JP2002042233A - Contents sales system, contents sales method, contents sales server and contents purchase terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents sales system capable of provoking the purchase desire of a purchaser by enhancing amusement in the purchase of digital contents. SOLUTION: A plurality of contents purchase terminals 1 and the contents sales server 2 are connected to a network 3. When there is a contents purchase application from the contents purchase terminal 1, contents selected at random are transmitted from the contents sales server 2 to the contents purchase terminal 1 that made the purchase application. The contents sales server 2 prepares graphic display data of sales potential and transmits it to the contents purchase terminal 1 in advance. The contents of an inventory volume control database 22 are updated every sale of contents, and the graphic data of sales potential is also updated accordingly and transmitted to the contents purchase terminal 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content sales system and a sales method for selling digital contents via a network, and a content sales server and a content purchase terminal used therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of selling contents, a system for selling contents without knowing the contents, such as a trading card, is known. Also, a vending system using a child vending machine called “gachagacha” as shown in FIG. 8 is known. The vending machine 4 shown in FIG. 8 has a large number of prize capsules 41 containing prizes such as dolls of characters stored in a transparent case 42. When the premium capsule 41 is purchased by the vending machine 4, the coin insertion slot 4
When the operation handle 44 is turned after inserting the coin into the prize 3, one prize capsule 41 is taken out from the prize take-out port 45. Since the case 42 and the main body of the capsule 41 are transparent, it is possible to recognize a prize that can be purchased (content, which is put in the capsule. Not shown), but it is not possible to select a prize to be actually purchased. Rich in sex and popular with children. But,
The stock is limited and the prizes become obsolete quickly.

On the other hand, a system for selling digital contents using a network is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-12 / 1999.
No. 0253 and JP-A-11-224288. Each of these publications is for purchasing the content selected by the purchaser.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention improves amusement when purchasing digital contents,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a content sales system and a sales method that can invite purchasers to purchase. It is another object of the present invention to provide a content purchase terminal and a content sales server used for the terminal.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a content database which manages digital contents to be sold, an inventory management database which is associated with the content database and manages a sales situation of the digital contents, and A content purchase server connected to the content database and accessible to the inventory management database; and a content purchase terminal connected to the network and including an image display unit, and at least one of a content output unit and a content holding unit. Wherein the content sales server creates graphic information for identifying a sellable amount for each type of digital content based on the contents of the inventory amount management database. Transmitting the created graphic information to the content purchase terminal, and when receiving a content purchase application from the content purchase terminal, digital content selected at random from the salable digital content to the content purchase terminal. And updates the inventory management database.The content purchase terminal displays the graphic information transmitted from the content sales server on the image display means, and transmits the graphic information from the content sales server. Outputting the transmitted digital content to a predetermined medium by the content output means,
Alternatively, the content is held in the content holding unit.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a content sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of content purchase terminals 1 and a content sales server 2 are connected to the network 3. When a content purchase application is made from the content purchase terminal 1, randomly selected contents are purchased from the server content sales server 2. This is transmitted to the content purchase terminal 1 that has made the application.

[0008] The content sales server 2 includes a content database 21, an inventory management database 22, a charging database 23, a control unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The content database 21 manages digital contents to be sold, and the inventory management database 22 manages the sales status of the contents managed by the content database 21. The databases 21 and 22 are associated with each other. . The billing database 23 is for registering a customer who wants to purchase digital content from the content purchase terminal 1 and managing billing information. The control unit 24 controls the operation of the entire content sales server 2 including the management of the content database 21, the stock amount management database 22, and the charging database 23. Specifically, the control unit 24 stores a program stored in a storage unit (not shown). Is configured mainly by a processor that operates according to the following. The communication unit 25 controls transmission and reception of data via the network 3.

In this embodiment, an example is described in which the content database 21, the stock quantity management database 22, and the charging database 23 are built in the content sales server 2, but the content database 21, the inventory management database 22, and the charging database 23 are directly connected to the server 2 or via a network. May be provided in another computer connected to the computer. As will be described later, when the charging process is performed by the content purchase terminal 1, the charging database 23 is used.
May be omitted.

The content database 21 manages digital contents to be sold individually, and stores a content ID and a content file in association with each other as shown in FIG. The stock quantity management database 22 manages the sales situation of digital contents stored in the content database 21, and stores a content ID and a stock flag in association with each other, as shown in FIG. As will be described later, the capsule ID and the capsule color are further stored in association with each other in order to graphically display the salable amount for each type of digital content. The type and number of contents corresponding to the capsule ID and the color corresponding to each capsule ID can be appropriately selected according to the contents to be sold. For example, when selling trading cards, capsule colors are assigned according to popular characters, total sales volume, and the like. Also, since the same type of content is sold in large quantities, a plurality of contents are assigned to one capsule ID. The stock flag is set to “1” when the content is stored in the content database 21 and becomes available for sale, and is set to “0” when the content is sold. When the inventory flags of the contents included in the same capsule ID are all “0”, the capsule itself is deleted.

