JP2000209562A - Charge accounting device, information transmission system, charge accounting method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain the effective and safe supply of service to a client even though the service object information is equal to the stream type data by issuing a ticket based on the payment information on the client and sending the ticket to the client via a charge accounting server. SOLUTION: A client 130 gives a request to a charge accounting server 120 to purchase a ticket. If the settlement information on the request given from the client 130 is right, the server 120 gives a ticket issue request to a camera server 110. Thus, the server 110 issues a ticket to register it in a connecting ticket register DB 115 and also to return it to the server 120. The server 120 sends the returned ticket to the client 130 as a connecting ticket. The client 130 gives a video service request (connection request) to the server 110 by means of the connecting ticket.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for charging a service received by a client when the service of stream information such as video and audio is provided to the client via a network. Technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been developed an information transmission system which provides a service of media data such as video and audio to a plurality of clients connected to the network via a network such as the Internet. ing. Specifically, "RealAudio" and "
“WebView” of Canon Inc. is a system that allows a client to perform camera operations such as zooming and panning / tilting on an imaging device on a network from a client side. And the like.

In the above-described information transmission system, when charging for digital contents such as a video, a still image, and MIDI data to be transmitted to a client requesting a service, the following charging is performed. Generally, a method is used. First, the client notifies a service providing side (hereinafter, referred to as a “content server side”) of a payment means such as a credit card number in advance. After confirming the settlement means on the client side, the content server notifies the client of secret information such as a user name and a password. Thus, the client can receive the digital content.

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned charging method, there are concerns that the client side has to notify private information such as a credit card number to the content server side and that the client side has to perform user registration, which has led to widespread use. There was a problem that it was difficult. In addition, the content server, which provides the service, requires a fee for bank debits and credit settlements.Therefore, when making small payments, the bank cannot be debited until a certain amount is reached. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to spend labor costs to confirm a small payment, and therefore, it has been difficult to make a small payment online.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a billing system and an electronic money system which maintain anonymity and enable automated small-scale payment have appeared in recent years. As a result, when the content server provides a small amount of service, an information transmission system using a billing system (hereinafter, referred to as a "billing server") for performing the payment business without performing the payment business on the content server side. Is expected to become mainstream. As a billing system having these features, “BitCash” by BitCash and “C” by CyberCash
yberCash "," CyberCoin "and the like.

[0006]

However, "Bi"
In an information transmission system using a conventional billing server such as "tCash", the billing server can sometimes perform authentication on the client side. However, since the information on the client side is not transmitted, it is difficult for the content server to perform the authentication on the client side, so that the security measures on the content server side need to be strict.

[0007] The data actually exchanged by the above-mentioned conventional billing server includes many storage-type data having relatively small data such as still images and software downloads. Is generally transmitted to the client side via the charging server when requested by the server, but if the data to be serviced is stream-type data such as video, the charging server When data transmission is performed via a server, there is a problem that a load on a charging server in terms of a network is large.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages, and provides a service to a client efficiently and safely even if the information to be serviced is stream type data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging medium, an information transmission system, a charging method, and a storage medium in which a computer can store the processing steps for executing the charging apparatus and the processing method.

[0009]

For such a purpose,
In the present invention, for example, when a client pays for a bill at a billing server, the information is transmitted from the billing server to a service providing server (a content server such as a camera server that provides video and audio obtained by the imaging device). On the content server side, a ticket (connection ticket) is issued based on the information, and transmitted to the client via the charging server. The client connects to the service providing server using the connection ticket. Thus, the service (information such as video and audio) requested by the client does not pass through the charging server. In addition, by embedding time information (eg, time during which video and audio can be viewed), a ticket number, and a password for identifying the client into the connection ticket, the client's anonymity is maintained. In this state, client authentication can be performed.

That is, a first invention is a billing apparatus for billing a service provided by a server to a client based on a service request from the client, wherein the storage means stores predetermined information on the client. And a purchase request receiving unit for receiving a purchase request for a ticket used when transmitting a service request to the server from the client, and the validity of the request received by the purchase request receiving unit. Determining means for making a determination based on information; ticket requesting means for requesting the server to issue the ticket based on a result of the determination by the determining means; and Charging means for charging for the service to be received, and the server The ticket has been al back, characterized in that it comprises transmission means for transmitting to said client.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect,
The service includes audio information acquired by the server,
It is characterized by including at least one of video information and a photographing operation control right when obtaining the video.

