JP2002063143A - Contents-providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize the risk of a user at the time of using the pay contents of the Internet or the like. SOLUTION: A contents-managing server 2 is provided with storage parts A-E for storing the data of contents 5, and each of the storage parts A-E are holds specific key information. Then, the contents 5 stored in the storage parts A-E are locked, so as to be incapable of being read as long read key information which matches with the key information is not inputted. In this case, key information for releasing the lock of the contents 5 is stored in a CD-ROM which is a storage medium. Therefore, the CD-ROM is set in a user terminal, and when the key information of the CD-ROM matches with the key information held in the storage parts A-E, the contents 5 can be read. Also, whether the key information matches is authenticated by an authenticating part 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a content providing system for providing paid content to a user using the Internet or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Internet users browse various contents of a management server through a network for a fee. Conventionally, as a method for a user to pay a fee for viewing content to a management server, a credit card or the like has been used.

[0003]

However, in a payment method using a credit card or the like, the user must transfer personal information such as a card number, as well as a name, address, telephone number, and the like on the Internet. When personal information is transferred on the Internet, there has been a problem that this personal information may be leaked outside or stolen by, for example, a hacker.

If personal information on a credit card or the like leaks to the outside, the personal information may be misused. Since the credit limit of the credit card is large, when the credit card is misused as described above, the amount of damage to the user is enormous. As described above, there is a problem in that when a user pays using a credit card on the Internet, there is a risk that a large amount of damage may occur to the user.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a content providing system that can minimize the danger of a user when using paid content.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user terminal, a content management server connected to the user terminal via the Internet, and key information for browsing the content stored in the content management server. And a storage medium storing the content management server, using the key information stored in the storage medium so that the user terminal can browse the content of the content management server. A second invention is characterized in that the content management server is configured to be able to delete the stored content after a certain period of time. In the third invention, the content management server detects whether or not the content has already been downloaded when the user terminal accesses the content management server, and when the content management server confirms the fact of the download, It is characterized in that download is refused.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a user terminal 1 and a content management server 2,
This is a connection via the Internet 3. Also,
The user terminal 1 has a CD-ROM as a storage medium.
Is set.

As shown in FIG. 2, content management server 2 has storage units A to E for storing data of content 5.
The storage units A to E hold unique key information. The contents 5 stored in the storage units A to E are locked so as not to be viewed unless key information matching the key information is input.
Key information for unlocking the content 5 is stored in a CD-ROM as a storage medium. Therefore, if the CD-ROM is set in the user terminal and the key information of the CD-ROM matches the key information held in the storage units A to E, the content 5 can be browsed. . The authentication unit 4 authenticates whether the key information matches.

The above-mentioned CD-ROM is sold for a fee. This CD-ROM holds key information corresponding to one of the storage units A to E. Therefore, for example, when the user wants to browse the content 5 stored in the storage unit A, he / she purchases a CD-ROM holding the key information corresponding to the content, and if the user does not set the CD-ROM in the user terminal 1, the user browses the target content 5 It is not possible.

If it is desired to browse a plurality of contents stored in the storage unit A other than the storage unit A, for example, a CD-ROM corresponding to each of the storage units B to E storing the contents is required.
Must buy. Furthermore, the above content 5
Will be updated after a period of time,
The key information stored in the storage unit is also updated. Therefore, the CD-ROM corresponding to the key information of the storage units A to E before the update
In the ROM, new content after the update cannot be browsed.

Next, how to use this system will be described. Here, a case where the user purchases a CD-ROM having key information corresponding to the storage unit A will be described as an example. That is, a procedure in which the user purchases the CD-ROM corresponding to the key information of the storage unit A as described above and then browses the content 5 stored in the storage unit A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. I do.

In step 101, the user sets a CD-ROM having key information corresponding to the storage unit A in the personal computer of the user terminal 1. In step 102, the user sends a browsing request signal for the content 5 in the storage unit A. When the browsing request signal is transmitted in step 102, in step 103, the authentication unit 4 determines whether the user
It is determined whether or not the key information of the OM matches the key information of the storage unit A. As a result, when it is verified that the key information of the CD-ROM matches the key information of the storage unit A, the browsing of the content 5 in the storage unit A is permitted in step 104, and the content management server 2 in step 105.
Transmits the content 5. And the user
You will be able to browse this.

On the other hand, when the key information of the CD-ROM is not authenticated, the contents 5 stored in the storage unit A are stored.
View is rejected. Here, the reason why the key information of the CD-ROM is not authenticated is that the user purchased the CD-ROM.
It is conceivable that a browsing request has been made for the content 5 in the storage unit that does not match the ROM, or that the content has been updated and the key information of the storage unit A has been updated. A method of updating the contents of the storage unit A and renewing the key information will be described.

