JP2002041993A - Contents distribution method and system thereof and recording medium for the system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a variety of delivery stores by easily and automatically settling a charge when ciphered contents are delivered or decoded. SOLUTION: A ticket server 3 prepares key use information from sales information including a use charge of key data base 12 and store information (location, a charge, etc.), and user information by a user identifier included in an issue demand and informs accounting settlement server 4 of it when a user 2 downloading ciphered contents 1 demands ticket issue for decoding to the ticket server 3 by adding his user identifier and desired contents identifier. Since a charge can be paid to a charge receiver 5 such as contents delivery origin based on the information and accounting record including ticket issueing record can be prepared, the charge receiver 5 can securely grasp charge payment situation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content distribution system which distributes encrypted content to a user and issues a ticket for decrypting the encrypted content via a network so that the user can use the desired content. The present invention relates to a method and a system thereof, and a recording medium for the system, and more particularly, to a content distribution method and a content distribution method capable of realizing diversification of distribution stores by easily and automatically setting a fee for distributing or decrypting encrypted content. The present invention relates to the system and a recording medium for the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of content distribution method and its system, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-4976
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H05-341566, a method of guaranteeing decryption and charging for a user, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-341566, a method of charging based on a pure data amount, and in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H9-73480, a charging method capable of updating a sales price of contents. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11-96258, various schemes for setting fees are disclosed. These are all related to the charging of the usage fee to the user of the content.

[0003] Encrypted content is usually obtained by a user using a personal computer, calling a web store via a network such as the Internet, and downloading the content. However, encrypted content requires widespread distribution to content providers,
For example, when exhibited at various stores by CD-ROM,
It is easily available to users.

[0004] In such a case, the user obtains the CD-
The user downloads the encrypted content recorded in the ROM to his / her personal computer and executes a decryption procedure using a readable script recorded in the encrypted content. As a result, the decryption key can be obtained from the ticket center as a ticket, so that the encrypted content can be decrypted and used. Usually, when a ticket is issued at a ticket center, a usage fee is charged to the user who has issued the ticket.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional content distribution method and its system,
There is a problem that it is difficult to expand various types of store sites necessary for expanding sales of encrypted contents.

[0006] The reason is that although there are abundant sales conditions regarding the use of content, the validity of the fee cannot be confirmed by the fee recipient because the information transmission method and system for distributing the encrypted content are incomplete. It is.

Specifically, first, when the ticket center issues a ticket and stores a fee, there is no mechanism for the ticket center to notify the store site to which the encrypted content has been distributed of the use results of the content. Another problem is that it has not been possible to confirm whether the content usage fee paid by the ticket center to the store site is appropriate for the actual usage.

[0008] Second, when the store site performs the billing process, there is no mechanism for accurately transmitting the ticket issuance request to the store site, so that the billing process cannot be performed correctly.

Third, when the store site relays the ticket issuance request and performs the billing process, there is no means for the store site to report the use result of the content to the ticket center. Was not able to confirm whether or not it was suitable for the actual use.

Fourth, since there is no mechanism for another store site (for example, the main store site) to perform the charging process when the store site does not have the charging processing means, such a store site takes charge of only the content distribution. I was not able to get the commission.

Fifth, when the head office site performs the billing process, there is no means for the head office site to report the use result of the content to the ticket center and the store site, and therefore, the commission paid by the head office site to the ticket center and the store site Could not confirm whether the commission paid for was appropriate for the usage record.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and to easily and automatically settle a fee for distributing or decrypting encrypted content, thereby realizing diversification of distribution stores. And its system,
And a recording medium for the system.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A content distribution method and system according to the present invention distributes encrypted content to a user and issues a ticket for decrypting the encrypted content via a network so that the user can obtain the content. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a user of the content can use the desired content, and when the user of the content decrypts the encrypted content, the billing unit performs a billing process for billing the user. In addition, necessary information regarding the fee is transmitted to pay the fee to the fee payee, and a ticket issuance record is created and notified.

That is, in the content distribution method and system according to the present invention, the encryption key used for decryption is stored in the key database, and when the ticket issuance request is received from the user, the ticket including the encryption key is transmitted to the request source. The system includes a ticket server for issuing to a user, and a billing and settlement server for performing a billing process for the user in response to key usage information on an encryption key issued from the ticket server.

