Content use system and server and content use method

Abstract

To provide a content use system that can utilize a content asset.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, a content use system comprises a database accumulating digitized data and a server accessible to the database. The server comprises means for generating use data and delivery means. The means for generating a use data generates use data in accordance with a requirement specification from the user from content data. The delivery means delivers the generated use data to users.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a content utilization system, a server, and a content utilization method. [Background technology]

[0002] It is still fresh in our memory that some of the TV stations in Tokyo have started IP simulcasting. Just as the telephone network has been almost entirely replaced by IP (Internet Protocol) from ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network), the broadcasting system is also in the process of being replaced. In other words, broadcast content distribution services based on IP technology are on the rise. As a result, it is becoming difficult to make a profit using the traditional advertising revenue model. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-6511 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2002-73830 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2004-334388 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Broadcasting systems have a huge amount of content assets. If we could utilize the content assets accumulated by broadcasting stations, it would be possible to create new markets. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a content utilization system, a server, and a content utilization method that can effectively utilize content assets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an embodiment, a content utilization system includes a database that accumulates digitized content data, and a server that can access the database. The server includes a utilization data creation means and a distribution means. The utilization data creation means creates utilization data from the content data for each preregistered user according to a specification required by the user. The distribution means distributes the created utilization data to the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an example of a content usage system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a content usage system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the server 200. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of service provision in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of service provision in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of service provision in the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining how different user needs can be solved by the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a broadcasting station's business model, looking from the present to the future. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an example of a content usage system according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, a cloud 400 includes a server 200 and a database 300. The cloud 400 may take the form of, for example, SaaS (Software as a Service), which provides an application (software) as a service. The cloud 400 may be operated by, for example, a service provider that encourages secondary use of various contents. For example, a vendor (system vendor) that supplies a master system to a broadcasting station may become a service provider in cooperation with the broadcasting station.

[0008] The broadcast station 100A accumulates broadcast data 700A in a local database privately constructed within the station. The broadcast station 100N acquires broadcast data 700 from a video server on the IP network 500 and broadcasts it within its own broadcast area. In the embodiment, in addition to the above, a technique for encouraging secondary use of broadcast data for various users will be described.

[0009] The broadcasting stations 100A to 100N can access the server 200 and receive services from the cloud 400. For example, users such as content distribution businesses, local governments, regional public organizations, corporations, or individuals can also access the cloud 400 and obtain data in a format they desire. Users are registered in advance with the service provider. The users make an agreement in advance with the service provider on the specifications (required specifications) of the secondary use data they desire, the details of charges, and the like.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a content usage system according to an embodiment. In Fig. 2, a server 200 is a computer, and includes a processor 21, a read only memory (ROM) 23, and a random access memory (RAM) 24. The server 200 further includes a storage unit 22 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a communication unit 25, and an optical media drive 26.

[0011] The ROM 23 stores basic programs such as a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) and a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), various setting data, etc. The RAM 24 temporarily stores the programs and data loaded from the storage unit 22.

[0012] The optical media drive 26 reads digital data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM 27. Various programs executed by the server 200 are recorded on, for example, the CD-ROM 27 and distributed. The programs stored on the CD-ROM 27 are read by the optical media drive 26 and installed in the storage unit 22.

[0013] The communication unit 25 is an interface that enables the server 200 to access the database 300, and interprets a protocol for communicating with the cloud 400, for example. The database 300 stores content data 30a, typically broadcast content, metadata 30b associated with the content data 30a, and secondary use data 30c generated by processing these data. Both the content data 30a and the secondary use data 30c may be in, for example, an MXF file format that is advantageous for data distribution, and the metadata 30b may be data in, for example, a CSV format or a general-purpose text format.

[0014] Various programs executed by the server 200 can be downloaded from the server via the communication unit 25, for example, and installed in the storage unit 22. The latest programs can also be downloaded from the cloud 400 via the communication unit 25, and the installed programs can be updated. The processor 21 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU), and executes an operating system (OS) and various application programs.

[0015] The processor 21 also includes an application data creation unit 21a, a delivery unit 21b, and a conversion unit 21c as processing functions according to the embodiment. These functional blocks can be understood as processes that are generated in the course of execution of a program 22a stored in the storage unit 22, which is loaded into the RAM 24. In other words, the program 22a causes the server 200 to operate as the application data creation unit 21a, the delivery unit 21b, and the conversion unit 21c.

[0016] The usage data creation unit 21a creates secondary usage data 30c from the content data 30a for each pre-registered user according to the specifications required by that user. That is, the content data 30a is processed to create secondary usage data for each user. If necessary, the usage data creation unit 21a also refers to the metadata 30b of the original content data 30a to prepare secondary usage data 30c according to the user's request.

