Patent Publication Number: US-2003223468-A1

Title: Service providing system, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTTON  
       [0001] The present invention relates generally to a service providing system, an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program and, more particularly, to a service providing system, an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program which reproduce video with higher fidelity than that provided by related-art technologies.  
       [0002] In carrying out authoring of video data and audio data at a conventional broadcasting station, editors who perform authoring must grasp the characteristics of the professional-use equipment such as cameras by means of their experience or by learning from other experienced editors for example, thereby performing editing jobs in accordance with equipment characteristics thus obtained.  
       [0003] However, in understanding the equipment characteristics by the conventional methods as described above, each editor has to be well experienced in equipment handling or have people around him who are well experienced in equipment handling, which present problems of making it difficult for each editor to get the equipment characteristics with ease.  
       [0004] In addition, the equipment characteristics based on own experience and the knowledge from other people do not always provide correct information.  
       [0005] Moreover, it has not been practiced so far to correct the captured video for example by the correct characteristics data of each equipment such as a camera.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide the reproduction of video with higher fidelity.  
       [0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide the reproduction of video with fidelity.  
       [0008] According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service providing system configured by a first information processing apparatus for managing correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus, a second information processing apparatus for multiplexing the correction information with the video data and broadcasting the multiplexed video data as a broadcast, and a third information processing apparatus for receiving the broadcast,  
       [0009] the first information processing apparatus including:  
       [0010] storage means for storing the correction information; and  
       [0011] transmitting means for transmitting the correction information from the storage means to the second information processing apparatus,  
       [0012] the second information processing apparatus including:  
       [0013] first receiving means for receiving the correction information from the first information processing apparatus; and  
       [0014] broadcasting means for multiplexing the correction information with the video data captured by the imaging apparatus and broadcasting the multiplexed video data, and  
       [0015] the third information processing apparatus including:  
       [0016] second receiving means for receiving the multiplexed video data broadcast by the second information processing apparatus; and  
       [0017] correcting means for correcting the video data by the correction information multiplexed with the video data received by the second receiving means.  
       [0018] According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:  
       [0019] storage means for storing correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data captured by the imaging apparatus; and  
       [0020] transmitting means for transmitting the correction information from the storage means to first another information processing apparatus.  
       [0021] According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of:  
       [0022] storing correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus; and  
       [0023] transmitting the correction information stored by the storage step to another information processing apparatus.  
       [0024] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer-readable program including the steps of:  
       [0025] storage control for controlling storage of correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus; and  
       [0026] transmission control for controlling transmission of the correction information stored by the storage control step to another information processing apparatus.  
       [0027] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of:  
       [0028] storage control for controlling storage of correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus; and  
       [0029] transmission control for controlling transmission of the correction information stored by the storage control step to another information processing apparatus.  
       [0030] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:  
       [0031] receiving means for receiving correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus from a first another information apparatus; and  
       [0032] broadcasting means for multiplexing the video data taken by the imaging apparatus with the correction information for broadcasting.  
       [0033] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of:  
       [0034] receiving correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus from another information apparatus; and  
       [0035] multiplexing the video data taken by the imaging apparatus with the correction information for broadcasting.  
       [0036] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer-readable program including the steps of:  
       [0037] reception control for receiving correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus from another information apparatus; and  
       [0038] broadcasting control for multiplexing the video data taken by the imaging apparatus with the correction information for broadcasting.  
       [0039] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of:  
       [0040] reception control for receiving correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus from another information apparatus; and  
       [0041] broadcasting control for multiplexing the video data taken by the imaging apparatus with the correction information for broadcasting.  
       [0042] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for receiving a broadcast in which correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus is multiplexed with the video data, including:  
       [0043] receiving means for receiving the video data broadcast by a first another information processing apparatus; and  
       [0044] correcting means for correcting the video data by the correction information multiplexed with the video data received by the receiving means.  
       [0045] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for an information processing apparatus for receiving a broadcast in which correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus is multiplexed with the video data, including the steps of:  
       [0046] receiving the video data broadcast by another information processing apparatus; and  
       [0047] correcting the video data by the correction information multiplexed with the video data received by the receiving step.  
       [0048] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer-readable program for an information processing apparatus for receiving a broadcast in which correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus is multiplexed with the video data, including the steps of:  
       [0049] reception control for receiving the video data broadcast by another information processing apparatus; and  
       [0050] correction control for correcting the video data by the correction information multiplexed with the video data received by the reception control step.  
       [0051] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer for controlling an information processing apparatus for receiving a broadcast in which correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus is multiplexed with the video data to execute the steps of:  
       [0052] reception control for receiving the video data broadcast by another information processing apparatus; and  
       [0053] correction control for correcting the video data by the correction information multiplexed with the video data received by the reception control step.  
       [0054] According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service providing system configured by a first information processing apparatus for managing correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus, a second information processing apparatus multiplexing identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus with the video data and broadcasting the multiplexed video data as a broadcast, and a third information processing apparatus for receiving the broadcast,  
       [0055] the first information processing apparatus including:  
       [0056] storage means for storing the correction information as related with the identification information;  
       [0057] first receiving means for receiving a request for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information from the third information processing apparatus; and  
       [0058] transmitting means for transmitting the correction information stored by the storage means as related with the identification information to the third information processing apparatus if the request is received by the first receiving means,  
       [0059] the second information processing apparatus including:  
       [0060] broadcasting means for multiplexing the identification information with the video data taken by the imaging apparatus for broadcasting, and  
       [0061] the third information processing apparatus including:  
       [0062] second receiving means for receiving the video data broadcast by the second information processing apparatus;  
       [0063] reading means for reading the identification information multiplexed with the video data received by the second receiving means;  
       [0064] requesting means for requesting the first information processing apparatus for the correction information corresponding to the identification information read by the reading means;  
       [0065] third receiving means for receiving the correction information from the first information processing apparatus; and  
       [0066] correcting means for correcting the video data by the correction information received by the third receiving means.  
       [0067] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:  
       [0068] storage means for storing correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus, as related with identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus;  
       [0069] receiving means for receiving a request from another information processing apparatus for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information; and  
       [0070] transmitting means for transmitting the correction information stored by the storage means as related with the identification information to the another information processing apparatus if the request is received by the receiving means.  
       [0071] According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of:  
       [0072] storing correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus, as related with identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus;  
       [0073] receiving a request from another information processing apparatus for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information; and  
       [0074] transmitting the correction information stored by the storage step as related with the identification information to the another information processing apparatus if the request is received by the receiving step.  
       [0075] According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer-readable program including the steps of:  
       [0076] storage control for storing correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus, as related with identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus;  
       [0077] reception control for receiving a request from another information processing apparatus for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information; and  
       [0078] transmission control for transmitting the correction information stored by the storage control step as related with the identification information to the another information processing apparatus if the request is received by the reception control step.  
       [0079] According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of:  
       [0080] storage control for storing correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus, as related with identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus;  
       [0081] reception control for receiving a request from another information processing apparatus for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information; and  
       [0082] transmission control for transmitting the correction information stored by the storage control step as related with the identification information to the another information processing apparatus if the request is received by the reception control step.  
       [0083] According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:  
       [0084] broadcasting means for multiplexing video data taken by an imaging apparatus with identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus and broadcasting the resultant video data.  
       [0085] According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the step of:  
       [0086] multiplexing video data taken by an imaging apparatus with identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus and broadcasting the resultant video data.  
       [0087] According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer-readable program including the step of:  
       [0088] multiplexing video data taken by an imaging apparatus with identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus and broadcasting the resultant video data.  
       [0089] According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the step of:  
       [0090] multiplexing video data taken by an imaging apparatus with identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus and broadcasting the resultant video data.  
       [0091] According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:  
       [0092] first receiving means for receiving video data broadcast by a first another information processing apparatus;  
       [0093] reading means for reading identification information for identifying an imaging apparatus multiplexed with the video data received by the first receiving means;  
       [0094] requesting means for requesting a second another information processing apparatus for correction information corresponding to the identification information read by the reading means for correcting the video data;  
       [0095] second receiving means for receiving the correction information from the second information processing apparatus; and  
       [0096] correcting means for correcting the video data by the correction information received by the second receiving means.  
       [0097] According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of:  
       [0098] receiving video data broadcast by a first another information processing apparatus;  
       [0099] reading identification information for identifying an imaging apparatus multiplexed with the video data received by the first receiving step;  
       [0100] requesting a second another information processing apparatus for correction information corresponding to the identification information read by the reading step for correcting the video data;  
       [0101] receiving the correction information from the second another information processing apparatus; and  
       [0102] correcting the video data by the correction information received by the second receiving step.  
       [0103] According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer-readable program including the steps of:  
       [0104] reception control for receiving video data broadcast by a first another information processing apparatus;  
       [0105] read control for reading identification information for identifying an imaging apparatus multiplexed with the video data received by the first reception control step;  
       [0106] request control for requesting a second another information processing apparatus for correction information corresponding to the identification information read by the read control step for correcting the video data;  
       [0107] reception control for receiving the correction information from the second information processing apparatus; and  
       [0108] correction control for correcting the video data by the correction information received by the second reception control step.  
