JP2015065545A - Broadcast program point giving system, user device, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a point giving system for a viewer of a broadcast program which with proper timing gives points or a privilege to a viewer in accordance with a viewing period and the number of times of viewing of the broadcast program by the viewer.SOLUTION: A user device 100 which a viewer uses to view a broadcast program receives broadcast program data including a broadcast signal to identify a broadcast program which a broadcast organization broadcasts, and reproduces the data. The user device 100 detects a broadcast signal for identifying the identifier of a viewed program from the reproduced broadcast program data, and transmits the broadcast signal with a user identifier to a point server 300 which gives points to the viewer in accordance with a viewing record via a network. The point server 300 receives this and gives the points to the viewer.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and system for granting points and privileges (such as the right to participate in a sweepstakes) to viewers at an appropriate timing according to the viewing time and the number of viewing times of the viewer's broadcast program.

  For the purpose of promoting customer re-visit stores and increasing the amount of purchases in commercial transactions at general stores, points have been given to customers according to the purchase price of products and the frequency of store visits, and benefits have been provided to customers. ing. For example, if a customer is given points for a certain amount of product purchase, and a certain discount is given when a certain amount of points are accumulated, or if the total amount of monthly product purchases exceeds a predetermined amount, The next month will include a method of doubling the points given.

  Such point grants and privilege provisions are not limited to commercial transactions of goods at general stores, but are made in various services. As a typical example, the provision of various benefits such as newspaper subscription and magazine subscription reservation is well known. Also, even if these media become intangibles such as electronic media, corresponding benefits are similarly provided. The same applies to fan services at events such as movies and concerts, where points are awarded regardless of whether the purchase desired by the customer is tangible or intangible, and the benefits obtained are also tangible items such as prizes and character goods. Or intangibles such as the right to shake hands with an actor or take a photo. Furthermore, points may be given in exchange for some information provision or operation, not whether or not the customer has purchased something.

  As can be seen from these examples, points may be given and benefits may be provided to viewers who watch broadcasts from broadcast media. For example, when a music software production company, video software production company, or entertainment production obtains information such as viewer preference, audience rating, and preference from the broadcast media for a fee, the broadcast media obtains information from the viewer. In exchange for this, a privilege may be provided to the viewer (broadcast media provides information obtained here to the client). Patent Document 1 discloses an information service system that collects information obtained by a viewer viewing a media program and gives points to the viewer according to the collected information.

JP 2002-269457 A Japanese Patent No. 4910959 Japanese Patent No. 5011849 Japanese Patent No. 5011855 Japanese Patent No. 5011865 Japanese Patent No. 5011872 Japanese Patent No. 4831333 Japanese Patent No. 4831334 Japanese Patent No. 4831335 Japanese Patent No. 4760539 Japanese Patent No. 4760540

MusicID, [ONLINE] [searched on September 17, 2013], Internet <URL: http: // www. gracenote. com / music / recognition />