According to a third aspect, in the first aspect,
The ticket information includes information for identifying the client generated by the server, time information at which the client can receive service from the server, and electronic signature information generated by the server. It is characterized by including at least one of them.

[0013] In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect,
The ticket information is information encrypted by the server in a predetermined encryption method.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service providing server for transmitting information corresponding to a service requested by an arbitrary client to the client, and a charging server for charging the service provided to the client. ,
An information transmission system connected to the same network together with the client, wherein the billing server comprises:
It has a function of the billing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service providing server for transmitting information corresponding to a service requested by an arbitrary client to the client, and charging of the service received by the client from the service providing server. An information transmission system in which a charging server is connected to the same network together with the client, wherein the client transmits a purchase request for a ticket used when transmitting a service request to the service providing server to the charging server. Means for transmitting a service request to the service providing server using the ticket returned from the charging server in response to the ticket purchase request, wherein the charging server stores information on the client; The client based on the stored information Means for judging the validity of the ticket purchase request, means for transmitting a ticket issuance request to the service providing server based on the judgment result, and settlement processing for the service received by the client based on the judgment result Means for transmitting a ticket returned from the service providing server in response to the ticket issuance request to the client, wherein the service providing server generates a ticket based on the ticket issuance request from the charging server Means, means for storing information of the ticket, means for transmitting the ticket to the billing server, means for receiving a service request from the client, and means for determining the validity of the service request from the stored information And information based on the service request based on the determination result. Characterized in that it comprises a means for transmitting to the serial client.

[0016] In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect,
The service includes at least one of audio information, video information, and a shooting operation control right for obtaining the video, and the service providing server determines whether the client of the service requester has a right to receive the service. It is characterized by including means for judging whether or not it is not.

According to an eighth aspect based on the sixth aspect,
The means for generating the ticket in the service providing server generates a ticket including at least one of information for identifying the client and time information when the client can receive a service. It is characterized by.

According to a ninth aspect, in the sixth aspect,
In the service providing server, the means for generating the ticket generates a ticket by a predetermined encryption method, and the means for receiving the service request decrypts the ticket used for the service request, and The means for determining validity is characterized in that the determination is made based on the decrypted ticket.

In a tenth aspect based on the sixth aspect, in the service providing server, the means for generating the ticket generates a ticket including a predetermined electronic signature and determines validity of the service request. The means is characterized in that the determination is made based on the electronic signature in the ticket used for the service request.

An eleventh invention is a billing method for billing a service received from the service providing server by the client by transmitting the service request to the service providing server by the billing server.
A step in which the client transmits a purchase request for a ticket used when transmitting a service request to the service providing server to the charging server;
The validity of a ticket purchase request from the client is determined based on the information on the client stored in advance, and based on the determination result, a ticket issuance request is transmitted to the service providing server, and the client receives the ticket issuance request. Performing a settlement process for the service, wherein the service providing server generates a ticket based on the ticket issuing request from the charging server, stores the ticket information, and transmits the ticket to the charging server. And transmitting the ticket returned from the service providing server to the client in response to the ticket issuance request, and the client is returned from the charging server in response to the ticket purchase request. Above using the ticket Sending a service request to the-bis providing server, the service providing server,
Receiving a service request from the client, determining the validity of the service request from the stored information of the ticket, and transmitting information based on the service request to the client based on the determination result. It is characterized by the following.

In a twelfth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the service includes at least one of audio information, video information, and a photographing operation control right for obtaining the video.
The service providing server includes a step of determining whether or not the service requesting client has a right to receive the service.

In a thirteenth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the service providing server sets the ticket as at least one of information for identifying the client, and time information at which the client can receive the service. The method includes a step of generating the information including any information.

In a fourteenth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, when the service providing server generates the ticket by a predetermined encryption method and receives a service request from the client, the service requesting server generates the ticket. Decrypting the ticket used in step (a), and validating the service request by using the decrypted ticket.

In a fifteenth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, when the service providing server generates the ticket including a predetermined electronic signature and receives a service request from the client, the service providing server generates the ticket. A step of verifying the validity of the ticket used by the electronic signature in the ticket.