       [0109] According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of:  
       [0110] reception control for receiving video data broadcast by a first another information processing apparatus;  
       [0111] read control for reading identification information for identifying an imaging apparatus multiplexed with the video data received by the first reception control step;  
       [0112] request control for requesting a second another information processing apparatus for correction information corresponding to the identification information read by the read control step for correcting the video data;  
       [0113] reception control for receiving the correction information from the second another information processing apparatus; and  
       [0114] correction control for correcting the video data by the correction information received by the second reception control step.  
       [0115] According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service providing system configured by a first information processing apparatus for managing correction information unique to each model of imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus, a second information processing apparatus for taking video data with the imaging apparatus to create content, and a third information processing apparatus for correcting the video data taken by the imaging apparatus,  
       [0116] the first information processing apparatus including:  
       [0117] recording means for recording identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus to the imaging apparatus;  
       [0118] storage means for storing the correction information as related with the identification information;  
       [0119] first receiving means for receiving a request for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information from the third information processing apparatus; and  
       [0120] first transmitting means for transmitting the correction information stored by the storage means as related with the identification information to the third information processing apparatus if the request is received by the first receiving means,  
       [0121] the second information processing apparatus including:  
       [0122] first requesting means for transmitting the video data taken by the imaging apparatus and the identification information to the third information processing apparatus to request for the correction of the video data; and  
       [0123] second receiving means for receiving the corrected video data from the third information processing apparatus, and  
       [0124] the third information processing apparatus including:  
       [0125] third receiving means for receiving the video data, the identification information, and the request for the correction of the video data from the second information processing apparatus;  
       [0126] second requesting means for requesting the first information processing apparatus for the correction information corresponding to the identification information received by the third receiving means;  
       [0127] fourth receiving means for receiving the correction information from the first information processing apparatus;  
       [0128] correcting means for correcting the video data by the correction information received by the fourth receiving means; and  
       [0129] second transmitting means for transmitting the video data corrected by the correcting means to second information processing apparatus.  
       [0130] According to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:  
       [0131] recording means for recording identification information for identifying an imaging apparatus to the imaging apparatus;  
       [0132] storage means for storing correction information unique to each model of the imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus as related with the identification information;  
       [0133] receiving means for receiving from another information processing apparatus a request for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information; and  
       [0134] transmitting means for transmitting the correction information stored by the storage means as related with the identification information to the another information processing apparatus if the request is received by the receiving means.  
       [0135] According to the twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of:  
       [0136] recording identification information for identifying an imaging apparatus to the imaging apparatus;  
       [0137] storing correction information unique to each model of the imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus as related with the identification information;  
       [0138] receiving from another information processing apparatus a request for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information; and  
       [0139] transmitting the correction information stored by the storage step as related with the identification information to the another information processing apparatus if the request is received by the receiving step.  
       [0140] According to the thirtieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer-readable program including the steps of:  
       [0141] recording control for recording identification information for identifying an imaging apparatus to the imaging apparatus;  
       [0142] storage control for storing correction information unique to each model of the imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus as related with the identification information;  
       [0143] reception control for receiving from another information processing apparatus a request for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information; and  
       [0144] transmission control for transmitting the correction information stored by the storage control step as related with the identification information to the another information processing apparatus if the request is received by the reception control step.  
       [0145] According to the thirty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of:  
       [0146] recording control for recording identification information for identifying an imaging apparatus to the imaging apparatus;  
       [0147] storage control for storing correction information unique to each model of the imaging apparatus for correcting video data taken by the imaging apparatus as related with the identification information;  
       [0148] reception control for receiving from another information processing apparatus a request for the transmission of the correction information corresponding to the identification information; and  
       [0149] transmission control for transmitting the correction information stored by the storage control step as related with the identification information to the another information processing apparatus if the request is received by the reception control step.  
       [0150] According to the thirty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for taking video data by an imaging apparatus to create content, including:  
       [0151] requesting means for requesting the transmission of the video data taken by the imaging apparatus and identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus to another information processing apparatus to request for the correction of the video data; and  
       [0152] receiving means for receiving the corrected video data from the another information processing apparatus.  
       [0153] According to the thirty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for information processing apparatus for taking video data by an imaging apparatus to create content, including the steps of:  
       [0154] requesting the transmission of the video data taken by the imaging apparatus and identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus to another information processing apparatus to request for the correction of the video data; and  
       [0155] receiving the corrected video data from the another information processing apparatus.  
       [0156] According to the thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer-readable program for an information processing apparatus for taking video data by an imaging apparatus to create content, including the steps of:  
       [0157] request control for requesting the transmission of the video data taken by the imaging apparatus and identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus to another information processing apparatus to request for the correction of the video data; and  
       [0158] reception control for receiving the corrected video data from the another information processing apparatus.  
       [0159] According to the thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer for an information processing apparatus for taking video data by an imaging apparatus to create content to execute the steps of:  
       [0160] request control for requesting the transmission of the video data taken by the imaging apparatus and identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus to another information processing apparatus to request for the correction of the video data; and  
       [0161] reception control for receiving the corrected video data from the another information processing apparatus.  
       [0162] According to the thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:  
       [0163] first receiving means for receiving video data taken by an imaging apparatus, identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus, and a request for the correction of the video data from a first another apparatus;  
       [0164] requesting means for requesting a second another information processing apparatus for correction information unique to each model of the imaging apparatus for correcting the video data taken by the imaging apparatus, the correction information corresponding to the identification information received by the first receiving means;  
       [0165] second receiving means for receiving the correction information from the second another information processing apparatus;  
       [0166] correcting means for correcting the video data by the correction information received by the second receiving means; and  
       [0167] transmitting means for transmitting the video data corrected by the correcting means to the first another information processing apparatus.  
       [0168] According to the thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of:  
       [0169] receiving video data taken by an imaging apparatus, identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus, and a request for the correction of the video data from a first another information processing apparatus;  
       [0170] requesting a second another information processing apparatus for correction information unique to each model of the imaging apparatus for correcting the video data taken by the imaging apparatus, the correction information corresponding to the identification information received by the first receiving step;  
       [0171] receiving the correction information from the second another information processing apparatus;  
       [0172] correcting the video data by the correction information received by the second receiving step; and  
       [0173] transmitting the video data corrected by the correcting step to the first another information processing apparatus.  
       [0174] According to the thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer-readable program including the steps of:  
       [0175] reception control for receiving video data taken by an imaging apparatus, identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus, and a request for the correction of the video data from a first another information processing apparatus;  
       [0176] request control for requesting a second another information processing apparatus for correction information unique to each model of the imaging apparatus for correcting the video data taken by the imaging apparatus, the correction information corresponding to the identification information received by the first reception control step;  
       [0177] reception control for receiving the correction information from the second another information processing apparatus;  
       [0178] correction control for correcting the video data by the correction information received by the second reception control step; and  
       [0179] transmission control for transmitting the video data corrected by the correction control step to the first another information processing apparatus.  
       [0180] According to the thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of:  
       [0181] reception control for receiving video data taken by an imaging apparatus, identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus, and a request for the correction of the video data from a first another apparatus;  
       [0182] request control for requesting a second another information processing apparatus for correction information unique to each model of the imaging apparatus for correcting the video data taken by the imaging apparatus, the correction information corresponding to the identification information received by the first reception control step;  
       [0183] reception control for receiving the correction information from the second another information processing apparatus;  
       [0184] correction control for correcting the video data by the correction information received by the second reception control step; and  
       [0185] transmission control for transmitting the video data corrected by the correction control step to the first another information processing apparatus. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0186] These and other objects of the invention will be seen by reference to the description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:  
     [0187]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a service providing system practiced as one embodiment of the invention;  
     [0188]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of the services to be provided by the service providing system of FIG. 1;  
     [0189]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an external view of an omnidirectional camera;  
     [0190]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the omnidirectional camera;  
     [0191]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a camera VTR maker server;  
     [0192]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a hardware data center server;  
     [0193]FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a set-top box maker server;  
     [0194]FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a broadcasting station server;  
     [0195]FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a video tape recorder;  
     [0196]FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an STB (set-top box);  
     [0197]FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a transmitting apparatus;  
     [0198]FIG. 12 is a flowchart describing device ID registration processing;  
     [0199]FIG. 13 is a flowchart describing authentication key acquisition processing;  
     [0200]FIG. 14 is a flowchart describing authentication key embedding processing to be executed by an STB maker server;  
     [0201]FIG. 15 is a flowchart describing meta data acquisition processing;  
     [0202]FIG. 16 is a flowchart describing imaging recording processing;  
     [0203]FIG. 17 is a flowchart describing broadcasting processing;  
     [0204]FIG. 18 is a flowchart describing viewing processing to be executed by the STB;  
     [0205]FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a service providing system practiced as another embodiment of the invention;  
     [0206]FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of services to be provided by the service providing system of FIG. 19;  
     [0207]FIG. 21 is another flowchart describing the broadcasting processing;  
     [0208]FIG. 22 is a flowchart describing viewing processing;  
     [0209]FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a service providing system practiced as still another embodiment of the invention;  
     [0210]FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a service providing system practiced as yet another embodiment of the invention;  
     [0211]FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of services to be provided by the service providing system of FIG. 24;  
     [0212]FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a content provider server;  
     [0213]FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an authoring studio server;  
     [0214]FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an authoring apparatus;  
     [0215]FIG. 29 is a flowchart describing the correction processing by the content provider server;  
     [0216]FIG. 30 is a flowchart describing the correction processing by the authoring studio server;  
     [0217]FIG. 31 is a flowchart describing the correction processing by an HDC (hardware data center) server;  
     [0218]FIG. 32 is a flowchart describing the correction processing by a finance server;  
     [0219]FIG. 33 is a flowchart describing the correction processing by the authoring apparatus;  
     [0220]FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a service providing system practiced as a different embodiment of the invention; and  
     [0221]FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of services to be provided by the service providing system of FIG. 34. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0222] The present invention will be described in further detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Now, with reference to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary configuration of a service providing system to which the present invention is applied.  
