Content presentation control apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide a content presentation control apparatus that enables important information to reach a user without extreme bias toward the range of interest of a user.SOLUTION: A content presentation control apparatus comprises: a presentation control information storage unit that stores, as presentation control information, information on a first-type play list, a second-type play list, and a play list group including one or more first type-play lists and one or more second-type play lists; and a presentation control unit that reads the information on the play list group from the presentation control information storage unit and performs control (A) for the presentation unit to sequentially present a plurality of content items included in the play list group with lapse of time, or performs control (B) for the presentation unit to present the plurality of content items included in the play list group by arranging them on a screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Information in various forms, such as video, audio, and text, is distributed via the Internet. Users can search for information via the Internet. In addition, technology is used to recommend other information based on the user's browsing history. Information that can be searched or recommended includes, but is not limited to, news and video.

[0003] Furthermore, various user interfaces for users to view information distributed over the Internet have been researched and developed.

[0004] Patent document 1 aims to enable users to get an overview of the entire content, and describes a content selection interface as a means to achieve this, in which image cards representing a large amount of content are arranged in a ring to form symbols, and the symbols can be rotated (Figure 1, etc.).

[0005] Patent Document 2 describes an informed opt-in preview user interface for video advertisements. The user interface described in Patent Document 2 updates the displayed information in response to scrolling in the forward or backward direction, so as to present content in a way that allows users to easily find it among a vast amount of content.

[0006] Patent Document 3 describes a user interface that presents multiple video streaming contents and allows scrolling through them (see, for example, FIGS. 21, 22, and 23). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-146126 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2019-521404 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-126941 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, conventional technologies have the following problems. For example, information obtained by searching the Internet (such as news) is often fragmented and fragmented, and it can be tedious for users to search for comprehensive information on a specific topic. Furthermore, the information obtained by searching alone may not provide an overall picture of the search target. Another problem is that when recommendation technologies are used, the recommended information tends to be biased in a particular direction.

[0009] The background to this problem is as follows: In the selective information environment available via the Internet, there is a tendency for important issues to be dispersed, and for information aimed at attracting more hits to be valued over important or high-quality information (the "attention economy"). In such a situation, there is a risk that socially important information will not be widely shared, and the information available to users will be significantly biased toward the scope of their personal interests.

[0010] The present invention was made based on the above-mentioned recognition of the problem, and aims to provide a content presentation control device and program that enables high-quality, discoverable, and important information to reach users without being excessively biased toward the user's range of interests and concerns. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] [1] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a content presentation control device that controls the way in which a presentation unit that presents content items presents the content, and that includes a presentation control unit that controls the presentation unit to present a mixture of content items included in one or more playlists selected for content viewing and content items included in other playlists different from the one or more selected playlists.

[0012] [2] Another aspect of the present invention is a content presentation control device that controls the way in which a presentation unit that presents content items presents the content, and includes: a presentation control information storage unit that stores, as presentation control information, information on a first type playlist, which is a list of content items; a second type playlist, which is also a list of content items; and a playlist group that includes one or more of the first type playlists and one or more of the second type playlists; and a presentation control unit that reads information on the playlist group from the presentation information storage unit and (A) controls the presentation unit to present the multiple content items included in the playlist group sequentially over time, or (B) controls the presentation unit to present the multiple content items included in the playlist group side by side on a screen.

[0013] [3] Another aspect of the present invention is that in the content presentation control device of [2] above, the second type playlist is a list organized by a distribution company that distributes content items.

[0014] [4] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is that in the content presentation control device of [2] or [3] above, the first type playlist is one of a playlist consisting of content items belonging to a specific program series, or a playlist consisting of content items belonging to a specific broadcast schedule, or a playlist consisting of content items belonging to a specific genre, or a playlist consisting of content items included in the results of a search using a specific keyword, or a playlist consisting of content items suitable for a specific user as determined by a recommendation function.

[0015] [5] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is that in any of the content presentation control devices [2] to [4] above, the playlists have types for distinguishing their properties, and at least the first type playlists among the playlists included in the playlist group are all playlists of the same type.

[0016] [6] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is that in any of the content presentation control devices [2] to [5] above, the presentation control unit controls the presentation unit to present multiple content items included in the playlist group in both vertical and horizontal rows on the screen.

[0017] [7] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is that in the content presentation control device of the above [1] to [5], when the presentation control unit controls the presentation unit to present a plurality of content items included in the playlist group, the plurality of content items includes one or more content items included in the second type playlist.

[0018] [8] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a content presentation control device according to any one of [2] to [6] above, further comprising a playlist group setting unit that sets whether to turn on or off a function of including one or more content items included in the second type playlist among a specific playlist group when the presentation control unit controls the presentation of multiple content items included in the playlist group.

[0019] [9] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a content presentation control device according to any one of [2] to [7] above, further comprising a playlist group setting unit that sets the proportion of the number of content items included in the second type playlist among a specific playlist group when the presentation control unit controls the presentation of a plurality of content items included in the playlist group.

[0020]

[10] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a content presentation control device according to any one of [2] to [9] above, further comprising a playlist generation unit that generates the second type playlist based on information representing the importance and interest direction of each content item.

[0021]

[11] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a content presentation control device according to any one of [2] to

[10] above, further comprising a content receiving unit that receives content items via a communication network, and a presentation unit that presents the content items received by the content receiving unit.

[0022]

[12] Another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as a content presentation control device that controls the way in which a presentation unit that presents content items presents the content, the content presentation control device including: a presentation control information storage unit that stores, as presentation control information, information on a first type playlist, which is a list of content items; a second type playlist, which is also a list of content items; and a playlist group that includes one or more of the first type playlists and one or more of the second type playlists; and a presentation control unit that reads information on the playlist group from the presentation information storage unit and (A) controls the presentation unit to present multiple content items included in the playlist group sequentially over time, or (B) controls the presentation unit to present multiple content items included in the playlist group side by side on a screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, the content presentation control device can cause the presentation unit to present content items included in a second type playlist, regardless of the content items included in a first type playlist. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a content item in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of content item information held by a presentation control information management unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of playlist information held by a presentation control information management unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of playlist group information held by a presentation control information management unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the result of arranging content items included in the playlist group D-1 shown in FIG. 5 in a line. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface for a playlist group setting unit to make settings for a playlist group in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen configuration when a presentation unit presents one content item at a time in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen configuration in which a presentation unit presents a plurality of content items (thumbnails) arranged at one time in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the result of scrolling the arrangement of content items (thumbnails) shown in FIG. 9 by a predetermined amount in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a table that a playlist generating unit refers to in order to generate a second type content list in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of presentation control information to which a presentation control unit refers in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of playlist group information held by a presentation control information management unit in common modification example 6. [Figure 18]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a device implemented using a computer, among devices constituting the content presentation systems according to the first to fourth embodiments (including modifications). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Next, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In these embodiments, a collection of multiple content items is treated as a playlist. A collection of multiple playlists is called a playlist group. Furthermore, a collection of multiple playlist groups may be treated as another playlist group. Note that a content item may simply be called an "item." A playlist group does not simply refer to multiple playlists. In the embodiments described below, a playlist group is explicitly managed as a "group."

[0026] Playlists can be of various types. A program distributed by an online video distribution company is a content item. A news article is also a content item. In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are multiple playlists made up of content items belonging to the program category and multiple playlists made up of content items belonging to the news category. Note that a content item is included in at least one playlist.

