WO2008007677A1

WO2008007677A1 - Broadcast program guide distributing apparatus and broadcast program guide distributing method

Info

Publication number: WO2008007677A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/063759
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hiroaki Kimura; Shingo Izawa
Original assignee: Kddi Corporation
Priority date: 2006-07-11
Filing date: 2007-07-10
Publication date: 2008-01-17
Also published as: JPWO2008007677A1; JP4891320B2

Abstract

A broadcast program guide distributing apparatus (100) is characterized by comprising an acquisition section (201) for acquiring distribution schedule information from each of streaming servers (101, 102, 103) for distributing content to receivers (111, 112, 113), a broadcast program guide information generating section (203) for combining the distribution schedule information from the streaming servers (101, 102, 103) acquired by the acquisition section (201) to generate broadcast program guide information showing the distribution schedules of all the streaming servers, and a distribution section (206) for distributing the broadcast programguide information generated by the broadcast program guide information generating section (203) to the receivers (111, 112, 113).

Description

Specification

Program guide distribution device and program guide distribution method

Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a program guide distribution device and a program guide distribution method for generating a program guide representing information of a program distributed from a streaming server and distributing the program guide to a receiving device. Background art

Conventionally, a technology for supporting reception of content by a receiving device using a program guide representing a delivery schedule from a streaming server has been disclosed. For example, there is a distribution system equipped with a portal which is an institution that obtains a program guide indicating a content distribution schedule from a broadcasting station serving as a streaming server. Each receiving device registers content information to be received in the portal. The portal distributes the content distributed from the broadcasting station based on the program guide to the receiving device that has registered the distribution (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] As another example using a program guide, a distribution system including a video distribution server provided with video data holding means for each channel and a user terminal is disclosed. The video distribution server as a streaming server always keeps the latest program guide by acquiring the program data recorded in the video data holding means! The program guide data is transmitted from the video distribution server to each user terminal as a receiving device. The user terminal selects the program to be received based on the program guide and transmits it to the video distribution server. The video distribution server distributes the content from the video data holding means according to the selection content of the user terminal (for example, see Patent Document 2 below).

[0004] In another example, a distribution system including a client PC, a web server PC, and a content distribution server PC is disclosed. The client PC requests the web server PC to send a program list, that is, a program guide. The web server PC receives the request for sending the program table and generates the program table of the content distribution server PC. The generated program guide is sent to the client PC. The client PC acquires content from the content distribution server PC based on the sent program guide. The number of content distribution servers PC is not limited (for example, see Patent Document 3 below). [0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-250145

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-18573

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-184323

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, in the case of the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, the content distributed from the streaming server is received by each receiving device via the portal. Therefore, when the number of streaming servers increases, or when the number of receiving devices that are registered for distribution in the portal increases by a large-scale multicast, the processing load is concentrated on the portal. In such a case, there was a problem that the portal became a bottleneck of the system.

[0007] In the case of the technique described in Patent Document 2, the program table generated by the video distribution server is generated based on the program data of each channel distributed from the same video distribution server. Therefore, when distribution is performed from multiple streaming servers, such as when a new streaming server other than the video distribution server starts distribution, a program guide that covers the content distributed from all streaming servers is generated. There was a problem that I couldn't! / And! /.

[0008] In the case of the technique described in Patent Document 3, the content distribution server PC distributes along the program guide generated by the web server PC. Therefore, when there are multiple streaming servers that autonomously distribute content, there is a problem that it is impossible to provide a program guide that supports the reception of content on the client PC.

[0009] In order to solve the above-described problems caused by the conventional technology, the present invention enables a receiving apparatus to recognize a distribution schedule and receive arbitrary content even when content is distributed from each of a plurality of streaming servers. An object of the present invention is to provide a program guide distribution device and a program guide distribution method for generating a simple program guide and distributing it to a receiving device.

Means for solving the problem

[0010] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the program layout according to claim 1 is used. The transmission device merges the distribution schedule information of each streaming server acquired by the acquisition unit that acquires the distribution schedule information from each streaming server that distributes the content to the receiving device, and the distribution of each streaming server. A program table information generating unit that generates program table information representing a schedule; and a distribution unit that distributes the program table information generated by the program table information generating unit to the receiving device. To do.

