JP2024061332A - Video content distribution system and television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] There is no consistency between metadata such as program information for image distribution in broadcasting and communication. [Solution] In a system for distributing video content, the distribution system generates program information having distributor program information and distributor identification information, and distributes the program information to an intermediate shared server. The intermediate shared server generates integrated program information from the program information received from the distribution system, and distributes the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver upon request from the television receiver. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a distribution system and a television receiver that are comprised of a server system that distributes video content and a receiving terminal that receives video content distributed over the Internet, and that allow easy selection of video content distributed over the Internet.

In recent years, advances in networks have led to the launch of a wide range of video distribution services. In particular, large-screen television receivers can no longer just receive broadcasts as before; they can now connect to a network and play distributed video content, allowing viewers to enjoy higher-quality, more realistic images. This has been made possible by faster networks and improved processing power in television receivers, and it is expected that in the future there will be even more opportunities to display and operate a variety of video content provided over networks on television receivers.

On the other hand, television receivers still receive broadcast video content, and many viewers still enjoy watching broadcasts. As a result, viewers are no longer limited to watching broadcasts, but now have an increasing number of opportunities to choose from a wide range of content available through streaming services.

In this situation, viewers want a way to more easily select their favorite content from video content distributed via broadcast or communication. However, currently, separate methods are provided for selecting video content distributed via broadcast waves and video content distributed via communication, and viewers must select the appropriate program selection method before playing the video content. For example, video distribution content can be selected by presenting a content selection screen from an icon on the home screen of the television, or by using a dedicated button for distributed content. On the other hand, for broadcast content, receivers are generally designed so that programs can be selected using direct buttons indicating channels on the remote control or by activating a program guide.

Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Operational Standards ARIB TR-B14 Part 4 PSI/SI Operational Regulations for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting

This article explains the current method of selecting video content via broadcast and the method of selecting video content via communication.

An example of a current broadcasting system is shown in Figure 19.

Broadcast program content 19001 in the broadcast system 19000 is compressed into video and audio by the encoder 19002 and input to the multiplex transmission unit 19003. Meanwhile, program information required for program selection is generated as SI (Service Information) information by the SI generation unit 19004, input to the multiplex transmission unit 19003, multiplexed onto the video and audio stream, and transmitted. The multiplexed video and audio stream is transmitted to the television receiver 19100 as broadcast waves. In the television receiver 19100, the reception separation unit 19103 receives the broadcast waves and separates the multiplexed SI signal and the video and audio stream. The separated video and audio stream is input to the decoder 19102, which decodes the compressed video and audio stream. The decoded video and audio is input to the content display unit 19101, where the video and audio are presented.

Meanwhile, the separated SI signal is input to the SI processing unit 19104, which stores the program explanations and information required for program selection for each channel, and then inputs it to the program guide screen 19105. The program guide screen 19105 generates a program guide that is easy for the viewer to understand, which is input to the content display unit 19101 and then presented to the viewer.

The above processing is carried out by the control unit 19106 controlling each unit using signals output from a remote control 19107 operated by the viewer.

Figure 20 shows the conventional program guide displayed by Figure 19.

20100 shows a program guide. The horizontal axis shows channel numbers and the vertical axis shows time. Within the table, explanatory information about the programs that indicate their contents is presented. Content 1A to Content 3C shown in the figure show the program titles and text that describes them.

20000 shows the remote control. The remote control has a program guide button to launch the program guide, number buttons 1 to 12 to select each channel, up/down/left/right keys to move the cursor to select content in the program guide, and an enter key.

When the program guide button on the remote control 20000 is pressed, the program guide is displayed on the television screen. The user then moves the cursor 20101 using the up, down, left, and right keys on the remote control 20000 to select the desired content.

In the above, content was selected by launching the program guide using the program guide button on remote control 20000, but in the case of broadcasts, content can be launched directly using the direct selection buttons on remote control 20000 that indicate the numbers 1 to 12. This is implemented by mapping the channel number to the direct selection button, since in broadcasts the broadcasting station can be identified by the channel number.

Next, an example of a video distribution system is shown in Figure 21.

The distribution content 21001 in the distribution system 21000 is compressed in video and audio by the encoder 21002 and input to the multiplex distribution unit 21003. Meanwhile, program information required for program selection is generated by the program information 21004, input to the multiplex distribution unit 21003, multiplexed onto the video and audio stream, and transmitted. The multiplexed video and audio stream is transmitted to the television receiver 21100 via a communication path. In the television receiver 21100, the reception separation unit 21103 receives the stream transmitted over the communication path, and separates the multiplexed program information and the video and audio stream. The separated video and audio stream is input to the decoder 21102, which decodes the compressed video and audio stream. The decoded video and audio are input to the content display unit 21101, where the video and audio are presented.

Meanwhile, the separated program information is input to the program information processing unit 21104, which generates a program selection screen. At this time, unlike when receiving a broadcast, icons or a program list screen is presented to the viewer. Normally, in distribution via communication, a program list is generated because content selection is performed without a concept of time using VOD (Video On Demand). The icon or content selection screen generated in 21105 is input to the content display unit 21101 and displayed.

The above processing is carried out by the control unit 21106 controlling each unit based on the signal output from the remote control 21107 operated by the viewer.

FIG. 22 shows a conventional example of a selection screen for video and audio content transmitted in conventional communication.
When selecting distribution content, the television receiver first presents a distribution source selection screen 22100. On the distribution source selection screen, one or more icons are presented for each distribution source, and the distribution source is specified by selecting an icon.

