Virtual content distribution system

• US 7,526,433 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2002
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kazuhiro, Nishitani, Yuko, Tsusaka, Hirokazu, Tokuda, Kazuo, Kajimoto, Yoshiaki, Iwata, Kentaro, Tanikawa, Toshihiko, Munetsugu
• Primary Examiner(s): OUELLETTE, JONATHAN P
• Application Number:
  US10/232,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20030056222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,429 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1
• US Class Current: 705/304
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02

Abstract

A content distribution system including a server device for selecting and distributing video scenes according to a user request, and a terminal device for receiving the video scenes from the server device. The server device stores a plurality of content files. Each content file includes a plurality of pieces of scene data together with scene additional information regarding playback of each piece of scene data. The server device selects pieces of scene data matching the user request, reads scene additional information from each content file containing the selected pieces of scene data, generates, based on the read scene additional information, selected-scene additional information, and transmits the selected pieces of scene data in association with the generated selected-scene additional information. The terminal device receives and stores the selected pieces of scene data and the selected-scene additional information.

Claims

1. A content distribution system comprising:

a server device for selecting and distributing video scenes according to a user request; and

a terminal device for receiving the video scenes from the server device, wherein;

the server device includes;

a storing unit operable to store a plurality of content files, each content file containing (i) pieces of scene data, and (ii) pieces of index information, each piece of index information being in one-to-one correspondence with a piece of scene data, each piece of scene data including pieces of frame data, and each piece of index information identifying a frame number and a frame location of each piece of frame data included in a corresponding piece of scene data;

a selecting unit operable to select, from the content files, pieces of scene data matching the user request;

a calculating unit operable to

read, from the storing unit, pieces of the index information which correspond to the selected pieces of scene data,

generate a virtual content file containing the selected pieces of scene data,

calculate, based on the read pieces of index information and without re-encoding the selected pieces of scene data, (i) a frame number and (ii) one of a read location and a byte location of each piece of frame data of the selected pieces of scene data contained in the generated virtual content file, each frame number indicating a frame number in relation to a beginning of the generated virtual content file and each read location or byte location indicating a location relative to the beginning of the generated virtual content file, and

generate selected-scene index information identifying, in relation to the generated virtual content file, the calculated frame number and the calculated read location or byte location of each piece of frame data of the selected pieces of scene data contained in the generated virtual content file, the selected-scene index information for allowing playback of the selected pieces of scene data in a correct playback order; and

a transmitting unit operable to transmit, as a virtual content file, the selected pieces of scene data associated with the generated selected-scene index information to the terminal device; and

the terminal device includes;

a storage unit operable to receive the selected pieces of scene data and the selected-scene index information and store, as a virtual content file, the received pieces of scene data and selected-scene index information; and

a playback unit operable to execute normal playback and trickplay playback of the virtual content file containing the received pieces of scene data, by referencing the received selected-scene index information.

2. A server device for selecting and distributing video scenes according to a user request received from a terminal device, the server device comprising:

a storing unit operable to store a plurality of content files, each content file containing (i) a plurality of pieces of scene data, and (ii) a plurality of pieces of index information, the pieces of index information being in one-to-one correspondence with the pieces of scene data, each piece of scene data including a plurality of pieces of frame data, and each piece of index information identifying a frame number and a frame location of each piece of frame data included in a corresponding piece of scene data;

a selecting unit operable to select, from the content files, pieces of scene data matching the user request;

a calculating unit operable to

read, from the storing unit, pieces of the index information which correspond to the selected pieces of scene data,

generate a virtual content file containing the selected pieces of scene data,

calculate, based on the read pieces of index information and without re-encoding the selected pieces of scene date, (i) a frame number and (ii) one of a read location and a byte location of each piece of frame data of the selected pieces of scene data contained in the generated virtual content file, each frame number indicating a frame number relative to a beginning of the generated virtual content file and each read location or byte location indicating a location relative to the beginning of the generated virtual content file, and

generate selected-scene index information identifying, in relation to the virtual content file, the calculated frame number and the calculated read location or byte location of each piece of frame data of the selected pieces of scene data contained in the generated virtual content file, the selected-scene index information for allowing playback of the selected pieces of scene data in a correct playback order; and

a transmitting unit operable to transmit, as a virtual content file, the selected pieces of scene data associated with the generated selected-scene index information to the terminal device.

3. The server device according to claim 2, wherein:

each piece of scene data stored in the storing unit is identified by a scene ID; and

the selecting unit includes;

a database sub-unit operable to store, for each piece of scene data stored in the storing unit, a scene ID in association with a corresponding piece of scene-related information;

a request receiving sub-unit operable to receive, as the user request from the terminal device, a selection condition; and

a scene selecting sub-unit operable to extract from the scene IDs stored in the database sub-unit, scene IDs that correspond to each piece of corresponding scene-related information matching the selection condition, and operable to obtain, from the storing unit, pieces of scene data identified by the extracted scene IDs.

