Video content distribution system and television receiver

Abstract

To solve the problem in which there is no consistency in metadata such as program information for image distribution in broadcasting and telecommunication.SOLUTION: In a system that distributes video content, a distribution system generates program information having distribution business operator program information and distribution business operator identification information and distributes the program information to an intermediate sharing server. The intermediate sharing server generates integrated program information based on the program information received from the distribution system and distributes the intermediate sharing server program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a server system for distributing video content, a receiving terminal for receiving video content by network distribution, a distribution system that enables easy selection of video content by network distribution, and a television receiver.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the evolution of the network, many video distribution services have been implemented. In particular, large-sized, large-screen television receivers can not only receive broadcasts as before, but also be connected to the network and play the video content distributed, so that viewers can enjoy higher-quality and more immersive videos. This has become possible due to the high-speedization of the network and the improvement of the processing performance of television receivers. In the future, it is considered that the opportunities for viewing and operating various video contents provided by the network on television receivers will increase.

[0003] On the other hand, television receivers still receive video content by broadcast, and many viewers are in a situation of enjoying broadcast viewing. Therefore, from the perspective of viewers, not only the previous broadcast viewing but also the opportunities to select a large number of contents by distribution have increased.

[0004] In such a situation, viewers hope for a method that allows them to more easily select their preferred content from video content delivered by broadcast or communication. However, currently, separate methods are provided for selecting video content by broadcast wave and video content delivered by communication. After viewers selected each program selection method, they had to play the video content. For example, the selection of video delivery content is implemented by presenting a content selection screen from icons placed on the home screen of the TV or by dedicated buttons for dedicated delivery content. On the other hand, broadcast content is generally designed so that the receiver can select a program by activating a direct button indicating a channel on the remote control or a program guide.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] This describes the current method of selecting video content by broadcast and the method of selecting video content by communication.

[0007] An embodiment of the current broadcast system is shown in FIG. 19.

[0008] In the broadcast system 19000, the broadcast program content 19001 is compressed for video and audio by the encoder 19002 and input to the multiplex transmission unit 19003. On the other hand, the program information necessary for program selection is generated by the SI (Service Information) generation unit 19004 as SI (Service Information) information, input to the multiplex transmission unit 19003, multiplexed with the video and audio stream, and transmitted. The multiplexed video and audio stream is transmitted as a broadcast wave to the television receiver 19100. In the television receiver 19100, the reception separation unit 19103 receives the broadcast wave and separates the multiplexed SI signal and the video and audio stream. The separated video and audio stream is input to the decoder 19102, and the compressed video and audio stream by the decoder 19102 is decoded. The decoded video and audio are input to the content display unit 19101 and the video and audio are presented.

[0009] On the other hand, the separated SI signal is input to the SI processing unit 19104. After saving the program description and the information necessary for program selection for each channel, it is input to the program guide screen 19105. On the program guide screen 19105, an easy-to-understand program guide for the viewer is generated, input to the content display unit 19101, and then presented to the viewer.

[0010] The above processing is implemented by the control unit 19106 controlling each unit according to the signal output by the remote controller 19107 operated by the viewer.

[0011] The conventional program guide shown in FIG. 19 is shown in FIG. 20.

[0012] 20100 shows the program guide. The horizontal axis indicates the channel number, and the vertical axis indicates the time. In the table, the description information of the program indicating the content is presented. The content 1A to content 3C shown in the figure indicates the text representing the title of the program and its description.

[0013] It shows the remote control 20000. The remote control has a program guide button for starting the program guide, number buttons from 1 to 12 for selecting each channel, up, down, left, and right keys for moving the cursor to select content in the program guide, and an enter key.

[0014] When the program guide button of the remote control 20000 is pressed, the program guide is presented on the TV screen. Then, use the up, down, left, and right keys of the remote control 20000 to move the cursor 20101 and select the desired content.

[0015] The above shows that content is selected by activating the program guide with the program guide button of the remote control 20000. In the case of a broadcast, it can be directly activated with the direct selection buttons indicating the numbers from 1 to 12 on the remote control 20000. This is implemented by mapping the channel number and the direct selection button because in a broadcast, the broadcasting station can be specified by the channel number.

[0016] Next, an embodiment of the video distribution system is shown in FIG. 21.

[0017] The distribution content 21001 in the distribution system 21000 is compressed for video and audio by the encoder 21002 and input to the multiplexing distribution unit 21003. On the other hand, the program information necessary for program selection is generated by the program information 21004, input to the multiplexing distribution unit 21003, multiplexed into the video and audio stream, and transmitted. The multiplexed video and audio stream passes through the communication path and is transmitted to the TV receiver 21100. In the TV receiver 21100, the receiving separation unit 21103 receives the stream transmitted through the communication path and separates the multiplexed program information and the video and audio stream. The separated video and audio stream is input to the decoder 21102, and the video and audio stream compressed by the decoder 21102 is decoded. The decoded video and audio are input to the content display unit 21101 and the video and audio are presented.

[0018] On the one hand, the separated program information is input into the program information processing unit 21104, and a program selection screen is generated. At this time, different from the time of broadcast reception, an icon is presented to the viewer, or a program list screen is presented. Usually, in the delivery by communication, for content selection without a time concept by VOD (Video On Demand), a program list is generated. The selection screen of the icon or content generated in 21105 is input into the content display unit 21101 and presented.

[0019] The above processing is implemented by the control unit 21106 controlling each part based on the signal output from the remote control 21107 operated by the viewer.

[0020] A conventional example of the selection screen of video and audio content transmitted by conventional communication is shown in FIG. 22. In a television receiver, when selecting delivery content, first, a delivery source selection screen 22100 is presented. One or a plurality of icons are presented for each delivery source on the delivery source selection screen, and the delivery source is specified by selecting the icon.