The encrypted content has at least a content identifier and additional information relating to the location of an encryption key used for decryption. The ticket issuance request includes at least the content identifier and requester user information.
The key database includes at least an encryption key, a usage fee, and various necessary fees and payees for each content identifier, and the key usage information includes at least a sales fee including the usage fee and the fees and payee. Requesting user information.

The user is connected to the ticket server specified by the additional information by sending out a predetermined ticket issuance request including the additional information extracted from the prepared desired encrypted content to the network.

The ticket server connected to the user,
Upon receiving a ticket issuance request from a user, the key database is searched based on the content identifier included in the ticket issuance request, an encryption key is indexed to create a ticket, issued to the requesting user, and The usage information is sent to the billing and settlement server.

The user who has received the ticket issues the encrypted content using the encryption key included in the received ticket, and uses the encrypted content. The user is charged based on the sales conditions given to the key, and the fee is paid to the payee of the fee included in the key usage information.

According to the above-described procedure and configuration, at the time of charging processing, it is possible to obtain usage information relating to a key for decrypting the encrypted content. Processing can be performed reliably and easily.

Therefore, it is possible to include a ticket issuance record as the billing record. Further, when the billing settlement server performs the billing process for the user in response to the key usage information, the billing settlement server may include a ticket for each fee payee. In order to record the issuance and to facilitate the collation between the fee receipt record and the ticket issuance record at least at the fee payee, the ticket payee can be notified of the ticket issuance record at a predetermined time. In addition, the payee of the fee may be one of performing entrusted distribution of the encrypted content to the user and entrusted issuance of a ticket for decrypting the encrypted content.

One specific configuration of the content distribution method and its system is a store site in which a fee receiver stores encrypted content for distribution. It has a ticket center that combines functions. That is, the ticket center issues a ticket and stores a fee, and the ticket center operates so as to notify the store site to which the corresponding encrypted content has been distributed of the charging result of the content. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to check at the store site whether the content usage fee paid by the ticket center to the store site is appropriate for the usage record.

Another specific configuration is that a store site that stores encrypted content for distribution includes a billing and settlement server, and that a ticket issuance request and a ticket issued by a user are provided. Is relaying. Therefore, the ticket center is provided with a ticket issuing means for transmitting the issued ticket and the key use information for charging to the store site, and is a fee receiver. That is, a request issuance of a ticket is performed via the store site, the store site stores the fee according to the sales conditions given in advance to the ticket, and the store site informs the ticket center of the charging result of the content to the ticket center. It is working. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to check at the ticket center whether the fee paid by the store site to the ticket center is appropriate for the actual usage.

Further, as another means, a head office management center for providing a billing settlement server and for requesting a ticket issuance with the user and relaying the issued ticket is provided as a head office site. And a ticket center having a ticket issuing means for transmitting issued tickets and key usage information for billing to the shop site. That is, a ticket issuance request is made via the head office management center, the head office management center stores the fee in accordance with the sales conditions given in advance to the ticket, and the head office management center records the charging result of the content in the ticket center and the store site. Working to tell against. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to confirm at each of the ticket center and the store site whether the commission paid by the head office management center to the ticket center and the store site is appropriate for the usage results.

[0024]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that the content distribution system shown in FIG. 1 includes an encrypted content 1, a user 2, a ticket server 3, a charge settlement server 4, and a fee receiver 5.

The user 2 uses the means 11 for using the encrypted content 1, the ticket server 3 performs the key database 12 and the key issuing process 13, and the billing and settlement server 4 performs the billing process 14, the billing recording process 15, the fee payment process 16, And the ticket issuance record notifying process 17, and the fee receiver 5 executes the fee receiving process 18 and the ticket issuance receiving process 1.
9 respectively. A fee receiver is a receiver of a fee for a single task such as distribution of encrypted content or issuance of a ticket in a content distribution system, and can receive a fee when a user can use the content. .

FIG. 2 shows one form of the recorded content of the encrypted content 1. As shown in the figure, the encrypted content 1 includes a script in which a location (for example, a homepage address) of the ticket server 3 having a content identifier and a key for decrypting the encrypted content is described in addition to the encrypted content. Have.

