JP2002074027A - Contents distribution method and contents distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents distribution and utilization method and a system, capable of conducting flexible distribution control by selecting the optimum distribution method and distribution sorting. SOLUTION: A client sets an order rule which is a rule of the distribution and utilization of contents set by a user for each contents, transfers it to a center, and the center receives the order rule; applies the utilization rule set previously by a contents holder to the contents requested by the user; conducts the control of contents distribution and the formation of a contents format to the order rule and the utilization rule; distributes the contents format to the client and controls the utilization of the contents of the user, based on the contents of the contents format received by the client.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content distribution method and a content distribution apparatus, and more particularly to a content distribution method for distributing data from a center to a client via a computer network and controlling the use of the distribution data. The present invention relates to a content distribution device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a means for a user to obtain contents, a user accesses a homepage,
In general, when there is content to be downloaded, a download request is issued on the spot, and the content is downloaded in a pull type.

[0003] As a content delivery type, delivery guarantee is performed on the Internet in which delivery contents are not guaranteed and delivery is performed on a best-effort basis, and where a function of resuming an interruption point and arrival confirmation is provided and delivery is reliably performed. There is a case of delivery by type.

[0004] Further, in the case of delivery on a best-effort basis, contents are temporarily delivered to a post-office box for each user on the network, and the user accesses the post-office box periodically and receives the contents in the post-office box. There is a method of downloading from a post office box to a user terminal.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a first conventional content distribution method, and shows a method of using content based on a usage rule of a content holder.

[0006] For the content to be distributed, a usage rule set for the content by the content holder is added, and the user is sent via the computer distribution center as a distribution format constituted by the usage rule and the content. It will be delivered. Therefore, a format is generally used in a user terminal in which usage is performed based on a usage rule. The rules of use in this case are:
Rights information (encryption) for encrypting content,
Distribution restriction information (region / member / terminal) for restricting the distribution area, etc., usage count information for restricting use at the user terminal, usage period information, and the like are set. In this case, only the usage rule of the content holder is added to the content, and the content is distributed to the user. The usage rule is set by the user to restrict the use of the content, and is a rule in which only the intention of the content holder is set.

[0007] Furthermore, there is a shopping basket function as a function provided when a user purchases content on the Internet. With this function, the user selects a plurality of contents and purchases them collectively. It is possible to do. FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining a second conventional content distribution method, and shows a content purchase method based on the order content of a user.

In this case, the content is distributed based on the order rule of the user, and the data to be distributed to the user includes the use of the content holder in the content distribution center in the same manner as described above. Only the rules are added and distributed to the user, and the usage rules and order rules are managed independently and processed independently.

[0009]

However, in the case of downloading the content by the above-mentioned conventional pull type, the content is distributed to the terminal that has issued the download request, and therefore, is located at a different place from the terminal that has issued the download request. There is a problem that it is not possible to meet the needs of distribution, delivery to a friend, and the like (hereinafter referred to as delivery to places other than the home position).

[0010] Further, as for the delivery method, although various types of delivery such as pull-type ad hoc delivery are usually supported, various delivery methods such as reservation delivery for specifying delivery time and regular delivery for regular delivery are available. There is a problem that a service provider or a service user cannot flexibly change according to the type of content.

[0011] Each of the conventional content delivery types (best effort type / delivery guarantee type) is also an independent system, and can be operated according to the content type or according to the request of the service provider or service user. It cannot respond to flexible changes.

Also, in the conventional method of using a post-office box of the best-effort type, a problem of the capacity of the post-office box occurs when the capacity of the content becomes large.

[0013] Further, since the method of distributing the content based on the usage rule, which is distributed as a distribution format composed of the usage rule and the content, does not include the intention of the user, the user's permission is obtained. Unable to collect usage histories in a way that does not support services such as reproducing the contents of multiple received contents in the order that the user wants to see, or digesting them. It does not lead to improved serviceability or convenience.

Further, in the method using the shopping basket function, when the user tries to use the received content, the usage method is based on the usage rule of the content holder. It does not lead to improvements or convenience.

[0015] As described above, in the conventional content distribution method, the usage rule mainly related to the service provider and the order rule mainly related to the service user are separately managed and processed. However, there is a problem that both the service provider and the service user cannot flexibly perform optimal distribution control and usage control of the content.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a content distribution method and a content distribution apparatus capable of selecting an optimal distribution method and a distribution type and performing flexible distribution control. With the goal.

