JP5360137B2 - Information providing device, portable information terminal, and content processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information providing apparatus, personal digital assistant, content processing device, device control apparatus, content processing system and program in which convenience can be improved in selecting and processing contents. <P>SOLUTION: A content list includes contents processible by a designated processing device 300 among contents subjected to processing including specific contents managed for each user, the content list is received from an ECG server 100 by a portable terminal 200, and contents are selected by a user. A processing request of the selected contents is transmitted from the portable terminal to the designated device via the ECG server and a device control server 400 and unit information of the selected contents is acquired, displayed and reproduced by the portable terminal 200. Thus, the user selects contents by using the portable terminal without depending on contents and processing devices, thereby utilizing the contents and the unit information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an information providing device, a portable information terminal, and a content processing device.

  In recent years, content providers provide various types of content to users using various service forms and recording media. On the other hand, users use content using various content processing devices such as television terminals, STB (Set Top Box), PVR (Personal Video Recorder), various recording / playback apparatuses, personal computers, and the like. For this reason, the user selects and uses the content by using a content processing device that can perform processing such as viewing, recording, reproduction, viewing reservation, and recording reservation, according to the type of content.

  In addition to content acquisition or separately, for example, a content processing device having a function of acquiring content information related to content such as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information and data broadcasting information, and displaying and reproducing the content information is known. .

  In addition, by accumulating the history information of the content selected by the user, the content processing device having a history management function that supports the selection of the content, and further analyzing the user's preference based on the history information and adapting to the preference There is known a content processing apparatus having a content recommendation function for recommending content to a user.

  However, when the types of content and content processing devices are diverse, the user may feel troublesome to select content, content information, etc. for each processing device. In particular, when the operation method of the processing device is complicated, or when the operation method is different for each processing device, the user feels troublesome.

  In addition, since history information is accumulated for each processing device and preferences are not managed centrally between processing devices, the user may feel inconvenience when using the history management function and the content recommendation function. In particular, when updating the content processing device, the accumulated history information and preference information become unusable and the user feels inconvenience.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a new and improved information providing apparatus, portable information terminal, and content that can improve convenience in selecting and processing content. Providing processing equipment.

  According to the present disclosure, the information providing apparatus included in a content processing system including at least an information providing apparatus that can be connected through a communication line, a portable information terminal, and at least one content processing apparatus, A device that stores content information of content to be processed and related information related to the content, and device designation information that receives device designation information that designates one of the content processing devices as a designated device from the portable information terminal A content specifying unit that specifies content to be processed by the designated device on the database, a content list transmitting unit that transmits a content list including the content information of the specified content to the portable information terminal, and , Included in the content list A content designation information transmission / reception unit that receives content designation information that designates one of the contents corresponding to the content information as the designated content from the portable information terminal and transmits it to the designated device, and designates content processing to be performed on the designated content Processing designation information transmitting / receiving unit that receives the process designation information to be transmitted from the portable information terminal and transmits it to the designated device, and a related information transmission unit that transmits the related information of the designated content to the portable information terminal A providing device is provided.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, content that includes at least an information providing device that can be connected through a communication line, a portable information terminal, and one or more content processing devices, and the information providing device is a processing target of any of the content processing devices The portable information terminal included in a content processing system having a database for storing content information and related information related to content, and providing the device designation information for designating one of the content processing devices as a designated device A device designation information transmission unit to be transmitted to the device, a content list reception unit to receive the content list including the content information of the content to be processed by the designated device from the information providing device, and the content included in the content list No content corresponding to information A content designation information transmitting unit that transmits content designation information that designates the designated content as the designated content to the designated device via the information providing device, and processing designation information that designates content processing to be performed on the designated content. A processing designation information transmitting unit that transmits to the designated device via the information, a related information receiving unit that receives the related information of the designated content from the information providing device, a display unit that displays the content list and the related information, A portable information terminal is provided.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, content that includes at least an information providing device that can be connected through a communication line, a portable information terminal, and one or more content processing devices, and the information providing device is a processing target of any of the content processing devices A content processing device that is included in a content processing system having a database that stores content information and related information related to content, and that is designated by the portable information terminal as a designated device that performs content processing, the processing of the designated device A content designation information receiving unit that receives content designation information that designates target content as designated content from the portable information terminal via the information providing device, and process designation information that designates content processing to be performed on the designated content Through the information providing device. A process specifying information receiving unit that receives from the information terminal, based on said content specifying information and the process specifying information, the content processing apparatus and a content processing section for performing content processing to the designated content is provided.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, the information providing device, the portable information terminal, the content processing device, and the device control device that can be connected through a communication line are used. An information providing apparatus included in a content processing system that processes content by one content processing device is provided. The information providing apparatus can identify a content information storage unit that stores content information including unit identification information that can identify unit information of content to be processed, and specific content managed for each user of the portable information terminal A management information storage unit that stores management information, a unit information storage unit that stores content information and unit information including selectively related information related to the content information in association with the content, and a content processing device that performs content processing are identified A designated device information receiving unit that receives possible designated device information from the portable information terminal, a device information receiving unit that receives device information capable of specifying content processing enabled by the designated device from the device control device, and a process performed by the designated device Content information of possible content is recorded based on device information. Information extracted from the content information storage unit based on the device information and the management information, the content information of the content that can be processed by the specified device out of the specific content managed for each user of the portable information terminal A content list processing unit that creates a content list including content corresponding to the extracted content information and transmits the content list to the portable information terminal, and content selection information that can identify the selected content selected based on the content list. A content selection information transmission / reception unit that receives from the portable information terminal and transmits to the processing device via the device control device, and a processing request indicating content processing to be performed on the selected content is received from the portable information terminal and passes through the device control device. Processing request transmission / reception unit to be sent to the specified device and the selected content Based on the unit identification information included in the content information, the unit information of the selected content is extracted from the unit information storage unit and provided to the portable information terminal, and the management information capable of identifying the selected content is stored as management information A management information processing unit to be stored in the unit.

  According to such a configuration, a content list including content that can be processed by the designated device is created among the content to be processed including specific content managed for each user, and the content is received by the user via the portable information terminal. Selected. Then, the processing request for the selected content is transmitted to the designated device, and the unit information of the selected content is provided to the portable information terminal. The selected content is managed for each user as specific content. Accordingly, the content provider can provide the user with the content and the unit information by causing the user to select the content without depending on the content and the content processing device.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, the information providing device, the portable information terminal, the content processing device, and the device control device that can be connected through a communication line are used. A portable information terminal included in a content processing system that processes content by one content processing device is provided. In the content processing system, content information including unit identification information that can identify unit information of content to be processed is stored by the information providing device, and management that can identify specific content managed for each user of the portable information terminal Information is stored by the information providing device, and unit information including content information and optionally related information related to the content information is stored by the information providing device in association with the content. The portable information terminal includes a designated device information transmission unit that transmits designated device information that can identify a content processing device that performs content processing to an information providing device, and content information of content that can be processed by the designated device. Content information corresponding to content information extracted based on device information indicating processable content processing, and content information of specific content managed for each user of the mobile information terminal and processed by a specified device, And a content list receiving unit that acquires a content list including content corresponding to the content information extracted based on the management information from the information providing device, and content selection information that can identify the selected content selected based on the content list Via information provider and equipment controller A content selection information transmission unit to be transmitted to a fixed device, a processing request transmission unit to transmit a processing request indicating content processing to be performed on the selected content to the specified device via the information providing device and the device control device, and the content of the selected content A unit information processing unit that acquires and processes unit information extracted as unit information of the selected content from the information providing device based on unit identification information included in the information, and a display reproduction unit that displays and reproduces the content list and unit information And comprising.

