JP2012231241A - System and method for user terminal search - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To search for a user terminal appropriate to distribute content information suitable for a present user state, triggered by a request from a content provider.SOLUTION: A user information management device 300 updates and stores at-terminal state information in which at-terminal state information, indicative of a user state in front of a user terminal, is associated with a user terminal ID, each time the at-terminal state information is transmitted from a user terminal 100, according to a user state change. The user information management device 300 also stores user attribute information in which the identifier of a content provider to which disclosure of the at-terminal state information is permitted is associated with the user terminal ID. By referring to the user attribute information, the user information management device 300 searches for user terminals 100 that permit disclosure to the content provider of a content information distribution control terminal 500 transmitting a user terminal search request, and by referring to the at-terminal state information, searches the searched user terminals for a user terminal having the at-terminal state information coincident with a distribution conformity condition.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for searching a user terminal suitable for distribution of content information when a content provider distributes content information in a video content distribution / playback service system using IP.

  The video content distribution / playback service system provides content information suitable for the user based on user attribute information such as the address, age, hobby, content viewing / online shopping, etc. It is a technology that recommends or inserts advertisement information during video content distribution.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the video content distribution / playback service system. The service provider SP holds user attribute information related to the contracted user in the user attribute information DB in advance. In this example, it is an address, age, sex, and action history. Among them, the action history is a dynamic attribute that is added and updated as appropriate, and the other is a static attribute that basically does not change.

  There is a possibility that the address will be updated by moving, etc., and the age will increase automatically every year. As a typical attribute.

  For example, when a user B residing in Tokyo recently purchased a car and the purchase information is reflected in the user attribute information, the service provider SP selects a content video or car wash goods from the VoD content or CM. A CM is selected and recommended to the user B in the VoD selection menu or inserted as an advertisement while viewing a program.

  A technique relating to such a video content distribution / playback service system is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. The present invention is a technique for distributing advertisement information added to content information distributed to a user so as to satisfy a user's hobby orientation and compatibility with a user terminal.

  In addition to the advertisement attribute metadata indicating the advertisement content, each advertisement content information is provided with a suitable user attribute and a suitable terminal attribute that specify a user or terminal to which the advertisement information is to be delivered.

  When a user requests content viewing, advertisement information to be added to the content information is selected and transmitted based on the attribute and terminal attribute of the user and each attribute information given to the advertisement.

  However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a technology for selecting suitable advertisement information in response to a content viewing request from a user, and searching for a user who wants to distribute advertisement information at an opportunity requested by an advertiser is not possible. Not considered. Further, although the advertisement information is selected in consideration of the terminal attribute, since it is a static attribute, the “current” terminal attribute that dynamically changes is not considered.

  In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a similar technique. According to the present invention, based on the user's content usage history information, a plurality of pieces of content information suitable for the user's hobbies are selected, and also the usage transition status of the content information is calculated from the usage history information. In this technique, the presentation order of the selected content information is determined and recommended to the user.

  However, although the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 considers dynamic attribute information such as a user's usage history, it does not consider the “current” situation of the terminal. Further, it is not considered to actively select a user who wants to distribute content information according to a request from the content provider CP.

JP 2003-141413 A JP 2005-293384 A

  As described above, in the related art, there is a problem in that content information cannot be distributed to a user who matches the request in response to a request from the content provider CP. Therefore, content information cannot be presented to an appropriate user at an appropriate timing, and improvement in appeal to the user cannot be expected.

  In addition, there is a problem that it does not reflect the “current situation” of the user viewing in front of the television. That is, for example, when the user is a family, most of the contract owners are parents who are householders, but there is a possibility that a child is watching at some point. In such a situation, the prior art recommends content information that matches the attribute of the parent who is the contractor, that is, content information that is likely to be inappropriate for the child.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the problem is to search for a user terminal suitable for distributing content information suitable for the current user state triggered by a request from the content provider. There is.

