JP5216898B2 - Content distribution apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to distribution of video content.

  Content such as movies to be watched in theaters has a long history and rich cultural and economic value, and in recent years, a system has been proposed that can make seat reservations together with movie theater ticket sales on the Internet website (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). As this kind of system, there is a system that collects information such as screening works and schedules from multiple movie theaters, seat information such as seat arrangement and number of seats in each theater, and centrally manages it on a server and performs reservation reception processing. .

  On the other hand, content such as a movie is also a target of a service for distributing video content via the Internet (also referred to as “net distribution”) (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The mainstream of online distribution is a business model that digitizes past works whose screening period has ended in a movie theater and distributes them to a personal terminal such as a user's personal computer for a fee.

  In addition to this, movies are generally processed as video content after the movie screening period, and package sales as DVDs and other recording media, and so-called secondary distribution through online distribution and television are generally performed. Is.

JP 2002-24465 JP 2002-342648 A

  By the way, in recent years, theaters, especially movie theaters, are feared to decline due to a decrease in the number of customers and closing due to worsening profits, which may include changes in socio-economic conditions, diversification of hobbies and entertainment, Some have pointed out the impact of the rapid distribution of online distribution and the spread of online distribution.

  Assuming that online distribution may conflict with the movie industry and contribute to the decline of movie theaters, this is the decline in the discovery and provision of works by distribution companies, and the distribution company itself, the production department, and the entire video content. As a result, the number of works decreases, resulting in inconsistencies that lead to the decline of online distribution itself. Assuming that there is a possibility of conflict and contradiction between the online distribution and the movie world in this way, it can be said that it is a problem of the entire content market represented by movies, and its prevention is potentially desired.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for mutually complementary and mutually beneficial use of theater and Internet distribution.

  Based on the above object, a content distribution apparatus according to one aspect (1) of the present invention includes seat reservation means for processing seat reservation by holding seat information including whether or not a theater seat is vacant, and the theater. A distribution means for distributing video content related to a performance or screening to a terminal via a communication network, and the number of vacant seats related to the performance or screening at the theater from the seat reservation means, and the theater based on the number of vacant seats A distribution number determining means for determining the number of distributions of the video content, and a distribution number limiting means for limiting an actual distribution number of the video content by the distribution means based on the determined distribution number. It is characterized by that.

  The content distribution method according to another aspect (4) of the present invention is a seat for processing the seat reservation while holding the seat information including whether or not the seat of the theater is vacant in the method category. A reservation process, a distribution process for distributing video content related to the performance or screening in the theater to a terminal via a communication network, and the number of vacant seats related to the performance or screening in the theater from the seat reservation means, Distribution number determination processing for determining the distribution number of the video content relating to the theater based on the number of vacant seats, and distribution for limiting the actual distribution number for the video content by the distribution means based on the determined distribution number The number limiting process is executed by a computer.

  In this way, by restricting the number of distributions up to the number of distributions determined based on the number of vacant seats obtained from a theater reservation system such as a movie theater, the video content such as movies related to the theater is distributed on the Internet, so If there are a lot of vacant seats, etc., you can expect to attract customers to the theater due to the promotion effect by increasing the number of distribution. On the other hand, when the number of vacant seats is small, the number of distributions is reduced and the scarcity of viewing is maintained, so that the outflow of demand from the theater to online distribution is suppressed. And, without waiting for the time of traditional secondary distribution, the opportunity of online distribution is born for the latest work. As a result, the theater and online distribution can be used in a mutually complementary and mutually beneficial manner.

  According to another aspect (2) of the present invention, in any one of the above aspects, the number of seats of the theater is acquired from the seat reservation unit, and the unit price of the distribution is determined for the video content related to the theater, Unit price changing means is provided for changing to a relatively low price as described above, and to a relatively high price if the number of vacant seats is less than a predetermined value.

  In this way, by changing the fee for online distribution according to the number of available seats, if there are many vacant seats, you can also watch it through online distribution at a low price for both promotion and renewal on the large screen of the theater You can attract more customers to the theatre by expecting to watch it and talk about it on blogs and reviews.

