Content playback system and program

Abstract

This invention provides a content playback system and program that prevents sensitive scenes that the user does not want to see from being unexpectedly played during content playback. [Solution] A content playback system having a content distribution server 10, a content analysis server 30, a notification server 40, and a user terminal 60 comprises a playback unit 78 that plays content, notification units 54, 68, and 82 that notify the user of the presence of sensitive scenes according to the type of sensitive scene before the playback unit 78 plays sensitive scenes contained in the content, and a playback setting unit 74 that allows the user to set a playback method according to the type of sensitive scene for the sensitive scenes notified by the notification units 54, 68, and 82.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a content playback system and a program for playing back content.

Background Art

[0002] When sensitive scenes are included in content, the user is informed in advance of the existence of the sensitive scenes, and the user is allowed to select a method for playing back the sensitive scenes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding the selection of the method for playing back sensitive scenes, it is uniformly performed regardless of the type of sensitive scenes, and it does not necessarily prevent the playback of sensitive scenes that the user does not desire.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a content playback system and a program capable of preventing a sensitive scene that the user does not desire from being unexpectedly played back as it is during the playback of content.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a content playback system comprising: a playback unit for playing content; a notification unit for informing the user of the presence of a sensitive scene according to the type of sensitive scene before the sensitive scene is played back by the playback unit; and a playback setting unit for allowing the user to set a playback method according to the type of sensitive scene, based on the sensitive scene notified by the notification unit.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a content playback program that enables a computer to implement a playback function for playing content, a notification function for informing the user of the presence of a sensitive scene according to the type of sensitive scene before the sensitive scene included in the content is played back by the playback function, and a playback setting function for allowing the user to set a playback method according to the type of sensitive scene for the sensitive scene that was notified by the notification function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This invention makes it possible to prevent sensitive scenes that the user does not want from being unexpectedly played during content playback. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a content playback system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of a content playback system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] A first sequence diagram illustrating a content playback method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] A second sequence diagram illustrating a content playback method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3C] A third sequence diagram illustrating a content playback method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]A schematic diagram showing the notification settings screen of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing the content delivery screen of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram showing the notification screen of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing the playback settings screen of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the individual settings screen of one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In this embodiment, before sensitive scenes included in the content are played, the user is notified of the presence of sensitive scenes depending on the type of sensitive scene, and the user is instructed to set how sensitive scenes should be played.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the content playback system of this embodiment includes a content distribution server 10, a content analysis server 30, a notification server 40, and a user terminal 60.

[0012] The hardware configuration of the content playback system will be described with reference to Figure 1. Since the hardware configurations of the content distribution server 10, content analysis server 30, and notification server 40 are the same, they will be described collectively as servers below.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, physically, the server is configured as a computer including a processor 211, a memory 212, a storage 213, a communication device 214, an input device 215, an output device 216, and a bus or the like for connecting these. Each of these devices operates by power supplied from a battery not shown in the figure. In the following description, the term "device" can be read as a circuit, a device, a unit, or the like. The hardware configuration of the server may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured without including some of the devices. Also, a server may be configured by communicatively connecting a plurality of devices having different enclosures.

[0014] Each function in the server is realized by causing the processor 211 to perform calculations by loading a predetermined software (program) onto hardware such as the processor 211 and the memory 212, controlling communication by the communication device 214, and controlling at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 212 and the storage 213.

[0015] The processor 211, for example, operates an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 211 may be constituted by a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic device, registers, and the like. Also, for example, a baseband signal processing unit, a call processing unit, and the like may be realized by the processor 211.

[0016] The processor 211 reads a program (program code), software module, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 213 and the communication device 214 into the memory 212, and executes various processes according to these. As the program, a program for causing a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described later is used. The functional blocks of the server may be stored in the memory 212 and realized by a control program operating in the processor 211. The various processes may be executed by one processor 211, or may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 211. The processor 211 may be implemented by one or more chips. Note that the program may be transmitted to the server via a telecommunication line.

[0017] The memory 212 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 212 may be referred to as a register, cache, main memory (main storage device), etc. The memory 212 can store a program (program code), software module, etc. executable for implementing the method according to this embodiment.

[0018] The storage 213 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, optical discs such as CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), hard disk drives, flexible disks, magneto-optical discs (e.g., compact discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray (registered trademark) discs), smart cards, flash memories (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives), floppy (registered trademark) discs, magnetic strips, etc. The storage 213 may be referred to as an auxiliary storage device.