  The user terminal search system according to claim 1, wherein the content is a user information management device that manages user information and a content information distribution device that distributes content information to a user terminal based on the user information. The information distribution apparatus includes a request unit that is provided by a content provider and transmits a user terminal search request for searching for a user terminal that matches a distribution suitability for content information to the user information management apparatus. The first user information in which the pre-terminal state information indicating the user state before the user terminal and the identifier of the user terminal are associated with each other is updated while being transmitted from the user terminal according to the change of the user state. A first storage means, and a content provider permitting disclosure of the pre-terminal state information Second storage means for storing second user information in which the identifier of the user terminal is associated with the identifier of the user terminal, and reading the second user information from the second storage means and transmitting the user terminal search request The user terminal permitted to be disclosed to the content provider of the content information distribution apparatus that has been searched, the first user information is read from the first storage means, and the pre-terminal state that matches the distribution conformance condition from the retrieved user terminal And a search means for searching for a user terminal of information.

  According to the present invention, the content information distribution apparatus provided by the content provider transmits a user terminal search request for searching for a user terminal that matches the distribution suitability for content information to the user information management apparatus, and the user information management apparatus First user information in which pre-terminal state information indicating a user state in front of the user terminal is associated with an identifier of the user terminal is updated while being transmitted from the user terminal in response to a change in the user state. And storing second user information in which the identifier of the content provider permitting the disclosure of the pre-terminal state information and the identifier of the user terminal is stored in the second storage unit, and a user terminal search request The second user information is searched for the user terminal permitted to be disclosed to the content provider of the content information distribution apparatus that has transmitted In order to search the first user information for the user terminal of the pre-terminal state information that matches the distribution conformance condition from the received user terminal, the content information suitable for the current user state is distributed in response to a request from the content provider. A suitable user terminal can be searched.

  The user terminal search system according to claim 2 is the user terminal search system according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal includes an infrared sensor or a camera, and the user is based on a signal acquired by the infrared sensor or the camera. A user state before the terminal is detected, and the detected state information before the terminal is transmitted to the user information management apparatus.

  4. The user terminal search method according to claim 3, wherein the user terminal search method is performed by a user information management apparatus that manages user information and a content information distribution apparatus that distributes content information to a user terminal based on the user information. Transmitting a user terminal search request for searching for a user terminal that matches a content information distribution conformance condition to the user information management device by the content information distribution device provided by the user information management device, The first user information in which the pre-terminal state information indicating the user state before the user terminal and the identifier of the user terminal are associated with each other is updated while being transmitted from the user terminal according to the change of the user state. Storing in the storage means; and a container permitting disclosure of the pre-terminal state information. Storing the second user information in which the identifier of the provider is associated with the identifier of the user terminal in the second storage means, and reading the second user information from the second storage means to search the user terminal The user terminal permitted to be disclosed to the content provider of the content information distribution apparatus that transmitted the request is searched, the first user information is read from the first storage means, and the distribution matching condition is met from the searched user terminal. And searching for a user terminal for pre-terminal state information.

  According to the present invention, the content information distribution apparatus provided by the content provider transmits a user terminal search request for searching for a user terminal that matches the distribution suitability for content information to the user information management apparatus, and the user information management apparatus First user information in which pre-terminal state information indicating a user state in front of the user terminal is associated with an identifier of the user terminal is updated while being transmitted from the user terminal in response to a change in the user state. And storing second user information in which the identifier of the content provider permitting the disclosure of the pre-terminal state information and the identifier of the user terminal is stored in the second storage unit, and a user terminal search request The second user information is searched for the user terminal permitted to be disclosed to the content provider of the content information distribution apparatus that has transmitted In order to search the first user information for the user terminal of the pre-terminal state information that matches the distribution conformance condition from the received user terminal, the content information suitable for the current user state is distributed in response to a request from the content provider. A suitable user terminal can be searched.

  The user terminal search method according to claim 4 is the user terminal search method according to claim 3, wherein the user terminal includes an infrared sensor or a camera, and the user is based on a signal acquired by the infrared sensor or the camera. A user state before the terminal is detected, and the detected state information before the terminal is transmitted to the user information management apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to search for a user terminal suitable for distributing content information suitable for the current user state triggered by a request from a content provider.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of a user terminal search system. It is a figure which shows the structure of a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the structure of a user information management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of user attribute information. It is a figure which shows the example of pre-terminal state information. It is a figure which shows the structure of a content information delivery control terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen of a content information delivery control terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the matching rule of a pre-terminal state search condition. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of a video content delivery and reproduction | regeneration service system.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different modes and should not be construed as being limited to the description of the present embodiment.

