JP2006114950A - Video content distribution system, video content transmitting apparatus, video content reproduction method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to smoothly reproduce video content even if the transmission speed is low in a transmission path for distributing the video content. <P>SOLUTION: A provider server 100 divides video content in accordance with the communication speed between the provider server 100 and a user terminal 200, a provider previously supplies a first portion of the video content, and the provider server 100 transmits a second portion to the user terminal 200 via a communication network 300 in response to the request for reproduction from the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200 combines the first portion with the second portion to reproduce the video content. Accordingly, situation in which data to be reproduced do not exist in the user terminal 200 while the provider server 100 is distributing the video content (second portion) to the user terminal 200 in real time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a video content distribution system, a video content transmission device, a video content playback method, and a video content playback program that divide and supply video content according to communication speed.

  A user of a rental video service that rents a video tape or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) (registered trademark) that stores video content such as a movie goes to a store that provides the rental video service in order to rent the target DVD or the like. There is a need. In addition, after viewing a DVD or the like, the user needs to go to a store that provides a rental video service in order to return the DVD or the like. Therefore, the user of the rental video service has to go to the store that provides the rental video service twice, which is troublesome.

  In addition, rental video service providers ensure the stock of DVDs, etc. in order to prevent loss of rental opportunities for DVDs, etc. due to out of stock due to renting and to provide rental video services to many users. There must be. In particular, it is necessary to secure a large amount of inventory of new works and popular DVDs. Furthermore, the rental video service provider needs to perform maintenance work such as cleaning of DVDs, which takes time and effort.

  Therefore, a system for distributing data stored in a DVD via the Internet has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, the divided content obtained by dividing the video content into a plurality of parts is stored in a plurality of servers, the divided contents are transmitted from the plurality of servers to the user terminal, and the user terminal receives the divided contents, reconstructs and reproduces them. A system has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-6536 (paragraphs 0022 to 0039, FIG. 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-80145 (paragraphs 0012 to 0018, FIG. 1)

  However, since the system described in Patent Document 1 does not consider the connection form and communication state with the Internet that transmits and receives data, when attempting to play back in real time, if the communication speed with the Internet is slow, There is a risk that transmission / reception of data is delayed, video is lost during playback of video content, or playback stops.

  Moreover, since the system described in Patent Document 2 uses a plurality of servers, there is a problem that it takes a cost to construct the system.

  Therefore, the present invention does not increase the equipment cost so much, while maintaining the state in which the user can smoothly reproduce the video content even when the transmission speed of the transmission path for distributing the video content is low, It is an object of the present invention to provide a video content distribution system, a video content transmission device, a video content playback method, and a video content playback program that can reduce costs and improve the convenience of users.

  A video content distribution system according to the present invention includes a video content playback device that plays back video content, and a video content transmission device that supplies video content to the video content playback device in response to a request from the video content playback device. In accordance with the communication speed of the transmission path between the transmission device and the video content reproduction device, the transmission device responds to a reproduction request from the first portion supplied to the video content reproduction device in advance and the video content reproduction device. In response to a playback request from the video content playback apparatus, the second part is sent to the video content playback apparatus via the transmission path. And a video content playback device that is supplied in advance. By combining a second portion transmitted from the first portion and the video content transmission device, characterized in that it comprises a video content reproducing means for reproducing the video content.

  The video content dividing means divides the video content so that the size of the first part is reduced when the communication speed is high, and the first part when the communication speed is low so that the video content is smoothly reproduced. The video content is divided so that the size of the image becomes larger.

  The video content dividing means is adapted to complete the transmission of the second part via the transmission path when the video content reproducing apparatus is reproducing the first part so that the video content is smoothly reproduced. Divide content.

  The video content transmitting apparatus includes, for example, a communication speed measuring unit that measures a communication speed of a transmission path with the video content reproducing apparatus.

  The storage means in the video content reproduction apparatus stores the encrypted first part data, and the video content reproduction apparatus includes a decryption means for decrypting the first part data stored in the storage means. It may be configured. According to such a configuration, the possibility that the video content is illegally copied and a third party can view the video is reduced.

