

  The search keyword statistics processing server apparatus executes steps S2601 and S2602 each time it receives search keyword input information. For example, every time search keyword statistical information is requested (or regularly or irregularly), step S2603 and step S2604 are executed.

  Note that the search keyword statistics processing server device can be configured by hardware, software, or both hardware and software (program). Therefore, the search keyword statistics processing server device can be realized using a computer. For example, it can be realized using hardware including a CPU, a memory, a bus, an interface, a peripheral device, and the like, and software that can be executed on these hardware. Further, such a program, that is, a program for causing a computer to execute a search keyword input information reception step, a search keyword input information statistical processing step, a search keyword statistical information generation step, and a search keyword statistical information transmission step is used as a medium. It is also possible to record.

(Embodiment 7: Main effects)
According to the present embodiment, the search keyword input information is statistically processed, so that it is possible to analyze people's reaction to the content and to apply it to marketing and the like.

(Embodiment 8)
A search keyword using terminal will be described as an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 27 illustrates a functional block diagram of the search keyword utilization terminal according to the present embodiment. The search keyword utilization terminal 2700 includes a content information reproduction unit 2701, a search keyword statistical information acquisition unit 2702, a reproduction position information acquisition unit 2703, and a search keyword input auxiliary information generation unit 2704.

  A “content information reproduction unit” 2701 reproduces content information. For example, content information is acquired and reproduced by communication, or content information is acquired and reproduced from a portable recording medium.

  The “search keyword statistical information acquisition unit” 2702 acquires search keyword statistical information. For example, the search keyword statistics information transmitted from the search keyword statistics processing server apparatus according to the seventh embodiment is received and received. Alternatively, the search keyword statistical processing server device and the search keyword using terminal may be integrated as one device, and the search keyword statistical information may be directly acquired from the search keyword statistical processing server device. Note that the search keyword statistical information acquisition unit 2702 may acquire all search keyword statistical information related to the content information reproduced by the content information reproduction unit 2701. Alternatively, the search keyword statistical information regarding the portion being reproduced by the content information reproduction unit 2701 and / or the vicinity thereof is acquired, and the search keyword statistical information is gradually acquired according to the reproduction by the content information reproduction unit 2701. It may be.

  The “playback position information acquisition unit” 2703 acquires the playback position information of the content being played back by the content information playback unit 2701. For example, the time from the beginning of the content is acquired.

  The “search keyword input auxiliary information generation unit” 2704 generates search keyword input auxiliary information based on the reproduction position information acquired by the reproduction position information acquisition unit 2703 and the search keyword statistical information acquired by the search keyword statistical information acquisition unit 2702. Generate. “Search keyword input auxiliary information” is information for assisting a viewer of content for inputting a search keyword. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, information for displaying a search keyword in the area 402 and making it selectable. Alternatively, information that displays a list of search keywords in a section that has been reproduced so far, such as an area 502 in FIG. 5, and enables selection of each search keyword. Alternatively, the search keyword may be displayed as a menu and may be information (for example, described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)).

  FIG. 28 illustrates a flowchart of the process flow of the search keyword using terminal according to the present embodiment. First, the search keyword using terminal reproduces content information (content information reproduction step). In step S2801, the content ID of the content information to be reproduced is acquired. In step S2802, search keyword statistical information is acquired (search keyword statistical information acquisition step). These steps are executed by the search keyword statistical information acquisition unit 2702, for example.

  In step S2803, reproduction position information is acquired (reproduction position information acquisition step). This step is executed by the reproduction position information acquisition unit 2703. In step S2804, search keyword input auxiliary information is generated based on the reproduction position information and search keyword statistical information (search keyword input auxiliary information generation step). This step is executed by the search keyword input auxiliary information generation unit 2704.

  For example, each time the content information reproducing unit 2701 reproduces content information, the search keyword using terminal executes step S2801 and step S2802. Or, step S2801 and step S2802 are executed in accordance with the progress of the reproduction of the content information. Further, the search keyword using terminal executes Step S2803 and Step S2804 according to the progress of the reproduction of the content information.