[Overall configuration and operation of user terminal search system]
First, the overall configuration of the user terminal search system will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a user terminal search system. This user terminal search system is a system that provides a video content distribution / playback service as described in the background art, and includes a user terminal 100 that acquires a user status while watching a television or the like in front of the user terminal, and the user A user information management device 300 that manages user information related to the content information, and a content information distribution control terminal 500 that distributes content information to the user terminal 100 based on the user information.

  These devices and terminals are connected via a communication network 700 so that they can communicate with each other. Communication devices such as routers and hubs required for communication are also components of the user terminal search system.

  Next, the overall operation of the user terminal search system having such a function will be described.

  The user terminal 100 is a video viewing terminal including a sensor, a camera, and the like for grasping the state and situation of the user located in front of the terminal, and images the video of the user in front of the terminal captured by the camera or the like. Processing, analyzing the number of users who are watching TV in front of the terminal, gender, whether they are sitting or lying, etc., and transmitting them to the user information management device 300 provided by the service provider SP ( S101).

  In addition, as such a sensor, a camera, an infrared sensor, a laser sensor etc. can be utilized, for example. In addition, such a video viewing terminal can be realized by, for example, a digital television or an STB (Set Top Box).

  Specifically, for example, the number of people can be analyzed when an infrared sensor is used, and the number and distance can be analyzed when a laser sensor is used.

  In addition, information that can be analyzed varies depending on the number and accuracy of each sensor or an image processing algorithm, but the information that can be analyzed is not limited in the present invention. Hereinafter, the user state before the user terminal analyzed in this way is defined as pre-terminal state information.

  Next, since the pre-terminal state information analyzed on the user terminal is transmitted to the user information management apparatus 300 through the communication network 700, the user information management apparatus 300 receives the reception time (DB update time) after S101. In addition, the pre-terminal state information is registered in the pre-terminal state information DB 37 (S102).

  The pre-terminal state information (first user information) is transmitted from each user terminal 100 every time the user state before each user terminal changes, and the latest state is always registered in the pre-terminal state information DB 37. Each time the user state changes, for example, is the timing when the number of people increased, the number of people decreased, the person who sat down lay down, and the like.

  That is, each process of S101 and S102 is repeatedly performed every time the user state changes, and the pre-terminal state information is updated every time the user terminal transmits the change according to the change of the user state.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the user information management apparatus 300 also includes a user attribute information DB 34 in which user attribute information (second user information) of each user is registered. Although detailed description will be given later, in this user attribute information, a content provider name that allows each user to disclose the pre-terminal state information is defined in advance.

  Subsequently, the content information distribution control terminal 500 provided by the content provider CP, when it is desired to deliver the content information of its own device to the “now” appropriate user (when distributing it to the user terminal), the service provider SP's. A user terminal search request for searching for a user terminal that matches a condition suitable for distributing the content information is transmitted to the pre-terminal state information DB 37 and the user attribute information DB 34 (S103).

  For example, when it is desired to deliver content information related to “easily cooking a microwave oven”, a user terminal search request is transmitted with a condition of suitable distribution such as “a single woman watching TV alone at around noon”.

  Then, after S103, the user information management apparatus 300 uses the user attribute information in the user attribute information DB 34 to transmit the pre-terminal state information to the content provider CP of the content information distribution control terminal 500 that has transmitted the user terminal search request. Searching for user terminals that are permitted to be disclosed, and subsequently using the pre-terminal state information in the pre-terminal state information DB 37, the user terminal of the pre-terminal state information that matches the distribution matching condition is searched from the searched user terminal. The search is performed, and the ID of the searched user terminal is returned (S104).

  Finally, after S104, the content information distribution control terminal 500 distributes the content information to be distributed in S103 to the user terminal with the ID returned from the user information management apparatus 300 (S105).

  For example, in the case shown in FIG. 1, since the terminal ID “001” is returned as the search result, the “microwave oven simple dish” content information is transmitted to the user terminal having the terminal ID.

  Here, “send” means that the user quickly presses or displays content information on the screen (for example, displays an icon “Recommended content exists”), and the user presses the remote control button. In the case of transmitting content information by the method, or in the case of a CM, there may be a case where it is inserted as a CM between the contents information being viewed. However, in the present invention, the transmission method and distribution method are not limited at all. .

  Through the above operation processing, the content provider CP can search for an appropriate user terminal that delivers the “now” content information, and can transmit the content information to the user terminal.

