Content distribution method

Abstract

To provide a content reproducing method with which a user can view video content related to a radio program while listening to the sound of the radio program.SOLUTION: A content reproducing method includes the steps of: setting access information in a program distribution server; providing, by the program distribution server, the access information to an information terminal; outputting, by the information terminal, the sound of a radio program and displaying information based on the access information; acquiring, by the information terminal, from a program information server corresponding to the access information, a video access code with mute configuration information described in a markup language in association with an address for acquiring video content related to the radio program; and acquiring, by the information terminal, when it is determined that the mute configuration information is included in the video access code, the video content while outputting the sound of the radio program, and reproducing the acquired video content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a content distribution method for distributing video content. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a broadcast receiver that can receive both airwave broadcasts and IP broadcasts. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for outputting audio of airwave broadcasts and video or still images of IP broadcasts (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4620791 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an operation to play IP broadcast content is performed while an information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet is outputting audio from a broadcast wave broadcast (e.g., a radio program), the device operates to output silent audio from the content last played, even if the IP broadcast content does not contain audio. As a result, there is a problem that the audio from the broadcast wave broadcast is no longer output from the information terminal.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and has as its object to enable a user to watch video content related to a radio program while listening to the audio of the radio program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The content playback method of the present invention includes the steps of: setting access information in a program distribution server that distributes a radio program for accessing a program information server that provides program information related to the radio program; providing the access information to the information terminal while the program distribution server is distributing the radio program to the information terminal; outputting the audio of the radio program and displaying information based on the access information by the information terminal; when an operation to select information based on the access information is performed on the information terminal, acquiring a video access code in which mute setting information is written in a markup language from the program information server corresponding to the access information, associated with a destination address of video content related to the radio program; and when the information terminal determines that the video access code includes the mute setting information, acquiring the video content from the video distribution server corresponding to the destination address while outputting the audio of the radio program, and playing the acquired video content.

[0007] The program distribution server may distribute a plurality of the radio programs, and the content playback method may further include a step in which the program distribution server associates the access information corresponding to each of the radio programs with the plurality of the radio programs and stores the access information corresponding to each of the radio programs in a storage medium.

[0008] The content playback method may further include a step of registering the video access code in the program information server in association with the access information.

[0009] In the reproducing step, the information terminal may start reproducing the video content after finishing displaying the access information.

[0010] The video access code is embedded as an inline frame in a program information code corresponding to the access information, and in the playback step, the information terminal may display information other than the video content contained in the program information code, as well as display the video content.

[0011] The content playback method may further include, after the step of displaying the access information, a step in which, when an operation is performed on the information terminal to access external video content distributed from an access destination other than the access information, the information terminal stops playback of the audio of the radio program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to view video content related to a radio program while listening to the audio of the radio program. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram for explaining a content reproduction method implemented by a content reproduction system S. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a program information code. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which video content is displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Configuration of Content Playback System S] 1 is a diagram illustrating a content playback method implemented by a content playback system S. The content playback system S is a system that enables a user U using an information terminal 1 to play video content associated with a radio program while listening to the radio program on the information terminal 1.

[0015] The content playback system S includes an information terminal 1, a program distribution server 2, a program information server 3, and a video distribution server 4. The information terminal 1 is a terminal having a display and audio output means (for example, a speaker or an audio output terminal), and is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet. In the following description, a case where the audio output means is a speaker is exemplified, but the audio output means may also be an audio output terminal, and audio may be output from headphones or earphones connected to the audio output terminal.

[0016] The program distribution server 2 is a server for distributing radio programs via the Internet. The program distribution server 2 may be managed by a company that produces radio programs (hereinafter referred to as a "program production company"), or may be managed by a company different from the program production company. The program distribution server 2 distributes radio programs at a preset date and time. In addition to distributing radio programs, the program distribution server 2 provides information to the information terminal 1 that enables the information terminal 1 to access the program information server 3 (hereinafter referred to as "access information"). The access information is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the program information server 3. The access information may be a URL for accessing program information corresponding to the radio program to be distributed to the information terminal 1.

[0017] The information terminal 1 outputs from a speaker the audio of the radio program distributed from the program distribution server 2. Specifically, the information terminal 1 outputs the audio of the radio program from the speaker in response to application software for listening to the radio program that is installed in the information terminal 1 being started and receiving an operation from the user U to listen to the radio program. In addition, the information terminal 1 displays access information for accessing the program information server 3 on the display while outputting the audio of the radio program from the speaker.

[0018] The program information server 3 is a server for providing program information related to radio programs. The program information includes the contents of the radio program, the speakers of the radio program, a video access code for accessing video content related to the radio program, etc. The program information is set in the program information server 3 by, for example, a person in charge T of a business that provides video content.

