JP2018026800A - Video replay program, video replay device, video replay method and video delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a viewer with information on an item in a video through a simple method when the viewer has an interest in the item shown in the video.SOLUTION: A video replay program causes a video replay device, which comprises a display section and an input section, to execute the following three kinds of operation: (1) display of a video on the display section by showing frames included in video data on the display section with the same sequentially switched; (2) setting of item regions, which are preliminarily set in the frames, in a manner to switch the item regions in accordance with switchover of the frames; and (3) display of item information associated with the item region set in the frames displayed on the display section when the item region is selected through the input section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a moving image reproduction program, a moving image reproduction device, a moving image reproduction method, a moving image distribution system, and a metadata creation method.

  In recent years, video content has been viewed on a user terminal (for example, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like). For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe that a broadcast program such as a drama is viewed on a user terminal.

JP 2012-119833 A JP 2007-306399 A JP 2004-23425 A

  When a viewer is interested in a thing (hereinafter, referred to as “item”) projected in a moving image, the viewer may attempt to collect the information. For example, when a viewer is watching a drama, he / she may want to purchase a bag owned by the main character and try to find a sales website for the bag on the Internet.

  However, even if a viewer tries to search for an item displayed in a moving image, it is difficult to search for information on the target item unless the search keyword is known. In addition, the higher the work to obtain information about the target item (for example, selection of search keywords, access to the search site, selection from the searched information group, etc.), the higher the withdrawal rate, There is a risk of missing precious business opportunities. Even if the viewer arrives at an information site related to an item, the reliability of the site may become a problem. Specifically, even if you can search the sales website for the item you want, if your audience has doubts about the reliability of the sales website, Even if you miss a business opportunity.

  On the other hand, if there is a system that can guide the viewer to the information related to the item when the viewer is interested in the item shown in the video, for example, the manufacturer of the item becomes a sponsor of the video producer Etc. to expand business opportunities. From this aspect as well, it is important to be able to provide viewers with information about items in a moving image in a simple manner.

  An object of the present invention is to provide information about items in a moving image to the viewer in a simple manner when the viewer is interested in the item displayed in the moving image.

  A main invention for achieving the above object is to display a moving image on the display unit by sequentially switching the frames included in the moving image data and displaying the frames on the display unit on a moving image playback terminal including a display unit and an input unit. Display on the frame, an item area is preset in the frame, and the item area is switched and set in accordance with the sequential switching of the frame, and the frame is displayed on the display unit. When the input item area is selected by the input unit, the item information associated with the item area is displayed on the display unit.

  Other characteristics of the present invention will be made clear by the description and drawings described later.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when a viewer becomes interested in the item projected on the moving image, the information of the item in a moving image can be provided to a viewer by a simple method.

1A to 1D are explanatory views of the outline of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a moving image list screen displayed before moving image reproduction. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a basic screen during moving image reproduction. 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams of the frame display button 211 of the icon display unit 21B. 5A to 5D are explanatory diagrams of the performer icon 212 of the icon display unit 21B. 6A to 6D are explanatory diagrams of the music icon 213. 7A to 7D are explanatory diagrams of the location icon 214. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the moving image distribution system of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of moving image data and metadata. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing for generating an image to be displayed on the moving image display unit 21A. FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are explanatory diagrams when two item areas are set on one screen (one frame). FIG. 12 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a metadata creation method. 13A to 13D are explanatory diagrams when the user terminal 10 is a personal computer. FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram showing a state where an area other than the item area is selected by the input unit. FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram of acquisition data acquired by the user terminal 10.

  At least the following matters will be apparent from the description and drawings described below.

  Displaying a moving image on the display unit by sequentially switching frames included in the moving image data and displaying them on the display unit on a moving image playback apparatus including a display unit and an input unit. The item area is set by switching and setting the item area as the frames are sequentially switched, and the item area set in the frame displayed on the display section is selected by the input section. The moving image reproducing program is characterized by causing the item information associated with the item area to be displayed on the display unit. According to such a moving image reproduction program, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  When displaying the frame on the display unit, it is preferable to display an image indicating the item area set in the frame on the display unit. Thereby, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  It is preferable that an item image is displayed as the item information when the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit. Thereby, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  Preferably, the item image is displayed in the vicinity of the item region when the item region set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit. This makes it easier for the viewer to recognize that item information can be acquired.

  When the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit, the item image is displayed on a stock information display unit indicating that the item information has been stocked. Is desirable. This makes it easier for the viewer to recognize that the item information has been stocked.

The stock information display unit is arranged outside a video display unit that displays the video,
When the input unit is operated from the item region set in the moving image display unit toward the stock information display unit, the item image is preferably displayed on the stock information display unit. Thereby, the operation of stocking item information is easily understood by the viewer.

  Event information is preset as the item information, and when the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit, processing according to the event information is executed. Accordingly, it is preferable that the item information associated with the item area is displayed on the display unit. Further, the event information is to display a web page at a set address, and by displaying the web page, the item information associated with the item area is displayed on the display unit. preferable. Thereby, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  At least two item areas are set in the frame, and the entire range of one item area is included in the other item area and set in the frame displayed on the display unit. When an overlapping area between two item areas is selected by the input unit, it is preferable that item information associated with the one item area is displayed on the display unit. Thereby, the viewer can select either item area.

  When an area other than the item area is selected by the input unit, it is desirable to extract an image in the vicinity of the selected area from the frame. Thereby, viewer preference information can be acquired.