[0027] A playlist may be a list of content items with a common attribute, such as a playlist for a program series, a playlist for content items with a common news genre or region, a playlist for programs or news organized according to a particular perspective, a playlist for search results, a playlist with a balanced selection of programs across various genres, or a playlist for news of the day.

[0028] Playlists can be classified as primary and secondary playlists. Primary playlists are the base context and reflect the user's attitude before browsing. Secondary playlists are playlists that are independent of such user attitudes. This distinction is made based on the extent to which the content distributor's editorial and editorial policies are reflected in the playlist's organization.

[0029] Type 1 playlists are playlists that are created based on the content distribution provider's existing content classification and organization, playlists for program series, and playlists of content items organized around user interests, and in principle can be provided as standalone playlists. For example, playlists that compile programs in a genre that interests the user, playlists that collect news from a specific region, and playlists that collect content items as a result of a user searching using a specific search term are examples of type 1 playlists.

[0030] A Type 2 playlist is a list of content items organized to more strongly reflect the editing and programming policies of a content distribution provider. Examples of Type 2 playlists include a playlist of recommended programs for general programming, a news order, etc. Type 2 playlists are playlists for "mixing," as described below, and are intended to add emphasis to or maintain balance in Type 1 playlists. Note that, in one embodiment described below, Type 2 playlists may be automatically generated. Note that the set of content items in a Type 1 playlist may happen to be the same as the set of content items in another Type 2 playlist.

[0031] A playlist group is organized by combining two or more playlists. As a general rule, a playlist group is organized to include one or more type 2 playlists. In other words, as a general rule, the set of content items included in a playlist group includes content items included in type 2 playlists ("mix" playlists). The user may organize the playlist group. The concentration (mix ratio) of type 2 playlists when mixing them may also be set by the user. As mentioned above, as a general rule, a playlist group includes one or more type 2 playlists, but the number of type 2 playlists included in a playlist group may be zero.

[0032] Specific examples of playlist group configurations are as follows: An example of a first playlist group is composed of a recommended playlist (a playlist in which program episodes are arranged in a sequential order based on a specific viewpoint), a series playlist (a playlist of episodes included in a program series), a search result playlist, and one or more second-type playlists. An example of a second playlist group is composed of a series playlist, a playable playlist, a downloaded playlist (a playlist of content items that the user has already downloaded to the viewing terminal device), and one or more second-type playlists. An example of a third playlist group is composed of an episode playlist, a viewing history playlist (a list of content items included in the user's viewing history), and one or more second-type playlists.

[0033] Multiple playlist groups can also be combined to form other playlist groups. An example of a fourth playlist group is composed of a playlist group for domestic dramas, a playlist group for foreign dramas, and a recommended playlist group (a playlist group created using recommendation technology based on a user's viewing history, etc.). An example of a fifth playlist group is composed of a no-login playlist group (a playlist group containing content items that can be viewed without logging in), a login playlist group (a playlist group containing content items that can be viewed with a login), and a contract playlist group (a playlist group containing content items that can be viewed with a specific viewing contract).

[0034] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to a first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the content presentation system 1 includes a viewing terminal device 20, a content distribution device 30, a broadcast transmission device 40, and a communication network 80. At least some of the functions of the viewing terminal device 20, the content distribution device 30, and the broadcast transmission device 40 can be realized using, for example, a computer and a program. The computer also has a storage means for storing data. The storage means is, for example, a program variable or memory allocated by program execution. If necessary, non-volatile storage means such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a solid-state drive (SSD) may also be used. At least some of the functions shown in the figure may be realized as a dedicated electronic circuit rather than a program.

[0035] 1 shows one viewing terminal device 20, one content distribution device 30, and one broadcast transmission device 40. However, the content presentation system 1 may be configured to include a plurality of viewing terminal devices 20, a plurality of content distribution devices 30, or a plurality of broadcast transmission devices 40.

[0036] The viewing terminal device 20 is a terminal device used by a user to view content. The viewing terminal device 20 includes the functions of the presentation control unit 10 and is also called a "content presentation control device." The content presentation control device is a device that controls the way in which a content item is presented by a presentation unit that presents the content. The viewing terminal device 20 has the function of receiving and presenting broadcast content and communication content. The viewing terminal device 20 also has the function of transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices (including server computers, etc.) via a communication network 80.

[0037] The viewing terminal device 20 may be, for example, a television receiver having a function of connecting to the communication network 80. Alternatively, the viewing terminal device 20 may be a PC (personal computer) equipped with a tuner for receiving broadcast signals, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a wristwatch-type terminal device, or the like. Alternatively, the viewing terminal device 20 may be any other type of information processing terminal.

[0038] The viewing terminal device 20 includes a content receiving unit 201, a broadcast receiving unit 202, a presenting unit 203, a presentation control unit 10, a presentation control information management unit 101, and a playlist group setting unit .

[0039] The content receiving unit 201 receives content (content items) from the content distribution device 30 via the communication network 80. The content receiving unit 201 passes the received content to the presenting unit 203. The content received by the content receiving unit 201 may have been encoded using a predetermined method. The content receiving unit 201 decodes the content and then passes the content to the presenting unit 203.

[0040] The broadcast receiving unit 202 receives a broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast transmitting device 40 and passes content extracted from the broadcast signal to the presenting unit 203. The broadcast signal is received as radio waves or as an electrical signal for cable television broadcasting. The broadcast receiving unit 202 demodulates the broadcast signal, and further performs decoding processing according to the encoding method, and passes the resulting content to the presenting unit 203.

[0041] The presentation unit 203 presents the content received from the content receiving unit 201 or the broadcast receiving unit 202 to the user. In other words, the presentation unit 203 presents the content (content item) received by the content receiving unit 201 or the broadcast receiving unit 202. The presentation unit 203 presents the content using output means such as a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display device) or speakers (including earphones, etc.), not shown. Note that the presentation unit 203 may present the content to the user using other means. The means used by the presentation unit 203 to present the content are, for example, means that act on the five senses of the user.

[0042] The presentation control unit 10 controls the presentation of content. Specifically, the presentation control unit 10 performs the following control. First, the presentation control unit 10 determines and controls which content item the presentation unit 203 will present. Second, the presentation control unit 10 determines and controls in what form the presentation unit 203 will present the content item. The presentation form here includes the display size and position when a video is displayed on a display device, the order and presentation time length when multiple content items are presented sequentially along a time axis, and the arrangement, order, and movement (such as scrolling) of multiple content items when they are displayed simultaneously on the screen of a display device.

[0043] An example of the form in which content is presented will be described later with reference to another drawing.

[0044] The presentation control unit 10 can perform a process of arranging multiple content items included in one playlist group in a line at the necessary timing to control the presentation of content. Furthermore, as a process similar to the process of arranging multiple content items included in one playlist group in a line, a process of arranging multiple content items included in one or more playlists in a line may also be performed. For convenience, this process of arranging content items in a line may be referred to as a "linearization process." An example of the linearization process will be described later with reference to another figure.

[0045] In other words, the presentation control unit 10 reads information about the playlist group from the presentation control information management unit 101, and (A) controls the presentation unit to present multiple content items included in the playlist group sequentially over time, or (B) controls the presentation unit to present multiple content items included in the playlist group side by side on the screen.