[0011] According to the invention of claim 1, by acquiring the distribution schedule information of each streaming server in a lump, program guide information that covers the distribution schedule information of all streaming servers is generated and sent to each receiving device. Can be delivered.

[0012] Further, the program guide distribution method according to the invention of claim 7 includes an acquisition step of acquiring distribution schedule information from each of the streaming servers for distributing content to the receiving device, and each of the streaming acquired by the acquisition step. A program guide generating step of generating program guide information representing the delivery schedule of all streaming servers by merging the delivery schedule information of the server, and distributing the program guide information generated by the program guide generating step to the receiving device And a distribution process.

[0013] According to the invention of claim 7, by acquiring the distribution schedule information of each streaming server in a lump, program guide information that covers the distribution schedule information of all streaming servers is generated, and is sent to each receiving device. Can be delivered.

The invention's effect

[0014] According to the program guide distribution device and the program guide distribution method, which are effective in the present invention, even if content is distributed from each of a plurality of streaming servers, the receiving device grasps the distribution schedule and can arbitrarily determine the distribution schedule. It is possible to create a program guide that can receive content and distribute it to the receiving device.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a program guide distribution system that focuses on the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of the program guide distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 3-1] Fig. 31 is a data table (part 1) showing an example of the program guide information structure.

[Fig. 3-2] Fig. 3-2 is a data table (part 2) showing an example of the configuration of program guide information

[FIG. 4-1] FIG. 41 is a data table showing an example of the structure of CM program guide information.

[FIG. 4-2] FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the remote activation request command.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing processing of information between the program guide distribution device and the streaming server.

[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration contents and generation timing of the latest program guide.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of a program guide distribution process.

Explanation of symbols

100 Program guide distribution device

101, 102, 103 hj ming

110 Multicast group

111, 112, 113 Receiver

121 Remote activation request device

201 Acquisition Department

202 playlist storage

203 Program guide information generator

204 Program guide information storage

205 Address storage

206 Distribution Department

207 CM information storage

208 Supply Department

209 Remote start processing part

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of a program guide distribution apparatus and a program guide distribution method that are useful for the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0018] (Configuration of program guide distribution system)

First, the configuration of a program guide distribution system that focuses on the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a program guide distribution system that focuses on the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the program table distribution system that is effective in the embodiment of the present invention includes a program table distribution device 100, streaming servers 101, 102, 103, and reception devices 111, 112, 113. Constructed!

[0019] The program guide distribution apparatus 100 generates program guide information representing the schedule of content to be distributed by each streamer dasano (for example, streaming servers 101, 102, 103), and receives the generated program guide information. Deliver to a device (eg, receiving device 111, 112, 113). The program guide information is a data table composed of information such as the title, type, delivery date / time, and recommended conditions of the content to which each of the streaming servers 101, 102, 103 is also delivered.

[0020] The program guide distribution apparatus 100 is connected to each of the streaming servers 101, 102, 103, and can transmit / receive arbitrary information to / from each other. The connection line between the program guide distribution device 100 and each of the streaming servers 101, 102, 103 is not particularly specified. The connection line may be wired or wireless. Also, the line speed can be set as appropriate according to the type and capacity of information transmitted / received between devices (program guide distribution device 100 to streaming server 101 or 102, 103).

Therefore, in order to generate program guide information in the program guide distribution device 100, first, distribution schedule information such as a playlist is acquired from each of the streaming servers 101, 102, 103, for example. The distribution schedule information acquired here is information that each connected streaming server (for example, streaming server 101) plans to distribute independently. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when connected to the three streaming servers 101, 102, 103, three types of distribution schedule information are acquired. Next, the distribution schedule information for each streaming server 101, 102, 103 acquired is merged to generate program guide information that covers the distribution contents of all streaming servers 101, 102, 103. Touch with force S.

[0022] Further, the program guide information generated by the program guide distribution device 100 is received by each receiving device 111, 112, 113. The program guide distribution device 100 uses a broadcast network to distribute the generated program guide information. Specifically, the broadcasting network is, for example, a terrestrial digital broadcasting network. In addition, when distributing using a broadcast network, it may be distributed by the broadcast method! /, And as shown in FIG. 1, the multicast method is applied to the receiving devices 111, 112, 113 in the predetermined multicast gnole 110. You may distribute by. Further, distribution equivalent to multicast may be realized by simultaneously performing distribution by unicast to each of the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, 113.