A sixteenth invention is characterized in that the accounting method according to any one of claims 11 to 15 is a storage medium in which a computer readablely stores the accounting method.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) The present invention provides, for example,
It is applied to an information transmission system 100 as shown in FIG. The information transmission system 100 is a system in which only a client side who has paid a fee can receive a video service. As shown in FIG. 1, a camera server 110 that provides a video service, a video service Client 130 that requests
Are connected to a computer network such as the Internet, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other. Note that in FIG. 1 described above, one camera server 110 and one client
Although 0 is shown, a plurality of each may be present.

The camera server 110 includes a billing server 120
In addition to issuing a ticket, which will be described later, based on a ticket issuance request from the client 130, a video based on a video service request from the client 130 is obtained, and the video is transmitted to the client 130. For this reason, the camera server 110 digitizes the video information obtained by photographing the subject, the video acquisition unit 113 that acquires the video information acquired by the camera device 111, and the video acquisition unit 113 that acquires the video information. Video transmitting unit 114 for transmitting the obtained video information to the client 130 via the network
A connection ticket registration database (DB) 115 for storing information on issued tickets, a ticket issuance request receiving unit 116 for receiving a ticket issuance request transmitted from the charging server 120, and a ticket issuance request receiving unit 116 The ticket issuance unit 117 issues a ticket based on the ticket issuance request accepted by the server, and stores (registers) the ticket information in the connection ticket registration DB 115. A ticket transmission unit 118 that transmits to the client 120, a video request reception unit 119 that receives a video service request using a connection ticket described later from the client 130, and a service request received by the video request reception unit 119 are connected. DB11 for ticket registration
Ticket determination unit 112 for checking based on the ticket information of No. 5
And Note that the camera device 111 may be an integrated camera device having a built-in mechanism for digitizing video information obtained by photographing, or may have the above-described digitizing mechanism in the form of a separate board. You may.

The accounting server 120 has a client 130
In response to the ticket purchase request from, information based on the request is transmitted to the camera server 110, and a ticket returned from the camera server 110 is transmitted to the client as a connection ticket. For this reason, the billing server 120 includes a database (DB) 121 for storing confidential information for billing and the like, and a ticket purchase request from the client 130 (details will be described later, the purchased goods and services, billing information, etc.). ), A charging information determining unit 123 that determines the validity of the purchase request received by the purchase receiving unit 122 based on information in the charging information DB 121, and a charging information determining unit 123. Ticket issuance request transmission unit 1 that requests the camera server 110 to issue a ticket based on the determination result of
24, a ticket receiving unit 125 for receiving a ticket issued by the camera server 110, and a ticket receiving unit 125
And a ticket transmitting unit 126 for transmitting the ticket received at the client as a connection ticket to the client 130.

The client 130 is connected to the accounting server 120
Ticket purchase requesting unit 131 that requests the user to purchase a ticket
A ticket receiving unit 132 that receives a connection ticket from the billing server 120, an image requesting unit 133 that requests an image service to the camera server 110 using the connection ticket received by the ticket receiving unit 132, It includes an image receiving unit 134 that receives images from the server 110 and displays the images on the screen.

The overall operation of the video transmission system 100 as described above is an operation according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Step S201: Client 130
Requests the charging server 120 to purchase a ticket (request for viewing the video obtained by the camera server 110). The request information at this time includes charging information (hereinafter, also referred to as “payment information”), information of a desired video (a camera server name, a video stream name, and the like), and a desired connection time with the camera server. Information.

Step S202: The accounting server 120
If the settlement information in the request from the client 130 is valid, the camera 130 is requested to issue a ticket.

Step S203: camera server 110
Issues a ticket in response to a request from the charging server 120, registers the ticket in the connection ticket registration DB 115, and returns the ticket to the charging server 120. Billing server 1
20 transmits the ticket returned from the camera server 110 to the client 130 as a connection ticket.

Step S204: Client 130
Uses the connection ticket from the billing server 120,
The user requests a video service to the camera server 110 (connection request).

Step S205: Camera server 110
Responds to a request from the client 130 and stores the contents of the connection ticket used for the connection ticket registration D
In step B115, the contents of the ticket registered in advance are confirmed, and if the request is correct, an image according to the request is acquired and transmitted to the client 130.

