Server device and control program

Abstract

When a user views series-form video content having a plurality of episodes, it reduces the user's effort. 【Solution means】The server device (10) includes an acquisition unit (111) that acquires an identification code associated with series-form video content having a plurality of episodes and information for identifying an external device (20) that is the transmission source of the identification code, and a communication unit (13) that, after authentication using the identification code is performed, transmits data of the number of episodes corresponding to the user's request in the video content to the external device (20).

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, DVD BOXes for watching all episodes of TV anime works and the like have been sold. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a reading device that can appropriately terminate an application that is not related to a movie work while eliminating the startup delay of the application when exchanging optical disks.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when watching a work using a plurality of disks, it takes time for the user to exchange the disks for each one or more episodes.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the labor of the user when the user watches series-form video content having a plurality of episodes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a server device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an identification code associated with video content in a series format having a plurality of episodes, and information for specifying an external device that is the transmission source of the identification code, and a communication unit that transmits data of the number of episodes corresponding to a user's request in the video content to the external device after authentication using the identification code is performed.

[0007] To solve the above problems, a terminal device according to an aspect of the present invention is a terminal device including a display unit, and includes an input unit for inputting an identification code associated with video content in a series format having a plurality of episodes, a communication unit that transmits the input identification code and information for specifying the terminal device to a server device, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display video of the number of episodes corresponding to a user's request in the video content transmitted from the server device.

[0008] The server device and terminal device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for realizing the server device or terminal device by operating the computer as each part (software element) included in the server device or terminal device, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the same also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

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

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0012] 〔1. Configuration Example of System 1〕 FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram showing the functional configuration of System 1 according to the present disclosure. System 1 is a system for transmitting arbitrary content from server device 10 to a display device (external device, terminal device) 20 and playing back the content. Hereinafter, the content will be described as video content including video, but it may also be music content or audio content without video. In many cases, the video content has one or more channels of audio associated therewith, and at the display device 20, the audio is played back in parallel with the video.

[0013] Also, the content according to the present disclosure is assumed to be a rental item unless otherwise specified. That is, the period during which the content can be played back at the display device 20 is limited.

[0014] System 1 includes a server device 10 and one or more display devices 20. Server device 10 is a device that functions as a server for supplying content, and includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0015] Control unit 11 is a control device that overall controls server device 10, and includes an acquisition unit 111. Acquisition unit 111 acquires an identification code associated with content that is a rental item and information for specifying display device 20 that is the transmission source of the identification code. Here, the content may be video content in a series format having a plurality of episodes.

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

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

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

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

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

[0021] Also, it is desirable that the data such as the video transmitted between the server device 10 and the display device 20 is transmitted after being encrypted and is decrypted on the receiving device side.

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

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

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

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

[0026] The input unit 24 is a member for the user to input information to the display device 20, and can be realized as, for example, a keyboard or other buttons, or a mouse. Further, the input unit 24 may be a remote control or a controller of a device separate from the display device 20 main body. The user performs input operations such as identification codes and various selection operations via the input unit 24. Note that the input unit 24 and the display unit 25 may be realized as an integrated touch panel.

[0027] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the input unit 24 may include a camera 241 that captures images. Further, it may be configured such that a two-dimensional code indicating an identification code can be read by the camera 241. Thereby, the trouble of the user inputting the identification code can be reduced.

[0028] In addition, the input unit 24 may be configured to be able to read an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag in a non-contact manner. Thereby, the input unit 24 may receive the input of the identification code by reading the RFID tag in which the identification code is recorded in a non-contact manner.

[0029] The display unit 25 is a display panel that displays video, character strings, objects, etc. based on the control by the display control unit 211. Note that when the content is music content or the like that does not include video, the following description may be applied with the display unit 25 being an output unit 25 realized by a speaker or the like.

[0030] Further, the function of a single member included in the system 1 may be realized by a plurality of other members, or the functions of a plurality of members included in the system 1 may be realized by another single member. For example, the system 1 may include a plurality of server devices 10, or the configuration may be such that the authentication of the above-described identification code is performed in an authentication device different from the server device 10. Also, some of the members included in the system 1 may be configured to be detachable from the server device 10 or the display device 20.

