Television receivers and television systems

Abstract

To provide a television receiver and a television system capable of avoiding access concentration to a server.SOLUTION: The television receiver which receives content information distributed via a server comprises a load leveling unit which levels loads on the server based on characteristic information of the television receiver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to television receivers and television systems. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, advances in networks have led to the launch of a wide range of video distribution services. In particular, large-screen television receivers can now connect to networks and play back distributed videos, rather than simply receiving broadcasts as before, allowing viewers to enjoy higher-quality, more realistic images. This has become possible thanks to faster networks and improved processing capabilities of television receivers, and it is expected that in the future, there will be even more opportunities to display and operate a variety of content provided over networks on television receivers.

[0003] Video distribution services are becoming more sophisticated, and they go beyond simply watching videos. They also allow users to be directed from video content to e-commerce sites to purchase products, and to view details of online information (such as news or ticket information) through videos. These services are known as interactive services that link video and web information.

[0004] In this situation, the ability of television receivers, which are easy to use at home, to provide users with networked videos, website information, e-commerce services, and more, is becoming an extremely important theme as networking progresses in the future. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-222674 [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-102720 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Advances in networks have made it easier than ever to provide video streaming services. However, there are various challenges to receiving online video streaming services on television receivers, and reception has not yet reached the same level of popularity as broadcasting. Furthermore, while more advanced network services are now being implemented on information terminals such as PCs by linking distributed videos with web content, it has been difficult to realize such linked services on television receivers to date.

[0007] While terrestrial broadcasting broadcasts video content according to a unified standard, network-based video content is distributed using multiple distribution methods. As a result, in order to select and receive video content distributed from video platforms that distribute specific videos, the receiver must be equipped with special functions. Furthermore, in order to receive video content distributed to a television broadcast receiver, the television receiver must have the ability to connect to a network and the ability to play the received video content.

[0008] Depending on the capabilities and performance of the television receiver, some streamed video content can be received and some cannot. For this reason, the video platforms and receiving devices that enable conventional video streaming services each have their own unique streaming technologies. Video platforms must individually support multiple receiving devices with different capabilities and functions, while receiving devices must individually support multiple video platforms with different streaming methods. Furthermore, there are various ways to select video content, making it difficult to provide a consistent program selection method and causing confusion for users. This situation not only hinders the widespread adoption of video streaming, but also poses a major challenge in terms of user convenience.

[0009] On the other hand, when linking video content and web content to provide interactive services, television receivers are operated by remote control, which is extremely difficult to use compared to the input functions of a keyboard or mouse that an information terminal such as a PC has, making it difficult for users to operate them comfortably and receive advanced services.In addition, because such advanced services are provided by linking video platforms and websites, it is difficult to provide such linked services across different video platforms and television receivers with different functions and capabilities.

[0010] Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a television gateway, which is a server, and receive information including content information from a video platform that aggregates and distributes content information from content service providers, and convert the received content information so that it can be received by a television receiver.

[0011] However, when a television gateway serving as a server is provided, for example, when playing content from a linear channel, the broadcast time is fixed, so access from television receivers to the television gateway serving as a server will be concentrated. Therefore, the television gateway serving as a server needs to be designed to match the peak of concentrated access from television receivers, which increases costs.

[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a television receiver and a television system that can avoid concentrated access to a server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A television receiver according to an embodiment receives content information distributed via a server, and includes a load leveling unit that levels the load on the server based on information unique to the television receiver. the load leveling unit acquires a reference value for calculating the access shift time from setting information included in a program guide in which information about the content information is written, and uses at least one of a maximum time for which data should be held and a maximum capacity of data to be held as the setting information, and uploads the data to the server when the holding time of the data is about to exceed or has exceeded the maximum time, or when the holding capacity of the data is about to exceed or has exceeded the maximum capacity; It is characterized by: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an internet program guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an internet program guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a television receiver according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a video platform based on the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a television gateway according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of obtaining and displaying an online program guide. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of ID reservation for the video platform and TV cloud. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing other IDs. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of network program guide data. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of configuration information of the network program guide data. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a peak_shift key object in the configuration information. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the ID structure and ID combinations according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of ID combining processing in the second embodiment based on the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of an internet program guide when IDs are combined in the second embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen display when IDs are combined in the second embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 shows information necessary for content selection in the second embodiment based on the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 shows an advertisement insertion method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of a third embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] The present invention relates to a system for linking video distribution and web content, which enables video content selection in a simpler manner when selecting video content sent from multiple video distribution platforms implemented over a network on television receivers with different performance and functions, and is also suitable for linking video content with web content that provides services such as e-commerce, news, or travel information.

[0017] The system is comprised of video platforms with different functions and television receivers with different functions and performance. In this system environment, the present invention provides a good video viewing environment and also implements advanced services that link videos with web content.

[0018] The present invention solves these problems by installing a television gateway and linking mobile terminals and television receivers.

[0019] Furthermore, in this invention, content from different video platforms is first received by a television gateway. The output from the television gateway is then input to a TV cloud connected to televisions with roughly equivalent performance and functionality. The television gateway converts the input from the video platform into a format that can be shared by the TV cloud. The TV cloud then generates a screen data configuration that can be selected on the televisions under its management, creating an online program guide, which is the optimal content selection screen for each television receiver.

