JP2011043992A - Apparatus and method for supporting content selection - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user's convenience in selecting a content to be reproduced. <P>SOLUTION: After collecting retrieval results of contents in content servers 900<SB>j</SB>(j=1, 2, ...), a determination means 720 determines whether a content reproduction device 600A can reproduce each content or not on the basis of attribute information of each content included in the retrieval results at first. Then, an evaluation means 730 evaluates reproduction quality on the basis of the attribute information in each content determined to be reproducible by the determination means 720. Then, an edition means 740A performs edition based on the evaluation result of the evaluation means 730 and generates content selecting information to which the evaluation result is reflected. The generated content selecting information is presented to the user of the content reproduction device 600A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content selection support device, a content selection support method, a content selection support program, and a recording medium on which the content selection support program is recorded.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, content such as video content downloaded from a content server via a network is widely played by a communication terminal device such as a personal computer. When executing such a download, the communication terminal device generally issues a search request specifying a keyword such as a content name. The communication terminal device displays the search result obtained as a response to the search request and assists the user in selecting content data to be downloaded.

  Note that a search request issued from the communication terminal device may be an individual content server or a search server in which a search engine is installed.

  As one of the technologies for supporting selection of such content data, a technology described in Patent Document 1 below has been proposed (hereinafter referred to as “conventional example”). In the technology of this conventional example, a content distribution server that has received a search request from a communication terminal device (client terminal) edits search results for a plurality of content databases with respect to a predetermined item related to the content aspect of the content. Edit and return for list display in communication terminal device. The edited search result returned in this way is displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal device that issued the search request.

JP 2002-91990 A

  In the above-described prior art technique, the search results for a plurality of content databases are edited for predetermined items related to the content aspect of the content, so that the content included in the edit results has issued a search request. It was not always possible to reproduce well. For example, an edited search result that does not consider whether or not the content is suitable for reproduction in the communication terminal device in view of the reproduction performance and reception performance of the communication terminal device that issued the search request is the communication terminal It was displayed on the display unit of the device.

  By the way, because of the copyright of the content, for example, video content is often played back by streaming. In order to perform such streaming playback of video content satisfactorily, it is also important to balance the bit rate at the time of downloading and the frame rate of the video content. Furthermore, content data compression quality and the like are related to the content reproduction quality.

  For this reason, a technique that can edit a search result and present it to a user is desired from the viewpoint of the possibility of reproduction in a communication terminal device that is a content reproduction device and the quality of reproduction quality. Meeting this requirement is one of the problems to be solved by the present invention.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content selection support device and a content selection support method that can improve the convenience of the user when selecting content to be played back. And

  The invention according to claim 1 is a content selection support apparatus for supporting selection of content downloaded from a content server, wherein request means for transmitting a content search request; and search obtained as a response to the search request A determination unit that determines whether or not playback is possible based on attribute information relating to playback corresponding to each content in the result; and evaluation of playback quality based on the attribute information for each content that is determined to be playable by the determination unit. A content selection support apparatus comprising: an evaluation unit for performing editing based on an evaluation result by the evaluation unit, and generating content selection information reflecting the evaluation result.

  The invention according to claim 13 is a content selection support method used in an apparatus for supporting selection of content downloaded from a content server, a request step of transmitting a content search request; and a response to the search request A determination step of determining whether or not playback is possible based on attribute information relating to playback corresponding to each content in the obtained search result; and playback based on the attribute information for each content determined to be playable in the determination step A content selection support method comprising: an evaluation step for evaluating quality; and an editing step for performing editing based on an evaluation result in the evaluation step and generating content selection information reflecting the evaluation result. is there.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content selection supporting program that causes a calculation means to execute the content selection supporting method according to the thirteenth aspect.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium in which the content selection support program according to the fourteenth aspect is recorded so as to be readable by the calculation means.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the memory content in the memory | storage unit of FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the update process of the server appropriate point of FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the content selection assistance process by the apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content of the search result storage area after reception of the search result from a content server. It is a figure for demonstrating the content of the search result (p, q) in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a reproduction permission / inhibition determination process in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a reproduction quality evaluation process of FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an evaluation result editing process of FIG. 6. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the content selection assistance process by the apparatus of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a content selection support apparatus 700A according to the first embodiment and various apparatuses that exchange data with the content selection support apparatus 700A. As shown in FIG. 1, the content selection support apparatus 700A can communicate with a content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...) That holds various contents via a network system NWS. ing.

  In the first embodiment, the content selection support device 700A is mounted on the content reproduction device 600A. Such a content reproduction device 600A may be mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, or may be fixedly installed in a home.

In addition to the content selection support device 700A, the content playback device 600A includes a content playback control unit (not shown), and a download request for the content selected by referring to the editing result of the content search result by the content selection support device 700A. Is issued to one of the content servers 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...), And the downloaded content is reproduced in response to the download request. When the content is audio content, the content is reproduced using a speaker. When the content is video content including audio content and moving image content, the content is reproduced using a speaker and a display device.

  The content selection support apparatus 700A includes a request unit 710A, a determination unit 720, an evaluation unit 730, and an editing unit 740A. In the first embodiment, the content selection support apparatus 700A further includes a monitoring unit 790.

The above request means 710A issues a search request to the content server 900 _j. Here, the content server 900 _{j that} is the destination of the search request is registered in advance in the content selection support apparatus 700A. The search request is issued when the user of the content reproduction apparatus 600A issues a search command specifying a keyword of a desired content such as a content name.

  Note that the requesting unit 710A does not issue a search request to a content server that is evaluated by the monitoring unit 790, which will be described later, as being unsuitable for content download.

