JP2007274318A - Broadcasting content reproduction system, and broadcasting content reproduction method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcasting content reproduction system for supplying the contents of high quality through a network to the terminal of a user inexpensively. <P>SOLUTION: A reproduction permission means 14 inhibits the reproduction of broadcasting contents when the present time is before the broadcasting start time and permits the reproduction of the broadcasting contents when the present time is after the broadcasting start time according to a permission request. A content reproducing device 3 is provided with a program reservation means 31 for reserving the broadcasting contents, a downloading means 32 for downloading the broadcasting contents before the broadcasting start time and issuing the permission request on the basis of the reservation, and a content reproducing means 35 for reproducing the downloaded broadcasting contents on the basis of the permission. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast content reproduction system and a broadcast content reproduction method, and more particularly, to a broadcast content reproduction system and a broadcast content reproduction method for reproducing content such as moving images and music broadcast via a network such as the Internet.

  In the Internet, data packets sent from a transmission source to a transmission destination can take various routes. This means that data packets are transferred in different areas at various speeds in an irregular pattern on the network. Therefore, the performance of data transfer is determined by the average throughput until the entire content distribution is completed.

  On the other hand, broadcast contents such as moving images and music are electronic data having time constraints on data transfer. In other words, the broadcast content needs to transmit necessary data to a transmission destination within a certain time. Therefore, streaming that can start rendering data before receiving the entire file is used for broadcasting content distribution. However, in streaming, data must be stably supplied to a reproduction application (program) that renders data. When the data supply is delayed from a predetermined timing, the data rendering is not smooth, and the quality of the moving image or music is deteriorated. From this point of view, the current Internet cannot be said to have satisfactory performance for delivering high-quality multimedia content with a high bit rate.

  In broadcasting using a program guide, access concentrates on popular programs. As a result, the consumption of bandwidth on the Internet during that time period increases, and the distribution performance per individual user decreases. For this reason, in order to distribute broadcast contents, it is necessary to have a distribution facility that can meet many demands and a network bandwidth for distribution on the Internet.

  In such an environment, the service provider that supplies the content cannot control the demand for the bandwidth on the Internet and the supply for the current bandwidth, and thus cannot guarantee an acceptable quality of service for the user. Therefore, the current level of service is lowered, for example, by lowering the quality (image quality, sound quality) of the content.

  As a means for solving such a problem, for example, in order to avoid concentration of access to a server that broadcasts content and to shorten the time to start a service, a user terminal (multipoint connection terminal device) Has been proposed to supply broadcast contents to other users' terminals (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Also, for example, in order to avoid concentration of access to a server that broadcasts content and efficiently distribute content, P2P communication is performed from a user terminal (member terminal device) to another user terminal. It has been proposed to supply broadcast content (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-341582 A JP 2005-252325 A

  In addition to the Internet restrictions described above, in recent years, there is a tendency for large-volume data transmission to become commonplace. This is due to the fact that most computers are equipped with large-capacity hard disks because large-capacity hard disks are cheaper and the bit unit price is greatly reduced. In addition, as a result of the price reduction and broadbandization of users' Internet access lines, the bandwidth on the download side at the end close to Internet users has increased, and the shift from ADSL lines to fiber optic lines has progressed. As a result, the bandwidth on the upload side has also increased. Another cause is that the environment for constant connection to the Internet has become common.

  However, basically, the conventional Internet broadcast is to increase the distribution facilities according to the expected number of users, set an upper limit on the number of users, target a specific number of users, or stream distribution Distributing broadcast content to a large number of users is achieved by supplying content to users with reduced content quality. For this reason, as the number of users increases, the cost for facility enhancement increases. Also, users exceeding the set upper limit number cannot use the broadcast content distribution service.