[0046] The presentation control information management unit 101 stores and manages information required for controlling the presentation of content (referred to as "presentation control information"). The presentation control information management unit 101 is also called a "presentation control information storage unit." The presentation control information management unit 101 is configured to be able to access a means for storing the presentation control information (for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk device, etc.). The presentation control information includes information on a playlist, which is a list of content items, and information on a playlist group that includes multiple playlists. As will be described later, playlists are classified into type 1 playlists and type 2 playlists. A playlist group includes one or more type 1 playlists and one or more type 2 playlists.

[0047] The presentation control information stored and managed by the presentation control information management unit 101 includes content item information, playlist information, and playlist group information. Content item information is information about individual content items (see FIG. 3). Playlist information is information about the structure of a playlist. Playlist information includes information indicating which content items each playlist has. Playlist group information is information about the structure of a playlist group. Playlist group information includes information indicating which playlists each playlist group has. If a playlist group includes other playlist groups within it, the playlist group information further includes information indicating which playlist groups are included in that playlist group.

[0048] The playlist group setting unit 102 sets playlist groups based on user operations, etc. The playlist group setting unit 102 can store the results of the settings related to the playlist groups as playlist group information in the presentation control information management unit 101. Note that the playlist group setting unit 102 may edit and update playlist information and content item information as information related to the playlist group information.

[0049] The content distribution device 30 is a device that distributes content via a communication network 80. In this embodiment, each piece of content is called a “content item.” The content distribution device 30 includes a content transmission unit 301.

[0050] The content transmitting unit 301 transmits content in response to a request from the viewing terminal device 20, or transmits content in the form of a broadcast. The content transmitting unit 301 distributes content by using a standard communication protocol suitable for content distribution. Specifically, the content transmitting unit 301 can read and transmit content items from a storage means (not shown) that holds (stores) the content items.

[0051] The broadcast transmitting device 40 is a device that transmits a broadcast signal. The broadcast transmitting device 40 includes a transmitting unit 401. The broadcast signal transmitted by the transmitting unit 401 includes a broadcast program (broadcast content) and the like.

[0052] The content distribution device 30 is a device operated by a content distribution provider. The broadcast transmission device 40 is a device operated by a broadcasting provider. A broadcasting provider operates a business of distributing broadcast content. In other words, a broadcasting provider is a type of content distribution provider. In this embodiment, the provider operating the content distribution device 30 and the provider operating the broadcast transmission device may be the same or different.

[0053] The communication network 80 is a network that enables data communication between the audio-visual terminal device 20 and the content distribution device 30. The communication network 80 may be the so-called "Internet" or any other network.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a content item in this embodiment. This diagram shows a case where the content item is a video or the like. A video is data including video and audio, and has a length in the time direction. Note that video is a sequence of still images. A content item is not limited to such a video, but may also be audio, still images, VR (virtual reality) content, text, or the like.

[0055] A video 701 shown in FIG. 2(A) is a type of content item. FIG. 2(B) shows a state in which a link from a thumbnail 702 to the video 701 exists. By following the link from the thumbnail 702 to the video 701, a user of the viewing terminal device 20 can play the video. Both the video 701 and the thumbnail 702 shown in FIG. 2(B) are content items. Furthermore, composite data 703 combining the video 701 and the thumbnail 702 is also a content item. As shown in FIG. 2(C), two or more thumbnails 702 may link to the video 701. In this case, both the video 701 and the thumbnails 702 are content items. Furthermore, composite data 703 combining one video 701 and two thumbnails 702 is also a content item.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of content item information held by the presentation control information management unit 101. The information shown in FIG. 3 is content item information corresponding to one content item. As shown in the figure, the content item information includes items such as an item ID, a title, a genre, location information, and other attribute information. The item ID is identification information for uniquely identifying each content item. The title is the title of the content item. The genre is information indicating the genre to which the content item belongs. Examples of content item genres include news, music, drama, and movie. The location information is information indicating the location where the content is located. In other words, the location information is location information for accessing the content. The location information is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The other attribute information is an item for storing other information related to the content item.

[0057] The content receiving unit 201 can acquire the content item via the communication network 80 based on the content item information shown here. Also, the presentation control unit 10 can control the presentation of the content item based on the content item information shown here.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of playlist information stored in the presentation control information management unit 101. The example shown in the figure shows information about a plurality of playlists. For convenience, these playlists are named Playlist PL-A, Playlist PL-B, Playlist PL-C, and so on. The number of content items included in each of Playlist PL-A, Playlist PL-B, Playlist PL-C, and so on is arbitrary and may be different from each other. Each of these playlists contains information about a list of content items. The list of content items may be an ordered list or an unordered list. As a specific example, the information about one playlist may be a list of multiple content item IDs. However, each content item may be identified by a means other than a content ID.

[0059] In the example shown in the figure, the content items included in playlist PL-A are referred to as PL-A-1, PL-A-2, ..., PL-AN(A) for convenience. Note that N(A) is the number of content items included in playlist PL-A. The same applies to playlists PL-B, PL-C, etc. Note that when playing or displaying content items included in a single playlist, the order may be looped within the same playlist. In other words, content item PL-AN(A) may be followed by content item PL-A-1.

[0060] The presentation control information management unit 101 retains and manages information that distinguishes whether each playlist is a type 1 playlist or a type 2 playlist. Type 1 playlists and type 2 playlists have been described above. A type 1 playlist may be a playlist consisting of content items belonging to a specific program series, a playlist consisting of content items belonging to a specific broadcast schedule, a playlist consisting of content items belonging to a specific genre, a playlist consisting of content items included in search results for a specific keyword, or a playlist consisting of content items suitable for a specific user determined by a recommendation function. A type 2 playlist is a list organized by a distribution service provider that distributes content items. A type 2 playlist is a playlist that more strongly reflects the distribution service provider's organizational intention. However, a type 1 playlist may also reflect the distribution service provider's organizational intention. In other words, a type 1 playlist is a playlist with a basic character. On the other hand, the second type of playlist is a playlist that has been organized with the intention of adding additional accents or achieving balance.

[0061] 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of playlist group information stored in the presentation control information management unit 101. The example shown in the figure shows the structure of a playlist group called D-1. The playlist group information may be, for example, a list of information that uniquely identifies a playlist. In the example shown in the figure, playlist group D-1 includes playlist PL-A, playlist PL-C, playlist PL-E, and playlist PL-G.

[0062] Note that Type 1 playlists and Type 2 playlists are managed separately. In this example, playlists PL-A, PL-C, and PL-E are Type 1 playlists. Playlist PL-G is a Type 2 playlist.

[0063] In this example, playlist PL-A includes content items PL-A-1, PL-A-2, ..., PL-A-10. Playlist PL-C includes content items PL-C-1, PL-C-2, and PL-C-3. Playlist PL-E includes content items PL-E-1, PL-E-2, and PL-E-3. Playlist PL-G includes content items PL-G-1, PL-G-2, and PL-G-3.

[0064] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the result of arranging content items included in the playlist group D-1 shown in Fig. 5. In the example shown, the content items included in the playlist group D-1 are arranged in the following order: playlists PL-A-1 ⇒ PL-C-1 ⇒ PL-A-2 ⇒ PL-E-1 ⇒ PL-A-3 ⇒ PL-G-1 ⇒ PL-A-4 ⇒ PL-C-2 ⇒ PL-A-5 ⇒ PL-E-2 ⇒ PL-A-6 ⇒ PL-G-2 ⇒ PL-A-7 ⇒ PL-C-3 ⇒ PL-A-8 ⇒ PL-E-3 ⇒ PL-A-9 ⇒ PL-G-3 ⇒ PL-A-10.

