JP2014082582A - Viewing device, content provision device, viewing program, and content provision program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for allowing a user to view appropriate contents.SOLUTION: A viewing device for viewing contents to be provided from a content provision device via a communication network includes: content request means for transmitting content request information including user information to the content provision device; content generation means for acquiring one or multiple contents corresponding to the content request means, comment information from other user corresponding to the contents, and social information where relation with other person corresponding to the user information is set, and generating new contents with the one or multiple contents as raw material data; and reproduction means for reproducing contents to be acquired by the content generation means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a viewing device, a content providing device, a viewing program, and a content providing program.

  Conventionally, when a user views a plurality of video contents published on the web, the user wants to view the content by selecting the content he / she wants to view from the user's viewing device and playing the selected video content. In addition, when another video content is desired to be viewed, another video content must be selected and reproduced, and the above-described reproduction operation needs to be repeated for each video content to be viewed.

  Therefore, conventionally, a method is known in which a plurality of video contents to be played are registered as a playlist, and the video contents are sequentially played according to the registered playlist, or the video contents in the playlist are played back randomly ( For example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, when viewing video content, there is known a method of displaying comments of other viewers who have already viewed the video content and sharing information such as impressions of other viewers (for example, see Patent Document 2). ).

JP 2010-62870 A JP 2009-94653 A

  However, in the conventional method as described above, when selecting a video content to be viewed from a large number of video content published on the web, a keyword search is performed on, for example, metadata added to the video content. The video content obtained as a result of the search is only viewed or the video content registered in the play list is viewed in the order of registration or randomly.

  In addition, in the conventional method as described above, when a comment or the like of another viewer on the video content is displayed, the comment is superimposed on the currently viewed video content, so that a part of the video is hidden. As a result, there was a problem that important video parts and subtitles could not be seen. Therefore, according to the conventional method, the user cannot view appropriate video content.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to allow a user to view appropriate content.

The viewing device according to one aspect includes a content requesting unit that transmits content request information including user information to the content providing device in a viewing device that views content provided from the content providing device via a communication network; Acquiring one or more contents corresponding to the content requesting means, comment information from other users corresponding to the contents, and social information in which a relationship with another person corresponding to the user information is set; Or content generation means for generating new content using a plurality of contents as material data;
And reproduction means for reproducing the content obtained by the content generation means.

  Further, the content providing apparatus according to one aspect is a content providing apparatus that provides content to one or a plurality of viewing apparatuses connected to a communication network, and has a relationship with another person corresponding to user information obtained from the viewing apparatus. Social information acquisition means for acquiring set social information, content management means for managing a plurality of contents in advance and extracting content to be transmitted to the viewing device based on social information obtained by the social information acquisition means; And distribution means for distributing the content obtained by the content management means and comment information from other users corresponding to the content to the viewing device.

  In addition, the viewing program in one aspect causes a computer to function as each unit included in the viewing device described above. In addition, the content providing program in one aspect causes a computer to function as each unit included in the above-described content providing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to allow a user to view appropriate content.

It is a figure which shows the example of schematic structure of the content viewing-and-listening system in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the viewing-and-listening apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the content provision apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a content viewing-and-listening system. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the content viewing-and-listening process in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of social information. It is a figure which shows an example of the various metadata in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the number of additional points for determining the order | rank of a video content. It is a figure which shows an example of the model TVML script for producing | generating a program image | video. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a program image | video production | generation process. It is a figure which shows the example of reproduction | regeneration of the produced | generated content.

<About the present invention>
In the present invention, for example, when a viewer (user) extracts video content that is actually viewed from a large number of video content, the video content is viewed for each user without extracting and viewing each video content. A mechanism for appropriately extracting contents to be viewed and allowing a user to view the contents is provided.

  Specifically, according to the present invention, for example, one or a plurality of video content groups to be viewed by a user are handled as content materials newly generated at the time of viewing, so that the produced content can be viewed as one video content material. Let In addition, the present invention assigns priorities to video content based on, for example, human relationship information (social information) between the creator of the video content or a person who has commented on the video content and the user who will view the video content. The video content to be viewed is extracted by changing dynamically. Thereby, appropriate video content can be viewed for each user.

  That is, according to the present invention, the presentation order of the video content to be viewed is determined based on the user's social information, so that the video content “needed to be viewed” for each user and the comment on the video content can be efficiently and You can watch effectively.

  In the present invention, when displaying a comment on video content, for example, a CG (Computer Graphics) character or the like is introduced to introduce the content or explain a comment from another viewer who has already viewed the content. Also good.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a viewing device, a content providing device, a viewing program, and a content providing program according to the present invention having the above-described features will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a program is used as an example of video content viewed by the user, and TVML (TV program Making Language) is used as an example of a script used for production, presentation, viewing, and the like of the program. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other video contents and scripts may be used.

  Here, in TVML, for example, a program is generated based on a program script, a program production engine, material data, and the like. The program production engine is a virtual object (object) such as a virtual character (hereinafter referred to as “CG character”) appearing in a program, or “title display”, “zoom-in”, Events such as “CG character movement” are predefined. In this embodiment, by using the program production engine, for example, when text data described in a program script representing the content of a program is input, a TVML script necessary for automatic program generation can be output based on the text data. it can. A program can be generated using material data such as images, video, audio, music, text data, etc., based on the contents of effects described in the TVML script.

