JP7804262B2 - Distribution System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a distribution system that sequentially distributes video of multiple scenes that make up an event such as a lecture or seminar to multiple terminals.

Traditionally, distribution systems for events such as lectures and seminars have involved connecting multiple devices belonging to the speaker and viewers to a distribution device, which then distributes shared screens corresponding to each scene of the event to each device, allowing viewers to receive video of the event, which consists of multiple scenes.

For example, the lecture distribution method described in Patent Document 1 distributes materials related to the lecture along with the video and audio of the lecture to a terminal device via a telecommunications line.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-029610

For example, some distribution systems create an event distribution setting file by setting the layout and distribution procedure for each scene in advance and distributing a shared screen (still image or video) and audio for each scene. The distribution procedure is set to switch between scenes according to specified conditions such as the scene distribution time. However, even if you want to switch between scenes during the event distribution to present materials or change the shooting scene, you cannot edit the distribution program and change the distribution procedure for multiple scenes.

Furthermore, in a distribution system, while the speaker and viewers are receiving the event using a video transmission/reception application on their devices, the speaker may operate the video transmission/reception application to switch between scenes by selecting still images or videos displayed on the shared screen. However, smoothly switching between scenes is not easy, as the speaker needs to become highly skilled in operating the video transmission/reception application, which can result in sluggish video transmission and reception.

The present invention takes the above circumstances into consideration and aims to provide a distribution system that allows smooth switching between scenes of an event whose video is being transmitted.

To solve the above problem, the distribution system of the present invention is a distribution system that sequentially distributes video of multiple scenes that make up an event to multiple terminals, and includes a scene setting unit that sets the layout and distribution procedure of the multiple scenes, a distribution unit that distributes the multiple scenes according to the layout and distribution procedure, an operation unit having multiple operation keys, and a key assignment unit that assigns distribution processing of the scenes to the operation keys, and is characterized in that the distribution unit performs distribution processing of the scenes assigned to the operation keys in response to operation of the operation keys.

This invention makes it possible to provide a distribution system that can smoothly switch between scenes of an event that is being transmitted as video.

1 is a block diagram showing an overview of a distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view showing a scene switching device of a distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a front view showing a key assignment screen of the distribution system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of distribution system 1. Distribution system 1 distributes multiple scenes that make up an event such as a lecture or seminar so that viewers can receive the video. Each scene may include, for example, an opening scene, a table of contents scene, a title scene for each lecture, a lecture demonstration scene, a material presentation scene, a question and answer scene, and an ending scene.

As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution system 1 includes a distribution device 2 for distributing an event, a speaker terminal 3 owned by a speaker who will give a lecture at the event, and a viewer terminal 4 owned by viewers who will watch the event, all connected via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other. External devices connected to the distribution device 2 include a recording device 6 such as a camera for recording lectures and seminars, and a scene switching device 7 (operation unit) for switching between event scenes. As shown in FIG. 2, the scene switching device 7 is equipped with multiple operation keys 8.

Note that while Figure 1 shows an example in which the distribution system 1 has one speaker terminal 3 and one viewer terminal 4, the distribution system 1 may have two or more speaker terminals 3 or two or more viewer terminals 4.

The distribution device 2 is configured to pre-set the layout and distribution procedures for multiple scenes that make up an event such as a lecture or seminar, set the still images and moving images to be displayed on the shared screen for each scene, set the audio to be output for each scene, and create a content distribution setting file.

The distribution device 2 is composed of a server, a high-performance personal computer, etc., and has a control unit 10, a memory unit 11, and a display unit 12.

The control unit 10 has a computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and is configured to control the overall operation of the distribution device 2. The storage unit 11 has memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and a recording medium such as a hard disk, and is configured to store information, data, programs, etc. controlled by the control unit 10.

The control unit 10 controls each unit and function of the distribution device 2 by executing calculations based on the programs and data stored in the memory unit 11. For example, in this embodiment, the control unit 10 operates as a scene setting unit 20 by executing a scene setting program stored in the memory unit 11, as a key assignment unit 21 by executing a key assignment program stored in the memory unit 11, and as a distribution unit 22 by executing a distribution program stored in the memory unit 11.

In other words, the scene setting unit 20 is a scene setting program (scene setting application) installed in the distribution device 2, executed by the control unit 10, and provides a scene setting function in the distribution device 2. The key assignment unit 21 is a key assignment program (key assignment application) installed in the distribution device 2, executed by the control unit 10, and provides a key assignment function in the distribution device 2. The distribution unit 22 is a distribution program (distribution application) installed in the distribution device 2, executed by the control unit 10, and provides a distribution function in the distribution device 2.

