JP2010147507A - Content reproducing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate metadata indicating tastes of viewing content not for predetermined groups and without input processing complicated to users. <P>SOLUTION: A content reproducing unit includes a metadata generation means for generating metadata for addition by relating to video content, and a community identification means for identifying a community to which the user belongs. By the metadata generation means, the metadata are generated by relating to the video content and the community identified by the community identification means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a service realization technique that is performed in association with viewing and playback of video content.

  In recent years, there have been a huge number of users due to the increase in TV broadcasting, the increase in sales volume of packaged video content such as DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs, and the spread of streaming video distribution over the Internet. The content is accessible.

Also, with the widespread use of DVD recorders and hard disk recorders, etc., a viewing style in which a program that has not yet been viewed is recorded for the time being and then viewed at a later time has become common. Furthermore, with the enhancement of the video playback function on portable devices such as mobile phones, the recorded video content can be watched even when commuting to work, etc., and the time restrictions for viewing the video content are small. It has become to.
JP 2004-159040 A

  However, the time that a user can spend on viewing content is limited, and there are many contents that have been recorded but are deleted without being viewed. Therefore, in the future, it will be necessary to provide a method that allows users to selectively view only content that is considered to be of interest to the user in accordance with the user's preference.

  The metadata providing system described in Patent Document 1 is an example of a system that distributes information (metadata) related to a TV program that suits the user's preference. The system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228561 is a TV program in the case where metadata specified in advance by a service user and metadata posted by a metadata contributor registered in a provider of a metadata providing service match. Is distributed to the user's device (preferably a personal computer). Based on the received information, the user's device makes a processing request such as channel selection or recording reservation to a device such as a TV or video that the user possesses. Here, the metadata is a character string representing an “interest field” prepared by the metadata providing provider. The fields of interest include, for example, professional baseball, movies, theater, gourmet, fashion, etc., and each has a hierarchical structure classified into subgroups as necessary.

  However, such a classification based on a hierarchical structure does not always work well.

  For example, in the example of the above-mentioned field of interest, it is necessary to designate a group of movies, theaters, and dishes as a field of interest for a fan of a talent who appears in movies and plays and is noisy in cooking. In fact, there are many other groups, so it is very burdensome for users to check all of them and register all the fields of interest.

  The field of interest is not created arbitrarily by the user, but is provided by the provider. Therefore, for example, a minor actor fan will receive metadata of an actor who is not interested if there is no subgroup of the actor as a subgroup of the movie group, and the usability of the metadata distribution service will be deteriorated. End up.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, it is assumed that metadata registration uses a device having an Internet connection function such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or a personal computer. In recent years, home appliances that handle video content such as a TV are also connected to the Internet. Since it has a function to connect, it is also possible to register metadata from home appliances.

  However, it is difficult to say that the conventional user interface of home appliances is suitable for realizing metadata registration with home appliances. In particular, a conventional remote controller is not convenient for inputting an arbitrary keyword as metadata and is not suitable.

  In view of the above problems, in the present invention, an existing community that is not originally related to the viewing of video content such as SNS is determined to be a group with similar hobbies and preferences in viewing the video content. Meta data related to content that the user may prefer without requiring complicated operations by determining the content that is being viewed or reserved for recording as content that the user is interested in. Provided is a content reproduction apparatus capable of generating data and transmitting it to the outside.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises metadata generation means for generating and adding metadata in association with video content, and community identification means for identifying a community to which a user belongs, by the metadata generation means, Metadata is generated in association with video content and the community identified by the community identifying means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a video reproduction method including means for reproducing video content, the metadata generation means for generating and adding metadata in association with the video content, and the community to which the user belongs. Community identification means for identifying, and by generating metadata in association with the video content and the community identified by the community identification means by the metadata generation means, while suppressing the burden of meta information input of the user, Metadata representing what kind of video content is being viewed in which community can be generated.

  In addition, the community identification means may use community information already gathered under the same hobbies and preferences by identifying a community based on a community formed by a social network service in which a user participates. It is possible to generate metadata representing what kind of video content is being viewed in which community with higher accuracy.

  In addition, the community identifying means uses information on mobile phones possessed by many users by identifying communities based on groups registered in the mobile phone directory possessed by the users. Thus, more metadata can be generated.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
First, an example of a configuration at the time of use will be described among implementation actions according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for a usage act of a method according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a player 101 adopts the method according to the present invention. The player 101 is used for supplying movie works to a home theater system formed by a remote control 102 and a television 103, for example. The user performs the operation of the present invention by directly operating the remote controller 102 or the player 101.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration for realizing the method shown in the present invention. An example of realization when the present invention is implemented will be described.