     [0223] In this service providing system, a finance server  16 , a camera VTR maker server  33  of a camera VTR maker  11 , a hardware data center server  35 , an STB (set-top box) maker server  51  of an STB maker  12 , and a broadcasting station server  61  of a broadcasting station  13  are connected to a network  10  such as the Internet.  
     [0224] The camera VTR maker  11  manufactures an omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  and a VTR (Video Tape Recorder)  32 - 1  and sells them to the broadcasting station  13  for example. The camera VTR maker server  33  in the camera VTR maker  11  records a device ID for identifying the product type and the product itself to a predetermined recording medium in each manufactured omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  or VTR  32 - 1 . Also, the camera VTR maker server  33  gets the meta data (details of which will be described later) corresponding to the product type and requests an HDC (hardware data server)  35  to store the device ID and the acquired meta data in a related manner.  
     [0225] The HDC server  35  in the camera VTR maker  11  stores and manages, in a related manner, the device ID and meta data received from the camera VTR maker server  33  and the authentication key issued by the HDC server  35 . If a request for an authentication key comes from the STB maker server  51 , the HDC server  35  supplies the requested authentication key. In addition, if a request for meta data comes from the broadcasting station server  61 , the HDC server  35  supplies the requested meta data and the authentication key.  
     [0226] The STB maker  12  manufactures an STB  52 - 1  and sells it to a user  15 . The STB maker server  51  in the STB maker  12  gets the authentication key from the HDC server  35  and records it to a predetermined recording medium in the manufactured STB  52 - 1 . The STB maker server  51  accesses the finance server  16  to execute the processing of remitting fees to a predetermined account.  
     [0227] The broadcasting station  13  purchases an omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and a VTR  32 - 2  from the camera VTR maker  11  and, by use of the purchased omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and VTR  32 - 2 , takes and records omnidirectional images. The broadcasting station  13  multiplexes the recorded omnidirectional image with the meta data to broadcast the resultant image from a transmitting apparatus  62  via a broadcasting satellite for example.  
     [0228] The broadcasting station server  61  in the broadcasting station  13  gets the meta data and authentication key from the HDC server  35  and supplies the obtained meta data and authentication key to the transmitting apparatus  62  in a predetermined timing relation. The broadcasting station server  61  accesses the finance server  16  to execute the processing of paying the fee to a predetermined account.  
     [0229] The finance server  16  is a server installed at a bank or a finance company and executes the processing of paying fees (charging a predetermined account for the fee) to a predetermined account upon request from another server via the network  10 .  
     [0230] The STB  52 - 2  purchased by the user  15  receives a broadcast transmitted from the transmitting apparatus  62  of the broadcasting station  13  and compares the authentication key included in the data in the broadcast (hereafter referred to as broadcast data) with the authentication key held in the STB  52 - 2  to determine whether or not the video data included in the received broadcast data are correctible. If the video data are found correctible, the STB  52 - 2  corrects the video data included in the broadcast data by the meta data multiplexed with the broadcast data and outputs the corrected video data to a television receiver  14  for displaying the corrected video data thereon.  
     [0231] It should be noted that, in what follows, if the omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  optical disk apparatus  1  and the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  need not be distinguished from each other, they will be generically referred to as an omnidirectional camera  31 . The same also holds with the other apparatuses.  
     [0232] The following describes an overview of the service provision processing to be executed by the service providing system of the present invention with reference to FIG. 2.  
     [0233] In step S 21  of FIG. 2, the camera VTR maker server  33  records the device IDs to the recording media in the omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  and the VTR  32 - 1  manufactured by the camera VTR maker  11  and, at the same time, requests the HDC server  35  to store the meta data for correcting the video data so that the video data captured and recorded by the omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  and the VTR  32 - 1  may be reproduced more clearly. The meta data are inputted by the manufacturer of the omnidirectional camera  31  for example and are stored as related with the device ID. In response to the request from the camera VTR maker server  33 , the HDC server  35  stores the received meta data and the device ID in a related manner. At the same time, the HDC server  35  issues an authentication key and stores it as related with the device ID and the meta data.  
     [0234] In step S 22 , the camera VTR maker  11  delivers the required omnidirectional camera  31  and the VTR  32  to the broadcasting station  13 . In step S 23 , the broadcasting station  13  pays the cost of the delivered omnidirectional camera  31  and VTR  32  to the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0235] In step S 24 , in response to the request from the STB maker server  51 , the HDC server  35  sends the stored authentication key to the STB maker server  51 . The STB maker server  51  stores the received authentication key and, in step S 25 , accesses the finance server  16  to execute the processing of remitting a predetermined fee into the account of the camera VTR maker  11  for the provision of the authentication key.  
     [0236] Next, the STB maker server  51  records the acquired authentication key to a predetermined recording medium in the STB  52 - 1  manufactured by the STB maker  12 .  
     [0237] In step S 26 , the STB maker  12  sells the STB  52 - 1  recorded with the authentication key to the user  15 . In step S 27 , the user  15  pays the cost of the STB  52 - 1  to the STB maker  12 . Actually, the STB  52  is sold at electrical appliance stores for example through given distribution channels.  
     [0238] In step S 28 , the broadcasting station server  61  sends the device IDs of the omnidirectional camera  31  and the VTR  32  purchased in step S 22  to the HDC server  35  and gets the meta data and authentication key stored in the HDC server  35  in a related manner.  
     [0239] In step S 29 , the broadcasting station server  61  accesses the finance server  16  to execute the processing of paying a predetermined fee into the account of the camera VTR maker  11  for the provision of the meta data and authentication key.  
     [0240] In step S 30 , in the broadcasting station  13 , predetermined imaging processing is executed with the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  purchased from the camera VTR maker  11  and the captured image and audio data are recorded to a predetermined recording medium with the VTR  32 - 2 . It should be noted that the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and the device ID of the VTR  32 - 2  are also recorded along with the image and audio data to the recording medium.  
     [0241] In step S 31 , the VTR  32 - 2  sends the video and audio data and the device IDs recorded in step S 30  to the transmitting apparatus  62 . In step S 32 , the broadcasting station server  61  sends the meta data and authentication key acquired from the HDC server  35  in step S 28  to the transmitting apparatus  62 .  
     [0242] In step S 33 , the transmitting apparatus  62  multiplexes the received video and audio data, meta data, and authentication key together and broadcasts the multiplexed data and key via satellite broadcasting for example. Receiving the satellite broadcast, the STB  52 - 2  determines whether or not the authentication key included in the broadcast matches the authentication key recorded to the STB  52 - 2  and, if a match is found, corrects the video data included in the broadcast data by the meta data multiplexed with the broadcast data. Then, in step S 34 , the STB  52 - 2  outputs the corrected video data to the television receiver  14  for display thereon.  
     [0243] As described above, the service providing apparatus according to the invention allows the optimum video correction for every model of camera. Consequently, the user may view better video.  
     [0244] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an external view of the omnidirectional camera  31 . As shown in FIG. 3, the omnidirectional camera  31  includes eight cameras  81 A through  81 H which are equidistantly arranged around an octagonal prism in predetermined radial directions and eight planar reflectors  82  arranged around an octagonal pyramid such that they reflect the lights to the corresponding cameras. It should be noted that the cameras  81 A through  81 H are also arranged such that their projection centers match at the proximity of the omnidirectional camera  31  and the sight line directions of the cameras are separated from each other by a predetermined angle on the same plane.  
     [0245] When each of the cameras  81 A through  81 H takes a picture reflected from its reflector, the omnidirectional camera  31  totally captures a mirror image panning 360 degrees in the horizontal direction. The video taken by each of the cameras  81 A through  81 H is captured into the computer via a video capture card as computer data (a bit map file) to be linked to the other videos taken by the other cameras into one omnidirectional video panning 360 degrees in the horizontal direction.  
     [0246] When the omnidirectional video thus generated is distributed by means of ground wave broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, cable television broadcasting, or high definition television broadcasting for example, the STB  52 - 2  extracts the angle of view specified by the user  15  and displays the extracted view on the television receiver  14 . At this moment, the joint between the videos is not identifiable by the user, so that the user can view every desired view angle seamlessly from the entire omnidirectional video.  
