WO2010125771A1

WO2010125771A1 - Content distribution device

Info

Publication number: WO2010125771A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/002891
Authority: WO
Inventors: 三宅康司
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2009-04-28
Filing date: 2010-04-22
Publication date: 2010-11-04
Also published as: JP2012142644A

Abstract

A content distribution device is provided with a specification means which specifies the position of reproduction in a reproduction device and a detection means which detects switching to special reproduction which reduces a reproduction period to be shorter than that in normal reproduction. When the detection means detects the special reproduction, if the position of the reproduction specified by the specification means is a midpoint (15:30) of a CM the special reproduction of which is prohibited, streaming distribution is restarted from the beginning (15:00) of the CM prior to the midpoint (15:30).

Description

Content distribution device

This relates to technology that prohibits special playback such as skip and fast-forward when playing video content.

Conventionally, in order to prevent a reduction in the advertising effect of CM (Commercial Message), special playback is prohibited for the CM section of content.

In Patent Document 1, information on the special reproduction prohibited area is multiplexed with the video signal of the broadcast content, and the information on the special reproduction prohibited area is multiplexed with the video signal of the broadcast content in the receiving terminal device that receives the broadcast content. Is disclosed that special playback is prohibited.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-290878

By the way, in recent years, consumer video recording / playback devices called PVR (Personal Video Recorder) have appeared. Recording a large amount of content on a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Disk Drive) by this PVR has become popular among general users.

Also, content is shared among devices participating in a network in a home network (for example, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)).

In such a home network, the content stored in the device A is played back on the device B such that the content stored in the PVR is streamed from the PVR to the portable game device and viewed on the portable game device. (Remote viewing) can be considered.

In such a home network, there can be a wide variety of devices, and some devices may not have a function for prohibiting special reproduction as described above.

For this reason, it is required to perform control for prohibiting special reproduction on the device A side that distributes the content to be reproduced, not on the device B that reproduces the content.

The present invention has been made based on such a background, and provides a content distribution apparatus capable of suppressing special reproduction in a reproduction apparatus when streaming distribution of the content to the reproduction apparatus that reproduces the content. With the goal.

The content distribution apparatus according to the present invention associates a first storage means for storing content, and a prohibited section indicating prohibition in special reproduction with a reproduction time shorter than normal reproduction, in association with the reproduction position of the content. Second storage means for storing; distribution means for streaming distribution of the content to a playback device; identification means for specifying a playback position in the playback device for the content being streamed; and content being streamed If the detection means detects the switching to the special playback and the detection means, and the playback position specified by the specifying means at the time of detection is within the prohibited section, the distribution means performs streaming distribution. The playback position is interrupted and is within the prohibited section and is more than the specified playback position. It is characterized in that it comprises a distribution control means for restarting the streaming distribution from before the time point.

The content distribution apparatus according to the present invention can suppress special reproduction in the reproduction apparatus when streaming the content to the reproduction apparatus that reproduces the content.

The figure which shows the structure of the system 1 which delivers a content Functional block diagram of the content distribution apparatus 10 The figure explaining the content of the content management information storage part 16 The figure explaining the structure of the content A The figure explaining the content of the distribution history memory | storage part 22 Figure showing a graph showing the relationship between time and bit rate Flow chart showing streaming distribution processing Flow chart showing playback position specifying process Flow chart showing reception processing during playback Diagram showing cuts 31-35 before and after CM1 Sequence diagram between content distribution device 10 and playback device 100 The figure which shows the transition of the display in the display 102 of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus 100 Functional block diagram of distribution device 11 Flow chart showing fast forward detection processing The figure explaining the image which detects fast forward from the effective bit rate and the reproduction bit rate The figure which shows the example which inserts the cut 38 of telop before entering CM1 The figure which shows the example which transmits reproduction | regeneration position information from the reproducing | regenerating apparatus 100 to the content delivery apparatus 10. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
<Configuration>
First, the overall configuration of a system for distributing video content will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a content server 2, a content distribution device 10, and a playback device 100. The content server 2 is a server that stores a large amount of video content, and is typically a VOD (Video On Demand) server.

The content server 2 provides content to the content distribution apparatus 10 via a WAN (Wide Area Network).

