JP2013127678A - Communication system, communication terminal, control method thereof, server, control method thereof, control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent copyright issues from occurring when introducing the digest of content.SOLUTION: A communication terminal 12a can request a content server 11 for a partial content on the basis of digest metadata and acquire and reproduce the partial content, thereby reproducing a content digest. Therefore, even in a case where the content digest is to be introduced to another user, only the digest metadata needs to be transmitted to a communication terminal 12b and neither the content nor any portion thereof needs to be transmitted to the communication terminal 12b.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system for transmitting electronic content from a server to a communication terminal via a communication network, a communication terminal and its control method, a server and its control method, a control program, and a recording medium.

  For example, in the case of movie content, a trailer (notice trailer) in which a movie distributor or the like has edited the main part of the movie is generally used for advertising. On the other hand, due to the recent spread of communication networks such as the Internet (hereinafter abbreviated as “network”), a person introduces a review (criticism) about a purchased product to another person via the network. Sales promotion is becoming common.

  Therefore, it is conceivable that electronic content (hereinafter abbreviated as “content”) is also introduced to an unpurchased person via the network with a digest of the content composed of portions that the user who has purchased has liked. An example of a system for introducing the content digest is the system disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this system, the digest can be viewed using the content itself and the digest information.

  Note that the content (electronic content) in this specification refers to the content of information such as text, still images, electronic books, audio, and moving images provided on the Internet or the like.

JP 2008-92511 A (published April 17, 2008)

  Conventionally, when introducing a digest of the content to a person who has not purchased it, a copy or edited copy of the content is handed over to the person who has not purchased the content. ) May be infringed. Also in Patent Document 1, in order to view the digest, it is necessary to pass the original content to an unpurchased person, and the copyright problem has not been solved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a communication terminal, a server, and the like that can prevent a copyright problem from occurring when introducing a digest of content. There is.

  A communication terminal according to the present invention is a communication terminal that reproduces electronic content acquired from a server via a communication network. In order to solve the above-described problem, one or a plurality of partial contents that are a part of the electronic content are included. Metadata acquisition means for acquiring digest metadata including content identification information for identifying the electronic content and including a start position and an end position of the partial content in the electronic content for each partial content. Content request means for requesting the partial content to the server via the communication network based on the digest metadata acquired by the metadata acquisition means, and received from the server via the communication network by the request Partial content It is characterized in that it comprises a content reproducing means for reproducing.

  A communication terminal control method according to the present invention is a communication terminal control method for playing back electronic content acquired from a server via a communication network. In order to solve the above problem, a part of the electronic content is controlled. Digest metadata that includes content identification information for identifying the electronic content and includes a start position and an end position of the partial content in the electronic content for each of the partial contents with respect to a digest including one or more partial contents. A metadata acquisition step for acquiring the content, a content request step for requesting the partial content to the server via the communication network based on the digest metadata acquired in the metadata acquisition step, and the request by the request Communication from server It is characterized in that it comprises a content reproduction step of reproducing the partial content received via the Ttowaku.

  According to the above configuration and method, the digest of the content can be reproduced by requesting the partial content from the content server for acquisition and reproduction based on the digest metadata. Therefore, when introducing a digest of content to other users, it is only necessary to transmit digest metadata, and there is no need to transmit content or partial content. As a result, the occurrence of copyright problems can be prevented.

  The digest metadata may be acquired from an internal storage device, or may be acquired from the server and other communication terminals via a communication network. Further, it may be acquired from another communication terminal via wired communication or wireless communication, or may be acquired from another communication terminal via a removable recording medium.

  Examples of the start position and the end position include the number of bytes from the beginning, the elapsed time, the number of frames, and a combination thereof for a moving image, the page number, the line number, and the number of characters for a book. Can be mentioned.

  The communication terminal according to the present invention may further include metadata creation means for creating the digest metadata and transmitting the digest metadata on the communication network. In this case, a user-preferred digest can be created, and the created digest can be uploaded to the server or transmitted to a communication terminal of another user.

  The communication terminal according to the present invention further includes restriction data acquisition means for acquiring restriction data for restricting partial contents that can be included in the digest, and the metadata creation means is configured to digest based on the restriction data. It is preferable to create metadata. In this case, digest metadata can be created so that partial content that is not desirable to be included in the digest, such as the core portion of the electronic content, is not included in the digest.

  A server according to the present invention is a server that transmits electronic content to a communication terminal via a communication network, and in order to solve the above-described problem, a digest including one or a plurality of partial contents that are a part of the electronic content Digest metadata including content identification information for identifying the electronic content and including a start position and an end position of the partial content in the electronic content for each partial content via the communication network It is characterized by comprising a metadata transmission means for transmitting to.