FIG. 3 shows one form of the recorded contents of the key database 12. As shown in the figure, the key database 12 stores, as usage information of the encrypted content, a content identifier, an encryption key used for decryption, and sales conditions, for example, a usage fee charged to a user, distribution fee, for each type of content. In this case, the location of the store that pays the commission and the shop information including the commission are recorded in advance.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the main operation procedure executed by the configuration shown in FIG.

The procedure of decrypting the encrypted content and paying the fee will be described with reference to FIGS.

It is assumed that the encrypted content 1 has been loaded by the user 2 into the use means 11 which is a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) (procedure S1).

The distribution of the encrypted content 1 may be, for example, either a download from a store site via the Internet, or a distribution in the form of a CD-ROM. Normally, when the distributed encrypted content is decrypted by the user and the content becomes usable, the user is charged and the fee is paid to the store site of the distribution source as the fee receiver 5. It is.

The user 2 usually has a user identifier and a password registered in advance for the convenience of fee collection and content distribution management. The user 2 calls the ticket server 3 by referring to the script of the encrypted content 1 via the Internet by the personal computer of the use unit 11 (procedure S2). Next, the user 2 inputs a password and issues a ticket issuance request for decryption (procedure S
Perform 3). By executing the ticket issuance request, the user 2 can send specific information necessary for decrypting the encrypted content 1 to the key issuing process 13 of the ticket server 3.

In the ticket server 3, the key issuing process 13
Receives the ticket issuance request (procedure S4), indexes content usage information from the key database 12 based on the content identifier included in the ticket issuance request (procedure S4).
5) Do it.

The key issuing process 13 creates a ticket including an encryption key from the indexed content usage information and issues the ticket to the requesting user of the ticket issuance based on the received user identifier (step S6).

The user 2 receives the issued ticket (step S7), creates a decryption key based on the encryption key included in the ticket (step S8), and converts the encrypted content into the desired content. The decryption is performed (procedure S9). As a result, the user 2 can use the decrypted desired content.

The user 2 may perform the same procedure as in the prior art. Further, processing such as charging, billing, or withdrawing of a usage fee is the same as the conventional processing, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

On the other hand, after confirming the issuance of the ticket in step S6, the key issuing process 13 of the ticket server 3 is executed.
Sends the content usage information indexed from the key database 12 and the key usage information based on the user identifier included in the ticket issuance request to the accounting settlement server 4 (step S1).
1) Do it.

In the accounting settlement server 4, the accounting processing 14
Generates a charge to the user from the user identifier and the use fee of the received key use information, and generates a fee for each store from the store information as charge data.
5 is recorded in detail (procedure S12). The user is charged (procedure S13) and collected by the charging process 14, but the details are irrelevant to the present invention and will not be described.

The fee payment process 16 pays a fee for each store by the charging process 14 by a predetermined procedure such as transfer (procedure S14), while the charge recording process 15 to the ticket issuance record notification process 17 are performed by the fee receiver 5, in this case, A record is created for each store site that distributes the encrypted content and notified (step S15). The notification may be made every time it occurs or every month, and payment and notification may be made at different times.

The fee receiver 5 such as a store site cannot directly know that the distributed encrypted content has been used by issuing a ticket. However, it is possible to confirm the details by comparing the receipt records of the fee payment processing 16 and the ticket issuance record notification processing 17 to the fee receipt processing 18 and the ticket issuance record reception processing 19, respectively. it can.

The payment or notification between the accounting settlement server 4 and the fee receiver 5 is performed by the Internet, mail, or the like.
Any means may be used.

In the above description, the ticket issue record notifying process 17 of the accounting settlement server 4 is based on the key usage information received from the ticket server 3 when the accounting recording process 15 performs the accounting process according to the instruction from the accounting process 14. The ticket issue record notification is processed according to the billing record to be created.
When the billing and settlement server is provided in the ticket center together with the ticket server, the key use information can be directly received from the ticket server to notify the ticket issuance record.

In the above description, the ticket server 3
Receives a ticket issuance request from the user 2 and issues a ticket, and sends key usage information to the accounting settlement server 4. However, the billing settlement server
It is also possible to receive a ticket issuance request to the user and a window for issuing tickets, and relay these to a ticket server. In this case, the ticket server does not have a direct connection with the user and can unify the contact point with the billing and settlement server, so the key usage information can be transferred collectively when issuing a ticket. it can.

