JP5228854B2 - Content creation device, content creation method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content creation apparatus and a method for creating content. The present invention also relates to a program executed by the content creation device.

  Currently, network communications such as the Internet and digital television broadcasting are widely spread. That is, an environment in which a large amount of digital video / audio content is provided and distributed to general users has been established.

JP 2000-113066 A

  An object of the present invention is, for example, to be able to provide a more useful content reproduction function for a content distribution function in a content distribution environment such as the above-described television broadcasting or network. is there.

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention is configured as a content creation apparatus as follows.
One or more first type contents having contents using the data of the main part content and one or more second type contents having no contents using the main part content data are linked according to the reproduction time. Analysis means for executing an analysis process for determining a content type of the data based on a change in a feature amount of the data, with respect to data of a program unit content having a content content as one program created by the processing; Based on the determination result of the content type of the analysis process, the content section recognition means for recognizing the section of the first type content and the second type of content in the program unit content, and the recognition result of the content section recognition means Based on the content of the first type content and the second type content, The program configuration information generating means for generating program configuration information, which is information indicating the configuration of the program unit content, and at least the second type content in the program unit content when being played back by the playback device in response to an instruction operation of reproducing switching to the hen content made to the apparatus, by using the program configuration information added to the above SL program content unit, the reproduction of the program content units, the first Meta information including control information generation means, control information generation means, program configuration information, and control information for generating control information for switching to reproduction of main content related to a kind of content By generating and adding this meta information to the program unit content, For being reproduced by the serial reproduction apparatus, it was decided and a content creating means for creating program unit content for playback.

  If it is the said structure, according to instruction | indication operation at the time of reproducing the produced program unit content with a reproducing | regenerating apparatus, it will become possible to switch to reproduction | regeneration of the main content related to a program unit content according to control information. . In particular, it is possible to switch playback to the proper main content even during playback of content that is not created using the main content in the program unit content.

  In this way, the present invention enables the content to be switched to the appropriate main content regardless of whether the content portion that does not have the content using the main content is being played back. As for the playback function, it is possible to provide a user more useful than before.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described in the following order.

<1. Content distribution system configuration>
<2. Overview of content playback mode (first example)>
<3. Overview of content playback mode (second example)>
<4. Configuration of Content Creation Device>
<5. Configuration of set-top box>
<6. Content Server Configuration>
<7. Algorithm corresponding to content reproduction mode of first example>
[7-1. Program content creation process]
[7-2. Program-related meta information creation process]
[7-3. Playback content switching process]
<8. Algorithm corresponding to content reproduction mode of second example>
[8-1. Program content creation process]
[8-2. Program-related meta information creation process]
[8-3. Playback content switching process]

<1. Content distribution system configuration>

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the content distribution system of the present embodiment.
The content distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a broadcasting station 1, a content creation device 2, a set-top box (STB) 3, and a content server 4, as shown in FIG.

  The broadcasting station 1 is one of broadcasting stations that broadcast programs (contents) by digital television broadcasting. For example, digital television broadcasting currently operates both satellite broadcasting and terrestrial broadcasting, but the broadcasting station 1 may be compatible with any broadcasting.

  The content creation device 2 can create video content (broadcast content for transmission) to be transmitted by the broadcast station 1, for example, in units of programs. The broadcast station 1 receives the broadcast content for transmission created by the content creation device 2 and transmits it as a broadcast of a channel assigned in advance using the broadcast network 5.

The set-top box 3 is owned by a general user, and actually there are many set-top boxes 3 for each user.
This set-top box can receive and select a digital television broadcast using the broadcast network 5 of the carrier to which the broadcast station 1 corresponds, and can reproduce and output an image / audio signal of the selected channel. Also, by having a network connection function, for example, video content (VOD content) can be downloaded from the content server 4 described below via the network 6 and the image / audio signal can be reproduced and output.

The content server 4 has a lot of video content, and transmits content data to the requested network terminal via the network 6 in response to a valid download request from the network terminal such as the set top box 3. .
The content server 7 here holds the main part of the video content as a material constituting the broadcast content broadcasted by the broadcast station 1 here.
Note that the video content held by the content server 4 is transmitted in response to a request from the network terminal as described above, and the so-called video-on-video that distributes the content when the viewer wants to view it is used. It satisfies the requirements of VOD (Video On Demand). Accordingly, the video content held by the content server 4 is hereinafter also referred to as VOD content.
In this case, the content server 4 is connected to the content creation device 2 through a communication network 7 between the facilities, for example. The inter-facility communication network 7 can be realized by a dedicated line or network communication with security represented by a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or the like.

<2. Overview of content playback mode (first example)>

In the present embodiment, two examples of content reproduction by the content distribution system shown in FIG. 1 are given. Therefore, first, the first example will be described as an outline of these content reproduction modes.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a first content reproduction mode example as the present embodiment.
Here, it is assumed that the broadcast station 1 is broadcasting program content (program unit content) that is broadcast content in units of programs having the contents shown in FIG. Then, it is assumed that a certain user has received, reproduced and output the program content of FIG. 2A from the start time by the set top box 3 and viewed it.

Here, for example, the program content broadcasts a movie of a certain title, and as a breakdown of the content from the start time to the end time, the main part 1, CM 1, main part 2, CM 2, main part 3 , CM3, main part 4, CM4, main part 5.
The main part (first type content) is a section extracted from a certain amount of time in the whole main part of the movie. In this case, the main parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are in this order. If connected, the whole movie will be reproduced. CMs 1 to 4 are CM contents inserted between the main part as CMs (commercials).

Here, the user who has watched the program content shown in FIG. 2A with the set-top box 3 thinks that this movie is very interesting. For example, when CM2 is reproduced and output, an ordinary movie main part is produced. Suppose you want to watch through all without inserting CM.
In this case, the user can perform an operation for instructing the set-top box 3 to switch to viewing of the content of the normal movie, which is a movie having the same title as the program content currently being watched and is composed of only the main part. it can. This operation is also referred to herein as “jump operation to content without CM” or simply “jump operation” by omitting this operation.

  When the jump operation to the CM-free content is performed, the set top box 3 downloads the VOD content of the movie having the same title as the main part of the broadcast content of FIG. Then, the set top box 3 switches from the reproduction output of the program content so far to the reproduction output of the received VOD content.

  However, as a content playback mode of the first example of the present embodiment, as a VOD content, a jump operation to content without CM was performed instead of downloading and reproducing the entire contents of the main part from the beginning. The content broadcasted as the program content after the time is downloaded, reproduced and output.

As a specific example, in the case of FIG. 2, the jump operation is performed when the CM 2 after the main part 2 of the program content is broadcast is flowing. Then, in this case, the main parts 1 and 2 in the whole main part of the movie have already been broadcast, and the main part 3 to the main part 5 have not been broadcast yet.
Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the set top box 3 has the main part 5 from the position corresponding to the start position of the main part 3 in the whole main part as the VOD content. The section up to the end position is downloaded and reproduced and output in time series.

  For example, the user feels it is interesting to watch a program with a normal CM inserted on a television broadcast, and wants to immediately view the content such as a movie broadcast on that program without a CM. Is often considered to be. If the content reproduction output mode is as in the present embodiment, it is possible to meet the user's request as described above.

