JP5222585B2 - Content distribution system, distribution server, and content distribution method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system for distributing content such as video to a specific receiving terminal via a network, and a distribution server used therefor.

  When sending information only to a specific partner, electronic mail (hereinafter, mail) is generally used. In this case, as a matter of course, both the transmitting device and the receiving device need to have mail software. In recent years, since many purchasers of PCs (personal computers) use e-mails, e-mail software is generally installed in PCs at the time of sale.

  On the other hand, products that can be connected to a network have started to be released in recent years. However, it is not always connected to a network as much as a PC. Also, it is less frequent than using a PC to send e-mails on a television that is often viewed by the whole family. Therefore, although it can be connected to a network, installing mail software on a television is impractical from the viewpoint of development cost.

  Even without mail software, a television connected to the network can access the server and request distribution of content. Patent Document 1 discloses a download reservation method. Here, measure the download speed of the test file, predict the time until completion, set the download start date and time to complete the download at the time desired by the user, make a reservation with the user's consent Is stated. If the user does not agree, the download start date and time of the alternative is presented. It also describes a method of monitoring the download status and switching to another server if it is unlikely to finish by the promised completion time. Patent Document 2 describes a method of dividing a download reservation time slot and assigning it to terminals to distribute the load.

JP 2003-67280 A JP 2004-185114 A

  According to Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, a terminal (television) that does not have mail software can access a distribution server and download desired content at a desired date and time. However, in either case, the server is accessed from the terminal (television), and the content owned by a specific individual is received, or a certain sender transmits the content owned by the sender to the specific terminal (television). It is not considered to do. Therefore, a technique for sending content owned by the sender to a specific terminal (television) in which no mail software is installed is desired.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to transmit content owned by a sender terminal to a specific receiver terminal that does not have mail software, as if using the mail.

  The present invention is a content distribution system in which a transmission terminal, a reception terminal, and a distribution server are connected via a network, and the content is transmitted from the transmission terminal to the reception terminal via the distribution server. A database in which device IDs for identifying the device are registered, a content storage unit for temporarily storing content transmitted from the transmission terminal, and a table for managing the content separately for each device ID and sender of the reception terminal. When requested by the receiving terminal, the distribution server refers to the table and transmits the content whose destination is the device ID of the receiving terminal to the receiving terminal.

  The present invention is a content distribution method for transmitting content transmitted from a transmission terminal to a reception terminal via a distribution server, and registers a device ID that identifies the reception terminal in the distribution server. The content transmitted from the storage terminal is stored separately for each device ID of the receiving terminal of the transmission destination, and when the distribution server makes a request from the receiving terminal, the content for which the device ID of the receiving terminal is the transmission destination is stored in the receiving terminal Send to.

  The present invention is a distribution server that stores content transmitted from a transmission terminal and transmits the content to a reception terminal, and a database that stores a device ID that identifies the reception terminal, and content that temporarily stores content transmitted from the transmission terminal It has a storage unit and a table for managing contents separately for each device ID and sender of the receiving terminal. When a request is received from the receiving terminal, the table is referred to and the device ID of the receiving terminal is set as the transmission destination. Content to be transmitted to the receiving terminal.

  The present invention is a receiving terminal that receives content transmitted from a transmitting terminal via a distribution server, a device ID holding unit that holds a device ID that identifies the receiving terminal, and content to be received or transmission of content A list of contents destined for the receiving terminal stored in the distribution server by notifying the distribution server of the device ID of the receiving terminal. Or, obtain and display the sender list.

  According to the present invention, a sender can transmit content to a receiving terminal that does not have mail software as if it were as easy as sending mail. In addition, since the receiver can receive the content after confirming the sender, unnecessary content is not transmitted from an unspecified number of people.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the transmission terminal is a PC or a mobile phone, and the reception terminal is a television. The content includes, for example, a moving image shot with a video camera and a still image shot with a digital camera (digital camera). These moving images and still images are collectively called a video. Since a television does not have an e-mail address, a device ID for identifying each television is stored in the television at the time of manufacture, and the user can know the device ID using a television remote controller or the like. The sender sends an image using the device ID as a key. In order to control video transmission and reception, a server is installed in the center and connected via a network. The PC registers as a sender with this server. At that time, the device ID of the other party's television that he / she wants to send is also registered.

  When the television accesses the server via the network, a confirmation message for approving the registered sender is displayed on the screen. When the receiver approves this, the contents registered by the sender become valid, and the server starts a video custody service from the sender. When the server deposits the video, it displays that the video has arrived on the television screen of the registered recipient. When the receiver selects a desired video, the receiver can receive and view it from the server.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a content distribution system according to the present invention. This system is configured such that a transmitting terminal (PC 10), a receiving terminal (TV 20), and a distribution server (server 30) that relays content distribution between them are connected to a network 4 such as the Internet. . Then, the video content owned by the sender is transmitted via the server 30 from the PC 10 having the mail software to the television 20 having no mail software.

  A sender in the sender's home 1 copies video content (hereinafter also referred to as a video file or video) taken by the video camera 11 or the digital camera 12 to the PC 10. It connects to the network 4 via a router (not shown) and deposits the video in the server 30 in the center 3. The server 30 deposits the video from the sender (PC 10) and waits for access from the television 20 of the receiver's house 2 designated by the sender. When the television 20 is connected to the server 30 in the center 3 via the router and the network 4, the server 30 sends a message indicating that the video has arrived and displays it on the screen of the television 20. Thereafter, the recipient can select and receive the video for viewing. If the television 20 has a built-in recording device (for example, a hard disk), video can be downloaded.