The content distribution apparatus 10 has a function similar to that of a general PVR (Personal Video Recorder), records the content provided from the content server 2, and stores it in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) in the apparatus.

The playback device 100 is composed of, for example, a general digital television (DTV), and has a function of playing back content on the display 102.

The playback device 100 and the content distribution device 10 are connected by a LAN 6 network (home network). In particular, the playback apparatus 100 supports the DLNA standard and uses the DLNA standard for connection with the content distribution apparatus 10.

The playback device 100 transmits a content distribution request to the content distribution device 10 in accordance with the reception from the remote controller 104 operated by the user. Receiving the distribution request, the content distribution apparatus 10 distributes the content according to the request to the reproduction apparatus 100.

Such distribution from the content distribution apparatus 10 to the reproduction apparatus 100 is distribution in a streaming format. On the playback device 100 side, content data from the content distribution device 10 is downloaded and played back simultaneously.

Subsequently, functional blocks of the content distribution apparatus 10 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the content distribution apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 12, a content storage unit 14, a content management information storage unit 16, a distribution control unit 18, a distribution unit 20, a distribution history storage unit 22, a playback position specifying unit 24, A reception unit 26 and a detection unit 28 are provided.

The communication unit 12 includes, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), and transmits and receives data to and from the content server 2 and the playback device 100.

The content storage unit 14 is composed of, for example, an HDD, and stores a large number of contents provided from the content server 2. In the example of the present embodiment, each content is composed of one or more chapters each having a certain length of playback time.

The content management information storage unit 16 stores management information for each content stored in the content storage unit 14. This management information is based on the additional information of the content distributed from the content server 2 (content name, name of each chapter, start position and end position of each chapter, attributes of each chapter, bit rate of each chapter, etc.) It is created when the distributed content is stored.

An example of this management information is shown in FIG. The management information of the content A includes “chapter name” 16a indicating the name of the chapter, “start position” 16b and “end position” 16c of each chapter, and “attribute” 16d indicating permission / prohibition of special playback (skip and fast forward). And “reproduction bit rate” 16e at the time of video reproduction.

“Start position” 16b includes “PTS” (Presentation Time Stamp) and “Data size”.

This “PTS” indicates the start position in a time format, and indicates the start position of each chapter by the elapsed time from the beginning of the content. “Position” indicates the start position in a data size format, and indicates the start position of each chapter in byte positions.

As shown in FIG. 4, the content A managed by the management information shown in FIG. 3 has chapters “main part 1” → “CM 1” → “main part 2” → “CM 2” → “main part 3” arranged in the main part. It can be seen that the attributes of 1 to 3 are permitted, whereas the attributes of

CMs

1 and 2 are prohibited and special reproduction is prohibited.

* Returning to FIG. 2, the explanation of the functional blocks will be continued.

The distribution unit 20 reads the target content from the content storage unit 14 and distributes it to the playback device 100 under the control of the distribution control unit 18.

This distribution is in a streaming format and is performed according to a streaming protocol (for example, RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol)).

The distribution control unit 18 sets conditions (such as content designation and distribution start position of the specified content) to be distributed by the distribution unit 20, and controls the distribution unit 20 to perform distribution under the set conditions.

The delivery history storage unit 22 stores a history of delivery by the delivery unit 20. An example of this distribution history is shown in FIG.

The distribution unit 20 stores a distribution history for one distribution every 500 milliseconds in the distribution history storage unit 22 from the start of distribution to the end of distribution. In the example of FIG. 5, five distribution histories are shown.

The distribution history includes items of “time” 22a, “sent location” 22b, “transmission data size” 22c, and distribution bit rate 22d.

“Time” 22a indicates a relative time from when stream data is first transmitted by receiving a stream acquisition request from the playback control apparatus 102.

The “sent position” 22b includes “PTS” and “data offset”.

“PTS” indicates the position of the content that can be transmitted to the playback control apparatus 102 at the time corresponding to the “time” 22a in a time format.

“Data offset” indicates the position of the content that can be transmitted to the playback control apparatus 102 at the time corresponding to “time” 22a in the form of the data length from the top of the content.

