JP5274804B2 - Content providing apparatus, content providing method, program, and computer-readable recording medium recording the program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content providing apparatus, etc. which produce content information for accessing to contents for each user based on a content view history for each user, and send the content information to a user device which transmits and receives. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes an attribute information update part 119 which, when a content sending request 4 is received, extracts content identification information which specifies contents 3 to be sent in response to the content sending request 4 from the content sending request 4, and user identification information which can identify a content information transmitter-receiver 30 which sent information included in the content sending request 4 for accessing to the contents 3 to a content display process device 20 or a user of the content information transmitter-receiver 30, and which stores the extracted content identification information and user identification information, and a playback start state indicating that a playback of the contents 3 to be sent in response to the content sending request 4 is started, in a user attribute information storing part 121 correlatively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention, the content information for accessing the content, generates for each user based on the content viewing history of each user, the content providing device for transmitting to the user equipment for transmitting and receiving the content information, content providing method , program, and program and a computer readable recording medium recording a.

  In recent years, content display processing devices that display content such as moving images and music have become widespread. In particular, with the spread of Web services using the Internet or digital television broadcasting, content display processing devices that acquire content from external server devices via a network or broadcast and display the acquired content are used. It has become so. One example is VOD (Video On Demand) that acquires and displays a moving image from an external server device according to the user's selection, and a content display processing device that realizes a VOD application is put into practical use. Has been. Moreover, a set top box (STB) is mentioned as a content display processing apparatus which implement | achieves VOD.

  When using a VOD application using such an STB, the user can select content to be viewed from among thousands of content stored in the server device. Here, in selecting the content to be viewed, the user needs to search for the content to be viewed from among the above-mentioned thousands of contents.

  In this case, if the user has specified the content to be viewed to some extent, the user can easily search for the content by providing the server device with a content search function using keywords or the like. However, not all users can specify the keywords of content that they want to view in advance. In other words, there is a user who does not have a specific content to view, cannot specify a keyword, or has only a request for vague viewing.

  There is a technique for recommending content to such a user based on a history of content viewed by the user in the past and user information (user profile) (see Patent Document 1).

  However, even when the above technique is used, the VOD application screen is displayed when the user performs some operation on the STB, the TV, or the like (for example, turning on the STB, changing the channel of the TV, or switching the input). If it is not possible to view the content, it is not possible to show the recommended content information to the user or to display the electronic content guide (ECG).

  In addition, users often go home from offices or schools and use services such as VOD. In such a case, since the user is after returning home, the user may be relatively tired. Therefore, when searching for content in such a state, if the convenience of the function for searching for content is not good, the user cannot give up searching for the content, or the stage of viewing the content cannot be reached. It can happen.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 2, 1) a mail including URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information of content is transmitted to the user's mobile terminal, and 2) the user transmits the transmitted mail to an STB or the like wirelessly. When transmitted to the content display processing device, 3) the content display processing device displays the transmitted mail, and when the user selects URL information included in the mail at the content display processing device, an external server device It is disclosed that the content is acquired from.

In Patent Document 3, 1) When a user transmits a user ID from a mobile terminal to a content display processing device such as an STB, 2) In the content display processing device, the transmitted user ID and a user corresponding to the ID It is disclosed that a screen for viewing content is generated from main program data, coarse program data, a program number, a broadcast program, and the like stored in an STB according to user attribute information based on attribute information.
JP 2005-275740 A (Publication date: October 6, 2005) JP 2005-135346 A (publication date: May 26, 2005) International Publication No. 02/007334 (Publication date: January 24, 2002)

  However, according to the method disclosed in Patent Document 2, since there is no concept of identifying a user, individual mail transmission cannot be performed according to the user. That is, the same content information is transmitted to unspecified users, and content information suitable for each user cannot be transmitted. For this reason, depending on the user, the transmitted content information may not suit the taste. For example, even if baseball content information is transmitted to a user who likes soccer among sports, there is a problem that it cannot match the user's preference and cannot be useful content information.

  Further, according to the method disclosed in Patent Document 3, although there is a concept for identifying a user, the information on the content selected by the user is not fed back to the next content distribution. There has been a problem that content information corresponding to the viewed content cannot be distributed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to 1) access content such as VOD from a content providing device to a user's cellular phone (content information transmitting / receiving device). 2) Next, the user selects the content information on the user device, and 3) then the content corresponding to the content information from the content display processing device such as STB is sent from the content providing device. In the content display processing system that acquires and reproduces the acquired content on the content display processing device, content information for accessing the content is stored by storing the content viewing history for each user in the content providing device. Per user based on content viewing history per user Generated, the content providing device capable of transmitting to the user equipment for transmitting and receiving the content information, content providing method, program, and to provide a computer readable recording medium recording a program.

  In order to solve the above problems, a content providing apparatus according to the present invention provides a content providing apparatus that transmits content corresponding to a content transmission request received from a content display processing apparatus that displays content on a display unit to the content display processing apparatus. When the content transmission request is received, the content identification information for identifying the content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request from the received content transmission request, and the content included in the content transmission request The content information transmitting / receiving device that transmitted the access information for accessing the content display processing device or the user identification information that can identify the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device is extracted, and the extracted content identification information and , The user identification information and the content Is characterized in that it comprises a playback start status information storage means for storing the playback state storage unit in association with the reproduction start condition indicating that the reproduction has been started in the content to be transmitted according to the transmission request.

  The content providing method according to the present invention is a content providing method for transmitting content corresponding to a content transmission request received from a content display processing device that displays content on a display unit to the content display processing device, When a content transmission request is received, from the received content transmission request, content identification information for specifying content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request, and access for accessing the content included in the content transmission request The content information transmitting / receiving apparatus that has transmitted information to the content display processing apparatus or the user identification information that can identify the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus is extracted, and the extracted content identification information, the user identification information, , Sent in response to the content transmission request It is characterized in that it comprises a reproduction start state information storing step of storing the playback state storage unit in association with the reproduction start condition indicating that the reproduction has been started in content.

  According to the above configuration, when the content transmission request is received, the content identification information and the user identification information are extracted from the received content transmission request, and the extracted content identification information and the user are extracted. The identification information and the reproduction start state indicating that the reproduction of the content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request is started can be associated with each other and stored in the reproduction state storage unit.

  Accordingly, since the content information transmission / reception apparatus or the user of the content information transmission / reception apparatus can start storing which content has been viewed in the reproduction state storage unit, the content information transmission / reception apparatus or the content information transmission / reception apparatus It is possible to accumulate a history of contents that have started to be viewed by other users.

  Accordingly, even when the content display processing device views the content received from the content providing device, the content information transmitting / receiving device or the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device stores that the content has started to be viewed. There is an effect that can be.

Furthermore, the content providing apparatus according to the present invention has the above configuration, the content identification information, the user identification information, and the content specified by the content identification information in the content display processing apparatus are being reproduced or stopped. When playback status information is received, including playback status indicating either
The content identification information, the user identification information, and the reproduction state are extracted from the reproduction state information, and the reproduction state storage unit associates the extracted content identification information, the user identification information, and the reproduction state with each other. It is good also as a structure further provided with the reproduction | regeneration state information storage means to store.

  According to the above configuration, the content identification information, the user identification information, and the playback state received from the playback state information including the content identification information, the user identification information, and the playback state are extracted. Can be stored in the storage unit in association with each other.

  Therefore, since the content information transmitting / receiving device or the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device can view which content and what playback state the content is stored in the playback state storage unit, It is possible to accumulate a history of the playback state of content viewed by the content information transmitting / receiving device or the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device.

  Therefore, even when viewing the content received from the content providing device on the content display processing device, the reproduction state of the content viewed by the content information transmitting / receiving device or the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device is accumulated. There is an effect that can be.

  Furthermore, the content providing apparatus according to the present invention further includes content information generating means for generating content information including the access information in the above configuration, and transmits the generated content information to the content information transmitting / receiving device. Also good.

  According to said structure, the content information containing the said access information can be produced | generated, and this produced | generated content information can be transmitted to the said content information transmission / reception apparatus.

  Therefore, the content information can be transmitted to the content information transmitting / receiving device.

  Therefore, the content recommendation information (the content information) can be transmitted to the content information transmitting / receiving device.

  Furthermore, in the content providing apparatus according to the present invention, in the above configuration, the content information generating unit is based on the content identification information, the user identification information, and the reproduction state stored in the storage unit. It is good also as a structure which produces | generates the said content information according to the content information transmission / reception apparatus shown by the said user identification information, or the user of this content information transmission / reception apparatus.

  According to said structure, based on the said content identification information, the said user identification information, and the said reproduction | regeneration state memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part, the content information transmission / reception apparatus or this content information transmission / reception shown with the said user identification information The content information according to the user of the apparatus can be generated.

  Therefore, the content information can be generated based on the content reproduction state history for each content information transmission / reception device or each user of the content information transmission / reception device.

Therefore, it is possible to generate content recommendation information (the content information) according to the user's preference based on the content reproduction state history and transmit it to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus .

Contact name the content providing equipment may be realized by a computer, in this case, control of the content provided equipment for realizing the content providing equipment in a computer by operating the computer as each means described above A program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the content providing apparatus according to the present invention is a content providing apparatus that transmits content corresponding to a content transmission request received from a content display processing apparatus that displays content on a display unit, to the content display processing apparatus. When the content transmission request is received, the content access information that identifies the content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request and the content included in the content transmission request are accessed from the received content transmission request. Content information transmitting / receiving apparatus that has transmitted access information to the content display processing apparatus or user identification information that can identify a user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus, and the extracted content identification information and the user In the identification information and the content transmission request Flip reproduction of the content to be transmitted is provided with a playback start status information storage means for storing the playback state storage unit in association with the reproduction start state to indicate that it has been started.

  The content providing method according to the present invention is a content providing method for transmitting content corresponding to a content transmission request received from a content display processing device that displays content on a display unit to the content display processing device, When a content transmission request is received, from the received content transmission request, content identification information for specifying content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request, and access for accessing the content included in the content transmission request The content information transmitting / receiving apparatus that has transmitted information to the content display processing apparatus or the user identification information that can identify the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus is extracted, and the extracted content identification information, the user identification information, , Sent in response to the content transmission request In association with the reproduction start condition indicating that the reproduction has been started in the content includes playback start state information storing step of storing the playback state storage unit that.

  Accordingly, since the content information transmission / reception apparatus or the user of the content information transmission / reception apparatus can start storing which content has been viewed in the reproduction state storage unit, the content information transmission / reception apparatus or the content information transmission / reception apparatus It is possible to accumulate a history of contents that have started to be viewed by other users.

  Accordingly, even when the content display processing device views the content received from the content providing device, the content information transmitting / receiving device or the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device stores that the content has started to be viewed. be able to.

  Accordingly, the content providing device generates recommended content information (the content information) according to the user's preference based on the history of the reproduction state of the content, and transmits it to the content information transmitting / receiving device. There is an effect that can be.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Overall configuration of content display processing system)
A content display processing system 800 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a content display processing system 800 including a content providing apparatus 10 (content providing apparatus), a content display processing apparatus 20 (content display processing apparatus), and a content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (content information transmitting / receiving apparatus) according to this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of (content display processing system), and the flow of the information transmitted between each apparatus. Note that there are usually a plurality of content display processing devices 20 and content information transmitting / receiving devices 30 depending on the user, but FIG. 2 shows one each.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the content providing apparatus 10 and the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 are connected so as to be communicable. Further, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and the content display processing device 20 are connected to be communicable. Further, the content providing apparatus 10 and the content display processing apparatus 20 are connected to be communicable.

  The content providing device 10 is a server device that manages the content 3 that is electronic information such as a moving image, a still image, audio, and text, and is a device that is owned by a distribution company that provides the content 3 distribution service.

  The content 3 is not limited to the above, and may be an office document, an electronic book, or other electronic information.

  Further, the content providing apparatus 10 manages user attribute information such as a user ID, a mail address, a favorite genre, age restriction information, and a password. The user attribute information will be described later.

  Then, the content providing device 10 generates one or a plurality of content information 5 according to the user ID indicating the identification information of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user), and transmits / receives the generated content information 5 to / from the content information It transmits to the apparatus 30 (flow (1) shown in FIG. 2). Note that the flow (1) shown in FIG. 2 is not necessarily a single data transmission, and may be realized by a plurality of exchanges. The same applies to flows (2) to (6) described later.

  Although the ID for identifying the user and the ID for identifying the device are strictly different, in this embodiment, the content 3 to the content display processing device 20 that can be used by a plurality of users. In the distribution service, since the ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 that is often used by an individual user is used, there is no significant difference in effect between the user ID and the device ID. In the present embodiment, the user ID and the device ID are collectively referred to as a user ID without being distinguished from each other.

  Here, the content information 5 is access information for accessing the content 3 stored in the content providing apparatus 10, and is also used by the user to confirm the outline of the content 3. Details of the content information 5 will be described later.

  In the following, when the content information 5 is transmitted to the user for the promotion of the content 3, the content information 5 is also referred to as “recommended information”.

  The content providing apparatus 10 generates one or a plurality of content information 5 according to the user ID indicating the identification information of the content display processing apparatus 20 or the user of the content display processing apparatus 20, and the generated content information 5 is The corresponding content display processing device 20 may be used.

  Alternatively, the content information 5 not associated with the user ID may be generated, and the generated content information 5 may be transmitted to an unspecified number of content information transmitting / receiving devices 30 or content display processing devices 20.

  Further, the content providing apparatus 10 receives the content transmission request 4 that is a transmission request for the content 3 from the content display processing apparatus 20, and the content display request processing is performed for the content 3 corresponding to the received content transmission request 4. Transmit to device 20. The content transmission request 4 will be described later.

  The content providing apparatus 10 may be configured by an apparatus for performing user management and content management, an apparatus for distributing the content 3, and an apparatus for distributing the content information 5. However, in FIG. 2, the content providing apparatus 10 is illustrated as one apparatus having these functions.

  Next, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is a device owned by a user who receives the content 3 distribution service, and receives the content information 5 transmitted from the content providing device 10. For example, when the content information 5 is received by e-mail, the e-mail can be received when the user is away from home, and the content information 5 can be viewed while returning home.

  Then, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 generates content request information 6 obtained by processing a part or all of the content information 5 as necessary, and transmits the generated content request information 6 to the content display processing device 20 (FIG. Flow (2) shown in FIG. Note that the content request information 6 may be used as it is without processing the content information 5. The content request information 6 will be described later.

  The content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is, for example, a mobile phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a mobile PC (Personal Computer), a stationary PC, or the like. In FIG. 2, it is illustrated as a mobile phone.

  In FIG. 2, only one content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is shown, but it exists for each user and is assigned a unique user ID and mail address. For example, in FIG. 2, the user ID “ID1234a” of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 or the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is assigned, and “yama-a@movie.cell” is assigned as the mail address. In addition, for example, another user ID “ID1234b” is assigned to another content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (not shown), and “yama-b@movie.cell” is assigned as another mail address. In general, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is used by an individual user and is not shared by a plurality of users.

  Therefore, for example, the content information 5 is transmitted as recommended information from the content providing device 10 to the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 such as a PC to which a mail account of a family father is assigned. Then, the content information 5 which is the recommended information is received by the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 which is the father's PC, and the content request information 6 is transmitted from the father's PC to the content display processing device 20 such as a television. Thus, the recommended content 3 can be acquired from the content providing apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 requests to acquire the content 3, the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 requests the content providing apparatus 10 to transmit the content 3. The content transmission request 4A may be transmitted (flow (5) shown in FIG. 2). The content transmission request 4A is generated based on the content request information 6. The content transmission request 4A will be described later.

  At this time, as a response to the content transmission request 4A, the content providing apparatus 10 transmits the content 3 corresponding to the content information 5 included in the content transmission request 4A to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (the flow (6 shown in FIG. 2). )). Then, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 performs processing for receiving the content 3 and displaying it on the display screen of the device itself.

  Next, the content display processing device 20 is a device owned by the user who receives the content 3 distribution service, and receives the content request information 6 transmitted from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30. Then, the content display processing device 20 generates content transmission request information 7 obtained by processing a part or all of the content request information 6 as necessary, based on the received content request information 6. The content request information 6 may be directly used as the content transmission request information 7 without being processed. The content transmission request information 7 will be described later.

  Then, the content display processing device 20 generates a content transmission request 4 based on the generated content transmission request information 7, and transmits the generated content transmission request 4 to the content providing device 10 (flow (shown in FIG. 2)). 3)). And the content 3 is received from the content provision apparatus 10 as the response (flow (4) shown in FIG. 2). Then, the content display processing device 20 performs processing for displaying the received content 3 on the display screen.

