Video content distribution system

Abstract

To provide a method for selecting a broadcast content on a television receiver, which varies depending on the configuration of a broadcast system, and directly affects the convenience of a viewer.SOLUTION: A distribution system generates program information by adding reception condition identification information that specifies a condition for reception by a TV receiver. An intermediate shared server stores the program information. On the basis of the information from the TV receiver, the intermediate shared server transmits the necessary program information to the TV receiver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a video content distribution system that is composed of a server system that distributes video content and a television receiver that receives video content distributed over the Internet, and that allows easy selection of video content distributed over the Internet. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, advances in networks have led to the launch of a wide range of video distribution services. In particular, large-screen television receivers can now not only receive broadcasts as before, but also connect to networks and play distributed video content, allowing viewers to enjoy higher-quality, more realistic video. This has become possible thanks to faster networks and improved processing capabilities of television receivers, and it is expected that in the future, there will be even more opportunities to display and operate a variety of video content provided over networks on television receivers.

[0003] In this situation, viewers desire an easier way to select their favorite content from video content distributed via broadcast or communication. However, currently, each video content provider offers a different receiving system and operation app, and viewers must select the appropriate program selection method before playing the video content. For example, video content selection is performed by displaying a content selection screen from an icon on the TV home screen or by using a dedicated button for the distributed content. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Operational Standards ARIB TR-B14 Part 4 [Non-patent document 2] PSI / SI Operational Regulations for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention relates to a video content distribution system that includes a television receiver for receiving video content distributed over the Internet and optimally distributes video content and program information distributed over the Internet.

[0006] FIG. 5 shows an example of a conventional configuration using multiple video distribution systems.

[0007] The distribution system 23000 transmits a video and audio stream from a transmitter 23003 to a stream distribution network 23300, and program information generated by the distribution system 23000 is transmitted from a program information unit 23004 to a receiver 23401 of the intermediate shared server 23400. As with the distribution system 23000, the distribution systems 23100 and 23200 also transmit the video and audio stream and program information via different routes. The intermediate shared server 23400 stores the received program information in a program information storage unit 23403. When content is selected on the content selection screen 23505 of the television receiver 23500, the specified video and audio stream is transmitted from the stream distribution network 23300 to the receiver 23503, and the video and audio content decoded by a decoder 23502 is displayed on a content display 23501.

[0008] The program information is distributed from a transmitting unit 23402 of the intermediate shared server 23400 to a program information processing unit 23504 of the television receiver 23500, and a content selection screen 23505 is generated.

[0009] The streaming network and intermediate shared server can be accessed from multiple television receivers, and can also be accessed from television receiver 23600.

[0010] FIG. 6 shows a conventional example of a selection screen for the video and audio content of the above embodiment.

[0011] In the content list 24100, services provided by distribution A, distribution B, and distribution C are listed at the top of the screen. If distribution A is selected, contents A1 to A6 provided by distribution A are displayed, and video content selected from among them is played. If distribution B is selected, contents B1 to B6 provided by distribution B are displayed as shown in content list 24200, and video content selected from among them is played. In this conventional example, desired content can be selected by selecting distribution A to distribution C on the screen of FIG. 6 without having to return to distribution source selection screen 22100 as shown in FIG. 22, but it is not possible to display content provided by distribution A, distribution B, and distribution C in a unified manner. Here, these operations are performed by operating cursors 24101 and 24201 on remote control 24000.

[0012] As described above, the method for selecting distributed content on a television receiver varies depending on the configuration of the distribution system, and this directly affects the convenience of viewers. Considering the various types of distribution systems that are expected to emerge in the future, the following issues arise.

[0013] 1) The current system is operated with a simple system configuration consisting of multiple distribution providers and one intermediate shared server, but there are issues with not being able to provide a single, stable service to viewers due to the multi-layering caused by the entry of content providers and distribution providers from different industries and the complexity caused by the entry of multiple intermediate shared servers.

