Content management system, method, device, and program

Abstract

This reduces the effort required to adjust the playback position of content and suppresses increases in the use of computing resources. [Solution] A content management system displays content, a user interface that allows the user to specify the playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on the playback point of the content played while a user was operating the user interface, and changes the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a content management system, method, apparatus, and program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Techniques for recording information about scenes of video content are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for generating video anchors for salient topics in a video. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7350883 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In video players, viewers can freely change the playback time of the video by operating the seek bar. However, when viewers operate the seek bar to view a previous scene, they may have to operate the seek bar multiple times to find the scene they were viewing before operating the seek bar.

[0006] In one aspect, the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present disclosure is to reduce the effort required to adjust the playback position of content and to suppress an increase in the usage of computational resources. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A content management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: A content management system including a terminal that displays content that changes over time, The terminal a content display unit that displays the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback position of the content that is played back while a user operates the user interface; The content display unit is a content management system that changes the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic.

[0008] A content management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. A content management method in which one or more hardware processors display content that changes over time, comprising: a first step of displaying the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback position of the content that was played while a user operated the user interface; and a second step of changing the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic.

[0009] A content management device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: A content management device that displays content that changes over time, a content display unit that displays the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback position of the content that is played back while a user operates the user interface; The content display unit is a content management device that changes the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic.

[0010] A content management program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: 1. A content management program that causes one or more hardware processors to display content that changes over time, comprising: a first step of displaying the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback position of the content that was played while a user operated the user interface; a second step of changing the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect, the present disclosure can reduce the effort required to adjust the playback position of content, thereby suppressing an increase in the amount of computational resources used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the system configuration of a content management system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration related to the content management system of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration related to the content management system of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing flow of the content management system of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content display screen of the content management system of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a content display screen of the content management system of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration related to a content management system according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content display screen of a content management system according to the first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration related to a content management system according to the second modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing flow of the content management system according to the second modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration related to a content management system according to the third modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing flow of the content management system according to the third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical parts will be designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. The configurations of the embodiments described below and the actions and effects brought about by such configurations are merely examples and are not limited to the following description. In addition, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" will be used as necessary below, but these ordinal numbers are used for convenience of identification and do not indicate any particular meaning such as a particular priority unless otherwise specified. When comparing the magnitude relationship of two numerical values, either of the two criteria of "greater than or equal to" and "greater than" may be used, unless otherwise specified, or either of the two criteria of "less than or equal to" and "less than" may be used.

[0014] [System Overview] The content management system according to the present disclosure is a computer system that manages content played on a user terminal. The content is provided by a computer or computer system and refers to human-recognizable information that changes over time, such as audio content and video content expressed by video that may include audio. Video content includes video generated in advance by an imaging device or the like, and computer graphics (CG) generated in real time.

[0015] In one example, a content management system provides content to a user by distributing content data to the user terminal. Distributing content refers to a process executed to provide content to a user, such as a process of transmitting information to a user terminal via a communication network N. The user terminal plays the content based on the received data. In one example, the content is provided by a distributor. A distributor is a person who intends to provide information to a viewer using the content management system and is a content provider. A viewer is a person who intends to obtain information using the content management system and is a user of video content. The content management system transmits the content data provided from the distributor terminal to a viewer terminal. The viewer terminal processes the content data and displays the content on a screen. In this disclosure, distributors and viewers may be collectively referred to as users, and distributor terminals and viewer terminals may be collectively referred to as user terminals.

[0016] In one example, the content management system may perform real-time distribution. In this case, for example, a distributor terminal processes captured video to generate content data and transmits the content data to the content management system in real time. The content management system receives the content data and transmits the content data to viewer terminals in real time to distribute live streaming content. The content data may be generated in the content management system. That is, the content management system may process real-time video provided by the distributor terminal to generate content data and transmit the content data to viewer terminals in real time. The content management system may also be used to archive content so that it can be viewed for a given period after real-time distribution. "Real-time" means that data is sent and received over the same connection after communication is established between the server (content management system) and the client terminal (user terminal). There may be delays in the transmission of the content data due to data communication, data processing, etc.