  A display unit, an input unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit sequentially displays frames on the display unit by switching frames included in the moving image data, thereby displaying the moving image on the display unit; An item area is set in advance, and the item area is switched and set as the frames are sequentially switched, and the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit When this is done, the moving picture reproducing apparatus is characterized by displaying the item information associated with the item area on the display unit. According to such a moving image reproducing apparatus, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  A moving image reproduction method for reproducing a moving image based on moving image data and metadata corresponding to the moving image data, wherein the moving image is displayed on the display unit by sequentially switching frames included in the moving image data and displaying the frames on the display unit. Display on the frame, an item area is preset in the frame, and the item area is switched and set in accordance with the sequential switching of the frame, and the frame is displayed on the display unit. When the input item area is selected by the input unit, item information associated with the item area is displayed on the display unit. According to such a moving image reproduction method, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  A moving image distribution system for distributing moving image data and metadata corresponding to the moving image data, wherein the moving image is displayed on the display unit by sequentially switching frames and causing the display unit to display the moving image on the display unit. A server that distributes moving image data, a server that distributes the metadata for setting the item region in accordance with the setting of an item region in the frame in advance, and the frame switching sequentially, and the display unit Distributing a program for causing the display unit to display item information associated with the item area when the item area set in the frame displayed on the screen is selected by the input unit of the video playback device And a moving image distribution system characterized by comprising a server that performs the above. According to such a moving image distribution system, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  Also, a metadata creation method for creating metadata, wherein a plurality of key frames are extracted from the frames included in the moving image data, and the key frames are supported based on the extracted key frame images. The item area corresponding to the frame other than the key frame is set based on the item area corresponding to the key frame and the item area corresponding to another key frame. A metadata creation method characterized by performing setting by interpolation is clarified. According to such a metadata creation method, the amount of work when creating metadata can be reduced.

  When at least two item areas are set in the frame and the entire range of one of the item areas is included in the other item area, 2 set in the frame displayed on the display unit It is preferable that the priority order of the two item areas is set so that the one item area is selected when an overlapping area of the two item areas is selected by the input unit. Thereby, the viewer can select either item area.

=== Embodiment ===
<Overview>
1A to 1D are explanatory views of the outline of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a moving image (for example, a drama) is played on a touch panel 11 of a user terminal 10 (for example, a tablet terminal or a smartphone of a viewer). The screen shows the actress holding a bag. An item area is set in advance in a frame (still image) included in the moving image data. Here, an item area is set in advance in a bag area on the screen. A frame 41 (rectangular dotted line in the figure) indicating the item area may be displayed during the reproduction of the moving image, or may be hidden if it hinders the viewing of the moving image. Since the frame (still image) is switched and displayed sequentially when playing the movie, the area occupied by the bag on the movie (on the frame) changes every moment, but the item area also keeps track of the movie The frame 41 (rectangular dotted line in the figure) indicating the item area is also constantly changing.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1B, when the user terminal 10 detects that an item area set in advance in a moving image has been touched (touched with a finger), the item image 42 </ b> A ( For example, a thumbnail image) is displayed. Even if the frame 41 (rectangular dotted line in the figure) indicating the item area is not displayed, the viewer touches the bag on the touch panel 11 when interested in the bag in the video, and the item image 42A of the bag is displayed. Since it is displayed, it can recognize that the relevant information of the bag can be acquired.

  Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, when the user terminal 10 detects that an item area set in advance in the moving image has been swiped (an operation of sliding a finger on the screen), the user terminal 10 is associated with the item area. Stored item information as stock information. As shown in FIG. 1C, when predetermined item information is stored as stock information, the user terminal 10 displays an item image 42C corresponding to stock information (stocked item information) on a stock information display unit 21C on the touch panel 11. (For example, a thumbnail image) is displayed. That is, when the viewer is interested in the bag in the video, swiping down the bag on the touch panel 11 can stock the item information of the bag, and the item information of the bag can be stored in the user terminal. 10 can be confirmed on the stock information display unit 21C.

  As shown in FIG. 1D, when the user terminal 10 detects that the region of the item image 42C displayed on the stock information display unit 21C has been touched (touched with a finger), the item image 42C (item Process according to the event information associated with (information). Here, the address of the web page of the bag seller is associated with the item information of the bag, and when the viewer touches the item image 42C of the bag, the touch panel 11 (display unit 12) The web page for that bag will be displayed. The display screen of the bag web page is not only item information relating to the bag but also an item image 42D of the bag. As a display method of the web page, as shown in FIG. 1D, it may be displayed as a multi-screen together with the moving image being reproduced, or may be displayed alone. Moreover, the process according to event information is not restricted to the display of a web page.

<Operation screen>
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a moving image list screen displayed before moving image reproduction. When the moving image playback program of the present embodiment is activated, the user terminal 10 displays a list of playable moving images (moving image list screen). The user terminal 10 displays a thumbnail image, a title, a summary description, etc. for each playable video. When the user terminal 10 detects that the thumbnail image area on the moving image list screen has been touched, the user terminal 10 reproduces the moving image associated with the thumbnail image.

  The user terminal 10 displays the item image 42 corresponding to the stock information on the video list screen if stock information is stored for the video that has already been reproduced. When the user terminal 10 detects that the area of the item image 42 displayed on the moving image list screen has been touched, the user terminal 10 performs processing according to the event information associated with the item image 42. .

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a basic screen during moving image reproduction. On the basic screen, a moving image display unit 21A, an icon display unit 21B, and a stock information display unit 21C are mainly provided.

  The reproduced moving image is displayed on the moving image display unit 21A. When the remote control icon 22 on the basic screen is touch-operated, the controller 22A (control image) is displayed on the moving image display unit 21A (or the currently displayed controller 22A is not displayed). The user terminal 10 controls the reproduction / fast forward / rewind of the moving image according to the operation on the controller 22A.

  Various icons are displayed on the icon display portion 21B. Here, a frame display button 211, a performer icon 212, a music icon 213, a location icon 214, and the like are displayed on the icon display unit 21B. These icons will be described later. When the information icon 23 on the basic screen is touch-operated, the icon group being displayed on the icon display unit 21B is hidden (or a hidden icon is displayed).

  In the stock information display section 21C, an item image 42C corresponding to the stock information (stocked item information) is displayed. The stock information display unit 21C is disposed below the moving image display unit 21A. As a result, the stock information display unit 21C is arranged in the direction of the swipe operation as shown in FIG. 1B, so that the operation of stocking item information is easily understood by the viewer. As described above, the user terminal 10 follows the event information associated with the item image 42C (item information) according to the operation of the item image 42C displayed on the stock information display unit 21C. Processing will be performed.