[0014] 2) When program information is provided via an intermediate server, the intermediate server must provide all responses to program information requests from TV receivers, increasing the burden on the intermediate server. Furthermore, program information itself is often under the jurisdiction of the distribution service provider that operates the program. Managing and operating the service, including the distribution of program information, by the distribution service provider itself allows for operation that matches the characteristics of each service and is likely to lead to more efficient operation. On the other hand, when completely individual distribution is performed by a distribution service provider, the TV receiver must constantly monitor the information to acquire and manage it, which in turn places a burden on the TV receiver, resulting in inefficient operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] As a first step: In a video content distribution system for distributing video content, a distribution system (1000) having a distribution provider program information generating unit (1004) in which one or more distribution providers generate program information; a distribution provider and service identification attached program information generating unit (1007) (drawing number unknown: please explain this description in the examples and drawings as well) that generates program information by adding reception condition identification information that attaches conditions for reception by a TV receiver to the program information provided by the distribution providers generated by the distribution provider program information generating unit (1004); and a transmission unit (1008) that transmits the distribution provider identification attached program information to an intermediate shared server; The intermediate shared server (1300) has an intermediate shared server program information generation unit (1306) (drawing number unknown: please add an explanation regarding this description to the examples and drawings) that stores program acquisition information in a form that integrates one or more received program information with distribution business identification, and a service management information transmission unit (1307) that transmits the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver upon request from the television receiver; a TV receiver (1400) that determines a source of receivable program information based on the intermediate shared server program information from the intermediate shared server program information transmission unit, obtains distribution provider program information for receiving the program based on the determination result, and can receive the program; A video content distribution system having the above.

[0016] As a second option: In the first means, the intermediate shared server has an intermediate shared server program information generation unit that generates program acquisition information for the receiver in a form that integrates the one or more distribution provider identification-attached program information, and has a function of generating appropriate intermediate shared server program information based on reception condition information from the TV receiver and transmitting it to the TV receiver; A video content distribution system in which the TV receiver determines from the intermediate shared server program information where to obtain program information that can be received, obtains distribution provider program information for receiving the program based on the determination result, and can receive the program. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows an example of the structure of monthly program information identifying distribution providers and services according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows an example of application of monthly program information for identifying distribution providers and services according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an example of application of distributor and service identification program information transmitted along with a TV according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of a conventional online distribution system. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a conventional example of a selection screen for audiovisual content. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention.

[0020] The video distribution system of this embodiment is made up of distribution systems 1000 and 1100, a stream distribution network 1200, an intermediate shared server 1300, and television receivers 1400 and 1500.

[0021] The distribution systems 1000 and 1100 transmit video and audio streams from transmitters 1003 and 1103 to a stream distribution network 1200 .

[0022] Furthermore, distribution systems 1000, 1100 generate program information to be distributed by each of them in distribution provider program information generation units 1004, 1104. Program information is information (reception conditions) necessary for viewers and TV receivers 1400, 1500 to select and receive a program, such as program title, program summary, cast, genre, and broadcast time. Additionally, distribution provider identification information units 1005, 1105 generate identification information to distinguish between distribution systems 1000, 1100, and program information generation units 1006, 1106 organize and convert the program information so that it can be superimposed on the stream network.

[0023] A distribution provider and service identifier-attached program information generation unit 1007 generates program information by adding reception condition identification information that attaches conditions for reception by a TV receiver to the program information provided by the distribution provider generated by the distribution provider program information generation unit 1004, and distributes the generated distribution provider and service identification to the intermediate shared server 1300 via a transmission unit 1008.

[0024] The distribution systems 1000 and 1100 include distributor and service identification program information transmitters 1007 and 1107. The distributor and service identification program information transmitters 1007 and 1107 generate management information for optimizing the distribution and reception mechanisms of program information and transmit the management information to the intermediate shared server 1300.

[0025] The intermediate shared server 1300 is composed of an intermediate shared server program information generation unit 1306 that generates or stores program acquisition information in the form of integrating one or more received program information with distribution provider identification, and a service management information transmission unit 1307 that transmits the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver upon request from the television receiver.

[0026] The intermediate shared server program information generation unit 1306 is composed of a receiving unit 1301 and a service information management unit 1302 .

[0027] The service management information transmitting unit 1307 is composed of a service information management analysis unit 1303 , a service information management transmitting unit 1304 , and a receiving unit 1305 .

[0028] In the intermediate shared server 1300, the management information received by the receiving unit 1301 from the distribution systems 1000 and 1100 is stored and managed in the service information management unit 1302. The service information management unit 1302 stores the distribution provider and service identification information transmitted from each of the distribution systems 1000 and 1100, and also manages at least the generation of the information so as to always store the latest information.