  A server control method according to the present invention is a server control method for transmitting electronic content to a communication terminal via a communication network, and in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the partial content is a part of the electronic content. The digest metadata including content identification information for identifying the electronic content and including the start position and the end position of the partial content in the electronic content for each partial content. The method includes a metadata transmission step of transmitting to the communication terminal via a communication network.

  According to the above configuration and method, the digest metadata is transmitted to the communication terminal. Thereby, the communication terminal can reproduce | regenerate the digest of a content by requesting | requiring and reproducing a partial content from a content server based on digest metadata, and reproducing | regenerating it. Therefore, the server according to the present invention does not need to transmit a part of the content as a digest to the communication terminal in order to introduce the content. As a result, the occurrence of copyright problems can be prevented.

  The server according to the present invention is a server that transmits electronic content to a communication terminal via a communication network, and in order to solve the above problem, a partial content that is a part of the electronic content in response to a request from the communication terminal Is transmitted to the communication terminal via the communication network, a user information storage unit that stores user information indicating a user who can use the entire electronic content, and the electronic content can be transmitted. A restriction information storage unit that stores restriction data for restricting partial content, and the content transmission unit refers to the user information, and the user of the communication terminal can use the entire electronic content. If not, the transmittable partial content is transmitted with reference to the restriction data. It is characterized in that to limit the.

  According to said structure, when the user of a communication terminal is not a user who can use the whole electronic content, the partial content which can be transmitted to a communication terminal is restrict | limited. Thereby, it is possible to prevent transmission of partial content that is not desired to be transmitted, such as a core portion of the electronic content, to a communication terminal of a user who cannot use the entire electronic content.

  The server according to the present invention may further include restriction data transmission means for transmitting the restriction data to the communication terminal via the communication network. In this case, the communication terminal can request only a partial content that can be transmitted based on the restriction data, or can create digest metadata of the electronic content, between the server and the communication terminal. Unnecessary access can be reduced.

  By the way, it is conceivable that the portion where the electronic content can be transmitted changes over time. Therefore, it is desirable that the restriction data can be updated.

  In addition, even if it is a communication system provided with the communication terminal of the said structure, and the server of the said structure, there can exist an effect similar to the above-mentioned.

  Each means of the communication terminal can be executed on a computer by a control program. Further, each means of the server can be executed on a computer by a control program. Furthermore, by storing the control program in a computer-readable recording medium, the control program can be executed on an arbitrary computer.

  As described above, the communication terminal according to the present invention can reproduce the content digest by requesting the content server to acquire and reproduce the partial content based on the digest metadata. When introducing to a user, it is only necessary to transmit digest metadata, and it is not necessary to transmit content or partial content. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of copyright problems.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the content delivery system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining digest metadata. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the content server in the said content delivery system. It is a figure which shows the example of the restriction | limiting data memorize | stored in the said content server in a table format. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication terminal in the said content delivery system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in which the said content server transmits content data. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in which the said communication terminal reproduces | regenerates content data. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the said communication terminal reproduces | regenerates the digest data of a content. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in which the said communication terminal produces the digest metadata of content. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the said communication terminal, when purchasing the viewing-and-listening service of content. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the said communication terminal, when selecting from several digests.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a content distribution system (communication system) according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the content distribution system 10 is configured such that a content server (server) 11 and a plurality of communication terminals 12 are communicably connected via a network 13. In addition, when referring to a communication terminal individually, it describes as a code | symbol 12a * 12b etc., and when referring to a communication terminal generically, it describes as a code | symbol 12.

  The communication terminal 12 communicates with the content server 11 via the network 13. Examples of the communication terminal 12 include a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The content server 11 provides various information to the communication terminal 12 via the network 13. The content server 11 has the same configuration as a normal computer. As the network 13, a known communication network such as a mobile communication network, a telephone line network, the Internet, or a LAN (Local Area Network) can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the content server 11 stores content. In the present embodiment, the content is a moving image including video and audio, but is not limited thereto. Other contents such as video only, audio only, and electronic books may be used.

  The user A who has purchased the content viewing service receives the content data CD from the content server 11 using the communication terminal 12a, and views the content reproduced and output. Furthermore, in order to introduce the digest of the content to a friend (other user) B who has not viewed the content, the user A creates a digest of the content as digest metadata MD using the communication terminal 12a. . The digest metadata MD is transmitted from the communication terminal 12a of the user A to the communication terminal 12b of the friend B via the network 13.

  On the other hand, the communication terminal 12b of the friend B requests and acquires the digest data DD of the content from the content server 11 based on the received digest metadata MD, and reproduces and outputs the acquired digest data DD. Thereby, the friend B can view the digest of the content. The digest metadata MD may be provided by the content server 11.