“Transmission data size” 22c indicates the transmission data size that could be transmitted to the playback control apparatus 102 at the time corresponding to “Time” 22a. This transmission data size is a difference of “data offset” from the previous acquisition time point to the current acquisition time point.

The effective bit rate 22d indicates the effective transmission bit rate in transmission to the playback control apparatus 102 at the time corresponding to the “time” 22a.

This effective bit rate is the transmission rate from the previous acquisition time to the current acquisition time. In other words, the effective bit rate is a value obtained by subtracting the data position at the current acquisition time from the data position at the previous acquisition time, and dividing it by the elapsed time from the time at the previous acquisition time. (Equation 1).

Effective bit rate = (transmission data size _n ) / (transmission time _n −transmission time _n−1 ) (Expression 1)
Here, transmission data size _n = data offset _n −data offset _n−1 .

For example, the effective bit rate of the fourth case (n = 4) is
{5000 (KB)-4000 (KB)} / {1500 (msec) -1000 (msec)}
= 1000 (KB) / 500 (msec) = 1 (MB) /0.5 (sec) = 8 (Mbit) /0.5 (sec) = 16 (Mbps)
It becomes.

2 is a functional block that specifies the playback position on the playback device 100 side of the content being distributed by the distribution unit 20.

The reproduction position is obtained by the following (Formula 2).
Playback position =
(PTS of sent position)-(Initial buffer time) (Equation 2)
Here, the initial buffer time is obtained by the following (Equation 3).

Initial buffer time =
(Initial buffer size / effective bit rate) (Equation 3)
The initial buffer size is defined in advance as a predetermined size.

As shown in (Equation 3) above, the initial buffer time is obtained by dividing the initial buffer size by the effective bit rate.

Then, as shown in (Equation 2), the playback position is obtained by subtracting this initial buffer time from the PTS at the transmission completed position.

For example, if the initial buffer time is 2.5 sec (2500 msec) and the PTS at the transmission end position is 52.5 sec, 52.5-2.5 = 50 sec becomes the playback position.

Fig. 6 shows an example of initial buffer time.

T0 indicates the content playback start time, and the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time. The vertical axis represents the bit rate. FIG. 6 includes lines of an effective bit rate indicating the amount of data flowing on the network and a content reproduction bit rate.

Both lines are greatly different in the section from t0 to tn. This section is the initial buffer time T _init (period). This section is a section for the playback apparatus 100 to perform stable video playback by absorbing fluctuations in the transmission speed of the network. The playback apparatus 100 acquires data as long as the network bandwidth permits, and the buffer in the playback apparatus 100 To store data.

When the initial buffering time _Tinit is finished, the playback device 100 starts decoding and playback of the content. By these operations, after tn, the data consumed by the decoding and reproduction operations in the reproduction apparatus 100 is read from the network. With TCP / IP, flow control works, and the effective bit rate flowing on the network is almost equal to the reproduction bit rate.

Returning to the explanation of FIG.

The accepting unit 26 accepts a stream data acquisition request transmitted from the playback device 100 in the HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) format.

There are two types of stream data acquisition requests: a type in which only the content is specified and the position in the content is not specified, and a type in which the position in the content is specified by range specification information in addition to the specification of the content.

There are two types of positions in the content: a method of specifying based on the playback time of the content and a method of specifying based on the data position (byte position) of the content.

The detection unit 28 detects the special reproduction received by the reception unit 26 and detects this as special reproduction. The special reproduction detected by the detection unit 28 is special reproduction for shortening the reproduction time compared to normal reproduction such as skip and fast forward.

Note that skipping skips the content being played backward in time, and there are various methods such as a method of skipping in units of time (for example, a unit of 5 seconds or a unit of 30 seconds) or a method of skipping in units of chapters.
<Operation>
Next, the operation of the content distribution apparatus 10 will be described in the order of streaming distribution processing (FIG. 7), reproduction position specifying processing (FIG. 8) performed in parallel during streaming distribution, and reception processing (FIG. 9) during reproduction. .

<< Streaming processing >>
In the streaming distribution process (FIG. 7), first, the distribution control unit 18 waits to receive a stream data acquisition request (GET request) from the playback device 100 (S11).

