JP7263963B2 - Video distribution program, device, system, and method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a video distribution program, device, system, and method.

Conventionally, there are techniques for sharing video content among a plurality of users.

For example, for video content, some techniques select some video segments from a set of identified video segments and generate a list showing the playback sequence for some of the video segments.

There is also a technique for sharing authority information of a user with respect to content with other users within the limits set by the authority information without going through the authentication process of the server.

There is also a technique for determining whether or not another terminal device is authorized to use content, and creating response data so that the other terminal device can reproduce the content at a level corresponding to the determination result. .

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-514127 JP-A-2005-71339 JP 2016-126445 A JP-A-2001-134614

However, in the conventional technology, although the sharing status of the content itself is managed, restrictions on the sharing status are not taken into consideration. Therefore, if the content is shared without restriction, there is a problem that the rights of the content right holder cannot be secured sufficiently. In addition, if the restrictions on the sharing status are too strict, there is a problem that the utilization of the content as a communication tool between users cannot be promoted.

An object of the present invention, as one aspect, is to limit the sharing of content and to edit and share the content under the limitation.

As one aspect, with respect to one or more contents whose designation is accepted among a plurality of contents of the video to be distributed, a cost upper limit determined based on the time allowed for sharing the contents is obtained from the storage unit. do. Further, the cost for each predetermined time interval of the content is acquired from the storage unit. One or more shared sections, which are ranges to be shared in the content, are received, and the shared section is compared with the cost of each section to calculate the total cost of the shared section. Access information for creating sequence data that enables the content to be played back in the shared section, registering the sequence data in a storage unit, and acquiring the registered sequence data when the total cost does not exceed the upper cost limit. to generate

As one aspect, it has the effect of limiting sharing of content, and being able to edit and share the content under the limitation.

It is the figure which contrasted the image of sharing with food and TV in SNS. It is a figure showing the image of the structure of the video delivery system of embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video distribution system according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of content information recorded in a content DB; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in a cost upper limit table of a limit information DB; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information recorded on the area cost table of restriction information DB. FIG. 10 is an image diagram when selecting a shared section on the editing UI; It is a figure which shows an example of the information recorded on sequence data DB. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer functioning as a delivery management server; FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of cost setting processing; 6 is a flowchart showing an example of editing processing; 4 is a flowchart showing an example of reproduction control processing according to the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video distribution system according to a second embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information recorded on the user information table of user registration DB. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in an NG list table of a user registration DB; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in a user preference reference table of a user registration DB; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in a viewing user list table of a user viewing history DB; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in a viewing history table of a user viewing history DB; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of reproduction control processing according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing an example of a viewing UI;

An example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, the background and outline of each embodiment will be described as a premise of each embodiment described below. Conventionally, as described in Non-Patent Document 4, the sharing of video content is based on a mechanism in which a user cuts out or joins a part of the content and shares it with other users. However, without a mechanism for restricting the content to be cut out, users can freely cut out content and share it, which poses a problem that the rights of content rights holders cannot be secured. Therefore, content sharing is premised on ensuring the rights of content rights holders.

There are also business issues surrounding information shared on social networking services (SNSs). FIG. 1 is a diagram comparing images of sharing food and TV programs on SNS. As shown in FIG. 1, when sharing information about food on an SNS, sharing is achieved by pasting impressions of the food and the URL of the restaurant. In the case of food, it is possible to easily understand how the food was and where the food shop is. However, in the case of TV programs, when trying to share specific impressions, it is necessary to provide specific information such as what scene was in what minute, and it is difficult to share information through SNS. We believe that users have latent needs to share information about TV programs, such as "This was good", "This is interesting", "I want you to see this actor's expression", etc. on SNS. be done. In addition, unauthorized sharing of video or captures of programs in order to specifically share information raises copyright issues.

In this way, there is a situation in which it is difficult to spread video content on SNSs because there is no mechanism for sharing video content such as TV programs. In businesses based on the SNS, sharing with awareness of communities formed by viewers has come to be emphasized. The extent to which content is spread on SNS is strongly influenced by the spreading power of so-called influencers, who are influential users, and fan engagement. Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism that allows users to freely share content to some extent.

Based on the above background, the embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for allowing users to freely share content to some extent while securing the rights of content right holders. In the video distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention, designation of one or more contents among a plurality of contents of video to be distributed is accepted and shared. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of the structure of the video distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the video distribution system selects content scenes and shares them on the SNS. Scenes can be selected in accordance with a section standard cost determined for each section of a predetermined time of the content. This makes it possible to share specific scenes of video content. In addition, the section-based cost can be arbitrarily determined depending on the section to the extent that the right holder wants to avoid sharing the content of the video. This allows content sharing to be controlled under the rights of the rights holder.

The above is the background and outline of the embodiments of the present invention. Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

<First embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 3, in the video distribution system 1 according to the first embodiment, a plurality of management terminals 10, a plurality of user terminals 12, a distribution management server 14, and a content DB 16 are connected to a network N such as the Internet. connected through

The management terminal 10 is installed for each content right holder, and is a terminal for managing content. The management terminal 10 can register content and the cost of the content in the content DB 16 via a management UI provided by an API (Application Programming Interface) 60 of the distribution management server 14 . It should be noted that registration of content is not a main function of the present embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted. The management terminal 10 can be realized by, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smart phone, or the like.