The determination means 720 receives the search result sent from each of the content servers 900 _j as a response to the search request issued by the request means 710A. Such search results include attribute information regarding content reproduction for each searched content.

Such attribute information includes a content file name, a data amount, and an average bit rate at the time of downloading. When any of the content servers 900 _j measures the maximum bit rate at the time of downloading the content file, the attribute information includes the latest maximum bit rate. Furthermore, when the content is video content, the attribute information includes the number of frames per unit time (hereinafter referred to as “frame rate”) at the time of content reproduction, and the number of pixels per frame (hereinafter referred to as “resolution”). ").

  The compression method of the content data in the content file can be identified by the extension in the content file name.

  Receiving the search result, the determination unit 720 determines whether or not the content reproduction apparatus 600A can reproduce the content for each content based on the attribute information for each content. Such a determination is made by comparing the reception processing capability, playback capability, and the like of the content playback device 600A at the time of downloading with the attribute information for each content.

  The evaluation means 730 evaluates the reproduction quality based on the attribute information of each content determined to be reproducible by the determination means 720. Such evaluation is performed based on the average bit rate of the content data to be downloaded, the compression method, and the like. In the case of video content, evaluation based on the relationship between the average bit rate and the frame rate is further performed.

  The editing unit 740A performs editing for generating content selection information based on the evaluation result and attribute information by the evaluation unit 730. In such editing, the editing unit 740A sorts the evaluation results by the evaluation unit 730 in descending order. Further, in the first embodiment, in order to suppress the number of presented contents, the editing unit 740A determines that when there are a plurality of contents having the same attribute item as an evaluation target by the evaluation unit 730, After the content is extracted from a plurality of contents in descending order of the data amount up to a predetermined maximum number, the extracted contents are sorted in descending order of the data amount. The content selection information that is the result of editing by the editing unit 740A is displayed on the display device in a list format, for example.

  Note that the “predetermined maximum number” is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experiences, and the like, from the viewpoint of appropriate content selection information.

The monitoring unit 790 monitors the communication status with each of the content servers 900 _j . When monitoring such a communication status, the monitoring unit 790 periodically issues a data acquisition request for communication speed measurement to each of the content servers 900 _j . And the response time with respect to the said data acquisition request and data acquisition speed are measured. Based on the response time and the data acquisition speed thus measured, the monitoring unit 790 evaluates the appropriateness of the content download for each of the content servers 900 _j . This evaluation reports to the requesting unit 710A which content server is evaluated as being unsuitable for content download. The monitoring unit 790 performs higher evaluation as the average value of response time is shorter, and performs higher evaluation as the average value of data acquisition speed is higher.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the content selection support apparatus 700A configured as described above will be described.

《Process to monitor communication status with content server》
First, the process for monitoring the communication status with the content server will be described.

During this monitoring process, the monitoring unit 790 periodically issues a data acquisition request for measurement to each of the content servers 900 _j , and measures a response time and a data acquisition speed for the data acquisition request. Then, the monitoring unit 790 calculates the average value of the response time and the average value of the data acquisition speed for each of the content servers 900 _{j in} the recent predetermined period.

  The “cycle for issuing a data acquisition request for measurement” and the “predetermined period” are determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experiences, and the like from the viewpoint of the accuracy of the monitoring results.

Subsequently, the monitoring unit 790 evaluates whether each of the content servers 900 _j is suitable for content download based on the calculated average value of response times and the average value of data acquisition speed. For example, when the average value of the calculated response time is longer than a predetermined response time and / or when the average value of the calculated data acquisition speed is slower than the predetermined acquisition speed, the monitoring unit 790 Evaluate that the content server is not suitable for download. This evaluation result is reported to request means 710A.

  The “predetermined response time” and the “predetermined acquisition speed” are determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experiences, and the like from the viewpoint of accurately evaluating whether or not the content server is suitable for content download.

<< Content selection information creation process >>
Next, content creation information creation processing will be described. This content selection information creation processing is executed when a search instruction designating a keyword of a desired content such as a content name is made by the user of the content reproduction device 600A.

In the content selection information creation processing, the request unit 710A that has received the search command is suitable for downloading content by the monitoring unit 790 among the content servers 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...) Registered in advance. A search request designating the keyword is issued to all the content servers excluding the content server evaluated as not. Each content server that has received this search request searches the content database held by itself, and sends the search result to the content selection support device 700A.

  In the content selection support apparatus 700A, the determination unit 720 receives each search result of the content server described above. Receiving the search result, the determination unit 720 determines for each content whether or not the content reproduction device 600A can reproduce based on the attribute information of each content included in the search result.

Note that, as described above, the attribute information includes the content file name, the data amount, and the average bit rate at the time of download, in which the content data compression method can be identified by the extension. If the content is video content, the frame rate and resolution are further included. Furthermore, when any of the content servers 900 _j measures the maximum bit rate when the content file has been downloaded in the past, the latest maximum bit rate is included in the attribute information.

  Next, the determination unit 720 determines whether or not the content reproduction apparatus 600A can reproduce the content based on the attribute information for each content, and reports the determination result to the evaluation unit 730. Such a determination is made by comparing the reception processing capability, playback capability, and the like of the content playback device 600A at the time of downloading with the attribute information for each content.

  For example, when the maximum bit rate of the content exceeds the maximum reception processing capability of the content reproduction device 600A, the determination unit 720 determines that the content cannot be reproduced. Even when the average bit rate of the content exceeds the average reception processing capability of the content reproduction device 600A, the determination unit 720 determines that the content cannot be reproduced. Furthermore, when the content is video content and the resolution is not compatible with the display device included in the content playback device 600A (for example, high-definition video despite being a display device that cannot playback high-definition video). The determination unit 720 also determines that the content cannot be reproduced.

