JP2002024184A - System and method for distributing contents information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely grasp the purchase situations of contents information in a system which distributes the contents information to the equipment used in a mobile environment and installed in an environment having no up-link that is always available. SOLUTION: The contents information and its attendant information which are distributed from a broadcasting station are downloaded into a storage medium of a receiver and the reproduction control means of the receiver controls (limits) reproduction of the contents information on the basis of the reproduction control information included in the contents attendant information. In order to reproduce the contents information again, a contents information controller needs to carry out a purchase procedure. Under such conditions, the contents attendant information is sent to a management computer and accumulated there.

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 system for distributing content information such as music, audio, video, and character data, and more particularly, to a content information distribution system using digital broadcasting as a distribution method.

[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 through a communication line such as a telephone line or the Internet are being actively conducted. In particular, in music distribution, the sale of music using a communication line or the Internet has actually started.

FIG. 11 shows an example of conventional music distribution, in which content information is music. From the record company that is the content information provider 201 to the distributor 203
Music as content information is sent to the distributor 203
Is accumulated in This may be a physical medium (recording tape or disk) or transmitted over a communication line.
As described below, the user 205 who intends to purchase the music at hand of the distributor 203 stores the desired music on the hard disk or the like via the Internet 211 and purchases the music, as described below.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of a conventional music distribution purchasing procedure, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a more detailed procedure. As shown in each figure, a user 205 who wants to purchase a specific music piece receives a computer (hereinafter referred to as “P
C ”), the server computer of the distributor 203 is accessed via the Internet 211, for example. Usually, this corresponds to the fact that the user 205 is browsing the homepage of the distributor 203 (hereinafter referred to as “HP”). Next, the user 205 searches for music to be purchased on the HP and designates a target music (FIG. 13, steps S100 → S101 → S10).
2). Here, when the above-mentioned music is designated for the purpose of previewing, it is determined whether or not to purchase after trial listening (FIG. 13, steps S103 → S104 → S10).
5) If you do not purchase, search for the next song (Fig. 1
3. Step S105: No → S101), the procedure is stopped.

As a result of the audition, the user 20 who has decided to purchase
5 downloads the desired music to the PC or playback device at hand (FIG. 13, 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 205 accesses the charging information center 209 and selects a charging method (direct debit from a bank account, use of a credit card, use of a prepaid card, etc.) and performs a payment procedure (FIG. 13, Step S107 → 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) ends normally, a key for decryption is transmitted from the charging information center 209 (FIG. 13, step S109). The user 205 decrypts and decrypts the encrypted music data using the key and reproduces the data (FIG. 13, step S110 → S11).
1).

[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 downloading a song of about 4 minutes using a 33.6 kbit / s modem, a time of 15 minutes or more is required, and this waiting time becomes very troublesome for the user 205. . Further, in order to provide a browsing HP to the user 205, accept a download request from the user 205, accept a key request for decrypting the encrypted information, or obtain payment information and authentication information of the user 205, Distributor 2 from the side
An upstream line which is a line to 03 is always required.

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

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.

For this reason, 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.

Although the mobile terminal has upper and lower lines, if 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, 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 system that enables charging for purchasing content information.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following constitution. That is, the present invention is based on a content information distribution system that distributes content information provided by a plurality of content information providers 101, as shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the content information distributed from the broadcast station 105 and the accompanying information have been downloaded to a memory card (storage medium) 109 provided in the receiver 106.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the memory card 109 stores the content information and its accompanying information, and the reproducing means 77 reproduces the content information stored in the memory card 109. When the reproducing means 77 reproduces the content information, the reproduction control means 78 controls the reproduction of the content information based on the reproduction control information included in the accompanying information. Further, the notifying unit 79 notifies the user whether or not the content information can be reproduced.

Here, the user who is informed that the content information cannot be reproduced can perform the purchase procedure again in the content information control device described below, so that the content information can be reproduced again. .

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the reading means 94 is a memory card 1 provided in the receiver 106.
09 to read out the content accompanying information. The transmitting means 95 transmits the content accompanying information from the reading means 94 to the management computer. Further, the reproduction control information writing means (restricted state releasing means) 93 informs the content accompanying information from the reading means 94 that the release procedure for releasing the restricted state in which the reproduction of the content information has been restricted has been completed. The reproduction permission information shown is set as reproduction control information.

As described above, in the present invention, since the reproduction of the content information is controlled in order to promote the mounting of the memory card 109 to the content information control device, the user who purchased the content information cannot The purchase situation can be surely grasped.

