Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

It is possible to provide an information management system that increases the freedom of content distribution in IP distribution and the like. [Solution] A first ID acquisition unit 100 acquires information related to a first ID transmitted from a broadcasting device 2. A regional information assignment unit 110 assigns a regional code to which a target channel belongs to each of the IP broadcasting channels corresponding to each piece of information related to the first ID acquired by the first ID acquisition unit 100. A second ID assignment unit 120 assigns a second ID to each of the IP broadcasting channels corresponding to each piece of information related to the first ID acquired by the first ID acquisition unit 100. An ID etc. information management unit 130 compiles the first ID, regional code, and second ID information and transmits it to the broadcasting device 2 or the distribution service server 4 as ID etc. information.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in IP (Internet Protocol) broadcasting systems, there are broadcasting stations that provide IP broadcasting and distribution service providers that distribute each IP broadcasting in each region, and each company provides its service separately. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention related to a channel management system that can easily manage channels while ensuring freedom of channel setting in IP distribution services. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-158622 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional technology described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is insufficient because it merely manages channels using a temporarily issued ID called a key ID.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and aims to provide an information management system for increasing the degree of freedom in content distribution in IP distribution and the like.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a first ID, which is unique information corresponding to each of the channels of the content broadcast; a first assigning unit that assigns, to each of the first IDs, information on an area in which a channel corresponding to each of the first IDs is broadcast; a second assigning unit that assigns a second ID related to an IP distribution service, the second ID being different from the first ID, to each of the first IDs; The information processing system includes:

[0007] An information processing method and a program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are also provided as an information processing method or a program corresponding to an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information management system for increasing the degree of freedom in content distribution in IP distribution and the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a distribution management server constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a distribution management server and the like that configures an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of information managed by a distribution management server constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of various processes executed by a distribution management server constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as "this system").

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the system includes, for example, a distribution management server 1, a broadcasting device 2, a receiving device 3, and distribution service servers 4-1 to 4-n (n is any integer value equal to or greater than 1). The distribution management server 1, the broadcasting device 2, the receiving device 3, and the distribution service servers 4-1 to 4-n (n is any integer value equal to or greater than 1) are connected via a predetermined network such as the Internet. However, the network is not a required component, and for example, NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), LAN (Local Area Network), etc. may be used. In addition, when there is no need to distinguish between the distribution service servers 4-1 to 4-n, they will be collectively referred to as the "distribution service server 4." In addition, in the following description, the term "content" includes various types of content such as television programs, Internet programs, and various advertisements.

[0012] The delivery management server 1 is an information processing device that manages various information related to IP broadcasting channels in association with each other. Specifically, the delivery management server 1 manages a first ID, a second ID, and a region code in association with each of the target channels. The first ID is an identifier for uniquely identifying each channel in the broadcasting device 2 that corresponds to a broadcasting service mainly based on a television communication system. The second ID is an identifier for uniquely identifying each IP broadcast channel that is primarily used in distribution services. The area code is information for identifying the area to which each IP broadcast channel belongs.

[0013] The distribution management server 1 also acquires, via the communication unit 19, information relating to various contents broadcast by the broadcast device 2 (hereinafter referred to as “content information”). Here, the content information may include, for example, the name of the content broadcast by broadcasting device 2, an overview of the content (e.g., performers, year of production, country of production, producer, language, etc.), type of content (hereinafter also referred to as "genre"), identifier, content broadcast time (start time, end time), channel information, viewing period (e.g., limited time distribution, etc.), viewing attributes (e.g., viewing not permitted for those under 15 years of age, etc.), program guide, list of content, thumbnails, information regarding charges including amount, rights information, viewing area, etc.

[0014] In addition, the distribution management server 1 acquires viewing information transmitted from the receiving device 3, analyzes the information, and transmits the results to the distribution service server 4 and the like. Here, the viewing information may include information such as the details of the content viewed by the user (episode, number, etc.), name, identifier, genre, channel information, distribution platform information, viewing position, viewing date and time, viewing time, viewing speed (normal speed, 1.5x speed, etc.), audio channel (main audio, secondary audio, language), device type, playback image quality, viewer identifier, viewer attributes (demographics, hobbies and interests, preference information regarding content set by the viewer himself, region, postal code), etc.