[0019] The communication device 214 is hardware (transceiver / receiver device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc.

[0020] Each device, such as the processor 211 and memory 212, is connected by a bus for communicating information. The bus may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be used for each device.

[0021] The server may be configured with hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of the functional blocks may be implemented by such hardware. For example, processor 211 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0022] The user terminal 60 is a computer such as a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, or wearable device. Physically, the user terminal 60 is configured as a computer device including a processor 261, memory 262, storage 263, communication device 264, input device 265, output device 266, and a bus connecting them. The processor 261, memory 262, and storage 263 are hardware similar to the processor 211, memory 212, and storage 213 of the server.

[0023] The communication device 264 may include, for example, a high-frequency switch, duplexer, filter, frequency synthesizer, etc., to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the transmitting and receiving antennas, amplifier section, transmitting and receiving section, transmission path interface, etc., may be implemented by the communication device 264. The transmitting and receiving section may be physically or logically separated into a transmitting section and a receiving section.

[0024] The input device 265 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a key, microphone, switch, button, sensor, reader, scanner, etc.). The output device 266 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 265 and the output device 266 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touchscreen).

[0025] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the functional configuration of the content playback system and the content playback method of this embodiment will be described below. Each functional configuration of the content playback system will also be described in accordance with each step of the content playback method. The content playback program of this embodiment works in cooperation with the hardware configuration of the content playback system of this embodiment described above to realize each functional configuration of the content playback system of this embodiment and to execute each step of the content playback method.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3A, the content playback system and content playback method detect sensitive scenes from video content and store the playback time and type of each sensitive scene, as described below.

[0027] Content delivery step S12 The content distribution server 10 stores a large number of video content files in the content database 12 (hereinafter also referred to as "content DB 12"). In content DB 12, the video content is stored along with content identification information that identifies the video content. The content provision unit 14 transmits the video content and content identification information to the content analysis server 30.

[0028] Content analysis step S14 In the content analysis server 30, the content analysis unit 32 analyzes the video content received from the content distribution server 10 to detect sensitive scenes contained in the video content, assigns scene identification information to identify each sensitive scene, obtains playback time information indicating the playback time of each sensitive scene, and further analyzes each sensitive scene to obtain type information indicating the type of each sensitive scene. Hereinafter, the scene identification information, playback time information, and type information will be collectively referred to as sensitive scene information.

[0029] Sensitive Scene Information Provision Step S16 In the content analysis server 30, the sensitive scene information provision unit 34 transmits the sensitive scene information acquired by the content analysis unit 32, along with the content identification information of the video content, to the notification server 40.

[0030] Sensitive Scene Information Acquisition Step S18 In the notification server 40, the sensitive scene information acquisition unit 42 acquires content identification information and sensitive scene information received from the content analysis server 30 and stores it in the sensitive scene information database 44 (hereinafter also referred to as the "sensitive scene information DB 44").

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 3B, the content playback system and content playback method allow the user to set whether or not to be notified in advance of the presence of sensitive scenes, and the types of sensitive scenes that require prior notification, on the notification setting screen D1 (see Figure 4) displayed on the user terminal 60, as described below.

[0032] Notification settings screen request step S22 On the user terminal 60, the notification setting screen request unit 62 sends a notification setting screen request to the notification server 40 in response to the user's operation of the notification setting screen request button that requests the notification setting screen D1.

[0033] Notification settings screen provision step S24 In the notification server 40, when the notification setting screen provision unit 46 receives a notification setting screen request from the user terminal 60, it generates notification setting screen information to generate notification setting screen D1 and sends it to the user terminal 60.

[0034] Notification settings screen display step S26 On the user terminal 60, the notification setting screen request unit 62 acquires notification setting screen information received from the notification server 40. The screen display unit 82 generates notification setting screen D1 based on the notification setting screen information acquired by the notification setting screen request unit 62 and displays it to the user.

[0035] Notification setting step S28 On the user terminal 60, the notification setting unit 64 allows the user to set whether or not prior notification of the presence of sensitive scenes is required, and the types of sensitive scenes that require prior notification, on the notification setting screen D1. Hereinafter, the setting of whether or not prior notification of the presence of sensitive scenes is required, and the types of sensitive scenes that require prior notification, will also be referred to as notification settings.

[0036] Notification setting information provision step S32 On the user terminal 60, the notification setting unit 64 transmits notification setting information, which indicates the notification settings set by the user, along with user identification information that identifies the user, to the notification server 40.

