JP2003346051A - Contents transmitting/receiving system, receiver, and charge processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charge distribution system taking multiple enterprisers contributing to processes ranging from production of contents to distribution of it for audiovisual view into consideration. <P>SOLUTION: This contents transmitting/receiving system is provided with a transmitter transmitting the contents, a receiver receiving the contents, and a charge processing device processing charges. The receiver acquires charged fee basic information, which is related to processing carried out on the received contents and provided with a plurality of identifiers for identifying the enterprisers related to the contents processing, and transmits the charged fee basic information. The charge processing device receives the charged fee basic information, and on the basis of the charged fee basic information, computes an income amount for each enterpriser identified by the identifier included in the charged fee basic information. By means of the contents transmitting/ receiving system, the fee can be charged fairly while taking the multiple enterprisers contributing to the processes ranging from production of the contents to disposal of them into consideration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmitting apparatus for transmitting contents, a receiving apparatus for receiving contents, and a content transmitting / receiving system having a charging rate calculating apparatus for calculating a charging rate for content processing in the receiving apparatus. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a first conventional technique, there is a billing method for viewing paid broadcasts in digital television broadcasting. In pay television broadcasting, a viewing fee is determined for each content. Then, a history in which the viewer has viewed the pay content is stored in a recording medium such as an IC card. Then, a viewing history stored in a recording medium such as an IC card is acquired by communication from a server device of a digital television broadcaster,
We charge viewers. In other words, the viewing history information includes
Contains a content identifier that identifies the content,
It does not include a trader identifier for identifying a trader or company that has contributed to the production, distribution, reception, or viewing, etc. of the content.

As a second conventional technique, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-2001
There is a data providing system described in Japanese Patent No. 22844. The data providing system is a data providing system having a data providing device, a data processing device, and a management device.
The data providing device distributes content data and rights document data indicating handling of the content data to the data processing device, and the data processing device distributes the distribution based on the distributed rights document data. The management apparatus determines at least one of a purchase mode and a use mode of the received content data, and transmits history data indicating a history of at least one of the determined purchase mode and the use mode to the management device. Managing the providing device and the data processing device, based on the received history data, the profit obtained by the purchase and the use of the content data in the data processing device, the person concerned of the data providing device This is a data providing system that performs a profit distribution process for distributing the data to a company. That is, the present data providing system is a system that can protect the interests of the right holder who has some rights to the content.

[0004]

However, according to the first and second prior arts, there is no system for distributing charges in consideration of a large number of traders who have contributed to content viewing. Specifically, a system in which only the content provider involved in the production of the content, the right holder of the content, etc. can make a profit, but a hardware and software provider using the content can make a profit. is not. In addition, if it is attempted to distribute profits manually to a provider that provides a receiving apparatus or a provider that provides software that realizes one function of the receiving apparatus, the receiving service used by the viewer is It is not possible to know the device provider, software provider, or the like that performs billing processing. Therefore, it is not possible to charge in consideration of a large number of companies who have contributed to the content viewing.

[0005] On the other hand, users pay for solutions and services. Therefore, providers of hardware and software other than contents that implement solutions and the like should also provide a system that can earn profits according to the degree and amount of the solutions and the like.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a content transmitting / receiving system having a transmitting device for transmitting content, a receiving device for receiving content, and a charging processing device for performing charging processing. The receiving apparatus identifies a content receiving unit that receives the content, a content processing unit that processes the content, and information related to the content processing in the content processing unit, the trader being involved in the content processing. A charging fee basic information acquiring unit for acquiring the charging fee basic information having a plurality of vendor identifiers, and a charging fee basic information transmitting unit for transmitting the charging fee basic information to the charging processing device;
Based on the basic charge information received by the basic charge information receiving unit, the basic charge information receiving unit for receiving the basic charge information, and based on the basic charge information received by the basic charge information receiving unit, the amount of revenue for each of the vendors identified by the vendor identifier included in the basic charge fee information. A billing charge calculation unit to calculate, and a content transmission and reception system including a revenue amount storage unit that stores revenue amount information that is information indicating the revenue amount for each trader calculated by the charging fee calculation unit. It is possible to charge fairly considering a large number of companies that have contributed from the production of content to the processing.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the present embodiment, components using the same reference numerals, steps in a flowchart, and the like have the same function, and therefore, description may be omitted for components that have been described once.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content transmitting / receiving system according to the present embodiment. The content transmitting / receiving system includes a transmitting device 1
1, a receiving device 12, and a billing processing device 13. The transmission device 11 has a content storage unit 1101 and a content transmission unit 1102. The receiving device 12 includes a content receiving unit 1201, a content processing unit 1202, a basic charging fee information acquiring unit 1203, and a basic charging fee information transmitting unit 1204. The charging processing device 13 includes a charging fee basic information receiving unit 13
01, billing charge calculation unit 1302, income amount accumulation unit 1303
Having.

