JP2011023806A - Video content distribution control system, video content distribution control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable fine reproduction control for a video content without applying a biased load to a viewer terminal or a server. <P>SOLUTION: The viewer terminal includes: a request information primary acquisition means for acquiring the viewing request of a viewer as viewing request information; a determination information primary acquisition means for acquiring first reproduction control determination information describing whether reproduction control of a video content can be executed or not; and a primary determination means for determining reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information on the basis of the first reproduction control determination information and transmitting the viewing request information to the server. The server includes: a request information secondary acquisition means for acquiring the transmitted viewing request information; a determination information secondary acquisition means for acquiring second reproduction control determination information describing whether reproduction control can be executed or not per partial section of the subdivided video content; a secondary determination means for determining reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information on the basis of the second reproduction control determination information; and a reproduction control execution means for executing the reproduction control in accordance with the determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video content distribution control system, a video distribution control method, and a program for controlling reproduction of video content in response to a viewer's request in a service for distributing video from a server to a viewer terminal.

  A video distribution service that distributes video stored on the server side through a network in response to a viewer's individual request is called a VOD (Video On Demand) service. This VOD service is being used by many viewers on the Internet and next-generation networks because viewers can view their favorite videos at any time like so-called rental video.

  In addition, the VOD service receives individual requests from viewers at the server and distributes the video, so that the viewer can watch the video content at any time, and by utilizing the network interactivity, the viewer can There is an advantage that it is possible to perform video reproduction control corresponding to a viewing request such as fast-forward, rewind, and jump to a specified time. As a result, the convenience that the viewer can view the “favorite scene” of the “favorite video” with the “favorite view” at the “favorite timing” increases the value of the service.

  In addition, the reproduction control of video content can not only perform fast forward and rewind of video, but also prohibit them. For example, by ensuring the exposure of CM video by prohibiting fast-forwarding and jumping of CM (commercial message) video, a free video distribution business based on advertising revenue becomes possible. Further, it is possible to cope with the case where reproduction control is prohibited by the intention of the video content provider, which is also effective from the viewpoint of protecting the rights of the video content.

  The conventional VOD service playback control method obtains information related to video content playback control at the viewer terminal together with the video content, and determines and controls playback control available on the video content to be viewed at the viewer terminal. ing. For example, a Windows Media (registered trademark, hereinafter referred to as “TM”) metafile describes information such as an access destination, a title, and an outline of video content on the server, and specifies a plurality of video content in order. Means for reproducing and means for designating whether fast-forwarding of each video content is possible are provided. The viewer terminal (playback player) that has received the Windows Media (TM) metafile acquires the video content from the access destination of the described video content, determines whether fast-forwarding is possible according to the metafile, and fast-forwarding is prohibited. In addition, a mechanism is provided that realizes playback control for each video content, such as playing a main movie that can be fast-forwarded after playing the CM video content (see Non-Patent Document 1).

`` Utilization of Windows Media (TM) metafile '', Microsoft Corporation, http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd148561.aspx#asx_ad, March 18, 2009.

  However, when determining whether or not playback control is possible on the client side by the method described above, it is assumed that problems such as avoiding the determination by adding various hardware and software modifications to the viewer terminal. For example, if a skip of a CM video that should be prohibited is executed, the business based on advertising revenue may be disrupted. However, as long as the determination is made at the viewer terminal, it is difficult to avoid such a problem.

  In addition, in the conventional VOD service, since whether or not playback control is uniformly set for the entire video content to be distributed, the details of the video and how much the viewer has viewed how far the video has been viewed are detailed. There is a problem that simple reproduction control cannot be realized easily. For example, if it is necessary to prohibit jumping to the climax of the movie so that the criminal of the mysterious movie is not revealed, or if fast-forwarding or rewinding is prohibited outside the video section that has been watched once, This is the case when you want to encourage viewing.

  When it is desired to perform such detailed playback control, for example, the conventional method employs a method of dividing video content into a CM video and a main video and setting whether or not playback control is possible for each video. However, since there is a time lag in switching the video content, there arises a problem that the video cannot be viewed smoothly. In addition, editing work such as dividing the climax part as another video content is required, which places a heavy burden on the video content provider.

  In order to deal with such a problem, a method of performing the above-mentioned detailed determination by considering that the reproduction control determination is performed not for each video content but for each partial section of the video, for example, for each scene section. . However, when such a determination is performed at the viewer terminal, in order to perform playback control using the viewer's viewing state, in particular, information regarding the viewing state is held at the viewer terminal or the server side appropriately It becomes necessary to acquire. Regarding the former, it is difficult to hold the viewing state of all the video content viewed in the viewer terminal due to hardware restrictions of the viewer terminal. In the latter case, since it is necessary to synchronize the final viewing state with the server side, the viewer terminal must perform complicated processing including determination processing. In addition, this method depends on processing on the viewer terminal side, and there is a risk that prohibited acts are avoided. On the other hand, when processing is performed on the server side, it is not possible to determine whether or not playback control is possible unless determination is made, so that it is necessary to determine all viewing requests requested by the viewer on the server side, and the load on the server side is increased. The problem of becoming high arises.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above problem recognition, and an object thereof is to enable fine reproduction control for video content without imposing a biased load on the viewer terminal and the server.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the video content distribution control system of the present invention controls reproduction, fast-forwarding, rewinding, and the like of video content distributed from a server to a viewer terminal according to a viewer's viewing request. In the video content distribution control system, the viewer terminal obtains request information primary acquisition means for acquiring the viewer's viewing request as viewing request information, the entire video of the video content, or the video content. Determination information primary acquisition means for acquiring first reproduction control determination information describing information on whether or not the reproduction control can be performed on at least one of the partial sections, and the first information acquired by the determination information primary acquisition means Based on one reproduction control determination information, the replay corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition means. Primary determination for determining whether or not control is feasible and transmitting the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition means to the server when it is determined that the playback control is feasible And the server receives the viewing request information transmitted from the viewer terminal when it is determined by the viewer terminal primary determination means that playback control can be performed, and the viewing terminal Request information secondary acquisition means to acquire as a viewing request of the user, and for each partial section of the video content subdivided than information on whether or not to perform the playback control described in the first playback control determination information Determination information secondary acquisition means for acquiring second reproduction control determination information describing information on whether or not reproduction control can be performed, and the second reproduction control acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition means Secondary determination means for determining whether or not the reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information secondary acquisition means can be performed based on fixed information, and the secondary determination means And a regeneration control execution means for performing the regeneration control according to the determination result.
As a result, the viewer terminal roughly determines whether or not the playback control for the video content can be performed, and when it is determined that the playback control can be performed, the playback is performed for each partial section of the video content. The server can determine in detail whether the control can be performed. This simplifies (thinning out) the process of determining whether or not playback control can be performed on the viewer terminal, and distributes the load on the viewer terminal and the server, while controlling the playback control for each partial section of the video content. It becomes possible to determine whether or not it can be performed.

Further, the determination information primary acquisition means of the present invention extracts reproduction control determination information that can be determined statically from second reproduction control determination information described for each partial section of the video content, and performs first reproduction control. It is acquired as determination information.
Thus, the playback control determination information that is highly likely to change dynamically is determined by the server based on the viewer's viewing history and the like, and the playback control determination information that can be determined statically is the viewer terminal. Since the determination process is performed, the load of the determination process on the viewer terminal and the server can be efficiently distributed.