[0037] Notification setting information acquisition step S34 In the notification server 40, the notification setting information acquisition unit 48 acquires user identification information and notification setting information received from the user terminal 60 and stores it in the notification setting information database 52 (hereinafter also referred to as "notification setting information DB 52").

[0038] In this way, the user can set the types of sensitive scenes for which they want to receive advance notice on the notification settings screen D1 displayed on the user terminal 60, according to their own preferences, the attributes of the person watching the video content with them, the environment in which they are watching the video content, etc.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3B, the content playback system and content playback method display a content distribution screen D2 (see Figure 5) on the user terminal 60 for distributing video content to the user, as described below.

[0040] Requesting the streaming screen step S36 On the user terminal 60, the distribution screen request unit 66 sends a distribution screen request to the content distribution server 10 in response to the user's operation of the distribution screen request button to request the content distribution screen D2.

[0041] Streaming screen provision step S38 In the content distribution server 10, the distribution screen provision unit 16 generates distribution screen information for generating content distribution screen D2 in response to a distribution screen request received from the user terminal 60, and transmits it to the user terminal 60 along with content identification information for the video content to be distributed on content distribution screen D2.

[0042] Displaying the streaming screen step S42 On the user terminal 60, the distribution screen request unit 66 acquires distribution screen information received from the content distribution server 10. The screen display unit 82 generates the content distribution screen D2 based on the distribution screen information acquired by the distribution screen request unit 66 and displays it to the user. As described above, the content distribution screen D2 is a screen for distributing video content to the user.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 and 3B, the content playback system and content playback method, as described below, notify the user in advance of the existence of each sensitive scene that corresponds to the type of sensitive scene that has been set to require prior notification in the notification setting screen D1, via a notification screen D3 (see Figure 6) displayed on the user terminal 60.

[0044] Notification screen request step S44 On the user terminal 60, after the distribution screen request unit 66 sends a distribution screen request to the content distribution server 10, if the user terminal 60 receives content identification information along with distribution screen information from the content distribution server 10, it sends a notification screen request to the notification server 40 requesting notification screen D3 along with the content identification information and user identification information.

[0045] Notification screen provision step S46 In the notification server 40, the notification screen provision unit 54 extracts sensitive scene information for all sensitive scenes corresponding to the content identification information from the sensitive scene information DB 44 and also extracts notification setting information corresponding to the user identification information from the notification setting information DB 52, in response to the content identification information, user identification information, and notification screen request received from the user terminal 60. Next, the notification screen provision unit 54 extracts the types of sensitive scenes that require prior notification from the notification settings indicated by the notification setting information corresponding to the user identification information. Subsequently, the notification screen provision unit 54 extracts sensitive information for each sensitive scene that corresponds to the type of sensitive scene that requires prior notification from the sensitive scene information for all sensitive scenes corresponding to the content identification information, based on the type of sensitive scene indicated by their type information. Next, the notification screen provider 54 generates notification screen information to generate a notification screen D3 that provides advance notification of the existence of a sensitive scene, from the sensitive scene information of each sensitive scene that corresponds to the type of sensitive scene requiring advance notification. In this embodiment, the notification screen D3 provides advance notification of the existence of a sensitive scene by displaying the playback time and type of each sensitive scene that corresponds to the type of sensitive scene requiring advance notification, and the notification screen information is generated from the playback time information and type information of the sensitive scene information. Furthermore, the notification screen provider 54 generates notification screen information so that the notification screen D3 displays the notification setting change request button 98 and the playback setting screen request button 96, which will be described later. Hereinafter, the sensitive information of each sensitive scene that corresponds to the type of sensitive scene requiring advance notification will also be referred to as playback-related information. The notification screen provider 54 transmits the generated notification screen information, together with the playback-related information, to the user terminal 60.

[0046] Notification screen display step S48 On the user terminal 60, the notification screen request unit 68 acquires notification screen information received from the notification server 40. The screen display unit 82 generates notification screen D3 based on the notification screen information acquired by the notification screen request unit 68 and displays it to the user. In this embodiment, as described above, notification screen D3 provides prior notification of the existence of each sensitive scene that falls under the category of sensitive scenes requiring prior notification by displaying the playback time and type of each sensitive scene. As described above, in this embodiment, the notification unit is formed by the notification screen request unit 68, the notification screen provision unit 54, and the screen display unit 82.