  In addition, a browser display unit 21D for displaying a web page can be provided on the basic screen (see FIG. 1D).

  4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams of the frame display button 211 of the icon display unit 21B. The frame display button 211 is a button for selecting display / non-display of the frame 41 indicating the item area.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the present embodiment, an item area is set in the area occupied by the bag on the moving image, and a frame 41 (a rectangular dotted line in the figure) indicating the item area is set according to the set item area. Is displayed. The viewer can recognize that some information is associated with the frame 41 by recognizing that the frame 41 is displayed on the moving image display unit 21A. Further, since there is an image of the bag (bag image on the moving image) in the frame 41, the viewer can guess that the information on the bag is associated with the frame 41.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the user terminal 10 detects that the frame display button 211 is touched and detects that there is an instruction to hide the frame 41, the user terminal 10 Even if the item area is set, the frame 41 of the moving image display unit 21A is not displayed. Thus, the viewer can concentrate on viewing the moving image without being concerned about the display of the frame 41, and can enjoy the moving image. In particular, it is desirable that the frame 41 can be hidden because the viewer may be afraid if the frame 41 that is constantly deformed is displayed overlapping the video.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, even if the frame 41 is not displayed, an item area is set for the frame (still image), and if the item area is touched by the viewer, the user terminal 10 The processing is performed in the same manner as when the frame 41 is displayed. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, when the user terminal 10 detects that an item area set in advance in the moving image has been touched (touched with a finger), the item image associated with the item area is displayed. 42A (for example, a thumbnail image) is displayed. Then, when the user terminal 10 detects that the item area set in advance in the moving image has been swiped (operation to slide a finger on the screen), the item information associated with the item area is stored as stock information. Remember as.

  5A to 5D are explanatory diagrams of the performer icon 212 of the icon display unit 21B. In a scene (frame) in which a performer (actress, actor, etc.) is projected on a video, information regarding the performer is associated in advance as item information. When the item information regarding the performer is associated, the user terminal 10 displays the performer icon 212 of the icon display unit 21B by changing the color (for example, changing from white to green). By recognizing that the color of the performer icon 212 has changed, the viewer can recognize that the relevant information of the performer shown in the video can be acquired.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5A, when the user terminal 10 detects that the performer icon 212 is touched, if the item information regarding the performer is associated with the frame, the user terminal 10 associates with the item information. The item image 42B (for example, a thumbnail image of the performer) is displayed. Here, two performers are displayed on the screen, and item information relating to the two performers is associated with this frame. Therefore, when the viewer touches the performer icon 212, the two performers are displayed. An item image 42B (thumbnail image) is displayed.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5B, when the user terminal 10 detects that any of the performer item images 42B (thumbnail images) has been swiped, the user terminal 10 stores the performer item information as stock information. Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the user terminal 10 displays the performer thumbnail image on the stock information display unit 21C as the item image 42C corresponding to the stock information (stocked item information). As shown in FIG. 5D, when the user terminal 10 detects that the performer's item image 42C displayed on the stock information display unit 21C has been touched, the user terminal 10 is associated with the item image 42C (item information). As a process according to the event information, for example, the introduction page of the performer on the web page of the entertainment agency is displayed.

  6A to 6D are explanatory diagrams of the music icon 213. In a scene (frame) in which music (so-called BGM) flows on a moving image, information related to the music is associated in advance as item information. When the item information related to music is associated with the frame, the user terminal 10 discolors and displays the music icon 213 of the icon display unit 21B. By recognizing that the color of the music icon 213 has changed, the viewer can recognize that the related information of the music flowing on the moving image can be acquired.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6A, when the user terminal 10 detects that the music icon 213 is touched, if the item information related to music is associated with the frame, the user terminal 10 is associated with the item information. An item image 42B (for example, a jacket image) is displayed. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the user terminal 10 detects that the item image 42B (jacket image) has been swiped, the user terminal 10 stores music item information as stock information. As shown in FIG. 6C, the user terminal 10 displays a music jacket image on the stock information display unit 21C as an item image 42C corresponding to the stock information (stocked item information). As shown in FIG. 6D, when the user terminal 10 detects that the music item image 42C displayed on the stock information display unit 21C has been touched, the user terminal 10 is associated with the item image 42C (item information). As a process according to the event information, the web page selling the music is displayed.

  7A to 7D are explanatory diagrams of the location icon 214. For example, in a scene (frame) in which a landmark is projected in a moving image, information regarding a location is associated with the frame as item information in advance. When the item information regarding the place is associated with the frame, the user terminal 10 displays the place icon 214 of the icon display unit 21B with a color change. By recognizing that the color of the location icon 214 has changed, the viewer can recognize that the related information of the location displayed on the moving image can be acquired.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7A, when the user terminal 10 detects that the place icon 214 is touched, if the item information related to the place is associated with the frame, the user terminal 10 associates with the item information. An item image 42B (for example, a thumbnail image) is displayed. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, when the user terminal 10 detects that the item image 42B has been swiped, the user terminal 10 stores the item information of the place as stock information. As shown in FIG. 7C, the user terminal 10 displays a thumbnail image of the location on the stock information display unit 21C as the item image 42C corresponding to the stock information. As shown in FIG. 7D, when the user terminal 10 detects that the item image 42C at the place displayed on the stock information display unit 21C has been touched, the event information associated with the item image 42C is detected. As a process according to this, a web page introducing the location is displayed, a map of the location is displayed, route information to the location is displayed, and an introduction text of the location is displayed.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the moving image distribution system of the present embodiment. The moving image distribution system includes a moving image distribution server 1, a metadata distribution server 3, and a user terminal 10. The moving image distribution server 1, the metadata distribution server 3, and the user terminal 10 are connected to be communicable via a communication network 9. The communication network 9 is, for example, the Internet, a telephone line network, a wireless communication network, a LAN, a VAN, or the like. Here, the Internet is assumed.

  The moving image distribution server 1 is a server for distributing a large number of moving image contents. In the present embodiment, the moving image distribution server 1 distributes moving image data to the user terminal 10 in a streaming format. However, the video data distribution method may be a download format or a progressive download format.

