JP4544627B2 - Content distribution method, server, and user terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution method, a server, and a user terminal for distributing content to user terminals, and more particularly to a content distribution method, a server, and a user terminal for collectively transmitting a plurality of contents to a user terminal.

  In recent years, mobile phones are used not only for telephone calls but also for sending and receiving e-mails and for WEB browsing. The mobile phone can download contents such as music, games, electronic comics, and moving images. The mobile phone functions as a player that plays downloaded music, functions as a game machine that executes downloaded games, functions as an electronic book that displays downloaded electronic comics, and plays a downloaded video Function as.

  Techniques related to the present invention include the following.

  For example, the content distribution apparatus automatically synthesizes a plurality of contents with a layout set in advance in the layout specification data to generate one composite data file, and should be arranged for each content data on the content distribution side There is a technique in which the position need not be specified, and the labor of creating the distribution data can be saved (for example, refer to paragraph 42 of Patent Document 1).

  Further, there is a technique in which a user terminal device receives a metafile, receives a plurality of contents described in the metafile from different content distribution server devices, and continuously plays back the contents (for example, (See Patent Document 2, paragraphs 35 to 39).

  In addition, there is a technology in which a user of a mobile device can zap a plurality of channels by pressing the left and right keys when the server pushes content contracted to the mobile device (for example, non-transmission). (See Patent Document 1).

Furthermore, there is a technique for regularly distributing program data registered by a user to a mobile phone from midnight to early morning on a fixed day of the week (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-310326 A JP 2003-271491 A “Flash broadcasting for mobile phones? What is“ Flash Cast ”?” November 4, 2004, Internet <URL: http://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0411/04/news003. html, http://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0411/04/news003_2.html> “EZ Channel”, December 15, 2004, Internet <URL: http://www.au.kddi.com/ezweb/au_dakara/ez_channel/index.html, http://www.au.kddi.com /ezweb/au_dakara/ez_channel/contents/tanoshimikata.html>

  However, the user enjoys the content when he / she wakes up, but during the time when the user wakes up, the telephone network is used for calling, sending mail, and sending a WEB page. Therefore, if many user terminals download content while the user is getting up, the line capacity for calling, sending mail, and sending a WEB page will be reduced. In particular, when a service for downloading contents of a plurality of channels to a large number of user terminals is provided, such pressure cannot be ignored.

  Further, according to the invention described in Non-Patent Document 1, by updating the contents for each channel, channels having different update frequencies can be downloaded separately.

  Furthermore, according to the invention described in Non-Patent Document 2, the update timing is midnight or early morning, but the content is downloaded to the user terminal for each channel.

  Furthermore, according to the invention described in Non-Patent Document 1, since the content is stored as a cache in the user terminal, the back number cannot be enjoyed.

  However, when content is downloaded to the user terminal for each channel, the processing is not efficient because a series of download sequences must be executed each time each channel is downloaded.

  Further, when content is downloaded to the user terminal for each channel, the content file exists for each channel, so the back number management process becomes complicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution method, a server, and a user terminal that can download contents of a plurality of channels to a user terminal without complicating necessary processing.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution method, a server, and a user terminal that facilitate back number management.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a content distribution method for distributing content of a plurality of channels to a user terminal, a server generates content in a multi-part format by combining the contents of the plurality of channels. And a step of adding a part of an index including a hyperlink to each part to the multi-part format content, and the server adding the multi-part format content to the user terminal. Transmitting, the user terminal receiving the multi-part format content from the server, and the user terminal storing the multi-part format content, the user terminal Stores the multi-part content. Is performed each time the user terminal receives the multi-part format content from the server, the multi-part format content is stored in the user terminal, and the user terminal A step of displaying a screen for selecting any of the multi-part format contents, and which multi-part format is detected by the user terminal detecting an operation on the screen Detecting the content of the selected multi-part format, the user terminal displaying the index part included in the selected multi-part content, and the user terminal A part included in part-type content, and in the part of the index Content distribution method characterized by further comprising the step of displaying those constant, is provided.

  In the content distribution method, the server transmits the location information of the multi-part content to the user terminal, and the user terminal receives the location information from the server. The user terminal further using the location information to transmit a request for transmission of the multi-part format content to the server, wherein the server transmits the multi-part format content to the server. The step of transmitting to the user terminal may be performed when the server receives the request.

