Server device and control program

Abstract

To reduce the effort required by users when users watch video content in a series format having multiple episodes.SOLUTION: A server device (10) includes an acquisition unit (111) that acquires an identification code associated with video content in a series format having multiple episodes, and information identifying an external device (20), which is a transmission source of the identification code, and a communication unit (13) that, after authentication using the identification code is performed, transmits data for an episode number in the video content requested by the user, to the external device (20).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, DVD boxes for viewing all episodes of TV anime and the like have been sold. Patent Document 1 discloses a reading device that can eliminate application startup delays when changing optical discs, while also properly terminating applications that are not related to the movie. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-170085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when viewing a work using multiple discs, the user has to go through the trouble of changing discs for each episode or each set of episodes.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problem, and aims to reduce the effort required of users when they watch video content in a series format having multiple episodes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a server device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an identification code associated with video content in a series format having multiple episodes and information that identifies the external device that sent the identification code, and a communication unit that, after authentication using the identification code, transmits data for the episode number in the video content that corresponds to the user's request to the external device.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a terminal device having a display unit, an input unit for inputting an identification code associated with a series-format video content having multiple episodes, a communication unit for transmitting the input identification code and information identifying the terminal device to a server device, and a display control unit for displaying on the display unit a video transmitted from the server device, the video of the episode number in the video content that corresponds to a user's request.

[0008] The server device and terminal device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control program that realizes the server device or terminal device on a computer by making the computer operate as each part (software element) of the server device or terminal device, and the computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, when a user views video content in a series format having multiple episodes, the user's effort can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a system. [Figure 2] 10 is an example of a table stored in a storage unit of the server device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of system processing. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are examples of an identification code input screen and a content list screen in an application. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of system processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0012] [1. System 1 configuration example] FIG. 1 is an example block diagram showing the functional configuration of a system 1 according to the present disclosure. The system 1 is a system for transmitting any content from a server device 10 to a display device (external device, terminal device) 20 and playing back the content. Hereinafter, the content will be described as video content that includes video, but it may also be music content or audio content that does not include video. In many cases, video content is associated with one or more channels of audio, and the audio is played back in parallel with the video on the display device 20.

[0013] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the content according to the present disclosure is assumed to be a rental product, i.e., the period during which the content can be played on the display device 20 is limited.

[0014] The system 1 includes a server device 10 and one or more display devices 20. The server device 10 functions as a server that supplies content, and includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0015] The control unit 11 is a control device that controls the entire server device 10, and includes an acquisition unit 111. The acquisition unit 111 acquires an identification code associated with rental content and information that identifies the display device 20 that is the sender of the identification code. Here, the content may be video content in the form of a series having multiple episodes.

[0016] Furthermore, the identification code is a serial code (serial number) including alphanumeric characters and symbols for identifying the content. As will be described in detail later, a single identification code may be associated with multiple pieces of content. This means that a user can download multiple pieces of content by inputting a single identification code into the display device 20. Furthermore, a single piece of content may be associated with multiple types of identification codes.

[0017] In one aspect, a medium such as a card on which an identification code is written or recorded may be distributed for a fee or free of charge at a predetermined physical store, live venue, etc. In other aspects, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire an identification code written or recorded on a medium distributed at a predetermined physical store, etc.

[0018] The memory unit 12 is a storage device that stores various information, for example, a table showing the correspondence between content and identification codes. The control unit 11 refers to the table and performs authentication using the identification code acquired by the acquisition unit 111. From another perspective, authentication is a process of determining whether the identification code acquired by the acquisition unit 111 is legitimate.

[0019] The communication unit 13 is an interface that performs communication processing with the display device 20 and the like under the control of the control unit 11. For example, the communication unit 13 transmits requested content to the display device 20 in response to a user request via the display device 20, only within a predetermined period based on when authentication using the identification code is performed, or until a predetermined date and time. The communication unit 13 may transmit video to the display device 20 by streaming transmission, or may transmit the video all at once so that it is stored as chunk data in the display device 20. Streaming reception in the display device 20 is a type of download. Note that even when the display device 20 plays video stored in the storage unit 22 and streaming reception does not occur, authentication using the identification code and a determination as to whether the content is within the playback period are performed before playing the video.