  The metadata distribution server 3 is a server for distributing metadata including the item information (information about items such as the item image 42, event information, and item area). In the present embodiment, a part of metadata (reference data to be described later) is distributed in a preload format before moving image reproduction, and a part of metadata (frame corresponding data to be described later) is distributed in a progressive download format. However, the metadata distribution method is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a download format or a streaming format. In the present embodiment, the metadata is described separately from the moving image data for convenience of explanation, but the metadata may be stored in the moving image data (moving image file).

  The metadata of the metadata distribution server 3 is created by the metadata creation terminal 7. A metadata creation method by the metadata creation terminal 7 will be described later.

  The user terminal 10 is an information terminal (moving image reproducing device) capable of reproducing moving images. Here, the user terminal 10 is assumed to be a tablet-type mobile terminal. The user terminal 10 includes hardware such as a CPU (not shown), a memory, a storage device, a communication module, and a touch panel 11 (display unit 12 and input unit 13). The user terminal 10 is installed with a moving image reproduction program, and the above-described various operations are realized when the user terminal 10 executes the moving image reproduction program. The moving image reproduction program can be downloaded from the program distribution server 5 to the user terminal 10.

  The user terminal 10 is not limited to a tablet-type portable terminal, and may be, for example, a smartphone or a personal computer. When the user terminal 10 is a smartphone, the display unit 12 and the input unit 13 are configured by the touch panel 11 as in the tablet-type mobile terminal. When the user terminal 10 is a personal computer, the display unit 12 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the input unit 13 is configured by a mouse, a keyboard, or the like. Note that an operation method and the like when the user terminal 10 is a personal computer will be described later as another embodiment.

  The user terminal 10 includes a display unit 12 and an input unit 13. The display unit 12 is a function for displaying various screens. In the present embodiment, the display unit 12 is realized by a display of the touch panel 11 or a controller that controls display on the display. The input unit 13 is a function for inputting and detecting an instruction from the user. In the present embodiment, the input unit 13 is realized by a touch sensor of the touch panel 11 or the like. In the present embodiment, the display unit 12 and the input unit 13 are mainly realized by the touch panel 11, but the display unit 12 and the input unit 13 may be configured by separate components. The control unit 15 is a function for controlling the user terminal 10. The control unit 15 has a function for processing moving image data and reproducing (displaying) the moving image, a function for processing metadata (described later), and the like. The processing of moving image data and metadata will become clear later. In addition, the control unit 15 has a browser function that acquires web page information and displays the web page. In the present embodiment, the control unit 15 is realized by a CPU (not shown), a memory storing a moving image reproduction program, a storage device, and the like.

  The communication unit 17 is a function for connecting to the communication network 9. The communication unit 17 receives moving image data from the moving image distribution server 1, receives metadata from the metadata distribution server 3, and requests data from the moving image distribution server 1 and the metadata distribution server 3.

  The moving image data storage unit is a function for storing moving image data. Note that the moving image data storage unit temporarily stores moving image data in the case of streaming format distribution, and stores and holds the downloaded moving image data in the case of download format distribution. The metadata storage unit is a function for storing metadata. The stock information storage unit has a function of storing stocked item information in association with moving image data.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of moving image data and metadata.

  The moving image data is composed of continuous frames (image data). The moving image data processing unit of the user terminal 10 generates each frame from the moving image data received from the moving image distribution server 1, and sequentially switches the generated frames to display on the display unit 12, thereby reproducing the moving image.

  The metadata includes frame correspondence data and reference data.

The frame correspondence data is metadata associated with a frame of moving image data. The frame correspondence data is distributed from the metadata distribution server 3 to the user terminal 10 in a progressive download format, and stored in the metadata storage unit of the user terminal 10.
The frame correspondence data includes a time code and item information. The time code is data (data for synchronizing with a moving image) to be associated with a frame. The item information of the frame correspondence data includes an item ID and item area setting data. The item ID is an identifier for associating with item information stored in the reference data. The item area setting data is data for setting an item area. In this embodiment, since the item area is a rectangle, the item area setting data is composed of coordinate data of two diagonal points necessary for setting the rectangular area. However, the item area is not limited to a rectangle, and the item area may be circular, for example. In this case, the item area setting data is composed of, for example, coordinates of the center point and radius. Thus, the item area (item area setting data) is set in advance for the frame. However, it is not necessary to set item areas for all frames. For example, an item area may not be set for a frame in which no item is displayed. As will be described later, the item regions are sequentially switched and set as the frames are sequentially switched. Further, as will be described later, the item area setting data is used not only for setting the item area, but also for generating an image of a frame 41 (for example, see FIG. 1A) indicating the item area.

Reference data is data for defining the contents of item information. The reference data is distributed from the metadata distribution server 3 to the user terminal 10 in a preload format before moving image reproduction, and is stored in the metadata storage unit of the user terminal 10.
The reference data includes an item ID, attribute data, item image data, and event information. Item ID is an identifier of item information. The attribute data is data indicating the attribute of the item information, and here, there are four types of “frame”, “actor”, “music”, and “place”. However, the type of attribute is not limited to this. The item image data is data of the item image 42, for example, thumbnail image data. The event information is information for setting a process to be performed by the user terminal 10 when the item image 42 (42C) displayed on the stock information display unit 21C is operated. For example, as the event information, activation of the browser unit, an address of a web page to be displayed, and the like are set.