[0023] In addition to the function for distributing the program guide information as described above, the program guide distribution device 100 acquires CM information to be reproduced between contents and distributes it to the receiving devices 111, 112, 113 It is also possible to provide a function to Here, the CM information is advertisement contents of various configurations such as an audio data file, a video data file, an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file, and a text file. In addition to the method of distributing the file of the advertisement content itself as described above, reference information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) may be distributed. In the case of such a method, the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, 113 access the network based on the received reference information, and acquire CM information in various file formats.

[0024] When the program guide distribution device 100 acquires CM information, CM program guide information representing the contents of the CM information is generated and delivered to the receiving devices 111, 112, 113 together with normal program guide information. Upon receiving the CM information and the CM program guide information, the receiving devices 111, 112, and 113 receive the CM information between the contents (main content) distributed from the respective streaming servers 101, 102, and 103 based on the CM program guide information. (Advertising content) is played back. Further, the CM program guide information generated by the program guide distribution device 100 may be transmitted to the streaming servers 101, 102, 103 and used when a playlist is constructed.

[0025] Furthermore, the program guide distribution apparatus 100 can receive a remote activation request from the remote activation request apparatus 121 and can automatically activate a specific application on the reception apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 remotely. The remote activation requesting device 121 may be a terminal connected to the program guide distribution device 1000 in a network. The streaming servers 101, 102, and 103 are also J: relayed, and even the streaming servers 101, 102, and 103 are J: relayed. The remote activation request device 121 selects the type of receiving terminal (for example, the reception device 111) that is to be activated remotely, and sends a remote activation request to the program guide distribution device 100. The type of the receiving terminal is identified by the attribute information of the receiver and the receiving location. The program guide distribution device 100 that has received the remote activation request generates a remote activation request command and distributes it to the reception devices 111, 112, and 113 together with normal program guide information and CM information. The receiving device that has received the remote start request command automatically starts if there is an application to be started based on the remote start request command information.

The streaming servers 101, 102, 103 autonomously distribute the contents to the receiving devices 111, 112, 113, respectively. In addition, each streaming server 101, 102, 103 delivers content at a timing according to the playlist that has been set in advance.

[0028] In addition, the playlist can be freely configured in each streaming server 101, 102, 103 based on the content held by the own server. As described above, the CM program guide information is stored in the program guide distribution device 100. If generated, the program guide distribution device 100 may receive the CM program guide information and add the reproduction time information of the CM information to the playlist. In addition, if the amount of data delivered from streaming servers 101, 102, 103 differs depending on the output target (cell phone, desktop PC, etc.), information indicating the output target is added to the playlist. May be.

[0029] Note that the types of content distributed by the respective streaming servers 101, 102, 103 and the distribution time vary. Specifically, for example, it is operated by the content distributor A and distributes sports-related content such as sports broadcasts and sports news, or operated by the content distributor B and distributes drama-related content. There are various streaming servers, such as a server that delivers.

[0030] Further, the content distributed from one streaming server is not limited to one type. For example, a streaming server that distributes dramas is channel 1 that distributes Japanese dramas, and channel 2 that distributes overseas dramas. It may be configured to deliver content for a total of two channels. In addition, there are various streaming servers such as when distributing content 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, when distributing content only on a specific day of the week, or when distributing content for a limited time only. To do. [0031] In FIG. 1, as an example, there are no restrictions on the number of power distribution units in which three streaming servers 101, 102, and 103 are arranged. In addition, each streaming server 101, 102, 103 autonomously controls the operational status such as stopping or returning content distribution. Therefore, in the distribution system that is effective in this embodiment, the number of streaming servers that distribute contents to the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 changes constantly.

[0032] Even under the distribution system as described above, if the streaming servers 101, 102, 103 connect to the program guide distribution device 100 when distributing content, the program guide distribution device 100 will connect. It is possible to acquire distribution schedule information from the streaming servers 101, 102, and 103 that are available. Therefore, it is possible to generate content table information of content that can be received by the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113.

In addition, receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 receive program guide information from program guide distribution apparatus 100. The receiving devices 111, 112, and 113 receive and stream any content from the contents delivered by each streamer server 101, 102, 103 according to the program guide information. .