<Content viewing system: schematic configuration example>
First, in the present embodiment, a schematic configuration example of the entire content viewing system including a content providing device and a viewing device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a content viewing system in the present embodiment. A content viewing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes one or a plurality of viewing devices 11-1 to 11-n (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “viewing device 11”), a content providing device 12, and a social information database. (Hereinafter, “database” is simply referred to as “DB”) 13. Each of the viewing devices 11-1 to 11-n, the content providing device 12, and the social information DB 13 can transmit and receive data using a communication network (typically wired or wireless) 14 represented by the Internet, for example. Connected in a normal state.

  The viewing device 11 reproduces and views the program (video content) provided from the content providing device 12 and comment information (including so-called “tweet”) from other users (viewers) for the program.

  Specifically, the viewing device 11 transmits user information (for example, a user ID, a password, etc.) to the content providing device 12. In addition, the viewing device 11 receives social information, video content, and the like of other users obtained from the content providing device 12, generates new content using the received video content as one of the material data, and generates the generated content. Reproduce. The viewing device 11 controls the playback order of video content based on social information.

  Furthermore, the viewing device 11 presents comments from other viewers corresponding to each video content to the viewer by voice or display using CG characters or the like. Note that the viewing device 11 may change the method and order of presentation based on the social graph (human relationship information) between the viewer, the creator, and the comment creator included in the social information. May be. Here, the social graph means, for example, a friendship relationship or a degree of involvement with each person other than himself / herself, but is not limited thereto.

  As the viewing device 11 in the present embodiment, for example, a general general-purpose PC (Personal Computer) may be used, and in addition, a predetermined external device (for example, the content providing device 12) via the communication network 14 or the like. It may be a mobile phone, a notebook PC, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, various communication terminals of a game machine, etc. that can be connected to a site or the like.

  The content providing device 12 produces and distributes programs to be provided to the viewing devices 11-1 to 11-n. Further, the content providing device 12 acquires corresponding social information from the social information DB 13 via the communication network 14 in response to a request regarding user information, viewing status, and the like obtained from each viewing device 11. In addition, the content providing device 12 transmits video content and social information to the viewing device 11 that has requested.

  The social information DB 13 may not be provided outside the content providing device 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and may be stored in a storage unit or the like in the content providing device 12. The social information DB 13 is obtained, for example, by a user participating in one or more SNS (Social Networking Services) published on the web and acquiring information related to relationships with other users set there. . The social information is a representative SNS service such as “You Tube (registered trademark)”, “Face Book (registered trademark)”, “Nico Nico Douga (registered trademark)”, or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and widely includes information obtained from other information community sites. Furthermore, the social information may be information uniquely set as information for setting a human relationship with another user in order to realize content provision in the present embodiment, and is a combination of the above-described social information. It may be a thing.

  In the above example, the social information corresponding to the user is transmitted to the viewing device 11 via the content providing device 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication network 14 directly from the viewing device 11 is used. Corresponding social information may be acquired by accessing the social information DB 13 via.

  Here, in the present embodiment, regarding the extraction of the video content, who created the video content at the time of the production of the video content is registered as metadata. Further, in the present embodiment, when the viewer who has viewed the video content leaves a comment, who left the comment is recorded. Further, in the present embodiment, the viewing priority order of video content is determined based on both the above-described information and social information (also referred to as a social graph or human relationship information) of a viewer who intends to view the video content. To do.

  In this embodiment, for viewing comments, for example, when viewing video content, a CG-based video content is generated at that time, and is handled as the video material of the video content for generating the video content to be viewed. In the present embodiment, for example, a CG character is made to appear on the video content generated on the spot, a scene in which the CG character is viewing the video content is generated, and another viewing is performed on the CG character. Inspire your comment. Thereby, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to view a comment input by another viewer as video content.

  Furthermore, when viewing video content, depending on whether the produced video content is important or comments added by other viewers are important, the video content included in the video content screen generated during viewing And the size of the CG character can be dynamically changed. This makes it easy for users to view which video content should be viewed based on the human relationship with the creator, comment creator, etc., and what comments are important when viewing. I can grasp it. Thereby, in this embodiment, appropriate content can be viewed efficiently for each user.

  Note that the number of viewing devices 11 and content providing devices 12 in the content viewing system 10 described above is not limited to this. For example, in the content viewing system 10 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of content providing devices 12 may be provided in one or a plurality of program units, and in this case, each of the viewing devices 11-1 to 11-n can view and listen. The content providing device 12 that manages the program to be selected may be selected and connected to the selected content providing device 12 via the communication network 14 to transmit / receive data for viewing.

  Next, a functional configuration example of the viewing device 11 and the content providing device 12 in the content viewing system 10 described above will be specifically described.

<Viewing device 11: functional configuration example>
Next, a functional configuration example in the viewing device 11 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the viewing device according to the present embodiment. The viewing apparatus 11 shown in FIG. 2 includes an input unit 21, an output unit 22, a storage unit 23, a social information setting unit 24, a video request unit 25 as an example of a content request unit, and an example of a content generation unit. Video generation means 26, playback means 27, comment input means 28, transmission / reception means 29, and control means 30.

