JP2002063382A - System and method for registering and distributing contents for portable information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable communication traders to share contents, to give an incentive to a producer, and to improve the quality of the contents by intensively registering the contents and providing a charging system. SOLUTION: This system is equipped with a registration server which receives and registers contents from contents producers and selects contents on the basis of a predetermined examination procedure, a contents server which receives and stores the contents from the registration server and distributes the contents at a distribution request, the portable information equipment which requests the contents server to distribute the contents, and access servers for connecting the portable information terminal to the Internet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content registration / distribution system for a portable information device including a registration server for receiving and registering a large number of contents from a large number of content creators and supplying the content to a content server in response to a request. And methods.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Mobile phones having a function of accessing the Internet are rapidly spreading. Since the display and processing capabilities of this type of mobile phone are inferior to those of a general personal computer, the resources that this mobile phone can access are limited. For this reason, a homepage for this mobile phone is required, but this kind of homepage is also increasing.
Many homepages are free, but depending on the content, there is a charge, and the cost is charged to the user along with the call fee.

In order to provide contents for a fee, a contract must be made with a telephone company of the portable telephone.
However, there are a large number of applicants and telephone companies are not readily available. For this reason, the content provider has to choose between waiting for the order or offering it for free.

[0004]

Conventionally, contents for portable information terminals including this kind of portable telephones are registered and operated by an access server operated by a communication carrier (telephone company). Alternatively, the content creator registered and operated on a server connected to the Internet. According to this method, there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the quality of the content registered in a server on the Internet because it is not possible to charge for each content. Further, the content is enclosed for each communication carrier, and the distribution of the content is hindered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. By registering contents collectively and providing a billing system, a plurality of telecommunications carriers can share contents. To provide incentives and improve the quality of content.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a content registration and distribution system for a portable information device according to the present invention receives a content from a content creator, registers the content, and performs a predetermined examination procedure. A registration server that selects the content by a content server, a content server that receives and stores the content from the registration server, and that distributes the content in response to a distribution request, and a portable information device that requests the content server to distribute the content. A plurality of access servers for connecting the portable information device to the Internet, the content server includes a content distribution restriction memory storing information for restricting distribution for each access server, Content provided based on the contents of the limited memory Limit, characterized in that.

A content registration and distribution system for a portable information device according to the present invention receives a content from a content creator, registers the content, and selects a content according to a predetermined examination procedure. A content server that receives and stores the content from the server and distributes the content in response to a distribution request; a portable information device that requests the content server to distribute the content; and a portable information device that connects the portable information device to the Internet. A plurality of access servers, wherein the content server includes a content distribution restriction memory storing information for restricting distribution for each content, and restricts content to be provided based on the content of the content distribution restriction memory. Features.

Preferably, the registration server provides a registration page for the content creator to input data at the time of registration, and presents a predetermined contract at the time of content registration and sends a message prompting the conclusion of the contract. Send.

[0009] Preferably, the registration server presents a plurality of reward receiving methods at the time of content registration and transmits a message urging the content creator to select any reward receiving method.

Preferably, the registration server includes a memory for storing an access code given when the content creator registers data relating to the content creator, and the content creator stores the access code in a subsequent access. By inputting, input of a part of data can be omitted.

[0011] Preferably, the registration server includes an operation simulator for simulating an operation and display on a target portable information device.

[0012] Preferably, the content server includes a content creator name memory for displaying a creator name designated by the content creator when providing the content.

Preferably, the registration server includes a memory for storing a frequency and / or a usage time of each registered content, and a ranking evaluation unit for ranking the content based on the content of the memory. Prepare.

Preferably, the registration server includes a reward calculation unit that determines a reward amount for each content creator based on an output of the ranking evaluation unit.

[0015] Preferably, the registration server includes a payment processing transfer unit for performing payment by a method designated by the content creator.

Preferably, the registration server has a memory for storing a password set by a content creator when assigning the access code, and self-introduction data for editing self-introduction data when the password is input. When the password is not set, the self-introduction data editing unit protects the content of the self-introduction data as unchangeable.