[0017] In one example, the content management system may perform on-demand distribution, allowing viewers to view content at any time. In this case, the content management system stores content data generated by processing previously captured video in at least one storage device, such as an origin server or a cache server. In response to a viewer request, the content management system transmits the stored content data to the viewer terminal.

[0018] In one example, the content management system may read content data stored in a storage device of a viewer terminal in response to a request from the viewer.

[0019] The content management system displays content generated based on the content data on the viewer terminal. If there are multiple viewer terminals, the content may be displayed on at least one of the multiple viewer terminals.

[0020] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a content management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the content management system 1 includes a server 10, a distributor terminal 20, and a viewer terminal 30. The server 10, the distributor terminal 20, and the viewer terminal 30 are connected to a network N such as the Internet and are capable of communicating with each other. The content management system 1 of this embodiment will be described assuming a known client-server type content management system, but is not limited to this. The number of distributor terminals 20, servers 10, and viewer terminals 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 is not limited to the number shown. The communication network N may include the Internet or an intranet.

[0021] The server 10 may be configured by one or more computers. When multiple computers are used, these computers may be connected to each other via a communication network N to logically configure a single server 10.

[0022] The distributor terminal 20 is a computer used by a distributor. In one example, the distributor terminal 20 has a function of accessing the content management system 1 and transmitting content data indicating content. The distributor terminal 20 may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a head-mounted display (HMD), smart glasses, a smart watch, a mobile terminal such as a laptop personal computer or a mobile phone, a stationary terminal such as a desktop personal computer, or an imaging system having a function of capturing, recording, and transmitting video.

[0023] The viewer terminal 30 is a computer used by a viewer. In one example, the viewer terminal 30 has a function of accessing the content management system 1 to receive and display content data indicating the content. The viewer terminal 30 may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a head-mounted display (HMD), smart glasses, a smart watch, a mobile terminal such as a laptop personal computer or a mobile phone, or a stationary terminal such as a desktop personal computer.

[0024] Distributors operate distributor terminal 20 to log in to content management system 1, thereby providing video content to viewers. Viewers operate viewer terminal 30 to log in to content management system 1, thereby allowing viewers to view content. This disclosure assumes that viewers and distributors of content management system 1 are already logged in. Viewers may be omitted from logging in to content management system 1. In other words, content management system 1 may transmit content data to viewer terminal 30 of a general viewer who is not logged in. In this case, general viewers who are not logged in can also view the content.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration related to a content management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As an example, a server computer 100 includes a processor 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary memory 103, and a communication unit 104. The processor 101 is a computing device that executes an operating system and application programs, and is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The main memory 102 stores programs to be executed, computation results, etc., and is generally capable of reading and writing data faster than the auxiliary memory 103 (described later), and is configured, for example, by a volatile storage medium such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The auxiliary memory 103 is generally capable of storing larger amounts of data than the main memory 102, and is configured, for example, by a nonvolatile storage medium such as a hard disk or flash memory. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores a server program P1 and various data for causing the server computer 100 to function as the server 10. The communication unit 104 is a device that executes data communication with other computers via the communication network N.

[0026] In this embodiment, the content management program is implemented as a server program P1. Each functional element of the server 10 is realized by loading the server program P1 onto the processor 101 or the main memory unit 102 and having the processor 101 execute the program. The server program P1 includes code for realizing each functional element of the server 10. The processor 101 operates the communication unit 104 in accordance with the server program P1, and executes reading and writing of data from and to the main memory unit 102 or the auxiliary memory unit 103.

