JP7706595B1 - Server device and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention reduces the hassle for a user when viewing video content in a series format having multiple episodes.
[Solution] The server device (10) includes an acquisition unit (111) that acquires an identification code associated with video content in a series format having multiple episodes and information identifying an external device (20) that is the sender of the identification code, and a communication unit (13) that transmits data for the episode number in the video content in response to a user request to the external device (20) after authentication is performed using the identification code.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a server device, a terminal device, and a control program.

In the past, DVD box sets for viewing all episodes of TV anime and the like have been sold. Patent Document 1 discloses a reading device that can eliminate application startup delays when changing optical discs, while also properly terminating applications that are not related to movies.

JP 2009-170085 A

However, when watching a work using multiple discs, the user must take the trouble of changing discs after each episode or each set of episodes.

One aspect of the present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to reduce the effort required of users when viewing video content in a series format that has multiple episodes.

To solve the above problem, a server device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an identification code associated with video content in a series format having multiple episodes and information that identifies an external device that is the sender of the identification code, and a communication unit that transmits data for the episode number in the video content that corresponds to a user's request to the external device after authentication using the identification code is performed.

To solve the above problem, a terminal device according to one aspect of the present invention is a terminal device equipped with a display unit, and includes an input unit for inputting an identification code associated with video content in a series format having multiple episodes, a communication unit for transmitting the input identification code and information for identifying the terminal device to a server device, and a display control unit for displaying on the display unit the video transmitted from the server device, the video of the episode number in the video content that corresponds to the user's request.

The server device and terminal device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control program that causes the computer to operate as each unit (software element) of the server device or terminal device to realize the server device or terminal device on the computer, and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required of a user when watching video content in a series format that has multiple episodes.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the system. 13 is an example of a table stored in a storage unit of the server device. FIG. 1 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of system processing. 13 is an example of an input screen for an identification code and a list screen for contents in an application. FIG. 1 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of system processing.

One embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below.

[1. Example of system 1 configuration]
1 is an example of a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a system 1 according to the present disclosure. The system 1 is a system for transmitting any content from a server device 10 to a display device (external device, terminal device) 20 and playing the content. In the following description, the content is described as video content including video, but it may also be music content or audio content not including video. In many cases, video content is associated with one or more channels of audio, and the audio is played in parallel with the video on the display device 20.

In addition, unless otherwise specified, the content disclosed herein is a rental item. In other words, the period during which the content can be played on the display device 20 is limited.

The system 1 includes a server device 10 and one or more display devices 20. The server device 10 functions as a server that supplies content, and includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

The control unit 11 is a control device that controls the entire server device 10, and includes an acquisition unit 111. The acquisition unit 111 acquires an identification code associated with the rental content, and information that identifies the display device 20 that is the sender of the identification code. Here, the content may be video content in the form of a series having multiple episodes.

An identification code is a serial code (serial number) that includes alphanumeric characters and symbols for identifying content. As will be described in detail later, a single identification code may be associated with multiple pieces of content. This means that a user can download multiple pieces of content by inputting a single identification code into the display device 20. A single piece of content may also be associated with multiple types of identification codes.

In one aspect, a medium such as a card on which an identification code is written or recorded may be distributed at a specific physical store or live venue, for a fee or free of charge. From another perspective, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire an identification code written or recorded on a medium distributed at a specific physical store, etc.

The memory unit 12 is a storage device that stores various information, for example, a table showing the correspondence between content and identification codes. The control unit 11 refers to the table and performs authentication using the identification code acquired by the acquisition unit 111. From another perspective, authentication is a process of determining whether the identification code acquired by the acquisition unit 111 is legitimate.

The communication unit 13 is an interface that performs communication processing with the display device 20 and the like based on the control of the control unit 11. For example, the communication unit 13 transmits requested content to the display device 20 in response to a request from a user via the display device 20 only for a predetermined period based on when authentication using the identification code is performed, or only up to a predetermined date and time. The communication unit 13 may transmit video to the display device 20 by streaming transmission, or may transmit the video in a lump so that it is stored as chunk data in the display device 20. Streaming reception in the display device 20 is a type of download. Note that even when the display device 20 plays video stored in the storage unit 22 and streaming reception does not occur, authentication using the identification code and a determination as to whether or not the content is within the period in which it can be played are performed before playing the video.