  According to this configuration, the content list including the content that can be processed by the designated device is received from the content to be processed including the specific content managed for each user, and the content is selected by the user. Then, a processing request for the selected content is transmitted to the designated device, and unit information of the selected content is acquired and displayed and reproduced. Accordingly, the user can use the content and unit information by selecting the content using the portable information terminal without depending on the content and the content processing device.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, the information providing device, the portable information terminal, the content processing device, and the device control device that can be connected through a communication line are used. A content processing device that is included in a content processing system that processes content by one content processing device and that is designated by a portable information terminal as a designated device that performs content processing is provided. In the content processing system, content information including unit identification information that can identify unit information of content to be processed is stored by the information providing device, and management that can identify specific content managed for each user of the portable information terminal Information is stored by the information providing apparatus. The content processing device is content information of content that can be processed by the designated device, and corresponds to content information extracted based on device information indicating content processing that can be processed by the designated device, and for each portable information terminal Content information of specific content that is managed and can be processed by the designated device, and selected by the portable information terminal based on a content list that includes content corresponding to the content information extracted based on the device information and the management information A content selection information receiving unit that receives content selection information that can identify the selected content from the portable information terminal via the information providing device and the device control device, and a processing request that indicates content processing to be performed on the selected content. And portable information terminal via device control device Comprising a processing request receiving unit that receives, based on the received content selection information and the processing request, and the content processing unit that performs processing for the selected content, the.

  According to this configuration, based on the content list including the content that can be processed by the designated device among the content to be processed including the specific content managed for each user, the content is received by the user via the portable information terminal. Selected. Then, the processing request for the selected content is received by the designated device, and the content processing is performed. Thus, the user can use the content by the content processing device by selecting the content without depending on the content and the content processing device.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, the information providing device, the portable information terminal, the content processing device, and the device control device that can be connected through a communication line are used. A device control apparatus included in a content processing system that processes content by one content processing device is provided. In the content processing system, content information including unit identification information that can identify unit information of content to be processed is stored by the information providing device, and management that can identify specific content managed for each user of the portable information terminal Information is stored by the information providing apparatus. The device control apparatus includes a device information storage unit that stores device information that can specify content processing that can be performed by the content processing device, a designated device that is designated by the portable information terminal as a content processing device that performs content processing, and information provision A device information transmitting / receiving unit that transmits / receives device information to / from the device, content information of content that can be processed by the designated device, content corresponding to the content information extracted based on the device information of the designated device, A mobile information terminal based on a content list including content corresponding to content information that is managed for each information terminal and that can be processed by a designated device and that is extracted based on the device information and the management information Content selection information that can identify the selected content selected by A content selection information transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives information between the information providing device and the designated device, and a processing request transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives a processing request indicating content processing to be performed on the selected content between the information provision device and the designated device. And comprising.

  According to this configuration, based on the content list including the content that can be processed by the designated device among the content to be processed including the specific content managed for each user, the content is received by the user via the portable information terminal. Selected. Then, the processing request for the selected content is received by the designated device via the information providing device and the device control device, and the content processing is performed. Thus, the user can use the content by the content processing device by selecting the content without depending on the content and the content processing device.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, a content processing system including the above-described information providing device, portable information terminal, content processing device, and device control device is provided.

  In addition, according to the present disclosure, a program for causing a computer to function as the information providing apparatus described above is provided.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information providing device, a portable information terminal, and a content processing device that can improve the convenience in selecting and processing content.

1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a content processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a content processing system. It is a block diagram which shows the main function structures of an ECG server. It is a block diagram which shows the main function structures of a portable terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the main function structures of a processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the main function structures of an apparatus control server. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content information and unit information as ECG data. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of a device registration process. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of a content registration process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation menu displayed on a portable terminal at the time of a content registration process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation menu displayed on a portable terminal at the time of a content registration process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation menu displayed on a portable terminal at the time of a content registration process. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of a content selection process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation menu displayed on a portable terminal at the time of a content selection process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation menu displayed on a portable terminal at the time of a content selection process. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of a content process and a unit information browsing process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation menu displayed on a portable terminal at the time of a content process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation menu displayed on a portable terminal at the time of content management processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation menu displayed on a portable terminal at the time of log | history processing.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(Concept of content processing system)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a content processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the content processing system includes an ECG (Electronic Content Guide) server 100 (information providing device), a portable terminal 200 (portable information terminal), a processing device 300 (content processing device), and a device control server 400 ( Device control device).

  The portable terminal 200 transmits / receives information to / from the ECG server 100 through a communication line, and transmits information to the processing device 300 using near field communication such as infrared communication. The ECG server 100, the processing device 300, and the device control server 400 transmit / receive information to / from each other via a communication line.

  The mobile terminal 200 is an example of a mobile information terminal including, for example, a mobile phone and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), and acquires and processes content information, unit information, and the like from the ECG server 100. The processing device 300 is, for example, a television terminal, PVR, various recording / playback devices, a personal computer, and the like, and processes content provided by the content provider 500, content managed by the user, unit information acquired from the ECG server 100, and the like. To do. The portable terminal 200 indirectly controls the processing device 300 by registering the processing device 300 in the content processing system and transmitting a processing request to the ECG server 100.

  The ECG server 100 registers and manages content information, unit information, and the like, and provides them to the mobile terminal 200 and the processing device 300. The device control server 400 causes the processing device 300 to perform content processing using the mobile terminal 200 by causing the mobile terminal 200 to indirectly control the processing device 300 in cooperation with the ECG server 100.

  The content is information such as video information, image information, text information, and audio information, for example. The content is provided to the user by the content provider 500 using various service forms such as a broadcast service, a communication service, a broadcast communication service, and an Internet service, and various recording media such as a DVD, a CD, and a magnetic tape. The content is a target of content processing performed by various processing devices 300 such as viewing, recording, reproduction, viewing reservation, and recording reservation when used by the user.

  The content information is information accompanying the content, for example, content identification information (content ID, title, etc.), attribute information (eg, service type, recording medium type, content classification, keyword, etc.), detailed information Etc. For example, content information corresponding to content provided by a broadcasting service or the like and organized in time includes content organization information (provided channel, broadcast date, etc.).

  The related information is information related to content information, and includes, for example, detailed information related to content attribute information, sales information, advertisement information, and other content information. Unit information is information associated with content, includes content information and selectively related information, and also includes information that associates content information and related information with content.

  A content ID that can identify the content is assigned to the content, and a unit ID that can identify the unit information is assigned to the unit information. The content information includes a unit ID for referring to the unit information of the corresponding content.

  The portable terminal 200 registers at least one processing device 300 in the content processing system. The mobile terminal 200 has a terminal ID that can identify the mobile terminal 200. The mobile terminal 200 is given a device control ID used for indirect control of the processing device 300 to the processing device 300 from the specific ECG server 100, and the ECG server 100 sets the device control ID to the terminal ID of the mobile terminal 200. Store it in association. The processing device 300 is given a device ID used by the portable terminal 200 for indirect control of the processing device 300 from the specific device control server 400, and the device control server 400 associates the device ID of the processing device 300 with the device control ID. To store the processing device 300 in the content processing system.

(Content processing system configuration)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the content processing system. In FIG. 2, transmission / reception of content, content information, unit information, etc. between components of the content processing system is indicated by solid arrows, and transmission / reception of other information, for example, processing information, control information, etc. is indicated by broken arrows. It is shown in

  The processing device 300 acquires and processes content provided using various service forms and / or processes content provided using various recording media. The processing device 300 is at least one processing device 300, registered for each user (for each portable terminal 200) in the content processing system, and indirectly controlled by the user via the portable terminal 200.

  The ECG server 100 is operated and managed by a service provider that provides content information, unit information, and the like. The ECG server 100 registers and manages, as ECG data, content information provided by the content provider 500, and related information provided by a sponsor 600 such as a distributor, an advertisement company, and the content provider 500. The ECG server 100 provides the mobile terminal 200 and the processing device 300 with unit information including content information, content information, and optionally related information.

  The ECG server 100 manages content information of general content provided using various service forms and various recording media. The general content is, for example, content provided by a broadcasting service and time-organized, for example, content provided by a communication service or provided by a recording medium and not time-organized. Here, the time-organized content includes content provided in the past, content currently provided, and content provided in the future.

  The ECG server 100 manages management information for managing specific content for each user (for each portable terminal 200). The specific content is, for example, content selected by the user as a processing target or content recorded on a recording medium and registered by the user. The management information includes a content ID that can identify the content, and information that can identify the processing device 300 that can process the content. The ECG server 100 manages history information for managing content and unit information selected by the user as a processing target for each user (for each portable terminal 200), and is created for each user based on the history information. Manage preference information. The history information is information including a content ID and information (designated device ID) that can identify the processing device 300 that has performed processing on the content, or information including a unit ID.

