JP7317392B2 - Delivery device and delivery method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a distribution device and a distribution method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique for editing content in distributing content composed of one or more images. For example, images constituting content include moving images, still images, caption images such as characters, and the like. Editing of content includes addition, deletion, replacement, and layout change of images constituting the content (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2008-170544 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-318450

By the way, since the above-described technique is a technique for distributing content created on the transmitting side, the content distributed from the transmitting side to the receiving side is distributed as one system.

When content is distributed as one system, it is extremely complicated to add, delete, replace, and change the layout of images constituting the content while the content is being distributed.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a distribution device and a distribution method that can be easily executed.

One aspect of the disclosure includes a transmission unit that transmits content including a first image and a second image to a receiving side, and a control unit that manages layout information regarding the layout of the first image and the second image, The transmission unit is a distribution device that transmits, as the content, data regarding the first image, data regarding the second image, and the layout information.

One aspect of the disclosure includes a step A of transmitting content including a first image and a second image to a receiving side, and a step B of managing layout information regarding the layout of the first image and the second image, The step A is a distribution method including a step of transmitting data regarding the first image, data regarding the second image, and the layout information as the content.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, a distribution apparatus and a distribution method enable easy execution of addition, deletion, replacement, layout change, etc. of images constituting content even while content is being distributed. can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a distribution system 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the distribution device 20 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of content according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an edit screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an edit screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an edit screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an edit screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a distribution method according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an edit screen according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing playback times according to Modification 2. As shown in FIG.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals are given to the same or similar parts. However, the drawings are schematic.

[Embodiment]
(delivery system)
A distribution system according to an embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a distribution system 100 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution system 100 has a receiving device 10 and a distribution device 20. FIG. Receiving device 10 and distribution device 20 are connected by network 110 . Although not particularly limited, the network 110 may be configured by the Internet. The network 110 may include a local area network, may include a mobile communication network, and may include a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

The receiving device 10 is a terminal used by a content viewer. The receiving device 10 may be a personal computer, a smart phone, or a tablet terminal. In FIG. 1, receiver 10A to receiver 10C are illustrated.

The distribution device 20 is a device that distributes content to the reception device 10 . The distribution device 20 may be a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The distribution device 20 may be read as the transmission device 20 that transmits the content, or may be read as the editing device 20 that edits the content.

Content may include, but is not limited to, content delivered in real time. In other words, content delivery may be live delivery or stream delivery.

Content may consist of one or more content materials. The content material may include images selected from moving images, still images and caption images. A moving image may include a real-time image captured by a camera. Still images may include images relating to pre-prepared presentation material. When two or more still images are displayed in chronological order, it may be considered that the two or more still images are moving images. The caption image may include an image (eg, telop) relating to a character string configured to flow in a predetermined direction, or may include an image (eg, caption) relating to a static character string.

The content material may include, but is not limited to, sounds such as voice or music. To distinguish between images and sounds, content material that relates to images may be referred to as image material, and content material that relates to sounds may be referred to as sound material. When a moving image and sound are managed as an integrated content material, such a content material may be treated as a kind of image material.

In embodiments, the content may include a first image and a second image. The first image may be an image selected from moving images and still images. Similarly, the second image may be an image selected from moving images, still images and caption images. The first image may be considered to be the main image used as the main content. The second image may be considered to be a sub-image used as a sub of the content. In other words, the second image may be used as an image to supplement the first image.

(Distribution device)
A distribution device according to an embodiment will be described below. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the distribution device 20 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution device 20 has a communication section 21, a storage section 22, a display section 23, and a control section .

The communication unit 21 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.11a/b/g/n, LTE, 5G, 6G, or a wired communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.3. good.

In the embodiment, the communication unit 21 constitutes a transmission unit that transmits content including the first image and the second image to the receiving side (receiving device 10). The communication unit 21 transmits data regarding the first image, data regarding the second image, and layout information as contents. Layout information is information about the layout of the first image and the second image.

That is, in the embodiment, when the content includes a first image and a second image, the first image and the second image are treated as separate images instead of being handled as one image. treated. Therefore, it is allowed to edit the first image and the second image separately even after the content is distributed. In such a case, receiving device 10 may display content including the first image and the second image on a browser basis.