  In this way, when introducing a digest of content from a user to another user or providing it from the server side, it is only necessary to transmit the digest metadata MD, and there is no need to transmit the content data CD and the digest data DD. . As a result, the occurrence of copyright problems can be prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the content server 11 stores a plurality of digest metadata MD for each content, and transmits it according to a request from the user communication terminal 12. The digest metadata MD may be created on the producer side and the distributor side of the content, or may be created on the viewer (user) side of the content. Thereby, digests created from various viewpoints such as users, producers, distributors, and the like can be compared and viewed.

  In the present embodiment, the content data CD is collectively collected from the content server 11 to the communication terminal 12 via the network 13 from the viewpoint of solving the copyright problem and reducing the load on the communication terminal 12. Instead of transmitting, partial content data which is a part of the content data CD is transmitted one after another.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the digest metadata MD. (A) of the figure shows the relationship between the content data CD, the digest data DD, and the digest metadata MD, and (b) of the figure shows the format and specific example of the digest metadata MD in a tabular form. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the digest data DD is configured to include one or more subsets SS of the content data CD. Each subset SS constituting the digest data DD can be indicated by a start position and an end position in the content data CD. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in (b) of the figure, the digest metadata MD includes information on the start position and the end position for each subset SS. As shown in (b) of the figure, it is desirable that the beginning of the digest metadata MD includes a content ID (content identification information) for identifying the content data CD.

  The start position and the end position can be represented by, for example, the number of bytes from the beginning of the content data CD. In the present embodiment, since the content is a moving image, the start position and the end position can be expressed by the elapsed time from the top, the number of frames, a combination thereof, and the like. Further, when the content is an electronic dictionary, the start position and the end position can be expressed by the number of pages, the number of lines, the number of paragraphs, the number of characters, a combination thereof, or the like.

  Next, details of the content server 11 and the communication terminal 12 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the content server 11. As illustrated, the content server 11 is configured to include a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

  The control unit 21 comprehensively controls various configurations in the content server 11. The function of the control unit 21 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory.

  The storage unit 22 stores various data and programs. Examples of the storage unit 22 include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that is a read-only semiconductor memory that stores fixed data such as a program and communication control data required when the control unit 21 operates, data related to communication, and computation. There are a RAM as a so-called working memory that temporarily stores data used for the operation, a calculation result, and the like, and a large-capacity HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various setting data, content data CD, and the like.

  The communication unit 23 is for performing communication with the network 13. Specifically, the communication unit 23 converts the data received from the control unit 21 into a format suitable for transmission on the network 13 and transmits the converted signal to the network 13. The communication unit 23 converts the signal received from the network 13 into the original format, and transmits the converted data to the control unit 21. The communication unit 23 performs data modulation / demodulation processing and the like.

  Next, details of the control unit 21 and the storage unit 22 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 21 includes a request acquisition unit 31, an authentication unit 32, a content transmission unit (content transmission unit) 33, and a data transmission unit (metadata transmission unit, restricted data transmission unit) 34. It is. The storage unit 22 includes a user information storage unit 41, a content storage unit 42, a restriction information storage unit 43, and a metadata storage unit 44.

  The user information storage unit 41 stores user information that is information about the user. The user information includes, for each user, identification information (user ID) and password of the user, and a list of identification information (content ID) of content (purchased content) for which the user has purchased the viewing service. ing.

  The content storage unit 42 stores the content data CD. The content data CD is a known moving picture format such as MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group phase 2) and includes various information relating to video and audio.

  The restriction information storage unit 43 stores restriction data that is information for restricting transmission of the partial content data. This restriction data does not provide a core part of the content or a large part of the content when providing a content digest to a user who has not purchased the content viewing service. It is for doing so.

  (A) to (d) of FIG. 4 are diagrams each showing an example of the restriction data in a table format. As shown in the figure, the restriction data includes a content ID, a maximum digest length, a maximum partial length, and a prohibition start position and a prohibition end position.

  The content ID is for uniquely identifying the content. The maximum digest length is a maximum value of the length of the digest data DD. Creation of digest data DD longer than the maximum digest length is prohibited. The maximum partial length is the maximum value of the length of the subset SS that constitutes the digest data DD. Creation of the digest data DD including the subset SS longer than the maximum partial length is prohibited. The prohibition start position and the prohibition end position indicate portions of the content data CD that are prohibited from being included in the digest data DD.

  The prohibition start position and the prohibition end position may include only one set, or may include a plurality of sets. Further, content data CD in which a portion prohibited to be included in the digest data DD is not specified is also conceivable. In this case, the prohibition start position and the prohibition end position are omitted from the restriction data.