[0017] A content registration / delivery method for a portable information device according to the present invention receives a content from a content creator, registers the content, and selects a content by a predetermined examination procedure. A content server that receives and stores the content and distributes the content in response to a distribution request; a portable information device that requests the content server to distribute the content; and a plurality of portable information devices that connect the portable information device to the Internet. A method of registering and distributing content for a portable information device in a system including an access server, wherein the registration server receives and registers content from a content creator, and receives a content transmission request from the content server. Sometimes the registration server A step but sending a content corresponding to the request, when receiving a content distribution request from the access server, wherein the content server distributes the content corresponding to the request,
The portable information device receiving the content from the access server and displaying the content;
A step in which the registration server calculates a reward amount of the content based on a frequency and / or a usage time of a content transmission request from the content server; and a step in which the registration server notifies the content creator of the reward amount. And

Preferably, after the registration server transmits the content in response to the transmission request from the content server and the content is not updated, the registration server informs the content creator of the content. Send an add request.

Preferably, the registration server classifies and evaluates the registered content, and transmits the classification and evaluation result to the content server.

Preferably, when there is no content of the genre requested to be transmitted from the content server, the registration server transmits a registration request for the content of the genre to the content creator.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A portable information device content registration / delivery system / method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of this system. The registration server 1 receives the content from the content creator (the content creator client 3), registers the content, and sends the registered content to the content server 2 in response to a request from the content server 2. The portable information device 7 can be connected to the access servers 4 and 5 via the wireless base stations 6a and 6b. The access servers 4 and 5 are connected to a client computer or a portable information terminal (mobile phone) via the Internet, an intranet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like. Since the content server 2 is connected to the Internet 8, the portable information device 7 can access the content server 2 via the Internet and obtain desired content. The registration server 1 is also connected to the Internet 8.

In this system, the registration server 1 collects content from various content creators, but does not distribute itself. The registration server 1 is, so to speak, a pool of contents. The server that needs the content accesses the registration server 1 to have the desired content transmitted, and pays a predetermined cost as a price. The content server 1 does not need to conclude a copyright contract with each creator, but only pays a prescribed content usage fee. The registration server 1 performs cumbersome procedures regarding the copyright contract with the creator and the amount of remuneration.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the registration server 1. The registration server 1 includes a content memory 1 for storing content.
a, an examination procedure memory 1b for storing data relating to a procedure for examining received contents, and a contract memory 1c for storing data of a contract concluded with a creator of the contents when registering the contents.

Further, the registration server 1 includes an operation simulator 11 for operating the registered contents under the same conditions as the provision destination. For example, if the providing destination is a mobile phone having a limited display capability, the behavior simulator 11 performs a simulation in accordance with the display capability, and displays the result on a registration page provided by the registration server 1. The content creator can easily confirm whether the content can be appropriately displayed on the target device on the registration page.

The registration server 1 further includes a reward calculation unit 12 for calculating a reward for the creator, a memory 13 for storing a reward receiving method designated for each creator and a reward amount, and And an equivalent exchange / account transfer unit 14 for receiving a reward amount data and paying the creator by equivalent exchange and / or account transfer. The processing performed by the processing unit 14 is to transmit predetermined data between financial machines or the like in order to cancel a transaction and / or transfer a predetermined amount to a designated account. It may be an account managed by the server. In short, the processing unit 14 generates data corresponding to the designated method and sends it to a predetermined partner (a mainframe computer, a server, or the like) in order to pay by the method specified by the content creator.

Further, the registration server 1 has a memory 1 for storing an access code and / or a password for each creator.
6, a memory 17 for storing self-introduction data, and a self-introduction data editing unit 15 for editing self-introduction data. The self-introduction data can be edited by inputting the password. Editing is not possible if no password has been set.

Further, a memory 19 for storing a content providing frequency and / or a use time thereof,
Or, a ranking evaluation unit 18 for ranking contents based on usage time.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the content server 2. The content server 2 includes a memory 2a for storing the content received from the registration server 1, a memory 2b for storing the evaluation result of the content, a memory 2c for storing data for restricting distribution for each access server, and a content production server. And a memory 2d for storing the name of the person.