In addition, the determination information secondary acquisition unit of the present invention acquires second reproduction control determination information capable of determining whether or not the reproduction control can be performed for each partial section of the video content based on the viewing history of the viewer. It is characterized by.
As a result, the viewing status of how far the viewer has viewed the video content can be grasped using the viewing history of the viewer, and the fast-forwarding of the unviewed partial section of the video content is not performed. Thus, it is possible to perform playback control such as control that prevents skipping of video content by enabling only skipped partial sections to be skipped.

Further, the secondary determination means of the present invention is characterized in that the viewing request information acquired by the request information secondary acquisition means based on the second reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition means. It is foreseeing an execution result when the regeneration control corresponding to is performed, and determining whether or not the regeneration control is executable based on the foreseeed execution result.
As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not playback control can be performed in anticipation of the execution result when playback control is performed, so that it is impossible to skip over a non-skippable partial section of video content, or video content is not viewed It is possible to perform detailed reproduction control based on a complex condition such that it is impossible to skip to the partial section.

Also, the video content distribution control method of the present invention is a video content distribution that performs reproduction control such as reproduction, fast forward, and rewind according to the viewing request of the viewer for the video content distributed from the server to the viewer terminal. A video content delivery control method of a control system, wherein the request information primary acquisition means of the viewer terminal acquires the viewer's viewing request as viewing request information, and the viewer terminal determination Determination that the information primary acquisition means acquires first reproduction control determination information describing information indicating whether or not the reproduction control can be performed on at least one of the entire video content or a partial section of the video content Information primary acquisition procedure, and the primary reproduction means of the viewer terminal is the first reproduction acquired by the determination information primary acquisition means Based on the determination information, it is determined whether or not the reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition unit can be performed, and it is determined that the reproduction control can be performed. A primary determination procedure for transmitting the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition means to the server, wherein the request information secondary acquisition means of the server performs primary determination of the viewer terminal. A request information secondary acquisition procedure for receiving the viewing request information transmitted from the viewer terminal and acquiring it as the viewing request of the viewer when it is determined that reproduction control can be performed by the means; and the server The determination information secondary acquisition means for each partial section of the video content subdivided from the information indicating whether or not the reproduction control can be performed described in the first reproduction control determination information The determination information secondary acquisition procedure for acquiring the second reproduction control determination information describing the information on whether or not the reproduction control can be performed, and the secondary determination unit of the server are acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition unit Based on second reproduction control determination information, a secondary determination procedure for determining whether or not the reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information secondary acquisition unit can be performed, The reproduction control execution means of the server includes a reproduction control execution procedure for executing the reproduction control according to the determination result of the secondary determination means.
As a result, first, the viewer terminal roughly determines whether or not the playback control for the video content can be performed. When it is determined that the playback control can be performed, the playback is performed for each partial section of the video content. Whether or not the control can be performed can be determined in detail by the server. As a result, it is possible to simplify (decimate) the process of determining whether playback control can be performed on the viewer terminal, and to distribute the load of processing by the viewer terminal and processing by the server for each partial section of the video content. In addition, it is possible to determine whether or not the reproduction control can be performed.

In the determination information primary acquisition procedure of the present invention, the first reproduction control is performed by extracting reproduction control determination information that can be determined statically from second reproduction control determination information described for each partial section of the video content. It is acquired as determination information.
Thereby, based on the viewer's viewing history, etc., the playback control determination information that is highly likely to change dynamically is determined by processing by the server, and the playback control determination information that can be determined statically is the viewer terminal. Therefore, the load on the determination process between the viewer terminal and the server can be efficiently distributed.

Further, the determination information secondary acquisition procedure according to the present invention acquires second reproduction control determination information capable of determining whether or not the reproduction control can be performed for each partial section of the video content based on the viewing history of the viewer. It is characterized by.
As a result, the viewing status of how far the viewer has viewed the video content can be grasped using the viewing history of the viewer, and the fast-forwarding of the unviewed partial section of the video content is not performed. Thus, it is possible to perform playback control such as control that prevents skipping of video content by enabling only skipped partial sections to be skipped.

Further, the secondary determination procedure of the present invention includes the viewing request information acquired by the request information secondary acquisition unit based on the second reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition unit. Foreseeing the execution result when the reproduction control corresponding to is performed, and determining whether or not the reproduction control that is the viewing request of the viewer is executable based on the predicted execution result. It is characterized by.
As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not playback control can be performed in anticipation of the execution result when playback control is performed, so that it is impossible to skip over a non-skippable partial section of video content, or video content is not viewed It is possible to perform detailed reproduction control based on a complex condition such that it is impossible to skip to the partial section.

In addition, the viewer terminal program of the present invention provides video content distribution for performing playback control such as playback, fast forward, and rewind according to the viewer's viewing request for the video content distributed from the server to the viewer terminal. A request information primary acquisition step for acquiring the viewer's viewing request as viewing request information in the computer of the viewer terminal of the control system, and at least one of the entire video of the video content or a partial section of the video content A determination information primary acquisition step for acquiring first reproduction control determination information describing information on whether or not the reproduction control can be performed for one, and the first reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information primary acquisition step. Based on the playback request information corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition step A primary determination step of determining whether or not it is feasible and transmitting the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition step to the server when it is determined that the reproduction control is feasible; , Is executed.
Accordingly, it is possible to execute a rough determination process as to whether or not playback control for video content by the viewer terminal can be performed. As a result, it is possible to simplify (thinning out) the process for determining whether or not playback control can be performed on the viewer terminal.

Also, the server program of the present invention is a video content distribution control system for performing reproduction control such as reproduction, fast-forwarding, rewinding and the like in response to the viewing request of the viewer for the video content distributed from the server to the viewer terminal. The server computer receives the viewing request information transmitted from the viewer terminal and obtains it as the viewing request of the viewer when it is determined that the playback control can be performed by the viewer terminal. A request information secondary acquisition step, a determination information secondary acquisition step for acquiring second playback control determination information that describes whether or not the playback control can be performed for each segment of the segmented video content, Acquired by the request information secondary acquisition step based on the second reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition step Secondary determination step for determining whether or not the playback control corresponding to the received viewing request information can be performed, and a playback control execution step for performing the playback control according to the determination result of the secondary determination step Are executed.
Thereby, when it is determined that the playback control can be performed by the viewer terminal, the detailed determination processing of whether or not the playback control can be performed for each partial section of the video content by the server is executed. it can. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not playback control can be performed for each partial section of the video content.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the viewer terminal roughly determines whether or not the playback control for the video content can be performed, and the server determines in detail, whereby the viewer terminal and the server are determined in detail. Thus, there is an effect that it is possible to perform fine reproduction control on the video content without imposing a biased load on the video content.

It is the block diagram which showed schematic structure of the video content delivery control system of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the reproduction | regeneration request information in the video content delivery control system of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the 1st reproduction | regeneration control determination information in the video content delivery control system of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the 2nd reproduction | regeneration control determination information in the video content delivery control system of this invention. It is the figure which showed another example of the 2nd reproduction | regeneration control determination information in the video content delivery control system of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process sequence which predicts the execution result in the video content delivery control system of this invention, and determines the propriety of reproduction | regeneration control. It is the figure which showed another example of the 1st reproduction | regeneration control determination information in the video content delivery control system of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video content distribution control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The video content distribution control system of this embodiment includes a terminal 100, a server 200, a playback control determination information DB (database) 300, a video content DB 400, and a viewing log DB 500. In addition, each component in the video content distribution control system of the present embodiment is connected by a communication means such as a network. In the present invention, the method for connecting the components of the video content distribution control system is not limited to the method of the present embodiment, and for example, a configuration in which the components are directly connected by a communication cable may be employed. Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which each component of the video content distribution control system is configured by another device, but a configuration in which several components are included in the same device may be employed. . For example, the server 200, the reproduction control determination information DB 300, the video content DB 400, and the viewing log DB 500 can be configured by the same device.