[0011] Upon receiving a content purchase application from the content purchase terminal 1, the content sales server 2 randomly selects a content whose stock flag in the stock amount management database 22 is “1” and assigns the selected content a content ID. The content is retrieved from the content database 21 and transmitted to the content purchase terminal 1 for which the purchase application has been made.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of an example of a content purchase terminal. The terminal device 1 is installed at a store to sell image contents such as trading cards, and includes an image printing device 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, a storage unit 14, a control unit 15, a communication unit. 16, an external memory interface unit 17, and a billing device 18.

The image printing apparatus 11 prints a print based on digital image data transmitted through a network and stored in the storage unit 14. Display 12
Displays the function introduction of the content purchase terminal 1, the introduction of the contents of the sale contents, the information for the purchase operation, etc.
Graphically display the available sales amount for each type of digital content.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a graphic display of the salable amount. The graphic display data is created by the control unit 24 of the content sales server 2 based on the contents of the stock amount management database 22 and transmitted to the content sales terminal 1.
The one stored in the storage unit 14 is used. The displayed capsules 31 correspond to the capsules in the inventory management database 22, and the color display section 32 of each capsule has a corresponding color. The graphic display data is transmitted from the content sales server 2 every time the content of the stock amount management database 22 is updated.

The operation unit 13 is used by a purchaser to input various instructions or data using the content selling terminal 1, and is composed of a touch panel, keys, and the like. The storage unit 14 is used for storage of image information including content image information transmitted from the content sales server, storage of programs, various work areas when the content sales server 1 operates, and the like. The control unit 15 controls the operation of the entire content sales server 1, and is specifically configured mainly by a processor that operates according to a program in the storage unit 14. The communication unit 16 controls transmission and reception of data via the network 3.

The external memory interface unit 17 is used when outputting digital contents to be sold to an external memory, and has a different interface depending on the medium (type of memory card) used as the external memory. I have. Dynamic recording media (CD-R, M
D, MO, etc.), a drive device for each recording medium is connected. The content output to the external memory includes music information, game software, and the like. Billing device 18
Is used when the billing process is performed on the content sales terminal 1 side, and an automatic toll machine, a prepaid card reader, or the like can be used. External memory interface unit 1
7 and the billing device 18 may be omitted depending on the configuration of the system.

Next, the operation when the system described in FIG. 1 is applied to the sale of a trading card named “mobile monster” will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this example, the billing process is performed by inserting a coin into the billing device 18 provided in the content purchase terminal 1.

When the operation of the system is started, the content sales server 2 transmits the demo screen display data and the stock quantity graphic display data to all the content purchase terminals 1 (step 51). After displaying the start screen as shown in FIG. 7A, the content purchasing terminal 1 displays the demonstration screen and the stock amount automatically or by the operation of the user (step 52). The demonstration screen display data includes a function introduction of the content purchase terminal 1, a content introduction of the sales content, information for a purchase operation, and the like. Usually, these pieces of information need only be transmitted once when the operation of the system is disclosed, and stored in the storage unit 14. The content introduction of the sale content is to introduce the image of the content that can be sold and the capsule color on the stock amount display screen in association with each other. This data only needs to be sent once unless the entire content is changed.

When the user who sees the demonstration screen and the stock amount graphic display inserts a coin into the billing device 18 to purchase a card (step 53) and presses a print button (not shown) of the operation unit 13, The print order information is transmitted to the content sales server 2 (Step 54).

Upon receiving the print order information, the content sales server 2 creates shuffled screen display information as shown in FIG. 2B and transmits it to the ordered content purchase terminal 1 (step 55). Content purchase terminal 1
Displays the shuffled screen (step 56). Since there is no problem even if the shuffle screen does not always exactly match the stock amount, the display data transmitted in advance to the content purchase terminal 1 may be used and step 55 may be omitted.

The contents sales server 2 refers to the stock amount management database 22 and randomly determines a stocked content. This determination is made by generating a random number (step 57). Once you decide what content to sell,
The content sales server 2 retrieves the determined content data (image data) from the content database 21 and sends it to the content purchase terminal 1 together with the print waiting display screen data as shown in FIG. 7C (step 58). . Since there is no change in the print waiting display screen, a screen transmitted in advance may be used.

The content purchase terminal 1 sends the transmitted content data (image data) to the image printing device 11 (step 59) and prints an image (step 61). During printing, a printing screen is displayed (step 62). Then, after the printing is completed, the transmitted content data (image data) is discarded (step 63), and a billing process is performed (step 64).

