Video distribution system, terminal, playback method, and program

Abstract

The video content is played back together with the live broadcast of the video content. [Solution] This video distribution system includes a recording / playback device 1 that plays back television broadcast programs and live video commentary, and a video distribution server 5 that distributes the live video commentary. The recording / playback device 1 includes a distribution request unit 12 that, when playing back a television broadcast program, transmits a distribution request including meta information for identifying the television broadcast program and requests distribution of live video commentary of the television broadcast program, and a display control unit 13 that receives the live video commentary and outputs a display screen that displays the television broadcast program and the live video commentary on the same screen. Upon receiving the distribution request, the video distribution server 5 starts distribution of the live video commentary of the television broadcast program identified by the meta information included in the distribution request.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a video distribution system, a playback device, a playback method, a program, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Network services are known that allow viewers to post comments on television programs currently being broadcast and share their excitement about them (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] On video streaming services, videos in which streamers, such as game commentators, comment on some kind of content are becoming increasingly popular. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Niconico Live", Dwango Co., Ltd., Internet <URL: https: / / jk.nicovideo.jp / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The service of Non-Patent Document 1 is useful as a method for enjoying video content such as television broadcast programs, as it allows an unspecified number of users to share the excitement. However, the service of Non-Patent Document 1 does not allow users to enjoy video content along with live commentary by their favorite broadcasters. There is a demand for users to watch live broadcasts of video content by broadcasters along with the video content itself.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to play back video content together with a live broadcast of the video content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A video distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a terminal and a server that distributes related videos related to video content, the terminal The aforementioned The video content and the related video are displayed on the same screen based on content information linking the related video, and the server distributes the related video identified by the content information. The video content and the related video are provided by different businesses. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to play back video content together with a live broadcast of the video content. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a video distribution system including a recording and playback device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the recording and playback device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow of a video distribution system during television broadcasting. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the video distribution system when a recorded television broadcast program is viewed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the recording and playback device when a television broadcast program is viewed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the recording and playback device when watching a live video. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in which a distributed video is superimposed on a television video. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in which a television image is superimposed on a distributed image. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in which the television image and the distributed image are not superimposed. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen that displays television video and distributed video on the same screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [System Configuration] A video distribution system including a video recording and playback device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The video distribution system shown in Fig. 1 is composed of a video recording and playback device 1, a viewing terminal 3, a video distribution server 5, a comment server 7, and a distributor terminal 9. Each device is connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network. The video recording and playback device 1 and the viewing terminal 3 may also be connected via a network within a user's home. Note that the number of devices shown in Fig. 1 is an example and is not limited to this.

[0012] The distributor terminal 9 is a terminal used by a distributor who distributes videos. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a distributor distributes live commentary videos of a television broadcast program. A live commentary video of a television broadcast program is, for example, a video in which the distributor talks while watching the television broadcast program. A viewer of the live commentary video can watch the television broadcast program together with the distributor by watching the live commentary video while watching the same television broadcast program as the distributor.

[0013] The video distribution server 5 is a server that distributes the video received from the distributor terminal 9 to viewers via a network. The video distribution server 5 distributes the live video received from the distributor terminal 9 in real time and stores it in a storage device of the video distribution server 5. The video distribution server 5 not only distributes the live video in real time, but also distributes the live video by time shift.

[0014] The comment server 7 is a server that receives comments entered by viewers on videos and distributes the received comments to viewers of the videos. The comment server 7 stores the received comments for each video in its storage device along with the time of reception. In the case of live videos, viewers watching in real time can post comments. The distributor reads the posted comments and reacts to them. When a viewer watches a live video using time-shifting, the comment server 7 distributes the comments posted on the live video to the viewer in accordance with the playback time (timestamp). This allows viewers watching the live video using time-shifting to see comments posted by viewers who watched the live video in real time.

[0015] The recording and playback device 1 is a device that receives and records television broadcast programs and plays back the recorded television broadcast programs at the user's request. The recording and playback device 1 can also play back videos distributed by a video distribution server 5. When playing back a television broadcast program, the recording and playback device 1 outputs to the viewing terminal 3 a screen that displays a playback screen of the live video received from the video distribution server 5 together with a playback screen of the television broadcast program.