[0027] As an example, the terminal computer 200 includes, as hardware components, a processor 201, a main memory 202, an auxiliary memory 203, a communication unit 204, an input interface 205, an output interface 206, and an imaging unit 207. The processor 201 is a computing device that executes an operating system and application programs, and is, for example, a CPU, a GPU, an ASIC, or an FPGA. The main memory 202 stores programs to be executed, computation results, etc., and is generally capable of reading and writing data faster than the auxiliary memory 203 (described later), and is composed of a volatile storage medium such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The auxiliary memory 203 is generally capable of storing larger amounts of data than the main memory 202, and is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or flash memory. The auxiliary memory 203 stores a client program P2 and various data for enabling the terminal computer 200 to function as the distributor terminal 20 or the viewer terminal 30. The communication unit 204 is a device that executes data communication with other computers via the communication network N. The input interface 205 is a device that accepts data based on a user's operation or action, and is configured, for example, by at least one of a keyboard, operation buttons, a pointing device, a touch panel, a microphone, a sensor, and a camera. The output interface 206 is a device that outputs data processed by the terminal computer 200, and is configured, for example, by including a display device such as a display. The imaging unit 207 is a device that takes photographs or videos by converting light into electrical signals, and is, for example, a camera. The imaging unit 207 can also function as the input interface 205. The imaging unit 207 may be configured integrally with the terminal computer, or may be a removable device connected via a general-purpose bus such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0028] Each functional element of the distributor terminal 20 or the viewer terminal 30 is realized by loading the corresponding client program P2 into the processor 201 or the main memory unit 202 and having the processor 201 execute the program. The client program P2 includes code for realizing each functional element of the distributor terminal 20 or the viewer terminal 30. The processor 201 operates the communication unit 204, the input interface 205, the output interface 206, or the imaging unit 207 in accordance with the client program P2, and reads and writes data from and to the main memory unit 202 or the auxiliary memory unit 203.

[0029] At least one of the server program P1 and the client program P2 may be provided by being non-temporarily recorded on a tangible recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, at least one of these programs may be provided as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave via the communications network N. These programs may be provided separately or together.

[0030] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration related to the content management system 1. The server 10 includes a content distribution unit 11 as a functional element. The content distribution unit 11 is a functional element that receives content data transmitted from the distributor terminal 20 and transmits content based on that data to the viewer terminal 30.

[0031] The distributor terminal 20 includes a functional element, a content generation unit 21. The content generation unit 21 is a functional element that generates content data and transmits it to the server 10.

[0032] The viewer terminal 30 includes a content display unit 31 as a functional element. The content display unit 31 is a functional element that receives content data from the server 10 and displays the content via the output interface 206, a user interface that allows the user to specify a playback position in the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position included in the playback position of the content played while the user is operating the user interface. The content display unit 31 may have its respective functions provided by different providers. In this case, for example, a platform provider that distributes the content may provide the function of displaying the content and the user interface that allows the user to specify a playback position in the content, and a party other than the platform provider may provide the function of displaying the graphic associated with a timestamp of a position included in the playback position of the content played while the user is operating the user interface. As a more specific example, the content may be displayed in a web browser, and a party other than the platform provider may provide the function of displaying the graphic as an extension of the web browser.

[0033] [System Operation] The processing flow of the content management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. FIG.

[0034] In step S11, the content generating unit 21 generates content data indicating content that changes over time.

[0035] In step S12, the content generation unit 21 transmits content data to the server 10 with which a connection with the distributor terminal 20 has been established. The content generation unit 21 may sequentially generate content data indicating parts of the content and sequentially transmit the generated content data to the server 10. In this case, the content may be provided to the viewer terminal as live distribution content. The content generation unit 21 may also transmit content data including the entire content to the server 10. In this case, the content may be provided to the viewer terminal as on-demand distribution content.

[0036] In step S13, the content distribution unit 11 transmits content data to the viewer terminal 30 in response to a request from the viewer terminal 30 that has established a connection with the server 10. If the server 10 is sequentially receiving content data indicating a portion of the content, the content distribution unit 11 may sequentially transmit the received content data to the viewer terminal 30. In this case, the content may be provided to the viewer terminal as live distribution content. If the server 10 is receiving content data including all of the content, the content distribution unit 11 may transmit content data including all of the received content to the viewer terminal 30. In this case, the content may be provided to the viewer terminal 30 as on-demand distribution content.

[0037] In step S14, the content display unit 31 plays the content based on the received content data. The content display unit 31 displays a user interface that allows the user to specify a playback position in the content while the content is being played. The user interface may be a seek bar that allows the user to visually recognize and specify a position in the content being played using a slider. The user interface may also be one that allows the user to visually recognize and specify a position in the content being played by displaying the total playback time and the current playback position in text.

[0038] In step S15, when the user of the viewer terminal 30 changes the playback position of the content by operating the user interface, the content display unit 31 stores a timestamp of a position based on the playback position of the content played while the user operation on the user interface is being performed. The position based on the playback position of the content played while the user operation on the user interface is being performed is a position included in the playback position of the content played while the user operation on the user interface is being performed, or a position a predetermined time before the position included in the playback position of the content played while the user operation on the user interface is being performed.

