Presentation control device, presentation device, and program

Abstract

To provide a presentation control device and the like that allow a user to select and browse a web page from a related content list related to broadcast contents.SOLUTION: A presentation control device comprises a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata that is metadata related to contents, and that includes related content access method information representing, in association with broadcast contents, a method for accessing related contents that are contents related to the broadcast contents. When the related content access method information related to a specific broadcast content is requested from a browser, the metadata analysis unit responds to the browser with a list including the related content access method information representing a method for accessing the plurality of related contents. At least part of the related content access method information included in the list is location information representing a location of a web page.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a presentation control device, a presentation device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In terms of the method of presenting content, there is a demand for seamless transitions between broadcast content and online streaming video, between broadcast content and web pages, and between online streaming video and web pages.

[0003] As an example of a conventional technique, Patent Document 1 describes a television program related content providing system for providing information related to television programs to user terminals, etc. In the television program related content providing system of Patent Document 1, a live keyword tag sending unit sends out a live keyword tag to which a live keyword extracted from character information contained in various packets obtained by decomposing broadcast data is attached. An advertisement tag sending unit sends out an advertisement tag to which a character string linked to the live keyword is attached. A synchronized commercial sending unit provides commercial synchronized content related to the commercial data contained in the various packets. In the technique of Patent Document 1, voice analysis and natural language processing are used to extract relevance.

[0004] As an example of a conventional technique, Patent Document 2 describes a broadcast managed application presentation method. In the technique of Patent Document 2, a receiving unit in a digital broadcast receiver receives a broadcast program, application control information for managing a broadcast managed application, and a program identifier for identifying the broadcast program, in one of a first broadcast service and a second broadcast service. A control unit acquires the broadcast managed application based on the received application control information and presents it on an output unit. When switching from one broadcast service to the other broadcast service, if the program identifier of the broadcast program before the switch and the program identifier of the broadcast program after the switch match, the control unit continues presenting the broadcast managed application. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-059028 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-211434 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, a method of presenting content requires seamless transitions between broadcast content and online streaming video, between broadcast content and web pages, and between online streaming video and web pages. On the other hand, the technology described in Patent Document 1 assumes that related information will be provided to a user's device other than a television, and does not realize seamless transitions between broadcast content and web pages. In addition, the technology described in Patent Document 2 may be able to continue presenting a broadcast managed application even if the broadcast service is switched, but it is not possible to dynamically switch the content to be presented depending on the situation, such as whether the content is being broadcast or not.

[0007] The problems in the conventional technology are listed below.

[0008] [First issue] One of the problems with conventional web page presentation technology is that the means for accessing a web page from a PC (personal computer) and the like are different from the means for accessing a web page from a television receiver. In other words, when providing an application that assumes access to a web page to both a PC and a television receiver, there is a problem that transition processing must be implemented according to each device.

[0009] [Second issue] In addition, in the conventional technology, users had to check for themselves whether a particular broadcast content was being broadcast at a certain time, whether the broadcast content was being distributed as a catch-up broadcast on the Internet, or whether information on the broadcast content was provided as a web page. Users had to check these items by searching for the necessary information on the web or by checking an electronic program guide (to check whether the content was being broadcast), which was time-consuming.

[0010] [Third issue] In conventional technology, in order to provide web content (web pages) in association with broadcast content, it was necessary, for example, to present a two-dimensional code indicating the location of the web content to be provided on the screen of the broadcast content, or to have an application program linked to the broadcast content display a link so that the user could select the link, etc. In conventional technology, it was not possible to automatically present web content to a user based solely on a definition of the association between the broadcast content and the web content, etc.

[0011] The present invention has been made based on the above problem recognition. That is, in order to solve the third problem, the present invention provides a presentation control device, a presentation device, and a program that present a list of related content of a broadcast content by allowing the description of information on a web page as related content of the broadcast content in the metadata of the broadcast content, and allows a user to select and view a web page from the related content list. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] Several aspects of the present invention for solving the above problems are listed below.

[0013] [2023-041-1] One aspect of the present invention is a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the content metadata including location information of an alternative web page that is a web page that is an alternative to the broadcast content in a manner associated with the broadcast content, and location information of an application information table (AIT) that is information on an application program related to the broadcast content; and when a request for presentation of the alternative web page is received, (1) if the device itself is a hybridcast-compatible receiver, the metadata analysis unit reads and analyzes the content metadata including location information of an alternative web page that is a web page that is an alternative to the broadcast content in a manner associated with the broadcast content, and location information of an application information table (AIT) that is information on an application program related to the broadcast content. and (2) if the device itself is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver, a content transition control unit that acquires location information of the alternative web page from the metadata analysis unit and passes the location information of the alternative web page to the browser, thereby controlling the browser to present the alternative web page, wherein the application information table (AIT) holds the location information of the alternative web page.

[0014] [2023-041-2] One aspect of the present invention is a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the content metadata including location information of an alternative webpage that is a webpage that is a substitute for the broadcast content in a manner associated with the broadcast content, and location information of an application information table (AIT) that is information about an application program related to the broadcast content; and when presentation of the alternative webpage is requested, (1) if the device itself is a hybridcast-compatible receiver, reads and analyzes the content metadata from the metadata analysis unit. and (2) if the device is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver, acquires location information of the alternative web page from the metadata analysis unit and passes the location information of the alternative web page to the browser, thereby controlling the browser to present the alternative web page, wherein the application information table (AIT) holds location information of the alternative web page. This is a program for causing a computer to function as a presentation control device.

[0015] [2023-041-3] One aspect of the present invention includes a browser that presents a webpage based on specified location information, a broadcasting and communication linking function unit having a control function for hybridcast, which is a service linking broadcasting and communication, and a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the content metadata including location information of an alternative webpage that is a webpage that is a substitute for the broadcasting content in a form associated with the broadcasting content, and location information of an application information table (AIT) that is information on an application program related to the broadcasting content, when presentation of the alternative webpage is requested, (1) if the device itself is a hybridcast-compatible receiver, obtains from the metadata analysis unit location information of the application information table (AIT) associated with the broadcasting content related to the alternative webpage, and reads and analyzes the application information and (2) if the device itself is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver, a content transition control unit that controls the browser to present the alternative web page by acquiring location information of the alternative web page from the metadata analysis unit and passing the location information of the alternative web page to the browser, wherein the application information table (AIT) holds the location information of the alternative web page, and when the broadcasting and communication cooperation processing unit receives the location information of the application information table (AIT) from the content transition control unit, the broadcasting and communication cooperation processing unit acquires the application information table (AIT) and reads the location information of the alternative web page from the application information table (AIT) and passes it to the browser.

[0016] [2023-040-1] One aspect is a presentation control device including: a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the metadata being metadata related to content, including a broadcast start date and time of the broadcast content, an end date and time of the broadcast content, broadcast service identification information that is information that identifies a broadcast service that broadcasts the broadcast content, and alternative content access method information that represents a method of accessing alternative content that can be a substitute for the broadcast content, in a form associated with the broadcast content; and a content transition control unit that determines whether or not the broadcast content is being broadcast based on the broadcast start date and time acquired from the metadata analysis unit, the broadcast end date and time acquired from the metadata analysis unit, and a current date and time acquired from a clock, when presentation of the broadcast content is requested, and (1) if the broadcast content is being broadcast, the broadcast service identification information acquired from the metadata analysis unit is passed to a broadcast communication cooperation processing unit to instruct selection, thereby controlling the browser to present the broadcast content, and (2) if the broadcast content is not being broadcast, the content transition control unit that controls the browser to present the alternative content based on the alternative content access method information acquired from the metadata analysis unit.

[0017] [2023-040-2] One aspect is that in the presentation control device of [2023-040-1] above, the content transition control unit obtains location information for accessing an online-streamed video from the metadata analysis unit as the alternative content access method information, and passes the location information of the online-streamed video to the browser, thereby causing the browser to present the online-streamed video as the alternative content.