  Thus, since the equipment cost is higher than the service that can be supplied and the number of users is limited, the value as a medium does not increase. As a result, qualitatively and quantitatively satisfying content is not supplied from the content owner, the price of content distribution is high, and the value of advertising such as commercials is low due to the small absolute number, even in business The current situation is that content must be paid.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast content reproduction system that supplies high-quality content to a user terminal via a network at low cost.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast content reproduction method for supplying high-quality content to a user terminal via a network at a low cost.

  The broadcast content reproduction system of the present invention comprises a broadcast device and a plurality of content reproduction devices. In response to a download request from the content playback device, the broadcast device uploads broadcast content, and in response to a permission request from the content playback device, broadcast start of the broadcast content whose current time is reserved When it is before the time, playback of the downloaded broadcast content is prohibited, and when the current time is after the broadcast start time, playback permission means for permitting playback of the downloaded broadcast content. Each of the plurality of content reproduction devices reserves broadcast content, and, based on the reservation, sends the download request to the upload unit for the reserved broadcast content before the broadcast start time. Download means for issuing and downloading; permission request means for issuing the permission request for reproduction of the reserved broadcast content to the reproduction permission means; and the downloaded broadcast content based on the permission Playback means for playback.

  Preferably, in one embodiment of the present invention, the reproduction means reproduces the downloaded broadcast content in synchronization with the broadcast time, or reproduces the downloaded broadcast content from the beginning.

  Preferably, in one embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast device further includes download management information indicating to which content playback device the broadcast content or a piece thereof has been downloaded, and in response to the download request, Management means for uploading the management information to the download means is provided. The download means downloads the reserved broadcast content or a piece thereof from another content playback device based on the download management information.

  Preferably, in one embodiment of the present invention, the management unit further includes contribution management information indicating a degree to which the content playback device has downloaded the broadcast content or a piece thereof to another content playback device, A priority is given to the download request from each of the plurality of content reproduction devices based on the contribution management information.

  A broadcast content reproduction method according to the present invention is a broadcast content reproduction method in a broadcast content reproduction system including a broadcast device and a plurality of content reproduction devices. The broadcast content reproduction method reserves broadcast content, and before the broadcast start time based on the reservation. When the reserved broadcast content is downloaded and the current time is before the broadcast start time of the reserved broadcast content, reproduction of the downloaded broadcast content is prohibited, and the current time is the broadcast start time. If after, the reproduction of the downloaded broadcast content is permitted, and the downloaded broadcast content is reproduced based on the permission.

  According to the broadcast content reproduction system of the present invention, the broadcast content reserved before the broadcast start time is downloaded, and the reproduction of the broadcast content is permitted only when the current time is after the broadcast start time. it can. As a result, broadcast content downloads are distributed, broadcast content download requests are prevented from being concentrated on the broadcast device at the broadcast start time, and the downloaded broadcast content is reproduced before the broadcast start time. Can be prevented.

  As a result, network restrictions can be virtually ignored, and even if transmission of large volumes of data becomes commonplace, there is no need to limit the number of users or reduce content quality without increasing distribution facilities. Distribution of broadcast content to the user can be realized. Rather, as the number of users increases, broadcast content downloads can be distributed more effectively and broadcast content can be distributed to more users.

  In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, broadcast content can be reproduced in synchronization with the broadcast time or from the beginning. As a result, the user can view the broadcast content by selecting a viewing mode for his / her convenience.

  Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, broadcast content or a piece thereof can be downloaded from a broadcast device or other content playback device based on download management information. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the download of the broadcast content from being concentrated on the broadcast device and to distribute it.

  Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, based on the contribution management information, for example, the content playback device may preferentially download new broadcast content according to the contribution to the download to other content playback devices. Can do. Thereby, an incentive to participate in downloading to other content playback devices can be given to the content playback device (that is, user), and more content playback devices can contribute to the download of broadcast content.

  1 and 2 show an example of the configuration of a broadcast content reproduction system of the present invention that implements the broadcast content reproduction method of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the broadcast content reproduction system includes a broadcast device 1 and a plurality of content reproduction devices 3 connected to the broadcast device 1 via a network 2. The network 2 is composed of the Internet, for example.