[0039] The timestamp of a position included in the playback location of content played while a user is operating the user interface may be, for example, but not limited to, the playback time of the content at the time the user operation on the user interface started, or the playback time of the content immediately before the playback position was changed at the time the user operation on the user interface ended. If the playback time of the content at the time the user operation on the user interface started is used as the timestamp, even if the user is unable to concentrate on watching the content because they are operating the seek bar, or even if the content player stops playing the content while they are operating the seek bar, the location where the user was able to watch can be stored as the timestamp. If the playback time of the content immediately before the playback position was changed at the time the user operation on the user interface ended is used as the timestamp, the position where the playback of the content chronologically ended can be stored as the timestamp.

[0040] The timestamp may be stored only within the same session between the server 10 and the viewer terminal 30, or may be stored across different sessions. Here, a session refers to the period during which the user's status is identified and stored on the server side. Techniques for temporarily or non-temporarily storing data on the client computer, such as Cookie, SessionStorage, LocalStorage, and IndexedDB, can be used to store the timestamp.

[0041] The content display unit 31 may store only one timestamp. In this case, for example, older timestamps stored in the viewer terminal 30 may be deleted, and only new timestamps may be stored. In another example, when attempting to store a new timestamp, the content display unit 31 may allow the user of the viewer terminal 30 to select which timestamp to store, and store only the selected timestamp.

[0042] The content display unit 31 may store multiple timestamps. In this case, in one example, when a new timestamp is to be stored after the number of timestamps stored in the viewer terminal 30 has reached a predetermined number, the oldest timestamp stored in the viewer terminal 30 may be deleted and the new timestamp may be stored. In another example, when a new timestamp is to be stored after the number of timestamps stored in the viewer terminal 30 has reached a predetermined number, the user of the viewer terminal 30 may be allowed to select which timestamp to delete. In this case, when the user selects a timestamp, the selected timestamp is deleted and the new timestamp is stored.

[0043] Once the timestamp is stored, the content display unit 31 displays a graphic associated with the stored timestamp together with the content. The graphic may be displayed overlaid on the content or in a separate area from the content. Furthermore, if the user deletes the timestamp, the displayed graphic is hidden. For example, the timestamp may be deleted based on the user performing an operation such as a long tap or right click on the graphic. After the user performs an operation such as a long tap or right click on the graphic, a dialog box may be displayed to confirm with the user whether to hide the graphic, and the timestamp may be deleted based on the user's approval to hide the graphic.

[0044] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a content display screen. In this example, content 301 and a seek bar 302 are displayed on a display screen 300 of the viewer terminal 30. The seek bar 302 may be positioned so as not to overlap the content 301, or may be positioned so as to overlap the content 301. In this example, a graphic 303 associated with a stored timestamp is displayed on the seek bar 302. When the graphic 303 is displayed so as to overlap the seek bar 302, a display area for the content 301 can be secured, compared to the example of FIG. 6 described later. A plurality of graphics 303 may be displayed, each associated with a timestamp at a different position.

[0045] In the example of the content display screen shown in FIG. 5, two graphics 303 are displayed as circular buttons. These graphics 303 are arranged at positions on the seek bar 302 corresponding to the timestamps associated with them. The graphics 303 may be buttons of a shape other than circular. Furthermore, when the user performs a hover operation or the like on the graphic 303, text related to the graphic 303 may be displayed on the display screen 300. The text related to the graphic 303 includes, for example, the text "viewing position before seek" indicating that this is the position the user was viewing before completing the seek operation and / or text indicating the time of the timestamp.

[0046] 6 is a diagram showing another example of a content display screen. In this example, content 301 and a seek bar 302 are displayed on a display screen 300 of the viewer terminal 30. The seek bar 302 may be positioned so as not to overlap the content 301, or may be positioned so as to overlap the content 301. In this example, a graphic 303 associated with a stored timestamp is displayed at a position so as not to overlap the seek bar 302. When the graphic 303 is displayed at a position so as not to overlap the seek bar 302, it is possible to maintain ease of use in operating the seek bar by the user, compared to the example of FIG. 5. A plurality of graphics 303 may be displayed, each associated with a timestamp at a different position.