When the reception unit 26 receives and receives the acquisition request (S11: Yes), the distribution control unit 18 sets the content indicated in the acquisition request as a distribution target, and performs streaming distribution of the content set in the distribution unit 20. Start (S12).

After the streaming distribution is started, the distribution control unit 18 completes the transmission of the content data indicated in the acquisition request, or the TCP session with the playback apparatus 100 is disconnected for reasons such as powering off the playback apparatus 100. Then (S13: Yes), the streaming delivery by the delivery unit 20 is terminated (S14).

As described above, with the start of distribution (S12), the distribution unit 20 causes the distribution history storage unit 22 to store a distribution history every 500 μm.

<< Playback position identification process >>
The playback position specifying process (FIG. 8) is a process performed in parallel with streaming delivery, and specifies a playback position on the playback device 100 side.

First, the playback position specifying unit 24 waits until the initial buffering ends (S21), and when the initial buffering ends, the initial buffering time is temporarily stored for use in the next step S23 (S22). .

Then, the playback position specifying unit 24 obtains “PTS at a sent position” (see FIG. 4) from the distribution history storage unit 22, and subtracts the initial buffering time from the obtained PTS at the sent position. The reproduction position is specified in the time format (S23).

<< Reception process during playback >>
The reception process during reproduction (FIG. 9) is a process performed in parallel with the streaming distribution, and is a process related to various receptions from the reproduction apparatus 100 side.

First, the distribution control unit 18 waits until the receiving unit 26 receives (S31).

If there is a reception in the reception unit 26 (S31: Yes), the distribution control unit 18 controls to perform processing based on the reception content if the reception content is not fast-forward or skip (S32: Other). (S38). For example, if the receiving unit 26 receives a chapter skip return (reverse skip) while the distribution unit 20 is distributing the middle part of the main part 3 that is the chapter of the content A, the distribution control unit 18 distributes the top position of the main part 3 And the distribution unit 20 performs streaming distribution.

On the other hand, if the received content is fast forward or skip (S32: fast forward or skip), the distribution control unit 18 acquires the playback position at that time from the playback position specifying unit (S33).

Then, the distribution control unit 18 refers to the content management information storage unit 16 to identify the chapter corresponding to the acquired reproduction position, and acquires the attribute of the chapter. For example, if the reproduction position is PTS and “15:30” is acquired, the distribution control unit 18 specifies that the chapter is “CM1” and acquires the prohibited attribute.

Subsequently, the distribution control unit 18 makes a determination based on the acquired attribute, and if it is determined that the attribute is permitted (S35: permission), the process proceeds to step S38 where processing based on the received content is performed.

On the other hand, when the distribution control unit 18 determines that the attribute is prohibited (S35: prohibited), the distribution unit 20 temporarily interrupts the distribution (S36).

After the interruption, the distribution control unit 18 sets the start position of the chapter identified in step S34 as the distribution start position, and causes the distribution unit 20 to resume streaming distribution (S37).

<Specific example>
The overview of the first embodiment has been described above, and then a specific example will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing cuts 31 to 35 before and after CM1 of the chapter shown in FIG.

Cut 31 (14:58) is the last cut of the main part 1.

Cut 32 (15:00), cut 33 (15:30), and cut 34 (15:58) are cuts included in CM1. CM1 is a commercial that promotes the launch of new products.

Cut 35 (16:02) is the first cut in the main part 2.

Note that the numbers in parentheses above are the PTS for each cut.

Hereinafter, a case where the playback apparatus 100 accepts a skip operation to the main chapter 2, which is the next chapter, at the time when the playback apparatus 100 plays back the cut 33 (15:30) in the middle of CM1 will be described as an example. I will explain. FIG. 11 shows a sequence between the content distribution apparatus 10 and the playback apparatus 100 in this case, and FIG. 12 shows display transitions on the display 102 of the playback apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 11, the playback device 100 first establishes a TCP session with the content distribution device 10 (S41).

Subsequently, when the playback device 100 accepts the content A acquisition request instruction via the remote controller 104 (S42), it transmits a stream data acquisition request to the content distribution device 10 (S43).