  Note that the content of the item information can be defined in the frame correspondence data without providing reference data. However, since the event information has a large amount of data, if the event information is included in the frame-corresponding data, the data amount of the frame-corresponding data increases. As a result, the processing load on the user terminal 10 increases. . On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by providing reference data, the data amount of frame correspondence data can be reduced.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing for generating an image to be displayed on the moving image display unit 21A. For example, when the screen of the moving image display unit 21A shown in FIG. 1A is displayed, the control unit 15 of the user terminal 10 performs approximately the following processing.
First, the control unit 15 generates a frame (still image) to be displayed based on the moving image data in the moving image data storage unit (S001). Next, the control unit 15 acquires frame correspondence data of a time code corresponding to the frame from the metadata storage unit (S002). That is, the control unit 15 acquires item information associated with the frame. When the frame area corresponding data includes item area setting data and the frame display button 211 is set so as to display the frame 41, the control unit 15 determines the item based on the item area setting data. An image of the frame 41 indicating the region (rectangular dotted line image shown in FIG. 1A) is generated (S003). Then, the control unit 15 generates an image in which the image of the frame 41 is superimposed on the frame (still image) of the moving image data (S004). The image generated in this way is displayed on the moving image display unit 21A. The control unit 15 repeatedly performs the above processing when displaying each frame (still image) on the moving image display unit 21A one after another for moving image reproduction. Since the coordinates of the item area set in each frame are different, when the control unit 15 displays each frame one after another, the frame 41 indicating the item area is also constantly deformed.

  In addition, when displaying the screen of the icon display part 21B, the control part 15 of the user terminal 10 performs the following process. First, the control unit 15 refers to the reference data using the item ID of the frame correspondence data acquired in S002 described above as a key, and acquires the attribute data of the item information. And the control part 15 determines the color of each icon of the icon display part 21B based on the presence or absence of the attribute data, and displays various icons on the icon display part 21B according to the determined color. As a result, during item playback, when item information is associated with the screen being displayed, the icon of the icon display unit 21B corresponding to the item information is displayed with a color change (for example, from white to green). Will be.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the control unit 15 of the user terminal 10 performs approximately the following processing when a touch operation is performed on the moving image display unit 21A. First, the control unit 15 acquires the coordinates of the touch operation (touch operation with a finger) from the touch panel 11 (input unit 13). Further, the control unit 15 acquires frame correspondence data at the time of the touch operation from the metadata storage unit, and acquires item area setting data at the time of the touch operation. Then, the control unit 15 compares the touch-operated coordinates with the item area set based on the item area setting data, and determines whether the touch-operated coordinates are within the item area. . If the coordinates of the touch operation are within the range of the item area, the control unit 15 refers to the reference data using the item ID of the item area as a key, acquires the corresponding item image 42 (for example, a thumbnail image), The item image 42A is displayed in the vicinity of the touched coordinates.

  Further, the control unit 15 of the user terminal 10 stores the item information in the stock information storage unit when a swipe operation (operation to slide a finger on the screen) is performed as shown in FIG. 1B. Further, if item information is stored in the stock information storage unit, the control unit 15 of the user terminal 10 acquires an item image 42 (for example, a thumbnail image) corresponding to the item information, and uses the item image 42 as stock information. The image is displayed in a predetermined area of the display unit 21C. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1C, an item image 42C (for example, a thumbnail image) corresponding to the stock information (stocked item information) is displayed on the stock information display unit 21C on the touch panel 11 (display unit 12). become.

  In addition, when the touch operation is performed on the stock information display unit 21C as illustrated in FIG. 1D, the control unit 15 of the user terminal 10 performs approximately the following processing. First, the control unit 15 acquires the coordinates of the touch operation (touch operation with a finger) from the touch panel 11 (input unit 13). Further, the control unit 15 acquires the area of the item image 42C being displayed on the stock information display unit 21C. Then, the control unit 15 compares the touch-operated coordinates with the region of the item image 42C being displayed on the stock information display unit 21C, and the touch-operated coordinates are stored in the item image 42C of the stock information display unit 21C. Determine whether it is within range. If the touch-operated coordinates are within the range of the item image 42C of the stock information display unit 21C, the control unit 15 refers to the reference data using the item ID of the item image 42 as a key, and the event of the corresponding item information Information is acquired, and processing according to event information (for example, display of a predetermined web page) is executed.

  FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram when two item areas are set on one screen (one frame). On the right side of the drawing, time code frame correspondence data corresponding to this frame is shown. This frame correspondence data includes two item area setting data. The item areas indicated by the two item area setting data are set so as to correspond to the bag area and the clothes area on the screen, respectively. Thus, when two or more item area setting data are included in the frame-corresponding data, as shown on the left side in the figure, the control unit 15 determines the item area based on the item area setting data. A plurality of frames 41 (rectangular dotted lines in the figure) are displayed.

  When two or more item areas are set, an overlapping area of two item areas may exist. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the bag and the clothes area overlap on the screen, the two item areas partially overlap. In this way, when two item areas partially overlap, if the overlap area is touch-operated, the control unit 15 of the user terminal 10 determines that an item area with a high priority is selected. . The priority order of the item areas can be set in advance in the frame-corresponding data. In this case, the control unit 15 of the user terminal 10 selects which item area according to the priority order set in the frame-corresponding data. It will be judged.

  FIG. 11B is another explanatory diagram when two item areas are set on one screen (one frame). As shown in FIG. 11B, the entire range of one item area may be included in the range of the other item area. Here, the item area 41 (# 1) of the bag is completely included in the range of the item area 41 (# 2) of the clothes. Thus, when the entire range of one item area is included in the range of the other item area, the included item area (here, item area 41 (# 1) of the bag) includes The frame correspondence data is set so that the priority order is higher than that of the item area 41 (# 2) on the side. Thereby, when the overlapping area of two item areas is touch-operated, the control unit 15 of the user terminal 10 selects the included item area (here, the item area 41 (# 1) of the bag). Judge that it was done. Therefore, the viewer can select either item area.

<How to create metadata>
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, frame-corresponding data (metadata) is associated with each frame of the moving image data, and item region setting data for setting an item region is included in the frame-corresponding data. Is set. Since the item area needs to be set to follow a predetermined item (for example, a bag) displayed on the screen, the item area setting data (two coordinates) needs to be set for each frame. . However, since there are a large number of frames in the moving image data (for example, 30 frames per second), the work of setting the frame correspondence data for all the frames one by one is a huge amount of work. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the frame correspondence data is set as follows to reduce the work amount.

  FIG. 12 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a metadata creation method. The metadata creation process described below is performed by the metadata creation terminal 7 shown in FIG.

  First, the metadata creation terminal 7 acquires moving image data for which metadata (frame-corresponding data) is to be created. The video data is downloaded from the video distribution server 1 to the metadata creation terminal 7.