[0047] Notification setting change request step (not shown in the diagram) On the user terminal 60, a notification setting change request button 98 is displayed on the notification screen D3 to request a change in the type of sensitive scene that requires prior notification. If the user operates the notification setting change request button 98 on the notification screen D3, the notification settings are reset on the notification settings screen D1, as described above, and the presence of a sensitive scene is announced in advance on the notification screen D3 according to the notification settings reset on the notification settings screen D1.

[0048] In this way, the user can recognize that the video content contains sensitive scenes of a type the user does not want by referring to the notification screen D3 displayed on the user terminal 60. Furthermore, if the type of sensitive scene the user does not want changes in accordance with changes in the user's own preferences, the attributes of the person watching the video content with them, the environment in which the video content is viewed, etc., the user can change the type of sensitive scene for which they request prior notification, and after making the change, they can recognize that the video content contains sensitive scenes of a type the user does not want by referring to the notification screen D3.

[0049] As shown in Figures 2 and 3C, the content playback system and content playback method allow the user to set the playback method for each sensitive scene announced on the announcement screen D3 on the user terminal 60 via the playback settings screen D4 (see Figure 7), and then plays the video content according to the playback method set for each sensitive scene on the playback settings screen D4.

[0050] Step S52 for obtaining playback-related information On the user terminal 60, the playback settings screen generation unit 72 sends a notification screen request to the notification server 40 via the notification screen request unit 68, and then retrieves playback-related information received from the notification server 40 along with the notification screen information. As described above, the playback-related information includes sensitive information for each sensitive scene that corresponds to the type of sensitive scene requiring prior notification.

[0051] Playback settings screen display step S54 On the user terminal 60, the playback settings screen generation unit 72 generates playback settings screen information for generating the playback settings screen D4 based on playback-related information. The playback settings screen D4 is a screen for setting the playback method for each sensitive scene announced on the notification screen D3. The screen display unit 82 generates the playback settings screen D4 based on the playback settings screen information generated by the playback settings screen generation unit 72 and displays it to the user.

[0052] Playback setup step S56 The playback settings unit 74, on the playback settings screen D4, allows the user to set the playback method for each sensitive scene announced on the notification screen D3. The playback settings unit 74 then stores playback method information for each sensitive scene, along with playback-related information. Hereafter, the playback-related information and playback method information will be collectively referred to as playback settings information.

[0053] In this embodiment, the following playback methods are used for each sensitive scene that was previously announced on the notification screen D3, and the user is asked to select one of the playback methods on the playback settings screen D4.

[0054] (1) All sensitive scenes announced on the notification screen D3 will be played as is. (2) Skip all sensitive scenes announced on the notification screen D3. (3) For all sensitive scenes announced on the announcement screen D3, playback of the content is paused immediately before each sensitive scene, the existence and type of the immediately following sensitive scene are announced in advance, the user is given the option to set how to play the immediately following sensitive scene, and the immediately following sensitive scene is played according to the playback method set by the user. In this embodiment, the user is given the option to play the immediately following sensitive scene as is or to skip it, and the immediately following sensitive scene is played either as is or skipped according to the user's selection. (4) For all sensitive scenes announced on the notification screen D3, the playback time and type of each sensitive scene are displayed and the user is allowed to select one. Sensitive scenes selected by the user are played by skipping them as in (2), and sensitive scenes not selected by the user are played as in (1). (5) For all sensitive scenes announced on the notification screen D3, the playback time and type of each sensitive scene are displayed and the user is allowed to select one. Sensitive scenes selected by the user are played using the same playback method as in (3), and sensitive scenes not selected by the user are played as in (1).

[0055] Content delivery request step S58 On the user terminal 60, the content distribution request unit 76 sends a content distribution request to the content distribution server 10 in response to the user's operation of the content distribution request button 94, which requests the distribution of video content.

[0056] Content distribution step S62 In the content distribution server 10, the content distribution unit 18 transmits video content to the user terminal 60 in response to a content distribution request received from the user terminal 60.

[0057] Content playback step S64 On the user terminal 60, the content playback unit 78 plays the video content distributed from the content distribution server 10 according to the playback method indicated by the playback setting information stored in the playback setting unit 74. The screen display unit 82 displays the video content played by the content playback unit 78 on the content playback screen.