If icon 1 is selected here, a list 22200 of content provided by the distributor indicated by icon 1 is presented. Since there is no concept of time, the content is presented as a list.

Here, these operations are performed using the remote control 22000.

When the viewer presses the home button on the remote control 22000, a source selection screen 22100 is presented. The viewer operates the cursor 22101 using the up, down, left, and right keys on the remote control to select an icon indicating a desired source. After specifying the source with the enter button, a content list 22200 is displayed.

In the content list 22200, the desired content can be selected by operating the cursor 22102 using the up, down, left and right keys on the remote control 22000.

Another example of a video distribution system is shown in Figure 23.

The distribution system 23000 transmits the video and audio stream from the transmitting unit 23003 to the stream distribution network 23300, and the program information generated by the distribution system 23000 is transmitted from the program information unit 23004 to the receiving unit 23401 of the intermediate shared server 23400. As with the distribution system 23000, the distribution systems 23100 and 23200 also transmit the video and audio stream and program information via different routes. The intermediate shared server 23400 accumulates the received program information in the program information accumulation unit 23403. When content is selected on the content selection screen 23505 of the television receiver 23500, the specified video and audio stream is transmitted from the stream distribution network 23300 to the receiving unit 23503, and the video and audio content decoded by the decoder 23502 is displayed on the content display 23501.

The program information is distributed from the transmitting unit 23402 of the intermediate shared server 23400 to the program information processing unit 23504 of the television receiver 23500, which generates a content selection screen 23505.

Access to the stream distribution network and intermediate shared server is possible from multiple television receivers, and can also be accessed from television receiver 23600.

Figure 24 shows a conventional example of the selection screen for the video and audio content in the above embodiment.

In the content list 24100, the services provided by distribution A, distribution B, and distribution C are listed at the top of the screen. If distribution A is selected, contents A1 to A6 provided by distribution A are displayed, and the video content selected from among them is played. If distribution B is selected, contents B1 to B6 provided by distribution B are displayed as shown in the content list 24200, and the video content selected from among them is played. In this conventional example, it is not necessary to return to the distribution source selection screen 22100 as shown in FIG. 22, and the desired content can be selected by selecting distribution A to distribution C on the screen in FIG. 24, but the content provided by distribution A, distribution B, and distribution C cannot be displayed in a unified manner. Here, these operations are performed by operating cursors 24101 and 24201 on the remote control 24000.

As described above, the method for selecting distributed content on a television receiver varies depending on the configuration of the distribution system, and directly affects the convenience of the viewer. Considering the various types of distribution systems that are expected to be available in the future, the following issues arise:

1) The current system is operated with a simple system configuration consisting of multiple distribution providers and one shared intermediate server. However, due to the multi-layering caused by the entry of content providers and distribution providers from different industries, and the complexity caused by the entry of multiple shared intermediate servers, there are issues with not being able to provide a single stable service to viewers.

2) When the content provider is a broadcasting station, the content selection screen displayed on the television receiver needs to display a list across broadcasting stations, just as it does when broadcasting. However, in the current distribution system, the list is displayed for each service provided by the content provider or distribution company, which means that viewers have to switch services when searching for content, which is an issue in terms of convenience.

3) When the content provider is a broadcasting station, unlike broadcasting, the content is distributed uniformly nationwide, making it impossible to generate program guides for channels by region, which creates an issue with viewer convenience.

4) When information about distributed content changed, this was not reflected on the selection screen of the television receiver, which meant viewers had to search for content using old program information, which was an issue in terms of convenience.

As a first measure:
In a video content distribution system for distributing video content,
a distribution system including a distributor program information generating unit in which one or more distributors generate program information, a distributor identification-attached program information generating unit that generates program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generating unit, and a distributor identification-attached program information transmitting unit that delivers the distributor identification-attached program information to an intermediate shared server;
an intermediate shared server having an intermediate shared server program information generating unit that generates program information by integrating one or more pieces of program information with distributor identification received from the distribution system, and an intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit that distributes the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A video content distribution system comprising:

As a second measure:
In a video content distribution system for distributing video content,
a content provider program information generating unit for generating program information by one or more content providers, a content provider identification-attached program information generating unit for generating program information by adding content provider identification information to the content provider program information generated by the content provider program information generating unit, a content provider identification-attached program information transmitting unit for distributing the content provider identification-attached program information to a distributor, a distributor program information generating unit for generating program information by integrating the one or more content provider identification-attached program information received by the distributor, a distributor identification-attached program information generating unit for generating program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generating unit, and a distributor identification-attached program information transmitting unit for distributing the distributor identification-attached program information to an intermediate shared server;
an intermediate shared server having an intermediate shared server program information generating unit that generates program information by integrating one or more pieces of program information with distributor identification received from the distribution system, and an intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit that distributes the intermediate shared server program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A video content distribution system comprising:

As a third measure:
In the video content distribution system according to the first or second aspect,
The distribution system includes a content provider identification-attached program information intermediate shared server direct transmission unit for directly delivering the content provider identification-attached program information to the intermediate shared server from one or more content providers;
The intermediate shared server includes an intermediate shared server program information generating unit that generates program information by integrating the received one or more content provider identification-attached program information and one or more distribution business identification-attached program information, and an intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit that distributes the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver.
A video content distribution system comprising:

As a fourth measure:
In the video content distribution system according to any one of the first to third means,
When there are a plurality of intermediate shared servers, the intermediate shared server has an intermediate shared server identification-added program information generating unit that generates program information by adding intermediate shared server identification information to the intermediate shared server program information;
a program information transmitting unit with an intermediate shared server identification for transmitting the program information with an intermediate shared server identification to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A video content distribution system comprising:

As a fifth measure:
In any one of the video content distribution systems according to the first to fourth means,
When distributing broadcasted content, the content providing system includes a broadcast information-added program information generating unit that generates program information of the content to be distributed including information related to the broadcast (such as broadcast start date and time, broadcast time, etc.);
The program information includes a program attribute hierarchical structure generating unit that generates attribute information of broadcast content in a hierarchical structure;
The program information includes a content unique identification configuration unit that assigns unique values to various identifiers so that the content can be uniquely identified;
A video content distribution system comprising:

As a sixth measure:
In any one of the video content distribution systems according to the first to fourth means,
The intermediate shared server includes a program information configuration unit management unit that performs version management for each configuration unit of program information;
a program information management section that performs version management of the entire program information;
A video content distribution system comprising:

As a seventh measure:
In a television receiver for receiving program information from the video content distribution system according to the sixth means,
The television receiver includes a program information configuration unit management unit that performs version management for each configuration unit of program information stored in the television receiver;
a program information management section that performs version management of the entire program information;
a program information processing unit for accessing the intermediate shared server, acquiring a version of the program information of the intermediate shared server, comparing the version of the program information of the intermediate shared server with the version of the program information held by the receiver, and if the comparison shows that the program information version of the television receiver is older than that of the intermediate shared server, further comparing the versions in structural units of the program information, and as a result of the comparison, the television receiver acquires the program information of the structural unit that is older than that of the intermediate shared server, and updating the program information held by the television receiver;
A television receiver comprising:

As an eighth measure:
In any one of the video content distribution systems according to the first to fourth means,
a broadcast region ID-attached program information generating unit that generates program information including the same region ID information as the broadcast in the content provider program information when the distribution system distributes the broadcasted content;
A video content distribution system comprising:

As a ninth measure:
In a television receiver for receiving program information from the video content distribution system according to the eighth means,
a region information matching program guide generating unit that generates a program guide for channels matching region information set in a television receiver;
A television receiver comprising:

As a tenth measure:
In any one of the video content distribution systems according to the first to fourth means,
a broadcast channel identification-attached program information generating unit for generating program information including the same channel identification information as that of the broadcast in the content provider program information, the distributor program information, or the intermediate shared server program information when distributing broadcast content;
A video content distribution system comprising:

As an eleventh measure:
In a television receiver for receiving program information from the video content distribution system of the tenth means,
a broadcast channel matching program guide generating unit for generating a program guide for channels having channel identifications matching channel information of selectable broadcast waves held by the television receiver;
A television receiver comprising:

As a twelfth means:
In a television receiver that receives program information from the video content distribution system according to any one of the first to fourth means,
a program guide generating unit for generating a program guide from the intermediate shared server program information or the intermediate shared server identification-added program information in the television receiver;
a channel display setting unit that allows a viewer to select channels to be displayed in the program guide;
a channel display order setting unit that allows a user to set an order of channels to be displayed in the program guide;
A television receiver comprising:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an example of a system hierarchy according to the present invention. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 7 shows an example of program information based on the present invention. FIG. 8 is an example of a program guide based on the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 10 shows an example of a process flow for managing program information version based on the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of program information with local information according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is an example of a program guide based on the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 15 is an example of program information based on the present invention. FIG. 16 shows a fifth embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 17 shows an example of channel selection according to the present invention. FIG. 18 is an example of a channel display order according to the present invention. FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of a conventional broadcasting system. FIG. 20 shows an example of a conventional program guide. FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of a conventional Internet distribution system. FIG. 22 shows an example of a conventional distribution content selection screen. FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of a conventional Internet distribution system. FIG. 24 shows an example of a conventional distribution content selection screen.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

The present invention significantly improves the convenience of viewers even in a video content distribution system made up of a variety of content providers and distributors. In addition, when distributing broadcast content, the convenience of viewers is improved by forming a program guide with the same channel arrangement as broadcast.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention.

The video content distribution system of this embodiment is composed of distribution systems 1000 and 1100, a stream distribution network 1200, an intermediate shared server 1300, and television receivers 1400 and 1500.

The distribution system 1000 transmits the video and audio stream from the transmission unit 1003 to the stream distribution network 1200. In addition, the distribution system 1000 generates distributor program information in the distributor program information generation unit 1004, generates distributor program information with a distributor identification by adding the distributor identification information 1005 to the distributor program information in the distribution provider identification-added program information generation unit 1006, and transmits the distributor identification-added program information from the distributor identification-added program information transmission unit 1007 to the reception unit 1301 of the intermediate shared server 1300. The distribution system 1100 also performs the same process as the distribution system 1000.

The intermediate shared server 1300 accumulates one or more pieces of program information with distribution provider identification received from the distribution system in the program information accumulation unit 1302, and generates integrated intermediate shared server program information in the intermediate shared server program information generation unit 1303.

In response to a request from the television receiver 1400, the intermediate shared server program information is transmitted from the intermediate shared server program information transmission unit 1304 of the intermediate shared server 1300 to the program information processing unit 1404 of the television receiver 1400. If there is also a request from the television receiver 1500, the same processing is performed.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which one or more content providers distribute program information to a distribution company based on the present invention.

The video content distribution system of this embodiment is composed of content providing systems 2000 and 2100, a distribution system 2200, a stream distribution network 2300, an intermediate shared server 2400, and television receivers 2500 and 2600.