  The server 30 is required to have a function for specifying the television 20 that is a receiving terminal. Therefore, it is efficient for the center 3 that performs the content distribution service using the server 30 to be set up and operated by the same manufacturer that manufactured the television 20. Moreover, in order to identify the television 20 which is a receiving terminal, the device ID of each television 20 is used as an address. In addition, the sender can transmit a video file shot with a mobile phone 50 registered in advance to the server 30 via the network 4 as well as the PC 10 at home. explain. Hereinafter, the content distribution service performed by the center 3 (server 30) will be referred to as a “video delivery service”.

  Next, the internal configurations of the server 30 and the television 20 will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the server 30.
The network transmission / reception unit 31 is connected to the external network 4 and communicates with the PC 10 and the television 20 via the network.

  The member information management unit 32 includes databases and tables such as an unread mail check table 33, a sender DB 34, a receiver DB 35, a television device DB 36, and a content management table 37. We keep custody information. When there is an access from the PC 10 or the television 20, the related database or table is referred to and processing such as confirmation and registration of member information is performed.

  For example, when member temporary registration is executed from the sender's PC 10, information such as a device ID and a user ID is registered in the unread mail check table 33. When the sender approval process is executed from the television 20, the contents of the sender DB 34 and the receiver DB 35 are updated according to the contents. Further, when there is an access from the television 20, the television 20 is requested to transmit a device ID and is acquired. The acquired device ID is checked against the information in the TV device DB 36 to check whether the ID is a regular ID. If the device ID is illegal, it is detected at this point and the subsequent processing is rejected. The content management table 37 manages content stored by users and holds service contract items with each user.

  The content transmission / reception unit 38 receives video content from the PC 10 and transmits video content to the television 20. The content storage unit 39 stores video content to be transmitted and received. That is, the video content uploaded from the PC 10 is stored in the content storage unit 39, and when there is a video reception / viewing request or video download request from the television 20, the video content is received from the content storage unit 39. Read out and transmit to TV 20.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the television 20.
The network transmitting / receiving unit 21 is connected to the external network 4 and communicates with the server 30 via the network. The browser unit 22 draws screen information such as a mail screen and an approval screen in accordance with information described in a format such as HTML or BML transmitted from the server 30 and outputs the screen information to the display unit 27. The moving image reproduction unit 23 decodes a still image or a moving image file included in the content transmitted from the server 30, reproduces it as a still image or a moving image, and outputs it to the display unit 27.

  The device ID notification processing unit 24 reads out device ID information assigned to the television 20 from the device ID holding unit 25 based on a request from the server 30 and notifies the server 30 of the device ID information. The device ID holding unit 25 stores and holds device ID information unique to the television 20. This device ID information is assigned to each terminal when the television 20 is manufactured, and is written in the device ID holding unit 25. When the user wants to know the device ID, it can be read out by remote control operation and displayed on the display unit 27, for example.

  The content recording unit 26 is, for example, a hard disk recording device, and downloads and stores video content received from the server 30. The user can read the stored video when necessary and view it through the video playback unit 23. The recording unit 26 may be internal or external. The display unit 27 displays the video and information output from the browser 22, the moving image playback unit 23, and the device ID notification processing unit 24 on the screen.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the content distribution service (video delivery service) of the present embodiment. First, the outline of the processing will be described in the order of steps.

  Step S101: The sender acquires the device ID of the other receiving terminal (TV 20) and the URL of the server 30 to which the TV 20 is connected from the video receiver. Alternatively, the receiver may notify the video sender of the device ID of the television 20 and the URL of the server 30 by telephone or FAX. Therefore, a device ID for identifying a device is recorded in the device ID holding unit 25 of the television 20. This device ID is used as an address for video transmission. It should be noted that the device ID is easily made known to the owner of the television using a remote controller or the like, like the B-CAS card number.

  Step S102: The sender accesses the server 30 from the PC 10 based on the above information (the device ID of the television 20 and the URL of the server 30), and inputs the information of the sender and the receiver. This is called member temporary registration. Specifically, as the sender information, the sender's mail address is used as the user ID, and the address, name, displayed name, date of birth, telephone number, etc. are registered. In addition, the device ID of the television 20 and the displayed name are registered as the receiver information. These pieces of information are provisionally registered in the database of the server 30.

  Step S103: The server 30 of the center 3 notifies the provisionally registered receiver 20 that the member has been provisionally registered based on the device ID. On the other hand, the recipient confirms the contents of provisional registration and approves it. At that time, since the mail software is not installed in the television 20, notification is made as follows. In the unread mail check table 33 of the server 30, a device ID flag that has been provisionally registered is set. When there is an access from a certain TV 20, the server 30 refers to this table and checks whether a device ID flag of the accessed TV is set. If the flag is set, the sender's user ID and name are checked from the sender database 34 and “TV is trying to send a video file” is displayed on the television 20. The receiver approves the transmission if the displayed sender (Mr. XX) is a desired partner.

  Step S104: When the receiver approves the sender displayed on the television 20, the server 30 changes the provisionally registered member information to main registration. In addition, the result of whether or not the receiver approves is notified to the sender by e-mail. The email address registered at the time of temporary member registration may be used. By performing the main registration, the server 30 starts a custody service for video sent from the registered sender. That is, the sender cannot deposit the video in the server 30 until the receiver approves the sender. Therefore, the server 30 can avoid useless custody services.