Step S206: Client 130
Receives the video from the camera server 110 and displays it on the screen.

Here, FIG. 3 shows an operation when focusing on the client 130, and FIG. 4 shows an operation when focusing on the billing server 120.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show the operation when focusing on the camera server 110. FIG. Hereinafter, each operation will be specifically described.

(1) Processing in Client 130 (see FIG. 3) Step S301: The ticket purchase requesting unit 131 makes a request for ticket purchase (viewing request) to the charging server 120. This request includes the settlement information, the camera server name and the video stream name, and the connection time. Here, the payment information is electronic money, card information of a prepaid card system, or the like, and refers to information (encryption, password, etc.) specified by a site that performs online small-amount payment. Specifically, for example, the information is as shown in FIG. Step S302: The client 130 performs step S
After the ticket purchase request at 301, the ticket receiving unit 13
In step 2, the system enters a wait state for receiving a ticket from the accounting server 120. Step S303 to Step S305: When the ticket receiving unit 132 receives the connection ticket from the charging server 120 (Step S303), the video requesting unit 133 uses the information of the connection ticket to make the camera server 110
Requesting a video service (step S30)
4). After that, the client 130 starts the image receiving unit 13
In step 4, the process waits for a video to be received from the camera server 110. Step S306: When receiving the video from the camera server 110, the video receiving unit 134 displays the video on the screen or the like.

(2) Processing in the billing server 120 (see FIG. 4) Step S 401: The purchase receiving unit 122 requests a ticket purchase from the client 130 (FIG. 3: step S
(See 301). Step S402: The billing information determination unit 123 confirms the payment information (billing information) included in the request received by the purchase receiving unit 122 using the information stored in the billing information DB 121. Step S403: Then, the billing information determination unit 123
As a result of the confirmation in step S402, the client 130
It is determined whether the request from is valid. As a result of this determination, the process proceeds from the next step S404 only when the request is correct, otherwise the request is ignored. Step S404 to step S406: Client 1
If the request (settlement information) from 30 is correct, the charging information determination unit 123 actually performs the settlement processing (step S4).
04), requesting the camera server 110 to issue a ticket (step S405). This request also includes information such as the camera server name and the video stream name included in the request from the client 130, and the connection time. Thereafter, the charging server 120 enters a state of waiting for a ticket reception from the camera server 110 in the ticket receiving unit 125 (step S406). Step S407: When the ticket receiving unit 125 receives the ticket from the camera server 110, the ticket transmitting unit 126 transmits the ticket as a connection ticket to the client 130.

(3-1) Ticket Issuing Process in the Camera Server 110 (See FIG. 5A) Step S501: The ticket issuance request unit 116 requests a ticket issuance from the charging server 120 (see FIG. 4: step S405). See). Step S502: The ticket issuing unit 117 issues a ticket based on the request received by the ticket issuing request unit 116, and stores the ticket in the connection ticket registration DB 115.
Register to The information on the ticket includes the camera server name and the video stream name included in the ticket issuance request from the charging server 120, the connection time, and the like, and also includes secret information such as the ticket number, the ticket issuance time, and the password. . Specifically, for example, the information is as shown in FIG. Step S503: The ticket transmitting section 118 transmits the ticket issued by the ticket issuing section 117 to the charging server 120 as a connection ticket.

(3-2) Image Providing Process in Camera Server 110 (See FIG. 5B) Step S504: The image request receiving section 119 requests an image service from the client 130 (see FIG. 3: Step S304 above). ). Step S505: The ticket determination unit 112 refers to the information registered in the connection ticket registration DB 115 to determine the validity of the description of the connection ticket used for the request received by the video request reception unit 119. Do it by doing. Items to be determined here include, for example, camera server name and video stream name, whether or not the current time is within the connectable time, ticket number, and whether or not the password is correct. Step S506: As a result of the determination in step S505,
If the connection ticket used for the above request is valid, the process of the next step S507 is executed, otherwise, the request is ignored. Step S507: If the request from the client 130 is valid, the video transmitting unit 114 transmits the video acquired by the video acquiring unit 113 to the client 130.