[0021] Here, if icon 1 is selected, next, a list 22200 of the content provided by the delivery source indicated by icon 1 is presented. Since there is no concept of time, it is presented as a list display of content.

[0022] Here, these operations are implemented by the remote control 22000.

[0023] When the viewer presses the home button of the remote control 22000, the delivery source selection screen 22100 is presented. By operating the cursor 22101 with the up, down, left, and right keys of the remote control, an icon indicating a predetermined delivery source is selected. After specifying the delivery source with the determination button, the content list 22200 is displayed.

[0024] Also in the content list 22200, the desired content is selected by operating the cursor 22102 with the up, down, left, and right keys of the remote control 22000.

[0025] Also, an embodiment of another video distribution system is shown in FIG. 23.

[0026] The distribution system 23000 transmits a video and audio stream from the transmission unit 23003 to the stream distribution network 23300, and the program information generated by the distribution system 23000 is transmitted from the program information unit 23004 to the reception unit 23401 of the intermediate sharing server 23400. The video and audio streams and program information of the distribution systems 23100 and 23200 are also transmitted through different routes in the same manner as the distribution system 23000. The intermediate sharing server 23400 stores the received program information in the program information storage unit 23403. When content is selected on the content selection screen 23505 of the television receiver 23500, the specified video and audio stream is transmitted from the stream distribution network 23300 to the reception unit 23503, and the video and audio content decoded by the decoder 23502 is displayed on the content display 23501.

[0027] The program information is distributed from the transmission unit 23402 of the intermediate sharing server 23400 to the program information processing unit 23504 of the television receiver 23500 to generate the content selection screen 23505.

[0028] Access to the stream distribution network and the intermediate sharing server is possible from multiple television receivers, and the television receiver 23600 can also access them in the same manner.

[0029] A conventional example of the content selection screen of the video and audio content of the above embodiment is shown in FIG. 24.

[0030] In the content list 24100, the services provided by Distribution A, Distribution B, and Distribution C are arranged at the top of the screen. If Distribution A is selected, Contents A1 to A6 provided by Distribution A are displayed, and the video content selected from them is played. If Distribution B is selected, Contents B1 to B6 provided by Distribution B are displayed as shown in the content list 24200, and the video content selected from them is played. In this conventional example, there is no need to return to the distribution source selection screen 22100 as shown in FIG. 22, and the desired content can be selected by selecting Distributions A to C on the screen of FIG. 24. However, the contents provided by Distributions A, B, and C cannot be displayed in a unified manner. Here, these operations are performed by operating the cursors 24101 and 24201 with the remote control 24000.

[0031] As described above, the method of selecting distributed content on a television receiver varies depending on the configuration of the distribution system and directly affects the convenience of viewers. Considering various forms of distribution systems that are expected in the future, there are the following problems.

[0032] 1) The current system is operated with a simple system configuration of multiple distribution operators and one intermediate sharing server. However, due to the multi-layerization caused by the participation of content providers and distribution operators from different industries, and the complication caused by the participation of multiple intermediate sharing servers, there is a problem that a stable service cannot be provided to viewers.

[0033] 2) When the content provider is a broadcasting station, the content selection screen displayed on the television receiver requires a list display that crosses the broadcasting stations in the same way as during broadcasting. However, in the current distribution system, it is a list display for each service provided by the content provider or the distribution operator. When viewers search for content, there is a problem of convenience in that they have to switch services.

[0034] 3) When the content provider is a broadcasting station, since its distribution is different from broadcasting and is distributed uniformly across the country, it is not possible to generate a program schedule for channels in each region, which poses a problem for the convenience of viewers.

[0035] 4) When the information of the content to be distributed is changed, there is a convenience problem that it is not reflected on the selection screen of the TV receiver, and the viewer has to search for the content from the old program information.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0036] As a first means: In a video content distribution system that distributes video content, a distributor program information generation unit that generates program information by one or more distributors, a distributor identification-attached program information generation unit that generates program information with distributor identification information added to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generation unit, and a distributor identification-attached program information transmission unit that distributes the distributor identification-attached program information to an intermediate sharing server, an intermediate sharing server program information generation unit that generates program information in an integrated form by integrating one or more distributor identification-attached program information received from the distribution system, and an intermediate sharing server program information transmission unit that distributes the intermediate sharing server program information to the TV receiver in response to a request from the TV receiver, having When there are a plurality of the intermediate sharing servers, an intermediate sharing server identifier-added program information generation unit that generates intermediate sharing server identifier-added program information by adding intermediate sharing server identification information to the intermediate sharing server program information; an intermediate sharing server identifier-added program information transmission unit that distributes the intermediate sharing server identifier-added program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver; A video content distribution system, characterized by comprising:

[0037] As a second means: In a video content distribution system that distributes video content, a content provider program information generation unit that generates program information by one or more content providers, a content provider identification-attached program information generation unit that generates program information with content provider identification information added to the content provider program information generated by the content provider program information generation unit, and a content provider identification-attached program information transmission unit that distributes the content provider identification-attached program information to a distributor a content providing system having , The content delivery provider has a content delivery system including a program information generation unit for the content delivery provider that generates program information by integrating one or more received content provider identification program information, a program information generation unit with content delivery provider identification that generates program information by adding content delivery provider identification information to the program information generated by the content delivery provider program information generation unit, and a content delivery provider identification program information transmission unit that distributes the content delivery provider identification program information to an intermediate sharing server. The intermediate sharing server has an intermediate sharing server program information generation unit that generates program information by integrating one or more content delivery provider identification program information received from the content delivery system, and an intermediate sharing server program information transmission unit that distributes the intermediate sharing server program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver. having The content providing system includes a content provider identifier-added program information intermediate sharing server direct transmission unit in which one or more content providers directly distribute the content provider identifier-added program information to the intermediate sharing server; The intermediate sharing server includes an intermediate sharing server program information generation unit that generates program information in a form in which one or more received content provider identifier-added program information and one or more distributor identifier-added program information are integrated, and an intermediate sharing server program information transmission unit that distributes the intermediate sharing server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver; A video content delivery system, characterized by comprising the above.