[0058] Individual setting step S66 If one of the playback methods described in (3) or (5) above is selected as the method for playing a sensitive scene, the playback setting screen generation unit 72 generates individual setting screen information for generating an individual setting screen D5 (see Figure 8) based on the playback method indicated by the playback setting information stored in the playback setting unit 74, if the playback of the video content by the content playback unit 78 is paused immediately before a sensitive scene. The screen display unit 82 generates the individual setting screen D5 based on the individual setting screen information generated by the playback setting screen generation unit 72 and displays it to the user, informing them in advance of the existence and type of the immediately following sensitive scene. In the individual setting screen D5, the playback setting unit 74 allows the user to set the playback method for the immediately following sensitive scene and stores playback method information indicating the playback method for the immediately following sensitive scene. In this embodiment, the user is allowed to choose whether to play the immediately following sensitive scene as is or to skip it and play it. The content playback unit 78 plays the immediately following sensitive scene according to the playback method indicated by the playback method information stored in the playback setting unit 74. In this embodiment, the immediately following sensitive scene can be played either as is or skipped.

[0059] In this way, on the playback settings screen D4 or individual settings screen D5 displayed on the user terminal 60, the user can set how sensitive scenes are played, taking into account their own preferences, the attributes of the person watching the video content with them, the environment in which they are watching the video content, and further considering the content of the video content, especially on the individual settings screen D5, the content of the video content they have actually watched up to the time the individual settings screen D5 is displayed, thereby preventing sensitive scenes of a type the user does not want to be played.

[0060] The various screens of this embodiment and their operation methods will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 8.

[0061] Referring to Figure 4, the notification setting screen D1 of this embodiment and its operation method will be described. As described above, the notification settings screen D1 allows the user to set whether or not prior notification of the presence of sensitive scenes is required, and the types of sensitive scenes that require prior notification.

[0062] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the notification setting screen D1 displays "Required" and "Not Required" as options for selecting whether or not to provide prior notification of the presence of sensitive scenes. Furthermore, if prior notification of the presence of sensitive scenes is required, the following options are displayed for selecting the type of sensitive scene that requires prior notification: "All," "Violence Scenes," "Blood / Mutilation Scenes," "Mutilated Corpse Scenes," "Sexual Scenes," "Exposure Scenes," "Drug Scenes," "Smoking Scenes," "Drinking Scenes," "Gambling Scenes," and "Hate Scenes." By selecting from these options, the user can determine whether or not to provide prior notification of the presence of sensitive scenes, and the type of sensitive scene that requires prior notification. For example, as shown in Figure 4, if a user has an aversion to sensitive scenes containing violence or grotesque depictions, but does not have a strong aversion to other types of sensitive scenes, they can select "Required" for whether or not to provide prior notification of the presence of sensitive scenes, and select "Violence Scenes," "Blood / Mutilation Scenes," or "Mutilated Corpse Scenes" as the type of sensitive scene that requires prior notification.

[0063] Referring to Figure 5, the content distribution screen D2 of this embodiment and its operation method will be described. As mentioned above, video content is delivered to the user on the content delivery screen D2.

[0064] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the content distribution screen D2 displays the name 86, thumbnail 88, and description 92 of the video content. The notification screen D3 and playback settings screen D4, shown in Figures 6 and 7 later, are superimposed on the content screen. On the content distribution screen D2, an icon labeled "Watch" is displayed as the content distribution request button 94. When the user touches or clicks the distribution request button 94, the content is distributed and the video content is played on the content playback screen. The individual settings screen D5, shown in Figure 8 later, is superimposed on the content playback screen.

[0065] Referring to Figure 6, the notification screen D3 of this embodiment and its operation method will be described. As described above, notification screen D3 provides advance notification of the existence of each sensitive scene that corresponds to the type of sensitive scene that was set to require prior notification in notification settings screen D1.

[0066] In this embodiment, the notification screen D3 is displayed superimposed on the content distribution screen D2. As shown in Figure 6, the notification screen D3 displays the playback start time and type of sensitive scene for each sensitive scene that corresponds to the type of sensitive scene that has been set to require prior notification in the notification setting screen D1. For example, in the notification setting screen D1 shown in Figure 5, "violence scene," "bloody / mutilation scene," and "mutilated corpse scene" are selected as the types of sensitive scenes that require prior notification. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the playback start time and type of each sensitive scene are displayed as "11:15 Violence scene," "46:23 Violence scene," "1:01:11 Bloody / mutilation scene," and "1:04:53 Mutilated corpse scene."