[0009] The content storage unit 1101 stores content. The content storage unit 1101 is preferably a nonvolatile recording medium, but may be a volatile recording medium. Specifically, the content storage unit 1101 is preferably a large-capacity hard disk or the like.

[0010] Content transmitting section 1102 transmits the content stored in content storing section 1101. The content transmission unit 1102 can be realized by a broadcast unit, a communication unit, or the like. That is, transmission may be transmission by broadcasting or transmission by communication. Communication is
Wireless communication or wired communication may be used. Note that, in this specification, the term “transmission” does not distinguish from the term “distribution” but refers to broadly transmitting data such as content.

[0011] The content receiving unit 1201 is a transmitting device 1
1 receives the content to be transmitted. The content receiving unit 1201 can be realized by means for receiving a broadcast (such as a tuner and its driver software) or communication means.

The content processing section 1202 performs processing on the content received by the content receiving section 1201. Processing means recording (copying) the content on a recording medium
And any process for the content, such as a process for performing the process, a process for outputting the content to a display, a printer, a speaker, or the like, and a process for modifying the content. Means for implementing the content processing unit 1202 differs depending on the content of the processing. Normally, the content processing unit 1202
Is software and hardware (such as a display)
Can be realized by:

A basic charge information obtaining unit 1203 obtains basic charge information, which is information relating to the processing of the content in the content processing unit 1202 and has a plurality of trader identifiers for identifying traders involved in the processing of the content.
The charge basic information acquisition unit 1203 is usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). Needless to say, the software is executed by the CPU included in the receiving device 12.
Further, the data structure of the basic fee information does not matter. An example of the data structure of the basic charge information will be described below. Also,
The basic charge information is information used to calculate the charge. Further, the source of the plurality of trader identifiers included in the basic charge fee information does not matter. The vendor identifier is an attribute value of the content received by the receiving device 12, and includes, for example,
The information may be information for identifying a provider who holds the copyright of the content, or may be information for identifying a distributor (sender) of the content. The vendor identifier is information that the receiving device 12 holds in advance. For example, if the information is information for identifying a manufacturer of the receiving device 12 or processing software for processing content using the receiving device 12 is used. For example, the information may be information for identifying a provider. Further, the vendor identifier may be a manufacturer identifier that is information for identifying the manufacturer of the receiving device 12, a vendor identifier that is information for identifying the vendor of the receiving device 12, or the like. Further, the trader identifier may be information for indirectly identifying the trader. For example, the trader identifier may be information for identifying a product or the like manufactured or sold by a specific trader. Even with such information, it is possible to identify a company that ultimately makes a profit.

The basic charge information transmitting unit 1204 transmits the basic charge information acquired by the basic charge information acquisition unit 1203 to the charge processing device 13. Basic charge information transmission unit 12
04 is preferably implemented by wireless or wired communication means, but may be implemented by broadcast means. The timing at which the basic charge information transmitting unit 1204 transmits the basic charge information does not matter. Basic charge information transmission unit 1204
The basic charge information acquiring unit 1203 may acquire the basic charge information and transmit it immediately, may transmit the stored basic charge information periodically, or may transmit a fixed amount of charge information. When the basic information is accumulated, the basic fee information may be transmitted.

The basic charge information receiving unit 1301 receives the basic charge information transmitted by the basic charge information transmitting unit 1204. The basic charge information receiving unit 1301 is preferably realized by wireless or wired communication means, but may be realized by a broadcast receiving means.

Based on the basic charge information received by the basic charge information receiving unit 1301,
Calculate the amount of income for each company identified by the company identifier included in the basic charge information. The charge calculation unit 1302 is usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). Needless to say, the software is executed by the CPU included in the accounting processing device 13.

The income amount accumulating unit 1303 accumulates income amount information, which is information indicating the income amount for each company calculated by the charge amount calculating unit 1302. The income amount information accumulated by the income amount accumulation unit 1303 is accumulated in a recording medium built in the accounting apparatus 13 or an external recording medium. The recording medium may be a non-volatile recording medium or a volatile recording medium. That is, the accumulation of the income amount information performed by the income amount accumulation unit 1303 includes temporary storage in the memory. The income amount accumulation unit 1303 can be realized by, for example, a drive that records information on a recording medium and its driver software. Various processes can be considered for the accumulated income information. For example, it is conceivable to transmit the information on the amount of income to a server device in a bank, and perform the settlement processing in the server device. In addition, it is conceivable to print out the accumulated income information and manually perform the settlement process based on the printed income information.