  The video content transmitting apparatus may be configured to include video content writing means for storing the first portion in a storage medium. According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily prepare a storage medium for supplying the first portion to the user in advance.

  The video content dividing means may be configured so that a first portion is a set of a plurality of portions that appear discretely on the playback time axis in the video content. According to such a configuration, the possibility that the video content is illegally copied and a third party can view the video is further reduced.

  The video content transmitting apparatus according to the present invention includes a first part supplied in advance to the video content playback apparatus according to the communication speed of the transmission path with the video content playback apparatus, and the video content playback apparatus. Video content dividing means for dividing the video content playback device into a second part transmitted to the video content playback device in response to the playback request, and the second part via the transmission path in response to the playback request from the video content playback device Video content transmission means for transmitting to the video content reproduction apparatus, and the video content division means completes transmission of the second part via the transmission line when the video content reproduction apparatus is reproducing the first part. Thus, the video content is divided as described above.

  In the video content distribution method according to the present invention, on the video content transmission device side, the first part is supplied in advance to the video content reproduction device according to the communication speed of the transmission path with the video content reproduction device. And the second part transmitted to the video content playback apparatus in response to a playback request from the video content playback apparatus, and the first part is supplied to the video content playback apparatus side in advance, In response to the playback request, the second part is transmitted to the video content playback apparatus via the transmission path. On the video content playback apparatus side, the first part and the second part transmitted from the video content transmission apparatus are The video content is reproduced by combining them.

  A video content reproduction program according to the present invention includes a process for decrypting a first portion of video content that is pre-encrypted and stored in a storage means in a computer mounted on the video content reproduction apparatus, and a first decrypted first content. And a process of reproducing the video content by combining the second part and the second part of the video content distributed by the video content transmitting apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost of the rental service provider while maintaining a state in which the user can smoothly play back the video content even when the transmission speed of the transmission path for distributing the video content is low, and the user You can plan your convenience.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The first embodiment of the present invention is installed by a provider of a video content distribution service, stores video content such as a movie, and stores the stored video content in a storage medium such as a DVD or transmits it. Business server (video content transmitting apparatus) 100, a user having a playback function (for example, MPEG playback function) for playing back video content stored in a storage medium and video content received from the business server 100 A terminal (video content reproduction apparatus) 200 and a communication network (transmission path) 300 that connects the provider server 100 and the user terminal 200 are included. The user terminal 200 is realized by a personal computer, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 1, there is one user terminal 200, but there may be a plurality of user terminals. The communication network 300 is realized by the Internet, for example.

  The storage medium is realized by, for example, a DVD or a CD. The provider server 100 is equipped with information writing means (video content writing means) such as a DVD writer or CD writer for storing information in a storage medium such as a DVD or CD. The user terminal 200 incorporates a DVD playback device and the like. The storage medium is supplied to the user in advance before the user makes a reproduction request.

  The video content dividing unit and the communication speed calculating unit are realized by the CPU of the business operator server 100 that executes processing according to a program. The video content transmission means is realized by a CPU of the business server 100 and a communication device included in the business server 100. The video content reproduction means and the decoding means are realized by the CPU of the user terminal 200 that executes processing according to the program.

  The company server 100 includes video content such as a movie, a web page on which a user of the video content distribution service inputs personal information via the user terminal 200 and selects video content for which distribution is requested, It stores personal information input to the user terminal 200 via the WEB page by the user of the video content distribution service.

  Further, the business entity server 100 stores a video content reproduction program. Then, the business server 100 transmits a video content reproduction program to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 stores the received video content reproduction program. The video content reproduction program stores at least the processing for measuring the communication speed of the transmission path with the provider server 100 in the CPU of the user terminal 200 and the video content that is encrypted and recorded in advance in the recording means. A program for executing a process of decoding the first part of the video and a process of reproducing the video content by combining the first part after decoding and the second part of the video content distributed by the operator server 100. is there.