Incidentally, the memory card 109 may store a prepaid amount. If you do this,
When the content information distributed from the broadcasting station 105 is stored in the memory card 109, it is possible to charge by various methods such as subtracting a fixed amount from the prepaid amount.

[0022]

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 when an uplink is used. 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.

From the broadcasting station 105, in a digital manner and in one direction according to the broadcasting program (from the broadcasting station to the receiver)
In addition, in addition to the program content, the content information related to the program content is multiplexed with the program content data and transmitted to the 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 by a disc jockey (hereinafter referred to as "DJ") as a music program is considered. In the program, the DJ broadcasts a hit song while introducing a song 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, the music data, which is such content information for distribution, is multiplexed and transmitted together with the music program that broadcasts the music data, and is transmitted to the user (receiver 106).
Side) can be downloaded.

As will be described later, the content information does not need to be reproduced on the user side in real time, 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 broadcasted. 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, information indicating the position of the content information D13a related to the program content D11a is repeatedly transmitted, and the content information D13a is provided for download processing on the receiver 106 side. Further, as described above, the accompanying information D13a, D13b is attached to the content information D13a, D13b separately from the content information D13a, D13b.
14a and D14b are transmitted.

The receiver 106 performs digital broadcasting of the music program (program content 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. . Examples of the portable nonvolatile storage medium 109 include a magnetic tape (cassette tape), a magnetic disk / magneto-optical disk (mini disk, MD), and an optical disk (MO, DVD-
RAM), flash memory, and the like. 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 is used as an example will be described.

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 a storage medium issuing / updating unit 111 (hereinafter referred to as “card issuing / updating unit 111”) as described later.
The issuer or the seller of the memory card 109 stores the data in the memory card 109.

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. It is conceivable to provide a function of inputting and issuing a prepaid amount one by one in accordance with a fixed amount or an inserted amount, or inputting an increase amount to be described later (hereinafter referred to as A mode placed in a convenience store or the like is referred to as a “KIOSK terminal 111k”).

In the example shown in FIG.
The card issuance processing by k will be described. The memory card 109 loaded in the card issuance / updating unit 111 is provided with an amount designating unit 11a constituting the card issuance / updating unit 111.
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, where the prepaid amount is totaled.

When the user selects a desired broadcasting station 105 with the storage medium 109 mounted on the receiver 106, the contents information and the contents accompanying information are transmitted to the receiving means 10 together with the contents of the program currently being broadcast.
And the program content is reproduced by the reproduction process, and the user can listen to the target program (FIG. 3, steps S11 → 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 a user instructs to download content information using a user interface (for example, a push button) provided in the receiver 106, the receiver 10
All or a part of the accompanying information is held in the memory provided in Step 6 (Step S13 → Step S14 in FIG. 3).

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 106 receives the accompanying information repeatedly transmitted as described above, or each time the accompanying information is updated as the program content changes, regardless of the presence or absence of the instruction from the user, The operation of checking the price of the music currently being received or the balance of the memory card 109 currently loaded in the receiver 106 may be executed.

At this time, the receiver 106 performs an operation of decrypting the downloaded music data if the data is encrypted, and further encrypts the data again 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.

At the same time (or before or after) downloading the desired music data to the memory card 109 as described above, the payment processing means 23 provided in the receiver 106
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 1
At this point, charging processing for the distributed music has been performed. When the settlement is performed, the user can use the reproduction means provided in the receiver 106 or the receiver 1
The music piece can be reproduced by a separate reproduction means from the music piece 06. 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, 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.

The user can repeatedly purchase the music that is such 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 1
On the 03 side, flexible operation such as setting a price in accordance with the type of content information becomes possible. 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, a purchase instruction to the broadcasting station 105, or the like, so that it is not necessary to use an uplink line. 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.

By the way, as described above, the memory card 1
When the balance of the prepaid amount in 09 decreases, the user can increase the prepaid amount. This increase in the prepaid amount can be executed by the above-mentioned KIOSK terminal 111k. That is, the user operates the memory card 10
9 is attached to the KIOSK terminal 111k, and then money corresponding to the amount to be increased is put into the KIOSK terminal 111k or
Payment is made to the administrator of the OSK terminal 111k. Alternatively, after designating the money to be increased, the money is paid.

FIG. 6 shows a KIOSK terminal 1 in which a system capable of increasing the prepaid amount is added to the card issuing / updating means 111 (KIOSK terminal 111k) shown in FIG.
It is a functional block diagram showing 11k, and the structure is demonstrated below.

