JPH09224231A - Video program selection method in video-on-demand system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to select an optional video program efficiently. SOLUTION: A summary of a video program provided by a video information storage 1 is sent in advance to a terminal equipment 2, which decodes and displays the program for the user and stores it to a storage (local HD) 23 and the reading of the video programs from the local HD 23 is repeated till the user decides a video program to be viewed. Also, the storage location of the video programs is written in a stream service block 12 of the video programs to allow the terminal equipment 2 to extract a video program quickly, and the information preferred by the user is transferred in advance thereto and the capacity of the sent video program is limited to utilize the storage area of the storage 23 in the terminal equipment 2 efficiently.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
PEG: Moving Picture Experts Group) and other image data compression methods are used to store a plurality of high-efficiency coded video programs in a large-capacity image information storage device. The present invention relates to a video program selection method in a video on demand (hereinafter referred to as VOD) system in which a user searches for a video program and reproduces the video program on a terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A high-efficiency compression method for moving image information has been proposed as an international standard by MPEG. MPEG
Predictive coding is adopted as a coding method of moving image information in (1) I-Pictu that applies the intra-frame prediction method.
P-Picture (Predicted Pictur) that applies an inter-frame prediction method that performs inter-frame prediction based on image data of re (Intra Picture) frame and (2) past frame
e) Frame, (3) B-Picture (Bidirectional Picture) that applies an inter-frame prediction method that performs inter-frame prediction based on image data of both past frame image data and future frame image data )flame,
The three types of frames are defined as standards, and moving image information is recorded by combining these.

In order for a user to reproduce an arbitrary video program on a terminal device from an image information storage device in which a plurality of video programs highly efficient coded by the MPEG are stored, (a) as a first method, , (1) sends a list of video program names stored in the image information storage device to the terminal device, (2) the user selects a desired video program based on the list of video program names, Providing services based on procedures such as (3) sending the video program name selected by the user from the terminal device to the video information storage device, and (4) sending the video program selected from the video information storage device. I was going.

As a second method (b), (1) the video information storage device sends video information for video program introduction stored in advance in the device to the terminal, (2) the user uses the terminal device , Listen to the introduction program and select the desired video program, (3) send the video program name selected by the user from the terminal device to the video information storage device, (4) select from the video information storage device The service was provided based on the procedure of sending out the created video program.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned first method, the user has to select the video program only by the video program name, and there is a problem that the user cannot listen to the program contents before executing the selection. It was In addition, since the search is performed using the video program name as a key, there is a problem in that a search processing overhead occurs in the video information storage device.

In the second method, the user can listen to the introduction video program in advance, but while the introduction video program is being sent, communication between the video information storage device and the terminal device is performed. There is a problem that the bandwidth of the channel is continuously consumed, and the usage fee of the channel is continuously charged until the user decides the selected program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above conventional problems and provide a video program selecting method in a video-on-demand system which allows a user to efficiently select an arbitrary video program.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problem The present invention solves the above problems, and a first means for achieving the object is to provide a content when a communication path is set between a video information storage device and a terminal device. The video program edited for introduction is sent out, the contents are decoded and displayed on the terminal device, and at the same time, stored in the storage device in the terminal device. The logical link is disconnected, and thereafter, until the user selects an arbitrary video program, the video program is repeatedly read from the storage device in the terminal device for decoding display.

According to the first means, (1) when selecting a video program to be viewed by the user, it is possible to judge not only by the title name but also by viewing the video program for content introduction. (2) After the video program for content introduction is stored in the storage device in the terminal device, the program on the communication channel can be read directly from the storage device in the terminal device without transferring the program on the communication channel. It has an effect that it can be repeatedly decoded and displayed any number of times without consuming the width.

The second means is the same as the first means,
Refer to the storage location in the video information storage device of the relevant video program written in the stream of the video program edited for content introduction when the user starts sending the video program after selecting the desired video program. The information is used to start reading the video program from the storage location in the video information storage device directly to the terminal device.

According to the second means, in addition to the operation of the first means, after the user selects a desired video program,
In terms of system performance, the process of title search, which is a major constraint issue, can be omitted, and a communication path for immediately extracting the corresponding video information data can be set, and the response time can be shortened.

A third means is the same as the first means,
Let the user numerically evaluate the desired video information type, send the same selection information from the terminal device to the video information storage device, select a video program for content introduction based on the selection information, and introduce the user's interest By selectively editing the video program for use and storing it in the storage device in the terminal device, it is possible to reduce traffic on the communication path and to efficiently use the storage area of the storage device in the terminal device.

According to the third means, in addition to the operation of the first means, there is an effect that the use area of the storage device in the terminal device is suppressed to a necessary minimum and the storage device can be used efficiently. .

