JP5432594B2 - Video content recording / playback mediation server and system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a video content recording / playback mediation server.

  Until now, television broadcasts have been transmitted from radio towers to the receiving antennas of each house by radio waves, and users have watched TV programs at home terminals. In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, video content has been distributed from video content distribution servers on the Internet to terminals in each home, and users have come to view video content distributed on terminals such as personal computers and televisions. ing. At present, however, the transmission speed of the Internet is not as fast as the transmission speed of radio waves in television broadcasting, and the situation in which the distributed video content can be viewed on a large screen in real time has not yet been reached. However, it is considered that the transmission speed of the Internet will be equivalent to the transmission speed by the radio wave of the conventional television broadcasting by establishing a high-speed transmission path using an optical fiber and a high-speed backbone network called NGN. Furthermore, it is considered that content distribution via the Internet is possible even from the back of the earth where radio waves from the radio tower do not reach, so that TV programs from around the world can be viewed through the Internet.

  In addition, when a user wants to record a program and view it at a later date, he / she uses a video recorder or the like connected to the program viewing terminal. However, the recording / playback apparatus (nPVR (Network Personal Network)) records a TV program on the Internet. Video Recorder)) is being considered.

  Patent Document 1 describes a content providing system, a server device, and a terminal device that can perform both a recording reservation process and a viewing process of a TV program from a desired location using a desired terminal device. Yes.

JP 2003-339041 A

  Assuming the above situation, many TV stations around the world will distribute TV programs around the world, and the program guide for users to select the programs they want to watch has more channels than conventional ones. Will be included. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for the user to select a program that the user wants to watch.

  In addition, unlike the conventional television broadcast using radio waves, the Internet is a two-way communication, so that information can be sent from a user to a broadcast station that is a content distribution server. Advertisers that place advertisements on broadcast programs seek more efficient advertising methods, but information such as the user's age, gender, and preferences will make the advertising method for those users more efficient. Greatly helped. However, it is not realistic for content distribution servers, which are a large number of television stations all over the world, to directly exchange data with users' viewing terminals, and an efficient mechanism is required.

  Furthermore, when a single user uses a plurality of conventional video decks and recording / playback apparatuses on a network, it becomes necessary to manage them collectively.

  When a TV program is distributed over the Internet, accompanying information such as detailed information on advertisements and costumes of actors is distributed as digital data along with video content. On the other hand, since users use digital information on various terminals such as mobile phones and personal computers, there is a demand for easily using information such as advertisements distributed together with TV programs on terminals other than the program viewing terminal.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a video content recording / playback mediation server capable of collectively managing a plurality of available recording / playback apparatuses connected to the Internet.

  The video content recording / playback mediation server of the present invention performs video content recording / playback between a distribution server for broadcasting / distributing video content, a recording / playback device of each user for recording / playback of video content, and a user terminal. A media content recording / playback mediation server that mediates, user program guide storage means for storing a user program guide of video content broadcast / distributed for each user, and information on the recording / playback device of each user. User recording / playback device information storage means for storing, user recording status storage means for storing program recording status for each user, and transmission / reception of information between the distribution server, the recording / playback device, and the user terminal Network data transmission / reception means for receiving the user program guide in response to a program guide request command received from the user terminal. In response to a program recording reservation request command received from the user terminal, a program distribution request command for distributing the program to the recording / playback apparatus is transmitted to the distribution server and received from the user terminal. In response to the program playback request command, the recording / playback apparatus transmits a program distribution request command for distributing the recorded program to the user terminal.

  In response to the program recording reservation request command received from the user terminal, a user recording / playback apparatus selection screen for selecting a recording / playback apparatus for recording a program is generated and transmitted to the user terminal, and the user recording is performed. The selection information of the recording / playback device selected on the playback device selection screen is received from the user terminal, and a program distribution request command for causing the distribution server to distribute the program to the selected recording / playback device is transmitted. May be.

  In response to the program playback request command received from the user terminal, a reproducible program selection screen for selecting a program to be reproduced from reproducible programs is generated and transmitted to the user terminal, and the reproducible program selection screen is displayed. May be received from the user terminal, and a program distribution request command for causing the recording / playback apparatus to distribute the selected program to the user terminal may be transmitted.

  When a miss service is applied to the selected program, a program distribution request command for causing the distribution server to distribute the selected program to the user terminal may be transmitted.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to collectively manage a plurality of available recording / playback apparatuses connected to the Internet.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a video distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the transmission / reception relationship between the internal component of each structure part of the video delivery system concerning embodiment of this invention, and each structure part. It is a table | surface which shows the content memorize | stored in the database of the video content storage means of a recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a table | surface which shows the content memorize | stored in the database of the video content storage means of a user terminal. It is a table | surface which shows the content memorize | stored in the database of the transfer destination information storage means of a user terminal. It is a table | surface which shows the content memorize | stored in the database of the user registration information storage means of a mediation server. It is a table | surface which shows the content memorize | stored in the database of the service information storage means of a mediation server. It is a table | surface which shows the content memorize | stored in the database of the user utilization condition memory | storage means of a mediation server. It is a table | surface which shows the content memorize | stored in the database of the user program guide memory | storage means of a mediation server. It is a table | surface which shows the content memorize | stored in the database of the user recording / reproducing apparatus information storage means of a mediation server. It is a table | surface which shows the content memorize | stored in the database of the user recording condition memory | storage means of a mediation server. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement when a mediation server produces a user program guide and memorize | stores it in a user program guide memory | storage means. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a user terminal, a mediation server, and a delivery server when a user views a delivery program from a delivery server. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a user terminal and a mediation server when a user makes a program recording reservation. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a mediation server, a delivery server, and a recording / reproducing apparatus at the time of recording the program which the user reserved the program recording. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of a user terminal, a mediation server, a delivery server, and a recording / reproducing apparatus at the time of reproducing | regenerating the program which the user reserved for recording. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of a user transferring content information from a user terminal to a 2nd user terminal using a remote control.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a video distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A television program is broadcast from the radio broadcast station 700 using radio waves as a medium. The user receives radio waves at the user terminal 600, displays an image on the monitor 900, and views a television program. The user terminal 600 is controlled using the remote controller 800. On the other hand, the user terminal 600 is connected to the Internet 101, receives a video content distribution service from the distribution server 300 that is also connected to the Internet 101, and displays a video on the monitor 900 in the same manner as a television program from the radio broadcast station 700. To receive the service. The recording / playback apparatus 200 connected to the Internet 101 records video content desired by the user, and plays back and uses it when desired by the user.

