JP2003323375A - Content providing system, content providing method, and server computer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide music and video contents to a user irrespective of the service provider's right so that the user can arbitrarily edit and process the content data. A server computer on a service providing side includes various DBs storing basic content data in advance, establishes a homepage on the Internet, and discloses content data to client computers 31 to 35,
Also, the user registers the content data created by the user in the DB. The user downloads content data registered in the server computer 10, type 1 for registering self-created content data, type 2 for registering self-made sound source and processing information, and independently edits and processes the content data. There are three types: type 3 for registration, type 4 for creating software for editing and processing and registering it in the server computer 10, and type 5 for downloading and viewing content data registered in the server computer 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content providing system, a content providing method, and a server computer including a server computer for disclosing content data to a client computer connected via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional distribution of music and images on a network is divided into a service side, which is a music and image provider, and a user side, which is a music and image viewer, and the music and image data exchanged between them is , They are exchanged without modification to protect the rights (eg, copyright) of the service provider. In addition, the user side may need to pay the service side for the acquisition of music or video data based on the right of the service providing side.

Therefore, in the conventional system, a system that does not illegally copy music or video data and a system that does not illegally process music or video data are adopted.

[0004]

As described above, the conventional distribution of music and video on the network is premised on the protection of the right of the service providing side, and the user can freely process the music and video. There wasn't. In the future, it is considered that media such as video and music will be processed in their own way, and each field will be published and processed mutually.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides content data to the user side regardless of the right of the service providing side, and the user side edits or processes the provided content data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content providing system, a content providing method, and a server computer which can perform re-registration to the system on the service providing side by performing the above.

[0006]

The present invention is a content providing system including a server computer for disclosing content data to a client computer connected via a network, wherein the client computer stores the content data created by itself. A first client computer that registers with a server computer; a second client computer that downloads the registered content data, processes the processed data, and reregisters the processed data in association with the registered content data; A third client computer for downloading the re-registered content data.

[0007] As described above, the content data registered in various databases of the server computer which is the service providing side is provided to the user side, and the user side arbitrarily searches, edits, adds, processes, etc. the provided content data. By performing the above procedure and re-registering it in the system on the service providing side, it is possible to freely combine the content data described above and repeat editing, addition, processing, and the like. As a result, it is possible to promote the diversion and modification of music and video contents, and realize an environment for creating and developing new contents.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a server computer on the service side that provides a place for exchanging information, and transmits / receives data to / from, for example, first to fifth client computers 31 to 35 of different user types connected via a network such as the Internet 30. . Details of the user type will be described later.

The server computer 10 is, for example, a metadata DB (database) 11, a music video source DB 1
2, sound source / processing information DB13, access management DB
14, user management DB 15, Web server 16, system management engine 17, content distribution server 18, C
It is composed of an M (commercial message) content DB 19 and is connected to each other by a bus line 20.

In the metadata DB 11, basic metadata (data describing content data in advance, for example, history information, data structure information, data conversion information, database architecture and content attributes, characteristics, meanings) It has information such as attachment), and the metadata sent from the client computer is sequentially added and registered.
When registering the metadata from the client computer, the server computer 10 presents the metadata input form defining the format of the content data to the user side, as will be described later in detail.

In the music / video source DB 12, basic music and video contents are stored in advance, and music / video sources sent from the client computer are sequentially added and registered.

The sound source / processing information DB 13 stores in advance basic sound sources, such as musical instrument sounds and real voices, natural sounds and synthetic sounds, and editing / processing tools adapted to the data input format. Etc. are stored.
Further, in the sound source / processing information DB 13, the sound source, processing information, etc. sent from the client computer are registered. When registering the content processed by the user in the sound source / processing information DB 13, the history of changes, edits, and modifications of the content data is automatically recorded to clarify the whereabouts of the rights of each registered user.

The access management DB 14 manages the access of the client computers 31 to 35, counts the number of accesses for each content, and determines whether or not the counted number exceeds a predetermined number. The user management DB 15 manages users and client computers 31 to 35.

The Web server 16 is a Web site (We
page b) is stored, a home page is opened on the Internet 30, and data is transmitted / received to / from the client computers 31 to 35. The system management engine 17 stores various programs and has a system management function of the server computer 10 and a data search processing function. That is, the server computer 10
Has a search function based on various types of information (metadata) for the convenience of user-side data search. Therefore,
On the user side, any content data can be searched from the metadata.