[0016] The viewing terminal 3 is a terminal that displays the screen output from the recording and playback device 1. The viewing terminal 3 may be, for example, a terminal equipped with a display device such as a television, a display, or a mobile terminal.

[0017] [Configuration of recording / playback device] Next, an example of the configuration of the recording and playback device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The recording and playback device 1 shown in Fig. 2 includes a recording unit 11, a distribution request unit 12, a display control unit 13, and an accumulation unit 14. Each unit included in the recording and playback device 1 may be configured by a computer including an arithmetic processing unit, a storage device, etc., and the processing of each unit may be executed by a program. This program is stored in a storage device included in the recording and playback device 1, and can be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or can be provided via a network.

[0018] The recording unit 11 receives a television broadcast program and stores the television broadcast program in the storage unit 14.

[0019] The distribution request unit 12 transmits a video distribution request to the video distribution server 5 to request video distribution. When requesting distribution of live video of a television broadcast program, the distribution request unit 12 includes meta information for identifying the television broadcast program, such as the channel, broadcast time, and program name, in the distribution request. Upon receiving the distribution request, the video distribution server 5 starts distribution of live video of the television broadcast program identified by the meta information included in the distribution request. The live video distribution request may include information specifying a distributor in addition to the meta information of the television broadcast program. In this case, the video distribution server 5 starts distribution of live video of the television broadcast program by the specified distributor.

[0020] In response to a user instruction, the display control unit 13 plays back a television broadcast program stored in the storage unit 14 and simultaneously plays back a live video of the television broadcast program. The television broadcast program and the live video of the television broadcast program are linked by meta information. The display control unit 13 provides a user interface for selecting a television broadcast program stored in the storage unit 14 and a user interface for selecting a video distributed by the video distribution server 5.

[0021] Specifically, the display control unit 13 displays a list of television broadcast programs stored in the storage unit 14 and accepts selection of a television broadcast program to be played back from the user. Upon receiving a request to play back a television broadcast program, the display control unit 13 transmits meta information of the television broadcast program to the distribution request unit 12. The distribution request unit 12 requests the video distribution server 5 to distribute live video of the television broadcast program. Upon receiving the live video distribution, the display control unit 13 plays back the television broadcast program stored in the storage unit 14 and simultaneously plays back the live video.

[0022] Alternatively, the display control unit 13 displays a list of live videos distributed by the video distribution server 5 and accepts a selection of the live video to be played from the user. The delivery request unit 12 requests the video distribution server 5 to deliver the selected live video. The display control unit 13 plays the television broadcast program corresponding to the live video, and also plays the live video distributed by the video distribution server 5.

[0023] When playing back a live video, the display control unit 13 may receive comments input for the live video from the comment server 7 and superimpose them on the display screen.

[0024] The storage unit 14 stores recordings of television broadcast programs. The storage unit 14 holds meta information such as the channel and broadcast time of the television broadcast program. The storage unit 14 may be a storage device included in the recording and playback device 1, or may be an external storage device connected to the recording and playback device 1.

[0025] In addition, the recording and playback device 1 may only have a recording unit 11 and a storage unit 14, and the viewing terminal 3 may have a distribution request unit 12 and a display control unit 13, or another device placed between the recording and playback device 1 and the viewing terminal 3 may have the distribution request unit 12 and the display control unit 13.

[0026] [Video distribution system operation] Next, an example of the processing flow of the video distribution system will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow of a video distribution system during television broadcasting.

[0028] When a television broadcast starts, in step S101, the video recording and playback device 1 starts recording the television broadcast program.

[0029] In step S111, the distributor starts distribution of a live broadcast program that provides live commentary on a television broadcast program. For example, the distributor terminal 9 notifies the video distribution server 5 of the start of distribution and starts distribution of the live broadcast program. When the distributor provides live commentary on a television broadcast program, the distributor terminal 9 notifies the video distribution server 5 of meta information of the television broadcast program that the distributor provides live commentary on.

[0030] In step S112, the video distribution server 5 receives the live broadcast program from the distributor terminal 9, distributes it to viewers, and simultaneously stores the live broadcast program in a storage device as a live video. The video distribution server 5 adds meta information of the television broadcast program and the distribution start time of the live broadcast program to the live video. Viewers can watch the live broadcast program by the distributor in real time while watching the television broadcast program.

