JP5981383B2 - Home network content playback control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a home network system that outputs digital contents such as video and music recorded on a digital media server to a predetermined device via a local network in the home.

  Conventionally, a digital media server (DMS) and a digital media player (DMP) compatible with the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) are connected to a local area network (LAN) in the home, and these devices are converted to the DLNA standard via the LAN. There has been known a home network system capable of reproducing digital contents recorded in a DMS by DMP by constructing the communication so as to perform compliant communication with each other.

  For example, in a home network system, a recorder having a DMS function and a television having a DMP function are connected to a LAN, and an operation command corresponding to a TV remote control operation is transmitted from the television to the recorder via the LAN. The digital content corresponding to is returned from the recorder to the TV via the LAN. Then, the digital content received from the recorder via the LAN is reproduced by the television (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-250044 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, for example, when there is a recorder and a television in the home, and the DMS function is built in the recorder, if the DMP function is not built in the television, a home network using the recorder and the television is used. Since the system cannot be constructed, when trying to construct a home network system, a television with a built-in DMP function must be newly purchased.

  For this reason, the conventional configuration has a problem that it is difficult for the user to easily construct a home network system, such as forced replacement of home televisions or an unnecessary increase in the number of televisions.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system for easily viewing digital content via a home network using an existing AV product such as a television.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a digital media server (DMS) that records digital content including at least one of video and audio data for viewing by a user, and at least one of a display and a speaker. And a content output device capable of outputting digital content via the network.

  Here, in the present invention, the DMS is connected to the digital input terminal of the content output apparatus, and is connected to the DMS via a local area network (hereinafter referred to as “home network”) in the home, and from the DMS via the home network. The content relay device is further configured to perform output control of the transmitted digital content to the content output device via the digital input terminal.

  In such a configuration, for example, even when the DMS and the content output device are installed in different rooms in the home, the user simply connects the content relay device to the digital input terminal of the content output device. By the output control performed by the content relay apparatus, it is possible to output the digital content recorded in the DMS from the content output apparatus.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, digital content can be easily viewed via a home network using an existing content output device (AV product) without newly purchasing a content output device incorporating a DMP function. A system can be constructed.

  Note that the content output device is an AV product that does not incorporate a DMP function, and examples thereof include a television and a speaker with an AV amplifier. The content output device may be configured to be connectable to the DMS via the home network, or may be configured not to be connectable to the DMS via the home network.

  In the case of the former configuration, in the present invention, the digital content recorded in the DMS can be directly transmitted from the DMS to the content output device via the home network by the output control performed by the content relay device.

  In the case of the latter configuration, in the present invention, the digital content transmitted from the DMS to the content relay device via the home network is transferred to the content output device via the digital input terminal by output control performed by the content relay device. Good. Thereby, even if the content output device cannot be connected to the DMS via the home network, the digital content recorded in the DMS can be output from the content output device via the content relay device.

  In the present invention, the content relay apparatus may be configured to include mechanical switches and a touch panel for inputting various viewing operations performed by the user in order to view the digital content. If it can be performed remotely from a smartphone or a tablet terminal, the convenience for the user is further increased.

  For this reason, the present invention provides a command for transmitting digital content (viewing content) corresponding to a viewing operation by a user from digital content recorded in the DMS to one or more devices specified in advance from the DMS. It is preferable to provide a digital media control device (hereinafter referred to as “DMC”) that generates information and wirelessly transmits the command information.

  In the DMC, the user designates the viewing content transmission source as the DMS, and designates the viewing content transmission destination as the content output device or the content relay device according to the configuration of the home network system. In addition, the transmission destination of the viewing content may be specified in the DMC.

  Therefore, the DMC may be configured to be able to output digital content transmitted from the DMS to the DMC via the home network via at least one of the display and the speaker.

In the present invention, the DMC may wirelessly transmit the command information to the DMS via the home network, or may directly transmit the command information to the content relay apparatus.
Furthermore, in the latter case, the content relay apparatus may transfer the command information received from the DMC to the DMS via the home network. That is, even if the DMC has a configuration in which the command information cannot be transmitted wirelessly via the home network, the content relay from the DMC is possible if it can be directly wirelessly transmitted to the content relay device using infrared rays, Bluetooth (TM), or the like. Command information can be sent to the DMS via the device.

  By the way, in the present invention, in a configuration in which the home network is connected to the Internet network, when the DMC accepts a viewing operation by the user, viewing log data for specifying viewing content corresponding to the viewing operation is stored in the home network. Log data transmission means for transmitting to a database connected to the Internet via the Internet.

