JP2010268089A - Content distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content distribution device which is capable of reducing a storage capacity required for storing a content. <P>SOLUTION: A content distribution device 1 includes: a play list input section 11 which acquires a partial play list inputted to the content distribution device 1 to define it as a new partial play list; a play list delimiter detection section 12 which extracts a start time and an end time of a partial content described in the new partial play list, as markers; a play list updating section 13 which updates an entire play list, the partial play list, and the new partial play list on the basis of the markers extracted by the play list delimiter detection section 12; and a content dividing section 17 which divides an original content or a partial content described in the entire play list on the basis of the entire play list updated by the play list updating section 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution device that divides and distributes digital content, and in particular, a content distribution device that can suppress the storage capacity required to store content when a plurality of playlists exist for the same content. About.

  Conventionally, when a long music content such as an orchestra performance or a long video content such as a movie is downloaded and distributed, it takes a long time to start and complete the distribution of the content. As the time from the start of content distribution to completion increases, the possibility that an error will occur in the middle of distribution and re-delivery will increase. Also, in the distribution via the telephone network, the maximum file size per file that can be distributed at one time is limited, and there are cases where long content cannot be distributed.

  Therefore, a method of distributing the content after dividing it (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) or a method of reducing the data length of the content by automatically extracting a portion that the viewer particularly wants to view such as a highlight scene (for example, , See Patent Document 2). According to the methods described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, since the size of each content to be distributed can be reduced, the above-described problems relating to distribution can be solved. In addition, according to the method described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to make it possible to view immediately from a place where the viewer wants to view.

JP 2003-067280 A JP 2007-104284 A

  By the way, as a content dividing method, a method of dividing for each unit data length, a method of dividing by extracting a scene having a specific feature like the method described in Patent Document 2, a viewer's preference, A method of dividing the content according to the intention of the content creator can be considered. As a method of dividing according to the viewer's preference and the intention of the content creator, for example, a digest version is distributed and viewed, and a viewer who wants to watch the whole can perform a download operation. A method of distributing the entire version is conceivable. In addition, in the case of billing content, a method of use is also possible in which the entire version can be distributed when an additional fee is paid after the digest version is purchased.

  Here, assuming that the original content is divided into partial contents, the partial contents are distributed to the viewer's terminal based on the playlist. In this playlist, for the partial content to be distributed, the name, the stored location, and the order in which each of the plurality of partial contents is played when the plurality of partial contents are continuously played on the viewer's terminal Etc. are described.

  In some cases, the same partial content is described in a plurality of playlists. However, in the method according to the conventional example as described above, such a case is not taken into consideration, and therefore all the described partial contents are individually provided for each playlist. For this reason, the same partial content is redundantly stored in the storage unit included in the content distribution apparatus, resulting in an increase in the storage capacity of the storage unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution apparatus capable of suppressing the storage capacity necessary for storing content.

The present invention proposes the following matters in order to solve the above problems.
(1) In the present invention, the original content (for example, equivalent to the original content QA in FIG. 2) is divided into a plurality of partial contents (for example, equivalent to the partial contents Q1 to Q5 in FIG. 3). A content distribution device that distributes partial content via a network based on a playlist (for example, equivalent to the entire playlist R0 or partial playlist R1 in FIG. 3), and a content storage unit that stores original content and partial content ( For example, the content storage unit 16 in FIG. 1), a playlist input unit that acquires a partial playlist and sets it as a new partial playlist (for example, the playlist input unit 11 in FIG. 1), and the playlist Playlist storage means for storing the playlist acquired by the input means For example, it corresponds to the playlist storage unit 14 in FIG. 1) and information on the beginning and end of each partial content described in the new partial playlist (for example, corresponding to the start time and end time of the partial content described later) Among the playlists stored in the playlist storage means (for example, equivalent to the playlist partition detection unit 12 in FIG. 1) and playlist delimiter detection means for extracting A playlist that updates an entire playlist, which is a playlist of original content including partial content, and a partial playlist derived from the original content based on information extracted by the playlist delimiter detection means Update means (for example, equivalent to the playlist update unit 13 in FIG. 1) Based on the playlist transmission means for distributing the playlist stored in the playlist storage means (e.g., equivalent to the playlist transmission section 15 in FIG. 1) and the entire playlist updated by the playlist update means. Content dividing means (e.g., corresponding to the content dividing unit 17 in FIG. 1) for dividing the original content or the partial content stored in the content storage means described in the entire playlist, There has been proposed a content distribution apparatus comprising content transmission means (for example, corresponding to the content transmission unit 18 in FIG. 1) for distributing original content or partial content stored in content storage means.

  According to the present invention, the content distribution unit stores the original content and the partial content, the playlist input unit that acquires the partial playlist and sets it as the new partial playlist, and the playlist input unit. A playlist storage means for storing the playlist, a playlist delimiter detection means for extracting the beginning and end information of each partial content described in the new partial playlist, and a play stored in the playlist storage means. Among the lists, a playlist delimiter detecting means is used to detect an entire playlist that is a playlist of original content including a partial content described in a new partial playlist, and a partial playlist derived from the original content. Extracted information A playlist updating unit that updates the playlist based on the playlist, a playlist transmission unit that distributes the playlist stored in the playlist storage unit, and a content storage unit that stores the playlist based on the entire playlist updated by the playlist updating unit. Content dividing means for dividing the original content or partial content described in the entire playlist, and content transmitting means for distributing the original content or partial content stored in the content storage means It was.

  For this reason, the content distribution apparatus divides the original content described in the entire playlist into a plurality of partial contents based on information at the beginning and end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist. According to this, the partial content described in the partial playlist is composed of one of a plurality of partial contents constituting the original content or a combination of some of the plurality of partial contents. Will be. Therefore, it is possible to select and distribute the described partial content for each partial playlist from the plurality of partial contents constituting the original content. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the described partial contents individually for each partial playlist, so that the storage capacity necessary to store the contents can be suppressed.

  (2) The present invention proposes a content distribution device according to (1), wherein the content storage means generates an entire playlist of the original content when storing the original content. is doing.

  According to the present invention, when the original content is stored by the content storage means, the entire playlist of the original content is generated. This eliminates the need for the content creator to create an entire playlist, thereby reducing the workload of the content creator.

