Generation apparatus, generation method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium

A generation apparatus according to an embodiment includes an acquiring unit and a generating unit. The acquiring unit acquires information on usage of a moving image content used via a partial moving image that is used as a key image of the moving image content in a terminal device that is a distribution destination of the partial moving image. The generating unit generates a partial moving image corresponding to the moving image content on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-083598 filed in Japan on Apr. 15, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a generation apparatus, a generation method, and a non-transitory computer storage medium having stored therein a generation program.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, with the rapid spread of the Internet, various services are provided over a network. As one of the services, a moving image distribution service is known. A provider of the moving image distribution service distributes various moving images in accordance with requests from users.

In some cases, the provider of the moving image distribution service may distribute an advertisement content together with a moving image. In the service as described above, there has been proposed a technology related to a content viewing system that can appropriately distribute information for promotion and advertising to a user who is a viewer (for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-104439).

Furthermore, to utilize a moving image, there has been proposed a technology in which an individual optimal distribution list (program list) is generated for an individual viewer and a content that matches the taste, mood, or feelings of the viewer is distributed or presented (for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-130051). Moreover, there has been proposed a technology in which when an information recording medium with recorded moving image contents is played, moving image thumbnails corresponding to the moving image contents are displayed in order to allow a viewer to recognize the contents of moving images or to view desired moving image data (for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-238175).

However, in the above-described conventional technology, it is not always possible to encourage a user to view a distributed content. For example, in the case of a commercial moving image content, such as a movie, a partial moving image showing a summary to promote viewing of the moving image content may be generated. However, it may be difficult to encourage a user to view the moving image content depending on the contents of the partial moving image.

Furthermore, the moving image content distributed by the moving image distribution service is not limited to a commercial moving image content, such as a movie. A partial moving image showing a summary is not generated for many of non-commercial moving image contents, and therefore, the moving image content is introduced by using a still image thumbnail or the like in which a title of the moving image content is displayed. It is difficult for a viewer to determine whether to view the moving image content on the basis of limited information, such as the still image thumbnail. Consequently, there may be a case in which viewing of the moving image content in the moving image distribution service is not encouraged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A generation apparatus according to the present application includes an acquiring unit that acquires information on usage of a moving image content corresponding to a partial moving image used as a key image of the moving image content in a terminal device that is a distribution destination of the partial moving image, and a generating unit that generates a partial moving image corresponding to the moving image content on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Modes (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) for carrying out a generation apparatus, a generation method, and a generation program according to the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The generation apparatus, the generation method, and the generation program of the present application are not limited by the embodiments. The embodiments may be combined appropriately as long as the processes do not conflict with each other. In each of the embodiments below, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols, and the same explanation will not be repeated.

1. Example of Generation Process

First, an example of a generation process according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an example of the generation process according to the embodiment.FIG. 1illustrates an example in which a generation apparatus100that performs the generation process according to the embodiment performs a process of generating a moving image thumbnail as a key image of a moving image content.

The generation apparatus100is a server device that stores therein a moving image content used in a moving image distribution service. The moving image distribution service is a service that distributes a moving image content for a price or for free to a user who requests the moving image content. The moving image distribution service is provided via a moving image distribution site, for example. The generation apparatus100clips out a part of the moving image content to generate a partial moving image (hereinafter, described as a “moving image thumbnail”) used as a key image of the moving image content. Then, the generation apparatus100acquires information on a user who uses the moving image distribution service (hereinafter, the information is described as “user information”) or information on usage of the moving image distribution service used by the user, and performs an appropriate matching process on the user and a moving image thumbnail to be presented. Alternatively, the generation apparatus100generates a moving image thumbnail on the basis of the acquired information. In the following, an example of the process of generating a moving image thumbnail by the generation apparatus100will be described in accordance with the flow.

First, the generation apparatus100randomly generates a plurality of moving image thumbnails to be associated with an already-stored moving image content. For example, the generation apparatus100generates a moving image thumbnail by clipping out a part (for example, 10 seconds) of a moving image content at an arbitrary position. In the example inFIG. 1, the generation apparatus100generates, for a moving image content C01, moving image thumbnails T01, T02, and T03clipped out at random positions (Step S11).

If a user accesses the moving image distribution site, the generation apparatus100distributes the generated moving image thumbnails together with a list of moving image contents as distribution candidates. An example of display of the moving image thumbnails will be described below with reference toFIG. 2.

FIG. 2is a diagram for explaining an example of a moving image distribution site according to the embodiment.FIG. 2illustrates an example of a moving image distribution site that is displayed on a web browser50of a user terminal10(not illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2) when a user accesses the moving image distribution site. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the moving image distribution site displays still image thumbnails of moving image contents C01to C04or the like that are distribution candidates. In general, the user checks the still image thumbnails of the moving image contents C01to C04or the like, selects a desired moving image content with a mouse cursor40, and receives distribution of the moving image content.

Meanwhile, the generation apparatus100displays a moving image thumbnail as a key image of the moving image content. For example, if the user moves the mouse cursor40to a position overlapping the moving image content C01(so-called a mouseover state) as illustrated inFIG. 2, any of the moving image thumbnails T01to T03associated with the moving image content C01is displayed (played) on the user terminal10. That is, the user can check a part of the contents included in the moving image content C01before the moving image content C01is distributed. As described above, according to the generation apparatus100, the user can directly recognize the contents of the moving image content by the moving image thumbnail, rather than predicting the contents of the moving image content from the still image thumbnail. Therefore, the user can easily select a desired moving image content.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the description is continued. If the user accesses the moving image distribution site, the generation apparatus100randomly distributes the moving image thumbnails T01to T03as the key images of the moving image content C01to the user terminal10. Then, the generation apparatus100recognizes the moving image thumbnail T01, T2, or T03viewed by the user and recognizes usage, such as whether the user has requested distribution of the moving image content C01when the user has viewed the moving image thumbnail.

For example, inFIG. 1, it is assumed that a certain male user has accessed the moving image distribution site, viewed the moving image thumbnail T01, and requested distribution of the moving image content C01(Step S12). A request for distribution of the moving image content C01in this case is provided when, for example, the user performs a mouse click on an area in which the moving image thumbnail T01is displayed while the moving image thumbnail T01is played.

It is also assumed that different male users have viewed the moving image thumbnail T02and requested distribution of the moving image content C01(Step S13). In the example inFIG. 1, it is assumed that the number of users who have viewed the moving image thumbnail T02and requested distribution of the moving image content C01is greater than the number of users who have viewed the moving image thumbnail T01and requested distribution of the moving image content C01.