[0029] The service information management analysis unit 1303 receives inquiries from the television (TV) receivers 1400 and 1500 (described later) via the receiving unit 1305 regarding where to obtain program information that can be received, and in response to the inquiries, extracts appropriate and up-to-date information from the service information management unit 1302 and transmits it to the TV receivers 1400 and 1500 via the service information management transmission unit 1304.

[0030] When the TV receivers 1400, 1500 obtain program information for programs that they can receive, they first check with the intermediate shared server 1300 to find out where they can obtain the program information. At this time, the TV receivers 1400, 1500 transmit the information to the receiving unit 1305 of the intermediate shared server 1300 via the viewing setting management units 1409, 1509, which manage and set the viewing settings of the TV itself, such as the reception area, the performance of the decoders 1402, 1502 for each reception network type (e.g., wireless / wireless, IPV6 / 4, 5G / 6G mobile communication, whether high-definition video such as 4K or 8K can be received, the performance of the TV itself (e.g., memory capacity), and whether or not pay broadcasts can be received, and the transmitting units 1408, 1508.

[0031] The intermediate shared server 1300 transmits the viewing management information transmitted from each of the television receivers 1400, 1500 at its receiving unit 1305 to its service information management analysis unit 1303, and the service information management analysis unit 1303 returns information limited to program information appropriate for each TV receiver that can be received, thereby selecting connection destination information for quick and efficient acquisition from the distribution provider and service identification program information stored in the service information management unit 1302, and passing this information to the program information processing units 1404, 1504 of each of the TV receivers 1400, 1500 via the service information management transmission unit 1304.

[0032] In the TV receivers 1400, 1500, the receiving units 1403, 1503 acquire information related to program information that can be received from the stream distribution network 1200 based on the program information acquisition destinations acquired by the program information processing units 1404, 1504, and the program information processing units 1404, 1504 acquire information on transmission sites from which programs can be received. This information and viewing requests from viewers are used by remote controls 1407, 1507 to control various setting parameters and behaviors required for content reception, decoding, and content display in the control units 1406, 1506, and provide necessary control to reception 1403, 1503, decoding 1402, 1502, screen selection 1405, 1505, and content display 1401, 1501, respectively.

[0033] Figure 2 shows an example of the structure of the distribution provider and service identification program information generated by the distribution provider and service identification-attached program information generators 1007 and 1107. Figure 2 is explained below. First, identification information and service identification information are attached to distinguish the distribution provider itself. As mentioned above, the service identification information is information for identifying each program when multiple programs are scheduled within a single distribution provider. The connection destination indicates the connection destination from which the TV receiver 1400 or 1500 obtains program guide data for each distribution provider or service identification. For example, a URL beginning with https can be used. The area condition is identification information for distinguishing the program content in the program guide depending on the reception area. The viewer identification information indicates the conditions for receiving the corresponding program. For example, if a pay program causes disruption, a subscription to the corresponding premium service is required. Also, if the program is for high-definition programs exceeding 4K, a TV receiver with the capabilities to receive 4K is required.

[0034] The user verification code is a verification code that is handed over when the TV receiver 1400, 1500 connects to the specified destination, and is information that enables the distribution systems 1000, 1100 to provide the requested program information only if the request is verified. Furthermore, each distribution provider and service identification program information contains an expiration date and version of the information, which are used by the intermediate shared server 1300 or the TV receiver 1400, 1500 to manage the latest information.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a schematic example of distribution of program information using the configuration example of the distribution business operator and service identification program information shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 will be explained below.

[0036] The distribution provider information 3100, 3200, and 3300 is information generated by the distribution provider and service identification information assignment 1007 and 1107 of the distribution systems 1000 and 1100 in Fig. 1. Although two distribution systems are shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows an example in which there are three distribution systems.

[0037] The distributor information 3100, 3200, 3300 creates distributor and service identification program information from the following management information related to the program scheduling performed by each of the distributors of the distribution system created in the distributor and service identification information assignment 1007, 1107.