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, an information providing terminal including a dedicated communication terminal is installed in a television receiver in order to collect individual viewing result information generated as a result of a viewer viewing a media program. Or, it was necessary to connect a tuner to a personal computer and watch a television program on a personal computer screen or a television receiver. In this way, by using a personal computer or an information providing terminal, the viewer's information is obtained by transmitting and storing the obtained individual viewing result information to a predetermined device on the network. Since one personal computer or information providing terminal is required for each unit, there is a problem that the burden on the installation side is large and the presence of unnecessary hardware is troublesome for viewers.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and the problem of the present invention is that points are given or benefits are provided as a result of the viewer viewing a program broadcast by a broadcaster. Thus, the viewer is to provide a point grant system that does not require a special device other than the user device for receiving and displaying the broadcast program.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first invention of the present application is directed to a user apparatus for receiving broadcast program data including a broadcast signal for specifying a broadcast program, and a viewer according to a viewing record of the broadcast program. Is a broadcast program point grant system configured by being connected via a network, wherein the user device transmits and receives information to and from the point server, and the received broadcast program A program playback means for playing back data, a microphone device access means for accessing a microphone that collects the sound of the played broadcast program, and an identifier of the program viewed by detecting the broadcast signal from the collected sound data A first broadcast signal detecting means, wherein the point server is a communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from a user device, And a control means for assigning and storing a predetermined point from the identifier of the program received from the user device through the network and notifying the user device of the information, and comprising the same Is a broadcast program point granting system characterized by Thereby, the viewer can acquire points according to the time and content of viewing the broadcast program by using the receiver and user device that are used daily. The broadcast program data including a broadcast signal specifying the broadcast program is data including data reproduced as a broadcast signal specifying the broadcast program.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the user device includes a program receiving unit that receives broadcast program data including a broadcast signal, and a memory storage unit that stores the received broadcast program data in a memory. The broadcast program point assigning system according to the first aspect of the present invention is constituted by these. Thus, the viewer can acquire points according to the time and content of viewing the broadcast program without operating any device other than the user device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the user device detects the broadcast signal from the audio data of the collected broadcast program data and identifies an identifier of the program that was viewed by the microphone device access means. A memory device access means for accessing the memory storing broadcast program data instead of the means, and a second identifier for identifying the program viewed by detecting the broadcast signal from the broadcast program data stored in the memory. A broadcast program point assigning system according to the first or second invention, characterized in that it comprises a broadcast signal detecting means. As a result, it is possible to expect a more accurate broadcast signal detection.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the broadcast program point assigning system further includes an identifier conversion server that identifies a point server related to the identifier of the viewer and the identifier of the viewed program, and the identifier conversion server includes the user device and the point Communication means for transmitting / receiving information between servers, control means for receiving a program identifier and viewer identifier from a user device, identifying a predetermined point server, and transmitting a program identifier and viewer identifier; The broadcast program point assigning system according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, comprising the apparatus. Thus, the viewer can receive services from a plurality of point servers, and can acquire points from a larger number of broadcast program distributors.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the broadcast program point granting system further includes a related information server that returns the program end time to the point server in response to an inquiry including the identifier and time of the program from the point server. The broadcast program point grant system according to any one of the first to fourth inventions. As a result, it is possible to determine which program was broadcast at the acquisition time of the identifier of the program, and it is possible to give more detailed points.

  A sixth invention is a user apparatus for receiving broadcast program data including a broadcast signal for specifying a broadcast program, wherein the user apparatus transmits / receives information to / from a point server via a network. Means for reproducing the received broadcast program data; microphone device access means for accessing a microphone for collecting the sound of the reproduced broadcast program; and detecting the broadcast signal from the collected sound data. And a first broadcast signal detecting means for identifying an identifier of the program viewed by the user device. This is an independent description of the user device in the first invention.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the user device includes: a program receiving unit that receives broadcast program data including a broadcast signal; and a memory storage unit that stores the received broadcast program data in a memory. The user device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention. This describes the user device in the second invention.

  According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the user device replaces the microphone device access means and the first broadcast signal detecting means for detecting the broadcast signal from the collected broadcast program data and identifying an identifier of the viewed program. A memory device access means for accessing the memory storing the broadcast program data; and a second broadcast signal detection for identifying an identifier of the program viewed by detecting the broadcast signal from the broadcast program data stored in the memory. And a user device according to the sixth or seventh invention. This describes another embodiment of the user device according to the sixth or seventh invention.

  A ninth invention is a computer program describing a command for operating a computer device used by a user as a user device used in the broadcast program point assigning system according to any of the sixth to eighth inventions. . This is an independent description of the computer program of the user apparatus constituting the broadcast program point granting system.

  According to the present invention, simply watching a broadcast program using a user device (for example, a viewer terminal such as a smartphone) that receives and displays a broadcast program distributed by a broadcaster, such as a mobile phone held by the viewer. , Points and privileges according to viewing time and programs can be given to viewers who possess user devices.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the system of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram explaining each apparatus in this embodiment in detail. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the user apparatus 100 in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the broadcast signal in the broadcast program in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the point provision method in this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the process which concerns on download of a detection application and user registration in this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the flow of the process which concerns on the point provision method 1 in this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the flow of processing concerning another form of point grant method 1 in this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the flow of the process which concerns on the point provision method 2 in this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the flow of the process which concerns on the point provision method 3 in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the flow of operation of a user apparatus and an application in one example of this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the flow of a process of the user apparatus and IP simul reproduction application in one example of this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the flow of a process of the user apparatus and broadcast program ID detection application in one example of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the flow of operation of a user apparatus and an application in another example of this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the flow of a user apparatus and the process of an application in another example of this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the flow of a process of the user apparatus and another application in another example of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, points are given when a broadcast program is viewed using a user apparatus, and the points are given by detecting a signal called a broadcast signal included in the broadcast program. For detection of the broadcast signal, a fingerprint method or an audio watermark method is used (details will be described later). In addition, a plurality of different broadcast signals may be included in one broadcast program.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a broadcast program point granting system according to the present embodiment. The viewer uses the user device 100 to receive a broadcast program broadcast by a broadcaster such as the television station 210 or the radio station 220, or to receive radio waves from the radio tower 200 of the broadcast station, or OTT (Over The Top). Video and audio data can be received from a business operator or a Vod (Video on demand) business 230, and a broadcast program from the IP simulcast business 240 can be received and viewed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the user apparatus 100 includes an application distribution server 500 that distributes an application used by the user apparatus 100, and an identifier conversion server 400 that delivers information to a predetermined point server related to the received program ID and user ID (hereinafter referred to as ID conversion server). 400), information can be transmitted / received via a network such as the Internet with a device such as a point server 300 for managing registered member points and a related information server 600 for accumulating information on broadcast programs such as a program guide. . In addition, the user apparatus 100 receives audio of a broadcast program broadcasted by a broadcaster received by a receiver 250 such as a television or radio, and an OTT / Vod carrier 230 and an IP simulant received by a television 270 or PC 260 that can be connected to the Internet. The sound of the broadcast program from the business operator 240 can be collected.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the present embodiment in more detail. The user device 100 transmits and receives information between the application distribution server 500 and the ID conversion server 400 via the network 800. Although the network 800 is shown in a simplified manner, it is a combination of a plurality of networks via a gateway such as the Internet, and is composed of a LAN (Local Area Network), a telephone line, a mobile communication network, etc. Are provided for enabling transmission / reception of information between the user apparatus 100 and the ID conversion server 400, the point server 300, the related information server 600, and the application distribution server 500 using wired or wireless communication. .