  The mediation server 400 connected to the Internet 101 mediates between the user and the distribution server operator when the user receives the distribution service, and provides a useful service to both.

  The second user terminal 500 transmits / receives data related to information contents such as detailed information of advertisements with the user terminal 600 using, for example, a mobile phone or a personal computer. In FIG. 1, the second user terminal 500 is connected to the Internet 101. However, the second user terminal 500 is not limited to this example, and may communicate with the user terminal 600 via a home LAN.

  Although not shown, it is assumed that there are a plurality of recording / playback apparatuses 200 and a plurality of distribution servers 300 for one user or one user terminal 600.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal components of each component of the video distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention and the data transfer relationship between the components.

  The distribution server 300 is connected to the Internet and distributes video content that is a broadcast program to the user terminal 600 and the recording / playback apparatus 200. A program table that can be distributed is delivered to the mediation server 400 in advance, and a distribution request from the user is received from the mediation server 400. Also, the distribution server 300 receives from the intermediary server 400 information used when selecting an advertisement to be distributed together with a broadcast program, such as a user's preference and a viewing program history, at the same time or periodically. Deliver more effective advertising.

The mediation server 400 connects to the Internet and mediates between the user terminal 600 and the distribution server 300. The mediation server 400 collects program schedules from a plurality of distribution servers 300 that can be used all over the world, and allows the user to select a desired program through the user terminal 600.
Further, the mediation server 400 edits the available program guide and creates a user program guide as a program guide desired by the user.

  The mediation server 400 collects user preferences and user program viewing histories from the user terminal 600 and stores them, and distributes user information used when the distribution server 300 distributes advertisements and the like. Provide to the server 300.

  When the mediation server 400 receives a program distribution request from the user terminal 600, the mediation server 400 transmits a distribution request to the user terminal 600 to the distribution server 300 that distributes the program.

  When using the mediation server 400, the user signs a service use contract. The mediation server 400 may take a business form in which usage fees for each distribution server 300 are collected from a user and paid to each distribution server 300.

  The mediation server 400 manages the user's recorded programs and scheduled recording programs. When the user makes a recording reservation for a desired program from the program guide, the distribution server transmits a distribution request to the distribution server 300 for distribution to the designated user terminal 600 or recording / playback apparatus 200.

  In addition, when a reproduction request for a desired recorded program is received from the user terminal 600, a distribution request is transmitted to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 in which the recorded program is recorded so that the recorded program is distributed to the user terminal 600.

  The mediation server 400 includes a user registration information storage unit 401, a user program guide storage unit 402, a service information storage unit 403, a user recording / playback apparatus information storage unit 404, a user usage status storage unit 405, A user recording status storage unit 406, a program table creation unit 407, a user program creation unit 408, a control unit 409, a distribution server request information generation unit 410, and a network data transmission / reception unit 411 are provided. The control unit 409 controls each means in the mediation server 400 and functions as described below by transferring various data, performing various calculations, temporarily storing data, and the like.

  The user registration information storage unit 401 is a database as shown in FIG. 6, and a registrant ID 401a for identifying a registrant who has applied for and registered a service provided by the mediation server 400, and a contact information 401b of the registrant. And payment information 401c which is a card type and card number for the registrant to make a card payment, a registration service 401d for identifying a service for which a registration application is made, and a plurality of uses using a service registered by the registrant. The user ID 401e of the user, the user login password 401f that is the login password when the user accesses the mediation server 400 from the user terminal 600, the user's age and sex 401g, and the user used by the user User terminal model number 401h, which is the model number of terminal 600, and user terminal 600 such as an IP address. The user terminal address 401i is an address on the Internet is stored.

  FIG. 6 shows a country-specific unlimited service that allows unlimited selection of broadcast programs from around the world as the registration service 401d, and an example limited to two countries in which broadcast programs can be viewed only in two countries, Japan and France.

  The user terminal model number 401h is used by the distribution server 300 and the mediation server 400 to make the data to the user terminal 600 appropriate according to the screen size and processing speed of the user terminal 600, the data format that can be processed, and the like. Used for

  The service information storage unit 403 is a database as shown in FIG. 7, a distribution server ID 403 a for identifying an available distribution server 300, a distribution server address 403 b on the Internet such as an IP address, a name 403 c of the distribution server 300, A request information item 403d, which is a user information item requested in order to make effective use of an advertisement or the like distributed simultaneously with distribution content by the distribution server 300, a country 403e to which the distribution server 300 belongs, and a use provided by the distribution server 300 A channel ID 403f and a channel name 403g of possible channels, and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information 403h of each channel are stored.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the date, broadcast time, title, program overview, and genre of each program are recorded as EPG information in chronological order.
In FIG. 7, the distribution server ID “xxx” requests the user's gender, age, and main viewing genre as request information items, and “yyy” requests the main viewing genre as request information items. An example is shown.

  The service information storage unit 403 also stores EPG information distributed from the radio broadcast station 700 in the same manner as the service information of the distribution server 300. At this time, the distribution server address 403b and the request information item 403d are empty. The mediation server 400 provides the user with both the program provided by the distribution server 300 on the Internet and the program broadcast from the radio broadcast station 700 as the same program table.