  (3) In the content distribution apparatus according to (1) or (2), the playlist update unit describes each update of the entire playlist and the partial playlist described in the entire playlist. Original content or partial content, or partial content described in the partial playlist, including the beginning or end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist (for example, the partial content in FIG. 4) Q2 and Q4) are proposed.

  According to the present invention, the update of the entire playlist by the playlist update means is performed by replacing the beginning or end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist among the original content or partial content described in the entire playlist. I decided to do it for what I included. In addition, the partial playlist is updated by the playlist update unit for the partial contents described in the partial playlist including the beginning or end of the partial contents described in the new partial playlist. . Therefore, the entire playlist or partial playlist can be updated so that the partial content described in the new partial playlist can be generated by appropriately dividing the original content or the partial content.

  (4) In the content distribution apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), the content dividing unit may include the original content or the partial content divided in the original playlist described in the entire playlist. A content distribution apparatus for performing content or partial content that includes the beginning or end of partial content described in the new partial playlist (for example, corresponding to partial content Q2 and Q4 in FIG. 4) Has proposed.

  According to the present invention, the division of the original content or the partial content by the content dividing means is the beginning or end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist among the original content or partial content described in the entire playlist. It was decided to do about things including. For this reason, the original content or the partial content can be appropriately divided to generate the partial content described in the new partial playlist.

  (5) In the present invention, the original content (for example, equivalent to the original content QA of FIG. 8) is divided into a plurality of partial contents, and one or a plurality of partial contents (for example, the partial contents Q110, Q121, FIG. Q122, Q130, Q141 to Q143, Q150) is a content distribution device that distributes via a network based on a playlist (for example, equivalent to the entire playlist R0 or partial playlist R1 in FIG. 10), and is an original content Content storage means for storing partial content (for example, equivalent to the content storage unit 16 in FIG. 7) and playlist input means for acquiring a partial playlist and making it a new partial playlist (for example, playlist input in FIG. 7) And the play list input) Playlist storage means (for example, equivalent to the playlist storage unit 14 in FIG. 7) for storing the playlist acquired by the stage, and information on the beginning and end of each partial content described in the new partial playlist ( For example, it is stored in the playlist delimiter detecting means (e.g., corresponding to the play list delimiter detecting unit 12 in FIG. 7) for extracting a partial content start time and an end time described later, and the playlist storage means. Among the playlists, an entire playlist that is a playlist of original content configured to include the partial content described in the new partial playlist, and a partial playlist derived from the original content, the playlist Pre-updates based on the information extracted by the delimiter detection means The entire playlist updated by the playlist update unit based on the information extracted by the list update unit (for example, equivalent to the playlist update unit 13A in FIG. 7) and the playlist delimiter detection unit is specified as a specific overall playlist. Then, by dividing each of the original content or partial content described in the specific overall playlist into one or more, the file size of each of the original content or partial content divided is below a specific size. Short segment delimiter detection means (for example, corresponding to the short segment delimiter detection unit 19 in FIG. 7) for extracting information of segment points (for example, corresponding to segmented times described later) into which the original content or the partial content is segmented And stored in the playlist storage means Based on the playlist transmission means (for example, equivalent to the playlist transmission section 15 in FIG. 7) for distributing the playlist being played and the entire playlist updated by the playlist update means, the playlist is stored in the content storage means. Content dividing means for dividing the original content or partial content described in the entire playlist (for example, equivalent to the content dividing unit 17 in FIG. 7), and the original content stored in the content storage means Or a content transmission means for distributing partial content (for example, corresponding to the content transmission unit 18 in FIG. 7), and when the information is extracted by the short segment break detection means, the playlist update means Based on the information, the playlist break detection means extracts the information. Proposes a content delivery apparatus, characterized in that updating has been entire playlist and partial playlist is updated based on the information.

  According to the present invention, the content distribution unit stores the original content and the partial content, the playlist input unit that acquires the partial playlist and sets it as the new partial playlist, and the playlist input unit. A playlist storage means for storing the playlist, a playlist delimiter detection means for extracting the beginning and end information of each partial content described in the new partial playlist, and a play stored in the playlist storage means. Among the lists, a playlist delimiter detecting means is used to detect an entire playlist that is a playlist of original content including a partial content described in a new partial playlist, and a partial playlist derived from the original content. Extracted information If the entire playlist updated by the playlist updating unit based on the information extracted by the playlist delimiter detecting unit and the playlist update unit based on the information extracted by the playlist delimiter detecting unit is defined as the specific entire playlist, it is described in the specific entire playlist. By dividing each of the original content or partial content into one or more, the original content or partial content is divided so that the file size is less than a specific size, and the original content or partial content is divided Based on the entire playlist updated by the playlist update unit, the content transmission unit based on the short playlist delimiter detection unit for extracting the information, the playlist transmission unit for distributing the playlist stored in the playlist storage unit, Content dividing means for dividing the original content or partial content stored in the entire playlist, and content transmitting means for distributing the original content or partial content stored in the content storage means, Provided. Then, when the information is extracted by the short segment delimiter detecting unit by the playlist updating unit, the entire playlist and the partial playlist updated based on the information extracted by the playlist delimiter detecting unit based on this information It was decided to update.

  For this reason, the content distribution apparatus performs update of the playlist in two stages. In the first stage, the entire playlist and the partial playlist are updated based on the information on the beginning and the end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist. In the second stage, the original content or partial content described in the entire playlist updated in the first stage is updated in the first stage based on the information of the division points that are divided into one or more. Update entire playlist and partial playlist.

  According to the above, the partial content described in the partial playlist is composed of one of a plurality of partial contents constituting the original content or a combination of some of the plurality of partial contents. Will be. For this reason, the described partial content can be selected and distributed for each partial playlist from the plurality of partial contents constituting the original content. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the described partial contents individually for each partial playlist, so that the storage capacity required to store the contents can be suppressed.

  Further, the entire playlist is composed of a plurality of partial contents whose file size is a specific size or less. For this reason, even when the maximum file size per file that can be distributed at one time is limited as described above, the partial content can be distributed with the file size of each partial content being equal to or less than the maximum file size. .

  (6) In the content distribution apparatus according to (5), when the original content is stored by the content storage unit, the content storage unit generates an entire playlist of the original content, and the short division The break detection unit extracts the information, and the playlist update unit updates the entire playlist and the partial playlist based on the information extracted by the short division break detection unit. A content distribution device is proposed.