  The video content playback unit 201 plays back video content. At this time, the video content to be reproduced can be in a plurality of forms.

  The first conceivable form is a case where video content playback means 201 plays back video content data recorded on an external video content storage medium 202. For example, the video content storage medium 202 is an optical disk medium such as a DVD, HDDVD, Blu-ray Disc, and the case where these media are reproduced by a reproduction player corresponds to this means. In FIG. 2, the video content storage medium 202 shows a disk shape, but may be another recording medium that can be inserted and removed using a nonvolatile memory, such as an SD or a memory stick. Further, it may be another recording medium that can be connected / disconnected, such as an external HDD or a device / PC that can store external data connected via a network.

  A second conceivable form is a case where video content data received by the video content receiving unit 203 is played back by the video content playback unit 201. The video content receiving means 203 corresponds to a mechanism for receiving and decoding, for example, broadcast waves transmitted by terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, cable TV, etc., or video content data received by an external network such as the Internet. To do.

  A third possible form is a case where the video content playback unit 201 plays back the video content data stored in the video content storage unit 204. For example, when the data recorded in the video content storage medium 202 is copied or moved to the video content storage unit 204 to be reproduced and viewed, or the video content data received by the video content reception unit 203 A mechanism for recording the video and reproducing and viewing the video content stored in the video content storage unit 204 corresponds to this unit. The video content storage means 204 is preferably implemented by a storage medium such as an HDD, which is incorporated in a device that employs the method of the present invention. Of course, any storage medium other than the HDD can be used as long as it can record and store video content.

  The community identification unit 205 is a unit for identifying what community the user operating the video content player belongs to. Here, the community is a group of people who are considered to have similar preferences regarding viewing of video content. Details of the community identification means will be described later.

  The metadata generation unit 206 generates the metadata 207 based on the community identified by the community identification unit 205 and the content information being reproduced by the video content reproduction unit 201.

  Various description formats have been established by standards setting organizations and specific industry organizations as metadata formats. As an example of a metadata framework, MPEG-7 (official name “Multimedia Content Description Interface” ISO / IEC 15938) ). MPEG-7 is an international standardization standard for multimedia metadata notation, and enables high-speed content search and filtering of multimedia data by description based on XML description.

  Hereinafter, in this specification, examples of metadata will be described using the XML format used in MPEG-7 and the like. Of course, this is an example of a metadata description format, and any other description format may be used. Even in the case of description in the XML format, the metadata description examples in the respective embodiments are merely examples, such as element names and attribute names, and are not limited to this format.

  A specific example of metadata using the XML format is shown in FIG. Hereinafter, when referring to the implementation of metadata according to the present specification, only the portions necessary for explaining the implementation of the present invention will be described and explained, and unnecessary portions will be omitted as appropriate.

  The first line of the metadata format shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a description that specifies a schema that specifies how to interpret XML metadata.

  In this example, the reference is indicated by URN (Uniform Resource Name). A schema indicating the structure and rules for interpreting the XML metadata can be obtained from the resources on the network indicated by the name space specified by the URN. In addition to the specification based on the assumption that it is connected to the network, such as URN, for example, when the schema exists in a local storage area, the XML metadata can be interpreted by specifying the location of the schema. Structures and rules can be obtained as well. This schema file may be owned, maintained, and provided by any organization or company.

  The generated metadata 207 is associated with the content. As an example of a method of associating with content, the content ID is recorded in the metadata 207. The content ID may be arbitrary information including a string, numerical information, and the like as long as it is information specifying video content. As an example of the content ID, for example, a digital object identifier (DOI: Digital Object Identifier) is defined as an identifier permanently given to a file on the Internet.

  The third line of the metadata format shown in FIG. 3 is a description example of how to specify the content ID. Here, the string “10.1xxx / ct0057298” is specified as the content ID. Of course, this description example of the content ID is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this format.

  Next, the example of the identification process of the community to which a user belongs is demonstrated among the implementation actions which concern on this invention. There are several forms of community identification. These will be described below.

  As a first mode, a community formed by an existing SNS (social network service) is used as a community for viewing video content. SNS is a service that promotes and supports the construction of connections between people. Typical examples of SNS include mixi (registered trademark), Mobage Town, MySpace, and the like. These SNSs provide a place for building new connections (communities) with other participants who have not been acquainted so far through connections such as hobbies and preferences among the participants. The community formed in this way is likely to have similar sensibilities, so it is highly likely that the community has the same palatability in viewing video content.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of main processing executed by the community identification unit 205 to extract community information related to video content viewing from an existing SNS.