The user terminal 12 has different uses depending on whether it is operated by a user who shares content (hereinafter referred to as a shared user) or by a user who views shared content (hereinafter referred to as a viewing user). A shared user operates an editing UI. A viewing user operates a viewing UI. When the shared user operates the user terminal 12, the user terminal 12 causes the distribution management server 14 to create content sequence data via an editing UI provided by the API 60 of the distribution management server 14, and accesses the created sequence data. generate information. The user terminal 12 posts to the SNS with the generated access information embedded therein. When operated by the viewing user, the user terminal 12 displays a post embedded with access information on the SNS via a viewing UI provided by the API 60 of the distribution management server 14 . When the post is viewed, the user terminal 12 acquires and reproduces the content based on the access information. The user terminal 12 transmits access information to the distribution management server 14 when acquiring and reproducing content. The user terminal 12 can be realized by, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smart phone, or the like.

The content DB 16 is a database in which content is recorded, and is provided by a CDN (Content Delivery Network) optimized for content delivery. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of content information recorded in the content DB 16. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the content DB 16 records content IDs, content names, data, and metadata. Content can be identified by a content ID or content name. The data is content data itself, and is an arbitrary video file. Arbitrary video files are "**.mov", "**.mpeg", "**.avi" and the like. Metadata is accompanying information of content in xml format. The following description assumes that contents are recorded in the contents DB 16 and read out from the contents DB 16 . Therefore, the description read from the content DB 16 may be omitted. The same applies to the database below.

The distribution management server 14 includes an API 60, a cost setting unit 62, a sequence creation unit 64, a cost check unit 66, an ID issuing unit 68, a sequence acquisition unit 70, a reproduction control unit 72, a restriction information DB 80, and a sequence data DB 82 . The sequence creating unit 64, the cost checking unit 66, and the ID issuing unit 68 are examples of the generating unit of the present invention.

The API 60 has a function of providing a management UI operated by the management terminal 10, an editing UI operated by the user terminal 12 operated by the shared user, and a viewing UI operated by the viewing user. The API 60 also provides a function for making various settings related to content and a function for controlling each functional unit inside the distribution management server 14 . An ID and a password for logging in to the management UI are set for each management terminal 10 in the management UI. The management UI can be logged in by entering an ID and password from the management terminal 10 . The functions of the management UI have been explained with regard to the management terminal 10 . Similarly, in the editing UI, an ID and password for logging in to the editing UI are set for each of the user terminals 12 used by shared users. A shared user can log in to the editing UI from the user terminal 12 by entering an ID and a password. The functions of the editing UI have been explained with regard to the user terminal 12 . The viewing UI is a UI for reproducing content based on the access information embedded in the post when viewing the post on the SNS. Since various UIs and functions that can be provided by general APIs may be used, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The cost setting unit 62 receives an operation of the management UI from the management terminal 10 and registers information regarding the cost of the content in the restriction information DB 80 .

A cost upper limit table 80A and a section cost table 80B are recorded in the limit information DB 80 .

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in the cost upper limit table 80A of the limit information DB 80. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a content name and an upper cost limit are recorded in the upper cost limit table 80A. The cost upper limit is a cost value that allows disclosure, and is determined per content. For example, if there are content A and content B, the cost is set high if the content A is a new program, and the cost is set low if the content B is a rebroadcast. That is, a cost cap is established based on the amount of time that content is allowed to be shared.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in the section cost table 80B of the limit information DB 80. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the section cost table 80B records, for each section of the content, the content name, start position, end position, and section standard cost of the content containing that section. The start position and end position are the start position and end position of the section represented by the elapsed time from the beginning of the content. The elapsed time will be described below as hours, minutes, seconds, but may be any time units such as hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, or a series of frame numbers, as long as the position on the video can be specified. For example, if the start position is "00:00:10" and the end position is "00:00:20", it represents a section from the position of 10 seconds to the position of 20 seconds in the content. The section-based cost is the cost for one second of the section, and contains an integer value. Alternatively, it may be a cost for a smaller time unit. If the interval-based cost can be set for a time interval smaller than 1 second, a fractional time unit is also described for all tables that specify the location of content in conjunction. make it possible. If the still image is treated as the public content, the cost for one second may be set even for one image. Still images are usually compressed as moving images, and frames other than I-pictures are greatly degraded. However, if there is uncompressed data in the original DB, the contents of the disclosure will not be degraded, and will be displayed at the time of preview and release. Data communication may be performed so as to be delivered from time to time. Also, the section standard cost may be a cost per minute instead of per second. The value of the section-based cost may be arbitrarily determined by the content rights holder, or a pre-trained model that outputs a high section-based cost in a specific scene such as a scene in which a certain actor appears. may be derived using Also, when setting an absolutely unusable section, an arbitrary value that greatly exceeds the upper limit of the cost, such as "9999" or "∞", may be set as the section reference cost. Alternatively, a flag indicating availability may be set to indicate that the section cannot be used. Also, for example, if the section standard cost of all sections of a certain content is set to "1", the value of the upper limit of the cost is equal to the upper limit of the number of seconds that can be reproduced. Also, the section defined here may be defined by the division of scenes defined in the TV program. Note that the section is an example of a predetermined time section of the present invention.

The sequence creation unit 64 receives an edit UI operation from the user terminal 12 . The sequence creating unit 64 accepts designation of one or more contents to be edited from the operation of the editing UI. Also, the sequence creating unit 64 receives one or more shared sections from the operation of the editing UI. A shared section is a range of one or more sections in which a start position and an end position to be reproduced in the content are defined when the content is shared. The range of the section is an example of a range to be shared in the content. Unlike the above-described section of the restriction information DB 80, the sharing section can be arbitrarily determined by the sharing user, so that a certain degree of freedom can be given to the details of the content to be shared. The sequence creation unit 64 creates sequence data that allows the content to be played back in the shared section that was accepted when the shared section is permitted by the cost check unit 66 for the content that has been designated, and registers the sequence data in the sequence data DB 82. do. An example of creating sequence data for one content will be described below.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram when selecting a shared section on the editing UI. As shown in FIG. 7, in the editing UI, a scene to be shared in the content, that is, a shared section can be selected by the start position and the end position in units of hours, minutes, and seconds. The editing UI displays the selection area of the indicator and the time of the start position and end position, which indicate the selected shared section. In this way, the sharing user can operate the editing UI to cut out a scene to be shared from the content as a sharing section.

