JP5278847B2 - VoD system for server-controlled video communication terminals - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a VoD system for server-controlled video communication terminals, and more particularly, a VoD (video on demand) that allows a mobile terminal to control a video distribution server via a Web server to view content such as video content. About the system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system or service has been known in which a moving image distribution server connected to the Internet is accessed using a moving image viewing application provided in a communication terminal such as a PC to receive distribution of desired moving image content. ing.

For example, Patent Document 1 below describes the following VoD system. In a system comprising a television device having a terminal control device, a route information center connected to the Internet, and a content distribution server, a user can use a user interface device (for example, a voice recognition remote controller, a remote controller with a pointing device, a mobile phone remote controller). When a predetermined channel of the television apparatus is selected with the remote control button, the information is sent to the terminal control apparatus, and the terminal control apparatus then routes the user's STB-ID (unique identifier) and the selected channel information. The information is sent to the information center, and the URL of the selected channel is acquired from the route information center. Subsequently, the terminal control device connects to the content distribution server using the acquired URL or the like, receives the content distribution from the content distribution server, and displays the content distributed on the screen of the television device. In this way, the user can view desired content.
JP 2007-201742 A

  However, in the above-described system, it is possible to view content distributed only on a specific television device having a terminal control device to which an STB-ID is assigned, which is highly terminal-dependent and difficult to cooperate with different services. There is a problem of being.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a VoD system for server-controlled video communication terminals that solves the problems of the prior art described above, has low terminal dependency, and is easy to charge.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a browser function, and selectively transmits a program selection, a video communication terminal to which video content is distributed, and an operation instruction by an operation screen displayed on the browser. A mobile phone that transmits the operation screen information based on a display request from the mobile phone to display the operation screen on the browser of the mobile phone, and receives an operation instruction based on the operation screen from the mobile phone A web server having a function of creating a control command based on the operation instruction, and distribution of the moving image content selected by the program selection from the mobile phone is transmitted from the browser of the mobile phone, and video distribution server for controlling the start or the transmission stop transmission in accordance with instructions received via the video content from the video distribution server Serial only in accordance with operation from the mobile phone, at least, play operation, the pause operation, and by to be able to perform the end operation, consists of a video communication terminal to view video content from the video distribution server, The video communication terminal is designated from the mobile phone, and the video distribution server waits upon receiving a video start request from the video communication terminal, and in response to a play instruction from the mobile phone, the video A first feature is that it provides a server-controlled video communication terminal VoD system characterized by delivering video content to a communication terminal.

  In addition, the video distribution server receives and waits for a video start request from the video communication terminal, and executes distribution of video content to the video communication terminal according to a transmission start instruction from the mobile phone. There are two features.

Furthermore, the moving image communication terminal has a second feature in that the moving image communication terminal is a moving image communication terminal arbitrarily designated by a mail address from a browser of the mobile phone.

  According to the present invention, since the moving image content selected from the mobile phone is displayed on an arbitrary moving image communication terminal and the mobile phone is used like a remote controller via the network, the terminal dependency is low and charging is performed. It is possible to provide an easy VoD system for server-controlled video communication terminals. In addition, the convenience of the user is improved, and the service is easily expanded because the service entity is on the server side.

  In addition, since the terminal dependency is low as described above, as long as the user has his / her mobile phone, not only the video communication terminal that he / she owns, such as a hotel at a travel destination, a workplace, a school, a coffee shop, etc. The video content can also be distributed and received to any video communication terminal installed in the network, and the video distribution service can be enjoyed without being tied to the video communication terminal.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration example of a VoD system for server-controlled video communication terminals of the present invention.

  As shown in the drawing, a video communication terminal 2 (for example, a viewing terminal 2 having a viewing PC, a Web browser, a mail receiving function, and a moving image player) is connected to the Internet 1 via an access line. A telephone network 3 (for example, a mobile phone network) is connected to the Internet 1 via a gateway server (GW server), and a video player operation tool 4 (for example, a mobile phone) is wirelessly connected to the telephone network 3. Has been. In addition, a Web server 6 and a moving image distribution server 7 are connected to the Internet 1 via an Internet connection router 5. A content storage unit 8 is connected to the moving image distribution server 7, and the moving image distribution server 7 can access and read any content stored in the content storage unit 8. In the following description, the video communication terminal 2 or the viewing terminal 2 is replaced with the viewing PC 2 and the video player operation tool 4 is replaced with the mobile phone 4 for easy understanding.