The memory 2c may store data for restricting distribution for each content. Alternatively, both data for each content and for each access server may be stored. The distribution restriction data for each content is stored when the registrant registers inappropriate content, when the administrator of the system determines that the release of the content is inappropriate, or due to a complaint from the user. This is so that the publication of the content can be stopped when the administrator determines that the publication of the content is inappropriate.

Next, the operation will be described. S1 to S9 of FIG. 4 show a basic flow from registration to provision of content. The content creators A and / or B register their contents in the registration server 1 (S1). The registration server 1 performs an examination based on a predetermined procedure (S2). The examination does not violate public order and morals, for example, whether the content is suitable for display on a portable information device (content exceeding the display capability is inappropriate), or whether the content conforms to the operation policy of the registration server 1. Whether or not it is done. Register the content based on the result of the review. The registration server 1 notifies the content creator A and / or B of the presence or absence of registration.

The registration server 1 transmits the registered contents to the contents server 2 (S3). When there is access from the portable information device 7 via the access server A and / or B (S4, S7), the content server 2 extracts the requested content (S5, S8) and provides the content. (S6, S9).

Steps S10 in FIG. 4 to S24 in FIG. 5 show detailed procedures when the content creator registers the content in the registration server 1. First, the content creator transmits a registration request for the content to the registration server 1 (S10). The registration server 1 presents the contract (S11). The contract is
For example, the copyright is owned by the creator, and the registration server 1 simply transmits the content to the content server 2 under predetermined conditions and pays a certain reward to the creator. A content creator can sign a contract with another person who wants the content when the evaluation of the content increases. The registration server 1 provides a less famous content creator with an opportunity to make an announcement. In this regard,
It is desirable that the registration server 1 has a large storage device and registers a large number of contents, and provides one or a plurality of content lists in response to an inquiry from the content server 1. For example, when the content server 1 requests a content of a certain genre, it is desirable that the registration server 1 presents a plurality of contents belonging to the genre and also shows an outline / reputation (evaluation result).

When the content creator agrees with the contract, the content creator signs the fact together with a publicly known electronic signature.
(S12). In response, the registration server 1 permits the registration and issues an ID (S13). The content creator requests registration of the content with the given ID (S14). Prior to registration, the registration server 1 requests the creator to indicate a plurality of reward receiving methods and select one of these methods (S15). The creator 16 notifies the reward receiving method (S16), and transmits the content to request the registration (S17).

Further, the content creator transmits its own registration data (S18) and gives an access code to it (S19). As a result, in the subsequent registration procedure, it is only necessary to input the access code instead of inputting the registration data.

Further, the content creator transmits self-introduction data (S20). The self-introduction data registered in the registration server 1 cannot be changed after the attribute of alteration prohibition is set. However, if a password is set at the time of registration (S21), an access code is transmitted (S21).
22) The self-introduction data can be edited only when the password is transmitted (S23) (S2).
4).

Next, a description will be given of a procedure for evaluating content and determining a reward. FIG. 6 shows a case where the evaluation (popularity) of the content is high and the reward is high. Content is
Suppose that it is divided into several parts like a serial novel. Content creators can categorize content as part 1, part 2,
(S30-1 and S30-2). The timing of transmission is arbitrary. The registration server 1 registers the received content (S31, S32). When there is a content transmission request from the content server 2 (S3
In 3), the registration server 1 first transmits the first part of the content (S34). There is a request for content distribution from the access server (that is, the portable information device 7) (S38).
At this time, the content is distributed (S39). Note that, when the content is stored in the content distribution restriction memory 2c indicating that the content is prohibited from being distributed to the access server, the registration server 1 does not distribute the content. In addition, since the distribution is prohibited for each access server, the portable information device 7 may be able to receive the distribution of the content within the area of another access server. For example, in the case of a content service limited to an area, the content can be received if the portable information device 7 enters the area of the wireless base station covering the area. Alternatively, when only a specific access server can receive the distribution of the content, the portable information device 7 having the authority to access the access server can receive the distribution of the content. Content server 2
Monitors the access status to the content and evaluates the content (S42).

When there is a second content transmission request from the content server 2 (S40), the registration server 2
The second part of the content is transmitted (S41). The content server 2 similarly distributes the second part (S43, S4
4).

