JP2022126400A - Content distribution system and content distribution management device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a content distribution system in which a content provider flexibly sets the distribution time and viewing price of live content and distributes the live content. [Solution] In a content distribution system comprising a content distribution management device 10 and a content distribution device 20, and connected to terminals used by viewers of the live content and a communication network such as the Internet or a mobile phone network, a basic distribution limit setting unit 11 of the content distribution management device 10 sets the available distribution time of the live content and the corresponding viewing price as basic distribution limit information in accordance with a specified operation by the content provider. A distribution time setting unit 12 sets the distribution time of the live content within the limit of the available distribution time. A available distribution time management unit 17 executes a process of consuming the available distribution time as the viewing time passes. [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a content distribution system and a content distribution management device, and is particularly suitable for use in a system that distributes live content.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various systems have been provided for distributing content such as moving images from servers to user terminals using communication networks such as the Internet and mobile phone networks (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In the content distribution system described in Patent Document 1, a content provider uses a user PC to specify information such as the program title of content to be distributed, the distribution environment, the distribution reservation date, the distribution start time, the distribution time, and the distribution channel. By inputting from the input screen, the distribution reservation information of the new program is set, and the reservation fee displayed on the payment screen is confirmed, and the credit card information is input. The user PC creates a desired reservation information file based on the various information thus set, and transmits the desired reservation information file to the live casting server of the server use reservation management center.

The live casting server authenticates the credit card information and checks whether or not the content provider has reserved more than the set number of frames. When a content provider conducts live distribution, the maximum number of frames that can be reserved in a month is set, and the live casting server will broadcast live if the number of reserved frames by the content provider is larger than the set number of frames. Do not allow reservations. When permitting a live reservation, the live casting server performs reservation registration by writing reservation content information including a reservation time zone, distribution channel, etc. to a reservation database based on the content of the reservation request information file.

When the reservation registration processing for the live reservation is completed as described above and the live distribution start time related to the live reservation comes, the user PC connects to the streaming server and performs stream distribution of the content to the client PC. Then, the user PC ends the process of transmitting the content to the streaming server when the live reservation end time comes.

When starting the live distribution, the streaming server transmits viewer count information indicating the number of client PCs receiving the live distribution to the user PCs. In addition to the number of viewers information, the user PC displays various information such as on-air information indicating live distribution, elapsed time information, reservation start time information, reservation end time information, live distribution remaining time information, and the like. By referring to this status window, the content provider can know various information about the live distribution currently in progress. In particular, as a content provider, it is possible to accurately recognize audience rating information on whether or not people are watching live broadcasts, and use this information as a reference for channel selection (selection of capacity) when performing live broadcasts next time. can be done.

As described above, if the actual live performance does not end within the reserved time slot while streaming content on the pre-reserved delivery channel and reserved time slot, it is possible to extend the reserved time slot. can. In this case, the content provider uses the user PC to select the program of the content desired to be extended on a predetermined input screen and input a new delivery time after the extension, thereby setting the extension of the reserved time slot. , Confirm the extension fee displayed on the card information input screen and enter the credit card information. The live casting server authenticates credit card information.

After authentication of the credit card information is completed, the user PC receives the program title, delivery date, delivery start time to delivery end time (reservation information such as the time zone after the extension setting) and the distribution channel are displayed. When the content provider confirms this and clicks the automatic setting button, the live casting server transmits a new reservation setting information file after setting the reservation extension to the user PC and also transmits the extension information to the streaming server. At this time, the live casting server rewrites the billing flag information in the user database to "permissible", and performs billing processing by adding an amount of money corresponding to the extension time when the extension is set. It is possible to automatically collect the fee related to the extension setting without forcing a troublesome operation to the user.

The user PC takes in a new reservation setting information file after the extension setting from the live casting server and updates it. Also, the streaming server recognizes the extension of the distribution time based on the extension information from the live casting server, and changes the setting to the new distribution time. As a result, the user PC can continue stream delivery via the streaming server until the scheduled end time of the new reservation time period for which the extension has been set. Streaming delivery can be continued without interruption.

On the other hand, in the content delivery system described in Patent Document 2, the delivery period can be extended according to the intention of the recipient who receives the delivery of the content, rather than the content provider paying a fee to extend the delivery period. It was made possible. In the content delivery system described in Patent Document 2, a content provider pays a fee to purchase a QR code in which access information is embedded, and distributes it to desired parties (content recipients). A content recipient accesses the content reproduction system by reading the QR code and receives the content.

When extending the distribution period of the reproduced content, the recipient inputs the extension period of the distribution period and payment information through the input screen. Once payment is made, the delivery period will be extended. As a result, the content recipient who receives the content distribution can extend the content distribution period based on his/her own judgment. As described above, according to the content distribution system described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to set the extension of the distribution period according to the intention of the content receiver. In addition, since the content receiver bears the costs required for extending the delivery period, the content provider can minimize the financial burden required for content delivery.

JP-A-2003-44690 JP 2006-107115 A

In the content distribution system described in Patent Literature 1, the content provider can arbitrarily set the content distribution time and extension time. Moreover, even if an extension of the distribution time is urgently desired during live content streaming distribution, it is possible to set an arbitrary extension time and continue the streaming distribution without interruption. However, Patent Literature 1 only discloses that when the content delivery time and extension time are set, the delivery cost is determined, and the content provider pays the delivery cost. It does not mention how to set the viewing fee for viewers to view the content during the delivery time or extended time.

On the other hand, in the content distribution system described in Patent Document 2, although the content provider pays the cost for the initial distribution period, the extension cost is borne by the content receiver who wishes to extend the distribution period. However, the extension described in Patent Document 2 extends the period during which the content receiver can receive the content by reading the QR code distributed by the content provider. is not extended in real time. Moreover, in Patent Document 2, the content provider cannot arbitrarily set the delivery time of the content, the extension period, and related costs.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. The purpose is to enable the delivery of

In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, according to a specified operation by a content provider, a distributable time of live content and a viewing price corresponding thereto are set as basic distribution limit information, and a live content within the limit of the distributable time is set. Set the delivery time (delivery start time and delivery end time) of the live content in . Then, at the set distribution time, the live content is distributed to the terminals of the viewers who have paid the viewing price and purchased the viewing right, and the distribution possible time increases as the viewing time elapses due to the distribution of the live content. Execute the consuming process.

According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible for the content provider to set the distributable time of the live content and the viewing price corresponding thereto, and if it is within the limit of the set distributable time, , it is possible to arbitrarily set the delivery time of the live content and deliver the live content. Thus, according to the present invention, the content provider can flexibly set the delivery time of the live content and the price for the viewer to view the live content and deliver the live content.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the content distribution system by this embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific functional configuration example of the content distribution management device according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first basic distribution limit setting screen; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second basic distribution limit setting screen (program information setting screen); FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a program information screen including an interface that can change delivery end time; It is a figure which shows an example of a charge extension setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a viewer terminal when extending delivery time.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content distribution system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the content delivery system 1 of this embodiment comprises a content delivery management device 10 and a content delivery device 20, and is connected to a communication network 500 such as the Internet or a mobile phone network. A terminal used by a distributor of live content (hereinafter referred to as distributor terminal 100) and a terminal used by a viewer of live content (hereinafter referred to as viewer terminal 200) are connected to communication network 500. The distribution system 1 is configured to be accessible.

The distributor terminal 100 is installed with distribution software for executing processing for distributing live content, and is equipped with a camera and a microphone for capturing moving images as live content. Live contents of moving pictures taken with a camera and a microphone are distributed to the content distribution management device 10 by distribution software installed in the distributor terminal 100, and viewed from the content distribution device 20 under the control of the content distribution management device 10. It is distributed (published) to the user terminal 200 . Although the content distribution management device 10 and the content distribution device 20 are shown here as separate configurations, the content distribution management device 10 may have the functions of the content distribution device 20 . Hereinafter, a person who operates the distributor terminal 100 is called a content distributor or simply a distributor, and a person who operates the content distribution management device 10 is called a content distribution manager or simply a manager. A content provider refers to a content distributor or a content distribution manager (including cases where either is acceptable).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific functional configuration example of the content distribution management device 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the content distribution management device 10 includes a basic distribution limit setting unit 11, a distribution time setting unit 12, a distribution time changing unit 13, an extended distribution limit setting unit 14, and a distribution extension time setting unit 15 as functional configurations. , a content delivery control unit 16, a deliverable time management unit 17, and a viewing right management unit 18. The content distribution management device 10 also includes a distribution-related information storage unit 10A and a viewer information storage unit 10B as storage media.

Each of the functional blocks 11 to 18 can be configured by hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or software. For example, when configured by software, each functional block 11 to 18 is actually configured with a computer CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and a program stored in a recording medium such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory. is realized by the operation of

The basic distribution limit setting unit 11 sets the distributable time of the live content and the corresponding viewing price as the basic distribution limit information according to the specification operation by the content provider. For example, the content distribution manager sets basic distribution limit information through a basic distribution limit setting screen (illustrated in FIG. 3) displayed by the content distribution management device 10 . Alternatively, the content distributor accesses the content distribution management device 10 from the distributor terminal 100 to display a basic distribution limit setting screen on the distributor terminal 100, and sets basic distribution limit information through this basic distribution limit setting screen. You may do so.

There are two types of basic distribution limit information that can be set in this embodiment. One is the first basic distribution limit information that sets the distributable time for each predetermined unit period and the corresponding first viewing price. The other is the second basic distribution limit information that sets the distributable time for each live content and the second viewing price corresponding thereto. Here, the first basic distribution limit information is set by the content distribution manager from the basic distribution limit setting screen of the content distribution management device 10 under the agreement between the content distribution manager and the content distributor. The second basic distribution limit information may be arbitrarily set through a basic distribution limit setting screen displayed by the content distributor accessing the content distribution management device 10 from the distributor terminal 100 .

The first basic distribution limit information is so-called subscription model setting information. It sets the available delivery time and viewing price. As an example, the basic delivery limit setting unit 11 sets a channel as the first basic delivery limit information, and also sets the monthly deliverable time (hereinafter referred to as monthly deliverable time) of the live content belonging to the channel and the monthly delivery limit. Each viewing price (hereinafter referred to as monthly viewing price or monthly amount) is set.

In the present embodiment, when the content provider sets the monthly viewing price, the monthly deliverable time is automatically determined based on a predetermined function. The predetermined function is, for example, "Monthly Distributable Time=Monthly Viewing Price/50". For example, if a content provider sets a monthly viewing price of 1,000 yen for a particular channel, the monthly available delivery time for that channel is 20 hours.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the first basic distribution limit setting screen. As shown in FIG. 3, the content provider sets the channel name, channel ID and monthly viewing price through this first basic distribution limit setting screen. Then, the available monthly distribution time corresponding to the monthly viewing price is automatically set based on the above function. In the following explanation, viewers who have purchased viewing rights to live content by paying monthly viewing prices are called channel members, and other viewers are called non-members. Channel members and non-members are collectively referred to as viewers.

Here, we explained an example in which the monthly viewing price is automatically determined when the content provider sets the monthly viewing price. It may be determined in a specific manner. Alternatively, the content provider may arbitrarily set both the available monthly delivery time and the monthly viewing price.

The second basic distribution limit information sets the distribution possible time and viewing price for each individual live content (program). As an example, the basic distribution limit setting unit 11 sets the distributable time of a specific live content (hereinafter referred to as "program distributable time") and the viewing price of the program (hereinafter "program viewing price") as the second basic distribution limit information. and

In this embodiment, when the content provider sets the program viewing price, the program distributable time is automatically determined based on a predetermined function. The predetermined function is, for example, "program distributable time=program viewing price/150". For example, if a content provider sets a program viewing price of 300 yen for a specific live content, the live content can be distributed for two hours.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the second basic distribution limit setting screen. In this second basic distribution limit setting screen, the distribution time is also set by the distribution time setting section 12, which will be described later. That is, this second basic distribution limit setting screen is a setting screen for program information including basic distribution limit information and distribution time information of a specific live content. When setting program information for channel members and setting program information for all viewers, necessary information is set through this second basic distribution limit setting screen (program information setting screen).

As shown in FIG. 4, the content provider sets the program title, program ID, channel, program type, and program viewing price as the second basic distribution limit information through this second basic distribution limit setting screen. Then, the program delivery available time corresponding to the program viewing price is automatically set based on the above function. Conversely, the program viewing price may be automatically determined when the content provider sets the program distributable time. Alternatively, the content provider may arbitrarily set both the program distributable time and the program viewing price.

Here, the channel is information for setting on which channel the live content is distributed. The program type is information for setting either a regular program or a public program. Normal programs are programs that can only be viewed by channel members, and non-members cannot purchase viewing rights independently. A public program is a program that can be viewed by not only channel members but also non-members by individually purchasing viewing rights. The program viewing price is the price at which a non-member purchases the right to view a public program, and is displayed as a setting item when the public program is selected as the program type. When the normal program is selected as the program type, the item for setting the viewing price of the program is not displayed and no setting is required.

The first basic distribution limit information and the second basic distribution limit information set by the basic distribution limit setting section 11 are stored and managed in the distribution related information storage section 10A.

The distribution time setting unit 12 sets the distribution time (distribution start time and distribution end time) of the live content according to the designated operation by the content provider within the limit of the distributable time set by the basic distribution limit setting unit 11. . As described above, the delivery time of live content is set through the program information setting screen shown in FIG. 4 (which also serves as the second basic delivery limit setting screen). When the content provider selects the normal program as the program type, the content provider sets the delivery time of the live content within the limit of the monthly deliverable time set through the first basic delivery limit setting screen. On the other hand, when a public program is selected as the program type, the delivery time of the live content is set within the limit of the program deliverable time set through the second basic delivery limit setting screen. An alert is displayed when a delivery time that exceeds the limit of monthly delivery time or program delivery time is entered.

The program information including the distribution time set by the distribution time setting section 12 is stored and managed in the distribution related information storage section 10A. The program information stored here is program information set as live content for channel members in the case of a normal program. On the other hand, in the case of open programs, the program information is set as live content for all viewers, including channel members and non-members. Used as basic delivery limit information.

The viewing right management unit 18 executes processing related to purchase of viewing rights for live content for viewers. For example, the viewing right management unit 18 publishes information including the channel name, monthly delivery available time, and monthly viewing price set as the first basic delivery limit setting information on the website for purchasing viewing rights. In addition, the viewing rights management unit 18 publishes information including the program title, the program distributable time, and the program viewing price set as the second basic distribution limit setting information on the website for purchasing the viewing rights. Then, a channel member registration request or a viewing right purchase request for a specific program is accepted from the user of the viewer terminal 200, and the viewing right is sold. In the following description, viewing rights purchased to become a channel member are called channel viewing rights, and viewing rights purchased by non-members for specific programs are called program viewing rights. Channel viewing rights and program viewing rights are collectively referred to as viewing rights.

The viewing right management unit 18 stores information about viewers who have purchased viewing rights in the viewer information storage unit 10B. Information about viewers stored in the viewer information storage unit 10B includes viewer IDs issued by the viewing rights management unit 18 and information that can identify the viewer terminal 200, as well as information input by viewers through the purchasing website. (e.g., viewer name, address, payment-related information, etc.). Information relating to viewing rights notified to the distributable time management unit 17 includes, for example, a distinction between channel viewing rights and program viewing rights, channel names and channel IDs, and in the case of program viewing rights, program titles and program IDs. include.

Here, the content distribution management device 10 has a configuration including the viewing right management unit 18, but the configuration is not limited to this. In other words, the viewing right management unit 18 may be provided in a server different from the content distribution management device 10, and the viewing right purchase processing may be performed by the separate server.

The content distribution control unit 16 performs content distribution so that the live content is distributed at the distribution time set by the distribution time setting unit 12 to the viewer terminal 200 of the viewer who purchased the viewing right by paying the viewing price. Control the device 20 . That is, based on the program information stored in the distribution-related information storage unit 10A, the content distribution control unit 16 detects that it is time to start distribution of a certain program (live content), and causes the content distribution device 20 to Start delivering the generated live content. Also, it detects that the distribution end time of the program has come, and terminates the distribution of the live content.

At this time, based on the viewer information stored in the viewer information storage unit 10B, the content distribution control unit 16 identifies channel members or non-members who have the right to view the program, and deliver live content only to The term "distribution" as used herein includes publishing the live content in a viewable state to the viewer terminals 200 accessing the website for distributing the live content. In this case, delivering live content only to viewers with viewing rights ensures that only viewers with viewing rights can access the distribution website. means that

When the live content is distributed by the content distribution control unit 16, the distributable time management unit 17 sets the distribution-related information set by the basic distribution limit setting unit 11 as the viewing time of the distribution of the live content elapses. A process that consumes the distributable time (monthly distributable time or program distributable time) stored in the storage unit 10A is executed. Here, when the live content being distributed is a regular program, the distributable time management unit 17 executes processing for consuming the monthly distributable time of the channel member as the viewing time of the distribution of the live content elapses. On the other hand, if the live content being distributed is a public program, the distributable time management unit 17 consumes the monthly distributable time of the channel member and the non-member's and a process that consumes the available program delivery time.

The distribution time changing unit 13 is set by the basic distribution limit setting unit 11 and stored in the distribution-related information storage unit 10A according to the designated operation by the content provider during the distribution of the live content under the control of the content distribution control unit 16. Change the delivery end time of live content within the limit of delivery time. For example, the content distributor operates the distributor terminal 100 when there is remaining monthly distributable time for regular programs, and when both monthly distributable time and program distributable time remain for public programs, and distributes live content. It is possible to change the delivery end time during the delivery of

For example, if a channel with a monthly distribution time of 20 hours sets program information with a distribution time of 2 hours and distributes live content, if no other program information is set for this channel, monthly distribution is performed. This means that 18 hours of available time remain. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to extend the delivery time by up to 18 hours by changing the delivery end time of the live content being delivered. In addition, in a program whose distributable time is two hours, when live contents are distributed by setting program information with a distributable time of one hour, one hour of the distributable program time remains. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to extend the delivery time by up to one hour by changing the delivery end time of the live content being delivered.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a program information screen including an interface capable of changing the delivery end time. The program information screen shown in FIG. 5 is a screen that can be viewed by accessing the content distribution management device 10 from the distributor terminal 100 during distribution of the live content. The program information screen displays the program type of the live content being distributed, the distribution time, and the remaining time with respect to the distributable time. The program information screen also displays an extension time designation column 51 and an extension button 52 for designating the extension time of the delivery end time.

The content distributor enters a desired extension time in the extension time specification field 51 and operates an extension button 52 within the displayed remaining time limit, thereby changing the distribution end time of the live content being distributed. can be specified. When a change of the distribution end time is instructed, the distribution time changing unit 13 confirms whether or not the designated extension time is within the limit of the remaining time, and then changes the distribution stored in the distribution related information storage unit 10A. Overwrite the end time.

In this way, when changing the delivery end time of live content within the delivery time limit set as the basic delivery limit setting information, viewers can extend the delivery end time without purchasing additional viewing rights. It is possible to watch live content until the time. In this case, the content distribution control unit 16 instructs the viewer terminals 200 of the viewers who are viewing the live content whose distribution end time has been changed by the distribution time change unit 13 to continue the live content until the changed distribution end time. Control to continue delivery. In addition, the deliverable time management unit 17 adjusts the deliverable time stored in the delivery-related information storage unit 10A with the lapse of viewing time due to live content delivery that continues until the changed delivery end time. Execute the consuming process.

When the distribution end time is changed by the distribution time changing unit 13, a message to that effect and the viewing button are displayed on the viewer terminal 200, and only the viewer terminal 200 of the viewer who operates the viewing button is displayed. , the live content may be distributed until the extended distribution end time.

The extended distribution limit setting unit 14 is set by the basic distribution limit setting unit 11 and stored in the distribution-related information storage unit 10A according to, for example, a specified operation by the content distributor during the distribution of the live content under the control of the content distribution control unit 16. Separately from the basic distribution limit information, an extended distribution possible time for extending the distribution time of the live content and an extended viewing price corresponding thereto are set as extended distribution limit information. Further, the delivery extension time setting unit 15 sets the delivery extension time after the delivery end time of the live content according to the specified operation by the content distributor within the limit of the extended delivery possible time set by the extended delivery limit setting unit 14. do.

While the distribution time change unit 13 described above extends the distribution end time for free, the extended distribution limit setting unit 14 and the distribution extension time setting unit 15 extend the distribution end time for a fee. The content distributor can operate the distributor terminal 100 to set a paid distribution extension time during distribution of the live content. That is, the content distributor accesses the content distribution management device 10 from the distributor terminal 100 to display the paid extension setting screen on the distributor terminal 100, and through the paid extension setting screen, the extended distribution limit information and the distribution extension time are displayed. set.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a paid extension setting screen. The pay extension setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is a screen that can be viewed by accessing the content distribution management device 10 from the distributor terminal 100 during distribution of the live content. An extension price designation field 60 for designating an extension viewing price, an extension time designation field 61 for designating an extension time of the delivery end time, and an extension button 62 are displayed on this paid extension setting screen.

When the content distributor designates an extended viewing price in the extended viewing price designation field 60, the extended distribution limit setting unit 14 calculates an extended distribution possible time corresponding to the designated extended viewing price based on a predetermined function, The extended viewing price and the extended delivery possible time calculated based on a predetermined function are set as the extended delivery limit information. The predetermined function is, for example, "extended delivery possible time=extended viewing price/150". Here, the extended viewing price per hour is set to be the same as the program viewing price per hour, but a function that makes the price higher than the program viewing price per hour may be used. Also, here, an example has been described in which the extended viewing price is set by the content distributor and the extended viewing time is automatically determined. may be determined automatically. Alternatively, both the extended delivery time and the extended viewing price may be arbitrarily set by the content distributor. The extended distribution limit setting unit 14 stores the set extended distribution limit information in the distribution related information storage unit 10A.

The distribution extension time setting unit 15 terminates the distribution of the live content according to the content distributor's specification operation of the distribution extension time in the extension time specification field 61 within the limit of the extension distribution possible time set by the extension distribution limit setting unit 14. Set delivery extension time after hours. That is, the content distributor designates the desired extension time in the extension time designation field 61 within the limit of the extended distribution time determined by the designation of the extended viewing price in the extension price designation field 60, and presses the extension button 62. By operating it, it is possible to instruct extension of the delivery end time of the live content being delivered. When an extension of the delivery end time is instructed, the delivery extension time setting unit 15 confirms whether or not the specified extension time is within the limit of the extended delivery possible time, and then sets the delivery extension time to the corresponding program information. It is associated and stored in the distribution-related information storage unit 10A.

When the distribution extension time setting unit 15 sets the distribution extension time, the viewing rights management unit 18 displays an extended viewing price 71 and a purchase button 72 on the viewer terminal 200 as shown in FIG. to purchase a viewing right to extend viewing of the live content being viewed (hereinafter referred to as an extended viewing right). Here, the viewer operates the purchase button 72 and purchases the extended viewing right through the purchase screen shown in FIG. can be viewed. The viewing right management unit 18 associates information about the viewer who purchased the extended viewing right with the viewer ID and stores the information in the viewer information storage unit 10B.

In this case, the content distribution control unit 16 distributes the live content to the viewer terminal 200 of the viewer who purchased the extended viewing right by paying the extended viewing price until the distribution end time extended by the distribution extension time setting unit 15. Control to continue delivery. In addition, the deliverable time management unit 17 executes a process of consuming the extended deliverable time stored in the delivery related information storage unit 10A as the viewing time of the extended delivery of the live content elapses.

If the extended delivery time set by the extended delivery time setting unit 15 is shorter than the available extended delivery time set by the extended delivery limit setting unit 14, there is remaining time for the extended delivery time. This remaining time can be used by changing the delivery end time by the delivery time changing unit 13 . That is, it is possible to extend the delivery end time free of charge within the limit of the remaining time for viewers who have purchased the extended viewing right.

As explained in detail above, in this embodiment, according to the specification operation by the content provider, the live content distributable time and the viewing price corresponding thereto are set as the basic distribution limit information, and within the limit of the distributable time, Set the delivery time (delivery start time and delivery end time) of live content. Then, at the set distribution time, the live content is distributed to the viewer terminal 200 of the viewer who has purchased the viewing right by paying the viewing price, and is distributed as the viewing time elapses due to the distribution of the live content. I'm trying to execute a process that consumes the available time.

According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the content distributor can arbitrarily set the distributable time of the live content and the viewing price corresponding thereto, and within the limit of the set distributable time. Then, it is possible to arbitrarily set the distribution time (distribution start time and distribution end time) of the live content and distribute the live content. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the content provider can flexibly set the delivery time of the live content and the viewing price for the viewer to view the live content and deliver the live content.