When the content distribution apparatus 10 receives the stream data acquisition request, the acquisition request does not include the range designation information, and therefore, it is determined to transmit from the top of the content A. Then, streaming distribution is started from the head of the determined content A (S44), and the playback device 100 that has received the distribution starts playback of the content A (S45).

When about 15 minutes and 30 seconds have elapsed from the start of playback of content A and CM1 is being played back, playback device 100 accepts a skip request to main chapter 2 of the next chapter via remote controller 104 (S46).

Subsequently, the playback device 100 once disconnects and reestablishes the TCP session with the content distribution device 10 (S47, S48).

Then, the playback device 100 transmits a stream data acquisition request to the content distribution device 10 (S49). This acquisition request includes information (range designation information) that designates the main part 2 of the content A as the distribution start position.

Upon receiving the acquisition request, the content distribution apparatus 10 determines that the received content is skipped (FIG. 8, S32: fast forward or skip), and is 15 minutes 30 seconds specified by the playback position specifying process (see FIG. 7). The reproduction position is acquired (S33 in FIG. 8).

Then, it is determined that the chapter is CM1 from the playback position of 15 minutes 30 seconds (S34), and it is determined that the attribute of CM1 is prohibited (S35: Prohibited).

Since CM1 is a prohibited section, the content distribution apparatus 10 determines the head position of CM1 as a distribution target without following the skip request (S50), and resumes streaming distribution from the head of CM1 (S51). Upon receiving this distribution, the playback apparatus 100 starts playback from the beginning of CM1 (S52).

As shown in FIG. 12, from the user who views the playback apparatus 100, since the skip request is made at the time of 15 minutes and 30 seconds in the middle of CM1, the playback time is rewound to the beginning of CM1, and viewing from the beginning of CM1 is performed again. It will be different.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prompt the user who views the playback apparatus 100 to watch CM1 once through the CM1 from the beginning to the end.

In particular, in the example of FIG. 12, the playback apparatus 100 plays back the first half of the CM (15:00 to 15:30) twice, so a strong advertising effect can be expected.
(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, it is described that the detection unit 28 detects special reproduction such as skip and fast-forward based on the content received by the reception unit 26.

In contrast, in the second embodiment, the bit rate of the distribution history storage unit 22 is monitored, and fast-forwarding or skip is detected based on the monitored change in the bit rate.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the distribution apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment. Constituent elements common to those in FIG. The bit rate monitoring unit 30 monitors the effective bit rate stored in the distribution history storage unit 22.

Subsequently, the fast-forward detection process performed mainly by the bit rate monitoring unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

The fast-forwarding detection process is a process performed during streaming delivery, and the bit rate monitoring unit 30 monitors the effective bit rate stored in the delivery history storage unit 22 (S61).

After the initial buffering is completed (S62: Yes), the detection unit 28 determines the effective bit rate monitored by the bit rate monitoring unit 30 and the reproduction bit rate of the content management information storage unit 16 during streaming delivery. Compare (S63).

For example, if the playback position is specified as “15:30” by the playback position specifying unit 24, it is determined that the chapter CM1 of the content A is currently being streamed, and the playback bit rate used for comparison at this time is 20Mbps.

As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that the effective bit rate is larger than the reproduction bit rate (S63: Yes), the detection unit 28 detects it as fast-forwarding (S64). FIG. 15 shows an image of the determination in step S63.

Note that, in the determination in step S63, not the relationship of effective bit rate> reproduction bit rate, but when the effective bit rate greatly exceeds the reproduction bit rate, for example, when effective bit rate> reproduction bit rate × 2. Alternatively, it may be detected as fast-forwarding.

In the above description, the fast-forward detection is described. However, a skip may be detected based on a change in the bit rate. For example, based on the fact that the playback bit rate has suddenly changed from 24 Mbps to 16 Mbps using the fact that the playback bit rate is different between the main part of the permitted section and the CM of the prohibited section as shown in FIG. It is conceivable to detect that this is a skip to main part 3.
<Supplement 1>
Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described contents, and can be implemented in various forms for achieving the object of the present invention and the object related or incidental thereto. It does not matter.