[0067] Furthermore, notification screen D3 displays an icon labeled "Change the types of sensitive scenes to be notified in advance" as a notification setting change request button 98. By touching or clicking the notification setting change request button 98, the notification setting screen D1 shown in Figure 4 is displayed, allowing the user to reconfigure the types of sensitive scenes that require advance notification. For example, if a user usually watches video content alone at home and has set their preference to only require advance notification for sensitive scenes containing violence or grotesque content, but now watches video content with others or while out and about or traveling, and wishes to be notified in advance for sensitive scenes containing sexual or nudity, they can add "sexual scenes" and "nudity scenes" as types of sensitive scenes that require advance notification. Also, if the user is a parent and watches video content with a minor child, they can select "all" as the types of sensitive scenes that require advance notification.

[0068] Furthermore, the notification screen D3 displays an icon labeled "Set how sensitive scenes are played" as a playback settings screen request button 96 for requesting the playback settings screen D4. When the user touches or clicks the playback settings screen request button 96, the playback settings screen D4 shown in Figure 7 is displayed.

[0069] Referring to Figure 7, the playback settings screen D4 of this embodiment and its operation method will be described. As mentioned above, the playback settings screen D4 allows the user to set the playback method for each sensitive scene announced on the notification screen D3.

[0070] In this embodiment, the playback settings screen D4 is displayed superimposed on the content distribution screen D2. As shown in Figure 7, the playback settings screen D4 displays the following options corresponding to the playback methods of sensitive scenes described above (1) to (5). (1) "Play all sensitive scenes as they are." (2) "Skip all sensitive scenes and play." (3) "Pause before all sensitive scenes and choose whether to continue playing." (4) "Skip all sensitive scenes selected below and play." (5) "Pause before all the sensitive scenes selected below and choose whether to continue playing."

[0071] Regarding the playback method of the sensitive scenes described in (4) and (5) above, the playback start time and type of each sensitive scene announced on the notification screen D3 are displayed as options for selecting a sensitive scene. For example, on the playback settings screen D4 shown in Figure 7, the following sensitive scenes announced on the notification screen D3 shown in Figure 6 are displayed as options for each sensitive scene: "11:15 Violence scene", "46:23 Violence scene", "1:01:11 Blood / Mutilation scene", and "1:04:53 Mutilated corpse scene".

[0072] On the playback settings screen D4, the user selects how to play sensitive scenes by touching or clicking the options for sensitive scenes. For example, if a user has an aversion to sensitive scenes containing violence or grotesque depictions, and has received prior notices on the notification screen D3 shown in Figure 6, such as "11:15 Violence scene," "46:23 Violence scene," "1:01:11 Blood / mutilation scene," and "1:04:53 Mutilated corpse scene," but the video content they are about to watch is not a live-action film but a relatively unrealistic animated film, and they believe that they would not feel particularly averse to mild violence scenes, then, as shown in Figure 7, they can choose to play "11:15 Violence scene" and "46:23 Violence scene" as is, while skipping "1:01:11 Blood / mutilation scene" and "1:04:53 Mutilated corpse scene."

[0073] Referring to Figure 8, the individual settings screen D5 of this embodiment and its operation method will be described. As mentioned above, the individual settings screen D5 provides advance notice of the presence and type of the immediately following sensitive scene, and allows the user to set how to play the immediately following sensitive scene.

[0074] In this embodiment, after the video content being played on the content playback screen is paused, the individual settings screen D5 is displayed superimposed on the content playback screen. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the individual settings screen D5 displays the message "This contains violent scenes," and further displays the message "You can continue playing or skip," along with icons labeled "Play" and "Skip." Touching or clicking the icon labeled "Play" will play the immediately following sensitive scene as is, while touching or clicking the icon labeled "Skip" will skip the immediately following sensitive scene and continue playing.

[0075] As mentioned above, if a user has an aversion to sensitive scenes containing violence or grotesque depictions, and is notified of the presence of a violent scene immediately before it, but the content of the video up to the point of pausing suggests that the video being watched is not a live-action film but a relatively unrealistic animated film, and that they would not be particularly averse to a mild violent scene, then they may choose to continue playing the violent scene immediately following.

[0076] In the content playback system and content playback method of this embodiment described above, the user is allowed to set the types of sensitive scenes that require prior notification, the user is notified of the existence and type of each sensitive scene that falls under the category requiring prior notification before the video content is played, the user is allowed to set the playback method for each sensitive scene collectively or individually, or, during the playback of the video content, the video content is paused immediately before a sensitive scene that falls under the category requiring prior notification is played, the user is notified of the existence and type of the sensitive scene, and the user is allowed to set the playback method for each sensitive scene individually. This makes it possible to prevent sensitive scenes that the user does not want from being unexpectedly played during the playback of the video content.