Hereinafter, the operation of the content transmitting / receiving system according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the transmitting device 1
1 will be described. The transmitting device 11 acquires the content stored in the content storage unit 1101, and transmits the content. Note that the transmitting device 11
May transmit the content according to a predetermined schedule, or may transmit the content in response to a request of the user of the receiving device 12. Next, the operation of the receiving device 12 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S201) Content Receiver 1
201 determines whether or not the content has been received. If the content is received, the process proceeds to step S202, and if the content is not received, the process returns to step S201.

(Step S202) Content processing unit 1
Step 202 processes the content received in step S201. This process is usually a predetermined process, but in a situation where two or more processes are possible,
A configuration in which one or more processes specified by the user are performed may be employed.

(Step S203) The basic charge information obtaining unit 1203 obtains basic charge information corresponding to the content processing in step S202.

(Step S204) The basic charge information transmitting unit 1204 transmits the basic charge information acquired in step S203 to the charge processing device 13.

Next, the operation of the accounting unit 13 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S301) The basic charge information receiving unit 1301 determines whether the basic charge information has been received. If the basic charge information is received, the process proceeds to step S302. If the basic charge information is not received, step S30 is performed.
Return to 1.

(Step S302) Billing Charge Calculation Unit 130
Step 2 calculates the amount of income for each trader identified by the trader identifier included in the basic charge information based on the basic charge information acquired in step S301.

(Step S303) Income amount accumulation unit 13
03 accumulates income amount information which is information indicating the income amount for each company calculated in step S302.

Hereinafter, a specific operation of the transmitting / receiving system according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a first specific example will be described. Now, the transmitting device transmits the content shown in FIG. 4 to the receiving device. 4 has a header part and a main body part. The header part includes a content identifier that is information for identifying the content, a content holder identifier that identifies a content holder that is a vendor that is permitted to perform some processing such as copyright of the content, and a size of the content. Have. Note that the content holder identifier, the size of the content, and the like are referred to as content attribute values. The main body is the content itself. The contents are e-book data, movie data, music information, TV program information, concert data, technical commentary documents, and the like, and the contents, data structure, data type, and the like are not particularly limited. .

Then, the transmitting device transmits the content having the structure shown in FIG. 4 to the receiving device. This transmission may be performed by a broadcasting unit or a communication unit. Further, the transmission may be automatically transmitted or may be transmitted in response to a request from the receiving device. Next, the receiving device receives the content having the structure of FIG. Then, it is assumed that the receiving apparatus stores in advance a receiving apparatus provider identifier for identifying the receiving apparatus provider which is a provider of the receiving apparatus. The provider of the receiving apparatus refers to a provider or an individual who makes some contribution to the receiving apparatus. Then, the receiving device acquires the “receiving device provider identifier”. In addition, the receiving apparatus reads “content identifier”, “content holder identifier” from the header of the received content.
Get "content size". Then, the receiving device constitutes basic fee information having “content identifier”, “content size”, “content holder identifier”, and “receiving device provider identifier”. FIG. 5 shows the structure of the basic fee information. Next, the receiving device transmits the basic charging fee information having the structure of FIG. 5 to the charging processing device. This transmission is usually transmission by communication means, but may be transmission by broadcast means.

Next, the accounting processing device receives the basic accounting fee information. Then, the billing processing device calculates the amount of income for each trader identified by the trader identifier as follows based on the received basic charge fee information. Now, the charge calculation unit holds the tables of FIGS. FIG. 6 is a content size charge table for managing charges imposed on the user when processing such as viewing or copying content is performed. The content management table manages a plurality of fee records having “content size” and “content processing fee”. "Content Processing Fee"
Indicates the fee paid by the user for processing the content. That is, according to FIG. 6, the fee increases as the size of the content increases. FIG. 7 is a distribution ratio management table showing the ratio of distribution for each company to the entire profit. The distribution ratio management table manages a plurality of distribution ratio records having “trader identifier” and “distribution ratio”. "Distribution ratio"
Indicates the ratio of the fee distributed from the total profit to the trader indicated by the “trader identifier”. In FIG.
The distribution ratio of the content holder, which is a distributor who holds some rights to the content, is “0.9” of the total revenue fee, and the distribution ratio of the receiving device provider, which is a provider of the receiving device, is the total revenue fee. "0.1"
It is.

Now, it is assumed that the basic fee information shown in FIG. 8 has been transmitted from the receiving device to the charging processing device. That is,
The “content identifier” is “XXX concert content”, and the “content size” is “4.6 GBytes”.
e (gigabytes) ", the" content holder identifier "is" Company A ", and the" receiving device provider identifier "is" P company ". The “content holder identifier” and “receiving device provider identifier” need not be company names, but may be any information such as numerical values or symbols that can identify the trader.