[0040] As a fifth means: In any one of the video content delivery systems of the first to fourth means, When delivering broadcast content, the content providing system has a program information generation unit with broadcast information that generates program information of the delivered content including information related to the broadcast wherein Broadcast start date and time and Broadcast time at least any one of and generates a program information generation unit with broadcast information, The program information has a program attribute hierarchical structure generation unit that generates attribute information of the broadcast content in a hierarchical structure, The program information has a content unique identification configuration unit that assigns a unique value to various identifiers so that the content can be uniquely identified, A video content delivery system, characterized by comprising the above.

[0041] As a sixth means: In any one of the video content delivery systems of the first to fourth means, The intermediate sharing server has a program information constituent unit management unit that performs version management in units of program information constituents, A program information management unit that performs version management of the entire program information, A video content distribution system characterized by having

[0042] As a seventh means: In a television receiver that receives program information from the video content distribution system of the sixth means, The television receiver has a program information constituent unit management unit that performs version management in units of the program information held by the television receiver, A program information management unit that performs version management of the entire program information, The television receiver accesses the intermediate sharing server, obtains the version of the program information of the intermediate sharing server, compares it with the version of the program information held by the receiver, and as a result of the comparison, if the version of the program information of the television receiver is older than that of the intermediate sharing server, further compares the versions in units of the program information constituent units. As a result of the comparison, the television receiver obtains the program information of the older constituent unit from the intermediate sharing server and updates the program information held by the television receiver. A program information processing unit, A television receiver characterized by having

[0043] As an eighth means: In any one of the video content distribution systems of the first to fourth means, When distributing the content broadcast by the distribution system, a broadcast area identification attached program information generation unit that generates program information including the same area identification information as the broadcast in the content provider program information, A video content distribution system characterized by having

[0044] As a ninth means: In a television receiver that receives program information from the video content distribution system of the eighth means, An area information matching program guide generation unit that generates a program guide on a channel that matches the area information set in the television receiver, A television receiver characterized by having

[0045] As the tenth means: In any one of the video content distribution systems of the first to fourth means, When distributing the broadcast content, a broadcast channel identification-added program information generation unit that generates program information including the same channel identification information as the broadcast in the content provider program information, the distribution operator program information, or the intermediate sharing server program information, A video content distribution system characterized by having.

[0046] As the eleventh means: In a television receiver that receives program information from the video content distribution system of the tenth means, A broadcast channel matching program guide generation unit that generates a program guide on a channel with a channel identification that matches the channel information of the selectable broadcast waves held by the television receiver, A television receiver characterized by having.

[0047] As the twelfth means: In a television receiver that receives program information from any one of the video content distribution systems of the first to fourth means, A program guide generation unit that generates a program guide from the intermediate sharing server program information or the intermediate sharing server identification-added program information, A channel display setting unit that allows a viewer to select a channel displayed in the program guide, A channel display order setting unit that allows a user to set the order of the channels displayed in the program guide, A television receiver characterized by having.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0049] Hereinafter, embodiments related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0050] In the present invention, even in a video content distribution system composed of various content providers and distribution operators, the convenience of viewers is greatly improved. Also, when distributing broadcast content, the convenience of viewers is improved by forming a program schedule in the same channel arrangement as in the broadcast.

[0051] (First Embodiment) The first figure shows a first example according to the present invention.

[0052] The video content distribution system of this example is composed of distribution systems 1000, 1100, a stream distribution network 1200, an intermediate sharing server 1300, and TV receivers 1400, 1500.

[0053] The distribution system 1000 transmits a video and audio stream from a transmission unit 1003 to the stream distribution network 1200. Also, the distribution system 1000 generates distribution operator program information in a distribution operator program information generation unit 1004, generates distribution operator identifier-attached program information in which distribution operator identifier information 1005 is added to the distribution operator program information in a distribution operator identifier-attached program information generation unit 1006, and transmits the distribution operator identifier-attached program information from a distribution operator identifier-attached program information transmission unit 1007 to a reception unit 1301 of the intermediate sharing server 1300. The distribution system 1100 performs the same processing as the distribution system 1000.

[0054] The intermediate sharing server 1300 stores one or more pieces of distribution operator identifier-attached program information received from the distribution systems in a program information storage unit 1302, and generates intermediate sharing server program information in an integrated form in an intermediate sharing server program information generation unit 1303.

[0055] The intermediate shared server program information is transmitted from the intermediate shared server program information transmission unit 1304 of the intermediate shared server 1300 to the program information processing unit 1404 of the television receiver 1400 in response to a request from the television receiver 1400. If there is also a request from the television receiver 1500, the same processing is performed.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which one or more content providers distribute program information to a distribution operator based on the present invention.

[0057] The video content distribution system of this embodiment is composed of content providing systems 2000, 2100, a distribution system 2200, a stream distribution network 2300, an intermediate shared server 2400, and television receivers 2500, 2600.

[0058] The content providing system 2000 transmits the video and audio stream from the transmitting unit 2003 to the stream distribution network 2300. Also, the content providing system 2000 generates content provider program information in the content provider program information generation unit 2004, and generates content provider - identified program information by adding the content provider identification information 2005 to the content provider program information in the content provider - identified program information generation unit 2006, and transmits the content provider - identified program information from the content provider - identified program information transmitting unit 2007 to the receiving unit 2201 of the distribution system 2200. The content providing system 2100 also performs the same processing as the content providing system 2000. The distribution system 2200 accumulates the content provider - identified program information received by the receiving unit 2201 in the program information storage unit 2202, generates integrated distribution operator program information in the distribution operator program information generation unit 2203, generates distribution operator - identified program information by adding the distribution operator identification information 2204 to the distribution operator program information in the distribution operator - identified program information generation unit 2205, and transmits the distribution operator - identified program information from the distribution operator - identified program information transmitting unit 2206 to the receiving unit 2401 of the intermediate sharing server 2400. The intermediate sharing server 2400 accumulates one or more distribution operator - identified program information received from the distribution system in the program information storage unit 2402, and generates intermediate sharing server program information by integrating the program information of each distribution operator in the intermediate sharing server program information generation unit 2403.