[0020] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 of the server device 10 determines that the end of the period during which the content can be played is approaching within a certain period, the control unit 11 may notify the display device 20 of this fact via the communication unit 13. That is, in the above case, the communication unit 13 may transmit a notification regarding the date and time at which the period during which the authentication is valid will end to the display device 20 at a specific timing before the end of the period.

[0021] Furthermore, it is desirable that the data such as the video data transmitted between the server device 10 and the display device 20 be encrypted before transmission and decrypted on the receiving device side.

[0022] The display device 20 is a device capable of outputting video and audio, and may be realized as, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, a television, a game console, etc. The display device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and a display unit (output unit) 25.

[0023] The control unit 21 is a control device that controls the entire display device 20, and includes a display control unit 211. The display control unit 211 controls the screen display on the display unit 25. The display control unit 211 causes the display unit 25 to display an image input to the display device 20 from the server device 10, for example.

[0024] The storage unit 22 is a storage device that stores various types of information, such as an already authenticated identification code, information identifying the content associated with the identification code, and information indicating the expiration date for playback of the content. Here, the information identifying the content may be, for example, the ID of the content or the identification code associated with the content. Furthermore, the display device 20 may be configured to have an application for playing video and audio installed, and in this configuration, the application data is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0025] The communication unit 23 is an interface that performs communication processing with the server device 10 and the like under the control of the control unit 21. For example, the communication unit 23 transmits information that identifies content selected by the user via the input unit 24 to the server device 10.

[0026] The input unit 24 is a member through which the user inputs information to the display device 20, and may be realized as, for example, a keyboard or other buttons, or a mouse. The input unit 24 may also be a remote control or controller that is separate from the display device 20 itself. The user inputs an identification code and performs various selection operations via the input unit 24. The input unit 24 and the display unit 25 may also be realized as an integrated touch panel.

[0027] 1, the input unit 24 may include a camera 241 that captures an image. The input unit 24 may also be configured so that a two-dimensional code indicating an identification code can be read by the camera 241. This reduces the time and effort required for the user to input the identification code.

[0028] Additionally, the input unit 24 may have a configuration capable of contactlessly reading an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, thereby allowing the input unit 24 to accept input of an identification code by contactlessly reading an RFID tag on which the identification code is recorded.

[0029] The display unit 25 is a display panel that displays images, character strings, objects, etc., based on the control of the display control unit 211. If the content is music content or the like that does not include images, the following description may be applied in which the display unit 25 is regarded as an output unit 25 realized by a speaker or the like.

[0030] Furthermore, the function of a single component included in the system 1 may be realized by a plurality of other components, and the functions of a plurality of components included in the system 1 may be realized by a single other component. For example, the system 1 may include a plurality of server devices 10, or the authentication of the above-mentioned identification code may be performed by an authentication device other than the server device 10. Furthermore, some components included in the system 1 may be detachable from the server device 10 or the display device 20.

[0031] [2. Authentication table example] Next, a specific example will be described of the above-mentioned table stored in the storage unit 12 of the server device 10. Table 31 in Fig. 2 is an example of a table showing the correspondence between content and identification codes.

[0032] For example, Table 31 indicates that content A includes video content from episodes A1-A3, and content B includes video content from episodes B1-B3. In other words, content A and B are video content series with multiple episodes. The number of episodes of each content is not limited. Examples of such video content include dramas and television anime. The value in the "Identification Code" column indicates which identification code is required for authentication to download the content of the corresponding episode to the display device 20. For example, to download the content of episode A3 to the display device 20, authentication using identification code "AAABBB222" or "AAABBB333" is required, and even if authentication using identification code "AAABBB111" is performed, the content of episode A3 cannot be downloaded.

[0033] Furthermore, content may be associated with multiple types of identification codes. For example, content A may be associated with a first type of identification code that allows only the data for episodes A1 and A2 to be downloaded, and a second type of identification code that allows the data for episodes A1 to A3 to be downloaded.

[0034] Alternatively, all episodes of a series of video content may be viewable through authentication using a single identification code. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111 may be configured to acquire a single identification code associated with the video content and information for identifying the display device 20.