  The content display processing device 20 is a device capable of performing display processing of the content 3, such as a television, an STB, a hard disk recorder, or a music player. In FIG. 2, the content display processing device 20 includes a content reception / reproduction device 20b (for example, a hard disk recorder) that performs reception processing and reproduction processing of the content 3, and a content display device 20a (for example, display of the reproduced content). , A television monitor). However, the content display processing device 20 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the content display device 20a has the functions of the content reception / playback device 20b, and all the processing is performed only by the content display device 20a. The structure which performs this may be sufficient.

  Further, the content display processing device 20 may receive an input from the user by an input operation device such as the remote controller 20c. The remote controller 20c is, for example, an infrared remote controller.

  In FIG. 2, only one content display processing device 20 is shown, but it exists for each user and is assigned a unique user ID and mail address. In FIG. 2, the user ID “ID1234” of the content display processing device 20 or the user of the content display processing device 20 is assigned, and “yama@movie.pcpc” is assigned as the mail address.

  In general, the content display processing device 20 is often used not only by individual users but also by a plurality of users such as family members.

  Furthermore, the content display processing device 20 may further have a function of receiving a broadcast wave such as a digital broadcast.

  In addition, transmission from the content providing apparatus 10 to the content display processing apparatus 20 may use a broadcast wave or a communication network. In addition, transmission from the content display processing device 20 to the content providing device 10 uses a communication network. Further, transmission / reception between the content providing apparatus 10 and the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 and transmission from the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 to the content display processing apparatus 20 use a communication network.

  Here, the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a LAN, an ISDN, a VAN, a CATV communication network, a virtual private network, a telephone line network, a mobile communication network, A satellite communication network or the like can be used. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited, and for example, an infrared ray such as IrDA, Bluetooth (Bluetooth) (IEEE1394 cable, USB cable, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc.) (Registered Trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, etc. can also be used.

(Processing overview of content display processing system)
Next, an outline of various processes performed in the content display processing system 800 will be described.

1) Registration / update of user attribute information (in content providing apparatus 10)
When a user contracts for a content distribution service, user attribute information is registered in the content providing apparatus 10. In general, after a contract is made between a distribution service provider and a user having the content display processing device 20 through the content providing device 10, the distribution service provider registers the content with the content providing device 10. At this time, as user attribute information, user billing information, user email address, user favorite genre, user age restriction information, and the like are registered. Note that the user may be able to register or update user attribute information via the content display processing device 20 or the content information transmitting / receiving device 30.

2) Content display (in the content display processing device 20)
When viewing the content 3, a menu for selecting content such as a movie is displayed on the content display processing device 20 such as STB according to the user attribute information, as in the case of general VOD. Then, when the user selects a desired content from the menu, the content 3 is transmitted from the content providing device 10 and the content display processing device 20 displays the content 3.

3) Generation of recommended information (in content providing apparatus 10)
The content providing apparatus 10 generates content information 5 (recommended information) at a predetermined timing based on the user attribute information registered in 1) above. At this time, there are a plurality of content information transmitting / receiving devices 30 (for example, there is a father's content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and a daughter's content information transmitting / receiving device 30), and user attribute information is registered for each (for example, When the father's user attribute information and the daughter's user attribute information are registered, it is desirable to generate the content information 5 corresponding to each user attribute information. That is, it is desirable to generate content information 5 generated separately for the father's content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and the daughter's content information transmitting / receiving device 30. As a result, when the user attribute information of the father and the user attribute information of the daughter are different, the recommended information for the father and the recommended information for the daughter may be different.

4) Transmission of recommended information (in content providing apparatus 10)
The content information 5 (recommended information) generated in the above 3) is transmitted to the corresponding content information transmitting / receiving device 30. At this time, it is desirable that a mail is sent to a mail address assigned to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 by a mail distribution system provided inside or outside the content providing apparatus 10. However, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the content providing apparatus 10 actively transmits, but may be transmitted by receiving a request from a user via a Web page as a trigger.

5) Display and transmission of recommended information (in the content information transmitting / receiving device 30)
The content information transmitting / receiving device 30 receives and displays the content information 5 (recommended information) transmitted in 4) above. When the user selects content information included in the displayed recommended information, the content request information 6 obtained by processing a part or all of the content information is generated, and the generated content request information 6 is transmitted to the content display processing device 20. Send. The content request information 6 preferably includes information (user ID) that can identify the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user).

6) Specification of content to be viewed (in content display processing device 20)
The content display processing device 20 receives and displays the content request information 6 transmitted in 5) above. When the user selects the displayed content request information 6, content transmission request information 7 is generated by processing part or all of the content request information 7 as necessary. Then, based on the generated content transmission request information 7, the content transmission request 4 is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10. The content transmission request 4 desirably includes information (user ID) that can identify the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 or the content display processing device 20 (or its user).

7) Content transmission (in content providing apparatus 10)
The content providing apparatus 10 receives the content transmission request 4 transmitted in 6) and transmits the content 3 requested in the content transmission request 4 to the requesting content display processing apparatus 20.

8) Content reception / display (in the content display processing device 20)
The content display processing device 20 receives and displays the content 3 transmitted in the above 7).

9) Storage of user attribute information (in content providing apparatus 10)
The content providing apparatus 10 indicates that the content 3 corresponding to the content transmission request 4 received in 7) is being reproduced by the content display processing apparatus 20 (reproduction start, reproduction interruption, reproduction end, etc.). 4 is stored as user attribute information in association with a user ID for identifying the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 or the content display processing device 20 (or the user) included in the content information.

10) Generation of new recommended information (in the content providing apparatus 10)
The content providing apparatus 10 generates a new recommendation based on the user attribute information stored in 9) above. For example, since the content 3 selected by the user can be identified by the content transmission request 4 received in the above 9), product sales information related to the selected content 3 (such as a sound track CD or a mobile strap related to the selected content 3) Information) and new content information 5 (recommended information) related to the selected content 3 is generated. Then, the content information 5 (recommended information) is transmitted again in 4) above.

  Since the content transmission request 4 is received in the above 7), new content information 5 (recommended information) may be generated and transmitted at the timing when the content transmission request 4 is received. New content information 5 (recommended information) may be generated and transmitted at the timing when the user has watched the video. For example, by sending the related information of the movie content as the new content information 5 at the timing when the movie content has been viewed, it is possible to provide recommended information that better matches the user's preference.

(Content information)
Next, the content information 5, the content request information 6, and the content transmission request information 7 will be described.

(Content information)
First, the content information 5 will be described. The content information 5 is information transmitted from the content providing apparatus 10 to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 as described with reference to FIG. The content information 5 is access information for accessing the content 3 stored in the content providing apparatus 10 and is also used by the user to know the outline of the content 3.

  Therefore, the content information 5 includes information that can specify the content 3 managed by the content providing apparatus 10. The information that can be specified may be, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that uniquely indicates the location of the content 3 or a content ID that uniquely identifies the content 3.

  Then, in order for the user to grasp the contents 3, the content information 5 is added with accompanying information (metadata) of the content 3 such as a title and a thumbnail in addition to the information that can be specified. Alternatively, information related to the content 3 (for example, product sales information such as related books) may be added.

  When the content information 5 is transmitted to the specific content information transmitting / receiving device 30 in advance, the content information 5 includes a user ID that can identify the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user).

  The content information 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the content information 5. Note that the display format such as the display width may differ depending on the content information transmitting / receiving device 30, and therefore the display format is not necessarily displayed in the same manner as the appearance of FIG. 3 on the content information transmitting / receiving device 30.

  FIG. 3 shows content information 5 (recommended information) for a plurality of contents. That is, the content information 5 about the content titled “Oden 8” and the content titled “Mura Girl 3” is described.

  Then, as the content information 5 of “Oden 8”, an outline 51 of “Oden 8”, a URL 52 of “Oden 8”, a URL 53 of recommended product sales information related to “Oden 8”, and a homepage related to “Oden 8” The link 54 to is described. Further, the URL 55 of “Mura Girl 3” is described as the content information 5 of “Mura Girl 3”.

  The URL 52 is a character string including a content location 52a, a user ID 52b, and information 52c for specifying the content. However, the information included in the content URL 52 is not limited to these.

  Here, “id = id1324a” is described in the user ID 52b. This indicates that the content information 5 is recommended information generated for transmission to the user or device having the user ID “ID1324a”. As described above, when the content providing apparatus 10 is accessed using the URL 52, it is possible to easily specify that the access is from the user or apparatus of “ID1324a”. Of course, it is not necessary to directly describe the user ID, and any format may be used as long as the information can identify the user or the device.

  Note that although “http: //” is described in the URL 52 to specify the HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) protocol, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another protocol other than HTTP may be specified by describing “vodp :: //” or the like. In response to this protocol designation, an appropriate application is activated to access the content providing apparatus 10.

  Next, content information 5 newly generated based on user attribute information including the fact that viewing of a certain content has ended will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of content information 5 newly generated based on user attribute information including the fact that viewing of a certain content has ended. Note that the display format such as the display width may differ depending on the content information transmitting / receiving device 30, and therefore the display format is not necessarily displayed in the same manner as the appearance of FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows newly generated content information 5 (recommended information) when the user finishes viewing the content “Oden 8” shown in FIG. That is, sales information and related information related to “Oden 8” are described. By transmitting related new recommended information (content information 5) based on the end of viewing of the content 3 as described above, sales of articles related to the content 3 can be expected.

  In the above description, new content information 5 is generated when viewing of a certain content 3 is finished. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the content providing apparatus 10 is provided with an internal timer, and when a predetermined period (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed since the user started viewing the content 3, new content information 5 is transmitted, or the user The new content information 5 may be transmitted when a predetermined period (for example, 3 days) elapses after the viewing of 3 is interrupted.

  It should be noted that any method of storing the playback state of the content 3 in the content display processing device 20 or storing it in the content providing device 10 can be realized, but storing in the content providing device 10 Then, after the reproduction of the content 3 is stopped by the content display processing device 20, the stop information is transmitted from the content display processing device 20 to the content providing device 10 and managed by the content providing device 10.

  Further, based on the new content information 5, the fact that the user has accessed the new content 3 or purchased related items is further managed as a history in the content providing apparatus 10, and further recommended It is desirable to use it when creating information.

(Content request information)
Next, the content request information 6 will be described. The content request information 6 is generated by processing a part or all of the content information 5 in the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 as described with reference to FIG. Here, processing means, for example, adding to the content information 5 a user ID for identifying the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user) possessed by the content information transmitting / receiving device 30. This is used as information for identifying which device (content information transmitting / receiving device 30) has transmitted the content request information 6. Also, the password input by the user may be encrypted and added. In addition, a new file is generated, character code is converted (Shift JIS to UTF-8 conversion, etc.), image format is converted (bitmap format to JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format Conversion to the like).

  However, after the generation, the content 3 that can be specified based on the content information 5 must not be specified. That is, the content request information 6 includes access information for accessing the content 3.

  Next, a specific example of generating the content request information 6 from the content information 5 will be described below. For example, when a part of the content information 5 includes a URL indicating the storage destination of the content, an HTML file in which the URL is described in the BODY part is generated as the content request information 6. This is because a protocol for transmitting an HTML file with an attribute such as a file name is more general than a protocol for simply transmitting a character string indicated by a URL, and the content display processing device 20 performs processing. This is because it is easy to do.

  An example of the content request information 6 generated by processing the content information 5 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of content request information 6 generated by processing the content information 5 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of an HTML file generated based on the URL 52 described in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, it is desirable to describe the URL 52 in the BODY section 383 and further complement the HEAD section 382 and the header 381 to make a complete HTML format file.

  If the format of the HTML file is used, the received content request information 6 can be displayed as it is on the HTML browser in the content display processing device 20 as the transmission destination. Furthermore, by adding an extension to the file name, the content display processing device 20 can easily determine which application is to be activated when displaying the content request information 6. Since an HTML file normally has an extension of “.htm” or “.html”, it can be easily understood that an HTML browser can be started with this extension.

  The generated file is not limited to the HTML format, and may be described in, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language) or SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). The content display processing device 20 can display the content request information 6 by starting an application corresponding to the file format.

  The transfer protocol for transmitting the content request information 6 may be IP (Internet Protocol), or may be infrared communication such as IrDA, or wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  Next, another example of the content request information 6 generated by processing the content information 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing another example of the content request information 6 generated by processing the content information 5 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which the content information 5 is an EXIF (Exchangeable image file format) format file 500, which is a format for recording predetermined image data and image metadata. In FIG. 6, for example, information for accessing the content 3 among the content information 5 is set in the maker note area 521, and predetermined image data is set in the image area 510.

  As a result, when the predetermined image data is transmitted to the content display processing device 20 in the same manner as when the corresponding program is started by clicking the icon on the PC screen, the information set in the maker note area is displayed. Based on this, the content 3 can be acquired / reproduced.

(Content transmission request information)
The content transmission request information 7 is generated by processing a part or all of the content request information 6 in the content display processing device 20 as described in FIG. Here, the content transmission request information 7 is generated from the content request information 6 by a method similar to the method of generating the content request information 6 from the content information 5.

  That is, in the above processing, for example, a user ID that identifies the content display processing device 20 (or its user) that the content display processing device 20 has is added to the content request information 6. This is used as information for identifying which device (content display processing device 20) the content transmission request information 7 is transmitted. Also, the password input by the user may be encrypted and added. Other than that, when generating content request information, a new file is generated, the character code is converted (such as conversion from Shift JIS to UTF-8), and the image format is converted (bits). Conversion from a map format to a JPEG format).

  However, after the generation, the content 3 that can be specified based on the content request information 6 must not be specified. That is, the content transmission request information 7 includes access information for accessing the content 3.

  The content information 5 does not necessarily include information that can identify the content 3. In this case, when the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 generates the content request information 6 or when the content display processing device 20 generates the content transmission request information 7, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is processed into information that can specify the content 3. The content transmission request 4 or the content transmission request 4A may be transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10 using the processed information. That is, the content transmission request 4 or the content transmission request 4A received by the content providing apparatus 10 includes information that can identify the content 3, and which content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 or which content display processing apparatus 20 is the request from. It is only necessary that information capable of recognizing is included.

For example, 1) The content information 5 sent from the content providing apparatus 10 to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 may not include the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (or its user). 2) In this case, the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user) may be added to the content request information 6 sent from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 to the content display processing device 20. 3) Furthermore, the user ID of the content display processing device 20 (or its user) may be added to the content transmission request 4 including the content transmission request information 7 sent from the content display processing device 20 to the content providing device 10.
(Content transmission request)
As described with reference to FIG. 1, the content transmission request 4 is transmitted from the content display processing device 20 to the content providing device 10 in order to request the content 3 to be acquired. Therefore, the content transmission request 4 includes content transmission request information 7 in order to specify the content 3 to be acquired.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the content transmission request 4A is transmitted from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 to the content providing device 10 in order to request the content 3 to be acquired. Therefore, the content transmission request 4A includes content request information 6 in order to specify the content 3 to be acquired.

  The content transmission request 4 and the content transmission request 4A are generally transmitted as link format information including an URL or an HTML file, but the present invention is not limited to this.

(Device configuration)
Next, the configuration of the content providing device 10, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30, and the content display processing device 20 will be described.

(Configuration of content providing device)
First, the configuration of the content providing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content providing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the content providing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, a communication unit 130, and an input / output control unit 170.

  The control unit 110 controls the storage unit 120 and the input / output control unit 170 and performs predetermined arithmetic processing. Examples of the predetermined calculation processing include reception processing of the content transmission request 4 from the content display processing device 20. A detailed configuration of the control unit 110 will be described later.

  The storage unit 120 stores various data used by the control unit 110, data obtained by executing a program, and the like, and is realized by a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read-Only Memory) or a flash memory. The The various data are stored in various storage units inside the storage unit 120. The storage unit 120 includes a user attribute information storage unit 121 (playback state storage unit) and a content / content information storage unit 122.

  The user attribute information storage unit 121 stores the user ID of the user, the user's mail address, the user's favorite genre, the user's age, the user's password, the user's billing information, and the content played by the user. User attribute information including the state and the like is stored in a readable state for each user. Details of the user attribute information storage unit 121 will be described later.

  Here, the playback state of the content 3 means that the content 3 is being played when the content 3 has time information (that is, video or audio), and the playback of the content 3 is completed. The content 3 being fast forwarded, the content 3 being rewound, the content 3 being paused, the reproduction of the content 3 being interrupted, This is a state relating to reproduction of the content 3, such as changing the reproduction speed. Furthermore, the date and time information when the playback was performed, the fast forward time (for example, fast forward for 2 minutes, etc.), the speed of the playback speed, the playback position when the playback was interrupted (number of bytes from the beginning, playback elapsed time, etc.) ), Page feed of electronic document, notification of end of viewing, and the like.

  The content / content information storage unit 122 stores the content 3 and the content information 5 to be transmitted to the content display processing device 20 and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 in a readable state.