  In such a configuration, it is possible to reliably specify the viewing content reproduced in each home based on the viewing log data stored in the database, and thus the viewing rate survey of recorded programs and the like is preferably performed. Can do.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the DMC is a smartphone, it is preferable that identification information for identifying the owner of the smartphone and a time code of the viewing content at the time of viewing are added to the viewing log data. . According to such a configuration, it is possible to specify the gender and age group of the user who has watched each recorded program in the audience rating survey, and to specify the part (viewing scene) viewed in the viewing content. Therefore, a more detailed audience rating survey can be performed. The identification information may be information that can identify the owner of the smartphone, may be identification information assigned to each owner, or may be identification information assigned to each terminal.

  In the present invention, the viewing log data preferably includes operation information indicating a type of viewing operation. According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to specify an operation (fast forward, rewind, skip, double speed playback, etc.) performed during viewing of each recorded program in the audience rating survey. Can investigate.

  In the present invention, the viewing log data preferably includes date and time information indicating the date and time when the viewing operation was performed. According to such a configuration, it is possible to specify the date and time when each recorded program was viewed in the audience rating survey and the timing at which a viewing operation (fast forward, rewind, skip, double speed playback, etc.) was performed. A more detailed audience rating survey can be conducted.

  Incidentally, the present invention can be distributed in the market as a program. For example, if this program is to make the DMC function as the log data transmission means, it is possible to reliably specify the viewing content played in each home. It can be suitably performed.

  The program is stored in a ROM or flash memory incorporated in the computer, and may be loaded into the computer from the ROM or flash memory, or may be loaded into the computer via a network. Good.

  Further, the above-described program may be used by being recorded on a recording medium in any form readable by a computer. Examples of the recording medium include a portable semiconductor memory (for example, a USB memory, a memory card (TM), etc.).

It is the schematic which shows the structural example of the audience rating investigation system containing a home network system. (A) is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a content output device, (b) is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital media server. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a content relay apparatus. It is a flowchart which illustrates the content of the control processing which a content relay apparatus performs. (A) is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a management server, (b) is an image figure for demonstrating the information memorize | stored in a database. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a digital media control apparatus. It is a flowchart which illustrates the content of the control processing which a digital media control apparatus performs. It is the schematic which shows the operation example of a home network system.

An audience rating survey system including a home network system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Overall configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the audience rating survey system 1 of the present embodiment includes a home network system 1 a constructed in each home, a wireless router 7, a time server 8, and a management server 9. The home network system 1a includes a television (TV) 2 as a content output device, a recorder 3 as a digital media server (DMS), a set-top box (STB) 4 as a content relay device, and a TV remote controller 5. And a smartphone 6 as a digital media control device (DMC).

  In the audience rating survey system 1, the home network system 1 a of each home can be connected to the time server 8 and the management server 9 via the Internet network 10 by the wireless router 7. The time server 8 is a server that is connected to the Internet network 10 and distributes standard time information for adjusting the time of each device that can be connected to the Internet network 10 to the standard time. As will be described in detail later, the management server 9 is a server for conducting audience rating surveys on broadcast programs viewed on the TV 2 of each household and recorded programs reproduced by the recorder 3. Incidentally, the wireless router 7 is a well-known one for connecting to the Internet network 10 and making the home a local area network (LAN) environment capable of wireless communication.

  In the home network system 1a, a home LAN (home network) is maintained by the wireless router 7 as a combination of a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. For example, the recorder 3 installed in the living room in the home is connected to the STB 4 installed in a room (for example, a bedroom) different from the living room via a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or a LAN in which these are combined. Is configured to be connectable to the recorder 3 and the STB 4 via the wireless LAN. In addition, these devices (recorder 3, STB4, smartphone 6) are compatible with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), and these devices can be configured to communicate with each other in accordance with the DLNA standard. ing. The recorder 3 functions as a digital media server (DMS) in the DLNA standard, the smartphone 6 functions as a digital media controller (DMC) in the DLNA standard, and the TV 2 connected with the STB 4 is a digital media player ( DMP). Incidentally, the TV 2 does not have a built-in DMP function, and has an DMP function when the STB 4 is externally attached.

  Supplementing here, in DLNA, DMS is a server that distributes digital content to devices on the home network, and DMC is a controller that selects digital content in DMS by an application such as a smartphone and instructs playback thereof. The DMP is a player that reproduces digital content in the DMS in response to a command from the DMC. Strictly speaking, the STB 4 functions as a digital media renderer (DMR) that receives a command from the DMC and causes the TV 2 to play back digital content in the DMS.