When receiving the specification of the content, the sequence creating unit 64 first acquires the upper limit of the cost of the content and the section standard cost for each section of the content from the restriction information DB 80 for the content for which the specification is accepted. In addition, one or more shared sections, which are ranges defining the start and end positions of time in the content, are accepted. The sequence creation unit 64 registers the sequence data including the sequence ID in the sequence data DB 82 through the determination processing of the cost check unit 66 . The sequence creating unit 64 creates access information corresponding to the sequence ID of the registered sequence data. The sequence creating unit 64 displays the created access information (URL for sharing in FIG. 7) on the edit UI, as shown in FIG. The shared URL, which is access information, can be used, for example, as an embedded tag containing a sequence ID. A sharing user who operates the user terminal 12 posts content including the generated sharing URL to the SNS. When a post embedded with a shared URL is browsed, access information is automatically sent to the distribution management server 14, and content is reproduced based on the sequence data. As a result, it is possible to share the content that can be reproduced in the shared section determined by the sequence data with the viewing user.

The cost check unit 66 collates the section standard cost for each section with the selected shared section, and determines whether or not the total cost of the selected shared section exceeds the upper limit of cost. When the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost, the editing UI of API 60 is controlled to display that the upper limit of cost is exceeded and the sequence data cannot be registered with the selection. If the total cost does not exceed the cost upper limit, the cost check unit 66 controls the editing UI of the API 60 to display the remaining cost number, and permits registration of the sequence data of the shared section. In this way, the length of shared content is limited according to the section-based cost.

Here, the total cost will be explained. When the total cost is A, the section included in the shared section is i, the section reference cost of section i is C _i , and the number of seconds of section i in the shared section _is hi, the total cost A is as follows (1) is represented by the formula

A=Σ _i {C _i × _hi } (1)

For example, it is assumed that the upper limit of the cost of certain content is set to "100". In addition, it is assumed that the section standard cost is set to "3" for the section "00:00:10 to 00:00:20" and the section standard cost is set to "10" for the section "00:00:20 to 00:00:50". do. In this case, assume that two shared sections are received and that the received shared sections are "00:00:10 to 00:00:15" and "00:00:30 to 00:00:35". In this case, the total cost is calculated as {3×5+10×5}=65 from the above equation (1). Since the total cost 65 is equal to or less than the cost upper limit of 100, the cost check unit 66 permits the registration of the shared section.

The ID issuing unit 68 issues a sequence ID when the cost check unit 66 permits the registration of the received sequence data of the shared section.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in the sequence data DB 82. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, sequence IDs, content names, start positions, end positions, and section-based costs are recorded in the sequence data DB 82 . A sequence ID is an ID for identifying sequence data. The sequence ID is embedded as part of the shared URL shown in FIG. 7, for example. The content name is a content name indicating the content targeted by the sequence data. In the sequence data DB 82, the start position and the end position of one section for which the section standard cost is determined, which are included in the shared section of the content, are recorded one record at a time. This is because the shared section may extend over multiple sections recorded in the restriction information DB 80 . By recording the shared section for each section for which the section-based cost is determined in the sequence data DB 82 in this way, sequence data is created that enables the reproduction of the content in the selected shared section. It should be noted that the sequence data DB 82 may include information about part of the content representing the content, such as thumbnails.

The sequence acquisition unit 70 receives access information from the user terminal 12 . Upon receiving the access information, the sequence acquisition unit 70 acquires sequence data corresponding to the access information from the sequence data DB 82 .

The reproduction control unit 72 controls reproduction of content within a reproducible range indicated by the sequence data acquired by the sequence acquisition unit 70 .

The distribution management server 14 can be realized by the computer 20 shown in FIG. 9, for example. The computer 20 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 21 , a memory 22 as a temporary storage area, and a non-volatile storage section 23 . The computer 20 also includes an input/output device 24, a read/write (R/W) unit 25 that controls reading and writing of data to and from a storage medium 29, and a communication interface (I/F) connected to a network such as the Internet. ) 26. CPU 21 , memory 22 , storage unit 23 , input/output device 24 , R/W unit 25 and communication I/F 26 are connected to each other via bus 27 .

The storage unit 23 can be implemented by a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD), flash memory, or the like. A distribution management program 30 for causing the computer 20 to function as the distribution management server 14 is stored in the storage unit 23 as a storage medium. The distribution management program 30 has a cost setting process 32 , a sequence creation process 33 , a cost check process 34 , an ID issuing process 35 , a sequence acquisition process 36 and a reproduction control process 37 . The storage unit 23 also has an information storage area 39 in which information constituting each of the restriction information DB 80 and the sequence data DB 82 is stored. Note that the distribution management program 30 is an example of a video distribution program.