That is, the money amount specifying means 11b is, like the money amount specifying means 11a, a keyboard or a bill (coin).
They are counting means and the like, and both 11b and 11a may be the same. As a method of paying money, there are cash and a credit card 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 11.
If the camera is attached to 1k and paid for 1800 yen, 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 22
It is also possible to set it to 00 yen. However, an upper limit should be set. Further, since the storage capacity of the memory card 109 is limited, when the prepaid amount is increased, the erasing means 14 erases the content information stored so far as necessary. If this erasure is not desired, the prepaid amount is not updated.

The increase of the prepaid amount can be input by the KIOSK terminal 111k as described above.
It can 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 “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 101. is there.

As is clear from the above description, the sales obtained as a result of counting the prepaid amount is to manage the number of cards issued or sold when issuing / selling a card storing the amount of money. When the card issuance involves inputting the amount of money or when increasing the prepaid amount, the KI connected to the network
The information from the OSK terminal 111k or the information from the host computer connected at the time of payment can be totaled by the prepaid amount totaling means 30a and the prepaid amount totaling means 30b of the management computer of the distributor 103.

In order to appropriately distribute the totaled sales amount to the plurality of content information providers 101, the source of the content information stored in the memory card 109, that is, the content information purchased (sold) by distribution is determined. You have to understand and count. Also, besides the distribution of sales,
When the sales status of the content information and the like are left as data and used for analysis and the like, the information included in the content accompanying information such as the sales date and the number of sales of the content information is distributed to the distributor 10.
3 needs to be managed. The distribution of sales is determined based on the collected source information.

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 by the accompanying information reading means 80 of the PC is transmitted to the management computer using the uplink (FIG. 4, steps S22 → S23).
The accompanying information transmitted to the management computer in this manner is stored in the source information calculation unit 4 provided in the source information totalizing unit 400.
Counted as 0. 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 101 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. In other words, since charging is performed at the stage of receiving and storing the content information, the user can reproduce and enjoy the content information immediately after 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, even when the user carries the receiver 106, there is an advantage that 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, according to the distribution system of the present invention, a highly convenient distribution method can be provided in a wide variety of situations.

In the above description, when increasing the prepaid amount, the content accompanying information stored in the memory card 109 is used in order to grasp how much content information is downloaded (purchased). Is read out by the KIOSK terminal 111k or PC and transmitted to the management computer.

However, considering that there is a user who does not necessarily increase the prepaid amount, there is a problem that the above-mentioned method cannot reliably grasp the purchase status of the user. Therefore, the receiver 106 shown in FIG.
The configuration facilitates the mounting of the memory card 109 on the SK terminal 111k or the PC.

First, in the operation until the content information distributed from the broadcasting station 105 and its accompanying information are downloaded to the memory card 109 provided in the receiver 106, the content accompanying information includes reproduction control information (described later). As described above, except for the following.

That is, when the content information and the accompanying information are received by the receiving means 10 together with the program contents, the content information and the accompanying information are separated from the program contents by the separating means 71, and the memory card is written by the information writing means 74. 109.

As a result, the user can reproduce the content information downloaded as described above by operating means 73.
From the reading means 7 which has received this instruction.
6 reads the reproduction control information of the content information to be reproduced from the memory card 109 and passes it to the reproduction control means 78 (FIG. 8, step S801 → S802). The method of selecting the target content information from the plurality of pieces of content information stored in the memory card 109 is not particularly limited. For example, information for identifying the content, such as a song title, is stored in the operating unit 73. It is preferable that a list is displayed on a display unit (not shown), and the target content information can be selected from the list.

Here, the reproduction control information is information for controlling the reproduction of the content information. Hereinafter, the operation in the case where the trial control period information for designating the trial period is adopted as the reproduction control information will be described. I do.

That is, as described above, the reading means 76
The reproduction control unit 78 to which the listening period information has been passed from determines the current date and time is within the listening period (FIG. 8, step S803 → S804). During this audition period,
The calculation may be started from the time when the content information is downloaded or the time when the reproduction of the content information is instructed for the first time.

When the current date and time is within the listening period (FIG. 8, step S804: Yes), the reproduction control means 7
8 notifies the reading means 76 and the notifying means 79 that the content information can be reproduced. As a result, the reading means 76 reads the content information to be reproduced from the memory card 109 and passes it to the reproducing means 77 (FIG. 8, step S805).
The user is notified that the content information can be reproduced.

