JP7389931B1 - Video distribution server and video distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a technology that can newly insert another video into a video to be streamed, or replace an already inserted inserted video with another video having a different time width. A video distribution server includes a computer and a storage device that stores video data of videos for distribution. The computer changes a set value of a time width of at least one cue point inserted into the video data from an initial value to a specified value. [Selection diagram] Figure 3

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law Briefing session Date of the session: February 8, 2023 Organizer: PLAY Co., Ltd. Location: Daiwa Shibuya Square 2F, 16-28 Nanpeidai-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (7 other times) Test Environment provision Test environment provision date: March 2, 2023 Test environment provision address: TBS Television Co., Ltd. Test environment provision address: 5-3-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo (2 other companies)

The present disclosure relates to a technology for streaming video distribution.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing streamable content by combining data including content other than commercials and responsive commercials incorporating content for facilitating interaction on the receiving side. In this technique, the responsive commercial is inserted at a cue point provided in the data.

Special Publication No. 2008-522488

Typically, video is streamed from a server. The video data distributed from the server includes unorganized video data that includes only the main video, and organized video data in which other videos such as commercial videos are inserted into the main video. Insertion of another video into video data may be performed before the video data is uploaded to the server, or may be performed after the video data is uploaded to the server. The server stores these unorganized video data and organized video data as video content.

Incidentally, the added value of video content also depends on the number and contents of other videos such as commercial videos. Therefore, if it is possible to add a new commercial video or replace an already inserted commercial video with another commercial video with a different duration when streaming video, the added value of the video content will be further increased. Conceivable.

One purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can newly insert another video into a video to be streamed, or replace an already inserted inserted video with another video with a different time width. It is in.

A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a video distribution server that streams and distributes video. The video distribution server includes a computer and a storage device that stores video data of videos for distribution. The computer changes a set value of a time width of at least one cue point inserted into the video data from an initial value to a specified value.

The second aspect of the present disclosure further has the following features in addition to the first aspect. The computer accepts an editing operation from the outside and inserts a new cue point in the video data at a position specified by the editing operation.

The third aspect of the present disclosure further has the following features in addition to the first aspect or the second aspect. The video data is unorganized video data that includes only the main video, and the initial value of the time width setting value is zero.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure further has the following features in addition to the third aspect. The computer allocates another video different from the main video to the time width of the cue point in the changed setting value.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure further has the following features in addition to the first aspect or the second aspect. The video data is organized video data including a main video and an insert video inserted into the main video. Furthermore, the cue point is inserted in a data range that includes the data of the inserted video. Furthermore, the initial value of the time width setting value is the value of the playback time of the inserted video.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure further has the following features in addition to the fifth aspect. The computer allocates another video different from the main video and the inserted video to the time width of the cue point in the changed setting value.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure further has the following features in addition to the fifth aspect. The computer executes changing the time width setting value to zero.

The eighth aspect of the present disclosure relates to a video distribution method for streaming video distribution. The video distribution method involves retrieving the video data of the video for distribution stored in the server, and changing the time width setting value of at least one cue point inserted into the video data from the initial value to the specified value. Including.

According to the present disclosure, a setting value of a cue point inserted into video data of a video for distribution stored in a video distribution server is changed. This makes it possible to newly insert another video into the video to be streamed, or to replace an already inserted inserted video with another video with a different time width.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a video distribution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a first example of a video distribution server according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a second example of the video distribution server according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a second example of the video distribution server according to the embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video distribution server according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by the video distribution server according to the embodiment.

A video distribution server and a video distribution method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, common elements in each figure are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

1. Overview FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a video distribution system 1 according to an embodiment. The video distribution system 1 includes a user terminal 2 and a video distribution server 10, as shown in FIG. Examples of the user terminal 2 include a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a television terminal, and the like. The video distribution server 10 is a server for streaming video to the user terminal 2.

The video distribution server 10 stores video data 12. The video data 12 is video data for distribution, and is acquired (uploaded) from an external device (for example, an encoder, another server, etc.).

The video data 12 stored in the video distribution server 10 includes at least one of unorganized video data and organized video data. The unorganized video data is video data that includes only the main video, and the organized video data is video data that is a combination of the main video and the inserted video. The unorganized video data and the organized video data are, for example, archived video. The inserted video is, for example, a commercial video, a video edited from a part of the main video, or the like. An example of a video that is a part of the main video that has been edited is a loop video.

The video distribution server 10 changes the setting of at least one cue point inserted into the video data 12. A cue point means a marker inserted into the video data 12 that indicates a specific timing of an event. The specific timing includes, for example, a frame position of the video data 12 and a predetermined time width based on the frame position.

The set value of the cue point is set based on the cue signal, for example. The cue signal is, for example, an SCTE-35 signal. The SCTE-35 signal is a signal that specifies the start and end of a program and the start and end of insertion of an advertisement. SCTE is an abbreviation for Society of Cable and Telecommunications Engineers. Note that the editing operation of the cue point setting value may be performed directly on the video distribution server 10, or may be performed remotely from the outside. The external server is, for example, another server different from the video distribution server 10.