[0059] The intermediate sharing server program information is transmitted from the intermediate sharing server program information transmitting unit 2404 of the intermediate sharing server 2400 to the program information processing unit 2504 of the television receiver 2500 in response to a request from the television receiver 2500. If there is also a request from the television receiver 2600, the same processing is performed.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which one or more content providers directly transmit program information to an intermediate sharing server according to the present invention.

[0061] This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 3000, 3100, 3200, a distribution system 3300, a stream distribution network 3400, an intermediate sharing server 3500, and TV receivers 3600, 3700.

[0062] The content providing system 3000 transmits a video and audio stream from a transmitting unit 3003 to the stream distribution network 3400. Also, the content providing system 3000 generates content provider program information in a content provider program information generation unit 3004, generates content provider - identified program information by adding content provider identification information 3005 to the content provider program information in a content provider - identified program information generation unit 3006, and directly transmits the content provider - identified program information from a content provider - identified program information direct transmission unit 3007 to a receiving unit 3501 of the intermediate sharing server 3500. The content providing systems 3100, 3200 transmit video and audio streams to the distribution network 3400 in the same manner as the content providing system 3000. Also, the content providing systems 3100, 3200 generate content provider - identified program information in their respective content provider - identified program information generation units 3106, 3206, and transmit the content provider - identified program information from content provider - identified program information transmission units 3107, 3207 to a receiving unit 3301 of the distribution system 3300. The distribution system 3300 accumulates the content provider - identified program information received by the receiving unit 3301 in a program information storage unit 3302, generates integrated - form distribution operator program information in a distribution operator program information generation unit 3303, generates distribution operator - identified program information by adding distribution operator identification information 3304 to the distribution operator program information in a distribution operator - identified program information generation unit 3305, and transmits the distribution operator - identified program information from a distribution operator - identified program information transmission unit 3306 to a receiving unit 3501 of the intermediate sharing server 3500. The intermediate sharing server 3500 accumulates one or more pieces of content provider - identified program information and one or more pieces of distribution operator - identified program information received by the receiving unit 3501 in a program information storage unit 3502, and generates integrated - form intermediate sharing server program information in an intermediate sharing server program information generation unit 3503.

[0063] The intermediate shared server program information is transmitted from the intermediate shared server program information transmission unit 3504 of the intermediate shared server 3500 to the program information processing unit 3604 of the television receiver 3600 in response to a request from the television receiver 3600. If there is also a request from the television receiver 3700, the same processing is performed.

[0064] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which there are a plurality of intermediate shared servers according to the present invention.

[0065] This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 4000, 4100, 4200, a distribution system 4300, a stream distribution network 4400, intermediate shared servers 4500, 4600, and television receivers 4700, 4800.

[0066] Figure 4 shows a case where there are multiple intermediate sharing servers with respect to Figure 3. The content providing system 4000 directly transmits the content provider - identified program information generated by the content provider - identified program information generation unit 4006 from the content provider - identified program information intermediate sharing server direct transmission unit 4007 to either or both of the receiving units 4501 and 4601 of the intermediate sharing servers 4500 and 4600. The content providing system 4100 transmits the content provider - identified program information generated by the content provider - identified program information generation unit 4106 from the content provider - identified program information transmission unit 4107 to the receiving unit 4301 of the distribution system 4300. The content providing system 4200 performs the same processing as the content providing system 4100. The distribution system 4300 accumulates the content provider - identified program information received by the receiving unit 4301 in the program information accumulation unit 4302, generates integrated distribution - operator program information in the distribution - operator program information generation unit 4303, generates distribution - operator - identified program information by adding the distribution - operator identification information 4304 to the distribution - operator program information in the distribution - operator - identified program information generation unit 4305, and transmits the distribution - operator - identified program information from the distribution - operator - identified program information transmission unit 4306 to either or both of the receiving units 4501 and 4601 of the intermediate sharing servers 4500 and 4600. The intermediate sharing server 4500 accumulates one or more pieces of content provider - identified program information and one or more pieces of distribution - operator - identified program information received by the receiving unit 4501 in the program information accumulation unit 4502, generates integrated intermediate - sharing - server program information in the intermediate - sharing - server program information generation unit 4503, and generates content - provider - identified program information with the intermediate - sharing - server identification information 4504 added to the intermediate - sharing - server program information in the intermediate - sharing - server - identified program information generation unit 4505. The intermediate sharing server 4600 also performs the same processing as the intermediate sharing server 4500.

[0067] The intermediate - sharing - server - identified program information is transmitted from the intermediate - sharing - server - identified program information transmission unit 4506 of the intermediate sharing server 4500 to the program information processing unit 4704 of the television receiver 4700 in response to a request from the television receiver 4700. If there is also a request from the television receiver 4800, the same processing is performed.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows an example of a system hierarchy according to the present invention.

[0069] This embodiment is composed of a content providing system layer 5100, a distribution system layer 5200, an intermediate sharing server layer 5300, and a television receiver layer 5400.

[0070] There may be one or more content providers. There are cases where a content provider, such as content provider 5101, sends to one distribution operator 5201, cases where a content provider, such as content provider 5102, sends to multiple distribution operators 5201 and 5202, and cases where a content provider, such as content provider 5103, sends directly to an intermediate sharing server 5302.