[0047] 6, graphic 303 is displayed as a single button including a thumbnail image of the position of the timestamp associated with graphic 303, text "viewing position before seek" indicating that this is the position the user was viewing before completing the seek operation, and text indicating the time of the timestamp. In this example, graphic 303 is placed in a position that does not overlap content 301, but the display position of the graphic is not limited to this, and for example, the graphic may be displayed in a position that overlaps content 301. Furthermore, the elements that make up graphic 303 do not need to include one or more of the thumbnail image, the text indicating that this is the position the user was viewing before completing the seek operation, and the text indicating the timestamp, and may include other elements or be composed of only other elements.

[0048] In step S16, in response to a user of the viewer terminal 30 performing an operation such as a click or tap on the graphic 303, the content display unit 31 changes the playback position of the content being played to a position based on the timestamp associated with the graphic 303 where the user performed the operation. This reduces the effort required by the user to adjust the playback position of the content. It also reduces the increase in the usage of computational resources and network resources due to multiple adjustments of the playback position of the content. The position based on the timestamp associated with the graphic 303 is the position of the timestamp associated with the graphic 303 or a position a predetermined time before the position of the timestamp associated with the graphic 303.

[0049] [Content Management System According to First Modification] The functional configuration and operation of a content management system 1A according to a first modified example will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The content management system 1A includes a server 10A, a distributor terminal 20A, and a viewer terminal 30A. In the following, explanations of points that are the same between the content management system 1 and the content management system 1A may be omitted.

[0050] The content management system 1A differs from the content management system 1 in that the viewer terminal 30A includes a text adding section 32A in addition to a content display section 31A as a functional element.

[0051] The text assigning unit 32A is a functional element that associates text entered by the user with the graphic 303A. The user can enter text via an input field that is displayed at any time (for example, when a timestamp is stored or when an operation is performed on the graphic).

[0052] The content display unit 31A is a functional element that receives content data from the server 10A and displays the content via the output interface 206, a user interface 302A that allows the user to specify a playback position of the content, a graphic 303A associated with a timestamp of a position based on the playback position of the content played while a user operation was being performed on the user interface 302A, and text 304A associated with the graphic 303A. The functions of the content display unit 31A and the text adding unit 32A may be provided by different providers.

[0053] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a content display screen of the content management system 1A according to the first modification. In this example, above a graphic 303A, text 304A saying "Started singing" is displayed, which is associated with the graphic by the text adding unit 32A. This allows the user to easily understand what kind of scene corresponds to the position of the stored timestamp.

[0054] Text 304A may be displayed constantly while graphic 303A is displayed, or may be displayed only for a predetermined time after the user performs a hover operation or the like on graphic 303A.

[0055] Although the content display unit 31A has been described as displaying the graphic 303A in a position overlapping the seek bar 302A, this is not limited to this. Even if the content display unit 31A represents the graphic 303A as a button element including a thumbnail image or the like and displays it in a position that does not overlap the seek bar 302A, the text 304A may be displayed inside or outside the button element.

[0056] Although an example has been shown in which text 304A associated with graphic 303A is input by the user, the text may be added without user operation. For example, a chapter name may be associated with the content according to the playback time point, and the chapter name at the playback time point corresponding to the timestamp may be added as text. Alternatively, at least one comment on the content associated with a predetermined time range from the playback time point corresponding to the timestamp may be added as text. As another example, a sentence generated by AI based on at least one of the video, audio, and comments on the content within a predetermined range at the playback time point corresponding to the timestamp may be added as text.

[0057] [Content Management System According to the Second Modification] The functional configuration of a content management system 1B according to a second modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The content management system 1B includes a server 10B, a distributor terminal 20B, and a viewer terminal 30B. In the following, explanations of points that are the same between the content management system 1 and the content management system 1B may be omitted.

[0058] The content management system 1B differs from the content management system 1 in that a server 10B includes a timestamp storage unit 12B in addition to a content distribution unit 11B as a functional element.

[0059] The timestamp memory unit 12B is a functional element that has the functions of receiving a timestamp of a position based on the playback point of the content that was played while the user of the viewer terminal 30B was operating the user interface to change the playback position of the content, storing the timestamp, and transmitting the timestamp to the viewer terminal 30B.

