JP2002041818A - System and method for selling contents - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents selling system capable of supporting the contents selection of a service user and further urging the purchase of contents from a service providing side to the user. SOLUTION: A service provider (contents server 104) distributes free contents 105 in response to a request from a service user (download terminal 101) and further distributes pay contents 106 and a lock key 108 in response to an order from the service user. The pay contents 106 are enciphered and can not be utilized without the lock key 108. The free contents 105 are the digest edition or trial edition of the pay contents 106 and can be tried even without the lock key 108. Since the service user can determine purchase after confirming the summary of the pay contents 106 through trial, the contents selection is facilitated and as a result, the purchase of the pay contents 106 is promoted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to such information that a service user downloads information such as music, video, programs and the like from a server storing a plurality of information through a network and pays for the information. The present invention relates to a distribution service system, and more particularly, to a method for assisting content selection and content sales promotion to service users in the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Digital data (hereinafter, content) such as music, video, and programs has been distributed through networks. A service user can select his / her desired content on a homepage and download the content from a content server via the Internet in the same manner as selecting a CD or video at a store. In most cases, you
Clarify the content you want, search and select content. When the service user decides to purchase the selected content and completes the order procedure, the content is sent from the content server to the terminal,
The service user pays the price using a credit card or the like.

[0003]

[0005] In order for a service user to select content, information serving as a selection criterion is required. However, in today's world where the content and the information for selecting the target content are flooded, the service user has to obtain appropriate information for selecting the target content and search based on it. Requires complicated work. On the other hand, service users have a vague need to search for “contents that they like” or “contents that look good” without specifying the target content. Especially if you do n’t have a clear purpose, you ’ll want to try content before making a purchase decision.
There are many needs. Therefore, there has been a demand for a method of distributing information which assists a service user in selecting content and allows the service provider to prompt the user to purchase the content.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a content sales system which assists a service user in selecting content and allows the service provider to prompt the user to purchase content. is there.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A first invention is a content sales system for selling contents through a network, comprising: a contents server; a terminal connected to the contents server via the network; A portable recording medium to be mounted, the portable recording medium includes a content area in which content is recorded, the content server includes an encrypted pay content, a lock key for decrypting the pay content, A storage unit for storing free content and, in response to a request from the terminal, the free content stored in the storage unit is recorded in the content area, and is stored in the storage unit in response to an order from the terminal. And a distribution unit that records the paid content and the lock key in the content area.

The first invention (and the following twenty-sixth and third aspects)
In the fifth invention), the content server (provider) distributes free content in response to a request from a terminal (user), and further distributes paid content and a lock key in response to an order from the user. . Paid content is encrypted and cannot be used without a lock key. Free content is typically a digest or trial version of paid content that can be tried without a lock key. As another example, when the pay content is audio data, the free content may be video data to be reproduced in synchronization with the audio data (or the pay content is video data and the free content is And audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with the video data). As a result, the user can determine the purchase of the pay content after checking the outline of the pay content by trial of the free content, so that the content can be easily selected. And as a result of easy content selection, purchase of paid content is promoted.

[0007] In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating a remaining amount available for purchase is recorded in advance. A charging unit that reads out the amount data, subtracts the price of the paid content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, and writes the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction into the amount data area. Is further provided.

The second invention (and the following twenty-seventh and third aspects)
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously download and save content and perform billing processing with one portable recording medium. The portable recording medium is typically a memory card, preferably an SD (Secure Digital).
l) It is a memory card.

[0009] In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the content server includes a billing unit that notifies a third party billing device of amount data indicating a price of the pay content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit. In addition.

The third invention (and the following twenty-eighth and third inventions)
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the price of the paid content downloaded by the user is charged to the user through a third party. The third party is typically a telephone carrier.

[0011] In a fourth aspect based on the second aspect, the billing section is configured such that the remaining amount indicated by the amount data read from the amount data area is equal to or more than the price of the pay content to be recorded in the content area by the distribution section. Is confirmed, the distribution unit receives the confirmation result from the billing unit,
It is characterized in that the pay content stored in the storage unit is recorded in the content area.

[0012] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to distribute only the contents recorded on the portable recording medium and having a price not exceeding the remaining amount.

In a fifth aspect based on the third or fourth aspect, the content server further comprises a content area and a content area management section for managing the content recorded in the area, and the content area management section includes a distribution section. Confirms that the size of the paid content to be recorded in the content area does not exceed the remaining capacity of the content area, and the distribution unit receives the confirmation result from the content area management unit and stores the content in the storage unit. It is characterized in that paid content is recorded in the content area.

According to the fifth aspect, only contents having a size not exceeding the remaining capacity of the portable recording medium can be distributed.

According to a sixth aspect based on the first aspect, the free content is a digest version of the pay content.

In a seventh aspect based on the first aspect, the free content is a trial version of the paid content.

According to an eighth aspect, in the first aspect, the pay content is audio data, and the free content is video data to be reproduced in synchronization with the audio data.

According to a ninth aspect, in the first aspect, the pay content is video data, and the free content is audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with the video data.

[0019] A tenth invention is a content sales system for selling content through a network,
A terminal connected to the content server via the network; and a portable recording medium mounted on the terminal. The portable recording medium includes a content area in which content is recorded. A storage unit for storing the content and a lock key for decrypting the pay content; and a distribution unit for recording the pay content and the lock key stored in the storage unit in the content area according to an order from the terminal. In the content area, free content is recorded in advance.

In the tenth invention (and the following twenty-ninth and thirty-eighth inventions), free contents are recorded in advance on a portable recording medium. Content server (provider)
Distributes pay contents and lock keys according to an order from a terminal (user). Paid content is encrypted and cannot be used without a lock key. Free content is typically a digest or trial version of paid content that can be tried without a lock key. As another example, when the pay content is audio data, the free content may be video data to be reproduced in synchronization with the audio data (or the pay content is video data and the free content is And audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with the video data). As a result, the user can determine the purchase of the pay content after checking the outline of the pay content by trial of the free content, so that the content can be easily selected. And as a result of easy content selection, purchase of paid content is promoted.

According to an eleventh aspect, in the tenth aspect,
The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating the remaining amount available for purchase is recorded in advance, and the content server reads the amount data from the amount data area, and from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, There is further provided a charging unit for subtracting the price of the paid content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit and writing the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction into the amount data area.

In the eleventh invention (and the following thirty-third and thirty-ninth inventions), it is possible to simultaneously download and save content and perform billing with a single portable recording medium. The portable recording medium is typically a memory card, preferably an SD memory card.

In a twelfth aspect, in the tenth aspect,
The content server stores the price data indicating the price of the paid content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit,
It further includes a charging unit for notifying a third party charging device.

In the twelfth invention (and the thirty-first and forty-third inventions), the price of the paid content downloaded by the user is charged to the user through a third party. The third party is typically a telephone carrier.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the eleventh aspect,
The charging unit confirms that the remaining amount indicated by the amount data read from the amount data area is equal to or more than the price of the pay content that is to be recorded in the content area by the distribution unit. Upon receiving the confirmation result, the pay content stored in the storage unit is recorded in the content area.