In the content reproduction mode of the first example, when the VOD content is reproduced, the content of the main content that has already been broadcast is not reproduced when the jump operation is performed, and the program is broadcast after the jump operation is performed. Playback should start from the middle of the main part.
It is assumed that the jump operation is performed in accordance with the fact that the main content of the program content that the user has watched so far is interesting. Therefore, in the program content, the content of the main part that has already been broadcast at the time when the jump operation is performed may be regarded as being already viewed by the user. Therefore, when switching from program content to VOD content playback, if the playback is started from the content of the main part after the jump operation, the user does not appreciate the content that has already been viewed, I don't feel stress.

<3. Overview of content playback mode (second example)>

FIG. 3 schematically shows a second example of the content reproduction mode of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3A, program content broadcast from the broadcasting station 1 corresponding to the second example includes MC content having MC (Master of Ceremony) video and audio content, and video such as movies. It is edited / created by the video / audio content digest content that is created by editing the content. In this figure, MC, digest [main part content 1], MC2, digest [main part content 2], MC3, digest [main part content 3],. An example of forming program content is shown. The digest [main content 1] to the digest [main content 3] are assumed to have the digest contents using different video contents (in this case, the main contents 1, 2, and 3 for convenience) as materials. It is the created content.

In the program having the configuration shown in FIG. 3A, comments on the main content that is the basis of the digest content are generally performed by the MC portion.
In addition, the flow of comments about the main content in the MC part is the most common, but the most frequently seen digest after the comment on the main content corresponding to the digest content played back immediately before Comments are made on the main content corresponding to the content.

Then, first, each of the digest contents can be regarded as having contents corresponding to the main content as the editing material.
In addition, for the MC after one digest content is played, the first half has contents related to the main content corresponding to the digest content played immediately before, and the second half corresponds to the digest content to be played next. It can be seen that it has contents related to the main content.

Therefore, in this second example, a section corresponding to each main content that is the basis of the digest content (main content corresponding section) is set for the program content, including the MC section. As a specific example, in FIG. 3 (a), a program content portion that is continuous in time series composed of MC1, a digest [main content 1], and a front portion obtained by dividing MC2 by a division point a is It is set as the section corresponding to the chapter content 1. This is based on the fact that all of MC1 and the digest [main part content 1] and the part before division point a of MC2 have contents related to main part content 1.
Further, a section composed of a section after the dividing point a of MC2, a digest [main part content 2], and a part before the dividing point b of MC3 is set as a section corresponding to the main part content 2. This is because, together with the digest [main part content 2], the section after the dividing point a of MC2 and the section before the dividing point b of MC3 also introduce the main part contents 2, etc. It is set based on the fact that it is related to the content 2.
The section corresponding to main content 3 is set after the section corresponding to main content 2. When each of these sections corresponding to main content 1 to main content N is referred to without particular distinction, it is referred to as a content corresponding section.

Here, it is assumed that the main content 1 that is the basis of the digest [main content 1] relates to video content such as a movie that has already been converted into video software.
Then, it is assumed that the user has received and reproduced the program content of FIG. 3A by the set top box 3 for viewing. Then, suppose that the user wants to appreciate the main content 1 after watching the video introducing the main content 1 in the digest [main content 1]. In such a case, the user can perform a jump operation to the VOD content. At this time, the user wants to view the title VOD content as the main content 1, but the operation for this purpose is simply an operation of instructing “jump to VOD content”. There is no need to specify the title of the VOD content.

In FIG. 3, this jump operation is performed at the time point within the section set as the section corresponding to the main contents 1 in the MC 2 after the digest [main contents 1] ends. That is, the jump operation was performed in the section corresponding to the main content 1.
In this way, in response to the jump operation being performed in the section corresponding to the main contents 1, the set top box 3 stores the data of the regular main contents 1 as shown in FIG. Download from the beginning and play and output from the beginning to the end.

  By switching the playback output of such content, the user can immediately switch to playback of the main content 1 that he / she wants to watch by watching the digest of the program content.

Further, the contents of the program content illustrated in FIG. 2A are a mixture of the main part and CM. When viewed as a relationship with the title of the VOD content (playback switching destination content) that is the switching destination of playback, the video content of the main part is part of the data of the VOD content (main content). Therefore, it can be said that the main part has a close relationship as video contents because the main part is directly used. On the other hand, since the CM has video content that promotes some product, it is not created using the data of the main content. In other words, it can be said that the usage relationship for data (video / audio) is not originally between the CM and the main content.
Similarly, in the program content shown in FIG. 3A, the content digest and MC are mixed. The digest is created by directly using and editing a part of the entire data of the corresponding content. On the other hand, the MC usually has, for example, a person who is performing the MC as the main video content, and the sound is usually that of the MC person. Therefore, it can be said that the MC and the main content do not have a usage relationship for data.

From this, it can be said that the first example and the second example of the content reproduction mode of the present embodiment have the following common points.
That is, the program content has a content in which a content portion closely related to the reproduction switching destination content in terms of video content and a content portion that is irrelevant are mixed. In addition, even when a jump operation is performed while reproducing a content portion that is not related to the content portion that is closely related, the content is played back to an appropriate VOD content that matches the intention of the user's operation. Is considered to be switched.

<4. Configuration of Content Creation Device>

Hereinafter, a technical configuration example corresponding to the content reproduction mode (first example, second example) of the present embodiment will be described.
First, a configuration example of the content creation device will be described with reference to FIG.
The content creation apparatus 2 shown in this figure includes a control unit 21, a content creation unit 22, a storage unit 23, a communication unit 24, a sending unit 25, and an operation input unit 26.

The control unit 21 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, and the like, and configures one computer system together with an auxiliary storage device as the storage unit 23, for example, and controls operations in the content creation device 2.
The storage unit 23 stores, for example, a program to be executed by the CPU or the like in the control unit 21, video / audio data of content that is a content creation material, and the like. For the storage unit 23, for example, a hard disk or the like can be employed.

The content creation unit 22 is a part that can perform creation processing in units of program content shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A as broadcast content, for example. For example, hardware for signal processing therefor , Consisting of software and so on.
Creation of program content using the content creation unit 22 can be performed, for example, by an operator operating the operation input unit 26 by an editing / creation operator. However, as will be described later, the program-related meta information added to the broadcast content is automatically created by the content creation unit 22 according to the editing result of the broadcast content.

The communication unit 24 is a functional part for communicating with the content server 4 via the inter-facility communication network 7 shown in FIG.
The sending unit 25 is a part to which the function of transmitting the broadcast content data for sending created by the content creating unit 22 to the broadcasting station 1 via a predetermined transmission line or the like is given.

<5. Configuration of set-top box>

The block diagram of FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the set top box 3.
The set top box 3 shown in this figure includes a tuner unit 31, a video / audio signal processing unit 32, a video output unit 33, an audio output unit 34, a control unit 35, a storage unit 36, a communication unit 37, and an operation unit 38. Yes.

The tuner unit 31 receives broadcast waves or broadcast signals received from the broadcast communication network 5 via an antenna or via a CATV line. The user can perform an operation of designating a channel on the operation unit 38, and in response to this operation, the control unit 35 designates a channel to be selected by the tuner unit 31. The tuner unit 31 extracts data of the channel designated by the control unit 31.
In the present embodiment, the broadcast content for transmission corresponding to the program content unit is, as will be described later, a video / audio signal (broadcast content) corresponding to the program content, and metadata (program-related metadata) added per program unit. Information). The tuner unit 31 extracts the video / audio signal as the broadcast content and the program-related meta information as the channel data.
The tuner unit 31 outputs the extracted video / audio signal to the video / audio signal processing unit 32. The program related meta information is output to the control unit 35.