  The user usage status storage unit 405 is a database as shown in FIG. 8 and stores a user ID 405a and a user terminal operation history 405b that is an operation history of the user operating the user terminal 600.

  In FIG. 8, as the user terminal operation history 405b, the user terminal model number used, the operation time, operation details such as program viewing and transfer of content information, and the title and genre of the viewing program or transferred content An example is shown in which content details such as the genre of information are recorded in chronological order.

  The user ID 405a and the user terminal model number used here are the same as the user ID 401e and the user terminal model number 401h stored in the user registration information storage unit 401.

  The user program guide storage unit 402 is a database as shown in FIG. 9, and stores a user ID 402a, a channel ID 402b displayed by the user as a program guide, a channel name 402c, and EPG information 402d of each channel. ing.

  In FIG. 9, the same channel name “XXX” is set to the channel IDs “xxx” and “yyyy”. As will be described later, this is an example in which a program searched by a user by keyword search or genre search is assigned to one channel name, and there are a plurality of channel IDs of channels that broadcast programs included in the search result. It is an example. At this time, only the EPG information of the search result program is stored in the EPG information, and the EPG information of the program other than the search result broadcast on the channel is not stored.

  The user ID 402a used here is the same as the user ID 401e stored in the user registration information storage unit 401, and the channel ID 402b is the same as the channel ID 403f stored in the service information storage unit 403. is there.

The user recording / playback device information storage unit 404 is a database as shown in FIG. 10, and includes a user ID 404 a, all the recording / playback devices 200 that can be used by the user via the mediation server 400, and all the recording / playback functions. A recording / playback device ID 404b for identifying the user terminal 600, an IP address 404c required for communication with the recording / playback device, and a login ID and password 404d required for the user to access the recording / playback device. The remaining amount 404e of the data capacity that can be used by the user in the recording / playback apparatus and the priority order 404f in which the user uses the recording / playback apparatus are stored.
Note that the user ID 404 a used here is the same as the user ID 401 e stored in the user registration information storage unit 401.

  The user recording status storage means 406 is a database as shown in FIG. 11, and includes a user ID 406a, a recorded program ID 406b for identifying a program reserved for recording, and recorded program information 406c representing EPG information of the program reserved for recording. And a recording / playback device ID 406d for identifying a recording / playback device for recording the program, a recording status 406e, and a channel ID 406f of the broadcast channel of the program reserved for recording.

  In FIG. 11, the recording status of the user ID “qqq” and the recorded program ID “c” is “Missed December 30”, and this program is in the missed service period until December 30, and the broadcast time has already passed. Despite this, recording has not yet been performed. The mediation server 400 does not actually send a recording command to the user recording / playback apparatus 200 until the missed service end date, and if the user cancels the recording reservation by that time, the specified program from the distribution server 300 is displayed. You don't have to do it.

  Alternatively, if the user requests that the specified program be played before the missed service end date, the mediation server 400 requests the distribution server 300 at that time to cause the user recording / playback apparatus 200 to transmit the specified program. At the same time, the designated program is distributed to the user recording / reproducing apparatus 200.

  Alternatively, if the user does not cancel the recording reservation until near the end of the missed service, the user may be warned of the end of the missed service and select whether to record or not automatically. You may start.

  The user ID 406a used here is the same as the user ID 401e stored in the user registration information storage unit 401, and the channel ID 406f is the same as the channel ID 403f stored in the service information storage unit 403. The recorded program information 406c is the same as one program portion of the EPG information 403h stored in the service information storage unit 403, and the recording / playback device ID 406d is stored in the user recording / playback device information storage unit 404. This is the same as the recording / playback apparatus ID 404b.

  The program guide creation means 407 retrieves data necessary for program guide creation from various storage means, and all available program guides, that is, various program guides such as a user program guide guide and a recorded program guide, An operation screen for using the mediation server 400 is created. The created program guide is transmitted to the user terminal 600 by the network data transmission / reception means 411, and the user selects the program by operating the remote controller 800 or the like while viewing it on the monitor 900.

  It is assumed that information corresponding to the program of the distribution server ID, channel ID, and EPG information is associated with each program in the created program guide.

  When creating all available program guides, the user registration service 401d of the user registration information storage unit 401 can be referred to, and the user registration service 401d can be referred to and viewed from the service information storage unit 403 according to the registration service. The EPG information of the channels that can be viewed by the distribution station is extracted, and the user terminal model number 401h of the user registration information storage device 401 is referenced to create a tabular program table that can be viewed on the user terminal 600.

  For example, since the user ID “jjjj” in FIG. 6 has registration services limited to two countries, Japan and France, only the EPG information with the distribution server IDs “xxx” and “yyy” in FIG. .

  When creating the user program guide table, the EPG information of the corresponding channel is extracted from the user ID 402a of the user program guide storage unit 402, and the user registration information storage unit 401 of the user registration information storage unit 401 is used. The user terminal model number 401h is referred to, and a tabular program table that can be viewed on the user terminal 600 is created.

  When creating the recorded program guide, the corresponding recorded program information and recording status are extracted from the user ID 406a of the user recording status storage means 406, and the user terminal model number 401h of the user registration information storage means 401 is referred to. Then, a tabular program table that can be viewed on the user terminal 600 is created.

  The user program creation means 408 performs a program search from all the program guides available to the user to select a program or select a channel, and a program guide creation means 407 for selecting a channel. And the selected program and channel information are stored in the user program guide storage unit 402.

  The distribution server request information creation unit 410 extracts the request information item 403d corresponding to the distribution server ID 403a in the service information storage unit 403, while the corresponding user terminal operation history 405b from the user ID 405a in the user usage status storage unit 405. In addition, if necessary, the user's age, sex 401g, etc. are referred to from the user registration information storage means 401, the item corresponding to the request information item 403d is extracted, and distribution server request information is generated.