Note that FIG. 1 shows a total of three receiving devices 111, 112, and 113, but the configuration in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and this embodiment is a powerful receiving device. The device (for example, the receiving device 11 1, 112, 113) has a function capable of receiving the program guide information distributed from the program guide distribution device 100 and the content distributed from each streaming server 101, 102, 103! /, You can arrange an infinite number.

[0035] (Functional configuration of program guide distribution apparatus)

Next, a functional configuration of the program guide distribution apparatus 100 that focuses on the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the functional configuration of the program guide distribution apparatus that focuses on the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the program guide distribution apparatus 100 includes an acquisition unit 201, a playlist storage unit 202, a program guide information generation unit 203, a program guide information storage unit 204, an address storage unit 205, and a distribution unit 206. A CM information storage unit 207, a providing unit 208, and a remote activation processing unit 209.

The acquisition unit 201 acquires the respective distribution schedule information from the streaming servers 101, 102, 103. In this embodiment, as the distribution schedule information, specifically, a playlist is displayed. get. In addition, the acquisition unit 201 basically has a force S for acquiring a playlist at predetermined time intervals, and the acquisition timing is not limited to this.

[0037] As other timings for acquiring the playlist in the acquiring unit 201, for example, the connected streaming servers 101, 102, 103 are autonomously connected to the program table distribution device 100 without being limited to every predetermined time. The program guide generation request may be transmitted, and the program guide distribution device 100 may acquire a playlist using the reception of the program guide generation request as a trigger. Alternatively, the setting may be such that the acquisition unit 201 acquires the playlist by using the program table distribution device 100 as a trigger for receiving the playlist autonomously transmitted from the streaming servers 101, 102, 103.

[0038] The playlist storage unit 202 stores the playlists of the respective streamers 101, 102, 103 acquired by the acquisition unit 201. A playlist is stored for each streamer server. Therefore, when the acquisition unit 201 newly acquires a playlist of the same streamer server, the new playlist is overwritten on the already stored playlist. The playlist stored in the playlist storage unit 202 is read out by the program guide information generation unit 203 when the program guide information is generated.

[0039] The program guide information generation unit 203 reads the playlists of the streamer servers 101, 102, and 103 stored in the playlist storage unit 202 and merges the playlists to obtain the program guide information. Generate. In addition, since the program expression information generated by the program guide information generation unit 203 is generated based on the playlist, the program guide information of a free date and time is set within the range specified in the playlist. Can produce, power S.

[0040] Specifically, the setting of the program guide information is the range of information represented by the program guide information, such as “from 1 am to 12:00 pm on August 16, 2006” and “3 hours from the current time”. Setting is possible. Setting the date and time and the period (how many hours or how many days of the program guide information) of the distribution schedule information represented by the program guide information is determined in advance in the program guide distribution device 100. It may be left. Further, as described above, when a program guide generation request is transmitted from the streaming servers 101, 102, 103, information related to the setting of the date and time and interval of the program guide information is added to the program guide generation request. Depending on the information, program guide information may be generated. [0041] Further, when the program guide distribution device 100 has a function of acquiring CM information, the program guide information generation unit 203 also generates CM program guide information. Specifically, the provision of CM information data stored from a CM information storage unit 207, which will be described later, is received, and CM program guide information is generated.

[0042] The program guide information storage unit 204 stores the program guide information generated by the program guide information generation unit 203. The program guide information storage unit 204 stores new program guide information as the latest program guide information each time program guide information is generated by the program guide information generation unit 203. In addition, when new program guide information is stored, it may be compared with the contents of the previously stored program guide information. In this comparison, if the previously generated program guide information is the same as the new program guide information, the new program guide information is not stored, and the previously generated program guide information is continuously distributed. . On the other hand, if the previously generated program guide information is different from the new program guide information, the new program guide information may be stored and the new program guide information may be distributed. ! /

[0043] Further, the program guide information storage unit 204 has a function of acquiring current date and time information, and among the stored program guide information, the program guide information whose distribution schedule information period has already ended. It has a function that automatically discards information!

[0044] Address storage section 205 stores the addresses of receiving devices (for example, receiving devices 11 1, 112, 113) that distribute program guide information. The address stored in the address storage unit 205 may be an address assigned to each receiving apparatus, or may be an address of a multicast group (for example, multicast group 110) used for multicast.

[0045] As a procedure for obtaining an address to be stored in the address storage unit 205, specifically, for example, in the case of an address assigned to each receiving device, a program from the program guide distribution device 100 is used. The receiving device power S for which the distribution of the table information is desired may be registered in advance in the program table distribution device 100. The address storage unit 205 stores the registered address.