  More specifically, the viewing PC 2 includes a well-known moving image player, a general-purpose mail user agent (electronic mail receiving function), and an HTML viewer (browser). The telephone network 3 includes a GW server, a telephone network, and a radio base station. The mobile phone 4 is a normal one, and has an HTML viewer (browser).

  Next, the Web server 6 includes an authentication program 6a, a Web service program 6b, and a Web program 6c. The Web program 6c includes a content selection control program, a Web screen control program, a moving image service control program, an e-mail transmission control program, and a general-purpose mail transfer agent (mail transfer function). The moving image distribution server 7 includes a moving image service program, a Web service program, a moving image distribution control program, a Web screen control program, and a moving image service control program 7a introduced by the present invention. Details of the functions of the moving picture service control program 7a will be described later with reference to FIG. Further, the content storage unit 8 includes a content management program and content storage means such as a hard disk.

  According to the present invention, the user can distribute the moving image content distributed from the moving image distribution server to any viewing PC 2 using the mobile phone 4, and the operation unit displayed on the browser of the mobile phone 4. The video content can be used for operations such as playing, pausing, and ending the video content. Hereinafter, the user operation procedure and the operation procedure of the VoD system will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. . 2 is a transition diagram of screen display of the cellular phone 4 and viewing PC 2, and FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram. In addition, the code | symbol (2, 4, 6a-6c, 7) in FIG. 3 shows the same or equivalent thing of the same code | symbol of FIG. In addition, the display contents of the screens of the mobile phone 4 and the viewing PC 2 in FIG. 2 are not limited to this.

  Since the Web service program 6b in the Web server 6 has a control function for mobile phones and PCs, communication with the mobile phone 4 is performed with the viewing PC 2 via the control function for mobile phones. Communication is performed via a control function for the PC.

  When the user wants to receive a video distribution service, first, the mobile phone 4 is operated to display a “member-oriented program” such as an archive, a drama, or a trip on the screen (browser) of the mobile phone ( T1). Therefore, when the user selects any program, a program selection screen is sent from the Web service program 6b to the mobile phone 4, and a “program list” is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 (T2). . Next, when a program such as “city trip” is selected, a message “Do you want to watch the program name“ city trip ”” is displayed (T3). Here, when the “Yes” operation is performed, a message “Confirming member registration ...” is displayed and this operation signal is transmitted to the Web service program 6b. Subsequently, the Web service program 6b notifies the Web program 6c, and the authentication program 6a is activated to authenticate the membership (T4).

  If this authentication is OK, the fact is notified from the web program 6c to the web service program 6b, and a mail address input screen is sent from the web service program 6b to the mobile phone 4. Then, on the screen of the mobile phone 4, a message that “playback is started because the member confirmation has been completed” is displayed, and further, “Please enter the email address of the PC to be viewed” is displayed (T 5). Therefore, when the user inputs the mail address of the viewing PC for which the distribution content is to be displayed and presses the send button, the send button on signal is sent to the web program 6c via the web service program 6b, and the web program 6c A time URL is generated. The one-time URL means a URL generated only once. If there is an error in the input e-mail address, re-input is requested (T'5).

  This one-time URL is sent to the viewing PC 2. Therefore, when a “Mailer” screen (general-purpose Mail User Agent) is opened to view an email received by a viewing PC that has already started up, a URL (one-time URL) that is a connection destination of the PC-VoD is displayed on the screen. ) Is displayed (T6). In addition, the e-mail transmission completion screen data is sent to the mobile phone 4, for example, the message “I sent an e-mail to the PC to be watched” is displayed on the mobile phone screen, and “When the PC is ready, press the ready button. Please "is displayed (T7, T'7).

  Next, when the user clicks on the URL displayed on the “Mailer” screen of the viewing PC 2, the click is sent to the Web service in the Web server 6 via the HTML Viewer (browser) in the viewing PC 2. The information is transmitted to the program 6b, and information on the start screen is transmitted from the Web service program 6b to the viewing PC 2. As a result, the browser of the viewing PC 2 is activated and a start screen is displayed (T8). For example, a program name “city trip” is displayed, and “clicking the program name to start. Operate the start / stop of the program with a mobile phone” is displayed. Further, the operation screen of the mobile phone 4 is displayed (T8). One of the points of the present invention is that the “start / stop of a program can be operated with a mobile phone” can be performed.