Although the decryption process of the user has been described, it is needless to say that any means may be used as long as it is based on the above-mentioned encryption key.

As described above, one embodiment has been described with reference to the functional blocks in FIG. 1. However, the separation and merging of the functions are free as long as the above functions are satisfied, and the above description does not limit the present invention.

[0047]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Several embodiments based on FIG. 1 will now be described with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is partially omitted.

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a first embodiment. The content distribution system shown in FIG. 5 includes a user 2, a store site 20, and a ticket center 30. In FIG. 5, the ticket center 3 includes the ticket server 3 and the accounting settlement server 4 shown in FIG. 1, and the fee receiver 5 is a store site 20 that distributes the encrypted content 1.

User 2 uses encrypted content using means 1
Including 1. The store site 20 includes an encrypted content storage unit 21, a fee receiving unit 22, and a ticket issuance record receiving unit 23. The ticket center 30 includes a ticket server 3, a billing unit 31, and a store information acquiring unit 3.
3, a fee paying unit 34 and a ticket issuance record notifying unit 35 are included.

As described above, the encrypted content using means 11 acquires the encrypted content from the encrypted content storage means 21 of the store site 20, receives the use instruction from the user 2, and issues the ticket included in the encrypted content. Refers to the location information of the center 30, sends a ticket issuance request including at least a content identifier included in the encrypted content to the ticket server 3 of the ticket center 30 on the network, and decrypts the encrypted content. A ticket in which an encryption key to be used is stored is obtained, and the encrypted content is decrypted to allow the user 2 to use the content.

The encrypted content storage means 21 stores the encrypted content obtained by encrypting the content with a key, and stores the encrypted content in response to an acquisition request from the encrypted content using means 11 of the user 2. Distribute to The encrypted content includes at least a content identifier, ticket center location information, and encrypted content data. The fee receiving unit 22 receives a fee sent from the fee payment unit 34 of the ticket center 30. The ticket issuance record receiving means 23 can check both the fee information received by the fee receiving means 22 and the ticket issuance record received from the ticket issuance record notifying means 35.

As described above, the ticket server 3
As usage information of each encrypted content, a content identifier, an encryption key of the encrypted content, a usage fee, store information (location information, fee, etc.) are stored. When a ticket issuance request is received from the encrypted content using means 11 of the user 2, the ticket server 3 sends a ticket obtained by encrypting the encryption key to the encrypted content using means 11, Instructs the user to charge the amount described in the usage fee, and sends the location information of the store site 20 in response to a request from the store information acquisition unit 33. Although not shown, when the charging means 31 only charges the user 2, the ticket server 3 notifies the store fee in response to the request from the fee payment means 34, Instructing the ticket issuance record notification may be directly executed.

The billing means 31 bills the user 2 for the usage fee received from the ticket server 3, notifies the fee paying means 34 of the fee for the store, and instructs the fee payment. The store information acquisition unit 33 acquires the store information from the ticket server 3 based on the content identifier in accordance with the instruction from the fee payment unit 34, and sends it to the fee payment unit 34. The fee paying unit 34 acquires the store fee from the charging unit 31, acquires the store information from the store information acquiring unit 33 according to the instruction, and pays the fee to the fee receiving unit 22 of the store site 20. The ticket issuance record notifying unit 35 receives the ticket issuance record from the charging recording unit 32, acquires the store information from the store information acquisition unit 33 according to the instruction, and stores
The ticket issuance record is sent to the ticket issuance record receiving means 23 of No. 0.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The content distribution system shown in FIG. 6 includes a user 2, a store site 40, and a ticket center 50. In FIG. 6, FIG.
The ticket server 3 shown in FIG.
The bill settlement server 4 is provided at the store site 40. Accordingly, the fee receiver 5 is the ticket center 30 that issues tickets, and the ticket center 50 is connected only to the store site 40.

The user 2 includes, for example, a personal computer as the encrypted content using means 11. The store site 40 is, for example, a web store connected to the Internet, and includes an encrypted content storage unit 41 and a ticket request relay unit 4.
2, a billing unit 43, a billing recording unit 44, a commission paying unit 45, and a ticket record notifying unit 46. The ticket center 50 includes a ticket issuing unit 51, a fee receiving unit 52, and a ticket issuance record receiving unit 53.