[0015] The broadcasting device 2 is a platform or the like managed by a business operator or the like that performs various IP (Internet Protocol) broadcasting. The broadcasting device 2 transmits information (hereinafter referred to as "content information") related to various contents including programs and advertisements that are the subject of television broadcasting or IP broadcasting to the distribution management server 1. Television broadcasting is, for example, a method of broadcasting moving images, audio, and the like, using a television communication method, and can mainly take the form of a broadcast. IP broadcasting is a method of broadcasting video and audio, etc., via a network such as the Internet, using a unicast or multicast method. In IP broadcasting, content is usually distributed in association with the viewer's ID information, etc., making it particularly easy to manage the viewer's viewing history and usage status of other network-related services, etc.

[0016] The receiving device 3 is a receiving device used by a user who watches a broadcast. The receiving device 3 is, for example, configured with a TV receiver equipped with a network function. The receiving device 3, for example, obtains information on the user's viewing status and transmits the information to the distribution management server 1. The viewing information is managed by the distribution management server 1.

[0017] The distribution service server 4 is a server managed by a service provider that distributes various IP broadcasts. The distribution service server 4 provides IP broadcasts by, for example, obtaining a second ID and a regional code obtained from the distribution management server 1 and transmitting various IP streams to the receiving device 3. Note that different IDs are used for the first ID that is mainly used by the broadcasting device 2 and the second ID that is used in the IP distribution service of the distribution service server 4. There are various reasons for adopting such specifications, but for example, there is an advantage in that the broadcasting device 2 only needs to distribute the first ID unilaterally and does not need to manage the second ID or regional code.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a delivery management server constituting the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution management server 1 includes a control unit 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0020] The control unit 11 is configured with a microcomputer including a CPU, a GPU, a semiconductor memory, etc. The control unit 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in a ROM 12 or a program loaded from a storage unit 18 to a RAM 13. The RAM 13 also stores information necessary for the control unit 11 to execute various processes as appropriate.

[0021] The control unit 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to one another via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. An output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0022] The output unit 16 is configured with various displays, speakers, etc. The output unit 16 outputs various images, sounds, etc.

[0023] The input unit 17 is configured with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The input unit 17 accepts input of various information.

[0024] The storage unit 18 is configured with a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc., and stores various information. The storage unit 18 stores various programs and the like related to the provision of the present service.

[0025] The communication unit 19 controls communications between the device and other hardware devices via a network N including the Internet.

[0026] The drive 20 is provided as necessary. Removable media 31, which may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, is appropriately mounted in the drive 20. Programs for executing various processes are stored in the removable media 31. The programs read from the removable media 31 by the drive 20 are installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. Further, the removable medium 31 can store various information stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18 .

[0027] The hardware configurations of the broadcasting device 2, the receiving device 3, and the distribution service server 4 can all be basically the same as the hardware configuration of the distribution management server 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here. However, for example, when the broadcasting device 2 performs television broadcasting, the broadcasting device 2 may have a modulation function for various signals in a communication unit or the like. Similarly, when the receiving device 3 receives television broadcasting, the receiving device 3 may have a demodulation function for various signals. Furthermore, the various hardware (particularly the broadcasting device 2 and the receiving device 3) may have a function such as so-called encryption.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a delivery management server and the like constituting the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 of the distribution management server 1 functions as a first ID acquisition unit 100, a regional information assignment unit 110, a second ID assignment unit 120, an ID etc. information management unit 130, and a log collection unit 140 by executing various programs, etc.

[0029] The first ID acquisition unit 100 acquires a first ID, which is unique information corresponding to each channel of a program broadcast. Specifically, the first ID acquisition unit 100 acquires information related to the first ID transmitted from the broadcast device 2 via the communication unit 19.

[0030] The area information adding unit 110 adds, to each of the first IDs, information about the area in which the channel corresponding to each of the first IDs is broadcast. The area information adding unit 110 adds, to each of the IP broadcast channels corresponding to each of the information about the first IDs acquired by the first ID acquiring unit 100, the area code to which the target channel belongs, and associates the information.