  According to this invention, when the original content is stored by the content storage means, the entire playlist of the original content is generated by the content storage means, the information is extracted by the short division delimiter detection means, and the playlist update means is The entire playlist and the partial playlist are updated based on the information extracted by the short division delimiter detection means.

  For this reason, the content distribution apparatus can generate the entire playlist of the original content, so that it is not necessary for the content creator to create the entire playlist, and the workload of the content creator can be reduced.

  Further, when the content distribution apparatus acquires the original content, the content distribution apparatus divides the original content into a specific size or less. Therefore, even when the original content is distributed immediately after the original content is acquired, the original content can be divided and distributed into partial contents whose file size is a specific size or less.

  (7) In the content distribution device according to (5) or (6), the playlist update unit, when the information is extracted by the playlist break detection unit, Each update of the partial playlist is described in the new partial playlist among the original content or the partial content described in the entire playlist or the partial content described in the partial playlist. When the information is extracted by the short segment delimiter detecting means when the partial content includes the beginning or end (for example, corresponding to the partial contents Q101, Q103, and Q106 in FIG. 8), the entire playlist and Each update of the partial playlist is Among the original content or partial content described in the list, or the partial content described in the partial playlist, including a division point that divides the original content or the partial content (for example, the portion of FIG. 9 The content distribution apparatus is characterized in that it is performed on content Q120 and Q140).

  According to the present invention, when the information is extracted by the playlist delimiter detection unit, the update of the entire playlist by the playlist update unit is performed by updating the original content or the partial content described in the entire playlist. This is performed for the contents including the beginning or the end of the partial contents described in the partial playlist, and each partial playlist is updated by the playlist update means, and the new partial play among the partial contents described in the partial playlist is performed. We decided to do this for the contents including the beginning or end of the partial contents described in the list. Further, when the information is extracted by the short division delimiter detection means, the update of the entire playlist by the playlist update means is performed with the original content or the partial content among the original content or the partial content described in the entire playlist. And performing update of the partial playlist by the playlist update means for the partial content described in the partial playlist, including the division point that classifies the partial content. did.

  Therefore, the partial content described in the new partial playlist is larger than a specific size so that the original content or the partial content can be appropriately divided to generate the partial content described in the new partial playlist. In this case, the entire playlist or the partial playlist can be updated so that the file size of the partial content is equal to or smaller than a specific size.

  (8) In the content distribution device according to any one of (5) to (7), the content dividing unit may divide the original content or the partial content, among the original content or the partial content. A division point that divides the original content or the partial content from that including the beginning or end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist (for example, equivalent to the partial content Q101, Q103, or Q106 in FIG. 8). It proposes a content distribution apparatus characterized in that it is performed on what is included (for example, equivalent to the partial contents Q120 and Q140 in FIG. 9).

  According to the present invention, the original content or the partial content is divided by the content dividing means, including the original content or the partial content including the beginning or end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist, and the original content. Or, it was decided to do this for items that include a division point for dividing partial content. Therefore, the original content or partial content can be appropriately divided to generate partial content described in the new partial playlist, and even if the partial content described in the new partial playlist is larger than a specific size. The file size of this partial content can be made smaller than a specific size.

  (9) In the content distribution device according to any one of (1) to (8), the content division unit distributes the original content or the partial content by the content transmission unit. It proposes a content distribution apparatus characterized in that it is performed at the time.

  According to the present invention, the original content or the partial content is divided by the content dividing unit when the partial content is distributed by the content distributing unit. For this reason, since it is not necessary to memorize | store the content which divided | segmented the original content or the partial content in the period from the division | segmentation to delivery, the storage capacity required in order to memorize | store a content can further be suppressed.

  (10) In the content distribution device according to any one of (1) to (9), the playlist input unit acquires a partial playlist, forms a new partial playlist, and stores the partial playlist in the playlist storage unit And from the playlist stored in the playlist storage means, the entire playlist of the original content including the partial content described in the new partial playlist, and derived from the original content The partial playlist is searched, and the playlist update means updates the whole playlist and the partial playlist with respect to those searched by the playlist input means. A distribution device is proposed.

  According to the present invention, a partial playlist is acquired by the playlist input means to be a new partial playlist, which is stored in the playlist storage means, and the new playlist is stored in the playlist storage means. The entire playlist of the original content including the partial content described in the partial playlist and the partial playlist derived from the original content are searched. Then, the playlist update unit updates the entire playlist and the partial playlist with respect to those searched by the playlist input unit. Therefore, the whole playlist of the original content configured to include the partial content described in the new partial playlist and the partial playlist derived from the original content, that is, updated by acquiring the partial playlist. Only playlists that should be updated. For this reason, the time required for updating the playlist can be shortened.

  According to the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide the described partial contents individually for each partial playlist, the storage capacity necessary for storing the contents can be suppressed.

1 is a block diagram of a content distribution apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the playlist division | segmentation detection part with which the said content delivery apparatus is provided, a playlist update part, and a content division part. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the playlist division | segmentation detection part with which the said content delivery apparatus is provided, a playlist update part, and a content division part. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the playlist division | segmentation detection part with which the said content delivery apparatus is provided, a playlist update part, and a content division part. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the playlist division | segmentation detection part with which the said content delivery apparatus is provided, a playlist update part, and a content division part. It is a flowchart of the content division | segmentation process of the said content delivery apparatus. It is a block diagram of the content delivery apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the playlist update part with which the said content delivery apparatus is provided, and a short division | segmentation delimiter detection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the playlist update part with which the said content delivery apparatus is provided, and a short division | segmentation delimiter detection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the playlist update part with which the said content delivery apparatus is provided, and a short division | segmentation delimiter detection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the playlist update part with which the said content delivery apparatus is provided, and a short division | segmentation delimiter detection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the playlist update part with which the said content delivery apparatus is provided, and a short division | segmentation delimiter detection part. It is a flowchart of the content division | segmentation process of the said content delivery apparatus. It is a flowchart of the content division | segmentation process of the said content delivery apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the constituent elements in the following embodiments can be appropriately replaced with existing constituent elements, and various variations including combinations with other existing constituent elements are possible. Accordingly, the description of the following embodiments does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content distribution apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The content distribution device 1 efficiently distributes original content to a content reception / playback device (not shown) based on a playlist, divides the original content into a plurality of partial contents, and at least of the plurality of partial contents. One is efficiently distributed to the content reception / playback apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the original content and the partial content constituting the original content are composed of video data generated with the same specifications such as the same encoding method and the same screen size. Shall be.