According to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to distribute only contents having a price not exceeding the remaining amount recorded on the portable recording medium.

In a fourteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, the content server further comprises a content area and a content area management section for managing the content recorded in the area, and the content area management section includes a distribution section. Confirms that the size of the paid content to be recorded in the content area does not exceed the remaining capacity of the content area, and the distribution unit receives the confirmation result from the content area management unit and stores the content in the storage unit. It is characterized in that paid content is recorded in the content area.

According to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to distribute only contents having a size not exceeding the remaining capacity of the portable recording medium.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the tenth aspect,
The free content is a digest version of the paid content.

According to a sixteenth aspect, in the tenth aspect,
Free content is a trial version of paid content.

According to a seventeenth aspect, in the tenth aspect,
The pay content is audio data, and the free content is video data to be reproduced in synchronization with the audio data.

According to an eighteenth aspect, in the tenth aspect,
The pay content is video data, and the free content is audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with the video data.

A nineteenth invention is a content selling system for selling content through a network,
A content server, a terminal connected to the content server via a network, and a portable recording medium mounted on the terminal. The portable recording medium includes a pay content area in which encrypted pay content is recorded in advance, The content server includes a lock key area in which a lock key for decoding pay content recorded in the content area is recorded, and a free content area in which free content is recorded in advance, and the content server stores a lock key. A distribution unit is provided for recording the lock keys stored in the storage unit in the lock key area in response to a request from the terminal.

In the nineteenth invention (and the following thirty-second, forty-first and forty-fourth inventions), free contents and free contents are recorded in the portable recording medium in advance.
The content server (provider) distributes a lock key according to an order from a terminal (user). Paid content is encrypted and cannot be used without a lock key. Free content is typically a digest or trial version of paid content that can be tried without a lock key. As another example, when the pay content is audio data, the free content may be video data to be reproduced in synchronization with the audio data (or the pay content is video data,
The free content may be audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with the video data). As a result, the user can determine the purchase of the pay content after checking the outline of the pay content by trial of the free content, so that the content can be easily selected. And as a result of easy content selection, purchase of paid content is promoted.

According to a twentieth aspect, in the nineteenth aspect,
The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating the remaining amount available for purchase is recorded in advance, and the content server reads the amount data from the amount data area, and from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, The distribution unit further includes a charging unit for subtracting the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area and writing the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction into the amount data area.

According to the twentieth aspect (and the following thirty-third, forty-second, and forty-fifth aspects), downloading and saving of content and billing can be performed simultaneously with a single portable recording medium. The portable recording medium is typically a memory card, preferably an SD memory card.

According to a twenty-first aspect, in the nineteenth aspect,
The content server further includes a charging unit that notifies the third party charging device of amount data indicating the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area by the distribution unit.

In the twenty-first invention (and the thirty-fourth and forty-third inventions), the price of the paid content downloaded by the user is charged to the user through a third party. The third party is typically a telephone carrier.

According to a twenty-second aspect, in the nineteenth aspect,
The free content is a digest version of the paid content.

According to a twenty-third aspect, in the nineteenth aspect,
Free content is a trial version of paid content.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect, in the nineteenth aspect,
The pay content is audio data, and the free content is video data to be reproduced in synchronization with the audio data.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect, in the nineteenth aspect,
The pay content is video data, and the free content is audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with the video data.

A twenty-sixth invention is a contents server for selling contents through a network,
A terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the portable recording medium includes a content area in which content is recorded, and includes an encrypted pay content and an encrypted pay content. A storage unit for storing a lock key and free content, and a free content stored in the storage unit in a content area in response to a request from the terminal, and a storage unit in response to an order from the terminal. And a distribution unit that records the pay content and the lock key stored in the content area in the content area.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect, in the twenty-sixth aspect,
The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating the remaining amount that can be purchased is recorded in advance,
The amount data is read from the amount data area, and the price of the pay content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit is subtracted from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data,
There is further provided a charging unit for writing the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the deduction into the amount data area.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect, in the twenty-sixth aspect,
There is further provided a billing unit for notifying the billing device of a third party of the amount data indicating the price of the paid content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit.

A twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention is a content server for selling content through a network,
A terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the portable recording medium includes a content area in which content is recorded, and includes an encrypted pay content and an encrypted pay content. A storage unit for storing lock keys and a distribution unit for recording pay content and a lock key stored in the storage unit in response to an order from a terminal in a content area. Free content is recorded in the content area in advance. It is characterized by being.

According to a thirtieth aspect, in the twenty-ninth aspect,
The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating the remaining amount that can be purchased is recorded in advance,
The amount data is read from the amount data area, and the price of the pay content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit is subtracted from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data,
There is further provided a charging unit for writing the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the deduction into the amount data area.

According to a thirty-first aspect, in the twenty-ninth aspect,
There is further provided a billing unit for notifying the billing device of a third party of the amount data indicating the price of the paid content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit.

[0049] A thirty-second invention is a content server for selling content through a network,
A terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the portable recording medium has a pay content area in which encrypted pay content is recorded in advance, and a pay content recorded in the pay content area is decrypted. A lock key area in which a lock key for recording is recorded, and a free content area in which free content is recorded in advance are included. And a distribution unit for recording the lock key in the lock key area.

According to a thirty-third aspect, in the thirty-second aspect,
The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating the remaining amount that can be purchased is recorded in advance,
The amount data is read from the amount data area, and the distribution unit subtracts the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, and the amount indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction. There is further provided a charging unit for writing data in the money amount data area.

According to a thirty-fourth invention, in the thirty-second invention,
Amount data indicating the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area by the distribution unit,
It further includes a charging unit for notifying a third party charging device.

A thirty-fifth invention is a method of selling contents through a network, wherein the network comprises:
A terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected, the portable recording medium includes a content area in which content is recorded, an encrypted pay content, a lock key for decrypting the pay content, A storage step of storing free content, a first distribution step of recording the free content stored in the storage area in response to a request from the terminal in the content area, and a storage step of storing the free content in response to an order from the terminal. There is provided a second distribution step of recording the pay content and the lock key in the content area.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect, in the thirty-fifth aspect,
The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating the remaining amount that can be purchased is recorded in advance,
The amount data is read from the amount data area, the price of the pay content recorded in the content area in the second distribution step is subtracted from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, and the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction is replaced by the amount of money. The method further includes a charging step of writing the data in the data area.

According to a thirty-seventh aspect, in the thirty-fifth aspect,
The method further includes a charging step of notifying the third party charging device of the amount data indicating the price of the pay content recorded in the content area in the second distribution step.