[0035] Furthermore, a single identification code may be associated with multiple contents. For example, when authentication is performed using the identification code "AAABBB333," the data for episodes A1 to A3 of content A and the data for episodes B1 to B3 of content B can be downloaded from display device 20, which is the sender of the identification code. Note that it is desirable for the actual identification code to be a character string more complex than the one exemplified in FIG. 2.

[0036] It is not necessary for the content to be in a series format with multiple episodes. For example, if the content is a single live performance video of a singer, the "Episode N" column corresponding to that content will be set to a value indicating that the content is not in a series format.

[0037] Table 32 is an example of a table showing the correspondence between an identification code, a display device 20 registered by authentication using the identification code, and an expiration date.

[0038] In Table 32, the denominator of the value in the "Number of registered devices" column indicates the maximum number of display devices 20 that can be registered through authentication using the corresponding identification code. Furthermore, "registering" a display device 20 means storing the display device 20 that sent the identification code as a display device 20 that can download content associated with that identification code. Furthermore, as indicated by the fact that the denominator may be 2 or more, a single identification code may be input to each of multiple display devices 20, allowing content to be downloaded to each of those display devices 20.

[0039] Furthermore, the numerator of the value in the "Number of registered devices" column indicates how many display devices 20 have been registered at the current time through authentication using the identification code in question. For example, in the case of the identification code "AAABBB111," the maximum number of three display devices 20 have already been registered, so even if the identification code "AAABBB111" is entered into another new display device 20, that display device 20 will not be registered. Furthermore, it is desirable that the display device 20 be configured to be able to be deregistered by operating the input unit 24 of the display device 20, for example. This makes it possible to switch display devices 20 from which content can be downloaded, even if the number of devices that can be registered using a certain identification code has been reached.

[0040] Furthermore, the value in the "registered display device" column is a value such as a MAC address for uniquely identifying an individual display device 20, and indicates a display device 20 that has been registered through authentication using the corresponding identification code.

[0041] The date and time in the "Expiration Date" column indicates the expiration date of the authentication, i.e., the viewing date and time during which the content can be played back on the display device 20. In other words, the user can rent the content for the period until the expiration date. The expiration date may be determined based on the first time authentication using the identification code is performed by any display device 20, or the expiration date and time may be determined in advance. When the expiration date has passed, the authentication is cancelled.

[0042] From another perspective, in one embodiment, the acquisition unit 111 of the server device 10 acquires a common identification code and information identifying each display device 20 from each of the plurality of display devices 20. Then, the communication unit 13 transmits content to each display device 20 in response to a user request via each display device 20, only for a predetermined period based on when authentication using the identification code was first performed by any of the display devices 20.

[0043] In this way, the storage unit 12 of the server device 10 stores one or more authenticated identification codes in association with information identifying one or more display devices 20. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 111 acquires the information identifying the display device 20, the storage unit 12 executes authentication processing using an identification code stored in the storage unit 12 and associated with the information identifying the display device 20. Here, the authentication processing may include, for example, authentication by the server device 10 alone or authentication using the above-mentioned separate authentication device.

[0044] Also, different expiration dates may be set for each piece of content for a single identification code.

[0045] [3. Example of System 1 Processing] Next, an example will be described of the flow of processing executed by the system 1. Fig. 3 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing according to this example.

[0046] In S101 (step S101), the control unit 21 of the display device 20 acquires an identification code input by the user via the input unit 24. In this example, it is assumed that the input of the identification code and the playback of video and audio are performed using an application installed on the display device 20.

[0047] 4 shows an example of an identification code input screen, which is a screen of the application. On the screen 51, input forms 52 and 53 are input forms for inputting an identification code.

[0048] In the example of screen 51, the content is a video of an event such as a live concert, and input form 52 is a form for inputting a character string that identifies the event. The "event code" input into input form 52 may be a value that is common to each event. Furthermore, input form 53 is a form for inputting a "serial code" that is different for each event.

[0049] As illustrated in input forms 52 and 53, a single identification code may be configured to include two or more character strings, or, for example, of the aforementioned "event code" and "serial code," only the "serial code" may be treated as the identification code.

[0050] For example, if the content for which the identification code is to be input is video content such as a drama, the user may input only the “serial code” into the input form 53 .

[0051] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the present disclosure described above, as shown in screen 51, when a user downloads content, it is not necessarily required that the user input personal information or register as a member.