[0046] Also, in the case of the address of multicast group 110, the multicast group (for example, multicast group 110) distributed by program guide distribution apparatus 100 in advance is used. An address is designated and stored in the address storage unit 205. Each receiving device (for example, receiving device 1

II) obtains the address of the multicast group 110 distributed by the program guide distribution apparatus 100 in advance and prepares for reception at the address, thereby receiving the program guide information distributed at the address of the multicast group. In this way, by using the address of the multicast group, each receiving device 111, 112, 113 can directly register the address to the program guide distribution device 100 when it wishes to distribute the program guide information. Information distributed from the program guide distribution apparatus 100 can be received by joining a group.

The distribution unit 206 reads the latest program guide information from the program guide information storage unit 204 and distributes it to the receiving devices 111, 112, 113. At the time of content distribution, the addresses of the receiving devices 111, 112, and 113 as distribution destinations are read from the address storage unit 205, and the program guide information is distributed according to the read addresses. When the program guide distribution device 100 simultaneously distributes the program guide information to a large number of receiving devices as in the multicast method, the program guide information is distributed as it is using the broadcast network without reading the address. Anyway.

The CM information storage unit 207 stores CM information. CM information is content (advertising content) to be played between content (main content) distributed from streaming servers 101, 102, 103. Therefore, the CM information storage unit 207 is sequentially provided by a sponsor or the like and always stores the latest CM information.

[0049] Further, the CM information stored in the CM information storage unit 207 will be described in detail. Each CM information stored in the CM information storage unit 207 has a recommended condition. Specifically, the recommended conditions can be set in various ways, such as age, gender, and receiving device area ID.

[0050] In addition, the CM information may be composed of two types of CM information having the same content but different data amounts. In this way, CM information of two types of data amounts is simultaneously distributed, and the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 are set to receive either one of the CM information according to the processing capability. Specifically, when the receiving device (for example, the receiving device 111) is a mobile phone, it receives CM information with a small amount of data and receives the receiving device (for example, the receiving device).

III) is a desktop PC, etc., it receives CM information with a large amount of data. [0051] The CM information storage unit 207 provides the CM information as described above to the distribution unit 206, and the distribution unit 206 sequentially distributes the CM information to the receiving devices 111, 112, and 113 in the manner of file transfer. Also, the CM information storage unit 207 provides information related to the stored CM information to the program guide information generation unit 203. The information related to CM information is metadata used when generating CM program guide information, and specifically includes the file name of CM information and the length of CM information. As already described in the description of the program guide information generation unit 203, CM program guide information representing the contents of the CM information is generated. The generated CM program guide information is distributed by the distribution unit 206 to the receiving devices 111, 112, 113.

[0052] Therefore, the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 receive and hold a plurality of CM information, and CM number table information received from the program guide distribution apparatus 100 from the plurality of CM information. In accordance with the recommended conditions, CM information suitable for the users of the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 is reproduced between the main contents.

The providing unit 208 functions as a window when the program guide distribution device 100 transmits information to the streaming servers 101, 102, 103. Specifically, the program guide information storage unit 204 acquires the program guide information and CM program guide information, and transmits them to the streaming servers 101, 102, 103. The transmission of the program guide information has a role of notifying the streaming servers 101, 102, 103 of the generation of the program guide information. Normally, the streaming server 101, 102, 103 transmits the broadcast CM 101 with the CM time in advance, and the streaming server 101, 102, 103 sends the program guide information to the program guide distribution device. Using the CM information program guide information transmitted from 100, it is also possible to generate a playlist including information on the playback time of CM information.

[0054] The remote activation processing unit 209 receives the remote activation request from the remote activation requesting device 121 and generates a remote activation request command. Further, the generated remote activation request command is sent to the distribution unit 206 and distributed to the reception devices 111, 112, 113.

[0055] As described above, the program guide distribution device 100, which is effective in the embodiment of the present invention, is connected to the HJ Imming Sano 101, 102, 103 that makes the reception devices 111, 112, 113 self-confidence. However, by acquiring the distribution schedule information, it is possible to generate program guide information that covers the distribution schedules of all the streaming servers 101, 102, 103. [0056] Furthermore, the program guide distribution apparatus 100 has a function of acquiring CM information, and thus can generate CM program guide information. In addition, by distributing the generated program guide information, the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 can confirm the distribution schedule of contents that can be easily received. In addition, when receiving the remote activation request from the other remote activation request device 121, the program guide distribution device 100 can arbitrarily activate the specific application on the reception devices 111, 112, 113. Can do.