In addition, when the control unit 11 of the server device 10 determines that the end of the period during which the content can be played is approaching within a certain period of time, the control unit 11 may notify the display device 20 of this fact via the communication unit 13. That is, in the above case, the communication unit 13 may transmit a notification regarding the date and time when the period during which the authentication is valid will end to the display device 20 at a specific timing before the end of the period.

It is also preferable that the video and other data transmitted between the server device 10 and the display device 20 be encrypted before transmission and decrypted on the receiving device.

The display device 20 is a device capable of outputting video and audio, and may be realized as, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, a television, or a game console. The display device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and a display unit (output unit) 25.

The control unit 21 is a control device that controls the entire display device 20, and includes a display control unit 211. The display control unit 211 controls the screen display on the display unit 25. The display control unit 211 causes the display unit 25 to display an image input to the display device 20 from the server device 10, for example.

The memory unit 22 is a storage device that stores various information, such as an already authenticated identification code, information identifying the content associated with the identification code, and information indicating the expiration date for which the content can be played. Here, the information identifying the content may be, for example, the ID of the content or the identification code associated with the content. Furthermore, the display device 20 may be configured to have an application for playing video and audio installed, and in this configuration, the application data is stored in the memory unit 22.

The communication unit 23 is an interface that performs communication processing with the server device 10 and the like based on the control of the control unit 21. For example, the communication unit 23 transmits information that identifies the content selected by the user via the input unit 24 to the server device 10.

The input unit 24 is a member through which the user inputs information to the display device 20, and may be realized as, for example, a keyboard or other buttons, or a mouse. The input unit 24 may also be a remote control or controller that is separate from the display device 20 itself. The user inputs an identification code and performs various selection operations via the input unit 24. The input unit 24 and the display unit 25 may also be realized as an integrated touch panel.

As shown in FIG. 1, the input unit 24 may also include a camera 241 that captures an image. The input unit 24 may also be configured so that a two-dimensional code indicating an identification code can be read by the camera 241. This can reduce the effort required for the user to input the identification code.

In addition, the input unit 24 may have a configuration capable of contactlessly reading an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag. As a result, the input unit 24 may accept input of an identification code by contactlessly reading an RFID tag on which an identification code is recorded.

The display unit 25 is a display panel that displays images, character strings, objects, etc., based on the control of the display control unit 211. Note that if the content is music content or the like that does not include images, the following description may apply to the display unit 25 as an output unit 25 realized by a speaker or the like.

Furthermore, the function of a single component included in system 1 may be realized by multiple other components, and the functions of multiple components included in system 1 may be realized by a single other component. For example, system 1 may include multiple server devices 10, and the authentication of the above-mentioned identification code may be performed by an authentication device other than server device 10. Furthermore, some of the components included in system 1 may be configured to be detachable from server device 10 or display device 20.

[2. Example of authentication table]
Next, a specific example will be described of the above-mentioned table stored in the storage unit 12 of the server device 10. Table 31 in Fig. 2 is an example of a table showing the correspondence between contents and identification codes.

For example, Table 31 shows that content A includes video content from episode A1 to episode A3, and content B includes video content from episode B1 to episode B3. In other words, content A and B are video content in a series format with multiple episodes. The number of episodes of each content is not limited. Examples of such video content include dramas and TV anime. The value in the "identification code" column indicates which identification code is required for authentication to download the content of the corresponding episode to the display device 20. For example, in order to download the content of episode A3 to the display device 20, authentication using identification code "AAABBB222" or "AAABBB333" is required, and even if authentication using identification code "AAABBB111" is performed, the content of episode A3 cannot be downloaded.

In addition, content may be associated with multiple types of identification codes. For example, content A is associated with a first type of identification code that allows only the data for episodes A1 and A2 to be downloaded, and a second type of identification code that allows the data for episodes A1 through A3 to be downloaded.

