JP4146179B2 - Image distribution system and image distribution method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image distribution system and an image distribution method for distributing an image to a user in a system in which a user terminal and an image distribution server are connected via a communication network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, with the spread of the Internet, various distribution services for various information such as moving images and still images on the Internet have been provided.
[0003]
In such a distribution service, a user uses a terminal to access a service provider's site on the Internet, and selects desired image information from image information such as moving images and still images provided on the site. Can be downloaded. The moving image and still image information downloaded in this way are stored in a predetermined folder in the terminal and can be appropriately reproduced by the user.
[0004]
In this case, the reproduced image is usually reproduced on a background image prepared by the user or preset by the OS (operating system).
[0005]
Recently, various background designs such as illustrations and photographs that can be pasted on the background of a browser, so-called skin display designs, have been provided. Therefore, the user can freely change the setting of the display design as the background image by downloading the desired skin from the provided skins to the browser.
[0006]
In other words, conventionally, a downloaded moving image or the like is reproduced and enjoyed on the skin set by the user in this way.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the above-described conventional distribution service, when a user desires information such as a moving image or a still image, the user selects and downloads desired information from a site that provides the information, and is a background image. If a skin is desired, the skin is downloaded from a site that provides the skin.
[0008]
That is, there is currently no service for simultaneously downloading image information such as a moving image or still image as main information and a skin as a background image in association with each other.
[0009]
On the other hand, for a company that wants to distribute advertisements by moving images on the Internet, for example, if the user can play the advertising moving image on the terminal and display the skin that matches the scene of the moving image. , Advertising effectiveness will be higher. Therefore, a distribution service in such a form has been demanded.
[0010]
The present invention was devised by paying attention to such a point, and its purpose is to simultaneously download image information such as a moving image or still image as main information and a skin as a background image in association with each other and reproduce the main information. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image distribution system and an image distribution method that can display a displayed skin as a background image.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image distribution system of the present invention is an image distribution system configured such that a user terminal and an image distribution server are connected via a communication network, and the image distribution server displays image information to be distributed and the image information. The background information which is the background of the time is stored in the image database in association with a unique key code, and the image information and the background information associated with the key code are stored based on a distribution request for the image information from the user terminal. The image information is reproduced on the display screen of the background information that is distributed to the user terminal and associated by the key code. In this case, the image information is, for example, moving image information, and the background information is still image information. The key code is embedded in the header portion of the image information, and the background information includes information for reproducing only the image information having the key code.
[0012]
According to the present invention having such characteristics, when the user accesses the image distribution server using the user terminal and selects desired image information, the image distribution server extracts the selected image information from the image database. In this case, the background information associated with the key code is extracted together, and the extracted image information and background information are distributed to the user terminal.
[0013]
In the user terminal, the distributed image information is stored in an image file, and the background information is stored in a skin file. Then, the skin, which is background information associated with the key code, is read out from the skin file and reproduced, and the image information associated with the key code is read out from the image file and reproduced on the reproduction screen. Thus, when the downloaded image information is reproduced, the skin associated with the image information is always reproduced, and the image information is reproduced on the skin.
[0014]
The image distribution system of the present invention is an image distribution system having a configuration in which a user terminal and an image distribution server are connected via a communication network, and the image distribution server receives image information to be distributed and the image information. The drawing data as the background for display and the background information consisting of control data are associated with a unique key code and stored in the image database, and based on a distribution request for image information from the user terminal, associated with the key code. The image data and the drawing data in the background information are distributed to the user terminal, the drawing data is downloaded to the temporary storage area of the user terminal and the control data is executed. The drawing data is temporarily saved as control data is executed Reproduced is read out from the rear, the image information is characterized in that it is reproduced by the reproduction screen.
[0015]
The image distribution method of the present invention is a method of distributing an image to a user in a system in which a user terminal and an image distribution server are connected via a communication network, and the image is distributed to an image database of the image distribution server. Image information and background information that is the background when displaying the image information are stored in association with a unique key code, and the background information includes drawing data and control data. The image distribution server receives an information distribution request, and extracts image information associated with the key code based on the received distribution request and drawing data in background information from the image database to the user terminal. And the drawing data is stored in the temporary storage area of the user terminal. Downloading and executing the control data, and reading and reproducing the drawing data from the temporary storage area as the control data is executed in the user terminal, and reproducing the image information on the reproduction screen; It is characterized by having.
[0016]
According to the present invention having such characteristics, when the user accesses the image distribution server using the user terminal and selects desired image information, the image distribution server extracts the selected image information from the image database. In this case, only the drawing data in the background information associated by the key code is extracted together, and the extracted image information and the drawing data of the background information are distributed to the user terminal, and the control data of the background information is Execute.