[0018] [2023-040-3] One aspect is that in the presentation control device of [2023-040-1] or [2023-040-2] above, the content transition control unit acquires location information for accessing a web page, or location information of an application information table (AIT) that holds the location information of the web page, as the alternative content access method information, and controls the browser to present the web page as the alternative content based on either the location information for accessing the web page or the location information of the application information table (AIT).

[0019] [2023-040-4] One aspect is a presentation control device that includes: a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the metadata being metadata related to content, including a broadcast start date and time of the broadcast content, an end date and time of the broadcast content, broadcast service identification information that is information that identifies a broadcast service that broadcasts the broadcast content, and alternative content access method information that represents a method of accessing alternative content that can be a substitute for the broadcast content, in a form associated with the broadcast content; and a content transition control unit that determines whether or not the broadcast content is being broadcast based on the broadcast start date and time acquired from the metadata analysis unit, the broadcast end date and time acquired from the metadata analysis unit, and a current date and time acquired from a clock, when presentation of the broadcast content is requested, and (1) if the broadcast content is being broadcast, the broadcast service identification information acquired from the metadata analysis unit is passed to a broadcast communication cooperation processing unit to instruct selection, thereby controlling the browser to present the broadcast content, and (2) if the broadcast content is not being broadcast, the content transition control unit that controls the browser to present the alternative content based on the alternative content access method information acquired from the metadata analysis unit.

[0020] [2023-040-5] One aspect of the present invention includes a browser that presents broadcast content, a web page, or an online distribution video; a broadcast communication cooperation function unit that controls the selection of a broadcast service when a selection instruction is received based on broadcast service identification information that is information that identifies a broadcast service; a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, which is metadata related to the content, including a broadcast start date and time of the broadcast content, a broadcast end date and time of the broadcast content, broadcast service identification information that is information that identifies a broadcast service that broadcasts the broadcast content, and alternative content access method information that represents an access method for alternative content that can be a substitute for the broadcast content, in a form associated with the broadcast content; and a content transition control unit that, when a request for presentation of a broadcast content is received, determines whether the broadcast content is currently being broadcast based on the broadcast start date and time obtained from the metadata analysis unit, the broadcast end date and time obtained from the metadata analysis unit, and the current date and time obtained from a clock, and (1) if the broadcast content is currently being broadcast, controls the browser to present the broadcast content by passing the broadcast service specific information obtained from the metadata analysis unit to a broadcast communication cooperation processing unit, and (2) if the broadcast content is not currently being broadcast, controls the browser to present the alternative content based on the alternative content access method information obtained from the metadata analysis unit.

[0021] [2023-042-1] One aspect is a presentation control device that includes a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, which is metadata related to content, and includes related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing related content, which is content related to the broadcast content, in a form associated with the broadcast content, and when the metadata analysis unit receives a request for related content access method information related to specific broadcast content from a browser, it responds to the browser with a list including the related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing a plurality of the related contents, at least a portion of the related content access method information included in the list is location information that indicates the location of a web page, and based on the list, the browser presents a related content list page that enables access to the related content.

[0022] [2023-042-2] One aspect is a program that causes a computer to function as a presentation control device, comprising: a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the content metadata being metadata related to content, the content metadata including related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing related content, which is content related to the broadcast content, in a form associated with the broadcast content; when the metadata analysis unit is requested by a browser for related content access method information related to specific broadcast content, the metadata analysis unit responds to the browser with a list including the related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing a plurality of the related contents, at least a portion of the related content access method information included in the list is location information that indicates the location of a web page, and based on the list, the browser presents a related content list page that enables access to the related content.

[0023] [2023-042-3] One aspect is a presentation device that includes a browser that presents a web page based on location information, and a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the content metadata including related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing related content, which is content related to the broadcast content, in a form associated with the broadcast content, wherein the metadata analysis unit, when requested by the browser for related content access method information related to specific broadcast content, responds to the browser with a list including the related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing a plurality of the related contents, at least a portion of the related content access method information included in the list is location information that indicates the location of a web page, and the browser presents a related content list page that enables access to the related content based on the list. Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, the presentation device can present a related content list including web pages as related content of broadcast content, and the related content can be presented in response to a request from a user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the presentation device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a sequence chart (1 / 2) illustrating the procedure of operations of the system according to the embodiment and interactions between the various parts. [Figure 4] 11 is a sequence chart (2 / 2) illustrating the procedure of operations of the system according to the embodiment and interactions between the various parts. [Diagram 5]10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the presentation device according to the embodiment presents a web page in a method according to the type of the device itself. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the presentation device according to the embodiment to present different forms of content (including alternative content) for broadcast content requested by a user in accordance with the content status. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing the process steps performed by the presentation device according to the embodiment to present a list of related content related to broadcast content to a user and to present selected related content (including cases where the selected related content is a web page). [Figure 8] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram (1 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram (2 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram (3 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram (4 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram (5 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram (6 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram (7 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram (8 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram (9 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram (10 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 18]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram (11 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram (12 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram (13 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram (14 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram (15 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram (16 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram (17 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram (18 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram (19 / 19) showing an example of content metadata according to the embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of each device (such as a presentation device) constituting the system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The system of this embodiment presents broadcast content, online streaming videos, and web pages equally to a user depending on the situation. As background, the content provided by broadcasters is not limited to broadcast content, but also includes online streaming videos and web pages. Web pages provide supplementary information and related information for broadcast content (programs). In this system, broadcasters provide users with web pages as one form of broadcast content. The presentation device presents web pages as alternative content to broadcasts based on structured data describing the web pages as one form of broadcast content. In the presentation device, for example, a content viewing application program runs.

[0027] In this embodiment, the means for solving the first problem described above is as follows. That is, in metadata having a description of a webpage (referred to as content metadata), both the URL information of the AIT for transitioning to the webpage in a television receiver having a broadcast communication cooperation function (a receiver compatible with hybrid cast) and the URL of the webpage itself are described. The application program accesses the target webpage by using the information of either URL according to the type of device on which the application program runs. That is, the presentation device of the embodiment implements an algorithm for realizing transition to a webpage according to the type of device used in the broadcast cooperation application program.

[0028] This solution has the effect of making it possible to develop a broadcast cooperative application program without being aware of the type of device on which it will operate.

[0029] The means for solving the second problem described above is as follows. That is, broadcast information, online distribution information, and web page information are described in metadata about broadcast content (content metadata). The presentation device changes the access destination to either broadcast, online distribution video, or web page based on the information in the content metadata and depending on the timing and situation of accessing the content, and presents the user with appropriate content in that situation. That is, in a situation where the presentation device cannot receive the broadcast content, the presentation device has a function of transitioning to an online distribution video or web page as an alternative to the broadcast content.

[0030] With this solution, when a user selects a content that he or she wants to view, the presentation device obtains and presents the content (broadcast content, Internet distribution content, or web pages) that is available at that time, including alternative content. The user can view or browse the content that the presentation device automatically selects and presents, without being aware of the timing of broadcasting, distribution, etc.

[0031] The solution to the third problem is as follows. That is, information on a web page can be described as related content in metadata about a broadcast content (content metadata). The presentation device implements an algorithm that has a function of presenting a web page as related content of the broadcast content.

[0032] This solution allows the presentation device to automatically find web pages related to the broadcast content by analyzing metadata (content metadata) related to the broadcast content, which means that the presentation device can easily implement transitions between the broadcast content and the web pages.