  In addition to the wireless LAN, the smartphone 6 of the present embodiment is configured to perform short-range wireless communication using radio waves in a communication frequency band defined in well-known Bluetooth (registered trademark). The information indicating the content of the TV 2 viewing operation (hereinafter referred to as “TV viewing operation”) is output as an infrared code.

<Configuration of content output device (TV)>
As shown in FIG. 2A, the TV 2 includes a TV tuner 21, a display 22, a speaker 23, a control unit 24, an HDMI input terminal 25, an infrared light receiving unit 26, and a USB terminal 27. Composed.

  The TV tuner 21 is a well-known one that selects a television program (TV program) of each broadcast channel input using various antennas and cables (not shown) for receiving digital broadcasting.

  The HDMI input terminal 25 inputs a digital format video signal, audio signal, and control signal with a single cable in accordance with a communication interface standard called HDMI (registered trademark), and outputs the control signal as well. It is a well-known one that can be performed, and is connected to the HDMI connection unit 45 of the STB 4. Note that the HDMI input terminal 25 of this embodiment is used to input various digital contents supplied via the STB 4 and to input TV operation commands (described later) sent from the STB 4. It is done.

  The infrared light receiving unit 26 receives an infrared code transmitted from the TV remote controller 5 and outputs the infrared code to the control unit 24. Note that the TV remote controller 5 only needs to output information indicating the content of the TV viewing operation by the user as an infrared code, and may be a dedicated remote controller attached to the TV 2 or the recorder 3 or an infrared transmitter. It may be a smartphone 6 or a mobile phone in which a program (application) for realizing the function as the dedicated remote controller is incorporated.

  The USB terminal 27 is a well-known device for connecting peripheral devices in accordance with a serial bus standard called USB, and is not only used as an interface for transmitting / receiving various data to / from the connected peripheral devices. It is also used as bus power for supplying power (power) from a host bus adapter (not shown) to peripheral devices.

  The control unit 24 is configured around a known microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. The CPU uses the RAM as a work area based on a program stored in the ROM or flash memory. It is configured to execute various control processes.

  Specifically, the control unit 24 broadcasts a broadcast channel corresponding to a viewing operation by the user based on, for example, an infrared code input from the infrared light receiving unit 26 or a TV operation command (described later) input from the HDMI input terminal 25. Is selected by the TV tuner 21, and the TV program of the broadcast channel is output to the speaker 23 while being output to the display 22.

  In addition, when the digital content or the WEB content is input via the HDMI input terminal 25, the control unit 24 causes the display 22 to output an image corresponding to the content on the monitor 22 or to output sound corresponding to the content to the speaker 23. Or

<Configuration of digital media server (recorder)>
As shown in FIG. 2B, the recorder 3 includes a TV tuner 31, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 32, a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network IF”) 33 connected to the LAN, and a control. Unit 34.

The TV tuner 31 is a well-known one that selects a TV program of each broadcast channel, like the TV tuner 21 of the TV 2.
The HDD 32 is a large-capacity storage medium, and records (stores) a recorded TV program (recorded program) out of TV programs received via the TV tuner 31, for example, and plays back a stored recorded program. It is used to In addition to the recorded program, the HDD 32 stores various types of audio data including various image data such as photographs and moving images and music data such as music, in addition to the recorded program. Note that the recorded program or music data in the viewing content includes a time code indicating the elapsed time from the head of the data for each unit data that is composed of frame divisions.

  The control unit 34 is configured around a known microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. The CPU uses the RAM as a work area based on a program stored in the ROM or flash memory. It is configured to execute various control processes.

  Specifically, for example, the control unit 34 converts a TV program received via the TV tuner 31 into video / audio data in a predetermined format (for example, MPEG format) and converts the data file (recorded program data). Processing for storing various digital contents in the HDD 32, such as storing in the HDD 32, and storing image data and audio data input from various devices and media in the HDD 32, is performed.

  Further, the control unit 34, in accordance with command information (described later) received via the network IF 33, data indicating a list of content names of digital contents stored in the HDD 32 at a transmission destination indicated by the command information ( (Hereinafter referred to as “content list”) and among the digital contents indicated in the content list, digital content corresponding to the viewing operation by the user (hereinafter referred to as “viewing content”) is transmitted via the network IF 33.

  In addition to the playback of the recorded program, the control unit 34 performs fast-forward, rewind, skip, N (N> 1) double-speed playback (in accordance with the user's viewing operation of the recorder 3 (hereinafter referred to as “video viewing operation”). (Quick playback with audio), pause, stop, etc., and these viewing operations are reflected in the viewing content transmitted via the network IF 33.