  Next, the evaluation unit 730 receives the determination result by the determination unit 720, evaluates the reproduction quality based on the attribute information of each content determined to be reproducible, and reports the evaluation result to the editing unit 740A. In this evaluation, the evaluation unit 730 evaluates that the reproduction quality is higher as the average bit rate in the attribute information is higher. This is because the higher the average bit rate, the lower the possibility of interruption during streaming playback.

  The evaluation unit 730 evaluates the reproduction quality based on the compression efficiency and reliability of the data compression method identified from the file name in the attribute information. Here, the evaluation means 730 evaluates that the reproduction quality is higher as the compression efficiency is higher, and as it is widely used and has higher reliability. For example, the higher the compression efficiency, the better the download efficiency.

  If the content is video content, the evaluation unit 730 further performs an evaluation based on the relationship between the average bit rate and the frame rate. If the relationship does not fall within a predetermined allowable range, the evaluation unit 730 evaluates that the content does not deserve reproduction.

  Next, the editing unit 740A receives the evaluation result from the evaluation unit 730, and performs editing for generating content selection information based on the evaluation result and each attribute information of the content. In such editing, when there are a plurality of contents having the same attribute item as the evaluation target by the evaluation means 730, the editing means 740A extracts the content in the descending order of the data amount up to a predetermined maximum number. Sort the extracted contents in descending order of data volume. Subsequently, the editing unit 740A sorts the evaluation results by the evaluation unit 730 in descending order to generate content selection information.

  The content selection information created by the editing unit 740A is sent from the editing unit 740A to a presentation unit including a display device and the like included in the content reproduction apparatus 600A, and is presented to the user in a list format, for example. As a result, the content selection information in which the content is arranged in an order suitable for reproduction and the information amount is optimized is presented to the user of the content reproduction device 600A.

  When the user of the content reproduction device 600A selects the reproduction target content with reference to the content selection information presented in this way, the content reproduction device 600A holds the reproduction target content as a download request for the reproduction target content. Send to content server. Then, the content reproduction device 600A performs content reproduction based on the content data sent as a response to the download request.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, after collecting the content search results in the content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...), Based on the attribute information for each content included in the search results. First, the determination unit 720 determines whether or not playback by the content playback device 600A is possible. Subsequently, the evaluation unit 730 evaluates the reproduction quality for each content determined to be reproducible by the determination unit 720 based on the attribute information. Then, the editing unit 740A performs editing based on the evaluation result by the evaluation unit 730, and generates content selection information reflecting the evaluation result. The content selection information generated in this way is presented to the user of content reproduction device 600A.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the content selection information is presented in consideration of the unique circumstances of the content reproduction device 600A. Therefore, the convenience of the user of the content reproduction device 600A is improved when selecting the content to be reproduced. Can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the monitoring unit 790 monitors the communication status with the content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...), And based on the monitoring result, each of the content servers 900 _j Evaluate whether it is suitable for content download. Then, the request unit 710A does not issue a search request to a content server evaluated as not suitable for content download. For this reason, content information held by a content server that is not suitable for downloading can be excluded from the content selection information.

In the first embodiment, the monitoring unit 790 evaluates whether each of the content servers 900 _j is suitable for downloading content. On the other hand, with respect to a content server that is evaluated as being suitable for content download, the monitoring unit 790 increases the shorter the average response time and the higher the average data acquisition speed, the higher the evaluation. In addition, the evaluation unit 730 may perform the evaluation further considering the evaluation result for each content server by the monitoring unit 790. According to this, it is possible to more accurately evaluate the possibility of interruption during streaming playback.

  Further, the determination unit 720 may determine whether or not playback is possible in consideration of the consistency between the measurement result of the monitoring unit 790 and the attribute information corresponding to each content. For example, when the average data acquisition speed of the content server holding the content is lower than the maximum bit rate of the content by a predetermined value or more, the determination unit 720 determines that the content cannot be reproduced. Thus, it is possible to further narrow down the contents to be evaluated by the evaluation means 730. The “predetermined value” is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experiences, and the like from the viewpoint of reproduction quality during streaming reproduction.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

<Configuration>
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a content selection support apparatus 700B according to the second embodiment and various apparatuses that exchange data with the content selection support apparatus 700B.

As shown in FIG. 2, the content selection support device 700B is different from the content selection support device 700A of the first embodiment described above in that it is connected to the network system NWS as an independent device. Then, the content selection support device 700B can communicate with the content reproduction devices 600B ₁ , 600B ₂ ,... And, similarly to the content selection support device 700A, via the network system NWS, the content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...) Can also communicate with each other.

Note that each of the content reproduction devices 600B ₁ , 600B ₂ ,... Does not include the content selection support device 700A unlike the content reproduction device 600A described above, and none of them is (i) a content name by a user (not shown). Search request issuing means for issuing a search request to the content selection support apparatus 700B when a search command specifying a desired content keyword is made; and (ii) receiving an editing result sent from the content selection support apparatus 700B. Editing result presentation means presented to the user, and (iii) a content server 900 _j (j) that receives a download request for the content selected with reference to the editing result of the content search result presented by the editing result presentation means. = 1, 2, ...) and responding to the download request So that the provided content reproduction control means for controlling the playback of downloaded content. That is, the content selection support device 700B functions as a content search server for the content reproduction devices 600B ₁ , 600B ₂ ,.

  The content selection support apparatus 700B is different from the content selection support apparatus 700A described above in that a request unit 710B is provided instead of the request unit 710A, and an edit unit 740B is provided instead of the editing unit 740A. Hereinafter, description will be made mainly focusing on these differences.