The storage unit 22 is configured by a storage medium such as a nonvolatile memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), magnetic tape, or the like.

In embodiments, the storage unit 22 may store content material. The content material may be stored in the form of files. For example, the storage unit 22 stores data regarding the first image and data regarding the second image.

The display unit 23 is configured by a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

In the embodiment, the display unit 23 constitutes a display unit that displays information about content. Specifically, the display unit 23 has a first display area for displaying content before the second image is reflected (hereinafter referred to as first content), and a content after the second image is reflected (hereinafter referred to as second display area). and a second display area for displaying 2 content). The display unit 23 may include a third display area that displays an editing screen for editing the second image. The editing screen may include an image for editing the layout of the second image.

Here, it may be considered that the first content is the content being distributed at the present time (the content being distributed). The second content may be considered to be content (preview content) in which the second image is added to the currently distributed content.

Controller 24 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured by a single integrated circuit or may be configured by a plurality of communicatively coupled circuits (such as integrated circuits and/or discrete circuits).

In the embodiment, the control unit 24 constitutes a control unit that manages layout information regarding the layout of the first image and the second image. The control unit 24 may instruct the communication unit 21 to transmit the first image, the second image, and the layout information. When content including the first image is distributed and an instruction to reflect the second image is executed, the control unit 24 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit the second content displayed in the second display area. may be instructed to In other words, the communication unit 21 may transmit the data regarding the first image, the data regarding the second image, and the layout information according to the instruction of the control unit 24. FIG.

(Outline of content)
An overview of the content according to the embodiment will be described below. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of content according to the embodiment. Here, the content displayed on the receiving device 10 is exemplified.

As shown in FIG. 3, the content may include an image area 210, a chat area 220, and a rating area 230. FIG.

Image area 210 may include area 211, area 212, and area 213 for displaying images. The area 211 may be an example of an area for displaying the first image. For example, area 211 may be an area for displaying images related to presentation material. Regions 212 and 213 may be examples of regions for displaying the second image. For example, area 212 may be an area for displaying an image of the presenter. The area 213 may be an area for displaying an image related to caption (caption image).

Furthermore, the image area 210 may include an area 214 for displaying an image showing the playback time of the content. Area 214 may display an image showing the current playback time of the content and the total playback time of the content.

Chat area 220 is an area for displaying comments received from receiving device 10 . Chat area 220 may include an area for entering comments to be sent to receiving device 10 . Chat area 220 may include an area for displaying comments sent to receiving device 10 .

The evaluation area 230 is an area for inputting the viewer's evaluation of the content. The rating area 230 may include an area for entering positive ratings for the content. Ratings area 230 may include an area for entering negative ratings for the content.

FIG. 3 illustrates the case where the content includes the image area 210, the chat area 220, and the evaluation area 230. FIG. However, the content need only include at least image area 210 . That is, the content may or may not include chat area 220 . Similarly, content may or may not include rating area 230 .

(Editing screen)
The edit screen according to the embodiment will be described below. 4 to 7 are diagrams showing edit screens according to the embodiment. Here, an editing screen displayed on the display unit 23 of the distribution device 20 is exemplified. The editing screen is used for editing captions, chats, questionnaires, images, and the like.

First, caption editing will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the editing screen for captions may include areas 311, 312, and 313. FIG. Here, the caption image may be an example of the second image.

A region 311 is an example of a second display region that displays content (second content) after the second image has been reflected. That is, the area 311 displays the content reflecting the caption being edited. Area 311 is used to preview the caption being edited.

A region 312 is an example of a first display region that displays content (first content) before the second image is reflected. That is, the area 312 displays the content before the caption being edited is reflected. Area 311 is used to confirm the content being delivered.

A region 313 is an example of a third display region that displays an editing screen for editing the second image. Region 313 has region 313A, region 313B, region 313C and region 313D. Area 313A is an area for editing the layout of captions. FIG. 4 illustrates a case where six types of layouts can be selected. However, the number of selectable layout types may be less than six, or may be six or more. Alternatively, the area 313A may provide a function for arbitrarily setting the caption layout. Area 313B is an area for entering a caption. Area 313C is an area for selecting whether to display the caption being edited in area 311 as a preview. For example, ON may mean add the caption being edited to the preview, and OFF may mean not add the caption being edited to the preview. Area 313D is an area for entering instructions that reflect captions. For example, selection of area 313D transmits the content displayed in area 311 (ie, the content reflected in the caption).