Also, the configuration may be such that all episodes of a series of video content can be viewed by authentication using a single identification code. Also, the acquisition unit 111 may be configured to acquire a single identification code associated with the video content and information that identifies the display device 20.

A single identification code may also be associated with multiple contents. For example, when authentication is performed using the identification code "AAABBB333", the data for episodes A1 to A3 of content A and the data for episodes B1 to B3 of content B can be downloaded on the display device 20 that is the sender of the identification code. Note that it is desirable for the actual identification code to be a more complex character string than the one exemplified in FIG. 2.

It is not essential that the content be in a series format with multiple episodes. For example, if the content is a single live performance video of a singer, the "Nth episode" field corresponding to that content will be set to a value indicating that the content is not in a series format.

Table 32 is an example of a table showing the correspondence between an identification code and a display device 20 registered by authentication using the identification code and an expiration date.

In Table 32, the denominator of the value in the "Number of registered devices" column indicates the maximum number of display devices 20 that can be registered by authentication using the corresponding identification code. Furthermore, "registering" a display device 20 means storing the display device 20 that sent the identification code as a display device 20 that can download content associated with that identification code. Furthermore, as indicated by the fact that the denominator may be 2 or more, a single identification code may be input to each of multiple display devices 20, allowing content to be downloaded to each of the display devices 20.

The numerator of the value in the "Number of registered devices" column indicates how many display devices 20 are currently registered through authentication using the target identification code. For example, in the case of the identification code "AAABBB111," the maximum number of three display devices 20 are already registered, so even if the identification code "AAABBB111" is entered into a new display device 20, that display device 20 will not be registered. It is also desirable that the display device 20 be configured to be unregistered by operating the input unit 24 of the display device 20, for example. This makes it possible to switch display devices 20 from which content can be downloaded, even if the number of devices that can be registered using a certain identification code has been reached.

The value in the "Registered display device" column is a value such as a MAC address that uniquely identifies an individual display device 20, and indicates a display device 20 that has been registered through authentication using the corresponding identification code.

The date and time in the "Expiration Date" column indicates the expiration date of the authentication, i.e., the viewing date and time during which the content can be played on the display device 20. In other words, the user can rent the content for the period until the expiration date. The expiration date and time may be determined based on the first time authentication using the identification code is performed by any display device 20, or the expiration date and time may be determined in advance. If the expiration date is exceeded, the authentication is released.

From another perspective, in one embodiment, the acquisition unit 111 of the server device 10 acquires a common identification code and information identifying each display device 20 from each of the multiple display devices 20. Then, the communication unit 13 transmits content to each display device 20 in response to a user request via each display device 20, only for a predetermined period based on when authentication using the identification code was first performed by any of the display devices 20.

In this way, the storage unit 12 of the server device 10 stores one or more authenticated identification codes in association with information identifying one or more display devices 20. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 111 acquires information identifying the display device 20, an authentication process is performed using an identification code stored in the storage unit 12 that is associated with the information identifying the display device 20. Here, the authentication process may include, for example, authentication by the server device 10 alone, or authentication using another authentication device as described above.

In addition, different expiration dates may be set for each piece of content for a single identification code.

[3. Processing example of System 1]
Next, an example of the flow of processing executed by the system 1 will be described below. Fig. 3 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing according to this example.

In S101 (step S101), the control unit 21 of the display device 20 acquires an identification code input by the user via the input unit 24. In this example, the input of the identification code and the playback of video and audio are described as being performed using an application installed on the display device 20.

Screen 51 in FIG. 4 is a screen of the application, and shows an example of an input screen for an identification code. In screen 51, input forms 52 and 53 are input forms for inputting an identification code.

In the example of screen 51, the content is a video of an event such as a live performance, and input form 52 is a form for inputting a character string that identifies the event. The "event code" input into input form 52 may be a common value for each event. Furthermore, input form 53 is a form for inputting "serial codes" that are different for each event.