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention sends an outline of a video program provided by a video information storage device to a terminal device in advance, and the terminal device decodes and displays the program to a user, and at the same time, the storage device in the terminal device. The video program is stored in the (local HD), and the reading of the video program from the local HD is repeated until the user determines the video program to be watched thereafter. Further, by writing the storage location of the video program in the stream of the video program, it is possible to quickly withdraw the video program from the terminal device, and transfer the user's favorite information in advance and send it out. By limiting the capacity of the stored video program, the storage area of the storage device in the terminal device is efficiently used.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a VOD system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an example of a processing sequence between the video information storage device and the terminal device in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a video information storage device in which video programs are stored, and a service Gate Way
(GW) 11, stream service block 12 and hard disk 13. 2 is a terminal device installed on the user side, which includes a network interface (NWi / f) 21, a main memory 22, a storage device (local HD) 23, a main processor (MPU) 24, and an MP.
A demultiplexer (DMUX) 25 for separating video and audio from the EG stream, an audio decoder 26 for decoding audio data, and a video decoder 27 for decoding video data.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an exchange network connecting the video information storage device 1 and the terminal device 2, and a plurality of terminal devices are exchangeably connected to the video information storage device via the exchange network.

Next, a method of selecting a video program for the VOD system configured as described above will be described with reference to the processing sequence example of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the video information storage device 1
-It is assumed that the connection / session between the terminal devices 2 has already been set. First, from the terminal device 2, Preview_Resolv
Issue the e command (a) to request the service Gate Way 11 to acquire the service reference points. In response to this, the service Gate Way 11 issues the Preview_Launch command (b) to the Stream Service block 12 to request the service start of the video program for content introduction. Stream Servi
The ce block 12 searches for the storage location in the hard disk 13 of the relevant video program for content introduction, secures the resources necessary for starting the service, and then provides the reference point information.
Preview_Launch_Reply (u) Put it in the response service Gate W
Return to ay11. The service Gate Way 11 is for the terminal device 2
Preview_Resolve_Reply (D) Return the reference point of the Stream Service block 12 in which the corresponding service is stored in the response.

Receiving this, the terminal device 2 receives the service Gate W
Send the Preview_Start command (e) to ay11 to request the start of sending the video program for content introduction. The Pr
The Stream Service block 12 that has received the eview_Start command (e) previews the service Gate Way 11 and the terminal device 2.
The start notification of w_Stream_Start (f) is sent, the content introduction video program data is read from the hard disk 13, and the sending to the terminal device 2 is started (g).

The terminal device 2 receiving the video program stores the same data in the local HD 23 through the network interface (NWi / f) 21 and separates the audio / video information through the demultiplexer (DMUX) 25. Then, the audio decoder 26 and the video decoder 27 are used to decode and display on the terminal device 2. After that, until the video program ends, the local H
Accumulation in D23 and decoding display on the terminal device are continued. When the transmission of the video program for content introduction is completed, the service Gate Way11 issues a Preview_Stream_End (K) notification to the service Gate Way11 and the terminal device 2, and the service Gate Way11 and the terminal device 2 which have received this notification, the network between them. Execute session disconnection process. At this point, the user is viewing the content introduction video program on the terminal device, and it is possible to select the video program to be viewed using only this result.

However, if the user once again views the content introduction video program and then desires to confirm the video program to be viewed, the terminal device 2
Can read the content introduction program from the local HD 23 and reproduce and display the same video program through the demultiplexer (DMUX) 25. At this time, no matter how many times the repetitive reproduction display is executed, the terminal device 2 keeps the switching network
Since it is not connected to the video information storage device 1 via
The user can repeatedly read out the content introduction video program without being charged a fee for using the network.

(Embodiment 2) Next, in the processing sequence example of FIG. 2 described above, an embodiment will be described in which, after disconnecting the network session, reading of a video program arbitrarily selected by the user is started. When the video program for content introduction is transferred from the Stream Service block 12 to the terminal device 2, at the start of introduction of each video program, the video information storage device 1 of the corresponding video program.
Information such as the storage location in the terminal is transmitted to the terminal device 2 in advance by using the private data area of the MPEG stream or the like.

When the user selects a required video program, the terminal device 2 reads the information of the video program storage location in the video information storage device 1 and uses the Stream Ser
A command (Preview_Start) (e) for requesting to start reading the video program is sent to the vice block 12.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the message format of the Preview_Start command (e), "Protocol Profile" area 31
In addition, the Port address 31 of the Stream Service in which the video programs for the contents to be read are stored.
a, RAID # 31b in Stream Service, HD in RAID
SCSI #, cylinder # 31c, etc. are written in advance.