[0020] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. What differs from conventional video distribution systems is that servers, TV gateway 121 and TV clouds 131-134, are located between video platforms 111-113 and TV receivers 141-150.

[0021] The video content provided by the CSPs 101 to 108 and information for content selection are input to the TV gateway 121 by the video platforms 111 to 113, respectively. The TV gateway 121 converts the information for selecting predetermined video content, and then inputs it to the TV clouds 131 to 134.

[0022] The TV clouds 131 to 134 convert information input to each of the TV clouds 131 to 134 from the TV gateway 121 into data for the television receiver to compose a screen for content selection.

[0023] TV cloud 131 generates and transmits online program guide data to television receiver groups 141-143 that are connected to and under its management and have roughly equivalent functions. Similarly, TV cloud 132 outputs to television receiver groups 144-145, TV cloud 133 outputs to television receiver groups 146-147, and TV cloud 134 outputs to television receiver groups 148-150. Each of these television receiver groups is managed as a group having roughly equivalent functions and performance.

[0024] Here, TV clouds 131 to 134 have information on the television functions and performance of the televisions they connect to, generate receivable online program guide data for the television receiver, and each television receiver creates an optimal screen based on that data.

[0025] The above operation makes it possible to select video content provided by different video platforms in common across television receivers with different functions.

[0026] The operation of this system will now be described in detail.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows an example of an online program guide provided by this embodiment.

[0028] The video platforms 111 to 113 provide the TV gateway 121 with a timetable 201, content metadata 202, and banner data 203, which are information for content selection. These data depend on the video platforms 111 to 113, and are in different formats. Next, the TV gateway 121 converts the timetable 201, content metadata 202, and banner data 203 into common content selection data 204 to supply to each of the TV clouds 131 to 134. Here, the content selection data 204 includes a timetable and channel number for placing a banner, and metadata describing the content.

[0029] The TV clouds 131-134, which receive the content selection data 204 from the TV gateway 121, generate online program guide data 210 according to the functions and capabilities of their respective TV receivers. At this time, the video content provided by the video platforms 111-113 is assigned to a single or multiple channels, allowing users to select video content without being aware of differences in video platforms. This screen is ultimately constructed by the TV receiver's browser based on the online program guide data 210. Here, the metadata includes video and audio format information, which is compared with the TV receiver's function and capability information to determine whether or not playback is possible. Information on TV reception functions and capabilities is held by each TV cloud, and programs that cannot be played are grayed out on the online program guide.

[0030] The details of the above operation are shown in Figure 3.

[0031] The video platforms 111 to 113 provide data sets 301 to 303, including timetables, content metadata, and banner data, to the TV gateway 121. Mutual compatibility between the data sets 301, 302, and 303 is not guaranteed, and they are provided in different formats. The TV gateway 121 converts these data sets into common content selection data 204. The content selection data 204 provided by the TV gateway 121 is received by each of the TV clouds 131 to 134, and each TV cloud generates online program guide data 341 and 344. Here, the TV cloud 131 and the TV cloud 134 are shown as examples. For example, the TV cloud 131 generates online program guide data 341 for the connected TV receivers 141 to 143, and the TV cloud 134 generates online program guide data 344 for the connected TV receivers 141 to 150. Each TV receiver presents a screen based on this data.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of a television receiver according to the present invention.

[0033] Broadcasts are received by antenna 1101, and the broadcast content converted into a digital stream by tuner 1102 is then converted into audio and video signals by signal processing unit 1103. The audio signal is processed by audio processing unit 1104, and audio is played back by speaker 1106. The video signal is processed by video processing unit 1105, and video is played back by video display unit 1107. CPU 1109 is connected to memory 1108 and non-volatile memory 1110, and executes a control program (application) to control tuner 1102 and signal processing unit 1103. User operations are input from remote control 1113 to receiving unit 1112, and then input into the control program. Communications interface 1111 receives video content and online program guides distributed over the network, and processes them using the control program of CPU 1109.

[0034] Figure 5 shows a configuration diagram of a video platform related to the present invention. A CPU 1202 is connected to a memory 1201 and a storage device 1203, and executes a control program. An operator controls operations using an operation unit 1205. A communication interface 1204 is connected to a network, and inputs and outputs video content, distributes video, and inputs and outputs content selection information. A video processing unit 1206 encodes and encrypts the input video content, and generates a stream for video distribution.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram of a television gateway according to the present invention.

[0036] A CPU 1302 is connected to a memory 1301 and a storage device 1303, and a predetermined processing program runs on the CPU 1302. An interface 1304 performs input / output from the video platform and input / output to the TV cloud. An operator controls the operation using an operation unit 1305.

[0037] Next, a method for transferring network program guide data will be described.

[0038] 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of acquiring and displaying an online program guide. As shown in FIG. 7, the exchange of online program guide data between the video platforms 111-113 and the television receivers 141-150 is carried out via the television gateway 121.

[0039] The video platforms 111 to 113 upload the network program guide data to a predetermined area (EPG S3) of the television gateway 121 (step S1). The television gateway 121 places the uploaded network program guide data in a CDN (Contents Delivery Network) for network program guide data.

[0040] The television receivers 141 to 150 directly access the CDN for the network program guide data to acquire the network program guide data (step S2).

