Patent Application
20090119727
The present invention relates to an interactive service system in which multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content is transmitted from a service provider to a service requestor and a message with respect to the multimedia content is transmitted from the service requestor to the service provider, a multimedia content transmitting device, a multimedia content receiving device, a sub-content receiving device, a message receiving device, a program for controlling the interactive service system, a program for controlling the multimedia content transmitting device, a program for controlling the multimedia content receiving device, a program for controlling the sub-content receiving device, a program for controlling the message receiving device, and a recording medium recording the program.
Currently, TV (television) broadcasting has been shifting from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. Characteristics of the digital broadcasting are realization of many channels, high image quality, and high sound quality. In addition to these, realization of data broadcasting is also one of the characteristics of the digital broadcasting.
In the data broadcasting, a broadcasting company utilizes airwaves of satellite TV broadcasting or ground wave TV broadcasting so as to deliver data, such as a character, a program, or the like, to a large number of unspecified terminals (TV receivers). By utilizing (i) a function of the data broadcasting of the broadcasting company and (ii) a information input function and communication function of the terminal, it is possible to realize an interactive service which allows a viewer to takes some actions with respect to the TV broadcasting.
According to a conventional interactive service, AV content including AV (audio visual) data and sub-content attached to the AV data is transmitted to the terminal. The sub-content includes BML data written in BML (Broadcast Markup Language). The terminal interprets and executes the data to lay out and display broadcast content and information attached to the broadcast content. Moreover, an interaction with respect to the input from the terminal is executed by an ECMA script included in the BML data. Then, data including content of the input is transmitted to, for example, a BML response server through a telephone line, the Internet, or the like.
In a two-way service aid system described in Document 1, a broadcasting company broadcasts data broadcasting program content including a two-way service-use service scene, a service scene code (SSC) for identifying the service scene related to the service scene, and a service type corresponding to the SSC. A receiver of a viewer receives the data broadcasting program content broadcasted by the broadcasting company, and then transmits response data, including the SSC and the service type, to a response server. The response server refers to a memory to specify a server module corresponding to the service type in the response data received from the receiver, and then executes a process corresponding to the specified server module.
Note that, in the present application, data transmitted from a service requestor to a service provider is referred to as message. A “message” can be an e-mail or a request made on WWW (World Wide Web).
[Patent document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 171508/2002 (Tokukai 2002-171508; Published on Jun. 14, 2002)
[Patent document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 343683/2004 (Tokukai 2004-343683; Published on Dec. 2, 2004)
Conventionally, multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content has been transmitted in conventional cases. The load on the communication path therefore increased with an increase in the volume of the multimedia content.
The present invention was made to solve the above problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an interactive service system by which the load on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, an interactive service system of the present invention is an interactive service system in which (i) a service provider transmits, to a service requestor, multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content, and (ii) the service requestor transmits, to the service provider, a message with respect to the multimedia content, the service provider transmitting, to the service requestor, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content via separate communication paths or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner, and the service requestor reproducing the content and sub-content in the multimedia content by using different devices respectively, and transmitting the message according to the destination data provided in the service requestor.
Conventionally, content and sub-content have been transmitted as multimedia content. Accordingly, the content and sub-content are simultaneously transmitted via a single communication path. This caused an increase in the load on the communication path.
In view of that, in the present invention, the content and sub-content in the multimedia content are transmitted via separate communication paths or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases. Further, transmitting the content and sub-content via separate communication paths is advantageous under an environment where one communication path can not be used, because it is still possible to transmit the content and sub-content via another communication path. Further, transmitting the content and sub-content in an asynchronous manner via a single communication path is advantageous in that an interactive service described in the sub-content can be provided at a different timing from the timing of providing the content.
Further, the content and sub-content transmitted separately are reproduced by separate devices, respectively. Thus, the device for reproducing the content does not need a function to reproduce the sub-content, and the device for reproducing the sub-content does not need a function to reproduce the content. This allows simplification of the functions of the both devices.
Further, the message with respect to the multimedia content is transmitted to the service provider, based on the destination data provided in the service requester. Accordingly, the message can be transmitted to various destinations.
Here, the destination data provided in the service requestor may be: data of an address book stored in the service requestor; or data input by the user.
Further, the sub-content of the multimedia content includes the destination data which indicates a destination of the message, and the service requestor may transmit the message according to the destination data included in the sub-content. In this case, the message is transmitted, without fail, to the destination which is intended by the service provider. Accordingly, in addition to a server providing interactive services, it is possible to transmit a message to a broadcasting company, or a server of a CM production company or the like.
The content to be included in the multimedia content can be various kinds of content such as the follows: AV data, image data, video data, audio data document data, and so on.
Further, regarding the transmission of the content and sub-content, it is preferable that the sub-content be broadcasted, or that the sub-content be transmitted irrespective of whether or not a request is received from the service requester. This is convenient for a user requesting the service, because the service requester does not need to transmit a request.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a multimedia content transmitting device of the present invention includes: transmitting means for transmitting multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content, wherein: the transmitting means transmits the content and sub-content in the multimedia via separate communication paths or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner; the sub-content further includes structure data which indicates a structure of the message with respect to the multimedia content, which message is to be created at a reproducing end for reproducing the multimedia content; and the structure data includes data identifying information for identifying a type of data included in the message.
With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are transmitted via separate communication paths or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases. Further, transmitting the content and sub-content via separate communication paths is advantageous under an environment where a communication path can not be used, because it is still possible to transmit the content and sub-content via another communication path. Further, transmitting the content and sub-content in an asynchronous manner via a single communication path is advantageous in that various services such as an interactive service described in the sub-content can be provided at a different timing from the timing of providing the content.
Further, the sub-content of the multimedia content includes structure data which indicates the structure of the message with respect to the multimedia content, which message is created at the multimedia content reproducing end. Since the structure of the message is determined in advance, a device having received the message is easily able to process the message.
Further, the structure data includes data identifying information for identifying the type of data included in the message. Thus, even if pieces of data in a message are aligned randomly, it is possible to specify the type of data based on the data identifying information. As a result, the device having received the message is able to read out an intended type of data.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a multimedia content transmitting device of the present invention includes: transmitting means for transmitting multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content; and content identifying information transmitting means for transmitting content identifying information to be utilized for identifying the content, wherein the transmitting means transmits the content and sub-content in the multimedia via separate communication paths or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner.
Here, in the case in which the content is the AV data of a broadcasting program of a predetermined channel, the content identifying information transmitted from the multimedia content transmitting device is exemplified by (i) broadcasting program information indicating the broadcasting program and time when the broadcasting program is broadcasted, (ii) broadcasting program identifying information for identifying the broadcasting program, and (iii) scene identifying information for identifying a scene in the broadcasting program. Moreover, the content identifying information is further exemplified by the content and the file of the content in the case in which the content is transmitted in the form of the file.
With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are transmitted via separate communication paths or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases.
Further, the content identifying information transmitting means transmits the content identifying information utilized for identifying the content. Therefore, it is possible to identify which piece of content the message correspond to.
Here, it is preferable that the above-described multimedia content transmitting device transmit data (multimedia content) to a different device. The different device may be an external device.
Further, when the content reproducing device for reproducing content and the sub-content reproducing device for reproducing the sub-content are separately provided on the multimedia content reproducing side, the multimedia content transmitting device may transmit the multimedia content to both of the device, or transmit the content to the content reproducing device and the sub-content to the sub-content reproducing device.
Further, regarding the transmission of the content and sub-content, it is preferable that the sub-content be broadcasted, or that the sub-content be transmitted irrespective of whether or not a request is received from the service requestor. This is convenient for a user requesting the service, because the service requestor does not need to transmit a request.
Further, the sub-content of the multimedia content may include destination data which indicates a destination of a message with respect to the multimedia content. In this case, if it is the side of reproducing the multimedia content who creates and transmits the message, the message is transmitted according to the destination data. Therefore, the message can be transmitted to a destination intended by the sub-content provider.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a multimedia content receiving device of the present invention includes: receiving means for receiving multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content; and sub-content reproducing means for reproducing the sub-content received by the receiving means, wherein: the receiving means receives the content and sub-content via separate communication paths respectively or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner; the sub-content includes plural pieces of reproduction information which are reproducible; and the sub-content reproducing means reproduces at least one of the plural pieces of reproduction information which corresponds to the state of the multimedia content receiving device.
With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are received via separate communication paths or a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases. Further, transmitting the content and sub-content via separate communication paths is advantageous under an environment where a communication path can not be used, because it is still possible to transmit the content and sub-content via another communication path. Further, transmitting the content and sub-content in an asynchronous manner via a single communication path is advantageous in that various services such as an interactive service described in the sub-content can be provided at a different timing from the timing of providing the content.
Further, the sub-content reproducing means reproduces at least one of the plural pieces of reproduction information which corresponds to the state of the multimedia content receiving device. Thus, it is possible to provide a service specialized for the user of the multimedia content receiving device. Further, since there is no need for separately transmitting different sub-content depending on the date and hour, it is possible to efficiently distribute sub-content even in a case of changing the sub-content to be displayed based on the date and hour.
Examples of the state of the multimedia content receiving device are: time and date set in the device; personal information of the user which has been input beforehand; information regarding a contract for viewing a broadcasting program and/or channel; information of whether or not a particular broadcasting program has been already viewed.