[0065] The arrangement of content items shown in Fig. 6 has the following characteristics: The sequence of content items shown in Fig. 6 includes all of the content items shown in Fig. 5 (content items included in playlist group D-1). The sequence of content items shown in Fig. 6 repeats the following pattern: "content items included in playlist PL-A ⇒ content items included in playlist PL-C ⇒ content items included in playlist PL-A ⇒ content items included in playlist PL-E ⇒ content items included in playlist PL-A ⇒ content items included in playlist PL-G."

[0066] However, the sequence obtained by "linearizing" the content items included in the playlists does not necessarily have to be in the form illustrated in FIG. 6. That is, the result of arranging the content items in a line may or may not include all of the content items included in a particular playlist. Also, the result of arranging the content items in a line does not necessarily have to match the pattern illustrated in FIG. 6. That is, the result of arranging the content items in a line may be a line that matches another pattern, or may be any line that does not match any pattern. The result of arranging the content items in a line may also be a line of content items that are randomly selected and arranged from the playlists.

[0067] The presentation control unit 10 can use the results of "linearizing" the content items included in the playlists as follows: First, when the presentation control unit 10 controls the sequential presentation along time, the presentation control unit 10 causes each content item to be presented in the order in which it was lined up. Second, when the presentation control unit 10 simultaneously presents a plurality of content items, the presentation control unit 10 causes the content items (e.g., thumbnails) to be presented in the order in which it was lined up. Even when a plurality of content items are presented in both vertical and horizontal directions (two-dimensionally), the presentation control unit 10 controls the content items to be presented in the order in which they were lined up.

[0068] 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface used by the playlist group setting unit 102 to set playlist groups. The screen shown in the figure is called a playlist group setting screen. The playlist group setting unit 102 displays the playlist group setting screen on the screen, and the user can set playlist groups by operating this playlist group setting screen. The playlist group setting screen has areas 721, 722, and 723.

[0069] Area 721 includes a field for specifying the name of the playlist group to be set. In the example shown, the name of the playlist group to be set is "D-1."

[0070] Area 722 includes a user interface for defining playlists to be included in the set of playlists to be configured. The illustrated example of the user interface allows the user to select playlists from available playlists to be included in the set of playlists. In the illustrated example, the available playlists include playlists PL-A, PL-B, PL-C, PL-D, PL-E, and PL-F. Based on the user's selection, playlists PL-A, PL-C, and PL-E are included in the set of playlists (D-1).

[0071] In the example shown in the figure, the playlists to be included in the playlist group can be selected, but the user interface may also be such that other playlist groups to be included in the playlist group can be selected.

[0072] The area 723 includes a user interface for configuring settings related to type 2 playlists. First, the area 723 has an interface for setting whether to turn on or off a function for “mixing” content items included in type 2 playlists. The user can switch this on / off using, for example, a radio button user interface. Turning on the “mixing” function means that the presentation control unit 10 will present content including content items included in type 2 playlists. Turning off the “mixing” function means that the presentation control unit 10 will present content without including content items included in type 2 playlists. The area 723 also has an interface for setting a mixing ratio when the “mixing” function is set to on. The mixing ratio is, for example, the ratio of account items belonging to type 2 playlists to the total number of account items that can be presented when the presentation unit 203 presents content based on a single playlist group. In the illustrated example, the mixing ratio can be set using a slider user interface. By operating this slider, the user can change the blending ratio between large, medium and small. As an example, the blending ratio may be predetermined, with "large" being 60% and "small" being 5%, and the blending ratio may be set to change linearly between "large" and "small."

[0073] As described above, by using a user interface such as that shown in FIG. 7, the playlist group setting unit 102 can determine the set of playlists (or playlist groups) to be included in each playlist group, set the "mixing" function to on or off, and set the mixing ratio to any value within a predetermined range. In other words, the user can independently make these settings via the user interface. Note that the user interface shown in FIG. 7 is merely an example, and playlist groups may be set using a user interface of a different form.

[0074] In other words, for a specific playlist group to be set, when the presentation control unit 10 controls the presentation of a plurality of content items included in the playlist group, the playlist group setting unit 102 can set whether to turn on or off a function for including one or more content items included in the second type playlist among the plurality of content items. Also, for a specific playlist group to be set, when the presentation control unit 10 controls the presentation of a plurality of content items included in the playlist group, the playlist group setting unit 102 can set the proportion of the number of content items included in the second type playlist to be included among the plurality of content items.

[0075] The presentation control information management unit 101 holds and manages setting information (playlist group information) that indicates the results of settings made using the above-described user interface.

[0076] Except when the above-mentioned "mix" setting is off, when the presentation control unit 10 controls the presentation unit 203 to present multiple content items included in a playlist group, the presentation control unit 10 causes the multiple content items to include one or more content items included in the second type playlist.

[0077] Next, two methods for the presentation unit 203 to display content items on the screen will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0078] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen configuration when the presenting unit 203 presents one content item at a time. In the diagram, 501 denotes the entire area of the screen displayed on a display device or the like. Also, 502 denotes an area in which one content item (such as a video) is displayed. Area 502 is completely contained within area 501. Note that, in addition to the one content item displayed in area 502, other content items may be displayed within area 501. In this case, for example, one or more thumbnail content items may be displayed within area 501 but outside area 502. The number of thumbnail content items displayed here is arbitrary and is not limited. Also, within area 501, one content item may be displayed only within area 502. Also, the size of area 502 shown in the diagram is an example. The size (number of pixels) of area 502 may be larger or smaller.

[0079] The presentation unit 203 can present one content item at a time, for example, using the screen shown in Fig. 8. The presentation unit 203 can also present multiple content items sequentially over time. The presentation control unit 10 controls the manner in which the presentation unit 203 presents the content items.

[0080] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen configuration in which the presenting unit 203 presents multiple content items (thumbnails) at one time. In the diagram, 501 is the entire area of the screen displayed on a display device or the like. Also, 503 is the area in which one content item (thumbnail) is displayed. Area 501 includes a large number of areas 503. In the example shown, the multiple areas 503 are arranged in two directions, vertically and horizontally. In this example, the areas 503 are arranged in a so-called brick-like configuration. That is, one area 503 is arranged so as to span two areas 503 in an adjacent row above or below. Note that, in this example, the multiple areas 503 are all the same size. In this example, the content items are arranged horizontally (to the right) from the top left of the screen in the order PL-A-1 ⇒ PL-C-1 ⇒ PL-A-2 ⇒ PL-E-1 ⇒ . . . Next to content item PL-A-3 in the upper right corner of the screen is content item PL-G-1, which is located at the leftmost position in the second row. The following content items are arranged in a similar manner. The content items in the example of FIG. 9 are arranged in the same order as the content item columns shown in FIG. 6. In this content item arrangement, after content item PL-A-10, PL-A-1 ⇒ PL-C-1 ⇒ . . . are arranged in the order starting from the beginning. In this way, the presentation control unit 10 can control the arrangement of multiple content items on the screen based on the results of the "linearization process." Furthermore, as described above, the presentation control unit 10 controls the presentation unit 203 to present multiple content items included in a playlist group in both the vertical and horizontal directions on the screen.