  The search keyword input terminal can be configured by any one of hardware, software, and both hardware and software (program). Therefore, the search keyword using terminal can be realized by using a computer. For example, it can be realized using hardware including a CPU, a memory, a bus, an interface, a peripheral device, and the like, and software that can be executed on these hardware. Further, such a program, that is, a program for causing a computer to execute a content information playback step, a search keyword statistical information acquisition step, a playback position information acquisition step, and a search keyword input auxiliary information generation step is used as a medium. It is also possible to record.

(Embodiment 8: Main effects)
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to display search keywords related to the content in a selectable manner with little effort according to the reproduction of the content information. Therefore, it is easy to select a search keyword with a remote controller or the like and perform a search. Can be.

(Embodiment 9)
A search keyword using terminal will also be described as a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the eighth embodiment is that, in this embodiment, the search keyword is weighted and processing for display is performed.

  That is, in this embodiment, the search keyword statistical information includes a weighted search keyword associated with the reproduction position information. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the search keyword and the number of times of input are included in the search keyword statistical information.

  In the present embodiment, the search keyword input auxiliary information generating unit 2704 of the search keyword using terminal according to the eighth embodiment includes a display processing unit.

  The “display processing unit” is a unit that performs processing for displaying the search keyword associated with the reproduction position information acquired by the reproduction position information acquisition unit 2703 according to the weight. For example, if a search keyword is input many times, it is displayed so that the viewer can easily select it, such as above the menu, and the operation of selecting the search keyword from the operation for displaying the menu is reduced. To. Or the area which displays a search keyword is changed according to the frequency | count of input of a search keyword. For example, a search keyword is displayed by associating a fan-shaped corner with the number of inputs and a pie chart. As a result, the search keyword that is input more times becomes easier to select the search keyword. Alternatively, a line graph display may be performed as shown in an area 703 in FIG.

(Embodiment 9: Main effects)
In the present embodiment, processing for display is performed in accordance with the weighting of the search keyword. Therefore, the search keyword that is input a greater number of times is easier to select, and the selection effort can be reduced.

(Embodiment 10)
A search keyword using terminal will also be described as a tenth embodiment of the present invention. A difference from the eighth and ninth embodiments is that, in this embodiment, a part of the search keyword is input, and search keyword input auxiliary information is generated for the search keyword having the part.

  FIG. 29 illustrates a functional block diagram of the search keyword using terminal according to the present embodiment. The search keyword using terminal 2900 includes a content information playback unit 2701, a search keyword statistical information acquisition unit 2702, a playback position information acquisition unit 2703, a search keyword input auxiliary information generation unit 2704, and a search keyword part acquisition unit 2901. The search keyword input auxiliary information generation unit 2704 has a partial search keyword input auxiliary information generation unit 2902. Note that the search keyword input auxiliary information generating unit 2704 of the search keyword using terminal 2900 may have a display processing unit. Therefore, in the search keyword using terminal according to the present embodiment, the search keyword using terminal according to the eighth or ninth embodiment has a search keyword partial acquisition unit, and the search keyword input auxiliary information generating unit further includes a partial search keyword. It has a configuration having input auxiliary information generating means.

  A “search keyword part acquisition unit” 2901 acquires a part of a keyword for search. For example, the initials of the search keyword are acquired. An area 602 in FIG. 6 and an area 702 in FIG. 7 are areas for inputting an initial character of a search keyword, and the search keyword part acquisition unit 2901 acquires characters input in this area.

  “Partial search keyword input auxiliary information generating means” 2902 generates search keyword input auxiliary information for inputting a search keyword including a part of the search keyword acquired by the search keyword partial acquisition unit 2901. That is, (1) when the search keyword part acquisition unit 2901 acquires a part of the search keyword, (2) the partial search keyword input auxiliary information generating means selects the search keyword including the part of the search keyword as the search keyword statistical information. (3) Generate search keyword input auxiliary information for inputting the acquired search keyword. By using the search keyword input auxiliary information, for example, a display for inputting a search keyword as exemplified in the area 603 in FIG. 6 and the area 703 in FIG. 7 is performed.