  Next, the metadata creation terminal 7 extracts key frames from the moving image data including a large number of frames with a time interval. The key frame may be a frame extracted every predetermined time interval (for example, every several seconds) set in advance, or may be a frame arbitrarily selected according to the scene in the moving image. It is desirable to shorten the key frame time interval in a place where movement is intense, and lengthen the key frame time interval in a place where movement is slow. The number of extracted key frames is significantly smaller than the number of frames included in the moving image data.

  Next, the metadata creation terminal 7 uses two coordinates (diagonal of the rectangular frame 41) to set the item area in accordance with the area occupied by the predetermined item (here, the bag) on each key frame. 2 coordinates). Here, coordinates (XA1, YA1) and coordinates (XA2, YA2) are set for the key frame A, coordinates (XB1, YB1) and coordinates (XB2, YB2) are set for the key frame B, and the key It is assumed that coordinates (XC1, YC1) and coordinates (XC2, YC2) are set for the frame C.

  When setting two coordinates for setting an item area, the metadata creation terminal 7 displays a key frame screen on the display. The operator sets the coordinates of two points using an input device (for example, a mouse) so that an image of a predetermined item (here, an image of a bag) on the displayed key frame is included. The metadata creation terminal 7 stores the coordinates of the two points input by the operator in association with the key frame. As described above, the item area can be set while displaying the key frame and watching the video (the screen of the key frame), so the setting work of the item area becomes convenient.

  Next, the metadata creation terminal 7 creates frame correspondence data (metadata) corresponding to each frame, and sets item area setting data in the frame correspondence data. At this time, the coordinates of the two points input by the operator are set in the item area setting data corresponding to the key frame. For example, in the item area setting data corresponding to the key frame A, coordinates (XA1, YA1) and coordinates (XA2, YA2) are set as item area setting data. On the other hand, in the item area setting data corresponding to a frame other than the key frame, coordinates interpolated using the coordinates input to the two key frames before and after the frame are set. For example, the item area setting data of the frame between the key frame A and the key frame B includes coordinates interpolated by coordinates (XA1, YA1) and coordinates (XB1, YB1), coordinates (XA2, YA2) and coordinates ( The coordinates interpolated by (XB2, YB2) are set. As described above, since the item area setting data is set by the interpolation process, the process of setting the coordinates of the two points for the frame can be omitted, so that the amount of setting work can be reduced.

  As a method of interpolating and setting item areas corresponding to frames other than key frames, there is a method of using image analysis apart from a method of calculating coordinates by linearly interpolating the coordinates of two points (so-called linear interpolation). . For example, the metadata creation terminal 7 extracts an image of a rectangular area (corresponding to an item area) determined by coordinates (XA1, YA1) and coordinates (XA2, YA2) input by the operator in the key frame A, and the rectangular area The feature amount (for example, color information) of the image is extracted. Similarly, the metadata creation terminal 7 extracts an image of a rectangular area determined by coordinates (XB1, YB1) and coordinates (XB2, YB2) input by the operator in the key frame B, and features of the images in the rectangular area. Extract the amount. The metadata creation terminal 7 then, from each frame between the key frame A and the key frame B, the two feature amounts extracted in the key frame A, the feature amount extracted in the key frame B, and an image within the range ( For example, an image of a predetermined color range) may be extracted, and item area setting data corresponding to the frame may be interpolated based on a rectangular area surrounding the extracted image.

  The metadata creation terminal 7 can also set two item area setting data for one frame. Further, when setting the two item area setting data, the metadata creation terminal 7 can set the priority order of the item areas when the two item areas partially overlap. In particular, when the entire range of one item area is included in the range of the other item area (see FIG. 11B), the metadata creation terminal 7 may include the item area on the included side (for example, the item area of the bag in FIG. 11B). It is desirable to set the priority in the frame correspondence data so that the priority is higher than the item area on the containing side (for example, the item area of the clothes in FIG. 11B).

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the metadata creation terminal 7 is a computer of a metadata creation agent who has been requested to create metadata, and the computer performs the above processing (the processing shown in FIG. 12). A program to be executed is installed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the metadata creation agency uploads the created metadata to the metadata distribution server 3 (see FIG. 8). However, a program for causing a computer to execute the above processing (the processing shown in FIG. 12) is opened on the Internet so that an unspecified person (for example, an affiliate) can install this program on his computer, The metadata created by these persons may be uploaded to the metadata distribution server 3. In this case, it is desirable that the metadata distribution server 3 stores the creator information (creator information) and user evaluation information for the creator in association with the metadata. Thus, the user can select and download highly reliable metadata based on the creator's evaluation information.

<Summary>
In the above embodiment, the moving image playback program causes the user terminal 10 (moving image playback device) including the display unit 12 and the input unit 13 to sequentially switch the frames included in the moving image data and display the frames on the display unit 12. Thus, the moving image is displayed (reproduced) on the display unit 12. At this time, an item area is set in advance in the frame (see FIG. 9), and the user terminal 10 switches and sets the item area in accordance with the sequential switching of the frames. Thereby, the item area is set to change every moment so as to follow the moving image. When the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit 12 is selected by the input unit 13, the user terminal 10 selects item information associated with the item area (for example, the item image 42 </ b> A in FIG. 1B, The item image 42C of FIG. 1C, the item image 42D of FIG. 1D, etc.) are displayed on the display unit 12. Thereby, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  In the above embodiment, when the frame is displayed on the display unit 12, an image of the frame 41 indicating the item area set in the frame is displayed on the display unit 12. As a result, the range of the item area set in the frame can be recognized. However, the frame 41 can be hidden as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. Further, the image indicating the item area is not limited to the frame 41, and may be a semi-transparent rectangular image, for example.

  In the above embodiment, when the item area set in the frame being displayed is selected by the input unit 13, the item image is displayed as the item information (for example, the item image 42A in FIG. 1B or the item image in FIG. 1C). Image 42C, item image 42D of FIG. 1D, etc.). Thereby, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  In the above embodiment, when the item area set in the frame being displayed is selected by the input unit 13, the item image 42A (see FIGS. 1B and 4C) is displayed in the vicinity of the item area. This makes it easier for the viewer to recognize that item information can be acquired.