<Configuration of Content Relay Device (STB)>
As shown in FIG. 3, the STB 4 includes an internal clock 41, a wireless LAN adapter 42a, a short-range wireless communication unit 42b, an infrared code input unit 43, a control unit 44, an HDMI connection unit 45, and an infrared code reception. A unit 46, a USB terminal 47, and a power feeding unit 48 are provided. In the STB 4 of the present embodiment, the internal clock 41, the wireless LAN adapter 42a, the short-range wireless communication unit 42b, the infrared code input unit 43, and the control unit 44 are stored in a stick-shaped housing (not shown). ing.

The power supply unit 48 is connected to the USB terminal 27 of the TV 2, and is configured to receive power from the TV 2 via the USB terminal 27 and supply the power to the units 41 to 47.
Similar to the USB terminal 27 of the TV 2, the USB terminal 47 is for connecting peripheral devices in accordance with a serial bus standard called USB. In this embodiment, a mouse, a keyboard, or the like is connected as a peripheral device. Can do.

  The infrared code receiving unit 46 receives the infrared code transmitted from the TV remote controller 5 and outputs the infrared code to the infrared code input unit 43, similarly to the infrared light receiving unit 26 of the TV 2. The infrared code receiver 46 of this embodiment is installed at a position that covers the infrared receiver 26 of the TV 2. Thereby, the infrared code transmitted from the TV remote controller 5 is input to the infrared code input unit 43 via the infrared code receiving unit 46 without being received by the infrared receiving unit 26 of the TV 2.

  The infrared code input unit 43 is configured to input information indicating the content of the TV viewing operation indicated by the infrared code output from the infrared code receiving unit 46 to the control unit 44. The infrared code input unit 43 of the present embodiment is connected to the infrared code receiving unit 46 and inputs information indicating the content of the TV viewing operation to the control unit 44.

  The HDMI connection unit 45 is connected to the HDMI input terminal 25 of the TV 2, and controls signals indicating a TV operation command (described later) generated by the control unit 44, WEB content or digital content (via the control unit 44). This is used to output recorded program data and the like to the TV 2.

  The wireless LAN adapter 42a is used for transmitting and receiving various data to and from the recorder 3 and the smartphone 6 via the wireless router 7 by connecting to the wireless LAN. The short-range wireless communication unit 42b is a Bluetooth (registered trademark). ) Is configured to perform short-range wireless communication with the smartphone 6 using radio waves in the communication frequency band defined by (1).

  Further, the wireless LAN adapter 42a acquires various WEB contents from a server connected to the Internet network 10 via the wireless router 7, and transmits TV viewing log data (described later) generated by the control unit 44 wirelessly. It is also used for transmission to the management server 9 connected to the Internet network 10 via the router 7.

  The internal clock 41 is a clock used for recording time when the control unit 44 generates TV viewing log data (described later), and is synchronized with the time recorded by the time server 8.

  The control unit 44 is configured around a known microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. The CPU uses the RAM as a work area based on a program stored in the ROM or flash memory. It is configured to execute the following STB control process. The program may be used by being loaded into a microcomputer via a network. The program may be recorded on a recording medium in any form readable by the CPU and used. Examples of the recording medium include a portable semiconductor memory (for example, a USB memory, a memory card (registered trademark), etc.).

<STB control processing>
Next, STB control processing executed by the control unit 44 (CPU) of the STB 4 will be described along the flowchart of FIG. This process is started when the power supply unit 48 of the STB 4 is connected to the USB terminal 27 of the TV 2 and is repeatedly executed while power is supplied from the TV 2 via the USB terminal 27.

  First, when this process is started, in S110, the CPU of the control unit 44 determines whether or not it is a preset adjustment timing of the internal clock 41. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to S120. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S140.

  In S120, the time server 8 connected to the Internet network 10 is accessed via the wireless LAN adapter 42a, and standard time information indicating the current standard time is acquired from the time server 8. Thereafter, in subsequent S130, the internal clock 41 is adjusted based on the standard time information acquired in S120, and the time of the internal clock 41 is synchronized with the standard time recorded by the time server 8, and the process proceeds to S140.

  In S140, it is determined whether or not a browser operation using a mouse or a keyboard by the user is input via the USB terminal 47. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to S150, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S160.