  The input means 21 accepts each input for viewing a program, such as a setting instruction of social information from a user viewing the program, a video request instruction to view, a video generation instruction, a reproduction instruction, a comment input instruction, a transmission / reception instruction, and the like. Note that the input unit 21 includes a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a voice input device such as a microphone, a touch panel, a pen input, a controller, and the like.

  The output means 22 displays the contents of instructions input by the input means 21, the contents of programs etc. generated based on the contents of instructions, and outputs sound. The output unit 22 includes a screen display device such as a display, an audio output device such as a speaker, and the like.

  The storage means 23 is a video content sent from the content providing device 12, social information, script (script data), TVML script, program production engine, material data, comments set by the user (for example, tweets, tweets, evaluations, etc.) Various setting information such as a CG character that presents a voice or text.

  In addition, the storage unit 23 stores control data, script data, material data, a program production engine, a script, a program, and other viewing devices 11 received from the content providing device 12 and other external devices via the transmission / reception unit 29. Various data such as viewing status and information for connecting to the content providing apparatus 12 can be stored. Note that the storage unit 23 can also acquire the various data described above from an external device or the like connected to the communication network 14 or the like.

  The social information setting means 24 sets social information (social graph) for other users (viewers) by a user (viewer) using other services such as SNS. Here, the social information is, for example, human relation information such as the level (degree) of the human relation (connection of people) with the creator of one video content and other viewers who commented on the video content. This means but is not limited to this. Note that the setting destination of social information may be, for example, a site or server where the service is provided, or the content providing device 12.

  The video requesting unit 25 transmits request information such as the genre of the video content to be viewed, the production date and time, and the search keyword to the content providing apparatus 12. In this case, the video request unit 25 may transmit only user information for identifying the user.

  The video generation means 26 treats the video content acquired from the content providing device 12 as one of the materials, and generates a program video using social information obtained from the content providing device 12 or other scripts (TVML scripts). .

  In addition, when there are a plurality of video contents, the video generation means 26 includes a viewer included in the social information, a creator of each video content, and other viewers (comment creators) who commented on each video content. Based on the social information and the like, the playback order of the video content in the program, the presentation order of comments, and the like are adjusted. At this time, the video generation means 26 can use a preset CG character or the like to present each comment to the viewer, but is not limited thereto.

  Furthermore, the video generation means 26 can control, for example, the size of a screen for displaying video content, the size of a CG character that speaks a comment, the playback time for each video content, and the like based on social information or the like.

  The reproduction unit 27 reproduces the video generated by the video generation unit 26 and causes the output unit 22 to output video or audio. Note that the comment input means 28 continues to be generated at a predetermined timing by the video generation means 26 during the program, so that the stream video obtained from the script as it is currently being played is reproduced as the stream video being executed in the program. Play immediately. Thereby, a continuous program can be reproduced.

  Here, for example, the above-described TVML player can be used as the reproducing means 27. The TVML player is software (video generation engine) that interprets a TVML script, generates content using real-time CG, voice synthesis, and the like, and reproduces and outputs the content. The playback means 27 can use a stream viewer that only plays back a stream.

  The comment input means 28 can create and register comments (including tweets, tweets, evaluations, etc.) such as impressions for each reproduced content. A comment can be input during playback, and the input comment is stored and managed in the storage means 23 together with the playback time, or after viewing the viewing content, or at a predetermined timing such as in real time. It may be transmitted to the providing device 12.

  The transmission / reception means 29 is a communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the content providing device 12 and the social information DB 13 via the communication network 14. The transmission / reception means 29 transmits various types of information such as video requests and social information acquisition requests to the content providing apparatus 12. The transmission / reception means 29 receives various types of information such as program video content and TVML script from the content providing apparatus 12.

  The control unit 30 controls the entire functional configuration of the viewing device 11. Specifically, the control unit 30 sets social information based on input information from the user or the like input by the input unit 21, requests video, generates a program video, and generates the generated program video. Various processes such as inputting a comment on the video during playback or after playback are performed.

  Note that the viewing device 11 described above may be provided with content generation means for generating video content. In that case, the viewing device 11 uploads the generated video content to the content providing device 12 via the communication network 14. The content providing device 12 acquires video content from the viewing device 11 and publishes it on the web in a state where the other viewing device 11 can browse. In addition, when the video content is acquired, the content providing apparatus 12 also manages video content creator information in association with each other.

<Content Providing Device 12: Functional Configuration Example>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the content providing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The content providing apparatus 12 shown in FIG. 3 includes an input unit 41, an output unit 42, a storage unit 43, a viewer management unit 44, a social information acquisition unit 45, and a video management unit 46 as an example of a content management unit. And comment management means 47, distribution means 48, transmission / reception means 49, and control means 50.

  The input means 41 includes a management instruction, a social information acquisition instruction, a video management instruction, a comment management instruction, a distribution instruction, a transmission / reception instruction, etc. of the viewer who uses the viewing apparatus 11 input from the administrator of the content providing apparatus 12. Each input in content management, provision, etc. in the embodiment is accepted. The input unit 41 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a voice input device such as a microphone, a touch panel, a pen input, a controller, and the like.