[User terminal configuration and operation]
Next, the configuration of the user terminal will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the user terminal. The user terminal 100 is an example of an STB, and includes a sensor IF 11, a sensor signal input processing unit 12, a pre-terminal state analyzing unit 13, an analysis result transmitting unit 14, a network IF 15, a content receiving unit 16, and a content display. The processing unit 17 and the display IF 18 are mainly configured.

  The user terminal 100 includes an infrared sensor 101 and / or a camera 102 and a display 103.

  Next, the operation of the user terminal 100 having such a configuration will be described.

  First, the infrared sensor 101 or the camera 102 acquires the user state in front of the user terminal, and transmits the acquired sensor signal to the sensor signal input processing unit 12 via the sensor IF 11 (S201).

  Note that both the infrared sensor 101 and the camera 102 may be provided, or either one or another sensor may be used.

  Next, after S201, when there are a plurality of sensors, the sensor signal input processing unit 12 selects one of the signals or integrates the plurality of signals (S202).

  In addition, the sensor signal may be constantly received, and the sensor signal may be transmitted to the pre-terminal state analyzing unit 13 when there is a large change in the signal. It is possible to play a role that enables efficient processing as a whole system by executing analysis only when there is a state change after suppressing analysis processing with high processing load as much as possible. is there.

  Next, after S202, the pre-terminal state analysis unit 13 analyzes the sensor signal after the process of S202 (S203).

  Specifically, in the case of the infrared sensor 101, for example, the number of persons is analyzed (detected) from the intensity distribution of the sensor signal. In the case of the camera 102, the captured image is subjected to image processing to analyze (detect) the number of people watching the display 103, the gender, the age, and the state of sitting or lying down. In the present invention, the specific methods of signal processing and image processing are not limited at all.

  Next, after S203, the analysis result transmission unit 14 arranges the pre-terminal state information, which is the analysis result, into pre-terminal state information transmission data, and from the network IF 15 to the communication network 700 according to the registration protocol in the DB. (S204).

  On the other hand, the content receiving unit 16 receives the content data transmitted from the communication network 700 via the network IF 15 and transmits it to the content display processing unit 17 (S205).

  Next, after S205, the content display processing unit 17 displays, on the display 103, display content data that is a result of executing the processing such as displaying on a part of the screen if necessary. (S206).

  Although the above description assumes an STB, in the case of a television, all including the infrared sensor 101, the camera 102, and the display 103 are user terminals, and the sensor IF 11 and the display IF 18 are not necessary.

  Further, only functions necessary for the description of the present invention are described, and functions such as a remote controller and a tuner that are not important for description are not described. When a television or STB is actually manufactured, a function provided as a normal television or STB is naturally necessary.

[Configuration and operation of user information management device]
Next, the configuration of the user information management apparatus 300 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the user information management apparatus. The user information management device 300 includes a network IF 31, a user attribute information registration / update response unit 32, a user attribute information registration / update unit 33, a user attribute information DB 34, a pre-terminal state information receiving unit 35, The state information registration / update unit 36, the pre-terminal state information DB 37, the pre-terminal state inquiry response unit 38, and the pre-terminal state search unit 39 are mainly configured.

  Next, the operation of the user information management apparatus 300 having such a configuration will be described.

  Content that may disclose general user attribute information such as the user's address, name, age, gender, etc., and pre-terminal state information input to the user terminal 100 by the user who is a contractor at the time of service contract A user attribute information registration request including the provider name is transmitted to the user information management apparatus 300 of the service provider SP through the communication network 700.

  At the time of user shooting, the pre-terminal state information captured by the user terminal 100 is similarly transmitted to the user information management apparatus 300 of the service provider SP through the communication network 700.

  In addition, when transmitting the user attribute information registration request and the pre-terminal state information, the user terminal 100 also adds and transmits the terminal ID set in advance in the own device.

  First, when user attribute information registration request information is transmitted from the user terminal 100 via the communication network 700 and the network IF 31, the user attribute information registration / update response unit 32 sends data validity (terminal ID, If there is no problem, the attribute information data set is transmitted to the user attribute information registration / update unit 33. If there is a problem, error information is sent to the user terminal 100. A reply is made (S301).

  Next, after S301, the user attribute information registration / update unit 33 generates user attribute information DB registration data in which the received user attribute information is matched with a data format for registration in the DB according to the DB registration protocol. Register in the attribute information DB 34 (S302).