In particular, in this embodiment, the live content delivery time and the actual delivery time are set separately, and the delivery end time of the live content can be changed (extended) free of charge within the set delivery time limit. I'm trying As a result, for example, it is possible to set the initial distribution time shorter than the distributable time, and extend the distribution time free of charge based on the judgment of the content distributor. If it is within the limit of the delivery time, it is also possible to perform the free extension in small steps over a plurality of times.

In addition, in this embodiment, apart from the basic distribution limit information, the extended distribution time and the corresponding extended viewing price are set as the extended distribution limit information, and the distribution of the live content is extended within the limit of the extended distribution time. It also allows you to set the time. Here, since the extended delivery time and the actual extended delivery time are set separately, the initial delivery extension time is set shorter than the extended delivery time, and the extension delivery time is within the limit of the extended delivery time. It is also possible to change (extend) the delivery end time of live content free of charge. Thereby, the content distributor can flexibly set the extended distribution time and the extended viewing price of the live content, and perform the extended distribution of the live content.

In the above embodiment, both channel members and non-members extend the delivery time for a fee. good.

In this case, the extended distribution limit setting unit 14, during the distribution of the live content under the control of the content distribution control unit 16, for example, according to the specified operation by the content distributor, the extension distribution limit setting unit 11 set for non-members. In order to extend the delivery time of live content within the limit of the monthly deliverable time set for channel members as the first basic delivery limit information by the basic delivery limit setting unit 11 separately from the basic delivery limit information of 2. and the extended viewing price corresponding thereto are set as the extended distribution limit information.

A distribution extension time setting part 15 sets a distribution extension time after the distribution end time of the live contents according to a specification operation by a content distributor within the limit of the extension distribution possible time set by the extension distribution limit setting part 14.例文帳に追加

The content distribution control unit 16 may select only channel members (channel members who display an extension request button on the viewer terminal 200 while the live content is being distributed and wish to extend viewing by operating the extension request button. ) and viewer terminals 200 of non-members who purchased extended viewing rights by paying the extended viewing price through a screen similar to that of FIG. Control is performed so that the distribution of the live content is continued until the distribution end time specified.

The deliverable time management unit 17 executes processing for consuming the monthly deliverable time of the channel member as the viewing time elapses due to the extended delivery of the live content, and sets for non-members by the extended delivery limit setting unit 14. Execute processing that consumes the specified extended deliverable time.

In the above embodiment, the number of viewers viewing the live content is monitored during distribution of the live content, and the management screen displayed by accessing the content distribution management device 10 from the distributor terminal 100 The number of viewers may be displayed. In addition, it is also possible to allow viewers to post arbitrary comments during delivery of live content, and to display the comments on the management screen. Also, the viewer may be allowed to operate the "Like" button during distribution of the live content, and the number of operations of the button may be displayed on the management screen. The content distributor can refer to the information displayed on the management screen in this way to determine whether or not to extend the distribution time.

Also, in the above embodiment, it is not essential to include all of the functional blocks 11-15. For example, the basic distribution limit setting unit 11 and the distribution time setting unit 12 are essential components, and it is optional whether the distribution time changing unit 13 is further provided, or the extended distribution limit setting unit 14 and the distribution extension time setting unit 15 are further provided. good too.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the basic distribution limit setting unit 11 sets the distributable time for each predetermined unit period and the viewing price corresponding thereto as the first basic distribution limit information, and the distributable time and viewing price for each live content. An example has been described in which the corresponding viewing price is set as the second basic distribution limit information, but only one of them may be set.

In addition, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific implementations of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. Thus, the invention may be embodied in various forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.

1 content delivery system 10 content delivery management device 10A delivery related information storage unit 10B audience information storage unit 11 basic delivery limit setting unit 12 delivery time setting unit 13 delivery time change unit 14 extension delivery limit setting unit 15 delivery extension time setting unit 16 Content distribution control unit 17 Distributable time management unit 18 Viewing right management unit 20 Content distribution device 100 Distributor terminal 200 Viewer terminal