     [0247] It should be noted that, if the user wants to slide the video to a desired degree, it is necessary for the STB  52  to perform geometrical corrections on the video by use of predetermined correction data such that the video is displayed as if it were rotating around the user. It is also necessary to perform color correction. The meta data mentioned above are the data for performing these geometrical and color corrections. The geometrical and color corrections by use of the meta data allow the user to feel as if he/she were looking at surrounding scenes in a natural manner.  
     [0248] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the omnidirectional camera  31 .  
     [0249] In FIG. 4, a CPU  201  executes various processing operations in accordance with programs stored in a ROM  202  or programs loaded from a storage block  210  into a RAM  203 . The RAM  203  also suitably stores data which are necessary for the CPU  201  to execute various processing operations. The ROM  202  also stores the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 .  
     [0250] The CPU  201 , the ROM  202 , and the RAM  203  are interconnected via a bus  204 . The bus  204  is also connected to an input/output interface  205 .  
     [0251] The input/output interface  205  is connected to an operator block  206  composed of a plurality of buttons for example for accepting operator inputs from the user, an imaging block  207  composed of cameras  81 A through  81 H, a microphone  208  for picking up surrounding audio, an output block  209  for outputting, to the outside (for example, the VTR  32 ), the video data captured by the imaging block  207  and the audio data picked up by the microphone  208 , and the storage block  210  constituted by a hard disk for example.  
     [0252] The input/output interface  205  is connected to a drive  211  as required on which a magnetic disk  221 , an optical disk  222 , a magneto-optical disk  223 , or a semiconductor memory  224  is suitably loaded. Computer programs are read from any of these storage media and are installed in the storage block  210  as required.  
     [0253] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the camera VTR maker server  33 . As shown in FIG. 5, a CPU  251  executes various processing operations in accordance with programs stored in a ROM  252  or programs loaded from a storage block  259  into a RAM  253 . The RAM  253  also suitably stores data which are necessary for the CPU  251  to execute various processing operations.  
     [0254] The CPU  251 , the ROM  252 , and the RAM  253  are interconnected via a bus  254 . The bus  254  is also connected to an input/output interface  255 .  
     [0255] The input/output interface  255  is connected to an operator block  256  composed of a plurality of buttons for example for accepting operator inputs from the user, an audio output block  257  for outputting audio, a display  258  constituted by a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), the storage block  259  constituted by a hard disk for example, and a communication block  260  constituted by a modem and terminal adaptor for example. The communication block  260  performs communication processing via the network  10  such as the Internet.  
     [0256] The input/output interface  255  is connected to a drive  261  as required on which a magnetic disk  281 , an optical disk  282 , a magneto-optical disk  283 , or a semiconductor memory  284  is suitably loaded. Computer programs are read from any of these storage media and are installed in the storage block  259  as required.  
     [0257] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the HDC server  35 . The components, a CPU  301  through a semiconductor memory  324 , which constitute the HDC server  35  are basically the same in configuration as the components, the CPU  251  through the semiconductor memory  284 , which constitute the camera VTR maker server  33  shown on FIG. 5 and therefore the corresponding components shown in FIG. 6 have their corresponding functions shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the descriptions of these corresponding components will be skipped.  
     [0258] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the STB maker server  51 . The components, a CPU  351  through a semiconductor memory  374 , which constitute the STB maker server  51  are basically the same in configuration as the components, the CPU  251  through the semiconductor memory  284 , which constitute the camera VTR maker server  33  shown on FIG. 5 and therefore the corresponding components shown in FIG. 7 have their corresponding functions shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the descriptions of these corresponding components will be skipped.  
     [0259] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the broadcasting station server  61 . The components, a CPU  401  through a semiconductor memory  424 , which constitute the broadcasting station server  61  are basically the same in configuration as the components, the CPU  251  through the semiconductor memory  284 , which constitute the camera VTR maker server  33  shown on FIG. 5 and therefore the corresponding components shown in FIG. 8 have their corresponding functions shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the descriptions of these corresponding components will be skipped.  
     [0260] Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown an internal configuration of the VTR  32 . As shown in FIG. 9, a CPU  451  executes various processing operations in accordance with programs stored in a ROM  452  or programs loaded from a storage block  462  into a RAM  453 . The RAM  453  also suitably stores data necessary for the CPU  451  to execute various processing operations. The ROM  452  also stores the device ID of the VTR  32 .  
     [0261] The CPU  451 , the ROM  452 , and the RAM  453  are interconnected via a bus  454 . The bus  454  is also connected to an input/output interface  455 .  
     [0262] The input/output interface  455  is connected to an operator block  456  constituted by a plurality of buttons for accepting operator inputs by the user, an input block  457  for inputting video data and audio data from the omnidirectional camera  31 , an audio output block  458  for outputting audio, a display  459  constituted by a CRT or an LCD for example, a recording/reproducing block  460  for recording the video data and audio data inputted from the input block  457  to a predetermined recording medium and reproducing the video data and audio data therefrom, an output block  461  for outputting the video data and audio data reproduced by the recording/reproducing block  460  to the outside (for example, the transmitting apparatus  62 ), and the storage block  462  constituted by a hard disk for example. When recording video data and audio data to a predetermined recording medium, the recording/reproducing block  460  records the device ID received from the omnidirectional camera  31  and the device ID recorded in the ROM  452  of the VTR  32  along with the video data and the audio data.  
     [0263] The input/output interface  455  is also connected to a drive  463  as required, on which a magnetic disk  471 , an optical disk  472 , a magneto-optical disk  473 , or a semiconductor memory  474  is suitably loaded. Computer programs are read from any of these storage media and are installed in the storage block  462  as required.  
     [0264] Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the STB  52 . As shown in FIG. 10, a CPU  501  executes various processing operations in accordance with programs stored in a ROM  502  or programs loaded from a storage block  511  into a RAM  503 . The RAM  503  also suitably stores data necessary for the CPU  501  to execute various processing operations.  
     [0265] The CPU  501 , the ROM  502 , and the RAM  503  are interconnected via a bus  504 . The bus  504  is also connected to an input/output interface  505 .  
     [0266] The input/output interface  505  is connected to an operator block  506  constituted by a plurality of buttons for accepting operator inputs by the user, an audio output block  507  for outputting audio, a display  508  constituted by an LCD for example for displaying the operation condition of the STB  52 , an output block  509  for outputting video data and audio data supplied from a broadcast receiving block  513  or a correcting block  512  to the outside (for example, the television receiver  14 ), a communication block  510  constituted by a modem and a terminal adaptor, the storage block  511  constituted by a hard disk for example, the correcting block  512  for correcting the video data by meta data when supplied with the video data and the meta data from the broadcast receiving block  513 , and the broadcast receiving block  513  for receiving broadcast via an antenna  514 . The communication block  510  perform communication processing via the network  10  such as the Internet.  
     [0267] The input/output interface  505  is also connected to a drive  515  as required, on which a magnetic disk  521 , an optical disk  522 , a magneto-optical disk  523 , or a semiconductor memory  524  is suitably loaded. Computer programs are read from any of these storage media and are installed in the storage block  511  as required.  
     [0268] Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown an internal configuration of the transmitting apparatus  62 . As shown in FIG. 11, a CPU  551  executes various processing operations in accordance with programs stored in a ROM  552  or programs loaded from a storage block  560  into a RAM  553 . The RAM  553  also stores from time to time data necessary for the CPU  551  to execute various processing operations.  
     [0269] The CPU  551 , the ROM  552 , and the RAM  553  are interconnected via a bus  554 . The bus  554  is also connected to an input/output interface  555 .  
     [0270] The input/output interface  555  is connected to an input block  556  for inputting video data and audio data outputted from the omnidirectional camera  31  or the VTR  32 , an operator block  557  constituted by a plurality of buttons for accepting operator inputs by the user, an audio output block  558  for outputting audio, a display  559  constituted by a CRT or an LCD for example, the storage block  560  constituted by a hard disk for example, a communication block  561  constituted by a modem and a terminal adaptor, a multiplexed data creation block  562  for creating data to be broadcast by multiplexing the video and audio data, device ID, meta data and authentication key inputted from the input block  556 , and a broadcast transmitting block  563  for transmitting the multiplexed data generated by the multiplexed data creation block  562  as a satellite broadcast. The communication block  561  perform communication processing via the network  10  such as the Internet.  
     [0271] The input/output interface  555  is also connected to a drive  564  as required, on which a magnetic disk  571 , an optical disk  572 , a magneto-optical disk  573 , or a semiconductor memory  574  is suitably loaded. Computer programs are read from any of these storage media and are installed in the storage block  560  as required.  
     [0272] The following describes device ID registration processing with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 12.  
     [0273] In step S 101 , the CPU  251  of the camera VTR maker server  33  issues the device ID to each of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  and the VTR  32 - 1  manufactured by the camera VTR maker  11 . This device ID is used to identify the type of the omnidirectional camera  31  or the VTR  32  and identify the product itself.  
     [0274] In step S 102 , the CPU  251  of the camera VTR maker server  33  records the device IDs issued in step S 101  into the ROM  202  of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  and the ROM  452  of the VTR  32 - 1 .  