  The network data transmission / reception unit 411 is connected to the Internet 101 and transmits / receives data to / from the distribution server 300, the recording / playback apparatus 200, the user terminal 600, and the like.

  The distribution server 300 transmits a distribution request to distribute a program desired by the user, and information such as a user's viewing history and preferences used when the distribution server 300 creates an advertisement distributed at the time of program distribution. Or send.

  Also, it is necessary for receiving a program table that can be distributed from the distribution server 300, receiving a decoding key required when a user decrypts data when receiving a distribution program, and creating an advertisement. Receive user information items.

  Also, from the user terminal 600, a program distribution request is received, a command for viewing and editing a program guide and a user program guide is received, a recording reservation to the recording / playback apparatus 200, playback / stop, etc. A control command is received or an operation history of the user terminal 600 is received.

In addition, the user terminal 600 transmits program guide and screen information of the user program guide so that the user can perform a desired operation, transmits operation screen information of the recording / playback apparatus 200, and the distribution server 300. The decoding key for decoding the program data distributed from is transmitted.
As a communication method, IP packet communication or the like is used, and a transmission source IP address is also transmitted at the time of data transmission.

  In addition, the control command from the user terminal 600 is transmitted to the recording / playback apparatus 200, and the operation status, the remaining amount of recording media available to the user, and the like are inquired.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is connected to the Internet 101, records and stores a program desired by the user, and performs reproduction. A control command such as recording / playback is received from the mediation server 400, and the recorded content is distributed to the user terminal 600 or the video content distributed from the distribution server 300 is recorded.

  The recording / playback apparatus 200 controls the video content storage unit 203 and the network data transmission / reception unit 202 and controls them to transfer various data, perform various calculations, temporarily store data, and the like as described later. And a control unit 201 for causing the operation to function.

  The video content storage means 203 is a database as shown in FIG. 3, and includes a user ID 203a, a recorded program ID 203b for identifying a program reserved for recording, and EPG information of the recorded program as date, broadcast time, title, and program outline. In addition, a recorded program EPG 203c representing the genre and stream data 203d indicating where the recorded program data is recorded on the recording medium are stored.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which the recorded program ID of the user ID “123” and the recorded program ID of the user ID “456” are both “c”, and the same program is recorded on the recording medium “pqr”. ing. In such a case, the video content storage means 203 does not need to store the same program data as many as the number of users in a plurality of recording media, and it may be recorded in one place. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 may distribute the same program data recorded on the recording medium to each user terminal 600 according to the user's request. By doing so, the storage medium is effectively used.

  The network data transmitting / receiving unit 202 is connected to the Internet 101, receives video content from the distribution server 300, transmits video content to the user terminal 600, and stores it in the database of the video content storage unit 203 in the mediation server 400. Whether the user's information is transmitted, the recording reservation, playback / stop / fast-forward control command is received from the mediation server 400, the remaining amount of storage media available to the user and whether the recording is operating normally A response is returned to the inquiry from the mediation server 400 about whether or not. As a communication method, IP packet communication or the like is used, and a transmission source IP address is also transmitted at the time of data transmission.

  The user terminal 600 operates when the user operates a remote controller 800 or a control switch provided in the user terminal 600 that is not specifically described. It connects to the Internet 101, selects a program from a program table available through the mediation server 400, and requests the mediation server 400 to distribute a desired program. When the video content is received from the distribution server 300, if it is encrypted or compressed, it is decrypted and displayed on the monitor 900.

Further, it has a function of transferring information related to advertisements and programs included in the video content or content information such as their URL to the second user terminal 500.
Also, an operation history such as program viewing or recording / playback program is stored, and the operation history is transmitted to the mediation server 400.
Further, the user terminal 600 may have a function of recording / reproducing video content.

  The user terminal 600 has a user terminal model number, and stores a user ID, a login ID, and a password that activate and use the user terminal 600.

  The user terminal 600 includes a video content storage unit 601, a transfer destination information storage unit 602, a remote control signal transmission / reception unit 603, a transfer content information generation unit 605, a video frame creation unit 604, and a video content decoding unit 606. The network data transmission / reception means 607 and the radio wave broadcast reception means 608 are controlled so as to function as described below by transferring these data, performing various calculations, temporarily storing data, and the like. Part 609.

  The video content storage unit 601 is a database as shown in FIG. 4, and includes a user ID 601a, a recorded program ID 601b for identifying a program reserved for recording, EPG information of the recorded program, date, broadcast time, title, and program outline. In addition, a recorded program EPG 601c representing a genre and stream data 601d indicating where the recorded program data is recorded on the recording medium are stored. The user ID 601a is used when the user terminal 600 is used by a plurality of users such as family members.

  The transfer destination information storage unit 602 is a database that stores information necessary for transferring content information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the user identifies the user ID 602a and the transfer destination. A transfer destination name 602b, which is text information for the transfer, a communication medium 602c used for transfer, a communication protocol 602d, and address information 602e such as an IP address and a mail address of the transfer destination.

  Remote control signal transmission / reception means 603 receives a control signal from remote control 800 and transmits content information to the remote control device. Infrared communication is generally used, but another communication method such as IEEE 802.15.4 may be used.

  When the transfer content information creating means 605 receives the input of the transfer destination information and the content information desired by the user under the control of the control unit 609, the transfer content information creating means 605 processes the content information according to the transfer destination information, Data is output to the transmission unit 603 and the network transmission / reception unit 607. For example, when the communication protocol 602d of the transfer destination information is sendmail, the content information is processed into the MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) format. Alternatively, if the communication protocol 602d of the transfer destination information is IrDA, the content information is processed into an IrDA data format.