[0081] In the example of the arrangement in FIG. 9, the hatched area is where the content items (PL-G-1, PL-G-2, and PL-G-3) included in the second type playlist are displayed.

[0082] In the screen configuration shown in Fig. 9, one or more of the displayed content items (thumbnails) may be played back. Furthermore, when one or more content items are played back, the size (number of pixels) of the content item(s) may be dynamically changed.

[0083] The presentation control unit 10 realizes a user interface for scrolling the list of content items (thumbnails) illustrated in FIG.

[0084] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the result of scrolling the display shown in Fig. 9 by a predetermined amount. Specifically, in the layout shown in Fig. 10, the position of each content item (thumbnail) has moved four items to the right from the layout shown in Fig. 9. However, when a content item (thumbnail) reaches the rightmost position on the screen as a result of the movement, that content item (thumbnail) wraps around to the left of the next line below.

[0085] For example, content item PL-A-1, which was located in the upper left corner in Fig. 9, has moved to the right of the same row in Fig. 10 (moved four places). Also, for example, content item PL-E-2, which was located to the right of the second row in Fig. 9, has moved to the center of the third row in Fig. 10 (moved four places). All of these examples of movement are indicated by thick dashed arrows in Fig. 10.

[0086] The presentation control unit 10 performs control to scroll (rotate) the list of content items forward (to the right) or backward (to the left) based on some operation by the user (for example, pressing the left arrow key, right arrow key, up arrow key, or down arrow key, etc.) Alternatively, the presentation control unit 10 may perform control to scroll (rotate) the list of content items forward (to the right) or backward (to the left) even when no operation is performed by the user.

[0087] By changing the position of the content items (thumbnails) in this way, each content item (including content items included in the second type playlist) is displayed in various positions on the screen, making it easier to attract the user's attention.

[0088] As described above, according to this embodiment, the viewing terminal device 20 (content presentation control device) controls the presentation to the user of content items included in a type 2 playlist based on the organization of a content distributor. In other words, content items included in a type 2 playlist can be presented mixed in with a list of content items in a type 1 playlist. In other words, content items included in a type 2 playlist can be shown to the user.

[0089] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following description may omit the matters already described in the previous embodiment. Here, the description will focus on matters unique to this embodiment.

[0090] 11 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the content presentation system 2 includes a viewing terminal device 21, a content distribution device 30, and a communication network 80. Note that at least some of the functions of the viewing terminal device 21 and the content distribution device 30 can be realized, for example, using a computer and a program, as in the previous embodiment.

[0091] In this embodiment, the viewing terminal device 21 does not have a function for receiving broadcast signals. Furthermore, the content presentation system 2 does not need to include a broadcast transmission device.

[0092] In the viewing terminal device 21, the content receiving unit 201 receives content via the communication network 80, the presentation unit 203 presents the content, and the presentation control unit 10 controls the presentation of the content in accordance with information passed from the presentation control information management unit 101, as in the first embodiment.

[0093] According to this embodiment, the viewing terminal device 21 does not have the function of receiving broadcast signals or presenting broadcast content, but like the first embodiment, it controls the presentation of content distributed from the content distribution device 30. In this embodiment, the content is also video, etc., but there is no restriction on the type of content itself.

[0094] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following description may omit matters that have already been described in the previous embodiments. Here, the description will focus on matters unique to this embodiment.

[0095] A feature of this embodiment is that the presentation control unit is located on the content distribution device side, not on the viewing terminal device side. In other words, the scheduled control unit located on the content distribution device side controls how content is presented on the viewing terminal device side.

[0096] 12 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the content presentation system 3 includes a viewing terminal device 22, a content distribution device 31, and a communication network 80. Note that at least some of the functions of the viewing terminal device 22 and the content distribution device 31 can be realized, for example, using a computer and a program, as in the previous embodiments.

[0097] The audio-visual terminal device 22 receives content distributed from the content distribution device 31 via the communication network 80 and presents the content.

[0098] As shown in the figure, the viewing terminal device 22 is configured to include a content receiving unit 201 and a presenting unit 203. The content receiving unit 201 receives content transmitted from the content distribution device 31 via the communication network 80. The content receiving unit 201 passes the received content to the presenting unit 203. The presenting unit 203 presents the content passed from the content receiving unit 201. However, in this embodiment, the way in which the content is presented by the presenting unit 203 is controlled by a presentation control unit 11 (on the content distribution device 32 side) described later.

[0099] The content distribution device 31 includes a content sending unit 302, a presentation control unit 11, a presentation control information management unit 101, and a playlist group setting unit 102. The content distribution device 31 of this embodiment may be called a "content presentation control device." The functions of each unit of the content distribution device 31 are as follows.

[0100] The content transmitting unit 302 transmits the content to the audio-visual terminal device 22 via the communication network 80. However, the way in which the content transmitted by the content transmitting unit 302 is presented is controlled by the presentation control unit 11.

[0101] The presentation control unit 11 controls how content transmitted from the content transmission unit 302 to the viewing terminal device 22 is presented on the viewing terminal device 22 side. Specifically, the presentation control unit 11 controls how content is presented based on presentation control information passed from the presentation control information management unit 101. The presentation control information held by the presentation control information management unit 101 has already been described in the first embodiment. That is, a playlist has a collection of content items. A playlist group has multiple playlists. A playlist group may further include other playlist groups. The multiple playlists held by a playlist group include one or more second-type playlists. That is, the presentation control unit 11 controls how content items included in a certain playlist group are presented on the viewing terminal device 22 side based on the presentation control information. The way in which content items are presented has already been described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10.

[0102] The presentation control information management unit 101 stores and manages presentation control information. In this embodiment, the presentation control information management unit 101 present on the content distribution device 31 side may manage presentation control information that is individual to each user (or each viewing terminal device 22), or may manage presentation control information that is common to multiple users (or each viewing terminal device 22). Alternatively, the presentation control information management unit 101 of this embodiment may manage both types of presentation control information.

[0103] The playlist group setting unit 102 sets playlist groups. In this embodiment, the playlist group setting unit 102 may set playlist groups based on an operation by a user of the viewing terminal device 22. Alternatively, the playlist group setting unit 102 may set playlist groups based on an operation by a person in charge of a content distribution company.

[0104] [Modification of the third embodiment] As a modification of the third embodiment, the viewing terminal device 22 may have a function of receiving broadcasts. In this case, the viewing terminal device 22 includes a broadcast receiving unit 202 (see FIG. 1). The broadcast receiving unit 202 receives a broadcast signal, extracts content from the broadcast signal, and passes the content to the presenting unit 203. The presenting unit 203 can present the content received by the broadcast receiving unit 202 in addition to the content received by the content receiving unit 201.

[0105] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following description may omit matters that have already been described in the previous embodiments. Here, the description will focus on matters unique to this embodiment.

[0106] The fourth embodiment is characterized in that the playlist generating unit automatically generates a second type playlist.

[0107] 13 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the content presentation system 4 includes a viewing terminal device 22, a content distribution device 32, and a communication network 80. Note that at least some of the functions of the viewing terminal device 22 and the content distribution device 32 can be realized, for example, using a computer and a program, as in the previous embodiments.

[0108] The audio-visual terminal device 22 of this embodiment is a device having the same configuration as the audio-visual terminal device 22 described in the third embodiment.

