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] The content management system includes a content distribution unit that distributes image content, which is a moving image; a thumbnail generation unit that generates a text-accompanying thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two points in time in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to points in time between the two points in time, and associates the two points in time with the generated text-accompanying thumbnail image; and a content display unit that displays the image content, an interface that specifies the reference point in time for the image content, and a text-accompanying thumbnail image associated with two points in time that include the reference point indicated by the interface.

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 A technique is known for displaying thumbnail images of video content as an aid when searching for a playback position of video content using a seek bar.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a scale is displayed overlaid on a video image, a cursor indicating a desired playback position is displayed on the scale, and an image index closest to the desired playback position calculated from the cursor position is displayed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-153130 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In content with little or no change in visual information, there was a problem in that thumbnail images were not useful for locating the playback position when using the seek bar to locate the playback position in the content.

[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 distribution unit that distributes image content that is a moving image; a thumbnail generation unit that generates a text-attached thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associates the generated text-attached thumbnail image with the two time points; A content management system comprising: image content; an interface for specifying a reference time point for the image content; and a content display unit for displaying thumbnail images with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included.

[0008] A content management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a content distribution unit that distributes audio content associated with image content; a thumbnail generation unit that generates a text-attached thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associates the generated text-attached thumbnail image with the two time points; This is a content management system that plays audio content and includes image content, an interface for specifying a reference time point for the audio content, and a content display unit that displays thumbnail images with text associated with two points in time between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is located.

[0009] A content management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a content distribution unit that distributes image content including a plurality of unit contents whose display order is determined; a thumbnail generating unit that generates a text-attached thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two or more consecutive unit contents in the image content and text based on comments posted in correspondence with the two or more consecutive unit contents, and associates the generated text-attached thumbnail image with the two or more consecutive unit contents; A content management system comprising image content, an interface for specifying reference unit content of the image content, and a content display unit for displaying thumbnail images with text associated with two or more consecutive unit contents including the reference unit content indicated by the interface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] 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]

[0011] [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 diagram illustrating an example of a content display screen of the content management system of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another 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 sequence diagram illustrating the processing flow of the content management system of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration related to a content management system according to a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content display screen of a content management system according to the first modified example. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing flow of the content management system according to the first modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 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.

[0013] [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 refers to information provided by a computer or computer system that can be recognized by humans, such as audio content, video content expressed by video that may include audio, and e-books that include at least one of text and images. The video content includes video generated in advance by an imaging device or the like, and computer graphics (CG) generated in real time.

[0014] In one example, the content management system provides content to users by distributing content data to user terminals. Distributing content refers to a process performed to provide content to users, such as transmitting information to user terminals via a communication network N.

[0015] The user terminal reproduces 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 viewers through a content management system and is a content provider. A viewer is a person who intends to obtain information through a content management system and is a content user.

[0016] The content management system transmits content data provided by a 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 are sometimes collectively referred to as users, and distributor terminals and viewer terminals are sometimes collectively referred to as user terminals.

[0017] In one example, the content management system may distribute video content in real time. 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. "Real time" means that data is transmitted and received over the same connection after communication between the server (content management system) and the client terminal (user terminal) is established, and there may be delays in the transmission of the content data due to data communication, data processing, etc.

[0018] The content management system receives the content data and transmits the content data in real time to the viewer terminal, thereby delivering live streaming content.

[0019] The content data may be generated in a content management system. That is, the content management system may encode real-time video provided from a distributor terminal to generate content data, and transmit the content data to a viewer terminal in real time.

[0020] The content management system may also be used to archive content so that it can be viewed for a given period of time after real-time distribution.

[0021] 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, content data generated by processing previously recorded audio, or content data containing at least one of previously created text and images in at least one of storage devices such as an origin server and a cache server.

[0022] The content management system transmits the stored content data to the viewer terminal in response to a request from the viewer.

[0023] 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.

[0024] [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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] Distributors operate distributor terminal 20 to log in to content management system 1, thereby providing 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] As an example, the terminal computer 200 includes, as hardware components, a processor 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary memory unit 203, a communication unit 204, an input interface 205, and an output interface 206.

[0032] 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.

[0033] The main memory unit 202 is a device that stores programs to be executed, calculation results, etc., and is generally a device that can read and write data faster than the auxiliary memory unit 203 described below, and is composed of a volatile storage medium such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0034] The auxiliary storage unit 203 is generally a device capable of storing larger amounts of data than the main storage unit 202, and is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or flash memory. The auxiliary storage unit 203 stores the client program P2 for causing the terminal computer 200 to function as the distributor terminal 20 or the viewer terminal 30, and various data.

[0035] The communication unit 204 is a device that executes data communication with other computers via the communication network N.

[0036] The input interface 205 is a device that accepts data based on user operations or actions, and is configured with at least one of a keyboard, operation buttons, a pointing device, a touch panel, a microphone, a sensor, and a camera, for example.