[0017]
In the user terminal, the distributed image information is stored in an image file, and drawing data as background information is stored in a TEMP file as a temporary storage area. As the control data is executed, the skin, which is the background information associated with the key code, is read from the TEMP file and played, and the image information associated with the key code is read from the image file on the playback screen. To play. Thus, when the downloaded image information is reproduced, the skin associated with the image information is always reproduced, and the image information is reproduced on the skin.
[0018]
Here, according to the present invention, only the drawing data of the skin is stored in the TEMP file instead of the skin file of the user terminal. In other words, the skin is not downloaded to the skin file folder but managed on the image distribution server side. This makes it possible to arbitrarily change the skin, upgrade the version, etc. for the convenience of the administrator without bothering the user. Further, it is possible to prevent a problem that the key code is easily analyzed.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image distribution system for realizing the image distribution method of the present invention.
[0021]
The image distribution system of the present invention has a configuration in which user terminals 1, 1... And the image distribution server 2 are connected via a communication network N such as the Internet.
[0022]
The image distribution server 2 includes a Web server 21 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the user terminal 1 over the Internet, a distribution server 22 for distributing, for example, moving image data as image information in response to a distribution request, and moving image data to be distributed. Is stored in the image database 23.
[0023]
The image database 23 stores moving image data to be distributed and a skin, which is background information for displaying the moving image data, in association with a unique key code.
[0024]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the image database 23. The moving image data A and the skin A ′ are associated by one key code xxx, and the moving image data B and the skin B ′ are associated by another one key code ΔΔΔ. Here, the moving image data is stored after being compressed by, for example, the MPEG method. The skin (.wmz) includes “drawing data (.bmp, .ls, .gif, etc.)” and “control data (.wms, etc.)” compressed by the ZIP method.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the key code is embedded as copyright information 29 in the header portion 28 added to the head of the moving image data A. On the other hand, the same key code is embedded in the drawing data in the skin, and the function for interpreting the key code (copyright information 29) is implemented in the control data. Only moving image data A having a code is reproduced.
[0026]
Next, in the image distribution system having the above-described configuration, an example of processing operation when an arbitrary user requests video distribution using the user terminal 1 equipped with a Web browser will be described as Example 1 and Example 2. Separately described.
[0027]
[Example 1]
The processing operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the display screen examples shown in FIGS.
[0028]
When an arbitrary user accesses the image distribution server 2 on the Internet using his / her user terminal 1, the image distribution server 2 transmits a moving image reproduction request screen 31 in, for example, an HTML format to the user terminal 1. The user clicks a selection button 31a (shown as “click!” In the drawing) 31a displayed on the moving image reproduction request screen 31 to make a reproduction request. However, in this example, it is assumed that a reproduction request for one moving image data (for example, moving image data A) is made by clicking.
[0029]
In response to this reproduction request, the image distribution server 2 extracts the requested moving image data A from the image database 23. At this time, the image distribution server 2 extracts the skin A ′ associated with the key code XXX together, and distributes the extracted moving image data A from the distribution server 22 to the user terminal 1 via the communication network N. At the same time, the skin A ′ is distributed to the user terminal 1 via the communication network N.
[0030]
In the user terminal 1, the distributed moving image data A is stored in the image file in the designated folder, and the skin A ′ is saved in the skin file in the designated folder. Then, the control data of the skin A ′ is executed to reproduce the drawing data, and on the reproduction screen, the moving image data A associated by the key code xxx is read from the image file and reproduced.
[0031]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen of the user terminal 1 before requesting reproduction of a moving image, and FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen when the distributed moving image data is displayed.
[0032]
That is, assume that the skin of the display screen of the user terminal 1 before requesting the playback of the moving image is, for example, the illustration image 33 (FIG. 4) preset by the user, and the moving image data A requested by the user is, for example, a car running If the image 34 being played and the skin A ′ associated therewith are the forest image 35, as shown in FIG. A certain skin is also switched from the illustration image 33 to the forest image 35.
[0033]
When the reproduction of the moving image data A is finished, the display of the skin A ′ is finished and the illustration image 33 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed again on the background image.
[0034]
As described above, according to the present invention, when the downloaded moving image data is reproduced, the skin associated with the moving image data is always reproduced, and the moving image data is reproduced on the skin. Therefore, an advertiser who desires to register moving image data in the image distribution server 2 can display the skin corresponding to the scene of the moving image while reproducing the advertising moving image on the user terminal 1. Therefore, higher advertising effectiveness can be expected.
[0035]
[Example 2]
The processing operation of the second embodiment will be described.
[0036]
When an arbitrary user accesses the image distribution server 2 on the Internet using his / her user terminal 1, the image distribution server 2 transmits a moving image reproduction request screen 31 in, for example, an HTML format to the user terminal 1. The user clicks a selection button 31a (shown as “click!” In the drawing) 31a displayed on the moving image reproduction request screen 31 to make a reproduction request. However, in this example, it is assumed that a reproduction request for one moving image data (for example, moving image data A) is made by clicking.