The request means 710B receives a search request issued by one of the content reproduction devices 600B _k (k = 1, 2,...). Then, after receiving the search request, the search request is issued to the content server 900 _{j in the same} manner as the request unit 710A described above. The request unit 710B, like the request unit 710A, does not issue a search request to a content server evaluated by the monitoring unit 790 as being unsuitable for content download.

Similar to the editing unit 740A described above, the editing unit 740B performs editing for generating content selection information based on the evaluation result by the evaluation unit 730 and content attribute information. Then, editing means 740B is, edit the results, to report search request the issued to the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the content selection support apparatus 700B configured as described above will be described. Note that the monitoring process of the communication status with the content server by the monitoring unit 790 is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

<< Content selection information creation process >>
Creation processing contents selection information is executed when the search request or the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k is issued by the content selection support apparatus 700B receives.

In the content selection support apparatus 700B, requesting means 710B is subjected to retrieval request the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k issued. Upon receiving the search request, the request unit 710B selects a content server that has been evaluated by the monitoring unit 790 as being unsuitable for content download from among the content servers 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...) Registered in advance. A search request is issued to all the content servers except for the above. Each of the content servers that have received this search request searches the content database held by itself and sends the search result to the content selection support apparatus 700B.

Thereafter, in the content selection support apparatus 700B, the determination process by the determination unit 720 and the evaluation process by the evaluation unit 730 are executed as in the case of the first embodiment. Then, the editing unit 740B issues the search request for the editing result after performing editing for generating the content selection information based on the evaluation result and attribute information by the evaluating unit 730, similarly to the editing unit 740A. to report to the content reproducing apparatus 600B _k.

Then, the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k received the editing result of reported Results content selection support apparatus 700B, the presentation of the edited result is performed by the editing result presentation means. As a result, the user in the content are arranged in order of preference in the reproduction, the content selection information amount of information is optimized is presented to the user of the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k.

Thus with reference to the presented content selection information, the user of the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k selects reproduction target content, the content playback apparatus 600B _k is a download request of the content to be reproduced, the reproduction target content Send to the content server you have. Then, the content reproduction device 600B _k performs content reproduction based on the content data sent as a response to the download request.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, after collecting the search results of the content in the content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...), The search results are collected. based on the attribute information for each content included in, first judging means 720 judges playback permission by the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k that issued the original search request. Subsequently, the evaluation unit 730 evaluates the reproduction quality for each content determined to be reproducible by the determination unit 720 based on the attribute information. Then, the editing unit 740B performs editing based on the evaluation result by the evaluation unit 730, and generates content selection information reflecting the evaluation result. Contents selection information thus generated is presented to the user of the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, since the content playback apparatus 600B contents selection information in consideration of specific circumstances of _k is presented, upon the selection of content to be reproduced it is possible to improve the user experience of the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k.

In the second embodiment, the monitoring unit 790 monitors the communication status with the content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...), And based on the monitoring result, each of the content servers 900 _j Evaluate whether it is suitable for content download. Then, the request unit 710B does not issue a search request to a content server that is evaluated not suitable for content download. For this reason, content information held by a content server that is not suitable for downloading can be excluded from the content selection information.

  Further, the second embodiment can be modified in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

  The content selection support apparatuses 700A and 700B of the first and second embodiments are configured to include one or more computers as calculation means, and the functions of the content selection support apparatuses 700A and 700B are executed by a program. This can be realized. These programs may be acquired in a form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be acquired in a form distributed via a network such as the Internet. Can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description and drawings, the same or equivalent elements including the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference mainly to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the content reproduction apparatus 100A that also functions as the content selection support apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and various apparatuses that perform data communication with the content reproduction apparatus 100A. Note that the content reproduction device 100A is an aspect of the content reproduction device 600A including the content selection support device 700A of the first embodiment described above. Further, the following description will be given by exemplifying a case where the content reproduction device 100A is mounted on a vehicle.

<Configuration>
As shown in FIG. 3, the content reproduction apparatus 100 </ b> A includes a storage unit 110, a sound output unit 120, a display unit 130, an operation input unit 140, and a wireless communication unit 150. Further, the content reproduction apparatus 100A includes a control unit 190 as a monitoring unit, a request unit, a determination unit, an evaluation unit, and an editing unit.

  The storage unit 110 includes a hard disk device that is a non-volatile storage device and stores various data. The storage unit 110 can be accessed by the control unit 190.

  The storage unit 110 stores a content server appropriate table CAT, as shown in FIG. In the storage unit 110, a work data area WKA for storing various data during operation of the control unit 190 is secured.

In the content server appropriate table CAT, the average response time TR _j , the average data acquisition speed DTR _j and the server appropriate point DWP _j are registered for each of the content servers 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...). FIG. 4 shows an example in which the server appropriate point DWP _P of the content server 900 _P is inappropriate for downloading content. Here, the “server appropriate point” is calculated for each content server 900 _j by using the control unit 190 based on the average response time TR _j and the average data acquisition speed DTR _j as a point. It has been done.

  A search result storage area SRA is secured in the work data area WKA. Data stored in the search result storage area SRA will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the sound output unit 120 includes a speaker, and outputs sound corresponding to the sound data sent from the control unit 190. The sound output unit 120 outputs operation guidance sound, reproduced sound corresponding to the sound content, and the like under the control of the control unit 190.

  The display unit 130 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays an image corresponding to display data sent from the control unit 190. The display unit 130 displays operation guidance information, content selection information, reproduced video corresponding to video content, and the like.