  The numerical values included in the restriction data can be specified by various parameters. In the restriction data in FIG. 4A, the maximum digest length, the maximum partial length, the prohibition start position, and the prohibition end position are indicated by time. Further, in the limit data in (b) of FIG. 8, the maximum digest length and the maximum partial length are indicated by time, and the prohibition start position and prohibition end position are indicated by a combination of time and the number of frames. For example, the prohibition start position and prohibition end position at the end of the restriction data indicate “fourth frame of 1 hour 30 minutes 31 seconds” and “30th frame of 1 hour 55 minutes 36 seconds”, respectively.

  In the limit data of FIG. 4C, the maximum digest length and the maximum partial length are indicated by the number of frames, and the prohibition start position and the prohibition end position are indicated by the number of frames from the head. In the limit data of (d) in the figure, the maximum digest length and the maximum partial length are indicated by the number of bytes, and the prohibition start position and the prohibition end position are indicated by the number of bytes from the head.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the metadata storage unit 44 stores the digest metadata MD. The metadata storage unit 44 preferably stores various types of related information such as the creator, the registration date, the number of transmissions (the number of reproductions), and the evaluation for each digest metadata MD.

  The request acquisition unit 31 acquires a request from the communication terminal 12 via the network 13 and the communication unit 23. If the request is a request for content, the request acquisition unit 31 sends the request to the content sending unit 33. On the other hand, when the request is a request for restriction data or digest metadata MD, the request acquisition unit 31 sends the request to the data sending unit 34.

  The authentication unit 32 performs user authentication based on a request from the content transmission unit 33. Specifically, the authentication unit 32 requests and acquires the user ID and password from the communication terminal 12 via the communication unit 23 and the network 13, and acquires the acquired user ID and password in the user information storage unit 41. The user is identified by checking with the stored user ID and password. Further, the authentication unit 32 reads a list of content IDs of purchased content of the specified user from the user information storage unit 41 and notifies the content transmission unit 33 of the list. In this embodiment, authentication using a user ID and a password is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a known authentication method such as fingerprint authentication can be used.

  Based on the request received from the request acquisition unit 31, the content transmission unit 33 reads partial content data from the content data CD in the content storage unit 42 and transmits the partial content data to the communication unit 23. The partial content data transmitted to the communication unit 23 is transmitted to the communication terminal 12 via the network 13.

  In the present embodiment, a restriction is set so that a preset partial content is not transmitted to the communication terminal 12 of a user who has not purchased a content viewing service. For this reason, the content transmission part 33 performs the following operation | movement.

  That is, when the content transmission unit 33 first acquires the content request from the request acquisition unit 31, the content transmission unit 33 notifies the authentication unit 32 to perform user authentication. As a result, the purchased content ID list is acquired from the authentication unit 32. Next, the content sending unit 33 determines whether the content ID of the requested content is included in the ID list. If it is included, the partial content data of the requested content is transmitted without performing the above restriction.

  On the other hand, when the content ID of the requested content is not included in the ID list, or when the ID list is not acquired from the authentication unit 32, the content sending unit 33 displays the requested content restriction data. The partial content data read from the restriction information storage unit 43 and not corresponding to the restriction data is not sent, and the partial content data not corresponding to the restriction data is sent.

  The data sending unit 34 sends various data other than content to the communication unit 23 based on the request received from the request acquisition unit 31. The data sent to the communication unit 23 is transmitted to the communication terminal 12 via the network 13. Specifically, when the digest metadata MD is requested, the data sending unit 34 reads out the corresponding digest metadata MD from the metadata storage unit 44 and sends it to the communication unit 23. In addition, when the restriction data of a certain content is requested, the data transmission unit 34 reads the restriction data of the corresponding content from the restriction information storage unit 43 and sends it to the communication unit 23.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the communication terminal 12. As illustrated, the communication terminal 12 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, an operation unit 54, and an output unit 55. The functions of the control unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the communication unit 53 of the communication terminal 12 are the same as the functions of the control unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the communication unit 23 of the server 11, respectively. Omitted. In the case of the communication terminal 12, as a writable nonvolatile storage device used for the storage unit 22, a flash memory (registered trademark) can be cited in addition to the HDD.

  The operation unit 54 creates operation data and transmits it to the control unit 51 when a user operates an input device provided in the communication terminal 12. Examples of the input device include a button switch, a keyboard, a numeric keypad, a mouse, a touch panel, and a digitizer.

  The output unit 55 outputs information in a form that can be referred to by the user based on data from the control unit 51. Examples of the output unit 55 include a display device that displays an image, an audio output device that outputs sound, and a printing device that prints an image on a print medium such as paper. Examples of the display device include an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), and an EL (Electoroluminescence) display. Examples of audio output devices include earphones, speakers, and headphones. Examples of printing devices include laser printers, inkjet printers, dot printers, and the like.