  Step S105: The sender operates the PC 10 to designate a recipient who has approved the transmission, and transmits (uploads) the video captured by the video camera 11 or the digital camera 12 to the server 30. The server 30 stores the video sent from the PC 10 in the content storage unit 39. And it keeps until there is a reception request from the designated recipient.

  Step S106: The server 30 converts the format of the stored video (file format) into a format that can be displayed on the television 20 as necessary. For example, in the case of a moving image, the file format stored on the PC 10 may be reproducible on the TV 20 even though it can be replayed on the PC. By converting the video format in the server 30, the burden on the television 20 can be reduced.

  Step S107: When the recipient accesses the server 30 from the television 20, the server 30 checks the unread mail check table 33. If an unread mail flag is set for the device ID of the accessed television 20, it means that the recipient has not received the mail (video content) yet. In that case, the server 30 notifies the television 20 that the video has arrived. The receiver selects a desired video, receives it from the server 30, and views it on the television 20.

  Step S108: If the television 10 includes the recording device 26 such as a hard disk, the received video can be stored and saved (downloaded). Further, if there is an unnecessary stored video, it can be erased by operating the television 20. In addition, regarding the erasure | elimination of an image | video, the sender | operator can also erase the image | video deposited in the server 30 by operating PC10. That is, at least one of the sender and the receiver has the authority to delete the transmitted / received video.

  Step S109: If there is a video to be transmitted next, the sender returns to Step S105 and transmits the next video to the server 30. That is, member registration from steps S101 to S104 is completed only in the first time. Since it is not necessary from the second time, it is possible to transmit video between the registered sender and receiver at any time.

The content distribution service by this system has the following advantages.
(A) Unlike a PC, it is difficult to incorporate additional software such as e-mail software in a household appliance whose receiving terminal is a television. The reason for this is that the cost for development and verification is high, and it is difficult to cope with version upgrades, including confirmation of compatibility with past products. On the other hand, in this system, video content can be transmitted and received without incorporating mail software into the television.
(B) Unlike a PC, a household electrical appliance called a television has many opportunities for handling various users including elderly people. Moreover, since a remote control is used, input means are also limited. Therefore, it is required that anyone can handle it easily and easily, and that it can be handled without operating errors. In this regard, this system uses the unique device ID assigned to each device to identify the TV, so there is no need to input a personal ID for identifying the own account, and erroneous operations can be performed. Can be prevented.
(C) After the receiver confirms and approves the sender, the server keeps the content from the sender and transmits it to the receiver. Therefore, the recipient is not sent unnecessary content such as spam mail from an unspecified number of people. The distribution server can avoid unnecessary custody.

Hereinafter, each process of the content distribution service of FIG. 4 will be described in detail.
(1) Notification of device ID and URL (step S101)
For example, if the vendor who provides the “video delivery service” is a TV manufacturer, the address (URL) of the server 30 that implements the service is provided on its homepage, TV brochure, flyer bundled with the TV, etc. Describe it. Further, the device ID of the television is recorded in the device ID holding unit 25 so that the user can easily know it by operating the remote controller, like the number of the B-CAS card.

  This device ID is an ID used like a mail address. It is desirable to devise so that the sender does not send it to a third party even if the input is incorrect. Therefore, instead of presenting the device ID itself to the user, it is desirable to present a conversion device ID that has been processed to prevent erroneous input. For example, assuming that the original device ID is 32 bits long, a checksum is obtained by adding four numerical values divided into 8 bits. Then, the last 8 bits of this checksum are taken out and connected to the original device ID to generate a converted device ID having a total of 40 bits. This conversion device ID is presented to the user.

  The conversion device ID generated in this way is unlikely to match the third-party conversion device ID including the checksum even if the sender inputs a part of the ID by mistake when inputting. In addition, since there is a high possibility of mismatch when the checksum is collated on the server side, the possibility that it will be erroneously transmitted to a third party's television is reduced, and safety can be increased.

When performing the above conversion processing, the television 20 can perform the conversion processing when the device ID is read by the device ID notification processing unit 24 of FIG. 3 described above. Similarly, on the server 30 side, after acquiring the device ID from the television 20 in the member information management unit 32 in FIG. 2, the device ID of the television 20 is obtained by performing a conversion process reverse to the conversion process of the television 20. The device ID before conversion held by the holding unit 25 can be restored.
In the following description, the device ID refers to the original device ID or the conversion device ID.

  The TV owner tells the person (family, friends, relatives, etc.) who wants to send the video the phone's device ID and the URL of the service provider's portal (server) by telephone or fax. Request membership registration for.

(2) Member temporary registration (step S102)
The sender performs member registration (temporary registration) to the “video delivery service” based on the device ID acquired from the receiver and the URL of the server. It is assumed that a browser 22 is mounted on the sender's PC 10 and the following operations are performed by the browser. Access the URL from the PC 10 and register as a member. 9 to 14 show display screens at the time of member registration.

  FIG. 9 is a top screen of the video delivery service. If the user ID is not yet owned, the “user registration” button is pressed to perform user registration. FIG. 10 is a screen that displays the terms and conditions for handling personal information. FIG. 11 is a screen for inputting the device ID of the transmission destination television. In this display screen, the term “destination ID” that is easy for the user to understand is used instead of the device ID. Hereinafter, “destination ID” has the same meaning as “device ID”. FIG. 12 is a screen for inputting information of a receiver and a sender. FIG. 13 is a screen for confirming the input content. FIG. 14 is a screen indicating that provisional registration has been completed.