The charging fee calculation unit obtains the content size “4.6 GByte” of the basic charging fee information. Next, the charging fee calculation unit acquires a content processing fee “200 yen” corresponding to the content size “4.6 GByte” from the content size fee table of FIG. Next, based on the distribution ratio management table in FIG. 7, the charge calculation unit calculates to distribute “180 yen” to “Company A” and “20 yen” to “Company P”.

Next, the income amount accumulating unit stores “Company A”, “18”
The income information of "0 yen", "Company P" and "20 yen" is accumulated. The accumulated income information has, for example, contents as shown in FIG. In other words, the income information is, for example,
It has a “trader identifier” and an “income amount”.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in charging for processing such as viewing and copying of content, it is possible to perform fair charging in consideration of a plurality of companies that have contributed from production of content to processing of content. It is.

In the present embodiment, the basic charge information has the content attribute values of the content size and the content holder identifier, and the receiving device attribute value of the receiver identifier. Then, a billing fee is calculated based on the content attribute value called the content size, and the entire revenue is distributed based on the content attribute value called the content holder identifier and the receiving device attribute value called the receiving device provider identifier. However, the content attribute value is different from the size, such as the content data type (audio only, video and audio, text, etc.),
The type of the content video (such as high-definition video or standard video), a content transmitter identifier for identifying the content transmitter that transmits the content, or the purchase price of the content may be used. In addition, the receiving device attribute values include the manufacturing year of the receiving device other than the identifier of the receiving device provider (the charging fee may be changed depending on the manufacturing year, the size of the display of the receiving device, and the configuration of the receiving device). For example, a trader identifier for identifying a trader of software or hardware components to be used may be used. The fact that various information can be applied to the content attribute value and the receiving device attribute value is the same in other embodiments.

In the present embodiment, the content identifier is included in the basic charge information, but the content identifier may not be included. The basic fee information may include information for calculating the fee. This is the same in the other embodiments.

In the present embodiment, the basic fee information may include processing information for identifying the content of the processing for the content, a user identifier for identifying the user, and the like. That is, the billing processing device can calculate the billing fee based on the processing information. For example,
It is possible to charge such that the fee for viewing the content and the fee for recording (copying) are different. Also, when calculating the charging fee for each user, a user identifier is required.

In this embodiment, the content identifier included in the basic fee information is not used for calculating the fee. However, if the fee differs for each content, the content identifier is used to calculate the fee. Is calculated. That is, a table that associates the content identifier with the content processing fee is managed by the charging device, and the charging device calculates the processing fee for each content based on the table.

Further, various processes in the present embodiment may be realized by software and provided by software download. Further, such software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. The fact that there are various types of such realization means is the same in other embodiments. The program of the receiving device when various processes according to the present embodiment are realized by software has the following configuration. The program includes a content receiving step of receiving a content, a content processing step of performing a process on the content, and information on the content processing in the content processing step, wherein the computer identifies a trader involved in the content processing. A program for executing a basic charge information obtaining step of obtaining basic charge information having a plurality of trader identifiers and a basic charge information transmitting step of transmitting the basic charge information. The computer referred to here is a device that receives contents, and includes a so-called receiving device, a set-top box, and a television receiver.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content transmitting / receiving system according to the present embodiment. The content transmitting / receiving system includes a transmitting device 1
1, receiving device 102, billing device 13, recording medium 10
4 The receiving device 102 includes the content receiving unit 12
01, a content processing unit 10202, a basic charge information obtaining unit 1203, and a basic charge information transmitting unit 1204.

The recording medium 104 is a recording medium that can be inserted into the receiving device 102, is detachable from the receiving device, and has portability. The recording medium 104 is, for example, an IC
Cards, semiconductor memory cards, optical disks, and the like.

The content processing unit 10202 stores the content received by the content receiving unit 1201 in the recording medium 10.
Record in 4. The content processing unit 1202, for example,
It can be realized by software and a drive (hardware) that records contents on a recording medium. The timing at which the content processing unit 10202 records the content on the recording medium 104 does not matter. Content processing unit 10202
For example, if the content receiving unit 1201 receives the content, the content may be recorded on a recording medium,
The content may be recorded on the recording medium when the recording instruction of the user is given, or the content may be recorded on the recording medium only when the content attribute value of the content received by the content receiving unit 1201 satisfies a certain condition. good. The case where the content attribute value satisfies a certain condition is, for example, a case where the content is a movie content and an actor appearing in the movie is a favorite actor of a user who is registered in advance. The recording of the content includes various recording modes such as overwriting and additional recording.

The operation of the content transmitting / receiving system according to the present embodiment will be described below. The operations of the transmitting device 11 and the billing device 13 have been described in the first embodiment. Since the operation of receiving apparatus 102 is also substantially the same as the operation of receiving apparatus 102 described in Embodiment 1,
Detailed description here is omitted. The difference from the description in the first embodiment is that a specific example of the processing for the content is recording on the recording medium 104.