Service Gate W that received this message
ay11 is the Stream Service block of the corresponding Port address
From 12, the first video block is read from the Port address specified by the Preview_Start command (e), and transfer to the terminal device 2 is started.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a storage format of video information in the local HD. If the list structure has a pointer to the next block at the end of each block, even the address where the first block is stored is shown. If specified, the stream of the video program can be transmitted by successively continuing the reading using this pointer one after another.

(Third Embodiment) Next, before sending the Preview_Resolve command (a) at the beginning of the processing sequence of FIG. 2, the user is allowed to select a desired video information type and the selection information is sent to the terminal device. An embodiment will be described in which the information is sent from the video information storage device 1 to the video information storage device 1, the video programs for content introduction are selected based on the information, and only the introduction video programs that are of interest to the user are edited and provided to the terminal device. To do.

FIG. 5 is an example of a preference management table that summarizes user preferences. For example, in this preference management table, the evaluation item is the work genre, and the user's preference is scored with a maximum of 10. The same evaluation is given for each appropriate evaluation item, and finally, these preference evaluation tables are shown in FIG.
It is sent to the service Gate Way 11 from the terminal device by being placed in the Preview_Resolve command (a) in the processing sequence of. In the service Gate Way11 that received this command, the "content preference" in the preference evaluation table will be added as a point to the video program that matches the conditions of the same preference evaluation table from the existing content introduction video program. , An appropriate number of video programs with a large total score are extracted to form a new video program for content introduction.
The content introduction video program is sent to the terminal device 2 in accordance with the processing sequence.

As a result, the use area of the local HD 23 used as a storage device in the terminal device 2 becomes smaller than that in the case where all the content introduction video programs are transmitted,
Expect more efficient use of storage area.

[0031]

As described above, according to the video program selection method in the VOD system of the present invention, when the user selects the video program to be viewed, the user sees the introduction video of the contents, and whether or not the video is viewed. Once the introduction video program has been stored in the storage device in the terminal device, the video program can be read directly from the storage device so that the terminal device-
The introduction video program can be repeatedly viewed without using a communication network between the video information storage devices.

Furthermore, the information of the storage location of the introductory video program is written in the stream of the video program in advance to promptly extract the video program, and selectively transfer the content introduction video program according to the user's preference. This has an effect that the storage area of the storage device in the terminal device can be efficiently used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a VOD system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

2 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence between a video information storage device and a terminal device in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram of a message format according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of video information in a local HD according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram of a user preference management table according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Video information storage device, 2 ... Terminal device, 3 ... Switching network, 11 ... Service GateWay, 12 ... Stream Service block, 13 ... Hard disk, 21 ... Network interface (NWi / f), 22 ... Main memory,
23 ... Storage device (local HD), 24 ... Main processor
(MPU), 25 ... Demultiplexer (DMUX), 26 ...
Audio decoder, 27… Video decoder.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An arbitrary video program in which a plurality of video programs highly efficient coded by an image data compression method such as MPEG are stored in a large-capacity image information storage device and stored in a terminal device in the image information storage device. In a video-on-demand system in which a user searches for and reproduces on a terminal device, immediately after a communication path is set up between the image information storage device and the terminal device, the storage device in the terminal device A video-on-demand system characterized by accumulating a part of image information of a video program and thereafter allowing a user to select an arbitrary video program by using the image information accumulated in the terminal device. Video program selection method. 2. An arbitrary video program in which a plurality of video programs highly efficient coded by an image data compression method such as MPEG are stored in a large-capacity image information storage device and stored in the image information storage device from a terminal device. In a video-on-demand system in which a user searches for and plays back on a terminal device, immediately after the communication path is set between the image information storage device and the terminal device, the storage device in the terminal device Part of the image information of the video program is stored in, and after that, the user can select an arbitrary video program using the image information stored in the terminal device, and immediately after the selection is finished, the video program is played back. In order to start, the information of the storage location in the image information storage device of the image data of the video program start portion is placed in the image information and transmitted. A video program selection method in a video-on-demand system. 3. An arbitrary video program stored in a large-capacity image information storage device with a plurality of video programs highly efficiently encoded by an image data compression method such as MPEG, and stored in the image information storage device from a terminal device. In a video-on-demand system in which the user searches for and plays back on the terminal device, when the user executes an arbitrary video program, the terminal device numerically evaluates the information of the user's favorite video type on the terminal device. Then, the same information is sent from the terminal device to the video information storage device, and a part of the image information of the video program that matches the user's preference is selected based on the numerical evaluation of the user, and only the most important one is selected. Is stored in the storage device in the terminal device, and thereafter, by using the image information stored in the terminal device, the user can arbitrarily select A method for selecting a video program in a video-on-demand system, characterized in that a video program is selected.