JP2006129321A - Information providing server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing server which correcting a sense of inequality at the time point of contracting services. <P>SOLUTION: An information providing server 4 is connected to a user side terminal device 3, holds at least one piece of target information that becomes a target to be provided, in relation to timing information for each of the target information, acquires information representing the provision starting time point of the target information determined for a user of the relevant user side device when at least one request of target information is received from the terminal device 3, compares the acquired information with timing information for the requested target information, and distributes the requested target information if it is judged that the information can be provided as a result of the comparison. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing server that provides information via a network.

  In recent years, the number of computer devices connected via the Internet has increased, and a wide variety of services have been provided via networks. In the future, it is expected that information sharing and shared use of network services using networks will be realized among small communities such as local communities and homes.

  Therefore, recently, a home server device called a home server has been installed, and a local network has been set up in the home to interconnect terminals and home appliances owned by each family member. Technologies that enable connection are being considered.

Various methods are conceivable for connection authentication to a network, and an example thereof is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2004-246715 A

  As a home appliance connected to such a home server, for example, there is a hard disk recorder. The hard disk recorder converts, for example, video and audio of a television program into digital data and stores it in the hard disk. In addition, the digital data is distributed to the user's terminal side via the home server, and video and audio are played back on the terminal, whereby the stored program video and the like are provided for viewing by the user.

  On the other hand, a video-on-demand system that stores digital data of such a TV program and distributes it to users on demand is also considered. However, the video-on-demand system can request the stored digital data regardless of the contract for providing the service. In other words, if a user makes a contract whenever he wants, any program can be viewed retroactively.

  For this reason, it is difficult to make a difference in the content of the service between a user who made a service provision contract at a relatively early time and a user who made a service provision contract relatively late, and unfairness occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information providing server capable of correcting an unfair feeling related to a service provision contract time.

  The present invention for solving the problems of the above conventional example is an information providing server connected to a user side device, and at least one target information to be provided is converted into timing information related to each target information. When it is associated and held and receives at least one request for the target information from the user side device, it obtains information indicating the provision start time of the target information that is defined for the user of the user side device. The obtained information is compared with the timing information related to the requested target information, and the requested target information is distributed when it is determined that the information can be provided based on the comparison result. Yes.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling an information providing server that holds at least one piece of target information to be provided in association with timing information related to each piece of target information. Upon receiving at least one request for information, a step of acquiring information indicating the start time of provision of the target information, which is defined for the user of the user side device, the acquired information, and the requested target A step of comparing timing information related to information and a step of distributing the requested target information when it is determined that the information can be provided based on a result of the comparison are characterized.

  Another aspect of the present invention is an information providing server control program that holds at least one target information to be provided in association with timing information related to each target information, and is used for the information providing server. Upon receiving at least one request for the target information from the user side device, a procedure for acquiring information representing the start time of provision of the target information, which is defined for the user of the user side device, and the acquired information And a procedure for comparing the requested target information with respect to timing information, and a procedure for delivering the requested target information when it is determined that the information can be provided based on the result of the comparison. It is characterized by.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the service system according to the present embodiment includes a home server 1 installed at a user's home, a terminal device 3 as a user-side device possessed by the user, an information providing server 4, The home server 1 and the information providing server 4 are connected to each other via a network (hereinafter referred to as a global network in order to be distinguished from a home network). Here, the global network is, for example, the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the home server 1 includes a first communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a storage unit 13, a second communication unit 14, and a control unit 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a storage unit 33, an operation unit 34, and a display unit 35. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the information providing server 4 includes a communication unit 41, a control unit 42, a storage unit 43, and a storage unit 44.

  The first communication unit 11 of the home server 1 is a network card, for example, and is connected to the global network. The first communication unit 11 transmits data via the global network in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 15. In addition, the data addressed to the home server 1 is received via the global network and output to the control unit 15.

  The storage unit 12 is a memory element or the like, and holds a program executed by the control unit 15. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory that holds data necessary for the processing of the control unit 15.