  Next, details of the control unit 51 and the storage unit 52 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 51 includes a data acquisition unit (metadata acquisition unit, restricted data acquisition unit) 61, a content request unit (content request unit) 63, a content reproduction unit (content reproduction unit) 64, and a meta data. A data creation unit (metadata creation means) 65 is provided. The storage unit 52 includes a user information storage unit 71, a metadata storage unit 72, and a restriction information storage unit 73.

  The user information storage unit 71 stores user information of a user who uses the communication terminal 12. The user information includes the user ID and password of the user. Note that the user information storage unit 71 may be omitted. In this case, the user may input the user ID and the password via the operation unit 54.

  The metadata storage unit 72 stores the digest metadata MD. The digest metadata MD stored in the metadata storage unit 72 may be received from the content server 11, received from another communication terminal 12, or created by the user using the operation unit 54. But you can.

  The restriction information storage unit 73 stores restriction data received from the content server 11 via the network 13. This restriction data is used when creating the digest metadata MD.

  The data acquisition unit 61 acquires various data from nodes such as the content server 11 and other communication terminals 12 via the network 13 and the communication unit 53. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 61 acquires the digest metadata MD from the content server 11 or another communication terminal 12 and stores it in the metadata storage unit 72. In addition, the data acquisition unit 61 acquires restriction data from the content server 11 and stores it in the restriction information storage unit 73.

  The content request unit 63 requests content from the content server 11 via the communication unit 53 and the network 13. In response to this request, partial content data is acquired from the content server 11 via the network 13 and the communication unit 53. The content request unit 63 sends the acquired partial content data to the content reproduction unit 64. When the content server 11 requests the user ID and password to be input, the content request unit 63 reads the user ID and password from the user information storage unit 71 and transmits the user ID and password to the content server 11.

  In the present embodiment, the content request unit 63 can select and request the content server 11 to select either the content or its digest according to an instruction from the user via the operation unit 54. When requesting a content digest, the content requesting unit 63 reads the digest metadata MD from the metadata storage unit 72 and requests the content server 11 to digest the content based on the read digest metadata MD.

  The content reproduction unit 64 reproduces partial content data from the content request unit 63. The content reproduction unit 64 controls the output unit 55 based on the reproduced data, so that the reproduced partial content is output from the output unit 55. For example, when the partial content data is moving image data such as MPEG2, the content reproduction unit 64 decodes the moving image data and separates it into video data and audio data. Then, the content reproduction unit 64 controls the display device and the audio output device of the output unit 55 based on the separated video data and audio data, thereby outputting video and audio.

  The metadata creation unit 65 creates digest metadata MD based on an instruction from the user via the operation unit 54. The metadata creation unit 65 may transmit the created digest metadata MD to another communication terminal 12 via the communication unit 53 and the network 13 or upload the digest metadata MD to the content server 11. You may memorize | store in the memory | storage part 72. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the metadata creation unit 65 reads the restriction data from the restriction information storage unit 73 so that the portion corresponding to the restriction data is not included in the digest metadata MD. Specifically, when the digest metadata MD includes a portion corresponding to the restriction data, the metadata creation unit 65 warns the user via the output unit 55. At this time, a portion corresponding to the restriction data may be deleted from the digest metadata MD.

  The digest metadata MD is data as shown in FIG. 2B, and can be saved as a text file. Therefore, the digest metadata MD can be transmitted from the communication terminal 12a of the user A to the communication terminal 12b of the user B, for example, attached to an e-mail.

  Processing in the content server 11 and the communication terminal 12 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in which the content server 11 transmits the content data CD.

  As shown in FIG. 6, first, when the request acquisition unit 31 acquires a request for content from the communication terminal 12 (S11), the authentication unit 32 performs user authentication (S12), and the content transmission unit 33 performs communication of the request source. It is determined whether the user of the terminal 12 has purchased the content viewing service (S13).

  When determining that the viewing service has been purchased, the content transmission unit 33 transmits the content data CD of the requested content to the communication terminal 12 in units of partial content data (S14). Next, it is determined whether the request acquisition unit 31 has received a change request for changing the transmission position of the content data CD from the communication terminal 12 (S15). The change request is transmitted by the content request unit 63 when the user performs a trick play operation such as fast reverse, fast forward, skip, and jump by specifying the time on the operation unit 54 of the communication terminal 12. .

  When the change request is received, the content transmission unit 33 transmits the content data CD to the communication terminal 12 from the transmission position corresponding to the change request (S16). For example, when a change request “5 second skip” is received, the content transmission unit 33 transmits the content data CD to the communication terminal 12 from a position five seconds ahead of the position where transmission has been performed so far.