  According to another aspect (3) of the present invention, in any one of the above aspects, a user who has reserved the seat of the theater by the seat reservation unit uses the distribution of the video content related to the theater by the distribution unit. Or at least one of the case where the user who uses the distribution of the video content by the distribution unit performs the seat reservation of the theater related to the video content by the seat reservation unit. A discount means for applying a predetermined discount to one or both usage charges is provided.

  In this way, by applying a predetermined discount when the same user uses both video content distribution and theater seat reservation, a movie viewed at the theater can be viewed again at home, or a movie viewed through the Internet distribution can be viewed. It will be possible to attract more customers and increase demand due to the synergistic effect of the theater and online distribution, such as viewing on the large theater screen.

  Each of the above aspects can also be understood as other categories (methods, programs, systems, etc.) that are not specified. For the method and program categories, the “means” indicated in the device category is used as the “processing”. "Or" step ". Needless to say, the order of execution of processes and steps is not limited to that specified directly in the present application, and can be changed as appropriate or processed together. Furthermore, in the category of methods and programs, “computers” that execute individual processes and steps may be common or may be different for each process. In addition, the present invention includes more specific aspects described later.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which aims at the complementary and mutually beneficial use of a theater and internet delivery can be provided.

The functional block diagram which shows a structure about embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of data in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence in embodiment of this invention.

  Next, a mode for carrying out the present invention (referred to as “embodiment”) will be illustrated along the drawings. In addition, the assumptions common to the contents already described in the background art and problems are omitted as appropriate.

[1. Constitution〕
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 (configuration diagram), the reservation server 1 that processes theater seat reservation from the user terminal T1 and the distribution of video content (“net distribution” or simply “distribution” to the user terminal T1. And a distribution server 2 which is a content distribution apparatus to be referred to.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each of the servers 1 and 2 has at least an arithmetic control unit 6 such as a CPU, a storage device 7 such as a main memory and an auxiliary storage device, and a communication network N (for example, the Internet, Communication means 8 (communication gateway device, communication circuit with mobile communication network, wireless LAN adapter, etc.).

  In addition, the user terminal T1 and the theater terminal T2 used by a person in charge of the theater are information terminals such as a stationary PC, a smartphone, and a tablet PC, respectively, although not shown, in addition to the computer configuration as described above, In addition to a web browser for browsing the web, an input / output unit using a liquid crystal display panel, a touch panel, a push button, and the like is provided. Although a small number of user terminals T1 are schematically shown in FIG. 1, there are actually many user terminals T1 according to the number of users, and theater terminals T2 are also present according to the number of theaters. The theater terminal T2 is used by a person in charge of the theater to update vacant seat information, refer to the reservation result by the reservation server 1, and the like.

  In each of the servers 1 and 2, a predetermined computer program stored (installed) in the storage device 7 controls the arithmetic control unit 6 so that the elements (10, 20 and others) shown in FIG. ).

  Among these elements, the information storage means can be realized in any data format such as a file on the storage device 7, or may be remote storage by network computing (cloud). The storage means may include not only a data storage area but also functions such as data input / output and management. In addition, the unit of the storage means shown in this application is for convenience of explanation, and the configuration can be divided or integrated as appropriate, and the processing data and processing results of each means are stored in addition to the explicit storage means. A storage means is used as appropriate.

  Of the storage means, the video content storage means 22 is a means for storing video content obtained by digitizing the performances (movies, plays, shows, etc.) related to theater performances or screenings. It may be stored, or a theater stage shot with a camera and digitized in real time or near real time may be temporarily stored for distribution.

  Further, the seat information storage means 9 stores the type of seat (A seat, S seat, for two people, etc.), the number of seats, the positional relationship on the layout drawing, etc., for the theater to be reserved. Means. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the reservation history storage unit 15 includes the reservation history including the contents of the seat reservation received by the reservation server 1, the content ID, the time of the screening, the seat number, the user ID, and the like. It is a means to memorize as. As shown in Fig. 2 (1), seat information that indicates the number of vacant seats or reservations for each seat number is stored for each screening, so that the seat configuration and reservation history can be used together to simplify the system configuration and save memory capacity. it can. Further, the distribution history storage unit 25 is a unit that stores the distribution of video content by the distribution server 2 as a distribution history including a content ID, a user ID, and the like (for example, FIG. 2 (2)).