  The storage unit 13 is, for example, a hard disk, and operates as a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program executed by the control unit 15. This program is copied to the storage unit 12 at the time of execution and provided to the processing of the control unit 15. The storage unit 13 stores authentication information necessary for authentication of the terminal device 3. Specifically, the authentication information may be information such as a user name or a password. In addition, the storage unit 13 stores information at the time when the user's service provision contract is concluded as provision start time information. This provision start time information corresponds to information indicating the provision start time of the target information defined for the user.

  The second communication unit 14 is a network interface and is connected to a home network (hereinafter referred to as a local network). The second communication unit 14 transmits data via the local network in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 15. In addition, data addressed to the home server 1 is received via the local network and output to the control unit 15. Specifically, this local network can be a power line network (PLC). The present invention is not limited to this, and a network using a wireless LAN or a general Ethernet (registered trademark) cable may be used.

  The control unit 15 operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12 and can be realized by a CPU or the like. The control unit 15 receives an authentication request via the global network or the local network, performs an authentication process based on the authentication request, and performs a process of returning the result to the request side.

  Specifically, when receiving the authentication request, the control unit 15 extracts information such as a user name and a password included in the authentication request. Then, the authentication information stored in the storage unit 13 is compared with the extracted information, and the comparison result is transmitted and output as an authentication result.

  In addition, when the control unit 15 receives a communication request from the terminal device 3 to the service providing server on the global network after successfully authenticating the terminal device 3 connected to the local network, the control unit 15 receives the data related to the communication request. To the service providing server on the global network. In addition, a response received from the service providing server is transmitted and output to the terminal device 3 connected to the local network. In other words, in the present embodiment, the home server 1 functions as a global network connection outlet in the home.

  Further, the control unit 15 receives a request for provision start time information from a server that provides a service, for example, the information providing server 4, reads the provision start time information from the storage unit 13, and receives the request from the information providing server 4 that is the request source. Send to.

  The communication unit 31 of the terminal device 3 is connected to a local network. The communication unit 31 outputs data received via the local network to the control unit 32. Also, various requests are transmitted via the local network in accordance with instructions input from the control unit 32.

  The control unit 32 can be realized by a CPU, for example, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 33. The control unit 32 transmits data related to a service request or the like to the service providing server (for example, the information providing server 4) on the global network via the communication unit 31, and from the service providing server via the communication unit 31. In response to the above response, processing such as displaying on the display unit 35 is performed.

  The storage unit 33 can be realized by, for example, a memory element such as an EEPROM or a RAM, and holds a program executed by the control unit 32. The storage unit 33 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 32.

  The operation unit 34 is a keypad or the like, and outputs the content of the user's instruction operation to the control unit 32. The display unit 35 includes a liquid crystal display, a speaker, and the like, displays an image according to an instruction input from the control unit 32, and sounds a sound.

  The communication unit 41 of the information providing server 4 is a network card, for example, and is connected to the global network. The communication unit 41 transmits data via the global network in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 42. When data addressed to the information providing server 4 is received via the global network, the data is output to the control unit 42.

  The control unit 42 is a CPU or the like and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 43. The control unit 42 receives a provision request for information stored in the storage unit 44 and performs a process of responding to the provision request. The specific contents of this processing will be described in detail later.

  The storage unit 43 is a memory element or a hard disk device that stores a program executed by the control unit 42. The storage unit 43 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 42.

  The storage unit 44 is, for example, a hard disk array or the like, and holds at least one target information to be provided. In the present embodiment, timing information related to each target information is associated with each target information and stored in the storage unit 44. Specifically, the storage unit 44 may receive a television signal broadcasted by a broadcasting station in various places and store video / audio information obtained by demodulating the signal as target information to be provided. In this case, video / audio information is sequentially transmitted from a tuner group (not shown) (receives signals of each broadcasting station), encoder group (generates video / audio information from the signals received by the tuner group) to the storage unit 44. Audio information is written.

  Here, the timing information represents a reference time point for determining whether or not provision is possible. Specifically, if the target information is information obtained by recording a television program, this timing information is, for example, broadcast date information of the recorded television program.