  The broadcast device 1 is a computer or content distribution server provided in a broadcaster, and broadcasts broadcast content (hereinafter also referred to as a program) 16 toward a network 2 that connects many users such as the Internet. The broadcast device 1 may be provided in a service provider. The broadcasting device 1 includes an electronic program guide providing unit 11, a content reproduction device management unit 12, an upload unit 13, and a reproduction permission unit 14.

  The content playback device 3 is a computer provided to a user (user or viewer). The content playback device 3 is connected to a network 2 such as the Internet. Is used. The content reproduction apparatus 3 includes a program reservation unit 31, a download unit 32, a content storage unit 33, an upload unit 34, and a content reproduction unit 35.

  In the broadcasting device 1, the electronic program guide providing means 11 includes a program guide 15 as shown in FIG. 2 and supplies this to the program reservation means 31 of the content reproduction device 3. The program table 15 is a table in which broadcast schedules of programs broadcast by the broadcasting device 1 are arranged in order of the broadcast start time. The program guide 15 is registered in advance in the electronic program guide providing means 11 prior to broadcasting of the corresponding broadcast content 16. That is, the broadcaster registers the program table 15 (to be exact, the program portion of the program table 15) for the broadcast content 16 to be broadcasted in the electronic program table providing means 11 of the broadcasting device 1. As a result, the program guide 15 can be accessed from the content reproduction apparatus 3.

  An example of the program table 15 is shown in FIG. The program table 15 stores, for example, the broadcast start time, broadcast end time, and configuration information for each program name (broadcast content 16). Therefore, the broadcast content 16 has an attribute of time about the start and end of the broadcast. As shown in FIG. 3B, for example, the configuration information includes piece # 1, commercial # 1, piece # 2, commercial # 2, piece # 3, commercial # 1,. Configuration information indicating that

  As shown in FIG. 2, the content reproduction device management unit 12 includes a downloadable list 17 and supplies this to the download unit 32 of the content reproduction device 3. The downloadable list 17 includes download information indicating from which broadcast device 1 or content reproduction device 3 the broadcast content 16 (or a piece thereof) should be downloaded, and is updated as needed to indicate the latest state.

  An example of the downloadable list 17 is shown in FIG. The downloadable list 17 is, for example, a content reproduction device 3 (upload means) that can be a download source (transmission source) for another content reproduction device 3 for each program name and piece name (piece of broadcast content 16). 34 IP addresses). One or a plurality of the content reproduction devices 3 are stored. Thereby, it can download from the content reproduction apparatus 3 different for every piece.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the content playback device management means 12 includes a contribution list 18 and determines the priority order of download to the content playback device 3 based on the contribution list 18. The contribution list 18 includes contribution information indicating which content playback device 3 is downloading more broadcast content 16 to other content playback devices 3, and is updated as necessary to indicate the latest state.

  An example of the contribution list 18 is shown in FIG. The contribution list 18 stores, for example, for each content reproduction device 3, the accumulation of the amount of data that causes the other content reproduction device 3 to download the broadcast content 16, and the rank based on this. The rank is increased as the amount of data increases. The priority for downloading various broadcast contents 16 from the broadcast apparatus 1 is determined by the rank. The data amount may be the number of downloaded broadcast contents 16 or the accumulated download time of the downloaded broadcast contents 16.

  Uploading the broadcast content 16 only from the broadcast apparatus 1 causes an increase in the cost of the upload distribution facility and the bandwidth of the network connected to the Internet. Therefore, in this example, as described above, the broadcast content 16 is downloaded from the content reproduction device 3 to another content reproduction device 3. Thereby, the cost of the line of the broadcast apparatus 1 and the network 2 can be reduced, and the supply price of the broadcast content 16 supplied to the user can be reduced.