(1) As shown in FIG. 12, it is difficult to predict that a user who has given a skip instruction in the middle of CM1 will be rewound to the head of CM1 due to the skip instruction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, the telop cut 38 may be distributed (the telop is inserted) before the reproduction position enters the prohibited section called CM1. As a specific implementation method, a telop video is stored in the content storage unit 14 in advance. Then, the distribution control unit 18 first reads out the telop video stored in the content storage unit 14 instead of the CM 1 before sending the end of the main part 1 and sending the head of the CM 1, and sends it to the distribution unit 20. Let it be delivered. As a result, the playback apparatus 100 performs playback in the order of the end of the main part 1 → telop → CM1.

In the telop cut 38 in FIG. 16, a telop “CM cannot be skipped / fast-forwarded” is displayed, and the intention of the content provider can be communicated to the user.

In FIG. 16, the text-format telop is used, but a telop including an icon or a picture that prompts the user to view the CM may be used instead of the text.

(2) In the embodiment, it has been described that the playback position in the playback device 100 is specified on the content distribution device 10 side, but this is not a limitation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 17, a packet including reproduction position information indicating the current reproduction position is periodically transmitted from the reproduction apparatus 100 to the content distribution apparatus 10 (for example, every second). Then, the content distribution apparatus 10 may specify the reproduction position based on the received reproduction position information.

(3) In the embodiment, the video content has been described as an example of the content. However, the content may be of a type having a reproduction time, and may be music content, for example.

(4) In the embodiment, CM is given as an example of a section in which skip / fast-forward is prohibited. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a notification video from a service operating company such as the content server 2 or a content creator's It may be a section that prohibits skipping and fast-forwarding the copyright notice.

(5) In the embodiment, the content distribution apparatus 10 has been described as receiving content from the content server 2 via the WAN 4 network. However, the content distribution device 10 is not limited thereto, and receives content transmitted as a broadcast wave from a broadcasting station. It doesn't matter.

In particular, if this content is a program content, the content of program information (for example, EPG: Electronic Program Guide) can be used as management information in the content management information storage unit 16.

(6) In the embodiment, it has been described that when skipping or fast-forwarding is accepted when the specified playback position is in the prohibited section, rewinding to the beginning of the chapter in the prohibited section is not necessarily the beginning.

In short, it is only necessary to show the prohibited section such as a CM once through the user from the beginning to the end. For example, it is within the prohibited section and is in front of the playback position specified at the reception time. You may return to the time. For example, in FIG. 12, skipping is accepted at “15:30”, so streaming delivery may be resumed from “15:20” 10 seconds before.

(7) Specific examples of the content distribution apparatus 10 include an HDD recorder (hard disk recorder), a PC (personal computer), and the like.

Also, specific examples of the playback apparatus 100 include a BD player (Blu-ray Disc player), a PC (personal computer), and the like.

(8) In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the special reproduction permission / prohibition attribute is set in units of chapters. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is only necessary to set the attribute in association with the reproduction position of the content.

For example, an attribute may be set for each content scene, such as a scene 5 permission attribute and a scene 6 prohibition attribute.

Also, the attribute may be set in units of playback time, such as the allowed attribute for playback time “10: 00-15: 00” and the prohibited attribute for playback time “15: 00-16: 00”.

(9) In the embodiment, the initial buffer time is obtained by (Equation 3) obtained by dividing the initial buffer size by the effective bit rate, but is not limited thereto.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the initial buffer, there is a relationship of effective bit rate> reproduction bit rate, but after the initial buffer is finished, there is a relationship of effective bit rate <reproduction bit rate.

For this reason, at the initial stage of streaming delivery, the time when the effective bit rate> the playback bit rate may be adopted as the initial buffer time.

(10) Each functional block in FIG. 2 or the like may be an LSI that is an integrated circuit. These may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include a part or all of them. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing the LSI or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used. Further, if integrated circuit technology comes out to replace LSI's as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or a derivative other technology, it is naturally also possible to carry out function block integration using this technology.

(11) Recording a control program including a program code for causing a processor of various information processing apparatuses and various circuits connected to the processor to perform the operations described in the above-described embodiments, on a recording medium; Alternatively, it can be distributed and distributed via various communication channels.

Such recording media include non-transitory recording media such as IC cards, hard disks, optical disks, flexible disks, and ROMs.