  The output means 42 is the instruction content input by the input means 41, control data and viewer management data generated based on each instruction content, social information, video information, comment information, script data, material data, program production Displays the contents of engines, scripts, video content, etc., and outputs audio. The output means 42 includes a screen display device such as a display, an audio output device such as a speaker, and the like.

  The storage means 43 manages produced video content, content creator, social information for each user, comment information for each content, and the like. The storage means 43 performs script data necessary for producing a program, effects described in the generated script data, and characters (objects), sets, sounds, and operations necessary for generating the program. A plurality of material data composed of various data such as images, videos, text data, program production contents, a program production engine necessary for composing a program, and the like are stored.

  The storage means 43 also receives control data, script data, material data, program production engine, script, connection information and viewing status of the viewing apparatus 11 received from the viewing apparatus 11 and other external devices via the transmission / reception means 49. Etc. can be stored. Note that the storage unit 43 can also acquire the various data described above from an external device or the like connected to the communication network 14 or the like.

  The viewer management unit 44 manages users and the like who have requested viewing from the viewing device 11. Specifically, the viewer management means 44, for example, what kind of video each viewer requests, views the requested video, and how to comment on each program and each video in the program. Information such as whether or not.

  The social information acquisition unit 45 manages social information and the like with other viewers for each viewer. The social information acquisition unit 45 manages social information that has been set or changed by the viewing device 11.

  The video management means 46 manages video content created by a program producer or viewer. In this case, the video management unit 46 also stores and manages the title, summary, keyword, and the like of the video content in the storage unit 43, so that the title, summary, keyword portion is responded to the viewing request from the viewing device 11. The corresponding video content can be quickly extracted and provided.

  When video content is extracted, only a predetermined number of video content is extracted based on a predetermined rank (priority) using social information corresponding to the user information of the requested user, and there is a request for viewing. Can be transmitted to the viewing device 11. In this case, the video management means 46 uses the creator of the video content, the comment creator who gives a comment to the video content, and the social information as a method of determining the order of the video content to be transmitted to the user. A score can be added to each video content, and the priority can be set based on the added score, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  The comment management means 47 manages the comment information viewed by the viewer for each video content. In this case, the comment information is preferably stored in the storage unit 43 together with the information for identifying the viewed video, the reproduction time when the comment is attached, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

  The distribution unit 48 distributes video content, comments, social information, and the like to the viewing device 11 that requested viewing via the communication network 14. The distribution of each information described above may be processed and distributed immediately after a viewing request is received, or may be distributed at regular time intervals.

  The transmission / reception means 49 is a communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the viewing device 11 and the social information DB 13 via the communication network 14. The transmission / reception means 49 receives various information such as a video request and a social information request from the viewing device 11. The transmission / reception means 49 transmits video content, social information, and the like to the viewing device 11.

  The control unit 50 controls the entire functional configuration in the content providing apparatus 12. Specifically, the control unit 50 manages viewers, acquires social information, manages videos and comments based on input information from the user or the like input by the input unit 41, and manages viewing and viewing. A script or video stream is generated based on a request from a user, the generated script or video stream is distributed to the viewing device 11, and management corresponding to increase or decrease in the connection of the viewing device 11 to the content providing device 12 Etc. are controlled.

<Specific Example of Content Viewing System 10>
Next, a specific example of the content viewing system 10 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the content viewing system. In the present embodiment, in the social type multiple program viewing system as shown in the content viewing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 described above, the viewing device 11 on the user side generally includes a request input by the user, and video content. Comments, various means for performing processing for using social information of users and other users (for example, input means 21, video requesting means 25, comment input means 28 shown in FIG. 2), and user Has video generation means 26 for generating video for viewing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the content providing device 12 on the administrator side schematically manages social information with other users who use the content viewing system 10 as described above. An acquisition unit 45; a video management unit 46 that manages the produced video together with metadata; a comment management unit 47 that manages a comment input by a user who viewed the video content; and the video content and metadata on the user side (viewing device 11). And a distribution means 48 for distributing comments.

  In FIG. 4, when the user logs in to the content viewing system 10, the user ID is input using the input unit 21 and the information is transmitted to the social information acquisition unit 45. At this time, the video requesting means 25 may input video information to be viewed.

  The social information acquisition means 45 on the administrator side acquires social information (social graph) corresponding to the user ID based on the user ID from the user side and transmits it to the viewing device 11 on the user side as necessary. To do. Further, the content providing apparatus 12 lists the video content that the user should view in accordance with the video request from the user in the video management means 46, together with the comment added to the video content from the video content with a high priority. It is distributed from the distribution means 48 to the viewing device 11 on the user side. The comment described above can be acquired by the comment management means 47.

  On the user side, video content is generated in real time by the video generation means 26 using the transmitted social information, video stream, metadata, and comments of other users, and the contents are viewed by the playback means 27 for viewing. Present it to the user as a video.