  Further, the business server 100 divides the video content according to the communication speed with the user terminal 200. In order to measure the communication speed with the user terminal 200, the business server 100 transmits a predetermined amount of data to the user terminal 200 in association with information indicating the time when transmission of the data is started. To do. Here, the predetermined amount of data transmitted from the operator server 100 to the user terminal 200 is, for example, data of a size of 100 kB (bytes), 200 kB, 500 kB, 1 MB, or the like. In addition, the provider server 100 may associate a plurality of types of data with information indicating the time when transmission of the data is started, and transmit the data to the user terminal 200, respectively.

  When the user terminal 200 operates according to the video content reproduction program received from the provider server 100 and receives a predetermined amount of data and information indicating a time when transmission of the predetermined amount of data is started, the user terminal 200 stores the predetermined amount of data. Calculate the time required to receive the predetermined amount of data by calculating the difference between the information indicating the time when transmission started and the time when the reception of the predetermined amount of data is completed, and receive the calculated predetermined amount of data Information indicating the time required for the transmission is transmitted to the business server 100.

  The business server 100 calculates the communication speed with the user terminal 200 based on the information indicating the time required to receive the predetermined amount of data received from the user terminal 200 and the size of the predetermined amount of data. In accordance with the calculated communication speed, the video content is divided into a part (first part) stored in the storage medium and a part (second part) transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300. Split.

  Specifically, as an example, it is assumed that the time required from the transmission of the business server 100 to the completion of reception by the user terminal 200 of the 1 MB data transmitted from the business server 100 is 2 seconds. . Then, the communication speed between the provider server 100 and the user terminal 200 is 1 MB × 8 bits / 2 seconds = 4 Mbps. Here, if the size of the video content is 4.7 GB (4700 MB) and the video content is 2 hours (7200 seconds), 4700 MB × 8 bits = 37600 Mbit, so the speed of reproducing the video content is 37600 Mbit / 7200 seconds = about 5.2 Mbps.

  That is, the speed at which the video content is reproduced is approximately 1.3 times faster than the communication speed between the provider server 100 and the user terminal 200. Therefore, a predetermined amount of data in the video content is recorded on the storage medium as the first part, and the storage medium is supplied to the user terminal 200 in advance. Then, the business entity server 100 transmits the second part of the video content to the user terminal 200 when the user terminal 200 is reproducing the first part. Note that the first portion is determined so as not to cause a period in which there is no data to be reproduced in the user terminal 200 during the reproduction of the video content. That is, the provider server 100 divides the video content so that the transmission of the second part via the transmission path is completed when the first part is being reproduced.

  For example, when the company server 100 equally divides the part for storing the video content in the storage medium into four parts and equally divides the part transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 into four parts, the video content Is stored in the storage medium in a size of about 665 MB or more, and the size of the portion transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 is about 511 MB or less.

  As another example, assuming that the time required for the user terminal 200 to receive 1 MB of data transmitted by the operator server 100 is 4 seconds, between the operator server 100 and the user terminal 200. The communication speed is 1 MB × 8 bits / 4 seconds = 2 Mbps. If the size of the video content is 4.7 GB (4700 MB) and the video content is 2 hours (7200 seconds), since 4700 MB × 8 bits = 37600 Mbit, the speed at which the video content is played back is 37600 Mbit / 7200. Seconds = about 5.2 Mbps, and the video content playback speed is about 2.6 times faster than the communication speed between the operator server 100 and the user terminal 200.

Therefore, for example, when the provider server 100 equally divides the part for storing the video content in the storage medium into four parts and equally divides the part to be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 into four parts. The sizes of the portions for storing the video content in the storage medium are each 849 MB or more, and the sizes of the portions transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 are each 326 MB or less. That is, when the communication speed between the operator server 100 and the user terminal 200 is high, the operator server 100 divides the video content so as to reduce the size of the portion for storing the video content in the storage medium, and When the communication speed between the user server 100 and the user terminal 200 is low, the video content is divided so as to increase the size of the portion for storing the video content in the storage medium.

  For example, when the content of the video content is divided for each chapter, the business entity server 100 may divide the video content for each chapter. Then, for example, the odd-numbered chapter may be stored in the storage medium as the first portion, and the even-numbered chapter may be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 as the second portion. However, even in that case, it is a condition that the transmission of the second part is completed when the user terminal 200 is reproducing the first part.