  The operation input unit 140 includes a key unit provided in the main body of the content reproduction device 100A and / or a remote input device including the key unit. Here, a touch panel provided in the display device of the display unit 130 can be used as the key part provided in the main body. In addition, it can replace with the structure which has a key part, or can also employ | adopt the structure input with a sound using a voice recognition technique in combination.

  When the user operates the operation input unit 140, setting of operation details and an operation command of the content reproduction apparatus 100A are performed. For example, the user performs a search command specifying a keyword, a download command specifying a content URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and the like using the operation input unit 140. Such input contents are sent from the operation input unit 140 to the control unit 190 as operation input data.

  The wireless communication unit 150 includes an antenna (not shown) and the like. The wireless communication unit 150 processes a received signal from the network system NWS (more specifically, a base station) received by the antenna and converts it into a digital data signal that can be processed by the control unit 190. The wireless communication unit 150 processes the transmission signal sent from the control unit 190 and sends it to the network system NWS (more specifically, a base station) via the antenna in the form of a wireless signal.

  The control unit 190 performs overall control of the entire content reproduction apparatus 100A. The control unit 190 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits. Various functions are realized by the control unit 190 executing various programs. Among these functions, the function as the content selection support apparatus 700A in the first embodiment described above is also included. Processing corresponding to the function as the content selection support apparatus 700A will be described later.

  Further, when a download command is input to the operation input unit 140, the control unit 190 sends a download request designating the URL included in the download command to the content server corresponding to the URL via the wireless communication unit 150. Send to. When the control unit 190 receives the content data downloaded as a response to the download request via the wireless communication unit 150, the control unit 190 performs content reproduction processing. When the content is audio content, the content reproduction device 100A generates audio data based on the downloaded content data and sends the audio data to the sound output unit 120. When the content is video content including audio content and video content, the content reproduction device 100A generates audio data based on the downloaded content data and sends the audio data to the sound output unit 120. Display data is generated and sent to the display unit 130.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the content reproduction apparatus 100A configured as described above will be described mainly focusing on processing for realizing the function as the content selection support apparatus 700A. The following description will be given by exemplifying the case where the content to be downloaded is video content including audio content and moving image content.

《Process to monitor communication status with content server》
First, the process for monitoring the communication status with the content server will be described.

During this monitoring process, as shown in FIG. 5, in step S11, the control unit 190, for each of the content server 900 _j, sequentially issues a data acquisition request for measurement, as the information of the communication conditions, the Measure response time and data acquisition speed for data acquisition requests. Subsequently, the control unit 190 calculates the average value of the response time and the average value of the data acquisition speed for each of the content servers 900 _j in the recent predetermined period. Then, by registering the calculated average value of the response time and the average value of the data acquisition speed in the content server appropriate table CAT in the storage unit 110 as the new average response time TR _j and the average data acquisition speed DTR _j. The average response time TR _j and the average data acquisition speed DTR _j in the content server appropriate table CAT are updated.

Then, calculated in step S12, the control unit 190, based on the average response time TR _j and the average data acquisition rate DTR _j in the content server proper table CAT, for each of the content server 900 _j, the proper point of downloading the content To do. Then, the control unit 190 registers the calculated appropriate point in the content server appropriate table CAT in the storage unit 110 as a new server appropriate point DWP _j , whereby the server appropriate point DWP _j in the content server appropriate table CAT. Update.

Here, when calculating the new server appropriate point DWP _j , the control unit 190 determines that the average response time TR _j is longer than the predetermined response time and / or the average data acquisition speed DTR _j is slower than the predetermined acquisition speed. In such a case, it is evaluated that the content is not suitable for downloading, and a server proper point indicating “unsuitable” is calculated. In addition, the control unit 190 calculates a server appropriate point in such a manner that the higher the average response time is, the higher the evaluation is made for the content server suitable for the content download, and the higher the average data acquisition speed is. To do.

  Next, the control unit 190 waits for a predetermined time in step S13. And when predetermined time passes, the process of step S11-S13 is repeated again. Thus, every time a predetermined time elapses, the contents of the content server appropriate table CAT are updated periodically.

<< Content selection information creation process >>
Next, content creation information creation processing will be described. This content selection information creation process is executed when a search instruction designating a keyword of a desired content such as a content name is given to the operation input unit 140 by the user of the content reproduction apparatus 100A.

In the following description, it is assumed that the server proper points DPW ₁ and DPW ₂ of the content servers 900 ₁ and 900 ₂ are not “unsuitable”.

  In the content selection information creation process, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S <b> 21 </ b> A, the control unit 190 that has received the search command receives all the server appropriate points that are not “inappropriate” in the content server appropriate table CAT. A search request specifying the keyword is issued to the content server. Each of the content servers that have received this search request searches the content database owned by itself, and sends the search result to the content reproduction apparatus 100A.

Next, in the content reproduction apparatus 100A, the control unit 190 receives the search result from each content server via the wireless communication unit 150. Upon receiving the search result, the control unit 190 stores the attribute information for each content in the received search result in the search result storage area SRA in the storage unit 110 in association with the evaluation point of the content. An example of this storage result is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, for the convenience of explanation, the attribute information and evaluation points corresponding to the respective contents as the search results are represented in the coordinate format (p, q) (p = 1, 2,...; Q = 1, …) Here, the value “p” indicates the type of the content server as the acquisition source, and corresponds to the value “j” in the notation “content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...)” Described above. Yes. At this time, the control unit 190 sets the evaluation point (p, q) (p = 1, 2,...; Q = 1,...) As the server appropriate point DWP _p for the content server 900 _p. It has become.