The reproduction control determination information DB 300 is a database that stores reproduction control information that is information such as items of reproduction control for video content to be viewed and whether or not the reproduction control can be performed.
The video content DB 400 is a database that stores video content to be distributed to viewers.
The viewing log DB 500 is a database that holds a viewer's viewing history as a viewing log.

  The terminal 100 accepts a viewing request from the viewer and plays and displays the distributed video content. The terminal 100 includes a request information input unit 101, a request information primary acquisition unit 102, a determination information primary acquisition unit 103, a primary determination unit 104, a video content reproduction unit 105, and a display unit 106.

  The server 200 distributes video content to the terminal 100 and performs playback control such as fast-forwarding and rewinding according to a viewer's viewing request. The server 200 includes a request information secondary acquisition unit 201, a determination information secondary acquisition unit 202, a secondary determination unit 203, a playback control execution unit 204, and a video content transmission unit 205.

The request information input unit 101 receives a request for viewing such as designation of video content to be played back, playback, fast forward, rewind, primary stop, skip, etc. of the video content. For example, when the terminal 100 is a terminal dedicated to video viewing such as a set-top box, video content designation and viewing request are input to the request information input unit 101 by a user interface such as a remote controller operated by the viewer. Further, for example, when the terminal 100 is a general-purpose terminal such as a personal computer (PC) terminal, a GUI (graphical user interface) program that implements a playback button, a fast-forward button, and the like is executed, and the viewer can use an input device such as a mouse. By operating the GUI, information specifying the video content and viewing request information are input to the request information input unit 101.
The request information input unit 101 outputs the input viewing request to the request information primary acquisition unit 102.

An overview of the designation of video content by the viewer and the input of viewing requests is as follows.
The viewer first designates video content to be viewed using the request information input unit 101. As a method for designating video content by the viewer, for example, a list of video content stored on the server 200 side is displayed on the display unit 106 of the terminal 100, and the list of video content displayed on the display unit 106 is displayed. This is performed by a method such as selecting video content that the viewer wants to view. Further, for example, it is possible to narrow down the video content using a search means based on a keyword or the like and select the searched video content.
In addition, while viewing the video content, the viewer inputs a request for viewing such as fast-forwarding or skipping the currently viewed video content to the request information input unit 101.
Note that the present invention does not limit the method for specifying video content by the viewer and the method for inputting the viewing request.

The request information primary acquisition unit 102 acquires the viewing request input from the request information input unit 101 as reproduction request information requested by the viewer.
Further, the request information primary acquisition unit 102 outputs the acquired reproduction request information to the primary determination unit 104.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of reproduction request information in the video content distribution control system of the present embodiment. The reproduction request information shown in FIG. 2 includes control information requested by the viewer for the video content, a time on the video content when the request occurs (hereinafter referred to as “video time”), and an argument corresponding to the request. It contains information.
In the following description, when an item in the information is represented, the item name is enclosed in square brackets (“”), and when representing the data described in the item in the information, the content of the data is double quoted (“ ”).

For example, in the playback request information when video content is desired to be played, “playback” is written in “control information to be requested” and “video content identifier” is written in “argument”. Note that the “video time at the time of request generation” is not described in the reproduction request information when it is desired to reproduce the video content. The “video content identifier” is, for example, an identifier such as a file name of the video content or an ID uniquely assigned to each video content on the server 200 side including the video content DB 400. The “video content identifier” may be any information as long as the video content can be uniquely specified.
In addition, for example, when requesting fast-forwarding of video content, the playback request information includes “fast-forward” in “requested control information” and “double-speed value” which is a value indicating how many times video content is fast-forwarded in “argument” “Video time when request is generated” is described in “Video time when request is generated”.
Also, for example, if you want to skip video content, the request information includes “Skip” for “Requested control information”, “Video time for skipping” for “Argument”, and “Request for video time when request occurs” The video time when “

The determination information primary acquisition unit 103 acquires, from the reproduction control determination information DB 300, first reproduction control determination information describing information on reproduction control that cannot be performed on the video content to be viewed. The simplest example of the first reproduction control determination information is information that statically describes reproduction control that cannot be performed on the entire video content. For example, in video content such as a CM video in which fast-forward and forward skip are prohibited in the entire video, playback control information such as “cannot fast-forward, skip-forward” is acquired as the first playback control determination information.
The determination information primary acquisition unit 103 outputs the acquired first reproduction control determination information to the primary determination unit 104.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of first reproduction control determination information in the video content distribution control system of the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the first reproduction control determination information for the three video contents (video contents A to C) as shown in FIG. 3A is shown in FIG. The first reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 3B is information in which “video content” is associated with “control information (non-permitted)” indicating reproduction control information that cannot be performed on the video content. . In FIG. 3B, as in the case of CM video, video content B for which fast forward and forward skip cannot be performed, and a jump (skip by time designation) operation according to the intention of the right holder of the video content This shows a case where data of “control information (non-permitted)” is described in the video content C that is prohibited. The data described in “control information (non-permitted)” in the first reproduction control determination information in the present embodiment is an example in which data indicating information on reproduction control that cannot be performed is described. Alternatively, data indicating information on play control that can be performed may be described. In addition, depending on the video content, there may be different playback control information that cannot be performed in the first part and the second part of the video, but in this embodiment, the first playback control information for the entire video is described. A description will be given using one reproduction control determination information.

  In the video content distribution control system according to the present embodiment, the determination information primary acquisition unit 103 generates reproduction control determination information that can be determined statically from the second reproduction control determination information described for each partial section of the video content. It can be extracted and acquired as first reproduction control determination information. A method for acquiring the first reproduction control determination information extracted from the second reproduction control determination information and its effect will be described later.

The primary determination unit 104, based on the first reproduction control determination information input from the determination information primary acquisition unit 103, the reproduction request information input from the request information primary acquisition unit 102, that is, the viewing request input by the viewer It is determined whether or not can be implemented. For example, for the video content whose first playback control determination information input to the primary determination unit 104 is “fast forward impossible, forward skip disabled”, “request control information” is “fast forward” or “forward skip” When the playback request information is input, it is determined that the playback control of the video content by the input “requested control information” cannot be performed. Also, it is determined that reproduction request information whose “request control information” is other than “fast forward” or “forward skip” can be implemented for this video content.
When it is determined that the reproduction control based on the reproduction request information input from the request information primary acquisition unit 102 can be performed, the primary determination unit 104 inputs the reproduction request information, that is, the viewing request input by the viewer. Is transmitted to the request information secondary acquisition unit 201 of the server 200.

  The request information secondary acquisition unit 201 acquires (receives) reproduction request information that is transmitted from the primary determination unit 104 of the terminal 100 and is information of a viewing request that is determined to be executable for reproduction control. The request information secondary acquisition unit 201 outputs the received reproduction request information to the secondary determination unit 203. Further, the request information secondary acquisition unit 201 outputs a signal indicating that the reproduction request information has been acquired from the primary determination unit 104 of the terminal 100 to the determination information secondary acquisition unit 202.