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

[0032] For example, Table 31 shows that Content A includes video content from the A1st episode number to the A3rd episode number, and Content B includes video content from the B1st episode number to the B3rd episode number, etc. That is, Contents A and B are video contents in a series format having a plurality of episodes. Also, the number of episodes of each content is not limited. Examples of such video content include dramas and TV animations. Also, the value in the "Identification Code" column indicates which identification code authentication is required to download the content corresponding to the episode number to the display device 20. For example, in order to download the content of the A3rd episode number to the display device 20, authentication using the identification code "AAABBB222" or "AAABBB333" etc. is required, and even if authentication using the identification code "AAABBB111" is performed, the content of the A3rd episode number cannot be downloaded.

[0033] Also, the content may be associated with a plurality of types of identification codes. For example, Content A is associated with a first type of identification code for enabling only the data of the A1st episode number and the A2nd episode number to be downloaded, and a second type of identification code for enabling the data from the A1st episode number to the A3rd episode number to be downloaded.

[0034] Also, the configuration may be such that all episodes of series-form video content can be viewed by authentication using a single identification code. Further, the acquisition unit 111 may be configured to acquire a single identification code associated with the video content and information for specifying the display device 20.

[0035] Also, a single identification code may be associated with a plurality of contents. For example, when authentication using the identification code "AAABBB333" is performed, in the display device 20 which is the transmission source of the identification code, data from the A1st episode number to the A3rd episode number of content A and data from the B1st episode number to the B3rd episode number of content B can be downloaded. Note that the actual identification code is preferably a more complex character string than that illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0036] Note that it is not essential for the content to be in a series form having a plurality of episodes. For example, when the content is a single live video of a singer or the like, a value indicating that the content is not in a series form is set in the column of "Nth episode number" corresponding to the content.

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

[0038] In Table 32, the denominator of the value in the "Number of registrations" column indicates the maximum number of display devices 20 that can be registered by authentication using the corresponding identification code. Also, "registration" of the display device 20 means storing the display device 20 which is the transmission source of the identification code as a display device 20 capable of downloading the content associated with the identification code. Also, as shown by the fact that the denominator may be 2 or more, a configuration may be such that a single identification code is input to each of a plurality of display devices 20, and content can be downloaded in each of the display devices 20.

[0039] Also, the numerator of the value in the "Registered Quantity" column indicates how many display devices 20 are currently registered through authentication using the target identification code. For example, in the case of the identification code "AAABBB111", since the maximum number of 3 display devices 20 are already registered, even if the identification code "AAABBB111" is input to another new display device 20, the display device 20 will not be registered. Also, it is desirable to have a configuration that allows the registration of the display device 20 to be cancelled through operations via the input unit 24 of the display device 20. Thereby, even when the number of units that can be registered using a certain identification code is reached, the display device 20 that can download content can be switched.

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

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

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

[0043] In this way, the storage unit 12 of the server device 10 stores, in association with each other, one or more authenticated identification codes and information for identifying one or more display devices 20 and the like. Further, when the acquisition unit 111 acquires information for identifying the display device 20, authentication-related processing is executed using the identification code stored in the storage unit 12 and associated with the information for identifying the display device 20. Here, the authentication-related processing may include, for example, authentication by the server device 10 alone or authentication using another authentication device described above.

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

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

[0046] In S101 (step S101), the control unit 21 of the display device 20 acquires the identification code input by the user via the input unit 24. In this example, the input of the above-described identification code and the reproduction of video and audio will be described as being performed using the application installed in the display device 20.

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

[0048] In the example of the screen 51, the content is a video of an event such as a live event, and the input form 52 is a form for inputting a character string for identifying the event. The "event code" input to the input form 52 may be a value common to each event. Further, the input form 53 is a form for inputting "serial codes" that are different from each other individually.

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

[0050] For example, when the content for which the identification code is to be input is video content such as a drama, the configuration may be such that the user inputs only the "serial code" into input form 53.

[0051] Also, according to the configuration of the present disclosure described above, as exemplified in screen 51, when the user downloads content, it is not always necessary to input personal information and perform membership registration.

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

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

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

[0055] If the authentication using the identification code fails, the control unit 11 transmits information indicating that the authentication has failed to the display device 20 without transmitting the video and audio. Here, the case where the authentication using the identification code fails includes cases where there is an error in the identification code, the expiration date of the authentication code has passed, or the number of registered devices has reached the upper limit.