In the first embodiment, the attribute information (p, q) includes the file name (XXXX.YYY) in which the content data is stored, the data amount of the content data, the content server 900, as shown in FIG. The maximum bit rate at the time of the past download of the content data measured by _p is included. Further, the attribute information (p, q) includes an average bit rate when the content data is downloaded, a frame rate of the content, and a resolution of the content. Here, the compression method of the content data can be specified by the extension “YYY” of the file name.

  At this time, all the contents corresponding to the attribute information (p, q) are download candidates.

  Returning to FIG. 6, when the process of step S21A ends, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, a process for determining whether or not each content can be played back by the content playback apparatus 100A is performed. In the process for determining whether or not playback is possible, as shown in FIG. 9, first, in step S31, the control unit 190 selects the first download candidate (for example, content corresponding to the attribute information (1, 1)). .

  Subsequently, in step S32, the control unit determines whether or not the maximum bit rate in the attribute information of the content of the selected download candidate is an allowable value without exceeding the maximum reception processing capability of the content reproduction apparatus 100A. 190 determines. If the result of this determination is affirmative (step S32: Y), the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the control unit 190 determines whether or not the average bit rate in the attribute information is an acceptable value without exceeding the average reception processing capability of the content reproduction device 100A. If the result of this determination is affirmative (step S33: Y), the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the control unit 190 determines whether or not the resolution in the attribute information is compatible with the display unit 130. In the first embodiment, since the content reproduction apparatus 100A is mounted on the vehicle, the condition that is suitable for the display unit 130 includes that the resolution is not high definition (HD). ing. If the result of the determination in step S34 is affirmative (step S34: Y), the process proceeds to step S35.

In step S35, the monitoring results of each communication status of the content server 900 _j described above, the attribute information (p (= j), q ) whether the are consistent, the control unit 190 determines. In the first embodiment, as a condition for matching the two, the bit rate derived from the average data acquisition speed DTR _j is smaller than the maximum bit rate of the content, and is derived from the average data acquisition speed DTR _j. The bit rate is not far from the average bit rate of the content. If the result of the determination in step S35 is affirmative (step S35: Y), the process proceeds to step S37 described later.

  If the result of determination in any of the above steps S32 to S35 is negative (step S32: N, step S33: N, step S34: N, step S35: N), the selected download candidate Is determined to be unreproducible, and the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the control unit 190 deletes the content of the selected download candidate from the download candidate, and reflects the result in the contents of the search result storage area SRA. Then, the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S37, the control unit 190 determines whether or not reproduction of all download candidate contents has been determined. If the result of this determination is negative (step S37: N), the process proceeds to step S38.

  In step S38, the control unit 190 selects the next download candidate. Then, the process returns to step S32.

  Thereafter, the processes in steps S32 to S38 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S37 becomes affirmative. When the determination as to whether or not playback is possible is completed for all download candidate contents and the result of determination in step S37 is affirmative (step S37: Y), the process of step S22 ends, and the process is as shown in FIG. Proceed to step S23.

  In step S23, the process for evaluating the reproduction quality of the content determined to be reproducible in step S22 (hereinafter referred to as “reproducible content”), that is, the content remaining as a download candidate is performed. In the evaluation process, as shown in FIG. 10, first, in step S41, the control unit 190 selects the first playable content.

  Next, in step S42, the control unit 190 determines whether or not the relationship between the average bit rate and the frame rate in the attribute information of the selected playable content (hereinafter also referred to as “bit rate relationship”) is appropriate. judge. Here, the control unit 190 determines whether the relationship between the average bit rate and the frame rate is appropriate by determining whether the average bit rate is not too large or too small with respect to the frame rate. It comes to judge. For example, in the first embodiment, when the average bit rate is 512 kbps or more, it is appropriate that the frame rate is about 30 fps, and when the average bit rate is less than 512 kbps, the frame rate is about 15 fps. Is determined to be appropriate. For this reason, when the average bit rate is 1 Mbps, when the frame rate is 15 fps, the average bit rate is 192 kbps, whereas when the frame rate is 30 fps, it is determined that the average bit rate is not appropriate.

  Note that an appropriate frame rate range with respect to the average bit rate is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experiences, and the like from the viewpoint of high-quality video reproduction.

  If the result of the determination in step S42 is negative (step S42: N), the process proceeds to step S43. In step S43, the control unit 190 deletes the selected reproducible content from the download candidates and reflects the result in the contents of the search result storage area SRA.

  When the process of step S43 ends, the process proceeds to step S44. Moreover, also when the result of determination in step S42 is affirmative (step S42: Y), the process proceeds to step S44.

  In step S44, the control unit 190 determines whether or not the relationship between the bit rates of all playable contents has been evaluated. If the result of this determination is negative (step S44: N), the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the control unit 190 selects the next playable content. Then, the process returns to step S42.

  Thereafter, the processes in steps S42 to S45 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S44 becomes affirmative. When the evaluation of the relationship between the bit rates of all playable contents is completed and the result of determination in step S44 is affirmative (step S44: Y), the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S46, the control unit 190 evaluates the reproduction quality based on the average bit rate in the attribute information of the reproducible content remaining at this stage. Here, the higher the average bit rate, the lower the possibility that the video content will be interrupted during streaming playback. Therefore, the control unit 190 evaluates the evaluation result to be higher as the average bit rate is higher.

  Subsequently, the control unit 190 adds the evaluation point corresponding to the evaluation result based on the average bit rate to the evaluation point associated with the attribute information in the search result storage area SRA at this stage. Then, the control unit 190 registers the addition result in the search result storage area SRA as a new evaluation point.

  Next, in step S47, the control unit 190 evaluates the reproduction quality based on the compression method specified by the file name extension in the reproducible content attribute information remaining at this stage. Here, from the viewpoint of download efficiency, the control unit 190 performs an evaluation such that the higher the compression efficiency and reliability of the identified compression method, the higher the evaluation result.