It is also assumed that female users have viewed the moving image thumbnail T03and requested distribution of the moving image content C01(Step S14). That is, in the example inFIG. 1, it is observed that the number of male users who have viewed the moving image thumbnails T01and T02and requested distribution of the moving image content C01is greater than the number of female users who have done the same, and the number of users who have viewed the moving image thumbnail T02and requested distribution of the moving image content C01is greater than the number of users who have viewed the moving image thumbnail T01and requested distribution of the moving image content C01. It is also observed that the number of female users who have viewed the moving image thumbnail T03and requested distribution of the moving image content C01is greater than the number of male users who have done the same.

The generation apparatus100acquires information on the usage for each user as described above (Step S15). The information on the usage includes user information on a user who has accessed the moving image distribution site, a rate at which a moving image content is selected because of the moving image thumbnail as described above, and a correlation with an attribute of the user. For example, the generation apparatus100acquires information on the user or information on the usage of the moving image content (in other words, operation performed on a browser of the user terminal10) on the basis of a cookie or the like transmitted from the user terminal10. The user information is, for example, user attribute information, or the like. Specifically, the user information includes age, gender, and the like of the user.

Subsequently, the generation apparatus100performs a predetermined learning process on the basis of the acquired information (Step S16). The generation apparatus100evaluates a score for each of the distributed moving image thumbnails and determines whether each of the moving image thumbnails is effective for the moving image distribution service, which will be described in detail later. Based on this, the generation apparatus100learns a model that can optimize a moving image thumbnail to be distributed for each user who uses the moving image distribution service. Herein, optimization of the moving image thumbnail indicates distribution of a moving image thumbnail that achieves the highest appeal effect to a user at the time of distribution of a moving image thumbnail to the user. Through the optimization of the moving image thumbnail, the generation apparatus100can perform a process of selecting and distributing a specific moving image thumbnail, for which a transmission rate of a distribution request for a moving image content (that is, a click rate of the moving image thumbnail) is expected to be the highest, with respect to a user with a certain attribute such as a man in his twenties, for example.

The generation apparatus100optimizes the moving image thumbnail to be distributed, on the basis of the learning (Step S17). For example, as for a moving image thumbnail to be distributed as the key image of the moving image content C01, the generation apparatus100optimizes a distribution rate such that the moving image thumbnail T02is relatively frequently distributed to male users. Furthermore, the generation apparatus100optimizes the distribution rate such that the moving image thumbnail T03is relatively frequently distributed to female users.

The generation apparatus100may generate a new moving image thumbnail on the basis of each of the acquired information (Step S17). For example, if a score for evaluating the moving image thumbnail T01is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the generation apparatus100eliminates the moving image thumbnail T01from distribution candidates and newly generates a moving image thumbnail T04. If the moving image distribution service is newly accessed, the generation apparatus100distributes the moving image thumbnail T04. For example, if a user as a distribution destination is not a user suitable for the moving image thumbnail T02or the moving image thumbnail T03as described above, the generation apparatus100selects and distributes one of the moving image thumbnails T02to T04for the user by using an equal distribution rate. As described above, the generation apparatus100may distribute the newly-generated moving image thumbnail T04to an arbitrary user. The generation apparatus100repeats the process of acquiring information on the usage and repeats the learning process, thereby gradually improving the effect of the moving image thumbnail to be distributed.

As described above, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment generates a moving image thumbnail that is a partial moving image used as a key image of a moving image content, from a part of the moving image content. Then, the generation apparatus100acquires information on the usage of the moving image content corresponding to the moving image thumbnail. Furthermore, the generation apparatus100optimizes selection of a moving image thumbnail to be associated with the moving image content on the basis of the acquired information on the usage or the like, and distributes the appropriate moving image thumbnail to the user. Moreover, the generation apparatus100newly generates a moving image thumbnail on the basis of the acquired information on the usage or the like.

As described above, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment performs the process of optimizing a moving image thumbnail to be referred to when a user selects a moving image content. For example, a submitter can generate a moving image thumbnail expected to achieve an appeal effect in accordance with various user classes by using the generation apparatus100. That is, the generation apparatus100selects and distributes a moving image thumbnail in which a specific user class is likely to be interested, in order to generate the interest of the user. Furthermore, the user can determine whether to use the moving image content by actually viewing the moving image thumbnail, rather than predicting the contents of the moving image content from a still image thumbnail, comments of other users, or the like. This may decrease a threshold for a user to try to view the moving image content. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can encourage the user to view a distributed content.

2. Configuration of Generation Processing System

A configuration of a generation processing system1including the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment will be described below with reference toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the generation processing system1according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the generation processing system1according to the embodiment includes the user terminal10, a submission terminal20, and the generation apparatus100. These apparatuses are communicably connected to one another by wire or wireless via a network N. The generation processing system1illustrated inFIG. 3may include a plurality of the user terminals10and a plurality of the submission terminals20.

The user terminal10is, for example, an information processing device, such as a desktop personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA). For example, the user terminal10accesses a web server (corresponding to the generation apparatus100in the embodiment) that provides a moving image distribution site or the like and acquires a web page related to a desired service, in accordance with operation performed by a user. The user terminal10displays the acquired web page on a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display).

The submission terminal20is an information processing apparatus used by a submitter who gives a request for a moving image content to the generation apparatus100. The submission terminal20submits a moving image content to the generation apparatus100in accordance with operation performed by the submitter.

The generation apparatus100is a server device that generates a moving image thumbnail corresponding to a moving image content as described above. The generation apparatus100performs a process of optimizing a moving image thumbnail to be distributed, thereby encouraging the user to view the moving image content.

As described above, when distributing a moving image thumbnail, the generation apparatus100can identify the user terminal10and specify the user terminal10to which the moving image thumbnail is distributed. For example, it is possible to identify a user by including user identification information in a cookie exchanged between the web browser of the user terminal10and the generation apparatus100. However, a user identification method is not limited to the above-described example. For example, it may be possible to set a dedicated program in the user terminal10, and cause the dedicated program to transmit the user identification information to the generation apparatus100.

3. Configuration of Generation Apparatus

A configuration of the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment will be described below with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the generation apparatus100includes a communication unit110, a storage unit120, and a control unit130. The generation apparatus100may include an input unit (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like) for accepting various kinds of operation from an administrator or the like who uses the generation apparatus100, or a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display or the like) for displaying various kinds of information.