  The device control server 400 is operated and managed by, for example, a manufacturer of the processing device 300 that is indirectly controlled by the mobile terminal 200 or a service provider that provides a content processing service. The device control server 400 provides, for example, a device control server 400 that provides a content processing service using the processing device 300 manufactured by the manufacturer A, and a content processing service that uses the processing device 300 manufactured by the manufacturer B. A device control server 400 that provides content processing services using the processing device 300 manufactured by various manufacturers.

  In the content processing system, a desired processing device 300 among the processing devices 300 registered in the content processing system is designated by the user via the portable terminal 200. When the processing device 300 is designated, the ECG server 100 manages the content information and user managed by the ECG server 100 based on the device information of the designated processing device 300 (designated device 300) managed by the device control server 400. Content that can be processed by the designated device 300 is extracted from the content corresponding to each management information. The ECG server 100 creates a content list including the extracted content based on the user preference information, and transmits the content list to the mobile terminal 200. The mobile terminal 200 displays the content list as a selection menu.

  The portable terminal 200 transmits a processing request for the content (selected content) selected by the user based on the selection menu to the ECG server 100. The ECG server 100 transmits a processing request for the selected content to the designated device 300, and the designated device 300 performs processing on the selected content, for example, viewing, recording, reproduction, viewing reservation, recording reservation, etc., according to the processing request. . The ECG server 100 manages content selection history information for each user, and manages user preference information based on the history information.

  The ECG server 100 provides the unit information of the content to the mobile terminal 200 and selectively the processing device 300 together with or separately from the processing for the selected content, and the mobile terminal 200 and the processing device 300 display and reproduce the unit information. By doing this, the user is made to browse the content information and related information. The ECG server 100 manages unit information selection history information for each user, and manages user preference information based on the history information.

  3 to 6 are block diagrams illustrating main functional configurations of the ECG server 100, the portable terminal 200, the processing device 300, and the device control server 400 that constitute the content processing system.

(Configuration of ECG server 100)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the ECG server 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the ECG server 100 includes a content information storage unit 102, a management information storage unit 104, a unit information storage unit 106, a history information storage unit 108, a preference information storage unit 110, a designated device information reception unit 112, and a device. Information receiving unit 114, content selection information transmitting / receiving unit 116, processing request transmitting / receiving unit 118, search condition receiving unit 120, content information extracting unit 122, content list processing unit 124, unit information processing unit 126, management information processing unit 128, registration processing Unit 130, storage unit 132, and control unit 134. FIG. 3 shows a main functional configuration related to the content processing system among the functional configurations of the ECG server 100.

  The content information storage unit 102 stores content information including a unit ID that can identify unit information of content to be processed. The management information storage unit 104 stores management information that can identify specific content managed for each user of the mobile terminal 200. The unit information storage unit 106 stores unit information including content information and optionally related information related to the content information in association with the content. The history information storage unit 108 stores a selected content ID that can identify the selected content as history information for each portable terminal 200. The preference information storage unit 110 stores preference information created based on history information for each mobile terminal 200.

  The designated device information receiving unit 112 receives a designated device ID capable of identifying the processing device 300 that performs content processing from the portable terminal 200. The device information receiving unit 114 receives device information from the device control server 400 that can identify content processing that can be performed by the designated device 300. The content selection information transmitting / receiving unit 116 receives the selected content ID that can identify the selected content selected based on the content list from the portable terminal 200 and transmits the selected content ID to the designated device 300 via the device control server 400. The processing request transmission / reception unit 118 receives a processing request indicating content processing to be performed on the selected content from the mobile terminal 200 and transmits the processing request to the designated device 300 via the device control server 400. The search condition receiving unit 120 receives a search condition for registered content registered as specific content managed for each user of the mobile terminal 200 from the mobile terminal 200.

  The content information extraction unit 122 extracts content information of content that can be processed by the designated device 300 from the content information storage unit 102 based on the device information, and specifies specific content managed for each user of the mobile terminal 200. This is a functional unit for extracting content information of content that can be processed by the device 300 from the content information storage unit 102 based on the device information and management information. The content list processing unit 124 is a functional unit for creating a content list including content corresponding to the extracted content information and transmitting the content list to the mobile terminal 200.

  The unit information processing unit 126 is a functional unit for extracting the unit information of the selected content from the unit information storage unit 106 based on the unit ID included in the content information of the selected content and providing it to the mobile terminal 200. The management information processing unit 128 is a functional unit for storing management information capable of identifying the selected content in the management information storage unit 104. The registration processing unit 130 is a functional unit for performing various processes for the registration process of the processing device 300.

  The storage unit 132 stores various data necessary for various processes by the ECG server 100, a program for operating the ECG server 100, and the like. The control unit 134 is a functional unit for controlling the overall functions of the ECG server 100 by controlling other functional configurations.

  In the above configuration, the content information storage unit 102, the management information storage unit 104, the unit information storage unit 106, the history information storage unit 108, the preference information storage unit 110, and the storage unit 132 are configured as a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk. . Part of functions of designated device information receiving unit 112, device information receiving unit 114, content selection information transmitting / receiving unit 116, processing request transmitting / receiving unit 118, search condition receiving unit 120, content list processing unit 124, function of unit information processing unit 126 Is configured as a communication device that transmits / receives information to / from the mobile terminal 200, the processing device 300, and the device control server 400. Part of the functions of the content information extraction unit 122 and the content list processing unit 124, part of the unit information processing unit 126, the management information processing unit 128, the registration processing unit 130, and the control unit 134 are process controls that perform various types of processing control. The processor is configured as a program executed on the processing control processor.

(Configuration of mobile terminal 200)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the mobile terminal 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the portable terminal 200 includes a designated device information transmission unit 202, a content list reception unit 204, a content selection information transmission unit 206, a processing request transmission unit 208, a search condition transmission unit 210, a registration information transmission / reception unit 212, A unit information processing unit 214, a display reproduction unit 216, an operation input unit 218, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 222 are configured. FIG. 4 shows a main functional configuration related to the content processing system among the functional configurations of the mobile terminal 200.

  The designated device information transmission unit 202 transmits the designated device ID to the ECG server 100. The content list receiving unit 204 receives a content list from the ECG server 100. The content selection information transmission unit 206 transmits the selected content ID to the designated device 300 via the ECG server 100 and the device control server 400. The processing request transmission unit 208 transmits the processing request to the designated device 300 via the ECG server 100 and the device control server 400. The search condition transmission unit 210 transmits search conditions for registered content to the ECG server 100. The registration information transmission / reception unit 212 transmits / receives registration information used for registration processing of the processing device 300 between the ECG server 100 and the processing device 300.

  The unit information processing unit 214 is a functional unit for acquiring and processing unit information extracted as unit information of the selected content from the ECG server 100 based on the unit ID included in the content information of the selected content. The display / playback unit 216 displays and plays back the content list and unit information.

  The operation input unit 218 allows the user to input various operation information. The storage unit 220 stores various data necessary for various processes by the portable terminal 200, a program for operating the portable terminal 200 as necessary, and the like. The control unit 222 is a functional unit for controlling the overall functions of the mobile terminal 200 by controlling other functional configurations.

  In the above configuration, the functions of the designated device information transmission unit 202, content list reception unit 204, content selection information transmission unit 206, processing request transmission unit 208, search condition transmission unit 210, registration information transmission / reception unit 212, and unit information processing unit 214 are described. Some are configured as a communication device that transmits and receives information between the ECG server 100 and the processing device 300. The display reproduction unit 216 is configured as a liquid crystal panel or the like. The operation input unit 218 is configured as various operation devices such as keys and buttons. The storage unit 220 is configured as a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk. A part of the function of the unit information processing unit 214 and the control unit 222 are configured as a process control processor that performs various process controls, a program executed on the process control processor, and the like.