[0037] The output interface 206 is a device that outputs data processed by the terminal computer 200, and is configured to include, for example, a display device such as a display.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration related to the content management system 1. The server 10 includes a thumbnail generating unit 11, a content distribution unit 12, and a comment receiving unit 13 as functional elements.

[0041] The thumbnail generator 11 is a functional element that generates a commented thumbnail image (described later) associated with a content reference position. The content reference position is information for searching for a specific position in the content, such as the playback time of video content and audio content, and the page number indicating the display position of e-book content.

[0042] If the content is video content, the reference positions are any two points in the video. For example, the content positions are specified as "2 minutes 30 seconds" and "2 minutes 45 seconds" based on the start of the video (this can also be said to specify the time from 2 minutes 30 seconds to 2 minutes 45 seconds in the video).

[0043] If the content is audio content, image content (hereinafter referred to as cover art as an example) associated with the audio content is distributed. This cover art may be a video or a still image. The reference positions are any two points in time in the cover art. If the cover art is a still image, the thumbnails associated with either reference position may be reduced versions of the still image.

[0044] If the content is an e-book, it is composed of multiple pages (hereinafter, each of which may be referred to as a unit content) with a set display order. Each page contains at least one of an image and text. Even if each page contains only text, it will be called image content because it will be displayed as an image when displayed. The reference position is any two or more consecutive pages, for example, specified as "pages 5 to 10."

[0045] The content distribution unit 12 is a functional element that distributes thumbnail images, reference positions, and content data to the viewer terminal 30. As described above, if the content is video content, the content data is video data. If the content is audio, the content data is cover art. If the content is an electronic book, the content data is image data of multiple pages (unit content).

[0046] In one example, the thumbnail image is delivered as a sprite image. If the content is video content, the sprite image is composed of image files in which multiple frames included in the video are arranged in a tiled pattern. The images that make up the sprite image may be reduced images of the original content. The sprite image may be a single image file or multiple image files.

[0047] The content distribution unit 12 may distribute data in the same file format as the content data received from the distributor terminal 20 as content data, or may distribute data that has been transcoded from the content data received from the distributor terminal 20 as content data.

[0048] The comment receiving unit 13 is a functional element that receives comments from the viewer terminal 30.

[0049] 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.

[0050] The viewer terminal 30 includes functional elements including a content display unit 31 and a comment posting unit 32. The content display unit 31 is a functional element that receives content, thumbnail images, and reference positions associated with the thumbnail images from the server 10, and displays content data, a seek bar that can specify the display position of the content, and a thumbnail image corresponding to the position indicated by the seek bar via the output interface 206. The comment posting unit 32 is a functional element that posts a comment on the displayed content in association with a reference position. If the content is a video, the reference position may be the time when the comment was displayed at the time of comment submission (i.e., the time in the video when the comment was submitted). If the content is audio, the reference position may be the time when the comment was being played at the time of comment submission (i.e., the time in the audio when the comment was submitted). If the content is an e-book, the reference position may be the page displayed at the time of comment submission (i.e., the page in the e-book when the comment was submitted).

[0051] The seek bar is an example of an interface. The reference point may be specified by other interfaces (such as by directly inputting a specific reference point).

[0052] The content display unit 31 determines which frame image included in the sprite image is to be displayed as a thumbnail image based on the reference position associated with the thumbnail image.

[0053] [Content display screen] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a content display screen when the content is video content. In this example, a video player, a comment posting field for posting comments on the video content, and an information display field for displaying information about the video content being played are displayed on the display screen 300 of the viewer terminal 30.

[0054] The video player displays content 301, a seek bar 302, comments 303, and thumbnail images 304. In Fig. 4, content 301 is displayed at 48 minutes and 15 seconds after the start of distribution of the live video (LIVE).

[0055] The viewer terminal 30 receives comments posted on the displayed content from the server 10 and displays them on the video player.

[0056] In this example, comment 303 is displayed superimposed on content 301, moving from right to left according to the timestamp associated with the comment. The direction of movement of comment 303 is not limited to right to left, and for example, comment 303 may be displayed superimposed on content 301, moving from bottom to top. Furthermore, comment 303 may be displayed as a pop-up superimposed on content 301, and then disappear after a certain period of time has passed.

[0057] In this example, thumbnail image 304 is associated with the playback position indicated by the position of cursor C on seek bar 302, and is displayed superimposed on the content above the seek bar. Thumbnail image 304 is an image in which the comment "www," which was superimposed on the content when the content that became the thumbnail image was displayed, is superimposed on a reduced image of the content.

[0058] The comment posting field displays a text box 305 for entering a comment and a post button 306 for posting the entered text. A viewer or distributor playing video content can post a comment on the video content being played by entering text in text box 305 and pressing post button 306.

[0059] The information display field displays a number of views 307, a number of comments 308, and a comment list 309. The number of views 307 indicates the number of times the video content being played has been played. The number of comments 308 indicates the total number of comments posted for the video content being played. The comment list 309 displays a list of comments posted for the video content being displayed, which were received from the server 10. The comment list 309 does not need to display all comments at once, as long as all comments can be viewed by scrolling. The comment list 309 may not display all posted comments, but may display only comments from all posted comments, excluding inappropriate comments, etc.