  When the provisional registration is completed, the server 30 registers the contents in the unread mail check table 33. FIG. 5 shows an example of the unread mail check table 33. In the table, a flag indicating whether or not there is a person waiting for approval as a sender for each device ID and whether or not a new video file is sent from the approved sender is provided. In this example, there are two senders requesting approval for the television with the device ID “1234567”, and their user IDs (ID1, ID2) are shown. In addition, a mail (actually video) from an approved user (ID1) has arrived, indicating that the receiver of the television has not yet read the mail.

(3) Recipient approval and member registration (steps S103 and S104)
FIG. 15 shows an initial screen in which the recipient accesses the server 30 of the center 3 from the television 20. This corresponds to the initial screen when the PC 10 is connected to the Internet, and the access address is stored in the television 20. On the screen, the video delivery service is displayed as “video delivery”. The server 30 refers to the unread mail check table 33 in FIG. 5 and displays the status of the person waiting for approval as the sender and the status of the video file sent from the approved sender on the following screen. .

  If the sender has temporarily registered the member and is waiting for approval from the receiver, “video delivery service” is selected in FIG. The receiver moves the cursor up / down / left / right with the remote controller and then presses the enter key, or selects the “video delivery” service menu with the numeric keys by associating each service with the key number of the remote controller.

  FIG. 16 shows a sender approval screen. In this example, this means that “Mr. Taro has temporarily registered as a sender, so I would like to approve it”. The recipient decides whether or not to approve, and selects “O = Approve” or “X = Reject” with the TV remote control. When “Δ = not decided now” is selected, it is possible to decide whether to approve later (FIG. 32).

  Also, when an approved user sends a new video file, “1 new mail” is displayed as shown in FIG. 15 to notify that there is a new video. Then, the user is prompted to select “video delivery” and display the reception list. In the display screen, the term “mail” is used. No e-mail software is installed on the TV 20, so technically, e-mail is not received, but the expression "e-mail" is used in consideration of the ease of understanding of the user (sender, recipient). Yes.

  When the receiver approves the sender, the sender performs the main registration from the temporary member registration, and the server 30 adds the contents to the sender DB 34 and the receiver DB 35.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the sender DB. Contents of provisional registration from user ID to date of birth, device ID of recipient's TV that has approved (permitted to send) the number of recipients = 1 at the time of final registration (entered during provisional registration) ). In addition, the credit card number, expiration date, and membership date entered by the user during the main registration are additionally registered. Since it may be transmitted from a mobile phone, only a field is provided and registered when added. The number of recipients = 3 in FIG. 6 is because the number of recipients increased by two after the main registration.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the recipient DB, which is additionally registered during the main registration. Initially, the number of senders = 1 is set, and the user ID (in this case, user ID 5) of the sender permitted to send is registered. Thereafter, when another sender is permitted to transmit, the number of users is incremented, and the user ID (in this case, user ID 6) is added. Information identifying the individual in the receiver DB can be realized only by the name displayed as the device ID, but when considering changing to receiver billing in the future, the address, name, phone number, date of birth Changing the date is easier. Such information may be input on the registration screen of FIG. FIG. 7 shows the contents with these information added. If the sender DB and receiver DB are additionally registered, the sender can send mail to the receiver.

  When the recipient approves the sender, the server 30 sends an email “Approved” to the sender and informs the URL that can be registered. The sender inputs this URL on the PC 10 and accesses the main registration screen. FIG. 17 shows the main registration screen. Set passwords and questions and answers for forgotten passwords. There are three courses: a fixed-price basic course, a fixed-price advanced course, and a pay-as-you-go course, and the sender selects them. The fixed-price course uses a fixed amount of hard disk space, and it costs a fixed amount. Advanced course has a large available hard disk capacity. On the other hand, if the pay-per-use course is up to a fixed capacity per time, a fixed fee is generated and the server 30 automatically deletes it after a predetermined period. In this embodiment, since sender accounting is assumed, a credit card number, an expiration date, and a security code are input in this registration. Credit card information can be entered at the time of temporary member registration in (2) above, but if the card is authenticated but not approved by the recipient, a charge will be incurred. Must be prevented. Therefore, in this embodiment, the credit card information is inputted at the time of the main registration which may be charged.

(4) Upload video file from PC (step S105)
When logging in on the screen of FIG. 9 from the PC 10, the mail creation screen of FIG. 18 is displayed. Select “Compose Mail” and select recipients and attachments. In the center of the screen, the name of the recipient who approved it is displayed in the “To (required)” frame. The sender selects a receiver from these. When a check box is selected, a check mark is displayed.

  FIG. 19 shows the contents of the created mail. When the “add file” button 201 at the top of the screen is pressed, a screen 202 for selecting a file stored in the PC 10 is popped up. FIG. 19 shows a file selection screen 202 at the bottom of the screen for the convenience of expression. Select the file you want to send. The file is displayed as a file list 203 on the screen of the PC 10 together with a thumbnail, a file name, and a creation date. FIG. 19 shows an example in which three attached files are selected. In the destination list 204, two persons are selected as destinations from the list. It should be noted that the receiver with the mark “cancel reception” in the list 204 once approved the sender in the past, but indicates that the reception is currently rejected according to the intention of the user.

  Here, the integration of video files to be transmitted will be described. When shooting is performed with the video camera 11, there may be a single moving image file in one scene from the start of recording to the temporary stop. In that case, when a video file is copied from the video camera 11 to the PC 10, there are a plurality of files, and one event such as an athletic meet or a school festival is composed of a plurality of files. Files related to one event are often handled together. Therefore, in such a case, generally, the sender needs to upload a plurality of files by one mail.