The content distribution server 18 distributes various contents in response to requests from the client computers 33 and 35, for example.

The CM content DB 19 stores various advertisement data, and when the client computers 31 to 35 access the server computer 10 to exchange information such as suggestion, search, acquisition of music or video data, for example. An advertisement, for example, a banner advertisement is posted every time access is made.

The service provider makes an advertising contract with the sponsor, and from the terminal device 21 of the sponsor to the Internet 30.
The advertisement data provided via the CM content D
Client computer 31 stored and accessed in B19
Displayed in a predetermined form on the screens to 35. In this case, the sponsor pays the sponsor fee to the service provider side according to, for example, the time of advertisement.

Further, the server computer 10 issues a command, such as an e-mail, for urging the administrator of the server to examine the commercialization of contents whose number of accesses by the user exceeds a predetermined number, and sends the command to a CD, a DVD, or the like. When the paid electronic content or the like is commercialized, the registered users involved in the creation of the content are extracted from the metadata, and the consideration paid to the registered users is calculated from the metadata.

On the other hand, the client computers 31 to 35
The user who uses is a plurality of types, for example, types 1 to 5
are categorized. That is, a type 1 user who registers his or her own video content or a self-created music content, his or her own sound source (sound of a musical instrument, real voice, natural sound or synthetic sound, etc.) Type 2 to register
User, server computer 10 downloads music, video content, sound source, processing information, etc. prepared by other users or service providers themselves, adds, edits, and processes them independently, and re-registers the result in server computer 10 Type 3
Users, type 4 users who make their own software for editing and processing video and music and register it in the server computer 10, and type 5 users who download and listen to music and video content from the server computer 10. .

The above type 1 user himself / herself uses, for example, a melody, a rhythm, lyrics, and a video by using a music / video creation / editing apparatus such as a musical instrument or a video camera connectable to the first client computer 31 or capable of data transfer. Create music such as clips, video sources, metadata,
It is registered in the metadata DB 11 and the music video source DB 12 of the server computer 10 through the Internet 30.

FIG. 2 shows an example of metadata registered in the server computer 10 by a type 1 user. The metadata includes, for example, author information, file format, file size, content feature, identification number of this content, comment, and the like. As the author information, the name, mail address, input date, points, etc. are input. Further, as the feature of the content, for example, a moving image, landscape, Japan, nature, ... Is set.

The type 2 user can use, for example, sampling data, effect data, metadata, etc. by using a music / video creation / editing apparatus such as a musical instrument or a video camera that can be connected to the second client computer 32 or can transfer data. Create a music source and processing information of the server, the metadata DB of the server computer 10 through the Internet 30
11 and the sound source / processing information DB 13.

The type 3 user is a user who uses the server computer 10 to prepare music and video contents prepared by other users and service providers themselves, sound sources, processing information, and, if necessary, music and video editing / processing tools. A music video editing / creating program etc. is downloaded by the third client computer 33, and added, edited and processed independently, and the result is the metadata DB11 of the server computer 10, the music video source DB12, the sound source / processing information DB13, etc. Register again.

FIG. 3 shows an example of metadata registered in the server computer 10 by the type 3 user. Examples of this metadata include author information,
File format, file size, content features, content processing features, original content identification number, main content identification number, comment, etc. As the type 3 metadata, features of content processing and the identification number of the original content are added to the type 1 metadata.

Type 4 users can edit music and images,
The processing software is self-made and registered in the server computer 10 from the fourth client computer 34.

The type 5 user personally downloads and listens to music and video contents from the server computer 10 using the fifth client computer 35, and
Save downloaded music and video content as needed and watch them repeatedly personally.

The first to fourth client computers 31 to 34 for registering the above data also register predetermined information as metadata on the client side when registering various data in the server computer 10. The user can use the server computer 1 free of charge of data that he or she has created or edited / processed by himself.
0, and all data except the paid electronic contents can be downloaded from the server computer 10 free of charge.