[0109] The content distribution device 32 includes a content sending unit 302, a presentation control unit 11, a presentation control information management unit 101, a playlist group setting unit 102, and further includes a playlist generation unit 171. The content distribution device 32 of this embodiment may also be called a "content presentation control device."

[0110] The content transmission unit 302, presentation control unit 11, presentation control information management unit 101, and playlist group setting unit 102 of the content distribution device 32 each have the same functions as those of the content distribution device 31 (Figure 12).

[0111] The playlist generating unit 171 automatically generates a second-type playlist. The playlist generating unit 171 stores information about the second-type playlist (playlist information) that it has generated in the presentation control information managing unit 101.

[0112] The playlist generation unit 171 generates a type 2 playlist by selecting content items to be included in the list from a large number of content items. Specifically, the playlist generation unit 171 generates a type 2 playlist based on information indicating the importance and direction of interest of each content item. Therefore, when generating a type 2 playlist, the playlist generation unit 171 refers to information such as that shown in FIG. 14.

[0113] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a table referenced by the playlist generation unit 171 to generate a type 2 content list. As shown in the figure, this table has the following fields: item ID, importance score, and interest vector. One row in this table corresponds to one content item. The meaning of each field is as follows: the item ID is identification information for uniquely identifying a content item (see also FIG. 3). The importance score is numerical information representing the importance of including that content item in the type 2 content list to be generated at that time. The importance score is set based on the quality of the content item, its importance at that time, etc. The interest vector is a multidimensional vector representing the direction of interest in the content item. For example, a distributed representation vector of text related to the content item may be used as the interest vector.

[0114] The playlist generation unit 171 uses information such as that shown in FIG. 14 to select, from among a large number of content items, content items to be included in a type 2 playlist to be generated. Specifically, the playlist generation unit 171 selects, from among the large number of content items, a plurality of content items with relatively high importance scores and such that the directions indicated by the interest vectors (directions in the vector space) are as dispersed as possible. The playlist generation unit 171 generates a type 2 playlist from a collection of the selected content items. The playlist generation unit 171 causes the presentation control information management unit 101 to store and manage information about the generated type 2 playlist (playlist information).

[0115] [Modification of the fourth embodiment] As a modification of the fourth embodiment, the presentation control unit 10 may be present on the viewing terminal device 22 side. In this case, information on the second type playlist (playlist information) generated by the playlist generation unit 171 is passed to and held in a presentation control information management unit 101 present on at least one of the content distribution device 32 side and the viewing terminal device 22 side. The presentation control unit 10 present on the viewing terminal device 22 side controls the presentation of content based on the presentation control information (including information on the second type playlist) provided by the presentation control information management unit 101 present on at least one of the content distribution device 32 side and the viewing terminal device 22 side.

[0116] [Fifth embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the matters already explained in the previous embodiments may not be explained below. Here, the matters specific to this embodiment will be mainly explained. Note that the matters described in other embodiments may be implemented in combination with the configuration of this embodiment.

[0117] A feature of this embodiment is that the presentation control unit controls the presentation without relying on a playlist group. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0118] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a content presentation system according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the content presentation system 5 includes a content presentation control device 41 and a viewing terminal device 23. The content presentation control device 41 controls how content items are presented in the viewing terminal device 23. The viewing terminal device 23 has a function for presenting content items. The content presentation control device 41 and the viewing terminal device 23 may be the same device. Alternatively, the content presentation control device 41 and the viewing terminal device 23 may be separate devices. Signals such as electrical signals may be exchanged between the content presentation control device 41 and the viewing terminal device 23. The content presentation control device 41 and the viewing terminal device 23 may be located remotely from each other and may communicate with each other.

[0119] The viewing terminal device 23 includes a presentation unit 203. The presentation unit 203 presents one or more content items. The content items presented by the presentation unit 203 may be content items acquired through communication or the like. The presentation unit 203 presents the content items under the control of the presentation control unit 12.

[0120] The content presentation control device 41 includes a presentation control unit 12. The presentation control unit 12 controls the presentation unit 203 of the viewing terminal device 23. In other words, the presentation control unit 12 controls the method by which the presentation unit 203 presents one or more content items. Specifically, the presentation control unit 12 controls the presentation unit 203 to present a mixture of content items included in one or more playlists selected for content viewing and content items included in other playlists different from the above-mentioned "selected one or more playlists."

[0121] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of presentation control information referenced by the presentation control unit 12 in this embodiment. As illustrated, the presentation control information includes information on a selected playlist (701) and information on other playlists (702). The selected playlist (701) is a playlist currently selected for presentation. For example, a user can select one or more playlists to view. In the illustrated example, the selected playlist (701) includes playlists P, Q, R, and so on. The selected playlist (701) can include zero or more playlists. Each of the playlists P, Q, R, etc. included in the selected playlist (701) is a playlist having one or more content items. On the other hand, the other playlist (702) does not include a playlist selected for viewing by a user, etc. In the illustrated example, the information on the other playlist (702) includes information on playlist G1. This playlist G1 is a type 2 playlist described in the first embodiment, etc. In other words, playlist G1 is a playlist created based on the content distribution provider's programming policy. The information for this other playlist (702) is information for a playlist that contains content items to be "mixed" when presenting the content items contained in the selected playlist (701).

[0122] That is, the presentation control unit 12 of the content presentation control device 41 refers to the presentation control information of FIG. 16 to control the presentation of content. Then, the presentation control unit 12 controls the presentation unit 203 to present content items included in one or more playlists of the selected playlist (701). At this time, the presentation control unit 12 may control the presentation unit 203 to present multiple content items sequentially along the time axis, or may control the presentation unit 203 to present multiple content items simultaneously on the screen. Note that the presented content may be content items for viewing or may be thumbnails, etc. Then, the presentation control unit 12 presents content items included in playlist G1 included in other playlists (702) mixed with the content items of the selected playlist (701).

[0123] According to this embodiment, the presentation control unit 12 presents content items based on the selected playlist (701), and also presents content items based on a playlist (e.g., playlist G1 in FIG. 16) that is not included in the selected playlist (701). That is, the user views content items based on the playlist selected by the user, but some content items from playlists that the user did not select may be presented. That is, the user has the opportunity to be presented with content items based on the programming policy of the content distribution provider, without relying solely on the user's selection.

[0124] As described above, the presentation control unit 12 in this embodiment does not depend on the playlist group when controlling presentation by the presentation unit 203. That is, according to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the presentation control unit 12 can control the presentation unit 203 to present a playlist that does not belong to the playlist group. Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment described above, when "mixing" playlists, the presentation control unit 12 can mix and present a playlist that does not belong to the playlist group (for example, playlist G1 in FIG. 16).

[0125] The following describes modified examples that can be commonly applied to the first to fifth embodiments. Note that multiple modified examples may be combined to the extent that they can be combined.

[0126] [Common Variation 1] After the content items are linearized in a row (see FIG. 6), a special content item may be inserted into the row. The special content item may be, for example, breaking news (urgent news). However, the special content item is not limited to a specific type of content item. For example, when multiple content items are displayed side by side (see FIG. 9 for an example), a special interrupt content item may be displayed in the row in the position of the content item next to the current content item. In this case, the special interrupt content item may be emphasized. Examples of the emphasized presentation include presenting the special content item using an accent color, presenting the special content item while blinking, or presenting the special content item by vibrating it slightly on the screen. When the emphasized presentation is performed, an alert sound (e.g., a chime) may also be output.

