JP2010109657A - Content playback device, content playback system and content playback method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content playback device, a content playback system, and a content playback method automatically performing playback method suited to a video content. <P>SOLUTION: The content playback device 1 includes: a communication part 10 for communicating with the outside; a quality evaluation part 15 for receiving a video content 30a and a quality evaluation table 40a including quality management value corresponding to the video content 30a via the communication part 10 from outside and determining a playback method of the video content 30a on the basis of the quality evaluation value; and a control unit 13 for playing back the video content 30a on the basis of the determined playback method. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reproduction apparatus, a content reproduction system, and a content reproduction method.

  As a conventional technique, there is a content playback apparatus that adjusts an image quality to an optimum level according to the video content and a device to be played back when the video content is played back (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This content playback device is connected to a content providing server that publishes video content via a network, and can receive video content from the content providing server and play it on the main body. By simultaneously obtaining image quality adjustment data associated with the identification information of the content reproduction device and the identification information of the video content, it is possible to perform optimum image quality adjustment for the content reproduction device and the video content.

However, according to the conventional content reproduction apparatus, if there is no image quality adjustment data corresponding to the content reproduction apparatus and the video content, the user must set manually, and the operation is complicated. Further, since the image quality adjustment data sets only the image quality of the video content, there is a problem that other operations cannot be executed and the applicability is poor.
JP 2007-25294 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a content reproduction apparatus, a content reproduction system, and a content reproduction method capable of automatically executing a reproduction method suitable for video content.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention receives a communication unit communicating with the outside, a video content and a quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content from the outside via the communication unit, and the quality evaluation There is provided a content reproduction apparatus comprising: a quality evaluation unit that determines a reproduction method of the video content based on a value; and a control unit that reproduces the video content based on the determined reproduction method.

  According to the configuration described above, the quality management value corresponding to the video content to be played back is acquired, and the playback method of the video content is restricted based on the quality management value. In addition, high-quality video content can be normally played back.

(2) To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a content providing server that provides video content, a content quality management server that manages quality evaluation values of the video content, the content providing server, and the content quality management server, A communication unit that communicates, and a quality evaluation unit that receives the video content and the quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content via the communication unit, and determines a playback method of the video content based on the quality evaluation value And a content playback apparatus that includes a control unit that plays back the video content based on the determined playback method.

  According to the above configuration, a content reproduction system having the same effect as (1) can be realized.

(3) To achieve the above object, the present invention receives a video content and a quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content from the outside, and determines a playback method of the video content based on the quality evaluation value. A content reproduction method comprising: a quality evaluation step; and a reproduction step of reproducing the video content based on the determined reproduction method.

  According to the configuration described above, it is possible to realize a content reproduction method having the same effect as (1).

  According to the present invention, a reproduction method suitable for video content can be automatically executed.

  Embodiments of a content playback apparatus, a content playback system, and a content playback method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment]
(Content playback system configuration)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a content reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The content reproduction system 100 includes a content reproduction device 1 that reproduces video content, a display device 2 that displays a video signal output when the content reproduction device 1 reproduces video content, and a video content 30 that is stored therein. The content providing server 3 provided to the content reproducing apparatus 1 via the network 6 and the quality management table 40 indicating the quality of the video content 30 stored by the content providing server 3 are stored therein and stored in the content reproducing apparatus 1 via the network 6. A content quality management server 4 to be provided and a personal computer (PC) 5 for registering video content 50 stored therein in the content providing server via a network are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the content reproduction apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The content reproduction apparatus 1 is connected to the network 6 and communicates with the outside, the output unit 11 that is connected to the display apparatus 2 and outputs a video signal of the reproduced video content, and controls the reproduction state of the video content. An operation unit 12, a control unit 13 that controls each unit and reproduces video content, a memory 14 that temporarily stores information, a video content acquired via the communication unit 10, and a video based on a quality management table And a quality evaluation unit 15 for determining a content reproduction method.

  The memory 14 stores the video content 30 a received from the content providing server 3 and the quality management table 40 a received from the content quality management server 4.