That is, the data of the content 5 is
The data is deleted when a certain period has elapsed since the last update, and is replaced with new data instead of the deleted data. At this time, the key information stored in the storage units A to E is also rewritten at the same time as the content data in the storage units A to E is rewritten. Therefore, the user having the CD-ROM corresponding to the key information before rewriting is determined that the key information of the CD-ROM does not match the key information of the storage unit A in step 103 of FIG.
I cannot browse the content.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, even if the user accesses the content management server 2 and tries to browse the content 5, the CD-ROM holding the key information is used.
Unless a ROM is purchased, these contents 5 cannot be browsed. Therefore, the provision of the content 5 can be reliably charged. Also, the content 5 can be browsed without inputting any personal data, and the CD-
Since there is no need to input personal data when purchasing the ROM, privacy infringement can be completely prevented. Further, the content 5 is not allowed to be browsed after a certain period has elapsed, but by limiting the browse period in this way, the commercial value of the content to be provided can be increased.

[0016] Further, by purchasing a CD-ROM having key information in advance, the user does not need to pay using a credit card as in the related art. Therefore, it is not necessary to transfer personal information such as a credit card on the Internet, and it is possible to prevent misuse of credit card information and leakage of personal information.

Further, even if the CD-ROM is lost, the amount of damage to the user is limited to the purchase price, and the damage can be minimized as compared with the amount of damage due to abuse of a credit card. . In addition, when accessing a general content management server on the Internet, the user may impulsively browse the unnecessary content, and a large browsing fee may be charged later.

However, according to the first embodiment, since the user accesses the content management server 2 after purchasing the CD-ROM corresponding to the content to be browsed in advance, the other content can be impulsively desired. Will not be viewed. That is, the user can browse only the necessary content according to the purpose. Although a CD-ROM is used as a storage medium, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk,
Another storage medium such as an MD may be used.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment.
The storage units A to E of the content management server include a normal content 8 that can be browsed without transferring personal information and a premium content 9 that cannot be browsed without transferring personal information. Except for this feature, it is the same as the first embodiment. This first
The same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the content management server 2 has a plurality of storage units A to A each having unique key information.
E, a personal data storage unit 6 for storing personal data of the user, a personal data processing unit 7 for confirming whether or not the personal data has been correctly inputted, key information of the storage units A to E, and a CD-ROM. An authentication unit 4 for checking whether the key information matches the key information.

The storage units A to E store data of normal contents 8 and data of premium contents 9 in addition to key information. The normal content 8 is a content that can be browsed by the user when the key information of the CD-ROM set in the user terminal 1 is authenticated by the authentication unit 4.

On the other hand, the premium content 9 is
This is content that can be viewed on condition that the key information of the ROM is authenticated and that the user inputs personal data. This premium content 9 includes
Detailed information on the normal content 8 and special information not described in the normal content 8 are described. As will be described in detail later, the normal content 8 can be downloaded any number of times, while the premium content 9 can be downloaded only once. In other words, if there is a fact that once downloaded, the second download will not be possible. The authentication unit 4 confirms the fact of this download.

Next, how to use this system will be described. Here, a case where the user purchases a CD-ROM having key information corresponding to the storage unit A will be described as an example. That is, the procedure for the user to purchase the CD-ROM corresponding to the key information of the storage unit A as described above and then browse the normal content 8 and the premium content 9 stored in the storage unit A is shown in FIG. , 6 will be described.

First, the case of browsing the normal content 8 will be described with reference to FIG. Step 201
Then, the user stores the storage unit A in the personal computer of the user terminal 1.
A CD-ROM having key information corresponding to is set.
In step 202, the user sends a browsing request signal for the normal content 8 in the storage unit A. Step 20 above
When the browsing request signal is transmitted in step 2, in step 203,
The authentication unit 4 determines whether or not the key information of the user's CD-ROM matches the key information of the storage unit A. When the key information is authenticated, browsing of the normal content 8 in the storage unit A is permitted. The user then proceeds to step 204
The normal content 8 can be browsed.

On the other hand, when the key information of the CD-ROM is not authenticated, browsing of the normal content 8 stored in the storage unit A is rejected. Further, when the browsing of the normal content 8 is permitted in step 203, the normal content 8 can be downloaded. That is, the user who wants to download the normal content 8 sends a download request signal for the normal content to the authentication unit 4 in step 204.

The authentication unit 4 includes key information of a CD-ROM,
In addition to authenticating the key information in the storage unit, the presence or absence of download is stored. However, the normal content 8 can be downloaded any number of times. Therefore, by sending out the download request signal in step 205, the user can download any number of times in step 206. As described above, the user does not have to use a billing system using a cash card, for example, to browse the normal content 8. Because CD-
This is because the charging is completed when the ROM is purchased.

Next, a case where the premium content 9 is browsed will be described with reference to FIG. The user sets the CD-ROM having the key information corresponding to the storage unit A in the personal computer of the user terminal 1 in step 301, and sends out a browsing request signal of the normal content 8 in step 302. In step 303, the key information confirmation unit 4 determines whether or not the key information of the user's CD-ROM matches the key information of the storage unit. The browsing of the premium content 9 is rejected.