[0017]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention (claim 1) provides:
In a content distribution method for distributing content from a center to a client via a computer network, when an order rule, which is a rule relating to delivery and use, is received for each content set by a user,
The usage rule set in advance by the content holder is applied to the content in which the order rule is set, the content distribution is controlled for the order rule and the usage rule, and the content format is generated. Distribute the format.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content format main body including a content header section and a content data section, and a content header management section used to manage a plurality of main bodies of the content format collectively. The use of the content of the user is controlled using the configured content format.

According to the present invention (claim 3), the content header portion of the content format is generated from the basic content information set by the content holder, the usage rule, and the order rule set by the user or the business entity.

According to the present invention (Claim 4), when the content format is delivered, the delivery instruction format can be either delivery by a delivery guarantee type that ensures delivery or delivery type by a best effort type that does not guarantee delivery content. Is specified.

According to the present invention (claim 5), when delivery is performed from a center to a client according to a delivery type of a best effort type, a content storage location on the Internet is indicated in a user's post-office box. Deliver the access list format.

The present invention (claim 6) is a content distribution apparatus for distributing a content to a client as a content distribution destination via a computer network, wherein the client distributes and uses content set by a user. Upon receiving an order rule, which is a rule relating to the content, a usage rule set in advance by a content holder is applied to the content requested by the user, control of content distribution to the order rule and the usage rule, and And a content format distribution unit that distributes the content format to the client.

According to the present invention (claim 7), in the content format generating means, in order to control the use of the content of the client, a main body of the content format comprising a content header section and a content data section, and a plurality of content format sections are provided. It includes means for generating a content format constituted by a content header management unit used to manage the main body unit collectively.

According to the present invention (claim 8), in the content format generation means, the content header portion of the content format is determined by the content basic information set by the content holder, the usage rule, and the order rule set by the user or the business operator. Including means for generating.

According to the present invention (claim 9), in the content format delivery means, the delivery instruction format includes one of a delivery by a delivery guarantee type that ensures delivery and a delivery type by a best effort type that does not guarantee delivery contents. Including means to specify.

According to the present invention (claim 10), in the content format delivery means, before delivery of the content format, when the delivery is performed according to the delivery type of the best effort type, the content on the Internet is actually stored in the user's post-office box. Means for delivering the format of the content access list indicating the location. As described above, the present invention manages the usage rule set by the content holder and the order rule set by the user in a format and matches them, thereby selecting the optimum delivery method and delivery type, and providing a flexible method. This corresponds to performing distribution control.

Further, as the data to be distributed to the user, a content format is generated with the usage rule and the order rule as header components, and the content format is distributed to the user terminal. Optimum use control of content based on the content of Conventionally, headers added to content include
Although only the usage rules set by the content holder have been set, in the present invention, in addition to the usage rules, necessary elements of the order rules set by the user are added and distributed, so that the user's wishes are also added. Use of content in a form can be controlled.

Also, when performing delivery using a POE box on a network in a Beseffort type, only an access list describing the actual content storage location is delivered to the PO Box, and the actual state of the content is By not copying, it is possible to solve the problem of the PO Box space.

[0029]

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of the present invention.

The system shown in FIG.
00, a service provider site 200, a content delivery center 300, a user terminal 400, and a computer network 500.

A user service request terminal 100, which is a terminal for a user to make a service request, is a PC, im-
ode (registered trademark) etc.
It is connected to a computer network 500.

A user terminal 400 such as a PC or KIOKI, which is a terminal for receiving the content and using the received content, has a content reception / use management AP.
410 is set and the computer network 5
00 is connected.

The service provider site 200 includes an order request management section 210, a delivery management section 220, and a content 2
30.

The content delivery center 300 includes a content registration management section 310, an order request reception management section 320, a member management section 360, a business management section 370, a process management section 340, a delivery management section 330, a log management section 350, and various databases. Group 380, post office box 392, content 391
Consists of

The various database groups 380 include a member database 381, a business operator database 382, a content information / use rule database 383, an order rule database 384, and a delivery schedule database 38.
5, an order / delivery log database 386 and a usage history database 387.

An outline of the operation in the above configuration will be described.

According to the present invention, a format is generated based on a usage rule of a content holder holding texts, videos, pictures / pictures, software, audio / music, etc. and a user's order rules, and distribution usage management is performed. The content is distributed with a content holder usage rule and a user order rule added thereto.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the operation of the present invention.

In the following description, the numbers in the circles and the circles in FIG.
The numbers in parentheses shall correspond.

It is necessary for the service provider to access the content distribution center 300 and set content information and usage rules in advance. The content information is basic information for the content, and the usage rule defines a rule specified by the content holder for the content.