[0031] In step S113, when the television broadcast program ends, the distributor ends the distribution of the live broadcast program. The distributor may continue the distribution of the live broadcast program.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing in the video distribution system when a television broadcast program recorded on the recording / playback device 1 is viewed.

[0033] In step S201, the user operates the recording and playback device 1 to start playback of a recorded television broadcast program.

[0034] In step S202, the recording and playback device 1 requests the video distribution server 5 to distribute live video corresponding to the television broadcast program to be played back. Specifically, the recording and playback device 1 transmits a distribution request including meta information of the television broadcast program to the video distribution server 5. The video distribution server 5 searches for live video to which the meta information of the television broadcast program has been added, and returns the ID of the live video obtained by the search to the recording and playback device 1.

[0035] In step S203, the recording and playback device 1 requests the comment server 7 to deliver comments corresponding to the live video. Specifically, the recording and playback device 1 transmits a comment delivery request including the ID of the live video to the comment server 7.

[0036] In step S204, distribution of live video from video distribution server 5 begins, and in step S205, distribution of comments from comment server 7 begins.

[0037] In step S206, the video recording and playback device 1 plays back the live video while playing back the television broadcast program, and displays the comments superimposed on the screen.

[0038] [Recording and playback device operation] Next, an example of the operation of the recording and playback device 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the recording and playback device 1 when a television broadcast program is viewed.

[0040] In step S11, the recording and playback device 1 accepts a selection of a television broadcast program to be played back from the user. For example, the recording and playback device 1 displays a list of television broadcast programs stored in the storage unit 14 and accepts a selection of a television broadcast program to be played back from the user.

[0041] In step S12, the recording and playback device 1 transmits a distribution request for live video corresponding to the television broadcast program to be played back to the video distribution server 5. The distribution request includes meta information for identifying the television broadcast program, such as the channel and broadcast time, or the title of the television broadcast program. The distribution request may also include distributor information for specifying the distributor. For example, the user may register their favorite distributors in the recording and playback device 1. The recording and playback device 1 transmits the distributor information of the registered distributors together with the distribution request. The recording and playback device 1 may also include distributor information for the distributors of videos the user frequently watches in the distribution request. The distribution request may also include information on multiple distributors.

[0042] Upon receiving the distribution request, the video distribution server 5 starts distributing live videos in response to the distribution request. Specifically, the video distribution server 5 identifies a television broadcast program from the meta information of the television broadcast program included in the distribution request, and searches for and distributes live videos of the identified television broadcast program. If there are multiple corresponding live videos, the video distribution server 5 may transmit a list of the corresponding live videos to the recording / playback device 1. The list of live videos is, for example, a list of the IDs of the live videos.

[0043] When the recording and playback device 1 receives the list of live videos, it may present the list to the user and accept a selection of the live video desired to be distributed from the user, or the recording and playback device 1 may select an arbitrary live video from the list. When a live video is selected, the recording and playback device 1 requests the video distribution server 5 to distribute the live video. The distribution request at this time includes the ID of the live video.

[0044] The recording and playback device 1 may send a comment delivery request including the ID of the live video to the comment server 7, requesting the comment server 7 to deliver comments corresponding to the live video.

[0045] In step S13, the recording and playback device 1 starts playing the television broadcast program stored in the storage unit 14, and also starts playing the live video distributed by the video distribution server 5. For example, the recording and playback device 1 outputs to the viewing terminal 3 a screen in which video of the live video is superimposed on video of the television broadcast program, and also outputs both the audio of the television broadcast program and the audio of the live video. Examples of the display screen will be described later.

[0046] The recording and playback device 1 may adjust the playback position of the commentary video so that there is no significant difference in the playback timing between the television broadcast program and the commentary video. For example, if the difference between the playback positions of the television broadcast program and the commentary video is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the recording and playback device 1 changes the playback position of the commentary video to match the timestamp of the television broadcast program. The start time of the television broadcast program can be identified, and the distribution start time of the commentary video can also be identified. If the television broadcast program is fast-forwarded or rewound, the recording and playback device 1 changes the playback position of the commentary video to match the playback position of the television broadcast program.

[0047] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the recording and playback device 1 when watching a live video. In the processing of Fig. 5, the recording and playback device 1 requests distribution of a live video corresponding to a TV broadcast program selected by the user, but in the processing of Fig. 6, the recording and playback device 1 simultaneously plays back the TV broadcast program corresponding to the live video being watched by the user.