The determination information secondary acquisition unit 202 receives a signal indicating that the reproduction request information has been acquired from the primary determination unit 104 of the terminal 100 because the request information secondary acquisition unit 201 has acquired viewing request information. Then, second reproduction control determination information in which reproduction control information that cannot be performed on the video content to be viewed is described for each partial section of the video content is acquired from the reproduction control determination information DB 300.
The determination information secondary acquisition unit 202 outputs the acquired second reproduction control determination information to the secondary determination unit 203.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of second reproduction control determination information in the video content distribution control system of the present embodiment. FIG. 4B shows second playback control determination information for the video content A divided for each partial section as shown in FIG. 4A. The second playback control determination information shown in FIG. 4B includes “video content”, “section” indicating information for identifying a partial section, “start video time” and “end video time” of the partial section, and part. This is information associated with “control information (non-permitted)” indicating reproduction control information that cannot be performed for each section. The data described in “control information (non-permitted)” in the second reproduction control determination information in the present embodiment is an example in which data indicating information on reproduction control that cannot be performed is described. Alternatively, data indicating information on play control that can be performed may be described.

  Note that, when control information that cannot be performed, such as the second reproduction control determination information of the present embodiment, is described in the reproduction control determination information DB 300, data of partial sections in which all reproduction control can be performed is described. There is no need to keep it. For example, “partial section” = “B, D, F, H” in FIG. 4B is a section where there is no reproduction control that cannot be performed, and therefore there is no “control information (non-permitted)” data. It is not necessary to describe the data on the database. As described above, the database can be efficiently used by deleting the data of the partial section in which the description of the data is unnecessary on the database.

  In addition, when describing control information that cannot be performed, it is necessary to clarify the control information that can be performed. However, as the initial value (default value), it is determined that all the playback controls can be performed. It can be described in the DB 300. Further, the default value of the reproducible playback control can be set as a system setting value. Further, for example, it is possible to change the setting of the default value of the reproduction control that can be performed depending on the video genre or the like.

  In addition, the partial playback section for the video content described in the playback control determination information DB 300 and the second playback control determination information, which is playback control information that cannot be performed, are set by manually inputting each video content. However, for example, it is possible to set (apply) automatically by a known CM detection technique. For example, when it is desired to exert the advertising effect of CM by prohibiting playback control such as fast-forwarding and skipping, “fast-forwarding is not possible, forward is automatically applied to a CM video section detected using a known CM detection technique. This can be realized by writing in the reproduction control determination information DB 300 information on reproduction control that cannot be performed, such as “skip impossible” data. In addition, for example, it may be possible to prohibit a jump operation for an important partial section such as a climax video of a movie by the intention of the video content provider (right holder). In this case, for example, reproduction described in the reproduction control determination information DB 300 is performed by combining a technique for detecting a section of a climax scene indicating the excitement of video content from the power of audio information or its temporal delta value, which is a known technique. Control information can be efficiently given. In the present invention, there is no limitation regarding the technique for adding data to the second reproduction control determination information described in the reproduction control determination information DB 300.

  Further, in the video content distribution control system of the present embodiment, the determination information secondary acquisition unit 202 describes the reproduction control information that cannot be performed for each partial section of the video content based on the viewing history of the viewer. Reproduction control determination information can be acquired.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of second reproduction control determination information described based on the viewing history of the viewer in the video content distribution control system of the present embodiment. FIG. 5B shows second reproduction control determination information for the video content A divided for each partial section as shown in FIG. 5A. The second reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 5B determines whether or not reproduction control can be performed based on the viewing history of the viewer based on the second reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. In addition, an item of “condition” for this purpose and an item of “additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)” indicating information on reproduction control that cannot be performed based on the “condition” are added. In the video content distribution control system of the present embodiment, it is described in the item “control information (non-permitted)” regardless of whether or not the “condition” item described in the second playback control determination information is satisfied. Control information, that is, information on reproduction control that cannot be performed in a partial section of video content is validated. When the “condition” item is satisfied, control information described in the “additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)” item, that is, information on reproduction control that cannot be performed, is further added. Note that the data described in “control information (non-permitted)” and “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)” in the second reproduction control determination information in the present embodiment is the reproduction control that cannot be performed. Although an example in which data indicating information is described is shown, data indicating information on reproduction control that can be performed may be described.

  In the second playback control determination information shown in FIG. 5B, the video content of the partial section in which “Unviewed section” is described in “Condition” is added in the partial section that is not viewed by the viewer. The data of “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)” indicating information on reproduction control that cannot be performed becomes valid. For example, the viewer is watching from the video time t2 to the video time t3 (t2 <t3) of the video content A shown in FIG. 5A, that is, in the section B of the video content A until the video time t2 ′. Then, from the video time t2 ′ to the video time t3 thereafter, data of “additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)” described in “section” = “B” in the second playback control determination information Becomes effective. More specifically, in section B of video content A shown in FIG. 5A, “control information (non-permitted)” does not contain data indicating information on reproduction control that cannot be performed. All playback controls are possible in the section (video time t2 to video time t2 ′) viewed by the viewer. However, in the section where the viewer is not viewing (video time t2 ′ to video time t3), fast-forwarding and forward skip described in “Additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)” are performed in the playback control. Can not do it.

  In the second playback control determination information shown in FIG. 5B, “control information (non-permitted)” for the video content of the partial section in which “video viewing count ≦ 0” is described in the “condition”. When the number of times that the video content has been viewed to the end is 0 or less, the data of “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)” is further valid. For example, this condition is set in the section G that is the climax scene of the video content A shown in FIG. 5A, and in this section G, all viewers are in the second playback control determination information. The data of “control information (non-permitted)” described in “section” = “G” cannot be invalidated. Further, if the viewer has not watched once until the end, data of “additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)” described in “section” = “G” in the second playback control determination information Cannot be invalidated. This restricts fast-forwarding and forward skip of the climax scene.

As described above, playback control according to the intention of the video content provider can be performed according to the conditions described in the second playback control determination information. In the above description, the second playback control determination in which two types of conditions, “unviewed section” and “video viewing count ≦ 0”, are set as the playback control determination conditions based on the viewer's viewing history. The information has been described as an example. For example, by making it impossible to skip only one CM video section of the sections A, C, E, and I of the video content A, the minimum advertising effect is ensured. It is also possible to operate it.
In the present invention, the data that is the content of the condition described in the second reproduction control determination information is not limited to the above-described condition, and various conditions can be set.

  Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which information on reproduction control that cannot be performed in a partial section of video content that satisfies the “condition” item described in the second reproduction control determination information is invalidated. In addition, a plurality of pieces of reproduction control information that cannot be performed on the partial sections of the video content are described, and a selection can be made depending on whether or not the “condition” item is satisfied.

  Based on the second reproduction control determination information input from the determination information secondary acquisition unit 202, the secondary determination unit 203 performs the reproduction control described in the reproduction request information input from the request information secondary acquisition unit 201. Determine whether it is possible. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the viewing request input by the viewer can be executed.

For example, in FIG. 4A, when a viewing request of “double speed fast forward” is input when the viewer views the video content A until video time t4 ′, the request information secondary acquisition unit 201 “requests”. The reproduction request information in which “control information” = “fast forward”, “video time at request generation” = “t4 ′”, “argument” = “2.0” is input. The secondary determination unit 203 determines whether or not the input reproduction request information can be executed based on the second reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 4B input from the determination information secondary acquisition unit 202. Determine. In the second reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 4B, “section” = “D” “control information (non-permitted)” including the video time t4 ′ in the second reproduction control determination information. Since the requested “double speed fast forward” data is not described, it is determined that the reproduction control can be performed.
When it is determined that the reproduction control of the video content based on the reproduction request information input from the request information secondary acquisition unit 201 is feasible, the secondary determination unit 203 determines the input reproduction request information, that is, the viewer. The input viewing request information is output to the playback control execution unit 204.