(Configuration of processing device 300)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the processing device 300. As shown in FIG. 5, the processing device 300 includes a content selection information receiving unit 302, a processing request receiving unit 304, a registration information transmitting / receiving unit 306, a device ID receiving unit 308, a content processing unit 310, a unit information processing unit 312, and display reproduction. A unit 314, an operation input unit 316, a storage unit 318, and a control unit 320. FIG. 5 shows a main functional configuration related to the content processing system among the functional configurations of the processing device 300.

  The content selection information receiving unit 302 receives the selected content ID from the portable terminal 200 via the ECG server 100 and the device control server 400. The process request receiving unit 304 receives a process request from the mobile terminal 200 via the ECG server 100 and the device control server 400. The registration information transmission / reception unit 306 transmits / receives registration information used for registration processing of the processing device 300 between the mobile terminal 200 and the ECG server 100. The device ID receiving unit 308 receives from the device control server 400 a device ID used for the portable terminal 200 to indirectly control the processing device 300.

  Based on the received selected content ID and processing request, the content processing unit 310 performs processing on the selected content such as viewing, recording, reproduction, viewing reservation, and recording reservation. The unit information processing unit 312 acquires unit information extracted as unit information of the selected content from the ECG server 100 based on the unit ID included in the content information of the selected content, and processes the unit information.

  The display / playback unit 314 displays and plays back content and unit information. The operation input unit 316 allows the user to input various types of operation information. The storage unit 318 stores various data necessary for various processes performed by the processing device 300, a program for operating the processing device 300 as necessary, and the like. The control unit 320 is a functional unit for controlling the overall functions of the processing device 300 by controlling other functional configurations.

  In the above configuration, some of the functions of the content selection information receiving unit 302, the processing request receiving unit 304, the registration information transmitting / receiving unit 306, the device ID receiving unit 308, and the unit information processing unit 312 are the same as the ECG server 100 and the device control server 400. Configured as a communication device for transmitting and receiving information between the devices. The display reproduction unit 314 is configured as a display, a liquid crystal panel, or the like. The operation input unit 316 is configured as various operation devices such as keys and buttons provided in the processing device 300 and a remote controller attached to the processing device 300. The storage unit 318 is configured as a memory or the like. The content processing unit 310, some of the functions of the unit information processing unit 312 and the control unit 320 are configured as a processing control processor that performs various types of processing control, a program executed on the processing control processor, and the like.

(Configuration of device control server 400)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the device control server 400. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the device control server 400 includes a device information storage unit 402, a device information transmission / reception unit 404, a content selection information reception unit 406, a processing request reception unit 408, a device control ID reception unit 410, and a registration information transmission / reception unit 412. A registration processing unit 414, a device ID extraction unit 416, a storage unit 418, and a control unit 420. FIG. 6 shows a main functional configuration related to the content processing system among the functional configurations of the device control server 400.

  The device information storage unit 402 stores device information of the processing device 300. The device information transmission / reception unit 404 transmits / receives device information between the ECG server 100 and the processing device 300. The content selection information receiving unit 406 transmits and receives content selection information between the ECG server 100 and the designated device 300. The processing request receiving unit 408 transmits and receives processing request information between the ECG server 100 and the designated device 300. The device control ID receiving unit 410 receives from the ECG server 100 a device control ID used for the portable terminal 200 to indirectly control the processing device 300. The registration information transmission / reception unit 412 transmits / receives registration information used for registration processing of the processing device 300 between the ECG server 100 and the processing device 300.

  The registration processing unit 414 is a functional unit that performs various processes for the registration process of the processing device 300. The device ID extraction unit 416 is a functional unit for extracting a device ID stored in association with the device control ID. The storage unit 418 is a functional unit for storing various data necessary for various processes by the device control server 400, a program for operating the device control server 400, and the like. The control unit 420 is a functional unit for controlling the overall function of the device control server 400 by controlling other components.

  In the above configuration, the device information transmission / reception unit 404, the content selection information reception unit 406, the processing request reception unit 408, the device control ID reception unit 410, and the registration information transmission / reception unit 412 are various types of information between the ECG server 100 and the processing device 300. It is configured as a communication device that transmits and receives data. The device information storage unit 402 and the storage unit 418 are configured as a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk. The registration processing unit 414, the device ID extraction unit 416, and the control unit 420 are configured as a processing control processor that performs various types of processing control, a program that is executed on the processing control processor, and the like.

(Composition of content information and unit information)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of content information and unit information as ECG data.

  The content information shown in FIG. 7A includes a content ID “c9999”, a title “professional style”, a genre “documentary”, a synopsis “... introducing professionals”, and a provision start date “2007/7/1 22: “00:00”, “23:00” at the end, and the keyword “AAA work impression” are included. In addition, the content information includes a performer list including name and identification information of performers as detailed information of the content. Further, the content information includes a unit ID “u5555” for referring to unit information corresponding to the content.

  The unit information shown in FIG. 7B includes a unit ID “u5555” of the unit information, content information, and related information related to the content information.

  As the content information, as the detailed information of the two performers, the name of the performer, the type of information (type), the priority (priority), the display format (presentation_type), and the reference destination of the detailed information (imageURL, text) are included. include. Here, the priority and display format of the detailed information indicate the display priority and display format in the unit information browsing process described later, and the reference destination of the detailed information indicates the location of the reference data (image, text, etc.) Yes.

  Related information includes product name “... DVD pack”, information type, priority, display format, and reference destination of detailed information (image, text, QR code regarding product) as sales information of products related to content It is.

  The content information is provided by the content provider 500 and is registered and managed as ECG data by the ECG server 100. The unit information is managed by the ECG server 100 as ECG data in association with content as information that selectively includes content information provided by the content provider 500 and related information provided by the sponsor 600. The content provider 500 and the sponsor 600 provide update information of content information and related information to the ECG server 100, and the ECG server 100 updates content information and unit information managed by itself based on the update information.

  The unit information is provided by the ECG server 100 to the portable terminal 200 and the processing device 300 having the unit information browsing processing function, processed by the portable terminal 200 and the processing device 300, and browsed by the user. In the unit information browsing process, the content information and related information included in the unit information are displayed and reproduced based on a predetermined display priority, display format, etc., and detailed information display, purchase processing, and settlement processing are performed according to user operations. Various processes are executed.

  Hereinafter, various processes performed by the content processing system will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Device registration process)
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the device registration process. Here, the device registration process is a process for registering the processing device 300 in the content processing system.

  Upon receiving an instruction for device registration processing from the user (step S102), the mobile terminal 200 transmits a processing request for device registration processing to the ECG server 100 (S104). When receiving the processing request, the ECG server 100 requests the portable terminal 200 to transmit a terminal ID that can identify the portable terminal 200 such as an access destination on the communication line, a product number, and the like (S106). The terminal ID is transmitted to the ECG server 100 (S108). When receiving the terminal ID, the ECG server 100 generates a device control ID and stores the device control ID in association with the access destination and the terminal ID of the specific device control server 400 (S110). Here, the specific device control server 400 is a device control server 400 that registers the processing device 300 that is indirectly controlled by the mobile terminal 200, may be specified by the ECG server 100, and is previously determined by the user of the mobile terminal 200. It may be specified.

  The ECG server 100 transmits a device control ID to the specific device control server 400 (S112). Upon receiving the device control ID, the device control server 400 generates a password used for registration of the processing device 300, stores the password in association with the device control ID (S114), and stores the device control ID and password in the ECG server 100. (S116). When receiving the device control ID and the password, the ECG server 100 transmits the device control ID, the password, and the access destination of the device control server 400 stored in association with the device control ID to the portable terminal 200 (S118). When receiving the device control ID, the password, and the access destination of the device control server 400, the portable terminal 200 transmits the received information to the processing device 300 (S120).

  Upon receiving the device control ID, the password, and the access destination of the device control server 400, the processing device 300 accesses the device control server 400 that registers the processing device 300 based on the access destination of the device control server 400, and controls the device. The ID, password, and device information of the processing device 300 are transmitted (S122). Here, the device information of the processing device 300 includes identification information (device name, etc.) of the processing device 300 and processing functions (for example, a viewing function, a recording function, a playback function, an available service form, And recording medium). Upon receiving the device control ID, password, and device information, the device control server 400 collates the received device control ID and password with the stored device control ID and password (S124). When the matching result is obtained, the device control server 400 generates a device ID, and stores the device ID in association with the device control ID, the access destination of the processing device 300, and the device information of the processing device 300 (S126). Thus, the processing device 300 is registered in the content processing system. Then, the device control server 400 transmits the device ID to the processing device 300 (S128), and the processing device 300 stores the device ID (S130).

