JP6082202B2 - Terminal, terminal control method, terminal control program, and recording medium recording the control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to restrictions on the use of content that a terminal has.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for restricting the use of content that a terminal has is known. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-202666 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology that enables the use of content until the expiration date and restricts the use of the content after the expiration date.

JP 2001-202666 A

  However, if the terminal is available for trial use, such as when a terminal having content whose usage is limited is displayed at a store, if the content is used, the user who purchased the terminal after trial uses the content. There is a problem that the available amount is less than the initial value or the content cannot be used. The above-mentioned publications do not take into account the above-described problems and cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal, a terminal control method, and a terminal control program that appropriately update content usage according to the state of the terminal. Is to provide.

  A terminal according to an aspect of the present invention is a terminal having content whose usage is limited. This terminal includes an updating unit that updates the usage amount according to the usage of content, and a limiting unit that limits usage of the content when the usage amount acquired from the updating unit is equal to or greater than an upper limit value associated with the content. Including. The update unit suppresses the update of the usage amount when the trial mode for trial use of the terminal is selected.

  Preferably, when the trial mode is selected, the updating unit sets a value smaller than the upper limit value as the usage amount when the user uses the content within a predetermined range, and the user Is used in a portion outside the predetermined range, a value larger than the upper limit value is set as the usage amount.

  More preferably, the terminal further includes a mode selection unit for selecting the trial mode as an initial mode at the time of power-on until the user performs a release operation for releasing the trial mode.

  More preferably, the content includes at least one of sound and video. The predetermined range is a range between the first reproduction position and the second reproduction position of the content.

  More preferably, the content includes an electronic book. The predetermined range is a range between the first page and the second page of the content.

More preferably, the usage amount is an integrated value of content usage time.
A terminal control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a terminal control method including a control unit that limits the amount of content used. In this control method, the control unit updates the usage amount according to the usage of the content, and when the trial mode for trying the terminal is selected, the step of suppressing the update of the usage amount, When the value is equal to or greater than the upper limit value associated with the content, the control unit includes a step of restricting the use of the content.

  A terminal control program according to still another aspect of the present invention is a terminal control program having content whose usage is limited. The control program updates the usage amount according to the usage of the content to the computer, and when the trial mode for trying the terminal is selected, the step of suppressing the updating of the usage amount, and the usage amount is the content If the value is equal to or greater than the upper limit value associated with, the step of restricting the use of the content is executed.

  A recording medium according to still another aspect of the present invention is a recording medium that records the above-described terminal control program.

  According to the present invention, when the trial mode is selected, the update of the usage amount is suppressed. Therefore, even when the content is used while the trial mode is selected, it is possible to suppress the content usage amount from being updated and exceeding the upper limit value. Therefore, it is possible to provide a terminal, a terminal control method, a terminal control program, and a recording medium on which the control program is recorded, in which the content usage is appropriately updated according to the state of the terminal.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the terminal which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the information about the utilization integrated time matched with every content, the time limit, and the availability. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the terminal which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the control structure of the program performed by a firmware part. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the control structure of the program performed by a firmware part. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed by an application part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. The terminal 10 according to the present embodiment will be described using an electronic dictionary as an example. In addition to the electronic dictionary, for example, a smart phone mobile phone, a tablet computer, an electronic book reader, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a notebook It may be a portable computer such as a type computer or a game machine, or may be a stationary terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 10 includes a display unit 20 having a screen. In the present embodiment, an operation unit (see FIG. 2) such as a touch panel is provided on the display unit 20 of the terminal 10. A user operates the touch panel to display content on the display unit 20 or display a search result by the dictionary function.

  In the present embodiment, the content will be described using, for example, a moving image including sound and video as an example. However, the content may be a moving image including only video, only sound, or other music. It may be an electronic book, a game, or various applications.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 10 includes a display unit 20, a control unit 30, a speaker 50, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as a communication I / F) 60, an operation unit 70, and a storage unit 100. And a data bus 80 for interconnecting the respective components.