Claims (8)

a basic distribution limit setting unit that sets, as basic distribution limit information, a live content distributable time and a corresponding viewing price according to a designated operation by a content provider;
a distribution time setting unit for setting a distribution start time and a distribution end time of the live content according to a designated operation by the content provider within the limit of the distributable time set by the basic distribution limit setting unit;
a content distribution control unit that controls to distribute the live content at the distribution time set by the distribution time setting unit to the terminal of the viewer who has paid the viewing price and purchased the viewing right;
and a deliverable time management unit that executes processing for consuming the deliverable time set by the basic delivery limit setting unit as viewing time elapses due to delivery of the live content. delivery system. During the distribution of the live content under the control of the content distribution control unit, the distribution end time of the live content within the limit of the distributable time set by the distribution limit setting unit according to the designated operation by the content provider. further comprising a delivery time changing unit that changes the
The content distribution control unit continues to distribute the live content to the terminals of the viewers who are viewing the live content whose distribution end time has been changed by the distribution time change unit until the changed distribution end time. control to do
The distributable time management unit is characterized by executing processing that consumes the distributable time as viewing time elapses due to distribution of the live content that continues until the distribution end time after the change. The contents delivery system according to claim 1. during the distribution of the live content under the control of the content distribution control unit, according to the designated operation by the content provider, the distribution time of the live content separately from the basic distribution limit information set by the basic distribution limit setting unit; an extended delivery limit setting unit that sets an extended delivery available time for extending the and an extended viewing price corresponding to it as extended delivery limit information;
A distribution extension time setting unit for setting a distribution extension time after the distribution end time of the live content according to a designated operation by the content provider within the limit of the extension distribution possible time set by the extension distribution limit setting unit. and
The content distribution control unit continues distribution of the live content to the terminal of the viewer who purchased the extended viewing right by paying the extended viewing price until the distribution end time extended by the distribution extension time setting unit. and
2. The content delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the deliverable time management unit executes a process of consuming the extended deliverable time as the viewing time of the live content by the extended delivery elapses. The basic distribution limit setting unit sets a distributable time for each predetermined unit period and a first viewing price corresponding thereto as first basic distribution limit information, and sets a distributable time for each live content and a corresponding first viewing price as first basic distribution limit information. setting the second viewing price as the second basic distribution limit information;
During the distribution of the live content under the control of the content distribution control unit, the basic distribution is performed separately from the second basic distribution limit information set by the basic distribution limit setting unit according to the designated operation by the content provider. Extended deliverable time for extending the delivery time of the live content within the limit of the deliverable time for each of the predetermined unit periods set as the first basic delivery limit information by the limit setting unit and extension corresponding thereto an extended delivery limit setting unit that sets the viewing price as extended delivery limit information;
A distribution extension time setting unit for setting a distribution extension time after the distribution end time of the live content according to a designated operation by the content provider within the limit of the extension distribution possible time set by the extension distribution limit setting unit. and
The content distribution control unit selects the terminal of the viewer who purchased the viewing right by paying the first viewing price and the viewer who purchased the viewing right by paying the second viewing price, controlling the terminal of the viewer who purchased the extended viewing right by paying the extended viewing price so that the live content is continuously distributed until the distribution end time extended by the distribution extension time setting unit;
The deliverable time management unit executes a process of consuming the deliverable time for each predetermined unit period as the viewing time of the live content by the extended delivery elapses, and is set by the extended delivery limit setting unit. 2. The content delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising executing a process that consumes the extended delivery available time. 4. The content according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the basic distribution limit setting unit sets a distributable time for each predetermined unit period and a viewing price corresponding thereto as the basic distribution limit information. delivery system. 4. The content according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the basic distribution limit setting unit sets a distributable time for each live content and a viewing price corresponding thereto as the basic distribution limit information. delivery system. The basic distribution limit setting unit sets the distributable time for each predetermined unit period and the corresponding viewing price as the first basic distribution limit information, and sets the distributable time and the corresponding viewing price for each live content. 4. The content delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the second basic delivery limit information is set. a basic distribution limit setting unit that sets, as basic distribution limit information, a live content distributable time and a corresponding viewing price according to a designated operation by a content provider;
a distribution time setting unit for setting a distribution start time and a distribution end time of the live content according to a designated operation by the content provider within the limit of the distributable time set by the basic distribution limit setting unit;
While the live content is being delivered at the delivery time set by the delivery time setting unit to the terminal of the viewer who purchased the viewing right by paying the viewing price, viewing the live content delivered A content distribution management device, comprising: a distributable time management unit that executes processing for consuming the distributable time set by the basic distribution limit setting unit as time elapses.

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