[0038] Distribution company information 3100; Distribution company and service identification program information 3101, 3102 Distribution company information 3200; Distribution company and service identification program information 3201, 3202 Distribution company information 3300; Distribution company and service identification program information 3301, 3302, 3303

[0039] Distribution provider and service identification program information 3101, 3102 contains management information related to program scheduling indicated by ID001 or ID002 for distribution source identification A2-TV, and the common source of information for distribution provider 3100, https: / / addressA2, is written as the source of this information. Distribution provider and service identification program information 3101 is available nationwide, while 3102 is limited to the Kanto region. A usage confirmation code for confirmation is also set individually.

[0040] The distribution provider and service identification program information 3201, 3202 contains management information related to program scheduling indicated by ID001 or ID002 for the distribution source identification A3-TV, and the common source of information for distribution provider 3200, https: / / addressA3, is recorded as the source of this information. 3201 is limited to the Hokkaido region, while 3202 is limited to the Hokkaido region and to premium contract subscribers. A usage confirmation code for confirmation is also set individually.

[0041] The distribution provider and service identification program information 3301 to 3303 contains management information related to program scheduling indicated by ID001 to ID003 for the distribution source identification A1-TV, and the common source of information for distribution provider 3300, https: / / addressA1, is written as the source of this information. As for the receiving conditions, 3301 and 3303 can be received nationwide without any special settings. However, 3303 requires subscription to a premium contract. Although 3303 is limited to the Kanto region, there are no restrictions such as a premium contract. Each usage confirmation code is set individually.

[0042] The intermediate shared server 3000 (intermediate shared server 1300 in FIG. 1) stores and manages this distributor and service identification program information in a service information management system. The managed information is managed so that the latest information is retrieved by the service information analysis unit 3002 based on the expiration date and version information included in the information.

[0043] To acquire appropriate program information, the TV receivers 3400, 3500 (television receivers 1400, 1500 in FIG. 1) inquire about their own viewing management setting information 3401, 3501 from the receiving unit 3004 (1305 in FIG. 1) of the intermediate shared server 3000. The intermediate shared server 3000 extracts appropriate distribution provider and service identification program information from the received viewing management setting information 3401, 3501 using the service information analyzing unit 3002 (1303 in FIG. 1), and passes this information to the respective TV receivers 3400, 3500 via the service management information transmitting unit 3003 (service information management transmitting 1304 in FIG. 1).

[0044] Specifically, in the case of TV receiver 3500, viewing management setting information 3501 indicating that the receiver's region is Hokkaido and that Premium Service 3 has been acquired is passed to receiving unit 3004 of intermediate shared server 3000. Based on the received viewing monitoring setting information, service information unit 3002 extracts, from the distribution provider and service identification program information stored in service information management 3001, service information that is not limited to Premium Service or is limited to Premium Service 3 among nationwide broadcasts and Hokkaido region-limited services. Specifically, service management information 3301 for A1-TV station, 3101 for A2-TV station, and 3201 and 3202 for A3-TV station are extracted. The extracted distribution provider and service identification program information is passed to TV receiver 3500 via service management information transmitting unit 3003.

[0045] The TV receiver 3500 understands the information required for inquiries, such as the contact information for receiving the program guide and the encryption key for communication, from the received distribution provider and service identification program information for each of A1-TV 3502, A2-TV 3503, and A3-TV 3504, and obtains the information required for program reception by making inquiries to the program guide distribution sites 3700, 3800, and 3900 operated by each station.

[0046] Similarly, TV receiver 3400, whose reception area is Tokyo and whose viewing management setting information 3401 indicates that it can receive up to Premium 1 services, queries intermediate shared server 3000, which retrieves distribution provider and service identification program information 3101, 3102, 3201, and 3202 for receiving the corresponding A1-TV and A2-TV, and receives distribution provider and service identification program information 3402 and 3403 for A1-TV and A2-TV on TV receiver 3400. TV receiver 3400 obtains the information necessary for program reception by querying program guide distribution sites 3700 and 3800 operated by the respective stations based on the received distribution provider and service identification program information 3402 and 3403. In the case of TV receiver 3400, there is no service that can be received from A3-TV station, so no query is made to A3-TV station.