[0077] While the content playback system, method, and program of the above-described embodiment are intended for video content, the present invention can also be applied to electronic comics, and in this application, "playback" includes sequentially displaying the panels of an electronic comic. When electronic comics are the target, sensitive scenes are understood on a panel-by-panel basis, and instead of playback time in video content, panels of the comic are used in electronic comics.

[0078] The key disclosures of this application can be summarized as follows: The first disclosure is a content playback system comprising: a playback unit for playing content; a notification unit for informing the user of the presence of a sensitive scene, according to the type of sensitive scene, before the sensitive scene included in the content is played back by the playback unit; and a playback setting unit for allowing the user to set a playback method for the sensitive scene notified by the notification unit, according to the type of sensitive scene.

[0079] This disclosure states that, before any sensitive scenes in the content are played, the user is notified of their presence, depending on the type of sensitive scene, and the user is given the option to configure how sensitive scenes should be played. This prevents unwanted sensitive scenes from being played unexpectedly during content playback.

[0080] The second disclosure is a content playback system as described in the first disclosure, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the presence of a sensitive scene according to the type of sensitive scene before the content is played back by the playback unit, and the playback setting unit causes the user to set a playback method according to the type of sensitive scene for the sensitive scene notified by the notification unit before the content is played back by the playback unit.

[0081] This disclosure allows for the notification of the presence of sensitive scenes to the user before the content is played, depending on the type of sensitive scene, and enables the user to configure how sensitive scenes are played.

[0082] The third disclosure item is a content playback system as described in the first disclosure item, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the playback position and type of each of the multiple sensitive scenes included in the content before the content is played back by the playback unit, and the playback setting unit causes the user to set the playback method for each of the sensitive scenes notified by the notification unit, according to the type of each sensitive scene.

[0083] This disclosure allows for the notification of the playback position and type of each sensitive scene before the content is played, and enables users to individually configure how each sensitive scene is played.

[0084] The fourth disclosure is a content playback system as described in the first disclosure, wherein the playback unit temporarily stops playback of the content before the sensitive scene is played during playback of the content, depending on the type of sensitive scene; the notification unit, when playback of the content is temporarily stopped by the playback unit before the sensitive scene, notifies the user of the type of the subsequent sensitive scene, depending on the type of the subsequent sensitive scene; and the playback setting unit, with respect to the subsequent sensitive scene notified by the notification unit, causes the user to set the playback method according to the type of the subsequent sensitive scene.

[0085] This disclosure allows for the temporary suspension of content playback before a sensitive scene is played, depending on the type of sensitive scene, informing the user of the type of sensitive scene to be played, and allowing the user to individually configure how the sensitive scene should be played.

[0086] The fifth disclosure item is a content playback system as described in the fourth disclosure item, wherein the notification unit notifies the playback position and type of each sensitive scene according to the type of each of the multiple sensitive scenes included in the content before the content is played back by the playback unit, the playback setting unit temporarily stops playback of the content before the sensitive scene is played back by the playback unit according to the type of each sensitive scene notified by the notification unit, the notification unit notifies the existence of the subsequent sensitive scene according to the type of the subsequent sensitive scene, and the notification unit allows the user to set whether or not to set the playback method according to the type of the subsequent sensitive scene notified by the notification unit.

[0087] This disclosure allows the playback unit to, before the content is played, notify the user of the playback position and type of each of the multiple sensitive scenes included in the content, and to allow the user to set the playback method for each notified sensitive scene, temporarily halting playback of the content before the sensitive scene is played, notifying the user of the presence of the subsequent sensitive scene, or allowing the user to set the playback method.

[0088] The sixth disclosure item is the content playback system described in the first disclosure item, further comprising a notification setting unit that allows the user to set whether or not to be notified of the presence of the sensitive scene by the notification unit, depending on the type of sensitive scene.

[0089] This disclosure allows users to configure whether or not to be notified of the presence of sensitive scenes, depending on the type of sensitive scene.