[0060] The content display unit 31B is a functional element that receives content data and a timestamp from the server 10 and displays the content via the output interface 206, a user interface that allows the user to specify the playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with the timestamp.

[0061] The processing flow of the content management system 1B according to the second modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the following, explanations of points that are the same between the content management system 1 and the content management system 1B may be omitted.

[0062] In step S11B, the content generation unit 21B of the distributor terminal 20B generates content data indicating content that changes over time.

[0063] In step S12B, the content generation unit 21B transmits content data to the server 10B, which has established a connection with the distributor terminal 20B. The content generation unit 21B may sequentially generate content data representing parts of the content and sequentially transmit the generated content data to the server 10B. In this case, the content may be provided to the viewer terminal 30B as live distribution content. The content generation unit 21B may also transmit content data including the entire content to the server 10B. In this case, the content may be provided to the viewer terminal 30B as on-demand distribution content.

[0064] In step S13B, the viewer terminal 30B starts a first session by logging in to the platform that provides the content management system 1B. This allows the server 10B to identify and store the status of the logged-in user. Note that the start of the first session (step S13B) may precede the transmission of content data from the distributor terminal 20B to the server 10B (step S12B).

[0065] In step S14B, the content distribution unit 11B transmits content data to the viewer terminal 30B in response to a request from the viewer terminal 30B that has started the first session. If the server 10B is sequentially receiving content data indicating a portion of the content, the content distribution unit 11B may sequentially transmit the received content data to the viewer terminal 30B. In this case, the content may be provided to the viewer terminal as live distribution content. If the server 10B is receiving content data including all of the content, the content distribution unit 11B may transmit content data including all of the received content to the viewer terminal 30B. In this case, the content may be provided to the viewer terminal as on-demand distribution content.

[0066] In step S15B, the content display unit 31B plays back the content based on the received content data. The content display unit 31B plays back the content and displays a user interface that allows the user to specify a playback position in the content.

[0067] In step S16B, when the user of the viewer terminal 30B changes the playback position of the content by operating the user interface, the content display unit 31B transmits to the server 10B a timestamp of the position based on the playback position of the content played while the user operated the user interface. The timestamp storage unit 12B receives and stores the timestamp. For example, the timestamp is stored in association with the login ID of the user of the viewer terminal 30B and information identifying the content.

[0068] The timestamp storage unit 12B may store only one timestamp. In this case, for example, older timestamps stored in the viewer terminal 30B may be deleted, and only new timestamps may be stored. In another example, when attempting to store a new timestamp, the content display unit 31 may allow the user of the viewer terminal 30B to select which timestamp to store, and store only the selected timestamp.

[0069] The timestamp storage unit 12B may store multiple timestamps. In this case, for example, when the number of timestamps stored in the viewer terminal 30B has reached a predetermined number and a new timestamp is to be stored, the oldest timestamp stored in the viewer terminal 30B may be deleted and the new timestamp may be stored. In another example, when the number of timestamps stored in the viewer terminal 30B has reached a predetermined number and a new timestamp is to be stored, the user of the viewer terminal 30B may be allowed to select which timestamp to delete. In this case, when the user selects a timestamp, the selected timestamp is deleted and the new timestamp is stored.

[0070] After the timestamp is stored in the timestamp storage unit 12B, the content display unit 31B may receive the timestamp from the timestamp storage unit 12B and display a graphic associated with the timestamp together with the content. Alternatively, the content display unit 31B may store the timestamp in the terminal without receiving the timestamp from the timestamp storage unit 12B and display a graphic associated with the timestamp together with the content.

[0071] In step S18B, the first session ends. The session ends when the viewer terminal 30B logs out from the platform that provides the content management system 1B, or when the viewer terminal 30B does not perform any operation on the platform for a certain period of time.

[0072] In step S19B, the viewer terminal 30B starts a second session by logging in to the platform that provides the content management system 1B.

[0073] In step S20B, when the viewer terminal 30B that has started the second session requests to view the content that the viewer terminal 30B was playing in the first session, the content distribution unit 11B transmits to the viewer terminal 30B the content data of the content that the viewer terminal 30B was playing in the first session and the timestamp of the content that the viewer terminal 30B was playing in the first session, which was stored in the timestamp storage unit 12B.