  In addition, when the size of the part for storing the video content in the storage medium is 665 MB, respectively, and the size of the part transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 is 511 MB, the video is on the time axis. The portions for storing the contents in the storage medium are each about 1019 seconds, and the portions to be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 are each about 783 seconds.

  Here, the provider server 100 preferably uses a set of a plurality of parts that appear discretely on the playback time axis in the video content as the first part. For example, the video content is divided so that a part to be stored in the storage medium and a part to be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 appear alternately on the reproduction time axis. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the case where the video content is divided as described above. For example, the business server 100 sets the portion (10 in FIG. 2) to store 1019 seconds from the beginning of the video content in the storage medium (“1” in FIG. 2), and stores the 1019 seconds to 783 seconds (up to 1802 seconds) in the user terminal 200. A portion (“2” in FIG. 2) to be transmitted through the communication network 300 is a portion for storing 1802 seconds to 1019 seconds (up to 2821 seconds) in the storage medium (“3” in FIG. 2), and 2821 seconds. 783 seconds from the first (up to 3604 seconds) is a part ("4" in FIG. 2) that is transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300, and 3604 seconds to 1019 seconds (up to 4623 seconds) are storage media. 2 (from “5” in FIG. 2) to communicate with the user terminal 200 from 4623 seconds to 783 seconds (up to 5406 seconds). The portion to be transmitted through the network 300 (“6” in FIG. 2) is assumed to be the portion (“7” in FIG. 2) that is stored in the storage medium from 5406 seconds to 1019 seconds (up to 6425 seconds), and the 6425th second. To 775 seconds (from 7200 seconds (last)) to the user terminal 200 through the communication network 300 ("8" in FIG. 2).

  When the business server 100 divides the video content, the business server 100 generates divided portion information that is information indicating a divided portion of the video content. The division part information is, for example, the reproduction start time of the divided part of the video content. Specifically, for example, when the playback start time of the part obtained by dividing the video content is 1019 seconds and the playback end time is 1802 seconds, from the 1019 seconds to the 1802 seconds of the video content. The divided part information associated with the parts up to 1019 seconds.

  The business entity server 100 associates the portion of the divided video content to be stored in the storage medium with the divided portion information, encrypts it, and records it on the storage medium. The provider of the video content distribution service sends, to the user of the user terminal 200, for example by mailing the storage medium on which the portion to be stored in the storage medium of the video content divided by the provider server 100 is sent. To do. Further, the business entity server 100 transmits a portion of the divided video content to be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 in association with the divided portion information to the user terminal 200. The provider server 100 may limit a period during which the user terminal 200 can receive video content.

  The user terminal 200 decodes the portion of the video content received via the communication network 300, and the storage medium stores the video content based on the divided portion information associated with the divided video content. And the portion received via the communication network 300 are combined to reproduce the video content. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the video content is reproduced by combining the portion stored in the storage medium 400 such as a DVD and the portion received via the communication network 300 in the video content. is there.

  The user terminal 200 temporarily stores the portion of the video content received via the communication network 300 and the divided portion information in a memory, a hard disk, or the like in association with each other. Then, the user terminal 200 reproduces the portion of the video content stored in the storage medium 400, and the reproduction indicated by the divided portion information associated with the portion of the video content received via the communication network 300. When the start time comes, the part of the video content temporarily stored received via the communication network 300 is decoded and reproduced. Thereafter, the user terminal 200 refers to the divided part information associated with each part of the divided video content, and when the time indicated by the divided part information is reached, the user terminal 200 includes a memory, a hard disk, etc. Is temporarily played back and the part stored in the storage medium 400 is sequentially reproduced. When the reproduction of all the parts of the video content is completed, the user terminal 200 erases the video content temporarily stored in the memory, the hard disk, or the like.

  As described above, the provider server 100 encrypts the portion of the video content recorded on the storage medium 400. Here, as an example of video content encryption, there is an exclusive OR method. The exclusive OR method is an encryption method using the fact that B xor A xor B = A (hereinafter referred to as Expression 1). xor indicates an exclusive OR operation.