A thirty-eighth invention is a content selling method for selling content through a network, wherein a terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the content is recorded on the portable recording medium. A storage area for storing the encrypted pay contents and a lock key for decrypting the pay contents, and the pay contents stored in the storage unit in accordance with an order from the terminal. And a distribution step of recording a lock key in the content area, and free content is recorded in the content area in advance.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect, in the thirty-eighth aspect,
The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating the remaining amount that can be purchased is recorded in advance,
The amount data is read from the amount data area, the price of the paid content recorded in the content area in the distribution step is subtracted from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, and the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction is stored in the amount data area. The method further includes a charging step for writing.

According to a fortieth aspect, in the thirty-eighth aspect,
The method further includes a charging step of notifying the third party charging device of the amount data indicating the price of the pay content recorded in the content area in the distribution step.

A forty-first invention is a content selling method for selling content via a network, wherein a terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the terminal is provided with an encrypted portable recording medium. Includes a paid content area in which paid content is recorded in advance, a lock key area in which a lock key for decoding paid content recorded in the paid content area is recorded, and a free content area in which free content is recorded in advance. And a distribution step of recording the lock key accumulated in the accumulation step in a lock key area in response to a request from the terminal.

According to a forty-second aspect, in the forty-first aspect,
The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating the remaining amount that can be purchased is recorded in advance,
The amount data is read from the amount data area, and the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area in the distribution step is subtracted from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, and the amount indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction. The method further includes a charging step of writing data in the money amount data area.

According to a forty-third aspect, in the forty-first aspect,
The method further includes a charging step of notifying the third party charging device of amount data indicating the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area in the distribution step.

A forty-fourth invention is a portable recording medium mounted on a terminal connected to a content server via a network, wherein a pay content area in which encrypted pay content is recorded in advance, a pay content area Includes a lock key area in which a lock key for decrypting pay content recorded in the content server is recorded by the content server, and a free content area in which free content is recorded in advance.

According to a forty-fifth aspect, in the forty-fourth aspect,
The content server further includes a money amount data area in which money amount data indicating the remaining money amount that can be purchased is recorded in advance, and the money amount data recorded in the money amount data area is recorded in the lock key area from the remaining money amount indicated by the money amount data by the content server. It is characterized by being rewritten to the amount data indicating the remaining amount after subtracting the price of the pay content decrypted by the locked key.

[0063]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a content sales system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a service provider 1 is a content server 104
And the content server 104 stores free content 105 and paid content 106.

The service user 2 downloads from the download terminal 1
01 (for example, a mobile phone or a portable information terminal) and a memory card 107 attached to the download terminal 101. Can be selected for free download.

The free content 105 is a trial version of the paid content 106 (that is, a limited use period, time limit, or number of times) or a digest version (that is, a part of the paid content 106). In addition, when the pay content 106 is audio data, the free content 105 may be video data to be reproduced in synchronization with the audio data (or the pay content 106 is video data and the free content 105 may be audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with the video data).

The service user 2 has the free content 10
Since the user can determine the purchase of the pay content 106 after checking the outline of the pay content 106 by trialling the content 5, the user can easily select the content. Then, as a result of easy content selection, purchase of the pay content 106 is promoted.

The free contents 105 are stored in the network 1
02 may be sold in a state where it is included in the memory card 107 in advance as well as distributed by download. The memory card 107 is sold through the memory card sales base 4, for example, a CD store, a personal computer shop, a bookstore, and the like. Alternatively, a vending machine that sells the memory card 107 may be installed.

The service user 2 uses the download terminal 101 on which the memory card 107 is mounted,
The pay content 106 is selected from the content server 104 via the network 102 and downloaded. The memory card 107 is provided with a predetermined amount of data purchase right in advance, and the price for the downloaded pay content 106 is calculated by subtracting the price from the (remaining amount) of the memory card 107 to obtain the service provider 1
Paid to the side.

The memory card 107 to which a certain amount of data purchase right is attached has a content area 31 in which the content is encrypted and stored, and a price in which the price data usable by the service user 2 is encrypted and stored. And a data area 30 (hereinafter referred to as a memory card with money data).

Alternatively, a memory card 107 without a data purchase right can be used in place of the memory card with money data. The memory card 107 without the amount data includes the content area 31 in which the content is encrypted and stored, and does not include the amount data storage area. In this case, the payment is paid to the service provider 1 through the telephone company 3 by being included in the telephone charge.

(First Embodiment) In the first embodiment,
Payment for the paid content 106 is made by the memory card 107 with the amount data with a fixed amount of data purchase right.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention (provided that free content 105 is stored in content server 1).
04 is downloaded.) FIG.
, The content sales system includes a download terminal 101, a network 102, a content server 104, and a memory card 107.

The content server 104 stores the encrypted pay contents (hereinafter simply referred to as pay contents) 1
06 and a lock key (hereinafter simply referred to as a lock key) 108 for decrypting the pay content, and a free content 105. Memory card 107
Is a memory card with amount data, and the memory card 107 is attached to the download terminal 101.
The service user 2 uses the download terminal 101 to which the memory card 107 is attached, accesses the homepage of the service provider 1 via the network 102, and downloads the free content 105 from the content server 104.

The free content 105 thus downloaded is recorded in the content area 31 of the memory card 107 mounted on the download terminal 101.
Note that the free content 105 is a storage device other than the memory card 107, for example, the download terminal 10
1 may be stored on a hard disk or the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the content server 104 of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration thereof. In FIG.
The content server 104 includes a distribution unit 10 and a billing unit 11
, A content area management unit 12 and a storage unit 13.

The storage unit 13 stores the pay content 106 and the lock key 108, the free content 105, and content-related information (for example, a list of the free content 105, recommended content information,
And price lists). The distribution unit 10 distributes the paid content 106 and the lock key 108, the free content 105, and the content-related information to the download terminal 101. The billing unit 11 bills the service user 2 (download terminal 101) for the price of the pay content 106. That is, the user accesses the amount data area 30 of the memory card 107 attached to the download terminal 101, and rewrites the amount data recorded therein (specifically, the memory card 107).
Is subtracted from the remaining amount of the paid content 106). The content area management unit 12 stores the memory card 1
07, in the present embodiment, the remaining capacity of the memory card (the content area 31 therein) is managed.

In FIG. 4, the contents server 104
Has a CPU 20, a RAM 21, a ROM 22, an optical disk drive 23, and a modem 24. C
The PU 20, the RAM 21, the ROM 22, and the optical disk drive 23 are connected to each other via a bus 25, and a modem 24 connects the bus 25 and the network 102 to each other. The optical disk drive 23 has an optical disk (not shown) on which the paid content 106 and the free content 105 are recorded. ROM22
Stores a predetermined program.
Operates according to the program while using the RAM 21 as a work area, thereby realizing each block of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the download processing of the free content 105 performed in the system of FIG. The download processing of the free content 105 shown in FIG.
01 to S305. In FIG. 5, when the service user 2 accesses the content server 104 through the network 102 using the download terminal 101 (step S301), the content server 10
In 4, the distribution unit 10 lists the free contents 105,
Transmit recommended content information (step S
302).