[0057] (Composition of program guide information)

Next, a specific configuration of the program guide information generated by the program guide distribution apparatus 100 will be described. First, the structure of the program guide information, that is, the program guide information of the main content will be described. Figure 3-1 is a data table (part 1) showing an example of the structure of the program guide information. The program table data string 31;! To 313 of the data table 310 shown in FIG. 3A includes the following items as an example!

[0058] 'Broadcasting station name: streaming server name (may be a streaming server identification number)

'Main title: Content title (may include content genre information) • Main file name: File name for reading content

• Output target: Either a receiving device capable of processing large amounts of data or a receiving device not suitable for processing large amounts of data

• MC (multicast) address and port number in this volume: Address information used for multicast distribution (Data table 310 shows an example of multicasting using IPv6)

• Recommended conditions: Conditions for receiving devices that recommend receiving this content (Any items such as area ID, gender, and age can be set)

• Start date, start time, end time: Distribution date and time of this content

[0059] FIG. 3-2 is a data table (part 2) showing an example of the content program table configuration. When the program guide distribution device 100 distributes CM information, the program guide information is composed of the items of the data table 310 as shown in FIG. 3-1, and the data table 320 as shown below. Items may be added. The program guide data string 32;! To 32 3 shown in Figure 3-2 is the same as the program guide data string 31;! To 313 shown in Figure 3-1. An example of adding is shown.

[0060] Number of CMs: Number of CM information to be played between main contents

• CM time start time: Time to start playback of CM information (for the number of CMs)

• CM time end time: Time to stop playback of CM information (for the number of CMs)

The program guide distribution device 100 distributes program guide information having the configuration described above. Receiving devices 111, 112, and 113 each receive program guide information, and generate a program guide for display using information of each item constituting the program guide information. For example, the program table for display should have a standard format such as a program column such as a newspaper so that users can change the detailed configuration.

[0062] (Composition of CM program guide information)

Next, a specific configuration of CM program guide information generated by the program guide distribution apparatus 100 will be described. Figure 41 is a data table showing an example of the structure of CM program guide information. Specifically, the CM program guide information data table 410 includes the following items.

[0063] · Broadcasting station name: Streaming server name (may be a streaming server identification number, etc.) · CM title: Specific title (may include one CM sponsor! /)

• CM content length, CM file name: Information for reading CM information

• Recommended conditions: Conditions for receiving device that recommends playback of this CM information (can be arbitrarily set in addition to area ID, gender, age, etc.)

[0064] The program guide distribution apparatus 100 distributes CM program guide information configured as described above.

Receiving devices 111, 112, 113 each receive CM program guide information, and user attribute information and

Depending on the current position, the most effective CM information can be reproduced from the distributed CM information.

[0065] (Configuration of remote start request command)

Next, a specific configuration of the remote activation request command generated by the remote activation processing unit 209 of the program guide distribution apparatus 100 will be described. Figure 4 2 shows that remote activation is required. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a request command. The explanatory diagram 420 shows the configuration of the remote activation request command 42 1. The remote activation request command 421 includes a parameter ID 422, a parameter length 423, and a parameter value 424. Each configuration stores information indicating the following contents.

[0066] · Parameter ID 422: Indicates the meaning of the parameter value in the command.

'Parameter length 423: Indicates the length of the parameter value.

'Parameter value 424: Indicates the contents of the parameter (specifies the terminal ID, gender, age, receiving location, etc. that you want to start remotely, and the application type that you want to start).

Further, as shown in configuration example 425 of explanatory diagram 420, the content of the parameter stored in parameter value 424 is set according to the value of parameter ID 422.

[0068] In the program guide distribution apparatus 100, the distribution unit 206 distributes the remote activation request command configured as described above. Receiving devices 111, 112, and 113 each receive a remote activation request command, and automatically activate a specific application in accordance with user attribute information and the current position.

[0069] (Contents of transmission / reception processing between program distribution device and streaming server)

Next, transmission / reception processing between the program guide distribution device 100 and each of the streaming servers 101, 102, 103 will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing information transmission / reception processing between the program guide distribution apparatus and the streaming server.