After transmitting the content data (image data) to the content purchase terminal 1, the content sales server 2 updates the inventory flag of the transmitted content ID in the inventory management database 22 to "0" (step 6).
0), create stock amount graphic display data based on the updated contents of the stock amount management database 22, and send it to all the content purchasing terminals 1 (step 6).
5). The content purchase terminal 1 updates the stock quantity graphic display data in the storage unit 14 (step 66).

In the above description, a trading card is purchased using the content purchase terminal 1 installed in a store, but the present invention can be applied to the sale of bromide by idol talent and athletes. As digital contents, not only image information but also music information and game software can be sold.
In this case, the content transmitted to a predetermined recording medium via the external memory interface is recorded.

The content purchase terminal 1 can be applied not only to a large device installed in a store but also to a portable device. In this case, the content to be sold is preferably used by the mobile device itself. When a mobile phone is used as a mobile device, standby image information and music information used as a ringtone are given as examples. If the mobile phone has a game function, game software can be sold.

[0026]

As is apparent from the above description, the content inventory amount is centrally managed on the content sales server side.
By displaying the stock amount in real time on all content purchase terminals by type, there is an effect of inviting users to purchase. Further, even if a purchase application is made, it is not always possible to purchase a desired one, so that amusement is enhanced, and in this respect, there is an effect of inviting a user to purchase. Further, since the contents can be easily replaced, the sales contents can be prevented from becoming obsolete.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a content sales system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a content purchase terminal;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content database.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a stock amount management database;

FIG. 5 is a graphic display example of a salable amount.

FIG. 6 is a processing flow chart at the time of content purchase.

FIG. 7 is a display example of a terminal when purchasing content.

FIG. 8 is an example of a “gachagacha” vending machine

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content purchase terminal device 2 ... Content sales server 3 ... Network 4 ... "Gacha-gacha" vending machine 11 ... Image printing device 12 ... Display unit 13 ... Operation unit 14 ... Storage unit 15 ... Control unit 16 ... Communication unit 17 ... External memory interface unit 18 ... Charging device 21 ... Content database 22 ... Stock amount management database 23 ... Charging Database 24 ・ ・ ・ Control unit 25 ・ ・ ・ Communication unit

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Shingai 3-11-46 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama F-term (reference) in Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. 5B049 BB11 BB61 CC05 FF01 GG02

Claims (50)