[0017] Metadata is, for example, the broadcast date and time of commercial (commercial message) content. Other attributes that can be metadata include information about the product promoted by the commercial content, the provider (sponsor), the performers, the age, sex, and generation of the promotional target, the start and end times of the commercial broadcast, whether or not subtitles are present, the industry, the product name, the content, and the image resolution (low-res, HD, 4K image, etc.). In particular, when handling data in MXF file format, both commercial content and program content are accompanied by detailed metadata. Note that metadata can also be understood as broadcast operation data for operating a broadcasting system.

[0018] The delivery unit 21b delivers the secondary use data 30c created by the use data creation unit 21a to the destination user. The conversion unit 21c converts, for example, broadcast data 700A stored in a tape archive device of the broadcast station 100A into digital data with the consent of the broadcast station 100A to generate content data 30a. Note that it is not essential to provide a function of generating content data from broadcast data as a function of the server 200. For example, the broadcast station may generate content data by itself and upload it to the database 300. Alternatively, conversely, the function of the conversion unit 21c may be implemented in the cloud 400 and made available as a service of the cloud 400.

[0019] Furthermore, a billing server 600 may be provided in the cloud 400. The billing server 600 is responsible for processing to bill users registered with the service provider according to the required specifications of the secondary use data. For example, the billing server 600 can bill users based on a flat-rate service (subscription format) according to the rank of the contract contents.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure by the server 200. The server 200 generates content data 30a from broadcast data accumulated in a broadcast station, for example, and stores the content data 30a in the database 300 (step S1). The server 200 also creates secondary use data 30c for each registered user and stores the data in the database 300 (step S2). The server 200 then distributes the secondary use data 30c to each user (step S3). The above processing procedure is repeatedly executed. Note that steps S1 to S3 do not have to be executed in this order, and any of the steps may be executed simultaneously in parallel. Next, multiple embodiments will be described based on the above configuration.

[0021] [First embodiment] 4 is a diagram showing an example of service provision in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a case is assumed in which a sales company (retailer) is the user. In this case, the usage data creation unit 21a creates secondary usage data 30c including a broadcast schedule of CM contents for promotion related to the sales company.

[0022] In Fig. 4, a product vendor (sales business operator) has a need to create a highly accurate production plan based on, for example, current inventory and demand forecast, taking into account the possibility of a supply and demand adjustment service in the future. Therefore, a broadcasting station / broadcasting vendor, as a service provider, provides retailers with the broadcasting dates of products featured in commercials and programs as a "broadcasting start date and time providing service." This broadcasting date is one form of secondary use data 30c generated from content data 30a and metadata 30b.

[0023] By knowing the broadcast date of a commercial related to a product in advance, retailers can optimize product inventory and product lineup. In addition, they can implement product lineup and pre-sales campaigns, change recommendation services, and develop efficient sales strategies. In other words, retailers who receive the service can obtain great benefits in return for the service contract, such as reviewing sales strategies, forecasting demand, providing feedback to future sales strategies, and even planning strategies for acquiring new revenues. For service providers, for example, broadcasting stations, they can charge in return for providing the service, so they can break away from dependence on advertising revenue models. In this way, according to the first embodiment, a win-win business model can be constructed for both the service recipient and the service provider. As a result, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a content utilization system, server, and content utilization method that can effectively utilize content assets.

[0024] [Second embodiment] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of service provision in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a case is assumed in which a distribution company is the user. In this case, the usage data creation unit 21a creates secondary usage data 30c including content data approved by a content holder different from the distribution company. For example, a case is assumed in which a distribution company secondary uses content assets of a local broadcasting station with permission.

[0025] In Fig. 5, local broadcasting stations can use the integrated master transmission function for three media (e.g., 2K / 4K / network distribution) as a service of the cloud 400. An infrastructure vendor acting as a service provider provides a cloud master provision service to local broadcasting stations. Simply put, the cloud master provision service is a service that implements the function of a master transmission device as a service of the cloud 400. Furthermore, the infrastructure vendor can also play a role in coordinating the net distribution service.

[0026] Different secondary use data 30c is generated for different distribution providers A, B, C, etc., and is distributed to each distribution provider A, B, C via a CDN (Contents Delivery Network). Each distribution provider can provide viewers with a wide selection of content, and can differentiate itself from other companies by receiving content that suits the characteristics of the provider from the broadcast data bank (server 200, database 300, cloud 400).