[0041] The television gateway 121 issues a TC-ID for identifying each of the TV clouds 131 to 134, issues a PF-ID for identifying each of the video platforms 111 to 113, and issues a channel number.

[0042] Here, Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of reserving IDs for the video platforms 111 to 113 and the TV clouds 131 to 134. As shown in Fig. 8, a TC-ID is reserved for each manufacturer of a television receiver corresponding to each of the TV clouds 131 to 134. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, a PF-ID is reserved for each distribution provider of each of the video platforms 111 to 113.

[0043] Figure 9 shows other IDs. As shown in Figure 9, the HA-ID, which identifies a home agent, is issued by the manufacturer of each television receiver that owns a TC-ID. The MA-ID, which identifies a mobile agent, is issued by each distribution company that owns a PF-ID. The CS-ID, which identifies a CSP, a video content provider that provides videos belonging to a company, is issued by the distribution company.

[0044] The television gateway 121 creates a list of operator information (pfids.json) according to the above PF-ID. The video platforms 111 to 113 create a list of channel information (channels.json) for the assigned channels. In this way, the television receivers 141 to 150 can obtain information on currently active channels.

[0045] Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of network program guide data, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration information of network program guide data.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 10, the video platforms 111 to 113 display program information ( <yyyymmdd>In addition, the video platforms 111 to 113 provide a program information list ( <yyyymmdd>Video information ( <vod-id>.json), series program information (<series_ID> .json), advertising information ( <ad-id>Furthermore, the video platforms 111 to 113 create a VOD list (vodlist.json) that is information about programs recommended to users and displayed in the past program guide.

[0047] As shown in Figure 11, the configuration information of the online program guide data includes the above-mentioned program information list, video information, series program information, advertising information, and recommended program information, as well as configuration information, which is setting information, log server access information, a list of operator information, a list of channel information, and program information update information.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 11, among the information constituting the network program guide data, the creator of the configuration information, log server access information, list of operator information, and program information update information is the television gateway 121 (referred to as TGW in Fig. 11).Furthermore, among the information constituting the network program guide data, the creators of the channel information list, video information, series program information, advertisement information, program information list, and recommended program information are the video platforms 111 to 113 (referred to as VPF in Fig. 11).

[0049] The configuration information (Conf.json) contains, for example, peak_sift information for server access. The configuration information file unit is one in total.

[0050] The log server access information (firehose_params.json) describes access key information for uploading data to the log server (firehose stream) of the TV gateway 121. The log server access information is a single file unit in total.

[0051] The provider information list (pfids.json) contains information about the providers distributing the programs and the CS-IDs for which the providers provide services. The provider information list is a single file unit.

[0052] List of channel information (<PF_ID> / channels.json) contains channel information (service_id) of the programs to be distributed. The file unit of the channel information list is for each video platform 111 to 113 (denoted as VPF in FIG. 11).

[0053] Video information ( <vod-id>The file (.json) is referenced in the online program guide data and contains information about the videos being distributed. Each piece of program information is constructed based on video information, and the video to be played is always played based on the video information to determine whether or not the contract status has been confirmed based on the video type. Note that information with viewing restrictions will not be displayed on the screen until the viewer's consent is obtained. The video information file unit is for each video platform 111 to 113 (referred to as VPF in Figure 11).

[0054] Series program information (<Service_id> In the file (.json), a list of serial dramas and related programs is written using Service_id (series identification unit), and VOD-IDs are arranged in order of episode number. The file unit of series program information is each video platform 111 to 113 (referred to as VPF in FIG. 11).

[0055] Advertising information ( <ad-id>.json) contains information that will guide you to recommended programs on the screen at specified times during the program broadcast. <ad-id>.json) is not presented in the online program guide. The file unit of the advertisement information is for each video platform 111 to 113 (denoted as VPF in FIG. 11).

[0056] Program information list ( <yyyymmdd>The program information for the 15-day period displayed in the online program guide is listed by date in the file (.json). The program information list file is per service_id and per day.

[0057] If the above-mentioned viewing age restriction setting is enabled, programs for which the video information they refer to is restricted will not be presented in the program guide as is, but will be presented after the user's permission.

[0058] The recommended program information (vodlist.json) lists the VOD-IDs of VODs recommended by each operator. The recommended program information file unit is for each video platform 111 to 113 (referred to as VPF in FIG. 11).

[0059] Program information update information (<service_id> _lastupdated.json) contains the program information list ( <yyyymmdd>This contains program information update information, which is information on the date and time when the program information file (.json) was updated. The program information update information file unit is per service_id.

[0060] Incidentally, the television gateway 121 distributes a client_ID (PF-ID) and a client_secret as credentials to the video platforms 111 to 113 in advance.

[0061] The video platforms 111 to 113 use the client_ID (PF-ID) and client_secret to create a program information list ( <yyyymmdd>.json) is uploaded to a predetermined area (EPG S3) of the TV gateway 121 (step S1).

[0062] When the television gateway 121 detects that the video platforms 111 to 113 have uploaded the online program guide data, the television gateway 121 sends program information update information (<service_id> _lastupdated.json) is generated for each channel (service_ID) and placed on the CDN for online program guide data along with the online program guide data.

[0063] Program information update information (<service_id> _lastupdated.json) is generated by the TV gateway 121 for each channel (Service_id) and placed in the CDN for online program guide data.