The CPU 21 reads out the distribution management program 30 from the storage unit 23, develops it in the memory 22, and sequentially executes the processes of the distribution management program 30. FIG. The CPU 21 operates as the cost setting unit 62 shown in FIG. 3 by executing the cost setting process 32 . Further, the CPU 21 operates as the sequence creating section 64 shown in FIG. 3 by executing the sequence creating process 33 . Also, the CPU 21 operates as the cost check unit 66 shown in FIG. 3 by executing the cost check process 34 . The CPU 21 operates as the ID issuing section 68 shown in FIG. 3 by executing the ID issuing process 35 . The CPU 21 operates as the sequence acquisition unit 70 shown in FIG. 3 by executing the sequence acquisition process 36 . The CPU 21 operates as the reproduction control section 72 shown in FIG. 3 by executing the reproduction control process 37 . Further, the CPU 21 reads information from the information storage area 39 and develops each of the restriction information DB 80 and the sequence data DB 82 in the memory 22 . As a result, the computer 20 executing the distribution management program 30 functions as the distribution management server 14 . Note that the CPU 21 that executes the program is hardware.

Note that the functions realized by the distribution management program 30 can also be realized by, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit, more specifically an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or the like.

Next, the operation of the video distribution system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. Processing of the video distribution system 1 includes cost setting processing, editing processing, and reproduction control processing. Each process will be described below.

First, cost setting processing will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of cost setting processing. Note that the following cost setting process is executed by receiving an operation by the management UI from the management terminal 10 via the API 60 of the distribution management server 14 .

In step S100, the API 60 accepts login to the management UI from the management terminal 10. FIG.

In step S102, the cost setting unit 62 accepts designation of content for which costs are to be registered.

At step S104, the cost setting unit 62 receives information on the cost of the content.

In step S<b>106 , the cost setting unit 62 registers information regarding the cost of the content in the restriction information DB 80 . The cost information to be registered includes the name of the content, the upper limit of cost, the start position and end position of each section, and the section standard cost of each section. Any method can be used to register the cost information. For example, batch processing of a file containing a list of the cost information for the content whose cost is to be registered, or manual input from the management UI. Do it.

The above is the description of the cost setting process.

Next, editing processing will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of editing processing. Note that the following editing process is executed by accepting an operation of the editing UI from the user terminal 12 used by the shared user via the API 60 of the distribution management server 14 .

At step S200, the API 60 accepts login to the edit UI from the user terminal 12. FIG.

In step S202, the sequence creation unit 64 accepts designation of content to be edited.

In step S<b>204 , the sequence creation unit 64 reads the designated content from the content DB 16 . The loaded content is displayed in the editing UI.

In step S206, the sequence creation unit 64 acquires, from the restriction information DB 80, the upper limit of cost determined for the content and the section standard cost for each predetermined time section of the content for which the designation has been received.

At step S208, the sequence creation unit 64 receives one or more shared sections in the content. A shared section is input by a shared user's edit operation on the edit UI.

In step S210, the cost check unit 66 compares the shared section with the section standard cost for each section to calculate the total cost of the shared section. In addition, control may be performed so that the number of remaining costs is displayed from the total cost calculated at this time.

In step S212, the cost check unit 66 determines whether the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost. When it exceeds, it transfers to step S214, and when it does not exceed, it transfers to step S216.

In step S214, the cost check unit 66 controls the edit UI of the API 60 to display that the cost upper limit is exceeded and sequence data cannot be registered with this selection, and the process returns to step S206.

In step S216, the cost check unit 66 controls the edit UI of the API 60 to display the number of remaining costs, and permits registration of the sequence data of the shared section.

In step S218, the cost check unit 66 determines whether registration of sequence data has been accepted by operating the editing UI of the API 60. If registration has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S220. , the process returns to step S206.

In step S220, the ID issuing unit 68 issues a sequence ID.

In step S<b>222 , the sequence creation unit 64 creates sequence data and registers it in the sequence data DB 82 . Sequence data to be registered includes a sequence ID, a content name, and information on one or more sections. The information about the section is the start position of the section, the end position of the section, and the section standard cost of the section.

In step S224, the sequence creation unit 64 generates access information corresponding to the sequence ID of the registered sequence data, displays the generated access information on the edit UI, and ends the process. A shared user who operates the user terminal 12 posts content including the generated access information to an SNS or the like. A post button may be provided on the editing UI of the API 60, and by pressing the post button, a post in which access information is embedded may be made.

The above is the description of the editing process.

Next, reproduction control processing will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of reproduction control processing according to the first embodiment. Note that the following playback control processing is executed when the viewing user browses the SNS page on which the access information is posted on the user terminal 12 .

In step S<b>300 , the sequence acquisition unit 70 receives access information from the user terminal 12 .

In step S302, the sequence acquisition unit 70 acquires sequence data corresponding to the access information from the sequence data DB82.

At step S304, the reproduction control unit 72 acquires the content of the content DB 16 based on the sequence data. Content acquires a content ID, content name, data, and metadata.

At step S306, the reproduction control unit 72 processes the acquired content based on the sequence data. Processing is to process the content so that it is reproduced in the shared section of the sequence data. It also re-encodes video, controls bitrate, and sets thumbnails.

In step S<b>308 , the reproduction control unit 72 controls to reproduce the processed content on the viewing UI operated on the user terminal 12 . Prior to playback, thumbnails included in scenes to be played back of the content are displayed.

As described above, according to the video distribution system according to the first embodiment, sharing of content can be restricted, and content can be edited and shared under the restriction.

In addition, each shared user can cut out a scene according to their tastes by restricting the section for which sharing is limited by the total cost based on the section standard cost for each section of the content, instead of uniformly determining the section to be shared. As a result, the sharing users can show their individuality as influencers, the variation of the content to be shared is expanded, and the utilization of the content as a communication tool between users is promoted.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that playback is controlled according to the settings and viewing history of each viewing user. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected about the same location as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate|omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the second embodiment, the distribution management server 214 further includes a user registration DB 284 and a user viewing history DB 286, and the playback control unit 272 controls playback for each viewing user. It differs from one embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the following reproduction controls (1) to (3) are performed for the viewing user. In the following description, sharing users and viewing users are simply referred to as users. A specific control method will be described in the operation section.