[0071] There may be one or more distribution operators. There are cases where a distribution operator, such as distribution operator 5201, sends to one intermediate sharing server, and cases where a distribution operator, such as distribution operator 5202, sends to multiple intermediate sharing servers 5301 and 5302.

[0072] There may be one or more intermediate sharing servers. There are cases where an intermediate sharing server, such as intermediate sharing server 5301, sends to multiple television receivers 5401 and 5402, and cases where an intermediate sharing server, such as intermediate sharing server 5302, sends to one television receiver.

[0073] The generation of program information is as follows: In the content providing system layer 5100, content provider program information 5500 is generated, and content provider identification information 5501 is added thereto to generate content provider - identified program information 5502. Next, in the distribution system layer 5200, distribution operator program information 5503 is generated, and distribution operator identification information 5504 is added thereto to generate distribution operator - identified program information 5505. Next, in the intermediate sharing server layer 5300, intermediate sharing server program information 5506 is generated, and intermediate sharing server identification information 5507 is added thereto to generate intermediate sharing server - identified program information 5508.

[0074] FIG. 6 shows an example according to the present invention.

[0075] This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 6000 and 6100, a distribution system 6200, a stream distribution network 6300, an intermediate sharing server 6400, and television receivers 6500 and 6600.

[0076] When distributing the broadcasted content, the content providing system 6000 generates program information of the distributed content by including information related to the broadcast (such as the broadcast start date and time, broadcast time, etc.) in the broadcast information - appended program information generation unit 6005, hierarchically structures the attribute information of the broadcast content in the program attribute hierarchical structure generation unit 6006, and further assigns unique values to various identifiers in the content unique identification configuration unit 6007 so that the content can be uniquely identified. The content providing system 6100 performs the same processing.

[0077] Example of program information based on the present invention is shown in FIG. 7.

[0078] This embodiment is composed of program information 7000 and a program information hierarchical structure 7100 based on the broadcast program information.

[0079] Originally, since the program information of the distributed content is defined for each content provider and service of the distribution operator, the configuration of the program information is not common. Also, since it is basically composed of information required for Internet distribution, the program information related to the broadcast is not essential. In the present invention, as shown by the program information 7000 based on the broadcast program information, program information including broadcast - related information (such as the broadcast start date and time, broadcast time, etc.) is configured. Also, as shown by the program information hierarchical structure 7100, content attributes such as the intermediate sharing server, distribution operator, content provider, and channel are hierarchically structured, and further, unique values are assigned to each identifier so that the content can be uniquely identified (in this example, service IDs AAA1, AAA2, etc.).

[0080] According to the present invention, the television receiver can uniformly manage distribution channels of various content providers and distribution operators, and can also configure a program guide similar to a broadcast wave.

[0081] Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the program guide according to the present invention.

[0082] This embodiment is a program guide generated based on the program information in Fig. 7. The program information is configured based on broadcast-related information including the broadcast start date and time, broadcast time, etc. By hierarchically organizing the content attributes and assigning unique values to each identifier, the television receiver can generate a program guide similar to that of a broadcast for channels and content of different distribution services.

[0083] Currently, as shown in Fig. 22, the content list of a distribution service is not displayed unless the distribution service is selected on the distribution source selection screen. Also, as shown in Fig. 24, it was necessary to switch the distribution service to search for content, but according to the present invention, the viewer can search for content without going back and forth between hierarchies and without having to switch the distribution service.

[0084] (Second Embodiment) Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention.

[0085] This embodiment is composed of distribution systems 9000, 9100, a stream distribution network 9200, an intermediate sharing server 9300, and television receivers 9400, 9500.

[0086] The intermediate sharing server 9300 has a program information management unit 9305 that manages the version of the entire program information. Also, the program information constituent unit management unit 9306 manages the version for each constituent unit of the program information. Note that the program constituent unit indicates, for example, distribution operator information, content provider information, channel information, etc.

[0087] When the version of any constituent unit is updated, the version of the entire program information is updated by the program information management unit 9305.

[0088] The television receiver 9400 holds a program information management unit 9406 and manages the version of the entire program information. Also, the program information component unit management unit 9407 manages the version for each component unit of the program information.

[0089] The television receiver 9400 accesses the program information management unit 9305 of the intermediate sharing server 9300, obtains the version of the program information held by the intermediate sharing server 9300, and compares it with the version of the program information held by the receiver. As a result of the comparison, if the version of the program information of the television receiver 9400 is older than that of the intermediate sharing server 9300, the version is further compared in terms of the component units of the program information. As a result of the comparison of the component units of the program information, if there is program information with an older version component unit in the television receiver 9400, the television receiver 9400 acquires that program information and updates the program information held in the television receiver 9400. The television receiver 9500 also performs the same processing as the television receiver 9400.

[0090] FIG. 10 shows an example of a processing flow of program information version management according to the present invention.

[0091] The television receiver compares the version of the program information managed by the intermediate sharing server with the version of the program information held by the television receiver (10000). As a result of the comparison, if the program information versions of the intermediate sharing server and the television receiver are the same, the television receiver does not update the held program information (10001). As a result of the comparison, if the version of the program information of the television receiver is older than that of the intermediate sharing server, next, the television receiver compares the versions in terms of the component units of the program information and updates the old program information held by the television receiver (10002).

[0092] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows a third example according to the present invention.

[0093] This example is composed of content providing systems 11000, 11100, a distribution system 11200, a stream distribution network 11300, an intermediate sharing server 11400, television receivers 11500, 11600.