[0064] The program information update information is stored in a predetermined area uploaded by the video platforms 111 to 113 and in a CDN arranged by the TV gateway 121. Of the daily program information update information data, the TV gateway 121 can delete data that is eight days or older.

[0065] TV Gateway 121 is advertising information ( <ad-id>.json) and video information ( <vod-id>.json), series program information (<Service_id> Regarding the file format (.json), when the video platforms 111 to 113 delete data in a predetermined area, the data in the CDN can be deleted.

[0066] The contents of the program information update information are as follows: { <yyyymmdd>: <Final update date and time (Epoch)>, <yyyymmdd>: <Last update date and time (Epoch)>, <yyyymmdd>: <Final update date and time (Epoch)>, <yyyymmdd>: <Final update date and time (Epoch)>, <yyyymmdd>: <Last updated date and time (Epoch)>, (lasts for 15 days) }

[0067] If the program information update information does not exist, the value of the last update date and time is set to 0.

[0068] The television gateway 121 generates an authentication key (API_key) for acquiring online program guide data to acquire program information updates. The television gateway 121 creates an IAM user with permission to access online program guide data, and updates and acquires the authentication key (API_key) for acquiring online program guide data every 12 hours. The authentication key (API_key) for acquiring online program guide data is valid for 24 hours. The authentication key (API_key) for acquiring online program guide data is discarded 24 hours after it is created. The authentication key (API_key) for acquiring online program guide data is updated regularly and in common regardless of the video platforms 111 to 113 or the channel.

[0069] The TV clouds 131 to 134 obtain an authentication key (API_key) for acquiring network program guide data from the TV gateway 121 every 12 hours, and allow the TV receivers 141 to 150 under their control to acquire the data.

[0070] The television receivers 141 to 150 add an authentication key (API_key) for acquiring network program guide data to the x-api-key header via https, and acquire program information update information.

[0071] The video platforms 111 to 113 normally update the program information update information about once a day. Note that the video platforms 111 to 113 can also update the program information update information at any time.

[0072] The television receivers 141 to 150 periodically access the CDN for the network program guide data of the television gateway 121.<service_id> By checking _lastupdated.json, you can detect whether program information update information has been updated.

[0073] As will be described in detail later, the load leveling units 1109a of the television receivers 141 to 150 calculate device-specific access_shift_time (step S3) to avoid concentration of access from the television receivers 141 to 150 to the television gateway 121. Then, as will be described in detail later, the load leveling units 1109a of the television receivers 141 to 150 reflect the access_shift_time when subsequently acquiring network program guide data, acquiring mpd, and uploading logs.

[0074] The load leveling unit 1109a of the television receivers 141 to 150 also determines the time to check the update timing of the network program guide (epg_update_check_time) so as to avoid concentrated access to the television gateway 121 (step S3), as will be described in detail later.

[0075] The television receivers 141 to 150 link the PF-ID and MA-ID on the television gateway 121 by operating in conjunction with the applications of the video platforms 111 to 113.

[0076] The TV clouds 131 to 134 hold the status of cooperation for each of the television receivers 141 to 150, and enable the television receivers 141 to 150 to acquire information.

[0077] The television receivers 141 to 150 can change the way they display the network program guide depending on the state of cooperation with the video platforms 111 to 113.

[0078] The program information and video information may include information on "viewing age restriction settings." If the user can set viewing age restrictions on the television receivers 141-150, the television receivers 141-150 impose viewing age restrictions when displaying the online program guide or playing programs in accordance with the viewing age restriction settings. It is desirable that such viewing age restrictions can be canceled by a user operation such as entering a PIN code.

[0079] Next, a method for displaying network program guide data will be described.

[0080] Online program information can be displayed for 15 days, including the past week, the current week, and the future week. <yyyymmdd>.json contains one day's worth of data. <yyyymmdd>The .json contains the start time.

[0081] When displaying the internet program guide, the television receivers 141 to 150 initially display as much of the current program guide as possible, starting with the youngest channel. The television receivers 141 to 150 store the channel that was last played. Furthermore, from the second time onwards, the television receivers 141 to 150 focus on the channel that was last played.

[0082] If the last channel played back is linear channel content (a program with a fixed broadcast time), the television receivers 141 to 150 display the current program of the PF-ID and service_id of the last channel played back.

[0083] If the last played channel is VOD (Video On Demand), the television receivers 141 to 150 display the PF-ID, service_id, and event_id of the last played channel. If the event_id is beyond the display range of 15 days, the television receivers 141 to 150 display the oldest event_id of the same channel.

[0084] The display order is determined by the specifications of the manufacturers of the television receivers 141 to 150.

[0085] In addition, the operation specifications on the network program guide can be freely set by the manufacturers of the television receivers 141 to 150.

[0086] However, when the television gateway 121 serving as a server is provided as described above, the television gateway 121 receives information including content information from the video platforms 111-113 that aggregate and distribute content information from content service providers, and converts the received content information so that it can be received by the television receivers 141-150, the following problem arises: When the television gateway 121 serving as a server is provided, for example, when playing content from a linear channel, the broadcast time is fixed, and access from the television receivers 141-150 to the television gateway 121 serving as a server will be concentrated. Therefore, the television gateway 121 serving as a server needs to be designed to match the peak of concentrated access from the television receivers 141-150, which will result in higher costs.