[0090] The seventh disclosure is a content playback program that enables a computer to implement a playback function for playing content, a notification function for informing the user of the presence of a sensitive scene according to the type of sensitive scene before the sensitive scene is played back by the playback function, and a playback setting function for allowing the user to set a playback method according to the type of sensitive scene for the sensitive scene that was notified by the notification function. This disclosure has the same effect as the first disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10…Content distribution server 12…Content database 14…Content provision department 16…Distribution screen provision department 18…Content distribution department 30…Content analysis server 32...Content Analysis Department 34...Sensitive Scene Information Provision Department 40...Notification Server 42... Sensitive Scene Information Acquisition Unit 44... Sensitive Scene Information Database 46...Notification setting screen providing unit 48...Notification setting information acquisition unit 52...Notification setting information DB 54...Notification screen provider unit 60...User terminal 62...Notification settings screen request unit 64...Notification settings section 66...Streaming screen request section 68...Notification screen request section 72...Playback settings screen generation unit 74...Playback settings unit 76...Content distribution request unit 78...Content playback unit 82...Screen display unit 86...Name 88...Thumbnail 92...Introduction text 94...Content delivery request button 96...Playback settings screen request button 98...Notification setting change request button D1...Notification settings screen D2...Content distribution screen D3...Notification screen D4...Playback settings screen D5...Individual settings screen

Claims

1. A playback unit that plays content, Before the playback unit plays back the sensitive scenes included in the content, a notification unit informs the user of the presence of the sensitive scenes, depending on the type of sensitive scene. Regarding the sensitive scene announced by the notification unit, a playback setting unit allows the user to set a playback method according to the type of sensitive scene, It is equipped with, Before the content is played back by the playback unit, the notification unit announces the playback position and type of each of the multiple sensitive scenes included in the content, according to the type of each sensitive scene included in the content. The playback setting unit allows the user to set a collectively set playback method for each of the multiple sensitive scenes included in the content announced by the notification unit, according to the type of each sensitive scene, and also allows for setting different playback methods individually for each sensitive scene. Content playback system.

2. A playback unit for playing content, Before the playback unit plays back the sensitive scenes included in the content, a notification unit informs the user of the presence of the sensitive scenes, depending on the type of sensitive scene. Regarding the sensitive scene announced by the notification unit, a playback setting unit allows the user to set a playback method according to the type of sensitive scene, It is equipped with, The playback unit temporarily stops playback of the content before the sensitive scene is played, depending on the type of sensitive scene. The notification unit, when the playback unit pauses playback of the content before the sensitive scene, notifies the user of the type of the subsequent sensitive scene, depending on the type of the subsequent sensitive scene. The playback setting unit, with respect to the subsequent sensitive scene notified by the notification unit, allows the user to set the playback method according to the type of subsequent sensitive scene. Content playback system.

3. The notification unit, before the content is played back by the playback unit, notifies the playback position and type of each sensitive scene according to the type of each of the multiple sensitive scenes included in the content, The playback setting unit, with respect to each sensitive scene announced by the notification unit, temporarily stops playback of the content before the sensitive scene is played during playback of the content, depending on the type of sensitive scene, the notification unit announces the existence of the subsequent sensitive scene, depending on the type of subsequent sensitive scene, and, with respect to the subsequent sensitive scene announced by the notification unit, allows the user to set whether or not to set the playback method, depending on the type of subsequent sensitive scene. The content playback system according to claim 2.

4. The notification setting unit further comprises a notification setting unit that allows the user to set whether or not to notify the user of the presence of the sensitive scene by the notification unit, depending on the type of the sensitive scene. The content playback system according to claim 1.

5. A computer, A playback function to play content, Before the sensitive scenes contained in the content are played back by the playback function, a notification function is provided to inform the user of the presence of the sensitive scenes, depending on the type of sensitive scene. Regarding the sensitive scene notified by the notification function, a playback setting function is provided that allows the user to set the playback method according to the type of sensitive scene. To make it happen, The notification function, before the content is played by the playback function, notifies the playback position and type of each of the multiple sensitive scenes included in the content, according to the type of each sensitive scene included in the content. The playback setting function allows the user to set a collectively set playback method for each of the multiple sensitive scenes included in the content notified by the notification function, according to the type of sensitive scene, and also allows for setting different playback methods individually for each sensitive scene. Content playback program.

6. A computer, A playback function to play content, Before the sensitive scenes contained in the content are played back by the playback function, a notification function is provided to inform the user of the presence of the sensitive scenes, depending on the type of sensitive scene. Regarding the sensitive scene notified by the notification function, a playback setting function is provided that allows the user to set the playback method according to the type of sensitive scene. To make it happen, The playback function temporarily suspends playback of the content before the sensitive scene is played, depending on the type of sensitive scene. The notification function, when playback of the content is paused before the sensitive scene by the playback function, notifies the user of the type of the subsequent sensitive scene, depending on the type of the subsequent sensitive scene. The playback setting function allows the user to set the playback method for the subsequent sensitive scene notified by the notification function, according to the type of subsequent sensitive scene. Content playback program.

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