  Further, the user can input a comment to the content being viewed or watched by the comment input unit 28, and the input comment is managed by the comment management unit 47 of the content providing apparatus 12. . Thereby, for example, when another user views the content, the input comment information is provided to the other user.

<Content viewing processing example>
Here, an example of content viewing processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a sequence diagram. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of content viewing processing in the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 5, the process performed by the viewing apparatus 11 is a viewing process executed by the viewing program, and the process performed by the content providing apparatus 12 is a content providing process executed by the content providing program.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the viewing device 11 first inputs user information (for example, user ID, password, etc.) (S01). In addition, when a video request desired to be viewed is input by a user operation (S02), the viewing device 11 transmits user information and a viewing request to the content providing device 12 (S03). Note that the process of S02 need not be performed, and in that case, only the user information is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 12.

  The content providing device 12 acquires social information corresponding to the user information obtained by the viewing device 11 (S04), and transmits the acquired social information to the viewing device 11 (S05). In addition, about the acquired social information, you may access social information DB13 via the communication network 14 from the content provision apparatus 12 as above-mentioned, and may acquire the social information corresponding to user information. The included information may be stored in the storage unit 23 of the content providing apparatus 12 and social information may be acquired from the storage unit 23.

  Further, the content providing apparatus 12 acquires video content corresponding to the viewing request obtained by the viewing apparatus 11 (S06). In the process of S06, the video content corresponding to the search keyword may be extracted from the storage means 23 or the like in which a plurality of video content is stored based on the search keyword included in the viewing request.

  In the process of S06, when there is no viewing request information from the viewing device 11, for example, ranking is performed based on the degree of viewers' involvement with a plurality of video contents based on social information, and ranking is performed based on the result. A predetermined number of video contents may be acquired from the higher one. In the process of S06, a video stream for the acquired video content may be generated.

  Further, the content providing apparatus 12 acquires a comment corresponding to the video content acquired by the above-described processing (S07). Further, the content providing apparatus 12 transmits the information obtained through the processes of S06 and S07 to the viewing apparatus 11 (S08).

  For example, the viewing device 11 is a person who is a video content creator for a video content obtained from the content providing device 12, a comment creator (another viewer) who gives a comment to the video content, and a viewer himself. Based on the relationship or the like, the presentation order of the video content and the comment corresponding to the video content is set, and new content is generated (S09). At this time, the video content is handled as one of the material data like other images, videos, sounds and the like.

  In this embodiment, the process of S09 is performed on the viewing device 11 side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the processing is performed on the content providing device 12 side, and the result is transmitted to the viewing device 11. You may do it.

  The viewing device 11 reproduces the newly generated content and presents it to the user (S10). In this case, a comment or the like is also presented along with the content.

  In addition, when one or more comments are input to the video content used as one of the material data included in the viewed content by the operation of the user or the like (S11), the viewing device 11 selects the comment. It transmits to the content providing apparatus 12 (S12). At the time of transmission, information such as identification information and playback time of the video content corresponding to the comment is also transmitted.

  The content providing device 12 registers a comment corresponding to the video content obtained from the viewing device 11 (S13). In addition, the registration of the comment may be registered including the identification information of the video content, the reproduction time when the comment is given, and the like. Thereby, when the video content is provided from the next time, the comment information can be provided.

  That is, in the content viewing process described above, the user transmits user information and the like to the content providing apparatus 12 using the viewing device 11 to perform login processing, and after logging in, the social information and the video content based on the social information are given priority. The contents are obtained in order from the highest, and the contents for viewing are generated and presented to the user. At this time, since a comment or the like corresponding to the video content can be presented, the user can automatically view the comments including the comments attached to the video content automatically from the important ones efficiently and efficiently. Many video contents can be viewed easily.

  In this embodiment, according to social information, the ratio of video content in the screen or the size of the CG character is automatically changed, so that the user can create a video that is currently being viewed by someone close to him / her. It is possible to automatically know whether or not a comment on video content has been commented on by a person close to him. Thereby, a plurality of video contents can be viewed efficiently. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to support smooth communication through viewing of video content with other users.

<Specific examples of social information>
Here, the specific example of the social information in this embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated using figures. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of social information. For convenience of explanation, line numbers are given on the left side of the figure.

  In the example of FIG. 6, a certain user is registered with the user ID “002” and the nickname is “B” (lines (03) to (04)).

  As this user's social information (human relation information), for example, there are four levels from family (closest) (family) to close friend (close_friend), general friend (friend), acquaintance (farthest). The levels are grouped, but the type and number of groupings in the present embodiment are not limited to this.

  The example in FIG. 6 indicates that the family members are 001 (nickname “A”) and 003 (nickname “C”) (lines (05) to (10)), This indicates that the members of (close_friend) are 004 (nickname “D”) and 005 (nickname “E”) (lines (11) to (16)).

  Further, in the example of FIG. 6, it is shown that members of general friends are 006 (nickname “F”), 007 (nickname “G”) (lines (17) to (22)). ), Members of acquaintances (farthest) are 008 (nickname “H”), 009 (nickname “I”) (lines (23) to (28)).

  In the present embodiment, such social information (human relation information) is transmitted from the content providing device 12 to the viewing device 11 when the user logs into the system.