(Embodiment 10: Main effects)
In this embodiment, by inputting a part of the search keyword, the search keyword including the part can be input. Therefore, a remote control of the television receiver that is not suitable for character input is used. However, it is possible to input a search keyword of interest to many viewers with little effort.

(Embodiment 11)
A search keyword using terminal will also be described as an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The difference from Embodiments 8, 9, and 10 is that the reproduction of content information includes the concept of content use in this embodiment.

  That is, in the search keyword using terminal according to any one of the eighth, ninth, and tenth embodiments, the concept of reproduction of content includes the use of content, whereby the search keyword using terminal according to the present embodiment is obtained. Since “content use” has been described in the sixth embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, not only the content being played is viewed in a passive manner, but also the viewer can perform a search smoothly, for example, in order to create new content in an active manner. You can do it.

Embodiment 12
As a twelfth embodiment, as described in the second embodiment, a search keyword input terminal in which reproduction information indicates a position in the entire reproduction process of content will be described.

  A functional block diagram of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment is illustrated in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the search keyword input terminal 1300 includes a content information playback unit 801, a search keyword input unit 802, and a search keyword input information generation unit 803. The content information playback unit 801 includes: Reproduction position information acquisition means 1301 is provided. Therefore, the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the content information reproduction unit of the search keyword input terminal according to the first embodiment includes the reproduction position information acquisition unit 1301.

  The “playback position information acquisition unit” 1301 acquires playback position information as described in the second embodiment. “Playback position information” is information indicating the position of the part of the content being played back during the entire content playback process. As an example of the reproduction position information, it is expressed by the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the content, the number of frames being reproduced, and the like. Further, the second embodiment is the same as the second embodiment in that the time is divided into sections, and the frames may be grouped according to scene changes.

  The search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the search keyword input information generation unit 803 generates search keyword input information. That is, the search keyword input information generation unit 803 acquires information including reproduction position information when an operation for inputting a search keyword is started in the search keyword input unit 802 from the reproduction position information acquisition unit 1301 as reproduction information. Then, search keyword input information is generated. Here, “operation for inputting a search keyword” means an action caused by the user of the search keyword input terminal for the purpose of inputting the search keyword. For example, an operation to start touching a keyboard key, an operation to move the mouse cursor, a mouse click to select an area for entering a search keyword, a transition to Kana-Kanji conversion mode, a specific button or key press ,and so on. In addition, an operation for inputting a search keyword is performed by detecting that the user's line of sight has moved to a text box for inputting a search keyword using a device that detects the user's line of sight of a search keyword input terminal. May be detected. The search keyword input information generation unit 803 acquires information including reproduction position information when such an operation is started as reproduction information, and generates search keyword input information.

  FIG. 30 shows an example in which the search keyword input information generation unit 803 generates search keyword input information. The reproduction position information acquisition means 1301 is a clock generator (see FIG. 5) provided in the search keyword input terminal as information indicating the position when the scene of the content information reproduced by the content information reproduction unit 801 changes. (Not shown) is read out and output as reproduction position information in association with the scene number. Thereby, for example, the search keyword input information generation unit 803 has the 10240th clock at the start of the scene 1, the 16487th clock at the start of the scene 2, and the 20495th clock at the start of the scene 3. Is obtained from the reproduction position information acquisition means 1301. In addition, the search keyword input information generation unit 803 acquires a search keyword associated with the clock value of the clock generator when the operation for inputting the search keyword is started, from the search keyword input unit 802. For example, the search keyword input information generation unit 803 acquires that the start time of the operation for inputting the search keyword “Sakura no Chomachi” is the 10301st clock. The generation of the clock of the clock generator may be stopped when the reproduction of the content information in the content information reproduction unit is stopped. Alternatively, the clock value may be incremented regardless of the stop of the reproduction of the content information. Further, for example, when the playback speed changes due to fast-forwarding or fast-rewinding of content information, the clock value count-up speed may change according to the change. Alternatively, the clock value may be incremented at a constant rate regardless of the reproduction speed of the content information.