  The storage unit 120 is not necessarily provided in the content providing apparatus 10 and may be configured to be connected to the content providing apparatus 10 in an readable state as an external storage device.

  The communication unit 130 communicates with the content display processing device 20 and the content information transmission / reception device 30 via a communication network such as the Internet, for example, and includes a reception unit 131 and a transmission unit 132 therein. Note that the communication method with the content display processing device 20 and the communication method with the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 may be different from each other.

  The receiving unit 131 receives the content transmission request 4 and the reproduction status information of the content 3 transmitted from the content display processing device 20, and the content transmission request 4 A and the reproduction status information of the content 3 transmitted from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30. It is controlled by the reception control unit 171 inside the input / output control unit 170. The content transmission request 4, the content transmission request 4A, and the reproduction status information of the content 3 received by the reception unit 131 are sent to the reception control unit 171.

  Here, the reproduction status information of the content 3 is the content information transmission / reception device 30 (or the content ID that identifies the content 3 and the access information for accessing the content 3 transmitted to the content display processing device 20 (or The user ID of the user) and the reproduction state of the content 3 in the content display processing device 20.

  The reception control unit 171 controls the reception unit 131 to transmit the content transmission request 4 and the content transmission request 4A received from the reception unit 131 to the content request reception unit 111 described later. In addition, the reproduction state information of the received content 3 is transmitted to a content reproduction state information receiving unit 118 described later.

  The transmission unit 132 transmits the content 3 and the content information 5 to the content display processing device 20 and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and is controlled by the transmission control unit 172 inside the input / output control unit 170.

  The transmission control unit 172 controls the transmission unit 132 to transmit the content 3 and the content information 5 received from the content / content information transmission unit 116 described later to the transmission unit 132.

  Next, the control unit 110 will be described in detail. The control unit 110 includes a content request reception unit 111, a terminal attribute detection unit 112, a user ID search unit 113, a content transmission availability determination unit 114, a transmission content adjustment unit 115, a content / content information transmission unit 116, A content information generation unit 117 (content information generation unit), a content reproduction state information reception unit 118, and an attribute information update unit 119 (reproduction start state information storage unit, reproduction state information storage unit) are included.

  The content request receiving unit 111 receives the content transmission request 4 transmitted from the content display processing device 20 and the content transmission request 4A transmitted from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 via the receiving unit 131 and the reception control unit 171. To do.

  At this time, the user ID that can identify the content display processing device 20 or the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) included in the content transmission request 4 or the content transmission request 4A and the content 3 requested to be transmitted. The content display processing device 20 or the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) having the user ID, the content 3 having the content ID, and the fact that the reproduction of the content 3 has started. , The attribute information update unit 119 may store the preference / history DB 152 of the user attribute information storage unit 121.

  Next, the terminal attribute detection unit 112 receives the device attribute information of the content display processing device 20 that is the transmission source of the content transmission request 4 received by the content request reception unit 111 or the content transmission request received by the content request reception unit 111. The device attribute information of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 that is the transmission source of 4A is detected. For example, device attribute information is detected by referring to information sent as a user agent in a Web browser.

  Here, the device attribute information includes information related to hardware such as the size of the display screen of the device and the processing speed of the CPU, and information related to software such as version information and installation information of software installed in the device. , Information representing the attribute of the device.

  Next, the user ID search unit 113 determines which user owns the transmission source of the content transmission request 4 or the content transmission request 4A received by the content request reception unit 111. A user ID that can identify the content display processing device 20 or the content information transmission / reception device 30 (or the user) included in the content transmission request 4 or the content transmission request 4A is extracted and corresponds from the user attribute information storage unit 121 described later. Search for a user ID. For example, when the content transmission request 4 is received from the content display processing device 20, the user ID of the content display processing device (or its user) is searched from the user attribute information storage unit 121. This is because the content display processing apparatus 20 is normally contracted for the content 3 distribution service. Of course, if the content information transmission / reception device 30 is contracted for the distribution service of the content 3, the user ID of the content information transmission / reception device 30 (or its user) is acquired.

  Next, the content transmission availability determination unit 114 is associated with the user ID acquired by the user ID search unit 113 and registered in the customer master DB of the user attribute information storage unit 121, and the content request reception unit 111. Is compared with the content 3 requested in the content transmission request 4 or the content transmission request 4A received, whether the requested content 3 matches the contract details (that is, the request It is determined whether or not the content 3 being processed can be transmitted to the request source.

  Next, when the content transmission availability determination unit 114 determines that the requested content 3 can be transmitted, the transmission content adjustment unit 115 transmits the requested content 3 to the content / content information storage unit 122. And the acquired content 3 is adjusted as necessary. Then, the adjusted content 3 is transmitted to the content / content information transmitting unit 116.

  In performing the adjustment, the transmission content adjustment unit 115 uses history information regarding the reproduction state of the acquired content 3 stored in the user attribute information storage unit 121 and device attribute information detected by the terminal attribute detection unit 112. To do.

  For example, according to the history information on the playback state stored in the preference / history DB of the user attribute information storage unit 121, the playback start position of the content 3 to be transmitted is sought, or in the MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2) format. In accordance with the device attribute information detected by the terminal attribute detection unit 112, the stored content 3 is H.264. The format is converted to the H.264 format, or the content 3 is resized to a screen size corresponding to the device attribute information detected by the terminal attribute detection unit 112. Regarding format conversion, one type of format may be stored in the content / content information storage unit 122 and converted each time transmission is performed, or a plurality of types of formats may be stored in the content / content information storage unit 122 in advance. In addition, an appropriate format may be selected according to the device attribute information detected by the terminal attribute detection unit 112.

  Further, a still image may be cut out from a moving image to generate a thumbnail image, or a plurality of thumbnail images may be combined to generate a single image.

  If there is no need for adjustment as a result of referring to the history information and device attribute information regarding the playback state, the acquired content 3 may be transmitted to the content / content information transmitting unit 116 as it is.

  Next, the content / content information transmission unit 116 transmits the content 3 received from the transmission content adjustment unit 115 to the content display processing device 20 or the content information transmission / reception device 30 that is the request source of the content 3. 172 and the transmission unit 132.

  Further, the content / content information transmission unit 116 transmits the content information 5 received from the content information generation unit 117 (described later) to the content display processing device 20 or the content information transmission / reception device 30 by transmitting the transmission control unit 172 and the transmission unit 132. Send through.

  The content information 5 may be transmitted by e-mail or by HTTP protocol. The data format may include XML. The format for transmitting the content 3 may be a format for downloading a file or a format for transmitting by streaming.

  Next, the content information generation unit 117 generates content information 5 (recommended information) according to the user at a predetermined timing, and transmits the generated content information 5 to the content / content information transmission unit 116. At this time, the content information generation unit 117 stores the information stored in the preference / history DB of the user attribute information storage unit 121 and the content 3 described in the content information 5 in the content / content information storage unit 122. The content information 5 is generated based on the date and time, and the content 3 that the business that provides the content 3 distribution service wants to promote preferentially.

  For example, when it is stored in the preference / history DB of the user attribute information storage unit 121 that a certain content has been viewed, the content information 5 including information for accessing the content related to the content is generated. .

  Note that the content information 5 to be generated is preferably generated for each of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and the content display processing device 20.

  Next, the content playback state information receiving unit 118 receives the playback state information of the content 3 transmitted from the content display processing device 20 and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 via the receiving unit 131 and the reception control unit 171.

  When the content 3 is transmitted in the streaming format, the playback position in the content display processing device 20 and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 may be recognized based on the portion where the transmission is completed. However, when transmitting in the file format instead of the streaming format, the actual playback position is known only by the content display processing device 20 and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30. Therefore, control signals such as playback start, playback end, and playback interruption are displayed in the content display. It is desirable to receive from the processing device 20 or the content information transmitting / receiving device 30.

  Next, the attribute information update unit 119 stores the content reproduction state information reception unit 118 in the user attribute information storage unit 121 based on the reproduction state information of the content 3.

  That is, the content ID, the user ID, and the reproduction state included in the reproduction state information are extracted, and the user attribute information storage unit 121 is updated by associating the extracted content ID, user ID, and the reproduction state. To do.

  For example, when the user with the user ID “id1324” receives the playback state information indicating that the playback of the content 3 with the content ID “D” has ended, the preference / history DB of the user attribute information storage unit 121 In the column “History 1” or “History 2” of the entry with the user ID “id1324”, the fact that the content 3 with the content ID “D” has finished reproduction is stored.

  As described above, the user with the user ID “id1324” stores the reproduction state information indicating that the reproduction of the content 3 with the content ID “D” is completed, so that the user with the user ID “id1324” is stored next time. Thus, the content information 5 (recommended information) can be used as information to be considered. For example, when the content 3 with the content ID “D” is one of the series contents, the reproduction of the content 3 with the content ID “D” has been completed. It is generated as content information 5 (recommended information).

  Note that the charging process may be performed by a charging processing unit (not shown) in response to the transmission of the content 3. Note that charging may be performed for the content display processing device 20 (or the user) or the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user). The user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user) is included in the content request information 6 and transmitted to the content display processing device 20, and the content display processing device 20 includes the user ID in the content transmission request 4 and content. By transmitting to the providing device 10, the content providing device 10 can identify the content information transmitting / receiving device 30, so that the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 can be charged. By separately charging the content display processing device 20 shared by the family and charging the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 used by the individual user, it is possible to separate the charging for the family and the charging for the individual.

  Next, the configuration of the user attribute information storage unit 121 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are diagrams schematically showing the configuration of the user attribute information storage unit 121.

  The user attribute information storage unit 121 includes a customer master DB 151 shown in FIG. 7A and a preference / history DB 152 shown in FIG.

  The customer master DB 151 is a database for managing user information for each content display processing device 20, and has one entry for each content display processing device 20. The example of FIG. 7A shows a state where two entries are managed.

  In the example of FIG. 7A, the customer master DB 151 includes “user ID”, “user name”, “password”, “user name”, “contract contents”, and “mail address” as columns. However, the column which customer master DB151 has is not limited to these.

  “User ID” is a user ID for uniquely identifying the content display processing device 20 (or its user). Next, “user name” is the name of the user used for user management. Next, the “password” is used when performing charging, authentication, maintenance, and the like. The character string entered as the password by the user is checked against the contents of this column. Next, the “user name” is a user name used in the distribution service or inside the content providing apparatus 10. Next, the “contract content” is the content of the distribution service contracted by the user, for example, the contract content that a packed product in which a plurality of contents 3 are collected is purchased, or only predetermined content can be viewed. Enter the contract details. Next, the “mail address” is used when transmitting the content information 5 and various notification information to the user. Here, one address is described for each content display processing device 20.

  Next, the preference / history DB 152 is a database for managing attribute information and content reproduction information of a plurality of users who use the content display processing device 20.

  In the example of FIG. 7B, the preference / history DB 152 stores “parent user ID”, “child ID”, “password”, “mail address”, “user name”, “age”, “genre 1”, “ The column includes “Genre 2”, “Preference”, “History 1”, and “History 2”. However, the columns of the preference / history DB 152 are not limited to these.

  The “parent user ID” is a column for linking with the customer master DB 151. In the example of FIG. 7B, the “ID1324” entry in the customer master DB 151 is linked.

  Next, the “child ID” is a user ID for identifying the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) that transmits the content request information 6 to the content display processing device 20 specified by the parent user ID. A set of “parent user ID” and “child ID” is unique in the preference / history DB 152. In the following description, the parent user ID and the child ID may be linked and described as one user ID (for example, “ID1324a”).

  Next, “password”, “mail address”, and “user name” are the same as “password”, “mail address”, and “user name” of the customer master DB 151, respectively.

  Next, “age” is the age of the user, and is used to determine whether or not the content 3 requested by the user is suitable for the user. Thus, for example, in a home composed of a 13-year-old daughter and a 40-year-old father, by setting the “age” of the user whose “user ID” is “ID1324” to “13”, the user ID When the user whose ID is “ID1324” (that is, the above-mentioned daughter) has accessed the content 3 suitable for those over 14 years old, the content 3 is not transmitted, or is transmitted after confirmation by a password. Is possible. On the other hand, since the “age” of the user whose “user ID” is “ID1324a” is “40”, the user of “ID1324a” (that is, the above-mentioned father) can access the content 3 suitable for those over 14 years of age without restriction. .

  Next, “genre 1” and “genre 2” indicate the genres of the content 3 that the user likes. Next, “preference” is information of various preferences such as a user's favorite actor and director.

  Next, “History 1” and “History 2” store the content 3 viewed by the user and the playback state of the content 3. In the example of FIG. 7B, the content ID (X, A, Y in this case) of the content 3 that has been reproduced, the date and time when the reproduction was started, and the elapsed reproduction time when the reproduction was interrupted are described. Yes. For example, “History 1” of the entry whose user ID is “ID1324” starts playback of the content 3 having the content ID of X at 19:20:00 on December 12, 2006, 25 minutes 15 seconds It indicates that it was interrupted when it passed. In addition, “History 2” of the entry whose parent user ID is “ID1324” has no description of the elapsed time from the reproduction start position, but this indicates that the content 3 having the content ID of A has been reproduced to the end. Show.

  Note that “history 2” of the entry whose user ID is “ID1324a” also includes the history information of the content 3 having the content ID of X. That is, history information is stored for each user ID even for the same content.

  Note that the description “PG18” in “History 1” of the entry whose user ID is “ID1324a” is information indicating that viewing is prohibited for users under the age of 18.

  In the example of FIG. 7B, only two histories can be stored. However, the number of histories is not limited to two, and three or more histories may be stored.

  Also, the content information 5 as recommended information is generated based on “genre 1”, “genre 2”, “preference”, “history 1”, “history 2”, etc. in the preference / history DB 152. Moreover, you may further combine the evaluation with respect to each content 3 of another user, the recommendation information from another user, etc. Note that the recommended information generation method is not an essential part of the present invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, when a user whose user ID is “ID1324a” plays a content having a content ID of X, for example, when viewing the content on the content information transmitting / receiving device 30, the content request information from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 6 is transmitted to the content display processing device 20 and the content is viewed, the viewing history is recorded without distinction. Thus, for example, after viewing content having a content ID of X on the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 which is a portable terminal during commuting, the content is transmitted from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 to the content display processing device 20 such as a television at home. When the request information 6 is transmitted and the content is viewed again, viewing can be resumed from the continuation of viewing by the content information transmitting / receiving device 30.

  Note that the information to be stored is not limited to content reproduction state information. For example, the purchase status of product sales and the usage status of distribution services may be stored simultaneously. By recording these, there is a possibility that more accurate user preferences can be obtained.

  Note that the user ID searched by the user ID search unit 113 may be different from the target user ID updated by the attribute information update unit 119. That is, the user ID search unit 113 specifies the user ID of the content display processing device 20 (for example, “ID1234” in FIG. 7B), but the attribute information update unit 119 has the user ID of the content information transmission / reception device 30 (for example, The attribute information of “ID1234a” in FIG. 7B may be changed. The user ID of the content display processing device 20 is obtained, for example, by directly exchanging with the content display processing device 20 such as a user agent. On the other hand, the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 is obtained by including in the information such as a URL included in the content transmission request 4, for example. Essentially, instead of the one-to-one relationship between the content providing device 10 and the content display processing device 20, the content display processing device 20 that is a device that mainly views the content 3 and the device that views the content 3 are used. The content information transmission / reception device 30 can be distinguished from each other and managed by the content providing device 10 in association with each ID. The usage form can be managed appropriately. As a result, it is possible to construct a system that is easy for the user to use and easy for the content provider to promote.

(Configuration of content information transmitting / receiving device)
Next, the configuration of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 includes a control unit 310, a storage unit 320, a first communication unit 330, a second communication unit 340, a display unit 350, an input operation unit 360, and an input / output control unit 370. Configured.

  The control unit 310 controls the storage unit 320 and the input / output control unit 370 and performs predetermined arithmetic processing. Examples of the predetermined calculation process include a process for receiving the content information 5 from the content providing apparatus 10. The detailed configuration of the control unit 310 will be described later.

  The storage unit 320 stores various data used by the control unit 310, data obtained by executing a program, and the like, and is realized by a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read-Only Memory) or a flash memory. The The various data are stored in various storage units inside the storage unit 320. The storage unit 320 includes a content / content information storage unit 321 and a content information complementary data storage unit 322.

  The content / content information storage unit 321 stores content information 5 and content 3 received by a content / content information receiving unit 311 described later in a readable state.

  The content information complementary data storage unit 322 stores information necessary for the content request information generation unit 314 described later to process the content information 5 into the content request information 6 in a readable state in advance.