  On the other hand, if the change request has not been received, the content sending unit 33 determines whether the content data CD has been transmitted to the end (S17). If not transmitted to the end, the process returns to step S14 and the above operation is repeated. On the other hand, if the transmission is completed, the content data CD transmission process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the viewing service has not been purchased, the content transmission unit 33 reads the requested content restriction data from the restriction information storage unit 43 and transmits the content data CD of the content. The position is collated (S18). If the transmission position is not included in the restriction data (NO in S19), content sending unit 33 transmits partial content data at the transmission position (S20). On the other hand, when the transmission position is included in the restriction data (YES in S19), content sending unit 33 performs error processing not to transmit partial content data at the transmission position (S21). At this time, the content transmission unit 33 may transmit an error message to the communication terminal 12 such that “1:23 to 2:03 is not permitted to play a digest”.

  Note that the restriction data is normally assumed not to be changed between the creation time of the digest data DD and the playback time of the digest, and the process does not proceed to step S21. However, there may be a case where the restriction on the content is changed and the restriction data is updated due to the convenience and intention of the content distributor. In this case, the possibility of proceeding to step S21 occurs.

  Next, it is determined whether the request acquisition unit 31 has received a change request for changing the transmission position of the content data CD from the communication terminal 12 (S22). When the change request is received, the content transmission unit 33 transmits the content data CD to the communication terminal 12 from the transmission position corresponding to the change request (S23).

  On the other hand, if the change request has not been received, the content sending unit 33 determines whether or not the content data CD has been transmitted to the end (S24). If not transmitted to the end, the process returns to step S18 and the above operation is repeated. On the other hand, if the transmission is completed, the content data CD transmission process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in which the communication terminal 12 reproduces the content data CD. As shown in the figure, first, when a user performs a reproduction operation of desired content using the operation unit 54, the content request unit 63 transmits a request for the content to the content server 11 (S31). At this time, in response to a request from the content server 11, user information including a user ID and a password is transmitted to the content server 11 (S32). Next, the content request unit 63 receives the partial content data of the content from the content server 11, the content reproduction unit 64 reproduces it, and outputs it via the output unit 55 (S33).

  Next, the content request unit 63 determines whether or not the reception of the content data CD of the content has been completed (S34). If not completed, it is determined whether or not the user has performed the trick play operation on the operation unit 54 (S35). If so, the content request unit 63 displays the content at the position corresponding to the trick play operation. The content server 11 is requested to transmit the data CD (S36). Then, it returns to step S33 and repeats the said operation | movement. On the other hand, when the process is ended in step S34, the reproduction process of the content data CD is ended.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in which the communication terminal 12 reproduces the content digest data DD. As shown in the figure, first, when a user performs a desired digest reproduction operation on the operation unit 54, the content request unit 63 reads the digest metadata MD from the metadata storage unit 72 (metadata acquisition step, S41). . Next, the content request unit 63 transmits a content request to the content server 11 according to the read digest metadata MD (content request step, S42). At this time, in response to a request from the content server 11, the above-described user information is transmitted to the content server 11 (S43).

  Next, the content request unit 63 receives the partial content data of the content from the content server 11, the content reproduction unit 64 reproduces it, and outputs it via the output unit 55 (content reproduction step, S44). Next, the content request unit 63 determines whether or not the reception of the content digest data DD has ended (S45). If not completed, a content request is transmitted to the content server 11 according to the digest metadata MD (S46), and then the process returns to step S44 to repeat the above operation. On the other hand, when it is finished, the reproduction process of the digest data DD is finished.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in which the communication terminal 12 creates the content digest metadata MD. As shown in the figure, first, the data acquisition unit 61 receives restriction data of the content from the content server 11 and stores it in the restriction information storage unit 73 (S51).

  Next, the user operates the operation unit 54 to designate the range of the subset SS that should be included in the digest data DD (S52). At this time, the metadata creating unit 65 determines whether or not the specified range is included in the restriction data (S53). If not included, the metadata creating unit 65 adds the start position and end position of the specified range to the digest metadata MD (S54). On the other hand, if included, the metadata creation unit 65 outputs a warning message to the user via the output unit 55 (S55).

  Next, the metadata creation unit 65 determines whether or not the user further specifies the range of the subset SS (S56). If further designation is made, the process returns to step S52 to repeat the above operation. On the other hand, if not further specified, the metadata creation unit 65 stores the digest metadata MD in the metadata storage unit 72 (S57), and then ends the digest metadata MD creation process.

  Note that digest metadata MD may be created by omitting steps S51, S53, and S54. Even in this case, the content server 11 does not transmit the partial content data in the range restricted by the restriction data in steps S18 to S21 in FIG. Never watch the range.

  In the process of FIG. 6, the restriction by the restriction data of the content does not function for the user who has purchased the content viewing service. Therefore, the digest data DD corresponding to the digest metadata MD is reproduced in the communication terminal 12 of the user. For this reason, after the communication terminal 12 has created the digest metadata MD, if the restriction data is changed by a content distributor or the like, the viewing data can be changed between the purchased user and the unpurchased user. May be played differently.