As exemplified in input forms 52 and 53, a single identification code may be configured to include two or more character strings, or, for example, of the aforementioned "event code" and "serial code," only the "serial code" may be treated as the identification code.

For example, if the content for which the identification code is to be entered is video content such as a drama, the user may enter only the "serial code" into input form 53.

In addition, according to the configuration of the present disclosure described above, as shown in screen 51, when a user downloads content, it is not necessarily required that the user enter personal information or register as a member.

In S102, the control unit 21 transmits the input identification code and information for identifying the own device to the server device 10 via the communication unit 23. In the example of the screen 51, the process of this step S102 is executed when the button 54 is pressed.

In S103, the acquisition unit 111 of the server device 10 acquires each piece of information received via the communication unit 13, and the control unit 11 performs authentication using the identification code. If the authentication is successful, the process of S104 is then executed. The control unit 11 also associates the display device 20 that is the source of the identification code with the identification code and registers it in the storage unit 12 as a "registered display device" as exemplified in Table 32 of FIG. 2. In addition, if the "expiration date" of the authenticated identification code is not registered, the control unit 11 derives the expiration date and registers it in the storage unit 12.

In S104, the control unit 11 transmits data of the content associated with the identification code used for authentication to the display device 20. If the content to be played is a video content in a series format having multiple episodes, data of the first episode is usually transmitted to the display device 20 first.

If the authentication using the identification code is unsuccessful, the control unit 11 transmits information indicating that the authentication was unsuccessful to the display device 20 without transmitting video and audio. Here, cases in which the authentication using the identification code is unsuccessful include cases in which the identification code is incorrect, the authentication code has expired, or the number of registered devices has reached the upper limit.

The content may also be a recording of any live performance, and authentication may be possible from a specific time after the end of the live performance. This is because, for example, even if an identification code is distributed at a live performance venue, it takes a certain amount of time for the content distributor to record the live footage and make it available from the server device 10. In this configuration, authentication will not be successful even if the user inputs the identification code into the display device 20 before the aforementioned specific time.

In addition, the configuration in which the control unit 11 transmits content data to the display device 20 immediately after authentication using the identification code is successful is not essential, and the content may be transmitted to the display device 20 in response to a user request via the display device 20 after authentication using the identification code is successful. In the above configuration, the expiration date of the content may be set based on the timing when the content is first transmitted to the display device 20 after authentication using the identification code is successful, or the timing when the downloaded content is first played on the display device 20.

In S105, the display control unit 211 of the display device 20 performs processing to display the image of the content received by the communication unit 23 on the display unit 25. That is, when authentication using the identification code is performed, the display control unit 211 displays the image of the content transmitted from the server device 10 on the display unit 25. In addition, the control unit 21 plays back the audio included in the content. In this way, the display unit 25 displays the content transmitted from the server device 10 in response to a user request via the input unit 24 only for a predetermined period based on when authentication using the identification code is performed, or until a predetermined date and time. In addition, the control unit 21 stores information identifying the content associated with the identification code for which authentication was successful in the storage unit 22.

In S106, when a user performs an operation via the input unit 24 to change the episode number of the video to be played back, the control unit 21 transmits information indicating the changed episode number to the server device 10. In addition, the changed episode numbers that the user can select are limited to episode numbers of the authenticated content.

In S107, the control unit 11 transmits data for the requested episode to the display device 20. That is, after authentication using the identification code is performed, the communication unit 13 transmits data for the episode in the video content that corresponds to the user's request to the display device 20. The display control unit 211 causes the video for the episode that corresponds to the user's request to be displayed on the display unit 25. Note that it is preferable that, even if the user does not perform the operation in S106, when playback of the video for a certain episode is completed, authentication is confirmed and data for the next episode is transmitted from the server device 10 to the display device 20.

This disclosure also includes a configuration in which the display device 20 determines whether the authentication of the content is within the expiration date. In the above configuration, if the expiration date has passed, the content is not played back on the display device 20.