[0052] In S102, the control unit 21 transmits the input identification code and information for identifying the own device to the server device 10 via the communication unit 23. In the example of the screen 51, when the button 54 is pressed, the processing of this step S102 is executed.

[0053] In S103, the acquisition unit 111 of the server device 10 acquires each piece of information received via the communication unit 13, and the control unit 11 performs authentication using the identification code. If the authentication is successful, the process of S104 is then executed. The control unit 11 also associates the display device 20 that is the sender of the identification code with the identification code and registers it in the storage unit 12 as a "registered display device" as exemplified in Table 32 of FIG. 2. In addition, if the "expiration date" of the authenticated identification code is not registered, the control unit 11 derives the expiration date and registers it in the storage unit 12.

[0054] In S104, the control unit 11 transmits data of the content associated with the identification code used for authentication to the display device 20. When the content to be played is a video content in a series format having multiple episodes, data of the first episode is usually transmitted to the display device 20 first.

[0055] If the authentication using the identification code is not successful, the control unit 11 does not send video or audio, but instead transmits information indicating that the authentication was not successful to the display device 20. Here, cases in which the authentication using the identification code is not successful include when there is an error in the identification code, when the authentication code has expired, or when the number of registered devices has reached the upper limit.

[0056] Alternatively, the content may be a recording of a live performance, and authentication may be possible from a predetermined timing after the end of the performance. This is because, even if an identification code is distributed at a live performance venue, it takes a certain amount of time for the content distributor to record the live video and make it available from the server device 10. In this configuration, authentication will not be successful even if the user inputs the identification code into the display device 20 before the predetermined timing.

[0057] Furthermore, the configuration in which control unit 11 transmits content data to display device 20 immediately after authentication using the identification code is successful is not essential, and a configuration in which content is transmitted to display device 20 in response to a user request via display device 20 after authentication using the identification code is successful may also be used. In the above configuration, the expiration date of the content may be set based on the timing when the content is first transmitted to display device 20 or when the downloaded content is first played on display device 20 after authentication using the identification code is successful.

[0058] In S105, the display control unit 211 of the display device 20 performs processing to display the video of the content received by the communication unit 23 on the display unit 25. That is, when authentication using the identification code is performed, the display control unit 211 causes the display unit 25 to display the video of the content transmitted from the server device 10. In addition, the control unit 21 plays back the audio included in the content. In this way, the display unit 25 displays the content transmitted from the server device 10 in response to a user request made via the input unit 24, only for a predetermined period based on when authentication using the identification code is performed, or until a predetermined date and time. In addition, the control unit 21 stores, in the storage unit 22, information identifying the content associated with the identification code for which authentication has been successful.

[0059] In S106, when a user operates the input unit 24 to change the episode number of the video to be played back, the control unit 21 transmits information indicating the changed episode number to the server device 10. Furthermore, the changed episode numbers that the user can select are limited to episode numbers of authenticated content.

[0060] In S107, the control unit 11 transmits the data of the requested episode number to the display device 20. That is, after authentication using the identification code is performed, the communication unit 13 transmits the data of the episode number in the video content that corresponds to the user's request to the display device 20. The display control unit 211 causes the video of the episode number that corresponds to the user's request to be displayed on the display unit 25. Note that it is desirable that, even if the user does not perform the operation in S106, when playback of the video of a certain episode number has ended, authentication is confirmed and data of the next episode number is transmitted from the server device 10 to the display device 20.

[0061] The present disclosure also includes a configuration in which the determination of whether the authentication of the content is within the expiration date is made on the display device 20. In the above configuration, if the expiration date has passed, the content is not played on the display device 20.

[0062] The above has described the flow of processing based on the sequence diagram of FIG. 3. Note that instead of the processing of S101, the display control unit 211 may cause the display unit 25 to display a list of contents associated with the authenticated identification code, and the control unit 21 may identify a content selected from the content included in the list via the input unit 24. In this case, in S102, the communication unit 23 transmits information identifying the display device 20 itself and information identifying the selected content to the server device 10. In addition, in S103, the control unit 11 of the server device 10 authenticates that the identified display device 20 is registered using the identification code associated with the selected content. With the above configuration, it is not necessary to re-enter an identification code that has been successfully authenticated into the input unit 24, thereby reducing the user's effort.