  The arrows in the figure (for example, FIG. 1) supplementarily indicate the main direction of the flow of data, control, etc., and do not deny other flows or imply direction limitations. For example, when data is acquired in a certain direction, a prior data request and a subsequent acknowledge (ACK) are transmitted in the reverse direction. In addition, each means other than the storage means is a processing means for realizing and executing the functions and operations of information processing as described below, but these are functional units arranged for explanation, and actual hardware It doesn't matter if it matches elements or software modules.

[2. Action)
The operation of the first embodiment configured as described above is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[2-1. Overview〕
First, only the outline of the action will be extracted and described. The seat reservation means 10 of the reservation server 1 holds seat information including whether or not the theater seats are vacant, while the distribution means 20 Then, video content related to theater performances or screenings is distributed to the user terminal T1 via the communication network N by a moving image distribution technique such as streaming distribution in response to a user request (viewing request).

  Then, the number-of-delivery determination means 30 acquires the number of vacant seats related to the performance or screening in the theater from the seat reservation means 10, and determines the number of video content distributions related to the theater based on the number of vacant seats (step S22). ) Based on the determined number of distributions, the distribution number limiting unit 40 limits the actual number of distributions for the video content by the distribution unit 20.

  Here, “theatre” is a cinema complex that is a cinema with multiple screens, where theaters, dances, operas, performances, movies, etc. are staged and many spectators gather to see them. In the case of (Cinecon), the individual screens (screening rooms) with different performances are theaters. In addition, sports and competitions are held, and a facility for gathering and viewing a large number of spectators may be handled as a theater. When the same content is simultaneously screened on multiple screens or multiple movie theaters in the same facility, if the total number of vacant seats on these multiple screens or movie theaters is handled together, a greater number of distributions can be combined to improve efficiency. Can handle well.

  As for the number of seats in the theater, the seat information of the theater (for example, FIG. 2 (1)) is updated when a new seat reservation is accepted (step S18) or at a predetermined timing such as switching of screening times (step S11) ( In step S12), the number of vacant seats can be obtained by extracting and counting the seat information that is vacant (step S22). The calculation criteria for determining the number of deliveries based on the number of seats is free. If the number of deliveries is the same as the number of seats available, the impact of the number of deliveries on performance sales can be suppressed. If the number of distributions is obtained by multiplying a coefficient such as a real number, it is possible to increase profits by handling a larger number of distributions.

  As a limitation on the number of distributions by the distribution number limiting means 40, when a content browsing request is received (step S23), if the number of distributions determined for the actual number of distributions has ended (step S24: “YES”). A process such as displaying that fact and not delivering (step S30) is conceivable. Even when the seat reservation of the theater is full (step S14: “YES”), that fact is displayed (step S15) and the reservation processing (step S18) is not performed.

[2-2. Change in unit price according to the number of seats available)
In the present embodiment, the unit price changing unit 50 obtains the number of seats in the theater from the seat reservation unit 10 and the unit price of distribution for the video content related to the theater is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. If it is less than a predetermined number of seats, the price is changed to a relatively low price.

  Here, the distribution unit price set in advance at a predetermined normal price which is a relatively high price is changed to a relatively low price only when the number of vacant seats is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (step S26: “YES”) ( In step S27), when the number of vacant seats is less than the predetermined value (step S26: “NO”), the amount is relatively high. For example, if the number of vacant seats is less than 50, one video content has a normal distribution fee of 1000 yen, and if the number of vacant seats is 50 or more, the discount price is 700 yen. The relative low price and high price may be divided into three or more stages according to the range of the number of vacant seats.