[0027] Furthermore, the distributor can obtain, for example, viewer rating data as the secondary use data 30c. By providing feedback to the next program production based on this viewer rating data, the distributor can expect to obtain new revenue.

[0028] In this way, the second embodiment also makes it possible to construct a business model that is advantageous for both service recipients and service providers, and therefore makes it possible to provide a content utilization system, server, and content utilization method that can make effective use of content assets.

[0029] [Third embodiment] 6 is a diagram showing an example of service provision in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the user is a local government. In this case, the usage data creation unit 21a extracts disaster information related to the registered local government from the content data 30a, and creates secondary usage data 30c including the disaster information.

[0030] Local governments often struggle to collect disaster information. Currently, indirect mechanisms are used, such as recognizing characters from a single frame of a captured television screen to obtain the latest disaster information. Therefore, broadcasting stations and broadcasting vendors, as service providers, extract disaster information from content data and provide it to local governments as a "disaster information service." In other words, by obtaining disaster information from content data provided by public infrastructure, highly reliable disaster information can be obtained more directly. In addition, it can be used to predict disasters and ensure the safety of local residents, and it can also have the effect of speeding up initial response and prediction by speeding up information understanding. Furthermore, it can be used to make it easier to grasp the damage situation or to feed back to disaster prediction, which is a great benefit for local residents from the perspective of disaster prevention. Service providers can also expect to earn new revenue by providing reliable disaster prevention information.

[0031] Therefore, the third embodiment also makes it possible to construct a business model that is advantageous for both service recipients and service providers, and to provide a content utilization system, server, and content utilization method that can make effective use of content assets.

[0032] 7 is a diagram for explaining how different user needs can be solved by the embodiment. The technical idea related to the embodiment can be expressed by the concept of Broadcast data as a Service (BaaS), which is centered on a broadcast data bank.

[0033] In FIG. 7, retailers can satisfy the need to "conduct efficient sales campaigns" by receiving a service (CM pre-broadcast schedule information service) from BaaS. By receiving services from BaaS (2K / 4K / online distribution 3-media integrated master + CDN linkage service), distribution companies can meet the need to "increase the amount of content available to broadcasters." By receiving services from BaaS (efficient disaster information collection and prediction services), local governments can solve the problem of "struggling to collect disaster information."

[0034] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a business model for broadcasting stations, looking ahead from the present to the future. Until now, broadcasting stations have mainly relied on advertising revenue as their main source of income. Instead, by digitizing accumulated broadcasting data and uploading it to the cloud 400, broadcasting stations can become, so to speak, operators of BaaS, and obtain new sources of income. It can be said that the technology described in the embodiment supports broadcasting stations to become such service providers. One possible candidate for such an entity to provide support is the supplier of the master equipment (infrastructure vendor). For infrastructure vendors as well, there is a possibility that new revenues will be generated by the creation of new markets and business opportunities.

[0035] As described above, in the embodiment, a system that is advantageous for all three parties, broadcast stations, users, and infrastructure vendors, can be constructed. In other words, according to the embodiment, it is possible to realize a system that can dig up broadcast data that is, so to speak, dormant at broadcast stations and revolutionize the value chain.

[0036] From the above, according to the above-mentioned embodiments, it is possible to provide a content utilization system, a server, and a content utilization method that can promote secondary use and reuse of accumulated content assets and effectively utilize content assets.Furthermore, it is possible to effectively utilize broadcast operation data.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, it is possible to implement a part or all of the functions of the server 200 in the cloud 400. Although the embodiment has been described as a SaaS form, other known cloud forms include PaaS (Platform as a Service), which provides a platform for running applications as a service, and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), which provides resources such as server devices, central processing units, and storage as a service (public cloud). The content utilization system of the embodiment can be realized in any form.

[0038] In addition, a program for realizing the content utilization system according to the embodiment can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The content utilization system can be realized by having a computer system read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium. The "computer system" may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0039] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 21...processor, 21a...usage data creation unit, 21b...distribution unit, 21c...conversion unit, 22...memory unit, 22a...program, 23...ROM, 24...RAM, 25...communication unit, 26...optical media drive, 30a...content data, 30b...metadata, 30c...secondary use data, 100A, 100N...broadcast station, 200...server, 300...database, 400...cloud, 500...IP network, 600...billing server, 700...broadcast data, 700A...broadcast data.

Claims

[Claim 1] A database for storing digitized content data; A server capable of accessing the database, The server, a usage data generating means for generating usage data corresponding to a specification required by each pre-registered user from the content data; a distribution means for distributing the created utilization data to the user.

Images