The content providing system 2000 transmits the video and audio stream from the transmitting unit 2003 to the stream distribution network 2300. The content providing system 2000 also generates content provider program information in the content provider program information generating unit 2004, generates content provider program information with content provider identification by adding the content provider identification information 2005 to the content provider program information in the content provider identification-added program information generating unit 2006, and transmits the content provider identification-added program information from the content provider identification-added program information transmitting unit 2007 to the receiving unit 2201 of the distribution system 2200. The content providing system 2100 also performs the same processing as the content providing system 2000. The distribution system 2200 accumulates the content provider identifier-attached program information received by the receiving unit 2201 in the program information accumulation unit 2202, generates integrated distributor program information in the distributor program information generation unit 2203, generates distributor identifier-attached program information by adding distributor identifier 2204 to the distributor program information in the distributor identifier-attached program information generation unit 2205, and transmits the distributor identifier-attached program information from the distributor identifier-attached program information transmission unit 2206 to the receiving unit 2401 of the intermediate shared server 2400. The intermediate shared server 2400 accumulates one or more pieces of distributor identifier-attached program information received from the distribution system in the program information accumulation unit 2402, and generates intermediate shared server program information by integrating the program information of each distributor in the intermediate shared server program information generation unit 2403.

In response to a request from the television receiver 2500, the intermediate shared server program information is transmitted from the intermediate shared server program information transmission unit 2404 of the intermediate shared server 2400 to the program information processing unit 2504 of the television receiver 2500. If there is also a request from the television receiver 2600, the same processing is performed.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which one or more content providers transmit program information directly to an intermediate shared server based on the present invention.

This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 3000, 3100, 3200, a distribution system 3300, a stream distribution network 3400, an intermediate shared server 3500, and television receivers 3600, 3700.

The content providing system 3000 transmits the video and audio stream from the transmitting unit 3003 to the stream distribution network 3400. The content providing system 3000 also generates content provider program information in the content provider program information generating unit 3004, generates content provider program information with content provider identification by adding the content provider identification information 3005 to the content provider program information in the content provider identification-attached program information generating unit 3006, and transmits the content provider identification-attached program information directly from the content provider identification-attached program information intermediate shared server direct transmitting unit 3007 to the receiving unit 3501 of the intermediate shared server 3500. The content providing systems 3100 and 3200 transmit the video and audio stream to the distribution network 3400 in the same way as the content providing system 3000. Furthermore, content providing systems 3100, 3200 generate program information with content provider identification in content provider identification-attached program information generation units 3106, 3206, respectively, and transmit the program information with content provider identification from content provider identification-attached program information transmission units 3107, 3207 to receiving unit 3301 of distribution system 3300. Distribution system 3300 accumulates the program information with content provider identification received in receiving unit 3301 in program information accumulation unit 3302, generates integrated distributor program information in distributor program information generation unit 3303, generates distributor program information by adding distributor identification information 3304 to the distributor program information in distributor identification-attached program information generation unit 3305, and transmits the program information with distributor identification from distributor identification-attached program information transmission unit 3306 to receiving unit 3501 of intermediate shared server 3500. The intermediate shared server 3500 accumulates one or more pieces of program information with content provider identifiers and one or more pieces of program information with distribution business identifiers received by the receiving unit 3501 in the program information accumulation unit 3502, and generates integrated intermediate shared server program information in the intermediate shared server program information generation unit 3503.

In response to a request from the television receiver 3600, the intermediate shared server program information is transmitted from the intermediate shared server program information transmission unit 3504 of the intermediate shared server 3500 to the program information processing unit 3604 of the television receiver 3600. If there is also a request from the television receiver 3700, the same processing is performed.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention when there are multiple intermediate shared servers.

This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 4000, 4100, 4200, a distribution system 4300, a stream distribution network 4400, intermediate shared servers 4500, 4600, and television receivers 4700, 4800.

Compared to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 shows a case in which there are multiple intermediate shared servers. The content providing system 4000 transmits the content provider identification-attached program information generated in the content provider identification-attached program information generation unit 4006 directly from the content provider identification-attached program information intermediate shared server direct transmission unit 4007 to both or either of the receiving units 4501 and 4601 of the intermediate shared servers 4500 and 4600. The content providing system 4100 transmits the content provider identification-attached program information generated in the content provider identification-attached program information generation unit 4106 from the content provider identification-attached program information transmission unit 4107 to the receiving unit 4301 of the distribution system 4300. The content providing system 4200 performs the same processing as the content providing system 4100. The distribution system 4300 stores the content provider identifier-attached program information received by the receiving unit 4301 in the program information storage unit 4302, generates integrated distributor program information in the distributor program information generation unit 4303, generates distributor program information with distributor identifier by adding distributor identification information 4304 to the distributor program information in the distribution provider identifier-attached program information generation unit 4305, and transmits the distributor identifier-attached program information from the distribution provider identifier-attached program information transmission unit 4306 to both or either of the receiving units 4501, 4601 of the intermediate shared servers 4500, 4600. The intermediate shared server 4500 accumulates one or more content provider identifier-attached program information and one or more distributor identifier-attached program information received by the receiving unit 4501 in the program information accumulation unit 4502, generates integrated intermediate shared server program information in the intermediate shared server program information generation unit 4503, and generates content provider identifier-attached program information by adding intermediate shared server identifier-attached information 4504 to the intermediate shared server program information in the intermediate shared server identifier-attached program information generation unit 4505. The intermediate shared server 4600 also performs the same process as the intermediate shared server 4500.

The intermediate shared server identification-attached program information is transmitted from the intermediate shared server identification-attached program information transmitting unit 4506 of the intermediate shared server 4500 to the program information processing unit 4704 of the television receiver 4700 upon request from the television receiver 4700. If there is also a request from the television receiver 4800, the same processing is performed.