Here, the most preferred example of the above mentioned multimedia content receiving device is one that receives data from outside. However, it is possible to use data (multimedia content) stored in the multimedia content receiving device, instead of the data received from outside. Further, the data stored in the multimedia content receiving device may be data received from the outside, or data which has been already stored in the multimedia content receiving device at the time of shipping. The same goes for the following multimedia content receiving devices.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a multimedia content receiving device of the present invention includes: receiving means for receiving multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content; sub-content reproducing means for reproducing the sub-content received by the receiving means; content reproducing means for reproducing the content received by the receiving means; and switching means for switching between (i) reproduction of the content by the content reproducing means and (ii) reproduction of the sub-content by the sub-content reproducing means, wherein the receiving means receives the content and sub-content via separate communication paths respectively or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner.
With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are received via separate communication paths or a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases.
Further, the switching means switches between reproduction of the content and that of the sub-content. Reproducing one of the content and sub-content with the switching means will solve a problem caused by reproducing both of the content and sub-content in a case where a capability for performing reproduction process is low (e.g. a case where the size of the display screen is small).
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a multimedia content receiving device of the present invention includes: receiving means for receiving multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content; and reproduction instructing information transmitting means for transmitting reproduction instructing information for instructing an external content reproducing device, which reproduces content, to reproduce the content corresponding to the sub-content received by the receiving means, wherein receives the content and sub-content via separate communication paths respectively or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner.
With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are received via separate communication paths or a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases.
Further, the external content reproducing device which reproduces content is instructed to reproduce the content that corresponds to the sub-content received by the receiving means. That way, the content is reproduced by the other device.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a multimedia content receiving device of the present invention includes: receiving means for receiving multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content; creating means for creating a message with respect to the multimedia content; and transmitting means for transmitting the message created, wherein: receives the content and sub-content via separate communication paths respectively or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner; the creating means creates the message based on a structure indicated by structure data included in the sub-content received by the receiving means, the structure data including data identifying information for identifying a type of data included in the message; and the transmitting means is for transmitting the message to a destination indicated by destination data provided in the multimedia content receiving device, the data included in the message transmitted by the transmitting means being associated with the data identifying information.
With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are received via separate communication paths or a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases.
Further, the creating means creates the message based on the structure of the message indicated by the structure data in the sub-content received by the receiving means. Since the structure of the message is determined in advance, the message transmitting device does not need to determine the structure of the message. Therefore, a message is easily created.
Further, the structure data includes the data identifying information for identifying the type of data included in the message. The data included in the message transmitted by the transmitting means is associated with the data identifying information. Thus, even if pieces of data in the message are aligned randomly, it is possible to specify the type of data based on the data identifying information. Thus, when creating a message, it is not necessary to rearrange the pieces of data in the message.
Further, since the message with respect to the multimedia content is transmitted according to the destination data provided in the multimedia content receiving device, it is possible to transmit the message to various destinations.
Here, it is preferable that the above-described multimedia content transmitting device transmit data (multimedia content) to a different device. The different device may be an external device. The same goes for the following multimedia content receiving devices.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a multimedia content receiving device of the present invention includes: receiving means for receiving multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content; creating means for creating a message with respect to the multimedia content; transmitting means for transmitting the message created; sub-content reproducing means for reproducing the sub-content received by the receiving means; content reproducing means for reproducing the content received by the receiving means; and switching means for switching between (i) reproduction of the content by the content reproducing means and (ii) reproduction of the sub-content by the sub-content reproducing means, wherein: receives the content and sub-content via separate communication paths respectively or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner; the transmitting means is for transmitting the message to a destination indicated by destination data provided in the multimedia content receiving device; and the creating means adds, to the message, information of time at which the reproduction of content is switched to the reproduction of the sub-content by the switching means.
With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are received via separate communication paths or a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases.
Further, the switching means switches between reproduction of the content and that of the sub-content. Reproducing one of the content and sub-content with the switching means will solve a problem caused by reproducing both of the content and sub-content in a case where a capability for performing reproduction process is low (e.g. a case where the size of the display screen is small).
Further, the creating means adds, to the message, the information of time when the reproduction of the content is switched by the switching means to the reproduction of the sub-content. Thus, the content is easily identified based on the information of the time of switching the reproduction.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a multimedia content receiving device of the present invention includes: receiving means for receiving multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content; creating means for creating a message with respect to the multimedia content; and transmitting means for transmitting the message created, wherein: receives the content and sub-content via separate communication paths respectively or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner; the transmitting means is for transmitting the message to a destination indicated by destination data provided in the multimedia content receiving device; and the creating means adds, to the message, information for specifying at least one of the multimedia content receiving device and a user of the multimedia content receiving device.
With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are received via separate communication paths or a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases.
Further, the creating means adds, to the message, the information for specifying at least one of the multimedia content receiving device or the user of the multimedia content receiving device. Therefore, the user of the multimedia content receiving device no longer needs to provide an instruction to add the information to the message. This is convenient for the user.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a multimedia content receiving device of the present invention includes: receiving means for receiving multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content; creating means for creating a message with respect to the multimedia content; and transmitting means for transmitting the message created, wherein: receives the content and sub-content via separate communication paths respectively or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner; the transmitting means is for transmitting the message to a destination indicated by destination data provided in the multimedia content receiving device; and the creating means adds, to the message, content identifying information for identifying the content.
With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are received via separate communication paths or a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases.
Incidentally, for example, it is preferable that the information for specifying a particular part of the content reproduced at a particular time, as is a case where the content is streaming data which is reproduced at real time while being received.
In view of that, in the present invention, the creating means adds, to the message, the content identifying information utilized for identifying the content. That way, it is possible to identify which piece of the content the message is for.
Here, Examples of the content identifying information to be added to the message are as follows. Namely, when the content is AV data of a broadcasting program broadcasted on a predetermined channel, the content identifying information may be information of the channel and information of time when the broadcasting program is broadcasted. Further, the content identifying information may be: a part of content; or, when the content or a part of content is a file or streaming data, an identifier of the content and information of a time elapsed after a start time of a reproduction of the content. Note that the part of the content can be, for example, a part of video data or audio data of a predetermined period.
Here, the message is preferably transmitted by means of an e-mail system or a data transmission system similar to the e-mail system. That way, an already existing system can be utilized. Further, in this case, the message can be transmitted simply by adding an e-mail address.
Here, the destination data provided in the multimedia content receiving device may be: data of an address book stored in the multimedia content receiving device; or data input by the user. Further, the sub-content of the multimedia content may includes the destination data, and the transmitting means may transmit the message to the destination indicated by the destination data. That way, it is possible to transmit the message to a destination desired by a providing end for providing the sub-content.
Further, it is preferable that the multimedia content receiving device receive the sub-content which is broadcasted, or which is transmitted irrespective of a request from the multimedia content receiving device. This is advantageous to the user of the multimedia content receiving device, because no request from the multimedia content receiving device is needed.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a sub-content receiving device of the present invention includes: receiving means for receiving sub-content of multimedia content including content and the sub-content attached to the content; and sub-content transmitting means for transmitting the sub-content received.
With the configuration, the sub-content transmitted by the sub-content transmitting means can be received and reproduced by another device. Accordingly, if the other device has a function to reproduce the content, the content can be reproduced according to the sub-content.
The sub-content receiving device of the present invention is preferably adapted so that the receiving means receives the content and sub-content via separate communication paths respectively or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. With the structure, the content and sub-content included in the multimedia content are received via separate communication paths or a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, as mentioned above, the load imposed on the communication path is made less than the conventional cases.
Here, the most preferred example of the above mentioned sub-content receiving device is one that receives data from outside. However, it is possible to use data (sub-content) stored in the sub-content receiving device, instead of the data received from outside. Further, the data stored in the sub-content receiving device may be data received from the outside, or data which has been already bundled in the sub-content receiving device at the time of shipping. Further, it is preferable that the above-described sub-content receiving device transmit data (sub-content) to a different device. The different device may be an external device.
Further, it is preferable that the sub-content receiving device receive the sub-content which is broadcasted, or which is transmitted irrespective of a request from the multimedia content receiving device. This is advantageous to the user of the sub-content receiving device, because no request from the sub-content receiving device is needed.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, a message receiving device of the present invention is a message receiving device for receiving a message with respect to a multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content, including: receiving means for receiving the message; acquiring means for acquiring content identifying information utilized for identifying the content; and identifying means for identifying the content, from the message received by the receiving means, by utilizing the content identifying information.
According to the above arrangement, the identifying means identifies the content corresponding to the message by utilizing the content identifying information acquired by the acquiring means. Therefore, it is possible to carry out a process corresponding to the content identified by the identifying means in accordance with the message received by the receiving means.
Here, the process corresponding to the content is exemplified by (i) a process of storing part of the message or the entire message for each content and (ii) a process of providing a service corresponding to the content to the sender of the message.
Note that the identifying means may identify the content by utilizing the content identifying information included in the message, or by further utilizing the content identifying information acquired from a creating end for creating the multimedia content. Moreover, in the case in which there are message storage locations for each content, information of the message storage location indicated by the destination data can be used as the content identifying information.
Specifically, the message receiving device of the present invention may be adapted so that the content is AV data of a broadcasting program of a predetermined channel; the acquiring means acquires, as the content identifying information, broadcasting program information indicating a channel via which the broadcasting program is broadcasted and time when the broadcasting program is broadcasted; and the identifying means identifies the content, from information for identifying the channel and from information indicating time when the broadcasting program is viewed, by utilizing the broadcasting program information.
Further, the message receiving device of the present invention may be adapted so that the content is AV data of a broadcasting program of a predetermined channel; the acquiring means acquires, as the content identifying information, broadcasting program identifying information for identifying the broadcasting program and scene identifying information for identifying a scene in the broadcasting program; and the identifying means identifies the content, from the broadcasting program identifying information and scene identifying information which are included in the message, by utilizing the content identifying information.