[0063] Screen 56 in Fig. 4 is a screen of the aforementioned application, and shows an example of a list screen of content associated with an authenticated identification code. Button 57 is a button for specifying the video of the episode number to be played when the video content is in the form of a series having multiple episodes. Also, the displayed button 57 may be configured to be changeable to a button 57 corresponding to a different episode number, for example, by sliding part of the screen left or right. Button 58 is a button for playing music content.

[0064] The video of the content may also be configured to have multiple chapters set at regular or arbitrary time intervals, and to allow the playback position to jump to the beginning of a chapter selected by the user from a list. This applies not only to cases where the display device 20 downloads and stores the video, but also to cases where the video is received in streaming. This configuration is realized by the control unit 11 of the server device 10 transmitting information indicating a list of chapters stored in the storage unit 12 to the display device 20, and the control unit 21 of the display device 20 reading out the video of the chapter selected by the user from the storage unit 22 or receiving it in streaming from the server device 10.

[0065] Next, we will provide additional information about the processing of system 1 when the content is a series of video content having multiple episodes. Figure 5 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the flow of the processing. The processing of Figure 5 is executed when playback of the video of a certain episode, that is, the Nth episode, is completed on display device 20.

[0066] In S201, the control unit 21 of the display device 20 transmits information indicating that the playback of the video of the Nth episode has ended to the server device 10 via the communication unit 23. The acquisition unit 111 of the server device 10 acquires the information transmitted from the display device 20.

[0067] In S202, the control unit 11 of the server device 10 determines whether or not authentication has been completed for the display device 20 to play the next episode, the N+1th episode. If the control unit 11 determines that the authentication has been completed (S202: YES), then in S203, it transmits data for the N+1th episode to the display device 20.

[0068] In S204, the display control unit 211 of the display device 20 performs processing to display the video of the (N+1)th episode received from the server device 10 on the display unit 25. When playback of the video of the (N+1)th episode has finished, the processing from S201 is repeated for the video of the (N+1)th episode.

[0069] Furthermore, if the control unit 11 of the server device 10 determines in S202 that the authentication has not been completed (S202: NO), it subsequently transmits a notification regarding authentication for the display device 20 to play the (N+1)th episode to the display device 20 in S205. Here, the notification regarding authentication is, for example, information indicating an instruction to cause the display device 20 to display an authentication screen for an identification code.

[0070] That is, when the acquisition unit 111 acquires a notification indicating that the playback of the video has ended, if authentication for transmitting data of the next episode number after a certain episode number to the display device 20 has not been completed, the communication unit 13 transmits a notification to the display device 20 regarding the authentication to be performed.

[0071] In S206, the display control unit 211 displays an authentication screen for the identification code on the display unit 25. Then, when the identification code for playing the (N+1)th episode is entered into the authentication screen and authenticated, the display device 20 acquires the video of the (N+1)th episode from the server device 10 and displays it on the screen.

[0072] The above has described the flow of processing based on the sequence diagram of Fig. 5. Note that the configuration may be such that information indicating the stop position is transmitted from the display device 20 to the server device 10 not only when playback of a certain episode of video has ended, but also when the user stops playback midway. In the above configuration, the video may be able to be played back from where it left off on another display device 20 used for authentication.

[0073] Specifically, when authentication using an identification code has been performed on the first display device 20 and the second display device 20 for a certain video content, the acquisition unit 111 of the server device 10 acquires information indicating the end position of playback using the first display device 20. In response to the communication unit 13 transmitting video data from a point in the video content continuing from the end position to the second display device 20, the video is displayed from the continuation on the second display device 20.

[0074] [4. Software implementation example] The functions of the server device 10 and the display device 20 (hereinafter referred to as "devices") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the device, and a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit 11 and the control unit 21).

[0075] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program to realize each function described in each of the above embodiments.

[0076] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0077] In addition, some or all of the functions of each control block can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each control block is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of each control block can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0078] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may run on the control device or on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0079] 〔summary〕 A server device (10) according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit (111) that acquires an identification code associated with a series of video content having multiple episodes and information identifying an external device (20) that is the sender of the identification code, and a communication unit (13) that transmits data of an episode number in the video content according to a user request to the external device after authentication using the identification code. This configuration reduces the user's effort when viewing a series of video content having multiple episodes.

