Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To facilitate viewing of a plurality of contents included in a series by a plurality of reproduction terminals.SOLUTION: The server device 30 includes a detection unit that detects that a content is reproduced in a user terminal 10 used by a user, and a download unit that, when the detection unit detects that a first content included in a series including a plurality of contents is reproduced in a first user terminal 10 used by the user, causes a second user terminal 10 used by the user to download a second content that is a content following the first content in the series.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for downloading content. [Background technology]

[0002] Distribution services that distribute content such as videos to user devices such as smartphones and tablets have become widely used. In these distribution services, a group of content called a series, which is made up of multiple pieces of content, may be distributed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a problem that if a user views the first episode of a series and then deletes the content, when the user purchases additional episodes of the series, the first episode will be forcibly downloaded, resulting in content that the user did not intend to download and delaying the download and viewing of content from the second episode onwards.In response to this problem, when downloading content from a series, if the download history for that content is registered, the system will ask the user whether or not to download the content before proceeding with the download. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-27473 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A user may view multiple content items included in a certain series using multiple playback devices. For example, a user may view the first episode of a series on a television at home, and then view the second episode on a smartphone while out.

[0006] In such cases, since there is often a wireless LAN environment at home, the communication costs required to obtain the content are low, but when you are out and about, the content is obtained via a cellular network, so the communication costs are generally higher than in a wireless LAN environment.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it easier to view multiple contents included in a series on multiple playback terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an information processing device characterized by comprising: a detection unit that detects that content has been played on a playback terminal used by a user; and a download unit that, when the detection unit detects that a first content included in a series consisting of multiple contents has been played on the first playback terminal used by the user, downloads a second content that is the content that follows the first content in the series to the second playback terminal used by the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it becomes easier to view a plurality of contents included in a series on a plurality of playback terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a user terminal 10 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server device 30. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device 30 according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a server device 30 according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a server device 30 according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a server device 30 according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a server device 30 according to a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a server device 30 according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Embodiment] [composition] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 is a system for providing users with a content distribution service that distributes content such as videos and music to user terminals. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 10a and 10b used by users, a server device 30 that distributes content to the user terminals 10a and 10b, and a communication network 2 that includes a wireless communication network (cellular network) that connects these terminals so that they can communicate with each other.

[0012] The user terminals 10a and 10b correspond to playback terminals in the present invention. In particular, the user terminal 10a corresponds to a first playback terminal in the present invention, and the user terminal 10b corresponds to a second playback terminal in the present invention. The user terminal 10a is typically a television device or a personal computer in the user's home, and is connected to the communication network 2 mainly via a wireless LAN installed in the user's home. On the other hand, the user terminal 10b is typically a smartphone, tablet, or wearable device, and can be communicatively connected to the communication network 2 via a wireless LAN installed in the user's home, or can be communicatively connected to a wireless communication network (cellular network) included in the communication network 2. Hereinafter, the user terminals 10a and 10b will be collectively referred to as user terminals 10.

[0013] The server device 30 corresponds to an information processing device of the present invention, and transmits various contents to the user terminals 10a and 10b via the communication network 2. The server device 30 transmits contents to the user terminal 10a from the communication network 2 via a wireless LAN installed in the user's home, and transmits contents to the user terminal 10b from the communication network 2 via a wireless LAN installed in the user's home, or via a wireless communication network (cellular network) included in the communication network 2. The server device 30 may be configured by a single computer or may be configured by multiple computers.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server device 30. The server device 30 is physically configured as a computer including a processor 3001, a memory 3002, a storage 3003, a communication device 3004, and a bus connecting these devices. Each of these devices operates using power supplied from a battery (not shown). In the following description, the term "device" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, or the like. The hardware configuration of the server device 30 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in FIG. 2, or may be configured without including some of the devices. Furthermore, the server device 30 may be configured by communicating with multiple devices each having a different housing.

[0015] Each function in the server device 30 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 3001 and memory 3002, causing the processor 3001 to perform calculations, control communication via the communication device 3004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 3002 and storage 3003.

[0016] The processor 3001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 3001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Furthermore, for example, a baseband signal processing unit, a call processing unit, etc. may be realized by the processor 3001.

[0017] The processor 3001 reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 3003 and the communication device 3004 into the memory 3002, and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described below. The functional blocks of the server device 30 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 3002 and running on the processor 3001. Various processes may be executed by one processor 3001, or may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 3001. The processor 3001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may be transmitted to the server device 30 via a telecommunications line.