The communication unit 37 is provided for performing communication via the network 6. The control unit 35 controls the communication unit 37 to execute an operation according to a corresponding communication protocol, thereby enabling communication with devices on the network such as the content server 4.
When the VOD content is downloaded, the VOD content data transmitted from the content server 4 is received by the communication unit 37. The communication unit 37 performs processing such as solving the packet, restores the video / audio signal as the VOD content, and outputs it to the image / voice processing unit 32.

  The video / audio signal input to the video / audio signal processing unit 32 as described above is, for example, in a compression encoding format. Therefore, the video / audio signal processing unit 32 performs expansion processing on the video / audio signal to obtain a video / audio signal in a predetermined format. In addition, predetermined signal processing is performed on the expanded video / audio signal as necessary. Of the video / audio signals subjected to the signal processing, the video signal is output to the video output unit 33, and the audio signal is output to the audio output unit 34.

The video output unit 33 converts the input video signal into a display image signal and outputs it. For example, the display image signal is input to a display device (not shown) and reproduced and displayed as an image.
The audio output unit 34 amplifies and outputs the input audio signal. The audio signal amplified and output by the audio output unit 34 is supplied to a speaker, headphones, or the like not shown here, and is reproduced as sound.

  The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and forms a computer system with, for example, a storage unit 36 as an auxiliary storage device. For example, when the CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit 36, the ROM, or the like, various control and processing operations as the control unit 35 are obtained.

The storage unit 36 includes a large-capacity storage medium such as an HDD, and functions as an auxiliary storage device of the control unit 35, for example.
In the present embodiment, for example, the storage unit 36 can store a video / audio signal as a content received via broadcast or downloaded via a network in a predetermined file format.

The operation unit 38 collectively shows various operators provided in the main body of the set top box 3, a remote controller, and the like. In response to an operation performed on the operation unit 38, an operation signal corresponding to the operation is output to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 executes appropriate control and processing according to the input operation signal. Thereby, operation | movement of the set top box 3 according to user operation is obtained.
In the present embodiment, the control unit 35 uses the program-related meta information as described later in response to an operation signal input corresponding to the jump operation, and corresponds to the reproduction mode examples shown in FIGS. Perform playback content switching control.

<6. Content Server Configuration>

The block diagram of FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the content server 4. The content server 4 shown in this figure includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a communication unit 43.
The control unit 41 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and forms a server computer system with the storage unit 42 as an auxiliary storage device, for example. When the CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit 42, ROM, or the like, various control and processing operations as the control unit 41 are obtained.

The storage unit 42 is formed by an HDD or the like, for example, and has a function as an auxiliary storage device of the control unit 41 as described above.
The storage unit 42 stores a VOD content database 42A. The VOD content database 42A stores and manages a large number of VOD contents 1 to N in a database format. For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 7, the VOD content database 42A has a structure in which a unique server content ID (Server_content_ID) is associated and managed for each VOD content.

<7. Algorithm corresponding to content reproduction mode of first example>
[7-1. Program content creation process]

Corresponding to the content reproduction mode of the first example, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the broadcast station 1 broadcasts the program content in which the main part and CM are inserted alternately. This program content is created by the content creation device 2 and delivered to the broadcasting station 1.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a program content creation procedure corresponding to the first example performed by the content creation device 2. Here, an example is shown in which the program content shown in FIG.
Moreover, the flowchart of FIG. 11 has shown the process example according to the procedure of FIG. 8 as a program content creation process performed in the content creation apparatus 2. FIG.

  First, in step S101 in FIG. 11, the content creating apparatus 2 acquires data of the main content to be incorporated in the program content to be created. FIG. 8A shows the acquired main content data in a band shape according to time series.

Here, the data of the main content is acquired from the content server 4 by communication via the inter-facility communication network 7 here. That is, the control unit 21 of the content creation device 2 makes a transmission request by designating the main content via the communication network 24 via the inter-facility communication network 7.
At this time, it is assumed that the content creation worker can perform an operation of selecting the main content to be acquired after accessing the content server 4 by operating the operation input unit 26. The content server 4 reads the data of the main story content selected in this way from the VOD content database 42A, and transmits it to the content creation device 2. The control unit 21 of the content creation device 2 receives the transmitted main content data and causes the storage unit 23 to store it.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the content stored in the VOD content database 42A is not only distributed as VOD content to the set top box 3 or the like, but also as main content that is a material for creating a program. It is also transmitted to the content creation device 2.

In step S102, the content creation apparatus 2 divides the acquired main content into a plurality of main parts based on the time length of each main part other than the CM set under the program configuration. In the example of FIG. 8 (b), the entire main story content is divided into five main story parts 1-5.
For example, the main content splitting process is executed by the content creation unit 22 in accordance with the control of the control unit 21 corresponding to the main content split editing operation on the operator operation input unit 26.

In the next step S103, the content creation device 2 acquires one or more necessary commercial contents as the material of the program content. In the example of FIG. 8C, CM contents of four commercials CM1 to CM4 are acquired.
As for the CM content, for example, the content provided by the advertising company or manufacturer that created the CM content is taken in by being received via a communication network such as a network or read from a storage medium and stored in the storage unit 23. You can do that.

Steps S104 to S106 are executed by the content creation unit 22 in the content creation device 2 under the control of the control unit 35.
In step S104, the content creation unit 22 creates program content using the main part obtained in step S102 and the commercial content obtained in step S103 as editing / creation materials. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8D, the main part 1, CM 1, main part 2, CM 2, main part 3, CM 3, main part 4, CM 4, main part are arranged in chronological order. Data (video / audio data) are concatenated in the order of Part 5. One unit of content data thus obtained is defined as program content.
The content creation unit 22 connects the main part and the CM in response to an operation by the operator.

In the next step S105, the content creation unit 22 creates program-related meta information corresponding to the program content created in step S104. FIG. 8E shows program-related meta information that is created corresponding to the contents of the program content shown in FIG.
Note that step S105 is not created according to the operator's operation, but the content creation unit 22 automatically creates program-related meta information according to the program content creation result in step S104. . The program-related meta information creation process executed by the content creation unit 22 will be described later.

In the next step S106, the content creation unit 22 creates broadcast program content (program unit content for playback).
That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8F, the program-related meta information created in step S105 is added to the program content created in step S104. Data in a format in which program-related meta information is added to program content in this way becomes broadcast program content.

[7-2. Program-related meta information creation process]

Next, the process for creating program-related meta information as step S105 in FIG. 11 will be described.
First, an example of the structure of program-related meta information is shown in FIG.
The program-related meta information shown in this figure includes information items of program ID, broadcast time zone information, program configuration information (program configuration information), and jump control information.
The program ID is an identifier uniquely given to the corresponding program (program content).
The broadcast time zone information indicates a time zone during which the corresponding program is broadcast.
The program configuration information indicates the content of the configuration of the entire corresponding program.
The jump control information is a control for switching to the appropriate VOD content reproduction output in response to the jump operation when the jump operation is performed while the corresponding program is reproduced and output by the set top box 3. Information. The jump control information may be in a format described using a markup language having high compatibility with broadcasting such as XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and BML (Broadcast Markup Language).

FIG. 10 shows an example of the content of the program configuration information corresponding to the program content having the configuration shown in FIG.
The program configuration information indicates the content (material unit information) corresponding to one material content (part of the main part or CM) for each description part enclosed by the left bracket and the right bracket ([]).
First, the material unit information at the top corresponds to Part 1 of this volume.
[
Content_ID = V0001
program_time = 00: 00-00: 27
content_time = start-00: 27
]
It is described.
In the material unit information, Content_ID is an identifier for specifying the corresponding material content (here, Part 1 of the main part). However, when the corresponding material content is the main part, Content_ID describes the server content ID of the main part in FIG. Here, for convenience, the server content ID of the main content is described as “V0001”. Depending on the server content ID, it is possible to identify the content server 4 in which the VOD content that is the basis of the main part is stored, and the VOD content that is the basis managed in the VOD content database 42A in the content server 4 .
The program_time indicates a relative playback time in the corresponding program. Here, program_time = 00: 00-00: 27 is indicated. This indicates that in the program, the main part 1 is played until 27 minutes (00:27) have elapsed from the start time (00:00) of the program. In practice, the playback time can be managed in seconds, but here it is in minutes for the sake of convenience and simplicity.
content_time indicates the playback time of the content that is the basis of the corresponding material content. Here, content_time = start-00: 27 is indicated. This indicates that the main part 1 corresponding to the material content reproduces a section from the start position in the main part of the server content ID = V0001 until 27 minutes have passed.

Next, the second material unit information corresponding to CM1 is
[
Content_ID = CM1
program_time = 00: 27-00: 30
content_time = start-end
]
It is described. In the above description, first, Content_ID = CM1 indicates that the corresponding material content is content as CM1. Here, Content_ID is defined so as to be able to distinguish whether the material content is based on the VOD content or the CM itself if the value is referred to.
In addition, since program_time = 00: 27-00: 30 is described, CM1 is reproduced in the section of time 00: 27-00: 30 in the program following Part 1 of the main part. It is shown that.
Also, content_time = start-end is described. Since the main part is created using data of the main contents, the main content is the main contents. On the other hand, the CM content itself is independent content. Therefore, in this case, it is indicated that the material content from the start position (start) to the end position (end) of CM1 should be reproduced.

Similarly, the material unit information corresponding to Part 2 of the main part is
[
Content_ID = V0001
program_time = 00: 30-00: 57
content_time = 00: 27-00: 54
]
The corresponding material content (that is, Part 2 of the main part) is the same as Content_ID = V0001 in Part 1 of the main part, and the playback time in the program is 00: 30-00: 57 following CM1. In other words, it indicates that the section of time 00: 27-00: 54 in the main content indicated by Content_ID = V0001 is to be reproduced.
Similarly, for the material unit information thereafter, the main content or CM content is specified by Content_ID, the in-program playback time is specified by program_time, and the playback time interval of the base content (CM content itself) is specified by content_time. Is done.
In this way, the program configuration information shown in FIG. 10 is formed to indicate the configuration content of the material content in the program content shown in FIG.

The flowchart of FIG. 12 shows an example of a processing procedure for creating program configuration information corresponding to the first example, which is step S105 of FIG.
First, the content creation unit 22 acquires, for example, broadcast time zone information in step S201. The broadcast time zone information is transmitted in advance to the content creation device 2 through communication from the broadcast station 1 side, for example, and the content creation device 2 stores this information. In step S201, the broadcast time zone information stored in this way is read out and acquired.

  In the next step S202, the program ID is acquired. For example, the program ID set on the broadcasting station 1 side is received and stored in advance on the content creation device 2 side.

  In step S203, program configuration information is generated. An example of a processing procedure for generating the program configuration information will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S204, jump control information is generated. As described above, the jump control information can be realized by describing a process corresponding to the jump operation using a markup language such as BML or XML. What the jump control information should have will be described later as an example of a processing procedure according to the jump operation according to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S205, the content creation unit 22 applies the broadcast time zone information, program ID, program configuration information, and jump control information acquired, generated, and held in steps S201 to S204 to a predetermined data structure. It is constructed as program related meta information. As a result, program-related meta information is created.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a processing procedure for creating program configuration information executed by the content creation unit 22. The process shown in this figure corresponds to step S203 in FIG. If the function of the content creation unit 22 is regarded as a function obtained by the control unit 21 executing a program or a function obtained by a program given to the DSP, the processing shown in this figure is performed by the CPU and the DSP. It can be seen that it is realized by executing a program.

In FIG. 13, the content creation unit 22 first substitutes 0 as an initial value for each of the variables n and m in steps S301 and S302. The variable n indicates a number according to the appearance order of the time series in the program content, which should be given for the convenience of processing for each part of the main part. The variable m indicates a number according to the time-series appearance order in the program content, which should be assigned for each CM for convenience of processing.
Next, in step S303, the content creation unit 22 starts a video / audio analysis scan of the program content created in step S104 of FIG. Scanning here refers to executing video signal analysis processing and audio signal analysis processing while reading the video signal and audio signal of the program content in time series from the start position to the end position, respectively. .

In this embodiment, by this video / audio analysis scan, a determination result as to whether the content type at that time is a main part or a CM is obtained as an analysis result, for example, at every predetermined time in the program content. .
Such a content type can be determined based on a change state of the feature amount after obtaining the feature amount for each of the video signal and the audio signal.
For example, regarding a video, for example, a movie is often consistently maintained in basic colors. This leads to, for example, that the color histogram has a certain tendency. Also, if subtitles are included, the subtitles will always appear at a fixed position at the timing according to the voice of the dialogue when the contents of the main part of the movie are being broadcast. In movies and the like, the number of characters is limited to a certain number. That is, when face recognition is performed, the recognized facial features tend to be limited to several patterns.
In addition, it is considered that there may be a frequency spectrum characteristic specific to the main content of audio. For example, if the main content is a concert, an audio signal detected as music can be obtained in the main part.
In this way, for the main content, by using the information on the video / audio feature values based on various parameters, the program content at a certain time can be converted into feature values that can be viewed as the main content. It can be determined whether or not it has, that is, whether it is a main part or a CM.

  If it is determined in step S304 that the content type is the main part, the process proceeds to step S305, and the variable n is incremented. Here, the variable n is 1 when the process reaches step S305 for the first time through steps S301 to S304.

From step S305 to step S306, counting of the reproduction time of the main part part n is started.
Here, the fact that the main part and CM can be determined by video / audio analysis means that the change point of the content type between the main part and CM can be detected. In step S307, it is determined whether or not the content type has changed from the main part to the CM. If a negative determination result is obtained because there is no change in the content type, it is determined in step S308 whether the program content has been scanned up to the end, and a negative determination result is obtained. If there is, the process returns to step S306. That is, the count for the main part part n is continuously executed until the change point of the content type is reached by the scan or until the scan is completed up to the end position of the program content.

On the other hand, if a positive determination result is obtained in step S307 that the content type has changed to CM, the process proceeds to step S309.
In step S309, the count of CMm reproduction time is started by incrementing the variable m and then proceeding to step S310. This counting process is continued until it is determined in step S311 that the content type has changed from CM to the main part or until it is determined in step S312 that the scan has been completed up to the end position of the program content. .
If it is determined in step S311 that the content type has changed to the main part, the process proceeds to step S305.

  Through the processing described so far, the content creation unit 22 discriminates between the main part and the CM section in time series while analyzing and scanning the program content. Then, the playback time length is recognized for each section of main part 1 to n and each section of CM1 to CMm.

  Then, when a positive determination result is obtained in step S308 or step S312 that the analysis scan is completed, the process proceeds to step S313.

In step S313, processing for describing program configuration information is executed.
When describing the program configuration information, as shown in FIG. 10, for each material unit information corresponding to the material content, Content_ID for identifying the corresponding material content, program_time indicating the playback time section in the program content, and The content_time information indicating the playback time length of the corresponding material content itself is required.

Here, for the main part, the server content ID is held when the main part content is acquired in step S101 of FIG. 11, and for the CM, the CM content itself is acquired at the stage acquired in step S103. The content ID is held.
Regarding Content_ID, the server content ID of the main content and the content ID of CM content held as described above may be used as Content_ID.

For content_time for each part of the main part, a calculation is performed in which the reproduction times counted in step S306 are offset (integrated) in the order of main part 1 to n. The time interval for each part 1 to n of the main part obtained as a result of this calculation is content_time.
For example, in the case of FIG. 10, CM is described as start-end. However, the notation such as 00:00 to xx: xx may be used by using the reproduction time counted in step S309.

Also, program_time offsets (accumulates) the reproduction time counted in steps S306 and S309 according to the order of the main part and CM determined by the analysis scan. The section of time obtained in this way corresponds to the section of playback time in the program content. That is, program_time.
Then, the content creation unit 22 uses the Content_ID, program_time, and content_time for each material content obtained as described above to execute description as program configuration information, for example, as illustrated in FIG. As a result, the program configuration information is automatically created according to the program content creation result.

[7-3. Playback content switching process]

The flowchart of FIG. 14 shows a procedure example of a playback content switching process according to a jump operation executed by the set top box 3 as a first example.
Here, it is assumed that the set-top box 3 receives the broadcast program content in which the main part corresponding to the first example and the CM are mixed, and reproduces and outputs the video / audio as the program content. . At this time, in the set-top box 3, it is assumed that the program-related meta information is extracted from the broadcast program content and is fetched and held by the control unit 35.

  The processing shown in this figure can be considered to be obtained by the control unit 35 (CPU) of the set top box 3 interpreting and executing the jump control information in the program-related meta information. In this respect, the jump control information can be viewed as a program executed by the control unit 35 (CPU) of the set-top box 3, and the flowchart of FIG. 14 shows the program contents described as the jump control information. I can say that.

  First, the control unit 35 waits for a jump operation to be performed in step S401 in FIG. 14, and when it detects that the jump operation has been performed, the control unit 35 proceeds to a procedure after step S402.

In step S402, the reproduction time in the program (reproduction time corresponding to the operation time) corresponding to the timing at which the jump operation detected corresponding to step S401 is performed is recognized. The in-program playback time is a time measured according to the progress of the program over time with the start time (00:00) of the program as the starting point. For example, the in-program playback time at the point of 15 minutes from the start of the program is 00:15.
In order to recognize the playback time in the program at the time of this operation, for example, the start time of the program indicated by the broadcast time zone information of the program-related meta information and the current time indicated by the clock of the control unit 35 are acquired, What is necessary is just to obtain | require the difference of time and start time. The reproduction time is obtained from the value as the difference.

Next, in step S403, the control unit 35 determines whether the content type being played during the jump operation is a main part or a CM.
For this purpose, material unit information having program_time including the reproduction time in the program recognized in step S402 is searched from the time section indicated by program_time in the material unit information of the program configuration information. Next, referring to the Content_ID described in the searched material unit information, it is recognized whether the corresponding content is the main part or CM. This recognition result becomes the determination result of step S403.

If it is determined in step S403 that the content type being reproduced is the main part, the processes of steps S404 and S405 are executed, and the process proceeds to step S408.
When step S404 is reached, the jump operation has been performed during the reproduction of the main part as described above. Therefore, in step S404, the playback time in the main part content at the position in the main part when the jump operation is performed is recognized (the main part content corresponding operation time).
For this purpose, the reproduction time in the main content that is assumed to have been reproduced at the reproduction time in the program recognized in step S402 is obtained from the time section of content_time of the material unit information searched in step S403.
For example, taking the program content in FIG. 8 as an example, assume that the in-program playback time recognized in step S402 is 00:40. Program_time including in-program playback time 00:40 corresponds to the third material unit information in the program configuration information of FIG. 10, that is, part 2 of the main part. In the material unit information of this part 2 of the main part, program_time = 00: 30-00: 57, and the jump operation is 10 You can see that it was done at the minute. Next, referring to content_time in the material unit information of the same main part 2 is 00: 27-00: 54. That is, Part 2 of the main part is shown to reproduce the playback time section of 00: 27-00: 54 in the main part content. Then, it can be seen that the jump operation was performed when the time position of 00:37, which was 10 minutes after the time position of 00:27 in the main content, was played back. This is the main content corresponding operation time.

  In step S405, communication that requests the main part content portion of the whole main part content (start position to end position) from the main part content corresponding operation time to the end recognized in step S404 as VOD content. To the content server 4. When this request is made, the server content ID of the VOD content and the information (section information) indicating the section from the operation time corresponding to the main content to the end are stored and transmitted in the operand of the request command. The server content ID uses the value of Content_ID indicating the main content in the program configuration information.

On the other hand, if it is recognized in step S403 that the content type is CM, the processing proceeds to step S408 after executing the processing of steps S406 and S407.
In step S406, the playback time in the main content corresponding to the start position of the main part to be reproduced next to the CM that was being reproduced at the time when the jump operation was performed (the reproduction start time in the main content) Recognize
For this purpose, the material unit information next to the material unit information of the CM content corresponding to the jump operation recognized corresponding to step S403 is accessed. Then, the start time at content_time in the accessed material unit information is recognized.
For example, it is assumed that a jump operation is performed during the reproduction of CM2, taking the program content of FIG. 8 as an example. In the program configuration information of FIG. 10, the fourth material unit information corresponds to CM2. Therefore, when accessing the fifth material unit information and referring to the content_time in the fifth material unit information, 00: 54-01: 21 is obtained. In this case, the start time 00:54 in content_time is recognized. This start time 00:54 becomes the reproduction start time in the main content.

  In step S407, the content server 4 is communicated to request the main part content portion of the section from the reproduction start time in the main part content recognized in step S406 to the end as the VOD content. When making this request, the server content ID of the VOD content and information (section information) indicating the section from the operation time corresponding to the main content to the end are stored and transmitted in the operand of the request command.

  Upon receiving the VOD content request transmitted in step S405 or step S407, the content server 4 searches the VOD content database 42A for VOD content associated with the server content ID stored in the request command. Next, in the searched VOD content, data of the time interval specified by the interval information stored in the request command is extracted and generated as one download VOD content format. Then, the generated download VOD content is transmitted to the set-top box 3 as the request source.

  The control unit 35 of the set top box 3 makes a request for VOD content in step S405 or step S407, and then receives the VOD content transmitted from the content server 4 in response to this request in step S408. Wait. When it is determined that the VOD content has been received, content playback switching is executed in step S409. That is, the reproduction output of the program content (broadcast content) via the broadcast is stopped, and instead, the reproduction output of the VOD content started to be received in response to step S408 is started from the top.

With this process, as described in FIG. 2, first, in response to the jump operation being performed during the reproduction of the CM in the program content, the broadcast is continued following this CM in the main content time series. Switch to playback output from the position corresponding to the beginning of the main part.
Further, in response to the jump operation being performed during the reproduction of the main part in the program content, from the content of the main part being reproduced as the main part when the jump operation is performed, no CM is indicated. Switch to playback output of main content.

<8. Algorithm corresponding to content reproduction mode of second example>
[8-1. Program content creation process]

Similar to the first example, the program content having the configuration corresponding to the second example is created by the content creation device 2 and then delivered to the broadcasting station 1.
FIG. 15 schematically shows a program content creation procedure corresponding to the second example by the content creation device 2. Here, an example in which the program content shown in FIG. 3A is created is shown.
Further, the flowchart of FIG. 16 shows a processing example according to the procedure of FIG. 15 as the program content creation processing executed in the content creation device 2.

  First, in step S501 in FIG. 16, the content creating apparatus 2 acquires data as digest content necessary for program content. In FIG. 15 (a), as shown as digests 1, 2, 3,... Corresponding to the main contents 1, 2, 3,. Shown in The digest content data in this case is created by editing the content selected by the program content creator from the content stored and managed as VOD content in the content server 4 and stored in the storage unit 23. Suppose that Therefore,

  In the next step S502, MC content is acquired. It is assumed that the MC content, here the program content creator, produces and stores the data in the storage unit 23. FIG. 15B schematically shows that a plurality of necessary MC contents have been acquired as MC1, MC2, MC3.

Steps S <b> 503 to S <b> 505 are executed by the content creation unit 22 in the content creation device 2 under the control of the control unit 35.
In step S503, the content creation unit 22 uses the digest content obtained in step S501 and the MC content obtained in step S502 as an editing / creation material, for example, in accordance with the editing operation of the operator, and program content is obtained. create. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 15C, MC1, digest [main part content 1], MC2, digest [main part content 2], MC3, digest [main part content 3].・ ・ Continue to digest content or MC content at the end of the program. One unit of content thus obtained becomes program content having a structure corresponding to the second example.

Next, in step S504, the content creation unit 22 creates program-related meta information based on the content of the program content created in step S503. A content example and creation process of the program-related meta information corresponding to the second example will be described later.
FIG. 15D shows program-related meta information that is created based on the contents of the program content shown in FIG.

  In step S505, as illustrated in FIG. 15E, the content creating unit 22 broadcasts the program content in a format in which the program-related meta information created in step S504 is added to the program content created in step S503. Create

[8-2. Program-related meta information creation process]

Next, a process for creating program-related meta information corresponding to the second example will be described.
Here, the structure of the program related information corresponding to the second example may be the same as that in FIG. 9, but the program configuration information in the structure is in the format shown in FIG. 17, for example.
As shown in FIG. 17A, the program configuration information corresponding to the second example first has a material unit information group indicating the material content configuration of the program content in time series. In addition to this, it has corresponding section information (main content corresponding section information).

First, the program configuration information shown in FIG. 17A corresponds to the content of FIG. 15C. For example, the first material unit information corresponding to MC1 is
[
Content_ID = MC1
program_time = 00: 00-00: 04
content_time = start-end
]
It is described. This indicates that the corresponding material content is MC1 by Content_ID = MC1. Further, program_time = 00: 00-00: 04 indicates that this MC1 is reproduced in the time interval of 00: 00-00: 04 in the program content. Also, content_time = start-end, which indicates that the section from the start position to the end of the independent content as MC1 should be reproduced as material content.
The second material unit information corresponding to the digest [main content 1] to be reproduced following MC1 is as follows:
[
Content_ID = dj1
program_time = 00: 04-00: 10
content_time = start-end
]
It is described. Here, Content_ID = dj1 indicates that the corresponding material content is a digest content as a digest [main content 1]. Further, program_time = 00: 04-00: 10 indicates that this MC1 is reproduced in the time interval 00: 04-00: 10 in the program content. In addition, the digest content is not handled as a part of the main content like the main part in the first example, but is handled as one independent content. Thereby, content_time = start-end is described to indicate that the section from the start position to the end of the digest content should be reproduced as the material content.
Thereafter, in the same manner, the material unit information is described according to the reproduction order of the material content in time series.

  Next, the corresponding section information shown in FIG. 17B is the main content 1 corresponding section to the book shown in FIG. 3A in the program content whose material content structure is defined by the material unit information group. The section corresponding to the content N is defined.

The corresponding section information in FIG. 17 (b) includes section unit information. One section unit information has a content that defines one corresponding section. The section unit information is described in the order according to the reproduction order along the time series of the material content in the program content.
The first section unit information in FIG.
[
dj1_time = 00: 00-00: 13
Server_content_ID = 0001
]
It is described. dj1_time = 00: 00-00: 13 is a section corresponding to the main content 1 corresponding to the digest [main content 1], that is, the main content 1 corresponding section is 00: 00-00: 13 in the program content. Indicates that it is in the playback time section. Server_content_ID = 0001
Indicates the server content ID for the main content 1 corresponding to the main content 1 corresponding section.
Thereafter, in accordance with this, the time section in the program content for each section corresponding to main content 2 to main content N and the server content ID for the corresponding main content are determined by the second and subsequent section unit information. Indicated.

The overall procedure and flow of the program-related meta information creation process corresponding to the second example may be the same as in FIG.
Moreover, the process according to FIG. 13 can be applied to the generation of the material unit information group in the program configuration information.
However, the video / audio analysis scan in step S303 in this case configures an algorithm so that it can be determined whether the content type is digest content or MC content. In general, MC introduces the same person's introduction voice throughout a program, but its frequency characteristic is usually significantly different from digest content. Therefore, if the feature amount of the MC audio is known, it is possible to discriminate between the digest content and the MC content based on this.
In step S304, it is determined whether the content type is digest content or MC content. Then, the procedure of steps S306 to S308 is executed according to the discrimination result with the digest content, and the procedure of steps S310 to S312 is executed according to the discrimination result with the MC content.
In step S313, the material unit information group in the program configuration information is described based on the processing results in steps S301 to S312, and the corresponding section information is generated by executing the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. To do. Then, the program configuration information may be constructed from the material unit information group and the corresponding section information.

In addition, the program content of the second example may be created such that there is a section in which two or more digest contents are continuously connected. Corresponding to this case, in step S307, not only the change point of the content type but also the presence or absence of a change point between these digest contents when the same digest content continues as the content type. It is an algorithm. As for the digest content, if the base main content is different, the feature amount will be correspondingly different. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a difference in digest contents, that is, a change point of successive digest contents by video / audio analysis scanning.
If it is determined in step S307 that there is a change in content type or a change between digest contents, the process returns to step S304 without moving to step S309. What is the content type here again? What is necessary is just to determine. If it is determined that the next content type is also the digest content, the process proceeds to step S305 and subsequent steps, and the reproduction time count for the next digest content is appropriately performed.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a processing procedure for generating corresponding section information.
First, the content creation unit 22 sets 1 as an initial value for the variable N in step S601.
In the next step S602, the video / audio analysis scan of the program content is started, and the process proceeds to step S603.
The scan in step S602 is executed for detecting a change point in the corresponding section. For this purpose, first, the utterance content of the narrative voice as MC in the MC content section is analyzed. In addition, whether the utterance content corresponds to the digest content that was played before the MC section (that is, the main content corresponding to the digest), or is played back after the MC section. The analysis is performed so that it is possible to discriminate whether the content corresponds to the digest content (that is, the main content corresponding to the digest). The change point of the corresponding section is a position in the MC content section where the utterance content changes from the one corresponding to the digest content reproduced first to the one corresponding to the digest content reproduced next.
From this point, the change point detection of the corresponding section can be performed only by the analysis scan of the voice. However, this detection result may be used in combination, for example, by detecting whether the content type at the current scan position in the program content is digest content or MC content by video analysis scanning. In this case, a masking process is performed so that a change point is not detected in a section determined as digest content. In this way, for example, the change point of the corresponding section can be detected with higher reliability.

When the content creation unit 22 reaches step S603, it starts counting the playback time of the section corresponding to the main content N, and whether or not a change point is detected based on the result of the analysis scan of the video up to the current time in step S604. Determine about.
If a negative determination result is obtained in step S604, a negative determination result is obtained in step S606 by determining whether the video / audio analysis scan has been completed up to the end of the program content. If so, the process returns to step S603 to continue counting the playback time of the section corresponding to the main content N.

If a positive determination result is obtained in step S604 that a change point is detected, the content creation unit 22 increments the variable N in step S605 and returns to step S603.
Thereby, depending on step S603, the count of the reproduction time of the next section corresponding to the main content N is newly started. The content creation unit 22 stops the count operation of the playback time so far, and sets the playback time obtained at the time of the stop to the previous corresponding section (at this time, the main section content N-1 corresponding section. Hold) as the playback time.
In this way, by repeating the processing of steps S603 to S606, the playback time length for each section corresponding to the main content N is measured sequentially in time series.

  If a positive determination result is obtained in step S606 because the video / audio analysis scan has been completed up to the end of the program content, the process proceeds to step S607, and the count of the reproduction time so far is stopped.

In step S607, corresponding section information is generated.
For the generation of the corresponding section information, information on the time section in the program content and the main section content 1 corresponding section to the main section content N for each section corresponding to the main section content 1 corresponding to the main section content N are defined as djN_time. It becomes the server content ID for each main story content 1 to N corresponding to each corresponding section.

The server content ID is acquired when producing the digest [main content 1] to the digest [main content N] corresponding to step S501 in FIG. 16, and is stored in the storage unit 23, for example. Has been.
Further, djN_time uses information on the reproduction time length for each section corresponding to main content 1 to main content N obtained by the processing from steps S601 to S606. That is, the reproduction time length of the corresponding section to be written is offset (integrated) in the order of the section corresponding to the main content 1 to the section corresponding to the main content N. The time intervals for the main content 1 corresponding section to the main content N corresponding section obtained in this way are dj1_time to djN_time, respectively.
Therefore, in step S607, section unit information is sequentially described for each section corresponding to main content 1 to main content N using the server content ID and the information of dj1_time to djN_time obtained as described above. . Thereby, corresponding section information is generated.

[8-3. Playback content switching process]

The flowchart of FIG. 19 shows a procedure example of the playback content switching process corresponding to the jump operation executed by the set top box 3 corresponding to the second example.
Corresponding to this case, the set top box 3 receives the broadcast program content in which the digest content and the MC content are mixed corresponding to the second example, and reproduces and outputs the video / audio as the program content. doing. In the set-top box 3, the program-related meta information is extracted from the broadcast program content, and is fetched and held by the control unit 35.

  The processing shown in this figure is also obtained by interpreting and executing jump control information in the program-related meta information, that is, the program, by the control unit 35 (CPU) of the set-top box 3 as in the first example. Can be seen.

  In FIG. 19, the control unit 35 waits for a jump operation to be performed in step S701, and when detecting that the jump operation is performed, the control unit 35 proceeds to a procedure after step S702.

In step S702, the reproduction time in the program corresponding to the operation time corresponding to the jump operation detected corresponding to step S701 is recognized.
Next, in step S703, the control unit 35 determines that the corresponding section of the content including the reproduction time in the operation-corresponding program recognized in step S702 is a section corresponding to the main content 1 to the main content N corresponding section. Which one of them is recognized. For this purpose, djN_time including the reproduction time in the program corresponding to the operation time is searched from the corresponding section information in the program configuration information of the program related meta information. The section unit information having the searched djN_time corresponds to the content corresponding section including the reproduction time in the program corresponding to the operation time.

In the next step S704, the server content ID of the content corresponding section recognized in step S703 is specified, and a VOD content request is transmitted to the content server 4 via the network.
In this case, the content server 4 that has received the VOD content request reads the data of the VOD content corresponding to the designated server content ID from the VOD content database 42A for all sections from the start position to the end position. Then, the VOD content read in this way is transmitted to the set-top box 3 as the request source.

  In step S705, the control unit 35 waits for reception of the requested VOD content. When the VOD content is received, the VOD content is reproduced and output from the beginning in step S706 instead of stopping the reproduction and output of the program content so far.

In addition, as a business model corresponding to the content distribution system of this embodiment, the following can be considered, for example.
That is, it is free to receive, reproduce and output broadcast content from the broadcast station 1 by the set top box 3. On the other hand, there is a charge for downloading video content as VOD content from the content server 4 to the set top box 3. That's it. In the case of the first example, it is conceivable to change the charge according to the ratio of the section of the downloaded VOD content in the entire main content.

Further, according to the flowchart of FIG. 14, in the first example, not only during the reproduction of the CM content but also when the jump operation is performed during the reproduction of the main content, the reproduction is performed when the jump operation is performed. The continuation of the content content that has been performed is switched to the reproduction of the main content.
Similarly, in the second example, as can be seen from the flowchart of FIG. 19, not only when the MC content is being reproduced, but also when a jump operation is performed while the digest content is being reproduced, the digest content is handled. The main content is switched to playback.
In this embodiment, as described above, the jump operation to the main content was performed even while the content that is not related to the main content such as CM content or MC content is being played back. In some cases, it is possible to switch to reproduction of the main content according to the position in the program content where the operation is performed.
From this point, in the present embodiment, at least the above-described object and effect can be obtained by configuring the main content in response to the jump operation only during the reproduction of the CM content and the MC content. Achieved.
However, assuming practical use, it is considered that the user often feels inconvenient if the jump operation cannot be performed during reproduction of the main part or digest content. Therefore, in the present embodiment, jump control information is created so that a jump operation can be performed even during reproduction of the main part and digest content.

For example, in response to the jump operation in the second example, the main content introduced in the digest content in the program content is reproduced and output as VOD content. That is, the main content with the same title introduced in the digest content that is reproduced in the program content is reproduced as VOD content. That is, the VOD content to be played back is uniquely specified by the digest content, and can be said to be directly related to the digest content.
However, in the present embodiment, for example, regarding the second example, video content having a more indirect relationship may be reproduced as VOD content as long as it is related to the main content or the digest content. That is, if a jump operation is performed, other video content related to the video content introduced by the digest content corresponding to the jump operation is reproduced as VOD content.
As a more specific aspect, let us consider a case where, as a digest content, for example, a movie introducing a movie to be released in the future is produced and incorporated in the program content. In this case, generally, the title of a movie introduced by digest content has not yet been converted into video software. That is, the content server 4 is not yet stored as VOD content.
In such a case, for example, video content that is the same movie director or already registered in the content server 4 with the same leading role is reproduced as VOD content as related to the movie introduced by the digest content. Like that.
In this case, it can be considered that there are a plurality of VOD contents that can be reproduced in accordance with the jump operation. Therefore, in response to the jump operation, the content server 4 first creates a list of video contents registered in the VOD content database 42A as related to the movie introduced by the digest contents, and this list Is transmitted to the set top box 3. On the set top box 3 side, this list is displayed as a GUI according to the jump control information. Then, the set top box 3 requests again the content designated in accordance with the user content selection determination operation for this list display as the VOD content. Next, the set top box 3 reproduces and outputs the VOD content transmitted by the video content server 4 in response to the request.

  In the above embodiment, when switching from the reproduction of the broadcast program content to the reproduction of the main content, the set-top box 3 downloads and acquires the main content from the server via the network. However, the description content of the jump control information may be configured such that, for example, the main content stored locally in the set-top box 3 is read out and switched to the reproduction output according to the jump operation. In this case, there is a mechanism in which a commonality is achieved between the video content ID when locally storing and managing the set-top box 3 and the video content ID managed on the broadcast program content creation side. Try to keep it in order.

In the above embodiment, the program content is provided by broadcasting. However, for example, the program content may be distributed from a site that provides the program content on the Internet.
At the same time, the program unit content is not limited to the program unit content provided by broadcasting, but is a single piece of content created with a single program content such as a movie introduction. do it.

  In the description so far, it is assumed that the program content is targeted for video content, but the same mechanism and configuration can be applied to audio content.

  In addition, a program to be executed by the apparatus for realizing the processing shown in the flowchart as the embodiment as an embodiment is written and stored in a storage area such as an internal storage unit, or a removable storage medium. It is possible to store the data in the storage area by installing (including updating) from the storage medium. It is also conceivable that the program can be installed via a predetermined data interface under the control of another host device. Further, it may be configured to be stored in a storage device on a network and downloaded from the storage device by the network function.

It is a figure which shows the example of whole structure of the content distribution system as this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the example of a content reproduction | regeneration aspect as a 1st example in embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the example of a content reproduction | regeneration aspect as a 2nd example in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a content creation apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a set top box. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a content server. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a management mode of the content by a VOD content database. It is a figure which shows typically the production procedure example of the broadcast program content corresponding to the example of a content reproduction | regeneration aspect as a 1st example. It is a figure which shows the structural example of program related meta information. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of program structure information corresponding to the example of a content reproduction | regeneration aspect as a 1st example. It is a flowchart which shows the production procedure example of the broadcast program content corresponding to the example of a content reproduction | regeneration aspect as a 1st example. It is a flowchart which shows the preparation example of a program relevant meta information. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a production | generation process procedure of program structure information corresponding to the example of a content reproduction | regeneration aspect as a 1st example. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process sequence for the reproduction | regeneration content switching according to jump operation corresponding to the example of content reproduction | regeneration aspects as a 1st example. It is a figure which shows typically the production procedure example of the program content for a broadcast corresponding to the example of content reproduction as a 2nd example. It is a flowchart which shows the production procedure example of the broadcast program content corresponding to the example of a content reproduction | regeneration aspect as a 2nd example. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of program structure information corresponding to the example of a content reproduction | regeneration aspect as a 2nd example. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence example for the production | generation of corresponding | compatible area information corresponding to the example of content reproduction as a 2nd example. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process sequence for the reproduction content switching according to jump operation corresponding to the example of content reproduction as a 2nd example.

Explanation of symbols

  1 broadcast station, 2 content creation device, 3 set top box, 4 content server, 21 control unit, 22 content creation unit, 23 storage unit, 24 communication unit, 25 sending unit, 26 operation input unit, 31 tuner unit, 32 video Audio processing unit, 33 video output unit, 34 audio output unit, 35 control unit, 36 storage unit, 37 communication unit, 38 operation unit, 41 control unit, 42 storage unit, 42A VOD content database, 43 communication unit

Claims (5)

One or more first type contents having contents using the data of the main part content and one or more second type contents having no contents using the main part content data are linked according to the reproduction time. Analysis means for executing analysis processing for determining the content type of the data based on a change in the characteristic amount of the data for the data of the program unit content having the content content as one program created by the processing;
Content section recognition means for recognizing the section of the first type content and the second type content in the program unit content based on the determination result of the content type of the analysis process;
A program for generating program configuration information, which is information indicating the configuration of the program unit content using the first type content and the second type content as materials, based on the recognition result of the content section recognition means Configuration information generating means;
At least, in response to the instruction operation of reproducing switching to the hen content made to the playback apparatus when playing the playback device the content of the second type in the program content unit, the upper SL program unit content Control information for switching from reproduction of the program unit content to reproduction of the main content related to the first type content using the program configuration information added to Control information generating means for generating;
Generating meta information including the program configuration information and the control information, and adding the meta information to the program unit content creates a program unit content for playback to be played back by the playback device. Content creation means,
A content creation device comprising: The program unit content is created by inserting a second type of content between a plurality of first type content created by dividing one main content in a time series direction,
The control information generation means matches the start position of the first type of content reproduced after the second type of content reproduced at the timing when the instruction operation is performed based on the program configuration information. Specify the data position on the time series in the main content and generate the control information for obtaining an operation to start reproduction from this data position.
The content creation apparatus according to claim 1. The program unit content is such that the first to Nth first type contents created based on different main contents and one or more second type contents are connected in time series. It was created by
When the analysis unit determines that the data of the program unit content is the first type of content, the first to Nth contents of the content program unit content are time-series video and / or audio contents. Analyzing which of the first to Nth main content that is the basis of the first type of content corresponds to
Program structure information generating means, based on the result of the analysis processing by the analysis means, for the program content units, the having respective contents of the corresponding video and / or audio of the hen contents of the first to N 1 to Nth main content corresponding to the main content corresponding section is generated, and the main content corresponding section information is generated and included in the program configuration information.
The control information generating means performs an operation of starting reproduction of the main content corresponding to the main content corresponding section that has been reproduced when the instruction operation is performed based on the main content corresponding section information. Generate control information to be obtained,
The content creation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. One or more first type contents having contents using the data of the main part content and one or more second type contents having no contents using the main part content data are linked according to the reproduction time. An analysis procedure for executing an analysis process for determining a content type of the data based on a change in a feature amount of the data for data of a program unit content having a content content as one program created by
A content section recognition procedure for recognizing a section between the first type content and the second type content in the program unit content based on the determination result of the content type of the analysis process;
A program that generates program configuration information, which is information indicating a configuration of the program unit content using the first type content and the second type content as materials, based on a recognition result obtained by the content section recognition procedure. Configuration information generation procedure,
At least, in response to the instruction operation of reproducing switching to the hen content made to the playback apparatus when playing the playback device the content of the second type in the program content unit, the upper SL program unit content Control information for switching from reproduction of the program unit content to reproduction of the main content related to the first type content using the program configuration information added to A control information generation procedure to be generated;
Generating meta information including the program configuration information and the control information, and adding the meta information to the program unit content creates a program unit content for playback to be played back by the playback device. To create content,
Content creation method to execute. One or more first type contents having contents using the data of the main part content and one or more second type contents having no contents using the main part content data are linked according to the reproduction time. An analysis procedure for executing an analysis process for determining a content type of the data based on a change in a feature amount of the data for data of a program unit content having a content content as one program created by
A content section recognition procedure for recognizing a section between the first type content and the second type content in the program unit content based on the determination result of the content type of the analysis process;
A program that generates program configuration information, which is information indicating a configuration of the program unit content using the first type content and the second type content as materials, based on a recognition result obtained by the content section recognition procedure. Configuration information generation procedure,
At least, in response to the instruction operation of reproducing switching to the hen content made to the playback apparatus when playing the playback device the content of the second type in the program content unit, the upper SL program unit content Control information for switching from reproduction of the program unit content to reproduction of the main content related to the first type content using the program configuration information added to A control information generation procedure to be generated;
Generating meta information including the program configuration information and the control information, and adding the meta information to the program unit content creates a program unit content for playback to be played back by the playback device. To create content,
That causes the content creation device to execute the program.

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