When the user enters the user service request terminal 10
When the service provider site 200 is accessed from 0 through the computer network 500 and the order rule is set, the order rule is delivered from the service provider site 200 to the content delivery center 300 via the computer network 500. The order rules are various rules set by the user regarding the delivery and use of the content.

The content delivery center 300 generates an order ID, registers the accepted order rule, and manages a delivery schedule. When the delivery time comes, an order rule is acquired from the order ID, a usage rule is acquired from the content ID described in the order rule, and a content header is generated based on the order rule and the usage rule. After generating the content header, a delivery instruction format is generated, and the delivery instruction format is transmitted to the delivery management unit 330 in which the content to be delivered exists. When generating the delivery instruction format, necessary information is also obtained from the member database 381 and the business operator database 382 in order to obtain the delivery information. The content can be managed in the service provider site 200 or in the content delivery center 300. There are two types of content, and the configuration is compatible with both types.

The delivery management unit 330 of the content delivery center 300 generates a content format according to the contents of the delivery instruction format, and depending on the designated delivery type, either delivery based on the delivery guarantee type or delivery based on the best effort type. Delivery method. In the case of the delivery guarantee type, for example, ep of the existing service
Services such as arcel correspond. For best-effort delivery, a PO Box for each user
Indicated where the content is stored on the Internet,
The format of the content access list is delivered, and the user refers to the content access list, confirms the actual content storage location, and receives the content format. As shown in FIG. 3, the content format generated by the delivery management unit 330 includes a content format main unit including a content header unit and a content unit, and a content used to manage a plurality of content format main units together. It is composed of a header management unit.

The content header section is composed of basic content information and usage rules set by the content holder, and order rules set by the user or the business operator. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the content header management unit of the present invention. Examples of setting of content header management information include format type, order ID, first content ID,
The Nth content ID is set. Also, "Res
reserved area is also provided.
It is possible to cope with addition and change of parameters. The format type defines and sets a value for identifying that this format is a content header management unit.

The order ID is the content delivery center 30
0 is generated. The ID is unique for each order request.

The first to Nth content IDs are set to manage the order and relevance of a plurality of content formats.

When the content format is delivered to the user, the content reception / use management AP 410 of the user terminal 400 controls the use of the content based on the content of the received content format.

The above usage rules include rights protection (encryption) distribution restrictions (area / member / terminal), usage restrictions (frequency
Period), whether or not to obtain a rating, permission to edit a plurality of contents, and the like.

The above-mentioned content order rules include permission for audience rating acquisition, selection and ordering of a plurality of contents, desire for program generation (organization of a plurality of selected contents as a program, or addition of promotion contents / similar contents to a program) Etc.), whether or not you would like to receive recommended information,
A delivery environment designation (dedicated software or mail), a delivery terminal designation (PC, KIOSK, or various mail terminals, etc.), a delivery method (as needed, on a regular basis, or a reservation), a delivery date, and the like are included.

Next, the business operator database 3 in FIG.
The configuration of 82 and its use will be described.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the company management table of the company database of the present invention.

The business management table is used for business authentication and delivery confirmation. Examples of data items include a business operator ID, a business password, a business name, a business host name, a business use delivery management URL, a delivery system company connection ID, and a delivery system company connection password.

When the service provider site 200 of the company accesses the content distribution center 300, the company authentication is performed using the company ID and the password.

When the delivery type is a delivery guarantee type, it is necessary to connect to a delivery system company.
Refer to the delivery system company connection ID for connection,
Acquire the delivery system company connection password and generate the delivery instruction format. In accordance with the generated delivery instruction format, a delivery instruction is issued to the delivery management unit 330 used by the business operator. At this time, the business operator of the business database 382 The use delivery management unit URL is used. The business name and the business host name are used to identify the business.

Next, the member database 38 in FIG.
1 and its use will be described.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of the member management table of the member database according to the present invention.

The member management table is used for authentication of members and confirmation of delivery contents. Examples of data items include a member ID, a member password, a member name, a delivery address, a default terminal, a member software ID, and a member software version. , A member personal post office box URL.

When a request for setting an order rule is made via the service provider site 200, member authentication is performed using a member ID and a password. The delivery address is used when delivery is performed by the delivery guarantee type, and is set to an address registered with the delivery system company. For the default terminal, set the terminal that the user uses by default.

As the terminal type, for example, PC, KIO
SK, a dedicated terminal for home appliances, and the like are set. Normally, if no delivery terminal is specified in the order rule, delivery to the default use terminal is performed.