     [0275] In step S 103 , the CPU  251  of the camera VTR maker server  33  receives the meta data for the omnidirectional camera  31  or the VTR  32  from the manufacturer of the omnidirectional camera  31  or the VTR  32  through the operator block  256  for example. In step S 104 , the CPU  251  sends the device IDs issued in step S 101  and the meta data acquired in step S 103  to the HDC server  35  via the communication block  260  to request the HDC server  35  to store these IDs and meta data in a related manner.  
     [0276] In step S 111 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  receives the device ID and the meta data and the request from the camera VTR maker server  33  for storing them in a related manner. In step S 112 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  issues the authentication key corresponding to the device ID and the meta data. In step S 113 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  stores, in the storage block  309 , the device ID and meta data received in step S 111  and the authentication key issued in step S 112  in a related manner.  
     [0277] As described, a database of a table listing the device ID, the meta data, and the authentication key related with each other is created in the storage block  309  of the HDC server. The device ID is recorded to each of the omnidirectional camera  31  and the VTR  32  manufactured by the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0278] The following describes authentication key acquisition processing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13.  
     [0279] In step S 141 , the CPU  351  of the STB maker server  51  requests, via the communication block  360 , the HDC server  35  to send an authentication key. In step S 131 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  receives the request for the authentication key from the STB maker server  51 . In step S 132 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  reads the authentication key from the storage block  309  and sends the retrieved authentication key to the STB maker server  51  via the communication block  310 .  
     [0280] In step S 142 , the CPU  351  of the STB maker server  51  receives the authentication key from the HDC server  35  and stores the received authentication key in the storage block  359 . Next, in step S 143 , the CPU  351  of the STB maker server  51  accesses the finance server  16  to request for the remittance of the cost of a predetermined amount for the authentication key provision fee into the account of the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0281] In step S 151 , the finance server  16  receives, from the STB maker server  51 , the request from the STB maker server  51  for the remittance of the cost of a predetermined amount set beforehand as the authentication key provision fee into the account of the camera VTR maker  11 . In step S 152 , the finance server  16  executes the processing of remitting the cost of a predetermined amount set beforehand as the authentication key provision fee into the account of the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0282] Thus, the authentication key acquisition processing has been performed.  
     [0283] The following describes authentication key embedding processing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 14.  
     [0284] In step S 171 , the CPU  351  of the STB maker server  51  checks the STBs  52 - 1  manufactured by the STB maker  12  for any STB  52 - 1  that records no authentication key. If such a STB  52 - 1  is not found, the CPU  351  repeats the process of step S 171 . If the CPU  351  of the STB maker server  51  finds any STB  52 - 1  recording no authentication key, the procedure goes to step S 172 , in which the CPU  351  reads the authentication key received and stored in the storage block  359  in step S 142  and records the retrieved authentication key into the ROM  502  of the STB  52 - 1 . Then, the procedure returns to step S 171  to repeat the processing therefrom.  
     [0285] Thus, the authentication key is stored in all STBs  52 - 1  manufactured by the STB maker  12 .  
     [0286] The following describes meta data acquisition processing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.  15 .  
     [0287] In step S 201 , the CPU  401  of he broadcasting station server  61  gets the device ID of the device for which meta data are to be acquired. To be more specific, the producer of a program to be broadcast enters the device IDs of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and the VTR  32 - 2  to be used for the production of the program, by operating the operator block  406  of the broadcasting station server  61  for example.  
     [0288] In step S 202 , the CPU  401  of the broadcasting station server  61  sends the device ID to the HDC server  35  and requests the HDC server  35  to supply the meta data corresponding to the device ID.  
     [0289] In step S 191 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  receives the device ID and the request for the supply of the meta data corresponding to this device ID from the broadcasting station server  61  via the communication block  310 . In step S 192 , on the basis of the device ID received in step S 191 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  reads the meta data and authentication key stored in the storage block  409  in a related manner. In step S 193 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  sends the meta data and authentication key read in step S 192  to the broadcasting station server  61  via the communication block  310 .  
     [0290] In step S 203 , the CPU  401  of the broadcasting station server  61  receives the meta data and the authentication key from the HDC server  35  via the communication block  410  and stores them in the storage block  409 .  
     [0291] In step S 204 , the CPU  401  of the broadcasting station server  61  requests, through the communication block  410 , the finance server  16  to remit the cost of a predetermined amount set beforehand as the fee for the provision of the meta data to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0292] In step S 211 , the finance server  16  receives the request from the broadcasting station server  61  for remitting the cost of a predetermined amount set beforehand as the fee for the provision of the meta data to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 . In step S 212 , the finance server  16  remits the cost of a predetermined amount set beforehand as the fee for the meta data to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0293] Thus, the meta data acquisition processing is executed.  
     [0294] The following describes imaging recording processing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16.  
     [0295] In step S 251 , the CPU  201  of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  drives the imaging block  207  and the microphone  208  to capture video data and audio data. In step S 252 , the CPU  201  of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  outputs the video data and audio data captured in step S 251  and the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  recorded in the ROM  402  to the VTR  32 - 2  through the output block  209 .  
     [0296] In step S 241 , the CPU  451  of the VTR  32 - 2  receives the video data, the audio data and the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  from the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  through the input block  457 . In step S 242 , the CPU  451  of the VTR  32 - 2  drives the recording/reproducing block  460  to record the video data, the audio data, and the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  inputted in step S 241  and the device ID of the VTR  32 - 2  stored in the ROM  452  to a predetermined recording medium loaded on the VTR  32 - 2  beforehand.  
     [0297] As described, the video data, audio data, the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2 , and the device ID of the VTR  32 - 2  are recorded to the recording medium loaded on the VTR  32 - 2 .  
     [0298] The following describes broadcasting processing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 17.  
     [0299] In step S 321 , the CPU  451  of the VTR  32 - 2  drives the recording/reproducing block  460  to read the video data, the audio data, the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and the device ID of the VTR  32 - 2  recorded to the predetermined recording medium as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16 and outputs these data and device IDs to the transmitting apparatus  62  through the output block  461 .  
     [0300] In step S 311 , the CPU  551  of the transmitting apparatus  62  receives, through the input block  556 , the video data, the audio data, the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2 , and the device ID of the VTR  32 - 2  form the VTR  32 - 2  and stores these data and device IDs into the storage block  560 .  
     [0301] In step S 312 , the CPU  551  of the transmitting apparatus  62  sends the device IDs of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and the VTR  32 - 2  inputted in step S 311  to the broadcasting station server  61  and requests the broadcasting station server  61  to supply the meta data corresponding to the device IDs.  
     [0302] In step S 301 , the CPU  401  of the broadcasting station server  61  receives the device IDs of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and the VTR  32 - 2  and the request for the supply of the meta data corresponding to the device IDs from the transmitting apparatus  62 . In step S 302 , the CPU  401  of the broadcasting station server  61  reads the meta data and authentication keys stored in the storage block  409  in a related manner. In step S 303 , the CPU  401  of the broadcasting station server  61  sends the meta data and the authentication keys read in step S 302  to the transmitting apparatus  62  through the communication block  410 .  
     [0303] In step S 313 , the CPU  551  of the transmitting apparatus  62  receives the meta data and the authentication keys from the broadcasting station server  61  through the communication block  51 . In step S 314 , the CPU  551  of the transmitting apparatus  62  instructs the multiplexed data creation block  562  to multiplex the meta data and the authentication keys received in step S 313  with the video data and the audio data received and stored in step S 311  to create multiplexed data. Then, the CPU  551  supplies the created multiplexed data to the broadcast transmitting block  563  from the multiplexed data creation block  562  to broadcast the multiplexed data from the broadcast transmitting block  563  as a satellite broadcast.  
     [0304] It should be noted that, in the above description, the video taken by the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  is once recorded in the VTR  32 - 2  before being transmitted to the transmitting apparatus  62 . It is also practicable to send the video data taken by the omnidirectional camera  31 - 3  shown in FIG. 1 directly to the transmitting apparatus  62  without storing the data in the VTR  32 , for example. In this case, the video taken by the omnidirectional camera  31 - 3  is broadcast in real-time from the transmitting apparatus  62  (this is so-called live broadcasting).  
     [0305] Thus, broadcast data multiplexed with the meta data and the authentication keys are broadcast from the transmitting apparatus  62 . The broadcast data thus transmitted are received by the STB  52 - 2  to be viewed by the user  15  through the television receiver  14 .  
     [0306] The following describes the broadcast viewing processing by the STB  52 - 2  with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 18.  
     [0307] In step S 341 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  receives, through the antenna  514  and the broadcast receiving block  513 , the broadcast data of the program being broadcast by the broadcasting station  13 . In step S 432 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  reads the authentication key multiplexed with the broadcast data received in step S 341 . In step S 343 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  reads the authentication key from the ROM  502 . In step S 344 , the CPU  501  compares the authentication key read from the broadcast data in step S 342  with the authentication key read from the ROM  502  in step S 343 . If a match is found, the procedure goes to step S 345 .  
     [0308] In step S 345 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  instructs the correcting block  512  to correct the video data included in the broadcast data by the meta data multiplexed with the broadcast data. In step S 346 , the CPU  501  outputs the video data corrected in step S 345  and the audio data included in the broadcast data to the television receiver  14  through the output block  509 . The television receiver  14  displays the video data supplied from the STB  52 - 2  on its display and sounds the audio data from its speaker. Consequently, the user can view the corrected video.  