When there is a third content transmission request from the content server 2 (S45), the registration server 3
The third part of the content is transmitted (S46), and since the fourth part to be distributed next has not been received, a request is made to the content creator to add the content (S5).
4). At the same time, the registration server 1 notifies the distribution status of the content, for example, how many content servers have received a distribution request, the total number of distribution requests, and what number it is in all registered contents. With this notification, the content creator can objectively know the reputation of his content.

The registration server 1 notifies the content creator of the reward (S53). The reward amount is determined, for example, according to the number of distributions of the content. In the example of FIG. 6, the content is distributed three times. Assuming that the reward amount per time is x, the reward amount is 3 × x. On the other hand, FIG.
In the example, the content is registered but not distributed at all. In this case, the reward is zero.

The reward amount x per time is determined by, for example, the order of contents registered in the registration server. For example, if a total of 100 contents are registered in the registration server, the total number of distributions (for example, three times when distributed to one content server as shown in FIG. Ranking is also performed in the order of 3 times when content is distributed). X1 for each reward of rankings 1-5, x2 for the same reward for rankings 6-10, ranking 10
If the same reward is 20 for x3, the same reward for rankings 20-40 is x4, and the lower reward is x5, then x1>
x2>x3>x4> x5. Note that a popularity vote from the content server and / or the portable information device may be used together with or instead of the total number of distributions.

The above-described reward amount determination method is characterized in that a commonly used access number is not used. This is based on the number of contents distributed from the registration server to the contents server. The content server operator does not want to output the information on the number of accesses to the outside, and even if it does, it cannot confirm whether the number of accesses is correct. According to the system / method of the embodiment of the present invention, such a problem does not occur because the number of distributed contents is used. This is because the content server does not need to output the number of accesses to the outside, and it is not necessary to keep the number of content distribution requests to the registration server secret. This is because the registration server collects the content and makes a contract for the content collectively, and the content server simply uses the content.

On the other hand, for the content creator,
There is an advantage that a certain reward is automatically obtained if the content is distributed to the content server only by registering the content in the registration server 1 by a relatively simple procedure.
The registration server 1 does not reject the registration of the content in principle. This is because the registration server 1 aims at pooling the contents.

Next, a procedure for guiding content and a procedure for requesting content registration will be described with reference to FIG.

The content creators A and B transmit the contents A and B, respectively (S70A and S70B). The registration server 1 registers them (S71A, S71B). The registration server 1 classifies the registered contents by genre and evaluates the contents (S72). For example, business,
Classify by genre such as practicality and hobby. This can be done by having the content creator input a classification code at the time of registration, or by searching the contents of the content and extracting frequently occurring keywords, and comparing this keyword with a table prepared in advance. It is also possible to determine which one it belongs to and classify it into the genre to which it belongs. The evaluation may be judged by reading the content.However, to automatically perform the evaluation, for example, extract the date and time of creation, the amount of text, the number of figures, tables, and photos and provide them as evaluation parameters Can be considered.

The registration server 1 broadcasts the registered contents guide together with the classification / evaluation data to the contents server (S73). Based on this guidance, the content server requests distribution of the content.

On the other hand, instead of specifying a specific content, the content server may specify a genre and request to send some contents belonging to the genre. In this case, the registration server 1 sends if there is any content of the corresponding genre, but if there is no content after searching (S81), the registration server 1 broadcasts a registration request for the content of the genre to the content creator (S82). ).

According to the procedure shown in FIG. 8, the registration server 1 can sell the content, while the content server can search for the desired content and / or prompt the production of the content.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, this is done.

In this specification, means does not necessarily mean physical means, but also includes a case where the function of each means is realized by software.
Further, the function of one unit may be realized by two or more physical units, or the function of two or more units may be realized by one physical unit.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, high-quality contents can be collected and the contents can be shared worldwide.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a registration server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a content server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a basic flow chart from content registration to provision according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a detailed flow chart when a content creator registers content in a registration server.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed procedure when the content creator according to the embodiment of the present invention registers content in the registration server.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a procedure for evaluating content and determining a reward for the content according to the embodiment of the present invention (when the evaluation of the content is high and the reward is high).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a procedure for evaluating content and determining a reward for the content according to the embodiment of the present invention (content evaluation is low and there is no reward).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a content guidance procedure and a content registration request procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Registration Server 2 Content Server 3 Content Creator Client (PC) 4, 5 Access Server 6 Wireless Base Station 7 Portable Information Equipment (Terminal) 8 Internet