[0060] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a content display screen when the content is audio content. In this example, the display screen 300a of the viewer terminal 30a displays an audio player, a comment posting field for posting comments on the audio content, and an information display field for displaying information about the audio content being played.

[0061] The audio player displays content 301a, a seek bar 302a, comments 303a, and a thumbnail image 304a. In this example, content 301a is the cover art of the audio content. Content 301a is displayed while the audio player is playing the audio of the audio content. In FIG. 5, the audio is being played at 1 minute 8 seconds into a 3 minute 36 second piece of music, and the cover art at that time is displayed as content 301a. Note that the cover art may be a still image that is not dependent on the playback time.

[0062] The viewer terminal 30a receives comments posted on the displayed content from the server 10 and displays them on the audio player.

[0063] In this example, comment 303a is displayed superimposed on content 301a, moving from right to left according to the timestamp associated with the comment. The direction of movement of comment 303a is not limited to right to left, and for example, comment 303a may be displayed superimposed on content 301a, moving from bottom to top. Furthermore, comment 303a may be displayed as a pop-up superimposed on content 301a, and then disappear after a certain time has passed.

[0064] In this example, thumbnail image 304a is associated with the playback position indicated by the position of cursor Ca on seek bar 302a, and is displayed above the seek bar, overlapping the content. Thumbnail image 304a is an image in which the comment "www," which was displayed superimposed on the content when the content that became the thumbnail image was displayed, is superimposed on a reduced image of the content.

[0065] The comment posting field displays a text box 305a for entering a comment and a post button 306a for posting the entered text. A viewer or a distributor playing audio content can post a comment on the audio content being played by entering text in the text box 305a and pressing the post button 306a.

[0066] The information display field displays a playback count 307a, a comment count 308a, and a comment list 309a. The playback count 307a indicates the number of times the audio content being played has been played. The comment count 308a indicates the total number of comments posted for the audio content being played. The comment list 309a displays a list of comments posted for the audio content being played, which were received from the server 10. The comment list 309a does not need to display all comments at once, as long as all comments can be viewed by scrolling. The comment list 309a may not display all posted comments, but may display only comments from all posted comments, excluding inappropriate comments, etc.

[0067] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a content display screen when the content is an electronic book content. In this example, an electronic book viewer, a comment posting field for posting comments on the electronic book content, and an information display field for displaying information about the electronic book content being played are displayed on the display screen 300b of the viewer terminal 30b.

[0068] The electronic book viewer displays content 301b, a seek bar 302b, comments 303b, and thumbnail images 304b. In Fig. 6, page 206 of the 328-page electronic book is displayed as content 301b.

[0069] The viewer terminal 30b receives comments posted on the displayed content from the server 10 and displays them on the electronic book viewer.

[0070] In this example, comment 303b is displayed superimposed on content 301b, moving from right to left depending on the display position associated with the comment (for example, the page number). The movement direction of comment 303b is not limited to right to left, and for example, comment 303b may be displayed superimposed on content 301b, moving from bottom to top. Furthermore, comment 303b may be displayed as a pop-up superimposed on content 301b, and then disappear after a certain period of time has passed.

[0071] In this example, thumbnail image 304b is associated with the playback position indicated by the position of cursor Cb on seek bar 302b, and is displayed above the seek bar, overlapping the content. Thumbnail image 304b is an image in which the comment "www," which was displayed superimposed on the content when the content that became the thumbnail image was displayed, is superimposed on a reduced image of the content.

[0072] The comment posting field displays a text box 305b for entering a comment and a post button 306b for posting the entered text. A viewer or a distributor playing back electronic book content can post a comment on the electronic book content being played back by entering text in the text box 305b and pressing the post button 306b.

[0073] The information display field displays a number of views 307b, a number of comments 308b, and a comment list 309b. The number of views 307b indicates the number of times the displayed e-book content has been viewed. The number of comments 308b indicates the total number of comments posted for the displayed e-book content. The comment list 309b displays a list of comments posted for the displayed e-book content, which have been received from the server 10. The comment list 309b does not need to display all comments at once, as long as all comments can be viewed by scrolling. The comment list 309b may not display all posted comments, but may display only comments from all posted comments, excluding inappropriate comments and the like.

[0074] [System Operation] A processing flow of the content management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0075] In step S11, the content generating unit 21 generates content data indicating the content.

[0076] 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 30 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 30 as on-demand distribution content.

[0077] In step S13, the content distribution unit 12 distributes content data to the viewer terminal 30 in response to a request from the viewer terminal 30 for which a connection with the server 10 has been established.

[0078] In step S14, the content display unit 31 displays the content based on the received content data.

[0079] In step S15, the comment posting unit 32 posts a comment in association with the reference position of the content being displayed.