[0047] 4 shows an example of the distributor and service identification program information delivered to each TV receiver 3400, 3500 via the service management information transmission unit 3003. 4000 is a combination of 3402 and 3403 presented to the TV receiver 3400. The TV receiver 3400 notifies the viewing management setting information 3401 that it is in the Tokyo reception area and that it is subscribed to Premium Service 1. The service information analysis unit 3002 finds 3101, 3102, 3301, 3302, and 3303 from the accumulated distributor and service identification program information and returns the connection destination, service identification, and usage confirmation code required for the TV receiver to receive the information. Similarly, 4100 shows an example of the distributor and service identification program information presented to the TV receiver 3500. The TV receiver 3500 is set to receive the program for the Hokkaido region as described in the viewing management setting information 3501, and is conditioned on subscription to Premium Service 3. The service information analysis unit 3002 finds 3101, 3201, 3202, and 3301 from the accumulated distribution company and service identification program information, and replies to the connection destination, service identification m, and usage confirmation code required for the TV receiver to receive the information.

[0048] A single provider does not necessarily operate only one program distribution service. A single provider may offer multiple services depending on the service area, the status of service contracts with users, including paid programs and additional services, or the receiver's functions and performance. Even if the program structure is nearly identical, different providers may operate the services due to management issues or due to coordination with other services, such as government and local lifestyle information. In this case, the conventional method of providing all program information to all receivers from an intermediate shared server places a heavy burden on the distributor. Furthermore, the receiver must acquire all information and then organize and manage only the relevant information, which places a heavy processing burden on the processing. Furthermore, the stream distribution network 1200 and distribution systems 1000 and 1100 bear the burden of providing unnecessary data, resulting in inefficient operations for both the distributor and the receiver.

[0049] This invention allows each distribution source to distribute program guide data to each receiver, and the intermediate server manages the destination of requests for program information that each receiver can receive, and by adopting a mechanism that appropriately obtains only the program information that is available to each receiver, it reduces the overall amount of data transferred for obtaining program information, and enables programs to be played back with lightweight processing on both the sending and receiving sides.

[0050] While this embodiment illustrates an example in which the TV receivers 3400 and 3500 transmit their own viewing management setting information 3401 and 3501 to the intermediate shared server 3000, there may be cases in which they do not transmit viewer monitoring information. In this case, the intermediate shared server 3000 does not select the optimal distribution provider and service identification program information from the TV receiver settings. Instead, as shown in the example of 4200 in Figure 4, it transmits to the TV receiver the connection destination, service identification, and usage confirmation code required for the TV receiver to receive all program information. The TV receiver then checks the programs it can receive from the received distribution provider and service identification program information and issues a request to the listed connection destination. While this imposes a processing burden on the TV because it must check the programs it can receive, it can operate by selecting only available program information from the distribution provider and service identification program information from the intermediate shared server before acquiring all program guide data, as in the past. As a result, the distribution side, the intermediate shared server, and the TV receiver can acquire and update program information efficiently. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1000 Distribution System 1004 Distribution company program information generation unit 1007 Service identification attached program information generation unit 1008 Transmitter 1300 Intermediate Shared Server 1306 Intermediate shared server program information generation unit 1307 Service management information transmission unit 1400 TV receiver

Claims

1. In a video content distribution system for distributing video content, a distribution system including: a distributor program information generation unit in which one or more distributors generate program information; a distribution provider and service identification-attached program information generation unit that generates program information by adding reception condition identification information that attaches conditions for reception by a TV receiver to the program information provided by the distributors generated by the distributor program information generation unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the distribution provider identification-attached program information to an intermediate shared server; an intermediate shared server having an intermediate shared server program information generation unit that stores program acquisition information in a form that integrates one or more received program information with distribution business identification, and a service management information transmission unit that transmits the intermediate shared server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver; a TV receiver that determines a source of receivable program information based on the intermediate shared server program information from the intermediate shared server program information transmitting unit, acquires distribution provider program information for receiving the program based on the determination result, and is capable of receiving the program; A video content distribution system having the above.

2. In claim 1, the intermediate shared server has an intermediate shared server program information generation unit that generates program acquisition information for the receiver in a form that integrates the one or more distributor identification-attached program information, and has a function of generating appropriate intermediate shared server program information based on reception condition information from the TV receiver and transmitting it to the TV receiver, A video content distribution system in which the TV receiver determines from the intermediate shared server program information where to obtain program information that can be received, obtains distribution provider program information for receiving the program based on the determination result, and can receive the program.

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