  In S150, based on the browser operation input in S140, a server (not shown) connected to the Internet network 10 is accessed via the wireless LAN adapter 42a, WEB content provided from the server is received, and an HDMI connection is made. A WEB control process for outputting the WEB content to the TV 2 via the unit 45 is executed, and the process proceeds to S160.

  In S160, it is determined whether or not the command information is input via the wireless LAN adapter 42a or the short-range wireless communication unit 42b. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to S170, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S180. The command information is information generated by the smartphone 6, and among the digital content stored in the recorder 3, the viewing content corresponding to the video viewing operation by the user is sent from the recorder 3 to a device designated in advance. In order to transmit, the contents of the video viewing operation and the transmission destination of the viewing content are described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that at least STB 4 is included as a transmission destination of viewing content.

  In S170, the command information input in S160 is transmitted to the recorder 3 via the wireless LAN adapter 42a, and the viewing content received from the recorder 3 via the wireless LAN adapter 42a as a response to this is sent via the HDMI connection unit 45. The content transfer process for transferring to the TV 2 is executed, and the process proceeds to S180.

  In S180, it is determined whether information indicating the content of the TV viewing operation by the user is input via the infrared code input unit 43. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to S190, and if a negative determination is made, the process returns to S110.

  In S190, based on the information input in S160, viewing operation control is performed to transmit a TV operation command for causing the TV 2 to select a TV program corresponding to the TV viewing operation to the TV 2 via the HDMI connection unit 45, A log data transmission process for generating TV viewing log data for specifying the TV program output to the TV 2 by the viewing operation control and transmitting it to the management server 9 is performed, and the process returns to S110. The TV viewing log data includes the broadcast channel of the TV program output to the TV 2 by the viewing operation control, the viewing start time and viewing end time of the TV program, and STB identification information for identifying the STB 4. Yes. It is assumed that the viewing start time and viewing end time of the TV program are acquired from the internal clock 41 synchronized with the time recorded by the time server 8 in S130.

<Configuration of management server>
Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the management server 9 includes a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network IF”) 91 connected to the Internet network 10, and viewing log data transmitted from the STB 4 and the smartphone 6. Is configured to include a database 92 (such as a hard disk device) that stores the data and a control unit 93.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the database 92 stores, for each STB identification information, the broadcast channel of the TV program viewed by the user, the viewing start time and the viewing end time of the TV program ( A video viewing log for specifying a recorded program viewed by the user for each of 92a (hereinafter referred to as “TV area”) and identification information for identifying the owner of the smartphone 6 (hereinafter referred to as “SP identification information”). An area for storing data (hereinafter referred to as “video area”) 92b is provided.

  The video viewing log data includes recorded program information 94 indicating the recorded program viewed by the user, operation information 95 indicating the type of video viewing operation related to the recorded program, and date / time information 96 indicating the date and time when the video viewing operation was performed. And the time code 97 of the recorded program at the time of the video viewing operation are associated with each other and stored in the video area 92b of the database 92. In the operation information 95, the type of video viewing operation includes, for example, playback of a recorded program, fast forward, rewind, skip, N (N> 1) double speed playback (fast playback with sound), pause, stop, and the like. is there. The date / time information 96 is information specifying the date / time when the smartphone 6 performed the video viewing operation (that is, the start timing of the video viewing operation) in synchronization with the time recorded by the time server 8. Incidentally, the control unit 93 of the management server 9 can specify the end timing of each video viewing operation by the start timing of the video viewing operation immediately after that or the time code 97.

  The control unit 93 is configured around a known microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. The CPU uses the RAM as a work area based on a program stored in the ROM or flash memory. It is comprised so that the following various processes may be performed.

  For example, when the video viewing log data including the SP identification information is received via the network IF 91, the control unit 93 stores the video viewing log data in the table 99 corresponding to the SP identification information in the video area 92b of the database 92. Recorded program information 94, operation information 95, date / time information 96, and time code 97 are written.

Then, the control unit 93 calculates an audience rating for each recorded program based on the plurality of tables 99 stored in the video area 92b of the database 92 according to the following equation.
Audience rating = number of tables that can identify the target recorded program / number of samples x 100 (%)
However, the number of samples corresponds to the number of tables 99 (that is, the number of subjects) in the database 92, and the target recorded program is specified by the recorded program information 94. That is, the number of tables in which the target recorded program can be specified corresponds to the number of subjects who have watched the recorded program.

  In addition, the control unit 93, for example, which part of the reproduced recorded program is fast-forwarded or skipped, which part is based on the operation information 95 and date / time information 96 (or the time code 97) written in the table 99. Since it is possible to specify whether playback was performed without fast-forwarding or skipping, which part was played at N (N> 1) double speed playback (fast playback with audio), etc., the detailed audience rating at each time in the recorded program Can be investigated.