  Also, it is assumed that the playlist includes an entire playlist that is a playlist of original contents and a partial playlist that is a playlist derived from the original contents. Here, the partial playlist that is a playlist derived from the original content is a playlist in which at least one piece of information of the partial content constituting the original content is described.

  The entire playlist is a text file in which the file name of the original content is described, or a text file in which the file names of the partial contents constituting the original content are described in line-break delimiters in the playback order. Assume that a URL indicating a location where content is stored is described. On the other hand, a partial playlist is a text file in which file names of partial contents are described in line breaks in the order of playback. A URL indicating the location where the partial contents are stored and which part of the original content the partial content corresponds to It is assumed that the information indicating is described.

  The information indicating which part of the original content the partial content corresponds to is composed of the start time of the partial content and the end time of the partial content. The start time of the partial content is a time at which the same video data as the start of the partial content is played back when the time when playback from the top of the original content is started is “0”. The end time of the partial content is a time at which the same video data as the end of the partial content is played back when the time when the playback from the top of the original content is started is “0”. .

  The content distribution apparatus 1 includes a playlist input unit 11, a playlist delimiter detection unit 12, a playlist update unit 13, a playlist storage unit 14, a playlist transmission unit 15, a content storage unit 16, a content division unit 17, and content transmission. The unit 18 is provided.

  The playlist storage unit 14 stores an entire playlist and a partial playlist.

  The content storage unit 16 stores original content and partial content. When storing the original content, the content storage unit 16 generates an entire playlist of the original content and stores it in the playlist storage unit 14. The original content is input to the content distribution apparatus 1 from, for example, the content creator's terminal.

  The playlist input unit 11 acquires a partial playlist input to the content distribution device 1 to obtain a new partial playlist, and stores it in the playlist storage unit 14. Also, the original content including the partial content described in the new partial playlist is searched, and the entire playlist of the original content and the partial playlist derived from the original content are stored in the playlist storage unit. 14 is searched from the play list stored in 14. The partial playlist is input to the content distribution apparatus 1 from the content creator's terminal, for example.

  The playlist delimiter detection unit 12 extracts each start time and end time as markers for one or more partial contents described in the new partial playlist. The playlist delimiter detection unit 12 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

  The playlist update unit 13 updates the entire playlist and the partial playlist searched by the playlist input unit 11 and the new partial playlist based on the markers extracted by the playlist break detection unit 12. The playlist update unit 13 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  The playlist transmission unit 15 distributes the playlist stored in the playlist storage unit 14 to the content reception / playback device in response to a playlist delivery request from the content reception / playback device. The content reception / playback apparatus requests distribution of the content described in the playlist based on the received playlist.

  The content dividing unit 17 divides the original content or the partial content described in the entire playlist based on the entire playlist updated by the playlist update unit 13. The playlist update unit 13 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  The content transmission unit 18 distributes the original content or the partial content stored in the content storage unit 16 to the content reception / playback device in response to a content delivery request from the content reception / playback device.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a case where the partial playlist R1 is acquired by the playlist input unit 11 in a state where the entire playlist R0 is stored in the playlist storage unit 14. FIG. 3 shows that the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlist R1 updated by the playlist update unit 13 based on the partial playlist R1 acquired by the playlist input unit 11 and five contents by the content dividing unit 17. It is a figure which shows the original content QA divided | segmented into.

  In FIG. 2, the entire playlist R0 is a playlist of the entire content P0 configured with the original content QA. In the entire playlist R0, the file name and URL of the original content QA are described.

  On the other hand, the partial playlist R1 is a playlist of the first highlight content P1 composed of the partial content QB and the second highlight content P2 composed of the partial content QC, and the partial content QB, Each QC is composed of the same video data as a part of the original content QA. In this partial play list R1, the file name is described for each of the partial contents QB and QC in the order of playback with line breaks, and the URL, start time and end time are described.

  When the partial playlist R1 is acquired by the playlist input unit 11, the playlist delimiter detection unit 12 uses the start time and end time of the partial contents QB and QC described in the partial playlist R1 as markers. Extract. According to this, four markers are extracted.

  The playlist update unit 13 updates the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlist R1 based on the four markers extracted by the playlist break detection unit 12.

  Specifically, first, the original content QA is divided by these four markers, and as shown in FIG. 3, the original content QA is composed of partial contents Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, and Q5. According to this, the partial content QB and the partial content Q2, and the partial content QC and the partial content Q4 have the same start time and end time, and are configured by the same video data.

  Next, the description of the entire playlist R0 is updated to the file name, URL, start time, and end time that are lined up in line-break order for each of the partial contents Q1 to Q5. Also, the description of the partial playlist R1 is updated to the file name, URL, start time, and end time that are lined up in line breaks in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q2 and Q4.

  The content dividing unit 17 divides the original content QA based on the entire playlist R0 updated by the playlist updating unit 13. According to this, the original content QA is divided into five partial contents Q1 to Q5 as shown in FIG.

  According to the above, by distributing the partial contents Q1 to Q5, the original content QA described in the entire playlist R0 can be distributed. Further, by distributing the partial contents Q2 and Q4, the partial contents QB and QC described in the partial playlist R1 can be distributed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a case where the partial playlist R2 is acquired by the playlist input unit 11 in a state where the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlist R1 are stored in the playlist storage unit 14. FIG. 5 shows that the entire playlist R0 and partial playlists R1 and R2 updated by the playlist update unit 13 based on the partial playlist R2 acquired by the playlist input unit 11 and the content dividing unit 17 It is a figure which shows the original content QA divided | segmented into 7 pieces.

  In FIG. 4, the partial playlist R2 is a playlist of the third highlight content P3 composed of the partial content QD, and the partial content QD is composed of the same video data as a part of the original content QA. . In this partial play list R2, the file name, URL, start time and end time of the partial content QD are described.

  When the partial playlist R2 is acquired by the playlist input unit 11, the playlist delimiter detection unit 12 extracts the start time and end time of the partial content QD described in the partial playlist R2 as markers. According to this, two markers are extracted.

  The playlist update unit 13 updates the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlists R1 and R2 based on the two markers extracted by the playlist break detection unit 12.