The communication unit110is implemented by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) or the like. The communication unit110is connected to the network N by wire or wireless, and performs transmission and reception of information with the user terminal10and the submission terminal20via the network N.

The storage unit120is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory device, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device, such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit120includes a content storage unit121, a user information storage unit122, and a usage storage unit123.

Content Storage Unit121

The content storage unit121stores therein information on a moving image content submitted from the submission terminal20. An example of the content storage unit121according to the embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating the example of the content storage unit121according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the content storage unit121includes items such as “submitter ID”, “moving image content ID”, and “moving image thumbnail ID”.

The “submitter ID” indicates identification information for identifying a submitter or the submission terminal20. The “moving image content ID” indicates identification information for identifying a moving image content submitted from a submitter to the generation apparatus100. The “moving image thumbnail ID” indicates information for identifying a moving image thumbnail generated from a corresponding moving image content.

In the following, the identification information illustrated inFIG. 5may be used as a reference symbol. For example, a submitter identified by a submitter ID “CL11” may be described as a “submitter CL11”, a moving image content identified by a moving image content ID “C11” may be described as a “moving image content C11”, and a moving image thumbnail identified by a moving image thumbnail. ID “T11” may be described as a “moving image thumbnail T11”.

Specifically, in the example illustrated inFIG. 5, the submitter identified by the submitter ID “CL11” submits the moving image content identified by the moving image content ID “C11”. Furthermore, in this example, the moving image thumbnails T11to T13are generated as moving image thumbnails corresponding to the moving image content C11.

Data of the moving image content and the moving image thumbnail actually distributed to the user terminal10may be stored in a certain storage server separated from the generation apparatus100. In this case, the generation apparatus100specifies a moving image content or a moving image thumbnail stored in the external storage server on the basis of the moving image content ID or the moving image thumbnail ID stored in the content storage unit121. Then, the generation apparatus100causes the storage server to distribute the specified moving image content or the specified moving image thumbnail to the user terminal10.

User Information Storage Unit122

The user information storage unit122stores therein information on a user as a distribution target of a moving image content. An example of the user information storage unit122according to the embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating the example of the user information storage unit122according to the embodiment. In the example illustrated inFIG. 6, the user information storage unit122includes items such as “user ID”, “gender”, and “age”.

The “user ID” is identification information for identifying the user terminal10or a user. It is assumed that the user ID matches the reference symbol of the user who operates the user terminal10. That is, it is assumed that the user terminal10identified by a user ID “U11” is a terminal device operated by a user “U11”.

The “gender” indicates the gender of a user. The “age” indicates the age of a user. As illustrated inFIG. 6, an age group, such as “20's”, may be indicated in the item “age”, instead of a specific value.

For example,FIG. 6illustrates an example in which the gender of the user U11identified by the user ID “U11” is “male” and the age is “20's”.

In the following description, the user includes not only an individual user but also a concept of a user class with a certain attribute. For example, the user U11includes not only the individual user U11but also a concept of a user group including users with the same attributes as the user U11. That is, the user U11may indicate a group of users who belong to a category of “male” and “20's”.

Although not illustrated inFIG. 6, the user information storage unit122may store therein behavior information on a user, such as an access history of a website or a purchase history in a shopping site. Furthermore, the user information storage unit122may store therein a device ID or the like as information for identifying the user terminal10itself. The device ID indicates identification information recorded in the terminal device itself, which is different from the user ID. The user information storage unit122may include, as user attribute information, items such as “name” indicating the name of a user, “annual income” indicating the annual income of a user, and “preference” indicating the preference of a user.

Usage Storage Unit123

The usage storage unit123stores therein information on the usage of a moving image content. An example of the usage storage unit123according to the embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 7.FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating the example of the usage storage unit123according to the embodiment. In the example illustrated inFIG. 7, the usage storage unit123includes items such as “moving image content ID”, “moving image thumbnail ID”, “moving image content usage”, and “attribute-based usage”. Furthermore, the item “moving image content usage” includes items such as “viewing start rate”, “completion rate”, and “bookmark rate”. Moreover, the item “attribute-based usage” includes items such as “user attribute” and “selection rate”.

The “moving image content ID” and the “moving image thumbnail ID” correspond to the items stored in the content storage unit121illustrated inFIG. 5.

The “moving image content usage” indicates information on a situation in which a moving image content is used in the moving image distribution site.

The “viewing start rate” indicates a rate at which a user who has viewed a moving image thumbnail starts to view a moving image content corresponding to the moving image thumbnail (that is, the user clicks the moving image thumbnail and sends a distribution request for the moving image content).

The “completion rate” indicates a rate at which a user views a moving image content to the end. The “bookmark rate” indicates a rate at which a user bookmarks a moving image content.

The “attribute-based usage” indicates the usage of a moving image content corresponding to the attribute of a user. The “user attribute” indicates a group classified for each user attribute. Classifications of user attributes correspond to the classifications of the users stored in the user information storage unit122. Specifically, the user attribute “U11” indicates attributes of “male” and “20's”.

The “selection rate” indicates a rate at which viewing of a moving image content is started because of viewing of a moving image thumbnail, for each user attribute.

For example,FIG. 7indicates that the moving image thumbnails T11to T13are provided as moving image thumbnails corresponding to the moving image content C11. Furthermore, the rate of users who have started to view the moving image content C11to users who have viewed the moving image thumbnail T11is “13.0%”, the rate of users who have viewed the moving image content C11to the end is “7.0%”, and the rate of users who have bookmarked the moving image content C11is “1.0%”. Moreover, it is indicated that the moving image thumbnail T11is viewed by the users U11to U14, and the rates of viewing of the moving image content C11by the respective user groups are “22.0%”, “13.0%”, “8.0%”, and “12.0%”. That is, it is indicated that the selection rate of the user U11corresponding to “male” and “20's” among the users U11to U14is relatively high.

The control unit130is implemented by, for example, executing various programs (corresponding to an example of the generation program) stored in an internal storage device of the generation apparatus100by a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or the like using a RAM as a work area. Furthermore, the control unit130is implemented by, for example, an integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the control unit130includes a submission accepting unit131, a generating unit132, a receiving unit133, a distributing unit134, an evaluating unit135, an acquiring unit136, and a learning unit137, and implements or executes functions and operations of information processing as described below. The internal configuration of the control unit130is not limited to the configuration illustrated inFIG. 4, and any other configuration that performs the information processing as described below is applicable. Furthermore, a connection relation between the processing units of the control unit130is not limited to the connection relation illustrated inFIG. 4, and any other connection relation is applicable.