[0033] In the following explanation, URL is information (location information) that indicates the location of resources on the web, and is an abbreviation for Uniform Resource Locator. AIT is a table that describes information about application programs in hybridcast technology, and is an abbreviation for Application Information Table. GPS represents a system that measures positions based on radio signals from multiple artificial satellites, and is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. IP is a communication protocol that is widely used on the Internet, and is an abbreviation for Internet Protocol. PC is an abbreviation for Personal Computer.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a system according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the system 1 includes a presentation device (receiver) 10, a broadcast signal transmission device 20, a web server device 30, a content discovery server device 40, and a communication network 7. At least a part of the functions of each of the presentation device 10, the broadcast signal transmission device 20, the web server device 30, and the content discovery server device 40 can be realized by, for example, a computer and a program. Furthermore, each device has a storage means as necessary. The storage means is, for example, a variable in the program or a memory allocated by the execution of the program. Furthermore, non-volatile storage means such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a solid state drive (SSD) may be used as necessary. Furthermore, at least a part of the functions of each device may be realized as a dedicated electronic circuit rather than a program.

[0035] 1 shows one each of the presentation device 10, the broadcast signal transmitting device 20, the web server device 30, and the content discovery server device 40, but the number of each of these devices is arbitrary. The system 1 may be configured to include multiple presentation devices 10.

[0036] The presentation device 10 is a device that presents content to a user. The presentation device 10 may be a receiver that receives and presents broadcast content broadcast by a broadcast signal or communication content distributed via a communication network 7. The presentation device 10 can receive a broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast signal transmitting device 20. The presentation device 10 can also communicate with a web server device 30 and a content discovery server device 40 via the communication network 7. The presentation device 10 can communicate using a protocol such as IP.

[0037] The presentation device 10 may have the following variations. That is, the presentation device 10 may be (A) a receiver with a hybrid cast function, or (B) other devices. The (A) receiver with a hybrid cast function is a device (a so-called "television") that has a hybrid cast function and a function for receiving broadcast signals. The (B) other devices may be devices that do not have a hybrid cast function but have a function for receiving broadcast signals, or devices that do not have a function for receiving broadcast signals (PCs, tablet terminals, smartphones, etc.). It should be noted that, when the presentation device 10 is the “other device” of (B), the presentation device 10 does not have the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15.

[0038] The broadcast signal transmitting device 20 transmits a broadcast signal. The broadcast signal transmitting device 20 sends out the broadcast signal as a wireless signal (radio wave) or as a signal that uses a metal cable as a medium. A part of the function of controlling the broadcast signal transmitting device 20 may be realized by a computer.

[0039] The web server device 30 provides resources in response to a request from a client device (such as the presentation device 10). The web server device 30 can communicate with the presentation device 10 via the communication network 7. The web server device 30 can communicate using a protocol such as IP. The web server device 30 can provide online streaming videos, web pages, AIT, and the like in response to a request from the presentation device 10. The system 1 may be configured to include a plurality of web server devices 30. The web server device 30 providing online streaming videos, the web server device 30 providing web pages, and the web server device 30 providing AIT may be separate devices, or may be devices that have at least a part in common.

[0040] The content discovery server device 40 provides content metadata in response to a request from a client device (such as the presentation device 10). The content metadata is metadata about content that the presentation device can receive. The content discovery server device 40 can communicate with the presentation device 10 via the communication network 7. The content discovery server device 40 can communicate using a protocol such as IP. In addition to the above functions, the content discovery server device 40 may provide various information and functions for a broadcast receiver to discover content.

[0041] The content discovery server device 40 updates the content metadata stored in the device at necessary timing. For example, when the status of the online distribution video associated with the broadcast content changes from available to unavailable, or vice versa, the content discovery server device 40 updates the availability / unavailability information for the online distribution video. Alternatively, the URL information of the online video may be set as a valid value only when the online video is available. When the presentation device 10 requests content metadata, the content discovery server device 40 provides the presentation device 10 with the latest content metadata, i.e., the content metadata representing the current state.

[0042] The communication network 7 is a network that realizes communication between devices in the system 1. The communication network 7 may be, for example, the so-called "Internet." The communication network 7 may be realized as a wireless communication means or a wired communication means, or a combination thereof.

[0043] 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a presentation device according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the presentation device 10 includes a metadata analysis unit 13, a content transition control unit 14, a broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15, and a browser (presentation unit) 17. The functions of the metadata analysis unit 13 and the content transition control unit 14 may be collectively regarded as a "presentation control device 12." In other words, the presentation device 10 may include the presentation control device 12.

[0044] The metadata analysis unit 13 acquires content metadata from the content discovery server device 40 and analyzes the content of the content metadata. The metadata analysis unit 13 passes information on the analysis result of the content metadata to the content transition control unit 14 and the browser 17.

[0045] As described above, the content metadata may be updated on the content discovery server device 40 side. In such a case, the metadata analysis unit 13 acquires the updated content metadata. In other words, the metadata analysis unit 13 acquires the latest content metadata and analyzes such content metadata.

[0046] The metadata analysis unit 13 can perform the following analyses (1) to (3), for example.

[0047] (1) That is, the metadata analysis unit 13 may read content metadata including a URL (location information) of an alternative webpage that is an alternative to the broadcast content in association with the broadcast content, and a URL (location information) of an application information table (AIT) that is information on an application program related to the broadcast content. The metadata analysis unit 13 can analyze such content metadata to grasp the URL of the alternative webpage that is an alternative to the broadcast content in association with each broadcast content, and the URL of the application information table (AIT) that is information on an application program related to the broadcast content. The metadata analysis unit 13 can provide such information to, for example, the content transition control unit 14.

[0048] (2) The metadata analysis unit 13 may read and analyze content metadata including the broadcast start date and time of the broadcast content, the broadcast end date and time of the broadcast content, broadcast service specification information that specifies the broadcast service that broadcasts the broadcast content, and alternative content access method information that indicates a method of accessing alternative content that can be a substitute for the broadcast content, in a form associated with the broadcast content. The metadata analysis unit 13 may provide the content transition control unit 14 with the information on the broadcast start date and time and the broadcast end date and time of the broadcast content, the broadcast service specification information about the broadcast service that broadcasts the broadcast content, and the alternative content access method information that are obtained as a result. Note that, when the alternative content is a net distribution video, the alternative content access method information may be a URL (location information) for accessing the net distribution video, etc. Also, when the alternative content is a web page, the alternative content access method information may be the URL (location information) of the web page, or may be the URL (location information) of an application information table (AIT) that holds the URL (location information) of the web page.

[0049] (3) The metadata analysis unit 13 may also read and analyze content metadata including related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing related content, which is content related to the broadcast content, in a manner associated with the broadcast content. Based on such an analysis result, when the metadata analysis unit 13 is requested by the browser 17 for related content access method information related to a specific broadcast content, the metadata analysis unit 13 can respond to the browser 17 with a list of related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing multiple related contents. Note that at least a part of the related content access method information included in the list may be location information that indicates the location of a web page.

[0050] The content transition control unit 14 acquires necessary information from the metadata analysis unit 13, and instructs the browser 17 on the transition destination according to the information. The content transition control unit 14 also instructs the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 to select a broadcast channel. The content transition control unit 14 can receive instructions from the user via the browser 17.

[0051] The content transition control unit 14 can refer to a clock function (not shown) provided in the presentation device to obtain information on time (current time, current date and time) required for controlling content transition. The content transition control unit 14 can obtain information on the year, month, date, hour, minute, and second at that time from this clock function. The content transition control unit 14 may obtain time information in units of less than a second from the clock function as necessary. The content transition control unit 14 may also obtain time zone information from the clock function.

[0052] A specific example of the control performed by the content transition control unit 14 is as follows (1) or (2).