  Here, the social information as shown in the example of FIG. 6 is one in which the user himself / herself determines the grouping while interacting with other users. The grouping method may be set based on conditions set for each SNS, for example, and various groupings may be performed depending on the number of encounters, the number of conversations, mutual consent, etc. on the SNS. Can be set.

<Examples of various metadata>
Next, an example of various metadata used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of various metadata in the present embodiment. 7A shows an example of metadata added to the video content, and FIG. 7B shows an example of metadata added to the video content when transmitted to the user. In the example of FIGS. 7A and 7B, row numbers are given on the left side for convenience of explanation.

  In the example of FIG. 7A, for each video content, a title (title) (line (04)), a producer (creator) (line (05)), and a video content file name (file) (line (06)). Information), a comment list (comments_list) (comment input person (writer) and comment content (text)) (lines (07) to (12)).

  In addition, in the example of FIG. 7B, compared with the metadata shown in FIG. 7A, the program presentation order (order), the creator's score (creator_score), and the viewer's score (viewer_score) are added. Has been. A method for adding the program presentation order, the producer's score, and the viewer's score will be described later.

  For example, in FIG. 7B, a setting for close-up is described when “relation” is “close_friend” during comment playback (line (12)). Note that the additional information related to comment playback described above may not be included in the metadata illustrated in FIG. In that case, playback and display may be performed based on a preset condition, and the setting information related to the close-up described above may be managed by another metadata or the like.

<Method for determining the order of video content to be transmitted to the user>
Next, a method in which the content providing apparatus 12 determines the order of video content to be transmitted to the user will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting the number of additional points for determining the ranking of video content. 8A shows an example of the number of points added to the producer, and FIG. 8B shows an example of the number of points added to the comment input person (other viewers).

  In the example of FIG. 8A, five types of “family”, “close_friend”, “friend”, “acquaintance”, and “other” are set as an example of grouping for video content creators. Additional points are set for each group. The type of grouping and the number of additional points are not limited to this. These points can be obtained for each video content.

  In the example of FIG. 8B, “family”, “close_friend”, “friend”, “acquaintance”, and “other” are set as examples of comment creator groupings given to video content. The number of additional points and the number of persons are stored, and the group unit score obtained by multiplying each value is shown. In the case of FIG. 8B, the total number of points added by comments is 10 + 4 = 14 points. These points can be obtained for each video content.

  For example, when the producer of a certain video content is “close_friend”, the additional points for the producer are 4 points from FIG. 8A, and the additional points for the video content by the comment input person are the example of FIG. Therefore, 10 + 4 = 14 points. Therefore, the overall score of this video content is 4 + 14 = 18.

  The metadata transmitted to the user may be described as <creator_score> 4 </ creator_score>, <viewer_score> 14 </ viewer_score>, or the total score (18 points).

  That is, in the present embodiment, the element that determines the ranking of the video content depends on the score according to the social information of the creator and the viewer. In the case of viewers, only viewers who leave comments (comment creators) are targeted. In the example of FIG. 8B, the additional points in the case of the viewer are the same points as the social information grouped by the creator as shown in FIG. However, different values may be set for all or part of them.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of viewers in the case of viewers unlike the case of producers, for example, as shown in the example of FIG. 8B, the number of points added by comments is obtained by multiplying the number of members belonging to each group by the number of groups. The total number of points added by comments can be the total of these, but is not limited thereto.

  In the present embodiment, according to the determination method described above, the higher the score, the higher the priority, and the order of the video content presented to the user can be determined. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the case of a tie, for example, a score based on a comment can be prioritized. Furthermore, in the case of a tie, priority is given to the score by a viewer who is close to the user.

  The video content to be transmitted to the user is preferably provided with a predetermined score as a threshold so that the score is one or more. Thereby, it is possible to prevent all contents from being transmitted.

  Further, the video content finally transmitted to the viewing device 11 by applying the above-described determination method to the video content obtained by searching with the search keyword or genre included in the video request from the viewing device 11 is obtained. The video content viewed by the user once or a predetermined number of times may be removed from the determined video content target. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the upper content from being always extracted, and to provide a large number of content to the user.

<Example of template TVML script for generating viewing video>
Next, an example of a template TVML script for generating a program video from one or a plurality of video contents provided from the content providing device 12 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a template TVML script for generating a program video.

  For example, in this embodiment, a template TVML script group is prepared in advance for each scene necessary for generating CG video content by TVML. 9A shows a template TVML script (for example, studio, lighting, character, movie plate, and camera setup) for setting the stage, and FIG. 9B shows a forward motion of the CG character. The template TVML script for (video content introduction) is shown. FIG. 9C shows a template TVML script for reproducing a moving image, and FIG. 9D shows a template TVML script in which a CG character utters a viewer's comment. Further, FIG. 9E shows a template TVML script for projecting video content in a large size, and FIG. 9F shows a template TVML script for projecting a CG character in a large size.

  In the example of FIG. 9A, studio setup (line (02) to (04)), lighting setup (line (06) to (14)), character setup ((16) to (20)). (Line), movie plate setup (lines (22), (23)), and camera setup (lines (25), (26)) are included in one script file, but it is not limited to this. Instead, it may be divided into a plurality of files. Furthermore, the example of the stage setting template TVML script shown in FIG. 9A is not limited to this, and may include a model TVML script such as furniture and props existing in the studio.