Further, the message receiving device of the present invention may be adapted so that the content is transmitted in the form of a file; the acquiring means acquires the file of the content as the content identifying information; and the identifying means identifies the content, from an identifier of the file of the content and a time elapsed after a start time of a reproduction of the content, by utilizing the identifier of the file of the content, the identifier and the time being included in the message.
Further, the message receiving device of the present invention may be adapted so that the acquiring means acquires the content as the content identifying information; and the identifying means identifies the content, from part of the content which part is included in the message received by the receiving means, by utilizing the content.
Further, the message receiving device of the present invention may further include storage means for storing data included in the message received by the receiving means, wherein: in the message, the data is caused to correspond to data identifying information for identifying a type of the data; and the storage means stores the data in accordance with the data identifying information. In this case, the data is stored in a particular position according to the type of data. Therefore, analyzing the data is easy.
Further, the message receiving device of the present invention may further include providing means for providing, to a sender of the message, a service corresponding to the content identified by the identifying means. In this case, it is possible to provide more services to the source of the message.
Note that the above-mentioned effects are also acquired from an interactive service system having a service provider and a service requestor, wherein: the service requestor including (a) the above-described multimedia content receiving device for receiving the multimedia content or (b) the above-described sub-content receiving device for receiving the sub-content in the multimedia content; and the service provider including (a) the above-described multimedia content transmitting device for transmitting the multimedia content and (b) and the above-described message receiving device for receiving the message from the multimedia content receiving device or the sub-content receiving device.
Note that each means of the multimedia content transmitting device is implemented on a computer by using a program for controlling a multimedia content transmitting device. Further, each means of the multimedia content receiving device is implemented on a computer by using a program for controlling multimedia content receiving device. Further, each means of the sub-content receiving device is implemented on a computer by using a program for controlling a sub-content receiving device. Further, each means of the message receiving device is implemented on a computer by using a program for controlling a message receiving device. Further, each means of the interactive service system is implemented on a computer by using a program for controlling a interactive service system.
Further, by storing the program for controlling the multimedia content transmitting device in a computer-readable storage medium, it is possible to run the program on any given computer. Further, by storing the program for controlling the multimedia content receiving device in a computer-readable storage medium, it is possible to run the program on any given computer. Further, by storing the program for controlling the sub-content receiving device in a computer-readable storage medium, it is possible to run the program on any given computer. Further, by storing the program for controlling the message receiving device in a computer-readable storage medium, it is possible to run the program on any given computer. Further, by storing the program for controlling the interactive service system in a computer-readable storage medium, it is possible to run the program on any given computer.
As mentioned above, in an interactive service system of the present invention, content and sub-content included in multimedia content are transmitted via separate communication paths, respectively or via a single communication path in an asynchronous manner. Therefore, it is possible to make the load on the communication path less than that of conventional cases.
Further, as described, with the sub-content receiving device of the present invention, the sub-content transmitted by the sub-content transmitting means can be received and reproduced by another device. Therefore, if the other device has a function to reproduce the content, the content can be reproduced according to the sub-content.
a) is a diagram showing one example of display screen images based upon the AV content, and is showing a main screen image.
b) is a diagram showing one example of display screen images based upon the AV content, and is showing a search screen image.
a) is a diagram showing one example of display screen images based upon the AV content.
b) is a diagram showing one example of display screen images based upon the AV content.
a) is a diagram showing one example of display screen images based upon the AV content.
b) is a diagram showing one example of display screen images based upon the sub-content.
a) is a diagram showing one example of display screen images based upon the AV content, and is showing a main screen image.
b) is a diagram showing one example of display screen images based upon the AV content, and is showing a question screen image.
The following explains one embodiment of the present invention in reference to
As shown in
Note that in the present embodiment, a CM production company owns the AV content creating device 11 and the AV content related service providing device 15, a broadcasting company owns the AV content combining/transmitting device 12 and the relay station 13, and a viewer owns the mobile phone terminal 14. Moreover, well-known communication networks can be used as the communication network 16, such as a mobile communication network, a telephone network, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), etc.
The AV content creating device 11 creates AV content including CM-use AV data and sub-content, the CM-use AV data being reproduced as a video and audio of a CM (S10 in
The AV content combining/transmitting device 12 combines the AV content, received from the AV content creating device 11, with broadcasting program-use AV data to be reproduced as a video and audio of a TV program (S12 in
The AV content is so arranged as to include AV data and sub-content attached to the AV data. Moreover, the sub-content may include reproduction data reproduced in conjunction with the AV data or reproduction data reproduced independently of the AV data. Further, the sub-content may include a set of reproduction data or a plurality of sets of reproduction data.
In the present embodiment, the AV data is AV data obtained by combining the CM-use AV data and the broadcasting program-use AV data, and is streaming data that is the received data reproduced in real time. Moreover, the sub-content is attached to the CM-use AV data, and includes (i) layout designating data which switches between a CM screen image for displaying a CM and a search screen image for carrying out searching, and which designates a display layout, (ii) destination data indicating a structure and destination of a message transmitted from the mobile phone terminal 14 to the AV content related service providing device 15, and (iii) data for specifying the AV data. Note that the sub-content attached to the broadcasting program-use AV data may be included in the AV content.
In the present embodiment, the mobile phone terminal 14 has a function of utilizing GPS (Global Positioning Systems) to acquire latitude/longitude information indicating latitude and longitude of the mobile phone terminal 14 itself. The mobile phone terminal 14 receives the AV content from the AV content combining/transmitting device 12, and then reproduces the received AV content. That is, the mobile phone terminal 14 displays either the CM screen image or the search screen image in accordance with the designated display layout, and switches to the other screen image in accordance with an operation carried out by a user (S15 in
Here, when the viewer (user of the mobile phone terminal 14) selects a search button on the search screen image, the mobile phone terminal 14 creates a message in accordance with data indicating the structure of the data (S16 in
The AV content related service providing device 15 searches for shop information in accordance with the message received from the mobile phone terminal 14, and then sends a search result back to the mobile phone terminal 14. Thus, the viewer can find where the nearby shop advertised by the CM is.
Moreover, because the sub-content of the AV content created by the AV content creating device 11 includes destination data indicating that the destination is the AV content related service providing device 15, the message from the mobile phone terminal 14 can be received by a device desired by the CM production company. As a result, the CM production company can directly provide various services, based upon a content of the message, to the user of the mobile phone terminal 14, directly collect feedbacks from the user of the mobile phone terminal 14 about the CM, or the like.
Moreover, because the user of the mobile phone terminal 14 needs not input the destination of the message, it is possible to cut out the need of input and prevent missending the message due to an inputting error.
The following explains in detail respective members in the interactive service system 10 of the present embodiment.
The AV data storage section 20 stores a set of or a plurality of sets of CM-use AV data created in advance by the CM production company. The sub-content storage section 21 stores various sub-content attached to the CM-use AV data, the sub-content being created in advance by the CM production company. The AV data storage section 20 and the sub-content storage section 21 include a memory device, such as a HDD (Hard Disc Drive). Note that details about the sub-content are described later.
The AV content creating section 22 retrieves desired CM-use AV data from the AV data storage section 20, and also retrieves sub-content corresponding to the CM-use AV data from the sub-content storage section 21, so as to create AV content including the CM-use AV data and the sub-content. The AV content creating section 22 transmits the created AV content to the AV content transmitting section 23. The AV content creating section 22 is realized by causing a CPU to execute a program stored in a memory device, such as a RAM, a flash memory, or the like.
The AV content transmitting section 23 transmits the AV content, received from the AV content creating section 22, to the AV content combining/transmitting device 12 through the communication network 16.
Note that the sub-content storage section 21 may store (i) the sub-content whose message destination is not specified and (ii) a message destination corresponding to the CM-use AV data. In this case, the AV content creating section 22 retrieves desired CM-use AV data from the AV data storage section 20, and also retrieves the message destination corresponding to the CM-use AV data and the sub-content from the sub-content storage section 21. Then, the AV content creating section 22 incorporates the message destination in the sub-content, and create the AV content including the sub-content and the CM-use AV data.
With this, since the CM production company can change the message destination for each CM, it is possible to provide services different for different CMs or to collect feedbacks for respective CMs from the users.
The AV content receiving section 30 receives the AV content from the AV content creating device 11 through the communication network 16. The AV content receiving section 30 transmits the received AV content to the AV content combining section 32.
The AV data storage section 31 stores a set of or a plurality of sets of broadcasting program-use AV data created in advance by the broadcasting company. The AV data storage section 31 includes a memory device, such as a HDD (Hard Disc Drive).
The AV content combining section 32 retrieves desired broadcasting program-use AV data from the AV data storage section 31 to combine the retrieved broadcasting program-use AV data with the AV content received from the AV content creating device 11 through the communication network 16 and the AV content receiving section 30. Specifically, the CM-use AV data is inserted between the broadcasting program-use AV data. Broadcasting hours of the broadcasting program and broadcasting hours of the CM(s) are specified at this point.
The AV content combining section 32 transmits the combined AV content to the AV content transmitting section 34. Moreover, the AV content combining section 32 transmits information about the specified broadcasting hours of the broadcasting program and the CM(s) to the broadcasting program information creating section 35. The AV content combining section 32 is realized by causing a CPU to execute a program stored in a memory device, such as a RAM, a flash memory, or the like.
Note that it is preferable that an AV content storage section (not shown) for storing the AV content from the AV content creating device 11 be provided between the AV content receiving section 30 and the AV content combining section 32. In this case, the AV content combining section 32 combines the broadcasting program-use AV data with the AV content from the AV content creating device 11 at a desired timing.