[0053] (1) Obtaining a web page in a manner appropriate to the type of device When a request is made to present an alternative web page (for example, a web page as an alternative content that substitutes for broadcast content), the content transition control unit 14 makes a determination based on the type of its own device (the presentation device 10). Specifically, the content transition control unit 14 determines whether its own device (the presentation device 10) is a hybridcast-compatible receiver or another device by referring to User-Agent information held by the browser 17. Depending on the determination result, the content transition control unit 14 switches between the following two types of processing. If the own device (the presentation device 10) is a hybridcast-compatible receiver, the content transition control unit 14 acquires, from the metadata analysis unit 13, the URL (location information) of an application information table (AIT) associated with the broadcast content related to the alternative web page. The content transition control unit 14 passes the URL (location information) of the application information table (AIT) to the broadcast communication cooperation processing unit 15, thereby controlling the browser 17 to present the alternative web page. On the other hand, if the device itself (presentation device 10) is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver, the content transition control unit 14 obtains the URL (location information) of the alternative web page from the metadata analysis unit 13, and passes the URL (location information) of the alternative web page to the browser, thereby controlling the browser 17 to present the alternative web page.

[0054] (2) Controlling the presentation of alternative content according to the content delivery situation The content transition control unit 14 can obtain the broadcast start date and time and the broadcast end date and time for a specific broadcast content from the metadata analysis unit 13. The broadcast start date and time and the broadcast end date and time are information that were originally described in the content metadata read by the metadata analysis unit 13. The content transition control unit 14 can also obtain information on the current date and time from the obtained clock. The content transition control unit 14 determines whether or not the broadcast content is currently being broadcast based on the broadcast start date and time and the broadcast end date and time and the current date and time. Then, the content transition control unit 14 determines which content to control to present based on the result of this determination.

[0055] Specifically, when the broadcast content is being broadcast, the content transition control unit 14 passes the broadcast service identification information acquired from the metadata analysis unit 13 to the broadcast communication cooperation processing unit 15 to instruct the selection of the broadcast service. The broadcast service identification information is information that can uniquely determine a broadcast service, and is, for example, a combination of an original network ID, a transport stream ID, and a service ID. The broadcast service identification information is information that has been described in the content metadata in a form associated with the broadcast content. That is, the content transition control unit 14 controls the browser 17 to present the broadcast content. On the other hand, when the broadcast content is not being broadcast, the content transition control unit 14 controls the browser to present the alternative content based on the alternative content access method information acquired from the metadata analysis unit 13. The alternative content access method information is information on a method for accessing the alternative content, and specifically, for example, is a URL (location information) of a net distribution video, a URL (location information) of a web page, or a URL (location information) of an application information table (AIT) that stores the URL (location information) of the web page.

[0056] The alternative content may be, for example, an online video or a web page. That is, the content transition control unit 14 can obtain, as the alternative content access method information, a URL (location information) for accessing the online video from the metadata analysis unit 13, and pass the URL (location information) of the online video to the browser 17, thereby controlling the browser 17 to present the online video as the alternative content. Alternatively, the content transition control unit 14 can obtain, as the alternative content access method information, a URL (location information) for accessing a web page, or a URL (location information) of an application information table (AIT) that holds the URL (location information) of the web page, from the metadata analysis unit 13, and control the browser 17 to present the web page as the alternative content based on either the URL (location information) of the web page or the URL (location information) of the application information table (AIT).

[0057] In the above, the content transition control unit 14 can directly pass the URL (location information) of a webpage to the browser 17, thereby causing the browser 17 to present the webpage. The content transition control unit 14 can also pass the URL (location information) of an application information table (AIT) to the broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15. In this case, the broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 acquires the application information table (AIT) and extracts the URL (location information) of the target webpage from the application information table (AIT). Then, the broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 passes the URL (location information) of the webpage to the browser 17, thereby causing the browser 17 to present the webpage.

[0058] The broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 has a function to realize cooperation between broadcasting and communication (a control function of Hybridcast). The broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 is a function possessed by a television receiver compatible with Hybridcast. The broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 acquires an application information table (AIT) required to start a broadcasting cooperation application program from the web server device 30. Furthermore, the broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 controls the operation of selecting a channel and the operation of transitioning to a web page based on the information of the acquired AIT.

[0059] Specifically, the broadcast communication cooperation processing unit 15 can receive broadcast service identification information for identifying a broadcast service and tune the broadcast service. The broadcast communication cooperation processing unit 15 can also acquire the URL (location information) of an application information table (AIT) and acquire the application information table (AIT) indicated by the URL (location information). Furthermore, the broadcast communication cooperation processing unit 15 can extract the URL (location information) of a webpage from the application information table (AIT) and pass the URL (location information) of the webpage to the browser 17, thereby causing the browser 17 to acquire and present the webpage.

[0060] The browser 17 provides a user interface. The browser 17 has a function of presenting content to the user. The browser 17 is also called a "presentation unit." The browser 17 presents content such as broadcast content, online streaming videos, and web pages. Specifically, the browser 17 displays images, videos, text, and the like on a display device, and outputs audio from speakers, etc. (including earphones, etc.). Furthermore, the browser 17 accepts instructions based on user operations, etc. The function of the browser 17 to present content, etc. may be realized by existing technology.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the browser 17 may receive a URL from the content transition control unit 14 or the broadcast / communication cooperation function unit 15, and may acquire and present a web page indicated by the URL. The browser 17 may also present broadcast content received by the presentation device 10. The browser 17 may also present broadcast content distributed by a broadcast service selected by the broadcast / communication cooperation function unit 15. The browser 17 may receive a URL from the content transition control unit 14, and may acquire and present an online streaming video indicated by the URL. The browser 17 may also present a page of a related content list based on a related content list (a list of information about content related to a certain content (broadcast content)) passed from the content transition control unit 14. The browser 17 may also acquire and present content selected by the user from the related content list. The related content may be broadcast content, an online streaming video, or a web page.

[0062] The aforementioned "presentation control device 12" has the functions of the metadata analysis unit 13 and the functions of the content transition control unit 14. That is, the presentation control device 12 controls the presentation of content in the presentation device 10. In other words, the presentation control device 12 analyzes the description of the received content metadata, and controls the transition of content and the presentation of content according to the description.

[0063] Next, the content metadata provided from the content discovery server device 40 to the presentation device 10 will be described. The content metadata is data that structures information about the content (broadcast content) in a computer-readable format. The content metadata is data that includes information about the title of the content, the genre to which the content belongs, the broadcast date and time, etc. Schema.org, which is commonly used on the web, is used as a vocabulary for describing the content metadata.

[0064] The content metadata describes the presentation of a web page as follows. That is, the content metadata describes the information of a web page for each purpose. This makes it possible to provide information according to a request.

[0065] [Web pages as related content to broadcast content] When it is intended that web page B be presented as related content of broadcast content A, the content metadata is described as follows. That is, in the metadata for broadcast content A, the description "@type:Guide" defines the related content. When the URL of web page B is described as being included in this definition, web page B is the related content. That is, based on such content metadata, presentation device 10 presents web page B as related content.

[0066] [Web page as an alternative to broadcast content] When it is intended that a web page C is presented as an alternative content of a certain broadcast content A, the content metadata is described as follows. That is, in the metadata for the broadcast content A, "startDate" and "endDate" respectively hold information on the broadcast start date and time and the broadcast end date and time. The content metadata further holds information on citation.potentialAction.target as information for the case when it is not during the broadcast time. The information on citation.potentialAction.target has an element that is a URL for accessing the web page C. In addition, the information on citation.potentialAction.target has an element that is an array defined by "@type":"EntryPoint". The URL of the AIT can be defined by the description in the array of "@type":"EntryPoint". That is, when the presentation device 10 is a device that can directly access the URL of the web page C, the web page C can be accessed by using the URL of the first element. When the presentation device 10 needs to access using the broadcast communication cooperation function, the URL of the web page C can be obtained via the URL of the AIT and the web page C can be accessed.

[0067] Examples of content metadata will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0068] Figures 3 and 4 are sequence charts showing the operation procedure of the system 1 and the interaction procedure of each part. Figures 3 and 4 show the flow of a series of operations. Below, the operation procedure of the system 1 will be explained according to this sequence chart.