[0074] In step S21B, the content display unit 31B plays back the content based on the received content data. The content display unit 31B plays back the content and displays a user interface that allows the user to specify a playback position in the content.

[0075] In step S22B, the content display unit 31 displays the graphic associated with the received timestamp together with the content.

[0076] In step S23B, in response to a user of the viewer terminal 30B performing an operation such as clicking or tapping on the graphic, the content display unit 31B changes the playback position of the content being played to a position based on the timestamp associated with the graphic on which the user performed the operation. This reduces the effort required for the user to adjust the playback position of the content. It also reduces the increase in the usage of computational resources and network resources due to multiple adjustments of the playback position of the content.

[0077] [Content Management System According to the Third Modification] The functional configuration and operation of a content management system 1C according to a third modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The content management system 1C includes a viewer terminal 30C. The content management system 1C differs from the content management system 1 in that it does not include a distributor terminal or a server. In the following, explanations of the commonalities between the content management system 1 and the content management system 1C may be omitted.

[0078] The content management system 1C differs from the content management system 1 in that the viewer terminal 30B includes a content storage unit 32C in addition to a content display unit 31C as a functional element.

[0079] The content display unit 31C is a functional element that reads content data from the content storage unit 32C described later, and displays the content via the output interface 206, a user interface that allows the user to specify the playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of the position based on the playback point of the content played while the user was operating the user interface.

[0080] The content storage unit 32C is a functional element that stores content data indicating content that changes over time. The content data may be content downloaded via the Internet or may be content created by the viewer terminal 30C. The content storage unit 32C saves the content data in an auxiliary storage unit of the viewer terminal 30C.

[0081] The processing flow of the content management system 1C according to the third modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In the following, explanations of points that are the same between the content management system 1 and the content management system 1C may be omitted.

[0082] In step S11C, the content display unit 31C reads out content data indicating the content from the content storage unit 32C.

[0083] In step S12C, the content display unit 31C plays back the content based on the read content data. As the content is played back, the content display unit 31C displays a user interface that allows the user to specify a playback position in the content.

[0084] In step S13C, when the user of the viewer terminal 30C changes the playback position of the content by operating the user interface, the content display unit 31 stores a timestamp of the position based on the playback point of the content that was played while the user was operating the user interface.

[0085] Once the timestamp is stored, the content display unit 31C displays a graphic associated with the stored timestamp together with the content. The graphic may be displayed overlaid on the content or in a separate area from the content.

[0086] In step S14C, in response to a user of the viewer terminal 30C performing an operation such as clicking or tapping on the graphic 303, the content display unit 31 changes the playback position of the content being played to a position based on the timestamp associated with the graphic 303 where the user performed the operation. This reduces the effort required by the user to adjust the playback position of the content. It also reduces the increase in the amount of computational resources used, which would otherwise be caused by adjusting the playback position of the content multiple times.

[0087] Any part or all of the functional units described herein may be realized by a program. The programs described herein may be distributed by being non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, distributed via a communication line (including wireless communication) such as the Internet, or distributed in a state where they are installed on any terminal. Alternatively, the programs may be programs that run on a web browser (so-called web apps). In this case, a computer may receive a program written in a markup language file (e.g., an HTML file) from a server and execute the program using the web browser.

[0088] Based on the above description, a person skilled in the art may be able to conceive additional effects and various modifications of the present invention, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible within the scope of the conceptual idea and spirit of the present invention, which is derived from the content defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0089] For example, what is described in this specification as a single device (or component, the same applies hereinafter) (including what is depicted as a single device in the drawings) may be realized by multiple devices. Conversely, what is described in this specification as multiple devices (including what is depicted as multiple devices in the drawings) may be realized by a single device. Alternatively, some or all of the means or functions included in a certain device (e.g., a server) may be included in another device (e.g., a user terminal). Furthermore, a "system" may consist of a single device, or may consist of two or more devices (e.g., a server and a user terminal, or multiple user terminals).

[0090] Furthermore, not all of the features described in this specification are essential requirements. In particular, features described in this specification but not included in the claims can be considered optional additional features.