  Here, the response process to the provision request by the control unit 42 will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the target information is information obtained by recording a television program. In addition to the above timing information, the storage unit 44 stores bibliographic information such as the channel and program name on which the program is broadcast and broadcast area specifying information for specifying the broadcast area in association with the target information. And

  The request received by the information providing server 4 from the terminal device 3 via the home server 1 includes information for specifying a program related to the user's request. Here, the information specifying the program is bibliographic information such as a channel and a program name. The control unit 42 starts the process shown in FIG. 5 and searches the storage unit 44 for program data specified by the information included in the request (S1). As a result of the search, timing information associated with the obtained program information is acquired (S2).

  Further, the control unit 42 transmits a request for provision start time information to the home server 1 (home server 1 that relays data transmission / reception with the requesting terminal device 3), and provides the provision start time information from the home server 1. Obtain (S3).

  The control unit 42 checks whether or not the timing indicated by the provision start time information is temporally earlier (past) than the timing indicated by the timing information related to the program information acquired in step S2 ( S4). That is, it is checked whether or not the service provision contract was made before the date and time when the program related to the request was aired.

  Information can be provided if the timing indicated by the provision start time information is temporally earlier (if Yes) than the timing indicated by the timing information related to the program information acquired in step S2. The program data relating to the request is transmitted to the terminal device 3 (S5). This distribution may be performed using a known streaming protocol.

  On the terminal device 3 side, the streaming data is received via the home server 1, the video is displayed on the display unit 15, the sound is sounded, and is provided for viewing by the user.

  In process S4, the timing indicated by the provision start time information is not temporally earlier (if No) than the timing indicated by the timing information related to the program information acquired in process S2, that is, If the service provision contract is made after the date and time when the program related to the request is broadcast, a message stating that “the program before the contract date and time cannot be viewed” is transmitted to the terminal device 3. (S6), and the process ends. In this case, the terminal device 3 receives the message via the home server 1 and displays it on the display unit 15 to notify the user.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, control is performed so that information relating to the timing before the contract is not provided. As a result, it is possible to correct an unfair feeling about the service provision contract. Further, according to the present embodiment, the information of the broadcasted program is recorded without receiving a recording instruction. That is, even when the recording instruction is forgotten, the broadcasted program can be viewed. Even programs that were not of interest at the time of airing can be viewed later. Furthermore, since the information recorded in the storage unit 44 of the information providing server 4 is provided to a plurality of users, it is not necessary to provide a storage area for each user, and the cost of the entire system is reduced. it can. Moreover, the cost burden per individual user can be reduced.

  In the above description, the case where the provision start time information is compared with the timing information has been described. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this.

  For example, the home server 1 holds installation area specifying information for specifying the area in which the home server 1 is installed, and when receiving a request for the installation area specifying information from the information providing server 4, You may deliver to the information provision server 4 side. The information providing server 4 includes broadcast area specifying information for specifying the broadcast area associated with the program requested from the terminal device 3, and installation area specifying information acquired from the home server 1 that mediates communication with the terminal device 3. If the area specified by the broadcasting area specifying information includes the area specified by the setting area specifying information, it is determined that the information can be provided and specified by the broadcasting area specifying information. If the area does not include the area specified by the installation area specifying information, it is determined that the information cannot be provided.

  Furthermore, although the installation area information is requested | required with respect to the home server 1 which mediates communication here, for example, when the user has installed the home server 1 in each of a plurality of areas (for example, 2 in Tokyo and Osaka) If the home server 1 is installed in each location), the authentication server specifying information for specifying the authenticated home server 1 is transmitted to the information providing server 4, and the information providing server 4 However, the provision start time information and the installation area information may be acquired from the home server 1 specified by the authentication server specifying information.

  In other words, in the above-described example, the terminal device 3 is operated in the home on the Tokyo side, the home server 1 on the Tokyo side is connected to the global network, and the authentication process is performed on the home server 1 on the Osaka side. Then, when the terminal device 3 is operated to request the recording information of the program from the information providing server 4, the information specifying the Osaka-side home server 1 for which the terminal device 3 has performed the authentication process, and the recording information The request is transmitted to the information providing server 4 side. This transmission is performed via the home server 1 on the Tokyo side.