[0018] The memory 3002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured by, for example, at least one of a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 3002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 3002 can store an executable program (program code), a software module, etc. for implementing the method according to this embodiment.

[0019] Storage 3003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 3003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device.

[0020] The communication device 3004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0021] Each device, such as the processor 3001 and the memory 3002, is connected by a bus for communicating information. The bus may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0022] The server device 30 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 3001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0023] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 is a computer capable of reproducing content, such as a smartphone, tablet, wearable device, personal computer, or television device. The user terminal 10 is physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, memory 1002, storage 1003, communication device 1004, input device 1005, output device 1006, and buses connecting these. The processor 1001, memory 1002, and storage 1003 are the same hardware as the processor 3001, memory 3002, and storage 3003 of the server device 30.

[0024] The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc., to realize at least one of Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD). For example, a transmitting / receiving antenna, an amplifier unit, a transmitting / receiving unit, a transmission path interface, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004. The transmitting / receiving unit may be implemented as a transmitting unit and a receiving unit that are physically or logically separated.

[0025] The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a key, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (for example, a touch screen).

[0026] 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of server device 30. In server device 30, processor 3001 reads programs and the like from storage 3003 into memory 3002 and executes them, thereby realizing the functions of storage unit 31, distribution unit 32, detection unit 33, download unit 34, and deletion instruction unit 35.

[0027] The storage unit 31 stores various data, which will be described later, in addition to the content to be played back on the user terminal 10. In this embodiment, a series refers to a group of content that is related in content. For example, a series may consist of a plurality of content items corresponding to a drama series with a common title, or a series may consist of a plurality of content items corresponding to comedy shows with a common title.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 5, the storage unit 31 stores a series ID for identifying each series, a content ID for identifying each content included in each series, and a playback order indicating the order in which each content in each series is played, in association with each other. For example, if the series is a drama series, the playback order is a chronological order, such as episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, etc. In the example of Fig. 5, the series with series ID "S100" consists of three contents with content IDs "C1001," "C1002," and "C1003," and the playback order is the content IDs "C1001," "C1002," and "C1003."

[0029] The distribution unit 32 distributes content designated by the user from among the content stored in the storage unit 31 to the user terminal 10 via the communication network 2, for example in a stream format. The distribution unit 32 distributes content to the user terminal 10a from the communication network 2 via a wireless LAN installed in the user's home. The distribution unit 32 may transmit content to the user terminal 10b from the communication network 2 via a wireless LAN installed in the user's home, or may transmit content via a wireless communication network (cellular network) included in the communication network 2. However, users often desire content distribution via a wireless LAN, which has relatively low communication costs.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 6, the storage unit 31 stores which content is being distributed by the distribution unit 32 to which user terminal 10 is used by which user. The example in Fig. 6 shows that content with content ID "C1001" is being distributed (i.e., the content is being played) to the user terminal 10 with terminal ID "D1011" of the user with user ID "U101".

[0031] The detection unit 33 detects that content has been played on the user terminal 10. Here, "content has been played" does not only mean that the entire content has been played, but also that at least a part of the content has been played. In this embodiment, the detection unit 33 detects that the content has been played when the distribution unit 32 starts distributing the content.

[0032] The download unit 34 downloads content stored in the storage unit 31 to the user terminal 10. More specifically, when the detection unit 33 detects that a first content included in a series of multiple contents has been played on the user terminal 10a (first user terminal), the download unit 34 downloads a second content, which is the content that follows the first content in the series in the playback order, to the user terminal 10b (second user terminal). Note that downloading here refers to transmitting content to the user terminal 10 and storing the content in the non-volatile storage means of the user terminal 10.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the storage unit 31 stores a user ID for identifying each user and a terminal ID for identifying the user terminal 10 used by the user, in association with each other. In the example of FIG. 7, three user terminals 10, namely, terminal IDs "D1011," "D1012," and "D1013," are registered for a user with user ID "U101." In FIG. 7, the terminal ID described in the leftmost record of the records storing terminal IDs is the terminal ID of the above-mentioned user terminal 10a (first user terminal), and the terminal IDs described in the other records are the terminal IDs of the above-mentioned user terminal 10b (second user terminal). Therefore, for the user with user ID "U101," the terminal ID "D1011" is the terminal ID of the user terminal 10a (first user terminal), and the terminal IDs "D1012" and "D1013" are the terminal IDs of the user terminal 10b (second user terminal). That is, in this case, there are a plurality (two) of user terminals that correspond to the user terminal 10b (second user terminal).