(1) First, whether or not content can be reproduced is set for each user. For example, for user A, the setting is such that content of a certain program is not reproduced until what month and what day. It is conceivable that some users do not want to see contents such as dramas that require consideration of the exposure of important parts. Therefore, when content that the user does not want to see yet is shared, the user is controlled not to reproduce the content. It should be noted that the user registers in advance whether or not the content can be reproduced from a setting screen, SNS, or the like. For example, on a content playback screen or a screen displaying a list of content on an SNS or the like, a button for setting playback prohibition for content or content related to the content is provided. When the button is pressed by the user, the reproduction of the content is disabled.

(2) Second, the playback status is recorded for each user to prevent excessive browsing. Contents shared by the method of the first embodiment described above may be created as sequence data of different scenes by different users. For example, it is conceivable that user A cuts out a scene of 10 to 50 seconds from content of a certain program and shares it on the SNS, and user B cuts out a scene of 50 to 90 seconds and shares it on the SNS. In this case, if any of the shared scenes could be viewed, it would be too much. Therefore, the user's viewing history is recorded so that the same content cannot be viewed for more than a predetermined time. As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized viewing of the content against the will of the right holder.

(3) Thirdly, whether or not to browse is set according to the section standard cost. The section-based cost described in the first embodiment is regarded as the importance of content. A section with a high section-based cost is regarded as a core scene of the content, and a section with a low section-based cost is regarded as a non-core scene. Therefore, whether or not the important part can be viewed is set for each user, and reproduction is controlled. In other words, if the user has set NG for the disclosure of an important part of a certain content, and if a section with a high cost is shared, the section with a high cost will be removed, and only the section with a low cost will be viewed. to process the content. This enables flexible browsing that takes into account the exposure of important parts. Also, if the user does not set (1), it is possible to avoid a situation in which a scene that reveals an important part is accidentally viewed.

The user registration DB 284 records a user information table 284A, an NG list table 284B, and a user preference reference table 284C. The NG list table 284B and user preference reference table 284C are created for each user.

A viewing user list table 286A and a viewing history table 286B are recorded in the user viewing history DB 286 . A viewing history table 286B is created for each user.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in the user information table 284A of the user registration DB 284. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the user information table 284A records a user ID, a user name, an NG list ID, a preference list ID, and permission to view important parts. The NG list ID is an ID indicating which NG list table 284B to refer to. The NG list table 284B exists for the number of IDs in the NG list ID. The preference list ID is an ID indicating which user preference reference table 284C is to be referred to. The user preference reference table 284C exists as many as the IDs in the preference list ID. "OK" or "NG" is set as whether or not the important part can be browsed. In the case of "NG", for example, among shared sections, shared sections including sections with section-based costs equal to or greater than a predetermined value are controlled so as not to be reproduced. Also, a numerical value may be set as whether or not the important part can be browsed. When a numerical value is set, it is possible to control so that a shared section including a section with a section reference cost equal to or higher than the set numerical value among the shared sections is not reproduced. Hereinafter, whether or not the important part can be browsed will be referred to as third control information.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in the NG list table 284B of the user registration DB 284. As shown in FIG. The NG list table 284B exists for each NG list ID in the user information table 284A. As shown in FIG. 15, the NG list table 284B records content IDs, NG information, and NG expiration dates. NG information is set to "OK" or "NG". In the case of NG, the user is controlled not to reproduce the content. As the NG expiration date, the date "YYYY/MM/DD" for keeping the NG valid is set. Automatically change to "OK" when the NG expiration date has passed in batch processing or the like. The NG information is hereinafter referred to as first control information.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in the user preference reference table 284C of the user registration DB 284. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, Like and Dislike are recorded in the user preference reference table 284C. In Like, the sequence ID highly rated by the user on the SNS page is recorded. In Disclike, the sequence ID that the user rated low on the SNS page is recorded. As a premise, a high evaluation button and a low evaluation button are provided in the viewing UI of the API 60, and when either one is pressed, it is recorded in the user preference reference table 284C.

Whether or not the important part of the user information table 284A can be browsed and the NG information of the NG list table 284B are recorded in advance by setting the user terminal 12 . Data to be recorded in the user preference reference table 284C is recorded when the reproduction control unit 272 presses the high evaluation or low evaluation button during reproduction of content based on access information. The user information table 284A may be provided with a column indicating whether or not the user is registered as a premium member, so that the playback control service provided to the normal member and the premium member can be divided.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in the viewing user list table 286A of the user viewing history DB 286. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, user IDs and viewing history list IDs are recorded in the viewing user list table 286A. The viewing history list ID is an ID indicating the relationship of the user ID to the viewing history table 286B.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in the viewing history table 286B of the user viewing history DB 286. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, viewing time, content ID, start position, and end position are recorded in the viewing history table 286B. The start position and end position are the start position and end position of the section in which the content is reproduced. Information recorded in the viewing history table 286B is hereinafter referred to as second control information.

Data to be recorded in the user viewing history DB 286 may be obtained when content is reproduced based on access information.

Note that the configuration of the computer of the distribution management server 214 is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description is omitted.

Next, operation of the video distribution system 200 of the second embodiment will be described. Since cost setting processing and editing processing are the same as those in the first embodiment, only reproduction control processing will be described in the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of reproduction control processing according to the second embodiment. The processing after step S1300 is performed after the content is acquired in step S304.