  The display unit 20 displays various information (still images or moving images such as characters or graphics) stored in the storage unit 100 on the screen based on a control signal from the control unit 30. As the display unit 20, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence), or the like is used.

  The control unit 30 executes processing for controlling the operation of the terminal 10 based on the operation content received by the operation unit. The processing executed by the control unit 30 is realized by hardware or software. Such software is stored in advance in a recording medium such as the ROM 102 and the flash memory 106 in the form of a control program executable by the control unit 30.

  The speaker 50 outputs sound such as sound based on the sound signal received from the control unit 30. The control unit 30 may convert the sound data stored in the storage unit 100 into an audio signal and send it to the speaker 50, or an audio processing circuit (not shown) based on the control signal from the control unit 30 may be stored in the storage unit 100. The sound data stored in can be converted into an audio signal and sent to the speaker 50.

  The communication I / F 60 communicates with an external network or device using a predetermined communication method. The communication I / F 60 transmits data received from the outside to the control unit 30 and transmits data received from the control unit 30 to the outside of the terminal 10.

  The operation unit 70 receives various inputs from the user. The operation unit 70 receives, for example, an input of a word / phrase to be searched at the time of dictionary search, a content selection instruction, a content reproduction instruction, a content reproduction stop instruction, and a content reproduction position change instruction from the user. The operation unit 70 transmits a signal corresponding to the operation content received from the user to the control unit 30.

  In the present embodiment, the operation unit 70 will be described as an example of a touch panel configured integrally with the display unit 20 as described above, but is not particularly limited thereto, and is separate from the display unit 20. It may be configured as follows.

  The storage unit 100 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, a NAND flash memory 106, and an IC (Integrated Circuit) card reader / writer 108.

  The ROM 102 stores a program or data for causing the terminal 10 to execute a predetermined operation. The control unit 30 reads the program or data from the ROM 102 and controls the operation of the terminal 10.

  The RAM 104 temporarily holds data generated by the control unit 30 based on an operation performed on the operation unit 70.

  The flash memory 106 stores data sent from the control unit 30. Further, the control unit 30 reads a program or data stored in the flash memory 106 and executes a predetermined process using the program or data.

  When a memory card (not shown) is loaded, the IC card reader / writer 108 reads a program or data stored in the memory card and sends it to the control unit 30. The IC card reader / writer 108 writes the data output from the control unit 30 in the free area of the memory card.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described content is stored in the flash memory 106 or the memory card. In addition to the content, the flash memory 106 or the memory card stores a time limit set for each content and a content usage integration time in association with each other. The accumulated usage time indicates the usage amount of the content. The time limit is the upper limit value of the accumulated usage time. When the content is an electronic book, the number of pages viewed by the user may be used as the content usage amount instead of the usage integration time.

  The control unit 30 updates the usage accumulation time of the content according to the usage of the content. For example, when the user uses the content, the control unit 30 updates the usage integration time of the content every time a predetermined time elapses. Furthermore, the control part 30 restrict | limits utilization of the said content, when utilization utilization time becomes more than time limit.

  For example, the content name, the accumulated usage time, the time limit, and the information about availability are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 100 as a table as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that 3 hours is set as the time limit for each of content A, content B, and content C. Further, it is assumed that the accumulated usage time of content A is zero, the accumulated usage time of content B is 1 hour, and the accumulated usage time of content C is 3 hours.

  In this case, since the usage integration time of the content A and the content B is both shorter than the time limit, the control unit 30 enables the user to use the content A and the content B. The usable time of the content A is 3 hours, and the usable time of the content B is 2 hours.

  On the other hand, since the use accumulated time of the content C is equal to or longer than the time limit, the control unit 30 restricts use of the content C by the user (cannot be used). Therefore, the user cannot use the content C.

  In the terminal 10 having the above-described configuration, when the terminal 10 can be used for trial use such as being exhibited at a store, and when the terminal 10 has content whose usage is limited, When the content is used, the amount of the content that can be used by the user who purchased the terminal after trial use may be less than the initial value or the content may not be used.