The timer section 33 measures time. The timer section 33 transmits time information of measured time to the AV content transmitting section 34.
The AV content transmitting section 34 transmits the AV content, received from the AV content combining section 32, to the relay station 13 in accordance with the time information received from the timer section 33. Thus, the AV content is broadcasted from the relay station 13.
In
The broadcasting program information transmitting section 36 transmits the broadcasting program information, received from the broadcasting program information creating section 35, to the AV content related service providing device 15 through the communication network 16.
The control section 40 totally controls various members in the mobile phone terminal 14. Functions of the control section 40 are realized by causing a CPU to execute a program stored in a memory device, such as a RAM, a flash memory, or the like. Note that details about the control section 40 are described later.
The memory section 41 stores various information. The memory section 41 includes, for example, a flash memory, a HDD, or the like. In the present embodiment, the memory section 41 stores terminal setting information 47. The terminal setting information 47 includes: personal identifying information, such as user's address, name, age, occupation, etc.; and terminal identifying information, such as the telephone number, the e-mail address, etc. of the mobile phone terminal 14.
The input section 42 accepts user's input(s) of various information, such as selection information, instruction information, textual information, etc. The input section 42 is exemplified by a keyboard, a numeric keypad, a pointing device, etc. The input section 42 generates an input signal in accordance with the user's input, and then transmits the input signal to the control section 40.
The output section 43 outputs various information, such as a character, an image, an audio, etc. Specifically, the output section 43 includes (i) a display device, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (Electroluminescence) display, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or the like, for displaying various information, such as the character, the image, etc., and (ii) an audio output device, such as an earphone, a speaker, or the like. The user can watch the image (including a still image and a moving image) and the character outputted by the output section 43, and listen to an audio and a music outputted by the output section 43.
The AV content receiving section 44 receives an electric wave of the AV content from the relay station 13, carries out a predetermined treatment with respect to the received AV content, and then transmits the AV content to the control section 40.
The communication section 45 converts data, received from the control section 40, to a form suitable for data communication, and then transmits the converted signal to the communication network 16. Moreover, the communication section 45 converts a signal, received from the communication network 16, to the original form, and then transmits the converted data to the control section 40.
The positional information acquiring section 46 acquires positional information of a current position of the mobile phone terminal 14. The positional information acquiring section 46 transmits the acquired positional information to the control section 40. In the present embodiment, a method for acquiring the positional information is a method for acquiring the latitude/longitude information of a current position of the mobile phone terminal 14 by utilizing GPS (Global Positioning Systems), however it is possible to utilize arbitrary methods, such as a method for inputting a current address of the mobile phone terminal 14 by the user using the input section 42, a method for utilizing an address of a base station which wirelessly communicates with the mobile phone terminal 14, etc.
The following explains details about the control section 40. As shown in
The AV content analyzing section 50 analyzes the AV content acquired from the AV content combining/transmitting device 12 through the relay station 13 and the AV content receiving section 44. Specifically, the AV content analyzing section 50 identifies the AV data from the acquired AV content to transmit the AV data to the reproducing section 54. Moreover, the AV content analyzing section 50 identifies the sub-content from the acquired AV content, analyzes the sub-content, and gives various instructions to the browser section 51, the layout instructing section 52, and the timing control section 53 in accordance with an analysis result of the sub-content.
The layout information D13 is so arranged as to include layout designating information D16 for designating the display layout of the screen, and display content designating information D17 for designating display content. The message structure information D15 includes AV data identifying information (ID) D18 for specifying the AV data.
In
The browser section 51 creates display data in accordance with HTML data included in the sub-content D12. The browser section 51 (i) accesses a site through the communication section 45 and the communication network 16 in accordance with an URL (Uniform Resource Locator) designated by the sub-content D12, (ii) acquires various data, such as HTML data, image data, etc., from the outside, and (iii) creates the display data in accordance with the acquired data. The browser section 51 transmits the created display data to the reproducing section 54. Further, the browser section 51 transmits the information concerning a message, included in the sub-content D12, to the message creating section 55 in accordance with an instruction given from the input section 42.
The layout instructing section 52 gives an instruction concerning the display layout to the reproducing section 54 in accordance with the information concerning layout received from the AV content analyzing section 50. Moreover, the timing control section 53 controls the display timing of the reproducing section 54 in accordance with the information concerning display timing received from the AV content analyzing section 50. The display timing is controlled in the case in which a plurality of display content designations are in the sub-content and the display content designation changes over time.
The reproducing section 54 decodes the AV data received from the AV content analyzing section 50, and then reproduces the decoded data and the display data, received from the browser section 51, in accordance with the instruction given from the layout instructing section 52 and the control carried out by the timing control section 53. The reproducing section 54 transmits the reproduced data to the output section 43, so that the output section 43 displays the data.
The message creating section 55 creates a message in accordance with the information concerning message received from the browser section 51, the terminal setting information 47 stored in the memory section 41, and the latitude/longitude information acquired by the positional information acquiring section 46. The message creating section 55 transmits the created message to the AV content related service providing device 15 through the communication section 45 and the communication network 16.
The reply message acquiring section 56 acquires a reply message through the communication network 16 and the communication section 45, the reply message being created by the AV content related service providing device 15 as a reply to the message created by the message creating section 55. The reply message acquiring section 56 outputs the acquired reply message for the user by using the browser section 51, the reproducing section 54, and the output section 43.
The broadcasting program information receiving section 60 receives the broadcasting program information, created by the AV content combining/transmitting device 12, through the communication network 16. The broadcasting program information receiving section 60 transmits the received broadcasting program information to the broadcasting program information storage section 67.
The broadcasting program information storage section 67 stores the broadcasting program information received from the broadcasting program information receiving section 60.
Note that the channel identifier shown in
Therefore, in the case in which the broadcasting company carries out broadcasting by utilizing only one channel, it is possible to omit the channel identifier from the broadcasting program information which is transmitted from the AV content combining/transmitting device 12 to the AV content related service providing device 15. In this case, the AV content related service providing device 15 only have to specify the broadcasting company that is the sender, and add, to the broadcasting program information, the channel identifier corresponding to the specified broadcasting company. Moreover, in the case in which channel numbers do not change depending on areas, it is possible to use the channel number as the channel identifier.
The message receiving section 61 receives the message, created by the mobile phone terminal 14, through the communication network 16. The message receiving section 61 transmits the received message to the message analyzing section 62.
The message analyzing section 62 analyzes the message received from the message receiving section 61. The message analyzing section 62 transmits various information, included in the message, to various blocks. Specifically, the message analyzing section 62 transmits (i) the screen image switched time information and the channel information (channel identifier) to the broadcasting program information judging section 63, (ii) the terminal setting information 47 and the latitude/longitude information to the input content storage section 64, and (iii) the latitude/longitude information and the mail address of a message sender to the message replying section 65.
The broadcasting program judging section 63 specifies a CM in accordance with the screen image switched time information and channel information received from the message analyzing section 62 and the broadcasting program information stored in the broadcasting program information storage section 67. The broadcasting program information judging section 63 stores information of the specified CM and the broadcasting program information in the input content storage section 64. In addition, the broadcasting program information judging section 63 transmits the information of the specified CM to the message replying section 66.
The input content storage section 64 associates the terminal setting information 47 and the latitude/longitude information, received from the message analyzing section 62, with the information of the CM and the broadcasting program information received from the broadcasting program information judging section 63, so as to store those information therein. Thus, the CM production company can find out where the viewer who watched and was interested in a CM is and what time the CM was broadcasted.
The shop information storage section 65 stores the shop information which includes information for specifying a shop, such as the name of the shop, and the latitude/longitude information of the shop. Note that the input content storage section 64 and the shop information storage section 65 include a memory device, such as a flash memory, a HDD, or the like.
The message replying section 66 creates the reply message as a reply to the received message. The message replying section 66 transmits the created reply message through the communication network 16 to the mobile phone terminal 14 that is the message sender.
In the present embodiment, the message replying section 66 judges whether the CM utilizes the shop information, in accordance with the CM specified by the broadcasting program judging section 63. In the case in which the CM utilizes the shop information, the message replying section 66 searches the shop information storage section 65 for a shop having latitude/longitude information that is most similar to the latitude/longitude information received from the message analyzing section 62. Then, the message replying section 66 transmits information of the searched shop as the reply message to the mail address of message sender received from the message analyzing section 62.
Note that the above searching may be carried out (i) by comparing the positional information (longitude/latitude information) included in the message and the positional information stored in the shop information storage section 65, so as to select a shop which locates closest to the positional information included in the message, or (ii) by further using road information, so as to select a shop so that a travel distance between the shop and the positional information included in the message is the shortest.
In the present embodiment, the layout designating information D16 is written between a <layout> tag and a </layout> tag. According to the example shown in
Moreover, the display content designating information D17 is written between a <par> tag and a </par> tag. According to the example shown in
In the main screen image, a video based upon the AV data is designated in the upper region of height 180 pixels, and a content based upon an HTML document “main. html” is displayed in the lower region of height 140 pixels.
Meanwhile, in the search screen image, the content of an HTML document “search. html” is displayed entirely.
Note that the HTML documents “main. html” and “search. html” are included in the sub-content D12. These HTML documents can be easily created by a person with ordinary skill in the art by reference to
In
In the example shown in
Moreover, the channel information indicating a channel of a TV program is written between the <channel> tag and the </channel> tag, and the switched time information indicating time of switching of the screen image to the search screen image is written between the <change> tag and the </change> tag. The channel information and the switched time information becomes the AV data identifying information D18.