[0037]
In response to this reproduction request, the image distribution server 2 extracts the requested moving image data A from the image database 23. At this time, the image distribution server 2 extracts only the drawing data portion in the skin A ′ associated with the key code xxx and extracts the extracted moving image data A from the distribution server 22 through the communication network N. Via the user terminal 1. In addition, the drawing data of the skin A ′ is distributed to the user terminal 1 via the communication network N, and the control data of the skin A ′ is executed via the communication network N. Here, the moving image data A and the skin A ′ are executable files registered in an OS (for example, Windows: a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) installed in the user terminal 1.
[0038]
Accordingly, the user terminal 1 stores the distributed moving image data A in the image file of the designated folder, while the drawing data of the skin A ′ is stored in the TEMP file that is a temporary storage area. Then, along with the execution of the control data from the image distribution server 2, the stored drawing data is read from the TEMP file and reproduced, and the moving image data A associated by the key code xxx is displayed on the reproduction screen as an image file. Read from and play.
[0039]
That is, the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the image distribution server 2 designates all drawing data and control data constituting the skin A ′ to the user terminal 1 in response to a video playback request from the user. Or the control data is managed on the image management server 2 side, and only the drawing data is downloaded to the TEMP file that is the temporary storage area of the user terminal 1 (embodiment 2). It is.
[0040]
Thus, when the downloaded moving image data is reproduced, the skin associated with the moving image data is always reproduced, and the moving image data is reproduced on the skin. Therefore, an advertiser who desires to register moving image data in the image distribution server 2 can display the skin corresponding to the scene of the moving image while reproducing the advertising moving image on the user terminal 1. Therefore, higher advertising effectiveness can be expected.
[0041]
In the second embodiment, the drawing data of the skin is stored not in the skin file of the user terminal 1 but in the TEMP file. That is, the skin is not downloaded to the skin file folder but managed on the image distribution server 2 side. This makes it possible to arbitrarily change the skin, upgrade the version, etc. for the convenience of the administrator without bothering the user. Further, it is possible to prevent a problem that the key code is easily analyzed.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, moving image data is taken as an example of main information, but the present invention is not limited to moving image data, and the present invention can be applied to still image data.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the image distribution system and the image distribution method of the present invention, image information such as a moving image or a still image is associated with a skin that is a background image and downloaded simultaneously, and the associated skin is matched as a background image when reproducing the image information. For example, the main information is an advertisement video, and when this advertisement video is played on the user terminal, the skin suitable for the scene of the video can be displayed together. A higher advertising effect can be expected. In addition, according to the image distribution system and the image distribution method of the present invention, since the skin is not downloaded to the skin file folder of the user terminal and is managed on the image distribution server side, the skin is not troubled by the user. Can be arbitrarily changed or upgraded at the convenience of the administrator. Further, it is possible to prevent a problem that the key code is easily analyzed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image distribution system for realizing an image distribution method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image database.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of moving image data.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the user terminal before requesting moving image reproduction;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen when displaying distributed moving image data.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 User terminal 2 Image distribution server 21 Web server 22 Distribution server 23 Image database N Communication network (Internet etc.)

Claims (5)

An image distribution system having a configuration in which a user terminal and an image distribution server are connected via a communication network,
The image distribution server associates image information to be distributed with background information as a background when the image information is displayed by associating the image information with a unique key code and stores the image information in the image database. The image information and background information associated by the key code is distributed to the user terminal,
In the user terminal, the image information is reproduced on a display screen of background information associated with the key code. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the image information is moving image information, and the background information is still image information. The image according to claim 1, wherein the key code is embedded in a header portion of the image information, and the background information includes information for reproducing only image information having the key code. Distribution system. An image distribution system having a configuration in which a user terminal and an image distribution server are connected via a communication network,
The image distribution server associates image information to be distributed with background information including drawing data and control data as a background when the image information is displayed with a unique key code and stores the image information in the image database. The image information associated by the key code and the drawing data in the background information are distributed to the user terminal based on the image information distribution request from the user, and the drawing data is downloaded to the temporary storage area of the user terminal. And execute the control data,
In the user terminal, the drawing data is read out from the temporary storage area and reproduced as the control data is executed, and the image information is reproduced on the reproduction screen. A method for delivering an image to a user in a system in which a user terminal and an image delivery server are connected via a communication network,
In the image database of the image distribution server, image information to be distributed and background information as a background when displaying the image information are stored in association with a unique key code, and the background information and drawing data are stored. Control data,
The image distribution server accepting a distribution request for image information from the user terminal;
Based on the received distribution request, the image information associated with the key code and the drawing data in the background information are extracted from the image database and distributed to the user terminal. The drawing data is temporarily stored in the user terminal. Downloading to the area and executing the control data;
An image distribution method comprising: a step of reading out the drawing data from the temporary storage area and playing it back in response to execution of the control data in the user terminal, and playing back the image information on the playback screen. .

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