  Subsequently, the control unit 190 adds the evaluation point corresponding to the evaluation result based on the compression method to the evaluation point associated with the attribute information in the search result storage area SRA at this stage. Then, the control unit 190 registers the addition result in the search result storage area SRA as a new evaluation point.

  When the process of step S47 is thus completed, the process of step S23 is terminated. Then, the process proceeds to step S24A in FIG.

  In step S24A, editing processing based on the evaluation result and attribute information in step S23 is performed, and content selection information is generated. In the editing process, as shown in FIG. 11, first, in step S51, the control unit 190 includes a plurality of contents having the same average bit rate and compression method among the reproducible contents remaining at this stage. It is determined whether or not. If the result of this determination is negative (step S51: N), the process proceeds to step S53 described later.

  If the result of the determination in step S51 is affirmative (step S51: Y), the process proceeds to step S52. In step S52, the control unit 190 performs content extraction for each set of a plurality of contents having the same average bit rate and compression method, with a predetermined maximum number (for example, five) as a limit in order of increasing data amount. Subsequently, the control unit 190 sorts the extracted content sets in descending order of the data amount. Then, the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the control unit 190 sorts the evaluation points in descending order based on the evaluation points of the reproducible content at this stage while respecting the sorting result in step S52, and generates content selection support information. . Then, the control unit 190 generates image data for displaying the content selection support information in a list format and sends it to the display unit 130.

  When the process of step S53 is thus completed, the process of step S24A is terminated. Then, the process proceeds to step S25A in FIG.

  In step S25A, the content selection support information is displayed on the display unit 130 in a list format. As a result, the content selection information in which the content is arranged in a preferable order for reproduction and the amount of information is optimized is presented to the user of the content reproduction device 100A, and the content selection information creation processing ends.

  When the user selects the playback target content by using the operation input unit 140 with reference to the content selection information presented in this way, the content playback apparatus 100A issues a download request for the playback target content to the playback target content. To the content server that owns Then, the content reproduction device 100A performs content reproduction based on the content data sent as a response to the download request.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, after collecting the content search results in the content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...), Based on the attribute information for each content included in the search results. First, whether or not playback by the content playback apparatus 100A is possible is determined. Subsequently, for each content determined to be reproducible, the reproduction quality is evaluated based on the attribute information. Then, editing based on the evaluation result is performed, and content selection information reflecting the evaluation result is generated. The content selection information generated in this way is presented to the user of the content reproduction apparatus 100A.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the content selection information is presented in consideration of the unique circumstances of the content reproduction device 100A. Therefore, the convenience of the user of the content reproduction device 100A can be improved when selecting the content to be reproduced. Can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the communication status with the content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...) Is monitored, and each of the content servers 900 _j is suitable for content download based on the monitoring result. An assessment of whether or not A search request is not issued to a content server that is evaluated as unsuitable for content download. For this reason, content information held by a content server that is not suitable for downloading can be excluded from the content selection information.

  In the first embodiment, when it is evaluated that the content server is suitable for downloading, the content server is higher as the average response time is shorter and higher as the average data acquisition speed is higher. The reproduction quality is evaluated in consideration of the evaluation result for each content server. For this reason, it is possible to more accurately evaluate the possibility of interruption during streaming playback.

In the first embodiment, whether or not playback is possible is determined in consideration of the consistency between the measurement of the communication status with each of the content servers 900 _j and the attribute information corresponding to each content. For this reason, it is possible to further narrow down the contents to be evaluated for reproduction quality.

  In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to the search for video content. However, the present invention can also be applied to the download of audio content.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the content playback apparatus is mounted on a vehicle has been described. However, the content playback apparatus may be mounted on a moving body other than the vehicle, or may be fixedly installed in a house or the like. The present invention can also be applied to such cases.

  Further, the determination as to whether or not the content reproduction apparatus can cope with the compression method specified for each content may be further performed as part of the determination as to whether or not reproduction is possible.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference mainly to FIGS.

<Configuration>
FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration of a content selection support apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, and various apparatuses that exchange data with the content selection support apparatus 200. The content selection support device 200 is an aspect of the content selection support device 700B of the second embodiment described above.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the content selection support apparatus 200 includes a storage unit 210 and a communication unit 250. The content selection support apparatus 200 includes a control unit 290 serving as a monitoring unit, a request unit, a determination unit, an evaluation unit, and an editing unit.

  The storage unit 210 includes a hard disk device that is a nonvolatile storage device, and stores various data. The storage unit 210 can be accessed by the control unit 290.

The storage unit 210 stores the content server appropriate table CAT as in the case of the storage unit 110 described above, and a working data area WKA is secured therein. In the storage unit 210, reproduction specification information for each of the content reproduction devices 600B ₁ , 600B ₂ ,... Is stored. Such reproduction specification information includes maximum reception processing capability, average reception processing capability, allowable resolution, and the like.

  The communication unit 250 processes a received signal from the network system NWS and converts it into a digital data signal that can be processed by the control unit 290. The communication unit 250 processes the transmission signal sent from the control unit 290 and sends it to the network system NWS. In other words, the communication unit 250 plays a role similar to the role played by the wireless communication unit 150 described above for the control unit 190.

  The control unit 290 performs overall control of the entire content selection support apparatus 200. The control unit 290 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits. Various functions are realized by the control unit 290 executing various programs. These functions include the function as the content selection support apparatus 700B in the second embodiment described above. Processing corresponding to the function as the content selection support apparatus 700B will be described later.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the content selection support apparatus 200 configured as described above will be described. Hereinafter, the case where the content to be downloaded is video content will be exemplified and the following description will be given.