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Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A registration server for receiving and registering content from a content creator, selecting a content by a predetermined examination procedure, receiving and storing the content from the registration server, and responding to a distribution request. A content server that distributes the content,
A portable information device that requests the content server to distribute the content; and a plurality of access servers for connecting the portable information device to the Internet. The content server restricts distribution for each of the access servers. A content registration and distribution system for a portable information device, comprising: a content distribution restriction memory for storing information of the content distribution restriction memory; 2. A registration server for receiving and registering content from a content creator, selecting a content by a predetermined examination procedure, receiving and storing the content from the registration server, and responding to a distribution request. A content server that distributes the content,
A portable information device that requests the content server to distribute the content; and a plurality of access servers for connecting the portable information device to the Internet. The content server has information for restricting distribution for each content. A content registration and distribution system for portable information devices, comprising: a content distribution restriction memory for storing the content, and restricting contents to be provided based on the contents of the content distribution restriction memory. 3. The registration server provides a registration page for the content creator to input data at the time of registration, and transmits a message prompting the conclusion of the contract by presenting a predetermined contract at the time of content registration. The content registration / delivery system for a portable information device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The registration server presents a plurality of reward receiving methods at the time of content registration and transmits a message urging the content creator to select any reward receiving method. The content registration / delivery system for a portable information device according to claim 3. 5. The registration server includes a memory for storing an access code given when the content creator registers data relating to the content creator, and the content creator inputs the access code in a subsequent access. 4. The content registration / delivery system for a portable information device according to claim 3, wherein the input of a part of the data can be omitted. 6. The content registration / delivery system for portable information devices according to claim 1, wherein the registration server includes an operation simulator for simulating operation and display on a target portable information device. . 7. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the content server includes a content creator name memory for displaying a creator name designated by the content creator when the content is provided. Content registration and distribution system for information devices. 8. The registration server includes: a memory for storing a frequency and / or a use time of each registered content; and a ranking evaluation unit for ranking the content based on the content of the memory. 3. The content registration / delivery system for a portable information device according to claim 1, wherein: 9. The portable information according to claim 8, wherein the registration server includes a reward calculation unit that determines a reward amount for each content creator based on an output of the ranking evaluation unit. Device content registration and distribution system. 10. The portable information device content registration / delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the registration server includes a payment processing transfer unit for performing payment in a method designated by the content creator. 11. The registration server includes: a memory for storing a password set by a content creator when assigning the access code; and a self-introduction data editor for editing self-introduction data when the password is input. The self-introduction data editing unit protects the content of the self-introduction data as being unchangeable when the password is not set. Content registration distribution system. 12. A registration server for receiving and registering content from a content creator, selecting a content by a predetermined examination procedure, receiving and storing the content from the registration server, and responding to a distribution request. A content for a portable information device in a system comprising: a content server that distributes the content; a portable information device that requests the content server to distribute the content; and a plurality of access servers for connecting the portable information device to the Internet. A method of registering and distributing the content, wherein the registration server receives content from a content creator and registers the content, and when the content server receives a content transmission request, the registration server responds to the request. Sending content When receiving a content distribution request from the access server, the content server distributes the content corresponding to the request; and the portable information device receives the content from the access server and displays the content. The step, the registration server calculates a reward amount of the content based on the frequency and / or usage time of a content transmission request from the content server; and the registration server sends the reward amount to the content creator. Notifying a content registration / delivery method for a portable information device. 13. After the registration server receives the transmission request from the content server and transmits the content, if the content is not updated, the registration server adds the content to the content creator. The method according to claim 12, wherein the request is transmitted. 14. The content registration / delivery for a portable information device according to claim 12, wherein the registration server classifies and evaluates the registered content and transmits the classification and evaluation result to the content server. Method. 15. The content server according to claim 12, wherein the registration server sends a registration request for the content of the genre to the content creator when there is no content of the genre requested to be transmitted from the content server.
Content registration and distribution method for portable information devices as described in