[0094] Content providing system 11000 generates broadcast area - identified program information including broadcast area identification information 11004 in a broadcast area - identified program information generation unit 11005, and transmits it from a content provider - identified program information transmission unit 11008 to a receiving unit 11201 of a distribution system 11200. The distribution system 11200 transmits distribution operator - identified program information from a distribution operator - identified program information transmission unit 11206 to a receiving unit 11401 of an intermediate sharing server 11400. The intermediate sharing server 11400 transmits intermediate sharing server - identified program information from an intermediate sharing server - identified program information transmission unit 11404 to a program information processing unit 11504 of a television receiver 11500 in response to a request from the television receiver 11500. The program information processing unit 11504 of the television receiver 11500 collates the broadcast area information included in the intermediate sharing server - identified program information with the area information set in the television receiver, extracts matching distribution channels, generates a program guide composed of those channels in an area information matching program guide generation unit 11505, and displays it on a content display unit 11501. If there is also a request from a television receiver 10600, the same processing is performed.

[0095] FIG. 12 shows an example of the broadcast area - identified program information of FIG. 11, which is composed of a broadcast area identifier 12000 and program information 12100 for each service.

[0096] In the content distribution by current broadcasters, it is not distributed region - by - region like terrestrial broadcasting, but is distributed uniformly across the country. Therefore, the program information for content distributed over the network does not include broadcast area identification information. Thus, in the present invention, in order to realize content selection similar to watching broadcast waves, content provider program information for distribution including broadcast area identification information is generated. For example, like the program information 12100 for each service, it is configured by adding the area identification information 12102, 12103 included in the broadcast program information of that service.

[0097] According to the present invention, a television receiver can generate a program guide using a distribution channel having area identification information that matches the area by collating with the area information set in the television receiver.

[0098] FIG. 13 shows an example of a program guide using program information including area identification information.

[0099] In this example, the television receiver area setting 13001 is set to "Niigata", and only channels having area identification information of Niigata are displayed in the program guide.

[0100] (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 14 shows a fourth example according to the present invention.

[0101] This example is composed of content providing systems 14000, 14100, a distribution system 14200, a stream distribution network 14300, an intermediate sharing server 14400, and television receivers 14500, 14600.

[0102] Content providing system 14000 generates broadcast channel - identified program information including broadcast channel identification information 14004 by a broadcast channel - identified program information generation unit 14005, and transmits it from a content provider - identified program information transmission unit 14008 to a receiving unit 14201 of a distribution system 14200. The distribution system 14200 transmits distribution - operator - identified program information from a distribution - operator - identified program information transmission unit 14206 to a receiving unit 14401 of an intermediate sharing server 14400. The intermediate sharing server 14400 transmits intermediate - sharing - server - identified program information from an intermediate - sharing - server - identified program information transmission unit 14404 to a program information processing unit 14504 of a television receiver 14500 in response to a request from the television receiver 14500. The program information processing unit 14504 of the television receiver 14500 collates the broadcast channel information included in the intermediate - sharing - server - identified program information with the broadcast channel received by the television receiver 14500, extracts the matching distribution channels, generates a program schedule composed of those channels by a broadcast channel - matching program schedule generation unit 14505, and displays it on a content display unit 14501. If there is also a request from a television receiver 14600, the same processing is performed.

[0103] FIG. 15 shows an example of the broadcast channel - identified program information in FIG. 14, which is composed of a broadcast channel identification 15000 and program information 15100 for each service.

[0104] In the present invention, in order to realize content selection similar to watching a broadcast wave as in the embodiment of FIG. 11, content provider program information or distribution - operator program information or intermediate - sharing - server program information including broadcast channel identification information of the distribution is generated. For example, as shown in the program information 15100 for each service, it is configured by adding channel identification information 15102, 15103 (network identification, TS (Transport Stream) identification, service ID, etc.) on which the service was broadcast.

[0105] According to the present invention, a television receiver can generate a program guide on a distribution channel having channel identification information that matches the channel information received by the broadcast wave held in the television receiver and collates with the channel information.

[0106] (Fifth Embodiment) The 16th figure shows a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

[0107] This embodiment is composed of content providing systems 16000, 16100, a distribution system 16200, a stream distribution network 16300, an intermediate sharing server 16400, and television receivers 16500, 16600.

[0108] The content providing system 16000 transmits content provider - identified program information from a content provider - identified program information transmitting section 16007 to a receiving section 16201 of the distribution system 16200. The distribution system 16200 transmits distribution operator - identified program information from a distribution operator - identified program information transmitting section 16206 to a receiving section 16401 of the intermediate sharing server 16400. The intermediate sharing server 16400 transmits intermediate sharing server - identified program information from an intermediate sharing server - identified program information transmitting section 16404 to a program information processing section 16504 of the television receiver 16500 in response to a request from the television receiver 16500. Similarly, when there is a request from the television receiver 16600, the intermediate sharing server - identified program information is transmitted from the intermediate sharing server to a program information processing section 16604 of the television receiver 16600.

[0109] Based on the program information processed by the program information processing section 16504 of the television receiver 16500, the program guide generation section 16505 generates a program guide composed of channels set by the channel display setting section 16506 and displays the program guide on the content display section 16501.

[0110] The television receiver 16600 generates a program guide composed of the channels set by the channel display order setting unit 16606 and the display order of the channels based on the program information processed by the program information processing unit 16604, and displays the program guide on the content display unit 16601.

[0111] FIG. 17 shows an example of channel display settings and a program guide in the television receiver 16500 of FIG. 16, and is composed of a channel display setting 17000 and a program guide 17100.

[0112] In the content distribution by the current broadcaster, it is not distributed regionally like terrestrial broadcasting, but is distributed uniformly throughout the country. Therefore, when the distribution channels are displayed in the form of a program guide, many channels are all displayed, which causes inconvenience in the operability for viewers to search for content. Therefore, in the present invention, a television receiver is provided with a setting that allows viewers to select only their favorite channels.