The above describes the flow of processing based on the sequence diagram of FIG. 3. Note that instead of the processing of S101, the display control unit 211 may display a list of contents associated with the authenticated identification code on the display unit 25, and the control unit 21 may identify the content selected from the contents included in the list via the input unit 24. In this case, in S102, the communication unit 23 transmits information identifying the display device 20, which is the device itself, and information identifying the selected content to the server device 10. In addition, in S103, the control unit 11 of the server device 10 authenticates that the identified display device 20 is registered using the identification code associated with the selected content. According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to re-input the identification code that has been successfully authenticated once into the input unit 24, and the user's effort can be reduced.

Screen 56 in FIG. 4 is a screen of the aforementioned application, and shows an example of a list screen of content associated with an authenticated identification code. Button 57 is a button for specifying the video of the episode to be played when the video content is in a series format having multiple episodes. In addition, the displayed button 57 may be configured to be changeable to a button 57 corresponding to a different episode, for example, by sliding part of the screen left or right. Button 58 is a button for playing music content.

The video of the content may also be configured so that multiple chapters are set at regular or arbitrary time intervals, and the playback position can be made to jump to the beginning of a chapter selected by the user from the list. This is true not only when the display device 20 downloads and stores the video, but also when the video is received via streaming. The above configuration is realized when the control unit 11 of the server device 10 transmits information indicating a list of chapters stored in the storage unit 12 to the display device 20, and the control unit 21 of the display device 20 reads out the video of the chapter selected by the user from the storage unit 22 or receives the video via streaming from the server device 10.

Next, we will provide additional information regarding the processing of the system 1 when the content is video content in a series format having multiple episodes. Figure 5 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the flow of the processing. The processing of Figure 5 is executed when playback of the video of a certain episode, that is, episode number N, is completed on the display device 20.

In S201, the control unit 21 of the display device 20 transmits information indicating that the playback of the video of the Nth episode has ended to the server device 10 via the communication unit 23. The acquisition unit 111 of the server device 10 acquires the information transmitted from the display device 20.

In S202, the control unit 11 of the server device 10 determines whether or not authentication has been completed for the display device 20 to play the next episode, episode N+1. If the control unit 11 determines that the authentication has been completed (S202: YES), then in S203, it transmits data for episode N+1 to the display device 20.

In S204, the display control unit 211 of the display device 20 performs processing to display the video of the N+1th episode received from the server device 10 on the display unit 25. In addition, when playback of the video of the N+1th episode is completed, the processing from S201 is repeated for the video of the N+1th episode.

If the control unit 11 of the server device 10 determines in S202 that the above-mentioned authentication has not been completed (S202: NO), it then transmits to the display device 20 a notification regarding authentication for the display device 20 to play the N+1th episode in S205. Here, the notification regarding authentication is, for example, information indicating an instruction to cause the display device 20 to display an authentication screen for an identification code.

In other words, when the acquisition unit 111 acquires a notification indicating that the playback of the video has ended, if authentication for transmitting data of the next episode number after a certain episode number to the display device 20 has not been completed, the communication unit 13 transmits a notification to the display device 20 regarding the authentication to be performed.

In S206, the display control unit 211 causes the display unit 25 to display an authentication screen for the identification code. Then, when the identification code for playing the N+1th episode is entered into the authentication screen and authenticated, the display device 20 obtains the video of the N+1th episode from the server device 10 and displays it on the screen.

The above describes the flow of processing based on the sequence diagram in FIG. 5. Note that the configuration may be such that information indicating the stop position is transmitted from the display device 20 to the server device 10 not only when playback of a certain episode of video ends, but also when the user stops playback midway. In the above configuration, the video may be able to be played back from the continuation on another display device 20 used for authentication.

Specifically, when authentication using an identification code is performed on the first display device 20 and the second display device 20 for a certain video content, the acquisition unit 111 of the server device 10 acquires information indicating the end position of the playback using the first display device 20. In response to the communication unit 13 transmitting video data from the continuation of the end position in the video content to the second display device 20, the video is displayed from the continuation on the second display device 20.

[4. Software implementation example]
The functions of the server device 10 and the display device 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "devices") can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the device, and a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly the control unit 11 and each unit included in the control unit 21).