Further, the latitude/longitude information indicating the current position of the mobile phone terminal 14 is written between the <gps> tag and the </gps> tag, and the e-mail address is written between the <email> tag and the </email> tag as message sender information.
Note that as described above, in the case in which the sub-content whose message destination is not specified is stored in the sub-content storage section 21 of the AV content creating device 11, the message destination information D14 is <message sendto=“[address]”>. Then, the AV content creating device 22 incorporates the message destination into the sub-content whose message destination is not specified. Thus, the sub-content D12 shown in
Next, the control section 40 judges whether or not the user has requested the switching of the screen image (S22). In the case in which the switching of the screen image is not requested (NO in S22), the process returns to Step S21 to repeat the above operations. In the case in which the switching of the screen image is requested (YES in S22), the control section 40 memorizes the time of switching of the screen image (S23), displays the search image screen of the sub-content (S24), and accepts user's input(s) (S25).
Next, the control section 40 judges whether or not the user has requested the switching of the screen image (S26). In the case in which the switching of the screen image is not requested (NO in S26), the process returns to Step S21 to repeat the above operations. In the case in which the switching of the screen image is requested (YES in S26), the control section 40 judges whether the user has requested message transmission (S26a).
In the case in which the message transmission is not requested (NO in S26a), the process returns to Step S25 to repeat the above operations. In the case in which the message transmission is requested (YES in S26a), the control section 40 incorporates the user's input into the model form of the message (S27) and also incorporates the terminal setting information and the latitude/longitude information (S28), so as to create a message. Then, the control section 40 transmits the created message (S29). After that, the process returns to Step S21 to repeat the above operations.
As shown in
Next, the message replying section 66 creates the reply message corresponding to the CM specified by the broadcasting program judging section 63 (T24), and then transmits the created reply message through the communication network 16 to the mobile phone terminal 14 that is the sender of the message (T25). For example, in the case of the convenience store “NINE FIVE”, as above, the shop information is searched for, and then the result is transmitted as the reply message. After that, the processing operations in the AV content related service providing device 15 are terminated.
The following explains another embodiment of the present invention in reference to
As shown in
Note that the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 is used in the present embodiment instead of the AV content creating device 11 and the AV content combining/transmitting device 12 shown in
The AV content creating/transmitting device 72 creates the AV content including the broadcasting program-use AV data and the sub-content, and broadcasts the created AV content in a predetermined period of time through the relay station 13.
In the present embodiment, the AV data is streaming data, that is, the AV data received from the broadcasting company is reproduced in real time. Moreover, the sub-content includes (i) layout designating data for designating the display layout of the screen image, (ii) questionnaire data including the content of the questionnaire, (iii) destination data indicating a structure and destination of a message in the case in which an answer to the questionnaire is transmitted as the message, and (iv) data for specifying the AV data.
Therefore, after the AV content reproducing device 74 receives the AV content, the AV content reproducing device 74 displays a video of the TV program based upon the AV data and the content of the questionnaire based upon the questionnaire data in accordance with the designated display layout.
At this point, the viewer (the user of the AV content reproducing device 74) inputs an answer to the questionnaire, and then presses a submit button on the screen image. Thus, the AV content reproducing device 74 creates the message in accordance with data indicating the structure of the message. The message includes: information inputted by the user; the personal information (for example, an address, a name, etc.) set up in advance in the AV content reproducing device 74; and a broadcasting program ID and scene ID which are information for specifying a certain scene in a TV program. Then, the AV content reproducing device 74 transmits the created message in accordance with data indicating the destination (the AV content related service providing device 75 in the example shown in
With this, the broadcasting company having the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 and the AV content related service providing device 75 can collect the answer to the questionnaire about the TV program during or just after the broadcasting of the TV program.
Moreover, the sub-content of the AV content created by the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 includes the destination data indicating that the destination is the AV content related service providing device 75. Therefore, the message from the AV content reproducing device 74 can be received by a device desired by the broadcasting company. As a result, the broadcasting company can directly collect feedbacks from the viewer about the broadcasting program, and directly provide to the viewer various services based upon the content of the message.
Moreover, because the user of the AV content reproducing device 74 needs not input the destination of the message, it is possible to cut out the need of input and prevent missending the message due to an inputting error.
Moreover, in the interactive service system 70 of the present embodiment, the AV content reproducing device 74 can transmit the sub-content in the AV content to an AV content reproducing device 77 through the communication network 16. As described above, the sub-content includes data (broadcasting program ID) for specifying the AV data.
Therefore, the AV content reproducing device which has received the sub-content can reproduce only the sub-content. Moreover, in the case in which the AV content reproducing device 77 has a function of receiving the AV data to reproduce the AV data, the AV content reproducing device 77 can reproduce the AV data in accordance with the sub-content. Note that in the example shown in
The following explains in detail respective members in the interactive service system 70 of the present embodiment.
The AV data storage section 80 stores a set of or a plurality of sets of broadcasting program-use AV data created in advance by the broadcasting company. The sub-content storage section 81 stores various sub-content attached to the broadcasting program-use AV data, the sub-content being created in advance by the broadcasting company. The AV data storage section 80 and the sub-content storage section 81 include a memory device, such as a HDD (Hard Disc Drive). Note that details about the sub-content are described later.
The broadcasting program/scene ID setting section 82 sets up the broadcasting program ID for specifying a broadcasting program and the scene ID for specifying a scene in the broadcasting program. The broadcasting program/scene ID setting section 82 transmits the set up broadcasting program ID and scene ID to the AV content creating section 83 and the ID transmitting section 86. The ID transmitting section 86 transmits the broadcasting program ID and scene ID, received from the broadcasting program/scene ID setting section 82, to the AV content related service providing device 75.
Note that there is a possibility that the broadcasting program ID is identical to a broadcasting program ID of the other channel. In such a case, however, the destination of the message to the broadcasting program of the other channel is a different broadcasting company, so that it is considered that this case is less likely to affect providing of the interactive service.
In
The timer section 84 measures time. The timer section 84 transmits time information of measured time to the AV content transmitting section 85. The AV content transmitting section 85 transmits the AV content, received from the AV content creating section 83, to the relay station 13 in accordance with the time information received from the timer section 84. Thus, the AV content is broadcasted from the relay station 13.
The AV content accumulating section 91 accumulates the AV content received from the AV content creating/transmitting device 72. The AV content accumulating section 91 includes a large-capacity memory device, such as a HDD, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive, or the like.
The following explains details about the control section 90. The control section 90 of the present invention is identical to the control section 40 of the mobile phone terminal 14 shown in
The AV content analyzing section 92 analyzes the AV content acquired from the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 through the relay station 13 and the AV content receiving section 44. Specifically, the AV content analyzing section 92 identifies the AV data from the acquired AV content to transmit the AV data to the reproducing section 54. Moreover, the AV content analyzing section 92 identifies the sub-content from the acquired AV content, analyzes the sub-content, and gives various instructions to the browser section 51, the layout instructing section 52, and the timing control section 53 in accordance with an analysis result of the sub-content.
Moreover, the AV content analyzing section 92 transmits the identified sub-content to the sub-content forwarding section 93. Moreover, the AV content analyzing section 92 acquires the sub-content from the sub-content acquiring section 94 and analyzes the sub-content, so as to find out whether or not the AV data designated in the sub-content is available, specifically, whether or not the AV data is accumulated in the AV content accumulating section 91. In the case in which the AV data is accumulated in the AV content accumulating section 91, the AV content analyzing section 92 reads out the AV data from the AV content accumulating section 91, and then transmits the AV data to the reproducing section 54 as with the AV content acquired from the AV content creating/transmitting device 72. In addition the AV content analyzing section 92 gives various instructions to the browser section 51, the layout instructing section 52, and the timing control section 53 in accordance with an analysis result of the sub-content.
The sub-content forwarding section 93 transmits the sub-content, received from the AV content analyzing section 92, to a different AV content reproducing device through the communication section 45 and the communication network 16. Moreover, the sub-content acquiring section 94 acquires the sub-content from a different AV content reproducing device through the communication network 16 and the communication section 45. The sub-content acquiring section 94 transmits the acquired sub-content to the AV content analyzing section 92.
The ID receiving section 95 receives the broadcasting program ID and scene ID created by the AV content creating/transmitting device 72. The ID receiving section 95 stores the received broadcasting program ID and scene ID in the input content storage section 97.
The message analyzing section 96 analyzes the message received from the message receiving section 61. The message analyzing section 96 transmits to the input content storage section 97 various information included in the message. Specifically, the message analyzing section 96 transmits to the input content storage section 97 the broadcasting program ID, the scene ID, the input information from the viewer, and the terminal setting information.
The input content storage section 97 stores the broadcasting program ID and scene ID received from the ID receiving section 95 and the various information received from the message analyzing section 96. With this, the broadcasting company can find out (i) for which scene the message (questionnaire) received from the AV content reproducing device 74 is created, and (ii) what time the scene is broadcasted.
In the present embodiment, layout designating information D23 is written between a <layout> tag and a </layout> tag. According to examples shown in
Further, a screen of width 640 pixels×height 480 pixels is divided into an upper region of height 240 pixels and a lower region of height 240 pixels. The upper region is further divided into an upper left region of width 320 pixels on the left side of the screen and an upper right region of width 320 pixels on the right side of the screen. The upper right region is further divided into an upper right top region of height 140 pixels and an upper right bottom region of height 100 pixels. The layout designating information D23 designates the upper left region, the upper right top region, the upper right bottom region, and the lower region.