Next, the overall operation of the above embodiment will be described.
When the server computer 10 is accessed by the first client computer 31 used by the type 1 user, the third client computer 33 used by the type 3 user, and the fifth client computer 35 used by the type 5 user Will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a first type used by a type 1 user.
5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when the server computer 10 is accessed by the client computer 31 of FIG. The service provider registers an original music / video source, a sound source, metadata, etc. in the metadata DB 11, the music / video source DB 12 and the sound source / processing information DB 13 of the server computer 10, and also an editing / processing tool. Is registered (steps A1 and A2). Further, the service provider makes an advertising contract with the sponsor, registers the advertising data provided from the terminal device 21 of the sponsor in the CM content DB 19, and prepares to publish the advertisement when the home page is accessed by the user ( Step A3). After making the above preparations, the service provider
A homepage opened on the Internet 30 is operated by the server computer 10 (step A4).

When the client computers 31 to 35 access the server computer 10 during the operation of the home page, regardless of the Web browser used by the client computers 31 to 35, the server computer 10 displays the advertisement set and displayed by the service provider on the user side. Displayed on the screen.

The type 1 user who uses the first client computer 31 creates music and video contents by himself using the music and video creation / editing apparatus as described above (step B1). Client computer 31
Requests the server computer 10 to upload through the Internet 30 (step B2).

When the server computer 10 receives an upload request from the first client computer 31, a form for supporting the registration of metadata, for example, the metadata input form 40 shown in FIG. 5, is displayed on the screen of the first client computer 31. , And the user is requested to input metadata (step A5).

On the metadata input form 40, a message 41 such as "Please enter the following information about the content to be registered." Is displayed, along with a name input field 42 and a name reading method input field. 43, a mail address input field 44, a registration file format selection field 45, a content feature selection field 46, and a content processing feature selection field 47 are displayed.

In the registration file format selection field 45, for example, AVI, Quick Time, Real, WMV, MPEG-4, ...
Registered file formats such as "etc." are shown, and one of them is selected. In the content feature selection field 46,
For example, the features of the content such as a moving image, a still image, a sound, software, a CG, a live-action image, etc. are shown, and a corresponding item is selected.

In the feature selection column 47 for content processing, for example, addition, cutting and pasting, image composition, Zoom, image extraction,
Features of content processing such as ... are shown, and corresponding items are selected.

Further, in the metadata input form 40, for example, a message 48 "Is it OK to register the above?" Is displayed, and a Yes button 49 and a No button 50 are provided.

The user uses the first client computer 31
According to the above-mentioned metadata input form 40 displayed in, input the name, the reading method of the name, and the mail address, select the registered file format, the content feature, and the feature of the content processing, and then click the Yes button 4
The metadata is registered by operating 9 (step B3).

As described above, the metadata input form 40
Is shown to the user side to define the format of the content data, the content data can be diverted very easily.

When the metadata is set, the server computer 10 next displays a message prompting the first client computer 31 to register the data (step A6).

In response to a data registration request from the server computer 10, the user uploads the music / video content created in step B1, that is, the first client computer 31 transmits it to the server computer 10 (step B4).

The server computer 10 stores the music / video content and metadata sent from the first client computer 31 in the metadata DB 11 and the music / video source DB 1.
It is registered and managed in step 2 (step A7), and the content data is provided to the user.

As described above, the type 1 user can freely register his or her own music / video content in the server computer 10 on the service provider side. Further, by displaying the metadata input form 40 to the user side and defining the format of the content data, the user creates the content data according to the format recommended by the service provider, or recommends the created content data. Since the format is changed and registered, it is extremely easy to reuse the content data thereafter.

Next, the processing operation when the third type 3 client computer 33 accesses the server computer 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the service provider creates a database relating to content data and the like in advance by the processing of steps A1 to A3, and operates the homepage opened on the Internet 30 by the server computer 10 (step A4).

On the other hand, the type 3 user is required to perform step B1.
When the user wants to view the original music / video content to be edited / processed as shown in 1, access the home page from the third client computer 33 and indicate the conditions for searching the music / video content to be viewed. And makes a download request (step B12).

Upon receipt of the download request from the third client computer 33, the server computer 10 searches the system management engine 17 for information that meets the request conditions, and the list of the search results is stored on the home page (H
P) A message prompting the user to make a selection is displayed (step A11).

The user is the third client computer 33.
Search for the desired data on the home page (HP) displayed on the screen and specify the data to be downloaded from the searched list (step B13).

The server computer 10 downloads the data selected from the search list to the third client computer 33 and counts the number of downloads (step A12).