Figure 5 shows an example of a system hierarchy based on the present invention.

This embodiment is composed of a content providing system layer 5100, a distribution system layer 5200, an intermediate shared server layer 5300, and a television receiver layer 5400.

There may be one or more content providers, and content provider 5101 may send to one distribution provider 5201, content provider 5102 may send to multiple distribution providers 5201 and 5202, or content provider 5103 may send directly to intermediate shared server 5302.

There may be one or more distribution providers, and in some cases, such as distribution provider 5201, the data is sent to one intermediate shared server, while in other cases, such as distribution provider 5202, the data is sent to multiple intermediate shared servers 5301 and 5302.

There may be one or more intermediate shared servers, and in some cases, such as intermediate shared server 5301, it may transmit to multiple television receivers 5401, 5402, or in other cases, such as intermediate shared server 5302, it may transmit to a single television receiver.

Program information is generated by generating content provider program information 5500 in the content providing system layer 5100, adding content provider identification information 5501 to it, and generating program information with content provider identification 5502. Next, in the distribution system layer 5200, distributor program information 5503 is generated, adding distributor identification information 5504 to it, and generating program information with distributor identification 5505. Next, in the intermediate shared server layer 5300, intermediate shared server program information 5506 is generated, adding intermediate shared server identification information 5507 to it, and generating program information with intermediate shared server identification 5508.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment based on the present invention.

This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 6000 and 6100, a distribution system 6200, a stream distribution network 6300, an intermediate shared server 6400, and television receivers 6500 and 6600.

When distributing broadcasted content, the content providing system 6000 generates program information for the content to be distributed including information related to the broadcast (broadcast start date and time, broadcast duration, etc.) in the broadcast information-added program information generating unit 6005, hierarchically structures the attribute information of the broadcast content in the program attribute hierarchical structure generating unit 6006, and further assigns unique values to various identifiers so that the content can be uniquely identified in the content unique identification constructing unit 6007. The content providing system 6100 also performs similar processing.

Figure 7 shows an example of program information based on the present invention.

This embodiment is composed of program information 7000 based on broadcast program information and a program information hierarchical structure 7100.

Originally, program information for distributed content is defined for each service of the content provider and distribution company, so the structure of the program information is not common. Also, since it is basically composed of information required for online distribution, program information related to broadcasting is not required. In this invention, as shown in program information 7000 based on broadcast program information, program information including broadcast-related information (broadcast start date and time, broadcast time, etc.) is composed. Also, as shown in program information hierarchical structure 7100, content attributes such as intermediate shared server, distribution company, content provider, channel, etc. are hierarchically organized, and each identifier is assigned a unique value so that content can be uniquely identified (in this example, service IDs AAA1, AAA2, etc.).

This invention allows a television receiver to centrally manage the distribution channels of various content providers and distributors, and to create a program guide similar to that of broadcast waves.

Figure 8 shows an example of a program guide based on the present invention.

This embodiment shows a program guide generated based on the program information in Figure 7. The program information is configured based on broadcast-related information including the broadcast start date and time and broadcast duration, and by hierarchizing content attributes and assigning unique values to each identifier, the television receiver can generate a program guide similar to that of a broadcast for channels and content of different distribution services.

Currently, as shown in Figure 22, if a distribution service is not selected on the distribution source selection screen, a list of content for that distribution service is not displayed. Also, as shown in Figure 24, it was necessary to switch distribution services to search for content, but with the present invention, viewers will be able to search for content without having to navigate between hierarchical levels or switch distribution services.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention.

This embodiment is composed of distribution systems 9000 and 9100, a stream distribution network 9200, an intermediate shared server 9300, and television receivers 9400 and 9500.

The intermediate shared server 9300 has a program information management unit 9305, which manages the version of the entire program information. In addition, the program information structural unit management unit 9306 manages the version for each structural unit of the program information. Note that a program structural unit refers to, for example, distribution company information, content provider information, channel information, etc.

When the version of any component unit is updated, the program information management unit 9305 updates the version of the entire program information.

The television receiver 9400 has a program information management unit 9406 that manages the version of the entire program information. In addition, the program information structural unit management unit 9407 manages the version for each structural unit of the program information.

The television receiver 9400 accesses the program information management unit 9305 of the intermediate shared server 9300, acquires the version of the program information held by the intermediate shared server 9300, and compares it with the version of the program information held by the receiver. If the comparison shows that the program information version of the television receiver 9400 is older than that of the intermediate shared server 9300, the versions are further compared in component units of the program information. If the comparison of component units of the program information shows that the television receiver 9400 has program information of an older version component unit, the television receiver 9400 acquires that program information and updates the program information held by the television receiver 9400. The television receiver 9500 also performs the same process as the television receiver 9400.

Figure 10 shows an example of the process flow for program information version management based on the present invention.

The television receiver compares the version of the program information managed by the intermediate shared server with the version of the program information held by the television receiver (10000). If the comparison shows that the program information versions of the intermediate shared server and the television receiver are the same, the television receiver does not update the program information it holds (10001). If the comparison shows that the program information version of the television receiver is older than that of the intermediate shared server, the television receiver then compares the versions in component units of the program information and updates the old program information held by the television receiver (10002).

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment according to the present invention.

This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 11000, 11100, a distribution system 11200, a stream distribution network 11300, an intermediate shared server 11400, and television receivers 11500, 11600.