[0080] In step S16, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a text-added thumbnail image based on the content data and the comments received by the comment receiving unit 13. A reference position at which the text-added thumbnail image is displayed is associated with the text-added thumbnail image. In this embodiment, the text-added thumbnail image is generated by generating an image on which text based on the comment associated with the reference position included in the reference position associated with the text-added thumbnail image is superimposed. The reference position associated with the text-added thumbnail image may be set by the display start position and display end position of the thumbnail image, or may be set by the length of time the text-added thumbnail image is displayed and the order in which the thumbnail images are displayed.

[0081] The text based comment may be some or all of the comment associated with the reference location included in the reference location associated with the thumbnail image.

[0082] The comment-based text may be a portion of comments selected based on a predetermined criterion from all comments associated with reference locations included in the reference location associated with the thumbnail image. In this case, at least one of the following criteria may be used: the number of favorable reactions is greater than a predetermined number; the comment was posted more recently than a predetermined date and time; and the comment does not contain inappropriate language. A known method may be used for the selection, such as using artificial intelligence technology.

[0083] The text based on the comment may be a comment summarizing all or some of the comments associated with the reference location included in the reference location associated with the thumbnail image. The text based on the comment may also be a text summarizing the comment and at least one of text describing the situation of the thumbnail image and text transcribed from audio played at the reference location associated with the thumbnail image. Known techniques may be used for summarizing and transcribing, and artificial intelligence technology, for example, may be used.

[0084] When content display unit 31 displays comments superimposed on content, the text based on the comments may be part or all of the comments superimposed on the content when the scene corresponding to the thumbnail image is displayed. For example, if the thumbnail image is a reduced image of the video content at 2 minutes 30 seconds, the text based on the comments may be part or all of the comments displayed during the display of the scene at 2 minutes 30 seconds in the video content.

[0085] As an example, the thumbnail generation unit 11 can generate thumbnail images in the following procedure. First, the thumbnail generation unit 11 acquires an image of a scene to be used as a thumbnail image. Next, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates an image in which text based on the comment is superimposed on the corresponding image. Finally, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a sprite image in which the generated images are arranged in a tiled pattern.

[0086] When the content is video content, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a thumbnail image with text from thumbnails corresponding to two time points in the video content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points between the two time points, and can associate the two time points with the generated thumbnail image with text.

[0087] As a specific example, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a thumbnail image by reducing the size of the scene at 2 minutes 30 seconds, corresponding to the time between 2 minutes 30 seconds and 2 minutes 45 seconds in the video content.The thumbnail generation unit 11 then generates a text-added thumbnail image by superimposing text based on a comment posted when the video content is displayed at any time between these two time points, "2 minutes 30 seconds" and "2 minutes 45 seconds," on the reduced image.The thumbnail generation unit 11 also associates the generated text-added thumbnail image with the two time points, "2 minutes 30 seconds" and "2 minutes 45 seconds."

[0088] In the above example, the thumbnail image is a thumbnail of image content at a specific time, 2 minutes 30 seconds, in the video content. Furthermore, a comment posted at the time when the video content is displayed at 2 minutes 30 seconds may be displayed superimposed on the scene at 2 minutes 30 seconds in the video content. Therefore, for the time point of 2 minutes 30 seconds, the comment displayed at the time when the thumbnail image is displayed as video content is used as text. The display position of the comment in the video content may be the same as the display position of the comment in the thumbnail image with text.

[0089] If there is no comment posted at the relevant time, the thumbnail generating unit 11 may treat the reduced image itself as a thumbnail image with text (the same applies below).

[0090] More specifically, when the content is video content and the content display unit 31 displays comments superimposed and moving on the video, the thumbnail generation unit 11 can generate thumbnail images that reproduce the display format of the comments by generating thumbnail images with text according to the following procedure, for example. First, the thumbnail generation unit 11 acquires frames of the video at the scene (timing) to be used as the text-added thumbnail image. Next, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates, for each frame of the acquired video, an image that reproduces the moving display of the comments while making the parts other than the comments transparent, using a renderer created with the same algorithm as the renderer that displays the moving comments on the video. After that, the thumbnail generation unit 11 superimposes images displaying the comments on the corresponding frames. Finally, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates sprite images in which the generated thumbnail images with text are arranged in a tiled pattern.

[0091] When the content is audio content, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a thumbnail image with text from thumbnails corresponding to two points in time in the image content (cover art) and text based on comments posted corresponding to points in time between the two points in time, and can associate the two points in time with the generated thumbnail image with text.

[0092] As a specific example, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a thumbnail image by reducing the cover art at 2 minutes 30 seconds, corresponding to the time between 2 minutes 30 seconds and 2 minutes 45 seconds in the audio content.The thumbnail generation unit 11 then generates a thumbnail image with text by superimposing text based on a comment posted while the audio content was being played at any time between "2 minutes 30 seconds" and "2 minutes 45 seconds" on the reduced image.The thumbnail generation unit 11 also associates the generated thumbnail image with the two time points, "2 minutes 30 seconds" and "2 minutes 45 seconds."