  The search keyword input information generation unit 803 stores information in which the scene number output from the reproduction position information acquisition unit 1301 is associated with the clock value, and the clock value associated with the search keyword acquired from the search keyword input unit 802. The stored clock value is searched based on the above to obtain the scene number when the operation for inputting the search keyword is started. For example, based on the clock value associated with “Sweet Cherry Town”, the scene when the operation for inputting the search keyword “Sweet Cherry Town” is started is Scene 1. Note that the search keyword input information generation unit 803 obtains the search keyword and then reproduces position information associated with a clock value before the clock value associated with the search keyword in order to save the storage area. May be deleted.

  FIG. 31 shows a search keyword input information generation unit in which the reproduction position information acquisition unit 1301 in this embodiment acquires the scene number of the content information to be reproduced and the clock value when the scene starts as the reproduction position information. The flowchart of the process output to 803 is illustrated. In step S3101, the process waits until occurrence of a scene change is detected. In the flowchart of FIG. 31, it is assumed that the scene change includes the end of the content. If occurrence of a scene change is detected, the process proceeds to step S3102. In step S3102, it is determined whether or not the content reproduction has ended. If so, the process proceeds to step S3103 to output information indicating the end of content reproduction to the search keyword input information generation unit 803. To finish the process. If it is determined in step S3102 that the content reproduction has not ended, the process proceeds to step S3104 to read the clock value of the clock generator, and in step S3105, the scene number and the clock value are associated with each other and reproduced. The position information is output to the search keyword input information generation unit 803. Thereafter, the process returns to step S3101.

  When all or part of the functions of the search keyword input terminal are realized by a program, when the module corresponding to the content information playback unit 801 outputs playback position information, the search keyword input information generation unit 803 Playback position information may be output as a kind of event to an event queue or the like managed by the corresponding module.

  In FIG. 31, the description has been made assuming that the scene number is a part of the reproduction position information. However, the processing can be similarly performed with other numbers such as a frame number.

  FIG. 32 illustrates a process in which the search keyword input unit 802 according to the present embodiment outputs a search keyword associated with the clock value of the clock generator when an operation for inputting the search keyword is started using a keyboard or the like. The flowchart explaining this is illustrated. In step S3201, the process waits until character input is started. If the start of character input is detected, the process proceeds to step S3202, and the clock value is read. In step S3203, search keyword input processing is performed. In step S3204, the search keyword is associated with the clock value read in step S3202, and output is performed. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the entire processing of the search keyword input terminal 1300 is stopped. If not, step S3201 may be started again.

  Similarly, the module corresponding to the search keyword input unit 802 outputs the search keyword associated with the clock value as a kind of event to an event queue or the like managed by the module corresponding to the search keyword input information generation unit 803. It may be.

  In FIG. 32, the start of character input is used as the start of an operation for inputting a search keyword, but the same processing can be performed for other operations such as movement of a mouse cursor.

  33 obtains reproduction position information from the reproduction position information acquisition means 1301 that performs the process of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 31, and also uses the search keyword input unit 802 that performs the process of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. The flowchart explaining the process of the search keyword input information generation part 803 which acquires is illustrated. In step S3301, it is determined which information of the reproduction position information output from the reproduction position information acquisition unit 1301 and the search keyword output from the search keyword input unit 802 has been acquired. For example, an event is taken out from the event queue described above, and it is determined which one represents the event. That is, if it is determined that the reproduction position information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S3302, and if not, the process proceeds to step S3304. In step S3302, it is determined whether or not the playback position information indicates the end of playback of the content information. If so, the entire process is ended. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S3303, the reproduction position information is stored, and the process returns to step S3301.

  In step S3304, it is determined whether the acquired information is a search keyword. Otherwise, since unexpected information has been acquired, error processing or the like is performed, and the process returns to step S3301. Alternatively, after performing a process corresponding to the event, the process returns to step S3301. If the search keyword has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S3305 to obtain a clock value associated with the search keyword. In subsequent step S3306, the reproduction position information stored in step S3303 is searched with the clock value obtained in step 3305 to obtain the scene number and the like. In step S3307, the search keyword is associated with the scene number, search keyword input information is generated, and the process returns to step S3301.