     [0309] In step S 344 , if the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  determines that there is no match between the authentication key read from the broadcast data in step S 342  and the authentication key read from the ROM  502  in step S 343 , then the procedure goes to step S 347 , in which the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  outputs the video data and audio data included in the broadcast data received in step S 341  to the television receiver  14  from the output block  509 . The television receiver  14  displays the video data supplied from the STB  52 - 2  on its display and sounds the audio data from its speaker. In this case, the user views the uncorrected video on the display.  
     [0310] Thus, if the STB  52 - 2  has the authentication key, the video data included in broadcast data are corrected by the meta data multiplexed with the broadcast data and the corrected video data are displayed on the television receiver  14 .  
     [0311] Now, referring to FIG. 19, there is shown a configuration of a service providing system practiced as another embodiment of the invention, which is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 19, components similar to those previously described with reference to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the configuration shown in FIG. 19, the STB  52 - 2  is connected to the network  10 . The broadcasting station server  61  shown in FIG. 1 is omitted from the configuration shown in FIG. 19.  
     [0312] The following describes the overview of the service providing system shown in FIG. 19 with reference to FIG. 20.  
     [0313] In step S 401  of FIG. 20, a camera VTR maker server  33  records the device IDs to the recording media in the omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  and the VTR  32 - 1  manufactured by the camera VTR maker  11  and requests the HDC server  35  to store the meta data inputted by the manufacturer of the omnidirectional camera  31  for example by relating the meta data with these device IDs. In response to this request by the camera VTR maker server  33 , the HDC server  35  stores the received device IDs and meta data in a related manner. In addition, the HDC server  35  issues authentication keys and stores them as related with the device IDs and the meta data.  
     [0314] In step S 402  shown in FIG. 20, the camera VTR maker  11  delivers the specified omnidirectional camera  31  and the VTR  32  to the broadcasting station  13 . In step S 403 , the broadcasting station  13  pays the costs for the omnidirectional camera  31  and the VTR  32  to the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0315] In step S 404 , in response to the request from the STB maker server  51 , the HDC server  35  sends the stored authentication key. The STB maker server  51  stores the authentication key received from the HDC server  35  and accesses the finance server  16  in step S 405  to execute the processing of remitting a predetermined amount of cost to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0316] Then, the STB maker server  51  records the acquired authentication key to a predetermined recording medium in the STB  52 - 1  manufactured by the STB maker  12 .  
     [0317] In step S 406 , the STB maker  12  sells the STB  52 - 1  recorded with the authentication key to the user  15 . In step S 407 , the user  15  pays the cost for the STB  52 - 1  to the STB maker  12 . Actually, the STB  52  is sold at electrical appliance stores for example through given distribution channels.  
     [0318] In step S 408 , the broadcasting station  13  executes predetermined imaging processing by use of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  purchased from the camera VTR maker  11 . The captured video data and audio data are recorded to a predetermined recording medium through the VTR  32 - 2 . It should be noted that, in doing so, the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and the device ID of the VTR  32 - 2  are also recorded along with the captured video and audio data.  
     [0319] In step S 409 , the VTR  32 - 2  sends the video and audio data and the device ID recorded in step S 408  to the transmitting apparatus  62 .  
     [0320] In step S 410 , the transmitting apparatus  62  multiplexes received video and audio data and device ID together and broadcasts the multiplexed data as a satellite broadcast. Receiving the satellite broadcast, the STB  52 - 2  sends the device ID multiplexed with the broadcast data to the HDC server  35  in step S 411 . The HDC server  35  reads the meta data corresponding to the received device ID and sends the retrieved meta data to the STB  52 - 2  in step S 412 . The STB  52 - 2  corrects the video data included in the broadcast data by the received meta data. In step S 413 , the STB  52 - 2  outputs the corrected video data to the television receiver  14  for display thereon.  
     [0321] As described, like the service providing system shown in FIG. 1, the service providing system according to the invention shown in FIG. 19 can provide optimum video correction for each model of camera. This allows the user to view the video of better quality.  
     [0322] It should be noted that the service providing system shown in FIG. 19 also executes the same processing as that described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 through 14 and  16 . Namely, the device IDs, the authentication keys, and the meta data are stored in the HDC server  35  in a related manner by the processing described by the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. In the processing described by the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the STB maker server  51  gets the authentication key and remits the cost thereof to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 . In the processing described by the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, the authentication key is stored in the ROM  502  of the STB  52 - 1  manufactured by the STB maker  12 . In the processing described by the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, the video data and audio data taken by the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and the device IDs are recorded to a predetermined recording medium loaded on the VTR  32 - 2 .  
     [0323] The following describes the broadcasting processing to be executed in the service providing system shown in FIG. 19 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 21.  
     [0324] In step S 451 , the CPU  451  of the VTR  32  drives the recording/reproducing block  450  to read the video data, audio data, and device IDs from a predetermined recording medium and outputs them to the transmitting apparatus  62  through the output block  461 .  
     [0325] In step S 441 , the CPU  551  of the transmitting apparatus  62  receives the video data, the audio data, and the device IDs from the VTR  32 - 2  via the input block  556 . In step S 442 , the CPU  551  of the transmitting apparatus  62  instructs the multiplexed data creation block  562  to multiplex the video data, the audio data, and the device ID received in step S 441  together. Then the CPU  551  transmits the multiplexed data created by the multiplexed data creation block  562  from the broadcast transmitting block  563  as a broadcast.  
     [0326] Consequently, the broadcast data multiplexed with the video data, the audio data, and the device ID are transmitted.  
     [0327] The transmitted broadcast data are received by the STB  52 - 2  and displayed on the television receiver  14  for viewing by the user  15 .  
     [0328] The following describes viewing processing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 22.  
     [0329] In step S 471 , the broadcast receiving block  513  of the STB  52 - 2  receives a broadcast via the antenna  514 . In step S 472 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  stores the received broadcast data in the storage block  511 . In step S 473 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  reads the device IDs of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 2  and the VTR  32 - 2  from the broadcast data stored in the storage block  511 . In step S 474 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  reads the authentication key of the STB  52 - 2  from the ROM  502 .  
     [0330] In step S 475 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  sends, from the communication block  510 , the authentication key and the device ID to the HDC server  35  via the network  10  to request for the meta data that correspond to the device ID.  
     [0331] In step S 491 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  receives the authentication key and the device ID and the meta data transmission request from the STB  52 - 2  through the communication block  310 . In step S 492 , the CPU  301  determines whether or not the authentication key received in step S 491  matches the authentication key stored in the storage block  309  of the HDC server  35 . If a match is found, the CPU  301  authenticates the received authentication key, upon which the procedure goes to step S 493 . If there is no match between the authentication key received in step S 491  and the authentication key stored in the storage block  309  of the HDC server  35 , then the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  notifies, through the communication block  310 , the STB  52 - 2  of that the meta data cannot be transmitted.  
     [0332] In step S 493 , on the basis of the ID device received in step S 491 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  searches the, storage block  309  for the same device ID and read the meta data related with this device ID from the storage block  309 . In step S 494 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  sends the meta data read in step S 493  to the STB  52 - 2  through the network  10  from the communication block  310 .  
     [0333] In step S 476 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  receives the meta data from the HDC server  35  through the communication block  510 . In step S 477 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  corrects the video data included in the broadcast data stored in the storage block  511  in step S 472  by the meta data received in step S 476 . In step S 478 , the CPU  501  of the STB  52 - 2  outputs the video data corrected in step S  477  and the audio data included in the broadcast data to the television receiver  14  from the output block  509  for display thereon. By the above-mentioned processing, the user can view the corrected video on the television receiver  14 .  
     [0334] Referring to FIG. 23, there is shown a configuration of a service providing system according to the invention which is different from the service providing systems shown in FIGS. 1 and 19. In FIG. 23, the transmitting apparatus  62  shown in FIGS. 1 and 19 is connected to the network  10 . The transmitting apparatus  62  supplies broadcast data such as programs to the STB  52  via the network  10 . The STB  52  receives the a program broadcast at its communication block  510  via the network  10  without using the antenna  514  and the broadcast receiving block  513  unlike the service providing system shown in FIG. 19.  
     [0335] The other parts of the configuration are the same as those of the service providing system shown in FIG. 19, so that their description will be skipped.  
     [0336] It should be noted here that the present invention may be applied to fields other than broadcasting. The following describes, with reference to FIG. 24, an example in which a service providing system practiced as one embodiment of the present invention is applied to a field other than broadcasting.  
     [0337] Referring to FIG. 24, the configuration of a camera VTR maker  11  is the same as those of the camera VTR makers  11  shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and  23 . In addition, a finance server  16  is connected to a network  10  as with shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and  23 .  
     [0338] As shown in FIG. 24, a content provider server  623  of a content provider  601  for creating movies, dramas and other content is connected to the network  10 . In addition, an authoring studio server  641  of an authoring studio  602  running the business of correcting the video data taken by a content provider  601  by predetermined meta data is connected to the network  10 .  