[0048] In step S21, the video recording and playback device 1 accepts a selection of a video to be played back from the user and transmits a distribution request for the selected video to the video distribution server 5. For example, the video recording and playback device 1 receives a list of videos from the video distribution server 5 and presents the list to the user to accept the selection of a video. The video recording and playback device 1 transmits a distribution request including the ID of the selected video to the video distribution server 5.

[0049] In step S22, the recording and playback device 1 determines whether or not there is a recording of a television broadcast program corresponding to the video to be played. Specifically, if meta information of the television broadcast program is attached to the video to be played, the recording and playback device 1 identifies the corresponding television broadcast program from the meta information of the video, and determines whether or not there is a recording of the corresponding television broadcast program stored in the storage unit 14.

[0050] If the video to be played back does not have meta information of a television broadcast program, that is, if it is not a live video of a television broadcast program, and if there is no recording of the corresponding television broadcast program in the storage unit 14, the recording and playback device 1 plays back only the video.

[0051] If there is a recording of a television broadcast program corresponding to the video to be played, in step S23, the recording and playback device 1 starts playing the television broadcast program stored in the storage unit 14 and also starts playing the live video distributed by the video distribution server 5.

[0052] The recording and playback device 1 may previously associate television broadcast programs with live commentary videos, present a list of television broadcast programs associated with live commentary videos to the user, and start playing the television broadcast programs and live commentary videos in response to a user operation. For example, the recording and playback device 1 may transmit meta information of television broadcast programs stored in the storage unit 14 to the video distribution server 5 at any timing, obtain an ID of the live commentary video corresponding to the television broadcast program, and associate the television broadcast program with the live commentary video. During playback, the recording and playback device 1 starts playing the television broadcast program stored in the storage unit 14, and also transmits the ID of the live commentary video to the distribution server 5 to receive and play the live commentary video.

[0053] [Display screen example] Next, some examples of display screens will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0054] In the example of Fig. 7, a live video distribution video 200 is superimposed on a television video 100. In the example of Fig. 8, a television video 100 is superimposed on a live video distribution video 200. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the recording and playback device 1 may output a display screen in which one of the videos is set as the main video and the other video is superimposed on the main video as a sub-video. Which video is set as the main video, and the size and position of the sub-video may be set arbitrarily, or the main video and the sub-video may be switchable. The sub-video may be temporarily hidden.

[0055] The audio of the main video and the audio of the sub video are output simultaneously, or it is possible to output only the audio of the main video or the audio of the sub video.

[0056] The comments appear from the right edge of the screen and flow to the left edge of the screen. In the example of Fig. 7, the comments are displayed only within the distributed video 200. That is, the comments appear from the right edge of the distributed video 200 and disappear at the left edge of the distributed video 200. In the example of Fig. 7, the comments may also appear from the right edge of the television video 100 and move to the left edge.

[0057] In the example of Fig. 8, the television video 100 is superimposed on the distribution video 200, and therefore the comment is also superimposed and displayed on the television video 100. In the example of Fig. 8, the comment may not be displayed on the television video 100. For example, the comment may be displayed only in the area above or below the position where the television video 100 is superimposed, or the comment may be displayed on a layer of the distribution video 200 and the television video 100.

[0058] In the example of Fig. 9, television video 100 and distributed video 200 are displayed side by side on screen 300. Television video 100 and distributed video 200 may be displayed on the same screen 300 without being superimposed. In the example of Fig. 9, television video 100 and distributed video 200 are displayed at the same size, but the sizes of television video 100 and distributed video 200 may be changed as desired.

[0059] 9, the comment is displayed in the area below the television video 100 and the distributed video 200 without being superimposed on either video. The comment may be displayed superimposed on the distributed video 200 or on the television video 100.

[0060] In the example of FIG. 10 , television video 100 is displayed near the center of screen 300 at a size smaller than screen 300, and distributed video 200 is displayed in the area surrounding television video 100. In the example of FIG. 10 , distributed video 200 is displayed in the area to the upper right of television video 100. The position where distributed video 200 is displayed may be set arbitrarily. In the example of FIG. 10 , the size of distributed video 200 is set to fit within the area surrounding television video 100, but it may also be set to a size that overlaps television video 100. When television video 100 and distributed video 200 overlap, distributed video 200 may be displayed below television video 100 or may be displayed superimposed on television video 100.