  On the other hand, from the standpoint of the recipient, if multiple files like the above are sent in one email, when playing them, It is more convenient to play the entire image in order with a single operation than to perform each operation. Considering this point, in the present embodiment, when the sender uploads a plurality of files at once, the server 30 integrates these files. In this embodiment, the server 30 integrates the files according to the order in which the sender attached the files in FIG. Even after a file is registered in the file list 203 of FIG. 19, a file is selected so that the order of the files can be changed. When the recipient plays, the integrated file is played according to the above order.

In this embodiment, the video file includes a moving image and a still image. Since these may be uploaded together, it is handled as follows.
(A) When the file to be transmitted is only a moving image, the server 30 connects them in the order of attachment to form one moving image file.
(B) If the file to be transmitted is only a still image, it is handled as a plurality of files and is not integrated. Each file is displayed on the television like an icon.
(C) If the file to be transmitted contains both moving images and still images, the moving images are connected in the order of attachment, and the moving image is made into one moving image file until there is a still image file. A still image is handled for each file. Display in the order in which the sender attached them. If it is a movie, it plays back one file. If it becomes a still image, it displays for a few seconds, and then displays the next file (displays if it is a still image, plays if it is a movie).

  In addition, in the above (a) to (c), it is described that the moving images are combined into one file as much as possible. However, it is also possible to hold the files one by one without integration and to play them one by one in the order of the attached files. Needless to say.

  In addition, it is possible to impose a restriction that a single mail does not allow a mixture of moving images and still images. In that case, if you have selected in advance whether to send a video or still image, check the file extension, and if a file of the wrong format is attached, "The file is not a video (still image)" And warn the sender so that attachments are not accepted. FIG. 19 shows an example of an error message 205 “It is not a moving image / still image file”. When handling both video and still images, if other files are attached, the sender is notified, and when only videos (still images) are handled, other files are attached. Notify the sender as an error message.

  In addition, when a user wants to send a video to a new recipient, selecting “Add / Edit Destination” in FIG. 18 displays the add / edit destination screen in FIG. The sender inputs new recipient information and waits for approval. In addition, when inputting personal information such as address, name, etc., it is only necessary to switch from the screen of FIG. 20 to the screen of FIG. 12 and set items for inputting such information.

(5) Video format conversion (step S106)
In the case of a moving image, the file format stored on the PC 10 is not necessarily a file format that can be reproduced as it is on the television 20 even if it can be reproduced on the PC. In order to convert to a file format that can be displayed on a television, the server 30 converts the video format.

  Video files are generally structured as follows. First, there are a video elementary stream in which a video signal is compression-encoded and an audio elementary stream in which an audio signal is compressed. Next, they are packetized and multiplexed (multiplexed) to form a system stream. This system stream is a moving image file. At this time, rights information and other auxiliary information regarding video and audio may be multiplexed together in the system stream.

  When the file format stored in the PC 10 is converted into a file format that can be displayed on a television, the process is performed as follows. First, a system stream in a format stored in the PC 10 is demultiplexed (demultiplexed) to obtain each elementary stream of video and audio. Next, the elementary stream of the video is decoded and subsequently re-encoded to an elementary stream in a code format that can be handled by the television. Similarly, the audio is decoded and re-encoded. Next, the video and audio elementary streams obtained as a result of the re-encoding are multiplexed and created as a system stream in a format that can be handled by the television. In this way, the file format stored in the PC 10 is converted into a moving image file in a file format that can be displayed on the television.

(6) Video reception and viewing (step S107)
The receiver selects the video delivery service on the screen of FIG. 15, and displays the received mail list display screen of FIG. 24 via the sender approval screen of FIG. If the desired mail is selected by moving the cursor to any of icons # 1 to # 9 using the remote controller and the enter button is pressed, the list of images shown in FIG. 25 is displayed when the selected mail is a set of still images. A screen is displayed. When the user moves to any of icons # 1 to # 9 and selects a desired image, the selected image is enlarged and displayed as shown in FIG. Further, when the video content selected in FIG. 24 is a moving image, the moving image is reproduced on the entire screen. Of course, a moving image may be displayed on a part of the screen as shown in FIG.

(7) Downloading and Erasing Video If the television 20 has a recording device 26 such as an HDD, video content in the server 30 can be downloaded and recorded. When “Select and download” is selected in FIG. 24, the download selection screen in FIG. 27 is displayed. If the receiver selects the desired icon and presses the execute button, the confirmation screen of FIG. 28 is displayed. If “Yes” is selected, the download execution screen of FIG. 29 is displayed and stored in the HDD. The When the process ends normally, the download end screen shown in FIG. 30 is displayed. When the process ends abnormally, the download failure is displayed on the screen.

  In this embodiment, since the authority to delete the content is given to the recipient, “Select to Trash” is displayed in FIG. If this button is pressed, it is possible to select the icon and delete the content in the same procedure as the download.

  Of course, it is possible to give the sender the authority to delete the content. What is necessary is just to delete the video file deposited in the server from the operation history of the PC by the sender. In the above (5), the video conversion process in the server 30 has been described. In accordance with this conversion process, the erasure considers which type of file should be erased at what timing. Consider an example in which a PC format is converted from a file A to a television format B for one video file. After storing A and converting it into B, the server 30 updates the unread mail check table in FIG. 5 and the content management table in FIG. 8 to allow the recipient to view. According to the timing at which the sender issues an erasure command, the following processing should be performed.