The point server 300 and the application distribution server 500 function as an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) server. The user device 100 includes a web browser that can display and reply to an HTML document, and is connected to the application distribution server 500 via the network such as the Internet on the application distribution server 500 using the WWW (World Wide Web). The application is acquired from the application database (displayed as application DB in the figure) of the application distribution server 500 through the web page existing in the network. A site having a server that distributes an application is well known, for example, Google Play (trademark) in Android (trademark) which is a platform for smartphones.

  The user apparatus 100 includes a program reproduction application 120, a broadcast program ID detection application 140, and a RAM ((Randam Access Memory) 130, which are computer programs (application programs) that operate on the apparatus. A collection of program codes for each function, and when activated on the user device 100, controls the hardware resources provided in the user device 100, thereby enabling television stations, radio stations, OTT operators, and Vod. Program receiving function for receiving digital data (audio data and image data) of broadcast programs from business operator 230 and IP simulcast business company 240, memory storage function for storing digital data of received broadcast programs in RAM, and broadcasts stored in RAM Digital day of the program Program display function (displayed from the display or speaker of the user device 100), so that the user device 100 including the program playback application 120 implements the program reception function below. The description will be made assuming that a program receiving unit 121, a memory storing unit 122 for realizing the memory storing function, and a program reproducing unit 123 for realizing the program reproducing function are provided.

  The broadcast program ID detection application 140 is a collection of program codes grouped for each function, and when activated on the user device 100, controls the hardware resources provided in the user device 100. , A communication function for transmitting and receiving information between the ID conversion server 400 and the point server 300, a device access function for accessing the microphone 112 and RAM 130 controlled by the OS, and a broadcast for detecting a broadcast signal from digital data of a broadcast program A signal detection function and an ID conversion server inquiry function for making an inquiry to the ID conversion server 400 about the detected broadcast signal are exhibited. Therefore, in the following, the user apparatus 100 including the broadcast program ID detection application 140 implements the communication unit 141 that implements the communication function, the device access unit 142 that implements the device access function, and the broadcast signal detection function. The broadcast signal detecting means 143 and ID conversion server inquiry means 144 for realizing the ID conversion server inquiry function are described as being provided. Here, there are two device access means 142, microphone device access means 142a and memory device access means 142b, depending on the type of device to be accessed. The broadcast signal detection means 143 also receives first broadcast signal detection means 143a that receives the collected broadcast program data and second broadcast program data that is stored in the memory, depending on the type of input data to be processed. There are two broadcast signal detecting means 143b

  The ID conversion server 400 and the point server 300 include a communication unit that transmits / receives information to / from the user device 100 and a control unit that searches and updates each database according to each communication content. The related information server 600 includes a communication unit that transmits / receives information to / from the point server 300 and a control unit that provides information related to the broadcast program in response to an inquiry from the point server 300.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the user device 100. The user device 100 is one computer device as hardware. The user device 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a peripheral device I / F unit 103, an input unit 104, a display unit 105, and a communication unit 106, which are connected via a bus 109. Note that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and various configurations can be adopted depending on purposes.