  The information providing server 4 receives information specifying the Osaka-side home server 1 and a request for recording information, and acquires provision start time information and installation area information from the Osaka-side home server 1.

  Then, referring to the timing information associated with the recording information related to the request and the broadcast area specifying information, (1) the timing indicated by the provision start time information is the timing indicated by the timing information related to the program information, (2) If the area specified by the installation area specifying information (“Osaka area”) is included in the area specified by the broadcast area specifying information (2) before the time, the recording information is stored in the terminal device. Delivered to the 3rd side.

  Furthermore, in this case, the information providing server 4 may acquire provision start time information and installation area information from the home server 1 on the Tokyo side that mediates communication with the terminal device 3. That is, provision start time information and installation area information may be acquired from a plurality of home servers 1 installed by the user.

  In this case, the information providing server 4 stores the provision start time information acquired from each home server 1 and the installation area information in association with each other. Then, referring to the timing information associated with the recording information related to the request and the broadcast area specifying information, the area included in the broadcast area specifying information among the installation area information acquired from the plurality of home servers 1 is represented. To extract. Here, when no installation area information is extracted, it is determined that the information cannot be provided.

  Further, when the installation area information is extracted, the provisional start time information stored in association with each of the extracted installation area information is selected in the past in time.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the timing indicated by the selected provision start time information is temporally earlier than the timing indicated by the timing information related to the program information. The requested recording information is distributed to the terminal device 3 side.

  According to this, if the home server 1 is installed, the user can view a program broadcast in the area where the home server 1 is installed even in a remote area.

  Further, the control unit 42 of the information providing server 4 may delete information that is a target of provision stored in the storage unit 44 and that has passed a predetermined time from the time of recording. In this case, information specifically designated by the user may be excluded from the deletion target. Specifically, a list of information designated by the user and excluded from the deletion process is stored in the storage unit 43 or the storage unit 44, and the control unit 42 selects the list of information that has passed a predetermined time. The information that is not excluded from the deletion process may be selectively deleted.

  In addition, when it removes from the object of deletion based on designation | designated of a user in this way, it is good also as charging a predetermined amount with respect to a user. Further, this billing amount may be determined as follows. That is, when the target information stored in the storage unit 44 is excluded from the deletion target due to the user's designation, the number of users who made the designation is obtained by dividing the predetermined charging amount. May be. According to this, when specifying to exclude certain information from the deletion target, as the number of specified users increases, the billing amount for each user is reduced.

1 is a configuration block diagram of a service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a home server 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal device 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing server 4. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the information providing server 4. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Home server, 3 Terminal device, 4 Information provision server, 11 1st communication part, 12, 33, 43 Storage part, 13, 44 Storage part, 14 2nd communication part, 15, 32, 42 Control part, 31, 41 Communication unit, 34 operation unit, 35 display unit.

Claims (3)

Connected to the user side device,
At least one target information to be provided is held in association with timing information related to each target information,
Upon receiving at least one request for the target information from the user side device, the information about the start time of provision of the target information, which is defined for the user of the user side device,
Compare the acquired information with the timing information about the requested target information,
An information providing server that distributes the requested target information when it is determined that provision is possible based on a result of the comparison. An information providing server control method for holding at least one target information to be provided in association with timing information related to each target information,
Receiving at least one request for the target information from a user side device, obtaining information representing a provision start time of the target information defined for a user of the user side device;
A step of comparing the acquired information with timing information related to the requested target information;
A step of delivering the requested target information when it is determined that it can be provided based on the result of the comparison;
An information providing server control method characterized by causing A control program of an information providing server that holds at least one target information to be provided in association with timing information related to each target information.
Upon receiving at least one request for the target information from the user side device, a procedure for obtaining information indicating a provision start time of the target information, which is defined for the user of the user side device;
A procedure for comparing the acquired information with timing information related to the requested target information;
A procedure for delivering the requested target information when it is determined that the information can be provided based on the result of the comparison;
An information providing server control program characterized in that

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