Moreover, first display content designating information D27a is written between a first <par> tag and a first </par> tag. According to the examples shown in
Moreover, second display content designating information D27b is written between a second <par> tag and a second </par> tag. A display based upon the second display content designating information D27b is carried out after the display (60 seconds) based upon the first display content designating information D27a is carried out. According to the examples shown in
Note that the HTML documents “summary. html” and “enquete. html” are included in the sub-content D22. However, only an URL of the HTML document “uranai. html” is written here. On this account, the AV content reproducing device 74 needs to acquire the HTML document “uranai. html” from outside through the communication network 16.
In
In the example shown in
The broadcasting program ID for specifying a TV program is written between the <program> tag and the </program> tag, and the scene ID for specifying a scene is written between the <scene> tag and the </scene> tag. These tags are written in advance in the sub-content D22.
In addition, the answers inputted by the viewer are written inside the <input> tags, the name of the viewer is written between the <name> tag and the </name> tag, the address of the viewer is written between the <address> tag and the </address> tag, and a terminal ID for specifying the terminal (the AV content reproducing device 74 (77)) of the viewer is written between the <tvid> tag and the </tvid> tag. Note that the information inside the <input> tags are written by the viewer answering to the questionnaire and selecting the “SUBMIT” button. In addition, the information between the <name> tag and the </name> tag, the <address> tag and the </address> tag, and the <tvid> tag and the </tvid> tag are written when creating the message.
Here, as an exemplary description of the sub-content, the following deals with a case of using an MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) message template, with reference to
According to the message template shown in
In the case of selecting a channel, the content receiving section 44 receives the AV content (S31), the AV content analyzing section 92 analyzes the AV content (S32), and a layout and display of the AV content is carried out based upon an analysis result of the AV content (S33).
Next, the control section 90 judges whether or not following sub-content is received (S34). In the case in which the following sub-content is received (YES in S34), the process returns to Step S32 to repeat the above operations. Meanwhile, in the case in which the following sub-content is not received (NO in S34), a creation and transmission of a message are carried out (S35). After that, the process returns to Step S34 to repeat the above operations. Note that details about the processing operations of creation and transmission of the message are described later.
Meanwhile, in the case of reproducing the sub-content, the control section 90 reads the sub-content (S36), searches the AV content accumulating section 91 for AV data corresponding to the sub-content (S37), and carries out the layout and display of AV content including the searched AV data and the sub-content (S38). Then, the creation and transmission of the message is carried out (S39), and thereafter the processing operations are completed.
In the case in which the message transmission is not requested (NO in S40a), the process returns to Step 40 to repeat the above operations. Meanwhile, in the case in which the message transmission is requested (YES in S40a), the user's input is incorporated into the model form of the message (S41), the terminal setting information is also incorporated (S42) to create the message, and then the created message is transmitted (S43). After that, the process returns to an original processing routine.
Note that the AV data corresponding to the sub-content is retrieved from the AV content accumulating section 91, however it is also possible to receive from the AV content receiving section 44 the AV data having the broadcasting program ID identical to that of a currently broadcasted program. In this case, the AV content reproducing device 74 needs to acquire the broadcasting program ID and scene ID of the AV data in one way or another. The method for acquiring the broadcasting program ID and scene ID of the AV data is exemplified by a method in which the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 transmits the AV data including the broadcasting program ID and the scene ID, and a method in which the broadcasting program ID and the scene ID are transmitted from the ID transmitting section 86 of the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 to the AV content reproducing device 77 through the communication network 16.
Moreover, the AV content reproducing device 77 reproduces the sub-content forwarded from the AV content reproducing device 74 in the present embodiment. However, because of the difference in screen resolution between the AV content reproducing devices 74 and 77, there is a possibility that the AV content reproducing device 77 cannot display the sub-content with a display size specified in the sub-content. In this case, the AV content reproducing device 77 may reduce the display size while maintaining a horizontal to vertical ratio so as to display the sub-content, or may display only a part of the sub-content.
As described above, the AV data corresponding to the sub-content is retrieved from the AV content accumulating section 91 in Step S37. However, there may be a case in which the appropriate AV data cannot be found or the AV data is unavailable for some reason. In such a case, it is considered that (i) the display based upon the AV data is not carried out, or (ii) the display indicating that the AV data is unavailable is carried out in a region where the AV data should be displayed, and only the sub-content is displayed.
Further, in the present embodiment, the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 transmits the AV data and sub-content as the AV content to the AV content reproducing device 74 using the same broadcasting wave. However, it is possible to transmit the AV data and sub-content to the AV content reproducing device 74 via separate communication paths.
The AV content reproducing device 74 shown in
With the above configuration, the AV data and sub-content in the AV content are transmitted via separate communication paths. Therefore, the communication path is less burdened than a conventional case. Further, even if one of the communication paths can not be used, the AV data and sub-content can be transmitted via another one of the communication path.
Here, the sub-content acquiring section 94 may acquire the sub-content at a different timing from that at which the AV content receiving section 44 receives the AV data. In this case, the AV data and sub-content respectively received at different timings needs to be synchronized. This is done by searching, from the AV content accumulating section 91, the AV data corresponding to the sub-content acquired by the sub-content acquiring section 94, in a similar way to the steps S36 to S38 shown in
Further, the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 may transmit the sub-content to the AV content reproducing device 74, without receiving a request for the sub-content from the AV content reproducing device 74. This is convenient for a user of the AV content reproducing device 74, because the AV content reproducing device 74 does not have to send the request for the sub-content to the AV content creating/transmitting device 72.
Moreover, the broadcasting program ID and the scene ID are utilized as the AV content specifying data D28, however it is also possible to utilize part of the video or part of the audio in the AV content. In the case of utilizing part of the video, a <screen/> tag which indicates an attachment of part of the video to the message is utilized in the AV content specifying data D28 shown in
Moreover, in the case of utilizing part of the video or part of the audio, the interactive service system of the present embodiment may be arranged as follows. That is, in the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 shown in
Moreover, in the AV content reproducing device 74 shown in
Moreover, in the AV content related service providing device 75 shown in
Further, the present embodiment deals with a case where the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 broadcasts the AV data and sub-content as the AV content at the same time. However, it is possible to broadcast the AV data and sub-content at different timings (in a non-synchronized manner).
In the example, the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 transmits the AV data and sub-content to the AV content reproducing device 74, via the same communication path. In other words, the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 transmits the AV data and sub-content via the base station 13, in the form of broadcasting wave. On the other hand, the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 transmits the AV data and sub-content to the AV content reproducing device 74 at different timings.
The AV content reproducing device 74 shown in
In the present alternative example, the AV content reproducing device 74 needs to synchronize the AV data and sub-content respectively received at different timings. This is done by searching, from the AV content accumulating section 91, the AV data corresponding to the sub-content acquired by the AV content receiving section 44 (
The sub-content is transmitted at a different timing from the AV data. The timing of transmitting the sub-content can be suitably selected. For example, the sub-content may be transmitted in such a manner that the transmission of sub-content does not overlap transmission of the AV data. In this case, it is possible to save the broadcasting band while broadcasting the AV data.
Further, it is possible to include the sub-content in EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data, and transmit the data prior to transmission of the AV data. In this case, the AV content reproducing device 74 is set so that, when the user selects a broadcasting program refereeing to the EPG, the sub-content corresponding to the broadcasting program is reproduced. That way, the broadcasting program and the sub-content are associated with each other. Further, various services such as interactive services written in the sub-content may be provided at a different timing from the time when the content is provided.
Here, as shown in
Further, in the present embodiment, the AV content reproducing device 74 performs displaying based on the sub-content D22 shown in
In the <condition> tag, a condition is written to be satisfied by the terminal setting information 47 stored in the memory section 41 of the AV content reproducing device 74. Between <condition> and </condition> tags, an operation to be executed when the condition is satisfied is written. In the example of
Accordingly, by acquiring the sub-content D22 shown in
Thus, it is possible to provide services specialized for each user of the AV content reproducing device 74. Further, since there is no need for separately transmitting different sub-content depending on the date and hour, it is possible to efficiently distribute sub-content even in a case of changing the sub-content to be displayed based on the date and hour.
Note that the condition in the <condition> tag can be various conditions other than the above described condition of authorization in relation to a particular channel. For example, the condition can be: whether or not a particular date and time has passed; whether or not the user is not younger than a particular age; whether or not the corresponding broadcasting program has been viewed, and so on.
Further, in the present embodiment, the message is an e-mail, and the destination of the message is an e-mail address. However, as mentioned above, the message may be a request made on WWW. In this case, the destination of the message is an URL of WWW.
The following explains still another embodiment of the present invention in reference to
As shown in
In the present embodiment, a broadcasting company owns the AV content creating/transmitting device 102, the AV content related service providing device 105, and the relay station 13, and a viewer owns the AV data reproducing device 104 and the sub-content reproducing device 107. Moreover, in an example shown in
Note that the interactive service system of the present embodiment is widely different from the interactive service system shown in
The AV content creating/transmitting device 102 broadcasts the AV data in a predetermined period of time though the relay station 13, and transmits the sub-content at an appropriate time to the sub-content reproducing device 107 through the communication network 16.
The AV data reproducing device 104 has a function of reproducing AV data as with a conventional TV broadcasting receiver, however the AV data reproducing device 104 does not have a function of transmitting a message. Meanwhile, the sub-content reproducing device 107 has the function of transmitting a message as with a conventional mobile phone terminal, however the sub-content reproducing device 107 does not have the function of reproducing AV data. Moreover, the sub-content reproducing device 107 has a remote control function of utilizing infrared, radio wave, or the like to remotely control the AV data reproducing device 104.