The content providing system 11000 generates program information with a broadcast area identifier including broadcast area identification information 11004 in a program information with broadcast area identifier generation unit 11005 and transmits it from the program information with content provider identifier transmission unit 11008 to the receiving unit 11201 of the distribution system 11200. The distribution system 11200 transmits program information with a distributor identifier from the program information with distributor identifier transmission unit 11206 to the receiving unit 11401 of the intermediate shared server 11400. In response to a request from the television receiver 11500, the intermediate shared server 11400 transmits the program information with the intermediate shared server identifier from the program information with intermediate shared server identifier transmission unit 11404 to the program information processing unit 11504 of the television receiver 11500. The program information processing unit 11504 of the television receiver 11500 compares the broadcast region information included in the intermediate shared server identification-attached program information with the region information set in the television receiver, extracts matching distribution channels, generates a program guide consisting of those channels in a region information matching program guide generation unit 11505, and displays it on the content display unit 11501. Similar processing is performed if there is a request from the television receiver 10600.

Figure 12 shows an example of the program information with broadcast area identification of Figure 11, and is composed of broadcast area identification 12000 and program information for each service 12100.

Current content distribution by broadcasters is not distributed by region as in terrestrial broadcasting, but is distributed uniformly nationwide. Therefore, when broadcasted content is distributed over the Internet, the program information does not include broadcast region identification information. Therefore, in this invention, in order to realize content selection similar to that of broadcast wave viewing, content provider program information for distribution is generated that includes broadcast region identification information. For example, program information for each service 12100 is constructed by adding region identification information 12102, 12103 that was included in the program information for the broadcast of that service.

With this invention, the television receiver can compare the region information set in the television receiver and generate a program guide for distribution channels that have region identification information that matches that region.

Figure 13 shows an example of a program guide that uses program information that includes area identification information.

In this embodiment, the television receiver region setting 13001 is set to "Niigata," and only channels with Niigata region identification information are displayed in the program guide.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 14000 and 14100, a distribution system 14200, a stream distribution network 14300, an intermediate shared server 14400, and television receivers 14500 and 14600.

The content providing system 14000 generates program information with broadcast channel identification including broadcast channel identification information 14004 in the program information with broadcast channel identification generation unit 14005 and transmits it from the program information with content provider identification transmission unit 14008 to the receiving unit 14201 of the distribution system 14200. The distribution system 14200 transmits the program information with distributor identification from the program information with distributor identification transmission unit 14206 to the receiving unit 14401 of the intermediate shared server 14400. In response to a request from the television receiver 14500, the intermediate shared server 14400 transmits the program information with intermediate shared server identification from the program information with intermediate shared server identification transmission unit 14404 to the program information processing unit 14504 of the television receiver 14500. The program information processing unit 14504 of the television receiver 14500 compares the broadcast channel information included in the intermediate shared server identification-attached program information with the broadcast channels being received by the television receiver 14500, extracts matching distribution channels, generates a program guide consisting of those channels in the broadcast channel matching program guide generation unit 14505, and displays it on the content display unit 14501. Similar processing is performed if there is a request from the television receiver 14600.

Figure 15 shows an example of the program information with broadcast channel identification of Figure 14, and is composed of a broadcast channel identification 15000 and program information for each service 15100.

In the present invention, in order to realize content selection similar to that of viewing broadcast waves, as in the embodiment of FIG. 11, distributed content provider program information, distributor program information, or intermediate shared server program information including broadcast channel identification information is generated. For example, as shown in program information 15100 for each service, it is configured by adding channel identification information 15102, 15103 (network identification, TS (Transport Stream)) identification, service ID, etc.) on which the service was broadcast.

With this invention, a television receiver can compare the channel information received via broadcast waves stored in the television receiver with the channel information, and generate a program guide for distribution channels that have channel identification information that matches the channel information.

Fifth embodiment
FIG. 16 shows a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 16000 and 16100, a distribution system 16200, a stream distribution network 16300, an intermediate shared server 16400, and television receivers 16500 and 16600.

The content providing system 16000 transmits program information with a content provider identification from the program information transmission unit with a content provider identification 16007 to the receiving unit 16201 of the distribution system 16200. The distribution system 16200 transmits program information with a distributor identification from the program information transmission unit with a distributor identification 16206 to the receiving unit 16401 of the intermediate shared server 16400. In response to a request from the television receiver 16500, the intermediate shared server 16400 transmits program information with an intermediate shared server identification from the program information transmission unit with an intermediate shared server identification 16404 to the program information processing unit 16504 of the television receiver 16500. Similarly, in the case of a request from the television receiver 16600, the intermediate shared server transmits program information with an intermediate shared server identification to the program information processing unit 16604 of the television receiver 16600.

Based on the program information processed by the program information processing unit 16504, the television receiver 16500 generates a program guide consisting of the channels set by the channel display setting unit 16506 in the program guide generation unit 16505, and displays the program guide on the content display unit 16501.

Based on the program information processed by the program information processing unit 16604, the television receiver 16600 generates a program guide in the program guide generation unit 16605 that is composed of the channels and channel display order set in the channel display order setting unit 16606, and displays the program guide on the content display unit 16601.

Figure 17 shows an example of channel display settings and a program guide in the television receiver 16500 in Figure 16, and is composed of a channel display setting 17000 and a program guide 17100.

Current content distribution by broadcasting companies is not distributed by region as in terrestrial broadcasting, but is instead distributed uniformly nationwide. As a result, when distribution channels are displayed in program guide format, all of the many channels are displayed, making it inconvenient for viewers to search for content. Therefore, in this invention, a setting is provided in the television receiver that allows viewers to select only their preferred channels.