[0061] In the example of Fig. 10, the comments are displayed in the layer below the television video 100, covering the entire area of ​​the screen 300. That is, the comments appear from the right edge of the screen 300 and are displayed in the layer below the television video 100, flowing to the left edge of the screen 300. The comments may be displayed superimposed on the distributed video 200, or may be displayed in a layer below the distributed video 200. The comments may also be displayed in the topmost layer of the screen 300. That is, the comments may be displayed superimposed on the television video 100 and the distributed video 200.

[0062] In any of the cases of FIGS. 7 to 10, the comments may not only be displayed flowing from left to right, but also flowing from right to left, bottom to top, or top to bottom.

[0063] Furthermore, the effects for gifts inserted during the live broadcast of the live video may be reproduced in the distribution video 200 in a time-shifted manner, or may be reproduced on the entire display screen.

[0064] [Variations] The recording and playback device 1 may simultaneously display a television broadcast program and a live commentary video in real time. In other words, the recording and playback device 1 may simultaneously display not only a recorded television broadcast program but also a television broadcast program and a live commentary video when watching the television broadcast program in real time.

[0065] The recording and playback device 1 may simultaneously display not only television broadcast programs but also video content distributed via a network and a live video of that video content. For example, when a distributor distributes live commentary of a movie (video content) distributed via a movie distribution service, meta information of the video content (e.g., the name of the distribution service and the name of the video content) is attached to the live video to be distributed. When playing back the live video, the recording and playback device 1 identifies the video content from the meta information attached to the live video, and plays back the live video and the video content on the same screen if the user is in an environment where the video content can be viewed (e.g., if the user is registered with the movie distribution service). Alternatively, when playing back video content, the recording and playback device 1 inquires of the video distribution server 5 whether a live video of the video content exists. If a live video exists, the recording and playback device 1 plays back the video content and the live video on the same screen. The video content is not limited to a movie, and may be any content that can be viewed on the recording and playback device 1.

[0066] In addition, the live video footage may not be displayed, and only the audio may be output together with the audio of the television broadcast program, or if closed captions are provided for the live video footage, the text information of the live video footage may be superimposed on the video of the television broadcast program.

[0067] As described above, the video distribution system of this embodiment includes a recording / playback device 1 that plays back television broadcast programs and live video, and a video distribution server 5 that distributes the live video. The recording / playback device 1 includes a distribution request unit 12 that, when playing back a television broadcast program, transmits a distribution request including meta information for identifying the television broadcast program and requests distribution of a live video of the television broadcast program, and a display control unit 13 that receives the live video and outputs a display screen that displays the television broadcast program and the live video on the same screen. Upon receiving the distribution request, the video distribution server 5 starts distributing the live video of the television broadcast program identified by the meta information included in the distribution request. This allows users to easily watch the television broadcast program and the live video simultaneously. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1. Recording and playback device 11 Recording section 12 Delivery request section 13 Display control unit 14 Storage unit 3. Viewing devices 5. Video distribution server 7 Comment Server 9. Streamer terminal

Claims

1. A video distribution system including a terminal and a server that distributes related videos related to video content, The terminal displaying the video content and the related video on the same screen based on content information linking the video content and the related video; The server Distributing the related video identified by the content information; The video content and the related video are provided by different businesses. Video distribution system.

2. A terminal that plays video content and related videos related to the video content, displaying the video content and the related video on the same screen based on content information linking the video content and the related video; The video content and the related video are provided by different businesses. Terminal.

3. 3. The terminal according to claim 2, The related video is superimposed on the video content and displayed, or the video content is superimposed on the related video and displayed. Terminal.

4. 3. The terminal according to claim 2, The video content and the related video are displayed without being superimposed on each other. Terminal.

5. A terminal according to claim 2, The video content is stored, and when the video content is played, the related video is received and played. Terminal.

6. A playback method for playing video content and related videos related to the video content, comprising: The computer displaying the video content and the related video on the same screen based on content information linking the video content and the related video; The video content and the related video are provided by different businesses. How to play.

7. A program that causes a computer to operate as a terminal that plays video content and related videos that are related to the video content, A process of displaying the video content and the related video on the same screen based on content information linking the video content and the related video. Let the computer run The video content and the related video are provided by different businesses. program.

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