  In the above embodiment, when the item area set in the frame being displayed is selected by the input unit 13, the item image 42C is displayed on the stock information display unit 21C (see FIG. 1C). This makes it easier for the viewer to recognize that the item information has been stocked. When the item area set in the frame being displayed is selected by the input unit 13, the item image 42A is displayed near the item area (see FIG. 1B), or the item image 42C is displayed on the stock information display unit 21C. Instead of displaying the message, the process according to the event information may be immediately executed to display, for example, a web page.

  In the above-described embodiment, the stock information display unit 21C is disposed below (outside) the moving image display unit 21A, and the input unit 13 performs a swipe operation (from the item area of the moving image display unit 21A to the stock information display unit). The item image 42C is displayed on the stock information display section 21C (see FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C). As a result, the stock information display unit 21C is arranged in the direction of the swipe operation as shown in FIG. 1B, so that the operation of stocking item information is easily understood by the viewer. If the stock information display unit 21C is arranged outside the moving image display unit 21A, the arrangement of the stock information display unit 21C is not limited to the lower side of the moving image display unit 21A. For example, the stock information display unit 21C may be arranged on the right side of the moving image display unit 21A. In this case, the item image 42C is displayed on the stock information display unit 21C when the input unit 13 performs a swipe operation on the right side (operation to slide a finger from the item area of the video display unit 21A toward the stock information display unit 21C). It is desirable that Also, as will be described later, a drag and drop operation may be used instead of the swipe operation.

  In the above embodiment, event information is preset as item information (see FIG. 9), and processing according to event information is performed when an item area set in the frame being displayed is selected by the input unit 13. Is executed, the item information associated with the item area is displayed on the display unit (see FIG. 1D). Thereby, the viewer can easily acquire information on items in the moving image.

  In the above embodiment, the event information is to display the web page at the set address, and by displaying the web page, the item information associated with the item area is displayed on the display unit 12 ( FIG. 1D). However, the event information is not limited to displaying a web page, but may be other processing.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11B described above, at least two item areas are set in the frame, and the entire area of the item area 41 (# 1) is included in the item area 41 (# 2). Under such circumstances, when the overlapping area of the two item areas set in the frame being displayed is selected by the input unit, the item information associated with the item area 41 (# 1) (in this case, Bag item information) is preferably displayed on the display unit 12. Thereby, the viewer can select either item area.

  Note that the above embodiment not only discloses a video playback program, but also a user terminal 10 (video playback device), an operation playback method, a video distribution system (see FIG. 8), and a metadata creation method. (See FIG. 12) and the like are also disclosed.

=== Another Embodiment ===
<When the user terminal 10 is a personal computer>
13A to 13D are explanatory diagrams when the user terminal 10 is a personal computer. As already described, the user terminal 10 may be a personal computer, for example, instead of a tablet-type mobile terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, a moving image (for example, a drama) is played on a display unit 12 (here, a liquid crystal display) of a user terminal 10 (here, a viewer's personal computer). Similar to the above-described embodiment, an item area is set in advance in the frame (still image) included in the moving image data, and here, the item area is set in advance in the bag area on the screen. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, a frame 41 (rectangular dotted line in the figure) indicating the item area is displayed during moving image reproduction.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13B, when the user terminal 10 detects that the cursor has entered the item area (an item area has been selected by the input unit 13) by operating a mouse (not illustrated) that is the input unit 13, An item image 42A (for example, a thumbnail image) associated with the item area is displayed. Alternatively, when the user terminal 10 detects that the item area has been clicked (by pressing a mouse button) by operating a mouse (not shown) that is the input unit 13 and the item area has been selected by the input unit 13, An item image 42A (for example, a thumbnail image) associated with the item area is displayed.

  Furthermore, the user terminal 10 moves the cursor in the state where the item area or the item image 42A is dragged and dropped (the mouse button is pressed while the item image 42A is displayed by the mouse operation described above, and then If it is detected that the button has been released), the item information associated with the item area is stored as stock information. Alternatively, when the user terminal 10 detects that the item area or the item image 42A is clicked in the state where the item image 42A is displayed by the mouse operation, the item information associated with the item area is stocked. Store as information. As illustrated in FIG. 13C, when predetermined item information is stored as stock information, the user terminal 10 displays an item image corresponding to stock information (stocked item information) in the stock information display unit 21 </ b> C on the display unit 12. 42C (for example, a thumbnail image) is displayed.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13D, when the user terminal 10 detects that the area of the item image 42C displayed on the stock information display unit 21C has been clicked, the user terminal 10 is associated with the item image 42C (item information). Process according to event information.

  As described above, even if the user terminal 10 is not a tablet-type portable terminal but a personal computer, for example, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

<When an area other than the item area is selected by the input unit>
In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the item area set in the frame being displayed is selected by the input unit 13. However, under an interface environment that allows the viewer to select an item area as in the above-described embodiment, the viewer may select an area other than the item area by the input unit 13. It can be estimated that there is an image of interest of the viewer in the selected area. The viewer's preference information can be important business information.

  FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram showing a state where an area other than the item area is selected by the input unit. Here, the viewer touches the area of the actor's tie that is being displayed. In such a case, it can be assumed that the viewer is interested in the actor's tie.

  FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram of acquisition data acquired by the user terminal 10. When an area other than the item area is selected by the input unit, the user terminal 10 extracts an image in the vicinity of the selected area from the frame, and acquires extracted data. In addition, the extracted data is associated with moving image data name information for specifying the extracted moving image, time code information of the extracting source frame, and coordinates selected by the input unit (coordinates touched). It is desirable. In addition, when the user terminal 10 acquires the viewer's attribute information (information such as sex and age) in advance, it is desirable to associate the attribute information with the extracted data. Then, if the user terminal 10 transmits the acquisition data (preference information) shown in FIG. 14B to a destination of a predetermined data acquisition company, the data acquisition company acquires viewer preference information that can be important business information. Is possible.