Next, these means will be described.
Since the encrypted content using means 11 has already been described, it is omitted here.

The encrypted content storage means 41 stores the encrypted content obtained by encrypting the content with the encryption key, and stores the encrypted content in response to an acquisition request from the encrypted content using means 11 of the user 2. To deliver. The encrypted content includes at least a content identifier, store location information, and encrypted content data. The ticket request relay unit 42 sends the use request sent from the encrypted content using unit 11 to the ticket issuing unit 51, and relays the ticket issued from the ticket issuing unit 51 to the encrypted content using unit 11 and sends it. . The issued ticket contains key usage information. When relaying, the ticket request relay unit 42 instructs the charging unit 43 to perform a charging process based on the charging information included in the key usage information.

The billing means 43 includes the ticket request relay means 4
In accordance with the instruction from 2, the charge processing is performed, and the charge payment means 45 is instructed to perform the charge payment processing, while the charge recording means 44 records the charge data corresponding to the ticket issuance. The billing recording unit 44 instructs the ticket issuing record notifying unit 46 to send the ticket issuing record. The fee paying unit 45 performs a fee payment process to the fee receiving unit 52 of the ticket center 50 based on the instruction from the charging unit 43. On the other hand, the ticket issuance record notifying means 46
Ticket issuing record receiving means 53 of ticket center 50
To the issuance record.

The ticket issuing means 51 stores, as key usage information, a content identifier, an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted content, a usage fee, shop information (location information, fee, etc.), and the like, and a ticket request relay means 42. In response to the ticket issuance request from, a ticket including the encryption key is returned to the ticket request relay means.

The fee receiving means 5 of the ticket center 50
2 receives a commission from the commission payment means 45, and the ticket issuance record receiving means 53 is a ticket issuance record notifying means 46.
Receive a ticket issuance record from. Ticket Center 50
Then, the ticket issuing status of the ticket issuing unit 51, the fee information received by the fee receiving unit 52, and the ticket issuing record received by the ticket issuing record receiving unit 53 are collated. The collation processing may be manual or automatic collation by a computer.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The content distribution system shown in FIG. 7 includes a user 2, a store site 20, a ticket center 50, and a head office management center 60. The store site 20 shown in FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, and the ticket center 50 is the same as that shown in FIG. 6 in the second embodiment. With this configuration, the ticket center 50 may be connected only to the head office management center 60.

Therefore, only the head office management center 60 will be described here. That is, the head office management center 60
Are the ticket request relay means 61, the billing means 62, and the billing recording means 6 which are the remaining components in the above-described embodiment.
3, a fee paying means 64 and a ticket record notifying means 65. Each component has the same function as the above-mentioned component having the same name.

The ticket request relay means 61 transfers the use request sent from the encrypted content using means 11 to the ticket issuing means 51, and transfers the ticket sent from the ticket issuing means 51 to the encrypted content using means 11. . At the time of the transfer, the charging unit 62 is instructed to perform a charging process based on the charging information described in the ticket.

The billing means 62 is provided by the ticket request relay means 4
In accordance with the instruction from 01, billing processing is performed, and billing data is recorded in the billing recording means 63 based on the key usage information sent together with the ticket. On the other hand, the charging unit 62 instructs the fee payment unit 64 to perform a fee payment process based on the key usage information. On the other hand, the billing recording means 63 instructs the ticket issuing record notifying means 65 to send a billing record.

The fee paying means 64 performs a fee payment process to the fee receiving means 22, 52 of the store site 20 and the ticket center 50 based on the instruction from the charging means 62. Ticket issuance record notification means 6
5 notifies the charge recording records to the ticket issue record receiving means 23 and 53 of the store site 20 and the ticket center 50 based on the instruction from the charge recording means 63.

As described above, it is possible to realize a content distribution system in which charging processing can be performed at sites other than the ticket distribution site, and a fee is accurately paid to a mere distribution site of the encrypted content. That is, by providing the ticket request relay means for relaying the ticket request, the charging process can be performed at a site other than the ticket center, such as a store site or a head office site. In addition, even if billing is performed at a site different from the store site that distributes the encrypted content, the provision of the ticket issue record notifying unit that notifies the billing record to the download site ensures that the fee is correctly paid to the distribution site. You can check whether it is.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

The first effect is that the encrypted content can be placed on more store sites, the opportunity for exposure to the user can be increased, and the sales of the content can be increased.