Hereinafter, a specific operation of the transmission / reception system according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a first specific example of the transmission / reception system will be described. FIG. 11 is a content flow in which a provider involved in receiving a content from the reception device to recording the content on a recording medium is specified.
According to FIG. 11, the content held by the content holder is provided to the content sender by some means. The content holder is, for example, a company that produces content and holds a copyright. The content transmitter is, for example, a provider or a broadcaster. The transmitting device held by the content transmitting company transmits the content to the receiving device. Now, it is assumed that the transmitting device transmits the content having the structure shown in FIG. 12 to the receiving device. The content of FIG. 12 has a header part and a main part. The header section includes a content identifier, a content holder identifier, a content sender identifier for identifying a content sender that is a sender of the content, a content size, and the like. The main body is the content itself. As described above, the contents are e-book data, movie data, music information, television program information, concert data, technical commentary documents, etc., and particularly the contents, data structure, and data. The type is not limited.

Further, the receiving apparatus holds the receiving apparatus provider identifier. Then, by the processing as described above, the receiving device receives the content and records the received content on a recording medium. And the receiving device,
When the recording process of the content is performed, the basic charge fee information is configured. Specifically, the receiving device forms the basic charge information having the structure shown in FIG. The basic charge information includes “content identifier”, “content holder identifier”, “content sender identifier”, and “receiving device identifier”. The content identifier is information for identifying the content. The content holder identifier is
This is information for identifying a content holder who is a holder of the content. Who owns the content?
It is a company that can substantially supply the content, such as a company that has a copyright of the content or a company that is permitted to use the content by the copyright holder of the content. The content sender identifier is information for identifying a content sender that is a sender of the content. The receiver identifier is information that identifies the receiver provider that provides the receiver. The provider of the receiving device does not need to provide the entire receiving device, and may be a provider who contributes to the function of the receiving device.

Now, the content received by the receiving device has “content identifier”, “content holder identifier”, and “content sender identifier” as content attribute values. Then, the “content identifier” is “electronic book: Phoebel insects”. The “content holder identifier” is “Company A”. The “content sender identifier” is “Company H”. Then, the receiving device stores "Company P" as the "receiver identifier".

In this state, it is assumed that the receiving device has recorded the received content on a recording medium. Next, the receiving device is paired with the content or has a content attribute value “content identifier” “content holder identifier” “content sender identifier”
To get. Next, the receiving device acquires a “receiving device vendor identifier”. Next, the receiving device forms the basic charge information shown in FIG. Next, the receiving device transmits the basic charging fee information of FIG. 14 to the charging processing device.

The accounting processor receives the basic accounting fee information shown in FIG. And now, the charging processing apparatus holds the content recording fee table of FIG. 15 and the distribution ratio management table of FIG. The content recording fee table in FIG. 15 manages the recording fee for each content when recording the content. The content recording fee table stores one or more records having a content identifier and a content recording fee. The structure of the distribution ratio management table of FIG. 16 is the same as the structure of the distribution ratio management table of FIG.

Then, the billing processor sets the content identifier “E-book: Fabel Insect” in the basic billing information.
, A content recording fee of "1000 yen" is obtained. Next, the accounting processing device calculates the income amounts of the three companies based on the distribution ratio management table of FIG. In other words, the billing apparatus sets the content recording fee “1000 yen” to three companies as shown in FIG.
Is calculated based on the distribution ratio management table. As a result, the accounting processing device calculates and accumulates the amount of income for each company shown in FIG.

Next, a second specific example will be described. FIG. 18 is a content flow in which a provider involved in receiving the content and recording the content on a recording medium is clearly shown. According to FIG. 18, the content held by the content holder is provided to the content transmitter by some means. Then, the transmitting device held by the content transmitting company transmits the content to the receiving device. Also,
The receiving device holds a content receiving function provider identifier and a content using function provider identifier. The content receiving function provider identifier is information for identifying a content receiving function provider that is a provider that provides a function of receiving content. The content receiving function provider may be a company that provides hardware or a company that provides software, and may be any company that provides a product that contributes to the content receiving function. The content use function provider identifier is information for identifying a content use function provider that is a provider that provides a function of using content. Usage is recording, output, etc., excluding reception. Also, the content use function provider may be a company that provides hardware or a company that provides software,
Any company that contributes to the use of the content is acceptable.

[0050] Then, when the recording process of the content is performed, the receiving device forms the basic fee information.
Specifically, the receiving device forms the basic charge information having the structure shown in FIG. The basic fee information includes “content identifier”, “content holder identifier”, “content sender identifier”, “content receiving function provider identifier”, and “content use function provider identifier”.