  Therefore, the present embodiment is characterized in that the control unit 30 suppresses updating of the usage amount of content when a trial mode for trial use of the terminal 10 is selected.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of control unit 30 included in terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 30 includes a firmware unit 32 that updates the usage integration time, and an application unit 34 that limits the use of content based on the usage integration time and the time limit. The firmware unit 32 and the application unit 34 are realized, for example, by executing independent programs.

  The firmware unit 32 includes a mode selection unit 36, a mode determination unit 38, an update unit 40, a setting unit 42, and a transmission unit 44.

  The mode selection unit 36 selects the trial mode as the initial mode when the terminal 10 is turned on until the user performs a release operation for canceling the trial mode. When the cancel operation is performed by the user, the mode selection unit 36 selects the normal mode as an initial mode when the terminal 10 is turned on. The release operation refers to an operation such as inputting a release code to the operation unit 70, for example.

  The normal mode is a mode in which the entire range of content whose usage is limited until the usage integration time reaches the time limit can be used. The trial mode is a mode in which the usage range is limited to a partial range of the content, although there is no limitation by the usage integration time.

  The mode selection unit 36 may turn the mode flag on when the normal mode is selected, and turn off the mode flag when the trial mode is selected. The mode flag may be turned off when the normal mode is selected, and the mode flag may be turned on when the trial mode is selected.

  When the mode determination unit 38 receives an acquisition request for accumulated usage time from the application unit 34 or receives an update request for accumulated usage time, the mode currently selected is selected from the normal mode and the trial mode. It is determined which mode is selected. For example, the mode determination unit 38 may determine whether the currently selected mode is the normal mode or the trial mode based on the state of the mode flag described above.

  The update unit 40 updates the usage integration time when it receives a request for updating the usage integration time from the application unit 34 and when the mode determination unit 38 determines that the normal mode is selected. To do.

  The update unit 40 reads, for example, the accumulated usage time of the content to be requested for updating the accumulated usage time from the application unit 34 from the storage unit 100. The update unit 40 adds a predetermined time to the read usage accumulated time. The update unit 40 overwrites the usage integration time stored in the storage unit 100 with the added usage integration time.

  On the other hand, when the update unit 40 receives a request for updating the accumulated usage time from the application unit 34 and the mode determining unit 38 determines that the trial mode is selected, the updated accumulated time is used. Suppress updates.

  When the setting unit 42 receives an acquisition request for accumulated usage time from the application unit 34 and the mode determination unit 38 determines that the trial mode is selected, the user determines content in advance. When using in a portion within the specified range, a value that does not restrict the use of the content is set as the usage integration time. The value that does not restrict the use of content is, for example, zero, but is not particularly limited as long as it is a value smaller than the time limit.

  On the other hand, when the setting unit 42 receives an acquisition request for accumulated usage time from the application unit 34 and the mode determination unit 38 determines that the second mode is selected, the user sets the content Is used outside the predetermined range, a value that restricts the use of the content is set as the accumulated usage time. The value that restricts the use of content is, for example, the maximum value (upper limit guard value) of the accumulated usage time. The maximum value of the accumulated usage time is not particularly limited as long as it is larger than the above-mentioned time limit. The maximum value of the accumulated usage time is stored in advance in the storage unit 100, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined range is, for example, a reproduction range between the first reproduction position and the second reproduction position of the content. A reproduction range between the first reproduction position and the second reproduction position is a range corresponding to a part of the content. Note that there may be a plurality of reproduction ranges as long as they are part of the content. That is, the predetermined range may include a plurality of reproduction ranges.

  The first playback position is, for example, the first playback position of a moving image included in the content. The second playback position is a playback position after the first playback position, for example, a playback position after a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed from the first playback position. If there are a plurality of reproduction ranges, different predetermined times may be set for the plurality of reproduction ranges.

  If the content is an electronic book, the predetermined range is a page range between the first page and the second page of the content. A page range between the first page and the second page is a range corresponding to a part of the content. Note that there may be a plurality of page ranges as long as they are part of the content. That is, the predetermined range may include a plurality of page ranges.