[0113] In the channel display setting 17000, the viewer sets the channels that the viewer wants to display in the program guide (in this example, channels 1, 3, 5, 8, and 9 are selected), and only the selected channels are displayed in the program guide 17100. According to the present invention, the viewer can display only their favorite channels in the program guide and can easily search for the content they want to view.

[0114] Further, FIG. 18 shows an example of channel display order settings and a program guide in the television receiver 16600 of FIG. 16, and is composed of a channel display order setting 18000 and a program guide 18100.

[0115] In the channel display order setting 18000, the viewer sets the channels that the viewer wants to display in the program guide and the display order of the channels (in this example, the order of channel 5 ⇒ channel 3 ⇒ channel 9 ⇒ channel 1 ⇒ channel 8), and by displaying the channels in the set order as shown in the program guide 18100, the viewer can easily search for the content.

[0116] [Appendix 1] In a video content distribution system that distributes video content, a distributor program information generation unit that generates program information by one or more distributors, a distributor-identified program information generation unit that generates program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generation unit, a distributor-identified program information transmission unit that transmits the distributor-identified program information to an intermediate sharing server, The intermediate sharing server has an intermediate sharing server program information generation unit that generates program information in an integrated form of one or more received distributor-identified program information, an intermediate sharing server program information transmission unit that transmits the intermediate sharing server program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver, and a distribution system having the same.

[0117] [Appendix 2] In the distribution system of Appendix 1, a content provider program information generation unit that generates program information by one or more content providers, a content provider-identified program information generation unit that generates program information by adding content provider identification information to the content provider program information generated by the content provider program information generation unit, a content provider-identified program information transmission unit that transmits the content provider-identified program information to the distribution system, The distribution system has a distributor program information generation unit that generates program information in an integrated form of one or more received content provider-identified program information, a distributor-identified program information generation unit that generates program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generation unit, a distributor-identified program information transmission unit that transmits the distributor-identified program information to an intermediate sharing server, The intermediate sharing server has an intermediate sharing server program information generation unit that generates program information in an integrated form of one or more received distributor-identified program information, An intermediate shared server program information transmission unit that transmits intermediate shared server program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver, A distribution system having

[0118] [Appendix 3] In the distribution system of Appendix 1 or 2, A content provider identifier-attached program information intermediate shared server direct transmission unit that directly transmits the content provider identifier-attached program information to the intermediate shared server by one or more content providers, The intermediate shared server includes an intermediate shared server program information generation unit that generates program information in an integrated form of one or more pieces of content provider identifier-attached program information and one or more pieces of distribution operator identifier-attached program information received, An intermediate shared server program information transmission unit that transmits intermediate shared server program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver, A distribution system having

[0119] [Appendix 4] In any one of the distribution systems of Appendices 1 to 3, When there are a plurality of intermediate shared servers, the intermediate shared server includes an intermediate shared server identifier-attached program information generation unit that adds intermediate shared server identifier information to the intermediate shared server program information to generate program information, An intermediate shared server identifier-attached program information transmission unit that transmits the intermediate shared server identifier-attached program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver, A distribution system having

[0120] [Appendix 5] In any one of the distribution systems of Appendices 1 to 4, When distributing the broadcast content, the program information of the distributed content includes a broadcast information-attached program information generation unit that generates information related to the broadcast (such as the broadcast start date and time, broadcast time, etc.), The program information includes a program attribute hierarchical structure generation unit that generates the attribute information of the broadcast content in a hierarchical structure, The program information includes a content unique identification component that assigns unique values to various identifiers so that the content can be uniquely identified, and a distribution system having the same.

[0121] [Appendix 6] In any one of the distribution systems of Appendices 1 to 4, the intermediate sharing server includes a program information component management unit that performs version management in units of program information components, and a program information management unit that performs version management of the entire program information, and a distribution system having the same.

[0122] [Appendix 7] In a television receiver that receives program information from the distribution system of Appendix 6, the television receiver includes a program information component management unit that performs version management in units of program information components held by the television receiver, and a program information management unit that performs version management of the entire program information, The television receiver accesses the intermediate sharing server, obtains the version of the program information of the intermediate sharing server, compares it with the version of the program information held by the receiver, and if the version of the program information of the television receiver is older than that of the intermediate sharing server as a result of the comparison, further compares the versions in units of program information components. As a result of the comparison, if the television receiver has older program information components than the intermediate sharing server, the television receiver obtains the older program information components from the intermediate sharing server and updates the program information held by the television receiver. The television receiver includes a program information processing unit for updating, and a television receiver having the same.

[0123] [Appendix 8] In any one of the distribution systems of Appendices 1 to 6, when distributing the broadcast content, a broadcast area identification-added program information generation unit that generates program information including the same regional identification information as the broadcast in the content provider program information, and a distribution system having the same.

[0124] [Appendix 9] In a television receiver that receives program information from the distribution system of Supplementary Note 8, a region information matching program guide generation unit that generates a program guide on a channel that matches the region information set in the television receiver, A television receiver having the same.

[0125] [Supplementary Note 10] In any one of the distribution systems of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, when distributing the broadcast content, a broadcast channel identification attached program information generation unit that generates program information including the same channel identification information as the broadcast in the content provider program information or the distribution operator program information or the intermediate sharing server program information, A distribution system having the same.

[0126] [Supplementary Note 11] In a television receiver that receives program information from the distribution system of Supplementary Note 10, a broadcast channel matching program guide generation unit that generates a program guide on a channel that matches the channel information of the selectable broadcast waves held by the television receiver, A television receiver having the same.

[0127] [Supplementary Note 12] In any one of the distribution systems of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, a program guide generation unit that generates a program guide from the intermediate sharing server program information or the intermediate sharing server identification attached program information, a channel display setting unit that allows a viewer to select a channel to be displayed in the program guide, a channel display order setting unit that allows a viewer to set the order of the channels to be displayed in the program guide, A television receiver having the same.