  For example, as described with reference to FIG. 5, when the content information 5 is link information and the content request information 6 is generated as an HTML file, the content information complementary data storage unit 322 generates the HTML file as the HTML file. For this purpose, an HTML HEAD unit 382 and a header 381 to be added are stored. When generating an XML file, information corresponding to a plurality of transmission formats may be stored, such as storing other corresponding information. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 6, when the content request information 6 is transmitted as an EXIF format file, predetermined image data and an EXIF format predetermined file are stored.

  Note that the storage unit 320 is not necessarily provided in the content information transmission / reception device 30 and may be configured as an external storage device that is connected to the content information transmission / reception device 30 in a readable state.

  The first communication unit 330 performs two-way communication with the content providing apparatus 10 via a communication network such as the Internet, and includes a first reception unit 331 and a first transmission unit 332 therein.

  The first receiving unit 331 receives the content information 5 and the content 3 transmitted from the content providing apparatus 10 and is controlled by the first reception control unit 371 inside the input / output control unit 370. The content information 5 and the content 3 received by the first receiving unit 331 are sent to the first reception control unit 371.

  The first reception control unit 371 controls the first reception unit 331 and transmits the content information 5 and the content 3 received from the first reception unit 331 to the content / content information reception unit 311 described later.

  The first transmission unit 332 transmits the content transmission request 4A and the reproduction state information of the content 3 to the content providing apparatus 10, and is controlled by the first transmission control unit 372 inside the input / output control unit 370. Is done.

  The first transmission control unit 372 controls the first transmission unit 332 and transmits the content transmission request 4A received from the content request unit 316 described later to the first transmission unit 332. In addition, the reproduction state information of the content 3 received from the content reproduction state information transmission unit 317 described later is transmitted to the first transmission unit 332.

  The second communication unit 340 communicates with the content display processing device 20 via a communication network such as a power line carrier, and includes a second transmission unit 344 therein. The second transmission unit 344 transmits the content request information 6 to the content display processing device 20 and is controlled by the second transmission control unit 374 inside the input / output control unit 370.

  The second transmission control unit 374 controls the second transmission unit 344 and transmits the content request information 6 received from the content request information transmission unit 315 described later to the second transmission unit 344.

  The display unit 350 displays information sent from the display control unit 375 inside the input / output control unit 370. The display unit 350 is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Information displayed on the display unit 350 includes the content information 5 and the content 3 received by the content / content information receiving unit 311. The display unit 350 is not necessarily provided in the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 and may be configured to be communicably connected to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 as an external device.

  The display control unit 375 controls the display unit 350 and transmits information instructed from the control unit 310 to the display unit 350.

  The input operation unit 360 receives an input operation of the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 and transmits an input signal corresponding to the input operation to the input operation control unit 376 inside the input / output control unit 370. The input operation unit 360 is composed of input devices such as a remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a switch, and a touch panel, for example. When the user performs an input operation from the input operation unit 360, an input signal corresponding to an input operation such as an instruction to display content information, an instruction to switch content information to be displayed, an instruction to transmit content information, or a playback state of content information to be displayed Is generated.

  Note that the input operation unit 360 is not necessarily provided in the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and may be configured to be communicably connected to the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 as an external device.

  The input operation control unit 376 controls the input operation unit 360 that receives the user's operation of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 and transmits an input signal corresponding to the user's input operation to the input operation analysis unit 313 described later.

  Next, the control unit 310 will be described in detail. The control unit 310 includes a content / content information reception unit 311 (content information reception unit), a content / content information reproduction unit 312, an input operation analysis unit 313, a content request information generation unit 314 (content request information generation unit), and content request information. A transmission unit 315 (content request information transmission means), a content request unit 316, and a content reproduction state information transmission unit 317 are included.

  The content / content information receiving unit 311 receives the content information 5 and the content 3 from the first reception control unit 371. Then, the received content information 5 and content 3 are stored in the content / content information storage unit 321. The received content information 5 and content 3 may be displayed on the display unit 350 via the content / content information playback unit 312 without being stored in the content / content information storage unit 321.

  Next, the content / content information reproduction unit 312 reads the content information 5 or the content 3 stored in the content / content information storage unit 321 and displays the content information 5 or the content 3 on the display unit 350 via the display control unit 375. The display timing may be when the user performs a predetermined operation on the input operation unit 360, may be at a predetermined time, or immediately after the power of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 is input. May be.

  Here, when the content information 5 and the content 3 are e-mail or HTML, for example, the content information 5 and the content 3 are displayed on the display unit 350 by an e-mail application or a Web browser. Further, when the content information 5 and the content 3 are in a format such as MPEG4 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 4) format video data or MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer 3) format audio data, for example, the video data and audio data Is appropriately selected and displayed on the display unit 350. It should be noted that which software or hardware is selected may be determined based on attributes such as the content information 5 and the file extension of the content 3. Further, the content information 5 and the content 3 may include layout information such as SVG and SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language).

  Next, the input operation analysis unit 313 analyzes the input signal transmitted from the input operation unit 360 via the input operation control unit 376. And an instruction to transmit the content information 5 selected on the display unit 350 to the content display processing device 20 and an instruction to acquire the content 3 corresponding to the content information 5 selected on the display unit 350 from the content providing device 10; And the signal of the reproduction state of the content 3 being reproduced on the display unit 350 is detected, and the detection result is transmitted to the content request information generation unit 314, the content request unit 316, and the content reproduction state information transmission unit 317, respectively.

  For this purpose, the input operation analysis unit 313 includes a content information transmission instruction detection unit 3131, a content acquisition instruction detection unit 3132, and a content reproduction state detection unit 3133.

  The content information transmission instruction detection unit 3131 displays content information 5 selected by the user using the input operation unit 360 such as a button or a mouse among the content information 5 displayed on the display unit 350 in the content display processing device 20. It is detected whether there is a user instruction to transmit. This user instruction is an instruction input when the user decides to reproduce the content 3 corresponding to the selected content information 5 on the content display processing device 20.

  When the content information transmission instruction detection unit 3131 detects that the instruction has been issued, the content information transmission instruction detection unit 3131 generates content request information 6 to be transmitted to the content display processing device 20 based on the selected content information 5. Then, the selected content information 5 is notified to the content request information generation unit 314.

  The content acquisition instruction detection unit 3132 provides content 3 corresponding to the content information 5 selected by the user using the input operation unit 360 such as a button or a mouse among the content information 5 displayed on the display unit 350. It is detected whether there is a user instruction to obtain from the apparatus 10. This user instruction is an instruction that is input when the user decides to reproduce the content 3 corresponding to the selected content information 5 on the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30.

  When the content acquisition instruction detection unit 3132 detects that the instruction has been issued, the content acquisition instruction detection unit 3132 transmits to the content request unit 316 a request for acquisition of new content 3 corresponding to the selected content information 5.

  The content reproduction state detection unit 3133 detects an input signal related to the reproduction state from the user for the content 3 being reproduced on the display unit 350. When an input signal related to the reproduction state is detected, the signal is transmitted to the content reproduction state information transmission unit 317 in order to transmit the signal to the content providing apparatus 10.

  Next, the content request information generation unit 314 reads the content information 5 notified from the content information transmission instruction detection unit 3131 from the content / content information storage unit 321, and the content display processing device 20 processes the read content information 5. Therefore, the content request information 6 is generated. At this time, as described above, for example, it is desirable to add the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (or the user).

  In order to perform the generation, the content request information generation unit 314 may use information stored in advance in the content information complementary data storage unit 322.

  Then, the content request information generating unit 314 transmits the generated content request information 6 to the content request information transmitting unit 315.

  Next, the content request information transmission unit 315 transmits the content request information 6 transmitted from the content request information generation unit 314 to the second transmission unit 344 via the second transmission control unit 374. At this time, protocol processing such as file transfer for transmission is performed.

  Next, the content request unit 316 receives a notification from the content acquisition instruction detection unit 3132 to request acquisition of new content 3 corresponding to the content information 5 and receives a content transmission request 4A based on the content information 5 Is generated. Then, the generated content transmission request 4A is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10 via the first transmission control unit 372 and the first transmission unit 332.

  Next, the content reproduction state information transmission unit 317 receives the reproduction state information of the content 3 from the content reproduction state detection unit 3133, and the content providing apparatus 10 via the first transmission control unit 372 and the first transmission unit 332. The signal is transmitted to.

  The reproduction state information is used when the content 3 is received from the content providing apparatus 10 next time and reproduced. For example, when the next content 3 is reproduced by a device different from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 that has reproduced the current content 3 halfway, the next reproduction is started from the time when the current reproduction is interrupted. Of course, the same can be used when the next reproduction is performed by the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 that has reproduced the current content 3.

(Configuration of content display processing device)
Next, the configuration of the content display processing device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the content display processing device 20 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the content display processing device 20 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, a first communication unit 230, a second communication unit 240, a display unit 250, an input operation unit 260, and an input / output control unit 270. Configured.

  The control unit 210 controls the storage unit 220 and the input / output control unit 270 and performs predetermined arithmetic processing. Examples of the predetermined calculation process include a process for receiving the content 3 from the content providing apparatus 10. A detailed configuration of the control unit 210 will be described later.

  The storage unit 220 stores various data used by the control unit 210, data obtained by executing a program, and the like, and is realized by a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM or a flash memory. The various data is stored in various storage units inside the storage unit 220. The storage unit 220 includes a content / content request information storage unit 221, a content information complementary data storage unit 222, a reproduction history information storage unit 223, and an authentication information storage unit 224.

  The content / content request information storage unit 221 stores content request information 6 and content 3 received by a content / content request information receiving unit 211 described later in a readable state.

  The content information supplemental data storage unit 222 stores information necessary for the content transmission request information generation unit 214 (to be described later) to generate the content transmission request information 7 from the content request information 6 in a readable state in advance. The content information complementary data storage unit 222 stores the same information as the information stored in the content information complementary data storage unit 322.

The reproduction history information storage unit 223 stores the attribute information and content reproduction information of a plurality of users who use the content display processing device 20 in a readable state. Specifically, the user ID of the user, the content ID of the content viewed by the user, and the playback state of the content are stored.
Therefore, the reproduction history information storage unit 223 is a database including at least the columns “parent user ID”, “child ID”, and “history 1” of the preference / history DB 152 of the user attribute information storage unit 121 of the content providing apparatus 10. Good.

  The authentication information storage unit 224 stores information for performing terminal authentication processing with the content providing apparatus 10 in a readable state. The authentication information storage unit 224 is, for example, a secure flash that stores an authentication ID used when terminal authentication is performed.

  Note that the storage unit 220 is not necessarily provided in the content display processing device 20, and may be configured as an external storage device that is connected to the content display processing device 20 in a readable state.

  The first communication unit 230 communicates with the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 via a communication network such as a power line carrier, for example, and includes a first receiving unit 231 therein.

  The first receiving unit 231 receives the content request information 6 transmitted from the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 and is controlled by the first reception control unit 271 inside the input / output control unit 270. The content request information 6 received by the first reception unit 231 is sent to the first reception control unit 271.

  The first reception control unit 271 controls the first reception unit 231 and transmits the content request information 6 received from the first reception unit 231 to the content / content request information reception unit 211 described later.

  The 2nd communication part 240 communicates with the content provision apparatus 10 via communication networks, such as the internet, for example, and is provided with the 2nd receiving part 242 and the 2nd transmission part 243 inside.

  The second receiving unit 242 receives the content 3 and the content information 5 transmitted from the content providing apparatus 10 and is controlled by the second reception control unit 272 inside the input / output control unit 270. The content 3 and content information 5 received by the second reception unit 242 are sent to the second reception control unit 272.

  The second reception control unit 272 controls the second reception unit 242 and transmits the content 3 and the content information 5 received from the second reception unit 242 to the content / content request information reception unit 211 described later.

  The second transmission unit 243 transmits the content transmission request 4 and the reproduction state information of the content 3 to the content providing apparatus 10, and is controlled by the second transmission control unit 273 inside the input / output control unit 270. Is done.

  The second transmission control unit 273 controls the second transmission unit 243 and transmits the content transmission request 4 received from the content request unit 215 described later to the second transmission unit 243. In addition, the reproduction state information of the content 3 received from the content reproduction state information transmission unit 216 described later is transmitted to the second transmission unit 243.

  The display unit 250 displays information sent from the display control unit 275 inside the input / output control unit 270. The display unit 250 is configured by an LCD, for example. Information displayed on the display unit 250 includes the content information 5 and the content 3 received by the content / content request information receiving unit 211. Note that the display unit 250 is not necessarily provided in the content display processing device 20, and may be configured to be communicably connected to the content display processing device 20 as an external device.

  The display control unit 275 controls the display unit 250 and transmits information instructed from the control unit 210 to the display unit 250.

  The input operation unit 260 receives an input operation of the user of the content display processing device 20 and transmits an input signal corresponding to the input operation to the input operation control unit 276 inside the input / output control unit 270. The input operation unit 260 is composed of input devices such as a remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a switch, and a touch panel, for example. When the user performs an input operation from the input operation unit 260, the display instruction of the content 3, the selection of the content request information 6 displayed on the display unit 350, the transmission instruction of the content transmission request 4, the display on the display unit 350 An input signal corresponding to an input operation such as a reproduction state of the content 3 being stored is generated.

  Note that the input operation unit 260 is not necessarily provided in the content display processing device 20 and may be configured to be communicably connected to the content display processing device 20 as an external device.

  The input operation control unit 276 controls the input operation unit 260 that receives the user's operation of the content display processing device 20 and transmits an input signal corresponding to the user's input operation to the input operation analysis unit 213 described later.

  Next, the control unit 210 will be described in detail. The control unit 210 includes a content / content request information reception unit 211 (content request information reception unit), a content / content request information reproduction unit 212, an input operation analysis unit 213, a content transmission request information generation unit 214, a content request A unit 215 (content request unit), a content reproduction state information transmission unit 216, and an authentication processing unit 218 are included. In addition, the control unit 210 may include a content reproduction state information storage unit 217.

  The content / content request information receiving unit 211 receives the content request information 6 from the first reception control unit 271. Then, the received content request information 6 is stored in the content / content request information storage unit 221. The received content request information 6 may be immediately displayed on the display unit 250 via the content / content request information reproduction unit 212 without being stored in the content / content request information storage unit 221. Further, the received content request information 6 may be transmitted to the content transmission request information generation unit 214 in order to immediately transmit to the content providing apparatus 10.

  Note that when receiving the content 3, decryption processing of encrypted data, processing for copyright protection, and the like may be performed, but description of these processing is omitted here.

  Also, the content / content request information receiving unit 211 receives the content 3 and the content information 5 from the second reception control unit 272. Then, the received content 3 and content information 5 are stored in the content / content request information storage unit 221. The received content 3 and content information 5 may be displayed on the display unit 250 via the content / content request information reproduction unit 212 without being stored in the content / content request information storage unit 221.

  Note that the content display processing device 20 may be able to switch to a mode in which the content / content request information receiving unit 211 does not receive the content request information 6 depending on user settings or the like.

  Next, the content / content request information reproducing unit 212 is the content 3 received from the content / content request information receiving unit 211, or the content stored in the content / content request information storage unit 221 by the content / content request information receiving unit 211. 3 is displayed on the display unit 250 via the display control unit 275.

  At this time, when the reproduction state information of the content 3 is stored in the reproduction history information storage unit 223, the history information about the reproduction state is read and the content 3 is displayed on the display unit 250 according to the history information about the reproduction state. To do. For example, when the playback stop information and the playback stop position are stored in the playback history information storage unit 223 using the content 3 as playback status information, the playback of the content 3 is started from the playback stop position and the display unit 250.

  The content / content request information reproduction unit 212 reads the content information 5 or the content request information 6 stored in the content / content request information storage unit 221 and displays the content information 5 or the content request information 6 on the display unit 250 via the display control unit 275. .

  The display timing of the content / content request information reproduction unit 212 may be when a predetermined operation is performed on the input operation unit 260 by the user, may be a predetermined time, or may be a content display process. It may be immediately after the power supply of the apparatus 20 is input.

  Next, the input operation analysis unit 213 analyzes an input signal transmitted from the input operation unit 260 via the input operation control unit 276. And the instruction | indication which acquires the content 3 corresponding to the content information 5 selected on the display part 250 or the content request information 6 from the content provision apparatus 10, and the signal of the reproduction | regeneration state of the content 3 currently reproduced | regenerated on the display part 250 And the detection result is transmitted to the content transmission request information generation unit 214 and the content reproduction state information transmission unit 216, respectively. Further, the signal of the reproduction state of the content 3 may be transmitted to the content reproduction state information storage unit 217.

  For this purpose, the input operation analysis unit 213 includes a content acquisition instruction detection unit 2131 and a content reproduction state detection unit 2132.

  The content acquisition instruction detection unit 2131 is the content information 5 or the content request information selected by the user using the input operation unit 260 such as a button or a mouse among the content information 5 or the content request information 6 displayed on the display unit 250. 6 is detected whether there is a user instruction to acquire the content 3 corresponding to 6 from the content providing apparatus 10. This user instruction is an instruction that is input when the user plays back the content 3 corresponding to the selected content information 5 or content request information 6 on the content display processing device 20.