  The control unit 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The CPU calls a program stored in the storage unit 102, ROM, storage medium or the like to a work memory area on the RAM, executes it, drives and controls each device connected via the bus 109, and performs processing performed by the computer. Realize. The ROM is a non-volatile memory, and permanently stores programs such as a boot program and BIOS for the user device 100, data, and the like. The RAM is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores a program, data, and the like loaded from the storage unit 102, ROM, storage medium, and the like, and includes a work area used by the control unit 101 for performing various processes.

  The storage unit 102 is preferably a compact storage medium such as SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores a program executed by the control unit 101, data necessary for program execution, an OS (operating system), and the like. Regarding the program, a control program corresponding to an OS (operating system), a program code that functions as the program reproduction application 120 described above, and a program code that functions as the broadcast program ID detection application 140 are stored. These program codes are read by the control unit 101 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, and read and executed by the CPU to function as various means.

The peripheral device I / F unit 103 is a port for connecting the peripheral device to the user apparatus 100, and the computer is connected to the peripheral device such as the speaker / earphone terminal 111 and the microphone 112 via the peripheral device I / F unit 103. Send / receive data to / from.

  The input unit 104 inputs data, and has an input device such as a touch panel, for example, and can perform an operation instruction, an operation instruction, data input, or the like to the user device 100 via the input unit 104. it can. The display unit 105 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel.

  The communication unit 106 includes a communication control device, a communication port, and the like. One is a wireless communication interface that mediates communication between the user device 100 and the network 800. Communication means for performing communication control with the conversion server 400 is provided. The communication unit 106 supports communication methods (protocols) such as 3G (third generation mobile communication system), LTE (Long Term Evolution), IEEE 802.11, and the like. The bus 109 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between the devices.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the point server 300, the ID conversion server 400, the application distribution server 500, and the related information server 600 have a hardware configuration in accordance with the user device 100, and include a display unit, a storage unit, a touch panel, and the like. The input part is provided. The communication unit includes a communication control device, a communication port, and the like, and includes a communication unit that performs communication control with another computer via the network 800.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a broadcast signal in a broadcast program in the present embodiment. Sponsors include broadcast programs (including broadcast programs broadcast by broadcasters, video and audio distributed by OTT / Vod carriers 230, broadcast programs provided by IP simulcasters 240, and so on). Music and voice used for announcements of station names such as the start and end of programs and jingles, and call signs are always played. The broadcast signal described above is inserted into these commercials and jingles by the broadcaster. For example, in FIG. 4A, a commercial or jingle broadcast time zone (a time zone in this figure) in a program from the start to the end of one program is a target period in which a broadcast signal is placed. Further, in FIG. 4B, a broadcast signal detection point where a broadcast signal may be placed in a series of program broadcast flows is indicated by a downward arrow. In the present embodiment, points are given to the viewer by detecting broadcast signals in these time zones.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of giving points according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram in which when any one of the broadcast signals inserted in one program is detected, a predetermined point is given for viewing this program. If any one of the broadcast signals is detected at the broadcast signal detection point b (the portion indicated by the downward arrow) in the broadcast program, a point is given. This point grant method is referred to herein as point grant method 1.

  FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram in the case where a predetermined point is given according to the time during which the broadcast signal inserted in the program is detected. For example, when all broadcast signals from the broadcast signal detection point b1 in the broadcast program to the broadcast signal detection point b4 at the end of the program are detected, the broadcast signal from the broadcast signal detection point b2 to the program end b4 is detected. Judging that viewing time is long, the former is given a larger point. This point grant method is referred to herein as point grant method 2.

  FIG.5 (c) is explanatory drawing in the case of giving a predetermined point according to the kind of broadcast signal inserted in the program. For example, when there are broadcast signal detection points b1, b2, b3, and b4 in a broadcast program, when a broadcast signal at b2 is detected, a larger point is given than when a broadcast signal is detected at another detection point. May be. Further, the broadcast signal may not be included in other broadcast signal detection points. This point grant method is referred to herein as point grant method 3.

  FIG. 5D is an explanatory diagram in the case where a predetermined point is given according to the number of broadcast signals detected during a certain period (for example, during one day). In this case, a period across programs may be set, or for example, a specific broadcast signal may be assigned to a certain commercial and the number of viewing times may be counted. This point grant method is referred to herein as point grant method 4.