The scene setting unit 20 is configured to be able to set multiple scenes that make up an event such as a lecture or seminar, and accepts setting operations from a setting person such as an organizer or distributor. The scene setting unit 20 accepts the addition and deletion of scenes by, for example, displaying a scene addition screen (not shown) on the display unit 12, such as a display of the distribution device 2, for adding and deleting scenes for a specific event. The scene setting unit 20 is also able to set an event name for the event and a scene name for each scene. The scene setting unit 20 also identifies the event using event identification information and identifies each scene set for the event using scene identification information, and associates multiple scenes with the event and stores them in the storage unit 11.

The scene setting unit 20 is configured to be able to set the layout of each scene set for the event, and, for example, displays a layout setting screen (not shown) for setting the layout of each scene on the display unit 12 of the distribution device 2 to accept the scene layout settings. The scene layout may have, for example, a column for displaying text and a column for displaying images, and may have only one of each column, or two or more. The scene setting unit 20 also associates layout information indicating the layout set for a scene with the scene and stores it in the memory unit 11.

The scene setting unit 20 is configured to be able to set the content (images, such as still images and moving images, and audio) to be provided in each scene set for the event. For example, it displays a content setting screen (not shown) for setting content for each scene on the display unit 12 of the distribution device 2 and accepts the setting of the scene content. At this time, the scene setting unit 20 accepts the setting of images for each column that displays images according to the layout of each scene. The images may be images pre-stored in the storage unit 11, or images captured by the imaging device 6, or images transmitted from the presenter terminal 3 or the viewer terminal 4. The scene setting unit 20 is also able to set image properties such as image quality for the images displayed in each scene, and to set audio properties for the audio output in each scene. The scene setting unit 20 also associates content information indicating the content set for a scene with the scene and stores it in the storage unit 11.

The scene setting unit 20 is configured to be able to set the distribution procedures for multiple scenes set for an event, and, for example, displays a distribution procedure setting screen (not shown) for setting the distribution procedures on the display unit 12 of the distribution device 2 to accept the settings of the distribution procedures. At this time, the scene setting unit 20 is able to set not only the order in which the multiple scenes are to be distributed, but also the distribution timing, such as the distribution time of each scene, as the distribution procedure. The scene setting unit 20 also associates distribution procedure information indicating the distribution procedures for the multiple scenes set for the event with the event and stores it in the memory unit 11.

The scene setting unit 20 is also configured to be able to specify a video transmission/reception application for receiving the distributed event at the presenter terminal 3 or the viewer terminal 4, and associates the video transmission/reception application with the event and stores it in the storage unit 11. Once the scene setting unit 20 has completed setting each piece of information for the event, it creates a distribution setting file containing each piece of information for the event and stores it in the storage unit 11. It also issues distribution source information such as a URL for receiving the event distribution to the organizer, distributor, etc., so that the organizer, distributor, etc. can notify the presenter terminal 3 and viewer terminal 4 of the distribution source information.

The key assignment unit 21 is configured to be able to assign multiple scenes of the event set by the scene setting unit 20 to multiple operation keys 8 of the scene switching device 7, and accepts assignment operations by a setter such as the organizer or distributor.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the key assignment unit 21 assigns and unassigns multiple scenes of a predetermined event to multiple operation keys 8, displays a key assignment screen 30 on the display unit 12 of the distribution device 2 for assigning and unassigning distribution processes for each scene, and accepts the assignment and unassignment of scenes and distribution processes. The key assignment unit 21 displays multiple key icons 31 corresponding to each of the multiple operation keys 8 on the key assignment screen 30, and by selecting a specific key icon 31 and selecting a specific scene, associates the operation key 8 corresponding to the key icon 31 with the scene. For ease of explanation, a scene corresponding to an operation key 8 will be referred to as a corresponding scene below.

In this case, the key assignment unit 21 may set the delivery process to, for example, immediately switch to and deliver the corresponding scene in response to the operation of the operation key 8, switch to and deliver the corresponding scene after a predetermined time has elapsed in response to the operation of the operation key 8, or gradually switch to and deliver the corresponding scene in response to the operation of the operation key 8.

The key assignment unit 21 also associates key assignment information indicating the correspondence between the multiple operation keys 8 of the scene switching device 7 assigned as described above and the multiple scenes of the event with the event and stores it in the storage unit 11. The key assignment unit 21 creates an assignment file including the key assignment information set for the event and stores it in the storage unit 11.

The distribution unit 22 is configured to sequentially distribute multiple scenes that make up an event such as a lecture or seminar so that the scenes can be transmitted as video to multiple terminals such as the speaker terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4. The distribution unit 22 distributes multiple scenes, for example, in accordance with the distribution setting file and allocation file created as described above.