[0019] The program information server 3 may be managed by the program production company, or may be managed by a company different from the program production company. When the program information server 3 receives a request for program information from the information terminal 1, it provides the program information to the information terminal 1. Specifically, in response to receiving a request for program information from the information terminal 1 that has accepted an operation from the user U to access the program information server 3 on a screen displaying the access information, the program information server 3 provides the information terminal 1 with program information of a radio program corresponding to the access information.

[0020] The video distribution server 4 is a server for distributing video content. The video distribution server 4 is a server different from the program information server 3, such as YouTube (registered trademark), but the program information server 3 may have the functions of the video distribution server 4. The video distribution server 4 may be managed by a program production company, or may be managed by a company different from the program production company.

[0021] [Operation in Content Playback System S] The operation of the content reproduction system S will be described below with reference to FIG. First, a person in charge T of a company that provides video content sets, in the program distribution server 2, access information for the information terminal 1 to access the program information server 3 ((1) in FIG. 1).

[0022] When the program distribution server 2 distributes multiple radio programs, the program distribution server 2 stores access information corresponding to each of the multiple radio programs in a storage medium in association with the multiple radio programs. Person in charge T sets the access information in the program distribution server 2, for example, in association with a program ID for identifying one radio program from the multiple radio programs distributed by the program distribution server 2. The program distribution server 2 stores the access information set by person in charge T in association with the program ID.

[0023] As described above, the person in charge T may register program information including a video access code in the program information server 3 in association with the access information set in the program distribution server 2. The person in charge T may perform a single operation on a computer to set the access information in the program distribution server 2 and register the program information associated with the access information in the program information server 3. The program information may have been previously registered in the program information server 3 by someone other than the person in charge T.

[0024] Subsequently, when the user U performs an operation on the information terminal 1 to listen to a radio program, the information terminal 1 transmits program selection information for identifying the program selected by the user U to the program distribution server 2 ((2) in FIG. 1). While the program distribution server 2 is distributing the radio program to the information terminal 1, it provides the information terminal 1 with access information corresponding to the radio program selected by the user U. That is, the program distribution server 2 distributes the audio data of the radio program ((3) in FIG. 1) and transmits to the information terminal 1 a code including access information associated with the program ID corresponding to the program selection information ((4) in FIG. 1). The code including the access information is code written in a markup language (e.g., HTML) that allows the browser of the information terminal 1 to create display data.

[0025] When the information terminal 1 receives the audio data of the radio program, it outputs the audio of the radio program and displays information based on the access information. The information based on the access information may be text or an image associated with the access information, or may be the access information itself. While outputting the audio of the radio program from the speaker, the information terminal 1 displays display data based on a code including the access information on the display ((5) in FIG. 1). The display data includes text or image data for accepting an operation to access the program information server 3.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 1. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the screen is displayed and audio V of a radio program is being output from a speaker. The screen shown in Fig. 2 includes areas R1, R2, and R3. Area R1 is an area for displaying the title of the radio program selected by user U and a facial image of the person speaking on the radio program (e.g., the personality), etc.

[0027] Area R2 is an area for displaying information based on the access information. https: / / radio.co.jp / TFM_talk, shown as the "program website" in area R2, is an example of access information for accessing the program information server 3. The "program website" is a site where program information and video content are provided by the program information server 3 and the video distribution server 4. Area R3 is an area where an explanation of how to access the "program website" is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example and may take other forms. Areas R1 and R3 do not have to be included in the screen.

[0028] Returning to Figure 1, when user U performs an operation to access the "program website" displayed in Figure 2, information terminal 1 requests a video access code from program information server 3 based on the access information ((6) in Figure 1). Specifically, information terminal 1 transmits data requesting the video access code, including the destination indicated by the access information.

[0029] When the program information server 3 receives the video access code request, it transmits a video access code to the information terminal 1 for the information terminal 1 to acquire the video content ((7) in FIG. 1). Specifically, when an operation to select information based on the access information (for example, the information displayed in area R2 in FIG. 2) is performed on the information terminal 1, the information terminal 1 acquires, from the program information server 3 corresponding to the access information, a program information code including a video access code in which mute setting information is associated with the acquisition address of the video content related to the radio program and written in a markup language.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a program information code. The program information code is created in a markup language that allows the browser of information terminal 1 to create display data. The program information code shown in Fig. 3 includes a video access code C that allows information terminal 1 to access video distribution server 4.

[0031] In the video access code C, mute setting information is written in markup language in association with the acquisition address (https: / / www.youtube.com / embed / Vg9dUE1Rn4E) of the video content related to the radio program. The mute setting information is information for setting the information terminal 1 to a state in which the audio of the video content is not output when playing the video content indicated by the video access code. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the mute setting information is information "mute=1". In the example shown in FIG. 3, the video access code C is embedded as an inline frame in the program information code corresponding to the access information.