  Specifically, first, of these two markers, the one that is between the start time and the end time of the partial content Q2, and the partial content Q2 is divided into the partial content Q2 as shown in FIG. The content is composed of partial contents Q21 and Q22. Further, of these two markers, the one is between the start time and the end time of the partial content Q4, and the partial content Q4 is divided and the partial content Q4 is divided into the partial contents Q41 and Q42 as shown in FIG. It shall be composed of According to this, the combination of the partial content QB and the partial contents Q21 and Q22 has the same start time and end time and is composed of the same video data. Similarly, the combination of the partial content QC and the partial content Q41 and Q42, and the partial content QD and the combination of the partial contents Q22, Q3, and Q42 are each configured with the same video data. Will be.

  Next, the description of the entire playlist R0 is divided into a file name, a URL, a start time and an end time, which are arranged in line breaks in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q1, Q21, Q22, Q3, Q41, Q42, and Q5. Update to In addition, the description of the partial playlist R1 is updated to the file name, URL, start time, and end time that are arranged in line breaks in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q21, Q22, Q41, and Q42. Further, the description of the partial playlist R2 is updated to the file name, URL, start time, and end time that are lined up in line break order in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q22, Q3, and Q41.

  The content dividing unit 17 divides the original content QA based on the entire playlist R0 updated by the playlist updating unit 13. According to this, as shown in FIG. 5, the original content QA is divided into seven pieces of partial contents Q1, Q21, Q22, Q3, Q41, Q42, and Q5.

  As described above, by distributing the partial contents Q1, Q21, Q22, Q3, Q41, Q42, and Q5, the original content QA described in the entire playlist R0 can be distributed. Further, by distributing the partial contents Q21, Q22, Q41, and Q42, the partial contents QB and QC described in the partial playlist R1 can be distributed. In addition, by distributing the partial contents Q22, Q3, and Q41, the partial content QD described in the partial playlist R2 can be distributed.

  The content division processing in the content distribution apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. In step S1, the playlist input unit 11 acquires a partial playlist input to the content distribution apparatus 1 to obtain a new partial playlist, and the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the playlist input unit 11 stores the new partial playlist in the playlist storage unit 14, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the entire playlist of original content configured to include the partial content described in the new partial playlist is displayed by the playlist input unit 11 in the playlist stored in the playlist storage unit 14. And the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the playlist delimiter detection unit 12 extracts the start time and end time of each of the one or more partial contents described in the new partial playlist as markers, and proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the playlist update unit 13 updates the entire playlist searched in step S3 based on the marker extracted in step S4, and the process proceeds to step S6. According to this processing, in the updated entire playlist, the information extracted by dividing the original content or the partial content described in the entire playlist with the markers extracted from the new partial playlist is described.

  In step S6, the playlist input unit 11 searches for one partial playlist derived from the original content searched in step S3, and proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, whether or not the marker extracted in step S4 exists between the start time and end time of the partial content described in the partial playlist searched in step S6 by the playlist update unit 13 is determined. Determine. If it is determined that it exists, the process proceeds to step S8. If it is determined that it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S8, the playlist update unit 13 updates the partial playlist searched in step S6 based on the marker extracted in step S4, and then proceeds to step S9. According to this process, the updated partial playlist is described with information about the partial content described in the partial playlist with the markers extracted from the new partial playlist.

  In step S9, the content dividing unit 17 divides the original content or the partial content described in the entire playlist based on the entire playlist updated in step S5, and proceeds to step S10.

  According to this process, when the original content described in the entire playlist searched in step S3 has never been divided, the original content is divided by the marker extracted from the new partial playlist. It will be. On the other hand, when the original content described in the entire playlist searched in step S3 has already been divided once or more, between the start time and the end time among the plurality of partial contents constituting the original content. Those with markers are divided by the markers extracted from the new partial playlist.

  In this process, the original content or partial content is once decoded and then divided, and the divided partial content is individually re-encoded to divide the original content or partial content. In addition, when the video data of all frames is intra-encoded with respect to the original content, the original content can be divided at high speed without deterioration in quality by directly dividing the original content or the partial content without decoding. In addition, when the original content is an ISO Base Media file format of ISO / IEC 14496-12, which is an international standard, and has a structure using fragments and can be divided in fragment units, It is also possible to divide by the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-129078 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-129081.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not there is a marker for all partial playlists stored in the playlist storage unit 14, that is, the original described in the entire playlist searched in step S3. It is determined whether or not all partial playlists derived from the content have been searched in step S6. If it is determined that the search has been made, the content dividing process is terminated. If it is determined that the search has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S6.

  According to the content distribution apparatus 1 described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  The content distribution apparatus 1 divides the original content described in the entire playlist by the start time and end time of the partial content described in the new partial playlist. According to this, the partial content described in the partial playlist is configured by combining one or several of the plurality of partial contents obtained by dividing the original content. Therefore, it is possible to select and distribute the described partial content for each partial playlist from the partial content constituting the original content. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the described partial contents individually for each partial playlist, so that the storage capacity required to store the contents can be suppressed.

  Also, the content distribution device 1 generates an entire playlist of the original content when the content storage unit 16 stores the original content. This eliminates the need for the content creator to create an entire playlist, thereby reducing the workload of the content creator.

  In addition, the content distribution apparatus 1 performs the update of the partial playlist for the partial content described in which the marker extracted from the new partial playlist exists between the start time and the end time. Therefore, the entire playlist or partial playlist can be updated so that the partial content described in the new partial playlist can be generated by appropriately dividing the original content or the partial content.

  In addition, the content distribution apparatus 1 performs division of the original content or the partial content for a case where there is a marker extracted from the new partial playlist between the start time and the end time. For this reason, the original content or the partial content can be appropriately divided to generate the partial content described in the new partial playlist.