Specifically, when the organizer, broadcaster, etc. operates the broadcast device 2 to specify a broadcast setting file stored in the storage unit 11 and issue a command to start broadcasting, the broadcast unit 22 reads the broadcast setting file from the storage unit 11 and also reads from the storage unit 11 an allocation file set for the event corresponding to the broadcast setting file. Alternatively, when the organizer, broadcaster, etc. operates the broadcast device 2 to specify a broadcast setting file and an allocation file stored in the storage unit 11 and issue a command to start broadcasting, the broadcast unit 22 may read the broadcast setting file and the allocation file from the storage unit 11.

The distribution unit 22 then begins distribution of the event corresponding to the distribution setting file and executes the distribution of the event in accordance with the distribution setting file and the allocation file. The distribution unit 22 basically distributes multiple scenes in sequence according to the distribution procedure indicated in the distribution setting file. On the other hand, when one of the operation keys 8 of the scene switching device 7 is operated, the distribution unit 22 inputs the operation instruction for that operation key 8, determines the scene corresponding to that operation key 8 and its distribution process based on the allocation file, and executes the distribution process for that scene.

The presenter terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 are comprised of personal computers, tablet terminals, smartphones, etc., and are terminals on which a video transmission/reception application can be installed and executed. The presenter terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 acquire source information, such as a URL for receiving event broadcasts, from the organizer or broadcaster, and execute the video transmission/reception application by referencing or executing the source information. The presenter terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 participate in the event broadcast via the video transmission/reception application, receive each broadcast scene, and display the broadcast shared screen on a display (not shown), etc., or output the broadcast audio through a speaker (not shown), etc.

In addition, the presenter terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 may send images and audio to the distribution device 2 via a video transmission/reception application in order to share their own images and audio throughout the event scene. For example, the presenter terminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 may use the video transmission/reception application to send images (still images, moving images) taken with a camera to the distribution device 2, or may send images of stored materials, etc. to the distribution device 2.

In this embodiment, as described above, the distribution system 1, which sequentially distributes video of multiple scenes constituting an event to multiple terminals such as presenter terminals 3 and viewer terminals 4, includes a scene setting unit 20 that sets the layout and distribution procedure of the multiple scenes, a distribution unit 22 that distributes the multiple scenes according to the layout and distribution procedure, a scene switching device 7 (operation unit) having multiple operation keys 8, and a key assignment unit 21 that assigns scene distribution processing to the operation keys 8. The distribution unit 22 performs distribution processing of the scenes assigned to the operation keys 8 in response to operation of the operation keys 8.

With the above-described configuration, the distribution system 1 of this embodiment does not require speakers, distributors, etc. to become highly skilled in operating the video transmission/reception application. Instead, simple operations using the scene switching device 7 allow smooth switching of event scenes for which video is being transmitted, enabling the event to be distributed without any delays in video transmission/reception.

Furthermore, the distribution system 1 can provide event distribution by combining scene switching according to a predetermined distribution procedure with scene switching in response to operation of the operation keys 8.

Furthermore, according to the distribution system 1, the scene setting unit 20 creates a distribution setting file that indicates the layout and distribution procedure of multiple scenes, the key assignment unit 21 creates an assignment file that indicates the assignment of scene distribution processing to the operation keys 8, and the distribution unit 22 distributes multiple scenes in accordance with the distribution setting file and the assignment file.

This means that if you have the distribution setting file and allocation file, you can easily recreate similar events, and you can also easily create different events by changing the content, such as images and audio.

The present invention may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the spirit or concept of the invention as can be read from the entire specification, and distribution systems incorporating such modifications are also included within the technical concept of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Distribution system 2 Distribution device 3 Speaker terminal 4 Viewer terminal 6 Filming device 7 Scene switching device 8 Operation keys 10 Control unit 11 Storage unit 12 Display unit 20 Scene setting unit 21 Key assignment unit 22 Distribution unit

Claims (2)

A distribution system that sequentially distributes video of multiple scenes constituting an event to multiple terminals,
a distribution device for distributing the event;
a scene switching device connected to the distribution device for switching scenes of the event,
the scene change device includes a plurality of operation keys;
The distribution device
a scene setting unit that sets a layout and a delivery procedure of the plurality of scenes;
a distribution unit that distributes the plurality of scenes according to the layout and the distribution procedure;
a key assignment unit that assigns a distribution process of the scene to the operation key,
the key assignment unit displays a key assignment screen on a display unit for assigning and canceling assignment of the distribution process of the scene, displays a plurality of key icons corresponding to the plurality of operation keys on the key assignment screen, and assigns the predetermined scene to the operation key corresponding to the predetermined key icon by selecting a predetermined key icon and selecting a predetermined scene;
The distribution system is characterized in that the distribution unit performs a distribution process of the scene assigned to the operation key in response to the operation of the operation key. the scene setting unit creates a distribution setting file that indicates the layout and the distribution procedure of the plurality of scenes;
the key assignment unit creates an assignment file indicating assignment of the scene distribution process to the operation keys;
2. The distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit distributes the plurality of scenes in accordance with the distribution setting file and the allocation file.