4. The server device according to claim 3, wherein:

the scene selecting sub-unit serially assigns, to the extracted scene IDs, playback numbers indicating the playback order, and generates a structure table composed of the playback numbers and the extracted scene IDs; and

the scene selecting sub-unit is operable to obtain the pieces of scene data with reference to the generated structure table.

5. The server device according to claim 2, wherein:

the storing unit further stores a plurality of pieces of timing information, the pieces of timing information being in one-to-one correspondence with the pieces of scene data, each piece of timing information identifying a transmission timing of each piece of frame data included in a corresponding piece of scene data in association with a corresponding frame number; and

the calculating unit further extracts a transmission timing for each piece of frame data contained in the generated virtual content file, and further generates selected-scene timing information identifying, in relation to the generated virtual content file, the calculated frame number and the extracted transmission timing of each piece of frame data of the selected pieces of scene data contained in the generated virtual content file in association with each other.

6. A server device controlling method for use with a server device that selects and transmits video scenes according to a user request received from a terminal device, the server device storing a plurality of content files, each content file containing (i) a plurality of pieces of scene data, and (ii) a plurality of pieces of index information, the pieces of index information being in one-to-one correspondence with the pieces of scene data, each piece of scene data including a plurality of pieces of frame data, and each piece of index information identifying a frame number and a frame location of each piece of frame data included in the corresponding piece of scene data, the server device controlling method comprising:

selecting, from the content files, pieces of scene data matching the user request;

reading, from the server device, pieces of the index information which correspond to the selected pieces of scene data;

generating a virtual content file containing the selected pieces of scene data;

calculating, based on the read pieces of index information and without re-encoding the selected pieces of scene data, (i) a frame number and (ii) one of a read location and a byte location of each piece of frame data of the selected pieces of scene data contained in the generated virtual content file, each frame number indicating a frame number relative to a beginning of the generated virtual content file and each read location or byte location indicating a location relative to the beginning of the generated virtual content file;

generating selected-scene index information identifying, in relation to the virtual content file, the calculated frame number and the calculated read location or byte location of each piece of frame data of the selected pieces of scene data contained in the generated virtual content file, the selected-scene index information for allowing playback of the selected pieces of scene data in a correct playback order; and

transmitting, as a virtual content file, the selected pieces of scene data associated with the generated selected-scene index information to the terminal device.

7. A computer-readable recording medium having a server device controlling program recorded thereon, the server device controlling program for use with a server device that selects and distributes video scenes according to a user request received from a terminal device, the server device storing a plurality of content files, each content file containing (i) a plurality of pieces of scene data, and (ii) a plurality of pieces of index information, the pieces of index information being in one-to-one correspondence with the pieces of scene data, each piece of scene data including pieces of frame data, and each piece of index information identifying a frame number and a frame location of each piece of frame data included in the corresponding piece of scene data, the server device controlling program causing the server device to execute a method comprising:

selecting, from the content files, pieces of scene data matching the user request;

reading, from the server device, pieces of the index information which correspond to the selected pieces of scene data;

generating a virtual content file containing the selected pieces of scene data;

calculating, based on the read pieces of index information and without re-encoding the selected pieces of scene data, (i) a frame number and (ii) one of a read location and a byte location of each piece of frame data of the selected pieces of scene data contained in the generated virtual content file, each frame number indicating a frame number relative to a beginning of the generated virtual content file and each read location or byte location indicating a location relative to the beginning of the generated virtual content file;

generating selected-scene index information identifying, in relation to the virtual content file, the calculated frame number and the calculated read location or byte location of each piece of frame data of the selected pieces of scene data contained in the generated virtual content file, the selected-scene index information for allowing playback of the selected pieces of scene data in a correct playback order; and

transmitting, as a virtual content file, the selected pieces of scene data associated with the generated selected-scene index information to the terminal device.