As shown in FIG. 5, information 501 such as a program guide generation request and a play list is transmitted from the streaming servers 101, 102, 103 to the program guide distribution apparatus 100. Of the transmitted information 501, a playlist is stored in the playlist storage unit 202.

On the other hand, the program guide information 502 generated using the playlist is transmitted from the program guide distribution apparatus 100 to the streaming servers 101, 102, 103. Specifically, the generated program guide information is transmitted in the manner of file transfer. Further, when the CM program guide information is generated by the program guide distribution device 100, the CM program guide information is transmitted to the streaming sano 101, 102, 103 in the same manner as the program guide information. Each SOM !; Imming Sano 101, 102, 103 receives the information transmitted from the program guide distribution device 100, and stores each storage unit such as the main program guide and the CM information program guide for each type of information. With and saved. [0072] (Composition of the latest program guide information)

Next, a specific example of program guide information generated by the program guide distribution apparatus 100 will be described. Here, a case will be described in which the latest program facial expression information representing the information of the content distributed within a predetermined time from the current time among the content distributed from the respective streaming servers 101, 102, 103 is generated.

[0073] In order to generate the latest program guide information, program guide information related to the content distributed within the specified latest time is extracted from the program guide information stored in the program guide information storage unit 204! / . Specifically, for example, program guide information of content distributed within the time from the current time to the program guide distribution interval X 2 is extracted. Also, instead of the processing as described above, information on the content to be distributed within the specified nearest time is extracted from the playlist of each streaming server 101, 102, 103 stored in the playlist storage unit 202. May be merged. In the following description, it is assumed that the process of extracting the latest program guide information from the generated program guide information is used.

[0074] By generating the latest program guide information as described above, the load on the broadcasting network due to the distribution of the program guide information can be minimized. In addition, since a program guide with relatively short intervals is generated and distributed most recently, the latest program guide information that reflects the changes will be distributed even if there is a change in the content distributed immediately before distribution. Can do.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration contents and generation timing of the latest program guide. In the latest program table generation table 600 shown in FIG. 6, the delivery interval is set to 1 minute. In addition, a version number is assigned to the generated latest program guide information! For example, after version number 1 1 is assigned, if the most recently generated program table is different from the most recently generated program table information and content, updated version number 1 -2 is awarded. By assigning the version number as described above, the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 receive only when the latest program guide information having a version number different from the version number of the latest program guide information that has already been received is distributed. You can set it to do.

[0076] (Contents of program guide distribution processing)

Next, the contents of the program guide distribution process performed by the program guide distribution device 100 will be described. I will explain. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the program guide distribution process. Here, as an example, the contents of processing when a latest program guide is generated and distributed every predetermined time will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, it is first determined whether or not a distribution timeout has been notified (step S701). Here, the process waits until a delivery time-out is notified (step S 701: No loop), and when notified (step S 701: Yes), reads the program table information (step S702).

Note that the distribution time-out control in step S701 is performed by the program guide information generation unit 203. Specifically, the distribution timing is set in the program guide information generation unit 203, and when the distribution of the program guide information ends, the set distribution interval is counted down. The delivery timeout is equivalent to determining whether or not this countdown has ended.

Next, program guide information distributed within a predetermined time is extracted from the program guide information read out in step S702 (step S703). Using the extracted program guide information, the latest program guide information is generated in a distribution format (step S704).

[0079] Subsequently, the latest program guide information generated last time is read out, compared with the latest program guide information generated in step S704 (step S705), and it is determined whether or not there is a difference in the compared latest program guide information. (Step S706).

[0080] If it is determined in step S706 that there is a difference between the two most recent program guide information compared (step S706: Yes), the version number (see Fig. 6) of the latest program guide information is updated (step 6). S707). Furthermore, the generated latest program guide information is stored with the updated version number (step S708).

Next, the stored latest program guide information is distributed to receiving apparatuses 111, 112, 113 (step S709). If it is determined in step S706 that there is no difference between the two latest program guide information compared (step S706: No), the latest program guide information generated in step S704 is the same as the latest program guide information created last time. The version information is distributed as is (Step S709).