  Here, the reservation for the program to be viewed is made earlier than the broadcast start time of the program, which can contribute to the download to the other content reproduction device 3. Therefore, the broadcasting device 1 causes the content reproduction device 3 that has a high contribution to the system to download preferentially. As a result, more content playback devices 3 perform distribution to other content playback devices 3, and as a result, the broadcast content 16 can be distributed to more content playback devices 3 earlier. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upload unit 13 includes broadcast contents 16 of a plurality of programs broadcast by the broadcast device 1, and supplies these to the download unit 32 of the content reproduction device 3. The broadcast content 16 is registered in advance in the upload means 13 prior to the broadcast. That is, the broadcaster registers the broadcast content 16 to be broadcast in the upload unit 13 of the broadcast apparatus 1. As a result, the broadcast content 16 is made accessible from the content reproduction device 3. The broadcast content 16 may be registered simultaneously with the registration of the program guide 15.

  An example of the broadcast content 16 is shown in FIG. The broadcast content 16 is divided into pieces of a variable length size (part of broadcast content 16 or partial contents 161, 162) as necessary in the broadcast device 1 or the content reproduction device 3. In this example, different pieces 161 and 162 of the same broadcast content 16 can be downloaded from a plurality of different content reproduction apparatuses 3 (the same applies to other download descriptions). Accordingly, the pieces 161 and 162 are download units.

  The broadcast content 16 is composed of a plurality of pieces 161, 162, for example, piece # 1, commercial # 1, piece # 2, commercial # 2, piece # 3, commercial # 1,. Piece # 1 or the like is the main broadcast content 161 constituting the content of the program (broadcast content 16). Commercial # 1 or the like is commercial broadcast content 162 that is an advertisement and does not constitute the content of the program. Therefore, the types of broadcast content 16 include main broadcast content 161 and commercial broadcast content 162. Further, it can be considered that one program (broadcast content 16) is composed of a plurality of broadcast content 16.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reproduction permission unit 14 includes a permission condition list 19 and gives a permission for reproduction to the content reproduction apparatus 3. In other words, when there is a reproduction request for the broadcast content 16 from the content reproduction device 3, the reproduction permission means 14 determines whether or not the broadcast content 16 can be reproduced based on the permission condition list 19, and the determination result is used as the content reproduction device. 3 is transmitted. The permission condition list 19 includes permission condition information indicating which broadcast content 16 should be permitted to be reproduced from which time, and is determined in advance by a contract between the user and the broadcaster and the program table 15.

  An example of the permission condition list 19 is shown in FIG. The permission condition list 19 stores, for example, a permission condition that is a condition for allowing reproduction and a deletion condition that is a condition that should be deleted for each content reproduction apparatus 3. The permission condition includes, for example, the broadcast start time of the program guide 15. The erasure condition includes, for example, a predetermined time after the broadcast end time of the program guide 15 has elapsed. The erasing conditions can be determined empirically.

  In the content reproduction device 3, the program reservation means 31 requests the electronic program guide providing means 11 of the broadcasting device 1 to acquire the program guide 15, and acquires the program guide 15 as a response, and displays the display of the content playback device 3, etc. Displayed on an output device (not shown). Thereby, the user can browse the program guide 15. Based on the program table 15, the user selects a program that the user wants to watch from the programs broadcast from the broadcast device 1 from an input device (not shown) of the content reproduction device 3. That is, reservation and viewing information are input.

  The download unit 32 requests the upload unit 13 of the broadcast apparatus 1 to download the broadcast content 16 based on the input reservation and viewing information, receives (downloads) the broadcast content 16 as a response, and receives the content. Store in the storage means 33. When the downloadable list 17 is received as the response, the download means 32 transmits a download request to the other content reproduction device 3 (upload means 34) shown in the downloadable list 17, from which the broadcast content 16 is transmitted. Download.

  The download means 32 sends the broadcast content 16 (or its piece) that has been downloaded as a piece that can be uploaded to the upload means 34. As a result, the broadcast content 16 (or a piece thereof) can be uploaded to another content reproduction device 3.