  When the control section 93 receives the TV viewing log data including the STB identification information via the network IF 91, the TV viewing log data is stored in the table 99 corresponding to the STB identification information in the TV area 92a of the database 92. The broadcast channel shown, the viewing start time and viewing end time of the TV program are written.

  And the control part 93 can calculate the audience rating for every time with respect to each TV program based on the several formula 99 memorize | stored in the area | region 92a for TV of the database 92 according to following Formula.

Audience rating = number of real-time viewers / number of samples x 100 (%)
However, as for the real-time viewing number, the broadcast channel corresponding to the target TV program is written, and the viewing end time when the target channel is switched from the viewing start time associated with the broadcast channel. This corresponds to the number of tables 99 existing until then (that is, the number of subjects viewing the target TV program at the target time).

<Configuration of digital media control device (smartphone)>
Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the smartphone 6 includes an internal clock 61, a wireless LAN adapter 62a, a short-range wireless communication unit 62b, an infrared code transmission unit 63, a control unit 64, a touch panel unit 65, An audio input unit 66, an audio output unit 67, and a base station communication unit 68 are provided.

The internal clock 61 is a clock used to record the time when the control unit 64 generates video viewing log data, and is synchronized with the time recorded by the time server 8.
The wireless LAN adapter 62a is used for transmitting / receiving various data to / from the recorder 3 and the STB 4 via the wireless router 7 by connecting to the wireless LAN. The short-range wireless communication unit 42b is a Bluetooth (registered trademark). Is configured to perform short-range wireless communication with the STB 4 using radio waves in the communication frequency band defined by.

The infrared code transmitting unit 63 is for outputting information indicating the content of the TV viewing operation by the user as an infrared code.
The sound input unit 66 has a microphone that converts sound collected from the surroundings into a voltage signal, and is a well-known device that generates sound data based on a voltage signal input through the microphone.

  The audio output unit 67 includes a demodulator that demodulates audio data into an audio signal, an amplifier that amplifies the audio signal demodulated by the demodulator, a speaker that performs output based on the audio signal amplified by the amplifier, and the like. belongs to.

  The base station communication unit 68 is connected to a base station in a communication area that covers the position of the smartphone 6 and is used for voice data related to calls and various data related to e-mails with other mobile information terminals (smartphones, mobile phones, etc.). And the like, and downloading and uploading various data to / from a server on the WEB via the Internet network 10.

  The touch panel unit 65 is a well-known device including a display panel that displays an image based on various data, and an input panel that is integrally disposed on the surface of the display panel. Note that the display panel is formed in a rectangular shape, and is configured by, for example, a thin liquid crystal display or an organic EL display having a diagonal of 3.5 inches. The input panel detects a pressing operation on the image display surface of the display panel by the user, and inputs position data representing coordinates (detected position) on the image display surface where the pressing operation is performed to the control unit 64. Are well known. As the input panel, any of known methods such as a matrix switch method, a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an electromagnetic induction method, and a capacitance method may be adopted.

  The control unit 64 is configured around a known microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. The CPU uses the RAM as a work area based on a program stored in the ROM or flash memory. In addition to processing for realizing general functions in the smartphone 6, the following DMC control processing is executed. The program may be used by being loaded into a microcomputer via a network. The program may be recorded on a recording medium in any form readable by the CPU and used. Examples of the recording medium include a portable semiconductor memory (for example, a USB memory, a memory card (registered trademark), etc.).

<DMC control processing>
Here, the DMC control process which the control part 64 (CPU) of the smart phone 6 performs is demonstrated along the flowchart of FIG. This process is started when a program (application) for causing the smartphone 6 to function as a DMC is activated by an operation of the touch panel unit 65 by the user, and is repeatedly executed until the application is closed by the user.

  First, when this process is started, in S210, the CPU of the control unit 64 determines whether or not it is a preset adjustment timing of the internal clock 61. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to S220. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S240.

  In S220, the time server 8 connected to the Internet network 10 is accessed via the base station communication unit 68 or the wireless LAN adapter 62a, and the standard time information indicating the current standard time is acquired from the time server 8. Thereafter, in subsequent S230, the internal clock 61 is adjusted based on the standard time information acquired in S220, and the time of the internal clock 61 is synchronized with the standard time recorded by the time server 8 and the process proceeds to S240.