In the channel display setting 17000, the viewer sets the channels they want to display in the program guide (in this example, channel 1, channel 3, channel 5, channel 8, and channel 9 are selected), and only the selected channels are displayed in the program guide 17100. With this invention, the viewer can display only their preferred channels in the program guide, making it easy to find the content they want to watch.

Figure 18 shows an example of channel display order settings and a program guide in the television receiver 16600 in Figure 16, and is composed of a channel display order setting 18000 and a program guide 18100.

In the channel display order setting 18000, the viewer sets the channels they want to display in the program guide and the order in which the channels are displayed (in this example, the order is Channel 5 ⇒ Channel 3 ⇒ Channel 9 ⇒ Channel 1 ⇒ Channel 8), and by displaying the channels in the set order as shown in the program guide 18100, the viewer can easily find content.

[Appendix 1]
In a video content distribution system for distributing video content,
A distributor program information generating unit in which one or more distributors generate program information;
a distributor identification-added program information generating unit that generates program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generating unit;
a distributor identification-attached program information transmitting unit that transmits the distributor identification-attached program information to an intermediate shared server;
The intermediate shared server has an intermediate shared server program information generating unit that generates program information by integrating one or more pieces of program information with distributor identification received;
an intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit for transmitting the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A distribution system having the above configuration.

[Appendix 2]
In the distribution system of Appendix 1,
a content provider program information generator, in which one or more content providers generate program information;
a content provider identification-added program information generating unit that generates program information by adding content provider identification information to the content provider program information generated by the content provider program information generating unit;
a content provider identification-attached program information transmitting unit for transmitting the content provider identification-attached program information to a distribution system; and a distributor program information generating unit for generating program information by integrating the received one or more content provider identification-attached program information.
a distributor identification-added program information generating unit that generates program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generating unit;
a distributor identification-attached program information transmitting unit that transmits the distributor identification-attached program information to an intermediate shared server;
The intermediate shared server has an intermediate shared server program information generating unit that generates program information by integrating one or more pieces of program information with distributor identification received;
an intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit for transmitting the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A distribution system having the above configuration.

[Appendix 3]
In the distribution system of Appendix 1 or 2,
a content provider identification-attached program information intermediate shared server direct transmission unit for transmitting the content provider identification-attached program information directly to the intermediate shared server by one or more content providers;
the intermediate shared server includes an intermediate shared server program information generating unit for generating program information by integrating the received one or more content provider identification-attached program information and one or more distribution business identification-attached program information;
an intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit for transmitting the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A distribution system having the above configuration.

[Appendix 4]
In any one of the distribution systems of appendix 1 to 3,
When there are a plurality of intermediate shared servers, the intermediate shared server has an intermediate shared server identification-added program information generating unit that generates program information by adding intermediate shared server identification information to intermediate shared server program information;
a program information transmitting unit with an intermediate shared server identification for transmitting the program information with an intermediate shared server identification to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A distribution system having the above configuration.

[Appendix 5]
In any one of the distribution systems of appendix 1 to 4,
When broadcast content is distributed, the program information of the distribution content is generated by a broadcast information-added program information generating unit that generates the program information of the distribution content including information related to the broadcast (broadcast start date and time, broadcast time, etc.);
The program information includes a program attribute hierarchical structure generating unit that generates attribute information of broadcast content in a hierarchical structure;
The program information includes a content unique identification configuration unit that assigns unique values to various identifiers so that the content can be uniquely identified;
A distribution system having the above configuration.

[Appendix 6]
In any one of the distribution systems of appendix 1 to 4,
The intermediate shared server includes a program information configuration unit management unit that performs version management for each configuration unit of program information,
a program information management section that performs version management of the entire program information;
A distribution system having the above configuration.

[Appendix 7]
In a television receiver that receives program information from the distribution system of Appendix 6,
The television receiver includes a program information configuration unit management unit that performs version management for each configuration unit of program information held by the television receiver;
a program information management section that performs version management of the entire program information;
a program information processing unit for accessing the intermediate shared server, acquiring a version of the program information of the intermediate shared server, comparing the version of the program information of the intermediate shared server with the version of the program information held by the receiver, and if the comparison shows that the program information version of the television receiver is older than that of the intermediate shared server, further comparing the versions in structural units of the program information, and as a result of the comparison, the television receiver acquires program information of structural units that are older than that of the intermediate shared server, and updating the program information held by the television receiver;
A television receiver having:

[Appendix 8]
In any one of the distribution systems of appendix 1 to 6,
a broadcast region identification-attached program information generating unit for generating program information including the same region identification information as the broadcast in the content provider program information when distributing the broadcasted content;
A distribution system having the above configuration.

[Appendix 9]
A television receiver for receiving program information from the distribution system of Appendix 8,
a region information matching program guide generating unit that generates a program guide for channels matching region information set in a television receiver;
A television receiver having:

[Appendix 10]
In any one of the distribution systems of appendix 1 to 6,
a broadcast channel identification-attached program information generating unit for generating program information including the same channel identification information as that of the broadcast in the content provider program information, the distributor program information, or the intermediate shared server program information when distributing broadcast content;
A distribution system having the above configuration.