  Specifically, for example, when the member ID of the user of the video content distribution service is 12345 and the current date is July 15, 2004, 1234520040715 that combines the member ID and the current date is converted into a binary number. It is encrypted by calculating the exclusive OR (B xor A in Equation 1) of the converted value 10001111101101111001000001110010100001011 (B in Equation 1) and the video content data (A in Equation 1), and is stored in the storage medium 400. Record and supply to users. The user terminal 200 uses the data (B xor A in Equation 1) recorded in the storage medium 400 and the value (B in Equation 1) obtained by converting 12345200407715 that combines the member ID and the current date into a binary number. Exclusive OR (B xor A xor B in Equation 1) is calculated. Then, the user terminal 200 can decrypt the received data into video content (A in Equation 1). The encryption method used in the present invention is not limited to this method, and other encryption methods may be used.

  In addition, when the user of the video content distribution service operates the user terminal 200 and connects via the communication network 300, the business server 100 displays a WEB page that requests the user to input personal information. To display. Here, the personal information is, for example, a user's name and address, a telephone number, a credit card number, and the like. When the user operates the user terminal 200 to input personal information, the business server 100 generates a member ID and a password and transmits the member ID and password to the user terminal 200.

  The operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  A user of the video content distribution service operates the user terminal 200 to connect to the operator server 100 via the communication network 300. The company server 100 transmits a WEB page for inputting personal information to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300, and causes the WEB page for inputting personal information to be displayed on the user terminal 200. A user of the video content distribution service inputs personal information to the user terminal 200 via a WEB page. The user terminal 200 transmits the input personal information to the business server 100 (step S101). The business server 100 stores personal information input by the user of the video content distribution service to the user terminal 200 via the WEB page, generates a user ID and a password, and transmits the user ID and password via the communication network 300. It transmits to the user terminal 200 (step S102).

  Next, the user of the video content distribution service operates the user terminal 200 to connect to the provider server 100 via the communication network 300, and transmits the user ID and password to the provider server 100 (step). S103) When the business server 100 succeeds in the authentication with the user ID and the password, the business server 100 transmits a web page for selecting the video content including the list of stored video content to the user terminal 200, and the video content. The user of the distribution service is allowed to select video content to be transmitted (step S104). A user of the video content distribution service operates the user terminal 200 to select video content to be transmitted, and the user terminal 200 provides information indicating the video content selected by the user of the video content distribution service. To the server 100 (step S105).

  The company server 100 transmits the video content playback program to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 (step S106), and causes the video content playback program to be executed. At this time, the operator server 100 is connected to an NTP (Network Time Protocol) primary server and performs time synchronization with the NTP primary server. Then, the user terminal 200 performs time synchronization with the operator server 100. The company server 100 transmits a predetermined amount of data and information indicating the time when transmission of the predetermined amount of data is started to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 (step S107).

  When the user terminal 200 operates in accordance with the video content reproduction program and receives a predetermined amount of data and information indicating the time when transmission of the predetermined amount of data is started, the user terminal 200 indicates the time when transmission of the predetermined amount of data is started. Information indicating the time required to receive the predetermined amount of data by calculating the difference between the information and the time when reception of the predetermined amount of data is completed, calculating the time required to receive the predetermined amount of data Is notified to the operator server 100 (step S108). The business server 100 uses the information indicating the time required to receive the predetermined amount of data notified from the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 and the size of the predetermined amount of data to the user terminal 200. A portion (first portion) for storing video content to be supplied to the user in the storage medium 400 and a portion for transmitting to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 ( The second part is divided (step S109). Then, the business entity server 100 stores the first part of the divided video content in the storage medium 400 (step S110).

  The provider of the video content distribution service sends the storage medium 400 in which the business server 100 stores the video content to the user of the video content distribution service, for example, by mail.

  When the user wants to view the video content, the user sets the storage medium 400 in a DVD playback device or the like built in the user terminal 200. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the video content playback apparatus, the storage means capable of storing the first portion in advance is a DVD playback apparatus or the like (strictly, a DVD playback apparatus or the like with the storage medium 400 set). It will be realized.