[Claims] 1. A contents sales system for selling digital contents via a network, comprising: a contents database for managing digital contents to be sold; and an inventory associated with the contents database for managing the sales status of the digital contents. A quantity management database, a content sales server connected to the network and capable of accessing the content database and the stock quantity management database; and at least one of an image display unit, a content output unit, and a content holding unit connected to the network. And a content purchase terminal comprising: a content sales server, wherein the content sales server has a graph for identifying a sellable amount for each type of digital content based on the contents of the inventory management database. And transmitting the created graphic information to the content purchase terminal. When receiving a content purchase application from the content purchase terminal, a digital content randomly selected from the salable digital content is transmitted. Transmitting the content to the content purchase terminal and updating the inventory management database; the content purchase terminal displays the graphic information transmitted from the content sales server on the image display means, A content sales system wherein the digital content transmitted from the content sales server is output to a predetermined medium by the content output means, or is held in the content holding means. 2. The content sales system according to claim 1, wherein the content sales server generates the graphic information and transmits the graphic information to the content purchase terminal every time the inventory management database is updated. Is a content sales system. 3. The content sales system according to claim 1, wherein the inventory management database manages a sales situation of each of the digital contents. 4. The content sales system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the content database and the inventory management database is provided in the content sales server. 5. The content sales system according to claim 1, further comprising a charging database for managing charging information of a user who can be accessed by said content sales server, wherein said content sales server. Is a content sales system that updates the accounting database when transmitting digital contents randomly selected from the sellable digital contents to the content purchase terminal. 6. The content sales system according to claim 5, wherein the accounting database is provided in the content sales server. 7. The content selling system according to claim 1, wherein the digital content is image information, and wherein the content output unit is an image printing device. 8. The content selling system according to claim 1, wherein the digital content is music information, and the content output unit is a digital information writing device. 9. The content selling system according to claim 1, wherein said digital content is game software, and said content output means is a digital information writing device. 10. The content sales system according to claim 1, wherein the content purchase terminal is a portable device, and wherein the portable device has the content holding unit. . 11. The content selling system according to claim 10, wherein the portable device has a function of a mobile phone. 12. The content sales system according to claim 11, wherein the digital content is standby image information of a mobile phone. 13. The content selling system according to claim 11, wherein the digital content is music information used as a ring tone of a mobile phone. 14. The content sales system according to claim 11, wherein the portable device further has a function of a game device, and wherein the digital content is game software. . 15. The content sales system according to claim 1, wherein the content purchase terminal further comprises a billing device. 16. A network using a content sales server that can access a content database that manages digital content to be sold and an inventory management database that is associated with the content database and manages the sales status of the digital content. A content selling method for selling digital content via a computer, comprising: creating graphic information for identifying a sellable amount for each type of digital content based on the contents of the inventory management database; The information is transmitted to the content purchase terminal via the network and displayed, and when a content purchase application is received from the content purchase terminal, the digital content randomly selected from the sellable digital contents is previously displayed. A content selling method for transmitting the content to a content purchase terminal and updating the inventory management database. 17. The content selling method according to claim 16, wherein the graphic information is created each time the stock quantity management database is updated, and is transmitted to the content purchasing terminal. Method. 18. The content selling method according to claim 16, wherein the inventory management database manages a sales situation of each of the digital contents. 19. The content selling method according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the content database and the inventory management database is provided in the content selling server. 20. The content selling method according to claim 16, further comprising a billing database for managing billing information of the user, wherein the digitally selected digital contents are randomly selected from the sellable digital contents. A content selling method for updating the accounting database when transmitting content to the content purchase terminal. 21. The content selling method according to claim 20, wherein the accounting database is provided in the content selling server. 22. The content selling method according to claim 16, wherein the digital content is image information, and the digital content is output to an image printing apparatus. 23. The content selling method according to claim 16, wherein the digital content is music information and is output to a digital information writing device. 24. The content selling method according to claim 16, wherein the digital content is game software and is output to the digital information writing device. 25. The content selling method according to claim 16, wherein the content purchasing terminal is a portable device, and the portable device is a content selling method having the content holding unit. . 26. The content selling method according to claim 25, wherein the portable device has a function of a mobile phone. 27. The content selling method according to claim 26, wherein the digital content is image information, and is used as standby image information of a mobile phone. 28. The content selling method according to claim 26, wherein the digital content is music information and music information used as a ring tone of a mobile phone. 29. The content selling method according to claim 26, wherein the portable device further has a function of a game device, wherein the digital content is game software, A content sales method executed by the function of the device. 30. The content selling method according to claim 16, wherein the content purchase terminal further comprises a billing device, and when the content purchase application is made from the content purchase terminal,
Content sales method for which billing is performed. 31. A content sales server used in a content sales system that sells digital content via a network, comprising: a content database that manages digital content to be sold; and a digital content server associated with the content database. It is possible to access a stock quantity management database that manages the sales status of the digital content, and, based on the content of the stock quantity management database, create graphic information for identifying a sellable quantity for each type of digital content, The created graphic information is transmitted to a content purchase terminal via a network, and when a content purchase application is received from the content purchase terminal, a digital content selected at random from the sellable digital content. And a content sales server for transmitting the content to the content purchase terminal and updating the inventory management database. 32. The content sales server according to claim 31, wherein the graphic information is created and transmitted to the content purchase terminal every time the inventory management database is updated. 33. The content sales server according to claim 31, wherein the inventory management database manages a sales status of each of the digital contents. 34. The content sales server according to claim 31, wherein the content sales server includes at least one of the content database and the inventory management database. 35. The content selling server according to claim 31, wherein a digital content selected at random from the salable digital content is transmitted to the terminal. A content sales server that updates a billing database that manages billing information. 36. The content sales server according to claim 35, wherein the content sales server includes the accounting database. 37. The content sales server according to claim 31, wherein the digital content is image information. 38. The content sales server according to claim 37, wherein the image information is standby image information of a mobile phone. 39. The content sales server according to claim 31, wherein the digital content is music information. 40. The content sales server according to claim 39, wherein the music information is music information used as a ring tone of a mobile phone. 41. The content sales server according to claim 31, wherein the digital content is game software. 42. A content purchase terminal used in a content sales system that sells digital content via a network, comprising: an image display unit; at least one of a content output unit and a content holding unit; Receiving graphic information for identifying a salable amount for each type from a content sales server connected to the network, displaying the received graphic information on the display means, and submitting a content purchase application to the content sales server. A digital content randomly selected from the salable digital content from the content sales server and output to a predetermined medium by the content output means, or held in the content holding means. Input terminal. 43. The content purchasing terminal according to claim 42, wherein the digital content is image information, and wherein the content output unit is an image printing device. 44. The content purchase terminal according to claim 42, wherein said digital content is music information, and said content output means is a digital information writing device. 45. The content purchase terminal according to claim 42, wherein said digital content is game software, and said content output means is a digital information writing device. 46. The content purchase terminal according to claim 42, further comprising a billing device. 47. The content purchasing terminal according to claim 42, further comprising a mobile phone function. 48. The content purchase terminal according to claim 47, wherein the digital content is standby image information of a mobile phone. 49. The content purchase terminal according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the digital content is music information used as a ringtone of a mobile phone. 50. The content purchasing terminal according to claim 47, further comprising a game device function, wherein the digital content is game software.