(A) If the file is still A, A is deleted and the conversion process is not performed.
(B) If the conversion from A to B is in progress, the conversion process is stopped, and A and B being created are also deleted.
(C) When conversion to B is completed, A and B are deleted, and the unread mail check file and content management table are updated.

  As described above, erasing a file can give authority to the sender, the recipient, or both.

(8) Temporary refusal of receipt (step S107) When “sender list” is selected in FIG. 24, the sender list screen of FIG. 31 is displayed. Also, in FIG. 16, if “Never decide” is selected without approval or rejection, a video delivery service is selected, and if “Sender list” is selected in FIG. 24, information of senders waiting for approval is also included. Is displayed in FIG. The owner of this television is in a state of receiving a request for approval from Taro as a sender, after having approved Goro and Hanako as senders and then temporarily refusing reception from Hanako. When the determination button is pressed while the cursor is on the tallow, the sender approval screen shown in FIG. 32 is displayed, and “O = Approve” or “× = Reject” is selected. Further, when the determination button is pressed while Goro has the cursor, the reception stop screen shown in FIG. 33 is displayed, and the state of “receive video” can be changed to the state of “not receive video”. On the other hand, when the enter button is pressed in the state where the cursor is on Hanako in FIG. 31, a screen for Hanako is displayed as in FIG. 32, and the state is changed from “not receiving video” to “receiving video”. Is possible.

  In this embodiment, it is not necessary to input a password on the TV screen, but it goes without saying that when the sender is approved on the TV screen, the receiver can set the password. You can use it to temporarily refuse to receive a video or to have your password entered when you accept it. If the sender decides to lock the parental lock according to the video, the video can be viewed without sending the parental lock and entering the password set by the receiver. It becomes. It is of course possible to operate the sender so that if the sender sends a mail with a password set, the recipient cannot view without entering the password. FIG. 19 shows an example in which items for setting a password and setting a parental lock are added.

In this embodiment, the sender uploads to the server 30 using the mobile phone 50.
In the content distribution system shown in FIG. 1, the sender can register as a member and transmit it to the television 20 of the recipient who has approved the video shot by the mobile phone 50. In this case, the video is uploaded using mail software installed on the mobile phone. The reason is that, as in the case of (4), it is possible to upload the video file to the server 30 by designating the destination without actually using e-mail, but the specifications differ depending on the carrier and mobile phone manufacturer. Since the possibility is high, it can be considered that many test man-hours occur. Therefore, in this embodiment, a unique specification is avoided, and a video file is sent to the server 30 by using mail software installed in the mobile phone as much as possible.

  First, the sender registers the mobile phone 50 as a transmission terminal from the PC 10. When “Register / Edit Mobile Phone” on the left side of the screen of FIGS. 18 and 19 is selected, the mobile phone registration screen of FIG. 21 is displayed. Here, it is shown that the mail addresses of nine mobile phones are registered for one sender ID. Considering the number of family members and the ownership of multiple mobile phones by one person, registration of up to 10 addresses is permitted. Enter the e-mail address of the mobile phone and the name of the owner in the blank, and press the send button.

As a transmission method using a mobile phone, plan 1, plan 2 and plan 3 are possible.
<Plan 1> A method of assigning e-mail addresses to all recipients.
FIG. 22 is a PC screen for obtaining a URL for accessing the server 30 from the mobile phone 50. The following three methods are conceivable.

(A) The URL is transmitted to the mobile phone 30 by e-mail. When the check box of the mobile phone 50 that the user wants to send a URL in FIG. 22 is selected, the server 30 transmits the URL for logging in to the mobile phone 50.
(B) Display the QR code on the PC screen, read this code with the mobile phone 50, and obtain the URL.
(C) Manually input the URL from the mobile phone 50.

  The mobile phone 30 can obtain and input the URL in (a) to (c). A Web screen for accepting access from the mobile phone 50 is prepared in the server 30, and the mobile phone 30 accesses this URL and logs in.

  FIG. 23 displays a screen for logging in using the mobile phone 50. Log in with the user ID and password obtained for the video delivery service. The server 30 displays a list of recipients that the sender can send from the sender DB 34. Here, the device ID is not displayed, but the name of the receiver registered by the sender (“name of this destination” in FIG. 12) is displayed. The server 30 assigns e-mail addresses corresponding to each receiver in advance and stores them in the sender DB 34 and the receiver DB 35. When the sender selects a destination from those displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 50, the mailer is activated, and the mail address of this person is entered in TO (destination). The following is a method of sending an e-mail, and an e-mail is sent with a video file attached. Since there is no mail software on the television, the video file is actually sent to the server 30. The server 30 determines the device ID sent from the recipient's email address and recipient DB. Hereinafter, the server 30 keeps the video file.

<Draft 2> A method of realizing the mail address with only one server 30.
The plan 1 is to assign mail addresses to all recipients, but the plan 2 is to have only one mail address of the server 30. 6 and 7 describe the recipient e-mail address, but it does not exist in plan 2. When the recipient P1 to P9 is selected in FIG. 23, no matter who is selected, the mail address of the server 30 is designated as the destination and the mailer of the mobile phone is activated. The server 30 recognizes the recipients P1 to P9, searches the recipient DB for the device ID of the other party that the sender wants to send, and describes the recipient's device ID in the mail text. When the mail arrives at the server 30, the device ID written in the mail text is recognized and the video file is stored.