Download terminal 101 receives the free content list and the like transmitted from content server 104 and displays the list on the screen. The service user 2 determines the free content 105 to be downloaded with reference to the list on the screen and the like, and orders the free content 105 using the download terminal 101 (step S30).
3). In the content server 104, the distribution unit 10 transmits the ordered free content 105 to the service user 2 (Step S304). The download terminal 101 receives the free content 105 transmitted from the content server 104 and records it in the content area 31 of the memory card 107.

Here, the free content 105 is not downloaded from the content server 104 and recorded on the memory card 107 as described above, but is included in the memory card 107 purchased by the service user 2 in advance. Good.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention (however, a case where free content 105 is included in memory card 107 with money data in advance is shown). ing).
6, the content selling system includes a download terminal 101, a network 102, a content server 104, and a memory card 107. The difference from the system of FIG.
07, the service user 2 is the memory card sales base 4
The only difference is that the free content 105 has already been recorded when the user purchased it.

In this case, since the free contents 105 are attached in advance, the feeling of buying is enhanced, and as a result, the sales of the memory card 107 with the amount data are promoted. Further, if the contents of the free contents 105 or the genre of the contents are displayed on the store in the storage package of the memory card 107 with the amount data, it is helpful for the user to select the contents. In addition, as a promotion of the paid content 106, the free content 105 is included in the memory card 107 in advance as an advertisement, so that an advertisement fee is collected from the content production side, and the selling price of the memory card 107 with the amount data is reduced accordingly. Is also conceivable.

2 and 6, the service user 2 downloads the pay content 106 and the lock key 108 from the content server 104 through the network 102 using the download terminal 101 after trying the free content 105. I do. The downloaded pay content 106 and lock key 108 are recorded in the memory card 107 with the amount data, and the payment of the pay content 106 is also performed by the memory card 107 with the amount data.

FIG. 7 shows the pay content 106 viewed from both the service user 2 and the service provider 1 in the content sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the distribution process (that is, the operation procedure of the download terminal 101 and the content server 104 in FIG. 2 or 6). The operation procedure illustrated in FIG. 7 includes steps S501 to S515.

In FIG. 7, the service user 2 first purchases the memory card 107 with the amount data (step S501), and inserts the memory card 107 into the download terminal 101. Then, the memory card 107
User registration such as password setting is performed between the terminal and the download terminal 101 (step S502). Note that, in step S502, further, with a content reproduction terminal (not shown) in which the memory card 107 can be used,
Similar user registration may be performed.

Next, the service user 2 accesses the content server 104 from the download terminal 101 (step S503). In response, the content server 10
In 4, the distribution unit 10 transmits information such as a list of the pay contents 106 and a price list to the service user 2 (step S504). Download terminal 101
Receives a list of the pay contents 106 and displays the list on the screen, the service user 2 refers to the screen to determine the pay contents 106 to be downloaded. When the user places an order for the target pay content 106 through the download terminal 101, the download terminal 101
Transmits a download command to the content server 104 (step S505).

In the content server 104, the distribution unit 10
Transmits the price of the paid content 106 for which the order has been received to the service user 2 (step S506). When the download terminal 101 receives it and displays it on the screen, the service user 2 checks the price of the ordered paid content 106 on the screen, and confirms the order with the content server 10.
4 (step S507). When the order is canceled in step 507, the content server 104 ends the content distribution processing.

When the order confirmation is completed, in the content server 104, the charging unit 11 reads the amount data recorded on the memory card 107 with the amount data attached to the download terminal 101, and checks the remaining amount (step). S508). Next, if the remaining amount is equal to or more than the price of the pay content 106 selected and downloaded by the service user 2, the content area management unit 12 detects the free size (of the content area 31) of the memory card 107 with the amount data. Then, the remaining capacity is confirmed (step S510).

As a result of the check in step S508, if the remaining amount is insufficient, that is, if the remaining amount is less than the price of the pay content 106 selected for download, the distribution unit 10
Sends a message notifying that the remaining amount is insufficient to the service user 2 (step S509),
The content distribution processing ends.

As a result of the check in step S510, if the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the capacity of the pay content 106 selected and downloaded by the service user 2, the distribution unit 10
Transmits the paid content 106 (step S5).
12). If the remaining capacity is insufficient, the distribution unit 10
Transmits a message notifying that the remaining capacity is insufficient to the service user 2 (step S511),
The content distribution processing ends.

[0091] The paid content 106 transmitted in step S512 is received by the download terminal 101, and is recorded on (the content area 31 of) the memory card 107 with the amount data attached to the download terminal 101 (step S513). The pay content 106 recorded on the memory card 107 is
Without it, it cannot be decrypted and used, so it is protected from unauthorized copying (if the paid content is a literary work such as music, its copyright is protected).

When the paid content 106 is recorded, the content server 104 performs a charging process for rewriting the remaining amount of the memory card 107 (step S51).
4). That is, when the billing unit 11 confirms that the pay content 106 has been recorded on the service user 2 side,
The remaining amount read in step S508, that is, the remaining amount of the memory card 107 with the amount data attached to the download terminal 101 (ie, the amount data area 3
The price of the pay content 106 downloaded by the service user 2 is subtracted from the amount data recorded in “0”. Then, the remaining amount after the deduction is written into the memory card 107 again.

After the rewriting of the amount data is completed, in the content server 104, the distribution unit 10 transmits the lock key 108 to the service user 2 (Step S).
515), the content distribution processing ends. The lock key 108 may be transmitted at the same time as the pay content 106. However, after the transmission and recording of the pay content 106, if the charging process is normally completed, the download terminal 10
1 is preferably transmitted. As a result, even if the connection is disconnected between the transmission process (step S512) of the pay content 106 and the charging process (step S514), the service user 2 is not charged and the pay content 1 is not charged.
06 can be prevented from being used.

In the above description, the pay content 106 is typically music data, but may be any digital data such as video data or program data. The memory card 107 is typically an SD
(Secure Digital) card.
Memory cards other than D may be used.
Any rewritable portable recording medium such as -RW may be used. Paid content encryption is typically SD
It is performed based on the MI (SD Music Initiative) standard, but may be performed in any manner (the same applies to the following description).

(Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment,
Payment for the paid content 106 is made through the telephone company 3 by including it in the communication fee.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content sales system according to the second embodiment of the present invention (provided that free content 105 is stored in content server 1).
04 is downloaded.) FIG.
, The content sales system includes a download terminal 101, a network 102, a content server 104, and a memory card 107. 8 differs from the system of FIG. 2 in that the pay content 106 downloaded by the service user 2 is different.
Is not paid to the service provider 1 in a prepaid manner by the memory card 107, but is paid through the telephone company 3 by being included in the communication fee.