[0087] Therefore, in the television receivers 141 to 150 of this embodiment, the CPU 1109 executes an application to function as a load leveling unit 1109a. The load leveling unit 1109a distributes the access times of accesses to the television gateway 121, thereby avoiding concentration of accesses to the television gateway 121, which is a server. The process of avoiding concentration of accesses to the television gateway 121 will be described below.

[0088] When playing back linear channels, the television receivers 141 to 150 acquire advertising information from the mpd of the video platforms 111 to 113 and the CDN for online program guide data of the television gateway 121. At this time, in order to avoid concentration of access to the television gateway 121, the load leveling units 1109a of the television receivers 141 to 150 operate by shifting the access time using information unique to each television receiver 141 to 150.

[0089] The television receivers 141 to 150 obtain the reference value for calculating the access shift time (access_shift_time) from the configuration information (Conf.json) stored in the CDN for the network program guide data. The television receivers 141 to 150 check the configuration information (Conf.json) when starting the network program guide. If the reference value in the configuration information (Conf.json) has been updated, the television receivers 141 to 150 perform recalculation.

[0090] The access shift time (access_shift_time) is a presentation shift time for linear channel content. The access shift time shifts the program presentation time for each television receiver 141-150 within a certain time so that all television receivers 141-150 can access the linear channel at a predetermined time and prevent access concentration on the television gateway 121.

[0091] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a peak_shift key object in the Configuration information. The television receivers 141 to 150 acquire the Configuration information (Conf.json) stored in the CDN for network program guide data of the television gateway 121. Then, as shown in Fig. 12, the television receivers 141 to 150 execute shifting within the range of the video maxdelay (seconds) in the peak_shift key object in the Configuration information (Conf.json). For example, the television receivers 141 to 150 execute shifting within a range of about 10 ms, and each television receiver 141 to 150 accesses at a different time.

[0092] An example of calculation of the access shift time (access_shift_time) is shown below. access_shift_time=(int)(random number%(D*100+1)); / / 10ms D: Maximum delay time peak_shift.Video.maxdelay(seconds) U: Unique information possessed by a television receiver (e.g., TV-ID (identification information individually assigned to a television receiver)) Set U(TV-ID) as the random number seed

[0093] The access time to the TV gateway 121 is determined by the following formula: Access time = S + access_shift_time * 10ms S:Start time

[0094] In addition, the load leveling units 1109a of the television receivers 141 to 150 also shift the update check times for the network program guide data so that access to the television gateway 121 does not become concentrated.

[0095] The television receivers 141 to 150 periodically check whether the video platforms 111 to 113 have updated the online program guides by checking the program information update information (<service_id> In order to prevent such a concentration of accesses to the television gateway 121 for obtaining information, the television receivers 141 to 150 are controlled so that each television receiver accesses at a different time.

[0096] The television receivers 141 to 150 execute the shift within the range of the maxdelay (seconds) of epg in the peak_shift key object of the configuration information (Conf.json) as shown in Fig. 12. For example, the television receivers 141 to 150 execute the shift within a range of about 10 ms, and each television receiver 141 to 150 accesses the television gateway 121 at a different time.

[0097] An example of calculating the network program guide data update check time (epg_update_checktime) is shown below. epg_update_check_time=(int)(random number%(P*100+1)); / / 10ms P: Check interval peak_shift.epg.maxdelay (second) U: Unique information possessed by the TV receiver (e.g., TV-ID (identification information individually assigned to the TV receiver)) Set U (TV-ID) as the seed of the random number

[0098] Then, TV receivers 141 to 150 check at the following times every hour. checktime = epg.maxdelay * i * 1000 + epg_update_check_time * 10; checktime (ms) n = (60 / epg.maxdelay); From i = 0 to i < n epg.maxdelay: A value that can evenly divide 60 minutes within one hour

[0099] In addition, the load leveling unit 1109a of TV receivers 141 to 150 also shifts the log collection time so that access concentration to the TV gateway 121 does not occur.

[0100] Here, the log collection method will be described. As described above, TV receivers 141 to 150 upload data (logs) to the log server (firehose stream) of the TV gateway 121 (step 4).

[0101] First, define the transmission interface of the measurement log to the TV gateway 121. This interface is used by applications on TV receivers 141 to 150 (the electronic program guide application and the HTML5 application for video distribution).

[0102] The timing of transmission to the TV gateway 121 depends on the service operation. However, in order to avoid access concentration, in this embodiment, the time is shifted in each of the TV receivers 141 to 150 based on the time shift information from the TV gateway 121, and multiple logs are transmitted together.

[0103] First, device authentication will be described.

[0104] The TV gateway 121 creates an IAM user that can only upload data to the TV gateway 121's log server (firehose stream). The TV gateway 121 generates an access key (a combination of an access key ID and a secret access key) for the IAM user once every 12 hours and deletes it after one day. This ensures that there are always two valid access keys. The TV gateway 121 places information for uploading data to the TV gateway 121's log server (firehose stream), including the generated access key, in the same location as the online program guide data as a JSON file (firehose_params.json).