[2-3. (Combination discount for reservation and delivery)
In the present embodiment, a discount is applied to a user who uses both the above-described theater seat reservation and online distribution. That is, the discount means 60 is used when the user who has reserved a seat in the theater by the seat reservation means 10 uses the distribution of the video content related to the theater by the distribution means 20, or the distribution means 20 distributes the video content. When the user who has used the seat reservation means 10 for the theater related to the video content uses the seat reservation means 10, a predetermined discount is applied to the usage fee for one or both of the theater and / or distribution.

  As a specific example, when the seat reservation means 10 accepts access to a seat reservation in a theater from the user terminal T1 (step S13), the user ID of the user and the content ID for identifying the work related to the reservation are discounted. The discount means 60 inquires the delivered user ID and content ID with the delivery history (for example, FIG. 2 (2)) stored in the delivery history storage means 25. Thereby, it is determined whether the user who is going to make a seat reservation is a user who has used the video content of the same content ID for online distribution within the latest predetermined period (for example, within the past 7 days), and if so (step S16: "YES"), a predetermined discount is applied, such as discounting the normal theater fee of 1,800 yen to 1,200 yen (step S17). Then, the seat reservation is processed and the history is recorded (step S18).

  When the distribution means 20 receives a video content browsing request from the user terminal T1 (step S23), the user ID of the user ID, the content ID for identifying the video content related to the browsing request, etc. are discounted. The discount means 60 makes a reference to the browsing request by referring to the reservation history (for example, FIG. 2 (1)) stored in the reservation history storage means 15 with the passed user ID and content ID. It is determined whether the user has reserved a seat for the theater related to the performance or screening of the work with the same content ID within the most recent predetermined period. If so (step S28: “YES”), the distribution fee is usually 1200 yen for 900 yen. A predetermined discount such as discounting to a yen is applied (step S29). Then, the video content is distributed to the user terminal T1, and the history is recorded (step S30).

  For example, in the example of the reservation history in FIG. 2 (1) and the distribution history in FIG. 2 (2), the user ID “01587” is common to the movie “XXX story” having the same content ID “AB1285”. For this user, the above-mentioned discount is applied regardless of whether the seat reservation in the theater is the first or the browsing request for the video content is first. If discount means 60 adjusts the billing amount afterwards using electronic payment such as a credit card or electronic money, the process of discounting the usage fee for both theater and distribution becomes particularly easy. In addition, a grouping ID obtained by grouping content IDs of movies in a predetermined category (for example, a continuation movie such as XX story 1, XX story 2 or a movie genre) is stored, and a reservation history is stored. Referring to the reservation history stored in the means 15 or the distribution history stored in the group distribution history storage means 25, the content ID requested to be browsed is included in the grouping ID, and the grouping ID When other content IDs included in the are included in the reservation history or the distribution history, the usage fee may be discounted.

[3. Effects of the embodiment
As described above, in the present embodiment, while limiting the number of distributions based on the number of vacant seats obtained from a theater reservation system such as a movie theater (for example, step S22), the number of distributions is limited (for example, steps S24 and S25), By distributing video contents such as movies related to the Internet (for example, step S30), if there are a large number of vacant seats due to works, dates, etc., it can be expected to attract customers to the theater due to a promotion effect due to an increase in the number of distributions. On the other hand, when the number of vacant seats is small, the number of distributions is reduced and the scarcity of viewing is maintained, so that the outflow of demand from the theater to online distribution is suppressed. And, without waiting for the time of traditional secondary distribution, the opportunity of online distribution is born for the latest work. As a result, the theater and online distribution can be used in a mutually complementary and mutually beneficial manner.

  Also, in this embodiment, the net distribution fee is not uniform, but is changed according to the number of seats available (for example, step S26) (for example, step S27). You can attract more customers to the theater by expecting it to be viewed on the big screen of the theater and expecting it to become a topic on blogs and word of mouth.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, when the same user uses both video content distribution and theater seat reservation (for example, steps S16 and S28), a predetermined discount is applied (for example, steps S17 and S29), so It is possible to attract more customers and increase demand due to the synergistic effect of the theater and online distribution, such as watching a movie once again at home or watching a movie viewed online via the large screen of the theater.