[0069] 3, the metadata analysis unit 13 of the presentation device 10 acquires content metadata from the content discovery server device 40. The metadata analysis unit 13 can analyze the acquired content metadata and interpret the contents of the data. For example, the metadata analysis unit 13 analyzes the content metadata to acquire information on a list of contents that can be viewed (presented) on the presentation device 1.

[0070] Next, in step S12, the metadata analysis unit 13 of the presentation device 10 passes information on a list of viewable contents to the browser 17.

[0071] Next, in step S13, the browser 17 displays a portal screen. This portal screen is based on the information of the viewable content list passed from the metadata analysis unit 13 in step S12. When this portal screen is presented to the user, the user can perform an operation to select the content to view.

[0072] The following steps S21 to S23 are optional steps, specifically, steps S21 to S23 are performed when a user requests information on related content related to the broadcast content.

[0073] Next, in step S21, the browser 17 can receive an operation from the user. Here, the operation from the user may be an operation to select a specific broadcast content from among the broadcast contents that can be viewed. In addition, in this case, the user's operation may be a request to present related content that is related to the specific broadcast content.

[0074] Based on the above user operation, in step S22, the browser 17 next obtains array information defined by "@type":"Guide" from the metadata analysis unit 13. That is, the browser 17 obtains array information defined by "@type":"Guide" as information on related content related to the above specific broadcast content. The array information defined by "@type":"Guide" is originally information defined in the content metadata, and contains information on the location of related content.

[0075] Next, in step S23, the browser 17 displays a page of a related content list on the screen based on the information of the array defined by "@type":"Guide" acquired in step S22. The related content may include broadcast content, online streaming videos, and web pages. This allows the user to know about related content related to specific broadcast content. The user can also watch or view the related content by appropriately selecting it from the list of related content. In other words, the user does not need to, for example, read a URL displayed on the screen of the broadcast content and input it into the device, or have the device read a two-dimensional code representing the URL.

[0076] The related content list page includes information on links to each piece of content. The browser 17 presents the content selected by the user from the page of the related content list. If the selected content is an online video, the browser 17 retrieves and presents the online video based on the URL of the selected online video. If the selected content is a web page, the browser 17 retrieves and presents the web page based on the URL of the selected web page.

[0077] Next, in step S31, the browser 17 accepts an operation by the user. Here, this operation is an operation of selecting content from the list displayed on the screen.

[0078] Next, in step S32, the browser 17 requests the content transition control unit 14 to select content to be reproduced, based on the operation accepted in step S31. As a result, the content transition control unit 14 understands that presentation of a specific content is requested.

[0079] Next, in step S33, the content transition control unit 14 acquires content metadata information related to the content requested in step S32 from the metadata analysis unit 13. The information acquired by the content transition control unit 14 in this step includes broadcast program information and broadcast date and time information (broadcast start date and time and broadcast end date and time of the broadcast content).

[0080] 4, steps S41 to S83 include alternative processing depending on conditions. There are three branching options based on condition determination: (1) to (3) below.

[0081] (1) That is, the presentation device 10 makes a judgment based on the information of the broadcast date and time acquired in step S33 (FIG. 3). If the current time is included in the broadcast date and time of the broadcast content acquired in step S33, that is, if it is after the broadcast start date and time and before the broadcast end date and time, the presentation device 10 performs the processes of steps S41 and S42. In other cases (i.e., outside the broadcast time), the presentation device 10 performs the processes of steps S51 to S83. Steps S51 to S83 include the following condition judgments.

[0082] (2) Furthermore, after performing the process of step S51, the presentation device 10 next determines whether or not the online streaming video is available based on the processing result of step S51. If the online streaming video is available, the presentation device 10 performs the processes of steps S61 and S62. In other cases (i.e., if the online streaming video is not available), the presentation device 10 performs the processes of steps S71 to S83. Steps S71 to S83 include the following condition determinations.

[0083] (3) Furthermore, when the above determination indicates that the network streaming video is unavailable, the presentation device 10 determines whether or not the device itself is a hybridcast-compatible receiver. The presentation device 10 makes this determination by, for example, referring to the User-Agent or User-Agent Client Hints information held by the browser 17. Note that the description of attributes indicating the type of device (client device) as the User-Agent or User-Agent Client Hints information is itself a method belonging to the prior art. If the device itself is a hybridcast-compatible receiver, the presentation device 10 performs the processes from steps S71 to S74. In other cases (i.e., if the device itself is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver but a terminal device such as a PC or smartphone), the presentation device 10 performs the processes from steps S81 to S83.

[0084] The specific process is as follows. That is, the content transition control unit 14 judges whether or not the broadcast content is currently being broadcast based on the broadcast date and time information of the broadcast content acquired in step S33. If the broadcast content is currently being broadcast, that is, if the condition of broadcast start date and time≦current time (date and time)≦broadcast end date and time is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next step S41. Otherwise, that is, if the broadcast content is not currently being broadcast, the process jumps to step S51.

[0085] When the process proceeds to step S41, in this step the content transition control unit 14 instructs the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 to select a channel for receiving the target broadcast content. Specifically, the content transition control unit 14 instructs the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 to select a specific broadcast service by specifying information for identifying the broadcast service (for example, a combination of an original network ID, a transport stream ID, and a service ID). The information for identifying the broadcast service is passed from the metadata analysis unit 13 in association with the identified broadcast content.

[0086] Next, in step S42, the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 selects the broadcast service specified in step S41, and presents the broadcast content via the browser 17. That is, the presentation device 10 displays the video of the broadcast content on a display screen and outputs the audio from a speaker or the like. At this time, the broadcast signal received by the presentation device 10 is decoded appropriately using existing technology or the like. Thereafter, the presentation device 10 continues presenting the broadcast content until it receives another instruction from the user or until the broadcast of the broadcast content ends.

[0087] As described above, the process proceeds to step S51 when the broadcast content is outside the broadcast time. In step S51, the content transition control unit 14 acquires information on the online streaming video corresponding to the content (broadcast content) specified by the user in step S31 from the metadata analysis unit 13. This information on the online streaming video is described in the content metadata in association with the broadcast content. The content transition control unit 14 attempts to acquire at least information on the URL for playing the online streaming video as the information on the online streaming video. The content transition control unit 14 may also acquire information on the streaming date and time (the streaming start date and time and the streaming end date and time) or flag information indicating whether online streaming is currently possible from the metadata analysis unit 13 as the information on the online streaming video.

[0088] Then, the content transition control unit 14 judges whether the online streaming video is available. Specifically, the content transition control unit 14 judges whether the online streaming video is available depending on whether the acquired URL of the online streaming video is valid. The content transition control unit 14 may judge whether the online streaming video is available at the present time based on the above-mentioned distribution date and time information, or may judge whether the online streaming video is available at the present time based on the above-mentioned flag information. If the online streaming video is available, the process proceeds to step S61. If the online streaming video is not available at that time, the process proceeds to just before step S71.

[0089] If the process proceeds to step S61, in this step the content transition control unit 14 passes a URL for accessing the online streaming video to the browser 17. The browser 17 accesses the location indicated by the passed URL and receives the online streaming video.

[0090] Next, in step S62, the browser 17 sequentially decodes and presents the online streaming videos accessed in step S61. Specifically, the browser 17 displays the images of the online streaming videos on a display screen and outputs the audio from a speaker or the like. The user can watch this online streaming video. Note that an online streaming video is made up of a collection of video fragment files, each of which is, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds long. The browser 17 subsequently receives these fragment files and continues presenting the online streaming video. In other words, from then on, the presentation device 10 continues presenting the online streaming video until it receives another instruction from the user or until playback of the online streaming video ends.