The submission accepting unit131accepts submission of a moving image content from the submission terminal20. The submission accepting unit131stores information on the submitted moving image content in the content storage unit121in association with the submitter ID for identifying a submitter of a submission source and the moving image content ID. If a moving image thumbnail generated by the submitter is submitted, the submission accepting unit131stores the moving image thumbnail generated by the submitter in association with the moving image content.

The submission accepting unit131may accept submission of an advertisement content that is distributed together with the moving image content in the moving image distribution service.

The generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail corresponding to a moving image content. Specifically, the generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail corresponding to the moving image content by clipping out a partial moving image with a predetermined duration (for example, 10 seconds) from the moving image content accepted by the submission accepting unit131.

The generation process performed by the moving image thumbnail will be descried below with reference toFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a diagram for explaining the process of generating a moving image thumbnail by the generating unit132according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the generating unit132generates moving image thumbnails by clipping out certain parts of a moving image content. In the example illustrated inFIG. 8, the generating unit132generates the moving image thumbnails T11, T12, and T13clipped out at random positions, with respect to the moving image content C11. WhileFIG. 8illustrates an example in which the moving image thumbnails T11, T12, and T13are generated by clipping out non-overlapping portions, the generating unit132may generate a plurality of moving image thumbnails by using overlapping portions.

The generating unit132randomly generates a moving image thumbnail at the time immediately after the moving image content is submitted and before the moving image thumbnail corresponding to the moving image content is actually distributed, or when adequate information on the usage due to distribution is not acquired. Specifically, the generating unit132clips out an arbitrary position of the moving image content to generate the moving image thumbnail.

Furthermore, after the moving image thumbnail is distributed and the user uses the moving image thumbnail, the generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail corresponding to the moving image content on the basis of information acquired by the acquiring unit136to be described later. The generating unit132need not always newly generate a moving image thumbnail on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit136. For example, if an adequate appeal effect can be obtained by currently-generated moving image thumbnails, the generating unit132need not newly generate a moving image thumbnail. In this case, the generating unit132can select a moving image thumbnail to be actually distributed from the already-generated moving image thumbnails. As described above, the concept of the generation process performed by the generating unit132includes a process of selecting an already-generated moving image thumbnail.

When newly generating a moving image thumbnail, the generating unit132newly generates the moving image thumbnail if a specific portion of the moving image content can achieve an appeal effect on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit136. Alternatively, the generating unit132performs a process of selecting a partial moving image that is available as a moving image thumbnail generated for a different purpose. The partial moving image generated for a different purpose corresponds to, for example, an advertising short video that is generated by the submitter of the moving image content in advance. If the moving image distribution site uses a system for distributing a moving image content in a divided manner, such as an HTTP live streaming (HLS) system, the moving image content is distributed to the user terminal10by being divided into segments (for example, a partial moving image of 10 seconds). Therefore, the generating unit132may perform a selection process for using the divided segments as moving image thumbnails. The appeal effect of a moving image thumbnail is determined by the degree of success in causing a user to view a moving image content by user's selection of the moving image thumbnail (for example, by operation, such as a click with a mouse, a touch gesture on a touch panel, or a voice input, by which user's intention to view can be confirmed).

Specifically, the generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail on the basis of a result of the evaluation performed by the evaluating unit135. More specifically, the generating unit132newly generates a moving image thumbnail on the basis of information on a behavior of the user that leads to distribution of the moving image content among behaviors of the user with respect to the moving image thumbnail. For example, it is assumed that the evaluating unit135to be described later obtains information indicating that a user is likely to click on a portion around a specific time point in a certain moving image thumbnail. In this case, the generating unit132can generate a new moving image thumbnail including the specific time point. For example, the generating unit132may generate a moving image thumbnail such that the specific time point is located in the center (around five seconds in an image of 10 seconds used as a moving image thumbnail), or may generate a moving image such that the specific time point is located immediately after a start point of replay. An element of the index value evaluated by the evaluating unit135may include not only a click rate of the moving image thumbnail, but also a completion rate of the moving image content viewed via the moving image thumbnail, the bookmark rate of the moving image content, or an exit rate of the moving image content being viewed. Therefore, the generating unit132may generate a moving image thumbnail such that the index value indicated by each of the above-described elements can be improved. As one example, it is assumed that there is a moving image content for which the click rate of a moving image thumbnail is high and the viewing rate of an early part is high as a result of the evaluation performed by the evaluating unit135. In this case, the generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail including a latter part as a moving image thumbnail corresponding to the moving image content. Consequently, the generating unit132can generate a moving image thumbnail that attracts attention of a user to an interesting portion contained in the latter part of the moving image content. As described above, the generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail expected to more encourage the user to view the moving image content, by using a result of the evaluation performed by the evaluating unit135.

Furthermore, if the appeal effect of a specific moving image thumbnail has not been seen as a result of the evaluation process performed by the evaluating unit135, the generating unit132may generate a new moving image thumbnail as an alternative to the moving image thumbnail. This will be described below with reference toFIG. 9.FIG. 9is a diagram for explaining a process of generating a new moving image thumbnail by the generating unit132according to the embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, it is assumed that when moving image thumbnails T21to T23corresponding to the moving image content C21are prepared, it is evaluated that the appeal effect of the moving image thumbnail T23is relatively low. Specifically, it is assumed that an index value (score) indicating the appeal effect of the moving image thumbnail T23calculated by the evaluating unit135is lower than a predetermined threshold. In this case, the generating unit132generates a new moving image thumbnail T24by clipping out a portion different from the moving image thumbnail T23with the relatively low score from the moving image content C21. Then, the distributing unit134to be described later distributes, to the user, any of the three moving image thumbnails including the newly-generated moving image thumbnail T24instead of the moving image thumbnail T23with the relatively low appeal effect.

Furthermore, in the above-described generation process, the generating unit132may generate a moving image thumbnail corresponding to each user class classified by the user attribute information, on the basis of the user information acquired by the acquiring unit136. Specifically, the acquiring unit136acquires information on a point that is likely to be clicked in the moving image thumbnail or the like, for each user class. Then, the generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail optimized so as to achieve the highest appeal effect for each user class.

The receiving unit133receives a distribution request for a content. Specifically, when the user terminal10accesses the moving image distribution site, the receiving unit133receives a distribution request for a content (for example, a web page or the like) related to the moving image distribution site. In other words, the receiving unit133receives a distribution request related to a still image thumbnail or a moving image thumbnail displayed on a top page or the like of the moving image distribution site.