Note that the camera server 110 determines in step S5
01 to S503 (see FIG.
(Process (a)) and a thread (process shown in FIG. 5 (b)) for repeatedly executing steps S504 to S507.
The system is configured to execute a process composed of two threads, and these cooperate with each other via the connection ticket registration DB 115.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the camera server 110 transmits the service request to the client 13
0, the camera server 110 issues a connection ticket for receiving the service, and the client 130 uses the connection ticket to request the camera server 110 to perform a service request (eg, download a video, etc.). The charging server 130 charges the service of the connection ticket. Thereby, even if the data to be serviced is stream information such as a video stream, the data is transferred to the charging server 1.
It is possible to charge for the service received by the client 130 without passing through the 30, that is, without imposing a network load on the charging server 130. Further, separately from the billing server 130, the camera server 110
By having an authentication mechanism on the (service providing side), that is, a connection ticket is issued by the camera server 110,
With the configuration in which the authentication information is managed by the camera server 110, private information such as the card number of the client 130 can be charged without being known to the camera server 110. This not only can maintain the anonymity of the client 130 with respect to the camera server 110, but also has an advantage that the camera server 110 can save the trouble of strict security measures and can be very easily operated. .

It should be noted that, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the original charging server 120 is provided.
To an existing billing infrastructure ("BitCash" of BitCash
And CyberCash's CyberCas
h "," CyberCoin ", etc.).

Further, by performing encryption such as SSL in communication between the camera server 110, the client 130, and the billing server 120, it is possible to further increase the security level.

When the camera server 110 issues a ticket (see FIG. 5A: step S502), a password is written in the ticket. For example, the password may be a fixed password. Alternatively, a one-time password created for each connection may be used. In the case of a one-time password, a password creation process is added during the process in step S502. On the other hand, when the security level is not so required, the password may not be used.

When the camera server 110 issues a ticket (see FIG. 5A: step S502), for example, an electronic signature of the ticket itself may be added to the ticket. As a result, it is possible to confirm whether or not the client 130 at the transmission destination or another person who has illegally obtained the ticket has been tampered with, thereby further improving the security. In this case, the above step S5
02, a process of creating a digital signature and a process of writing a digital signature on a ticket are added.
The electronic signature confirmation process in the ticket is added even during the process of step S505 of (b).

When making a request for a ticket issuance request in the charging server 120 (see FIG. 4: step S405), for example, an electronic signature may be added to the data itself. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized ticket issuance request request from a third party and to prevent tampering, and it is possible to further enhance the security between the accounting server 120 and the camera server 110. In this case, the billing server 120 is previously set up on the billing server 120 side.
A public key of 0 (a public key of an asymmetric key cryptosystem or the like) is generated, and the public key is registered in the camera server 110. In addition, during the process of step S405, a process of creating and transmitting a digital signature is added, and the process of FIG.
A process for confirming the electronic signature is added even during the process of step S501 in FIG.

(Second Embodiment) In this embodiment,
The information transmission system 100 shown in FIG. 1 also provides services such as a video reception right, an audio reception right, and a camera control right, and charges the services.

For example, the information transmission system 100 transmits a camera control command from the client 130 to the camera server 11 such as “WebView” of Canon Inc.
The camera device 111 has a function of allowing the camera device 111 to perform operations such as zooming, panning, and tilting, and a function of capturing audio. Further, the services provided by the camera server 110 are three, namely, a video reception right, an audio reception right, and a camera control right.

The information transmission system 100 as described above
However, in the case of a system having a plurality of service contents and functions, the connection ticket has different attribute values for each of these services and functions. Specifically, the attribute value when the video reception right and the audio reception right are selected is “A”, the attribute value when the video reception right and the camera control right are selected is “B”, the video reception right and the audio reception right And the attribute value when all of the camera control rights are selected is "C". Note that the information to be provided in the connection ticket includes “A”, “A” indicating a combination of services.
Not only attribute values such as “B” and “C” but also a combination of services may be provided in the direct connection ticket, for example, “service content: camera control only”, “service content: voice + camera control”. Is written in the ticket for direct connection.

For this reason, in the processing in the camera server 110 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, step S
During the process of 502, a process of writing the attribute value in the connection ticket is added. In step S505, processing for confirming the attribute value when confirming the ticket at the time of video transmission is added. Further, during the process of step S507, a process of determining a service to be distributed based on the attribute value is added. At this time, the transmission source (client) of the ticket having a predetermined attribute value may be prioritized.