  Further, the user operates the user terminal 200 to connect to the operator server 100 via the communication network 300, and transmits the user ID and password to the operator server 100 for a playback request (step S111). When the business server 100 succeeds in the authentication with the user ID and the password, the business server 100 starts to transmit a part (second part) of the divided video content to be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300. (Step S112). The video content playback program causes the CPU of the user terminal 200 to start decoding and playback of the video content stored in the storage medium 400.

  The user terminal 200 temporarily stores the received video content in a memory, a hard disk, or the like. When the reproduction of the portion stored in the storage medium 400 of the video content is completed, the user terminal 200 starts reproducing the portion received from the provider server 100 via the communication network 300 and temporarily stored. (Step S113). When the first part is a set of a plurality of parts that appear discretely on the playback time axis in the video content (see FIG. 2), the first part stored in the storage medium 400 is configured. Decoding and playback of the next part of each part (“1”, “3”, “5” and “7” in FIG. 2) is started, and the part (first part) stored in the storage medium 400 ) Is completed, the reproduction of the part received from the provider server 100 via the communication network 300 and temporarily stored is started. Meanwhile, the business operator server 100 continues to transmit the second part. The user terminal 200 deletes the video content stored in the memory, the hard disk or the like when the reproduction of all the parts of the video content is completed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the operator server 100 divides the video content according to the communication speed between the operator server 100 and the user terminal 200, and the provider is The part 1 is supplied to the user in advance, and the business server 100 transmits the second part to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 in response to a reproduction request from the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 combines the first part and the second part to reproduce the video content. Therefore, when the business server 100 distributes video content to the user terminal 200 in real time, it is possible to prevent a situation in which there is no data to be reproduced in the user terminal 200. it can. Note that the distribution in real time means that the distribution and playback of the video content are performed in parallel. In this embodiment, strictly speaking, when the second part is being distributed. There is a period during which the first portion supplied in advance is being reproduced.

  In addition, according to this embodiment, the user terminal 200 erases the video content stored in the memory, the hard disk, etc. when the reproduction of the video content is completed, so that illegal copying of the video content can be prevented. it can. Furthermore, since the data recorded on the recording medium 400 is encrypted with the use date or the like, even if the recording medium 400 passes to a third party, the third party cannot easily decrypt it. Therefore, even if a third party obtains the recording medium 400, it is difficult to use it. This also makes it possible to effectively prevent unauthorized copying.

  Further, according to this embodiment, when the provider server 100 limits the period during which the user terminal 200 can receive video content, the provider of the video content distribution service allows the user to You can limit the period during which you can watch everything. Therefore, it is not necessary to manage the return timing of the video content storage medium 400 such as a DVD for a customer performed by a conventional rental video store. Further, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of video content storage media 400 such as a DVD in anticipation of customer demand. Further, there is no need to perform maintenance such as cleaning of the storage medium 400 such as a DVD.

  Further, according to this embodiment, the user of the video content distribution service can view the video content without going to a rental video store or the like in order to borrow or return a DVD or the like.

  Note that the provider of the video content distribution service notifies the user that a problem has occurred such as video being stopped due to the communication state between the provider server 100 and the user terminal 200. In the video content to be distributed to the user next time, the size of the portion stored in the storage medium 400 may be increased. Then, the recurrence of a similar problem can be prevented.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the provider server 100 encrypts the first part and transmits it to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300. Then, after the provider server 100 finishes transmitting the first part, the user terminal 200 starts playing the video content (specifically, the first part), and the provider server 100 is connected to the communication network. Transmission of the second part to the user terminal 200 via 300 is started. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the video content is reproduced by combining the first part and the second part.

  The operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  A user of the video content distribution service operates the user terminal 200 to connect to the operator server 100 via the communication network 300. The company server 100 transmits a WEB page for inputting personal information to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300, and causes the WEB page for inputting personal information to be displayed on the user terminal 200. A user of the video content distribution service inputs personal information to the user terminal 200 via a WEB page. The user terminal 200 transmits the input personal information to the business server 100 (step S201). The business server 100 stores personal information input by the user of the video content distribution service to the user terminal 200 via the WEB page, generates a user ID and a password, and transmits the user ID and password via the communication network 300. It transmits to the user terminal 200 (step S202).