  Process S401 is a process for causing the user to input SNS connection information for connecting to the SNS. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information input by the user. The SNS 501 is a name or URL of a social network service. The ID 502 and password 503 are account information necessary for connecting to the social network service designated by the SNS 501. FIG. 5 is an example of the SNS connection information, and the SNS connection information may include other information.

  Referring to FIG. 4, process S402 is a process of logging in to the SNS designated in process S401. The specific procedure for the login process varies depending on the social network service to be connected. The login process is generally an access process to a login URL provided by an SNS service provider, and can be implemented using an existing HTTP connection technology.

  Process S403 is a process for acquiring a community list to which the user belongs. The specific method for acquiring the community list differs depending on the SNS to be connected. The community list can be acquired by using the WEB service API for acquisition provided by the SNS service provider, analyzing the WEB page including the community list, and extracting the part corresponding to the community list, or existing HTTP connection It can be implemented by combining technology or text processing technology.

  Process S404 is a process of displaying a list of acquired communities and allowing the user of the player 101 to select which SNS community is used to generate metadata for viewing video content. As a result, for example, when belonging to an actor fan community and a school alumni community, only the former community can be selectively used to generate metadata for viewing video content.

  In the above description, an example in which an existing SNS is used for community identification has been described. For example, a specific electronic bulletin board (a service on the Internet in which a plurality of users post and view comments on specific topics). Of course, it is also possible to use a registrant or a registrant of a specific mailing list (a mechanism for distributing e-mails to a plurality of people simultaneously).

  The second form of community identification uses a group registered in a mobile phone possessed by a user. In many cases, the mobile phone directory is managed by grouping according to the attributes of registered persons (for example, groups of close friends or members of the same circle). These are groups that were originally classified to improve the search efficiency of telephone numbers, but may have similar preferences for viewing video content.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main process executed by the community identification unit 205 to extract community information related to viewing video content from a group registered in a cellular phone phone book.

  The process of process S601 is a process of inputting a personal identification number for accessing the telephone directory recorded in the mobile phone.

  The process of process S602 is a process of connecting to a mobile phone. Although a specific communication method with a mobile phone differs depending on the carrier or manufacturer of the mobile phone to be connected, it can be realized using an existing communication technology such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN, or USB. At the time of connection, authentication is performed using the personal identification number input in step S601. The process of process S603 is a process of downloading phone book information from the mobile phone. A specific method for downloading the phone book information follows a protocol determined according to the carrier or manufacturer of the mobile phone to be connected.

  Process S604 is a process of displaying a list of phone book groups acquired from the mobile phone and allowing the user to select which group is used to generate metadata for viewing video content. As a result, for example, when a group of “friends” and a group of “bars” are registered on a mobile phone, only the former community can be selectively used to generate metadata for viewing video content. Become.

  Through the above processing, the community identification unit 205 can identify the community to which the user of the player 101 belongs.

  In the above description, an example of a mobile phone has been described. However, for example, group information held by a stationary telephone in the home, other CE devices, a game machine, or the like may be used.

  Next, the example of the process at the time of use among the implementation actions which concern on this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of main processing in the usage act of the method according to the present invention.

  A process S701 represents a state in which video content can be reproduced by a user input operation.

  The process S702 is a process for specifying who the current user is when the player 101 uses a plurality of users. Multiple embodiments are possible for a particular method.

  As a first form, there is a case where the user is specified using a password set in advance by the user of the player 101. In this case, the player 101 displays a list of registered users on the television 103 and causes the user to select one of them. A password is input at the time of selection, and a user is specified when the input password matches a preset password.

  As a second form, biometric authentication technology such as fingerprint authentication may be applied. In this case, the player 101 directly reads the user's biometric information or the remote controller 102 reads the user's biometric information and transmits it to the player 101. The player 101 compares the read biological information with the biological information stored in advance, and identifies the user.

  The above method is an example of a method for specifying a user, and the user may be specified by a method other than the above.

  The process S703 is a process for identifying the community to which the user belongs. Since this processing has already been described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, description thereof is omitted here.

  Process S704 is a process in which the user performs an arbitrary operation on the video content. Specifically, this corresponds to a process in which the video content playback unit 201 starts or stops playback of video content.

  Process S705 is a process for generating metadata. This can be realized by using a conventional XML generation technique.

  By performing the above operation, it is possible to generate metadata representing which content is viewed in which community while minimizing the input load of the user.

  In the example of processing shown in FIG. 7, meta information is generated when the user plays and stops the video content. The metadata may be generated only when the content reproduction operation or the stop operation is not performed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent generation of useless metadata when a user switches (zapping) video content that is continuously viewed.