Furthermore, the receiving unit133receives a distribution request for a moving image content that is transmitted from the user terminal10because of selection of the moving image thumbnail by the user. The selection of the moving image thumbnail indicates that, for example, the user has clicked the moving image thumbnail. Moreover, the receiving unit133may receive a distribution request for an advertisement content displayed on the moving image distribution site.

The distributing unit134distributes a content corresponding to a distribution request received by the receiving unit133. Specifically, the distributing unit134distributes a submitted moving image content or a moving image thumbnail generated by the generating unit132, in accordance with a distribution request transmitted from the user terminal10.

For example, when the moving image distribution site is accessed, the distributing unit134distributes, to the user terminal10, a still image thumbnail or a moving image thumbnail as a key image of the moving image content to be distributed. In this case, before a certain moving image content is actually distributed or when adequate information on the usage due to distribution of the certain moving image content is not acquired, the distributing unit134randomly selects and distributes a moving image thumbnail from among moving image thumbnails corresponding to the moving image content.

When the learning by the evaluating unit135has progressed, and if a correlation between the appeal effect of a moving image thumbnail to be distributed and any element is obtained, the distributing unit134distributes the moving image thumbnail on the basis of a result of the learning.

For example, if a correlation between the user class and the moving image thumbnail is obtained, the distributing unit134performs distribution at a distribution rate adjusted such that a moving image thumbnail corresponding to the user class as a distribution destination is preferentially distributed. Specifically, if it is determined that a certain moving image thumbnail is effective to a user class corresponding to “male” and “20's”, the distributing unit134distributes the moving image thumbnail to a user class corresponding to “male” and “20's” at a relatively high rate.

Data of a content to be actually distributed need not be stored in the storage unit120of the generation apparatus100as described above. For example, the distributing unit134may transmit a control command to an externally-provided certain storage server to thereby distribute a content corresponding to a distribution request to the user terminal10.

The evaluating unit135includes the acquiring unit136and the learning unit137, and performs a process of evaluating a content by using each of the processing units. Specifically, the evaluating unit135evaluates a moving image thumbnail by an index value (score) indicating an impact of the moving image thumbnail on viewing of the moving image content, on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit136.

For example, the evaluating unit135evaluates a moving image thumbnail by using, as a score, the degree of contribution of the moving image thumbnail to promote viewing, on the basis of the usage, such as a rate at which the distributed moving image thumbnail leads to viewing the moving image content. In this case, the evaluating unit135may evaluate the appeal effect of the moving image thumbnail for each user class, by using a score indicating how much appeal effect is given to which user class.

A result of the evaluation process performed by the evaluating unit135is reflected in the processes performed by the generating unit132and the distributing unit134as described above. For example, the generating unit132generates a new moving image thumbnail on the basis of an evaluation result obtained by the evaluating unit135. The distributing unit134distributes a moving image thumbnail on the basis of a distribution rate that is adjusted in accordance with the evaluation result obtained by the evaluating unit135. Specifically, the distributing unit134distributes a moving image thumbnail based on a distribution rate that is adjusted so as to preferentially distribute a moving image thumbnail whose score calculated by the evaluating unit135is higher.

The acquiring unit136acquires various kinds of information. Specifically, the acquiring unit136acquires information on the usage of a moving image content corresponding to the moving image thumbnail in the user terminal10as a distribution destination of the moving image thumbnail generated by the generating unit132. The information on the usage in the user terminal10includes information on the user terminal10(that is, the user) and information on the usage of a content in the moving image distribution site.

The acquiring unit136acquires information on a user who operates the user terminal10, from the user terminal10that has accessed the moving image distribution site. Specifically, the acquiring unit136acquires attribute information, such as gender or age, of the user as the information on the user. The acquiring unit136may acquire user information, such as annual income, preference, or residence of the user. The acquiring unit136acquires the information on the user on the basis of a cookie or the like transmitted and received through access to the moving image distribution site. The acquiring unit136may acquire the user information by receiving the user information from a third party that manages the usage of the network or the user. The acquiring unit136stores the acquired user information in the user information storage unit122.

Furthermore, the acquiring unit136acquires information on the usage of a moving image thumbnail or a moving image content in the moving image distribution site. Specifically, the acquiring unit136acquires, as the information on the usage, the viewing start rate, the completion rate, or the bookmark rate of the moving image content for each moving image thumbnail. Specifically, the information on the usage of the content is not necessarily limited to the information indicating that the moving image thumbnail or the moving image content is played, but may include information on the usage, such as a state in which the moving image content is not played even though the moving image thumbnail is viewed. The acquiring unit136may acquire information on the usage when the moving image content is used via the moving image thumbnail. Consequently, the acquiring unit136can acquire information indicating an interconnection between the moving image thumbnail and the moving image content, such as how the moving image content is used because of viewing of the moving image thumbnail.

Furthermore, the acquiring unit136acquires the usage of the moving image content for each user attribute. Specifically, the acquiring unit136acquires a selection rate or the like for each user attribute, with respect to a user who has clicked the moving image thumbnail. The acquiring unit136stores the acquired information on the usage in the usage storage unit123.

Moreover, the acquiring unit136may acquire information other than the information illustrated inFIG. 6andFIG. 7. For example, the acquiring unit136may acquire, as the information on the usage, time information on a moment at which a user selects the moving image thumbnail, information on a duration in which the user views the moving image content, or information on the exit rate of the moving image content. If the acquiring unit136acquires the time information on a moment at which the user selects the moving image thumbnail, the generating unit132can generate a moving image thumbnail by using the acquired information. Specifically, because the moving image thumbnail is generated by being clipped out from the moving image content, the time information on a time point at which a click is performed is also used as information for specifying a time point in the moving image thumbnail and information for specifying a time point in the moving image content. Therefore, the generating unit132can generate a new moving image content on the basis of the time information.

The learning unit137performs learning to optimize a content to be distributed to a user. For example, the learning unit137performs learning about a correlation between the appeal effect of a moving image thumbnail corresponding to a certain moving image content and a user class, on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit136.

For example, it is assumed that the learning unit137classifies the user class by two elements “age and gender”. Specifically, the learning unit137classifies a user who has accessed the moving image distribution site by “age and gender”, and determines a user class to which the user belongs. For example, the learning unit137classifies the user U11illustrated inFIG. 6into a user class of (gender, age)=(male, 20's).