There are various notification methods, such as lamp display, display display, and buzzer, and there is no particular limitation. However, when it is desired to notify the user not only that the content information can be reproduced but also the remaining trial listening period and the like, it is preferable to adopt a display display.

As a result, the content information is reproduced by the reproducing means 77 (FIG. 8, step S8).
06), upon completion of the reproduction, the flow returns to the reproduction instruction receiving state (FIG. 8, step S801). Note that the reproduction means 7
The seventh embodiment is as described above, and the description is omitted here.

On the other hand, when the current date and time are not within the listening period (FIG. 8, step S804: No), the reproduction control means 78
Notifies the reproduction control information writing means 75 and the notifying means 79 that the content information cannot be reproduced. As a result, the reproduction control information writing means 75 specifies the content information to be reproduced from the plurality of pieces of content information stored in the memory card 109, and then sets the reproduction disable information as the reproduction control information (FIG. 8, step S805a), and the notifying unit 79 notifies the user that the content information cannot be reproduced.

After the reproduction disable information is set as described above, if the reproduction of the content information is instructed again, the step of reading out the trial period information (FIG. 8,
Step S802) and the step of acquiring the current date and time (FIG. 8, step S803) can be omitted. That is,
When the reproduction of the content information is instructed, first, it is checked whether or not the non-reproduction information is set as the reproduction control information. If the non-reproduction information is set, the process may immediately proceed to step S805a in FIG.

Although the operation in the case where the trial period information is employed as the reproduction control information has been described here, the reproduction control information may be trial number information specifying the number of trials.

That is, the reproduction control means 78 to which the number of times of trial listening n has been passed from the reading means 76 first determines whether or not this number of times of trial listening n is greater than 0 (FIG. 9, steps S901 → S902 → S903). .

If the number of times of trial listening n is greater than 0 (FIG. 9, step S903: Yes), the content information to be played back is read out from the memory card 109 and played back in the same procedure as in the trial listening period. (FIG. 9, step S904 → S905).

When the reproduction is completed, the reproduction control means 78 subtracts one from the number of times of trial listening n, and judges whether or not this number of times of trial listening n is greater than zero (FIG. 9, step S907). As a result, when the number of times of trial listening n is not greater than 0 (Step S907: No in FIG. 9), the reproduction disable information is set as the reproduction control information of the content information to be reproduced (Step S90 in FIG. 9).
8) If the user is notified that reproduction is not possible, and the number of times of trial listening n is larger than 0 (FIG. 9, step S907: Ye)
s) is a reproduction instruction receiving state (FIG. 9, step S90)
It returns to 1).

Here, the user who is notified that the content information cannot be reproduced as described above, and further reproduces the content information (ie, listens to music)
The user who desires the KIOSK terminal 111k or P
C (hereinafter collectively referred to as “content information control device”)
), The content information can be reproduced again.

That is, when the user instructs the purchase of the content information from the accepting means 92 while the memory card 109 is loaded in the content information control device as shown in FIG. The accompanying information of the target content information is read out from the memory card 109 and passed to the reproduction control information writing means (restriction state release means) 93 and the transmission means 95.

The method of selecting content information to be purchased from a plurality of pieces of content information is not particularly limited. For example, information for identifying a content such as a song title is displayed on the display unit of the reception unit 92 (see FIG. (Not shown), and it is preferable to be able to select content information to be purchased from the list.

In order to purchase the content information selected as described above, it is necessary to pay the price (the billing means 91 charges and collects the price). There are various payment methods, such as a cash or credit card payment method and a payment method by reducing the prepaid amount stored in the memory card 109, and are not particularly limited. However, when a payment method for reducing the prepaid amount is employed, a means corresponding to the amount updating means 13 of the KIOSK terminal 111k is provided in the content information control device.

Next, the reproduction control information writing means 93, to which the content accompanying information has been passed from the reading means 94 as described above, sets the reproduction permission information and the purchase procedure completion information as the reproduction control information. The accompanying information is written to the memory card 109.

Here, the reproduction permission information is information for enabling reproduction freely without being limited by a trial period or the number of times of trial, that is, a state in which reproduction is restricted (hereinafter, a “restricted state”). ) Is information indicating that the cancellation procedure for canceling has been completed, and the mode of the reproduction permission information is not particularly limited. For example, the reproduction permission information may be set by deleting the reproduction disable information set as the reproduction control information.