[0093] In the above example, the thumbnail image is a thumbnail image of the image content (cover art) at a specific time, 2 minutes 30 seconds, in the audio content. Furthermore, a comment posted at 2 minutes 30 seconds into the audio content may be displayed superimposed on the scene at 2 minutes 30 seconds into the image content. Therefore, for the 2 minutes 30 second point, the comment displayed when the thumbnail image is displayed as image content is used as text. The display position of the comment in the image content may be the same as the display position of the comment in the thumbnail image with text.

[0094] More specifically, when the content is audio content and the content display unit 31 displays moving comments while playing audio, the thumbnail generation unit 11 can generate thumbnail images with text that reproduce the display format of the comments by, for example, generating thumbnail images with text according to the following procedure. First, the thumbnail generation unit 11 acquires at least one of a cover art image of the content to be used as a thumbnail image, an image showing the audio waveform of the scene to be used as a thumbnail image, or an image displaying lyrics. Next, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates, for each acquired image, an image that reproduces the moving display of the comments while making the portions other than the comments transparent, using a renderer created using the same algorithm as the renderer that displays the moving comments. Then, the thumbnail generation unit 11 superimposes the image displaying the comments on each corresponding image. Finally, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates sprite images in which the generated thumbnail images with text are arranged in a tiled pattern.

[0095] When the content is image content including a plurality of unit contents (e.g., a plurality of pages) whose display order is determined, such as electronic book content, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a thumbnail image with text from thumbnail images corresponding to two or more consecutive unit contents in the image content and text based on comments posted in correspondence with the two or more consecutive unit content images, and can associate the two or more consecutive unit contents with the generated thumbnail image with text.

[0096] As a specific example, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a thumbnail image by reducing the image on page 5, which corresponds to pages 5 to 10 in the electronic book content. Then, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a thumbnail image with text by superimposing text based on a comment posted when one of the six consecutive pages, "pages 5 to 10," is displayed on the reduced image. The thumbnail generation unit 11 also associates the six consecutive pages, "pages 5 to 10," with the generated thumbnail image.

[0097] In the above example, the thumbnail image is a thumbnail image of the image content at a specific time, page 5, in the electronic book content. Furthermore, a comment posted when page 5 of the electronic book content is displayed may be displayed superimposed on page 5 of the electronic book content. Therefore, for page 5, the comment displayed when the thumbnail image is displayed as image content is used as text. The display position of the comment in the image content may be the same as the display position of the comment in the thumbnail image with text.

[0098] More specifically, when the content is e-book content and the content display unit 31 moves comments over the content, the thumbnail generation unit 11 can generate thumbnail images that reproduce the display format of the comments by, for example, generating thumbnail images according to the following procedure. First, the thumbnail generation unit 11 acquires a capture image of the page to be used as the thumbnail image. Next, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates, for each acquired image, an image that reproduces the moving display of the comments while making the parts other than the comments transparent, using a renderer created using the same algorithm as the renderer that moves the comments. After that, the thumbnail generation unit 11 superimposes an image that displays the comments on each corresponding capture image. Finally, the thumbnail generation unit 11 generates a sprite image in which the generated images are arranged in a tiled pattern.

[0099] In step S17, the content distribution unit 12 transmits the content data, the thumbnail image with the comment, and the reference position to the viewer terminal 30 in response to a request from the viewer terminal 30 that has established a connection with the server 10.

[0100] In step S18, the content display unit 31 plays the content based on the received content data (displaying video in video content, playing audio and displaying cover art in audio content, displaying each page in an e-book, etc.), and displays a seek bar that allows the playback position of the content to be specified.

[0101] In step S19, when the user of the viewer terminal 30 changes the cursor position of the slider of the seek bar, the content display unit 31 displays a thumbnail image with a comment associated with the reference position corresponding to the cursor position.

[0102] For example, if the content is video or audio content and the seek bar indicates 2 minutes 40 seconds as the reference time, the content display unit 31 displays thumbnail images with text associated with two time points that include 2 minutes 40 seconds (in the above example, 2 minutes 30 seconds to 2 minutes 45 seconds).

[0103] Suppose the content image is an electronic book, and the seek bar indicates page 7 as the reference page. In this case, the content display unit 31 displays thumbnail images with text associated with two or more consecutive pages (pages 5 to 10 in the above example) that include page 7.

[0104] By including text in the thumbnail images, the user of the viewer terminal 30 can obtain more information from the thumbnail images and adjust the playback position of the content more accurately, thereby reducing the effort required to adjust the playback position of the content and suppressing an increase in the amount of computational resources used. Furthermore, since the playback position of the content can be adjusted from the thumbnail image even for content with little or no change in visual information, there is no need to play the content and check the position each time to adjust the playback position, thereby suppressing an increase in the amount of network resources used.

[0105] [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 8 to 10. 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.

[0106] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration related to the content management system 1 A. The server 10 A includes, as functional elements, a thumbnail generating unit 11 A, a content distributing unit 12 A, and a comment receiving unit 13 A.