(Embodiment 12: main effects)
In the present embodiment, the reproduction position information at the time when the operation for inputting the search keyword is started is acquired as reproduction information and the search keyword input information is generated. Even if a change occurs, it is possible to easily generate search keyword input information correctly. Here, “correctly generated” means that the search keyword input information is generated by associating the desired search keyword with the desired reproduction position by the user of the search keyword input terminal that has recognized the reproduction of the content information.

(Embodiment 13)
As a thirteenth embodiment, a search keyword input terminal in which reproduction position information is time information will be described.

  The configuration of the search keyword input terminal according to the thirteenth embodiment is the same as that of the search keyword input terminal according to the twelfth embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the reproduction position information acquired by the reproduction position information acquisition means is time information. “Time information” is information indicating time. For example, the content information played back by the content information playback unit 801 is information indicating how much time has passed since the start of the playback. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the content information is reproduced along the time axis. Such content information is, for example, audio information or video information.

  The time information can be obtained as follows, for example. If the content information is recorded on the video tape as an analog signal, the passage of time from the start of the reproduction of the content information can be known depending on how much the tape has moved from the start of the reproduction of the content information. In addition, when content information is recorded as a digital signal using MPEG or the like, the time is associated with each frame, so that the reproduction of content information starts depending on what frame is being reproduced. You can know the passage of time since.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the reproduction of content information and the input of a search keyword in the present embodiment. It is assumed that the content information is reproduced along the time axis. Assuming that the content information is moving image information, scene 1 is reproduced from time t1 to time t2, scene 2 is reproduced from time t2 to time t3, scene 3 is reproduced from time t3 to time t4, and time t4 to time t5. Until now, it is assumed that the scene 4 is being reproduced. In this case, it is assumed that the search keyword input operation starts at time t2 'between time t2 and t3, and the search keyword input operation ends at time t3' between time t3 and t4. In this case, the search keyword input information generation unit generates search keyword input information by associating the search keyword with the reproduction information including t2 '. When the scene number is used as the reproduction information, the search keyword is associated with the scene 2.

  In order for the search keyword input information generation unit 803 to detect t2 ′ and t3 ′, for example, when the search keyword input unit 802 detects the start of input of the search keyword, information indicating that is input to the search keyword input information generation unit. When the search keyword input unit 802 detects the end of the input of the search keyword, information indicating this may be output to the search keyword input information generation unit 803.

(Embodiment 13: Main effects)
In this embodiment, since the search keyword can be associated with reproduction information including time information when an operation for inputting the search keyword is started, the search keyword is associated with the content information reproduced along the time axis. Can be performed appropriately.

(Embodiment 14)
As a fourteenth embodiment, the search keyword input information generation unit calculates time information when an operation for inputting the search keyword is started from the time when the search keyword is acquired and the time required to input the search keyword. A search keyword input terminal will be described.

  FIG. 35 illustrates a functional block diagram of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment. The search keyword input terminal 3500 includes a content information playback unit 801, a search keyword input unit 802, and a search keyword input information generation unit 803. Further, the content information playback unit 801 has playback position information acquisition means 1301, and the search keyword input information generation unit 803 has back calculation acquisition means 3501. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the reproduction position information acquired by the reproduction position information acquisition unit 1301 is time information. Therefore, the configuration of the search keyword input terminal according to the present embodiment is a configuration in which the reverse keyword acquisition means 3501 is provided in the search keyword input information generation unit 803 in the search keyword input terminal according to the thirteenth embodiment.