  Further, when the secondary determination unit 203 describes data based on the viewing history of the viewer in the “condition” in the second reproduction control determination information input from the determination information secondary acquisition unit 202, The secondary determination unit 203 acquires the viewing status of the video content being played back by acquiring the viewing log of the video content that the viewer has viewed so far from the viewing log DB 500. Based on the obtained viewing situation, it is determined whether or not reproduction control can be performed. Note that the viewing log acquired by the secondary determination unit 203 from the viewing log DB 500 is not shown, but viewing that shows who viewed it, “what”, “from”, and “how far”. By acquiring the log, the secondary determination unit 203 can determine whether or not reproduction control can be performed based on the viewing history of the viewer.

  For example, in FIG. 5A, when the viewer inputs a viewing request of “double speed fast forward” when viewing the video content A until the video time t4 ′, the request information secondary acquisition unit 201 similarly receives the request. The reproduction request information in which “control information to be requested” = “fast forward”, “video time when the request is generated” = “t4 ′”, and “argument” = “2.0” is input. The secondary determination unit 203 determines whether or not the input reproduction request information can be executed based on the second reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 5B input from the determination information secondary acquisition unit 202. Determine. More specifically, the requested viewing request for “double speed fast forward” is “section” = “D” in which the video time t4 ′ is included in the second reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 5B. “Additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)”, and “Unviewed section” is described in “Condition”. Here, if the viewing log indicates that the viewer is viewing the video content A only until the video time t4 ′, the secondary determination unit 203 determines the section D of the video content A shown in FIG. , It is determined that “double speed fast-forward” cannot be performed in the section (video time t4 ′ to video time t5) that the viewer is not viewing. Note that it is determined that “double-speed fast-forward” is possible in the section (video time t4 to video time t4 ′) viewed by the viewer. Here, if the viewing log indicates that the viewer is viewing the video content A until the video time t7, the secondary determination unit 203 uses the second reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. It is determined that the condition described in “section” = “D” is cleared, and it is determined that “double speed fast forward” can be performed.

  In the video content distribution control system of this embodiment, the secondary determination unit 203 is based on the viewing log acquired from the viewing log DB 500 and the second playback control determination information input from the determination information secondary acquisition unit 202. Is foreseeing the execution result when the reproduction request information input from the request information secondary acquisition unit 201 is executed, and based on the predicted execution result, reproduction request information, that is, information on the viewing request input by the viewer It can also be determined whether or not can be implemented.

  For example, in FIG. 5A, it is assumed that the viewer inputs a forward skip viewing request to the video time t7 'when the viewer views the video content A until the video time t2'. Here, if the secondary determination unit 203 acquires the viewing log from the viewing log DB 500 and the viewer has already watched the video content A until the video time t7 ′, the video content A until the video time t7 ′. Determines that the condition described in “section” = “G” of the second playback control determination information shown in FIG. 5B is cleared, and all playback controls are possible.

However, if the viewer has watched the video content A only until the video time t2 ′, the skip to the video time t7 ′ not only skips the CM video sections C and E, but also the climax scene. Thus, the viewer can skip to the section G, and the viewer who views the video content A for the first time suddenly views the core part of the story. Accordingly, the secondary determination unit 203 determines that it is impossible for a viewer who has viewed the video content A only until the video time t3 to skip to the video time t7 ′.
This can be considered in the same manner as described above even if the viewer is viewing the video content A until the video time t5. Further, even when the viewer is watching the video content A until the video time t7, the CM video section is not skipped, but the viewer does not watch from the video time t7 to the video time t7 'in the climax scene. Therefore, it is against the intention of the video content provider.

  Thus, based on the viewing log and the second playback control determination information, the moving destination of the video time that is the execution result when the viewer's viewing request is executed is foreseen, and the viewing based on the predicted execution result is viewed. It is determined whether or not the requested information can be implemented. This makes it possible to determine whether or not playback control can be performed when a viewer inputs a viewing request across different partial sections of video content.

  Here, a processing procedure for determining whether or not the reproduction control can be performed based on the predicted execution result when the reproduction determination information is executed in the secondary determination unit 203 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for predicting the execution result based on the viewing log and the second reproduction control determination information and determining whether or not reproduction control is possible. In the description of this processing procedure, reference is made to an example of the second reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 5, and viewing is performed when the assumed viewer has viewed up to the video time t2 ′ of the video content A. A processing procedure in the case where the person inputs a viewing request for forward skip to the video time t7 ′ will be described.

First, when the second reproduction control determination information describing the condition based on the viewing history of the viewer is input from the determination information secondary acquisition unit 202, the secondary determination unit 203 receives the viewing from the viewing log DB 500. The viewing log of the user's previous video content is acquired.
Thereafter, when the reproduction request information is input from the request information secondary acquisition unit 201, in step S1001, the secondary determination unit 203 displays data of “video time when the request is generated” described in the reproduction request information (hereinafter referred to as “request time generation”). , “Video time ts”). Here, the video time t2 ′ of the video content A shown in FIG. 5A is acquired as the video time ts.

  In step S1002, the secondary determination unit 203 obtains “control information (non-permitted)” in which the control information of the viewing request at the acquired video time ts is described in the second reproduction control determination information of the section including the video time ts. It is determined whether or not the data matches. If the control information requested by the viewer does not match the “control information (non-permitted)” data, the process proceeds to step S1003. If the control information requested by the viewer matches the “control information (non-permitted)” data, it is determined that the control information requested by the viewer cannot be implemented, and the process proceeds to step S1014. The process ends as “playback control is not possible”. In this processing procedure, data is described in “control information (non-permitted)” in “section” = “B” in which the video time t2 ′ is included in the second reproduction control determination information in FIG. If not, the process proceeds to step S1003. In addition, data is described in “control information (non-permission)” in “section” = “B”, and the control information requested by the viewer matches the data of “control information (non-permission)” Advances to step S1014.

  In step S1003, the secondary determination unit 203 determines whether or not the viewing log matches the “condition” data described in the second reproduction control determination information of the section including the acquired video time ts. judge. If the viewing log matches the “condition” data, the process proceeds to step S1004. If the viewing log does not match the “condition” data, the process proceeds to step S1005. In this processing procedure, if the viewing log is in a state where the viewer is viewing the video content A only until the video time t2 ′, the video time t2 in the second reproduction control determination information of FIG. In “section” = “B” including “,” the period from the video time t2 ′ to the video time t3 matches “condition” = “unviewed section”, and thus the process proceeds to step S1004. If the viewer is already viewing the video content A until the video time t7 ′, “condition” = “unviewed section” is not satisfied in “section” = “B”, and the process advances to step S1005. .

  In step S <b> 1004, the secondary determination unit 203 determines that the control information of the acquired viewing request at the video time ts is “additional control information based on conditions” described in the second playback control determination information of the section including the video time ts ( It is determined whether or not it matches the data of “not permitted”. If the control information requested by the viewer does not match the data of “additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)”, the process proceeds to step S1005. In addition, when the control information requested by the viewer matches the data of “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)”, it is determined that the control information requested by the viewer cannot be performed, Proceeding to step S1014, the processing is terminated as “playback control cannot be performed”. In this processing procedure, “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)” in “section” = “B” in which the video time t2 ′ is included in the second reproduction control determination information of FIG. , “Fast forward”, “skip forward” are described. Also, the control information of the viewing request at the video time t2 'is "forward skip". Here, since the control information of the viewing request matches the control information of the section B, the process proceeds to step S1014 and is processed as “playback control cannot be performed”. If the control information of the viewing request is other than “fast forward” and “forward skip”, for example, “backward skip”, the process proceeds to step S1005 and the determination process is continued.

  As described above, in steps S1001 to S1004, it is determined whether or not the reproduction control can be performed at the video time ts when the viewing request is generated. If it is determined that the playback control cannot be performed at the video time ts, the playback control cannot be performed.