[0031] The second ID assigning unit 120 assigns a second ID related to an IP distribution service, which is different from the first ID, to each of the first IDs. The second ID assigning unit 120 assigns a second ID to each of the IP broadcast channels corresponding to each of the information related to the first ID acquired by the first ID acquiring unit 100, and associates the information.

[0032] The ID etc. information management unit 130 executes various processes for distributing content based on the second ID assigned by the second assigning unit. Specifically, the ID etc. information management unit 130 manages the first ID acquired by the first ID acquisition unit 100, the area code assigned by the area information assignment unit 110, and the second ID assigned by the second ID assignment unit 120 in association with each other, and transmits the information as ID etc. information to the broadcast device 2 or the distribution service server 4. An example of information managed by the ID etc. information management unit 130 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0033] The log collection unit 140 acquires the viewing information transmitted from the receiving device 3 and analyzes the information. In addition, the log collection unit 140 transmits the acquired viewing information and the analysis result thereof to the distribution management server 1. In addition, the log collection unit 140 transmits the acquired viewing information and the analysis result thereof to the broadcasting device 2 or the distribution service server 4.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of information managed by a delivery management server constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 4, the names of broadcasting stations associated with each area code, the first IDs corresponding to each broadcasting station, and the second IDs corresponding to each broadcasting station are displayed in a table. In the example of Fig. 4, "broadcasting station A1", "broadcasting station A2", "broadcasting station A3", etc. are displayed as broadcasting stations to which the area code "Hokkaido" is assigned. "Broadcasting station A1" is associated with information of "10200" as the first ID and "1001" as the second ID. Similarly, "broadcasting station A2" is associated with information of "10208" as the first ID and "1002" as the second ID, and "broadcasting station A3" is associated with information of "4000" as the first ID and "1006" as the second ID. In this way, the present system can contribute to the realization of IP distribution services by associating and managing a first ID, which is primarily used by broadcasting device 2, with a regional code and a second ID, which is primarily used in distribution services. In addition, the system can associate a second ID with a first ID, as well as with a regional code. This allows the system to process information for each region where a broadcasting station is located, and by checking the postal code of the location where the receiving device is installed, it can prioritize the delivery of content for the region where the receiving device is installed, or display a list of content for the region.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of various processes executed by the distribution management server constituting the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step S1, the first ID acquisition unit 100 acquires information about the first ID transmitted from the broadcast device 2 via the communication unit 19.

[0036] In step S2, the area information adding unit 110 adds, to each of the IP broadcast channels corresponding to each of the pieces of information related to the first ID acquired by the first ID acquiring unit 100, the area code to which the target channel belongs.

[0037] In step S3, the second ID assigning unit 120 assigns a second ID to each of the IP broadcast channels corresponding to each of the pieces of information related to the first ID acquired by the first ID acquiring unit 100.

[0038] In step S4, the ID information management unit 130 manages the first ID acquired by the first ID acquisition unit 100, the regional code assigned by the regional information assignment unit 110, and the second ID assigned by the second ID assignment unit 120 in association with each other.

[0039] In step S5, the ID etc. information management unit 130 compiles the information of the first ID acquired by the first ID acquisition unit 100, the area code assigned by the area information assignment unit 110, and the second ID assigned by the second ID assignment unit 120, and transmits the collected information as ID etc. information to each of the broadcasting devices 2. This completes the various processes executed by the distribution management server 1.

[0040] Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and improvements within the scope that can achieve the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure.

[0041] [Other embodiments] Although the above embodiment has been described simply, the contents (programs) related to the present system are not limited to television broadcasting or IP broadcasting. The contents related to the present system may broadly include, for example, contents provided by television broadcasting or IP broadcasting, contents provided by various video distribution services, contents provided by various SNS (Social Networking Services) or the Web, etc.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the viewing history of the user is managed and analyzed by the distribution management server 1, but this is not limited to this. The system may also include a separate server for managing or analyzing the viewing history.