  In S240, it is determined whether or not the user has input a list display operation for searching for a recorded program to be viewed via the touch panel unit 65. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to S250, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S260. Transition.

  In S250, in response to the list display operation input in S240, a content list transmission request indicating a list of content names of recorded programs stored in the HDD 32 is transmitted to the recorder 3 via the wireless LAN adapter 62a. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the content list showing the program title, broadcast station, broadcast date, recording time, etc. for each recorded program is transmitted from the recorder 3 to the smartphone 6. To display.

  In subsequent S260, it is determined whether or not a video viewing operation for determining a recorded program to be viewed by the user (hereinafter referred to as “program determining operation”) is input via the touch panel unit 65. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to S270. If the result of the determination is negative, the process proceeds to S280.

  In S270, based on the program determination operation input in S260, command information (hereinafter referred to as “playback command information”) for playing back the recorded program that the user wants to view is generated, and this playback command information is transmitted to the short-range wireless communication. The data is transmitted to the STB 4 via the unit 62b or the wireless LAN adapter 62a. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the STB 4 transfers this reproduction command information to the recorder 3, the recorded program data is transmitted from the recorder 3 to the STB 4 and the smartphone 6, so an image based on this recorded program data ( Video) and audio are displayed on the touch panel unit 65. Also, images (video) and audio based on the same recorded program data are output from the TV 2 by the content transfer processing performed by the STB 4. In the command information, it is assumed that the recorder 3 is specified as the transmission source of the recorded program and the STB 4 and the smartphone 6 are specified as the transmission destination of the recorded program in advance by the operation of the touch panel unit 65 by the user.

  In subsequent S280, video viewing operations (hereinafter referred to as "programs") such as fast-forward, rewind, skip, N (N> 1) double-speed playback (fast playback with sound), pause, and stop by the user via the touch panel unit 65. It is determined whether or not "remote operation" is input. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to S290, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S300.

  In S290, command information (hereinafter referred to as “control command information”) for executing recorder control corresponding to the program remote operation input in S280 is generated, and this control command information is used as the short-range wireless communication unit 62b or the wireless LAN. It transmits to STB4 via the adapter 62a. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the STB 4 transfers this control command information to the recorder 3, the recorded program data reflecting the program remote operation is transmitted from the recorder 3 to the STB 4 and the smartphone 6. An image (video) and sound based on the program data are displayed on the touch panel unit 65. Also, images (video) and audio based on the same recorded program data are output from the TV 2 by the content transfer processing performed by the STB 4.

  In subsequent S300, date and time information 96 indicating the date and time when the video viewing operation input in at least one of S260 and S280 was performed, operation information 95 indicating the type of the video viewing operation, and the recorded program being played back at the time of the video viewing operation The video viewing log data including the time code and the recorded program information 94 for specifying the recorded program being reproduced is generated, and the process proceeds to S310. Note that the date / time information 96 is acquired from the internal clock 61 synchronized with the time server 8 every time a video viewing operation is input in S260 or S280. Although illustration is omitted, if no video viewing operation is input in either S260 or S280, S300 is omitted.

  In S310, SP identification information for identifying the owner of the smartphone 6 is added to the video viewing log data generated in S300, and the video viewing log data including the SP identification information is converted into the base station communication unit 68 or the wireless LAN. The data is transmitted to the management server 9 connected to the Internet network 10 through the adapter 62a, and the process returns to S210. However, in S310, it is not necessary to transmit each time video viewing log data is generated in S300, and a plurality of video viewing log data is transmitted at a predetermined transmission timing.

The control unit 64 (CPU) that performs the processes of S260 to S310 corresponds to an example of a log data transmission unit.
<Effect>
As described above, in the home network system 1a of the present embodiment, the STB 4 connected to the HDMI input terminal 25 of the TV 2 that does not have the DMP function is used to record the recorded program data transmitted from the recorder 3 via the LAN. By transferring to the TV 2, the recorded program stored in the recorder 3 is output from the TV 2.

  Therefore, by joining the STB 4 to the configuration, the home network system 1a can be easily constructed using the existing configuration without newly purchasing a TV with a built-in DMP function. Even if the TV 2 is not connected to the recorder 3 via the LAN, the recorded program stored in the recorder 3 can be output from the TV 2 via the STB 4.

  In the home network system 1a of the present embodiment, the smartphone 6 generates command information (playback command information, control command information) for transmitting recorded program data to the STB 4 and the smartphone 6 according to the video viewing operation by the user. Then, the command information is transmitted to the recorder 3 via the STB 4.