  Note that the device control ID may be used to associate the terminal ID of one portable terminal 200 with the device IDs of the plurality of processing devices 300, and the terminal IDs of the plurality of portable terminals 200 and one processing device 300. The device ID may be associated. The user may register the processing device 300 in the plurality of device control servers 400 using the mobile terminal 200.

  Through the above procedure, the processing device 300 is registered in the content processing system by the mobile terminal 200, and the mobile device 200 can indirectly control the processing device 300. Accordingly, the user can cause the processing device 300 to perform various processes described below using the mobile terminal 200, for example, using the mobile terminal 200.

(Content registration process)
First, the content registration process will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10A to 10C. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure of the content registration process, and FIGS. 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of an operation menu displayed on the mobile terminal 200 during the content registration process. Here, the content registration process is a process for registering in the ECG server 100 a specific content recorded on the recording medium managed by the user and the processing device 300.

  When receiving a content registration processing instruction from the user (S132), the mobile terminal 200 displays a device designation list indicating the processing devices 300 registered by the device registration processing, as shown in FIG. 10A. The portable terminal 200 may acquire and display the device designation list from the ECG server 100, store in advance information necessary for creating the device designation list, and read and create and display the device designation list. May be. When acquiring the device designation list from the ECG server 100, the portable terminal 200 transmits a transmission request for the device designation list together with the terminal ID to the ECG server 100 (S134), and the ECG server 100 is stored in association with the terminal ID. Based on the device control ID and the like, the device information of the processing device 300 is acquired from the device control server 400 to create a device designation list (S136 to S144) and provide it to the mobile terminal 200 (S146). When the device designation list is displayed by the portable terminal 200 (S148), the user designates the processing device 300 that can process the content to be registered (registered content) by operating the key 252 or the like (S150). Here, the processing device 300 that can process the registered content may be designated as a plurality of processing devices 300. When creating the device designation list, the device control server 400 accesses the processing device 300 to check the status of the processing device 300, and confirms the status in which content processing can be executed (for example, the power is turned on). A device designation list made up of only the processed devices 300 may be created.

  When the processing device 300 is specified, the mobile terminal 200 prompts the user to specify search conditions used for content search, such as the type of registered content, title, keyword, and service form as shown in FIG. 10B ( S152). When the search condition is specified (S154), the mobile terminal 200 transmits a content search request together with the terminal ID and the search condition to the ECG server 100 (S156). In the example shown in FIG. 10B, “DVD” as the type of registered content and “Snakeman” as the title are specified as search conditions. If the content identification information or attribute information includes information such as a product number, a product code, or a QR code that can identify the content, the information may be designated as a search condition.

  Upon receiving the search request, the ECG server 100 extracts content information corresponding to the search condition from the content information managed by the ECG server 100 (S158), and includes identification information (such as title) and attribute information included in the content information. A designated list is created (S160) and transmitted to the mobile terminal 200 (S162). When receiving the designation list, the mobile terminal 200 displays the designation list as shown in FIG. 10C (S164), and the user designates the registered content from the designation list (S166). In FIG. 10C, a specified list including “Snakeman 1”, “Snakeman 2”, and “Snakeman 3”, which are contents corresponding to the search condition, is displayed. When the content corresponding to the registered content is not included in the designation list, the user designates “change search condition” and designates the search condition again.

  When the registered content is designated, the mobile terminal 200 performs content registration processing together with the terminal ID, the content ID included in the corresponding content information, and the designated device ID that can identify the designated processing device 300 (designated device 300). Is sent to the ECG server 100 (S168). Upon receiving the processing request, the ECG server 100 stores the management information including the content ID, the designated device ID, and the identification information as necessary in association with the terminal ID (S170).

  Thereby, the user can register content as specific content managed for each user. Although details will be described later, the user can select desired content from general content and specific content, and perform content processing and unit information browsing processing.

(Content selection process)
Next, the procedure of content selection processing will be described with reference to FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12A and 12B. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure of the content selection process, and FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of an operation menu displayed on the mobile terminal 200 during the content selection process. Here, the content selection process is a process for selecting content to be subjected to content processing and unit information browsing processing.

  When an instruction for content selection processing is received from the user (S172), the portable terminal 200 displays a device designation list as in the case of content registration processing, and the user selects the processing device 300 (designated device 300) from the device designation list. Is designated (S174).

  The portable terminal 200 transmits a content list transmission request to the ECG server 100 together with the terminal ID and the designated device ID (S176). The ECG server 100 specifies the device control ID corresponding to the designated device 300 and the access destination of the device control server 400 based on the terminal ID and the designated device ID (S178). The ECG server 100 accesses the device control server 400 and transmits a device information transmission request together with the device control ID (S180). The device control server 400 extracts device information of the designated device 300 stored in association with the device control ID (S182) and transmits it to the ECG server 100 (S184).

  When the device information is received, the ECG server 100 creates a content list including content that can be processed by the designated device 300 based on the content information, the management information, and the device information managed by itself. The ECG server 100 first specifies content processing that can be performed by the designated device 300 based on the device information (S186).

  If the designated device 300 can process (acquire) content provided by various service forms, the ECG server 100 can, for example, provide terrestrial broadcast content, BS broadcast content, CS broadcast content, VOD content, and the Internet. The type of usable content such as content is specified (S188). Further, if the designated device 300 can process the recorded content recorded on the designated device 300, the content recorded on the recording medium, etc., for example, the ECG server 100 can record content, DVD, CD, magnetic tape, etc. The type of content that can be used is specified (S188).

  When the type of content that can be used is specified, the ECG server 100 extracts the content that can be processed by the designated device 300 from the content information and management information managed by the ECG server 100 (S190).

  When extracting general content, the ECG server 100 extracts content information including attribute information (service form, type of recording medium) suitable for the type of usable content among the content information managed by the ECG server 100. By specifying, the corresponding content is extracted. Here, in the case of extracting time-organized content, the ECG server 100 extracts the corresponding content based on the organization information included in the content information together with the attribute information. On the other hand, when extracting specific content, the ECG server 100 specifies content information of the content corresponding to the content ID based on the content ID included in the management information and is the same as that for general content. To extract content.

  Next, the ECG server 100 creates a content list including identification information (content ID, title, etc.) included in the content information of the extracted content, and organization information (provided channel, provided date / time, etc.) as necessary. (S192) and the device information of the designated device 300 is transmitted to the portable terminal 200 (S194). In the content list, the content is classified based on the attribute information included in the content information of the extracted content, for example, according to the content type, the provision date / time, and the genre, and further according to the user's preference information.

  The above-described content list is composed of content that is a target of content processing by the designated device 300. Here, the ECG server 100 may create a content list including content that is a target of unit information browsing processing to be described later. In this case, although the details will be described later, the ECG server 100 corresponds to the content and unit ID corresponding to the content ID from the content information managed by itself based on the content ID and unit ID included in the user history information. Extract content. Then, the ECG server 100 creates a content list including identification information (content ID, title, etc.) included in the extracted content information of the content, and transmits the content list to the mobile terminal 200. Thereby, the user can select and browse desired unit information from the content list based on his / her history information.

  Since the unit information browsing process is executed by the mobile terminal 200 having the unit information browsing processing function without depending on the designated device 300, the ECG server 100 creates a content list including content that does not depend on the designated device 300. You may create it.