  In the above content distribution method, the server transmits a program name to the user terminal, the user terminal receives the name from the server, and the user terminal has the name. And the step of transmitting the multi-part format content transmission request to the server by the user terminal using the location information. A request for transmitting the multi-part content may be transmitted to the server using the location information.

  In the above content distribution method, the server transmits the location information to the user terminal, the user terminal receives the location information from the server, and the user terminal The step of transmitting the multi-part format content transmission request to the server using the location information, and the step of transmitting the multi-part format content to the user terminal are specified. It may be performed during the time period.

  In the above content distribution method, the specific time zone may be a time zone in which the traffic volume in the mobile telephone network is a predetermined value or less.

  In the content distribution method, the specific time zone may be a late night or early morning time zone.

  In the above content distribution method, the user terminal transmits a request for transmitting the multi-part format content to the server using the location information, and the server includes the multi-part format You may make it perform again the step which transmits a content to the said user terminal according to the request | requirement from a user.

  In the above content distribution method, when the total capacity of the plurality of stored multi-part format contents exceeds a predetermined value, the total capacity of the one or more stored multi-part format contents May further include a step of deleting one or more of the multi-part format contents in order of the stored date and time until the value becomes less than the predetermined value.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the server generates a multi-part format content by collecting the contents of a plurality of channels, and the server adds the multi-part format content to each part. Adding a part of an index including a hyperlink to the server, means for receiving the multi-part content generated from the server, and means for storing the multi-part content . The means for storing the multi-part format content is a user terminal that operates each time the multi-part format content is received from the server and stores a plurality of multi-part format content. Multipart content in any of the multipart content Included in the selected multi-part format content, a means for displaying a screen for selecting an image, a means for detecting which multi-part format content has been selected by detecting an operation on the screen wherein means for displaying the part of the index, a part included in the content of said selected multi-part form, and means for displaying the one specified in the part of the index, the further comprising Rukoto a that A user terminal is provided .

  According to the present invention, the contents of a plurality of channels are collected together to obtain a multi-part format content, and the multi-part format content is distributed. Therefore, the contents of the plurality of channels are downloaded to the user terminal. The processing at the time of processing is not unnecessarily complicated, and the management of the back number is facilitated.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system for performing a content distribution method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, in this communication system, a RAN (Radio Access Network) 103, a user terminal (for example, a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal computer) 101 and a casting server 102, SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) 104, GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) 105, and communication path via WPG (WAP Gateway) 106; RAN 103, MSC (Mobile Service Switching Center) 107, SMS-C (Short Message Service Center) 108 and PPG (Push Proxy Gateway) ) 109 communication path Is established.

  SGSN 104 and MSC 107 are connected to an HLR (Home Location Register) 110.

  In addition, the casting server 102 includes a Subs. A DB (Subscribers Database) 111 is connected. Further, the casting server 102 includes CP (Contents Provider) -1, CP-2, CP-3, CP-4,... (Reference numerals 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, ...) are connected.

  CP-1, CP-2, CP-3, CP-4,... (Reference numerals 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4,...) It is held or generated and supplied to the casting server 102.

  Subs. The DB 111 stores, for each contractor, information as to whether or not a contract for receiving a content distribution service has been concluded, and if so, identification information of a channel that is desired to be distributed. ing.

  The casting server 102 is subs. Based on the information stored in the DB 111, CP-1, CP-2, CP-3, CP-4,... (Reference numerals 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4,... The contents and index parts of each channel supplied from () are combined to generate multi-part content, which is distributed to the user terminal 101.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an application and the like of the user terminal 101.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a casting application 122, a casting data folder 123, a browser 124, a media player 125, and a mailer 126 are present in the upper layer of the WAP 2.0 communication unit 121.

  The casting application 122 communicates with the casting server 102 to download and manage content. The casting data folder 123 stores a plurality of multi-part contents. A plurality of multi-part content includes a back number.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of content for each channel and each day of the week.

  Referring to FIG. 3, there are channels A to U as channels. Channels A to I are small content channels, and the content capacity is limited to 100 kilobytes or less. Channels Z to U are large-capacity content channels, and the content capacity is limited to 500 kilobytes or less.