  In the present embodiment, by using a script as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9F, the program video in the present embodiment can be generated and viewed by the viewer. Note that the TVML script shown in FIG. 9 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

<Example of generating program video to be presented to the user>
Here, an example of generating a program video to be presented to the user by the viewing device 11 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a program video generation process.

  The program video generation process shown in the example of FIG. 10 acquires each piece of information such as social information, video content, and metadata from the content providing device 12 by the above-described login process, video request, and the like (S21). It is determined whether or not there is a reproduced moving image content as video content (S22).

  In the program video generation process, when there is a reproduced moving image content (YES in S22), the program video generation process is reproduced using, for example, a preset stage TVML script as shown in FIG. 9A (S23).

  Next, in the program video generation process, for example, a script for introducing each video content is generated using a CG character forward template TVML script as shown in FIG. 9B, and the generated script is reproduced (S24). .

  Specifically, the TVML script shown in FIG. 9B is generated and replayed with a TVML script that makes a line in which the title of the video content or the creator is replaced. As a process of S24, for example, a script “character: talk (name = Chara, text =” <title> by <nickname> ”)” character: talk (name = Chara, text = “C” It is a work that goes to the zoo by ")" and is generated and played, but the content to be replaced is not limited to this.

  Next, in the program video generation process, for example, video content is played back using a moving picture playback model TVML script as shown in FIG. 9C (S25). In the process of S25, a predetermined number is sequentially reproduced from video content having a high reproduction order, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  As the processing of S25, for example, “movie: open (name = Vcontent, filename =“ movie_01 — 003.wmv ”), prop: openmovieplate (name = videoall, moviename = Vcontent), vtent: Is reproduced, but is not limited to this.

  Here, in the program video generation process, it is determined whether or not there is a comment after the end of reproduction (S26). If there is a comment (YES in S26), for example, a CG character as shown in FIG. A template TVML script is created that reproduces the script, and the generated script is played back (S27). After S27 is completed, the process returns to S26, and if there is a scene in which another comment is spoken, the same processing is performed to reproduce a plurality of comments continuously.

  As the processing of S27, for example, from the script “character: talk (name = Chara, text =“ <nickname> says <comment> ”))“ character: talk (name = Chara, text, = "D" says that D was enjoying this. ")" Is generated and the script is played back, but this embodiment is not limited to this.

  The program video generation process is performed when there is no comment that has not been played back in the process of S26 (NO in S26), or when there is no playback video content in the process of S22 (NO in S22). It is determined whether or not to end (S28). If the process is not ended (NO in S28), the process returns to S21. Further, the program video generation process ends when the process is terminated by an instruction from the user or the like (YES in S28).

  In the process of FIG. 10, the comment is displayed after the video content is reproduced. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, before the content is reproduced or while the user is viewing the reproduced video content. Comments may be displayed. In this embodiment, a comment can be input during or after viewing the video content. In this case, the input comment and the video content information are transmitted to the content providing apparatus 12. Thereby, comment information can be updated and provided to other users.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a reproduction example of the generated content. The example of FIG. 11 corresponds to the process of FIG. In the example of FIG. 11, the camera shot of the moving image content presented to the user is shown. The camera shot of the program video in the present embodiment can be changed based on, for example, social information about the user.

  For example, when the creator of the video content is a person close to the viewer (for example, when creator_score is 4 or more as shown in FIG. 11), for example, as shown in FIG. By reproducing a moving image using a template TVML script for displaying a large amount of reproduced content, it is possible to easily grasp that the moving image content is important for the viewer.

  Note that when the creator of the video content is not close to the viewer (for example, when creator_score is less than 4 as shown in FIG. 11), the operation playback by the default camera shot is performed.

  As for the comment after the video playback, if the viewer who commented is close to the user (for example, when relation = close_friend or family as shown in FIG. 11), for example, as shown in FIG. An up-shot of the CG character is displayed using a template TVML script for displaying a large CG character. Thereby, it is possible to easily grasp that the comment is important for the viewer.

  If the creator of the video content is not close to the viewer (for example, when relation ≠ close_friend or family as shown in FIG. 11), the CG character produces a comment with a default camera shot. Is called. Note that the reproduction of comments is repeated for the number of comments, but the above-described determination is made for each comment, and appropriate display is performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by dynamically changing camera shots or the like according to each viewer's social information, it is possible to easily and reliably grasp whether content or comments are important for the viewer. can do.

  Further, when creating a comment for the video content being played back, for example, a comment input field is provided in the corner of the screen shown in FIG. 11, and the viewer inputs the comment in the comment field, so that A comment at the playback time can be created, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a comment can be created by voice input or the like.

<Example of playback time control>
Here, in this embodiment, when a program video is generated using each video content as one of the materials, the playback time can be variably controlled by the video generation means 26 and the like. Here, a mechanism for changing the playback time of content from social information will be described.