In the present embodiment, the AV data is streaming data, that is, the AV data received from the broadcasting company is reproduced in real time. Moreover, the sub-content includes (i) layout designating data for designating the display layout of an application screen image, (ii) application data including the content of the application, (iii) destination data indicating a structure and destination of the message in the case in which the application is transmitted as a message, and (iv) data for specifying the AV data.
Therefore, after the sub-content reproducing device 107 receives the sub-content, the sub-content reproducing device 107 displays the application screen image based upon the sub-content, and uses the remote control function to instruct the AV data reproducing device 104 to reproduce the AV data. Thus, the AV data reproducing device 104 receives the AV data, and then displays a video of a TV program based upon the received AV data. In this way, the display based upon the sub-content and the display based upon the AV data can be carried out by separate devices.
At this point, the viewer (the user of the AV data reproducing device 104 and the sub-content reproducing device 107) inputs the content of the application and selects a submit button on a screen image, and then the sub-content reproducing device 107 creates a message in accordance with data indicating a structure of the message. The message includes: information inputted by the viewer; personal information (for example, a telephone number, etc) set up in advance in the sub-content reproducing device 107; and a channel ID and broadcasting time which are information for specifying a certain scene in a TV program. Then, the sub-content reproducing device 107 transmits the created message in accordance with data indicating the destination (the AV content related service providing device 105 in the example shown in
Thus, the interactive service can be easily realized by utilizing the conventional TV broadcasting receiver and the conventional mobile phone terminal. That is, the viewer can utilize the interactive service by using the mobile phone terminal (the sub-content reproducing device 107) while watching the video on the TV broadcasting receiver (the AV data reproducing device 104).
Further, while the AV data reproducing device 104 does not require the function of reproducing the sub-content, the sub-content reproducing device 107 does not require a function of reproducing AV data. Accordingly, the functions of AV data reproducing device 104 and the sub-content reproducing device 107 are simplified. Further, by combining (i) a device, such as an already-existing TV receiver, which device can not reproduce the sub-content with (ii) a device capable of reproducing only the sub-content, an interactive service can made available.
Moreover, the sub-content of the AV content created by the AV content creating/transmitting device 102 includes destination data indicating that the destination is the AV content related service providing device 105, so that the message from the sub-content reproducing device 107 can be received by a device desired by the broadcasting company. As a result, the broadcasting company can realize a live audience participation broadcasting program. Moreover, because the user of the sub-content reproducing device 107 needs not input the destination of the message, it is possible to cut out the need of input and prevent missending the message due to an inputting error.
The following explains in detail respective members in the interactive service system 100 of the present embodiment.
The AV content creating/transmitting device 102 of the present embodiment is identical to the AV content creating/transmitting device 72 shown in
The sub-content transmitting section 110 reads out the sub-content at an appropriate timing from the sub-content storage section 81 in accordance with the time information received from the timer section 84, and then transmits the sub-content to the sub-content reproducing device 107 through the communication network 16.
The broadcasting program broadcasting storage section 11 stores a broadcast starting time and broadcast finishing time of each broadcasting program. The broadcasting program broadcasting storage section 11 includes a memory device, such as a flash memory, a HDD, or the like.
The AV data transmitting section 112 reads out desired broadcasting program-use AV data from the AV data storage section 80, and then transmits the read out broadcasting program-use AV data in accordance with broadcasting hours read out from the broadcasting program broadcasting information storage section 111 and the time information received from the timer section 84. With this, a predetermined AV data is broadcasted from the relay station 13 at a predetermined time.
The broadcasting program broadcasting information transmitting section 113 reads out broadcasting program broadcasting information from the broadcasting program broadcasting storage section 111, and then transmits the broadcasting program broadcasting information to the AV content related service providing device 105.
The infrared transmitting section 116 transmits a remote control signal to the AV data reproducing device 104 by infrared in accordance with an instruction given from the control section 115. Note that it is possible to use radio wave instead of infrared, and also possible to use wired transmission instead of wireless transmission.
The following explains details about the control section 115. The control section 115 of the present embodiment is identical to the control section 90 of the AV content reproducing device 74 (77) shown in
The sub-content acquiring section 117 acquires the sub-content from the AV content creating/transmitting device 102 through the communication network 16 and the communication section 45. Moreover, the sub-content acquiring section 117 analyzes the sub-content, and then gives various instructions to the browser section 51 and the layout instructing section 52 in accordance with an analysis result of the sub-content. Further, the sub-content acquiring section 117 transmits channel data, included in the sub-content, to the AV reproduction instructing section 118.
The AV reproduction instructing section 118 transmits an AV data reproduction instruction to the AV data reproducing device 104 through the infrared transmitting section 116 in accordance with the channel data acquired from the sub-content acquiring section 117, the AV data reproduction instruction being for instructing to reproduce the AV data of a channel indicated by the channel data. Thus, the AV data reproducing device 104 can output the video and audio in the channel designated by the sub-content.
The AV data receiving section 120 receives the AV data from the AV content creating/transmitting device 102. The AV data receiving section 120 transmits the received AV data to the AV data reproducing section 122. The infrared receiving section 121 receives the AV data reproduction instruction from the sub-content reproducing device 107 by infrared. The infrared receiving section 121 transmits the received AV data reproduction instruction to the AV data reproducing section 122.
The AV data reproducing section 122 selects a channel in accordance with the AV data reproduction instruction acquired from the sub-content reproducing device 107 through the infrared receiving section 121, and then acquires AV data of the selected channel from the AV data receiving section 120 so as to reproduce the AV data.
In the present embodiment, layout designating information D36 is written between a <layout> tag and a </layout> tag. According to examples shown in
Moreover, display content designating information D37 is written between a <par> tag and a </par> tag. According to the examples shown in
Note that the AV data reproducing device 104 does not have a function of reproducing sub-content in the present embodiment. Therefore, the video based upon the AV data is displayed on the entire display region of the screen in accordance with the display content designating information D37. Moreover, the sub-content reproducing device 107 does not have a function of reproducing AV data. Therefore, a display based upon the HTML document “info. html” is carried out on the right region (the entire display region of the mobile phone terminal) of the screen in accordance with the display content designating information D37.
In
In the example shown in
Note that the <channel> tag and </channel> tag are similar to the <channel> tag and </channel> tag shown in
Current time information indicating current time is written between the <current> tag and the </current> tag. A telephone number of the sub-content reproducing device 107 (mobile phone terminal) is written between the <tel> tag and the </tel> tag. Note that the information between the <tel> tag and the </tel> tag is written when creating a message.
Next, the control section 115 accepts a user's input (S53), the user's input (password) is incorporated into the model form of the message (S54), the terminal setting information is also incorporated (S55) to create the message, and then the created message is transmitted (S56). After that, the process is terminated.
The following explains yet another embodiment of the present invention in reference to
As shown in
In the present embodiment, a broadcasting program production company owns the AV content creating/transmitting device 123, and a viewer owns the AV content reproducing device 124. Moreover, the AV content reproducing device 124 is a mobile phone terminal in an example shown in
The AV content creating/transmitting device 123 creates AV content, and then transmits the AV content in response to a request from the AV content reproducing device 124.
In the present embodiment, the AV data is the video clip which is data received from the broadcasting program production company. Moreover, the sub-content includes (i) layout designating data for designating the display layout which switches between a main screen image for displaying a video and a question screen image, (ii) destination data indicating a structure and destination of a message transmitted from the AV content reproducing device 124 to the AV content related service providing device 125, and (iii) data for specifying the AV data.
In the present embodiment, after the AV content reproducing device 124 receives the AV content from the AV content creating/transmitting device 123, the AV content reproducing device 124 displays either the main screen image or the question screen image in accordance with the designated display layout. Then, the displayed screen image is switched to another in accordance with a user's operation.
Here, in the case in which the viewer (the user of the AV content reproducing device 124) selects a question button on the question screen image, the AV content reproducing device 124 creates a message in accordance with data indicating a structure of the message. The message includes personal information (for example, an address, a name, etc.) and an e-mail address set in advance in the AV content reproducing device 124, and information for specifying a broadcasting program. In the present embodiment, an identifier (for example, a file name) of the AV data and a time elapsed after the start of the reproduction are utilized as the information for specifying the broadcasting program. Then, the AV content reproducing device 124 selects any one of a plurality of destinations designated in the sub-content, and then transmits the message to the selected destination.
The AV content related service providing device 125 accumulates information in accordance with the message received from the AV content reproducing device 124.
Therefore, even in the case in which the AV content is transmitted through not the relay station 13 but the communication network 16, it is possible to use the interactive service based upon the sub-content.
Moreover, the sub-content of the AV content created by the AV content creating/transmitting device 123 includes a plurality of sets of destination data indicating that the destination is the AV content related service providing device 125, and the message is transmitted to any one of the destinations in accordance with a selection made by the user of the AV content reproducing device 124, so that the broadcasting program production company can causes a desired device to receive the message from the AV content reproducing device 124. Moreover, the user of the sub-content reproducing device 107 only has to select the destination of the message, and needs not input the destination of the message. Therefore, it is possible to cut out the need of input and prevent missending the message due to an inputting error.
On the question screen image, the content of an HTML document “query. html” is displayed entirely.
In
In an example shown in
The file name that is the identifier of the video clip is written in advance between the <video> tag and the </video> tag. Moreover, elapsed time information that is the time elapsed after the start of the reproduction of the video clip is written between the <elapsed> tag and the </elapsed> tag. The file name and the elapsed time information become information D48 for specifying the AV data.