Then, the learning unit137learns the degree of the appeal effect to each user class, with respect to a certain moving image thumbnail as a target. As one example, the learning unit137counts the number of times the moving image thumbnail is clicked by each user class. Then, the learning unit137leans the appeal effect of the target moving image thumbnail by performing statistical processing on the counted number of clicks (that is, the number of times the moving image thumbnail is selected).

Furthermore, the learning unit137can learn a user class optimized for a moving image thumbnail through machine learning using a known technique. For example, the learning unit137builds a model formula in which correct answer data (in this example, a click on the moving image thumbnail) is on the left side, and each element including a weighted value and the user class is on the right side. Consequently, the learning unit137can learn a correlation between the click on the moving image thumbnail and each user class. According to the model formula as described above, the weighted value of the user class who is likely to do a click is increased with an increase in the number of distributions of the moving image thumbnail (that is, the number of samples in the model formula). Therefore, the learning unit137can derive the appeal effect of the moving image thumbnail for each user class. Furthermore, the learning unit137may link the weighted value in the above-described model formula with the distribution rate that is a rate at which a plurality of moving image thumbnails are distributed to the user class. Through the above-described learning process, a certain moving image thumbnail is more likely to be distributed to a user class for which the appeal effect of the moving image thumbnail is expected to increase.

In the course of the learning process, the learning unit137may perform adjustment such that a moving image thumbnail is distributed to random user classes, with respect to a predetermined percentage of distributions. For example, if optimized moving image thumbnails are distributed in response to all distribution requests, only a limited moving image thumbnail among a plurality of moving image thumbnails may be continuously distributed. For example, if there is a great difference in the appeal effect among the moving image thumbnails, the learning unit137may learn to distribute only a moving image thumbnail with the highest appeal effect. To prevent overlearning as described above, the learning unit137may perform a process of randomly distributing moving image thumbnails among a plurality of moving image thumbnails with respect to a predetermined percentage of distributions, in response to distribution requests.

Then, the learning unit137may calculate an index value for each moving image thumbnail on the basis of a result of learning. For example, the learning unit137calculates an appeal effect of each moving image thumbnail as a predetermined score. Then, the learning unit137causes the generating unit132to generate an alternative moving image thumbnail for a moving image thumbnail whose calculated score is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold. As described above, by eliminating a moving image thumbnail with a lower appeal effect, a moving image thumbnail with a higher appeal effect is clipped out. Alternatively, the generating unit132may generate a moving image thumbnail whose index value for a user as a distribution destination is expected to meet a predetermined condition, on the basis of a result of machine learning. The predetermined condition may be a condition in which the index value for the user as a distribution destination is higher than a predetermined threshold. For example, the generating unit132preferentially generates a moving image thumbnail whose index value for a user as a distribution destination is the highest on the basis of a result of the learning process. As described above, the generating unit132can generate a moving image thumbnail with a high appeal effect or preferentially select a moving image thumbnail with a high appeal effect by using a result of the learning process performed by the learning unit137. Consequently, it is possible to encourage a user to do viewing. The score may be calculated as a total score for all users or for each user class, with respect to each moving image thumbnail. The score is used for evaluation by the evaluating unit135.

A result of learning performed by the learning unit137is stored for each moving image content. The learning result stored for each moving image content may be used for other moving image contents. For example, if a plurality of moving image contents are a set of series dram or the like, the learning unit137may use the learning result of a single moving image content for other moving image contents of the same series. Consequently, in some cases, the generating unit132may be able to generate a moving image content with a high appeal effect before distribution of the moving image content. For example, if a moving image thumbnail clipped out at a predetermined time period has received a high evaluation in a certain moving image content, the generating unit132may perform a process of generating a moving image thumbnail by using a content around the same specific time period in a different moving image content.

Furthermore, in the above-described learning process, various known techniques may be used. For example, it may be possible to use, in the learning process, a method used in so-called targeted advertising in which an advertisement content is distributed to a specific user class in the case of advertisement distribution via the network.

4. Flow of Process

The flow of processes performed by the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment will be described below with reference toFIG. 10toFIG. 12. First, the flow of a process of generating a moving image thumbnail from a submitted moving image content will be described with reference toFIG. 10.FIG. 10is a first flowchart illustrating the flow of the process performed by the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, the submission accepting unit131accepts submission of a moving image content (Step S101). The generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail as a partial moving image used as a key image of the moving image content (Step S102). The generating unit132stores the moving image content and the generated moving image thumbnail in an associated manner (Step S103).

A process subsequent to the process illustrated inFIG. 10will be described below.FIG. 11is a second flowchart illustrating the flow of the process performed by the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment.

The receiving unit133determines whether the moving image distribution site has accepted an access from the user (Step S201). If the access has not been accepted (NO at Step S201), the receiving unit133waits until the access is accepted.

If the access has been accepted (YES at Step S201), the distributing unit134distributes a moving image thumbnail in accordance with a distribution request received by the receiving unit133(Step S202). Subsequently, the acquiring unit136determines whether a moving image content is used in the moving image distribution site (Step S203). If the moving image content is not used (NO at Step S203), the acquiring unit136waits until the moving image content is used.

If the moving image content is used (YES at Step S203), the acquiring unit136acquires information on the usage (Step S204). Subsequently, the learning unit137performs an optimization process on the basis of the acquired information (Step S205). Details of the optimization process will be described below with reference toFIG. 12. After the optimization process, the process returns to Step S201, and the above-described process is repeated.

The optimization process will be described in detail below.FIG. 12is a third flowchart illustrating the flow of the process performed by the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment.

The learning unit137evaluates the moving image thumbnail on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit136(Step S301). The learning unit137determines whether a moving image thumbnail with a predetermined score or lower is provided (Step S302).

If a moving image thumbnail with the predetermined score or lower is provided (YES at Step S302), the learning unit137causes the generating unit132to generate a new moving image thumbnail (Step S303).

Then, the learning unit137optimizes the distribution rates of a plurality of moving image thumbnails corresponding to the moving image content (Step S304). Even if a moving image thumbnail with the predetermined score or lower is not provided at Step S302(NO at Step S302), the process proceeds to Step S304.

The above-described generation apparatus100may be embodied in various different forms other than the above-described embodiment. Other embodiments of the generation apparatus100will be described below.

5-1. Social Graph

In the above-described embodiment, a process has been described in which information on an attribute of a user is acquired as the user information, and a moving image thumbnail optimized for each user class is generated. The user may be classified by a different element instead of an attribute, such as age.