  The download unit 32 notifies the content reproduction device management unit 12 of the status (upload status) of the broadcast content 16 (or piece) that has been downloaded, at each download or periodically. That is, it is notified from the broadcast device 1 or which content reproduction device 3 which broadcast content 16 (or a piece thereof) of which data amount has been downloaded. Based on this, the content reproduction device management means 12 updates the downloadable list 17 each time, and supplies the updated downloadable list 17 to another content reproduction device 3 that makes a new download request. . If none of the content playback devices 3 has downloaded the broadcast content 16 (or any piece thereof), the broadcast content 16 (or all the pieces thereof) is downloaded from the broadcast device 1.

  Further, based on the notification of the upload status, the content reproduction device management means 12 updates the contribution list 18 each time, and based on the updated contribution list 18, the content reproduction device management means 12 transmits the download request to the content reproduction device 3. Priorities for downloading are determined, and downloads are made in that order, or a downloadable list 17 is supplied.

  The content storage unit 33 stores the broadcast content 16 downloaded from the broadcast device 1 or other content playback device 3 by the download unit 32. When the broadcast content 16 is divided into a plurality of pieces (or a plurality of broadcast contents 16), the content storage means 33 edits the plurality of pieces of the broadcast content 16 before the broadcast starts, and one broadcast Content 16 is assumed.

  The content storage means 33 checks whether or not the download of the broadcast content 16 (or all of its pieces) has been completed based on the program guide 15. For this purpose, the program guide 15 is sent from the program reservation unit 31 to the content storage unit 33. When the entire broadcast content 16 (or all pieces thereof) is downloaded, the content storage means 33 connects them and restores the original broadcast content 16. Such processing may be executed by the content reproduction means 35.

  Note that the same commercial content 162 may be played a plurality of times between the broadcast start time and the broadcast end time. For example, in FIG. 3B, the commercial content 162 (# 1) is reproduced twice. In this case, only one piece of the same commercial content 162 (# 1) is downloaded and stored in the content storage unit 33, and is read and used twice for the playback during playback.

  The upload unit 34 transmits the broadcast content 16 downloaded to the content reproduction device 3 to another content reproduction device 3. That is, when receiving the download request from the other content playback device 3, the upload unit 34 reads out the broadcast content 16 (or its piece) from the content storage unit 33 in response to the download request, and plays back the other content. It is transmitted (uploaded) to the device 3 (the download means 32). As a result, the content reproduction device 3 becomes a transmission source of the broadcast content 16 for the other content reproduction devices 3.

  When the reproduction permission is obtained, the content reproduction means 35 reproduces the broadcast content 16 downloaded and stored in the content storage means 33. That is, the broadcast content 16 is output on an output device such as a display or a speaker of the content reproduction device 3. As a result, the user can view the broadcast content 16. Prior to this reproduction, the content reproduction means 35 requests the reproduction permission from the reproduction permission means 14 of the broadcasting apparatus 1. In response to this, the reproduction permission unit 14 reproduces only when the permission request satisfies the permission condition, that is, when the current time (actual or actual time) reaches the broadcast start time of the broadcast content 16. Is given to the content reproduction means 35. Thereby, the broadcast content 16 stored in the content storage means 33 is not reproduced until the broadcast start time is reached.

  In accordance with an instruction from a user who wants to view a program (broadcast content 16) broadcast from the broadcast device 1, the program reservation means 31 accesses the electronic program guide provision means 11 to acquire the program guide 15 and outputs it to the output device. To display. The user selects a program to be viewed from the displayed program guide 15. Thereby, reservation and viewing information of the selected program are registered in the program reservation means 31.