  The registration result (success or failure) is sent back to the user attribute information registration / update unit 33 as a DB registration result, and subsequently sent to the user terminal 100 via the user attribute information registration / update response unit 32 and the network IF 31. It is done.

  In particular, in the case of registration failure, it is desirable to retry registration for a preset number of times (for example, three times), and to return a failure to the user terminal 100 if it still fails.

  Also, update information generated after the contract is executed in the same procedure. Furthermore, action history such as content viewing history and online shopping purchase history is processed in the same procedure. However, from the viewpoint of privacy protection, it is desirable that whether or not to register an action history can be set with permission of the user. The same applies to the pre-terminal state information described later.

  Here, an example of the user attribute information is shown in FIG. In this example, a user ID, a terminal ID, an address, a name, a gender, an age, a family structure, an action history, and a disclosure permission CP are stored in association with each other.

  In particular, regarding the disclosure permission CP, the user A permits the disclosure to the content providers CP of CP1 and CP2, and the user B permits the disclosure to all the content providers CP. On the other hand, the user C indicates that no disclosure is permitted to any content provider CP.

  On the other hand, when the pre-terminal state information reception data is transmitted from the user terminal 100 via the communication network 700 and the network IF 31, the pre-terminal state information receiving unit 35 stores the user attributes registered in the user attribute information DB 34. Check the validity of the data by referring to the information (whether the terminal ID included in the data is registered in the user attribute information DB 34, whether the data set is inconsistent, etc.), and if there is no problem, state information before the terminal Is sent to the pre-terminal state information registration / update unit 36, and if there is a problem with the validity of the data, the data is discarded (error information is not returned to the user terminal) (S303).

  Next, after S303, the pre-terminal state information registration / update unit 36 converts the pre-terminal state information DB registration data obtained by matching the received pre-terminal state information to the DB registration data format in accordance with the DB registration protocol. And is registered in the pre-terminal state information DB 37 (S304).

  The registration result (success or failure) is returned to the pre-terminal state information registration / update unit 36 as a DB registration result. In particular, in the case of registration failure, registration is retried for a preset number of times (for example, three times), and if it still fails, the registration is abandoned and the data is discarded. An example of the pre-terminal state information is shown in FIG. In this example, the terminal ID, the update time, and the user state such as the number of people are stored in association with each other.

  Here, when the pre-terminal state information inquiry data (the above-described user terminal search request) is received from the content information distribution control terminal 500 of the content provider CP via the communication network 700 and the network IF 31, the pre-terminal state inquiry response unit 38 checks the validity of the data (request from the content provider CP with the inquiry qualification, whether the inquiry content is inconsistent, etc.), and if there is no problem, it is necessary for the DB search from the pre-terminal state inquiry data. Pre-terminal state search data is generated and transmitted to the pre-terminal state search unit 39. If there is a problem, it is returned to the content information distribution control terminal 500 of the requesting content provider CP together with the content of the problem (S305).

  Next, after S305, the pre-terminal state search unit 39 first searches the user attribute information DB 34 for a user terminal whose request source content provider name is included in the disclosure permission CP field of the user attribute information. Then, the terminal ID of the permitted user is extracted (S306).

  Subsequently, the pre-terminal state searching unit 39 generates a terminal state DB search query for DB search by adding the terminal ID searched in S306 to the pre-terminal state search data, and issues a search request to the pre-terminal state information DB 37. (S307).

  The pre-terminal state information DB 37 returns the terminal ID (which may be a plurality of naturally) that matches the inquiry from the content provider CP to the pre-terminal state search unit 39 as the pre-terminal state information DB search result. The request is transmitted to the content information distribution control terminal 500 of the content provider CP that is the request source via the inquiry response unit 38, the network IF 31, and the communication network 700 (S308).

  It should be noted that a large number of user attribute information, pre-terminal state information registration / update requests, and pre-terminal state information inquiry requests may be received simultaneously from a plurality of user terminals 100 and content information distribution control terminals 500. In that case, each functional unit is sequentially provided with a buffer and a queue. If processing is not in time, a buffer or queue overflows, resulting in a processing error. As described above, the description of functions that are generally necessary for processing that handles a DB has been omitted, but it is naturally necessary when implemented.