  The quality evaluation unit 15 stores the user setting value 150 on a non-illustrated non-volatile memory provided on the quality evaluation unit 15. The user setting value 150 is a value corresponding to the quality evaluation value of the video content, and is set by the user.

  A quality evaluation value is defined by a degree including a plurality of quality factors, for example, flicker phenomenon, camera shake, low resolution, multiple noise, abrupt volume change, inappropriate keywords, etc., and numerical values obtained by weighting each quality factor. Expressed as the sum of

  The quality evaluation unit 15 is defined by a numerical value of, for example, 1 to 10. When the quality evaluation value of the video content is higher than this value, the quality evaluation unit 15 normally reproduces the video, and when it is low, restricts the video reproduction method.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content quality management server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The content quality management server 4 is connected to the network 6 and communicates with the outside, a control unit 42 that controls each unit, a quality evaluation unit 43 that evaluates the quality of the video content 30 of the content providing server 3, And a storage unit 44 that stores a quality management table 40 as an evaluation result of the quality evaluation unit 43.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the content reproduction apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The display screen 20 includes a playback video 200 with a limited display size, a playback status display 201 that displays whether or not the playback video 200 is playback-restricted, a message 202 that indicates the content of the playback restriction, and the playback restriction is released. And a normal playback button 203 for

(Operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the content reproduction apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the content reproduction apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the quality evaluation unit 15 acquires the video content 30 desired by the user from the content providing server 3 via the communication unit 10 based on the user's operation content input to the operation unit 12 and stores the video content 30 in the memory 14. Stored as content 30a (S10).

  Next, the quality evaluation unit 15 requests the quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content 30 from the content quality management server 4 via the communication unit 10 (S11), and the quality evaluation corresponding to the video content 30a is made to the quality management table 40. If the value exists (S12; Yes), the quality management table 40 including the quality evaluation value is received and stored in the memory 14 as the quality management table 40a (S13).

  When the quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content 30a does not exist in the quality management table 40 (S12; No), the quality evaluation unit 15 evaluates the video content 30a and calculates a quality evaluation value (S18). A quality evaluation value is transmitted to the content quality management server so as to be registered in the quality management table 40 of the quality management server 4 (S19).

  Next, the quality evaluation unit 15 compares the quality evaluation value with the user setting value 150, and when the quality evaluation value is greater than or equal to the user setting value 150 (S14; Yes), the video content 30a is normally reproduced. The control unit 13 is operated to reproduce the video content 30a (S15). When the quality evaluation value is smaller than the user set value 150 (S14; No), the control unit 13 is operated to restrict the reproduction of the video content 30a and the video content 30a is reproduced (S15).

  Next, the operation history input by the user to the operation unit 12 during reproduction of the video content 30a is collected (S16), and the user operation history is fed back to the content quality management server 4 (S17).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the content quality management server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the quality evaluation unit 43 of the content quality management server 4 periodically visits the content providing server 3 and acquires the video content 30 (S20).

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the detailed quality evaluation value of the acquired video content 30 exists in the quality management table 40. If the detailed quality evaluation value exists (S21; Yes), the operation ends.

  If the detailed quality evaluation value does not exist (S21; No), the acquired video content 30 is evaluated in detail to calculate the detailed quality evaluation value (S22), and the detailed quality evaluation value is registered in the quality management table 40 ( S23).

  Here, the detailed evaluation means that the content quality management server 4 performs a quality evaluation that is more detailed than the quality evaluation with the same content as the quality evaluation performed by the content reproduction apparatus 1. For example, high-precision analysis of video and audio data is performed by high-load processing. In addition to the quality evaluation by the content reproduction apparatus 1, the evaluation content may be increased. The quality evaluation content quality management server 4 performs the above detailed evaluation when there is a margin in processing capacity and processing time in quality evaluation.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the content quality management server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the quality evaluation unit 43 of the content quality management server 4 statistically analyzes a quality evaluation value and a user operation history corresponding to a certain video content 30 received from the content reproduction apparatus 1 (S30).

  Next, when a detailed quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content 30 exists (S31; Yes), the quality evaluation unit 43 evaluates the quality of the video content 30 based on the analysis result and the detailed quality evaluation value in step S30. The value is calculated (S32), and the quality evaluation value in the quality management table 40 is updated (S33).