[0034] When a user plays and views a first content included in a series, the user may want to view a second content that follows the first content in the series. In this case, if the user plays the first content using the user terminal 10a at home and then plays the second content using the same user terminal 10a, the distribution unit 32 may distribute the second content to the user terminal 10a via wireless LAN following the first content.

[0035] On the other hand, there may be a case where a user wants to play back a first content using the user terminal 10a at home and then play back a second content using the user terminal 10b while out of the home. In such a case, if the distribution unit 32 distributes the second content to the user terminal 10b carried by the out-of-home user via a wireless communication network, there is a concern that communication costs will be higher than when a wireless LAN is used.

[0036] Therefore, when the detection unit 33 detects that a first content included in a series has been played on the user terminal 10a, the download unit 34 downloads the second content that follows the first content to the user terminal 10b using the wireless LAN. In this way, even if the user leaves home after viewing the first content, the user can view the subsequent second content using the user terminal 10b, and the communication costs required for viewing can be kept low.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 8, the storage unit 31 stores which content the download unit 34 has downloaded to which user terminal 10. The example in Fig. 8 shows that content with content ID "C1002" has been downloaded to the user terminal 10 with terminal ID "D1012."

[0038] The deletion instruction unit 35 instructs the user terminal 10 to delete the content downloaded to the user terminal 10. More specifically, when the detection unit 33 detects that the second content downloaded to the user terminal 10b (second user terminal) has been played back in the user terminal 10a (first user terminal), the deletion instruction unit 35 instructs the user terminal 10b (second user terminal) to delete the downloaded second content.

[0039] As described above, in consideration of the possibility that a user may play a first content using the user terminal 10a at home and then leave the home, the second content following the first content is downloaded to the user terminal 10b via the wireless LAN. However, if the user remains at home after finishing viewing the first content and continues to view the second content using the user terminal 10a, the distribution unit 32 distributes the second content to the user terminal 10a via the wireless LAN following the first content. In such a case, the second content already downloaded to the user terminal 10b via the wireless LAN becomes unnecessary, and the deletion instruction unit 35 instructs the user terminal 10b to delete the second content downloaded to the user terminal 10b. This makes it possible to conserve the storage capacity of the non-volatile storage means of the user terminal 10b.

[0040] The deletion instruction unit 35 may instruct the user terminal 10b (second user terminal) to delete the portion of the second content that has been played back on the user terminal 10a (first user terminal), or may instruct the user terminal 10b (second user terminal) to delete the entire second content.

[0041] [Operation] Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In the following description, for example, when the server device 30 is described as the subject of processing, this specifically means that the processor 3001 performs calculations by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 3001 and memory 3002, and controls communication via the communication device 3004 and reading and / or writing of data from and to the memory 3002 and storage 3003, thereby executing processing. The same applies to the user terminal 10.

[0042] The user uses his / her own user terminal 10a to specify the desired content and perform an operation to request its reproduction. In response to this operation, the user terminal 10a requests the server device 30 to reproduce the content.

[0043] When the distribution unit 32 of the server device 30 receives a playback request from the user terminal 10a (step S11), it reads out the specified content from the storage unit 31 and distributes it in a stream format to the user terminal 10a via the communication network 2 (step S12). The user terminal 10a outputs images and sounds based on this content, which the user can view.

[0044] The detection unit 33 detects that the content has been played back when the distribution unit 32 starts distributing the content.

[0045] The download unit 34 refers to the stored contents exemplified in FIG. 7 and determines whether the terminal IDs of multiple user terminals 10 (i.e., one or more user terminals 10b) are registered in association with the user ID of the user (step S13).

[0046] When the download unit 34 determines that the terminal IDs of a plurality of user terminals 10 are registered in association with the user ID of the user (step S13; YES), it refers to the stored contents exemplified in Figures 5 and 6, and downloads the second content, which is to be played next after the first content distributed by the distribution unit 32, to the user terminal 10b identified based on the stored contents exemplified in Figure 7 (step S14). Note that when a plurality of user terminals 10b are stored in association with one user ID, the second content may be downloaded to all of the plurality of user terminals 10b, or any one of the plurality of user terminals 10b may be selected based on a priority order preset for each of the plurality of user terminals 10b to download the second content.

[0047] The user can play back and view the second content downloaded to the user terminal 10b at any time.

[0048] According to the embodiment described above, it becomes easier to view multiple pieces of content included in a series on multiple playback terminals.

[0049] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The above-described embodiment may be modified as follows. Furthermore, two or more of the following modifications may be combined and implemented.