  When the content acquisition instruction detection unit 2131 detects that the instruction has been given, the content acquisition instruction detection unit 2131 transmits the selected content information 5 or content request information 6 to the content transmission request information generation unit 214.

  The content reproduction state detection unit 2132 detects an input signal related to the reproduction state from the user for the content 3 being reproduced on the display unit 250. When an input signal related to the playback state is detected, the content ID of the content 3 being played back and the content transmission request 4 of the content 3 being played back are transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10. The included user ID that can identify the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user) that has transmitted the content request information 6 for accessing the content 3 to the content display processing device 20, and the playback state Is transmitted to the content reproduction state information transmission unit 216. Further, the reproduction state information may be transmitted to the content reproduction state information storage unit 217.

  The content transmission request information generation unit 214 reads the content information 5 or the content request information 6 notified from the content acquisition instruction detection unit 2131 from the content / content request information storage unit 221, and reads the read content information 5 or content request information 6. Is generated by the content providing apparatus 10 to process the content transmission request information 7. At this time, as already described, for example, it is desirable to add the user ID of the content display processing device 20 (or the user).

  In order to perform the generation, the content transmission request information generation unit 214 may use information stored in advance in the content information complementary data storage unit 222. Here, the process in which the content transmission request information generation unit 214 uses information stored in the content information supplement data storage unit 222 in advance is stored in the content information supplement data storage unit 322 in advance by the content request information generation unit 314. The description is omitted because it is the same as the process using the information.

  Then, the content transmission request information generating unit 214 transmits the generated content transmission request information 7 to the content requesting unit 215.

  Next, the content request unit 215 generates a content transmission request 4 for requesting acquisition of new content 3 based on the content transmission request information 7 transmitted from the content transmission request information generation unit 214. Then, the content request unit 215 transmits the content transmission request 4 to the content providing apparatus 10 via the second transmission control unit 273 and the second transmission unit 243.

  Next, the content reproduction state information transmission unit 216 receives the reproduction state information of the content 3 from the content reproduction state detection unit 2132, and the content providing apparatus 10 via the second transmission control unit 273 and the second transmission unit 243. The signal is transmitted to.

  The reproduction state information is used when the content 3 is received from the content providing apparatus 10 next time and reproduced. For example, when the current content 3 is reproduced halfway and interrupted, the next reproduction is started from the point of interruption.

  Next, the content playback state information storage unit 217 receives the playback state information of the content 3 from the content playback state detection unit 2132 and stores the information in the playback history information storage unit 223. That is, the content ID, the user ID, and the reproduction state included in the reproduction state information are extracted, and the user attribute information storage unit 121 is updated by associating the extracted content ID, user ID, and the reproduction state. To do.

  The stored playback state is used when the next playback is performed only by the content display processing device 20 without receiving the content 3 from the content providing device 10.

  For example, the authentication processing unit 218 performs terminal authentication processing with the content providing apparatus 10 when communication with the content providing apparatus 10 is started. For example, a VOD distribution service provided by the content providing apparatus 10 is charged based on a contract. Therefore, since it is necessary to authenticate the terminal and specify the contractor, terminal authentication is performed. In the content providing apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, illustration and description of members that perform authentication processing with the authentication processing unit 218 are omitted.

  Note that the authentication processing unit 218 uses an authentication ID stored in the authentication information storage unit 224 and used for terminal authentication in the authentication process. The authentication ID is normally assigned a unique value for each device and stored in a secure flash or the like.

(Processing flow in content display system)
Next, a flow until the content 3 is displayed in the content display processing system 800 will be described with reference to FIGS. As already described in FIG. 2, in the content display processing system 800, 1) the content providing device 10 transmits the content information 5 (recommended information) to the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and 2) the content information transmitting / receiving device 30. The user sends the received content information 5 (recommended information) to the content display processing device 20, and 3) acquires the content 3 from the content providing device 10 by the content display processing device 20 and displays it. To do.

(Processing flow in content providing device)
First, the flow of processing in the content providing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the content providing apparatus 10. The outline of the processing is as follows: 1) the content providing apparatus 10 transmits the content information 5 (recommended information) to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30; and 2) the content transmission request 4A from the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 or the content display processing apparatus. The content transmission request 4 is received from 20, the content 3 corresponding to the request is transmitted, 3) the control signal such as the end of reproduction is received, and the user attribute information is updated.

  First, when providing the content 3 distribution service to the user, the attribute information of the contracted user is stored in the user attribute information storage unit 121 in advance by a business operator who performs the content distribution service (step S131). .

  Next, the content information generation unit 117 generates content information 5 (recommended information) according to the user at a predetermined timing (step S132).

  Next, the content / content information transmitting unit 116 transmits the generated content information 5 (recommended information) to the content display processing device 20 and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 corresponding to the user (step S133).

  After the transmission, when content request receiving unit 111 receives content transmission request 4 from content display processing device 20 or content transmission request 4A from content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (YES in step S134), the requested content is as follows: 3 is prepared for transmission (step S135).

  That is, the terminal attribute detection unit 112 has the device attribute information of the content display processing device 20 that is the transmission source of the received content transmission request 4 or the content information transmission / reception device 30 that is the transmission source of the received content transmission request 4A. Device attribute information is detected. Further, the user ID search unit 113 determines which user owns the transmission source of the received content transmission request 4 or content transmission request 4A. Also, the content transmission availability determination unit 114 determines whether the requested content 3 matches the contract details. Then, the transmission content adjustment unit 115 acquires the requested content 3 from the content / content information storage unit 122 and adjusts the acquired content 3 as necessary.

  When content request receiving unit 111 does not receive content transmission request 4 from content display processing device 20 or content transmission request 4A from content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (NO in step S134), content transmission request 4 or Wait for reception of the content transmission request 4A.

  Next, the content / content information transmission unit 116 transmits the content 3 received from the transmission content adjustment unit 115 to the content display processing device 20 or the content information transmission / reception device 30 that is the request source (step S136).

  At this time, the user ID that can identify the content display processing device 20 or the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) included in the content transmission request 4 or the content transmission request 4A and the content 3 requested to be transmitted. The content display processing device 20 or the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) having the user ID, the content 3 having the content ID, and the fact that the reproduction of the content 3 has started. , The attribute information update unit 119 may store the preference / history DB 152 of the user attribute information storage unit 121.

  Next, the content reproduction state information receiving unit 118 reproduces the reproduction state information of the content 3 transmitted from the content display processing device 20 and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (for example, reproduction interruption or reproduction end, etc. (Including the playback stop position) (YES in step S137), the attribute information update unit 119 receives “history 1” and “history 2” in the preference / history DB 152 of the user attribute information storage unit 121 based on the received signal. "Is updated (step S138).

  Here, the content transmission request 4 includes the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) and the user ID of the content display processing device 20 (or the user), and the IDs are the same. When the parent user ID is included, it can be seen that the combination of these devices (or users) is a correct combination (that is, not an unauthorized use) in using the content providing device 10. Therefore, in the content providing apparatus 10, the transmitted content transmission request 4 includes the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (or the user) and the user ID of the content display processing apparatus 20 (or the user). And whether or not they have the same “parent user ID” in the preference / history DB 152 is determined. For example, when the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is “ID1324a” and the user ID of the content display processing device 20 is “ID1324”, the parent user ID is “ID1324” in both cases. When any of the above user IDs has the same “parent user ID”, it is desirable that the attribute information update unit 119 updates the preference / history DB 152 of the user attribute information storage unit 121.

  If content reproduction state information receiving section 118 does not receive the reproduction state information (NO in step S137), it continues to wait for reception of the signal.

  Note that, in actuality, charging processing or the like is often performed for content distribution, so that authentication processing is generally performed between the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and the content display processing device 20 that access the content providing device 10. The description is omitted here.

(Processing flow in content information transmitting / receiving device)
Next, the flow of processing in the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30. The outline of the processing is as follows: 1) content information 5 (recommended information) is received from the content providing apparatus 10; and 2) content request information generated from the content information 5 when the content display processing apparatus 20 displays the content 3. 6 is transmitted to the content display processing device 20, and 3) when the content 3 is displayed on the own terminal (content information transmitting / receiving device 30), the content transmission request 4A is transmitted to the content providing device 10 to acquire the content 3. .

  First, when the content / content information receiving unit 311 receives the content information 5 (recommended information) from the content providing apparatus 10 (YES in step S331), the content / content information reproducing unit 312 displays the received content information 5 It displays on the display part 350 (step S332).

  If the content / content information receiving unit 311 does not receive the content information 5 from the content providing apparatus 10 (NO in step S331), it continues to wait for the content information 5 to be received.

  Next, the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 selects the content information 5 that is of interest from the displayed content information 5 on the input operation unit 360 (step S333), and the selected content information 5 is subjected to content display processing. When content information transmission instruction detection unit 3131 detects that a predetermined instruction for transmission to apparatus 20 has been made (YES in step S334), content request information generation unit 314 obtains content request information 6 from selected content information 5. Generate (step S335).

  Then, the content request information transmission unit 315 transmits the content request information 6 to the content display processing device 20 (step S336).

  In addition, when the content information transmission instruction detection unit 3131 does not detect that the predetermined instruction to transmit the content information 5 selected in step S333 to the content display processing device 20 is detected (NO in step S334), the selected information is selected. If the content acquisition instruction detection unit 3132 detects that a predetermined instruction to reproduce the content 3 corresponding to the content information 5 is received by the own device (content information transmission / reception device 30) (YES in step S337), the content request unit 316 Transmits the content transmission request 4A to the content providing apparatus 10 based on the selected content information 5 (step S338).

  After the transmission, when the content / content information receiving unit 311 receives the content 3 from the content providing apparatus 10 (YES in step S339), the content / content information reproducing unit 312 displays the received content 3 on the display unit 350. (Step S340).

  If content / content information receiving unit 311 does not receive content 3 from content providing apparatus 10 (NO in step S339), it continues to wait for content 3 to be received.

  Next, when the content playback state detection unit 3133 detects that the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 has performed playback control (for example, playback end) of the content 3 displayed on the input operation unit 360, the content The reproduction state information transmission unit 317 transmits the reproduction state signal to the content providing apparatus 10 (step S341).

  Note that the playback state information to be transmitted in step S3410 is not limited to the end of playback of the content 3. For example, in addition to notifying that the playback of the content 3 has been completed, the content providing apparatus 10 further transmits information such as fast-forward, rewind, pause, and interruption during playback based on the information. It is possible to grasp the user's content reproduction state in more detail and perform preference analysis.

  If the content information transmission instruction detecting unit 3131 does not detect that the predetermined instruction to transmit the content information 5 selected in step S333 to the content display processing device 20 is detected (NO in step S334), the selected information is selected. If the content acquisition instruction detection unit 3132 does not detect that the predetermined instruction to reproduce the content 3 corresponding to the content information 5 is reproduced by the own apparatus (content information transmission / reception apparatus 30) (NO in step S337), the process is performed. Instead, the process returns to step S333.

  Note that, in actuality, charging processing or the like is often performed for content distribution, and thus it is common to perform terminal authentication processing between the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and the content providing device 10. Is omitted.

(Processing flow in content display processing device)
Next, the flow of processing in the content display processing device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the content display processing device 20. The outline of the processing is: 1) receiving the content request information 6 from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30; 2) transmitting the content transmission request 4 to the content providing device 10 to obtain the content 3 in order to display the content 3.

  First, when the content / content request information receiving unit 211 receives the content request information 6 from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (YES in step S231), the content / content request information reproducing unit 212 displays the received content request information 6 The information is displayed on the display unit 250 (step S232).

  If the content / content request information receiving unit 211 does not receive the content request information 6 from the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (NO in step S231), the content / content request information receiving unit 211 continues to wait for reception of the content request information 6.

  Next, the user of the content display processing device 20 selects the content request information 6 that is displayed on the input operation unit 260 from the above-described content request information 6 (step S233), and corresponds to the selected content request information 6 If the content acquisition instruction detecting unit 2131 detects that a predetermined instruction for acquiring the content 3 to be acquired from the content providing apparatus 10 has been detected (YES in step S234), access confirmation to the content 3 is performed as necessary (step S234). S235). When the received content request information 6 includes only one content information, the selection operation by the user is not necessarily required.

  In the access confirmation, an access confirmation unit (not shown in FIG. 9) confirms whether or not the user of the content display processing device 20 can access the information included in the received content request information 6. The reason for confirming in this way is that, for example, when the content request information 6 is information including a URL, there is a possibility that the content 3 indicated by the URL is inappropriate for the user. Further, when accessing the URL, the user may be requested to input a predetermined password.

  Note that the access confirmation is not necessarily performed, and the content display processing device 20 may have a function of entering a mode in which the access confirmation is not performed. In this case, the determination process in step S235 is omitted.

  Next, when it is determined that the access is possible (YES in step S235), content transmission request information generation unit 214 processes the selected content request information 6 to generate content transmission request information 7. (Step S236).

  If it is determined that the access is not permitted (NO in step S235), the process returns to step S231 without performing the process.

  Next, the content request unit 215 transmits the content transmission request 4 to the content providing apparatus 10 based on the content transmission request information 7 (step S237).

  After the transmission, when the content / content request information receiving unit 211 receives the content 3 from the content providing apparatus 10 (YES in step S238), the content / content request information reproducing unit 212 displays the received content 3 on the display unit 250. (Step S239). The content 3 received from the content providing apparatus 10 is temporarily stored in the content / content request information storage unit 221, and the content / content request information reproduction unit 212 reads the stored content 3 and displays it on the display unit 250. May be.

  If content / content request information receiving section 211 does not receive content 3 from content providing apparatus 10 (NO in step S238), it waits for reception of content 3 continuously.

  Next, when the content playback state detection unit 2132 detects that the user of the content display processing device 20 has performed playback control (for example, playback end) of the content 3 displayed on the input operation unit 260, the content The reproduction state information transmission unit 216 transmits the reproduction state information to the content providing apparatus 10 (step S240). When the playback state information is stored in the content display processing device 20, instead of the content playback state information transmission unit 216 transmitting the playback state information to the content providing device 10, the content playback state information storage unit 217 The reproduction history information storage unit 223 is updated based on the reproduction state information.

  Note that the playback state information to be transmitted in step S240 is not limited to the end of playback of the content 3. For example, in addition to notifying that the playback of the content 3 has been completed, the content providing apparatus 10 further transmits information such as fast-forward, rewind, pause, and interruption during playback based on the information. Since history information regarding the playback state of the user's content 3 can be stored in more detail, a more detailed preference analysis can be performed.

  Further, in practice, since charging processing is often performed for content distribution, terminal authentication processing is generally performed between the content display processing device 20 and the content providing device 10, but here it is described Is omitted.

(Sequence of information sent and received between devices)
Next, a sequence example of information exchanged among the content providing device 10, the content display processing device 20, and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of information exchanged among the content providing device 10, the content display processing device 20, and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30.

  First, the content providing apparatus 10 transmits recommended information (content information 5) to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (step S1001).

  Next, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 receives the recommended information (content information 5) from the content providing device 10 and displays it. Based on the selection of recommended information from the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (assuming that the content information 5 corresponding to the content A is selected) and the transmission instruction from the user, the request for content A (content request information) 6) is transmitted to the content display processing device 20 (step S1002).

  Next, the content display processing device 20 receives the request for the content A (content request information 6) from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30. Then, a request for content A (content transmission request 4) is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10 (step S1003). Note that transmission confirmation of the content transmission request 4 may be performed with respect to the user of the content display processing device 20.

  Next, the content providing apparatus 10 receives the content transmission request 4 from the content display processing apparatus 20. Then, the content A requested by the content transmission request 4 is transmitted to the content display processing device 20 (step S1004). Here, the transmission of the content A is assumed to be a stream transmission in a format such as MPEG2, and since the request for the content A is the first, it is assumed that the content A is transmitted from the head position of the content A.

  Next, the content display processing device 20 receives the content A from the content providing device 10, and reproduces the received content A in order from the top position (step S1005).

  Next, it is assumed that the reproduction of the content A being reproduced is instructed in the middle by a predetermined operation of the user (step S1006). Here, as the predetermined operation for interrupting reproduction, when the user operates the content information transmitting / receiving device 30, a predetermined file for interrupting reproduction is transmitted to the content display processing device 20, or a control remote controller You may send a code. Further, a control remote control code for interrupting reproduction may be input from the input operation unit 260 such as a remote control. In a general mobile phone, an infrared remote control code for home appliance control can be controlled by software and transmitted.