The method of changing the cue point setting value differs depending on whether it is unorganized video data or organized video data. Hereinafter, specific examples of changing the cue point setting value in each case will be described.

2. Specific example 2-1. First Example of Changing the Cue Point Setting Value FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the first example of changing the setting value of the cue point CP of the video distribution server 10 according to the embodiment. In a specific example of the first example of changing the setting value of the cue point CP, as shown in FIG. 2, the setting value of the cue point CP is changed for the unorganized video data NOVD.

The setting value of the cue point CP for the unorganized video data NOVD includes a first setting value and a second setting value, as shown in FIG. 2(A). The first setting value is a parameter that specifies the frame position of the main video data included in the non-organized video data NOVD. The second setting value is a parameter for setting a predetermined time width based on the frame position of the data of the main video specified by the first setting value.

Then, the data range generated by setting the first setting value and the second setting value is set as the insertable range to be inserted into the data of the main video. That is, the first set value is also a parameter that sets the start timing of the insertable range. Further, the second set value is also a parameter that sets the time width of the insertable range. Note that the second set value may be a parameter that simply sets the end timing of the insertable range.

Consider the set value of the cue point CP inserted into the main video data in the non-organized video data NOVD. The initial value of the setting value of the cue point CP inserted into the data of the main video is such that at least the initial value of the second setting value is zero or invalid. In this state, the video distribution server 10 changes the first setting value and second setting value of the cue point CP from the initial value to the specified value.

Specifically, when the first setting value and the second setting value of the cue point CP are set in the data of the main video, the video distribution server 10 uses the first setting value as shown in FIG. 2(B). The insertable range of the time width set by the second setting value is inserted at the frame position of the specified main video data.

Note that when a plurality of cue points CP are inserted in the data of the main video, the video distribution server 10 changes the first setting value and the second setting value for each cue point CP from the initial value to the specified value. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2B, a plurality of insertable ranges are inserted into the data of the main video, and the position of the last frame of the data of the main video is shifted backward by the insertable range.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, the video distribution server 10 allocates data of another video different from the main video to the insertable range inserted into the data of the main video. Examples of other video data include a video obtained by editing a part of the main video, a commercial video, and the like.

2-2. Second Example of Changing the Cue Point Setting Value FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the second example of changing the setting value of the cue point CP of the video distribution server 10 according to the embodiment. In a second specific example of changing the set value of the cue point CP, as shown in FIG. 3, the set value of the cue point CP is changed for the organized video data OVD.

The set value of the cue point CP for the organized video data OVD includes a first set value and a second set value, similar to the first example described above. The difference from the first example is that the organized video data OVD includes insert video data, as shown in FIG. 3(A).

Here, consider that the data of the inserted video is assigned to the above-mentioned data range (insertable range). In this case, the cue point CP is inserted in the insertion possible range to which the insertion video data is allocated. In other words, the cue point CP is inserted into the insertable range that includes the data of the inserted video. Further, a first set value and a second set value are set for the cue point CP inserted in the insertable range.

Consider the setting values (first setting value and second setting value) of the cue point CP inserted in the insertable range. The initial value of the first set value of the cue point CP specifies the frame position of the data of the main video into which the insertable range is inserted. Further, the time width of the insertable range is set as the initial value of the second setting value of the cue point CP. The time width of the insertable range set as the initial value of the second set value of the cue point CP is, for example, the playback time of the inserted video. In this state, the video distribution server 10 changes the first setting value and second setting value of the cue point CP set in the insertable range from the initial value to the specified value.

Specifically, the following three examples will be given as examples of changing the first setting value and the second setting value of the cue point CP. First, in the first example, as shown in Figure 3 (B), when changing the first set value of cue point CP to a time later than the initial value, the insertable range is inserted into the main video. The data frame position is later than the initial value. Furthermore, when changing the second set value of the cue point CP to a value smaller than the initial value, the time width of the insertable range becomes smaller than that at the initial value. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the position of the last frame of the data of the main video is shifted by an amount before the time width of the insertable range to be changed becomes shorter.

Next, in the second example, as shown in FIG. 3(C), when changing the first setting value of cue point CP to a time earlier than the initial value time, the main part in which the insertable range is inserted. The frame position of the video data is earlier compared to the initial value. Furthermore, when changing the second setting value of the cue point CP to a value larger than the initial value, the time width of the insertable range becomes larger than that at the initial value. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3C, the position of the last frame of the data of the main video is shifted backward by the length of the time width of the insertable range to be changed.

Finally, in the third example, as shown in FIG. 3(D), without changing the first setting value of cue point CP from the initial value, the second setting value of cue point CP is set to zero from the initial value. When changing to , the time width of the insertable range becomes zero. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3(D), the position of the last frame of the data of the main video is shifted by an amount before the time width of the insertable range to be changed becomes shorter.