[0050] [Variation 1] In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the user has a wireless LAN at home, and if the distribution unit 32 distributes the second content to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) carried by the out-of-home user via a wireless communication network, the communication costs would be higher than if a wireless LAN were used, so the download unit 34 downloads the second content to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) via the wireless LAN. However, in the present invention, it is not necessarily required that the user has a wireless LAN at home.

[0051] [Variation 2] If the user determines that he or she will leave home after the user terminal 10a (first playback terminal) has started playing the first content, the second content may be downloaded to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) before the time of leaving. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 10, the server device 30 includes an acquisition unit 36 ​​that acquires schedule information related to the user's schedule from, for example, the user terminal 10 or a schedule storage device (not shown) via the communication network 2. This schedule information includes the user ID, the date and time of the schedule, and the details of the schedule. The download unit refers to the acquired schedule information and determines whether the user will leave home after the user terminal 10a (first playback terminal) has started playing the first content.

[0052] In this way, the user terminal 10a (first playback terminal) is installed in the user's home, and the server device 30 includes an acquisition unit 36 ​​that acquires schedule information related to the user's schedule. Then, the download unit 34 refers to the acquired schedule information, and when it determines that the user will leave home after the user terminal 10a (first playback terminal) starts playing the first content, it downloads the second content to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) before the user leaves home. This allows the second content to be downloaded to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) before the user leaves home.

[0053] [Variation 3] If a single user has multiple user terminals 10b (second playback terminals), one of the multiple user terminals 10b (second playback terminals) may be selected based on the schedule information acquired by the acquisition unit 36, and the second content may be downloaded to the selected user terminal 10b (second playback terminal). For this reason, the storage unit 31 stores, for each user, the schedule details and the terminal ID of the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) from which the content is to be downloaded, in association with each other, as shown in FIG. 11. In the example of FIG. 11, if the schedule after the first content has been played back is "commute," the second content is downloaded to the user terminal 10b with terminal ID "D5022" (e.g., a smartphone convenient for use during commuting), and if the schedule after the first content has been played back is "exercise," the second content is downloaded to the user terminal 10b with terminal ID "D5021" (e.g., a wearable terminal convenient for use during exercise).

[0054] As described above, the server device 30 includes an acquisition unit 36 ​​that acquires schedule information related to a user's schedule. If a single user has multiple user terminals 10b (second playback terminals), the download unit 34 selects one of the multiple user terminals 10b (second playback terminals) based on the contents of the acquired schedule information, and downloads the second content to the selected user terminal 10b (second playback terminal). This makes it possible to determine the playback terminal to download the content to based on the contents of the schedule information.

[0055] [Variation 4] The range of the second content to be downloaded to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) may be determined based on the details of the schedule information. For this reason, the storage unit 31 stores, for each user, the details of the schedule and the range of the second content to be downloaded in association with each other, as shown in Fig. 12. In the example of Fig. 12, if the schedule after the playback of the first content is "commute," the next content in the series to be played back is downloaded as the second content. If the schedule after the playback of the first content is "exercise," the next content in the series to be played back and the content after that are downloaded as the second content, assuming that there is a longer playback time.

[0056] As described above, the server device 30 includes an acquisition unit 36 ​​that acquires schedule information related to the user's schedule. The download unit 34 then determines the range of second content to be downloaded to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) based on the details of the acquired schedule information, and downloads the second content included in the determined range to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal). This allows the range of content to be downloaded to be determined based on the details of the schedule information.

[0057] [Variation 5] It may be determined whether or not to download the second content to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) based on the attributes of a series including the first content and the second content. For this reason, the storage unit 31 stores, for each user, the series attributes and whether or not downloading is required, in association with each other, as shown in Fig. 13. In the example of Fig. 13, if the series attribute is "serial drama," downloading of the second content is required, under the assumption that the user is likely to watch the second content after the first content. However, if the series attribute is "comedy show," downloading of the second content is not permitted, under the assumption that the user is unlikely to watch the second content after the first content.

[0058] In this way, the download unit 34 determines whether or not to download the second content to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal), and downloads the second content to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) depending on the result of the determination. Specifically, the download unit 34 makes the determination based on the attributes of the series that includes the first content and the second content. This makes it possible to determine whether or not to download the second content to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) based on the attributes of the series.