  Next, the flow of processing of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings including the functions of the respective devices.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the flow of processing relating to download of the detection application and user registration in the present embodiment. This process is always performed once when the present embodiment is used. First, the viewer uses a web browser provided in the user device 100 to detect a broadcast signal to the application distribution server 500 through a web page via a network such as the Internet (hereinafter, an application for detecting an identifier of the broadcast signal). (Hereinafter referred to as a broadcast program ID detection application) is requested (S11). In response to this request, the application distribution server 500 distributes the broadcast program ID detection application 140 to the user device 100 (S12). The viewer also transmits a predetermined user information to the point server 300 to obtain a point and requests user registration using the web browser provided in the user device 100 (S13). The point server 300 receives this request and performs registration processing (S14), and notifies the user device 100 of a user identifier (hereinafter referred to as user ID) issued upon registration (S15).

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of processing according to the point grant method 1 in the present embodiment. When the user apparatus 100 detects a broadcast signal using the broadcast program ID detection application 140, the user apparatus 100 transmits the program ID and user ID of the broadcast signal to the ID conversion server 400 (S21). The ID conversion server 400 then transmits the program ID and the user. The ID is received, and the program ID and the user ID are transferred to a predetermined point server 300 specified from these IDs (S22). The point server 300 receives the program ID and the user ID from the related information server 600. The related time of the program (especially the program end time) is inquired (S23). The related information server 600 returns the related information of the program in response to the inquiry (S24). The point server 300 determines whether or not points have already been given from the time when the program related information (particularly the end time), the program ID, and the user ID are received as viewing records (S25). Points are given (S26), and the fact is notified to the user apparatus 100 (S27).

  As described above, the broadcast signal is detected by a known method such as a fingerprint method or an audio watermark method. The fingerprint method is originally a method for identifying individuals based on the sequence order of DNA molecules. Here, the features of a specific voice (a part of a jingle or commercial) and the appearance order of the features are stored in advance. This is a method for detecting whether or not the specific voice is received by comparing with the characteristics of the received voice. In this regard, a music recognition technology service such as “MusicID” (registered trademark) of Gracenote is widely known (Non-patent Document 1). In addition, the audio watermarking method inserts an audio signal of a level that cannot normally be recognized (this is called an audio watermark) into a specific audio (a part of a jingle or commercial) by a broadcaster, This is a method for detecting whether or not the specific sound is received by detecting the sound signal. Patent Document 2 to Patent Document 11 present various techniques for embedding additional information (audio watermark) in an acoustic signal in a state incapable of being heard by humans and extracting the embedded information. For example, in Patent Document 2, in human hearing, even when high and low sounds are played alternately without being played at the same time, similar sounds (high and low sounds) are connected in time. A method of embedding additional information so that humans do not feel noise using the perceived “principle of sound condensation” is presented. In the detection of the broadcast signal according to the present embodiment, either the fingerprint method or the audio watermark method is employed.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of processing according to another form of the point grant method 1 in the present embodiment. When the user apparatus 100 detects a broadcast signal using the broadcast program ID detection application 140, the user apparatus 100 transmits the program ID of the broadcast signal, the user ID, and the time when these are detected to the ID conversion server 400 (S31). Receives the program ID, the user ID, and the time, and forwards the program ID, the user ID, and the time to a predetermined point server 300 specified from these IDs (S32). The time received here is transmitted to inquire about related information (particularly the end time) of the program (S33). The related information server 600 returns the related information of the program in response to the inquiry (S34). The point server 300 determines whether or not points have already been given from the time when the program related information (particularly the end time), the program ID and the user ID are received as a viewing record (S35). Points are given (S36), and a notice to that effect is sent to the user apparatus 100 (S37).

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of processing according to the point grant method 2 in the present embodiment. When the user apparatus 100 detects a broadcast signal using the broadcast program ID detection application 140, the user apparatus 100 transmits the program ID and user ID of the broadcast signal to the ID conversion server 400 (S41). The ID is received, and the program ID and the user ID are transferred to a predetermined point server 300 specified from these IDs (S42), and the point server 300 transmits the time when these are received to the related information server 600. Then, inquires about related information of the program (S43). The related information server 600 returns the related information of the program in response to the inquiry (S44). The point server 300 checks whether or not the same program as the previous program inquiry is being broadcast as the viewing record from the related information of the program (S45), and if the same program is being broadcast, the point is added (S46). If the program broadcast at the time of the program inquiry is completed (S47), points are given (S48), and this is notified to the user apparatus 100 (S49). This granting method can also be used for the point granting method 4. At this time, the point grant timing may be the time when the “certain period” ends, not the time when the “program ends”.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of processing according to the point grant method 3 in the present embodiment. When the user apparatus 100 detects a broadcast signal using the broadcast program ID detection application 140, the user apparatus 100 transmits the program ID and user ID of the broadcast signal to the ID conversion server 400 (S51), and the ID conversion server 400 transmits the program ID and the user. The ID is received, and the program ID and the user ID are transferred to a predetermined point server 300 specified from these IDs (S52). When the point server 300 receives this program ID as a viewing record, the point ID is assigned to the program ID. Is given (S53), and the user device 100 is notified of this (S54).