Note that when there is a plurality of insert video data included in the organized video data OVD, the video distribution server 10 sets the first setting value of the cue point CP and the first set value of the cue point CP for each insertable range corresponding to each insert video data. 2 Change the setting value from the initial value to the specified value. In the example shown in FIG. 3(B) to FIG. 3(D), the first setting value of the cue point CP and the second The setting value is changed.

Then, the video distribution server 10 allocates data of another video to the time width of the insertable range after changing the first setting value and the second setting value of the cue point CP. In the example shown in FIG. 4(A), data of another video is assigned to the time width of the changed insertable range corresponding to FIG. 3(B) described above. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4(B), data of another video is assigned to the time width of the insertable range after the setting change corresponding to FIG. 3(C) described above. Examples of other video data include a video that is a part of the main video edited, a video that is a part of the inserted video, and a commercial video.

2-3. Effects As described above, in the video distribution server 10 according to the embodiment, the set value of the cue point CP inserted in the video data 12 of the video for distribution stored in the video distribution server changes from the initial value to the specified value. Be changed. This allows you to insert another video into the video being streamed without re-uploading the video data to the server, or replace the already inserted video with another video with a different time width. becomes possible. Therefore, the operator who uploads video data to the server does not need to re-edit the video data, and the number of man-hours can be reduced.

3. Configuration Example FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the video distribution server 10 according to the embodiment. Video distribution server 10 includes a computer 11, a storage device 20, and a communication device 30. The computer 11 executes various processes. The storage device 20 stores video data 12 necessary for executing various processes. The video data 12 includes at least one of unorganized video data NOVD and organized video data OVD.

The information stored in the storage device 20 also includes a video distribution program (not shown). The video distribution program is a computer program executed by the computer 11. The functions of the computer 11 are realized by the computer 11 executing the video distribution program.

The communication device 30 is a device that communicates with at least the user terminal 2. The communication device 30 streams video to the user terminal 2.

4. Processing Example FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the computer 11 in the video distribution server 10 according to the embodiment.

In step S100, the computer 11 changes the first setting value of the cue point CP inserted into the video data 12 from the initial value to the specified value. After that, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the computer 11 changes the second setting value of the cue point CP inserted into the video data 12 from the initial value to the specified value. This creates an insertable range. After that, the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S120, the computer 11 allocates data of another video to the insertable range to be inserted into the video data 12.

5. Other Embodiments According to the video distribution server 10 according to other embodiments, a new cue point CP is inserted. The timing at which a new cue point CP is inserted may be when the setting value of an existing cue point CP inserted into the video data 12 is changed, or when the setting value of an existing cue point CP is changed. It may be.

Specifically, if the timing at which a new cue point CP is inserted is when the setting value of an existing cue point CP is changed, the video distribution server 10 inserts the new cue point CP at the same time as the setting value of the existing cue point CP is changed. A cue point CP is inserted into the designated frame position of the video data 12.

On the other hand, if the timing at which a new cue point CP is inserted is other than when the setting value of an existing cue point CP is changed, and an editing operation is received from the outside, the video distribution server 10 A new cue point CP is inserted at the frame position of the video data 12.

Then, the video distribution server 10 sets the first setting value and the second setting value of the new cue point CP inserted at the frame position of the video data 12, thereby generating a new cue point CP based on the new cue point CP. The insertable range is inserted into the video data 12. Thereby, it becomes possible to flexibly change and add the setting value of the cue point CP in the video distribution server 10.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Video distribution system, 2...User terminal, 10...Video distribution server, 11...Computer, 12...Video data, 20...Storage device, 30...Communication device, CP...Cue point, NOVD...Unorganized video data, OVD …Organization video data

Claims (8)

A video distribution server that streams video,
computer and
a storage device that stores video data of videos for distribution;
Equipped with
The computer includes:
A video distribution server configured to change a time width setting value of at least one cue point inserted into the video data from an initial value to a specified value. The video distribution server according to claim 1,
The computer includes:
Accepting editing operations from outside,
A video distribution server configured to newly insert the cue point at a position specified by the editing operation in the video data. The video distribution server according to claim 1 or 2,
The video data is unorganized video data that includes only main video,
The video distribution server, wherein the initial value of the time width setting value is zero. The video distribution server according to claim 3,
The computer includes:
A video distribution server configured to perform the following steps: allocating another video different from the main video to the time width of the cue point in the changed setting value. The video distribution server according to claim 1 or 2,
The video data is organized video data including a main video and an insert video inserted into the main video,
The cue point is inserted into a data range that includes data of the inserted video,
The video distribution server, wherein the initial value of the time width setting value is a playback time value of the inserted video. The video distribution server according to claim 5,
The computer includes:
A video distribution server configured to allocate another video different from the main video and the insert video to the time width of the cue point in the changed setting value. The video distribution server according to claim 5,
The computer includes:
A video distribution server configured to perform the following steps: changing the set value of the time width to zero. A video distribution method for streaming video,
Retrieving the video data of the video for distribution stored on the server,
A video distribution method comprising: changing a set value of a time width of at least one cue point inserted into the video data from an initial value to a specified value.

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