The third client computer 33 saves the music / video content downloaded from the server computer 10 in the memory (step B14). In this case, the user downloads a tool for editing and processing music or video content as needed. The user adds, edits, and processes the downloaded music / video content (step B15). In this case, the content data can be edited and processed according to the predefined contents by using an editing and processing tool that is suitable for the data input format downloaded from the server computer 10, and the content data can be reused thereafter. Becomes extremely easy. After the user edits and processes the content data, the third
The client computer 33 of (1) requests the server computer 10 for uploading (step B16).

When the server computer 10 receives the upload request, the metadata input form 4 shown in FIG.
0 is shown on the home page, and the user is prompted to enter metadata (step A13).

The user inputs metadata according to the metadata input form 40 displayed on the home page,
The Yes button 49 is operated (step B17). By operating this Yes button 49, the set metadata is sent to the server computer 10.

When the above metadata is set, the server computer 10 next displays a message prompting the third client computer 33 to register the data (step A14).

In response to a data registration request from the server computer 10, the user transmits the music / video contents added, edited and processed in step B15 from the third client computer 33 to the server computer 10 (step B).
4).

The server computer 10 stores the metadata and music / video content sent from the third client computer 33 in the metadata DB 11 and the music / video source DB.
The content data is registered and managed in step 12 (step A15) and the content data is provided to the user. When registering the content data, the server computer 10 automatically records the history of changes, edits, and modifications of the content data in the database, and clarifies the whereabouts of the rights of each registered user.

As described above, the content data registered in various databases of the server computer which is the service providing side is provided to the user side, and the user side arbitrarily searches, edits, adds, processes, etc. the provided content data. By performing the above procedure and re-registering it in the system on the service providing side, it is possible to freely combine the content data described above and repeat editing, addition, processing, and the like. As a result, it is possible to promote the diversion and modification of music and video contents, and realize an environment for creating and developing new contents.

Further, by showing the metadata input form 40 to the user side and defining the format of the content data, the user edits and processes the content data according to the format recommended by the service provider,
Alternatively, since the edited and processed content data is changed into the recommended format and registered, the subsequent use of the content data becomes extremely easy.

Next, the processing operation when the type 5 fifth client computer 35 accesses the server computer 10 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. As described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the service provider creates a database regarding content data and the like in advance by the processing of steps A1 to A3, and operates the homepage opened on the Internet 30 by the server computer 10. (Step A4).

The fifth type of user is the step B21.
When the user wants to listen to the music / video content provided by the service provider as shown in, the fifth client computer 3
5, the home page is accessed, and a download request is issued indicating the conditions for searching the music / video content desired to be viewed (step B22).

Upon receiving the download request from the fifth client computer 35, the server computer 10 searches the system management engine 17 for information matching the request condition, and the list as the search result is returned to the home page (H
P) A message for prompting selection is displayed as well as disclosed above (step A21).

The user searches for desired data on the home page (HP) and designates the data to be downloaded from the search list (step B23).

The server computer 10 downloads the data selected from the search list to the fifth client computer 35 and counts the number of downloads (step A12).

The fifth client computer 35 stores the music / video content downloaded from the server computer 10 in the memory (step B24). The user uses the downloaded music / video content for personal use, such as viewing.

As described above, the type 5 user can arbitrarily search and download the music / video content provided by the service provider, and can repeatedly watch it personally.

In the server computer 10, the number of accesses by the user is a predetermined number set in advance, for example, 1
It is determined whether or not there are more than 10,000 contents (step A23), and if there is no such contents, the process is terminated. If there is content that exceeds the prescribed number of accesses, a command (e-mail, etc.) is sent to the server administrator to urge the server administrator to consider commercialization of the content, such as a CD or DV.
When the D or paid electronic content is commercialized, the registered user involved in the creation of the content is extracted from the metadata, and the consideration paid to the registered user is calculated from the metadata (step A24). The service provider pays the registered user based on the consideration calculated here.

When calculating the consideration paid to the registered users, the influence on the content is quantified by introducing points, for example, as a criterion for deciding the distribution of the consideration, and the ratio of the points to the finalized content is finally quantified. That is, the consideration is determined by the ratio of points registered in the metadata.