  For example, some channels distribute content on all days of the week, such as channels A to E, while other channels distribute content only on some days of the week, such as other channels.

  When the user has concluded a contract for receiving content distribution, the user selects one or more channels to be distributed. In the example of FIG. 3, the user has selected channels C, F, G, H, Z, and Y.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for generating multi-part content.

  As an example, the channels selected by the user are channels C, F, G, H, Z, and Y. The casting server 102 collects the content of these channels and generates one content in a multi-part format. Further, the casting server 102 generates an index page including hyperlinks to other parts, and adds the index page as one part to the multi-part format content.

  Note that a part of a channel having no content to be distributed on the day of the week may be omitted.

  The casting server 102 delivers one multi-part type content thus obtained to the user terminal every day.

  Distribution is performed at a specific time. The specific time zone may be, for example, a time zone in which the traffic volume in the mobile telephone network is a predetermined value or less. Alternatively, the specific time zone may be a late night or early morning time zone. As a late night or early morning time zone, for example, a time zone that starts at any time between 9 pm and 4 am and continues for a predetermined period of 10 hours or less and ends by 7 am at the latest May be selected. By selecting a specific time zone in this way, it is possible to avoid pressing down the line capacity for other communications (communication for calls, mail, WEB browsing, etc.).

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for content distribution.

Referring to FIG. 5, the casting server 102 uses SMS (Short Message Service),
Push (SL: Application ID = x-wap-application: casting.ua
(href = http://www.vodafone.com/cast/20041015.html)
Is transmitted to the user terminal 101 via the PPG 109. Here, SL is an abbreviation for service loading, and x-wap-application: casting.ua is the name of the casting application 122 to be activated by this message, http: // www. vodafone.com/cast/20041015.html is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which is the location information of the multi-part format content to be distributed today. The server having this URL is the casting server 102. However, another server may be used as long as the content to be distributed is stored.

  Next, the casting application 122 is started, and the casting application 122 establishes a TCP session with the casting server 102, and http://www.vodafone.com is transmitted to the casting server 102. Request transmission of one multi-part format content indicated by /cast/20041015.html. In response to this request, the casting server 102 transmits one multi-part format content indicated by http://www.vodafone.com/cast/20041015.html to the casting application 122.

  By combining the contents of multiple channels into one multi-part content, if the communication of the sequence shown in FIG. The content of the selected channel can be distributed to the user terminal. On the other hand, if the contents are distributed for each channel without collecting the contents of a plurality of channels, communication of the sequence shown in FIG. 5 or a sequence similar to this is performed for the selected number of channels per day. Need arises. Therefore, the former which is this embodiment can improve the efficiency of communication compared with the latter.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a content management method by the casting application 122.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the casting application 122 accumulates multi-part format contents in a casting data folder 123 in a FIFO (First-In First-Out) format. To do. If the content of the latest multi-part format is added to the casting data folder 123 by capacity calculation, and it is determined that the casting data folder 123 overflows, the oldest multi-part format stored date and time Delete the contents of. FIG. 6 shows that when the content of the multi-part format for October 15, 2004 is added to the casting data folder 123, the casting data folder 123 overflows, and for October 8, 2004. It shows an example of deleting the multi-part format content.

  If the overflow is not solved even if the oldest stored multi-part content is deleted, the next old multi-part content is deleted.

  As described with reference to FIG. 3, an upper limit is set for the content capacity of each channel. Therefore, considering this, it is possible to limit the number of channels that the user can select so that the total capacity does not exceed a predetermined capacity. Therefore, after setting such a limit, the capacity of the casting data folder 123 is set to a capacity obtained by multiplying the predetermined capacity by the guaranteed accumulation days, so that the user can accumulate the back number. The number of days can be guaranteed.

  If the capacity of the casting data folder 123 is surplus, the back number that has passed the guaranteed accumulation days may be left in the casting data folder 123.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method by which the casting application 122 selects content and passes it to the browser 124.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the casting application 122 reads the latest content or one of one or more back numbers selected by the user from the casting data folder 123 as one multi-part content. This is passed to the browser 124. When passing to the browser 124, the multi-part content is stored as a single file in a buffer (not shown).