The reason is that it is possible to provide an incentive for the user to place the encrypted content on the store site and download it. That is, according to the present invention, a certain store site places encrypted content on the store site, and when the encrypted content downloaded from the own site is used and the fee is paid, a fee is definitely paid to the store site. It is.

The second effect is that the billing process and the associated member management can be performed at the store site or the head office site, and the billing function uniquely provided by the store site or the head office site can be used.

The reason is that the billing process conventionally performed at the ticket center can be performed at a site other than the ticket center such as a store site or a head office site by providing the ticket request relaying means. .

The third effect is that, even in the case of a relatively large-scale shop site having a billing means or a relatively small-scale shop site having no billing means, the encrypted content is placed and downloaded to the user. Being able to become a store site.

The reason is that, regardless of whether the charging process is performed at the ticket center, head office, or store site, the fee paid to other sites by the ticket issuance record notifying means and the ticket issuance record receiving means is correct. This is because it can be confirmed. That is, for example, when the store site itself performs the billing process, the ticket center can confirm that the fee is correctly paid to the ticket center. Alternatively, when the ticket center or the main store performs the charging process, the store can confirm that the fee is correctly paid to the store.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the configuration of the encrypted content in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a configuration of a key database in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing one mode of a main operation procedure in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 Encrypted content 2 User 3 Ticket server 4 Billing and settlement server 5 Fee receiver 11 Usage means 12 Key database 13 Key issuing process 14 Billing process 15 Billing record process 16 Commission payment process 17 Ticket issuance record notification process 18 Commission Receiving Process 19 Ticket Issuance Record Receiving Process 20, 40 Store Site 21, 41 Encrypted Content Storage Unit 22, 52 Commission Receiving Unit 23, 53 Ticket Issuing Record Receiving Unit 30, 50 Ticket Center 31, 43, 62 Billing Unit 32 , 44, 63 Charge recording means 33 Store information acquisition means 34, 45, 64 Commission payment means 35, 46, 65 Ticket issuance record notification means 51 Ticket issuance means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shunji Ichiyama 5-7-1 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside NEC Corporation (72) Inventor Yasumasa Takuma 5-7-1 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Within NEC Corporation (72) Inventor Shinobu Shimamura 4-14-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Joint Venture within Printing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hibiki Road 4-14-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Joint Inside Printing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Sasaki 4- 14-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Joint Printing Corporation (72) Inventor Ken Miyase 4- 14-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Joint Printing Corporation (72) Inventor Kentaro Sagawa 5-7-1 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Rich Pictures Charcoal Corporation (72) Inventor Eiichiro Noman 5-7-1 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo NEC Corporation Companies in the F-term (reference) 5B049 BB00 BB11 CC05 CC10 CC36 FF07 GG02 GG10 5B082 AA01 GA11 5J104 AA01 AA16 EA01 EA04 EA16 EA26 NA02 PA07 PA11