  In the example of processing shown in FIG. 7, the metadata is acquired every time the video content is viewed. However, once acquired, the community is recorded in the storage device in the terminal and is viewed for the second and subsequent times. May read the recorded community information instead of the process S703. Since the community to which the user belongs is not frequently changed, the processing time required for community identification can be shortened by doing in this way.

(Embodiment 2)
Another feasible embodiment having a configuration different from the above-described embodiment will be described. First, an example of a configuration at the time of use will be described among implementation actions according to the present invention.

  The video content recording means is means for recording.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a functional configuration for realizing the system shown in the present invention. An example of realization when the present invention is implemented will be described. However, since a part of this configuration is the same as that described in the previous embodiment, the description will be omitted while omitting that part.

  The video content recording means 801 records video content. A plurality of forms are conceivable for the combination of the recording source medium and the recording destination medium.

  The first conceivable form is when video content data recorded in an external video content storage medium 202 is recorded in the video content storage means 204. As described above, the video content storage medium 202 is not only an optical media storage medium such as DVD, HDDVD, Blu-ray Disc, but also a recording medium using a non-volatile memory such as SD or a memory stick, an external HDD, Other recording media that can be connected and disconnected, such as devices and PCs that can store external data connected via a network, may be used. Similarly, as described above, the video content storage unit 204 is preferably implemented by a storage medium such as an HDD incorporated in a device that employs the method of the present invention. Of course, any storage medium other than the HDD can be used as long as it can record and store video content.

  A second possible form is a case where the video content stored in the video content storage means 204 is recorded on the external video content storage medium 202.

  A third possible form is a case where the video content data received by the video content receiving means 203 is recorded on the external video content storage medium 202. As described above, the video content receiving unit 203 receives, for example, video content data received by an external network such as a terrestrial broadcast, a satellite broadcast, a cable TV, or an external network such as the Internet. This corresponds to a mechanism for receiving and decoding by the receiving means 203.

  A fourth possible form is when video content data received by the video content receiving unit 803 is recorded in the video content storage unit 804.

  Since the content recording medium 202 to the metadata 207 are the same as those shown in FIG. 2, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the example of the process at the time of use among the implementation actions which concern on this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of main processing in the usage act of the method according to the present invention.

  A process S901 represents a state in which video content can be recorded by a user's input operation.

  Processing S902 and processing S903 are the same as processing S702 and processing S703 in FIG.

  A process S904 is a process in which the user performs an arbitrary operation on the video content. More specifically, this corresponds to processing in which the video content recording unit 801 starts / stops recording of video content or sets / cancels recording reservation.

  Process S905 is a process for generating metadata. This can be realized by using a conventional XML generation technique.

  By performing the above operation, it is possible to generate metadata representing which content is viewed in which community while minimizing the input load of the user.

  The content player and the content recorder constituting the present invention can be manufactured and sold in the manufacturing industry in a business manner, continuously and repeatedly. In particular, it can be used in the consumer electronics industry that handles video content and performs playback and recording.

The figure which shows an example of a structure about the use act of this invention The figure which shows an example of the function structure for implement | achieving this invention The figure which shows an example of the metadata produced | generated by this invention The figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the community identification means 205 The figure which shows an example of SNS connection information The figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the community identification means 205 The figure which shows an example of the processing flow for implement | achieving this invention The figure which shows an example of the processing flow for implement | achieving this invention The figure which shows an example of the processing flow for implement | achieving this invention

Explanation of symbols

101 TV 102 Player 103 Remote control

Claims (10)

A content playback apparatus comprising means for playing back video content,
Metadata generation means for generating and adding metadata in association with video content, and community identification means for identifying a community to which the user belongs,
A content reproduction apparatus characterized in that the metadata generation means generates metadata in association with the video content and the community identified by the community identification means. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the community identification unit identifies a community based on a community formed by a social network service in which a user participates. 2. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the community identification means identifies a community based on a group registered in a telephone directory of a mobile phone possessed by a user. 4. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metadata generation unit generates meta information at the start of reproduction of video content. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metadata generation unit generates metadata when reproduction of video content is stopped. A content recording apparatus comprising means for recording video content,
Metadata generation means for generating and adding metadata in association with video content, and community identification means for identifying a community to which the user belongs,
A content recording apparatus, wherein, when a user operates video content, the metadata generation unit generates metadata in association with the video content and the community identified by the community identification unit. The content recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the community identification unit identifies a community based on a community formed by a social network service in which a user participates. The content recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the community identification unit identifies a community based on a group registered in a telephone directory of a mobile phone possessed by a user. 9. The content recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the metadata generation unit generates meta information when a video content recording reservation is made. 9. The content recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the metadata generation unit generates metadata when canceling a recording reservation for video content.

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