[0105] An example of a JSON file (firehose_params.json) is shown below. Note that the access key should be the newest of the two valid access keys. { "access_key_ID":<access key ID> , "secret_access_key":<secret access key> , "region": "ap-northeast-1", "stream_name":<firehose stream name> , "expires_in": 43200, "scope": "activity_log" }

[0106] Each television receiver 141-150 acquires the JSON file (firehose_params.json) in the same way as acquiring online program guide data. Since each television receiver 141-150 guarantees that the JSON file (firehose_params.json) will be valid for the number of seconds (here, 43200 seconds, or 12 hours) written in "expires_in" after acquisition, the JSON file (firehose_params.json) is stored locally for that period.

[0107] When a log upload is required, the television receivers 141 to 150 perform authentication using a JSON file (firehose_params.json) and transmit the log data to the log server (firehose stream) of the television gateway 121.

[0108] If the expiration date has expired when the log data is transmitted, the television receivers 141 to 150 acquire the JSON file (firehose_params.json) from the television gateway 121 again and update the information.

[0109] Next, the timing of uploading will be described.

[0110] When log information is generated, each of the television receivers 141 to 150 does not upload the log information to the log server (firehose stream) of the television gateway 121 each time it is generated, but temporarily buffers the log information in order to level the load on the log server.

[0111] At startup, each of the television receivers 141 to 150 refers to the peak_shift.log element of the configuration information (Conf.json) that the television gateway 121 has prepared on the CDN.

[0112] Below is an example of the peak_shift.log element in the configuration information (Conf.json). { peak_shift:{ video:{maxdelay:120,lastupdated: <epoch>}, log:{maxdelay:1800,maxsize:4000,lastupdated: <epoch>}, ... } ... }

[0113] maxdelay is server access distribution setting information that indicates the maximum time (seconds) that logs should be retained. maxsize is setting information related to data retention that indicates the maximum capacity (bytes) of logs to be retained. These values ​​are not hard limits, and the TV gateway 121 will accept uploads even if they are exceeded. Meanwhile, the load leveling unit 1109a of each TV receiver 141-150 attempts to upload quickly if the log retention time is about to exceed maxdelay or the log retention capacity has exceeded maxsize. Furthermore, if the local storage capacity of each TV receiver 141-150 is limited and logs cannot be retained up to nearly maxsize, the load leveling unit 1109a of each TV receiver 141-150 may upload regardless of maxsize, but will strive to retain logs up to their respective maximum values ​​as much as possible to reduce the load on the TV gateway 121's log server (firehose stream).

[0114] If a log cannot be uploaded due to a communication failure or the like, the load leveling unit 1109a of the television receivers 141 to 150 will retain the log beyond the maxdelay and maxsize limits. The load leveling unit 1109a of the television receivers 141 to 150 uses exponential backoff for retries and will not retransmit the log unnecessarily.

[0115] As described above, according to this embodiment, the access times of server accesses are distributed based on the unique information possessed by the television receiver, so that it is possible to avoid concentration of accesses to the server.

[0116] The load leveling unit 1109a of the television receivers 141 to 150 may change the setting information related to data retention and the setting information (Configuration information) related to the server access distribution setting information according to the status of the service and the status of the access. This makes it possible to reliably avoid concentration of access to the server according to the status of the service and the status of the access.

[0117] (Second embodiment) FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention.

[0118] In this embodiment, mobile terminals 401 to 410, a viewing data storage unit 451, an ID combination information storage unit 452, a content recommendation information storage unit 453, a recommended advertisement selection and insertion unit 454, and an advertisement server 455 are added to the first embodiment.

[0119] In this embodiment, the operations up to the generation of the online program guide are the same as those in the first embodiment, but the television receivers 441-450 and the mobile terminals 401-410 are linked by their respective IDs (individual identification data). Also, each television receiver 441-450 has a function of measuring what the user is watching as viewing data, and the measured viewing data is uploaded to the television gateway 421 via the TV clouds 431-434.

[0120] The television gateway 421 is coupled to a viewing data storage unit 451 and an ID combination information storage unit 452. Viewing data obtained from television receivers 441-450 is stored in the viewing data storage unit 451 via TV clouds 431-434 and the television gateway 421. In addition, ID combination information of the television receivers 441-450 and the IDs of the mobile terminals 401-410 is supplemented in the ID combination information storage unit 452.

[0121] The content recommendation information storage unit 453 calculates what content viewing trends each television receiver has based on the information in the viewing data storage unit 451 and the ID combination information storage unit 452, and notifies the video platforms 411 to 413. This calculation is realized by measuring the viewing time of each content genre for each viewing.

[0122] On the other hand, the recommended advertisement selection and insertion unit 454 calculates which television receiver should insert what advertisement from the viewing data storage unit 451 and the ID combination information storage unit 452, obtains the desired advertisement from the advertisement server 455, and inserts the advertisement into the video content of the video platforms 411 to 413.

[0123] FIG. 14 shows an example of the configuration and association of IDs according to the present invention. Mobile terminals 401-410 have SP-IDs (smartphone IDs) 501. On the other hand, television receivers 441-450 have TV-IDs (television IDs) 511. The SP-IDs are composed of a PF-ID, which is the ID of the video platform, and a UR-ID, which is the ID of the user. The TV-IDs are composed of a TC-ID, which is the ID of the TV cloud, and a DV-ID, which represents the television receiver itself as a device. The ID association information storage unit 452 contains a table 520 showing association information between SP-IDs and TV-IDs, and the television receiver and mobile terminal form a linked state using the IDs. In table 520, a "circle" indicates a linked state, and a "-" indicates a non-linked state. Here, it is possible for one television receiver to be linked with multiple mobile terminals.