[Configuration and operation of content information distribution control terminal]
Next, the configuration of the content information distribution control terminal 500 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of the content information distribution control terminal. The content information distribution control terminal 500 includes a user IF 51, a pre-terminal state search condition determination unit 52, a content attribute information DB 53, a pre-terminal state matching rule DB 54, a pre-terminal state search request unit 55, a network IF 56, The distribution target terminal information receiving unit 57, the content distribution unit 58, and the content DB 59 are mainly configured.

  Next, the operation of the content information distribution control terminal 500 having such a configuration will be described.

  The user IF provides an operation screen such as a graphic interface, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The pre-terminal state search condition determination unit 52 determines the content information to be transmitted determined by the operator of the content provider CP and how it is transmitted. An input with a distribution matching condition indicating whether or not to deliver to a terminal in a pre-terminal state is accepted (S401).

  Here, an example of a screen operated by an operator of the content provider CP is shown in FIG. When a desired content is selected from the content information stored in the content DB 59 of FIG. 6, the attribute information of the selected content is extracted from the content attribute information DB 53 and displayed. The selected content information can be confirmed on the preview screen.

  The search conditions at the bottom of the operation screen can be set according to the configuration of each information shown in FIGS. Each condition can be set, and those conditions can be set by AND or OR. After completing the condition setting, press the OK button to complete.

  As another method, a matching rule between the pre-terminal state information and the content attribute information is determined in advance, and the pre-terminal state search condition determination unit 52 automatically selects the content information and determines the search condition according to the rule. A way to do this is also conceivable. An example of this matching rule is shown in FIG.

  For example, the rule defined in (1) is that the number of people in front of the terminal is one, the family structure of the attribute information is single, and the update time of the information in front of the terminal is between 11:00 and 13:00. The rule that content information including all of cooking, microwave oven, and simple is selected as attribute information.

  In addition, if the number of people in front of the terminal is one and the person is lying in front of the terminal, the rule defined in (3) includes health in the attribute information, and either game, sport or chair It shows a rule of selecting content information that includes.

  The front part of these “if” is the search condition for the pre-terminal attribute information search, and the rear part is the search condition for the content ID. The pre-terminal state search condition determination unit 52 reads this from the pre-terminal state matching rule DB 54 in which the matching rules are stored, reads the content attribute information from the content attribute information DB 53, and automatically sets the search conditions by the method described above. decide.

  Next, after S401, the pre-terminal state search condition determination unit 52 obtains a result based on whether the operator determines using the interface shown in FIG. 7 or automatically determines using the rules shown in FIG. The pre-terminal state search condition is transmitted to the pre-terminal state search request unit 55 (S402).

  Next, after S402, the pre-terminal state search request unit 55 generates pre-terminal state inquiry data based on the pre-terminal information search condition, and manages the user information of the service provider SP via the network IF 56 and the communication network 700. The device 300 is inquired (S403).

  Next, after S403, the distribution target terminal information receiving unit 57 receives a terminal ID (may be plural) as response data from the user information management apparatus 300 via the network IF 56 (S404).

  Next, after S404, the content distribution unit 58 reads the content data stored in the content DB 59 based on the content ID of the content information determined in S401, and the user terminal 100 having the terminal ID received in S404. (S405).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the content information distribution control terminal 500 provided by the content provider CP sends a user terminal search request for searching for the user terminal 100 that matches the distribution condition for content information to the user information management apparatus. The user information management device 300 transmits pre-terminal state information in which the pre-terminal state information indicating the user state before the user terminal and the ID of the user terminal are associated with each other according to the change of the user state. The user attribute information in which the identifier of the content provider CP that permits the disclosure of the pre-terminal state information and the ID of the user terminal is stored, The user who has permitted the disclosure to the content provider CP of the content information distribution control terminal 500 that has transmitted the search request. The terminal 100 is searched from the user attribute information, and from the searched user terminal, the user terminal of the pre-terminal state information that matches the distribution conformance condition is searched from the pre-terminal state information. It is possible to search for a user terminal suitable for distributing content information suitable for the user state.

  That is, the content provider CP can appropriately and effectively search (discover) a person (user terminal) who wants to deliver the content information held by the content provider CP now and distribute it to the person (terminal).