  In response to this registration, the program reservation means 31 compares the current time with the broadcast start time of the selected program. For this purpose, the program reservation means 31 includes a timer (not shown) indicating the current time. If the current time is after the broadcast start time, it is determined that the selection of the program is viewing, and the reservation and viewing information are viewing information. In the case of viewing, the program reservation unit 31 causes the content reproduction unit 35 to reproduce the broadcast content 16 already downloaded to the content storage unit 33. If the current time is before the broadcast start time, the selection of the program is determined to be reservation, and the reservation and viewing information are determined to be reservation information. In the case of this reservation, the program reservation unit 31 causes the download unit 32 to immediately download the broadcast content 16 even before the broadcast start time. Thus, in the present invention, in response to a reservation from the content reproduction device 3 (user), the broadcast content 16 is distributed to the content reproduction device 3 before the broadcast start time, and reproduction permission is appropriately given.

  In the reproduction of the conventional broadcast content, if the selected program is currently being broadcast, the program is received and reproduced and displayed, and if the program is broadcast before the present, The program was scheduled for recording.

  In the case of the above reservation, the content reproduction device 3 immediately starts downloading the broadcast content 16. That is, in accordance with an instruction from the program reservation unit 31, the download unit 32 requests the upload unit 13 of the broadcasting device 1 to download the reserved program. At this time, as described above, the download of the broadcast content 16 can be performed from the content reproduction apparatus 3 that has already downloaded the broadcast content 16 as described above. Moreover, the download of the broadcast content 16 can be performed by using a part of the piece from the broadcast apparatus 1 and the other part of the piece from the other content reproduction apparatus 3.

  For this purpose, the program reservation means 31 inquires of the content reproduction apparatus management means 12 from which content reproduction apparatus 3 the broadcast content 16 (or its piece) can be downloaded, and the broadcast content 16 can be downloaded. A list 17 is received. The program reservation means 31 randomly selects one of the other downloadable content reproduction apparatuses 3 (upload means 34 thereof) from the received downloadable list 17 and responds to this by selecting the broadcast content 16 (or Request to download the piece). In response to this, the other content reproduction device 3 that has received the download request transmits (uploads) the broadcast content 16 (a piece thereof) to the content reproduction device 3.

  When the broadcast content 16 is played back by the content playback device 3, the content playback means 35 inquires of the playback permission means 14 whether or not the broadcast content 16 may be played back (requests playback) and plays back as a response. Playback is performed only when permission is obtained. For example, in the case of a program with a broadcast start time of 20:00, even if the download of the broadcast content 16 to the content storage means 33 is completed before 20:00, it cannot be played until 20:00 (or later). . Note that, as described above, permission for instructing playback is given in advance only when the current time reaches the broadcast start time, so that reproduction permission requests are not concentrated at the broadcast start time.

  On the other hand, when the current time is the broadcast start time (after) of the broadcast content 16, the content reproduction means 35 reproduces the broadcast content 16 that has already been reserved and has been downloaded to the content reproduction device 3. At this time, the reproduction is performed by any one of reproduction in synchronization with the program broadcast time and reproduction from the beginning of the content.

  Reproduction synchronized with the program broadcast time is performed by synchronizing the current viewing time with the broadcast time of the broadcast content 16. For example, when a broadcast program whose broadcast start time is from 20:00 is to be reproduced from 20:10, a 10-minute offset is added to the head of the broadcast content 16 that has already been downloaded, and the time code part is 10 minutes. Play from. This is equivalent to viewing a normal program for the user. In this case, in this example, operations such as fast-forward, rewind, and stop of the broadcast content 16 are prohibited.

  Reproduction from the beginning of the content is performed from the beginning of the broadcast content 16 that has already been downloaded, regardless of the current viewing time. This corresponds to the user recording a program once and viewing it later. In this case, in this example, operations such as fast forwarding, rewinding, and stopping of the broadcast content 16 are possible.

  The user reproduces the broadcast content 16 by selecting either reproduction synchronized with the program broadcast time or reproduction from the beginning of the content. In this example, playback from the top of the content can be selected only for the broadcast content 16 that the broadcaster has given permission to record. In addition, the broadcaster can additionally determine the number of reproducible times and the reproducible time limit for the broadcast content 16. These conditions are included in, for example, the permission conditions and are stored in the permission condition list 19.