[0043] Although not described in the above embodiment, the present system may acquire information on the usage status of a user's SNS (social networking service) or the usage status of the Internet, etc. In particular, the broadcasting device 2 and the distribution service server 4 may take such information into account when determining the content to be distributed to each user.

[0044] Although not described in the above embodiment, the system may acquire attribute information regarding, for example, a user's gender, age, place of residence, family structure, occupation, income, content preferences, favorite performers, favorite viewing time periods, etc. In particular, the broadcasting device 2 and the distribution service server 4 may take such information into account when determining the content to be distributed to each user.

[0045] Although not described in the above embodiment, the present system may obtain information on the results of, for example, questionnaire surveys or panel surveys (including street surveys not using a network) conducted on users. In particular, the broadcasting device 2 and the distribution service server 4 may take such information into account when determining the content to be distributed to each user. The questionnaire survey or panel survey may be conducted on the user to whom the system is applied, or on other users to whom the system is not applied. When the system matches the results of such questionnaire surveys or panel surveys on many other users with the user to whom the system is applied, it is difficult to simply match the results if the user's information is simply ID information. In that case, the system may, for example, obtain information such as the viewing history of the target user ID, analyze viewing trends (so-called overlapping time) such as what day of the week and what time of day the content is viewed, and determine the similarity with the results of the viewing trends obtained from the questionnaire survey or panel survey, thereby analyzing the hobbies, preferences, and attributes of each user ID from the questionnaire survey or panel survey.

[0046] In addition, although not described in the above embodiment, the viewing history, etc. acquired by this system may include not only content information viewed in real time, but also content such as recordings, reruns, and various catch-up broadcasts.

[0047] Although not described in the above embodiment, each information processing device constituting the present system (e.g., the broadcast device 2, the receiving device 3, the distribution service server 4) may be provided with an application for receiving and playing IP broadcast (IP stream). Note that these applications may be separate applications for each information processing device (e.g., the broadcast device 2, the receiving device 3, the distribution service server 4), or a common application may be provided. Also, various information (e.g., viewing information) in the above embodiment may be acquired via these applications.

[0048] Although not described in the above embodiment, the present system may be able to change whether to display or hide content depending on the start time of distribution, for example. The present system may, for example, hide content that has not yet started distribution (scheduled to start distribution) at the present time, or may, for example, hide content that was distributed more than a certain period of time ago.

[0049] In the above embodiment (particularly step S5 in FIG. 5), the delivery management server 1 has been described as transmitting the ID and other information to the broadcast device 2, but this is not limited thereto. The delivery management server 1 may transmit the ID and other information to an information processing device other than the broadcast device 2 (for example, the receiving device 3).

[0050] Furthermore, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. In other words, the functional configurations in FIG. 3 and the like are merely examples and are not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the information processing system is provided with a function capable of executing the above-mentioned series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not limited to the example in Fig. 3, etc. Furthermore, the location of the functional block is not limited to the example in Fig. 3, etc., and may be arbitrary. That is, for example, some or all of the processes executed by the distribution management server 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be executed by another server, etc. Furthermore, one functional block may be configured as a single piece of hardware, may be configured as a single piece of software, or may be configured as a combination of both.

[0051] In addition, in this specification, the steps of describing the program to be recorded on the recording medium may be executed in parallel or individually, as well as in chronological order. Also, some of the steps described in the above embodiment may be omitted.

[0052] In addition, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall device that is composed of a plurality of devices or a plurality of means.

[0053] The system configurations shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples and are not limiting. The number and types of hardware constituting the present system are arbitrary, and any other hardware may be adopted as part of the system, or some of the hardware described above may be omitted.

[0054] In addition, in this system, for example, some or all of the series of processes described above may be executed by another server or the like managed by a cloud or the like.

[0055] Furthermore, when the series of processes is executed by software, the programs constituting the software are installed into a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium.

[0056] The computer may be a computer that is built into dedicated hardware, or a computer that is capable of executing various functions by installing various programs. That is, for example, the various hardware in the above-described embodiment may be freely adopted as any computer, any mobile terminal such as a smartphone, etc. Furthermore, any combination of types and contents of various input units and various output units may be adopted.