The client 130 is connected to the accounting server 1
When a ticket purchase request is issued to the user 20, the desired service is selected, and this selection information is transmitted to the camera server 110 together with the ticket issuance request, so that the above services are distinguished.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the attributes and priorities are given to the connection tickets, and the camera server 110 distinguishes the service contents of the client 130 based on the attributes and priorities. Thereby, in addition to the effects of the above-described first embodiment, it is also possible to obtain an effect that the service can be differentiated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal of each of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer for the system or the apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by a program (or CPU or MPU) reading and executing a program code stored in a storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of each embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, RO
M, floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used. In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
It goes without saying that the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the embodiments.
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extension function board inserted into the computer or a function extension unit connected to the computer, the function extension is performed based on the instruction of the program code. C provided on board and function expansion unit
It goes without saying that a PU or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the embodiments.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a client receives a service (a service for providing video, audio, and the like obtained by an imaging device) from a service providing server, the client first sends the service to the charging server. Request ticket purchase. The charging server refers to the client information (charging secret information such as the client's credit number) stored in the database or the like in advance, confirms the client that transmitted the ticket purchase request, and if the client is the correct client. , Perform a settlement process, and transmit a ticket issuance request to the service providing server. The service providing server generates a ticket (connection ticket) based on the ticket issuance request from the charging server, returns the ticket to the charging server, and stores the information in a database or the like. The charging server transmits the ticket returned from the service providing server to the client. Therefore, the client connects to the service providing server and transmits a service request using the ticket returned from the charging server. Upon receiving this, the service providing server checks the validity of the ticket used by the client at the time of the service request by referring to the information previously stored in the database, etc., and if it is correct, the Providing services. With this configuration, even if the service provided by the service providing server is stream information such as a moving image or audio, the information does not pass through a charging server, that is, a network load is imposed on the charging server. Instead, the client can be charged for the service received.

In addition to the billing server, the service providing server has an authentication mechanism, that is, the ticket issuance is issued on the service providing server side, and the authentication information is managed on the service providing server side. It is possible to charge the service received by the client without the private information (charging secret information) such as the credit card number being known to the service providing server side. This not only keeps the anonymity of the client from the service providing server side, but also saves the service provider server side from having to tighten security measures, and has the advantage that operation becomes very easy. .

Further, when the service provided by the service providing server is a plurality of services, for example, video information, audio information, and a photographing operation control right (the service providing server operates the imaging device from a remote place connected to a network) In the case of a service such as a control right of the image pickup apparatus having a mechanism that enables the user to perform the service, a combination of all of the plurality of services or all the attributes can be attached to the ticket to provide the service. Differentiation can also be achieved.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the information to be serviced is stream type data, it is possible to efficiently and safely provide the service to the client side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information transmission system to which the present invention is applied in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the information transmission system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a client of the information transmission system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a charging server of the information transmission system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a camera server of the information transmission system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining charging information (settlement information) in a request sent from the client to the charging server.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining information on a connection ticket issued by the camera server in response to a request from the charging server.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 information transmission system 110 camera server 111 camera device 112 ticket determination unit 113 video acquisition unit 114 video transmission unit 115 connection ticket registration database 116 ticket issuance request reception unit 117 ticket issuance unit 118 ticket transmission unit 119 video request reception unit 120 charging server 121 Charging information database 122 Purchase accepting unit 123 Charging information determining unit 124 Ticket issuing request transmitting unit 125 Ticket receiving unit 126 Ticket transmitting unit 130 Client 131 Ticket purchasing requesting unit 132 Ticket receiving unit 133 Video requesting unit 134 Video receiving unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) HB15 HB19 KA02 LD17