At step S1300, the reproduction control unit 272 receives the user ID of the user terminal 12 that transmitted the access information.

In step S1302, the reproduction control unit 272 acquires first control information from the user registration DB 284 associated with the user ID.

In step S1304, the reproduction control unit 272 determines whether the content can be reproduced based on the first control information. If playback is possible, the process moves to step S1308. If playback is not possible, the process moves to step S1306. For example, if the NG information in the first control information is OK for the content, it is determined that the content is reproducible, and if it is NG, it is determined that the content is not reproducible.

In step S1306, the reproduction control unit 272 controls the viewing UI to display that the content will not be reproduced. The not to reproduce is, for example, a display such as "not to reproduce because it contains an important part".

In step S1308, the reproduction control unit 272 acquires second control information from the user viewing history DB 286 associated with the user ID.

In step S1310, the reproduction control unit 272 determines whether or not the content can be reproduced based on the second control information. If playback is possible, the process moves to step S1314. If playback is not possible, the process proceeds to step S1312. The decision as to whether or not the content can be played back is made, for example, if the total time per unit time or the total cost per unit time of the viewing history of the content in the second control information does not exceed a threshold value, it is determined that the content can be played back. is determined to be unreproducible.

In step S1312, the reproduction control unit 272 controls the viewing UI to display that the content cannot be reproduced. The fact that reproduction is not possible is, for example, a display such as "The content cannot be reproduced because the viewing time has exceeded."

In step S1314, the reproduction control unit 272 acquires third control information from the user registration DB 284 associated with the user ID. Also, from the sequence data DB 82, the section reference cost for each section related to the sharing section of the sequence data is obtained.

In step S1316, the reproduction control unit 272 determines whether or not there is a restriction on reproduction of the content based on the third control information and the section reference cost for each section related to the shared section. If it is determined that there is a limit, the process moves to step S1318. If it is determined that there is no limit, the process proceeds to step S306. Determination of restriction is determined based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is that the setting of whether or not the user can view the important part in the third control information is NG, and that the section-based cost for each section related to the shared section has a section-based cost equal to or greater than a threshold. . If the conditions are met, it is determined that there are restrictions, and if the conditions are not met, it is determined that there are no restrictions. In the case of uniformly disabling viewing of content including important parts, the predetermined condition is that the user's setting of whether or not to allow reading of important parts is NG, and viewing of the content itself may be disabled.

In step S1318, the reproduction control unit 272 processes the content as a reproducible section among the shared sections of the sequence data that does not exceed the cost threshold set in the third control information. After processing, the process proceeds to step S308. For example, the reproducible section is defined as follows. Suppose the threshold is 7. There are three shared sections: "00:00:40 to 00:00:50", "00:01:20 to 00:01:30", and "00:05:10 to 00:05:30". Suppose that there are 3, 8, and 5 section standard costs, respectively. In this case, "00:00:40 to 00:00:50" and "00:05:10 to 00:05:30", which do not exceed the threshold 7, are processed as reproducible sections.

The above is the description of the reproduction control process of the second embodiment.

An example of the viewing UI is shown here. FIG. 20 is an image diagram showing an example of a viewing UI. As shown in FIG. 20, the viewing UI is arranged with, for example, a “button not to be seen yet” and a “button to watch the main part”. Various buttons are displayed on the viewing UI by adding them to the access information.

The "don't want to see yet button" is a function that takes into account the case where the user has not watched the main part of the content and wants to get excited about it via SNS etc. after watching it, and the user does not want to watch the important part. When the user presses the "button I don't want to see yet", the playback is immediately stopped and the playback of the video containing the content is inhibited. That is, the NG information of the content in the NG list table 284B of the user registration DB 284 is set to NG for the user who pressed the "button I don't want to see yet". As a result, it is possible to prevent the video from being reproduced when a post including access information for a part of the same content is browsed in the future. Furthermore, it may be accompanied by a function of notifying an API of an external SNS or the like so as to suppress display of other posted content to which the same tag as that of the post containing the content is added. Also, when the display of the posted content is suppressed, reference text information such as the title of the content and information on the broadcast date and time, etc., is displayed as a thumbnail so that the user can grasp only what the topic is. good too. "Buttons you don't want to see yet" is an example of information for registering the first control information or the third control information of the present invention.

The "view main story button" has a function of guiding the viewing user to various sites and assisting viewing of the entire content. The various sites are, for example, registration-only sites requiring charge, sites for distribution with advertisements, sites for free full-length distribution, and the like. In addition, as a derivation of the "view main story button", examples of assisting the user's viewing behavior include "watch the main story as it is", "watch the main story from the beginning", "see other SNS posts including this scene", etc. Buttons with various functions may be arranged.

In addition, when control is performed to display that playback is not to be performed in step S1306, a "viewing OK button" may be displayed. By pressing the "viewing OK button", it is possible to cancel the NG of the NG information and start playing the content.

As described above, according to the video distribution system according to the second embodiment, viewing of shared content can be controlled for each user.

The following supplementary remarks are further disclosed regarding each of the above embodiments.

(Appendix 1)
Among a plurality of contents of the video to be distributed, for one or more contents whose designation has been received, from the storage unit, a cost upper limit determined based on the time allowed for sharing the contents, and a predetermined amount of the contents Get the cost per interval of time and
receiving one or more shared sections that are a range to be shared in the content, comparing the shared section with the cost of each section, and calculating the total cost of the shared section;
if the total cost does not exceed the upper cost limit, creating sequence data that enables the content to be played back in the shared section and registering it in the storage unit;
generating access information for obtaining the registered sequence data;
A video distribution program for causing a computer to execute processing including

(Appendix 2)
controlling to display on the terminal of the first user who has received the designation that the sequence data cannot be created when the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost, and wherein the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost; The video distribution program according to appendix 1, controlling the terminal to display a remaining cost obtained by subtracting the total cost from the upper limit of cost when the total cost is not reached.