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be introduced. Here, the program playback application 120 will be described using an IP simulcast playback application (by an audio signal) that plays a simulcast from the IP simulcaster 240, but the program playback application 120 is not limited to this program playback application. As described above, it goes without saying that the same embodiment can be applied to playback applications of various broadcasting forms such as playback of broadcasts via radio waves from television stations and radio stations and playback of programs distributed by the OTT / Vod carrier 230. Yes. In addition, as one embodiment of the present invention, audio reproduced by an external receiver 250 or broadcast from the OTT / Vod provider 230 or the IP simulcaster 240 received by the TV 270 and the PC 260 that can be connected to the Internet. A form that does not require the program reproduction application 120 such as collecting the sound of the program from the microphone of the user device 100 is also possible.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the flow of operations of the user device and the application in one example of the present embodiment. The viewer operates the user device 100 or a device such as the TV 270 or the PC 260 that can be connected to the Internet to operate the program reproduction application 120 (in this example, the IP simultaneous reproduction application. Hereinafter, the program reproduction application 120 is referred to as the IP simultaneous reproduction application 120). ) To obtain digital data of simulcast from the IP simulcast operator 240 via the network 800 and reproduce it. The reproduced sound is displayed from the speaker 111 of the device such as the user device 100, collected by the microphone 112 of the user device 100 itself, passed to the broadcast program ID detection application 140, and the broadcast signal is received. The program ID is extracted and specified. In this embodiment, the user device 100 is a typical device such as a smartphone. However, as long as the device can operate the IP simulcast reproduction application 120 and the broadcast program ID detection application 140, a television (PC function) that can be connected to the Internet. It may be a so-called smart TV with built-in 270) or PC 260. Hereinafter, these devices are collectively referred to as “user device 100 or the like”.

  As already described with reference to FIG. 2, the IP simul reproduction application 120 is a collection of program codes grouped for each function that controls hardware resources provided in a device such as the user device 100. It consists of three means that are a collection of program codes that perform their functions.

  First, the program receiving means 121 requests the IP simulcast program 240 digital data of the IP simulcast program from the program distribution server of the IP simulcaster 240, communicates using a predetermined streaming protocol, and thereby transmits the IP simulcast program. A function of receiving digital data as streaming data in a device such as the user device 100 is exhibited.

  Next, the memory storage unit 122 accesses the RAM provided in the OS such as the user device 100 as a standard, uses a library for managing the RAM area used by the program playback application, and is distributed via the API. The streaming data is stored in the RAM 130.

  Finally, the program playback means 123 uses a library for managing a memory device provided as a standard in the user apparatus 100 or the like, accesses the RAM 130 using the API, and digital data of the broadcast program stored in the RAM 130 , Further convert the acquired digital data into an analog audio signal, use a library for managing speaker devices, access the speaker 111 using the API, and send the analog audio signal to the speaker driver By doing so, the function of reproducing the audio signal is exhibited.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a processing flow of the user device and the IP simulcast application 120 in one example of the present embodiment. This will be described in further detail. The viewer operates the user device 100 or the like to activate the IP simulcast program playback application 120. The IP simulcast application 120 activates the program receiving means 121 and requests digital data of the IP simulcast program via a network such as the Internet with the program distribution server of the IP simulcaster 240 (S60). Since the digital data of the IP simulcast program often has a huge amount of data, it is distributed as streaming data to the user device 100 or the like by communicating using a predetermined streaming protocol (S61).

  The IP simulcast application 120 activates the memory storage unit 122 and stores the distributed streaming data in the RAM 130 (S62). The digital data of the broadcast program stored here is only temporarily stored. The IP simultaneous reproduction application 120 activates the program reproduction means 123, accesses the RAM 130, and acquires the temporarily stored streaming data (S63). The program reproducing means 123 further converts the acquired streaming data into a voltage signal using an OS standard library and instructs the speaker device to output it (S64). (Analog audio signal) is reproduced (S65).