[0127] The presentation control unit (10 or 11) controls the display to be performed in the manner of this modified example.

[0128] [Common Variation 2] The presentation control unit (10 or 11) may automatically change (increase or decrease) the proportion of content items from a type 2 playlist mixed in depending on the attributes of the type 1 playlists included in the playlist group. As an example, consider a case where the playlist group includes one type 1 playlist and one type 2 playlist. In this case, the proportion of content items from a type 2 playlist mixed in may be larger when the type 1 playlist included in the playlist group is a playlist resulting from a search, than when the type 1 playlist included in the playlist group is a recommended playlist. In a situation where a user is viewing a playlist resulting from a search, the user may be more likely to view content with a more heuristic attitude. For this reason, it is considered that the user is more likely to accept content items from a type 2 playlist. Therefore, it is effective to change the proportion of content items from a type 2 playlist mixed in depending on the attributes of the type 1 playlist, as in this modification.

[0129] The attributes of a Type 1 playlist include, for example, a playlist made up of content items belonging to a specific genre (specific genre), a playlist made up of content items included in the results of a search using a specific keyword (search results), a playlist made up of content items determined by a recommendation function (recommendation), and other attributes.

[0130] [Common Variation 3] The presentation control unit (10 or 11) may change the size of the content items to be presented on the screen according to the attributes of the first-type playlists included in the playlist group. As a specific example, when the playlist group includes a first-type playlist having the attribute of a search result, the size of the content items to be presented on the screen may be made smaller than in other cases. In other words, when multiple content items are displayed side by side (top to bottom and left to right) on the screen as shown in FIG. 9, the display size (number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions) of each content item may be made smaller, for example. This makes it possible to present more content items as search results on the screen, for example.

[0131] [Common Variation 4] The presentation control unit (10 or 11) may change the size of the content item to be presented depending on the amount of operation performed by the user (such as typing on the keyboard or moving a mouse or touch panel pointing device).

[0132] Users' content viewing behavior can be broadly categorized into, for example, lean back and lean forward. Lean back is characterized by a relatively small amount of user interaction, a rather passive user behavior, a so-called push-type content delivery, and a relatively long duration of viewing for each content item. Conversely, lean forward is characterized by a relatively large amount of user interaction, a rather active user behavior, a so-called pull-type content delivery, and a relatively short duration of viewing for each content item. In other words, lean back is viewing in the so-called "System 2" mode. Conversely, lean forward is viewing in the so-called "System 1" mode.

[0133] That is, in this modification, the presentation control unit (10 or 11) includes a means for detecting the amount of user operation. The presentation control unit (10 or 11) determines that the operation is "lean back" when the amount of user operation is smaller than the threshold for the operation, and conversely, determines that the operation is "lean forward" when the amount of user operation is larger than the threshold for the operation. In the case of lean back, the presentation control unit (10 or 11) increases the size of the content item presented near the center of the screen (see FIG. 8 ) and narrows the peripheral vision compared to the case of lean forward. The presentation control unit (10 or 11) may also change the ratio of content from the second type playlist to be mixed when presenting the content item, depending on whether it has determined that the operation is lean back or lean forward.

[0134] In this modification, when the user is passively viewing (lean back), the content items presented sequentially near the center of the screen over time are displayed relatively large, allowing the user to concentrate more on the content items presented large near the center of the screen.

[0135] [Common Variation 5] The presentation control unit (10 or 11) selectively switches the content item to be presented in response to a user's switching operation between multiple content items that are simultaneously presented at one time. The user's switching operation is performed, for example, by moving a cursor on the screen in a situation where multiple content items are simultaneously presented at one time (see FIG. 9). The user can select the content item on which the cursor is currently positioned (for example, by pressing a "select" button). In other words, based on the user's operation, it is also possible to transition from one content item in one playlist to one content item in another playlist.

[0136] [Common Variation 6] In common variation 6, a playlist has a type as an attribute. The type distinguishes the properties of each playlist. Also, in common variation 6, a playlist group may include only playlists of the same type (a playlist group is a collection of only playlists of the same type). Specific examples of types include "program," "news," "follow," "search results," and "recommendations."

[0137] A playlist of type "Program" is configured as a list of program (broadcast program, etc.) content items. A playlist of type "News" is configured as a list of news (news items in units of headlines) content items. A playlist of type "Follow" is configured as a list of content items followed by a user (content items designated by the user as those to be followed). A playlist of type "Search Results" is configured as a list of multiple content items listed as a result of a user searching for a specified search term. A playlist of type "Recommendation" is configured as a list of multiple content items organized to help understand, for example, social topics. Note that playlists of other types may also exist.

[0138] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of playlist group information held by the presentation control information management unit 101 in this modified example. As shown in the figure, this example shows information related to playlist group D-1. In this example, playlist group D-1 has playlist PL-A, playlist PL-C, playlist PL-E, and playlist PL-G. Note that playlist PL-A, playlist PL-C, and playlist PL-E are type 1 playlists. Also, playlist PL-G is a type 2 playlist. As shown in the figure, playlist PL-A, playlist PL-C, playlist PL-E, and playlist PL-G each have a type, and in this example, the type is all "program."

[0139] That is, the playlist group D-1 shown in FIG. 17 is configured to include only playlists of the same type.

[0140] 17, all of the Type 1 playlists and Type 2 playlists included in the playlist group D-1 are playlists of the same type. However, the type of the Type 2 playlist may be different from the type of the Type 1 playlist. In other words, in this case, at least all of the Type 1 playlists included in the playlist group D-1 are playlists of the same type.

[0141] Multiple playlists of the same type may be automatically grouped together into a single playlist group. In this case, the multiple playlists that make up a single playlist group may be ordered, allowing users to move back and forth using a user interface such as NEXT / PREV. For example, multiple playlists of the type "program" may be ordered and configured into a single playlist group. Also, for example, multiple playlists of the type "news" may be ordered and configured into a single playlist group. Instead of the type "program," a distinction may be made between the types "television program" and "radio program." In these cases, the playlist group may loop in order, such as playlist A ⇒ playlist B ⇒ playlist C ⇒ playlist A ⇒...

[0142] As explained above, in this modified example, a playlist group bundles playlists of the same type. That is, in this modified example, for example, a playlist having a type of "program" (type 1 playlist) and a playlist having a type of "news" (type 1 playlist) are not included in the same playlist group. A content item included in a playlist of type "program" and a content item included in a playlist of type "news" are not included in the same playlist group.

[0143] The "group of playlists containing only playlists of the same type" described in Common Variation 6 may also be called a "deck." In other words, a deck is composed of a combination of one or more playlists. A single deck is organized to contain only playlists of the same type. For example, a single deck cannot contain playlists of different types, such as an "episode" playlist and a "search results" playlist. In other words, a deck bundles playlists of the same type. If there are multiple decks each containing playlists of the same type, the user can switch between the decks to display the playlists organized on each deck. A state in which multiple decks exist is called a "multi-deck." Even in this multi-deck state, playlists belonging to different decks and the content items contained therein are not displayed consecutively without an explicit deck switching operation.