     [0339] In addition to the content provider server  623 , the content provider  601  has an omnidirectional camera  31 - 4  and a VTR  32 - 3  purchased from the camera VTR maker  11 . Further, the content provider  601  has an editing apparatus  621  for editing the video and audio data recorded to the VTR  32 - 3  and a recording apparatus  622  for recording, to a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)  624 - 1 , the data edited by the editing apparatus  621  into a completed work (hereafter also referred to as work data). It should be noted that, in FIG. 24, the recording apparatus  622  records the work data to the DVD  624 - 1 ; it will be apparent that any other recording media may be used for the recording apparatus  622  to record the work data.  
     [0340] In addition to the authoring studio server  641 , the authoring studio  602  has an authoring apparatus  642  for correcting the video data taken by the omnidirectional camera  31  for example by predetermined meta data.  
     [0341] The user  15  may purchase the DVD  624  made by the content provider  601 , reproduce the purchased DVD  624 - 2  on his/her DVD player  603 , and display the content on a television receiver  14  for viewing. It should be noted that, in FIG. 24, the DVD player  603  is used; it will be apparent that any other reproducing apparatuses may be used for the reproduction of the work data as long as they are compatible with the type of recording media on which the work data are recorded by the content provider  601 .  
     [0342] The following describes the overview of the service providing system shown in FIG. 24 with reference to FIG. 25.  
     [0343] In step S 501  shown in FIG. 25, the camera VTR maker server  33  records the device IDs to the recording media in an omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  and a VTR  32 - 1  manufactured by the camera VTR maker  11  and requests an HDC server  35  to store the meta data inputted by the manufacturer of the omnidirectional camera  31  for example by relating the meta data with these device IDs. In response to this request by the camera VTR maker server  33 , the HDC server  35  stores the received device IDs and meta data in a related manner. In addition, the HDC server  35  issues authentication keys and stores them as related with the device IDs and the meta data.  
     [0344] In step S 502  shown in FIG. 25, the camera VTR maker  11  delivers the omnidirectional camera  31  and the VTR  32  to the content provider  601 . In step S 503 , the content provider  601  pays the cost for the omnidirectional camera  31  and the VTR  32  to the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0345] In step S 504 , the content provider  601  executes predetermined imaging processing by use of the purchased omnidirectional camera  31 - 4 , thereby recording the captured video and audio data to a predetermined recording medium by the VTR  32 - 3 . It should be noted that the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 4  and the device ID of the VTR  32 - 3  are also recorded to the recording medium along with the captured video and audio data.  
     [0346] In step S 505 , the VTR  32 - 2  sends the video data and audio data recorded in step S 504  and the device IDs to the editing apparatus  621 . The editing apparatus  621  stores the video and audio data and device IDs received from the VTR  32 - 3  into its incorporated hard disk. In step S 506 , the editing apparatus  621  sends the stored video data and device IDs to the content provider server  623 . Receiving the video data and the device IDs from the editing apparatus  621 , the content provider server  623  sends the received video data and device IDs to the authoring studio server  641  via the network  10  in step S 507 .  
     [0347] Receiving the video data and the device IDs from the content provider server  623 , the authoring studio server  641  gets the meta data corresponding to the device IDs from the HDC server  35  in step S 508 . In step S 509 , authoring studio server  641  accesses a finance server  16  to remit the cost of a predetermined amount for the meta data to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0348] In step S 510 , the authoring studio server  641  sends the video data received in step S 507  and the meta data received from the HDC server  35  in step S 508  to the authoring apparatus  642 . Receiving the video data and the meta data from the authoring studio server  641 , the authoring apparatus  642  corrects the video data by the meta data. In step S 511 , the authoring apparatus  642  sends the corrected video data to the authoring studio server  641 .  
     [0349] In step S 512 , the authoring studio server  641  sends the corrected video data received from the authoring apparatus  642  to the content provider server  623  via the network  10 .  
     [0350] Receiving the corrected video data from the authoring studio server  641 , the content provider server  623  accesses the finance server  16  in step S 513  to remit the cost of a predetermined amount for the video correction to the account of the authoring studio  602 . In step S 514 , the content provider server  623  sends the corrected video data to the editing apparatus  621 . The editing apparatus  621  performs further editing processing on the corrected video data received from the content provider server  623  to complete the work data. In step S 515 , the editing apparatus  621  sends the completed work data to the recording apparatus  622 . The recording apparatus  622  stores the received work data into its incorporated hard disk and then records the work data to a plurality of DVDs  624 - 1 . The DVDs  624 - 1  storing the work data are packaged in a predetermined case, which is sold as a product at CD stores for example.  
     [0351] In step S 516 , the user  15  purchases the DVD  624  as a product. In step S 517 , the user pays the cost for the purchased DVD  624 . The DVD  624 - 2  purchased by the user  15  is reproduced by the DVD player  603 . The reproduced video data are displayed on the television receiver  14 . Thus, the processing shown in FIG. 25 is executed.  
     [0352] Referring to FIG. 26, there is shown an exemplary configuration of the content provider server  623 . The components of the content provider server  623 , a CPU  661  through a semiconductor memory  684  are basically the same in configuration as the CPU  251  through the semiconductor memory  284  that constitute the camera VTR maker server  33  shown in FIG. 5 and the corresponding components have the same corresponding functions. Therefore, the description of the corresponding components will be skipped.  
     [0353] Referring to FIG. 27, there is shown an exemplary configuration of the authoring studio server  641 . The components of the authoring studio server  641 , a CPU  701  through a semiconductor memory  724  are basically the same in configuration as the CPU  251  through the semiconductor memory  284  that constitute the camera VTR maker server  33  shown in FIG. 5 and the corresponding components have the same corresponding functions. Therefore, the description of the corresponding components will be skipped.  
     [0354] Referring to FIG. 28, there is shown an exemplary configuration of the authoring apparatus  642 . As shown in FIG. 28, a CPU  751  executes various processing operations in accordance with programs stored in a ROM  752  or loaded from a storage block  759  to a RAM  753 . The RAM  753  also suitably stores data that are necessary for the CPU  751  to execute various processing operations.  
     [0355] The CPU  751 , the ROM  752 , and the RAM  753  are interconnected via a bus  754 . The bus  754  is also connected to an input/output interface  755 .  
     [0356] The input/output interface  755  is connected to an operator block  756  composed of a plurality of buttons for accepting operator inputs by the user, an audio output block  757  for outputting audio, a display  758  composed of a CRT or an LCD for example, the storage block  759  composed of a hard disk for example, a correcting block  760  for correcting video data by meta data, and a communication block  761  composed of a modem and a terminal adaptor. The communication block  761  executes communication processing via the network  10  such as the Internet.  
     [0357] The input/output interface  755  is also connected to a drive  762  as required, on which a magnetic disk  771 , an optical disk  772 , a magneto-optical disk  773 , or a semiconductor memory  774  is loaded as required. Computer programs are read from these recording media and are installed in the storage block  759  as required.  
     [0358] The following describes the correction processing by the service providing system shown in FIG. 24 with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 29 through 33. It should be noted that FIG. 29 shows the processing by the content provider server  623 , FIG. 30 shows the processing by the authoring studio server  641 , FIG. 31 shows the processing by the HDC server  35 , FIG. 32 shows the processing by the finance server  16 , and FIG. 33 shows the processing by the authoring apparatus  642 .  
     [0359] In step S 601  shown in FIG. 29, the CPU  661  of the content provider server  623  receives the video data before correction and the device ID from the editing apparatus  621  through the communication block  670 . In step S 602 , the CPU  661  of the content provider server  623  sends, from the communication block  670 , the video data before correction and the device ID received in step S 601  to the authoring studio server  641  via the network  10  to request for the correction of the video data.  
     [0360] In step S 621  shown in FIG. 30, the CPU  701  of the authoring studio server  641  receives, through the communication block  710 , the video data before correction, the device ID, and the video data correcting request supplied from the content provider server  623  via the network  10  in step S 602 . The CPU  701  of the authoring studio server  641  stores the received video data before correction and device ID into the storage block  709 .  
     [0361] In step S 622 , the CPU  701  of the authoring studio server  641  sends, through the communication block  710 , the device ID received in step S 621  to the HDC server  35  via the network  10  to request for the meta data that correspond to the device ID.  
     [0362] In step S 641  shown in FIG. 31, the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  receives, through the communication block  310 , the device ID and the meta data transmission request supplied from the authoring studio server  641  via the network  10  in step S 622 .  
     [0363] In step S 642 , on the basis of the device ID received in step S 641 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  searches the storage block  309  for the same device ID and, if the same device TD is found, reads the meta data from the storage block  309  which are stored as related to the detected device ID.  
     [0364] In step S 643 , the CPU  301  of the HDC server  35  sends the meta data read in step S 642  to the authoring studio server  641  via the network  10  through the communication block  310 .  