Explanation of Signs

[0128] 1000, 1100, 2200, 3300, 4300, 6200, 9000, 9100, 11200, 14200, 16200 Distribution System 1004, 2203, 3303, 4303 Distribution Service Provider Program Information Generation Unit 1006, 2205, 3305, 4305 Distribution Service Provider Identified Program Information Generation Unit 1007, 2206, 3306, 4306, 11206, 14206, 16206 Distribution Service Provider Identified Program Information Transmission Unit 1300, 2400, 3500, 4500, 4600, 5301, 5302, 6400, 9300, 11400, 14400, 16400 Intermediate Sharing Server 1303, 2403, 3503, 4503 Intermediate Sharing Server Program Information Generation Unit 1304, 2404, 3504 Intermediate Sharing Server Program Information Transmission Unit

Claims

1. In a video content distribution system for distributing video content, a distributor program information generation unit that generates program information by one or more distributors, a distributor-identified program information generation unit that generates distributor-identified program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generation unit, and a distributor-identified program information transmission unit that distributes the distributor-identified program information to an intermediate sharing server; an intermediate sharing server that has an intermediate sharing server program information generation unit that generates program information in an integrated form of one or more distributor-identified program information received from the distribution system, and an intermediate sharing server program information transmission unit that distributes the intermediate sharing server program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver. When there are a plurality of intermediate sharing servers, the intermediate sharing server has an intermediate sharing server-identified program information generation unit that generates intermediate sharing server-identified program information by adding intermediate sharing server identification information to the intermediate sharing server program information; an intermediate sharing server-identified program information transmission unit that distributes the intermediate sharing server-identified program information to the television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver; A video content distribution system characterized by having the above.

2. In a video content distribution system for distributing video content, a content provider program information generation unit that generates program information by one or more content providers, a content provider-identified program information generation unit that generates content provider-identified program information by adding content provider identification information to the content provider program information generated by the content provider program information generation unit, and a content provider-identified program information transmission unit that distributes the content provider-identified program information to a distributor; the distributor has a distributor program information generation unit that generates program information in an integrated form of one or more content provider-identified program information received, a distributor-identified program information generation unit that generates distributor-identified program information by adding distributor identification information to the distributor program information generated by the distributor program information generation unit, and a distributor-identified program information transmission unit that distributes the distributor-identified program information to an intermediate sharing server. An intermediate sharing server program information generation unit that generates program information in an integrated form by integrating one or more distributor-identified program information received from the distribution system, and an intermediate sharing server program information transmission unit that distributes the intermediate sharing server program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver. The intermediate sharing server has the above components. The content providing system includes a content provider-identified program information intermediate sharing server direct transmission unit in which one or more content providers directly distribute the content provider-identified program information to the intermediate sharing server. The intermediate sharing server includes an intermediate sharing server program information generation unit that generates program information in an integrated form by integrating one or more received content provider-identified program information and one or more distributor-identified program information, and an intermediate sharing server program information transmission unit that distributes the intermediate sharing server program information to a television receiver in response to a request from the television receiver. A video content distribution system, characterized by having the above components.

3. In the video content distribution system according to claim 1 or claim 2, When distributing broadcast content, the content providing system includes a broadcast information-attached program information generation unit that generates program information of the distributed content as information related to the broadcast, including at least one of the broadcast start date and time and the broadcast time. The program information includes a program attribute hierarchical structure generation unit that generates attribute information of the broadcast content in a hierarchical structure. The program information includes a content unique identification configuration unit that assigns a unique value to various identifiers so that the content can be uniquely identified. A video content distribution system, characterized by having the above components.

4. In the video content distribution system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The intermediate sharing server includes a program information component unit management unit that performs version management on a component unit of the program information, and A program information management unit that performs version management on the entire program information. A video content distribution system, characterized by having the above components.

5. In a television receiver that receives program information from the video content distribution system according to claim 4, The television receiver includes a program information component unit management unit that performs version management on a component unit of the program information held by the television receiver, and A program information management unit that performs version management on the entire program information. The television receiver accesses the intermediate sharing server, obtains the version of the program information of the intermediate sharing server, compares the version of the program information of the intermediate sharing server with the version of the program information held by the receiver, and if the version of the program information of the television receiver is older than that of the intermediate sharing server as a result of the comparison, further compares the versions in units of the composition of the program information. As a result of the comparison, if the television receiver obtains program information of an older composition unit than the intermediate sharing server, a program information processing unit that updates the program information held by the television receiver; A television receiver characterized by having the above.

6. In the video content distribution system according to claim 1 or claim 2, When the distribution system distributes the broadcast content, a broadcast area identification-added program information generation unit that generates program information including the same area identification information as the broadcast in the content provider program information; A video content distribution system characterized by having the above.

7. In a television receiver that receives program information from the video content distribution system according to claim 6, A region information matching program guide generation unit that generates a program guide on a channel that matches the region information set in the television receiver; A television receiver characterized by having the above.

8. In the video content distribution system according to claim 1 or claim 2, When distributing the broadcast content, a broadcast channel identification-added program information generation unit that generates program information including the same channel identification information as the broadcast in the content provider program information or the distribution operator program information or the intermediate sharing server program information; A video content distribution system characterized by having the above.

9. In a television receiver that receives program information from the video content distribution system according to claim 8, A broadcast channel matching program guide generation unit that generates a program guide on a channel with a channel identification that matches the channel information of the selectable broadcast waves held by the television receiver; A television receiver characterized by having the above.

10. In a television receiver that receives program information from the video content distribution system according to claim 1 or claim 2, A program guide generation unit that generates a program guide from the intermediate sharing server program information or the intermediate sharing server identification-added program information; A channel display setting unit that allows a viewer to select a channel displayed in the program guide; A channel display order setting unit that allows a user to set the order of the channels displayed in the program guide; A television receiver characterized by having

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