  In step S <b> 1005, the secondary determination unit 203 acquires “argument” data described in the reproduction request information. In this processing procedure, since the viewing request is “skip forward”, the “skip destination video time” (hereinafter referred to as “video time te”) as an argument thereof is acquired. Here, the video time t7 'of the video content A shown in FIG. 5A is acquired as the video time te.

  In step S1006, the secondary determination unit 203 obtains “control information (non-permitted)” in which the control information of the viewing request at the acquired video time te is described in the second reproduction control determination information of the section including the video time te. It is determined whether or not the data matches. If the control information requested by the viewer does not match the “control information (non-permitted)” data, the process proceeds to step S1007. If the control information requested by the viewer matches the “control information (non-permitted)” data, it is determined that the control information requested by the viewer cannot be implemented, and the process proceeds to step S1014. The process ends as “playback control is not possible”. In this processing procedure, the “control information (non-permitted)” in “section” = “G” in which the video time t7 ′ is included in the second reproduction control determination information in FIG. Is described. Further, the control information of the viewing request at the video time t2 'is "forward skip". Here, since the control information of the viewing request does not match the control information of the section G, the process proceeds to step S1007. If “forward skip” is described in “control information (non-permitted)” in “section” = “G”, the control information requested by the viewer is “control information (non-permitted)” data. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S1014.

  In step S1007, the secondary determination unit 203 determines whether or not the viewing log matches the “condition” data described in the second reproduction control determination information of the section including the acquired video time te. judge. If the viewing log matches the “condition” data, the process proceeds to step S1008. If the viewing log does not match the “condition” data, the process proceeds to step S1009. In this processing procedure, if the viewing log is in a state where the viewer is viewing the video content A only until the video time t3, the video time t7 ′ is included in the second reproduction control determination information of FIG. In “section” = “G” including “”, since the condition from video time t7 to video time t7 ′ matches “condition” = “number of times of video viewing ≦ 0”, the process proceeds to step S1008. If the viewer is already viewing the video content A until the video time t7 ′, “condition” = “video viewing count ≦ 0” is not satisfied in “section” = “G”. Proceed to

  In step S <b> 1008, the secondary determination unit 203 determines that the control information of the viewing request at the acquired video time te is “additional control information based on conditions” described in the second reproduction control determination information of the section including the video time te ( It is determined whether or not it matches the data of “not permitted”. If the control information requested by the viewer does not match the data of “additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)”, the process proceeds to step S1009. In addition, when the control information requested by the viewer matches the data of “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)”, it is determined that the control information requested by the viewer cannot be performed, Proceeding to step S1014, the processing is terminated as “playback control cannot be performed”. In this processing procedure, “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)” in “section” = “G” in which the video time t7 ′ is included in the second reproduction control determination information of FIG. "Skip forward" is described. Further, the control information of the viewing request at the video time t2 'is "forward skip". Here, since the control information of the viewing request matches the control information of the section G, the process proceeds to step S1014 and is processed as “playback control cannot be performed”. If the viewing request control information is other than “skip forward”, the process proceeds to step S1009 to continue the determination process. However, it is already determined in step S1006 that the viewing request control information is “fast forward”. Therefore, the condition for proceeding from step S1008 to step S1009 is when the viewing request control information is other than “fast forward” and “forward skip”.

  In this way, in steps S1005 to S1008, it is determined whether or not playback control can be performed at the video time te when a viewing request is made. When it is determined that the playback control cannot be performed at the video time te, “playback control cannot be performed” is set. Unless the viewer has already watched the video content A until the video time t7 ', forward skip is not permitted in the section G, and it is determined that the playback control requested by the viewer cannot be performed.

  In step S1009, the secondary determination unit 203 compares the acquired video time ts with the video time te, and determines whether or not the time of the video time ts is smaller than the time of the video time te (ts <te). Determine. When the time of the video time ts is smaller than the time of the video time te, that is, when the time for viewing the video content A is advanced, the process proceeds to step S1010, and the time of the video time ts is the time of the video time te. If it is not a smaller value, the process proceeds to step S1011.

  In step S <b> 1010, the secondary determination unit 203 includes the data “control information (non-permitted)” described in the second reproduction control determination information in the section from the acquired video time ts to the video time te and the “condition”. It is determined whether or not the control information for viewing request is included in the data of “additional control information based on (not permitted)”. Thus, it is determined whether or not there is a section in the section from the video time ts to the video time te in which the playback control requested by the viewer cannot be performed. If there is no section in which the reproduction control cannot be performed, it is determined that the control information requested by the viewer can be performed, the process proceeds to step S1013, and the process ends as “playback control can be performed”. If there is a section in which the playback control cannot be performed, it is determined that the control information requested by the viewer cannot be performed, the process proceeds to step S1014, and the process ends as “playback control cannot be performed”. Here, if the viewing log is in a state where the viewer has already watched the video content A until the video time t7 ′, it is determined that “forward skip” that is the control information of the viewing request can be performed, and step The process proceeds to S1013 and is processed as “reproduction control is possible”. If the viewer is viewing the video content A only until the video time t3, it is determined that “forward skip” cannot be performed, and the process proceeds to step S1014 as “playback control cannot be performed”. It is processed. In the determination in step S1010, when the data of “additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)” is determined, the data of “condition” described in the second reproduction control determination information is combined with the viewing log. It is also possible to determine the data of “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)” after determining whether or not it has been done.

  If the time of the video time ts is not smaller than the time of the video time te in step S1009, the secondary determination unit 203 compares the acquired video time ts with the video time te in step S1011. It is determined whether or not the time of the video time ts is greater than the time of the video time te (ts> te). When the time of the video time ts is larger than the time of the video time te, that is, in the direction of returning the time for viewing the video content A, the process proceeds to step S1012 and the time of the video time ts is the time of the video time te. If it is not a larger value, it is determined that the control information requested by the viewer can be implemented, the process proceeds to step S1013, and “reproduction control can be performed” is terminated.

  In step S <b> 1012, the secondary determination unit 203 includes the data of “control information (non-permission)” described in the second reproduction control determination information in the section from the acquired video time te to the video time ts and the “condition”. It is determined whether or not the control information for viewing request is included in the data of “additional control information based on (not permitted)”. Thereby, it is determined whether or not there is a section in which the playback control requested by the viewer cannot be performed in the section from the video time te to the video time ts. If there is no section in which the reproduction control cannot be performed, it is determined that the control information requested by the viewer can be performed, the process proceeds to step S1013, and the process ends as “playback control can be performed”. If there is a section in which the playback control cannot be performed, it is determined that the control information requested by the viewer cannot be performed, the process proceeds to step S1014, and the process ends as “playback control cannot be performed”. For example, if the viewing log indicates that the viewer has already watched the video content A until the video time t7 ′, and the viewer inputs a backward skip viewing request to the video time t4, the viewing request control information It is determined that “backward skip” can be performed, and the process proceeds to step S1013 where “reproduction control can be performed” is processed. In the determination in step S1012, when determining the data of “additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)”, the data of “condition” described in the second reproduction control determination information is combined with the viewing log. It is also possible to determine the data of “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)” after determining whether or not it has been done.

  As described above, in steps S1009 to S1012, it is determined whether or not there is a section in which the playback control requested by the viewer cannot be performed in the section from the video time ts to the video time te. In the description of this processing procedure, it is checked whether or not there is a section in which “forward skip” or “backward skip” is not permitted in the section from the video time ts to the video time te. Accordingly, it is determined whether or not the reproduction control can be performed. As a result, if there is a section in which “fast forward” or “forward skip” is not permitted, as in the CM section of the video content A shown in FIG. 5A, the section skips over that section. This is a problem (as opposed to the intention of the video content provider), so that it is determined that the playback control cannot be performed by the determination process of the secondary determination unit 203.