  In addition, the content distribution apparatus 1 searches and searches the entire playlist of the original content including the partial content described in the new partial playlist and the partial playlist derived from the original content. Update things. For this reason, since only the playlist to be updated can be updated by acquiring the partial playlist, the time required for updating the playlist can be shortened.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The content distribution device 1A is different from the content distribution device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 in that the processing by the playlist update unit 13A and the short division delimiter detection unit 19 are provided. In the content distribution apparatus 1A, the same components as those of the content distribution apparatus 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The short division delimiter detection unit 19 delimits the original content or the partial content so that the file size of each partial content constituting the original content is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, and extracts the delimited time as a marker. The short division delimiter detection unit 19 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

  The playlist update unit 13A includes the entire playlist searched by the playlist input unit 11 based on the markers extracted by the playlist segment detection unit 12 and the markers extracted by the short segment segment detection unit 19. The partial playlist and the new partial playlist are updated. The playlist update unit 13A will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 8, the entire playlist R0 is updated by the playlist update unit 13A based on the markers extracted by the short division break detector 19, and the updated entire playlist R0 is stored in the playlist storage unit 14. It is a figure which shows the case where partial playlist R1 is acquired by the playlist input part 11 in a state. FIG. 9 shows that the entire playlist R0 and partial playlist R1 updated by the playlist update unit 13A based on the partial playlist R1 acquired by the playlist input unit 11 and five contents by the content dividing unit 17 It is a figure which shows the original content QA divided | segmented into. FIG. 10 shows that the entire playlist R0 and partial playlist R1 updated by the playlist update unit 13A are divided into eight by the content dividing unit 17 based on the markers extracted by the short division delimiter detecting unit 19. It is a figure which shows the original content QA.

  When the original content QA is input to the content distribution apparatus 1A, the short division delimiter detection unit 19 delimits the original content QA so that the file size of each partial content constituting the original content QA is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size. Then, the separated time is extracted as a marker. Specifically, the original content QA is divided every time a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reproduction from the beginning of the original content QA, and the divided time is extracted as a marker. Hereinafter, it is assumed that five markers have been extracted.

  The playlist update unit 13A updates the entire playlist R0 based on the five markers extracted by the short division break detector 19.

  Specifically, first, the original content QA is divided by these five markers, and as shown in FIG. 8, the original content QA is composed of partial contents Q101, Q102, Q103, Q104, Q105, and Q106. .

  Next, the description of the entire play list R0 is updated to the file name, URL, start time, and end time that are lined up in line break order for each of the partial contents Q101 to Q106.

  The content dividing unit 17 divides the original content QA based on the entire playlist R0 updated by the playlist updating unit 13A. According to this, as shown in FIG. 8, the original content QA is divided into six partial contents Q101 to Q106 whose file size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size.

  As described above, by distributing the partial contents Q101 to Q106, the original content QA described in the entire playlist R0 can be distributed.

  When the partial playlist R1 is acquired by the playlist input unit 11, the playlist delimiter detection unit 12 determines the start time and the end time of the partial contents QB and QC described in the partial playlist R1, respectively. Extract as a marker. According to this, four markers are extracted.

  The playlist update unit 13A updates the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlist R1 based on the four markers extracted by the playlist break detection unit 12.

  Specifically, first, the original content QA is divided by these four markers, and the original content QA is composed of partial contents Q110, Q120, Q130, Q140, and Q150 as shown in FIG. According to this, the partial content QB and the partial content Q120, and the partial content QC and the partial content Q140 have the same start time and end time, and are configured by the same video data.

  Next, the description of the entire playlist R0 is updated to the file name, URL, start time, and end time that are arranged in line breaks in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q110, Q120, Q130, Q140, and Q150. In addition, the description of the partial playlist R1 is updated to a file name, URL, start time, and end time that are lined up in line break order for each of the partial contents Q120 and Q140.

  When the playlist update unit 13A updates the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlist R1 based on the markers extracted by the playlist segment detection unit 12, the short segment delimiter detection unit 19 configures the original content QA. Each of the partial contents Q110, Q120, Q130, Q140, and Q150 is delimited and the divided time is set so that the file size of each of the partial contents Q110, Q120, Q130, Q140, and Q150 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size. Extract as a marker. Specifically, each of the partial contents Q110, Q120, Q130, Q140, and Q150 is divided every time a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reproduction from the beginning, and the divided time is extracted as a marker. Hereinafter, a total of three markers are extracted, one between the start time and end time of partial content Q120 and two between the start time and end time of partial content Q140.

  The playlist update unit 13A updates the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlist R1 based on the three markers extracted by the short division delimiter detection unit 19.

  Specifically, first, among these three markers, the one that is between the start time and the end time of the partial content Q120, the partial content Q120 is divided, and as shown in FIG. The content is composed of partial contents Q121 and Q122. Also, among these three markers, the content is between the start time and the end time of the partial content Q140, and the partial content Q140 is divided, and the partial content Q140 is divided into the partial contents Q141 and Q142 as shown in FIG. , Q143. According to this, the combination of the partial content QB and the partial contents Q121 and Q122 has the same start time and end time, and is composed of the same video data. Similarly, the partial content QC and the combination of the partial contents Q141 to Q143 are configured by the same video data.

  Next, the description of the entire playlist R0 is divided into file names, URLs, start times and end times, arranged in line breaks in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q110, Q121, Q122, Q130, Q141 to Q143, and Q150. Update to In addition, the description of the partial playlist R1 is updated to the file name, URL, start time, and end time that are lined up in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q121, Q122, and Q141 to Q143.

  The content dividing unit 17 divides the original content QA based on the entire playlist R0 updated by the playlist updating unit 13A. According to this, as shown in FIG. 10, the original content QA is divided into eight partial contents Q110, Q121, Q122, Q130, Q141 to Q143, and Q150 whose file size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size. It will be.

  As described above, by distributing the partial contents Q110, Q121, Q122, Q130, Q141 to Q143, and Q150, the original contents QA described in the entire playlist R0 can be distributed. Further, by distributing the partial contents Q121, Q122, and Q141 to Q143, the partial contents QB and QC described in the partial playlist R1 can be distributed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a case where the partial playlist R2 is acquired by the playlist input unit 11 in a state where the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlist R1 are stored in the playlist storage unit 14. FIG. 12 shows that the entire playlist R0 and partial playlists R1 and R2 updated by the playlist update unit 13A based on the partial playlist R2 acquired by the playlist input unit 11 and the content dividing unit 17 It is a figure which shows the original content QA divided | segmented into 10 pieces.

  When the partial playlist R2 is acquired by the playlist input unit 11, the playlist delimiter detection unit 12 extracts the start time and end time of the partial content QD described in the partial playlist R2 as markers. According to this, two markers are extracted.

  The playlist update unit 13A updates the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlists R1 and R2 based on the two markers extracted by the playlist break detection unit 12.