  The first page is, for example, the first page of an electronic book. The second page is a page behind the first page, and is, for example, a page after a predetermined page (for example, 10 pages) from the first page. If there are a plurality of page ranges, different page numbers may be set for the plurality of page ranges.

  The transmission unit 44 is updated by the update unit 40 when it receives a use accumulated time acquisition request from the application unit 34 and the mode determination unit 38 determines that the normal mode is selected. The obtained accumulated usage time is transmitted to the application unit 34.

  On the other hand, when the transmission unit 44 receives an acquisition request for accumulated usage time from the application unit 34 and when the mode determination unit 38 determines that the trial mode is selected, the setting unit 42 The accumulated usage time set by is transmitted to the application unit 34.

  The application unit 34 includes a playback control unit 46. The reproduction control unit 46 specifies content that the user desires to reproduce based on the reproduction instruction from the operation unit 70. The reproduction control unit 46 requests the firmware unit 32 to acquire the accumulated usage time of the specified content. The reproduction control unit 46 compares the acquired use accumulated time with the time limit when the use accumulated time of the identified content is acquired from the firmware unit 32. For example, the reproduction control unit 46 reproduces the content when the acquired accumulated usage time is within a time limit. That is, the reproduction control unit 46 reads data corresponding to the content from the storage unit 100 and displays the video portion included in the read data on the display unit 20 or the audio portion of the read data as the speaker 50. Output from.

  During the reproduction of the content, the reproduction control unit 46 requests the firmware unit 32 to update the accumulated usage time of the content being reproduced every time a predetermined time elapses.

  With reference to FIG. 5, a control structure of a program executed by the firmware unit 32 when a request for updating the accumulated usage time is received will be described.

  In step (hereinafter, step is referred to as S) 100, the firmware unit 32 determines whether or not there is a request for updating the usage integration time. When the firmware unit 32 receives an update request for usage integration time from the application unit 34, the firmware unit 32 determines that there is an update request for usage integration time. If it is determined that there is a request for updating the accumulated usage time (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S102. If not (NO in S100), this process ends.

  In S102, the firmware unit 32 determines whether the content ID of the content that is the target of the update request is valid.

  The storage unit 100 stores in advance content IDs of content that can be used in the terminal 10. For example, the firmware unit 32 reads the content ID embedded in the content to be updated. The firmware unit 32 compares the read content ID with a plurality of content IDs stored in the storage unit 100. The firmware unit 32 determines that the content ID is valid when there is a content ID that matches the content ID read from the plurality of content IDs stored in the storage unit 100. On the other hand, the firmware unit 32 determines that the content ID is invalid when there is no match or when the content ID cannot be read from the content.

  If it is determined that the content ID is valid (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S104. If not (NO in S102), this process ends.

  In S104, the firmware unit 32 acquires the accumulated usage time of the content. Specifically, the firmware unit 32 reads from the storage unit 100 the accumulated usage time of the content that is the target of the update request from the application unit 34.

  In S106, firmware unit 32 determines whether or not the trial mode is selected. If it is determined that the trial mode is selected (YES in S106), this process is terminated to suppress the update of the usage integration time. If not (NO in S106), the process proceeds to S108.

  In S108, firmware unit 32 adds a predetermined value to the read usage accumulated time. The firmware unit 32 overwrites the usage integration time stored in the storage unit 100 using the added usage integration time.

  The predetermined value is the above-described predetermined time. That is, the predetermined value is the same time as the time from when the application unit 34 requests the firmware unit 32 to update the usage integration time until the next usage integration time is requested to be updated.

  In S110, the firmware unit 32 determines whether or not the added usage integration time exceeds the maximum usage integration time. For example, the firmware unit 32 reads the maximum value from the storage unit 100 and compares it with the added usage accumulated time. If it is determined that the added accumulated usage time exceeds the maximum value (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S112. If not (NO in S110), this process ends.