[0056] Also, the content may be content that records an arbitrary live broadcast, and the authentication may be possible from a predetermined timing after the end of the live broadcast. This is because, for example, even if the identification code is distributed at the live venue or the like, it takes a certain amount of time for the content distributor to record the live video or the like and make it available from the server device 10. In the above configuration, even if the user inputs the identification code to the display device 20 before the above-mentioned predetermined timing, the authentication will not succeed.

[0057] Also, the configuration in which the control unit 11 continuously transmits the content data to the display device 20 after the authentication using the identification code succeeds is not essential. After the success of the authentication using the identification code, in response to a user request via the display device 20, the content may be transmitted to the display device 20. In the above configuration, after the authentication using the identification code succeeds, the expiration date of the content may be set starting from the timing when the content was first transmitted to the display device 20, or the timing when the downloaded content was first played on the display device 20.

[0058] In S105, the display control unit 211 of the display device 20 performs a process of causing the display unit 25 to display the video of the content received by the communication unit 23. That is, when authentication using the identification code is performed, the display control unit 211 causes the display unit 25 to display the video of the content transmitted from the server device 10. At the same time, the control unit 21 performs reproduction of the audio included in the content. In this way, the display unit 25 displays the content transmitted from the server device 10 in response to a user's request via the input unit 24 only within a predetermined period or until a predetermined date and time based on when authentication using the identification code is performed. Further, the control unit 21 stores information for specifying the content associated with the identification code for which authentication has succeeded in the storage unit 22.

[0059] In S106, when a user operation to change the number of subtitles of the video to be reproduced is made via the input unit 24, the control unit 21 transmits information indicating the changed number of subtitles to the server device 10. Further, the changed number of subtitles that can be selected by the user is limited to the number of subtitles of the content for which authentication has been performed.

[0060] In S107, the control unit 11 transmits the data of the requested number of subtitles to the display device 20. That is, after authentication using the identification code is performed, the communication unit 13 transmits the data of the number of subtitles corresponding to the user's request in the video content to the display device 20. The display control unit 211 causes the display unit 25 to display the video of the number of subtitles corresponding to the user's request. Note that even if the user does not perform the operation in S106, when the reproduction of the video of a certain number of subtitles is completed, it is desirable to have a configuration in which, after authentication is confirmed, the data of the next number of subtitles is transmitted from the server device 10 to the display device 20.

[0061] The present disclosure also includes a configuration in which the display device 20 determines whether the authentication of the content is within the expiration date. In the above configuration, when the expiration date has passed, the content in the display device 20 is not reproduced.

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

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

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

[0065] Next, the processing of the system 1 in the case where the content is video content in a series format having a plurality of episodes will be supplemented. FIG. 5 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the flow of the processing. The processing in FIG. 5 is executed when the reproduction of the video of the N-th episode number, which is a certain episode number, is completed in the display device 20.

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

[0067] In S202, the control unit 11 of the server device 10 determines whether the authentication for the display device 20 to reproduce the (N + 1)-th episode number, which is the next episode number, has been completed. When the control unit 11 determines that the authentication has been completed (S202: YES), subsequently in S203, it transmits the data of the (N + 1)-th episode number to the display device 20.

[0068] In S204, the display control unit 211 of the display device 20 performs a process of causing the display unit 25 to display the video of the (N + 1)-th episode number received from the server device 10. Also, when the reproduction of the video of the (N + 1)-th episode number ends, the processing from S201 is repeated for the video of the (N + 1)-th episode number.

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

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

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

[0072] As described above, the processing flow based on the sequence diagram of FIG. 5 has been explained. Note that not only when the reproduction of the video of a certain episode number ends, but also when the user stops the reproduction halfway, the information indicating the stop position may be transmitted from the display device 20 to the server device 10. In the above configuration, the video may be reproducible from the continuation on another display device 20 used for authentication.

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

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

[0075] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (for example, a processor) and at least one storage device (for example, a memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program with this control device and storage device, each function described in each of the above embodiments is realized.