  Specifically, first, the partial contents Q110, Q121, Q122, Q130, Q141 to Q143, and Q150 constituting the original content QA are divided by these two markers, and as shown in FIG. The contents Q110, Q121, Q1221, Q1222, Q130, Q1411, Q1412, Q142, Q143, and Q150 are included. According to this, the combination of the partial content QB and the partial contents Q121, Q1221, and Q1222 has the same start time and end time, and is composed of the same video data. Similarly, the partial content QC and the partial content Q1411, Q1412, Q142, and Q143 are combined, and the partial content QD and the partial content Q1222, Q130, and Q1411 are combined. It is composed of video data.

  Next, the description of the entire playlist R0 is described with the file name, URL, and URL that are arranged in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q110, Q121, Q1221, Q1222, Q130, Q1411, Q1412, Q142, Q143, and Q150. Update to time and end time. In addition, the description of the partial playlist R1 is divided into a file name, URL, start time, and end time that are arranged in line breaks in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q121, Q1221, Q1222, Q1411, Q1412, Q142, and Q143. Update. Also, the description of the partial playlist R2 is updated to the file name, URL, start time, and end time that are lined up in line breaks in the playback order for each of the partial contents Q1222, Q130, and Q1411.

  When the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlists R1 and R2 are updated by the playlist update unit 13A based on the markers extracted by the playlist segment detection unit 12, the short segment delimiter detection unit 19 displays the original content QA. The partial contents Q110, Q121, Q1221, Q1222, Q122, Q130, Q1411, Q1412, Q142, Q143, and Q150 so that the respective file sizes are equal to or smaller than a predetermined size. Each of Q1222, Q130, Q1411, Q1412, Q142, Q143, and Q150 is divided, and the divided time is extracted as a marker. Thereafter, the file sizes of the partial contents Q110, Q121, Q1221, Q1222, Q130, Q1411, Q1412, Q142, Q143, and Q150 are not more than a predetermined size, and the number of extracted markers is “0”. And

  Thereafter, based on the markers extracted by the short division delimiter detection unit 19, the playlist update unit 13A updates the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlists R1 and R2, but the number of markers extracted as described above. Is “0”, the descriptions of the entire playlist R0 and the partial playlists R1 and R2 do not change.

  The content dividing unit 17 divides the original content QA based on the entire playlist R0 updated by the playlist updating unit 13A. According to this, as shown in FIG. 12, the original content QA includes partial contents Q110, Q121, Q1221, Q1222, Q130, Q1411, Q1412, Q142, Q143, and Q150 whose file size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size. It will be divided into 10 pieces.

  As described above, by distributing the partial contents Q110, Q121, Q1221, Q1222, Q130, Q1411, Q1412, Q142, Q143, and Q150, the original content QA described in the entire playlist R0 can be distributed. Also, by distributing the partial contents Q121, Q1221, Q1222, Q1411, Q1412, Q142, and Q143, the partial contents QB and QC described in the partial playlist R1 can be distributed. Also, by distributing the partial contents Q1222, Q130, and Q1411, the partial contents QD described in the partial playlist R2 can be distributed.

  The content division processing in the content distribution apparatus 1A will be described below with reference to FIGS. In each of steps S11 to S15 in FIG. 13, the same processing as in each of steps S1 to S5 in FIG. 6 is performed.

  In step S16, the short division delimiter detection unit 19 delimits all partial contents described in the entire playlist updated in step S15 at predetermined time intervals, extracts the delimited time as a marker, and proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the playlist update unit 13A updates the entire playlist updated in step S15 based on the markers extracted in step S16, and the process proceeds to step S18. According to this processing, the partial content described in the entire playlist is divided into the updated entire playlist so that the file size of each partial content constituting the original content is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size. Information on things will be described.

  In each of steps S18 to S22 in FIG. 14, the same processing as in each of steps S6 to S10 in FIG. 6 is performed. However, in step S20, the partial playlist searched in step S18 is updated based on the marker extracted in step S16 as well as the marker extracted in step S14. In step S21, the original content or the partial content is divided based on the entire playlist updated in step S17.

  According to the above content distribution apparatus 1A, in addition to the above-described effects that can be achieved by the content distribution apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.

  The content distribution apparatus 1A can divide the original content or the partial content described in the entire playlist so that each file size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size. For this reason, even when the maximum file size per file that can be distributed at one time is limited, the partial content can be distributed with the file size of each partial content being equal to or less than the maximum file size.

  The processing of the content distribution device 1 or the content distribution device 1A of the present invention is stored in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into the content distribution device 1 or the content distribution device 1A and executed. Thus, the present invention can be realized.

  The above-described program is transmitted from the content distribution device 1 or content distribution device 1A storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Also good. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

  Further, the above-described program may be for realizing a part of the above-described function. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the above-mentioned function in combination with the program already recorded on the content delivery apparatus 1 or the content delivery apparatus 1A, what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, the specific structure is not restricted to the above-mentioned embodiment, The design etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the original content and the partial content constituting the original content are video data generated with the same specifications. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, with the same specifications. Any data that can be continuously reproduced may be used, such as generated audio data or a combination of video data and audio data.

  Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the playlist is a text file in which the file names of the original content and partial content are described in line breaks in the playback order. Trademark) Media metafile or EDL (Edit Decision List). Further, it may be a file described in AAF (Advanced Authorizing Format) or W3C recommendation SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language).

  Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the information indicating which part of the original content the partial content corresponds to is the start time and the end time of the partial content, but is not limited thereto. For example, the amount of data from the start of reproduction from the beginning of the original content until the same video data as the beginning of the partial content is reproduced, and the reproduction of the partial content from the start of reproduction from the beginning of the original content. The amount of data until the same video data as the end is reproduced may be used.

  Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the entire playlist, the partial playlist, and the original content and the partial content are respectively stored in the playlist storage unit 14 and the content storage unit 16 included in the content distribution devices 1 and 1A. In other words, it was stored in the same device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a device including a storage unit may be provided separately and stored in each separately provided device.

  Also, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the marker is extracted, the entire playlist and the partial playlist are updated based on the extracted marker, and the original content and the partial content are divided based on the updated entire playlist. However, it is not limited to this. For example, as a first example, original content and partial content may be divided based on the extracted marker, and the entire playlist and partial playlist may be updated based on the divided original content and partial content. Further, for example, as a second example, the original content and the partial content may be divided based on the extracted marker, and the entire playlist and the partial playlist may be updated.