Here, in the case shown in FIG. 4, the layout information regarding the first image and the second image may be information regarding the layout selected in the area 313A.

Second, image editing will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the edit screen for images may include areas 321, 322, and 323. FIG. Here, a case may be assumed in which the second image to be edited is added while the content including the first image to be edited is being distributed. The first image to be edited is an example of the first image, and may be a moving image or a still image. The second image to be edited is an example of the second image, and may be a moving image or a still image.

A region 321 is an example of a second display region that displays content (second content) after the second image has been reflected. That is, in area 321, the content to which the second image to be edited is reflected (added) is displayed. A region 321 is used for previewing the second image to be edited.

A region 322 is an example of a first display region that displays content (first content) before the second image is reflected. That is, the area 322 displays the content before the second image to be edited is reflected (added). Area 322 is used to confirm the content being delivered.

A region 323 is an example of a third display region that displays an editing screen for editing the second image. Region 323 has region 323A, region 323B, region 323C, region 323D and region 323E. Area 323A is an area for editing the layout of the second image to be edited. The area 323A may be considered as an area for editing the layout of the first image to be edited and the second image to be edited. FIG. 5 illustrates a case in which eight types of layouts can be selected. However, the number of types of selectable layouts may be less than eight or may be eight or more. Alternatively, the area 323A may provide a function capable of arbitrarily setting the layout of the first image to be edited and the second image to be edited. The area 323B is an area for selecting an image material related to the first image to be edited. An image material related to the first image to be edited may already be selected while the content including the first image to be edited is being distributed. A region 323C is a region for selecting an image material related to the second image to be edited. Area 323D is an area for selecting whether or not to display the second image to be edited in area 321 as a preview. For example, ON may mean adding the second edited image to the preview, and OFF may mean not adding the second edited image to the preview. The area 323E is an area for inputting an instruction to reflect (add) the second image to be edited. For example, selection of area 323E causes the content (second content) displayed in area 321 to be transmitted.

Here, in the case shown in FIG. 5, the layout information regarding the first image and the second image may be information regarding the layout selected in the area 323A.

FIG. 5 illustrates editing of content containing two types of images. However, embodiments are not so limited. The editing screen may be a screen for editing content including three or more types of images.

FIG. 5 has mainly described the case of adding the second image to be edited to the first image to be edited. However, embodiments are not so limited. Editing the image may include editing to replace the first image to be edited with the second image to be edited.

Third, chat editing will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6 , the edit screen for chat may include areas 331 , 333 and 333 .

A region 331 is an example of a second display region that displays content (second content) after the second image being edited is reflected on the editing screen described in FIG. 4 or 5 . However, assuming a case where chat is not included in the content, area 331 may display the same content as area 333, or may be omitted.

A region 332 is an example of a first display region that displays content (first content) before the second image being edited is reflected on the editing screen described in FIG. 4 or 5 .

Area 333 is an area for editing chats. Region 333 has region 333A, region 333B and region 333C. Area 333A is an area for displaying comments received from receiving device 10 (viewer). Area 333B is an area for inputting a comment to be transmitted from distribution device 20 (distributor). Area 333C is an area for instructing transmission of the comment entered in area 333B.

Fourthly, the editing of questionnaires will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the edit screen for questionnaires may include areas 341, 343, and 343. FIG. An image related to the questionnaire (hereinafter referred to as questionnaire image) may be an example of the second image.

A region 341 is an example of a second display region that displays content (second content) after the second image being edited is reflected. That is, in area 341, content reflecting the questionnaire image is displayed. Area 341 is used for previewing the questionnaire image.

A region 342 is an example of a first display region that displays content (first content) before the second image being edited is reflected. That is, area 342 displays the content before the questionnaire image is reflected. Area 342 is used to confirm the content being delivered.