  Next, by the user operation, the content display processing device 20 interrupts the reproduction of the content A and transmits the reproduction state information (here, information including that the reproduction is interrupted) to the content providing device 10 (step S1007). ). Here, it is desirable that the playback state information includes playback position information (such as the number of bytes from the playback start position of content A or the playback elapsed time) in addition to information indicating that playback has been stopped. Even when content is transmitted from the content providing apparatus 10 by streaming, prefetching is generally performed by the content display processing apparatus 20, so that the exact interruption position can be grasped on the content providing apparatus 10 side. This is because it is difficult.

  When contents are transmitted / received asynchronously (for example, when data is transmitted / received using a protocol such as HTTP), there is a case where data of an unreproduced part has already been acquired when the user instructs reproduction interruption. At this time, it is desirable to delete already acquired data.

  In addition, when the user gives an instruction to interrupt playback, the video displayed on the display unit instead of the content A is not particularly limited, and may be terrestrial digital broadcasting or a menu screen.

  Next, the content providing apparatus 10 receives the reproduction state information, and updates the user attribute information storage unit 121 based on the received reproduction state information (step S1008). In other words, the fact that the user has interrupted playback of the content A is stored. Furthermore, it is desirable to store the reproduction position information at the time of interruption.

  Next, when the user wants to reproduce the content A again after a predetermined period of time after instructing the reproduction interruption, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is operated to make a re-request for the content A (content request information 6). The content is transmitted to the content display processing device 20 (step S1009).

  Next, the content display processing device 20 receives the content A re-request (content request information 6) from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30. Then, the content A re-request (content transmission request 4) is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10 (step S1010).

  Next, the content providing apparatus 10 receives the content transmission request 4 from the content display processing apparatus 20. Then, the content A requested by the content transmission request 4 is transmitted to the content display processing device 20 (step S1011). At this time, the user attribute information storage unit 121 is searched based on the content A corresponding to the content transmission request 4 and the user ID, and the resume interruption position of the content A is obtained. Then, the content A is streamed from the restart interruption position (step S1011).

  Next, the content display processing device 20 receives the content A from the content providing device 10, and reproduces the received content A in order from the interruption position (step S1012).

  Next, when the content A has been played back to the end, the playback state information (here, including that playback has ended) is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10 (step S1013).

  Next, the content providing apparatus 10 receives the reproduction state information, and updates the user attribute information storage unit 121 based on the received reproduction state information (step S1014). In other words, the fact that the user has finished reproducing the content A is stored.

  Next, the content providing apparatus 10 transmits new recommended information (content information 5) generated based on the completion of reproduction of the content A to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (step S1015).

  In step S1007, the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is interrupted at the timing of transmitting the playback state information (in this case, including that the playback has been interrupted) to the content providing device 10 and is interrupted. The information of the content 3 that is present may be transmitted in a batch. Thereby, when there are a plurality of contents 3 being reproduced at that time, the user can select the contents 3 to be reproduced again.

  Further, the reproduction state information may be stored in the content display processing device 20 without being transmitted to the content providing device 10.

  Next, another example of a sequence of information exchanged among the content providing device 10, the content display processing device 20, and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of information exchanged among the content providing apparatus 10, the content display processing apparatus 20, and the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30.

  Here, a sequence example in the case where the reproduction state information is stored in the content display processing device 20 without being transmitted to the content providing device 10 is shown. For convenience of explanation, the same steps as those shown in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In step S <b> 1006, when an instruction to interrupt the playback of the content A being played back is given by a predetermined operation of the user, the content display processing device 20 interrupts the playback of the content A and the content playback state information storage unit 217. Updates the reproduction history information storage unit 223 based on the reproduction state information (in this case, including that the reproduction is interrupted) (step S1016). Here, it is desirable that the playback state information includes interrupted playback position information (such as the number of bytes from the playback start position of content A or the elapsed playback time) in addition to information indicating that playback has been interrupted.

  In step S1009, when the content request information 6 is received as a re-request for the content A from the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30, the content A corresponding to the received content request information 6 has been previously interrupted and played back. Whether the content matches the content stored in the history information storage unit 223 and the user ID included in the received content request information 6 indicates the content A in which the playback status is stored. It is determined whether or not it matches the reproduced user ID.

  If any of the above matches, the reproduction of the content A is started from the reproduction interruption position stored corresponding to the content A and the user ID (step S1012).

  In the above process, the reproduction state is stored in association with the user ID and the content ID, and the presence / absence of history information relating to the reproduction state of the content is determined in response to the content reproduction request. The content display processing device 20 realizes the process of performing reproduction from an appropriate reproduction position.

Therefore, the content display processing device 20 holds the user ID, the content ID, and the reproduction state. In addition, by storing not only information in the middle of reproduction but also a history of reproduction that has been completed so far, the content display processing device 20 can also grasp the user's preference.
(Display screen example)
Next, a display screen example of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and a display screen example of the content display processing device 20 will be described.
(Example of display screen of content information transmitter / receiver)
First, a display screen example of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 (a), 15 (b), 16 (a), and 16 (b).

  FIG. 15A is a diagram schematically showing an example of a display screen when the content information 5 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 350 of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30. Since all of the content information 5 shown in FIG. 3 cannot be displayed on the screen, a part of the content information 5 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the screen, and a scroll bar is provided on the right side of the display screen.

  The user uses the input operation unit 360 such as an up / down button to select displayed information. In FIG. 15A, the URL 52 is selected (underlined and highlighted). Then, the user uses the input operation unit 360 to press a “decision” button on the screen, thereby transitioning to a screen for performing an operation on the selected URL 52.

  FIG. 15B is a diagram schematically showing an example of a display screen when a list of possible operations for the URL 52 selected in FIG. 15A is displayed.

  In FIG. 15B, a list of the operations is displayed in the pop-up menu 71. In this example, it is understood that operations such as “Web access”, “Tag transmission”, and “Full text transmission” are possible. Here, when the user designates “Web access” using the input operation unit 360, the user accesses the Web indicated by the selected URL 52.

  If “tag transmission” is designated, the selected URL 52 is transmitted to the content display processing device 20 as the content request information 6.

  When “send full text” is designated, the entire content information 5 currently displayed is transmitted as content request information 6 to the content display processing device 20. “Full text transmission” is used when the entire mail or the full text of the Web page is transmitted.

  When the Web page is displayed in FIG. 15A, an operation “Send current URL” may be displayed in the pop-up menu in FIG. 15B. This is an operation of transmitting a URL designating the currently displayed Web page to the content display processing device 20.

  For example, let us consider a case where the content providing apparatus 10 can switch the content 3 to be transmitted according to the software or hardware attributes (for example, agent information of the Web browser) on the terminal side. In general, the display unit 250 of the content display processing device 20 such as a television has a larger display size and higher resolution than the display unit 350 of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 such as a mobile phone. . For this reason, when the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 browses a Web page specified by a predetermined URL, when the user wants to browse on a high-definition screen with a larger display size, the content display processing apparatus 20 to send. Then, when the Web page specified by the URL is accessed from the content display processing device 20, the content 3 is displayed with a larger size and higher definition than that displayed on the content information transmitting / receiving device 30.

  In FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, text data is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be EXIF format data in which a URL is set in the maker note area. In this case, the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 displays the JPEG image set in the image area, and transmits it to the content display processing apparatus 20. As a result, the content display processing device 20 can also display the JPEG image and acquire the content 3 based on the URL set in the maker note area.

  Next, FIG. 16A is a diagram schematically showing another display screen example when the content information 5 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 350 of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30.

  In this example, it is assumed that the information of the URL 52 in the content information 5 illustrated in FIG. 3 is embedded in the tag of the JPEG image 1363. Therefore, when the user presses the transmission button 1362 by the input operation unit 360, the tagged JPEG image 1363 is transmitted to the content display processing device 20.

  It should be noted that it is desirable that there is a mechanism in which the displayed recommended information need only be confirmed for the time being and not immediately transmitted to the content display processing device 20, that is, can be transmitted later. For example, when the content information 5 is notified by email several times a day, 1) When the content information 5 must be confirmed and transmitted to the content display processing device 20 for each email notification, 2) Further, the user searches for the content information 5 described in the past mail, and transmits the searched content information 5 to the content display processing device 20 as the content request information 6. This operation is not convenient.

  In such a case, for example, the content information 5 may be checked using the check button 1361 on the screen shown in FIG. 16A and the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 may store the check. desirable. Then, if the checked content information 5 can be easily transmitted to the content display processing device 20, the convenience is good.

  FIG. 16B is a diagram schematically showing an example of a display screen when the content information 5 checked in FIG. 16A is displayed as a list on the display unit 350 of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30.

  In FIG. 16B, JPEG images 1364a, 1364b, 1364c, and 1364d are displayed. These are the content information 5 checked by the check button 1361 in FIG.

  Then, the user selects one of the displayed JPEG images by using the input operation unit 360 such as a cross direction key. When the transmission button 1365 is pressed, the content information 5 that is the selected JPEG image is transmitted to the content display processing device 20 as the content request information 6.

  In FIG. 16B, date and time information is displayed together with JPEG images 1364a, 1364b, 1364c, and 1364d. This date and time information includes the date and time when the content providing apparatus 10 transmits the content information 5 (or the date and time when the mail is transmitted if it is mail transmission), the date and time when the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 receives the content information 5, and the user It is desirable to check the date and time.

  In FIG. 16B, only four JPEG images are displayed at the same time. However, even when there are five or more checked content information 5, the display screen is scrolled with the cross key or the like. Thus, it is desirable to be able to select a JPEG image that is not currently displayed.

In addition, by storing the date and time of transmission to the content display processing device 20 and the number of times of transmission, the content information 5 frequently transmitted to the content display processing device 20 and the recently transmitted content information 5 are transmitted to the content information transmitting / receiving device 30. It is desirable to reduce the number of operations required to display the content information 5 by displaying it on the upper display screen or automatically registering it in a predetermined list. For example, in the case of the content 3 such as music, the user often listens to a favorite song or album many times. Therefore, if the device is designed to reduce the number of operations as described above, the convenience is enhanced.
(Display screen example of content display processing device)
Next, a display screen example of the content display processing device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a display screen when certain content request information 6 is displayed on the display unit 250 of the content display processing device 20.

  In FIG. 17, recommended information for a user named “Yamada” whose user ID is “ID1324” is displayed. As the user's favorite genre, “baseball” and “animation” are registered in the preference / history DB shown in FIG. Therefore, in the screen example of FIG. 17, recommended information 61 related to “animation” and recommended information 62 and 63 related to “baseball” are displayed. The user can view the corresponding VOD content by pressing a link in the recommended information.

  Note that the link destination of the link is not limited to VOD content. For example, the link destination may be a real-time broadcast such as an IP broadcast or a terrestrial digital broadcast.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 18A to FIG. 18G, the content display processing device 20 receives the content request information 6 while displaying a broadcast such as terrestrial digital broadcast, and plays back the content 3. A transition example of the display screen will be described. FIG. 18A to FIG. 18G are diagrams schematically illustrating a transition example of the display screen of the content display processing device 20.

  First, FIG. 18A shows a state in which a broadcast wave such as terrestrial digital broadcast is received by the content display processing device 20 and the received broadcast is displayed on the display unit 250.

  Next, FIG. 18B shows a state in which the content request information 6 is received from the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 while the broadcast is being displayed as shown in FIG. Here, a message 64 indicating that the content request information 6 is being received is displayed superimposed on the broadcast.

  In addition, although the mode which received the content request information 6 in parallel with the display of the received broadcast was shown here, it is not limited to this. For example, the content request information 6 may be received only when the communication mode can be switched by a user operation and the mode is switched to a communication mode in which data communication with an external device is possible.

  Next, FIG. 18C shows a state in which an outline of the content request information 6 received in FIG. 18B is displayed. Here, the content request information 6 is an image file having the file name “Photo.JPEG” in the JPEG format, and a message 65 for displaying whether or not to display the file is superimposed on the broadcast. Is displayed. Then, the user instructs whether to display the file using the input operation unit 260 such as a remote controller.

  In the above description, it is determined whether or not the content request information 6 is in the JPEG format. However, the determination is not limited to this. For example, when information such as a URL is included as a JPEG tag, it is desirable to make a determination based on the presence or absence of the tag or the presence or absence of information such as a URL.

  Next, FIG. 18D shows a state immediately after the user gives an instruction to display to the content request information 6 received in FIG. Here, the received image file is displayed instead of broadcasting.

  FIG. 18E shows another state in which the outline of the content request information 6 received in FIG. 18B is displayed. Here, the content request information 6 is a URL indicating the location of the content 3, and a message 66 for displaying whether or not to display the content 3 is displayed superimposed on the broadcast. Then, the user instructs whether to display the content 3 using the input operation unit 260 such as a remote controller.

  In addition, although the example which displays the character string which is URL which shows the location of the content 3 was shown in FIG.18 (e), it is not limited to this. For example, a thumbnail or a title of the content 3 may be displayed.

  In addition, the URL shown in FIG. 18E describes the user ID (id1324a) of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30. This is because the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 adds the user ID to the content information 5 generated by the content providing device 10 to generate the content request information 6.

  However, when it is not desired to make the user ID visible from the viewpoint of security or the like, it is desirable to encrypt the user ID so that it cannot be easily deciphered. Further, if the entire URL is encrypted so that it cannot be easily deciphered, security is further enhanced. At this time, by using a predetermined application instead of using a normal Web browser, the content 3 can be displayed in a state in which the URL of the access destination is not visually recognized by the user.

  Next, FIG. 18 (f) shows a state immediately after the user gives an instruction to display the content 3 corresponding to the content request information 6 received in FIG. 18 (e). Here, the content providing apparatus 10 is accessed, the content 3 is acquired, and the acquired content 3 is displayed instead of broadcasting. Here, an example is shown in which a confirmation screen 56 for confirming the user's intention to purchase is displayed, in order to display the acquired content 3 such as “oden 8”. Yes. The confirmation screen 56 is a screen transmitted from the content providing apparatus 10 to the content display processing apparatus 20. Then, the user instructs whether or not to purchase the content 3 using the input operation unit 260 such as a remote controller.

  Next, FIG. 18G shows a state immediately after the user gives an instruction to purchase in FIG. Here, the acquired content 3 “Oden 8” is displayed instead of broadcasting.

(Information distribution flow model)
In the content display processing system 800, it is possible to change the information distribution flow model before and after the content providing device 10 knows the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user). Therefore, four models will be described below.

(Model 1)
First, a distribution flow model of information transmitted between apparatuses before the content providing apparatus 10 can know the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (or the user) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a distribution flow model of information transmitted between devices before the content providing device 10 can know the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user).

  In this model, the content providing device 10 does not yet know the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user). Therefore, as shown in the flow (1) shown in FIG. 19, the content information 5 transmitted from the content providing apparatus 10 to the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 includes only access information to the content 3, and the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 ( Or the user ID of the user).

  Next, as shown in the flow (2) shown in FIG. 19, the content request information 6 transmitted from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 to the content display processing device 20 includes the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user). A user ID is added.

  Next, as shown in a flow (3) shown in FIG. 19, the content display processing device 20 (or its user) is further included in the content transmission request 4 transmitted from the content display processing device 20 to the content providing device 10. The user ID is added.

  Then, the content 3 corresponding to the content transmission request 4 is transmitted to the content display processing device 20 as shown in the flow (4) shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the flow (3), the content providing device 10 has a set of the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) and the user ID of the content display processing device 20 (or the user). Sent. Therefore, the content providing device 10 can know the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user), and the content providing device 10 can display the user ID and content display of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user). The association with the user ID of the processing device 20 (or its user) can be known.

  Therefore, the reproduction state of the content 3 of the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 can be stored in the preference / history DB 152 of the user attribute information storage unit 121.

  Further, from the next time onward, the content information 5 corresponding to the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 can be transmitted to the content information transmitting / receiving device 30.

(Model 2)
Next, with reference to FIG. 20, an example of a distribution flow model of information transmitted between devices after the content providing device 10 knows the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user). explain. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a distribution flow model of information transmitted between devices after the content providing device 10 has obtained the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user).

  In this model, the content providing device 10 already knows the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user). Therefore, as shown in the flow (1) shown in FIG. 20, the content providing apparatus 10 generates content information 5 suitable for the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30, and the generated content information 5 is used as the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30. Can be sent to. Therefore, as shown in the flow (1) shown in FIG. 20, the content information 5 generated by the content providing apparatus 10 includes the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (or its user) in addition to the access information to the content 3. ID is included.

  Next, as shown in the flow (2) shown in FIG. 20, the content request information 6 is displayed from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 without adding the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user). Transmit to the processing device 20.

  Next, the flows (3) and (4) shown in FIG. 20 are the same as the flows (3) and (4) shown in FIG.

(Model 3)
Next, referring to FIG. 21, after the content providing apparatus 10 knows the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (or its user), another distribution flow model of information transmitted between the apparatuses. An example will be described. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a distribution flow model of information transmitted between devices after the content providing device 10 has obtained the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user). is there.