When the key information is authenticated in step 303, in step 304, the user name, telephone number,
An input box for inputting specific items such as a date of birth and an e-mail address is presented, and the user inputs personal data to the specific items indicated in this input column. The input personal data is stored in the personal data storage unit 6 as user data.

In step 305, the personal data processing unit 7 determines whether all the specified items have been completely entered. If there is no omission in all items input to the personal data storage unit 6, the process proceeds to step 306,
Premium content 9 can be browsed. On the other hand, if there is any input omission, step 3 is repeated.
Returning to 04, personal data must be entered.

The premium contents 9 include detailed information of the normal contents 8 and the normal contents 8.
There are special information that is not listed in.
Therefore, since personal data such as a name and an e-mail address may be provided to the content management server 2, only a user who wants to view the premium content 9 inputs the personal data.

The user who wants to download the premium content 9 browsed in step 306,
At 07, a download request signal for the premium content 9 is transmitted to the authentication unit 4.

When the download signal of the premium content 9 is transmitted in step 307 as described above, the authentication unit 4 determines whether or not the user has downloaded the premium content 9 before. Authentication unit 4
Recognizes the key information of the CD-ROM and the key information of the storage unit, and stores the presence or absence of download. However, when the premium content 9 is only viewed, the download is not recorded. In the second embodiment, the premium content 9 is
Since download is allowed only once, if it is determined that there is a download record, the download request in step 307 is rejected assuming that this download is the second download.

On the other hand, if there is no record of download, download of this premium content 9 is permitted,
The user can download it at step 309. The normal content 8 and the premium content 9 are updated after a certain period of time, and the key information is changed. The method of updating these contents or changing the key information is the same as in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, unless the user has a CD-ROM holding the key information of the content to be browsed, the content cannot be browsed. . Further, in the second embodiment, a CD-ROM is required not only for viewing each content but also for downloading. Therefore, it is possible to reliably charge for downloading. Also,
Although personal data is input to view the premium content 9, this personal data is not for billing purposes, so there is no need to input information such as a cash card. Since you do not enter your cash card information,
Even if other personal data is input, no financial trouble occurs.

Further, by inputting personal information for browsing the premium content 9, the user can receive a notification such as a rewriting time of the content from the server. The user who receives this notification can browse the rewritten new content by purchasing a CD-ROM corresponding to the key information in the new storage unit.

Although the premium content 9 can be downloaded only once, the added value of the premium content 9 as a product can be increased by limiting the number of downloads. Furthermore, limiting the number of downloads can contribute to copyright protection.

In the second embodiment, the normal content 8 and the premium content 9 can be browsed and downloaded separately.
By browsing, the right to view and download the premium content 9 may be given. In this way, by authenticating the key information of the CD-ROM only once, the normal content 8
And premium content 9 can be browsed and downloaded.

Although two contents, a normal content 8 and a premium content 9, are prepared in the storage units A to E, it is also possible to use only the normal content 8 without using the premium content 9. Good. That is, only contents that can be browsed without inputting any personal data may be used. In such a case, privacy infringement can be completely prevented. On the other hand, the premium content 9 may be used without using the normal content 8, that is, only the content that cannot be browsed without inputting personal data may be used. In such a case, the user can receive notification of content update, special information, and the like by e-mail. In addition, the number of permitted downloads is 1
The number of times is not limited to one time.

[0039]

According to the first aspect, in order to browse the content stored in the content management server,
The key information is held in the storage medium, and the content can be browsed only when the key information is authenticated by the content management server. By selling the storage medium, the content browsing fee is reduced. Can be charged. Therefore, there is no need to use a credit card or the like to browse the content, and it is possible to minimize the danger of the user when using the content.

According to the second aspect, the content management server is configured to delete the stored content after a certain period of time, so that the content value of the content can be increased. According to the third aspect, once the content has been downloaded, the content cannot be downloaded thereafter. Therefore, the commercial value of the content can be increased, and further, the copyright can be protected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of the content management server 2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of a content management server 2 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 User Terminal 2 Content Management Server 3 Internet 5 Content 8 Normal Content 9 Premium Content

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 332 G06F 17/60 332

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A user terminal, a content management server connected to the user terminal via the Internet, and a storage medium holding key information for browsing content stored in the content management server, A content providing system that allows a user terminal to browse the content of a content management server using key information held in a storage medium. 2. The content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the content management server is configured to be capable of erasing the stored content after a predetermined period has elapsed. 3. The content management server detects whether or not the content has already been downloaded when the user terminal accesses the content management server, and when the content management server confirms the fact of downloading, the content management server determines whether the content has been downloaded. 3. The content providing system according to claim 1, wherein a download request from the terminal is rejected.