  In the first example and the second example described above, when the original content or partial content is divided based on the extracted marker, the information of the original content or partial content before division and the partial content after division are displayed. Information is preferably stored in the storage unit. According to this, by using the information stored in the storage unit, it is possible to accurately reflect which original content or partial content is divided into which partial content in the update of the entire playlist or partial playlist. Can do. Here, the above-mentioned information is a file name, a URL indicating a stored location, or the like.

  Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the process of dividing the original content or the partial content (the process of step S9 in the first embodiment, the process of step S21 in the second embodiment), or the process of updating the partial playlist Although it is performed after the process of step S8 in the first embodiment and the process of step S20 in the second embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the process of dividing the above-described original content or partial content may be performed in response to a content distribution request from the content reception / playback apparatus.

  Here, as in the above-described embodiments, when the process of dividing the original content or the partial content is performed after the process of updating the partial playlist, the content storage unit 16 stores the original content and the partial content. Both or only the partial contents are stored. However, if both the original content and the partial content are stored in the content storage unit 16, the storage capacity necessary for the content storage unit 16 increases. If only the partial content is stored, the content distribution device stores the original content. It will not hold.

  However, as described above, when the process of dividing the original content or the partial content is performed in response to the content distribution request from the content reception / playback device, the partial content may not be stored in the content storage unit 16. The content distribution apparatus can hold the original content while suppressing the storage capacity necessary for storing the content.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A ... Content delivery apparatus 11 ... Playlist input part 12 ... Playlist delimiter detection part 13, 13A ... Playlist update part 14 ... Playlist storage part 15 ... Playlist Transmission unit 16 ... content storage unit 17 ... content division unit 18 ... content transmission unit 19 ... short division delimiter detection unit

Claims (10)

A content distribution device that divides an original content into a plurality of partial contents and distributes one or a plurality of partial contents via a network based on a playlist,
Content storage means for storing original content and partial content;
Playlist input means for acquiring a partial playlist and creating a new partial playlist;
Playlist storage means for storing the playlist acquired by the playlist input means;
Playlist delimiter detecting means for extracting information at the beginning and end of each partial content described in the new partial playlist;
Of the playlists stored in the playlist storage means, an entire playlist that is a playlist of original content configured to include partial content described in the new partial playlist, and derived from the original content A playlist update unit that updates the partial playlist, based on the information extracted by the playlist break detection unit,
Playlist transmission means for distributing the playlist stored in the playlist storage means;
Content dividing means for dividing the original content or the partial content stored in the content storage means based on the entire playlist updated by the playlist updating means, into what is described in the overall playlist;
A content distribution apparatus comprising: content transmission means for distributing original content or partial content stored in the content storage means. The content delivery apparatus according to claim 1,
The content storage device generates an entire playlist of the original content when storing the original content. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The playlist update means updates each of the entire playlist and the partial playlist with original content or partial content described in the entire playlist, or partial content described in the partial playlist. Of these, the content distribution device is characterized in that the content distribution device performs the processing including the beginning or end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist. In the content delivery apparatus in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The content dividing unit is configured to divide the original content or the partial content into the beginning or end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist among the original content or partial content described in the entire playlist. The content distribution apparatus is characterized in that the content distribution apparatus is used for the contents including A content distribution device that divides an original content into a plurality of partial contents and distributes one or a plurality of partial contents via a network based on a playlist,
Content storage means for storing original content and partial content;
Playlist input means for acquiring a partial playlist and creating a new partial playlist;
Playlist storage means for storing the playlist acquired by the playlist input means;
Playlist delimiter detecting means for extracting information at the beginning and end of each partial content described in the new partial playlist;
Of the playlists stored in the playlist storage means, an entire playlist that is a playlist of original content configured to include partial content described in the new partial playlist, and derived from the original content A playlist update unit that updates the partial playlist, based on the information extracted by the playlist break detection unit,
When the whole playlist updated by the playlist update unit based on the information extracted by the playlist delimiter detection unit is a specific whole playlist, the original content or the partial content described in the specific whole playlist By dividing each of them into one or more, the file size of each of the original content or the partial content is set to a specific size or less, and the information of the division point that divided the original content or the partial content is extracted. Short segment break detection means;
Playlist transmission means for distributing the playlist stored in the playlist storage means;
Content dividing means for dividing the original content or the partial content stored in the content storage means based on the entire playlist updated by the playlist updating means, into what is described in the overall playlist;
Content transmitting means for distributing original content or partial content stored in the content storage means,
When the information is extracted by the short segment delimiter detecting unit, the playlist update unit is updated based on the information extracted by the playlist delimiter detecting unit based on the information. A content distribution apparatus for updating a playlist. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
When storing the original content by the content storage means,
The content storage means generates an entire playlist of the original content,
The short division delimiter detecting means extracts the information,
The content distribution apparatus, wherein the playlist update unit updates the entire playlist and the partial playlist based on the information extracted by the short segment break detection unit. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
The playlist update means includes
When the information is extracted by the playlist delimiter detection means, the update of each of the entire playlist and the partial playlist is performed on the original content or the partial content described in the entire playlist, or Among the partial contents described in the partial playlist, the content including the beginning or the end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist is performed.
When the information is extracted by the short division delimiter detecting means, the respective updates of the entire playlist and the partial playlist are updated with the original content or partial content described in the entire playlist, or A content distribution apparatus, wherein the content distribution device performs the partial content described in the partial playlist including the original content or the partial point that divides the partial content. The content distribution apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The content dividing unit is configured to divide the original content or the partial content into the beginning or end of the partial content described in the new partial playlist among the original content or partial content described in the entire playlist. And a content distribution apparatus that performs the processing for content including the original content or the content that divides the partial content. The content distribution apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The content distribution device, wherein the content dividing unit divides the original content or the partial content when the partial content is distributed by the content transmitting unit. The content distribution apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The playlist input unit obtains a partial playlist, creates a new partial playlist, stores the partial playlist in the playlist storage unit, and stores the new partial playlist from the playlist stored in the playlist storage unit. Search the entire playlist of the original content including the partial content described in the list, and the partial playlist derived from the original content,
The content distribution apparatus, wherein the playlist update unit updates the whole playlist and the partial playlist for those searched by the playlist input unit.

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