  In this model, the content providing device 10 already knows the association between the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) and the user ID and the user ID of the content display processing device 20 (or the user). . Therefore, as shown in the flow (2) shown in FIG. 21, the content transmission request 4A is transmitted from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 to the content providing device 10, and the content providing device 10 corresponds to the content transmission request 4A. 3 can be transmitted to the content display processing device 20 associated with the content information transmitting / receiving device 30.

  Therefore, for example, even if the user of the content information transmission / reception device 30 who is away from home does not transmit the content request information 6 to the content display processing device 20 after returning home, the content information transmission / reception device 30 from the content information transmission / reception device 30 is away from home. If the content transmission request 4A is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10, the content 3 can be transmitted from the content providing apparatus 10 to the content display processing apparatus 20 of the user.

  Therefore, the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) is added to the content information 5 transmitted without specifying the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) in the flow (1) shown in FIG. The content request information 6 is generated by adding the ID, and the content transmission request 4A including the generated content request information 6 is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10 as shown in the flow (2) shown in FIG. As a result, the content providing device 10 knows from which content information transmitting / receiving device 30 the content transmission request 4A is transmitted, and as a result, the content display processing device 20 corresponding to the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is known.

  Then, as shown in the flow (3) shown in FIG. 21, the content 3 is transmitted to the corresponding content display processing device 20.

  Thus, the user does not need to transmit the content request information 6 from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 to the content display processing device 20, and can browse the desired content only by operating the content display processing device 20. It becomes.

  Instead of transmitting the content 3 in the flow (3) shown in FIG. 21, the content request information 6 included in the content transmission request 4A is transmitted to the corresponding content display processing device 20 as information selected by the user. May be.

(Model 4)
Next, referring to FIG. 22, after the content providing apparatus 10 knows the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (or its user), another distribution flow model of information transmitted between the apparatuses. An example will be described. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a distribution flow model of information transmitted between devices after the content providing device 10 has obtained the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user). is there.

  In the flow (1) shown in FIG. 21, the content information transmission / reception device 30 (or its user) is transmitted without specifying the content information transmission / reception device 30; ), The content information 5 suitable for the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 may be transmitted as described in the model 2 above. Therefore, in the flow (1) shown in FIG. 22, the content information 5 generated by the content providing device 10 includes the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) in addition to the access information to the content 3. It is out.

  Note that the flows (2) and (3) shown in FIG. 22 are the same as the flows (2) and (3) shown in FIG.

  Also in this model 4, as in the case of the model 3, the user does not need to transmit the content request information 6 from the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 to the content display processing device 20, and only by an operation to the content display processing device 20. It becomes possible to browse desired content.

(Modification 1 Flow of Processing in Content Information Transmission / Reception Device)
When the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 generates the content request information 6 from the content information 5, information such as a password input by the user may be used.

  For example, when receiving a billing service, user authentication or terminal authentication may be performed. Further, not only the authentication information but also a predetermined setting performed by the user, a predetermined message input by the user, or the like may be desired to be transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10. In such a case, it is desirable to enable user input at the content information transmitting / receiving device 30.

  Therefore, a flow of processing for generating the content request information 6 based on information input by the user will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating the content request information 6 based on information input by the user. The flow shown in FIG. 23 is added between step S334 and step S336 in FIG. 11. Therefore, the description of the other steps is omitted, and the same steps as in FIG. 11 are the same. The description is omitted with reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  After the content information transmission instruction detection unit 3131 detects that a predetermined instruction to transmit the content information 5 selected by the user to the content display processing device 20 is detected in step S334 (YES in step S334), the password from the user Is received (step S342). An example of the password input screen will be described later.

  Next, when the input of the password is completed, a password determination processing unit (not shown) determines whether or not the input password is correct (step S343). Here, the determination may be performed by communicating with the content providing apparatus 10 and performing a strict determination, or simply determining that a predetermined character string is input in advance. Note that the determination process in step S343 is not necessarily required, and it is not necessary to determine whether or not the input password is correct.

  Next, if it is determined that the input password is not correct (NO in step S343), an error display to that effect is displayed (step S344), and the input from the user is accepted again.

  Next, when it is determined that the input password is correct (YES in step S343), an encryption processing unit (not shown) performs password encryption processing (S345). Note that the encryption process may encrypt or conceal only the character string (in this case, the password) input by the user, or include the content title and user ID in addition to the character string input by the user. It may be encrypted, the entire information related to the content may be encrypted, or the entire communication path may be encrypted (for example, SSL (Secure Socket Layer)).

  Next, the content information is processed in combination with the encrypted information and other information (such as the URL of the content providing apparatus 10) to generate content request information (step S335).

  If there is a user input for interrupting the process in step S342, the process ends without generating the content request information 6.

  In the above example, the user input is the password. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a user comment or a control command for the content 3 may be used. Comments such as impressions of movie content can be input by the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 and transmitted to the content providing device 10 via the content display processing device 20.

  In the above example, the user inputs the password. However, an apparatus-specific ID such as a mobile phone number may be automatically added. In this case, by installing a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module Card) or USIM (Universal SIM) card in which the device-specific ID is recorded in the content information transmitting / receiving device 30, the device-specific ID can be acquired.

  As for encryption, in order to improve confidentiality, it is desirable that a different code is output every time even if the content is the same. For example, encryption including time information at the time of user input or encryption creation makes it possible to generate a different encryption each time. In addition, when the information including the time information is encrypted and the time information is obtained on the content providing apparatus 10 side, for example, the request is not accepted if 10 minutes or more have passed after the password is input, It becomes possible to build a more reliable system.

  In addition, when acquiring the user password of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 on the content providing apparatus 10 side, it is possible to charge by a charging system (not shown).

  Next, an example of a screen for performing the user input processing shown in FIG. 23 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen for performing the processing shown in FIG.

  When the user inputs a password in the password input field on the screen shown in FIG. 24 and then presses the “Send” button, the process in step S343 is performed. When the “return” button is pressed, the process is interrupted. Here, even if the input of the password is completed, the processing is not performed until the “Send” button or the “Return” button is pressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  In FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, the content information transmission / reception device 30 processes the content information 5 using the information input by the user and the device-specific ID to generate the content request information 6, but the same processing is performed. This may be performed when the content transmission request information 7 is generated by the content display processing device 20. That is, the content transmission request information 7 may be generated by processing the content request information 6 using a user ID that identifies the content display processing device 20 (or its user).

  When the content request information 6 is described in XML language, script language, or the like, content transmission is performed based on information specific to the content display processing device 20 or information input by the user according to the content request information 6 as in the above example. It can be easily realized that the request information 7 is generated and the content transmission request 4 including the content transmission request information 7 is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10 server apparatus. The information input by the user can also be used for the purpose of, for example, posting an impression of the movie content to the content providing apparatus 10 after watching a certain movie content.

(Modification 2 Process Flow in Content Display Processing Device)
After receiving the content request information 6, the content display processing device 20 transmits a content transmission request 4 to the content providing device 10 and acquires the content 3. Here, the acquisition method of the content 3 is changed depending on whether or not the content 3 to be acquired is the content registered in the content display processing device 20 and whether the content 3 is in the own device. May be. In the above description, the content 3 being registered in the content display processing device 20 means that the content 3 is included in a predetermined distribution service contracted by the user of the content display processing device 20. Is not registered in the content display processing device 20 means that the content 3 is not included in the distribution service with which the user of the content display processing device 20 has a contract.

  With reference to FIG. 25, another example of the flow in which the content display processing device 20 acquires the content 3 will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the flow in which the content display processing device 20 acquires the content 3. The flow shown in FIG. 25 adds processing after step S235 in FIG. 12. Therefore, the description of the steps before step S235 is omitted, and the same steps as those in FIG. The description is omitted and the description is omitted.

  If it is determined in step S235 that access is possible (YES in step S235), whether or not the content 3 to be acquired is content registered by the user in the content display processing device 20; Further, whether or not the content 3 to be acquired is in the content display processing device 20 is determined by a predetermined determination unit (not shown) (step S241).

  Here, when it is determined that the content 3 to be acquired is content that is not registered in the content display processing device 20, a distribution service that the user has not subscribed to is accessed. Is displayed (step S242). Needless to say, the user may explicitly access the distribution service outside the contract and ask the user for confirmation before accessing the distribution service. For example, when the content display processing device 20 includes an application such as a Web browser, the user can access an unregistered distribution service by inputting an arbitrary URL on the Web browser. .

  Here, when it is determined that the content 3 to be acquired is the content registered in the content display processing device 20, the content transmission request information 7 is generated (step S236), and the content transmission request information 7 Based on the above, the content transmission request 4 is transmitted to the content providing apparatus 10 (step S237).

  Next, in this example, terminal authentication of the content display processing device 20 is performed by communication with the content providing device 10 (step S243). The authentication method is not particularly limited. Not only the authentication of the device itself but also a determination such as whether or not the content 3 to be acquired satisfies the contract condition may be included. For example, when the content display processing device 20 compatible with full high-definition content 3 for QVGA size for mobile phones tries to acquire it, confirmation such as “Can I acquire content for mobile phones?” A message may be displayed to prompt the user for confirmation.

  If the terminal authentication fails (NO in step S244), a message to that effect is displayed to the user (step S245), and the communication with the content providing apparatus 10 is terminated.

  If the terminal authentication has failed (YES in step S244), the processes in and after step S238 are performed.

  If it is determined in step S241 that the content 3 to be acquired is in the content display processing device 20, the content 3 is read from the content / content request information storage unit 221 (step S246). For example, when the content display processing device 20 is a hard disk recorder and the recorded content 3 is stored in the content / content request information storage unit 221, the stored content 3 is selected and read.

  Then, the content / content request information reproducing unit 212 displays the read content 3 on the display unit 250 (step S239).

(Example of processing when content information is transferred to another content information transmitting / receiving device 30)
Note that, as in the model 2, the content providing device 10 has a user ID that can identify the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user) in the content information 5 for accessing the content 3 suitable for, for example, 20 years old or older. In the added state, when a mail is transmitted to the content information transmission / reception device 30 (device A), the user of the device A sends the content information from the device A to another content information transmission / reception device 30 (device B). It is conceivable to transfer 5 by mail. And it is possible that the user of the apparatus B is under 20 years old.

  Here, the device B further generates a content request information 6 by adding a user ID that can identify the device B (or its user) to the content information 5, and the generated content request information 6 is used as the content display processing device 20. In the content display processing device 20, the user ID of the device A (or its user) originally added by the content providing device 10 and the user ID of the device B (or its user) added by the device B are used in the content display processing device 20. It is possible to determine whether or not they are the same and perform processing according to each determination result.

  For example, when it is determined that the user IDs are not the same, the display unit 250 of the content display processing device 20 displays “This content is not sent to the device B, but is it OK to play it?” It is possible to display a confirmation message and ask the user for confirmation.

  If it is determined that the user IDs are not the same, the content providing apparatus 10 may be inquired to display a message “This content is for those over 20 years old, but are you sure you want to play it?”.

  Further, when it is determined that the user IDs are not the same, the content display processing device 20 and the content providing device 10 can be set so that the content transmission request 4 is not transmitted to the content providing device 10 and the content 3 is not reproduced. It may be configured.

(Processing example in the case where the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user) and the user ID of the content display processing device 20 (or the user) included in the content transmission request 4 are different)
When the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) and the user ID of the content display processing device 20 (or the user) included in a content transmission request 4 have the same parent user ID, those devices It can be seen that the (or user) combination is a correct combination (that is, not an unauthorized use) when the content providing apparatus 10 is used.

  Therefore, in the content providing apparatus 10, the transmitted content transmission request 4 includes the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 (or the user) and the user ID of the content display processing apparatus 20 (or the user). And whether or not they have the same “parent user ID” in the preference / history DB 152 is determined. For example, when the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 is “ID1324a” and the user ID of the content display processing device 20 is “ID1324”, the parent user ID is “ID1324” in both cases.

  When any of the above user IDs has the same “parent user ID”, it is desirable that the attribute information update unit 119 updates the preference / history DB 152 of the user attribute information storage unit 121.

  On the other hand, when the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) and the user ID of the content display processing device 20 (or the user) do not have the same parent user ID, those devices (or users) It can be seen that the combination is not a correct combination when using the content providing apparatus 10 (there is a possibility of unauthorized use).

  For example, the user ID “ID1324a” is added to the content information 5 in the content information transmitting / receiving device 30, but the content display processing device is exchanged between the authentication processing unit 218 of the content display processing device 20 and the content providing position 10. This is a case where the user ID of 20 (or the user) is not “ID1324a”.

  Such a case occurs when the content information 5 to which the user ID “ID1324a” of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user) is added is sent to the content display processing device 20 having a user ID other than “ID1324”. This is a case where a transmission request for content 3 is made. For example, the content information 5 is sent from the portable terminal (content information transmission / reception device 30) whose user ID is “ID1324a” to the playback device (content display processing device 20) of another person whose user ID is other than “ID1324”. The content information 5 in the mobile terminal (content information transmission / reception device 30) is transmitted to the other person's mobile terminal (content information transmission / reception device) by sending the content information 5 in the mobile terminal (content information transmission / reception device 30). 30), the content information 5 is transmitted from the other person's portable terminal to the other person's playback device (content display processing device 20), and the other person's playback device makes a transmission request for the content 3 , Etc. can be considered.

  In any case, it is desirable for the distribution service provider side to transmit the content 3 that has been requested to be transmitted if there is no problem in light of the contract conditions. In the above case, since the user of the mobile terminal with “ID1324a” can be considered to have advertised the content 3 to others, a privilege point is added to the contract with “ID1324a” or “ID1324” You may perform processes, such as. This can be easily realized by adding a column of privilege points to the preference / history DB 152 of the user attribute information storage unit 121. When privilege points increase by advertising content to others, for example, it may be possible to receive benefits such as being able to receive new services.

(Example of a state that a certain user considers being used continuously)
The user ID of the content information transmission / reception device 30 (or its user) is added to the content information 5 sent from the content information transmission / reception device 30 to the content display processing device 20, and based on the user ID, the content information transmission / reception device 30 (or When the user) is specified, it is assumed that subsequent operations performed from the content information transmission / reception device 30 (or the user) are operations performed by the content display processing device 20 or the content providing device. 10 may operate. That is, for example, when it is specified that the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 is Mr. A, when the operation is continuously performed on the remote control 20c of the content display processing apparatus 20, the user A continues. Is considered to be operated. Therefore, for example, when viewing history is displayed, Mr. A's viewing history is displayed on the display unit 250 of the content display processing device 20, and the screen design of the display unit 250 is designed to be set by Mr. A. It is possible to do. For example, when Mr. A performs an operation of “sends guide information to the mobile terminal (content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30) by mail” on the content display processing apparatus 20, the mobile terminal of Mr. A (content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30). On the other hand, it is also conceivable to send the guide information by e-mail. It should be noted that the state considered as continuous use as described above is when a predetermined time elapses after the operation of the content display processing device 20 is lost, when the power of the content display processing device 20 is turned off, It is desirable to shift to a state where it is not regarded as a continuous use, triggered by, for example, switching from a screen displaying to a screen displaying broadcast waves.

(Additional notes)
The content providing apparatus 10 according to the present invention may be a server apparatus that can transmit the content 3 to the request source in response to the content transmission request 4.

  Further, the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 according to the present invention may be an apparatus capable of transmitting / receiving content information. In particular, the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus of the present specification is suitable for a mobile phone.

  Further, the content display processing device 20 according to the present invention may be any device that can perform content display processing. In particular, the content display processing device of this specification is suitable for an STB that performs display processing of content received from another server device.

  The content 3 according to the present invention may be text data, audio data, image data, video data, office document, electronic book, other electronic information, or a combination thereof, and a specific format. It is not limited to.

  In addition to the above, the embodiment can be expressed as follows.

  [1] A content display processing device according to the present invention includes a first communication unit that communicates with a service providing device via a network, a second communication unit that receives information from an external device, and the second communication unit. Content information receiving means for receiving content information including information associated with a user or an external device, content receiving means for acquiring stream content by the first communication means based on the received content information, and the reception Content reproducing means for reproducing the content that has been reproduced.

  [2] Furthermore, the content display processing device according to the present invention is adapted to perform playback from a location corresponding to a past viewing stop time in response to the content information received from the second communication means. Also good.

  [3] Furthermore, the content display processing device according to the present invention may receive stop location information and transmit stop location information from the first communication means.

  [4] Furthermore, the content display processing device according to the present invention stores part or all of the received content information, and corresponds to the information associated with the user or the external device included in the content information, and the viewing status May be stored.