[0032] The browser of the information terminal 1 executes the processing of the video access code C to request video content from the video distribution server 4 ((8) in FIG. 1). The video distribution server 4 distributes the video content to the information terminal 1 ((9) in FIG. 1).

[0033] Based on the mute setting information, the information terminal 1 prevents audio based on audio data included in the video content from being output from the speaker, and displays the acquired video content on the display. The "audio data included in the video content" may be data indicating a silent state.

[0034] If the information terminal 1 determines that the video access code contains mute setting information, it acquires the video content from the video distribution server corresponding to the video content acquisition address while outputting the audio of the radio program, and plays the acquired video content. The information terminal 1 displays the moving image of the video content on the display while continuing to output the audio of the radio program.

[0035] By operating information terminal 1 in this manner, the audio data output to the speaker does not switch from the audio data of the radio program to the audio data of the video content, even when the display of video content begins on information terminal 1. As a result, user U can watch video content related to the radio program, which is distributed from a server other than program distribution server 2 (for example, video distribution server 4), while listening to audio V of the radio program.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which video content is displayed. When user U performs an operation to access the "program website," the screen shown in FIG. 2 switches to the screen shown in FIG. 4. That is, information terminal 1 starts playing the video content after finishing displaying the access information. This prevents user U from clicking the access information again. Even in the state shown in FIG. 4, audio V of the radio program continues to be output from the speaker.

[0037] The information terminal 1 displays information other than the video content included in the program information code, and also displays the video content. Specifically, the screen shown in Fig. 4 includes an area R4 for displaying the title of the radio program and facial images of the personalities related to the radio program, and an area R5 for displaying the video content. Area R4 displays, for example, the same content as area R1 in Fig. 2, but is smaller than area R1. By displaying such a screen on the information terminal 1, the user U can recognize that the displayed video content is content related to the radio program.

[0038] For example, region R5 is larger than region R4. The video content may be, for example, a video showing the state of a studio where a radio program is being recorded. The video content may or may not be synchronized with the audio of the radio program.

[0039] Note that while listening to a radio program, the user U may wish to access video content unrelated to the radio program (hereinafter referred to as "external video content"). Therefore, after the step of displaying the access information, when an operation is performed on the information terminal 1 to access external video content distributed from an access destination other than that indicated in the access information, the information terminal 1 may stop playing the audio of the radio program and output the audio included in the external video content. By operating the information terminal 1 in this manner, when the user U wishes to watch the external video content while listening to a radio program, the user U can listen to the audio included in the external video content.

[0040] [Effects of Content Playback System S] As described above, in the content reproduction system S, when an operation to select information based on access information is performed on the information terminal 1, the information terminal 1 acquires, from the program information server corresponding to the access information, a video access code in which mute setting information is written in a markup language and associated with the acquisition address of video content related to the radio program. If the information terminal 1 determines that the video access code includes mute setting information, it acquires the video content from the video distribution server corresponding to the acquisition address of the video content while outputting the audio of the radio program, and plays the acquired video content. With the content reproduction system S configured in this way, the user U of the information terminal 1 can watch the video content related to the radio program while listening to the audio of the radio program.

[0041] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Information terminal 2 Program distribution server 3 Program Information Server 4. Video distribution server S Content Playback System

Claims

1. a step of setting access information for accessing a program information server that provides program information related to the radio program in a program distribution server that distributes the radio program; providing the access information to the information terminal while the program distribution server is distributing the radio program to the information terminal; a step of the information terminal outputting audio of the radio program and displaying information based on the access information; When an operation to select information based on the access information is performed on the information terminal, the information terminal acquires, from a program information server corresponding to the access information, a video access code in which mute setting information is written in a markup language in association with an acquisition destination address of video content related to the radio program; When the information terminal determines that the video access code includes the mute setting information, the information terminal acquires the video content from the video distribution server corresponding to the acquisition destination address while outputting the audio of the radio program, and plays the acquired video content; A content playback method comprising:

2. the program distribution server distributes a plurality of the radio programs; the content playback method further includes a step of causing the program distribution server to associate the access information corresponding to each of the plurality of radio programs with the radio programs and store the access information corresponding to each of the plurality of radio programs in a storage medium. The content playback method according to claim 1 .

3. further comprising a step of registering the video access code in the program information server in association with the access information. The content playback method according to claim 1 .

4. In the reproducing step, the information terminal starts reproducing the video content after finishing displaying the access information. The content playback method according to claim 1 .

5. the video access code is embedded as an inline frame in a program information code corresponding to the access information, In the reproducing step, the information terminal displays information other than the video content included in the program information code, and also displays the video content. The content playback method according to claim 1 .

6. The method further includes a step of, after the step of displaying the access information, stopping playback of the audio of the radio program by the information terminal when an operation for accessing external video content distributed from an access destination other than that indicated by the access information is performed on the information terminal. The content playback method according to claim 1 .

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