[0107] The distributor terminal 20A includes a content generation unit 21A as a functional element.

[0108] The viewer terminal 30 has, as functional elements, a content display unit 31A and a comment posting unit 32A. The content display unit 31A determines which frame image included in the sprite image to display as a thumbnail image based on the reference position associated with the thumbnail image. The content display unit 31A acquires a comment associated with the reference position included in the reference position associated with the thumbnail image to be displayed, and displays text based on the acquired comment superimposed on the thumbnail image.

[0109] [Content display screen] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a content display screen when the content is video content. In this example, a video player, a comment posting field for posting comments on the video content, and an information display field for displaying information about the video content being played are displayed on the display screen 300A of the viewer terminal 30A.

[0110] The video player displays content 301A, a seek bar 302A, comments 303A, and thumbnail images 304A. Comments 303A are superimposed and displayed on top of content 301A, moving from right to left.

[0111] The viewer terminal 30A receives comments posted on the displayed content from the server 10 and displays them on the video player.

[0112] In this example, comment 303A is displayed superimposed on content 301A, moving from right to left. The direction of movement of comment 303A is not limited to right to left, and for example, comment 303A may be displayed superimposed on content 301A, moving from bottom to top. Furthermore, comment 303A may be displayed as a pop-up superimposed on content 301A, and then disappear after a certain period of time has passed.

[0113] In this example, thumbnail image 304A is associated with the playback position indicated by the position of cursor CA on seek bar 302A, and is displayed above the seek bar, overlapping the content. Thumbnail image 304A is an image in which the comment "www," which was displayed superimposed on the content when the content that became the thumbnail image was displayed, is superimposed on a reduced image of the content.

[0114] The comment posting field displays a text box 305A for entering a comment and a post button 306A for posting the entered text.

[0115] The information display field displays the number of views 307A, the number of comments 308A, and a list of comments 309A.

[0116] [System Operation] The processing flow of the content management system 1A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0117] In step S11A, the content generating unit 21A generates content data indicating the content.

[0118] In step S12A, the content generation unit 21A transmits the content data to the server 10A with which a connection with the distributor terminal 20A has been established.

[0119] In step S13A, the content distribution unit 12A distributes content data to the viewer terminal 30A in response to a request from the viewer terminal 30A that has established a connection with the server 10A.

[0120] In step S14A, the content display unit 31A plays back the content based on the received content data.

[0121] In step S15A, the comment posting unit 32A posts a comment in association with the reference position of the content being played back.

[0122] In step S16A, the thumbnail image generating unit generates thumbnail images based on the content data, and the thumbnail images are associated with reference positions at which the thumbnail images are displayed.

[0123] In step S17A, the content distribution unit 12A transmits content data, a thumbnail image, a reference position, and a comment received by the comment receiving unit 13A to the viewer terminal 30A in response to a request from the viewer terminal 30A that has established a connection with the server 10A. The transmitted comments include not only comments posted by the viewer terminal 30A itself, but also comments posted by other viewer terminals. The comments are also associated with the reference position of the content.

[0124] In step S18A, the content display unit 31A plays the content based on the received content data (displaying video in video content, playing audio and displaying cover art in audio content, displaying each page in an e-book, etc.), and displays a seek bar that allows the playback position of the content to be specified.

[0125] In step S19A, when the user of the viewer terminal 30A changes the cursor position of the slider of the seek bar, the content display unit 31A displays a thumbnail image associated with a reference position corresponding to the cursor position. At this time, the content display unit 31A displays a thumbnail image with text, which is a thumbnail image with text based on the comment superimposed thereon, by drawing the text based on the comment, which is included in the reference position associated with the thumbnail image, in real time.

[0126] For example, if the content is video or audio content and the seek bar indicates 2 minutes 40 seconds as the reference time, the content display unit 31A displays thumbnail images with text associated with two time points that include 2 minutes 40 seconds (in the above example, 2 minutes 30 seconds to 2 minutes 45 seconds).

[0127] Suppose the content image is an electronic book, and the seek bar indicates page 7 as the reference page. In this case, content display unit 31A displays thumbnail images with text associated with two or more consecutive pages (pages 5 to 10 in the above example) that include page 7.

[0128] By including text in the thumbnail images, the user of the viewer terminal 30A can obtain more information from the thumbnail images and adjust the playback position of the content more accurately, thereby reducing the effort required to adjust the playback position of the content and suppressing an increase in the amount of computational resources used. Furthermore, since the playback position of the content can be adjusted from the thumbnail image even for content with little or no change in visual information, there is no need to play the content and check the position each time to adjust the playback position, thereby suppressing an increase in the amount of network resources used.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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).

[0132] Furthermore, not all of the matters described in this specification are essential requirements. In particular, matters described in this specification but not described in the claims can be considered optional additional matters. Furthermore, if a certain generic concept is described in this specification but a specific subordinate concept is not mentioned, that specific subordinate concept may or may not be applied (i.e., this specification discloses the generic concept excluding the specific subordinate concept). Furthermore, if there is no mention of whether or not a certain device (method) includes a specific configuration (step), that specific configuration (step) may or may not be included.