(Appendix 3)
obtaining the sequence data corresponding to the access information from the storage unit when the access information is received from the second user with whom the access information is shared;
3. The video distribution program according to appendix 1 or appendix 2, which controls reproduction of the content within the reproducible range of the sequence data.

(Appendix 4)
When the access information is received from the second user with whom the access information has been shared, the storage unit stores, from the storage unit, a first control related to reproduction control set by the second user for the content corresponding to the sequence data. get control information,
The video distribution program according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein whether or not the content can be played back is determined based on the first control information.

(Appendix 5)
When receiving a plurality of different pieces of access information from the second user with whom the access information is shared, the second user's viewing history of the content corresponding to the plurality of pieces of sequence data is stored from the storage unit. 2 Acquire control information,
The video distribution program according to any one of attachments 1 to 4, wherein whether or not the content can be reproduced is determined based on the second control information.

(Appendix 6)
when the access information is received from the second user with whom the access information is shared, the third control information regarding the cost threshold set for the content corresponding to the sequence data is transferred from the storage unit to the content corresponding to the sequence data. Acquired,
Acquiring a cost related to the shared section of the sequence data from the storage unit;
The video distribution program according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein control is performed so that reproduction is performed in a section that does not exceed the cost threshold set in the third control information among the shared sections of the sequence data. .

(Appendix 7)
adding information for registering and canceling the first control information to the access information;
5. The video distribution program according to appendix 4, wherein cancellation of the first control information is received from the second user, and the content is controlled to be reproduced within the reproducible range with the sequence data.

(Appendix 8)
adding information for registering and canceling the third control information to the access information;
7. The video distribution program according to appendix 6, receiving cancellation of the third control information from the second user, and performing control to reproduce the content within the reproducible range with the sequence data.

(Appendix 9)
Among a plurality of contents of the video to be distributed, for one or more contents whose designation has been received, from the storage unit, a cost upper limit determined based on the time allowed for sharing the contents, and a predetermined amount of the contents Get the cost per interval of time and
receiving one or more shared sections that are a range to be shared in the content, comparing the shared section with the cost of each section, and calculating the total cost of the shared section;
if the total cost does not exceed the cost upper limit, creating sequence data that enables the content to be played back in the shared section and registering it in a storage unit;
a generating unit that generates access information for obtaining the registered sequence data;
Video distribution device including

(Appendix 10)
controlling to display on the terminal of the first user who has received the designation that the sequence data cannot be created when the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost, and wherein the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost; 10. The video distribution device according to appendix 9, wherein the terminal is controlled to display a remaining cost obtained by subtracting the total cost from the upper limit of cost when the total cost is not reached.

(Appendix 11)
obtaining the sequence data corresponding to the access information from the storage unit when the access information is received from the second user with whom the access information is shared;
11. The video distribution device according to appendix 9 or appendix 10, wherein reproduction of the content is controlled within the reproducible range of the sequence data.

(Appendix 12)
When the access information is received from the second user with whom the access information has been shared, the storage unit stores, from the storage unit, a first control related to reproduction control set by the second user for the content corresponding to the sequence data. get control information,
12. The video distribution device according to any one of appendices 9 to 11, wherein the propriety of reproduction of the content is determined based on the first control information.

(Appendix 13)
When receiving a plurality of different pieces of access information from the second user with whom the access information is shared, the second user's viewing history of the content corresponding to the plurality of pieces of sequence data is stored from the storage unit. 2 Acquire control information,
13. The video distribution device according to any one of appendices 9 to 12, wherein the propriety of reproduction of the content is determined based on the second control information.

(Appendix 14)
when the access information is received from the second user with whom the access information is shared, the third control information regarding the cost threshold set for the content corresponding to the sequence data is transferred from the storage unit to the content corresponding to the sequence data. Acquired,
Acquiring a cost related to the shared section of the sequence data from the storage unit;
14. The video distribution device according to any one of appendices 9 to 13, wherein, of the shared sections of the sequence data, reproduction is performed in a section that does not exceed the cost threshold set in the third control information.

(Appendix 15)
adding information for registering and canceling the first control information to the access information;
13. The video distribution apparatus according to appendix 12, which receives cancellation of the first control information from the second user, and performs control so that the content is reproduced within the reproducible range with the sequence data.

(Appendix 16)
adding information for registering and canceling the third control information to the access information;
15. The video distribution device according to appendix 14, which receives cancellation of the third control information from the second user, and performs control to reproduce the content within the reproducible range with the sequence data.

(Appendix 17)
Among a plurality of contents of the video to be distributed, for one or more contents whose designation has been received, from the storage unit, a cost upper limit determined based on the time allowed for sharing the contents, and a predetermined amount of the contents Get the cost per interval of time and
receiving one or more shared sections that are a range to be shared in the content, comparing the shared section with the cost of each section, and calculating the total cost of the shared section;
if the total cost does not exceed the cost upper limit, creating sequence data that enables the content to be played back in the shared section and registering it in a storage unit;
a video distribution device that generates access information for obtaining the registered sequence data;
a user terminal that transmits the access information shared from the video distribution device to the video distribution device;
video distribution system including

(Appendix 18)
In the video distribution device, when the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost, control is performed to display on the terminal of the first user who has received the designation that the sequence data cannot be created, and the total cost exceeds the upper limit. 18. The video distribution system according to Supplementary Note 17, wherein, when the upper limit of cost is not exceeded, the remaining cost obtained by subtracting the total cost from the upper limit of cost is displayed on the terminal.