Moreover, an e-mail address is written between the <email> tag and the </email> tag as the message sender information. The content of the question is written by text data inside the <input> tag. Note that in the case in which the question is not inputted, “UNANSWERED” is written inside the <input> tag.
The following explains still another embodiment of the present invention. As compared with the interactive service system 10 shown in
In this case, since the AV content related service providing device 15 can specify the CM (AV content) in accordance with the destination of the message, it is not necessary to utilize the broadcasting program information in order to specify the CM. Therefore, it is possible for the AV content combining/transmitting device 12 to omit a transmission of the broadcasting program information with respect to the AV content related service providing device 15. Therefore, the broadcasting program information creating section 35 and the broadcasting program information transmitting section 36 can be omitted from the AV content combining/transmitting device 12. Moreover, the broadcasting program information receiving section 60, the broadcasting program information judging section 63 and the broadcasting program information storage section 67 can be omitted from the AV content related service providing device 15 shown in
As a result, the interactive service system of the present embodiment can be arranged simpler than the interactive service system shown in
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments above, but may be altered within the scope of the claims. An embodiment based upon a proper combination of technical means disclosed in different embodiments is encompassed in the technical scope of the present invention.
For example, the AV data is used as content included in the multimedia content in the above embodiments, however it is possible to use various content, such as image data, video data, audio data, document data, etc.
Moreover, the personal information of the user, such as a name, a telephone number, etc., is transmitted from the AV content reproducing device directly to the AV data related service providing device. However, for example, the personal information can be transmitted in the following manner.
That is, first, a correspondence of a terminal ID to the personal information of a viewer is stored in advance in the AV content creating/transmitting device when making a channel contract with a broadcasting company. Next, the AV content reproducing device transmits to the AV content related service providing device a message in which the personal information is omitted but the terminal ID is included. Then, the AV content related service providing device inquires of the AV content creating/transmitting device about personal information corresponding to the terminal ID included in the received message, and acquires the personal information. Thus, the AV content reproducing device can omit the personal information of the viewer from the message, so that the security improves.
Moreover, the present invention can be arranged as follows.
That is, in order to solve the above problems, an interactive service system of the present invention is an interactive service system in which (i) a service provider transmits to a service requestor multimedia content including content and sub-content attached to the content, and (ii) the service requestor transmits to the service provider a message with respect to the multimedia content, the service provider includes: a multimedia content transmitting device for transmitting the multimedia content; and a message receiving device for receiving the message, the service requestor includes: a multimedia content reproducing device for reproducing the multimedia content received from the multimedia content transmitting device; and a message transmitting device for creating the message in accordance with the sub-content of the multimedia content to transmit the message, the sub-content of the multimedia content transmitted from the multimedia content transmitting device includes destination data which indicates a destination of the message, and the message transmitting device transmits the message in accordance with the destination data included in the sub-content.
According to the above arrangement, the sub-content of the multimedia content transmitted from the service provider includes the destination data indicating the destination of the message, and the service requester transmits the message in accordance with the destination data included in the sub-content. With this, the message can be surely transmitted to a destination desired by the service provider. Therefore, in addition to a server which provides the interactive service, the message can be transmitted to a server of a broadcasting company, a CM production company, or the like.
Note that devices of the service provider can be integral with each other, and devices of the service requestor can also be integral with each other. Moreover, it is desirable that the message be transmitted by utilizing an e-mail system or a data transmission system similar to the e-mail system. In this case, it is possible to use an existing system, and adding a mail address to the message is only required. Therefore, it is possible to transmit the message easily.
Moreover, the multimedia content transmitting device can transmit the content and sub-content, included in the multimedia content, to the content reproducing device through separate communication paths.
Moreover, the multimedia content reproducing device can be divided into a content reproducing device for reproducing the content of the multimedia content and a sub-content reproducing device for reproducing the sub-content of the multimedia content. In this case, the sub-content reproducing device and the message transmitting device can be integral with each other. Further, the multimedia content transmitting device can transmit the content and sub-content, included in the multimedia content, to the content reproducing device and the sub-content reproducing device through separate communication paths.
In the interactive service system of the present invention, and in the above arrangement, it is preferable that (i) the sub-content of the multimedia content transmitted from the multimedia content transmitting device include in advance data identifying information for identifying a type of data included in the message and (ii) data included in the message transmitted from the message transmitting device be caused to correspond to the data identifying information. In this case, it is possible to specify the type of data in accordance with the data identifying information even in the case in which data are arranged disorderly. Therefore, it is possible to read out a desired type of data.
In the interactive service system of the present invention, and in the above arrangement, it is preferable that the message transmitting device add, to the message, information for specifying at least one of the message transmitting device and a user of the message transmitting device. In this case, because it is unnecessary that the user of the message transmitting device instruct an addition of the above information to the message, the user is free from an onerous task.
Incidentally, it is preferable to add information to the message, the information for specifying time when the content is reproduced, such as a case in which the content is streaming data that is the received data reproduced in real time.
Here, in the interactive service system of the present invention, and in the above arrangement, it is preferable that the multimedia content reproducing device include switching means for switching between a reproduction of the content and a reproduction of the sub-content. Further, it is preferable that the message transmitting device add, to the message, information which causes the service provider to specify the content. Here, the information which causes the service provider to specify the content is exemplified by information relating to time when the switching means of the multimedia content reproducing device switches from the reproduction of the content to the reproduction of the sub-content.
Moreover, in the interactive service system of the present invention, and in the above arrangement, it is preferable that (i) the content be AV data of a broadcasting program of a predetermined channel and (ii) the message transmitting device add, to the message, information of the channel and information relating to time when the broadcasting program is broadcasted.
Moreover, in the interactive service system of the present invention, and in the above arrangement, it is preferable that (i) the content be transmitted in the form of a file and (ii) the message transmitting device add, to the message, an identifier of the file and a time elapsed after a start time of a reproduction of the content.
Note that a multimedia content transmitting device can achieves effects similar to the above as long as the multimedia content transmitting device can be utilized in the interactive service system. Moreover, a message transmitting device can achieve effects similar to the above as long as the message transmitting device can be utilized in the interactive service system.
To solve the above mentioned problems, a data structure of the present invention is a data structure of sub-content attached to content, including structure data which indicates a structure of a message with respect to multimedia content including the content and sub-content; and destination data which indicates a destination of the message.
According to the above arrangement, the sub-content of the multimedia content includes the destination data which indicates the destination of the message with respect to the multimedia content. In the case of creating and transmitting the message at a reproducing end for reproducing the multimedia content, the message is transmitted in accordance with the destination data. Therefore, the message can be transmitted to a destination desired by the creating end for creating the multimedia content.
Note that the destination data may correspond to the content. In this case, the destination of the message can be changed for each content. As a result, it is possible to specify the content from the destination of the message.
Further, it is preferable that the structure data include data identifying information for identifying a type of data included in the message. In this case, even in the case in which data in the message are arranged disorderly, it is possible to specify the type of data from the data identifying information. Therefore, it is unnecessary to rearrange the data in the message when creating the message at a transmitting end for transmitting the message. Moreover, a receiving end for receiving the message can read out a desired type of data.
Moreover, it is preferable that which content the message is for. On this account, it is preferable that the data structure of the present invention further include content identifying information utilized for identifying the content.
Lastly, each block of the AV content creating device 11, the AV content combining/transmitting device 12, the reproducing devices 14, 74, 77, 104, 107 and 124, the AV content related service providing devices 15, 75, 105 and 125, and the AV content creating/transmitting devices 72, 102 and 123, especially the control section of the reproducing device, may include a hardware logic, or may be realized by a software using a CPU as described below.
That is, the above device includes: a CPU (central processing unit) which executes a command of a control program for realizing each function; a ROM (read only memory) which stores the control program; a RAM (random access memory) which loads the control program; a memory device (recording medium) which stores the control program and various data; and the like. Then, an object of the present invention can be achieved by supplying a computer-readable recording medium to the above device and then causing its computer (CPU, MPU, or the like) to read out and execute a program code recorded in the recording medium. Note that the computer-readable recording medium records the program code (executable format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program of the above device, the control program being software that realizes the above-described functions.
The recording medium is exemplified by (i) a tape, such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, (ii) a disc, such as a magnetic disc (a Floppy® disc, a hard disc, etc.) or an optical disc (a CD-ROM, an MO, an MD, a DVD, a CD-R, etc.), (iii) a card, such as an IC card (including a memory card) or an optical card, (iv) a semiconductor memory, such as a mask ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash ROM, etc.
Moreover, by arranging the above device to be connectable with a communication network, the program code may be supplied through the communication network. The communication network is not especially limited, and may be, for example, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a LAN, an ISDN, a VAN, a CATV communication network, a virtual private network, a telephone network, a mobile communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like. Moreover, a transmission medium constituting the communication network is not especially limited, and may be (i) a fixed line, such as an IEEE1394, a USB, a power line carrier, a cable TV circuit, a telephone line or an ADSL, or (ii) a wireless, such as an infrared (an IrDA, a remote control), a Bluetooth®, an 802.11 wireless, an HDR, a mobile phone network, a satellite circuit or a ground wave digital network. Note that the present invention can be realized even in the case in which the program code is realized by an electronic transmission and in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave.
An interactive service system of the present invention is preferably applicable to a TV receiver and a mobile phone terminal as a multimedia content reproducing device and a message transmitting device, and is also applicable to other information communication terminals, such as a PDA, a PC, etc.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-160712 | May 2005 | JP | national |
| 2005-275130 | Sep 2005 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2006/310936 | 5/31/2006 | WO | 00 | 11/28/2007 |