In this processing procedure, processing in a simple forward skip operation has been described as a viewing request. However, whether or not playback control can be performed can be determined by similarly considering other viewing requests. For example, when “fast forward” is input to “control information to be requested” as a viewing request of the viewer, the next movement is performed based on “double speed value” which is data of “argument” when fast forward from the video time ts. It is possible to perform processing of sequentially calculating the video time te to be performed and sequentially determining whether or not fast-forwarding can be performed based on the calculated video time te.
In addition, as a complex viewing request, a complex operation that performs fast-forwarding after skipping can be considered. Similarly, by predicting the processing result by the secondary determination unit 203, it is appropriately determined whether or not reproduction control can be performed. be able to.

  In addition, in the step (steps S1003 and S1007) in which the determination is performed according to this processing procedure, the case where the determination is made based on the viewing log has been described. However, when there is no viewing log, it is determined that the condition matches the viewing log condition. In the subsequent steps (steps S1004 and S1008), the same determination processing can be performed by determining whether or not the control information described in “Additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)” is met. . For example, in step S1003, it is determined whether or not the “condition” data described in the second playback control determination information of the section including the video time ts acquired by the secondary determination unit 203 does not match. Since there is no viewing log, the determination in the “condition” data in the “section” in which the video time ts is included in the second reproduction control determination information is always determined to satisfy the condition, and the process proceeds to step S1004. In step S1004, it is determined whether or not the control information described in “Additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)” is matched.

  More specifically, in the processing procedure of the above example, “condition” = “unviewed section” in “section” = “B” in which the video time t2 ′ is included in the second reproduction control determination information in FIG. "Is described, but it is assumed that the viewer is viewing the video content A only until the video time t2 ', and it is determined that the data matches the" condition "data. In step S1004, the control information of the viewing request at the video time ts matches the data of “additional control information based on condition (non-permitted)” described in the second reproduction control determination information of the section including the video time ts. It is determined whether or not to do. In the determination in step S1004, if the control information requested by the viewer does not match the data of “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)”, the process proceeds to step S1005. A determination processing procedure based on time te can be performed. In step S1004, if the control information requested by the viewer matches the data of “additional control information based on conditions (non-permitted)”, it is impossible to implement the control information requested by the viewer. The process proceeds to step S1014, and “regeneration control cannot be performed” is terminated, and the process ends.

  The playback control execution unit 204 controls playback of video content based on the playback request information input from the secondary determination unit 203. The playback control execution unit 204 generates a playback control signal based on the viewing request information determined that the playback control of the video content can be performed as a result of the determination by the secondary determination unit 203, and the generated playback control The signal is output to the video content transmission unit 205. Thereby, the viewing request input by the viewer is reflected on the video content viewed by the viewer. For example, when performing playback control meaning “playback”, a playback control signal instructing the start of video content distribution is output to the video content sending unit 205. In addition, when performing playback control that means “fast forward” and “rewind”, each playback control such as specifying the playback direction, video time to start double speed (video time at the time of request generation), and double speed value, etc. The reproduction of the video content is controlled by outputting a reproduction control signal for instructing the video content to the video content transmission unit 205.

  The video content sending unit 205 acquires the video content existing in the video content DB 400 and sends the video content that is playback-controlled according to the playback control signal input from the playback control execution unit 204 to the video content playback unit 105 of the terminal 100. To do. In addition, the video content sending unit 205 can send the video content to be sent to the video content reproduction unit 105 after performing processing such as encoding or encryption on the video content to be sent. In the present invention, there is no limitation on processing for video content to be transmitted.

  In addition, the video content sending unit 205 outputs a log reproduced according to the reproduction control signal input from the reproduction control execution unit 204 to the viewing log DB 500 as a viewer's viewing log. Note that the viewing log can be output by the playback control execution unit 204 that controls the video content transmission unit 205 or other components in the server 200 and output to the viewing log DB 500. In addition, a component in the terminal 100 such as the video content playback unit 105 notifies the server 200 by real-time processing or periodic batch processing, and the component in the server 200 generates a viewing log based on the notified information. And output to the viewing log DB 500. In the present invention, there is no limitation regarding the method for generating and outputting the viewing log.

  The video content reproduction unit 105 receives the video content transmitted from the video content transmission unit 205 and outputs the received video content to the display unit 106. In addition, when the received video content is subjected to processing such as encoding or encryption, the video content playback unit 105 performs processing such as decryption or decryption on the video content, Are output to the display unit 106.

  The display unit 106 displays the video content input from the video content playback unit 105. The viewer views the video content appropriately controlled by the video content playback unit 105 using the display unit 106.

  Next, the first reproduction control determination information extracted from the second reproduction control determination information in the video content distribution control system of the present embodiment will be described. In the video content distribution control system of this embodiment, the determination information primary acquisition unit 103 extracts reproduction control determination information that can be determined statically from the second reproduction control determination information described for each partial section of the video content. The first reproduction control determination information can be acquired.

The acquisition method and effect of the first reproduction control determination information extracted from the second reproduction control determination information will be described with reference to FIG.
The determination information primary acquisition unit 103 obtains the statically reproducible playback control determination information, which is information on viewers of video content that changes every moment, additional information such as viewing status of video content, and viewing of video content. This refers to fixed playback control determination information that is given to video content without requiring information such as conditions for the video content. More specifically, in the second reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 5B, the reproduction control determination information in which no data is described in the “condition” item is applicable. The fact that no data is described in the “condition” item of the playback control determination information means that the playback control determination information is statically defined for the video content.
FIG. 7 shows the first regeneration control determination information that is derived from the second regeneration control determination information and is extracted as the regeneration control determination information that can be determined statically from the second regeneration control determination information.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the first reproduction control determination information extracted from the second reproduction control determination information in the video content distribution control system of the present embodiment. FIG. 7B shows the first reproduction control determination information for the video content A divided for each partial section as shown in FIG. 7A. The first reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 7B includes “video content”, “section” indicating information for identifying a partial section, “start video time” and “end video time” of the partial section, This is information associated with “control information (non-permitted)” indicating reproduction control information that cannot be performed for each section. The data described in “control information (non-permitted)” in the first reproduction control determination information in the present embodiment is an example in which data indicating information on reproduction control that cannot be performed is described. Alternatively, data indicating information on play control that can be performed may be described.

  The first reproduction control determination information shown in FIG. 7B is used for processing in the terminal 100, but is information that can be determined statically, and therefore processing such as comparison with the viewing state of the viewer. Do not need. For this reason, every time a viewing request is generated from the viewer, there is no need to inquire about some information on the server 200 side or save a viewing log on the terminal 100 side. Further, since the first reproduction control determination information that can be determined statically is processed on the terminal 100 side, it is not necessary to perform determination processing related to the first reproduction control determination information on the server 200 side. The load on the side can be reduced. Further, since the first reproduction control determination information can be automatically extracted from the second reproduction control determination information, there is no need to separately define the first reproduction control determination information, and the video content distribution according to this embodiment is performed. The burden on the operator of the control system and the video content provider can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, first, whether or not playback control for video content can be performed is roughly determined by the terminal 100, and it is determined that playback control can be performed. Only when this is done, the server 200 can determine in detail whether or not playback control can be performed for each partial section of the video content. As a result, it is possible to simplify (thinning out) the determination process of whether or not playback control can be performed on the terminal 100, and to determine whether or not playback control can be performed for each partial section of the video content while distributing the load on the terminal 100 and the server 200. Judgment can be made.