The distributed and distributed control program is used by being stored in a memory or the like that can be read by the processor, and the processor executes the control program to perform various functions as shown in the embodiment. It will be realized.
<Supplement 2>
The present embodiment includes the following aspects.

(1) The content distribution apparatus according to the embodiment includes a first storage unit that stores content, and a prohibited section that indicates prohibition when performing special playback that shortens the playback time compared to normal playback. Second storage means for storing in association with a position; distribution means for streaming distribution of the content to a reproduction apparatus; identification means for specifying a reproduction position in the reproduction apparatus for the content being streamed; and the streaming distribution If the content is being detected by the detection means for detecting switching to the special reproduction and the detection means, and the reproduction position specified by the specification means at the time of detection is within the prohibited section, the distribution means From the specified playback position within the prohibited section. And a distribution control means for playback position to resume streaming from the time the front.

(2) In the distribution control means, the time point within the prohibited section and before the specified playback position may be the first time point within the prohibited section.

According to this configuration, the distribution control means returns the playback position to the head of the prohibited section and restarts streaming distribution, so that the user can view the prohibited section more reliably.

(3) The special playback may be skip or fast forward.

(4) The second storage unit includes a monitoring unit that stores a reproduction bit rate of the content in association with a reproduction position of the content and monitors a distribution bit rate of streaming distribution by the distribution unit, and the detection unit includes the detection unit When it is detected that the distribution bit rate monitored by the monitoring unit is larger than the reproduction bit rate stored by the second storage unit for the content being streamed, it is detected that the switching to the special reproduction is performed. It doesn't matter.

(5) A reception unit that receives a request indicating the special reproduction from the reproduction device is provided, and the detection unit detects that the request is to switch to the special reproduction when the request indicating the special reproduction is received by the reception unit. It does not matter.

(6) The first storage means stores a telop indicating that the special reproduction is prohibited, and when the reproduction position specified by the specifying means reaches the start position of the prohibited section indicating the special reproduction prohibited, The distribution control means causes the distribution means to distribute the telop stored in the first storage means before distributing the content corresponding to the prohibited section, and after the distribution of the telop, the content corresponding to the prohibited section is distributed. It does not matter if it is distributed.

According to this configuration, it is possible to inform the user that special playback is prohibited, which contributes to improved usability.

(7) The second storage means stores a reproduction bit rate corresponding to the reproduction position of the content, and further, an effective bit rate of distribution by the distribution means and a PTS (Presentation Time) corresponding to already distributed data A history storage means for storing a history including time information indicating a stamp), and the specifying means includes an effective bit rate included in the history stored in the history storage means and a reproduction bit stored in the second storage means Based on the rate, an initial buffering time in which the effective bit rate is larger than the playback bit rate is determined, and after the determination, the determined initial buffering time is subtracted from the playback time indicated in the time information. Thus, the playback position in the playback device may be specified.

(8) The content distribution method according to the embodiment stores content and a prohibited section indicating the prohibition in special playback that is shorter in playback time than normal playback in association with the playback position of the content. A content delivery method for a playback device in a delivery device, wherein a delivery step for streaming delivery of the content to the playback device, and a specifying step for specifying a playback position on the playback device for the content being streamed, For the content being streamed, a detection step for detecting switching to the special playback and detection by the detection means, and if the playback position specified by the specification means at the time of detection is within the prohibited section, The streaming means interrupts streaming distribution Than the specified playback position A within the prohibited section and a distribution control step of reproducing position to resume streaming from the time the front.

(9) The program according to the embodiment stores a prohibited section indicating a prohibition in performing special playback in which the playback time is shorter than normal playback in association with the content and the playback position of the content. In the above, a program for causing a playback device to execute content delivery processing, the content delivery processing includes a delivery step of streaming delivery of the content to the playback device, and the playback device for the content being streamed. A specifying step for specifying a playback position in the video, a detecting step for detecting switching to the special playback for the content being streamed, and a detection that is detected by the detecting means, and the playback specified by the specifying means at the time of detection. If the position is within the prohibited zone , The distribution means interrupt the streaming in, and a distribution control step of reproducing position to resume streaming from the time the front than the specified playback position A within the prohibited section.