[0091] If the process proceeds directly to step S71 based on the result of the above determination of whether the online streaming video is available (i.e., if the online streaming video is unavailable), the content transition control unit 14 determines whether the device itself (presentation device 10) is a hybridcast-compatible receiver. If the device itself (presentation device 10) is a hybridcast-compatible receiver, the process proceeds to the next step S71. If the device itself (presentation device 10) is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver, the process jumps to step S81.

[0092] If the process proceeds to step S71, in that step the content transition control unit 14 obtains from the metadata analysis unit 13 the URL of the AIT for obtaining a web page that can be an alternative to the broadcast content selected by the user in step S31. The URL of this AIT is associated with the original broadcast content and is defined in the content metadata.

[0093] Next, in step S72, the content transition control unit 14 passes the URL of the AIT acquired in step S71 to the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15. The broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 acquires the AIT using the URL of the AIT received from the content transition control unit 14, and analyzes the inside of the AIT. The URL of the target webpage is described inside the AIT acquired by the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15. That is, the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 acquires the URL of the webpage.

[0094] Next, in step S73, the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 passes the URL (the URL of the alternative web page) acquired from the AIT in step S72 to the browser 17, and instructs the browser 17 to acquire the web page at the position indicated by the URL.

[0095] Next, in step S74, the browser 17 acquires and presents a webpage based on the URL passed from the broadcast / communication cooperation function unit 15 in step S73. Specifically, the browser 17 displays the acquired webpage on a display screen or the like. This allows the user to view the webpage. This webpage is content that can be a substitute for the broadcast content selected by the user in step S31. Thereafter, the browser 17 continues to present the webpage until it receives another instruction from the user.

[0096] If the process proceeds to step S81 (i.e., if the presentation device 10 is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver), in this step the content transition control unit 14 acquires the URL of a web page that can be a substitute for the broadcast content selected by the user in step S31 from the metadata analysis unit 13. The URL of this web page is defined in the content metadata in association with the original broadcast content.

[0097] Next, in step S82, the content transition control unit 14 passes the URL acquired in step S81 to the browser 17, and instructs the browser 17 to acquire the web page at the position indicated by the URL.

[0098] Next, in step S83, browser 17 acquires and presents a web page based on the URL passed from content transition control unit 14 in step S82. Specifically, browser 17 displays the acquired web page on a display screen or the like. This allows the user to view the web page. This web page is content that can be a substitute for the broadcast content selected by the user in step S31. Thereafter, browser 17 continues to present the web page until it receives another instruction from the user.

[0099] This completes the series of processes shown in Figures 3 and 4. In other words, the presentation device 10 can access a web page, acquire the web page, and present it in a different manner depending on the type of its own device (presentation device 10). Furthermore, when a request is made to present broadcast content, the presentation device 10 determines whether the broadcast content is receivable (i.e., whether the broadcast content is being broadcast) based on the content metadata. If the broadcast content is receivable, the presentation device 10 receives and presents the broadcast content. When the broadcast content cannot be received (when it is outside the broadcast time, etc.), the presentation device 10 can receive and present alternative content based on the content metadata. The alternative content may be an online distribution video (for example, a video of a missed re-broadcast). In this case, the presentation device 10 acquires the URL of the online distribution video based on the content metadata, and accesses and presents the online distribution video. When the online distribution video is unavailable, the alternative content may be a web page. In this case, the presentation device 10 acquires the URL of the web page based on the content metadata, or acquires the URL of an application information table (AIT) that holds the URL of the web page, and accesses and presents the web page based on the URL. The presentation device 10 can also present a page of a list of related contents related to the broadcast content. The presentation device 10 can also present content selected from the list of related contents by a user's operation or the like. The related content may be a web page. In other words, the presentation device 10 can present a web page related to the broadcast content without displaying a URL (or a two-dimensional code representing the URL) on the screen or without the user searching for related content.

[0100] 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the presentation device 10 presents a web page in a method according to the type of the device itself. The processing procedure will be described below with reference to this flowchart.

[0101] In step S101, the content transition control unit 14 of the presentation device 10 receives a request for transition to a web page. The request for transition to a web page in this step is based on the fact that the use of online streaming video is found to be impossible as a result of the processing in step S51 in the sequence diagram of Fig. 4. Alternatively, the processing in this step and the subsequent steps may be performed when the presentation of web content is requested based on a user operation or the like.

[0102] In step S102, the content transition control unit 14 judges whether or not its own device (the presentation device 10) is a hybridcast-compatible receiver. This judgment can be made, for example, by referring to information on User-Agent or User-Agent Client Hints held by the browser 17. If its own device (the presentation device 10) is a hybridcast-compatible receiver (step S102: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S103. If its own device (the presentation device 10) is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver (step S102: NO), the process jumps to step S106. If its own device (the presentation device 10) is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver, specifically, the own device (the presentation device 10) is, for example, a PC without a broadcast receiving function or a portable terminal device without a broadcast receiving function (such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone).

[0103] If the process proceeds to step S103, in this step the content transition control unit 14 acquires the URL of the AIT from the metadata analysis unit 13. The URL of this AIT is, in the content metadata,<citation.potencialAction.target> The metadata is described as information on the AIT. The metadata analysis unit 13 acquires the URL of this AIT by analyzing the acquired metadata. The URL of this AIT is passed from the content transition control unit 14 to the broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15. This step corresponds to the processes of steps S71 and S72 in the sequence diagram of FIG. 4.

[0104] In step S104, the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 accesses the location indicated by the URL of the AIT received in step S103, and acquires the AIT.

[0105] In step S105, the broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 reads and interprets the AIT acquired in step S104 to acquire the URL of the web page described in the AIT. The broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 passes the URL of this web page to the browser 17. This step corresponds to the processing of step S73 in the sequence diagram of Fig. 4. After the processing of this step ends, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0106] If the process proceeds to step S106, in this step the content transition control unit 14 acquires the URL of the web page from the metadata analysis unit 13. The URL of this web page is, in the content metadata,<citation.potencialAction.target> The metadata is described as information on the web page. The metadata analysis unit 13 analyzes the acquired metadata to obtain the URL of this web page. The URL of this web page is passed from the content transition control unit 14 to the browser 17. Note that this step corresponds to the processing of steps S81 and S82 in the sequence diagram of FIG. 4. After the processing of this step ends, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0107] In step S107, the browser 17 transitions to the target web page and presents the web page. Specifically, the browser 17 accesses a location indicated by either the URL passed from the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 in step S105 above or the URL passed from the content transition control unit 14 in step S106 above. The browser 17 also receives a web page returned from a web server device at the location and displays the web page on the display screen.

[0108] When step S107 is completed, the entire process of this flowchart ends.

[0109] 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the presentation device 10 to present different forms of content (including alternative content) for requested broadcast content depending on the content status. The processing procedure will be described below with reference to this flowchart.

[0110] In step S201, the content transition control unit 14 of the presentation device 10 receives a request for transition to content. The process of this step corresponds to the process of step S32 in the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0111] In step S202, the content transition control unit 14 acquires the broadcast start date and time and broadcast end date and time of the content (broadcast program) requested in step S201 from the metadata analysis unit 13 (corresponding to a part of the process of step S33 in FIG. 3). Then, the content transition control unit 14 judges whether or not the content is currently being broadcast. Specifically, the content transition control unit 14 judges that the content is currently being broadcast when the condition of broadcast start date and time≦current time (date and time)≦broadcast end date and time is satisfied. Note that at this time, the content transition control unit 14 may also judge whether or not the position of the presentation device 10 is within the target area of ​​the service that broadcasts the content based on a GPS signal or the like. If the requested content is currently being broadcast (step S202: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S203. If the requested content is not currently being broadcast (step S202: NO), the process jumps to step S205.

[0112] When the process proceeds to step S203, in that step, the content transition control unit 14<publishedOn.identifier> The broadcast station information described in is obtained. This broadcast station information is information that can uniquely identify a broadcast service. That is, the content transition control unit 14 acquires the identification information of the service that broadcasts the content (broadcast program) described in the content metadata. Note that the process of this step corresponds to a part of the process of step S33 in FIG. 3.