  In the reproduction synchronized with the program broadcast time, the broadcast content 16 that has been granted reproduction permission and has been reproduced once is the content storage means when the erasure condition has expired, that is, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the broadcast end time. 33 is erased. In reproduction from the beginning of the content, the content is stored in the content storage means 33 simultaneously with the end of the broadcast, that is, the reproduction.

  Hereinafter, the reproduction processing of the broadcast content 16 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the broadcast content reproduction processing flow of FIGS.

  The broadcasting apparatus 1 prepares for broadcasting by the process shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a broadcast content reproduction processing flow of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the electronic program guide providing means 11 registers one or a plurality of broadcast contents 16 (step S11), and registers the program guide 15 of the contents 16 (step S12). Either step S11 or S12 may be executed first.

  Thereafter, the content reproduction device 3 views or reserves the broadcast content 16 broadcast by the broadcast device 1 by the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a broadcast content reproduction processing flow of the present invention. The program reservation means 31 displays the program table 15 on the output device of the content reproduction device 3 (step S21). When the selection of the program is input by the user who sees this (step S22), the program reservation means 31 checks whether the selection is viewing or reservation of the program (step S23), and the selection is a program. If the selection is a program reservation, the program selected by the selection is reproduced (step S24). If the selection is a program reservation, the program reserved by the selection is reserved (step S25).

  The process in step S24 is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a broadcast content reproduction processing flow of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, the content reproduction means 35 checks whether or not the reproduction request for the broadcast content 16 (program) is made after the broadcast start time of the program (within the broadcast time) (step S31). When the reproduction request is made before the broadcast start time of the program (before the broadcast time), the content reproduction means 35 does not reproduce the program (step S32).

  In step S31, when the reproduction request is made after the broadcast start time of the program (during the broadcast time), the content reproduction means 35 further checks whether or not the program has been downloaded (step S33). If already downloaded, the downloaded broadcast content (also referred to as program content) 16 is reproduced from the current time (step S34). If not downloaded, the program is directly received from the broadcasting device 1 by streaming. Then, playback is performed (step S35).

  In step S31, when the reproduction request is made after the broadcast start time of the program (after the end of the broadcast), the content reproduction means 35 further checks whether or not the program has been downloaded (step S36). If it has already been downloaded, the content reproduction means 35 further checks whether or not the reproduction of the program is within the permitted range for the user (step S37). If not within the permitted range, the broadcast content that has already been downloaded. 16 is deleted (step S38), and if it is within the permitted range, the downloaded broadcast content 16 is reproduced from the beginning (step S39). If the program has not been downloaded in step S36, the program is directly received from the broadcasting device 1 by streaming and played (step S310).

  The processing in step S25 is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a broadcast content reproduction processing flow of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, the download unit 32 inquires of the broadcast device 1 about the download destination of the broadcast content 16 (step S41), receives the download destination from the broadcast device 1 as a response thereto (step S42), and receives the broadcast content. It is checked whether or not 16 is a set (step S43). If it is not a set, the broadcast content 16 is downloaded (step S44). Thereafter, the download unit 32 transmits an end notification including the download destination information (step S48).

  If it is set, the download means 32 further checks whether or not the broadcast content 16 has been downloaded (step S45), and if not, downloads the broadcast content 16 (step S46). If it has already been downloaded, step S46 is omitted. Thereafter, the download means 32 further checks whether or not all the broadcast contents 16 in the set have been downloaded (step S47). If not downloaded, step S45 and subsequent steps are repeated. If it has been downloaded, step S48 is executed.

  In response to the execution of step S41, the broadcast device 1 shown in FIG. 8 performs a response process. FIG. 8 is a flow of a broadcast content reproduction process according to the present invention. In FIG. 8, when the content reproduction device management means 12 receives an inquiry about the download destination of the broadcast content 16 transmitted in step S41 from the content reproduction device 3 (step S51), the download of the broadcast content 16 is correspondingly received. The destination is notified to the content reproduction apparatus 3 (step S52).