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of processing of the user device and the broadcast program ID detection application 140 in one example of this embodiment. First, the broadcast program ID detection application 140 uses the microphone device access unit 142a of the device access unit 142 to create an API for managing a library for managing a microphone device provided as a standard in the OS (or platform) such as the user apparatus 100. It is used via the access to the microphone device to request acquisition of the audio signal (S66). The first broadcast signal detection unit 143a acquires an analog signal of sound collected from a microphone such as the user device 100 (S67). Further, the first broadcast signal detecting means 143a converts the audio analog signal into digital data, for example, in monaural PCM (pulse code modulation) format, and converts it into digital data using a method such as the audio watermark method described above. A broadcast signal and a program ID are detected from the sound (S68).

  When the first broadcast signal detection means 143a detects the program ID, it passes the processing to the ID conversion server inquiry means 144. The ID conversion server inquiry unit 144 transmits the program ID and the user ID of the viewer using the user device 100 together to the ID conversion server 400 via the communication unit 141 (S69). The ID conversion server 400 specifies a point server related to the received program ID and user ID, and performs a redirect process (S70). The processing of the broadcast program ID detection application 140 from S66 to S70 may be repeatedly executed while sound collection by the microphone 112 is continued.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the flow of operations of the user device and the application in another example of the present embodiment. The viewer operates the user device 100 or the like to activate the IP simulcast application 120, acquires digital broadcast digital data from the IP simulcast operator 240 via the network 800, and plays it back. The reproduced sound is displayed from a speaker 111 such as the user device 100. The reproduced digital data of the simulcast is stored in the RAM 130 of the user device 100 or the like. The broadcast program ID detection application 140 extracts a broadcast signal from the simulcast digital data stored in the RAM 130 and identifies the program ID. In the example of the present embodiment, an audio analog signal is acquired from the microphone 112 such as the user device 100. However, in this embodiment, the broadcast program ID detection application 140 directly handles the broadcast digital data. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the IP simulcast reproduction application 120 and the broadcast program ID detection application 140 operate as one application in terms of memory sharing, and this description also follows.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of processing of the user apparatus, the IP simulcast reproduction application 120, and the broadcast program ID detection application 140 in another example of the present embodiment. As described in the previous embodiment, the viewer activates the program receiving means 121 by operating the user device 100 or the like, and acquires the digital data of the IP simulcast program from the program distribution server of the IP simulcaster 240. (S71).

  As described in the previous embodiment, the digital data of the IP simulcast program is distributed to the user apparatus 100 as streaming data (S72). The IP simulcast application 120 and the broadcast program ID detection application 140 use the memory storage unit 122 to store the streaming data in the RAM 130 under the OS (or platform) such as the user device 100 (S73). The program playback means 123 of the IP simulcast playback application 120 and the broadcast program ID detection application 140 further acquires the acquired streaming data (S74), converts it into a voltage signal using an OS standard library, and outputs it to the speaker device. When instructed (S75), the speaker 111 such as the user apparatus 100 reproduces the streaming data (the analog audio signal) (S76).

  The IP simulcast application 120 and the broadcast program ID detection application 140 access the RAM 130 such as the user apparatus 100 using the memory device access unit 142b of the device access unit 142 (S77). The second broadcast signal detection means 143b acquires the digital data of the broadcast program from the RAM 130 such as the user apparatus 100, and detects the broadcast signal and the program ID from this data using, for example, the audio watermark method described above. (S78).

  When the second broadcast signal detection means 143b detects the program ID, it passes the processing to the ID conversion server inquiry means 144. The ID conversion server inquiry unit 144 transmits the program ID and the user ID of the viewer using the user device 100 together to the ID conversion server 400 via the communication unit 141 (S79). The ID conversion server 400 specifies a point server related to the received program ID and user ID, and performs a redirect process (S80).

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram for explaining the processing flow of the user apparatus and another application in another example of this embodiment. As described in the previous embodiment, the viewer operates the user apparatus 100 and the like to acquire the digital data of the IP simulcast program from the program distribution server of the IP simulcast operator 240, and the digital of the IP simulcast program. The data is stored as stream data in the RAM 130 under the OS (or platform) such as the user device 100. At the same time, digital data of the broadcast program is reproduced using the program reproduction means 123 (S81 to S86). The process up to this point is the same as the previous embodiment.

  Here, the IP simulcast application 120 and the broadcast program ID detection application 140 use the memory device access unit 142b of the device access unit 142 to access the RAM 130 of the user device 100 or the like (S87) and perform memory copy processing. (S88), and the RAM 130 is copied (S89). By doing so, the IP simulcast reproduction application 120 and the broadcast program ID detection application 140 operate the second broadcast signal detection means 143b with sufficient processing time by occupying the contents of the copied memory. be able to. The second broadcast signal detecting means 143b detects the broadcast signal and the program ID from this data, for example, using the audio watermark method described above (S90).