The purchase procedure completion information is information indicating that the purchase procedure has been completed, and such information is set as the reproduction control information to prevent the purchase procedure from being performed again. To do that. Instead of setting the purchase procedure completion information, the accompanying information of the content information to be set may be deleted from the memory card 109.

On the other hand, the transmitting means 95 to which the content accompanying information has been passed from the reading means 94 as described above transmits this content accompanying information to the management computer. As described above, the counting is performed by the management computer.

As described above, in this embodiment, the reproduction of the content information is controlled in order to facilitate the mounting of the memory card 109 in the content information control device. In other words, content information that exceeds the trial period or the number of trials cannot be played, and in order to be able to play again,
The memory card 109 must be loaded into the content information control device. Therefore, regardless of whether the prepaid amount is increased or not, the purchase status of the user who has purchased the content information can be reliably grasped.

Here, the operation of attaching the memory card 109 to the content information control device after the content information becomes unreproducible is illustrated, but this mounting timing is before the content information becomes unreproducible. There may be.

[0086] In this example, the operation of loading the memory card 109 into the content information control device for the purpose of making it possible to reproduce the unreproducible content information again is described. However, the prepaid amount may be increased. Even if the memory card 109 is loaded into the content information control device for the purpose, the content accompanying information is transmitted to the management computer in the same procedure.

Further, here, the KIOSK terminal 111k or a PC is exemplified as the content information control device, but a mobile phone having the same function as the content information control device may be used. According to such a mobile phone, the method of collecting money becomes a problem, but this problem can be solved by adopting a method of withdrawing money from a bank account already registered.

Further, here, until the listening period or the number of listening times is exceeded (that is, until the purchase procedure is performed).
Describes that content information can be reproduced without limitation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, some restrictions may be imposed such that only a part of the content information can be reproduced, only the content information with poor sound quality can be reproduced, or a fixed amount is reduced from the prepaid amount every time the content information is reproduced until the purchase procedure is performed. It may be.

However, in the case where a method of subtracting a fixed amount from the prepaid amount every time the content information is reproduced is adopted,
When the total amount reduced before the purchase procedure is less than the price of the content information, a difference is collected from the user. On the other hand, when the total amount reduced before the purchase procedure exceeds the price of the content information, it is preferable to refund the difference to the user.

The fixed amount is set in advance in the reproduction control information as reproduction price information. If the fixed amount cannot be reduced from the prepaid amount (this amount reduction process is performed by the prepaid amount control means 72), the reproduction control means 78 controls so that the content information cannot be reproduced. Further, the timing of subtracting the fixed amount from the prepaid amount may not be every time the content information is reproduced, but only when the content information is downloaded to the memory card 109.

Furthermore, even if the above-mentioned various restrictions are added from the point when the content information is downloaded to the memory card 109, the content information may be added to the memory card 1
The content information may be added from a point in time when a certain period has elapsed after downloading to 09 (that is, content information can be reproduced without limitation before the certain period elapses) or may be added.

[0092] Further, here, the configuration in which the receiver 106 and the content information control device are separate has been exemplified.
These may be one.

Further, here, the memory card 109
Is controlled by the prepaid amount control means 72, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, when the method of paying the price by reducing the prepaid amount is not adopted, the prepaid amount does not need to be stored in the memory card 109, and the receiver 106 does not need to include the prepaid amount control means 72. .

Furthermore, in the above description, the case where music is used as content information has been mainly described.
It may be voice, characters, 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 character information, news, stock information, and the like may be broadcast as character 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.

[0095]

As described above, according to the present invention, a prepaid amount is stored in advance in a portable storage medium inserted into a receiver, and every time content information is stored in this portable storage medium. In addition, by using a method in which the prepaid amount is reduced and charging is performed, it is possible to distribute content information with charging even in a situation where there is no uplink. In addition, since information accompanying the content information is transmitted using the uplink after the charging is performed, there is an effect that the contents of the stored content information can be grasped by the distributor.

[0096] Further, since there is no need to perform complicated operations involved in the charging procedure and use of a mobile phone in a car, there is an effect that distribution of content information can be safely received 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 playback device at home. In addition, since the prepaid amount is also stored in the same storage medium, there is an effect that its handling and management become easy.