[0133] 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.

[0134] [Note] This specification discloses the following configurations. [Section 1] a content distribution unit that distributes image content that is a moving image; a thumbnail generation unit that generates a text-attached thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associates the generated text-attached thumbnail image with the two time points; A content management system comprising: the image content; an interface for specifying a reference time point for the image content; and a content display unit for displaying a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is located. [Section 2] a content distribution unit that distributes audio content associated with image content; a thumbnail generation unit that generates a text-attached thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associates the generated text-attached thumbnail image with the two time points; A content management system comprising: a content display unit that plays the audio content, the image content, an interface that specifies a reference time point for the audio content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included. [Section 3] a content distribution unit that distributes image content including a plurality of unit contents whose display order is determined; a thumbnail generating unit that generates a text-attached thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two or more consecutive unit contents in the image content and text based on comments posted in correspondence with the two or more consecutive unit contents, and associates the two or more consecutive unit contents with the generated text-attached thumbnail image; A content management system comprising the image content, an interface for specifying reference unit content of the image content, and a content display unit for displaying thumbnail images with text associated with two or more consecutive unit contents including the reference unit content indicated by the interface. [Section 4] the thumbnail image is a reduced image of the image content at a predetermined timing, the content display unit displays the comment superimposed on the image content; 4. The content management system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the thumbnail generation unit uses, as the text, the comment that is displayed when the reduced image is displayed as the image content. [Section 5] the text is displayed at a predetermined display position on the image content; 5. The content management system according to item 4, wherein the thumbnail generation unit generates the thumbnail image by overlaying the text in the same position as the text is displayed when the reduced image is displayed as the image content. [Section 6] 6. A content management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thumbnail generation unit uses, as the text, comments posted in response that have received a predetermined number or more of favorable ratings. [Section 7] 4. The content management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thumbnail generating unit uses a summary that summarizes the corresponding posted comment as the text. [Section 8] 6. The content management system according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the thumbnail generation unit generates the thumbnail image with text by generating an image in which the text is superimposed on the thumbnail image. [Section 9] 9. The content management system according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the thumbnail generation unit generates the thumbnail image with text by drawing the text superimposed on the thumbnail image in real time. [Section 10] One or more hardware processors a first step of distributing image content that is a moving image; a second step of generating a text-added thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associating the generated text-added thumbnail image with the two time points; A content management method that executes a third step of displaying the image content, an interface for specifying a reference time point for the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included. [Section 11] One or more hardware processors a first step of delivering audio content having associated image content; a second step of generating a text-added thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associating the generated text-added thumbnail image with the two time points; A content management method that plays the audio content and executes a third step of displaying the image content, an interface for specifying a reference point for the audio content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two points in time between which is the reference point indicated by the interface. [Section 12] One or more hardware processors A first step of delivering image content including a plurality of unit contents whose display order is determined; a second step of generating text-added thumbnail images from thumbnail images corresponding to two or more consecutive unit contents in the image content and text based on comments posted in correspondence with the two or more consecutive unit contents, and associating the generated text-added thumbnail images with the two or more consecutive unit contents; A content management method that executes the image content, an interface for specifying reference unit content of the image content, and a third step of displaying a thumbnail image with text associated with two or more consecutive unit contents including the reference unit content indicated by the interface. [Section 13] a content receiving unit that receives image content, which is a moving image, and a thumbnail image with text; a content display unit that displays the image content, an interface for specifying a reference time point of the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included; A content display device in which the thumbnail image with text is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two points in time in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to points in time between the two points in time. [Section 14] a content receiving unit that receives audio content associated with image content and a thumbnail image with text; a content display unit that displays the audio content, an interface for specifying a reference time point of the audio content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included; A content display device in which the thumbnail image with text is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two points in time in the audio content and text based on comments posted corresponding to points in time between the two points in time. [Section 15] a content receiving unit that receives image content including a plurality of unit contents whose display order is determined, and a thumbnail image with text; a content display unit that displays the image content, an interface for specifying a reference time point of the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included; A content display device in which the thumbnail image with text is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two points in time in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to points in time between the two points in time. [Section 16] One or more hardware processors, receiving image content, which is a moving image, and a thumbnail image with text, the thumbnail image with text being generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points; A content display program that executes the steps of displaying the image content, an interface that specifies a reference time point for the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included. [Section 17] One or more hardware processors receiving audio content associated with image content and a thumbnail image with text, wherein the thumbnail image with text is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the audio content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points between the two time points; A content display program that executes the steps of displaying the audio content, an interface that specifies a reference time point for the audio content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included. [Section 18] One or more hardware processors receiving image content including a plurality of unit contents whose display order is determined, and a text-attached thumbnail image, wherein the text-attached thumbnail image is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points; A content display program that executes the steps of displaying the image content, an interface that specifies a reference time point for the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 1...content management system, 10...server, 20...distributor terminal, 30...viewer terminal, 11...thumbnail generation unit, 12...content distribution unit, 21...content generation unit, 31...content display unit, 32...comment posting unit

Claims

1. a content distribution unit that distributes image content that is a moving image; a thumbnail generation unit that generates a text-attached thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associates the generated text-attached thumbnail image with the two time points; A content management system comprising: a content display unit that displays the image content, an interface that specifies a reference time point for the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is located.