  The video frame creation unit 604 receives the video content and the content information from the video content decoding unit 606, creates an RGB signal and a YRB signal for outputting video to the monitor 900, and outputs them to the monitor 900. When receiving operation screen information for transferring content information from the control unit 609, it is converted into an RGB signal or the like and output to the monitor 900. In addition, when receiving an input of a program guide or screen information of an operation screen from the video content decoding unit 606, it is converted into an RGB signal or the like and output to the monitor 900.

  The video content decrypting means 606 creates a video content and content information by performing a decompression process if the input data is compressed and decrypting if the input data is encrypted. When a decoding key is necessary for decryption, it may be received in advance from the mediation server 400, or an IC card (not shown) may be attached to the user terminal 600, and the decoding key may be obtained from the IC card in advance.

  The network data transmission / reception means 607 is connected to the Internet 101, receives distribution of program contents from the distribution server 300, receives distribution of recorded programs from the recording / playback apparatus 200, and receives an operation history of the user terminal 600 as an intermediary server. , Receiving program guides, user program guides, recorded program guides and other operation screen information, sending control commands for controlling the recording / playback apparatus 200 such as recording reservation, playback / stop, A control command for editing the user program guide is transmitted, or a control command for requesting program viewing is transmitted. When data is transmitted to the mediation server 400, the user ID, the user login password, and the user terminal model number are transmitted at the same time. As the communication method, IP packet communication or the like is used, and at the time of data transmission, the source IP address is also transmitted. In addition, communication with the second user terminal 500 is performed by wireless LAN or infrared communication.

  The radio broadcast receiving unit 608 receives radio waves transmitted from the radio broadcast station 700, converts analog data into digital data, and outputs the digital data to the video content decoding unit 606.

The remote controller 800 transmits a control signal to the user terminal 600 by infrared communication. The user uses the remote controller 800 to remotely control the user terminal 600. The remote controller 800 may be the second user terminal 500. In this case, content information is received from the user terminal 600 by infrared communication.
The monitor 900 receives RGB or YRB video signals from the user terminal 600 and displays the video on an LED panel or the like.

  The second user terminal 500 is a mobile phone, a personal computer, a remote controller, etc., and communicates with the user terminal 600 via infrared rays, a wireless LAN, or the Internet, and is included in the video content received by the user terminal 600. Content information to be received from the user terminal 600. A user uses the content information received by the second user terminal 500 to access information such as coupons related to the content through the Internet 101.

  The radio broadcast station 700 broadcasts using radio waves as a medium, such as terrestrial broadcast and satellite broadcast, and distributes the broadcast program to the user terminal 600.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the mediation server 400 creates a user program guide and stores it in the user program guide storage unit 402.

  The user performs a service subscription procedure at a storefront managed by the intermediary server 400 and enters necessary information in the database of the user registration information storage unit 401 in the subscription application form. In step S <b> 101, the mediation server 400 inputs information in the subscription application form into the database of the user registration information storage unit 401.

  In step S102, the distribution server 300 periodically transmits service information to the mediation server 400. Although not shown, it is assumed that there are a plurality of distribution servers 300.

In step S103, the mediation server 400 obtains program information broadcast from the radio broadcast station 700 from a server that distributes program information on the Internet in addition to service information transmitted from the distribution server 300, and obtains the service information. Store in the database of the service information storage unit 403. Also, the service information obtained from the channel and program information registered in the database of the user program guide storage unit 402 is updated to the latest data.
In step S104, the user operates the remote controller 800 or the like, and the selected program guide request is transmitted from the user terminal 600 to the mediation server 400.

  In step S105, the mediation server 400 authenticates the user with the user ID and user login password included in the selected program guide request, and the user program creation means 408 registers the user with the user ID below. An available program selection table is created by referring to the database of the information storage unit 401. The selected program guide request may include a keyword for search. In that case, the user program creation means 408 sets a program obtained as a result of keyword search from available programs as a selected program table.

In step S <b> 106, the mediation server 400 transmits the program selection table created by the user program creation unit 408 to the user terminal 600.
In step S107, when the user terminal 600 receives the selected program guide, the user terminal 600 displays it on the monitor 900, and the user operates the remote controller 800 or the like to select a desired program or channel.

In step S108, if the user desires, a plurality of channels and programs are repeatedly selected.
In step S109, the user terminal 600 transmits a registration request to the mediation server 400 so as to register the selected channel and program in the user program guide.

  In step S <b> 110, the mediation server 400 records the requested program and channel for registration in the database of the user program guide storage unit 402 by the user program creation unit 408.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining operations of the user terminal 600, the mediation server 400, and the distribution server 300 when the user views a distribution program from the distribution server 300.

In step S <b> 201, the user terminal 600 stores an operation history every time the user operates the user terminal 600.
In step S <b> 202, the user terminal 600 periodically transmits the stored user operation history to the mediation server 400. Alternatively, although not shown, the operation history is transmitted to the mediation server 400 in response to the reception of the operation history transmission request from the mediation server 400. The operation history includes operation time, operation details such as recording reservation, playback, and fast-forward, content details such as title and genre of the operated content, and the like.

In step S203, the mediation server 400 uses the operation history received from the user terminal 600 as the user history of each user based on the user ID sent from the user terminal 600 simultaneously with the operation history. Record in the database of the storage means 405.
In step S <b> 204, the user operates the user terminal 600 to view the program, and transmits a user program guide table request command from the user terminal 600 to the mediation server 400.

  In step S205, when the mediation server 400 receives the user program guide table request command, the mediation server 400 uses the program guide generation unit 407 based on the user ID sent from the user terminal 600 simultaneously with the user program guide table request command. An operator program guide table.

  In step S206, the mediation server 400 transmits the user program guide table created by the program table creation unit 407 to the user terminal 600 that has transmitted the user program guide table request command.

  In step S207, the user terminal 600 displays the received user program guide table on the monitor 900. The user selects a desired program using the remote controller 800 or the like while viewing the user program guide table displayed on the monitor 900.