  Next, the user of the video content distribution service operates the user terminal 200 to connect to the provider server 100 via the communication network 300, and transmits the user ID and password to the provider server 100 (step). S203) When the business server 100 succeeds in the authentication by the user ID and the password, the business server 100 transmits a web page for selecting the video content including the list of the stored video content to the user terminal 200, and the video content The user of the distribution service is allowed to select video content to be transmitted (step S204). A user of the video content distribution service operates the user terminal 200 to select video content to be transmitted, and the user terminal 200 provides information indicating the video content selected by the user of the video content distribution service. To the server 100 (step S205).

  The business entity server 100 transmits a video content reproduction program to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 (step S206), and causes the video content reproduction program to be executed. At this time, the operator server 100 connects to the NTP primary server and performs time synchronization with the NTP primary server. Then, the user terminal 200 performs time synchronization with the operator server 100. The business entity server 100 transmits a predetermined amount of data and information indicating the time when transmission of the predetermined amount of data is started to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 (step S207).

  The user terminal 200 operates according to the video content reproduction program, calculates communication time, and notifies the business server 100 of information indicating the calculated communication time (step S208). The business server 100 calculates the communication speed with the user terminal 200 based on the information indicating the communication time notified from the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 and the size of a predetermined amount of data. The video content to be transmitted to the user terminal 200 is divided into a first part and a second part (step S209). Then, the provider server 100 encrypts the first part of the divided video content and transmits it to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 (step S210). The encryption method is the same as that in the first embodiment. In the user terminal 200, the encrypted first portion is stored in a storage unit such as a memory or a hard disk built in the user terminal 200.

  When viewing the video content, the user inputs that fact to the user terminal 200. In the user terminal 200, the video content playback program causes the CPU of the user terminal 200 to transmit the user ID and password to the business server 100 for a playback request (step S211). When the business server 100 succeeds in the authentication with the user ID and the password, the business server 100 transmits the second part of the divided video content via the communication network 300 to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300. (Step S212). Also, the video content playback program causes the CPU of the user terminal 200 to start decoding and playback of video content stored in the storage unit.

  The user terminal 200 temporarily stores the received video content in a memory, a hard disk, or the like. When the reproduction of the first portion of the video content is completed, the user terminal 200 starts reproducing the portion received from the provider server 100 via the communication network 300 and temporarily stored (step S213). When the first part is a set of a plurality of parts that appear discretely on the reproduction time axis in the video content (see FIG. 2), each part constituting the first part (“1 in FIG. 2) ”,“ 3 ”,“ 5 ”, and“ 7 ”), the decoding and playback of the next part is started, and when the playback is completed, the data is received from the operator server 100 via the communication network 300 and temporarily stored. Start playback of the current part. Meanwhile, the business operator server 100 continues to transmit the second part. The user terminal 200 deletes the video content stored in the memory, the hard disk or the like when the reproduction of all the parts of the video content is completed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the company server 100 divides the video content according to the communication speed between the company server 100 and the user terminal 200 and communicates the first part in advance. The data is supplied to the user terminal 200 via the network 300, and the business server 100 transmits the second part to the user terminal 200 via the communication network 300 in response to a reproduction request from the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 combines the first part and the second part to reproduce the video content. Therefore, when the business server 100 distributes video content to the user terminal 200 in real time, it is possible to prevent a situation in which there is no data to be reproduced in the user terminal 200. The user can smoothly play the video content.

  In this embodiment, since the first part is encrypted with the use date or the like, even if the data of the first part is passed to the third party, the third party cannot easily decrypt it. Therefore, even if the first part stopped in the storage unit of the user terminal 200 is passed to the third party, it is difficult for the third party to use it. Therefore, illegal copying can be effectively prevented. In addition, the video content reproduction program preferably includes a program for automatically erasing the first portion that remains in the storage unit of the user terminal 200 when the rental period has elapsed.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the example in which the video content is divided into a total of eight has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is less than eight. You may divide | segment into a part and may divide | segment into 9 or more parts. In particular, in the first embodiment, when the number of divisions is small, the user can watch the portion stored in the storage medium 400, and thus the video content can be received without receiving the video content from the business server 100. Therefore, it is preferable that the number of divisions is large.