[4. (Merit for each subject)
By introducing the present embodiment as described above in the field of content business, first, end users such as movie fans can find the latest movies even in situations where it is difficult to visit the theater due to geographical time or other reasons. The content can be easily viewed anytime and anywhere on a personal terminal, and you can concentrate on the content without worrying about others.

  Also, for theater operators such as movie theaters, even if there are vacant seats, it is possible to adopt a business model that can expect revenue with distributions from online distribution, etc., and it is not possible or impossible to go to the movie theater It is possible to stop the decline of the movie theater by taking in a new user layer. Particularly, it is preferable for a mini theater system.

  In addition, content distributors will deliver new movie content such as enthusiastic movie fans by delivering VOD (video on demand) distribution of the latest movie content, such as movies that are currently being screened, without waiting for the traditional secondary distribution period. You can earn a layer. In addition, if a content distribution company uses the content distribution system as shown in FIG. 1 as a system for selling and managing movie theater seats for use by other companies (platforming), a movie theater without such a system. A usage fee will be obtained from the new revenue.

  In addition, for distribution companies, the decline in the number of movie theaters, which are the distribution destinations, can be suppressed, and business stability can be expected. In particular, you can buy works based on your own selection criteria, without being tied to big titles that are easy to attract customers.

[5. Other embodiments]
In addition, the said embodiment is only an illustration and this invention includes what is illustrated below and other embodiment other than that. For example, the configuration diagrams, data diagrams, flowcharts, and the like in the present application are merely examples, and the presence / absence of each element, the order of the arrangement and processing execution, and the specific contents can be changed as appropriate. As an example, the reservation server 1 and the distribution server 2 shown in FIG. 1 may be integrated, and conversely, a configuration in which each unit in each server shown in FIG. It is.

  In addition, the configuration can be flexibly changed, for example, by realizing each means by calling an external platform or the like with an API (application program interface) or network computing (so-called cloud). Furthermore, each element such as means relating to the present invention may be realized by other information processing mechanisms such as a physical electronic circuit as well as a computer control unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reservation server 2 Distribution server 6 Computation control part 7 Storage device 8 Communication means 9 Seat information storage means 10 Seat reservation means 15 Reservation history storage means 20 Distribution means 22 Video content storage means 25 Distribution history storage means 30 Distribution number determination means 40 Distribution Number limiting means 50 Unit price changing means 60 Discount means N Communication network T1 User terminal T2 Theater terminal

Claims (4)

Seat reservation means for processing seat reservations by holding seat information including whether or not theater seats are vacant,
Distribution means for distributing video content related to the theater performance or screening to the terminal via a communication network;
A number-of-delivery determination means for obtaining the number of vacant seats related to the performance or screening in the theater from the seat reservation means, and determining the number of distributions of the video content related to the theater based on the number of vacant seats;
Based on the determined number of distributions, distribution number limiting means for limiting the actual number of distributions for the video content by the distribution means;
A content distribution apparatus comprising:   The number of seats in the theater is acquired from the seat reservation means, and the distribution unit price for the video content related to the theater is relatively low if the number of seats is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and relatively high if the number of seats is less than a predetermined value. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit price changing means for changing.   When the user who made the seat reservation of the theater by the seat reservation means uses the distribution of the video content related to the theater by the distribution means, or used the distribution of the video content by the distribution means When the user makes the seat reservation of the theater related to the video content by the seat reservation means, a discount means for applying a predetermined discount to the usage fee of one or both of the theater and distribution is provided The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution apparatus is a content distribution apparatus. Seat reservation processing for processing seat reservation by holding seat information including whether or not a theater seat is vacant in the first storage means ;
A distribution process of distributing video content related to the performance or screening in the theater stored in the second storage means to the terminal via a communication network;
The number of seats in the seat information held in the first storage means is counted to obtain the number of seats related to the performance or screening in the theater, and the number of distributions of the video content related to the theater based on the number of seats available Distribution number determination processing to determine,
Based on the determined number of distributions, a distribution number limiting process for limiting the actual number of distributions for the video content by the distribution process ;
A content distribution method characterized in that a computer executes the above.

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