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A content distribution method that distributes encrypted content to a user and issues a ticket for decrypting the encrypted content via a network so that the user can use desired content. A ticket server that stores an encryption key in a key database in advance and issues a ticket including the encryption key to the requesting user when a ticket issuance request is received from the user, and an encryption key issued from the ticket server And a charge settlement server for performing a billing process to the user in response to the key use information, wherein the encrypted content has at least a content identifier and additional information regarding the location of an encryption key used for decryption, and the ticket issuance request. Contains at least the content identifier and the requesting user information, At least an encryption key for each content identifier to database,
The key usage information includes at least the sales conditions including the usage fee, the commission and the payee, and the requesting user information. By transmitting a predetermined ticket issuance request including the additional information extracted from the desired encrypted content to the network, the ticket server is connected to the ticket server specified by the additional information, and the ticket server connected to the user uses the ticket server. When a ticket issuance request is received from a user, the key database is searched based on the content identifier included in the ticket issuance request, an encryption key is indexed to create a ticket, and the ticket is issued to the requesting user. The information is sent to the billing and settlement server, and the user who receives the ticket issues the encryption included in the received ticket. While using the key to decrypt and use the encrypted content, the billing and settlement server receives the key usage information, performs a billing process for the user based on the sales conditions given to the encryption key, and uses the key. A content distribution method, wherein a fee payment process is performed to a fee payee included in usage information. 2. The charge settlement server according to claim 1, wherein the charge settlement server receives the key usage information, performs a charge process for the user, and further records a ticket issuance for each fee payee, and at least receives the fee at the payee. A method for distributing a ticket, wherein a notice of the ticket issuance record is sent to the fee payee at a predetermined time in order to facilitate comparison between the actual record and the ticket issuance record. 3. In claim 1, the payee of the fee is:
A content distribution method for performing either entrusted distribution of encrypted content to a user or entrusted issuance of a ticket for decrypting the encrypted content. 4. The store site according to claim 1, further comprising: a store site that stores and provides the encrypted content to a user and obtains a fee when the provision destination user uses the content, the ticket server, and the accounting settlement server. A ticket center, wherein when a user obtains and uses the encrypted content from the store site, the user obtains the additional information via a network by a predetermined ticket issuance request including the additional information extracted from the encrypted content. Calls the ticket center specified in the above, and when the ticket center receives the ticket issuance request sent by the user via the network, creates a ticket by indexing the encryption key and issues it to the requesting user. On the other hand, if the user is charged based on the sales conditions given to the encryption key, The content distribution methods, characterized in that the store to the site perform the payment processing fee to. 5. A ticket center according to claim 1, wherein the ticket center issues a ticket at the request of the user and obtains a fee upon issuance, and stores the encrypted content and communicates with the user and the ticket center via a network. A store site that connects and relays transfer data between the two, and has a store site that has the billing and settlement server. The user obtains encrypted content from the store site via a network and uses the encrypted content. First, the store site is called via a network by a predetermined ticket issuance request including the additional information extracted from the encrypted content, and the called store site contacts the ticket center designated by the received additional information. Forwards ticketing requests received over the network Upon receipt of the ticket issuance request, the ticket center creates a ticket by indexing the encryption key and sends the created ticket and key usage information including the sales conditions given to the encryption key to the store site. And the store site issues the ticket received from the ticket center to the requesting user by transferring it, performs the charging process for the user based on the sales conditions given to the encryption key received together with the ticket, and A content distribution method, wherein payment processing of a fee is performed to the ticket center at which a fee included in the key usage information is paid. 6. The store site according to claim 1, comprising a store site that stores and provides the encrypted content to the user and obtains a fee when the provision destination user uses the ticket content, and the ticket server includes the ticket server. And a head office management center connected to each of the user and the ticket center via a network, relaying transfer data between them, and having the billing and settlement server. When the user acquires and uses the encrypted content from the store site, the user first calls the head office management center via a network by a predetermined ticket issuance request including the additional information extracted from the encrypted content, The called head office management center is designated by the received additional information. The ticket center forwards the ticket issuance request received via the network to the ticket center. Upon receipt of the ticket issuance request, the ticket center creates a ticket by indexing the encryption key and sells the ticket under the sales condition given to the encryption key. Is sent to the head office management center together with the key usage information including