  [5] A content providing apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication means for communicating with an external apparatus, a first information transmitting / receiving means for receiving a content transmission request from the first apparatus and transmitting the content, and a second Second information transmission / reception means for transmitting content information to the apparatus; device attribute information storage means for storing attribute information of a terminal of the second apparatus; and the first information included in the information received by the first information transmission / reception means. Terminal information updating means for updating the device attribute information of the second device using the information of the second device.

  [6] Further, in the content providing apparatus according to the present invention, the content may transmit stream type information.

  [7] Further, the content providing apparatus according to the present invention may acquire the reproduction end information or the reproduction interruption information from the first apparatus and update the attribute information of the first apparatus.

  [8] Furthermore, the content providing apparatus according to the present invention acquires a transmission request or reproduction end or reproduction interruption information from the first apparatus, and provides related information to the second apparatus corresponding to the content information. May be transmitted.

  [9] The content information transmitting / receiving device according to the present invention includes a first communication unit that communicates with the content providing device, a second communication unit that communicates with the content display processing device, and the content information received by the first communication unit. Content information display means for displaying at least a part of the information, user input means for allowing the user to input information, at least a part of the received content information, and a combination of at least a part of the input information input by the user Content information updating means for updating information and the updated content information may be transmitted by the second communication means.

  [10] Furthermore, the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus according to the present invention receives the first communication means communicating with the content providing apparatus, the second communication means communicating with the content display processing apparatus, and the first communication means. Content information display means for displaying at least part of the content information, equipment information storage means for storing equipment information, at least part of the information stored in the equipment information storage means, and the received content information Content information updating means for creating new content information in combination, and the updated content information may be transmitted by the second communication means.

  [11] Further, the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus according to the present invention may have an encryption means for encrypting the content information, and encrypt the content information for transmission.

In order to solve the above problems, a content information transmitting / receiving apparatus according to the present invention is a content information transmitting / receiving apparatus that transmits access information for accessing content to a content display processing apparatus that displays the content. A content request including content information receiving means for receiving content information including the access information from a content providing device to be provided, the received content information, and user identification information capable of identifying the device or a user of the device. Content request information generating means for generating information and content request information transmitting means for transmitting the content request information to the content display processing device are provided.

A content information transmission / reception method according to the present invention is a content information transmission / reception method for transmitting access information for accessing content to a content display processing device for displaying content, from a content providing device for providing content. A content request for generating content request information including a content information receiving step for receiving content information including the access information, the received content information, and user identification information capable of identifying the device or a user of the device. It includes an information generation step and a content request information transmission step for transmitting the content request information to the content display processing device.

According to said structure, the content information containing the said access information is received from the said content provision apparatus, This received content information and the user identification information which can identify an own apparatus or the user of an own apparatus are included, Request information can be generated, and the generated content request information can be transmitted to the content display processing device.

Therefore, the content request information can be transmitted to the content display processing device in association with the content information and the user identification information. Therefore, when the content display processing device transmits a request for accessing the content specified by the access information included in the content request information, the user identification information is associated with the content providing device. Can be sent.

Therefore, the content providing apparatus can be notified of which content information transmitting / receiving apparatus or the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus requested to acquire which content.

In order to solve the above problem, a content display processing device according to the present invention is a content display processing device that displays content acquired from a content providing device that provides content on a display unit, and information for accessing the content Content information including access information for accessing the content acquired by the content information transmitting / receiving device from the content providing device, and the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device or the content information transmitting / receiving device Content request information receiving means for receiving content request information including the user identification information that can be identified, and a content transmission request for accessing the content specified by the access information included in the content request information. User Generated including other information, the content transmission request thus generated is characterized in that it comprises a content requesting unit that transmits to the content providing device.

The content display processing method according to the present invention is a content display processing method for displaying content acquired from a content providing apparatus that provides content on a display unit, and transmitting and receiving content information for transmitting content access information. Content information including access information for accessing content acquired by the content information transmitting / receiving device from the content providing device, and user identification that can identify the content information transmitting / receiving device or the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device A content request information receiving step for receiving content request information including information, and a content transmission request for accessing content specified by the access information included in the content request information, including the user identification information Forms, a content transmission request thus generated is characterized by containing a content request sending to the contents providing apparatus.

According to the above configuration, the user can identify the content information acquired by the content information transmitting / receiving device from the content providing device and the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device or the content information transmitting / receiving device from the content information transmitting / receiving device. Content request information including the identification information, and generating a content transmission request for accessing the content specified by the access information included in the content request information including the user identification information. The content transmission request can be transmitted to the content providing apparatus.

Therefore, the content transmission request and the user identification information can be associated with each other and transmitted to the content providing apparatus.

Therefore, the content providing apparatus can be notified of which content information transmitting / receiving apparatus or the user of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus requested to acquire which content.

Furthermore, the content display processing device according to the present invention, in the above configuration, is a reproduction indicating that the reproduction of the content has been stopped when detecting a reproduction stop instruction from the user for the content displayed on the display unit. It is good also as a structure which transmits status information to the said content provision apparatus.

According to the above configuration, when the user gives an instruction to stop playback, playback state information indicating that playback of the content has stopped can be transmitted to the content providing apparatus.

Therefore, since the content providing apparatus can be notified that the content reproduction has stopped, the content providing apparatus represents the content identification information, the user identification information, and a reproduction state indicating that the reproduction of the content has been stopped. Information can be associated and stored in the storage unit.

Therefore, the history that the content viewed by the user has been stopped can be used as information for generating the next recommended information (the content information).

Furthermore, in the above configuration, the content display processing device according to the present invention, when detecting the end of playback of the content displayed on the display unit, displays the playback status information indicating that playback of the content has ended. It is good also as a structure which transmits to a provision apparatus.

According to said structure, when reproduction | regeneration of a content is complete | finished, the reproduction | regeneration state information showing that the reproduction | regeneration of this content was complete | finished can be transmitted to the said content provision apparatus.

Therefore, since the content providing apparatus can be notified that the reproduction of the content has been completed, the content providing apparatus represents the content identification information, the user identification information, and a reproduction state indicating that the content has been terminated. Information can be associated and stored in the storage unit.

Therefore, the history that the reproduction of the content viewed by the user is completed can be used as information for generating the next recommended information (the content information).

Furthermore, a content display processing system according to the present invention includes the content providing device, the content information transmitting / receiving device, and the content display processing device.

According to said structure, 1) The said content information transmission / reception apparatus transmits the content request information containing the said content information and the user identification information which can identify an own apparatus or the user of an own apparatus to the said content display processing apparatus. And 2) the content display processing device generates a content transmission request for accessing the content specified by the access information included in the content request information, including the user identification information. A content transmission request is transmitted to the content providing apparatus, and 3) the content providing apparatus specifies, from the content transmission request, the content identification information for specifying the content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request, and the content transmission request. The access information for accessing the content included is The content information transmission / reception device transmitted to the content display processing device or the user identification information that can identify the user of the content information transmission / reception device is extracted, and the extracted content identification information, the user identification information, and the content A reproduction start state indicating that the reproduction of the content to be transmitted in response to the transmission request is started can be associated and stored in the reproduction state storage unit.

Accordingly, which content information transmission / reception device or the user of the content information transmission / reception device views which content is in what playback state is stored in the playback state storage unit of the content providing device. Can do.

Therefore, the content providing apparatus can generate recommended content information (the content information) according to the user's preference based on the content reproduction state history and transmit the recommended content information to the content information transmitting / receiving device. There is an effect that can be done.

The content display processing device and the content information transmission / reception device may be realized by a computer. In this case, the content display processing device and the content information transmission / reception device are made to operate on the computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit. The content display processing device and the content information transmission / reception device control program to be realized in this manner and a computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  Finally, the control units 110, 210, and 310 may be realized by software using a CPU or may be configured by hardware logic. When realized by software, the content providing device 10, the content display processing device 20, and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 expand a CPU that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM that stores the program, and the program. And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. The object of the present invention is to provide program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of control programs for the content providing device 10, the content display processing device 20, and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 that are software that realizes the functions described above. ) Is recorded in a computer readable manner to the content providing device 10, the content display processing device 20, and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30. The content providing device 10, the content display processing device 20, and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 This can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  In addition, the content providing device 10, the content display processing device 20, and the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited, and for example, an infrared ray such as IrDA, Bluetooth (Bluetooth) (IEEE1394 cable, USB cable, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc.) (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention provides a content providing apparatus and content that can generate content information for accessing content based on a content viewing history for each user and transmit the content information to a user device that transmits and receives the content information It can be suitably used for an information transmitting / receiving device and a content display processing device.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the content provision apparatus in the content display processing system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the flow of the information transmitted between the apparatus structure of each content display processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and each apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the content information handled with the content display processing system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the content information handled in the content display processing system shown in FIG. 2 newly produced | generated based on the user attribute information containing the end of viewing of a certain content. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the content request information produced | generated by processing the content information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the other example of the content request information produced | generated by processing the content information shown in FIG. FIG. 7A is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the customer master DB in the user attribute information storage unit in the content providing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 7B is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the preference / history DB in the user attribute information storage unit in the content providing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the content information transmission / reception apparatus in the content display processing system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the content display processing apparatus in the content display processing system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the content provision apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the content information transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the content display processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of information exchanged between the content providing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, the content display processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9, and the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of information exchanged between the content providing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, the content display processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9, and the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 15A is a diagram schematically showing a display screen example when the content information shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 15B is a diagram schematically showing a display screen example when a list of possible operations for the URL selected on the display screen shown in FIG. FIG. 16A is a diagram schematically showing another display screen example when the content information shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 16B is a diagram schematically showing a display screen example when the content information checked in FIG. 16A is displayed as a list on the display unit of the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG. is there. It is the figure which showed typically the example of a display screen when a certain content request information handled by the content display processing system shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display part of a content display processing apparatus. FIG. 18A is a diagram showing a state in which a broadcast wave such as terrestrial digital broadcast is received by the content display processing apparatus shown in FIG. 9, and the received broadcast is displayed on the display unit. FIG. 18B is a diagram showing a state in which the content request information is received from the content information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 8 while the broadcast is displayed in FIG. FIG. 18C is a diagram showing a state in which an outline of the content request information received in FIG. 18B is displayed. FIG. 18D shows a state immediately after the user gives an instruction to display the content request information received in FIG. FIG. 18E is a diagram showing another aspect of displaying an outline of the content request information received in FIG. FIG. 18F is a diagram showing a state immediately after the user gives an instruction to display the content corresponding to the content request information received in FIG. FIG. 18G is a diagram showing a state immediately after the user gives an instruction to purchase in FIG. The content providing device shown in FIG. 2 is transmitted between the devices of the content display processing system shown in FIG. 2 before the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or its user) shown in FIG. 8 can be known. It is a schematic diagram which shows the distribution | circulation model of information. 2 is transmitted between the devices of the content display processing system shown in FIG. 2 after knowing the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the distribution flow model of information. 2 is transmitted between the devices of the content display processing system shown in FIG. 2 after knowing the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the distribution flow model of information. 2 is transmitted between the devices of the content display processing system shown in FIG. 2 after knowing the user ID of the content information transmitting / receiving device 30 (or the user) shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the distribution flow model of information. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which produces | generates the content request information handled by the content display processing system shown in FIG. 2 based on the information which the user input. It is the figure which showed typically the example of a screen which performs the user input process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of the flow from which the content display processing apparatus shown in FIG. 9 acquires content.

4 Content transmission request 4A Content transmission request 5 Content information 6 Content request information 7 Content transmission request information 10 Content providing device 20 Content display processing device 30 Content information transmitting / receiving device 111 Content request receiving unit 116 Content / content information transmitting unit 117 Content information generation Part (content information generation means)
118 content reproduction state information receiving unit 119 attribute information updating unit (reproduction start state information storage means, reproduction state information storage means)
121 User attribute information storage unit (reproduction state storage unit)
122 Content / Content Information Storage Unit 211 Content / Content Request Information Receiving Unit (Content Request Information Receiving Unit)
212 content / content request information reproduction unit 214 content transmission request information generation unit 215 content request unit (content request unit)
216 Content reproduction state information transmission unit 217 Content reproduction state information storage unit 221 Content / content request information storage unit 222 Content information complementary data storage unit 223 Playback history information storage unit 250 Display unit 311 Content / content information reception unit (content information reception unit) )
312 Content / Content Information Reproducing Unit 314 Content Request Information Generating Unit (Content Request Information Generating Unit)
315 Content request information transmitting unit (content request information transmitting means)
316 Content request unit 317 Content playback state information transmission unit 321 Content / content information storage unit 322 Content information supplement data storage unit 800 Content display processing system

Claims (7)

A content providing device that transmits content corresponding to a content transmission request received from a content display processing device that displays content on a display unit to the content display processing device,
When the content transmission request is received, content identification information for specifying content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request from the received content transmission request, and access to the content included in the content transmission request The content information transmission / reception device that transmitted the access information to the content display processing device or the user identification information that can identify the user of the content information transmission / reception device is extracted, and the extracted content identification information and the user identification information are extracted. A reproduction start state information storage means for storing in the reproduction state storage unit a reproduction start state indicating that reproduction of the content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request is started ,
Based on the reproduction start state of the contents stored in the playback state storage unit, content information to generate a content information corresponding to the user of the content information transmitting and receiving apparatus or the content information transmitting and receiving devices are shown in the user identification information Generating means,
While transmitting the generated content information to the content information transmitting / receiving device ,
When the content transmission request is received, a terminal attribute of the content display processing device that has transmitted the content transmission request is detected, and content corresponding to the detected terminal attribute is transmitted to the content display processing device. Content providing device. The content identification information, the user identification information, and a playback state indicating whether the content specified by the content identification information is being played, stopped playing, or finished playing in the content display processing device When receiving playback status information including
Above from the playback state information, it extracts the above-described playback state and the content identification information and the user identification information in association with the above-described content identification information the extracted and the user identification information, the reproduction state of the extracted The content providing device according to claim 1, wherein the content providing device is stored in a recording / playback state storage unit. A content providing device that transmits content corresponding to a content transmission request received from a content display processing device that displays content on a display unit to the content display processing device,
When the content transmission request is received, content identification information for specifying content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request from the received content transmission request, and access to the content included in the content transmission request The content information transmitting / receiving device that transmitted the access information to the content display processing device or user identification information that can identify the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device, and the content display processing device or the content included in the content transmission request When the second user identification information that can identify the user of the display processing device is extracted, and the combination of the extracted user identification information and the second user identification information is not incorrect, the extracted content identification information The user identification information and the content transmission Includes a reproduction start status information storage means for storing the playback state storage unit in association with the reproduction start condition indicating that the reproduction has been started in the content to be transmitted in response to the request,
When the content transmission request is received, a terminal attribute of the content display processing device that has transmitted the content transmission request is detected, and content corresponding to the detected terminal attribute is transmitted to the content display processing device. Content providing device. A content providing method for transmitting content corresponding to a content transmission request received from a content display processing device that displays content on a display unit to the content display processing device,
When the content transmission request is received, content identification information for specifying content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request from the received content transmission request, and access to the content included in the content transmission request The content information transmission / reception device that transmitted the access information to the content display processing device or the user identification information that can identify the user of the content information transmission / reception device is extracted, and the extracted content identification information and the user identification information are extracted. A reproduction start state information storage step for storing in the reproduction state storage unit a reproduction start state indicating that reproduction of the content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request is started ,
Based on the reproduction start state of the contents stored in the playback state storage unit, and generating content information corresponding to the user of the content information transmitting and receiving apparatus or the content information transmitting and receiving devices are shown in the user identification information ,
Transmitting the generated content information to the content information transmitting / receiving device ;
Detecting a terminal attribute of the content display processing device that has transmitted the content transmission request when the content transmission request is received, and transmitting content corresponding to the detected terminal attribute to the content display processing device. A content providing method characterized by the above. A content providing method for transmitting content corresponding to a content transmission request received from a content display processing device that displays content on a display unit to the content display processing device,
When the content transmission request is received, content identification information for specifying content to be transmitted in response to the content transmission request from the received content transmission request, and access to the content included in the content transmission request The content information transmitting / receiving device that transmitted the access information to the content display processing device or user identification information that can identify the user of the content information transmitting / receiving device, and the content display processing device or the content included in the content transmission request When the second user identification information that can identify the user of the display processing device is extracted, and the combination of the extracted user identification information and the second user identification information is not incorrect, the extracted content identification information The user identification information and the content transmission A reproduction start state information storing step of storing the playback state storage unit in association with the reproduction start condition indicating that the reproduction has been started in the content to be transmitted in response to the request,
Detecting a terminal attribute of the content display processing device that has transmitted the content transmission request when the content transmission request is received, and transmitting content corresponding to the detected terminal attribute to the content display processing device. A content providing method characterized by the above. The program for operating the content provision apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 3 , Comprising: The program for functioning a computer as said each means. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 6 is recorded.

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