[0059] [Variation 6] If a user has multiple user terminals 10b (second playback terminals), one of the multiple user terminals 10b (second playback terminals) may be selected based on the attributes of a series including the first content and the second content, and the second content may be downloaded to the selected user terminal 10b (second playback terminal). For this reason, the storage unit 31 stores, for each user, the series attributes and the terminal ID of the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) from which the content is to be downloaded, in association with each other, as shown in FIG. 14. In the example of FIG. 14, if the series attribute is "serial drama," the second content is downloaded to the user terminal 10b with terminal ID "D5022." If the series attribute is "educational program," the second content is downloaded to the user terminal 10b with terminal ID "D5021," which has a large display suitable for viewing educational programs.

[0060] In this way, when one user has multiple user terminals 10b (second playback terminals), the download unit 34 selects one of the multiple user terminals 10b (second playback terminals) based on the attributes of the series including the first content and the second content, and causes the selected user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) to download the second content. This makes it possible to determine the playback terminal from which to download the content based on the attributes of the series.

[0061] [Variation 7] The range of second content to be downloaded to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) may be determined based on the attribute of a series including the first content and the second content. For this reason, the storage unit 31 stores the attribute of a series in association with the range of second content to be downloaded, as shown in Fig. 15. In the example of Fig. 15, if the series attribute is "serial drama," then from the perspective of expanding the range of content that the user will watch consecutively, the next content in the series in playback order and the content after that are downloaded as the second content, and if the series attribute is "educational program," then the next content in the series in playback order is downloaded as the second content.

[0062] In this way, the download unit 34 determines the range of second content to be downloaded to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal) based on the attributes of the series including the first content and the second content, and downloads the second content included in the determined range to the user terminal 10b (second playback terminal). This makes it possible to determine the range of content to be downloaded based on the attributes of the series.

[0063] [Other variations] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining the single device or multiple devices with software.

[0064] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, election, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0065] For example, the server device 30 in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the processing of the present disclosure.

[0066] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to at least one of systems using LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (New Radio), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other appropriate systems, and next-generation systems extended based on these. Furthermore, a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G, etc.) may also be applied.

[0067] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0068] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0069] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0070] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0071] Software, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise, shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc. Additionally, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then such wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of a transmission medium.

[0072] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof. In addition, terms explained in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0073] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

[0074] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0075] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0076] The "unit" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "means," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0077] When used in this disclosure, the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0078] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0079] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different." [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1: Information processing system, 2: Communication network, 10: User terminal, 1001: Processor, 1002: Memory, 1003: Storage, 1004: Communication device, 1005: Input device, 1006: Output device, 30: Server device, 31: Storage unit, 32: Distribution unit, 33: Detection unit, 34: Download unit, 35: Erase instruction unit, 36: Acquisition unit, 3001: Processor, 3002: Memory, 3003: Storage, 3004: Communication device.

Claims

1. a detection unit that detects that content has been played back on a playback terminal used by a user; a download unit that, when the detection unit detects that a first content included in a series consisting of a plurality of contents has been played back on a first playback terminal used by a user, downloads a second content that is a content that follows the first content in the series to a second playback terminal used by the user; An information processing device comprising:

2. a deletion instruction unit that instructs the second playback terminal to delete the downloaded second content when the detection unit detects that the second content downloaded to the second playback terminal has been played back on the first playback terminal; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The deletion instruction unit instructs the second playback terminal to delete a portion of the second content that has been played back on the first playback terminal.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. the first playback terminal is installed in a home where the user resides, an acquisition unit that acquires schedule information relating to the user's schedule; The download unit refers to the acquired schedule information, and when determining that the user will leave the home after the first playback terminal starts playing the first content, causes the second playback terminal to download the second content before the user will leave the home.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

5. an acquisition unit that acquires schedule information relating to the user's schedule; When there are a plurality of second playback terminals for one user, the download unit selects one of the plurality of second playback terminals based on the content of the acquired schedule information, and causes the selected second playback terminal to download the second content.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

6. an acquisition unit that acquires schedule information relating to the user's schedule; The download unit determines a range of the second content to be downloaded to the second playback terminal based on the acquired schedule information, and downloads the second content included in the determined range to the second playback terminal.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

7. The download unit determining whether or not to download the second content to the second playback terminal, and downloading the second content to the second playback terminal according to the result of the determination; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

8. The download unit makes the determination based on attributes of a series including the first content and the second content.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,

9. When there are a plurality of second playback terminals for one user, the download unit selects one of the plurality of second playback terminals based on attributes of a series including the first content and the second content, and causes the selected second playback terminal to download the second content.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

10. The download unit determines a range of the second content to be downloaded to the second playback terminal based on attributes of a series including the first content and the second content, and downloads the second content included in the determined range to the second playback terminal.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

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