  In step S208, the user terminal 600 transmits the distribution server ID associated with the selected program, the channel ID, and the program part of the EPG information to the mediation server 400 as a program viewing request command.

  In step S209, when the mediation server 400 receives the program viewing request command from the user terminal 600, the distribution server request information generating unit 410 distributes the program viewing request command based on the user ID sent from the user terminal 600 together with the program viewing request command. Create server request information.

  In step S210, the mediation server 400 refers to the database of the service information storage unit 403, and sends a program viewing request command received from the user terminal 600 to the distribution server 300 having the distribution server address 403b identified by the distribution server ID 403a. The distribution server request information generated by the distribution server request information generation means 410 and the IP address of the user terminal 600 that is the program distribution destination are transmitted as a program distribution request command. Thereafter, the mediation server 400 waits for a decode key to be transmitted from the distribution server 300 with the distribution server address 403b.

In step S <b> 211, when the distribution server 300 receives the program distribution request command from the mediation server 400, the distribution server 300 transmits a decoding key necessary for decrypting the distribution program to the mediation server 400.
In step S212, the mediation server 400 transmits the decode key received from the distribution server 300 to the user terminal 600 that has transmitted the program viewing request command.

In step S213, the distribution server 300 uses the distribution server request information to insert an advertisement for the user into the distribution program specified in the program portion of the EPG information of the program viewing request command.
In step S214, the mediation server 400 transmits the distribution program in which the advertisement is inserted to the user terminal 600 that has transmitted the program viewing request command.

  In step S215, the user terminal 600 decrypts the distribution program received from the distribution server 300 using the decode key received from the mediation server 400, and displays the video content on the monitor 900.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operations of the user terminal 600 and the mediation server 400 when the user makes a program recording reservation.

In step S301, when the user wants to view the program, the user terminal 600 is operated to transmit a user program guide table request command to the mediation server 400.
In step S302, the mediation server 400 receives the user program guide table request command from the user terminal 600, and at the same time, based on the user ID sent from the user terminal, the program table creation unit 407 performs the user program. Create a guide table.

In step S303, the user program guide table is transmitted to the user terminal 600 that has transmitted the user program guide table request command.
In step S304, the user terminal 600 displays the received user program guide table on the monitor 900.

In step S305, the user selects a desired program to be recorded using the remote controller 800 or the like while looking at the user program guide table displayed on the monitor 900.
In step S306, the user terminal 600 transmits the distribution server ID associated with the selected program, the channel ID, and the program part of the EPG information to the mediation server 400 as a program recording reservation request command.

  In step S307, when the mediation server 400 receives the program recording reservation request command from the user terminal 600, based on the user ID sent from the user terminal 600 at the same time, from the user recording / playback apparatus information storage unit 404. A user's recording / playback apparatus is selected, and the amount of recording media used when recording is calculated from the broadcast time information of the program portion of the received EPG information, and compared with the remaining amount of the selected recording / playback apparatus 200 Then, the recordable recording / reproducing apparatus 200 that can be recorded is selected, and screen information for the user to select the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 is created using the program table creation means 407.

In step S <b> 308, the mediation server 400 transmits to the user terminal 600 screen information for selecting the recording / playback apparatus 200 by the user created by the program guide creation unit 407.
In step S <b> 309, the user terminal 600 displays screen information for selecting the recording / playback apparatus 200 received by the user from the mediation server 400 on the monitor 900, and causes the user to select the recording / playback apparatus 200.

In step S <b> 310, the user terminal 600 transmits selection information of the recording / playback apparatus 200 to the mediation server 400.
In step S311, when the mediation server 400 receives the information of the recording / playback apparatus 200 from the user terminal 600, the information included in the program recording reservation request command and the user ID sent from the user terminal 600 at the time of reception are received. Based on the above, information on recording reservation is added to the database of the user recording status storage means 406, and a timer is set so that a recording flow described later is started at the broadcast time of the program reserved for recording.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining operations of the mediation server 400, the distribution server 300, and the recording / playback apparatus 200 when a program reserved by the user for recording a program is recorded.

  In step S401, when the broadcast time of the program reserved for recording comes, the mediation server 400 selects a recording reservation to be recorded from the user recording status storage unit 406 based on the broadcast time. Then, based on the recording / playback apparatus ID 406d and user ID 406a of the recording reservation information, the recording / playback apparatus 200 to be recorded is selected from the database of the user recording / playback apparatus information storage means 404.

  In step S402, the mediation server 400 selects a distribution server 300 to be distributed from the database of the service information storage unit 403 based on the channel ID 406f of the recording reservation information, and uses the distribution server request information generation unit 410. The request information of the distribution server 300 is created.

  In step S403, the mediation server 400 sends the recorded program information, the distribution server request information, and the recording / playback as a program distribution destination to the distribution server 300 having the distribution server address 403b identified by the distribution server ID 403a from the service information storage unit 403. The IP address of the device 200 is transmitted. Thereafter, the mediation server 400 waits for the decoding key to be transmitted from the distribution server 300.

  In step S404, the distribution server 300 receives the recorded program information, the distribution server request information, and the IP address of the recording / playback apparatus 200 that is the program distribution destination from the mediation server 400, and is necessary for decoding the distribution program. Is transmitted to the mediation server 400.

  In step S405, the mediation server 400 transmits the decoding key received from the distribution server 300 to the recording / playback apparatus 200 together with the user ID, login ID, password, and recorded program information.

In step S406, the distribution server 300 uses the distribution server request information to insert an advertisement for the user into the distribution program specified by the recorded program information.
In step S407, the distribution server 300 transmits the distribution program in which the advertisement is inserted to the recording / playback apparatus 200.