2. a content distribution unit that distributes audio content associated with image content; a thumbnail generation unit that generates a text-attached thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associates the generated text-attached thumbnail image with the two time points; A content management system comprising: a content display unit that plays the audio content, the image content, an interface that specifies a reference point for the audio content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two points in time that include the reference point indicated by the interface.

3. a content distribution unit that distributes image content including a plurality of unit contents whose display order is determined; a thumbnail generating unit that generates a text-attached thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two or more consecutive unit contents in the image content and text based on comments posted in correspondence with the two or more consecutive unit contents, and associates the two or more consecutive unit contents with the generated text-attached thumbnail image; A content management system comprising the image content, an interface for specifying reference unit content of the image content, and a content display unit for displaying thumbnail images with text associated with two or more consecutive unit contents including the reference unit content indicated by the interface.

4. the thumbnail image is a reduced image of the image content at a predetermined timing, the content display unit displays the comment superimposed on the image content; The content management system according to claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail generating unit uses, as the text, the comment that is displayed when the reduced image is displayed as the image content.

5. the text is displayed at a predetermined display position on the image content; The content management system according to claim 4 , wherein the thumbnail generation unit generates the thumbnail image by superimposing the text at the same position as the text is displayed when the reduced image is displayed as the image content.

6. The content management system according to claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail generation unit uses, as the text, comments posted in the corresponding manner that have received a predetermined number or more of favorable ratings.

7. The content management system according to claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail generating unit uses a summary that summarizes the corresponding posted comment as the text.

8. The content management system according to claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail generation unit generates the thumbnail image with the text by generating an image in which the text is superimposed on the thumbnail image.

9. The content management system according to claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail generation unit generates the thumbnail image with the text by drawing the text superimposed on the thumbnail image in real time.

10. one or more hardware processors, a first step of distributing image content that is a moving image; a second step of generating a text-added thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associating the generated text-added thumbnail image with the two time points; A content management method that executes a third step of displaying the image content, an interface for specifying a reference time point for the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is included.

11. one or more hardware processors, a first step of delivering audio content associated with image content; a second step of generating a text-added thumbnail image from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points, and associating the generated text-added thumbnail image with the two time points; A content management method that plays the audio content and executes a third step of displaying the image content, an interface for specifying a reference point for the audio content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two points in time between which is the reference point indicated by the interface.

12. one or more hardware processors, a first step of distributing image content including a plurality of unit contents whose display order is determined; a second step of generating text-added thumbnail images from thumbnail images corresponding to two or more consecutive unit contents in the image content and text based on comments posted in correspondence with the two or more consecutive unit contents, and associating the generated text-added thumbnail images with the two or more consecutive unit contents; A content management method that executes the image content, an interface for specifying reference unit content of the image content, and a third step of displaying a thumbnail image with text associated with two or more consecutive unit contents including the reference unit content indicated by the interface.

13. a content receiving unit that receives image content, which is a moving image, and a thumbnail image with text; a content display unit that displays the image content, an interface for specifying a reference time point of the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is located; A content display device in which the thumbnail image with text is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two points in time in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to points in time between the two points in time.

14. a content receiving unit that receives audio content associated with image content and a thumbnail image with text; a content display unit that displays the audio content, an interface for specifying a reference time point of the audio content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is located; A content display device in which the thumbnail image with text is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two points in time in the audio content and text based on comments posted corresponding to points in time between the two points in time.

15. a content receiving unit that receives image content including a plurality of unit contents whose display order is determined, and a thumbnail image with text; a content display unit that displays the image content, an interface for specifying a reference time point of the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is located; A content display device in which the thumbnail image with text is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two points in time in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to points in time between the two points in time.

16. one or more hardware processors, receiving image content, which is a moving image, and a thumbnail image with text, the thumbnail image with text being generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points; A content display program that executes the steps of displaying the image content, an interface that specifies a reference time point for the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is located.

17. one or more hardware processors, receiving audio content associated with image content and a thumbnail image with text, wherein the thumbnail image with text is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the audio content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points; A content display program that executes the steps of displaying the audio content, an interface that specifies a reference time point for the audio content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points that include the reference time point indicated by the interface.

18. one or more hardware processors, receiving image content including a plurality of unit contents whose display order is determined, and a text-attached thumbnail image, wherein the text-attached thumbnail image is generated from thumbnail images corresponding to two time points in the image content and text based on comments posted corresponding to time points included between the two time points; A content display program that executes the steps of displaying the image content, an interface that specifies a reference time point for the image content, and a thumbnail image with text associated with two time points between which the reference time point indicated by the interface is located.

Images