  In order for the browser 124 to read the index page, the part to be read first by the browser 124 is designated in the header part of the multi-part format content.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of specific description contents of multi-part format content.

  In the first line, “boundary” is designated as a character string that becomes a boundary between parts. Then, “—boundary” is described at the part boundary. The index page describes hyperlinks to the contents of each channel (for example, <a href=“ch-c.html” horoscope</a>).

  On the third line, “index.htm” is designated as the name of the part that the browser should read first. In the seventh line included in the index page, “index.htm” is described as the name of the part of the index page. As described above, using these, the browser first reads the index page.

  FIG. 9 shows the transition of the screen when the user selects the content of the horoscope channel from the latest multi-part format content.

  The casting application 122 displays a casting menu 131. When the user selects the latest content 131 a, the casting application 122 reads the latest content from the casting data folder 123 as one multi-part format content and passes it to the browser 124. When passing to the browser 124, the multi-part content is stored as a single file in a buffer (not shown). Then, the browser 124 displays the index page 132. In order for the browser 124 to read the index page, the part to be read first by the browser 124 is designated in the header part of the multi-part format content. When the user selects the horoscope item 132a, the content of the horoscope channel in the latest content is read based on the hyperlink information set in this item, and the horoscope page is based on this. 133 is displayed. In the horoscope page, if an item associated with hyperlink information to a part included in multi-part content is selected, it jumps to that part and goes to the WWW server connected to the Internet. If an item associated with information for hyperlinking to a stored page is selected, the page jumps to that page.

  FIG. 10 shows the transition of the screen when the user selects the content of the horoscope channel from the multi-part format content that is the back number.

  The casting application 122 displays a casting menu 131. When the user selects the back number 131b, the casting application 122 displays a back number menu 134. When the user selects the item 134a dated 10/10/2004, the casting application 122 reads the content 10/10/2004 from the casting data folder 123 as a single multi-part content, Is passed to the browser 124. When passing to the browser 124, the multi-part content is stored as a single file in a buffer (not shown). Then, the browser 124 displays the index page 135. In order for the browser 124 to read the index page, the part to be read first by the browser 124 is specified in the header part of the multi-part format content. When the user selects the horoscope item 135a, based on the hyperlink information set in this item, the content of the horoscope channel out of the content of October 10, 2004 is read out. A page (not shown) similar to the horoscope page 133 is displayed.

  A series of communication sequences shown in FIG. 5 is performed in a specific time period as described above, and if the communication is successful, the browser can display all the parts of the latest content. However, for example, due to a bad radio wave situation, the communication of the series of sequences shown in FIG. 5 does not necessarily end successfully in a specific time zone. In the case of failure, for example, the user can recognize the failure because the content of a certain channel cannot be displayed. In order to cope with such a case, the latest content can be downloaded to the user terminal by a user operation even after a specific time period has elapsed. You may or may not charge for this download. If it is assumed that the user is charged for such a download outside of a specific time, the latest content can be downloaded to the user terminal by user operation, not automatically, When the user terminal displays a screen that allows the user to know that the user is charged when performing the operation, a situation in which the user is inadvertently charged for the download can be avoided.

  FIG. 11 shows a screen for starting to download the latest content to the user terminal by the user's operation. When the user selects the update item 141a on the screen 141 for displaying channel selection or the like, a series of sequence communication as shown in FIG. 12 is started. In the example of FIG. 11, charging for this communication is displayed. The user can see that this screen is charged for re-downloading.

The sequence shown in FIG. 12 uses SMS from the casting server 102 to the user terminal 101 shown in FIG.
Push (SL: Application ID = x-wap-application: casting.ua
(href = http://www.vodafone.com/cast/20041015.html)
This message is based on the premise that the message has been successfully transmitted. Compared with the sequence shown in FIG. 5, only the message transmission is deleted. If the transmission of this message has not ended, the user terminal 101 performs communication with the casting server 102 to request the casting server 102 to transmit this message. The communication shown in the sequence shown is performed again.