[0124] Figure 15 shows the ID combination method and the data stored in each.

[0125] The television receiver 141 and the mobile terminal 401 such as a smartphone transmit an authentication code 611 to the mobile terminal 401 using a QR code (registered trademark) or the like displayed on the television receiver. A correspondence table between this authentication code and television is stored in advance in the TV ID storage unit 603 of the TV cloud 431.

[0126] The authentication code 611 is a time-limited authentication code corresponding to the TV-ID individually assigned to the television receiver 141. This authentication code 611 is sent from the TV cloud 431 to the television receiver 141. At this time, the TV cloud 431 adds address information for connecting to the video platform 411 along with the authentication code 611 and sends it to the mobile terminal 401.

[0127] The authentication code 611 is sent from the smartphone 401 to the video platform 411 as data 612 together with the SP-ID of the mobile terminal, and the video platform 411 acquires user attributes from its customer data storage unit 601 based on the acquired authentication code 611 and the SP-ID of the linked mobile terminal 401, and sends the data together with the SP-ID to the television gateway 421 as data 613.

[0128] The TV gateway acquires the authentication code, SP-ID, and user attributes as data 613, and then queries the TV cloud 431 based on the authentication code to acquire the corresponding TV-ID. Here, the TV cloud 431 manages the TV-IDs of the television receivers under its management, has a correspondence table between TV-IDs and authentication codes in the TV ID storage unit 602, and acquires which television receivers are the target of binding from the authentication code. The authentication code placed in data 612 and data 613 is the same as the authentication code 611.

[0129] Through these operations, the television gateway 421 combines the TV-ID and SP-ID and stores the combined TV-ID and SP-ID in the ID combination information storage unit 602. Furthermore, the combined TV-ID and SP-ID information is notified to the video platform 411 by a passkey 621. The passkey 621 serves as a key to the database of the ID combination information storage unit 602, and by sending the passkey 621 to the television gateway 613, the SP-ID, TV-ID, and user attributes can be extracted.

[0130] Through the above operations, the mobile terminal and the television receiver are linked by the ID. After the ID binding, the video platform 411 can then provide services to the target television receiver using the passkey 621 transferred from the television gateway 421 to the video platform 411. The passkey 621 is stored in the customer data storage unit 601 so that the correspondence with the SP-ID can be determined.

[0131] Although FIG. 15 has been described with reference to the video platform 411, the video platforms 412 and 413 also perform similar operations.

[0132] Figure 16 shows the network program guide when IDs are combined.

[0133] When the TV-ID and SP-ID are combined, the PF-ID, a component of the SP-ID, can be used to determine which video platform the viewing user is a customer of, and channels provided by the corresponding video platform are presented in an easily accessible location on the online program guide. For example, in the case of Figure 16, if SP-ID 501 contains the ID of video platform 411, the channels provided by video platform 411 are presented as the initial screen, making it easy for the user to select. In addition, recommended contents 701, 702, and 703 are simultaneously displayed by inferring viewing trends from viewing data of the television receiver identified by the TV-ID.

[0134] In this way, by linking the IDs, the content of the corresponding video platform is presented to the user preferentially, and the user can easily obtain the services provided by the video platform.

[0135] FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen display in which video content and a web service are linked together.

[0136] When TV-ID 511 and SP-ID 501 are in a connected state, a web service screen linked to the video platform indicated by SP-ID 501 is automatically displayed on the television receiver indicated by the TV-ID. This allows users to not only watch videos, but also receive services such as related information and product descriptions on e-commerce sites. Furthermore, the mobile app 812 displayed on the mobile device can be linked to the video screen 811, enabling video content selection methods not possible with a regular remote control. For example, by touching an interesting news item on a news site in the mobile app on the mobile device, related video content can be played on the television receiver, enabling unprecedented content selection. On the other hand, by displaying an e-commerce site in the mobile app and tapping on a product of interest, users can view detailed product descriptions in video, providing an unprecedented user experience.

[0137] The above operation will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

[0138] When video content on a video platform 411 is linked to a website 901, web link information 902 is input from the video platform 411 to a television gateway 421. In addition to the conventional timetable 201, content metadata 202, and banner data 203, recommended content data 901 is also input to the television gateway 421.

[0139] The television gateway 421 transfers the combined TV-ID 501 and content selection data 204, as well as the recommended metadata 911 created from the recommended content data 901 and the link destination URL obtained from the web link information to the TV cloud 431. The TV cloud 431 combines the online program guide with recommended content display data 913, which is then sent to the television receiver 441. At that time, the link destination URL is set in the television receiver 441 along with channel and time information so that it can be linked to video content. When the user presses a link button or the like based on a specific channel and the time period they are viewing, the television receiver 441 displays the web content indicated by the link destination URL on the television screen.