  When controlling the playback time, for example, based on the mode (mode 1) that does not particularly limit the playback time of the content (presenting each content to the end) and social information (degree of human relationship with the user), It is possible to use a mode in which the content playback time is changed (mode 2). Mode 1 and mode 2 described above can be switched by settings of viewers, managers, and the like.

  As a method of making the playback time variable, for example, variable control is performed using a value of “creator_score” that is metadata of content. For example, when the “creator_score” value is “5”, “4”, “3”, “1”, the durations are “100%”, “70%”, “40%”, “20%”, respectively. And set.

  Next, the length of the moving image file is acquired, and a time corresponding to the length is set (for example, “momovie001.wmv” is “60 seconds”). Thereafter, the playback time (number of playback frames) is calculated (for example, when creator_score is 4, 60 (seconds) × 70 (%) = 42 seconds = 42 (seconds) × 30 (frames / second) = 1260 (frames) ).

  Next, the number of playback frames is set in the video playback TVML script. In that case, for example, “movie: open (name = Vcontent, filename =“ movie001.wmv ”), prop: openmovieplate (name = videowall, moviename = Vcontent), movie = to: 60 = ton: ton = to However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  When the script described above is played back, the content can be played back 1260 frames from the beginning. Thus, by variably setting the video content for each content, it is possible to display only the beginning of unimportant content or content with low priority and omit subsequent video. Thereby, the user can see many contents in a short time. In the above-described processing, the beginning is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a summary video may be generated and played back corresponding to a variable ratio or length.

<Execution program>
Here, the viewing device 11 and the content providing device 12 described above include, for example, a volatile storage device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a nonvolatile storage such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). It can be configured by a computer including an apparatus, an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a pointing device, a display device that displays images, videos, various data, and the like, and an interface device for communicating with the outside.

  Therefore, the above-described functions of the viewing device 11 and the content providing device 12 can be realized by causing the CPU to execute a program describing these functions. These programs can also be stored and distributed in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory.

  That is, by generating an execution program (viewing program, content providing program) for causing a computer to execute the processing in each configuration described above, and installing the program in, for example, a general-purpose PC or server, each program in the present embodiment Processing can be realized.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can view appropriate content. In addition, according to the present embodiment, when viewing the produced video content or program, by handling the video content or program as one of the materials, a large number of video content or programs can be efficiently and effectively displayed. Can watch.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to continuously reproduce video content including comments from important video content by applying social information and comment information. Therefore, the user can view a large number of video contents efficiently and easily.

  In the present embodiment, the proportion of video content in the screen and the size of the CG character can be automatically changed according to social information or the like. As a result, the user can automatically grasp whether the video currently being viewed is produced by a person close to him or not, and whether the person close to himself has commented on the comment on the video content. . Thereby, a plurality of video contents can be viewed efficiently. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to support smooth communication through viewing of video content with other users.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which video content is viewed by a user has been described. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to video content, and various contents such as audio content without video and still image content. Can be applied to.

  Each embodiment has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes other than the above-described modification are possible within the scope described in the claims. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Content viewing system 11 Viewing apparatus 12 Content providing apparatus 13 Social information database 14 Communication network 21, 41 Input means 22, 42 Output means 23, 43 Storage means 24 Social information setting means 25 Video request means 26 Video generation means 27 Playback means 28 Comment input means 29, 49 Transmission / reception means 30, 50 Control means 44 Viewer management means 45 Social information acquisition means 46 Video management means 47 Comment management means 48 Distribution means

Claims (10)

In a viewing device for viewing content provided from a content providing device via a communication network,
Content request means for transmitting content request information including user information to the content providing device;
Obtaining one or more contents corresponding to the content request means, comment information from other users corresponding to the contents, and social information in which a relationship with another person corresponding to the user information is set; Content generating means for generating new content using one or more contents as material data;
A viewing device, comprising: a reproducing means for reproducing the content obtained by the content generating means. The content generation means includes
The display size of each content or the size of a CG character that speaks the comment information is controlled based on the social information for one or a plurality of contents obtained from the content providing apparatus. The viewing device according to 1. The content generation means includes
The viewing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the playback time of each content is variably controlled based on the social information with respect to one or a plurality of contents obtained from the content providing apparatus.   The viewing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising comment input means for inputting a comment on the content reproduced by the reproduction means. In a content providing device that provides content to one or more viewing devices connected to a communication network,
Social information acquisition means for acquiring social information in which a relationship with another person corresponding to user information obtained from the viewing device is set;
Content management means for managing a plurality of contents in advance and extracting the content to be transmitted to the viewing device based on the social information obtained by the social information acquisition means;
A content providing apparatus comprising: distribution means for distributing content obtained by the content management means and comment information from another user corresponding to the content to the viewing device. The content management means includes
6. The content providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein priority is set for the plurality of contents based on the social information, and content to be distributed to the viewing device is extracted based on the set priority. The content management means includes
The priority is set based on a score added based on a relationship between the creator of the content or the creator of the comment information included in the social information and the user information. The content providing apparatus according to 1.   The content providing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising comment management means for managing comment information newly input with respect to the content distributed by the distribution means.   The viewing program for functioning a computer as each means which the viewing-and-listening apparatus described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 has.   A content providing program for causing a computer to function as each unit included in the content providing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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