  When receiving the content list, the mobile terminal 200 displays a selection menu as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, for example (S196). The selection menu includes a classification information display area 254 for displaying content classification information and a content information display area 256 for displaying content information. In the classification information display area 254, for example, content classification information such as a specific type of content, current provided content, recommended content of the week, content belonging to a specific genre, content subject to unit information browsing processing, and the like is displayed. (In FIGS. 12A and 12B, the classification information is simply displayed as “A”, “B”, and “C”). In the content information display area 256, identification information (such as a title) of classified content and organization information as necessary are displayed. In response to the selection of the classification information, the content information display area 256 displays content identification information corresponding to the selected classification information.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12A, content information “A1”, “A2”,... Of content corresponding to the selected classification information “A” is sequentially displayed in the content information display area 256 at predetermined time intervals. When a predetermined operation such as an operation on a specific key 252 or an operation on a display area is performed while the content information is displayed, the content corresponding to the displayed content information is selected.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12B, content information “A1” to “A15” of the content corresponding to the selected classification information “A” is not more than a predetermined number in the content information display area 256 (in the example shown in FIG. 12B, 9). Further, if the content information of the content corresponding to the selected classification information is greater than a predetermined number, the remaining content will be displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the predetermined number of content information “A1” to “A9” is displayed. Information “A10” to “A15” is displayed in a predetermined number or less.

  And when the portable terminal 200 has a touch panel, if the display area of specific content information is touched on the touch panel in a state where the content information is displayed, the content corresponding to the specific content information is selected. (S204). When content is selected, the content ID of the selected content (selected content) included in the content list is specified as the selected content ID.

  When the mobile terminal 200 does not have a touch panel, content information is displayed in the content information display area 256 so as to correspond to the arrangement of the operation keys 252 of the mobile terminal 200 (for example, “1” to “9”). Arranged and displayed. When a predetermined key 252 (for example, when the content “A8” is selected in the state shown in FIG. 12B, the key “8” is operated in the state shown in FIG. 12B) while the content information is displayed is operated. The content corresponding to the content information arranged so as to correspond to the arrangement of the arranged keys 252 is selected. Thereby, the user can easily select the content by a simple operation based on the classification information.

  In addition, when the content information of the content that is currently organized and currently provided is displayed, if the display of the selection menu needs to be updated as time passes, the content information is based on the organization information included in the content information. The display is updated. In this case, when the provision end point of the content corresponding to the displayed content information arrives or approaches, the mobile terminal 200 accesses the ECG server 100 and updates the content (the provision end point arrives or Based on the composition information of the approaching content), the content information of the content assigned the subsequent composition time zone is acquired (S198, S200). Then, the mobile terminal 200 updates the content list and updates the display of the selection menu (S202).

  Accordingly, the user can use the content and the unit information by selecting the content using the mobile terminal 200 without depending on the various content and the various processing devices 300. The user does not need to operate each processing device 300 and the operation method is unified, so that the user does not feel bothered.

(Content processing)
Next, a content processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of content processing and unit information browsing processing, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation menu displayed on the portable terminal 200 during content processing. Here, the content processing is processing performed by the processing device 300 on content such as viewing, recording, reproduction, viewing reservation, recording reservation, and the like.

  When the content is selected, the mobile terminal 200 displays a processing designation list indicating processing that can be performed by the designated device 300 for the selected content, as shown in FIG. 14, based on the device information and the content information. Are displayed (S212). For example, the portable device 200 can perform a plurality of processes on the selected content by the designated device 300 according to the combination of the designated device 300 and the selected content, such as viewing, recording, viewing reservation, and recording reservation for the broadcast content. In this case, a processing specification list is displayed. On the other hand, when the processing by the designated device 300 is specified for the selected content according to the combination of the selected content and the designated device 300, for example, reproduction of the recorded content, the portable terminal 200 displays the processing designation list. Do not show. Here, the mobile terminal 200 may display the process designation list including the unit information browsing process regardless of whether or not the process by the designated device 300 is specified for the selected content. When the processing designation list is displayed, the user designates content processing or unit information browsing processing for the selected content (S214). For example, when content currently provided to the designated device 300 having the viewing function is selected, when content provided in the future to the designated device 300 having the recording reservation function is selected, When a process recorded by the designated device 300 is predicted to some extent, such as when a content recorded on a recording medium managed by the user is selected for the designated device 300 having a playback function, a process designation list is displayed. Instead, these processes may be automatically specified.

  When the process for the selected content is designated, the mobile terminal 200 transmits a process request indicating the designated process to the ECG server 100 together with the terminal ID, the designated device ID, and the selected content ID (S216). When receiving the processing request, the ECG server 100 specifies the device control ID stored in association with the terminal ID and the access destination of the device control server 400 based on the terminal ID and the designated device ID (S218), and controls the device. The ID, the selected content ID, and the processing request are transmitted to the device control server 400 (S220). On the other hand, when the unit information browsing process is selected, the mobile terminal 200 performs a unit information browsing process to be described later.

  When receiving the processing request for content processing, the device control server 400 specifies the device ID stored in association with the device control ID and the access destination of the designated device 300 based on the received device control ID (S222). Then, the device control server 400 transmits a processing request to the designated device 300 based on the access destination of the designated device 300. When the processing request is received, the designated device 300 transmits status information indicating the executability of the processing to the device control server 400.

  The device control server 400 confirms the status information, and when receiving the positive status information, transmits the access destination of the designated device 300 to the ECG server 100 (S224). On the other hand, when negative status information is received or status information cannot be received even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the device control server 400 notifies the ECG server 100 to that effect. In this case, the ECG server 100 confirms the presence of another device control ID stored in association with the terminal ID, and when the presence of the other device control ID is confirmed, the device associated with the device control ID. The device control server 400 having the ID is accessed. The ECG server 100 refers to the device information of another processing device 300 having another device ID stored in association with another device control ID, and when the other processing device 300 satisfies the processing request. Instead of the designated device 300, the processing request is transmitted to the other processing device 300. The ECG server 100 may notify the mobile terminal 200 of the fact before accessing the other processing device 300 and confirm the access to the user of the mobile terminal 200.

  When positive status information is received from the other processing device 300, the device control server 400 determines the access destination of the other processing device 300 instead of the designated device 300 as a target of indirect control by the mobile terminal 200. To the ECG server 100. On the other hand, when positive status information cannot be received from any processing device 300 that satisfies the processing request, the ECG server 100 notifies the mobile terminal 200 to that effect and the processing specified by the processing request cannot be executed. To the user. In the following, it is assumed that positive status information is received from the designated device 300.

  Upon receiving the access destination of the designated device 300, the ECG server 100 accesses the designated device 300 based on the access destination of the designated device 300, and sends the selected content ID, processing request, and composition information to the designated device 300 as necessary. Transmit (S226). Here, when the processing request corresponds to processing such as content viewing reservation and recording reservation, the ECG server 100 itself manages the organization information included in the content information of the selected content based on the selected content ID. Specify from content information.

  When the processing request is transmitted, the ECG server 100 stores management information including the selected content ID and the designated device ID for each user when a specific processing request such as recording or recording reservation is transmitted (S228).

  Further, the ECG server 100 stores the designated device ID and the processing request, such as the selected content ID and the attribute information, for each user as log format history information as necessary (S230). Here, the ECG server 100 may store information stored as history information as management information as necessary. In this case, for example, in a predetermined operation after the history information is stored, the ECG server 100 confirms with the user via the portable terminal 200 that the history information is stored as management information, and the user's confirmation is obtained. In the case of a failure, the selected content ID and the designated device ID included in the history information are stored as management information for each user.

  Then, the ECG server 100 creates user preference information based on the history information (S230). The preference information may be, for example, information based on the selection frequency of content having specific attribute information or information based on trend analysis of history information. When creating the content list, the ECG server 100 extracts content that matches the preference information and classifies the content based on the preference information.

  As a result, the user can easily select the content that has undergone the specific processing from the content list that is created including the content managed for each user. In addition, the user can easily select content that matches the preference from the content list created based on the preference information for each user. Moreover, since history information and preference information are managed centrally by the ECG server 100 without depending on the processing device 300, the user does not feel inconvenience as in the past. Furthermore, since history information and preference information are managed in an integrated manner, it is possible to select content that is more suited to the user's preference than in the past.

  When the processing request is received, the designated device 300 performs content processing based on the processing request and, if necessary, the organization information (S232). For example, the designated device 300 performs processing such as viewing, recording, reproduction, viewing reservation, and recording reservation for the selected content. Note that, when processing the content of the recording medium, the designated device 300 prompts the user to perform operations such as setting the recording medium as necessary. Here, when the processing request corresponds to processing such as content viewing reservation and recording reservation, the designated device 300 notifies the mobile terminal 200 of the processing result via the ECG server 100 when the content processing is completed. Thereby, the user can confirm the result of the content processing.