[0080] The server device according to aspect 2 of the present invention may be configured in the above aspect 1 such that the acquisition unit acquires a single identification code associated with the video content and information identifying the external device. With this configuration, all episodes of a series of video content can be viewed using a single identification code.

[0081] The server device according to a third aspect of the present invention may be configured in the first aspect above so that the acquisition unit acquires information indicating that playback of a certain episode of the video content has ended in the external device, and the communication unit, when the acquisition unit acquires the notification indicating that playback of the video has ended, transmits to the external device a notification regarding performing authentication if authentication for transmitting data of the next episode of the certain episode to the external device has not been completed. With this configuration, it is possible to prompt the user to perform the authentication at an appropriate time.

[0082] The server device according to aspect 4 of the present invention may be configured in any one of aspects 1 to 3 above, such that when authentication using the identification code for a certain piece of video content has been performed in a first external device and a second external device, which are multiple external devices, the acquisition unit acquires information indicating an end position of playback using the first external device, and the communication unit transmits video data from a point in the video content that continues from the end position to the second external device. This configuration improves convenience when a user views content using multiple external devices.

[0083] A terminal device (20) according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a terminal device having a display unit (25), and is configured to include an input unit (24) for inputting an identification code associated with a series-format video content having multiple episodes, a communication unit (23) for transmitting the input identification code and information for identifying the terminal device to a server device, and a display control unit (211) for displaying on the display unit a video transmitted from the server device and corresponding to a video episode number requested by a user in the video content. This configuration contributes to reducing the user's effort when viewing a series-format video content having multiple episodes.

[0084] A terminal device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention may be configured such that, in the fifth aspect, the input unit accepts input of the identification code by contactlessly reading an RFID tag on which the identification code is recorded. This configuration improves convenience for the user when reading the identification code.

[0085] A control program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a control program for causing a computer to function as the server device in any one of the first to fourth aspects, and may be configured to cause a computer to function as the acquisition unit and the communication unit. This configuration provides the same effects as the server device.

[0086] A control program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a control program for causing a computer to function as the terminal device in the fifth or sixth aspect, and may be configured to cause a computer to function as the input unit, the communication unit, and the display control unit. This configuration provides the same effects as the terminal device.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 System 10 Server device 11, 21 Control unit 12, 22 Storage section 13, 23 Communications Department 20 Display device (external device, terminal device) 24 Input section 25 Display unit (output unit) 111 Acquisition Department 211 Display control unit

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires an identification code associated with video content in a series format having multiple episodes and information that identifies an external device that is a sender of the identification code; a communication unit that transmits data of an episode of the video content according to a user's request to the external device after authentication using the identification code is performed; A server device comprising:

2. The acquisition unit The server device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a single identification code associated with the video content and information for identifying the external device.

3. The acquisition unit acquiring, in the external device, information indicating that playback of a video of a certain episode number in the video content has ended; The communication unit The server device of claim 1, wherein when the acquisition unit acquires a notification indicating that playback of the video has ended, if authentication for sending data for the next episode of the certain episode to the external device has not been completed, a notification regarding performing the authentication is sent to the external device.

4. The acquisition unit When authentication using the identification code has been performed for a certain piece of video content in a first external device and a second external device, the first external device and the second external device being the plurality of external devices, information indicating an end position of playback using the first external device is acquired; The communication unit The server device according to claim 1 , further comprising: transmitting video data from a point subsequent to the end position in the video content to the second external device.

5. A terminal device including a display unit, an input unit for inputting an identification code associated with video content in a series format having multiple episodes; a communication unit that transmits the input identification code and information that identifies the terminal device to a server device; a display control unit that displays on the display unit a video of an episode number in the video content that corresponds to a user request, the video being transmitted from the server device; A terminal device comprising:

6. The input unit The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the input of the identification code is accepted by contactlessly reading an RFID tag on which the identification code is recorded.

7. 2. A control program for causing a computer to function as the server device according to claim 1, the control program causing the computer to function as the acquisition unit and the communication unit.

8. 6. A control program for causing a computer to function as the terminal device according to claim 5, the control program causing a computer to function as the input unit, the communication unit, and the display control unit.

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