[0076] The program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, rather than being temporary. This recording medium may or may not be provided in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0077] Also, part or all of the functions of each of the control blocks can also be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit functioning as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition to this, for example, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the control blocks by a quantum computer.

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

[0079] 〔Summary〕 The server device (10) according to Aspect 1 of the present invention includes an acquisition unit (111) that acquires an identification code associated with series-form video content having a plurality of episodes, and information identifying an external device (20) that is the transmission source of the identification code, and a communication unit (13) that transmits data of the number of episodes corresponding to a user's request in the video content to the external device after authentication using the identification code. According to the above configuration, when a user views series-form video content having a plurality of episodes, the user's effort can be reduced.

[0080] The server device according to Aspect 2 of the present invention may be configured such that, in the above Aspect 1, the acquisition unit acquires a single identification code associated with the video content and information identifying the external device. According to the above configuration, all episodes of the series-form video content can be made viewable by a single identification code.

[0081] In the server device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, in the above Embodiment 1, the acquisition unit acquires information indicating that the reproduction of a video of a certain speech number in the video content has ended in the external device, and when the communication unit acquires a notification indicating that the reproduction of the video has ended and the authentication for transmitting the data of the next speech number after the certain speech number to the external device is not completed, the communication unit may be configured to transmit a notification regarding performing the authentication to the external device. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prompt the user to perform the authentication at a suitable timing.

[0082] In the server device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, in any one of the above Embodiments 1 to 3, when the acquisition unit performs authentication using the identification code for a certain video content in a first external device and a second external device which are a plurality of the external devices, the acquisition unit acquires information indicating the end position of reproduction using the first external device, and the communication unit may be configured to transmit the video data from the subsequent position of the end position in the video content to the second external device. According to the above configuration, the convenience when the user views the content using a plurality of external devices is improved.

[0083] A terminal device (20) according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention is a terminal device including a display unit (25), and includes an input unit (24) for inputting an identification code associated with a series-form video content having a plurality of episodes, a communication unit (23) for transmitting the input identification code and information for specifying the terminal device to a server device, and a display control unit (211) for causing the display unit to display a video transmitted from the server device and being a video of a speech number corresponding to a user's request in the video content. According to the above configuration, when the user views a series-form video content having a plurality of episodes, it contributes to reducing the user's effort.

[0084] In the terminal device according to Aspect 6 of the present invention, in the above Aspect 5, the input unit may be configured to receive the input of the identification code by non-contact reading of the RFID tag on which the identification code is recorded. According to the above configuration, the convenience when the user reads the identification code is improved.

[0085] The control program according to Aspect 7 of the present invention is a control program for causing a computer to function as the server device in any one of the above Aspects 1 to 4, and may be configured to cause a computer to function as the acquisition unit and the communication unit. According to the above configuration, the same effect as that of the above server device is achieved.

[0086] The control program according to Aspect 8 of the present invention is a control program for causing a computer to function as the terminal device in the above Aspect 5 or 6, and may be configured to cause a computer to function as the input unit, the communication unit, and the display control unit. According to the above configuration, the same effect as that of the above terminal device is achieved.

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

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0088] 1 System 10 Server Device 11, 21 Control Unit 12, 22 Storage Unit 13, 23 Communication Unit 20 Display Device (External Device, Terminal Device) 24 Input Unit 25 Display Unit (Output Unit) 111 Acquisition Unit 211 Display Control Unit

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires an identification code associated with series-form video content having a plurality of conversations and information identifying an external device that is the source of the identification code; A communication unit that, after authentication using the identification code transmitted from the external device is performed, transmits data of the number of conversation items according to a user's request in the video content to the external device A server device comprising: The acquisition unit: In the external device, acquires information indicating that reproduction of video of a certain number of conversation items in the video content has ended; The communication unit: When the acquisition unit has acquired a notification indicating that reproduction of the video has ended, and authentication for transmitting data of the number of conversation items next to the certain number of conversation items to the external device has not been completed, transmits a notification regarding performing the authentication to the external device.

2. The acquisition unit: For a certain video content, when authentication using the identification code is performed in a first external device and a second external device that are a plurality of the external devices, acquires information indicating an end position of reproduction using the first external device; The communication unit: The server device according to claim 1, which transmits data of video from the continuation of the end position in the video content to the second external device.

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

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