The ticket issued by the ticket center is issued to the requesting user by transfer, the user is charged based on the sales condition given to the encryption key received together with the ticket, and included in the key usage information. A content distribution method, wherein a fee is paid to each of the ticket center and the store site to which the fee is paid. 7. The user can use desired content by distributing the encrypted content to the user and issuing a ticket for decrypting the encrypted content from the ticket server, while the billing and settlement server issues the ticket. In the content distribution system for charging a user based on the content, the encrypted content has at least a content identifier and information on the location of an encryption key used for decryption, and the ticket server performs at least encryption for each content identifier. It has a key database that stores keys, usage fees, and various necessary fees and payees, and when a ticket issuance request including at least a user identifier and the content identifier is received from a user, based on the content identifier, To search the key database, Creates a ticket including the encryption key and issues it to the requesting user, and sends at least the usage fee and the user information and the key usage information including the fee and the payee thereof to the accounting settlement server, The server receives the key usage information sent by the ticket server, performs a billing process to the user, and performs a payment process of a fee to a payee of the fee included in the key usage information. By transmitting a predetermined ticket issuance request including the additional information extracted from the encrypted content to be used to the network, it is connected to the ticket server specified by the additional information, and acquires the ticket issued by the ticket server. Decrypting and using the encrypted content using the encryption key included in the ticket Content distribution system which is characterized. 8. The accounting and settlement server according to claim 7, wherein the accounting settlement server processes the accounting for the user in response to the key usage information, further records a ticket issuance for each fee payee, and pays the fee at a predetermined time. A content distribution system for notifying a ticket issuance record first. 9. The shop site according to claim 7, further comprising: a store site that stores and provides the encrypted content to a user and obtains a fee when the provision destination user uses the content, the ticket server and the billing settlement server. When a user obtains and uses the encrypted content from the store site, the user sends a predetermined ticket issuance request including the additional information extracted from the encrypted content to a network, thereby providing the ticket center. The ticket center is connected to the ticket center specified by the information, acquires the ticket issued by the ticket center, and decrypts and uses the encrypted content using an encryption key included in the ticket. When the ticket issuance request sent by the user via While the issue to create a ticket requesting the user to index a key,
A content distribution system that performs a charging process for a user based on a sales condition given to the encryption key and a process of paying a fee to the store site. 10. The ticket center according to claim 7, wherein the ticket center issues a ticket at the request of the user and obtains a commission when the ticket is issued, and stores the encrypted content and communicates with the user and the ticket center respectively. And a store site that relays transfer data between the two, and has a charging settlement server. The user obtains the encrypted content from the store site via a network, and transmits the encrypted content. At the time of use, the store site is first called by sending a predetermined ticket issuance request including the additional information extracted from the encrypted content to the network, and the store site is designated by the additional information received from the user. Received through the network to the ticket center And issues a billing request to the user based on the sales conditions given to the encryption key obtained from the key usage information received from the ticket center together with the ticket to be relayed and issued to the key usage information. The ticket center of the payment destination of the included fee is paid for the fee, and the ticket center creates a ticket by indexing the encryption key upon receiving the ticket issuance request, and sends the ticket to the store site to the requesting user. And transmitting the key use information including the sales conditions given to the encryption key to the store site together with the ticket issued and created through the store. 11. The store site according to claim 7, wherein the encrypted content is stored and provided to the user, and a fee is charged when the user of the providing destination uses the ticket. A ticket center that obtains a fee when issuing a service center, a head office management center that connects to each of the user and the ticket center via a network, relays transfer data between the two, and has the billing and settlement server. When acquiring and using the encrypted content from the store site, the person first calls the head office management center by sending a predetermined ticket issuance request including the additional information extracted from the encrypted content to the network, The head office management center executes the ticket specified by the additional information received from the user. The ticket issuance request received via the network to the request center, relaying the ticket issued by the ticket center and transferring it to the requesting user, while the encryption included in the key usage information received together with the relayed ticket It performs a billing process for the user based on the sales conditions given to the key, and performs a fee payment process to the ticket center and the store site to which the fee included in the key usage information is paid, and the ticket center includes: Upon receipt of the ticket issuance request, the encryption key is indexed to create a ticket, issued to the requesting user, and the created ticket is sent to the head office management center together with key usage information including sales conditions given to the encryption key. A content distribution system for sending to a content distribution system. 12. A recording medium used in the ticket center according to claim 9, wherein when a ticket issuance request sent by a user via a network is received, an encryption key is indexed based on the ticket issuance request. Create a ticket containing the searched encryption key and issue it to the requesting user,
A recording medium for a content distribution system, which records a program for charging a user based on sales conditions given to the encryption key and for paying a fee to a store site. 13. A recording medium used for the store site according to claim 10, wherein a ticket issuance request received via a network is transferred to a ticket center designated by additional information received from a user. Based on the sales conditions given to the encryption key obtained from the key usage information received together with the ticket to be relayed and issued by the center, the user is charged based on the sales conditions and the ticket center, which is the payee of the fee included in the key usage information, is processed. A recording medium for a content distribution system, which records a program for performing fee payment processing. 14. A recording medium used for the head office management center according to claim 11, wherein a ticket issuance request received via a network is transferred to a ticket center specified by additional information received from a user, While the ticket issued by the ticket center is relayed and transferred to the requesting user, charging processing is performed on the user based on the sales condition given to the encryption key included in the key usage information received together with the relayed ticket. A recording medium for a content distribution system, wherein a program for performing a fee payment process is recorded in a ticket center and a store site to which a fee included in key usage information is paid.