The content received by the receiving apparatus has "content identifier", "content holder identifier", and "content sender identifier" as content attribute values. The “content identifier” is “electronic book: animal picture book”. The “content holder identifier” is “Company A”. The “content sender identifier” is “Company H”. Then, the receiving apparatus sets “Company P” as the “content receiving function provider identifier”,
"Company S" as "Content usage function provider identifier"
Is stored.

In this state, it is assumed that the receiving device has recorded the received content on a recording medium. Next, the receiving device is paired with the content or has a content attribute value “content identifier” “content holder identifier” “content sender identifier”
To get. Next, the receiving device acquires the “content receiving function provider identifier” and the “content using function provider identifier” stored in the receiving device. Next, the receiving device forms the basic charge information shown in FIG. next,
The receiving device transmits the basic charging fee information of FIG. 20 to the charging processing device.

The accounting processor receives the basic accounting fee information shown in FIG. And now, the charging processing device holds the content recording fee table of FIG. 15 and the distribution ratio management table of FIG. Then, the accounting processing device acquires the content recording fee “500 yen” from the content identifier “electronic book: animal picture book” of the accounting fee basic information. Next, the accounting processing device calculates the income amounts of the four companies based on the distribution ratio management table of FIG. That is, the billing processing device performs a calculation of distributing the content recording fee “500 yen” to four companies based on the distribution ratio management table of FIG. As a result, the billing processing device calculates and accumulates the profit amount for each company shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in charging for processing such as recording (copying) of content, fair charging in consideration of a large number of vendors who have contributed from production of content to recording of content. Is possible.

In the present embodiment, the accumulated information on the amount of income for each trader may be used in any manner. For example, information on the amount of income for each trader may be transmitted to a server device of a bank, and the server device may settle the payment.
Further, the information on the amount of income for each trader may be printed out and settled manually. The same applies to other embodiments.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content transmitting / receiving system according to the present embodiment. The content transmitting / receiving system includes a transmitting device 1
1, a receiving device 222, a billing device 13, a display 224, and a speaker 225. Receiving device 222
Are the content receiving unit 1201, the content processing unit 22
202, a basic charge information obtaining unit 1203, and a basic charge information transmitting unit 1204.

The content processing section 22202 outputs the content received by the content receiving section 1201 to the display 224, the speaker 225, and the like. The content processing unit 22202 can be generally realized by driver software or the like that outputs video and audio to a display and a speaker. However, when the output corresponds to, for example, printing, the content processing unit 22202 can be realized by a printer driver or the like.

The operation of the content transmitting / receiving system according to the present embodiment will be described below. The operations of the transmitting device 11 and the billing device 13 have been described in the first embodiment. The operation of the receiving device 222 is also substantially the same as the operation of the receiving device 222 described in the first embodiment.
Detailed description here is omitted. The difference from the description of the first embodiment is that a specific example of the processing on the content is the output of the content to the display 224, the speaker 225, and the like.

Hereinafter, a specific operation of the transmission / reception system according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a first specific example of the transmission / reception system will be described. FIG. 24 is a content flow that clearly shows a company involved in receiving and outputting the content by the receiving device. Then, the receiving device configures the basic charge information when the output processing of the content is performed. Specifically, the receiving device forms the basic charge information having the structure shown in FIG. The basic charge information includes “content identifier”, “content holder identifier”, “content sender identifier”, and “receiving device identifier”.

The content received by the receiving apparatus has "content identifier", "content holder identifier", and "content sender identifier" as content attribute values. Then, the “content identifier” is “electronic book: Phoebel insects”. The “content holder identifier” is “Company A”. The “content sender identifier” is “Company H”. Then, the receiving device stores "Company P" as the "receiver identifier".

In this state, it is assumed that the receiving device has output the received content to a display and / or a speaker. Next, the receiving device pairs with the content or has a content attribute value content identifier “content holder identifier”
Acquire "content sender identifier". Next, the receiving device acquires a “receiving device vendor identifier”. Next, the receiving device forms the basic charge information shown in FIG. Next, the receiving device transmits the basic charging fee information of FIG. 14 to the charging processing device.

The accounting processor receives the basic accounting fee information shown in FIG. And now, the charging processing apparatus holds the content output fee table of FIG. 25 and the distribution ratio management table of FIG. The content output fee table in FIG. 15 manages the output fee for each content when the content is output.

Then, the billing processing device sets the content identifier “E-book: Fabel Enshiki” of the billing basic information.
, A content output fee of "1000 yen" is obtained. Next, the accounting processing device calculates the income amounts of the three companies based on the distribution ratio management table of FIG. That is, the billing processing apparatus sets the content output fee “1000 yen” to three companies as shown in FIG.
Is calculated based on the distribution ratio management table. As a result, the accounting processing device calculates and accumulates the amount of income for each company shown in FIG.