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A charging device for charging a service provided by a server to a client based on a service request from the client, comprising: storage means for storing predetermined information on the client; A purchase request receiving unit for receiving a purchase request for a ticket used when transmitting a service request to the server; and determining whether the request received by the purchase request receiving unit is valid based on information in the storage unit. Determining means; a ticket requesting means for requesting the server to issue the ticket based on the determination result by the determining means; and charging the service received by the client based on the determination result by the determining means. Charging means; and a ticket returned from the server in response to the request by the ticket requesting means. Transmitting means for transmitting a packet to the client. 2. The accounting according to claim 1, wherein the service includes at least one of audio information and video information acquired by the server and a photographing operation control right for obtaining the video. apparatus. 3. The information on the ticket includes information generated by the server for identifying the client, information on time when the client can receive a service from the server, and information generated on the server. 2. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charging apparatus includes at least one of the electronic signature information. 4. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ticket information is information encrypted by the server using a predetermined encryption method. 5. A service providing server for transmitting information corresponding to a service requested by an arbitrary client to said client, and a charging server for charging for a service provided to said client, together with said client. An information transmission system connected on the same network, wherein the accounting server has a function of the accounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A service providing server for transmitting information corresponding to a service requested by an arbitrary client to the client, and a charging server for charging the service received from the service providing server by the client. An information transmission system connected to the same network together with the client, wherein the client transmits to the charging server a ticket purchase request used when transmitting a service request to the service providing server, Means for transmitting a service request to the service providing server using a ticket returned from the charging server in response to the ticket purchase request, wherein the charging server stores information regarding the client; Based on tickets from above clients Means for determining the validity of the purchase request, means for transmitting a ticket issuance request to the service providing server based on the determination result, and means for performing settlement processing for the service received by the client based on the determination result Means for transmitting a ticket returned from the service providing server in response to the ticket issuance request to the client, wherein the service providing server generates a ticket based on the ticket issuance request from the charging server; and Means for storing information of the ticket, means for transmitting the ticket to the charging server, means for receiving a service request from the client, means for determining the validity of the service request from the stored information, The information based on the service request is transmitted to the client based on the determination result. Means for transmitting the information to a client. 7. The service includes audio information, video information,
And at least one of a photographing operation control right at the time of obtaining the video, wherein the service providing server includes means for determining whether the client of the service requester has the right to receive the service. 7. The information transmission system according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The means for generating the ticket in the service providing server includes at least one of information for identifying the client and information on time when the client can receive the service. The information transmission system according to claim 6, wherein a ticket is generated. 9. The service providing server, wherein the means for generating the ticket generates a ticket by a predetermined encryption method, and the means for receiving the service request decrypts the ticket used for the service request. 7. The information transmission system according to claim 6, wherein said means for judging the legitimacy of said service request makes said judgment based on said decrypted ticket. 10. The service providing server, wherein the means for generating the ticket generates a ticket including a predetermined electronic signature, and the means for determining the validity of the service request determines that the service request is valid. 7. The information transmission system according to claim 6, wherein the information transmission is performed by an electronic signature in the used ticket. 11. A billing method in which a client sends a service request to a service providing server to charge a service received from the service providing server by the client at the billing server. Transmitting a purchase request for a ticket used for transmitting a service request to the providing server to the charging server; and the charging server validating the ticket purchase request from the client based on the information on the client stored in advance. Transmitting a ticket issuance request to the service providing server, and performing a payment process for a service received by the client, based on the determination result. Based on ticketing request Generating a ticket, storing the ticket information, and transmitting the ticket to the billing server. The billing server transmits the ticket returned from the service providing server in response to the ticket issuance request. Transmitting to the client, the client transmitting a service request to the service providing server using the ticket returned from the billing server in response to the ticket purchase request, and Receiving a service request from a client, determining the validity of the service request from the stored information of the ticket, and transmitting information based on the service request to the client based on the determination result. A billing method characterized by the following. 12. The service includes at least one of audio information, video information, and a photographing operation control right for obtaining the video, wherein the service providing server receives the service from a client of the service request source. The charging method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of determining whether or not the user has the right. 13. The method according to claim 13, wherein the service providing server generates the ticket including at least one of information for identifying the client and information on time when the client can receive the service. The charging method according to claim 11, further comprising: 14. The service providing server generates the ticket by a predetermined encryption method and, when receiving a service request from the client, decrypts the ticket used for the service request, The charging method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of performing the validity of the service request by using the decrypted ticket. 15. The service providing server generates the ticket including a predetermined electronic signature and, when receiving a service request from the client, checks the validity of the ticket used for the service request. 12. The accounting method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of performing the operation by using an electronic signature in the ticket. 16. A storage medium characterized by storing the accounting method according to claim 11 in a computer-readable manner.