For example, the user information storage unit122may store therein information on a social graph of the user. This will be described with reference toFIG. 13.FIG. 13is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information storage unit122according to a modification.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, the user information storage unit122according to the modification includes items such as “user ID” and “social graph attribute”.

The “user ID” corresponds to the item “user ID” illustrated inFIG. 6. The “social graph attribute” is information for identifying a social graph to which the user belongs.

Specifically,FIG. 13illustrates an example in which a user U21identified by a user ID “U21” belongs to a social graph attribute identified by “AAA”.

The social graph is information indicating correlations (connections) of users in a network environment. For example, the social graph is constructed by connections of information registered in a social networking service (SNS), information published in the SNS, and the like due to participation in the SNS. As an attribute of the social graph, a classification, such as social status of the user, property (real estate, a car, or the like) expected to be owned by the user, or connections of friends, may be used.

The generation apparatus100can optimize a moving image thumbnail to be distributed for each social graph attribute, by performing the learning process of the above-described embodiment for each social graph attribute. In the example illustrated inFIG. 13, a moving image thumbnail that is evaluated as having a high effect to the user U21is more likely to be distributed to a user U25or a user U26belonging to the same social graph attribute.

As described above, the generation apparatus100can optimize a moving image thumbnail by using a classification by the social graph attribute indicating the social connections, in addition to a classification by an attribute, such as age, of an individual user. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can generate and distribute a moving image thumbnail expected to achieve a high appeal effect to a wide range of user classes.

5-2. Display of Moving Image Thumbnail

InFIG. 2, an example has been described in which when a process of expressing the intention to do viewing, such as mouseover, is performed on a still image thumbnail displayed in a list on the moving image distribution site, viewing of the moving image thumbnail is started. However, the generation apparatus100may display a moving image thumbnail by a different method.

For example, the generation apparatus100may perform a process of randomly playing a moving image thumbnail in an automatic manner or in response to operation from among key images of the moving image content displayed in a list on the moving image distribution site. Specifically, a user can view the moving image thumbnail without performing a process of overlapping the still image thumbnail and the mouse cursor. Consequently, the user can view the moving image thumbnails as if the user changes channels of television. If the user is interested in a certain moving image content, the user can transmit a distribution request for the moving image content by expressing the intention to do viewing by any method, such as a click, a gesture, or voice, with respect to a corresponding moving image thumbnail.

5-3. Generation of Moving Image Thumbnail

In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail used as a key image of a moving image content from a part of the moving image content. However, a part of the moving image content need not be a consecutive part. For example, the generating unit132may clip out different partial moving images of five seconds at two positions as parts of a moving image content, and may generate a moving image thumbnail by combining the two partial moving images. Even in this case, it is possible to acquire information on a time point at which the moving image thumbnail is clicked, so that the evaluating unit135can perform an optimization process or the like as described in the embodiment. As described above, even when a moving image content includes a plurality of time points at which a click is likely to be performed, the generation apparatus100can generate a moving image thumbnail from a plurality of partial moving images containing parts around the time points. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can flexibly generate a moving image thumbnail in accordance with the appeal effect of the moving image thumbnail or the like.

5-4. Web Server

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the generation apparatus100provides a moving image distribution site. However, the moving image distribution site may be provided by a web server different from the generation apparatus100. In this case, the generation apparatus100distributes a predetermined content to the web server in accordance with a request transmitted from the web server.

5-5. Acquisition of Usage

As described above, the acquiring unit136can acquire information indicating a time point to which the user views the moving image content and a time point at which the user exits from the moving image content. Then, the evaluating unit135may evaluate the appeal effect of the moving image thumbnail in accordance with a viewing time of the moving image content, in addition to using the start of viewing of the moving image content as an index value. Furthermore, the acquiring unit136may acquire a stay time during which a line of sight stays on the moving image thumbnail and the moving image content by an eye tracking method for analyzing movement of the line of sight of the user on the moving image distribution site. As described above, the acquiring unit136can acquire various kinds of information as the information on the usage.

5-6. Acquisition of User Information

In the generation process according to the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the acquiring unit136acquires the user information when the user terminal10accesses the moving image distribution site provided by the generation apparatus100. However, the acquiring unit136may acquire the user information from the user terminal10other than when the user terminal10accesses the moving image distribution site provided by the generation apparatus100. This will be described below.

For example, if the moving image distribution site accessed by the user terminal10is provided by a predetermined web server managed by the same management apparatus that manages the generation apparatus100(for example, a front-end server of the generation apparatus100), the acquiring unit136can acquire the user information from the user terminal10. Specifically, when accessing a moving image distribution site provided by a certain web server managed by the management apparatus, the user terminal10transmits the user information on the user terminal10to the management apparatus. This is realized by transmitting a cookie from the user terminal10to the management apparatus. In this case, the user information transmitted by the user terminal10is transmitted to the generation apparatus100via the management apparatus. Consequently, the acquiring unit136of the generation apparatus100can acquire the user information on the user terminal10without via the generation apparatus100. The acquiring unit136can identify each of the user terminals10by checking the above-described cookie or the device ID that is set in advance in the user terminal10.

5-7. User Class

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the generation apparatus100classifies a user into a predetermined user class on the basis of the user attribute information. For example, in the embodiment, an example has been described in which the generation apparatus100classifies the user into a user class by “age” or “gender”. The generation apparatus100may classify the user by using a different kind of user information. For example, the generation apparatus100may classify the user by using “residence”, “annual income”, or “preference” included in the user information. Furthermore, the generation apparatus100may arbitrarily set a user class by combining elements in the user information. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can generate a moving image thumbnail appropriate for a wide range of user classes.

6. Hardware Configuration

The generation apparatus100according to the above-described embodiment is implemented by, for example, a computer1000with a configuration as illustrated inFIG. 14. In the following, a description will be given by using the generation apparatus100as an example.FIG. 14is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the computer1000that implements the functions of the generation apparatus100. The computer1000includes a CPU1100, a RAM1200, a ROM1300, an HDD1400, a communication interface (I/F)1500, an input/output I/F1600, and a media I/F1700.

The CPU1100operates based on a program stored in the ROM1300or the HDD1400, and controls each of units. The ROM1300stores therein a boot program executed by the CPU1100when the computer1000is activated, a program that depends on the hardware of the computer1000, and the like.

The HDD1400stores therein a program executed by the CPU1100, data used by the program, and the like. The communication I/F1500receives data from other devices via a communication network500(corresponding to the network N illustrated inFIG. 3), sends the data to the CPU1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU1100to other devices via the communication network500.