Further, since the reproduction of the content information is controlled because it is necessary to promote the mounting of the storage medium to the content information control device, the user who purchases the content information regardless of whether the prepaid amount is increased or not. For, the purchase situation can be surely grasped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a content information distribution system according to 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 block diagram of a receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a playback procedure when a trial listening period is provided.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reproduction procedure when the number of times of trial listening is set.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a content information control device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a system used in a conventional content information distribution method.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a conventional content information distribution method.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a conventional content information distribution method.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 receiving means 71 separating means 72 prepaid amount control means 73 operating means 74 information writing means 75 playback control information writing means (receiver) 76 reading means (receiver) 77 playback means 78 playback control means 79 notification means 91 billing means 92 reception Means 93 Playback control information writing means (content information control device) 94 Reading means (content information control device) 95 Transmission means 101 Content information provider 103 Distributor 105 Broadcasting station 106 Receiver 107 Receiver 107 Storage medium (memory card) 111 Card issuing / updating means 201 Content information provider 203 Distributor 205 User (PC terminal) 207 Storage medium (hard disk, etc.) 209 Billing information center 211 Internet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 408 G06F 17/60 408 G06K 19/00 G06K 19/00 Q TU (72) Inventor Fujimoto Shin 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hirofumi Sone 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Pref. Address: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor: Shuichi Ninomiya 1006, Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroki Furukawa 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Remarks) 5B017 AA03 BA07 CA15 CA16 5B035 BB02 BB03 BB09 BC02 BC05 CA29 5B049 AA05 AA06 BB11 CC10 EE21 GG04 5B055 BB04 CB10 EE21 KK07 5B085 AC04 BG07

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A content information distribution system for distributing content information provided by a plurality of content information providers, comprising: a storage medium for storing content information and accompanying information; and a content stored in the storage medium. A reproducing unit that reproduces information; a reproducing control unit that controls reproduction of the content information based on reproduction control information included in the accompanying information when the reproducing unit reproduces the content information; A content information distribution system comprising: a restriction state release unit that releases a restriction state; and a transmission unit that transmits, to a management computer, accompanying information of the content information in which the restriction state has been released. 2. The content information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction control information is preview period information for permitting reproduction for a certain period. 3. The content information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction control information is information on the number of times of trial listening that permits a certain number of reproductions. 4. The content information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium stores a prepaid amount. 5. The content information distribution system according to claim 4, further comprising a prepaid amount control means for subtracting a fixed amount from the prepaid amount when content information distributed from the broadcasting station is stored in a storage medium. 6. The system according to claim 4, further comprising a prepaid amount control means for subtracting a fixed amount from the prepaid amount every time the content information is reproduced from a predetermined time until a release procedure for releasing the restriction state is performed. Content information distribution system described. 7. A charging means for collecting a difference from a user when a total amount reduced from a predetermined point in time until a release procedure for releasing the restricted state is less than a price of content information is provided. 6. The content information distribution system according to item 6. 8. The predetermined time point is a point in time when content information distributed from a broadcasting station is stored in a storage medium, or a point in time when a predetermined period has elapsed after storing content information distributed from a broadcasting station in a storage medium. The content information distribution system according to claim 6, wherein: 9. The content information distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the reproduction control means controls the content information to be unreproducible if the fixed amount cannot be reduced from the prepaid amount. 10. A receiver for reproducing content information distributed from a broadcast station, comprising: a storage medium for storing content information and its accompanying information; and a content medium stored in the storage medium. A receiver comprising: a reproducing unit; and a reproducing control unit that controls reproduction of the content information based on reproduction control information included in the accompanying information when the reproducing unit reproduces the content information. . 11. The reproduction control information writing means according to claim 10, further comprising: reproduction control information writing means for setting, as reproduction control information, reproduction non-prohibition information indicating that the content information cannot be reproduced, based on an instruction from said reproduction control means. Receiver. 12. The receiver according to claim 10, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a user of whether or not the content information can be reproduced. 13. A reading means for reading content accompanying information from a storage medium provided in a receiver of the content information distribution system, a sending means for sending the content accompanying information from the reading means to a management computer, Restriction state releasing means for setting, as the reproduction control information, reproduction permission information indicating that the release procedure for releasing the restricted state in which the reproduction of the content information has been restricted is completed in the content accompanying information. Characteristic content information control device. 14. A content information distribution method for distributing content information provided by a plurality of content information providers, comprising: a storage step of storing content information and its accompanying information in a storage medium; A playback step of playing back the content information being played; a playback control step of controlling playback of the content information based on playback control information included in the accompanying information when the playback unit plays back the content information; A content information distribution method, comprising: a restriction state releasing step of releasing a restricted state; and a transmitting step of transmitting accompanying information of the content information whose restriction state has been released to a management computer.