The functional configuration of the content server 104 of FIG. 8 is the same as that of the content server 104 of FIG.
Its hardware configuration is the same as that of the content server 104 of FIG. Therefore, in the following description, FIG.
Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 3, the content server 104 includes a distribution unit 10, a charging unit 11, a content area management unit 12, and a storage unit 13.
The operation of each component other than the charging unit 11 is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Billing section 11 distributes paid content 1 to service user 2 (download terminal 101).
The price of 06 is charged as follows. That is,
The billing unit 11 stores the paid content 1 distributed by the distribution unit 10.
The price of 06 is notified to the telephone company 3 and a request is made to charge the service user 2 for the price. In response, the telephone company 3 charges the service user 2 by adding the price notified from the charging unit 11 to the telephone price.

More specifically, the telephone company 3 has a charging device (not shown) for calculating the telephone charge and charging the service user 2.
1 are connected to each other via a network 102 or a dedicated line. The billing unit 11 determines the price of the pay content 106 distributed by the distribution unit 10
2 or to a billing device via a dedicated line. The billing device adds the price notified by the billing unit 11 and the telephone charge, and charges the service user 2 for the total amount. Then, of the amount paid by the service user 2 to the telephone company 3, the price of the pay content 106 is passed to the service provider 1.

[0100] The above charging device may be connected to a host computer of a bank, and payment from the service user 2 to the telephone company 3 may be made electronically. In addition, the billing unit 11 of the content server 104 is connected to the host computer of the bank without using the telephone company 3 so that the service user 2
May pay electronically for the price of the paid content 106 downloaded by the user (that is, transfer from the bank account of the service user 2 to the bank account of the service provider 1).

In FIG. 4, content server 104
Has a CPU 20, a RAM 21, a ROM 22, an optical disk drive 23, and a modem 24. The operation of each component shown in FIG. 4 is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, a part of the program stored in the ROM 22 is different from that of the first embodiment. As a result, the charging unit 11 that performs an operation different from that of the first embodiment as described above is realized.

The flow of the download processing of the free content 105 performed in the system of FIG. 8 is the same as that of the system of FIG. 2 (see the first embodiment), and the description is omitted. In the system shown in FIG.
Was downloaded from the content server 104 and recorded on the memory card 107, but may instead be included in the memory card 107 purchased by the service user 2 in advance.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content sales system according to the second embodiment of the present invention (however, a case where free content 105 is included in memory card 107 with price data in advance is shown). ing).
9, the content sales system includes a download terminal 101, a network 102, a content server 104, and a memory card 107. The difference from the system of FIG.
07, when the service user 2 purchases it,
The only difference is that the free content 105 has already been recorded.

8 and 9, the service user 2 downloads the pay content 106 and the lock key 108 from the content server 104 via the network 102 using the download terminal 101 after trying the free content 105. I do. The downloaded pay content 106 and the lock key 108 are recorded on the memory card 107 with the amount data, and the payment of the pay content 106 is also performed on the memory card 1 with the amount data.
07.

FIG. 10 shows a pay content 10 viewed from both the service user 2 and the service provider 1 in the content sales system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart showing a flow of distribution processing of No. 6 (that is, operation procedures of the download terminal 101 and the content server 104 in FIG. 8 or 9). The operation procedure shown in FIG. 10 includes steps S801 to S813.

In FIG. 8, steps S801 to S80
7 is the same as steps S501 to S507 in FIG. 7, and the description is omitted. When the order confirmation in step S807 is completed, in the content server 104, the content area management unit 12 transmits the content area 31 (of the memory card 107 attached to the download terminal 101).
) Is detected, and the remaining capacity is confirmed (step S808).

As a result of the confirmation in step S808, if the remaining capacity is equal to or larger than the capacity of the paid content 106 selected by the service user 2, the distribution unit 10
Transmits the paid content 106 (step S8).
10). If the remaining capacity is insufficient, the distribution unit 10
Transmits a message notifying that the remaining capacity is insufficient to the service user 2 (step S809),
The content distribution processing ends. The paid content 106 transmitted in step S810 is stored in the download terminal 1
01 of the memory card 107 attached to the download terminal 101 (content area 3 of
1) is recorded (step S811).

When the pay content 106 is recorded, the content server 104 performs a charging process for notifying the telephone company 3 of the data indicating the price of the pay content 106 transmitted in step S810 (step S81).
2). That is, when the billing unit 11 confirms that the pay content 106 has been recorded on the service user 2 side,
Data indicating the price of the paid content 106 is transmitted to (the billing device of) the telephone company 3 so that the service user 2 charges the price of the downloaded paid content 106 to the service user 2. Then, request the telephone company 3.

[0109] In response, (the billing device of) the telephone company 3 charges the service user 2 by adding the price of the pay content 106 downloaded by the service user 2 to the telephone charge. After that, the price of the paid content 106 of the amount paid by the service user 2 to the telephone company 3 is passed to the service provider 1.

After the rewriting of the amount data is completed, in the content server 104, the distribution unit 10 transmits the lock key 108 to the service user 2 (step S10).
813), the content distribution processing ends.

In the above description, the service user 2
Is charged to the service user 2 through the telephone company 3, but may be charged through a third party different from the telephone company 4, for example, a provider that operates a network.

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment,
Paid content 106 and free content 105
It is included in the memory card 107 purchased by the service user 2 in advance. The memory card 107 may be one with money data or one without money data.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory card 107 (with amount data) used in the content sales system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 11, the memory card 107 includes a money amount data area 30 in which money amount data is recorded, and a free content 1
A free content area 32 in which the content 05 is recorded, a lock key area 33 in which the lock key 108 is recorded, and a pay content area 34 in which the pay content 106 is recorded are included.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory card 107 (without money data) used in the content sales system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 12, a free content area 32 where a free content 105 is recorded, a lock key area 33 where a lock key 108 is recorded, and a pay content area 3 where a pay content 106 is recorded are stored in a memory card 107.
4 is included.

12 and 13, when the service user 2 purchases the memory card 107,
In the free content area 32 of the memory card 107, unencrypted free content 105 is stored, and in the pay content area 34, the encrypted pay content 106 is stored.
Are recorded in advance.

To decrypt the pay content 106 recorded in the pay content area 34, the lock key 10
8 is required. However, at the time when the service user 2 purchases the memory card 107, the lock key 108 is not recorded in the lock key area 33. In exchange for the service user 2 paying the price, the lock key 108 is distributed from the content server 104 and recorded in the lock key area 33.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content sales system according to the third embodiment of the present invention (showing a case where payment for paid content 106 is made using memory card 107). There). FIG.
, The content sales system includes a download terminal 101, a network 102, a content server 104, and a memory card 107.

The content server 104 uses the lock key 1
08. The memory card 107 is the memory card 107 with the amount data shown in FIG. 11, and the memory card 107 is attached to the download terminal 101. In the memory card 107, in addition to the amount data, a pay content 106 and a free content 105 are recorded in advance. The service user 2 uses the memory card 10
7 through the network 102 using the download terminal 101 equipped with the
4 and download the lock key 108. The lock key 108 thus downloaded is stored in the memory card 1 attached to the download terminal 101.
07 is recorded in the lock key area 33.

FIG. 14 shows the contents server 10 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of No. 4; 14, the content server 104 includes a distribution unit 10, a charging unit 11, and a storage unit 13.