<Draft 3> A method in which the recipient's email address is sent to the mobile phone
As in plan 1, email addresses are assigned to all recipients. However, in plan 3, the server 30 does not prepare a Web screen for accepting access from the mobile phone 30, and only the mail software of the mobile phone 30 has a video file. Send. Check the check box of the mobile phone that you want to use for transmission as shown in FIG. 22, and prepare a button “send destination email address used for transmission from mobile phone to mobile phone” (not shown in FIG. 22) . When the sender presses this button, the server 30 searches the sender DB for recipients that the sender can send, and the recipient's email address assigned by the server 30 to the selected mobile phone and the recipient's email address. Name is sent. The sender selects an e-mail address from the mobile phone and activates the mailer.

  In Plan 1 and Plan 3, although the TV does not have mail software, the sender sends the mail in the same procedure as that for sending the mail, but actually sends it to the server 30. It is desirable that the e-mail address assigned to these televisions can be easily changed by the sender for security protection. When “Add / Edit Destination” displayed on the left side of the screen in FIGS. 21 and 22 is selected, FIG. 20 is displayed. In this screen, the destination ID, the destination name is changed, deleted, and (assigned from the server 30). E) You can change your email address. Also in the case of plan 2, when starting the mailer, it is desirable to periodically change the address of the server 30 and inform the sender.

  As for the transmission from the mobile phone 30, an example using standard mail software from the viewpoint of test man-hours has been described. On the other hand, in the case of uploading from a PC, an example has been described in which a Web screen that accepts access from a PC is prepared in the server 30 and a video file is transmitted on that screen. This is easier to use because the order of video files can be changed, and typical scenes in each file are displayed as thumbnails. Needless to say, the mail software installed in the PC 10 may be used in the case of sending by the PC 10 as well as the mobile phone 30.

  In this embodiment, a charging method for the “video delivery service” will be described. There are both flat-rate and pay-as-you-go pricing plans. In the flat rate system, up to a fixed capacity is a fixed price, and if a predetermined fee is paid for one month, a hard disk with a predetermined capacity can be allocated. On the other hand, in the case of a pay-as-you-go system, how much is once. For example, it is possible to use an operation method in which 500 yen is set up to 5 GB at a time, and the receiver 30 looks unclear, but the server 30 forcibly erases in two weeks. Since the operator wants to use the hard disk capacity efficiently, there is a merit that the stored content is delivered to the receiver quickly, and the server 30 can be operated efficiently if the receiver deletes it. Therefore, in the case of the pay-as-you-go system, the content management table of FIG. 8 is checked before displaying the screen of FIG. 24, the video file deposited with pay-per-use is specified, and “ You can also display the message "If you delete it, the deposit cost will be cut by half." Recipients who have a TV with a built-in hard disk can download the program quickly and delete it, so that the sender can save money and the operator can operate the hard disk efficiently.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the sender is charged, but the receiver can also be charged. In this case, in the case of temporary user registration, one of three methods, (1) sender billing, (2) receiver billing, and (3) the sender is the basic but the receiver billing when the period is extended. You just have to choose. In the case of (2) and (3), before the main registration, the recipient should mail the documents and have the procedure for debiting the account, registering the credit card number, and the expiration date. When FIG. 24 is displayed, “expiration date ** until the month and day” is displayed on the video file whose expiration date is approaching in FIG. 8, and the cursor is placed on the video file after the receiver plays it. In a certain state, it is also possible to display the message “Do you want to change to receiver billing? At the time of provisional registration, if (2) Recipient Billing, (3) Recipient Billing if the period is extended is selected, the billing procedure is completed and executed as it is. (1) Sender Billing If only the above procedure is performed, it is possible to switch to receiver billing. This is an effective method when the receiver's television does not have a hard disk, but the receiver wants to pay if there is an image he / she wants to watch a little more.

  Needless to say, courses can be changed by the operation of the PC 10 (flat-rate system, pay-as-you-go system) or members can be withdrawn.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a content distribution system according to the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the internal structure of the server. The figure which shows an example of the internal structure of the television. The figure which shows the processing flow of a content delivery service. An example of an unread mail check table. An example of a sender DB. An example of recipient DB. An example of a content management table. An example of a login / user registration screen on the transmission side. An example of a user registration screen (confirmation of terms). An example of a user registration screen (address designation). An example of a user registration screen (input of member information). An example of a user registration screen (confirmation of input contents). An example of a user registration screen (temporary registration completion). An example of the server connection initial screen on the receiving side. An example of a sender approval screen. An example of a user main registration screen. An example of a mail creation screen. An example of a created email. An example of a destination addition / edit screen. An example of a mobile phone registration / edit screen. An example of a screen accessed from a mobile phone. An example of a screen for sending an email from a mobile phone. An example of a received mail list display screen. An example of a still image list display screen. An example of a video / still image playback screen. An example of a download selection screen. An example of a download execution confirmation screen. An example of a download execution screen. An example of a download end screen. An example of a sender list display screen. An example of a sender approval screen. An example of a receipt approval / rejection screen.

Explanation of symbols

4 ... Network,
10 ... transmitting terminal (PC),
20 ... receiving terminal (TV),
21 ... Network transmitter / receiver,
22 ... Browser part
23 ... Video playback unit,
27 ... display section,
24 ... Device ID notification processing unit,
25: Device ID holding unit,
26. Content recording section,
30 ... distribution server,
31 ... Network transmission / reception unit,
32. Member information management department,
33 ... Unread mail check table,
34 ... Sender DB,
35 ... Receiver DB,
36 ... TV equipment DB,
37 ... Content management table,
38 ... content transmission / reception unit,
39: Content storage unit,
50 ... Mobile phone.