A region 343 is an example of a third display region that displays an editing screen for editing the second image. Region 343 has region 343A, region 343B and region 343C. Area 343A is an area for inputting a questionnaire (for example, question) for receiving device 10 (viewer). Area 343B is an area for selecting whether to display the questionnaire image in area 321 as a preview. For example, ON may mean adding the questionnaire image to the preview, and OFF may mean not adding the questionnaire image to the preview. Area 343C is an area for inputting an instruction to reflect the questionnaire image. For example, selection of area 343C causes the content (second content) displayed in area 341 to be transmitted.

Here, in the case shown in FIG. 7, the layout of the questionnaire image may be determined by default, such as the center of the first image, or may be arbitrarily selected by the distributor. The questionnaire image may be displayed as a pop-up with respect to the first image. The layout information regarding the first image and the second image may be information regarding a default layout or information regarding a layout arbitrarily selected by the distributor.

In FIG. 7, area 343A is used to enter the questionnaire, but area 343A may also be used to enter the results of the questionnaire.

(delivery method)
A distribution method according to the embodiment will be described below. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a distribution method according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a case where content is distributed in real time.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step S10, the distribution device 20 starts distribution of content. For example, the content may include a first image related to presentation material.

In step S12, the distribution device 20 transmits data regarding the first image to the reception device 10 as content.

In step S14, the distribution device 20 edits the content. For example, a second image is added to the first image. The second image may be a caption image added using the editing screen shown in FIG. The second image may be the second image to be edited that is added using the editing screen shown in FIG. The second image may be a questionnaire image added using the edit screen shown in FIG.

In step S16, the distribution device 20 transmits data on the first image, data on the second image, and layout information to the reception device 10 as content.

(Action and effect)
In the embodiment, when the content includes the first image and the second image, the distribution device 20 transmits the data regarding the first image, the data regarding the second image, and the layout information as the content. According to such a configuration, when the content includes the first image and the second image, the first image and the second image are not handled as one image, but the first image and the second image are separated. treated as an image. Therefore, it is possible to easily add, delete, replace, change the layout, etc. of the images constituting the content.

In the embodiment, the display unit 23 of the distribution device 20 has a first display area for displaying content (first content) before the second image is reflected, and a content (second content) after the second image is reflected. a second display area for displaying content). According to such a configuration, it is possible to confirm whether or not the second image is appropriately reflected even when the content is distributed in real time.

In the embodiment, display unit 23 of distribution device 20 may include a third display area for displaying an editing screen for editing the second image. According to such a configuration, even when the content is distributed in real time, the second image such as the caption, the second image to be edited, the questionnaire image, and the image regarding the result of the questionnaire (hereinafter referred to as the questionnaire result image) can be displayed. can be easily edited.

In the embodiment, the edit screen includes images for editing the layout of the second image (eg, area 313A shown in FIG. 4, area 323A shown in FIG. 5). According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately select the layout of the second image even when the content is distributed in real time.

[Modification 1]
Modification 1 of the embodiment will be described below. In the following, mainly the differences with respect to the embodiments will be described.

Modification 1 describes a method of reflecting chat as a caption. That is, a method of reflecting comments received from the receiving device 10 as captions in content will be described. In other words, we describe the case where the caption image includes comments received from the viewer.

As shown in FIG. 9, the edit screen for chat may include an area 333D in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. A region 333D is a region (image) for inputting an instruction to reflect a comment as a caption image. The area 333D transmits a comment (comment X in FIG. 9) selected from the comments displayed in the area 333A as a caption image.

Here, the layout of the caption image configured by the comments may be information regarding the layout determined by default, or may be arbitrarily selected by the distributor.

For example, the edit screen shown in FIG. 4 may be displayed according to the selection of the area 333D. In such a case, a comment selected from the comments displayed in area 333A may already be entered in area 313B.

In Modification 1, a method of reflecting chat as a caption has been described, but Modification 1 is not limited to this. For example, a questionnaire may be reflected as a caption, and the results of the questionnaire may be reflected as a caption.

[Modification 2]
Modification 2 of the embodiment will be described below. In the following, mainly the differences with respect to the embodiments will be described. In Modification 2, the distribution device 20 may manage the playback times of the first image and the second image on the time axis of the content.