The member software ID is the ID of the content reception / use management AP 410 installed on the PC by the member.
, And a unique ID is assigned to each piece of software. The member software ID can also be used as a key when encrypting the content.

The member software version is the content reception / use management AP 410 installed on the PC by the member.
Is set.

The member personal post-office box URL is set to indicate the location of the post-office box to be used when the delivery is performed in the best-effort manner as the delivery type, and is used in the best-effort delivery.

The member name is used to identify the member.

[0064]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, in the content distribution center 300, registration of a business entity as a service provider and registration of a member as a service user are performed. Also, the user terminal 400
In, the content reception / use management AP 410 is set.

The system of the present invention defines various formats and exchanges information between the control programs of the service provider site 200 and the content distribution center 300. XML standardized as HTML is used. At the beginning of various formats described below, a parameter indicating the format type is set,
This is like an identifier for distinguishing each format, and is set to indicate what the format is.

Further, "Reser" is included in each format.
A spare area indicated by "ved" is also provided, in order to make it possible to cope with additional changes in parameters. Before the user uses the service, the service provider needs to register the content in the content delivery center 300.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a content registration process according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Step 101) There are two methods of storing the entity of the content, that is, storage at the service provider site 200 and storage at the content delivery center 300. When storing the content, first, the content is uploaded. Here, uploading is performed using FTP or the like.

Step 102) Next, the service provider site 200 accesses the content registration acceptance homepage using a WWW browser.

Step 103) The service provider site 200 requests the content distribution center 300 for business authentication using a business ID and a password.

Step 104) The content delivery center 300 authenticates the business operator and returns the result to the service provider site 200.

Step 105) When the authentication is OK,
On the service provider site 200, a content registration screen is displayed, and the service provider site 200 repeats the registration process from here on for the number of contents to be registered.
At the time of registration, the content registration reception homepage temporarily generates a content registration request format, and after checking the content of the format, if there is no problem, registers in the content information / use rule DB 383. The check of the format content includes, for example, processing such as a character string check.

FIG. 8 shows the structure of a content registration request format according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content registration request format is a format used when the content holder accesses the content registration management unit 310 of the content distribution center 300 and sets the content basic information and the usage rule. As a setting example of the content basic information, A format type, a company ID, a selling price, a content title name, a content file name, a genre, a recommended content ID, and a similar content ID are set.

Examples of setting of usage rules include a sales date, a sales end date, the number of sales, a right protection flag, the number of times of use,
A use period, a distribution area, a distribution restriction member, a distribution terminal, a rating acquisition request flag, and a programming permission flag are set.

Each item of the usage rule, such as sales date, sales end date, number of sales, distribution area, distribution restriction member, and distribution terminal, is a variety of items which are restrictions when accepting an order from a user on the service provider site 200. Indicates a condition. The contents set for each item are as follows.

Distribution terminal: a terminal capable of distributing content; rights protection flag: set when distributing encrypted content; number of times of use, period of use: user terminal 400 after distribution
Represents various conditions controlled by the content reception / usage management AP 410 of the following; A rating acquisition request flag: Set when a rating is desired to be acquired; Program scheduling permission flag: When the use as a program is permitted Is set. The use as a program indicates that a plurality of contents can be collectively managed and the order management can be performed.

In the content registration management section 310, after the content holder requests the setting of the content registration request format, the content information and the usage rule are transferred to the content information / usage rule.
It is stored in the usage rule database 383. The content information / usage rule database 383 includes a content-related table and a use rule management table. FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the content association table according to one embodiment of the present invention. The content related table includes a content information table, a recommended information table, and a similar information table. As setting examples of the content information, a content ID, a selling price, a content title name, a content file name, and a genre are set. The contents set for each item are as follows.

Content ID: An ID unique to each content automatically set by the content distribution center 300; Recommended information: Content ID, Recommended content I
D; · Similar information: content ID, similar content ID; FIG. 10 shows a configuration of a usage rule management table according to an embodiment of the present invention. Examples of setting usage rules include content ID, sales date, sales end date, number of sales, right protection flag,
The number of times of use, the use period, the distribution area, the distribution restriction member, the distribution terminal, the audience rating acquisition flag, and the programming permission flag are set.

Next, the order request receiving process will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the order request receiving process according to one embodiment of the present invention. Step 201) The user accesses the service provider site 200 using the WWW browser of the user service request terminal 100.

Step 202) Here, the user service request terminal 100 makes a content search request to the service provider site 200 as necessary.

Step 203) The service provider site 200 searches for a content from the content information / usage rule 383.

Step 204) Next, the user service request terminal 100 sets an order rule. The user sets the order rule and makes a purchase request.

Step 205) The order request management section 210 of the service provider site 200 receives the instruction,
An order rule setting request format is generated and transmitted to the order request reception management section 320 of the content distribution center 300.

Step 206) After analyzing the contents of the order rule setting request format of the contents delivery center 300, the contents of the business operator authentication, the member authentication, and the order rule setting request format are confirmed.

Step 207) If the content is OK,
An order ID is issued, and an order / delivery log is set as a temporary log of order reception. The order ID is transmitted to the user service request terminal 100.

Step 208) User service terminal 1
At 00, the payment screen is displayed at the same time as the order ID is delivered.

Step 209) Here, the user selects a payment method on the payment screen, and performs final purchase confirmation and payment processing.

Step 210) The settlement is performed using the settlement system prepared by the service provider site 200, based on the settlement method designated by the user.

Step 211) If the settlement is OK,
The settlement result is displayed to the user. The order ID is
It is also possible to write on the medium as needed. For delivery other than the home position, for example, when delivery is specified to the KIOSK terminal, just insert the medium with KIOSK,
It is also possible to automatically read the order ID and receive the delivered content.

Step 212) When the order rule and the settlement information are transmitted to the order request reception management section 320 of the content distribution center 300, the order request reception management section 320
Then, the order ID and the order rule are reconfirmed, and the actual registration of the order rule is performed on the order / delivery log DB 386. Here, regarding the settlement information transmitted from the order request management unit 210 of the service provider site 200,
Define the format separately or use “R” in the order rule.
"served" and is notified from the service provider site to the content distribution center. The payment information indicates a payment type and a payment status, and the payment type includes a payment type performed on the service provider site 200,
For example, credit settlement, prepaid settlement, and the like are set, and the settlement status is set to completed / not completed.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of an order rule setting request format according to an embodiment of the present invention. The order rule setting request format is generated by the order request management unit 210 of the service provider site 200 when the user sets the order rule at the service provider site 200,
This is a format to be delivered to the content delivery center 300. As a setting example, the format type, the provider I
D, order ID, order requester ID, number of contents, delivery method, delivery date, delivery type, recommended information addition flag,
A similar information addition flag, a rating acquisition permission flag, a program generation request flag, a sequence change, a content deletion, a software version upgrade, and first to Nth content IDs are set.

The order rule setting request format is usually delivered twice to the content delivery center 300 in one process. This is usually accompanied by an order request,
This is because payment processing may occur, and it is necessary to check whether the order content set by the user is correct before payment. First, the content delivery center 300 checks whether the order content is correct.
Used to make a check request to. If there is no problem in the first check, at this time, the order request reception management section 320 of the content distribution center 300 generates an order ID and transmits the order ID to the order request management section 220 of the service provider site 200. After the settlement is completed, the delivery is performed again, whereby the reception by the order request reception management section 320 of the content distribution center 300 is completed. The following contents are set in each item of the format of the order rule setting request.

Format type: A value for identifying the order of the order rule setting request format is defined and set; Order ID: Not set at the time of the first check. When making the second final request, the order ID acquired from the content distribution center 300; ・ Order requester ID: Usually, the order is from the user, so the member ID is set. When controlling his / her terminal remotely, the order requester may be a business entity, in which case a business operator ID is set.

・ Number of contents: Total number of contents selected this time; ・ Delivery method: Any time delivery, reservation delivery, regular delivery; ・ Delivery terminal: PC, KIOSK, home appliance dedicated terminal, etc .; ・ Delivery type: Best effort type Either delivery or guaranteed delivery type;-Recommended information addition flag: Set if you want recommended information;-Similar information addition flag: Set if you want similar information;-Audience rating acquisition permission flag: Audience rate Set when permitting acquisition of program; Program creation desired flag; Set when delivery as program is desired; Change order, delete content, upgrade software version; Service provider remotely controls own terminal Control of remote terminal content,
Used for software control.

For the first to Nth content IDs, the content IDs are set in the order set by the user and are used in order management of programs.

After receiving the second order rule setting request format, the order request reception management section 320 of the content distribution center 300 stores the order rule and the order log in the order rule database 384.

FIG. 13 shows the configuration of an order rule related management table according to an embodiment of the present invention. The order rule related management table of the order rule database 384 is composed of an order rule table and an order management table. Examples of setting order rules include order ID, order requester ID, number of contents, recommended information addition flag, similar information addition flag, audience rating acquisition permission flag, program generation desired flag, order change, content deletion, and software version up. Is set.

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of an order / delivery log management table according to an embodiment of the present invention. The order / delivery log management table of the order / delivery log database 386 shown in FIG. 8 includes an order log table and a delivery log table. As an example of setting the order log, an order ID, an order reception date, an order requester ID, a payment type, a payment status, a delivery method, a scheduled delivery date and time, a delivery terminal, a delivery type, and an order reception status are set. As for the order reception status, completion of order content confirmation, completion of order reception, error reason, and the like are set. In the delivery log table, an order ID, a delivery content ID, a rights protection content, a content delivery status, a content key delivery status, and the like are set.

Next, the process management will be described.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process management process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Step 301) The process management section 340 of the content delivery management center 300 constantly monitors the order reception status of the order / delivery log database 386, and confirms the contents of the order for which the order has been received.

Step 302) If the delivery method is not delivery at any time, schedule management must be performed.

Step 303) If schedule management is required, the delivery schedule is registered in the delivery schedule database 385. Here, the configuration of the delivery schedule database will be described. FIG.
6 shows a configuration of a delivery schedule management table according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the delivery schedule, an order ID, a delivery method, a delivery date, a delivery terminal, and a delivery type are set as setting examples.

Step 304) The process management section 340 of the content delivery management center 300 constantly monitors the delivery schedule table of the delivery schedule database 385, and if there is an order corresponding to the delivery time, the order rule and the content information / use rule database 38
3 to generate a content header. FIG. 17 shows the configuration of the content header section according to one embodiment of the present invention. The content header section includes basic content information, usage rules, and order rules.

As examples of setting the content basic information in the content header portion, format type, content ID,
Set the content title name, content file name, sales price, genre, and data length. The genre indicates the genre of the content, and for example, content such as music, audio programs, education, news, weather, travel, life, business, and video is set. The data length indicates the data length of the content managed by the content header section.

As an example of setting the usage rule of the content header, a right protection flag, the number of times of use, a usage period, a rating acquisition request flag, and a content key are set.

The right protection flag in the content header portion is
The content key sets a key in the case of encryption with a flag indicating whether encryption is performed or not. Since the encryption is performed before the delivery management unit 330 generates the content format, the process management unit 340 is used. Then, the content key is not set. After the generation of the content header, a delivery instruction format shown in FIG. 18 is generated to instruct the delivery management unit 330 to deliver.

As examples of setting of the delivery instruction format, format type, delivery center ID, transmission company ID, delivery terminal, delivery type, delivery address, delivery gateway ID, delivery gateway password, personal post office box UR
L and the content header length are set.

The following contents are set in each item of the delivery instruction format.

Delivery center ID: ID defined for specifying the delivery center; Transmission company ID: Company ID of the service provider site that accepted the order; Delivery address: Delivery type is delivery guarantee type Is set in the case of, and the address required for delivery registered by the member to the delivery system company is set.

Delivery gateway ID and delivery gateway password: Set when the delivery type is a delivery guarantee type, and set the ID and password for the business operator to connect to the delivery system company.

Personal post office box URL: URL for setting a personal post office box used by the member is set.

Next, the delivery management process will be described.

First, the delivery management processing based on the delivery guarantee type will be described.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a delivery management process by a delivery guarantee type according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Step 401) Upon receiving a delivery instruction from the process management unit 340 of the content delivery center 300,
The delivery management unit 220 of the service provider site 200 checks the contents of the delivery instruction.

Step 402) If there is an instruction to transmit only header information in the contents of the delivery instruction, step 406
Move to

Step 403) If the right protection flag is set in the contents of the delivery instruction, the process proceeds to step 404, and if not, the process proceeds to step 406.

Step 404) If the right protection flag is set, the delivery management unit 220 encrypts the content and sets the content key in the content header of the content database 230.

Step 405) Next, the delivery management unit 22
At 0, a content format is generated. If it is determined in step 402 that the order of the header content is changed and the content is deleted, only the content header is transmitted as the instruction command, so that the content format generation processing is not performed.

Step 406) When transmission data is generated, a signature of a header is created to prevent tampering.
For the signature, the delivery management unit 220 and the user terminal 40
In order to exchange data between the content reception / use management APs 410, the public key encryption method is used so as to be effective between them. Note that T-DES or the like is used as the cryptographic module.

Step 407) The delivery management section 220
Check the delivery type. If the delivery type is the best-effort type, the process proceeds to step 501 described later.

Step 408) When the delivery type is the delivery guarantee type, the connection is made to the delivery system company and the data is transmitted.

Step 409) Here, the delivery management unit 2
20 periodically polls with the delivery system company to receive the delivery status.

Step 410) The delivery management unit 220 sends a delivery status log to the content delivery center 300. The polling is repeated until the delivery completion is received, and when the contents of the delivery status change, the delivery log is also updated.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a delivery log format according to an embodiment of the present invention. As an example of setting the delivery log format to be sent, format type, order I
D, delivery content ID, right protection content, content delivery status, content key delivery status are set. The following contents are set in each item of the delivery log format.

Rights-protected content: a flag for setting that the content is rights-protected; Delivery status: for example, delivery acceptance completed, delivery in progress, delivery completed, error reason, etc. Content key delivery status: content and content This key is used when the key is separated and distributed, and is not used this time because it is transmitted together with the content in the content format.

Examples of the setting of the delivery log management table of the order / delivery log database shown in FIG. 14 in which the delivery log is updated include an order ID, a delivery content ID, a rights protection content, a content delivery status, a content key delivery status. Is set.

Step 411) In the user terminal 400, since the content reception / use management AP 410 periodically polls the delivery system company, the data is downloaded when it arrives.

Next, step 40 in FIG.
7, the delivery management process in the case of the best effort type in the delivery type confirmation will be described.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a delivery management process of the best effort type according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Step 501) In the delivery type confirmation, it is confirmed that the delivery type is the best effort type.

Step 502) When the delivery type is the best effort type, the delivery management section 220 of the service provider site 200 generates a content access list shown in FIG. As a setting example of the content access list, a format type, an order ID, a delivery content ID, and a content storage destination are set. For the content storage destination, for example, a directory path name or the like is set.

Step 503) The delivery management section 220
After generating the content access list, when transmitting only the content format or the header to the content storage destination specified in the access list, the content header is stored.

Step 504) The delivery management section 220
Send the access list to the member's post office box.

Step 505) Here, the service provider site 200 periodically polls the post office box and receives and confirms the delivery status.

Step 506) The delivery management section 220
A delivery status log is transmitted to the content delivery center 300.

Step 507) The delivery management section 220
Polling is repeated until delivery completion is received.

Step 508) If the contents of the delivery status change, the delivery log is also updated.

Step 509) In the user terminal 400, since the content reception / use management AP 410 periodically polls the post-office box, if the access list arrives, data is stored based on the access list. Access to the location where you are, and download the data.

Next, the content use management process will be described.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a content use management process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Step 601) After receiving the content at the user terminal 400, the content reception / use management AP 41
At 0, the content format is analyzed, the signature is confirmed, it is confirmed that the content is not falsified, and the signature is re-signed. The re-signing is performed so that the management of the header content in the future is managed by the user terminal 400 with responsibility.

Step 602) When the content is used, the user terminal 400 analyzes the content format, and updates the header if the received header has been changed in order.

Step 603) If the received header indicates that the content is to be deleted, the corresponding content is deleted.

Step 604) If the received header is a software version upgrade, the software version upgrade is performed.

Step 605) When the content is used, the content is displayed in the order of the content format.

Step 606) If there is a content use restriction, the use is restricted according to the format use restriction contents. When the number of uses is limited, a process of subtracting the number of uses is performed, and in the case of the right protected content, a process of decrypting the content is performed. When acquiring a usage history, a usage history is generated.

Step 607) The user terminal 400 uses the content.

Step 608) When the use history is acquired, it is transmitted to the content delivery center 300 at the next network connection. FIG. 24 shows the configuration of the usage history format according to an embodiment of the present invention. Examples of usage history format settings include format type, member ID,
Total number of histories, 1st content ID, 1st usage count, 1
The third tampering check result to the Nth content ID, the Nth use date, the Nth use count, and the Nth tampering check result are set. For the first use date and the Nth use date, the latest use date for the content ID is set.

FIG. 25 shows the configuration of the usage history management table of the usage history database according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As setting examples of the use history, the history acquisition date, content ID, use date, number of uses, member I
D, a falsification check result is set. As for the use date, the latest use date for the content ID is set.

The log management section 350 of the content distribution center 300 stores the usage history acquired from the user terminal 400 in the usage history database 387.

Although the above embodiment has been described based on the configuration of FIG. 1, the components of each device are constructed as a program, and a disk device connected to each device, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, The present invention can be easily realized by storing the program in a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or the like and installing it in the device (computer) when implementing the present invention.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0158]

As described above, according to the present invention, the use rule set by the content holder and the order rule set by the user are managed in a format and matched, so that the optimum delivery method and delivery are achieved. Select the type,
Flexible distribution control can be performed.