The CPU1100controls an output device, such as a display or a printer, and an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse, via the input/output I/F1600. The CPU1100acquires data from the input device via the input/output I/F1600. The CPU1100outputs generated data to the output device via the input/output I/F1600.

The media I/F1700reads a program or data stored in a recording medium1800, and provides the program or the data to the CPU1100via the RAM1200. The CPU1100loads the program onto the RAM1200from the recording medium1800via the media I/F1700, and executes the loaded program. The recording medium1800may be, for example, an optical recording medium such as a digital versatile disk (DVD) or a phase change rewritable disk (PD), a magneto-optical recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk (MO), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

For example, when the computer1000functions as the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment, the CPU1100of the computer1000implements the functions of the control unit130by executing the program loaded on the RAM1200. Furthermore, the HDD1400stores therein data stored in the storage unit120. While the CPU1100of the computer1000reads the program from the recording medium1800and executes the program, the program may be acquired from other devices via the communication network500as another example.

Of the processes described in the embodiment, all or part of a process described as being performed automatically may also be performed manually. Alternatively, all or part of a process described as being performed manually may also be performed automatically by known methods. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various kinds of data and parameters illustrated in the above-described document and drawings may be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. For example, various kinds of information illustrated in the drawings are not limited to the information illustrated in the drawings.

The components of the apparatuses illustrated in the drawings are functionally conceptual and do not necessarily have to be physically configured in the manner illustrated in the drawings. In other words, specific forms of distribution and integration of the apparatuses are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings, and all or part of the apparatuses may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in arbitrary units depending on various loads or use conditions. For example, the acquiring unit136and the learning unit137illustrated inFIG. 4may be integrated with each other. Furthermore, for example, the information stored in the storage unit120may be stored in an external storage device via the network N.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which, for example, the generation apparatus100performs an accepting process of accepting submission of a moving image content, a generation process of generating a moving image thumbnail to be distributed, and a distribution process of distributing the moving image thumbnail. However, the above-described generation apparatus100may be separated into an accepting device that performs the accepting process, a generating device that performs the generation process, and a distributing device that performs the distribution process. In this case, the accepting device includes the submission accepting unit131. The generating device includes the generating unit132and the evaluating unit135. The distributing device includes the receiving unit133and the distributing unit134. In this case, the above-described processes performed by the generation apparatus100are implemented by the generation processing system1including the accepting device, the generating device, and the distributing device.

Furthermore, the embodiments and the modifications described above may be combined appropriately as long as the processes do not conflict with each other.

As described above, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment includes the generating unit132and the acquiring unit136. The acquiring unit136acquires information on usage of a moving image content corresponding to a moving image thumbnail used as a key image of the moving image content in the user terminal10that is a distribution destination of the moving image thumbnail. The generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail corresponding to the moving image content on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit136.

As described above, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment acquires the usage of the content by the user, and generates a moving image thumbnail corresponding to the acquired information. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can generate a moving image thumbnail personalized for the user. Therefore, according to the generation apparatus100, it is possible to provide a moving image thumbnail with a high appeal effect to the user, enabling to encourage the user to view a distributed content.

Furthermore, the acquiring unit136acquires, as the information on the usage, information on a user corresponding to the user terminal10. The generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail corresponding to each user class classified by user attribute information, on the basis of the acquired information on the user.

Consequently, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment can flexibly generate a moving image thumbnail corresponding to various user classes. Therefore, the generation apparatus100can generate and select a moving image thumbnail effective to users with the similar attributes. That is, the generation apparatus100can generate a moving image thumbnail targeted to a user.

Moreover, the acquiring unit136acquires, as the information on the user, a social graph that is information indicating a correlation of users in a network environment. The generating unit132generates the moving image thumbnail corresponding to each user class classified by the social graph.

As described above, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment classifies a user into a user class by using various kinds of user information. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can generate a moving image thumbnail corresponding to a social graph attribute that is a user class having a common interest. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the appeal effect of a moving image thumbnail to be generated.

The generation apparatus100according to the embodiment further includes the evaluating unit135that evaluates a moving image thumbnail by an index value (score) indicating an impact of the moving image thumbnail on viewing of the moving image content, on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit136. Furthermore, the generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail from the moving image content on the basis of a result of evaluation performed by the evaluating unit135.

As described above, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment evaluates the generated moving image thumbnail and generates a moving image thumbnail based on the evaluation result. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can eliminate, for example, a moving image thumbnail with a low evaluation, and can generate an alternative moving image thumbnail. Therefore, it is possible to improve the effect achieved by the moving image thumbnails as a whole.

Furthermore, the evaluating unit135performs machine learning about a correlation between the index value and information on a user who operates the user terminal10. The generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail for which the index value with respect to a user as a distribution destination is expected to meet a predetermined condition, on the basis of a result of the machine learning.

As described above, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment performs machine learning on the generated moving image thumbnail, and optimizes the effect of the moving image thumbnail. For example, the generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail for which the index value with respect to the user as a distribution destination is expected to be the highest. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can preferentially generate and select a moving image thumbnail with a high evaluation. Therefore, it is possible to encourage use of a moving image content, such as the moving image distribution site, by the moving image thumbnail.

The generation apparatus100according to the embodiment distributes the moving image thumbnail to the user terminal10, in accordance with a distribution rate that is calculated based on the result of the evaluation performed by the evaluating unit135.

As described above, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment can adjust a rate of a moving image thumbnail to be distributed, on the basis of the evaluation of the moving image thumbnail. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can optimize not only the generation process but also the effect of distribution of the already-generated moving image thumbnail.

Furthermore, the acquiring unit136acquires, as the information on the usage, at least one of a rate at which a user selects the moving image thumbnail, a completion rate of a moving image content viewed via the moving image thumbnail, and a bookmark rate of the moving image content. The generating unit132generates a moving image thumbnail on the basis of the information on the usage acquired by the acquiring unit136.

As described above, the generation apparatus100according to the embodiment acquires various kinds of information generated in accordance with use by the user, and generates a moving image thumbnail on the basis of the acquired information. Consequently, the generation apparatus100can generate a moving image thumbnail from various viewpoints. For example, the generation apparatus100may generate a moving image thumbnail expected to most encourage the start of viewing, or a moving image thumbnail expected to achieve the highest completion rate.

Furthermore, “a unit” recited in the claims may be replaced with “a section, a module, or a means” or “a circuit”. For example, the acquiring unit may be replaced with an acquiring means or an acquiring circuit.

According to an embodiment, it is possible to encourage a user to view a distributed content.