  In S112, firmware unit 32 updates the use accumulated time to the maximum value. The firmware unit 32 overwrites the accumulated usage time stored in the storage unit 100 with the maximum value.

  Next, referring to FIG. 6, a control structure of a program executed by the firmware unit 32 when a request for acquisition of accumulated usage time is received will be described.

  In S200, firmware unit 32 determines whether or not there is a request for acquisition of usage integration time. The firmware unit 32 determines that there is a request for acquisition of usage integration time when receiving a request for acquisition of usage integration time from the application unit 34. If it is determined that there is a request for acquisition of accumulated usage time (YES in S200), the process proceeds to S202. If not (NO in S200), this process ends.

  In S202, the firmware unit 32 determines whether or not the content ID of the content that is the target of the acquisition request is valid. Since the determination method is as described in the processing of S102, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  If it is determined that the content ID is valid (YES in S202), the process proceeds to S204. If not (NO in S202), this process ends.

  In S204, the firmware unit 32 acquires the accumulated usage time of the content. Specifically, the firmware unit 32 reads from the storage unit 100 the accumulated usage time of the content that is the target of the acquisition request from the application unit 34.

  In S206, firmware unit 32 determines whether or not the trial mode is selected. If it is determined that the trial mode is selected (YES in S206), the process proceeds to S208. If not (NO in S206), the process proceeds to S214.

  In S208, firmware unit 32 determines whether or not the content playback position is outside a predetermined range. The firmware unit 32 acquires information about the playback position from the application unit 34. The firmware unit 32 determines whether or not the content reproduction position based on the acquired information is outside a predetermined range.

  Note that the firmware unit 32 may receive an acquisition request for accumulated usage time from the application unit 34 and may also acquire information about the playback position of the content. Since the predetermined range is as described above, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  If it is determined that the playback position of the content is outside the predetermined range (YES in S208), the process proceeds to S210. If not (NO in S208), the process proceeds to S212.

  In S210, firmware unit 32 sets the maximum value of the accumulated usage time as the accumulated usage time, and transmits the set accumulated usage time to application unit 34.

  In S <b> 212, the firmware unit 32 sets zero as the usage integration time, and transmits the set usage integration time to the application unit 34.

  In S214, the firmware unit 32 transmits the usage integration time acquired in S204 to the application unit 34.

  Next, a control structure of a program executed by the application unit 34 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In S300, application unit 34 determines whether or not a content reproduction process is being performed. For example, when the operation unit 70 receives a reproduction instruction, the application unit 34 performs reproduction processing of content that is a target of the reproduction instruction. If it is determined that the content reproduction process is being performed (YES in S300), the process proceeds to S302. If not (NO in S300), the process returns to S300.

  In S <b> 302, the application unit 34 requests the firmware unit 32 to obtain the accumulated usage time of the content to be played back. In S <b> 304, the application unit 34 determines whether the content usage integration time has been acquired from the firmware unit 32. If it is determined that the content usage accumulated time has been acquired (YES in S304), the process proceeds to S306. If not (NO in S304), the process returns to S304.

  In S306, the application unit 34 determines whether or not the acquired accumulated usage time is equal to or longer than the time limit. Since the time limit is as described above, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. If it is determined that the acquired accumulated usage time is greater than or equal to the time limit (YES in S306), the process proceeds to S314. If not (NO in S306), the process proceeds to S308.

  In S308, the application unit 34 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the last update of the accumulated usage time was requested. If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S308), the process proceeds to S310. If not (NO in S308), the process proceeds to S312.

  In S310, the application unit 34 requests the firmware unit 32 to update the accumulated usage time. In S312, the application unit 34 determines whether content reproduction stop processing or pause processing is being performed. For example, when the operation unit 70 receives a playback stop instruction or a pause instruction, the application unit 34 performs a playback stop process or a pause process of the content being played back. If it is determined that content reproduction stop processing or pause processing is being performed (YES in S312), this processing ends. If not (NO in S312), the process proceeds to S300.