  When the second broadcast signal detection means 143b detects the program ID, it passes the processing to the ID conversion server inquiry means 144. The ID conversion server inquiry unit 144 transmits the program ID and the user ID of the viewer who uses the user device 100 together to the ID conversion server 400 via the communication unit 141 (S91). The ID conversion server 400 specifies a point server related to the received program ID and user ID, and performs a redirect process (S92).

  According to this embodiment, a viewer receives a broadcast program using the user device 100 or the like, and detects a broadcast signal from the digital data or audio data of the broadcast program by a method such as a fingerprint method or an audio watermark method. . Based on the detected broadcast signal, the viewer is given points and offers privileges as a result of viewing the program.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment for reproducing the simulcast, but the reproduction of the broadcast via the radio wave from the TV station or radio station, the reproduction of the program distributed by the OTT / VoD operator 230, the external receiver Similar embodiments are possible for various playback modes such as 250 and collecting sound from the TV 270 or PC 260 that can be connected to the Internet. Further, the present invention can be similarly implemented even if the user device is a terminal such as a tablet personal computer or a notebook personal computer.

100 User device 120 Program playback application 130 RAM
140 Broadcast program ID detection application 200 Radio tower 210 TV station 220 Radio station 230 OTT / VoD provider 240 IP simulcaster 250 Receiver 260 PC
270 TV 300 that can be connected to the Internet Point server 400 ID conversion server 500 Application distribution server 600 Related information server 800 Network

Claims (9)

A user device that receives broadcast program data including a broadcast signal that identifies a broadcast program and a point server that gives points to the viewer according to the viewing record of the broadcast program are connected via a network. A broadcast program point granting system,
The user device is
A communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the point server;
Program reproduction means for reproducing the received broadcast program data;
Microphone device access means for accessing a microphone that collects the sound of the reproduced broadcast program;
First broadcast signal detecting means for detecting an identifier of a program viewed by detecting the broadcast signal from collected sound data,
The point server is
A communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from user devices;
A device comprising: control means for assigning and storing predetermined points from an identifier of a program received from the user device via a network, and notifying the user device of the information, and comprising the same Broadcast program point granting system characterized by The user device is
Program receiving means for receiving broadcast program data including a broadcast signal;
The broadcast program point granting system according to claim 1, comprising: a memory storage unit that stores received broadcast program data in a memory. The user device is
Instead of the microphone device access means and the first broadcast signal detection means for identifying the identifier of the program viewed by detecting the broadcast signal from the audio data of the collected broadcast program data, broadcast program data is stored. Memory device access means for accessing the memory;
The second broadcast signal detecting means for detecting an identifier of a program viewed by detecting the broadcast signal from broadcast program data stored in a memory. Broadcast program point grant system. The broadcast program point grant system includes:
An identifier conversion server that identifies a point server related from the identifier of the viewer and the identifier of the viewed program;
The identifier conversion server
A communication means for transmitting and receiving information between the user device and the point server;
An apparatus comprising: control means for receiving a program identifier and a viewer identifier from a user device, identifying a predetermined point server, and transmitting the program identifier and the viewer identifier; The broadcast program point granting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The broadcast program point grant system includes:
5. The related information server according to claim 1, further comprising a related information server that returns a program end time to the point server in response to an inquiry including a program identifier and time from the point server. Broadcast program point granting system described in 1. A user device for receiving broadcast program data including a broadcast signal for specifying a broadcast program,
The user device is
A communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the point server via the network;
Program reproduction means for reproducing the received broadcast program data;
Microphone device access means for accessing a microphone that collects audio data of reproduced broadcast program data;
User equipment comprising: first broadcast signal detecting means for detecting an identifier of a program viewed by detecting the broadcast signal from collected broadcast program data. The user device is
Program receiving means for receiving broadcast program data including a broadcast signal;
The user apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a memory storage unit that stores the received broadcast program data in a memory. The user device is
Instead of the microphone device access means and the first broadcast signal detection means for identifying the identifier of the program viewed by detecting the broadcast signal from the collected broadcast program data, the memory storing the broadcast program data is provided. A memory device access means to access;
The second broadcast signal detecting means for detecting an identifier of a program viewed by detecting the broadcast signal from broadcast program data stored in a memory. User equipment.   A computer program describing instructions for operating a computer device used by a viewer as a user device used in the broadcast program point granting system according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

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