In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The functions described in each of the above embodiments are realized by executing the program using this control device and storage device.

The program may be non-transiently recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

The processes described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI may run on the control device, or on another device (such as an edge computer or a cloud server).

〔summary〕
A server device (10) according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit (111) that acquires an identification code associated with a series-type video content having multiple episodes and information that identifies an external device (20) that is a sender of the identification code, and a communication unit (13) that transmits data of an episode number in the video content according to a user's request to the external device after authentication using the identification code. With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the effort required of a user when watching a series-type video content having multiple episodes.

The server device according to aspect 2 of the present invention may be configured in the above aspect 1 such that the acquisition unit acquires a single identification code associated with the video content and information identifying the external device. With the above configuration, all episodes of a series of video content can be viewed using a single identification code.

In the server device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in aspect 1 above, the acquisition unit may acquire information indicating that playback of a certain episode of the video content has ended in the external device, and the communication unit may transmit to the external device a notification regarding performing authentication when authentication for transmitting data of the next episode of the certain episode to the external device has not been completed when the acquisition unit acquires a notification indicating that playback of the video has ended. With the above configuration, it is possible to prompt the user to perform the authentication at an appropriate timing.

In the server device according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 3 above, the acquisition unit may be configured to acquire information indicating an end position of playback using the first external device when authentication using the identification code for a certain piece of video content has been performed in a first external device and a second external device that are the multiple external devices, and the communication unit may transmit video data from the continuation of the end position in the video content to the second external device. This configuration improves convenience when a user watches content using multiple external devices.

The terminal device (20) according to aspect 5 of the present invention is a terminal device having a display unit (25), an input unit (24) for inputting an identification code associated with a series-format video content having multiple episodes, a communication unit (23) for transmitting the input identification code and information for identifying the terminal device to a server device, and a display control unit (211) for displaying on the display unit a video transmitted from the server device and corresponding to a user's request for an episode number in the video content. This configuration contributes to reducing the effort required of a user when viewing a series-format video content having multiple episodes.

The terminal device according to aspect 6 of the present invention may be configured in the above-mentioned aspect 5 such that the input unit accepts input of the identification code by contactlessly reading an RFID tag on which the identification code is recorded. This configuration improves the convenience for the user when reading the identification code.

The control program according to aspect 7 of the present invention is a control program for causing a computer to function as the server device in any of aspects 1 to 4 above, and may be configured to cause a computer to function as the acquisition unit and the communication unit. With the above configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the above server device is achieved.

The control program according to aspect 8 of the present invention is a control program for causing a computer to function as the terminal device in aspect 5 or 6 above, and may be configured to cause a computer to function as the input unit, the communication unit, and the display control unit. With the above configuration, an effect equivalent to that of the above terminal device is achieved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments.

1 System 10 Server device 11, 21 Control unit 12, 22 Storage unit 13, 23 Communication unit 20 Display device (external device, terminal device)
24 Input section 25 Display section (output section)
111 Acquisition unit 211 Display control unit

Claims (3)

an acquisition unit that acquires an identification code associated with a series of video content having multiple episodes and information that identifies an external device that is a source of the identification code;
a communication unit that transmits to the external device, after authentication is performed using the identification code transmitted from the external device, data of an episode in the video content corresponding to a user request ,
The acquisition unit is
acquiring information indicating that playback of a video of a certain episode in the video content has ended in the external device;
The communication unit is
When the acquisition unit acquires a notification indicating that playback of the video has ended, if authentication for transmitting data of the next episode number after the certain episode number to the external device has not been completed, the server device transmits a notification to the external device regarding performing the authentication . The acquisition unit is
When authentication using the identification code has been performed for a certain piece of video content in a first external device and a second external device, the first external device and the second external device being a plurality of external devices, information indicating an end position of playback using the first external device is obtained;
The communication unit is
The server device according to claim 1 , further comprising: transmitting video data from a continuation of the end position in the video content to the second external device. A control program for causing a computer to function as the server device according to claim 1, the control program causing the computer to function as the acquisition unit and the communication unit.

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