JP2001265979A - Electronic medium distributing system and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an electronic medium distributing system and recording medium by which an electronic medium is downloaded by performing a request to a host on demand, stored in a server, rapidly stored in an outer storage device in accordance with the request of the electronic medium and sold and by which charging information is reported to the host to perform a charging processing and multiple customers are rapidly handled in sales in the store of the electronic medium, etc. SOLUTION: The system is constituted of the host for storing the multiple electronic media and downloading them in accordance with a request, of a server provided with a storage means for downloading the prescribed electronic medium from the host, adding a medium ID and temporarily storing it and with a means for retrieving the storage means when the download of the electronic medium with the designated medium ID is requested, taking-out it when it is retrieved, downloading it to a terminal, receiving the download from the host unless it is retrieved and downloading it to the terminal and of the terminal for performing access to the home page of the host to display a screen and receiving the download of the electronic medium with the designated medium ID on the screen from the server.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic medium distribution system and a recording medium for distributing an electronic medium via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a user operates a browser on a terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art It has been practiced to connect to a web server via a network (for example, the Internet), download and display a home page, and directly purchase various products (for example, products such as books, music data, and software).

[0003]

However, in the same manner as in a store, a web server is connected via a network, and in response to a request from a customer, the web server is connected to the web server one by one, received a download, and stored in an external medium. If it is sold for a long time, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time to download from a web server to a server in a store, and it is not possible to sell quickly to many customers. In addition, there is a problem that it is not possible to assemble electronic media, which is a product, according to the characteristics of the region and the customer group for each store.

[0004] The present invention solves these problems,
The electronic medium is downloaded from the host at any time, stored in the server, and the electronic medium is promptly stored in an external storage device for sale in response to the request for the electronic medium, and the accounting information is notified to the host. It is an object of the present invention to realize a system that performs billing processing and can quickly sell electronic media at a store or the like to a large number of customers.

[0005]

Means for solving the problem will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a host 1
Is for storing electronic media.

[0006] The server 11 is connected to the host 1 to receive and temporarily store an electronic medium, or to download the stored electronic medium to the terminal 21.

[0007] The terminal 21 requests downloading of an electronic medium. Next, the operation will be described.
The host 1 accumulates a large number of electronic media, the server 11 downloads a predetermined electronic medium from the host 1, adds a medium ID, temporarily stores the medium, and when there is a download request of the electronic medium specifying the medium ID. When it is found and retrieved, it is taken out and downloaded to the terminal 21. On the other hand, when it is not found, it is downloaded from the host 1 and downloaded to the terminal 21.
The homepage is accessed to display the screen, and the electronic medium of the medium ID specified on the screen is downloaded from the server 11 and used.

At this time, the server 11 temporarily sells
An electronic medium that has been requested by a customer and has no or less copy limit times is downloaded from the host 1 and stored.

Further, the electronic medium downloaded by the terminal 21 is written in an external storage means and delivered to the customer. In addition, audio, video,
One or more of software, images, and electronic books are used.

Further, the server 11 transfers the medium ID and the downloaded user ID to the host 1 when downloading the electronic medium to the terminal 21, and requests the host 1 for charging.

Accordingly, the electronic medium is downloaded from the host 1 at any time, stored in the server 11, and the electronic medium is quickly stored in the external storage in response to the request for the electronic medium from the terminal 21 connected to the server 11. By storing the information in the device and selling it and notifying the host 1 of the billing information and performing the billing process, it is possible to realize a system that can quickly sell electronic media at a store or the like to a large number of customers. .

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment and operation of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a host 1 is for storing an electronic medium and is composed of a control unit 2, an electronic medium file group 3, a medium ID index 4, a search unit 5, a distribution unit 6, and the like. It is. Here, the host 1
It also operates as a web server, and downloads a homepage screen from the terminal 21 and displays it on the screen of the terminal 21.

The control means 2 performs various kinds of control. Here, the control means 2 controls the whole system and the medium ID when the electronic medium is downloaded from the server 11 to the terminal 21.
And charging the user based on the downloaded user ID.

The electronic medium file group 3 is a group of many files storing electronic media. The electronic medium is obtained by converting audio, video, software, images, electronic books, and the like into data corresponding to the respective standards and storing the converted data in a file (for example, the audio is stored in a file as music CD data).

The medium ID index 4 indicates the electronic medium file group 3
Is an index for searching for an electronic medium stored in the electronic medium. Here, the index is for quickly searching for the electronic medium based on a medium ID uniquely assigned to the electronic medium.

The search means 5 searches the medium ID index 4 based on the medium ID or the like based on a request from the server 11 or the like, and searches the electronic medium file group 3 for a corresponding electronic medium. Here, a transmission request is sent to the server 11 in a format shown in FIG. 5 to which the retrieved electronic medium file and medium ID, a title, a price, and the like are added, as described later.

The distribution means 6 distributes (downloads) an electronic medium to the server 11 or the like. Here, the data is distributed to the server 11 in the format shown in FIG.

The server 11 temporarily stores the electronic medium downloaded from the host 1 and downloads the electronic medium of the medium ID in response to a request specifying the medium ID. It comprises a control unit 12, an electronic medium file group 13, a medium ID index 14, a search unit 15, and the like. The server 11 is arranged, for example, in a store.

The control means 12 performs various controls. Here, the electronic medium downloaded from the host 1 is temporarily stored as an electronic medium file group 13 and registered in the medium ID index 14, When a download of an electronic medium with a specified medium ID is requested from the terminal 21, the corresponding electronic medium is downloaded.

The electronic medium file group 13 temporarily stores electronic medium files downloaded from the host 1. The medium ID index 14 is an index in which a medium ID for search assigned to an electronic medium is registered.

The search means 15 searches the medium ID index 14 based on the medium ID for which a download request has been made, and quickly finds the corresponding electronic medium from the electronic medium file group 13.

The terminal 21 connects to a web server in the host 1, downloads and displays a homepage screen, and is, for example, a personal computer or the like running software such as a browser. , Control means (including a browser) 22, a medium file 23 stored in a memory, a display device 24, an output device 25, and the like.

The control means 22 performs various controls. Here, the control means 22 performs various controls using software such as a browser. The media file 23 is stored in the server 11
It stores the electronic media downloaded from.

The display device 24 is for displaying a homepage or the like. The output device 25 records the electronic medium downloaded from the server 11 on a portable external storage medium (for example, CD-R, DVD, or the like).

FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of the present invention. FIG.
, The host 1 includes a host DB 32, a web server 33, and the like.

The host DB 32 stores an electronic medium file group 3
And a medium ID index 4 for registering an electronic medium file having a specified medium ID,
Searching, etc.

The web server 33 downloads a home page to the terminal 21 and displays it. The PC (personal computer) 34 is a normal Internet user via the web A, and a web server 33
Is displayed on a screen on a browser, and a media ID of an electronic medium to be purchased is selected from the home page to request download.

The server 11 and the terminal 21 are connected to the Internet via the web B and further connected via the server, and are, for example, a server provided in a store and a plurality of terminals. The server 11 is a server 3
5 and a local DB 36. The local DB 36 is a host D that constitutes the host 1.
A predetermined one is downloaded from B32 and temporarily stored (e.g., an electronic medium requested by the user, an electronic medium that is sold well, and an electronic medium recommended by the store manager are stored). The terminal 21 is provided in the store and connected to a LAN, and displays a homepage and displays a medium ID.
Of the electronic medium having the medium ID selected from the list in FIG. 1, and writing the electronic medium in the external medium for purchase.

As described above, the in-store server 11 is connected to the host 1 and a plurality of terminals 21 are connected to this server 11 by LA.
N, receiving the download of the homepage of the web server of the host 1 from the terminal 21 and displaying it on the screen of the browser. Terminal 21
If not, the download is received from the host 1 and stored in the server 11 and downloaded to the terminal 21. The terminal 21 writes the downloaded electronic medium to an external storage medium and hands it over to the customer. Sales at stores and the like can be promptly dealt with for a large number of customers. The details will be sequentially described below.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present invention. Here, host 1, server 11, and terminal 2
1 respectively correspond to the same numbers in FIG. FIG.
In S1, it is determined whether there is a request for an electronic medium. This is to determine whether there is a request from the server 11 to download an electronic medium. In the case of YES, the process proceeds to S2. NO
If so, wait.

In S2, since it has been determined that a request for an electronic medium has been made in YES in S1, the requested electronic medium file and medium ID are transferred to the server 11. At S3, the server 11 that has received the transfer at S2 stores the received data. Here, the following items shown are stored.

Media ID index: ID, file address, counter Database: Electronic media file Here, the ID is a unique media ID of the transferred electronic medium.
, The file address is the address where the electronic medium file is stored, the counter is the number of times copying is permitted, and these are registered in the medium ID index of the server 11. The electronic medium file is registered in the electronic medium file group 13 managed by the server 11, and its address is registered in association with the medium ID in the medium ID index 4.

Through the above steps S1 to S3, the electronic medium file requested by the host 1 is temporarily registered in the electronic medium file group 13 of the server 11, and the server 1
1, the address of the electronic medium file temporarily stored in the electronic medium file group 13 in the medium ID index 14 and the medium I
D and a counter (a counter in which the number of permitted copies is set) are registered in association with each other, and a medium ID requested to be purchased by the customer who has operated the terminal 21 is immediately taken out and copied to an external medium for delivery and sale. Is done.

In S4, the host 1 transmits and receives HTML. At this time, the in-basket information is held (). S
In 5, the browser of the terminal 1 displays a title search / selection (in basket) operation screen.

At S6, the browser of the terminal 1 displays the in-basket processing screen. In step S7, a decision button is clicked on the screen in step S6. In S8, the host 1 acquires the medium ID from the in-basket information ().

In S9, the host 1 transmits the medium ID acquired in S8 to the server 11. In S10, the server 11 that has received the transmission in S9 receives the medium ID. S11 is S1
0 is the medium ID received by the server 11
It is determined whether it is in the index 14. If YES, S1
Proceed to 2. In the case of NO, it is determined that the electronic medium of the medium ID requested by the customer is not present in the server 11, so the host 1 is notified of the request for the electronic medium of the medium ID, and Y1 of S1 is performed.
It becomes ES, and is transferred to the server 11 and registered in S2 and S3, and the process proceeds to S12.

By the above S4 to S11, the terminal 21
The title search / selection operation screen of S5 downloaded from the host 1 is displayed on the screen of the browser of, and when the customer selects the electronic medium of the predetermined medium ID, the in-basket processing screen of S6 is displayed and the selected electronic medium is displayed. When the user presses the medium determination button, the host 1 receives the medium ID of the electronic medium and transfers the medium ID to the server 11. If the server 11 holds the electronic medium, the server 11 charges and downloads the information and uses it for the customer. Otherwise, after transferring from the host 1 to the server 11, it is possible to charge and download and use it by the customer.

In S12, since it is determined that the server 11 has the medium ID of the electronic medium requested by the customer in YES in S11, the following accounting process shown in the figure is performed. -Creation of billing data-Counter + 1-Transmission of billing data Here, billing data is created by creating billing data such as an electronic medium ID, a customer ID of a purchased customer, quantity, price, and the like, and the counter +1 is a server 1 shown in FIG. In the management information of the corresponding ID in the DB managed by, the counter of the number of times of copying in the management information of the corresponding ID is incremented by one, and the billing data transmission transmits the created billing data to the host 1 and requests a billing process.

In step S13, the medium file is transmitted to the terminal 21. In S14, the terminal 21 receives the media file transmitted in S13. In step S15, the data is stored. This is the hard disk device of the terminal 21 and the external recording medium.
For example, it is written on a CD-R or DVD and handed over to a customer.

In step S16, the customer uses the medium. Through steps S13 to S16, the customer (clerk) operating the terminal 21 receives the transfer of the electronic medium requested for purchase from the server 11 disposed in the store, and receives the transfer of the external medium (CD-R or DV).
D), it becomes possible to receive and use it.

In S17, the host 11 receives the accounting data transmitted in S12. In step S18, the accounting data is totaled. For example, counter counting is performed. S19 is marketing. In this way, it is possible to perform marketing such as totaling sales results, etc.-determination of distribution destinations of electronic media files-provision of recommended information (promotion)-determination of content to be purchased.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen of the user terminal of the present invention. This shows an example of the screen (the screen of the user terminal) displayed on the browser of the terminal 21 in FIG. 3 described above. In FIG. 4, S21 shows an example of a title search screen. This title search screen example is a title search screen example of the title search / selection operation screen of S5 displayed on the browser of the terminal 1 in FIG. 3 described above, and selects or inputs the following information shown in the figure. It is for.

Field: Keyword Recommended information World, Country Country, Store, Promotion information Purchase button On the title search screen above, enter the field or keyword to specify search conditions, or enter Select from the recommended information of, and specify search conditions.

S22 shows an example of a title selection screen displaying the title specified by the search condition in S21. An arbitrary title is selected on this title selection screen. At this time, “link to details” and “in basket” are set in association with the title.

S23 shows an example of a title detail screen displayed when "link to details" is selected on the title selection screen of S22. As shown in the figure, the title detail screen example is a screen for performing title detail information (for example, a preview). When the title detail information is previewed and the like is completed or OK is completed, the screen returns to the original title selection screen of S22. Alternatively, the in-basket information is held in S24 ().

S25 shows an example of the in-basket processing screen displayed when the purchase button is pressed on the title search screen of S21. On the in-basket processing screen, the following information shown in the figure is displayed.

When the customer sees the title, price, quantity, and total amount of the search / selected electronic medium displayed on the in-basket processing screen, the customer presses the enter button. Proceeding to S26, an ID (electronic medium ID) is obtained () from the in-basket information and held. Then, the process returns to S21 and is repeated.

As described above, the customer displays and uses the title search screen, the title selection screen, and the title detail screen, and the title, price, number, price, and the like of the desired electronic medium to be purchased on the in-basket processing screen. Although not shown, it is possible to request the purchase by pressing the enter button when the medium ID is confirmed and the result is OK. Then, in step S8 in FIG. 3 described above, the in-basket information is notified to the host 1, and the electronic medium can be purchased.

FIG. 5 shows a data explanatory view of the present invention. This shows how the host 1 described above downloads to the server 11 and how the server 11 manages and downloads data to the terminal 21.

In FIG. 5, the host 1 creates the following data shown in association with each other and transmits it to the server 11. -DB-Title-Price-Medium ID-Pointer-File (registered in association with the pointer) The server 11 creates the following data shown in association with the data, and transmits (downloads) the file to the terminal.

· DB · Medium ID · File Address · Counter · Index File (Search by Medium ID) · File (Search by Index File) Next, the search procedure will be described.

In step S31, the host 1 notifies the server 11 of the medium ID requested by the customer for purchase. S32 is S3
The server 11 receives the medium ID notified in step 1.

S33 is the medium ID notified in S32.
Search the index file based on. S34 is S33
The file (electronic medium file) of the medium ID is taken out based on the address found in the search of (1), and transmitted (downloaded) to the terminal 21.

In step S35, the terminal 21 receives the file transmitted in step S34. Then, the data is written on a CD-R or a DVD, passed to the customer, and a series of sales is completed.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The electronic medium is downloaded from the host 1 at any time, stored in the server 11, and the electronic medium is promptly stored in an external storage device in response to the request for the electronic medium, and the billing information is transmitted to the host 1. Since a configuration in which notification is performed and a billing process is performed is employed, it is possible to realize a system capable of quickly selling electronic media at a store or the like and dealing with a large number of customers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a screen example of a user terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of data of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: host 2, 12: control means 3, 13: electronic medium file group 4, 14: medium ID index 5, 15: search means 6: delivery means 11: server 21: terminal 22: control means 23: medium file 24: Display device 25: output device

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A system for distributing electronic media via a network, comprising: a host that stores a large number of electronic media and downloads the electronic media in response to a request; Storage means and medium I for temporarily storing
When there is a download request of the electronic medium designating D, the storage means is searched and retrieved when found, and downloaded to the terminal. On the other hand, when not found, the download is received from the host and sent to the terminal. A server provided with means for downloading; and a terminal for accessing a homepage of the host to display a screen and receiving an electronic medium having a medium ID specified on the screen from the server. Electronic media distribution system. 2. The electronic server according to claim 1, wherein said server temporarily downloads and stores from said host an electronic medium which has been sold, has received a request from a customer, and has no or few copies. An electronic media distribution system as described. 3. The electronic medium distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic medium downloaded by said terminal is written in an external storage means and said external storage means is handed over to a customer. 4. The electronic medium distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic medium is at least one of audio, video, software, image, and electronic book. 5. The electronic medium distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the server stores the medium ID downloaded to the customer and displays the selling information on the screen. 6. The electronic medium distribution system according to claim 1, wherein when the server downloads the electronic medium to the terminal, the server transfers the medium ID and the downloaded user ID to the host and requests charging. 7. A means for downloading a predetermined electronic medium from a host, adding a medium ID and temporarily storing the medium, and retrieving the storage means when there is a download request for an electronic medium with a specified medium ID. A computer-readable recording medium which records a program which is taken out when it is found and downloaded to the terminal, and which, when not found, receives a download from the host and functions as means for downloading it to the terminal.