  Here, in conjunction with the content processing, the portable terminal 200 and optionally the designated device 300 perform unit information browsing processing described later.

  Through the above procedure, the user can cause the designated device 300 to perform content processing using the mobile terminal 200.

(Unit information browsing process)
Next, the procedure of the unit information browsing process will be described. The unit information browsing process is a process for browsing the unit information of the content. The unit information browsing process is performed between the ECG server 100, the portable terminal 200, and the processing device 300.

  Browsing processing is performed between the ECG server 100 and the portable terminal 200 during the above-described content selection processing, content processing, or content management processing and history processing described later. In this case, when the unit information browsing process is designated (S234), the mobile terminal 200 transmits a processing request for the browsing process to the ECG server 100 together with the terminal ID and the selected content ID (S236). When receiving the processing request, the ECG server 100 extracts the unit information of the selected content based on the selected content ID from the unit information managed by the ECG server 100 (S238), and provides it to the portable terminal 200 (S240). When receiving the unit information, the ECG server 100 executes a unit information browsing process (S242).

  On the other hand, browsing processing is performed between the ECG server 100 and the processing device 300 during content processing. In this case, the mobile terminal 200 transmits a processing request for browsing processing to the ECG server 100 together with the terminal ID, the selected content ID, and the designated device ID (S236). When receiving the processing request, the ECG server 100 extracts the unit information of the selected content based on the selected content ID from the unit information managed by itself (S238), and provides it to the designated device 300 (S240). When the unit information is received, the designated device 300 executes unit information browsing processing (S244).

  When the unit information is acquired, the mobile terminal 200 and the designated device 300 display and reproduce the content information and related information included in the unit information based on a predetermined display priority and display format. When a predetermined operation is performed in a state where the content information and the related information are displayed, the mobile terminal 200 performs various processes such as detailed information display, purchase processing, and payment processing with the ECG server 100. And so on.

  Here, when performing the browsing process simultaneously with the content viewing / playback process, the mobile terminal 200 switches the viewing target unit information in conjunction with the switching of the content targeted for the viewing / playback process. / Browsing processing may be performed in a non-link mode in which the browsing target unit information is not switched in conjunction with switching of the content to be played back. In this case, the portable terminal 200 transmits a processing request for browsing processing to the ECG server 100 when the link mode is selected in the viewing / playback processing request, and when the non-link mode is selected. By not transmitting a processing request, processing corresponding to each mode is performed.

  Since the unit information is updated according to the update of the content information and the related information, the latest unit information is provided to the mobile terminal 200 and the designated device 300 when the ECG server 100 receives the processing request. That is, the unit information of the content provided in the past includes, for example, information updated after the content is provided. Further, the unit information of the currently provided content includes, for example, information updated immediately before the content is provided. The unit information of the content provided in the future includes the latest information when the processing request is received.

  Thereby, the user can browse the latest unit information at the time of execution of the browsing process without depending on the content provision time. As a specific example, for example, when playing back recorded content, the user can browse the latest advertisement information included in the unit information instead of viewing past advertisement information included in the content. In the case of organized content, the user can use the latest information that was updated immediately before the provision of content instead of information that is generally prepared before the provision of content, such as a program information magazine or a program column of a newspaper. Information can be browsed.

  Further, the unit information may be managed by being divided into normal unit information in which the content of the information included in the unit information is not restricted and restricted unit information in which the content of the information is restricted. The normal unit information includes the above-described various content information and related information. On the other hand, the limited version unit information includes only limited information such as an outline of the content and an introduction of the most recently provided content. Then, the ECG server 100, for example, the mobile terminal 200 in which the viewing process for the corresponding content is managed as user history information, or the mobile terminal 200 in the middle of causing the designated device 300 to perform the viewing process for the corresponding content. May provide normal unit information, and may provide other mobile terminals 200 with limited unit information.

  Accordingly, the content provider 500 allows the user to provide different unit information to the ECG server 100 in accordance with the processing performed on the content (performed), so that the content provider 500 is based on the added value of the unit information. For example, the user can be prompted to view the content.

  When the ECG unit is provided, the ECG server 100 uses, as management information, the content ID of the content to be processed when specific processing such as content purchase processing is performed by the mobile terminal 200 regarding the related information. You may memorize | store for every user (S246).

  Further, the ECG server 100 stores the unit ID, attribute information, and the like of the ECG unit for each user as log format history information (S246). Then, the ECG server 100 creates user preference information based on the history information (S246). The preference information may be, for example, information based on the selection frequency of ECG units having specific attribute information, or information based on trend analysis of history information. When creating the content list, the ECG server 100 extracts content information of content that matches the preference information, and classifies the content based on the preference information.

(Content management process)
Next, the procedure of content management processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation menu displayed on the mobile terminal 200 during the content management process. Here, the content management processing is processing for managing specific content managed for each user by the ECG server 100.

  When receiving the management processing instruction from the user, the mobile terminal 200 transmits a processing request to the ECG server 100 together with the terminal ID. When receiving the processing request, the ECG server 100 displays a management menu including identification information (such as a title) and device information (such as a device name) stored as management information, as shown in FIG. When the management menu is displayed, the user selects content and operates the “browse” and “edit” buttons. Here, when the “browse” button is operated, the portable terminal 200 performs a unit information browsing process of the selected content. When the “edit” button is operated, the mobile terminal 200 displays an edit menu or the like, and the user performs an editing operation such as deleting management information, updating management information, or adding supplemental information. When the editing operation is performed, the mobile terminal 200 transmits processing information including the result of the editing operation to the ECG server 100, and the ECG server 100 updates the user management information based on the processing information.

(History processing)
Next, the procedure of history processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation menu displayed on the mobile terminal 200 during history processing. Here, the history process is a process for managing history information stored for each user by the ECG server 100 as a selection history of content and unit information selected as a processing target by the mobile terminal 200. The ECG server 100 stores only history information within a predetermined update period such as one week, for example, and updates the history information by automatically deleting old history information.

  When receiving a processing request for content processing, the ECG server 100 stores the designated device ID and processing request, such as the selected content ID and attribute information, in association with the terminal ID as log format history information as necessary. On the other hand, upon receiving a processing request for unit information browsing processing, the ECG server 100 stores processing requests, such as selected content IDs and attribute information, in association with terminal IDs as log format history information as necessary.

  When receiving a history processing instruction from the user, the mobile terminal 200 transmits a processing request to the ECG server 100 together with the terminal ID. When the processing request is received, the ECG server 100 displays a management menu including content identification information (such as a title) and content processing (or browsing of unit information) stored as history information, as shown in FIG. indicate. When the management menu is displayed, the user selects content (or unit information) and operates the “browse”, “save”, and “delete” buttons. Here, when the “browse” button is operated, the portable terminal 200 performs a unit information browsing process of the selected content. When the “save” button is operated, the ECG server 100 saves the selected history information regardless of the update of the history information. When the “delete” button is operated, the ECG server 100 deletes the selected history information regardless of the update period.

  The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that it belongs to.

The following configurations also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.
(1) The information providing device included in a content processing system including at least an information providing device connectable through a communication line, a portable information terminal, and one or more content processing devices,
A database that stores content information of content to be processed by any of the content processing devices and related information related to the content;
A device designation information receiving unit for receiving device designation information for designating one of the content processing devices as a designated device from the portable information terminal;
A content specifying unit for specifying content to be processed by the designated device on the database;
A content list transmission unit that transmits a content list including the content information of the identified content to the portable information terminal;
A content designation information transmitting / receiving unit that receives content designation information that designates any of the contents corresponding to the content information included in the content list as designated content from the portable information terminal, and transmits the content designation information to the designated device;
A process designation information transmission / reception unit for receiving process designation information for designating content processing to be performed on the designated content from the portable information terminal and transmitting the information to the designated device;
An information providing apparatus comprising: a related information transmitting unit that transmits the related information of the designated content to the portable information terminal.