FIG. 8 shows an example of points given to each registered user. That is, points 1 to 10 are assigned according to the difficulty level of content creation, for example, point 1 adds a telop, point 2 extracts video, audio extracts, point 3 cuts and pastes, ...
.., point 10 is assigned original video registration, original audio registration, etc., and is scored each time content is registered, and is added and stored for each registered user. The above points are automatically scored by the server computer 10 from the features of content processing registered in the metadata.

The registered user who is involved in the production of the content commercialized as described above is paid a reasonable amount according to the ratio of the points registered in the metadata.

[0067]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, content data registered in various databases of service providers can be arbitrarily searched and downloaded by the user, and edited, added, processed, etc. Since it can be re-registered in the database on the service providing side, it is possible to realize an environment in which the contents of music and video are developed by repeatedly editing, adding, and processing the above-mentioned contents data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing an example of metadata added by user registration of type 1 in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an example of metadata added by user registration of type 3 in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart showing a processing operation when a server computer is accessed by the first client computer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a metadata input form according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing a processing operation when a server computer is accessed by a third client computer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when a server computer is accessed by a fifth client computer according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view showing an example of points given to a registered user in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Server computer 11 ... Metadata DB 12 ... Music video source DB 13 ... Processing information DB 14 ... Access management DB 15 ... User management DB 16 ... Web server 17 ... Engine for system management 18 ... Content distribution server 19 ... CM content DB 20 ... Bus line 21 ... Sponsor terminal device 30 ... Internet 31 to 35 ... First to fifth client computers 40 ... Metadata input form 41 ... Message 42 ... Name input field 43 ... Reading input field 44 ... E-mail address input field 45 ... Registration file format selection field 46 ... Content feature selection column 47 ... Feature selection column for content processing 48 ... Message 49 ... Yes button 50 ... No button

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A content providing system including a server computer that discloses content data to a client computer connected by a network, wherein the client computer registers content data created by itself in the server computer. A client computer, a second client computer that downloads the registered content data, processes the processed data, reregisters the processed data in association with the registered content data, and downloads the reregistered content data. And a third client computer for performing the content providing system. 2. A content providing method including a server computer which discloses content data to a client computer connected via a network, wherein the server computer accepts the content data created by the first client computer and stores it in a database. A first step of registering, and after the registered content data is downloaded to a second client computer and processed, the processed data is accepted and reregistered in the database in association with the registered content data. A content providing method comprising: a second step; and a third step of disclosing the re-registered content data to a third client computer. 3. The content according to claim 2, wherein the server computer comprises a search means for searching content data registered in a database based on a request from the first to third client computers. How to provide. 4. The server computer provides a predetermined data input form when content data is processed and re-registered by the second client computer, and defines a format of re-registered content data. The content providing method according to claim 2. 5. The server computer comprises the first to third servers.
3. The content providing method according to claim 2, further comprising an advertising means for displaying preset advertisement data on the screens of the first to third client computers when accessed by the client computer. 6. The server computer issues a command for urging the server administrator to consider commercialization of the content for which the number of accesses by the third client computer exceeds a predetermined number, and the server computer is commercialized. The method of providing content according to claim 2, wherein, in the case of the above, the registered user involved in the creation of the content is extracted from the metadata of the content, and the consideration paid to the registered user is calculated from the metadata. . 7. A server computer for disclosing content data to a client computer connected via a network, first means for receiving content data created by the first client computer and registering it in a database, and registering in the database. Content data created is second
Second means for receiving the processed data, re-registering the re-registered content data in the database in association with the registered content data after being processed by the third re-registered content data. A server computer, comprising: a third means disclosed to a client computer. 8. A server computer for disclosing content data to a client computer connected via a network, wherein a database for accepting and registering the content data created by the first client computer, and the content data registered in the database. Second
First disclosure means for disclosing to the client computer of, and after the disclosed content data is downloaded to the second client computer and processed, the processed data is accepted and associated with the registered content data. A server computer comprising: a unit for re-registering in the database; and a second disclosing unit for disclosing the re-registered content data to a third client computer. 9. A server computer which discloses content data to a client computer connected via a network, wherein a database for receiving and storing the content data created by the first client computer, and the content data registered in said database Second
First disclosure means for disclosing to the client computer, and after the disclosed data has been downloaded to the second client computer and processed, the processed data is accepted and associated with the registered content data. A server computer comprising: a unit for re-registering in the database; and a second disclosing unit for disclosing the re-registered content data to a third client computer.