  In S314, the application unit 34 uses the display unit 20 to display an error message indicating that the use of the content to be played is restricted. For example, the application unit 34 displays an error message indicating that the accumulated usage time of the content to be subjected to the reproduction process exceeds the time limit. Note that the application unit 34 may output a sound or sound indicating that the accumulated usage time of the content to be subjected to the reproduction process exceeds the time limit from the speaker 50.

  An operation of control unit 30 included in terminal 10 according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

<When normal mode is selected>
For example, assume that the normal mode is selected. When operation unit 70 accepts a reproduction instruction by a user operation, control unit 30 performs a reproduction process for reproducing the content that is the object of the reproduction instruction (YES in S300).

  In this case, the application unit 34 requests the firmware unit 32 to acquire the usage accumulated time of the content (S302).

  If there is a request for acquisition of accumulated usage time from the application unit 34 (YES in S200) and the content ID of the content is valid (YES in S202), the firmware unit 32 stores it. The usage integration time corresponding to the content is acquired from the unit 100 (S204).

  Since the normal mode is selected (NO in S206), the accumulated usage time acquired from the storage unit 100 is transmitted to the application unit 34 (S214).

  If application unit 34 acquires the accumulated usage time of the content from firmware unit 32 (YES in S304) and the accumulated usage time is smaller than the time limit (NO in S306), After a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S308), the firmware unit 32 is requested to update the usage accumulated time (S310). If playback stop processing or pause processing is performed (YES in S312) before a predetermined time elapses (NO in S308), application unit 34 ends the playback of the content. .

  On the other hand, when the accumulated usage time is equal to or longer than the time limit (YES in S306), an error message indicating that the accumulated usage time exceeds the time limit is displayed on display unit 20.

  When firmware unit 32 receives an update request from application unit 34 (YES in S100) and content ID of the content is valid (YES in S102), firmware unit 32 receives the update request from storage unit 100. The accumulated usage time corresponding to the content is acquired (S104).

  Since the normal mode has been selected (NO in S106), the firmware unit 32 uses the usage integration stored in the storage unit 100 using a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the usage integration time acquired from the storage unit. The time is updated (overwritten) (S108).

  If the accumulated usage time exceeds the maximum value (YES in S110), the accumulated usage time stored in storage unit 100 is updated (overwritten) using the maximum value (S112).

<When selecting trial mode>
For example, assume that the trial mode is selected. When operation unit 70 accepts a reproduction instruction by a user operation, control unit 30 performs a reproduction process for reproducing the content that is the object of the reproduction instruction (YES in S300).

  In this case, the application unit 34 requests the firmware unit 32 to acquire the usage accumulated time of the content (S302).

  If there is a request for acquisition of accumulated usage time from the application unit 34 (YES in S200) and the content ID of the content is valid (YES in S202), the firmware unit 32 stores it. The usage integration time corresponding to the content is acquired from the unit 100 (S204).

  Since the trial mode is selected (YES in S206), firmware unit 32 determines whether or not the current content playback position is outside a predetermined range (S208). If the playback position of the current content is outside the predetermined range (YES in S208), the maximum value of the accumulated usage time is set as the accumulated usage time and transmitted to application unit 34 (S210).

  The application unit 34 acquires the accumulated usage time of the content from the firmware unit 32 (YES in S304). Since the acquired accumulated usage time is equal to or longer than the time limit (YES in S306), the usage cumulative amount is displayed in the display unit 20. An error message indicating that the time exceeds the time limit is displayed (S314).

  On the other hand, when the playback position of the current content is within a predetermined range (NO in S208), zero is set as the use accumulated time and transmitted to application unit 34 (S212).

  The application unit 34 acquires the usage integration time of the content from the firmware unit 32 (YES in S304), and the acquired usage integration time is shorter than the time limit (NO in S306), so a predetermined time is obtained. Every time it elapses (YES in S308), an update of usage integration time is requested (S310).

  When firmware unit 32 receives an update request from application unit 34 (YES in S100) and content ID of the content is valid (YES in S102), firmware unit 32 receives the update request from storage unit 100. The usage integration time corresponding to the content is acquired (S104).