[0082] Finally, it is determined whether or not to end the distribution process (step S710). If the distribution process is to be terminated (step S710: Yes), the series of processes is terminated as it is. On the other hand, the distribution process If you want to continue (Step S710: No), set the next delivery timer (Step S711), go to Step S701, and wait until the delivery timeout is notified again. It becomes a state.

[0083] If there is no change in the setting in step S711, the setting as it is may be used. By continuously performing the processing as described above, the program guide distribution apparatus 100 can generate periodic latest program guide information and distribute it to the receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113.

As described above, according to the program guide distribution apparatus 100, even if content is distributed from each of the plurality of streaming servers 101, 102, 103, the playlists are distributed from the respective streaming servers 101, 102, 103. By acquiring and merging, it is possible to generate program guide information that allows the receiving devices 111, 112, 113 to know the distribution schedule and receive any content, and distribute it to the receiving devices 111, 112, 113. it can.

In addition, when receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 receive the program guide distributed from program guide distributing apparatus 100, receiving apparatuses 111, 112, and 113 perform processing for acquiring respective program facial expression information from individual streaming servers 101, 102, and 103. do not need. Therefore, the distribution schedule information of all receivable contents can be obtained only by receiving the program schedule information from the program schedule distribution apparatus 100. Also, unlike the case where each playlist is acquired by connecting to one Mindassano 101, 102, 103, since there is no omission of playlist acquisition, any desired Content can be received.

Further, each streaming sano (for example, streaming servers 101, 102, 103) is connected to the program table distribution device 100, so that each of the reception devices (for example, reception devices 111, 112, 113) has distribution program table information. Can be delivered. Therefore, it is not necessary for each streamminder server to individually distribute the distribution schedule information to each receiving device. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the communication resources used when distributing the program guide information.

[0087] In addition, by using the program guide distribution apparatus 100, distribution schedule information can be distributed to each receiving apparatus at once. Therefore, as compared with the case where each streaming server individually distributes distribution schedule information, the number of receiving devices that acquire the distribution schedule information of each streaming server from the program guide information increases. That is, in this embodiment When all receiving devices under the distribution system are targeted for reception, the number of receiving devices that have acquired distribution schedule information increases. Along with this, the number of receiving devices that can receive the contents of each streaming server also increases, resulting in an improvement in the reception rate.

It should be noted that the program guide distribution method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. Further, this program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Industrial applicability

[0089] As described above, the program guide distribution apparatus and the program guide distribution method according to the present invention are useful for broadcast networks capable of multicast distribution, and are particularly suitable for digital terrestrial broadcast networks.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An acquisition means for obtaining distribution schedule information from each streaming server that distributes content to a receiving device;

A program guide information generating means for generating program guide information representing the delivery schedules of all streaming servers by merging the delivery schedule information of the respective streaming servers acquired by the acquiring means;

Delivery means for delivering the program guide information generated by the program guide information generating means to the receiving device;

A program guide distribution device comprising:

[2] comprising address storage means for storing address information of the receiving device,

2. The program guide distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the distribution means distributes the program guide information according to the address information stored in the address storage means.

[3] The acquisition means acquires distribution schedule information from each streaming server at predetermined time intervals,

The program guide distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the program guide information generating means generates program guide information using the distribution schedule information when the acquisition means acquires new distribution schedule information. .

[4] The acquisition means includes reception means for receiving a signal for requesting creation of a program guide from the streaming server,

2. The program guide distribution device according to claim 1, wherein when the signal is received by the reception unit, distribution schedule information is acquired from each of the streamer servers.

Yes

[5] CM information storage means storing CM information to be distributed to the receiving device is provided,

The program guide information generating means generates CM program guide information representing the contents of the CM information based on the CM information stored in the CM information storage means! /, And the distributing means is CM information. 2. The program guide distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the CM information stored in the storage unit and the CM program guide information generated by the program facial expression information generation unit are distributed to the receiving device. .

6. The program guide distribution according to claim 1, wherein the distribution means multicasts the program guide information generated by the program guide information generation means to the receiving device. apparatus.

[7] An acquisition step of obtaining distribution schedule information from each streaming server that distributes content to the receiving device;

A program guide generating step for generating program guide information representing the delivery schedules of all streaming servers by merging the delivery schedule information of the respective streaming servers acquired by the acquiring step;

A distribution step of distributing the program guide information generated by the program guide generation step to the receiving device;

A program guide distribution method comprising: