JP2001222762A - Method and system for distributing contents information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that communication with a distributor by using an incoming link to a distribution company form the side of a receiver is complicated on the distribution of contents information and that distribution takes time in the case of using a portable terminal. SOLUTION: The contents information which is transmitted by a one-way communication system such as a digital broadcasting system, and information attached to the contents information are received by the receiver. Next, based on a user's instruction, at least a part of the contents information and the attached information is downloaded to a storage medium which is loaded in the receiver and stores a prepaid amount. In addition, accompanying the purchase of the contents information, charging processing is performed based on the prepaid amount and the price of the contents information. Thus, it is completely unnecessitated to use the incoming link before the charging processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content information distribution method for distributing content information such as music, audio, video, and character data, and more particularly to a content information distribution method using digital broadcasting as a distribution method. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, research and development of an electronic distribution technique for distributing content information such as music and video using a communication line such as a telephone line or an Internet has been actively conducted. In particular, in music distribution, the sale of music using a communication line or the Internet has actually started.

FIG. 7 shows an example of conventional music distribution, in which content information is music. Music, which is content information, is transmitted from the record company, which is the content information provider 201, to the distributor 203, and is stored in the distributor 203. This may be a physical medium (recording tape or disk) or transmitted over a communication line. As described below, the user 205 who wants to purchase a music at hand of a distributor has to store the desired music on the hard disk or the like via the Internet 211 and purchases the music, as described below.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of a conventional music distribution purchasing procedure, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a more detailed procedure. As shown in each figure, a user who wants to purchase a specific song accesses a server computer of the distributor 203 by using a computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC), for example, via the Internet. Usually, this corresponds to the fact that the user is browsing the homepage (hereinafter referred to as HP) of the distributor 203. Next, the user 205 searches for music to be purchased on the HP and designates a desired music (FIG. 9, step S100 → S
102). Here, if the above-mentioned music is designated for the purpose of audition, it is decided whether or not to purchase after listening to the music. Otherwise, the search for the next music is stopped or the procedure is stopped. 9. Step S103 → S
104 → S105).

[0005] As a result of the trial listening, when the purchase is decided, the target music is downloaded to the PC or the playback device at hand of the user (FIG. 9, step S106). At this time, the music data has been encrypted and cannot be reproduced as it is, and the encryption is canceled by receiving a key to unlock the encryption after payment.

The user 202 accesses the billing information center 209 to select a billing method (direct debit from a bank account, use a credit card, use a prepaid card, etc.) and perform a payment procedure (FIG. 9, step). S1
07 → S108). At this time, for example, when paying from an already registered bank account, it is necessary to perform user authentication. When the payment procedure (charging) is completed normally, a key for decryption is transmitted from the charging information center 209 (FIG. 9,
Step S109). Using this key, the user 205 decrypts / decrypts the encrypted music data and reproduces it (FIG. 9, step S110 → S111).

[0007] It is also conceivable that the distributor 203 and the billing information center 209 are the same. in this case,
By accessing the HP of the distributor 203, music designation, authentication, exchange of billing information, and the like are performed on the HP.

[0008] Further, the music can be downloaded not by a PC but by a dedicated terminal. In this case, the dedicated terminal is installed in a convenience store or the like, and is connected to the distributor 203 via the network 211. The user 205 inserts a storage medium such as a mini-disc (MD) into the dedicated terminal 207, makes a payment with cash or a credit card, and downloads music to an MD or the like. At this time, the music may be transmitted from the distributor 203 each time, or may be transmitted to the dedicated terminal 207 and stored together.

[0009]

The above-described conventional distribution system has the following problems. First, it is necessary to exchange with the server computer a number of times including the transfer of keys for downloading, which complicates the operation. Also, for example, even when a song of about 4 minutes is downloaded using a 33.6 kbit / sec modem, a time of 15 minutes or more is required, and this standby time is very troublesome for the user. User 2
In order to provide a viewing HP to the user 05, receive a download request from the user 205, receive a request for a key to decrypt the encrypted information, or obtain payment information and authentication information of the user 205, a distribution company from the user side The upstream line, which is the line to, is always required.

[0010] The Internet is a bidirectional communication line and an uplink is always available. Therefore, the conventional distribution method is based on the premise that such an uplink is used. That is, before the user 205 downloads the content information, or even after the download, before decrypting and reproducing the encrypted content information, the uplink is always used.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem of the distribution speed (line capacity), there is a method of using a broadcast represented by a satellite broadcast as a line (downlink) for distributing the content information. Before sending user authentication information, billing information, download request information,
Alternatively, a bidirectional, for example, telephone line is used because it is necessary to receive key information for decrypting the download information. Therefore, the user 205 who intends to download the content information by the conventional distribution method connects a storage device or a control device to the upstream line before downloading or reproducing. However, the Internet or telephone line can always be used for equipment used indoors, but connection to such an up line is generally difficult for portable equipment and equipment mounted on a vehicle.

The portable terminal has upper and lower lines, but when these are used as distribution lines, there are problems in terms of convenience and economy, such as communication speed and line usage fee, as described above. Since the use of the portable terminal is restricted in some cases, the music distribution cannot be performed by connecting the portable terminal to the vehicle-mounted device.

On the other hand, if there is no always available uplink, authentication of the user 205 and authentication of billing information cannot be performed. Therefore, how to secure billing information is a major issue. For this reason, a delivery system that does not have a substantially always available uplink is not used despite its high convenience.

The present invention relates to a system for distributing content information to a device used in a mobile environment, such as a portable terminal or a vehicle-mounted device, which does not have an always available uplink. It is another object of the present invention to provide a content information distribution method that enables charging for purchasing content information.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following procedure. That is, first, the receiver receives the content information transmitted by the one-way communication system, for example, the digital broadcast system, and the content information accompanying information accompanying the content information. Next, based on a user's instruction, at least a part of the content information and the accompanying information is downloaded to a storage medium storing a prepaid amount loaded in the receiver. Further, in accordance with the purchase of the content information, a billing process is executed based on the prepaid amount and the price of the content information.

By this means, it is not necessary to use the up line at all until the charging process. If this method is applied to a portable device or an on-vehicle device, a process that requires the up line such as user authentication or a charging process based on the user authentication is performed. Thus, the content information can be downloaded without any processing.

Further, in order to distribute sales to the content information provider or to check the sales status of the content information, the content information price, the content information transmission date and time, the content information sender identification information, the content information It is necessary to aggregate the content accompanying information including the provider identification information, the content information identification information, and the like at the distributor. In this case, after the charging process,
All or part of the content information accompanying information stored in the storage medium is transmitted to the content information distribution manager by the interactive communication system.

In the above method, it is necessary to confirm before the charging process that the balance of the prepaid amount is equal to or more than the price of the content information. In general, the information on the price is included in the accompanying information and transmitted from a broadcasting station together with the content information.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a content information distribution system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a concept showing an example of multiplexing of digital broadcast program contents and content information described below. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of content information distribution according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure following use of an uplink. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a part of FIG. 1 in more detail.

Content information is distributed from a plurality of content information providers 101, for example, record companies, to a distributor 103.
, And the distributor 103 sends the content information to the broadcast station 105. The movement of the music data in this case may be performed by a physical medium (recording tape or disk) or may be transmitted by a communication line.

A program is broadcast from the broadcast station 105 in a digital manner and in one direction (from the broadcast station to the receiver) in accordance with a broadcast program. Further, in addition to the program contents, a program related to the program contents is transmitted. The content information is multiplexed with the program content data and transmitted to a user. For example, taking a music program as an example, the content itself of the music program is reproduced by the receiver 106,
The content information multiplexed with the program content is the music itself broadcasted in the music program, the music related to the music program, video, audio, text, and other data. Here, digital broadcasting capable of securing a high transmission rate is assumed, but the present invention is not limited to this as long as the object of the present application can be achieved.

Here, a program in which a hit song is introduced as a music program by a disc jockey (hereinafter referred to as DJ) will be considered. In the program, the DJ broadcasts the hit music while introducing the music to be broadcast. At this time, there are cases where the voice of the DJ overlaps with the beginning of the song to be broadcast or the song is not completely broadcast until the end of the song. That is, a specific music piece is rarely broadcast in perfect form.
On the other hand, the content information for distribution is generally information of a complete music composition, and in most cases, is identical in content to that provided by another medium, for example, a CD.
As described below, music data as such content information for distribution is multiplexed and transmitted together with a music program for broadcasting the music data, and can be downloaded on the user side (receiver side). .

As will be described later, the content information does not need to be reproduced in real time on the user side, but needs to have a capacity that does not hinder the transmission of the contents of a normal program. A high compression rate is required and the broadcast is encrypted so that it is not easily copied.

In the case of digital broadcasting, data of ordinary program contents is also compressed and broadcast. In this case, real-time performance is required for the compression / decompression processing. Is selected.

When transmitting the content information, the accompanying information accompanying the content information is also multiplexed with the data of the ordinary program contents and transmitted. This accompanying information may be multiplexed by being included in the content information, or may be multiplexed as information different from the content information. The accompanying information includes, for example, price information necessary for purchasing the content information, information for specifying a program or a broadcasting station that broadcasts the content, information for specifying the content information provider 101 (source), and date and time when the content was broadcast. And other information for specifying the characteristics of the content. When the content is music, it includes not only the music itself but also the name of the player, the name of the music, the lyrics, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the content information D13
a (D13b) is the audio stream D
It is broadcast at least once during or before or after the broadcast of the program content D11a (D11b) transmitted at 10. Here, the content information D13a (D13b) naturally has relevance to the program content D11a (D11b), and the reference information D12a (D12b) serves as information indicating the relevance between the two, and the broadcast of the program content is performed. The same content will be repeatedly transmitted during. For example, program content D11
During the broadcast of a, the information indicating the position of the content information D13a related to the program content D11a is repeatedly transmitted, and the received content information is provided for download processing on the receiver side. Further, as described above, the additional information D14 is attached to the content information D13a, D13b or separately from the content information D13a, D13b.
a and D14b are transmitted.

The receiver 106 performs digital broadcasting of this music program (program contents 11, reference information 12, content information 1).
3, including the accompanying information 14), and the program content D11a (D11b) is extracted from them and the program is reproduced. Further, the receiver 106 has a portable non-volatile storage medium 109 which can be removably loaded, and a writing means capable of at least writing to the non-volatile storage medium 109 is internally or externally provided. . As the portable nonvolatile storage medium 109, for example, a magnetic tape (cassette tape), a magnetic disk (mini disk, MD), an optical disk (MO, DVD-RAM), a flash memory, or the like can be used. Here, in consideration of portability and convenience, a case where a card-shaped storage medium (hereinafter, referred to as a memory card) using a flash memory as a semiconductor storage medium will be described as an example.

The prepaid amount is stored in advance in the memory card 109 as electronic information. Here, as the prepaid amount, an actual amount in yen, 10 yen or 10 yen is used.
It is assumed that a unit such as 0 yen is set as one frequency. The prepaid amount is stored in the memory card 109 by the issuer or seller of the memory card 109 using a storage medium issuing / updating unit 111 (hereinafter referred to as a card issuing / updating unit 111) as described later.

The card issuing / updating means 111 is a device in which a card issuer or a seller prepares a large number of memory cards storing a fixed amount of prepaid amount, a convenience store, a gas station, a CD / record seller, etc. It is conceivable to provide a function of inputting and issuing a prepaid amount one by one according to the fixed amount or the amount inserted, or inputting an increase amount to be described later (hereinafter referred to as the convenience store). A mode placed in a store or the like is a KIOSK terminal 111k).

In the example shown in FIG.
The card issuance processing according to k will be described.
The prepaid amount is further input, and the specified prepaid amount is written into the memory card 109 loaded as described above by the amount writing means 12a. Here, the money amount designating means 11a is a keyboard, or a bill (cash) counting means when directly reading the cash amount.

In this case, as a method of paying money, in addition to a method of paying cash, settlement by credit card,
Other commonly used payment methods such as a prepaid card payment method, bank payment, and check are used. Also KI
The OSK terminal 111k is usually provided by the distributor 1 on the network.
It is connected to a prepaid amount totaling means 30a provided in the management computer 03, and the prepaid amount is totalized here.

Now, the user stores the storage medium 10 in the receiver.
When a target broadcasting station is selected with the user 9 mounted, the content information and the content accompanying information are received by the receiving means 10 together with the content of the program currently being broadcast, and the program content is reproduced by a reproduction process. Can listen to the target program (FIG. 3, step S
11 → S12). It is assumed that a situation occurs in which a user wants to purchase a music piece flowing in a program while listening to the music program.
As described above, the music data is multiplexed with the data of the program contents as the content information and transmitted. In this state, when the user instructs to download the content information using a user interface (for example, a push button) provided in the receiver 106, all or a part of the accompanying information is held in the memory provided in the receiver 106. (FIG. 3, step S13 → S14).

In this state, the contents of the accompanying information, particularly the price, are displayed on the display means (not shown) and confirmed by the user. Further, when the payment processing means 23 determines that the prepaid amount (balance) stored in the memory card 109 is equal to or more than the price of the music, that is, if the music can be purchased, the information writing means 21 performs the multiplexing. The desired music being broadcast is stored (downloaded) in the memory card 109, and necessary information in the accompanying information, in particular, information for specifying the source is also written (FIG. 3, step S15).

Here, it is assumed that a prepaid amount of, for example, 2,000 yen is stored. For example, if the price of the music is 300 yen, the prepaid amount is 2,000 yen, so that the music can be purchased. The above-described price information confirmation processing or determination processing as to whether purchase is possible may be performed without an instruction from a user.
For example, each time the receiver receives the accompanying information repeatedly transmitted as described above, or each time the accompanying information is updated as the content of the program changes, regardless of the instruction from the user, the current Confirmation of the price of the music being received or the balance of the memory card 109 currently loaded in the receiver may be performed.

At this time, the receiver 106 performs an operation of decrypting the downloaded music data if the data of the music has been encrypted, and further encrypts the data if necessary when storing the data in the memory card 109. And store it. However,
This decryption processing may be performed after the next prepaid amount reduction processing, or may be performed immediately before reproduction.

As described above, at the same time (or before and after) downloading the desired music data to the memory card 109, the payment processing means 23 provided in the receiver 106 is used.
Reduces the prepaid amount stored in the memory card 109 by the price of the stored music (step S16 in FIG. 3). In the case of this embodiment, the balance of the prepaid amount is 17
It becomes 00 yen. At this point, the charging process for the distributed music has been performed. When the payment is made, the user can reproduce the music by the reproducing means provided in the receiver or the reproducing means separate from the receiver. Until this point, there is no need to use the uplink at all.

As described above, when the music as the content information is stored in the memory card 109, a part or all of the content accompanying information is stored in the memory card 109. It is necessary that the accompanying information to be stored includes at least information capable of specifying the source of the content information. This accompanying information may be stored together with the corresponding content information in the memory card 109, or may be stored in the memory card 109 in an area separate from (but associated with) the content information. Good.

[0038] The user can repeatedly purchase such music as content information. At this time, the purchase price may be uniform or different depending on the music. If the price of the content information is included in the accompanying information as described above, the distributor can access flexible operations such as setting a price according to the type of the content information. When the price of the content information is uniform, it is not always necessary to include the price of the content information in the accompanying information.

In the above-described music purchase procedure, there is no need to perform user authentication, purchase instruction to a broadcasting station, and the like.
There is no need to use the uplink. Therefore, this method is advantageous when using a receiving device in a so-called mobile environment, such as a mobile terminal or a vehicle-mounted receiver.

Now, after purchasing the music data as content information several times, the balance of the prepaid amount becomes 200 yen, and the price of the music to be purchased next becomes 300 yen.
If it's a yen, you can't buy this song. At this time,
As described above, the payment processing means 23 does not store the music, which is the content information, in the memory card 109 even if the user instructs the purchase. At this time, no uplink is used at all.

As described above, the memory card 10
When the balance of the prepaid amount in 9 decreases, the user can increase the prepaid amount. FIG. 6 shows the card issuing / updating unit 111 (KIOSK terminal 111) shown in FIG.
It is a functional block diagram showing KIOSK terminal 111k which added the system which can increase the prepaid amount to k).

The prepaid amount is increased by the KIO
It can be executed by the SK terminal 111k. That is,
The user inserts the memory card 109 into the KIOSK terminal 111k
Then, money corresponding to the amount to be increased is inserted into the KIOSK terminal 111k or paid to the administrator of the KIOSK terminal 111k. Alternatively, after designating the money to be increased, the money is paid.

In FIG. 6, the money amount designating means 11b is a keyboard, a bill (coin) counting means, etc., similar to the money amount designating means 11a, and both may be the same. As for the method of paying money, there are cash, credit card and the like as in the case of issuing the card.

Thereafter, the prepaid amount in consideration of the increased amount and the remaining amount of the memory card 109 is written into the memory card 109 by the amount updating means 13 of the KIOSK terminal 111k. That is, in this embodiment, the memory card 109 with a balance of 200 yen is inserted into the KIOSK terminal 111.
If you pay 1800 yen and attach to k, the remaining amount will be 2
000 yen. At this time, it is possible to increase the amount beyond the balance when the first memory card 109 was issued. For example, pay 2000 yen and set the prepaid amount to 220
It is also possible to make it 0 yen. However, an upper limit should be set. Further, since the storage capacity of the memory card 109 is limited, the content information stored up to that point is deleted by the deletion means 14 when the prepaid amount is increased, as necessary. If this erasure is not desired, the prepaid amount is not updated.

The increase in the prepaid amount can of course be input at the KIOSK terminal 111k as described above.
It can also be executed by operating the card issuing / updating means 111 under the business operator, and can also be executed by a computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) connected to a network.

That is, the user first mounts the memory card 109 whose prepaid amount is to be increased to a memory card reading / writing device built in or external to the PC. Next, the host computer is connected to a host computer (for example, at a bank) for increasing the prepaid amount, and after performing user authentication and selection of a payment method by a generally used method, the host computer prepaid to the memory card 109. The amount is written.

As described above, the money paid by the user when issuing or selling the memory card 109 storing the prepaid amount and when increasing the prepaid amount needs to be appropriately distributed to the content information provider. .

As is clear from the above description, the sales obtained as a result of counting the prepaid amounts are as follows. When issuing and selling cards storing the amount of money, the number of issued or sold cards is managed by computer. Also,
If you need to enter the amount when issuing the card or increase the prepaid amount, the KIOS connected to the network
The information from the K terminal 111k or the information from the above-mentioned host computer connected at the time of payment is transferred to the prepaid amount totaling means 3 of the managing computer of the distributor.
0a and the prepaid amount totaling means 30b.

In order to appropriately distribute the totaled sales amount to a plurality of content information providers, the source of the content information stored in the memory card 109, that is, purchased (sold) by distribution is grasped. And have to sum up. In addition to the distribution of sales, when the sales status of the content information and the like are left as data and used for analysis, etc., the information included in the content accompanying information, such as the sales date and the number of sales of the content information, is transmitted to the distributor. Need to be managed by Based on this aggregated source information,
The distribution of sales is determined.

The source information of the content information can be totaled by the source information totaling means 400 of the management computer based on the accompanying information stored in the memory card 109. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for reading the accompanying information.

As will be described below, the source information totalizing means 400 is provided by the KIOSK terminal 111k or the PC.
And the source information calculating means 40 on the management computer side of the distributor 103.

That is, as described above, the memory card 1
When the prepaid amount of 09 decreases, the user can use KIOSK
The prepaid amount is increased by the terminal 111k or the PC. The user inserts the memory card 109 into the KIOSK terminal 11
1K or PC, when increasing the prepaid amount, the KIOSK terminal 111k or the accompanying information reading means 80 provided in the PC, the memory card 10
The content accompanying information including the information (content information provider, song title, distribution date, etc.) for specifying the source written in 9 is read (FIG. 4, step S21).

As shown in FIG. 6, the KIOSK terminal 111k
Alternatively, the PC is connected to the management computer via a network, that is, to the management computer via a bidirectional communication line.

In this state, the KIOSK terminal 111k
Alternatively, the accompanying information read out by the accompanying information reading means 80 of the PC is transmitted to the management computer by using the uplink (FIG. 4, step S22 → S23) and thus transmitted to the management computer. Accompanying information is
The source information is calculated by the source information calculation unit 40 included in the source information totaling unit 400. However, the counting may be performed by the management computer as described above, or another counting computer may be used. After the reading of the accompanying information, the accompanying information written in the memory card 109 is erased by the erasing means 15 provided in the KIOSK terminal 111k or the PC. This is to prevent the accompanying information from being redundantly read.

The distribution ratio calculating means 50 calculates the distribution ratio to each content information provider based on the source information totalized by the source information totalizing means 400 as described above.

In the above description, the up line is used after the charging step. Therefore, it is convenient when content information is distributed in a mobile environment. That is, since the charging is performed at the stage of receiving and storing the content information, the user can reproduce and enjoy the content information immediately after the storage, and particularly, in a car, complicated operations and key information associated with the charging procedure. It is not necessary to use a mobile phone to obtain the content, so that the user can safely receive the content information even while driving, and enjoy music. In addition, there is an advantage that even when the user carries the receiver, it is not necessary to separately have a mobile phone. Furthermore, a telephone is not always connectable, and there is a possibility that a music program ends while the telephone is being operated. Therefore, the distribution method of the present invention can provide a highly convenient distribution method in a wide variety of situations.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described mainly on the case where music is used as the content information, the content information may be video, audio, text, programs, software, or other content information. In the case of a video, it is an image such as a moving image or a still image or a combination of an image and a sound. In the case of voice, for example, reading of a book, news, and the like correspond to this. Educational programs also correspond to this. Further, as the text information, news, stock information, and the like may be broadcast as text data. As the programs and software, game software and the like can be considered. Also, these pieces of content information may be broadcast in combination with each other, not alone.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a content information distribution method using broadcast, electronic money is stored in advance in a portable storage medium inserted in a receiver, and Using the method of reducing the amount of electronic money and charging each time the content information is stored in the storage medium, has the effect of enabling distribution of the content information with charging even in the absence of an uplink line. It is. In addition, since the information accompanying the content information is transmitted using the uplink after the billing is performed, the content of the stored content information can be grasped by the distributor. Further, since there is no need to perform complicated operations involved in the charging procedure or use a mobile phone in a car, there is an effect that the content information can be safely received even during driving.

Further, since the content information is stored in the portable storage medium, there is an effect that, for example, the information stored in the vehicle-mounted device can be reproduced and enjoyed by the home playback device. In addition, since the electronic money is also stored in the same storage medium, there is an effect that its handling and management become easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system used in a content information distribution method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a content information distribution method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed flowchart of a transmission step of the content information distribution method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of using an uplink according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of a part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram in the case of performing an increase processing.

FIG. 7 is a system used in a conventional content information distribution method.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conventional content information distribution method.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a conventional content information distribution method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Content Information Provider 103 Distributor 105 Broadcasting Station 106 Receiver 107 Receiver 109 Storage Medium (Memory Card) 111 Electronic Money Issuing Device 201 Content Information Provider 203 Distributor 205 User (PC Terminal) 207 Storage Medium (Hard Disk, etc.) 209 Billing Information Center 211 Internet

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Fujimoto 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 72) Inventor Ryohei Imai 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shuichi Ninomiya 1006 Odaka Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. No. 1006, Kazuma, Kadoma-shi, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. GG04 GG06 GG09

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A receiving process of receiving, by a receiver, content information transmitted by a one-way communication system and content information accompanying information associated with the content information, and receiving the content information and ancillary information based on a user instruction. A download process of downloading at least a part of the information to a storage medium storing a prepaid amount loaded in the receiver; and, with the purchase of the content information, the prepaid amount and a price of the content information. A content information distribution method comprising: a billing process for reducing a prepaid amount. 2. A transmission process for transmitting all or a part of the content information accompanying information stored in the storage medium to the content information distribution manager by the interactive communication system after the charging process. The content information distribution method according to claim 1. 3. The content information distribution method according to claim 1, further comprising a balance confirmation process for confirming that the balance of the prepaid amount is equal to or more than the price of the content information before the charging process. 4. The content information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein a price of the content information is included in the accompanying information. 5. The content information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the prepaid amount includes a monetary value expressed in unit frequency. 6. The content information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the one-way communication system is a digital broadcasting system. 7. The content information according to claim 1, wherein the content information includes at least one of music, voice, image, video, character information, news, program, and software.
Content information distribution method described in. 8. The content information accompanying information further includes:
5. The content information distribution method according to claim 4, further comprising at least one of content information transmission date and time, content information sender identification information, content information provider identification information, and content information identification information. 9. The content information delivery method according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is portable. 10. A receiving means for receiving, by a receiver, content information transmitted by a one-way communication system and content information accompanying information associated with the content information, and the content information and the accompanying information based on a user's instruction. Information writing means for downloading at least a part of the information to a storage medium storing a prepaid amount loaded in the receiver; and, with the purchase of the content information, based on the prepaid amount and the price of the content information. A content information distribution system comprising: a payment unit for reducing the prepaid amount. 11. An additional information reading means for transmitting, to the content information distribution manager, all or a part of the additional information of the content information stored in the storage medium by the interactive communication system after the charging process. The content information distribution system according to claim 10, further comprising: 12. The content information distribution system according to claim 10, further comprising a balance confirmation unit for confirming that the balance of the prepaid amount is equal to or more than the price of the content information before the charging process. 13. The content information distribution system according to claim 10, wherein a price of the content information is included in the accompanying information.