  Therefore, since the video viewing operation can be performed remotely by subscribing the smartphone 6 to the configuration, convenience for the user is increased. Further, since the recorded program stored in the recorder 3 is also output from the smartphone 6, various video viewing operations can be performed while viewing the recorded program displayed on the smartphone 6, which is convenient for the user. It will increase further.

  Further, in the home network system 1a of the present embodiment, when the smartphone 6 accepts a video viewing operation by the user, the smartphone 6 transmits video viewing log data for specifying a recorded program corresponding to the operation to the management server 9, and the STB 4 However, when the TV viewing operation by the user is accepted, the TV viewing log data for specifying the TV program selected by the TV 2 is transmitted to the management server 9.

  Therefore, the management server 9 checks the audience rating of recorded programs and TV programs (real time) based on the viewing log data (video viewing log data, TV viewing log data) sent from the home network system 1a of each home. It can be suitably performed.

<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it is possible to implement in various aspects.

  For example, in the home network system 1a of the above embodiment, the STB 4 transfers the recorded program data transmitted from the recorder 3 via the LAN to the TV 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the TV 2 is connected to the LAN. In the case of a connectable configuration, control (digital output control) may be performed on the TV 2 so as to output recorded program data transmitted from the recorder 3 to the TV 2 via the LAN. In the digital output control performed by the STB 4, not only the recorded program data but also various digital contents such as photographs and music may be output from the TV 2. In the above-described embodiment, the TV 2 has been described as an example of the content output device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, audio may be output from a speaker with an AV amplifier as the content output device.

  In the home network system 1a of the above embodiment, the smartphone 6 transmits command information (playback command information, control command information) to the recorder 3 via the STB 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. Information (reproduction command information, control command information) may be transmitted directly to the recorder 3 via the wireless LAN (not via the STB 4).

  In the home network system 1a of the above-described embodiment, the STB 4 transmits the TV viewing log data to the management server 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the smartphone 6 is the content of the TV viewing operation by the user. TV viewing log data for specifying a TV program corresponding to the TV viewing operation may be transmitted to the management server 9 when the information indicating is displayed as an infrared code. In this case, the smartphone 6 transmits the TV viewing log data to which the above-described SP identification information is added to the management server 9, so that the management server 9 not only the recorded program but also the TV program or CM that is viewed in real time. Since the viewer's age group and gender can be specified, a more detailed audience rating survey for TV programs can be performed.

  In the home network system 1a of the above embodiment, the STB 4 includes the power supply unit 48 and is configured to receive power from the TV 2 via the USB terminal 27. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the power supply may be connected to a household outlet.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Audience rating survey system, 1a ... Home network system, 2 ... TV, 3 ... Recorder, 4 ... DTB, 5 ... Remote control for TV, 6 ... Smartphone, 7 ... Wireless router, 8 ... Time server, 9 ... Management server, 10 ... Internet network, 25 ... HDMI input terminal.

Claims (5)

A digital media server that records digital content including at least one of video and audio data for viewing by a user is connected via a home network that is a local area network in the home, and at least one of a display and a speaker connected to the digital input terminal of the output enable content output apparatus the digital content through the one, the digital content transmitted from the digital media server via the home network, the content through the digital input terminal A content relay device to be transferred to the output device ;
Digital configured to be able to accept an operation from the user, and configured to output the digital content transmitted from the digital media server via the home network via at least one of a display and a speaker A media control device;
With
The digital media control device transmits, from the digital media server, the digital content specified by the user operation among the digital content recorded in the digital media server to the content relay device and the digital media control device. Command information to generate and send
The command information is transmitted to the digital media server,
The content reproduction control system for a home network, wherein the digital media server transmits the digital content corresponding to the command information to the content relay device and the digital media control device via the home network.   The home network is connected to the Internet network,
 When the digital media control device receives an operation by the user, the digital media control device transmits viewing log data for specifying the digital content according to the operation to a database connected to the Internet network via the home network. Having data transmission means,
  The log data transmission means adds operation information indicating the type of operation and a time code of the digital content at the time of the operation to the viewing log data, and the viewing log data including the operation information and the time code The content reproduction control system for a home network according to claim 1, wherein the content is transmitted to the database. The digital media control device is a smartphone,
The home network content reproduction control system according to claim 2 , wherein the viewing log data includes identification information for identifying an owner of the smartphone.   4. The home network content reproduction control system according to claim 1, wherein the digital media control device transmits the command information to the digital media server.   The digital media control device transmits the command information to the content relay device,
  The content reproduction control system for a home network according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the command information is transferred from the content relay device to the digital media server.