The storage unit 13 stores the lock key 108 and the price of the pay content 106. The distribution unit 10 distributes the lock key 108 and the price of the pay content 106 to the download terminal 101. Billing unit 1
1 charges the service user 2 (download terminal 101) for the price of the pay content 106. That is, the user accesses the amount data area 30 of the memory card 107 attached to the download terminal 101 and rewrites the amount data recorded therein (specifically, from the remaining amount of the memory card 107, the pay content 106
Deduct the price).

The hardware configuration of the content server 104 shown in FIG. 13 is the same as that of the content server 104 shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, FIG. 4 is also used in the following description. In FIG. 4, the content server 104 includes a CPU 20 and an RA.
M21, ROM 22, optical disk drive 23,
And a modem 24. The operation of each component shown in FIG. 4 is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, unlike the first embodiment, the optical disc drive 23 is loaded with an optical disc in which the pay content 106 and the free content 105 are not recorded and only the lock key 108 and the like are recorded. Also, ROM
A part of the program stored in 22 is different from the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a content sales system according to the third embodiment of the present invention (showing a case where payment for paid content 106 is made through telephone company 3). . In FIG. 15, the content sales system includes a download terminal 10
1, the network 102, and the content server 104
And a memory card 107. The memory card 107 is the memory card 107 in FIG. 12 (without money data). The operation of the components other than the memory card 107 is the same as that of FIG. 13, and the description is omitted.

The functional configuration of the content server 104 shown in FIG. 15 is the same as that of the content server 104 shown in FIG. 13, and the following description will be made with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
In FIG. 14, the content server 104 includes a distribution unit 1
0, a billing unit 11 and a storage unit 13. The billing unit 11 stores the service user 2 (download terminal 10
For 1), the price of the pay content 106 is charged as follows. That is, the billing unit 11 notifies the telephone company 3 of the price of the pay content 106 that the service user 2 has decided to purchase, and the price is paid to the service user 2.
Ask to charge. In response, the telephone company 3 charges the service user 2 by adding the price notified from the charging unit 11 to the telephone price. A specific example of billing has been described in the second embodiment.

The operation of the components other than the charging unit 11 is shown in FIG.
This is the same as the case of the third content server 104, and the description is omitted. The hardware configuration of the content server 104 in FIG.
04 (see FIG. 4), and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure until the service user 2 uses the pay content 106 recorded on the memory card 107, which is common to the systems of FIGS. The content use procedure shown in FIG. 14 includes steps S1001 to S1009. In FIG. 16, the service user 2 purchases the memory card 107 (step S1001), inserts it into the download terminal 101, and tries the free content 105 recorded on the memory card 107 (step S1002). The free content 105 at this time is, for example, a trial version or a digest version of the pay content 106.

[0126] The service user 2 has the free content 10
Then, it is determined whether or not to purchase the paid content 106 based on the result of trial use of No. 5 (step S1003). If it is decided to purchase, the content server 104 is accessed through the download terminal 101 (step S1).
004), pay for the paid content 106 (step S1005). When the payment is made, the paid content 106 in the memory card 107 is unlocked (that is, decrypted by the lock key 108) by the content server 104 (step S1006), and thereafter, the paid content 106 can be used (step S100).
7).

At step S1003, pay content 10
If you decide not to purchase 6, Service User 2
Free content 1 recorded on memory card 107
05 and the pay content 106 are discarded (step S1008). Thereafter, the memory card 107 can be used as an empty memory card 107 (step S1009).

FIG. 17 shows the flow of the purchase process of the pay content 106 viewed from both the service user 2 and the service provider 1 (ie, the operation procedure of the download terminal 101 and the content server 104) in the system of FIG. It is a flowchart shown. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 17 includes steps S1101 to S1106. In FIG. 17, first, the service user 2 purchases the memory card 107 with the amount data (step S1).
101), attach to the download terminal 101 and try the free content 105. As a result of the trial, when it is determined that the paid content 106 is to be purchased, the content server 104 is accessed using the download terminal 101 (step S1102).

In response, in content server 104, distribution unit 10 transmits the price of pay content 106 to service user 2 (step S1103). When the download terminal 101 receives it and displays it on the screen, the service user 2 confirms the price on the screen and places an order (step S1104). When the purchase of the paid content 106 is canceled in step 1104, the distribution unit 1
0 ends the processing.

Next, payment for the paid content 106 ordered in step S1104, that is, charging for the service user 2 is performed (step S110).
5). That is, in the content server 104, the charging unit 11 reads the amount data recorded in the memory card 107 with the amount data attached to the download terminal 101, and reads the remaining amount, that is, is attached to the download terminal 101. The price of the paid content 106 ordered by the service user 2 is subtracted from the remaining amount of the memory card 107 with the amount data (that is, the amount data recorded in the amount data area 30). Then, the remaining amount after the deduction is transferred to the memory card 10 again.
Write to 7.

When rewriting of the remaining amount in memory card 107 is completed, lock key 108 is transmitted from distribution unit 10 of content server 104 to download terminal 101 (step S1106). When the lock key 108 is received by the download terminal 101 and recorded in the lock key area 33 of the memory card 107, the purchase processing of the pay content 106 is completed.

FIG. 18 shows the flow of the process of purchasing the pay content 106 (ie, the operation procedure of the download terminal 101 and the content server 104) viewed from both the service user 2 and the service provider 1 in the system of FIG. It is a flowchart shown. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 18 includes steps S1201 to S1206. In FIG. 18, first, the service user 2 purchases the memory card 107 (without amount data) (step S1201), attaches it to the download terminal 101, and tries the free content 105. Subsequent step S
Steps 1202 to S1204 correspond to step S1102 in FIG.
To S1104, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, payment for the paid content 106 ordered in step S1204, that is, charging for the service user 2 is performed (step S120).
5). That is, the billing unit 11 of the content server 104
Receives the order for the paid content 106 from the service user 2, transmits data indicating the price of the paid content 106 to (the billing device of) the telephone company 3, and 10
Request the telephone company 3 to charge the service user 2 for the price of 6. The billing process executed by (the billing device of) the telephone company 3 in response to the request of the billing unit 11 has been described in the second embodiment.

When the transmission of the payment data for the paid content 106 is completed, the lock key 108 is transmitted from the distribution unit 10 of the content server 104 to the download terminal 101 (step S1206). Then, the lock key 108 is received by the download terminal 101,
When recorded in the lock key area 33 of the memory card 107, the purchase processing of the pay content 106 is completed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a content selling system and method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content selling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention (however, a case where free content 105 is downloaded from a content server 104 is shown).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a content server 104 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the content server 104 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a download process of free content 105 performed in the system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention (however, a case where free content 105 is included in a memory card 107 with money data in advance) is shown. .