  Since the trial mode is selected (YES in S106), firmware unit 32 ends the process without updating the accumulated usage time.

  As described above, while the trial mode is selected, the update of the usage integration time is suppressed and the usage range of the content is limited to a predetermined range.

  As described above, according to the terminal according to the present embodiment, when the trial mode is selected, the update of the usage accumulated time is suppressed. For this reason, even when content is used while the trial mode is selected, it is possible to prevent the accumulated usage time of the content from being updated and exceeding the time limit. Therefore, it is possible to provide a terminal, a terminal control method, a terminal control program, and a recording medium on which the control program is recorded, in which the content usage is appropriately updated according to the state of the terminal.

  Furthermore, the trial mode is selected when the firmware unit 32 determines whether or not the usage integration time is updated in the normal mode and the trial mode, or sets an appropriate usage integration time according to the playback position of the content. During use, it is possible to suppress the update of the accumulated usage time and limit the content usage range to a predetermined range.

  Therefore, the application unit 34 can limit the use of the content based on the magnitude relationship between the usage integration time acquired from the firmware unit 32 and the time limit without considering the selected mode. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the operation (program) of the application unit 34 even when a trial mode is newly set in addition to the normal mode as in the present embodiment. Therefore, software can be developed efficiently.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  10 terminal, 20 display unit, 30 control unit, 32 firmware unit, 34 application unit, 36 mode selection unit, 38 mode determination unit, 40 update unit, 42 setting unit, 44 transmission unit, 46 playback control unit, 50 speaker, 60 Communication I / F, 70 operation unit, 80 data bus, 100 storage unit, 102 ROM, 104 RAM, 106 flash memory, 108 card reader / writer.

Claims (8)

A terminal having content whose usage is limited,
An update unit for updating the usage amount according to the use of the content;
When the usage amount acquired from the update unit is equal to or greater than an upper limit value associated with the content, including a limiting unit that limits the use of the content;
When the trial mode for trial use of the terminal is selected, the update unit suppresses the update of the usage amount ,
When the trial mode is selected, the updating unit sets a value smaller than the upper limit value as the usage amount when the user uses the content in a portion within a predetermined range, and the usage A terminal that sets a value larger than the upper limit value as the usage amount when a user uses the content outside the predetermined range .   The terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a mode selection unit for selecting the trial mode as an initial mode at power-on until a user performs a release operation for canceling the trial mode. . The content includes at least one of sound and video,
The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined range is a range between a first reproduction position and a second reproduction position of the content. The content includes an electronic book,
The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined range is a range between a first page and a second page of the content. The usage is the integrated value of the utilization time of the content, the terminal according to any one of claims 1-3. A control method for a terminal including a control unit for limiting the amount of content used,
The control unit updates the usage amount according to the use of the content, and when the trial mode for trying the terminal is selected, suppressing the update of the usage amount;
Wherein when usage is more than the upper limit value to be associated to the content, looking contains the step of the control unit limits the use of the content,
In the step of suppressing update of the usage amount, when the trial mode is selected, the control unit is smaller than the upper limit value when the user uses the content within a predetermined range. A control method for a terminal , wherein a value is set as the usage amount, and when the user uses the content outside the predetermined range, a value larger than the upper limit value is set as the usage amount . A control program for a terminal having content whose usage is limited,
The control program is stored in a computer.
Updating the usage amount according to the use of the content, and when the trial mode for trying the terminal is selected, suppressing the update of the usage amount;
If the usage amount is greater than or equal to an upper limit value associated with the content, executing the step of limiting the use of the content ;
When the trial mode is selected in the step of suppressing the update of the usage amount, the control program is smaller than the upper limit value when the user uses the content within a predetermined range. A value is set as the usage amount, and when the user uses the content outside the predetermined range, the computer executes a step of setting a value larger than the upper limit value as the usage amount. A terminal control program. The recording medium which recorded the control program of the terminal of Claim 7 .

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