  The “back calculation obtaining means” 3501 obtains and calculates the time when the operation for inputting the search keyword is completed and the time required for inputting the search keyword, thereby reproducing the reproduction information including the reproduction position information which is time information. It is a means to acquire. Here, for the sake of explanation, the search keyword input unit 802 immediately sends the search keyword and the time required to input the search keyword to the search keyword input information generation unit 803 upon completion of the operation for inputting the search keyword. Assume that output. In this case, the time when the search keyword input information generation unit 803 acquires the search keyword may be regarded as the time when the operation for inputting the search keyword is completed. Therefore, the reverse calculation acquisition unit 3501 starts an operation for inputting the search keyword by subtracting the time required for inputting the search keyword from the time when the search keyword input information generating unit 803 acquires the search keyword. Time information can be obtained.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 35, the search keyword input information generation unit 803 acquires information in which the search keyword “candy Sakuramachi” is associated with a time of 30 seconds as the time required to input the search keyword. Suppose you did. In addition, it is assumed that reproduction position information of 17 minutes 45 seconds from the start of reproduction of content information is acquired at the time of acquisition. Then, the reverse calculation acquisition means 3501 subtracts 30 seconds from 17 minutes 45 seconds to acquire time information of 17 minutes 15 seconds, and the search keyword input information generation unit 803 reads “candy cherry blossom town from 17 minutes 15 seconds”. It is determined that an operation for inputting a search keyword “is started, and search keyword input information is generated.

  FIG. 36 exemplifies a flowchart for explaining a process in which the search keyword input unit 802 obtains the time required for inputting the search keyword in the present embodiment. In step S3601, the process waits until character input of a search keyword is started. When character input of the search keyword is started, the process proceeds to step S3602, and a timer is started. Thereafter, in step S3603, the process waits until the input of the search keyword is completed. If the input of the search keyword is completed, the timer is stopped in step S3604. In step S3605, the time required for inputting the search keyword is calculated based on the timer value. Thereafter, the search keyword input unit outputs the time calculated in step S3605 to the search keyword input information generation unit 803 in association with the input search keyword.

  Note that there are various methods for detecting the completion of the input of the search keyword in step S3603. In this embodiment, any method may be used. To give some examples, when a search keyword is input using kana-kanji conversion, the completion of the kana-kanji conversion may be the completion of the input of the search keyword. The input of the search keyword may be completed when a specific button or key is pressed. For example, when a submit button or a return key is pressed. Alternatively, it may be a key representing a punctuation mark such as a period. Further, it may be detected that no operation has been performed for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the completion of the input of the search keyword may be detected when the input of the next search keyword is started.

(Embodiment 14: Main effects)
In the present embodiment, since the playback position information is obtained using the time required for inputting the search keyword, the search keyword input unit 802 sends the search keyword input information generation unit 803 only once for each search keyword input. Since the information only needs to flow, the configuration of the search keyword input unit 802 and the search keyword input information generation unit 803 is simplified.

  In the present invention, while a content is being played back on a television receiver or the like as a search keyword using terminal, a keyword related to the playback position of the content is displayed, and a viewer selects a keyword with a remote control and uses a search engine such as the Internet. Searching can be performed, and in particular, there is an effect that it is not necessary to input characters, and this is industrially useful.

The figure which shows the relationship between the search keyword input terminal which concerns on this invention, a search keyword statistics processing server apparatus, and a search keyword utilization terminal. Example of appearance of search keyword input terminal Example of search results when keywords are entered in the search keyword input terminal Example of how content is played on a search keyword terminal Example of how content is played on a search keyword terminal Example of how content is played on a search keyword terminal Example of how content is played on a search keyword terminal Functional block diagram of a search keyword input terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart of processing of search keyword input terminal according to this embodiment Functional block diagram of a search keyword input terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Example of structure of XML expression of search keyword input information Example of search keyword input information Functional block diagram of a search keyword input terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention Functional block diagram of a search keyword input terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention Functional block diagram of a search keyword input terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention The flowchart of the process of the search keyword input terminal which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. Functional block diagram of a search keyword input terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention Functional block diagram of a search keyword input terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention Functional block diagram of a search keyword input terminal according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention Flowchart of processing of search keyword input terminal according to embodiment 5 of the present invention. Functional block diagram of a search keyword statistics processing server apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention Example of a table for counting the total number of search keywords Example of XML representation structure of search keyword statistics Example of search keyword statistics Example of search keyword statistics Flowchart of processing of search keyword statistical processing server apparatus according to embodiment 7 of the present invention. Functional block diagram of a search keyword using terminal according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention Flowchart of processing of search keyword using terminal according to embodiment 8 of the present invention. Functional block diagram of a search keyword using terminal according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention. Explanatory diagram of generation of search keyword input information by search keyword input information generation unit Flowchart of processing in which reproduction position information acquisition means acquires and generates reproduction position information Flowchart of processing in which search keyword input unit generates search keyword input information Flowchart of processing of search keyword input information generation unit The figure for demonstrating the relationship between reproduction | regeneration of content information and the input of a search keyword Functional block diagram of a search keyword input terminal according to Embodiment 14 of the present invention Flow chart of processing for obtaining time required for inputting search keyword