  The present invention can be used for distributing content to user terminals.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system for performing the content delivery method by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the application of a user terminal by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the content for every channel and every day of the week by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for generating multi-part content according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram showing the procedure for the content delivery by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the management method of the content by the casting application by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the method for the casting application by embodiment of this invention to select a content and to pass to a browser. It is the figure which showed an example of the specific description content of the content of the multipart format by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the transition of a screen when the user selects the content of the horoscope channel among the contents of the latest multi-part format by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the transition of a screen when the user selects the content of the horoscope channel among the contents of the multi part format which is a back number according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen for starting downloading the newest content to a user terminal by operation of the user by embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram showing the procedure for downloading the newest content to a user terminal by operation of the user by embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 User terminal (UT)
102 Casting Server 103 Radio Access Network (RAN)
104 Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)
105 Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)
106 WAP / Gateway (WPG)
107 Mobile Service Switching Center (MSC)
108 Short Message Service Center (SMS-C)
109 Push Proxy Gateway (PPG)
110 Home Location Register (HLR)
111 Contractor Database (Subs.DB)
112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4 Content Provider (CP)
122 Casting application 123 Casting data folder 124 Browser

Claims (9)

In a content distribution method for distributing content of a plurality of channels to a user terminal,
A server collecting the contents of the plurality of channels to generate multi-part content;
The server adding an index part including hyperlinks to each part to the multi-part content;
The server transmitting the multi-part content to the user terminal;
The user terminal receiving the multi-part content from the server;
The user terminal storing the multi-part content;
With
The step of storing the multi-part format content by the user terminal is performed each time the user terminal receives the multi-part format content from the server.・ Part-format content is stored,
The user terminal displaying a screen for selecting any one of a plurality of multi-part format contents;
Detecting which multi-part format content is selected by the user terminal detecting an operation on the screen;
The user terminal displaying an index part included in the selected multi-part format content;
The user terminal displaying a part included in the selected content of the multi-part format and designated in the part of the index; and
A content distribution method further comprising : The content distribution method according to claim 1,
The server sending location information of the multi-part content to the user terminal;
The user terminal receiving the location information from the server;
The user terminal using the location information to send a request to send the multi-part content to the server;
Further comprising
The content delivery method characterized in that the step of the server transmitting the multi-part format content to the user terminal is performed when the server receives the request. The content distribution method according to claim 2,
The server transmitting the name of the program to the user terminal;
The user terminal receiving the name from the server;
The user terminal starting a program having the name;
Further comprising
In the step in which the user terminal transmits a request for transmitting the multi-part format content to the server using the location information, the activated program uses the location information to A content distribution method, wherein a request for transmission of content in a part format is transmitted to the server. The content distribution method according to claim 2,
The server transmitting the location information to the user terminal;
The user terminal receiving the location information from the server;
The user terminal using the location information to send a request to send the multi-part content to the server;
The server transmitting the multi-part content to the user terminal;
Is a content distribution method characterized by being performed in a specific time zone. The content distribution method according to claim 4,
The content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the specific time period is a time period in which a traffic amount in the mobile telephone network is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The content distribution method according to claim 4,
The content distribution method, wherein the specific time zone is a late night or early morning time zone. The content distribution method according to claim 2,
The user terminal using the location information to send a request to send the multi-part content to the server;
The server transmitting the multi-part content to the user terminal;
Is performed again according to the request from the user. The content distribution method according to claim 1,
When the total capacity of the plurality of stored multi-part format contents exceeds a predetermined value, the total capacity of the one or more stored multi-part format contents is less than the predetermined value. The content delivery method further comprising the step of deleting one or a plurality of contents of the multi-part format in order from the oldest stored date and time. The server generates a multi-part content by combining the contents of a plurality of channels, and the server adds an index part including a hyperlink to each part to the multi-part content. And means for receiving the multi-part content generated by the server from the server;
Means for storing the multi-part content;
With
The means for storing the multi-part format content operates every time the multi-part format content is received from the server, and is a user terminal in which a plurality of multi-part format content is stored.
Means for displaying a screen for selecting any one of a plurality of multi-part format contents;
Means for detecting which multi-part format content has been selected by detecting an operation on the screen;
Means for displaying the part of the index contained in the selected multi-part content;
Means for displaying the parts included in the selected multi-part format content specified in the part of the index;
A user terminal further comprising:

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