Further, as data to be distributed to the user, a content format having a usage rule and an order rule as a header component is generated and distributed to the user terminal. Optimum use control of the content based on the content of the content can be realized. Conventionally, only the usage rule set by the content holder is set in the header added to the content, but in the present invention, in addition to the usage rule, necessary elements of the order rule set by the user are added. For distribution, content usage control can be performed in a form in which user requests are also added.

Also, when performing delivery using a post office box on the network in a best-effort manner, only an access list describing the actual content storage location is delivered to the post office box, and the substance of the content is copied to the post office box. Doing so can solve the problem of PO Box space.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration example of a content format according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration example of a content header management unit in the content format of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a company management table of a company database of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a member management table of a member database according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a content registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a content registration request format according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a content related table of a content information / use rule database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a use rule management table of a content information / use rule database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an order request receiving process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an order rule setting request format according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an order rule related management table of an order rule database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of an order / delivery log management table of an order / delivery log database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process management process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a delivery schedule management table of a delivery schedule database according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a content header section according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a delivery instruction format according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a delivery management process using a delivery guarantee type according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a delivery log format according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a delivery management process by a best effort type according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram of an access list format according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a content use management process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of a usage history format according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a usage history management table of a usage history database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a conventional first content distribution method.

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining a conventional second content distribution method.

[Description of Signs] 100 User service request terminal 200 Service provider site 210 Order request management section 220 Delivery management section 230 Content 300 Content delivery center 310 Content registration management section 320 Order request reception management section 330 Delivery management section 340 Process management section 350 Log management unit 360 Member management unit 370 Business management unit 380 Database group 381 Member database 382 Business database 383 Content information / use rule database 384 Order rule database 385 Delivery schedule database 386 Order / delivery log database 387 Usage history database 391 Content 392 PO box 400 User terminal 410 Content reception / use management AP (application) 500 computer Network

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Sumio Hayami 1-6-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo NTT Communications Corporation (72) Inventor Hidenori Araki Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 1-6-1 No. F-term in NTT Communications Corporation (reference) 5B049 BB00 CC00 CC05 EE59 FF07 GG02 GG03 GG06 5B085 BG07 CA04

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. Via a computer network,
In a content distribution method for distributing content from a center to a client, when an order rule, which is a rule relating to delivery and use, is received for each content set by a user, a content holder is set in advance for the content for which the order rule is set. A content distribution method comprising: applying a usage rule set by the above method, controlling content distribution to the order rule and the usage rule, generating a content format, and distributing the content format to the client. 2. A content format comprising a content format main part comprising a content header part and a content data part, and a content header management part used to manage a plurality of the content format main parts collectively. The content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution method is used to control use of the content by the user. 3. The content distribution according to claim 2, wherein the content header portion of the content format is generated from content basic information set by the content holder, a usage rule, and a user or a business operator set the order rule. Method. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when the content format is delivered, one of a delivery by a delivery guarantee type that ensures delivery and a delivery type by a best effort type that does not guarantee the delivery content are designated as the delivery instruction format. 1. The content distribution method according to 1. 5. A content access list in which the actual storage location of the content on the Internet is indicated in the post-office box of the user when the center delivers to the client according to the delivery type of the best-effort type. 5. The content delivery method according to claim 4, wherein the format is delivered. 6. Via a computer network,
A content distribution device that distributes content to a client that is a content distribution destination, and receives, from the client, an order rule that is a rule related to delivery and use of content set by a user, On the other hand, a usage rule set in advance by a content holder is applied, content distribution control is performed on the order rule and the usage rule, and a content format generation unit that generates a content format, and the content format is transmitted to the client. A content distribution device comprising: a content format distribution unit that distributes the content. 7. The content format generating means collects a content format main body including a content header section and a content data section and a plurality of content format main bodies to control use of the content by the client. 7. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for generating the content format configured by a content header management unit used for management. 8. The content format generating means generates the content header portion of the content format from content basic information set by the content holder, a usage rule, and a user or a business rule set by the order rule. 8. The content distribution device according to claim 7, further comprising means. 9. The content format delivery means includes means for designating, in the delivery instruction format, one of a delivery by a delivery guarantee type that ensures delivery and a delivery type by a best effort type that does not guarantee delivery contents. Item 7. The content distribution device according to Item 6. 10. The content format distribution means, when transmitting the content format according to the delivery type of the best effort type, indicates the actual storage location of the content on the Internet in the post-office box of the user. 10. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means for distributing the format of the content access list.