FIG. 7 shows a flow of a pay content 106 distribution process viewed from both the service user 2 and the service provider 1 in the content sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention (that is, download of FIG. 2 or 6). Terminal 101
3 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the content server 104).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content selling system according to a second embodiment of the present invention (however, a case where free content 105 is downloaded from a content server 104 is shown).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content sales system according to a second embodiment of the present invention (however, a case where free content 105 is included in a memory card 107 with money data in advance) is shown. .

FIG. 10 shows a flow of a pay content 106 distribution process viewed from both the service user 2 and the service provider 1 in the content sales system according to the second embodiment of the present invention (that is, download of FIG. 8 or 9) Terminal 10
1 and an operation procedure of the content server 104).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory card 107 (with amount data) used in a content sales system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory card 107 (without money data) used in a content sales system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content sales system according to a third embodiment of the present invention (showing a case where payment for a pay content 106 is made using a memory card 107).

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the content server 104 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content sales system according to a third embodiment of the present invention (showing a case where payment for paid content 106 is made through telephone company 3).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure until the service user 2 uses the pay content 106 recorded on the memory card 107, common to the systems of FIGS. 12 and 15;

FIG. 17 shows a flow of a purchase process of pay content 106 viewed from both service user 2 and service provider 1 (that is, download terminal 1) in the system of FIG.
01 and the operation procedure of the content server 104).

FIG. 18 shows a flow of a purchase process of paid content 106 viewed from both service user 2 and service provider 1 (that is, download terminal 1) in the system of FIG.
01 and the operation procedure of the content server 104).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Service provider 2 Service user 3 Telephone carrier 4 Memory card sales base 10 Distribution unit 11 Billing unit 12 Content area management unit 13 Storage unit 30 Money data area 31 Content area 32 Free content area 33 Lock key area 34 Pay content area 101 Download terminal 102 Network 104 Content server 105 Free content 106 Paid content 107 Memory card 108 Lock key

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 512 G06F 17/60 512 13/00 540 13/00 540S G10K 15/02 G10K 15/02 H04H 1/02 H04H 1/02 F H04M 11/08 H04M 11/08 H04N 7/16 H04N 7/16 C 7/173 640 7/173 640A (72) Inventor Kenjiro Tsuda 1006 Kadoma, Oji, Kadoma, Osaka Matsushita Matsushita Inside Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayuki Yoshikawa 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Reference) 5B049 AA05 BB11 CC05 CC08 CC36 DD01 DD04 EE01 EE23 EE25 EE28 FF03 FF04 FF06 GG04 GG07 GG10 5C064 BA01 BB01 BB10 BC01 BC17 BC1 8 BC20 BC22 BC25 BD02 BD08 BD16 5K101 KK17 KK18 LL12 MM07 NN05 SS07 TT06

Claims (45)