  The second playback control determination information that is highly likely to change dynamically based on the viewer's viewing history or the like is processed on the server 200 side and can be determined statically. Since information is processed on the terminal 100 side, the load of determination processing can be efficiently distributed between the terminal 100 and the server 200.

  In addition, by using the viewer's viewing history to grasp the viewing state such as how far the viewer has viewed the video content, playback control such as fast-forwarding is performed for video content including unviewed partial sections. Provides playback control such as control that does not implement video content, and only playback control that enables skipping only the partial sections that have already been viewed and prevents the viewer from seeing the climax scene of the video content first. It becomes possible to do.

  In addition, since it is possible to predict whether or not the playback control can be performed by predicting the execution result when the playback control is performed, it is not possible to skip over a partial section where video content cannot be skipped, It is possible to perform fine reproduction control based on complex conditions such that skipping to a viewing partial section is impossible.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the control information data has been described with reference to some examples for performing the reproduction control. However, the control information data is limited to the control information data described in the present embodiment. Instead, various control information data can be set.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the condition data for determining the reproduction control has been described with some examples. However, the condition data is not limited to the condition data described in the present embodiment. And data of various conditions can be set.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes various modifications within the scope of the present invention. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Terminal 101 ... Request information input part 102 ... Request information primary acquisition part 103 ... Determination information primary acquisition part 104 ... Primary determination part 105 ... Video content reproduction part 106 ... Display unit 200 ... Server 201 ... Request information secondary acquisition unit 202 ... Determination information secondary acquisition unit 203 ... Secondary determination unit 204 ... Playback control execution unit 205 ... Video content transmission Unit 300... Reproduction control determination information DB
400 ... Video content DB
500 ... Viewing log DB

Claims (10)

A video content distribution control system that performs playback control such as playback, fast forward, and rewind according to a viewer's viewing request for video content distributed from a server to a viewer terminal,
The viewer terminal is
Request information primary acquisition means for acquiring the viewer's viewing request as viewing request information;
Determination information primary acquisition means for acquiring first reproduction control determination information that describes whether or not the reproduction control can be performed on at least one of the entire video content or a partial section of the video content;
Whether or not the reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition unit can be performed based on the first reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information primary acquisition unit Primary determination means for transmitting the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition means to the server when it is determined that the reproduction control can be performed,
With
The server
Request information that is received as the viewing request of the viewer, when the viewing request information transmitted from the viewer terminal is received when it is determined by the primary determination means of the viewer terminal that playback control can be performed. Next acquisition means;
Second playback control in which the information on whether or not to perform the playback control is described for each partial section of the video content that is subdivided from the information on whether or not to perform the playback control described in the first playback control determination information Determination information secondary acquisition means for acquiring determination information;
Whether the reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information secondary acquisition unit can be performed based on the second reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition unit Secondary determination means for determining whether or not,
Regeneration control execution means for performing the regeneration control according to the determination result of the secondary determination means;
Comprising
A video content distribution control system characterized by the above. The determination information primary acquisition means includes:
Extracting reproduction control determination information that can be determined statically from second reproduction control determination information described for each partial section of the video content, and obtaining the first reproduction control determination information;
The video content distribution control system according to claim 1. The determination information secondary acquisition means includes
Obtaining second reproduction control determination information capable of determining whether or not the reproduction control can be performed for each partial section of the video content based on the viewing history of the viewer;
The video content distribution control system according to claim 1, wherein the video content distribution control system is a video content distribution control system. The secondary determination means includes
Execution when the reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information secondary acquisition unit is executed based on the second reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition unit Foreseeing a result and determining whether or not the regeneration control is executable based on the foreseeed execution result;
The video content distribution control system according to claim 1, wherein the video content distribution control system is a video content distribution control system. A video content distribution control method of a video content distribution control system for performing reproduction control such as reproduction, fast forward, and rewind according to a viewer's viewing request for video content distributed from a server to a viewer terminal,
The request information primary acquisition means of the viewer terminal acquires request information primary acquisition procedure for acquiring the viewer's viewing request as viewing request information;
First reproduction control in which the determination information primary acquisition unit of the viewer terminal describes information on whether or not the reproduction control can be performed on at least one of the entire video of the video content or a partial section of the video content A determination information primary acquisition procedure for acquiring determination information;
The viewer terminal primary determination means corresponds to the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition means based on the first reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information primary acquisition means. A primary that determines whether or not reproduction control is feasible and transmits the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition unit to the server when it is determined that the reproduction control is feasible Judgment procedure;
Including
The request information secondary acquisition means of the server receives the viewing request information transmitted from the viewer terminal when it is determined by the viewer terminal primary determination means that reproduction control can be performed, Request information secondary acquisition procedure to be acquired as a viewer's viewing request;
The determination information secondary acquisition unit of the server performs the reproduction control for each partial section of the video content that is subdivided from the information indicating whether the reproduction control is performed or not described in the first reproduction control determination information. Determination information secondary acquisition procedure for acquiring second reproduction control determination information describing availability information;
The secondary determination unit of the server corresponds to the viewing request information acquired by the request information secondary acquisition unit based on the second reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition unit. A secondary determination procedure for determining whether or not the regeneration control can be performed;
A reproduction control execution procedure in which the reproduction control execution means of the server executes the reproduction control according to a determination result of the secondary determination means;
including,
And a video content delivery control method. The determination information primary acquisition procedure is:
Extracting reproduction control determination information that can be determined statically from second reproduction control determination information described for each partial section of the video content, and obtaining the first reproduction control determination information;
The video content distribution control method according to claim 5, wherein: The determination information secondary acquisition procedure includes:
Obtaining second reproduction control determination information capable of determining whether or not the reproduction control can be performed for each partial section of the video content based on the viewing history of the viewer;
The video content distribution control method according to claim 5 or 6, The secondary determination procedure is:
Execution when the reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information secondary acquisition unit is executed based on the second reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition unit Foreseeing the result, and determining whether or not the playback control as the viewing request of the viewer is executable based on the foreseeed execution result;
The video content delivery control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the video content delivery control method is provided. For the video content distributed from the server to the viewer terminal, the computer of the viewer terminal of the video content distribution control system that performs playback control such as playback, fast forward, and rewind according to the viewer's viewing request,
Request information primary acquisition step for acquiring the viewer's viewing request as viewing request information;
A determination information primary acquisition step for acquiring first reproduction control determination information describing information on whether or not the reproduction control can be performed on at least one of the entire video content or a partial section of the video content;
Whether or not the reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information acquired in the request information primary acquisition step can be performed based on the first reproduction control determination information acquired in the determination information primary acquisition step. A primary determination step of transmitting the viewing request information acquired by the request information primary acquisition step to the server when it is determined that the reproduction control can be performed;
A program characterized by having executed. For the video content distributed from the server to the viewer terminal, the computer of the server of the video content distribution control system that performs playback control such as playback, fast forward, and rewind according to the viewer's viewing request,
A request information secondary acquisition step of receiving the viewing request information transmitted from the viewer terminal and acquiring it as the viewing request of the viewer when it is determined that the playback control can be performed by the viewer terminal; ,
A determination information secondary acquisition step for acquiring second reproduction control determination information describing information indicating whether or not the reproduction control can be performed for each segment of the segmented video content;
Whether the reproduction control corresponding to the viewing request information acquired by the request information secondary acquisition step can be performed based on the second reproduction control determination information acquired by the determination information secondary acquisition step A secondary determination step of determining whether or not,
A regeneration control execution step of performing the regeneration control according to a determination result of the secondary determination step;
A program characterized by having executed.

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