  This makes it possible to distribute content information suitable for the current state before the user terminal, compared to conventional video content distribution based on static attribute information, so that the appeal to the user is increased, and the content information The possibility of viewing the video is improved, and if it is a CM, an effect such as an increase in the possibility of being linked to purchase behavior by viewing the video can be expected.

  For example, for a single user who is watching TV alone by around noon, cooking content that can be easily made with a microwave oven is recommended. On the other hand, when the user is a family contract and a plurality of users are watching TV, it is possible to realize transmission of a family game advertisement or the like.

  Finally, each functional unit constituting the user terminal 100, the user information management device 300, and the content information distribution control terminal 500 can be realized by a processing unit such as a CPU, and a memory can be realized by a storage unit such as a hard disk. In addition, each process of each functional unit is realized by a program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... User terminal 101 ... Infrared sensor 102 ... Camera 103 ... Display 11 ... Sensor IF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Sensor signal input part 13 ... Pre-terminal state analysis part 14 ... Analysis result transmission part 15 ... Network IF
16 ... Content receiving unit 17 ... Content display processing unit 18 ... Display IF
300 ... User information management device 31 ... Network IF
32 ... User attribute information registration / update response unit 33 ... User attribute information registration / update unit 34 ... User attribute information DB (second storage means)
35 ... Pre-terminal state information receiving unit 36 ... Pre-terminal state information registration / update unit 37 ... Pre-terminal state information DB (first storage means)
38 ... Pre-terminal state inquiry response unit 39 ... Pre-terminal state search unit 500 ... Content information distribution control terminal (content information distribution device)
51 ... User IF
52 ... Pre-terminal state search condition determination unit 53 ... Content attribute information DB
54 ... Pre-terminal state matching rule DB
55 ... Pre-terminal state search request section (request means)
56 ... Network IF
57 ... Distribution target terminal information receiving unit 58 ... Content distribution unit 59 ... Content DB
700 ... Communication network CP ... Content provider SP ... Service provider S ... Processing step

Claims (4)

In a user terminal search system performed by a user information management device that manages user information and a content information distribution device that distributes content information to a user terminal based on the user information,
The content information distribution device is provided by a content provider,
A request means for transmitting a user terminal search request for searching for a user terminal that matches the content information distribution conformity condition to the user information management device;
The user information management device includes:
First user information in which pre-terminal state information indicating a user state before the user terminal is associated with an identifier of the user terminal is stored while being updated each time the user terminal transmits the first user information according to the change in the user state. First storage means,
Second storage means for storing second user information in which an identifier of a content provider that permits disclosure of the pre-terminal state information and an identifier of the user terminal are stored;
The second user information is read from the second storage means, the user terminal permitted to be disclosed to the content provider of the content information distribution apparatus that has transmitted the user terminal search request is searched, and the first user information is read from the first storage means. A search means for searching the user terminal of the pre-terminal state information that matches the delivery adaptation condition from the searched user terminal,
A user terminal search system characterized by comprising: The user terminal includes an infrared sensor or a camera,
The user according to claim 1, wherein a user state before the user terminal is detected based on a signal acquired by the infrared sensor or the camera, and the detected pre-terminal state information is transmitted to the user information management device. Terminal search system. In a user terminal search method performed by a user information management device that manages user information and a content information distribution device that distributes content information to a user terminal based on the user information,
By the content information distribution device provided by the content provider,
Transmitting a user terminal search request for searching for a user terminal that matches the content information distribution conformity condition to the user information management device;
By the user information management device,
The first user information in which the pre-terminal state information indicating the user state before the user terminal and the identifier of the user terminal are associated with each other is updated while being transmitted from the user terminal according to the change of the user state. Storing in the storage means;
Storing in the second storage means second user information in which identifiers of content providers permitting disclosure of the pre-terminal state information and identifiers of the user terminals are associated with each other;
The second user information is read from the second storage means, the user terminal permitted to be disclosed to the content provider of the content information distribution apparatus that has transmitted the user terminal search request is searched, and the first user information is read from the first storage means. And retrieving from the searched user terminal the user terminal of the pre-terminal state information that matches the delivery adaptation condition;
A user terminal search method characterized by comprising: The user terminal includes an infrared sensor or a camera,
The user according to claim 3, wherein a user state before the user terminal is detected based on a signal acquired by the infrared sensor or the camera, and the detected pre-terminal state information is transmitted to the user information management device. Terminal search method.

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