Explanation of symbols

800 Search keyword input terminal 801 Content information playback unit 802 Search keyword input unit 803 Search keyword input information generation unit 2100 Search keyword statistical processing server apparatus 2101 Search keyword input information reception unit 2102 Search keyword input information statistical processing unit 2103 Generate search keyword statistical information Unit 2104 search keyword statistical information transmission unit 2700 search keyword utilization terminal 2701 content information playback unit 2702 search keyword statistical information acquisition unit 2703 playback position information acquisition unit 2704 search keyword input auxiliary information generation unit

Claims (20)

A content information playback unit for playing back content information;
A search keyword input part for inputting a search keyword as a keyword;
A search keyword input information generating unit that generates search keyword input information that is information in which the search keyword input in the search keyword input unit and reproduction information related to reproduction in the content information reproduction unit are associated;
Search keyword input terminal having The content information playback unit has playback position information acquisition means for acquiring playback position information, which is information indicating the position of the part of the content being played back during the entire content playback process,
The search keyword input information generation unit acquires, as reproduction information, information including reproduction position information of the content being reproduced by the content information reproduction unit when the search keyword is input to the search keyword input unit, and the search keyword The search keyword input terminal according to claim 1 which generates input information.   The search keyword input terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a search keyword input information transmission unit that transmits the search keyword input information generated by the search keyword input information generation unit.   4. The content information reproducing unit according to claim 1, further comprising communication content information acquisition means for acquiring content information by communication and / or recording medium content information acquisition means for acquiring content information from a portable recording medium. Search keyword input terminal described in. A search execution unit that executes a search based on the search keyword input from the search keyword input unit;
A search result information acquisition unit for acquiring search result information in the search execution unit;
A secondary search keyword generation unit that generates a secondary search keyword based on the search result information acquired by the search result information acquisition unit;
Secondary search keyword input for generating secondary search keyword input information that is information in which the secondary search keyword generated by the secondary search keyword generation unit is associated with playback information related to playback by the content information playback unit An information generator,
The search keyword input terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:   The search keyword input terminal according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction of the content information is a concept including use of content. A search keyword input information receiving unit that receives search keyword input information that is information that associates a search keyword with reproduction information that is information related to reproduction of content information;
A search keyword input information statistical processing unit for statistically processing the search keyword input information received by the search keyword input information receiving unit;
A search keyword statistic information generating unit that generates search keyword statistic information that is information for searching associated with content based on a statistical processing result in the search keyword input information statistical processing unit;
A search keyword statistical information transmission unit for transmitting the search keyword statistical information generated by the search keyword statistical information generation unit;
The search keyword statistics processing server apparatus which has. A content information playback unit for playing back content information;
A search keyword statistical information acquisition unit that acquires search keyword statistical information that is information for search associated with content;
A reproduction position information acquisition unit for acquiring reproduction position information, which is information indicating a position of the part of the content being reproduced in the content information reproduction unit during the entire content reproduction process;
A search for generating search keyword input auxiliary information, which is information for inputting a search keyword, based on the reproduction position information acquired by the reproduction position information acquisition unit and the search keyword statistical information acquired by the search keyword statistical information acquisition unit A keyword input auxiliary information generation unit;
A terminal using search keywords. The search keyword statistical information includes a search keyword weighted in association with reproduction position information,
The search keyword input auxiliary information generation unit includes display processing means for performing processing for displaying the search keyword associated with the reproduction position information acquired by the reproduction position information acquisition unit according to weighting. Search keyword using terminal. It has a search keyword part acquisition part that acquires a part of keywords for search,
The search keyword input auxiliary information generating unit generates partial search keyword input auxiliary information generating means for generating search keyword input auxiliary information for inputting a search keyword including a part of the search keyword acquired by the search keyword part acquiring unit. The search keyword utilization terminal of Claim 8 or 9 which has these.   The search keyword input terminal according to claim 8, wherein the reproduction of the content information is a concept including use of content. A content information playback step for playing back the content information;