  In step S408, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 decrypts the decrypted data using the distribution program received from the distribution server 300 and the decode key received from the mediation server 400, and stores the decrypted data in the storage medium of the video content storage unit 203. The user ID of the user who has logged into the database and the recorded program information are stored as a recorded program EPG.

  In step S409, when the recording of the distribution program is completed, the recording / playback apparatus 200 transmits a notification of the completion of the recording to the mediation server 400 together with the user ID and the recorded program information.

  In step S410, when the mediation server 400 receives from the recording / playback apparatus 200 a notification of completion of recording, a user ID, and recorded program information, the mediation server 400 uses the information based on the user ID and the recorded program information. Referring to the database of the person recording status storage means 406, the recording status 406e is changed from scheduled recording to completed recording.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operations of the user terminal 600, the mediation server 400, the distribution server 300, and the recording / playback apparatus 200 when playing back a program reserved for recording by the user.

In step S <b> 501, the user operates the remote control device 800 or the like, and the user terminal 600 transmits a program reproduction request command to the mediation server 400.
In step S502, the mediation server 400 authenticates the user based on the user ID included in the program playback request command and the user login password, and the user program creation means 408 uses the user ID based on the user ID. Reference is made to the database of the recording status storage means 406, and the recording status 406e selects the recorded program information for which the recording is completed or is overdue by the missed service, and the program table creation means 407 reproduces the program for the user to select the program. Create possible program selection screen.

In step S503, the mediation server 400 transmits a reproducible program selection screen to the user terminal 600 that has transmitted the program reproduction request.
In step S504, the user terminal 600 receives the reproducible program selection screen from the mediation server 400 and displays it on the monitor 900, and the user looks at the reproducible program selection screen displayed on the monitor 900 while using the remote controller 800 or the like. To select a desired program.

In step S505, the user terminal 600 transmits the program ID of the selected program to the mediation server 400 as reproduction program selection information.
In step S506, the mediation server 400 receives the reproduction program selection information, and whether the recording situation 406e identified in the database of the user recording situation storage unit 406 based on the program ID included in the reproduction program selection information is the recording completion. If it is missed, the process proceeds to step S507. If the recording is completed, the process proceeds to step S514.

In step S507, the mediation server 400 creates distribution server request information by the distribution server request information generation unit 410.
In step S508, the mediation server 400 refers to the database of the service information storage unit 403, and sends a program viewing request command, distribution server request information, and program to the distribution server 300 with the distribution server address 403a identified by the distribution server ID 403a. The IP address of the user terminal 600 that is the distribution destination is transmitted as a program distribution request command. Thereafter, the mediation server 400 waits for the decoding key to be transmitted from the distribution server 300.

In step S509, when the distribution server 300 receives the program distribution request command from the mediation server 400, the distribution server 300 transmits to the mediation server 400 a decoding key necessary for decrypting the distribution program.
In step S510, the mediation server 400 transmits the decode key received from the distribution server 300 to the user terminal 600 that has transmitted the program viewing request command.

In step S511, the distribution server 300 uses the distribution server request information to insert an advertisement for the user into the distribution program specified in the program portion of the EPG information of the program viewing request command.
In step S512, the distribution server 300 transmits the distribution program in which the advertisement is inserted to the user terminal 600.

  In step S513, the user terminal 600 decrypts the distribution program received from the distribution server 300 using the decode key received from the mediation server 400, and displays the video content on the monitor 900.

  If the recording status 406e in the database of the user recording status storage means 406 identified by the program ID included in the playback program selection information received by the mediation server 400 in step S506 is recording complete, the mediation server 400 in step S514 Based on the user ID, the recording / playback apparatus 200 in which the program is recorded is searched with reference to a database of a plurality of storage means of the mediation server 400.

  In step S515, the mediation server 400 sends the user's login ID and password, the user terminal 600 address and user terminal model number, and the program ID to the corresponding recording and playback device 200 as a program distribution request command. Send.

  In step S516, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 receives the program distribution request command from the mediation server 400, authenticates the user with the login ID and password included in the program distribution request command, and uses the program ID to store the video content storage unit 203. Select a recorded program by referring to the database.

  In step S517, the recording / playback apparatus 200 delivers the recorded program to the user terminal 600. At this time, if the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 determines that it is necessary for the user terminal 600 to be able to display video effectively based on the user terminal model number, the recording / playback apparatus 200 processes the recorded program.

  In step S518, the user terminal 600 processes the recorded program received from the recording / playback apparatus 200 by the video frame creation means 604, and displays the video content on the monitor 900.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the user transfers content information from the user terminal 600 to the second user terminal 500 using the remote controller 800.

In step S601, the user terminal 600 displays video content on the monitor 900.
In step S602, the user operates the remote controller 800 to transmit a content information display request command to the user terminal 600 so as to display content information accompanying the video content.

In step S603, when the user terminal 600 receives a content information display request command from the remote controller 800, the user terminal 600 displays the content information generated by the video content decoding unit 606 on the monitor 900 by the video frame creation unit 604.
In step S604, the user views the content information, operates the remote controller 800, and transmits transfer request information to the user terminal 600 to transfer the content information.

  In step S605, the user terminal 600 determines whether or not the transfer destination address is included in the transfer request information received from the remote controller 800. If the transfer destination address is not included, the user terminal 600 proceeds to step S606 and transfers to the transfer destination address. Is included, the process proceeds to step S608.

First, a case where a transfer destination address is included in transfer request information will be described.
In step S608, the user terminal 600 refers to the transfer destination address stored in the database of the transfer destination information storage unit 602, and the transfer content information generation unit 605 transfers the transfer content information according to the corresponding communication protocol. Create

  In step S <b> 609, the user terminal 600 transmits the transfer content information created by the transfer content information creation unit 605 to the second user terminal 500.