  Next, when the user clicks on the program name in the browser screen with a mouse or the like, the moving image player is activated and, for example, a solid black viewing screen 10 is displayed on the viewing PC 2 screen (T9). In addition, a connection request and a moving image start request are sent from the viewing PC 2 to the moving image distribution server 7 (T11). In the present invention, even if the moving image start request is sent to the moving image distribution server 7, it is not immediately distributed due to the action of the moving image service control program 7a of the moving image distribution server 7. The function of the video service control program 7a will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, when the user turns on the “ready” button (T7 described above) displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4, the “ready” signal is sent to the web server 6 and operated from the web program 6c. Screen data is sent to the mobile phone (T10). Thereby, an operation unit (for example, play button p, pause button q, etc.) is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone (T10).

  Therefore, when the user turns on the play button p in the screen of the mobile phone, operation screen correction data is generated by the functions of the Web service program 6b and the Web program 6c, and the operation screen correction data is sent to the mobile phone 4. Thus, the play button on the screen of the mobile phone 4 is changed to gray, for example. In addition, a moving image start permission signal is sent from the Web program 6c to the moving image distribution server 7 (T12).

  Then, the moving image distribution server 7 starts distributing the moving image content to the viewing PC 2, and the moving image content is displayed on the browser of the viewing PC 2. That is, the moving image distribution server 7 starts transmitting moving image content only when the request from the viewing PC 2 (connection request and moving image start request) matches the request from the operation unit displayed on the screen of the mobile phone. Next, functions of the moving image distribution server 7 and the moving image service control program 7a therein will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S1, it is determined whether or not there is a connection request from the viewing PC 2, and if this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S2 to determine whether or not there is a moving image start request from the viewing PC 2. (T11 described above). If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not a “play” instruction has been issued from the mobile phone 4. If this determination becomes affirmative, the process proceeds to step S4, and distribution of the moving image content is started. As described above, the moving image distribution server 7 according to the present embodiment stands by without starting the distribution of the moving image content immediately even when the moving image start request is received from the viewing PC 2, and there is an instruction of “play” from the mobile phone 4. Distribution of video content for the first time.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S5, where it is determined whether or not there has been an “end” instruction from the mobile phone 4. If this determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S6, and whether or not the “pause” instruction has been received from the mobile telephone 4 Judgment is made. When this determination is negative, the distribution of the moving image content is continued. However, when the determination is affirmative, the flow proceeds to step S7 to temporarily stop the distribution of the moving image content. In step S8, it is determined whether or not a “play” instruction has been issued. If this determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S4 to resume the distribution of the moving image content. On the other hand, in the case of negative, the temporary stop in step S7 is continued. If the determination in step S5 is affirmative, distribution of the moving image content is terminated.

  As described above, the moving image distribution server 7 performs operations of distributing, temporarily stopping, or ending distribution of moving image content depending on the operation from the mobile phone 4. In other words, video content distribution, suspension, or distribution end control can be performed only from the operation unit on the browser screen of the mobile phone 4.

  In this embodiment, a mobile phone having an HTML viewer (browser) issues an operation instruction to the moving image distribution server, but a mobile phone equipped with a dedicated application can be similarly implemented.

1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of a VoD system for server-controlled video communication terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the screen transition of the mobile telephone and viewing PC of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement sequence of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a moving image delivery server and a moving image service control program.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Internet, 2 ... Movie communication terminal (viewing PC), 3 ... Mobile phone network, 4 ... Mobile phone, 5 ... Internet connection router, 6 ... Web server, 6b ... Web service program, 6c ... Web program, 7 ... Movie distribution server, 7a ... Movie service control program, 8 ... Content storage unit.

Claims (3)

A mobile phone having a browser function and selectively sending a program selection, a video communication terminal to which video content is distributed, and an operation instruction by an operation screen displayed on the browser;
Based on the display request from the mobile phone, the operation screen information is transmitted to display the operation screen on the browser of the mobile phone, and the operation instruction based on the operation screen is received from the mobile phone. A web server having a function of creating a control command based on
Distribution of moving image content selected by program selection from the mobile phone is transmitted from the browser of the mobile phone, and a moving image distribution server that controls transmission start or transmission stop according to a command received via the Web server;
The video content from the video distribution server is obtained by enabling at least a play operation, a pause operation, and an end operation for the video content from the video distribution server only in accordance with an operation from the mobile phone. It consists of a video communication terminal to watch,
The video communication terminal is designated from the mobile phone,
The video distribution server waits upon receiving a video start request from the video communication terminal, and executes distribution of video content to the video communication terminal according to a play instruction from the mobile phone VoD system for control video communication terminals.   The server-controlled video communication terminal VoD system according to claim 1, wherein the video communication terminal is a video communication terminal arbitrarily designated by a mail address from a browser of the mobile phone. Server-controlled video communication terminal for VoD system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the video communication terminal is a personal computer for viewing.