A search keyword input step for inputting a search keyword that is a keyword for search,
A search keyword input information generating step for generating search keyword input information, which is information associating the search keyword input in the search keyword input step with reproduction information relating to reproduction in the content information reproduction step;
Search keyword input method including. A search keyword input information receiving step for receiving search keyword input information that is information in which a search keyword is associated with reproduction information that is information related to reproduction of content information;
A search keyword input information statistical processing step for statistically processing the search keyword input information received in the search keyword input information receiving step;
A search keyword statistic information generating step for generating search keyword statistic information, which is information for searching associated with content based on the statistical processing result in the search keyword input information statistical processing step;
A search keyword statistical information transmission step for transmitting the search keyword statistical information generated in the search keyword statistical information generation step;
Search keyword statistics processing method including. A content information playback step for playing back the content information;
A search keyword statistical information acquisition step for acquiring search keyword statistical information that is information for search associated with the content;
A reproduction position information acquisition step of acquiring reproduction position information, which is information indicating a position of the part of the content being reproduced in the content information reproduction step, during the entire content reproduction process;
Search for generating search keyword input auxiliary information that is information for inputting a search keyword based on the playback position information acquired in the playback position information acquisition step and the search keyword statistical information acquired in the search keyword statistical information acquisition step A keyword input auxiliary information generation step;
Search keyword utilization method having A content information playback step for playing back the content information;
A search keyword input step for inputting a search keyword that is a keyword for search,
A search keyword input information generating step for generating search keyword input information, which is information associating the search keyword input in the search keyword input step with reproduction information relating to reproduction in the content information reproduction step;
Search keyword input program to make computer execute. A search keyword input information receiving step for receiving search keyword input information that is information in which a search keyword is associated with reproduction information that is information related to reproduction of content information;
A search keyword input information statistical processing step for statistically processing the search keyword input information received in the search keyword input information receiving step;
A search keyword statistic information generating step for generating search keyword statistic information, which is information for searching associated with content based on the statistical processing result in the search keyword input information statistical processing step;
A search keyword statistical information transmission step for transmitting the search keyword statistical information generated in the search keyword statistical information generation step;
Search keyword statistics processing program to make the computer execute. A content information playback step for playing back the content information;
A search keyword statistical information acquisition step for acquiring search keyword statistical information that is information for search associated with the content;
A reproduction position information acquisition step of acquiring reproduction position information, which is information indicating a position of the part of the content being reproduced in the content information reproduction step, during the entire content reproduction process;
Search for generating search keyword input auxiliary information that is information for inputting a search keyword based on the playback position information acquired in the playback position information acquisition step and the search keyword statistical information acquired in the search keyword statistical information acquisition step A keyword input auxiliary information generation step;
Search keyword utilization program to make computer execute. The content information playback unit has playback position information acquisition means for acquiring playback position information, which is information indicating the position of the part of the content being played back during the entire content playback process,
The search keyword input information generation unit generates the search keyword input information by acquiring, as reproduction information, information including reproduction position information when an operation for inputting the search keyword is started in the search keyword input unit. The search keyword input terminal according to claim 1.   The search keyword input terminal according to claim 18, wherein the reproduction position information acquired by the reproduction position information acquisition means is time information.   The search keyword input information generation unit acquires reproduction information including reproduction position information, which is time information to be acquired, the time when the operation for inputting the search keyword is completed and the time required for inputting the search keyword. The keyword input terminal according to claim 19, further comprising reverse calculation acquisition means for acquiring by calculation.

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