Next, a case where the transfer destination address is not included in the transfer request information in step S605 will be described.
In step S606, the user terminal 600 refers to the user ID stored in the database of the transfer destination information storage unit 602 based on the user ID that activates and uses the user terminal 600, and creates a video frame. A transfer destination selection screen for transferring the transfer destination is created by means 604 and displayed on the monitor 900.

  In step S <b> 607, the user operates the remote controller 800 while viewing the transfer destination selection screen displayed on the monitor 900, and transmits transfer destination selection information for specifying the transfer destination to the user terminal 600.

In step S608, the user terminal 600 refers to the transfer destination information storage unit 602 based on the transfer destination selection information received from the remote controller 800, and transfers it by the transfer content information creation unit 605 according to the corresponding communication protocol. Create content information.
In step S <b> 609, the user terminal 600 transmits the transfer content information created by the transfer content information creation unit 605 to the second user terminal 500.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the mediation server 400 manages and organizes a large number of television programs and provides a program guide to the user, so that the user can easily select a program that the user wants to view. Will be able to.

  Further, the mediation server 400 provides the content distribution server 300 with information such as the genre of the viewing program of the user required when the content distribution server 300 distributes the advertisement from the user's preference and viewing history. Thus, the content distribution server 300 can distribute more effective advertisements to the user.

  Further, when a single user has a plurality of recording / playback apparatuses 200 via the Internet, the mediation server 400 manages these recording / playback apparatuses 200 so that the user can easily play back recorded programs, A recording reservation can be easily made from the program guide of the mediation server 400.

  In addition, when viewing a video content on a user terminal 600 such as a television, the user wants to refer to the accompanying content information on another terminal such as a second user terminal 500 such as a personal computer or a mobile phone. By transferring the content information from the user terminal 600 to the second user terminal 500, it becomes possible to access detailed information with a personal computer or refer to the content information outdoors with a mobile phone.

  The present invention can be used for a video content recording / playback mediation server.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Video delivery system 101 Internet 200 Recording / reproducing apparatus 201 Control part 202 Network data transmission / reception means 203 Video content storage means 300 Distribution server 400 Mediation server 401 User registration information storage means 402 User program guide storage means 403 Service information storage means 404 Use User recording / reproducing apparatus information storage means 405 User usage status storage means 406 User recording status storage means 407 Program table creation means 408 User program creation means 409 Control unit 410 Distribution server request information generation means 411 Network data transmission / reception means 500 Second User terminal 600 User terminal 601 Video content storage means 602 Transfer destination information storage means 603 Remote control signal transmission / reception means 604 Video frame creation means 605 Transfer content information creation means 606 Image content decrypting unit 607 network data communication means 608 radio broadcast receiving unit 609 control unit 700 radio broadcasting station 800 remote control 900 monitors

Claims (5)

A distribution server that broadcasts and distributes video content, a recording / playback device for each user that records and plays back video content, and a video content recording / playback mediation server that mediates recording and playback of video content between user terminals. ,
User program guide storage means for storing a user program guide of video content broadcast / distributed for each user;
User recording / playback device information storage means for storing information of the recording / playback device of each user;
User recording status storage means for storing the program recording status for each user;
Network data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the distribution server, the recording / playback apparatus, and the user terminal;
In response to a program guide request command received from the user terminal, the user program guide is transmitted to the user terminal,
In response to a program recording reservation request command received from the user terminal, a program distribution request command for causing the distribution server to distribute the program to the recording / playback device is transmitted.
In response to a program playback request command received from the user terminal, a program distribution request command for causing the recording / playback apparatus to distribute a recorded program to the user terminal is transmitted .
In response to the program reproduction request command received from the user terminal, a reproducible program selection screen for selecting a program to be reproduced from reproducible programs is created and transmitted to the user terminal.
The selection information of the program selected on the reproducible program selection screen is received from the user terminal, and a program distribution request command for causing the recording / playback apparatus to distribute the selected program to the user terminal is transmitted. ,
When a missed service is applied to the selected program, a video content recording / playback that transmits a program distribution request command for causing the distribution server to distribute the selected program to the user terminal is provided. Mediation server. In response to the program recording reservation request command received from the user terminal, a user recording / playback device selection screen for selecting a recording / playback device for recording the program is created and transmitted to the user terminal,
Receiving selection information of the recording / playback device selected in the user recording / playback device selection screen from the user terminal;
2. The video content recording / reproducing mediation server according to claim 1, wherein the distribution server transmits a program distribution request command for distributing the program to the selected recording / reproducing apparatus. A program for operating a computer as the video content recording / playback mediation server according to claim 1 or 2 . A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 3 . Video content recording / playback that mediates video content recording / playback between a distribution server that broadcasts / distributes video content, a recording / playback device for each user that records and plays back video content, and a user terminal that has a recording / playback function A video content recording / playback system having an intermediary server,
The video content recording / playback mediation server includes:
User program guide storage means for storing a user program guide of video content broadcast / distributed for each user;
User recording / playback device information storage means for storing information of the recording / playback device of each user;
User recording status storage means for storing the program recording status for each user;
Network data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the distribution server, the recording / playback apparatus, and the user terminal;
In response to a program guide request command received from the user terminal, the user program guide is transmitted to the user terminal,
In response to a program recording reservation request command received from the user terminal, a program distribution request command for causing the distribution server to distribute the program to the recording / playback device is transmitted.
In response to a program playback request command received from the user terminal, a program distribution request command for causing the recording / playback apparatus to distribute a recorded program to the user terminal is transmitted.
In response to the program reproduction request command received from the user terminal, a reproducible program selection screen for selecting a program to be reproduced from reproducible programs is created and transmitted to the user terminal.
The selection information of the program selected on the reproducible program selection screen is received from the user terminal, and a program distribution request command for causing the recording / playback apparatus to distribute the selected program to the user terminal is transmitted. ,
When a miss service is applied to the selected program, the distribution server transmits a program distribution request command for causing the distribution server to distribute the selected program to the user terminal.