     [0365] In step S 643 , the authoring studio server  641  receives the meta data supplied from the HDC server  35  in step S 623  shown in FIG. 30 via the network  10  and stores the received meta data into the storage block  709 . In step S 624 , the CPU  701  of the authoring studio server  641  accesses the finance server  16  from the communication block  710  via the network  10  to request for remitting the charge of a predetermined amount for the meta data to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0366] In step S 651  shown in FIG. 32, the finance server  16  receives the request transmitted by the authoring studio server  641  in step S 624  via the network  10  for remitting the charge of a predetermined amount for the meta data to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 . In step S 652 , the finance server  16  executes the processing of remitting the charge of a predetermined amount for the meta data to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 . It should be noted that, at this moment, the same amount as remitted to the account of the camera VTR maker  11  is drawn from the account of the authoring studio  602 .  
     [0367] In step S 625  shown in FIG. 30, the CPU  701  of the authoring studio server  641  reads the video data before correction and the meta data from the storage block  709  and send these data to the authoring apparatus  642  through the communication block  710 .  
     [0368] In step S 661  shown in FIG. 33, the CPU  751  of the authoring apparatus  642  receives, through the communication block  761 , the video data before correction and the meta data transmitted by the authoring studio server  641  in step S 625 . In step S 662 , the CPU  751  supplies the received data to the correcting block  760 . The correcting block  760  corrects the received video data by the received meta data.  
     [0369] After the correction of the video data, the CPU  751  of the authoring apparatus  642  sends the corrected video supplied from the correcting block  760  to the authoring studio server  641  through the communication block  761  in step S 663 .  
     [0370] In step S 626  shown in FIG. 30, the CPU  701  of the authoring studio server  641  receives, through the communication block  710 , the corrected video data supplied from the authoring apparatus  642  in step S 663 . In step S 627 , the CPU  701  of the authoring studio server  641  sends the corrected video data received in step S 626  to the content provider server  623  through the communication block  710  via the network  10 .  
     [0371] In step S 603  shown in FIG. 29, the CPU  661  of the content provider server  623  receives, through the communication block  670 , the corrected video data transmitted from the authoring studio server  641  in step S 627 .  
     [0372] In step S 604 , the CPU  661  of the content provider server  623  accesses the finance server  16  through the communication block  670  via the network  10  to request for the remittance of the charge of a predetermined amount for the video correction to the account of the authoring studio  602 .  
     [0373] In step S 653  shown in FIG. 32, the finance server  16  receives the request transmitted from the content provider server  623  in step S 604  via the network  10  for the remittance of the charge of a predetermined amount for the video correction to the account of the authoring studio  602 . In step S 654 , the finance server  16  executes the processing of remitting the charge of a predetermined amount for the video correction to the account of the authoring studio  602 . It should be noted that, at this moment, the same amount of money as remitted to the account of the authoring studio  602  is drawn from the account of the content provider  601 .  
     [0374] In step S 605  shown in FIG. 29, the CPU  661  of the content provider server  623  sends the corrected video data received in step S 603  to the editing apparatus  621  through the communication block  670 . The editing apparatus  621  edits the corrected video data received from the content provider server  623  into work data.  
     [0375] Thus, the correction processing by the service providing system shown in FIG. 24 is performed.  
     [0376] It should be noted that the content provider  601  and the authoring studio  602  shown in FIG. 24 may be integrated into one business entity (for example, a broadcasting station). The following describes an exemplary configuration of a service providing system in which the content provider  601  and the authoring studio  602  are integrated into one business entity, with reference to FIG. 34. In FIG. 34, the processing to be executed by the authoring studio server  641  shown in FIG. 24 is partially carried out by the content provider server  623  shown in FIG. 34 and the processing to be executed by the authoring apparatus  642  shown in FIG. 24 is carried out by the editing apparatus  621  shown in FIG. 34.  
     [0377] With reference to FIG. 35, the following describes the overview of the service providing system shown in FIG. 34.  
     [0378] In step S 701 , a camera VTR maker server  33  records device IDs to recording media in a omnidirectional camera  31 - 1  and a VTR  32 - 1  manufactured by a camera VTR maker  11  and requests a HDC server  35  to store meta data inputted by the manufacturer of omnidirectional cameras  31  for example by relating the meta data with the device TDs. In response to the request from the camera VTR maker server  33 , the HDC server  35  stores the received device IDs and meta data in a related manner. In addition, the HDC server  35  issues authentication keys and stores them as related with the device IDs and the meta data.  
     [0379] In step S 702  shown in FIG. 25, the camera VTR maker  11  delivers the omnidirectional camera  31  and the VTR  32  to a content provider  601 . In step S 703 , the content provider  601  pays the cost for the omnidirectional camera  31  and the VTR  32  to the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0380] In step S 704 , the content provider  601  executes predetermined imaging processing by use of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 4  purchased from the camera VTR maker  11  and records the captured video and audio data to a predetermined recording medium through the VTR  32 - 3 . It should be noted that, at time moment, the device ID of the omnidirectional camera  31 - 4  and the device ID of the VTR  32 - 3  are recorded to the recording medium along with the captured video and audio data.  
     [0381] In step S 705 , the VTR  32 - 3  sends the video and audio data and the device IDs recorded in step S 704  to an editing apparatus  621 . The editing apparatus  621  stores the video and audio data and device IDs received from the VTR  32 - 3  to its incorporated hard disk. In step S 706 , the editing apparatus  621  sends the device ID to the content provider server  623 .  
     [0382] Receiving the device ID from the editing apparatus  621 , the content provider server  623  gets the meta data corresponding to the device ID from the HDC server  35  via the network  10  in step S 707 . In step S 708 , the content provider server  623  accesses a finance server  16  to remit the charge of a predetermined amount for the meta data to the account of the camera VTR maker  11 .  
     [0383] In step S 709 , the content provider server  623  sends the meta data received from the HDC server  35  in step S 707  to the editing apparatus  621 . Receiving the meta data from the content provider server  623 , the editing apparatus  621  corrects the video data by the meta data. Then, the editing apparatus  621  edits the corrected video data into work data and sends the completed work data to a recording apparatus  622  in step S 710 . The recording apparatus  622  stores the received work data into its incorporated hard disk and then records the stored work data to a plurality of DVDs  624 - 1 . The DVDs  624 - 1  storing the work data are packaged in a predetermined case, which is sold at CD stores for example as a product.  
     [0384] In step S 711 , a user  15  purchases the DVD  624  as a product and pays the cost for this product in step S 712 . The DVD  624 - 2  purchased by the user  15  is reproduced on a DVD player  603  in step S 713 . The reproduced video is displayed on a television receiver  14 .  
     [0385] The overview of the service providing system shown in FIG. 35 is as described above. Thus, the service providing systems according to the invention may be configured as described above. It should be noted that the content provider  601  may distribute the work data not only with the recording media such as DVDs but also by broadcasting or via the network  10  for example.  
     [0386] As described and according to the invention, the service providing systems according to the invention allow the correction of video data in accordance with the characteristics unique to imaging apparatuses such as the omnidirectional camera  31 , so that the user can view the video that is more real than that achieved by related-art technologies.  
     [0387] In addition, the service providing systems according to the invention allow the manufacturer and seller of professional-use apparatuses such as the omnidirectional camera  31  to increase profits by selling meta data and authentication keys after selling the apparatuses themselves.  
     [0388] The description made so far uses the omnidirectional camera  31  as one example. It does not necessarily denote that the present invention is applicable only to the omnidirectional camera  31 . That is, the present invention is also applicable to any other models of imaging apparatuses.  
     [0389] The above-mentioned sequences of processing may be executed by not only hardware but also software. To have software execute the above-mentioned sequences of processing, the programs constituting the software are installed, from networks or recording media, into a computer assembled in a dedicated hardware unit (for example, CPU  201 ,  251 ,  301 ,  351 ,  401 ,  451 ,  501 ,  551 ,  661 ,  701 , or  751 ) or a general-purpose personal computer for example capable of executing various functions by installing various programs.  
     [0390] The program storage media for storing programs which are installed in a computer and made executable by it may be constituted by package media including a magnetic disk  221 ,  281 ,  321 ,  371 ,  421 ,  471 ,  521 ,  571 ,  681 ,  721  or  771  (including flexible disk), an optical disk  222 ,  282 ,  322 ,  372 ,  422 ,  472 ,  522 ,  572 ,  682 ,  722  or  772  (including DC-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) and DVD), a magneto-optical disk  223 ,  283 ,  323 ,  373 ,  423 ,  473 ,  523 ,  573 ,  683 ,  723  or  773 , or a semiconductor memory  224 ,  284 ,  324 ,  374 ,  424 ,  474 ,  524 ,  574 ,  684 ,  724  or  774 . As required, programs are stored in program storage media by use of wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting through a rooter and a modem for example.  
     [0391] It should be noted that the steps describing each program recorded on the recording media may include herein not only the processing which is executed in a time-dependent manner in accordance with a predetermined sequence but also the processing which is executed in a parallel or discrete manner.  
     [0392] It should also be noted that the system as used herein denotes an entire entity configured by a plurality of component apparatuses.  
     [0393] As described above, according to the present invention, video data may be corrected.  
     [0394] In addition, according to the present invention, video data may be corrected in accordance with the characteristics unique to each imaging equipment unit. Further, according to the present invention, the manufacturer and seller of professional-use apparatuses may increase profits by selling meta data and authentication keys after selling the apparatuses themselves.  
     [0395] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.