[Appendix 11]
A television receiver for receiving program information from the distribution system of Supplementary Note 10,
a broadcast channel matching program guide generating unit for generating a program guide for channels having channel identifications matching channel information of selectable broadcast waves held by the television receiver;
A television receiver having:

[Appendix 12]
In any one of the distribution systems of appendix 1 to 6,
a program guide generating unit for generating a program guide from the intermediate shared server program information or the intermediate shared server identification-added program information in the television receiver;
a channel display setting section that allows a viewer to select channels to be displayed on the program guide;
a channel display order setting unit that allows a viewer to set the order of channels to be displayed on the program guide;
A television receiver having:

1000, 1100, 2200, 3300, 4300, 6200, 9000, 9100, 11200, 14200, 16200 Distribution System
1004, 2203, 3303, 4303 Distribution company program information generation unit
1006, 2205, 3305, 4305 Distribution company identification attached program information generation unit
1007, 2206, 3306, 4306, 11206, 14206, 16206 Transmission unit for program information with distribution company identification
1300, 2400, 3500, 4500, 4600, 5301, 5302, 6400, 9300, 11400, 14400, 16400 Intermediate shared server
1303, 2403, 3503, 4503 Intermediate shared server program information generation unit
1304, 2404, 3504 Intermediate shared server program information transmission unit

Claims (12)

In a video content distribution system for distributing video content,
a distribution system including a distributor program information generating unit in which one or more distributors generate program information, a distributor program information generating unit that generates distributor program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generating unit, and a distributor program information transmitting unit that distributes the distributor program information to an intermediate shared server;
an intermediate shared server having an intermediate shared server program information generating unit that generates program information by integrating one or more pieces of program information with distributor identification received from the distribution system, and an intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit that distributes the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A video content distribution system comprising: In a video content distribution system for distributing video content,
a content provider program information generating unit for generating program information by one or more content providers, a content provider program information generating unit for generating content provider identification-attached program information by adding content provider identification information to the content provider program information generated by the content provider program information generating unit, a content provider program information transmitting unit for distributing the content provider identification-attached program information to a distributor, a distributor program information generating unit for generating program information by integrating the one or more content provider identification-attached program information received by the distributor, a distributor program information generating unit for generating distributor identification-attached program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generating unit, and a distributor program information transmitting unit for distributing the distributor identification-attached program information to an intermediate shared server;
an intermediate shared server having an intermediate shared server program information generating unit that generates program information by integrating one or more pieces of program information with distributor identification received from the distribution system, and an intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit that distributes the intermediate shared server program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A video content distribution system comprising: 3. The video content distribution system according to claim 2,
The distribution system includes a content provider identification-attached program information intermediate shared server direct transmission unit for directly delivering the content provider identification-attached program information to the intermediate shared server from one or more content providers;
The intermediate shared server includes an intermediate shared server program information generating unit that generates program information by integrating the received one or more content provider identification-attached program information and one or more distribution business identification-attached program information, and an intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit that distributes the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver.
A video content distribution system comprising: 2. The video content distribution system according to claim 1,
When there are a plurality of intermediate shared servers, the intermediate shared server has an intermediate shared server identification-added program information generating unit that generates intermediate shared server identification-added program information by adding intermediate shared server identification information to the intermediate shared server program information;
a program information transmitting unit with an intermediate shared server identification for transmitting the program information with an intermediate shared server identification to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver;
A video content distribution system comprising: 5. The video content distribution system according to claim 1,
When distributing broadcasted content, the content providing system includes a broadcast information-added program information generating unit that generates program information of the content to be distributed including information related to the broadcast (such as broadcast start date and time, broadcast time, etc.);
The program information includes a program attribute hierarchical structure generating unit that generates attribute information of broadcast content in a hierarchical structure;
The program information includes a content unique identification configuration unit that assigns unique values to various identifiers so that the content can be uniquely identified;
A video content distribution system comprising: 5. The video content distribution system according to claim 1,
The intermediate shared server includes a program information configuration unit management unit that performs version management for each configuration unit of program information;
a program information management section that performs version management of the entire program information;
A video content distribution system comprising: A television receiver for receiving program information from the video content distribution system according to claim 6,
The television receiver includes a program information configuration unit management unit that performs version management for each configuration unit of program information stored in the television receiver;
a program information management section that performs version management of the entire program information;
a program information processing unit for accessing the intermediate shared server, acquiring a version of the program information of the intermediate shared server, comparing the version of the program information of the intermediate shared server with the version of the program information held by the receiver, and if the comparison shows that the program information version of the television receiver is older than that of the intermediate shared server, further comparing the versions in structural units of the program information, and as a result of the comparison, the television receiver acquires the program information of the structural unit that is older than that of the intermediate shared server, and updating the program information held by the television receiver;
A television receiver comprising: 5. The video content distribution system according to claim 1,
a broadcast region identification-attached program information generating unit that generates program information including the same region identification information as the broadcast in the content provider program information when the distribution system distributes the broadcasted content;
A video content distribution system comprising: A television receiver for receiving program information from the video content distribution system according to claim 8,
a region information matching program guide generating unit that generates a program guide for channels matching region information set in a television receiver;
A television receiver comprising: 5. The video content distribution system according to claim 1,
a broadcast channel identification-attached program information generating unit for generating program information including the same channel identification information as that of the broadcast in the content provider program information, the distributor program information, or the intermediate shared server program information when distributing broadcast content;
A video content distribution system comprising: A television receiver for receiving program information from the video content distribution system according to claim 10,
a broadcast channel matching program guide generating unit for generating a program guide for channels having channel identifications matching channel information of selectable broadcast waves held by the television receiver;
A television receiver comprising: A television receiver for receiving program information from the video content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
a program guide generating unit for generating a program guide from the intermediate shared server program information or the intermediate shared server identification-added program information in the television receiver;
a channel display setting unit that allows a viewer to select channels to be displayed in the program guide;
a channel display order setting unit that allows a user to set an order of channels to be displayed in the program guide;
A television receiver comprising:

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