  Note that the process for monitoring the communication status with the content server is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above under the control of the control unit 290.

<< Content selection information creation process >>
The content selection information creation process is executed when a search request issued by _{one of} the content reproduction devices 600B ₁ , 600B ₂ ,... Is received. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the content reproducing apparatus that issued the search request, referred to as a content reproduction apparatus 600B _k.

As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 290 that has received the search request issued by the content reproduction device 600B _k via the communication unit 250, in step S21B, the content server 900 _j (j = 1, 2,...) Among them, a search request is issued to all the content servers excluding the content server evaluated not suitable for download in the monitoring process. Each of the content servers that have received this search request searches the content database held by itself and sends the search result to the content selection support apparatus 200.

  In the content selection support apparatus 200, the control unit 290 receives the search result via the communication unit 250. The control unit 290 that has received the search result stores the attribute information for each content in the search result in the search result storage area SRA in the storage unit 210 in association with the evaluation point of the content in the same manner as the control unit 190 described above. To do.

Next, the control unit 290, with reference to the playback specification information of the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k, in the same manner as the control unit 190, the determination processing of the playback whether the step S22, and, executes the evaluation process of the reproduction quality in step S23 To do. Then, the process proceeds to step S24B.

In step S24B, as in the case of step S24A described above, editing processing based on the evaluation result and attribute information in step S23 is performed, and content selection information is generated. Then, the content selection information generated is sent to the content playback apparatus 600B _k. Thus, the process of step S24B ends.

In the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k receives the contents selection information, at step S25B, for example, on the display unit, the presentation of content selection information such as a content selection support for information to be displayed in a list format is performed. As a result, reproduction contents are arranged in order of preference, the amount of information is optimized content selection information is presented to the user of the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k, creation process of the content selection information is completed.

Thus with reference to the presented content selection information, the user of the content reproduction apparatus 600B _k selects reproduction target content, the content playback apparatus 600B _k is a download request of the content to be reproduced, the reproduction target content Send to the content server you have. Then, the content reproduction device 600B _k performs content reproduction based on the content data sent as a response to the download request.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, like the first embodiment, since the content playback apparatus 600B contents selection information in consideration of specific circumstances of _k is presented, the reproduction target content it is possible to improve the user experience of the content playback apparatus 600B _k in selecting. The second embodiment can be modified in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

  In the first and second embodiments, the function of the content selection support apparatus is realized by executing a program by a computer. However, all or part of the function of the content selection support apparatus is dedicated. You may make it implement | achieve using the hardware which used LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit) etc.

100A ... Content playback device (content selection support device)
190... Control unit (monitoring means, request means, determination means, evaluation means, editing means)
200 ... content selection support device 290 ... control unit (monitoring means, request means, determination means, evaluation means, editing means)
700A ... Content selection support device 700B ... Content selection support device 710A ... Request means 710B ... Request means 720 ... Determination means 730 ... Evaluation means 740A ... Editing means 740B ... Editing means 790 ... Monitoring means

Claims (15)

A content selection support device that supports selection of content downloaded from a content server,
A requesting means for sending a content search request;
Determination means for determining whether or not reproduction is possible based on reproduction-related attribute information corresponding to each content in a search result obtained as a response to the search request;
Evaluation means for evaluating reproduction quality based on the attribute information for each content determined to be reproducible by the determination means;
Editing means for performing editing based on the evaluation result by the evaluation means, and generating content selection information reflecting the evaluation result;
A content selection support apparatus comprising:   The content selection support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content includes video content. The attribute information includes a resolution required at the time of reproduction of the video content,
The determination means determines that reproduction is possible when the resolution is within a predetermined range;
The content selection support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The attribute information includes a maximum bit rate at the time of downloading the content measured by the content server that holds the content,
The determination means determines that reproduction is possible when the maximum bit rate is a predetermined bit rate or less.
The content selection support apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The attribute information includes an average bit rate at the time of download and a frame rate of the video content,
The evaluation means evaluates the reproduction quality in consideration of a relationship between the average bit rate and the frame rate;
The content selection support apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein The attribute information includes compression information of the content,
The evaluation means evaluates the reproduction quality in consideration of the compression information;
The content selection support apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein The attribute information includes the data amount of the content,
When there are a plurality of contents with the same content of the attribute information item considered by the evaluation means, the editing means extracts the maximum amount in a descending order of the data amount, and the extracted contents Generating the content selection information for
The content selection support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The editing unit generates the content selection information in a list format in descending order of evaluation by the evaluation unit.
The content selection support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Monitoring means for monitoring the communication status with the content server of the content download source candidate,
The request unit transmits the search request to a content server selected based on a monitoring result by the monitoring unit.
The content selection support device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein   The content selection support apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the monitoring unit monitors a response time and a data acquisition speed for each content server.   The content selection support apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates the reproduction quality further considering a monitoring result of the monitoring unit.   The content selection support apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not playback is possible by further considering a monitoring result from the monitoring unit. A content selection support method used in a device that supports selection of content downloaded from a content server,
A requesting process for sending a search request for content;
A determination step of determining whether or not reproduction is possible based on attribute information relating to reproduction corresponding to each content in the search result obtained as a response to the search request;
An evaluation step of evaluating reproduction quality based on the attribute information for each content determined to be reproducible in the determination step;
An editing step of performing editing based on the evaluation result in the evaluation step, and generating content selection information reflecting the evaluation result;
A content selection support method comprising:   A content selection support program for causing a calculation means to execute the content selection support method according to claim 13.   15. A recording medium, wherein the content selection support program according to claim 14 is recorded so as to be readable by a calculation means.

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