Next, a second specific example will be described. FIG. 26 is a content flow in which a provider involved in receiving a content and outputting the content to a display or / and a speaker is clearly shown.

[0065] Then, when the content is output, the receiving device forms the basic charge information.
Specifically, the receiving device forms the basic charge information having the structure shown in FIG. The basic fee information includes “content identifier”, “content holder identifier”, “content sender identifier”, “content receiving function provider identifier”, and “content use function provider identifier”.

Now, the content received by the receiving apparatus has “content identifier”, “content holder identifier”, and “content sender identifier” as content attribute values. The “content identifier” is “electronic book: animal picture book”. The “content holder identifier” is “Company A”. The “content sender identifier” is “Company H”. Then, the receiving apparatus sets “Company P” as the “content receiving function provider identifier”,
"Company S" as "Content usage function provider identifier"
Is stored.

In this state, it is assumed that the receiving device has output the received content. Next, the receiving device:
It acquires a content attribute value content identifier, a content holder identifier, and a content sender identifier that are paired with the content or possessed by the content.
Next, the receiving device acquires a “content receiving function provider identifier” and a “content using function provider identifier”. Next, the receiving device forms the basic charge information shown in FIG. Next, the receiving device transmits the basic fee information of FIG. 20 to the charging processing device.

The accounting processor receives the basic accounting fee information shown in FIG. And now, the charging processing apparatus holds the content output charge table of FIG. 25 and the distribution ratio management table of FIG. Then, the accounting processing device acquires the content recording fee “500 yen” from the content identifier “electronic book: animal picture book” of the accounting fee basic information. Next, the accounting processing device calculates the income amounts of the four companies based on the distribution ratio management table of FIG. That is, the billing processing device performs a calculation of distributing the content recording fee “500 yen” to four companies based on the distribution ratio management table of FIG. As a result, the billing processing device calculates and accumulates the profit amount for each company shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform fair charging in consideration of a large number of vendors who have contributed from the production of content to the processing of content in charging for processing such as output of content.

In the present embodiment, the processing for the content is processing for outputting the content, but other processing may be performed. Specifically, the processing for the content may be the processing for recording the content as described in the first or second embodiment. In addition, the processing for the content includes the processing of recording the content and the processing of reading and outputting the recorded content.
One process may be indicated. That is, a certain fee may be added to the user when the content is recorded, and a certain fee may be added to the user when the content is output. In such a case, the fee calculated for both the content recording and the content output processing should be distributed to a large number of companies and the like who have contributed from the content production and the like to the content processing by the processing described above. Become.

[0071]

According to the present invention, it is possible to charge fairly in consideration of a large number of vendors who have contributed from the production of content to the processing of content in charging for content processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content transmission / reception system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a reception device in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the charging apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a content structure according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of basic charge information in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a content size charge table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a distribution ratio management table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of basic charge information in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing income amount information in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content transmission / reception system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a content flow in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a content structure according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of basic charge information in Embodiment 2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of basic charge information in Embodiment 2.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a content recording fee table according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a distribution ratio management table according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing income amount information according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a content flow in the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of basic charge information in Embodiment 2.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of basic charge information in Embodiment 2.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a distribution ratio management table according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing income amount information according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content transmission / reception system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a content flow in the third embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a content output fee table according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a content flow in the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Transmission device 12, 102, 222 receiving device 13 Billing device 104 Recording medium 224 display 225 speaker 1101 Content storage unit 1102 Content transmission unit 1201 Content receiving unit 1202, 10202, 22202 Content processing unit 1203 Basic charge information acquisition unit 1204 Basic charge information transmission unit 1301 Basic charge information receiving section 1302 Billing charge calculation unit 1303 Revenue amount accumulation unit

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Tomomi Kaga             Matsushita Electric, 1006 Kadoma, Kazuma, Osaka             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Makoto Sato             Matsushita Electric, 1006 Kadoma, Kazuma, Osaka             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ike ▲ Saki ▼ Masao             Matsushita Electric, 1006 Kadoma, Kazuma, Osaka             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5C064 BB01 BC01 BC04 BC16 BC20                       BC23 BC25 BD02 BD08