[0091] It should be noted that the applicant is merely aware of the inventions disclosed in the documents listed in the "Prior Art Documents" section of this specification, and the present invention does not necessarily aim to solve the problems of the disclosed inventions. The problem that the present invention aims to solve should be determined by taking into consideration the entire specification. For example, if this specification states that a specific configuration achieves a certain effect, it can also be said that the present invention solves a problem that is the reverse of that effect. However, it is not necessarily intended that such a specific configuration be an essential requirement.

[0092] [Note] The present disclosure discloses the following configurations. [Section 1] A content management system including a terminal that displays content that changes over time, The terminal a content display unit that displays the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback position of the content that is played back while a user operation is being performed on the user interface; The content display unit changes the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic. [Section 2] Item 2. The content management system according to item 1, wherein the timestamp indicates the playback time of the content at the time when a user operation on the user interface is started. [Section 3] Item 2. The content management system according to item 1, wherein the timestamp indicates the playback time of the content immediately before the playback position is changed at the time when the user operation on the user interface is completed. [Section 4] the terminal further comprises a text providing unit that associates text entered by a user of the terminal with the graphic; 4. The content management system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the content display unit displays the text associated with the graphic together with the graphic. [Section 5] the content display unit displays a plurality of the graphics; 5. The content management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the plurality of graphics is associated with a timestamp at a different location. [Section 6] 6. The content management system according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the content display unit hides the graphic in response to a user operation on the graphic. [Section 7] A content management system described in any one of items 1 to 6, wherein, when the content played in a first session is also displayed in a second session after the first session, the content display unit displays the graphic in the second session in association with the timestamp of the content played in the first session. [Section 8] 1. A content management method in which one or more hardware processors display content that changes over time, comprising: a first step of displaying the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback position of the content that is played while a user operation is being performed on the user interface; a second step of changing the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic. [Section 9] A content management device that displays content that changes over time, a content display unit that displays the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback position of the content that is played back while a user operation is being performed on the user interface; The content display unit changes the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic. [Section 10] 1. A content management program that causes one or more hardware processors to display content that changes over time, comprising: a first step of displaying the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback position of the content that is played while a user operation is being performed on the user interface; a second step of changing the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1...content management system, 10...server, 20...distributor terminal, 30...viewer terminal, 11...content distribution unit, 21...content generation unit, 31...content display unit

Claims

1. A content management system including a terminal that displays content that changes over time, The terminal a content display unit that displays the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback time of the content at a time when a user operation on the user interface is started; The content display unit changes the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic.

2. The content management system described in Claim 1, wherein the content display unit sets the playback position of the content to the playback time of the content at the time when the user operation on the user interface is started, in accordance with the user operation on the graphic.

3. The content display unit displaying another graphic associated with another timestamp based on the playback time of the content immediately before the change of the playback position at the time when the user operation on the user interface is completed; The content management system according to claim 1 , wherein, in response to a user operation on the other graphic, the playback position of the content is set to the playback time of the content immediately before the change of the playback position at the time when the user operation on the user interface is completed.

4. the terminal further comprises a text providing unit that associates text entered by a user of the terminal with the graphic; The content management system according to claim 1 , wherein the content display unit displays the text associated with the graphic together with the graphic.

5. The user interface is a seek bar, The content management system of claim 1 , wherein the graphic is placed at a position on the seek bar that corresponds to an associated timestamp.

6. The content management system according to claim 1 , wherein the content display unit hides the graphic in response to a user operation on the graphic.

7. 2. The content management system of claim 1, wherein, when the content played in a first session started by logging in to a platform that provides the content management system is also requested in a second session started by logging off from the first session and then logging in to the platform again, the content display unit displays the graphic in the second session in association with the timestamp of the content played in the first session.

8. 1. A content management method in which one or more hardware processors display content that changes over time, comprising: a first step of displaying the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback time of the content at a time when a user operation on the user interface is started; a second step of changing the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic.

9. A content management device that displays content that changes over time, a content display unit that displays the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback time of the content at a time when a user operation on the user interface is started; The content display unit changes the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic.

10. 1. A content management program that causes one or more hardware processors to display content that changes over time, comprising: a first step of displaying the content, a user interface that allows a user to specify a playback position of the content, and a graphic associated with a timestamp of a position based on a playback time of the content at a time when a user operation on the user interface is started; a second step of changing the playback position of the content to a position based on the timestamp in response to a user operation on the graphic.

Images