  If there is no detailed quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content 30 (S31; No), the quality evaluation unit 43 performs a detailed evaluation of the video content 30 to calculate a detailed quality evaluation value (S34), and goes to step S32. move on.

(Effect of embodiment)
According to the above embodiment, the quality control value corresponding to the video content 30a to be played back is acquired, and the playback method of the video content 30a is limited when the quality control value is smaller than a predetermined value. Video content playback methods are limited, and high-quality video content can be normally played back. Further, since the playback method is automatically limited according to the quality, it is possible to easily execute the limitation of the playback method that cannot be changed by a normal television or the like, or that takes time to change.

  If the quality management value corresponding to the video content 30 a does not exist in the content quality management server 4, the content playback apparatus 1 generates the quality management value and transmits the quality management value to the content quality management server 4. A quality control value corresponding to the content can always be prepared. The quality control value can also be generated from an operation history of the operation unit 12, for example, an operation history corresponding to a sudden volume change.

  Note that the video content playback method is not limited to a screen size limit or a volume limit, and other limits such as a change in the bit rate of video content and a change in playback time may be added.

It is the schematic which shows the structural example of the content reproduction system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the content quality management server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display of the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the content quality management server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the content quality management server which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content reproduction apparatus, 2 ... Display apparatus, 3 ... Content provision server, 4 ... Content quality management server, 5 ... Personal computer, 6 ... Network, 10 ... Communication part, 11 ... Output part, 12 ... Operation part, 13 ... Control unit, 14 ... Memory, 15 ... Quality evaluation unit, 20 ... Display screen, 30 ... Video content, 30a ... Video content, 40 ... Quality management table, 40a ... Quality management table, 41 ... Communication unit, 42 ... Control unit, 43 ... Quality evaluation unit, 44 ... Storage unit, 50 ... Video content, 100 ... Content playback system, 150 ... User set value, 200 ... Playback video, 201 ... Playback status display, 202 ... Message, 203 ... Normal playback button

Claims (11)

A communication unit communicating with the outside;
A quality evaluation unit that receives video content and a quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content from the outside via the communication unit, and determines a playback method of the video content based on the quality evaluation value;
And a control unit that plays back the video content based on the determined playback method.   The quality evaluation unit according to claim 1, wherein when the quality evaluation value cannot be received, the quality evaluation value is generated to generate a quality evaluation value and determine a reproduction method of the video content. Content playback device.   The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the quality evaluation unit transmits the generated quality evaluation value so as to be registered outside via the communication unit.   The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the quality evaluation unit transmits an operation content input when the video content is reproduced to be registered outside via the communication unit.   The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the quality evaluation unit restricts a display size of the video content to be reproduced as the reproduction method.   The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the quality evaluation unit restricts a sound volume of the video content to be reproduced as the reproduction method. A content providing server for providing video content;
A content quality management server for managing a quality evaluation value of the video content;
A communication unit that communicates with the content providing server and the content quality management server; and the video content and the quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content are received via the communication unit, and based on the quality evaluation value A content playback system comprising: a quality evaluation unit that determines a video content playback method; and a content playback device that includes a control unit that plays back the video content based on the determined playback method.   The content reproduction system according to claim 7, wherein the quality management server visits the content providing server to acquire the video content and generate a quality evaluation value of the video content.   If the content playback device cannot receive the quality evaluation value, the video content is subjected to quality evaluation, a quality evaluation value is generated, a playback method of the video content is determined, and an operation content during playback of the video content The content reproduction system according to claim 7, wherein the quality evaluation value and the generated operation content are transmitted to the quality management server.   The quality management server visits the content providing server to acquire the video content, generates a detailed quality evaluation value of the video content, and receives the quality evaluation value and the operation content from the content reproduction device The content reproduction system according to claim 9, wherein a quality evaluation value is newly generated from the detailed quality evaluation value, the quality evaluation value, and the operation content. A receiving step of receiving video content and a quality evaluation value corresponding to the video content from outside;
A quality evaluation step of determining a playback method of the video content based on the quality evaluation value;
And a playback step of playing back the video content based on the determined playback method.

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