[0057] Furthermore, the recording medium containing such a program may not only be constituted by a removable medium (not shown) provided separately from the device main body in order to provide the program to a user, etc., but may also be constituted by a recording medium that is provided to the user in a state in which it is pre-installed in the device main body.

[0058] Even when these other embodiments are adopted, the effects of the present embodiment are exhibited. In addition, the present embodiment can be appropriately combined with other embodiments, and other embodiments can be appropriately combined with each other.

[0059] To summarize the above, the information processing system to which the present disclosure is applied can take various embodiments having the following configurations. an acquisition unit (for example, a first ID acquisition unit 100) that acquires a first ID, which is unique information corresponding to each channel of a content broadcast; a first assigning unit (e.g., a region information assigning unit 110) that assigns, to each of the first IDs, information about a region in which a channel corresponding to each of the first IDs is broadcast; a second assigning unit (e.g., a second ID assigning unit 120) that assigns a second ID related to an IP distribution service, which is different from the first ID, to each of the first IDs; Any information processing system having the above will suffice.

[0060] In addition, the above-mentioned information processing system may further include a distribution processing unit (e.g., ID information management unit 130) that executes various processes for distributing content based on the second ID assigned by the second assignment unit.

[0061] The acquisition unit may acquire, as the first ID, a service ID corresponding to each channel in a program broadcast using a television communication method.

[0062] The second assigning unit may assign, to each of the first IDs, a second ID that can be used for managing contents or channels in the IP distribution service.

[0063] In addition, as another aspect of the present disclosure, An information processing method executed by an information processing device, An acquisition step of acquiring a first ID which is unique information corresponding to each of the channels of the content broadcasting; a first assignment step of assigning information about a region in which a channel corresponding to each of the first IDs is broadcast to each of the first IDs; a second assigning step of assigning a second ID related to an IP distribution service, which is different from the first ID, to each of the first IDs; The present invention may be an information processing method including the steps of:

[0064] In addition, as another aspect of the present disclosure, In the information processing device, An acquisition step of acquiring a first ID which is unique information corresponding to each of the channels of the content broadcasting; a first assignment step of assigning information about a region in which a channel corresponding to each of the first IDs is broadcast to each of the first IDs; a second assigning step of assigning a second ID related to an IP distribution service, which is different from the first ID, to each of the first IDs; The program may be a program for executing the above process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Distribution management server 11 Control section 100 First ID Acquisition Unit 110 Regional Information Section 120 Second ID assignment unit 130 ID etc. Information Management Department 140 Log Collection Unit 2 Broadcasting Equipment 3. Receiving device 4-1 to 4-n Distribution service server

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a first ID, which is unique information corresponding to each of the channels of the content broadcast; a first assigning unit that assigns, to each of the first IDs, information about a region in which a channel corresponding to each of the first IDs is broadcast; a second assigning unit that assigns a second ID related to an IP distribution service, the second ID being different from the first ID, to each of the first IDs; An information processing system comprising:

2. a distribution processing unit that executes a process for distributing content based on the second ID assigned by the second assigning unit, The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. the acquiring unit acquires, as the first ID, a service ID corresponding to each channel in a program broadcast using a television communication method; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. the second assigning unit assigns a second ID that can be used for managing content or channels in the IP distribution service to each of the first IDs. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, an acquisition step of acquiring a first ID which is unique information corresponding to each of the channels of the content broadcast; a first assigning step of assigning information about a region in which a channel corresponding to each of the first IDs is broadcast to each of the first IDs; a second assigning step of assigning a second ID related to an IP distribution service, which is different from the first ID, to each of the first IDs; An information processing method comprising:

6. In the information processing device, an acquisition step of acquiring a first ID which is unique information corresponding to each of the channels of the content broadcast; a first assigning step of assigning information about a region in which a channel corresponding to each of the first IDs is broadcast to each of the first IDs; a second assigning step of assigning a second ID related to an IP distribution service, which is different from the first ID, to each of the first IDs; A program that executes a process including:

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