[0140] When linking with a mobile app, the mobile app is downloaded from website 901 to mobile terminal 401, and then the operation results of the mobile app and the SP-ID are sent to video platform 411. The video platform 411 then sends the passkey and mobile operation to television gateway 421, which converts it into a common television operation code 903, which is then further converted into a television operation code by TV cloud 431 to control television receiver 441. The passkey is obtained from customer data storage unit 601, which is a correspondence table with SP-IDs.

[0141] The above has been described with respect to the video platform 411, but the same operation applies to other video platforms. In addition, the same operation applies to TV clouds other than the TV cloud 411 and television receivers other than the television receiver 441.

[0142] FIG. 19 shows an explanation of content recommendation and advertisement insertion based on the present invention.

[0143] The information in the viewing data storage unit 451 and the ID combination information storage unit 452 is input to the content recommendation information storage unit 453, which calculates television viewing trends and determines recommended content and desirable advertisement candidates. Based on the information in the content recommendation information storage unit 453, recommended advertisements are obtained from the advertisement server 455, and based on the output of the recommended advertisement selection and insertion unit 454, the video platform 411 inserts advertisements into video content.

[0144] On the other hand, the receiver advertisement insertion unit transfers desirable advertisements from the advertisement server 455 based on the information in the content recommendation information storage unit 453, and inserts advertisements into the operating content in the television receiver 141 based on the output of the receiver advertisement insertion unit 456.

[0145] For example, when the video platform 411 distributes video using a multicast method, it is not possible to insert individual advertisements for each television receiver. In this case, the video platform 411 first inserts an advertisement and distributes a common advertisement, after which the television receiver overwrites it with an advertisement that is individually desired. This operation makes it possible to present advertisements tailored to each user, such as targeted advertisements, to individual television receivers.

[0146] (Third embodiment) FIG. 20 shows a configuration diagram of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

[0147] The difference from the second embodiment is that conversion units 1411-1413 are inserted between the video platforms 411-413 and the television gateway 1412. In this embodiment, different data output from the different video platforms 411-413 is converted into common data in advance by the conversion units 1411-1413, and then input to the television gateway 1412. This processing allows the television gateway 1412 to process common data, thereby reducing the processing load. The conversion units 1411-1413 may be provided in the television gateway 1412 as input interfaces for the television gateway 1412, or may be provided in the video platforms 411-413 as output interfaces for the video platforms 411-413.

[0148] In the second embodiment, different data is input directly from the video platforms 411 to 413 and converted internally into common data, whereas in the third embodiment, conversion into common data is requested from each of the video platforms 411 to 413. This makes it possible to distribute the load.

[0149] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment according to the present invention.

[0150] 18 is that a conversion unit 1411 is inserted. Data conversion is performed by the conversion unit 1411, and common banner data 1503, common content data 1501, and common Web link information 1502 are input to the television gateway 421.

[0151] These converted data are converted into data in a common format by the conversion units 1411 to 1413 on all the different video platforms 411 to 413.

[0152] The mobile terminals 401 to 410 in the first to third embodiments are defined as network-connectable devices including cameras, and also include computer terminals such as smartphones, personal computers, laptop computers, and desktop computers.

[0153] In the first to third embodiments, QR codes are displayed on the television receivers 141-150 and 441-450 to link the mobile terminals 401-410 with the television receivers 141-150 and 441-450, but other methods may be used. For example, a group of numbers such as a PIN code, a barcode, or the like may be optically detected by the mobile terminals 401-410 to detect address information for connecting to the video platform 411 together with the authentication code 611. Furthermore, while the above embodiments illustrate examples of optical detection, a function for linking between the mobile terminals 401-410 and the television receivers 141-150 and 441-450 may be used. For example, address information for connecting to the video platform 411 may be sent together with the authentication code 611 via a wireless or wired connection. [Industrial Applicability]

[0154] It can be used to present content to all television receivers via a single input format, even if they have different performance and functionality and different video platforms. Linking television receivers with mobile devices also allows for advanced services via mobile devices, and linking with mobile devices such as smartphones allows for advanced linked operations that are not possible with existing remote controls. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 101~108 CSP 111~113, 411~413 Video Platform 121, 421 TV Gateway 131, 431~434 TV Cloud 141~150, 441~450 TV receiver 401~410 Mobile devices 1109a Load Leveling Unit 1411~1413 Conversion section< / epoch> < / epoch> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd> < / yyyymmdd>

Claims

1. In a television receiver that receives content information distributed via a server, a load leveling unit that shifts the presentation time of the content information for each television receiver within a certain time period and that attempts to level the load on the server based on an access shift time that is unique to each television receiver; The load leveling unit a reference value for calculating the access shift time is obtained from setting information included in a program guide that describes information related to the content information; As the setting information, at least one of a maximum time for which data should be retained and a maximum amount of data to be retained is used, uploading the data to the server when the retention time of the data is about to exceed or has exceeded the maximum time, or when the retention capacity of the data is about to exceed or has exceeded the maximum capacity; A television receiver characterized by:

2. When the data cannot be uploaded to the server, the load leveling unit holds the data beyond the limit of the maximum time or the maximum capacity.

2. The television receiver according to claim 1.

3. The load leveling unit, if unable to upload the data to the server, performs retries with exponential backoff.

3. A television receiver according to claim 2.

4. a server that converts content information received from the video platform and distributes the converted content information to television receivers; a television receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which receives content information distributed via the server; A television system comprising:

Images