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A content transmitting / receiving system having a transmitting device for transmitting content, a receiving device for receiving the content, and a charging processing device for performing a charging process, wherein the receiving device is a content receiving unit that receives the content. And a content processing unit for performing processing on the content, and information on processing of the content in the content processing unit, and basic fee basic information including a plurality of trader identifiers for identifying traders involved in the processing of the content are obtained. And a basic charge information transmitting unit that transmits the basic charge information to the charging processing device, wherein the basic charging device receives the basic charge information. A receiving unit, and based on the basic charge information received by the basic charge information receiving unit, the basic charge information includes A billing charge calculating unit that calculates the amount of income for each trader identified by the trader identifier to be processed, and a profit amount storage unit that stores the amount of profit information that is information indicating the amount of profit for each trader calculated by the charging charge calculation unit. Content transmission / reception system provided. 2. The content receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving apparatus further includes a content attribute value storage unit that stores a content attribute value that is an attribute value of the content, and the basic fee information includes the content attribute value. Content transmission and reception system. 3. The receiving device further includes a receiving device attribute value storage unit that stores a receiving device attribute value that is an attribute value of the receiving device, wherein the basic fee information includes the receiving device attribute value. The content transmitting / receiving system according to claim 1. 4. The content transmitting / receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the content processing unit performs a process of recording the content on a recording medium. 5. The content transmission / reception system according to claim 4, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium detachable from the receiving device. 6. The content transmitting / receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the content processing unit performs a process of outputting the content. 7. The basic fee information includes a content holder identifier for identifying a content holder that is a provider of the content, and a content sender identifier for identifying a content sender that is a sender of the content. The content transmitting / receiving system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a receiving device provider identifier for identifying a receiving device provider that is a provider of the receiving device. 8. The basic charge fee information includes a content holder identifier, a content sender identifier, and a content reception function provider identifier for identifying a content reception function provider that provides a function of receiving the content. The content transmission / reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a content use function provider identifier for identifying a content use function provider that provides the function of using the content. 9. The content transmitting / receiving system according to claim 8, wherein the use is a process of recording the content on a recording medium. 10. A receiving device constituting the content transmitting / receiving system according to claim 1. 11. A billing device constituting the content transmission / reception system according to claim 1. 12. A billing method in a content transmitting / receiving system having a transmitting device for transmitting content, a receiving device for receiving the content, and a billing device for performing billing processing, wherein the content processing step includes processing the received content. And a fee basic information acquisition step of acquiring information on content processing in the content processing step, wherein the fee basic information includes a plurality of vendor identifiers for identifying vendors involved in the content processing. A billing processing method comprising: a billing fee calculation step of calculating an income amount for each of the vendors identified by a vendor identifier included in the basic fee information based on the information. 13. The charging method according to claim 12, wherein the basic charging fee information has the content attribute value. 14. The accounting method according to claim 12, wherein the basic fee information has the attribute value of the receiving device. 15. The accounting method according to claim 12, wherein in the content processing step, a process of recording the content on a recording medium is performed. 16. The accounting method according to claim 15, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium detachable from the receiving device. 17. The accounting method according to claim 12, wherein in the content processing step, a process of outputting the content is performed. 18. The basic fee information includes a content holder identifier for identifying a content holder that is a provider of the content, and a content sender identifier for identifying a content sender that is a sender of the content. 18. The accounting method according to claim 12, further comprising: a receiving apparatus provider identifier for identifying a receiving apparatus provider that is a provider of the receiving apparatus. 19. The charging fee basic information includes a content holder identifier, a content sender identifier, and a content receiving function provider identifier for identifying a content receiving function provider that provides a function of receiving the content. 18. The accounting method according to claim 12, further comprising: a content use function provider identifier for identifying a content use function provider that provides the function of using the content. 20. The billing method according to claim 19, wherein the use is a process of recording the content on a recording medium. 21. A computer, comprising: a content receiving step of receiving the content; a content processing step of performing processing on the content; and information relating to processing of the content in the content processing step. A program for executing a basic charge information obtaining step of obtaining basic charge information having a plurality of trader identifiers for identifying related businesses, and a basic charge information transmitting step of transmitting the basic charge information. 22. The program according to claim 21, wherein the basic fee information includes the content attribute value. 23. The program according to claim 21, wherein the basic fee information includes the attribute value of the receiving device. 24. The program according to claim 21, wherein in the content processing step, a process of recording the content on a recording medium is performed. 25. The program according to claim 24, wherein, in the content processing step, a process of recording the content on a recording medium detachable from a receiving device is performed. 26. The program according to claim 21, wherein in the content processing step, a process of outputting the content is performed. 27. The basic charge fee information includes a content holder identifier for identifying a content holder that is a provider of the content, and a content sender identifier for identifying a content sender that is a sender of the content. The program according to any one of claims 21 to 26, further comprising: a receiving apparatus provider identifier for identifying a receiving apparatus provider that provides a function of receiving the content. 28. The charge basic information includes a content holder identifier, a content sender identifier, and a content reception function provider identifier for identifying a content reception function provider that provides a function of receiving the content. The program according to any one of claims 21 to 26, further comprising: a content use function provider identifier for identifying a content use function provider that provides the function of using the content. 29. The program according to claim 28, wherein the use is a process of recording the content on a recording medium.