(2) The content processing system further includes a device control device,
A device information receiving unit that receives from the device control device device information that can identify content to be processed by the designated device;
The information providing apparatus according to (1), wherein the content specifying unit specifies content to be processed by the designated device based on the device information.

(3) a management information storage unit that stores management information for managing specific content for each user of the portable information terminal;
The information providing apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the content specifying unit further specifies, on the database, content to be processed by the designated device among the specific content based on the management information.

(4) a search condition receiving unit that receives a search condition for the specific content to be registered from the portable information terminal;
A registration processing unit for registering the specific content for each user of the portable information terminal,
The content specifying unit specifies content that matches the search condition on the database,
The content list transmission unit transmits a list including the content information of the identified content to the portable information terminal,
The content designation information transmitting / receiving unit receives designation information for designating any of the contents corresponding to the content information included in the list from the portable information terminal,
The information providing apparatus according to (3), wherein the registration processing unit stores management information for managing content designated by the designation information for each user of the portable information terminal in the management information storage unit.

(5) Content information and content of content that includes at least an information providing device, a portable information terminal, and one or more content processing devices that can be connected through a communication line, and the information providing device is a processing target of any of the content processing devices. The portable information terminal included in a content processing system having a database for storing related information related to
A device designation information sending unit for sending device designation information for designating one of the content processing devices as a designated device to the information providing device;
A content list receiving unit for receiving a content list including the content information of the content to be processed by the designated device from the information providing device;
A content designation information transmission unit for transmitting content designation information for designating any of the contents corresponding to the content information included in the content list as designated content to the designated device via the information providing device;
A process designation information transmitting unit for transmitting process designation information for designating content processing to be performed on the designated content to the designated device via the information providing apparatus;
A related information receiving unit that receives the related information of the designated content from the information providing device;
A portable information terminal comprising: a display unit that displays the content list and the related information.

(6) The content processing system further includes a device control device,
The information providing apparatus receives device information that can identify content to be processed by the designated device from the device control device, and identifies content to be processed by the designated device based on the device information.
The portable information terminal according to (5).

(7) The content list receiving unit receives, from the information providing apparatus, a content list including the content information of content to be processed by the designated device among specific content managed for each user of the portable information terminal. The portable information terminal according to (5) or (6), further receiving.

(8) A search condition transmitting unit that transmits a search condition for content to be registered as the specific content managed for each user of the portable information terminal to the information providing apparatus,
The content list receiving unit receives a list including the content information of content that meets the search condition from the information providing device,
The content designation information transmission unit transmits designation information designating any of the contents corresponding to the content information included in the list to the portable information terminal so as to be managed as the specific content. ) Mobile information terminal.

(9) Content information and content of content that includes at least an information providing device, a portable information terminal, and one or more content processing devices that can be connected through a communication line, and the information providing device is a processing target of any of the content processing devices A content processing device that is included in a content processing system having a database that stores related information related to, and is designated by the portable information terminal as a designated device that performs content processing,
A content designation information receiving unit for receiving content designation information for designating content to be processed by the designated device as designated content from the portable information terminal via the information providing device;
A process designation information receiving unit for receiving, from the portable information terminal, process designation information for designating content processing to be performed on the designated content;
A content processing device comprising: a content processing unit that performs content processing on the specified content based on the content specification information and the processing specification information.

(10) The content processing system further includes a device control device,
The information providing apparatus receives device information that can identify content to be processed by the designated device from the device control device, and identifies content to be processed by the designated device based on the device information.
The content processing device according to (9) above.

100 ECG Server 200 Mobile Terminal 300 Processing Device 400 Device Control Server 500 Content Provider 600 Sponsor

Claims (7)

An information providing apparatus included in a content processing system including at least an information providing apparatus connectable through a communication line, a portable information terminal, and one or more content processing devices,
A database that stores content information of content to be processed by any of the content processing devices and related information related to the content;
A device designation information receiving unit for receiving device designation information for designating one of the content processing devices as a designated device from the portable information terminal;
A content specifying unit for specifying content to be processed by the designated device on the database;
A content list transmission unit that transmits a content list including the content information of the identified content to the portable information terminal;
Content designation information for designating one of the contents corresponding to the content information included in the content list as designated content is received from the portable information terminal, and an access destination of the designated device obtained based on the device designation information A content designation information transmitting / receiving unit to be transmitted to the designated device based on;
A process designation information transmission / reception unit for receiving process designation information for designating content processing to be performed on the designated content from the portable information terminal, and transmitting to the designated device based on the access destination of the designated device;
A related information transmitting unit that transmits the related information of the designated content to the portable information terminal ,
The content processing system further includes a device control device,
A device information receiving unit that receives from the device control device device information that can identify content to be processed by the designated device;
The content specifying unit, the information providing device that identifies the content to be processed of the specified device based on the device information.   A management information storage unit for storing management information for managing specific content for each user of the portable information terminal;
  The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content specifying unit further specifies content to be processed by the designated device among the specific content on the database based on the management information.   A search condition receiving unit for receiving a search condition for the specific content to be registered from the portable information terminal;
  A registration processing unit for registering the specific content for each user of the portable information terminal;
  Further comprising
  The content specifying unit specifies content that matches the search condition on the database,
  The content list transmission unit transmits a list including the content information of the identified content to the portable information terminal,
  The content designation information transmitting / receiving unit receives designation information for designating any of the contents corresponding to the content information included in the list from the portable information terminal,
  The information providing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the registration processing unit stores management information for managing content designated by the designation information for each user of the portable information terminal in the management information storage unit.   The information providing apparatus includes at least an information providing device connectable through a communication line, a portable information terminal, and one or more content processing devices, and the information providing device relates to content information and content of content to be processed by any of the content processing devices. The portable information terminal included in a content processing system having a database for storing related information,
  A device designation information sending unit for sending device designation information for designating one of the content processing devices as a designated device to the information providing device;
  A content list receiving unit for receiving a content list including the content information of the content to be processed by the designated device from the information providing device;
  The designated device obtained by the information providing device based on the device designation information via the information providing device via the information providing device, with content designation information designating any content corresponding to the content information included in the content list as the designated content A content designation information transmission unit for transmitting to the designated device based on the access destination of
A process designation information transmission unit for transmitting process designation information for designating content processing to be performed on the designated content to the designated device based on the access destination of the designated device via the information providing apparatus;
  A related information receiving unit that receives the related information of the designated content from the information providing device;
  A display unit for displaying the content list and the related information;
  With
  The content processing system further includes a device control device,
  The information providing device receives device information that can identify content to be processed by the designated device from the device control device, and identifies a content to be processed by the designated device based on the device information .   The content list receiving unit further receives, from the information providing apparatus, a content list including the content information of content to be processed by the designated device among specific content managed for each user of the portable information terminal. The portable information terminal according to claim 4.   A search condition transmitting unit that transmits a search condition for content to be registered as the specific content managed for each user of the portable information terminal to the information providing apparatus;
  The content list receiving unit receives a list including the content information of content that meets the search condition from the information providing device,
  The content specification information transmission unit transmits specification information for specifying any of the contents corresponding to the content information included in the list to the portable information terminal so as to be managed as the specific content. The portable information terminal described in 1.   The information providing apparatus includes at least an information providing device connectable through a communication line, a portable information terminal, and one or more content processing devices, and the information providing device relates to content information and content of content to be processed by any of the content processing devices. A content processing device included in a content processing system having a database for storing related information and designated by the portable information terminal as a designated device for performing content processing,
  Content designation information that designates content to be processed by the designated device as designated content is received from the portable information terminal based on an access destination as the designated device obtained by the information providing device via the information providing device. A content specification information receiving unit,
  Process designation information for receiving, from the portable information terminal, process designation information for designating content processing to be performed on the designated content based on the access destination as the designated device obtained by the information providing apparatus via the information providing apparatus. A receiver,
  A content processing unit that performs content processing on the designated content based on the content designation information and the process designation information;
  With
  The content processing system further includes a device control device,
  The information providing device receives device information capable of specifying content to be processed by the designated device from the device control device, and specifies a content to be processed by the designated device based on the device information .

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