[0113] In step S204, the content transition control unit 14 instructs the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 to select a channel using the "tune" of the hybrid cast function, using the broadcast station information acquired in step S203. As a result, the broadcast communication cooperation function unit 15 executes control for selecting a channel of the broadcast service specified by the broadcast station information. As a result, a tuner function unit (not shown) selects the broadcast service. As a result, reception of the target broadcast content is started. The received broadcast content is presented so that the user can view it. In other words, the video of the broadcast content is displayed on a display screen or the like, and the audio is output from a speaker or the like.

[0114] When the presentation of the broadcast content starts in step S204, the entire process of this flowchart ends.

[0115] When the process proceeds to step S205, that is, when the target content is outside the broadcast time, the content transition control unit 14 in this step<citation.associatedMedia> In other words, the content transition control unit 14 determines whether or not an element is included in the<citation.associatedMedia> As an element of the metadata, the URL of the online video that replaces the broadcast content is acquired. Here, the content transition control unit 14 may also determine whether or not the online video is available at that time. The process of this step corresponds to the process of step S51 in FIG. 4.<citation.associatedMedia> If the element is included in the metadata (step S205: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S206.<citation.associatedMedia> If the element is not included in the list (step S205: NO), that is, if the online streaming video is not available at that time, the process jumps to step S207.

[0116] If the process proceeds to step S206, in that step the content transition control unit 14 passes the URL of the online streaming video acquired in step S205 to the browser 17 and requests reception of the online streaming video (corresponding to the processing of step S61 in FIG. 4). The browser 17 uses this URL to sequentially receive the files of the online video distribution, decode each file, and play the video. In other words, the browser 17 displays the video of the online video distribution on the display screen, and outputs the sound from a speaker or the like (corresponding to the process of step S62 in FIG. 4).

[0117] When the presentation of the online streaming video starts in step S206, the entire process of this flowchart ends.

[0118] On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step S207, that is, if the network streaming video is not available, the content transition control unit 14 receives the metadata of<citation.potencialAction.target> Based on the information, the URL of the web page is acquired. This web page is an alternative content to the content requested in step S201. In this embodiment, in step S207,<citation.potencialAction.target> There are two ways to obtain the URL of a web page based on the information below.

[0119] The first method in step S207 is a processing method in the case where the device itself (the presentation device 10) is a receiver that supports hybridcast (corresponding to the processing from steps S71 to S73 in FIG. 4). In this case, the content transition control unit 14 performs the above-mentioned metadata<citation.potencialAction.target> As the information, the URL of the AIT is acquired from the metadata analysis unit 13 (corresponding to the processing of step S71 in FIG. 4). The content transition control unit 14 passes the acquired URL of the AIT to the broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 (corresponding to the processing of step S72 in FIG. 4). In response to this, the broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 acquires the AIT of the location indicated by the URL, and extracts the URL of the web page from the AIT. The broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit 15 passes the URL of the web page to the browser 17 (corresponding to the processing of step S73 in FIG. 4).

[0120] The second method in step S207 is a processing method in the case where the device itself (the presentation device 10) is not a hybridcast-compatible receiver (corresponding to the processing from steps S81 to S83 in FIG. 4). In this case, the content transition control unit 14<citation.potencialAction.target> As the information, the URL of the target web page is obtained from the metadata analysis unit 13 (corresponding to the processing of step S81 in FIG. 4). The content transition control unit 14 passes the obtained URL of the web page to the browser 17 (corresponding to the processing of step S82 in FIG. 4).

[0121] In step S208, browser 17 obtains a web page using the URL received in the processing of step S207, and presents the web page to the user. That is, browser 17 displays the web page on the display screen. That is, browser 17 receives the URL of the web page, obtains the web page using the URL, and presents the web page (corresponding to the processing of step S74 or step S83 in FIG. 4). In this way, presentation device 10 presents a web page that is an alternative content to the content requested in step S201.

[0122] When the presentation of the web page starts in step S206, the entire process of this flowchart ends.

[0123] As described above, the presentation device 10 can automatically switch between receiving the broadcast content and acquiring the alternative content depending on whether the broadcast content requested by the user is being broadcast. Furthermore, when the alternative content is an online video, the presentation device 10 can automatically switch between receiving and presenting the online video and acquiring and presenting another alternative content (e.g., a web page) depending on whether the online video is available.

[0124] 7 is a flowchart showing a process procedure in which the presentation device 10 presents a list of related contents related to broadcast content to a user and presents selected related contents. Note that the related contents here include not only broadcast content but also web pages. The process procedure will be described below with reference to this flowchart.

[0125] In step S301, the browser 17 receives a request for a related content list. The process of this step corresponds to the process of step S21 in FIG.

[0126] In step S302, the browser 17 receives the content metadata from the metadata analysis unit 13. <citation>Get related content information from the @type:Guide element. The process of this step corresponds to the process of step S22 in FIG.

[0127] In step S303, the browser 17 presents a related content list (a list of related contents) to the user. The related content list can be constructed based on the information that the browser 17 obtained from the metadata analysis unit 13 in step S302. In other words, the browser 17 presents a list of contents related to a specific content on a display screen or the like based on the description in the content metadata, allowing the user to select. The processing in this step corresponds to the processing in step S23 in FIG. 3.

[0128] In step S304, the browser 17 accepts a content selection by a user operation. That is, the user can select the related content that he or she wishes to view from the list of related contents presented by the browser in step S303. The user may perform the selection operation by, for example, clicking the mouse or touching a touch panel screen. The processing in this step corresponds to the processing in step S31 in FIG. 3.

[0129] Here, the type of content selected by the user is either broadcast content or a web page.

[0130] In step S305, the browser 17 notifies the content transition control unit 14 of information identifying the content selected by the user in step S304 (corresponding to the process of step S32 in FIG. 3). The content transition control unit 14 then determines the type of content selected by the user. If the content selected by the user is broadcast content, the process proceeds to step S306. If the content selected by the user is a web page, the process proceeds to step S307.

[0131] When the process proceeds to step S306, the presentation device 10 performs a process of transitioning to broadcast content, etc., in this step. The procedure of the process of transitioning to broadcast content, etc. is as described with reference to FIG. 6. If the target broadcast content is not being broadcast at that time, the presentation device 10 may present an online video or a web page as alternative content. When the content is presented in step S306, the entire process of this flowchart ends.

[0132] If the process proceeds to step S307, in this step the presentation device 10 performs a process of transitioning to a web page. The process of transitioning to a web page is as described with reference to FIG. 5. That is, the presentation device 10 acquires the URL of a web page in a suitable manner depending on whether the device itself is a hybridcast-compatible receiver or not, obtains the web page indicated by the URL, and displays it on the display screen. When the content (web page) is presented in step S307, the entire process of this flowchart ends.

[0133] As described above, the presentation device 10 can present a list of related content items, and can present related content items selected from the list.

[0134] Next, the structure of the content metadata that the metadata analysis unit 13 acquires from the content discovery server device 40 and analyzes, and a sample of the content metadata will be described.

[0135] 8 to 26 are schematic diagrams showing samples of content metadata. FIG. 8 to FIG. 26 show one piece of content metadata (one file). As shown in the figures, the content metadata may be described, for example, as text in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation, a data exchange format using JavaScript object notation). However, the description form of the content metadata is not limited to this format, and any format capable of expressing equivalent information may be used. Note that line numbers are provided in FIG. 8 to FIG. 26 for reference. The content metadata shown as an example has 450 lines, and is therefore divided into 19 drawings from FIG. 8 to FIG. 26.