8. A virtual content output device for outputting a virtual content file according to a content-structure table, the content-structure table specifying a playback order of a plurality of content files, the virtual content output device comprising:

a content storing unit operable to store the plurality of content files,

each content file containing (i) header information identifying a size of the content file and a total number of pieces of frame data included in the content file, (ii) a plurality of pieces of scene data, each piece of scene data including a plurality of pieces of content data, and (iii) a plurality of pieces of additional information, the pieces of additional information being in one-to-one correspondence with the pieces of scene data, and

each piece of additional information including (i) index information identifying a byte location of each piece of frame data included in the corresponding piece of scene data, the byte location being a location relative to a beginning of the content file containing the scene data, and (ii) transmission timing information identifying a timing according to which each piece of frame data included in the corresponding piece of scene data is to be transmitted;

a content-structure table receiving unit operable to receive the content-structure table;

a content-structure table storing unit operable to store the content-structure table received by the content-structure table receiving unit;

a content data processing unit operable to (i) provide an instruction to read content data according to the content-structure table stored in the content-structure table storing unit, and (ii) process pieces of frame data included in the read content data by overwriting, without re-encoding the content data, a frame number and a playback time of each piece of frame data with a frame number and a playback time of a respective piece of frame data of the virtual content file;

a content data reading unit operable to read, from the content storing unit, the content data according to the instruction provided from the content data processing unit, and operable to output the read content data to be received by the content data processing unit as the received content data;

a virtual content header information generating unit operable to (i) provide an instruction to read header information according to the content-structure table stored in the content-structure table storing unit, (ii) calculate, without re-encoding the content data, a file size of the virtual content file and a total number of pieces of frame data contained in the virtual content file, and (iii) generate virtual content header information from received header information, the virtual content header information identifying the calculated size of the virtual content file and the calculated total number of pieces of frame data included in the virtual content file;

a header information reading unit operable to read, from the content storing unit, the header information according to the instruction provided by the virtual content header information generating unit, and operable to output the read header information to be received by the virtual content header information generating unit as the received header information; and

a virtual content output unit operable to output, as a virtual content file, the content data processed by the content data processing unit and the virtual content header information generated by the virtual content header information generating unit, the output received content data and virtual content header information being associated with each other.

9. A virtual content output device for outputting a virtual content file according to a content-structure table, the content-structure table specifying a playback order of a plurality of content files, the virtual content output device comprising:

a content storing unit operable to store the plurality of content files,

each content file containing (i) header information identifying a size of the content file and a total number of pieces of frame data included in the content file, (ii) a plurality of pieces of scene data, each piece of scene data including a plurality of pieces of content data, and (iii) a plurality of pieces of addition information, the pieces of additional information being in one-to-one correspondence with the pieces of scene data, and

each piece of additional information including (i) index information identifying a byte location of each piece of frame data included in the corresponding piece of scene data, the byte location being a location relative to a beginning of the content file containing the scene data, and (ii) transmission timing information identifying a timing according to which each piece of frame data included in the corresponding piece of scene data is to be transmitted;

a content-structure table receiving unit operable to receive the content-structure table;

a content-structure table storing unit operable to store the content-structure table received by the content-structure table receiving unit;

a content data processing unit operable to (i) provide an instruction to read content data according to the content-structure table stored in the content-structure table storing unit, and (ii) process pieces of frame data included in the read content data by overwriting, without re-encoding the content data, a frame number and a playback time of each piece of frame data with a frame number and a playback time of a respective piece of frame data of the virtual content file;

a content data reading unit operable to read, from the content storing unit, the content data according to the instruction provided from the content data processing unit, and operable to output the read content data to be received by the content data processing unit as the received content data;

a virtual content header information generating unit operable to (i) provide an instruction to read header information according to the content-structure table stored in the content-structure table storing unit, (ii) calculate, without re-encoding the content data, a file size of the virtual content file and a total number of pieces of frame data contained in the virtual content file, and (iii) generate virtual content header information from received header information, the virtual content header information identifying the calculated size of the virtual content file and the calculated total number of pieces of frame data included in the virtual content file;

a header information reading unit operable to read, from the content storing unit, the header information according to the instruction provided by the virtual content header information generating unit, and operable to output the read header information to be received by the virtual content header information generating unit as the received header information;

a virtual content additional information generating unit operable to (i) provide an instruction to read additional information according to the content-structure table stored in the content-structure table storing unit, and (ii) generate, without re-encoding the content data, virtual content additional information from received additional information, the virtual content additional information including index information identifying, in relation to the virtual content file, a byte location of each piece of frame data included in the virtual content file, the byte location being a location relative to a beginning of the virtual content file, and the virtual content additional information including a transmission timing identifying a timing according to which each piece of frame data included in the corresponding piece of scene data of the virtual content file is to be transmitted;

an additional information reading unit operable to read, from the content storing unit, the additional information according to the instruction provided by the virtual content additional information generating unit, and operable to output the read additional information to be received by the virtual content additional information generating unit as the received additional information; and

a virtual content output unit operable to output, as a virtual content file, the received content data processed by the content data processing unit, and the virtual content header information generated by the virtual content header information generating unit, and output the virtual content additional information generated by the virtual content additional information generating unit, the output received content data, the virtual content header information, and the virtual content additional information being associated with each other.