For example, a case in which a presentation is performed will be illustrated. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 10, an image related to the presentation may be used as the first image and an image related to the presenter may be used as the second image. Furthermore, an image (for example, a caption image) related to the presenter's introduction may be used as the second image, and a questionnaire image and a questionnaire result image may be used as the second image. At least one of the questionnaire and the results of the questionnaire may be reflected in the content as a caption.

On this premise, on the time axis of the content, the playback times of images related to the presentation, images related to the presenter, images related to the introduction of the presenter, questionnaire images, questionnaire result images, etc. are individually managed. For example, 0:00-1:00 (1 hour) may be managed as the playback time of an image related to a presentation. 0:07-0:10 (3 minutes) may be managed as the playback time of the image related to the presenter. As the playback time of the questionnaire image, 0:38-0:43 (5 minutes) may be managed. As the playback time of the questionnaire result image, 0:45-0:50 (5 minutes) may be managed.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily replace the first image and the second image and change the layout when assuming a usage scene in which the content is re-edited after the content is distributed.

[Other embodiments]
While the present invention has been described by the above disclosure, the statements and drawings forming part of the above disclosure should not be taken as limiting the invention. Various alternative embodiments, implementations and operational techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

In the above disclosure, the case of editing the second image is mainly described when the content is delivered in real time. However, the above disclosure is not so limited. The above disclosure may be applied to the case of editing the second image before content distribution, or may be applied to the case of editing the second image after content distribution.

In the above disclosure, distribution of content from distribution device 20 to reception device 10 has been described. Content distribution may be unidirectional or bidirectional. If the distribution of content is two-way, the receiving device 10 may have the same functions as the distribution device 20. FIG.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, the storage unit 22 of the distribution device 20 may store distributed content. That is, the storage unit 22 may store data regarding the first image, data regarding the second image, and layout information as content. As described above, the second image may include moving images, still images, caption images, and the like. The second image may include a questionnaire image, a questionnaire result image, and the like. According to such a configuration, distributed content can be easily edited, and the edited content can be redistributed appropriately.

In the above disclosure, delivery and transmission may be interpreted as the same term in the sense of providing content to receiving device 10 .

In the above disclosure, a region may be interpreted as a term meaning an image displayed in the region, or a term meaning a function provided by the region.

Although not particularly mentioned in the disclosure above, a program that causes a computer to execute each process performed by the distribution device 20 may be provided. Also, the program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. A computer readable medium allows the installation of the program on the computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a recording medium such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

Alternatively, a chip configured by a memory storing a program for executing each process performed by the distribution device 20 and a processor executing the program stored in the memory may be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Receiver, 20... Delivery apparatus, 21... Communication part, 22... Storage part, 23... Display part, 24... Control part, 100... Delivery system, 110... Network

Claims (7)

a transmitting unit that transmits content including the first image and the second image to a receiving side;
a control unit that manages layout information regarding the layout of the first image and the second image ;
a display unit that displays information about the content,
The transmission unit transmits, as the content, data regarding the first image, data regarding the second image, and the layout information,
The display unit includes: a first display area for displaying the first content before the second image is reflected in the content being distributed to the receiving side; a second display area displaying the second content after being reflected;
The delivery device, wherein the transmission unit transmits the second content displayed in the second display area when an instruction to reflect the second image in the content being delivered to the receiving side is executed. 2. The delivery device according to claim 1 , wherein said display unit includes a third display area for displaying an editing screen for editing said second image. 3. The delivery device according to claim 2 , wherein said edit screen includes an image for editing the layout of said second image. 4. The distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control unit manages reproduction times of said first image and said second image on the time axis of said content. 5. The delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein said second image includes one or more images selected from a moving image, a still image and a caption image. the caption image includes comments received from a viewer of the content;
6. The distribution apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said editing screen includes an image for inputting an instruction to reflect said comment as said caption image. a step A of transmitting content including the first image and the second image to a receiving side;
a step B of managing layout information regarding the layout of the first image and the second image ;
a step C of displaying information about the content;
The step A includes a step of transmitting data regarding the first image, data regarding the second image, and the layout information as the content,
The step C includes displaying the first content in the first display area before the second image is reflected in the content being delivered to the receiving side; displaying the second content in the second display area after being reflected in the content;
In the step A, the distribution method transmits the second content displayed in the second display area when an instruction to reflect the second image in the content being distributed to the receiving side is executed.