(Appendix 19)
Among a plurality of contents of the video to be distributed, for one or more contents whose designation has been received, from the storage unit, a cost upper limit determined based on the time allowed for sharing the contents, and a predetermined amount of the contents Get the cost per interval of time and
receiving one or more shared sections that are a range to be shared in the content, comparing the shared section with the cost of each section, and calculating the total cost of the shared section;
if the total cost does not exceed the cost upper limit, creating sequence data that enables the content to be played back in the shared section and registering it in a storage unit;
generating access information for obtaining the registered sequence data;
A video distribution method characterized in that a computer executes processing including:

(Appendix 20)
controlling to display on the terminal of the first user who has received the designation that the sequence data cannot be created when the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost, and wherein the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost; 19. The video distribution method according to Supplementary note 19, wherein, when the total cost is subtracted from the upper limit of cost, the remaining cost is displayed on the terminal.

1, 200 video distribution system 10 management terminal 12 user terminals 14, 214 distribution management server 16 content DB
62 cost setting unit 64 sequence creating unit 66 cost checking unit 68 ID issuing unit 70 sequence acquiring unit 72, 272 reproduction control unit 80 restriction information DB
82 Sequence data DB
284 User Registration DB
286 User Viewing History DB

Claims (11)

Among a plurality of contents of the video to be distributed, for one or more contents whose designation has been received, from the storage unit, a cost upper limit determined based on the time allowed for sharing the contents, and a predetermined amount of the contents Get the cost per interval of time and
receiving one or more shared sections that are a range to be shared in the content, comparing the shared section with the cost of each section, and calculating the total cost of the shared section;
if the total cost does not exceed the upper cost limit, creating sequence data that enables the content to be played back in the shared section and registering it in the storage unit;
generating access information for obtaining the registered sequence data;
A video distribution program for causing a computer to execute processing including controlling to display on the terminal of the first user who has received the designation that the sequence data cannot be created when the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost, and wherein the total cost exceeds the upper limit of cost; 2. The video distribution program according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is controlled to display the remaining cost obtained by subtracting the total cost from the upper limit of cost when the total cost is not reached. obtaining the sequence data corresponding to the access information from the storage unit when the access information is received from the second user with whom the access information is shared;
3. The video distribution program according to claim 1, wherein reproduction of said content is controlled within said reproducible range of said sequence data. When the access information is received from the second user with whom the access information has been shared, the storage unit stores, from the storage unit, a first control related to reproduction control set by the second user for the content corresponding to the sequence data. get control information,
4. The video distribution program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein whether or not to reproduce the content is determined based on the first control information. When receiving a plurality of different pieces of access information from the second user with whom the access information is shared, the second user's viewing history of the content corresponding to the plurality of pieces of sequence data is stored from the storage unit. 2 Acquire control information,
5. The video distribution program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein whether or not to reproduce the content is determined based on the second control information. when the access information is received from the second user with whom the access information is shared, the third control information regarding the cost threshold set for the content corresponding to the sequence data is transferred from the storage unit to the content corresponding to the sequence data. Acquired,
Acquiring a cost related to the shared section of the sequence data from the storage unit;
6. The video according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein control is performed so that, of the shared section of the sequence data, the section that does not exceed the cost threshold set in the third control information is reproduced. delivery program. adding information for registering and canceling the first control information to the access information;
5. The video distribution program according to claim 4, wherein cancellation of said first control information is received from said second user, and said content is controlled to be reproduced within said reproducible range with said sequence data. adding information for registering and canceling the third control information to the access information;
7. The video distribution program according to claim 6, wherein cancellation of said third control information is received from said second user, and said content is controlled to be reproduced within said reproducible range with said sequence data. Among a plurality of contents of the video to be distributed, for one or more contents whose designation has been received, from the storage unit, a cost upper limit determined based on the time allowed for sharing the contents, and a predetermined amount of the contents Get the cost per interval of time and
receiving one or more shared sections that are a range to be shared in the content, comparing the shared section with the cost of each section, and calculating the total cost of the shared section;
if the total cost does not exceed the cost upper limit, creating sequence data that enables the content to be played back in the shared section and registering it in a storage unit;
a generating unit that generates access information for obtaining the registered sequence data;
Video distribution device including Among a plurality of contents of the video to be distributed, for one or more contents whose designation has been received, from the storage unit, a cost upper limit determined based on the time allowed for sharing the contents, and a predetermined amount of the contents Get the cost per interval of time and
receiving one or more shared sections that are a range to be shared in the content, comparing the shared section with the cost of each section, and calculating the total cost of the shared section;
if the total cost does not exceed the cost upper limit, creating sequence data that enables the content to be played back in the shared section and registering it in a storage unit;
a video distribution device that generates access information for obtaining the registered sequence data;
a user terminal that transmits the access information shared from the video distribution device to the video distribution device;
video distribution system including Among a plurality of contents of the video to be distributed, for one or more contents whose designation has been received, from the storage unit, a cost upper limit determined based on the time allowed for sharing the contents, and a predetermined amount of the contents Get the cost per interval of time and
receiving one or more shared sections that are a range to be shared in the content, comparing the shared section with the cost of each section, and calculating the total cost of the shared section;
if the total cost does not exceed the cost upper limit, creating sequence data that enables the content to be played back in the shared section and registering it in a storage unit;
generating access information for obtaining the registered sequence data;
A video distribution method characterized in that a computer executes processing including:

Images