  Here, the extracted data is a still image, but the extracted data may be a moving image. In this case, the user terminal 10 extracts a plurality of frames before and after the timing when the area other than the item area is selected by the input unit, and extracts an image in the vicinity of the selected area from each extracted frame. Thus, it is preferable to obtain a moving image as extracted data.

=== Others ===
The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

1 video distribution server, 3 metadata distribution server,
5 program distribution server, 7 metadata creation terminal,
9 communication network, 10 user terminal,
11 touch panel, 12 display unit, 13 input unit,
15 control unit, 17 communication unit,
21 basic screen, 21A video display, 21B icon display,
21C Stock information display part, 21D Browser display part,
22 remote control icon, 22A controller,
23 Information icon,
41 frame (image showing the item area),
42 item images,
42A Item image displayed in the video display section,
42B Item image displayed in icon display area,
42C Item image displayed in the stock information display section,
42D Item image displayed on the browser display,
211 frame display button, 212 performer icon,
213 music icon, 214 location icon

  The present invention relates to a moving image reproduction program, a moving image reproduction device, a moving image reproduction method, and a moving image distribution system.

A main invention for achieving the above object is to display a moving image on the display unit by sequentially switching the frames included in the moving image data and displaying the frames on the display unit on a moving image playback apparatus including a display unit and an input unit. Display on the frame, an item area is preset in the frame, and the item area is switched and set in accordance with the sequential switching of the frame, and the frame is displayed on the display unit. when the item region that is has been selected by the input unit, a moving picture playback program Ru is executed to display the item information associated with the item area on the display unit, other than the item area When the area is selected by the input unit, information on the selected area is extracted from the moving image data, and the extracted data A video playback program characterized by obtaining.

A main invention for achieving the above object is to display a moving image on the display unit by sequentially switching the frames included in the moving image data and displaying the frames on the display unit on a moving image playback apparatus including a display unit and an input unit. Display on the frame, an item area is preset in the frame, and the item area is switched and set in accordance with the sequential switching of the frame, and the frame is displayed on the display unit. When the item area that has been selected is selected by the input unit, the video reproduction program that causes the display unit to display item information associated with the item area, the area other than the item area when but selected by the input unit, and the time code information of the frame at the time of selection, the coordinates of the selected region Extracted from the serial video data, a video playback program and transmits the extracted data including the time code information and the coordinates to the outside.

Claims (15)

In a video playback device having a display unit and an input unit,
Displaying a moving image on the display unit by sequentially switching frames included in the moving image data and displaying the frames on the display unit;
An item area is preset in the frame, and the item area is switched and set in accordance with the sequential switching of the frames; and
Causing the display unit to display item information associated with the item area when the input unit selects the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit. A featured video playback program. The moving image reproduction program according to claim 1,
When displaying the said frame on the said display part, the image which shows the said item area | region set to the said frame is displayed on the said display part, The moving image reproduction program characterized by the above-mentioned. The moving image reproduction program according to claim 1 or 2,
A moving image reproduction program characterized in that an item image is displayed as the item information when the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit. The video playback program according to claim 3,
A moving image reproducing program, wherein the item image is displayed in the vicinity of the item area when the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit. The video playback program according to claim 3,
When the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit, the item image is displayed on a stock information display unit indicating that the item information has been stocked. A video playback program characterized by The moving image reproduction program according to claim 5,
The stock information display unit is arranged outside a video display unit that displays the video,
The moving image characterized in that the item image is displayed on the stock information display section when operated by the input section from the item area set in the moving image display section toward the stock information display section. Playback program. It is a moving image reproduction program in any one of Claims 1-6,
Event information is preset as the item information,
When the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit, an item associated with the item area is executed by executing a process according to the event information. Information is displayed on the display unit. The moving image reproduction program according to claim 7,
The event information is to display a web page at a set address;
By displaying the web page, item information associated with the item area is displayed on the display unit. A moving image reproduction program according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
At least two of the item areas are set in the frame, and the entire range of one of the item areas is included in the other item area,
When an overlapping area between two item areas set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit, item information associated with the one item area is displayed on the display unit. A video playback program characterized by being displayed. A moving image reproduction program according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
When a region other than the item region is selected by the input unit, an image in the vicinity of the selected region is extracted from the frame. A display unit, an input unit, and a control unit;
The controller is
By sequentially switching frames included in the video data and displaying them on the display unit, the video is displayed on the display unit
An item area is preset in the frame, and the item area is switched and set in accordance with the sequential switching of the frames.
A moving image characterized by displaying, on the display unit, item information associated with the item region when the item region set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit. Playback device. A video playback method for playing back video based on video data and metadata corresponding to the video data,
Displaying a moving image on the display unit by sequentially switching frames included in the moving image data and displaying the frames on the display unit;
An item area is preset in the frame, and the item area is switched and set in accordance with the sequential switching of the frames; and
When the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit, item information associated with the item area is displayed on the display unit. How to play video. A video distribution system that distributes video data and metadata corresponding to the video data,
A server that distributes the moving image data for displaying a moving image on the display unit by sequentially switching frames and displaying the frame on the display unit of the moving image reproduction apparatus;
A server that pre-sets an item area in the frame and distributes the metadata for switching and setting the item area in accordance with the sequential switching of the frame;
When the item area set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit of the video playback device, item information associated with the item area is displayed on the display unit. A video distribution system comprising a server for distributing a program. A metadata creation method for creating metadata according to claim 13,
Extracting a plurality of key frames from the frames included in the video data;
Setting the item region corresponding to the key frame based on the extracted image of the key frame;
Based on the item area corresponding to the key frame and the item area corresponding to another key frame, the item area corresponding to the frame other than the key frame is set by interpolation. Metadata creation method characterized by The metadata creation method according to claim 13,
When at least two item areas are set in the frame and the entire range of one item area is included in the other item area,
The two item areas are selected so that the one item area is selected when an overlapping area of the two item areas set in the frame displayed on the display unit is selected by the input unit. A method for creating metadata, characterized in that priorities are set.

Images