  Therefore, it is preferable that the purchased user can confirm how the digest data DD is reproduced by the unpurchased user. Such confirmation processing in the content server 11 can be realized by including steps S11 and S18 to S24 in FIG. The processing in the communication terminal 12 may be the same as the processing shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the communication terminal 12 when purchasing a content viewing service. In the illustrated example, for each content, a sample image T11, a description T12, a purchase button T13, and a digest viewing button T14 related to the content are displayed in the screen T10. When the user selects the purchase button T13, a known charging process is performed, and the content viewing service is purchased. In this case, the content ID of the content is added to the user information stored in the user information storage unit 41 of the content server 11. As a result, the user can view all of the content.

  On the other hand, when the user selects the digest viewing button T14, the data sending unit 34 of the content server 11 reads the digest metadata MD of the selected digest from the metadata storage unit 44 and transmits it to the communication terminal 12 (metadata). Send step). That is, the digest metadata MD is stored in the content server 11 in advance, for example, by a content distributor.

  When the communication terminal 12 receives the digest metadata MD, the process shown in FIG. 8 is performed to reproduce the digest data DD of the content. That is, the communication terminal 12 requests and acquires the digest data DD from the content server 11 based on the digest metadata MD, reproduces it, and outputs it. At this time, the content server 11 performs the process shown in FIG. 6 and transmits the partial content data to the communication terminal 12.

  The content server 11 may store a plurality of digests in advance. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the communication terminal 12 when selecting from the plurality of digests. The screen shown is displayed by selecting the digest viewing button T14 shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 11, a content title T21, a content description T22, and a “BACK” button T26 for returning to the previous screen (FIG. 10) are displayed on the screen T20. Button T23, title T24, and description T25 are displayed on screen T20.

  When the user selects the digest sample screen / view button T23 of the digest to be viewed, the digest metadata MD of the digest is transmitted from the content server 11 to the communication terminal 12, and the digest is reproduced by the communication terminal 12. Also at this time, the processing shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 is performed in the content server 11 and the communication terminal 12, respectively.

  With the configuration and processing described above, the following usage scene is realized.

[Usage scene 1]
The content distributor places the content and its restriction data on the content server 11 in order to distribute the content. User A purchases the content viewing service and views it on the communication terminal 12.

  The user A who viewed the content is interesting, and therefore tries to create a digest of the content by combining his favorite scenes. Although the user A has operated to include the scene that becomes “spoiled” in the digest, the content restriction data prohibits the inclusion of this range in the digest, so “01: 40: 0 to 01”. : 55:43 "cannot be included in the digest", etc. "was displayed, and it could not be included in the digest. The digest is created and stored as digest metadata MD.

  Next, the user A transmits the digest metadata MD from the communication terminal 12a of the user A to the communication terminal 12b of the user B in order to introduce the content to another user B who has not yet purchased the content. The user B who has received the digest metadata MD can communicate with the content server 11 to view the digest composed of the favorite scene of the user A, and can be interested in the content.

[Usage scene 2]
Thereafter, a range that should not be included in the digest was added for the convenience of the content distributor, and the restriction data placed in the content server 11 was updated. The range that was not restricted at the time when the digest metadata MD was created becomes a range that should not be included in the digest in this update, and the range is included in the digest metadata MD.

  Thereafter, the user B tries to reproduce the digest again based on the digest metadata MD created by the user A. Updated restriction data is sent from the content server 11 to the communication terminal 12 of the user B. When the digest is being played back, the range for which a new restriction has been added will be displayed as "Sorry, if you have not purchased this, the main part 00:10:23 to 00:15:43 cannot be played as a digest" Moving to the scene, digest playback continues. User B can no longer view the range corresponding to the newly added restriction, but can view the digest of another range composed of the favorite scene of user A.

[Usage scene 3]
Since the time has elapsed since the start of content distribution, the content distributor reduced the range that should not be included in the digest as the restriction relaxation, and the restriction data placed in the content server 11 was updated. User A views the content after a long time and wants to create a digest from a different point of view. At this time, the restriction data of the content is re-acquired from the content server 11, and the range that was previously applicable to the restriction is out of the restriction. Therefore, the digest metadata MD including this range can be created It was.

[Usage scene 4]
User A wants to create a more interesting digest and decides to create a digest that includes a scene that becomes “spoiled”. User A has created digest metadata MD in a mode in which digest metadata MD is created without referring to content restriction data. As a result, the range “01:40:00 to 01:55:43” that is prohibited from being included in the digest due to the content restriction data is also included in the digest metadata MD. User A sends the created digest metadata MD to user B.