According to the content distribution apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the CM sales promotion effect by suppressing special reproduction such as a CM section in the content, and contribute to the promotion of the content industry.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1

System

10,11 Content delivery apparatus 12 Communication part 14 Content storage part 16 Content management information storage part 18 Distribution control part 20 Distribution part 22 Distribution log | history storage part 24 Playback position specification part 26 Reception part 28 Detection part 31 Cut of the main part 1 32 , 33, 34 Cut of CM1 35 Cut of main part 2 38 Cut of telop 100 Playback device

Claims

First storage means for storing content;
Second storage means for storing a prohibition section indicating prohibition in special playback that shortens playback time from normal playback in association with a playback position of the content;
Distribution means for streaming the content to a playback device;
A means for specifying a playback position in the playback device for the content being streamed;
Detecting means for detecting switching to the special playback for the content being streamed;
If detection is made by the detection means, and the playback position specified by the specifying means at the time of detection is within the prohibited section, the distribution means interrupts streaming distribution, and is specified within the prohibited section and the specified A content distribution apparatus comprising: distribution control means for restarting streaming distribution from a point in time when the reproduction position is closer to the reproduction position.
2. The time point in the distribution control means within the prohibited section and before the specified playback position is the leading time in the prohibited section. Content distribution device.
The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special reproduction is skipping or fast-forwarding.
The second storage means stores the playback bit rate of the content in association with the playback position of the content;
Monitoring means for monitoring a distribution bit rate of streaming distribution by the distribution means;
When the detection unit detects that the distribution bit rate monitored by the monitoring unit is greater than the reproduction bit rate stored by the second storage unit for the content being streamed, the switching to the special reproduction is performed. The content distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution device is detected as being.
Receiving means for receiving a request indicating the special playback from the playback device;
The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects that switching to the special playback is performed when a request indicating the special playback is received by the receiving unit.
The first storage means stores a telop indicating that the special reproduction is prohibited,
When the playback position specified by the specifying means reaches the start position of the prohibited section indicating prohibition of special playback, the distribution control means, before causing the distribution means to distribute the content corresponding to the prohibited section, The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the telop stored in the first storage unit is distributed, and the content corresponding to the prohibited section is distributed after the telop is distributed.
The second storage means stores a reproduction bit rate corresponding to the reproduction position of the content,
And a history storage means for storing a history including an effective bit rate of delivery by the delivery means and time information indicating a PTS (Presentation Time Stamp) corresponding to the delivered data,
The specifying means is a time when the effective bit rate is larger than the reproduction bit rate based on the effective bit rate included in the history stored in the history storage means and the reproduction bit rate stored in the second storage means. Determine some initial buffering time,
The content distribution device according to claim 1, wherein after the determination, the playback position in the playback device is specified by subtracting the determined initial buffering time from the playback time indicated in the time information.
A content delivery method for a playback device in a content delivery device that stores a content and a prohibited section indicating prohibition in special playback that shortens playback time compared to normal playback in association with the playback position of the content. ,
A distribution step of streaming distributing the content to the playback device;
A specifying step of specifying a playback position in the playback device for the content being streamed;
A detection step of detecting switching to the special playback for the content being streamed;
If detection is made by the detecting means and the playback position specified by the specifying means at the time of detection is within the prohibited section, the distribution means interrupts streaming distribution, and the specified position is within the prohibited section and the specified And a delivery control step of restarting streaming delivery from a time point at which the playback position is before the playback position.
In a content distribution device that stores a content and a prohibited section indicating prohibition when performing special reproduction in which the reproduction time is shorter than normal reproduction in association with the reproduction position of the content, the content distribution processing for the reproduction device is executed. A program for
The content distribution process includes:
A distribution step of streaming distributing the content to the playback device;
A specifying step of specifying a playback position in the playback device for the content being streamed;
A detection step of detecting switching to the special playback for the content being streamed;
If detection is made by the detection means, and the playback position specified by the specifying means at the time of detection is within the prohibited section, the distribution means interrupts streaming distribution, and is specified within the prohibited section and the specified And a delivery control step for resuming streaming delivery from a time point at which the playback position is before the playback position.