[0144] [Common Variant 7] In the above-mentioned common variation 6, it was explained that "a playlist group including only playlists of the same type" may be called a "deck." In common variation 7, a "playlist group" may be called a "deck" regardless of whether or not the playlist group has a type, and if the playlist has a type, regardless of whether or not it "includes only playlists of the same type."

[0145] It should be noted that the possible types of content items and playlists may be distinct from each other: for example, possible types of content items may be television episodes, radio episodes, news articles, etc., while possible types of playlists may be series, schedules, search results, recommendations, news, etc.

[0146] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a device implemented using a computer, among the devices constituting the content presentation systems of the first to fourth embodiments (including their respective variations). Devices implemented using a computer include viewing terminal devices 20, 21, and 22, content distribution devices 30, 31, and 32, and broadcast transmission device 40 (including cases where only some of their functions are implemented by a computer). As shown in the figure, the computer includes a central processing unit 901, RAM 902, an input / output port 903, input / output devices 904 and 905, and a bus 906. The computer itself can be implemented using existing technology. The central processing unit 901 executes instructions contained in a program read from RAM 902 or the like. In accordance with each instruction, the central processing unit 901 writes data to RAM 902, reads data from RAM 902, and performs arithmetic and logical operations. The RAM 902 stores data and programs. Each element in RAM 902 has an address and can be accessed using the address. It should be noted 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 from 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.

[0147] At least some of the functions of the viewing terminal devices 20, 21, and 22, the content distribution devices 30, 31, and 32, and the broadcast transmission device 40 in the above-described embodiments can be realized by a computer and a program. In this case, the functions can be realized by recording a program for realizing the functions on a computer-readable recording medium and loading and executing the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system. Note that the term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an operating system 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 memory, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. In other words, a "computer-readable recording medium" may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include media that temporarily and dynamically store programs, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks like the Internet or communication lines like telephone lines, or media that store programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory within the computer systems that serve as the server or client in such cases. Furthermore, the above program may be one that realizes part of the functions described above, or may be one that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0148] According to at least one of the above-described embodiments (including variations), playlists are classified into type 1 playlists and type 2 playlists. The content presentation control device can then display a mixture of content items included in type 1 playlists and type 2 playlists. This encourages users to view (or otherwise use) not only content items included in type 1 playlists but also content items included in type 2 playlists. In other words, the content presentation control device enables users to receive high-quality, discoverable, and important information without being overly focused on the user's range of interests. In other words, it is possible to achieve comprehensive programming-like functionality in conventional broadcasting in content distribution services using the Internet.

[0149] Furthermore, according to at least one of the described embodiments (including variations), the content presentation control device can present content appropriate to the user's lean-back (passive viewing behavior and operation) or lean-forward (active viewing behavior and operation) behavior. It is also considered to be highly compatible with viewing behaviors and operations such as on-the-go, in which content is consumed in a niche manner by repeatedly switching between content within a short period of time while taking advantage of spare time. Furthermore, the content presentation control device enables content viewing in the aforementioned "System 1" mode without relying solely on content viewing in the aforementioned "System 1" mode. While the so-called attention economy emphasizes stimulating the "System 1" mode, the content presentation control device of the embodiment encourages viewing in the "System 2" mode, which requires careful consideration. In other words, the content presentation control device of the embodiment can suppress the easy and excessive spread of information and encourage a careful content viewing behavior in the "System 2" mode.

[0150] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0151] The present invention can be used, for example, in content distribution businesses and businesses that supply the devices or software required for such businesses, but the scope of use of the present invention is not limited to the examples given here. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 1,2,3,4,5 Content Presentation System 10, 11, 12 Presentation control unit 20, 21 Viewing terminal device (content presentation control device) 22,23 Viewing terminal equipment 30 Content distribution device 31, 32 Content distribution device (content presentation control device) 40 Broadcast transmitting equipment 51 Content presentation control device 80 Communication Network 101 Presentation control information management unit (presentation control information storage unit) 102 Playlist group setting section 171 Playlist Generation Unit 201 Content Receiving Unit 202 Broadcast receiving unit 203 Presentation section 301, 302 Content Transmission Department 401 Transmission Unit 701 Selected Playlists 702 Other Playlists 901 Central Processing Unit 902 RAM 903 Input / Output Ports 904,905 Input / Output Devices 906 Bus

Claims

1. A content presentation control device that controls a presentation method by a presentation unit that presents a content item, a presentation control unit that controls the presentation unit to present a mixture of content items included in one or more playlists selected for content viewing and content items included in other playlists different from the selected one or more playlists; A content presentation device comprising:

2. A content presentation control device that controls a presentation method by a presentation unit that presents a content item, a presentation control information storage unit that stores, as presentation control information, information on a first type playlist that is a list of content items, a second type playlist that is also a list of content items, and a playlist group that includes one or more of the first type playlists and one or more of the second type playlists; a presentation control unit that reads information about a playlist group from the presentation control information storage unit, and (A) controls the presentation unit to present a plurality of content items included in the playlist group sequentially over time, or (B) controls the presentation unit to present a plurality of content items included in the playlist group side by side on a screen; A content presentation control device comprising:

3. The second type playlist is a list organized by a distributor distributing content items. The content presentation control device according to claim 2 .

4. The first type playlist is one of a playlist consisting of a collection of content items belonging to a specific program series, a playlist consisting of a collection of content items belonging to a specific broadcast schedule, a playlist consisting of a collection of content items belonging to a specific genre, a playlist consisting of a collection of content items included in the results of a search using a specific keyword, and a playlist consisting of a collection of content items suitable for a specific user determined by a recommendation function. The content presentation control device according to claim 2 .

5. The playlist has a type for classifying the nature of the playlist, At least type 1 playlists among the playlists included in the playlist group are all playlists of the same type. The content presentation control device according to claim 2 .

6. the presentation control unit controls the presentation unit to present the plurality of content items included in the playlist group so as to be aligned in both vertical and horizontal directions on a screen. The content presentation control device according to claim 2 .

7. the presentation control unit, when controlling the presentation unit to present a plurality of content items included in the playlist group, includes one or more content items included in the second type playlist among the plurality of content items; The content presentation control device according to claim 2 .

8. a playlist group setting unit that sets whether to turn on or off a function of including one or more content items included in the second type playlist among a specific playlist group when the presentation control unit controls the presentation of a plurality of content items included in the playlist group; The content presentation control device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

9. a playlist group setting unit that sets a ratio of the number of content items included in the second type playlist among a plurality of content items when the presentation control unit controls the presentation of the plurality of content items included in the playlist group with respect to a specific playlist group; The content presentation control device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

10. a playlist generation unit that generates the second type playlist based on information indicating the importance and interest direction of each content item; The content presentation control device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

11. a content receiver for receiving a content item over a communications network; a presentation unit that presents the content item received by the content receiving unit; The content presentation control device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

12. A content presentation control device that controls a presentation method by a presentation unit that presents a content item, a presentation control information storage unit that stores, as presentation control information, information on a first type playlist that is a list of content items, a second type playlist that is also a list of content items, and a playlist group that includes one or more of the first type playlists and one or more of the second type playlists; a presentation control unit that reads information about a playlist group from the presentation control information storage unit, and (A) controls the presentation unit to present a plurality of content items included in the playlist group sequentially over time, or (B) controls the presentation unit to present a plurality of content items included in the playlist group side by side on a screen; A program that causes a computer to function as a content presentation control device comprising:

Images