[0136] The range of lines in each of Figures 8 to 26 is as follows: Figure 8 includes lines 1 to 19 of the content metadata. Figure 9 includes lines 20 to 43. Figure 10 includes lines 44 to 68. Figure 11 includes lines 69 to 89. Figure 12 includes lines 90 to 114. FIG. 13 includes lines 115 to 140. FIG. 14 includes lines 141 to 160. FIG. 15 includes lines 161 to 182. FIG. 16 includes lines 183 to 208. FIG. 17 includes lines 209 to 229. FIG. 18 includes lines 230 to 253. FIG. 19 includes lines 254 to 279. FIG. 20 includes lines 280 to 305. FIG 21 includes lines 306 to 331. FIG 22 includes lines 332 to 353. FIG 23 includes lines 354 to 379. FIG 24 includes lines 380 to 406. FIG 25 includes lines 407 to 432. FIG 26 includes lines 433 to 450.

[0137] The outline of the content metadata is as follows.

[0138] "@type": "ItemList" on the third line indicates that this data is an item list. Also, "numberOfItems": 2 on the sixth line indicates that the number of items is 2.

[0139] "@type": "TVEpisode" on line 23 indicates that the type of the first item in the item list is "TVEpisode", i.e., broadcast content. Also, "@id": "content / 133813" on line 24 indicates an ID for identifying that content.

[0140] Lines 63 to 109 define information about the broadcast of the content. Among them, "startDate": "2023-06-19T13:00:00+09:00" on line 67 and "endDate": "2023-06-19T14:00:00+09:00" on line 68 describe the broadcast start date and time and the broadcast end date and time, respectively. The date and time are expressed in the format "YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±Z" (year·month·day, hour·minute·second, time zone). For example, the broadcast start date and time represents "June 19, 2023, 13:00:00, time zone 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)". In this way, since the metadata for broadcast content has the broadcast start date and time and the broadcast end date and time, the presentation device 10 can determine at any time whether the broadcast content is being broadcast. In addition, this broadcast information includes an original network ID, a transport stream ID, and a service ID for uniquely identifying a broadcast service (lines 84 to 100). In other words, the presentation device 10 can select a broadcast service to receive using this information.

[0141] The "citation": from line 161 to line 219 contains information about alternative content. In this "citation":, the "potentialAction": on line 170 indicates the start of a potentialAction, and within that, the "target": on line 173 contains information about viewing alternative content.<citation.potentialAction.target> includes information on the URL of the web page itself that is the alternative content, and the URL of the AIT when accessing the web page that is the alternative content via the AIT. "https: / / example.net / app_test / hc / 02.html" on line 174 indicates the URL of the web page that is the alternative content. "value": https: / / example.net / ait / hcapp_02.ait" on line 196 indicates the URL of that AIT. Based on such content metadata, the presentation device 10 can access the web page as the alternative content based on a direct URL, or can access it via the AIT associated with the broadcast (the URL of the web page can be described in the AIT).

[0142] "@type": "Guide" on line 222 and "description": "Related Programs" on line 224 indicate that this is information about related programs. Lines 221 to 393 are information about related programs. "hasPart" on lines 225 to 392 contains the entity of information about related programs.

[0143] Of these, lines 226 to 290 describe one broadcast content. Among them, "@type": "TVEpisode" on line 228 indicates that the content in question is broadcast content. Also, "associatedMedia": on lines 261 to 283 describes alternative content to the broadcast content. The alternative content in question is an online streaming video. In other words, "@type": "VideoObject" on line 263 indicates that the alternative content in question is a video object. The "publishedOn": section from line 271 to line 278 describes information (including the URL, etc.) about the distribution method of the online video.

[0144] Also, "citation":" from line 332 to line 390 has information on a web page as content related to the broadcast content. "@type": "WebPage" on line 336 indicates that this content related to the broadcast content is a web page. "url": "https: / / example.net / app_test / hc / 01.html" on line 334 indicates the URL of the web page. In this way, in the content metadata of the present embodiment, not only the broadcast content (video content) but also the content of a web page can be defined as related content of the broadcast content. Therefore, the presentation device 10 can present a web page as part of a related content list of a certain broadcast content. Also, when a related content of a web page is selected and requested by a user from the related content list, the presentation device 10 can access the web page as related content by using the URL described in the content metadata and present it to the user.

[0145] FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of each device constituting the system 1 in the embodiment described above. At least a part of the functions of each device (presentation device 10, broadcast signal transmission device 20, web server device 30, and content discovery server device 40) can be realized using a computer. As shown in the figure, the computer includes a central processing unit 901, a RAM 902, an input / output port 903, input / output devices 904 and 905, and a bus 906. The computer itself can be realized using existing technology. The central processing unit 901 executes instructions included in a program read from the RAM 902, etc. The central processing unit 901 writes data to the RAM 902, reads data from the RAM 902, and performs arithmetic and logical operations according to each instruction. The RAM 902 stores data and programs. Each element included in the RAM 902 has an address and can be accessed using the address. Note that RAM is an abbreviation for "random access memory." The input / output port 903 is a port through which the central processing unit 901 exchanges data with external input / output devices, etc. The input / output devices 904 and 905 exchange data with the central processing unit 901 via the input / output port 903. The bus 906 is a common communication path used within the computer. For example, the central processing unit 901 reads and writes data in the RAM 902 via the bus 906. Also, for example, the central processing unit 901 accesses the input / output port 903 via the bus 906.

[0146] At least some of the functions of each device (presentation device 10, broadcast signal transmission device 20, web server device 30, and content discovery server device 40) can be realized by a computer and a program. In this case, a program for realizing the functions may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to realize the functions. Note that the term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and USB memories, and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. In other words, the term "computer-readable recording medium" may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" may include a medium that temporarily and dynamically holds a program, such as a communication line when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and a medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that is a server or client in such a case. Furthermore, the above program may be for realizing part of the functions described above, or may be capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0147] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Industrial Applicability]

[0148] The present invention can be used, for example, in content distribution businesses (including broadcasting businesses), but the scope of use of the present invention is not limited to the examples given here. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1 System 7. Communication Networks 10 Presentation device (receiver) 12 Presentation control device 13 Metadata Analysis Section 14 Content transition control section 15 Broadcasting and communication cooperation function unit (broadcasting and communication cooperation processing unit) 17 Browser (presentation) 20 Broadcast signal transmitter 30 Web server device 40 Content discovery server device 901 Central Processing Unit 902 RAM 903 Input / Output Ports 904,905 Input / Output Devices 906 Bus< / citation>

Claims

1. a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the content metadata including related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing related content that is content related to the broadcast content in a manner associated with the broadcast content; Equipped with the metadata analysis unit responds to the browser when the browser requests related content access method information related to specific broadcast content, with a list including the related content access method information indicating a method of accessing a plurality of the related contents, at least a part of the related content access method information included in the list being location information indicating a location of a web page; Based on the list, the browser presents a related content listing page allowing access to the related content. Presentation control device.

2. a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the content metadata including related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing related content that is content related to the broadcast content in a manner associated with the broadcast content; Equipped with the metadata analysis unit responds to the browser when the browser requests related content access method information related to specific broadcast content, with a list including the related content access method information indicating a method of accessing a plurality of the related contents, at least a part of the related content access method information included in the list being location information indicating a location of a web page; Based on the list, the browser presents a related content listing page allowing access to the related content. A program that causes a computer to function as a presentation control device.

3. a browser that presents a web page based on the location information; a metadata analysis unit that reads and analyzes content metadata, the content metadata including related content access method information that indicates a method of accessing related content that is content related to the broadcast content in a manner associated with the broadcast content; Equipped with the metadata analysis unit responds to the browser when the browser requests related content access method information related to specific broadcast content, with a list including the related content access method information indicating a method of accessing a plurality of the related contents, at least a part of the related content access method information included in the list being location information indicating a location of a web page; Based on the list, the browser presents a related content listing page allowing access to the related content. Presentation device.

Images