[Claims] 1. A content selling system for selling content through a network, comprising: a content server; a terminal connected to the content server via the network; and a portable recording medium mounted on the terminal. The portable recording medium includes a content area in which content is recorded, the content server includes: a storage unit that stores encrypted pay content, a lock key for decrypting the pay content, and free content; And, in response to a request from the terminal, the free content stored in the storage unit is recorded in the content area, and, in response to an order from the terminal,
A content sales system, comprising: a distribution unit that records paid content and a lock key stored in the storage unit in the content area. 2. The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating a remaining amount available for purchase is recorded in advance, and the content server reads the amount data from the amount data area, and The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a charging unit that subtracts a price of the pay content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, and writes the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction into the amount data area. 2. The content sales system according to 1. 3. The content server according to claim 1, wherein the content server further includes a billing unit that notifies a third party billing device of price data indicating a price of the pay content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit. Content sales system. 4. The charging unit confirms that the remaining amount indicated by the amount data read from the amount data area is equal to or more than the price of the pay content to be recorded in the content area by the distribution unit, The content selling system according to claim 2, wherein the distribution unit receives the confirmation result from the charging unit and records the pay content stored in the storage unit in the content area. 5. The content server further includes a content area management unit that manages the content area and content recorded in the area, wherein the content area management unit is configured to record the distribution area in the content area. The distribution unit confirms that the size of the pay content does not exceed the remaining capacity of the content area. The distribution unit receives the confirmation result from the content area management unit, and converts the pay content stored in the storage unit into the content. Recording in the area,
The content sales system according to claim 3. 6. The content selling system according to claim 1, wherein the free content is a digest version of the pay content. 7. The free content is a trial version of the paid content.
Content sales system described in. 8. The content selling system according to claim 1, wherein the pay content is audio data, and the free content is video data to be reproduced in synchronization with the audio data. 9. The content selling system according to claim 1, wherein the pay content is video data, and the free content is audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with the video data. 10. A content selling system for selling content via a network, comprising: a terminal connected to the content server via the network; and a portable recording medium mounted on the terminal, wherein the portable recording The medium includes a content area in which content is recorded, the content server stores an encrypted pay content and a lock key for decrypting the pay content, and responds to an order from the terminal. A content distribution system, comprising: a distribution unit that records paid content and a lock key stored in the storage unit in the content area; and free content is recorded in the content area in advance. . 11. The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating a remaining amount available for purchase is recorded in advance, and the content server reads the amount data from the amount data area, and Claims further comprising: a charging unit that subtracts the price of the paid content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, and writes the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction into the amount data area. Item 11. A content sales system according to item 10. 12. The content server according to claim 10, wherein the content server further includes a billing unit that notifies a third party billing device of amount data indicating a price of the pay content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit. Content sales system. 13. The charging unit confirms that the remaining amount indicated by the amount data read from the amount data area is equal to or more than the price of the pay content to be recorded in the content area by the distribution unit, The content selling system according to claim 11, wherein the distribution unit receives the confirmation result from the charging unit and records the pay content stored in the storage unit in the content area. 14. The content server further includes a content area management unit that manages the content area and content recorded in the area, wherein the content area management unit is configured to record the distribution area in the content area. The distribution unit confirms that the size of the pay content does not exceed the remaining capacity of the content area. The distribution unit receives the confirmation result from the content area management unit, and converts the pay content stored in the storage unit into the content. Recording in the area,
The content sales system according to claim 12. 15. The content selling system according to claim 10, wherein said free content is a digest version of said pay content. 16. The content selling system according to claim 10, wherein said free content is a trial version of said pay content. 17. The content selling system according to claim 10, wherein the pay content is audio data, and the free content is video data to be reproduced in synchronization with the audio data. 18. The content selling system according to claim 10, wherein said pay content is video data, and said free content is audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with said video data. 19. A content sales system for selling content through a network, comprising: a content server; a terminal connected to the content server via the network; and a portable recording medium mounted on the terminal. The portable recording medium includes a pay content area in which an encrypted pay content is recorded in advance, a lock key area in which a lock key for decoding the pay content recorded in the pay content area is recorded, and free content. The content server includes a free content area recorded in advance, the content server stores the lock key, and in response to a request from the terminal, stores the lock key stored in the storage section in the lock key area. A content sales system including a distribution unit for recording. 20. The portable recording medium further includes an amount data area in which amount data indicating a remaining amount available for purchase is recorded in advance, and the content server reads the amount data from the amount data area, A charging unit that subtracts the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area by the distribution unit from the remaining amount indicated by the amount data, and writes the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the deduction into the amount data area. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
9. The content sales system according to item 9. 21. The content server further includes a billing unit that notifies a third party billing device of amount data indicating a price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area by the distribution unit. , Claim 1
9. The content sales system according to item 9. 22. The content selling system according to claim 19, wherein said free content is a digest version of said pay content. 23. The content selling system according to claim 19, wherein said free content is a trial version of said pay content. 24. The content selling system according to claim 19, wherein said pay content is audio data, and said free content is video data to be reproduced in synchronization with said audio data. 25. The content selling system according to claim 19, wherein said pay content is video data, and said free content is audio data to be reproduced in synchronization with said video data. 26. A content server for selling content through a network, wherein a terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the content on which the content is recorded is stored in the portable recording medium. The area includes an encrypted pay content, a lock key for decrypting the pay content, and a storage unit for storing free content, and a storage unit for storing the free content in response to a request from the terminal. Is recorded in the content area, and according to an order from the terminal,
A content server, comprising: a distribution unit that records paid content and a lock key stored in the storage unit in the content area. 27. The portable recording medium further includes a money amount data area in which money amount data indicating the remaining money amount to be purchased is recorded in advance, and the money amount data is read from the money amount data area, and the money amount data is read. The charging unit according to claim 26, further comprising a charging unit that subtracts the price of the paid content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit from the remaining amount indicated by the distribution unit, and writes amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction into the amount data area. Content server. 28. An amount data indicating a price of a pay content recorded in a content area by the distribution unit,
27. The content server according to claim 26, further comprising a charging unit that notifies a third party charging device. 29. A content server for selling content through a network, wherein a terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the content in which the content is recorded is stored in the portable recording medium. A storage unit for storing an encrypted pay content and a lock key for decrypting the pay content, the pay content stored in the storage unit in response to an order from the terminal; A content server, comprising: a distribution unit that records a lock key in the content area, wherein free content is recorded in the content area in advance. 30. The portable recording medium further includes a money amount data area in which money amount data indicating the remaining money amount to be purchased is recorded in advance, and the money amount data is read from the money amount data area, and the money amount data is read. A charging unit that subtracts the price of the paid content recorded in the content area by the distribution unit from the remaining amount shown, and writes amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction into the amount data area,
A content server according to claim 29. 31. An amount data indicating a price of a pay content recorded in a content area by the distribution unit,
30. The content server according to claim 29, further comprising a charging unit for notifying a third party charging device. 32. A content server for selling contents through a network, wherein a terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to said network, and said portable recording medium includes encrypted pay contents. Includes a pre-recorded pay content area, a lock key area in which a lock key for recording the pay content recorded in the pay content area is recorded, and a free content area in which free content is pre-recorded. A content server, comprising: a storage unit that stores the lock key; and a distribution unit that records a lock key stored in the storage unit in the lock key area in response to a request from the terminal. 33. The portable recording medium further includes a money amount data area in which money amount data indicating a remaining amount available for purchase is recorded in advance, and the money amount data is read from the money amount data area, and the money amount data is read. The distribution unit further includes a charging unit for subtracting the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area by the distribution unit and writing the amount data indicating the remaining amount after the subtraction into the amount data area. The content server according to claim 32. 34. The charging apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising a billing unit that notifies a third party billing device of amount data indicating a price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area by the distribution unit. Content server as described. 35. A method for selling content through a network, wherein a terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the portable recording medium includes a content area in which the content is recorded. A storage step of storing the encrypted pay contents, a lock key for decrypting the pay contents, and the free contents, and, in response to a request from the terminal, the free contents stored in the storage step. A content distribution method, comprising: a first distribution step of recording in the content area; and a second distribution step of recording the pay content and the lock key accumulated in the accumulation step in the content area in accordance with an order from the terminal. . 36. The portable recording medium further includes a money amount data area in which money amount data indicating a remaining amount available for purchase is recorded in advance, and the money amount data is read from the money amount data area, and the money amount data is read. 36. The method according to claim 35, further comprising: a billing step of subtracting the price of the pay content recorded in the content area in the second distribution step from the remaining money indicated, and writing money data indicating the remaining money after the subtraction into the money data area. Content sales method described in. 37. The content sale according to claim 35, further comprising a charging step of notifying a third party charging device of amount data indicating a price of the paid content recorded in the content area in the second distribution step. Method. 38. A content selling method for selling content through a network, wherein a terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the content is recorded on the portable recording medium. A storage step of storing an encrypted pay content including a content area and a lock key for decrypting the pay content; pay content stored in the storage unit in accordance with an order from the terminal; And a distribution step of recording a lock key in the content area, wherein free content is recorded in the content area in advance. 39. The portable recording medium further includes a money amount data area in which money amount data indicating a remaining money amount that can be purchased is recorded in advance, and the money amount data is read from the money amount data area, and the money amount data is read. 39. The method according to claim 38, further comprising a charging step of subtracting the price of the pay content recorded in the content area in the distribution step from the remaining money amount indicated, and writing money amount data indicating the remaining money amount after the subtraction into the money amount data area. How to sell content. 40. The content selling method according to claim 38, further comprising a charging step of notifying a third party charging device of amount data indicating a price of the paid content recorded in the content area in the distribution step. 41. A content selling method for selling content through a network, wherein a terminal equipped with a portable recording medium is connected to the network, and the portable recording medium includes an encrypted pay service. A pay content area in which content is recorded in advance; a lock key area in which a lock key for decoding pay content recorded in the pay content area is recorded; and a free content area in which free content is recorded in advance. A storage step of storing the lock key; and a distribution step of, in response to a request from the terminal, recording the lock key stored in the storage step in the lock key area. 42. The portable recording medium further includes a money amount data area in which money amount data indicating the remaining money amount to be purchased is recorded in advance, and the money amount data is read from the money amount data area, and the money amount data is read. The method further includes a charging step of subtracting the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area in the distribution step from the remaining money shown in the distribution step, and writing money data indicating the remaining money after the subtraction into the money data area. The content selling method according to claim 41. 43. The method according to claim 41, further comprising a charging step of notifying a third party charging device of amount data indicating a price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area in the distribution step. The content sales method described. 44. A portable recording medium mounted on a terminal connected to a content server via a network, wherein a pay content area in which encrypted pay content is recorded in advance, and wherein the pay content area is recorded in the pay content area A portable recording medium comprising: a lock key area in which a lock key for decrypting pay content is recorded by the content server; and a free content area in which free content is recorded in advance. 45. The system according to claim 45, further comprising: a money amount data area in which money amount data indicating a remaining money amount that can be purchased is recorded in advance. 45. The portable recording apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the data is rewritten to the money amount data indicating the remaining money amount after subtracting the price of the pay content decrypted by the lock key recorded in the lock key area from the money amount. Medium.