Claims (12)

In a content distribution system in which a transmission terminal and a reception terminal are connected to a distribution server via a network, and content is transmitted from the transmission terminal to the reception terminal via the distribution server.
The receiving terminal has a device ID holding unit that holds a device ID that identifies the receiving terminal,
The delivery server
A database in which device IDs for identifying the receiving terminals are registered;
A content storage unit that stores content transmitted from the transmission terminal in a storage area allocated to each sender;
The content be one which have a, a table for differentiated management for each device ID and the sender of the reception terminal,
When the transmission terminal accesses the distribution server and inputs the sender information and the device ID of the receiving terminal of the transmission destination to the distribution server,
The distribution server temporarily registers the input device ID in the database, and notifies the temporarily registered receiving terminal that a sender member has been temporarily registered based on the device ID.
When provisional registration is approved in the receiving terminal, the distribution server registers the provisionally registered member information, and then stores the content transmitted from the transmitting terminal in the content storage unit,
The distribution server, upon request from the receiving terminal, by referring to the table, when the content device ID of the receiving terminal is a destination is transmitted from the transmitting terminal to that effect Notify
From the receiving terminal, when the device ID of the receiving terminal is required to transmit the content to be the transmission destination, the content distribution system the distribution server, wherein transmitting the content to the receiving terminal . The content distribution system according to claim 1,
When the distribution server is accessed from the receiving terminal, the distribution server refers to the table, notifies the receiving terminal of a list of contents for which the device ID of the receiving terminal is a transmission destination, and requested by the receiving terminal A content distribution system for transmitting content. The content distribution system according to claim 1,
When the distribution server is accessed from the receiving terminal, the distribution server refers to the table, notifies the receiving terminal of a list of contents whose destination is the device ID of the receiving terminal, and approves from the receiving terminal. A content distribution system for transmitting the content of the sender that has been sent. The content distribution system according to claim 1,
The transmission terminal sets a mobile terminal as a content transmission terminal in the distribution server,
The delivery server sends address information for accessing the delivery server to the mobile terminal based on setting information about the mobile terminal,
The mobile terminal transmits information related to the receiving terminal and content to the distribution server based on the address information . In a content distribution method for transmitting content transmitted from a transmission terminal to a reception terminal via a distribution server,
When the transmission terminal accesses the distribution server and inputs the information of the sender and the device ID for specifying the reception terminal of the transmission destination to the distribution server,
The distribution server provisionally registers the device ID, and notifies the provisionally registered receiving terminal that the sender member has been provisionally registered based on the device ID.
When provisional registration is approved at the receiving terminal, the distribution server registers the provisionally registered member information,
The distribution server stores the content transmitted from the transmitting terminal in a storage area allocated for each sender, manages the content separately for each device ID of the receiving terminal and each sender,
The distribution server, when requested by the receiving terminal, if the content for which the device ID of the receiving terminal is the transmission destination is transmitted from the transmitting terminal, notifies the fact,
The content distribution method, wherein the distribution server transmits the content to the receiving terminal when the receiving terminal requests to transmit the content whose device ID is the destination . The content distribution method according to claim 5 , wherein
The content includes at least a plurality of moving image data or a plurality of still image data,
The transmitting terminal specifies and transmits a playback order of a plurality of moving image data or a plurality of still image data included in the content,
The content distribution method , wherein the receiving terminal reproduces a plurality of moving image data or a plurality of still image data included in the received content according to the reproduction order . The content distribution method according to claim 6, wherein
The content distribution method , wherein the distribution server transmits a plurality of moving image data or a plurality of still image data included in the content transmitted from the transmission terminal to the reception terminal after combining them according to the reproduction order. . The content distribution method according to claim 6 or 7 ,
A content distribution method , wherein when still content data is included in the content, the display of the still image data is retained for a predetermined period . The content distribution method according to claim 5 , wherein
The content is one or more moving image files or still image files that are transmitted in a mail format,
When the transmission terminal selects in advance a file type to be transmitted by one mail and the user tries to attach a file of a type not selected to the mail, a message that the file type is wrong is displayed. A content distribution method characterized by notifying a user . The content distribution method according to claim 5 , wherein
When the distribution server stores and transmits content, it charges the sender of the content, and when the expiration date for viewing the content is fixed, the sender charging is changed to the receiver charging. A content distribution method characterized in that the expiration date can be extended . The content distribution method according to claim 5 , wherein
When the distribution server stores and transmits the content and charges the sender of the content, and the expiration date for viewing the content is fixed, the content is sent a predetermined number of days before the expiration date. A content distribution method characterized by discounting the deposit amount if deleted . In the distribution server that stores the content transmitted from the transmitting terminal and transmits it to the receiving terminal,
A database in which device IDs for identifying the receiving terminals are registered;
A content storage unit that stores content transmitted from the transmission terminal in a storage area allocated to each sender;
A table for managing the content separately for each device ID and sender of the receiving terminal,
Temporarily registering the sender information sent from the transmitting terminal and the device ID of the receiving terminal of the destination in the database,
Notifying the temporarily registered receiving terminal that the sender member has been temporarily registered based on the device ID,
When provisional registration is approved in the receiving terminal, register the provisionally registered member information, and then store the content transmitted from the transmitting terminal in the content storage unit,
When there is a request from the receiving terminal, referring to the table, if the content whose transmission destination is the device ID of the receiving terminal is transmitted from the transmitting terminal, the fact is notified,
A distribution server characterized by transmitting the content to the receiving terminal when requested by the receiving terminal to transmit the content whose device ID is the destination.

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