  User B has not purchased the content yet, so when playing the digest, "Sorry, if you haven't purchased it, you can't play the digest until 01:40:00 to 01:55:43." It was displayed and I was unable to watch part of the digest. User B, who was unaware of the unviewable part, finally decided to purchase content. After purchase, user B can also view the entire content, and can also view the entire digest.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the content server 11 and the communication terminal 12, particularly the control units 21 and 51, may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the content server 11 and the communication terminal 12 include a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random) that expands the program. access memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. The object of the present invention is to record the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program for the content server 11 and the communication terminal 12, which is software for realizing the above-described functions, in a computer-readable manner. This can also be achieved by supplying the recording medium to the content server 11 and the communication terminal 12 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  The content server 11 and the communication terminal 12 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used.

  As described above, based on the digest metadata, the content digest can be played back by requesting the partial content from the content server, and the content digest can be played back. Therefore, when introducing the content digest to other users, Since it is only necessary to transmit data and there is no need to transmit content or partial content, the present invention can be applied to a system that distributes any electronic content such as an electronic book in addition to a moving image.

10 Content distribution system (communication system)
11 Content server (server)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Communication terminal 13 Network 21 * 51 Control part 22 * 52 Storage part 23 * 53 Communication part 31 Request acquisition part 32 Authentication part 33 Content transmission part (content transmission means)
34 Data sending part (metadata sending means, restricted data sending means)
41 User information storage unit 42 Content storage unit 43 Restriction information storage unit 44 Metadata storage unit 54 Operation unit 55 Output unit 61 Data acquisition unit (metadata acquisition means, restriction data acquisition means)
63 Content request section (content request means)
64 Content playback unit (content playback means)
65 Metadata creation unit (metadata creation means)
71 User information storage unit 72 Metadata storage unit 73 Restriction information storage unit

Claims (12)

A communication terminal for playing back electronic content acquired from a server via a communication network,
The digest including one or more partial contents that are a part of the electronic content includes content identification information for identifying the electronic content, and for each partial content, the start position and end of the partial content in the electronic content Metadata acquisition means for acquiring digest metadata including a position;
Content request means for requesting the partial content to the server via the communication network based on the digest metadata acquired by the metadata acquisition means;
A communication terminal comprising: content reproduction means for reproducing partial content received from the server via the communication network in response to the request.   The communication terminal according to claim 1, further comprising metadata creating means for creating the digest metadata and transmitting the digest metadata on the communication network. The apparatus further comprises restriction data obtaining means for obtaining restriction data for restricting partial contents that can be included in the digest,
The communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein the metadata creating unit creates digest metadata based on the restriction data. A server that transmits electronic content to a communication terminal via a communication network,
The digest including one or more partial contents that are a part of the electronic content includes content identification information for identifying the electronic content, and for each partial content, the start position and end of the partial content in the electronic content A server comprising: metadata transmission means for transmitting digest metadata including a position to the communication terminal via the communication network. A server that transmits electronic content to a communication terminal via a communication network,
Content transmission means for transmitting a partial content, which is a part of the electronic content, to the communication terminal via the communication network in response to a request from the communication terminal;
A user information storage unit for storing user information indicating a user who can use the entire electronic content;
A restriction information storage unit that stores restriction data for restricting the transmittable partial content of the electronic content;
The content transmission means refers to the user information, and when the user of the communication terminal is not a user who can use the entire electronic content, refers to the restriction data and transmits the transmittable partial content. A server characterized by being restricted to.   6. The server according to claim 5, further comprising restriction data transmitting means for transmitting the restriction data to the communication terminal via the communication network.   A communication system comprising the communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the server according to any one of claims 4 to 6.   A control program for operating the communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control program causes a computer to function as each of the above means.   A control program for operating the server according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the control program causes a computer to function as each of the means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which at least one of the control program according to claim 8 and the control program according to claim 9 is recorded. A method for controlling a communication terminal for playing back electronic content acquired from a server via a communication network,
The digest including one or more partial contents that are a part of the electronic content includes content identification information for identifying the electronic content, and for each partial content, the start position and end of the partial content in the electronic content A metadata acquisition step for acquiring digest metadata including a position;
A content requesting step for requesting the partial content to the server via the communication network based on the digest metadata acquired in the metadata acquiring step;
And a content reproduction step of reproducing the partial content received from the server via the communication network in response to the request. A method for controlling a server that transmits electronic content to a communication terminal via a communication network,
The digest including one or more partial contents that are a part of the electronic content includes content identification information for identifying the electronic content, and for each partial content, the start position and end of the partial content in the electronic content A server control method, comprising: a metadata transmission step of transmitting digest metadata including a location to the communication terminal via the communication network.

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