  In response to execution of step S48, the broadcast apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 9 performs response processing. FIG. 9 is a broadcast content reproduction processing flow of the present invention. In FIG. 9, when the content playback device management means 12 receives the end notification including the download destination information transmitted in step S48 (step S61), based on this, the download destination in the content playback device 3 is managed, Update (step S62).

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the broadcast content playback system and method, there is no increase in network distribution facilities by distributing broadcast content downloads and preventing concentration of broadcast content download requests. Thus, it is possible to realize distribution of broadcast content to a large number of users without limiting the number of users or reducing content quality. As a result, as the number of users increases, the value as a medium can be increased, and content that is qualitatively and quantitatively satisfactory can be supplied regardless of the number of users. As a result, in the broadcast content reproduction system of the present invention, the price of content distribution is reduced, the value of advertising such as commercials is increased, and the content can be made free on business.

It is a block diagram of the broadcast content reproduction | regeneration system of this invention. It is a block diagram of the broadcast content reproduction | regeneration system of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the broadcast content reproduction | regeneration system of this invention. It is a broadcast content reproduction | regeneration processing flow of this invention. It is a broadcast content reproduction | regeneration processing flow of this invention. It is a broadcast content reproduction | regeneration processing flow of this invention. It is a broadcast content reproduction | regeneration processing flow of this invention. It is a broadcast content reproduction | regeneration processing flow of this invention. It is a broadcast content reproduction | regeneration processing flow of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Broadcast apparatus 2 Network 3 Content reproduction apparatus 11 Electronic program guide provision means 12 Content reproduction apparatus management means 13 Upload means 14 Reproduction permission means 31 Program reservation means 32 Download means 33 Content storage means 34 Upload means 35 Content reproduction means

Claims (5)

A broadcast content reproduction system comprising a broadcast device and a plurality of content reproduction devices,
The broadcasting device is
Upload means for uploading broadcast content in response to a download request from the content playback device;
If the current time is before the broadcast start time of the reserved broadcast content in response to a permission request from the content playback device, the playback of the downloaded broadcast content is prohibited, and the current time is the broadcast start time. And a playback permission means for permitting playback of the downloaded broadcast content,
Each of the plurality of content reproduction devices includes:
Reservation means for reserving broadcast content;
Download means for issuing the download request to the upload means and downloading the reserved broadcast content before the broadcast start time based on the reservation;
Permission request means for issuing the permission request for reproduction of the reserved broadcast content to the reproduction permission means;
A broadcast content reproduction system comprising: reproduction means for reproducing the downloaded broadcast content based on the permission. The broadcast content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction means reproduces the downloaded broadcast content in synchronization with the broadcast time, or reproduces the downloaded broadcast content from the beginning of the downloaded broadcast content. The broadcasting device further includes:
Having download management information indicating to which content playback device the broadcast content or a piece thereof has been downloaded, and comprising a management means for uploading the management information to the download means in response to the download request;
2. The broadcast content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the download unit downloads the reserved broadcast content or a piece thereof from another content reproduction device based on the download management information. The management means further includes contribution management information indicating a degree to which the content reproduction apparatus has downloaded the broadcast content or a piece thereof to another content reproduction apparatus, and the plurality of the plurality of pieces of the plurality of pieces of content management information are based on the contribution management information. 4. The broadcast content reproduction system according to claim 3, wherein priority is given to the download request from each of the content reproduction devices. A broadcast content reproduction method in a broadcast content reproduction system comprising a broadcast device and a plurality of content reproduction devices,
Reserve broadcast content,
Based on the reservation, the reserved broadcast content is downloaded before the broadcast start time,
When the current time is before the broadcast start time of the reserved broadcast content, the reproduction of the downloaded broadcast content is prohibited, and when the current time is after the broadcast start time, Licensed to play,
The broadcast content reproduction method, wherein the downloaded broadcast content is reproduced based on the permission.

Images