  The content distributed according to the present invention is not limited to video content, and may be music content or the like. Further, the business server 100 is not limited to the distribution of video content such as movies, but other video content and music content may be distributed by installing the business server 100 in a library or the like. In addition, the present invention may be applied to distribution of documents with a publication time limit, or may be applied to distribution of video used for outdoor advertisements.

  The present invention can be applied to rental of video content via the Internet or the like.

It is explanatory drawing which shows one structural example of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example which divides | segments video content. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement at the time of couple | bonding the part which the storage medium has memorize | stored, and the received part, and reproducing | regenerating a video content. It is a sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement at the time of couple | bonding a 1st part and a 2nd part and reproducing | regenerating a video content. It is a sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 carrier server 200 user terminal 300 communication network 400 storage medium

Claims (10)

A video content playback device for playing back video content;
A video content transmission device that delivers at least a part of the video content to the video content reproduction device via a transmission path with the video content reproduction device in response to a request from the video content reproduction device;
The video content transmission device includes:
The video content is transmitted to the video content playback apparatus in response to a playback request from the first part supplied in advance to the video content playback apparatus and the video content playback apparatus according to the communication speed of the transmission path. Video content dividing means for dividing into a second part to be performed;
Video content transmitting means for transmitting the second part to the video content playback device via the transmission path in response to a playback request from the video content playback device;
The video content playback device
Video content reproduction means for reproducing the video content by combining the first part supplied in advance and the second part transmitted from the video content transmission device Content distribution system. The video content dividing means divides the video content so that the size of the first part becomes small when the communication speed is high, and the video content is divided so that the size of the first part becomes large when the communication speed is low. The video content distribution system according to claim 1, which is divided. The video content according to claim 2, wherein the video content dividing means divides the video content so that the transmission of the second part via the transmission path is completed when the video content reproducing device is reproducing the first part. Distribution system. The video content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the video content transmission device includes a communication speed measurement unit that measures a communication speed of a transmission path with the video content reproduction device. Storage means in the video content reproduction apparatus stores the encrypted first part data;
5. The video content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the video content reproduction device includes a decoding unit that decodes data of the first part stored in the storage unit. 6. The video content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the video content transmission device includes video content writing means for storing the first portion in a storage medium. The video content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the video content dividing means uses a set of a plurality of portions that appear discretely on a playback time axis in the video content as a first portion. . In a video content transmission device that delivers at least a part of video content to the video content playback device in response to a request from the video content playback device,
In accordance with the communication speed of the transmission path with the video content playback apparatus, the video content is preliminarily supplied to the video content playback apparatus in response to a playback request from the video content playback apparatus. Video content dividing means for dividing the video content reproduction device into a second portion transmitted to the video content reproduction device;
Video content transmitting means for transmitting the second part to the video content playback device via the transmission path in response to a playback request from the video content playback device;
The video content dividing means divides the video content so that the transmission of the second part via the transmission path is completed when the video content reproducing apparatus is reproducing the first part. Video content transmission device. In a video content delivery method in which a video content transmission device delivers at least a part of the video content to the video content playback device in response to a request from the video content playback device.
On the video content transmitting device side,
In accordance with the communication speed of the transmission path with the video content playback apparatus, the video content is supplied in advance to the video content playback apparatus in response to a playback request from the video content playback apparatus. Dividing into a second part to be transmitted to the video content playback device,
Supplying the first part in advance to the video content reproduction apparatus side;
In response to a playback request from the video content playback device, the second part is transmitted to the video content playback device via the transmission path,
On the video content playback device side,
The video content distribution method, wherein the video content is reproduced by combining the first part and the second part transmitted from the video content transmitting apparatus. In a computer mounted on a video content playback device that plays back video content distributed by the video content transmission device,
A process of decrypting the first portion of the video content that is pre-encrypted and stored in the storage means;
A video content reproduction program for executing the process of reproducing the video content by combining the first part after decryption and the second part of the video content distributed by the video content transmission device.

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